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 182

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 182

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Wm. Berri's Sons, est. on Fulton street about 1856 by Wm. Berri, who was succeeded by his sons in 1874. In 1880, they built four stores at 526-530 Fulton street, which the occupy for their large business. Wm. Berri is joint editor, with W. A. Harris, of the Carpet Trade Review.

Other prominent firms are: W. M. Batterman, 1 Cook street; Campbell & Josten, est. 1882, at 424 Ful- ton street ; Carr & Murray, 63 Myrtle avenue, est. about 10 years ; Andrew J. Dexter, 322 Fulton street, est. 1873 ; A. H. King, 294 Fulton street ; Geo. H. Titus, 607 Fulton street ; Willetts Bros., 201 Atlantic avenue.

The painting and paper-hanging business of M. WEBSTER & SON, corner Clinton and Degraw streets, represented by the accompanying cut, was established by Webster & Haines in 1857. Their first location was in a room, 6 by 40 feet, on Degraw street. They soon found the place too small, and moved to the next building on the south. In 1864, they had to provide still more room to keep pace with their work, and built the block clear through to Clinton street, which M. Webster & Son now own and occupy. Mr. Haines' health becoming poor, he left the firm in 1867, from which time to 1875, Mr. Webster conducted the business. At the latter time mentioned, he took his son, Fred, into the partnership. which still exists as M. Webster & Son. Their painting and paper-hanging became extensive, and frequently suffered while waiting for other repairs. They thought it desirable to equip themselves with help, so that they could overhaul a house in all its requirements, accordingly, they added car- penters', plasterers' and masons' jobbing work to their busi- ness, and have ever since been prepared to repair a house

ISTORAGE

OPEN AIR CARPET CLEANING CO.

M. WEBSTER & SON'S WAREROOMS.

from basement to roof, doing all the work, from the roughest to the most elaborate artistic finish, inside and out. In this line they do more than any concern in Brooklyn. By a queer circumstance, another branch of industry was de- veloped about this time (1877). A lady for whom they were kalsomining wished them to clean her carpets at the same time. It was a new thing, but they hired a colored man and did it by the hour. She was so well pleased that she told her friends, and before they were aware of it, they had still another business to attend to. Becoming too large to do by hand, they bought out a patent cleaning apparatus, and started their present extensive Open Air Cleaning Works at New Utrecht. Carpet cleaning had been done generally, up to this time, in buildings, but the results were unsatisfac- tory, the dust settling back into the goods. By their new process, each carpet is whipped by machinery under a large roof; the sides being entirely open, the dust and dirt are car- ried away by the wind, after which each piece is swept by hand. From a business of 6,000 yards the first year, the in- crease reached 300,000 yards in 1881. All this is done for from 5 to 7 cents per yard.

Attached to this cleaning establishment, in New Utrecht, is the "Clinton Renovating Co." This novel institution takes all articles of house furniture, bedding, mattresses, window curtains, any and everything movable that ever be- comes infested with moths or other vermin, and, by a per- fectly harmless process, destroys every vestige of insect life, and completely removes all accumulations of grease or filth, without coloring or defacing the most delicate fabric or finish. The ravages of moths, so destructive to carpets, are instantly arrested, at the small cost of 10 to 12 cents per yard.

To do all this work in New Utrecht, requires a steam engine of 16-horse power; and, from a working force of only two men, with which they commenced business, they now employ in the different departments fifty men. The develop- ment of this varied and diverse business has been purely a work of observation and enterprise, and it is not a matter of surprise that M. Webster & Son are thriving and prosperous.

1375

GENERAL TRADE AND MERCHANDISE.

BOOT AND SHOE MAKERS AND DEALERS.

JOSEPH HERBERT had a shoe shop on Sands street, between Bridge and Main, in 1809, as appears from a notice in one of the issues of the Long Island Star for that year. Of course he had predecessors, but who they were and where their shops were located cannot now be ascertained. About the same time W. P. and Abraham Bennett had a shoe shop in Brooklyn, in the ownership of which they were, not long afterward, suc- ceeded by Winant P. Bennett, who was probably the W. P. Bennett above referred to. In 1812 Losee Van Nostrand was shoe-making on Old Ferry street. For some time previous to 1815 Isaac Van Nostrand had a shoe shop far down what is now Fulton street, near the ferry. It used to be his custom to boast that he could " fit a man's foot but not his eye." Just below Poplar Place was once the shoe shop of John Bergen, who was succeeded by Abraham Van Nostrand. A man named Richardson, and called "Marvellous," "Marvel" and " Miraculous " Richardson, was a well-known shoe- maker, who had his shop near the corner of Fulton and Middagh streets. In connection with his grocery on Fulton street, near Sands, Ex-Sheriff John Dean had an extensive shoe shop. In 1817 Henry Dikeman advertised that he was able to supply all demands for ladies' and children's shoes. While it is likely that he made shoes for men as well as for women and children, there seems little reason to doubt that he was the first who made a specialty of the kinds of shoes mentioned. Benjamin Hulsard was making boots and shoes in Brooklyn in 1819, and during that year was succeeded by Uriah Ryder. Dikeman, mentioned above, seems to have formed a partnership with a man named Conant, as the firm of Dikeman & Conant, boot and shoe makers, was dissolved by mutual consent in 1823. J. Rikeman was in the businesss in 1827 and had then been thus engaged for some time. J. Valentine had a shoe shop on James street in 1828 and Edmund Sutton a similar establishment at 195 Fulton street in 1829. These and other shoe-makers were well known in Brook- lyn early in the present century. To complete the list down to the present time would be impossible, and even if it were not it would be unprofitable. Gradually the manufacture of boots and shoes by machinery was in- troduced till factories entirely superseded the once busy shops in which numbers of " jour." shoe-makers worked, turning out their wares by hand. This change was not wrought without the exhibition of much of that bitter rivalry which has ever characterized the transition from the " hand " to the " machine " period of manufacture. The introduction of machine-made shoes led to the es- tablishment of retail stores, which are now more numerous than were ever shoe shops within the same area. Some of these stores are large and elegant and almost any of the more important of them contain stocks of boots and shoes which alone would have been almost sufficient to supply the trade of Brook-

lyn early in the century. Only a few of these establish- ments can be mentioned. That of Messrs. Crossman & Bergen was established in 1859 by J. T. Whitehouse, who was succeeded by the present firm in 1871. Their store is located at 599 Fulton street. The business of Joseph J. Byers & Co., at 110 Court street, was estab- lished in 1879; $20,000 capital is employed, and the an- nual sales amount to $57,000. The business necessitates the employment of ten persons, and the firm pay $4,000 yearly in salaries. Following are the names and ad- dresses of a number of other firms or individuuls engaged in this branch of trade :

Brennan & Kelly 80 Grand street.

B. L. Cornell 463 Fulton street.

F. W. Deitz

24 Boerum

Fred J. Finch 485 Fulton street.

H. Holtz & Son 183 Montague.

Harding & Co

317 Fulton street.

Christian Hohn 737 Fulton street.

M. J. Kearney 547 Fulton street.

William La Sell 40 Schermerhorn.

J. Mundell & Sons 298 Fulton street.

L. L. Whitehouse .265 Fulton street.

Robert C. Westley. 315 North Second street.

F. Edwards 166 Atlantic avenue.

James L. Smith .10th street, E. D.

JOSEPH J. BYERS, dealer in fine boots and shoes, No. 110 Court street, corner of State, was born May 9th, 1856, in Brooklyn, N. Y. In early life he attended the public schools of his native city, and Browne's Business College. For a time he was the trusted manager of an old-established shoe house in this city, and May, 1879, commenced business for himself in his present store. At the very outset of his business life, Mr. Byers was fully impressed with the low ratio of success among business men, and decided that blind following of old methods should, in his case, be superseded by new ways. His success has proven the wisdom of his decision. His fine store, 38x75 feet in dimensions, speedily grew charming and attrac- tive, under his renovating and beautifying system. He fitted it up, spending money with a lavish hand, and ornamented it in every possible way. He was the first to introduce " open- ings" into this trade. On these occasions, his store presents a bewildering array of ornamentation, and the public is cor- dially welcomed, while he dispenses presents to his customers in a liberal spirit, having given as many as 2,700 bouquets in four days. On another occasion he had a children's day, when he delighted his fair little visitors by giving them 1,000 plates of ice cream. In 1880 and 1881, he gave $1,500 worth of pictures, besides other at- tractive presents to his customers;' and, in 1882, spent $600 in canary birds and cages, each purchaser to a certain amount receiving one of these musical gifts. Every lady possessing a scrap album should remember Mr. Byers, as to his originality this advertising method is due, and he has given out over one and a half millions of these cards. In the spring of 1883, his presentation of a pot of pansies to every customer resulted in the distribution of 3,000 pots of these flowers. In the giving of realistic views in his show-windows, he again illustrated the advantage of native originality. Among other representations are a model of the ill-fated Arctic steamer "Jeannette," tossing in the ice; a miniature

1376

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

Jos.J.

BYERS

BOOTS

AND SHOES

BOWN DESIGNS . SHOES ORDER JOS. J. BYERS. LADIES & GENTS BOOTS & WALKING P SLIPPERS

JOSEPH J. BYERS' SHOE STORE.

mill at work, a faithful portrayal of a historic old mill at New London, Conn., etc. He keeps a stock on hand worth from twenty to twenty-five thousand dollars. Many of his boots and shoes are fashioned after special designs of his son. He keeps ten hands constantly employed, and his messengers and door-boys are neatly uniformed. His sales aggregate $60,000 annually, and he has an extensive out-of-town patron- age. Though yet a young man, Mr. Byers can be ranked with successful merchants of Brooklyn, and his future years promise but additional prosperity.

THE RETAIL HATTERS.

(See also p. 743.)

The hat trade has been an important interest in this city from a very early day. While in the manufacture of hats Brooklyn ranks first, the retail trade alone aggregates nearly a million of dollars in capital, and employs several hundred men. The first Brooklyn directory, issued in 1796, names three hatters, John Middagh and Nathaniel Townsend, in " Main Road," and Jeffrey Tillotson at Old Ferry Dock; a good pro- portion compared with the other lines of business, being equal in number to the grocers, and exceeding that of the merchants. In 1816, Stephen S. Voris' hat store (formerly John Middagh's) was on Fulton, a few doors below Henry street. In 1822, Wm. Voorhis kept a hat store on Fulton street, opposite Henry. Robert W. Peck established himself in 1829 at 84 Fulton, removing two years later to 110. His brother, Jas. W. Peck, succeeded in 1832, and is still hale at 80 years (1883), the oldest hatter in the city. In 1862, the firm became J. W. Peck & Son, in 1873, W. H. Peck & Bro., and since 1873 Isaac W. Peck, and is the oldest house in the trade, and its members have all been practical hatters. The next was Mr. Campbell, on Fulton street, above York.

In 1832, Gault, Ballard & Bigelow commenced busi- ness at the corner of Fulton and High streets; the firm afterwards became F. H. Bigelow & Co., and is now Balch, Price & Co. Their first store was burned in the great fire and rebuilt. In 1872, they removed to their present location, 376 Fulton street, being the second house in age in the trade. John Phillips next opened a store in Atlantic avenue, about 1836. Gaston was next in order, at the corner of Middagh and Fulton. Bassler opened in 1863, at 340 Fulton; was succeeded by Attix & Co., and, in 1883, by Knox. In 1864, James Turnbull opened a store at 39 Fulton, then removed to the basement of the Union-Argus building, subse- quently returning to 39 and 41 Fulton. A. C. Jacobson began in 1868, at the corner of Tillary and Fulton, and Furman T. Nutt in 1870, at 300 Fulton; Heany Bros., in 1872, moving to No. 79 in 1875. The follow- ing also are prominent dealers:

Thos. F. Brazell 116 Court.

Wm. Diehl. 32 McKibbin street.

G. A. Price . 376 Fulton.

W. H. Slater .376 Fulton.

H. A. Smith

151 4th street, E. D.

BOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS AND BINDERS.

(See also p. 788.)

No record has been found to show that any one was prominently engaged in the book trade in Brooklyn before Thomas Kirk, who had a book store, at the printing office of the Long Island Star, on Main street, next door to Rapelye and Mooney's dry-goods store. During the time the paper was published by Mr. Kirk, E. Worthington, Alden Spooner and others, there was a book store in connection with the establishment. These gentlemen at different times published such books as a requisite number of subscribers could be obtained for, and, as appears from advertisements in the Star, made proposals to issue numerous books and pamphlets which were not bespoken in numbers sufficiently large to warrant their publication. A leading bookseller, importer and publisher, for many years until his death, was the late W. W. Swayne, whose business is con- tinued since his death. Among the numerous living booksellers and stationers of Brooklyn are the follow- ing, whose establishments in different parts of the city are well known and liberally patronized :

David S. Holmes .89 4th, E. D.

George Gilluly . 83 Franklin ave.

Henry Thorpe. 454 Sackett st.

Thomas B. Ventres 62 Court st.

Weedon's Book Exchange. 122 Myrtle ave. Henry E. Sackmann . . 445 Van Buren st., E. N.Y.

Book-Binder. Born at Altenlande, Germany ; learned trade at Hamburg ; came to America in 1834; lived in Texas a number of years, and, in 1840, settled at East New York, establishing a book-bindery at 63 Vesey street, New York, removing from there to 39 and 41 Cen- tre street, present location.

1377

GENERAL TRADE AND MERCHANDISE.

PRINTERS.

(See, also, page 738).

J. J. Black

612 Bushwick ave.

David Cook.

204 Bridge st.

C. Collins & Co.

106 Livingston st.

Geo. J. Collins

301 Throop ave.

H. G. Coyle

18 Lafayette ave.

Albert Fries, Jr

157 S. 1st st.

W. P. Griffith.

365 Fulton st.

Wilber S. Hawkes

19 Court st.

M. King.

446 Grand st.

Charles H. McIlvaine

h., 274 Hooper st.

Geo. S. Patton.

. 80 Fulton st.

Henry C. Reimer

99 Broadway.

W. F. Smith

282 Court st.

John C. Sullivan.

302 Graham ave.

J. Woehr, Jr.

60 Bergen st.

William White

79 William st., N. Y.

PHOTOGRAPHERS.

(See, also, page 816).

H. W. Biffar

113 4th st., E. D.

George Forshew

245 Fulton st.

Henry Holler

149 Ewen st.

J. F. Kopke

407 Fulton st.

William S. Pendleton

.336 Fulton st.

Charles S. Rawson

255 Fulton st.

D. H. Smith

428 Fulton st.

Van Doorn

242 Fulton st.

Chas. Weller

130 Broadway.

William Wendel

6 Nevins st.

MUSICIANS.

Henry E. Brown

. 42 Fourth ave.

Charles D. Carter

197 Sixth ave.

A. D. Caswell.

179 Montague st.

Lucian Conterno

283 Ryerson st.

G. A. Connor

188 Pacific st.

H. B. Dodworth

47 Lafayette place.

Thomas R. Deverell . 118 38th st., S. Bklyn.

THOMAS R. DEVERELL, a native of Ireland, and son of a British army officer; early life spent amid military associa- tions, and his musical education was under Mr. Thos. Crozier, one of seven brothers, who were all band-masters. Coming to U. S. 1852, he entered the U. S. Navy, at Brooklyn Navy Yard, and became one of the band in the old "North Caro- lina ;" in 1854, accompanied the flag-ship Iudependence on a South Pacific cruise, during which he was made band-master. Leaving the service, on his return in 1857, was band-master for 16 months of the 2d Regiment, N. Y. S. N. G. (afterwards "79th Highlanders "); at the West Point U. S. Military Academy (1858-'60), he gave music lessons to the cadets, having as pupils many who have since become eminent offi- cers. In August, 1861, was one of the band-leaders of the 62d N. Y. (Anderson Zouaves) Regiment; became leader of the 8th Regiment, N. J. S. N. G. band in 1872; serving nearly three years ; was band-master of the 13th N. Y. S. N. G., and of 9th Regiment, N. J. S. N. G., 1876; of 47th Regiment, N. Y. S. N. G., 1879, which two latter positions he still re-

tains. Mr. Deverell's Band (the 47th Regiment) is well known to, and appreciated by, the citizens of Brooklyn, from their performances on many public occasions. Mr. Deverell (December 22, 1882) was appointed Recruiting Agent for the U. S. Army Bands by Gen. Sherman.

Jno. M. Loretz, Jr.

. 207 Washington ave.

Raphael Navarro

536 State st.

Martin Papst

130 Livingston st.

E. C. Phelps

24 Greene ave.

A. Noziglia

92 Orange st.

John Schneider

74 Lee ave.

Mert C. Wiske

80 Taylor st.

J. Vankeuren

74 Hooper st.

Carl Wagner

.229 10th st.

E. J. Fitzhugh

238 Lafayette ave.

F. Fauciulli.

350 Henry st.

DEALERS IN PIANOS. (See also p. 812.)

George Lyding .

487 Broadway.

W. H. McDonald.

114 4th st., E. D.

The Arion Piano Warerooms, 128 Fourth st., E. D., was established by Mr. McDonald, a native of Philadel- phia. When quite young, he came to New York, and, for more than 30 years, was a citizen of Brooklyn ; was engaged in the sale of pianos for many years, formerly in New York, and latterly in Brooklyn, first at 144, then at 143 Fourth st., Brooklyn, E. D .; was a man of con- siderable literary talent, and of rare, noble principles. He died in July, 1882, and the business was re-established by his widow in December, 1882, at 144 Fourth st., then moved to 128 Fourth st., where she now remains.

DEALERS IN MUSIC.

Daniel J. Lent

333 Sackett st.

Frederick Schneider

73 Lafayette ave.

H. Depew Tier

257 17th st.

CHINA, GLASS AND CROCKERY.

As early as 1810, Mrs. Van Antwerp had a crockery store on Main street. J. G. Durell & J. & A. Sutton is the long and somewhat oddly constructed name of a firm advertising in 1823 a china and glass store at 82 Fulton street. The next year, Henry A. Tallman kept a similar establishment at 8 New Slip. In 1829, Messrs. Underhill & Doolittle had another, at 109 Ful- ton street. Among the leading dealers in china ware in both Brooklyn, New York, and 110 Clark street, Chicago, at this time, are Messrs. Ovington Brothers, 246 and 248 Fulton street. They were estab. here (1846) at 85 Fulton street, were burned out in 1883, have rebuilt, and occupy one of the largest and most elegant stores in Brooklyn, and are eminently one of the institutions of the city. Another dealer, well known in this city, is Mr. J. L. Jensen, 144 Greene avenue. Mr. Francis Thill, 16 Taylor street, and T. Storm, corner of North 11th and Second streets, are known in connection with the glass trade.

1378

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

In connection with the crockery trade of Brooklyn, we may also mention C. C. Leigh, born in Phila- delphia, located here 1833; was an early abolition- ist, one of the originators of the Freedman's Relief Association, formed in early part of the civil war, and (under special autograph passes from Pres. Lincoln, the Secretary of War, and Gen. Grant) had access to every portion of the Union lines, in the work of for- warding the interests of the "contrabands." In secur- ing funds for this purpose, he visited also Great Britain, France, Germany, and Holland. He afterwards effected the establishment of the Franco-American telegraph system, as an offset to the Anglo-American cable, both ends of which latter were virtually under British con- trol, which would be detrimental to American interests in case of war between U. S. and Great Britain. He is an ardent temperance advocate; as member of the N. Y. Legislature, has rendered effective service in the cause. In 1880, was Pres. of N. Y. City Temperance Alliance; and, in 1873, org. Kings Co. Prohibition Alliance. Is a member of Old Brooklynites, and is a well-known and honored citizen.

PAINTERS, PAPER-HANGERS AND INTERIOR DECORATORS.

(See also p. 724.)

No record of any painter in Brooklyn earlier than the Allens is to be found. From a reference to the Long Island Star, it appears that Messrs. J. & M. Allen were advertising themselves as painters in 1819. Matthew James, another painter, inserted his advertis- ing card in 1823. Near the corner of Fulton and Cran- berry streets was once the paint shop of old Matthew Hall, father of ex-Mayor Hall, who was known in the town more than half a century ago. If not the first painter in Brooklyn, a distinction which could not well be claimed for him, Mr. Hall was one of the earliest who became prominent both as a painter and a citizen. In 1825, David Price had a paint shop at 20 Sands street, and, in 1828, John Dean was engaged in the same line at 145 Fulton street. A year later, John Miller ad- vertised that he was " prepared to receive orders for all kinds of painting, at the corner of James and Main streets."

These may be regarded as having been the best known among the early painters of Brooklyn. Since their day the demand for painters has increased so greatly that it is probable that the painters of Brook- lyn are now numbered by thousands. Gradually paint- ing has been combined with paper-hanging, kalsomin- ing and other branches of the art decorative as applied to the interiors of buildings. As the city has advanced in wealth and refinement, a demand for finer and more artistic work has grown up until at this time the man who is a skilful interior decorator is an artist in his way of no mean ability. The following brief notices of

some of the well-known painters, paper-hangers and in- terior decorators and dealers in the supplies of the craft in Brooklyn at this time, may prove not uninterest- ing. Prominent in this class of tradesmen is Mr. William Harkness, of 690 Fulton street, of whose career a sketch appears elsewhere in these pages. George Elford, painter, decorator and paper-hanger, 506 Fulton street, began business at his present loca- tion in 1856. In 1862, his son became his partner and the house became known as that of George Elford & Son. M. Webster's Son, Degraw street, at the corner of Clinton, is the present proprietor of the business established by his father, M. Webster, in 1858, and, besides taking rank among the most enterprising painters and decorators, is the representative of the Open-Air Carpet Cleaning Company. The establish- ment of Mr. William H. Wilkeyson, 277 Broadway, E. D., dealer in paints and paper-hangings, has been in existence since 1858 also. William W. Beaver, painter and paper-hanger, 19 Gates avenue, began busi- ness in 1862, and is well known in band and military circles, having served as Drum-Major, under the militia organization, twelve years, and three years as a member of the New York State Volunteers. Peter Bertsch, painting, japanning, gilding, carving, engrav- ing, etc., 374 Broadway, E. D., began business in 1863. George B. Elmore, painter and decorator, 654 Fulton street, began business in 1866, at 314 Bridge street. He served three years, during the late war, as a mem- ber of the 61st Regiment, New York State Volunteers, and was promoted to the rank of Captain. John W. Rowe, painter and decorator, 98 Court street, came to Brooklyn September 1st, 1832, learned his trade in New York, and established his business in Brooklyn in 1876. B. H. Newman, painter, paper hanger and decorator, 425 Gates avenue, began business in 1877 in a small building, which the increase in his trade has since com- pelled him to enlarge. James S. Schneider, 571 Broad- way, E. D., dealer in paints, oils, chemicals and dyes, was a sign-painter previous to 1869, when he estab- lished his present business at the location named. Fol- lowing are the names and addresses of others engaged in this branch of industrial art :

J. Avila. 145 Fulton street.

F. Aldridge

Chas. H. Berry 24 Myrtle avenue.

144 Broadway.

W. H. Bushfield .

21 Chauncy street.

W. W. Bearan 442 Clermont avenue.

Hugh Carrick & Son 284 Division avenue.

E. A. Dubay 356 Fulton street.

W. H. Garrison 520 DeKalb avenue.

J. A. Greany 324 Albany avenue.

Geo. Hudson 1 York street.

Geo. W. Hall 322 Bergen street.

John McComb 85 Orange street.

John McNeill 446 Fulton street.

Rockfeller Bros 22 Broadway.

1379

GENERAL TRADE AND MERCHANDISE.

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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 182

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