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 129

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed. cn; Brockett, L. P. (Linus Pierpont), 1820-1893; Proctor, L. B. (Lucien Brock), 1830-1900. 1n
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1114

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 129

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511

CONSOLIDATED HISTORY OF BROOKLYN, 1874.

portant office of Auditor in the New York Custom-House for many years. In 1864, and during the administration of this office, the curious charge was brought against him by John J. Cisco (the Sub-Treasurer of New York), of forging his own signature. Mr. Cisco, having paid certain drafts upon him, bearing Mr. Hunter's forged signature, which he was responsi- ble for, took this course of saving himself. The case was at once prosecuted before Hon. Kenneth G. White, the United States Commissioner, the record of which fills a pamphlet of 264 pages. Hon. Edwards Pierrepont was one of Mr. Hun- ter's counsel. The result was a unanimous acquittal of Mr. Hunter, which distinctly asserted his unimpeachable integ- rity. Mr. Cisco was compelled to add his own conviction of Mr. Hunter's innocence, as well as to pay the cost of the de- fence.

YPE. ENG CO

HON. JOHN W. HUNTER.

Immediately following this vindication came the nomina- tion of Mr. Hunter by his fellow-citizens of the Third Con- gressional District, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Hon. James Humphrey. This nomination was entirely unsought for; but, under the circumstances, was very grati- fying, as showing that the charges which had been brought against him, had in no way affected his standing with his friends and neighbors in Brooklyn. The Third District was Republican, though Mr. Hunter, a Democrat, was elected by a handsome majority over his popular opponent, Hon. S. B. Chittenden. Upon the expiration of his Congressional term, in 1867, he was nominated to represent the Fifth Assembly District in the State Legislature; but was defeated, by only ninety votes. Subsequently, he declined the office of Collec- tor of Internal Revenue, tendered him by President Johnson, and which was personally urged upon him by the Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. McCulloch, who believed his selection would best serve the needs of the department. The record of his administration as Mayor (1874, 1875) was marked by a strenuous opposition on his part to the system of State com- missions for the government of the city, to the further in- crease of public debt, and to "Ring" power in municipal affairs. His voice was ever for retrenchment, and for rigid economy, and a responsible local government. The amended charter of 1873, which provided for the abolition of all com- missions, and for the restoration of home rule, largely owed its existence to Mayor Hunter's ardent personal influence.

In 1876 he was again tendered the nomination for Congress from the Third District; and, with his splendid previous rec- ord, both as legislator and as Mayor, would undoubtedly have carried an election. Owing, however, to the recent

strain upon him, as well as to the business engagements then devolving upon him, he felt constrained to decline the proffered honor.

Mayor Hunter is a director in the Nassau Fire Insurance Co .; the Manhattan Life Insurance Co ; and the Mercantile Trust Co., of New York city.

Since 1860, Mr. Hunter has been identified, as Trustee, Sec- retary and Treasurer, with the Dime Savings Bank, and to liis financial skill, and his reputation for unswerving integrity, much of the success of the bank as a Brooklyn institution is due.

Mr. Hunter resides in the same house, on Clinton avenue, in which he has lived since 1840. His third son, Lieut. Henry C. Hunter, of the United States ship Alert, died at sea in June, 1881. His career had already been full of brilliant promise for the future. An elegant stained-glass window in the chapel of the Brooklyn Homeopathic Hospital, also commem- orates the memory of Mr. Hunter's daughter, Emily, a lady whose name is associated with many deeds of mercy and charity in this city.

1874 .- January 5. Mayor Hunter's message statcs the total city debt to be $37,431,944.

February 20. Large meeting of the Municipal Union Society to favor the union of Brooklyn and New York under one government.

March 11. Brooklyn Guaranty and Trust Company incorporated.

May 22. Ladies' Fruit and Flower Mission incor- porated.

May 26. Incorporation of the Brooklyn Elevated Railroad Company, to connect Brooklyn and Wood- haven.

July 23. Corner Stone of Thirteenth Regiment Ar- mory laid, at Hanson Place and Flatbush avenue.

July 25. The number of houses erected in Brooklyn from June 1, 1873, to June 1, 1874, given by the Board of Assessors as 1786; their assessed value, without site, $4,251,700. The number of buildings from 1864 to 1874, inclusive, is 19,660; their assessed value, $44,027,- 800.

August 6. It was voted by the Common Councils of New York and Brooklyn to complete the Bridge as a Municipal undertaking.

Aug. 22. Theodore Tilton commences an action against Rev. Henry Ward Beecher for crim. con.

Aug. 25. Grand Street Ferry closed.

Sept. 9. Now Ferry-House at Catherine Ferry opened.

Sept. 28. International Rifle Contest at Creedmoor. Public Reception at the Academy of Music to Rt. Hon. Maurice Brooks, Lord Mayor of Dublin.

Oct. 8. The private stockholders of the East River Bridge Company assent to the terms of the Act of April 16th, by which the citics of Brooklyn and New York assume the completion of the structure.

Dec. 15. Douglass and Mosher, the (supposed) ab- ductors of Charlie Ross, killed while committing a burglary at Bay Ridge.

Dec. 29. Collision between two ferry boats caus- ing a loss of several lives.

512

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

1875 .- Jan. 5. Mayor Hunter's message gives the total indebtedness of Brooklyn as $35,048,621; number of children attending the public schools over 80,000; taught by 995 teachers; value of school property $3,810,000. Beginning of the Tilton-Beecher trial in the City Court before Judge Neilson.

Jan. 23. Ice jam in the East River, stopping ferry- boats.

Feb. 13. East and North Rivers covered with ice; travel suspended.

Mar. 15. Total number of deaths in 1874 was 11,011. June 22. Dedication of the Baptist Home.

July 2. The jury in the Tilton-Beecher case dis- charged, being unable to agree.

July 14. The census gives the population of Brook- lyn at 483,252; of Kings County 494,570.

Aug. 4. Death of Isaac Van Anden, founder of the Brooklyn Eagle.

Aug. 9. The number of buildings erected in Brook- lyn from May 31, 1874, to May 31, 1875, is 1,470; of an assessed value of $3,617,300.

Aug. 20. Part of Atlantic Avenue fenced in by the heirs of Cowenhoven estate.

Nov. 2. Frederick A. Schroeder elected Mayor of Brooklyn by a vote of 35,026, over Edward Rowe, whose vote was 33,375.

FREDERICK A. SCHROEDER was born in the city of Trier, Prussia, March 10th, 1833. His father was a Surveyor of

PUNTO ELECTROTI

HON. FREDERICK A. SCHROEDER.

Taxes in the service of the Prussian Government when the Revolution of 1848 occurred, and for political reasons, determined to emigrate to the United States. His son had received the thorough education which the schools of that country afford; and, on his arrival here, with character- istic German independence, determined to earn his own living. He commenced the business of cigar-making, at the age of sixteen, starting without a dollar of his own. Before attain- ing his majority he had accumulated a comparative independ- ence, and owned a manufactory, in which he employed a dozen men. In the course of time his industry and in- tegrity brought their reward, and he was enabled to enjoy an

ample fortune, while he continued in business as the head of the firm of Schroeder & Bon, dealers in leaf tobacco. In 1867, he founded the Germania Savings Bank, in order to afford his countrymen in Brooklyn the advantages which native- born citizens derived from similar institutions. Mr. Schroeder has been its President from the first, and the success of the corporation has vindicated his judgment in establishing it. In 1871, the Republican party sought him as a candidate for the office of City Comptroller, to which he was elected by a flattering majority. Brooklyn is indebted to him for an improved method of book-keeping in the Comptroller's De- partment, and for an honest, vigilant administration, as even his political opponents were constrained to admit.

During his term as Mayor, and with his active co-operation, important strides were taken towards reform in municipal government. After retiring from office, he continued to labor as a private citizen for the overthrow of the various rings which infested the city government. His record as a thorough-going reformer secured his election to the State Senate, in 1879, from the Third Senatorial District. His course in the Legislature was entirely satisfactory to his constit- uents, as he was the active champion of the Reform Charter for Brooklyn, by which the many-headed commissions of the old system are replaced by those who are directly responsible for the proper discharge of their duties. So earnest was he in urging the passage of the various reform bills and the new charter, that he has been called the father of Brooklyn's present excellent charter. Since the expiration of his term in the Senate he has spent much time in European travel.

Dec. 31. In 1875 there were 383 fires in the city, with an aggregate loss of $799,398.

1876 .- Jan. 3. Mayor Schroeder's message states the total liabilities of the city to be $38,770,463.

Jan. 7. Rear Admiral SILAS H. STRINGHAM died, aged 78 years.

Feb. 3. Patrick Campbell, Superintendent of Police, reports the total number of arrests in 1875 at 24,700.

Mar. 7. Burning of the Brooklyn Home for the Aged, with the loss of 18 lives.

Mar. 16. Ordinance passed to permit the use of steam cars on Atlantic avenue, from East New York to Flatbush avenue.

Mar. 25. Robbery of $25,000 from the Fulton Bank.

Apr. 19. Formal transfer of the Thirteenth Regi- ment Armory, by the Board of Supervisors, to the Regiment.

May 24. Work commenced on the East New York end of the Brooklyn Elevated Railway.

June 21. Ground broken for the new Municipal Building.

July 18. The Broadway, Tompkins Avenue and Harrison Avenue Railway line completed.

Aug. 10. The Registrar of the Board of Health re- ports the number of deaths in the city for the first six months of 1876 at 5,843.

Aug. 14. First wire stretched from the Brooklyn tower to the New York tower of the Bridge.

Aug. 19. Opening of the Coney Island branch of the New York, Bay Ridge and Jamaica Railroad.

Sept. 24. Blowing up of Hallett's Point at Hell

B.LITTLE

513

CONSOLIDATED HISTORY OF BROOKLYN, 1876-'77.

gate, East River, after six years' spent in submarine tunneling.

Oct. 6. Death of NEZIAH BLISS, the " Patriarch of Greenpoint."

Oct. 16. First " cradle " cable of the bridge stretched from shore to shore.

Nov. 18. Ocean Park Roadway opened for travel.

Dec. 4. Unveiling of Horace Greeley's monument in Greenwood.

Dec. 5. Burning of the Brooklyn Theater; 295 lives lost. (See chapter on Music, Drama and Art.)

Dec. 9. Public funeral at Greenwood of one hundred unclaimed bodies of victims of the theater fire.

1877 .-- Jan. 8. The City's total obligations as given by Mayor Schroeder's message are $39,578,100. Presi- dent F. S. Massey of the Fire Department reports the number of men employed as 264; the number of steam fire engines 22, and 5 hook and ladder companies. The losses by fire in 1876 aggregated $525,860.

Feb. 13. Death of Hon. CYRUS P. SMITH, aged 77 years, the fourth Mayor of Brooklyn, appointed in 1839 and elected again.

Feb 17. The Brooklyn Argus consolidated with the Union.

March 23. The Brooklyn Bank plundered of $160,000 by the head book-keeper; his arrest and the recovery of most of the money.

April 15. The steam railroad track between Flat- bush and Classon avenues laid at night, to avoid an injunction.

April 25. The Cowenhoven heirs awarded $60,000 for their strip of land in the center of Atlantic avenue.

May 12. The contest between Abraham H. Daily and Walter H. Livingston for the office of Surrogate decided in favor of the former.

May 31. During the past twelve months 1,270 new buildings erected in this city, assessed at $3,349,200.

June 1. Beginning of the work of running the wires for the great bridge cables across the river.

June 16. Gov. Robinson signs the bill for the re- duction of salaries of the Brooklyn officials, by which the highest salaries are reduced from $10,000 to $6,000.

June 23. Laying of corner-stone of St. John's Hos- pital.

Junc 26. Passenger travel by steam, on Atlantic avenue, began.

July 18. The Manhattan Beach Railroad and hotel opened to the public; also opening of the New York and Sea Beach Road.

July 23. The Twenty-third Regiment ordered to Hornellsville to quell the railroad riot.

July 30. Mozart Garden opened at the corner of Fulton and Smith strects.

Aug. 13. Rapid Transit trains run to East New York, at frequent intervals, at five cents fare.

Aug. 23. The line of "Annex" ferry-boats cstab- lished from Jewell's Wharf to Jersey City.

Sept. 14. The Long Island Savings Bank closed.

Sept. 15. The American team victorious in the In- ternational Rifle Match at Creedmoor. Sir Henry Halford entertained in Brooklyn.

Nov. 6. James Howell, Jr., elected mayor over John F. Henry, by a vote of 36,343 to 33,538;

JAMES HOWELL .- Nineteenth on the roll of distinguished citizens whom Brooklyn has honored with the mayoralty. stands the name of JAMES HOWELL. He comes of excellent ancestry ; his parents, though not wealthy, were highly re- spected. They were residents of Bradford, Wiltshire, in England, at the time of his birth, October 16, 1829, but re- moved to America, with their children, when James was but six years old ; therefore, he may be claimed as a thorough American, and a good example of the product of American institutions. His father, James Howell, made a home for himself and family on a farm near New Lisbon, Ohio. Here the young James grew up, assisting in the farm-work, when necessary, and attending the common schools until 1845, when he removed with his parents to Brooklyn. Here he served a clerkship of a year in a grocery-store, but the work was uncongenial. Naturally endowed with a talent for con- struction, he had a taste for mechanism, which bent he finally determined to gratify. Accordingly, he served a thorough apprenticeship of four years in iron-working, and was then promoted to be foreman in charge of a foundry. He showed such energy, aptness, good sense and power to command men, as to win the perfect trust and confidence of his employers. His success in managing for others excited " his ambition to do for himself. Conscious of his powers, he felt that he could conduct his own business as well as another's ; that he could direct as well as execute. Accord- ingly, in 1855, he opened a small establishment on a capital of $225, saved from his earnings. His venture was crowned with success. He was able to extend his business gradually, until his works covered a large area, and gave employment to some three hundred men, with an annual production valued at many thousand dollars.

His reputation and his fortune kept pace with the growth of his business; and, at the present time, the house of Howell & Saxtan is among the heaviest in the iron trade.

Mr. Howell's practical abilities, his knowledge of men, his faculty for leadership, and his personal popularity and probity early commended him to his fellow citizens for political honors. He was elected Supervisor of the Eleventh Ward in 1864, on the Democratic ticket. His course gave such satisfaction that he was elected for three consecutive terms ; also for one term as Supervisor and Alderman, and afterwards for one term as Supervisor-at-Large. In these various offices he showed positive ability, fondness for public business, and the faculty of accomplishing results in a marked degree; while his name was synonomous with economy and reform. His personal popularity invariably carried the Eleventh Ward, though it was otherwise strongly Republican. These years of political service had brought Mr. Howell additional capacity and experience, and made him favorably known to the citizens of Brooklyn. Accord- ingly, in 1876, he was selected by the Democracy as their strongest candidate for the Mayoralty, and was elected by a flattering majority.

On his accession to the office, he found a deficit in the city's finances, and a constantly increasing debt ; he there- fore immediately set about retrenching. He was instru- mental in securing the passage of the two-third act ; also in other legislation inuring to the city's benefit. At the close

514

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

of his first term, he was triumphantly re-elected by over ten thousand majority.

In a communication to the Common Council, near the close of his term, he was able to say:

"It appears that the reduction in expenditures, under the estimates of the Board of Estimates, from 1878 to 1881, in- clusive, have averaged nearly twenty-five per cent. on the annual expenditures for the three years immediately pre- ceding my administration; while in the matter of local taxa- tion, the burdens have been materially lessened, notwith- standing an increase in population, in the past four years, of over seventy thousand."

This excellent showing, coupled with his honest and fear- less vetoes of "jobs," and his administration, excellent in other respects, were so satisfactory to the people, that he received the unanimous nomination for the third time, in 1880.

Could his name have been presented to the voters without side issues of party management and the popular cry, "no third term," he would have been sustained by an overwhelm- ing majority ; but no man could carry the party load, for which he was in no way responsible.

It is the verdict of history that he made an excellent Mayor, enforcing economy and reform in Brooklyn's govern- ment, opposing dishonesty, enhancing the city's prosperity, and winning public respect and confidence.

During his term of office as Mayor, he took an important part in the affairs of the Brooklyn Bridge, watched its pro- gress with interest, and made his influence felt beneficially in many practical ways. After the death of Senator Murphy, Mr. Howell was appointed in February, 1883, to be Bridge Trustee, in his place.

In private life Mayor Howell is much liked, because of his kind and genial manners, social qualities and strong friend- ships; while he is universally esteemed for his sterling worth, integrity and manhood.

His wife was Miss Anna Tunstall, whom he married in 1851; their family consists of a son and two daughters. Their church connections are with the Methodist Episcopal de- nomination. Mr. Howell is a member of the Masonic order, having taken some of the higher degrees, and held important offices in the fraternity.

Mr. Howell's success is attributable to his doing with his might what his hand found to do. His entire energies have ever been devoted to his business, to his official duties, and the occupations of a public spirited citizen.

Dec. 14. Col. James McLeer appointed Postmaster of Brooklyn.

Dec. 31. 29,500 arrests made in 1877, as against 26,669 in 1876.

1878 .- Jan 7. Mayor Howell's message gives the city's permanent debt at $27,283,932, the temporary debt, $10,293,900, tax certificates.

March 15. The annual report of the Police De- partment gives the number of men on duty at 623, being one to 816 of the population; 26,857 arrests were made; property reported stolen, was $230,475, of which $191,803 was recovered.

April 9. Manhattan Beach Railroad Company ran their first train over the route from Bay Ridge to Coney Island, thence to Greenpoint.

May 12. Sudden death of Major General THOMAS S. DAKIN.

June 1. Ground broken for the Brooklyn Steam Transit Road.

June 14. A strand of the Brooklyn bridge cable broke loose from the New York anchorage; several workmen killed.

Opening of the Old Men's Home at 84 State street.

June 24. Explosion of gas in the basement of the Municipal Building, with the loss of one life and serious injury of others.

July 1. The Brooklyn, Flatbush and Coney Island Railroad finished from the Park to Coney Island. The Brighton Beach Hotel completed.

July 17. Yellow fever breaks out at the Navy Yard.

July 20. Death of Hon. JOHN A. LOTT, aged 74.

Aug. 6. Union of the Long Island Railroad with the Brooklyn, Flatbush and Coney Island road.

Oct. 5. The great cables of the bridge completed.

Oct. 24. Ground broken for the Long Island His- torical Society's new building, on Pierrepont street, corner of Clinton.

Nov. 25. Thomas M. Riley declared to be elected Sheriff, by 71 majority, by the Board of Canvassers.

Nov. 27. Brooklyn Board of Charities organized.

Dec. 4. Pacific Mills in South Brooklyn burned; loss $200,000.

Dec. 14. The Electric Light introduced into Brooklyn, by F. Loeser, at his store on Fulton street.

1879 .- Jan. 6. Mayor Howell's annual message states the net obligations of the city to be $37,475,318.

Feb. 5. Death of Dr. GEORGE GILFILLAN, the oldest physician in Brooklyn.

Feb. 6. Death of ex-mayor SAMUEL S. POWELL.

HON. SAMUEL S. POWELL.

March 1. Fire Marshall A. B. Thorn reports 449 fires in the city during 1878, causing a loss of $391,- 917, on which the insurance was $1,654,900.

March 10. The Police Department reports 25,373 arrests in 1878.

April 3. Work commenced on a new theatre on the site of the Brooklyn Theatre, burned in 1877.

515

CONSOLIDATED HISTORY OF BROOKLYN, 1880.

May 10. The Atlantic Insurance Company winds up its affairs.

May 23. Semi-Centennial celebration of the Brook- lyn Sunday-School Union.

May 24. Burning of the Nassau Mills on Furman street, with a loss of $275,000, and a part of Watson's stores ; loss half a million.

May 28. A bust of Thomas Moore was unveiled at Prospect Park.

June 30. The resolution passed by the Board of Aldermen to allow the Kings County Elevated Rail- way Company to build tracks through certain streets, including Fulton, having been vetoed by Mayor Howell, was passed over the veto by 17 Aldermen.

July 7. According to the decision to make the bridge superstructure of steel, the contract was awarded to the Edgemoor Iron Company.

August 15. The Registrar of the Board of Health reports the deaths for 1878 to number 11,075, being at the rate of 2.04 in the hundred.

August 24. Death of Hon. JOHN DIKEMAN, ex-Judge of the County Court, aged 84 years.

Sept. 11. General Jourdan re-appointed President of the Board of Police and Excise.

Oct. 12. The corner-stone of St. Mary's Hospital laid. Nov. 29. Death of Rev. Dr. W. I. BUDDINGTON, aged 64 years.

1880 .- Jan. 5. Mayor Howell's annual message states that the assessed valuation of the taxable prop- erty of the city in 1879 was $232,925,699, an increase of nearly $3,000,000 over the previous year, which represents the value of the 1,125 new buildings erected during the year. The total debt of the city is $37,- 565,370.

Jan. 26. The shoe shop in the County Penitentiary fired by a convict and totally consumed.

Feb. 6. Sudden death of ex-Sheriff A. G. WIL- LIAMS.

April 15. Farewell services in old St. Ann's Church, at Washington and Prospect strects, preparatory to its demolition for the bridge approach.

April 21. The annual report for 1879 of the Police Department states that the force comprises 635 men ; that 25,706 arrests were made, being in the proportion of one to every twenty of the population ; that 448 fires occurred, in which the loss was $698,909.

April 29. Three-score of gentlemen, who have been residents of Brooklyn for fifty years, met to organize the "Society of Old Brooklynites."

May 1. The new wing of the Raymond strect jail completed.

May 15. Governor Cornell signed the bill which re- organizes the Charities Department of the city, giving its control to a commission of three, who are also to have supervision over the penitentiary.

May 26. The "One Hcad " bill passed by the Legis- lature, by the terms of which the triple heads of de-

partments are abolished, and the control given to a single official, with power to appoint his subordinates; a long step in the direction of good municipal govern- ment.

May 29. Passage of the bill to reorganize the Board of Elections and make it non-partisan, by securing members from all political parties.

June 2. Mayor Howell appointed Messrs. J. C. Perry, H. W. Hunt, W. J. Osborne, D. T. Walden and A. Treadwell to be Rapid Transit Commissioners, to investigate the various schemes proposed for rapid transit.

June 11. Corner-stone of the new E. D. Hospital and Dispensary laid.

June 20. Census returns give the population of the city's twenty-five wards as 554,465.

June 29. The steamer Seawanhaka burned in the East River, with the loss of a number of lives, among them Rev. Dr. DILLER, one of the oldest and most be- loved of the Episcopal clergymen in this city. He was in his seventieth year; noted for his loving spirit and his work among the poor. His daughter, who was with him, was so badly burned that she died a few days after.

July 2. Opening of the Oxford Club, at 109 Lafay- ette avenue; A. C. Barnes, President.

August 6. Veto by Mayor Howell of the Elevated Railroad project from South Ferry to the southern part of the city.

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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 129

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed. cn; Brockett, L. P. (Linus Pierpont), 1820-1893; Proctor, L. B. (Lucien Brock), 1830-1900. 1n Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : W. W. Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1114

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed. cn; Brockett, L. P. (Linus Pierpont), 1820-1893; Proctor, L. B. (Lucien Brock), 1830-1900. 1n
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : W. W. Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1114