HAD CHARGE OF THE FIRST APARTMENT HOUSE
Mr. McCann, Now in Pittsfield, Has Held One Position in New York 41 Years
George McCann has come up from New York to spend a few months in Pittsfield in an effort to win back health that was shattered by long years of faithful application of his time and energies to one position.
In charge of the Stuyvesant building, 142 East 18th street, for 41 years, until this summer he had never had a week's vacation. Remarkable record that. Feeling that a change would be beneficial, his physician advised him to get away from the noise and tumult of the great city and hike to the hills.
"You don't need any medicine. All you want is the tonic of the Berkshires," his medical adviser told him and that is how it happens that man 77 years old, somewhat below the medium height, but well built, active, clear of brain and as straight as an arrow, his hair and closely chopped beard pure white is staying for a season at the pleasant residence of Mrs. Connor at 576 North street.
The Stuyvesant building was erected in 1869 by Rutherford Stuyvesant who died suddenly in the streets of Paris on July 4 one year ago. He was a very wealthy man and was traveling abroad for pleasure when his heart failed him. The property is now held by his heirs. The trustee is the New York Life and Trust company to whom all the rents are paid.
In coming to this city Mr. McCann was accompanied by his only child, a daughter, who has returned to New York to look after the duties which her kindly father had abandoned for a while.
The Stuyvesant building was the first, the very first, apartment house built in New York city. It proved so great a success that other similar houses were constructed as a matter of course and as a good investment. The Stuyvesant contains 20 suites. Many famous people have lived in the building. In the list may be mentioned Bayard Taylor, famous as a writer.
Thirty-two years ago Mr. McCann's wife died and husband and daughter of the immediate family remain. Bartley Cummings and George H. Walsh, both in public service of Pittsfield, are nephews of Mr. McCann's.
Born in Ireland Mr. McCann, when a child, came to Pittsfield with his mother. His father had died in the old county. He attended the common schools of Pittsfield. Way back in 1851 Mr. McCann was employed in a machine shop conducted at different times by McKay & Hoadley and by Dodge & Francis. Upon leaving this city while a young man Mr. McCann went to New York where he was employed for a time by Brown Brothers & Company, the bankers and brokers. He filled other positions and finally was given charge of the Stuyvesant building. He has a considerable force of men employed under him there now. He has apartments in the block and is entirely responsible for its management.
Mr. McCann's mother died in Pittsfield 20 years ago. She was 95 years of age. She is buried in St. Joseph's cemetery and her son visited her grave the other day. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. His father was a Protestant and in religious matters the son as with the father. His wife was a native of Wales and a Protestant. In Mr. McCann's family were six children, three of them, two sisters and a brother, married Catholics and had membership in the catholic church. Mr. McCann and two other sisters married protestants and attended the Protestant church. A sister of Mr. McCann, who is mother of Bartley Cummings, is 82 years old. She and Mr. McCann are the only members of that family who are living.
His room is on the second floor, on the west side of the house, which, by the way, was once the residence of the late Dr. Morgan L. Woodruff. There Mr. McCann has an unobstructed view of the western hills and the gorgeous sunsets.
"I enjoy just sitting here hour after hour and looking at the scenery." Mr. McCann told an Eagle reporter who called to see him, just at twilight last night. "God may make more beautiful scenery and better air than you have here, but I don't know where they are to be found."
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