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 167

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 167


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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The library now contains 80,000 volumes, besides a large collection of pamplets. After the building was finished, $50,000 was raised, of which $20,000 was given by the Hon. S. B. Chittenden, to be spent in purchasing books. In five years the library increased from 21,000 volumes to 53,000, and the title of the institution was changed to The Brooklyn Library, significant of the growth and general scope of the library, and its adaptation to the wants of the whole com- munity.


Mr. S. B. Noyes has been the intelligent and faith- ful librarian from the beginning, except from 1866 to 1869. The catalogue which he compiled was very nearly perfect, has a wide reputation for thoroughness, and reflects the highest credit upon the capacity, discrimination and untiring industry of its author; and its fullness of detail, its clear and comprehensive arrangement, and the thorough knowledge of the requirements of such a work evinced by its every page, continue to call forth the most flattering encomiums from critics qualified to estimate and appreciate its excellence. The library has been enabled to remove all indebtedness from its property. It has a circulation of over 100,000 volumes annually. The OFFICERS for 1883-'4, are: William A. White, Pres .; Alfred C. Barnes, Vice-Pres .; Charles F. Adams, Cor. Sec .; S. B. Chittenden, Jr., Rec. Sec .; James L. Morgan, Jr., Treas.


Previous Presidents .- Lewis Roberts, Lebbeus Chapman, Jr., James H. Frothingham, James Thorne, Adrian Van


Sinderen, Franklin Woodruff, John R. Kennady, George L. Nichols, and William B. Kendall.


The Long Island Historical Society has already received full mention, on page 40, in connection with the general history of the Island from which it derives its name.


We present, on the opposite page, a view of its building, which forms one of the most conspicuous architectural orna- ments of the city.


The Mechanics' Free Reading-Room, No. 15 Hicks street, is a department of the Bethel Mission, which has been under the care of Plymouth Church since June 1, 1866. It occupies spacious rooms in the new building, and owns an excellent li- brary of 2,000 volumes, and a reading-room furnished with the leading papers and magazines of the day. This reading-room is open every evening, except Sunday; popular lectures and con- certs, largely attended, are given during the winter months, the success of which, together with the number who frequent the rooms daily, testify to the usefulness of the institution. G. M. Dewes is Superintendent for 1883-'4; E. S. Wright and R. S. Bussing, Asst. Supts.


Brooklyn Library Association of the Eastern District .- A library was collected in the then village of Williamsburgh, in 1839; lectures delivered by Gen. Jeremiah Johnson, Hon. James Humphrey and others; but, after a career of limited usefulness, it ceased to exist. A few years later the Wil- liamsburgh Lyceum was formed, and did some good work in its day. In 1854 a Young Men's Literary Association furnished lectures for two years, but had no library. Then, a Young Men's Christian Association gained possession of the library of the defunct Lyceum, and presented a good series of lec- tures, among which appeared Thackeray and Edward Everett; but the enterprise was not more successful than its predeces- sors. In 1859 a more extended effort was made to establish a Library Association, and the subscription list was headed by Noah Waterbury, with $3,000, on condition of $10,000 being raised. This, too, failed. In 1864, however, success crowned the persistent efforts of "the faithful few," and this associa- tion was organized January 9th, 1865, and incorporated April 3d, 1865; its rooms opened to members and the public, May 15th, 1865. In 1865 a library building was purchased and fur- nished, and by 1870 there were 927 members, 8,000 volumes, and a circulation of 30,536 volumes, with reading and chess rooms, lecture and language classes, and a Debating Associa- tion in full operation. Sylvester M. Beard was President ; Alfred S. Collins and G. W. Frost, Librarians.


The present Eastern District Library is a consolidation of eight district libraries, which were organized under the law of 1838. It is a free library, open to the general public on Tuesday and Friday of each week, from 4 to 9 o'clock P. M., on Wednesday for girls, and on Saturday for boys, from 4 to 6 o'clock P. M. It is under the charge of a com- mittee composed of members of the Board of Education, resident in the Eastern District of the city; which committee, at the time of opening, consisted of Messrs. Jonathan S. Burr, Daniel L. Northrup, Thomas W. Field, Daniel D. Winant, James Hall, James Murphy, Daniel Maujer, Corne- lius H. Schapps, Henry G. Burnham, John R. Jurgens, Sam- uel M. Meeker, Roswell C. Brainard.


It was opened to the public in February, 1866, and, during the eighteen years it has been in operation, the number of books loaned average over 18,000 volumes per year. It started with 7,200 volumes. It now has 17,000. Samuel S. Martin, Librarian.


LITERARY ASSOCIATIONS.


The Hamilton Literary Association .- On the 18th of No- veniber, 1830, a few young men of the then village of Brook-


LITERATURE AND SCIENCE.


1305


LONG ISLAN


ISTOR


THE LONG ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY.


lyn met in the school-room of Mr. Theodore Eames, deter- mined to form a literary society. A constitution was prepared by Henry C. Murphy, and a society was duly organized and named, November 29th, 1830, "The Young Men's Literary As- sociation of Brooklyn." In October, 1831, the name was altered to the Hamilton Literary Association, and Henry C. Murphy was chosen its first president. Among its original members were Edgar J. Bartow, George W. Dow, Horace H. Dow, Josiah C. Dow, Richard W. Dow, John Tasker Howard, Joseph Howard, John Jewett, Jr., William Jones, Jr., Thos. G. King, Abiel A. Low, Seth H. Low, Henry C. Murphy, Israel Ward Raymond, John H. Raymond, Francis P. San- ford, D. N. Schoonmaker, Elias R. Stoddard, Henry Silliman, Joshua M. Van Cott, Alden J. Spooner, and Robert Tucker. On the 30th of March, 1842, the association was incorporated, Gabriel Furman, the first historian of Brooklyn, then in the Senate, cheerfully aiding the project. The act of incorpora- tion stated the purpose of the association to be the establish- ing and maintaining a reading-room, literary and scientific lectures, debating exercises, and of employing such other means as may be suitable for promoting moral and intellec- tual improvement, etc. Notwithstanding this ample scope of powers, the association limited itself to the special purpose of a debating society; yet it had some influence in planting many of the distinctively literary institutions which have


arisen in our midst. It originated the first course of volunteer lectures, and from it, also, sprung the Brooklyn Lyceum (since the Brooklyn Institute). In its rooms, the best spirits of our city in literature and science have found the most congenial associates and the best means and stimulus of improvement. The association had rooms in the Brooklyn Lyceum for sev- eral years, then moved to the Brooklyn Atheneum building, on the corner of Clinton and Atlantic streets, and afterward to rooms in the Hamilton buildings, on the corner of Court and Joralemon streets, erected by one of its most honored alumni, Abiel Abbot Low, who has placed the name of Ham- ilton Buildings upon its front, as well from cherished associa- tions with the society as from sentiments of honor to an il- lustrious national character. After an existence of more than fifty years, the Literary Association was in 1883 merged into the Hamilton Club.


Franklin Literary Society .- At a social gathering in the autumn of 1864, of a few young men of Brooklyn, a sugges- tion was made that an organization be effected for more fre- quent meetings with a view to mutual, social and intellectual advantage. Accordingly, at a meeting held Oct. 19th, 1864, at the house of W. H. Spencer, No. 151 Montague street, a debating society was org., with James H. Lightbody as President, under the name of the Franklin Club. This name was changed the following year to its present form. At this


1


HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.


1306


first meeting there were present: James H. Lightbody, D. Webster Tallmadge, William H. Spencer, George J. Laigh- ton, Rufus W. Powell, Ardon K. Powell, Charles E. Tall- madge, John E. Ketcham, and Richard D. Jaques, most of whom still remain members of the Society, either upon the active or bonorary lists.


During its early years, the society held its meetings in the school-room of Rev. L. W. Hart, in Joralemon street; subse- quently in the Polytechnic Institute. For the next eleven years the society met in the building of the Safe Deposit Com- pany, corner of Montague and Clinton streets. Since October Ist, 1883, its meetings have been held in the rooms formerly occupied by the Hamilton Literary Association, No. 44 Court street, corner of Joralemon.


Ex-Presidents : James H. Lightbody, Jacob L. Downing, D. Webster Tallmadge, Henry Chapin, Jr., Sherwood B. Fer- ris, Herman H. Shook, John A. Quintard, Francis M. Edger- ton, William H. Spencer, William H. Williams, Charles W. Hallock, Samuel B. Duryea, Cornelius S. Van Wagoner, John R. Anderson, John A. Wright, Alvan Tenney, Milton B. Clapp, Henderson Benedict, Henry N. Gassaway, John R. Kuhn, Conrad C. Stutts, George H. Murphy, Selah Youngs, Jr., John T. Barnard, Henry Chapin, Jr., Daniel Alexander, William R. Castle, Robert M. Nesbitt, Edward W. Searing, Charles N. Chadwick, David A. Boody, Arthur Murphy, Jr., Peter J. Kelly, George H. Roberts, Jr., George G. Dutcher, Amos G. Sullivan, Albert P.Woodruff, Oliver J. Wells, Fred- erick C. Dexter, George E. Waldo, Joseph M. Pearsall, Robert M. Nesbitt; present OFFICERS, 1883-1884: Herbert W. Groser, Pres .; Frederick S. Burnham, Vice-Pres .; Arthur B. Risley, Second Vice-Pres .; Joseph M. Pearsall, Cor. Sec'y; Robert M. Nesbitt, Rec. Sec'y. Board of Trustees : George H. Murphy, Chairman; Joseph M. Pearsall, Sec'y; Edward Carroll, Jr., Treas .; Frederick C. Dexter, John B. O'Donohue. Auditing Committee: G. H. Murphy, J. M. Pearsall.


Everett Literary Association, org. during the summer of 1872, hy eight gentlemen. Meetings were held at the residence of members, and were devoted to intellectual development. First OFFICERS were: C. A. Cook, W. H. Hasey, Jno. H. Has- kell, C. D. Rowe and Geo. S. Jellerson. In May, 1873, the Society secured rooms in the hall, corner Fulton and Bedford aves., where it first came prominently into notice through a course of lectures delivered by several well-known men, Mark Twain and Paul B. Du Chaillu, being among the num- ber.


In 1875, the Association began the publication of the Everett Literary Journal, under the editorship of Ringgold McCay, author of "Geraldine," "The Magnet," and other works of local fame. This journal is a monthly magazine, published exclusively for the use of members. In 1876, the association was incorporated, since which time it has grown steadily in numbers and usefulness, and at present is seriously contemplating the advisability of moving from present quar- ters in the Hamilton building, to larger and more convenient club accommodations in the Hill vicinity. Present OFFICERS are: Herman F. Koepke, Samuel Walker, Phillip Comstock, Dexter Hiscox; Evan J. Rustin and Oliver E. Stanton, Edi- tors.


Polytechnic Debating Society, org. at Polytechnic Insti- tute, Dec., 1875, for social and intellectual advantages, by seven members. Present membership, 41. First OFFICERS: J. L. Laidlaw, Pres .; Wm. A. Heydecker, Sec'y; Edward S. Field, Treas. Several professors and instructors of the Poly- technic are members, though the society has had no connec- tion with the Institute for several years. Present OFFICERS: Horace M. Gulick, Pres .; Edwd. S. Field, Vice-Pres .; Chas. H. Genung, Sec .; John L. Laidlaw, Treas.


The Bryant Literary Society .- On the 3d of Nov., 1878, a notice was read from the pulpit of the Memorial Presbyterian Church, then on Prospect Place, requesting all interested in the formation of a literary society, to meet at the residence of Mr. B. S. Barrett on the following evening. The following- named gentlemen, J. Bruce Lindsay, Esq., D. G. Bushnell, Walter L. Burckett and B. S. Barrett, subsequently organized the society, which continued steadily to prosper until its present membership numbers 206, and its regular fortnightly meetings are attended by an audience varying from three to eight hundred people. First OFFICERS: B. S. Barrett, Pres .; D. A. Boody, Vice-Pres .; Walter L. Burckett, Sec'y; D. G. Bushnell, Treas .; Rev. T. A. Nelson, J. Bruce Lindsay, W. P. Millar, Exec. Com.


During the first five years of its existence, the Society met at the residences of its members; and at the end of its first season, the membership had increased to some sixty or seventy. The Chapel of the Memorial Presbyterian Church, St. John's Place and Seventh avenue, where the meetings are usually held, is almost invariably crowded to its utmost capacity by members and their friends.


Although the Society was organized by, and at first com- posed of members of the Memorial Church, it is by no means a sectarian association, but comprises among its membership persons of various creeds, and some who are not identified with any church whatever.


It was originally composed exclusively of gentlemen, but as its sphere of interest and usefulness broadened, ladies were admitted to full membership, and assigned active work in the preparation and reading of articles, selections, etc., and also in the musical parts of the exercises, in which several capaci- ties they have proved to be a most desirable and welcome ac- cession to its numbers. Present membership, about 225.


OFFICERS (1884): Ithamar Du Bois, Pres .; D. P. Templeton, Vice-Pres .; B. S. Barrett, Rec. Sec'y; James M. Dewar, Cor. Sec'y; W. L. Burckett, Treas.


Tupper Literary Society, org. Nov. 5, 1880, at the residence of Wm. V. Tupper, 171 Clinton street, for social and mental culture, with 8 members. Present membership, 54. First OFFICERS: J. Henry Rieger, Pres .; John C. Zahrt, Vice-Pres .; Walter E. Meyer, Sec'y and Treas .; John A. Jochum, Wm. H. Dill, Trustees. Present OFFICERS: James Arnold, Pres .; Wal- ter V. Odell, Vice-Pres .; Wm. H. Dill, Sec'y and Treas .; Al- bert Edwards, C. R. Bigelow, Trustees.


The Philomathean Society, one of the best known and most popular literary societies in Brooklyn, is located in the Hamilton Building, corner Court and Joralemon streets. It was organized with twenty young men, March 31st, 1880, at No. 166 State street, with the following first board of offi- cers: Dr. Wm. M. Hutchinson, Pres .; Thos. E. Cross- man, Vice-Pres .; E. F. Mac Phail and Geo. Preston, Sec'ys; H. W. Linker, Treas .; Wm. J. Boars, Chairman; Fred L. Colver, F. R. McDermott, and H. J. Gabel, Executive Com- mittee. The objects of the society are the improvement in literary matters, and the cultivation of fraternal relations, and it is not identified or connected with any religious sect, social body or political party; and is purely literary in its character. This society is unincorporated. For several years its meetings were held in the Bethel Church building of Ply- mouth Church, where the society grew in membership and prospered; and in the spring of 1883, moved to its present handsomely furnished quarters. One of the most important assistants to the society's growth is the Philomathean Review, a monthly magazine, published regularly since April, 1881. It was started (and for a year) under the editorship of E. F. MacPhail, assisted by Fred L. Colver; but, since June, 1882, Mr. Colver has been the editor, and from May, 1883, the pro-


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LITERATURE AND SCIENCE.


prietor as well. Messrs. A. H. Brownell and Wm. G. Bowdoin are its associate editors. From a small beginning the Review has kept pace with the growth of the society, and now reaches far beyond the circle of its membership and friends. Present membership of the society is about 50, besides many promi- nent citizens, who are honorary members. Present OFFICERS: Thos. E. Crossman, Pres .; Wm. G. Bowdoin, Vice-Pres .; John J. Grace, Sec'y and Clerk; Wm. H. Carter, Treas .; Fred D. Youngs, Marshal, Fred W. Farnell, Librarian; Executive Committee: F. W. Barnaby (Chairman), Fred L. Colver, Edw. W. Bok, Edw. V. Howard and E. E. Malmar. A large number of lectures and entertainments have been given under the auspices of the society, which, also, has a small but well selected library.


Of the many literary associations, debating clubs, musical, social and literary associations, which have " had their day" in Brooklyn, it is impossible to obtain a very complete, or, in- deed, a sufficiently interesting history.


Among those of which but a memory remains, we may men- tion The Kings Co. Lodge Library Association of Williams- burgh, incorporated 1847; the Franklin Debating Association, organized 1852; the Eccleston Literary Association, oganized 1854; the Columbia Literary Association, organized 1855; the St. Charles Institute, 1854; and numerous others, some of which have been connected with certain churches, institu- tions, schools and benevolent enterprises, etc.


SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATIONS.


The Brooklyn Entomological Society was organized in April, 1872. The present membership is 40. This society possess a fine collection of Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, and a valuable library of entomological literature. The society began the publication of The Bulletin of the Brooklyn Ento- mological Society, in May, 1878, a periodical which stands second to none in the esteem of entomologists of both the Old and New Worlds. The OFFICERS for 1883-'4 are : Rev. Geo. D. Hulst, Pres .; Edw. L. Graef, Vice-Pres .; Chas. Fuchs, Treas .; August Fuchs, Sec .; F. G. Schaupp, Cor. Sec .; Jno. B. Smith, Librarian; the last two gentlemen are also the editors of the Bulletin.


The Brooklyn Microscopical Club .- This association was organized Feb. 10th, 1881, for the purpose of advancement in microscopical studies upon the conversational plan. Some of the members possess instruments noted for definition and power, which are exhibited at their meetings. Many of the members have become experts at mounting objects, and, by this means and exchanges, have become possessed of valuable cabinets in histology, entomology, lithology and the diatoma- ceæ. There are about 50 members. Meetings on the first and third Tuesday of each month at members' residences. Mr. G. D. Hiscox, 435 Greene ave., Sec'y.


The American Astronomical Society .- This society was organized Jan., 1883, for the purpose of advancement in as- tronomical studies, and the discussion of kindred subjects. It has a well represented local membership; and correspond- ing members among the leading astronomers of the U. S. Their ultimate object is the erection of a public observa- tory in the city of Brooklyn. Many of the members possess fine telescopes. The President, Mr. S. V. White, has the largest private telescope in the U. S., a 12-inch glass by the Clarkes, equatorially mounted under a substantial dome.


Prof. H. A. Parkhurst, has a battery of 3 telescopes mounted upon one equatorial movement, the largest of which is a 9-inch glass by Fitz.


W. T. Gregg, has a 6-inch glass, mounted equatorially under a dome,


Rev. Dr. J. M. Ferris, of Flatbush, has a 5-inch glass, also under a dome.


The Packer Institute has a fine telescope with 6-inch glass by Fitz, also under a dome.


Prof. Chas. E. West, has a fine 61-inch glass by Byrne.


Mr. G. P. Serviss, possesses a fine equatorial of 3§ aperture by Byrne.


Mr. G. D. Hiscox, has a Newtonian reflector of 10-inch aperture, and a 3-inch comet seeker.


The society meets in the Physical Laboratory of the Packer Institute, the first Monday evening of each month. S. V. White, Pres .; W. T. Gregg, Vice-Pres .; G. P. Serviss, Scc'y.


CLUBS.


The Excelsior Club was org. December 8th, 1854, for the promotion of social intercourse among its members, who numbered originally 18. The club was incorp. in 1874, under the State Laws of 1865. The present membership is 220; the present OFFICERS: Chas. W. West, Pres .; Thos. G. Wells, Vice- Pres .; H. C. Richardson, Cor. Sec .; H. W. Cowing, Rec. Sec .; John D. Barnes, Treas. This club has fitted up, for the ac- commodation of its members, the dwelling house on the corner of Clinton and Livingston streets, a property which it has owned for five years. This organization is purely social, its members being young gentlemen of assured social posi- tion.


The Brooklyn Club was organized through the efforts of the late Dr. A. Cooke Hull, and incorporated April 24th, 1865. First DIRECTORS were: Henry E. Pierrepont, Pres .; Henry C. Murphy, Henry Sanger, John Simpkins, Robert J. Hunter, William M. Vail, M. Firman Hunt, George L. Kent, A. Cooke Hull, Franklin Woodruff, William B. Kendall, Henry R. Pierson, William Kent, James Humphrey, Ethelbert S. Mills, William H. Wallace, George W. Parsons, Samuel McLean, Luther B. Wiman, Charles J. Lowrey.


The original membership was 83; the first OFFICERS being H. E. Pierrepont, Pres .; Geo. W. Parsons, Vice-Pres .; A. C. Hull, Treas .; and W. B. Kendall, Sec.


The object of this club is to promote social intercourse among its members, and to provide a pleasant resort for them, where entertainment can be furnished, without gam- bling. The membership limit of three hundred has long since been reached. The club occupies the house formerly known as the "Greenleaf School," on the corner of Clinton and Pierrepont streets, which has been very artistically reno- vated, and where may be found every convenience suggested by the most exacting club men. Present OFFICERS: Benj. D. Silliman, Pres .; Calvin E. Pratt, Vice-Pres .; Henry E. Dodge, Treas .; Geo. B. Abbott, Sec. Receptions are held at the club House on the last Saturday evening of each month.


The Kings County Club is essentially a political organiza- tion, although neither in its constitution or by-laws is any political allusion made. It originated within the Republican party in Brooklyn in 1872, and was fully organized in Novem- ber of that year. There has been from the beginning an un- written law that none but Republicans should become mem- bers; this law has been respected. The rooms of the club have always been in the immediate vicinity of City Hall Square, and have been at all times generously open in the service of the party, though the club meetings are uniformly private. The membership was over two hundred, prominent not alone in politics, but in everything pertaining to public welfare and social improvement. The first OFFICERS were : A. J. Perry, Pres .; R. D. Benedict, Vice-Pres .; Lorin Palmer, Treas .; and E. B. Tower, Sec. In 1881 the club began to show signs of financial weakness; the rooms at that time were at


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HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.


150 Pierrepont street, elegantly appointed and luxuriously furnished; too much money had been spent to secure these surroundings, and the recent campaign had been very expen- sive; the Republican State Committee thought it advisable at this time to overtake the property, and the Kings County Club was thus quietly though permanently dissolved.


The Clinton Club was organized in 1874, at the rooms which it occupied until 1879, on Clinton avenue, near De Kalb, when larger and more commodious quarters were se- cured at the corner of Atlantic and Vanderbilt avenues, which the club occupied until it was dissolved by the consent of the members April 5, 1883. This organization was purely social; the void caused by its dissolution is felt very keenly in the social circles of Brooklyn, more especially, perhaps, on "The Hill."


The Hamilton Club was, in a measure, an outgrowth of the Hamilton Literary Association, which has existed more than fifty years. Its library and pictures are now in possession of the Club. After a long and honorable career, the Hamilton Literary Association seemed to be waning somewhat in its prosperity; many of its members desired to form an organiza- tion more social in its nature, with some of the features which appertain to club life. Accordingly, a club was organized, in May, 1882, comprising many members of the old organiza- tion, and retaining its library and pictures with the name, the Hamilton Club. It was organized under the general act of 1875, and was formed for literary, artistic, economic and social purposes. The corporators were as follows : Samuel McLean, David H. Cochran, Joshua M. Van Cott, Joseph Brown, John Winslow, Charles Storrs, Thomas H. Rodman, Nelson G. Carmen, Jr., John F. Prager, John D. Pray, Thomas S. Moore, William H. Wallace, John Notman, Brian H. Smith, J. Spencer Turner, Joseph Yeoman, and James McKeen. The first OFFICERS were : Samuel McLean, Pres .; A. A. Abbott, Sec .; D. H. Cochran, Vice-Pres .; Tasker H. Marvin, Treas.


The present OFFICERS are the same, with the exception of Secretary, James McKeen having been elected for 1884. The membership has increased from 100 to 320. The Club rented temporarily the residence of the late Dr. A. E. Sum- ner, on the corner of Clinton and Joralemon streets, which it will use as a Club House until the completion of its per- manent building (already commenced), on the corner of Clinton and Remsen streets.




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