1856-57
HISTORY
Frederick P. Stevens
was born on October 26, 1810 in Pierpont, New Hampshire, the
eighth of twelve children. He attended local schools and
worked on his parents farm until he was seventeen, at which
time he began preparation for college.
In 1830 Stevens was granted a license to teach in
Bradford, New York. In 1831 he moved to Lockport, New York
to begin studying law with his older brother R. H. Stevens,
who practiced there. He studied there for two years, then
moved to Rochester, New York where he completed his studies.
He was admitted to the bar in 1835 or 1836, soon
after coming to Buffalo
Stevens was elected corresponding secretary for the
Young Men's Association
on February 29, 1836 when the association was founded.
He attained prominence quickly once he began his
profession. On January 20, 1837 he was appointed judge of
the Court of Common Pleas by Governor Marcy. He served as
a associate judge until 1845 at which time he became first
judge. Around this time the Court of Common Pleas became
County Court. Stevens was the first presiding judge of County
Court. He was a early Master of the Chancery in western
New York, and also held the office of examiner for some
time.
In 1847, after the adoption of a new constitution
which mandated the popular election of county judges, Judge
Stevens became a candidate for County Judge. At this time
he was a partner of Hon. George W. Clinton
He was elected and served from July 1847 until December
31, 1851.
Judge Stevens was a "painstaking judicial officer,
an impartial high-minded judge." Although not regarded
as a great judge, he was a "fair and safe one."
In 1854 Stevens was elected an alderman for the eleventh
ward to serve during the following year. He served on the
Committee on Schools
during his term. Late in his term as alderman, Stevens, "a
practical municipal worker," was chosen as the Democratic
candidate for Mayor in 1856. The members of the Democratic
party
, formerly known as Barnburners
and Hunkers
, were now known as Hards and Softs (Hardshells and Softshells).
The Republicans split into several factions, each
choosing their own candidates. They chose Jesse Dann as
their candidate, who was labeled as a member of the Know-Nothing
party by a local paper. He emphatically denied the accusation,
and shortly thereafter declined the nomination. They eventually
settled on Lewis L. Hodges
for the Republican nominee.
The Know-Nothings chose William A. Bird
for their candidate.
LIFE AS A MAYOR
When the ballots were counted after the election
of November 6, 1855, Stevens was declared the winner. He
defeated his five contenders by 970 votes, the largest majority
for a mayor to date. The final count was Stevens 4,187,
William A. Bird
3,217, Lewis L. Hodges
747, and three minor candidates each receiving one vote.
The Democrats cleaned house during the election,
taking the entire city ticket. As one prominent Democrat
said: "I have voted the Democratic ticket and labored
for the triumph of Democratic principles, and now I have
my reward in this first victory in Erie County. Had our
successes come earlier we should have prized them less;
and now we have only to wisely improve the advantage gained
to maintain our position and add to our strength year by
year." In addition, this was the year James Wadsworth
was elected to the state Senate. "Buffalo
now stands out in bold relief as an Anti-Hindoo Democratic city."
The Buffalo
Morning Express, on November 8, 1855 stated the following editorially:
"Never has a city been furnished with so weak
and incompetent a complement of officers as has been provided
for Buffalo
by this election. Extravagance, corruption
, and excessive taxation must be endured for two years more.
"We know that it is not good philosophy to murmur
over a result that is hopelessly fixed, but when we see
our County for the first time in its history, plunged into
the deepest, darkest, bleakest state of Locofoco
vandalism, we cannot repress emotions of regret [to] its lamentable
prostitution."
The Republicans, again defeated, explained that it
was due to a lack of organization. The Express added the
following about the Republican party
:
"It is the party of the future. It has vindicated
its strength by its devotion to principle...In five years
it will be regarded as the conservative party of the country."
On Monday January 7, 1856 the Common Council
met to swear in its new members. Outgoing Mayor Cook
administered the oath of office to Mayor-elect Stevens who then
severally swore in the aldermen. Mayor Stevens
did not address the Council. His desire for detail and accomplishment
prompted him to begin work immediately.
Mayor Stevens
delivered his Inaugural Address
to the Common Council
on January 21, 1856. It included a variety of proposals and
general information.
"The amount of the general city tax levied in
1854 was $349,000. The same tax for 1855 was $273,580.
"Too much care can hardly be used in constructing
permanent improvements. No pavement should be laid until
all necessary sewers and receivers are constructed. The
public health is greatly dependent upon a thorough drainage.
"There are now within the city thirty-four and
a half miles of sewers and thirty-one and a quarter miles
of paved streets. Four miles of these sewers have been constructed
during the past two years and 626,957 square feet of paving,
including curbing.
"At an early day our adopted system of Common
Schools was believed to be equal, if not superior to any
other in the state. ...It has been enlarged and extended
until nearly twenty thousand children are annually taught.
The number of all grades now number about 180.
"As our population is rapidly increasing, greater
accommodations will be required. Whenever these become necessary,
I respectfully recommend that ample grounds be procured,
and tasteful...structures be erected thereon. In many of
the districts, there are not sufficient accommodations.
The buildings must be enlarged, or the districts divided,
and new houses erected.
"The appointment and absolute control and government
of a police
force should be vested in one person, and he be held responsible
for the good order and government of the city. He should
have the power, with advice and comment of the Council,
to appoint all police
officers, and to remove them at pleasure. As it is, men will
lean upon those to whom they suppose they are indebted for
the places they hold, and thus relying, will often disregard
the orders of their superiors. The Chief of Police, in his
last annual report, has recommended an amendment to the
charter, by conferring upon policemen the power to serve
civil process in cases arising under the ordinances of the
city. I see no objections to such an amendment.
"The repairing and paving of the vacant market
grounds, and the erection of buildings for market purposes,
is an important subject for your consideration.
"The limitations in the present charter upon
the power of the Council to make improvements and repairs,
and construct, repair and maintain bridges in the late town
of Black Rock
, are so stringent that it is impracticable to keep those
works in a conditions to prevent accidents and avoid responsibilities
for injuries to property.
"There is another subject of great importance
to this city, to which I feel constrained to call your earnest
attention - the
division of the County of Erie, and the erection of the
city into a county itself.
"Our population is 75,000, larger than most
counties in the state, and sufficient for a Senatorial District
and three Assemblymen. I suggest that a committee be appointed
to draft an act, and that a notice be published as required
by law.
"In closing this recommendation, permit me to
congratulate you upon the continued health and prosperity
of our city. Our trade, commerce, manufactures and wealth
have steadily and rapidly advanced, and from a population
of less than 50,000 in 1850, we now number over 75,000."
It was during 1856 that Stevens fell out with the
Democratic party
, deeming its action "a departure from its original
principles." He then aided in the formation of the
Union Republican party
, and associated with that party until his death.
Under Mayor Stevens
the Common Council
appropriated $300,000 per year for a program to "lay out
new city streets, pave old ones, plank over sidewalks, and
erect gas street lights."
In 1857 the era of prosperity which Buffalo
had enjoyed for several years was interrupted. The trouble was
"caused by too great an expansion of credit" stated
Elbridge G. Spaulding
19 years later. Early in the 1850's there was a lack of banking
capital to accommodate the home builders and business owners.
There were 12 commercial banks in Buffalo
in 1854, but their aggregate capital was only $1,475,000. "The
panic on the New York Stock Exchange in the latter part
of August, 1857, is described as an explosion without notice."
"The overdoing of business, speculation and general
financial recklessness, with inflation and depreciation
of the currency, produced their natural result."
The Ohio Life Insurance & Trust Company failed,
confidence was destroyed, and loans were called. Money became
scarce and stocks and bonds fell appallingly.
Mayor Stevens
ran for re-election as the Republican party
candidate in 1857. The elections were held in June of that year.
Timothy T. Lockwood was the Democratic nominee and defeated
Stevens on June 9, 1857, 5468 to 4084.
PERSONAL LIFE
It is believed that Frederick P. Stevens
was the originator of Buffalo
's street railway
system, and was one of the first people to actively campaign
for an international bridge between Buffalo
and Canada. He was appointed one of the commissioners holding
the charter for the work to build the bridge. He worked
zealously for several years to secure at last the construction
of the bridge." It was not done, though.
Stevens was never married, and lived with his brother
Albert G., after his wife's death, at 827 Delaware Avenue,
at the corner of Barker Street. It was gothic in architectural
style, the yard contained huge elms, and flower and vegetable
gardens.
Stevens was usually active in public enterprises
for the advancement of humanity. In 1857 Stevens was a manager
of the Children's Aid & Reform Society. He was also
a second class director for the Buffalo
Juvenile Asylum.
In 1863 Stevens was elected to the state Assembly,
representing the Second District of Erie County. He chaired
the influential Ways and Means Committee.
The following year he was defeated in a re-election
bid, by future Mayor Harmon S. Cutting
This ended his political career, and he returned to practicing
his profession until his health deteriorated.
Judge Stevens suffered a lung hemorrhage in 1865,
for which he only partially recovered.
On Wednesday, March 21, 1866, while in court, he
suffered another attack, and died two days later, March
23, 1866.
The following day the bar of Erie County met to express
their regret for his passing.
"He was remarkable...in his courtesy towards
all who has occasion to do business with him. He...left
no enemies behind but passes to his grave sincerely lamented
by all who knew him."
