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 72

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 72

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In January, 1880, the church suffered a severe loss in the death of WILLIAM VRADENBURGH, a member of thic first board of trustees ; and who, for nearly twenty years, had been a faithful and zealous member and worker in the Church. On the 12th day of June, 1871, Daniel Veitch, Esq., was appointed Superintendent of

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

the Sunday School, and much of its present prosperity is due to his faithful work during the seven years that he had charge. The school now numbers about 300 scholars, under the able superintendency of Philip Evans, Esq.

First Baptist Church .- On the 17th of July, 1864, a number of citizens of the village of East New York met and organized a Baptist Sunday School. Charles Truax, Esq., was appointed Superintendent. He was ably assisted in his work by his estimable wife. Mr. James J. Miller and B. P. Sturges, Esq., took a deep interest in the school, and much good was accom- plished. In July, 1865, a Society was organized under the name of the First Baptist Church of East New York, and the Rev. John Willett was chosen pastor. Soon after, a Fair was held, and the sum of $500 real- ized. The success of the Fair was largely due to the kind assistance of the Washington avenue Baptist Church, of Brooklyn. John H. Tripler, of this church, donated 32 seats and cushions, and the church gave the sum of $325.

Meetings were held in what was known as Wagon- er's Hall, on Smith and Liberty avenues. On the 27th of March, 1866, it was resolved to build a church; lots were accordingly purchased on Smith avenue, near Ful- ton. Mr. B. P. Sturges, who had taken a deep interest in the welfare of the church, generously tendered for the use of the society a chapel, which he had erected near his residence, on Divison avenue. In the mean- time, steps had been taken for the erection of a church. The society, however, met with but little success. The church was soon after completed, but the society found itself heavily in debt. In 1871, Rev. W. F. Benedict was called to the pastorate. In April, of this year, steps were taken to free the church from its heavy bur- den of debts ; and the church was soon in a more prosperous condition. In 1873, Rev. W. F. Benedict was succeeded in the pastorate by the Rev. J. H. Dudley. But it was not till 1874, when the Rev. Charles Coleman was called to the pastorate, that the church was relieved from all financial embarrassment.

In April, 1882, the Rev. James L. Hodge was called to the pastorate. The Sabbath-School connected with the church numbers about 150 scholars, under the able superintendency of William C. Anderson, with a corp of twelve teachers.

German Lutheran Church, located at the corner of Liberty and Vermont avenues, was built in 1847. In the early part of 1848, the Rev. F. G. Zeuner was installed as the first pastor. After about two years he was succeeded by the Rev. Carl Schaum. He con- tinued pastor for about fourteen years, and was suc- ceeded by the present pastor, the Rev. J. F. Flath. During his pastorate the congregation has largely increased in numbers and much good accomplished. In 1868, extensive additions were made to the building, and it is now one of the largest edifices in the town.

The Sabbath-School connected with the church, un- der the supervision of Carl Wonnberger, Esq., is doing a most excellent work, numbering 175 scholars with nineteen teachers.

Andrews' Methodist Episcopal Church, located on Clinton avenue, Cypress Hills. This society was organized in the early part of 1851. The first meeting was held at the residence of Richard H. Pill, Sen., in East New York ; and one afterward at the house of Mr. Lindsey, at Cypress Hills, over which Mr. Geo. W. Seaman presided, and Isaac B. Soper acted as Secre- tary. At this meeting, it was decided to build a church, the same to be 25x38 feet, and height of ceil- ing to be 15 feet, and with a basement. Garrett Denton, Gco. W. Seaman, Isaac U. Forbill, Richard H. Pill, Sen., and Isaac B. Sopers were elected the first Board of Trustecs, all of which are now deceased, except Mr. Pill, who is nearly ninety years of age.

The first deed was executed by Joseph F. Bridges and wife to Garrett Denton and others, trustees of the Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal Church, of Union Place (now Cypress Hills), Town of Flatbush (now New Lots), County of Kings and State of New York, June 23d, 1851. About this time it was decided to break ground for the new church, its erection to com- mence after the 15th of September of the same year.

Pastors .- The first minister officiating at a bap- tism was Rev. Daniel DeVinne, then stationed at Newtown ; but, in 1855 and 1856, was stationed at Union Place, now Cypress Hills. From this time until 1861 it was supplied by local ministers ; 1861, Rev. Stephen Rushmore ; 1862, the Rev. C. S. Williams was the preacher in charge, and in 1863 and 1864.

The first enrollment of members found was made in 1853, but no account when the classes were formed. There were three classes, numbered 1, 2 and 3. Wm. Vradenburg was Leader of 1 and 2, and George H. McCoy was Leader of Class No. 3. The first date of a probationer was January 1, 1853. The Sunday-School was organized in 1852, and George W. Seaman was elected its first Superintendent.

In 1865-66 and '67 Rev. C. Graham was the minister in charge. During his ministry a great revival occurred, and a large number were converted, both in this and adjacent communities. During 1868-69 and '70, Rev. W. Wake was in charge; and in the year 1870 the church was enlarged so that now it has seating capacity for about 350 persons. In 1871-72, Rev. C. T. Mallory ; 1873 and 1874, Rev. W. Gothard ; 1875, '76, '77, Rev. W. L. Holmes ; in 1878 and '79, Rev. T. M. Terry; the Rev. F. Brown succeeded him and is now in his third year.

In July, 1872, the name of the Church was legally changed, and the Board of Trustees are known as "The Trustees of the Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church of Cypress Hills, Town of New Lots, Kings County, and State of New York." The number of members now

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ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.

enrolled on its books is 109. In the Sunday-School there are 269 teachers and scholars. Its membership is composed of those who have to earn their daily livelihood, and who struggle hard to sustain the church. The Society was never in its history financially better than it is now, for which the church is largely indebted to the ladies connected with the congregation. In the early part of this church's history it was con- nected with the East New York charge in its Quarterly Conferences ; but at the Quarterly Conference held September 8th, 1872, it was agreed to separate and have two distinet Quarterly Conferences.

The Rev. Charles Doughty, the present Superintend- ent of the Sunday-School, is an earnest and faithful worker in the church, and to him is due much of its success as a church.

First Congregational Church .- This church is located on Rockaway avenue, in the village of Browns- ville. A little band, representing different evangelical denominations, as early as June, 1866, began to meet at private houses for social worship, in the hope of imparting and receiving mutual benefit. At length, the use of a room centrally located having been secured, a Sunday-School was organized on July 28th, 1868, numbering, besides the superintendent, seven male and four female teachers, with twenty-four male and twenty-six female scholars. The weekly prayer meeting was likewise continued, with services on the Sabbath for preaching when preaching could be obtain- ed, or, in the absence of this, for exhortation, prayer and conference, by the few brethren who were willing to aid. At one of these meetings, held June, 1867, at the residence of Mr. G. S. Thatford, the query was incidentally raised-whether the effort ought not to be made to establish a church. The responses indicating a willingness to contribute and labor for such an object, it was at once resolved to institute the needful pre- liminary measures ; which measures were happily crowned with success. To Mr. Havilah Mowrey, city missionary, it is only a proper acknowledgment to state that in this, as in every prior stage of the history of the church from the beginning, the citizens were largely in- debted, for the result, to his wise counsels and unremit- ted co-operation. Although beyond the limits of his distriet, he seldom failed to be present at the meetings when permitted by other engagements, and about $2,000 raised by his personal solicitation were paid by him towards defraying the cost of the building and its furniture. Mueh credit is likewise due to J. G. Cooley, Esq., for donating the valuable melodeon now in use, besides $100 in money. By funds thus procured, with other sums obtained from friends residing or having interests in the neighborhood, and $500 appropriated by the Congregational Union, the entire church prop- erty was, before the commencement of this current year, made free from debt. The ground on which the church stands was donated by Mr. G. S. Thatford, and

consists of two lots, being 50 fect front by 120 feet deep. The edifice itself, which is 30 feet front by 45 feet deep, cost $3,500, and was dedicated on Monday, 31st of May, 1869 ; and an ecclesiastical organization effected under the title of the First Congregational Church of New Lots ; it having been determined at a previous meeting, after due notice, to adopt the Con- gregational name and principles.

At a meeting of the church and society regularly convened, on Monday evening, December 20th, 1869, the Rev. I. S. Davison, who had for more than a twelve-month filled the pulpit once each Lord's day without pecuniary remuneration, was invited to the pastorate ; and the American Home Missionary So- ciety having commissioned him with the promise of aid in his support, arrangement was accordingly effected for one year, beginning with January 1st, 1870; when two preaching services instead of onc every Sabbath were inaugurated, together with a Pastor's Bible-Class.

At the close of the Rev. I. S. Davison's charge, the Rev. I. C. Lockwood was called to the pastorate. In September, 1871, the Rev. C. N. N. Pannell became pastor, and remained until 1876, when the Rev. A. H. Kirkland took charge. He continued until 1880. In July, 1880, the Rev. H. N. Wright was called, and con- tinued pastor eighteen months; when he was succeeded by the Rev. Curtis Graham. He remained about onc year and was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. C. F. Decker. This church at present numbers about 80 members. The Sunday-school connected with the church numbers 125 scholars ; and, under the able super- intendeney of Mr. E. E. Stewart, who has had charge for the past nine years, is doing a most excellent work.

Union Congregational Church .- This society is an offshoot of the Congregational church at Browns- ville, and is at present temporarily located at the corner of Johnson and Liberty avenues. The society is at present in a very flourishing condition, and largely in- creasing in numbers, and is soon to erect a new ehureh on Orient avenue near East New York avenue. It is under the charge of the Rev. Curtis Graham. Mr. E. E. Stewart is Superintendent of the Sunday-school, which numbers about 100 scholars.

St. Malachi's R. C. Church .- This church, lo- eated on Van Sielen avenue near Atlantic, was built in the year 1854, under the supervision of the Rev. Father Bown, pastor of Holy Cross, in the town of Flat- bush. A parochial school was established, in 1867, by the Rev. Father Creighton, the first resident pastor. The school has been under the instruction of the Sisters of St. Joseph since 1871, the Rev. Father Carroll being then pastor. The school buildings are pleasantly lo- cated, adjoining the church. The school is under most excellent supervision and has an average daily attend- ance of about 200 pupils. In 1873, under the direction and supervision of the church, an Orphan Asylum was established. A large three-story brick building adjoin-

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

ing the school buildings was purchased and fitted up to meet the wants of the institution. Provision is made for both boys and girls under the careful instruction of the Sisters. In 1872 the Rev. John Purcell succcedcd Father Carroll to the pastorate, and remained until 1874, when he was succeeded by the Rev. P. J. Mc- Namara. On the. 15th of August, 1877, the present pastor, the Rev. Father O'Connell, took charge of the parish. During the six years of his faithful adminis- tration much good has been accomplished, and extensive additions have been made to the church cdifice.

The young men of the parish identified with the church organized, on the 6th of May, 1883, the Young Men's Catholic Lyceum Association, the object of which was to form a bond of social union among the young men of the church, which is in a very flourish- ing condition. Preliminary steps have been taken for the erection of a large hall for its accommodation. The association is a branch of what is known as the " Diocesan Union of Kings County," a body com- posed of representatives from the different Young Men's Roman Catholic Associations of this vicinity.

The officers of the association are as follows : Presi- dent, John Maguire ; Vice-President, James Sinnot ; Rec. Secretary, Geo. Sherlock. It numbers about eighty members.

St. Michael's R. C. Church .- For several years the need of a German Roman Catholic Church at East New York, town of New Lots, had been apparent, but it was not until the 25th of January, 1860, that steps were taken by the Rev. Philip Albrecht, pastor of St. Benedict's, New Brooklyn, and St. Francis, Bedford, by calling a meeting for the purpose of considering the subject of erecting a church. At this meeting fifty of the best German families were represented.

By consent of the Right Rev. J. Laughlin, D.D., Bishop of Brooklyn, four lots werc purchased on John strect between Liberty and Atlantic avenues. The building was planned, and work was commenced and progressed so rapidly that the corner stone was laid on the 18th of April, 1860. The building was a small, plain, frame structure, forty fect in length by thirty fect in width, with steeple. It was dedicated by the Bishop on the 30th day of June, 1860, and placed under the invocation of St. Michael the Archangel. A bell was procured and blessed by the Bishop, assisted by the Rev. Charles Pcine, on Palm Sunday, 1860. The Rev. Charles Peine was appointed first pastor of the church. The first baptism took place on August 6th, 1860; the first marriage July 8th, 1860. On the 12th of May, 1861, ninc boys and three girls made their first com- munion in the new church. Palm Sunday, 1862, the station of the cross was erected. The first mission was held by Rev. Laufhuber, S. I., under the pastorate of Rev. Cyril Zielinski, successor of Rev. Peine, at the end of June, 1863.

Rev. Zielinski was pastor from February, until Au-

gust, 1863, when Rev. M. I. Decker succeeded him, from October, 1863, until May, 1864. Again, in May. 1864, Rev. Peine took charge of the congregation. In October, 1863, the pastoral residence was commenced by the side of the church and finished by Rev. Peine. Its first story was used for school purposes. In July, 1866, Rev. Caspar Muller was appointed pastor. The first of February, 1868, two lots on the right side of the pastoral residence were bought for a new school build- ing.

Rev. A. Oberschneider was pastor from August, 1863, until January, 1871, when Rev. I. Michaels be- came pastor. He held three missions, given by the Redemptorists, Capucins and Jesuits.

In March, 1875, Rev. Aug. Maria Niemann took charge of St. Michael's. Rev. Niemann seeing the ne- cessity of enlarging the church, since the congregation had increased very much, added sixty feet to it with the consent of the bishop in September, 1875.

This pastor was the first who introduced plain chant and it is sung to the present day. He also bought three more lots in 1876, and again another lot in 1878, and two in 1879, situated on Washington street, between Atlantic and Liberty avenues. The congregation and work becoming greater, an assistant priest was sent on the first of January, 1881.

In September, 1881, there was a mission given by the Redemptorist Fathers Keitz and Zinnen.

Evangelical German Church is situated on Ful- ton avenue, near Wyckoff. It was organized in 1869, with 35 male members, meeting in the church edifice, which was built by another church denomination in 1866, but was purchased by the trustees of the Evangelical German Church in 1872. The church is under the pastorate of the Rev. John Eschmann, who has had charge of the church during the fourteen years of its existence. Under his faithful charge, the congregation has largely increased in numbers and much good has been accomplished.

Connected with the church is a Sabbath-school un- der the supervision of the pastor. The school num- bers about 150 scholars with twelve teachers. The school has a library of about 300 volumes.

Public Schools -In the early part of the year 1740, the easterly portion of the town of Flatbush, known as the "New Lots," was organized into a sepa- rate school district, known as No. 2. A small one- story framc school-house was erected near the present school-building on the New Lots road. No record can be found of those who taught in this first school-house, prior to the ycar 1806. At that time Peter Nufus was em- ployed as teacher, and he was the first to teach in the English language ; his predecessors taught in the Dutch language exclusively. Mr. Nufus ended his ser- vices as teacher about the year 1810. That year also ended the usefulness of the first school-house, for in the early part of the year it was torn down to make

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PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

room for a more commodious structurc. The following were the building committee : Tunis Schenck, Isaac Snediker, Abraham Van Siclen, John Blake and John Williamson.

The building was a two-story frame structure, the top floor being used for the purpose of holding lectures, singing-schools, etc. ; the first floor was used as a school-room. During the time the building was un- der construction, sessions of the school were held in the barn, now belonging to Mr. William Hopkins, Sr. The first teacher employed in the new school-house was a Mr. Sebra, succeeded by a Mr. Hall ; Mr. Jacob Bergen, an efficient and successful teacher ; Mr. Wil- liam Lawrence, from 1835 to 1838 ; Mr. John Wood- man, from 1838 to 1844 ; Mr. H. J. Hamilton, until his death, in 1853 ; Mr. Geo. A. F. North, 1853 to 1856 ; C. Warren Hamilton, 1856 to 1857 ; William Vraden- burgh, 1857 to 1860; J. Kelley, 1860 to 1862; Abraham VanKeuren (at present connected with the school); A. G. Kimberly as the principal of the school. In 1875, Mr. Vradenburgh was again appointed as principal and remained until his death in 1879. He was succeeded by James K. Coles ; he by Charles Libby ; he by Thomas D. Hyatt; and he by T. S. Imaly, the present principal.

During Mr. William Lawrence's time, in 1835, the in- terior of the building was somewhat changed. The first floor was converted into dwelling apartments in which the teachers resided up to the time of the engagement of Mr. VanKeuren, the top floor alone being used as a school- room. In 1873, the building was again remodelled. The first floor was fitted up for the grammar depart- ment, while the top floor was used for the primary classes, and is so used at present. In 1880, two new school-buildings were erected in the district as branch schools. The following is a list of the present teachers in the district : T. S. Imaly ; Abraham Van Keuren ; Charles Barnes ; Miss Emma Smith ; Miss Annie Smith ; Miss Lizzie Veitch ; Miss Rebecca Clayton. The following are the present school officers : William Hopkins, Jacob Cozzine, C. G. Suydam. The number of children of school age, residing in the district, is about 1000. The assessed valuation of property in the district in 1882 was $722,320. The school-houses and sites are valued at $14,000.

In 1847 John B. Zabriskie, M. D., then Town Super- intendent of Schools, was petitioned to set off and or- ganize a new school district, to embrace all the territory now included in district No. 2, East New York, and district No. 3, Cypress Hills. The petition was granted and a new district organized, the school being located at East New York. The following trustees were elected: Isaac C. Schenck, William P. Stoothoff and David Storms. A site was purchased on Vermont avenue near Fulton avenue and a school-house built, which still remains, although very much changed in appearance. It was built by Henry I. Eldert at a cost

of $479. On the completion of the building Mr. James Clegg was employed as teacher, who, after about two years, was succeeded by Isaac Sopers. In 1853 he was succeeded by C. Warren Hamilton, who remained about four years and was succeeded by Mr. A. Ketch- um. Then followed Geo. A. F. North, who taught until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he en- listed; George Chapin, who remained for about five years; when Mr. North was re-engaged and is at the present time principal of the school.

About the year 1856 this district was divided, and Cypress Hills was organized as district No. 3. During the first ten years of its existence the school was kept in the basement of the Methodist Church of that place. The present commodious two-story and basement school building was erected in 1870 under the direction of the Trustees, Richard Pickering, A. H. W. Van Siclen and George O. Sowl. The first teacher employed was a Mr. Wiggins; after a short time Mr. A. Ketchum; . Mr. Green, for a few months ; Mr. Rice, for about a year ; John Reed, for eight months ; Alexis W. Bari- teau ; Mr. Isaac Bates ; Mr. Abraham Van Keuren, an experienced teacher ; Mr. William Vradenburgh ; Mr. Buckerman ; Miss Buckerman, his daughter ; Mr. B. D. Graham ; Mr. LeGrand Payne, during the summer of 1869 ; Mr. L. Remsen Lott, until 1877 ; Wilbur F. Morrow ; Mr. Geo. W. French ; Mr. A. A. Ashmun, the present principal ; with the following assistant teachers : Miss Ida Byram ; Miss Minnie Byram ; Miss Agnes Dickerman ; Miss Miriam Simonson, and Miss Helen Persons.

The following is the present Board of Trustees : F. A. Marriner, D. S. Willmarth, E. C. Grunsword. The assessed valuation of the district is $386,520. The number of children of school age residing in the dis- trict is 540. The school-house and site is valued at $10,000.

In 1855 a meeting was called in East New York for the purpose of taking action in reference to establish- ing a school of a higher grade. Those most active in the movement were the late Professor D. H. Crutten- den, then a resident of East New York ; Charles R. Miller and Ditmas Jewell. It was finally resolved to organize district No. 2, East New York, into a Union Free School District-with a Board of Education con- sisting of nine members, viz., Messrs. C. R. Miller, Dit- mas Jewell and the late John C. Middendorf. Mr. Miller was chosen the first President of the Board, and Mr. Jewell succeeded him, which position he held for many years, and was succeeded by Mr. Samuel Davis, now deceased. Mr. Joachim Birkner, a very efficient member of the Board, afterward held the position for a number of years.

The school-house on Vermont avenue proving too small to accommodate the increasing number of pupils, an act was passed authorizing the district to issue bonds in the sum of $25,000 to purchase a site and

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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

build a school-house. Accordingly, a site of eight lots was purchased on Butler avenue, near Atlantic ; and a large and commodious two-story and basement brick structure was erected. This building soon proving in- sufficient for the wants of the district, a new building was erected on Henry avenue at a cost of $15,000. In 1880 an Academic Department was organized in the new building with a roll of twenty pupils, under the direction of the State Board of Regents. Mr. A. A. Ashmun was appointed Principal. The assessed valua- tion of property in the district in 1882 was $1,320,000. The number of school children, 3,198. The school- houses and sites are valued at $34,000. The following is the present Board of Education : John K. Powell, Pres .; C. W. C. Dreher, William Busch, Samuel A. Livingston, Matthew Cooper, Witsen Colyer, William C. Anderson, John Stander and J. M. Lintz ; John Smith, Secretary.

The present corps of teachers is as follows :- In the Butler Avenue School : Geo. A. F. North, Principal ; assisted by Miss Rose M. Geraghty, Miss Hannah Dick- crman, Miss Emma D. Weisbrod, Miss Mary A. Lee, Miss Kate Schuman, Miss Maggie Dickhaut, Miss Emma Hancock, Miss Mary Sinnott, Miss Mary E. Isa- bell, Miss Lizzie Hulse, Miss Timothia King, Miss Maria Allen. Henry Avenue School .- A. A. Ashmun, Princi- pal; assisted by Miss Kate Sniffen, Miss Helen E. Stock- ing, Miss Belle L. Provoost, Miss Maud Anderson, Miss Anna L. Carpenter, Miss Nina Cameron, Miss Carrie Newcome. Vermont Avenue School .- Miss Adelia B. Murray, Principal, assisted by Miss Selina Minard, Miss Kate R. Newcome, Miss Jenny A. Ruoff. Mr. John P. Wcikam, teacher of German and drawing, in all the schools of the district, which position he has held for many years. Mr. Herman Struder, a successful teacher of German and drawing, was for several years con- nected with the schools of this district. He was suc- ceeded by Prof. Charles Hetterseimer.

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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 72

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