History of Cincinnati, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 57

Author: Ford, Henry A., comp; Ford, Kate B., joint comp
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Cleveland, O., L.A. Williams & co.
Number of Pages: 666

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ORPHAN ASYLUMS.

The city had three orphan asylums by 1841-St. Peter's, on Thirteenth and Plum streets, with fifty-one inmates, controlled by the Sisters of Charity ; St. Aloysius' Orphan House, north of Sixth street, opposite John, managed by the St. Aloysius society ; and the Cin- cinnati Orphan Asylum, on Elm street, north of Thir- teenth. The last named had its origin about 1830, in a fund placed in the hands of the Female Bible society, for the benefit of the poor. A meeting of ladies was held, at which it was resolved to apply a small residue of the sum for the relief of orphans. The asylum was chartered in 1833, a house and lot were given, and the institution opened. It was speedily crowded to overflow- ing by the orphaned of the cholera years, 1832-3, and a removal was made to larger accommodations on Elm

street, where the asylum remained for thirty years. The building here erected was four stories high, sixty-four by fifty-four on the ground, and was very well adapted in its internal arrangements for its purposes. It cost about eighteen thousand dollars, and accommodated sixty chil- dren, though sixty-seven were inmates in 1841.

This property was sold for one hundred and fifty thou- sand dollars, and in 1861 the present building was erected. It is situated on the corner of Sycamore and Sunimit streets, Mount Auburn, in a healthful and beautiful location-a spacious three-story edifice, with basement and towers, commanding a superb view of the western districts of the city, the Ohio river, and the high- lands. It is supported by private beneficence, and ac- commodates a general average of two hundred children at one time.

The German Protestant Orphan asylum is also on Mount Auburn, on Highland avenue, opposite the former Widows' home. It was projected by a German Protestant association during the cholera year of 1849, which left many orphans upon the hands of the charitable. A charter was obtained in December of that year, and funds were raised to erect a large three-story brick build- ing, with basement, and grounds of seven acres about it. A large addition was made in 1868, at a cost of thirty thousand dollars, and the institution can now receive two hundred orphans. A large dining-hall, separate from the main building, is used every May and October for a festival of the Germans, which is sometimes attended by twenty thousand people. Each of the visitors making a contribution, the sums realized are very handsome, in one instance reaching ten thousand dollars. The asy- lum authorities co-operate with the Ladies' Protestant Orphan association, which provides clothing for the chil- dren. These are placed, as opportunities offer, in good families, where they are expected to remain until of age, when the boys receive two hundred dollars apiece, and the girls each one hundred dollars, for a start in the world. The asylum is managed by a board of trustees representing the German Protestant denominations of the city. The average of inmates is about one hundred Branches have been established in Covington and New- port.

The Roman Catholics have two orphan asylums, one a very large affair, at Cumminsville, accommodating about four hundred children, in care of the St. Peter's, St. Joseph's, and St. Xavier's Orphan associations, and under the immediate charge of twenty Sisters of Charity. Another of these beneficent institutions is situated on the Reading road.

The colored orphan asylum was incorporated in 1845. For twenty years it occupied an old building on Ninth street, between Elm and Plum, where sixty or seventy children were crowded in, but were placed in families as rapidly as possible. About 1865 the society in charge bought four acres in an eligible situation in Avondale, north of the city, and there founded the present asylum. It differs from most other orphan asylums in receiving children who cannot be retained at home by their parents; but for the care of these a small compensation

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is required. Thirty to forty inmates is the usual average. THE RELIEF UNION.

This is one of the oldest and worthiest of the great charities of the city. Its object is systematic and general organization of the charitable for the relief of the poor, in grants of provisions, clothing, and occasionally money. It was established in 1848, and has had a highly honor- able and useful career, though now its glory is dimmed somewhat by the recent organization of the Associated Charities, with similar intents. The annual report at the meeting of November 13, 1880, made the following ex- hibit of the work of the year:

Groceries furnished by the managers of respective wards, $2,763.37; shoes, $1, 153.72; dry goods, $865.83; fuel, $166.06; cash, necessitous cases, $224.41; rent, necessitous cases, $161.23; transportation and removals. $96; funeral expenses, $65.82; bread, $107.34; meals and lodgings, transient persons, $75.45; medicines, $24.25; school-books, $22; assistance in redeeming working tools and wearing apparcl, $27. Amount of relief as per cash payment of bills, $5,752.48.

Voluntary contributions, mainly from business men of the city, keep the treasury supplied. Two managers of the union in each ward are the chief almoners of the society.

THE ASSOCIATED CHARITIES.

This is a charitable guild of late formation; and, as it has some original features, and is mentioned by the sec- retary of the State board of charities, in his annual report, "as a practical method of solving the difficulties of our present system of out-door relief, and of other not less important questions involved in the dispensation of charity, whether public or private," it seems well worth while to present here its terse and pointed consti- tution in full:

ARTICLE I-TITLE.

The title of this society shall be "The Associated Charities of Cin- cinnati."

ARTICLE II-OBJECTS.

Its object shall be the improvement of the condition of the poor. It

will aim:

I. To secure the proper relief of all deserving cases of destitution.

2. To protect the community from imposture and fraudulent beg- ging.

3. To prevent indiscriminate and duplicate giving.

4. To make employment the basis of relief, when practicable.

5. To reduce vagrancy and pauperism, and ascertain their true causes.

ARTICLE III-METHODS.

The objects of this society shall be attained as follows:

I. By bringing into harmonious co-operation with each other and with the municipal charities the various benevolent societies, churches, and individuals in the city.

2. By providing that the case of every applicant for relief shall be thoroughly investigated.

3. By placing the results of such investigation at the disposal of the overseers of the poor, of charitable societies and agencies, and of private persons of benevolence.

4. By obtaining help for every deserving applicant, as far as possi- ble, from the public authorities, from the proper charitable societies, or from benevolent individuals, or, failing in this, by furnishing relief from its own funds.

5. By exerting all its influence for the prevention of begging, the diminution of pauperism, and the encouragement of habits of thrift and self-dependence, and better and more sanitary modes of living among the poor.

6. By insisting on the complete severance of charitable relief from all questions of religion, politics or nationality.

ARTICLE IV-ORGANIZATION.

I. The society shall consist of the members of the twelve district associations hereinafter provided for, and such other persons as shall have contributed not less than five dollars to the funds of the society in the current fiscal year.

2. The officers of this society shall be as follows: The mayor of the city shall be ex officio president; the presidents of its district asso- ciations shall be ex officio vice-presidents, and the general secretary and treasurer, chosen by its central board, shall be the corresponding offi- cers of the society.

3. Stated meetings of the society shall be held annually, on the third Tuesday in November, and special meetings may be held at the call of its central board.

The twelve district associations provided for cover the whole city in their scope. Committees are appointed on district organization, visitation, employment, means of promoting provident habits, medical charities, care of the defective classes, hygienic and sanitary measures and the dwellings of the poor, penal and reform institutions and their methods, legislation and the legislative protection of the poor, vagabondage and its causes, etc. It has gone into operation under very hopeful auspices. At the annual meeting of the Relief Union, above noticed, the Rev. Charles W. Wendte, president of the new associa- tion, in answer to a call, said among other things: "It is an ideal plan, but is in active operation in many eastern cities. We have districts organized in this city, and are about to organize three more. The expense has been small-only eight hundred dollars-and this includes money spent in preparing for the work, in buying books, etc., and in paying office rent. We pay the superintend- ent of one district one dollar a day, and his office rent is but nine dollars per month. In another district we pay the superintendent but three dollars and fifty cents per week; office rent perhaps eight dollars per month. We have seventy-five directors all engaged in this work, and their wives and daughters assist them. Our mem- bers now aggregate about six hundred. Our plan is go- ing all over the country like wildfire, because it com- mends itself to the good sense of the charitable."

THE FLOWER MISSIONS.

One of these is an organization of ladies of the city and suburbs who send flowers weekly to the Young Men's Christian Association building, corner of Sixth and Elm streets, where they are arranged by a committee of the society, and distributed to the patients in the hos- pitals, and to other sick poor. Although thoroughly modest and quiet in its workings, it is accounted one of the most delightful and useful of the local charities.

The Episcopal ladies' flower mission undertakes simi- lar duties in the distribution of fruit and flowers to the sick of the hospitals. It meets every Saturday morning, in the warin season, at St. John's church, corner of Sev- enth and Plum streets, to engage in this beneficent work.

HISTORICAL NOTES.

In 1812 it was the habit of a few ladies of the First Presbyterian church to meet regularly for prayer and re- ligious conversation. Two years thereafter they regu- larly associated themselves for other and kindred objects, and adopted a constitution, giving their organization the name of the Cincinnati female society for charitable pur- poses. It consisted of fifty members-quite as many, in

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proportion to the population of the village, as its sister societies nowadays comprise. Ample funds were raised through a system of annual subscriptions, contributions, and charitable sermons preached quarterly. In the year 1814-15 moneys were spared for a mission enterprise in Louisiana, the theological seminary at Princeton, and for Bible distribution. Careful attention was also paid to the relief of indigent women in the village. Mrs. S. M. Wilson was first president; Mrs. J. Wheeler, secretary ; Miss Yeatman, treasurer.

In the First Baptist church there was a very early so- ciety of both sexes for the support of foreign mission- aries, chiefly in India. October 11, 1814, the Cincinnati Miami Bible society was formed by members of all the religious sects in town, to distribute the Scriptures among the poor of the Miami country, particularly on the fron- tiers. It began its operations early in 1815. The Rev. O. M. Spencer was its first president.

In 1814 the Cincinnati Benevolent society was con- stituted, to aid newly arrived and needy persons, who, under the law, might not be entitled to public relief. The erection of a charity workhouse was a part of its plan. When the village was divided into wards, two managers were appointed in each, to disburse the funds of the society. It was well supported, for a time at least, by voluntary contributions.

In 1816 a few ladies and gentlemen organized the Dor- cas society. John H. Piatt subscribed two hundred dol- lars to it annually, and others contributed freely. It met with some opposition, but had the general support of the community. In March, 1818, the board of managers appointed a committee of ladies to hold regular services in the county jail. Mrs. Colonel Ludllow, then Mrs. Riske, records in her journal that "the prisoners, from quarreling, rioting, and gambling, became orderly, read- ing the Scriptures, and frequently expressing their sense of our kindness." Mrs. H. Kinney was the first direct- ress of the society; Mrs. S. R. Strong, secretary; Mrs. Zeigler, treasurer.

The same year the Female Auxiliary Bible society (auxiliary to the Miami Bible society), was founded. The next year the Female association for the benefit of the Africans, before noticed, was organized; also the Cincinnati Union Sunday-school society. The Navi- gators' Bible and Tract society dates from 1818.

In 1819 an association was formed by leading citizens of the place, in which a very lively interest was mani- fested-the Humane society, for the resuscitation of drowned persons. It subsisted for a number of years, and had three hundred members in 1826. It owned a good set of apparatus, including three boats, with four sets of drags for each; a movable bed, and stove for heating it; a pair of bellows with nozzles of different sizes; and various other contrivances. These were kept at three separate houses convenient to the river-bank, and always ready on occasions of need. Galvanism was sometimes applied in efforts to restore the apparently drowned. General William Lytle was the first president of the society. Judge Jacob Burnet, Dr. Daniel Drake, and Rev. William Burke, vice presidents; and Benjamin

Drake, secretary; Peyton S. Symmes, treasurer. These were the representative men of the society, which was composed of the very best elements in the place.

In 1826 a local Colonization society was formed, aux- iliary to the American Colonization society; but its funds were to be specially applied to promote the emi- gration to Africa of free blacks from Cincinnati who expressed a willingness to go. About one hundred members formed the society.

In 1827 Dr. Drake opened an eye infirmary as a public charity, to which over one hundred citizens became annual subscribers. An applicant for relief was obliged to go to a visitor and give evidence of poverty; if approved, Dr. Drake gave the case gratuitous treatment. Rev. Joshua L. Wilson was president of the infirmary; Davis B. Lawler, secretary ; William W. Walker, treas- urer: Rev. William Burke, Martin Baum, Peyton S. Symmes, and John P. Foote, visitors. The institution was maintained with much usefulness until a multiplicity of other duties compelled Dr. Drake to abandon it.

Nearly half a century ago, by the close of the year 1833, the benevolence of the city had blossomed out in quite numerous organizations. Among these were the Erin Benevolent society, for the relicf of distressed Irishmen, of which John McCormick was president, Robert Buchanan vice president, John Beggs treasurer; the Scots' Benevolent society-Peter McNicol president, Arthur Harvie vice president, Thomas McGechin treas- urer, and John Douglas secretary; the Franklin Benevo- lent society; the House of Employment for female poor-Mrs. Dr. Lyman Beecher first directress, Mrs. Finley second directress; the Miami and the Cincinnati Colonization societies; the Caledonian society, Lafay- ette Benefit society, St. George's society, and the various philanthropic enterprises connected with the churches of the city or the great religious movements of the day, which are properly noticed in another chapter.

In 1840, the House of Employment for the female poor was still maintained, and was on the west side of Vine street, between Second and Third. The charity intelligence office was also on Vine street, between Third and Baker. By this time the Cincinnati Total Abstinence society, which founded the Western Tem- perance Journal, was in existence; also the Anti-Slavery society, and the Typographical association.

CHAPTER XXIII. BENEVOLENT AND OTHER SOCIETIES.

UNDER this head will be noticed some representative organizations for charitable and other purposes, which can hardly be called public in their character, since their benefits are open to but limited classes of the community. Many which have special objects, as scientific, musical, and the like, will be noticed in subsequent chapters.

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THE AMERICAN PROTESTANT ASSOCIATION.

This a secret society, with objects mainly political, and directed against the principles and policy of the Ro- man Catholic church, so far at least as they trench upon affairs of state. There are said to be fifteen to twenty lodges and encampments in Cincinnati, with a member- ship of about three thousand.

THE B'NAI B'RITH

is a beneficiary order, composed, as the name indicates, altogether of believers in the Hebrew faith. It is a pow- erful organization, extending through many States, and is the founder and benefactor of the splendid Jewish or- phan asylum in Cleveland, upon which large sums have been expended. It provides benefits to the sick to the amount of four dollars a week, with an endowment in- surance of one thousand dollars, payable to heirs after death. These features are obligatory; but an additional one, providing two thousand dollars life insurance, is not. In case of a death, an assessment is made of seventy- five cents upon each member ; and regular dues are also payable, but not exceeding twenty-five dollars a year.

THE HEBREW GENERAL RELIEF ASSOCIATION

is another organization of Israelites, whose average an- nual donations during the decade 1867-77 were ten thousand, raised altogether from private contributions. The directors meet every Sunday morning on the corner of Central avenue and Fifth street, to apportion grants to the poor, especially to indigent widows and disabled workmen, and the transient poor from other places. The operations of the society are so efficient that it is a very rare sight to see a Jew begging upon the streets of Cin- cinnati. The association also looks to the support of the Jewish hospital.

The Young Men's Hebrew Association is a kind of club, occupying handsome rooms on the corner of Eighth street and Central avenue, where it has a library and reading-room. It gives occasional literary and musical entertainments, and aids in securing employment for its members.

THE NATIONALITIES,

as well as religion, are represented in somewhat numer- ous societies, most of which present social as well as beneficiary features. Among them are the Caledonian society, incorporated February 6, 1832, composed of a limited number of leading Scotchmen in the city; the Ancient Order of Hibernians, which has several divisions in the city, and also a county organization, the first of the kind in the country; the Friendly Sons of St. Pat- rick, of somewhat similar character; the Bohemian Be- nevolent Association, which has one hundred and fifty to two hundred members; and numerous German societies, among which is conspicuous the Turnverein, a society to promote athletic exercises, formed in 1848, and now hav- ing over five hundred members. This body owns the fine Turner hall, 513-9 Walnut street, built in 1859, and costing thirty-five thousand dollars, in which is the Ger- man or Stadt theatre.

The Cincinnati Hibernian Society was incorporated in 1828, to provide for the relief of cases of distress from

sickness and disease, and for the relief of widows of those deceased members who may be left in indigent circum- stances. George Lee was president ; Peter Britt, vice- president ; John Tuttle, treasurer; Philip Skinner, secre- tary.

THE SECRET BENEVOLENT ORDERS,

of course, muster very strong in Cincinnati. Masonry got in very early, the Nova Cæsarea Harmony Lodge, No. 2, being formed December 27, 1794. A charter was obtained for it August 8, 1791, from the grand lodge of New Jersey ; but, owing mainly to the absence of Dr. Burnet, who procured the charter, its organization was delayed till the time first named. Dr. William Burnet, Master; John S. Ludlow, S. W .; Dr. Calvin Morrell, J. W., were the officers named in the charter. The first officers-elect were Edward Day, M .; Dr. Morrell, S. W .; General John S. Gano, J. W. This society still flourishes in great strength and prosperity. In 1804 it received lot one hundred and thirty-five, upon the old town site, by will from a prominent member, Judge William McMillan. It was esteemed of little value, and was allowed to be sold for taxes ; but was afterwards redeemed, and is now the site of the splendid Masonic temple, on the north- east corner of Third and Walnut streets, erected at a cost of two hundred thousand dollars. Two Masonic halls previously stood there; one erected in 1818, the other in 1846. A monument in honor of Mr. McMillan's memory has been erected by this lodge. He is ac- counted to have been the foremost benefactor of Ma- sonry in the west. In 1879 the members of the order in this city, according to Mr. King's admirable pocket- book of Cincinnati, from which we derive invaluable aid in the preparation of these chapters, were estimated at three thousand. There were then sixteen lodges of Master Masons, including three colored lodges, and a number of chapters, councils, commanderies, etc. Lafa- yette Lodge No. 81, was instituted May 16, 1825, in view of General Lafayette's visit to Cincinnati that year, dur- ing which he was made an honorary member and person- ally signed its by-laws May 19.

The first lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in the State (Ohio Lodge No. 1) was instituted in Cincinnati December 23, 1830, under a charter from the grand lodge of the United States. The order spread rapidly, and had 1,420 members in the State by 1841. There were then four lodges in this city, and the grand lodge (incorporated by the legislature February 4, 1839) met here regularly on the first Saturdays of September, December, March, and June.

The semi-centennial of the foundation of this lodge was duly and handsomely celebrated December 23, 1880, in the lodge hall, within a square of the room where the lodge of 1830 was formed. On this occasion one of the original members was present, and the following interest- ing account of the genesis of the lodge was given by Mr. A. B. Champion :

Fifty years ago, in the month of June, of the year 1830, after weary travel from New Orleans, Jacob W. Holt, a member of Washington lodge, Philadelphia, landed in this city. By accident he selected as a boarding place a respectable house on Vine street, near the river, kept by a gentleman named Hiram Fraser. In course of conversation be-

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tween the two, Mr. Fraser one day spoke of a letter he had received from his brother in Philadelphia, advising him to become an Odd Fel- low if a lodge of that order existed in Cincinnati. None did exist, but Mr. Holt informed him he was a member of the same in good standing, and upon inquiry no doubt enough members could be found in the city to institute a lodge.

Energetic search was made by both the gentlemen, and resulted in finding but two others-James W. Brice and Nathaniel Estling. A meet- ing of the three members was held at Mr. Fraser's, and they determined to prosecute with vigor a search for other members. Accordingly written notices were posted by Messrs. Estling and Holt at the post office, a porter-house corner Third and Walnut streets, and several other points in the town, asking all members in good standing then in the place to assemble in a room over that saloon at a certain time therein named. On the evening appointed a number of brothers assembled, of whom the names are known of Nathaniel Estling, C. Haskin, J. Brice, J. W. Holt, Thomas S. Bedford, and J. Gill.

After considerable discussion it was deemed advisable to establish a lodge of Odd Fellows in this eity, and after many names therefor sug- gested and rejeeted, that of Ohio was chosen, and, it being the first in the State, was No. I. The before-named brothers immediately made out and signed the necessary petition and papers, and the same were at once forwarded to the Grand lodge of the United States, then always convening at Baltimore. September 25th of the same year a special session of the Grand lodge convened in that city for the express pur- pose of considering the petition for establishing a lodge to be named "Ohio, No. I." This petition showed that five of the six petitioners were members of lodges in Pennsylvania, and the grand secretary was directed to obtain their standing from the Grand lodge of that State, and, should this report be favorable, to appoint Distriet Deputy Grand Master James Paul, of Mechanics' lodge, No. 9, Pittsburgh, as repre- sentative of Pennsylvania in the Grand lodge of the United States. November 2, 1830, Samuel Pryor, grand secretary of Pennsylvania, wrote to John Boyd, who was proxy representative from that State, to the United States Grand lodge, saying : "October 31, 1830, the Grand lodge of the United States was again convened for the special purpose of again considering the petition from Cincinnati for the estab- lishing of a lodge. A favorable report of the petitioners was made from the Grand lodge of Pennsylvania, and after full consideration a charter was granted." The credentials of Deputy Grand Master Paul, of Pittsburgh, to the Grand lodge, being found to be correct, Grand Sir Wildey announced his appointment to institute Ohio lodge, No. 1, at Cincinnati, and he was authorized to draw upon the petitioners for the lodge to reimburse him for his expenses. The Grand lodge, find- ing it more blessed to give than to receive, had conferred upon Brother Paul a post and work of honor without his knowledge, and it was only after lengthy consideration he concluded to accept; for a journey from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati was the work of several days, the expenses would not be light, and the brethren there were poor.

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History of Cincinnati, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 57

Author: Ford, Henry A., comp; Ford, Kate B., joint comp Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Cleveland, O., L.A. Williams & co. Number of Pages: 666

Author: Ford, Henry A., comp; Ford, Kate B., joint comp
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Cleveland, O., L.A. Williams & co.
Number of Pages: 666