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 46

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 46

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It is believed a similar structure for fishing vessels and passenger steamers would prevent much loss of life and effectually prevent the shifting of cargoes. The compart- ments would need to be larger than those described above in large vessels; but. as access is provided to each of them from the centre, the filling of any one of them with water would not endanger the others. These compartment scows proved a great success where the sinking and destruction of other scows was inevitable. Mr. Boynton's railway patents of 1880 and 1881, embracing some fifteen diagrams, have not yet been brought into public use. Many subordinate improve- ments connected with them are in progress. All combined, are designed to take the place of the present railway in carrying passengers and grain, coal and rolling freights.

An inch board twelve inches wide, turned edgewise, is theoretically twelve times as strong as when lying flatwise, and it is certainly no heavier. His plan embraces the con- struction of railway carriages, with great vertical depth and narrowness, which shall be likewise light and strong. He constructs essentially a bicycle train, with wheels two or three times larger than the present railway wheels, designed at each revolution of the drive wheel, to double or treble any rate of railway speed hitherto attained, by the size of the wheels and the lightness of the narrow train. The bicycle train is planned to run on a single rail, clasped between Bessemer steel plates, below which the groove and track are connected with a corresponding groove aud track overhead, upheld by trestle wheels above the cars, the contrivances overhead keeping the train vertical and giving it the pre- cision in transit through this open trestle-tunnel of a bullet in a gun-barrel. While the train cannot leave the track, it

is designed to be of such lightness, narrowness, depth and strength, that it can be carried over cities and outside of bridges with little expense and wonderful directness. Acci- dent is rendered impossible, as, with one wheel below and one in each end, the lower edge of the car of steel glides within an inch of the bottom rail and groove so that if a wheel should break, the narrow steel bottom of the car would simply slide in a steel groove until the train should be stopped. The form of the car being elliptical, similar to the structure in which it runs, with a drive-wheel fifteen to eighteen feet in diameter, the train being only one-fifth the weight of the railway trains now in use, the locomotive could be propelled by much less steam than is now employed running the train at three times the speed of one of our fastest express trains. The cars riding upon one wheel of six feet diameter at each end, no more turns would be made and no heating of spindles would occur. If electricity should be employed for the pro- pulsion of the bicycle trains, the large drive-wheels could be dispensed with, and lighter structures used.

It is estimated that the cost of constructing such a rail- way, with its rolling stock, would not be greater than the present cost of railways, as it would be built on single posts, occupying no more space than telegraph poles; the structure is also patented to carry telegraph and telephone wires above, always accessible for repair, the strong and frequent support of which would render the interruption of telegraphic service in connection with the railroad impossible. The bicycle train could also be used over the tracks of the present Pacific Railway, using one of the inner tracks and coupling against a groove rail twenty feet above in a manner similar to that previously described ; but a complete structure of steel, er wood, and a track of steel to fit it, are recommended by Mr. Boynton as best realizing his plans.

Distinguished engineers have given the patents their highest approval, and it is believed that Mr. Boynton's in- vention is destined to make a revolution in rapid transit. The bicycle train, it is thought, would cover, without any more turns of the wheels, or any greater expenditure of force than are now necessary, the distance between Boston and New York in ninety minutes, or that between New York and Philadelphia in thirty minutes. Each car, instead of riding upon sixteen wheels, and weighing ten to twenty tons, as now, would be suspended between two wheels, one at each end, dispensing with fourteen wheels, eight axle-trees, and five-eighths of the weight. Like the bicycle, which is the simplest form of motion for wheeled vehicles, it would be free from all liability to acci- dent and susceptible of a much higher rate of speed than has been attained by any other style of car.

The cars are designed to be made wide enough for the seating of two persons only. The traction could be increased by pressure of the guide-wheel against the overhead-wheel, enabling the locomotive to climb grades, and, with the West- inghouse brake, to regulate the speed, little grading would be required. It must be seen, also, that no more right of way would be necessary than for the construction of a telegraph line. All obstruction by cattle, snow, or the crossing of other roads, would be obviated by the peculiar construction of the road. Its narrowness would permit its support on brackets among rocks and mountains, and if tunneling were required, the tunnel need be no wider than a miner's drift.

It is thought that this plan of Mr. Boynton's selves the problem of a through line traversing North and South America, as it seems the best for railroad construction in all climates, and through varying sections of country. Mr. Boynton will give his attention to this great question here- after; and being still a young man, should his life be spared, he will, during the next twenty years, try to work out results of importance in the lines of invention, and mechanical and commercial progress. His patents have heretofore proven of an original and practical character, and his more daring and radical designs are believed to contain the elements of greater triumphs than he has to this time achieved.

Mr. Boynton's articles in the public press, quarterly re- views and periodicals, and his public speeches and addresses, would fill a volume. His originality, vigor and eloquence have given him a national fame; while his inventions in saws, tools, ships and railways have added much to the wealth and progress of the arts in which he is engaged. He is a man loved by his friends and feared by his enemies ; his individuality and outspoken methods of procedure arouse envy and antagonism, while his courtesy to his op- ponents has frequently won tributes of praise from his adversaries.

Golfman

828ª

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

ISAAC A. KETCHAM.

Save A Kitchen

ISAAC A. KETCHAM, of Brooklyn, N. Y., is the inventor and patentee of a number of new devices, two of which were for regulating torpedoes or submarine batteries, which are used by the U. S. Government, and were hailed as a new era in naval warfare. The accompanying cut, taken from Harpers' Weekly, Oct. 1, 1864, represents the first iron-clad torpedo- boat built by the U. S. Government, on Mr. Ketcham's plan. It was named the New Era, and was used on the James River, and other places, for clearing harbor obstructions. So for- midable was the little ship that she could, with impunity, de- posit her shells under the obstructions to be removed, under the guns of the enemy. Her officers were confident in her power to destroy all the monitors afloat, without injury to the little craft, which did not carry a gun. The second in- vention was a device by which an endless cable is used for adjusting torpedoes or batteries across channel-ways for harbor protection. A letter to Mr. Ketcham, dated February 2. 1863, and sent from on board of the flagship of the Missis- sippi Squadron, by direction of Admiral Porter, in reply to a letter offering to join him, and put both the inventions in practice, stated that the rebels were using the endless cable, and that the land forces had to be used to clear the banks of the rivers before he could move his flect; adding that lie could not use either invention without the consent of the Navy Department. The endless cable for adjusting tor- pedoes, was recommended in connection with the Timbey Battery, better known as rotary battery, as used on the monitors for the protection of New York harbor.

In 1861, Mr. Ketcham failed in his attempt to secure from the Secretary of the Navy an investigation into the merits of the above inventions. In 1862, when the rebel iron-clad Arkansas was moving in the western waters, a similar at- tempt failed; he then made application for letters patent, which he received in October, 1862. Tired of applying to the Navy Department, on October 24. 1862, he addressed President Lincoln, who immediately referred it to the Navy Department. On the 29th, he received a reply, stating that the invention would be examined; but the matter rested

UNITED STATES TORPEDO BOAT, "NEW ERA."

A, Arm. B, Basket. C, Torpedo. D, Pilot-House. E, Smoke-Stack.

F, Ventilator.

until April 1, 1863. Despairing of any attention in that quarter, he notified the governors of New York, Massachu- setts, Rhode Island, and other States, from whom he received kind acknowledgments, referring him to the U. S. govern- ment. He then addressed another letter (March, 1863) to the President, with drawings, stating that if he did not receive a reply in ten days from the date of the letter, he should dis- pose of his invention to other parties. April 1, 1863, he re- ceived the following report:

" The Commission has had under consideration Mr. Ketcham's inventions, and report as follows as to the first: As the firing of a gun under water had not been advan- tageously demonstrated, they recommend no further action; and as to the second, the use of the endless cable had some novelty in it, and recommend no further action.

" Signed, GIDEON WELLES, " Secretary, U. S. N."

The first patent was for a method of advancing a torpedo or battery through the side, bow, or stern of a vessel, beneath the water-line, by the use of a sliding shaft to be exploded while held off, after being detached from the shaft by some suitable device. As shown in the above cut, there is no gun used. The second was for the use of an endless cable, across channel-ways, running from inside of fortifications, to adjust torpedoes to a suitable position. Soon after the investiga- tion, a government commission recommended the building of a ship to be armed with one of Mr. Ketcham's inventions, as verified by three engineers. Their verifications, attached to a petition, were presented to Secretary Welles in person, by Mr. Ketcham, after the death of President Lincoln. Mr. Welles refused to entertain the subject. After his removal, they were received by Secretary Borie, who had promised to investigate the matter, but the investigation has never been held. On March 24, 1870, the Hon. John G. Schumaker, M. C., from Brooklyn, introduced a bill in Congress, granting Isaac A. Ketcham compensation for the use of his patent by the U. S. government, which was referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs, and ordered to be printed. The last effort was made in 1883, asking a hearing by President Arthur, which was referred to Secretary Chandler; and after a num- ber of evasive replies, he reported that he had no other report to make than the one made in 1870. Mr. Ketcham'never re- ceived nor heard of such report.

Mr. Isaac A. Ketcham was born in 1827. in Huntington, L. I., and was the only son of John and Charry Ketcham. He married the second daughter of Mr. Thomas S. Robbins, Huntington. Both his own and his wife's ancestors were among the first settlers of Long Island. They have two sons, the oldest, George F., a physician in good standing, a gradu- ate of Long Island College Hospital; the youngest, Warren A., an artist by nature.

It is proper to add that the name of the government tor- pedo boat " New Era" was afterwards changed to "Strom- boli," and later to " Spuytenduy vil." Mr. Ketcham feels that he has suffered much and long, after his large outlay in time and money, by the government's delay, but is confident that I justice will be done to his invention and claim.

Preston

829ª

BIOGRAPHY OF WILLIAM IRVINE PRESTON.

WILLIAM IRVINE PRESTON.

In tracing the career of prominent men, it is our desire to conduct our narrative with equal truth, delicacy and de- corum, to avoid undue panegyric on one side, and the danger of disguising those real talents and adornments which our subjects actually possess, for fear of incurring the charge of adulation.

There are certain characters not easily described ; there are others so transparent that their portrayal is a felicitous task. It is with the mental as with facial portraits-some of which easily elicit the abilities of the painter, causing his pencil to move naturally and truthfully over the canvas, its every touch bringing out the life-like expressions of a counte- nance, until it stands before him the exact representation of the original.

In many respects, the character we are about to portray belongs to this class ; it is the career of an ardent, strong, determined mind, intent on attaining success by untiring diligence, by the exercise of those traits which adorn the character of an intelligent and conscientious business man, who attains wealth and prominence in the legitimate chan- nels of business and commerce, instead of those wild specu- lations which, at best, are but little removed from gambling, and whose fluctuations and revulsions often terminate in sudden ruin.

WILLIAM IRVINE PRESTON was born at Cato, Cayuga Co., N. Y., September 3, 1828. He was a son of Andrews and Eliza Ann (Ferris) Preston. His father was a native of Pomfret, Conn., born November 29, 1788, and was the son of Samuel and Louisa (Abbot) Preston.

Mr. William I. Preston's great-grandfather, Jacob Preston, was born March 7, 1733, and the name of one of his children, who was a Tory in the Revolutionary War, has never been mentioned in the annals of the family.

The father of William I. Preston early in life removed from Connecticut to Ira, Cayuga Co., N. Y .; and, after several years' clerkship, he entered into a copartnership with Hon. Augustus F. Ferris, for many years one of the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Cayuga Co., in a general mercan- tile business in the village of Cato.

AThe firm of Ferris & Preston existed for many years, drawing its patronage from every part of northern Cayuga Co. Perhaps no mercantile establishment was more suc- cessful in gaining and retaining the unlimited confidence of all classes of people in that part of the State than this.

The junior member of the firm, Mr. Preston, possessed a mind naturally qualified to enter easily into the details of public and private business affairs. He was influential as a politician; and, in recognition of his marked abilities, his upright character and other popular attainments, he was chosen by the electors of Cayuga Co. to represent them in the State Legislature for the years 1827, 1835 and 1840. While he was active in politics he was not aggressively so, and retained in a large degree the respect of his political opponents.

It is said that a man's true popularity begins at home with his neighbors, where he is best known. Taking this for a criterion, Andrews Preston's popularity wae of a true and substantial type. The equitable traits of his character were indicated by the frequency with which he was chosen the arbitrator in all neighborhood disputes, and selected as the village counsellor and conveyancer, drawing with remark- able accuracy and skill all papers usually drawn by lawyers.

He was united in marriage to Eliza Ann, daughter of Judge Ferris, the senior member of the firm. There were born to this marriage eleven children, of whom William Irvine is the third. There are living at the time of this writ- ing only Mr. Preston and one sister, Mabel A,, now a resi- dent of Buffalo, N. Y. An elder brother, George H. Preston, became a wealthy and honored merchant of Buffalo, and died in that city June 22, 1881.

The first fifteen years of Mr. Preston's life were spent in the village school at Cato. He was an adventurous, daring and generous youth, and early became a leader of the boys in the village. This often led him into many difficulties ; he was dubbed by the villagers "General Put," after the intrepid General Putnam, a sobriquet which he retained long after reaching his majority. Many anecdotes are related of his narrow escapes from the careless use of small cannon; of

many instances when his face and hands were severely burned with powder; of his falling into a cauldron of lye. which took the skin from his entire body. On one occasion young Preston, as the champion of the village boys, in a contest witli the country boys, was soundly thrashed by the leader of the latter.

At the age of fifteen he was sent to a high school at Victory, N. Y., of which school Rev. J. C. Vandercook was principal. After remaining there one year he entered Red Creek Academy, where he completed his education.

In 1843 Mr. Preston's father removed to Red Creek and established himself as a merchant. Although young Preston was but sixteen years of age he successfully took charge of the business for his father, accompanied him to New York when he went to purchase goods, and was there introduced to many prominent wholesale merchants with whom his father dealt, and whose friendship and confidence he always retained. At a later period he became a business partner with his father, and it is pleasant to relate that the mercan- tile standing of Andrews Preston under the name of "A Preston & Son," was never marred by a dishonorable act or a failure to pay their debts. What the latter did he did with his might, determined on a successful issue. His habits were methodical and he attended carefully to every detail of business. But his mind is of that scope that whatever he undertakes must have magnitude.

In 1847 he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church at Red Creek. His devotion to his religious duties were marked and exemplary, and he was soon called upon to take charge of the Sunday-School as its Superintendent, and the manner in which he discharged the duties of this position highly dis- tinguished him and led to the most pleasing results. He seemed peculiarly qualified to blend instruction with delight. Mr. Preston attained his majority Sept. 3, 1849, and in the following spring was elected by the Democratic party Clerk of the town of Wolcott, and the following year he accepted the position of Postmaster. He was elected Supervisor of the town, and at the end of his term he refused to accept any further political honors.

In 1851 Mr. Preston disposed of his business in Red Creek and moved to Auburn, where he entered the Hardware busi- ness in the firm of Ferris & Preston.

On October 21, 1851, he was united in marriage to Laura L., daughter of the Rev. Ruben Reynolds, a distinguished Methodist minister then stationed at Cleveland, Oswego County, N. Y.

At Auburn he united with the North Street Methodist Episcopal Church, taking an active interest in all its affairs. was appointed class leader, and elected a trustee. He was a great favorite in the Sunday School, was elected its Superin- tendent, discharging its duties until he removed from the city in 1853. Being very fond of music he used his influence to advance the musical interests of the Church. At this time instruments of music were almost unknown in Metho- diet churches. Through Mr. Preston's influence a melodeon was purchased and placed in the church. The morning it was first used old father Cherry came early to Church, taking his seat near the pulpit. As the singing began he caught the sound of the melodeon and indignant at the innovation, he marched down the aisle, exclaiming in a loud voice, strik- ing the floor with his heavy cane, "I cannot and will not stand the growling of that bull-dog."

Mr. Preston had many friends in the church who were ready to aid in its good work; among these was a dear friend, Wm. J. Moses, whose liberality and Christian devo- tion gave him the reputation of "always giving more than he ought." When Mr. Preston severed his relation with this church he was the recipient of many testimonials of respect from his brethren and sisters in it, and from the Sunday School, many of which are still carefully treasured by him, especially a beautiful Bible.

After remaining in the hardware business some time, he transferred his interest to his partner, and returned to Red Creek, where he again successfully entered into the mercan- tile business. The integrity and rare business qualities of Mr. Preston attracted the attention of F. T. Carrington, Esq., an extensive and wealthy grain dealer of Oswego, N. Y., who in 1854 invited him to become his partner, which invi-

830ª

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

tation was accepted, and the firm of Carrington & Preston was organized. It did an extensive commission business at Oswego, and between the grain ports of Lakes Erie, Michigan and Ontario, and the City of New York.

At Oswego Mr. Preston connected himself with the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and was soon made a trustee a steward, class-leader, and Sunday-School Superintendent. The Society was in debt and for a long time was suhjected to a severe struggle for existence. Among other difficulties to which the church was subjected was the intrusion of the slavery question amongst its members. But through the for- tunate appeal of Mr. Preston that the brethren remain loyal to the Church-that it was thoroughly anti-slavery; that the attempt to establish an independent society, which was pro- posed by some, would be attended with great evil and result in the entire destruction of the society-the evil was averted ; all divisions and disputations vanished, and the church moved on under the blessings of God to great prosperity, and now ranks as one of the strongest churches in the conter- ence. A chapel was erected in the southern portion of the city which the friends of Mr. Preston desired to name the "Preston Chapel," but, as he would not consent to this, it was finally called the Fifth Street Chapel.

Mr. Preston's business career at Oswego must form a very pleasing period in his life ; it brought him many friends among the merchants, and among all business circles he was honored and respected. As an evidence of this he was elected President of the Board of Trade, and while devoting himself to his business, keeping the affairs of the firm in honorable prosperity, he was enabled to give proper attention to all the duties devolving upon him as a public-spirited and enterprising citizen.

When the Southern Rebellion broke out he stood foremost among those, who, with voice, money and influence, pro- posed to sustain the Government in its efforts to crush it out. He visited every part of the county of Oswego, making patriotic appeals to the people from the rostrum, in urging young men to volunteer in the service of the old flag. His stirring speeches produced a deep and successful impression wherever he went, and many recruits to the army were secured through his influence. Many thrilling incidents might be related which attended Mr. Preston's advocacy of the cause of the Union, but space will not permit us. When the Draft took place Mr. Preston himself was summoned as a soldier; but, after a medical examination, his physical con- dition was found to be such as to unfit him for the duties of the field. When the 110th Regiment of New York Volun- teers was ready to march for Washington, Mr. Preston was delegated, by the Board of Trade and the citizens of Oswego, to present its commander, Col. De Witt C. Littlejohn, a sword and a caparisoned horse. His presentation speech was impressively eloquent, and was listened to by a vast audience with emotions difficult to describe. It was one of those effusions which aroused feelings of patriotism in the hearts of all, and stirred the soldier to deeds of valor. We cannot refrain from inserting the speech entire, as an existing speci- men of the eloquence and patriotic ardor of its author. Mr. Preston spoke as follows :

"COL. LITTLEJOHN : The Board of Trade of this city, of which you are an honored member, have prepared a testi- monial for presentation to you, as a slight token of their appreciation of your services, in behalf of our varied in- terest. You, sir, came among us and made this city your home in 1839, having just entered upon your majority. Entering into the active pursuits of trade and commerce, your honest independence and unflinching firmness brought you before the people, and in 1843 you were called to a posi- tion of importance and trust in the municipal government, and subsequently elected to the highest of municipal honors, which position you have been called again and again to fill.

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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 46

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