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 71

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 71

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The enviable location enjoyed by the town of New Lots, is certain to bring to dwell within it a largely in- creased population, within a brief period ;- so soon, in fact, as one of the various projects on foot to bring it

into rapid communication with the East River Bridge shall be accomplished. Possessed of cxtra- ordinary natural advantages, it will inevitably become the home of manufacturing industries, the cstablish- ment of which is all that is now required to give it rank among the foremost towns of the State.

Many of the residents of the town are engaged in business in the citics of New York and Brooklyn. There is, however, a large manufacturing interest in the town, which will be considerably increased on the introduction of public water, the works of which are rapidly approaching completion. Among the most important manufactories may be mentioned the Unex- celled Fire Works Company, which has a working force of 150, and whose paid-up capital is $35,000; Miles Brothers' Brush Factory, where nearly 200 men, boys and girls, are constantly employed ; Corrigan's Brush Factory, established in 1876, by its present owner and operator. It employs about fifty hands, turning out about 10,000 dozen leather-back horsc-brushes an- nually. Its annual consumption of leather is about 3,000 sides ; that of bristles and fibre, about three tons ; Nelson's Torpedo Factory, where paper explosive caps are made, employs about 100 persons; the capital invested is $250,000; Davies & Sons' New Jersey Mills, Cummings & Sons' Moulding and Planing Mills, Rickitts' Pencil, Whip and Toy Factory, where thirty hands are constantly employed, capital invested $150,- 000; Mc Guigan's Shoe-button-hole Factory employs about fifty girls, at average wages of about eight dol- lars per week. There is a vast business carried on in the manufacture of clothing at the houses of the poorer in- habitants. These industrious tailors are, for the most part, Germans, and are a noteworthy, honest, frugal and thrifty class of operatives.

A great obstacle to the growth of the town has been the want of a water supply, but that is about to bc furnished by the Long Island Water Supply Company, organized under the provisions of the laws of this State. This company has entered into a contract with the authorities of the town, and is preparing to perform its obligation. The company will expend in the construc- tion of its system of water-works, half a million of dol- lars. A substantial reservoir is now in course of con- struction, and about twenty miles of pipes laid. Two hundred fire-hydrants arc to be placed in the streets, and the public buildings supplied with free drinking- hydrants. It is expected that the works will be com- pleted before the close of the present year.

The First Town Election was held at the hotel of John I. Snediker, Cypress Hills, on the first Tuesday in April, 1852, at 2 o'clock P. M. J. U. Forbell, F. L. Wyckoff and William H. Suydam were appointed In- spectors. Mr. Gilliam Schenck acting as Clerk.

The following Town Officers were duly elected :- Supervisor, Ferdinand L. Wyckoff ; Town Clerk, Gilliam Schenck ; Tax Collector, Samuel E. Vander-

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veer; Assessors, Peter Rapalje, William Simmons, Williamson Rapalje; Commissioners of Highways, John G. Williamson, James L. Williams, John Drew; Justices of the Peace, Stephen P. Stoodoff, George W. Seaman, Abrm. S. Eldert, William H. Suydam; Town Supt. of Schools, J. Pascal Strong; Constables, Joseph H. Weeks, Thomas M. Burtis, John Duryea. Whole number of votes polled, 193.

1883, Present Town Officers .- Supervisor, Dit- mas Jewell; Town Clerk, Louis Bierderman; Tax Col- lector; George W. Palmer; Justices of the Peace, Chas. Gertum, William Shirlock, Emil Schiellein, William Watson; Commissioners of Highways, Philip L. Jar- din, N. Livingston Duryea, Thomas F. Ryan; Assessors, George Forbell, William Stoodoff, Henry I. Eldert.

The town is divided into five election districts. The total number of votes polled in 1883, at the annual election for Supervisor, was 2,249.

Union Gas Light Company .- The site upon which the works of this company are built is about one acre in extent, lying almost in the centre of the town. The buildings front on Adams street, and are solid structures of brick.

The capacity of the works are ample to meet the re- quirements of East New York, and the territory sur- rounding it, for many years to come. The facilities arc now adequate to a supply of 60,000 feet every twenty- four hours. At present only 12,000 feet of gas are nightly being supplied throughout the town; but, in the winter season the demand averages about 25,000 feet.

The utmost credit is due to the Union Company for the liberal scale on which they have provided for the supply of an article so indispensable to the business in- terests and the home comforts of this community, as is the article of gas. That the company has acted towards the people in an unselfish, and, it were not too much to say, a generous manner-is apparent from the fact that, save one dividend, they have appropriated all the earnings of the company to the improvement of the works.

The history of the Union Gas Works extends back to 1861, in which year they were built, at an original cost of $50,000. But, in the year 1872 it was found that the facilities were inadequate to an efficient supply, and the large gasometer, built by Thomas F. Rowland of Green- point, was purchased, new retorts erected and buildings added and stocked with new machinery, at a cost of about $70,000.

Newspapers .- The newspaper enterprise of the town dates as far back as 1838, when the late John R. Pitkin, Esq., the pioneer of East New York, commenced the publication of a monthly paper called " The Me- chanic." The office of publication was in what was then known as the " old stone building " at the corner of Atlantic and Pennsylvania avenucs. The Mechanic was devoted to the interest of real estate in the village

of East New York, in the sale of which Mr. Pitkin was largely interested. Its publication, however, was dis- continued after the first year.

In 1853, Mr. C. Warren Hamilton issued the first number of the "Kings County Advertiser and Vil- lage Guardian." The office of publication was also in the " old stone building." The Advertiser reached its third volume, when it passed into other hands, and under the name of the " Kings County Journal" was continued until about the year 1865. In 1866, Mr. Matthew Cooper, a practical printer, became a resident of East New York, and soon after commenced the pub- lication of the East New York Sentinel-an inde- pendent paper. It is published cvery Saturday, and has a large and increasing circulation.

In 1870, a stock company was organized under the name of the "New Lots Journal Association," and about the first of September of the same year, issued the first number of the New Lots Journal, with the Rev. Joseph I. Elsegood as editor. The stock of the Journal was, soon after, sold to A. B. Proctor and C. Warren Hamilton. Its publication was continued by them, under the name of the Kings County Leader.

On the 3d of January, 1874, the stock and fixtures were sold to Messrs. A. H. W. Van Siclen and Richard Pickering, who commenced the publication of the Long Island Record. About a year after, Mr. Van Siclen withdrew, and its publication was continued un- der the proprietorship of Mr. Pickering. The Record is an independent family and business journal; and, un- der its present management is rapidly growing in public favor, as its increasing circulation gives ample proof. It is published every Saturday morning in the village of East New York.

The East New York Laterne, a weekly newspaper published in the German language, was established on the 10th of February, 1878, by the German Press As- sociation of the town of New Lots, " Limited." C. W. C. Dreher, by whose efforts the paper was started, be- came its responsible editor ; and, after the first six months, sole proprietor, he having bought out all the stockholders. The paper was then enlarged, and en- tered upon its era of success, maintaining among the German population of the town and neighborhood a conservative influence in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the people. Up to February 10th, 1883, it had firmly established itself, supplying a want which made itself felt among that nationality. In the spring of 1883, Mr. Philip Midas became Publisher, Editor and sole Proprietor. The Laterne is published every Friday, and, as an advertising medium, it is not excell- ed by any other paper in the town.

Police Department .- In 1870, the Metropolitan Police District was abolished, and the towns of Kings County were left without police protection. The Brooklyn Police Bill was accordingly amended, giving authority, to the Town Boards of the several towns, to

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FIRE DEPARTMENT.

apply to the Police Commissioners of the City of Brooklyn, under a requisition for the appointment of as many men as policemen as was deemed necessary. Under this authority, the Board of the town of New Lots, in 1871, applied for the appointment of three men ; who were duly appointed. In 1873, three more policemen were appointed. A building was rented, on Liberty avenue, for the use of the police as a station- house and lock-up. The building was, however, found to be entirely inadequate to meet the wants of the De- partment ; and, as a law had been passed, giving authority to the Town Board to bond the town in the sum of $10,000 for the purpose of erecting a Town House, in some central location, it was deemed best to proceed at once, under the provisions of the Act, to erect a building for the use of the police.

Accordingly in June, 1873, a plot of ground, 50 by 100 feet, was purchased of Horace A. Miller, on Butler avenue, between Atlantic and Fulton avenues, for the sum of $1,400; and a substantial two-story and basement brick structure erected thereon. On the 11th day of December, 1873, the building was formally handed over to the town. A local paper, speaking of the com- pletion of the building, says : " The building committee, Judges Dowling, Hamilton and Wolfert deserve the thanks of the citizens for the manner in which they have watched over the interest of the tax-payers of the town. The Town House is a credit to the Town Board; to the architect, Wm. T. Smith, and to the contractors, Messrs. Sullivan and Seidler ; and we fully agree with the Supervisor of the town, in saying that the town has got a dollar's worth for every dollar expended."

In 1878, an Act was passed, known as the "New Lots Police Bill," authorizing the Supervisor, President of the Excise Commission, and the Justice having the shortest term to serve, to appoint three Police Com- missioners to have full control of the police department. Accordingly, in June, 1878, the following commissioners were appointed: Peter Sutter, Jno. K. Powell and Henry L. Wyckoff. A vacancy soon after occurring by the death of Mr. Wyckoff, the Supervisor, who was empow- ered to fill vacancies, appointed Mr. Richard Pickering.

The department consisted of the following members: Wm. F. Early, Captain; Henry French, Sergeant; Peter J. Kennedy, Sergeant; John Fisher, Roundsman; Patrick Brophy, Adam Busch, William E. Dupignac, Simcon Neiger and Edward Downing, Patrolmen.

The present organization of the department is as follows :

Peter Sutter, John K. Powell and Richard Picker- ing, Commissioners ; Benjamin Rousel, Clerk; Henry French, Captain; Patrick Brophy, 1st Sergeant; Will- iam F. Early, 2d Sergeant; Christian Reimels, 3d Ser- geant; John Ringshauser, Robert Kortwright, Rounds- men; John Fisher, Wm. E. Dupignac,* Thomas J. Herbert, Charles Nichols,* William Howard, Geo. So-

pers, John Brinsley, William Fosdick, Charles Sutter, Patrolmen; Samuel M. Palmer, Keeper of the Lock-up.

The department is well equipped with Ambulance, horses, &c., and is under most excellent discipline.

Fire Department .- On the fifteenth day of August, 1860, as F. Oscar Doremus, Samuel W. Palmer, Frank E. Rose and William B. Howard sat in the carpenter shop of Mr. Doremus, situated on the Southwest corner of Atlantic and Van Siclen avenues, reciting the many incidents connected with their experience as members of the Old Volunteer Fire Department of New York City, the subject of organizing a fire- company in the town was suggested. The idea met with a hearty response, and a meeting was held that very evening, and a company organized under the name of Americus Engine Co. No. 1, with the fol- lowing officers : F. O. Doremus, Foreman; Samuel W. Palmer, Assistant ; Charles H. Garbutt, Secre- tary; and Samuel Rosc, Treasurer. A fire engine was purchased in Brooklyn. The company soon numbered thirty-four active members.

On the 5th day of February, 1861, the first fireman's ball in the town was held at the Hotel of Henry Zubs on the Jamaica Plank road. The ball I was well attended by the best citizens of the town. The late Henry Jefferson acted as floor manager. In the early part of 1862 the engine company disbanded and organized Union Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1, with Geo. R. Provost, Foreman ; Samuel W. Palmer, Assistant; Charles H. Garbutt, Secretary; and Samuel L. Rose, Treasurer. A truck was purchased at a cost of $150. The company numbered 30 members.

On the 15th of March, 1864, S. W. Palmer, W. B. Howard and others, from the Truck, organized a new company known as Empire Engine Co. No. 1, with the following officers : F. O. Doremus, Foreman; Samuel Doremus, Secretary; and Samuel Palmer, Treasurer. Under the direction of Martin Bennett and his estimable lady a fair was held for the benefit of the company. A handsome sum was realized, and an engine was purchased at a cost of $700.

Hope Hose, No. 1, was soon after organized. This company is now known as Liberty Hose Co., No. 1.

The Department was duly chartered by an act of the Legislature March 16th, 1865, with Samuel W. Palmer as President, W. B. Howard, as Vice-Presi- dent, and Charles H. Garbutt, as Secretary. The first election of officers was held on the first Mon- day in December, 1866. Samuel W. Palmer was elected Chief Engineer, Geo. R. Provost, Assistant Chief, and Charles H. Garbutt, Treasurer. Up to the time of the first election, the President acted as Chief Engincer. The Department at present consists of the following companies :

Union Hook and Ladder Co., No. 1, with the follow- ing officers : John Weisbrod, Foreman; August Heiden- rich, Secretary. The company numbers forty members.

*Mounted.

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

Neptune Engine Co., No. 1, with the following officers : William Leihman, Foreman; James Dc Clue, Secretary-with a roll of twenty-cight members.

Alert Pump Co., No. 1, with the following officers : John Sonnen, Foreman; Martin Wernert, Secre- tary. This company has had an average of forty mem- bers since its organization in 1875.

Liberty Hose Co., No. 1, with the following offi- cers : Henry Distler, Foreman; William Sheriff, Secre- tary. This company numbers twenty-five members.

Independent Pump and Bucket Co., No. 2, with the following officers : John Kellcy, Foreman; Fred Weinhardt, Secretary. Number of members, thirty.

Franklin Engine Co., No. 2, with the following officers : T. A. Cummings, Foreman, and Geo. Mc- Mannis, Secretary. This company numbers forty members.

The Department is under the direction of a board of trustees, consisting of four members from each com- pany. Geo. F. Browning is President of the Board and Charles II. Smith, Secretary. John J. Kennedy is the present Chief and Geo. N. Lenfestry, Assistant Chief of the Department. The town is divided into six fire districts, with fire alarm stations in each district, connected with the police station by telegraph, from which a general alarm is given.

Churches .- There is, perhaps, no town of its size in the State that contains so many church cdifices, and contributes so liberally toward their support, as the town of New Lots. Nearly all religious denominations are represented. It may well be called "the town of churches. "

The Reformed Church is located on the New Lots road. It was erected in 1823 ; and is the oldest church edifice in the town. It was dedicated in July, 1824, the Rev. John Alburtis officiating. During the following year this church united with that of Flat- lands, in calling upon the Rev. Wm. Crookshank, who in February, 1825, was ordained and installed pastor of the two churches. In April, 1835, he resigned his charge and removed to the village of Newburgh, N. Y. On the 22d of March, 1836, the Rev. J. Abeel Baldwin became pastor of these churches. He officiated among them with much acceptance for many years ; finally taking charge of the Flatlands church alone. The Rev. John Van Buren was called to the pastorate of the church at New Lots, and continued in charge for nearly twelve years. He was succeeded by the Rev. C. W. Woods ; who, after a sucecssful pastorate of about six years, was followed by the Rev. N. W. Pierce, the present pastor. The Sunday-school connected with this church numbers about 150 scholars. Mr. David Hopkins, a long and zealous worker in the church, is the present Superintendent.

Reformed Church, East New York .- In 1838, a New Reformed Church was built, in the village of

East New York. It is situated on New Jersey avenue, ncar Fulton avenue. This church was dedica- ted in the Spring of 1839; Mr. Williamson Rapalje, Sen., one of the present elders, being one of the first elders elected. In May 1840, the Rev. Wm. H. Camp- bell was installed as pastor. He continued here until the Fall of 1841; when he removed to Albany, to take charge of the Third Reformed Church of that city. He was succeeded by the Rev. Martin V. Schoon- maker, whose pastorate continued for seven years. After an interim of about a year, the Rev. J. Pascal Strong was called to the pastorate, and served for about five years. In 1855, the present commodious church edifice was erected, as the old building had become too small to accommodate the growing wants of the community. In June, 1856, the Rev. Anson F. Munn was called; and closed his pastorate in 1867. On the 6th of May, 1868, the Rev. C. R. Blauvelt, began his ministry in the church, continuing until 1875; when he was succeeded by the Rev. William J. Hill, who after a very successful ministry of seven years, was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Daniel Van Pelt.

The Sabbath-School connected with this church numbers 472 scholars. Its success is largely due to Mr. Ditmas Jewell, who during a period of nearly twenty years zealously performed the duties of Super- intendent. Mr. Jewell was succeeded by Mr. Miles A. Brown, the present able Superintendent.

Trinity P. E. Church. - Celebrated the 25th, Anniversary of its consecration, on Sunday the 23d day of November, 1879, with a "Jubilee." The ser- vices were of a highly interesting character, and at their conclusion the rector, Rev. Dr. J. I. Elsegood, delivered a historical address. In this he quoted from a letter written by the first rector of this parish, the Rev. Dexter Potter, who was prevented, by age and feebleness, from being present, the following facts :

In 1854, or a short time previous to this date, when vacant lands in and about East New York were being purchased with a view to form a village, one of those concerned in that business, the late Mr. Horace A. Mil- ler, offered to give the lot of ground on which the church now stands, provided a Protestant Episcopal church could be erected thereon. The Rev. Dexter Potter, to whom the offer was made, after due consulta- tion with the Bishop of the Diocese, commeneed the collection of subscriptions for that purpose. While he was thus engaged, the building owned by the Dutch Reformed congregation, in East New York, became for sale and was purchased by a gentleman for other than ecclesiastical purposes. This building was purchased by the Rev. Mr. Potter, who was obliged to advance a considerable sum from his own means, in order to ef- fect the purchase. The building was removed to the ground donated by Mr. Miller, where it now stands, and the Parish was organized September 11, 1854. The

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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

deed of the lot was given to the Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church, in East New York, and an excellent bell was given to the parish by Mr. D. D. Lyon, then the sexton of Trinity Church, New York City.

The consecration sermon was preached by the Rt. Rev. Alonzo Potter, D.D., Bishop of Pennsylvania. The names of the first Wardens and Vestry-men of this Parish were as follows : Lyman Cobb and Her- man H. Kettenhorn, Wardens; Noyes G. Palmer, Robert Edmunds, James Davies, James S. Williams, James D. Davies, Augustus Ivins, Charles R. Miller and Samuel Davies, Vestry-men. On the 24th of March, 1857, through the decease of much a loved brother, the Rev. Mr. Potter was constrained to resign the Rectorship of the Parish and remove to Cambridge, Mass., where he still resides.

The Rev. J. F. Delaphine Cornell was then chosen Rector of the Parish. He was a young gentleman pos- sessed of considerable talent, eloquence and zeal, and he entered upon his work amid great and many en- couragements; but in October, 1858, through an over-taxation of the brain, he became suddenly and completely mentally prostrated. He was removed at once to the Insane Asylum at Flatbush, where he still continues without hope of recovery. In October, 1859, the Rev. Charles Cleveland, D.D., was called to, and accepted the Rectorship of the parish. He continued faithfully at his post until February, 1866, when he was removed by death.

In May of the same year, the Rev. T. McKee Brown accepted a call to become Rector, and continued until May, 1868, when he resigned in order that he might enter upon another field of labor. The Rev. John Morgan then became Rector, and remained until Octo- ber, 1868.

In the summer of 1869, a vestibule, or porch, and a pleasant chancel were added, lancet windows were made to replace the old square ones, the organ loft was renovated, altered and improved; and the entire build- ing within and without was handsomely renovated and refurnished. A handsome chancel window was or- dered and paid for by the Sunday-school of the parish.

In 1873 the present organ was purchased and paid for by the " Ours " Association; which, with the Ladies' Aid, and the Penny Aid Societies are most important aids for church work. In 1875 the old and uncom- fortable pews were removed, and the floor relaid; the present attractive pews were introduced with centre and two sides aisles.

The Sunday school connected with this church is in a very flourishing condition, numbering about 500 scholars. Much credit is due to Mr. James D. Davies, who for nearly twenty years was its kind and faithful Superintendent. About a year agoMr. Harry E. Cluff was appointed as Mr. Davies' successor, and is the pres- ent Superintendent.

Ebenezer M. E. Church .- In the early part of

the year 1860, the Rev. Charles Fletcher, then Presid- ing Elder of the district embracing the town of New Lots, preached in the Lutheran German Church on Lib- erty avcnuc, East New York, to those who desired to establish, in that village, a Methodist Episcopal Church. Deep interest was manifested, a society organized, and services continued in the school-house on Vermont avenue. On the 5th day of March, 1861, a permanent organization was effected, under the name of the East New York M. E. Church, and the following board of trustees elected : John McKellop, Ebenezer Wilson, Wm. H. Hoyt, James Miller, and Wm. Hardenburgh.

On the 25th of July, 1863, the large Hall in the Cen- tral Buildings, corner of Atlantic and Van Siclen ave- nues, was rented and services were held every Sabbath. In 1865, the church at East New York was united with the M. E. Church at Cypress Hills, under the pastorate of the Rev. Curtis Graham. In 1866, the church was again separated, and re-organized as the Methodist Protestant Church. A new board of trustees was elected, and the Rev. E. F. Jones called to the pastor- ate. In this year a new church was erccted on Fulton avenue, which afterwards came into the possession of the Evangelical German Church ; and Brown's Hall was secured as a place of worship, with the Rev. L. D. Nicolson as pastor. At the end of two years he was succeeded by the Rev. Henry Aston. During the pastorate of Mr. Aston, through the financial aid of Mr. William Barker, a wealthy resident of Clinton ave- nue, Brooklyn, ground was broken on the 20th of Oc- tober, 1868, and the present commodious church edifice on Williams avenue, erected-having received its pres- ent name of the "Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church."

The church was dedicated on the 11th of January, 1869, having been completed in the remarkably short time of twenty-one days. The dedication sermon was preached by the Rev. Abel Stephens, D.D.

PASTORS: 1870, Rev. Mr. Smart; 1871, Rev. Joseph Thomas ; 1873, Rev. William Platts ; 1876, Rev. C. W. Powell ; 1879, Rev. B. F. Reeves ; 1881, Rev. Wm. H. Russell; 1882, Rev. J. W. Simpson, the pres- ent pastor. During his pastorate, 64 new members have been added to the church; and during the last conference year, the sum of $1,600 has been raised by voluntary subscriptions in aid of the church. Extensive repairs to the building are now in progress, and when com- pleted, the church will rank among the first in the town. During the pastorate of the Rev. B. F. Reeves, a new parsonage was built on the lots adjoining the church, at a cost of about $3,000.

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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 71

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