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 II, Part 127

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co
Number of Pages: 1345

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 II > Part 127

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Corps Dramatique (Company E, Thirteenth Regiment), Bowronville, Oxford, Nous Vere and the Burton.

"The Amaranth," an off-shoot of The Entre Nous Dramatic Society, held its first meeting May 11, 1871. In July following, the society was thoroughly organized with 100 members. Its first performance was given at the Academy of Music, October 20, 1871, in aid of the Home for Friendless Women and Children.

The play selected was Oliver Goldsmith's "She Stoops to Conquer," which was followed by a musical interlude and the farce of "Box and Cox." Some names familiar now were in the cast, such as Assistant District Attorney Oakey, "Our John," Charles Bam- burgh and Henry W. Pope. It was the first dramatic venture ever made by amateurs in that building, and netted $1,000. The officers at that time were: Chas. Bamburgh, President ; Geo. F. Gregory, Vice-Presi- dent ; J. W. Sands, Secretary ; John M. Burt, Treas- urer. The society leaped into popularity. " London Assurance " was performed at the first regular recep- tion, November 20, 1871. It was at this time that the amaranth flower was first adopted as the emblem of the society. In 1872, the flower was changed to a coat of arms, which did not suit the republican ideas of some members, and the old flower design was reinstated. It was used until November 19, 1873, when the pres- ent ent, well known to the frequenters of the Amar- anth performances, was adopted, with the following verse to be inserted under it. It is as familiar as the wood-cut, but will bear reproduction :

Immortal Amaranth, a flower which once In Paradise, fast by the tree of life, Began to bloom; but soon, for man's offense, To Heaven removed, where first it grew, there grows And flowers aloft, shading the font of life.

The cut was designed by Mr. George Bowlend, whom old members of the society will remember as one of the most talented amateur actors who ever trod the Amar- anthine stage. The talent of the Amaranth was par- ticularly strong during 1874-5. Among the members then were Messrs. Luske, Pope, Bowlend, F. V. Ben- nett, E. A. Doty, Stull, Southgate, Castner, Mrs. Phil- lips, Mrs. Ferguson, Mrs. Draper and Mrs. Bellows, nee Hattie Silsbee. Mr. L. D. St. George was stage mana- ger, and performed his difficult task to perfection. The society was organized by ladies and gentlemen who associated themselves together for mutual improvement in art, literature, and music; the object of the society has never been lost sight of, nor will the generous manner with which she has given the fruits of her labors to charity ever be forgotten. The Amaranth was incorporated under New York State Laws, May 10, 1880. The present officers are: Fred. M. Lawrence, President ; L. M. Reed, Vice-President ; J. C. Von Aik, Secretary ; Edw. Fackner, Treasurer. The soci- ety is in a very prosperous condition as to membership, finances and resources. Among the members are

Henry Baldwin, B. J. Bell, J. C. Von Aik, J. D. Adams, Wallace Grant, F. B. Birdsall, A. R. Hart, Colonel David E. Austen, G. B. Davis, Theodore H. Babcock, S. M. Reed, Thomas Adams, Jr., Jere. A. Wernberg, M. Chauncey, W. J. Collins, Edward Fack, ner, John Garlick, Thomas F. Randolph, George B. Squires, S. T. Skinner, E. J. Snow, A. F. Loomis, W. L. Watson, H. P. Smith, John Oakey, Charles Bellows, Jr., W. W. Lambert, Charles Hickman, Dr. T. A. Quinlan, A. Richmond Hart, E. C. Humbert, Robert M. Hopps, Leon Renault, William H. Kimball, J. H. Cox, Henry P. Webb, John S. W. Thompson, and John F. Oltrogge.

The Kemble " is a dramatic organization which came into existence Sept. 6, 1880, through a se- cession from The Amaranth. Its first officers were G. de Cordova, President ; A. Isaacs, Vice-President; R. M. Hogan, Secretary ; Jno. B. Munoz, Treasurer. The object of the Kemble is three-fold-dramatic, lit- erary and social. The first performance took place on November 10, 1880, at the Academy of Music, the play being Frederick Marsden's comedy of "Above the Clouds." In the cast were William Penny, William B. Vernam, Charles S. Withington, Miss Julia W. Reed, Miss Emma Gilbert, and William H. Butler. Later on an original drama was produced by Wallace Grant, well known as a member of the Kemble, entitled " De- feated," and was succeeded by the " Pride of the Mar- ket," " The Earl and the Outcast," " The Big Bonan- za" (repeated for the benefit of Deane W. Pratt), " The Honey-Moon," "George Geith," " Masks and Faces," " The Wedding March," "Single Life," and, to cap the climax, Shakespeare's tragedy, " Othello," with the following dramatis persona :

THE CAST OF "OTHELLO."

Desdemona. Mrs. Mattie A. J. Balch

Emilia. Miss Adelaide Fitzallen

Othello Mr. John H. Bird

Iago. Mr. Charles H. Withington

Cassio Mr. R. C. Hilliard

Roderigo

Mr. George Beeks

Brabantio Mr. J. C. Cloherty Montan Mr. A. C. Munn

Ludovico

Mr. Charles Lamb

Duke of Venice Mr. William A. Clarke

Gratiano Mr. E. L. Cohen

Leonardo Mr. E. J. Wilkins

Julio Mr. J. W. Underwood, Jr.

Marco Mr. R. A. Moore

Antonio Mr. Frank Cuddy

Paulo Mr. W. H. Wildey

Luca Mr. W. E. Gref

Mr. de Cordova is an efficient stage manager, and the following persons, well known on the amateur stage of this city and of the metropolis, constitute the dramatic corps of the Kemble : Mrs. Mattie A. J.

1164

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

Balch and the Misses Laura T. Colver, Carrie Frost, Belle Noble, Elita P. Otis, Mamie Lyon, Annie L. Hyde, Belle Arnot, Florence Parker, Louise Perkins, L. A. Reau, Julia W. Reed, Josie Stouffer, Annie Walsh, Ida L. Waller, Ida Thompson, Jennie Roberts and Mrs. R. H. L. Waters; Messrs. W. A. Clarke, G. H. Bauerman, M. J. Benjamin, John H. Bird, C. T. Buckman, George H. Beeks, G. de Cordova, Arthur Genns, Wallace Grant, W. W. Lambert, Deane W. Pratt, William Penny, J. Wilson, E. J. Wilkins, A. C. Munn, S. S. Simpson, Charles Lamb, R. C. Hil- liard, A. R. Dyett, Charles S. Withington, C. F. Cuddy, J. C. Cloherty, E. L. Cohen and William Angell.

The Academy of Music is the scene of their dramatic successes ; four entertainments are given each sea- son. Monthly social receptions are held at the resi- dences of members, where dancing and music is intro- duced after the club business is disposed of.

The present officers are : G. de Cordova, President; Charles A. Gilberg, Vice-President; A. A. Seaman, Sec- retary; John Taylor, Treasurer. The success of this or- ganization is phenomenal, its social standing very high.

Amateur Opera Association, of Brooklyn, organized in 1875 from the choir of St. Peter's Epis- copal Church, State street, Brooklyn, by Messrs. James Bogle, J. Walter Thompson and Howard Dunbar, with the organist, Mr. H. E. Hutchinson, as conductor. The object was the practice of operatic music and social enjoyment.

During the first three years Mr. Bogle acted as secre- tary, and Mr. Thompson as treasurer. In 1879 a board of officers was elected as follows :- James Bogle, President; C. H. Parsons, Vice-President; Henry Gor- ham, Secretary; J. Walter Thompson, Treasurer.

In 1880 the Board consisted of C. H. Parsons, Presi- dent; J. Walter Thompson, Vice-President; Henry Gor- ham, Secretary; A. M. Wilder, jr., Treasurer.

The same president, secretary and treasurer have re- mained in office since, and the Board of Directors (increased to seven) is now composed as follows ;- C. H. Parsons, President; Fred. M. Lawrence, Vice- President; Henry Gorham, Secretary; A. M. Wilder, Jr., Treasurer; L. Hoffman, Jr., Fred. M. Smith, and J. M. Bacon, Trustees.

The association has never been incorporated.

For eight years dnes were collected from each mem- ber to pay running expenses, and tickets sold for all performances. In November, 1883, there was a re- organization on the subscription basis, with two hun- dred subscribing members at $15 each, and a division of invitations to performances, with no duesfrom sing- ing members.

From the original number of 20 members, the increase has been to the present number of 200 sub- scribers and eighty singing members.

The performances, which were formerly given in Bedford Hall, Atheneum, the Lyceum, etc., are now

given only at the Academy of Music. Among them have been the following operas: "Doctor of Alcan- tara," " Martha," "Elixir of Love," "Maritana," " Pinafore," " Pirates of Penzance," " Fra Diavolo," " Chimes of Normandy," and others.

The Bulwer is all Eastern District dramatic so- ciety, very select in its general tone and membership, and its performances are given at Bedford Hall, The president of the society is Mr. E. A. Spooner. Among the members well known for their talent are David Buckman, Thomas W. McCormick, Frederick C. Ash- ley, David J. McFadyen, John R. Wood and Alexander Smith. The society has been in existence for some time, and promises well for future success.

The Amaryllis Dramatic Association is composed of young residents of " the Hill," and was organized on October 9, 1882. Its aim is social amuse- ment. The officers are as follows: President, H. Dauers; Vice-President, J. Moore, Jr .; Recording Secretary, C. A. Goodwin ; Financial Secretary, D. Burke; Treas- urer, J.T. Wortmann; Sergeant-at-Arms, J. Glouster; Executive Committee, J. Smith, C. Banton, W. Snediker and F. Atwater.

The Prospect Heights Dramatic Club is also of recent organization, composed of ladies and gentlemen of South Brooklyn. Their performances are given at Athletic Hall, on Seventh street, near Fifth Avenue.

The Arcadian Dramatic Association .- First meeting held September 13th, 1882, in response to a call in the newspapers by Thos. C. Faulkner. It was organized with six members, viz .: Thos. C. Faulkner, H. S. Bellows, F. M. Stoops, Ira H. Moore, H. W. Noble and C. F. Wilson. Its first performance was the "Poor Gentleman," given at Bedford Hall, January 3, 1883. The most important plays thus far given are : "Merchant of Venice" and " Love's Sacri- fice." The present membership is 50. First Board of officers : H. S. Bellows, President; F. M. Stoops, Secre- tary ; Thos. . C. Faulkner, Treasurer ; H. W. Noble, Stage Manager. Present officers are : Charles B. Mor- ton, President ; George Woodruff, Vice-President ; Arthur Genns, Secretary; E. Jay Jennings, Treasurer; Dramatic Committee : Wm. Dinsmore, W. H. Butler, I. H. Moore, T. C. Faulkner, F. M. Stoops, J. H. Arnold.

The Amphion Musical Society was organ- ized at No. 40 Bedford Avenue, E. D., in October, 1880, by fifteen gentlemen who elected Richard Walsh, President; W. O. Sumner, Vice-President; Alfred F. Gray, Treasurer; Mark H. Burch, Secretary; and C. Mortimer Wiske, Musical Director. "The object of the society is to cultivate choral music, and to provide a

1165

THE AMATEUR DRAMATIC ASSOCIATIONS OF BROOKLYN.

suitable resort for social intercourse." Meetings are held once each month at the society's rooms, corner of Clymer street and Division avenue ; and, during the season, two concerts are given at the Brooklyn Acad- emy of Music. The membership of the society is limited to 410, of which sixty is reserved for the chorus -- a limit long since reached. The present offi- cers are: Jos. F. Knapp, President; Wm. M. Sey- mour, Vice-President; M. H. Leonard, Secretary; Jos. Applegate, Treasurer; and C. Mortimer Wiske, Musi- cal Director.

Amateurs who have become Profes- sionals .- Among the members of Brooklyn so- cieties who have graduated from the amateur stage and become professionals are the Misses Edith Kingdon (of the Amaranth), Adelaide Fitzallan (Kemble), Sara Jewett, Gertrude L. Kellogg, Maud Granger (Amaranth), Misses Congdon, Kate Newton, Meta Bartlett, Mrs. Fanny Foster, Mrs. Lloyd Abbott, and Messrs. William Griffith and William E. Wilson. Miss Fitzallan is with Kate Claxton's com- pany, and Mr. Wilson is with John McCullough.

LOUIS C. BEHMAN.

T OUIS C. BEHMAN, prominent among the successful young business men of Brooklyn, was born in this city, June 4, 1855. His father was Henry William Behman; his mother was Ernatina Kurtoman.

When old enough, he began attending school in the public schools in the city, completing his education at Zion's Academy, in Brooklyn. He very early developed a rare capacity for the conduct of business, and while yet very young engaged in a market and provision business in Brooklyn ; continuing in this occupation with reasonable success for about three years.

One of his principal amusements (none ever interfered with his business) was attending the theatres of the city.

In 1876 he went to Philadelphia and engaged in the theatrical business ; after remaining there about one year, he removed to Baltimore, and engaged in the same occupation. After the lapse of six months he returned to Brooklyn, and, with Mr. Richard Hyde, continued the business he had conducted in Baltimore and Philadelphia. In May, 1877, he and his partner leased what was known as the Volks' Theatre. In 1878 they purchased

the building, changed the name to " Hyde and Behman's Theatre," its present name. In 1880 they leased the Olympic Theatre, Fulton street, Brooklyn, changing its name to the Standard Theatre. In 1881 they purchased the Grand Opera House in Elm place. In 1883 they built the New Park Theatre, on the corner of Broadway and Thirty-fifth street, New York City, one of the finest theatrical edifices and best endowed properties in the city. Mr. Behman is now the proprietor of several of the best traveling theatrical companies of the times, exhibiting in all the principal cities in the nation. They are also the proprietors and originators of " Muldoon's Picnic," one of the most successful comedies on the road. It is gratifying to say, that in all his business relations Mr. Behman has been suc- cessful to a marked degree, and his success has brought him into consideration and respect among the citizens of Brooklyn. This is exhibited by the fact that in 1882 he was elected Alder- man of the Eleventh Ward, a position which he still occupies, discharging its duties very creditably to himself and to the sat- isfaction of his constituents.

THE TREE PLANTING AND FOUNTAIN SOCIETY T was organized at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, May 16th, 1882, by a number of prominent citizens, whose object in the formation of the Society was to promote the planting and protection of trees, the erec- tion of drinking fountains; and, otherwise, to render the city of Brooklyn attractive. Thus far this beneficent

organization has not met the encouragement which it deserves; the members, however, have not lost faith in the ultimate results of their efforts, and are prepared to push forward. The original board of officers was re-elected for 1884 :- John W. Hunter, President; David M. Stone, Vice-President; Gordon L. Ford, Treasurer; Richard M. Montgomery, Secretary.

1166

PHOTOGRAPHY IN BROOKLYN.

PHOTOGRAPHY, like chemistry, owes its origin to the alchemists of the middle ages, who, in their search after the philosopher's stone and the elixir of life, discovered silver chloride, which they named horn silver, which blackened on exposure to light. Long afterwards, Scheele experimented to determine the effect upon it of the different rays of the solar spectrum, and discovered the actinic rays. In 1802, Thomas Wedge- wood published a method of producing pictures by the action of light on white leather or paper, made sensitive by a film of silver salts. M. Niepce followed in 1814 with a process for making pictures permanent on a sil- ver plate, coated with bitumen and oil of lavender by developing with a solvent composed of oil of lavender in the oil of petroleum. M. 'Daguerre's invention was a film of iodine on a silvered plate, and he developed the image by exposure to mercurial vapor, and fixed it with soda hyposulphite and hot distilled water. Niepce and Daguerre had been experimenting independently, but in 1829 they entered into partnership, and in January, 1839, gave to the world specimens of the work, which received the name daguerreotype. Henry Fox Talbot, in a communication to the Royal Society, February 21st, 1839, described the details of his calotype or photogenic process, in which the image was produced on paper, made sensitive by silver chloride and devel- oped by gallic acid ; this produced a negative picture, with lights and shadows reversed when viewed by transmitted light, while the correct result was obtained by light through the negative upon other sensitive paper beneath. By this process copies could be made with ease and rapidity. Daguerre's process produced a positive, with lights and shadows in their proper re- lations. Continued experiments perfected the new art. Dr. Draper was the first to succeed in taking por- traits from life, in America. Fizean made a further im- provement by using a salt of gold as a fixing agent. Silver bromide was found to be much more sensitive to the action of light than the chloride, requiring only about one-thirtieth the length of exposure.

But the greatest improvement was the collodion pro- cess, invented by F. Scott Archer, in which a glass plate is coated with gun-cotton dissolved in alcohol and ether with a soluble iodide, generally of cadmium ; it is next immersed in a saturated solution of silver nitrate, when the iodides in the film become silver iodides, sensitive to light. The image is developed by pyrogallic acid or protosulphate of iron, with acetic acid ; the plate is protected from further change by soda hyposulphite or potassium cyanide. This method was in general use until quite lately. The dry collodion

process differs only in coating the plate with tannin instead of the liquid fixing agents, and adding nitrate of silver to the developing medium.

The bromo-gelatin emulsion process has been recently introduced, in which collodion as a medium of carrying the sensitive salts is replaced by gelatin. The emulsion is made of gelatin, treated with the bromides of am- monium and zinc, with nitrate of silver, and developed either by sulphate of iron with alcohol, acetic acid, and potassium oxalate, or with pyrogallic acid, ammonia, and bromide of ammonium. Plates thus prepared are permanent and exceedingly sensitive, allowing "instan- taneous photography" under favorable conditions, and the images may remain undeveloped for an extended period. Vogel's Collodion Emulsion treats the gelatin emulsion in an organic acid with pyroxylin, also in an organic acid. The advantages claimed for the new process are its keeping qualities and ease of working.

Though years of experiment have elaborated and perfected details, the same principle pervades all methods, which includes the production of the image on a surface made sensitive to light, its subsequent de- velopment, and the removal of the unaltered film by a fixing agent. At present the methods used in practical photography are limited to two in number : the posi- tive, where the lights and shadows appear in their proper places ; the plate is backed with black varnish, and the desired pearly-white deposit obtained by devel- oping with proto-nitrate and sulphate of iron, with nitric and acetic acids; second, the negative, where the image is produced on glass with lights and shades reversed when viewed by transmitted light, and a thicker deposit than in the preceding method, while positive impressions are printed through the negative upon sensitive material beneath.

The wet and dry collodion processes and the gelatin and collodion emulsions are variations of the last- named process.

At the present day, photography is the leading method of portraiture, of reproducing landscapes, and all objects animate and inanimate, with a wide appli- cation in astronomy, microscopy, and many of the in- dustrial arts. It is fast rising from the realm of science to that of art ; our leading photographers combine the art-idea with a wonderful perfection of finish, that leaves little to be desired in the result.

As far as ascertainable, the first Daguerrean artist in Brooklyn was J. STANBERY, whose gallery was located near Fulton Ferry in 1844 or '45, but few years after the publication in France of Daguerre's inven- tion; which shows the rapid spread of the new process

THanke& Bausal.

1167

PHOTOGRAPHY IN BROOKLYN.

through the civilized world. Next came ATKINS' gal- lery, also located near the Ferry. In 1849, a studio was opened, where St. Ann's Buildings now are, by GABRIEL HARRISON, whose most interesting biography will be found on a preceding page. In 1844, he took up daguerreotyping with Plumbe; went afterwards with M. M. Lawrence, and was unsurpassed as an operator. In 1850, he opened, at 283 Fulton street, the finest gallery that had then been seen, with elegant furnishings and spacious rooms. He executed the largest daguerreotypes that were ever taken with success, winning medals at the World's Fair in London and in New York. The art-idea was apparent in all his works.

In 1852, Harrison hung out the first crude picture taken by the photographic process, then in its infancy; two years later he was successfully using the new method. He was succeeded by WILLIAMSON, who had for many years an excellent reputation for his daguer- reotypes, and stood at the head of his profession. About 1860 MORAND established himself in a gallery over Tice's on Fulton street, where he remained for a number of years. Harrison again engaged in photo- graphy, and a little later TRUXALL had a fine place on Fulton avenue. In 1863 DOUGLASS opened his studio on Fulton street, corner of Washington, where he still remains. W. S. PENDLETON, of 336 Fulton, com- menced there in 1868. The PEARSALLS began their apprenticeship twenty-five years ago with an uncle in Williamsburgh ; in 1872 G. FRANK E. PEARSALL opened his studio at 298 Fulton street; and, two years

after, ALVA PEARSALL established himself at Fulton and Flatbush avenues. At about the same time DURYEA succeeded Williamson in St. Ann's Buildings, and GARDNER opened a studio at 278 Fulton. WM. F. BOWERS has been located since 1873 at 340 Fulton street; HERMAN WUNDER, on "the Hill," at 722 Fulton, from 1875; and CHARLES E. BOLLES, at 271 Fulton, from 1878. Other prominent artists are HENRY W. BIFFUR, on Fourth street, E. D .; RICHARDSON BROS., and MRS. E. RICHARDSON, Broadway, E. D.

Our best artists have devoted labor and thought to the improvement of photography, and have introduced a decided art-element into that which was a mere science in its beginnings. The advance that has been made during the last fifteen years is marvellous. Life- size portraits combine great delicacy and richness with absolute accuracy; while-still life is reproduced with perfect fidelity. Success has attended the practice of instantaneous photography, as well as the use of the electric light as an illuminator. Technical difficulties have hitherto prevented the preservation of the natural colors in photographic pictures, although much experi- ment has been devoted to the attempt.

Charles S. Rawson, 255 & 257 Fulton street, artist photographer, established 1853, Pennsylvania; was situated at Milwaukee, then Albany, and in 1859 re- moved to his present location.

Richardson Bros. (P. & R. D.), 105 & 107 Broad- way, photographers; established 1879, at present loca- tion.

G. FRANK E. PEARSALL.

M "R. G. FRANK E. PEARSALL, the well-known photog- rapher, at No. 298 Fulton street, is a native of New York City, having been born in Cherry street, November 23, 1841. His father was John A. Pearsall, a life-boat builder and a man of enter- prise, who was the first in his life to use steam power; and who died of pneumonia at the age of thirty-three, having contracted a cold while out on Long Island Sound in a yacht. His mother was of the numerous and respectable Long Island family of Duryea.

Left an orphan at a tender age, Mr. Pearsall spent a portion of his childhood in the family of an aunt living in Saratoga, N. Y., and during a few years attended the public schools there and in New York. When only eleven years old, he began to learn the rudiments of his profession with his uncle, T. Duryea, once a photographer of Williamsburgh. Two years later his uncle re- moved to Australia, where he has since resided. With the as- sistance of their mother, Alva A. Pearsall, then aged fifteen years, and G. Frank E. Pearsall, aged thirteen, continued operations in the gallery formerly of their uncle about a year, when the elder of the two went to the West Indies, leaving the home interests in the care of his mother and younger brother, who kept the establishment open a year longer. About this time Alva A. Pearsall returned, and soon the two brothers bade adieu to Brooklyn, spending the greater part of the following eight years in Cuha and various towns in the West Indies, in Carracas, Venezuela, and elsewhere, only visiting Brooklyn occasionally

and never remaining long. Returning at the end of the period mentioned, Mr. Pearsall was employed by Gurney, the cele- brated New York photographer, from 1862 to 1868. During the year 1868, in connection with his brother, he conducted a veloci- pede school and dealt in velocipedes on Broadway, New York, at the corner of Twenty-third street. The following year he was again in Mr. Gurney's employ.

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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 II, Part 127

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co Number of Pages: 1345

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co
Number of Pages: 1345