USA > New York > Monroe County > Rochester > The semi-centennial souvenir : an account of the great celebration, June 9th and 10th, 1884, together with a chronological history of Rochester, N.Y. > Part 10
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MORE FIREWORKS IN THE EVENING.
Toward evening the weather grew milder, and the centre of the city was filled by half- past eight with dense crowds in anticipation of enjoymont from the fire works. The city was beautifully illuminated. Every builling of prominence was decked with Chinese lanterns. while additional electric lights added brilliancy to the scene. The pyrotechnic display was very fine. Several firms furnished. set pieces, and the sky was continually filled with rockets and other aerial pieces. Colored lights burned on Powers' tower and the Kimball chinmey added greatly to the picture. Only two serious acci- dents occurred, and those at. H. H. Warner's on N. St. Paul street during the firing of some fire-piece. The Rochester Savings bank build- ing was beautifully illuminated, " R. S. B.,
1831," being illustrated upon both fronts. The following are the buildings most conspicuous for the illumination: Powers Block, the Powers Hotel, Reynolds Arcade, Smith, Perkins & Co.'s building, the Baker block, A. S. Maun & Co., E. J. Arnoldt & Co .. Siblev, Lindsey & Curr. Brewster, Crittenden & Co., the Warner builling and the stores of C'autman, Dinkel- spiel & Co., J. W. Rosenthal & Co., Stein Bloch & Co., S. J. Arnold. Burke, FitzSimons, Hone & Co. on N. St. Pant street.
After the fire works the small-boy --- to the nmnber of two or three hundred-paraded the principal streets armed with tin horns and drums. Their enthusiasm was dampened only when a copious rain began to descend shortly before midnight, when the semi-centenmal celebration, may be said, was over.
In looking back at the celebration the people of Rochester may well be proud of the eveut that gave them an opportunity for such a dis- play. The maguaumity of the citizens in con- tributing liberally to the fund and their indi- vidual efforts to make the occasion a success, bespeak for Rochester a marvellous growth in the next half-century of its life as a city, into which we have but just entered. The celebra- tion was a complete success, and will be re. membered for many years. To theen who pro- posed the proper observance of the day, not less than to those who skillfully carried it to a brilliant termination, are due the thanks of the people of the city.
The Press on the Celebration.
THE SEMI-CENTENNIAL.
[Democrat and Chronicle, June 9.]
To-day Rochester is in holiday attire. She is jubilant over the anniversary which marks her birth as a municipality. With joy expressed in her decorations, fair in her summer glory of green sward and blooming flowers, she makes high festival for her children and welcomes her guests within her borders.
Rochester may well celebrate this anniver- sary. Few eastern cities can show a more rapid growth or enjoy a more ample prosperity than that which has been vouchsafed to Rochester. Fifty years ago she had a population of about 13,000 people. To-day she has over 100,000, some, who claim to be well informed, placing it as high as 120,000. Her manufactories are many and of a varied character. Her merchants are among the most enterprising in the stato, Her common schools, ber university and her theo- logical seminaries are of the highest order of excellence. By belts of iron running in every direction, she is connected with the outside world. She is the market for a larger territory than any city in the state outside the metropo- lis. She has received the benefit of the in- dustries of many different races which here com - bine in harmonious efforts for the common weal. Both the German and Irish element form a very considerable portion of the popula- tion, and, as they heartily unite with other nationalities in the festivity of the day, it is proper that they should understand the full measure of the obligations which citizens of American birth feel toward them for what they
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have contributed to the advancement of the common interests. This is to be a celebration in which all will participate.
In other ways, the history of Rochester will be dwelt upon to-day, and it is a matter for congratulation that, through the industry of competent literary Jabors, much of that his- tory is to assume permanent form in volumes worthy of the inspiration that has produced them. We need not therefore enter into the details of that history which embraced seventy years of progress from the forest to the. great city; but it hardly seems possible that such a transformation has been wrought within the comparatively brief period indicated, as has here been witnessed. Less than a century ago all Western New York was a wilderness. To- day it is studded with populous cities and thriving villages, within a garden fair as a dream of Beckford or Moore. Let us all rejoice and be exceeding glad for all the blessings we have received, and make these hours, fleeting though they are, memorable for the emphasis we give them.
OUR SEMI-CENTENNIAL.
[Morning Herald, June 9.]
Among the ancient Greeks the city was the unit of the body politic. It was the state; it was the nation. To be a citizen was to be a resident of the city, and the resident of the city alone possessed the highest civil rights. The citizen lived only for the welfare of the city. to bear its arms, to exult when it won on the battle field or applaud when it carried off the honors of the forum or the laurels of the al- phitheatre. The citizen had everything to make civil life enthusiastic and invigorating. His feelings swelled or were depressed in pro- portion as his dear city became exalted or suf- fered eclipse. This system could not flourish in these times even though we would have it so; and who would have it so: The political anat- omy of these hellenic cities is one thing, but their social anatomy is quite another. The most enthusiastic Rochesterian be he wise, does not wish to- day to see his city through the eyes of an ancient Greek. We do not celebrate to- day an event which cut us off from the greeu fields beyond and made us an autonomous body as was the ancient city. We do celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of an event which conferred upon us local self-government, but left us a part of the empire state and the county of Monroe, a part of the far famed Genesee valley, the fountain of our prosperity and our riches; which made us a body corporate. To-day this body corporate is a living thing. It breathes, and we rise and fall with the heaving of its breast. Life blood speeds through its arteries, It feels. It has emotions. A city is truly a living body. It lives on and on, assimilating the food which the industry of its inhabitants provides and developing new bone and muscle, blood and brain; or it wanes, languishes and dies.
The significance of the celebration which we commence to-day, of the fiftieth anniversary of our corporate existence, is plain, therefore, if we do but observe the simile of the living body. We have grown because we have been industrious, because we have made the most of our opportunities. Every citizen, be hea mil- lionaire or a day laborer, is a part of the living
organism. He is one of its members. Let him rejoice then and see to it that we continue taking on bone and muscle, blood and brain; that the body corporate performs its functions well and honestly; that it does not stultify it- self or abuse and disgrace the powers and duties. of a living body.
THE SEMI-CENTENNIAL. [Post-Express, June 9.]
As Webster said at the Bunker Hill monu- ment celebration -- The orator of the occasion stands before us, and is silent.
Rochester, the Beautiful and the Busy, is the best orator and the most striking monument of her progress and prosperity.
" Esto perpetua !"
A FITTING FINALE. [Union and Advertiser, June 11.]
Rochester's Semi-Centennial jubilee closed last evening with a grand banquet at the Pow- ers Hotel and a gorgeous street illumination later on. Distinguished guests from abroad have left for their several homes, admittedly bearing with themu the favorable impressions of Rochester's solid prosperity and cordial hos- pitality. On the whole, our celebration has been a marked and gratifying success. White, however, everybody else has given himself up to enjoyment of the events of the past two days, the editor, reporter and compositor has had double work to do. Parenthetically, it may be remarked that it is a pity some fete can- not be juvented in which all inay participate without respect or attention to business or call- ing of any name or nature. The semi-centen- uial proceedings had to be reported and com mented upon at length, so that while it lasted the newspapers of Rochester were compelled to devote double duty as well as double space to the event and the occasion. After all, the task has been a labor love, since Rochester's glory is its journalists' highest pride. How charmingly interesting, too. have been the pub- lished reminiscences, stories, and incidents of Rochester's early days-its rise, prosperity, and magnificent development! They tell of our city's progress from a savage wilderness to a garden of delight -- from a trackless forest to a leading contre of civilization and commerce ; and they have been and will continue to be ea - gerly read by hundreds of thousands, not here alone, but in every part of the American Re- public, where a Rochester man or woman, boy or girl, may chance to be. Older citizens, who have witnessed the growth of events herein de- scribed, almost from the outset, as well as those who have known Rochester a shorter time, will preserve these records for future pleasurable reference. No one can peruse them without pardonable pride at what has been accomplish- ed by an industrious, enterprising and cultured people in but half a century of time.
How fair a city is Rochester, the goddess of the Genesee! Enthroned upon its banks, the incense of her industry, like the perfume of her flowers, spreads her fame throughout the world.
OUR CELEBRATION. (Sunday Morning Horakl.]
Rochester's semi-centennial celebration was a success in its every detail, and reflects credit upon those who had its management in charge.
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It has proved of value at home and abroad. Many of our citizens had but a faint concep- tion of the almost endless variety of commer- cial and manufacturing pursuits which are carried on within the limits of the city. It is long since we have had a procession which brought them out and those who have seen former parades must have been struck with the great increase in variety and importance in the last few years. Rochester has grown very rap- idly in the last decade; more rapidly than dur- ing any other period of its history. The prom inent gentlemen from abroad who visited us and saw the almost endless stream of wagons on which were given exhibitions of Rochester's industrial wealth must have gone home with better ideas of the importance of the city than they have had before. Ours is an inland city, a quiet, conservative town, rapid in only one thing-piling up the municipal debt. Not be- ing a grain or shipping center, it is but seldom that the world's attention is called to us. The prevailing impression abroad has been that Rochester was a sort of an over grown village, of little importance in the commercial world. The fact is, that as a manufacturing center our city is rapidly going to the front. With the railroad facilities it now has there is no reason why it should not take the lead. If we can only manage to keep our taxes a little nearer what they should be we might almost hope that the centennial celebration of Rochester will show her one of the most important cities on the continent.
ROCHESTER'S GREAT DAY. [Sunday Truth. ]
The day came. The day' has gone. Never before has Rochester beheld such a gula day, such enthusiasm, such generons exhibitions of love and respect for our fair city. The pioneers who bravely penetrated the forests here a balf century and more ago, felled the wilderness, and erected their humble log cabins where now stand our spacious mansions and stately blocks, never in their wildest flights of fancy dreamed that half a century would see on the banks of the Genesee a city of such beauty and exten- sive population, never predicted that an en- thusiastie popalace would so warily praise the foundations they then laid.
The growth of Rochester is something to be proud of. It ranks to-day among the first cities of our country, and is surpassed by none in the natural beauty of its surroundings. The ·ceremonies of Tuesday were in all respects ap- propriate to the occasion, and will long be re- membered.
Rochester to-day is ripe in the experience gained during the fifty years of her life, and enters npon her second half century under cir- cumstances the most favorable. What the city will be fifty years from now who can predict ? Who can tell how extensive its boundaries, how deuse its population, how prosperous its people?
Of the thousands who participated in the ceremonies Tuesday none, in all probability, of the adults will live to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of our city's life and growth. The quietness of Mount Hopeand the white -crown - ed cemeteries of the city will -arround them. Their children, many of them, will gbully cel - ebrate that day, and will sound the praises of
the men who to-day are playing their bonora- ble part in the upbuilding and perfecting of Rochester.
FROM OUTSIDE JOURNALS. [Buffalo Courier.]
'The growthof Rochester is thoroughly sound and healthy. The city is in the heart of a fine agricultural country studded with happy vil- lages and comfortable farm houses. It is ac- cessible through a network of eight more or less important railways. Once the great mill - ing town of the country, it has gradually mul- tiplied the forms of its industries, and is now noted in various branches of manufacture, especially in the shoe and clothing trades. In days of old it was the Flour city, but now since the development of its great nurseries and seed houses it is known as the Flower city. It is a beautiful town. Seen from Mount Hope or the Pinnacle in midsummer it is so covered with the foliage of its shade trees as to look like a vast grove. It has no single street as fine as Delaware avenue, but it can boast of a few handsome thoroughfares, and it has miles of streets lined with pretty dwellings set off by neat grassy dooryards. There are few mean quarters in the town. It is good in almost all directions. The distinguishing glory of the city is that so many of its working people own their own homes, and are able to make them trim and comfortable. Of course there is pov- erty and misery hore and there, but we think no city in the world of its size has less of either than Rochester. Its characteristics are quiet- ude, intelligence, and contented industry. It has nearly all the advantages of . the modern American city in the way of good schools, decent churches, commodious hospitals and asyinms, admirable water-works, and, if they may be called advantages, beautiful ceme- teries. But withal it must be said that Roches- ter is sadly lacking in public spirit. It has no soldiers' monument ; no public library worthy of the name ; no great hall ; and no park be- youd three or four old-fashioned ">quares." though the banks of the lower Genesee might be turned into a suburban paradise. The rich men of Rochester, midlike the rich men of Buffalo, seem not to have learned that it is either their duty of their interest to do any- thing for the benefit of the community in which they have prospered. Perhaps their local patriotism may be aroused to some extent by the memories and the hopes kindled in the excitement of their semi-centennial celebration. Never before has Rochester been so thoroughly awake, and so eagerly enthusiastic, and the fair city in its holiday adornments is indeed a pleasant sight. Again we present our best wishes and congratulations.
[Syracuse Standard.]
Rochester is, in a conspicuous way, a type of the Hourishing American cities which were planted by the ruggul pioneers who, in the early years of the century, sought homes in the wilderness which then compassed Central and Western New York. Numbering now a popu- Iation of 110,000 souls. our sister city has ont- stripped many of her companions, and the detzens of Rochester do well in setting apart two days of this work in which to cometo. rate the men and the events that made possible
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the prosperous Rochester of to-day. Syracuse greets her thriving neighbor.
[Albany Argus.]
Rochester is the dividing point of those who wish to go to Buffalo and of those who are bound for Niagara Falls. There is no other city in the United States which can claim this distinc- tion. It is unique. Moreover, Rochester has not only a university, but it has an observ atory. That observatory is the manufactory of more comets than any other in the world- althoughi in zone work the Dudley Observatory here is, in the slang of science, the Boss insti- tution of the country. Among the products of Rochester have been the Fox sisters and Miss Susan B. Anthony, with an entail of isms as to suffrage, religion and love which has made the city a theatre of sciolism cqualled by few and excellsd by none. Nothing need be said of the Powers block or of the encroachinents on the blue line. There is no other city in the State which can equal them.
[New York Star.]
Rochester was inebriated with the exuber- ance of her pride and patriotism yesterday. The culmination of the exercises by which she is celebrating her semi-centennial with so much pomp and circumstance was attained at "noon. Governor Cleveland, the State officials and 10,000 people from out of town participated in the ceremonies.
[Utien Horaid.]
The Rochester semi-centennial was a com- plete success, and the most elaborate demon- stration that has ever occurred in Western New York.
[Albany Express.]
It is not surprising that Rochester is making much of its semi-centennial. The people of that town ought to for they have one of the finest and most interesting cities in the coun- try.
[New York Mail and Express.]
Rochester has good reason for celebrating her fiftieth birthday with a great demonstration. The building of such a city in half a century is truly a marvel.
[New York Graphie (with Illustrations).
Rochester, the loveliest city in the State, if not in the Union, celebrates her semi-centen- nial to-day.
Characteristic Clippings.
[From the Daily Newspapers during the Cele- bration.]
It isexpected that over 3,000 Knightsof Labor will appear in the procession.
As the police authorities anticipate a large arrival of thieves in the city, Chief MeLean advises residents not to leave their houses un - occupied Tuesday.
It should be understood generally by this time that the school children will not march in to-morrow's parade. They will be massed on Church street during the passage of the proces- sion and no longer.
Sextons are requested by the Mayor and general committee to ring their church bells from 12 M. to 1 p. M. Monday. They can apply for compensation at the Mayor's office Wed- nesday.
Mrs. Washington Gibbons has allowed the original oil portraits of Colonel Nathaniel Rochester and his wife, painted in 1-22, and also the portrait of Jonathan Child, to be placed in the window of E. Darrow & Co., on East Main street.
Mrs. O. Hanford, who resides with her daugh - ter, Mrs. S. G. Hollister, West avenue, has re- sided in this city sixty-two years and she should have been invited to and assigned a seat on, the reviewing stand with the venerable Mrs. Abe- lard Reynolds, who is over one hundred years of age.
One of the special police approached his su - perior officer last night with a troubled look on his face and asked in a confidential way, " Say, put me where there ain't much fighting, will you ?" The services of such a man in a crowd are most valuable.
Nehemiah Osburn has resided in this city sixty-three years, and no man has done more trwareds builling up the city than he, and some of the finest buildings in the city are mnon - inents of his industry. He is still actively en- gaged in the erection of buildings, and bids fair to pass many more years among us. He was a voter in the village of Rochesterville in 1:23.
The executive board requests that merchants on streets through which the procession is to pass, will remove everything from the walks in front of their places of business to-morrow. This refers to boxes, barrels, ash receptaeles, market stuff and merchandise generally.
Mrs. Elizabeth Cowles, widow of the late Norman Cowles, 63 Delevan street, is probably the oldest lady teacher residing in Rochester to-day. Fifty years ago this summer she was teaching on Jackson street in this city, and at the present time one of her daughters, Miss E. Francis Cowles, is teacher in public school No. 13, where she has taught for a number of years.
One of the features of the celebration is the decoration of Smith, Perkins & Co., in which is displayed a very fine portrait, by Gilbert of Elijah F. Smith, the first Mayor of the city elected by the people. Previous to that time the Mayor of the city was elected by the Com- mon Council. E. F. Smith was born in Con- nectient, in 1791 and came to Rochester from Virginia in 1826; in the same year founding the firm of E. F. & A. G. Smith. the predecessors of Smith, Perkins & Co. Mr. Smith died in 1850. The portrait is treasured by the firm, for whom it was painted, as one of the best of mementoes of the founder of the old house.
The original historie off painting, now on ex- hibition in the window of Morris' bookstore in Powers' Block, is the artistic work of a grand- daughter by marriage of Hamlet Scrantom, the man who built the log house in Iste repro- sented in the painting, and stood on the very site where Powers' magnificent structure now stands. And there is stillliving one member of the original Serantom family, who with com-
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mendable pride points out the trees, the stumps, and cool water springs around the old - log house, the very house in which the first white couple were married, the bride a daughter of Hamlet Serantom, the groom the father of the tate Henry Barnard.
Rochester of To-Day.
The subject of Rochester of to-day is a vast one, that in detail would make several good- sized volumes. The following is a brief but comprehensive view of the fourth city in the Empire State. The present city boundaries include 11,200 acres. The. city is divided into 16 wards, and the estimated population is 105,000. The population is quite cosmopoli- tan for an inland city. Next to the native born the Germans stand highest in numbers, and the Irish next. Following table shows the growth in population:
POPULATION OF THE CITY.
1815.
331
1815 26.965
1818
1,049
1850 36,403
1820 ..
2,502
1835. 43.877
1842 2,500 43,204
1835 .. 5.273 1865 50,940
1926,
7,060
1870 62.380
1830 ..
10.830
1575 $1,000
1834.
12.952
1880 89,368
1810. 20,191
THE CITY GOVERNMENT.
Cornelius R. Parsons. Mayor.
Ambrose C. MeGlachtin, Treasurer.
H. F. McClachlin. Assistant.
John N. Beckley, City Attorney.
G. Fort Slocum, Assistant City Attorney.
Peter Sheridan, City Clerk.
Oscar H. Peacock, City Surveyor.
William H. Smith, Assistant City Surveyor.
Frank J. Irwin, City Messenger.
John Lutes. Overseer of the Poor.
City Assessors -- John Gorton, Valentine Flecken- stein. William Maher.
Stephen Ranber, City Sealer. Arthur MeCormick, Fire Marshal.
A. H. Marun. Milk Inspector.
City Physicians-D. A. Hoard. G. A. Gumberts, George D. Benford. Thomas A. Daly, Henry ML. Fenno, Henry C. Koch.
COMMON COUNCIL .. President, J. Miller Kelly,
First Ward-William H. Tracy.
Second Ward -- Martin Barron. Third Ward --- Amon Bronson. Fourth Ward-Charies Watson. Fifth Ward .- Henry Kohlnetz. Sixth Ward-Elias Strouss. Seventh Ward -Charles A. Jeffords.
Eighth Ward-Johm H. Foley. Ninth Ward-F. S. Upton. Tenth Ward-James M. Pitkin. Eleventh Ward-Peter G. Siener.
Twelfth Ward -Henry Rice. Thirteenth Ward-Christian Stein.
Fourteenth Ward-James M. Aikenhead.
Fifteenth Ward-J. Miller Kelly. Sixteenth Ward-John B. Sinunelink.
BOARD OF EDUCATION. President-Charles S. Ellis.
First Ward-John E. Durand Second Ward-Janis o. Howard. Third Ward - Thomas MeMillan. Fourth Ward-Homer A. Kingsley. Fifth Ward-Charles S. Cook.
Sixth Ward-Fletcher M. Thrasher. Seventh Ward-Milton Noves. Fighth Ward -- Thomas A. Raymond. Ninth Ward -William J. MeKelvey. Tenth Ward-Charles S. Ellis.
Eleventh Ward -- Henry kleindienst. Twelfth Ward -Thomas H. Maguire.
Thirteenth Ward -- Frederick C. Loebs. Fourteenth Ward-August Kimmel. Fifteenth Ward -- J. P. Rickard. Sixteenth Ward-Frank H. Vick. Superintendent of Public Schools-S. A. Ellis.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
Commissioners -- John W. Martin, E. B. Chace, Timothy Derrick, Dr. F. B. Gallery, Dr. Edward M. Moore, James O. Howard. Registrar-Alfred Wedd. Health Officer -- Dr. J. J. Burke.
EXCISE COMMISSIONERS.
Vincent M. Smith, Conrad Herzberger, James P. Evans.
EXECUTIVE BOARD. Samuel B. Williams, President. Members-George W. Aldridge, Byron Holley. Thomas J. Neville, Clerk. Gilbert H. Reynolds, Street Superintendent. The Executive Board has charge of the streets, the Water Works and Fire Departments. The city re- ceives its water supply from Hemlock lake, iwerty- eight miles south of the city. There are 12.45 miles of water pipe laid in the city.
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