ROCHESTER (ante) became an incorporated village in 1817 and took its name from Nathaniel Rochester, an American pioneer, who first laid it out. In 1834 it received its charter as a city, and has since steadily prospered. By the census of 18S0 the popula tion was 89,363, an increase of 7,550 since 18M. The great water-power furnished by the Genesee river, together with the facilities for transportation and the fertility of the surrounding country, has contributed to its growth. It is the county seat of Monroe co. and is situated on both sides of the Genesee, which divides it into almost equal parts. The site is elevated, covers an area of about 17 sq.m., and is laid out chiefly in squares with streets generally shaded and from 60 to 100 ft. in width. The principal business thoroughfare, Main street, is in the center and crosses the river over a handsome bridge. Among the chief buildings are the city ball, of blue limestone, with a tower 175 ft. high; the county court-house; the free academy, or high-school building; the Powers building. used for business purposes; and the Rochester savings bank. The manufactures are exten sive and varied. In earlier years flour was the chief product, although now dwarfed by other industries, it is still of importance, there being 18 mills, grinding annually 2,500,000 bushels of wheat. The largest industry, however, is the manufacture of ready-made clothing, a capital of $2,500,000, employs 6,500 hands, and pro duces goods annually valued at $5,500,000. The manufacture of boots and shoes ranks next, for which about $1,250,000 are used as capital. The Leighton iron bridge works employ 300 men, and produce material yearly valued at $1,000,000. Other manufac
tories in the city are the Stewart rubber company, 18 breweries, 5 tobacco factories, and 1 carriage factory. The nursery business yields an average yearly product of about $1,000,000. The foreign commerce of the city is carried on chiefly by the lakes, though some of it goes and comes by way of New York. In 1875 the exports amounted to $784,979; the imports to $331,609. A net-work of railroads affords advantages for transportation. The city is divided into 16 wards, and is governed by a mayor and a common council consisting of two aldermen from each ward. The board of education consists of one commissioner from each ward, chosen by the people every three years. The assessed valuation of property in 1875 was $61,351,700, which is believed to be only about three-fourths of the real value. In March of the year mentioned the city debt amounted to $5,000.000, and the city owned property, exclusive of its expensive water works, valued at $2,000,000. The public schools employ about 180 teachers, and usually have enrolled as many as 11,000 pupils. The university of Rochester was estab lished in 1850 by the Baptists. It is situated in the eastern part of the city, where it. possesses 23 acres of ground, handsomely laid out, and occupies large buildings of dark red sandstone. The religious denominations of the city are 5 Baptist, 1 Christadelphian, 1 Congregational, 7 Episcopal, 5 German Evangelical, 2 Friends, 2 Jewish, 2 Lutheran, 9 Methodist, 10 Presbyterian, 1 Reformed Church in America, 11 Roman Catholic, 1 Second Advent, 1 Unitarian, and 1 Universalist.