Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 71, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 February 1909 — HANDSOME RESIDENCE NEARLY COMPLETED. [ARTICLE]

HANDSOME RESIDENCE NEARLY COMPLETED.

Contractor M. V. Brown and artists Otto -Brown and Tom Turner are now completing their work on one of Rensselaer’s most beautiful homes, the residence of Mrs. S. A. Hemphill and attorney E. P. Honan, on Front street. The site of the home in itself is historic, the great sentinel-like pines that surround it, perhaps sheltered the nomadic tribes of Indians that hunted and fished on the Iroquois, but since the coming of the white men, the site has been held by Mrs. Hemphill’s ancestors, and from the large frame dwelling that for generations sheltered the heads of the Hemphill family, has grown the beautiful stone and cement house that will soon be ready for occupancy.- The follows closely the Japenese. The style of the house, the architecture, slope of the roof and the dormers resemblethe oriental temples. Fluted columns of stone and cement support a spacious veranda, while art glass windows lend color to the deep grey of the walls. The inside finish and decorations are of the pure colonial style. Massive brass chandeliers throw a mellow light on the weathered oak colonades and ascending staircase in the large reception room; a decorated grate with its polished brass andirons lends a charm to the pretty parlor. The dining room, and culinary regions flanked with a butler’s pantry and kitchen vestibule, are most excellently appointed, the kitchen especially showing the marks of modern magic—sanitary sinks, drain-boards, tile and maple floors will surely make housework a pleasure. “The regions below” contain the laundry, wine cellar and hot water heating plant which is supplied with a coil and water lift that forces hot and cold, hard and soft water thoughout the house. Upstairs the sleeping apartments are finished in natural, long leaf pine, the polished floors, dormer bay windows and ornamental radiators make a picture in cosy bedrooms. At one end of the hall is a blue tiled bith and great linen closet easily accessible from all rooms, which adds to the upstairs convenience. Contractor Brown, assisted by Mrs. Hemphill and Mrs. Honan have certainly shown excellent talent and skill, and deserve' the highest commendation, for he has attended to each little detail in true workmanlike manner and certainly the Honan home will serve as a model for others.