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 47

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 47

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" In 1853 you represented this district in the Legislature, and, that eventful session, the unjustness of the enactment mak- ing appropriations for the Erie and not for the Oswego Canal was exposed, and you snatched from the rude hand of usur- pation the violated system of internal improvements; and the amendment to the Constitution, appropriating $10,000,000 for the completion of the Erie, was not allowed to be pre- sented to the people for ratification until the Oswego Canal was also therein provided for.

"This great principle of carrying on the public works of the State, each canal to be equitably provided for, and in such ratio that all should be completed at the same time, was not

established until after great struggle and unflinching firm- ness on your part; and that principle so faithfully and so successfully urged by you upon the State at that time has been the basis of all subsequent legislation, and to you, sir, do we feel we are indebted for the inauguration of that system which has given us to-day the enlarged Oswego Canal with seven feet of water, the rich benefits of which we are now enjoying, and which we trust will be handed down a precious inheritance to future generations.

"Since which distinguished services you have again and again represented us in the Legislature; and in brief, for seven years, during the progress of the work of enlargement of the State canals, and during the hard-fought battles with the Western portions of the State, in which it was sought to engraft the specious doctrines of discrimination on the policy of the State, you ably and faithfully advanced and protected our interests.

" You have been largely identified with the trade and com- merce of Oswego, and while you were pursuing its peaceful avocations, extending and enlarging trade and its facilities, you rarely contemplated that these canals-these great thor- oughfares of the country, were also the nation's fortifica- tions-since, if not the deposits of military resources, they enable us to bring to rapid action the military resources of the country. They are better than any fortifications, because they serve the double purposes of peace and war. They dis- pense in a great degree with fortifications, since they have all the effect of that concentration at which fortifications aim.

" And if, by one of those awful and terrible dispensations of Providence, this Government should be unhappily dismem- bered, here, in this noble work would traces of its former existence and glory be found on which to pour out our affec- tions and tears, as the remnant of God's chosen people may now be found weeping around the relics of their former greatness.

"It has required strong motives and powerful efforts in a nation, prone to peace as is this, to break through its habits and encounter the difficulties and privations of this civil war; but, as the clarion trump of strife has sounded fiercer and fiercer still, the Administration has awakened to its fear- ful and awful magnitude, and no sooner is the call for 600,000 men sent forth flashing with electric light through the country than it is seen blazing and coruscating through every city and hamlet of the loyal states.

"Like the Eastern magician, the President invoked volun- teers with a voice of power, and the shouts of answer- ing spirits, like the murmurs of subterranean waters, went up from every hill and plain and valley of our beloved country, and to-day we anticipate a million of patriots are marshalling in defense of our common country.

"Nations, like men, fail in nothing which they boldly attempt, when sustained by virtuous purpose and firm reso- lution. At the call of our country, in this her hour of peril, you have cast aside the pen, closed the counting-room, taken up the sword, buckled on the armor, and in the short and unparalleled space of ten days raised a regiment of gallant men, who are eager to rescue our country from the hands of treason, and demonstrate to the monarchies and crowned heads of Europe that this first great experiment of self- government is not a failure, but that it has within itself the moral and physical power to maintain and defend its free institutions, aud transmit then untarnished to posterity.

" You have made great sacrifices to meet your country's call; and, in offering your services and your life upon the altar of our common country, you add a still more glorious wreath of laurels around that name which Oswego has ever delighted to honor.

"Colonel, in behalf of the Board of Trade, allow me to present you this sword as a memento of their high esteem and appreciation of your services, and a pledge of our confi- dence iu your bravery and that of your command.

" And also allow me to present to you, in the name and on the behalf of our fellow-townsman and noble patriot, Mr. Theodore Irwin, this beautiful horse, all caparisoned and equipped for the war.

"And, as you are soon to leave us with your command for scenes of carnage and blood, you will carry with you the earn- est prayers of warm hearts that God will protect and bless you and these noble men whom you will lead to battle. And when the war is ended and our country sgain enjoying the blessings of peace, it shall be said of you, in the language of a departed sage, 'Honor to those who shall fill the measure of their country's glory.'"

831ª

BIOGRAPHY OF WILLIAM IRVINE PRESTON.

Mr. Preston has never had any ambition for office; he is and always has been a Democrat, as his father was before him, who was in former days a " Hunker Democrat." He is conscientious but firm in his political opinions. During the Rebellion he was a "War Democrat" of the strongest and most influential kind. In 1860 he was nominated by the Democrats of Oswego as their candidate for Mayor; notwith- standing his persistent refusal to accept the nomination he yielded to the ardent solicitations of his friends, who believed that such was his popularity that he could be elected, not- withstanding his opponent was Hon. Henry Fitzhugh, one of the most popular men in the city. The canvas was hotly contested, and resulted in the election of Mr. Fitzhugh by the sinall majority of 289. Mr. Preston was subsequently nominated as the Democratic candidate for Member of As- sembly; his opponent in this canvas was Hon. D. C. Little- john. Although Mr. Preston ran largely ahead of his ticket, he was defeated. While his abilities are such as must have commanded great influence in the Legislature, or any public position, he is too frank and outspoken to be a suc- cessful politician. As he has never concealed his aversion to office-holding and to the platitudes of the mere politician, he has voluntarily been kept from the unsatisfactory position of the place-hunter.

Upon his leaving for his new home, the Oswego Board of Trade, at a meeting held May 18th, 1865, took cognizance of the fact in a series of resolutions, of which the following form a part.

" Resolved, That this Board, in the departure of Mr. Pres- ton from our city, loses one who has by his frank, upright business habits, won the confidence of our entire business community ..

" Resolved, That in having daily business transactions with him as a member of the late firm of Carrington & Preston, extending through many years, we have ever found him ad- hering strictly to the rules of commercial integrity.

" Resolved, That in the grain commission trade in which Mr. Preston has been engaged, large transactions are made, in- volving the transfer of property valued often at thousands of dollars, merely by the word of mouth; yet, in all this, of him it can truly be said, ' His word was as good as his bond.'

" Resolved, That to his new home he will take the kind re- membrance of each member of this Board, and his best wishes for his success in his new and enlarged commer- cial relations."

One of the pleasantest relations of Mr. Preston with the citizens of Oswego was his connection with the fire depart- ment of that city, and perhaps one of the most gratifying tributes of respect paid to him, upon his departure, was ten- dered in a series of resolutions by the Eagle Hook and Ladder Company of that city, of which he was a member.

He also received many testimonials of respect from the Church, the Sunday-Schools and the various societies with which he was connected.

Mr. Preston was made a Master Mason in Cato, on the recommendation of his father, and afterwards a Royal Arch Mason in David's Royal Arch Chapter, No. 34, of Auburn; and was created a Sir Knight in Salem Town Commandery, No. 16, of Auburn. He was one of the Charter members of Fron- tier City Lodge, No. 422, Oswego, N. Y .; also of Lake Ontario Chapter, No. 165, Oswego, and First Eminent Commander of Lake Ontario Commandery, No. 32, and at this time is a member of Clinton Commandery, No. 14, K. T., Brooklyn, N. Y.

In 1865 Carrington & Preston retired from business, and Mr. Preston came to New York City, to engage in the same line of business as a partner in the old established firm of H. D. Walbridge & Co., commission merchants in grain, flour and provisions, of the New York Produce Exchange.

His relation with H. D. Walbridge & Co., continued till April 1870, when the firm was dissolved and Mr. Preston succeeded to the business. He purchased the property No. 12 Bridge street, corner of Whitehall, New York, in 1870, and his business office has been here since he came to New York. His offices are near the new Produce Exchange and the care of his large business is largely shared by his nephew, Mr. Andrews Preston.

After residing in New York about six months Mr. Preston removed to Brooklyn, and about the year 1867 purchased the residence of Mr. John D. Mckenzie on Pierrepont street, now known as Nos. 69 and 71 Pierrepont street. He had the house overhauled and modernized, and it is at present his pleasant home.

He has built up an extensive trade, and has what may be well termed a first-class patronage. His prosperity is the re- sult of his thorough knowledge of the business and close at- tention to the promotion of the interests of his correspond- ents. As a reputable progressive merchant he has no superior. He is an active member of the New York Produce Exchange, and generally popular on the floor. He takes a deep interest in the future welfare of the trade of New York, was foremost in urging on the Board of Managers the absolute necessity of establishing a system of grading of grain, and thus cheapen- ing the terminal expense, so as to enable the western shippers to send their consignments to New York instead of the other seaboard markets. Some of the leading houses opposed the scheme; but, after a three days' argument in which Mr. Pres- ton was the leading advocate of the system, the measure was adopted. The results in augmented receipts of grain which followed the new departure have demonstrated its wisdom, and the grain merchants of New York accorded to him the honors due his labor, zeal and ability. His views of public duty are broad, comprehensive and liberal. No man can ap- preciate more thoroughly than he the resources of our coun- try and the possibilities of its future. Mr. Preston is a close observer of men, and is able to form a very correct estimate of character. Thirty years of experience in the grain trade has taught him to carefully watch the financial state of the country and to govern his trade and commercial relations so as to avoid the loss and ruin which have shipwrecked so many fortunes. His name has often been suggested for office in the Exchange, but he has universally declined, preferring the solid honors which he has won on the floor as a member to the glare of official position. Mr. Preston has also been for many years a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and has been identified with the American Bible Society ; the Missionary Society of the M. E. Church ; the New York Historical Society ; Long Island Historical Society; Brooklyn City Bible Society; the Young Men's Christian Association, and is a regular contributor to the various benevolent and charitable institutions of Brooklyn. He is also a director and most efficient member of the discount committee of the Fulton Bank of Brooklyn.

He connected with the Sands Street M. E. Church in 1867, and in 1882 he transferred his membership to the Sea Cliff M. E. Church, having accepted the office of President of the Sea Cliff Association, for the express purpose of aiding in ex- tricating that corporation from its financial troubles. That work is about completed. When it is, Mr. Preston will per- manently retire from office.

Aside from his long years of Church work in the Society of which he was a member, he has done, perhaps, no more profitable religious work than that which is connected with the " Brooklyn Church Society" of the Methodist Episcopal Church, chartered May 24th, 1878. The scope of this corpora- tion is broad; the great good it has accomplished, and the de- mands made upon it, indicate the hold it has upon the sym- pathy and confidence of the various Methodist Societies in Brooklyn. Mr. Preston is interested in the success of the Syracuse University, of which his friend, Rev. Chas. N. Sims, D.D., is Chancellor. The New York East Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church has elected him trustee of the University for several years.

Believing that the true source of permanent wealth lies in the judicious and conservative investment of surplus money in productive real estate, Mr. Preston has, from time to time, made investments in real estate in Brooklyn, New York and other places, till he is now quite a large owner, which is giv- ing him a fair return in rentals. He has one only child, a son now about sixteen years of age, and he desires to secure to him realty; a solid substantial basis of wealth.

In 1854 Mrs. Preston adopted Louise M. Becker, a favorite niece (the young daughter of her sister, Mrs. Becker), who shared the comforts and affection of their home as a daughter. Miss Becker was lovely in character and of great personal beauty, and her goodness won all hearts. On Nov. 24, 1861, she was married to Mr. James D. Macfarlane, a nephew of Hon. Wm. F. Allen, Judge of the Court of Appeals, also a nephew of Fred'k T. Carrington, Esq. Mrs. Macfarlane died March 4, 1869, leaving a daughter (Kate Preston) and a son (William Carrington) who always receive a warm welcome at the Preston home.

Such is the character, such the career of Wm. I. Preston. Through all the sharp collisions and unexpected revulsions of commercial life, he has moved steadily, successfully reaching his present exalted position with an untarnished reputation, and with much promise of still higher prosperity and honor.

832ª

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

H.LITTLE

ROBERT SPEIR.

ROBERT SPEIR, now one of the oldest and most respected residents of Brooklyn, And father of Dr. S. Fleet Speir, was born in the city of New York, December 9, 1805. His father's name was also Robert Speir; he was born at Glasgow, Scotland, February 28, 1773, and very early in life removed to New York, where he became a successful business man, attalning a high position in mercantile and social circles. He was one of the first importers of Merino sheep into this country ; he was also a large importer of leaf-tobacco and seal-skins, and many other staple articles.

One of his friends once said to him : "Mr. Speir, I should like to know what articles there are that you don't deai In ?" It is certain, however, that in whatever business he engaged, or whatever articles he dealt in, all tended to his advantage and led to wealth.

With an iron-like constitution, with an energy that never flagged, with ablilties that no vicissitude of business weakened, with a probity and honor that presided over all, he was long identified with the busi- ness interests of New York city. It is said that, until his last illness, Mr. Speir was never laid np a day from sickness.

Very characteristic of him was the manner of his retiring from ac- tive business life. He had always sald that he would retire from busi- ness when seventy years old. What he supposed was his sixty-ninth birthday arrived, and his friends called to congratulate him. Among the number was an old friend, who told him that he was seventy years old instead of sixty-nine as he supposed. Mr. Speir disputed it for A moment, and then called to his clerk to make a calculation and see what hte age really was. The clerk said he made it seventy; whereupon, Mr. Spler turned to his son, Robert, the subject of this sketch, and sald: " Robert, write out a dissolution of co-partnership and put it in the morning papers; say in It that Robert Speir, Jr., will continue the business." Mr. Speir then stepped to his safe, turned the key, and said, "good day, gentlemen," and went home, having retired from aotive business on the day he had promised himself.

Mr. Robert Spelr was, and is, a large property owner on Myrtle avenue, having pald taxes there for forty years. Mr. Spelr built two brown-stone houses in Montague street, and otherwise was active in Brooklyn interests.

His son Robert, the subject of this sketch, inherited very many of the quallties of his father. After receiving a good education, he entered Into business with his father. He brought to his occupation rare business talents and Industry, united with habits free from the

excesses which often beset young men in New York enterlag into business, under prosperous circumstances which usually prevent self- reliance, and destroys stimulants to activity. It is, perhaps, needless to add, that his business relations with his father were both pleasant and prosperous. In 1826, Mr. Speir's father removed to Brooklyn and erected a house in Willow street, now near Clark street.

The subject of this sketch was united by marriage, la 1833, to Miss Hannah S. Fleet, daughter of Samuel Fleet, of Brooklyn. Four ohil- dren were born to them; two sons and two daughters. The Fleet family, one of the oldest and most respected on Long Island, is more fuily described in another part of this work. Mr. Samuel Fleet became a resident of Brooklyn la 1820.

Very soon after removing to Brooklyn, Robert Spelr, whose bio- graphy we are sketching, united with the First Presbyterian Church, of Brooklyn, then situated in Cranberry street. Rev. Joseph Sandford was its first, Dr. Van Dyke, its present pastor. The church edifice la which Mr. Sandford preached, stood on the site now occupied by Ply- mouth Church, Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, pastor. The present church stands on the corner of Remsen and Clinton streets. Through all the years of Mr. Speir's membership with this church-something over fifty years-he has been an active, conscientious, useful and highly esteemed member, and his relations with it at the present time, we da not hesitate to say, are not only pleasant and agreeable in & secular point of view, but profitable and hopeful in a spiritual sense.

Mr. Speir has never mningled In politics to the extent of becoming an Ardeat partisan. He belleves that the best men should be elected to office regardless of every other consideration, and this belief Is the basis of his polltlcs.

Few men are better acquainted, from observation, with the history of Brooklyn for the first half century then he. In his youth, es a resi- dent of the city of New York, he knew Brooklyn as a small hamlet, situated on and about the bluffs, hills and rolllag lands that over- looked the East river. He has seen it emerge from that condition to a thriving and beautiful village, and from that to the third city in the natlon. With the men of prominence, who, through the long past, helped to make the olty of Brooklyn what it is, he enjoyed a pleasing acquaintance; and now, at a green old age, in the enjoyment of mea- tal and physical faculties aa vigorous as in the active period of his life, surrounded by his children and by numerous ather friends, he is meet- Ing the rewards of a useful and well-spent life.

THE

ARCHITECTS, BUILDERS AND REAL ESTATE AGENTS OF

BROOKLYN.

L. P. Brackett M.D.

W E hear much in these days of the growth of Chicago, the Queen City of the Lakes, and are often told that it surpasses, in the lightning- like rapidity with which it has attained its present magnitude, any city of ancient or modern times. Perhaps this is true; but Brooklyn, which, as a city, is not more than five or six years older than the Lake City, has advanced with equal but more uniform speed, and is to day, in all its material interests, the larger city of the two.

The little city which, not quite fifty years ago, ex- tended from the Wallabout Bay to a point a little be- low the present South Ferry, occupying for most of the distance only some very humble sheds and wooden shops and warehouses, and extended back from the East River, at Fulton and South Ferries, not more than a half mile at any point, was but little larger than the village which, about the same time, began to stretch back on either side from the month of the Chicago River. Both have made a wonderful growth in these fifty years; and the race between them for the rank of the third city of the Union, though a close one, and tasking all the energies of each, is yet free from bitter- ness. Chicago has grown spasmodically, Brooklyn more steadily and uniformly. She has taken no step backward; and the town which, in 1834, had hardly one and a half square miles of closely built houses, has now about 34 miles of densely populated houses and factories, with numerous churches, school-houses, the- atres, halls, and vast warehouses ; and, like her neigh- bor on the Lakes, is to-day pushing forward with more energy than ever before to occupy the lands whose vir- gin soil is yet unbroken, Her water front now reaches from the heights of Bay Ridge, which overlook the lower bay, to and along Newtown creek, a distance of twenty-five miles, as the water lines run, and from the river front eastward to East New York, Ridge- wood and Newtown, an average of about six miles, and with a capacity for extension to Montauk Point and the east end of Long Island, a hundred miles away.

Of this tract of more than fifty square miles, full three- fourths, excluding Prospect Park, Greenwood Ceme- tery, the east side lands, and some tracts to which the title is clouded, are densely built up, and, for the most part, with solid brick or brown stone buildings, though with a considerable percentage of frame dwellings in the eastern and south-eastern portions.

The assessment, for the purposes of taxation, of the real estate of Brooklyn, makes the value of real estate in 1883, in round numbers, $283,000,000. This is, according to the law, 70 per cent. of the actual value, which would give the full actual value, at forced sale, at about $405,000,000. The appraised market value would undoubtedly exceed this by fifty millions. But the assessment expressly excludes all city, county and federal property, all school-houses, churches, and insti- tutions of public charity and beneficence; and these would be underestimated at fifty millions more-so that in the city of Brooklyn we have real estate of the value of $500,000,000.

It is not easy for the ordinary mind to comprehend a sum so vast. The long row of ciphers convey only a vague impression of an unknown amount. But let us analyze it a little. According to the census of 1880, there were 62,233 dwellings having an average popula- tion of 9.11 to each dwelling. The three years which have elapsed since that census was taken have added somewhat more than 12,000 to the number, and each year shows a large increase over its predecessor. Many of these 12,000 buildings are flats, containing from four to eight dwellings each. It is, therefore, within the limits of truth to estimate the present number of dwell- ings in the city at 75,000, and comparing the average values of dwellings in all principal cities, we find $3,000 a low estimate for each dwelling. This gives $225,- 000,000 as the value of dwellings alone.

Our manufactories number about 5,400 establish- ments ; some of them very rude and cheap, a much larger number of a value ranging from $25,000 to $150,000, and more than one hundred ranging from

830

HISTORY OF KINGS COUNTY.

$200,000 to $2,000,000. One of our assessors, who is very thoroughly versed in the valuation of this de- scription of property, assures us that the real estate portion of "the plant" of the Brooklyn manufactories ( ¿. e., the land and buildings) considerably exceeds two hundred million dollars. The machinery contained is, we believe, generally classed as personal property, though not taxed as such.

Next come the warehouses, on or near the water front. It is very difficult to estimate the value of these. There are more than two hundred and fifty of them; and one, said to be the largest in the world, is reported to have cost $2,500,000. Many others are large, lofty and costly buildings. More than fifty per cent. of the imports, and nearly 75 per cent. of the exports from the port of New York, pass through them every year. From the best information we have been able to gather, we should place their value at not far from sixty mil- lions. There remain the wholesale and retail stores- such of them as are not also dwellings or manufactor- ies, of which the number and value is considerable-at a rough estimate, not far from ten millions ; the rail- road depots and stations, ferry houses, etc., perhaps about five millions; the churches and missions, about 270 in number, are estimated at about twelve millions; the hospitals, dispensaries, orphan and other asylums, homes, etc., etc., not less than ten millions; the schools and academies, public and private, not far from twelve millions; the libraries, museums, art galleries and halls, three millions; and the public buildings, at about six millions. Here we have an aggregate of about 520 millions. Now, of these buildings, with the increased value of the real estate connected with them, more than four-fifths of the erection and increase has accrued since 1854, the date of the consolidation of Brooklyn and Williamsburg.

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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 47

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