^CQ,"- ^ ' .N^^ ^,^- :^''^^'\\ \^' ' x^^' -% J—t x*"" ■'''^. "*'i ■J-.. ..^<^ ^ ; :^~ : ' '^N^ . v'^' V~v i- , '^^-' - = 't-C*' — % •'/ v' -J o5 -Cl. .0 C)^ \ *--^ V '^^ .^^ 0" S^' '. . / ■•■■■ -1-31 -^ \0 c; ,.^ -^'t ./....,. ,\^' 0- .^ i 'r ^^m^A\ ^- >^ ^/r^■: -^ ' -f'. s*' *^^^0^'/-^, .:^\ -TV' '^ c^ O 0^ .^.^:~:4^ « '^>, ' " ^ ~ <^' , . ,'"> v.. , ,"^ o- -^Ir, ..N^ ^..^ :v^ ,^^':z:."'- ' ' " - ^ ' a\ ' o' .^^ aV-^^.. HISTORY oh^ JBergen County Nkav Jersev ^fh I r^T^lTSTR ATTi: D J. M. Van^ VAi^Risr New Jersey I'UBLISHI^G and Engraving Company New York 1 !)()() S 17. BinvKKs Pkintint. Comi-anv Pmi.AIlKI.l'HIA ly(it) PREFACE The "History of Ik-rg-yn County" is now suliUiitted to tho reader for his criticism. The book has been written by a number of ])ersons. all of them being old residents of the county and abundantly able to write on the subjects assigned them. It is for this reason the imblishers somewhat confidently send the \-olume forth, defective though it may be in some minor particulars. The compilation of the worfc covers a period of more than two centuries. In securing facts recourse has been had to divers authorities, including histories and historical collecticms, implying almost an endless array of papers and documents, public, private, social and ecclesiastical. That so much matter could he gathered from so many original sources and then sifted and assimilated for the production of one volume, with- out incurring a modicum of errors and inaccuracies, would be too much to expect; but it is believed, nevertheless, the historical value of the work has not been impaired therebv. Much credit is due to Hon. J. M. Van Valen for his editorial review, his revision having been of incalculal)le benefit. As to the biographical department, the work has been prepared somewhat in accordance with the idea entertained by England's greatest of historians, Macaulay, who said the history of a country is best told in the lives of the people. For this reason we have published personal sketches by the hundred, because of their historical worth, making that part of the work as exhaustive as possible. As to the general history, due credit has been give in most cases tor the borrowed matter. Particular mention, however, should be made ot the following authorities: " Whitehead's Work on East Jersey," "Everts & Peck's History of Bergen and Passaic Counties," "Rutherford Illus- trated," "Things Old and New." " Hackensack Illustrated," "The Bergen County Democrat's History of Hackensack," "C. H. Dunn's Picturesque Ridgewood" and other works, among which might be mem- tioned those by Dr. Edward H. Dixon and Dr. Thomas Dunn English, on the history of Fort Lee. all of which ha\'e furnished valuable material, and the same, whenever needed, has been uns])aringly utilized. Among those who have written for the work, and, in several instances, have done so somewhat extensively, may be eninnerated by the following contributors and their contributions: Ridgewood, Cornelius Doremus; Upper and Ivower Saddle River Boroughs, John (1. Esler; Union Town- shij), W. H. Castles; Rutherford. Addison Ely and others; Reminiscences of Lodi, Henry Kipp; "In Ye Olden Time," and other sketches, J. J. Haring, M. D.; Ridgeticld Park, John E. Hoey; Early Settlement of Kinderkamack. and other sketches. Hiram Loxier. Newburgh. N. Y.; Hasbrouck Heights. W. S. Laurence; Coloni.'il Buildings. Ernst Bil- 4 PKEFACE. huber, Maywood; Revolutionary Reminiscences and other data on Fort Lee, James F. Tracey; Org-aniiiation of the City Government of Engle- wood, Robert Jamieson; History of Borough Organizations, George Cook. Allendale; Bernard Koster, Wallingtou, Frederic L. Colver, Tenafly; and a number of borough and township clerks, whose valuable contributions of this kind have been graciously given and thankfully received; Church history of Hackensack, Rev. H. Vanderwart; Church history of Ruther- ford and vicinity. Rev. Edwin A. Bulkley, D. D., and this list should include the names of Revs. Allan McNeil, of Ridgefield Park; Rev. C. Mondorf, Carlstadt; Rev. Artemas Dean, D. D., Englewood Cliffs; Rev. Joseph Dally, Englewood; Rev. A. Van Neste, of Ridgewood, and J. J. Ilaring, M. D., Tenafly, each of whom wrote special articles on church history. Due credit is also accorded to Professor R. S. Maugham, of Tenafly, for sketches on the various societies and organizations of Tena- fly; to Dr. David St. John, for a well-written pen description of Hacken- sack, including its sanitary history, and tn James E. Church, for the history of Hackensack Hospital. In the illustration of certain chapters of the work, we are in- debte Societies and Incorporated C'ompanies. Chapter XIII ^^ Internal Improvements. Chapter XIV 89 Schools. 92 New Barbadoes — Hackensack. Chapter XVI '62 Saddle Kivtr Township— B.)roMgh of (iarfield. Chapter XVII 1?** Franklin Township— Oakland. Wyckoff. Wortendyke. Chapter XVIII 1*^7 Hohokus Kamseys, Mahwah. Chapter XIX 209 Orvil Towii.ship- Hohokus. Waldwick, New Prospect. Caapter XX 219 Boroughs— Allendale. Upper and Lower Saddle Kiver. Chapter XXI 238 Ridgewood Borouglis (.f (ilcii Rock and Midland Park. (, CONTENTS. CllAl'TKK XXII -^'J Wa^hinirtoii Townsluii- Boroiiy-Iis of Ridsc Park, Muiitvale Wood- clilV, Westwood: the Township of Hill.sdale. Pascack. Chai'TKk XXIII -^l^* Midlaiui To\vnshii)--Borou<,'-hs of Uelford. Riverside and Maywood: Vilhiijes of Oradell, New Milford. Cherry Hill, and Spring Valley. ClIAl'TKR XXIV •'■'^■+ Lodi Township Boroiig-hs of Lodi. WallinH-fon. Carlstadt. Wood- rid.ye. Hasbrouck Heig-hts, Little Ferry and the Township of liers'en. CiiAi'TKK XXV -tlJ! Union Township— Kingslaiid, Lyndhurst, and the IJorouirh of North Arling-ton. CllAl'TKK XXVI 42M Borou<,rhs of Rutherford and East Rutherford ChapTKk XXVII 49+ The Township of Rid^elield— -Fort Lee. Ridsrefield Park. Ch A I'TKK XXVIII . ; .^.^2 Borou!;hs of Ridgefield — Leoiiai, Fairview, tindercliff. Palisades Park, and Bog-ota. Cli A I'THK XXIX .=^85 Englewood Township-City Robert, John \V 218 Heniiett, William \V 648 Bulkley, Edwin A 451 Bell, John M 449 Banta, William S 118 Brinkman, Dr. Max. R 160 Bridgman, R. M 281 Barrett. David L 636 Rush. David C 193 Hhike, J. J 456 Castles, W. H 226 Cass, Alexander 618 Carrigan, Residence of J. F 284 C25. Gomez was sent out b\' the Emperor Charles V. of Spain, who had fitted out the expedition for the purpose of discovering- a shorter passage to the East through the continent of North America. From Winfield's History- we find that all the country extending from New Jersey to Rhode Island was named "Estevan Gomez" at that time. It was from Gomez the natives obtained the maize, or Spanish wheat. It is possible that Verrazzano in his voyage from the Cape of the Breti.n Southwest to Florida sailed into the harbor of New York in 1524, as the charter of Henrj- IV of France was granted to De Monts, in 1603 by '.irtue of that claim. The Charter of Acadia embraced all that por- tion of the country- lying between the fortieth and forty-sixth degrees north latitude and consequently included the greater part of New Jersey. The grant of the French King, however, was ignored by the English, and in 1()07 Henry Hudson was sent out by the East India merchants in pursuit of northwest passage to East India, but he was unsuccessful in his search. The Dutch East India Company with unshaken faith in the ■"bold Englishman", as they termed Hudson, put him in command of a yacht or Vlie boat of thirty tons burden called De Halve Mann, ( Half Moon ), to make search for that much sought after northwest passage to India. Hudson left port on April (>, 1()09 for New Foundland, his boat being manned by a crew of twenty, partly English and partly Dutch. * " By his agreement with the Company, dated January 8, 1609, he was to sail about the first of April in search of a passage to the north of Nova Zembla, and to continue along that parallel until he was able to sail south to the latitude of sixty degrees, and then hasten back to report to his employers. For this service he was to receive eight hundred guil- ders, and, in case he did not come back within a year, they were to give his wife two hundred guilders more. In case he found the passage, the Company were to reward him for his dangers, troubles and knowledge, in their discretion." ■(■"Hudson's anxiety to discover his favorite passage led him to dis- regard his orders, and he coasted southward as far as Chesapeake Bay, and, returning, cast anchor inside of Sand}' Hook on the 3d of Seji- teinber. The scenery around delighted him, and he pronounced it " a very good land to fall in with, and a pleasant land to see.' ■Ju.-l-.. .loinnal .,1 IIuiKoirs V.ivairc. (History .)f lii-ifiii aii.l I'assaic Coumii's. 12 HISTOKY OF BEKGEX COUXTV " Hero Hudson mot the natives for the first time. The journal says. 'The people of the country came aboard of us, seeming very glad of our coming, and brought green tobacco and gave us of it for knives and beads. Thev go in deer-skins loose, well dressed. They have yellow copper. Thev desire clothes, and are very civil.' On the 6th of Sep- temljer, John Coleman, an Englishman of the crew, with four men. was sent to sound the river opening to the north, — the Narrows. They sailed through and found 'a very good riding for ships." They found also 'a narrow river to the westward between two islands,' — the Kill VanKull. Passing through these two leagues they came to an open sea, —Newark Bay. The Dutch called it Achter Cull— that is, the after bay, because it lay behind the Bay of New York. It was called by the English After Coll, and sometimes, corrupting the word, they called it Arthur Cull. It is sometimes applied to the territory bordering on the Itav. as well as to the bay itself. On their return they were attacked l>y a hostile party of twenty-six Indians in two canoes : Coleman was killed bv an arrow which struck him in the throat, and two more were wounded. It is thrds Proprietors of the Province of New Cttsarea or New Jersey to and with all and every the x\dventin'ers. and all such as shall settle or plant there." This instrument was en- L;riisst'.^4, which was one of the first settle- ments on the west banks of the Hudson. The first ferrj" across the Hudson connecting- the Jersey shore with Manhattan Island was estab- lished at this point in 1661 and William Jansen was the legalized ferry- man. In 1()S(), Cummunipaw was a village of twenty families. The peninsular of Paulus Hook on which Jersey City is now situ- ated belonged from a very remote period to the Van Vorst family. Jer- s.>y City was a township in Bergen County from 1838 to 1840. On the 2Sth of July 1()85, live hundred acres of laud in Monmouth County, N. J., was granted to George Scott, by the East Jersey proprietors. Scott wrote a book in which he gives a general view of the plantations and settlements in East Jersey in part as follows : "There are other plantations upon Hackensack River, whicli goes a jrreat way lip the country, almost northwest ; others, also, on the east side of another creek or river at Hackensack River. "A larg-e neck or tract of land for which one Mrs. Sarah Kirstead. of New York, had a patent 00." Other small plantations along the Neck, to the east are named. Among them one •■ belonging to George Iliupane (Gomouneepan) which is over against New York, where there is about forty families, within which, about the middle of the neck, which is here about three miles over, stands the town of Bergen, which gives name to that neck. Then, again, northward to the water's side, going up Hudson's River, there lies out a point of land where is a plantation and a water (mill) belonging to a merchant in New York. HISTOKV OK liKKCKX CcirxTV ]r> " Southward there is a stnall village, of about five of six families, which is cutr.- moiilv called the Duke's Farm. Further up is a ^ood plantation in a neck of land almost an island, called Hobuck ; it did Ijelonif to a Dutch merchant, who formerly in the Indian war had his wife, children, and servants massacred by the Indians, and his house, cattle, and stock destroyed by them. It is now settled aijain, and a mill erected there by one dwelling- at New York. " Up northward along- the river side are the lands near to Mr. William Lawrence, which is si.x or seven miles further. Opposite thereto there is a plantation of Mr. Ed.sall. and above-that Capt. Rienfield's plantation : this last is almost opposite the northwest of Manhatta's Island. •' Here are the utmost extent of the northern bounds of East Jersev, as alwavs contemplated. "Near the mouth of the bay, upnn the side of Overpeck's Creek, adjacent to Hacken>ack River, several of the rich valleys were settled by the Dutcli ; and near Snake Hill is a fine plantation owned by Pin'horne A- Eickbe.'for half of which Pin- horne is said to have paid ^500 ■" The plantations on both sides of the neck to its utmost extent, as alsc. tlio^e at Hackensack, are under the jurisdiction of Berg-en Town, sitnate about the middle of the neck." . . . Soon after the settlements above described Ca])tain William Sand- ford in 1668 acquired title to lands kno-wn as New Barbodoes Neck com- prisino- 15,30S acres. Sandford was presiding judge of the court at Ber- gen in 1673. In 17(1M, his widow Sarah Sanford conveyed to her friend, Katherine Van Emburgh a portion of this estate between the Hacken- sack and Passaic rivers. In Idd') Captain John Berry and his associates acquired title to lands north of the Sandford tract embracing a large ex- tent of country in and about Hackensack. Judge Sandford sold a large tract also, to Nathaniel Kingsland the ancestor of the Kingsland family of New Barbodoes. William Kingsland son of Nathaniel, was the first to settle on it about 16')(i. John Richards who was connected 1)V mar- riage with the Kingsland r.-unily, owned a large tract of land a part id' which is now Rutherford, Richards was murdered in the Bergen woods by refugees during the Revolutionary war. The Schuyler Copper Mines a part of the Kingsland tracts was purchased by Arent Schuyler about the year 1700. John, son of Arent Schuyler, 1)y his second wife, built the old Schuyler mansion which stood on the east bank of tlie Pas- saic below Belleville. This house was visited and frei|uentlv violated l)y the British during the Revolution. In 1700 there were some ten families all living in the northwestern part of Bergen County, in the neighborhood of Ponds Church. Arent Schuyler, and Anthony Brojkholst lived here in 1()')7. The tlarretsons, \'an Alens, ( who owned six hundred acres on the pond flats) the Berdan l)rothers, John Stek (now Stagg) Van Romaine, who purchased of Wil- locks anf the same live hun- dred and tiftY acres adjoining-, the rent for every one hundred acres be- ing- two fat fowls on or before the feast of St. Michael, the Archangel. Van Blarconi, Van Voorhis, Winters, Couriers, Young-s, Storms, Acker- mans, yuackenbushes, Van (^elders, Pulisfelts mow Pulis) and Bogerts were also among the early families in this part of the county. The fol- lowing sketch on land patents in Bergen County taken from Clayton & Nelson's Historv is worth v of record. CHAPTER IV LAND PATENTS IN BERGEN COUNTY Among the original land-owners in the Countv of Bergen we name the foll<.)wing : Abraham Isaacsen Plank purchased Paulus Hook of the Dutch West India C(mipany Ma^- 1, 1()38. The deed was confirmed by Philip Carte- ret May 12, lf)68. Martzn Andriesen obtained a patent for Weehawken from William Kieft, Director-General of New Xetherland, May 11, 1()47; confirmed by Philip Carteret, April 18, 1670. Andriesen was a free- booter and a desperate character, and was chieilv responsible for the terrible massacre of the Indians in 1643. Being charged with this re- sponsibility by Governor Kieft, he attempted to shoot the Governor, for which he was arrested and sent in inms to Holland for trial. He re- turned to New Amsterdam, and purchased Weehawken in 1()47. He was born in Holland in 1600, and came first to this country in 1()31. Nicholas Varlet obtained a patent of Hoboken of Petrus Stuvvesant, February 5, 1()63; C(mfirmed by Philip Carteret, May 12, 1(><)S. Mr. Varlet was one of the noted men of his times. His second wife was Anna, sister of Governor Stuyvesant, and widow of Samuel Bavard. In 1657 he was appointed commissary of imports and exports, and in 1()58 became farmer of duties on e.xports and imports to and from New England and Virginia; was admitted to the right of "Great Burger," and appointed searcher, inspector, and commissary of the West India Company stores; in 1660 was sent with Brian Newton and ambassador to the Colony of Virginia; in 1664 was appointed one of the commissioners to agree upon terms of capitulation to the English; in 1665 was com- missioned captain of the militia of Bergen, Communipaw, Ahasimus, and Hoboken; same day was made a member of the court at Bergen, and the vear following a member of Governor Carteret's Council. He died in lfi75. Ide Cornelison Van Vorst received of Governor vStuyvesant a grant of land at Ahasimus, April 5, 1664; confirmed, with an additional grant, by Philip Carteret, March 13, 16()8. This property was inherited l)y his only son Cornelius, and from him descended to Cornelius n{ the seventh generation. It is now the finest part of Jersey City. Jan Evertse Bout obtaine,i, and March 17, l()fi4; repre- sented Bergen in the first and second (ieneral Assembly of New Jersey, 1()(>.S. Shortly after this he became a resident of New York, where he was schepen under the Dutch (New Orange) in 1<>73, and alderman in 1(>')1. Of the lands in Bergen the patentees held as joint-tenants. Var- let died before any division was made, whereupon Bayard took the land bv right of survivorship. S Tielman Van Vleck obtained by patent from Philip Carteret, (kited March 25, 1(>70, a grant of sundry parcels of land near the Town of Bergen. Van Vleck was a lawj-er. He studied under a notary in Ams- terdam, came to this countr}^ in 1658, and was admitted to practice the same vear.|| He has the honor of having been the founder of Bergen, and was made the first schout and president of the court, September 5, K.I.I. Hans Diedrick was granted by Philij) Carteret sundry parcels of land lying in and about the Town of Bergen, May 12, K.f.S. Hans kept the second hotel in Bergen, licensed February 1.^, 1(>71, and was appointed lieutenant of the Bergen militia, September 4, lr>7.>. He was one of the patentees of Aquacknonck, May 28, 1679, and died September 30, 1(>'>8. He "probably left his land to his son Wander, who died intestate, August 13, 1732. His children Johannes, Garret, Cornelius, Abraham, Antje, wife (if Johannes Vreeland, and Margaret Van Rypen, widow, sold to their brother Daniel, February 17, 1764, a lot called 'Smiths land.' seven mor- gans, also a lot of meadow, also tlie Steenhuvseii lot, and lot 114. They partitioned in 1755."^! (ierrit Gerritse was granted by Philij) Carteret a p.itent for sundry parcels of land lying in and about the Town of Bergen, May 12, H>(>H. "This patentee was the ancestor of the Van Wagenen family. By his will, dated October 13, 1708, he gave all the land included in this patent, and a preceding patent, to his eldest S(m Johannes. By the will of Johannes, dated July 24, 1752, proved November 8, 1759, he gave all his lands in Bergen to his son Johannes, who was the owner in 17()4." The Secaucus jiatent was granted by Petrus Stuyvesant to Nicholas Varlet and Nicholas Bayard, December 10, 1663, and confirmed by Philip Carteret, October 30, 1667. In the deed of Carteret it is recited: "The said plantation or parcel of land is esteemed and valued, according to the survey and agreement made, to contain both of upland and meadow, the sum of two thousand acres English measure." It coni])rise(l all tlic land between Penhorn's Creek and the Cromahill on the east and the • Col. Hist. N. Y., ii. 731. -Land Till.-s. 'Ir. S Land Titles, l(l'). N. v. Col. MSS..viii. '132. Xolf to l.-.uu] Till.-s. 114. • Land Titles, 118. 20 HISTOKY OF BEKC.EX COUNTY Hackensack on the west. The Indians, in lf)74, claimed that their right to this hind was not inchided in their deed to Stuyvesant of 1658, that the said deed included only "Espatingh and its dependencies," and that they were, therefore, still owners of Secaucus. The Dutch Council at Fort William Hendrick settled the controversy with them by making them a present of an "anker of rum." Nicholas Varlet died while the tract was in the possession of the patentees, and his administrators, Samuel Edsall and Peter Stoutenburgh, joined Bayard in selling it to Edward Earle, Jr., of Maryland, April 24, 1676. Earle sold to Judge William Piiihorne, March 26, 1679, for five hundred pounds, one indi- vidual half iif the tract, also one-half of all the stock, "Christian and negro servants." The following schedule of property was annexed to the deed: "One dwelling house, containing two lower rooms and a lean-to lielow stairs, and a loft above ; five tobacco houses ; one horse, 8 Capt. William Sandford obtained of the Indians a deed for New Barbadoes Neck, extending northward seven miles and containing fifteen thousand three hundred and eight acres of upland and meadow. A considerable portion of this land Capt. Sandford devised in his will to his wife Sarah, who on the 7th of December, 1709, gave by deed about fi\-e hundred acres, including one hundred and fifty acres of meadow on the Passaic, to her "dear friend Katherine Van Eml)urg." Apart of Sandford's tract, soon after his purchase from the Indians, was bought by Nathaniel Kingsland, who had been an officer in the island of Bar- badoes, and from this circumstance it received the name of New Bar- badoes. Capt. William Sandford was presiding judge of the Bergen courts in 1676, and a member of the first Council of East Jersey, under Gover- nor Rudyard, in 1682. Isaac Kingsland, son of Nathaniel, of New Barbadoes, was a mem- ber of Governor Neill Campbell's Council in 1(>86. CAFT. .lOHX berry's PATENT. In 1669, Capt. John Berrj- and associates obtained a grant for lands lying northward of Sandford's, "six miles in the country." This grant extended from the Hackensack River to what is now Saddle River, and probably included the site of the present village of Hackensack. In the same year a grant was made to Capt. Berry of land lying between Hack- ensack River and Overpeck (now English) Creek, bounded on the south by lands of William Pardons, and running north, containing about two thousand acres. This must have inckaded a large portion of what are now Ridgefield, Englewood, and Palisade townships, — that portion of them, at least lying between the creek and the Hackensack River. * Land Titles, 130. HTSTOKV OK BEKGKN COrxTV 21 John Berry was a large land-owner. He resided at Berg-en, where lie also owned six meadow-lols and six upland lots, besides two lots in the town purchased of Philip Carteret. .July 2(i, 16f>residing judge of the courts at Bergen, and one of the magistrates before whom Thomas Rud^'ard, the Deputy-Governor of East Jersey under Barclay, was sworn into offije, De- cember 20, 1082. His house in Bergen on the 19th of July, 1()73, was made the "prison for ye province" until a house cimld be built for that pur- pose, and Adrian Post, constable, was made keeper. t The oldest deed on record in the county clerk's office at Hackensack is one from John Berrv to Zuarian Westervelt. dated Jan. 1.^, l(iS7, con- veying a portion of his estate in the old township of Hackensack. March 20, 1687, he conveyed another piece of land to Walling Jacobs. of the county of Essex. DEMAREST PATENT. Another early patent was one for tliree thousand .acres of land in the old township of Hackensack, extending along the easterly side of the river fnmi New Bridge to a point beyond Old Bridge, and easterly as far as the line of the Northern Railroad. This was granted to David Demarias (Desmeretz) and others, by Philip Carteret, June 8, l()77.t The patentee was a Huguenot, and came from France to this country with his three sons, Dayid, John, and Samuel, about the year 167(>. He was the ancestor of the numerous family of Demarests in this country. It is said that, as far back as 1820, one interested in the family found by search seven thousand names connected with it, -branches of the original stalk.;; According to tradition, Mr. Demarias lirst settled at Manhattan Island, where he purchased the whole of Harlem ; but he soon after- wards disposed of that property and removed to the Hackensack. where he made the purchase above mentioned, his design being to establish a colony of some thirty or forty lamilies. to be transported from Europe. It was probably in view of this declared purjKJse that the patent was granted him ; for it must have been known by the Governor or the land- ofRce that the grant was already covered, in large part at least, by the prior patent of two thousand acres given to John Berry. It is stated that Mr. Demarias and his associates were so harassed l)y the claims ol different persons during half a century that the land was purchased by them no less than four times. Berry, however, at the request of the Ciovernor, waived his claim for a time in view of the prospective settle- ment, and, in case of its failure, was promised a like grant in some other locality. On the 1st of July, 17(»'>, Demarias having failed to fultill his stipulati(m in regard to the settlement. Berry petitioned the "Captain- (leueral and Governor-in-Cbiel' of the Provinces of New Jersey and New t BoDk 3 »f Deeds, 'W, Trenu.ii. ; Difii i>n record al Penh Amlx.v. 5 Riv. T. U. Ronievirs Historic.il IJiscoui^e. HISTOKY OK BKKGEN COUNTY York, etc., to listen to ;i demonstration of the invalidity of a pretense of John Deniarest & Company to three thousand acres of land which they received from the Indians." 1| The Governor subsequently withdrew the •jrant from the sons of David Demarest, according to Berry's represen- tation, and g-ave them a smaller grant, which included a part of the two thousand acres of Berry.* This latter grant was known as the French Patent, probably because the Demarests came from France. WILLOCKS' AND JOUXSTOX's PATENT. Ceorge Willocks and Andrew Johnston were the patentees of a large tract of land in what are now Ridgewood and Franklin townships. It extended from the Big Rock at Small Lots ( now called Glen Rock ) northward to the Ramapo River, about one mile in width, and has been known as the " Wilcox and Johnson Patent," both names, however, being erroneously spelled. George Willocks was born in Scotland, and came to this country in 1()S4. He is said to have been a brother of Dr. James Willocks, of Kennerv, Scotland, from which he inherited a large estate. He was the agent of the East Jersey proprietors for the collecticm of the quit rents, and obtained various grants of land from them. Upon the issuing of the writ of quo warranto by James II.' with the view to vacating the proprietary government of New Jersey and placing the whole North American colonies under one tiovernor-General, in lf>8(), Willocks and Lewis Morris took strong ground in favor of the proprietors. Through- out that memorable contest between the proprietors and the king, which was not finally settled till 1702, when the proprietors surrendered their claim to the civil jurisdiction of the province to Queen Anne, Willocks and Morris were staunch adherents to the rights of the proprietors. In 1()'>^), Willocks was their representative in the Assembly, and was dis- missed from that body by the famous act of the opposition excluding from the Assembly "any proprietor or representative of one." The people of Amboy elected Lewis Morris in his stead, and the historians tell us there were "serious apprehensions of an insurrection under the leadership of Willocks and Morris." Willocks never settled on his patent in this county ; he resided chief!}' at Perth Amboy, where he died in 1729. Andrew Johnson ( Jonstone), the other patentee, was born December 20, 1694. When a voungmanhe was a merchant in New York. Hesubse- sequently became associated with the proprietors of East Jersey, and was chosen i)resident of the Proprietary Board. He was also a member of the Provincial Assembly, and for several years Speaker of the House; and was one of the commissioners for runninu: the Lawrence line between '- Land F; IIXM ■s, New York. II Purclia- ilTS . of proprielar. y Ian ids al Uiat li me. an.l ear lier. h; lid I. oextin.j-u lisll 1 the Illd iaii claim IS for theiiiselvt'S on the best term s thi .luUI nia lie. So met inies 1 hey did ilin ail vane- by buyiili^ ( >f tlie Iiiriians tirt u ai lid then trenin ._' 111. fir 1 :nriian d. i-eds coil ilini ned, ail id s< 1 mutinies by irettin^r their deed Ik liiM of Ihc !.'0\ ern nient and ext MiL'-u ishii HIT the I nclia in c: lain 1 after wanls. Tho! *es shrewd i n the bus i iless could u*u: Illy do il for a ver y sn i.iH in He, OS peci ally if 1 nixed ' ivell with the im ■vitable : -troiiir bei ■r tn- brandy. In n<. ca^f was an Ii idiai 1 d.-i .(I held \ ■aliil 1 un less conliri rued hy the ;; ov, ■rnmenl. HISTOKY OK bi:k(',I':n COT'NTY 23 East and West Jersey in 1743. For some time he was treasurer of the College of New Jerse}-. He died at Perth Amboy, June 24, 17()2.t The lands south of this tract on the Passaic, including a portion of tire site of Paterson, were purchased of the Indians in 170'> by George Rverson and Uric Westervelt. The original deed was in the possession of the late John J. Zabriskie, of Hohokus, and is among the papers left in the hands of his widow, now living in Paterson. In this deed an ex- ception is made of Sicomac, which was an Indian burving-ground. t Wliitt'head's New Jersey under the Proprietors. CHAPTER V. OLD BERGKN TOWN AND TOWNSHIP. Bv an act of the General Assemblj-, in 1662, East Jerse}- was divided into lour counties, viz: Bergen, Essex, Middlesex and Monmouth. The territory between the Hudson and Hackensack rivers extending from Constable Hook to the Providence Line constituted the county of Bergen, it being a narrow strip of land in no place over five or six miles wide, but from twenty-five to thirty miles in length. The old township of Bergen was constituted in 1658 twenty-four years prior to that time, and it comprised the southern portion of this strip of territory as far up as the present northern boundary of Hudson county. In 1693 an act defining the boundaries of townships was passed by the General Assembly and from that act we obtain the boundaries of Hackensack Township as follows : "That the Township of Hackensack shall include all the land between the Hackensack and Hudson rivers that extends from the Cor- poration Town Bounds of Bergen to the Partition of the Province." By an act passed Jauuar}- 21, 1709, the territory of the county was extended and comprised the Hudson county and part of Passaic. The boundary line was as follows: "Beginning at Constable Hook so up along the bay and Hudson River to the partition point between New Jersey and the Province of New York ; along this line, and the line between East and West Jersey to the Pequanock river ; down the Pequa- nock and Passaic rivers to the Sound and so following the Sound to Constable Hook, the place of beginning." In 1837 thecount}- of Passaic was set off and in 1840 the county of Hudson was constituted, leaving the county of Bergen with an area of 230 square miles or 147,622 acres. The township of Union again became a part of Bergen Count}' in 1653. The township of New Barbadoes in 1693 comprised all the land between the Hackensack and Passaic rivers from Newark Bay on the Southeast to the present boundary line of Sussex County. This territory, a part of Essex County, was annexed to Bergen County in 1709, out of which came the townships of Hohokus, Franklin, Washington, Midland, Lodi, Union, and the present township of New Barbadoes, while Englewo(jd and its neighboring townships on the north and south of it were consti- tuted out of the township of Hackensack in 1871. The territory now comprising Hudson County, then known as Ber- ge;i Town was piurchascd from the Indians by the Director-General and Counsellor of New Netherlands for Michael Pauw, Burgomaster of Amsterdam and Lord of Achticnhoven, near Utrecht, August 10, 18()0. Pauw also obtained a deed from the Indians for Staten Island and on the 22nd of November following, a deed for the western shore of the Hudson between Communipaw and Weehawken where Jersey City is now situated. This purchase on the Jersey shore of the Hudson was namod HISTOUY OK BKKCiEN COUNTY 25 Pavonia, the name being derived from Latanizing- the name of Mr. Pauw, the purchaser ; and was applied to the general colony on the west bank of the Hudson for a number of years. Mr. Pauw by an agreement was obliged to plant a colony of fifty souls, upwards of fifteen years old within the bounds of his purchase within four years from the date of his contract, but that project evidently failed. In l(>3>3 there was a col- ony in Pavonia under the charge of Michael Paulusen or Paulaz, and the West India Company appears at this time to have had an agent there in the interest of the proprietor or patroon Difficulties arising finally between the Patroon and Mr. Pauw and the Directors of the Company, the latter finally succeeded in purchasing Pavonia for 26,000florins. Part of it ( Ahasimus) became known as the West India C' mpanv's Farm and was leased by Jan Evertsen Bout. In 1638 the Indians became troublesome and the county, on this account, was kept in an unorganized condition for many years resulting finally in the Ordinance of 1656 creating a fortified town and the pur- chase of Bergen Township from the Indians in 1658. This latter deed conveyed all that part of Old Bergen east of the Hackensack river and Newark Bay now known as Hudson County. The hill on which Bergen was built is now called Jersey Cit}- Heights. The town was laid out in a square, the sides of which were eight hundred feet long. Around this square run a street flanked on the exterior by Palisades enclosing the whole town. The town was divided into four quarters by two streets crossing each other at right angles. Gates were on the four sides to lead through the Palisades. The village having grown so rapidl}- on the 5th of September. 1651 an ordinance was passed erecting a Court of Justice at Bergen, by Petrus Stuyvesant on behalf of the High and Mighty Lords States General of the United Netherlands, etc., etc. The first officers of the court appointed under the Directors of the West India Company were Tielman Van Vleck, Schout (Sheriff^); Hermanius Smeeman and Casparus Stuymets Schepens, (Magistrates). These officers were held until the surrender ui New Netherlands to the Crown of Great Britain in 1664 which resulted in the new charter of Bergen on the 22nd of September 1668 confirmatory of the rights under the Dutch Charter of 1658. Under this charter the Government of the township was maintained until January 14, 1714 when an act was passed in the reign of Oueen Anne giving the township still more extensive powers, and this Government of the town continued until necessities resulted in the erection of the territory into a county The name Bergen was given to the village and subsequently ajjplied to the township and county. Smith, Whitehead and some others think the name is derived from Bergen in Norway, but Dr. Taylor, Mr. Win- tield and others reasonably conclude it was a Dutch name. In speaking HISTOKV OF BEKGKN COUNTY will be seen that the two supposed g-odfathers of our Bergen received their name from local circumstances. Are not the same circumstances existing here to give the same name to the new village ? On two sides of the hill was marsh, and the onlj' other place for settlement was along the river. To the eye of the Hollander, accustomed to look upon marshes or lowland redeemed from the see, the ridge grow- ing in height as it extended north from the Kill Van Kull, was no mean affair. To him it was Bergen, the Hill, and, like the places of the same name in Europe, it took its name from the hill on which it was built. This I believe to be the true origin of the name." CHAPTER VI. THE OLD TOWNSHIP OF HACKEXSACK. "In 1682 Bergen County embraced only the territory between the Hackensack and Hudson Rivers, from Constable's Hook up to the prov- ince line — a narrow strip of land along the west side of the Hudson, at no place over five or six miles wide, and from twentj'-five to thirty miles in leng-th. The old township of Bergen, from the date of its charter, in 1658, comprised the southern portion of this strip of territory, as far up as the present northern boundary of Hudson County ; and the settlements above that, being regarded as "outlaying plantations," were attached to Bergen for judicial purposes, and so remained until 1693, when an act defining the boundaries of townships was passed bv the General Assem- bly. That act recites as follows : "That the Township of Hacksack* shall include all the land between Hackin- sack and Hudson's River that extends to the Corporation Town Bounds of Bergen to the Partition line of the Province." *Si) spelled in the act. It appears from this act that the township of Hackensack was bound- ed on the north by the province line of New York, on the east by the Hudson River, on the south bj- the corporation line of Bergen, and on the west by the Hackensack River. It covered nearly the whole table- land of the Palisades Mountains, and the beautiful valley of the Hack- ensack on its eastern side from the New York State line to the northern boundary of Hudson County. The scenery of this region, including the Palisades and the views of the Hudson and its valley from their summits, is among the most picturesque and romantic in America. Here the In- dians loved to roam before the advent of the white man, and their bark canoes glided down the smooth waters of the Hackensack to their summer resort on Staten Island. This was their avenue from Tapaan to the Kill van Kull. and out among the bays and inlets around New York. (;i<.\NTS OF I.ANIJ. Amotig the early purchasers of land from the Indians in this town- ship were Casper and Alattvs Jansen. We find the following allusion to them and their lands in 1684, in the records of the Governor and Council of East Jersey : "The petition of Casper Jansen and Alattys Jansen, setting- forth that about seven years since II677) the petitioners obtained by gift from the Indians a parcel of Land lying at Hackinsack, on the North side of the creek, which gift was then also acknowleilged by the said Indians before the late Governor Carteret, who promised the petitioners a Confirmation of the sanie, only delayed the full grant or the patent till the adjoining lands should be purchased from the Indians aijd laid out into I^ots, and that since one Jacques Le Kow hath entered upon tile said lands and taken pos- sesion of the same without having any Indian deed of gift. The petitioners jiray- ing a warrant to lay out the same directed to the surveyor-General in order for a patent, which being read and the petitioners called in, wlio brought with them ttvo Indians that had formerly given the said land to the petitioners, and the Indians being examined concerning the premises, declared that they never made any deed to Jacques Le Row of the said land, but that the same did belong to the petitioners, 28 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY whereupon it was ordered that both parties attend this board the 27th 9ber next, that they bring- with them the Indians concerned, and that Jacques Le Row have notice thereof."* * From the History of Bergen and Passaic Counties. This extract from the authentic records carries us back to lf>77, when lands were purchased from the Indians by Casper and Alattys Jansen. They show that the Indians are still residents of the township, and were ordered broug-ht before the Governor and council at Elizabeth- town. The "creek" referred to in the Indian g-rant, on " the north " of which lay the lands in dispute, was probably that of English Neig-h- borhood. One Jacques Le Row was then a settler in that vicinity, for he IS complained of as having " taken possession without grant or warrant"" from the Indians. The name of the township and that of the river which formed its western boundary had been derived from the Indians, who had lived along its banks and had fished in its waters from time immemorial Most of the early purchases of lands from the Indians and grants from the g-overnment within the bounds of the township are referred to in another portion of this work, and need not be repeated here. The early settlers were of the same class as those who colonized the township of Bergen and gradually extended themselves from the Neck northward between the two rivers. TR.\DITIONS OF VAN DEK HOKST AND OTHEKS. There can be little doubt that the lands between the Hudson and the Hackensack were selected in the early days of New Netherland settlement as the manors of some wealthy patroon from Holland. Myn- dert Myndertsen Van der Horst, of Utrecht, was one of these, and in 1641 he had a plantation, purchased of the Indians, extending from Achter Kull, or Newark Bay, far up the valley of the Hackensack. It is said that he selected for his town site the beautiful situation on the Hackensack now known as Little Ferry, and that, in consequence of the introduction of strong- drink among- the Indians, he and his settlement were doomed to destruction. The house of Van der Horst was burned onthenightof SeptemberlT, 164.^, andhisplantationmadedesolate. This story is not wholly traditional ; there are enoug-h historical facts to war- rant the conclusion that Von der Horst was an actual resident of the vicinity, althoug-h it is difficult to tell precisely where his house was located, or what his plans were with reference to the establishment of a town. On the oldest map of New Netherland, that of Vanderdonck, published in 1656, we find the colony of Van der Horst laid down. It is called the "Colonie van der Heer Neder Horst," and is situated on the Hackensack, as described above. The Baron Van der Capellon also essayed to establish a colony in the old township of Hackensack. He had purchased Staten Island of the Indians, and founded a colony there, which was destroyed in 1655. He then, throug-h his agent, "concluded a treaty with the Indians, with submission to the courts of justice at Hospating. upon Wearkamius- HISTOKY Ol' BKKC.KN COUNTY 2') Connie, near Hdckensack." This was in 1657. The place " Hospatinuf" ('•Espatin," a hill' was on Union Hill, between the Hudson and the Hackensack, and on the boundary line between the old townships of Hackensack and Bergen. This attempt to establish a settlement and courts of justice was temporary. If it existed till the conquest of 1(>64, it was probably g-iven up at that time. Traces of the foundations of buildings were known to exist in that locality not more than half a cen- tury ago. THK PATENT OK JOHN DEMAKEST, located in this township, is thus referred to in the records of the flovernor and Council of East Jersey. May 30, 1684, page 109 : "The petition of John De Maris for licence to purchase 2''0 acres of land of the Indians at Kinderkamacke, at Hackensacke, ahove the mill, in order to patetitinf;' thereof. Ordered that he have licence g^ranted him to purchase, making- use of such persons as the Governor shall appoint for Nicholas De Vow and others, who pre- sented their petitions yesterday."' In the same records, on page 30, it appears that David De Maris presented a petition, and was asked by the council : ■' what lands he had purchased of the Indians for the supply of his saw-mill, although the land is not patented to him and his son. The land purchased is about two miles in breadth, and coming to a point, and six miles in length. Agreed that David De Maris have patents for the lands which is surveyed to him and his sons at two shillings an acre. But that we cannot see reason to grant liberty to cut the timber from the land he takes not up until further matters appear than what is yet manifested, and that our purpose is to view the same." It is of record that Peter Fanconier purchased of William Davis 2424 acres of land on the east side of the Hackensack in 1709 CIVIL ORG.\NIZ.A.TION OK THE TOWN.SHIP. After 1()"<3 the township had its local court for the trial of small causes. We hnd this several times referred to in different records, but in no instance in such a manner as to indicate where in the township the court was held. Probably English Neighborhood was the chief place, as that was one of the most important early settlements. The minutes of the board of justices and freeholders from 1715 i the earliest extant in the clerk's office at Hackensack ) to May 10, 1769, while they give the meetings and transactions of the board, do not indicate the representatives from the particular townships. At the meeting. May 111, 1769. Martin Rowleson appeared for Hackensack township, and was freeholder in 1770, '71, '72, '73, '75, and in the May meeting of 1776 : Jacob Demot, 1769, '70, '71, '72. '73, and '75. They were also freeholders in 176S, and Demot in 1767 : Jnhn Benson in 1773. '74. "75, '76, and Yost Zabriskie in 1774. There was no meeting of the board from Mav 15. 1776, ti> May 13, 177S. The last entry in 1776 is, "Ordered that this book lie kept in the charge of W^illiam Serrell, clerk.'" Serrell had been clerk of the board from May 10, 1769. The stormy times of 1776 admonished them of the uncertainty of their next meeting, and so they made this order. When they met again a new order had superseded the old provincial system, and New Jersey had been nearly two years a State. Hence on the 13th ?.0 HISTORY OK BEKGKN COUNTY day lit" May, 177S. when they assembled again, the first entry in the hook, in round, bokl letters, is, "State ok New Jek.skv." Some of the members of the board just before and during the Revo- lution had suffered loss of property and life in maintaining the cause, which in 1778 was still one of doubt and uncertaint3% although the cam- paign in New Jersey had ended in defeat to the British, and the au- thority- of the latter had been superseded by a republican form of gov- ernment. From 1794 the following were freeholders of the township: 1794. 1800-2, John Demott : 1794, John Huyler; 1795-96, ISly, John G. Benson; 1795, Nicholas Westervelt : 1-96-97, Dawes Westervelt ; 1797-99, 1802-15, John P. Diirie: 1798-99, Isaac Nicoll ; 1800, Cornelius Banta; 1801, Cornelius Westervelt, James Westervelt: 1803, Henry Demott; 1804-5, Albert A. Westervelt; 1806-7, Geo. Brinkerhoff; 1808-15. Richard Powels ; 1813, Isaiah Johnson ; 1816-18, John Wester- velt. Jr. Peter C. Westervelt : 1817, .S. Brinkerhoff : 1819, 1821-24, 1827-28, Peter C. Westervelt; 1819-24. 1827-28, John Westervelt, Jr.; 1820-26, 1829-33, William Elv ; 1820. John Edsall ; 182.5-2b, Richard Paulison ; 1829-33, Jacob C. Terhune ; 1834-3'6. John I. Demarest, Jr. ; 1834-36, 1848-.50, John R. Paulison ; 1837-39, Peter C. Wester- velt ; 18.37-38, Garret Westervelt ; 1839-41, 1846, Abraham Elv : 1840-42, 1849-51, Jacob H. Brinkerhoff ; 1842-44, Peter R. Bogert ; 1843-45-John C. Westervelt; 1845-47, Jacob P. Westervelt ; 1847-48. John W. Westervelt ; 1851-53, James Elv ; 1852-54, Thomas W. Demarest ; 1854-56. John J. Bertholf ; 1856. John A. V. Terhune; 1857-60, Paul R. Paulison ; 1857-59. David I. Westervelt; 1860-62, Peter Bogert, Jr. ; 18bI-63, Samuel Degroot ; 1863-64, 1866, George Huvler ; 1864-6f), Albert J. Bogert ; 1867'68, Garret A. Lv'decker; 1868-69. Perer P. Westervelt; I869-7O, Jo.seph Stagg ; 1870, Samuel S. Demarest. This old township during the Revolution was the theatre of some battles and of many e.xciting scenes and raids b}- the British and Tory refugees. At every accessible point along the Hudson from Weehawken to Tappan the British soldiery penetrated to the interior, driving off cattle, seizing and destroying the property of the settlers, burning buildings, and often slaughtering in cold blood men, women, and de- fenseless citizens, whose only crime was their patriotism and hatred of British opprcssi over head were formed by the bare beams often of extravagant dinien- . sions and the upper floor board, Ixith unpainted but smoothly plaiud and kept scrupulously clean by the periodic use of soap and brush. 'JMie outer doors were cut in two laterally and designated as the upper and under door. In moderate weather the former was nearly always opened during the day and often during the evening affording fine ventilation, while the latter served to exclude curious eyes and prevent the exit of the baby and the two frecjuent intrusion of the house dog and other do- mestic animals. The peculiar customs and manners of the toilers of the Northern Railroad Valley a half century ago were largely due to the cmditions favoring if not compelling the exercise of frugality. The soil of the Northern Valley and slopes owing to geological causes and conditions a description of which would, if time permitted, make an interesting paper of this series, was not noted for its natural fertilitv. Its productiveness was in proportion to the care and labor be- stowed upon it, and its adaptation to certain staple crops needed the farmer's careful consideration. Rye being grown much more success- fullv than wheat, naturally- became the leading cereal. Ground into flour by the local miller it found its way into the bread tray and by the skillful manipulation of the wife or daughter it furnished bread for the family — sweet, nutritious and wholesome. This spread with golden butter and overlaid with wholesome home-jnade cheese was the combi- nation associated with almost every man's meal. Cornmeal supplied material for cornbread and mush, the latter usually eaten with milk. A bushel of choice corn was occasionally sent to the miller who, soaking it for a few hours in cold water then passed it coarseh' through his burr stones, removing the shell and breaking it into coarse grains. This called "samp" cooked as it was by the farm- ers' wives was equal if not superior to the best modern hominy. Corn and oats were relied upon for the farm stock. Potatoes, vegetables and fruits were of course at hand in their season and preserved with care and judgment for winter use. No canning of fruit was known but the farmer's wife always provided a good stock of sweetmeats in the form of preserved peaches, quinces, plums, pears and other small fruits. One of these was upon the table at almost every meal. Concerning their use there was however an unwritten law emphasized b}- an occasional pa- rental hint that they were to be spread thinly over the buttered bread and not eaten by the saucerful with a spoon as the occasional city \ is- itor did, much to the amazement and consternation of the family. The apple crop was one of the most important of the farmer's pro- ducts. Three or four score dollars found their way into his exchequer from the sale of his choice fruit. The dropped apples were gathered for the pigs, the sweet ones usually' given to the colt. Upon almost every farm there was a frostproof apple cellar built of stone, partially under ground and thatched with straw. Into these the winter apples 34 HISTORY OF BEKfVKN COl'NTV were placed and the door barred not to be opened till earl}' spring when the market price suited the owner, and the apples were then quickly shipped to the New York market. From one to four barrels of u;ood cider were annually made by the average farmer. In large families nearly an entire barrel was utilized in the making of apple butter which, wholesome and satisfactory to the palate was rarely absent from the farmer's table for months following. The vinegar barrel was always kept well tilled. So fast as used it was replenished from the stock of hard cider. A good share of at least one barrel of the best cider was kept for table use and for evening gatherings. In these olden times a load or two of apples from the larger growers found their way to the distillery at so much per bushel. Candor compels the admission that occasionallv in preference to hard cash the farmer received in return for his apples a certain number of gallons of apple whiskev mutually agreed upon. This was alwa^'s convenient for external use and considered by some of the old timers conducive to the comfort of the inner man. Temperance and total abstinence, to the mind of the latter were not synonymous terms. Every large farmer under the good olden calendar from which these chips are whittled produced and packed his own pork and beef. The surplus buttermilk and the odds and ends from the kitchen were utilized in the pork production, and a horned animal bought at a low price in the summer or raised perhaps on the farm was turned to pasture and cornfed for a month or two in the autumn. About the last week in No- vember usually on Tuesday', from one to four fat dressed porkers were seen hanging in a row in the farmer's back yard. A week or two later the dressed carcass of beef would be hanging in the farmer's barn. The clothing of the farmer's family presented questions which necessarily found their solution along the same practical lines as those growing out of the subsistence department. There are in the older ranks of the farmers to-day those who to the period of earlv manhood were clothed almost entirely in home-made fabrics from domestic ma- terial. Their fathers and grandfathers were flax and wool growers and passed their raw material through the various stages and processes till it came from the local looms and shops in substantial fabrics adapted to the farmers' wants, and were made into needed garments chieflv bv the wives and daughters. In the Dutch homesteads of to-day through the valley there are still treasures in the shape of home made linen sheetings, wtiolen blankets, &c., which are highly prized by the owners as the work of their worth v and industrious grandfathers and grandmothers. The farmer's wardrobe was not elaborate. All ordinary garments were made at home in the family, the tailor being only employed by the day occasionally to l;iy out the work. The best suit of the farmer as well as that of the wife and daughter was expected to last for several j-ears and the expectation was rarely disap]iointed. HISTORY OF BKK(;KN COUNTY A wuolen cloak of >r()o(l quality i>t those days was placed away each sprinsr and Iiroug-ht out in the fall aud worn for a dozen years affordinir to the wearer the most genuine satisfaction during the entire period. Woolen underg-arments were not considered necessarv as a rule. Stockings ^vere knit during the long winter evenings, linen ones for warm and woolen ones for cold weather. Working clothes were made in the most sim])le manner, comfort and dural.)ility I)eing the governing considerations. The furniture in the old homesteads of the valley was simple and inexpensive. A good jiroportion of it was home made including the tables, stands, chairs and cupboards. The last named were for various uses and very capacious. The bureaus in which were kept the linen, were usually more pretentious. In every family there were one or two large chests in which to pack winter clothing. These were made if pos- sible from cedar wood supposed to afford protection against moth and insects generally. The long clock found in many homesteads was the one article of extravagance and luxury in which the olden time fathers indulged. At the period from which these chips are whittled stoves were luiknown, and broad fire places and brick ovens furnished the ways and means for warming and cooking. The capacious chimney, the wide tire places, and the and-irons the ■' back log," the '" fore stick," and the intervening wood, the last three all ignited, the blazing lire leaping upward changing each moment in shape and form, throwing darker and lighter shadows upon the walls, all made up a picture which the eye tired not in watching, and which possessed an attractive force and mellowing influence which have been sadl}' missed since modern ideas and requirements made the scene described only a memory of happy hours long gone never to return. Fifty years ago matches had not been invented and the flint :in(l steel with the accompanying " tinder box " were upon the mantel ol every kitchen. The light for this room was furnished for the most ])art by the blazing wood, and that of the sitting room l)y the tallow candle made by the dipping process in the outer kitchen. The servant girl question in these hap])y times was almost wholly eliminated from the ])rol)]em of domestic life. The wife and daughter were eijual to all emergencies and the idea of delegating any jtart of their home duties to a menial was as unnatural to them as it was pri-ju- dicial to the family finances. At certain seasons the farmer's life was indeed a busy one, bringing him at five o'clock in the morning to the work of feeding his stock and pre])aring for the work of the day. At six or before, breakfast was in readiness, and before seven he was at the axe, scythe, or plow, and after ten or twelve hours in the field there still remained the chores and even- intr work in the barn. •■^f> HISTOKV OF BEKGEX COTNTV The farmer's wifes and daug-hters did their household work thoroughly. Cleanliness was the almost invariable rule and the tables and floors even in the kitchen must on at least cme day of each week be. made spotless by soap and brush. In addition to regular indoor work including- all the work of the dairy, they were ready to help in any out- door emergency. But for their cheerful presence and help many a load of waiting- hay safely housed would have been injured by the approaching afternoon shower or ruined by the coming storm. The man doing faithful and valuable work for his employer expected to sit down with the latter to his usual meals, aud it was not expected that either would lose his self-respect or forfeit the respect of the other. At these meals if an outer garment was uncomfortable or cvunber- some, it was simply discarded on common sense principles At the table the knife or fork was brought into requisition according as either seemed best adapted to the work to be done. If the morsel of pumpkin pie was considered to be in less danger on the knife while being conveyed to its intended destination, the pie was g-iven the benefit of the theory and the onlookers were never known to have received a hopeless or dangerous shock. The country district schoolhouse was usually about eighteen feet square, and painted red if painted at all. It was usually built at the intersection of two roads, as near the corner as possible, or in the edge of a woods and as near as possible in many cases to a pond of stagnant water. This latter plan has not been altogether given up at the present time judging from recent occurrences. The school furniture was not luxurious. The desks were arranged on three sides of the room with their backs permanently fastened to the wall and the long scats over which both girls and boys had to climb were made of slabs. The curriculum of study was not especially comprehensive. It usu- ally comprised spelling, reading, writing and "ciphering." Occasion- ally a little grammar was thrown in by way of ornamentation. The teacher's salary varied from fifteen to twenty-five dcdlars a month. Under the salary first name he was expected to "broad around'- through the district in the more substantial or liberal families, changing his boarding place about every two weeks. If the pedagogue was old, conservative, and stern, this arrangement was very unpopular with the children. If young, sympathetic and socially inclined, these changes of boarding places were anticipated with the keenest pleasure. Of the moral and religious condition of the valley community a half century ago it may be said that it was fully up to the average standard. The churches were simply furnished, poorly ventilated, and imper- fectly heated. Notwithstanding, on Sabbath mornings the roads leading to the churches were dotted with vehicles and predestrians from miles around. Stormy weather was not considered a valid excuse for absence from church. IIISTOKV OK BKUC.KN COUNTY 37 TliL' vehicles were of every description. Not a few were' the farm wagons which conveyed the siiri)lus ])r(i(hicts to market. Some of the worshipers came on horseback. It was an old time habit to reach church early. The horses having lieen hitched the worshipers collected in groups under the trees or about the church doors where greetings all around were in order and inipiirics made about absent relatives and acquaintances. It cannot be denied that the state of crops, the condition of the mar- kets, and the aspect of jxilitics were occasional features of these peculiar gatherings. A voluntary or paid choir was an institution unknown in these churches fifty years ago. The chorister a professing member receiving and holding his position by the formal action of the officers, read all the verses of the first hymn usually one of his own selection, then led the singing in a slow and sometimes nasal tone. Before the first line was finished the discovery was not unfrequently made the line was pitched several notes too high or low, when of course a fresh start became necessary. This naturally diverted attention somewhat from the sentiment of the sacred poem usually by Watts, Dodridge or Toplady, but the system had its compensating advantage by rendering impossible the complications incident to the modern methods. Of instumental music it may be said that any attempt to introduce it fifty years ago would have been regarded as an innovation incompat- ible with religious orthodoxy or church harmony. The dutj' of reading the Scripture selections devolved upon the chorister called also the " voorleeser " or head reader. This exercise was grave, measured and slow, with inflections not always thoughtless. The prayers were earnest, fervent and loud. The sermons long, doctrinal and of numerous headings. They were rarely delivered from notes. Written sermons being regarded with disfavor and not considered edifying. CHAPTER VIII. CIVIL ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY oF BERGEN .Ki-(pin the Hi.storv of Bi>rf,''fii and Passaic Counticsi. In Ueceml)er, 1(>82. the Asscmbl}- <>f East Jersey passed an act divid- ing- the province into four counties, viz. : Bergen, Essex, Middlesex, and Monmouth. * Bergen included all the settlements between the Hudson and Hackensack Rivers, and extended to the northern boundary of the province. Bergen and its outlying plantations comprised about sixt}- thousand acres of land. In the act of January 21, 1700, "for determin- ing the bounds of the several counties," those of Bergen were extended as follows : "Beginning at Constable's Hook, so along the bay and Hud- son's River to the partition point between New Jersey and the province of New York; along this line and the line between East and West Jersey t to the Pequaneck River ; down the Pequaneck and Passaic Rivers to the sound ; and so following the sound to Constable's Hook, the place of beginning." In 16')3 the counties were divided into townships. But those of Bergen County — viz : the townships of Bergen and Hackensack — had existed for many j'ears and been organized municipalities, the former under the Dutch government of the New Netherlands, + and the latter vuider the proprietary government of East Jersey, No court existed at Hackensack in 1682. Smith says, in his "History of New Jersey," under (late of this vear : "The plantations on both sides of the Neck, as also those at Hackensack, were under the jurisdiction of Bergen Town, situ- ated about the middle of the Neck." The act of organization established the countv courts at Bergen, where they remained until the enlargement of the county in 1709. 'Bergen, in 1680, is thus described by George Scott, of Edinburg, who pultlished a book entitled "The Model of the Government of the Prov- ince of East Jersey in America :" "Hero is a Town Court held by Select Men or Overseers, who used to be four or nmre as they please to choose annually to try small causes, as in all the rest of the Towns; and two Courts of Sessions in the year, from which, if the cause e.xceed twenty pounds, they may appeal to the Governor and Council and Court of Deputies in their Assembly, who meet once a year. The town is compact, and hath lieen fortified against the Indians. There are not above seventy families in it. The acres taken up by the town may be about 10,000, and for the Out Plantations, 50,000, and the number of Inhabitants are computed to be 350, but many more abroad. The 111 order to raise fifty pounds, the le^isK^lure convened in lfi^:t laid assessments to be raised in Uie four counties as follows : Berfren, All; Middlesex, iUl ; Essex, i:i4; Monmuuth, fl'i. In U.'.M the sum of jClt Us. 'id. was .issessed for IJergen County ; JSerjfen. £7 '.is. d., Hackensack. i.^ is>. 'Id. T Tile Tine between East and West Jersey, liere referred to. is not the line finally adopted and l.nown as the Lawrence line, which was run by John Lawrencein Septemberand October, 174;'.. It was tile compromise line agreed upon between Governors Coxe and Barclay in 1082, which ran a little north ol .Morristown to the Passaic River ; thence up the Peiiuancck to forty-one dcene. lyJl. Justices, Derrick Kuyper. Reynier Van Geisen, Abra- ham Van Buskirk. Freeholders, John Van Horn, Cornelius Van Vorst, Cornelius Leydecker. John Darje (Duryea?). Derrick Van Geisen. Garret Van Wagene, Jacob Titsort, John Zabriskie. 1-52. Justices. Derrick Kuyper. Jacobus Peck. Jacob Tit- ■sort. Freeholders, Isaac Kingslarid. Garret Garretse, Hendrick Van Winkle, Der- rick Van Gei.sen, John Van Horn, Johannes Bogert, Lawrence Van Buskirk. 1753, Justices, Jacobus Peck, .Samuel Moore, Reynier Van Geisen. Freeholders, Garret Garretse, Derrick Van Geisen, Isaac Kingsland, Cornelius Leydocker, Barent Cool, Hendrick Van Winkle, John Van Horn. 1754, Justices, Jacobus Peck, Jacob Tit- sort, Samuel Moore. Freeholders, Peter Zabriskie, Hendrick Van Geisen, Barent Cool, Cornelius Leydocker, John Van Horn, George Vreeland, Derrick Van Gei.sen. 1755. Justices, Jacobus Peck, John Demarest, Jacob Titsort. Freeholders. Peter Zabriskie. Jacob Oldwater, John Van Horn, George Vreeland, Derrick Van Geisen. Turja Pieterse. Lawrence Van Bu.skirk, Johannes Bogert. 1756. Justices, Lawrence Van Buskirk. Jacobus Peck. Johannes Demarest. Freeholders, John Van Horn, Hendrick Kuyper, Jacob Oldwater, Lawrence Ackerman, Barent Cool. Cornelius Leydocker, Turja Pieterse. Derrick Van Geisen. 1/57, Justices, Jacobus Peck, Lawrence Van Buskirk, Johannes Demarest. Freeholders, Cornelius Ley- docker, Barent Cool, John Van Horn, Hendrick Kuyper, Lawrence Ackerman, Jacob Oldwater, Turie Pieter.se, Derrick Van Geisen. 1758. Justices, Jacobus Peck, Rey- nier Van (Jei.sen. Lawrence Van Bu.skirk. Freeholders, Jacob Oldwater, Lawrence Ackerman, Henarick Kuyper, Cornelius Leydocker, Michael De Mott. Barent Cool. Theunis Dey. Derrick Van Geisen. 1759. Justices, Reynier Van Gei.sen, Jacob Tit- short, Johannes Demarest, Lawrence Van Buskirk. Freeholders,, Cornelius Ley- docker, Barent Cole, Hendrick Kuyper, Michael De Mott. Tennis Dey, Alberttis Terhune. John Zabriskie. I760. Justices. Reynier Van Geisen. Lawrence Van Buskirk, Jacob Titshort. Freeholders. Cornelius Leydocker. Barent Cole. Tennis HISTOKY OK HICKCIKN COCNTY 43 Dey, Derrick Van Gei.sen, Lawrence Ackenn.in. I7iil. Justices, Jacobus Peck. Rev- nier Van Geisen, Lawrence \'an Ruskirk. Jacol) Titshort. Hartman Hlinkerhof. Daniel Harinjf, Derrick Van Geisen. Rnelcf Westervelt, Cornelius Van Vorst. Hen- drick Kuyper. 1762, Justices, Revnier Van Geisen, Lawrence Van Buskirk. Jacob Titshort. Freeholders, Derrick Van Gci.--cn, Roelef Westervelt. Peter Zabriskie. Lawrence Ackeruian, Hartman Rlinkerhof, Daniel Hariuf^, Cornelius Van Vorst, Hendrick Kuyper. 1763. Justices, Reynicr Van Geisen, Roelef Westervelt, Jacob Titshort. Freehnlders, Peter Eabriskie, Lawrence Ackcrnian, Jacobus Berio, Edo Marcelese, Michael De .\Iott, George Cadnnis, Johannes Demarest, John Duryca. 17h4, Justices, Reynier Van Geisen, Jacob Titshort. John Berry. Freeholders, Peter /iabriskie, Lawrence Ackerman, Jacobus Berio, Kdo Marceles, Johannes Demarest, John Duryea, Michael De Mott, Toi-es Cadmus. 176.5. Justices, Lawrence Van Bus- kirk, Jacob Titshort, George Vreeland. Freeholders, Hendrick Blinkerhof, Cor- nelius Gari abrantse, Geori;e Blinkerhof, Peter Zamhriskie, John Zanibriskie, Arent Schuyjer, Edo Marceles. 17()6. Justices, Reynier Van Geisen, Peter Zanibriskie, Hendr ck Kuyper, Roelef Westervelt. Freeholders, Cornelius Van Vorst, Cornelius Garrabrantse, Jr., Abraham Van Buskirk, Derrick Terhiiiie. Georg-e Blinkerhof, John Demarest, Arent Schuyler. Edo Marceles. I767, Justic s. Reynier Van Geisen, Lawrence Van Bu.skirk, Jacob Titshort. Freeholders, Arent Schuyler, Edo Marce- lese. Abraham Van Buskirk. John Terhune. Jacob De Mott, John Demarest, Hen- drick Brinkerhof. 1768. Justices, Reynier Van (ieisen, Lawrence L. Van Buskirk. Peter Zabriskie. Freeholders. John Demarest, Jacob De Mott, Hendrick Blinker- hof, Cornelius (Jarrabrante, John Terhune. Edo Marcelese. 1769, Justices. Reynier Van (Jsisen, Peter Zabriskie, Lawrence Van Buskirk. Freeholders, John Terhune, Isaac Van Der Beck, Idumus Marcelese, John Ryerson, Martin Pauli.son, Jacob De Mott, Helmer Van Houten, Abraham Prior. 1770, Ju.stices, Reynier Van Geisen, Peter Zabriskie, Lawrence Van Buskirk, Roelef Westervelt, Thomas Moore. Free- holders, John Terhune.-'" Samuel Berry.* Hendrick Van Houten.* Abraham Prior, t Jacob De ;\Iott, * Mathias Roulse, }: Edo Marcelese.;; 1/71, Justices, Reynier Van Geisen, Lawrence Van Buskirk, John Tell, Roelef Westervelt, Thomas Moore. Free- holders, John Terhune, Sanniel Berry, Abraham Prior. Hendrick Kuyper. Jacob De- Mott, Mathias Roulse, Jacob Post, Edo Marcelese. 1772, Justices." Reynier Van Geisen, Peter Zabriskie, Roelef Westervelt. Freeholders, Samuel Berry,* Hendricus Cooper.} Albert Banta.J: Mathias" Roulese.J: Edo Marcelese,;; Hendrick Doremus.;: 1773, Justices, Lawrence Van Buskirk, Peter Zabriskie, Roelef Westervelt. Free- holders, Georg-e De Mott, Mathias Roulese.J John Benson,^ Isaac Van Der Beck,* Nicause Terhune,"* Edo Marceles, Hendrick Doremus. Albert Ackerson,|| James Board. I 1774. Justices, Lawrence Van Buskirk. Peter Zabri.-vkie, Roelef W^ester- velt. Freeholders, Isaac Van Der Beck, Nicause Terhune, Hendrick Kuyper,f John Van Hornet John Benson, Yost Zabri.skie, Albert Ackerman. James Board, Edo Marceles, Hendrick Doremus. 1775, Justices, Lawrence Van Buskirk, Peter Zabris- kie, Roelef Westervelt, Thomas Moore, Abraham Montayne. Freeholders, Hen- drick Kuyper, John Van Home, John Benson, Marten Roulese, Isaac Van Der Beck. Nicause Terhune. Edo Marceles, Hendrick Doremus, Jacot)us Bertholf, Cornelius Lazier. 177b. Justices, Peter Zabriskie, Thomas Moore, Stephen Baldwin, Abraham Montayne. Freeholders, Hartman Brinkerhoif, Job Smith, John Benson, Martin Roulese. John Richards. Cornelius Cooper, Hendrick Dorennis, Garrabrante Van Houten, Garret Hopper, David Board, John Van Boskirk," Jacb Cole.* There is no tneetino- of the ho;iril recorded for 1777. Tlie first meet- ing under the State of New Jersey was held at the house of Stephen Bogert, at Haring's Phiin (Harrington township?). May l.^, 17Si). The members of the board were : Justices, Roelef Westervelt, Jacob Ream, .\hraluim .Vckerman. Freeholders. John Ryerson, Edo Marceles, David Board, Lawrence Ackerman. No business was transacted, except the appointment of Abraham Westervelt as county collector, in the place of Jacob J. Demarest. The next meeting was on the 12th of September. 177S, at Carrel Hopper's house in Paramus, the board being : Justices, Roelef Westervelt, Hendrick Kuyper, Abraham Ackerman. Peter Har- ing. Freeholders, John Ryerson, Edo Marceles, David Board, Lawrence Ackerman. • New BarbadoL-s. t Bc-rccii. f Hackeiisack. S Saddle River. I! Franklin Township, first representod in ilie board. • Harrin(jt. Freeholders, Job Smith, Cornelius Garrebrant, John Dev, Mauritius Goets;hiiis, Cornelius Hinsman, Garret Durvea, Abraham T. Blauvelt. I788, Justices, Peter Haring, Isaac Van Der Beck, Isaac Blanch, Jacob Terhune. Freeholders, Job Smith, Cornelius Garrebrant. J. M. Goetshius, John Dey, Peter Zabri.skie, Nicausie Van Voorhis, Samuel Van Zaen, George Doremus. Abraham Westervelt. Peter Ward, Abraham T. Blauvelt. Albert Bogert. 1789. Justices. Peter Haring, Garret Lydecker, Daniel Van Riper, Albert Van Voorhis, Henry Spier. Freeholders. Hclmigh Van Houten, Garret Van Geisen, John Dev, Albert C. Zabriskie, Samuel Van Zaen, George L. Ryenson, Garret Ackerman, John W. Hopper. Albert Bogert. Jacob Vlauvelt. 1790, Justices, Peter Haring, Jacob Terhune. Albert Van Voorhis. Freeholders, Garret Van Geisen, John Van Horn, Jr., Albert C. Zabriskie. Isaac Kipp, Nicausie Van Voorhis, Henry Kingsland, Samuel Van Zaen. George L. Rver- ■son, John Haring, Jacob Blauvelt,' John H. Camp. 1791. Justices. Peter Haring. Jacob Terhune, John Cutwater, Abraham Westervelt, Daniel Van Revpe. Garret Lydecker, Garret Durvea. Freeholders. Garret Van Geisen. John Van Home. Nic- ausie Van Voorhis, Henry Kingsland, David Board, Albert Zabriskie, Isaac Kipp. Samuel Van Zaen, Jacob Blauvelt, John Hogan Camp. 1792. Justices, John Benson. Jacob Terhune, Daniel Van Revpe. Abraham Westervelt. Freeholders, Cornelius Van Vorst, John Van Houte, Isaac Nicoll, John I. Westervelt, Christian Zabriskie, Nicausie Van Voorhis, George L. Ryerson, Peter Dev, Peter Ward, Abraham De- marest. David Durvea. 1793, Justices. John Benson, Jacob Terhune. Abraham Westervelt, William Davis. Freeholders, Cornelius Van Vorst, John Van Houte. John Westervelt, Christian Zabriskie, George L. Ryerson, Peter Dev. Peter Ward, John Hagan, Abraham Demarest, David Durvea." 1794, Justices, Peter Haring. John Cutwater, Jacob Terhune, Abraham Westervelt. Adam Boyd. William Davis, Peter Dey. " Met this year at Pompton. t Met in Paraous, at the house of Capt. John Kverson. t Met at the house of Archibald Campbell, in New Barbadoes villas-e of Hackeusack;. HISTOKV OK BKKC.EX COUNTY FKEEHOI.DKKS OV BKKC.KN TOWNSHIP. ^ 1794, Cornelius Van Vorst : 1794-95. John Van Houte ; :795. Garret Van Geisen ; 1796-1K15. John Van Home ; I796, Garret Van Revlanil ; l7')7-18i 0. John Smith: I797. Jasper Zabriskie ; 1798-99, 1807, Garret Freeland ; ISO), Cornelius Van Vorst. Jr.; 18111-2, 1805-5, 1803-9, Cornelius Doremus; 1801-4, Ja^ob Van \Vd-.foiu'r; H0.1, Casparus Cadmus : 1804-13. Richard Cadnuis ; 1800-11. 1816, Peter Sipp ; lslO-12. Thomas Dickerson ; 1812, Elias Binfrer ; 1813-14. Rvnier Van Geisen ; 1814-1^. Jo'.iii Goodman ; 1815. James Van Buskirk ; 1816, Cornelius Van Riper; I8I7-I8, Casparus Prior ; 1817-18, Adrian Post; 1819-20, 1822. Casparus Prior; 1819-20. .\d-ian P)st; 1821-26 1828-29. 1831, P.-t^r Sipp ; 1821, Stephen V.-e.-l:ind; lS22-2o, 1831, Cornelius ,Van Winkle; 1823-25, I827, 1833-35. 1839. Hartman Van Waffoner ; 1827-28. 1830. 1832-34, Abel I. Smith; 1829. Cornelius Van Vorst; 1830, Jacob D. Van Winkle; l-;32, Merselis Merselis ; 1835. Garret Vreeland ; 1836. Asa Wrisrht ; 1835. Mitchel Saunier; 1837, Dudley S. Greg-ory; 1837-38, Garret Sipp; 1838-39, William C. Vreeland. JIDGES OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS. Edmund W. Kintcslaiid 1789. Petrus Haring- '89, Garret Lydecker '89. Daniel Van Reyan '90, Petrus Haring '91, John Benson '91, Jacob Terhune '97. William Colfax 1800, John Cutwater I'tOO, Abraham Westervelt 1800, William Davis I8OI1. Abraham Rverson 1800. Martin Rverson 1800. John Hipper 1801. Daniel Van Rvan 1801. Adam Boyd 1803. Isaac Nicoll 1803. BenjaraTn Rlacklidii^e 1803, Henry Van Dal- som 1803, Lewis Moses 1804. Jacob Terhune 1804. Garret Durie 1804. Mirtin I. Rver- son 1805, Abraham Westervelt 1805. David P. Haring- 1805, Adam Bovd 1 05, Abra- ham Rverson 1805. John Hopper 1805. William Colfax 1803. Dmiel Van R-van 180). William Davis 1806. Samuel Reach 1807. B-njamin Blacklidi^e 1803. John' Cassidv 1808, John Westervelt 1808, Peter Ward 1808, Jacob C. Terhune 1809. Lewis Moore 1809. Garret Durie 1809, Martin I. Rverson 1809, John Cutwater '10. David P. Har- ing '10. Abraham Westervelt '10, Garret Van Houten '11, John A. Berrv '11, Daniel Van Reyan '11, John D. Haring '12, Christian Zabriskie '12, Elias Brevoort '12. Dower Westervelt '12, Cornelius Merselis '12. John Al. Voorhis '12. John Hopper '12. William Colfax '12. Jacob C. Terhune '13, Adam Boyd '13, Jacob Banter '13. Jo'm Westervelt '13. Lewis Moore '14. Jacob C. Terhune '14. Martin I. Rverson '14. Wil- liam Colfax '14, John T. Banta '15, R. H. Haring 15, Simon Mead '15, Garret Van Houten '16, Garret Durie '16, John D. Haring '17, John Cutwater '17, Christian Za- t)riskie 'I7, Elias Brevoort '17, John Al. Voorhis 'I7, Dower Westervelt '17, John Hi2pe,-j'17, Adam B >vd '18, Peter Sipp '18, Cornelius Van Winkle '19, Cornelius Merselis '19, Henrv W.' Kingsland '19. Jacob Banta '19, William Colfax '20, John T. Banta '20, Garret Van Houten '21, John D. Haring '21, Peter I. Terhune '21, David I. Christie '21. Dower Westervelt '21. John Cutwater '21. Elias Brevoort '21. Cornel- ius Van Winkle '21. Christian Zabriskie '21. John Al. Voorhis '21. Henry B. Ha-er- man '22, John A. Westervelt '22, Adam Boyd '22, Charles Board '22, John Cassidv '23. Peter Sipp '23, Jacob Banta '2-,. Henry W. Kingslani "23. Garret P. Hopper '2t, David I. Christie '24. Garret Ackerson '25. Garret Van Houten '25. Marcus B. Doug- lass '25. William Colfax '26. Christian Zabriskie '26. John D. Harinar '26. Peter I. Terhune '26. Nathan-el Board '26; John Al. Voorhi-i'26. Henry B. Hagerman '27, Albert G Doremus '27, John D. Groot "27, Adam Bjvl '27, John A. Westervelt '27. Cornelius Van Winkle '27, J. Wells '27. Charles Board '27. Henry W. Kingsland '28, Pete'- 1. Terhune '2i. John Cassidv '28, John A, Berry '28, Peter Sipp '28. Cornelius Van Winkle '29. Herr*- B. Banta''29. Richard Ackerman '29. Garret P. Hjpper '19, Jf>hn G. Ackerman '30. Charles Kinsey '30, Peter D. Westervelt '30, Girret Van Houten '30, Garret Ackerson '30. Mir:us B. Douglass '30. James R. Mullanv '30, Cornelius Van Winkle '30. William Colfax '31. Perriguin Sandford '31. Peter I. Ter- hune '31. Nathaniel Board '31, John Al Voorhis '31. A lam Bovd '32. Ch-^rles Board J. Wells '32. Henrv B. Hagerman '3i. William H. Rathbone '3?. Albert G Doremus 'M. John De Groot 'i3>. John A. Westervelt '83. Albert Van Beuren '33. Samuel H. Berrv '3.^, John Cassidv '33, C. B. Zabriskie '33, Peter Sipp ':'ji. Cornelius I. Wester- velt '33, John H. Zabriskie '33, David H. Keen '.«, Davifi D. Van Bus.sum -ii. Cor- nelius Van Winkle '34, Garret P. Hopper '34, John H. Hopper '54, Joseph Post '34, Thomas M. Gahagan '34, William Jenner '34, Henrv I. Spear '35, Jacob Berdan '35, Cornelius Van Revpen '35, Charles Kinsey '35, (iarret Ackerson '35, Francis Price •3(1, William Colfax '36, Perreguin Sandford '36, Peter I. Terhune '37. Stephen H. Sutkins '37. Peter I. Ackerman '37. Abraham Westervelt '37. Chandler Dayton '37. Andrew H. Hopper '37. Martin Van Houten '37, Henrv W. Kingsland '37, John A. Berrv '.^7. David~L Christie '38. John R. Hlauvclt '38. William P. Rathbone '38. Henrv H. Banta '38, H. Southmavd '38, Cornelius Van Winkle '.W, Peter Sipp '39, 'rs..n. lsil4-'o5. Vru-r Ward. I',. Tin. ma- I'lan.-h. Adrian Post. ISdo. I>aac Kipp, Adrian l>..>t, William (.■..If.ix. l.soj, John Van Horn. Abraham Koreshoe, William C'nlfax. IS(l'). Adrian Post, William Cidfax.J(]hn Hopper. '15. Martin Van Heuten. John Ontwati-r. William Colfa.x. 'Id. Peti-rKipj). Jacob Banta, Cornelius Marselis. 'l-, Albert C. /iabrisUio. Cornelius Marselis. Jacob Banta. '1«. Casparus Prior. Nathaniel Board. John Hopper. '1'), Cornelius Van Winkle. Casparus Bog-ert, Seba Brinkerhoff. '20. Seba Brinkerhoff, Cornelius \'an Winkle. Charles Board. '21. Peter Kipj). John Westervelt. Jr.. Charles Board. '22. Peter Kipp. John Westervelt. Jr.. David I. Christie. '23. (iarret .\ckerson, John Westervelt. Jr.. David I. Christie. '24, (iarret Acker.son, John Van Wa^enen. Nathaniel Board. '25. Cornelius Van W'inkle. Henry B. Ha.trt'rnian. David I. Chris- tie. '26, Cornelius Van Winkle, Charles Kinscv, David I. Christie. '2-. David I. Christie, Peter I. Terhune. Cornelius D. Van Kiper. '2^, Cornelius Van Winkle. John Ward, Andrew P. Hopper. '.'0. Pet^r I. Terhune. Samuel R. Deniarest. John Ward. "31. tJaret Kipp. Andrew H. Hopper, John R. Blauvelt. '32-'3,-. Jhn Van Boskirk. Jacob Ouackenbush. Daniel Isaac Brown. 1844, Abraham Westervelt, John Cassedy. ..f Bergen County; Elias B. D. Ogden, Andrew Parsons. MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. H-h the Gerieral Assembly of the whole colony by an Act jiassed on the 3()th of November, 1(>75 had declared Berg-en and the plantations and settlements in its vicinity to be a county, in name Berg-en county, though the Act does not say so in so many words. Old traditions have located a county court in the present village of Hackensack as far back as 1()()S. The sessions of the court were on the first Tuesday in March, June, September and December. By the above Act provision was made for the trial of small causes; also tax cases were to be tried by three persons without a jury having jurisdiction in all matters of forty shillings and under with right to appeal to either party iqxin the request and at his cost. Criminal jurisdiction was confined to the county court. In 17(IS Bergen county was ealtirged taking in all the territory on the west side of the Hackensack to the Passaic River, northward to the boundarv of the province and southward to Constable Hook. The vil- lage of Hackensack in New Barbadoes then became a part of Bergen county. The Act of l(i.S2 provided for a Supreme Court then designated as the "t'ourt of Common Right." This court sat at Elizabethtown, then capital of tlie province. To the end that British sovereignty should be recognized and main- tained, all warrants with process and attachments were issued in the name <>f the king of England. In Ki.SS the court for the trial of small causes was to be held monthly at the house of Lawrence Andriss, of New Hackensack. and also '' at the house of Dr. Johannes, on the Hack- ensack River, then in the county of Essex, and for the inhabitants of New Barbadoes and Acquickanick." Profane swearing or cursing in lt)82 cost the offender one shilling. One of the early laws enacted was as follows: "Concerning that beastly vice, drunkenness, it is hereby enacted that if any person found to l)e drunk he shall jiay one shilling fine for the first time, two shillings for the second, and for the third time, and for every time after, two shillings and six jience; and such as have nothing to pay sh;ill suffer ciiri)oreal punishment; and for those that are unruly and disturbers of the peace, they shall be jnit in the stocks until they are sober, or during tin- i)leasure of the officer in chief in the ])lace where he was drunk." • New Jersey remained partitioned into East and West Jersey under two co-ordinate governments until 17(12. When Oueen Anne ascended the throne, in 17(i2, the two ])ro\-inces were consolidated into one govern- lUSTOKV Ol' HICKCICN COINTV 4') nie-.il ;i;i(l tluis roiiiainod uikIli- royal aiiihoritv until the Kt'volutiou of 177:). The Ciovcriior and (.'oiincil were emixiwerod to ereet. constitute and establish such courts as they should deem proper; and to a])point and to commission judy-es and other oflici'rs without limitation of time in these commissions. A Court of Chancery was early reco<>-uized. Hv an ordinance of Lord Cornhury, the {governor or the Lieutenant-liovernor, or any three of the Council, could constitute a ccmrt to hear and determine causes in equity, as in the English Court of Chancery. (iovernors Hunter and Franklin exercised chancery powers under the colonial system, and so that court was presided over lonji^ after the Revo- lution, and until a chancellor was provided for under the State constitu- ti hold that court. In connnon with other colonies slavery came to the province of New Jersey at a very early day. In existence of this institution called for jieculiar laws, one of which was passed in the twelfth year of the reign of (Jueen Anne il71.>), entitled "An Act for regulating slaves." This Act forbade any traffic with any indian, negro or mulatto slave without the consent of the owner." The necessity which called for such laws 1 volved sulisecpient enactments, manifestly very unjust to the colored IK-ople. In the minutes of the Justices and Freeholders for the county of liergen, in 17.^5, is found the following entry of a trial of a negro slave : " New Jersey, Bergen County, the 15 of August. 1735. Upon infor- mation made to William provoost, Kstjr that the negro man of peter Kipp called Jack, having beaten his sd master and threatened Several Times tr) murder him, his said master and his son and Also to Burn down his House Whereupon the Said \Vni. ])rov5 (sd) "William Pkovoost. "To David Ackeman, High Constable "This Is In his Majesties name to \yill and Require you to Sum- mond these Under Named to Appear at the Court House on Friday the 15 day of this Instant to Give Evidence In the Behalf of Our Lord the King Against the Negro of Peter Kijip called Jack & In this you are Not to fail. Given Under my Hand this 14 day of August, 1735 and In the Ninth year of our Reign. "To David Ackeman, High Constable. Peter Kipp, Elshe Kipp, Their Son, Henry Kipp, Derrech Terhune, Jacobus Housman, Isaac Kipp. "Nevi' Jersey, Bergen Cty. Whereas William provoost Esqr Being Informed that the Negro of peter Kipp Called Jack having Beaten his Sd Master and often times threatened the Lifes of his Sd master and his Son Likewise to burn his Sd Masters House and then Destroy himself on Wednesday the 13 day of August 1735 for which We here Under Subscrib- ed was Summond by the Justices to appear at the Court House of the Said County the 15 Day of the Sd Instant to Try the Said Negro Jack Ac- cording to the Direction of Act of General Assembly Entitled an Act for Regulating Slaves Whereupon having Duily Examined the Evidence According to ye direction of the Aforesaid Act found the Aforesaid Negro Jack Guilty of the Said Crime Alledged Against him — (Sd) " Wm. Provoost, Isaac Van Gesen, John Stagg, Henry Van- delenda, Paulies Van Derbeek, Justices, present. " Abraham Vack, Abraham Ackerman, Egbert Ackerman, Lawrence Ackerman, Garret Hoppe, Freeholders, present. " New Jersey, Bergen County : Att a meeting of the Justices & free- holders for the Trying of the Negro Man of Peter Kipp Called Jack at the Court House for the said County (m friday the 15 Day of August 1735. Present the above Named Justices and freeholders, the freeholders Being Sworn & proceeded to Tryal. " David Provoost Esqr Being appointed by the justices to Prosecute the said Negro Man of Peter Kipp called Jack. Gentlemen I am ap- l)ointed by the Justices to Prosecute the Negro Man of Peter Kipp Called Jack for having on the 13 Day of this Instant August struck his Said Master Severall (Idowsi and offered to kill him With an Ax and often HISTOKV Ol' Hl'.K-C.lCN COINTY 51 limes Said that he would kill liis Said Master, and Master Son, Hurn his Master's House and then Destroy himself Which I am Keady to Make Appear hv Good and Lawful Evidences that the abovesaid Negro Jack Is Guilty of Both Striking- his Master Several IJlows and Attempting- to Kill him With an Ax and Likewise of Threateninif Several times to Kill his Said Master and his Master's Son and Sett lire to his Masters House and then Destroy himself For WHiich Reason I Desire Your hon- ours that the Above Said Neijro May Be tryed as the Law Directs that the King May have Justice Done, which was (iranted by the Jus- tices and freeholders and Did proceed Accordingly. '■ THE K\-ir)i;NCKS — DICCI.AKATION. ■• Peter Kipp Declared upon the Holy Evangelist rhat he was going to one of his tields with his Negro Man Jack and on the Road he Cave the Said Negro a Blow which at the Said Negro Risisted & fought with his Master, Striking him Several Blows and Afterwards taking up an Ax threatened to kill him his Said Master and his Son ;ind then Destroy himself. Upon \Vhicli his Said Master Ran away for assistance and somtime after he Was Tyed he Said that he would In the Night When his Master Slept Sett his house on tire. " Henry Kipp Declared Ui)oii tlu- Holy Evangelist that he being one of the Assistance at the Taking and Tying of the Said Negro that when they came to the Said Negro they found two Axes by him and after h;i v- ing tved him he said that when his Master Slept he would Sett his House a tire. •■Then Isaac Kipp and Jacobus huysman declared likewise with Henry Kipp. Then Henry Kipp declares that his father gave the negro a blow at which the negro resisted and fought his father: striking him Several blows and taking up an ax and threatening to kill him and then de.strov himself: and then the record proceeds as follows: Then the prisoner With-Drew and the justices and the freeholders proceeded. The justices and freeholders having taken the matter into Consideration and Did (live Sentence of Death Upon him as followelh: "That is to say that ye Said Ni'gro Jack Shall be brought from hence to the place from Whence ht> came, and there to Continue untill the 1(. day of This Instant August till Ten of TheClockof the Morning, and then to Be Burut Untill he Is Dead, at some Convenient ])lace on the Road between the Court TIous^- and Ouacksack. ••This Is therer.>re to Will and Recpiir you to take ye Body of the Negro Jack Into vour Custody & See him Executed According to the Sentence givi ii, and for your so Doing this Shall be your Sufficient W"ar- rant. Given Under our hands this 1.^ day of August. In the '• Year of his Majesties Reign, Annoy Domini \~?>S. •• To PKUCI.U.S p.M<.MKKTo.\, High Sheriff of the County of Bergen, and signed by the Justices and Free holders, whose names are mentioned at the beginning of this procei'ding." HISTORY Of BEKGKN COTNTY By a l>rief analysis nf this proceediiiif it will W seen ihat when the negTo, Jack, was ti^oin^r to the field with his master, on Wednesday. Aug'iist 13, 17.>,^ ; that the master gave Jack a hlnw. He was, therefore, the first assailant, though, as a master, he deemed himself empowered to chastise his slave ; that the negro struck back, and made, in his anger, sundry threats ; that all the f(.)rmal proceedings were done and the matter disposed of Friday following, and sentence passed directing the Sheriff of the county to burn the negro on Saturday morning, August U). 1735. " til he is dead." On Wednesday the African offended, and on Saturday morning he was burned to ashes, and all this was done lawfully and under the British Constitution in 1735, less than a century and a half ago. In 1741 two negroes, charged on suspicion of having set seven barns on tire, were convicted and burned to death at Yellow Point, . C()tKT-H()rs)-;s. ci.ickk's .xxn siKKcjcA'rK's oi-i-icK. No coui-t-house could have l)een built in Hackensack for the County of Bergen earlier than about 17(l'i to 171ii. then the first court-house was built on the (Ireen, fronting on Main Street. That structure ccmiprised a jail and court-house built together. It was destroyed by the British in 17S(I. The second court-house and jail were built in Vougli])ough. in the township of Franklin, during the Revolution, and the c.mrts were held there for a few years, as deliberative Justice during that stormy period found itself too near the British lines and British invasion in attempting to sit statedly at Hackensack. Of ccmrse, Ycmghpough (pronounced in modern times Yoppo) was only the county-seat mi interim, and until Justice could resume her more ancient seat in i)eace and safety at Hack- ensack. There was a log jail built at Youghpougli. but the courts seem S4 rrisTOKS' of BEKc7iiN catrNTr ti> havo bofii held there either in the Pond Reformed Church or even at private houses in the vicinity, to such judical extremities had the British driven us during the Kevolutixm. It is related that Noah Collington, or Kellingham, a Tory, was hung- near the log jail at Youghpough. He had been indicted for murder and robbery in this county. In attempting to escape in disguise across the Hudson near Fort Lee, in order to get within the British lines, he was cajitured near that place and brought to- this jail.* The third court-house, and first after the Revolution, was built at Hackensack, near Main Street, now the brick storehouse of Richard Paul Terhune. The land for that purpose was conveyed to the county by- Peter Zabriskie as grantor. His deed is dated October 27, 17S4. On May 18th, 1785, Peter Zabriskie executed another deed to the countv in consideration of eighty-two pounds lawful currency of New Jersey for another lot, and on May 'Jtli, 1793, deeded to the county an additional piece of land adjoining the east side of the Court House lot, four feet wide, extending the whole length of that lot. Two hundred pounds was ordered to be raised by county tax to build the Court House. Nehemiah Wade deeded the land on which the former Clerk's office stood, July 3d, 1786. The Clerk's ()ffice w^as built between 1812 and 181'), a little north of the Midland Railroad, on the west side of the street. There it remained until 1853. An effort was made by the up-town people to locate the Court House there, but the offer by Robert Campbell was accepted, and in 1819 the building so familiar to the people of the county, was erected, with the Green in front, and the Clerk's and Surrogate's Offices near it. Tielman Van Vleck was the presiding judge of the first court pro- l)ablv ever held within the present territory of New Jersey. The early list of lawyers in this county down to 1776, as fully as can be obtained are given with their dates of admission as follows: Iddl, Tielman Van Vleck, admitted as attorney in 1(>6(I. 1(>|)4 to 1678, Claes Arentse Toers, Balthazar Bayard, and William Pinhorne, admitted f probably ) attornevs about 16()1. The latter was also a merchant. 1707, John Pinhorne, .idmitted as attorney in 1707. 172H to 1750, David Ogden, Mr. Duane, and Mr. Lodge, admission as attorneys unknown. 1750 to 1756, Rt)bert Morris and John De Hart, admission as attor- neys unknown. 1756 to 17()1. Mr. Legromsie, Mr. Nicoll. and Dr. Isaac Brown, admission as attorneys unknown. Elisha Boudinot, appointed sergeant-at-law in 1792. Cortlandt Skinner, ajipointcd attorney-general July 10, 1754. tieorge Ross, Lewis ()g(len. A. Moore, and Isaac Ogden. admission as attorneys unknown. 1776, John Chetwood and Abraham Ogden, admission as attorneys unknown. Sc- sli.-lch 1.11 Uk- HUl.ny .it OaUl:iiul. Willi.iin Pinhnrne, who oaiiio to this coiiiitrv from Eiiyhmd in ], 17(l7, and practiced in this county, and probably resided at Hackensack or Hoboken. His sister Martha married Roger Mompes- sim. who was chief justice of New York and Pennsvlvania, and in 1704 was also chief justice of New Jersey. CHAPTER XI. ber(;en county in time of war. Till-: i-:i-;\"()i,u'ri()NAKv struggle. - tiiic wai': ok the rebellion. — the RAILROAD STRIKE. -THE WAR WITH SPAIN. 'Pho niilitarv history of the L-ounty of Berj^en extends over the whole period of its OL'cupation bv the white man. Upon the arrival of the first settler he was obliged to place himself on the defensive, and stand ready for eoniliat. The Indian, of course, resented the intrusion of white men ui)on the domains which he considered his by right of possession, and enjoying the right of priority, was happy in his simple and indolent life, and desired no other kind of existance. The astute Dutch settler saw before him wealth, independence and consequently- a cause for even fight- ing for a name and place in the New World. After many conflicts and many sad disasters to both the civilized and uncivilized participants, the poor ignorant savage was obliged to yield to the wiser and more enlight- ened adversary. This was the only outcome possible in such a conflict- pathetic as it is to contemplate. The first Indian war having ended in 1()4S, and a treaty of peace concluded, quiet prevailed for a time. It was not until 1774, the beginning of the Revolution, that a point was reached in the methods used by the mother country, to force the j)avment of ta.xes by her subjects on this side, without the privilege of sending representatives to look after their interests, which brought out the necessity for a decisive step. A military force must now be organ- ized to meet an enemy of equal intelligence and of greater numerical strength, for the purpose of defending the rights of those who had braved all sorts of hardships in their effort to build up homes in this country. Accordingly a local Committee of Safety was organized in Bergen county, a measure probably hastened by the closing of the port of Boston in the Spring of that year, ( 1774). T^^c Freeholders and people of Ber- gen C(_)unty held a meeting at the court house on the 25th of June and with Peter Zabriski*' as chairman adopted the following preamljle anv mn in(lul)itahle pri\ ilc>^e to be taxed only hy our own consent, t;-iven by ourselves or by our representatives; and that we consider the Acts of Parliament declarative of their rig-ht to impose internal taxes on the subjects of America as manifest encroacli- ments on our naticmal rights and privileges as British subjects, and as inconsistent with the idea id' an American Asseml)lv or House of Repre- sentatives. ".mI. That we will heartily unite with this Colonv in choosing dele- gate > to attend at a general congress from the several provinces of Ame- rica in order to consult on and determine some effectual method to be l>ursued for obtaining a repeal of the said Acts of Parliament, which appear to us evidently calculated to destroy that mutual harmony and dependence between (ireat Britain and hiT colonies which are the basis and support of both. ■■ And we do appoint Theunis Dey. John Demarest. Peter Zabriskie, t'ornelius Van Vorst, and John Zabriskie, Jr., Esquires, to be a commit- tee for corresponding with the committees of the other counties in this Province, and particularly to meet with the other count}' committees at New Brunswick, or such other place as shall be agreed upon, in order to elect delegates to attend the general congress of delegates of the Ameri- can Colonies for the purpose aforesaid." After these resolutions were signed hv three hundred and twenty- eig-ht citizens of Bergen Countv. a local Committee of Safety was organ- ized of which John Fell, a devoted ])ai:ri.)t of Paratnus was made chair- man. Nothing of a startling n.ature, however, occurred until in 177ii when it became known that Lord Howe was on his way to New York. Lord Stirling was then in conunand of the militia in this part of Jersey when he made an attempt to build fortifications on the eastern side of he C( untv, along the Hud^(^n and also at Bergen Point opposite Staten Island. Three companies were now organized in Bergen County and joined in Battalion with three from Kssex and two from Burlington, while the regular militia id" IJergen was organized in one regiment. This order came from the Pro\incial Congress in session in Burlington '■ "Ordered that Cornelius A'an Vorst be Lieutenant Colonel, Richard Day' First Major, and John Martinius Cloetschius, Secimd Major of the battal- lion of foot militia in the County of Bergen." Lord Stirling, in order to be prepared for defending Bergen, set several hundred of the militia to work in the construction of roads, one from Weehawken to Hackensack Ferry and the other from Paulus Hook to Brown's, and before (ieneral Wasiiington arrived he had both these and the forts at Paulus Hook and Bergen Neck well underway. Ceneral Washingtim ordered the work to proceed at Paulus Hook, and upon its completicm was garrisimed, but the British were occupying Staten Island before the work could be finish- ed at Bergen Point. On the 4th of July 177(., General Washington ordered General Mercer to station live hundred men at Bergen Neck, and to guard the ferries over the Hackensack and Passaic Rivers, ])rom- 58 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUN'TV ising to send an eng'ineer from New York on the followin- Mr. Archibald Campbell, the tavern-keeper. The next evening after the Americans had passed through the British encamped on the opposite side of the river. We cf)uld see their fires, about one hundred yards apart, gleaming brilliant]}- in the gloom of night, extending some dis- tance below the town and more than a mile up towards New Bridge. Washington was still at his quarters, and had with him his suite, life- guard, a companv of foot, a regiment of cavalry, and some soldiers from the rear of the army. In the morning, before the (ieneral left, he rode down to the dock, where the bridge now is, viewed the enemy's encamp- ment about ten or fifteen minutes, and then returned to Mr. Campbell's door and called for some wine and water. After he had drank, and Mr. Campbell had taken the glass from him, the latter, with tears streaming- down his face, said, '(ieneral, what shall I do? I have a family of small children and a little proi)erty here; shall I leave them?' Washing- ton kindly took his hand, and re])lied, 'Mr. Campbell, stay by your family and k-ccp iini/ra/:' then bidding him good-by, rode off. ••About noon the next day the British tt)ok possession of the town, and in the afternoon the Green was covered with Hessians, a horrid, frightful sight to the inhabitants. There were between three and four f)0 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY tlidusand, with llu-ir whiskers, brass caps and kettles or base drums. A part of these troops were taken prisoners two months after at Trenton." The British made raids in New Jersey from time to time devastat- int^ the county bv these foraging- expeditions. It was during one of these raids that Colonel Aaron Burr distinguished himself by surprising the enemy's men on picket duty and afterward calling upon the people to rally the country. His attack had so encouraged the people that they turned out and put themselves under his command, when the enemy im- mediately fled leaving the greater part of the plunder behind. What was called Clinton's Raid occurred in 1777, and was planned bv Sir Henry Clinton who divided his force into four columns, the gen- eral point of rendevous being New Bridge above Hackensack. One column, under General Campbell, entered New Jersey bj- way of Eliza- bethtown; one, under Captain Drummond, by Schuyler's Ferry; one, under General Vaug-hn, by way of Fort Lee, and the other, under Lieu- tenant Colonel Campbell, by way of Tappan. It was on September 12, the expedition set out, Clinton following, going to Schuyler's Landing on the Hackensack, (Dow's Ferry), and going by the Belleville turn- pike to Schuyler's house he found Captain Drummond with two hundred and fifty men. General Campbell arrived with his men during the night bringing the cattle they had collected by the way. The ccdumns met on the ISth, as before arranged. On the Kith (leneral Campbell marched his force over to Staten Island, from the English Neighbor- hood. From the people of Essex and Bergen Counties they took four hundred cattle, four hundred sheep, and a few horses, but they had eight men killed, eighteen wounded, ten missing and live taken prisoners. The most interesting episode in this portion of our history is the attempt to capture the fort at Paulus Hook by Major Henry Lee. This gallant and dashing officer, who had frequently been employed by Washington as a scout along the west bank of the Hudson, had dis- covered that the British fort at Paulus Hook, although a strong place, was negligently guarded, and he conceived the idea of its capture by a night march and a sudden surprise. By permission from Washington, Lee moved from his encampment at New Bridge about four o'clock in the afternoon of August IS. 1779, following what is known as the lower road which intersects the present Hackensack road, near the English Neighborhood church, having taken the precaution to send forward boats in charge of Captain Peyton, with instructions to have them at Dow's Ferry at a certain hour of the night, for the purpose of taking his troops over the Hackensack; he also detached patrols of horse to watch the communications with North River, and posted Lord Stirling at New Bridge to cover his retreat, if necessary. The whole movement was conducted with such secrecy that they arrived at the fort without being discovered, notwithstanding the fact that, on account of the ignor- ance or the treachery- of their guide, they were compelled to wander three hours in the woods between LTnion Hill and the fort, and the still more remarkable fact that they were in danger of encountering Colonel Van Bus- HISTOKV 01-~ Bi:k(-,KN- COl'NTY (> 1 kirk, \vh,< had left the fi>rt at I'aulus ILx.k ahdut the time tliat Major Jvee started, with a fi>ree of one hundred and tliirlv men mi a r.iid to the Eng-Hsh Neig-hborhood. That these two forees. one of them at le.ist straggliii'f and flounderini>- idou a niisdireeteil course tlirouy-h the wil- derness and in the darkness of nijj^ht. should entirely escape each other seems i'lcredible. liut such is the well-attested fact. Pi'rhaps their ,!,rettini,r lo>t and m,irchinL;- out of the direct course mav have I)een the very means of their escape. He this , as it niav. "Major Ijce reached Prior's Mill at three o'clock ..n the morninii' of the I'Hh. The dav was near at hand, and the tide that would till the ditch .and overflow the ro.id between Warren and (iro\e Streets ^ Jer--ev Citv ■ was risin-^-. Not a moment was to be lost. They reached the ditch at the intersection of Newark Avenue and Warren Street at half-past three o'clock on Thurs- day mornin}^. The guards were either asleep or took the a])])roachinii' force to be Colonel Van Busk-irk's men returnin'^ from their raid. Thev were not undeceived until the ;id\-ance had pluntjed into the ditch. Im- mediately a firiiiif beg-an. The block-hcnise sjfuards ran out to see what was the matter, and were seized. The forlorn hope, sn-pijorted bv Major Clarke, broke throug'h all o])position. and soon became masters cd' the niaia work, with the cannon, etc. So ra])id were thev in their move- ments that the fort was gained before a piece of .irtillerv \v;is tired. The troops came pouring through the abati>. and in a few minutes were victorious. Unfortunately, in crossing the ditch thi.' ammunition was destroyed, and tlius their tirearms were useless. As soon as Major Sotitherland. then in command of the fort, comjirehended tlie situation, he threw himself into a small redoubt, with a i-ajitain. subaltern, and forty Hessians. Major I^c-e had no time to dislodge him or to remove or destroy property. Daylight was at h.md, :ind he had some anxiety about the boats at Uow's Ferry. besides this, the firing had aroused the British in New York, who could in a few minutes throw a large body of troops across the ri\er. He therefore ordered an immediate re- treat, and -sent Ca])tain Forsyth to Prior's Mill to collect such men as were most tit for the action anfl tal, 177S, an order was issued to raise eight hundred and twenty men to serve two years. One hundred ;ind twenty men, the quota for Bergen County, were organized into two companies. The first was under the following ofti:ers: John Outwater, Captain; .Joseph Catterline, Lieutenant; Abraham Hoagland, Ensign. The second company was under Captain Blanch ; I^ieutenant, David Demar- est ; and Ensign, Jacobus Boggart. On December 29th, 1871 another call was made for men to serve one year, when four hundred and twenty- two n;en were placed in command of Major Samuel Hayes. The officers of the Bergen Company were Peter Ward, Captain; Joseph Catterline, Lieutenant ; Samuel Verbyke, Ensign. Bergen County had one companv of niililia and four companies of minute men in the service. The minute men were enlisted for four mSTOKY (M- Hl'.KCl'A' Cl>t">;TV h.i months, and were always ready to yfo when called and had precedence nf rank over the militia (iF the i)r three cotiipanies from Bergen were joined in battalion with three from Essex and two from Burlington, under Col. Philip Van Port- land. Lieutenant-Colonel David Brearley, and Major Richard Dev. The reg-ular militia of Berg-en County was organized in one regiment, as follows: Tennis Dey, Cohmel ; J(din Zabrislcie. Lieutenant-Colonel ; Cornelius ^'an \'oorst, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Peter Fell, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Rich- ard Dey, Captain. First Major : John Mauritius Gcjeschius, Captain, Second Major ; George Ryerson, Adjutant ; Abr;. lam Van Boskirlc. Surgeon. Captains. — Crynes Bartholf. Thomas Blanch, Joseph Board. James Christi, Samuel Demarest. Abraham Harring-, Cornelius Harring. Abra- ham A. P. Harring-. John Hopper, Jonathan Hopper, (murdered bv Tories at New Barbadoes, Berg-en County, April 2L 17^)9 ), Adam Huyler. John Huyler, ( twice a prisoner of war), Jacobus Jaraloman, Henricus Kuyper, David Marinus. Henry Obest ( wounded near Hackensack, March 17, 1780), John Outwater (wounded March, 1780), Elias Romine, Jucol) Terhune, Nicausa Terhune, David Van Hossum, Coriner Van Honten. John Vreeland. Peter Ward, John Willis. Lieutenants. — Henrv Bardan, Thomas lihiir. David Dnffe. William Denniston. David Doremus, John D. Haring, David \'a!i Busse, Peter S. Van Order. First Lieutenants.— Cornelius D. B]au\-eli. (ieorg-e Brinkerhoff. Peter Sanford. Second Lieutenants. — (iilliam Bogfart, John Uriancy. Sergeants. — Anthony Beam. Cooms, John F. Harring, Carpen- ter Kelly, James Riker, Benjamin Romine, John Hasbrook. Cornelius P. Westervelt, Epson Van Winkle, Albert Wilson. Corporals, etc. — Abram Vreeland ; .\l)raham King, drummer ; Wil- liam Blair, drummer ; Garrett Post, farrier, "Lee's Leg-ion," Coiitineiit.il .•\rmv ; Jacob \'anderpool, bombardier. Continental Army. SCK-MC (II' MAJdlv' ANDKIv's KATIC. The little villag-e of Tajjpan, X. Y., although not a part of Bergen County, is nevertheless, incidentally conn.'cted with the Revolutionary part of it. The villag-e is but a few rods over the State line, and is the place where Major Andre, the British sjiy met his fate October 2. 1780, an incident of the Revolution which will ever hold its own for interest with any eng;agement in that stirring struggle. In 1821 the remains of Major Andre were disinterred by order .d the Duke of York and taken to Westminster Abbey, where they now rest. When Dean Stanley was in this country, in October. 1878, he and Mr. Cyrus W. Field, his host, visited the spot where Andre was executed and originallv buried. The cedar trees which originally marked the s])ot had lieeii dug up and removed with the reiiKiins in 1S21. and two wild 64 HISTOKY or-' BEKCIEX COr'NTV" liirrrv trees planted in their place. A curious fact in this connection is that a peach-tree which had sprung' up on the f^rave was found to have wraj'ipcd its roots around Major Andre's skulL WASHINC.TON AT HACKKXSACK. Tlie follovvin<)- account of Washington's march and brief sojourn at Hackensack was written l)y Rev. Theodore B. Koneyn, and is as follows: " Washinjj;ton, at the head of his army, consisting only of about ?,Qiii> men, having sent on his baggage to Acquackenouch, crossed the new bridge into the town. This crossing was made at a point now called ' Old Bridge,' about four miles north of Hackensack village. It was about dusic when the head of the troojjs entered Hackensack. The night was dark, colil and rainy, but I had a fair view of them from the light of the vvind(>\v> as they passed on our side of the street. They marched two abreast, looked ragged, some without a shoe to their feet, and most of ihem wrapped up in their blankets. Washington then, and for some time jjrevious, had his headrjuarters at the residence of Mr. Peter Zabris- kie, a private house, now called 'The Mansion House,' the su])plies for the General's table being furnished by Mr. Archibald Campbell, the tavern-keeper. The next evening after the Americans had passed throttgh, the British encamped on the opposite side of the river. We could see their tires about one hundred yards apart gleaming brilliantly ill the gloom of the night, extending some distance below the town, and more than a mile up toward the New Bridge. Washington was still at his quarters, and had with him his suite, life-guard, a company of foot, a regiment of cavalry, and some soldiers from the rear of the army. ■' In the morning before the (leneral left, he rode down to the dock where the bridge now is, viewed the enemv's encampment about ten or fifteen minutes, and then returned to Mr. Campbell's door and called for some wine and water. After he had drank and Mr. Campbell had taken the glass from him, tlie latter, with tears streaming down his face, said, ■ (xeneral, what shall I do? I have a family of small children and a little ])roperty here ; shall I leave them?' Washington kindly took his hand and re])lied, • Mr. Campljell. stav bv vour familv and keep neutral" then bidding him good-bye, rode off. ••About noon the next dav the British took possession of the town, and in the afternoon the (Ireen was covered with Hessians, a horrible sight to the inhabitants. There were between ."^OOD and 4000, with their whiskers, brass caps and kettles, or brass drums. A part of these troops were taken prisoners two months after at Trenton. A picrrKic oi' Tine pati^iots. ■' Tliey marched two al)reast, looked ragged, some without a shoe to their feet, and most of them wrapped up in their blankets." What a ]iicture these words suggest of the condition of that struggling band of liatri' ts as tluy marclud 1hr(aigh our streets that cold and rainy night." HISTORY OF ni'.KCKN COTNTY (,~. TOKY AM) HKITISH K'AIDS. The accounts of these r;iii inhabitants; firin;,'- build- ing-s, as well as destroyin,i>- life. Another detachment swept desolation on the 17th, and not a house of a Whiij- escaped. In the first of these raids Cornelius Tallman. Samuel Uemarest. Jacob Cole, (leorsre p.us- kirk, were cajjtured. Cornelius Demarest was killed, and Henderick Demarest, .leremiah Westeryelt and Dow Westervelt were wourdec'. The buildings of Peter Demarest, Matthew Bogert, Cornelius Hyler and Samuel Demarest were burned. In the latter Abram Allen and Ceorge Campbell were murdered. Jacob Zabriskie was stabbed in fifteen ])laces, and t^yo negro women were shot down." It is doubtless to these yery same raids that reference is made in a letter from Closter dated >Iay 1(1, 177"» ; and (|uote{ these raids is described as f(dlows: "In the latter part of March, 17hiiider<.'d and took jjrisoners a few peaceable inhabitants, among f,6 HISTOKV OF BEKGEN COUNTY whom was Mr. Archibald Campbell. This gentleman, who had been for several weeks confined to his l)ed with the rheumatism, they forced into the street and compelled to follow them. Often in their rear, they threatened to shoot him if he did not hasten his pace. In the subse- quent confusion he escaped and hid in the cellar of a house opposite New Bridge. He lived until 179iS, and never experienced a return of the rheumatism." Mr. Romeyn gives another version of that incident to this effect: "He is said to have escaped at New Bridge by hiding under the bridge, and standing, as one version of the affair has it, for some time in two feet of water, which hydropathic treatment may account for the fact that he was cured of his painful disease, unless we may suppose that vigorous bodily exercise at the point of a bayonet, or a good thorough ' fright, could serve as a curative." The first narrative continues : "The Hessians burnt two dwellings and the Court House. The latter stood on the west side of the green, eight or ten rods from Campbell's tavern. Fortunately the wind was from the west, and drove the flames and sparks over the green, and the tavern was saved by the family throwing water over the roof. At this those in the outhouses were aroused, and the militia hastened across the fields, mounted horses, and alarmed the troops at Paramus. By the time the enemy had arrived at what is now Red Mills, four miles from Hack- ensack, they ascertained the Americans were on the way to meet them. Disappointed, they retraced their steps, and when near Hackensack turned off to the north, on the road leading to New Bridge ( Old Bridge ), to the left of which there is a range about half a mile distant from the road, the intervening ground being level. Here the Continentals and Militia were hurrying over, kept, however, at a distance by large flanking parties of the enemy, who, on arriving at the bridge, were detained about two hours in replacing the plank torn up by the Americans. In the meantime their parties were skirmishing with our people. Having crt)ssed over, they marched down the east side of the Hackensack through the English neighborhood, being pursued twelve miles to a considerable distance within their lines, down to Bergen Woods. They lost many killed and wounded. There were none killed im our side. A young man of the town was wounded by a spent ball, which cut his upper lip, knocked out four teeth, and was caught in his mouth. Captain Outwater received a ball below the knee that was never extracted. He carried it for many years, and it was buried with him." THE ATTACK I!Y M AJOK-C.ENEKAL HE.\TH. The account of another raid is to this effect: In December, ]77(i, it was reported that there were at Hackensack about one thousand of the enemy, and the suggestion of Huntington to Major-General Heath was to intercept them in their foragings. The latter on the 14th expressed his purpose to sweep the village, which he did the next day. Making a forced march by way of Tappan, he came upon the inhabitants by sur- HISTOKV <)1- BKKtiH.N COrNTY f)7 ])risc; but the enemy had k-l't. He says. -The enemy had left the hiwer town some (hiys since, except live, whom we took, two of them heinj;- sick. We had taken about hfty .d' tlie disalTected, and about lifty or sixty muskets, the greater ])art of which had been taken from the Whiffs, it is supposed, and stored. At the ihick we found om the History of Hackensack published in the Bergen County Uemocrat we copy the following: It is related by our worthy citizen, Mr. Henry \'anderbeck. of Kiver Street, that in lis7S, a party of British soldiers came up the Hackensack River and burned the Court House and raided the neighboring farm- houses. Among the ])laces visited was the house of his grandfather. I'aul Vanderbeck, situated near the present home of the grandson. At the time of this raid, Paul \'an(lerl)ick was in camp with Captain Outwater, then staticmed near Paramus. ,\Irs. Vanderbeck was at home alone, and tried by every possible means to hide away some few things in the cellar, among which she unfortunately stored away three or four geese. When the British had stolen all the pigs and geese and almost every eatable thing, including a batch of hot bread just from the oven, together with all the butter in the house, and were about to retire with their booty, one of tlie imprisoned ganders, with goose-like simplicity, gave a loud cry which called attention to their hiding place, and resulted in their being taken along with the ,,ther iihnider. These raiders ])laced 68 ursToKV 01-" bkkgex cointv the lii)t l)rca(l in the same bag with the rolls of butter, already stowed away. ai;(l Mrs. Vaiiuerbeck rejoiced greatly when watching them depart ali.iig the lane to note the melted butter running down the backs of the red coati; of the Britishers who bore that part of the forage. Some two hours later, two British officers rode up and asked Mrs. Vanderbeck if she could furnish them with something to eat, and she irifdinied them that their Hessian troopers had stolen eyerything she had to eat. except a loaf of bread which she had hidden and the cream which she was just almut to churn when the raid took place. They told her to i>lace the cream in the churn and they would do the churning for her. which tliey did. When they obseryed Mrs. Vanderbeck working the liutter with a wooden ladle, they expressed surprise and commented on the superiority of this method oyer that of working it with the hand, such as i)revailed in their country. After being supplied with the re- maining loaf, and the new butter, and a liberal quantity of fresh milk, they each gave her a guinea to compensate her for her loss and took their departure. rilKKl'; COMMAXDEKS — COLON'EI. AAKON BTKIv'. COLOXEI. CEOKGK BAyLOK, kki(;adiek-(;i;.vekal exuch pook. Thev find place ;ind mention here, for a reason previously given, and that has governed in the selection of the subject matter of this portion of the work, viz., their relation to <.)ur local history. Mr. Komjvn wrote of Colonel Aaron Burr as follows : "It was just above the village of Hackensack, aljout two miles, in September, 1777. that Colonel Burr i Aaron Burr < played a very active part which gave him his rirst military reputation. Hearing, at the point where his regiment was lying, that the British had marched out of New York, and were devasting the country, and were within thirty miles of him, he started to meet them with his small force. About ten o'clock in the evening, when within three miles of Hackensack, he received information that the most advanced of the enemy pickets were cmly a mile distant. His men having marched thirty miles since breaking camp, and being ex- tremely fatigued, he ordered them to lie down and keep silent until he returne pjcliny individuals at the in )11umU when thev wcro farthest apart; and he was ahnost upon the sleepinj;- picket In'fore a man of it bef^an to >tir. When at a distance of ten yards, Burr was challenged bv a sentinel, whom he immediately shot dead, and thon s>-ave the word of attack. One officer, a sergeant, a corjioral .ind twenty-seven privates fell into their hands, on this occasion. Only one of the pickets besides the sen- tinel, made any resistance, and he was overpowered after he had received two bayonet wounds. He attempted to march awav with his comrades, but after going a short distance was comi)elled to lie down exhausted and fainting from loss of l>lood. "(io a little further niv g-ood fellow." said Burr, "and we will get a surgeon for vou." "Ah I" gasped the dying veteran, "all the doctors in America can do me no service, for I am a dying man; but it grieves me sore to the heart that I have served my King upward of twenty years, and at length must die with a charged nuisket in my hand." From the more extended account, found in the history of Bergen and Passaic Counties, we extract the f>)llowing statements concerning Colonel George Baylor : Sir Henry Clinton, the British Commander, to divert attention from some <)f his projected military movements, ordered Ivord Cornwallis, Major-General Charles (Irey, and General Knyphausen, to undertake a foraging expedition into Kast New Jersey. General Washington, in order to check this movement of the British up the Hud- son, " ordered Colonel Baylor with the Third Regiment Light Dragocms of Virginia, to move frimi their stati(m at Paramus, a small hamlet on Saddle River about six miles northwest from Hackensack, and post them- selves on the Hackensack River to watch the movements northward of the force under Lord Cornwallis. Colonel Baylor had up to this time proved himself a very gallant officer." "It was just at twilight, September 27. 177S, when Colonel Baylor and his troopers came to the little stream of the Hackensack, somewhat over three miles scmthwest from Tappan Village. Here he learned that Brigadier General Anthony Wayne was Imt a short distance north of Tappan with a body of militia. So fearing, perhaps, the superior rank of Wayne, and not wishing to lose his detached authority, he halted bis men on the Overkill Neighborhood Road, and (juartered his dragoons in the barns r)f thrifty farmers. His force consisted of twelve officers and one hundred and four enlisted men. Colonel Baylor, with his regimental staff officers, knocked at the farm house of Cornelius A. Haring, and his son Ralph, who had just been married, opened the door for them. They told Mr. Haring of their desire to spend the night there, and he received them willingly, although he informed them that he understood the British were lying at New Bridge and might at any time come upon them. Cohmel Baylor ilid not ai)])ear alarmed at this statement, but after seeing that his men were well provided for, and after posting a guard of sergeant and twelve men at the bridge over the Hackensack about half a mile south of Mr. Haring's house, with strict orders to 70 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COX'XTY kec]) a patrol (if two men oil each road to watch them a mile below and to he relieved ever}' hour, he retired to sleep in fancied security." Meanwhile Major General Grey — known as "No flint General," from his habit of ordering his troops to take the flints from their i^uns. and depend on their bayonets — advanced to make the ordered attack ui)on C'ohmel Baylor. The remainder of the stor_v is soon told. "The troo])s (British) just before midnig-ht, September 27th, marched on the road on the west bank of the Hackensack River silently and in perfect order until thev arrived withiri half a mile of the patrol on th.il mail. Here thev halted, and, guided by some Tories who knew the ground, a party of picked men * * made a detour to the left through the fields, and then passed to the rear of the sergeants' guard at the bridge and the patrol on the river road, and without the slightest difiiculty ma 1,' them prisoners. O.ij, at least, however, escaped. The sentinel who liatl escaped from the sergeants' guard at the Bridge awoke Ralph Haring. who aroused his father. The warning, however, came too late, as the Lritish soldiers were upon the heels of the sentinel, and burst into the house with the cry of "no quarter to the rebels.' Then the brutal sol- diers began to bayonet the inmates. Lieutenant John Smith and his company, quartered in the barn, were quickly surrounded, and, although thev surrendered, were inhumanly treated and wounded, and but few escaped. Other houses and barns in the neighborhood, where the American soldiers had been quartered, were visited by the British troops and the scenes of cruelty and bloodshed repeated. 'The cries for mercy of the defenseless soldiers were answered only by acts of savage cruelty.' 'The dragoons, stirprised, incapable of successful defense, with no pros- pect of inflicting injury on their f;vn County. While here, on tlie Stli of SepteJnber, occurred the death ol' Hrii;-adier (General Knoeh I'oor."" A military journal ol' Se])tember Kith, 17S((, records the followinsr: ■•We are now lamentinjr the loss of Brii-adier (General Poor, who died last niu^ht of putrid fever. His funeral solemnities have been attene found: "In memorv of Hon. Brigadier GeniT.-il i'^noch Poor, of the State of New Hampshire, who departed this life on tile Sth of September, 17S(i, aged 44 years,'" Washington, Lafayette and a jiortion of the iVnurican Army attended the funeral of (ieneral Poor. In 1.S24 Lafayette revisited this grave, and. turning away much much affected, exclaimed: " Ahl that was one of my (ienerals," IJrigadiiT (General Poor, who was a native of New IIami)shire. re- ceixed that titK' in 1777, and was one of the most competent and re- spected inted to draft reso- lutions, and after remarks by William S. Banta, Esq., the following were drafted : "Whereas, The union of the States is in danger, and the Consti- tution, framed at so great a cost by our fathers, which contains within itself all needful provisions for the necessities of the government, has been set at defiance ; and whereas our national flag has been insulted and government property invaded and seized by armed traitors, therefore "Resolved, That the Union shall be preserved at all hazards, the Constitution upheld, the right of the government vindicated, and the Declaration of Independence maintained in its full spirit and power. "Resolved, That for the defense and maintenance of (mr country and its institutions we are prepared, if need be, to sacrifice our wealth, shed our blood, and lay down our lives. " Resolved that our country is the l)est country in the world, and that we are not prepared to witness its destruction without first exerting all the means at our command for its perpetuation. "Resolved, That Bergen County will stand by our national banner in the eventful crisis, and those who go out from among us to the tented field to uphold that sacred banner merit and will receive our warmest sympathy and aid. ■'Resolved, That a committee of six be appointed by this meeting to provide means for the sup])ort of those left destitute by the absence of their husbands or fathers who may volunteer in the defense of their countrv." HISTOKY OK Bi;Kt;HN CorNTV The fnlln\\in.^; Private Cornelius Koert, promoted to Coriioral March 1, ISf),^. Tin-; iv'Aii.K'OAi) s'l'ix'iKi;. The famous railroad strike in ls77 readied New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West \'iryinia and ei2.75 paid for Bibles and Testaments. At the second anniversary, held in Haekensack, February 6th, 184<), Rev. John M. McAuley preached the occasional sermon. Rev. S. Iritmus Prime, one of the secretaries of the American Bible Society, was present and delivered an able address. Rev. Dr. Elting was re-elected Presi- dent and Christian De Baun, Secretary. For the year ending October 1st, 1899, 330 Bibles and Testaments were donated and 95 sold/ The present officers are Rev. Edward Lode wick. President: Revs. Isaac Thomas and W. Williams, Vice Presidents; Rev. David W. Tal- madg. Secretary; Mr. A. S. D. Demarest, Treasurer. KKKGKN COUNTY SUNDAY-SCHOOL ASSOCIATION. This organization was formed in 1867, and has been largely par- ticipated in by clergymen and Sunday-school workers throughout the county. William Williams was elected the first president. He remained in office two vears, and was succeeded by Judge Thomas Cumming, who was elected Se])tember 12, 1870. The county is divided into three dis- HISTOKY Ol-- Hi;i<(",KX COVNTY tricts, the vieo-presidi-nts of the associ;itin;i heiuji" ex-offioio i)i-esi(lenls III' their respective dislricts. Each towiiship lias a secretary wlinse duv it is t(i furnish statistics in a rejiort each vear tn tlie county secretary. <'.AS AM) MI.IX'TK'IC COMPA.Xy IM' UlCKl ; K\ corxTY. The tirst lightinu- company established in Hackensack \yas in ISd". when by special Act of the Leg-islature. th- H;i:kensack (iasli jht C rn- pany was incorporated, a meetino^ for the purjiose havinif been held on July loth, of that year. The tirst directors were: L. J. Van Bod;erck. John J. Ward, M, M. Knapp, Garrett Ackerson, Jr., R, \'. Terliune. John J. Anderson and N. S. Banta. The first ofticers were : Pri'sident, M. M. Knapp; Treasurer, N. S. Banta; Secreta-^-, K. P. Terliune. The g-as company in these days had the tield to tiiemselves. reai>in were not lighted. The only reason why greater revenues were not realiznl, lav in the fact that fewer lamps were used on a street, and a less number of streets lighted than at present. When electricity came into use, howexer, all this was changed. \u electric plant was put in by another company, when the income of the gas company fell off, and they soon found that .a new order of things must be instituted in order to save themselves from banlcrui)tcy. The new company found greater obstacles to overcome than had lieen .antici- pated, and to add to their troubles, their generating plant was Imrneil, in November, 1S"I4. The gas company which in l.S'»2, ha'd come under new control, now m.ide radical changes realizing that more modern methods must be used, and that impro\-ements were necessary. In 1S').=, a completion of the jil.ins culminateil in the purchase of tlu' electric plant, both comjianies coming under one control. The stockholders were all persons interested in the growth and de- velopment of the town, and fully cotivinci'd of thi- fact that in the near future not only gas but electricity also would be largely used for cook- ing purposes as well as lighting. The present gas generator has a capacity of something over a ipiar- tiT of a million cubic feet i)er day, and storage of about seventy-five thousand cubic feet, using over thirty miles of mains. The electric light- ing power of the ]>resent ])lant being about twelve thousand lights with over fifty miles of ])ole line, and about three hundred miles of wire. This plant is now a ])art of the new gas and Klectric Comi),iny ot Bergen County, a consolidation of the old Hackensack (ias and Electric Company, the Kidgewood IClectric (.'onipany, the E iglewood (ias and Electric C(m:])any. the Rutherford (ias Company, and the Ru- therford Electric Com])any. IlISTOKV OF BHKGEX COl'NTV Extensive enlargements to the g^enerating- plant in Hackensack are now under way with a view to shutting down all of the smaller outlying plants and supplying the entire C(.unty from the one station, gas to be supplied from the same point. This is a progressive cc^rporation quickly adopting the latest im- provements and keeping to the front in all matters upon which depend the maintenance of a first class service. In 1S')8 the company spent one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars in improvements, and expect to spend a quarter of a million in the present year, ( 1899 i. The new company starts out with an authorized capital of two mil- lions of dollars and an authorized bonded issus of one million five hundred thousand dollars, the same interests controlling as heretofore, with : Frank B. Poor, President; Arthur B. Sturges, Vice-President; W. C. Thomas, Treasurer ; and Ivemuel Lozier, Secretary. The Board of Directors will number fifteen, all well known men of the county. They are Frank B. Poor, (ieorge W. Conklin, David St. John, E. A. Pearce, Lemuel Lozier, W. C. Thomas, and Samuel Taylor of Hackensack; E. A. Waltim, Ridgewood ; F. A. E. Cott, Englewood ; William McKenzie, Addis(m Ely, Rutherford ; Hamilton F. Kean, Elizalieth ; T. N. McCartor, Newark ; and Arthur B. Sturges, New York. bkkc;kn county medical society. In \h40 Harvard College was established followed in 1701 by Yale ; Princeton in 1746; King's College in 1754, and Oueen's in 1770. These institutions were for the promotion and maintenance of a high grade of >c!'.olarship, but with no especial object in view. Holland sent thoroughly trained theologians to look after the spirit- ual interests of the Colonists. She sent also able lawyers, as did boih England and Scotland, to attend to the legal interests of those who had come to the new world, but the physical ailments incident to man were nut tlinught of, to the extent of making- a special study of medicine. The universitv at Leyden was noted for its interest in the study of sciences, especially the science of chemistry, but chemicals were then but little used as curatives, herb constituting a large proportion of the natirial used in the healing of diseases. The lirst medical school in America was founded in Philadelj)hia in 17(>5, in which Drs. Shippen and Morgan were Professors. Two years later New York established her first school of medicine in connection with King-"s College. But few students entei-ed upon the work, however, as is proven by the records which show that only eleven degrees were conferred prior to the war of the Revidution, when studies in that depart- ment were suspended until 1784. From 1792 to 1816, a Medical Depart- ment of Uueen's College, New Brunswick, was located in New York. Its location in the city is explained by the fact that the founders, D.'-. Nicholas Romaine and associates having failed to place in New York, with the institution they desired, applied and secured authority under the charter of (Jueen's College to perfect their organizatint his death caused a delay in its establishment. New Jersey claims to have been the first of the colonies to ortran- ize a Medical Association. The Medical Society of New Jersey have in their possession, the well preserved oriifinal Ixiok of minutes of that or- g'anization. The first meeting was held at the house of a Mr. DulT in New Brimswick, wliere sixteen ])hysicians met nn the 23rd day of Julv 17(>(), and formed themselves into a " Standiuir Society and Voluiitary Incorporatiim," and sijrned the '"Instruments of Association arid Consti tution of the Medical Society of Ne\y Jersey."" The names ni thos ■ who signed these instruments were Robert McKean, Liiris. Manlove. John Cochran, Moses Bhxmifield, James (iilliland, William Burnet. Jmia. Uayton, Thomas Wig-gins, Williams Adams. Bern. Budd, Lawrence \'. Deryeer, John Griffith. Isaac Harris and Joseph Sackett. Jr. The meet- ings of the Society were hold semi-annually, uninterruptedly unlil 177.^. when the Reyolution interfered and no meeting was again held until 17S2. Again from 1795 until 1S(I7 a cessation occured. In 1790 another society was forme a piece of interesting reading. Medicine, as a science, is of comi)arative]y recent date. It was not until 1754 that lectures to students was first in- troduced. Dr. William Hunter, of Newport. R. I.. In-ing the first to use them as a means of instruction, the lirst instruction in dissection having been given prior to that time by Dr. Bard of Middletown, in New York City. The Provincial or State Society exerted a healthful influence, and soon district societies began to spring up in dilTerent parts of the State. Bergen County, owing ])robably to its close proximity to New York. Newark and Elizabethtown. had few physicians until a later date than many other ccmnties. Joseph Sackett. Jr., who ]>racticed at Paranius during the Rey(dution. is the . The earliest physician of whom we can lind any record, in Bergen County, was Dr. Van Kmburgh. He lived prior to 17u'i, as is attested ■"^O HISTOKV OF BERGEN COUNTY I)y the deed to his widow, u^iven by her friend Sarah Sandford dated De- cember 7, 170''. The land so i^iveii was probably bestowed purely out of friendship, and consisted in all of ahoui six hundred acres of land. Dr. Abraham Van Boskirk was a surgeon in the First Militia of Eero-en County, and (m May I2th, 1775, was one of the committee of correspondence for Bergen County of which John Fell was chairman. Dr. .loseph Sackett was Ijorn Febru;iry 1(), 1733, O. S., and was one of the original charter members of the New Jersey Medical Society, taking an actiye part until 1772 when he remoyed to Newton, I^. I. Dr. John Campbell, who was a physician in Hackensack after the I'^evolution, was a son of Archibald Campbell, wlio was adyised by Washington to "kee]) neutral" and stay by his family. Dr. Campbell was born Febru- Mry 1.^, 1770. He spent his life in Hackensack. He died in 1814, and is buried in Hackensack by the side of his wife w'ho died in 1853. Jo- siah Hornblower. a brother of Chief Justice Joseph C. Hornbhrn-er, of the vSupreme Court of New Jersey, practiced medicine in Bergen County in 17s'>. Dr. Hornblower was born at Belleyille May 23, 1767. He studied medicine with Dr. Thomas Steele of Belleyille, and began prac- fice in the town of Bergen in 178'). His practice extended over a large expanse of country- covering- Hudson County, including the old Town- slii]! of Hackensack, Fort Lee, with a considerable practice in Staten Island. He was appointed surgeon in the War of 1812, and was assigned to duty at the old arsenal on the heights. He was twice married, his lirst wife being Annetje Merselis, who became the mother of six chil- dren. His second wife, Hannah Town, had two children. He died at th.e good old age of eighty-one years, having been in active practice in Bergen County for a period of fifty-five years. Two of his sons, Wil- liam and Josiali became physicians, and three of his sons-in-law, Doctors DeWitt, (iautier and Zabriskie were also physicians .as were two of his grandsons, the sons of William. The family was thus widely repre- sented in the profession. Cornelius Blauvelt was a practitioner in Hack- ensack in ISl'). It was not until 1854 that the District Medical Society of Bergen County, was organized. A meeting for this purpose was held in the Washington Institute Building, in Hackensack, on February 28, where the licensed physicians and surgeons met by authority of the Medical Society of New Jersey, through a conimissi(jn issued for that purpose. Those present ^ve^e Drs. William H. Day. Charles Hasbrouck, George B. Brown, Henry A. Hopper and DuBois Hasbrouck. The meeting was organized by making W^. H. Day, M. D., President, and Dr. Henry A. Hopper, Secretary. William H. Day was elected the first president of the Society and Charles Hasbrouck secretary. The Society held no meetings from 1858 to 1S()S, when a re-organi- zation took place and the by-laws were revised. KOLI, OF .MEMDl'.KS A D.M FrTl-; 1) V \' TO lS7ll. A. Hopper, 1854; W. H. Day, 1854; C. Hasbrouck. 1854; H. A. Ilopier. 1S44; (1. B. Fh-own, 1854; D. Hasbrouck, 1S54 ; A. S. Burdett, HISTOKV OF lUvKl.lCX COINTV 81 1854; B. Oblenis. 1855; J. J. Harin-r, ISSh; I. J. Well, lSf.8; W. II. Hall, 18(.S: J. T. Dvimiiid; Isr.S; H. (\ Noer, 18(>8; F. M. Wrig-ht, 1S()8; J. M. Simpson, 1S(,<); R. Stewart. 1S(,<); S. J. Zabriskie, 1870; A. P. Williams, 187U; H. A. Crary, 1871; W. Fr.incis. 1,S71: I). A. Currie, 1872; M. S. Avers, 1872; I). C. C'.irr. 1874; (i. K. Simi)s..ii, 1874; F. A. Davis, 1874; A. Clendinen, 1875. PRESENT MEIIBEKS AM) SCHOOLS AT WHICH THI•^• KMCCKIVKD THEIK DKf. NiaC. Henry A. Hopper, Colleg-e Physicians and Surgeons, New York. 1847; A. S. Burdett, College Physicians and Surgeons, New York, 1S52: H. C. Neer, Berkshire Medical College, 1860; D. Augustus Currie, Uni- versity of Buffalo, 1864; University of Kdinburgh. 18f>7; M. S. Avers, Long Island College, 1871; G. C. Terhune, New York Medical College, 1853; Charles H. Hasbrouck, College Physicians and Surgeons, Fair- field, New York, 1839; D. St. John, Bellevue, 1875; Alexander Clendinen, University of Maryland, 1859; Milton Terhune, Kentucky School of Medicine, lf)76; J. M. Simpson, Bellevue; 186f>; S. J. Zabriskie, Uni- versity Medical College, New York, 185f); J. J. Haring, Jefferson Medi- cal College, 1855; A. P. Williams, College Physicians and Surgeons. New York, 18f>0; E. M. Garton, University Medical College, 1878; G. R. Brown, College Physicians and Surgeons, New York, 1875; C. L. Demarest, Bellevue, 1876; Thomas Reid, University Medical College, New York, 1876. Presidents: 1854, William H. Dav; 1855-'56, Abraham Hopj)er; 1857, William H. Day; 1858, I. J. Wells; 18()8, Charles Hasbrouck; 1869-70, A. S. Burdett; 1871-72, John .1. Ilaring; 1873, F. Marc Wright; 1874, H. C. Neer; 1875, A. S. liurdett : 187(), D. Augustus Currie; i877, Henry A. Hopper; 1878, A. S. Burdett; i879, S. J. Za- briskie; i880, Milton Turmure; i88i. Henry A. Hopper; i882, II. A. Hopper; i883, D. St. John ; i884, M. S. Ayers ; i885, Milton Turnnn-e; 1 886, John W. Hopper ; i8S7, J. W. Terry ; iS88, Wni. II. O. Tayli>r ; 1 889, Lewis Parsells ; i89(l, John A. Willis; i8"»i, M.S. Ayers; rS92. H. C. Neer ; Samuel A. Armstrong ; i8'M, .1. W. B. Lansing ; i8"»5, \V. L. Vroom ; i896. Hardy M. Banks: i8'»7, L. B. Parsells: i8')8, Howard McFadden; i899, Chas. Calhoun. Secretaries: i854-58, Charles Hasbrouck; i868, I.J.Wells; i8(.9. J. T. DeMund ; 1 870-76, Charles Hasbrouck; iS77-'78. A. S. Burdett; 1879, Henrv A. Hoi)])er ; i880, Alexander CK'udinen : i88i-'9't inclusive, 1). A. Currie ; i8S2-'9'», Dr. David St. John, 'i'reasurer. THE BEKCEN CorNTV I'A KM IsNS' MrTl'AI. KIKE INSURANCE COiVIPANV. This institution is located at Oradell, Bergen county. N. J. It was incorporated May i, i849, by the following named persons: Jacob Van Buskirk, Nicholas C. Durie, Charles Hasbrouck, Benjamin Z. Van Emburgh, David A. (J. Demarest, John G. Demarest, Isaac D. Demarest. Garret S. Demarest, Henry N. Voorhis, George T. Brickeli, (Barrett A. Eckerson, Henry H. Voorhis. .Ir.. John Ackcrman, Jr. 82 HISTOKV OF BEKGEN COUNTY The Compan}- was org'anized wtih Garret S. Demarest as president, and Henry H. Voorhis as secretary. These g-entlemen occupied these positions respectively many years. The company insures farm and other property for cash premiums only. The present officers of the company are as follows: Abram C. Holdrum, President: John T. Haring, Vice- President: Elmer Blauvelt, Secretary: Ilaniel I. Demarest, Treasurer. CHAPTER XIII. INTERNAL IMPK( )VEMENTS. DOKOrCHS. Bergen county is diviiK-d into fifteen townships, thirty-five V)or- oughs and has one city and one incorporated villag-e. The fxiroiigh formation comes under the law of iS7S, having for its object the secur- ing of certain improvements in water, lights, sewerage, roads, etc. Under this law each borough thus formed had the right of electing free- holders to the County Council. Subsequent enactments, however, an- nulled the right, but, nevertheless, boroughs formed parts of different townships, and had a right to elect freeholders until the law of May. 1894, annulled this privilege only under certain cases. Under the old law of 1878, citizens of municipalities secured the formation of their Ijorough by petiticm, a certain number representing the taxable list of the community having the right to petition. Under the present regime the Legislature creates a borough. Following we have a list of the boroughs of the county, the sjiecial history of each being found in the respective localities in which the borough exists: North Arlington, Rutherford, East Rutherford. Wallington, Carl- stadt, Woodridge, Hasbrouck Heights, Lodi, Little Ferry, Ridgetield. Leonia, Undercliff, Palisade Park, Fairview, Bogota, Englewood Cliffs, Tenafly, Cresskill, Bergentiekls, Schraalenlnirgh, Old Tappan, May- wood, Uelford, Riverside,' Westwood, Woodcliff, Parkridge, Montvale, Allendale, Midland, Upper Saddle River, Lower Saddle River. Midland Park, (ilen Rock and (iarfield. KOADS. The first Commissioners of Highways for Bergen county, and tin- first known to have been appointed in the State were John Berry, Law- rence Andries (Van Boskirk), Enoch Micliielsen i \'reeland i, Hans Diedricks, Michael Smith, Hendrick Van Ostruni and Claes.lans en Van Purmerendt. They were appointed by an act of the ( General As- sembly, and it is doubtful if there exists anywhere i record of their pro- ceedings. They apjiear to have held office a long time, for in ff.'M (ler- brand Claesen was apjjointed in the place of Van Purmeren. 17(i4. the (irand Jurv nf each and every county was authorized to ap])oint yearly at the February and March terms of court, with the approval of the bench, two persons in each county. ])recinc't, district or township, to lav out all necessary cross-roads and l)y-roads, which were to be four rods wide, and -also "to settle" other matters pertaining to the highways. Beginning with the old-lime wagon roads, the first in the county of Berx-en was the one leading from Comnuinipaw In the village ol liergen. 84 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY The road was probably laid about the year l*i()(i. On the .>d of June, i7i8, a road was laid out from Cromkili to Weehawken Ferry, which Mr. Wintield is of the opinion was part of the present Hackensack turnpike. The road from Berg'en to Bergen Point was the old King's High- way, but the date of its construction is unknown. In 1743 James Alex- ander, of the Council, reported a bill for continuing the King's High- way to some convenient point on the Hudson, but the bill was not passed. On October 10. 1764, a King's highway was laid out from Hendrick Sickles' barn to a point opposite the Dutch Church, on Staten Island, and the old road was abandoned. The new road became a part of the great stage roiite from New York to Philadelphia. The Hackensack turnpike was constructed in 1S04 by the Bergen Turnpike Company, incorporated November M). 1S(I2, to build this road from Hoboken to Hackensack. The road from Paulis Hook to Newark over the Hackensack and Passaic Rivers was built in 17b5, and was the only thoroughfare from the Hudson to Essex county for nearly thirty years. The road first known as the New Barbadoes turnpike, but subsequently as the New York and Paterson turnpike, was surveyed and constructed in 1816. This road ori- ginally divided the township of Union from Lodi, and passed through Passaic, and objective points being Paterson and Hoboken. The Belleville turnpike though not one of the oldest roads in the county, is a much travelled one, and is the boundary between Hudson and Bergen counties. The old Pollifly road was one of the tirst in the county, also, and was opened over two hundred years ago. It runs irom Hudson county through the old townships of Union and Lodi. The Paterson and Jerse}- City plank road was completed about 1S20; the Hackensack and Paterson road in 1826, and soon after, the road leading from Hackensack to Little Ferry was constructed. About the year IS.^o the road from Lodi village to the Polliily road was opened. The road following the course of the Passaic River, now designated as the Passaic Valley road, was an early highway opened long before the war of the Revolution. The Indians called the northern portion of this highway the Wagara road and the southern division as Slauter Dam road. The Paramus road running from Pompton to Hoboken was asso- ciated with the historic days of the Revolution. It was the thoroughfare of the old Goshen and Hoboken stage line, and created a demand for the numerous taverns which lined its course. This road came through New- burgh. N. Y., to Closter, and passed through Old Hook to Westwood and from thence southwest to Paramus. The Stone Arabia road beginning at Hackensack and following a northeastly, then a northerly direction to Rockland county, N. Y., was an imjjortant thoroughfare during the early part of the present century, as was also the Spring Valley road, which was opened about the sam time, and run through the central part of Midland township, north. The Wieremus road, so christened by the Indians who in early times followed it as a trail, ran throusih Pascack Ridgfe to New York State mSTOUY ()1- BKKC.KN COl-NTY }S5 -and was also cuii' of llu- iiiiinirtain roads in tlic norllu-rn ])ortion of Hvi- ufcn County. ThosL' aro a ffw of thv earliest roadways in In'r^^on Conntv import- ant iu this (.'onnLx-tion only because of ilu'ir use in colonial and Kevolu- tionary days. That New Jersey is a friend to yood roads is shown liv the report of State Commissioner lUuld. During the last year eif^ditv-l'ive miles of new roads have been built under State aid. makini;- three hundred and citrhty-tive miles, since the State made ajipropriations for the ]iur]>ose in 1S'»3, at total cost beino- 3.s().s.82(>. Berji^en County excels in its roadways, in fact thev constitute an interesting- feature <»f the county, the () j)er cent, of the bond holders. It is intended now to build the road to Hackensack. The Hoboken. Passaic and I'at- erson trolley line was built recently. It runs through the places named its title and is an im])ortant ro.ad and does a large Imsiness. I'l: K'kTIiS. The ferries which connect the old iiortion of Bergen County with New York City are numerous. There are f 1 ) the Comnninipaw. ' 2 ' the Weehawken, (3) the Jersey City, i4i the Hoboken, i .s ■ the I'avonia. Besides these, are still in operation, there were several others ol an early date which have long ceased to exist. These latter were Bndil's Dock, in HarsimusCove to New York, establislu'd in 1S02. and contimied a few years ; Bull's Ferry, at the u]>per line of the jM-eseut e'onntv of Hudson, well known during th^' Revolution, which took its name from a f.imilv by the name of Hull residing there-. Wintield gives the names of the lessees of this ferry as follows : Cornelius Huyley, 177S-"'*2: 'Plu'odore Brower, 17't2-180.s ; (iarret Neefie, ISO.S; L.-wisConcklin, 1S(I(, ; Abraham Huyler, 18(18. De Klyn's Ferry was started by John Towne and Harnet I )e Klyn, from the wharf ^ south and north) of the State Prison to Hoboken in 86 HISTOKV OF BEKGEN COUNTY I'i'H,. No record is found of this ferry later than ISOh. F a year. During the Revolution this ferry was subject to the army occupying New York. In 1789, the ferry Was owned by John Stevens, the proprietor of the Hoboken. In 1811 Mr. Stevens completed a boat, which he put on trial in September, announcing " the trial trip of the first steam ferry boat in the world." The Pavonia Ferry was established by letters patent from King (leorge II, January 17, 17.^,>, to Archibald Kennedy his heirs and assigns. Dows Ferry over the Hackensack, a little north of the New Jersey Railroad was a noted place during the Revolution. Mr. Winiield thinks it was constructed about the time that Colonel John Schuyler constructed Belleville turnpike, during the French War, and that it remained in operation until superseded by the bridge erected in 1794. It received its name from John Douw, a friend of Colonel Schuyler. The ferry and Douw's tavern were on the west side of the Hackensack. It was at this ferry that boats had been provided on the night of Major Lee's attack on Paulus Hook to facilitate the retreat of his forces. The ferry Jersey Cit3- was established June IS. 1S(>4. KAII.KOADS. The first railroad in America was laid in old Bergen County. Mr. L. y. C. Elmer, of Bridgeton, N. J., says in the Springfield Republican. "Reading the very interesting account of the Hoosic Tunnel in your paper of November 28th, I find a new illustration of the difficulty of ob- taining correct historical data. The writer states that in 182(> Dr. Phelps presented the first proposition ever made for a railroad before any legislative body in the United States. This is a mistake. About April, 1811, Colonel John Stevens, of Hoboken, N. J., presented a mem- orial to the Legislature to authorize a railroad in New Jersey, and in February, 1815, a law was passed incorporating 'The New Jersey Rail- roa2. The rollin^--stock at that time consisted of "three splendid and commodious cars, each caj)- able of accommodating thirty passengers," which were drawn by " fleet and gentle horses." It was thought to bj a " rapid and delightful m > le of trayeling." The trial-trip oyer that part of the road was June 7, 1832. It connected with the New Jersey Railroad at West End. The road was leased to the Union Railroad Company September '». IS.^2. This lease was assigned to the Erie Railway Company, and the road is now part of the main line of the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad. The assignment and transfer (d' the road was conlirmed by the Legislature March 14, 1.S53. The Erie Railway Company was first recognized by the laws of New Jersey, March 14, 1853, as the Ne\y York and Erie Railroad Company, then as the Erie Railway Company. After leasing the Paterson and Hudson Riyer Railroad and the Paterson and Ramapo Railroad, which two roads formed a direct line from Jersey City to Sufferns, Piermont was abandoned as a terminus, and the cars were run to the depot of the New^ Jersey Railroad Company in Jersey City until May, 18(i2. "The Long Dock Company," incorporated February 2(>. 185(), in the iiiterLst of the Erie Railway Company, completed the Bergen Tunnel January 28, 1861. The first passenger train ])assed through it May 1, 1S(,1. at which date the Erie traffic was transferred to its present termiinis at Ltmg Dock. In 1865 the Erie Company C(mstructed a telegrajjh line through the Bergen Tunnel, so that managers of signals at either end could be duly warned of approaching trains, and collision thus ayoided. The interior of the Bergen Tunnel was arched over in 18(>7. The New York and Oswego Midland Railroad C()in])any was incor- porated January 1, 186(.. Construction began June 2't. ISdS. The first train ran over the western end of the road November 5, 1S(>'), and the first through train August 18, 1873. On M'» it was leased to the Erie Railway Company. This road ], asses through the eastern part of Bergen County, along the table- land of the Palisades, many porti(ms of which it has been the means nf redeeming from forests and converting- into beautiful parks and villas. Englewood, on this road, one of the most delightful suburbs of New York, has been entirely l)uilt up since the road was opened. The Jersey City and Albany Railroad was opened to Tappan July .>Oth, 1873. This road passes thnmgh Bergen County from the Midland, at Ridgefield Park, in a directiuu nearly parallel with the Northern road. CHAPTER XIV. SCHOOLS. KDUCATIONAL KKPOKT. The first apportionment of the school fund of the State was made to Berg-en county by the trustees in 1S31 and consisting- of one thousand, two hundred and ninety-nine dollars and ninet3--two cents. Benjamin Zabriskie and Cornelius Van Winkle were appointed a committee of the board of Chosen Freeholders to apportion the am8.55 Harrington 34(..12 1127.44 1473. 5(, P>anklin. 2't2.57 874.18 11(.(..75 New Barbadoes 201.82 457.80 (.5').(i2 Pompton. 142.84 381.54 524.».8 West Milford. 147.35 370.43 523.78 S2f)40.()() Sf)f)30.()0 S')270.()r. Before the division ot the surplus revenue took place the towns of West Milford, Pomjjton and a part of Saddle River was annexed to Passaic County, leaving the sums from these towns to be deducted there from. The County of Hudson having been erected February 22, 1840, the sums allotted to the towns of Bergen and Jersey City, and a part of Lodi, under the names of Harrison were also to be deducted. After the division of the county in 1840 the amount apportioned from the school fund was SIOOO.. 50, divided among the townships as fol- l0 HISTOKV OF BEKGEX COUXTY NewBarbadoes, S13S.(><>; Lodi, S()f).45 ; Saddle River, S52. 41 ; Hack- ensack. S334,09 : Franklin. ?21i). 02 ; Washington. 8174.19 ; Harrington. SI IS. 7.^. The interest on the surj)lus revenue began to be available for school purpi)ses May 1. IS.^S. The sum of S140;i had then ac:rued, and was divided among the townships as follows: Lodi. Sl(>4.40 ; Hackensack, S174.50 ; Franklin Sl<){). 5ft ; Saddle Kiver. SSO.<(() ; Harrington, S225.3ft ; NewBarbadoes, §131.40 ; Bergen. S2')S.70; Jersey City, S134.12. In 1839 the interest on the fund amounted to S2-. ft.^5.38. In 1840 the interest was S3, 112.05. Continuing the history, John Terhune. Superintendent of Bergen County Schools, says : "Prior to 18ft7 the schools of Bergen County were in ])art free. They were under township superyisi. which was the last year of the township method of Superintendents, gives the total population in the nine townships 21,ftiy, and the school census ft, 888. The total amount of money to be expended was twenty-five thousand, seven hundred, forty dollars and seventy-four cents, received from the following sources : Raised by tax, eleven thousand, twenty-nine dollars and eighty-one cents ; from State three thousand, fifteen dollars and thirty-nine cents ; other sources one thousand, six hundred, twenty-two dollars and forty-two cents; raised for building and repairing two thousand, seven hundred, seventy dollars and ninety-nine cents ; from tuiticm fees, seven thousand, five hundred, forty-six dollars and seventeen cents. There were thirty-seven male teachers at an average salary of forty- three dollars per month, and thirty-eight female teachers at an average salary of thirty-two dollars per month. There were fifty-five schools, seven of which were free. The office of County Superintendent was created by Act of the Leg- islature, approved March 21st, 18ft7. Under this syetem the number of schools in 1899 is one hundred and four with three hundred and niaeteen teachej-s, of which sixty-two are males at an average monthly salary of ninetj'-three dollars and sixty-four cents, and two hundred and fifty-seven females with an average salary of fifty-two dollars and sixty-one cents. The total amount of monies lo be expended the present year is as follows : Balances, S53,Sftft. 57 ; apportioned by County Superintendent, S130.- 984.89; raised by district tax 5232,143.59 ; from State for Manual train- ing 33,200.00, making a total of 8420,195.05. The school census for 1898 was 88,028. The- school buildings with but few exceptions are scientifically lighted, heated, ventilated and decorated ; and the grounds as a rule are planted with shade trees and flower beds, due to Arbor Day. This day was set apart by law in 1884, and has caused much improve- ment in school surroundings. The Arbor Day programmes' issued by the present Superintendent, John Terhune, have become popular,- and are used in nearly every county in the state. HISTOKV Ol' liKKT.lCN COTNTV 'Jl At the last anniversary, held April 2Sth. there were 4271 visitors in attendance in the several schools of this county. The school library question has also iinproved under his administra- tion, and the number of books taken out increased from .^5(il in ISSS. to f)5.421 in 18')9. They are now an indispensable factor in the education of the children. Bergen County was the first to establish a ]>rofessiunal library for teachers, which now c()'). There are deeds recorded in the Clerk's Ofi&ce in Hackensack giving by him and dated 1696, showing that he was living and able to transact business at that time. Captain Berry's son-in-law, Michael Smith, who was the first Sheriff of Bergen County, 1683, owned a plantation adjoin- ing that of Captain Berry, and it is probable that these were the first lands in the township which had any considerable improvements, espe- cially since these are prominently mentioned in a historical and descrip- tive account published in Edinburgh in 1685, by George Scott. The island of Barbadoes became an English possession in 1()25. Both Captain Sandford and Captain Berry were Englishmen, and both HISTOKY OK BKKCKN COl'N'TY 6-37, Andrew Demarest; 1837-3'*, Albert (i. Doremus; 1838-40, John J. \^an Saun; 1841-43, George Voor- his; 1843-45, Ralph Westervelt; 1844-4(,, Richard T. Cooper; 1846-48, 1852, William Winant; 1847-49, Jacob I. Zabriskie; 1849-51, Christian De Baun; 18,50-52, John A. Zabriskie; 1853-54, 1856, Richard R. Hawkey; 185.^-54, William Blair; 1856-58, Peter A. Terhune; 1857-59, Wilhelmus Berry; 1859-61, Abraham I. Demarest; 1860-62, Abraham A. Banta; 18f,2-(>4, Lucas A. Voorhis; 186.>-r)4, 18f.(>, Garret G. Ackerson; 18()(>-()7, (;arret A. Hopper; 18!,7-f>9, William D.- Wolfe; 1868-70, Nicholas A. Demarest; 1870, Henry C. Harring; 1871, Garret G. Ackerson; 1872-74, Jacob Yercance; 1875-78, Wm. Huyler; 1879, Frederick Steinle; 1880-89, John O. (;rode; 1889-92, Jacob L. Van Buskirk; 1892-94, Jacob H. Fank; lS94-'»(.. Jacol) L. Van Buskirk; 189f)-99, W. W. Curry; 1899, Charles Cutikliu and Cornelius K. Eckerson. It is not deliniiely known at what date the first settlement was made in tliis townshi]). According to traiiition. Dr. Van Imburg erected the first dwelling house in Hackensack. This house, it is said, stood on the creek just back of the site of the ])resent ctmrthouse. Another of the very old houses is said to have stood on what was formerly known as the \'arick- jirojji'rty. Among the first families to settle in this locality were : HISTOKV OK KKK{'.i:N COI'NTV Albert Zabriskic, and Ivawrince in l<)ii2; I.ouric in l(iS5; llousi-man in Id'iS. while Kijip came a little earlier : \"an Buskirk 1<.')7; \'aii (iiosen. lliS'i; Disniario. 1(>'(5. 'Pne rej<>r'i4. the reception ii'lto membership of Martin I'owelse. Jan. Christyn and Lena, also Maria Etsal and Rachel .lackse. In the Tollowini;- six years there were more than sixtv meml>ers added, showing an increase in the number of inhalntants. HACKKN.SACK. Hackensack, as a place of residence, is unsurjiassed bv anv other suburb of New York City. Beautifully situated on the west bank of the Hackensack Ri\er, from the commanding- heigfhts on its western border can l^o seen the river wind- ing- throug-h the valley, with the rang-e of the Palisades beyond and New York twelve miles in the distance. A i)o])ulation of Id, (too covers an area of 2,000 acres, thus affording wide streets, ainjjle grounds and abundance of air and sunshine to the inhabitants. The sandy, porous soil has a substrata of gravel and is well drained by the most approved system of sewerage. The outlet sewers are large and C(instructed of brick with pipe laterals, furnishing means for good drainage to buildings, as well as the soil. In all there are about 20 miles with cemeflt and made water tight. They are emptied by scavengers and the odorless excavat- ing company. :'■ The streets and wahks are well kept under the su])ervision of a com- ]ietent street superintendent, (ias and electricity ' Edison's system i are used for street and general lighting purposes. There are about oil miles of llagg-ed walks .and 40 miles of macadam, which work the Improvement Commission is e.xtending as rapidly as the ai)])ropriations will allow. The water supply, furnished by the Hackensack Water Company, is shown by careful analyses from time to time to be of excellent quality. It is obtained from the Hackensack River at New Milford, far above the influence of tide and sewerage or other containinating matter. The reser- voir is at an elevation of 110 feet, with sufficient ]»ressure to bi- ut'liz mI bv the fire department in throwing a stream over tlu' highest I)uilding. It is .to be regretted that few of our wells ari' free from organic matter; and as this is a possible source of disease, it is de-irable that the river water should entirely su])plant the use of wtdls. The climate is mild yet variable. The snowfall is usually light - rarely sufficient for lengthened sleighing. The health of the town will compare favorably with that of any other in the State. Statistics of bs' 7 and IS'KS, showing it to !)e lirst in ])oi'nt of health, with the county rank- ing second among the counties of the state. .Malaria prevails to some extent. Ih.iugh many of the oldest inhal)i- tants have never been affected l)y it. Typhoid fever and diptluria, the great terrors in many localities, are \'ery rare here. <)b HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY \ llvW UK HACKEXSACK FKOM (JKOINDS OF C. E. ECKEKSON. Epidemics are not common, and as they areg-enerally of a mild type, are readily controlled by the vig-ilance of the local physicians and effi- ciency of the Health Board. Each case of contagious disease is reported to the B(5ard by the attending- physician as soon as he learns its charac- ter. It is endeavored to isolate such patients, and none of the children lit the famih- are allowed to attend school while any danger of contagion exists. A certain sum is appropriated each year for the use of the Board of health, which is doing a good work. A very noticeable feature is the general cleanliness of the town, it being absolutely without the usual dirty quarters. The dwellings are chiefly built of wood, many of them surrounded by large lawns pleasantly shaded. There are no crowded tenement houses. The markets are clean and free from any evil influence to Health. The public school buildings are the pride of the community. In their ventilating, heating and plumbing a careful regard has been given to sanitary laws. The other public buildings, including the Hos- I)ital, Court House and Jail are also in good condition. The Health Board is composed of intelligent, progressive men, representing several professions. 98 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY , "The word Hackensack has been so variously spelled and defined it mav be an open question to-day as its orthography and signification. From Hackensack or Ackensack, either of which is spelled probably correct according to the original Indian, pronunciation, it has wandered through Aackingsack, Ackinghassack, Akkingsakke, Ackenkishacky, Ackenkeshacky, Hagensack, Haghkinsack, Hackensacky, Hackingke- shacky, Hackingkasacky, Hackinsack, Hackquinhacq, Hackquinhacq, Hacquinkacy, Hackinsagh„Haghkingsack, Hackkensak. SCHOOLS. The township of New Barbadoes is divided into four districts known as Nos. 10, comprising Fairmont and Cherry Hill, and a portion of Midland township; 31, all the township between the commission line or boundary -between Fairmont and the New York Susquehanna and West- ern Railway, and 32, all the territory of the township south of the last named line, to Kansas Street and the southern commission line, while 33, contains the remaining territory in the township to Little Ferry. 31, and 32, are largest and most deserving of notice. In 1825. Cornelius C. Bogert, Dr. Abraham Hopper, and Archibald Campbell were appointed trustees to take steps toward the establishment of a school in which all the branches of a classical education could be obtained. They first secured ground upon which to erect a building, and for this purpose purchased a lot fbrmerlj^ owned bv James Hill, on the west side of Main Street, and north of the lands of Henry Berdan. This was to be held in trust for the use of stockholders for the proposed new academy. Lafayette, having not long before passad through on his visit to the scenes of his earlier years when he fought side by side with Washington, the patriotic and grateful people named the new institu- tion, Lafayette Academy, in his honor. The building was erected by Benjamin Oldis, twentj- feet on Main Street and forty- live feet deep, with an upper story for lectures and religious purposes. This was sur- mounted by a cupola and bell from the old "Passaic Church. The first teacher was John Wash, Professor of Languages, from New York, fol- lowed by William Lynn, Michael Doyle, Simon Z«ibriskie, M. S. Wick- man, Jacob Vanderbilt, Hugh Norton. William C. Smith and J. G. Williams. The old academy was sold in 1853, when a new and more commodi- ous brick building was erected on the northwest corner of State and Berry Streets. J. G. Williams was the first teacher (1853), followed by James B. Burlew, Isaac J. Willis, Thomas H. Gimmel, B. F. Shaffer, A. Rider and G. T. Probst, followed by S. G. Lippincott. This house was forty b}' fifty feet, with an addition of twenty by forty feet, and with accommodations for five or six hundred scholars. The whole was valued at $10,000. In 1877, a new three-story building was erected on the same site. In early colonial days a law was passed rating the inhabitants for public instructiem in the various towns of the province. HISTOKY OK Br-:i\'GEN COl^NTV 99 A mooting- was hold in Hackonsack in 17f>7 at whioh was disoussed the locating- of Queen's (now Rutg-or'si College, the two places be fore the meeting- being Hackensack and New Brunswick. After it was de- cided to locate at New Brunswick, the jieopleof Hackensack wore aroused to a greater interest in the cause of education. Two years later (1769) Reinen Van (iiesse, an (dd aiul extensive land owner, gave a site to the old Washington Academy, on the north- west corner of Main and Warren streets. Upon this site was erected a large stone building, seventy-live by thirty-live feet and two-stories high, with a belfry in the centre. In this belfry was hung the bell which became famous, .ind on which was the inscription, "Presented to Washington Academy by William Bayard, 1776." This institution be- came famous through a line of able instructors of that day, Dr. Peter Wilson being the first on the list. He was a distinguished Scotchman, who came to this country in 1763. Next came Henry Traphagen, John Traphagen, Bayard Bayard, Thomas Geaghan, Christian Zabriskie, John Hayward, Henry Blackman, William Howell, John Bogart, Henry Howell and John Vanderbilt. The first trustees elected (1790), were Solomon Frcieligh, scholar and theologian; John Van Buren, Isaac Van- derbeck, Jr., and the two able lawyers, Robert Campbell and Nehemiah Wade. The building was remodeled in 1846, and again in 1858. In 1865 the school was made free, and in 1869, the necessary books and papers were supplied free of charge to all scholars. In 1873 a story was added to the building, but, the number of pupils increasing, it became neces- sary to have greater accommodations, and, in 1878, the building at the corner of Union and Meyers streets, was erected, and first occupied on December 2d of that year. Dr. Nelson Haas, j)receded by a list of emi- nent educators, became principal of this school in 1871, and continued in the work for a period of nearly a quarter of a century. In 1895, up(m the establishment of a separate high school, he was made its principal, and in 1897 was made Superintending Principal of all the schools in the township, and is at this time holding these two offices. The Hackensack Academy was erected about the year 1S()"), but was never a prosperous enterprise, financially. This building was located on State Street, near Centra! Avenue. Dr. John B. Hague was its first principal. He was followed by Professor Charles Hasbrouck, he in turn by Professor W. W. Richards, and next came Stephen Brooks, who was succeeded by Charles W. Boyd. About 1S82 the academy was closed. The Fairmont school house was built in 189(1, and for some time was utilized for both Fairmont and Cherry Hill, but this was not found to be satisfactory, and the Board of Education was authorized to sell the property and build a house for Fairmont. The Hudson Street school was enlarged and newly furnished in 18')3. The High School, formerly conducted as a separate department in the Union and State Streets schools, was. from 1895 to 1896, pl;iced in L ofC. 100 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY the State Street school, but later in the Union Street house, awaiting- the construction of the new High School building, which was opened on Thanksgiving Day, 1897. The High School prepares for admission to the Freshman class in college, or to the second year in the State Nor- mal School. The Board of Education consists of nine members, and by the school law enacted in 1866, all the schools of the township are placed under the supervision of this board. A uniform course of study has been adopted requiring eight years of work, beginning with the kindergarten. This includes a course of manual training and preparation for entrance to the High School. In addition to these, there are two private kindergarten schools in the village, and also one parochial school, established in 1871 by Rev. J. Rolands, in connection with the parish of Holy Trinity. The present County Superintendent of Schools, Mr. John Terhune, is doing a good work in the county. The city owns school property to the amount of nearly $10(1,000. HACKENSACK CHUKCHES. No histor}- of Bergen County would be complete without a record of the First Reformed Church of Hackensack. She claims to be the fruit- ful mother of all the English speaking Reformed Churches of the county, and the benevolent step-mother of all the other Protestant Evangelical churches. She survives to-day after the storms and vicissitudes of over two hundred years, one of the oldest and staunchest of the denomination in America. Like an old, gnarled oak she has sent her roots all through the religious soil of the county and nourished the ecclesiastical growth in all her hamlets. Two earliest records give the date of the organization as 1686, when under the ministry of Dominie Petrus Taschemaker, thirty-three persons united to lay the foundation of this ancient church. The original officers of the organization were Hendrick Jorense and Albert Stevense, elders ; and Hendrick Banta and Volkert Hansen, deacons. Dominie Tasche- maker was settled at New Amstel (now New Castle), on the Delaware River, serving the feeble congregation at Hackensack, with a good deal of sacrifice and devotion. He came four times a year to administer the Lord's Supper and baptize the children. Never their settled pastor, he did however excellent service. The first settled pastor was Guilliam Bertholf. a very pious man who acted as "voorleer," in the absence of a regular pastor. He was sent to Holland by the people at their expense, where he fitted himself for pastoral work and came back a regularl}- ordained minister. For nearly thirty years this first pastor labored incessantly among his own people, and cared for the scattered colonies of Dutch settlers in New Jersey and New York States, laying the foundation of the present Home Missionary work of the Reformed Church. In 1696, ten years after the organization of the church, a building was erected on the spot where the present venerable sanctuar}- stands. Having been altered and enlarged HISTOKY OK BEKC.EX COUNTY 101 several times, it is still known to-day as "the old clnirch on the j^reen." After Dominie Bertholf died in 1724, there came several i)astors, all of them to the Dutch manor born and bred. Time forbids to enter into particulars, put the work of Curtenius and Goets.hius, Errickson and Coens abides in its influence until the present time. The congfregation which was scattered over a large territory erected another house of wor- ship at Schraalenburg-h where the pastor preached every other Sabbath to accommodate the worshippers in that part of the county. In common with all the other Dutch congregations of that time, the church passed through the disturbing waters of ecclesiastical strife which weakened and rent in twain elements that needed all adhesion possible in order to flourish. At the beginning of the Revolutinnarv War, after the death of Dominie Goetschius, Rev. Theodorick Romeyn t usually shortened into Dirck Romeyn), came as pastor, when peace and prosperity returned. He did not stay long however, leaving to settle in the old Dutch Church of Schenectady, N. Y., where he became instrumental in founding Union College. In 1799 the church called Rev. James V. C. Romevn as col- league with Rev. Dr. Solomon Froeligh. The progress of theological thought in New England had begun to be felt in these staid old Dutch Churches. The younger men felt the impulse of the new doctrines and antagonized the older preachers. In 182.^ this same Dr. Froeligh started in the old church a secession, partly from disappointed ambition and partly from aversion to new methods which were coming in vogue. Several other ministers took umbrage at the preaching of the new views, alleging that it was a departure from the good old ways. These seced- ing parties were suspended by their respective classes for insubordina- tion and schism. For the time being, it engendered a good deal of strife and bad feeling; families were divided and churches broken up. But being a conservative and combative secession it did not make much headway, and to-day it is passing into oblivion. Dominie Romeyn lab- ored in the church over thirty years, repairing the breaches of the seces- sion and strengthening the church work. He was followed by his son James who continued the work for the short period of three years. Then followed the fruitful ministry of Dominie Alexander Warner who labored with his flock for over twenty-eight years and was succeeded by Rev. Dr. Theodore B. Romeyn, a grandson of Rev. James V. C. Romeyn. This church has had what no other church, as far as is known, has ever had, viz., a succession of three generations of preachers of one name and family. Dr. Theodore B. Romeyn continued as pastor for eighteen years when he died and left as his monument, a strong united church. In IS-SO the present pastor. Rev. H. Vanderwart assumed charge. For over thirteen years he has labored to keep this venerable old church true to her record and she stands to-day foremost in the county, having a large and growing membership, a flourishing combi- nation of several societies, large congregations both morning and even- 102 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY ins;-, verifying the promise of (iod that instead of the fathers shall be the children. THE SECOND KliKOKMED CHURCH was a swarm out of the old hive, settling in the upper part of Hacken- sack, on State Street. It was organized in October, 1855, and has had a stead_y, vigorous growth ever since. Its first pastor was Rev. James Demarest, Jr., who was followed by Rev. G. H. Fisher, under whose pastorate the church developed in every department of activity. Failing health compelled him to resign and liand the reins to Rev. C. B. Durand, who continued for twelve years, when he changed his ecclesiastical views and entered the Episcopal ministry. The present incumVjent is Rev. Arthur Johnson, who has labored with much success in this im- portant field, since December 12th, 1884. He was graduated from Prrnce- tcm College in 1872, and at Union Theological Seminary in 1875. A building site having been donated by Mrs. Maria Berry, the corner- stone of the new church-house was laid on July 30tli, 1856, by Rev. John Knox, D. D. The church edifice was erected in 1850, at a cost of S3000. THE THIRD GERMAN REFORMED CHUKCH \yas organized, as its name imports, by our German citizens, in Jan- uaf'y, 1858, in that part of Hackensack known as the Plank Road, in order to supply the religious needs of the increasing number of Ger- mans in our midst. During the forty years of its existence, owing to weakness, it has been served by eleven pastors. At the present time it is not strong, oviring to the death of many of its old supporters. Its present pastor. Rev. John Bombin, a scholarly man and an earnest and devoted worker, has under his care about eighty members. CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH. The Christian Reformed Church ( formerly known as the True Re- formed Dutch Church) has a history dating back to 1822,. when differ- ences in doctrine and practice, caused eleven (11) congregations to with- draw from the judicature of the Dutch Reformed Church, and organized as the Claseis of Hackensack of the True Reformed Dutch Church. Six of these congregations are entitled to recognition in the history of Bergen County, and are situated at Ramseys, (formerly Ramapo), Schraalenburg, (now Bergen Fields), English Neighborhood, (now Leonia), Paramus, (now Ridgewood), Englewood and Hackensack. In the 3-ear ,1890 after ah acquaintance of several years the two branches of the True Reformed Dutch Church, east and west, united, and for the sake of ecclesiastical, uniformity and compatibility with the Mother Church in the Netherlands, they assumed the name. Christian Reformed Church, still retaining their corporate title, observing the same form of church government and doctrinal standards, worshipped for a time in private houses, barns and halls, under the pastorate of Rev. Solomon Froeligh, D. D., until 1830, when Rev. C. T. Demarest served the church for one year, and Rev. Christian Z. Paulison was installed pastor. In 183") Rev. C. T. Demarest was again called to Hackensack, and served HISTOKY OV BEKGEN COUNTY 103 the church jdiiitly with Leonia, until 1S52, Re\-. Cornelius J. ]>lauvelt succeeding to the pastorate in 1SS4, remaining until his death in l.S()il. Rev. John Y. De Bauu was with the congregation for twentv-seven 3-ears. The first church edifice was erected in 1S33 on Hud-jon Street, enlarged in 1861, and again in 18()7. In the year 1S')<) a new edifice in modern style, was built on State Street to rei)lace the old one. The new church is called the Town Clock Church. Rev. John C. Voorhis, who is the sixth incumbent since the secession, was called to this pastorate in 1887, since doing a good work, both in his church and in educational affairs, being a member and for several years President of the Board of Education. He was ordained in 1875, and became pastor of the church at Englewood where he remained twelve years, just ])rior to coming to Hackensack. KIKST PRESBYTHKIAN CHURCH. The Church known as the First Presbyterian Church was originally the result of a secession, owing to a dispute of Rev. C. Z. PauHson with the Claseis of the True Reformed Church. Thinking himself and his following aggrieved, they organized a church similar to the Seccder Church but entirely independent of it. Finally in 1S71 the Consistory applied to the Presbytery of Jersey City for admission to the Presby- terian Church which was granted. Thus this church, organized in 1832 as an independent True Reformed Cliurch, came eventually into the Presbyterian fold. There has been a succession of short i)astorates until in 18'Jl Rev. R. Kuebler was called who continues to the present time. He was graduated from Union Theological Seminary in IS'd. The church has recently been enlarged and is in a prosperous condition. THK FIKST METHODIST CHUKCH. In 1837 an organization was effected by the Protestant Methodists, but disbanded after six or seven years. It was not until 184*), that the first class was established, and shortly afterward the First Methodist Episcopal Church was built on the rear of the same lot, upon which stands the present church and parsonage. The front was on Warren Street. The present church was begun in April 1874, the lecture room being dedicated in January 1875 and four years later the work was again taken up and the church completed. ASBUKY METHODIST KPISCOP.M. CHUKCH was organized in 1868, when thirty-six members were transferred from the First M. E. Church, and on New Year's Day 1871, they dedicated their new church. One month later it was burned down. It was not until nearly ten years had elajjsed, that the present church was built. They have now a membershii) of nearly 15(1, and church jjroperty worth probably SI 2,1)00. HOI.V TRINITY WOMAN CATIIOIJC CHUKCH. Not until 1863 did the Roman Catholics of Hackensack have a church of their own. Both the foreign and native born Catholic element is large and the congregation worships in a commodious edifice on Majile 104 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY Avenue under the pastorate of Rev. J. J. Cunnelly. Already a new church has sprung out of the old one and worships in a sanctuary of its own on \'reeland Avenue. The Rev. Dr. Brann purchased the site of the present church from the late John C. Myers on March 31, 1867. The Rev. P. Corrig-an the first resident pastor preceded Dr. Braun and officiated at Hackensack and Fort Lee, from September, 1863, to May, 1866. THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH was organized in 1832 by Elder Griffiths, but for various reasons the membership dropped off until Deacon De Woff, his wife and daughter alone remained. It was not until 1870 that an effort was made to again establish a church of this creed, and in July of that year, eleven mem- bers united to form the First Baptist Church. Mr. George H. Atwood alone secured S1500 toward a fund for the erection of a suitable house of worship. At the completion of the building the first pastor Rev. Zelotes Grenell, senior, was installed on the day of dedication December 30, 1870. The pastorates have in no case covered a long period but have for the most part been vigorous and fruitful of much good. CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH. About seventy members withdrew from the First Baptist Church, and organized temporarily on May 5, 1896, at the house of Mr. William E. Taylor. On December 3, 18'K>, the church incorporated under the name of the Calvary Baptist Church of Hackensack, Bergen County, New Jersey. The membership is now about eighty. The church property at Union Street and Central Avenue is valuable and the financial atfairs, generally, in a flourishing condition. The various church helps, Sunday School, Young Peoples' Societies, etc., are active and grt)wing. CHKIST CHUKCH. The Protestant Episcopal Church known as Christ Church, dates back to 1861, and has attracted a large number of people. The noble edifice on State Street, with its rectory, tells of the zeal and labors of the present pastor. Rev. Dr. William Welles Holley, who has labored with his present charge for more than twenty-eight years. There are now about 6U0 members zealously working in their especial field. In its short life this church organization has given nearly a quarter of a million dollars for the spread of the gospel. Dr Holley is a native of Geneva. N. Y., and a graduate of Trinity College. He was ordained tf) the ministry in 18()5. THE l"XITAKIAXS established a church organization in February-, 1898, and incorporated soon after under the name of the "First Unitarian Congregational Church of Hackensack." They worship in Odd Fellows' Hall. This society has many prominent financial people of the city among its sup- porters, and is doing a successful work in the broad field covered by the IIISTOKV OF lilCKdHN corxTV 1(15 "Love to God and Love to Man," which they recognize as practical relis>-ii)n. MorxT ()i.i\'i"r liAi'Tisr ciukch. The colored people are quite weak, hut succeed in keepinjr uji the interest of two conjj'reg'ations of the Methodist and Baptist denomina- tions. There are about tifty-four members in this org'anization, but they ha\e church property valued at S25t(U. The work of orsfanizin<> a cong-regation was commenced on Sundav. July 2(1, ISS'i. The Mission was rcorg-anized and recoofnized in 1S'>2, when the lot for the ])resent church building- was purchased and paid for at a cost of S2')(). ZIOX M. IC. CHI'KCll was org-anizee in l.S()5, and Mr. L. H. Sagfe douijted the lot on which the church stands, the building having been erected some three years later. n')';wsp.\i>]:ks. The first news]):iper published in Hackeiisack was the Bergen Coun- ty Joui-nal, with Mr. Joseph Baldwin as its edit(jr until 1S(>1' w^hen he enlisted in the Civil War. About this time Mr. C. C. Burr began pub- lishing the Bergen County Democrat and Rockland County Journal. In the meantime Mr. Eben Winton having boug-ht the plant of the lately suspended Journal, formed a partnership with Mr. Burr in piiblishing the Bergen County Dcmcjcrat, and at the same time discontinued the Rockland County edition. In less than a year, however, Mr. Burr with- drew, and Mr. Winton remained alone in the publication until 1S7(>. when he took his sne of the best paying newspapers in the State. THK HACKKNS.VCK KEPUHI.IC.\N, the only permanent Republican pa])er of general circulation in Bergen County, was established in 1870 under the editorship of Arnold B. John- son, as "The New Jersey Republican." Mr. Johnson remained with the iiajier until 1.S74, when he was suc- ceeded by Hugh M. Herrick of the Paterson tiuardian. Mr. Herrick returned to the Guardian a year later and was succeeded on the New Jersey Republican Isy William H. Bleecker and Thomas II. Rhodes. .Mr. Rhodes, however, retired after a few months leaying Mr. Bleecker sole proprietor until 1S78. Thomas H. Chrystal then purchased the plant, and changed the name of the paper to that of The Hackensack Republican, at the same time enlarging the sheet and improving its mechanical department, while adding to its attractiveness by his hu- morous writings. In 1882 Hon. William .M. Johnson purchased the pajjcr, ])lacing Eugene K. Bird at the head of its editorial department. Mr.' Bird is of recognized al)ility and has been with this paper since 1877. 106 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY In 1889 Mr. Herrick, former owner, again took charg-e, where he still continues, with Mr. Bird as local editor and business manager. This paper is progressive and independent, devoted to local interests as well as to State questions. It is on a solid business basis. THE EVENINC". RECORD, jiublished in Hackensack, is the only daily paper in Bergen County. In June, 1895, some young men of enterprise undertook this publi- cation, which they continued until January following, when "The Evening Record Publishing Compan}," incorporated and purchased the business. Herbert W. Collingwood, the president of the company, became editor-in-chief, James A. Romeyn, treasurer and manager, with James Smith as local editor. In September Mr. Collingwood retired when Mr. E. G. Runner was made president, and James A. Romeyn became editor, in addition to his offices of secretary and treasurer. In politics this paper is independent and aggressive, always loyal to local interests, while maintaining a courteous demeanor toward its contemporaries. The circulation is large and increasing, promising a bright future. THE HACKENSACK HOSPITAL. [Contribution of the Secretary of the Board.] In the early spring of 1888 Dr. David St. John, who had then already become prominent in this section and whose extended practice brought him into contact with many cases which could be so much more success- tuUy treated in a hospital, under took the organization of such an insti- tution in town. His efforts met with a ready response and resulted in a preliminary meeting which was held at the office of Hon. William M. Johnson on April 23rd, 1888. This meeting was attended by a goodly number of representative citizens and it was then decided to proceed to organize and a committee on permanent organization was appointed. At a second meeting held at the same place on May 1st, of that year, the committee on permanent organization reported in favor of an organiza- tion dual in form viz : The Hackensack Hospital Company to be managed by a board of eleven directors which might consist of seven gentlemen and four ladies, said company to acquire and hold title to the Hospital property. Second, The Hackensack Hospital Association to be directed by a board of twenty-four governors, the last named organii.ation to lease the property from the company at a nominal annual rental and to equip and manage the hospital. This report was adopted as was also the constitution and by-laws reported by the same committee, provision being made for the appointment of a ladies auxiliary board by the board of Governors. Permanent organization was then effected by the election of the following named Board of Directors for the Company: Hon. Wil- liam M. Johnson, Hon. William S. Banta, Edward H. Dougherty, Nicholas Mehrhof, Sr., John C. Van Saun, Adonijah S. Boyd, William insTOKY OF Hi;iu;n.\ coi"nty l(i7 P. Ellory, Mrs. Frederick Jacnhson, Sr.. Mrs. Kli/. ibjtli F. Chrvstal. Mrs. Theodore B. Romeyn, and Mrs. E. M. Moses. For Governors of the Association : Nicholas Mehrhof. Sr., David Terhune, Charles H. H. Harris, Peter L. Conklin. William T. E. Wells Edwin Ackerman, (leorg-e W. Conklin, William V-.'illiams, Edward Poor, Sr., Lewis Perrot, John (). (rrode, (ieor<;-e M. Fairchild. Jr., James A. Romeyn, Lemuel Lozier. John (). Hilyer. Cornelius A. Herriny;, Weslev Stoney. Abraham (i. Munn, Jr., M.-ilthew E. Clarendon, James E. Church. Abrahams. Burdette, I\L D.. David St. Jidm, M. D., James .^L Van Valen, and Nicholas C. Demarest. The B lard of (iovcrnors met at once with Hon. James ]SL Van Valen jri.sidinfif and James A. Romeyn as Secretary. A committee on nomination of officers was a]i- pointed, consisting of Nicholas Mjhrhof, Sr., Dr. D. St. John, and William Williams. That ccmimittce reported for President, David Ter- hune ; Vice-Presidents, James AL Van Valen and M. E. Clarendon ; Sec- retary, James E. Church ; and Treasurer, Charles H. Harris, which report was adopted. At a subsecpient meeting of the board on Mav 7tli, John O. Hilyer, P. L. Conklin, and N. C. Demarest declined to serve as (rovernors and were rejilaced l)y Alvah Towbridt^e, and William M. .lohnson. Mr. Charles H. Harris als > declined the treasurership and James A. Romeyn was unanimously chosen in his stead. The President" a]ipointed a large and rejjresentative auxiliary board, the various com- mittees of which are to be presided over by the following: Visiting Committee, Mrs. William Williams, (Camden Street); Finance Comr mittee, Mrs. William T. Wells ; Supply C with ten members, comprised the Department. Tin- next company to come into existence was the Alert Hose Com- pany No. 2, March 22, 1883. Their place of organization was the cigar store of Jacob H. Fank, at 70 Main Street. Mr. Fank was made head of the Department in June, 1889, and in 1893 John Weickert was elected assistant engineer. This company now has seventeen members. Six years later Hudson Hose Company No. 3 was org-anized in the old Third District of Hackensack, (afterwards tlie I'irst i at the Franklin House HISTORY OK BEKGEN COVNTY 111 on Hudson Street. Tliey have twenty-one members. Union Hose Com- pany No. 4, followed ill May, 1S')5, and was accepted on June 1. They had twelve members and still keep that nvimbiT. The duties of the Fire Patrol were more specilically defined by an Act of the Letfislature March 14, 1S7'', which made the company to number twenty men. In Aug-ust, 1887, a wagon for carr^-intr canvas covers, stretchers, ropes, lanterns, etc., was furnished and placed in the Innise of the Relief Engine Com- {lany, where it was kept until their removal to their new house . 1890, at the rooms of Liberty Hose Company No. 1. The aims of the organization are both social and beneficial. There are numy e.xenipt firemen who are still in active service. They nuinl)er at this time ino members. The Firemen's Insurance Association of Ilackensack. is another commendable institution, having in view the payment of an insurance fee of one dollar per member, upon the death of a fireman connected with the organization. The (jnly expense connected with this is that of stationery and printing. The only persons eligible to membership are local firemen. There are now 168 enrolled. The Firemen's Relief Association is intended to benefit members who are injured while on duty. The companies have equal rights by representatives and trustees. The Association has now about S7.(l(;(', invested in first class bond and mortgage security. THE H.\CKENS.\CK \V.\TER COMPANY. This is a private enterprise operated by a stock com))any incorporated March 12, 1869. The incorporators were Richard R. Hawkey, John H. Banta, Garrett, Ackerson, Jr., Eben Win ton and Samuel Sneeden. After ten years, the finances of the company running low, a receiver was ap- ])ointed in the person of the Hon. Augustus A. Harden burg, of Jersey City. The following year, under new conditi(ms, it was reorganized and named "The Hackensack Water Company Reorganized." The source of water supjdy is the Hackensack River, from which the water is taken at New Mil ford, about five miles above Hackensack. There are probably 200 miles of force mains, with three high service pumps of ten, five and three million gallons daily capacity, respec- tively. The two reservoirs at Weehawken Heights have a capacity of eighteen and forty-live million galhms each, while the average daily consumption is about 8,000,000 gallons. This water is com- paratively pure, the source being Rockland Lake, which is fed from mountain springs. A new pumping service is soon to l)e in operation, with a capacity of 13,000,000 gallons daily. SOCIETIES, LODGES AND CI.tlBS. The man who does not belong to a club or a lodge, is the exception and not the rule. Hackensack has its share of these institutions for the benefit, amusement or entertainment of its many citizens who may choose to become members. 112 HISTOKV OF BRKGEN COUNTY The oldest secret order in Hackensack, is that of Berg-en County L<>di;e, No. 73, I. O. O. F., which was instituted in 1845, and held its first meeting's in a small room over the ball-room of the "Washington Mansion House." This proving inadequate the lodge sought more suit- able rooms in which to meet until a permanent home could be secured. A building association was subsequentl}- formed, a site purchased, and Odd Fellows' Hall built. This house which they had occupied many years, was burned in 1897, but their present hall was in process of erec- tion prior to the destruction of the old one. In addition to the parent lodge, is Hope Encampment, No. 3.^, and Uhland Lodge, No. 177, a German Lodge instituted in 1874, with thirteen charter members. This is a prosperous organization holding its meetings in Odd Fellows' Hall, a line building recently finished. THE OKITANI KIHLD CLfB (if Hackensack, is the leading athletic organization of Bergen County. To Mr. F. A. Anthony is due the honor of suggesting the idea of such a club, associating afterwards with him as founders, Messrs. J. S. C. Wells, John R. Bogert, William P. EHery, George M. Fairchild, Jr., C. Julian Wood, E. E. Poor, Jr.. Asa W. Dickinson and William Welles Holley, Rector of Christ Church. Soon after the first public meeting, which was held in Library Hall, on the 8tli of November, 1887, the club was organized. Mr. F. A. An- thony was elected President, with I. B. Bogert, First Vice President; G. M. Fairchild, Jr., Second Vice President ; C. Julian Wood, Secretar^^ ; E. E. Poor, Jr., Treasurer; J. S. C. Wells, Captain. The Governors were Messrs W. P. EHery. R. S. Jacobson, B. J. Richardson, A. W. Dickin- son. A*. B. Banta, C. W. Berdan, Rev. W. W. Holley, Rev. Arthur John- son and A. Trowbridge. The club at once incorporated with an enrollment of ninety-seven members. Soon after this, the Anderson homestead was purchased and necessary alterations and improvements made. The house and toljoggan slide were opened to members on the 26th day of December, 1887. The club was a popular organii,ation from the first, and at the end of this year the membership numbered 234. The formal opening of the grounds took place on July 4th, 1888, with an appropriate programme. No less than 5000 people assembled to witness the game of base ball and tennis matches, and to hear the fine music by Drake's Military Band. A drill of Company C, was an interesting feature, the whole closing with a display of fireworks in the evening. The house and grounds have now become valuable property. The ball field has been enlarged, fine bowling alleys adjoin the club house, and some of the members being expert bowlers, tfiese alleys are in great deihand. A reading room, billiard and pool room, excellent tennis courts and a boat house, are all open to the members. They have also a fine hall equipped for entertainments and dances. Tlie family of each member is al- lowed all the benefits and privileges which he enjoys, except that of HISTOKV OV HKh'CiHN COUNTY ll.i voting- and liDldinsj;- office. This has been a hcnelit to the chih linan- cially, since the women have hehl alTairs, which have netted a neat sum each time. The present oflicers are : F. A. Anthony, President ; I. F. Hinds. First Vice-President; C. M. Horton. Second Vice-President; Dr. A. C". Hevd(m, Correspondin": Secretary; H. De Mott, Recording- Secretary; I. H. Labag-h, Treasurer. (Governors: .T. P. Chirendon, \V. J. Fisher, F. \V. Beattie, A. T. Holley, J. J. Phelps, (t. W. Conklin, H. (I. Terluuie, W. P. Ellerv R., S. Bruns. THK OKDEK OF AMKKICAN ,M ICCII AXICS wliich was founded in Phihidelphia, July Sth, l^-S, had as its chief ob- jects, the advocacy of free schools, and tlie non-union of church and state. Columbia C(amcil Ko. (.(> of this order, was organi/xnl in Hacken- sack September 5, 1S71 with seventeen members, but has passed out of existence. I'lOXKlCK LODCIv No 70 F. and A. M. was instituted April 4th, 1S()5, under dispensation, the first meeting- being- held in Odd Fellows Hall, Hackensack. Its officers were : William H. De Wolfe, W. M. ; Dr. William H. Hall, S. W. ; Robert W. Goslee, J. W. ; Richard A. Terhune, S. D. ( acting treasurer) ; Isaac E. Bigert, Sjjretary ; Thoinis Picker, J. D. ; a id David M. Hall, acting as Tvler. In the Fall of 18(>5 the meeting place was changed from Odd Fellows Hall to Anderson Hall, a room in the third story having been fitted up specially for the lodge. Its first regular meeting was held under charter or warrant, from the Grand Lodge of New Jersey, Febru- ary 12, 1866. After passing through some adverse experiences the lodge settled again in Anderson Hall where it remained until its reni(), 000, and in January, 1S74. incroasnl to Sl(iil,oO(i, and in the same year a spacious and substantial liankiny house was built on Main Street, on the site of the old Campbell tavern, of Kevolutioiiary memory. Bergen County Savings Bank was chartered in 1S70. and commenced business in iS72. Its business was mainly carried on bv the officers of the Bank of Bergen County. The First National Bank of Hackensack was organized October 2:>. 1871, and commenced business the following .lanuary, with a capital of 3100,000. The Hackensack Savings Bank was incorporaU'd April 4, 1S7.^, and commenced business the following Mav. This bank was managed by the officers generally of the First National Bank. All of these f(.ur financial institutions continued in business till about Iwinity years ago. Tin-: llACKKXSACK KAXK, now carrying a capital of 350,000, was incorporated in ISS't, when iJavid A. Pell was made President; M. E. Clarendon, \'ice-Presi(lent, and H. D. Terhune, Cashier. These officials still continue to hold their positions. The directors are David A. Pell, William M. Johnson, F. A. .\n- thony, James \V. Gillies, Samuel Taylor, M. E. Clarendon, David St. John, M. D., C. J. Cadmus. John J. Phelps, Frank B. Poor, II. D. Terhune. The bank has added to its capital 350,000, a surplus of 350,000 and undivided profit of 325,000, and carries about half a million dollars in •leposits. In proportion to its c;ii)ital and vidume1. Company (i, Sec(md Regiment X. (t. N. J., was organized by Hon. J. M. Van Valen, October Sth, 1.S72. Through the instrumentality of Mr. Van Valen, who had removed to the town, a number of persons had become interested in the formation of this company, which w.is organized as "Company C." and in which the people of the county have always taken a pardonable pride. The officers elected at the above date were Garret Ackerman, Jr., Ca])tain; James M. Van Valen, First Lieu- tenant; Nicholas C. Demarest, Second lyieutenant; (leorge T. Haring. Sergeant. To Lieutenant Van Valen is due the credit of not only organ- izing this company but also of perfecting a discijiline in drills, which made it a name, and ij-ave it ;i perinanencv in the popular o])inion of the peopl.. 116 HISTOKV OF BKKGEN COUNTY In l.S7() chang-es were madt- in the oryfanization (if the company. In March of that year Captain Ackerson resii»-ue(l. and soon after. Lieutenant Van Valen was appointed quartermaster of the battalion. Lieutenant Demarest also having- resigned. The new officers were elected March 7, 1S7(>, and were as follows: A D. Campbell, formerly Uuartermaster was elected Captain; John Eng-el, First Lieutenant; and John E. Huyler, Second Lieutenant May .lOth, ls7(i. In iyri, John G. l->eam, William H. Harper, Albert C. Bogert, Conrad Hoffman, T. K. Lonergan, Frederick Zeeb, William Brant, Daniel W. Demarest. Frank W. Hover, Josejdi Scott, Aaron E. Ackerman, Lewis C. Cotte. HISTOKV Ol" UEKC.ICN COUNTY 117 Cdiiimandor Sjtroiil of Post Xu. 7 of Passaii.', at the same incetin.i;' installed the foll()\vin. McPherson, who was killed July 22, 18()4, in a rebel ambuscade at Atlanta. Ga. We have in our possession his dressing gown and the leather case coutaing the field order book used by him. They were sent us by his mother in gratitude for having adopted the name of her son. This post, aided by the citizens of Hackensack. erected a tine monu- ment in the Hackensack Cemetery, at a cost of over one thousand dollars. There, too, provision is made for the interment of all Bergen County comrades. TlIK SII.K iWII.L owned by (iivenaud Brothers Comi)any, of West Hoboken, was erected in 1S7'J. They began with about (me hundred and eighty looms ;ind tliree hundred and fifty employees The new building wHl contain two hundred and thirty looms and five hundred employees. The Silk Weavers' Union for the mutual protecticm of its members, has for offi- cers : A. Bunger, President; John Grass, Secretary. KKONE BKOTlIIvKS are publishers of educational work and make a specialty of penmanshi]) and drawing books, in addition to a great variety of school stationery. Many of their publications are their own copyrights. Herman Krone. Jr.. eldest son of the senior member of the tirni, is in charge of the New- York salesrooms and offices, and H. Martini, son-in-law of the senior member, has the su])erintendcy of the factory. Hlx'lCK MA K INC, is another im])ortant industry. This ])lant was established about hall a century ago by Moses and Andrew^ Sears who were followed by Philip Shafer and he in turn by John Sjhnniltz and Mr. Brunsey. The same yard is now operated by the (Tardner firms and J. W. (iillies. THK H.VCKKXSACK Ml'TFAI. lUII.DINC AND I.().\N ASSDCI.XTION, organized in 1887, has been a great jjower in the develojiment of the 118 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY town. Its officers consist of: William A. Linn, President; Georg-e W. Conklin, Vice President; Frank Pitcher, Secretary; A. S. D. Demarest, Treasurer and Abram DeBaun, Counsel. THE HACKENSACK KEALTY COMPANY, org-anized in 18')7 with W. A. Linn, President; W. C. Thomas, Secretary and Lemuel Lozier, Treasurer, is improving a section of the city, by ex- tending Clinton Place to the top of the hill, \vhere they have graded the streets and made other improvements. THE HACKENSACK HEICHTS ASSOCIATION is an incorporated company that purchased the old Red Hill. This is a tract of ninety acres of land, which the company so improved as to make of it a desirable residence section. Water, gas and electric lighting have all been secured, streets laid out and a railroad station house built, known as Prospect Avenue Staticm. So beautiful is the location, and so substantial the improvements that the enterprise is proving a finan- cial success. WILLIAM SICKLES BANTA. William Sickles Banta. is a lineal descendant of Epke Jacob Banta who emigrated to this country in 16S9, coming from Amsterdam in the ship De Trow. This emigrant was born at Harlengen West Friesland, Holland. Upon his arrival in America he settled at English Neighbor- hood, now Fairview, and in 1679 was a Judge of the Court of Oyer and Terminer. The Banta family remained in this part of Bergen County until about 1750, when Yan Banta, the great-grandfather of William S. removed to Pascack, Washington Township, where he died. His large landed estate was divided among his children. Hendrick his eldest son who was born May 27, 1749, succeeding his father in the old homestead. In l!^03 Hendfick died leaving 500 acres of land to be divided among his five sons, one of whom was Henry H., the father of William S. In those early days it was a custom, born of necessity, for young men to learn some useful trade. Of the five sons of Hendrick Banta, but one left home to engage in mercantile pursuits. Henry H., the father of Judge Banta, learned the trade of shoemaker, but the real business of his life was merchandise and farming. In 1833, he removed to Hackensack and formed a partnership with his brother Teunis, under the firm name of H. H. & T. Banta, in which he continued until his 'death in 1849. Mr. Banta was for some years postmaster of Hackensack, receiving his ap- pointment from General Francis Granger, and was a member of the New Jersey State Militia, with the rank of Adjutant. He was appointed Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, serving three terms, from 1829 to 1834, from 1838 to 1843, and 1843 to 1848. Public spirited, active and alive to the best interests of both church and state, he wielded an influence for good, commanding the confidence and respect of his fellow men. The maternal ancestry of Judge Banta are of good stock, his mother being Jane, daughter of William Sickles of Rockland County, IIISTOKY OI- BEHGEX COl'NTY 119 N. Y., born January V), 17<)2, and died September 2, 1870. She was a descendant ')3. Judge William S. Banta was born at Pascack, December 12, 1S24, and was educated in the public schools, finishing his preparatory course for college, in the private classical school of Rev. John S. Mabon at Hackensack. After being graduated from Rutg-rs College in 1844, he began the stud}- of law in the office of Abram O. Zabriskie, of Hacken- sack, afterward Chancellor of the State of New Jersey. Mr. Banta was admitted to the Bar of New Jersey as an attorney in 1847, and as a counsellor in 1S51. Soon after his' admission to the Bar, Judge Banta was appointed Master and Examiner in Chancery, later being made special Master in Chancery and Supreme Court Commissioner. After acting as Superintendent of Schools in the Township of New Barbadoes (under the old law), he was appointed by the Board of Free- holders to act with Rev. Albert Amerman on the Board of Examiners, a place which he filled with efficiency for several years. In 1860 he was appointed Prosecutor of the Pleas for the County, and reappointed in 1865. A Republican in politics, he held the office of Deputy Internal Col- lector from 1862 to 1865. The Judge was President and Treasurer of the Hackensack Gas Light Company for many years, and also Secretary and Treasurer of the Bergen County Mutual Fire Assurance Associa- tion, and was one of the first members of the Hackensack Improvement Commission. In 1872 he was appointed to fill out the unexpired term of Judge Ashbel Green, Presiding Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and in 1873 was reappointed to the same place for five years. In 1879 Judge Banta was appointed Associate Judge of the same court. He was for several years one of the managers of the Morris Plains Asylum. In 1850 Judge Banta was married to Sarah, daughter of John and Katy Ann ( Hopper ) Zabriskie, of Hohokus, who died in 185.^, leaving a son, who died in infancy. His second wife was Adelia, a sister of his first wife, who died in 1869. His present wife is Jane Anne, daughter of Abram H. and Maria (Anderson) Berry, a lineal descendant of John Herry, one of the original patentees of IJergen County. ABKA.M I!. liANTA Abram B. Banta who for forty ^-ears has been identiiied with the grocery trade in Hackensack, is a son of John H. Banta and grandson of Henry W. Banta both of whom were life long residents of Hacken- sack. The father established the grocery trade on Main and Bridge Streets in 1846, and was identified with that stand until his death thirty- eight years afterward. In 1830 he was married to Lydia Bartholf, who is still living at the age or eighty-one years. Their children were. 120 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY Henry, Jane T., wife of Thomas H. Cumming-; Abram B., John, and Cornelius T. Mr. John H. Banta was at one time Sheriff of Berg-en County. Abram B. Banta was born in 1842 and when seventeen years of age went into the grocery business, which he has followed ever since. In 1S82, the Banta Brothers started their branch store at Passaic Avenue and Main Street. In 1860, Mr. Banta was married to Miss Rebecca Westervelt and five chihlren have been born of this union. JAMKS M. VAN VALEX. Among- the lineal descendants of David Van Valen. who came to America from Holland in lr)52. followed by his father Johannes Van Valen five years later, is James M. Van Valen, ex-Judg-e of Berg-en County, whom the writer of this sketch knows from personal contact with the people to be regarded as one of the most useful and important citizens of the county. For a brief period of time the ancestors of this family in Bergen County lived in New York City, then removed to Harlem where Johan- nes became one of the original patentees of the Harlem Grants, and the last survivor of them. In course of time his descendants removed to Bergen County, N. J., where they became extensive land owners. Deeds bearing date of 1701 record the purchase of 2600 acres of land by Jo- hannes, Bernardus. Gideon and Rynier Van Valen, from Lancastar Syms, comprising all the Palisade lands from the Jay Line, extending from the Hudson on the east to Overpeck on the west. Bernardus Van Valen was the great-grandfather of James M. He was a member of the militia serving as militiaman, in the Revolutionary War, when he was taken prisoner and confined in the Old Sugar House in New York City. A stone house built by him is still standing near the railroad depot at Closter. He lived to the age of eighty years and died in 1820, leaving live children, James, Andrew, Cornelius, Isaac and Jane. James, the grandfather of James M., was for a time a farmer at Closter, but re- moved to Clarkstown, Rockland County, N. Y., where he died in Aug- ust. 1786, at the age of twenty-six years. He left three children Barney, Sarah, who became the wife of Henr}' Westervelt; and Cornelius. Cor- nelius was born at Clarkstown May 21, 1786. He married first Elizabeth Klackledge, and lived for si^/ji^frtxSSr-o. My. ^. ^u^ . h'T^^^-^^o^ HisToKV oi-' iu':k(;i;n cotntv 121 I. (if the TwL'iity-SLVond Ktoiiiuiu. Now .Krsev Volunteers, and served ten months in the Army ()1 the Potomae. Upon his return he ensfa-red in tile book trade in New York eity until 1S(„S. when he betrau teachini»- in Bergen county, continuing in that profession for five years. He taught, among other places, at I'arannis Church, New Bridge and Hack- ensack. Subsequently he entered the law office of Garret Ackerson, and, under his direction, pursued a course of study, being admitted as attorney in 1S75, and as a counsellor in ISTS. Immediately after his admission to the bar he formed a partnership with Mr. Ackerson, which continued for eleven years, terminating with the death of Mr. Ackerson in December, 1>SS(). In 1887, Governor Robert S. Green appointed Mr. \'an Valen Presiding Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Bergen county. At the close of this term he was reappointed for a like term by (iovernor Werts, his term expiring in April, 1898. In 1872, Judge Van Valen, havingbecome interested in thi' National (iuard, organized Company C, Second New Jersey Regiment, and l)e- came first lieutenant. He was afterwards made quartermaster of the battalion. Soon after this he was made Inspector of Riile Practice, with rank of captain, and subsequently was appointed Assistant Ins])ec- tor General of the State of New Jersey, with the rank of colonel. At his own request he was retired on July 5, 1893, with rank of IJrevet Brigadier General, and still holds that commission. Judge Van Valen, always interested in educational matters, was chairman of the Board of Educatitm of Hackensack for a period of eighteen years, declining a re-election on account of pressure of business. He is first Vice President of the Bergen County Bar Association, and is \'ice President of the Holland Society of New York, of which he has been a member since its organization. He is also a prominent Mason, member of Pioneer Lodge, No. 70, and has been Master of that Order. Judge Van Valen has been signally successful in the various lines in which he has been engaged. As soldier, teacher, lawyer and judge, he has made an enviable reputation, and. as a jurist, his opinions have stood without reversal, except in two cases. Socially, Judge Van \'alen stands without a ])eer. Me was married in 1S74 U> Miss ^Vnna Augusta Smith. daui;liter of 'riu'odore Smith. They ha\e nine children, seven boys and two girls. WII.I.IAM .M. IDli.NSON. William M. Johnson, President oi Hackensack Trust ComiJany, well-known lawyer and legislator, was born in 1S47. in Newton, Siisse.\ county, N. J., and is the son m 18(,1 to 1S(,.S. Mr. Johns(m was educated at Princeton Cnllege, and subset|ucntly entered the office of the late Judge ScuiUKr. of Trenton, under whose direction he jjursued the study of law. Inin- admitted to the bar as an attorney in 1.S7(). After practicing lour years at Trenton, he removed to Hackensack. and located jjermanentlv. iiis ability as a lawyer soon 122 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY brought to him a large and growinif clieutaiJ-e. and he became a recog;- nized legal light in that part of the State in the various departments of the profession. Politically Mr. Johnson is a Rejniblican. He has served on the Re- pul)lican State Committee, aud was a delegate in 1888 to the Nationa Republican Convention that nominated Harrison for the Presidency. He was elected Senator from Bergen count}- in 1895, and took an active part in legislation. In the session of 1898, and also in the session of 1899, he was the leader of his party in the Senate. He has been con- spicuous for many years in all enterprises tending to a healthy and per- manent growth of his town. He served four years as a member of the Hackensack Improvement Commission, and is a member of the Board of Governors of the Hackensack Hospital, which institution he greatly aided in establishing, and continues to support. He has also been a member of the Hackensack Board of School Trustees ana a director of the Washington Institute. He is a member of the Oritani Field Club, the Hamilton Club of Paterson, the Princeton Club, the Lake Hopatcong Club and other societies. In 1872, Mr. Johnson married Miss White, of Trenton. Of this mar- riage there are two children, George W., the elder, a graduate of Princeton College, class of 1898, and William Kempton. Mr. Johnson occupies offices in the Hackensack Bank Building. <;hok(;k h. atwood. In full view of the White Hills of Mount Washington stands "Sugar Hill," in the town of Lisbon, N. H., where (ieorge H. Atwood was born, on November 9th, 1838. He was the seventh son of Moses K. Atwood, a wheelwright and maker of fine sleighs and carriages. The familv ancestors came from England at an early period, and both father and mother were pious and devoted Christians. rpon the death of his father, the mother was left with nine chil- dren, and shortly after this, George H., then hut eight _years of age, went t8, to the position of manager and credit man of the New York house, a place he has occupied with honor to the house for the past thirtv-six years. During these years he has managed the credits of the GEOKliK H. ATWOOD HISTORY OF BKKdEN COUNTY 12.> New York house, had charg-e of the salesmen and directed the affairs of this extensive business throuj^h successive changes of firms, the present firm of FeHows & Company beinj^ really the oldest collar and cuff manu- facturers in the United States, havinjr been established in Troy, N. Y., in 1834. In all his transactions he enjoys the confidence of his emplov- ers in the highest degree. In 1SI)4 Mr. Atwood was made a Mason in Sagamore Lodge No. .^71. New York Citv. and became Senior Deacon, Senior Warden and Wor- shipful Master in rapid succession, the lodge greatlv prospering- under his brilliant administration. The lodge presented him with a gold watch and chain upon his retiring from the mastership. He was made a Royal Arch Mason in 1865, in Phcxniix Chapter No. 2, New York, and was immediately elected Principal Sojourner of the Chapter. He was also made a Knights Templar in Palestine Commandary No. 18, New York, in 1865, under a dispensation of the Grand Commander, being given all the degrees at one conclave, and was at the next conclave elected Prelate of the Commandary, tilling the office with marked ability for years. During 1865-6-7, while visiting Hackensack and when Pion- eer Lodge was young, he attended the lodge meeting, conferred de- grees, installed officers and gave valuable counsel. His membership is now with Pioneer Lodge No. 7(). F. & A. M. of Hackensack as a Past Master. In 18()5 he became a l)oarder at the Hackensack House, kept by A. Van Saun, and on December 22nd, 1866, was married to Miss Lucy Shel- drake, eldest daughter of the late (ieorge H. Burt of Hackensack, where he has since resided. Six children have been born of this marriage, three boys and three girls, all living. Early identifying himself with the interests of the town, he became one of the founders of the Public rvil>rary and Reading Room and one of its first trustees. Taking the lead he arranged for a course of po])ular lectures for its benefit, which netlerl them S.^SO. So anxious was Mr. Atwood for the financial success i>f this cause that he personally sold lecture tickets on the trains. He 18i)'» he was a nu'inlier ni the choir in the Second Reformed Church. Dr. George H. Fisher. ])asti>r. Being a Baptist, in May, 187(t, he started a subscription to build a Baptist Church, and personally secured S15(t(l before any one else had raised a dollar, and on the third of July a church was organized with eleven members who received the right hand of fellowshij) by Deacon DeWolfc and his wife, the only surviving members of a church that existed in Hackensack about thirty- five years prior to that time, Mr. Atwood being one of the eleven organiy.ers. Ground was broken on September '»th of that year and on December ."^Oth following the present church edifice was dedicated. He has labored zealously in both church and Sunday school ever since, holding the various offices of trustees, clerk and deacon in the church while he has been a teacher in the Sundav school for twenty-nine years, 124 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY and three times elected superintendent, which position he now holds. In 1873 he was President of the New Jersey Sunday School Convention, comprising- thirty-live schools. Mr. Atwood has been a liberal and cheerful giver to Home and Foreign Missions, and to every good and benevolent work. DK. DAVID ST. JOHN. Dr. David St. John is descended from Matthias St. John (Sention) who came from England in 1(>35, settling in New England. His grand- father, Noah St. John, removed to New York State upon his marriage with Elizabeth Waterbury, of Waterbury, Conn. Dr. St. John was born in Berne, Albany County, New York, in 1850, his father being David St. John and his mother, Mary Johnson of Scotch ancestry. After pursuing a preparatory course in the Albany Schools, he com- menced the study of medicine with Dr. H. W. Bell of Berne, N. Y., afterward entering the office of Professor James H. Armsby, of Albany, N. Y., then the leading surgeon in that part of the state. He took courses of lectures at the Albany Medical College, Buffalo Medical Col- lege, and Bellevue Hospital Medical College, graduating from the latter institution in 1875. He located in Hackensack where he has become prominent in his profession; and has been closely and prominently iden- tilie . THE ROMEYN KAMII.V. Prior to the middle of the thirteenth century, Giacomode Ferentino, an Italian gentleman, settled at Rongham Manor, Norfolk, England, married Isabella de Rucham, a lady of that place, by whom there were two sons. Peter and Richard (or Thomas). Thev were sent to Rome to be educated. After their return, Peter, at least, took surname of Rom- aeyn (Peter the Roman). Although educated for the priesthood, he married the daughter of Thomas de Leicester. Her mother's name was Agatha de Cringleford, of Norfolk. Peter Romaeyn devised property, made out leases, granted "charters," many of which still exist over the name assumed by him. His widow sold the property at Rongham in that name. In the third year of Edward II, A. D., 1387, Thomas Romayn was Lord Mayor of London. His arms (foreign) not granted in England. Described in the register '* Argent" (white) on a fesse gules (red) three crosses pater, or- crest, a deer's head Erased. Soon after the above date, troubles broke out between the king and the house of Leicester (see History of England ) and many of the Leicester family and adherents were forced to flee the kingdom, and it is probable, though not a part of family history, that some of the Romayns went to the •■ low countries" at that time. There is a claim made that the name in France is spelled Romaine, in England, Romain, and in Holland, Romeyn — the latter we know to be a fact. Jan Romeyn, of Amsterdam, Holland, was a descendant of the Romeyns who went from England to the low countries, he had three sons, Simon Janse, Christoffel and Claasor Klass. (Note — In Valentine's Manual, 1803, is the facsimile signature of Simon Jansen Romeyn, 1661, in the Dutch Church records of New York is the marriage, 1()68, of "Simon Jansen Romeyn, young man from Amster- dam and Sophie Jans, maiden from the Hague."; Christoffel and Claus sailed from Rotterdam for Brazil with the expedition of Prince Maurice. When Brazil was ceded to Portugal, they sailed for New Netherlands, and settled (m Long Island (there is a dispute as to the date, some claim- ing 1654, others 1661), then removed to Hackensack, N. J., remaining about ten years, and later to Greenwich, on the island of New York. Claus married Christianje or Styntie Albertse T<;rhune, May 2, UtHO, of Ams- fort now (Gravesend, N. Y. ), and died at (Ireeuwich, N. Y. His children were Garrebregt, (a) John, Elizabeth, Lydia, Albert, Cora and Daniel. Daniel married in Hackensack, May 17, 1716, Martie (Mary) Westervelt. JOHN KOMEYN, (a) John Romeyn (of Holland) married Lammatje Bougeart at Hackensack, in 1699. Of this union there were also seven children, (b) Nicholas, Roelif, Isaac, Aquietjin (David), Rachael (Berdan), Asseltjin ( Van Voorheest). At this point it may be opportune to produce the names that belong under this head, as they are found in the records of the Dutch Church at Hackensack. Garrebreght Klas Romeyn, Elizabeth Romeyn, 126 HISTOKY OF BERGEN COUNTY Lydia Romeyn, Jans Clasen Romeyn, Clara Romeyn, Daniel Romeyn, Rachael Janse Romeyn, Klaes Romeyn, Jan Romeyn, Geisjan Romein, Annastjen Romeyn, David Romayn, Isack Romeyn, Ang^uietjin Romeyn, Leude Romein, Cristyntjen Romein, Claes Romeyn, Roelif Romeyn, Nicholas Romein, Antje Romein, Guetje Romeyn, Eyntje Romeyn, Jan Romeyn, John Romeyn, Nikase Romeyn, Eliza Romeyn, Sarah Romeyn. NICHOLAS ROMEYN. ( b) Nicholas Romeyn was born in 1700, died in 1763, married Eliza- beth Outwater 1726, who died 1732. His second wife ( 1733) was Rachel Vreelandt, who died in 1761. The issue by his first wife was (c) Rev. Thomas Romeyn. By his second wife, John, born 1734. The latter first married Julia and second Lady Mary Watts. Issue Eliza (Simmons), John and the Rev. Theodoric (Dirk) Romeyn, D. D., born 1744, died 1804, who married Elizabeth Broadhead. The latter was pastor of the Dutch Churches of Hackensack and Schraalenburgh about ten years. The pastorate beginning- May, 1776. He is largely quoted, and in the list of names of distinguished personages, he is considered one of the prominent American theologians. REV. THOMAS ROMEYN. (e ) Rev. Thomas Romeyn ( see Corwin's Manual ) was born at Pomp- ton, March 20th, 1729, and died October 22d, 1794. He graduated from the College of New Jersey, 1750. Studied theology. After preaching a few times on Long Island, he went to Holland in 1752 for ordination, and was settled at Jamaica, Long Island, until 1760. It is said that the spelling of the name Romeyn was adopted in this form from his researches in Hol- land. Prior to that the name was spelled in several ways; but his informa- tion obtained in Holland led him to a certaint}' that "Romeyn" was the proper spelling, and it is in that form to-day in Holland. He married twice, first a Margarita Freelinghuysen, June 29th, 1756, who died at Jamaica, December 13th, 1757, leaving a son, Rev. Theodore F., who died at Somer- ville, N. J., in 1785. Secondly, Susanna Van Campen, whose ashes rest in the graveyard of the old Church on the Green, in Hackensack. He died at Fonda, N. Y., October 22d, 1794, and was buried under the pulpit of his church. The issue was (Rev.) Thomas, Nicholas, Abraham, Eesf. John Broad-bead, at one time pastor of the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York (Dr. Hall's), Benjamin and Rev. James Van Campen. REV. JAMES VAN CAMPEN ROMEYN. Rev. James Van Campen Romeyn was born at Minsink, Sussex County, N. J., November 15th, 1765, died at Hackensack, June 27th, 1840, and was buried in the old churchyard on the Green, by the side of his first wife. He attended the Schenectady Academy, 1784. Studied theology under Rev. Theodoric (Dirk) Romeyn, his uncle. He was a trustee of Rutgers College. He had several charges, the last of which was the Reformed Churches of Schraalenburg and Hackensack from 1799 KKV. JAiMKS VAN CAiMPKN K'OMKVN Dcceasi-d. 128 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY to 1833. " Without ever having seen or heard him, he was called to the distracted churches of Berg-en County, N. J., on the ground of his repu- tation as a man of forbearance, discretion and piety." (Taylor's An- nals, Sprague's Annals). He married twice, Susanna, a daughter of Maus Van Vranken, of Schenectady, and Mrs. Elizabeth Pell, who sur- vived him. There was a family of two sons and seven daughters, Susan (Zabriskie) born 1790, died 1868; Harriet (Stafford) born 1792, died 1849, Anna Maria (Varick) born 1794, died 1855; Rev. James Romeyn, D. D. born 1797, died 1859; Anna (Taylor) born 1801), died 1868; Eliza ( Berry ) born 1803, died 1849; Caroline (Danforth) born 1807, died 1845; Theodore, born 1810, died 1885 (Lawyer, Detroit, Mich.; Sarah (Hornblower) born 1814, died 1874. They resided on the property now owned by the Oritani Field Club, in Hackensack-. About 1827 he lived in the homestead now occupied by Hon. William S. Banta, Main Street, where most of his daugh- ters were married. In 1833 he erected the house just north of the latter, on Main steet, now the property of Mr. O. O. Shackleton, where he died. REV. JAMES KOMEYN. Rev. James Romeyn was born at Blooming Grove, N. Y., Septem- ber 30, 1797. He graduated from Columbia College in ISlb, and from the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, N. J., in 1819. He de- clined the title of Doctor of Divinity bestowed on him by Columbia Col- lege. He was settled at several places — was pastor of the First Re- formed Church of Hackensack from 1833 to 1836 ; was elected a trustee of Rutgers College in 1842. He married Joanna Bayard Rodgers, daugh- ter of John Richardson Bayard Rodgers, M. D., a leading physician and professor in Columbia College, New York. There were two sons, James Rodgers and Theodore Bayard Romeyn. Mr. Romeyn was a man who threw his whole energy into his labor. He was a student and very pre- cise in his work ; an exceedingly rapid speaker and there are those who remember him to-day who rapturcmsly speak of him as a wonderfully powerful preacher. His nature was exceedingly sensitive ; but his phy- sical strength was not equal to the mental strain, always at a high ten- sion. His manner of writing his sermons was most. remarkable — a few are in existence — the manuscripts are written so fine and condensed that they cannot be read without the aid of a strong magnifying glass. While in Hackensack he resided part of the time in the parsonage of the First Church, on Essex Street, and part of the time on the southeast corner of Main and Ward Streets. He died at New Brunswick, N. J., in 1862, and his ashes mingle with his kindred dust. REV. THEODOKP: B.\YAKD ROMEYN. D. D. Rev. Theodore Bayard Romeyn, D. D., was the second son of Rev. James Romeyn. He was born at Nassau, N. Y., October 22, 1827. He attended school at Hackensack and other places. He graduated from Rutgers College with the distinction of the Honorary Oration in 1846, and from the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick. N. J., three years later. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him KKV. JAMIiS KOMKYN Deceased. 130 HISTOKY OF BERGEN COUNTY by Rutgers College. He was called to preach Christ at Blawenburgh, N. J., near Princeton, immediately after his graduation, where he lab- ored with a united people who reverence his memor}- and treasure his ministrations among them. He responded to a call from the church of Fathers — the First Reformed at Hackensack — in 1865, where for twent}' years he labored "faithful unto death." He was a man whose retiring tendencies were predominant. He despised shams, and when once his mind was made up there was no compromise. He inherited a keen sen- sitiveness from his father. He carried the joys and the sorrows of his congregation, sharing with each member, especially in their sorrows. He was exceedinglj- sympathetic and his charity was a marked feature of his life, though the left hand knew not the gifts of the right. He was the embodiment of faithfulness, never shirking duty, but many were the occasions when, phj-sically incapacitated, he responded to the calls of his parishioners, and was present at the post of duty, in the vineyard of his Master, which was always his pleasure. He was a close and persistent student, a deep thinker, eloquent in his discourses, fer- vent in his labors and ardent in effort to lead the erring into the paths of rectitude and to the Throne of Grace. Dr. Romeyn had been on a longer vacation than he usually indulged in and among the scenes of his boyhood, near Catskill, N. Y. He came home upon a Friday evening, the following morning the Master called — he was stricken with paraly- sis. His illness was of but brief duration, in a few hours he had passed into the holy atmosphere of the Delectable Mountains, August 18, 1885. His body was laid in God's acre, hard by "the old Church on the Green," from which pulpit with an unfaltering zeal he had proclaimed the un- speakable truths of his Redeemer. The following is quoted from a bio- graphical sketch in the memorial volume published by the consistory. "It is also worth a passing notice to observe the large ministerial circle of which he was a member by family ties. His maternal great-grand- father was Rev. John Rodgers, forty-four years pastor of the Wall Street Presbyterian Church, New York City. * * * His paternal grandmother was a sister of Rev. Nicholas Van Vranken. In these several branches of relationship there are found nearly or quite forty names of those who have devoted themselves to the ministry of the Gospel, and of this number, three-quarters belong to the Romeyn fam- ily. Dr. Romeyn married Amelia A. Letson, daughter of Johnson Let- son, Esq., of New Brunswick, N. J. Mrs. Romeyn survived her husband a few years and was called home October 22, 1897. The issue was Mary Letson Romeyn, who died in infancy, and James A. Romeyn, surviving. JAMES A. ROMEY'N. The subject of this sketch was born at Blawenburgh, Somerset County, New Jersey, 1853. He is the only son of Rev. Theodore Bayard Romeyn, D. D. and Amelia (Letson) Romeyn. His mother was the daughter of Johnson Letson and Eliza Shaddle, of New Brunswick, N. J. Mr. Letson was a trustee oi Rutgers College and a liberal contributor KKW TIllCODOKE HAVAKl) KOMEYN 132 HISTOKY OF BEKCEN COUNTY to its support and endowment. He was President of the Norfolk and New Brunswick Hosiery Company and the New Brunswick Rubber Company. Br. and Mrs. Ronieyn settled at Blawenburg-h in 1850, where James A. attended the public school, until IbdS, when his father was settled as Pastor of the First Reformed Church at Hackensack, N. J., the "Old Church on the Green." He was prepared for college at the academy at Lawrenceville, N. J., and at the Rutgers Grammar School at New Brunswick. In 1872 he entered Rutgers College and was graduated in 1876. He entered the law office of Bedle, Muirheid & McGee in Jersey City, in 187(), took a course of study of Columbia Law School and was admitted to practice law at the New Jersey State Bar in 1879. He practiced law in Jersey City until 18M0. part of which time was a partner in the firm of Romeyn & Griffin. The practice of law becoming distasteful to him, he abandoned it ISVO. In 1894 he became editor of The Evening Record, an independent dail\- newspaper, published in Hackensack, the only daily in Bergen County. He entered upon the work of journalism, as he would upon the high professions with a firm conviction that it was equal, if not of more importance than the profession of theology, law or medicine. He has continued this work with great energy and success until his paper has become an important vehicle of news and thought, and a necessary institution of the city. His whole thought and discussions have been on the side of good morals and the public welfare. No questionable paragraphs have ever found place in the columns of his paper. His, has been a successful effort to make the Evening Record one of the most influential papers in this locality, an with a very flattering circulation, he has made an envi- able reputation throughout the whole State. Mr. Romeyn has never taken any active part in politics, though his political principles are p.QSitive and fixed. He has been called to fill places in local boards and was treasurer of the Hackensack Hospital for seven years. He married Miss Flora M. Cochran of Lancaster, Pa., in 1884, who died in 1891. From this marriage he has two children, Theodore Bay- ard and Katharine Cochran. He again married, Miss Susie B. Conover of Newark, N. J., in 1894. MK. JACOB H. FANK. Mr. Jacob H. Fank, the present postmaster of Hackensack, was Ixirn in that city August I7th, 1855, and was educated in the public schools of his native place. When but fifteen years of age he became telegraph operator for the New York and New Jersey Railroad Com- pany. Afterward he filled similar positions with the New York, On- tario and Western, and the New York, Susquehanna and Western Rail- road, returning in 1875, to Hackensack. In 1879 Mr. Fank began the manufacture of cigars at 71 Main Street, but in 188.> disposed of this business and resumed that of tele- J. \ Mies A. KOMl'.VN 134 HISTOKV OF BKKC.EN COUNTY graphy, accepting a position with the West Shore Railroad Company, subsequently becoming- operator for the Long Island Railroad at Brook- lyn, N. Y. In 1885, upon his return to Hackensack, he opened a gro- cery store, in which he did a good business until 1896, when he was appointed postmaster by President Cleveland, a position which he con- tinues to hold. In 1887 Mr. Fank was elected chief engineer of the Hackensack Fire Department, and re-elected to the same office in 1888. He served four years as tax collector for New Barbadoes township. Mr. Fank is a member of many lodges: Pioneer Lodge, No. 70, F., & A. M.; Uhland Lodge, No. 177. I. O. O. F.; and Hope Encampment; Hackingeshacky Tribe, No. 189, I. O. R. M.; Court Hackensack F. of A.; the A. O. U. W. and Exempt Firemen Association. He is also secretary of the Hackensack Firemen Insurance Association; vice pres- ident of the State Exempt Firemen Association of New Jersey; Master Workmen of Hackensack Lodge, No. 64, A. O. U. W. He is a member of the Kalamazoo Band; Alert Hose Association, and is L. A. W. Local Consul. Mr. Fank was married December 7, 1879, to Miss Thresa Mattjets- check. They have two children living, a son and a daughter. In politics Mr. Fank is a Democrat. PETKK \\. STAGG. Peter W. Stagg, a prominent lawyer of Hackensack, was born in New York city October 24th, 185(1. His childhood and early life, how- ever, were spent in Cresskill, N. J., where he attended the public school. In 1875 Mr. Stagg went to Jersey City where he became a student of law in the office of the late Charles Scholfield, and where he remained two years, after which he came to Hackensack, and entered the office of Ackerson & Van Valea, continuing with them until 1879, when he was admitted to the bar, at the June term. Immediately after being admit- ted, he opened an office for the practice of his profession in which he rapidly built up a good business. At the June term of 1883 he was made a counsellor-at-law. He served as assistant clerk to the House of the State Assembly at the sessions of 1891-2, and in 1895 was appointed by Governor Werts, as Prosecutor of Bergen county, for a term of five years. Prior to the time at which Mr. Stagg became prosecutor, this coun- ty had been infested with pool room and green-goods gangs. These the new prosecutor drove out, in addition to conducting the ordinary criminal business Mr. Stagg is a member of the I. O. O. F., Bergen County Lodge, and has been Grand Master of the State of New Jersey, having in 18'»7 the care and jurisdiction of 249 lodges in different parts of the state, comprising a membership of 25,000 Odd Fellows. He is also a member of the Fire Patrol. He was a member of the Second Regiment New Jersey Volunteers in the late Spanish War. PE'IKK W. .STACKJ 1,^() HISTOKV OK BEKGEN COUNTY Mr. Stagg was married on January 14, 1875, to Miss Jennie E. Westervelt, of Bergenfields. The oldest of their five children, Arthur A., is in his father's office. HON. WILLIAM I). SNOW. H(in. William D. Snow, son of Josiah Snow, founder of the Detroit Tribune, was born in Massachusetts February 2d, 1832. He was educated at Romeo, Michigan, afterwards studying law at Dixon, Illinois, under the late Attorney General Edson, of that state. For several years he was associate editor of the Tribune. He was a strong advocate of anti-slavery doctrine, and was a frequent contributor to the magazines and journals of that day, and also a hymn writer of some note. Mr. Snow settled at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, in 1860, and aferwards represented Jefferson county in the Constitutional Convention of Arkan- sas. The convention resulted in the establishment of a Free State Constitution, the first in any seceding state. Mr. Snow was elected in 1865 for the long term to the United States Senate from Arkansas. At the close of his term he declined a re-elec- tion, coming to New York city for the purpose of studying law. In 1871, however, Mr. Snow went to Paris, where he spent two years in the study of civil law. In 1875 he was admitted to the New York Bar, receiving, the same year, the degree of L.L. B. from Columbia College. In 1882 he became secretary and counsel to one of the New York Trust companies, but resigned in 1888 to take up general practice. He acted as volunteer Aide to General Powell Clayton and Major General Steele during the Civil War, and was instrumental in the enlistment and organ- ization of three regiments in the state of Arkansas. Governor Murphy afterward tendered him an appointment as Brigadier General of Volun- teers. This he declined. Mr. Snow is of retiring and studious habits, and in religion a Uni- tarian, president of the Unitarian Congregational Society of Hacken- sack. He belongs to the Lawyers' Club, the Bullion Club of New York and the Oritani of Hackensack. Several of his iuventines have proved successful, his Thermostat being regarded as the most reliable and sensitive of its class. Mr. Snow is now a member of the bar in three states, having been admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1894. After residing in the northern part of Bergen county for more than twenty years, while practicing in New York city, he gave up his city practice in 1896 and removed to Hackensack, where he hopes to spend the remainder of his life among his New Jersey friends. EKNEST HENKY KOESTEK. Ernest Henry Koester, one of the leading lawyers of Bergen county, is a native of Norristown, Pennsylvania, and was born April 28th, 1855. After receiving a preparatory education in the High School of Philadel- phia, he went to Heidelberg, Germany, remaining in that insitution HISTORY OK BKKGEN COUNTY l.i7 tlircc years, and subsequently took a three years' ciiurse of itistruelioii ill AUeg'heny College, at Meadville, I'ennsylvania, taking his degree ol A. B. in 187'). He now began the study of law in the office of M. L. Richmond & Son, of Meadville, and was admitted to the bar in iS,S2. He immediately began the practice of his profession in McKean county. Pennsylvania, and was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of his state in ISSd, in the meantime tilling the office of District Attorney of his county for three years. In i.S')4 he located in HackensAck. and in June of the same year was admitted to practice in all the courts of New .1 erse y . Mr. Koester has a large clientage in Bergen county, and is known in the state as an able criminal lawyer. He defended Ryan in the famous green-goods affair of New York, winning the case after it had been carried against him in both the ujjper and lower courts. Mr. Koester is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, having taken the thirty-second degree. He is also a member of the Hackensack Lodge of Odd Fellows, and of other societies. JOHN J. .VNDICKSON. Jolin J. Anderson, a representative of one of the old families of Hackensack, resides at tlie Anderson homestead, corner of Passaic Avenue and Main Street, where his grandfather, John Anderson, located about the year r8(W. The grandfather was of Scotch-Irish de- scent. He came tirst to New Bridge, Bergen county, and after his marriage to Catharine Zabriskie, located in Hackensack. where he pur- chased the propertvTiow owned by the Oritani Field Club. He was ex- tensively engaged in mercantile pursuits, and operated a store at the oirner of Passaic and Main Streets for many years, but the business was latterly put into the hands of his sons John C, and David. John died in IS.^f) at thirty-four years of age, and John, his father, died in 1S4(), eightv-two years of age. In 18().S Mr. Jolin J. .-\nderson tore down the old building and erected Anderson Hall, placing in the wall a corner- stone of the (dd house, on which was subscribed: "W. C. W., 1711." Fron; this it is sui)pose(l the building was erected by W. C. Waldron in 1711. The store on the other corner of the street, now owned by the heirs of John II. T. Banla, was then operated by H^U. T. I!anta, and lafore him bv Mr. Doremus, subsequently Judge Doremus. There were a few other lumses at intervals along the road, now Main Street, then fenced in with rails. .\l)out the vear IS.SS the .Morton (louse was built by Mrs. Abram I'.errv. the daughter of John Andi-rsou. Judge Banta married a daughter of Mrs. Berry. John C. Z. Anderson married Harriet Meyers, of Knglish Neighborhood, and had live children, (iarret Meyers, who married Leah I^ouis Sl<)pe in 1S4'», and then Mary (lalloway in I.S54; Catherine C. who married Lucas J. Van Bnskirk in i,S48;Jane, who married \V. C. Smith in 18.s2; .Maria, who married Leveret H. Sage in 18.=^4, and J2, and is a son of John P. and Martha (Rathbone) Ramsey. He was educated at. the private school of Professor John C. Nash, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, after which he read law in Hackensack with the late George H. Coffey and Abraham' D. Campbell, being admitted to the bar in 1883 as an attorney and in 1887 as counsellor, after which he beg'an the practice of his pro- fession in Hackensack. Being a successful lawyer and a popular Re- publican, he was put in nomination for the office of County Clerk of Bergen count}' in 1890, but was defeated by a small majority. In 1895, however, he was again nominated for the same office and was elected. He has successfullv filled the office ever since. HKNKV D. WINTON. Henry I). Winton, editor and proj)rietor of The Bergen county Democrat, the .oldest newspaper published in Bergen county, is the son of Eben Winton, the first publisher of this paper. Mr. Winton was born February 14. 1848, and has been a resident of Hackensack since 18f)l. He entered his father's office at the ag-c of fifteen years, and after si.x years close application to business, was made a partner in the concern, the firm being known as E. Winton & Son. In 1870 Mr. Winton, Sr., retired, the Son becoming sole jiroprietor. Under his manag-ement the paper has -g-rown iu popularity and value both financially and as an exponent of the party which it represents. Mr. Winton keeps pace with all political questions and party move- ments. He was made a delegate from the Fifth Congressional District to the National Democratic Convention which met at Cincinnati in 188(1, and nominated General Hancock and again acted in the same capacity in 18")f), at the Nati(mal Conventicm which nominated Mr. Bryan. He was a member of the committee of five, of which ex-Governor Russel of HENKV L). WIXTUN HISTORY OF RERGEN COUNTY 141 Massachusetts was the chairman, representing' the '"gold states", in opposition to the •' silverites" of the party. Mr. Winton acted as chair- man of the state committee of the sound Democracy during- the cam- paign, the Bergen County Democrat espousing the cause of Palmer & Buckner. In ISSO, Mr. Winton was elected to the Legislature of New Jersey, and re-elected in 1884, for a term of three years, being the only case of a re-election of a senator from this county. In 1884 he was clerk of the House of Assembly, and at the same time was one of the members of the board of managers of the New Jersey Lunatic Asylum, at Morris Plains. It was through him, in connection with the late Theodore Varick of Jersey City, that the medical and business departments of this institution were separated. This has thus far proved a successful change. Other institutions of the kind have followed the example of this one, to the entire satisfaction of all. JACOB L. V.\N BU.SKIKK. Jacob L. Van Buskirk, Sheriff of Bergen county, is probably one of the most popular officials to be found in the state. He was born in Saddle River, N. J., in 1851, and worked at his trade of blacksmithing for nine years. In 1852 his father came to Hackensack, where he resided for forty-seven years. In 1890 he was elected a member of the Board of Freeholders, and re-elected in 1893. In 1892 he was elected director of the board and held that position three years, and in Novetnber 1S98, was elected sheriff by a majority of 709 votes, he being the only suc- cessful Democrat on his ticket, which is proof sufficient that the people, not the party, elected him to the office. Mr. Van Buskirk has always taken a lively ititerest in everything of a public nature, and is also prominent in social and fraternal organ- izations. .\KK.\M DH B.Al"N. The i)arents(if Ahram De Baun were Kev. John Y. and Margaret ( Iserman ) De Baun, and his grandparents Isaac De Baun and Abram Iserman. His father was for twenty-six years pastor of the True Re- formed Church at Hackensack. During his pastorate here he was editor of the Banner of Truth, a monthly magazine of the True Refi.rnud Church. The De Bauns are of French Huguenot descent. Mr. De Baun studied law under A. D. Campbell, and was admitted to the bar as attorney-at-law in 1877, and as counsellor in 1880. He was a partner of Mr. Campbell for a period of seventeen years, but is now of the firm of Demarest & De Baun. He was clerk of the Board of Freeholders from 1878 to 1895, and member of the Hackensack Improve- ment Commission three years, during two of which he was its treasurer. For twelve years he has been counsel for the Building and Loan Asso- ciatiun of Hackensack. He is a director of the Old Ladies' Home. 142 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY THOMAS H. GUMMING. Thomas H. Cummiag. Justice of the Peace, and a well-known busi- ness man of Hackensack, was born in New York city November 6th, 1839. He received his education in his native city, and, after leaving- school, became an employe in a large dry goods store, where he re- mained three years. A partnership was now entered into with his father in the business of contracting, which was carried on chiefly in New York and New Jersey. Among other large contracts secured was that for the construction of the Lodi branch of the New Jersey and JUSTICE THOM.\S H. CUMMING New York Railroad, and also for the line running from Essex street to Woodridge. In New York their business was mostly in the line of building large sewers. Beginning in 1861, Mr. Gumming conducted a business for two years in the oil trade in Greenwich street, following which, he was in the leather business for a period of sis years. At the expiration of this time he removed to Hackensack, again engaging in contracting. In connection with his present business of insurance and real estate, he is Commissioner of Deeds and a Notary Public, holding the office of Justice of the Peace since 1885. * HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY 143 He has always been interested in the Fire Department, and was an active member of Hook and Ladder Company, No. 2, for twenty-six years, part of this time its Foreman, and is at present an honorary member of that organization. For a number of years he has been President of the Hackensack Relief Association, and has also been Col- lector of License for the Hackensack Commission for the past twelve years. Mr. Cumrning- is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and a charter member of the National Union. He is an active Republican, and his father, Thomas Cumming-, Sr., was for years a lay judge of Bergen county. Mr. Cumming's wife was the only daughter of the late John H. Banta, of Hackensack. They have three sons. CL.VYTON DEM.A.REST. One of the fullest and most interesting of the numerous records of the Demarest family, is that of the branch descending from David des Marie, whose date of landing in America is taken from an "entry in Emigrants Account Book," reading as follows: "David des Marie from Picardie, for passage and board when he came here on board the Bontekoe. the l')th of Apr. 1()63. ■ ;£39 for his wife , 39 & 4 children of 18, 11, <> & 1 yr 97.10 fl. 17.^.1(1 David des Marie (son of Jean) was born at Beauchamp, in Picardie about the year 1()20, and married Marie, daughter of Francois Sohier, Jul}- 24, 1643. Of their six children, three married and reared families, Jean, born April 1645, David, Jr., born 1652, and Samuel, born 1656. Clayton Demarest, the subject of this sketch, is a lineal descendant of David, Jr., second son of the first David des Marest. David, Jr.. married Rachel, daughter of Pierre Cresson, April 4, 1665. The}' had twelve children. Jacobus being the fifth, and through him the line descends. He married Leah, daughter of Peter DeGroot, March 8, 1707, and after her death married Margrietie Cozine Herring September 26, 1719. In all, his family numbered seventeen, the line coming down through Daniel the sixteenth child, who was born Sep- tember 11, 1738. Daniel Demarest had two sons, James D., and Ralph, the lines coming through James D., the eldest, who was born March 20, 1763, and married Rachel Demarest. Of their five children Abram J., born October 4, 1793, was the grandfather of Clayton. He married Rachel Blauvelt, April 8, 1815, and the youngest of their seven children, David Demarest, was born February 1, 1832, and married Christina De Baun September 8, 1853. They had six children the youngest, and only son, being Clayton who was born December IS, 1865. David Demarest now resides on the farm at Schraalenburgh where the Demarests have lived for over two hundred vears. The old house 144 HISTOKY OF BEKGEX COUNTY has passed throufrh so many changes and has so often been remodelled that but little remains of its orig-inal construction. The barn has two large overhead beams hewn from red gum trees, and are marked 1721. Abram J. Deraarest was a Captain in the National Guard until he was thirty-five years of age. His commission papers from the Governor of New Jersey, are now in the hands of the family. David Demarest enlisted as a volunteer in the Civil War, September 1, l.S(i2, and was honorably discharged June 25, 1863. Clayton, his son, was educated in the public school in Schraalen- burgh, afterwards taking a course of instruction in Thompson's Busi- ness College in New York city. Having accepted a position with the CLAYTON DEMAREST Chemical National Bank, December 1, 1S82, Mr. Demarest has continued with that institution to the present time, the past ten years in the ca- pacity of Assistant Paying Teller. In Hackensack, the home of Mr. Demarest, he has taken an active interest in the Fire Department, having become a member of Relief Hook & Ladder Company No. 2, in December 1841. in which he has served two years as secretary and four years as foreman, being now assistant engineer, and is justly proud of his work in the department. Socially Mr. Demarest is a member of the Royal Arcanum, Fire- man's Relief Association, Exempt Firemen and Hackensack Debating Society. He is an active member and teacher in the Sunday School of the Second Reformed Church, of which he has been a member the past twelve years. HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 145 Mr. Demurest married Miss Marie Kipp, daug-hter of Nicholas R. Voorhis (and , became principal of McGee's Institute at Woodville, Miss., continuing in this position ten years. He was county superintendent during three years of this time, and also a member of the board of aldermen. Here also he assisted in organizing a local cavalry company of which he served as a member with the rank of major. In the Masonic order he was a prominent member being High Priest of Royal Arch Chapter. Mr. Wheeler has resided in Hackensack C(mtinuously since 18f)4, and where he for a time was associated with James M. Van Valen and Peter Bogert. Jr.. as judge of the Common Pleas Court. For the past thirty years he has occupied his present offices, where he is engaged in the management of estates and as a broker in stocks and bonds. Interested in various institutions and or- ganizations, he has been president and director of Hall and Armory Association since its organization, was a director of the Bank of Bergen County, and the Hackensack Savings Bank; is treasurer and director of the Hackensack Cemetery Company; is a member of the State Geo- logical Board, and was for ten years president of the Bergen Turnpike Company, and later its vice president. For a long period he was a di- rector of the Hackensack Gas Company, and for twenty-seven years rep- resented the Home Insurance Company for Bergen County, but resigned in 1897, at which time the company as a proof of their appreciation of his service, tendered him a letter of thanks accompanied with the pre- sentation of a fine gold headed cane. In his religious relations he is an Episcopalian and in politics a Democrat. Mr. Wheeler was married in 1859 to Miss Lucy Dowie, of Andes, Delaware County, N. Y. Their only children are Judge George W. Wheeler, Jr., of Connecticut, and Harry D., who resides in Hackensack, doing a commission business in New York City. Mr. Wheeler is a man of culture and refinement; has been an ex- tensive traveller, and is a thorough and capable busines-; mm. WILI.IAiM K.\IK. William Fair was a native of Scotland, emigrated to America with his wife. Mary Hume, and three children. Mary. John and Jane, and settled in New Barbadoes, now Hackensack, aljout 178.S. He was a cabinet-maker by trade, and carried (m his business (m the site of the Fair Homestead, in Hackensack, until his death, which oc- 148 HISTOKV OF BERGEN COUNTV curred February 24, 1l, for a full term and by follciw- inof appointments he held the office until 18()1. During- these years, he ^vas building- up a profitable practice in the county and state, taking high rank in his profession. In 1875, when Judge Bedle was elected Governor, he appointed- Mr. Knapp his successor on the bench of the Supreme Court, his Judicial District covering the counties of Hudson, Bergen and Passaic. Huds(m being made a district alone. Judge Knajip \vas assigned to this new field where he continued until his death which occurred on January 26, 1892. The Bar of the State in suitable resolu- tions expressed to the Supreme Court, "the universal sorrow felt at the pathetic death of Mr. Justice Knapp while in the discharge of his pub- lic official duties," and they further desired "to bear witness to his virtues, his learning, and the beauty of his character." Judge Knapp was married in 1850 to Anna Mattison, a daughter of the late Captain Joseph Mattison of the United States Navy. Mrs. Knapp continued to make her home in Hackensack after the death of her husband, surviving both her children — the daughter, Anna M., wife of Walter V. Clark, of Hackensack, and their son, Joseph M. Knapp, both having died since the death of their father, and she herself, the last of the family, died in 18<)8. JOSEPH M. KNAPP. Joseph M. Knapp was born at Hackensack October 2t), 1856. He went to Colorado immediately after his graduation from Columbia Col- lege in June 1878, hoping to overcome pulmonary disease, which was apparently making inroads upon his health. He was admitted to the bar and practiced law, residing in Colorado thirteen years. Believing himself restored to permanent health he returned to New Jersey, but not long after he declined and died on May 2, 1895. He was a man of Itriifht intellect, hiirh attainments and fine character. DK. AliKAM HOPPICK. Dr. Abram Hopper was the son of a farmer at Hohokus, and was born April 26th, 1797. After taking an academic course of study in New York city, he entered the office of Dr. John Rosencrantz, at Hohokus, with whom he studied medicine one year, when he returned to New Yf)rk, and continued his medical studies with Dr. Valentine Mott, at- tending lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgetms, from which institution he was graduated at the age of twenty-one. The following year he began the practice of medicine, continuing to reside here the greater part of his life. He died December 14th, 1872. Making surgery a specialty, he was the onlj- operating surgeon in Bergen county for many years, and gained an enviable rejjutation in that department of his profession. His wife was Euphemia DeWolf. They had five sons and two daughters. 152 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY DK. HENRY A. HOPPER, Dr. Henry A. Hopper, who was born August 8th, 1824, was gradu- ated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City in 1847. His life was spent in Hackensack, where he became a prominent practitioner, and also identified himself with the best interests of the town. Like his father, he began practice when young, being only twenty-three years of age. He was one of the organizers and the first secretary of the Bergen County Medical Society, and was the organizer and president of the Hackensack Board of Health. Dr. Hopper married Maria Colfax Ward, and three children survived him, one son and two daughters. He was a member of the Second Reformed Church, to which he was greatly devoted. He died at the age of fifty-eight years. DR. JOHN WARD HOPPER. Dr. John Ward Hopper, only son of Dr. Henry A., was born Novem- ber 10th, 1856, and choosing the profession of his fathers, was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1879, having been grad- uated from the College of the City of New York in 1876. While in the Medical College, he took a special course in microscopy, afterwards, and for sometime making microscopic tests in the office of Dr. Alonzo Clark. It was his intention to eventually devote his time to surgery in which he was particularly interested. He was for eighteen months on the Surgical Stafi" of Roosevelt Hospital immediately after his graduation. Dr. Henry Sands now asked him to take his Ouiz-class, which he did for one winter, the first time it had ever been given to another. The following year he spent in Europe, principally at the Hospitals of Vienna and Prague, and during special work under Doctors Virchow, Schroeder and others. After his return he began practice here but died three years later, on June 30th, 1890, ending a line of physicians holding high place not only in the medical profession but in other walks of life. PETER WARD. Peter Ward was a member of the State Council when he died, and was captain of a company of militia during the Revolutionary War. His wife died in 1806 at the age of forty-six. Their children were Peter, John, Jane, Catherine, Thomas, James, William, and Mary. Peter was born at Campgaw, and married Maria, daughter of Robert Colfax, niece of General William Colfax, and second cousin of the late ex-Vice Presi- dent Schuyler Colfax. The children born of this union were Captain Robert C. A., Peter H., Sally Ann, wife of Harden Burgess; Harriet, wife of Chauncey Gooderich; Jane, wife of Abram Willis; Mary, wife of Anthony E. Fatin; Catherine, died young; Lucy, was first the wife of John Hall, and after his death, of Charles Bennett; John; Peryna, wife of Henry A. Berry; Maria, wife of Dr. Henry A. Hopper, of Hack- ensack; and Elizabeth, wife of John R. Lydecker. Peter Ward was a Brigade Major under General William Colfax in the War of 1812, stationed at Bergen Heights and afterwards at Sandy JACOB BAIIKR Commissioner iif the !,l W.ml ll.uktnra.'k. ^. I. 154 HISTOKY OF BEKGKN COUNTY Hook. He was a tanner and currier, a farmer and distiller at Campg-aw. In 1812 he beg'an to speculate, was unfortunate, and lost his property. He afterwards removed to Booneville, N. Y., where he engaged in farm- ing, and died on Long Island. His wife died at the advanced age of ninety years, about 1877. Captain Robert C. A. Ward spent his early life on the farm. In 1827 he came to Hackensack, and was employed by D. & J. Anderson, merchants, where he remained until the death of one member of the firm, John C. Z. Anderson, in 1836. He was employed by the Ander- sons in the coasting trade between New York and Virginia, dealing in wood and lumber. As early as 1832 he became interested with the firm in the purchase of some 3000 acres of land in Virginia, known as the "Green Spring- Plantation," the residence of the Governor of the State, when Jamestown was its capital. Upon the decease of John Anderson, Captain Ward became a joint owner of the business and lands, by pur- chase, with the remaining partner, David Anderson, and the firm was " Anderson & Ward" until 1840, when Anderson disposed of his interest to Captain Ward, and John Ward, his brother, became a partner, under the firm-name of R. & J. Ward. This plantation has supplied large quantities of wood for the New York market, and especially before steamboats began to use coal was the demand considerable, also supply- ing large timber for other purposes, besides having several hundred acres under good state of cultivation. John Ward died in September, 1871, leaving a. widow and one daughter, who reside in Hackensack. Captain Ward usually made two trips per month between New York and Virginia until the connection of his brother with the business, when he gave up the duties of the coasting trade to him. During the same year, 1840, Captain Ward purchased fifty acres of land in Hacken- sack, upon which he resided, having his house located on the corner of Main and Passaic streets, and where he carried on agricultural pursuits. Captain Ward was one of the stockholders upon the rebuilding of the Washington Academy, was one of the Directors of the Bergen County Turnpike Company in 1852, when it was converted into a plank- road, and for several years was president of the road, and a stockholder of the New Jersey and New York and of the New Jersey Midland Railroads. Captain Ward was united in marriage, September 2, 1841, to Har- riet, daughter of Garret Myer, and widow of John C. Z. Anderson, who was born June, 1803, and died October 23, 1873. CAPTAIN JOHN WAKD. Captain John Ward was born at Campgaw, X. J., February 4th. 181"). Having become a resident of Hackensack in 1857, he did much for the good of the villag-e. Energetic and public spirited he became one of the organizers of the volunteer fire department and was its first chief. He was also one of the originators of the Hackensack Librarv. HISTORY OF BEKOEN COUNTY 15S and since his death a liandsome bookcase to his memory was phiccd in the library especially for books of reference. The Second Reformed Church owes much to his untiring efforts in solicitinif aid for the liquidation of its debts and to his subsequent sup- port. Captain Ward was associated for some years with his brother Captain Robert Colfax A. Ward in the transportation of lumber from their Virginia plantation. He married Leah Maria Uuackenbush. They had two children, one of whom, a daughter, lives in Hackensack. He died September Id, 1872, and his widow died January 18, 1898. CAKKET ACKEKSOX. It is not known at what date the Ackerscm family was first lepre- sented in America, but it was many years prior to the Revolution. The lirst of the name was Garret, the great-grandfather of Colonel Garret G., who came from Holland, and settled at Old Tappan, in Bergen county, but subsequently bought a large tract of land at Pascack, up(>n which he placed his eldest son, John. The other two sons, Cornelius and Abram, at his death, became the possessors of the old homestead at Tappan. The name was then as now, often spelled Eckerson. John was born in 1743, and died at ninety-four years of age at Pascack. He married Garritje Hogencamp. Their children were Garret and Hannah, who became the wife of Nicholas Zabriskie. Garret was born in \~~'>. He married Hannah, daughter of John Hogencamp, originally, from Rockland county, N. Y. Garret was something of a politicim, was twice elected to the Legislature, and was a major in the old State Militia, and, with his command, was stationed at Sandy Hook during the War of 1812. He was afterwards a major general of the Northern Militia of the State of New Jersey, Bergen, Essex and Morris being then the only three counties in the northern part of the state. He had four children, John, Cornelius, Garret G. and James. Garret G. was born at Pascack, April 9, 1810, and educated in the common schools. George Achenbach was one of his teachers. He was a schoolmate of Jacob R. Wortendyke. Like many of the farmers of that day he engaged in other lines of business, having a cotton mill, a distillery and a store on the farm. The son took charge of these under the general superintendence of his father, until 1840, when he took a farm and established a woolen mill of his own. The first political experience Mr. Ackerson had, was when he was elected Assessor. When but fifteen years old he became captain of a company of uniformed militia, and held the office for ten years. In 189.=^ he was elected county clerk over John N. Berry, the first clerk elected under the new c(mstitution. This necessitated his removal to Hacken- sack. He remained in the office three terms, gradually becoming the leader of his party. He became counsellor and banker to many of the old people of thatday, the vault of the clerk's office sometimes containing thousands of dollars in gold and silver awaiting investment. Soon after 15() HISTORY OF BKKGEN COUXTY j^oing- to Hackensack he was made chairman of the Democratic Execu- tive Committee in place of Judge Garret Hopper, who -had held the position almost ever since the organization of the Democratic party. During the time that he was county clerk he raised a company of Continentals, becoming the captain, afterward being elected lieutenant- colonel of an independent battalion which had been organized by special Act of the Legislature. It remained in existence until 18(>1, when most of the men volunteered to form the Twent3--second State Regiment for service in the war. In 1858 and '59, Hackensack being without a rail- road. Mr. Ackerson and others subscribed a sufficient amount of mone^- to build a road from this point to intersect with the Erie Railroad. The new road was known as the Hackensack Railroad. When Mr. Ander- son resigned the presidency of the road before its completion, Mr. Ack- erson was unanimously elected to fill his place and although sinking S10,000 each year for the first three years, it eventually became a pay- ing institution. He and Judge Zabriskie at one time assumed the per- sonal responsibility of about S()0,000. Colonel Ackerson was active in 1872, in organizing the Bergen County Bank which had George Achenbach for its first president, and at his death was succeeded by the Colonel who remained in office until the bank closed. April 1st, 1877, he took his seat as a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, having been appointed in the winter of 1S7()- 77, by Governor Bedle. Judge Ackerson married in 1837, Sophia, daughter of James I. Blauvelt and Martha Wortendyke, of Washington township, who was born July 4th, 1821. They had two children — Colonel Garret, Jr., de- ceased, and Martha, wife of B. F. Randall of Hackensack. Colonel Ackerson died December 12, 1891. COLONEL CrAKKET ACKERSON, JR. Colonel Garret Ackerson. Jr., son of Colonel Garret G., was born at Pascack, N. J., September 15, 1840. He was educated in the public and private schools of Hackensack, and in a private school at Claverack, N. Y., at that time conducted by the well known Alonzo Flack. In 1859 he began the study of law in the office of Hon. Jacob R. Wortendyke of Jersey City, and was admitted as attorney at the June term of the Su- preme Court in 1863. He immediately opened an office in Hackensack for the practice of his profession, and in 1878 was made counsellor-at- law, having been appointed prosecutor of Pleas for Bergen County in 18(.f>. In 18t>7 he was apjiointed judge advocate of a battalion of Militia in the county, and in IS72 was elected Captain of Company C, of the Second Battalion National Guards, resigning the office in 1875. He was appointed Judge Advocate General of the State of New Jersey, with rank of colonel by Governor George B. McClellan in 187'». At this time he was appointed President of the Hackensack Railroad. He was also for a time on the Board of the Hackensack Improvement Commission, HISTOKY Ol' UEKGEX COUNTY 157 and was secretary and treasurer of the Bertren County Mutual Assur- ance Association from 18()3 to lS(i7. Colonel Ackcrson was a delegate in 187() to the Democratic National Convention that nominated Samuel J. Tilden for the Presidency. He was married July <», 18f)3, to Ann Elizabeth, daug'liter of John A. Zabriskie and Mary Anderson, and is survived by three sons, John Zabriskie, James B., and Garret (t. Ackerson, Jr. CAPTAIN ANDREW C. ZABKISKII-;. Captain Andrew C. Zabriskie, son of Christian A. Zabriskie and Sarah J. Titus, was born in New York city May 30th, 18,53. His g-rand- father, Andrew C. Zabriskie, was born at Paranius, N. J., at the ances- tral homestead. His fortune, however, was made in business in New York, after which he retired to enjoy his declining years in the old home at Paramus. His four children consisted of three sons. Christian, A., Martin, John, John Jacob and one daughter, Matilda Mary, who became the wife of Martin E. Greene. John Jacob owned a cotton mill atHohokus, and was well known throughout Bergen County. Martin changed his name to the original Polish, Zborowski. He was by profession a lawyer, but abandoning practice, he devoted his time to real estate investments, which have proved to be of immense value. He has two children, Anna, wife of the Comte de Montsaulpin, and Eliott. Christian A. Zabriskie was also well known and highly esteemed in Bergen County, and was greatly lamented at his death, especially in church circles, being a strong sup- porter of the Episcopal Church at Paramus, where he spent much of his time. His wife was Sarah Jane Titus, daughter of Captain William M. Titus and Maria Gardner, the daughter of Thomas (Gardner, a wealthy resident of Paramus, and who was somewhat eccentric in dispo- sition. Captain and Mrs. Titus frequently drove from New York in their carriage to spend the day with Mr. Gardner, often starting early enough to see the sunrise from Weehawken Hill. Mrs. Zabriskie was then a little girl, and the Bergen Turnpike, over which she drove, has now as its president and controlling stockholder her son, Andrew C. Captain Zabriskie is well known in Hackensack partly through his presidency of this ancient turnpike which was incorporated in 1802, with Colonel John Stevens of Hoboken as its first president, and partly by his large real estate interests in the vicinity. Andrew C. Zabriskie, grandfather of Captain Andrew, was adjutant of the squadron of horse of the county of Bergen, and his maternal grandfather, William M. Titus, served in the War of 1812, afterwards becoming captain in the Eleventh Regiment New York Artillery. When but twenty years of age he enlisted in Company B, Seventh Regi- ment N. G. N. Y.. in which he served more than seven y-ears and was then elected captain of Company C, Seventy-first Regiment N. G. N. Y. Still later he was appointed inspector of rifle ])ractice on the staff of this regiment, and upon resigning in 1890, was elected to his old com- mand soon after bringing his company up to such an efficient state, as CAPTAIX ANDKEW C. ZABKISKIE HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 159 to inspect one hundred per cent; but after a military experience of near- ly twenty-five years he resigned in 1897. The captain is a member of man}- clubs, the Metropolitan, City, Army and Navy, National Arts and Church Clubs, and to the Holland Society, the Military Society of the War of 1812, and the Veterans of the Seventh Regiment. He is also a devoted and active Episcopalian, a member of the Church of the Incarnation, and a delegate to the Diocesan Convention from that church, a manager of St. Luke's Hospital, a trus- tee of the Sheltering Arms, the Children's Fold and the Archdeaconry of New York, in addition to which he is treasurer of the American Church Missionary Society and the House of Rest for Consumptives. Interested in the collection of coins and medals since boyhood, he is president of the American Numismatic and Archaeological Society. Captain Zabriskie was married in 1895 to Frances Hunter, youngest daughter of the late Charles F. Hunter, president of the Peoples Bank, New York, and Juliana M. W. Zabriskie. Her grandfather passed m(«t of his time in New York, although a native of Hackensack, and was for some years one of the lay judges of Bergen County. Mrs. Zabriskie's grandmother was Susannah Van Campen Romeyn, a daughter of the Rev. James Romeyn, well known in the vicinity, early in the century. Mrs. Zabriskie is interested in many charities and has a large circle of friends. She is a skilled pianist and possesses marked musical talent. Captain and Mrs. Zabriskie reside at No. 2 West Fifty-Sixth Street, New York, and have a fine country home at Lake Memphramagog, just over the Canadian line, where they own Province Island comprising over 100 acres. They also own and occupy, a portion of each year, a large estate called "Blithewood" at Annandale on the Hudson. They have two children, Julia Romeyn Zabriskie and Christian Andrew Zabriskie. MAJOR JOHN ENGEL. Major John Engel, son of Charles and Augusta (Kuhn) Engel, was born at Bunde, Prussia, April 16, 1845. After completing his course at the Prussian Military School at Schloss Annaburg, in the Province of Sachsen, he came to America in the month of October, 1860. Upon coming to this country he became identified with its interests, adapting himself to the habits and customs by which he became surrounded. A mere lad in years, he was a man in mental vigor and high aspirations. His military training was soon to be put to use in his new home. In August, 1862, two years after landing in America, he enlisted in the famous Duryea's Zouaves, 165th New York Volunteers, serving until October, 1865. Major Engel served in the Nineteenth Army Corps, in the Department of the Gulf, taking part in all the battles of that corps. He was in the battles of Cedar Creek and Winchester in 1864, and was wounded in the Red River expedition at Cane River Crossing in the same year. Octobers, 1872, uiK>n the formation of Company C, which became :i i)art of the Second Hattalion N. Y. N. G., Mr. Engel enlisted as a pri- 160 HISTOKY OF BEKOEN COUNTY vate, and on the 18th of the same month was elected Serg-eant. On May 30, 1876, Sergeant Engel was elected First Lieutenant, and under his efficient drill, continued with untiring energy and self-devotion, the com- pany has ever sustained an enviable reputation. On January 27, 18'»1, Lieutenant Kngel was elected Captain. The reorganization of the National Guard of New Jersey in 1892 made this battalion a part of the Seccmd Regiment, and December 7, 1898, the Captain was made Major. Upon the breaking out of the late Spanish- American War, this regiment, on May 2, 1898, entered the service as the Second Regiment N. J. Volunteers, U. S. A., Major Engel going to the front in his official capacity. His military career covers in all a period of about thirty-three years. In private life the Major has engaged in the hotel business, and was for eight years manager of the Hackensack Opera House. He was postmaster of Hackensack from 1888 to 1892 and has twice been elected Justice of the Peace. Socially he is a member of the I. O. O. F., the Red Men, Wheelmens' Club, Hasbrouck Heights Field Club, Pioneer Club, and a member of James McPherson Post, G. A. R., of which he is a charter member. He married Miss Mathilda H. (xcrrels at Charlestown, S. C, October 30, 18()7. MAJOR ABRAHAM D. CAMPBELL. Major Abraham D. Campbell, deceased, was a great-grandson of John, who settled in Closter, and at the close of the Revolution located in Washington Township, at Pascack. Abraham D., son of David A. Campbell was born October 10, 1842. He was educated in the public schools of his native place and at Hack- ensack, and after teaching for a short period, during which time he was elected school superintendent of his township, he resigned and entered the State Normal School at Trenton, from which he was graduated in 1863. After leaving school he engaged in teaching until 1865, when he entered the office of Colonel Garret Ackerson, Jr., at Hackensack as a law student, being admitted as attorney at the June term in 1869, and as counsellor in 1875. A few months after his admission as attorney, he opened an office in Hackensack, and on August 7, 1870, was appoint- ed Prosecutor of Pleas to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Colonel Ackerson, and September 1, of the same year was appointed by Governor Randolph to fill that office until the close of the next session of the Legislature. April 5, i87i he was appointed for the full term, and by subsequent appointments held the office for twenty-five years. Having enlisted in Company C, Second Battalion, N. (t. N. J., Oc- tober 8, 1 872, he was commissioned quartermaster of the battalion with rank of first lieutenant, January i4, i873, and on March i5, i876, re- ceived the commission of captain. He served during the railroad strike of 1 877. and retired with the rank of brevet-major, December i6, i890. ..Vc..^; HISTOKY OK BEKOKN COrNTY 161 Mr. Campbell \vas married September 22, i8<)') to Ann E. Hopper. ; Maria, born November 12, 1783, and became the wife of General Andrew H. Hopper; Richard, born June 16, 1786, was a farmer at Preakness, N. J.; Albert, born April 25, 17'H), spent most of his business life in stage-driving and carrying the mail between Hoboken and Hack- ensack and on the Albany mail route; George, born, November 13, 17'»4, was a blacksmith, farmer, and inn-keeper: John B. born June 26, 17'W; and Peter, born 1801, was a blacksmith by occupation, for many years was a teacher, served as justice of the peace in Saddle River township for several terms. 1()4 HISTOKY OF BERC.EN COUNTY The Berdan family are of Holland extraction, the first member uf whom was Rinear. He emigrated from his native land at a very earh' date, and choosing Bergen county as a favorable point of location made Haclvensack his residence. His sons were six in number of whom two John and Rinear, settled on farms, afterwards owned by Rinear J., and G. V. H. Berdan respectively. The former was married to Miss Ann Romaine, and had one son, John, whose wife was Miss Hen- rietta Van Dien. Their son, Rinear, was united in marriage to Charity Ryerson, and became the parent of two children, John and a daughter Ann. The former married Miss Mary Van Houten, and had two sons — Rinear and Garrabrant — and a daughter, Mrs. Daniel Romaine. John, the second son of the first Rinear, the progenitor of the family, had three sons — John, Richard and Stephen — and one daugh- ter. John, who served with credit in the war of iSi2, is represented bj- a son, Cornelius Z. John Berdan, died August 22, iS7i, at the age of eighty-one years; and his grandfather, Rinear, also lived to be eighty years of age, dying January 28, i843. Charity Ryerson, his grandmother, was born in i7()0 and died in 1 848. She was a descendant of Joris Ryerson, a native of Amsterdam, who settled first on Long Island, and afterwards, in i70i, in Bergen county, with his two sons. The children of Rinear and Charity Berdan were John R. and Ann, wife of Richard Berdan. Mary Van Houten, born June 22, i79i, was the wife of John R. Ber- dan, and died January 12, 1862, leaving three children — Rinear, G. V. H., and Ann, the wife of Daniel Romaine, of Lodi. Rinear J. Berdan was born on the homestead June 28, 1809, and married March 7, 1833, Catharine, daughter of General Andrew H. Hopper and Maria Doremus, of Saddle River township. Both the Hoppers and Dt)remuses were among the earliest settled families in Bergen county. Mrs. Berdan was born December 22, 184(), and by this union the^- have one son and one daughter, viz.: John, married Christina M. Berry; both are dead. The former died July 20, i87(), the latter February 19, 1 88 1, leaving one son — Walter H. Berdan. The daughter Mary Ann, became the wife of William H. Cadmus, of Saddle River township. The Hopper family are also among the oldest families in Saddle River. One branch is descended from Andrew Hopper, who emigrated from Holland and had children, among whom were Peter and Andrew. Andrew joined the army during the Revolutionary conflict, and fell in one of the engagements. Peter settled in the township on land still in the family and had three sons, Ciarret, Andrew, and Henry, all of whom remained in Saddle River. Andrew married and became the father of twelve children, of whom two, John A., and Henry A., located in the township, the latter on the homestead which was the birthplace of his father. Another representative of this family was Henry Hopper, who resided in the j'resent Franklin township and had four children, — two HISTOKY OF BEKC.EN COUNTY 1()5 sons and two daughters. The sons were John H., and Andrew H., the latter of whom married Maria Doremus and had seven children, of whom Henry A., occiii)ied the homestead, and a daughter. Mrs. Rinear J. Berdan. Peter Hopper, owned some 300 acres of land, and was the first of the family that settled the homestead where Sheriff Hopper now resides. He died in 1818, at an advanced age. His wife was Anna Doremus, who died at the age of eighty-eight, and bore him the following chil- dren: Keziah, wife of Jacob Demarest; Mrs. Voorhis, Garret, Andrew P., and Henry; all were married and reared families, excepting Garret. Of these children Andrew P. Hopper was born on the homestead in 1777, which he afterwards inherited, and resided there during his life, engaged in farming. He also took part in politics, representing his township in the board of chosen freeholders, and for two terms served as county collector. He served as sheriff of Bergen county for one term, and for one term represented his Assembly district in the State Legislature. Henry A., son of Andrew P. Hopper was born August 3, 1819. He was sheriff of Bergen county and member of State Legislature one term. The ancestor of the Garretsons (the name being spelled Garretson or Garrison by members of the same family) was Peter, a native of Holland, who left his native land in 1664 and settled in Bergen county, where he purchased an extensive tract of land. Among his sons was John P., who married a Miss Ryerson and had children, — John, Jacob, Garret, and one daughter. John P., spent his life upon the homestead, and here his death occurred. His sons John and Garret remained in the township, the latter having married a daughter of Ralph Romaine and had eight children, among whom were three sons, John (i., Ralph, and Abram. Two branches of the Van Riper family claim Saddle River as their residence. Jeremiah resided on the Passaic river, above the Dundee bridge, and early purchased land of a very old resident named Van Horn. His sons were Simeon, Stephen and Nicholas, all of whom remained in the township. The latter branch is represented by John N. Van Riper. The Zabriskie family in Saddle Kiver are descended frorn Andrew Zabriskie, whose son Christian had three scms, Andrew, Cornelius and Abram. Abram married Maria Zabriskie, of New Bridge, and had one son. Christian A., who took up his residence in Saddle River townshij). The daughters were Mrs. Cornelius Van Houten and Mrs. Henry Demarest. Johannes Berdan was the pioneer of the family by that name in this township. He had two children, John and Anna, and was grand- father of John, Jr., Richard, Ste])hen and Mary and great-grandfather of Cornelius Z. Berdan. The Terhunes, Ackermans and Romaines and a branch of the Dem- arest family were also settlers in the township, some of them coming here before the Revolution. lf)6 HISTOKY OF BERGEN COUNTY Philip Van Bussom early settled in Saddle River, having- purchased land of Dominie Marinus. He had children — John, Andrew, Peter, and two daughters. The sons located in Saddle River, Peter having- retained the homestead and married. He had three children. OKGAXIZATION. It is difficult to learn the exact date ot the erection of Saddle River as an independent township. In the list of freeholders immediately following, the first of these officials served in the year i794. It may, therefore, be assumed that Saddle River was erected as an independent township either in that or the previous year. civil. LIST. The list of freeholders it is possible to give complete since 1794. The remainimg more important township offices cannot be secured for the period prior to 1862, as the records are not obtainable. The free- holders are as follows : 1794, Jacob Berdan, Martin Ryerson ; 179b, Samuel Van Zaen, John C. Bogert; 1797-1801, 1809-15, George Doremus; 1797, John Benson, Jr.: 1798-1801, John Dey; 1802-6, Henry Mead, John Garrison; 1807-11, Jacob Ackerman; 1807, Richard Degray; 1808, William Colfax; 1812, Isaac Van Saun; '13-14, Robert Van Houten; '15-18, Martimus Hogencamp; '16-18, John J. Berdan; '19-20, Isaac Van Saun; '20-25, Garret P. Hop- per; '22-25, '30-31. Martimus Hogencamp; '26, Jacob Berdan; '56-27, Richard Ackerman; '27, Adrian R. Van Houten; '28-29, Andrew H. Hopper, Richard Doremus; '30-'34, Samuel C. Demarest; '32-35, '43-45, Andrew P. Hopper; '35-36, Perigan Sanford; '35, Henry Doremus; '37-39, Henry P. Hopper; '37-38, Turnier Van Iderstine; '39-42, Henry C. Van Houten; '40-42, Cornelius Post, Jr.; '43, '45-46, Andrew B. Van Bussum; '44, Henry P. Doremus; '46-48, John B. Doremus; '47-48, Henry Cole; '49-51, Peter A. Hopper; '49-51, '57-61, Andrew C. Cadmus; '52, Simeon G. Garrison; '52-54, William Doremus; '53-54, John A. Hopper; '56, Cornelius p. Doremus; '56-57, David Alyea; '58-61, Peter I. Demarest; •62-64, Richard Van Winkle; '62-67, '68, Henry A. Hopper; '()3-64, "66, John Vreeland; '66-67, James G. Cadmus; '68-70, Cornelius R. \'an Houten; '69-71, John G. Garrison; '72-74, J. W. Doremus; '75-77, John B. Schoonmaker; '78, James V. Joralemon; '79-81, '82, Martin Romaine; '82-92, Albert Bogert; '93-96, William Readio; '96-98, William H. Fair- child; '98-99, C. V. B. Demarest, who died in August 1899 and the va- cancy filled by appointment of Tunis W. Vreeland. The remaining important officers are : 1862. — Township Clerk, James V. Joralemon; Collector, James C. Post; Assessor, Jacob W. Doremus; Township Committee, Augustus Hasbrouck, William P. Doremus, A. C. Cadmus, George Doremus, John A. Hopper. 1863. — Township Clerk, James V. Joralemon; Collector, Gustavus A. De Groot; Township Committee, Andrew C. Cadmus, Augustus Hasbrouck, George Doremus, Wm. P. Doremus, Wm. A. Van Houten; Assessor, Jacob W. Doremus. HISTOKY OK BEKGEN COUNTY 1 f)7 1864. — Township Clerk, James V. J4.^. He arrived in the Province of New Netherlands in the ship Beaver with his wife, four children, and two servants in the month of May, ibf.i. and settled in the Dutch out-post colony of Bergen, now part of Jersey City. In August 1673, he was appointed a "Schepen" of Bergen, but the Dutch Government about this time traded the Province of New Netherlands for Surinam, when he was thrown upon his own resources. Pieter Van Marselis died September 4th, 1681, and as a mark of special honor was buried under the old Dutch Church on Bergen Hill. A grandson of Pieter Van Marselis named Edo, bought two large tracts of land in what was then the wilderness of North Jersey, one at Preak- ness, and the other extending from Dundee Lake through Paterson to the Great Falls of the Passaic. These estates were divided among his five sons, and one of these sons, whose lands were near the Great Falls, was the grandfather of Henry Marsellus the subject of this sketch. Peter E. Marsellus the father of Henry was born in Paterson in ISlXt, but in 1836 he moved t,o Passaic where he died in 1882. He was a builder by trade and erected a number of houses still standing in the city of Paterson. To Peter E. Marsellus were born five sons and two daughters, but of these only Henry and his youngest sister Helen, are alive. Henry was raised a farmer, and talks to-da\% with a good deal of just pride of the straight furrow he could draw in his youth. Having a taste for business Mr. Marsellus in 1868 moved to Passaic where he became one of the most successful business men in real estate, in the state of New Jersey, handling, some years, close upon half a million dollars. His office in Washington Place was popularly known as the "Eel Pot," and was the centre for the leading business men of the neighborhood. In those days, Mr. Marsellus became the recognized leader in real estate, and was then, as he is now, familiarly known as "Boss" i or as Judge Barkalow insists on spelling it " Baas." i On November 'Hh 1S4.S. Mr. Marsellus was married to Miss Cather- ine Van Winkle, a daughter of Jacob and Annie Van Winkle, and granddaughter of James Van Winkle, by whom Mrs. Marsellus possesses her wealth, being his only issue — Mr. James Van Winkle, who was a remarkable man in his way, was a justice of the jjeace for over twenty- five years, and died widely rcspectc;!, in l.S')4. Marines Van Winkle the "-randfather of James Van Winkle was a chair maker, and a full si't HKNKV MAKSKI.I.US HISTOKY OF BEHGEN COUNTY 173 of his chairs of the mist ex:[uisite w irknianship, manufactured over 175 years ago, are now in use in the commodious parlors of Mrs. MarseUus. Mr. Marsellns is full of joke and reminiscence, and can tell of happy acquaintance with such men as Daniel Webster, Robert Collier, Vice President Hobart and Attorney General Grig-gs. The following incident is worthy of preservation: When Mr. Marsellus and his wife were returning from Boston on their honeymoon, and had boarded a train for New York, there came into the same car a stranger, who took his seat immediately behind them, and the young husband seeing the stranger laden with papers and periodicals, which he carelessly threw into the seat he intended to occupy, whispered to his wife, " We evi- dently are to have the company of a book peddkr." The seeming book peddler turned out to be the famous orator and statesman, Daniel Web- ster. An acquaintanceship thus sprang up in this casual way. The great man asked the young farmer and his wife to accompany him to his hotel, where they all dined together, and in the evening all three at- tended theatre in company. Mr. and Mrs. Marsellus have but two children living, Herbert and Annie (Mrs. C. Demerest), out of a family of seven. There home is beautifully situatecTat the upper end of Garfield, and Mr. Marsellus says their diamond jubilee is just twenty-years ahead, which he and his worthy consort are looking forward to enjoying. CORNELIUS V. B. DEMAKEST. Cornelius V. B. Demarest was born at Dobbs Ferry, Westchester, county, N. Y., June 11th, 1854, and is the eldest son of Daniel Demarest and Mary Cordelia Garrison. When he was one year old they located at Hackensack, N. J., residing there about two years, when they became infected with the western fever and removed to Michigan. After s])end- ing several j-ears in the West and South, the family returned to New York city in 1863, and inlSOf) settled at Passaic, N. J., where for more than thirty years the name of Daniel Demarest has been prominently before the public as a reliable Architect and Builder. In holding differ- ent positions of trust, by his integrity and fair dealing he has earned the respect and esteem of all. Cornelius V. B., the subject of this sketch, after leaving the public school, entered the private Academy of Professor John A. Monroe, at Passaic, afterwards taking a course in Packards Business College, in New York city. Being inclined to mechanics, he then served an appren- ticeship with the New York Steam Engine Works then located at Pas- saic. After working at his trade of machinist, for a time he was em- ployed as master mechanic in the New York Belting and I'acking Company works at Passaic. Afterwards he entered the employ of the Standard Oil Works at Philadelphia and later at the Garfield Pumping Station at Garfild, Bergen county, now the national pipe line, where he continues in charge of the largest and most powerful oil i)uin])s in the section, if not in the United States. CORNELIUS V. B. DEMAKEST (Deceased) HISTOKY OK BERGEN COUNTY 175 He was married in May 1881, to Miss Belle, daughter of William and Rachel Christie of Passaic. Their children are two sons, Daniel, and David Van Buskirk, and one daughter, Hilda Rae. The Demarest family are of French origin, and honorably trace their line of descent from the Huguenots, who were driven from France, by religious persecution. They first sought homes in Holland and afterwards in Long Island in counties bordering on the Hudson and according to the oldest records appear to have been among the first settlers in Bergen county. From actual data the connecting links have been established through eight generations between the subject of this sketch and David Demarest the first of that name to settle in Bergen county and who emigrated in the year 1663. Cornelius V. B. Demarest purchased a home in Garfield, Saddle River township, in 1888. In 1891 he was elected Tax collector of Saddle River township and re-elected in 1895, having served with entire satisfaction in that capacity for seven years. His constituency elected him in 1897, to the county board of Chosen Freeholders. He was defeated for Assembly a few years since when the party failed to elect, the successful candidate being David Za- briskie the present county Judge. Mr. Demarest was a member of the citizens committee who (>rganized the Borough of Garfield in 1898. He died in August 1899. HEKMAN BECHTEL. Herman Bechtel, proprietor of the Dundee Lake Hotel, Dundee Lake, and Collector for the township of Saddle River, is a native of New York citv, and was born January 29, 1867. He is the son of Albert and Adelia ( Blauvelt ) Bechtel, his mother being the daughter of Abram Dow and Jane E. Blauvelt, representatives of old families of New York. Albert Bechtel, the father of Herman, is a native of Stuttart, Germany, and is a brother of August, who was private secretary to the king of that province. Albert Bechtel came to this country when nineteen years of age, locating in the city of New York, where he served in the capacity of expert bookkeeper for many years, for an old standard firm. Subse- quently he came to New Jersey and built up the coal and fertilizing business where he is now. He is also postmaster and station agent of Dundee Lake. When five years of age Mr. Herman Bechtel was sent to the Hoboken Academy, N. J., and subsequently to Rockland College, Nyack, N. Y., where he remained with his grandmother, going to school there until fourteen years of age. He then came to New Jersey, but after- wards spent five years in the city of New York in the capacity of mes- senger boy. Life was thus begun at the foot of the ladder, but advance- ment was rapid, and, in 1885, he found himself ])artner with his father in the coal and fertilizing business at Dundee Lake. In 1894 he gave up the coal business and took the hotel which he still conducts. In 1892 land was purchased of Gillian Zabriskie, and aycaror so later the hotel was erected. Mr. Bechtel is a representative man of his town, and as necessity requires is advanced to public positions of trust and honor. He was elected first a member of the Board of Education, and served as clerk of HKKMAX BECHTKL HISTOKY OK BEKOKN COUNTY BKCHTKL S HOrHI,. DINDKK LAKK this Board two years. He was elected Township Clerk in lS'i3 and re- elected in 1896, but resigned that position in 18<)7 to accept the collector- ship of the town, which position he still holds. He has also been a prominent member of the County Committee of the Democratic party. Mr. Bechtel was married to Miss Claire Cornet in 1889, and has two children. JACOB DKMAKIvST. -' Jacob Demarest who located (m land in the vicinity of Fairlawn in Revolutionary times, was the father of Peter J. Demarest, who died March 19, 1888 at the advanced age of eighty years. The children of Peter J., were: Margaret, Jacob, Maria, Janus J. Ciarret H. and John H. James J. Demarest occujnes the homestead when he erected a house in 1890. On January 2.Sth, 18()9 he was married to Miss Charity Banta, daughter of John H. Banta, of Orvil. Mr. Demarest is a successful far- mer. He is a descendant of the Demarests who came to America to find an asylum, from religious persecuticm. They were French Huguenots, first going to Holland and thence to America, where they settled on L(mg Island, afterward removing to Bergen County. The family which is numerous, were am()ng the earliest settlers of this part of New Jersey- CHAPTER XVIII. FRANKLIN. DESCKIPTION — CIVIL LIST — EARLY SETTLEMENTS — INDIANS — VILLAGES WORTENDVKE — WYCKOFF CAMPGAW OAKLAND — RAILROAD — MANUFACTURING — JAIL AND COURT HOUSE — CHURCHES — SCHOOLS — BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Franklin is one of the oldest townships in Berg-en County. It took its name from Governor William Franklin, the natural son of Dr. Benja- min Franklin. He was born about 1730. Who his mother was is not known. In 1762 he was appointed by Lord Bute Governor of the prov- ince of New Jersey. He entered upon the duties of his office February 28, 1763. The township is in the northwesterly corner of the county, and is bounded on the north by Passaic County, on the east by the townships of Hohokus and Ridgewood in Bergen County, and south by Ridgewood, Midland Borough, and on the west b}' Passaic County. The southern part of the township is hilly, and the northern is mountainous. It is well watered with lakes and streams, and the Ramapo River runs through its entire width near the northern boundary. The hills, val- leys and mountains afford some of the most picturesque views in the county. The Ramapo Valley from Pompton, near the line of Franklin township, to Hohokus township, and for miles beyond, flanked as it is by the Ramapo Mountains on the north and long- stretches of meadow- land and the undulating hills on the south, afford some of the most de- lightful views to be found in the State. Some of the old residences here go back to a period before the Revolution. Rodman M. Price, one of the honored ex-Governors of New Jersey, had a beautiful and spacious residence in this valley, in Franklin township, near the Hohokus line. Visitors from .Europe to this retired spot have often admired the rare beauty of the mountains with the river running at their foot. Farther up this valley was once the country residence of that famous lawyer, Hugh Maxwell, district attorney of New York City, and still farther up the valley the wealth and refinement of the great metropolis still find desirable places for country residence. Judge Garrison of Oakland fully describes the scenery of the beau- tiful valley of Ramapo in verse as follows: "Here the Ramapo River passes along. And the birds in the trees enchant us with song. While lilies and tulips the meadows adorn, And fields sparkle bright with rich dews of the morn. This beautiful valley is encircled around By forests and mountains where pure springs abound; And the elms, oaks and maples are shading the rills, Meanderinar with music between the green hills. HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 179 Here groves of tall pine trees can also be seen, Arrayed in their robes of perennial green; And thousands of fruit trees, when in their full hluoin Emit sweet odors the air to perfume." civil, OKGANIZATION. P^ranklin became a township separate from Saddle River township about 1772. May 13th of that year it is named in the book of the board of freeholders as the township of Franklin, and for the first time is rep- resented in that body by Jacobus Bertolf only, though most of the other townships were represented by two freeholders at that time. At the January session of the Court of Sessions for that year, David Van Norden, Isaac Bogert, and Abraham Rutan were appointed constables for Franklin township. Before 1772 Franklin belonged to Saddle River township, and before that township was organized it belonged to the ancient township of New Barbadoes. We give below a list of the chosen freeholders of the township since 1794, the date at which the freeholders became a board separate from the justices. The justices and freeholders who preceded the change made in 1794 are named in the general county history, as they are not found in the records identified with the townships which they respec- tively represent: 1794, Joseph Board; 1794, Peter Slutt; 1795, Henry Wanmaker; 17'»S. Garret W. Hopper; 1796-97, Peter Wend; 179()-1800, Andrew Hopper; 1798-1813, Garret Lydecker; 1801, 1803, 1806. 1812, John Hopper; 1801-2, David P. Harring; 1802-4, Abram A. Quackenbush; 1803, Albert Wilson; 1804-13-18, Abram Forshee; 1805, John Van Blarcom; 1805-12-14. C. Stor; 1806-8, Abrm. Harring; 1807-11, Peter Ward; 1809-11, Henry \'an Emburgh; 1815-18, Daniel Gero, Jr.; 1819-20, John A. Van Voorhis; 181'», John Hopper; 1820-24, 1826-27, William Hopper; 1821-24, Henry Van Emburgh; 1825, David I. Christie; 1825-27, 1834-35, John Ward; 182S- 30, Martin Van Houten; 1828-30, John Mandijo; 1831, 1833, John Wil- lis; 1831, Christian A. Wanmaker; 1832, David I. Ackerman; 1832-.V% Isaac I. Bogert; 1834-35, Garret Van Dien; 18.%-.38, William G. Hopper; 1836-38, John H. Hopper; 1839-40, Henry B. Hagerman; 1839-41, Henry A. Hopper; 1841-43, Simeon Van Winkle; 1842-44, Henry I. Spear; 1844-4(,, Anthony Crowter; 1845, 1849-51, John R. Post; 1846-48, Wil- liam P. Van Blarcom; 1847-48, James S. Wanmaker; 1849, 1853-.54. James Van Houten; 1850-52, Stei)hen D. Bartholf; 1852-54, Abram Wortendyke; 1856, Garret Hopper; 1857-60, John D. Marinus; 185"(-61, John Halsted; 1861-63, (kirret D. Ackerman; 1862-64, David C. Bush; 1864, Daniel Ackerman; 1866-67, 1871, Garret J. Hoi)per; 186<)-67, Samuel P. Demarest; 1868-70, Garret A. Hopper, John H. Speer; 1872- 75, Peter H. Pulis; 1876, Daniel D. Depew; 1877-78, Charles White; 1879-80, Abram C. Wortendyke; 1880-85. Abram C. Wortendyke; 1S85- 86, David H. Spear; 1886-88, John R. Carlough; 1889-94. David H. Spear; 1894-'»7, John H. Post; 1897-1900, Thomas Post. ISO HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY EARLY SETTLEMENTS. Cornelius Schuyler, son of Arent Schuyler, was one of the first set- tlers in Franklin township in 1730. The Carretson from Bergen Town came and settled near where the Ponds Church now stands. The Van Aliens owned six hundred acres on the Pond Flats. George Ryerson and Urie Westervelt (1709) purchased an extensive tract of the Indians, ex- cepting the land at Sicamac and land on the present farm of Isaac D. Van Blarcom, as it was an Indian burial-ground. The Berdan family settled at Preakness, in this vicinity, in 1720. John Stek, now Stagg. "settled back of Knickies' Pond" in 1711. This is undoubtedly part of the Judge Millard farm at Sicamac. Stagg and his descendants lived on this farm till about sixty years ago. Yan Romaine, yeoman of Hackeu- sack, purchased 600 acres, located in the vicinity, from the Willcox & Johnson patent. May 19, 1724, and sold 200 acres to Rulef C. Van Houten, March 17, 1737, for seventy pounds. This property in modern times has been occupied by John V. Hennion, William De Baun, and John Acker- man. Simeon Van Winkle came in i733 and settled on the property lately belonging to Tennis Van Slyke. For four or five generations the Van Winkles honored the consistory of the Ponds Church. August i7, 1 720, found John and William Van Voor Haze, yeomen of the county of Bergen, buying of John Barberie, Peter Fauconiere, and Andrew Fres- near, merchants of New York City, 550 acres of land at Wikhoof ( so spelled and said to be of Indian origin), present Wyckoff, The tif ty odd acres were allowed for roads. William Van Voor Haze was married first Susanah Larne, May i7, i7i7, and second to Maria Van Gildee, January 2, 1728, and died July i7, i744, leaving five sons and four daughters. An extract from his will says, "I give and bequeat unto my eldest son. Jacobus Van Voorhees, the big bybel, for his first birthright, as being my heir-at-law. I will that my youngest dater, which I have by myn dear beloving wife, which is named Marytie Van Voor Haze, that she shall have for her poorshon the sum of ^iV." To his other daughters, he gave twelve pounds each. His son entered the king's service and died in i767. His son Albert lived on the present Uriah (Juackinbush farm, and Abraham lived on the Lewis Oouman's farm. He died Feb- ruary 5, 1 830, aged ninety-four. Near his dwelling, at twilight, shortly before his death, seeing a light upon the knoll, he chose that spot as his resting place, and there he slumbers; and beside him sleeps his wife, Margaret Hinter, who followed him to the grave in the May following his own death. John lived on the Henry Blauvelt farm. The Alburtises were also early settlers here, near the Van Voor Haze property. The Winters, Courtins, Youngs, Storms, Ackermans, and (Juackenbushes all came before i760, and the Van Gilders about 1 730. The Pulisfelts (now Pulis) lived on the Peter Ward farm, and the Bogerts on the Henry Vandenhoff property, going into Yaupitugh Valley. VandenhoiT is said to have lived in a cave for some time about 1 760. These are the names of many of the early settlers in what is now HISTOKY OF BKKGKN COUNTY 181 Franklin township. Many more there may have been, but their names are lost or forg-otten. Early in the eighteenth century purchases were made of the Indians of tracts of land lying to the southward of the "Wilcox and Ji)hnson patent." Arent Schuyler, of Albany, and Anthony Brockholst, of New York City, were interested in these lands. The Garretsons from Bergen, the Van Aliens, the Berdans, the Staggs, the Romaines, the Van Wink- les, and the Van Voorhises were purchasers of extensive tracts in this section forty, fifty, or sixty years before the Revolution. lOO years ago in the present township of Franklin the lands were generally taken up, although the territory was sparsely inhabited. Extensive tracts were under limited cultivation. Then there was scarcely a manufacturer in the township. Cornelius Wortendyke, it is true, was manufacturing about 1 00 years ago at Newtown, but nearly all the industry was con- rined to the raising of corn, wheat, and potatoes. These same abundant crops to-day at present jirices would make any economical farmer rich in a few vears. This township in the Revolutionary period became important as a place of refuge and retreat. The courts of Bergen County were driven hither from Hackensack. Washington and his army were hovering in the vicinity, keeping an eye on the British invader; a British Tory was hung by Sheriff Manning near Oakland, in this township, as is recited elsewhere in this history. Cornelius Schuyler, son of Arent Schuyler, was one of the earliest settlers in Franklin township in i730. The (iarretsons from Bergen Town were also early settlers. VII.LAOJvS AM) HAMI.ETS. There are no large villages in this township; the people generally are devoted to agricultural pursuits. Abundant crops of grapes, both wild and cultivated, are grown in this township, the apple crop is also abundant. The New York, Susquehanna and Western Railroad, for- merly the Midland, and before that the New Jersey Western, which had its first inception in this township through the energy and enterprise of Cornelius A. Wortendyke some years since, gave a sudden impetus and excited the highest hopes for the future growth of the township. This road enters F'ranklin from Ridgewood township, about one mile below Midland I'ark, and passing nearly midway through it till con- fronted by the Ramapo Mountains. In crossing the river near Oakland it runs along the foot-hills of these mountains, leaving the township for Pompton about one mile from Oakland. Thus it runs about ten miles through this township. The villages and hamlets locally named as such in the townsliip are Wortendyke, Wyckoff, Campgaw, Oakland. The Ramapo Indians sometimes visited the settlements in the town- ship. The^' were known formerly as the Hackensacky Indians but are more properly the race described as the "Jackson Whites." They bear little resemblance to the Indians, vet as tradition gives it they are des- 182 HISTORY OF BEKOEN COUNTY cendants of Hessians, Indians and negroes but know nothing of their ancestry, so ignorant have they become. Thej' dwell in huts or caves in the sides of the mountains, and subsist on fish and game, principally. When Judge Garrison was a bo3\ one of these people, an old man, Uncle Rich De Groate by name, would often leave his home for a visit to the villagers, coming among the people without hat, or covering for his feet and legs to his knees. When asked whether or not his lower limbs did not suffer from excessive cold he would reply by asking the same ques- tion concerning the exposure of the face. He died probably sixty years of age. WOKTENDYKE. The village of Wortendyke, formerly called Newtown, was founded by Cornelius Wortendyke in the year 179(). Tradition says two brothers of this family located at Pascack, and from thence Cornelius removed to this place where in 1812 a wool carding mill was erected for the immed- iate county trade. Abraham Wortendyke, his son, succeeded him and in 1832 changed the business from wool to cotton. Subsequently this was changed to a silk mill. A few years since the village was called Godwinville. Another silk mill was added later on and since then these mills have been enlarged and re-enlarged giving employment to hun- dreds of hands. The mills are now operated by Francis H. Mayhew. Cornelius H. Wortendyke procured the original charter of the New Jersey Western Railroad, and in 1867 was elected its president. In 1870 this road was consolidated with the New Jersey, Hudson and Delaware, and the Sussex Valley Railroad, under the name of the New Jersey Midland Railway Company, of which Mr. Wortendyke also held the office of President. When the railroad was built through this place a station, a hotel, and other houses were erected, the supposition being that Wortendyke would rapidly increase in population. The hotel is owned by John T. Ramsey, and the store by H. T. Lawrence, who came into possession of this property in 1881, and has operated it successfully ever since. Mr. Lawrence has also been postmaster since 1888. The mills of Wortendyke, and the railroad shops have called hither many native Hollanders, nearly all of whom are professing Christians and members of the old Holland Reformed Church. SCHOOLS. In 1811 Cornelius Wortendyke leased for school purposes a small lot near where the Methodist Church now stands. Isaac Blauvelt and Jacob Quackenbush, owned this ground for twenty-five years, which was leased and on which a schoolhouse was erected, probably the first in the locality. In 1822 this structure was burned, when a new one was built this in turn being abandoned probably forty years ago, for another. It was a brick structure which stood at the foot of the hill on the road to Ridgewood ; and was erected in 1859. This was next abandoned for the new school house, built in 1880 at a cost of $2500. In the old school of 1 822, Henry Westervelt, Tunis Crum, Isaac Sherr, Richard Ellsworth, Ashbel Abbott, John Turner, Rev. Matthew Mallinson, Amos B. How- HISTOKY OK BEKGEN COUNTY 183 land and Asa W. Roath, are mentioned as the teachers. The Methodists have a church at Wortendj-ke, which was organized December 14, 1S05. Mark McCraken, Aaron Ackerman, James Dods, John Van Blarcom, Cornelius Lozier, James Stagg-, Morris Sharpenstine, William Van Blar- com, and Alexander McCall were its first trustees. John Morrow, de- ceased, a worthly and most saintly man, during a long and useful life was most active and efficient in the erection of a new Methodist Church here in iS30. In iS68 another church was erected and the old one re- movefl. This edifice, was greatly aided in erection through the means and efforts of Cornelius A. Wortendyke, but Mr. Morrow never ceased to be an active and efficient supporter of this church according to his means, and was a most exemplary member of this Methodist Church to the day of his death. The Methodists also have a prosperous society at Campgaw, and a church edifice erected in 1856. Rev. Thomas Hall is now pastor of the church. Rev. H. Luback is pastor of one of the Reformed churches, the other churches not having a pastor at this time. WVCKOFF. Wyckoff, is a beautiful little village in this township on the Sus- quehanna railroad, twenty-eight miles from the city of New York, and owes its existence to the railroad. Abram Van Vorhis probably' built the first house in the place. He owned a store, cider mill, distillery and blacksmith shop on grounds now occupied by Samuel Winters residence. He afterwards removed to Wortendyke where he bought property in Midland Park. Among the early settlers at Wyckoff and vicinity should be men- tioned Abram Van Voorhis, James Van Blarcom, William Winters, Jacob Stur and David Folley. The sons of William Winters were Henry, William, Cornelius, John, Barney, Abram and Peter, all of whom settled in this vicinity. Henry, son of Henry, now eighty-three years of age, and Samuel Winters, his grandson, still live here. Cornelius Ackerman and Andrew Ackerman lived here in an early day. John P. Ramsey, one of the original owners of the village, rebuilt the hotel now leased to Benjamin Coleman. At an early day a cotton mill stood below the hotel on the Van Blarcon estate. No manufacturing is now in the place save a cider mill erected about 18')0 by Daniel Winters. Daniel DePew was the first agent of the railroad and the post office was kept in the depot. After Mr. DePew came, one or two changes were made, when the present agent, Mr. Peter S. Pulis, took charge of the staticm July 1, 1883. Stoat & Board, Samuel I'ulis, the De Pews and Mr. J. E. Mowerson have all been merchants in the place. Mr. Mowerson, present owner of the store and also postmaster, has done a large business here since 1877. CAMPCJAW. This hamlet has a store, post office, saw mill, grist mill and a shoj) or two all under the name of Peter H. Pulis & Son. Mr. Pullis was the 184 HISTUKV OF BEKC'EN COUNTY first agent of the road here, and under his management business always kept on the increase. His son, Samuel Pulis, and grandson, William G. Pulis, are now in charge. THE REFOKMED CHURCH AT WYCKOFF. In 1803 a movement was made for a new church, and out of this grew the building of a church at W^xkoff. Many of the members of the Ponds Church lived near Wyckoff. The Reformed (Dutch) Church at Wjckotf was established about ninety-two years ago. It has a large and convenient structure, bfiilt of stone on foundations solid enough to last for centuries. The old church had stood for sixty years, and a new edifice seemed necessary. Judge J. A. Van Voorhees, A. Stevenson, and others of Wyckoff and vicinity prevailed, when the old church was partly taken down and a new one erected, but in 1840 to 1845 the old hexagonal church was restored and reconstructed, much in the shape it is at pres- ent, a parallelogram or oblong square. The deed for the Wyckoff Church is dated September 27, 1805, to William Pulisfelt, Conrad Stur, Lawrence Ackerman, and James L. Ackerman, the consistory of the Ponds Church, with Judge Van Voorhees as treasurer and general ad- viser or director. The steeple was struck by lightning in 1829. In 1811, Rev. John Demarest became pastor of the church or society at the Ponds and of the Wyckoff Church. Mr. Demarest was born and edu- cated in Hackensack, at the famous school of Dr. Wilson, and studied theology under Dr. Froeligh. Mr. Demarest subsequently became a member of the True Reformed Dutch Church, and at one time owned the farm on which Major Andre was executed at Tappan. He died April 8, 1837. The two congregations at the Ponds and Wyckoff were divided May 10, 1822, and the Ponds Church was reorganized. The two churches were incorporated in 1824. The division line between them commenced at the house of Garret Post, near High Mountain, thence to John Ackerman's house, thence to Abraham Winter's house, and thence to Yaupough. Rev. Zachariah H. Kuypers, son of the pas- tor of that name at Hackensack, in April, 1825, became pastor of the Ponds and Wyckoff Churches. He also was educated under Dr. Wilson. He was succeeded by Rev. W. J. Thompson in 1842. Thompsoi was a graduate of Rutgers in 1834, and appointed tutor of ancient languages there in 1838, and filled that position with great credit. These churches now entered upon a new and brighter day of activity and success. He remained pastor till 1845. From this time they have had separate pas- tors. Rev. B. V. Collins became pastor of the Ponds Church, Novem- ber, 1845, and remained there to January, 1868. Rev. A. G. Ryerson became pastor of the Wyckoff Church April 7, 1846, and remained till May 24, 1864, the church prospering under his ministry. He was suc- ceeded by. Rev. William B. Van Benschoten, April 11, 1865. Van Ben- schoten was a graduate of Rutgers College and Theological Seminary. He remained there about six years, and died while pastor of a Reformed Church at Ephrata, in the State of New York. He was succeeded at HISTOKY OK BEKGEN COUNTY 185 Wyckoff by Rev. S. T. Searles 1872, who was pastor many years. The Rev. A. Westeveer, successor of the Rev. William Faulker, is the present pastor. The church has a memliership of l(>() persons, and has for its officers at the present time the following: Riders— Samuel D. Winters, Thomas H. Winters, Daniel Snyder, James E. Mowerson; Deacons — Charles F. Hopper, Charles Duryea, John J. Vanderbeck, John W. May. 0.\KL.\ND. The little village of Oakland is situated on the Susquehanna rail- road near the border line of Franklin township, about thirty-three miles from New York city. It is one of the beautiful and picturesque places in the county. The Ramapo Mountains on its western side give it that peculiar charm which a mountain only can give little villages, when nestled along its side under its sheltering protection. The village has a reputation worthy of an enterprising people, and with its railroad, hotel and stores, and two prominent manufacturing enterprises, it is on the progressive. The place was known l.SO years ago by the name Youghpaugh — Yoppo — and was the seat of government of the county for three or four years, dating from the year 178(t. It was known also as the "Ponds," that name coming from the Church, one of the oldest in the township. There was a small pond of water in this vicinity, and a grist mill stand- ing near the church, served the people long before the Revolution. The Rev. Guilliam Bertholf probably preached here as early as 1710, and for twenjy years thereafter. The worshippers in that old church, whoever they were, formed the first settlement at the Ponds. The Garretsons from Bergen Town came here as early as 17()0. The Van Aliens owned 600 acres on the Pond flats, and the Bogerts and others, as will be seen in the general sketch, were early on this land. At a later day, Aaron Garrison and his brother Abram, who was drowned in the Hudson River in 1804, settled in the upper end id' the valley. Martin Van Houten early occupied the ground upon which the residence of (ieorge Calder now stands. A stone house was first built on that site. Still later, the Hoppers, Judge (Harrison, John Bush and David C. Bush with others came into the place. The "Ponds," however, assumed no im- portance until after the building of the railroad in 1870, when the depot was erected, a post office was estalilished, and H. W. Bush started a store where Lloyd & McNomes are now. Henry Bush was the first postmaster in the village, after which David C. Bush, to whose enterprising spirit principally, the village owes the office, succeeded to the position, which he held from time to time, for sixteen years. The hotel was built in 1882. THK KAII.KOAD. David C. Bush, at the instance of C. A. Wortendyke, became a prominent factor in the building of the railroad through Oakland. These two men probably secured more stock for the enteri)rise and diil 18t> HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY more to insure success in that undertaking than any other two men in the company'. Land for the yard and depot and the right of way through the place was given by Mr. Bush, who was also one of the largest con- tributors to the present depot built by the citizens. Upon the comple- tion of the road, in March, 1869, five or six hundred people gathered, and under the inspiration of a couple of barrels of apple-jack and good cider, with the booming of cannon, the event was properly chronicled in the hearts and minds of the people. The opening exercises began at one o'clock. Beginnihg at two o'clock, speeches were made by ex-Gov- Price, Judge Garrison, Isaac Wortendyke, Dr. William Colfax, cousin of Vice President Colfax, and others, and at six o'clock refreshments were furnished, which terminated the gala exercises of the day. This part of the Ramapo Valley in an early day went by the roman- tic name the Indians gave it. It was subsequently the Ponds, then called Scrub Oaks, and perforce of family influence was known still later as Bushville. Upon the completion of the road, there was a meeting of the citizens to select a new name, some preferring that of Breakcliff, some Pleasant Valley, some Bushville, and so on. The meeting was held at the store of Henry Bush. J. P. Storms was elected Chairman, and Z. H. Post, secretary. Different names were offered by different parties, and after all disscussions were over, Mr. David C. Bush arose and pro- posed the name "Oakland," which was chosen, and which name it now bears. THE AMERICAN E. C. & SHULTZ POWDER COMPANY. This concern began operations in Oakland in i890, for the manufac- ture of smokeless powder, for sporting purposes purely. They purcjiased 1 20 acres of land from Judge Garrison. David C. Bush, James Van Blarcom and Jacob A. Terhune, and began the erection of a number of buildings, the largest of whieh is thirty by 300 feet. They employ thirty men and have a capacity of 2000 pounds daily. Captain A. W. Money is the managing director and treasurer of the company. O.'VKLAND HAIK WORKS. A. D. Bogert was manufacturing fillings for mattresses, chairs, etc., under the name of the Wood Type Manufacturing Company, in and before 1 876. He made his product from wood fibre, weeds, etc., and carried on the business for many years. This industry was largely increased b}- the Wilkens Brothers, who came to the village in i894, and purchased from S. P. Demarest forty acres of land, upon which they erected a number of buildings. They ship fibres, hogs' hair, and various pro- ducts from every known country on the globe, by train load, and do a business in curled hair and in materials for brushes, mattresses, etc., world wide. Thev employ abont lOO men. JAIL AND COURT HOUSE. The first Court House and Jail on the public Green, Hackensack, was burned in 1780. The second Court House and Jail was built at Youghpaugh (Oak land) in the township of F^ranklin, where the courts of the count}- were HISTOKY OK BEKGEN COUNTY 187 held for a fe\v years. Youg-hpaugh — Yoppo — was only the County Seat ad-interum, and courts seem to have been held there, or in the Ponds Reformed Church during- those troublous days, to such judicial extrem- ities had the British driven us during the Revolution. The Jail was built near the Sheriff's dwelling- about three hundred yards north of the station, where the foundations are still to be seen. Abraham Manning was Sheriff of the county and resided near the Oakland station. Among others confined in the Jail, was a notorious traitor, named Noah Collington, or Kellingham, who was hung on gal- lows erected on a little mound near by which bears the traitor's name to this day. He had been indicted for murder and robbery in the county, and while attempting to escape in disguise acrob> the Hudson near Fort Lee, in order to get within the British lines, he was captured near that place and brought to the Jail. Upon trial and conviction he was sen- tenced to be hung. During the inclement winter he was allowed a fire, whereupon he attempted one night to burn down his prison house and make his escape. Vanderhoff, the miller, while watching his dam dur- ing a freshet, discovered the threatened conflagration and giving the alarm the fire was soon extinguished, and Collington was manacled and subjected to much closer confinement. Upon Manning's return he was infuriated and beat his prisoner most severely with a club. A physician came to alleviate the sufferings of the poor man, who was hung early the next morning. An old Englishman named "Rench" was teaching school opposite the Ponds Church. At the time the Jail and Court House was destroyed he left this school and joined the refugees at Hopperstown — now Ho- hokus. Sheriff Manning hearing the noise of guns, there, together with a few neighbors hastened to New Prospect where they saw a com- pany of Refugees or Tories, coming from Hopperstown towards New Prospect. Concealing themselves behind a stone wall they waited while the enemy approached. The old teacher was recognized by the sheriff who deliberately aimed at his head, but the bullet only passed through his hat, and hid itself in a tree. After peace was declared the old teacher ventured to the Ponds but the sheriff was too patriotic to allow him to remain. From a discourse delivered in the Oakland church, November .^Oth, 1 876, we take the following historical notes of the old church in early days, known in connection with the old Paramus church as the " Panne" (Ponds). There is no record of the first church, and all the informa- tiof-war "Cyane," which eventually sailed for Monterey, where it arrived on July .^d, and on the 7th of July, 1846. formal possession was taken of Upper CaliforniM, Mr. Price being one of those who manned the halliards that run up the tlag. which still floats over California. In 18,^0 he was elected member of the Thirty-second Congress. On Jimuary 17th, 18S4, he was inaugurated (Governor of the State of New Jersey for a term of three years, and after retiring from this office, he established the Weehawken Ferry, which he managed for a number of years. His last public work of im])ortatice was as representati\-e of the Peace Congress at Washington. .\.\K()N C. (;.\!'sl son, w:is born Se])tembi-r 21. ISl't. He became the chief hel]> of his fatlu-r. who w.-is :i farmer, and a man of sound judgment and independent thouglil. although of limited education. I^he son inherited his father's intellect, i-arly acquiring a ])ractical knowledgeof general business transactions, which was recognized by the connnunity. .\t twenty-oni- yi-ars of age he was elected town clerk of tlu' original townshi]i of j-'ranklin. serving the full 192 HISTOKV OF BEKGEN COUNTY term of three years. Upon declining' a re-election to this office, he was immediately elected member of the town committee for the following three years. At the expiration of this term he was again elected town clerk, and has sin:e served a number of terms in this office. Prior to the creation of the office of School Superintendent, Mr. Garrison was made member of the school committee, and, as chairman, discharged the duties of that office for a period of three years. An advocate of the cause of education, he established a new schotd district, and contributed largely toward the building of two new school houses, one at Riverdale and one at Oakland. For more than forty years of his life he was justice of the peace, and has drawn up deeds, bonds, mortgages, wills, and all sorts of docu- ments, agreements, contracts, etc., for many people in both Passaic and Bergen counties. In the spring of 1S()S, Judge A. Garrison was elected County Collector of Bergen county, and during his incumbency (to 187.^), received and disbursed over $1,000,000. He was foreman of the Grand Jury several terms of court, and was judge of the Court of Common Pleas two terms, of five years each. In the spring of the present year ilS't')) he was again elected justice of the peace by both i>olitical ])arties, and has accepted, being now established in that office. In private life he has often been called upon to act as executor of estates. Being something of a musician, the Judge has been chorister of the Reformed Church of Ponds, has composed sacred music, and, in his younger days, taught "singing school."' Remarkably versatile, he can invoke the muses and indite his thoughts in rhyme, which he often does for friends on both sides of the Atlantic. Judge Garrison was one of the first directors of the New Jersey Western Railroad for five years, and contributed liberally towards its ccmstruction. In summing up his various avocations the Judge has apth" said: "At ten years old I drove a team. At twelve I grain did sow. For fifty years I fished the stream And walked behind the plough." DAVID CHU'ISTIK Bl'SII. The first train of cars on the Midland Railroad through the village of Oakland was run on Mav 1, 1>S70. This important event was due mainlv to the foresight and public spirit of David C. Bush, who was one of the leaders in a movement which has built up this place to a j)ros])erous village, which, with its stores and manufacturing industries, is ecpuil to any other place of its age and size in the county. David C. Bush is the grandson of Samuel Bush, who came to Mah- wali from Holland in colonial times. He was a blacksmith and manu- facturer of cowbells, in which industry he was an expert. His son. Peter S. Hush, was a ■soldier in the war of the Revolution. Peter S. n.wii) c. lusii 194 HISTORY OF BEKCIEN COUNTY Bush and his wife Bridget Christie were the parents of Samuel, John, Mary, Magdalene, Elizabeth Ann, David C, Rachel and Peter. The father died eighty-four years of age, soon after the late war. David C. Bush was born on the old homestead at Mahwah in 1827. In 1848 he married Miss Anna Van Blarcom, and in 1852, he located at Oakland, where he has resided since that time. His business has been farming and following various callings and pursuits, looking to his own material interests and the growth of the village. As one of the sponsors for the success of the railroad he took stock in that company, and helped in part to build it. In 1869 he erected his present residence, and upon the completion of the railroad, used one room of his new house for a few months as a ticket office, and subsequently became agent for the com pany, where he served for seventeen years. He was postmaster of the village sixteen years; was on the Township Committee seven years; a Freeholder during the troublous times of the late war, and has held various other offices and positions of trust when necessity so required. In 1887 he built a store and did merchandizing until recently when he retired from active business. He was married to his present wife Jemima Van Houghten, daugh- ter of Martin Van Houghten, May 7th, 1867, and his son David C. Bush, Jr., and her son, W. H. Shuart, by a former marriage, now own and operate the store. J. E. MOWEKSON. J. E. Mowerson, of Wyckoff, is a son of John J. and Mary Ann (Pulis) Mowerson, of Bergen county. At an early age he learned the trade of carpenter, and later followed the business of trucking in New York for a period of three years. In 1878 he located in Wyckoff, embarking in the business of general merchandise, now dealing in all kinds of groceries, provisions and hardware, with marked success. Mr. Mowerson was born at Saddle River, December, 9th, 1846. In 1867 he married Miss Lettie C. Ackerman, of Westwood. They have had five children. Anna, now deceased, was the wife of John G. DeBaun; James A. (now deceased), Ida and Archie J., who assist in their father's store, and George. Mr. Mowerson is a Republican, and has been for many years post- master of Wyckoff. He is a member of the Reformed Church. PETEK S. PT'LIS. Mr. Pulis Ijccame an employee of the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railroad Company at Wyckoff, when a Imy, and although en- gaged in other l)usiness, still retains his place at the head of the office, where he has had charge since his twentieth year. In addition to the responsibilities devolving upon him as an employee, Mr. Pulis carries on an extensive ice trade, from which he realizes a handsome profit, while being the owner and ])roi)rietor of what is known as "Spring Lake Farm," on which poultry raising is the chief industry, bringing in ;■■ njTous incomi:. J. K. M()\V)':i\'S()N 19(> HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY Mr Pulis was born Decembei 9, 1863, in Bergen County where he received a limited education in the common schools. His father Samuel Pulis, is a native of Bergen county, carrying on farming and also doing a good business in the grocery trade. Mr. Pulis was married in 1885 to Miss Jennie Demarest, daughter of John C. Demarest of Bergen county. They have two children : Charles S., and Ida. In politics Mr. Pulis is a Republican. He is a member ot the Junior Order, United American Mechanics. H. T. LAWKENCE. H T Lawrence is the s<:.n of Thomas Lawrence, formerly State Senator f^om Sussex county and an honored and highly respected citizen Mr. Lawrence was born at Sparta, a village of bus- sex countv, in i846. He is a well-known citizen of Wortendyke, where he has conducted a business in general merchandise covering a period of seventeen years. His industry and economical business methods have established him as a reliable business man. In P^^^^ics Mr Lawrence is independent, voting for the candidate who seems best fitted for the place, while he never seeks office himself. His time and energies have been devoted to his business, in which he has been successful. He has a delightful home, and is a man of means and influence m the county. CHAPTER XIX. HOHOKUS. THE OLD TOWNSHIP OF HOHOKUS — CIVIL LIST — ITS ENTERPRISES — ORGANIZATION — RAMSEY'S COUNTRY SEATS — MAHWAH — INDUS- TRIES — SCHOOLS — CHURCHES — BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. The township of Hohokus presents alternately valleys and ridges, picturesque as to scenery and of great fertility. The town is well watered, rich in meadow lands, and is very beautiful. The abundance of water furnishes excellent power which is utiliiied along- the streams for manufacturing purposes, and the numerous grist and saw mills en- joy home patronage. The name "Hohokus" is an InS HISTORY OF BEKOEN COUNTY thence a staiglit course to said road ; thence along the middle of said road until it intersects the road leading from new Prospect to Paramus; thence across said road, the course of the aforementioned road, direct to the Paterson and Ramapo Railroad ; thence along said railroad northerly to the Hohokus Brook ; thence along said Hohokus Brook westerly until it crosses the public road leading from Campgaw to Paterson, at the upper end of John Halsted's mill-pond ; thence westerly along the line, between the lands of Andrew G. Ackerman, Abram J. Hopper, Henry Sturr, Conrad Sturr, and Peter H. Pulis on the north and Lewis You- mans and others on the south, to the middle of the road leading from Wyckoff to Campgaw, at the southeasterly corner of lands of Peter H. Pulis ; thence westerly along the middle of said road to the division line between lands of Henry B. Winter and Daniel Thomas; thence a straight course to the middle of the Youpoh road, north of the house of David Bertholf, at the intersection of the mountain road leading from Wynockie; thence a northerly course through the Ramapo Mountain, parallel with the New York State line, to the line between the counties of Bergen and Passaic, shall be and the same is hereby set off into a separate township, to be called and known by the name of the township of Hohokus. in the county of Bergen." It was also enacted that the township of Hohokus should hold its tirst annual meeting on the day appointed by law for holding the annual township meetings in other townships in the county of Bergvrn, at the house of John W. Ramsev. at Mount Prospect, in said township of Ho- hokus. This act was approved February 5. 1849. Cn^IL LIST. The following is a list of the principal township officers since 184'): Freeholders, 1849. James S. Wanamaker; 1850-52. Elijah Conklin; 1849, John G. Ackerman; 1850-51. Abraham Van Horn; 1852, Jacob I. De Baun; 1853-54, 1861-64. Peter P. Ramsey; 1853, John W. Ramsey; 1854, Abraham Ackerman; 1856-58, 1868-70, Aaron Ackerman; 1856-58. John A. Winter; 1859-60, Andrew Van Buskirk, David P. Ramsey; 1861- 63, Andrew N. Hopper; 1864-66, Thomas Henyon; 1866-67, Jacob H. Bamper; 1.S67-69, Garret H. Van Horn; 1870-71. 1873-75, Aaron H. Westervelt; 1872, Henry P. Wannamaker; 1876-78, Cornelius Folly; 1879-81, John E. Hopper; 1882-83, W. H. Packer; 1884-85, Andrew H. Ackerman; 1886-89, Martin M. Henion; 1890-93, A. A. Ackerman; 1894- 97, Daniel S. Wanamaker; 1898, Albert A. King. Township Clerks, 1849-51, Peter P. Ramsey; 1850-52, Peter Ward; 1853, Richard H. Wanamaker; 1854-56, Isaac J. Storms; i855, Henry R. Wanamaker; 1857-59, Jacob P. Herring; 1860, Abram H. Ackerman; 1861-6,3-75-77, John A. Garrison. Jr.; 1864-66, John W. Bogert; 1867-69- 79-81, John Q. Voorhees; 1870, Andrew J. Winter; 1871-73. John G. Esler; 1874, Albert W. Conklin; 1878, Daniel S. Wanamaker; 1881-83. John y. Voorhees; 1884-89, Richard Wanamaker; 1890-92. John Acker- man; TsgS, W. J. Thurston; 1899, W. Van Horn. HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 19<) Assessors, 1849-51, Abram H. Lydecker; '5(t, Edward Salver; '52-34, John Young': '55, Abram A. \'an Riper; '5()-5S, John W. House; '59. Christian W. Christie; '00, Albert G. Lydecker; '61, George W. Whitley; '()2, Abram Garrison, '63-05; Isaac J. Storms; '66-68, John E. Hopper; '69, Albert A. Lydecker; '70, John W. Bogert; '71, David A. Pell; '72-73, Matthew D. White; '74-75, Stephen J. Terhune; '76-78, James Shuart; '79-81, William H. Murray; '84, Lewis H. May; '81, Albert W. Conklin* '86-94, W. H. Murray; '94-99, John Ackerman. Collectors, 1849-51, George Esler; '52-54, Richard Christie; '55-57, John W. Ramsey; '58-60, Elijah Conklin; '60-1)2-63, Andrew Winter; '64- ()6, Garret H. Van Horn; '67-69, John H. Henion; '70, John O. Voorhees; "71-73, Levi Hopper; '74-76, John V. B. Henion; '77-79, George L Ryer- son; '80-81, W. E. Conklin; "83, W. H. Youmans; •,s4-8(); A. A. Acker- man; '87-99, Garret \'alentine. VILI.AClliS. The most important \-illage iu the township is Ramsey, so named from Peter J. Ramsey, the original owner of the land. It was sold after his decease, about the year 1854, at Commissioner's sale, to William J. Pulis, the tract disposed of embracing sixty acres. Mr. Pulis resold twent-two acres to John Y. Dater, of Hohokus township, with whose advent an era of enterprise dawned upon the locality. Mr. Dater at once began the erection of buildings, and opened a store of general merchan- dise, adding to this an extensive suppl}- of coal and building materials. The earliest structure was of brick. About the same time a hotel was erected by David W. \'alentine, which was burned, and the Fowier House since built vipon the site. Mr. August Schroder has owned this property since 1885. Mr. Dater next erected a building for the manu- facture of sleighs, and for a long period did a thriving business, finally leasing to M. B. Deyoe. William J. Pulis then built a store of which his son subsequently became the propretor, he dying in 1895. His son, J. W. Pulis, and his grandson, W. H. Pulis, the present postmaster, each have stores in this place. A station had been established on the com- pletion of the Ramapo and Paterson (now the Erie) Railroad, which was called Ramsey, and a post office was located here by the Govern- ment with Albert G. Lydecker as the first postmaster, and John Y. Dater as his successor. As the location became more favorably known, capital flowed into the embryo village, residences were erected, business in- creased and Ramsey took a place among the growing towns of the county. The Reformed Dutch C'hurch at Ramseys was erected in 1876, the ground on which it stands having been donated by Mrs. William Halstead. William Slack has been a prominent merchant in the place for about forty years. He first came to Ramsey's in 1849 and at that time there were but two or three houses in the place. He followed the cabinet business, and after a few years in Haverstraw, N. Y., pursuing his trade, he returned in 1S6(» and since that time has been the i)rincip:il 200 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY undertaker not only for Ramseys but for a large portion of this part of Bergen county. Mr. Slack still has the old hearse he himself made many years ago. In 1869 he built his present store, in which he carries a fuilline of hardware and furniture, also a full equipment of stock for caskets and funeral supplies. When Mr. Slack first came to Ramseys he was honored with the office of Constable, and one of the tirst duties that fell to his lot was the arrest of Ben. Moore, a notorious character, for stabbing a man in Fowlers Hotel, taking him to Hackensack Jail. Moore was a bully, and Slack was a slight young man not particularly skilled in ruffianism, but he succeeded finally in landing his man, though it was a herculean task. The yictim of the affray died nine days after the sad eyent and Moore got ten years in the penitentiary. In 1870, James Shuart, a man well known in Bergen county, came to Rimsey's where he built his house in 1871, and subsequently built a half dozen other houses. Mr. Shuart has been in the meat business during all this time and is one of the prominent butchers m the county- It has not been an unusual thing for him in former years to kill a 100 sheep in a week and a half do.en steers. He bought and sold only the best and his trade was phenominal. On the 17th of Noyember 1888 he celebrated the election of Harrison oyer Cleyeland by treating the people of Ramseys and of the surrounding country to a "barbacue. For that occasSn he roasted an ox that weighed 750 pounds, provided three ba - reTof the Cream of Ale, and 400 loaves of bread, and fully loOO people partook of that banquet, the like of which had never been seen before. in this part of the State. The Dater Building is one of the attractive features of^Ramsey s. It was commenced by J. Y. Dater on Thanksgiving D^^-^ l^.. and com- pleted in May 1898. It is seventy-five by eighty-nine feet front, con Sins four stores, Lodge rooms for the J. O. A. M.; Mahwah Counc 1 Nr45; Ramsey Council No. 26; Ramapo Valley Counci No. 1..9; Royal Arcanum and also offices for the Ramseys Journal. It is a sub- stantial brick building and does credit to the place. LODGE NO. 178, I. O. O. F. Two members of Amity Lodge of Spring Valley, N- J-, located iri Ramseys and the Lodge was finally instituted on March 19, 1874 Her geTcounty Lodge No'. 73 had charge of the work and the «, men constituted the Charter Members: D. S. Wanamaker John H. ler Hune W H. Murray, Thomas H. Howard, William Slack and John IZch The lodge was named Hohokus. The first meeting was held m thetilding afterwards occupied by Murray's Meat Market. The nine members of the Lodge struggled on and in the fourth fiscal year^ they experienced their darkest period. No new members -re added, bu^ four were dropped from the roll, and two withdrew. The Lodge then withdrew to the Dater Building. The first death occurred after the Lodge had been instituted fifteen years. HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 201 XKWSI'APKKS. The people of North Berg-en. centre their financial interests natur- ally at Ramseys, and thus followed, as- a consequence, the " Ramseys Journal," to give the news of the week. This paper was established bv J. Y. Dater who issued Volume I No. 1. Thursday May 26, 1892. It was the successor of the Courier, a previous publication by Mr. Dater, but as a monthly it did not prove a financial success. Mr. Dater not de- spairing, however, established the weekly, taking care to equip it as it should be, as the official organ of Hohokus township, and then success came to him. There are probably no better equipped offices in Bergen county, not only for newspaper printing but for pamphlet work, than those in the Dater Building at Ramsey. There is also a bindery con- nected with the Journal. J. Y. Dater is proprietor. k.\msey's fire comp.\xy. Provision against fire was made in 18')5, by the organizatian of a company November 18th of that year, consisting of forty-six members, leading men of Ramsey's, The officers elected were J. Y. Dater, Presi- dent : A. C. Zabriskie,_Yi'-'e::Ptesident : W. H. Pulis, Treasurer; W. P. Halstead, Recording Secretary ; C. G. Sargent, Financial Secretary ; A. (i. Sherwood, Foreman : C. Rose, Engineer. .Tames Shuart is President of the Board of Trustees. The Department owns a four wheeled apparatus on which are mounted two forty-gallon copper cylinders which are charged with chem- icals; and it is claimed that one gallon of this acid is equal in effect to forty gallons of water. SCHOOL.S. In 184(t the people of this district erected a wooden structure sixteen by twenty feet in size which was used for a school building unril 1874. The building was then condemned by the County Superintendent, when a more commodious edifice was erected in its stead. This house was twenty-five by forty-five feet in dimentions one story high with belfry; attractive in appearance and well furnished. It cost S500U. The present building was erected in 1892 at a cost of Slti.dOO. James Shuart is pre- sident of the Board of Trustees, and W. S. Stowell is principal of the school. There are 257 scholars in attendance and five teachers employed. The True Reformed Church at Ramsey's was organized on the 24th of May, 1824, and was the outgrowth of a separation from the Reformed (Dutch ) Church. The causes of this departure from the parent church will not be deemed of essential importance in a history of this character, and are therefore not given. The following persons who left the orig- inal body placed themselves under the jurisdiction of the True Reformed Church of America: Rev. James D. Demarest, V.D.M., David Valen- tine and wife, David Christie and wife, Peter S. Bush and wife, Henry F. Forte and wife, John I. Post and wife. Peter Haring and wife. John J. Post and wife. John A. Ackerman and wife. William Kmmit and wife. David C. Christie and wife, Matthew Dougherty, Jacob Mitchel and 202 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY wife. Widow Jemima Van Rhoder, Widow Margaret Wanamaker, Wid- ow Isabella Donaldson, David Meyers and wife, Jacob Valentine, Eliza- beth Christie, James P. Ramsey, Mrs. Abram Van Roda, Mrs. Charles Townsend, — making a total of thirty-six members. During- the year 1826 a church building was erected one mile from Ramsey's Station, on the road leading to Darlington. Here regular worship was maintained until 1868 (a period of forty-two years), when the inconvenience of the location caused a change to be suggested, (iround was partly purchased, and the remainder donated in the village of Ramsey's, and an edifice erected which, together with furniture, cost $5000. This was dedicated in the year of its completion. During the year 1875 the walls were frescoed, a new and effective heating apparatus added, and a new chandelier and an organ presented by Mrs. John Y. Dater. Several gentlemen in the congregation contributed liberally towards beautifying the edifice, which is now free of debt. It has a seating capacity of 250 persons. The Rev. James D. Demarest, the first pastor, labored alternately between this church and the one at Monsey until 1855 or 1856, and at a ripe old age retired from the ministry. Rev. John Y. De Baun next reeeived a call from the same churches, and con- tinued pastor during a period of four years and six months, when a larger field was opened to him at Hackensack. The church was then served by supply and by stated supph-, the Rev. Isaac J. De Baun offi- ciating until 1875. In April 1875 Rev. Samuel I. Vanderbeck received and accepted a call, continuing his ministrations here fourteen years, when the present pastor. Rev. Jacob N. Trompen, then a young gradu- ate from Princeton, accepted a call, taking charge in the Spring of 1891. The church is now in a very flourishing condition. The elders of the church are Abram A. Ackerman, David Tracy, Jacob Halstead. Dea- cons: John Y. Dater, John Terwilliger, Peter Winter. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, at Ramsey's, was organized under the auspices of Rev. E. De Yoe, on the 1st of Feb- ruary, 1867. Soon after a committee consisting of James N. Bogert, George Hosey, Heney R. Wanamaker, J. W. Valentine, Martin Litch- hult, David Carlough, and Charles A. May were appointed to secure a building lot and erect thereon a church edifice. In the fall of 1867 a lot was secured of David Valentine, and the plan of the church having been drawn by Henry Rehling, work was begun by excavating for the found- ation and basement. The contract for the erection and completion of the building was awarded in March, 1868, to Mr. Rehling, but, owing to delay in securing the lumber, operations were not begun until the fall of that year. The corner-stone was laid September 12, 18()8, with appropiate ser- vices, Rev. Henry A. Pohlman, D.D. of Albany having preached the sermon in the house of David Valentine. In 1869 services were held in the basement in the new church, and on the 25th of March, the following officers were elected. Martin Litchhult, James N. Bogert. David Car- lough and Thomas Ackerman, elders; Richard C. Straut, William S. HISTOKV OF lilCKC.HN COUNTY 20.^ \'alentinc, John A. Slraut, .ind C. Ouackciibush, Deacons. The church was dedicated September (>, 1871, Rev. E. lielfour of Easton, I'a., preach- in^i.;- the sermon. Kev. E. De Yoe, who was from the bei^inniny the pastor of this little flock, continued in that relation until February 1878. Kev. L. A. Burrell became pastor in October of that same year. He was succeeded shortly after that by Rev. J. W. I^ake. The present i)astor, the Rev. Carlton Bannister, succeeded the Rev. S. H. Weaver in 18')2. The church now has a membership of sixty-nine and a flourishing- Sab- bath school, under the superintendency of William Slack. The elders are George F. Hosey, W. H. Pulis, (ieorge Shuart, A. J. Bloomer. The deacons are Abram Pulis, James Hopper, Everet Pulis, William Ro- maine. j.vmks .sihi.\kt. In Bergen county are many of the descendants of soldiers of thi' War of the Revolution, an honor to which they mav well refer with ].ride. Among these we iind James Shuart, of Ramseys, whose grand- father, Adolphus Shuart, fought in the war of Independence, while his maternal grandfather, John Sutherland, was in the war of 1, when the business was divided, William H. opening a grocery. He is also the present post- master. James W., married in 1870, Miss Onderdonk of New York state. Thev have two sons, James Everet, attending a business college, and Arthur G., attending Hashrouck Institute. James W. still conducts the Emporium. Mr. Pulis' father, William J. Pulis. died in 1895 at the age of ninety-three years. W. H. Pulis, son of James W., was l)orn in Ramseys December 7, 1S(>4. After leaving the public school he was employed in his father's store until 1886, when he went into business for himself, building up a good trade. He is engaged in general merchandise, and is postmaster of the village. Mr. Pulis was married in 1886 to Miss Jennie Acker- man, daughter of Abram Ackerman. They have two children. Luella and James Wilbur. In politics Mr. Pulis is a Republican. He belongs to the Hohokus Lodge of Odd Fellows. With his family he attends the Lutheran Church. WII.I.IA.M SLACK. Seth Slack, a native of Canada removed to New York going finally to Ulster county, N. Y., and from there to Stonington, Conn., where he died and where his son, William, was born August 15, 1824. In the family were Mary .\nn, who married a Mr. Valentine, oi Bergen county; William, Jane, who lives in New York state; Thomas, deceased; and Sarah, wife of Charles Corey, of the State of New York. In his boyhood days Mr. Slack was apprenticed to the trade of cab- inet making and upholstering. This was to continue until he reached the age of twenty-one, which would be in seven years, four months and eighteen days. His master died, however, at the end of four years. He afterwards lived in Stonington for a short time working at his trade. From there he shipped aboard a whaling vessel, the voyage con- tinuing four years. Upon returning he went to Haxerstraw where he spent seven years, working at his trade. He has been a resident of Ramseys for many years and is success- fullv carrying on a general hardware- trade, in addition to a complete undertaking establishment, which is fully e<|uip])ed with all modern ap])liances. Mr. Slack is a Democrat in politics, and has been justice of the peace for eighteen years. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, in which he is an active worker, having been sui)erinten(Ient of the Sunday scIkkiI for manv vcars. 206 HISTOKY OK BERGEN COUNTY He was married in 1845 to Miss Matilda Valentine. They had three children, all of whom died in early life. His wife died in 1894. MW. GKOKOE WELCH. Mr. George Welch, a florist living near Ramseys, came here in 1844 and purchased a small tract of land, which he improved by the erection of buildings and otherwise equip]>ingfor the purpose of growing plants and flowers for market. In his enterprise he has succeeded admirably, finding a liberal patronage in New York and Paterson. Mr. Welch served an apprenticeship of seven years as gardener in England, coming to America in 1868, where he has since followed his trade. He was born in Reading, Berkshire, England, June 2'), 1843. In 1 870 he married Miss Louisa Adams, a daughter of Mr. Richard Adams, a farmer of Stafford, England, of which place Mrs. Welch is a native. They have two children, daughters. In politics Mr. Welch is inde])endent. • MAHWAH. The hamlet of Mahwah is the last station in Bergen county on the Erie Railroad. Aside from the old church, a hotel and "Owena," there is nothing of importance in the place. The land was originally owned by John Winter. Andrew J. Winter now owns the only store in the place. Andrew Hagerman built the hotel a number of years ago. It was bought by John Petry in 1891, who owns and runs it now. The " Owena " was built by Colonel Ezra Miller in iS76 at a very great cost. It is an elegant mansion situated on a beautiful and commanding site. The property is now owned by his son, Ezra W. Miller, who preserves the grounds, the fish ponds and other attractions in keeping with the tastes of its original owner. Andrew H. Hagerman. son of Andrew, has been station agent for twenty-seven years, and postmaster most of that time. THE RAMAPO KEFORMEl) DUTCH CHURCH. The Ramapo Reformed Dutch Church was doubtless established as early as the begining of the present century, or possibly before, and has been the place of worship of successive generations, having formerly been familiarly known as the Island Church. The old cemetery adjoin- ing the church is of equal antiquity, and is the ])lace of sepulture of many of the old families in the congregation. A. A. King, the present pastor, succeeded Rev. W. W. Letson in 1892. The church has a mem- bership of 125. Its eJder are David Hopper, Henry Van Gilder, R. V. Valentine. M. M. Henion, A. J. Winter and R. Wannaker. The Havemeyer estate cDnsisting of .'^SOO acres of land is in this township. In 1881 the estate of Jacob W. DeCostra, consisting of 500 acres of land was purchased by F. O. Havemeyer, and the erecticm of a large barn and other extensive buildings were made. Subsequently other lands were purchased until all this portion of the township with the manv homesteads represented, were swallowed uj) in the one estate. HISTOKY OK BEK(.;EN COUNTY 207 Fdlldwing- this came im])r<>vonients of roads, the buildiiiir of other stables, chicken _yar(ls, calf sheds, bull barns, piggeries, for the hous- ing of which and in the taking care of stock a large compan}- of men is constantly emploTed. Ramapo River runs back of the place but water is supplied from large reservoirs especially constructed. THE DAKLINC, KAH^M. The Darling Farm is an addition to this township in a wav. He- sides being a private affair the people take an interest in it also; for the love they have for the man. For they remember him not onlv as a broad minded and charitable gentleman, but one who did not com.' among them, wholelv for his selfish interest and only for luxurious gain. Consequently, ^Ir. Darling's extensive establishment the largest struct- ures he once erected his piggeries and bull-pens, his full blooded stock of fine brood-mares, his imported cattle and rare chickens etc., etc., have broujjfht credit to him. DARLINGTON' HCHOOI, The hamlet of Darlington, the creation of Mr. A. B. Darling, the proprietor of the Fifth Avenue Hotel, N. Y., is the country-seat of a very fine estate. Mr. Darling came to this part of the county probablv about the time of the Centennial Year and having made his selection be- gan impr(jving the place. The spirit of progress siezed at once upon the people. The Hopkins & Dickinson bronze works, where some 2(tO hands were employed, before its removal to Newark, being one of the results. JtDCE JOHN yiACKKNBUSH. The tirst ancestor of the Ouackenbush family in this vicinitv was Rynier, who descended the Hudson River in 17(tO from Albany, where the original family had been settled since 1626, and settled near Nyack. He had a family of nine children, one of whom was Abraham, the great- grandfather of the judge. His grandfather, John yuackenbush, was a native of Tappan, New York. His father was John, also, and married Mary Ann Van Sise, a relative of the Demarest family, and resided at Oakland, N. J., where our subject was born ()ctoi)er 1, 1S27. jrl)(;F. JOHX OfACKKNBl'SH HISTOKY OK KKK(;EN COUNTY 200 The Judge is of pure Holland ancestry, speaking- the original Holland dialect fluently, and taking great interest in the history of the Holland people. He was educated in the common schools and after- ward received an academic training, taking his law course in the University of New York, from which he was graduated in 1S56. In 1857, when thirty years of age, he was elected Police Justice in New York city and was President of the Board of Police Justices for six years, being the youngest member of the Board. Upon his retirement from this position, he practiced law in New York, in the firm of Ouack- enbush, Dusenbury & Briggs. In 1865 he was appointed to a position in the Custom House and later was made Deputy Collector of Customs, and has held that position ever since; he has charge of the Second Division in which assessments of custom duties are levied. Judge Ouackenbush was married in 1846 to Miss Harriet A. Christopher, daughter of Joseph Christopher, of Allendale, N. J. The Judge is a Republican, but does not take an active part in politics. He is a Free Mason and belongs to the Holland Society of New York, being Vice President of the organization. He attends the Reformed Church and contributes liberally to the support of charitable enterprises. COLONKL KZKA MII.LKK. Among those who were interested in the railroads of our country when first put in operation, was Colonel Ezra Miller, who became widely known as the inventor of what is known as the "Miller Platform Coupler and Buffer." He was born May 12, 1812, in Bergen county, opposite Fort Wash- ington, his parents removing to New York city a few years later, even- tually becoming residents of Flushing, L. I. Here Mr. Miller spent his boyhood days, receiving a thorough English education. In September 1833, he enlisted in a company of horse artillery belonging to the Second Regiment, First Brigade, New York Militia, in which he was promoted to the Colonency in 1842. In 1848, Colonel Miller removed with his fam- ily to Rock county, Wisconsin, and engaged in surveying United States and state lands. Having become identified with the interests of the state, he was appointed in 1851, by (iovcrnor Dewey, to the Colonelcy of the Eighth Wisconsin Regiment, an office he continued to hold during his residence in the state. The following year he was elected to the State Senate, serving one term, but declining a second nomination. About this time, his attention being called to defects in the matter of car couj)- ling, which was causing accidents resulting in great loss of life, he began investigations looking toward a remedy. His great " Platform Coupler and Buffer" was the result of his perseverance. At the time of his death, Colonel Miller was representing Bergen county as senator. Colonel Miller was married in May, 1841, to Miss Amanda, daugh- ter of Captain Seth Miller, of New York. They had five children, Amanda J., wife of Marshall L. Hinman, of Dunkirk, N. Y.; Ezra W., 210 HISTOKY OK BEKGEX COUNTY (Hir subject; Harriet M., wife of John H. Van Kirk, of New York; Jordan G., and Dr. Frank P. Ezra W. Miller was born May 2(>, 1S4S, at Fort Hamilton, N. Y. His early life was spent in Wisconsin, where his classical studies were prosecuted at Racine Colleufe, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 18()5. Returning- to the East, he was for some time engaged in the whole- sale drug trade, subsequently becoming associated with his father in New York, in connection with the business of his inventions. In 1874, he removed with his father to Mahwah, N. J., where they erected a mansion known as the " Owena," a fine establishment which Mr. Miller is at present conducting as a hotel with good success. This is a beau- tiful place, commanding a line view of the surrounding country. He was married in 1870 to Caroline I. Rollins, daughter of True W. Rollins, of Brooklyn, N. Y. They have one daughter, Adele R. In politics Mr. Miller is a Democrat. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and of the Royal Arcanum. Mr. Miller's mother died in 1S81, and his father in 1885. JOHN PKTKV. John Petrv, of Mahwah, is of French ancestry, a son of George Petry, who was a harness maker by trade, and a native of Canada. The family lived near Paterson, N. J., where John was born August 24, 1824. The first experience of young Petry as a wage earner was in Paterson, when he was employed for a number of years in the various cott(m mills. In 1853 he went to California, taking the route by the Isthmus of Panama. After an absence of two years he returned, and sub- sequently engaged in the retail liquor trade for a number of years in New York city. Having accumulated a considerable fortune, he pur- chased a tract of near land Mahwah in 1864, which he improved at a great expense. Afterward, however, meeting with financial loss, he sold this farm to Mr. Havemeyer. Mr. Petry then removed to the village of Mahwah, where he opened a hotel, which has proved a profitable busi- ness, and where he continues to reside. Mr. Petry has been twice married, first to Miss Jemima Gerll. By this marriage were two children, Jesse and John. After the death of his first wife he married Miss Ruth De Fau. Four children were born of this union, Harry, Herbert, Milred and Howard. Mr. Petry is a Democrat, and held the office of postmaster under Cleveland's last administration. He is a member of the Order of F"ree Masons. CHAPTER XX. ORVIL TOWNSHIP. ITS OKOAXIZATION — X'lI.LAGES — HISTORIC A I. RESIDENCES — MANUFACTUR- ING INTERESTS — CHURCHES — BIOGRAPHY. This township was incorpor.ited in 1885, and was formed out of the southerly part of Hohokus and the westerly part of Washington. In 1894, owing to troubles growing out of the school law, three boroughs, namely. Saddle Riyer, Upper Saddle Riyer and Allendale, were taken off the township. The borough of Saddle Riyer was taken off the eastern part of Orvil; Upper Saddle Riyer was formed out of part of Orvil and part of Washington, and Allendale borough comprised the northwest part of Oryil, part of Hohokus and part of Franklin town- ship. The township was named in honor of Oryille Victor, whose sketch is giyen in this chapter of the work. The prime moyers in the formation of the township of CJrvil were Martin M. Smith, Abram H. Ackerman and John G. Esler. The first officers of the township were: Township Committee— Dr. B. Oblenis, Elijah Rosencrantz, Nathaniel Orr. Collector — Albert De Baun. As- sessor — Abram H. Ackerman. Freeholder -Dr. B. Oblenis. Town Clerk— S. Nelson Woodruff. The officers for i899 are: Township Committee — A. S. D. Dcmarest, John W. (Juackenbush, Haryey Springstead. Freeholder —Abram H. Ackerman. Collector — John Magee. Assessor — J. B. VerNooy. Town- ship Clerk — I. B. Keiser. yil.I.AGKS. There are two yillages in Orvil Township. Hohokus, former] v known by the name of Hoppertown is on the Erie railroad, with "Uudercliff" as one of its stations, and is situated in the extreme part of the township. The land covering the site of this yillage was taken up by Abram Hopper bmg before the war of the Revolution. This influential family lived here many years, and from them the place aptly received it name Ho])- pertown. The American Pegamoid Company's works, also the Brookdale Bleachcry, are located here, besides, there are stores, a hotel a school and a post office. The old Mansi(m House still occupied as a hotel, is one of the indeli- ble landmarks. Both the Bleachery and the Pegamoid wx8 inches and has HISTOKV (Jl- BKKl'.KN COUNTY 213 been published every month since the initial issue. It is a sheet that reflects the ability of its editor in ever\- line, and by many is retained as and encyclopaedia of events in Saddle River borough, both past and present. The influence of "The Lanroperty is now owned by the widow of G. H. Bamper, Jr. 214 HISTOKV OF BEKGEN COITNTV The beautiful, picturesque residence and grounds, now the property of John B. Miller, but formerly owned by Joseph Jefferson, the famous actor, are also in Orvil township. The grounds are kept under the highest state of improvement and with the antique buildings the stately trees of shade, the fish ponds and other attractions, the place never ceases to be an object of general interest. MANUF.\CTUKING INTERESTS. On the Hohokus Brook are located the paper mill of White & Co.; the Brookdale Bleachery, formerly Rosencrantz Cotton Mills ; the Saw Mills of M. D. White ; the Paper Mill of C. S. White, and the Silk Mills of John A. Post. C. A. and J. B. Wortendyke also owned a cotton mill on this brook, for the manufacture of warp and 3'arn. John Rosencrantz, the founder of these cotton mills, came to Hohokus in 1787. In 1812 his brother Dr. Elijah Rosencrantz came. Klijah Rosencrantz was both a preacher and a physician, and became a partner with his brother in the mill interests, which they carried on for many years together. In 1853 John Rosencrantz, Jr., became sole owner. The mills were run for the manufacture of cotton warps, the product being sold in Philadelphia. The brothers employed as many as forty and fifty hands at times, and the business was continued up to recent times when all was sold to THE BKOOKDALE BLEACHEKV. This business was inaugurated in 18"J8. It is a stock company organized for the bleaching of goods. E. White, president; Thomas A. Deery, vice-])resident ; J. L. "\'an Sant, secretary ; Isaac T. Johnson, treasurer. On the site now owned by C. S. White, John White, his father, established the original mill in 18,^7. He came here from Milburn, New York, where he had been conducting a paper mill. He continued the busness here until his death in 1848. After that his widow kept the mill in operation until 1876, when she died and her son, C. S. White took charge, and for some time manufactured paper twine, but recently manu- factures toilet paper. He employs a number of men continously. THE WAI^DWICK SAW MILL. The Wakhvick saw mill was built in 1850 for a paper mill and during the war, from fifteen to twenty barrels of paper twine was made, daily. About twenty years ago it was burned, and was rebuilt by Matthew D. White, for a saw mill, having been used for that purpose since that time, sawing and shipping hard wood. Mr. White keeps a force of sixteen men and four teams employed, and furnishes lumber to the New York and Paterson markets, principally. THE PO.ST SILK MILL COMPANV. The Post Silk Mill Company is located at Waldwick, and was estab- lished in 18'n, by John A. Post, where he engaged in silk throwing, exclusively, doing a strictly commission business. H» began with but twelve hands but increased until he had a force of eighty men employed, and on February 1, 18'(9, the concern was incorporated, wifh John A. HrSTOKV OK BEKGEN COUNTY 215 Post, president; F. C. Streckfuss, treasurer and secretary. Thev nnw employ about one hundred men. preparing thread from the raw silk, for the loom. THE AJIEKICAN PECAMOID COMPANY, The American Pegamoid Company \vas incorporated December 17. 1897, with the capital stock of Hve million dollars. The incorporators and those interested are John R. Bartlet and many others of New York and Boston, it being a foreign company though the works are at Under- cliflF. The certificate of incorporation says: that the company is organ- ized to import, deal in, and manufacture paper materials and paper sub- stitutes of all kinds of raw substances, pulps preparatimis and all articles to be made from paper or paper substitutes. NEW PKOSPICCT Jl. i;. ClIUKCH. The New Prospect M. E. Church, now better known as the Wald- wick M. E. Church, was the first society of that denomination in Bergen County. No records remain of its first organization, nor any earlier than 1797; but the tenor of those existing seems to imply that the society had been in existence for some time. These quaint old records are interesting, showing the conti'ast between those days and the present. Accounts were kept in "pounds, shillings and pence; " the building was illuminated at night, first by tallow candles, then by oil, then by "camphene," and not till compara- tively recent times by "kerosene." The curious archaic spelling, the signatures of men of note in their day as pastors, presiding elders and as private members, make the faded lines and age-yellowed pages interesting. Rev. J. Fountain was pastor in 1797; Barnabas Mathias associate pastor. "The circuit" to which this appointment was attached extended then from Haverstraw, Rockland County, N. Y., to Belville, N. J. Revs. Manning Force, J. Mallinson and George Banghart, all nun of mark in their day, were among its lirst pastors. In fact the roll of New Prospect's ministers in charge includes none but honored names. Those still living are Rev. W. A. Dickinson, Rev. J. E. Switzer, Rev. J. R. Daniels. Rev. H. D. Opdyke, Rev. E. Clement, Kev. E. V. King, Rev. J. E. Gilbert, Rev. J. Tyndall, Rev. J. A. Piper and Rev. A. J. Conklin, now serving his second term as pastor liere. A church building was first erected near where the Erie Railroad now runs, within the bounds of Waldwick. This growing too small for their needs was replaced by another, a neat frame structure near the l)resent building, and now altered into an5-18(>7) and is a taste- fully furnished and well planned church, with belfry and bell. By the untiring diligence of the Ladies' Aid Society, from 1S91 lo 1894, a convenient and pleasant new parsonage and a large hall fur 216 • HISTOKV OF BEKGEN COUNTY Sunday School, business and social uses were erected upon lots adjoining' the church. Many are the chang-es that have taken place in this hundred years. Many are the good men and good women, noble and true, who have gone to their reward from this church. They are no longer with us, but are not forgotten. The names of Whitman Phillips, Abraham Ackerman and wife, Aaron Ackerman and wife, John A. Storms, Peter U. Bush, Stephen Hammond and many others will long be remembered in the annals of this church. From this old mother church of Bergen Methodism have gone out other societies, who have built beautiful churches in Allendale, Camp- gaw, Wortendyke, Little Zion. Sloatsburg and Suffern — the last two in Rockland County-, N. Y. The trustees are as follows: Matthew D. White, George Storms, E. D. Lear3% D. Van Blarcom, Andrew Storms, Abram Storms, G. Winters, J. Terwilliger and G. Simmons. The Catholic Church in Hohokus is a branch of the Lady Mount of Carmel, Ridgewood, and is under the pastorate of Father E. A. Kelly. Ground for this building was given by Jacob Zabriskie in 1864. The society was organized and the building erected under the pastorate of leather McNulty. ABKAH.XM H. .\.CKKK:\1AN. During the reign of King George IH, the ancestor of the Acker- man family of Orvil township, found a home in this part of Bergen county, where several generations of his descendants have continued to reside. In the year 1763, Johana Arie Ackerman came to New Jersey and in 1773 began purchasing land, subsequently continuing these transac- tions until large portions of this part of the old township of Franklin, now Orvil, came into his possession. His son Abraham I. Ackerman was born October 10, 1766. Abraham I. married Sarah Cooper who was born November 5, 1766. They were married May 12, 1784. Their son Henry A., was born November 28, 1787, and his wife, Elizabeth Hopper was born May 28, 1799. Henry and his wife were married January 16, 1819. He died May 18, 1879. She died December 29, 1881. Their children were Abraham H., the subject of this sketch, who was born May 22, 1820, and Nicholas H., born September 17, 1837. died, October 23, 1892. Abraham resided on the old homestead until his death which occurred December 8, 1891. He married Mary Van Riper, daughter of Harmon Van Riper, November 1, 1838. At the time of this marriage his father, Henry A., built a house on the farm on the Pater- son road and with his wife and younger son, Nicholas H., removed there, leaving Abraham H., to care for his grandfather and grandmother, which he did for five years, his grandfather dying November 22, 1843. Abraham H. Ackerman began life as a farmer. He received his early education in the school at the Paramus Church, which was at that time AKKAHAM II. ACKKIOIAN HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 217 a small structure, furnished with Ihul;- wdnden l)enches fur seating pur- poses. School opened at nine and closed at four o'clock. The teachers were exacting, and made full use of the rod as a means of discipline. Mr. Ackernian received a very good common school education, however, and began farming for himself in the spring of ls,^'), on this farm of sixty acres. He had no money to start with, but he and his wife worked faithfully for a few years, and accumulated enough means to purchase more land. In 1SS5 he bought thirty acres from Mr. Andrew Zabriskie, subsequently buying more from other i)arties. In his younger da3s he was a somewhat extensive strawberry grower, selling his berries in New York. In order to be ready for the morning trade, he would go at night and return, a fter making his sales, to prepare for the following day. His berries brought good prices for those times. In addition to his trade in this line, he was also in the milk business for a period of about ten years, furnishing milk during all this time to one dealer in Jersey City, receiving two and one-half and three cents per quart. To these two commodities Mr. Ackernian attributed a good share of his success in money making. He was a successful farmer, and his crops were well tended; they yielded well, and when disposed of, the money was safely invested in farms, until about lS().s, when he began purchasing real estate in Paterson. Tliis was simplv as an investment, for he never sold any land, and at the time of his death he owned a large number of houses. In 1852 he and his wife became mem- bers of the Reformed Church, at Paramus, where they had attended all their lives, and from that time he was closely identified with all the interests of that church, serxing as deacon .md elder a greater ])art of the time until his death. Two children were l>orn to them, one of whom died in infancy, and the other, Elizabeth M., now the wife of Mr. A. A. Blauvelt, resides on the old homestead, being the lifth generation who have occu]jied this ]jlace as ;i residence. Mr. Ackernian was a R<.'itublican in i)olitics, serving often in townshij) offices. ai!K'a:\i a. Hi.Ar\'i-;i.T. The Blauxelt family in this ])art of Bergen county are descendants of Henry Blauvelt, who settled on a considera1)le tract of land early in the present century, and lived there until he died, Deci'inbi-r 27, 1897, aged ninety-three years. He was born Junt' 22, 1S()3. Ilis wife, Chris- tina Baldwin, was born January 1'), 1807. Slie died .M.irch l.\ IS.Sl. Their children were Garret H., Thomas H. and .lolm Henry, who is living in Michigan, and David A., who jives on the old t.irm. (larretB. Hlauvet was born Sej)teniber 20, 1824. He married Jemima Ackernian, who was born February l.i, 182.^, and died Sejitem- ber 2. 1S')S. He died September 24, 18';8. They at lirst lived on u liirni at .\rcola. About thirty years before they died tlie\- retiri'd, taking u]) their residence at Paramus. Abram A. Blauvelt. the subject of this sketch, was their son. Ho was born August 20, 1.S44. His life has been s]nnt on a farm in the 218 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY quiet pursuit of an avocation that has always been congenial to his tastes. He cares nothing' for political preferments, but is an official in the church, and has identitied himself with the Paramus Society for over twenty-five years. He is now serving his third term as elder of that church. Mr. Blauvelt was married to Miss Elizabeth M. Ackerman October 17, 1S(>(). She was born April 2, 1848. The^'have no children. Thev live on the old Ackerman homestead, and have a delightful home. HON. JOHN W. BOGEKT. Hon. John W. Bogert, the well-known Judge of the Court of Errors and Appeals, whose appointment first by Leon Abbett, the Democratic Governor of New Jersey, in 18'U, and again by Governor Griggs in 1897, proclaims both his efficiency and popularity. As a representative of the Bogert family, which came to this country from Holland several genera- tions ago and settled in Bergen county, the Judge inherits many of the admirable traits and characteristics of this sturdy race. Born Septem- ber 3, 1839. and reared within the precincts of the home of his immedi- ate ancestry, he has been called to numerous positions of trust and con- fidence which he has filled to his own credit and to the satisfaction of his constituents. The great grandfather of John W. was Stephen, and his grandparents were James S. and Sarah ( Westervelt) Bogert, whose son, Stephen J., was born April 3, 1813. His wife was Catharine Hop- per, the daughter of Albert G. Hopper, late of Ridgewood. John W. was their only child. He now owns and occupies the farm upon which his father passed his life, dying February 3, 1854. The Judge was educated in the public schools of Hohokus. He was elected township clerk when but twenty-one years of age, has held the office of township assessor, and was for fourteen years county collector. In 1874-1875 he was a member of the New Jersey State Assembly, and served as State Senator for four years, 188(), 1887, 1888 and 188'>, and as Judge of the court he has filled the office with distinction and to the general satis- faction of the public. Judge Bogert's wife was Miss Etta Ackerman. daughter of Daniel and Mariah Snyder Ackerman. She died in January, 189(), leaving two children. Sarah C, wife of Stephen L. Van Emburgh and Daniel A., unmarried. N. B. KirKTCK. N. B. Kukuck is a native of New York city, born August <>, 1827. He was for years associated with John Anderson & Company, tobaccon- ists, of New York, and after a successful business career retired in i872. Having purchased the old Ackerman homestead in 18«.'t. he has con- tinued to reside there to the present time. In politics Mr. Kukuck is independent He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. PETER O. TEKHEUN. Peter (). Terlieun is of the numerous family of that name in Bergen county. His grandfather was Peter I. Terheun, of Hackensack, whose son, John R., married Miss Mary A. Achenbach, and became the father Jl'Df.K JOHN W. BIMIKKT HISTOKY OK BKKGKN COUNTY . 2V) of our subject. Mr. Torheun was born in the earlv forties, on the old homestead near Ilohokus, and still resides there. After receiving a com- mon school education he entered Hartwick Seminary, near Cooperstown, N. Y., where he took a course of instruction, which finished his school career. Upon leaving school, he immediately began learning the trade of wood turning, with his father who was then conducting a profitable business in general wood work. After the war the business increased, assuming proportions of considerable magnitude. When the revenue was placed upon the product of their factory it reached at one time the sum of sixty dollars per month to the government. Mr. Terheun is a Republican, and has held the offices of Townshij) Collector and of Freeholder, and was also one of the Commissioners to determine and fix the Boundry Line between Passaic and Bergen counties. OKVn.I.K J. \'1CT()K. Mr. Orville J. Victor, a well known resident of Hohokus in this county, was born and bred in Ohio, educated for the law, but in his early manhood taking a turn toward literary ])ursuits, he secured an interest in The Sandusky (O.) Register as co-editor with the late Henry B. Cooke, the Washington banker. In 1858, Mr. Victor removed to New York city to edit The Cosino- politon Art Journal. He also assumed editorial control of The United States Journal, in 185't. He wrote his '■HistS, they were re-elected for a second term. In spring election of 1897 the following officers were elected: (rcorge Cook, Mayor; Walter Dewsnap, J. J. Pulis, C. A. Hopper, Jesse Brown. John A. Mallinson, J. J. \'an(lerbeck, Council; G. G. Smith, Clerk. In the spring of 18')'i, the above officers were elected for a second term. The Board of Education now consists of W. C. Tallman, President; G. C;. Smith, Treasurer; H. J. Appjrt, S. J. Van Blarcum, S. T. Van Houten, C. A. Ouackenbush, John Ackerman. J. J. Van Horn, C. W. Stocker. The Board of Health consists of M. H. Blauvelt, President; G. G. Smith, Secretary; P. D. Rapelje, J. A. Mallinson, S. D. Brainard, R. R. Letts. Allendale proper is made up entirely of residences, mostly of those persons who have removed from New York, Brooklyn, and other adjacent cities. Since its incorporation as a Borough, the village has constantly expanded, and the income from its taxes having been devoted to the improvement of its streets, avenues, roads, school buildings, etc., and being entireh- devoid of all manufacturing plants, factories, etc.. It is rapidly becoming one of the favored spots for those seeking suburban homes. SCIIOCLS. In lS2i) the little old red scho(d house — a (me story frame building, sixteen by twenty four feet in dimensions, was built a half mile below the Allendale depot. Previous to this, two buildings had been erected for school purposes, but nothing definite has been learned concerning them. In this old school house, desks were arranged around the room on which the luckless urchins were doomed to sit from nine in the morn- ing until four in the afternoon. The first board of trustees was com- posed of John G. Ackerman, John (}. Ackerson and Albert A. Garrison, who employed Isaac Demarest as their earliest teacher. James Alfred HISTOKY OK BEKGKX COUNTY 223 Ackerman now seventy six years of aye taug'ht his first schoul in this buiklinLT, fifty eight years ago. Henry II. \'an(lerbeck, James A. Acker- man, John Binder, son of the former Governor (ieneral of the ishind of Antiqua, and ISIiss Mary (ieroe, afterwards Mrs. Jacob Oatmaii of Pater- son, were all teachers here at different times. In 1S(>2 the old building was removed to John Wilson's farm where it now does duty as a gran- ary, and a new building twenty live by thirty five feet in dimensions, adorned with belfry and blinds, was erected at a cost of S2atronage add elements of strength to the village of Allendale. THE MISSION CHAPKI, OI" Till': lU'I THAN V. Allendale, is the fruit of good seed planted by gentle and faithful hands. In January, 1872, Mrs. Stephen Cable, moved with compassion for the lambs without a shepherd, opened her house f(jr a Sunday school. On Epiphany Sunday, the good work was begun, fifteen scholars and six teachers being present. The^names of the teachers were Mrs. James Reading, a communicant of Christ Church, Ridgewood, and a daughter of St. Mary's Hall, Burlington, N. J., Mr. J. Reading. Mr. and Mrs. Harris, Miss Powell, and Miss Southwick. The school soon increased to seventy scholars, and other teachers enlisted, Mr. C. Conner and Miss Conner among the first. The enterprise enlisted the sui)])ort of all Christian people, and friends aided the good work. The following summer a barn was fitted n\t comfortably, and tlie school increased in favor. The ccmtributions for the Sunday school amounted in two years to S104, and from 1S72 to 1S7(> nearly S70() were raised. 224 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY In September, 1873, public worship was held by the Rev. L. R. Dickinson. These services were continued at first monthly, and after- wards on alternate Sundays, and Hope Chapel, as it was then called, en- joyed the full service of the Protestant Episcopal Church. The mission was placed in charge of the rector of Christ Church, Ridgewood, and during- two years the faithful missionary horse did Sunday duty, driving to Ridgewood and returning, and then back again, a round of sixteen miles, that the flock may be fed. Afterwards the Erie Railroad re- lieved him of this labor, and he rested, as a good Christian, from work. "Peace to his ashes." In 1874 Daniel A. Smith became superintendent and the school flour- ished under his care. He was the first warden, then T. Calloway. E. G. Washburne is the present warden, while A. L. Zabriskie has been treasurer from the beginning. June 10th, 1876, the chapel was opened bv the minister in charge, for divine service, and on the 25 th of June Bishop Odenheimer laid, the corner stone and confirmed four persons. Mr. Smith was appointed lay reader, and $972 was contributed for building and furniture. On July 4th, 1880 at an early Communion service the chapel bell bought by the class in charge of Mrs. Harris, was first rung. They are now about to build a new edifice. Rev. C. H. S. Hartman was appointed in charge May 24, 1892; he was here until April 1894. Rev. William Haskel was a supply until November 1895, and the Rev. William Allen, the first resident priest, at present in charge, was appointed by the Bishop Sep- tember 6, 1896. Under the faithful and efficient ministry of Rev. Mr. Allen, the number of communicants has increased from thirty-two to eighty. THE AKCHEK MEMORIAL CHI'KCH. A chapel was built here by O. P. H. Archer in 1876, and was con- siderably enlarged by him in 1893, several niem(5rial windows were included, the whole cost being about §18,000. The church now has a membership of 150 persons under the pastorate of C. C. Winans, who came here in April, 1898. Mr. O. H. P. Archer, president of the Board of Trustees, died in May, 1899. GEOROE COOK. George Cook, Allendale's second an(# present Mayor, was born in St. Ciair, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, on the 13th daj' of July, 1862, and is directly descended from the old English stock of that name. His father, John Cook, was born in I^ancashire, England, his mother's people coming from Leicestershire. Emigrating to this country when about twenty-five years of age, his father took up his residence in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes. In 1863 he volunteered as a captain in the Union Army, and served with distinction until the close of the war, at which time he removed with his family to Washington, D. C, where he still resides, and at the present time is one of the city's wealthy and leading HISTOKY Ol- HKK(;EN' county IZT! financiers. George, one of his two living' children, attended the public schools until about twelve years of age, when he entered Emerson Insti- tute, and from which he was graduated four years after. He then entered Columbia University, from the law dei)artment of which, at the age of twenty, he was graduated and received his several degrees, sub- sequently being admitted to practice before the Courts of the District of Columbia, and later the Supreme Court of the United States. In 1885 he removed to New York, where, in the special branch of patent law, he has built up an extensive and lucrative practice, his clientage consisting largely of manufacturing firms and corpi)rations, located in New York, Pennsylvania. New Jersey and Connecticut. In politics Mr. Cook is an ardent Rej^ublican, and at the time of his first election as Mayor, was president of the Allendale Republican Club. Mr. Cook is a member of several of the leading social clubs of Bergen and Passaic counties. Past Master of the Masonic Lodge in Ridgewood, is a Knight Templar, and a member of Mecca Temple Mr. Mallinson married Mary Ann Wcstervelt. Mr. Mallinson is now the oldest settler in Allendale-, having loc:i- ted here in i84S. With his sons hi- has followed c;irriage i)ainting and 22t) HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY decorating- while also conducting a small farm. He and his family be- long to the Methodist church, and in politics he is independent. Mr. Mallinson originally owned a considerable portion of the land now em- braced in the village of Allendale. GAKKET G. SMITH. Garret G. Smith, merchant, in Allendale, and in various capacities serving the borough officially, is a grandson of Albert G. Smith of Holland origin, who died in this part of Bergen county in 1868, ninety years of age. The grandmother's name was Hopper, and their children were. Cornelius A., John A., and Garret A. The homestead is on the road leading from Allendale to Wyckoff. Garret A. Smith was born in 1820, and is still living-. He was formerly a millwright and has been a successful and somewhat extensive farmer. He was married to Miss Eliza Jane Lake, daughter of Abraham Lake, who owned large property in Paterson. His garden then covered the site now occupied by the Passaic Hotel. Mr. Lake used to cart molasses from New York to Paterson, but later in life moved to the Pond (Oakland) where he died. Eight children were born to Mr. Smith, all of whom are living. Albert G., the oldest son, has been Justice of the Peace fourteen years in Camp- gaw, N. J., and has been re-elected. Garret G. Smith was born in 18(>(). He was educated in the State Normal School, but when twenty-six j-ears of age came to Allendale where he has followed merchandizing. In 1894 when the borough of Allendale was formed he was chosen its first collector and was also elected Clerk of the Board. He became a member and Treasurer of the Board of Education and was also made secretary of the Board of Health. He is an influential citizen of the Borough and is frequently called to office. His wife was Miss Matilda Blauvelt. daughter of Abram A. l>lau- velt, who was deputy sheriff of this county for many years. I'PPEK AND I.OWEK SADDLE KIVEK BOKGI'GHS. BY JOHN G. ESLEK. Saddle River became a borough on December l'», l,s'>4, I)y a \-ote of fiftv-six to six of its inhabitants. It was prior to its formation as a borough a portion of Orvil town- ship. The first officers of the boroug-h were B. Oblenis. mayor; G. A. Ackerman, Albert Z. Winters, John G. Esler, Frank Blackledge. and Frederick Demarest, councilmen; Abram H. Ackerman. assessor; and William H. Packer, collector. There is very little authentic record concerning the early settlers of what now constitutes Saddle River Borough, but an old Indian deed conveying the Wearimus Tract to Albert Zaborowsky given in 1702. bv several Indian Chiefs, points to the Polish Pretender as probably the earliest land owner of the Saddle River valley. A copy of this deed is given in full below. "Whereas in the year i(>7.=> according to the Christian account, Mamshier, the Indian Sachem, as also Metotoch and Checkepowas owners HISTORY OK BKKGEN COUNTY 22/ and Natural proprietors of several tracts of land lying on and above the place where the Eng'lish have made Division of the Provinces of York and the Jerseys — Did by Having commerce contract, Debts with the Susjects of the King of England our Royal Friend &c and particularly with one Albert Zaborowskv of Hackingsack in the Province of h^asl Jersey, and in order to the discharging the same Did give unto the Said Albert Zaborowsky a certain tract of land by us known by the name of Naracchoug but before the same was Regularly by Deed Conveyed unto the said Albert Zaborowsky to the end abovess, the above named Sachem and owuerf dyed and the said tract of land intended, was by us his Suc- cessors Made over to other Men and the Debts of the Defunct left un- paid, for the Defraying whereof, and the fulfilling the known Desires of our Dead Brethern, Bee it known unto all people and Nations, Before whom this testament Shall or may come That we (e) Orachanap alias Metachenah Coorang and Nemeriscon Have given, granted, made over and Confirmed and by these presents Do(e) give grant, make over & Confirm unto the Said Albert Zaborowsky his helpers and Assigns all that tract of land lying on the South East side of Saddle River beginning on the North East bounds of a Certain piece of land which Cleass Janson Romayn bought of the East Jersey Proprietors, close to the Said Saddle River, from thence running along the Line of of the Said Class Jasson Romyn until it comes to the utmost Marked black oak of his said line from thence further beyond said tree until it Shall come to a great Rock near about Whom a certain Tree marked on all four sides shall be found, from thence in a straight line to a certain small runn Which is Easterly Just below a certain old Indian field or plantation known by the name of Weromens i to a certain marked peach ( h ) tree Marked on all four sides from thence in a straight course till it comes to a certain wild cherries tree or white oak Tree Marked on thr^e sides and from thence quite to the Saddle River and then along the said Saddle River to the place where it began, accounting the said tract of Land to be one thousand and two hundred acres of English Measur.'" within the limits and bounds Mentioned and S])ecified provided that if the Said number of acres should perhaj)s not ai)])ear within the sai d Limits, and vice versa if, there should hap])en U> ap])ear a greater num- ber of acres than above specified, we the above named owners shall l)e also contented with it, & grant the same over plus by these present to the Said Albert Zaborowsky his Heirs and Assigns within the aforesaid limits with all the Rights, Titles, Priviledges and Apputtenances, of, or to the said Tract of land or any part thereof belonging or in any manner ol ways appertaining. To Have and to hold the Said Tract of Land and premises with all and every its a])])urtenances unto the Said Albert Zabo- owsky his heirs and Assigns forever. To Be, and Remain to the sole & proper use. Benefit and behoof of Him the Said Albert Zaborowsky his Heirs and assigns forever, and Hereby Desire Her Most Sacred Majesty the Oueen of England, that she will be graciously pleased to Protect the Said Albert Zaborowskv his Heirs and Assigi.s in the ])eacealile iiosses- 228 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY sion thereof so that we may never be obstructed in our Just Intentions and fair Dealings with her subjects. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and fixed our Scales according- to the English manner this first day of June 1702 &c in the first yeare of the Reign of the Most Sereen Lady Annie Queen of England. Signed sealed & Delivered &c in the presence of L. B. L. Burgh Johannis Jlyngsrlurd (Slinkerland ) John Ccmrad Codwere Then follows their peculiar signitures. The title of the deed is Deed of Conveyance from the Indians to Albert Zaborowsky for Weeromnensa. The following Memorandum is written on the left hand corner of this deed: "That on the twenty-third day of May, in the Twelfth year of the Reign of our Soverigu Lady Anne by the Grace of God our Great Bri- tain, France, Ireland, Queen Defender of the Faith &c Anno Doni 1713 personally' appeared before me Peter Soumans Esq of her Majestys Coun- cil for the Province of New Jersey, Johannus, Slingerland within named who being sworn upon the holy Evangelist of Almighty God declared that he saw the within Named Indians execute the Instrument on the other side as their free and voluntary Act and deed and heard them de- clare their meaning and intention to be as the other side to mentioned on the day and year the rein Specified. Petek Soum.yns." On the reverse of the Indian deed is a conveyance of half of the Weareomensa tract by Albert Zaborowsky to Thomas Van Boskerk. This deed is dated March 29, 1708, and is signed by Albert Zaborowsky. This document is at present in the possession of J. Hosey Osborn, of Paterson. It is said that this is the only signature of that famous indi- vidual who was the ancestor of the Zabriskie family of the present day. There is little doubt but that Thomas Van Boskerk was the first settler of the Saddle River Vallev, and his descendants to-day occupy a con- siderable portion of the land which Albert Zaborowsky bought from the Indians and conveved to their progenitor. Other early settlers were the Ackermans, Ackenbachs, C(mk!ins and Baldwins. John George Achen- bach located on the Eastern hill overlooking the Valley. He was a German Shepherd boy who ran away with his employer's daughter, and the eloping pair never c(mimunicated their whereabouts to their relatives in the Fatherland. The graves of these early settlers are located on a ])romontory overlooking the Saddle River Brook a few rods soutli of the land of Thomas Eckerson. A flat stone gathered from their farms, marks their resting place, but the winds and storms of a century and a half have effaced the rude inscriptions that denoted their individual graves. The only person from Saddle River to actively participate in the American Revoluti(m was the notorious Lieutenant Colone IVan Buskerk, wlio joined the Royalists and led predatory bands of Tories in a number of raids into Bergen county. With one exception the sym- pathies of the Van Buskerk family was with the Royalists. The Acker- HISTOKV OK BKKC.KN COUNTY 229 mans wuro LK KIVP;k BOROUGH In 1860 C. S. DeBauu started a hotel on the "corner" and after a few years William Christie became the landlord. He was succeeded b_v Owen Rumsey, and he in turn by David Palis. For the past twenty years there has been no hotel within the territory which now constitutes the boroug'h. I'PPKK S.\DDLE KIVKK BOKOUGH. Upper Saddle River Borough was organized a few days before its neighbor, Saddle River Borough, and it comprises the upper portion of the Saddle River Valley. Its first officers were James D. Carlough, mayor; Samuel J. DeBaun, Peter P. Bush, George Osborn, Jacob Banta, Jacob H. Zabriskie and James Hennion, Councilmen; Herman Hopper, assessor; and Herman Terhune, collector. The oldest church in the Saddle River Valley is located near the state line and is known as the " St(me" Church. The present edifice was built in 1819 and its prede- cessor, also a stone church, was erected at least fifty years previous. The first church had no pews and attendants at worship brought chairs or wooden benches upon which to sit. The denomination is Reformed and the Rev. Mr. Van Campen is its present pastor. A Methodist church familiarly known as " Little Zion " was erected in 1849 through the efforts of Abram Van Riper, James V. B. Terwilliger, Peter Crouter and Herman Tice. Its present pastor is the Rev. Joseph Ware. The first school house built in the Borough Limits, dates back to the early da^-s of the ninteenth century, and was located nearly opposite the present residence of Edgar Terhune. Afterwards a school building was erected upon the site and was succeeded by the present modern structure built in iS9(). About sixty years ago a small school building HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 235 was erected in the rear of the " Stone " Church for the purpose of em- ploying- the Rev. Mr. Brough, a Baptist minister to teach. This seced- ing- school -w-as run for abont t-wentv years when the school district com- prising- the present Boroug-h was again united. The cemetarj in the rear of the Reformed Church contains the remains of some of the earliest settlers of the Saddle River Vallev. JOHN H. OSBOKNE. John H. Osborne was born at Saddle River, November 1*<, 1.S.^2, and is the son of William Osborne and Catharine Van Buskirk. After being- for thirty-five years in the commission business in New York city he retired from active life about seven years ago, living since that time in comparative retirement. Mr. Osborne married Miss Catharine Hossey. They have three children: William, John Hossey and (iarret. JOHN G. KSI.KK. John G. Esler, senior member of the firm of J. G. & A. Esler, flor- ists of Saddle River, is genial and affable in disposition, pleasing in address, and judicious in all his dealings. Of German extraction he has the determination, aggressiveness and continuity of that thrifty race. Mr. Esler is descended in direct line from Henry Esler, who with his father, John Esler, came to America in March 1739, from the village of Plattenburg in the province of Oldenburg, Germany, and settled near Suffern, Rockland county, N. Y. A house now standing, near Suffern, was erected by Henry in 1765 and is said to be the oldest building in the county. Henrv Esler was a Lieutenant in Washington's army during the Revolution. His son Andrew was a millwright and an enterprising man, having built a number of mills on the Hackensack river and the Luth- eran Church at Saddle River. Andrew had two sons, Henry and George. Henrv who was the father of John (i., was for thirty-five 3'ears post- master of Saddle River, and also f(dlowed the occupation of millwright. His wife, (the mother of John (i., ) was Miss Jane Snyder, a native of Rockland county, N. Y. Mr. Esler was born, in the locality in which he now lives, on Sej)- tember 17, 1846. After receiving a common school education, he entered Bryant & Stratton's Business College in New York from which he was graduated in March 1866. Immediately thereafter he took a position as bookkeeper in the office of a commission dealer in Barclay street, from which he was eventually compelled to retire on account of his eyesight becoming impaired by the use of gaslight. During the following two years Mr. Esler engaged in the cattle trade, but when his partner was elected sheriff of the county, Mr. Esler took charge of his father's farm, serving- as clerk of Hohokus township for three years of this time. He also served as Postmaster from i8,s4 to 1888. In 1 873 he built a small greenhouse in which he became so much interested that in i878 he formed a partnership with his cousin .Andrew Esler, for the growing of plants and flowers, to which they now (le\-ote JOHN G. KSI.KK HISTOKY OF BHKOKX COUNTY 237 some 10,000 feet of glass. At present he is the secretary of the Flor- ists' Hall Association of which he was one of the originators. In iSS7, a few men, among them Mr. Esler, met in New York city and completed a set of by-laws for the government of this orgiinization and through his efforts an amendment to the insurance laws of New Jersey, allowed of its incorporation in that state. In this association over l(i,(>()(i,(H)(i square feet of glass is now insured. In addition to his labors in the different societies and other organi- zations connected with his business, he has been president of the Orvil Co-operative Building and Loan Association for ten years and is a mem- ber of the School Board and was a member of the Borough Council of Saddle River Borough for five years after its organization. He is now a director in the De Lamere Printing and Publishing Co. of New York, and has also been connected with the Hackensack Republican, besides contributing to various periodicals. Mr. Esler was married in iS7() to Miss Rosea J. C. Ward, daughter of William Ward, of English parent- age. They have three children, Lola W., Nellie J., and Mary U. In religion he is an agnostic and in politics a Republican, inclining to be indejiendent. CHAPTER XXII. R I D G E W O O D. (lENEKAL DESCKIPTION — SCHOOLS — MANUFACTURING — HIGHWAYS — THE VILLAGE OF KIDGEWOOD — CIVIL LIST — ORGANIZATION — NEWSPAPERS — CHURCHES — BIOGRAPHY. Ridgewood (one of the smallest townships in the countv) is remark- able for its natural beauty and the diversity of its scenery. From the ridg'e tops a magnificent panorama opens to view, in some instances extending miles in all directions, while the fertile valleys between the heights and along the brooks lend an added interest to this charming locality. The shady roadways and fine drives constitute an interesting feature of this township, the drives being so fine as to be much used by cyclers during pleasant weather. The town is watered by the Saddle River, which forms its Eastern boundary line, and the Hohokus, which runs through the central portion. The chief point of historical inter- est in this township is said to have been the marriage of Aaron Burr to the widow Provost, in the old Paramus Church. An Act organizing the township of Ridgewood was approved March 30, 1876. The territory of this township was taken from that of Franklin. The township officers for the year 1876, were as follows: — Freeholder, Garret G. Van Dien ; Township Clerk, Nathaniel R. Bunce ; Assessor, John A. Marinus ; Collector, James Zabriskie ; Township Committee, Cornelius J. Bogert, N. R. Bunce, Peter G. Hopper, Albert P. Hopper, Thomas Terhune. During the following years, the Van Diens, Terhunes, Hoppers, Zabriskies and Ackermans, have principally held the offices of the township. The township is bounded on the north by Hohokus, south b}- Saddle River township, east by Saddle River, and west by Franklin township, and is traversed by two railroads, the Erie Railroad, with a station at Ridgewood, and the Susquehanna, which has a depot at Midland Park. The names that figure most prominently in the early histor}' of Ridgewood township were those of Hopper, Van Dien, Van Emburgh, Bogert, Zabriskie, Banta. VanDerbeck, VanHouten, DeBaun, and Ackerman. The earliest recollected member of the Van Dien family was Albert, who resided upon the land afterwards inherited and occu- pied by Lawrence Snyder. His wife was a Miss Van Buskirk. Andrew, Cornelius and Thomas Van Dien were also early settlers in the town- ship. The name Hopper is common also, several branches of which family are represented by sketches given below. The Ackerman family, are of Holland lineage, and date back to David, one of Ridgewood's early settlers, who resided on the homestead afterwards occupied by Garret G. Ackerman. Jacob Van Derbeck. husband of Lydia Van Bussum, and father of Abram and Harmanis was born in this township HISTOUV OF BEKCEX COUNTY 23'J on the land afterwards occupied by Jacob Carlock, whose wife was a 4, when it was succeeded by a brick structure built at the Grove, on lands of Henry P. Hoi)per, at which time also the district was incor- porated. The e.\act feet south of the present church edifice, and parents of some of the persons still living attended school there. In 1810 the location seems to have been changed and a small stone house was erected for school purposes near the house lately built for the sexton of the Paramus Churchy A Mr Westervelt was one of the early teachers of this school In 18„0 a se ond stone building was erected and that gave way m 1845 to a ram. edifice near the same ground. It was a low building, badly ventUat d furnished with rude benches, and having the door open from the rear upon the highway. • t i The present building is a commodious structure in keeping with the progress of the town. Ridgewood District No. 61 is located west of the centre of the town- ship and embraces the village of Ridgewood. It was formed April 7 18 ^7 and formerly included portions of the district of Godwinville, Hohokus, and Small Lots. A wooden building two stories high was Wit upon the formation of the district. In 1893 the elegant commodi- ou High School building was erected, and there are few public sch.u,! buildings in the State equal to it. It is of buff brick with brownstone trimmings and is an object of interest to the citizens. Board of Education 1897-99-D. W. La Fetra, President, H _ U Ward Secretary; Rev. E. H. Cleveland. C. P. Crouter, Sylvanus \^ hitc, Dr W. L. Vr..om, Dr. J. B. Hopper, Ck.,rge E. Knowlton, J. D. \ an Emburgh, Jr. MANUFACTUKINCt. The first -rist mill in Ridgewood stood cm grounds now occupied by "The Peerless Manufacturing Company" and was used as such Z hllf a century and until burned in February ff ^^^Z that year a new frame building was put up and leased to J. J. Zabnskie or a cotton mill, and six years later that too was burned. In 18M. ground wL broken for k new frame structure which was leased to Edwin Tay or for manufacturing purposes, and this too was destroyed by fire m 1873. Durint this year a brick building was erected on these grounds and in 1S9 leased to "The Peerless Manufacturing Company" for the manu- facture of soft rubber goods, such as hose, mats, springs, etc. The woolen mills of G. Morrow & Son were established in 1853, on the Midland railroad in the south west corner of Ridgewood They were lu iffor the manufacture of woolen goods exclusively, and good sets of niachinery were put m use. The product of these mills hnds a read, market in New York and elsewhere. ■Of-'i HisToKv OF beki;kn county 241 hic;h\vavs, The road territory of the towuship in the earlier, or Revolutionary days, gives some interesting- matter worthy of record. The earlist re- membered road is the Godwinville thoroughfare, which entered the township on the west side, made a detour to the north, and again to the east across the township where it intersected the Paramus road. This road was associated with the historic days of the Revolution. Another road ran southerly through the southwest part of the township having its rise at the highway described above, and intersecting the old Wagara road near the Passaic River. The Paramus road ran from Poinpton to Hohoken and was the
(>rtiiin of Uniuti street from the Reformed Church up to and includiiiL;- the h)t of Mr. Ci. Nickerson, was offered to the pastor of the Kelornvd Church for S300, and no money required. It was afterwards bouj^ht bv I. E. Hutton and disposed of by him." The boom in real estate had come. Lots were offered for sale, and throurv between Paramus and Wortendyke, (iodwinville becoming a hamlet four miles in length, the centre being near the Methodist Church, yet standing at Midland Park. The history of tlu' Paramus is uneventful, except during the Revolutionary period, when the armies passed within its limits. The early settlers were agriculturists and prosjiered by their well-directed labors. About the beginning of the century manufacturing interests began to occupy the residents of Newtown and Hoppertown, but it never extended from these centers. The distance from the city and tlie ])oor roads, prevented much communication with the outer world. The Paterson & Ramapo Railroad, the first section of the present ICrie. was completed in IH.SO, and instilled new life into the settlement. The Inst station was located at Hohokus, and soon after a post-office was estab- lished at Godwinville and located a mile west of the village. The mails were put off at Hohokus and carrie.l over the intervening country on horseback. The manufacturers at Godwinville asked for ,i station nearer 244 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY works, but were refused, and it was only after a controversy of three years that one was established. There only freight trains stopped, and it was two years more before it was made a passenger station, that being only a platform. The residents of Godwinville erected a depot m lb5). Commutation began a year earlier. In i860 several New Yorkers settled in the village, erected homes m the vicinity of the depot, and began a commendable regime of landscape o-ardenino-. The name Godwinville did not suit these newcomers, who Tmmediately agitated a change. An estimable lady Mrs. Corneha Dayton, long since deceased, suggested the name of Ridgewood, wh ch was adopted. The railroad company was then requested to change the nam* of the station, but consumed six years in doing so, and not until Uncle Sam had made them drop mail bags marked "Ridgewood for a year at this station. A post-ofBce was established in 1865 and the name of the station changed in 1866. ^, , ■ + , - The newcomers to Ridgewood infused metropolitan methods into the place, and in 1876 induced the Legislature to create the township of Ridgewood. At the time of the change it included territory atout three miles square and had a population of about twelve hundred. The u-rowth was slow, being influenced by disturbances in the hnancial wor d, but for the past ten years there has been no interruption in its growth. "The first postmaster was B. F. Robiason, who did faithful service for the munificent sum of ten dollars per year. The present incumbent is a Presidential appointee, and the expenses aggregate 32^00 per an- num The citizen swere alive to needed improvements, and sidewalks, lio-his and good roads were soon added to the natural advantage's Rid..ewood township was the pioneer of macadamized roads, and in 18 i. the sum of $30,000 was expended on the roads, making them second to none in the State. The town progressed steadily until the borough craze struck the county in 18^4. A large section of the southern portu.n was first cut off, forming the Borough of Glen Rock; then Midland Park took a section of the western border. The balance of the town- ship was then incorporated to prevent further inroads. The first Board of Trustees elected was: M. T. Richards.m, A Cx. Hopper, J. W. Edwards, G. M. Ockford and W. J. Fullerton^ Upon organization, Mr. Richardson was elected President. Mr. Fullerton Treasurer and R. M. Bridgman became Village Clerk. In 18)-, Mr. Richardson resigned. Dr. Ockford being elected his successor as Presi- dent of the Village, and G. E. Knowlton taking his place as Trustee. Since the organization of the Village Board there has been marked im- provement in the village from several standpoints, while its growth has been steady and material. Physicians in New York and Brooklyn learned that the Paramus Highlands was one of the few places within fifty miles of New York where malaria was unknown. They recom- mended this location to their patients, and they were not the on y ones benefited by the healtfulness of this location. Its fame for health-giv- ing qualities soon spread, and many who came to spend the summer be- HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 245 came permanent residents and induced KV AND OFFICEKS FOK 18'»8. Fidelity Lodge, No. ii3, F. & A. M., Ridgewood, was organized first at Hohokus Station, under and by virtue of a dispensation granted by M. W. Robert Rusling, Grand Master, dated October 17, A. L. 5870, A. D. 1870 and was set at work by R. W. William E. Pine, D. <;. M., on November 7, A. L. 587o. Officers for 18<)8:— John R. Stevens, Worshipful Master ; James Cornelius, Senior Warden; Leonard N. Taft, Junior Warden; John F. Cruse, Treasurer; John F. Weiss, Secretary; Rev. Edward H. Cleveland, Chaplain; William W. Holcomb, Senior Deacon; William Morrison, Junior Deacon; Harry Terhune, Marshal; Alfred A. Stansfield. S. M. of Ceremonies; Isaac M. Wall, J. M. of Ceremonies; George M. Ock- ford, Senior Steward; Charles W. Banta, Junior Steward; Charles W. Kohler, Tyler; George M. Ockford, Past Master, proxy to the Grand Lodge; Henry Hales, Trustee for three years. The officers were installed by W. Geo. Morrison. Past Master; John P". Cruse, Past Master, acting as Grand Marshal. Stated Communications second and fourth Fridays at Masonic Hall, corner of Ridgewood and Rock Avenue. JK. O. r. A. M. ELECT OFFICEKS. On Monday, January 23, 1899, the Junior (_)rder United American Mechanics met and api)ointed the following officers for the current year: J. D. Van Emburgh, Jr., Councilor; Roger M. Bridgman, Vice- Councilor; J. H. Christopher, Past Councilor; C. C. Ackerman, Record- ing Secretary; John Knowlton, Assistant Secretary; Harvey Terhune, H^inancial Secretary; Chas. Sworn. Conductor; Winfield Terhune, Warden; I. M. Wall, Treasurer; Rev. Franklin Mathiews, Chajjlain; J. A. Van Emburgh, Orator; T. L. Ackerman, Inside Sentinel; W'm. (i. Ackerman, Outside Sentinel; Dr. J. B. Hopper, Daniel Soman. I-'Jls- worth Pell, Trustees; J. Irving Bogert, Representative to State Council. I.EC.IO.N OF IIO.NOIK, COfNCII. llOO. Officers for 1898: -Henry Hales, Commander; J. H. Christopher, Treasurer; J. Cruse, Secretary; J. Naugle, Guide; J. H. Zabriskie, Warden; J. J. Hopper, Sentry; E. D. Leary, Chaplain. 248 IIISTOKY OF REKGEN COUNTY ' Meets first Wednesday evening of each month in Masonic Hall. Companions of other Councils are cordially invited. HALL -VND PARK .AS.SOCLATION. M. T. Richardson, President; E. A. Walton, Vice President; Paul Walton, Secretary and Treasurer; John B. Van Dien, J. F. Carrig-an. Maurice Fornachon. C. P. Crouter, Cornelius Dorenius and N. B. Kukuck. KNICHTS OK HONOK. List of Ofticcrs:— D. J. O'Neill. Past Dictator; J. D. ^'a^ Emburirh. Jr. Dictator; C. Snyder Keyser, \'ice Dictator; S. Frank Lynch, Assist- ant Dictator; C. M. Keyser, Reporter; F. M. Merritt, Financial Re- porter; D. D. Zabriskie. Treasurer; Harvey- G. Ward, Chaplain; Geo. E. Miller, Guide; Chas. L. Jackson, Guardian; Stanley G. Cheel, Sen- tinel; Dr. Harry S. Williard, Medical Examiner. ROYAL AKCAXUM. Paramus Valley Council, No. 15'»7, meets first and third Tuesday in Jr. O. U. A. M. Hall. Officers for 1898:— R. M. Winans, Regent; H. G. White, Vice Re- gent; H. A. Brown, Orator; V. A. Ross, Past Regent; W. A. Cheel, Secretary; John R. Stevens, Treasurer; Arthur White, Chaplain; A. A. Fitzhugh, Guide; A. Frank Halsted, Collector; John B. Hopper, War- den; Jacob Ward, Sentry. THE kid(;e\vood news. The Ridgewood News was first issued in i890 by W. J. Tonkin, as a monthly, the mechanical work being done in New York, Mr. Tonkin carrying his office in a cigar box. Mr. L. N. Taft took charge the sec- ond year, putting in presses and type in a room over Eglin's blacksmith shop. About one year later Mr. John A. Ackerman owned the paper for a short time, returning it to Mr. Taft in 1892. when he removed it to Ridgewood Avenue where it is now located. Mr. Frank A. Baxter has made it a nine column quarto. It is the official organ of Ridgewood and Orvil Townships and of (ilen Rock and Midland Park boroughs, being non-partisan in politics. KIDCEWOOD KECOKD. The Ridgewood Record has been regularly issued as a weekly for upwards of a year, and is Republican in politics. It is edited and owned by E. F. Farrell. with W. P. T^Iillar as associate editor. CHT'KCH HISTORY. The old Reformed Dutch Church of Paramus is one of the land marks in which Ridgewood Township is intensely interested. That the first church building was erected in 1735, appears to be well established, from writings which have been found bearing upon this subject. On the flyleaf of the baptismal register is a sentence which translated reads: "On the 21st day of April 1735, was the first stone of the church laid."' It is also confidently asserted that on January 15. 1735, a committee was appointed by the assembled consistory and congregati(.n, to consider and HISTOKV OF BEKGEN COUNTY 249 make arrangements for the building- of a church and to formuhite rules for the promotion of the best interests of the church, Conradus Vanderlieck and Johannes Wynkoop being the persons chosen to superintend and con- duct these important matters. After adojjting seventeen articles for the government of the seating of the members, and for the control nf the calling of ministers to their pulpit, they pruceeded to erect the house nf worship. IV ^ K KHKOKMliD CHrKClI- ICII)(;i;\VO()l) In those times all the Dutch churches were built of st*:I4 to 1724, it gave the people of this vicinity the oppor- tunity to attend his ministrations according to their location; but they were progressive, and had determined upon independent action as is evidenced by a document in possession of the consistory, dated Decem- ber 26, 1730, and signed by Peter Fauconier, in which he pr(miises to give land on which to build a church. The lirst building erected stood intact until ISOd, with the excep- tion of repairs made necessary by the injuries sustained during the Revolutionary war, it having been used during that period, for various purposes. From 1731 to 1732, Rev. George W. Mancius ministered to the two churches of Schraalenburgh and Paramus, but no further evi- dence is given of their having another pastor until sixteen years later, although much advancement was made during this time, which if acconi- l)lished without an appointed leader, shows a wonderful devotedness to the cause, as well as an indomitable will to do needed work. Rev. Benjamin Van Der Linde received a call from the two churches of Para- mus and the Ponds, on August 21, 1748, Rev. Antonius Curtenius of Hackensack moderating the call, in which stipulations were made as to the davs upon which he was to preach and the number of sermons each (lav. This was signed by Elders, Albert Van Dien, Steve Terhuen, Jan Romjm, Barent Van Hocjrn, Hendick Van Aele, Roelof Van Houte; Deacons, Johannes Stek, Klaes Zabriski, Albert Bogart, Simon Van Winkle, Cornelius Van Houte, Steve Bogert. Mr. Van Der Linde is described as a man of muscular strength and quickness of movemeht, qualities which were needed in those times, when long and tiresome trips had to be taken without opportunity for rest or refreshment. They could onlv promise sixty pounds a year with parsonage and wood, but later on, added enough to make ninety pounds. Although these two HISTOKY OF BKKC.KX COITNTY 251 churches were a tuimber of inik-s apart ho continued to be their pastor for forty years, until old age ohlij^ed him to have assistance. Rev. Van Der Linde with Elder Stephen Zabriskie, were the representatives of this church in 1771 in the convention which met to form a constitution of the Reformed Dutcli t'hurch (d' North America. After the ortcanization of the church at Sa(l2, the Rev. William P. Kaypers being called in May, i7'».v remaining until May, 17'M>. During the three years following they were witliout pastoral care, after which they called Rev. Wilhelmus Eltinge, then but twenty-one years of age, his pastorate extending over this church and that of Saddle River. In 1811, the care of Saddle River, in connection with Paramus was disctmtinued, Mr. Eltinge confining his work to the Paramus Church, without any formal call until five years later, when a call was tendered him from the joint congregations of Paramus and Totowa, which he accepted, continuing these relations until IS.^.i. when Paramus claimed his sole attention. After a lapse of tifty-one years in cliarge of this church, he was obliged on account of the inlirmities of age to retire from active service, closing his earthly career in June, 1S.=.1. At this time there were four hundred and thirty conuniuiicants in the congregation. Rev. Aaron B. Winfield succeeded Rev. Pvltingi'. be- ginning his ministry in January lS.=il, which was continued until his death in 18.5(>. when he was laid beside his predecessor in the ministers' plot in Valleau Cemetery. Rev. Edward Tanjore Corwin succeeded to this place in July of the following year, and was in turn succeeded by Rev. Isaac De Mund. During the incumbency of Rev. (ioyn Talamge, D. D. from 1871 to 187'>, a handsome new parsonage was built and the
of that year. Captain Dayton at this time offered a lot one mile east 254 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUXTY of the dei)()t as a site t\)r a church building, which was accepted on February- 17, The name <>f the church being- decided upon, Messrs. James Keelv and J. T. Walton were elected wardens, and A. J. Cameron, Samuel Dayton, E. Rosencrantz, W. H. Hawlett and E. A. Walton, vestrymen. After subscriptions to the amount of eighteen hundred dollars had been secured, an organ was purchased and placed in the house of B. F. Robinson for the use of the choir. March 28, 18t)5, the corner-stone was laid by the Bishop of the diocese. Right Rev. W. H. Odenheimer, D. D., who held service the same day in Union Hall, Paramus. On Sunday, May 13, 1866, the church was opened for divine service, the Rev. J. M. Waite officiating. The pews were rented on May 16, several persons paying a premium for choice of seats. The cost of the build- ing, including furniture and sheds, was a little more than S6()00. Rev. Leigh Richmond Dickenson, of Yonkers, N. Y., became the first rector, administering holy communion to twelve communicants. On May 12, following, a Sunday school was organized with E. A. Walton as superintendent and Thomas T. Walton librarian. Twenty-one scholars and seven teachers were present. The congregation increased, until in March, 1869, the question of enlarging the church was agitated and a subscription started to assist in accomplishing the work. This was a successful undertaking and the foundation was begun on August 2, and on December 19, the church was reopened for service. A beautiful chancel, three new windows, one of which was presented by the Sunday school. A vestry room, organ room and ten pews were added at this time, the whole costing §2600, a part of which was paid by the indi- vidual liberality of ^Ir. Christian A. Zabriskie and others. In May, 1869, Mrs. C. W. Newton organized a Sunday school in her home which was continued until 1S70 when a Missitm Snuday school was opened in Shuart's Hall in the village of Ridgewood, continuing until September, 1875, when it was merged into the Parish School. In 1873 the vestry resolved to move the church to a central location in the village. A lot was tendered by Mr. Robinson and accepted. This, with an additi7 At the beginning- of our Civil War, when the call was made for men ti) volunteer for nine months, Mr. Crouter responded, enlisting in Com- pany D, 22nd Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, serving his full term of enlistment under Colonel A. D. Demarest, in 1861. Mr. Crouter's father is now living on the old homestead, a man full of years and of honors, nearly eighty years of age. The family are of German ancestry. Mr. Crouter was married in 18(>5 to Miss Sarah Van Saun, daughter of John I. Van Saun of Bergen County. They have two children, Agus- tus P., who is in business in New York city, and one daughter. La Venia. The family attended the Methodist Church at Ridgewood. In his politi- cal affiliations Mr. Crouter is a Republican and has held a number of local offices. HENKY H.\LES. Henry Hales, an Knglishman by birth, was born in the town of Yarmouth, in the county of Norfolk, February 3, 1830. He is a son of William Hales, a Shoe Dealer, and who later held the office of coal meter on the Quay of his native town. Mr. Hales came to America in September 1854, and lived in New York until 1868, following the trade of interior decorater, at which he had served an apprenticeship of six years, prior to coming to the United States. An expert, showing taste and originality, he has been successful in this business, which he has followed continuously. In 1868, he purchased the tract of land where he now lives, near Ridgewood, and began farming and gardening. In addition to farming he has a collection of fancy poultry, especially Dorkings, 'of which he has some fine specimens and is president of the American Dorking Club. Enthusiastically interested in Ornithology and Ethnology, especi- ally the former, he has one of the finest collections of warblers, taking special delight in local songsters. His many articles written for scientific papers on these subjects are both interesting and instructive. While travelling in New Mexico Mr. Hales collected many fine pieces of earthern ware, relics of pre-historic dwellers in that land, showing a superior knowledge of the art of decorating. Part of this collection was on exhibition at the World's Fair. Mr. Hales was married in 1850, in Londcm. They have five chil- dren, Henry, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; Caro- line, who resides at home ; Florence, the widow of Charles D. (iraves, late of Middletown ; James who conducts the farm and Alice both at home. In religion. Mr. Hales is a member of the Episcopal Church. In politics, a Republican, he holds a number of local offices. He is a member of the American Legion of Honor, and a member of the Masonic Order at Kidgewood. COKNELIUS P. CKOUTEK HISTOKY OK BERGEN COUNTY 2(>') HKNKV W. IIAT.KS. Henry W. Hales, proprietor of the Ridg-ewood Floral Nursery, is the son of Henry Hales, above mentioned. He was educated at St. Andrews' School in New York city, and early evinced an inherited taste for floriculture. After completing- his studies he was led to travel abroad somewhat extensively for the purpose of studying the culture of j)hri's and flowers, making England his special field of observation. Much valuable information and experience was thus obtained, which has proved of great practical benefit in his business. A man of inquii-ing mind and close observation he was not content to simply grow and mir- ket the plants and flowers as he found them, but by careful study and experiment has been able to produce new plants never before placed on sale. Among these have been entirely new specimens of coleus grown from seed, the first of the kind in this country. He also introduced a sweet scented chrysanthemum a few years ago which was quite a noveltv. Mr. Hales started his present nursery in 1874, which was the first in the vicinity of Ridgewood, beginning on a comparatively small scale, but making extensive improvements at the outset, with reference to his especial business. The establishment is now a well appointed one from which the local trade is supplied with palms, ferns, etc., while cut flowers are shipped to the New York market. He is also well known as a writer on flowers, and his articles are frequently seen in the horticultural mag- azines and papers. Mr. Hales is also an inventor, of considerable note, and has not imly benefitted the public, but has been handsomely remunerated for his work. Among his horticultural inventions is a mole trap that has had a very large sale. Owing to a difficulty he experienced in getting artistic photographs of plants and flowers, he became interested in photog-raphy and for some years has made a thorough study of the art. more for pleasure, however, than for profit. Some of his inventions in this line have come into general use, among which are a photographic camera; photographic level and finder; photographic flash lamp; photo- graphic shutter, and also a rollable film camera. In practicing the art of photog-raphy as a means of recreation, he has become so proficient that his work is very well known, and his pictures have given him the reputation of being an expert. The photograph from which the ac- companying view of " Floratnere " was made is Mr. Hales' own work. As a writer on photographic subjects he has also become well known, and his lantern slides and transparencies are said to be exceedingly fine. Mr. Hales was at one time a member of the New York Horticul- tural Society, and in its palmiest days took a great interest therein. He believes in doing everything he undertakes in the best possible manner, and his nursery is noted more for the quality of its products than even its large amount. He is a Republican in politics and served on the Township Committee for some years, and was also Township Treasurer. In his religious preference he is an Ejnscopalian. His jdace of residence HEXKY W. HALES 272 HISTOKV OF BEKGEN COUNTY on Spring Avenue, is named " Floramere " and is beautifully located in close proximity to the greenhouses and nursery. DK. GEORGE M OCKFOKD Dr. George M. Ockford is a well-known ph^-sician of Ridgewood in which village he has resided since 1891. He has a large and lucrative practice. He made a good record as a public official, having served the village in the capacity of Trustee, Health Officer and President of the Village. He was born March 2'>, 1845, at London, moving with his family to Nothern New York in 1853. His father was Samuel Ockford, a de- scendant of the old Saxons of England, and his mother Sarah Marchant a descendant of the Huguenots who settled in England on the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1665. The father went to the front and lost his life in the service of the United States in 1864. The doctor spent his early days in New York State, becoming a member of the National Guard in 1864, and receiving a discharge with the rank of captain in 1871. In 1872, he was graduated from the Cleveland Homeopathic Hos- pital College, and settled in Hackensack. After leaving Hackensack, he practiced in Burlington, Vt. and Lexington, Ky., removing from the latter place to Ridgewood. During his residence in Kentucky, he was elected President of the Southern Homeopathic Association, a society embracing all the territory of the United States south of the Ohio river. He has been a valuable contributor to medical literature. His papers have been published in foreign and American journals, and a work on Practice, by him in 1882, reached the dignity of a college text book. He is a senior member of the American Institute Homeopathy, an active member of the New Jersey State Homeopathic Medical So- ciety, and an honorar}^ member of several State Organizations. He has been an active member of the Masonic order, being a Past Master in the Lodge and Past Commander of ^nights of Templar. He is also a mem- ber of the Royal Arcanum and one of the medical examiners of the order. He was married, at Hackensack, in 1877, to Miss M. E. L. Home, a native of Middletown, Conn. They have three children, Florence, George and John. The religious home of the family is the Episcopal Church. DAVID D. ZABKISKIE. David D. Zabriskie, the present Judge of the Common Pleas Court of Bergen county, is a son of John C. and Jane D. Zabriskie. He was born at Paramus, November 27, 1856. After preparing for college at Erasmus Hall, Flatbush, Long Island, young Zabriskie entered Rutgers college at New Brunswick, N. J., 'and was graduated in the class of 1879. He began the study of his profession in the office of Collins & Colvin in Jersey City, completing his course in the Law Department of Columbia College. New York, in 1881. After being addmitted- to the Bar of New Jersey as Attornev-at-Law in November 1882, he continued to practice in his 7. .Q 274 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY native State until June 1889, when he was admitted as Counsellor. From 1894-1895 Judg-e Zabriskie was a member of Assembly from Bergen county and was counsel for his county from 1896 to 1897. Shortly before Governor Grig-g-s retirement from the Governorship, he appointed Mr. Zabriskie Judge of the Common Pleas to succeed Judge Van Valen, his commission being issued by Governor Voorhees in April 1898. Although his official duties call him to Hackensack much of the time, yet he maintains his offices both in Jersey City and Ridgewood. Judge Zabriskie married Miss Lizzie S. Suydan, in October 1883, and resides in Ridgewood. ISAAC E. HUTTON. Isaac E. Hutton, the well known lumberman, is a native of New York and was born in 1853. He started out in his preparation for life work with the idea of making architecture his profession, but as the years went by he drifted back to his early business in the lumber trade. His apprenticeship in this industry was served under his father, Henry O. Hutton of Rockland County, N. Y., who was a member of the firm of Hutton Brothers. Mr. Hutton received his academic education in the Spring Valley Academy of New York State. A short time was then spent at Pough- keepsie, N. Y., after which he entered Cornell College from which he was graduated in 1875, having pursued the scientific course making a speci- alty of architecture, which he intended to follow. From a class of one hundred and eighty-five members only forty-five took degrees. Among his class mates who have risen to positions of prominence are Colonel H. W. Sackett, of New York ; Frank Hiscock, Judge of Supreme Court of Nev7 York State ; Professor E. L. Nichols, of Cornell College ; George H. Fitch, a noted editor, now of San Francisco ; Charles S. Harmon, a prominent attorney of Chicago, and J. T. Newman, Trustee of Cornell. After finishing his course, Mr. Hutton changed his plans, as many col- lege men do, and in 1878 came to Ridgewood, where he went into the lumber business. In this he has been highly successful, at present con- ducting the most extensive trade in his line in that vicinity, handling all kinds of building material. Mr. Hutton married Miss Nellie Demarest of the same county. They have two children, Robert Le Roy and Clyde Demarest. Mr. Hutton is a Republican. W. I.. VKOOM, M. D. Dr. W. L. Vroom, of Ridgewood, is a descendant of the well known family of that name in New Jersey. His father is Rev. William Henry Vroom, D. D., of Paramus, son of William and grandson of Henry. William was first cousin to Peter D., who was made Governor of New Jersey, for five successive terms. Rev. William Henry Vroom, D. D., was born February 11, 1840, and was educated in the public schools of Somerset county, and afterwards was graduated from Rutger's College in 1802. In 1865 he finished his course in the Theological Seminary at DAVID D. ZABKISKIE 27(> HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY New Brunswick and immediately became pastor of a church in Hoboken, where he remained two years. From there he removed to Davenport, Iowa, where he resided two ^-ears. His next call was to La Cyg-ne, Kansas, at which place he org-anized a congregation, becoming its pastcjr for live years. He then returned East, taking pastoral charge of a church at High Falls, N. Y., remaining with it thirteen years. Finallv in 1887. he removed to his present location where he has since been pastor of the Reformed church of Paramus. He was married in 18(o, to Miss Marietta Gow, of Brooklyn, N. Y., and by this union they have three children. Dr. \V. L. being the eldest, and who was born in Hoboken April 1, 1866. Dr. Vroom received his education in the University of New York, and was graduated from the medical department in 1888. He at once took up his residence in Ridgewood, where he is enjoying an extensive and lucrative practice. He is a member of the Bergen county Medical Society, and in November, i898, was elected to the office of Coroner. Dr. Vroom was married in 1895, to Miss Blanche Girard Miller, a daughter of the late John H. Miller, formerly of Philadelphia. They have one child Cecilia. They are members of the Reformed church of Paramus. PKTEK L. ZAKKI.SKIE. Peter L. Zabriskie, a builder and contractor of Ridgewood and one of the enterprising voung men of this section, is a son of Ct. J. G. and Anna ( Banta ) Zabriskie. His mother was a daughter of Jacob Banta. Mr. Zabriskie was born IMay f), 1870, and although a young- man, has made a place for himself among the business men of Ridge- w^ood. Associated with him in business is his brother G. J. G. Zabris- kie, Jr. Another brother John A. is a farmer. His sister Kate became the wife of Peter Pulis. Many of the handsome houses in and around Ridgewood were erected by Mr. Zabriskie, among the number being the residences of O. W. Reed, W. F. Catterfield, R. W. Muns, M. W. Whritenour, A. L. D(m and H. A. Brown, with many others, all of which are models of our present beautiful architecture. Mr. Zabriskie is a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M. In politics he is a Republican wath independent tendencies. THE TEKHfNE F.^MILV. The Terhune family of New Jersey are descended from three broth- ers. Huguenots, who migrated from France to Holland, thence to America, generations ago, one settling at Hackensack, one at Saddle River and a third at Raritan River. The name was originally spelled Ter Hune, but as in several other like names the second capital has been dropped and a small letter substituted. Albert Terhune the grandfather of Theodore was a native of Bergen county. His children were Richard, Lavina, who married Mr. John De Gray, Jemima who married Jacob De Baun of Saddle River, Isaac, who married Margaret Snyder, Qarret, and Andrew who married Margaret Mowcrson. The children of Richard- ISAAC K. Hl'TTON 278 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY who married Margaret Valentine, were James, who died at the ag-e of twenty-one years, Lavina who became the wife of Richard Huff, two who died in childhood and Theodore Valentine who was the youngest and is the only survivor. Mr. Terhune was born in New York city, October 22, 1839. He was educated in the public schools of New York, and of Berg-en county, N. J., afterwards attending a boarding school in Hackensack, kept by Rev. John T. Demarest. On leaving school, he learned the trade of carpen- ter and for a time followed farming and carpentering. In 1866 he bought a tract of ground in Ridgewood where, in 1867, he erected a dwelling, and in 1872 a store and embarked in general merchandise. He built the tirst house in Ridgewood after the village was laid out in streets. Mr. Terhune has been successful in his undertaking having now a large and paying business. He married first Miss Martha Ann Zabriskie, daughter of John Zabriskie of Paramus, Bergen county. Of this union were born three children, Richard W., who married Miss Ida Miller and resides in Ridge- wood, Theodore Leonard, who married Jennie Bogert and lives in Ridge- wood, and Nelson Holmes who died at the age of ten years. After the death of his wife, Mr. Terhune married on February 16, 1876, Charlotte Augusta Bills, a native of Tioga county, N. Y., and by this marriage two children have been born, Margaret Helena and Ethel May. Mr. Terhune was a member of the National Guard of Hohokus several years previous to the outbreak of the civil war. In 1862 he volun- teered as sergeant serving nine months in the army of the Potomac, chiefly in the defenses of Washington. He was a member of Company B, 22d N. J. Regiment, and is a Republican ; has served nine years as Justice of the Peace, when he resigned and is now a chosen Freeholder. In religion Mr. Terhune is a Methodist Episcopal. ROGER M. BRIDGMAN. Roger M. Bridgman, postmaster at Ridgewood, is a son of John and Margaret (Hovell) Bridgman and was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., October 26, 1852. His mother was born in New York city, while his paternal ancestry are English, his father being a native of Stone- market, England, from whence he emigrated to America when but twelve years of age. After coming here he learned the trade of baker, which he followed through life, passing away in 1895. Roger M. Bridgman was educated in the public schools of New York city, and at an early age became an employee of the Erie Railroad Company at Jersey City, remaining in their counting department for a continuous period of seventeen years. In 1883 he took up his residence in Ridgewood. Mr. Bridgman is a Republican and held the office of clerk of the town for eight years, and also clerk of the village after its organization. He was appointed postmaster at Ridgewood in October 1897, and re-appointed January 12, 1898, the term of office of his pre- decessor having expired while congress was not in session. PHTKK L. ZAHKISKII-; 280 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY In 1882 Mr. Bridgman married Miss Isabella Brown, daughter of Napoleon and Margaret Brown of New York. Of this union, one daughter was born, Isabella Marguerite, who was graduated from the the Ridgewood High School in the class of 1898, following which she has just completed a course of Kindergarten training in New York city. Mrs. Bridgman's father. Napoleon Brown, lost his life in our late Civil war. Mr. Bridgman and his family attend the Reformed Church. He is a member of the Junior O. U. A. M., and president of the Fire Department. HAKKY TEKUNE The proprietor of the Rouclere House in Ridgewood, is Mr. Harry Terhune, son of Abram Terhune. He was born in Paterson, N. J., June 3, 1866, and received a common school education in the town of Ridgewood. While still a mere lad he showed a marked talent for jug- glery and sleight of hand and at the age of eight years had a local reputation as a boy magician. He entered the profession as a means of livelihood in 1878, under the name of "Harry Rouclere" doing a short act of magic and working a troop of dogs. A few years later he branched out as a gymnast and acrobat but sustaining a severe fall from the trapeze he abandoned the gymnast line. He then devoted his entire time to jugglery and in a few years became the recognized American manipulator, appearing with marked success in nearly every large city in America. He was married to Miss Mildred Searing of Brooklyn and shortly after conceived the idea of a mind reading performance. Assisted by his wife, their success has been marked in this peculiar line of work attracting the attention of the press and public. This baffled the inves- tigations of the most ingenious scientists and physicians of this country. On May 22, 1891, they startled the scientific world by producing a new version of hypnotic mental telegraphy, which they called "Psychon- otism," and in it demonstrated that one intelligent person can convey ideas to another without visible means of communication. This act created a sensation in all parts of the United States and so great was their success that they were pictured and headlined on all bills and programmes. Apart from her many accomplishments Mildred Terhune is en- dowed by nature with a marvellous memory. She can not only instantly give the day of the week that any date falls on, or the cube or square root of any number or numbers but on one occasion memorized Longfellow's "Hiawatha" in two readings. This is most remark- able from the fact that the poem is in blank verse. Mr. Terhune besides his hotel business, is owner and proprietor of the "Mildred Novelty Company," (an organization which tours the cities every winter,) is manager of the Opera House at Ridgewood, and is reaping the rewards of his ingenuity and industry. HISTORY OF BHKORN COUNTY 283 He is a member of the B. P. O. Elks, the Masonic Order, the Royal Arcanum and the Heptasophs. VAN EMBUKGH & Tl^KIirNK. Van Emburgh and Terhune, of Ridgewood, N. J., Funeral Direc- tors and Embalmers, is composed of Messrs. J. D. Van Emburgh. Jr., and Harvey Terhune, now conducting an extensive business. Mr. Van Emburgh is a son of Jacob D. Van Emburgh, a native of Bergen county. In his boyhood days he went to school to Judge Van Valen, the editor of this work. Mr. Terhune the Junior member of the firm is a son of A. D. Terhune of Bergen county. He received a special education in the U. S. school of Embalming of New York, where he perfected himself in the art, thereby giving the firm a special prestige by being prepared with all modern appliances in embalming. Both the above gentlemen are members of the Jr. O. U. A. M. Mr. Van Emburgh is a member of the Knights of Honor and Mr. Terhune is a member of the Royal Arcanum. The service of this firm is of the highest order, and their territory extends over a wide area, largely in Bergen county. They also conduct funerals in and around Brooklyn and New York. WILLIAM F. SCHWKINl'UKTH. William F. Schweinfurth is a son P. L. Schweinfurth and was born February 13, 1859 in west Hoboken. His father who was a native of Germany, emigrated to this country about the 3"ear 1848. He was a cooper by trade but in 1865 removed to Hudson county where he en- gaged in the manufacture of vinegar and also in the sale of mineral water. Young Schweinfurth was educated in the common schools of his native village, leaving school at the age of fourteen vears. After this he was employed in various lloral establishments near his home. In 18'.»2 he and his brother began business as florists under the firm name of F. &. W. Schweinfurth, at Bronx ville, Westchester county, N. Y., in which they were successful. Mr. William Schweinfurth, in 1897, sold his interest to his brother, afterward purchasing the establishment of H. E. Forbes, at Ridgewood. This is a plant of three acres in ex- tent , and contains nine hundred square feet of glass. Mr. Schweinfurth makes a specialty of roses and cut flowers, selling to New York customers almost wholly. His business is prosperous, owing to his ])ersonal energy and industry, having started in l.S")2 with- out capital. He is a Republican and an attendant uf iIk- Kefornu'd Church. JOSICru H. CHKISTOPIII'IK. One "f the ablest architects and builders of the county, is Mr. Joseph H. Christopher of Ridgewood. His father was William, son of Joseph Christopher and his mother Rosanna Lake. Joseph H,, was born in the village of Allendale, September 17, 18(,3. 284 HISTOKY OF BERGEN COUNTY After receiving a common school education he took a special course in scientific drawing in New York, afterward stud^-ing mechanical and architectural drawing. For some years he worked as a machinist and mechanical engineer, in New York, becoming an expert in that line. In 1889 without capital, he established himself in Ridgewood, beginning business necessarily in a small way. By industry and perseverance he increased his business, building many of the handsome residences of Ridgewood, a number of these being models of modern architecture. Being a thoroughly equipped architect, he is skilled in every department of house building, superin- tending the painting and plumbing as carefully as any other part of the work. The public school building attests the thoroughness of his methods. Mr. Christopher remodelled the Almshouse, and erected many other prominent structures. He may be truly said to have been the "archi- tect of his own fortune." Mr. Christopher was married in 1886 to Miss Elizabeth Hopper, daughter of Peter G. Hopper, a native of Bergen county. They have two children, Rachel and Rowena. In politics, a Democrat, he has never aspired to office ; is a member of the Legion of Honor and of the Royal Arcanum and a member of the Jr. O. U. A. M. He belongs to the Ridgewood Fire Company. Mr. Christopher is a member of the Reformed Church of Ridgewood of which he has been deacon and has also been treasurer.. EDWIN NICKEKSON. Edwin Nickerson is a descendant of French and Irish ancestry, who for generations back have lived in America. His immediate ancestors resided in New York state, his grandfather Zalraon Nickerson, and his father George W., who was the eldest of Zalmon's thirteen children living in Rockland county, where Edwin was born April 2('th, rS59. Mr. Nickerson's mother was Amelia (Johnson) Nickerson, a very pious woman and a devoted member of the Reformed church. She died January 1898, at the age of sixty-nine years. Mr. Nickerson was educated in the common schools of his native county, and began business for himself when nineteen years of age, by taking charge of a farm, in the vicinity of his home, which he success- fully managed for three years. He then came to Ridgewood and for sixteen years was associated with I. E. Hutton in the retail lumber business. At present he is in the same line of business, with J. Blau- velt Hopper and his brother Walter J. Nickerson. He married Miss Anna A., daughter of John R. Westervelt. They have three children. In their religious relations they are members of the Reformed church. Mr. Nickerson is a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. A. V..B.. SNVDKK 286 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY GLEN ROCK. The borough of Glen Rock was formed in 1894, its area to extend from a point near John H. Storm's marble shop, on the Paterson road, to a few rods beyond Van Wagoner's Hotel, and from the east side of Cherry Lane to Hohokus Brook. Mr. A. V. D. Snyder, David Zabriskie, John A. Marinus and a few others were the promoters of the borough scheme, and have from the beginning officiated in its government. It is a farming community wholly, has one church, a branch of the Reformed Church of Ridgewood, but no pastor at present. It comprises one school district, a new building for which is now being erected at a cost of S5000. A. V. D. Snyder is the present Mayor. ANDREW V. D. SNYDER. Andrew V. D. Snyder, Mayor of Glen Rock, son of John R. and Sarah (Van Dien ) Snyder was born March 28, 1856, and is a native of Midland Park. F^or four generations the Snyder family have been resi- dents of this part of the county. In the family of Mr. Snyder's grand- father were the following; Thomas R., who lives at Midland Park; Maria, who became the wife of Daniel Ackerman ; Garret R., of Midland Park; John R., the father of our subject and Rachel who mar- ried David Van Houten. Young Snyder, after leaving the common schools, attended the Paterson Seminary from which he took his degree, and afterward took a special course in the French and German languages. He was employed for a short time by A. T. Stewart & Co., of New York, and subse- quently by a hardware concern in Paterson. After embarking in the butchering business in which he was unsuccessful, losing the result of several years labor, he took a position with the Metropolitan Steamship Company of New York, where he remained a short time. In 1886, how- ever, he began business in Ridgewood as a florist, and has gradually built a thriving trade in that line, making a specialty of importing bulbs from France and Holland, and also dealing in all kinds of farm and garden seeds. Having made extensive improvements in his premises, his buildings and equipments are now new, and modern throughout. Mr. Snyder is an energetic business man and is self made in every respect. He was married in 1875, to Miss Hopper, daughter of Garret N. Hopper of Paramus, and by this union they have had four children: Christina, and Andrew J., now living, Sadie who died at the age of twenty, and Fred who died at the age of ten months. Mr. Snyder is a Democrat in politics. He has been a Freeholder and Town Clerk of the town of Ridgewood and has served for five years, as a member of the Democratic Executive Committee. He is now Mayor of the Borough of Glen Rock, also Vice President of the Ridgewood Co-operative Building and Loan Association. The family attend the Reformed Church. HISTORY OF BEKGKN COUNTY 287 Till-; UOKOUGH OF MIDLAND PAKK. The Borough of Midhmd Park was incorjioratcd September (>, IS'M. The first Mayor was William B. Morrow; Councilmen: H. A. Lawrence, C. A. Tillotson, John Klopman, Marcus Young', Louis Smith; Clerk, Thomas Holt; Freeholder, John R. Carlousfh; Collector, E. M. Krech; Assessor, Will Holt. Present Mayor, M. B. Wilson: Clerk, Thomas Holt; Councilmen: Francis H. Mayhew, (Tcorg-e B. Krech, tiarret Klopman, Garret Mul- der, John Beattie, John R. Carloug-h; Collector, William R. Morrow; Assessor, Will Holt. Board of Health, Thomas Holt, president; Jacob Leames, secretary; John Klopman, Henry Deiphauser, John L. Guyre. EDWAKD M. KKKCH. Edward M. Krech, son of George and Hannah (Glasser) Krech was born in Saxemeiningen, Germany, November 17, 1836. Mr. Krech had three brothers. Christian was a resident of Hackensack and died there in iS89. August lives in Milwaukie. and Adolph is still in Ger- many. Edward M. was educated in his native land, coming to the United States in 1854. Immediately after his arrival he became em- ployed in the cotton mills of David Perry, at what is now Midland Park, continuing in that business for four years. The following twenty-six years he spent with the Wortendyke Manufacturing Company. This Company failed in 1884, when Mr. Krech engaged in business on his own account. In 1895 Mr. Krech retired from active life, after a suc- cessful business career covering a period of more than forty-two years. In politics Mr. Krech is a Democrat. He was the first collector of Midland Park, and is chairman of the school board. He is a charter member of Wortendyke Lodge, 175, Odd Fellows, which was organized twenty-six years ago. In his religinus life, Mr. Krech is a member of the Methodist church. He was married in 1868 to Miss Theresa Lassman, who is also a native of Germany. They have had four children, Rosa, wife of John S. Payne, of Wortendyke; George E., married to Jessie, daughter of the Rev. J. S. Gilbert, former pastor of the Wortendyke Methodist Church; Dora, who died at the age of thirteen years, and Theresa, who is at home unmarried. George E., is manager of the agency account department of the German American Fire Insurance Company of New York. JOHN U. I'OS'I". John H. Post general merchant and postmaster, of Midland Park, is a native of Bergen county born July 22, 1844. His father Henry 1'. Post, is also a native of Bergen county, and a son of Peter Post of Hol- land ancestry. Mr. I'ost had one brother, Peter, who enlisted in the 22nd New Jersey volunteers, and died of wounds received in the army. Our subject received a common school education, and afterwards learned the trade of brick and stone mason, which he followed for a num- ber of years. In 1888 he purchased the property where he is n(jw loca- 288 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY ted, and after improving- it, entered into the retail of general merchan- dise, in which industry and honorable business methods have made him successful. In 1863 he married Miss Louisa Coe, daug-hter of Abram Coe, also of Berg-en county. They have two children, both of whom have received a high school education. Thomas, the son, is assistant in the store with his father. In politics Mr. Post is a Republican. He has been postmaster at Midland Park, for a period of ten years, excepting one year, after which he was reinstated. He has also served as town committeeman, and as school clerk. Mr. Post and family attend the Methodist church. CHAPTER XXIII. WASHINGTON. KAHLY SETTLEMENTS — BOKOLGH KKVKK — FAMILY IHSTOKY — CIVIL LIST — WESTWOOD — PASCACK — \VOODCLIFF BOKOUGH — HILLSDALIC TOWN- SHIP — PARK KIDGE — MONTVALE — BIOGKAPHICAL. The township of Washington was taken from the township of Har- rington by an Act of the Legiskiture passed January 30, 1S40, and was made to consist of all that territory lying wes' of the Hackensack River, which belong'ed to Harrington, at that time. Its area covered 19,525 acres in extent. It was in this part of the old township at a place known as the Overkill Neighborhood, where occurred the surprise and slaughter of Col. Baylor's light horse on the night of. October 27, 1778. A geographical description of Washington township at the time of its formation is as follows: Bounded on the north by Rockland county, N. Y., south b\- Midland and Harrington, east by Harrington and west by Hohokusand Ridgewood. The New Jersey and New York Railroad runs through the township in nearl\' a northerly direction with stations at Etna, Westwood, Hillsdale Manor, Woodcliif, Park Ridge and at Montvale. The borough fever attacked this townsliip in hS'M, and soon after each of the above named places, with one or two exceptions, became the capital of a borough formed within its precincts. First came the formation of the boroughs of Westwood, Woodcliff, Park Ridge, Mont- vale and Eastwood leaving Hillsdale for the center of a rather distorted area, for the old township. Eastwood finally- returned to the township having become tired of borough life. Hillsdale, looking after its own interests organized into a township — in 189S leaving "Old Hook" in the desert waste to look after its own municipality with Etna for its trading post, and the old romantic name of Kinderkamack for its legacy. Etna, or Aetna, as it was formerly called, is located in the old town- ship of Washington. It was originally known as Kinderkamack, the name in accordance with popular tradition being of Indian origin and signifying "the place where the cock crowed." The i)lace was the scene of some of the more important incidents of the Revolutionary period. During the time the American army encamped here, occurred the death of Brigadier General Poor, ime of the bravest generals of the Revolution. His remains were interred in the old cemetery of the Reformed Dutch Church at Hackensack, his funeral obsequies having been attended by both Washington and Lafayette. His grave is marked by a plain slab bearing the following inscription: "In memory of the Hon. Brigadier General Enoch Poor, of the State of New Hampshire, who departed this life on the 8th day of September 1780, aged forty- four Years." 290 HISTOKV OF BEKGEN COUNTY EARLY SETTLEMENTS. The township of Washington in its early history is associated with the names of Wortendyke, Blauvelt, Eckerson, Hering-, Deraarest, Hol- drum. Storm, Brickell, Hopper, Westervelt, Bogert, Van Eniburg, Campbell, Banta, Perry, and others. Many if not all of these names are still represented by later generations, a portion of whom have inherited the paternal estates. The tradition of the fathers have in a few instan- ces been preserved, but with most of these families little of interest is remembered prior to the present century. The Wortendykes are among- the earliest residents of the township, the progenitor of whom was Jacob, who came from Holland at the period prior to the Revolution and settled in Harrington township. He had two sons, Rinear and Frederick, both of whom located in Washington. Rinear married, and had as descend- ants Cornelius, Rinear, Frederick, Albert, and Jacob. The latter was married to Elizabeth Campbell, and had children, Rinear and two daughters. Frederick, the son of Jacob first mentioned, had sons, Fred- erick, Peter and James. Albert, the son of the first Rinear, married and had children, — David, Abram, Rinear, and a daughter, Jane. Abram had two sons, Abram, and Albert A. Frederick F. and Peter Wortendyke each repre- sent other branches of the same family. The Hopper family are of Holland descent, the earliest one remem- bered in VVashington being Abram, who had among his children one Jacob. He resided at Kinderkamack, on property recently occupied by John Smith, and which was formerly the homestead. Jacob had one son, Abram, who settled on ancestral land and had children, — Abram, Garret, Isaac, John, James, and Jacob, and one daughter. Jacob located upon the farm afterwards occupied by his only son, Richard Hopper, and a daughter, Mrs. J. C. Westervelt. Another branch was that of Nicholas Hopper, who resides in Hohokus, and had three sons, John, Jacob, and Andrew. The Brickell family were originally from Rockland County, the first member of whom was probably George, who fell in the Revolutionary conflict. He had two sons, George and Thomas, the latter of whom came to the township of Washington (then Harrington) and pursued the weaver's craft. He was united in marriage to Altye, daughter of William Bogert, and had twelve children, of whom seven reside in the township. The sons were George, John, and David, of whom George and David lived in Washington, and John in Newark. Much of the land now embraced in the village of Westwood belonged to the family. Among the oldest families in the township is that of Bogert, who are of Holland ancestry, and the pioneer of whom was Isaac. See spec- ial sketch. Conrad Storms of Holland descent was probably the first of that family to come to the township. His children were Henry and a daughter. Henry married Margaret Holdrom, and their children were Conrad, Cornelius and two daughters. HISTOKV OK BEKGKN COUNTY 291 Peter Perry was an early resident and ijurchasod a lart^e tract in the north east corner of the township. lie had sons, Peter, Johannes and Jacob. A. P. Perry. Mayor of Park Kidjre, is a descendant of this early settler. The Deniarest family in this township descend from Garret who located on the mill site but recently occujjied by Robert Yates. His sons were Tunis, James, Abram, Samuel and John, all of whom became resi- dents of the township. One of his daug-hters became Mrs. John Hopper. Another branch of the Demarest family was represented bv two brothers John and Abram who settled in the south east part of the town- ship but neither left families. Still another member of this family- Jacobus Deniarest — was a resident of this township, living- first at Old Hook then at Montvale. He had children David, Abram and John and two daug-hters. The sons all lived and died in the township. The Alyea family, none of whom now live in the township, was represented by Jacobus, who was buried in the Old Hook cemeterv dur- ing the latter part of the last century. The earliest of the Banta family to settle in Washington township was John, born October f>ri824, who resided at Pascack. He married Margaret Duryea and had children, Henry, John, Jacob, and Agnes. The Westervelt family are among the earliest settlers in the town- ship. Casparus I. had a son John C. who was married to Agnes Van- derbeck, and had children, Casparus I., Sarah and Martyntie. Casparus I. married Maria Van Riper and had one son. Captain J. C. Westervelt of West wood. *"The Blauvelt family are of Holland descent, and associated with some of the most stirring events of the Revolutionary period. Among a large family of brothers were Jacobus and Cornelius D.. the former of whom settled near Mont Vale and had four sons — James, John, David, and Tunis — and six daughters. Among these sons his land, embracing a tract of two hundred acres, was divided. All but Tunis left descend- ants. John I., the son of John, was a resident in the township. Cor- nelius D., a soldier of the Revolutionary war, had a son, David C, who was the father of James D. and John D. Blauvelt. both residents of Washington. "At the home of Cornelius D. Blauvelt, whose wife was a member of the Hering family, occurred one of the most heartless massacres of the Revolution — the surprise and slaughter of a detachment of Col. Bay- lor's command. The spot upon which the Blauvelt home was located, as described to the historian by one of the descendants of the family, was at River Vale, on the west side of the river, on the site of the house more recently occupied by L. Cleveland, the original structure having long since been demolished. The night was severely cold, and the troops were quartered in the barn, the officer in command with some of his subordinates having been more comfortably provided for at the house. Guards were stationed about the place, who at three successive ♦From the History of Bereen and Pass.iic Counties. 292 HISTOKV OF BEKGEN COUNTY times reported to the officer the impossibility of longer enduring the terrible cold. He remarked to the troops that they must protect them- selves as the guards were relieved. A part}- of Hessians surrounded the buildings, and at once directed their attention to the barn where most of the troops were quartered. The major and surgeon, who were in the house, were taken prisoners. The defenseless soldiers found escape impossible. They were captured and slaughtered without quarter, and their bodies thrown into a neighboring tan-vat; but three escaped by fleeing to an adjoining wood and secreting themselves. " The Hering family are of Dutch descent, and intimately associ- ated with the early history of the county. Four brothers purchased a tract of one thousand acres in New York State, the deed bearing date 172'), and subsequently an additional six hundred in Washington (then Harrington) township, upon which three cousins, sons of the original settlers, and all named Cornelius, located, each of whom was given a tract embracing two hundred acres. One portion of this land was situ- ated at Pascack, the descendants of the son who settled here being William, John, Cornelius and James. One of the four brothers first named was Abram A. F. Hering, whose son Cornelius Abram, settled upon the farm afterward occupied by Abram C. Hering. The children of Cornelius A. were Ralph, Abram, and four daughters. Both sons located upon the family estate. The children of Ralph were Cornelius R. and David. David had two sons, Ralph D., and David, the former of whom resided in the township. The earlier members of this family were identified with many of the Revo- lutionery scene which transpired in the township." CIVIL LIST. The following is the list of freeholders since the organization of the township: 184U-42, Garret I. Demarest; 1341. Thomas Achenbach; 1842-4.\ 1.S45, 1853, Henry Blauvelt; 1843, 1845-46, 1851, Cornelius R. Harring; 184(i, John Achenbach; 1847-4'J, James I. Demarest; 1847-50, Harmon F. Van Riper; 1850-51, John P. Duryea; 1852-53, John I. Ackerman; 1852, James D. Van Horn; 1854, 1856, Cornelius G. Ackerson; 1854, Henry H. Kingsland; 1856-58, Andrew M. Hopper; 1857-59, Benjamin Z. Van Emburgh; 1859-61, Peter R. Wortendyke; 1860.62, James L. Ackerman; 1862-64, Thomas Van Orden; 18()3-64, 1866, 1870, Jacob D. Van Em- burgh; 1866, Frederick F. Wortendyke; 1867, Abraham Van Emburgh; 1867-69, James G. Harring; 1868-69, John Christopher; 1870-72, Nicholas B. Ackerman; 1873-75, Thomas Post; 1876-78, B. S. Demarest; 1879, Abraham C. Holdrum; 1880-81, Thomas Eckerson; 1889-90, Garret Her- ing; 1891-97, Isaac D. Bogert; 1898-99, J. A. Eckerson. Township Clerk, 1840-41, Cornelius R. Haring; '42-43-45, Henry G. Banta; '46-48, P. M. Holdnm; '49-51, John C. Westervelt; '52-54, '56-58; "55, Frederick Wortendyke, Jr.; Frederick P. Van Riper; '59-61, Henry G' Hering; ■(>2-63, Jacob J. Storms, '65-67, Garret R. Haring; '68-70, Gar- HISTOKV OF BKKGEN COTNTY 2'J3 ret J, Lydecker: "71-73. John 1*. Wortendyko; '74-7(>, James A. Acker- mau; '77-79, John J. Meyers; "80-81, Garret J. Wortendyke; '82 (Garret J. Wortendyke; 'S,V84-S5, Schuyler Bauta; '86-87-88; Garret N. Aekennan; '89-91, Edward Sarson; '92-99, John H. Ackerman. Assessors, 1840-42, (iarret S. Detnarest; 1843-4f., John A. D^marest; 1847-49, John I. Demarest; 1850-51, James K. Bo-^ert; 1852-54, George T. Brickell; 1855-57, John P. Johnson; 1858-60. James G. Herins^; 18(.l- ()3, Garret F. Hering; l864-6(>, 1873-75. Peter M. Holdron; 1867-(.9, John H. Demarest; 1870-72. Louis M. Plauck; 1876-78, F. F. "Wortendyke; 1879-81. Henry G. Hering-; 1882-83-84. John P. Wortendyke; 1885-86-87, John H. Ackerman; 1888, John H. Wortendyke; 1889-90, John H. Wort- endyke; 1891-96, John G. H. Knoner: 1897-98. John W. Kinmouth; 1899, Nicholas Cleveland. Collectors, '40-42, Casparus I. Zabriskie; 43-46, Peter F. Van Kiper; 47-49, Henry Achenbach; 50-51, John P. Westervelt; 52, Jacob J. Storms, 53, 55-56, 66-()8, Peter R. Wortendyke; 54, Abraham Bergen; 57-59, Abraham Van Emburgh; ()0-62, Cornelius F. Crouter; 63-65, H.-nry (i. Hering; 69-71, Albert Z. Ackerman; 72-74, John H. Ackerman; 72-75, John H. Ackerman; 75-77, Garret J. Lydecker; 78-81, Jacob M. Myers; 82-83-84, Peter R. Wortendyke; 85, Isaac D. Bogert; 86-87-88, Andrew H. Smith; 89-92, Andrew H. Smith; 93-95. John A. Eckerson; 96-98, John Heck; 99, John H. Ackerman. Township Committees, 1840-42, John R. Blauvelt; '40-41, David Bogert; '40, Cornelius Ackerman; '40-41, James L Demarest; '40-43, '49- 51, John Flearoboam; '41-43, 45, Herman Van Riper; '42-43, 45, 49-51, J. A. L. Demarest; '42-43, 45, John P. Perry; '43, 45-46, Lawrence Van Buskirk; '45:47, Garret S. Demarest; '46-48, Peter A. Westervelt. J. A. Lozier, Isaac Mabie ; '47-49, Peter Crouter; '48-49, James P. Westervelt ; '49-51, Henrv Pullis; '50, Garret C. Ackerman, Cornelius R. Haring; '51. J. Z. Van Blarcora, William C. Holdron; '52-53. A. H. Westervelt; '52- 54, James L. Ackerman, Garret J. Lydecker ; '52. J. H. Van Emburgh ; '52-53, James A. Campbell ; '53-54, '76-78, Thomas Van Orden ; '54-56. 64-66, Albert A. L. Demarest; '54-55, Andrew M. Hopper; '55-56, Benja- min S. Demarest; '55-57. (>l-62. Frederick Crouter; '55, James Demarest, Jr.; '57-59, Peter J. Banta ; '56-58, 69-71, Henry Z. Ackerman; '56-,S8, 63- 65, John A. Ackerman; '57-59, H. A. L. Demarest; '58-60, Nicholas B. Ackerman; '59-60, John P. Johnson; '59-60, Jacob Z. Van Blarcom ; '60- 62, Thomas Post; '60-62, 73-75. Anthony C. Tice ; "61-63, John I. Blau- velt. David A. Campbell ; '6.3-65. William A. Demarest. Garret J. Hopi)er; '64-66, Thomas D. Blanch; '66, Nicholas A. Demarest; '66-68, David Tice. F. F. Wortendyke. Jr.; '67-69, Garret F. Hering, Daniel J. Post, Jacob H. Van Derbeck ; '(.9. John W. Christie; '70-72, John A. Felter, Abram J. Allen. John A. L. Blauvelt. Stephen J. (ioetschius; '72-74, David Brickell; '73-75, Richard Van Derbeck; '7.V74, John Messenger; '73-75, Abram Si. Van Horn ; '75-77, Garret D. Van Bussf)m, Isaac Onderdonk ; '76-78, Samuel B. Demarest, John I). Durie ; '78-80. Abram A. Campbell; '78-79, Mercelius Post; '79-81. .\1>ram Gurnee: ■80-81, 294 HISTOKY OF BEKCfEN COUNTY Schuyler Banta ; '81, John Henry Ackerman ; '82, Schuyler Bauta, John Henry Ackerman, James Alfred Ackerman ; '83, John Henry Ackerman, James Alfred Ackerman, Jacob D. Demarest ; '84, James Alfred Acker- man, John J. Myers, J. H. Wortendyke ; '85, John J. Myers, J. H. Wort- endyke, Gilbert Bell; '86, Gilbert Bell, J. H. Wortend3-ke, Abram S. Van Horn; '87, Gilbert Bell, Abram S. Van Horn, A. J. House; '88, Abram S. Van Horn, A. J. House, J. C. Blauvelt ; 'S'), W. D. Ackerman; ''»0, W. D. Ackerman ; "Jl, Daniel O' Mara, W. D. Ackerman ; '<)2, Daniel O 'Mara, John H. Ackerman ; '93, Daniel O'Mara, John H. Ackerson, A. B. Van Emburg-h ; '94, John B. Lozier, John H. Ackerson, A. B. Van Emburgfh; '95, David L. Lwkwood, John B. Lozier, A. B. Van Emburg-h; '96, David L. Lockwood, Abram A. Hopper, John B. Lozier; '97, David L. Lockwood, Peter J. Westervelt, Thomas C. Demarest; '98, Daniel O'Mara, Peter J. Westervelt, Thomas C. Demarest; '99, John G. H. Knoner, Daniel O'Mara, Peter J. Westervelt. WEST WOOD. Westwood, a beautiful village 21.6 miles from New York on the New Jersey and New York Railroad, has a population of about one thou- sand persons. The land occupying this site was purchased of John Mar- sellus on the 26th of March, 1765, in the fourth year of the reign of George HI, and another tract ajdoining, was bought of Jacob Hopper April 5, 1780 by Isaac Bogert, of New York, who was the ancestor of Isaac D. Bogert, the present mayor of Westwood. Albert Bogert, son of Isaac, was a carpenter, and having fallen from the roof of a building and broken his leg, his father was induced to move from the cit}' to this township, where he purchased in all five hundred acres of land, one tract of which nearly covers the site of Westwood. David I. Bogert, George T. Brickell and David Brickell were the first to cause a survey to be made of the lots for a village at this place. Isaac, grandson of Isaac and grandfather of Isaac D. Bogert lived here fifty years ago. His son David, the father of Isaac, was killed on the Midland railroad at Central Avenue, Hackensack in 1871. Mr. Isaac D. Bogert rebuilt the old house in 1852. The old mill just below the house was rebuilt in 1823. In 1869 Isaac D. Bogert and Z. B. Van Emburgh built the first store in the village. It is now one of the leading stores in the county. Z. B. Van Emburgh was the grandson of Henry and Mary Voorhis Van Em- burgh and son of Albert and Hannah Zabriskie Van Emburgh, and brother to H. A. and Nicholas Van Emburgh, all of Washington Town- ship. He was the father of Albert Van Emburgh, now of the firm of Bogert and Van Emburgh. The Westwood Hotel was built by A. B. Bogert at this time and was the beginning of the village history of Westwood. In i870 at the time of the building of the railroad. Dr. S. J. Zabriskie, now the old- est practicing physician in the county located here, at which time there were only two or three houses in the place. At present there are three HISTORY OK RK1«;HN COUNTY 295 grocery stores, one hardware store, two churches and two hotels and other places of importance. The Bsrough of W'estwood was formed in 1 894, the first officers of the incorporation being: as follow^: — Isaac D. Bogfert, Mayor; W. W. Voorhis, John C. Kent, J. H. Ackcrson, George \V. CoUignon, Walter Ray, George W. Youmans, Council; James E. Demarest, Clerk. Mr. Bogert was followed by T. G. Brickcll, Mayor, who held the office four years. The officers for iS99 are: Isaac D. Bogert, Mayor; Dr. S. J. Zabriskie, Walter DeBaun, Walter G. Ray. John W. Horn, A. B. Bogert, John J. Blauvelt, Council; Charles D. Westervelt, Clerk. The Borough of Westwoo(l was formed into one school district at the time of its organisation. The school building was erected at a cost of four thousand dollars. A Union Chapel was built in the place in i878. On August 25, 1886, on Sunday at one o'clock p. m. a fearful cyclone tore down the church, and schoolhouse, and damaged other buildings. CHUKCHES. Religious services were for a period held at a public hall in West- wood, but a building was erected in 1872 at a cost of $4000, and union services regularl}- conducted by clergymen from Closter, Schraalenburgh and other villages. This house was destroyed, and rebuilt at a cost of S4000, and an elegant school house was also erected. The edifice has since that time received important additions, and the church is supported by a membership of one hundred and thirteen. It started with twenty-seven persons. The Rev. David Talmage, nephew of Dr. DeWitt Talmage, formerly of Brooklyn, N. Y., was called to the pastorate of this church in 1887, and is still in charge of the congregation. Isaac D. Bogert gave the grounds for the church building, and has been one of the elders since its organization. A Catholic Church, having a limited membership, was established twelve or fifteen years ago. It has no resident pastor. The borough of Westwood is supplied with excellent cool, clear, spring water, for domestic use. Mr. C. S. De Baun first drove a number of wells, which, for a scries of years, suj)plied the people through tanks, but subsequently an inexhaustable supply of spring water was found, which abundantly supplies both the fire de])artment, and the water for domestic purposes. The Fire Department of Westwood is under the control of one capable foreman and thirty-six voluntary assistants, while one marshal and constables look after the peace of the borough. IS.'\.\C D. Boc.i;i agreed to ha\e two church buildings, one c and 1874 the church and jparsonage were remodeled, at an expense of about four thousand live hundred dollars, after which Rev. Alexander McKelvy was stated supply for three months. Rev. Edward Lodewick, the present jiastor, accepted a call from tlie consistory in the year 1875. The present officers of the Church are as follows: Elders H. C. Neer, A. J. Ackerman, Isaac Forshay, J. H. Ackerman; Deacons. J. K. Mabie, C. Cronk, I. Donaldson, O. J. Ackerman; Sexton, Josejdi Daw- son. 300 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY The old Pascack cemetery, uear the church, is also of great ag-e, several of the memorial stones bearing- that date 1745. These are engraved in rude fashion, and are mostly in the Dutch language. Those erected at a later day bear date 1790, 1796, 1800, 1813, etc. The following is the legend upon the tablet erected to the memory of one of the most eminent of the sons of Washington township: Here rests the remains of Hon. Jacob R. Wortendyke, born in Ber- gen County, N. J., November 27, 1818, died at Jersey City, November 7, 1868. After he had served his own generation, by the will of God he fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers. The old burying-ground connected with the Pascack Church has been in use for years, and is still maintained as the place of interment for many of the families of the township. Among the inscriptions are these : In memory of Sarah Peack, wife of Jacobus Demarest, who died March 17, 1820, aged 80 years and 8 days. The voice of this alarming scene. May every heart obey ; Nor be the heavenly warning vain That calls to watch and pray. In memory of Margaret Pulis, wife of Jacob Post, who departed this life March 31, 1826, aged 25 years, 3 months, and 22 days. In memory of David Wortendyke, who departed this life August 2, 1827, aged 19 years, 6 months, and 29 days. In memory of Peter Cambell, who departed this life September 15, 1819, age 1 year, i month, and 2 days. In memory of Daniel Peck, who died November, 1819, aged 76 years, 9 months, and 2 days. Daniel I. Hering, born November 17, 1775, died January 13. 1815, aged 39 years, 7 months, and 29 days. In memory of Maria Ackerson, wife of Isaac Debaun, born October 27, 1730, died April 18, 1817, ag-ed 86 3-ears, 10 months and 12 days. The Old Hook cemetery lies in the southeastern portion of the town- ship, and is intimately connected with the earlier deaths in the town- ship. It has been used by many of the prominent families of Washing- ton, and carefully maintained since its incorporation by an act of the State Legislatnre. Among the families who "have buried here are the Coopers. Alyeas, Bogerts, Hoppers, etc. There are several other private burial-places within the township limits. Woodcliff Borough was organized in 1894. It has a population of about four hundred. The official vote given in November 1898 was eighty-five. The first officers of the borough were: S. B. Read, Mayor; J. H. Wortendyke, Assessor; William English, Collector; Martin J. Meyers, C. A. Felter, F. F. Wortendyke, Garret J. Acuerman, Walter Stanton, F. P. Van Riper, Council; Richard Storms, Clerk. Mr. J. H. Ackerman was elected Mayor in 1896, and re-elected in March 1899. The remaining ofiicers for this year are J. H. Wortendyke, Assessor; A. J. HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 301 Ackerman, Collector; J. H. Post. C. A. Feltcr. C. A. Lowrie, T. H. Tice, Georg-e Mudikingf, Garret Cronk, Council : (t. J. Wortcndyke. Clerk. HILLSDALE TOWNSHIP. This a township within a township, having the village of Hillsdale for its central or business location. The village is desirably located on the New Jersey and New York Railroad, having its mercantile and business interests dating from the building of that road. CHURCHES. There are two churches at Hillsdale, of which the Methodists were first. Religious services were originally conducted under the auspices of the Rev. E. M. Garton, and the society was organized in 1875. The building lot was donated by D. P. Patterson in 1876, upon which an edifice was erected. Services have continued here regularly from the time of the organization in both pulpit and Sunday school work. Rev. Mr. Thomas was pastor in 1899. There is also an Episcopal Church, of which the Rev. Henry M. Ladd was rector until 1895. There are three schools in the township of Hillsdale, one at the village, occupying a two-story four-room building, recently erected. Three teachers are employed in this school. Of the first school houses in the township, there is no definite record. In 1856 a school house one mile west of Hillsdale, on the road from Pascack to Paters(m, was erected. Mr. W. W. Banta, a resident of Hillsdale and now a teacher in Hackensack, taught there. David P. Patterson built the first store in the village about the time the railroad was built, or a little before that time. He let it to H. (i. Hering, who conducted it for a number of years. Then came John U. Voorhis, and one or two others. John F. Winters now owns the prop- erty. There are also one or two other places of business in the village and one hotel. Hillsdale Township was set off in the Spring of 1S9S. This organi- zation was effected through the interventitm of (). S. Thrall, J. H. Riley, J. F. Winters, David A. Demarest, Herndon Kohrs, A. C. Hold- man and others. Election for officers held Tuesday, April 19, l,S9S resulted as follows: Arthur J. Stever, Freeholder; Orrin S. Thrall, Collector; John A. Storms, Assessor; Sanford Bogert, George H. Sea- man, Edward L. Greenin, Town Committee; William W. Banta, Town- ship Clerk. Officers elected Tuesday, March 14, 1899, are as follows : Freehold- er, John H. Riley; Collector, Orrin S. Thrall; Assessor, Cornelius H. DeVoe ; Township Committee, George H. Seaman, Sanford Bogert, Edmond L. (Jreenin ; Township Clerk, William W. Banta. "The Hillsdale Manor," a group of beautiful suburban residences, called formerly, Hillsdale Terrace, by F. J. Finlay, its projector, lies 302 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY within the bounds of the village of Hillsdale. This place contains one summer hotel and a number of beautiful residences built by the Hillsdale Improvement Company, of which Arthur J. Stever is president. PARK RIDGE. Park Ridg-e is situated one mile north of Woodcliff, and is the center of business interest in that part of the township. Here the Mittag & Voider Company have their works, a business that reaches out to every country on the globe. In a mercantile way the Gurnee family were long identified with Park Ridge. Abram Gurnee, son of Levi, owned and operated a store here for twenty years. He was murdered in his place of business about the year of the Centennial. A Mr. Rawitzer now has the store. G. H. Teimeyer, owner of another store came to the village in 1880. The hotel at this place was formerly used by- a Mr. Bannister for a private school. It finally passed into the hands of Gil- bert Ackerman, who turned it into a hotel. Mr. John Johnson now owns the property. Manufacturing of bobbins was begun here by A. Wortendyke many years ago, but the business has since passed away. Mittag & Volger do a large business the world over in the manufacture of carbon paper, ribbons, line inks and other supplies for the type-writer trade. They first built a factory in 1889, and again 1895. This was burned down September 9th, 1897, and rebuilt that same fall. They employ now about forty men, and make shipments to New York, Chicago, San Fran- cisco, Toronto, London, Paris, Cologne, Bombay and Sidney. A good school building in Park Ridge was erected a few years ago, in which are employed four teachers. There is also a Congregational Church, of recent origin but it is a small congregation and has no pas- tor at the present time. PARK KIDGE BOKOtlGH. This borough was organized in 1895, but originated in the Park Ridge Improvement Association instituted in 1889, by W. B. Smith and others, for the improvement of that part of old Pascack. Through the efforts of that society of public spirited gentlemen, avenues were laid out, trees planted, and lights placed at suitable intervals along the highways, the public school interests were fostered and cognizance taken of every public need. The officers were: W. B. Smith, president. Dr. E. (iehl, first vice-president; J. E. Brooks, second vice-president; J B. H. Storms, secretary; W. Park, treasurer; J. Freebes, sergeant-at- arms. As time progressed local interest in g-ood roads, taxes for schools and other improvements led to the formation of the borough under legislative enactment as a better way for the securing of these neces- sities; and accordingly the borough was voted for. May 4, 1894, and the first borough meeting held June 2ist, that year, with officers elect as follows: Mayor, H. C. Neer; Councilmen: Francis Wheaton, Theodore G. Volger, Jacob H. Hall, James A. Heale, James Leach, John J. FKANK (). MITTAC. 304 HISTOKY OF BERGEN COUNTY Storms. Election contested and set aside. At new election August 7th James H. Weild elected Mayor; Councilmen: James A. Heale, Theodore G Volger, Jacob H. Hall, Eugene Gehl, James Leach, John J. Storms. Present officers are: Mayor, Andrew P. Perry; Council: Geo. Braus- grove Isaac B. Herring, Alonzo J. House, Arthur Lesoil, James S. Mittao- John S. Storms; Assessor, Robert A. Libbald ; Collector, Geor-"e J. Stark; Commissioner of Appeals, William D. Woodly, Peter E Wortendyke, William Denton; Board of Education, William D. Woodly, Theodore F. Granger, William H. Romaine; Borough Clerk. George Ritter. FRANK O. MITTAG. Among manufacturers in America, who are known to the com- mercial world on both sides of the Atlantic, should be mentioned the name of Frank O. Mittag, inventor and manufacturer of Park Ridge, N J Mr. Mittag is the son of John C. L. and Caroline (Herms) Mittao- who are both natives of Prussia, Germany. Mr. Mittag's father'is a landscape gardener, a profession to which the flower-lovmg German is so admirably adapted. His mother is a descendant from the Herms and Schillings, who in Prussia, for more than a century have been noted manufacturers of tobacco and cotton, and also of Chinaware Frank O. Mittag was born August 1, 1855, at Marshland, Richmond county New York. He has, however, been a resident of Park Ridge since 1886. In i889 he began business with Mr. J. H. W. Maclaghan, under the firm name of Mittag, Maclaghan & Co., manufacturing type- writer carbon papers, transfer papers, stamping inks, numbering machine inks copying inks for use in connection with typewriter machines, and in fact eVerything in the line of carbon transfer, duplicating and copy- ing papers, "ribbons and ink for use on the typewriter machine, dating machines, numbering machines, stamping machines, etc. A chano-e in the firm was made in 189i when Mr. Maclaghan re- tired from the firm, disposing of his interest to Mittag and Volger, the firm since then being known as Mittag & Volger. Mr. Maclaghan then went to New York city where he has since had the sale of all goods manufactured by this firm. . Prior to 1899 Mr. Mittag was connected with a house in JNew York, which manufactured the same goods he is now making. In fact he is the original maker, inventor, and perfector of many of the inks used for making typewriter ribbons, carbon papers, etc, for use on the various typewriting machines. When the typewriting machine was put on the market in 1870 to 75, Mr. Mittag saw that many changes in its con- struction were necessary in order to make perfect impressions through an inked ribbon, that would be legible, and copy plainly, and also that it mi-ht be possible to make duplicate copies, by alternating the carbon with^the white paper, making the impressions through the ribbon and he various carbons at one and the same time. About 1880 the machines had come to a perfected state, and since that date the sale of all sorts of typewriter supplies has grown to enormous proportion. HISTOKY OK BKKGHN COUNTY 305 Carbon paper invented in Eng-land, fifty, or probably sixty years ag-o, and still in use there, is made of lamp black and g-rease, a soft and smutty production, unsuiled to the uses retpiired in this country. Mr. Mittag claims to be the veteran American carbon paper and ribbon maker for writing machines, transfer, and pen and i)encil work. Under the new lirm, trade so increased, that after a period of five years the business had so outgrown the older buildings, as to make it neces- sary to erect a new factory and offices. The new structures were placed near the railroad stations, and furnished with new and more modern and improved machinery. These new buildings were burned September '), lcS97, Init were immediately replaced Ijy the present ones which were occupied in less than three months after the fire, and ever since that time the business has been carried on more extensively than at any time preceeding". The present office and buildings of the comi)any are sliowii in tin- accompanying views. THEODOKE C, VOLOEK. HISTORY OK BHKGKN COUNTY 307 KX-MAY()K THICODOK]-: (",. VOI.GEK. Ex-mayor Theodore G. Volg-er of Park Ridge is of German origin tracing his ancestry back to 1307, and may be said to belong to a family of mayors. In 1310, Dietrich Volger was Mayor of the city of Hanover, Germany, and more than a century later — in 1420 — Goedecke Volger held the same oifice. Following in direct line through a little more than three centuries, in 1725, we find Otto Johan Volger, mayor of the same important city. Ever since 1420 members of this family have represented, uninter- ruptedly, the cit}- of Hanover, in the highest offices, such as Senators etc. One of the principal streets in Hanover is named "Volger's Way," and one of the family is now General-Adjutant to the Ex-CJueen of Han- over living in Vienna, Austria. The coat-of-arms of the family is now in the Museum of Hanover, being one of the oldest on record. Theodore G. Volger was born in Augusta, Georgia, February 2(i, 18f)7, and is the son of Gustavus G. Volger and Sophie Huneken. Having been educated at Detmold and Lemgo, Germany, where he received a high school education, he returned to America and began business in New York city in the dry goods trade where he remained during the year 1886. The following year he engaged in the export of cotton, succeeding which came three years' experience in the dry goods * business in Charleston, South Carolina. In August 1891, he returned North locating at Park Ridge, N. J., where he has since been associated with Mr. F. O. Mittag in the manufacture of typewriter supplies. Their trade is a large one, goods being shipped in great quantities to all parts of the world. Mr. Volger is also active in local affairs. In 1S'(4 he was elected councilman of Park Ridge borough, serving three years and at the close of this term of office was elected Mayor serving one term. He is also vice president of the Eureka Building and Loan Association of Park Ridge. Mr. Volger's military career covered a period of three years, as a private in the F'irst Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, from 1888 to l.S'U. Mr. \'olger married Miss May Marjorii' Smilli. WII.I.IAM BKNJAMIN SMITH. William Benjamin Smith, a prominent figure in the organization of of the Borough of Park Ridge, is a son of Alexander and M ary S. ( Johnson ) Smith. His paternal grandparents were William an0 boug-ht and edited the " Tar boro Mercury." Putting aside all business at the call to arms on April 17, 1861, he entered the Confederate service in which he continued until the close of the Rebellion in 1865, when a surrender of his command was made to General Hartranft at Greensboro, N. C, on May 1. Going back into the puljlishing business in this same year, he be- came owner and publisher of "Southern P^ield and Fireside," with sundry other periodicals, in connection with a bookstore at Raleigh, N. C." In January, 18()8, he came North and entered the emplo^-ment of A. S. Barnes & Co., of New York, school book publishers, remaining with them five years. At the time of leaving their employment Mr. Smith was receiving a salary of four thousand two hundred and fifty dollars per year, all his living expenses, and three per cent of the firm's annual profits. In 1873 Mr. Smith organized and incorporated the Authors' Pub- lishing Company, succeeded by W. B. Smith & Co., at 27 Bond street. New York, where he conducted a regular book publishing business until 1885. He moved to Park Ridge in 18S3, and became the founder of the Improvement Association, and this led to the formation of the Borough of Park Ridge, then known as " Pascack," where there were at that time only one hundred population. Here he accidentally drifted into real estate and sold out his publishing business in 1885. Mr. Smith, in 1862, at Goldsboro, N. C, married Miss Penelope Churchill, by whom he has one child living, a daughter, now a widow, and through whom he has one granddaughter. He was married a second time in 1878, at Dover, N. J., to Louise Capsadell. Mr. Smith held the office of Justice of the Peace at Park Ridge from 1889 to 1898, but declined a re-election. He is a member of Fidelity Lodge, F. A. M., No. 1 13, at Ridgewood, and is also a Royal Arch Mason, Council Mason and 32d. He was confirmed in the Episcopal Church but is now a Swedenborgian in religion. He still retains on Knotts Island, Currituck County, N. C, the old "homestead" where he was born, owned by his forefathers, whereon the dwelling was built in 1799, of imported bricks. MONTVALK. The land on which the hamlet of Montvale is located, was originally owned by Jacobus Demarest, and was later purchased and buildings erected by various parties from time to time. Among the early settlers of the upper portion of Bergen county and the lower portion of Rockland county, N. Y. were a numlier of Low Dutch and German families, who were, while in the Fatherland, either HISTOKY OK BEKOEN COrNTY 309 members of the Lutheran Church or whose sympathies were strons^iy enlisted in behalf of this cont^TeyHtion. These families were forme(l into a congregation in 1745, under the pastoral care of Rev. II. M. Muhlenbergh, D.D., and a house of worshi]) built at Ramapo, N. Y. near the State boundary- line. The borough of Montvale was organized inlH9(). The lirst officers of the borough were as follows : — Jacob Terkuile, Mayor; William I. Weller, H. W. Ellsworth, Auguste Avenengo, Fred Steiner, S. S. Barie, John W. Allison, Council; Edward Brown, Clerk; J. D. Van Riper, Assessor; John B. Herring, Collector. The present officers are Garret F. Herring, Mayor; Rasmus J. San- dall. Garret Van Houten, John F. Hering, Samuc! Rudlun, Arnold J. D. Heins, Council; Jas. D. Van Riper, Assessor; Freeman C. Ackerman, Collector; John B. Herring. Clerk; Garret F. Herring, Sidney Genung, Justices of the Peace. The Hering family are of Holland ancestry. The progenitor of this branch was Garret F., who resided at Pascack. He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Campbell, to whom was born one daughter, — Rachel. She was married to David Hering, who had one son, — Ralph, born February 28, 1809, on the homestead in Washington, foiAierly known as Harrington township. He passed the early portion of his life on the farm of his grand-father, whom he succeeded as owner and culti- vator of the family estate. He was married to Gertrude, daughter of Judge John R. Blauvelt, of Old Hook, in the township before men- tioned. They had children— Garret R. and Rachel Ann (Mrs. Aaron Rider) of Schraalenburgh. The birth of Garret R. occurred February 2(>, 1831, at Tappan, in Washington township, where his early years were passed. His education was acquired first at the academy under the management of David I. Cole, and later at Hackensack, when Jacob Wortendyke filled the role of instructor. Being desirous of a career of independence he engaged in teaching, his earliest field of labor being Cumberland county, N. J., where he remained for two years, afterwhich he repaired to Bergen county and followed the same vocation. The inherited love of agricultural pursuits led him eventually to ad. It was a house built of rough stone and finished after the old fashion, with slab benches. This house was near the residence of Peter Board, but over a hundred years ago, probably another house similar in style, was erected to take its place on the west side of Paramus road, and this in turn was succeeded by one near the mill of David Baldwin. Finally Mr. (iarret A. Hopper erected a frame edifice at his own expense, which for a period of eighteen years was the schoolhouse of the District. The present school district was formed in 1833, The district event- ually leased the land owned by Mr. Hopper for a period of twety-five years at a nominal cost of one dollar, and the edifice used was erected at a cost of three hundred and fifty-six dollars. This was superseded HISTORY OK BKKOKN COUNTY 311 by a new building of modern arohitcclure and furnished with all tho hi lost improvements, which cost all told, two tlmusand five hundred dollars. Among the many teachers in this district, the name of .Mr. (leorge Ackenbach should be mentioned. He taught for forty dollars a month and board for his labor. Afterward he became cashier of the Merchants Bank of New York for many years, and at the time of his death was president of the Bank of Bergen County. MIDL.Wl). In the History of Bergen and Passaic Counties we find a sketch of the early settlement in this town, which we give in full, as follows: "Among the oldest families is that of Zabri.-Aie. the jvrogenitor of whom was one Albert Saboroweski,t who emigrated to America in the Dutch ship "Fox" during the year lf>(>2. He was of Polish descent, and was united in marriage to a Miss Van Der Linde, after which he settled in Bergen county. His five sons were John, Jacob, (leorge, Henry and Christian, one of whom, probably .Jacob, was stolen by the Indians. On his recovery the red men gave as an apology for the theft the fact that they wished to instruct him in their language, in which he afterwards became proficient. As an evidence of their gwod faith they gave his father the title to the patent of land known as the "New Paramus patent," containing nineteen hundred and seyenty-seven acres. Saboro- weski is said to have studied for the ministry in the Lutheran Church, but, not being satisfied with his calling, emigrated to America at the age of twenty, and became the ancestor of the large family of Zabris- kies in Bergen county. Three of the five sons of Albert, aboved named, located in the northern portion of Midland township, Jacob, Hendrick and Christian, each of \yhom left a numerous descent. The homestead of Christian fell by inheritance to C )rnelius. Among the representatives of Jacob were Jacob J., Thomas V. B., David, John C. and Abram S. Another branch of the family located at .Areola, and were formerly from Paramus. The oldest member of this family recalled is John, who resided upon the land afterward owned by Stephen Berdan. lie had five sons, John, Barney, Albert and (leorge. The death of John Zabriskie occurred many years ago, in Saddle River township. The family of Zabriskies is not confined to Midland, but largely represented in other portions of the county. "The pioneer of the Demarest family was David Desinaretz, who emigrated from France about the year 1(>7(., and was one of a large band of Huguenots who left their native land to escape religious per- secution. With him came three sons-David, John, and Samuel. It is related of this gentleman that on his arrival he located on Manhattan Island, where he purchased the whole of Harlem, but subsecjuently dis- t In an old pappr preserved by Hon. Isaac Wortendyke we And llie f.dlowint'; •' Albert Zaborneski is Geboren den, 17 January Anno ITcW ICn is Ovcrleeden Den 17 January Anno 17.=a." This either refers to a later Albert Zabriskie, ;o. The tirst school in Areola District was established in 1821. The salary of the teacher Miss Lydia Westervelt, was raised by contributions from the patrons of the school. An old stone dwelJing- house served for school purposes until i824, when an old red scln)()lhouse standing- in dis- trict twenty-six was purchased and placed on a stonewall so high that four steps were required to reach the entrance. These steps were con- structed of four logs hewn square. This house was fourteen by twenty- four feet, and one story high, the whole costing two hundred dollars. In 1826 Mr. Andrew Cudihy became the teacher, succeeded in 182*> by Mr. John W. House, whose salary was thirty-six dollars per quarter. Mr. James J. Terhune taught the school in 1831, and Mr. Christian Reeder in 1836. These last were paid by the assessment of one 7 Joseph A. Brohel was elected Mayor, and is the preserft Mayor of the borough. The officers for 189'* are as follows: Joseph A. Brohel, Mayor; A. Z. Bogert, James B. Christie, Fred. H. Crum, J. Anderson Zabriskie, Nathan B. Zabriskie, J. Z. B. Voorhis, Assessor; Joseph A. Weston, Collector. The official vote in November 1898 was 162. CHEKKY' HILL. Cherry Hill lies on the Hackensack River less than two miles below River Edge on the New Jersey and New York Railroad. It was early settled by the French, none of whom now remain. It has a post office, a hotel, a church and one or two small stores. The historic building of the place is the Baron Von Steuben Mansion erected in 1757, and now owned by Captain Zabriskie. David A. Zabriskie moved into this house in 1812. There was a mill on the river here which burned down years ago. Formerly the chair making industry was carried on here to some extent. The building of the railroad, however, changed the centre of trade. The hotel was built in 1871 and other buildings fol- HISTORY OK BKRGEN COUNTY 321 lowed soon after. The tornado of July 13, lS't5 blew the hotel down and killed Mr. Freideman, the proprietor and also unroofed a number of houses. The Reformed Church at Cherry Hill, \v;is formed in the Spring; of 1858 by John A. Parsons, a devout Christian man of Hackensack, who visited New Bridge on Sabbath afternoons to instruct the youth. May 2, 1852 a Sabbath school was organized with Mr. Parsons as superinten- dent the success attending the school resulting in meetings for praver and praise service Sabbath evenings, the Rev. Dr. Romeyn of Hacken- sack also frequently attending the meetings. This condition of things continued down to 1875, when the Church was organized. The ground for a Church building was donated by John A. Zabriskie of Hacken- sack and the greater part of the building stone for it was taken from an old house that stood opposite, and which was once owned by Usual Meeker, an officer in the British armv, which encamped in the neighbor- hood during the Revolutionary war. It subsequently became the prop- erty of John Lozier, whose widow carried out the wishes of her husband in the building of the church edifice which was dedicated November 1, 1886 as " The Reformed Church of Cherry Hill and New Bridge." The sermon for the occasion was preached by the Rev. David Inglis of New York. At first the society had about twentj'-five members, over whom Mr. Charles Wood officiated as temporary minister for about two years. The church now has a membership of about fifty persons over whom the Rev. Abram Duryee officiated as pastor. BUKIAI.-PI.ACES. The burial-places in Midland are not numerous, and now but little used, many of the inhabitants at the present day having chosen places of interment outside the township limits. The oldest is probably known as the Spring Valley Cemetery, near the centre of the township, on the farm of Gilliam Zabriskie. It rej)- resents more than a century of use, some of the memorial tablets being of old red sandstone, and much defaced by age. Among the families who have buried here are the Bantas, Demarests, Voorhis, Bertholfs, Kipps, Van Sauns, De Bauns, and Huylers. Among the in- scriptions are the following: In memory of Rebecca, daughter of Samuel and Eftie Bogert, who died on the 12th of December, i807, aged 1 year. 11 months, and (> days. When I lie buried deep in dust. My flesh shall by Thy care: These withered limbs with Thee I trust. To raise them strong and fair. In mcmorv of Henry Banta, who departed this life August 12lh, 1817, aged sixty-six years, one month, and eighteen days. Also of Elizabeth Lake, wife of Henry Banta, who died September 4, 1817, aged sixty-seven years, eight months, and" eighteen days. HISTOKY OK BKKGKN COUNTY 323 I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness has afflicted me. See ! the Lord is good. Blessed is the man that trusteth in him. In memory of Nicholas Demarest, who was born on the .^rd of Mav, 175'), and departed this life February dth, ISll. aged liftv-one years. nine months, and three days. Hier Leir her Lighaem Van Yacob Brouwer is (iestervende 2(. fr \ an Augustus in her laer 1784 was our tifty-efght laer. In memory of Margaret Ackerman, born the lOth of February. 17(i4, and who departed this life September f)th 1805, aged thirty-eight years, six months, and twenty-four days. A very old burial-place, known as the Voorliis burial-ground, is located near New Milford, cm the farm of N. R. Voorhis. It was in use at the time of the Revolutit)nary War, but has since been abandoned. A substantial fence incloses its ancient graves. The two hamlets of River Edge and Cherry Hill are in the borough of Riverside. Both of these places have been trading centres since a very early day. At River Edge there were two stores, one on each side of the river, kept by the Demarests. The wagon teams were constantly busy hauling wood to the place for transportation to New York, the stores there trading salt, sugar and molasses, they being among the products of exchange. The Demarests also had a mill on the river, used over two hundred years ago. During the trying scenes of the Revolution it was known as Old Bridge, and prior to the date of its present christening as New Bridge. Here it was that during the Revolu- tionary War, upon the evacuation of Fort Lee, the troops escaped from the British bv crossing the bridge at this point and afterwards burning it. The village is beautifully located on the slope of a ridge overlooking the depot and railroad, and at the present time is a brisk center of trade. A. Z. Bogert and J. D. Holdrum, each has a store, the former also engaging in the coal and lumber trade. B(>K<)r(;ii oi' :\iAVW()()i). The village of Mavwood is situate4. The offi- cers then elected were Clarence A. Breckinridge, Mayor; Gustav L. Jaeger, John H. Voorhis, John H. Cumberland, Charles Lydecker, Philip Thoma and David H. Price, Councilmen. Mr. David H. Price was next elected Mayor, and he in turn was succeeded by John C. Van Saun, who is now serving his second term. The borough was taken out of Midland Township, and is in extent of territory one and three-fourths by one mile. The official vote cast here in November 1898 was ninety-one. • ■ MAYWOOD AKT TILK WOKKS. The Maywood Art Tile Company whose works and land are situ- ated near the New York, Susquehanna and Western Railroad tracks, west of the Maywood station, is the chief industrial establishment of the thriving Borough of Maywood. This company' was first organ- ized and the works built in the year 1890, under the name of the Elte- rich Art Tile Stove Company with Mr. Gustav L. Jaeger and Henry Lindenmeyer as principal stockholders. The object was the manu- facture of art tile stoves and gratesresembling the ornamental European tile or porcelain stoves, combining with the artistic appearance, the more practical features of the American self-feeding and base-burning stove. These stoves, however, not meeting with the expected favor and success, it was decided to go more extensively into the manufacture of art tiles for the general market. The company was reorganized in the winter of 1892-93 and its name changed to that of Maywood Art Tile Company, when the manufacture HISTOKV OF BKKCtEN COUNTY 325 of art tiles was beg'un at once, under the nianag-ement of Mr. Krnst Bilhuber. The tiles produced are the kind used in our modern buildin HISTOKY OF BKKGKN COUNTY 327 COLONIAL BX'ILDINGS OK MAYWOOD AND VICINITY. Maywood, and the suburbs of the county-seat, Hackensack, can pride itself on the possession of a hirge number of substantial old build- ing's, being- fine specimens of early colonial architecture, landmarks of the early settlements with a typical style all their own. There seems to be three specific types of cohmial architecture in this country. The English noblemen and their offspring, who settled in \'ir- ginia and Maryland developed there an ornamental and pretentious style of architecture, while the Puritans in New England, being men of the most severe simplicity, built houses of a more modest and plain character. It was the Dutch who settled New Jersey, and more especially Bergen A COI.O.NIAI. KKSIIIK.NCK DI' MAVWOOn county, and here we find the greatest originality of taste and character in their colonial buildings, which are superior to both the other classes. If we remember that the Dutch settlers of Bergen county came fnmi a country which at the time of their emigration represented the leading civilization of Europe in industry, commerce and fine arts, being the countrv of Rembrandt, Van Dyke, and the illustrious Dutch School, we find it quite natural that these peojjle have shown culture and taste in their architecture, as is demonstrated in hundreds of buildings all over Bergen count}-. Besides the dwellings, we may mention as fine examples of their style, the churches and especially the First Dutch Reformed Church of Hackensack and the Paramus Church, of which we show illustrations elsewhere in this work. Accompanying this sketch, we have shown a few ])rints of tlie houses in j)roximity to the Maywood R.iilroad station. 328 HISTOKY OK BEKCEN COUNTY All of these houses were built in the last century. The walls are from two to three feet in thickness, of domestic red sandstone, and the mortar used is of the best quality', greatly superior to that in our modern masonwork. The interior woodwork is artistic and well finished. The doors and the necessarily deep window casinffs, are finely paneled, and the mantel pieces well proportioned and sometimes richly carved. All is harmonious with no inartistic feature. The timbers and roofs are. without excepticm, of hewn oak most substantially jointed, and if n( vandalism destroy these monuments of the early Dutch colonial time they will stand and be admired for centuries to come. HISTORY OK BKKCIKN COUNTY 329 MK. GUSTAV I,. JAEGER. Mr. Gustav L. Jaeg-er is a successful New York business man who has made Maywood his home, and where he owns a large tract of land. He is President of the Maywood Land Company and has built an eleg-ant residence, the so called "Colonial Terrace." He has been in this country about forty-six years and has been in active business ever since, generally in the line of paper and its manufacture. He is a patnm of a number of benevolent institutions in New Jersey and New Y( rk. As a practical and active man, he has taken out over seventy Patents, some of which are in world wide use. He was elected a member of the first Borough Council of Maywood and has been Chairman of the Finance Committee ever since. RI'tSlDHNCH .1 >r\v I,. iai:i".i:k As owner of a large tract of land along the New York Southern and Western Railroad running from Hackensack Heights to the Saddle River, he has erected a number of houses, and all the modern improve- ments in the Borough, such as the water supply, electric lights and gas, as well as the macadamized streets, are due to his energy and liberality. MR. KRNST BII.mrHICK. Mr. Uilhuber of Maywood, was born in the south of (Jrermany in the year 1849. He came to this country at the age of twenty and began work in New York, in his profession of designing and consulting engin- eer. In the year 1876 he served as secretary of the (lerman Commission to the World's Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. Through his con- tributions to European technical and industrial papers (luring this time he has helped considerably to make Europe acejuainted with the high industrial development and achievements of this country. Later on he devoted his attention to manufatturing enterjjrises. The large Steel 330 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY Wire Works of R. H. Wolff & Co., of New York, of which concern he is a director, were built under his superintendence. In 1892 he interested himself in the Maywood Art Tile Company, of which he took the management. Since that time he has made Maywood his home, and has taken an active interest in its development and in all local issues of the borough. He served in the iirst Maywood Board of Education, and was chairman of the Building Committee, during the erection of the model school house, of which we publish a good view. He has been influential in organizing the first fire company of the borough, and in 1895 was elected to a seat in the Borough Council, and at the expiration of his first three years' term, was re-elected. Mr. Bilhuber bought for his home one of the old landmarks, the the Brinkerhoif homestead, a substantial stone dwelling, next to the KKNST BII,HI:BEK present railroad station, and has greatly beautified the grounds and improved the house both in its exterior and interior, keeping strictly to the spirit and style of its original architecture. His residence has the appearance of a substantial old colonial homestead of which there are many fine specimens to be found in Bergen county, worthy of preserva- tion and study. JOHN C. VAN .SAUN. John C. Van Saun, Mayor of Maywood, represents an old family in the county who was here before the War of the Revolution. Cornelius Van Saun was the first to locate at Cherry Hill, where his three Sf)ns John C, Cornelius and David were born. John C. Van Saun was born in 1774 and died in 1849. He married Sarah Huyler, and moved first to Rochelle park and in 18.i3 to Maywood. Cornelius, his s!' these, the thirty other c >nipanies then organized gradually disappeared while the Columbia Company was successful in all its undertakings. Its operations soon extended bevond its original territorial limits and becann' world-wide. HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 335 When the American (Irapliophone C()m])anv the owner of the patents was reorganized in 1.S7; John, born in 1689, and Catharine, born in 1692. Nicholas, the fourth child of Francois, was born in 1668, and whose branch of the family write their name Lozier, married in New York, May 8, 1691, Tryntie, daughter of Peter Slot, of New York. After his marriage he removed to Hackensack, N. J. By this marriage Nicholas had eight children, as follows: Hillebrand, born 1695; Petrus, born 1697; Johannes, born February 26, 1699; Mariti^, born May 11. 17(tl; Antie, born October 31, 1703; Lucas, born March 18, 1705; Jacobus, born October 5, 1707, and Benjamin, born October 24, 1708. After the death of his wife Nicholas married in Hackensack Antie Direcksee Banta, daughter of Derieck Banta. His children by this union were Trintie, born March 12, 1710; Hester, born December 16, 1711; Rachel, born May 17, 1714; Jacob, born May 24, 1819; Abram, born July 1, 172i; Leya, born September 22, 1723; Mar- grietje, born April 5, 1726. The genealogical record of the Lozier family has been traced for several generations, and in some lines to date. The descendants of Nicholas Lozier are now living in Bergen county, N. J., and Newburg, Orange county, N. Y. The records of the Dutch churches at Hackensack and Schraalen- burg, N. J. contain the names of several generations of the Lozier family who in their day were quite numerous but are now few in numbers. Nicholas Lozier was a man of importance in local and church affairs. In the records of the Hackensack church we find that he was accepted as a member, on confession of faith, April 4, 1702. He was elected churchmaster in place of Roelof Westerveldt May 1712, was elected deac(m in place of Derik Blinckerhof, May 14, 1713, and elected elder in place of Jacob Banta in May 1723. During these years the movement of the people was eastward to- ward the Hudscra, lands were cleared and farms were occupied at Schraal- enburg, and as early as 1724 it was ff)und necessary to establish a church at Schraalenburgfor the convenience of the people of that neighborhood who had been accustomed to worship at Hackensack. Nicholas Lozier was among those in this forward movement and was elected one o( the first elders in the new church and was one of the six elders who called Rev. Georgius Wilhelmus Mancius to the pastorate of this church De- cember 23, 17,^0. This was his last church connection, and he was sue. ceeded as an officer by his children and grandchildren. In Ulster county. New York the descendants of Francois I^e Sueur have been known as Le Suer, Leeshueur, Lashiere and Lasher. Tluy were loyal to the colonial government. In the documentarv hist()r\ of 340 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY the state of New York we lind the names of Hiklebrant, John and Nicholas, sons of Francois among those who in 1689 were supporters of the local authorities of the county of Ulster. They were an intensely patriotic people and were among the first to oiTer their services to aid the cause of liberty in the war of the Revolution. No less than sixteen of this family were in the service of the state of New York and New Jersey. Dunlap's History of New York, Vol. 2, page 216 published in 1840, gives an account of the organizing of the committee of one hundred and their address to the Lord Mayor of London stating that "the city of New York is as one man in the cause of liberty," etc. The address is signed by the committee, John Lasher being one of their number. In the arch- ives of the state of New York is documentary evidence showing the valu- able services of Colonel John Lasher and others of the family. Bergen County, N. J. records, on file in the state archives, also show that there were several Loziers who did well for themselves and their countr3'. JOHN B. I.OZIKK. On a high elevation of land overlooking the fertile valley of the Hackensack River on the New Jersey and New York Railroad eighteen miles from Jersey City, are located the buildings of the Oradell Stock Farm, one of the best horse boarding establishments in America. The farm is undulating and the eye can roam over the counties of Bergen and Hi dson in New Jersey, and Rockland and Westchester in New York. 1 he buildings are modern up-to-date structures in which are one hundred and fifty box-stalls well ventilated, and all opening into high fenced paddocks where the horses are allowed to exercise every pleasant day. Excellent water is furnished for the stables from an Artesian well, i45 feet deep and from which 5000 gallons have been pumped at one time without lowering the water more than one inch. This property is owned by Mr. John B. Lozier who conceived the idea of an institution which should surpass all others of its kind and of which the American Horse Breeder, March 2, 1895, says: "is as nearly perfect as can be made." The land comprising the farm has been owned by the Lozier family since the time of George HI., the present owner having now in his possession the original deed from the King. The whole farm which has been kept intact consists of three hundred acres nearly one hundred acres of which is virgin forest. The railroad intersects some of the pastures aiTording horses and colts a chance to become accustomed to the cars. For horses having tender feet, is a large tract of pasture land moist with a blue clay subsoil, and this with a foaling barn, blacksmith shop, pharmacy, hospital and a regulation half mile track completely equips the establishment as one of the best of the kind. The Lozier family are French Huguenots who formerly spelled their name LeSueurs. They were cloth manufacturers in the cities of Paris, Dieppe and Rouen in France. ^42 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY WINTER QTAKTEKS (IKADKI.I. STofK FARM Francois Le Sueur, the Lozier ancestor that came to America, was from Colmied, Normandy, a town adjoining Dieppe on the south. The family was well founded in Caux, and a century previous ( 1525 ) had figured among the cloth manufacturers of Rouen. Francis Le Sueur, landed on Manhattan Island in April 1657. In 1659 he married Hilde- brant Pieterson, of Amsterdam, Holland. The issue of this marriage was Annette, 1660; Hildebrant, 1663; John, 1665 and Nicholas 1668. Nicholas on May 8, 1691 married Tryntie Slot, a daughter of Pieter Jansan Slot former mayor of New Amsterdam. After marriage Nich- olas settled near Hackensack and the Oradell Stock Farm is part of the tract taken up by him at that time. KICTaVTXC. :^ARX--ORADKI.I. STOCK FAR>r 344 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY Mr. John B. Lozier, the present owner of the estate, is the son of David B. Lozier, and Kitty Woodworth Garretson, and was born Novem- ber 28, 1865. His boyhood days were spent on the farm, which, prob- ably owing to favorable surrounding's contributed largely to his splendid physique, his courtle}^ bearing, and to a general symmetrical growth pro- ducing the broad liberal minded man that he is. A public school educa- tion supplemented by a course of instruction in the Hackensack Academy completed his curriculum of studies ; and these attainments, added to his many natural endowments gives us the man of practical ideas and of many accomplishments. Mr. Lozier who is an artist of considerable originality and taste has produced many specimens of his own handiwork, especially in decorated china and bric-a-brac, and is also an expert in penwork. He is a musi- cian of no mean attainments having made a special study of the violin. As a sportsman he excels ; this being verified by the many rare speci- mens he has collected by rod and gun while on various expeditions to Florida and other shooting resorts. As might be supposed Mr. Lozier is a royal good fellow and a fine entertainer. As a writer, many interesting articles from his pen have found their way into sporting papers and periodicals as the " Turf, Field and Farm" and "The American Field." His writings are chiefly descriptive and from his own experience. On June 20, 1885, Mr. Lozier married Miss Mary E. Rumsey and by this union have three children — Claire, Grace and Milred. Mr. Lozier is a Republican in politics, independent in local matters especially as to the welfare of his borough. He takes great pleasure in his home and no great wonder since the celebrated Oradell Stock farm is certainly one of the most interesting spots and his home one of which any man of equal possessions might feel justly proud. HIKAM LOZIEK. Among the descendants of Nicholas Lozier now residing at New- burgh, N. Y. is Hiram, son of Isaac Van Duzer Lozier and Margaret Jam Shay. Mr. Lozier's grandparents were Nicholas and Sarah ( Barton ) Lozier. His great grandfather Peter married a Miss Brouwer, of Hol- land ancestry, the line continuing unbroken to Nicholas Lozier and Tryntie Slot, his wife, who were among the early settlers of Hacken- sack, N. J. This family as noted elsewhere were for more than seven centuries well known in Normandy, France and are well known in the cities of Paris, Dieppe and Rouen. For more than four centuries they were large manufacturers of cloth in the city of Rouen, where the busi- ness is still carried on by their descendants. They were also well known in the liberal arts. Music and painting being^represented by Jean F. Le Suer, the composer, born in Abbeville in 1763, and by Eustace Le Sueur the celebrated painter, born in Paris in 1617. Eustace being a brother and Jean F., a nephew of Francois Le Seuer, who was by pro- fession a civil engineer and surveyor. The name has passed through HiKAM i.(>/.ii:k. HISTOKY OF BERGEN COUNTY 345 several orthographical changes Lesuer, Lesier, Lazier and at present Lozier. The tastes and professions of these early ancestors have devel- oped in the present generation in no mean degree, as demonstrated in the persons of both Mr. Hiram Lozier of Newburgh, N. Y. and Mr. John B. Lozier of Oradell, N. J. Hiram Lozier was born at Newburgh, N. Y., June 4, 1852, and was educated in the Latin and English branches, in the Newburgh public schools and Academy, from which he was graduated in the class of 1868. Immediately after leaving school Mr. Lozier entered the office of the Washington Iron Works, at Newburgh, remaining about one year, sub- sequently taking a position with the Whitehill Engine Works, to learn the practical workings of the engine business. After several years spent with this company he formed a connection with the Fishkill Landing Machine Company, (builders of Corliss Engines, Boilers and General Machinery ) where he still continues. These works are located at P^ish- kill Landing, N. Y., opposite Newburgh. Mr. Lozier is active in public and social affairs, was vice-president of the Board of Excise, Newburgh, 18'>4-1895, member of Board of Educa- tion, since 1895, and chairman of committee of City Library. Socially he is a member of the Holland Society of New York City; member of the Empire State Society; Sons of American Revolution, New York, also member of Newburgh Historical Society, Treasurer of Masonic Veteran Association of Newburg, and Treasurer of Newburgh Academy Alumni Association. He is a member of Newburgh Lodge No. 309 F. & A. M. and Past Grand of Acme Lodge No. 469, 1. O. (). F. In his church relations he is a member of Trinity M. E. Church, being a member of the official Board. Mr. Lozier married Miss Martha A. Wylie of Newburgh, N. Y. DANIEL I. DEMAKEST. Daniel I. Demarest, Mayor of Delford. son of Isaac D. and Margaret (Van Wagoner) Demarest, traces his descent in a direct line from the early emigrants of that name who came to America, subsequently settling in Bergen County. Mr. Demarest was born on the old home- stead near the Hackensack River, March i6, iS36. This property is now owned by Hugh J. Grant, ex-Mayor of New York city. Previous to its purchase by its present owner, Mr. Demarest had resided on another part of this farm near Oradell, thirty acres of which he owns and is his home. As an old time resident of the place, fully identified with its business and other interests he was elected Mayor of Delford B(jrough, and in addition to this for many years he has been postmaster of Oradell ; treasurer of the Bergen County Building and Loan Asso- ciation, and is also treasurer of the Bergen County Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company. Mr. Demarest is a Christian gentleman, wln) with his family belong to the Reformed church. In ]>olitics he is a Republican. He married hoAA^ul ^ • S^-^^^^-^^ HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 347 Miss Ellen A. Demarest, a dau^rhter of John D. Demarest. They have one son, Isaac. PETEK G. ZABKISKIE. The Zabriskie family are numerous in Bergen county, all havinf^ sprung- from one common ancestor, Albert, who came from Poland in 1(.()2. The maternal ancestor however, being: a Miss Vim der Linde, of Holland stock. In time the children and grandchildren, finding it to their advantage to seek homes in other localities, the branch to which Peter G. belongs, came to be residents of the western part of the county, where his grandfather, Jacob, and his father Gilliam both continued to reside, and where Peter was born December 24, \8M>. Mr. Zabriskie received a limited education, being obliged to begin early to prepare for the business of life. Learning the carpenter trade, he eventually became a builder, after spending a number of years as a journeyman. Success usually follows strict attention to business, when honest work is done through honorable methods. That Mr. Zabriskie has been successful, is demonstrated by the character and number of buildings he has erected in the vicinity of Ridgewood, especially resi- dences of New York business men, among which are those of E. F. Hanks, W. J. Fullerton, H. S. Patterson, H. A. Dunbar, A. C. Brooks, C. F. Shultz. W. C. Parker. F. C. White, K. C. Atwood, and C. Atwood of Oradcll. These are all palatial residences, specimens of the highest art in modern building. Mr. Zabriskie's wife, to whom he was married in 1858, was Miss Mary Garrison, daughter of John A. Ciarrison of Allendale. Of their two daughters. Minnie is the wife of Louis Nearing, while Maude resides at home. Mr. Zabriskie is an independent Republican. A. I.ANDMANN. A. Landmann, merchant in Oradell, born in the city of New York, March 6, 1852, is a son of Frederick Landmann, who emigrated from Darmstadt, Germany in IS.'^l, coming to New Jersey in 186'j. Here he engaged in the milling business. He first came to Oradell in 1880, when he became associated with John W. Van Buskirk, succeeding Charles E. Van Buskirk of Van Buskirk Bros. They succeeded Mr. Isaac D. Demarest, who had established the business in i8()9. In 1880 A. Landmann bought out the interest of Charles E. Van Buskirk, when the business was conducted under the firm name of Van Buskirk & Landmann until May 4, 18'K), when Mr. Landmann bought the inter- est of J. W. Van Buskirk, continuing under the name of A. Landmann. He is successfully dealing in the retail of general merchandise. Mr. Landmann was married in 1874 to Emma Jane Veldran, daugh- ter of William Veldran of Oradell. They have the following children: Florence E., Margaretta V., Emma A.. William F., and Herbert A. Politically, Mr. Landmann is a Democrat, holding the office of postmaster under Cleveland's first .Administration. He is a Council- PKTER G. ZABKISKIK HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY 349 man of the boroug'ti, and District Clerk of Schools. He is a inemher of the Royal Arcanum. CHARLES C. BASLKV. Charles C. Basley was born in Elizabeth, X. J., July 27th. lSf)4. His parents and all his ancestors, however, were natives of Europe. Mr. Basley was educated in the public schools of New York city and after leaving- school spent two years on the sea, stopping at all seaports from Maine to the Amazon River. After his return from this voyag^e, he spent two years in the west, and later was for a time engaged in business in New York city. At present he is occupied in gardening. He is Justice of the Peace of Midland townshij), and is also a member of the Midland Republican Club. Mr. Basley was married on February 25, 18')1, by J. J. Brower, |)as- tor of the North Baptist Church ia West Eleventh Street, New York city. Mrs. Basley is a granddaughter of ex-sheriff John Ackerson, who was a brother of ex-judge (iarret Ackerson. Two children have b-en born of this marriage — one a g-irl of seven years and the other a boy of a few months. HKRBKKT S. JONES, M. n. Dr. Herbert S. Jones of Oradell is a son of William P. Jones a shoe manufacturer of South Sudbury, Mass., and was born November 5, 1851. He was educated at Williston Seminary and at Yale Colleg^e, spending three and one half years in classical work but did not take his degree. After leaving College he immediately entered upon his profes- sional studies at the Homeopathic Medical College in New York city, and upon the completion of this course, opened an office in Elizabeth, N. J., where he practiced two years. The doctor then spent some time in the west, but returned to Oradell in 1892, where he has continued to reside, building up a lucrative practice. In addition to his general work he is Medical examiner for the Prudential I^ife Insurance Company, and also for the Ro^-al Arcanum. In 18S7 Dr. Jones was married to Miss Eveline Wilson, daughter of James Wils(m of Elizabeth. They attend the Reformed Church. JOHN (',. DEMAREST. John Ci. Demarest, son of Garret D. Demarest first learned the trade of carpenter, afterwards spending (me year in the office of an architect. In 1890 he formed a partnership with Mr. Richard W. Cooper of New Milford, in the business of building and contracting, under the firm name of Cooper & Demarest. They are Architects and Builders, and have built some fine houses in Bergen county. Mr. Demarest is president of the Hackensack Coal and Lumber Co., president of the Delford Land Co., and also ])resident of the Delforil Sewer Co. He is a Mason belonging to the Temjjle I^odge of Westwood. Mr. Demarest was born Julv 25, ISdS. In 1S')4 he married Miss 350 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COINTV Letitia Onderdonk, a daughter of Issac Onderdonk of Westwood. They have one son, Alfred. THE COOPEK FAMILY. The progenitor of this family was Richard Cooper, whose birth occurred in 16'»8, and who emigrated at a later period from his native Holland to America. He became the owner of an extensive tract of land in Bergen county, purchased of the New Jersey proprietors, and por- tions of which are still owned by his descendants, — Mrs. H. C. Herring, Mrs. Hannah Moore, and Mrs. Eleanor Van Wagoner. He married Miss Catherine Van Pelt, also of Holland descent, whose birth occurred in 1700 and her death in 1745, her husband having survived until 1753. Among their children was John, born July 22, 1731, who served with credit in the war of the Revolution, as did also his son Richard, both of whom were taken prisoners and confined on Long Island. John Cooper was united in marriage to Anna Maria, daughter of Rev. J. H. Goetschius, and had the following children, who grew to mature years: Richard, Mary (Mrs. John Hopper), Catherine (Mrs. (iarret Hopper ), Sally (Mrs. Abram Ackerman). and Henry, who died in infancy. The death of Mr. Cooper occurred December 29, 1808. His son, Richard J., was born on the ancestral estate October 27; 1757, and devoted himself to the improvement of the landed property he inher- ited. He was united in marriage to Miss Anna Ferdon, to whom were born three children, — John, Eleanor (Mrs. Jacob Van Wagoner), and Mar_y (Mrs .John Van Wagoner). Richard J., on his release from im- prisonment during the war for American independence, returned to his home and followed farming until his death, which occurred April 8. 1812. The birth of his son John occurred December 1, 1782, on the homestead, where his whole life was spent. He was married, February 4, 1804, to Miss Sally, daughter of David Campbell, a Revolutionary patriot, who bore through life the scars of many wounds received while in the service of his country. Their children were Anne ( Mrs. Lucas Van Soun) born September 10, 1805; Hannah ( Mrs. B. P. Moore), whose birth occurred March 31, 1815; and Helena (Mrs. H. C. Herring), born February 17, 1818. The children of Mrs. Moore are Sarah Louisa ( Mrs. Dr. S. J. Zabriskie ) ; John Cooper, who served with credit as surgeon during the late civil war, with the brevet rank of lieutenant- colonel, and died while in service, in 1865, at Clinton, La.; Louis, resid- ing at New Milford; Eliza Ann (Mrs. David H. Van Ordan); Mary (Mrs. Henry C. Banta); and Helena (Mrs. George Brickell. ) John Cooper spent his whole life upon the farm, though other busi- ness also engaged his attention. The offices of freeholder, justice of the peace, etc., were frequently filled by him. He espoused with vigor the principles of the Democracy, and never wavered from these con- victions. His religious views were in sympathy with the Reformed (Dutch) Church, Mrs. Cooper having been a member of the True Re- formed Church at Schraalenburgh. HISTOKY OF BEKOKN COfNTY .^51 The death of Mr. C.)()])cr took phuc January 15, 1S75, at the ancestral home. IvMCIIAK'I) \V. COOPKlv'. Richard W. Cooper, son of William K. Cooper, was born in Pierii-en county, November 1st, 1841. His father who was a mason and builder, was a native of Berg-en county, also. Mr. Cooper was educated in the common schools, afterward learninu- the trade of carpenter, at which he has continued to work ever since. More than thirty years ago, he went into business for himself and is now the senior member of the firm of Cooper & Demarest, architects and builders. He is also in the lumber business at New Milford, is treasurer of the Hackensack Lumber Com- panv, and associated with the Delford Land and Improvement Company. He is a Democrat, is ex-mayor of the Borough of Delford, and is at pres- ent a member of the Board of Freeholders. Mr. Cooper was married in 1892 to Miss Ella Christie. DANIKI. lIlvKKlNG. Daniel Herring an early settler of Midland Township, married and reared a family of seven children, live sons and two daughters, — Henry, Daniel, Jacob, John, Cornelius, Jane, and Tiny. He died September ?•, 1784, aged eighty years. His wife (Margaret) died October 4, 177'), aged seventy-one years. Jacob, third son of Daniel and Margaret Herring, was also a farmer, an. 18()(). His parents are also both natives of Dutchess county where his father, who was a highly respected citi- zen, was an architect and builder. Mr. Cole was educated in the common schools of Brooklyn and also at Croton Landing-, N. Y. His business experience has been somewhat varied, having been for a considerable time engaged in the Fire Arms department of E. Remington & Son of New York city, and also with their successors. The Alfred Ward Davenport Co. Upon his retirement from the employ of this firm, he began the butchering business with his uncle in Brooklyn, continuing two years, subsequently becoming asso- ciated for a time with the Metropolitan Insurance Company. He then removed to Bergen county, N. J., where he became interested in farming and during a period of six years superintended the work of a farm. In 1895 Mr. Cole received the appointment to his present position, his amiable disposition, equable temper, together with his experience, making him a valuable man for the i)lace. and in which he has given entire satisfaction to the public. He was married in 1890 to Miss Elnora S. Traver, daughter of Ephraim Traver , 1S3(>. The result of this union was three children, — Euphemia. wife of Tliomas Voorhis, Elizabeth i de- ceased I, and John H. Mr. \'oorliis was a member of the First Presby- terian Church of Hackensack, as was also his wife. She died March 5. 1S74. John H. \'o!)rhis was born March 5, \S.M,. He was married Nov- ember 23, 1858, to Anna Mariah daughter of Anna and Samuel Demu- rest. Thev have had three children, — Anna, Salome, and Andrew, Jr. COKNEI.IUS BOAKD. Cornelius Board emigrated to America with his wife, Elizabeth and two scms, David and James, and settled in Ringwood afterward called Boardville. where he became a large real estate owner. His son David succeeded to a large part of his father's estate. His son Nathaniel born September 27, 1775, died December 31, 1.S42. He was a participant in what was known as the "Whiskey War", serving as Lieutenant in that ferocious escapade against the Whiskey Boys of Kentucky. He was also in the war of 1812 being stationed for six months at Sandy Hook. He served in both branches of the New Jersev Legislature and was a man of good judgment and ability. He was frequently sought after as counsellor amtmg his neighbors and townsmen, and often selected as executor and administrator of es- tates. His wife, Mary Kingsland, a native of Morris county, bore him the following children, who grew to manhood and womanhood: Edmund K., John F., Mary A., wife of Daniel H. Bull, of Orange county, N. Y., Peter, Eleanor, (deceased), was the wife of James H. Bull, Harriet, wife of O. E. Maltby, of New Haven, Sarah J., wife of John C. Zabriskie, and David J. Board. Peter; son of Nathaniel Board, was born August 19, 1S0'>, on the Board homestead in Pompton township, where he spent his early life and acquired an education, being prepared for college in the Ponijjton Academy. Turning his attention to business for eight vears he was a clerk in general merchandise stores in the vicinity of his Inrth He married. May .^0, 1833, Matilda B. Zabriskie. of Midland township, who has borne him twf> children, — Cornelius Z. and Mary C, wife of John J. Zabriskie, of Ridge way. Mr. Board s])ent most of his active business life as a farmer; was a man of strcjng force of character, decided in his opinions, and of correct habits. He was honored by his townsmen with positions of trust. chaptp:r XXV. LODI GENEKAL DESCKIPTION — EARLY SETTLEMENTS — SCHOOLS — EAKLV HIGH- WAYS — ORGAXIZATION — CIVIL LIST — SOCIETIES, ORDEKS, ASSOCIA- TIONS — FIRE DEPARTMENT — MANUFACTURING INTERESTS — CHURCHES — BURIAL PLACES — HISTORICAL INCIDENTS AND REMINISCENCES — BOROUGHS OF CARLSTADT, WAI.L- INGTON, WOODKIDGE, HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, LIT- TLE FERRY — LODI VILLAGE AND BERGEN TOWNSHIP — BIOGRAPHICAL. The townshi]) of Lodi was organized in 1825, and at that time con- tained about 22,000 acres of land, but many changes have been made since then, the first being the setting off of the township of Union in 1852. Lodi was named from a flourishing town of Italy, founded by the Bois, and colonized by the father of Pompeii the Oreat. Hence the name of Laus Pompeia, which was corrupted gradually into the cogno- men it bears at the present time. Lodi is celebrated for the victory of the French, under Bonaparte, over the Austrians, in \l')t). It is said that when Lafayette was at Hackensack, in 1825, that he suggested this name for the town of Lodi that his own might not again be brt)ught into such common use. The Poliflv road, so named from the bog meadow along which it passes, is a fine thoroughfare, built over two hundred years ago, and runs through the whole length of the township. At the time of its settlement, the eastern part of Lodi township was covered with a fine growth of cedar timber, where now it is overgrown with a coarse grass, which is cut and stacked in the summer, but cannot be removed until the ground is frozen in the winter, so as to admit of horses and wagons being taken out for this purpose. The early settlers of Lodi township were principally Dutch, many of them coming directly from Holland, while others were descendants of various families located in different parts of New Jersey and New York. Captain John Berry is said to have been the original owner of all the land in Lodi. This land was obtained by grant from Governor Carteret in \i>(i'). The Kipps or De Kypes, as they then spelled the name, came originally from France, but immediately from Holland in 1()35, coming about 1()85 to the township of Lodi, where Hendrick in time bought a farm of two hundred acres on the Poliflv road. The Van Bussum family is known to have lived on the old homestead as early as Revolutionary times, but it is not certain at what date they located there. Theodore Van Idestine who was the first of the name to emigrate to America, came from Holland in 1700, his son I'eter some time later coming to Lodi, where he purchased a farm of one hundred acres on the Passaic river. The Romaines came from New Barbadoes about the time of the close of the Revolution, and purchased about one HISTORY OK BEKGEN COUNTY 355 hundred acres nf land, ^vith mill site and water privileges <>n the Saddle River. The Demarest family came to Lodi township in the last century', although they had been in New Jersey since about lh76. Upon coming here, the first of the name, Stephen Demarest. purchased a homestead of about one hundred acres on the Polifly road. The island of Moonachie was purchased by three men, one of whom was Thomas Francis Outwater, who came here in the latter part of the seventeenth century, where his descendants still remain. The Terhune familv is a prominent one, but it is not known at what time thev located here. George Briukerhoff the first of this family in Lodi township, came from Holland in the latter i)art of the seventeenth century. He purchased a farm of two hundred acres, where the village of Woodridge now stands. Walling Van Winkle, a Hollander, was the owner of a farm of five hundred acres, near the city of Passaic. His deed granting him the land, is signed in Holland script, dated 17.34. Ji.o') Hopper also bought a farm of five hundred acres, extending from the Pidifly road to the Saddle River. The people of Lodi have shown their thrift and enterprise in the building of good roads, the Polifly being the first and also the longest. The other roads leading into this from Passaic, Saddle River and other adjoining territory, were built at an earh- date and afforded an outlet to the settlers of this township. The road from Passaic through Carlstadt to Moonachie was completed in or about 181(), while the Paterson and Jersev Citv Plank road, was finished about four years later and the Hackensack and Paterson road in 182(>. In IS.^0, the road from the vil- lage of Lodi to the Polifly road was opened. The New Jersey & New York railroad now runs through, connecting it with Jersey City and other parts of the State. The trolley road from Arlington to Carlstadt through Rutherford was opened in 1897, and connects Lodi with New- ark. The Paterson and Hoboken trolley also touches Carlstadt, thus giving Lodi the benefit of traffic with important points in all directions. Schools have been organized and utilized in accordance with the times. The various districts have been more or less changed from time to time to keep pace with the growth and demands of the localities in which thev are situated. As late as ]S4(i. the townshij) had but two schools and about fifty sch(dars. Since that time a great change has been effected both in Iniildings and the number of pupils as well as in the efficiency of the schools. Woodridge District erected its first building as early as 1801 on land owned liy John W. Berry. This house was Imiltof stone, one story high and twenty-five by tv.enty leel. in extent. The first teacher was Patrick Dillon, '['he district was about four and one- half miles long by three miles broad. A new housi- was nt'edi'd in 1S4.^. when ground was purchas„'d from Philip Berry, Jr., and a l.iry-e l)uilding erected. This was accomjjlished under the supervision of the "Mount Pleasant New School Association," the district conii)rising Rutherford Park, Carlstadt, Woodridge, Corona, Hasbrouck Heights. Moonachie and East Passaic. In 1S7.> this building gave jflace to a more modern and 356 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY commndious structure. From time to time, it became necessary to divide the districts in order to accommodate the growing number. What became known as the Moonachie District opened its tirst school in the kitchen of Peter Allen, where it was conducted during the winter months only, the first teacher being Thomas Stephenson. The first building was erected in 1832, and had long desks and slab seats. This house did service forty years, when it was replaced by a fine modern structure. The school in the village of Lodi, had a small beginning of only twelve scholars, in a little house seventeen feet by twenty, and furnished with long desks and slab seats. Nicholas Terhune was the first teacher. In 1853. a new house became necessary. The first house was on the farm of Jacob H. Hopper, but the last one was on land donated by Robert Rennie. Mr. Merritt was the first teacher. When Carlstadt was organized in 1S53, it contained a part of the most southerly district of the township, and in 1865, it became necessar}- to secure more commodious quarters when they purchased four lots and erected a two story building with a frontage of twenty-five feet and thirty-two feet deep, adding a hall sixteen by ten feet. In 1874 they built an annex to this, sixty-two by thirty-two feet, at a cost of over eight thousand dollars. This serves to show how rapidly the township developed in substantial directions. The Little Ferry District was formed in 1875, when they secured ground and built a brick building at a cost of twenty-five hundred dol- lars. The school was opened on November 29, with Miss Brinkerhoff of Hackensack as teacher and an enrollment of thirty-two pupils recorded. * HISTORICAL INCIDENTS .\ND REMINISCENCES. Earlv in the history of New Jersey Captain John Berry, gentleman; received a grant of all the land lying between the Boiling Spring at Rutherford, the Passaic River, Saddle River, Cherry Hill, and the Hackensack River. This grant included the land within the present township of Lodi. It is probable that Captain Berry built the Poli- fly road, the oldest in the township, expecting to sell the land ad- joining it for farms and building lots. He parceled out his land on the west side of this road into sections, extending back to the Passaic River and Saddle River. The buyers of these were the ancestors of manv of the present leading citizens of Lodi township. The proximitv of Lodi township to the camping-ground of the Hessians during the Revolution rendered the inhabitants subject to manv depredations on the part of the latter. The district of Moonachie was nearlv depopulated on account of the ravages of bands of Hes- sians from New York. There is scarcely a representative of an old family in Lodi township who cannot relate harrowing tales of hun- ger, flight by night, burying of valuables in the earth, told him by his grandsire from persimal experience during the struggle for inde])endence one hundred years ago. At the old Hopper homestead on the Polifly road a division of sol- 'Kr.iin Hi-liHA of Hi-ij;eii and Passaic Counties. HISTOKY OK BEKGK.V COUNTY . 357 (Hers made themselves at hume tor a nuinlier of weeks, the officers sleep- iiiir in the house, and the eominoii soldiers under the trees in the orchard immediately back of the house. One nig-ht Mrs. Hopper was awakened from her slumbers by a noise among the pigs in the pig-pens. Mrs. Hopper at t)nce aroused the officers and requested them to investigate the causes of the disturbance. They thereupon ran out into the dark- ness in the direction of the sounds and discovered one of their own men in the act of carrying off a struggling pig. Considering the miscreant as a poacher on their own preserves, the officers flogged him soseverelv that neither he nor any of his comrades ever afterwards repeated the experiment. It is not related whether Mrs. Hopper's pleasure at the rescue was of long duration, but it is probable that His Majesty's officers had as keen an appetite for pork as their subordinates, and that the pigs were soon a thing of the past. The Hessians made many expeditions into Moonachie, and on such occasions were accustomed to fire into dwelling houses regardless of the danger to the lives of women and cliildren. ( )n one of their raids thev stabbed in the back and killed old Abraham Allen as he was trying to escape from them. A single incident worthy of note occurred here in the Revolution. A party of Hessians had stolen all the cows for miles around, and ^j'ere driving them to their boat on the Hackensack, followed bv a band of angry farmers. Arriving there they found to their dismay the tide low and their boat, on which they intended to embark, high and dry. The cattle were at once abandoned. Many of the Hessians were killed by shots from their pursuers, or drowned in attempting to swim the river. The ammunition of the farmers gave out after a few shots, or not one of the plunderers would have escaped. William Berry a descendant of John Berry settled near the village of Carlstadt, where he owned considerable real estate, and settled a homestead, which has been in the family since, a period of about one hundred and fifty years. His children were John, born in IT.^d; Albert, born in 175'); Marv, born in 17f)l; Jane, born in 17f>,^; Albert (2). born in ]7(i(); Elizabeth, born in 177(1; John W., 1)orn in 1772: Sarah, born in 177.^; and Kleanor. liorn in 1 77(i. <)f these children. John W. Herry, of Moonachie, resided ujion the homestead during his life, dying February'*, 1S5'>. He lived in the old house by theloA' lands until 1825, when he built on or near its site a stone house, which was burned in 1873. His wile, whom In- married February 2.^, 17'»4, was Elizabeth Terhune, who was born ( )ctober I'l. 177,\ and died May .^l. 1S57. 'i'lie children of this union were I'^liza- beth, wife of Cornelius Banta, William, Ste])hen, Albert. Sarah, wife of Nichidas Terhune, Stephen i2i, Letitia, wife of John II. Ackerman. Mary, wife of Enoch BrinkerholT, and J0 Abraham I. Berry; '31-.32, Cornelius G. Brinkerhoff; '31-32, '37, Michael Van Winkle; '33-34, '38-39, (George Kingsland, Peter H. Kipp; '35, John A. Berry; '35-3(>. Richard Cutwater; '3(), Martin Romeyn; '37, Peter A. Kipp; '40-43, David E. Van Bussum; '40-42, Jacob J. Brinkerhoff; '43-45 '54-56, Richard Berdan; '44-46, Jacob H. Hopper; '46-48, Enoch I \'ree- land; '47-49, '52-53, John Huyler; '49-.S1, "5()-58. David Ackerman; '50-51, James L. Van Winkle; '52-54, Enoch Hopper; '57-59, James J. Brink- erhoff; '59-61-64, Daniel Romaine; '60-()2, Abraham K. Ackerman; '62, 63, Abraham Kipp; '63, John P. Outwater; '64-(.(>. Geo. W. Conklin; '6(), Richard Terhune; '67, Walling Kipp; 68, John Richard Vreeland; '68-69, Isaac H. Schoonmaker; '69-74, John Van Bussam; '70 Henry Kipp; '75-77, Theodore F. Muehling; '78-83, John F'eitner; '83-87, Max Mathe; '87-93; John H. Outwater; '93-99, John Van Bussam; '9<», James W. Mercer. MOON.VCHIE. To a district of excellent farming land, al)out one mile southeast of Little Ferry, and two miles to the west of Carlstadt, is given the name of Moonachie. It was so named in memory of Moonachie, the chief of a tribe of Indians, a branch of the Six Nations, who occupied this region. Over two hundred years ago Thomas Francis Outwater, a Mr. Brinkerhoff, and a Mr. Kipp bought the so-called island of Moon- achie of Captain John Berry, paying seven hundred pounds for it. This "island" was located between Berry's Creek, Indian Path, Losing Creek, and the Hackensack River; The Indians who peopled it at that time were said to be very friendly to the whites. The land was covered with valuable cedar timber till within a few years. Moonachie was for a time known as Peach Island, on account of the large quantities of peaches produced here. This name is no longer applicable, as scarcely a peach-tree can now l)e found in this region. Just at the. junction of .Moonachie with the township of Union is located a hotel, known as HISTORY UK BICKCEN COUNTY 3j9 the Half-Way House. It has long marked the point of bisection of the Paterson phiuk-road from Paterson to Jersey City. The people of Moon- achie are generally farmers, their principal production being garden products, which they sell in the markets of New York and Jersey City. A Baj)tist chapel was built here in 1871 at a cost of about one thousand dollars. This was during the pastorate of Rev. John A. Mc- Kean, in the church at Rutherford Park. After a few years this was abandoned by the Baptists and at present the Presbyterians and Luther- ans are occupying the house. THE VII.I..\GE OF LITTLE KEKKV. The village of Little Ferry occupies the northeastern portion of the old township of Lodi. It has always been an isolated part of that township, aside from its legislative restrictions and naturally sought independence through the formation of a borough. Brickmaking is the only industrv and the facilities for the shipping of this product by water are excellent. The borough has a population of about fifteen hundred people. Its official vote for November 1898 was one hundred and fifty. James Pickens one of the promoters of the village came there a few years before the civil war, and under his influence the private school system was changed into the public one. They now have a commodious school building and employ five teachers. The house was erected about 1878, Mr. Pickens also fostered the religious influences of the place, establishing a flourishing Sabbath school which resulted in the building of a house oi worship, the corner stone of which was laid on Easter day April 2, 1899. Mr. Pickens kept the tollgate and had the post ofiice from 1873 until his death in 1896. The first brick yards in Little Ferry were owned b}- Shower & Cole in 1872. This enterprise, however, did not prove successful, and the business soon passed into the hands of John Thume. He in turn was succeeded in a short time by the Mehrhofs in 1877. Since then this in- dustry has thriven. The buildings in which the bricks are burned, have been enlarged, and new appliances have been added until to-day the industrv is next to the largest of its kind in the United States. For a term of years the business was carried (m under the name of .Mehrhof Brothers Manufacturing Company, the officers being Nicholas .Mehrhof, president; Peter Mehrhof, treasurer; Philij) Mehrhof, secretary. The plant went into the hands of a receiver in 1S9.=;, but the i)roperty was leased from the Hackensack Bank and ojieraled since, under the name of Mehrhof Brick Company. Last year they manufactured two million two hundred thousand brick, and eni])loye(l about two hundred men. The inii)etus given tliis industry in l^ittle j-'erry \>y the .Mehrhof Brothers brought other manufacturers to the place. James W. (iillies. The Gardner Brothers, Charles Walsh, Edward Snmlto, I. & W. Felter, each of which companies have established plants, the total output beinuf about one hundred million bricks annually. 360 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY Philip Mehrhof started business in 1896 with a ten years lease on a plant formerly owned by B. L. W. Hanfeld. He employs thirty-five men, and his yard has a capacity of five million annually, N. Mehrhof & Son have a capacity of ten million and eni])loy seventy-five men. They organized in ISSl. I. & W. Felter org-anized in 1886. Walsh, Gardner Brother and James W. (lillies each started their yards in 1884-'85. The Borough of Little Ferry was organized in the summer of 1894, the first election of officers having been held in November of that year. The first officers were : James Pickens, Mayor; Samuel Hanson, Charles Kiel, (reorge D. Mehrhof, Louis Bausbach, J. Adams Eckel, Jacob Vogt, Council; E. M. Mehrhof, Clerk; Silas B. Gardner, Assessor; J. Irvin Pickens, Collector. Irvin Felter was the second mayor and was follow- ed in March i899 by the present officers : J. Adam Eckel, Mayor; Wil- liam Kingsley, Clerk; Samuel Hanson, Charles Kiel, Abram Derunde, Jacob Vogt, Louis Bausbach, Hugh H. Eckel, C(nmcil; Abram Woods, Assessor; August Werkhaus, Collector. THE MEHRHOF BROTHERS. The Mehrhof Brothers were the founders of the brick making indus- try of Little Ferry. ]>road minded, comprehensive men, filled with pub- lic spirited motives, it became a matter of easy solution for them tn inaugurate the business they have so successfully carried on in that part of the county. Philip, the father of this family, left Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, in 1841, for America, locating at Croton Point where he continued business for some years as an architect. He finally moved to a farm in Oneida county. New York, where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1S()9. The three sons, Nicholas, Peter and Philip, were all born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, the oldest in 18.^0, Peter in 1836 and Philip in 1839. At the age of fourteen years, Nicholas and his two brothers in company with their sister and mother, sailed for America. This was in 1844, and almost immediately the brothers began their career, the brick making industry, working for A. Underbill. In 1856 Nicholas Mehrhof became superintendent of Mr. Underbill's yard and remained in that ca])acity until 1877, when he came here. He married Hester Ann Oakley, of Croton Point, and lives in Hackensack. Peter Mehrhof was the first to come to I^ittle Ferry. While in New York state he spent i)art of the time with his father on the farm, and upon his arrival here in 1871 purchased one hundred and twenty acres of of land which was the beginning of their business at this place. Mr. Peter Mehrhof has filled several offices in his town, having held that of town committeeman nine years, and township treasurer seven years. He has been married twice. His first wife was Miss Eh'eline Dodd. His ])res^'nt wife was a Miss Dick. rnil.II' MKHKHOF Philip Mehrhof, the well-known brick manufacturer, at Little Ferry, was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, January 23, 183'». When HISTOKY OF BEKC;EN COUNTY 361 four years old his father, Niehnhis Mehrhof, came to America and lo- cated eventually at Crotou Point, N. Y., f^oing subsequently on a farm in Oneida county, where he died in 1S()'). He was an architect, formerly, but au agriculturist in later years. Young Philip attended school until sixteen years of age, working in the summer at the brick making indus- try. When twenty-one years of age he began the manufacture of staves l\>r barrels for the Syracuse lumber market, but two years thereafter returned to Crotou Landing, where he managed the brick yard of Harris H. Cox, for nine years. Following this came two years' foremanship for Orrin Frost's brick 3'ard in New York city, and two years more in the same position at Croton Point, and in 1.S75 he came to Little Ferry, where he commenced, on a larger scale than ever, with his brothers, and with whom he C(jntinued until 1S')5, when he started business on his own account. On the 23d of April, 1S()2, Mr. Mehrhof was married to Margaret Hare, of Newburg, N. Y., and with whom he lived thirty-two years, when she died. Two years later he was married to Miss Alice Hunniken, daughter of John Marshall, of Ridge tield Park, N. J., the well-known florist and nurseryman, of that place. Mr. Mehrhof is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, is also a member of the Royal Arcanum. He loves a good horse and is fond of yachting. He has a delightful home. BEKGEN TOWNSHIP. The old township of Bergen was important in territorial area in this history of the county, and in tradition. The new Bergen town- ship is now but a patch of meadow land of very small extent, lying opposite Woodbridge just east of the old P(difly road ha\ing at this time only dl official votes. It is, therefore, the smallest townshii) in the county. Originally, howerer it was made to include the town of Carlstadt, Woodridge, Wallington and Moonachie, and the voters of the old town- ship are still entitled to a freeholder. It was created a turnpike at the time Mr. (ieorge Zimmermannwas in the Legislature, and was organized on March 18, 1893, and in Zimmermann's hotel two days after organiz- ing the following officers of the town were elected. Town Clerk, Alfred (iramlich; Assessor, Adolph Kruger; Collector, (ieorge Zimmerniann; Freeholder, Frantz Fritsch; Town Committee, John McMahon, J. F. Feitner, F. Kohbertz. Mr. Fritsch has l)een freeholder of the town six years. The i)resent officers are: Chosen Freeholder, Adolph Kruger; Col- lector , Charles Beck; Town Committee: Alfred Harry, Peter La Place, Joseph Linden; Assessor, Pius Crueter; Clerk, Ch;irles Link. \'ir,LAGES .\ND HAMLICTS. The village of Carlstadt is one of the largest in the county, having a po])ulation of 2200 based upon the last official vote which was 4S(». The land on which it stands is laid out in rectangles bounded by streets. l-"orm- erlv the village was called Tailor Town from the fact that nianv of the 362 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY • inhal)it;ints bntli men and women were engag^ed in sewing- for New York tailors. In 1.S51 the land here, was purchased of John Earl by a society of workmen, knovvti as the German Democratic Land Association. In 1855 there were only two stores, now there are more than a score. The villag-e of Carlstadt is largely engaged in manufacturing, nearly half of its population beingemployed in its various factories. In 1893 Carlstadt became a part of Bergen township and in 1894 it was organized into a borough with John Oehler as its first mayor. George Zimmermann was next elected to that office and by common consent has held that position ever since. Through interests best calculated to promote the growth of the village, since its organization into a borough, three annexations have been made, one of which was the extension of its territory to in- clude that of theMoonachie district. The other addition extends to the short cut railroad in the other direction, while the third was to present boundary line between this village and that of Woodridge. In Carlstadt the name of the buildings, the hotel signs and the ad- vertisements are largely in the German language, which is used almost exclusively in the pulpit, the school and the family. The social spirit of this people is maintained in a variety of asso- ciations. About the year 1872 a dramatic club was organized to which the name "Concordia" was given. Its membership is large, and it meets in a hall decorated with emblems appropriate to the character of the exercises. About 1880 an Odd Fellows lodge was organized with Charles Fo- wald as the first N. G. and John Bedenkopf as secretary. It was named after the illustrious German poet, Wieland Lodge, and is No. 113 in the Odd Fellows' Lodge of New Jersey. The Fire-Department of this village is well equipped with engine. truck and hose. It was organized in 1872, and is under a governing power of a Board of Commissioners. The present postmaster of the village is Jacob H. LTllman. Following is a sketch of Carlstadt by Hermann Foth, first ])ub- lished in the "Illustrated Rutherford," and reprinted here by per- mission. CAKLSTADT. "The village of Carlstadt, known to many readers of the New York Dailies as "the beautiful little German Village on the hill," is situated upon the ridge of land separating the Hackensack and Passaic valleys, ten miles northwest from the post office in New York city, within twenty minutes' ride by the Naw Jersey & New York, and New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroads. Looking from the ridge towards the south gives a splendid view of the New York Bay and Statue of Liberty and towards the north, of the beautiful Passaic valleys including the city of Passaic and the Orange mountains in the back ground. A number of German residents of New York city most of whom emigrated to the United States to exercise political liberty, and who de- sired more healthv and comfortable homes in the country formed in 1851 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 363 an association known as the (lerman Duniocratic Land Association. The urirjinization was perfected A])ril 27, 1.SS3 with the following- offi- cers: President, Carl Klein; Vice-President, Alexander Lang-; Treas- urer, Ignatz Kappner. The latter was a Polish refugee and accom- panied Kossuth from his home to Constantinople and thence to tliis country. Other prominent founders were Lewis Foth, John Ructtinger, Frederick Merkel, Charles Treppke, William Maass, Valentine Dietrich, Henry Dechert, John, Jacob and Joseph Fortenbach and Charles Trassbach. The Association after searching in the vicinity of New York for suitable property for a village settlement resolved to purchase from John L. Earle, executor of the Abraham L Berry estate, the present site of Carlstadt. They bought 140 acres for S16,0(IU. The land was divided into three sections, and each section sub- divided into lots. Each of the 240 members received seven lots bv allot- ment, two on the highest part of the ridge, two below the ridge and three in the lowlands, at a cost of $70. Papers of incorporation were executed February 24, 1S.S4. The projector of the village was Dr. Carl Klein, and in honor of him the vil- lage was named Carlstadt. After the settlement here numerous other organizations purchased adjoining tracts of land and laid them out in building lots constituting the villages of New Carlstadt, Woodridge, Hasbrouck Heights and Boiling Springs, and this has been without doubt the cause of the prosperity of the present thriving- Borough of Rutherford. Carlstadt is compactly built, all parts of it being within tivo minutes walk of the depot of the New Jersey and New York Railroad, and within fifteen minutes of the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad. Twenty-six trains stop at Carlstadt daily ; on Sundays there are ten trains, and the accommodations on the N. Y. L. E. and W. R. R. are more extensive, there being twenty-eight trains each way daily, and six- teen trains each way on Sundays. Monthly commutation tickets are sold tm both railroads at $5.35, and fifty trip family tickets at $7.50. The growth of the town has been g-radual and steady, its present population is between 2500 and 3000. The inhabitants are a progres- sive and industrious class, and the town presents a thriving New-Eng- land-like appearance. Its chief industries in the way of manufacturing are: S. Klaber cSL- CiK. .Marble and Onyx Works. It might be mefitioned here that they do <|uite some of Tiffany & Co.'s work, and build some of the linest (vnvx and marble church pulpits. Justus Nehler, manufacturer of ladies' shoes. Watch Case, S])ring & Tool Co., are manufacturers of watch case springs. The Silk Controller Manufacturing Co., Charles H. Levy & Herman Schultze, proprietors. This com])any has been recently organized and has bright prosi)ects for success. The \'iiK an Hardware Co., manufacturers of wire gauges. August (ierecke is presi- dent, (k'bhardt Fritsch's wax bleacherv and niainifajturv of lin- 3(>4 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY decorated \va.\ candles f(ir church purposes. Theodore Muehlins^' manu- facturer of seg'ars. Other industries are the manufactuie of artificial ffowers and mak- ing' of ladies' white g-oods. In 1854 only two stores existed, which have since increased to a considerable number and now supply the neighboring- smaller towns.- Carlstadt is supplied with water by the Hackensack Water Works, and its streets are lighted by electricity. Negotiations are pending for the supply of gas from the Rutherford Gas Company. It is protected bv an efficient Fire Department and Police Force. It possesses a large Public School accommodating 500 children. In it the English and German languages are taught by competent and experienced teachers. Thirty years ago the only school existing was a half a mile above the present village on the Polifly road, which was frequented by all the children of the neig^hborhood some of whom were obliged to walk two miles. The new settlement of Carlstadt gradually increased and in 1865 the old building became too limited in its dimen- sions. The villagers then made strenuous efforts to have an edifice erected sufficiently large to supply the demand for comfortable space, but differences arose in selecting the site and as a consequence the then existing district was divided leaving Carlstadt a school district bv it- self, to build as it .cht)se. To accomplish this the Trustees, in l.S()5, purchased four lots in the village and received authority to erect a two story brick building 35 feet front by 32 feet deep with an addition 10 by 1() feet to be used as a hallway. On October 4, 18()5, the corner stone was laid and in 1866, the building was completed at a co.,t of four thousand three hundred and five dollars. The school increased so stead- ily in numbers that more space was required and the Trustees were forced to enlarge. An addition was built 62 by 32 feet which was ready for use in February 1874 and cost eight thousand two hundred and forty three dollars. Six rooms are furnished with modern improve- ments and are heated by a hot water apparatus. Through the strenuous eiTorts of the late principal, Richard Geppert, a Kinder- garten department was established in 1875, which has become very popular. This in all probability was the first Kindergarten in a public school of New Jersey and most likely of this country. Specimens of work of this Kindergarten were exhibited at the Centennial Exhibition in 1876 and at the New Orleans Exposition in 1886. Besides this department there is a Primary, an Intermediate and a (Grammar department in which besides the regular course of studies. Manual Training was introduced in September, 1891. The school ranks as one of the best in the county and its pupils have in many instances attained a high degree of sclKjlarship. Mr. A. F. Schem is the present principal and Mr. Jacob Moench the German teacher. There are three churches, Presbyterian, Lutheran and Catholic. A weekly newspaper the "Carlstadt Freie Presse" is published in the Ger- man lanyuatre. HISTOKV Ol" liKKCKN COUNTY .iC).-^ The inhabitants here have manifested a social spirit in the forma- tinn and maintenance of a variety of associations. A trymnastic association, the " Carlstadt Turn \'erein," which is the oldest, was organized in i857 and incorporated in February 1S(,4. The members meet for exercise once a week and the association entertains a drawing school and juvenile classes for gvmnastics. From the abdvu it will be seen that athletics received attention early in the history of Carl- stadt. The association is a link of the "North American Turner Bund." Twenty-two years ago a Dramatic Club was organized under the name "Concordia". Pla3's by well known authors arc presented semi- monthly. A choir, the Concordia Mannerchor which is a section meets for exercise once a week. The latter has participated in several Saen- gerfests and brought laurels for the society. Among the different beneficial associations Wieland Lodge, No. ii.> I. (). O. F. of New Jersey is the oldest here, having been organized about twelve years ago and was named after the illustrious German poet. Branches of the Chosen Friends, United Friends, Germania Sterbe-Kasse and other orders exist. TheG. A. R. is represented bj' Custer Post No. 17. The village is governed by. a President and a Board of Trustees. A great many of the streets are curbed, guttered, macadamized and lined with flagged sidewalks which are bordered with shade trees. A resident here may have in his house all the conveniences which he has in the city. Ant)ther of Carlstadt's many advantages is a booming Building and Ivoan Association." — Herm.an Fotii. M.VNUl'ACTUKIXG INTICK IvSTS. John B. Fortenbach a native of Germany, born in ISd.;. and now living at the age of ninety-five years, came to this country in 1S47. and to Carlstadt about ten years later. He became the head of the great Watch Case Manufacturing Co., in Carlstadt. He and his sons Jacob and Joseph Fortenbach operated this plant several years beginning at the close of the war and at one time employed about four hundred men and manufactured as many as eight hundred silver watch cases daily. The factory was eventually leased for a term of six years for live thousand dollars per year, after which it went into disuse. The Cragin Manufacturing Co., are now in charge of this jjlant for the manufacture of Japanned Cloth, Hatters (ilaze and Specialties, They have had the business about two years and employ from fifteen to twenty men. (iebhard Fritsch's Wax Bleachery and Manufacturv of line di-coraled candles for church purposes was established here in lS(i7. In 1890, the father died and the business was sold to Smith Nicholas of New York. Mr. F'ritsch being retained as sujierintendent of the works. The Company employ about forty men and manufacture about 20(1, (MM) candles annually. C.y.KMAS pi\'Ksbvti:ki.\n ciukcii, caki.stadt. The First German Presbyterian Church of Carlstadt, ( the first Church organization of the town ) was organized on Wednesday even- 36f) HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY ing', Aug-ust 18, 1S()9, with thirty-two members. The first elders of the congregation were J. H. Boking and J. H. Deppert, the Rev. Albert J. Winterick being the first pastor. His pastorate extended from August 19, 1869, until April 16, 1871. The congregation met in Woodridge schoolhouse in the near vicinity until under the pastorate of Rev. F. Kern a church building was erected on the border of what was called Old Carlstadt, corner Division avenue and Third street, in the year 1871, the church being dedicated on the 17th of December 1871, by the Rev. J. U. Guenther of the First German Presbyterian Church of Newark, N. J. The dedication sermon was from the forty-fifth psalm. Carlstadt and surroundings have always proved to be a poor field for evangelical work and in consequence of this fact there could only be expected a very slow growth of the church work. The pastorate of the Rev. F. Kern extended from the year 1872, January 2, until May 28, 1876. The following pastors served the church in succession: Revs. F. O. Zesch from July 14, 1876, until April 30, 1883; Emil Hering, December i7, 1883 until August 3, 1888; Louis Rymarski, June 28, 1898 until September 18, 1891; Augustus Lange September 24, 1892 until August 25, 1893. The Rev. F. J Kraushaar was installed as the present pastor of the church on the 15th of February, 1894. The church has now a membership of one hundred scholars, a Sunday school of one hundred and a Ladies' Society of about forty members. Directly north of the Carlstadt cemetery there is a very old private burial-ground, that of the Berry family. There are five stones here with the following inscription: In memory of Philip Berry, who departed this life September 25th, 1793, aged 72 years, 1 month and 4 days. Remember, man, as thou goes by. As thou art now so once was I, As I am now so must thou be: Prepare for death and follow me. In memory of Catharine Berry, who departed this life August 14, 1803, aged 78 years, 2 months, and 6 days. Hier Jut, Begraven, Hermanus Vogelsang, Oud:32: Jaar, Gestorven 19: December: Aa 1797, Van: Holland. Philip Berry, born July 4, 1763, died December 22, 18.§,0. In memory of Eve Van Winkle, wife of Philip Beri^y, who departed this life April 1(), 1843, aged 70 years, 5 months, and 25 days. THE C.\KLSTADT MUTUAL LOAN AND BUILDING ASSOCIATION. The Carlstadt Mutual Loan and Building Association was founded in May 1890. It is an institution which owes its existence and present unbounded success almost wholly to the untiring efforts of Mr. George Zimmermann who was the prime mover and its sole supporter for years. Eventually the leading men of Carlstadt took hold of the enterprise and Mr. John G. Niederer was elected president ; Adolph Kruger, secretary, and George Zimmermann, treasurer. GKOUGK ZIMMKKMANN ,(^g HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY The present officers are: John Oehler, president ; Charles Ziegler, vice-president; George Zimniermann, treasurer; Adolph Kruger, secre- tary and Charles Albertine, recording secretary. ■ The association is capitalized at $120,800,84, and has a membership of three hundred persons. It is a substantial institution of Carlstadt and is one of the most prominent and useful institutions in this part of the country. GAKKET HOPPEK. Carret Hopper who was of Holland origin, purchased a large tract of land, extending from the Hackensack River to Slaughter Dam, some five hundred acres of which became the homestead of the family. He was a member of the church in Hackensack as early as 1792. His son, Jacob Hopper, had his residence on the property on the Pohfly road, leading from the Paterson turnpike to Carlstadt. Jacob Hopper s wife was Cornelia, who bore him the following children: Katrina, wife of John Earle, who died in the beginning of the Revolutionary war; Henry Carret and John I. settled on the homestead, which was divided between them, the latter occupying the homestead part; and Elizabeth, wife of Cornelius Terhune, grandson of John Terhune, the progenitor of the Terhune family, and who settled where Sheriff Jacob C. Terhune resided in 1881, upon coming to this country. Jacob Hopper died about IMS, aged eighty-eight. ^^^^ ^ ^^^^^^^^ John I. Hopper, his grandson was born in 1775, and died m 1833, on the homestead where he resided during his whole life. His wife was Maria, daughter of Albert Terhune, who died January i 1857, aged seventy-six years. Their children were Cornelia, wife of John Terhune, a farmer and miller of New Barbadoes, who died in 1879, aged seventy- nine • Altia, widow of Albert A. Brinkerhoff, of Hackensack ; Catharine, wife'of Jonathan Hopper, a merchant of Paterson; Albert died in 7833, aged twentv-four ; Jacob I.; John, a lawyer of Paterson; Ehza; Maria wife of Henry Demarest of New. York; Jane, wife of Dr. Wilson, of New York, both of whom are deceased. John I. Hopper was drafted to serve the war of 1812 but urnished •I substitute. He is said to have used springs on his wagon the hrst of ^ny one who carried products to a New York market. In 1818 he erected the elec^ant brownstone house on the premises known subsequently as Terrace Avenue. Jacob I. Hopper, his son, was born on the homestead in 1810. He was united in marriage in 1835 to Ann, daughter of Garret Merselis and Leah DeGray of Preakness.- Passaic c<.unty,N J. He was born December 13, 1812. Their children were John and Ellen. HON. GEORGE ZIMMEKM.\NN. Some years since the New York W..rld published photographs of one hundred notables of the State of New Jersey. Among this list we find the picture of the Hon. George Zimmermann, who because of his prominence in political and official life is entitled to a place among that number Mr. Zimmermann has probably been advanced more rapidly JOHN K. KKITNKK HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY ?if>9 than ordinarily falls to the lot of young men because of the public spirit he has always manifested. He was born in New York city in 1857, the family removinir to Carlstadt the same year. In 18 73 his father purchased of Adam Rut- tenger the property now known as Zimmermann's Hotel, then a farm- house, and an old landmark of the locality, probably a hundred years old. Here Mr. Zimmermann has demonstrated his capacity as a busi- ness man both in the real estate and insurance business, while showing- a public spirited interest in his locality, resulting in his election to yar- ious offices of trust. When twenty-one years of age Mr. Zimmermann was elected to his first office, serying the public in one important capacity or another ever since. It was in 187'^» he was made Clerk of the township of Lodi. Subsequently certain irregularities were discoyered in the books of the township collector and a change in the office was demanded by a popular uprising of the people, and being preyailed upon to accept the nomin- ation he was elected by an overwhelming majority. He was next ap- pointed by President Cleveland postmaster in 1885, without opposition, and the able manner in which he conducted this office gave universal satisfaction. Having successfully met all official requirements, he was nominated for Assembly in 188<^» and elected bv a large majority. He has twice filled the office 'of Assemblyman, holding that place when the noted Reform Ballot Act was passed, and during the many heated controver- sies he was always found true to the interests of his constituents. In 1898 he was again nominated for the Assembly but was snowed under in commcm with all aspirants of his party almost everywhere. In 1897 he was elected Mayor of his borough and is discharging the duties of that office at this time to the entire satisfaction of all. Mr. Zimmermann has successfully filled the office of Fire Commis- sioner, president of the Fire Department, and also Chief of the Dc])art- ment. He is ft)under of the Carlstadt Mutual Loan and Building Asso- ciation, a highly successful institution which particularly owes its exist- snce to his good judgment and persevering spirit. As a real estate man Mr. Zimmermann has been very successful, while socially, there is no Lodge or Club in Carlstadt that does not seek his followship as a mem- ber of their organization. JOHN l-KANCIS I'lUTMCK. Something over a hundred years ago, John Jacol) .Vstor, John V. Feitner and a Mr. Phillips set sail together from Waldorf, a mountain village in (iermany for the shores of America. The name of .\stor is well known. Phillips died in the jjoor-house, but Feitner left a hand- some fortune and descendants, who like their ])r()genitor, i>ossess many of the sterling qualities of which that name is a synonynin. Feitner purchased a large tract of land extending from the Hloom- ingclale road, now Broadway, to the riviT. .\stor ]>urchasi(l on the np- HISTORY OK bkk<;kn COI'NTY 371 posite side of the Feitner Lane. The old Feitner homestead was at Fortv-sixth street and Broadway. Mr. Feitner married Miss Catherine Ann Kellar, and there children were Peter, George, Charles, Daniel, Catherine, Elizabeth, John, Francis and Hannah, all of whom are now dead. Peter, the father of the subject of this sketch, married .Marie, daug'hter of John and Sarah Hunt, whose g-rand-father was one of Washing-ton's body guard, and an old naval soldier in the war of 1S12, with Commodore Decatur on the old Constitution, at Algiers. The homestead of Peter F. Feitner was on Ninth Avenue and Feitner's Lane. John F. Feitner, of Moonachie Avenue, was an only child. He was born in the city of New York, March 2, 1826. His youth and early man- hood was spent in the city and doubtless had he remained there he would have become a distinguished factor in the political history of the Great Metropolis of to-day. Born gifted with strenth of mind, and with an iron will in an iron frame and possessed with ability to manage political situations in great emergencies, he was advanced at a somewhat rapid rate in official life. Among other positions he held, in New York, was a seven 3-ears service as secretary of the old Volunteer Fire Department, being a member of Hudson Engine Company No., 1. Twenty five years ago, however, the superintendency of the Twenty-Second Police Pre- cinct, of New York, having been tendered him and foreseeing the turbu- lence of such a political existence he declined the honor and instead was induced to seek the pleasurable 'pursuits of a more quiet life in the country. Accordingly the farm on Moonachie Avenue, was purchased and the change of reidence made to Bergen county. It is not to be sup- posed, however, that Mr. Feitner has kept aloof wholly from politics in this county. The acknowledged fitness of the man for official life has of itself brought almost every public trust in the gift of the people with- in his reach, but he has invariably refused all offers. Although of rather a brusque manner he is one of the kindest of men. When Mr. Feitner came to his present home his father came with him and died at the age of eighty-six years. His mother lived four score and four years. The present Feitner homestead was erected in 187.^. An old stone in the corner of his house taken from the first house built in this part of Bergen county, has on its face three dates, i. e.: 171S, ISld and 187.^. The original house having been built by Francis Outwater at tin- date first named. Within doors are antique furniture, and a variety nf curiosities. The Feitner home has in its sacred keejjing a great number of valuable souvenirs, some of them centuries old, and valuable beyond all commer- cial calculation. Here is a valuable wooden clock at least seventy-live years of age ; a handsome cherry bureau and desk combined one hundred and fifty years f)ld ; rush bottom chairs as solid and comfortable as the day when used by the grand parents and all uni(|uc as anticjue ; stone HISTOKV <)1' HKKC.IvN COl'NTV .^ / ,^ tomahawks and arrow heads used by the Indians were found on his placi'. \'ases one hundred and sevent^'-five years old stand beside china- ware on mantel-pieces just as aged, and all the handiwork of skilled mechanics. At the top of the stair-way is the head of a deer with its branching' antlers, shot on the farm one hundred and seventy-five years ago. On the walls hang fine works of art, curious pictures of needle- work in portrait, woven in silk, gives us the shepherd and shepherdess in two frames. In 1S4') Mr. f^eitner was married to Miss Mary Kline, whose grand- father was on the staff of Napoleon Bonaparte, and (lovernor of Straus- burg. Their children are Peter, John F.. Charles ()., (xLorge W. and Martha Gertrude. Charles O. died when two years old, and John F. is a member of the clergy. He graduated at Rutgers College, and is ])as- tor now of a church in Westchester county, New York. DK. At'Cl'.ST A. KICHTKK. In the death of Dr. August A. Richter, Carlstadt lost its oldest practicing physician. He was popular among all classes both (unnan and American, and his place cannot soon be filled. Dr. Richter was born in the year 1840 in Sackingen, (iermanv, and at the celebrated institutions of Leipzig he received an education and prepared himself for a professional career. Coming to America in 1. 18'iS. JACOH 11. n.l.MAN.N". Jacob H. Ullmann was born in New York city November 15, 1S()1, and two years later his ])arents removed to Carlstadt, where his father died in IHH.^. Young Ullmann's taste for botanical pursuits K-d him to the study ol Howers, and as a florist, he does a successful business, su])]. lying quan- tities of cut flowers both to the New York market and the home trade. He has held a number of offices in both borough and county. In IH^."? he was elected coroner by a large majority, having lu'en idected township clerk in 1890 and re-elected the following year, still later being made Township Committeeman. Mr. I'llmann lias also been chairman of the Board of Health and in 18')()-''»7 was elected member of Assemblv. He has been Secretary of the Bergen Hose C!ompany No. 1, and fore- man of Carlstadt Hose Com|)anv. bul rdusrcl to take entire command of 374 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY the borough fire department which was offered him. He was made postmaster of Carlstadt July 15, 18^7, and is serving as collector of taxes for the borough at present. Mr. Ullmann is a member of the Turn Verein and Concordia Dramatic Society. KEV. CAMILLUS MONDOKF. Undoubtedly every one living in East Rutherford, Carlstadt and vicin- ity knows and reveres Rev. C. Mondorf, the charitable Rector of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. As a self sacrificing man and priest of (iod, he enjoys the esteem and hearty good wishes of all denomina- tions. He was born on the historic banks of the Rhine, near Cologne, Octtiber 21. 1S44. As a student he entered the Prussian Army in 18()(), FATHER MONDOKF and after serving the Statutory term he resumed his studies first in Belgium and afterward in (iermany. He came to America in 1876, and the following year, January 1, 1877 was ordained a priest by Bishop Wadhams of Ogdensburg, N. Y. The Rt. Rev. Bishop Wigger selected him in August 1885 as Rector of St. Joseph's Church in East Rutherford. This Church was built in 1873. Father Mondorf also acts as Rector of St. Francis De Sales' Church in the village of Lodi, three and a half miles distant. The little Catholic Church in Lodi was built in 1854 and was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Bishop Bailey of Newark on the 2 its of De- cember in the same year. EKNKST F. SICKENBKKGEK. Ernest F. Sickenberger Ph. D., Phar. D., M. D. is a highly edu- cated physician, who came to this country in 1881 and to Carlstadt in HisTDKv oi' hi;k{;en county •■■/.■^ IS'iS, wluTc lu- has luiilt u]) all extensive practice in llu- prdl'cssion nl' medicine. He is a native of tiermany and was borii in 1S5'». After receivinji a jjood education in the public and hij^-li schouls of his native country, he studied pharmacy in the University of Freiburg, subsequently spend- ing- some years travelling through Europe and the Orient, mastcring several languages, which he speaks with fluency. He was graduated also from the New York College of Pharmacy in 1852; the National College, Washington, D. C. 1SS7, and the Columbia College Medical Department, in 1.S95. FK.\NZ FKITSCH. Franz Fritsch, a well known business man of Carlstadt, is of (ier- man birth, but came to this country with his parents when but fifteen years of age. He is the oldest son of the late Joseph and Therese ( Rail- ing ) Fritsch. His father was born in 181(i at Bergenz, Austria, and resided there until 1S59, the date of his coming to America. Here he continued his business of wax bleaching and candle making, in New York city until 1861, when he removed to Carlstadt and engaged more extensively in the manufacture of candles, a business w'hich he carried on u]) to the time of his death in is'io. Mr. Franz Fritsch was born in Hergenz, Austria, Noveml)er 2(>, 1S47. and was educated in the public schools of his native place, after- wards learning the business of wax bleacher and candle maker. Mr. Fritsch was for some years projjrietor of a large livery and sales stable, keeping a well selected stock of animals and enjoying the patr(mage of the best j^aying customers. At present he is engaged in the liquor busi- ness. Always taking an active interest in his locality, he served as mem- ber of the new Carlstadt village board of trustees for a period of eleven years, member of the Board of Chosen Freeholders from 18').^ to 18')'), and was one of the original members of the fire department. Socially he belongs to the Carlstadt Turn Verein. Mr. l'"ritscli married Miss Lizzie Mary Burger, Iroiu Carlstadt. (,(itti.ii:h sAfi'i.K. (iotllieb Sauter is a repri'sentative of one of the old(7crman lamilies of Europe. His grandfather was a teacher in the schodls of i'"leliiii- gen and Zaisenhausen for fifty years. His father was Titvyn Clerk eighteen years. Mayor. ' lUirgeiiieistiT j nine years and t'ollector of 'Paxes for twenty years. The subject of our sketch was born in the town of Flehingen, Baden, (iermany in 1854. In 1871 Mr. Sauter came to the United States, locating first in Kockport, Indiana, coming- to Carlstadt in 1S77. In r87<» he went to New York city and took a three years course in Mechanical Drawing in Cooper Institute. He tlun returned to Carlstadt settling first on his farm. After nine yt-ars lie built bis sliii]paii4. He is a member of the Alumni .Association of the College of Pharmacy of New York city, of New Jersey Pharmaceutical Associa- tion, also a member of the "League of American Wheelmen." and the "Carlstadt Turn \'erein " of Carlstadt, N. .1. WILLI.^M HMH.VCH. William Uml)ach, manufacturer of soda water, and beer liottler, has been a resident of Carlstadt since 1892. He is a native of ( lermany, where he attended school until fourteen years of age, after which he spent a year or more in ICngland. When si'venteen years of age he 378 HISTORY OF BEKGEX COUNTY came to New York, landing- in the New World without a cent in his pockets. This was in 1871. After working some years for Stratton & Storm, large cigar manufacturers, he had enough money to enter the grocery business on his own account. Success followed him in his new venture and he came into possession of valuable property- in the citv which he still owns. In 1892 he purchased property in Carlstadt, enlarged and utilized it for the purposes of his plant, two years subse- quentlv putting in machinery for the manufacture of soda water. Mr. Umbach gives employment to several men constantly, and has a well established business. William Umbach, Jr., is studing law, and Lituis another s(m, is pursuing a business education. AUGUST GERECKE August Gerecke, son of Christopher and Friedericke (Volger) Gerecke, was born in Braunschweig, Germany, September 22. 184i. After coming to America he was educated in the public schools of New York cit}'. Upon the completion of his sch(K)l work he learned the trade of machinist and locksmith, in which he has since successfully engaged. May 1, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Fifth Regiment, New York Militia, for three months" service, and was discharged at New York city August 7, of the same year. On October 5, 1861, he re-enlisted in Com- pany H, Fifty-second New York Volunteers, and was made corporal. He was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks, Sunday, June i, 1862, and was discharged at Falmouth, Virginia, December iith of that year, Isecause of wounds received in battle. Since that time Mr. Gerecke has become a citizen of Carlstadt, and is president of the Vulcan Hardware Manufactory of Wire Gauges. He is a member of Custer Post, No. i7. G. A. R., and of the Carlstadt Bowling Club. Mr. (ierecke's wife was Miss Mary A. Oswald of Scotland. JOHN W.AGXEK. John Wagner, proprietor of Union Park Hotel, was born in the city of New York in 1855. His father John Wagner. Senior, who was born in Germany in 183.^, came to America in 1850. landing in New York, where he followed his trade of baker. He was the first to use the four wheeled single truck in that city, for trucking and moving. In 18()7. Mr. Wagner came to Carlstadt and purchased the Dramatic Hall, but later sold this property, and on May 1, 1869, moved into the hotel which bears his name. In 1892 he built his residence on First Street, where he died December 5, 1897. John Wagner, Jr. came to Carlstadt when a boy and remained with his father until sixteen years of age, when he went to Newark and worked five years as a butcher, following the same business for a time in Paterson. In 1871 he made a visit to the old country and in 1880 located ])ermanently in Carlstadt, remaining since that time iu charge of Union HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 379 Park Hotel. This buililinLj when jiurehased oceupied but a small space of ground, but additions have been made until now the grounds cover an entire block. The hotel proper contains thirteen large rooms in addi- tion to which is a large pavillion used for dancing and for large gather- ings which are frequently held there. There are also large summer and . winter kitchens with all the appliances for entertaining a large compan v at short notice. As many as two hundred and tiftv people have l)een served at one time in the dining room. ArC.fST KICIIAKD KI.AUSS. August Richard Klauss was born in Germany April 2.>, IS.^f). He was educated in the public schools of his native place and came to America in 188O, where he spent the first eighteen mcmths in I'itts- burgh, Penna., subsequently coming to New York citv and thence to Carlstadt in i882. He takes a lively interest in ])ublic affairs, and has held various local offices, having been a member of the Board of Trustees, Police Commissioner, Chief of the Fire Department, and also Foreman of Fn- gine Company No. i. As a member of the borough council he has served on some of its most important committees. Mr. Klauss is president of the Liquor Dealers' Association, .ind con- ducts a business of his own, meeting with success. A true German in his love of music and social good cheer, he is a valuable member of the Carlstadt Schutzen Company, and also belongs to the C(mcordia, a singing association. He is an Odd Fellow and a Turner, in addition to belonging to diiTerent benevolent and beneficial organizations. His wife was a Miss Maggie Deerhert of Carlstadt, who w.is liorn in New York citv in i8S'>. l'l\'. KIST. Fr. Kist, manufacturer of ladies' muslin underwear 7 and ') Small Street, is a native of Germ.inv l)orn in the citvof Buclian of Wirtenberg, in 18:w. In early life he lost l)oth p.irents, and. after recei\ing some educa- tion in the public schools, he learned the trade of tailor. In 1S71, during the Franco-German war, he came to America, where he worked for the P^ortenbach Company, in Carlstadt, six years. After residing for fifteen years on the Hoboken Koad. across the Ilackttisack. he moved into the village in IS8S. to the ])ropertv he now occii])ii's and where he started his factorv. Mr. Rist and his four daughters began this business first in a small way, but he now employs thirty girls and will soon be under the neces- sity of increasing the capacity of his i)lant. He manufactures soKlv for Siecher & Company, New York, the largest concern in the citv for the manufacture of uncU'rwear. III'.NKN' KKIIU.INC. Henry Krieling. for twenty-tive years a prominent Ljrocer in Carl- 380 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY st;idt, is a native of Germany, born in the province of Hanover, in the year 1825. When twenty-five years of ag-e he set sail for this country, and for fifteen years was associated with one of the leading- dry goods establishments in New York. In 1868 he came to Carlstadt when he established himself in business, and also became prominently identified with the Presbyterian Church, having; served as treasurer, and as trustee for many years. Mr. Krieling- has' two sons well known in business circles in Carl- stadt. Henry Krieling, Jr., the elder son, is a cutter, and Herman owns a dairv. Socially, they have all been prominent in various ways, looking to the welfare of the community. JOHN N. KASMl'.S. John N, Rasmus one of the oldest merchants and contractors in Carlstadt was born in Holstein, Germany, in 1830. In 1850 he came to New York and on May 10, of that year, took up his abode in Carlstadt. He worked at his trade of mason until 1855, when he became manager for Charles Treppke, with whom he remained in full charge of his store, for five years, after which he opened a store on his own account. In 1 854 Mr. Rasmus built a house on Hackensack street for Mr. Trappke, the first in the village of Carlstadt, and in i86S he built the Stewart Winslow residence on Orient Way, the first house in Ruther- ford. He carried on the business of contractor from i8f>5 to i888, and built the Methodist Protestant church and many other fine structures in Rutherford. In i858 Mr. Rasmus j()ined the Turners' Society of Carlstadt, and in i872 became a member of the fire department, holding it's secretaryship three years, he was foreman two years, and treasurer three years, he was also on the Board of Trustees of his town fourteen years. Treasurer of the Board three years. Overseer of the Poor two terms and has been Councilman of his borough since its formation in i882. C;OTTFKIED MEKCKEL. Gottfried Merckel, pharamacist and proprietor of the drug store established by Otto Frank, many years ago, is a native of (lermany, where he was educated in the public schools, and in which country also he took a thorough pharmaceutical course of instruction, supplementing that with a three years' clerkship, preparatory to going into business for himself. In 1892 he sailed for America, landing in New York, when he continued his chosen field of labor until 1897 when he came to Carlstadt. Mr. Merckel has a good trade and enjoys the confidence of the people. GEOKGE MULLEK. George Muller, proprietor of the Monumental Marl)le Works, and of the Casino, '^Carlstadt, was born in Darmstadt, in the province of Hesse, Germany, in 1848. He is the son of Valentine Mueller, a farmer, and was educated in the public schools of his native ])lace. At the age HISTOKY OF BEKCiKN COUNTY 381 of L'iyhtCL'ti years he came to this eountrv aiiil became apprenticed t<> Mr. Gregx>rv. of Hoboken, to learn the trade of stone mason. He remained with his employer in all, until 1S7S, hayinresi(lent of Berrv Lawn Cemetery, and forn.icr Commissioner of Appeals, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in lSo2. Farming was his occupation, and in 1854 he came to this country, locat- ing afterwards on the farm of John Ackerman in Lodi township, where his father died in 1855. In 18()9 he went into business for himself, and has held, besides, many political offices. In i8'>7 he was elected Com- missioner of Appeals for two years. He was a member for sex'en years of the Carlstadt Fire Department which he joined in i872. He was made president of the Berry Lawn Association in I8't,^, and still holds that position. THK Vil.I.AHE OF LODI. Sixty-seyen years ago, Rt)bert Rennie, Esq., left Scotland, the place of his l)irth. for the United States, and arrived here penniless, but as a Yankee once expressed it, "chock full or work." He brought with him personal honesty, industry, intelligetice, and a thorough knowledge of a good trade. His brother. James, who was originally "a block printer" was then ccmducting a small manufacturing business on the banks of the Passaic, on the spot still known as "Nightingale's Mills." To this ])!ace Robert immediately directed his steps, and became engaged as superintendent of the establishment, immediately infusing new life and energy into tlu' business. They soon remii\ed to the present town oi Lodi where a small mill had been built for James, by Jacob Ho])per and Abraham C. Zabriskic. This mill was com])letely destroyed by lire in 18.^4, and rebuilt on a much larger scale by Robert Renni^-, who suc- ceeded his brother as the sciK- pro])rietor, thus laying tlu' foundation id' the afterwards famous '" I^odi Print Worlcs," which atone time stood at the head of all concerns of the kind in the United States. Previous to that period Lixli had been .almost a wilderness. In 1S2S the only houses in the vicinity were tin- unassuming residences of Henry Hopper, Richard Stagg and l)a\id I. Ackerman. To-day L xli has a large pojniiation, five or si.\ churches, many stores, a district schocd. ])ost office, and other elements of a good sized city. For this the inhabitants are nriiiilv. if not altogether indel)ted to Robert Rennie, who out of most un])romising material fashioned com- ])aratiye grcritness. Lodi was at lirst called K'einiiev\il]e, in opposition 382 HISTOKY OF BEKGKN COUNTY to the wishes cf Mr. Rennie, who finally caused the name to be changed, and still retained the respect and gratitude of the community. The Rennie brothers were three in number, Robert being tlie voun crest. Peter Rennie was well known in New York. He had an extensiYe laundry in Bloomingdale, yielding him a large fortune which he enioved and used with commendable good sense. He remained there until hi's death ; but it mav be said, truly, that Robert Rennie. by his industry, enterprise, liberality and genuine devotion to business did the most to make the name celebrated. He always had an extreme aver- sion to being spoken of by the press. The heavy factories of New England, proved to be too formidable for competition here and the " Lodi Print Works, " or -Manufacturing Company," as the institution, with its stockholders, was subsequently called, went by the board. , • ., After abandoning the print works, Mr. Rennie engaged in the manufacture of chemicals and dye stuffs and in this pursuit he was not likely to meet with any serious reverses. He employed about httv workmen in the chemical works, but during his control ot the print works he had charge of upwards of five hundred men. He had a large interest in the Hackensack Railroad. ..t which he was a prominent director, and built the Lodi Railroad at his own est. and for the convenience of his friends. Mr Rennie resided on the west side of Saddle River br,.ok. on a large estate which commanded a view of the Print Works and objects of interest in the vincinity. The grounds were laid out with fine taste, and were a m<.del worthy of imitation. He died August 23, 1882. CHUKCHES. In 1845 was organized the Lodi Congregational Church. Services were reo-ularly held at various places in the village until the year 18/2 when a plot of ground was purchased and a church edifice erected at a cost of three thousand dollars. Subsequently a library of several thous- and volumes, formerly belonging to the Lodi Reading Room Association, was purchased by the church which made a valuable additi.ni to the needs of the society. l- i \ The first ministers in succession since 1871 were Revs. \< rank A. Johnson, F. Y. Turn, and William H. Broadhead. Subsequently sup- plies from the Theological Seminary New York, filled the pulpit. In 1878 the founders of the Second Reformed Church of Lodi Village. seceded from the Ccmgregaticmal Church. They were accompanied in their movement by the former pastor ,.f the church. Rev. R. M. Ottord. The secession from the Congregati.mal Church was due to a dispute as to the regularity of the ordinaticm of Mr. Offord. On the 17th of Sep- tember 1878, he was admitted to the Classis of Paramus. and on the lOth of October of the same year was installed pastor of the Second Re- HisTOKV or bick(;ex county S83 fiirini'd Churcli. A hnuse of worship was subsequently erected and ser- vices rei;ularlv held thereafter. The First i Holland ) Reformed C'hureh was orifanized in i.S5'». A house of worship was erected in the village of Lodi, at a cost of about two thousand five hundred dollars, during' the same year. In lSf)S the General Synod of the Holland Reformed Church in America directed that the term Holland be dropped from the name of the church, or placed in brackets. A majoritv of the members of this church in Lodi, with their pastor. Rev. W. C. Wust, disapproved of the chanj,'-e, and refused to comply with the directioti. A minority, on the other hand, conceded the rig'ht of the General Synod to modify the name of the church, and were ready to carry out the direction. A question arose as to which party should have the church edifice. A long course of litigation fol- lowed, which terminated in favor of the minority. The minister was the Rev. James Hyssoon, 1>S55. The edifice was erected during that year at a cost of four thousand dollars, and was dedicated by Bishop J. Roosevelt Bayley, late Archbishop of Baltimore. It is .1 mission church, its pulpit having been supplied in turn l)y pastors from I'aterson, Hackensack, Fort Lee, and Carlstadt. The first jjastor was L. I). Senez. The African Zion E])iscopal, a small society, was organizi'd about 1S72. The first pastor was Ileiuy Dumson. lUlv'IAI.-lM. ACl'.S. The township of F^odi h.is only two ])ublic burial-grounds, one in Lodi and the other in Carlstadt, both of comparatively- recent origin. The one at Lodi is a Catholic cemetery, and was oi)ened in 1855, when the Catholic Church was built. It is (juite extensive, having been used for several years as a burial-ground by all the Catholics in Bergen coun- 3^4 HISTOKY OF BERGEN COUNTY ty. The cemetery at Carlstadt was opened soon after the organization of the villag-e in 1S53. The inscriptions are mainly in German. GEORGE C. MEKCEK. Georg-e Cockburn Mercer was born in Earlston, Scotland, March 17. 185h fifs mother's lineage mingles not far back with that of the late Lord Chief Justice Cockburn of England, Cockburn being her maiden name. Earlston has historical interests and lies in one of most beautiful sections of Scotland. It was the home of Thomas the Rhymer, the ruins of whose castle are visited by tourists from far and near. These old ruins have recently passed into .the hands of the Historical Society of Scotland, and will receive the care due them. Seven miles over the hills from Earlston is Galashiels, famous for its woolen industries. At much less distance is Melrose with its immortal abbey, also Dryburgh, Abbots- ford, the home of Sir Walter Scott, afld other places of world wide renown The Leader, a picturesque stream, home of the finest trout m Scotland, and on which Earlston stan4s, flows into the Tweed, two miles below the town. To the beauties of Jiature are added the atmosphere of romance, and here young Mercer not only first saw the light, but received his principal educational training, passing through a thorough academic course. ^ , . , . , Mr. Mercer followed the example of many of his kinsmen and a still larger number of his countrymen, when in 1873 he left his native shores for America. He reached the land of his adoption October 24th of that year, and at once found a home with relatives in Lodi. After a brief engagement with the proprietor of the old Lodi store, he became associated^with the New Jersey and New York railroad, and managed its Lodi branch, overseeing the disposition of large quantities of freight, which passed to and from the Lodi mills. Subsequently he was engaged in a confidential capacity with Messrs. H. J. Libby & Co. of New York, the well known agents of the Norfolk and New Brunswick Hosiery Co with their large mills in New Jersey and New England. Later on he became a member of the firm of Byrne, Bros. & Co., with its cotton croods finishing mills at Lodi, and was the New York representative and financial manager of the concern. After seven years of marked suc- cess the property of the firm was destroyed by fire. It was not rebuilt, and the firm was dissolved by mutual consent. Mr. Mercer then turned his attention to the manufacture of woolen shoddies and extracts, and located in Garfield. For this purpose he organized in 1894 the Garfield Woolen Company and became its president and treasurer and still holds these offices, to which he devotes his most assidious attention. He is also a director of the Peoples' Bank and Trust Company of Passaic, of which concern he has been a stockholder from its inception. Seven years a-o he organized the Lodi Building and Loan Association and is "its president This organization has a high reputation for its conser- vatism It has aided scores of the citizens of Lodi to procure homes of their own, and proved a lucrative form of investment to the stock- holders. HISTOKV OF HKK(;KN COVNTV .iho In 1890 Mr. Mercer married Miss Isabella Vair Cockburn, a dautfh- ter of (icorge Cockburn, of Ludinjjton, Michisran. She is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music, and a voung lady of marked musical talent. In addition to his many business duties, Mr. Mercer was for many years postmaster of Lodi. As a result of his efforts, the village was incorporated as a borough in 1894, and at the second election for Mayor in 1897, he was elected to that office without opposition. In this t)fficial capacity he has pushed needed measures for the improvement of its thoroughfares, and has shown a spirit of progress that is proving infec- tious and full of promise for the welfare of the place. In his private capacity he ensured the locating of the Alexander Dye Works, one of the largest silk dyeing and finishing mills in the world, in Lodie. He has also introduced an electric system and is lending his efforts to the move- ment, which he practically initiated, to link Passaic and Lodi by means of an electric railway. Mr. Mercer is a member of the Washington Club, Passaic, a Oovern- nor of the Passaic General Hospital and a member of its Committee on P^inance. He is a Free Mason of high degree, having some time since become a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the St. Andrew's Society of New York and of the Orean Park Club of Passaic. He was one of the founders of the Second Reformed Church of Passaic, serving for nearly twenty years as deacon and its treasurer. He has been one of its most active members and supporters, and its interests are dear to his heart. He is the Superintendent of its Sunday-school and in many other ways fosters the work and aids the cause. Mr. Mercer is a man of unflagging energy, great executive ability and industry. He is a Republican in politics, an intelligent observer of the times, a faithful friend, and among his fellow men always genial and companionable. He is benevf)lent without ostentation, and has the respect and hearty esteem of a wide circle of acquaintances. WAIJ.INGTOX. The liorough of Wallington includes all that territory of land lying between the Passaic River, the Short Cut Railroad and the trolley road from Passaic to Hoboken. It was organized in March i895. The officers elected were as follows: Mayor, Jacob Wagner; Presi- dent of Council, Bernard Koster; Councilmen, Bernard Koster, John Baker, Thomas R. Collins, Walter F. Schmitt, Charles R. Stewart, and Robert Engle; Clerk, Conrad Kreger; Assessor, William De Vogel; Collector, Pascal Gardella; President Board of Education, Bernard Kos- ter; Board of Health, Menzo Neer, president. March, 1899: Mayor, James Van Bussum; President of Council, Thomas R. Collins; Councilmen, James Soop, James Ryan, Peter Gly- nis, (ieorge W. Gill, John J. Polmann; Clerk, Christian De Keyser; As- sessor, John McMahon; Collector, Peter De Keyser; Counsel, A. D. Sul- livan; Chief of Police, Robert Cook; Commissioners of Appeals, Wil- liam De Vogel, Jacob Wagner and Jolin De Keyser; Board of Education, 386 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COITNTY Frank Wentink, president; Board of Health, Edward Cutting, president. PUBLIC HALL. The corner-stone of the new Public Hall of \Vallin<^ton was laid on Saturday, November 13, 1897, by appropriate exercises, Mr. A. D. Sulli- van acting as Master of Ceremonies. Mr. Sullivan was followed by As- serablvman-elect, John M. Bell. Mayor Koster, ex-Mayor Wagner, Coun- cilman James Soop, and others. President Krug of Wallington Hall Association, presented Mayor Koster with a handsome silver-plated W.^LLIXGTON SCHOOL trowel with which he tapped the stone, saying, "I herewith dedicate this hall to the w^elfare of the Borough of Wallington." The children sang "America," and othernational melodies, and each received a souvenir. After the ceremonies. ex-Mayor Wagner entertained the invited guests at his residence, where the festivities were prolonged until a late hour. \V.\LLIXGTOX PKESBYTEKI.'^N CHURCH. From a report of the secretary, Mr. George C. Woolson, to the officers of the Wallington Presbyterian Church and Sunday School, dated October 17, 1897, we note the following interesting facts relative to its history. HISTOKY OK BEKOKN COUNTY 387 Mr. WodIsdh s;iys : "Tho articles of incDrptJration constitutiiiii' thr Board of Trustees of the WallinL^fton Presbyterian Society were drawn up and tiled according to law on May 23d, IS'td. Two preliminarv meet- ings of the trustees were held (m May 30 and June 11, rcspectivelv, to consider plans for a church edifice, and to devise ways and means to secure funds for such a building, as well as to select two lots on which to build, said lots having been previously generously donated by Mr. L. M. Alden, of Passaic. On June T>th a meeting was held at the Wal- lington public schoolhouse to decide upon plans for the proposed church edifice, when it was decided to accept that offered by Architect S. B. Reid of New York city, and the trustees were empowered to make such alterations as in their judgment were deemed necessary. At the close of the meeting the ladies met and organized the Ladies" Aid Society of the Wallington Presbyterian Church. "On June 22 the trustees met and projjoscd certain changes look- ing towards the improvement of the plans, and in the last week in June ground was broken for the cellar." "The corner-stone was laid by Rev. Dr. P. F. Leavens on the even- ing of July 21st, with appropriate ceremonies and in the presence of several hundred persons. Mr. Woolson saj-s 'This corner-stone was cut and donated by Mr. Daniel Demarest of Passaic, and it may be further stated that nearly all the material and labor used were freely given by those interested in the promotion of a church in this place.' " On October 7th, 8th and ')th a very successful fair was held in the building, at which time about $491, — no small sum for such a commun- ity — was cleared, and in June a lawn party was held, at which S75 more was cleared, this money enabling the ladies to furnish the church. The Sabbath School was opened at 2.30 o'clock on Sunday, October 11, and the church was dedicated November 17, Rev. Ame Vcnnema de- livering the sermon. November 22, Rev. Dr. P. F. Leavens, preached the first sermon at 3.30 P. M. On April 11, 1S'>7. lifteen members were received by confession of faith, three joined by letter, and during the ])ast year forty-one adults and eight infants were bajjlizcd. The attendance at the Sunday School from October 11, 1S')(>, U> October 3, 1897, inclusive, averaged sixty-five, a weekly coiitrilmtion nf !?11.21 having been given. The average attendance at church for the same time was fifty-seven, the weekly contribution amounting to $4.80. The trustees of the new church are W. A. Wiliard, president; (1. C. Woolson, secretary; Janus Soop, treasurer; J. \'an Idestine, Charles Kuhne. John Kingsland, A. L. S])ringsteen, Adney P. Post and Charles R. Stewart. Regular church services are held every Sabbath evening at 7.30, and besides the Society of Christian Endeavor, which holds regular services, a weekly j)raycr meeting was started in November 1898, and is held every Friday evening, at eight o'clock. The present pastor is Mr. A. F. Parker of Patcrson and under his earnest and zealous preaching tlu- society is making good and substantial progress. 3S8 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COIiNTY STANDARD OIL WORKS. The Standard Oil Company carry oil from their fields in Pennsylva- nia to the seaboard at Bayoune, in pipes laid under ground to a depth of thirty-sis inches. Were the surface through which these pass, on a level, or nearly so, the force necessary to carry the oil to its destination would be greatly reduced, but as it is necessarily over hills and along lowlands, it is not possible to use long lines of tubing. To obviate the danger of bursting pipes by such great force, pumping stations are arranged at regular intervals of thirty miles where the oil is received in large tanks and again pumped to the next station. This is the eleventh and last station on the line. At Garfield twenty-four large iron tanks having a capacity of thirty- five thousand barrels, and several large brick buildings are located. One of the buildings contains the engines and pumps, while in the others are the telegraph office and steam boilers. The engines are running constantly day and night throughout the year, egg-anthracite coal being used as fuel. Natural drafts keeps the furnaces running without artifi- cial aid consuming about twenty-five tons of coal in every twenty-four hours. To determine when a break or leak occurs, and also the amount of pressure, each station employs a mercury pressure-gauge, which will indicate a leak of even one barrel per hour. The pipe lines are passed over each day by men who are called line walkers. At the station are employed four engineers, four fireman, two coal-heavers and four tele- graph operators. The Standard Oil Company bought their right of way for a large sum, by which they are entitled to this right for a term of twenty yea-rs more or less. The station in Garfield is in the south-east corner of the borough, near Passaic. THE ANDERSON LUMBER COMPANY. The Anderson Lumber Company was established in 1812 by David I. Anderson and Major Post, under the firm name of Anderson & Post. David I. Anderson, the senior member of the firm, was born in 1792 and died in 1873. His son W. S. Anderson was born in 1827, and after at- taining his majority, became a clerk in the lumber and coal office of Anderson & Post, eventually becoming a partner in the business and finally succeeding to the sole ownership. In 1876 S. T. Zabriskie came into the firm. In 1885, S. L. Nickerson, who for twenty-eight years be- fore had been a sea captain, entered into partnership with W. S. Ander- son Company and built the original factory on the Wallington side. This building afterwards receiving additions, has a one hundred and fifty horse-power engine, while about fifty men find constant employ- ment in manufacturing all kinds of packing cases, and everything per- taining to wood work for a house. In 1887 a stock company was formed. The present officers are: Simeon T. Zabriskie, President; Edward Phil- lil^s. Secretary and Treasurer; Captain S. L. Nickerson Superintendent. Jfl.irS KOKKHS HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY ?89 This cnmpaiiy has extensive duck I'aeilities. Its water I'nnit is iiKire than half a mile in length. MK. Jfl.irS K()|.;ilKS. Julius Kochrs, proprietor of the Mammoth Flower (xarden, near the crest of the Showhank ridge, on the Paterson plank road, is a native of Germany, born in the cit v of Hamburg- in the year 1844. After leaving school he started as apprentice in the Kiel Botanical Garden at the University of Holstein. He afterward supplemented his training by travel through the greenhouses and flower gardens of Ger- many, Belgium and other countries, until he secured a position with M. Sienan. Esq., of Jersey City, to take charge of his extensive collection of Orchids. He came to the United States in 1868, and for six years was associated with Mr. Sienan. After this he rented the plant, enlarging it subsequently and conducting it as his own in connection with another establishment, on Jersey Citv Heights. In 18S4 he formed new plans, and began anew. Hi- sn]il dut his i, he purchased the seven and one-half acres he now occupies, since which time his nursery has steadily kept pace with the demands of the trade. Mr. Woolson has also been prominent in the borough of Walling- ton. He was school trustee and district clerk for nine years, and takes an active interest in all things affecting the welfare of his part of Ber- gen county. He was made a Mason in Passaic Lodge, No. 67, in 1883, and from that time until the present has held some oiBce in his Lodge, serving as Worshipful Master in 1889-'%. He is now and has been for five years Historian of his Lodge. For six years he was a member of various committees in the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. In 1884 he was elected and exalted in Centennial Chapter of P. M. 34, of Royal Arch Masons. For the past six years he has been High Priest of this Chap- ter, and has received high honors in the Grand Chapter of this State, now holding the office of (irand King. In 1S8.S he was knighted in Mor- ton Commandery, No. 4, of New York city, and in 1890 joined Mecca Temple and was made an Illustrious Noble of the Mystic Shrine of New York city. He also holds a membership in the Fraternal Union of .Xnnointed High Priests of New York. DIV. CICOKCIH TIll'Klil'.lv'. George Thurl)er. he received an appointment at the United States Assay Office, of which he and Dr. Torrey were then the Assayers. Here he remained until 185(>, when for political reasons he was forced to resiy;n. In 1859 he was appointed professor of Botany and Horticulture at the Michigan State Agricultural College, which he held four years and only resigned to accept the editorship of the American Agriculturist in 1863. Few men, if any, have exerted so powerful and effective an in- fluence on American Agriculture and Horticulture as has Dr. Thurber through the pages of this magazine. The botany of Appleton's Ency- clopedia was contributed entirely by Dr. Thurber. This excellent phar- macist, splendid botanist, admiral teacher and genial man, died at his home, at the "Beeches," in his sixty-ninth year. His remains were buried in Swan Point Cemetery, Providence, R. I., a locality where a young man he spent many happy hours in collecting and studying the botanical treasures formerly found in such abundance in this portion of the state. His affection for the young was very marked, and nothing so delighted him as to find a young man who was interested in his favorite sciences of botany and chemistry, and he was always ready to give that advice and friendly suggestion which so en- deared him to those brought into intimate relations with him. For many years no book was issued by the firm with which he was connected without his critical examination, and many of them show his handiwork which served to render them more practical and intelligent to the g'en- eral reader. MR. JACOB WAGNEK. Jacob Wagner, the first Mayor of the Borough of Wallington, is a native of Germany, born in Grasapsach, in the county of Backnaug, in the year 1835. Christian Wagner, the father, died when Jacob was but eleven years of age. His mother lived to the advanced age of eighty- six years, dying in May 1897. Mr. W^agner attended the schools of his native town and worked on the farm until nineteen years old, when ac- companied by two elder sisters, he sailed for America in the old ship Queen Victoria landing in New York on August 19, 1854, forty-nine days after leaving the father-land. During the first eighteen months, after coming here, Mr. Wagner worked as a hired hand for a farmer on Long Island, beginning on a salary of five dollars per month. Follow- ing this came six years or more of service for the Erie Railroad Com- pany, working as a common laborer. As early as 1861, he found him- self the happy possessor of a few hundred dollars which he immediately HISTOKV OF BEKGKN COUNTY 343 invested in real estate and through other investments in realty his hund- reds were soon converted into thousands. Now he has large interests in Jersey City and elsewhere. In 1858, Mr. Wagner was married to Miss Whilhelmina Brecht and in 1S(>1 he bought a lot and built a house in Jersey City, continuing to live there until 18'tl vhen he removed to Wallington, where he now resides. His wife, after bearing him ten children, and enjoying the comforts resulting from a well ordered life, passed away in June 1895, leaving the husband and six children to mourn their loss. In 18')!, Mr. Wagner purchased of George Engle- man fifty acres of the old Theodore Van Idestine estate and since that time his interests have been centered in this borough. In 1896 he was chosen Mayor of his borough, which position he held till March, 1897. when he insisted upon retirement. BEKNAKD KOSTER. Bernard Koster, Mayor of Wallington, is a son of Henry Koster and Catharina Weber. He is German by birth and education, born in Atten- dorn, province of Westphalia, Germany, August 8, 1860. His parents early placed him in the elementary public school, where he remained until it became necessary for him to assist his father in the maintenance of a large family. From September i874, he was employed in the chem- ical works until October 30, i880, when he sailed for this country. In December 1880 he came to Bergen county locating at Englewood. From April 1883 until September 1887, he was with the late Andrew S. Ful- ler of Ridgewood, one of the oldest horticulturists in America. He then took his family to New York city, returning to Bergen county in Febru- ary 1889, and located in Wallington his present home. Since his return to Bergen county he was foreman for a number of years at the nurseries of Woolson & Co., hardy plants, the last five years having been spent as superintendent of Mr. Peter Reid's greenhouse and grounds which are the finest in Passaic. Mr. Koster is at this time president of the Catholic Benevolent Legion in Passaic, treasurer of the Knights of Columbus in Passaic, treasurer and one of the directors of the Wallington Savings Loan and Building Association, of which he was one of the originators, treasurer of the Wallington Hall Association, and an active member and the treasurer of Wallington Hose Company, No. 1. In addition to tluse Mr. Koster is affiliated with a number of Church societies of the Roman Catholic Church in Passaic. His military record covers a period of nearly nine years having enlisted Aj^ril 28, 1882. in Comi)any B, Second Battalion. Infantry, First Brigade, National Guards of New Jersey, and discharged from the service March 10, 1891. In his public achievements and offices, Mr. Koster jietitioned the court of Bergen county lor the incorjjoration of the Borough of Wallington in Ueceml)cr, 1894, which was granted. He was a])pointed President of the Board of Education of Wallington. bv the Countv Superintendent in I'^ehruary 1895, remaining a member of tlial Imdv cunlinunusl\- since lliat time; 1)V re-eJectiim in 394 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUI^TY 1895, for a term of two years, and again in 1897 for three years. In 1895 he was elected councilman for three years, and in 1897 Mayor of the Boroug-h. Mr. Koster's marriage to Bridget Cuoney of New York was solemn- ized April S, 1883, at Englewood, by Rev. Father McDonald, of the Roman Catholic Church. JOHN J. POLMAXN. John J. Polmann, Recorder of the Borough of Wallington, was born in the old romantic and historic 'ALoo 'ALoo," in the Province of Gelder- land, Holland, July 18, 18f)0. At eighteen years of age young Polmann after a rigorous examination, was found fully competent to enter the profession of teaching, beginning work in the school room at once, a position for which he was well fitted both by education and natural ability. After teaching one year he was forced into the military ser- vice, where he served his country eighteen months. Upon his return home, he immediately entered again upon his chosen field of labor and taught school in Texel for a continuous period of five years. In 1883 he married Miss Cornelia Kooiman, and with his wife sailed for America in 1887. The struggle for a new home now began and after a trial, first in Chicago, then in Passaic N. J., and subsequently in Staten Island, they finally came to Wallington in 1894, where they have prospered and find a congenial home. Mr. Polmann purchased the property where he now lives, success having followed all his enterprises since coming here. He is recognized as a leader in public affairs and consequently many honors have been thrust upon him. He has been Clerk of the Borough, and is now by appointment, serving as Recorder of the Borough; is a member of the Board of Education and President of the Fire Depart- ment. He is also a director of the Wallington Building and Loan Asso- ciation, and a director of the Public Hall Associatii)n. In March 18'».s the citizens of the borough elected him Justice of the Peace, by a nearly unanimous vote. JAMES SOOP. Mr. James Soop. Councilman of Wallington Borough, and for over twenty-five years engineer on the Pavonia Ferry, was born in Albany. N. Y., October f>, 1843. At the age of fourteen young Soop was earn- ing wages, as a deck hand, on board a steamboat. At sixteen he was made fireman on the "Ohio," and continued in that capacity till twenty- one years of age. In 1865 he received license as engineer and served first on the "Cayuga," a Hudson river boat that plied between Albany and New York. After the war he served as oiler for a few years on steamships run- ning from New York to Richmond, New Orleans and other places South, but in 1873 accepted the position he still holds. March 19, 1873, he was married to Miss Emma J. Turner, of Albany, N. Y., and two days later the young couple began housekeeping in Jersey City. In 1888 two lots were purchased and a house built in Wallington, where they have since resided. ADKIKN D. Sn.I.IVAN HISTOKY OK BKKCKN COUNTY 395 Mr. Soop was one nf tho ])r(iin( iters of tlie boroug'h ^overniiu'iit and is at present a member of the council. He is president of the Buildin";- and Loan Association, of which he was one of the originators, and is now a director. He is also a trustee and treasurer of the Presbyterian Church; is a Mason and Past Master of a Lodge in Jersey City and for eighteen years he has l)een a member of Pioneer Council No. 22, Royal Arcanum. ADKIAN ]). Sl'LI.IV.VX. Adrian D. Sullivan was l)orn in Saratoga county, New York, not far from the spot where was fought one of the decisive battles of the world's history. He attended the public school of his native town, and later, the I'niversity of Ohio, where he also gained his legal education. Here his keen, penetrating, judicial mind made him a marked student. In i89(), he married Miss Lucia Meek MacFaddin, a well known and highly respected young lady of Des Moines, Iowa. Three children, two sons and one daughter, have come to bless his home. He moved to Passaic in l.S')4, and was admitted to the bar in New Jersey the follow- ing June. The people were not slow to recognize his genius. His ])ractice soon became eminent and lucractive, and he now numbers among his clients, many of the most prciminent people of the city. During his first year in practice, he gained a wide reputation as a jury lawyer. He ever shows a willingness to champion the cause of men unjustly attacked. For justice, he is bold and brave; toward oppression, scornful and tierce. He is free from tlie sordid mercenary motives that control too many men of the present day. Lawyer Sullivan, on account of his location among the foreign element in Passaic, has identified himself in feeling with those oppressed people, and has frequently defended them without fees, when they were being made the victims of injustice. He understands the Slavonians and Hungarians in their virtues and in their vices; in their sufferings and in their wrongs. He is their friend, and they, in return, love him: His personal manners are unpresuming and unpretending; his in- tercourse with people being marked by cordiality and dignity, and liis demeanor as simple as his spirit is sincere. His candid, open nianiu-r and high sense of justice h;ive made him universally resjjected. and his friends are numerous. MK. TIIOM.VS K. C(JI.LINS. Tliomas K. C(dlins, the subject of this sketch is a i)roininent con- tractor in the plumbing business with offices in Passaic and Wallington. He is a native of Canada, born in Toronto, in 18()4, and was educated in the public schools of that city. When sixteen years of age he came to New York, where he worked five years for Cassidy & Son, chandelier manufacturers, and the following eleven years was in the employ of J. W. Fiske in his Ornamental Iron Works. In IHS.^. he married .Miss Mary Crone, removing to Wallington the foll had carried on the plumbing- business in Canada, came here in 18'».i, when a partnership was formed by the brothers, Thomas being a silent partner. In 1897, the shop was built in Wallino-ton, while the oiSce and show-room in Passaic, was opened in December, of the same year. As plumbers the Collins Brothers do a large business. They have just completed St. Mary's Hospital, the largest plumbing contract ever given out in Passaic. Contracts have also been taken for five or six hotels belonging to the Midland Beach Traction Company, on Staten Island. Nine practical plumbers are in their employ. Mr. Collins is also a member of the firm of DeVogel & Co., builders. He was one of the promotors of the borough system, of Wallington ; was elected Councilman, holding the office two years and re-elected for three years, 'being made President of the Board. He was made Record- er in March, of this year, while two years ago he was elected Justice of the Peace. He is Vice-President of the Building and Loan Association. Secretary of the Public Hall Association, and was also one of the organizers of the Wallington Hose Company. He was a member of the School Board but resigned. His wife died in 1894, leaving him three children. MR. LOUIS DANKHOFF, Mr. Louis Dankhoff (1836-1893) was born at Pietz, near Berlin, Germany. He came to America in 1860 with his family settling at Pittsfield, Mass. Eventually he became superintendent of Libby's Woolen Mill at Warren, Mass., which position he held for fifteen years. In 1880 he settled at Passaic, N. J. He was appointed overseer at Am- midown's Woolen Mill. In 1882, Mr. Dankhoff purchased the well- known saloon on Passaic Street. In 1887 he bought a large tract of land in Wallington of the Anderson Lumber Company, and in the same year built a large hotel on the Plank Road. He was one of the first business men to settle here. Mr. Dankhoff was also an inventor. He invented a number of articles one of which was his double beer faucet which sold so widely. His father was known abroad as the inventor of the now lost art of permanently enameling the colors, red, blue and white on ironware. The book containing the formula was destroyed by fire, and when he died the secret died with him. Mr. Dankhoff was an influential member of a number of lodges: — The Odd Fellows, Red Men, and United Friends. He died in his hotel, leaving a widow and two married daughters. WOODKIDGK. Woodridgc is one of the most beautiful localities in this part of the county. The wooded ridge, suggesting the name, runs parallel with the Palisade from Rutherford to Hackensack at a high elevation, mak- iny: a natural drainage of great value. HISTORY OK BEKGEN COUNTY yri THK KOHBEKTZ MANSION - FOK SAI.li The two hundred acres of land covering- this site was taken up l)y Georg-e Brinkerhoff who came from Holland to America in 1()3S, and to New Jersey in 1685. This property has remained largely in the family until the present time. About the close of the War of the Rebellion, Henry Gerecke purchased a part of this farm with a view of selling it out for building lots, and for which he paid $5,000 but the expectations of Mr. Gerecke were not realized and the land reverted to its former owners. In the meantime Mr. Frederick Kohbertz became interested in the success of the village and in 1870 the town was laid out and under his guiding hand buildings began to take the place of desert waste. Originally the Dutch settled here and in this vicinity in the seven- teenth century, locating mostly on the Pt>lilly road. Their houses were built one story principall}-, having walls of l)rownstone with a widely I)rojecting roof shading a porch extending around on three sides ot the building. The borough of Woodridge was organized on tlie I'Hh day of Janu- ary 1895, at the office of Franz Fritsch. A. Molinari, was the first Mayor; the lirst Council consisting of Henry E. Brinkerhoff, Josejih if. Schmitt, Louis A. Eurrard, Franz Fritsch, Isidore Lazard, l'"red Kohl)ertz; Assessor. Emil Pirovano; Collector, .Alfred Gramlich; Clerk. \V. II. White. On .March 14. l.S't'», the following officers were elected: Mayor .\. .Molinari; Council, Franz Fritsch, Frank C. Ball; Assessor, Emil II. Pirovano; Collector, .Alfred Gramlich; Franz Fritsch, Freeholder; Clerk, W. H. White. ANTON MOLINAKI. HISTOKY OK BEKGEN COUNTY 399 THE KOHBEKTZ MANSION. — FOR SALE. Mr. Frederick Kohbertz, one of the prime movers in the buildindrid!:^-e, and has been re-elected to that position three times since. He and his paternal ancestors have been Republicans. He himself takes great interest in Americanism, but eschews politics as a jjrofession. AI.KKKD CKAMI.ICH. Alfred (iramlich one of the officials of the Borouyh of \\', how- ever, he went to Philadelphia as foreman for a firm, and followed the I)rofession of Veterinary Surgeon for several years in that city. In 1891 Mr. Link came to New Jersey and established his bleachery in Jersey City, and in 1895 purchased propert_v, and started a fac- tory in Bergen township, where he chemically treats some .SO.dOO sheepskins annually for the drug trade, employing three and four men constantly. Mr. Link belongs to several clubs and societies, and is well and favorably known. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 18'»S, and Township Clerk in 1899. HASHKOrCK HKICIITS. Hasbrouck Heights situated about two miles south of Hackensack on the Polifly road, has a territory of about one and a half square miles and lies about one hundred and seventy-five feet above tide water. Previous to 1870 this district was a farming community, comprising such families as Enoch Vreeland, Abram A. Ackerman, Christian P. 404 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY Terhune, John Van Bussum, Henry Ackerman, Richard Berdan, Rich- ard Terhune, John H. Berdan, Isaac Gott, Henry Kipp, Robert Williams and Garry Kipp. Since 1870 outside capital has become interested. Lord & Van Cleeve bought the land known as the Richard Terhune. farm, Meyer & Smith bought part of the Richard Berdan farm, all of the farm of J. H. Berdan, and an Association known as the Center Corona Land and Building Association bought the Henry Kipp farm. Of all this property purchased, no improvement was made until 1874, then Henry Kipp foreclosed a mortgage on the property held by the Center Corona Land and Building Association, and built about eight houses, which were occupied soon after. During all this time and up to 1889 this place was known as Corona and was part of Lodi township. In 1889 Daniel P. Morse, of New York, bought the farms of Henry Ackerman, Chris. Terhune and part of the John Van Bussum farm, which he laid out in building plots, making macadamized streets, and bluestone sidewalks, and immediately began the erection of buildings, thus giving the town the first and most substantial start. The follow- ing year, Mr. Henry Lemmermann, another New York business man, then owning the Richard Terhune property, began to improve it by lay- ing out streets and building houses. It was owing to the efforts of these two men, that water and electric lights were first introduced. In 1894 Hasbrouck Heights separated from the township, holding an election July .^Ist, of the same year. The people by their ballot carried the election for incorporation, and the Borough was incorpor- ated August 12th. The first election for Borough officials was held September 11th with the following results : John H. Garrison, Mayor; G. W. Selleck, S. P. Ferdon. R. F. Taggart, John W, Charlton, Andrew McCabe and -Will D. Crist, Councilmen. These officers served until March 12th 1895, when another election was held with the following results: J. W. Charlton, Mayor; George W, Selleck, W. D. Crist. S. P. Ferdon, S. P. Frier, Henry Gross, and John Behrens, Councilmen. The present officers of the borough are: William S. Laurence, Mayor; John E. Musselman, F. S. Chesebro, John H, Garrison, E. A. Capen, E. W. Biesecker and S. P. Frier, Councilmen. Since the incoi^poration all the officials have done nobly in building up the borough. It has to-day a population of about thirteen hundred, a $14,000 brick school house, five churches, two social clubs, one weekly newspaper, a Hook and Ladder Company, Hose Company, Royal Arcanum, and "Council", besides prosperous stores. The village is situated so high above tide water as to make it a healthy spot, while the magnificent views render it a place ; a member of the County Executive Committee since 1870; was elected to the State Assembly in ISSl, and thrice re-elected. He was Freeholder in 1S()7 and held the position uninterruptedly for nine years, ag-ain assumin7 he was married to Miss Katharine .^nna Voorhis, a member of one of the oldest and best known families of Bergen countv. Mr. Van Bussum is possessed of untiring- energv and perseverance, and has overcome obstacles that would have crushed any person of ordi- nary- endurance. Like all men of positive character, he has some enemies, but many strong- personal friends, and is very popular in his locality. The poor and afflicted know where to find a helper, and they never leave his doors unaided. Generous to a fault, he scatters his benefactions on every side. HENRY LEMMKKMANX. Henry Lemmermann, the president of the Mattson Rubber Com- pany, New York, is a well known resident of Hasbrouck Heights. He was born in Germany in 1848, and came to America in 1863. After coming- to New York he was employed in a grocery store for some years but eventually embarked in the hotel business, in which he continued until 1890, when he became actively engaged in the manufacture of rubber goods. At that time he became president of the "Mattson Rub- ber Company," and still remains in that office. Previous to this, in 1884, he bought a farm of Mr. Terhune at Corcma, N. J. (now Has- brouck Heights), and in i891 built his present residence. He immedi- ately afterward began improving the land and prei)aring it for building, by opening streets, making sidewalks, planting shade trees, introducing water (The Hackensack Water Company ), and supplying electric lights. He then, through the Hasbrouck Heights Land and Im])r()vement Comi)an>', built about thirty cottages. In 18<».^ lie organized the "Lemmermann Villa Site Company," of which be has been president and treasurer ever since. He is also president of the Hasbrouck Heights Building, Loan and Savings Association an was elected Justice of the Peace. Socially he is a member of a number of org'anizations at Hasbrouck Heiifhts. the Pioneer Club, Hasbrouck Heights Field Club, and the Roval Arcanum; is also a member of the "Old Time Telegraphic Asso- ciation." "Telegraphers' Mutual Benefit Association," and "Teleg- ra])hers" Aid Society." Mr. Anson was married to Miss Margaret E. Crawford of New York city, .\pril 16, 1879. He is a highly esteemed citizen both in his public life and in his private character. jri)t;K HKNKY KIPP. The following is taken almost wholly from the "New York Tri- bune" of January 12, 18'*f>: One of the most unique characters in Bergen county. New Jersey, is Henry Kipp. He presents a strong type of the early settlers, who in 1()4(), ascended the Hackensack River and established a trading post to barter with the Hackensack Indians who were then masters of the land. Mr. Kipp's ancestors were a part of that sturdy Dutch colony which laid the foundation of so many communities near New York. His name comes down through a record of three hundred and fifty years, the family history going back to the De Kypes of Alencon, France, the first conspicuous member being Boloff De Kype, whose chateau was burned and lands confiscated by the Prince of Conde. Hendrick De Kype, son of Boloff, and progenitor of the American Kips, was born in 1576, com- ing to Amsterdam in 1635. In 1657 he was selected by Governor Stuy- vesant as one of twenty families, comprising the aristocracy, and was otherwise honored. Henry second moved from New Amsterdam to the western Ixnmdary of New Jersey, on the Delaware River, where he remained a few years, when he returned towards New York and settled at Polifly on the King's Highway in 1685. The ne.xt year the name was changed to Ki]), as shown in a deed of that date, a second "p" being added by a later member of the family. In Polifly the direct male descendants of Hendrick were- born in the order named: Henry Nacasias, Peter, Abraham, Peter A.. Henry and Henry second. The present Henry Kij^p is a son of Peter A. Kipp and .Maria Stuyvesant, a lineal descendant of (lovernor Stuyvesant. No descendant of the first Hendrick has led a more active life or attained to more local notoriety than this Henry, who was born August .'^l. isil. In .Inly, 1841, he married Susan A. Howard, a niece of Enoch .Morgan. She became the mother of six children, four of whom are still living. Judge Kip was a master of the Cooper's trade but abandoned it to open a clothing house in (ireenwich Street, New York. This \enture was attended with fair success and from there he removed to Trenton, where he established the largest general store in New Jersey. 412 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY At the age of thirty he received the title of Judge by appoint- ment as a lav member of the Mercer county bench. He retired from mercantile business in 1846, to take charge of the homstead farm at Polifly, which he managed for about forty years. While a resident of this town, Mr. Kipp erected two churches and the first school-house for the village of Corona. The Judge is rich in reminiscences of early days and recalls vividly the visit of Lafayette to Hackensack. In 1873, Judge Kipp purchased the "Bergen County Herald" at Rutherford Park, but after a comparatively brief editorial experience, he returned to the farm where his wife died. Mr. Kipp served as chosen Freeholder. Justice of the Peace, Town Committeman, Township Superintendent of Schools and other local offices. He died in 1898. JOHN L. C. GRAVES, John L. C. Graves one of the Assemblymen elected in November 1899, to the State Legislature and who died a few days afterwards, was a contractor, who came into Bergen county from Jersey City, where he was identified with the Union League Club of Hudson county. On coming to this county he soon made friends throughout Lodi township, before Hasbrouck Heights became a borough. He was elected president of the Harrison and Reed club of Lodi township, afterward the Republican club of Hasbrouck Heights, and remained its president until lcS98. Mr. Graves was a tireless worker. He was identified with the Re- publican County Committee for several years, during which he served either as chairman or member of every committee incidental to the life of a convention, whether state, congressional or county. He served as chairman of the Bergen county delegation in the congressional conven- tion of 1898. He was a volunteer fireman, and had been repeatedly re-elected chief of the department of Hasbrouck Heights. He was also a member of the Volunteer Fire Department Association of the city of New York, and a charter member of Hasbrouck Heights Council of the Royal Arcanum, whose orator he was until he declined re-election in 1899. He was a ready and forcible talker, and an uncompromising defender of what he believed to be right. His aggressiveness, combined with straight-forwardness, won for him the respect of his opponents and had he lived he would have been found an able representative of our county at Trenton. CHAPTEK XXVI. UNION T( )WNSHIP. FOKMATION OF THE TOWNSHIP — <-,ENEKAI. DESCKIPTION — THE KINOS- LAN'DS AND OTHEK PROMINENT PERSONS — THE SWAMP EANDS — THE PPKCHASE OF WILLIAM SANDFOKD — THE HOME OK THE KINGSLANDS — THE SCHUVLEK COPPER MINES — BIOORAPHICAL. That portion of Bergen county which included what now constitutes Union township was originally known as a part of New Barbadoes Neck. In the year 1825 a new township was made from New Barbadoes township named Lodi, which included the present townships of Lodi and Union, in Bergen county, and of Kearney and Harrison townshii)s in the county of Hudson. In 1840 Hudson county was formed from the county of Bergen, and a new township was made and named Harrison, which included Union, Kearney and Harrison, but, because of the long distance for the farmers to trayel when attending court or doing other business in Hudson county, the township of Union was set off bv an act of the Legislature approved February, i853. The first town meeting of Union township was held in the school- house of Riverside April 6, 1853, the moderator or presiding officer being Joseph K. Hazen. The officers elected were as follows: Aaron Hazen, Town Clerk; John V. S. Van Winkle, Assessor; Henry H. Yearance, Collector of Taxes; Henry Kipp and Cornelius C. Joralemon, F'reehold- holders; Joseph K. Hazen, Robert Rutherford, Tunis A. Brown, Joseph M. Roy and John I. Vreeland, Town Committee. The total amount of taxes raised in Union township for that year was Sl.WT.DS. Boiling Springs, so called from a powerful and never-failing spring of pure cold water, which flowed in the cross road at the northern extremity of the township, gave a name to that locality. Here the wagon road and the railroad crossed, and here the "Depot," a small structure was built. In 1858 a gentleman from New York bought a small farm of twenty-five acres near the Boiling Spring and soon after- ward increased his purchase to one hundred acres. In iS()2 the first ma]) suggestive of streets and avenues was published, and business men from the city were induced to settle in the place and build homes. In 18()() several men bought a large farm on the Passaic, founded an Associa- ti(m and ])rojected a broad avenue, now Park Avenue, in a direct line from their proj)erty to the railroad station, and one year from that time the name "Boiling Springs" was dropped and the i)lace called Ruther- ford Park, abreviated subsequently to that of Rutherford, its present coirnomen. 414 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY In 1S()8 the Delaware and Lackawanna Railroad was built giving rise to Kingsland village and South Rutherford. In the year 1890 the bor- ough of Rutherford and Boiling Springs township were formed and in 1895 the borough of North Arlington was set off leaving the territory comprising Union township that which now lies between the two bor- oughs just named, with Berry's Creek on the East and the Passaic River on the West, for that organization. The officers of the town for the year 1898 are : Charles R. Searle, Chairman of the township committee; David Machette, James McKenna, Thomas Buckley, Assessors; Herman Froehlich, Collector; William L. Grant, Clerk. The following sketch of Union township was taken from a valuable paper prepared for this work by W. H. Castles, of Kingsland. In speak- inu- of the early settlement of the town, Mr. Castles says: ••For over two centuries, since their first settlement the progress of improvement and colonization of Union township and North Arlington has been far behind that of any of the other nearby environs of New York city. "The southeastern point of intersection of the boundary lines of Hudson and Bergen counties on the north Arlington border is the nearest point in Bergen county to the first area of settlement of the state itself. "Both places are within easy distance, view and sound of the great metropolis, their eastern boundaries being less than five miles away, as the crow flies. The tall buildings of the city and the statue of liberty —in the upper bay— loom up grandly against the eastern horizon on a clear day and the boom of the sunset gun at Fort Hamilton is not an unusual sound on a quiet day. "Faithful search and eager inquiry for historical fact and events bearing upon these places, from their first settlement to the present time, which might be of interest, has been made with poor satisfaction and meagre results. The field is bare and at this time there seems to be no documentary evidence or matter among the township or borough records, to add anything to their history. Very little can be secured from the present resident descendants of those energetic, hardy spirits, who settled here and by energy, industry and perseverance developed its wilderness into fair, fruitful fields and pastures— a birthright of great worth and magnitude to be pointed to with pride by their kindred wh.j follow them. "Very few of the descendants of the earlier heroes bearing the old ancestral name of Kingsland are now to be found within the confines of the two places. With but one exception, North Arlington contains the only descendants of Isaac Kingsland, who settled here in 16(i8. These are' the children of Enoch Kingsland, with Mr. William Kingsland ans was practically completed by a g-cneral jniblic auction sale of the fields lyintr about the old homestead, made l>v the widow and executors of the last owner, (ieneral tieorire Kinsjfsland. "Those who invested, have bren dis.ippoinled in the outcome of their expectations. ■' Amonif other thiniifs in the way of "growth, is the lack of railroad accommodations at hours to suit those who need transportation to and from New York citv. "The !i;eo,t>Taphical situation of the two places may have contributed somewhat to their i)resent depressed cimdition, lying- as they do between the Passaic and Ilackensack rivers, a large portion of the area being the low, marshy lands bordering- the two streams. These uninhabited, unprt)ductive tracts comprise nearly fifty per cent, of the area of the township and boroug-h. Many schemes have been ])roposi'd and several attempts made to reclaim the Hackensack Meadows, but no success has vet been achieved within the Berg-en county lines. "The most elaborate scheme ever attempted was that Ijy Spencer B. Driggs, some fifty years ag-o, in which was invested a large amount of capital. He built a series of dikes and canals which by the aid of windmills was to pump out the water, in the old Dutch fashion at Hol- land. He also intended to supj)lement the wind power with steam to prevent sulimerg-ence when there was a lack of wind. "His first dikes were bored full of holes by muskrats, which abound in great numbers on the meadows and he was forced to insert sheets of perforated iron in the dikes to save them from the ravages of these pests." The following is a brief summary of the cotuiection of Mr. Driggs with his great enterprise: "He first purchased the whole four thousand acres of swani]) land in Hudson and Bergen counties from the many owners, among them being representatives of the oldest families in Bergen county, such as the Kingslands, Kutherfords, Stuyvesants and many others. The land cost from two to five dollars per acre. A great deal of trouble and expense was incurred in getting deeds correct, some of them having to be sent to Europe for signatures, and so varied and complex were the legal intricacies of these dociunents that when completed, the instru- ment covered a space 100 square feet in area and filled a good sized Ijox. "The lawyer, former Judge Lawrence, of New York city, who searched and passed upon the titles, received the enormous fee of S10,()()0. .Ml real estate men jjreviously had decided that a perfect title was unobtainable, but the Judge set all doubts at rest. "After this success, Mr. Driggs found a capitalist in the person of .\Ir. S. N. Pike, a millionaire, of Cincinnati, Ohio. It is stated upon 416 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY good authority that within twenty-four hours after his tirst interview, Mr. Drig-gs had interested and caused Mr. Pike to comprehend his scheme, with the aid'of his patent iron dikes. Within these twenty- four hours a contract was drawn and ch)sed and Mr. Pike had deposited SIOO.OOO to the credit of Mr. Driggs, and the next week work began on the four thousand acres. Jerome J. Collins, who afterwards died with the Jeannette expedition of the "New York Herald," and was buried with great honor on the recover}- of his body, was employed by Mr. Driggs as his chief engineer. Many men were given employment and much money was spent. "A great deal of annoying- criticism was raised and many adverse opinions were circulated as to the result. This did not phase Mr. Eriggs, who went on in tlie even tenor of his way undisturbed. His dikes were cut, and his men incited to revolt. Impediments caused by ignorance and jeahiusy were placed in his way, but after a time favor- able results were seen. In the lower section — in Hudson county — the cars and engines of the New Jersey Railroad Company, at high tides no longer ran with their wheels under water. The land rose gradually and after being well drained by a system of cross ditches, ceased to be flooded at the highest tides. " The iron protected dikes prevented the muskrats and crawfish from boring holes in the banks and letting in the river water. Then the hunters of these rodents complained that Mr. Brig-gs was depriving them of a living, and the contractors tried to force upon the Iron Dike Reclamation Co., S. N. Pike, president and S. B. Briggs, manager, the rejected plates and suit was brought for their value. "Another trouble was caused by the men who not having been paid for two weeks were then incited to riot by enemies of the company. They quit work and assembled upon the land, threatening to cut the dikes, and sent written communications to Mr. Briggs, denouncing him and endorsing their papers with a skull and cross-bones. . "Without fear Mr. Uriggs w^ent to the scene of the disturbance, accompanied by a friend in a carriage, his only protection being a walk- ing stick. When he arrived there was at least a thousand excited men awaiting him. Jumping out of the vehicle he advanced toward his employes shouting loud enough that all could hear: " You wanted me, here I am." This bold action changed the sentiment of the mob, who cheered, while he explained the cause of the delay and pledged himself for the payment of the men on the following Saturday. The rioting ceased, although there were many lawless characters scattered among his workmen, who were captured by his bravery and daring. "Having thus discovered the class of men wath whom he had to contend, he deemed it necessary to use caution and protection, and when av day came, his paymaster stood upon a small bridge with two clerks covering each man with a pistol as he advanced to receive his pay. " What land was reclaimed became tillable and fertile and the com- pany set off a piece, planted it and raised the tinest of vegetables, even HISTORY OK BERCRN COl^NTY 417 t<>l)acco hcin-i- ij^Tiiwn, as the soil w.-.s very rich. Arrannenu-nts were ])en(linu; to build a town on the lower (le\eloi)e(l section, when Mr. Pike's sudden death put an end to the scheme. "So hig-hly did Mr. Pike value his lioldino-s tliat he left them to his i^randchildren, and when the Pennsvhania Railroad madi' a lari^'e offer for the portion of land which they occupied, it was necessary to Ji'ct permission of the court, before a sale could be eft'ected. This sale netted the company S17,S, ()()(); f)ther sales jiroduced S2.^,0()il more. "Twenty years ag-o Mr. Navarro oi' New York offered S1,0(»0,(1U() for the whole tract but his oft'er was refused. Mr. Hrii;-<,'-s obtained from the Penns3-lvania Railroad Company, throui^h Mr. Cassatt. a bid of S')(lO per acre, which was also refused. More receiulv the prices became much hijrher. There are now over three thousand acres of this land left of the four thousand acres oriijinally bought l)y Mr. Urij;-ws and ui)l;ind lying south of a line drawn from the Hackensack to the Passaic Rivers, seven niiUs north of their intersection and C()ini)rising 5.i().S acres of upland and 10,0ii() acres of meadow, were granted to Captain William Sandford for twenty l)ounds sterling per annum, in lieu of the liaU penny per acre, per annum, the standard price of the agreement." To complete the title there remainded the Indian title. The Indi- ans hereabouts at this time, we are informed, were very sensiti\e regard- ing the title to their lands and actively resented its being taken from them by the whites without their consent or any consideration or value being given for it. 418 HISTOKV OF BEKGEN COUNTY The Indians were in considerable numbers about the settlement then, but thev were stronsf in their alliances with neig'hboringf tribes by whose aid thev could easily annoy the outlying' plantations, and previous to this time, there had been much friction between them and the Dutch settlers. 'riie Dutch, who had settled the outlying country, about New York and New Jersey, tirst feared English interference. They supplied the natives with guns and atiimunition and taught them their use, in order that they might use the natives to help them dispossess the English when the opportunity came. In order to allay all fears of unjust treatment in the savage mind, regarding their property rights, the Lords Proprietors made provision for them in their concessions by instructing the Governor and Council to purchase the Indian titles to all lands and look for reimbursement to the settlers, as the latter made their purchases. In compliance with these instructions the Governor decreed that the new comers were either to purchase from the Indians themselves, or if the land had been previously purchased bv the Proprietors, thev, the new comers, were to pay their ]>roportion. It is related that this system of securing equity to the natives had the desired effect and they parted with their lands with satisfaction, becoming good neigh tiors, no instance being recorded showing any fric- tion with them in the early davs of the New Jersey settlements. William Sanford purchased the Indian title to the lands aforemen- tioned, on the 20th day of July, 1668, and sixteen days after he received the land grant from the proprietors, giving for it the following commo- dities: 170 fathom l)lack wampum, 2(M) fathom white wampum, l'» match coats, supjiosed to be watch coats, 16 guns, (>U double hands powder, 10 pairs breeches, (i7 bars lead, 1 anker of brandy, 3 half fat beer, 11 blankets, 30 axes, 20 hoes, and 2 cooks of dozens. The later item seems to have been intended as two coats of Duffils, a cloth of that age, suitable for warm climates. It is claimed that Nathaniel Kingsland was the principal in this grant, and received con- sideration for it from the crown, as services, although there is no record to establish this claim. Captain Sanford is said to have made the pur- chase in Kingsland's interest. Kingsland gave the new tract the name of New Barbadoes which was afterward localized to New Barbadoes Neck, which name it retained until recently. Previous to its settlement that location bore the Indian name of " Mighgecticook." There is mention of a patent having been issued for this grant by the proprieti>rs on March, 11.71, to William Sandford in trust for Nathaniel Kingsland, forever, for the sum of 200 pounds sterling. This ])atent, it is supposed, confirmed possession to the grantees, they having probably within the time specified in the first document made the required settlement and improved and fulfilled the requirements of the concessions. HISTOKV OK BKU(;):N COl'N'TY 4l'l The liind adjoiniuir the Sandftird and K lilies land tract on tlio iiortli and extondinff six miles into tho coiintrv, or from Rutherford ' tlK-n SandftJrd's Spring's), to Ilackensack was granted, bv the Lords Pro- prietors to Captain John Berry and associates, about a sear after Sand- ford's grant was issued. A conveyance was made on the first of Juni', liiTl. I)V Nathaniel Kingsland and Mary his wife, to William Sandford. of cme-tliird of their ])atcnt. the consideration Ijeing 2(10 jxiunds sterling-, and this transfer was confirmed by the (Governor and Council on the 21st day of March. 1()7,^. This it would seem, should conlirm the statement that Sandford acted in the interest of Kingsland throughout. This latter conveyance appears to have been the linal division of the property between Sandford and Kingsland, the line of separation, as near as one can discover being the northerly boundary of the Van Km- l)urgh estate, in Kearney township, Hudson county, which seems to have been the first portion deeded away by the Sandft)rds. The first actual settlers of New Barbadoes were Edwar.l Hall. Nathaniel Wheeler and John Bauldwin. who were annmg the first settlers of Newark, (settled in 1()()() by colonists from Connecticut, i These did not remain long, however, being probably warned by Captain Sandford, that he and Kingsland had a prior claim to the land. No record exists to show that Nathaniel Kingsland ever left Bar- badoes to settle his share of the grant. Isaac Kingsland, supposed to be a nephew, was the lirst of the f.amily to settle here in l()f>S. for at that date we find an account of the New Colony in New Jersey writti-n bv Secretary Nichols of New York, in which he stales that on the north of Milford, or Newark River, is a larger tract of land belonging to Kingsland and Sandford and that higher up the river another tract exists owned by Captain Berry, wlio divided his tract into plantations which were soon settled. It is recorded that when Captain Sandford was tendered a coun- cillor appointment, by Philip Cartaret. the first (losornor of New Jersey, in \<>(>'K he was unwilling to accejjt it. or any ollicc in the com- mcmwealth. "Some interest as well as mvsterv. is thrown around this name bv the records, for it does not appear from whence he came. Inil he was l)robablv an Englishman, from the West Indies. "His title, 'Captain (»f .Militia,' was conferred ui)on him while resid- ing in Newark, in i(>7.^. His scruples respecting his contempt for office seems to have been overcome, for he subsequently served in the Councils of Ueputy Governors Rudyard and Lawrie. "On April 24, 1(>77, Sandford transferred to Mrs. Sarah Whartman. in trust for his eldest daughter, Nedemiah and the children born of the said Sarah Whartman, viz.: " Cather, Peregrine. William and (xrace, one equal third ])art of all his i)roi)erty between the I'assaic and Ilacken- sack Rivers, with one-third (d" the stock, household stulTs. etc., jjrovided it were im])ro\ed for her inaintenence and the education .d' the said chil- 420 HISTOKY OF BEKGEX COUNTY dren, the principal not beintr disposed of, in any way, ^yithout his consent." Whether he left the nei'i'hborhood after this, is unkjiown, but the next year on Aud, 1()'»0, in which he acknowledged Sarah Whartmanto be his lawful Nvife. Some considerable reasons having caused them t(j conceal their mrriaage, a certificate of marriage was annexed, signed by Richard Vernon, as having occurred on board the Pink Susannah, in the river of Swimam, on the 27th day of March, 1()67. "In his will he desired that his body be buried, if it may be, in his own plantation, without pomp or expensive ceremonies, and he implored hishonorcd friends. Colonel Andrew Hamilton, Mr. James Emott, Gabriel Meudillc and William Nichols, of New York, to assist, and favor the concerns of a poor ignorant widow and five innocent children (another daughter, Elizabeth, having been added to those already named) ' with their best advice and counsel, to preserve them from those vultures and harpies, which prey upon the carcasses of widows, and fatten on the blood of orphans.'" Further mention is made of his daughters Nedemiah, who married Richard Berry, and Catharine, who married Doctor Van Emburgh, and who left numerous descendants, and of Elizabeth, who became the wife of Captain James Davies. There seems to be no doubt that Major Wil- liam Sandford, who was one of the council under Governors Hamilton and Lord Cornbury, was his son. He was very prominent, and when but twenty-eight years of age presided as Chief Justice over the Court of Sessions at Elizabethtown, March 12th, 170(1, with four associate Jus- tices, who were said to be all men of standing in their respective com- munities The desire of the first Sandford to be buried on his plantation, with- out pomp or expensive ceremony, seems to have been carried out, al- though nothing definite exists relating thereto, except the existence of a very old landmark, a burial plot in which is interred some of the early Sandfords. Its location is in Kearney township, Hudson county, about two miles south of the North Arlington line, just off vSchuyler Avenue, a few yards north of the old Kenton homestead. In this same yard another quite large stone, broken straight across its middle, lying face upward, bearing the record that •' Major William Sandford died March 2d, 17.^2-33, aged 60 years." This broken and neglected relic marks a point very near to the burial place of the colonial Major, Judge and Councillor of the proprie- tors of the Jerseys, son of the first William Sandford, the first owner HisTouN OK bi:k(;kn C(jrN"Tv 421 of one of the richest land lirants of the United States at the present , President of the Kingsland and Sawmill Creek Drainage Company, and President of the Board of Education of Union township. He became a member of the I. O. O. !•'. in 1858, and jnined the Free Masons in 185'J and the Knigllt^ Templar in 18t>2, liecoming a .^2d degree Mason in 1887, in Scranton. Mr. Koch has four children, Louis, Albert, Frank and .\nna Ida. Louis and Frank both served in the late Spanish war as members of Company L, Second Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, Louis a sergeant l.nriS KOCII. HISTOKY OK BlvKClKN CHJINTY 42.-^ whili' l'"ratik was a torjiDral. Anna Ida was lately jiTaduatt-d t'nmi the Metropolitan College of Music. She has a dramatie soprano voice, and is preparini,'- for a professional career. WII.I.IAM II. CASTl.KS. William H. Castles, who is a native of New Jersey, was born in Newark about fifty years ago. His education was received in that city in the public and high schools. He afterwards took a course of mathe- matical training from Bernard Kearney, one of the ablest mathemati- cians of his day. Mr. Castles' first business experience was in the grocery trade, his father placing him in charge of a store when he was but sixteen years of age. The business not being congenial to his taste he entered the employ of the (iould Machine Works Company at New- ark, as an apprentice, and by close attention to business and hard study, he was soon able to begin work as a journeyman machinist. In 18f)'t Mr. Castles was emplo3'ed as such in the shops of the Delaware, Lacka- wanna & W'estern Railroad Company, at Hoboken, where he was sub- sequently promoted to the place of time-keeper. His energetic business ability was soon noticed and appreciated by President Sloan who appointed him in 1873 chief clerk of the Car and Machinery department — which comprise all the locomotive and car repair shops of the Dela- ware. Lackawanna and Western, as well as the Sussex Railroad, in New Jersey. This position he had held for more than a quarter of a century, when in April 1899, owing to a change of management, he was promoted to the position of manager of all the company's holdings of real-estate in Union township. Mr. Castles is of Scoth-Irish ancestry of Presbyterian stock. He is a member of the Scotch-Irish Society, which has had Dr. John Hall as a member and also Robert Bonner, with other eminent men of the country. He is also a member of Northern Lodge, No. 25 K. & A. M. of Newark and <>f Kingsland Council, J. (). U. A. M., :ind of other societies. Public spirited and wide awake he has served in many cajjacities in society organizations, among others, was president of the Kureka Boat Club during the Centennial year. He has served one term as collector for Union township. While doing some real estate business, he has also acted in the capacity of agent for the (ierman-American Insurance Companv for over twenty years. He is a Commissioner of Deeds, Notary Public and a Pension Attorney. Mr. Castles purchased some years ago, the r.ither picturesi|iie old (ieorge Kingsland homestead at Kingsland where he now resides. Four acres of ground surround the house, and some fine old trees adorn the sloping lawn. A fine spring supplies water. Mr. Castles is a highly esteemed citizen. JOHN' U. MII.I.AIV. Robert Millar, the father of Mr. John K. Millar, of North Arling- ton, was a successful scientific gardener in Scotland, the n,iti\, l;inil of WILLIAM H. CASTLES HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 427 the Millar family. For "generations, ij-ardeninf;- on scientific principles, had been the chief industry of the Millars. In i.S(.7, Mitchell Millar, a brother of Robert, died, leaving an estate valued at S50,()0(), represent- ing the earnings of forty years, on twenty-six acres of land, which had cost him yearly about fifty dollars an acre for rent. Upon reaching manhood, John R. Millar became manager of a farm known as " Melvin Hall," in Midlothian, in the interest of Margaret (low, heir to this estate. Miss Gow was the eldest of six daughters, and subsequently became the wife of her manager. They were married in March, 1872, coming to America and settling 2, this little structure gave place to the one which in time has been displaced by the beautiful, new and commodious building completed in 1897. Park Avenue was laid out in 18()f) by the commissitmers. to connect the lands of the Rutherford Park Association with the depot. In 18(>7 an act was passed by the Legislature authorizing the im- provement of this street and soon after Ridge Road and Rutherford Avenue were laid out and graded, under an act of the Legislature, other streets following, through the efforts of land cntn])anies or by ])ri\Mte individuals. During the lifelinu' uf Mr. Rutherford his property was known as •'Edgerston Manor." the name of the family seat in Scotland. The Manor House stood on the River Road south of what is now Ruther- ford .\venue. After the death of Mr. Rutherford the greatir p:irt of the estate passed into the hands of Mr. William J. Stewart, who dis- posed of it to the Rutherford Park Association. They laid out sinets, dividing the land into building lots, converting the Manor Housi> into a hotel, which after a ]K'ri<"l of some success and later of failure in 1)usi- 430 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY ness, was eventual!}- destroyed b}- lire and never rebuilt. Another hotel in the early history of the borough, was the "Vreeland House," now used by the Salvation Army as "Cherry Tree Home." In 1870 the name "Rutherford" was adopted on account of much of the land having been a part of the farm of John Rutherford, while "Park" was attached no doubt as a sort of attraction. This name continued until about 1875, when, after much discussion, a request was forwarded to the Postmaster. General to drop "Park" from the name. This request was granted, the Erie company soon after changing to the same name. In 1882 controlling interest of the Rutherford Heights Association passed into new hands, when it was decided to begin building houses iur sale on easy terms. Three cottages were built on Passaic and Donald- son Avenues, which were rented, because of failure to find purchasers. However, under the able management of Mr. A. G. Bell, the treasurer of the Association, several houses were built and disposed of on liberal terms. This giving an impetus to business, many people availed them- selves of the opportunity to secure a home, and soon more than two hun- dred houses had been disposed of on "easy terms." Other land companies were now organized, "Mount Rutherford Land Company" claiming precedence in the matter of organization. The Home Land Company, Rutherford Heights Association, Park Land Company, The Ruthei- ford Park Association, West Carlstadt Land Verein, and the East Rutherford Land Association. All these have aided in building up the borough. In the little "Souvenir" from which we draw largely in this article, we lind this statement : "Looking westward from the depot two modest looking hills completely shut out a view of the lands l^-ing beyond. The more southerly one is now dignified by the name of Mount Rutherford, the other, a smaller one, arose in a depressed, cone- like shape directly back of the depot. Between these sister hills was a deep ravine affording a complete drainage for a large section of back land. Upon laying out and grading the lands around the depot by the Mt. Rutherford Company the smaller hill was cut down to fill up this ravine, where it was crossed by the Orient Way, and also by the Home Land Company, in forming the plateau through which runs Ames Avenue. A filling at Orient Way, gave opportunity for the forming of a picturesque, lake-like pond, called 'Glen Waters,' fed by living springs, and fringed on its southern side by a cluster of fine elms. In its waters was baptized the first convert in the Baptist church of Rutherford. This lake was given to the town by the Mt. Rutherford Company, but was subsequently filled up from fear of malaria." The Rutherford Improvement Association was organized in 18S1. This organization was the outcome of a meeting called by a few leading citizens in order to bring before the people a plan by which they might secure a local government. Major Richard Allison was its first presi- dent. On September 5, a meeting was called over which Mr. David B. Ivison presided, when it was decided to call a meeting and take a vote HISTORY OK BERGEN COUNTY 431 on the question of l)oroui^-li ii-overnment. This ok'ction was hekl on the twentieth of the same month, when the question was (kxi(K'(l and the certificate filed the followiuL;' day. The first election for horou^-li officers was held October 4, followini»-. when Alfred Oakley was elected Mayor. The final and full separation from the township g-overnment, however, took place, when on March 10, 1S'»(), a law was enacted by the le\ers an area of something less than two square miles, with a population of about 5U()(). The business por- tion of the borough is mostly near the depot and on Park Avenue. Business of various kinds is carried on by which the necessaries of life may be supplied. The sale of intoxicating drinks as a beverage has never yet been authorized. When the railroad was first comi)leted in l.s.>2, and for some time afterward, the coaches were drawn by horses, the flriver sitting com- fortably on top of the coach. Two small locomotives were subse()uently built in Baltimore, which superseded the horses. A pumping station was built near where "Just's Hotel" nf)w stands, the water Ijeing drawn fri>ni the underground vein of the Boiling Springs. Two l)oys were 432 HISTOKY OF BERGEN COUNTY employed to pump the water into an elevated tank, which supplied water for the locomotives. What is now East Rutherford was then composed of five or six old- fashioned farm houses. The Rutherford fire department is regularly orj^anized under the control of a Chief and Assistant Chief Engineer. The department com- prises four companies, Truck and Bucket Company organized June (>, 1876; Fire Engine Company No. 2 organized March 24, 1886; and West End Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 3 organized July 1890. No. 3 is equipped with a chemical apparatus furnished for immediate use, and not wholly dependent upon water. Hose Company No. 4 was organized September 1896. This company is composed of men who are within call during the day. They are equipped with a modern style of hose cart to be drawn by hand or horses. No. 1 has a truck drawn by horses also. Unlike the general run of suburbs, Rutherford has a well kept and finely located cemetery, the property of a local corporation. The Hill- side Cemetery Company was organized May 20, 1882, under the act entitled "An act to authorize the incorporation of rural cemetery associations and regulate cemeteries," approved April 9, 1873. The cemetery is situated between Rutherford and Kingsland, and is easily accessible from Jersey City and Hoboken by either Kingsland or Ruther- ford depots. It contains about forty-five acres. The present officers of the borough of Rutherford are: Mayor, Edward J. Turner; Councilmen, Andrew H. Teeple, President; Joseph N. Mileham, Charles L. Crear, Frank P. Newman, David Bosman, Samuel T. Davy; Clerk, Joseph W. Burgess; Collector, Edwin C. Abbot; Asses- sor, Jacob Rohrbach. Pl'BLIC SCHOOLS. The Rutherford Public School as it now exists, is practically what was Old District No. 40, in the township of Union. In 1870 the resi- dents in the vicinity of the Rutherford depot, then Boiling Springs, were obliged to patronize the only school in the neighborhood, on the Meadow Road. It was a quaint old one-story building said to have been built about the year 1850. The school house seated fifty pupils and was like many of the old fashioned school houses, seated with benches without backs, and with smaller benches for the young children. Many who were teachers in this old building are now alive and it is amusing to hear them recount their experiences. At that time before a teacher was permitted to instruct pupils in the public school he had to procure a license from the town superintendent who together with the board of school trustees constituted the examining board. Mr. Jacob G. Van Riper, late postmaster of Rutherford, was for many years town superintendent and was known as one of the most intelligent who held the office. The teachers who at various times taught in the Meadow Road school house are George Brinkerhoff, J. P. Jones, E. E. Vreeland, Mr. Gow, George Parcel and G. R. Alyea. A Mr. Mersereau became the first teacher in the Park Avenue school house. After the erecticm HISTORY OK ri;kc;i-:n county 433 of the Park Avonuu buildiiii^-, ahuut the war 1S71, the old school hiiild- iiig' was sold to a man by the name of McClinnis who placed it uixm a stone foundation and occupied it as a residence for n'.any years. AIjouI the year 1886 Mr. Mcdiiinis look the huildini;- down ])iece by piece and moved it tog-ether with the foundation to Newark where it still stands in much of its former style. The Park Avenue house when erected, was a model of its kind and its erection by taxation, raised all in one year, showed a spirit of enter- prise and energy that was commendable. This school was first in charge of Mr. Mersereau. then came Mr. \V. F. Morrow, who was succeeded bv t IHHnI i KCTUKKKOKI) .NO. William H. Palmer in 1.S77. In 1.S7S .Mr. Paddock Mersereau had the school, and in 1X7"^ Captain Atldison IClv became its principal and held the position for seven years. He was succeeded by Mr. T. B. Hascall who was principal for eight vears. Tie was succeeded by the present ])rincipal, Mr. William C. Ingalls. In 1.S76 there was a division of the school district, when a new school house was built in East Rutherford for the new district formed out of a part of District No. 40 which became known as District No. 40)i. . A Miss (iinn was made principal, and Mr. Canfield an old citizen, and school teacher throughout this section of Bergen county for many years succeeded her. He was succeeded by Mr. G. R. Alyea, who was a few years since succeeded bv Mr. Wilcox, the present County Sujjerin- tendent of Passaic Countv. 434 HISTOKY OF BERGEN COUNTY The residents nf Rutherford have been noted for their liberality in the matter of public schools and have expected as a result of their expenditures, the best schools possible. Rutherford sustained the reputation of being second in the state of New Jersey in the cost of education per capita, last year. Within a few years the number of pupils attending school having become too large to be accommodated longer in the Park Avenue house, buildings were erected on Sylvan Street and Union Avenue and at present the Board of Education have an annex building on Park Avenue. The average number of children attending all the Public Schools during the last year is not far from six hundred. CHURCHES OF KUTHEKFOKD. BY EDWIN BULKLEY. For several years prior to 1862 a Union Sunday School had been maintained in what was then known as the "Boiling Springs Neighbor- hood," comprising the territory of the present Borough of Rutherford, and that part of the township up to the boundaries of Carlstadt. This "Neighborhood" was regarded as connected with and under the care of the Reformed Dutch Church, in Passaic, with which many of the farmers and other residents here were identified. The Union Sunday School was not, however, an outgrowth of that church, but owed its existence to persons of the immediate vicinity. They united to secure a building and meeting place for purposes of public welfare, the most lasting and beneficial of which proved to be this Sunday School. The building was erected on high ground, facing the railroad. It still remains, trans- ferred to the opposite side of Ames Avenue, as a part of Union Hall, much having been added to it since; its frontage being changed and its accessibilit}- increased by taking down the hill on which it stood, and lowering it to its present foundation. Although occasional preaching was heard in Union Hall, and some resorted to neighboring places for church services, it soon became apparent that this was insufficient provision for the community. No other denomination being prepared to offer this, a Presbyterian organ- ization was determined upon, with the concurance of many who felt the need of church privileges of which they could more easily avail them- selves. PRESBVTEKIAN CnUKCH. With the fostering care of Rev. Joseph Alden, D.D., L.L.D., who became a property owner and resident of " Boiling Springs," — a Church was organized by the Presbj'tery of Passaic — afterward merged into the present Presbytery of Jersey City, July 26, 1863, with an original mem- bership of fifteen. Dr. Alden continued as its stated supply for nearly two years, or until the Spring of 1865. This distinguished man rend- ered good service to it by his sound teaching and counsel. He had (Kcupied eminent positions in colleges and other of the higher institu- tions of learninuf, and was the author or editor of several useful books. HISTOKY Ol- BEKOEN COUNTY 435 The Kov. (loorsie L. Smith was the first pastor, from October 25, 1S()5, to April 1*J, 1.S71. He was succeeded by Rev. Herman C. KiirtTS, (D. D.,) from November 12, 1871, to March 2(>. 1S7(.. Rev. Dana M. Walcott was invited to the pastorate May 25, lS7f>, but was never installed in it. His laliors were discontinued June 15, 1S7S. Rev. Edwin A. Bulkley, D. D., was called to be pastor September 1.^, 1.S7.S. and fulfilled the duties of his office until March 27, 18")8, when on account of infirm health he asked to be released from them. Retirin7, the fiftieth anniversarv of his ordination to the ministry, October 11, 1847, when he was but little over twenty-one years of age. Since that time he had been nearly continu- ously in the active pastorate. During the time of his service in Ruther- ford 697 had been added to the membership, leaving it at 5()(1, and embracing 716 in its Sabbath schools. After the use of Union Hall as a place of worship for several years, the erection of a proper church building, at the intersection of Park Avenue and Chestnut Street, was undertaken in 18()'>, and on the 25th of December in that year the completed edifice was dedicated to the service of God, — about S12,0()() having been expended. Four years later important improvements were made at a cost of ?670(), and subsequently much was done for the good condition and adornment of the church. But the growth of Rutherford caused it to be insufficient, and the build- ing of a new edifice upon a new site was begun in 18 Protestant Episco])al i Church was orgimixed March 4. 18(.9. in the Rutherford Park Hotel. The building now called the "Lyndhurst Chapel," and formerly tlu' "Academy," was erected in the same year by the "Rutherford Park School and Hall Association." The lower rooms were used for a private 436 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY school, and the upper room was leased for the church services. Rev. W. H. Lord was chosen first rector May 12, 18(>'», and remained with the parish until July 1871. At that time the church's finances had become so embarrassed, and the population so much changed in the vicinity of the "Academy," that it was decided to move to the upper part of Union Hall, where the congregation was under charge of Mr. N. R. Boss, as a lay reader, for one year. He was succeeded by Rev. E. S. W. Pentreath, a deacon at the time, who remained till April 5, 1874. Rev. R. M. Hayden, deacon, accepted charge in 1874, his min- istrations covering a period of about one year. The services were there- after mainly conducted by lay-readers, till. the spring of 1878, when Rev. N. R. Boss was called as rector, and remained in that office till September 25, 1883. The parish was without a rector till February 8, 1883, when the Rev. F. J. Clayton began his services, continuing till his decease December 27, 1894. He was succeeded in May 1895, by the present rector. Rev. Henry M. Ladd. The corner-stone of the present church edifice was laid October 14, 1872, on a plot of ground (Passaic Avenue) donated by Mr. F. W. Tomp- kins. It was completed at a cost of about $7,000. and opening services were held October 7, i873. In i887 the remainder of the mortgage, incurred in building the church was paid, and on August 1, i890 the corner-stone laid of a new chancel and transepts, which were form- ally opened on February 5, 189i. The enlargement was designed by W. Halsey Wood, and cost about $12,000. A new organ has this year been placed in the church, and the interior tastefully decorated — all signs of cheering progress. St. Thomas Mission, in the adjoining township of Union, is under the care of Grace Church, and is regularly supplied with services and Sunday School. BAPTIST CHl'KCH. The earliest Baptist residents of Rutherford participated in the Union Sunday school until the organization of the the First Baptist Church, October 1, 1869, with eighteen members. For some time the pulpit was occupied on Wednesday evenings by Rev. Franklin Johnson, D. D., the pastor of the Passaic Baptist Church. On October 9, 1870, the Rev. John A. McKean became the settled pastor, and continued as such till July, 1873. He was followed by Rev. A. H. Robinson, Octo- ber 10, 1873, who terminated his pastorate November 1, 1874. From early in i875 to July 28, i876, the Rev. W. E. Wright served the church. In November of the latter year Rev. A. H. Cornell became pastor, remain- ing until July, 1878. At the close of his labors the Rev. J. Huggins and others acted as temporary supplies, until October 19, i884, when a call was extended to the Rev. P. Franklin Jones, who became the last pastor of the "First Baptist Church." In September, 1884, in conse- quence of a difference of opinion about church order, ten members with- drew and formed themselves into the Pilgrim Baptist Church, January 22, 1885. In February, 1885, the " First" church voted to disband on HISTOKY OF BEKGKN COIINTY 437 account of financial weakness. A new orifanization of the " Kutherford Baptist Church" was effected October 2S. 18S7, the Pilgrim Baptist Church transferring its pro])erty to this organization. A council recog- nized this November 4, 1887, and ordained Rev. J. Hewitt to the minis- try and pastorate November 15, 1887. He continued only till Ajtril 28, 1888, and was succeeded by Rev. J. L. Hastie. Jr.. who began his services as Stated Supply May 13, 18S8. and three munths later was settled as pastor. He resigned June 16, i8'>(). Rev. W. (uithric Myles was pastor about a year and a half, from Noveml)er 2, 18'J0. His successor. Rev. E. J. Cooper, served as supply and pastor fur four and a half years. The present pastor, Rev. W. W. Case, shortly accepted a call to the pastorate, and had his public recognition December 22, 189(). A house of worship was erected soon after the organii.atinn of the •' First Church" on a site at the corner of Park Avenue and Highland Cross, by Mr. R. Shugg, at a cost of about S3()0(t. This Iniilding was sold at the time of the disbanding of the church for a sum about cover- ing the mortgage upon it. Worship was maintained by the Baptist congregations in Union and Masonic Halls until the present church edifice on Passaic Avenue was erected during the ministry of Mr. Hastie, at a cost of near S6000. In the pastorate of Mr. McKean a mission chapel was built at Moon- achie, at a cost of SiOOU. The liuilding was fullv paid for, but passed into the control of the owner of its site. The field, after some years of good and rewarded work, was abandoned by the Baptists, and is now occupied by the Presbyterians and Lutherans. METHODI.ST CHURCH. The Methodist Episcopal Church entered this field with preliminary missionary efforts, extending from 18()8 to 1S7(). On December 15th of the latter year, an organization was effected of the "Park M. E. Church of Rutherford Park," under Rev. S. P. Hammond as Preacher in Charge. Services were held in Union Hall until the Society entered a new church edifice, June I'J, 1872. This stood in Orchard Street, north of the railway. The cf)rner-stonc was laid September 25, 1871, the basement was cf)mpleted, and the building formally dedicated Septem- ber 15, 1872. After enjoying the use of it for a season, and turning it to profitable account, the Church became so discouraged by diminishing numbers and financial burdens, that it was disbanded in the Si)ring of 1878, and the building sold by foreclosure. On March 3, 1880, the church organization was revived. .\ site for a chapel was given on Ames Avenue, and the dismantled Park Church was purchased that its frame and materials might be used in a new building, which was dedicated November 20, 1881. The first church was served, in the succession, after Mr. Hammond (1870-74), by Rev. J. A. Owen (74-70), Rev. E. Clement (7.5-78) and Rev. A. A. King (78-7'(i. The present Church by Rev. Messrs. W. H. Kussell i'8(l-'84i, Ostrander. Howard i '84-'87 i, Schuch and I'.ower. In 4.48 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 1888 the Rev. C. M. Auderson comnienced his five years' ministry, dur- ing- which the church grew, and a parsonage was erected on Passaic Avenue. In IS'»3 the Rev. W. Tumbower was appointed pastor, suc- ceeded in 1894 by Rev. W. Day, who was suddenly removed by death before the close of his term. The next incumbent was the present pastor Rev. Charles L. Mead. During the ministry of Mr. Day, the old church building on Ames Avenue was sold, and the congregation met in the Union Club Auditorium, and later in Ivison Hall. The erec- tion of a new edifice on the site adjoining the parsonage, followed in due course, the corner-stone being laid November 4, 1895, and the dedication occurring April 12, 1896. A fine organ has since been put in place, and general prosperity crowns the church. The parsonage and its lot are valued at S75()0. The church and its lot at 822,500. CONGKEG.\TION.\L CHURCH. Upon the retirement of Rev. D. M. Walcott from the pulpit of the Presbyterian church in 1878, some eleven of its membership followed him and associated with others, became the Congregaticmal Church of Rutherford, July 15, 1878. For a number of years they met in the brick building, at the corner of Park Avenue and Franklin Place. The small remnant then withdrew to the house of the pastor, in which they c(m- tinued to hold services and enjoy his ministrations. UNITARIAN CHURCH. The first Unitarian service was held in Rutherford at the residence of H. G. Bell, October 3, 1891. From that time regular services have been continued, the "Unitarian Society of Rutherford, N. J.," being incorporated December 22, 1891. On May 2(>, 1892, Rev. George H. Badger was called to the pastorate, entering upon his ministry in Ruther- ford July 1st. A Sunday school was began immediately. Upon the settlement of the pastor the church organization, with a simple non- credal covenant, was effected September 13, 1892, under the name of •'The Church of Our Father." A small, but tasteful house of worship, built on Home Avenue at a cost, with furnishings, of $6800, was dedicated December 15, 1892. MT. AKAKAT BAPTIST CIU'KCH. Thischurch i colored ) was organized July 14, 1,S9(,, and incorporated March 12, 1897. It is under the pastoral care of Rev. \V. II. Howerton, ■•md worshijjs at present in Union Hall. NEWSPAPERS. THE BERGEN COUNTY HERALD. The Bergen County Herald, published by the "Bergen County Herald Publishing Company," with one exception is the oldest newspaper published in the county of Bergen. Its first issue came out about i871, and represented a constituency in the neighborhood of Rutherford and Carlstadt. It sixm passed into the hands of a Publishing Company con- HISTOKV OF BEKGEN COl'XTY 4.>'» sisting of Charles H. Voorhis, Henry Kipp, John Bartholph and Jacob P. Westervelt. As early as 1873 the Bergen County Herald was nt^t excelled by any newspaper in the county. In fact its only competitor was the Hackensack Democrat. It 1875 it was purchased by John Hay- wood and the plant moved to a frame building which then stood opposite the Rutherford Depot. Mr. Haywood associated with him Mr. James N. Bookstaver, an old newspaperman, and together they made character and reputation for the Herald. It was well and familiarly known by every body as the "Bergen County." Mr. Haywood and Mr. Bookstaver conducted the paper as an independent Democratic sheet and from the date of their purchase until the present time it has maintained and su]iportcd with vigor the principles of the Democratic party. On the death of Mr. John Haywood, Mr. James N. Bookstaver c(m- tinued the publication of the paper for about a year, when the plant being disposed of by the Haywood estate, the title and good will of the newspaper was purchased by ex-Coroner Nelson W. Young and Messrs. Frederick and Nelson W. Wilson, when a new office was fitted up to accommodate the paper. Shortly afterwards the Messrs. Wilson severed their connection with the paper, and for many years it was intelligently and effectively conducted by Mr. Young. In 18S'J Messrs. Morris and Stevens purchased the interest of JNIr. Young. Mr. Morris, having other business in New York state, sold out his interest to Mr. Stevens, who continued the publication for several years. Mr. C. L. Parker succeeded Mr. Stevens, and in 18'>5 Captain Addi- son Ely acquired the plant. Under his ownership and influence it has secured an extensive circulation, and is regarded as one of the leading Democratic weeklies in the state of New Jersey. In 1S'»(> the County Democratic Committee after inducing Captain Ely to move his plant to Hackensack and they constituted his paper the official party organ. Many additions and extensions were then made to the plant and the size of the paper increased to an eight page. The circulation has rapidly advanced and it is known as an enterprising and fearless Democratic journal. THK KfTHEKFOKD NEWS. The Rutherford News was founded by James N. Bookstaver, Sep- tember 1SS5. It was Republican in politics, remaining so while under the control of its founders, to June 1888, when it passed into the hands of the following gentlemen, taking the name of the " Rutherford News Publishing Company:" Carl Dannheim, H. N. Bullington, Andrew H. Brinkerhoff, E. N. Edgar. William K. Everdell, Joseph D. Brinkerhoff, John J. Dupuy, Carl von Hartz, William H. Smith and Anderson Price. This corporation passed under the control of John J. Ketchum, Tom Stevens and E. A. Fletcher, who made it a Republican paper until Dr. Ketchum had a change of heart and became a Democrat. The paper was finally sold to Homer, Farnum & Homer, who were succeeded by Homer & Farnum and later by Thomas W. Homer. In June 18*'7 440 HISTOKV OF BERGEN COUNTY the paper was bought by the Rutherford News Publishing- Company whose owners and officers are, Carl von Hartz, President; Anderson Price, Treasurer; and William E. Sturm, Secretary. The Rutherford American was started on June 30, 1892, as a four- pag-e, six-column Republican newspaper, to be published every Thursday. At the end of si.x months an additional column was added to each page, and later the paper was increased to eig^ht pag-es, six columns to a pag-e, at which size it now remains. Its office is in the Shafer Building-, Rutherford. It is owned and edited by John E. Tyler. KOV.\L .VKCANl'M. The local Subordinate Council known as Rutherford Council, No. 122"), was instituted on January 17, IS'JO, with nineteen members. Its first Regent was S. N. Hig-bie, the subsequent Regents being: J. L. Chapman, W. G. Williams, tl. N. Janes. S. T. Davy, A. A. Clark, J. H. Bowne, W. W. Ward, and for the term of 1S'»S, J. A. Jesty. The following is the list of the nineteen original members: W. A. Tomp- kins, S. N. Higbie, Dr. S. E. Armstrong, J. W. Burgess, A. A. Clark, J. L. Chapman, Wm. Fleming, Sr., J. C. Hastie, E. H. A. Habbert, A. O. Jackson, G. N. Janes, F. H. Miller, E. R. S. Saunders, L. T. Savage, C. E. Tolhurst, J. H. Van Harding, W. G. Williams, W. W. Ward, Jr., C. H. Warner. The officers elected for the term ending January, 1899, are: Regent, J. A. Jesty; Vice Regent, .H.J. Ronalds; Orator, George Shrive; Past Regent, W. W. Ward; Secretary, F. T. Doolittle; Collector, W. C. Jesty; Treasurer, J. P. Speer; Chaplain, C. E. Conkling; Guide, Thomas Hunt; Warden, Edwin Speer; Sentry, E. A. Staehley; Organist, Harry Green; Representative to the Grand Council, W. \V. Ward; Alternate to the Grand Council, A. O. Jackson; Trustees, S. H. Rhodes, W. M. Petty. To-day there are one hundred and ninety-six members belonging to the Rutherford Council. BOILING .SPRING LODGE, OF FREE .\ND ACCEPTED MASONS OF RUTHEK- FORD, N.J. The present growing and successful lodge of Free Masons at Ruther- ford would hardly be recognized as the infant Lodge that on the ninth day of December, 1881, met in the upper room of old Union Hall on Ames Avenue and were officially instituted as a Masonic lodge under the jurisdiction of the Cirand Lodge of the State of New Jersey. The organization of a Masonic Lodge at Rutherford was long in abeyance. In 1880 there were but few Masons in Rutherford, and the population of the whole township of Union was scarcely more than 2500, but a few faithful Masons among whom may be mentioned Dr. Kenneth K. King, Mr. Jacob H. Vreeland, Captain Addison Ely who was then principal of the public school and Abraham B. McKeon from time to time dis- cussed the propriety of organizing a Masonic Lodge, and for this purpose HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY 441 with other Masons in the nein-hhorhmid they met and for more than a year continued their meetinj^s in the upper room of Union Hall and exemplified the work, and finally obtained a dispensation from the Grand Master to institute the Lodg-e provided they were qualified. The appli- cation was referred to the Passaic Lodge and an exemplification of the work of a Free Mason made before them. This being' satisfactory the Lodg-e was ordered instituted. The warrant members were: Jacob H. Vreeland, Worshipful Master; Dr. Kenneth K. King, Senior Warden; Eugene K. Sloat, Junior Warden; William Earle, Secretary; Arbam B. McKeon, Treasurer and Andrew McClaury, Daniel D. Burtis, Louis Kruger, Addison ]<^ly and Peter Dammers. Addison Ely was the first Senior Deacon and held the office for several years. Peter Dammers and Louis Kruger were Masters of Ceremonv and Daniel D. Burtis was Tyler. It would be an incomplete his- tory if Past Master William H. Van Houten of Paterson, Orange Lodge, were overlooked in this connection for to him the Lodge owes much as its first instructor. Of the eleven members who worked so diligently to establish Boiling Spring Lodge Dr. Kenneth K. King, Abrani B. McKeon and Louis Kruger have gone to that bourne from which no traveler returns. Dr. King's was the first death in the Lodge and he was buried with Masonic honors in Greenwood Cemetery. From a Lodge of eleven members the Rutherford Lodge now has about one hundred members and is in every way a successful and thriving Lodge. The room in Union Hall proved inadequate and insecure and Mr. Arthur Van Winkle who afterward became a Mason fitted up in this building an excellent lodge which served for many years, and in this room the first officers were installed on the 27th day of February, 1882, by William Hardacre the Grand Master of the State of New Jersey, six grand officers being in attendance. Afterward the lodge moved to the Bell- chambers Building where it now has pleasant and spacious quarters. Its membership includes almost all the influential and prominent men of the borough of Rutherford and surrounding villages. It is fulfilling the purposes of its organization to a high degree. Since its organiza- tion 129 Masons have joined the lodge and there have been losses from deaths and demits amounting to 34. The present officers of the lodge are: W. M., James Leyland; S. W., David Taylor; J. W., Frank P. Newman; Treasurer, Theo. Muehling; Secretary, W. A. Tompkins; S. D., H. J. Ronalds; J. D., Charles G. Hyslop; Chaplain. R. P. Klinger; S. M. C, W. F. B. Pratt; J. M. C, J. C^ E. Chambers; Marshal, Charles Rehwoldt; Tyler, A. B. Douglas. The lodge now has a membership-of ninety-one, and is in a prosperous condition. (^f the original members of the lodge who are still members and attend its meetings are Past Master Jacob H. Vreeland, William Earle, Addison Ely and Peter Dammers. THE woman's KEADIN(; CH'K. The Woman's Reading Club was originated bv Mrs. Margaret G. Riggs in 18S9, when she invited a fevi- ladies to unite in an association 442 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY for mutual improvement. Twenty-two women soon after effected an org-anization. with Mrs. Riggs as president. Mrs. Castor, Mrs. Gnade, Mrs. Crear, Mrs. A. W. \'an Winkle and Mrs. Henry G. Bell, succeeding to the presidency in the order named. The membership increased rapidly until a question of limitation was brought up, but that idea was abandoned, and all who sought for admission were received. When it became necessarv to have more room, the Field Club kindly offered the use of their parlors. The offer was accepted and meetings were held in the home at the corner of Chestnut street and Franklin Place, until the Field Club, after changing its name to that of "Union Club." built its new house on Park Avenue. The Reading Club then met here until the winter of 1896, when they removed to the hall of the Library building. They are now investing a part of each year's income in a building and loan association. They have a choice ctdlection of over two hundred volumes and a bookcase, toward the furnishing of the home they hope to have. The question of a public library had been agitated to some extent, when Mr. H. S. Rhodes took the initial step by holding a concert for the purpose of starting a fund. This effort netted one hundred and ten dollars, but nothing further was done until 1S'»3, when Mrs. Henry G. Bell opened the subject in the Reading Club. Mrs. Gnade, then presi- dent, appointed a committee, calling a meeting for February 16, which resulted in a good attendance, Mr. Joseph P. Cooper in the chair. On March 10, 1893, The Rutherford Free Library Association was organ- ized, the constitution and by-laws, as reported, being adopted March 24th. Mr. Cooper as Mayor of the borough, was the first president, the other officers being elected by members of the Association. At a meet- ing held on April l7th about six hundred dollars was subscribed. This called out a spirit of helpfulness among the members of the Reading Club, when it was proposed that each member contribute a book, the whole to go as a gift from the Club to the Library. Nearly four hun- dred books were secured by this movement. Rev. George H. Badger, who had had some experience in such work, undertook the business of arranging the details, shelving and catalog- ing. A room in the Shafer building was taken and furnished, when Miss Anna T. Cooper, who had just finished a course of study in the work, was engaged as librarian. May 4th, 1894. the library was opened with about eleven hundred volumes. At present there are in all about twenty-five hundred volumes in various classes of literature. September, 1896, Mr. David B. Ivison presented to the library association the stone building on the corner of Park Avenvie and Chestnut Street, formerly occupied by the Presbyterian Church. A reference and reading room was now opened and supplied with more than fifty volumes of cyclopedias, dictionaries, etc., with the jjrincipal current literature of the day. The a])i)ropriati(ms from the borough have been about two hundred and tiftv dollars annually. This with members' fees and gifts are the HISTOKY OF BERGEN COUNTY 44.^ only source th of April, 1S19, butit was not until August .^, IS.i.^, that the Grand Lodge of New Jerse_y was instituted, while Rutherford Lodge No. 240 dates its existence from the 17th of October, l.S').^. In ISO 1-42 certain residents of this borough, members of the order but away from home lodges, conceived the idea of forming a subordinate lodge here to which they might attach themselves, thus securing the benefits of a lodge home, so dear to every member of the order. The following seventeen members of the lodge were the main ones instrumental in the organization of the order in this town: James Lev- land. Charles T. Johnson, Wm. J. Singerland, tieorge K. Thomas, Julius Jaeger, Horatio N. Fish, David R. MacNeil, John J. Dupuv, C. Henry Kotzenberg, William Henkelman, George Ruckstuhl, James H. vSniith, *Froni -'Thini,'-^ Old ainl New." 444 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY Rensselaer Furman, William W. Butler, Joseph W. Beebe, William Gibson, Frank Spitz. Forty-five members were taken in nn the nig-ht of institution, making a total of sixty-two members to start with. While the growth of the order here has been slow, it has been sure, ' the present membership being about eighty-five. The lodge is sustained by the payment by each member of $8.00 per year dues, the member receiving in case of sickness the sum of S5.00 per week, and in case of death his benficiary is entitled to $100.00 funeral benefits, and in case of the death of a member's wife he receives S50.00 The f)rder in this State has increased from SI members in 1833 to about 30,000 in 1897, while the membership in the country at the present time is nearly 700,000. The amount expended for relief of distressed brothers in this State for 1897 has been nearly SISO.OOO. KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. The great American Order of Knights of Pythias was introduced in Rutherford on September 16, 1893, by the organization of Rutherford Lodge, No. 150. Among the names of those found on the charter of this lodge are A. H. Brinkerhoff, J. C. Sares, Dr. J. J. Ketchum, H. R. Harden, S. T. Davy, W. H. Smith, G. Y. Renshaw and John Patrick. An acti-e interest in the work of the lodge has been taken by nearly all the charter members, so that at the present time the roster of the lodge contains the names of considerably over one hundred members, and all are men of good social standing, as well as being fitted physically and morally for membership in the lodge. The endowment or life insurance plan in this order is a well con- sidered and admirably conducted business. Members may insure in amounts from $500 to $3000, with rates according to age. Payments monthly, and only one payment per month, or twelve per year required, under any circumstances. This is made possible by a reserve fund being on hand of half a million dollars, which is so invested as to be absolutely safe, draws good interest, and can be called upon to any amount required in an emergency. Confidence is shown in this by the one fact that about $.■^0,000 of this insurance is being carried by members of the Rutherford Lodge. BO.\.KD OF TKADE. KI"THEKFOKD .\ND E.\ST KUTHEKFOKD. This Association was formed for the encouragement of trade and commerce for the Ruther fords, the certificate of incorporation having been taken out and recorded at Hackensack May 18, 1897. The follow- ing list of names records the promoters of this business enterprise and are as follows: Joseph P. Cooper, William McKenzie, E. J. Turner, Luther Shafer, Charles Burrows, W. H. Smith, C. R. Soley, John G. Niederer, Frank E. Hatch. Robert M. Watson. A. P. Hackett. I. B. HISTORY OF BEKCIEN COUNTY 445 Nichols, John E. Tyler, Edward A. Jeannerot, William (iramlich. Charles F. Harring-ton, J. L. Chapman. The officers for 18'»S are as follows: President, William McKenzie; Vice President, Joseph P. Cooper; Secretary, Luther Shafer; Treasurer, Charles Burrows; Directors, Edward J. Turner, Charles F. Harring-ton, Charles R. Soley. John (t. Niederer, Robert M. Watson, William H. Smith, Frank E. Hatch, A. P. Hackett. KTTHKKFOKD NATIOXAI. BANK. Established May ,^, 1895, its career since its inception has been characterized by the most gratif^-ing deyfree of prosperity. It has a ])aid up capital of S50,()00, with a surplus and undivided profits of Sl.^UOi), which success is attributed to the fidelity with which its officers and directors have administered their trusts. The building occupied is owned by the bank, and is a great attraction to the place. It is hand- somely finished in hardwood, and contains all the latest im])rovements, including fire and burglar proof vaults and safes. A legitimate national l)anking business is transacted in loans, deposits, exchange, collections, etc., its facilities not being surpassed by any contemporaneous institu- tion in this section. The following well and favorably known gentle- men comprise its officers and board of directors: President, Henry R. Jackson; Vice President, Robert D. Kent; Cashier, Henry R. Harden; Directors, H. R. Jackson, R. D. Kent, Julius Roehrs, E. J. Turner, Carl Von Hartz, A. W. Van Winkle, Peter H. Kip, J. P. Cooper. William McKenzie, A. L. Watson and F. B. Poor. COMPANY I,, SECOND KEGIMENT, NATIONAL CrAKD. N. j. The military spirit seemed to take possession of the youth of Rutherford early in the year 1892 and Robert A. Brunner and Wilkin Bookstaver, formerly of Company G, 2nd N. G.,N. J., both of whom afterward became officers of Company L. were active in securing enroll- ments for the purpose of organizing the National Guard Company. After the enrollment in some measure had been completed the members met in the upper part of the Shafer Building, ana afterward in the old Union Hall and were drilled in military tactics by Lieutenant Book- staver and Mr. George M. Pollard. Early in the Spring of 1893 an election of officers was held and Addison Ely a prominent lawyer of Rutherford was invited to command the Company as its Captain. Cap- tain Ely had formerly belonged to Company C, Third Regiment, N. G., N. J., commanded by Captain W^. H. DeHart. for many years the crack company of the National Guard. Prior to Captain Ely's election there had been several aj)plications to the State Military Department to muster the company into the State service, but although much effort and influ- ence were used these applications had met with no success. Captain Ely secured the services of Lieutenant J. M. Poole an expert tactician, a Lieutenant and afterward Captain of (ine of the comi)anies of the 9th Regiment N. G., N. J. Lieutenant Poole drilled 44(1 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY the company one nigiit a week for several weeks and pronounced them efficient, and they were tinally mustered into State service. The Fourth Regiment at Jersey City, and the Second with head- quarters at Paterson under Colonel Moore had recently been reorganized, and it was to one of these that the company sought to be assigned. Colonel S. V. S. Muzzy who had secured a high reputation as a military officer, about this time succeeded to the command of the Second Regiment, and Captain Ely applied to him for admission as one of the companies of his Regiment. After much urging Colonel Muzzy accepted the company and used his influence to secure the desired order, which was finally made and on the 22nd day of June, 1893, the company was mustered into the State service. In the fall of 1896 the company undertook the con- struction of an Armory on Park Avenue, having previously acquired a plot of ground 50 by i50 feet for S6000. The Armory building contains a flat for a janitor, a large company room and two stores in the front part, and a drill shed 118 by 50 feet in the rear, fitted up with a stage and equipments for public entertainments. The basement is arranged for a bowling alley and rifle range. The company has occupied this Armory since the early Spring of 1897. The total cost of building and ground was about S24,000of which a large portion has been paid. In April 1897 a fair was held netting a large sum of money, the ladies' association contributing much to its success. In April, 1898, when war with Spain was declared and the National Guard called out, Company L responded with the full quota called for. Fifty-eight men and three officers of Company L were accepted and mustered into the United States service with twenty-three volunteer r&cruits on May 14, 1898. The officers mustered in were: Captain, Addison Ely; First Lieutenant, Joseph J. Blake; Second Lieutenant, Robert A. Brunner. The company having gone into camp at Sea Girt on May 2d remained there until June 1st, when they were ordered to Jacksonville, Florida, to await further orders. They were returned to New Jersey in September and on November 17th were mustered out of the United States service. Under the re-organization of 1899 the company was relieved from service. GERSHOM MOTT POST. The Post bearing this name was instituted April 30th, 1891, with twenty-four members, N. W. Hawes being its first Commander, which office he held for two years. Then came Robert Leeds, who held the office for three ^-ears, the members recognizing the fact that it was due solely to his indefatigable labors that the Post was instituted. Under his command the Post flourished and added to its membership until it reached the number of fifty-four. Horatio N. Fish then succeeded to the command, holding the office for one year, and then came John Amery, who died in command. Clifford K. Reece was then elected to serve for the unexpired term, and at the last election was again elected lAITHEK SHAFEK 448 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY Commander. Throug'h harmony and wise leadership the Post has accumulated quite a fund for the relief of sick or disabled soldiers or sailors or their wives or orphans. During' the Spanish-American war the Post was among- the fore- most in g-iving money to relieve the families of those who had g^one to the front. I.l'THEK SHAFEK. Mr. Shafer is one of the substantial and progressive citizens of Rutherford. He is a wise counselor, and was one of the leading- public spirited citizens of the place who orig-inated its borough government in 1881. Mr. Shafer is a native of New York State and was born in Mont- gomery, Orange county, in 1848. His father was a farmer and the son had a share of the farm work to perform, attending the district school as his duties would permit. His parents planned to give him a college education but circumstances changed the course of events. His father dying when young Luther was but twelve years of age, made it neces- sary for him to contribute to his own support. He attended the Mont- gomery Academv for a time, and afterward entered the law office of R. R. Lea in New York city. Later he secured a clerkship in the office of Downing & Couert at Flushing, L. L, and although but seventeen years of age, was made assistant postmaster. In 1867 he entered the Albany Law School, going soon after leaving that institution into the office of David Dudley Field, where he filled an important position. From there he went as managing clerk for Vernam & Wilcox, where he remained until he began the pratice of law in New York city in 1872. One year later Mr. Shafer was admitted to practice in New Jersey, and in 187(> was made a counselor. This gave him the legal right to full active practice both in New York and New Jersey. From 1877 until 1889, he was counsel for Union township, during which time he secured the passage of the Tax Act of 1874. He has always been a Republican. Mr. Shafer's services and abilities having been recognized, he was elected Mayor of Rutherford in which office he proved an efficient and worthy incumbent, for a period of several terms. P'rom the incorpora- tion of the borough in 1881, until 1890, Mr. Shafer was noted as its coun- sel, absolutely refusing any compensation for his services. He has also been counsel for Union and Boiling Springs townships and for the vil- lage of Carlstadt and also solicitor of the Rutherford Mutual Loan and Building Association and is now counsel for East Rutherford, Carlstadt and Montvale. JOHN M. BEI.L. When John M. Bell came to Rutherford, less than ten years ago. he immediately set about a preparation for active usefulness in his adopted home. He is a Scotch-Irishman, born at Kells, Ireland, August 3, 18()(l. Although of foreign birth Mr. Bell is an ideal American citizen, having been educated in this country imbibing the tastes and acquiring the habits of the people. He was six years old when he came to America JOHN T>\. KKI.I. 450 HISTOKY OF BERGEN COUNTY with his parents, who located in Schuylkill county, Pennsylyania. Young- Bell receiyed his education in the public schools of Schuylkill county, and came to Rutherford in 1891 . After studying- law for some time in the office of Addison Ely, Mr. Bell entered the office of Luther Shafer where he completed his course and was admitted to the Bar at the November Term, 1894. He lirst opened an office for the practice of his profession, in the Shafer Build- ino- in March of the following year, and was almost immediately made counsel to the Borough of Rutherford, which office he still holds. He has also been counsel to the Borough of Lodi since March 1807. Mr. Bell is at present member of Assembly, elected on the Republican ticket at the last election, 1897. KEY. EDWIN A. BULKLEY, D. D. Rev. Edwin A. Bulkley, D. D., who was born in Charleston, S. C, January 25, 1826, is a descendant in direct line from Rev. Peter Bulkley, whose wife was Lady Grace Chetwode. Became to America in 1(..^4. from Odell, England, and was born in 1583. This man, distinguished among the early colonists, was descended from a long line of noble ancestry, easily traceable to Robert de Bulkley (1200), his descendants still holding one of the ancestral seats in Eng- land. He succeeded his father. Rev. Edward Bulkley, D. D., m the rectorship of Odell or Woodhill. His earnest preaching, and resistance to ecclesiastical tyranny compelled his emigration to New England, where he became the founder of Concord, Mass., and pastor of its tirst church. Cotton Mather in a funeral sermon speaks of his noble birth, and praises his benevolence in spending his wealth, his eminent learn- in.^ and devoted piety. In his old church at Concord, the hrst provin- 01^1 Cono-ress was held, and in its assembly were made those stirring speeches^by Hancock, Adams and other patriots which hastened the events of the Revolution. Rev. Gershom Bulkley son of Peter married Sarah, daughter of Charles Chauncey, D. D., President of Harvard College, and their son Edward married Dorothy Prescott. Next m line comes Charles Bulkley whose wife was Mary Sage, their son Charles beincr the great grandfather of Dr. Edwin A. This Charles married Mary Griswold. Dr. Bulklev's grandparents were Charles and Eunice (Robbins) Bulkley, whose son Erastus, father of Dr. Edwin A. married Mary Walbridge. The maternal line traces back to Henry Walbridge who came from Dorsetshire, England, about 1650. His son Ebenezer married Mary Durkee Their S(m Ebenezer and his wife Elizabeth Stebbms were the parents of Adolphus Walbridge and Mary Deming. the grandparents of Dr. Bulkley, his mother being their daughter Mary. Elizabeth Walbridu-e "The Dairyman's Daughter," memoralized by Leigh Rich- mond wis of this family. In Dr. Bulkley's children, early colonial lines 'of distincti.m unite; through him from Rev. Peter Bulkley; throu-'-h their mother from Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, of whom she KEV. IIK. HDWIN A. KII.KI.H^ 452 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY is a lineal descendant. He was the Patriarch of the Lutheran Church in this country, and the father of those men of Revolutionar}- fame, Henry Aug-ustus Muhlenberg-, the first speaker of the first congress in New York city, and General Peter Muhlenberg, whose statue Pennsyl- vania has placed in the Rotunda of the capitol at Washington. Dr. Bulkley pursued his preparatory studies in New York city, entered Yale College in 1841, when not yet fifteen years of ag-e, and was graduated in 1844, subsequently finishing his professional studies in Union Theological Seminary in 1847. Last Fall (1897) he celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his ordin- ation to the ministry, October 11, 1847, from which time his pastoral work had been almost unbroken. His first charge was at Geneva, N. Y., from 1847 to 1850, then in Groton, Mass., from 1850 to 1864. in Plattsburgh, N. Y., from 1864 to 1878, and in Rutherford, N. J., from 1878 to 1898. On March 27, 1898, having labored about twenty years in the last place, and the condition of his health requiring a cessation from the active charge of a large congregation, he was released from his pastorate, and made "Pastor Emeritus." The honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him in 1868, by the University of Vermont. The wisdom of his counsel, with his executive ability, has often been acknowledged in high official places in the gift of the Presbyterian Church. For twenty-five years he filled the most important Presbyterial office in the Presbyteries of Champlain, and of Jersey City. In 1883-84 he was moderator of the Synod of New Jersey, and had twice previously presided over the Synod of Albany. He was Clerk of the General Assembly of 1879 at Saratoga Springs. September 27. 1848, Dr. Bulkley was married to Miss Catharine F. Oakley of Huntington, L. I. JIR. DAVID B. IVISON. David B. Ivistl HISTOKV OF BHKCEN COUNTY 455 skillful training' and had assumed a large share of the interest and all the responsibilities of his father, Mr. Henry Ivison, before his retire- ment in 1881, three years before his death. Mr. Ivistm became a full partner in the business, in 1863, which was then under the name of Ivison, Phinney, Blakeman & Company. At the time of the retirement of Mr. Henry Ivison, the firm was known as Ivison, Blakeman, Taylor & Company, which continued, until 1887, when ill health caused Mr. Taylor to withdraw, malting- it necessary to again change the name to that of Ivison, Blakeman & Company, which continued until the ccmsoli- dation of the several book concerns, resulting in a new corporation known as the American Book Company, in 1890. In this Mr. Ivison took a leading part, holding positions of the highest responsibility, until 18')4. He was then chosen president and held that office two years, when he resig-ned in 1896, with the most cordial relations existing among his as- sociates who became reccmciled to his withdrawal from the fact of his remaining on the board of directors, thus assuring his co-operation and continuance of interest in the company and the helpfulness of his large experience and wise counsel. The business life of these two successful men, father and son, covered a period of the greatest activity in the school book trade. The public were passing through an educational period in the matter of text books, for use in public school work, and in this the Ivison house took a leading part in sup])lving good school litera- ture. Mr. Ivison is a member of the Union League Club of New York and Union Club, of Rutherford, N. J. where he now resides. In religion he is a Presbyterian holding the office of ruling elder in the Rutherford congregation. At present he is traveling abroad for recreation and pleasure. Mr. Ivison's eldest son, Henr^- Ivison, also formerly a member of the original firm, succeeded his father, and was for ten years head of the Manufacturing Department of the American Book Company. He re- cently resigned from this position, and is now a member of the New York Stock Exchange. JOSEPH J. BL.\KK. Joseph J. Blake, formerly proprietor of the well-known Blake Res- tauant and Hotel, was born in New York city July 5, 1857. It was in the public schools of the city of New York young Blake was given an educa- tional start in life, but as soon as he was old enough to earn his living, necessity compelled him to relinquish the pursuit of knowledge for food and clothing. His business career was begun in the emploj^ of Justice William Haywood, who was operatingf a factory in New York for the manufacture of wall paper, and came to Rutherford with him in 1875. Upon returning to New York Mr. Blake was made superintendent of Bar- tholmae & Company's factory, having charge of more than two hundred hands. He remained with them until 1891, when he returned on account of failing health, and has been a resident of Rutherford since 1883, at which time he built his house at the corner of (irove Street and Erie Avenue. JOSEPH J. BI,AKE. HISTOKY OF- BEKGEN COUNTY 457 Mr. Blake has taken an active interest in the affairs of the borougfh, and in 1842 was elected Councilman on both the Democratic and Citi- zens' tickets bv a large majority. He has been an active member of the Fire Department twelve years, and is a member of Eng'ine Company No. 2, of which he was assistant foreman two years and foreman three years. He was one of the originators of Company L, Second Regiment, N. J., and elected Second Lieutenant July 5, 18^(5, and First Lieutenant in the winter of 189f). Mr. Blake is a member of the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Royal Aracanum, Order of United Workman, and Business Mens' Pro- tective Association. He is also a member of the Rutherford Wheel- men of which organization he has been a trustee. In 1891, Mr. Blake began business next door to the large, commo- dious structure he remodeled and occupied until called into the Spanish- Cuban war. After which he removed to New York, where he resides now. Mr. Blake, as the First Lieutenant of Company L, was one of the most popular officers of the Second Regiment. In 1891, Mr. Blake began business in the store next door to the one he lately disposed of, remaining there five years. The present building is a pleasent and commodious structure which he remodeled in lS9f,. CiKL VON HAKTZ. Carl Von Hartz, president of the "Rutherford News Company," in the borough of Rutherford, is a native of Germany and was born in 1855 in Diepholz, Hanover. In 1873 he came to America, subsequently entering the employ of a banking house, but remained in this business only a short time when he became connected with the business of C. .\. Auffmordt & Co., importers of dry goods. Following this he became associated with William Meyer & Co., lace importers. Since becoming a resident of Rutherford, Mr. Von Hartz has identi- fied himself with its interests, having been elected councilman in 1890, on the ticket brought out as the "Citizens' and Democratic" ticket, and two years later he was made a member of the finance committee, of which he was chairman, and was at the same time member of the committee on streets. Mr. Von Hartz is one of the founders of the Union Club of Ruther- ford and served for three years on the Board of Governors, then as vice- president and president; is also a member of the Royal Arcanum, and Knights of Pythias of Rutherford. In addition to these social and fra- ternal organizations he belongs to the Leiderkranz and Free Mason Societies of New York city. Mr. Von Hartz is a progressive man, and interested in all that per- tains to the improvement and building up of his Borough. MK. WILLIAM m'mAINS. William McMains, now a resident of Bradley Beach, N. J., has been prominent in Rutherford during the past thirty years. He was CAKI, VON HAKTZ HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 459 born in Myroe, county Derry. Ireland, August 6, 1828. In 1850, he came to New York and subsequently carried on the drv goods business in that city for live or six years. In 1867, he married Miss Susan Simpson of New York, daughter of Richard Simpson, of the firm of Simpson & Cooper, contractors, removing soon afterward to Burlington, Iowa. He now ventured his all in the grocery business, and having lost every- thing, a few months afterward, by being burned out, he returned to New York in 1868, without a dollar. He then went to work for Simpson & Cooper. Eventually Mr. Simpson retired and Mr. McMains succeeded to his place; but in 1871, he gave up the business and came te Ruther- ford, somewhat discouraged at his pros])ects. With the thought that others had risen under adverse circumstances Mr. McMains again started in business, this time being succeesful in accumulating a large amount of propert}-. He first built a house on River Road, Kingsland, but in 187(), he moved to Rutherford and this year erected the McMains building on Depot Square, using it as a hotel for a number of years. This was the second brick house built in Rutherford. It was burned in 189(), and was immediately rebuilt. He also built other houses in Rutherford, and in 1895, bought two cottages in Bradley Beach, N. J., where he now resides. Mr. McMains was Town Committeeman one term during which time some of the more important improvements in the little city were made. CAPTAIN ADDISON ELY. The subject of this sketch was descended from the Rev. George Ely, Vicar of Tenterden, county of Kent, England, through his son the Rev. Nathaniel Ely also a vicar of the Church of England and the latter's son Nathaniel who came to Massachusetts in the year 1634. Captain Ely's great-grandfather was Captain Levi Ely who was killed in the Revolutionary War in the Battle of Mohawk in 1780. His great-grand- mother was Abigail Sergeant whose father Lieutenant John Sergeant distinguished himself in the French and Indian War. His grandmother was the daughter of Colonel Samuel Rose a distinguished officer in the Revolutionary War. Captain Ely's mother was a Harrison, being descended from the same familv of which William H. Harrison and later Benjamin Harrison were distinguished members. The subject of this sketch was born at Westfield, Mass., in 1853, and came to New Jersey in 1862 with his father who settled at Bloomlield. N. J., within a few miles of which he has since lived. Captain Ely was prepared for Harvard College at the Newark Academy and Philips' Exeter Academy, and afterwards was graduated at the Polytechnic Institute. In 1871 he became a teacher in the public school at Connecticut Farms, Union county, N. J,, and later acted as principal of the High School at Cald- well, Essex county, and in 1879 came to Rutherford as principal of the Public School. He joined Company C, Third Regiment, the crack military organization of the New Jersey Nati(mal Guard in August, 1872, and in 189.^ organized Company L, Second Regiment, National WILLIAM M MAINS. HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 4'»1 Guard. N. J., which was mustered into the state service June 24, 1S'».^, of which Company he has been captain ever since. Captain Ely and his company volunteered in a body for the Spanish- American War April 22, 1898, and were mustered into the United States service at Sea Girt May 14, 1898. On June 1st they were sent to the front beingf attached to the Seventh Army Corp of which General Fitzhugh Lee was the com- manding- officer, but remained in camp during- the whole periol of the war, at Jacksonville, Florida. Captain Ely was admitted to the bar at the February term of the Supreme Court 1888, and as Counsellor-at-Law four years later. Since his admission to the bar he has been recognized as a successful lawyer, taking in all the important litigations in his part of the State. Probably no other lawyer in New Jersey has been counsel in so many cases invol- ving the construction of Borough Law. The Borough Law of 1897 was formulated and almost entirely drafted by Captain Ely, and at present he is devoting a large amount of time to secure the passage of an act to give extra pay to the New Jersey soldiers in the Spanish-American War. On December 29th, 1874, he married Emily J. Johnson at Connecticut Farms, N. J., and while Captain Ely and his wife are still young peo- ple they have a family of ten children, seven boys and three girls all of whom are living. The oldest son, Addison Ely, Jr., is editor of the Bergen County Herald. The iother children are Seth Harrison, Sanford D., William H., Leon Abbett, Hiram Baldwin, James S. T. Stranahan, Abigail M., Emily J., and Clara Stranahan Ely. With the exception of the term of one year as member of the Board of Education of the borough of Rutherford, Captain Ely never held a public office although he has been actively identified with public affairs and has always expressed a deep interest in their proper conduct. His views on public questions have generally been pronounced. He has always been a steadfast Democrat, insisting that the liberties of the people are best maintained and preserved through the success of that party. As a Democrat his influence is second to none in the county of Bergen. In 1896 he was nominated for Congress in the Sth N. J. Con- gressional District and made a thorough and brilliant canvas, but that was a bad year for Democrats. DAVID BOSMAN. David Bosnian of Rutherford, prominently connected with the Erie railroad is a son of David and Sarah Bosman of Brooklyn, N. Y., where he was born December 18, 18()4. Young Bosman was educated in the " Old Public School No. 1," and in the High School of his native city, from which he was graduated in the class with Congressman Charles (i. Bennett. For some time after leaving school he was engaged in commercial pursuits, later entering the office of Hon. William B. Horn- blower of the New York bar, where he read law for several years. In 1887 he became an employee of the Erie Railroad Company in the office of the general manager. Soon after this he was appointed private 462 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY secretary to the president, John King-, and continued in this capacity until President King-"s resignation in 1895. Preyious to this in 1893, he was appointed secretary to the Receiyer of the road, in which office he continued until the reorganization of the company in 1895, when he was appointed assistant secretary of the Erie Railroad Company, where he still continues. In 1890 Mr. Bosman was one of the incorporators of the Chicag-o & Erie Railroad, being elected secretary of that road in 1891 and in 1897 elected assistant secretary of the New York & Green- wood Lake Railway. All of these positions he still holds. In politics Mr. Bosman is a Republican, and has always taken an actiye interest in the affairs of the party, having served as delegate to numerous conventions and held various offices in the party organiza- tions. He was nominated on the Republican and Citizens' ticket for the office of Councilman in the Spring of 1898, and was elected by the largest majority ever given a candidate in that borough. He is chair- man of the Fire Committee and a member of the Finance, Police and Ordinance committee of the borough. Mr. Bosman is a Past Master and member of the Grand Lodge of the A. O. U. W., a member of the Union Club, Junior Order of Ameri- can Mechanics, Alumni Association of the Brooklyn High School and of the Republican Club. In 1892 Mr. Bosman was married to Miss Emily Sloane, of Brook- lyn, N. Y. (lAKKABKANT KYEKSON ALYEA. (iarrabrant Ryerson Alyea, at one time postmaster of Rutherford and for twenty-live years teacher and superintendent of schools in and about Rutherford, is a native of Paterson, N. J., born December IS, 1841. When eighteen years of age he came to Rutherford and began teaching school but in 1861 he left his chosen profession for a place in the Ocean National Bank, New York, where he remained seven years filling all the positions of trust in that institution except those of cashier and president. In 1868 he returned to Rutherford and to school work, giv- ing his attention to pedagogy and didactics, nothing diverting, until 1892. At this time a change from a professional to a business career was made by accepting a position in the Peoples' Bank, Rutherford, remaining Cashier of that Institution until i894. He then became postmaster of the borough, tilling that position with credit to himself until relieved by change of administration in 1898. Mr. Alyea was also collector when postmaster, and in fact he has filled every position of trust in the borough except that of mayor and he was only defeated for that office by a few votes in favor of his opponent, Luther,Shafer. Mr. Alyea was marred to Miss Martha Brinkerhoff October 20, iS69, and not only by marriage but by both the paternal and maternal lines is connected with the Ryersons, Paulisons and Cadmuses, all old families of Holland ancestry and French Huguenot extraction. Mr. Alyea's oldest son William T. Alyea was, until his death, which occured Janu- HISTOKV OK BEKGEN COUNTY 46."? ary 13, 1899 a student-at-law. His oldest daug-hter Eva B., is a graduate of the State Normal School, and taught in School District .V( until her marriage. Mr. Alvea is a Past Master in the Masonic fraternit}-, and is also a prominent member in the Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows. \v. J. r.A\VKi-;NsoN & co. C. \V. Lawrenson, who for twiiity-tive years has been manager for Spaulding & Co., of New York, one of the largest concerns of the kind in tlie country dealing in Sporting (joods, removed to Rutherford from the city of New York in 188.^. His son W. J. Lawrenson, the head of the firm that now bears his name, was born in Rutherford in 1S78, in which place he was educated and prepared for his business career. In 1897 he ojjcned the well equipped and commodious establishment now occui)ied at 90 Park A\ enue. This business, though but two years old, has stepi)ed to the front rank among the enterprising dealers of the towti and enjoys a liberal and first-class patronage. The compan}- carry in stock a tine line of Sjjaulding's bicycles and other wheels of the "best make" which deserve the term "celebrated." Messrs. Lawrenson & Co. are business men and besides renting and repairing, which is promptly attended to, they also keep a complete assortment of bicycle sundries usually found in all well conducted establishments. KfCKSTI-HI. KKOTHICKS. Cieorge and Adam Ruckstuhl began the manufacture of pianos in Rutherford in 1893. The brothers are natives of New York city where thev received skilled training in the art of piano making, the elder hav- ing been in the employ of Chambers & Co., the younger with Steinway, both having perfected themselves in the work years before beginning for themselves. The Ruckstuhl j)iano is an instrument of high grade with tine tone and finished workmanship, its good (jualities being protected by patents, the result of years of test and study. Besides the factory in Ruther- ford, the Ruckstuhl Brothers have salesrooms in both the cities of Passaic and Jersey City, where their trade is in keeping with their enviable reputation. ]Mr. (ieorge Ruckstuhl, the senior member of the firm, has been an active enterprising citizen of Rutherford since his coming to the place in 1S8(). He has been identified with the fire department of Rutherford for ten years, and was foreman of the company. He was elected Justice of the Peace in the Spring of 1898 being- the only Democrat elected on the ticket. He is also a member of the C)dd Fellows Lodge, of the Knights of Pythias, and is identified with other societies and enterprises of Rutherford. They erected their new building in 1899. 4()4 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY KRANK E. HATCH. About f(/rty years ag'o, in the village of Watertown, Connecticut, the subject of this sketch first saw the light of day. His father was a mechanic and skilled worker in wood and iron; his mother of true Yankee blood had much to do wth the forming of his character. The son, Frank E. Hatch, inherited a taste for mechanical pursuits, and the genius of mechanism thus transmitted has proved a rich legacy. With- out money but with a fair education, young Hatch when a lad entered the field of labor for himself. At thirteen years of age he was earning six dollars a week, and as experience and opportunity afforded, he was advanced in keeping with his abilities. Possessing an inventive genius he won laurels which soon distinguished him from the ordinary opera- tor. Besides skill in handwork, he excelled as a designer. He was the first to build special machinery for drilling several holes in iron, at one and the same time, while he also originated the three spindle drills and the combination dies. in\enting this machinery before he was sixteen years of age. Mr. Hatch ccmtinued his work in New York and Brooklyn, whert- he was married to Miss Emily L. Bull, in 1878. The father, Mr. George W. Hatch, a few years afterward moved to Allendale, this county, where he now resides, and in 1887, the son moved to Ruther- ford, where he has become a known factor in the upbuilding of this little citv. Some four years ago, following the charitable bent of his nature, he sought to aid another in a financial way which resulted finally in the purchase of the Park Pharmacy. This store with its trimmings and finished equipments, is one of the finest of the kind in Bergen county. It is under the management of an able pharmacist with a corps of competent assistants and is a credit to the town. Mr. Hatch is constantly on the road, in charge of other interests that keep him traveling North and South and from coast to coast almost without cessation. He is sole agent for some half dozen large manu- facturers of paper box machinery, for the United States, in which his father assists him. As a public spirited citizen, Mr. Hatch has been a leading factor in the Rutherford Board of Trade, and has identified him- self with all the prominent societies and institutions of the place. He is a member of the I. O. O. K. and of the Free Mason lodge, was one of the charter members of I^incoln League and has been a promoter of nearly every enterprise looking to the growth of Rutherford, in which he takes great pride. Mr. Hatch is a self made man in the true sense of the term. MK. GEORGE B. HOI.IIAX. George B. Holman. pro])rietor of Holman's Steam Carpet Cleaning Works, is one of the bright men of the country. His father, George W. Holman, was a man of marked characteristics, who as a poor orphan boy made his way to New York state, then to Chicago, returning to New York in l,s5(i, having succeeded in all his business enterprises. HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 4(>0 He was married in 1S()1, to Miss Jane Crocker of Lyme, Conn., becom- ing a resident of Rutherford in 1S72. After serving on the police force of New York for several years he was made Sergeant in 1866, ana dur- ing the war acted for a time as government detective in the citv. He died in 1872. George B. Holman was born in l.S(>(>, and at nineteen years of age began business for himself. Upon securing the loan of ten dollars on the night of June 22, 1885. he took the initial step in his business venture. Although in ill health, he attended an ice-cream festival at the Methodist Church assisting at the table and under each plate as it was served he placed his business card, as an upholsterer. That night's advertisement brought him sixty dollars worth of orders. In one month from that time he was employing a man and had more work than they both could do. In December, 188f>, he built an extension to his mother's house for a shop, and the following vear Ixnight the site which his house and (jther buildings now occupy. In 18S7 he erected a two-story building and in 18S"i added Steam Carpet Cleaning Works. In 18")1 he put u\> a three-story house for upholstering, and in l.S'O converted the original two-story structure into a residence, b\' adding a front and other extensions. In October 18'),i he was married to Miss Ethelyn R. Huntly of Lyme, Conn. Thev have one child, a son. Mr. Holman does a large business, emjdoying several men constantly. COKNKI.irS COI.I.IN'S. Cornelius Collins the well known Coroner and undertakerof Ruther- ford, is of Irish descent, his father having emigrated from Ireland in ISO.v Mr. Collins was born at Littleton, Morris county, N. J.. August 21, 1842, where he recieved his education in the public schools. At eighteen years of age the iron manufacturing establishment of William Berdan of Trov, New York, was entered where he learned the trade of making horse shoes, an industry which was carried on extensively and where he remained twenty-three years. In 1877, he came to Ruther- ford, finding employment in the locomotive shops of the Delaware and Lackawana R. R. In 188.^, Mr. Collins opened undertaking rooms with his son John, under the firm name of C. Collins & Son, and three years later bought a lot on the north side of Park Avenue and erected a two story and basement brick building, where they opened a stock of furni- ture, and did an extensive business not only in furniture Init in livery and undertaking. In 1892, this partnership was dissolved since which time Mr. Collins has carried on the undertaking business alone, being assisted in the work of embalming by his daughter Abby, who like him- self holds a diploma from the National Embalming College, New York. In 1863 Mr. Collins married Miss Healy of Albany, N. Y., their children are John, Cornelius, William, Abby and Annie, all living. Mrs. Collins died in 1882, and the following year he married Miss Alice Cor- bitt of New York. Of this marriage there is one child, Alice. 466 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY Mr. Collins has held a number of political offices. He was Super- visor of Hig-hwavs for six years; was first made cori>ner b}- appointment from Governor Grig-g-s and afterward elected to the same office in 1896, for a term of three years; was made Justice of the Peace in 18'<3, for five years and in 1898, he was appointed Recorder of the boroug-h of Ruther- ford. Mr. Collins was with (reneral Kilpatrick, in the Harris Cavalry for two and one half years. ni^. COKXliLirS H. ALI.EX. American dentists are noted for being- the best dentists in the world. As a rule thev are thorouglv trained and expert in the use of many in- struments utilized in modern dentistry. What is true of the profession as a whole is true of the individual members of the fraternity. The enviable reputation attained by Dr. Cornelius H. Allen during his stay in Rutherford, is a credit to the profession he represents. He is English bv birth, and was born in Manchester in 1858. Ten years later, he came with his father to Jersey City, where he served an ap- prenticeship under him in the gold leaf business. His inclinations, however, were decidedly in favor of a professional career, and in 1893 he entered the New York Dental College, from which after a thorough course, he received his merited titled D. D. S. Dr. Allen is a licensed practitioner in the states of New Jersey and New York. He occupies a fine suite of rooms at 8S Park Avenue, Rutlier- ford. ArCrST NADI.KH. August Nadler, the florist, is a native of Switzerland, bt)rn in 1S46, and received his education in his native land, coming to America in 1865, when he located in Westchester county. N. Y. He first worked for a florist, and later was employed by Mr. Leland. the well known hotel man, whose son is now the proprietor of a hotel in New York city. He remained three years with him taking care of his grounds at his home in New Rochelle, N. Y. In 1868, he came to Rutherford, N. J., where he was for some time in the employ of Mr. David B. Ivison. In 1871, he bought ten lots, on Woodward Avenue, for a greenhouse, and has at the present time, seven thousand five hundred square feet under glass. He opened an office on Park Avenue in 1895, and keeps on hand a supply of palms, and plants of various kinds. He is prepared to furnish cut flowers, and floral designs at short notice, and enjoys a liberal patronage in the retail trade, both at home and in New York city. In March 1871. he was married to Miss Elizabeth Tilly. She died in 1891, and in 1894, he contracted a second marriage with Miss Annie G. Baker, of Martinsburg, West Virginia. Mr. Nadler is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church. MK. FEKDIN.\ND BKUN'NEK. Mr. Ferdinand Brunner, the popular jeweler, of Rutherford, N. J., may well be classed am(mg the pioneers of Bergen county. HISTOKY OF BKKC.EN COUNTY 4C>7 Mr. Brunner came to this country when a boy nine years of age. He attended public school in New York and at an early ag-e entered the jewelry business to which he has ever since been devoted. He tirsl became identified with Bergen county in 1S(,() when lie moved to Carl- stadt. In 1868 he purchased ground and erected a house at Woodridge. At all times interested in the development of the town, and especially interested in school matters, it was largely through his efforts, while a school trustee, that the handsome school building was erected. A few years later when the Corona Land Association was organized Mr. Brunner was chosen president. This was a prosperous organization until the panic of 1S7.^, after which real estate was at an ebb for a long time, but with the name now changed to Hasbrouck Heights it is again in a flourishing condition. In 187() Mr. Brunner opened a small jewelry store in the McMain's Building in Rutherford, where b\- honest dealing and strict attention to business, it can safely be said that he now has the largest, best equipped and most modern jewelry establishment in Bergen county. In addition to a full line of jewelry, there is also in the rear of the store a private optical parlor which is in charge of a graduate optician. This dei)art- ment has made rapid strides in the past few years, and many peo])le can testify to the care which is taken in fitting the eyes. Mr. Brunner has erected a fine brick building at >>{\ Park Avenue for his e\er increasing trade. He is ably assisted in the l>usiness by his t\yo sons, Robert A. and Ferdinand, Jr. KOBKKT A. HK'I-NXlCIv'. Rol)ert A. Tjrunner. who was l)orn in Bergen county, March ISd't. was educated at the Park Avenue school, Rutherford. At the age of sixteen years he was employed by one of the largest jewelry firms in New York, an7 he came to Ruther- ford, engaging for a time in the manufacture of iron castings, subse- quently becoming a builder; but after erecting alxmt a dozen houses for himself he retired from business. Mr. Yates is a member of the Methodist Church. IIAK'KN K-. II \1x-Ii1-:N. Harrv R. Harden, Cashier of tlie Rutherford National Bank, Ruther- ford. N. .1., was born in New York city December 2,^, 1S()7. The family moved to Westfield, N. J., in 1875, where Harry R. was graduated from the public school at the age of fourteen years. After receiving a course of instruction at the New Jersey Business College, Newark, N. J., he entered the employ of the United States National Bank, New York citv at the age of sixteen, and remained in the employof that institution for about twelve years. Mr. Harden was appointed cashier of theRutherford National Bank, May i6, 1895, and opened the Bank for business June 27, 1895. CHAKLES EDWAKD WATERS. Charles Edward Waters, gold and silver refiner and assayer of New York citv, is a son of John and Anna Waters, his father having estab- 470 HISTOKY OF BERGEN COUNTY lisbed this business in lS3't. It is now carried on in the name of John Waters" Son. Mr. Waters was born in New York city, Aiig-ust 4, 184(i, and was educated in his native city, afterward completing' a course of instruction in the Commercial College at Aliddletown, Connecticut. He is a man of character and dignity, taking high rank in social circles, and other places in which he is called to act. On January 7, 1874, he enlisted in Company A, 23d Regiment, N. G., State of New York, in Brooklyn, and was elected Corporal March 1, 1875; elected Sergeant May 15, 1876, 1st Sergeant August 7, 1S7S; 1st Lieutenant May 6, 1879; Captain March 4, 1880, and Major April 1"», 1SS(). On June 20, 1892, Major Waters was honorably discharged, ha\- ing missed but three roll calls during his term of service. During his residence in Brooklyn, he was a member of all the lead- ing social Clubs, of that city; the Oxford Club, Union League Club and Marine and Field Club at Bath Beach. Since his removal to Ruther- ford, he has become a member of Union Clul), the most prominent social organization of that locality. Major Waters' wife was Miss Belle F. Keeney of Hartford, Connecticut. Kiev. WILLIAM WICKHAM CASK. Rev. William Wickham Case, son of Rev. John B. Case and Eliza- beth Wickham, is a native of New Jersey, born at Perth Amboy August M). 18.^'), and was graduated from Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, July, 1S(>,t. His first charge was at Chestnut Hill, Phil- adelphia, following which were New London, Connecticut, and other places. Mr. Case served at Hamilton Square, N. J., ten years and was at Holmdel, N. J., for a period of twelve years. In 1S')(, he came from Hoboken to Rutherford where he is located at this time. CHARLES K. SOLEY. Mr. Charles R. Solev, is a native of New Jersey, born at Lyndhurst forty-three years ago. He began business as contractor and builder, in 1878. Eventually he improved his fortunes by launching out in the broader rield of steam sawing, moulding, turning, &c. Experience had taught him the wants of the trade, and the necessity of good and well manufactured material, in carrying out specifications in detail. In 1890, Mr. Solcy built his factory in Rutherford, N. J., where he carries a heavv and varied stock, and is able to till orders without delay. Mr. Solev is prepared to furnish any article in wood or glass, in the con- struction of a house. He is serving his second term as freeholder ; was a member of council one term; and takes an active interest in the hre department of the borough, having acted as its chief for several years. lanVAKD W. DEAX. Thirty-one years ago, Mr. Edward W. Dean, a New Euglander by birth, and a Bt)stonian Ijv education and prestige, changed his residence from New York city, to Rutherford. N. J., where he has been recog- nized as a leading factor, in the growth and develojmient of that little city. His father, Christopher C. Dean, was a well known jjublisher of HISTOKY OK BKKC.KN COUNTY 4/1 reliifioiis books, in Boston. His mother's maiden name was Martha W. Peck, both families being- well known throughout the country gener- allY. Mr. Kdward W. Dean, the subject of this sketch, inheriting- the literary tendencies of his progenitors was prepared for colleg-e at Phil- lips Academy, Andover, Mass., but failing- health necessitated his enter- ing; at once upon a business career, which now, at the age of sixty-nine years, can be reviewed with a feeling-, somewhat akin to pride. In Boston Mr. Dean became associated as partner, with Stoddard, Lover- ing & Co., importers, and in lS()fi, he came to New York city, and opened a branch store, where a large business was carried on till 1S87, when he retired, the iirm going out of existence. Mr. Dean's wife was Miss Sallie B. Emerson of Cincinnati, Ohio, whom he married Novem- ber 1, 1859. In 1867, ground was bought, and building begun for the new home in Rutherford. The house which is on the plan of an English cottage with commodious apartments and all the appointments of a comfortable home including gas and water, was erected at a time when Rutherford had no public water or gas. It was named "The Deanery," and completed in lS(in a larg-e scale. MK. HHTICK H. KIP Peter H. Kip is a descendant of Rueloff De Kyjx', who distinguished himself in the war waged against the Huguenots in the l(>th century by Catharine De Medicis through her weak son, Charles IX. Roeloff, fled to Holland and remained there till iS.-i'), when he returned to France and assisted the Duke of Anjou to suhdue the Prot- estants. A son of Roeloff, embraced the Protestant faith, however, dropped the "De" and became the parent stem of the Kii)p family in America. His son was prominent in the organization of the company which dispatched Hendrick Hudson to explore the New World, and he himself came to New Amsterdam, where the family from the first have played an important part in the public life of New York. The first to settle in New Jersey was Nicholas, who bought a large tract on the Polifiy road in 1865, and became the progenitor of all the Kips, now residing in this vicinity. His eldest son Hendrick, in due time, bought a large tract of land in that part of Boiling Springs town- ship now constituting RutherfKI) SCHOOL source alone during the last year amounted to S1158.88. The number of shareholders belonging to the association is two hundred and sixty- two, total liabilities 874,794.80 and net profits for 1898 S4,764.15. CHUKCHES. The Methodists erected a building for Worship in East Rutherford in 189,S. The Rev. Mr. Hubach was the first pastor. The congrega- tion is constantly increasing, and a flourishing church is in prospect. There is also a gospel Mission here which is a branch of the Passaic Mission Church Society, Rev. James R. Morris in pastoral charge. Be- sides a flourishing Sunday School, the Mission, though small in mem- bership, exercises the influence and does a work creditable to a good 476 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY sized church orij-atiization. It was this mission that sent one hundred Testaments to Company L at Sea Girt, N. J. WILLIAM m'kEN'ZIE. William McKenzie, May(^rof East Rutherford borouii^h, was born in Glasg-ow, Scotland, on August 22, 1841. From a boy the business of cotton bleaching possessed a strong attraction for him, and he was already proficient in the art when, in 1866, he came to the United States. In Norwicli, Conn., and in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, he followed the business, winning a high reputation as superintendent in a large con- cern. With the natural energy of an active man, Mr. McKenzie con- stantly sought opportunities of improving his position, and in 1885 he took advantage of the opening which has resulted in his becoming so largely interested in East Rutherford and Bergen county. Standing alongside the Erie Railway track at Carlton Hill at that time was a large brick building which had become known in the neigh- borhood as a white elephant. A cotton bleachery had been established their fifty years ago, and its record had been one of ruin for the men who put their money into the enterprise. Mr. McKenzie, whose knowl- edge of the business was accurate, and who was sanguine of success under the right conditions, interested John Ward, a wholesale jeweler, in a plan for starting up the works ; the place, including machinery which had lain idle for years, was bought and the wonderfully success- ful career of the Standard Bleachery, with a reputation for fine work as wide as the continent, began. Obstacles which appeared to be insur- mountable were overcome, and success was fairly forced from apparent failure by the indomitabe energy and enterprise of Mr. McKenzie. This to-day is one of the most important industries in Bergen county, and gives employment to nearly- 500 people. Like many men deeply immersed in business cares, Mr. McKenzie reached middle age before taking any active part in public atfairs. When the call came for him to take a part in the government of his town, which was then Boiling Springs township, he reluctantly con- sented, and served two terms as chairman of the Township Committee. His judicial temperament and unvarying fairness quickly made for him a name which went far beyond the confines of his town, and strong pressure was brought to bear to induce him to run on the Republican ticket for Assemblyman in 1892. This was the year of the Democratic tidal wave, and Mr. McKenzie was defeated; nevertheless, he headed the ticket, and was beaten by a margin so small that his prestige was greatly increased, in a county hitherto always Democratic. Mr. McKenzie was still chairman of the Township Committee when the movement began which resulted in the changing of Boiling Springs township into East Rutherford borough. The success of the movement was largely due to him, and he became the first Mayor of the borough. His entrance into the office was marked by a stirring incident, the local election board having unwittingly counted him out in favor of another HISTORY OF BHKGEN COUNTY 479 man. An ai)pcal to Judge Dixon, however, led to a recount, and he was seated. In 18')7 he was elected for the third time, and he had no opposition. For many years Mr. McKenzie had served as a member of the Ber- yen County Republican Executive Committee, and his marked services to the party were recog'nized this year by his election as chairman of the committee, to succeed Judge D. D. Zabriskie. He is also vice presi- dent for the Fifth Congressional District of the Republican State League. Recognizing- the need of some association to set forth the advan- tages of Rutherford and its neighborhood, Mr. McKenzie last year took an active part in forming the Rutherford and East Rutherford Board of Trade, of which he was chosen president, a place which he now holds. He has just been re-elected vice president of the Rutherford Public Library Association. He is a director in the Rutherford National Bank, of which institution he was one of the founders. Being a strong believer in the maxim that "a penny saved is a penny earned," Mr. McKenzie has for years been interested in loan and building associations, being a pronounced advocate of local associa- tions. Three years ago he was one of the active organizers of the East Rutherford Savings, Loan and Building Association, of which he ac- cepted the presidency, which he still holds, and the remarkable progress of the young association has been due largely to his interest and to the prestige which his name bestowed upon it. He is a Governor of the Passaic Hospital, and, in addition to being President of the Standard Bleachery Company, holds the presidency of a Paper Manufacturing Company. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum and of the Union Clul) of Rutherford. Mr. McKenzie lives in a handsome residence at Carlton Hill, sur- rounded by acres of grounds, and located near the bleachery. He is married and has four sons and a daughter. His eldest son, James J. McKenzie, is actively connected with the management of the Bleachery, and his third son is a student in a textile college at Philadelphia. His only daughter is married and lives near Boston, Mass. Mr. McKenzie is a man of sanguine temperament; level-headed, warm- hearted and true; a !--taunch friend and a manly foe. A deep interest in all that tends toward the uplifting of his community has been marked bv many unostentatious deeds of generosity on his part; but no man can be sterner toward an unworthy cause. A mental habit of looking diffi- culties squarely in the face makes him a tower of strength in trouble; and his advice is constantly sought by thcise who know his absolute integrity. A certain sturdy independence of manner and an insistence upon his rights have combined to attract toward him a circle of friends whose entire confidence in him is at once a tribute and a sign of proper appreciation of his worth. His tine mental fibre has been shown in every positiim of trust which has been given to him, and a deep strain of reverence in his nature lor what is grand and ennobling has left its impress on his life. He ])ossesses a rare sym])athy for those who are 480 inSTOKY OF KKKOKN COUNTY engaged in the battle of life against odds, and enjoys that faculty of discernment which permits him to guage accurately the motives of men. Of an intrepid nature himself, he appreciates courage in others, and has all that catholicity of view which enables men to judge their fellows leniently. While a lover of peace Mr. McKenzie never avoids a conflict where a question of principle is involved. His rapid business advance- ment has, in no instance, been accomplished to the detriment of others, and no ruins mark the path that he has trod. He is an illustration of what a sound head and a willing heart can accomplish, when united with the other sterling attributes of an upright man, and his prosperity to-day awakens nothing but satisfaction in the minds of those who know him, for no man's sorrow has contributed thereto, and no man is the jxiorer because of his splendid rise. MK. JOHN J. DUPUV. Mr. John J. Dupuy. proprietor of the HoiTman House, and a well known official in municipal and county affairs, passed his early days in the busy city of New York, where he was born August 6, 1855. At the age of thirteen years he left school and since that time his life has been a busy one. In 1876, he came to Rutherford, where he was employed in a watch case factory for five years. In 1881, he opened a store which he con- ducted till 1886. During this time he began in a small way to manu- facture base balls and other sporting goods, eventually becoming very successful in this business. His factory was in Rutherford and his salesroom at 'No. 112 Chambers Street, New York. At one time he had in all nearly one hundred hands employed and in one season manufac- tured 365,000 dozen balls. He conducted this business and at the same time a dry goods store in Rutherford, until the panic of 1893 caused him to relinquish both enterprises. As an official Mr. Dupuy's career has beeen successful also. He served the borough of Rutherford, first, in the capacity of constable from 1880 to 1885, was Town Collector from 1886 to 1888, the only Demo- crat elected on that ticket. He was Coroner from 1887, to 1889, running ahead of his ticket in that election. It was during his incumbency the inquest was held over the remains of Sherff Demarest who was killed at the Erie crossing. Mr. Dupuy was elected Justice of the Peace in 1882, serving five years, and again elected in 1893. In 1891, he was elected Assemblyman from the second Assembly District, and re-elected the following year. He is Chief of the State Detective Bureau, and has been prominent, in fire circles — having served in the department as foreman, chief and president of the organization. Mr. Du])uy is also a member of the Boiling Spring Lodge, No. 152, F. and A. M.; Rutherford Lodge, No. 240, I. O. O. F.; Passaic Lodge, No. 387, B. P. O. Elks; Rutherford Lodge, No. 42, Foresters of America; Rutherford Council Royal Arcanum; United F'riends Council and other social organizations. JOHN J. DUPUY PETER J. POST HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY ' 483 PETEK J. POST. Peter J. Post, a resident of East Rutherford from 1875 till his (leatJi, was a prominent business man in New York for over fifty years. He was born in Rockland county, N. Y., in 1821. When a youth he went to Ne-v?' York and learned the clothiers' trade, subsequently going into business for himself at Eighth Avenue and Twentieth Street, where he remained twenty-five years. He then joined his brother of the firm of A. J. Post & Son and carried on business with them at two places in the city for twenty years or more. In 1875 Mr. Post purchased prop- erty in Rutherford where he remained until removed by death. From 1875 till 1884 he was a commuter, at which time he retired from active pursuits. In 1S43 he married his first wife Miss Caroline Canfield, and after four children were born of this union she died. The children are all dead also. His second wife, who was Miss Elizabeth A. Owens, survives him. She was born in Bangor, North Wales, and was married at the home of her uncle, James Loyd, in Sullivan county, N. Y. She is a Christian woman, highly respected by all who know her. Mr. Post was a religious man and greatly devoted to his church. He was a life member of the American Institute Missionary Society, and belonged to the Baptist Church in Sixteenth Street, New York. He was a Free Mason, also. Mr. Post is missed the most in his home, for those who knew him best loved him most. He died in IS"^)?, and was buried by Stephen Merrit, his intimate friend, who also buried General Grant, Bishop Simpson and other persons of note. He was buried in Green- wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, N. Y. JOHN F. RANDOLPH. The earliest paternal ancestors of the Randolph family in America, of which we have a record, was Basil F., born in Virginia. His son. Justice F., was born in Elizabeth, N. J., and was the father of Absalom Fitz Randolph, also a native of Elizabeth, and the grandfather of our subject. Edwin Fitz Randolph the father of John F., was born in Jersey City, November 9, 1812. He married Hannah Goetchius, of Paterson, a grand-daughter of Rev. Henry Goetchius a Dutch Reformed minister of early days. They had ten children, two boys and eight girls. Of these children John Fitz, was born at Lodi, January 31, 1857, and was educated in the public schools of Rutherford. After leaving school Mr. Randolph turned his attention to the nursery business and horticulture, and since 1872, has devoted his energies to this line of trade. His nurseries and greenhouses are located in East Rutherford, where he has built up a successful and growing industry. Mr. Randolph's military record covers a period of five years in Com- pany L, Second Regiment. New Jersey Volunteers. He served a term of two years as member of Township Committee and three years as bor- ough Councilman. He has been a trustee of the Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal Church since its organization ; was for thirteen years a fireman and for fifteen years belonged to the order of United Friends, in addi- 4g4 ■ HISTORY OK BEKGEN COUNTY tion to several other clubs and organizations of minor importance. Mr. Randolph was married May 15. 1890, to Miss Mary Emma Ostendorff, daughter of Louis H. Ostendorff of Hoboken. .\KTHUK ANDEKS. Arthur Anders in real estate and insurance business in East Ruther- ford is a native of Berlin, Germany, and was born July 22, i859. Mr Anders acquired his education in his native country, first m the public schools, following this by a High School course. In preparation for a business life, Mr. Anders immediately entered a business college in Berlin, and after completing the prescribed course of instruction, began his career bv spending three years in commercial business in that city After coming to America, in 1884, he occupied various positions in New York business houses, beginning at a small salary, but building up until in 1890, his accumulations enabled him to come to East Ruther- ford and purchase property. , -, • •. After establishing a general agency business, he continued in it until 1897 when he turned his attention wholly to real estate and insur- ance in which he has been successful. Mr. Anders takes pride in doing his share toward the development of his village, and the vicinity. He or he was em.ployed by Commodore Stevens of Hoboken, superintending- his machine shops. At this time he was offered a situation with the Erie Railroad Company at Jersey City. He accepted a position as foreman, soon after becoming general foreman, and later master mechanic of the Eastern division and all its branches, including the care of about three hundred locomotives, and a fleet of ferr}' and tugboats. He remained with the company until ISSS. Mr. Vreeland married Miss Frances Ferritt whose ancestors are of the Morgan family of Connecticut. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having been Master three successive terms. In his religious connections he is a member of Grace Episcopal Church of Rutherford. He is a son of Lawrence and Mary ( Smith ) Vreeland, his grand- parents being Abraham Vreeland and Rachel Ackerman. He was Ixirn in Bergen county, August 16, 1834. ADOLPH (;UHL. Adolph (iuhl, wagon manufacturer and general blacksmith, was horn in Wurtemberg, Germany, March 11, i850, where he learned the trade of wheelwright with his father. He came to New York in 1873, and the year following to Carlstadt, where he worked three j'ears as a hired hand. In i87S he started business for himself, but after two years he again began working for wages remaining in his position until 189f>, when he built his present brick shop. Since that time he has been manufacturing wagons and doing all kinds of blacksmithing, employing- at times a dozen or more hands. In 1879 he was married to Miss Freda Guckelberger, and in 1882 purchased his present residence. Mr. Guhl belongs to the I. (). O. F. and the Foresters. EDWARD A. JKANXEKET. Edward A. Jeanneret is of Huguenot e.xtraction born in Locle, Switzerland, in 1840. His father August Jeanneret, was a manufac- turer of watches and lived for a time in St. Petersburg, where he mar- ried Amelia Walter in 1836. Her father was a Polander. She is still living and is now ninety-four years old. In 1859 Mr. Jeanneret came to America, and in 1872 located in Rutherford, N. J. He died in 1882. Edward Jeanneret learned the trade of manufacturing watches in Switzerland and worked at his trade for a time in New York. In 1867, he married Juliet Guinand whose father was an old watch case manu- facturer in New York for many years, and when he died in 1881 Mr. Jeanneret succeeded to the business. 488 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY In 1885 his brother, Paul Jeanneret, who had been with him for a time, succeeded as sole owner. The brothers were successful manu- facturers and often employed twenty-five and thirty men. Mr. Edward Jeanneret came to East Rutherford in 1870, and has been in the real estate business ever since. Soon after coming here he was made Tax Collector and still holds that office. He is vice president of the East Rutherford Building and Loan Association and has been president of the Fishing and Gun Club since August 1888. His wife died in 1805. VALENTINE GKAMLICH. Valentine Gramlich was resident here since 1853, is a native of Baden, Germany, and was born August 1, 1830. He came to this country in the William Tell in 1853. In 1856 he built the first five houses in Carlstadt for the German Land Association. In 1863 he began busi- ness in coal and wood and during that same year married Miss Mina Hobe. They have five sons and one daughter, William Gramlich, the eldest son is president of the Borough Council, having been a member of that body since 1893, and chairman of the Board since 1895, He has been in charge of the Station on the Erie Railroad at Carlstadt for many years. WILLIAM ]•;. VOI.MEK. William E. Volmcr, florist, conducts a profital)le trade in flowers on the Paterson Plank R(jad, East Rutherford, N. J. He was born in Brunswick, Germany, in 1856. His early training in the business was obtained in the Botanical Gardens of his native town, and a diploma conferred upon him in lS9i in testimnnv of his advancement in the knowledge of plants and flowers. After coming to America in [892, he was in the employ of De Forest, at Summit, N. J., four years, in charge of an extensive place, the orchids alone numbering 125,000. In 1896 he began business for himself on Jersey City Heights, and in 1897 Mr. Volmer bought three acres of land, where he is at present located, and has about 10,000 square feet of this under glass. He enjovs a liberal patronage in his new field. JA.MES K. TOLESON. James R. Toleson was born in Paterson in 1843, and is a son of Robert Toleson of that city. He received his education in the public schools, after which he was apprenticed to the moulders' trade at the Danforth & Cooke Locomotive Works, where he remained until 1861. At the age of nineteen he enlisted in the First Regiment of Sickles' Brigade (70th N. Y. Volunteers) as a drummer boy. Before he had been out a week he exchanged his drum for a gun, and at Chancellorsville was promoted to Color Sergeant. Not long after this he was recommended by his superior officers for a lieutenancy and papers were forwarded for his ])romotion, but on July 2d, at (Gettysburg, he lost an arm, which iiisToKV OF bkk(;i';n coi'nty 48'* unfitted him for dutv. Upon recovery he w;is placed in charge of the jruards at the Jarvis General Hospital in Baltimore, and was subse- quently transferred to the Court Martial building- in Washingtcm, where he remained until mustered of three years filled the office of Freeholder, having been elected nn the Republican ticket, defeating both the Democratic and Citizen's candidates. As a c(mtractor, Mr. Toleson built the bridge over the Lodi at that village ; macadamized Washington Avenue from the river to Kingsland Lane, making it one hundred feet wide, and one of the best graded streets of the kind in the county. He did similar work ()2, and settled on Long Island, (as given in other portions of this volume). The fact of settlement is established from records, showing that a son of Willem purchased in 1()97 considerable property in New Utrecht, which he sold in 1708 to Anthony Holsart, and also that Willem married Dericke , and lived for some time there, as Dericke Wil- lemse Van Westervelt names in her will, her husband, Willem, and also her son, Abraham Willemse. whose wife was Margaret. Their children were Alltie, l)orn in 1()51; Abraham, lf)53; Willemtie, 1(>54; Femmetie, 1()58; and Jan, 1(><)0. Lubltert Ivubbertson \'an Westervelt had children : Lubbert, born in Meppel, and married Belitjc Bouluse, March 4. K.SO; Roelof, also born in Meppel in 1(>59. Jumen, Jan. Margrietie, and Maritie were born in this country. Deeds and papers in possession of their descedants show that the Van Westervelts were among the early settlers of old Bergen county, as Cornelius, son oi Lubbert, settled at Acquackanonk, and was one of the original fourteen patentees who purchased the Acquackanonk patent in 1684, containing some thirty thousand acres. He did not remain long there, as there is only one conveyance afterwards, and then settled (m the other side of the Passaic River, in what is now Bergen county, and hence originated the Van Westervelt name here. Like other families from Holland when first coming to America, they had no surname, but added to their baptismal name the name of the place from whence they came in Holland. Hence Jan, from the west oi Holland, — "wast valt," a west field, — would be "Jan Wast Valt." or John Westervelt. The grandfather of Samuel D. Westervelt lived at the Hopper grist- mill. The Hoppers settled in the valley of the Wagzaw in 1711, and owned nearly all the land in that section on the Passaic River. Of his children, Lucas, the youngest, was born in Pompton, March 17, 1788, and upon the death of his mother, when he was only seven years old, he came to Teaneck, where at the proper age he learned the mason's trade. He married Belinda Demarest November 5, 1803, who was born November 24, 1784, and died January (>, 1858. After his mar- riage he settled at Tenafly, where he built a stone house, in which he resided until his death, March 17, 1825. The house was standing in 1881, and is one of the monuments left of "olden time," and showing his chosen occupation. His children were Simon. John. Cornelius, Samuel D., Elizabeth, Eve, and Ann, wife of Albert Winant, of Hackensack. 492 HISTOKV OF BEKGEN COUNTY Lourens Andriessen Van Buskirk, signifying- "from the church in the woods" (sometimes calling himself by the former and sometimes by the latter name, and whose name is frequently mentioned in the recital of early events in this history) jointly with others purchased, January (>. 1()7(), a large tract of land, then known as New Hackensack, upon which he resided as early as 1()S8. The De Mott family were Huguenots, and settled in English Neighborhood in the seventeenth century. Mathias, the ancestor of this family was born in France, and settled^ in Bergen county in IdSS. His son Jacob was father of John De Mott, who died in 1S32, aged eighty-four. Jacob, the father of Jacob J. De Mott, was born March 11. 1794, and succeeded to the ancestral home on the Tenafiy road. John De Mott, son of Jacob, liwvl in E.i^lish Xjighb;)rho:Hl where he carried on a saw and grist mill. Richard Paulison was descended from an early settler in English Neighborhood. He was born October 1, 1773, and lived all of his life in the present Ridgefield township and died in 1873, at nearly one hun- dred years of age. He w;is the father of Johi R., and other children, who have left a large family of descendants, among whom was the late Judge Paulison and Paul Paulison. Robert Earle, one of the pioneer settlers of Bergen county, located in Ridgefield townshi]), and purchased a large tract of land, beginning at the North River, from thence to the Hackensack, and running thence to Bull's Ferry, from thence to Five Corners (or Bergen), near Fort Lee, as early as 1650; and as there were no white inhabitants near Mr. Earle, he gave several acres of woodland to a number of white families to locate on, with a view nf forming a settlement. The only descendant of which there is anv knowledge was Robert, who married Mary Smith and located in Ridgefield township. His children were Daniel, Robert, Philip, Joseph, John, Charles, Edward, Elizabeth, Jennie and Mary. Andrew Engle, a native of Germany, settled on Bull's Ferry Hill, Ridgefield township, in about 1779, and purchased a large tract of land, and engaged in tilling the soil. His family consisted of John, Jennet, Sarah, Maria, Margaret, Andrew S., and James. John married Mary Day, and settled adjacent to his father. His children were Jennet. Andrew, Henry, Sarah, Catherine, John, Mar- garet, Eliza Ann, James, Wilmina. Louisa. CIVIL OKGANIZATION. The act of 1871, erecting the township of Ridgefield from the southern part of Old Hackensack, defines its lines of boundary as follows : "Beginning at a point on the Hackensack River where the Cedar Lane road strikes the same, running thence in an easterly direction along the middle of the said Cedar Lane road to the middle of the Over- peck Creek ; thence in a northerl3- direction along the easterly branch of said creek to where the same strikes the line of lands formerly of John HISTORY OF BEKC.EN COUNTY 493 I. Demott ; thence easterly along- the southerly line of said Deni )tt's land to the east line of the township of Hackensack." Edward Jardine became the tirst chosen freeholder under this last organization, and served for the year 1.S71, and followed bv Hunh Hros- naham for 1872 and 1873, followed l)y Thmnas (ioulard for 1S74, Ijv Isaac R. Vreeland for 1875-77, John Wiiitcrburne for 1S78, John J. Wood for 1879 and 188lf, by Stephen H. V. Moore for 1.S81 to IS'ii) and by Cornelius J. Terhune to 1895, John C. Abb »t to 18'M>, and bv William B. Pugh to 189'). The assessors of the townshij) since its organization are as follows : John V. H. Terhune, 1871-75; James Armett, '76-77; John Fletcher Burdett, Jr., '77-79; William E. Taylor, '8;)-85; J.din Burns, ■85-8(.: John C. Abbott, '8()-87; John Burns, '87-88; John H. Mannix, "88-91; Thomas F. Mallon, '91-94; Henry Beneckc, '94-97; Charles Corker, ■97-'»"». The collectors, Nicholas T. Romaine, 1871-72; J(din H. Winant, '73-75; William P. Degraw, "7()-78; James Christie, ■80-,s4; Charles H. Lozier, '84-86; J. Fletcher Burdett. ■8(,-')(i; James Christie. ""10-91; J. Fletcher Burdett, '94-99. Township Clerks: James Christie, 1871-73; Andrew S. Engle, '7.'- 75; Arthur J. Pollock, "75-77; J. H. Mannix, '77-8(1; Charles H. Lozier, '80-84; Daniel Manning, '84-87; John H. M(mahan, ■S7-8<); Edward M. Fitzgerald, "89-90; Fred. Marsden. "90-92; James F. Tracy, "92-9'). The justices of the peace, Charles W. Chamberlain, 1872; James C. Hazelton, '73; Thomas Dunn English, '76; Maurice Fitzgerald, '77; Arthur J. A. Pollock and Alexander Clendenin, '78; Samuel E. De Groot. "7'); James Day. "80; Joseph L. (ireeley, "85; Joseph Covte, "86; Cornelius D. Schor. "81-')(); Alexander Clendenin, "83-88; Maurice Fitz- gerald, "80-")0; Daniel Manning, "'iO-9'h S. (1. H. Wright, "86-92; Henry W. Mabie, "8<)-94; James F. Tracey, "')4-'»'); Eilward A. Caute'-l, '98-99. The population of Kidgewood Townshij) in 1875, was 357(). The official vote cast at the November election after six boroughs had been taken out was 527. FKEEHOLDl'.K'S. Names of members of Ridgetield Township Committee: 1871, Maurice Fitzgerald, John R. Paulison, Nicholas Jocobus, David Christie. Joseph Coyte; 1872, Maurice Fitzgerald, Nicholas Jacobus, Jacob \'.Banta, David Christie, Albert Z. Bogert; 1873, Maurice Fitzgerald, Albert Z. Bo- gert, Nicholas Jacobus, John W. C. Van Winkle, WilliamL. Jones; 1874, Maurice Fitzgerald, S. H. V. Moore, Henry D. Eagle, John H. Brinker- hoff, Jacob \'. Banta; 1875, Maurice Fitzgerald, S. H. V. Mo;)re, Henry J. Kipp, Nicholas Jacobus, Charles W. Chamberlain; 187i«. Iknr\ J. Kipp, James Christie, John Monahan, Charles W. Chamberlain, Charles E. Richter; 1877, John Monahan, James Christie, Charles E. Richter, Henry J. Kipp, John H. Williams; 1878. James Christie, S. H. V. Moore, Jacob Terhune, William E. Taylor, John D. Pro'ost; 1879, S. H. V. Moore, Jacob Terhune, Janiis Day; 1880. Peter Bogert, Jr., Albert B. Christie, Jose])h Coyte; 1881. Nicholas Jacol)us, Peter Bogert, Jr.. 494 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY John S. Watkins; 1882. Peter Bog-ert, Jr., Nicholas Jacobus, Joseph Coyte; 1883, John S. Edsall, Peter Bogert, Jr., Frederick R. Grace; 1884, Peter Bogert, Jr., Frederick R. Grace, John S. Edsall; i885, Peter Bog-ert, Jr., Frederick R. Grace, John S. Edsall; 1886, Peter Bogert, Jr., John S. Edsall, Frederick R. Grace; 1887, John S. Edsall, Peter Bogert, Jr., Frederick R. Grace; 1888, John C. Abbot. John S. Edsall, Frederick R. Grace; 1889, Joseph Schlosser, Jr.. John C. Abbott, Johns. Edsall; 1890, John S. Edsall, Joseph Schh)sser. Jr., John C. Abbott; 1891, Albert Ravekes, Joseph Schlosser, Jr., John S. Edsall; 18'»2, Joseph Schlosser, Jr., Albert Ravekes, John S. Edsall; 1893, Peter Spindler, Joseph Schlosser, Jr., Albert Ravekes; 1894, Albert Ravekes, Joseph Schlosser, Jr., Peter Spindler: 1895, Joseph Schlosser, Jr., Peter Spindler, Albert Ravekes; 1896, Samuel Mabie, Joseph Schlosser, Jr., Albert Ravekes; 1897, Julius M. Dubois, John A. Brandt, Samuel Mabie; i898, Julius M. Dubois, John A. Brandt, Samuel Mabie; 18'), 1898. One private of Company E, died during their absence. In com- pliance with general orders No. (>, A. (t. ()., dated Trenton, May 2, 1899, the National Guard of New Jersey, was re-organized to conform as nearly as possible to the organizations in the United States Army, and reducing the number of infantry requirements from six to four. A number of the companies were also disbanded, including the infantry Company at Leonia. 496 HISTOKV OK BEK(;EX COl'NTY FOKT LEE.* "As tlie traveller passes up the Hudson, he will observe that a point nearly opposite Carmansville the mass of rock known as the Pali- sades, which from below Hoboken recede for some distance over the river, and have their basis studded with towns, villages, and countrv seats, are suddenly forced apparently to the edge of the stream by a deep and narrow ravine. Thence thev approach so close to the water's edge that their columnar wall seems to rise nearly direct over the bed of the river. In the circular bend made by this change of position lies the older village of Fort Lee, formed by about fiftv dwelling houses, an exceedingly uncomfortable schoolhouse, a shacklv building that was once a piano manufactory, a dilapidated barn, and four wharves that seem to have been erected about the time that Charles II gave to his brother that portion of the New Netherlands, now known as New Jersey. This is the original settlement which grouped itself arcjund Berdette's house after the Revolution. The modern portitm of the vil- lage, embracing the mint)r hamlets of Coytesville, Taylorsville, Pond Park and Irishtown, lies above the summit of the Palisades, and occupies about four square miles. This part contains nearly three hun- dred and fifty buildings, irregularly scattered over the surface, and fashioned in every style of architecture known to civilization, including some erections that seem to be modelled after the style of Kamtchatka and Central Africa. The roads and streets are graded and covered in a way that would break the hearts of McAdam and Telford, could either of these famous engineers see them. "The Palisades, which first show at this point their most striking peculiarity of formation, commences at Bergen Heights and extends to the New York line, a distance of about twenty-four miles. Their height varies from two hundred to five hundred feet, and their average width is a1)out one and a half mile. They are composed of metamorphic rock, particularly trap and green stone, with occasional thin seams of zoolite, maguesite and amethystine quartz. The summit of the Palisades from Bull's Ferry upward remain in an almost primitive state of wildness. The timber is mostjy of second and third growth, but it contains many beautiful trees that might have been standing v>'hen Hendrick Hudson ascended the river. "In the rockv clefts, and through the rarely trodden woods that have thus far escaped the axe, there is to be found a choice varietj- of insect and reptile life not to be seen on the other side of the Hudson. The deer and panther have long since gone with the red men; and the fox and American hare, and that handsome little animal which defends himself against all comers by a perfume more potent than agreeable, make all the fauna of to-day. Snakes there are in abundance; copper- heads, black snakes and blowing vipers abound, while occasionally a rattlesnake gives warning that he has not yet entirely yielded to the approach of civilization. P^or miles and miles a foot traveller may pass From a skeltil ..ii K.irt I.n- 1.% Dr. •riiomas Dunn Eiljflisl! in 1S71, HISTOKY OK BEKGEN COfXTY 4<»7 aloiif^- the summit (,)f the Palisades and find no trace of man, hut of the wihl heauty of nature he will find enousi'h. The artist who makes his annual wearv piltjTimai^es to the White Mountains or the Adirondacks in search of subjects for the jiencil. rarely knows tliat within less than an hour's journey from the Art Buildin<^ he can find studies enoujifh to keep him busy for a lifetime at his easel, and that he has a choice between inland scenes of i^i'ri'at variety and beaut v, and water views, with an extent of panorama and a])ex of liijiit, shade and atmosjdiere to be surpassed in few portions, if any in the United States." "Durini; the Revolution Fort Lee was the theatrt' of many excitins^ scenes, and raids were made by the British and Tories along the Hud- son from Weehawken to Ta])pan, dri\in!;' ofT cattle and destroying' property of the settlers. South of Fort hcc. above Bull's Ferry, f print .MUiUed "Sceiif!; in tile Pr,n;t'ce of .1 New York Siirijeon" ami wriiu-ii bv Kdwaril H. Dixon. M. I)., wlio wa- a trraiiilson ol til.' .Mr. Hiuir- HISTOKY OF BKKGKN COUNTY 501 iiim to ^■o throuiiii with the lOrmalitv onl v, as the soldiers continued to call loudly for him. There were hundreds of soldiers present. He said hv feared it would be the cause of ])ersonal danjifer to him if he refused; but he had stern Huguenot blood in liiin, and replied that if he drank at all, he would say what he ])leased. Thev immediately made way for him to approach the puncheon, and the officers, who well knew his bold- ness, surrounded him completely. Uncovering his head an-h starved to death; for, as we have already said, there was no 502 HISTOHY OK BEKGHN COUNTY other house near, and the people for miles were robbed of all their food and cattle. "Bless God for all his mercies. Here you are, and here are we all together; and here is food, too," said this excellent woman to her hus- band. "I feared your tongue would cost you your life." She little knew how nearly true her anticipations had proved. My mother, who was but seven years of age. and her sister mounted the old sled, and begged a turnip to appease their hunger. She had found her doll and her pet cat near the wood-pile, and seated herself on a log, perfectly happy, eating her turnip. "This is hard to bear," said my grandmother; "l)ut (iod will yet prosper our cause, if we follow the counsels of Washington." "Yes." said her husband; "and they now know my sentiments adding an expletive in French, which his feelings will pardon. " What's that?" said she. "Some more imprudence, I dare say." A few days after, my uncle told her the story of the punch and the toast, to which she jocosely replied, looking nevertheless proudly at lier husband: "Pity it is your father had not a little Dutch blood in him. These Frenchmen are always half crazy. Thank (xod, my son, your father was not killed before your ej-es." The family were now in still greater danger than before, for they were entirely unprotected, as the entire American army were west of the Hackensack, and what was worse, the country was continually ravaged by tories and robbers. What money and valuables they possessed were buried, and my grandfather abstracted from time to time only enough to procure bread for his family during the winter. It was useless to pur- chase many cattle, for he could not be sure of preserving them over a single night. The family managed to subsist during this hard winter; l)ut it was necessary for my uncle to visit the city, often at great risk of life, to procure food; and when I last saw him, at ninety years of age, firm and erect, with the voice and will of a lion, his immense features and grey hair adding great dignity to his appearance, I could not but think that the sage was right when he said, "Difficulty is good for man". An event occurred shortly after the evacuation of Fort Ivee. which I have often felt would have graced the page of history, although it never probably occurred to its chief actor that it was worth recording; for he never seemed to think it of much moment. Cieneral Knyphausen continued in command of the fort and the division of the army on the northern part of the island of New York. But a few days elapsed after the family had returned, when they were alarmed by the rude midnight summons of a British officer, followed by several soldiers, and a demand that my grandfather should immediately cross the river to the fort. They were all dreadfully alarmed; but the officer assured them he would be permitted to return before da}-, as General Knyphausen merely required some information, which would insure his safe return. This was equal to an assurance that he would be sent to one of the city prisons, as the HISTOKY OK BEKGEN COUNTY 503 family knew he Wduld communicate nothing to the enemy, and that he had greatlY exasperated the Hessians by the toast. It had now obtained general currency, and every one supposed him a doomed man. My uncle most earnestly begged to be permitted to accom])any his father, but was not allowed. He was hurried off to the fort, none supposing they would again see him in weeks or months, if ever. On his arrival at the fort, he was immediatelv intr, he opened a grocery store in Vessey street, North side, between Greenwich and Washington streets. While running this store old Commodore Vanderbilt would bring from Staten Island in his sloop a load of oysters to the oyster market. The old Commodore after selling his goods would often visit Robert Annett's store and buy his groceries. A strong friendship grew up between the two men and lasted during their lives. In 1S()5 Robert Annett married Catharine, daughter of Samuel Mtxire. From this union were born twelve children, four of these dying in infancy. Those growing up were Mary, James, Stephen, Catharine, Robert, Jr., Alexander, Hannah and George W. Robert Annette moved to Fort Lee in the year 1824 and purchased a plot of ground between the old Fort Lee road and the river, from one Sloat, he constantly added to this in time owning most of the Bluff property. HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 505 The tirst ferry was run from Fort Lee to Spring- street by John Deg-roat. Boat named "Echo" two trips a day. This was in the year 1825. The trip took two and a half hours time. The steamer " Shep- pard Knapp" took the place of the "Kcho" in 1829, owned by Joe Coffee. She was replaced by the steamer "Boston" afterwards named "Robert Annett " also run by Coffee, Captain Ike Scott in command. Then the steamer "Frank," Captain Rodger; steamer "Flora," Captain Hanes; then "Thomas E. Hulse," Captain George W. Annett. BKKGEN COfXTV TKWCTIOX COMPANY ( TKOLLKY ) KAILKOAD AND RIVEK- SIDE AND KOKT LEE FEKKY. The trolley which runs through Fort Lee from the ferry to 130th Street, New York, was commenced in March, 1895. The Riverside and F'ort Lee Ferry removed from the old landing- at Fort Lee Under-the-Hill to Pleasant Valley April 20th, 1896. On that day the trolley and the ferry, which is its terminus, were opened for public traffic. At that time the road extended only as far as Leonia Heig-hts, but has since been extended to the city of Eng-lewood, and Bogota, on the Hackensack River, and will shortly run into Hackensack with which it is now connected by stag-e. After leaving the ferry the road runs up the Palisades by means of a switchback, thence along- the Palisades along- Palisade Avenue to Main Street, Fort Lee, continuing- akmg Main Street to Leonia. The cars and other equipments of the line are of the most approved modern appliances known in trolley con- struction. The road is owned and operated by Philadelphia people, the resi- dent officials of the company being William N. Barrows, Secretary and Treasurer; E. W. Lawson, Superintendent. PALISADE KAILKOAD. The ctrastruction of this railroad was commenced in the year 1893 and completed and opened for traffic in the early part of 1894. It was first operated as a steam road, but has since been changed to Trolley. At first its northern terminus was at Fort Lee, but now extends to Coytes- ville, and is operated by the North Hudson Railroad Company, its ter- minus being the West Shore ferries at Weehavvken, connecting with Hoboken, Jersey Citv, and the entire system of North Hudson Railroad Company. ELECTRIC LIGHTS. On the 2d of May, 1899, a meeting was held and appropriations made for lighting Fort Lee and Coytesville with electric lights. A con- tract was signed by the Township Committee with the Hackensack Gas and Electric Light Company, and the erecti(m of the poles is now in progress. Everything will be in readiness for lighting by July 20th. FORT LEE FIKE DEPARTMENT. The Fort Lee Fire Protecti()n Association, No. 1, was organized as a volunteer tire company July 18, 1888. A handsome fire house was 50() HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY erected on the sotith side of Main street, two stories in height, with engine room down stairs and large meeting room upstairs. September 14, 1898, under an ordinance passed by the Ridgefield Township Com- mittee, this company was accepted as the first company of the Ridge- field Township Fire Department, and is now under township control as regular firemen. MADONNA CHUKCH. Catholic services were first held at Fort Lee at the residence of Dr. H. Anderson, and in 1859 the present church was erected principally by Dr. Anderson. The pastors who have supplied this church are Fathers Anelli, 1859-62; J. Heyman, 1862; Patrick Corrigan, 1863-66; H. A. Brann, D. D., 1866-67; Patrick Cody, 1867-69; O. J. Smith, 1869-97; G. Spierings, 1870-76; Rev. Daniel, 1876-82; Rev. Dominic, 1882-86; Rev. Hyacinth, 1886-91; J. A. Huygen, July 25, 1891, to the present time. The membership of the church including Coytesville, Nordhoff, Palisades Park and Undercliff is twelve hundred and sixty-five, men woman and children, INSTITUTE OF THE HOLY ANGELS. This institute for young ladies under the Sisters of Notre Dame was chartered bv the Legislature in June 1890. The convent was once the residence of the late Dr. Anderson, a well known scientist and philanthropist who desired that his home should one day be converted into an institution of learning. The doctor did not live to see his wishes fulfilled but his plans were carried out in the purchase of his home together with the eleven acres of ground with it, by the Sisters of Notre Dame on the Feast of the Guardian Angel, October 2, 1879. In 1890 a new school building was erected on the north side of the old residence facing Linwood Avenue. The building is furnished with every accessory for comfort, conve- nience and safety, and in dimensions is one hundred feet long by sixty- five feet in width, and three stories high. The Sisters began the erection of the Chapel of the Holy Angels in March, 1894, and on the Feast of Annunciation, 25th of March, 1895, it was dedicated by the Right Reverend W. M. Wigger, Bishop of the Diocese, under whose lordship, also presiding on June 20th, 1899, the twentieth annual commencement of the school was held. CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD. Rev. Ralph Hoyt held Episcopal services in Fort Lee from 1852 to 1853 in a small church erected at a-cost of four hundred dollars, but the church was never organized. Owing to Mr. Hoyt's ill health he aban- doned preaching and since 1880 no services have been held in the church. The house is now used for business purposes. STONE CHITRCH. — (PARKEK PEACE.) This building was erected in 1867 by General Edward Jardine, John G. Cunningham and others at a cost oi eight thousand dollars. The HISTOKY OF BEKCKN COUNTY 507 tirst trustees were J. (J. Brown, J. (i. Cunningham and General Edward -lard inc. The church jjjissed through many hands, owned at one time bv J. R. Hoadley, of New York, who let it out to all denominati(.)ns for relig- ious purposes, and it was so used from 1880 to 1889. In February 1899 it was purchased by the "Good Shepherd Mission" of the Episcopal Church, and is now owned and occupied by them, having- a good and steadily increasing membership. The pastors from 1889 to date are as folloA's: Reverends Matthew A. Bailey, "Walter M. Sherwood, J. Byron Curtis, M. M. Fothergill, James McCleary, and Charles M. Douglass. F^rom the date of its erection to the present time, Charles Wilson has been sexton. Reverend B. C. C. Parker came to Fort Lee in the year IS.^'I, and l)uilt a home on what is now known as Parker Place. He came originally from Boston, and settled in New York where he preached in the Seaman's Floating Church at Peck's Slip. He made many improvements about his home at Fort Lee, employing a number of men. He died January 3, 1859. THK CHUKCH OF THK PALISADES. The Church of the Palisades, (Dutch Reformed), in Coytesville, owes its origin, under God, to the self denying labors of Mrs. Catherine F. Dana, wife of Mr. William B. Dana. On the 15th day of February, 18f)3, she organized a Sabbath school at her residence near Englewood, which rapidly increased in members and interest, and soon led to the establishment of a monthly preaching service conducted by the neighboring clergy. A little later, in response to an application made by Mr. Dana to the Board of Domestic Missions of the Reformed Church, an appropriation of three hundred dollars was made by said Board, in part payment of the support of a missionary to the people living in the vicinity of Mr. Dana's residence, and the Rev. Dr. Puytren Vermilye was put in charge of the Mission. On the 22nd of May, 1866, a church was organized by the Classis of Bergen at the house of Mr. Dana; and in September, 1867, the "Church of the Palisades" was incorporated in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey. In November, 1867, Mr. Joseph Coyte presented to the church two building lots in the village of Coytesville, and sold to the church a third lot adjoining, for the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars. On this site a chapel was erected, and was dedicated to the worship of God on the 14th of October, 1868. A loan of SIOOO was made to the church from the Building Fund of the Board of Domestic Missi(ms, which made the erection of the chapel possible. The connection of the Rev. Mr. Vermilye with the church was severed in January, 1868, and he was immediately succeeded by the Rev. Isaac M. See as Missionary. Mr. See withdrew in 1871, and following him the Rev. J. A. Davis, January 28, 1872; the Rev. Henry Maltice in 508 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY i873, the. Rev. F. M. Bog-ardus in 187') and the Rev. W. E. Buckek-w in May 1888. In the Spring- of 1888 a considerable number of the cong^regation became disaffected and withdrew from the church, and org-anized a Congreg-ational Church. Mr. Buckelew's health failed, and he was dismis- sed from his pastoral charge in the early part of 1893, and in May of the same year the Rev. Artemas Dean, D. D., was installed and still remains pastor of the church. " The Church of the Palisades " has ever been small in numbers, and until May 18'H, regularly received large aid from the Board of Domestic Missions. Since that date it has been self supporting. Mr. William B. Dana, though no .longer a resident in this neighborhood, has continued to this day to be a princely contributor to the treasury of the church, and without his aid it is difficult to see how the regular worship of the sanctuary could have been maintained. A Christian Kndeavor Society organized six years ago, has done g-ood work, and dur- ing two years of its history gave more per capita to 'the Mission Boards of our order than any other Christian Endeaver Society in New Jersey. Two years ago it raised funds and purchased a free circulating Library numbering over nine hundred volumes, which is kept in the gallery of the church, under the care of the Society. There are sixty-four names on the roll of church members. CHAKLES VOGEL. Charles Vogel, inventor and machinist was born in Germany August 22nd, 1843, and eight years later his father, Ludwig Vogel, with his family set sail for America, landing in New York where Charles was educated. At the age of twenty-two he began the career of inventor, since then having taken out about fifteen patents on various kinds of machines. His first patent, g-ranted in 1867, was for a machine for cut- ting files. Many previous attempts having been made by prominent inventors without success, it was the general opinion that the only way to cut a file was by hand. Mr. Vogel's invention, however, refuted this idea, his files comparing favorably with the hand made, both in dura- bility and cutting qualities. In 1874 he moved with his family to Fort Lee and established a machine shop, where he continues to construct the machines of his own invention. The last two, which are manufactured mostly by himself, are an improved steam engine, and an especial contrivance for burning crankshafts for engines, etc. This engine has three cylinders and but one rotary valve making half as many revolutions as the main shaft. It is perfectly balanced, and can be run slowly on account of having no dead center and can also be run rapidly, several engines running now at the rate of fifteen hundred revolutions per minute. It is light in weight, very compact, economical in the use of steam, entirely enclosed, and can be started or stopped at any point, and can also be instantly reversed. chaki.es vogei. 510 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY Any one familiar with the process, is aware of the tedious task of burning a crank in a lathe on account of the vibration of the unbalanced and unsupported mass of metal, and as only light cuts can be taken, the necessity- of using long cutting tools in order to reach the crank pin, adds to the vibration and uncertainty of the work. On this machine crank pins are burned with the shafts remaining in the main centers, thus assuring perfect alignment in every direction, the crank remaining stationary while the cutter travels around the crank. A rest easily adjusted holds the crank perfectly rigid while being burned, thus pre- venting vibration and enabling it to produce a round crank pin on shafts which would be considered too weak to be burned by the old way. A change can quickly be made to a greater or less throw of crank without removing shaft from main centers. In 1862 Mr. Vogel joined the New York National Guard and as a member of the 11th Regiment took part in the campaign when the New York National Guard was called upon in 1863 to repulse the invasion of the Confederate General Stuart in Pennsylvania and Maryland. He continued an active member of this regiment until 1871, when he resigned. Since 1870 Mr. Vogel has been a member of Copestone Lodge 641, F. and A. M., of New York. He was married in May 187.? to Miss Elise Guide of New York. She died in 1891. Their children were Charles, Alfred and Paul. In 1893 Mr Vogel married Miss Marie H. Campbell of Fort Lee, and two children have been born of this marriage, Henrietta and Weston. GEKOME SAKDI On Third Street, New York, near West Broadway, is one of the largest plants in the East for the manufacture of artificial flowers. The business was established in 1878 by Gerome Sardi who mastered the intricacies of manufacturing and trade in this line of goods, after years of experience and close application, having successfully met the requirments of the most fastidious, for beauty and personal adornment, not only in flowers but also in feathers and piquets. The business is carried on under the firm name of (i. & M. Sardi, importers and manufacturers, and gives einployment to nearly live hundred hands. The trade has almost a world wide patronage in the wholesale line, and Mr. Sardi has a favorable and extensive acquaint- ance, especially in the East. They have ofiiices in Paris, at the Rue des Petites-Ecuries, 54. Mr. Sardi was bt)rn in Italy in the city of (Jenoa in 1855. When sixteen years of age he came to America and worked for a pittance until he amassed a small sum for his business, which he finally suc- ceeded in establishing on a small scale, in 1878. In 1888 he came to P^ort Lee in which place he now resides, having always taken an active interest in the prosperity and growth of the place. Mr. Sardi is fore- most in all progressive movements looking toward the improvement of the place of his adopted home. HISTORY OF BP:rOKN COUNTY 511 J. KI.KTCHKK BTilv'DKTT. J. Fletcher Burdett is the son of John F., and grrandson of Peter Burdett, of whose ancestry a full history is g-ivcn in this chapter on Fort Lee. J. Fletcher Burdett was l-orn in March, 1843. After his education in the public schools, which was completed when he was fifteen years of age, he apprenticed himself in the carriage making business at Rah way, N. J., where he remained until the war broke out in 18()1, when he went with his company, being one of the members of the Twenty-Second N. J. Regiment of Bergen county. Upon returning home from the South Mr. Burdett fitted himself more completelv for business by taking a course of instructiim in the College at Poughk-eep- sie, N. Y., after which he began carpentry in Fort Lee and vicinity, and during the succeeding live or six years erected many houses in this part of Bergen county. He built his own residence in 189f>. Mr. Bur- dett has also been successfully engaged in the real estate business for many years. As a public official he has filled the offices of assessor and collector for a number of terms, as will be seen by reference to that chapter. He is at the present time collector of the township. In 18()S Mr. Burdett was married to Miss Susan Mannix, daughter of David Mannix of Fort Lee, and is the father of live children. His eldest son, George Burdett, was educated in Manhattan College, and is now successfully engaged in the grocery business in Fort Lee. He married Miss Ada Dubois. The other children are Catherine. Laura. Harry, Lester and (xrace. JAJIKS F. TKACFV. James F. Tracey, present township Clerk of Ridge field township, was born at Fort Lee, Bergen county, N. J.. January 23, 1864. He has spent all his life here, where he was educated in the public schools, su])plemented Ijv a course of instruction in the parochial School. Mr. Tracey is of purely Irish origin, both of his parents having been born in Ireland. He takes a lively interest in the affairs of his township and has served in the office of township Clerk, to which he was elected March 8, 1892, and re-elected March 14, 1893. He was elected Justice of the Peace March 13, 1894, and served to May 1, 1899. On March 10, 1896, he was again elected township Clerk and was re-elected March 14, 1899. He has been secretary of Madonna Benevolent Society of Fort Lee, since 1892. In private life Mr. Tracey is engaged in real estate and insurance, conducting a profitable business. He has never married. MAX WVLKK, M. D. Dr. Wyler, a young man peculiarly fitted for the profession of medicine, is a native of Switzerland. He was born in 18(i4, and was educated in his native country, in the cities of Zurich and Berne, taking a full course of instruction in the institutions of those cities. From Switzerland he went to Germany for further study and research, the great centers of learning, Munich, Heidelberg and Wurzburg attracting him, in the pursuit of a course of preparation for his proposed profes- JAMKS K. TKACKV HISTOKY 0>" BER(;EN COUNTY 5\?> sional career. After completing his studies in those institutions he came to America, first settling- in Burlington, Vermont, but later com- ing to New York city, where he entered the Harlem Dispensary for eye, ear, throat and nose diseases. In 1892 he located in New York city, and remained until 1896, at which time he came to Fort Lee, bought prop- erty and is building up a lucrative practice, making a speciality of the eye, ear, nose and throat, besides his general pratice. Dr. Wyler is a member of the Bergen county Medical Society, and of the New York Physicians Mutual Society. He was married in 1895, to Miss Miriam Schreiber of New York. CHAKI.KS J. HIKI.IMANN. Charles J. Hirlimann an expert in electric batteries and a manufac- turer of prominence, was born in France, September 1, 1849. Mr. Hirli- mann has been a resident of Fort Lee, Bergen county since 1873, although his business is located in New York city, at 17 Laight street. He is not only a manufacturer but an inventor as well, and during his professional career in the United States has made many improvements in the "Disque Leclanche Battery," of which he was the first manufac- turer in this country. Mr. Hirlimann's batteries have been adopted and are in constant use with the Telephone companies. Railroad and Steamship companies in the United States, as well as in Canada, Mexico and Cuba. The Industrial Academv of Paris, in 1891, awarded him a gold medal. The "Electrical Age" of October 17, 189 1 devotes a con- siderable space to the "Disque," in which it exhorts the ])ublic to main- tain the integritv of this battery a1)i)ve all others. In politics Mr. Hirlimann is prominent in Democratic circles. He was married June 1, 1885, to Miss Aimee Dubois of New York. He is a member of several clubs and organizations, among which are the Circle Francaise de I'Harmonie, New York; Mardi Gras, New York and the Fort Lee Fire Company. JOSKPH SCHLOSSER. Joseph Schlosscr. proprietor of the Fort Lee Club House, was born in Fort Lee in 1857. His father, Joseph Schlosser, was a native of Germany, but was in business in Leonia and Fort Lee the greater part of his life. He came to Leonia in 1855, and in 1859 bought the property in Fort Lee, afterward converted into a hotel, but which was first used for a few years in part as a meat store. The interests in the last named business were sold to his brother-in-law, Philip Hook, who moved across the street, and where he has been in business since that time. Mr. Schlosser then began the manufacturing of stone blocks for street paving purposes, and carried on that enterprise successfully for a few years. In 1869 he opened the hotel, subsequently making such ad- ditions to the house as were necessary for that purpose. Here he re- mained until his death, in 1891. 514 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY Joseph Schlosser, son and successor to the hotel property, is one of six children. His four sisters, Mrs. Bcnecke. Mrs. Cherny, Mrs. Heft and Mrs. Saita, all live in Fort Lee. While Mr. Schlosser has confined his attentions wholly to business. he is nevertheless, a public spirited citizen, and has frequently been called into positions of honor and public trust. He was a member ot the Township Committee from 1889 to i897, and was appointed m Janu- ary 1898 as a member of that body to fill out an unexpired term. He is a member of the Pioneer Lodge, F. and A. M„ of Hackensack, and a charter member of the Fort Lee Fire Department, and is treasurer of the company. He also belongs to various other organizations. KIDGEFIELD PARK. Althouo-h Ridgefield Park began to attract the notice of land specu- litors as far back as 1870 when the Ridgefield Land Company parcelled a secti.m of the town into building lots and sold them at what is even now looked upon as high prices, it was not until ten years ago that the home builder put in his appearance. Soon the little ridge midway between Hackensack and the Palisades caught the infection and devel- oped into a community of commuters. Speaking of commuters, Morti- mer Smith and Peter Kenny deserve mention as the oldest. They for- merly went to New York by way of the Northern Railroad at Leonia three miles away. Mr. Kenny died two years ago; Mr. Smith is still travellin<^ every day, but has the pleasure of using the New York, Sus- quehanna and Western at Ridgefield Park. He collected over two hun- dred dollars to build this station, and speaks with pride of his efforts to establish it. .-•,,, t With the advent of the home builder and his benehcient help mate, (The Building Association), came a demand for better and more modern improvements. It was thought that the old township form of govern- ment run exclusively by the politicians of Fort Lee, or those under their'direction, was inadequate for the needs of this growing hamlet, and soon a question of change was agitated. The good offices of Sena- tor Winton were obtained and he framed a law which was called the "Winton Act" and under which Ridgefield Park was incorporated as a villao-e m the summer of 1892. Many, however, thought this form of o-overnment was not suitable as the vote by the people was eighty-four Tn favor and sixty-two against. The interest in the first primary, how- ever was intense, twenty-three candidates for village trustees being nominated, while only five were to be elected. The village Board met at the residence of Thomas M. Brewster on July U, 1892. They were Andrew (xaul. Dr. Ady Kidy^efa-ld tdwiisliip. Ridj^otield Park was not entirely out of its g:rasi). At the Spring election of 18'»3 George E. Helm was elected to succeed John A. Crandall whose time had expired. John E. Ht)ey was appointed clerk. Owing to a lack of funds very little work was done during the first year. During 1893 nearly all the streets were dedicated and made public thoroughfares, the exception being those in the northern section, known as Westview. Garden Street was cut through to Brinkerhoff Street making a much nearer outlet from the southern end of the village. The grade map was made bv Williams Brothers. On March 12. 1S'I4, Mr. O'Brien introduced the first sidewalk ordi- nance, providing for Central Avenue between First and Fourth Streets. In tlie Spring of 1S94 a complete change was made in the personel of the Board, the terms of Messrs. Gaul and Dexheimer expiring. Mr. Gaul was re-elected, but Dr. Dexheimer was not a candidate, while W. H. Hobart was elected after a very close and exciting' contest. Three or four votes would have turned the election either way. After election day four citizens were indicted for alleged illegal voting but were sub- sequently released the indictments having been quashed for lack of evi- dence. Mr. Hobart was elected president of the Board; George E. Helm, treasurer, and Joseph A. Behan, clerk. From that time bitter feeling among tlie citizens sprung up and resulted in two factions, both evenly dividing the two great parties. One was the Brewster and the other the O'Brien faction, both Democrats. Messrs. Brewster and O'Brien retired from the Board of Trustees on April 9, 1895, and were succeeded by John H. Ficken and Milo H. Morgan. Mr. Hobart con- tinued to be president but Mr. Ficken assumed the office of treasurer. Nothing of particular interest occurred during 1895. George E. Helm was re-elected village trustee at the Spring election, 1S9(), for three years, and Alfred W. Price supplanted Joseph A. Behan as Clerk of the Board. After a few months Mr. Helm objected to the methods of the Street Superintendent and with the assistance of Messrs. Morgan and Gaul dismissed Thomas Marshall and installed Thomas R. Lindley in his place. Mr. Price then came under the ban and was removed, Mr. Behan taking his place. These changes caused a bitter feeling and Mr. Helm was roundly denounced by some of the citizens. One of the vil- lage notes went to protest through lack of harmony in the Board, and an indignation meeting was called which was largely attended. The Board was censured for its indifference to the credit and reputation of the village. The legislature of 1S9() and 18')7 passed an Act making Ridgefield Park a township, which was called Overpeck, thus taking the village out of the semi-control of Fort Lee. The new law did not interfere with the village government. A snag was struck later, how- ever, when the village trustees endeavored to make a settlement with Ridgefield township. The latter's town committee refused to recognize the trustees; a mandamus was applied for but the Supreme Court decided against Ridgefield Park. The fact that Ridgewood was a village in a 516 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY township was cited, but Ridgewood had no settlements to make with other townships, and the right of a village trustee, to be a town com- mitteeman without election to that office was disputed successfully. The village was not declared illegal as some believed, but it was neces- sary to have a town committee to transact business, which the law did not confer on the village trustees. Thus it came later that trustees and committeemen were elected. Frank C. Lowe and John L. Oberg were elected trustees March, 1897, with the remaining township officers neces- sary to transact business. Mr. Oberg held office as trustee for one year. In March, 1898, D. S. Servoss was elected trustee for two years; W. N. Schwab and Hugh Innes each for three years. They were also elected township committeemen. W. A. Wilcox is the township clerk elected in 1897. Practically all the business is transacted by the Village Board, and since the new board was installed the streets have been lighted by elec- tricity; gas mains are in nearly four miles of street, and two miles of new sidewalks have been laid, with no village bonded indebtedness. We have sprung from a hamlet of a few families to a population of nearly two thousand five hundred in ten years. Over five hundred chil- dren are on the school census rolls. Two schools with nine teachers, six churches, two railroads, and other virtues too numerous to mention. The first Board of Education in the township of Overpeck consisted of Conrad W. Mergler, H. W. Brewster, John E. Hoey, P. W. Johnson, Adolph Dexheimer, F. C. Lowe, E. S. Ferris, Carl Damcke and C. Oberg. The first meeting of the new board was held at the school house on April b, 1897, when they elected Conrad W. Mergler president, and John E. Hoey district clerk, immediately proceeding to a final ad- justment of details incident to the new conditions. On account of the overcrowded condition of the one school in the township, a building had been secured from the district known as West- view, which was made to serve the purpose until the completion of the new building, then in process of erection. This house, built at a cost of six thousand five hundred dollars, was dedicated September 6, 1897. The enrollment at this time in School No. 1 was two hundred and fifty, and in School No. 2 one hundred and forty. In March, 1898, a new board was elected as follows: John E. Hoey, Conrad W. Mergler, H. N. Brewster, Carl Damcke, P. W. Johnson, James M. Shourt, William F. Dowell, Jesse Gregory and Alfred Price. John E. Hoey was made president and Conrad W. Mergler district clerk. The present board (1899) consists of John E. Hoey, president; William F. Dowell, district clerk; Louis Weiss, Samuel J. Shaw, H. M. Brewster, Carl Damcke, P. W. Johnson, James M. Shourt, Conrad W. Mergler. The total enrollment of the schools in Overpeck township at present is four hundred and eighty. HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 517 KIKE nEPAKTMEXT OK KIDC.KFIKI.D PAKK. Althouifh organized in 1892 it was not until March 2, 18%, that the Ridg-efield Park Hose Company, No. 1, and Friendship Hook and Lad- der Company were brought into department form, and put under control of the Board of Village Trustees, which enacted an ordinance creating the offices of Chief and Assistant Chief Engineers, and formu- lated rules and regulations for the government of the newly made fire department. The first officers elected were: Fred A. Lyman and Charles M. Brewster. The following year Mr. Brewster was promoted to Chief; and Mr. A. E. Innes, D. A. Christie, Samuel J. Shaw and E. S. Carr have since served as chief and assistant chiefs. On August 15, 189'). E. S. Carr and John E. Hoey v.^ere elected lor the ensuing year. KIK'KMEN's KELIKK ASSOCIATION. Firemen's Relief Association was organized April 22, 18'I5. This organization is managed by a "Board of Representatives" elected annually from the two companies. This board provides out of the fund furnished by the state, for members who are sick or disabled. They also elected delegates to the State Firemen's Convention, held an- nually. KIDOEKIHI.D PAI'fK HOSE COMPANY NO. 1. Ridgefield Park Hose Company No. 1 formed a temporary organi- zation on December "I, 1,S91. enrolling fifty citizens who agreed to become volunteer firemen, A ])ermanent organization was effected February 10, 1892, with the following officers: President, C. W. Calloway; Vice President, W. H. Robert; Secretary, J. H. Ficken; Treasurer, J. A. Behan; Foreman, F. S. Sturgis; Assistant Foreman, F. H. Rudol])h; Trustees, C. \V. Mergler, C. \V. Reinhart and J. A. Crandall. The event leading to the formation of the Hose Company, was the burning, one ■night, of the dwellings of Messrs Reinhart, Henderson and Enders. on Preston Street. The entire population turned out to see the blaze, but owing to a lack of proper facilities, were unable to sub- due the flames. Since March 2, 189(), the Board of Trustees have, among other things, provided a Jum])er and two hundred and fifty feet of hose, which with a first class Hook and Ladder Company, insure protection to the town. I'KIENDSniP HOOK AND LADDEK COMPANY. The Friendship Hot)k and Ladder Company was organized February 22, 1892, with twenty members and was incorporated on April 5th of the same year. The officers elected were: President, A. P. Carpenter; Vice President, E. S. Carr; 'Secretary, Isaac B. Winn; Treasurer, M. T. Brewster; Foreman, C. K. Brewster; assistant Foreman, Austin Wolf; Trustees, E. M. Lemarie, James T. Donnelly, D. A. Christie. A hook and ladder truck having been procured the company was ready for business. 518 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY The C(>mpaii\- set to work to secure funds to build a house, and have now a commodious home on Garden Street. The membership numbers twenty-seven, and that of the Hose Company twenty-eight. In the department are men prominent in all the walks of life, and from its inception has made itself felt in local affairs. UNION CHI'KCH. This church owes its orig'in to Mrs. E. W. Barnes, a daughter of Mortimer Smith, in whose parlors a Sunday School was opened in 1SS4. From this small beginning- came the congregation, which is apparently doing a good work. Organizing in 18'J0, thev built their house of worship in 1891 and dedicated it the following year, the present pastor being installed June 4. 1893. This church has now a membership of one hundred and fifty, is non-sectarian, and supports two Sunday Schools of about three hundred scholars, a Young People's Society UNION CHUKCH of Christian Endeavor of fifty members, a Ladies' Society of sixty and a Junior Endeavor Society, of ninety, educating two of its members in schools. They also publish the "Union Herald," — a monthl}- paper — support a " Winter Night College," a "Penny Bank" and a Boys' Athletic Club and Fife and Drum Corps. The pastor of this church. Rev. Allan MacNeill, is of Scotch and English parentage. On the paternal side he is of Scotch descent, while his maternal ancestors are English. He was born on Prince Edward's Island, August 22, 1860, and was educated in Prince Edward's Island public schools, and in the night schools, and Denver High School. He then took a course in Amherst College, after which he entered Union Theological Seminary, where he studied for his professional career, finishing his school work with Post Graduate studies in the University of New York. He was graduated from the Seminary immediately pre- ceediuu: his installation in 1S<*3. HISTORY OF BEKOEN COUNTY 519 Mr. MacNeill is president of tlie Public Library Association; a member of the Reading Club; of the Athletic Club; and of the Society of Comparative Relig-ions, being- also president of the Township Sun- day School Association. Mr. MacNeill married Miss Fanny Pomeroy Cutter, of Amherst, Massachusetts. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHl'KCH. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Ridgefield Park, is the result of a service looking to the formation of a church of this denomination, held in Republican Club Hall, November !(., IS'io. At this meeting Rev. J. R. Daniels of Hackensack preached to about fifty people. A Sabbath school was organized soon after, and March '», 1891 the church was regularly incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey. The first regular preacher was Mr. C. E. Schenck, from Drew Theologi- cal Seminary. A Ladies' Aid Society was an early helper financially. After incorporation, the subject of a church building was discussed, when the Board of Trustees appointed a committee to select a site. Two lots, previously donated were sold and the proceeds ajjplied toward the purchase of more suitable ground, upon which a church was built and the same dedicated on July 7, 1895. The present pastor. Rev. Alfred Evans, resides at Ridgefield Park. He was graduated from Drew Seminery in the class of 1893. ST. KKAN'CIS' KO.MAN CATHOLIC CHI-RCH. The first church edifice erected in Ridgefield Park wa.s that of St. Francis. The Catholics of the Park having met nn February 24. 1S,S'(, formed themselves into what was called the St I'^rancis Association, for the purpose of devising means to build a church. Plans were adopted, means secured, and the building begun immediately, the corner-stone being laid on Thanksgiving Day, November 28th of that year. The work was carried forward without delay and on July 27, 1890, the church was dedicated. The first pastor. Rev. John F. Duffy, took charge on August 3, continuing until November 14, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. Russell. Pastor Russell remained until March 25. 1891, and was followed by Rev. John Hennes who had pastoral charge until March 15, 1892, when the present pastor the Rev. John E. Lambert assumed the care of the little flock. The niombershii) at present numbers about fifty families or two hundred and fifty souls. Rev. John E. Lambert was born in Pliiladeljjhia Fel)ruarv 2(1, 18(.4. and received his Parochial school education in that city, graduating from the grammar department. He then took a classical course in St. John's College, Brooklyn, N. Y., and was graduated from that institu- tion in 1885. After pursuing theological studies in Seton Hall at South Orange, N. J., for a time, he went to Genoa, Italy, continuing his studies in that city for a period of four years, subsequently completing 520 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY his course in theolog'y at the University of Innsbruck, in the Tyrol (Austria), and was ordained by the Archbishop of Brixen (Tyrol), July 28, 1890. Returning- to America Rev. Mr. Lambert became assistant at St. Peter's, Newark, N. J., until March 25, 18')2. Since then he has been pastor in lower Hackensack and Ridgetield Park. HOTELS. There are three hotels in Ridgefield Park. The one at Little Ferry was erected by Michael J. Collins in 1893 at a cf)st of seven thousand dollars and serves the travelling- public to a considerable extent as a depot, there being no suitable accommodations provided by the railroad company at that place. Mr. Collins has conducted hotels during the most of his business career. He was born fifty-three 3'ears ago in Ireland and came direct from Mayo, the people of which province are among the most hospitable in the world. His father was a farmer. His parents both died when he was a youth, and he then sailed for this country landing in New York city, where he served tirst as an orderlie in a hospital for sixteen years, then for nineteen years in the hotel business at 59 West Street. He came to Ridgefield Park in 189.i. MOKTIMEK SMITH. Among the residents of this part of the old townshi]) of Ridgelield should be mentioned the name of Mr. Mortimer Smith, of Teaneck Ridge, who has been living here for the past thirt)^ years. Mr. Smith is a native of the city of New York, where he has maintained business relations with two of the old insurance companies for over forty years. He was with the Gebhard Fire Insurance Company, as an appraiser, twenty-one years, and has now been with the New York Life Insurance Company in the same capacity over twenty years. Mr. Smith has a life membership in the National Academy of De- sign, having been a fellow of that institution since 1860. He is a lover of fine art, a man of public spirit, interested in all charitable and benevolent work, and one of the founders of the Ridgefield Park Free Public Library. THE OLD CHKLSTIE HOMESTE.\n. This home, prior to November hth, 1844, belonged t() the farm of Paul Paulison, at which time it was conveyed by commissioners H. W. Banta, David D. Demarest and William DeWolfe, to David Christie of English Neighborhood for his stm Albert, and upon his death in 1848, Albert became absolute owner and lived there until his father's death in 1887 or '88. All his family of nine children were born there, but since his death the family have removed to a new residence on another part of the farm. The house was presumably built by Paul Paulison, and is no doubt nearly if not quite two hundred years old. 524 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY CORNELIUS CHRISTIE. Cornelius Christie, train master for the West Shore Railroad at Weehawken, N. J., is distinctively a railroad man, having- spent his entire business life in that line. His grandfather, David Christie, upon his mar- riage to Anna Brinkerhoff, removed to New York city, where he accum- lated a fortune in his trade of stone cutting, and in 1835, bought the farm of Garret Meyer at English Neighborhood and retired from busi- ness. His son, Albert Brinkerhoff Christie, the father of Cornelius, went to Ridgfield Park about 1830 where he died in 1888, nearly seventy years of age. His wife who was Miss Lydia Ann Christie (not a relative ) died in 18'}6 at the age of seventy-two. Cornelius Christie was born at Ridgetield Park September 24, 18r)4, and was educated in the public schools. He was graduated from Washing- ton Public School, No. 32, Hackensack, in July 1881. Beginning business as a telegraph operator in the office of the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railroad, in May 1881 he continued in their employ until June 4, 1883. At this date he entered the office of the West Shore Railroad Company as telegraph operator and so continued until March 1888 when he was promoted to the position of train dispatcher, which he held until April 1, 1895, when by a second promotion.be became trainmaster. Mr. Christie has about five hundred men under his supervision, directly and indirectly, more than half of whom may trace their examination, disci- pline and employment to his management, conductors, brakenian and baggagemen all coming under his surveilliance. Mr. Christie was married October 12, 1898, to Miss Selena Wells of Goshen, N. Y., only daughter of J. E. Wells, for many years Super- visor of the Town of Goshen and also general superintendent of the Orange county Agricultural Society. The bridal trip of Mr. and Mrs. Christie extended over nine thousand miles of travel throughout the Western States. In this long trip thej' never passed over the same road a second time between any two points. ALBERT RAVEKES. Among the names of those who have become identified with the growth and prosperity of the village of Ridgefield Park, is that of Albert Ravekes, which stands prominent among the first of those, in this part of Ridgefield township. Mr. Ravekes is a native of New York city where he was born fifty-six years ago. He attended school in that city until eleven years of age, and then began a business career. In 1857 he became ai)prenticed to the carpenter trade, an occupation which he has successfully followed ever since, having had his offices at one place on Mulberry Street, New York, forty-two years. In 1885 Mr. Ravekes removed to Hackensack, N. J., but the year following he moved to Ridgefield Park where he erected a beautiful home and is surrounded bv his married children, who also occupy homes ot their own. 526 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY Before the incorporation of the village of Ridgefield Park Mr. Ravekes served his township as committeeman for six years, having been the first representative of the western district elected to that posi- tion, serving as treasurer of the township at the same time. The duties incident to a large business interest, however, prevented him from serv- ing further in any politicial capacity, nevertheless, he has been kept foremost in various other positions before the people. He is president of the Sherwood Land and Improvement Company and also president of the Ridgeiield Park Town Hall Company. He has been president of the Ridgetield Boat Club during the past five years. Among the fraternal organizations, he is Past Regent of the Ridgefield Park Council Royal Arcanum No. 1428; member of the Masonic Order, of which both he and his son Oliver have taken the highest degrees, while they are also members of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Ravekes has been a liberal contributor to all the churches in Ridgefield Park; was one of the promoters of the village organization, and has been identified with all its interests since its incorporation. JOHN H. FICKEN. JohnH. Ficken, cashier for Charles H. Zinn, of New York, was born in the city of New York in February, 1858, where he was educated in the public schools. Upon leaving school Mr. Ficken became connected with a commercial house in the city, holding responsible positions continuously since that time, first in the tea and coffee business, and then, for twelve years, in the cotton trade. The past nine years have been spent in his present position. In 1883 he married Miss Annie S. Beaven, of Brook- lyn, N. Y., and since then has resided in Ridgefield Park, where he has been prominently identified with the living issues of that village, hav- ing been treasurer from 1894 to 1897, and a member of the School Board appointed when the present law went into effect in 1894. He was a charter member of the Royal Arcanum, and has also held the offices of secretary, vice-president and president of the Fire Department, holding each office for a term of two years. He is a trustee and assistant treasurer of the Union Church, Ridgefield Park, besides being prominent in other organizations. CHARLES W. CAI.LOW.W. Charles W. Calloway, private secretary to Mr. J. P. Morgan, Banker, New York, is a native of the Isle of Wight, England, and was born forty-seven years ago. He is the son of George Calloway, who died in 1898, at the age of seventv-nine vears, having been an officer in the British nav}- for nearly a half century. Mr. Calloway graduated in 1865 and after several years of mercan- tile life in Buenos Ayres and the Island of Ceylon, became connected with the house of J. P. Morgan & Co., reaching New York in 1879. being the onlj' one of his family who ever came to this country. Mr. Calloway married Miss Maud Glover of Brooklyn, a lineal descendant of (General Burgoyne of Revolutionary fame. In ISS') Mr. C-^Cc^-eo^ ,/^^! ^<:x-g-/z ^^ HISTOKY l)K BKKGEN COUNTY 52't Calloway took up his residence in Rid^etield Park. His son Alfred Calloway is superintendent of the Rochester & Pittsburg- Coal Com- pany, at Adrian, Pa., and Ernest Evelyn, a second son, is assistant cashier for Price McCormick & Co., Bankers and Brokers, New York. CONK.\D WILLI.\M MERGLEK. Conrad William Mergler, is of American birth and education. His ancestors in the paternal line are purely German, while the maternal line is French, making- a good union of the stolid, plodding German temperament with the mercurial French spirit. Mr. Mergler is himself a good illustration of this combination especially in his business enter- prise. Coming to Ridgefield Park in 1887 with but a meagre sum as capital, he had a fund of "energy and pluck," which no doubt were the chief powers in securing his success. Mr. Mergler is the son of Jacob Mergler, whose father was Philip. His mother was Elsie Archard, a direct descendant of a P^rench Hugue- not family who in the time of Catherine de Medici, fled from France to (iermany, where they made a home prior to their emigration to America. Conrad W., was born in New York city February 5, 18()1, and was educated in the public schools of that city, afterward taking a course in civil engineering, in Cooper Institute. In 1888, with a capital stock of fifty dollars, and in a room twelve b}- thirteen feet in dimensions, this young man started to build up his fortune. Faithful attentitm to busi- ness and continuity of purpose have gained success. He has not only made a home for himself, but has helped build up the village. What was formerly a bog, is now one of the finest corners in the town, a hand- some store covering eighteen hundred square feet and holding a stock of goods valued at not less than five thousand dollars, adorns the spot. In 1888 Mr. Mergler was appointed postmaster, continuing in the office four years; he was elected member of the local Board of Education in 1S8'», being re-elected four times since, and holding the office at the present time. He is a charter member of local council of the Royal Arcanum; member of Pioneer Lodge, Free Masons, Hackensack; mem- ber of New Jersey Sovereign Consistory Scottish Rite F. M. and of Kis- muth Temple Mystic Shrine, Brooklyn. He is president of the local Building Association, re-elected three times, and also charter member of local Fire Department. Mr. Mergler married Miss I,ouise Rech of New York city. JOHN EDW.\KD HOEY. John Edward Hoey, a progressive citii,en of Ridgefield Park, was born in the city of Philadelphia, September <>, 1S(>(., receiving a com- mon school education in his native place. In 1890 Mr. Hoe^- came to Ridgefield Park for the ])urpose of mak- ing it his home, and immediately becoming identified -with all the interests of the village, political, social and religious, has ever since taken an active part in its development and growth. In 18')4 he was ap])(>inte(l \illage clerk serving one term, and was subsequently in lnly profitable but pleasant, time was also found for public affairs. In 1849, Mr. DeGroot was elected town clerk, serving four terms in succession. In the mean time, in 1853, he was elected Assessor, in which office he served four successive terms. In 1861 he was elected choosen Freeholder and at the first meeting of the Board after being elected a member of that body, he was made director and each term thereafter for three terms. Mr. DeGroot was elected a member of the Township committee a number of terms, and twice elected a Justice of Peace. The Court, recognizing his ability and superior judgment, many times ai)pointed him appraiser to estimate and award damages for land ^5»*r=^.; SAMUKL K. UK (iKOOT. HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 541 taken f(ir railroad purprtscs. Private individuals souirht his aid and ex- pressed their confidence in his inteifrity by placing- their interests in his hands, as executor and administrator of estates, in at least eleven different instances and to an amount aggregating- over $248,000 divided among different heirs. To Mr. DeGroot was confided the task of keeping account of all monies raised for bounties paid to the soldiers in the county during the iirst three years of the Civil War, and afterwards when the county ac- counts were investigated he had the gratification of being congratu- lated by Judge Dixon, who said that Mr. Ivcwis, the expert who examined the books found them absolutely correct during the time he kept them. At the time he retired from the Board of Freeholders, the Bergen County Democrat said of him: — "Mr DeGroot as a director of the Board displayed marked executive and financial abilitj^, and retires from the Board with full esteem and confidence of every member thereof and of the community at large." He has always been a liberal contributor to all wortliv local enter- ])rises, and is a man of the highest christian character, whose religious convictions have made him a member of the Seceder church for more than forty years. .M.KXANnEK SH.M.KK. "The Shaler family were the tirst settlers of Middlesex county. Conn., from Stratford-on-Avon, England. Thomas, the progenitor of the family in America, came across in 16()2. The line descends through Thomas second, Samuel, Asa, James and Ira, the father of Alexander, our subject. The last of this line in England lies buried in "Shakes- peare's Graveyard." They were an honored and refined ])eople, though not distinguished. Alexander, son of Ira and Jerusha (Arnold) Shaler, was born at Haddam, Connecticut, March l'>th, iS27. His father, known as Captain Shaler, was a mariner during a part of his life, and commanded a vessel sailing between New Yf)rk and the West Indies. The family removed to New York when Alexander was but seven years of age. whereafter attending the public schools he became a pupil in two diiferent private schools, finishing his education at Brainerd Academy, Haddam. After leaving school, at the age of seventeen, he became employed by his father, and three years thereafter became business manager of the concern, which consisted in general contracting and in buying and selling North River bluestone and builders' materials. Fond of military affairs, he enlisted as private in Fifth Company, Washington Greys, in 1845, Eighth Regi- ment, New York State Militia, and, in 1848, was transferred to Second Company, Seventh Regiment, National Ciuard, New Ynrk. He was im- mediately made sergeant, then first lieutenant, and in IS.Sd he was made captain. He remained captain in the Seventh, New York, nearly eleven vears, when, becoming a resident of New Jersey, he be- came identilied with the militia of that state, an, 18()4, during the Wilderness fight he was taken prisoner and after six weeks he was exchanged. After his exchange he was assigned by tieneral J. J. Reynolds to third brigade, second division, nineteenth army corps ; and by General Solomon Meredith, commanding the depart- ment of Kentucky, was ordered to the Post at Columbus, Ky., where head- quarters were established November 1, 18«)4. In December 1864, (general Shaler was placed in command of the second division, seventh army corps, and of the White River District, Department of Arkansas, with headquar- ters at Duvall's Bluff. In 1865 while in this command he was appointed by the President a brevet major general of volunteers. In civil life General Shaler was in 1866, elected a member of the New York Board of Supervisors, and in 1867 appointed a Fire Commis- sioner and also made president of the Department, and held this office for three years. He was a commissioner until 1873. At the request of the municipal authorities of Chicago, he reorganized the fire department of that city, after the fire of 1871. Prior to that time, in 1867, the fire department of New York was reorganized under act of the Legislature, requiring the Government to appoint a fifth fire commissioner, when General Shaler was made commissioner. He was one of the organizers and for four years president and vice president of the National Rifle Association, and incorporator of the Army and Navy Club, commander of the Loyal Legion of the United States, member of the Union League Club, the New York Historical Society, the Ameri- can Geographical Society, the American Museum of Natural History, the (xeneral Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen, and other organiza- tions. In 1883 he was appointed president of the New York Hoard of Health, and in 1884, was made a member of the board to provide armor- ies for the city militia. (ieneral Shaler has done much for the prosperity of Ridgefield. He was connected with the organization of the present borough govern- ment. For six years he was president of the Board of Education, and NICHOLAS JACOBl'S HISTOKY OF BEKdEN COUNTY 545 was also president of the Board of Health of the borough and is now ( 18'>'t ) mayor. Cleneral Shaler was married March .^1, l,s47. to Miss Mary McMur- raj of New York cit_v. Of their live children his only son, Ira Alexander Shaler, was graduated as civil engineer in Cornell University, and served in the late Spanish-American war in Porto Rico as major in the First Regiment U. S. Volunteer Engineers. NICHOLAS JACOBl'S. Nicholas Jacobus, for the past forty years a resident of Ridgelield, N. J., is a native of the city of New York, born July 30, 182'*. He is son of David and Elizabeth Ryerson Jacobus, old residents of the city, where his own life was spent until his marriage and removal to Ridge- tield, just prior to the Civil war. David Jacobus was a manufacturer of sash, blinds, doors, etc., first on Spring street and finally on Wooster street. New York, where his business was continued for many years. He retired from business about five years before his death which occurred November 22, 1S7S. He was born in Morris county, N. J., June 21, 1S()4, and at fifteen years of age went to the city to carve out a fortune for himself, which he did, unaided by any resources save those created by himself. The mother of Nicholas was born June 5, 1807, and died July 2*t, 1890. She was a native of Pompton, N. J. The issue of this marriage were Nicholas, the subject of this sketch, and Hannah Maria, who was born September 5, 1831, and died Novemljer 2, 1840. The homestead is at No. 325 West 28th street, New York, where Mr. Jacobus resides during the inclement season of the year, the house and belongings being pre- served intact out of regard for the home made sacred by parents now g-one. Mr. Jacobus received his education in the Mechanics Institute of New York, a school under the auspices of a society, which gave the youth of the city the advantages of a collegiate training before the pres- ent course of study in high schools, was adopted. As the only son and heir Mr. Jacobus has necessarily been kept busy looking after the busi- ness interests of a large estate, tarst before his father's death and subse- quently until his own retirement from active life, when he was succeeded in the management by Martin R. Jacobus, his son. He was Township Committeenvin of Ridgelield for 1872-73, 1875-76, 1881-82-83. On March 29, 1861, Mr. Jacobus married Miss Sarah Catherine Carpenter, of Orange county. New York, and during that year took u]) his residence in Ridgelield, his summer residence at the present time. She was the daughter of John and Agnes [Fulton] Carpenter and was born in 1S34. The property purchased in Ridgefield was originally owned by Samuel Edsall (an account of whose life is given elsewhere). Mr. Jacobus bought the property from (Gamaliel Rose who had purchased the estate from James P. Demarest, by whom it was ccmveved to Mr. 546 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY Rose May 3, 1837. Mr. Demarest had lived here about thirty rears, and the old stone house, a landmark of those earlv years is still standing'. There were seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jacobus. David S., the eldest son, is Professor of Experimental Mechanics and Engineering Physics in the well known Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken. As a student, he won a free scholarship for the course at the institution, given to the graduate of the preparatory school standing highest in a competitive examination. He was ap- pointed an instructor when he was graduated from his Alma Mater in 1S84, and has remained there since that time. On April 5th 1899, he married Miss Laura Dinkel of Jersey City. In addition to his work as an instructor Professor Jacobus has undertaken a large amount of practical engineering work, and served as an expert in investigating the feasibility and actual performance of new- machines and processes. He has been given every encouragement in such work as it is appreciated by those in charge, that an engineering school should have among its faculty, men conversant with the practi- cal side of the profession, and his training has been with this end in view. He has made numerous tests of Mechanical devices to demtmstrate certain physical laws, and has made these the basis of a number of papers presented to scientific societies, the majority being published in the Transactions of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, of which society he has long been a member. He is also a member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers; the Society of Naval Archi- tects and Marine Engineers; The American Mathematical Society, and the Society for the Promotion of Engineering Education, and is Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He has contributed to the transactions of all these societies and also to the transactions of the the Civil Engineers of Great Britian. He is a member of the Engineers' Club, the Arts Club and the Holland Society of New York and of the .Technical Club Chicago. The other children of Mr. Jacobus are Mrs. Agnes Pratt, wife of Elisha Pratt; Daniel C. Jacobus of the Fifth Avenue Bank, New York; Nicholas Jacobus who died in early life; Martin R. Jacobus, Manager of the Jacobus estate and deacon in the Dutch Reformed Church, Ridgofield : Elizabeth, wife of Rev. Mr. Roop, pastor of the same church, and Robert Fulton Jacobus, the youngest member of the family. JACOB V. KANTA. Jacob V. Banta, coal merchant of Ridgetield, is a descendant of Yan Banta, who early settled in English Neighborhood, now Ridgetield, from which place he removed to Pascack about 175(1, Captain Banta a descendant of Yan Banta lived in a stone house in Ridgetield, which had been built prior tt> the Revolution. This house became the property of Stephen Martling, hii S. Tracy, K. M. Pawsen, Dr. M. S. .\vers was the first Regent. The names of other Regents who have tilled this office are Charles Merrick, Henry Wilson, George Nash, Albert Lussen, F. D. Murphy. The present officers are George A. Storms, Regent; A. H. Wendall, Vice-regent; E. M. Pawsen, Secretary; F. D. Murphy, Treasurer; John S. Tracy, Collector; J. D. Cowan, Orator; N. Samler, Warden. The societv has a membership of one hundred and ciglitv, and holds its meetings in the Town Hall. l''IKE DEPAKTMKNT. Protection to property was organized in 1894, The leaders in this movement consisted of B. R. Burdett, W. H. Tracy, John S. Tracy, Taylor Hurley, Malcolm Long, Harry D. Fink, Frank D. Murphy, John Nicholson and Conrad Sedore. W. H. Tracy, foreman; Jacob H. B. Dav, assistant foreman; John P. Haas, treasurer. The present foreman is Jacob H. B. Day, and F. Y. Pond is treasurer. HAP'IMST CHIKCH. For some time previous to 1.S4S, the people of English Neighbor- hood. ( now Fairview i under a council of ministers and delegates, organized an independent Baptist Church at this place, to be called the First Baptist Church at English Neighborhood. Among those at Fair- view instrumental in securing this organization, was Mary Sedore, who is the only one of the nineteen persons of that number, now living. Rev. William H. Spencer, pastor of the Blo(>mingdale Church, was chosen moderator; Re\-. George F. Hendrickson, pastor of the church at Perth Amboy, was chosen clerk of the council; Rev. Richard Thomp- s(m, pastor of New Durham Baptist Church, read a portion of Scripture from the second chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. The joint letter of dismission from the New Durham Baptist Church, containing the names of nineteen members, as follows: James D. Demarest. David McDonald, Ephraini Tracy, William H. Tracy, David C. Dyer. Andrew Engle, Jr., .\braham Jackson, Sarah McDonald, Elizabeth Tracy, Francis Ebis, Sarah Freeland, Elizabeth Compton, Mary McDonald, Mary Sedore, William Engle, Catharine Townsend, Margaret Demarest, Sarah Engle, Elizabeth Jackson, who were dismissed from the sai9. This Samuel Edsall was of Holland ancestry and emigrated from England to America in 1648. In 1774 we find him acting as president of the recently organized "Court of Judicature" in the village of Bergen, and in l(i7.^ a special court of Oyer and Terminer was held over which William Sandford was i.rcsident, and Samuel Edsall was an associate. lOHX ('.. i-;dsai.i.. HISTOKY OK BEKGEN COUNT\ 557 ( )n an old map of New York he is marked in i(.56 as the owner of a larg-e tract <.f laud, a part of which lay on the Strand, now Pearl street. He married his first wife Janetje Jane Wessels in the Dutch church in lf)55. After her death he married Namoi, widow of Samuel Moore, a merchant. Mr. Edsall's third wife was Ruth Woodhull who owned the old Edsall plantation, known as Edsall's Point. This property falling into the possession of her son Richard Edsall, was sold May 27, 1735 to Michael Vrielandt. Samuel E., son of John and jrrandson of Samuel tirst mentioned was sheriff of Bergen county in 174(1. It was this Samuel who built the okl stone house used until 1851 for the Edsall residence. John G. Edsall is a great grandson of Samuel and Naomi Christina (Day) Edsall, grands(m of John and Gertrude ( Lydecker ) Edsall, and the son of Garret L., and Lavinia ( Terhune ) Edsall. Mr. Edsall's mother, a daughter of James A. Terhune of Teaneck, is still living on the homestead. John, son of Samuel, and grandfather of the subject of this sketch, died in l,s7(,, eighty-eight years of age. The present residence was built by him in ISi.l. Garret L.. his son, died in 1885. He was one of the organizers of the Jersey Blues (in 1S(,1 ) and became the second lieutenant of that famous company. The old residence built by Sheriff Edsall, was torn down in 1SS7. John G. Edsall was born in 1851, and has spent his whole life at the place of his birth. A man of sterling character, he has made a record in business for strict integrity and honesty, neither seeking nor desiring political recognition, alth. On May 7, 1S()1, Mr. Edsall enlisted in the First Regiment, Bergen Brigade, and was from time to time promoted, holding different offices in his company until October If), 1888, when he was made captain. Mr. Edsall married Lydia, daughter of Garret S. Banta, and is father of seven children; Belle, Lena, wife of Abram Christie; Gertrude; Sarah B., wife of J. B. Moore; Charles; (iarret, who was killed by a train on the Northern New Jersey Railroad in 1S')7; Agnes Naomi and Lily May. Samuel S. Edsall his brother, and member of the tirm of Edsall Brothers, New York, is unmarried. THK BKINKEKHOl'F FA^^L^•. The Brinkerhoff family is one of the oldest in this county. The homestead was on the site now occupied by the residence of Henrj- Brink- erhoff in Palisades Park. The fountain head of this family dates back to 1().^8, when Joris Dericksen Brinkerhoff, with his family landed in the little city of New Amsterdam. From Joris Dericksen ( Joris son of Derick j so far as known, with(^ut exception, have come all who bear the name, or lineage, of Brinkerhoff upon the American continent. Some spell the name B-r-i-n-c-k and some B-r-i-n-k, and the othographv of either is fully authenticated in ancient documents. In a few manu- scripts it is written "Blinkerhoff,"and in one instance Van Blynckerhoff. The Flushing branch of the family, ( descendents of Abraham, son of Joris Dericksen, ) for the most part, use the "c." The Bergen branch ( descendents of Hendrick, son of Joris Dericksen, ) have almost entirely omitted it. It may be safely said that Joris Dericksen Brinkerhoff was a very worthy representative of the Holland family to plant in America, and very deserving of rememberance by all who bear his family name or have descended from him. All of these may feel assured that the first representative of that name in America was an honest and upright man. The family motto " ( 'oi/.^fai/s fidc:> cl iutcgritas" seems evidently fitting to the man. He held in those early days positions of trust requir- ing probity and integrity of character, and held them for years, was preeminently a religious man. He lived in times of great religious excitement. His children ( two sons and a daughter ) were all members of the church and his descendants, with very rare exceptions, down to the present time, have been loyal adherents of the churches of the Reformation. The records of any of the Dutch churches in the neigh- borhood of New York will give abundant evidence of this fact. Seven of the subscribers to the building fund of the Dutch church at Flushing, Long Island, for 17.il, were Brinkerhoff's, and in the list of pew-holders for 17.^h, twentj-one of them were Brinkerhoff's. The first two names on the roll of the Brooklyn church organized in 1660, are Joris Dericksen Brinkerhoff and his wife, Susannah. The first two names in the Hack- ensack church, are Hendrick Jorise Brinkerhoff and his wife, Clausie. HISTOKY OF BERGEN COUNTY 55<> In 17.^7, what is now the Brinkerhoff homestead consisted of four hundred acres of land, Ixiuyht hy I'ornelius Brinkerhoff from Mat- thew Benson for ^,5(>S(I, and was then a tract of unimproved land, covered with woods and underbrush. It was not until 1758 that the first house was built here bv John Brinkerhoff. It was two stories high, a sort of cross between a flat roof and a "short pitch," a stvle of archi- tecture much in voyue at that period. Heavy, rouL;h oak iseams were used in its construction, the timbers being all pinned, and no nails used where it was possible to pin together with wooden pins. John Brinkerhoff, the great grandfather of our subject, was born A])ril 14, 1750, and died October 19, 182.i. His son, Henry, born Janu- ary 30, 17'i,>, married Mary Christie. He was a captain of the militia. Theirchildren were John H., Cornelius, Hannah Maria and William Henry. He built the house now standing on the farm in 1838, when his son, John H., was l'» years of age. John H. Brinkerhoff was born Septem- ber 10, 181'». On March 25, 1840, he married Naomi Edsall, and by this union were born nine children, of whom, only two, Henry and John, are now living. He was one of the organizers of the " Jersey Blues," May 7, 1861. He died in 1SS7. Of his two surviving sons, Henry, the elder, owns the homestead. He is distinctively a farmer, and has never sought office (ir political preferment. John Brinkerhoff has been a member of Company E, Second Regi- ment, N. G. N. J., since 1872, first as a private, afterwards being made second lieutenant, hcdding that office during the enlistment of his regi- ment in the Spanish-American war. On December 10, 1897, the mem- bers of the company presented him a handsome sword, engraved with suitable inscription, in recognition of his twentv-five years' faithful service. He was married on November 29, 1882, to Miss Anna Louisa Pruden, and is the father of one child, Ethel Louise. An ehler child, William De(jraw Brinkerhoff. was born November 17, 1S83, and died June 2, 1892. LKNO.VIA. This part of old English Neighborhood had no sci)arate existence as a village until the railroad was built. Among the oldest families who lived here when the church building was erected in 1831, were John Burdett, who built the house now owned and occupied bv General Moore and his brother Major Stephen H. V. Moore; (xarret Meyers who with John Cole gave the ground for the church ; and David Christie who bought the farm of (t. Meyers and moved into the house at present owned by Cornelius and known as "The Homestead," are among the number. But we hear of no trading here until C. D. Shaw, the first agent of the depot for the railroad company kept the post-office, also a store, and Mr. Shaw has been from that time to this in a business way connected with the people of Leonia. P. P. Cluss, recorder of the borough, who has been in business six- teen years succeeded C. D. Shaw in 1890. J. H. Clarke and A. M. Price, are each doing a successful commercial business also. Mr. James 560 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY Christie, collector of the boroug'h, established a prosperous trade in coal, wood, lime, etc., over twenty 3'ears aj^o. He was succeeded by J. H. Ferdon, in 1896. The stores and business enterprises of the boroug'h tog-ether with the beautiful site of the village, which has attracted people from the great metropolis, is fast building up the place. THE BOROUGH OK LEONIA The borough of Leonia was incorporated December 5, 1894. The first officers were: Mayor, Cornelius Christie; Councilmen, Lorenzo Gis- mond, William P. De Graw, D. G. Beeching, J. Vreeland Moore, Edward CJrinslade, C. J. Terhune; Collector, R. J. G. Wood; Assessor, C. D. Schor; Borough Clerk, H. F. Ahrens. Officers elected March 20, 1899, were: Mayor, Cornelius Christie; Councilmen, Edward Stagg, Morell M. FuUarton, Frank I. Barrett, Benj. H. Belknap, Robert Duncan, Edward Stagg, Lorenzo Gismond; Collector, James Christie; Assessor, Julius H. Clark; Borough Clerk, H. F. Ahrens. The assessed valuation of the borough in 1899 was $579,930. H. P. Hurd is President of the Board of Health. LEONIA COUNCIL KOVAL AKCANUM NO. 956. Leonia Council Royal Arcanum No. 956 was instituted on July 29th, 1!S9(). Brother J. Day Otis, Grand Regent of New Jersey was the instal- ling officer, assisted by Past Grand Regent Frank T. Griffeth, F. S. Petter, R. H. Alberts, S. J. Kallam, W. Lounsbury. The officers for the term were as follows: Regent, O. O. Clark; Vice-Regent, B. H. Belknap; Past Regent, Abram Whitle}'; Orator, P. S. Saitta; Secretary, E. D. McKown; Collector, J. H.Clark; Treasurer, J. Randolph Appleby; Chaplain, Edward Stagg; Guide, G. W. Peters; Warden, H. D. Van Zaut; Sentry, I. W. Pope. The number of charter members was twenty- one, and the number on roll July 1st, 1899, was fifty-eight. The present officers of the Council are as follows: — Regent, H. D. Van Zaut; Vice-Regent, Robert Duncan; Orator, B. H. Belknap; Past Regent, J. H. Clark; Secretary, C, Harry Eaton; Collector, E. T. Swayer; Treasurer, E. G. (iismond; Chaplain, H. F. Ahrens; Guide, E. B. Williams; Warden, William S. Iserman; Sentry, Charles E. (loebel. FIRE DEPAKTMENT. The borough maintains four churches, an excellent school of three teachers, a lire department, and has one flourishing beneficiary organi- zation. Protection against loss by fire has been assured by the incorporation of a well organized fire department, of Hose Company No. 1, July 9, 1898, and shortly after of Hook and Ladder Company No. 2, consisting of thirty-two members with George W. Mabie, Chief; A. D. Bogart, and H. E. Oakley, Foremen of the respective companies. The building HISTORY OF BEROEN COUNTY 561 was erected in 1S")S. The department have hose cart, hook and ladder, truck, and one thousand feet of hose. THIC TKTIv KKI''()KMKn DUTCH CIIUKCII A'l' I.ICONIA. Probably the actual history of this church, as a separate body, dates from I'^ebruarv 20, 1824, at which time the consistory issued their sii;-ned protest ag-ainst the Classis of Berj^en. This protest was signed by 49 persons, male and female. The Rev. C. T. Demarest was Presi- dent of the consistory at this time and preached for the new cong^rega- tion. On March 11, 1S24, the consistory met at the parsonage and John W. Banta and John Kdsall were made a committee to wait ui)on the Kev. James (t. Brinkerhoff to ])rocure his services for the two succeed- ing- Sabbaths, and afterwards issued a regular call to him, "offering- him $250.00 per annum in half yearly payments, tog-ether with the use of the parsonag-e so long- as it remains in the possession of this consis- tory, for the whole of his services, except six free Sabbaths." During the succeeding- months there appears to have been some legal disturb- ances in the church, but they were happily settled. On June .■^, 1S24, at a meeting of the consistory at the house of Kichard Scott, in Hackensack, at which the Rev. Sidomon Froeligh presided, by recjuest, the Rev. C. T. Demarest stated to the meeting that he had received a call from the True Reformed Dutch Church in New York city, and had accepted the same, and desired to be dismissed from his then charg-e. The request was g-ranted. " During the minis- trations of Mr. Demarest the church community was especially looked after l)y him in church dicipline, and the teaching of the church was ever on his lips." Still it was not all harmony, and finally the (General Synod was appealed to, to assist in the settlement of internal disorders. He was succeeded by the Rev. I'eter D. Froeligh of Ackquackanonk. He was called June 21st, 1825, and died February 1'), 1S2S. Irregular preaching followed, the Rev. C. T. Demarest occasionally officiating until November 4. is,^'), when he was duly installed. " The society first held service in a barn," then attached to the old parsonage, afterwards the property of Mrs. James Cronkwright, and later still in the parlor of the parsonage until the erection of their pres- ent church. It is recorded that "in the year of our Lord 18.^1, the new meeting house of the True Reformed Protestant Dutch Church of the English Neighborhood was built." The record states that "the church was built on the west side of the English Neighborhood road, a little distance lielow where the road from Hackensack to Fort Lee crosses it, on ground given by (iarret Me3'er and John Cole; and to this David Christie, who bought G. Meyer's farm, and John Cole, afterward made handsome additions on each side." Then comes the information that the church was dedicated. Rev. C. T. Demarest preached a. m., from Zach, 13:7, the last clause, and C. Z. I'auliscm. p. m., from Eph. 2:21. The church building was paid for by subscription, and cost about 81500, and a final settlement w;is made April 3. IS.^2." Some of the jiews in the completed edifice were sold at public auction Deceml.)er (i, 1831 ; 562 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY another sale was held July 23, 1832, and still another afterward, and the final settlement on sales was made December 10, 1832. In 1850 the finances of the church received a very welcome addition. On March 27, 1850, the Consistor}' Elders and Deacons met at the house of James P. Brinkerhoff to receive the one thousand dollars from the executors of. the late John Lydecker which he willed to the church. Mr. Demarest's pastorate closed in 1852 and he was succeeded bv Rev. Cornelius J. Blauvelt, who was installed on the fourth Sabbath of 1853. About this time Mr. Abraham Huyler left a beqeust of some four hundred dollars to the church, but some trouble was experienced because the church was not incorporated. Articles of incorporation were again tiled October 12, 1854 and the money was paid over to the church not- withstanding- it had been incorporated during the ministry of the Rev. P(dhemus of the old church in 1809. Dominie Blauvelt commenced his administration with great energy and success, but failing health soon told on his efforts. In September 1859 the lower part of his body was paralyzed and a little later the Rev. John Y. DeBaun assumed charge of both congregations. He was installed May 6, I860. He was eloquent and earnest and a successful pastor. On April 18, 1875 he preached his farewell sermon, the Rev. A. Van Houten succeeded by installation May 14, 1876. To the regret and loss to the church Mr. Van Houten handed in his call to the Consis- tory in September 1884, and he was succeeded by the Rev. Harvey Iser- man May 24, 1885. He was a student under the Rev. Mr. DeBaun, and ranked high as a Latin, Greek and Hebrew scholar. He was succeeded by the Rev. James Wyckoff, the last pastor of the church, who took charge May 1, 1896, remaining until December 1898 when the church voted itself out. There is no pastor at the present time. Samuel DeGroot and James Christie are the elders and Cornelius Shaw is the deacon. THE PKE.SBVTEKIAN CHUKCH. The Presbyterian Church was organized February 1st, 1899, with tifty-eight members from the Christian Reformed Church of Leonia, when ten others were subsequently added to the number. The elders are John Eiserman. John W. Christie. David Talmadge. The Society now worship in Lyceum Hall, but are intending to build very soon. Rev. James Wyckoff, the pastor, is a native of Lodi, Seneca county, N. Y., and was born in 1839. He took his degree of A. B. from Rutgers Col- lege in 1861, graduating from the Seminary at New Brunswick in lS(i4. He took charge of the Christian Reformed Church May 1, 189(.. On December 18, 1898, the church voted itself out of the Reformed Churcli and formed the above organization. THE EPISCOP.VL CHUKCH. The Episcopalians built their house of worship in Leonia in IS'iS. They have a membership of ft)rty persons, under the pastoral care of the Rev. C. Malcolm Douglas, and are in a prosperous condition. Rev. Walter H. Sherwood was their first rector. K. Ahrens is senior warden. HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTV 5(>5 THE METHODIST CHURCH. The Methodists also have a place of worship in the villaj^e, which they built about three years ago. Their present pastor is the Rev. John Burton. COKNELIUS CHRISTIE. Cornelius Christie, a highly esteemed citizen of Leonia, is of vScotch and Flemish ancestry. The earliest paternal emigrant in the Christie family was James, who was born in Scotland, and died at Schraalenburgh, April lf>, 17()S, at the advanced age of ninety-si.x or ninety-eight years, and was the great-great-grandfather of Cornelius. William, the son of James was born August 9, 1720, married Catalynthe Demarest. vSeptember 22, 174.^, and died September 13. 18(1^). Of their twelve children James, the eldest, was born August 20. 1744. He mar- ried Maria Banta in 1772, and died July ,^, 1.S17. Daxid the son t)f James and Maria Christie, was born December 1, 17.S"), married Anna Brinkerhoff March 12, 1814, and died April 8, 184S. David and Anna were the parents of Cornelius. Mr. Christie's mother was a descendant of J(iris Derickson BrinkerholT, of Flemish extraction, who with his wife Susannah Dubbels, emigrated to this country from the United Provinces, in ll>.^S, and settled in Brooklyn, N. Y., where he died January 1(), 1()()1. Hendrick, son of Joris married Clausie Boomgaert and in 1685, bought a tract of land on the east bank of the Hackensack, now known as Ridgetield Park, and in the township of Ridgetield. Soon after removing his family to his new home Mr. Brinkerhoff died, leav- ing three sons. Two of tlie sons. Jacobus and Derrick, took the land at old Hackensack, while Cornelius removed to Bergen. The line descends through Jacobus, whose wife was Agnetie. Their son Jacob had seven children, one being Albert who was born March 21, 17(>.>, married Kezia Voorhis in 17()(>, and died Deceml)er S, 1844. Albert and Kezia Brinkerhoff bad three chihlren, Anna, the eldest, born May 12, 17'*7, becoming the wife of Da\i(l Christie. The ancestors of Mr. Christie were petiple of decided character, and deep convictions concerning the aims and duties of life. In their relig- ious life they were Calvinistic in doctrine, adhering strictly to the Reformed Dutch Church. They were also intensely patriotic, rendering valuable service to the cause of their adopted country. James Christie. grandfather of Cornelius bore a Captain's commission in the Re\dlu- tionary war and did good service, but the royalist as zealous in their cause, burned the homestead of William the father of James, while John, a brother of James, and Lucas, a Ijrother of Alliert Brinkerhoff, were imprisoned in the old Sugar House. John, a f)rother of Da\-id Christie, was minister of the Reformearl)a(loes. and is included in the census of the town of St. Michaells in 168(l.t Samuel and Naomy Moore, his wife, emigrated to Boston, Mass., from the English island of Barbadoes in the West Indies, about the year 1671-2, and removed to New York in 1674 or 5; following them in direct line are Samuel, ( the voungest son of said Samuel Moore, the ' Winfleld-s Land Titles m^^ HISTOKY OF BKKGEN COUNTY the title thereto became vested in said trustees and successors, as rep- resenting said town. STEPHEN H. V. MOOKE. Stephen H. V. Moore was born in the city of New York, June 18, 1828, where he resided until 1852, when he removed to his present home at Leonia, then known as Enylish Neig-hborhood, and enf^ag-ed in agri- culture. He was educated in the English branches at the Academy of Stephen R. Martin, and in classics, mathematics and civil engineering at the High School of Isaac F. Bragg in the city of New York. On November •>, 1852 he married Julia Frances, daughter of Alder- man William Tucker of New York city, and a descendant of the seventh generation from Henry Tucker, who emigrated about 1627 from the county of Kent, England to the Colony of Massachusetts Bay.* She was born July 15, 1833 and died March 23, 1881. Their children are Clarissa, born April 9, 1854. wife of Captain Henrv R. (loesser; Josephine: born August 12, 1855; Julia Lavinia, horn Julv 18, 1857, died June 2(>, 1858; Henrietta, born June 28, 18()(), and James Vreeland, born February 6, 1863, who married Sarah Banta Edsall, daughter of Captain John S. Edsall. They have one child, Harry Edsall, born July 6, 18'»2, Mr. Moore was trustee of Central School District No. 11, Hacken- sack township from 1858 to 1866, a period of nine years. He was one of the township committee of Hackensack township in 1861, and for Ridgelield tov>^nshii) in 1874 and 1875, and again from 1878 to 1880. He was chosen Freeholder of Ridgefield townshij) in 1881, holding the oifice continuously for nine years. Major Moore traces his paternal ancestry in America back to l(>71-2. His father Samuel J. Moore, was born in English Neighborhood, Bergen county, N. J., October 11, 17'<7, married Clarissa Vreeland, November 11, 1823, and died .\pril 24, 1832. James Moore, father of Samuel J., was born October 1'), 17(>7 and on September 17, 17'>6 married Sarah Moore, (his second cousin), who was born in May 22, 1778. Samuel James Moore, father of James, was born April 1'), 173'l, and married in 1776, Sarah Day, who was born June 5. 1744. The ])arents of Samuel James Moore were Samuel Moore, bajJtized October 4, 1712, and his wife, Hester Lozier, baptized December 16, 1711 Samuel Moore, father of this Samuel, was born in New York in 1673-4. He married. September 14, 1705. Sarah Smith, (third daughter of Lieut. Michael Smith). He was the youngest son of Samuel and Naomy Mo(ire, who emigrated from the English Island of Barhadoes in 1671-2 to IJoston, where their eldest son. Francis was born. On the maternal side, the mother, Clarissa Vreeland, was born on the west bank of the Hudson River (opposite the present Riverside •James Tucker, a descendant of the third (reneratum i.f the aforesaid Henry Tucker rem.ived frnm Connecticut wiOi his wife Leali. to the Providence of East New Jersey in ITls, and settietl at Deal, where lie owned a lari-e I'lanlation. They were members of the Society of friends, as were 574 HISTOKY OK BEKGEN COUNTY Park), November 18, 18(1(1. and died October 25, lS7t>. She was the daughter of Michael Vreeland, born October 11, 1770, and Rachel DeGroot (his second wife ) born May 25, 1775. They were married Feb- ruary 13, 1796. Michael was the son of Jacob Vreeland. born March 11. 1737, and Wyntje ( Lavinia ) Der Yee, the record of whose birth was lost during- the Revolution. They were married in 1769. Jacob was the son of Michael Cornelise Vreeland, born September 18, 1694, and Jenneke Helmighse Van Houten, who were married October 23, 1713. The par- ents of Michael Cornelise Vreeland, were Cornelis Michaelse Vreeland. born June 3, l()f)(l. and Metje Dirkse Braecke, who were married May 12, 1681. LOKENZO frISMOND. Lorenzo Gismond of the firm of Tarrant & (iismond. Jewellers, New York, has been one of the leading factors in the borough history of Leonia, having been the projector of that municipal incorporation and identified with it officially, from its organization. Mr. (jismond is a grandson of George F. and Rebecca (Earle) Schor, both families early settlers of English Neighborhood; and son of Emanuel (j., and Louisa (Schor) Gismond, whose lives were spent in this part of Bergen county. Mr. Gismond was born in Leonia. N. J., February 5, 1859. and here his school life began and ended. His early business connections were with his father, who was a coal merchant. In August 1887, both his parents died leaving him administrator of the estate, after which he went into business in New York. About this time he began to take a lively interest in the affairs of his township and county. As a member of the Republican party, his services being considered invaluable, ap- pointments to positions of trust followed, the more important being his connections with the county organization, he having served two terms as member of the Executive Committee. Being public spirited he was the first to see the importance of securing the benefits that would come to his own village under the law of 1879, and under his direction more than to any other, the incorporation of the borough of Leonia was car- ried to a successful conclusion; and largely to him as a member of the Council from the time of this organization, has been delegated the duties belonging to the more important committees. He was indentified with the military organization of his town, having enlisted as a jjrivate of Company A. of the Second Battalion in December 1877. his father Emanuel G. Gismond being first lieutenant of that Corapan}'. In 1887 he was made sergeant; second lieutenant Janu- ary 9, 1892; and first lieutenant April 12, 1892. in which capacity he was mustered in the United States service at Sea Girt, May 2. 1898 and mustered out November 17, 1898, at Paterson, N. J.* After the death of Mr. (iismond's parents, the jewelry business was inaugurated in a small way in New York. In time a partnership had been formed with Mr. (ieorge Tarrant, who is a ])ractical jeweler, and Siv Hislor.v .if C.iin])anv K. Scci.n.i K."..'iin,-iit N, i;.. N. J. /^ ^/t^M^n. M. ^^^. HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 577 under the able manasjement of these two experienced men, the business soon demanded larger quarters causing- the removal of oftices to the present commodious rooms on Maiden Lane. As Manufacturing Jewelers and Importers of Diamonds the firm of Tarrant & Gismond is well known to business houses throughout the United States. JULIUS hkkbekt clakk. Julius Herbert Clark, of Leonia, a well known educator in the state of New Jersey, is a son of Harman and Sarah J (Clausen) Clark, and was born at Beemerville, Sussex county, N. J., December 22, 1852. His paternal grandfather was Isaiah, son of James Clark, and his maternal grandfather was Elias Clausen. His elementary education was received in the public schools of his native town, supplemented by an advanced course in the Connecticut Literary Institute, at Suffield, Connecticut. Upon the completion of his course in the Institute he began teaching in the public schools of New Jersey, spending his first year in Sussex county. Following this he taught seven years in Warren county, and from there was called to Stroudsburg, Pa., where he spent two years as instructor in the Collegiate Institute. Returning to New Jersey he taught in the schools of Leonia, Bergen county, for a period of fourteen years, after which he was one year in New York city and one in Ridge- field, N. J. Mr. Clark holds life certificates, obtained upon examination in the states of New York and New Jersey. He served on the Board of Examiners for teachers' certificates in Bergen county, for a term of three years, having been appointed by superintendent John Terhune, and also served four years as assessor of borough of Leonia. In 1888 he was appointed by Collector Magone to a position in the Auditor's Department of the Custom House in New York, but resigned after a few nn^nths to resume school work in Leonia, at an increased salary. Mr. Clark's military record began with his enlistment in Company A, Second Battalion, N. G. N. J., December 30, 1884. He was made corporal June 17, 1889; sergeant December 3, following; first sergeant February 24, 1892, and was discharged at the expiration of his term of service, October 9, 1893. At present he is a member of the Overpeck Boat Club, of the Schoolmasters' Club of New York city, and is Past Regent of Royal Arcanum, Leonia Council No. 956. Mr. Clark married Miss Louise B. Phillips, December 28, 1875, and has three children, Charles H., Fred H., and Mabel Louise. HKN'KV G PAKKKK. Henrv G., the only surviving child of Benjamin and Martina ( Bartholf ) Parker, was born in New York city, July 17, 1841, receiving his education in his native place. His father was a tinsmith and suc- cessful in business, but failing health compelled him to retire to his little farm of thirty-five acres, to which he added, by subsequent purchases enough to increase his land to sixty acres. Henry (i., and 578 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY his brdtlier John B., carried on the farm. John married Anna Brinker- hoff. and of this marriag-e, their two children John R., and Jennie A., are both married. J and who has been running a butcher's store in the \ illage since ISSS. He is Chief of the Fire Department. HKNKV W. MABIK. Henrv W. Mabie. undertaker, has carried on a successful business in his line for over fifteen years in Fort Lee and in New York. IIi> New HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY 57') York repositories are at 1 '»'•.> Lcxing;ton Avenue. He was Justice nf the Peace from 1SS9 to i8'H; Police Justice for about five ^-ears; C<.)roner of the district for live vcars, and for a period of nearly thirty years was connected with the New York State militia, enlisting' on the 31st nf August, 1861, and retiring with the commission of iirst lieutenant. UNDEKCLIFF. The borough of Undercliff is one of the richest municipalities of its kind in Bergen county. It has a population of about 1500, has two churches, and a number of very important manufacturing establish- ments among them being the large chemical works of Goetchius & Morgan; the oil wi.irks of John Ellis & Co.; the mciulding works of Hinners & Son, also the tar works, color works, and iron fnundery. These various establishments give to hundreds of people of this locality employment the year through. The territory of this borough extends from the village of Shad^" Side to Fort Lee, taking in a portion of the latter village and including Shady Side, Edge Water, and Pleasant Valley. The borough was formed in March 1S'»5, Eido H. Hinners being its first Mayor. He was succeeded by Jeremiah Casey the present Mayor. George H. Nash was the first Clerk, and E. M. Speer is the present Clerk. A Catholic Church under the pastorate of Father Purcell, gives a place for worship in one of the most picturesque spots on the Palisades, although the congregation is not a large one. The E])iscopal Church is the other society. The village of Coytesville was founded bv Jose])h Covte wlin buught a large tract of woodland soon after the war of the Kebellion and laid it out in lots. CHURCH OF THF M ICDI ATOK'. Episcopal services were first held in "Church of the Mediator" in 1862. This edifice was erected in 185't, and used as a union church until 1862, when it was purchased b}* the Episcopal congregation and consecrated by Bishop Odenheimer August 7, 1864. Eugene A. Hoffman, Dean of the Theological Seminar}-, New York, became the first rector, but was in charge only a short time. The first wardens were D. T. Baldwin and Lucas S. Comstock. The first vestrymen were John Mc- Michael, Frederick Ogden, C. C. Rockwell, John Winterburn and Frank Van Woert. The Rev. James A. Cameron was here for twenty-one years, and during his stay the rectory was built, at a cost of S4000. He was in- stalled May, i866. The Rev. J. A. McCleary, the present rector, took charge of the flock May, 1894. The officers of the church at the present time are as follows: Jf)hn Winterburn, Sr., F. W. Winterburn, Jr.. Wardens; John Ackerman, Clerk; Col(mel George Laird, Major S. Wood McCave. K. H. 580 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY Mitt, Edward Fischer, J. Procter, George H. Neild, Georg-e A. Carlton, Walter Ellis, Vestrymen. The parish has organized missions in Ridgefield, Leonia, Cliff Side and Palisade Park. At present it is also carrying on work at Fort Lee. BOGOTA. This borough is on the Hackensack between that river and Queen Anne's road, and has a voting population of about eight}-. It was organized into a separate municipality in 1893, Frederick W. Cane having been its Mayor till the present time. The village is beautifully located but its close proximity to Hackensack of necessity makes it one of residences alone. There are no churches in the place. The Bogota Paper Company, founded by Rogers & Co., about five years ago and now owned by the companv who came into possession of the mill two years ago, manufacture ab<.)ut three tons of card board paper daily, and give employment constantly to twenty hands more or less. The Riverside Planing Mill, operated by Horton & Clayton, successors to Negus & Clayton, is the only other manufacturing enterprise in the borough, it also being of recent origin. The borough of Bogota is named in honor of the Bogart family, who first occupied these lands. The ancestors of this family came to America from Holland locating first some time prior to 1661 in Long Island, but subsequently removing to Bergen county, where Peter Bon- gart bought the farm still ovmed by his decendants. Ruloff Bongart, son of Peter and grandfather of Judge Peter Bongart, was the last to spell the name as written above. FREDERICK W. CANE. Hon. Frederick W. Cane, Mayor of the borough of Bogota and a member of the firm of William H. & F. W. Cane, contractors and build- ers, of Jersey City, is well known in business circles throughout the country in general. As a contractor he comes of a long line of ancestors whose operations have been on an extensive scale, his father and grand- father in particular, having been connected with large undertakings in different cities throughout the country. William H., the father of the subject of this sketch, now in his seventy-ninth year, is still in business, having the energy and capability of men but half his age. His wife, Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth ( Rennie ) Cane, lies in a vault in a Jersey City cemetery. Mr. Frederick W. Cane was born in Montreal in 1844, and in 1848 the father moved to Brooklyn, N. Y., and soon afterwards to Jersey City, in which latter place offices were opened at 240-242 Twelfth Street, and also in the Second National Bank Building, both of which places still remain the headquarters of the company. Mr. Cane was fitted for the arduous duties of his important business career in the pub- lic schools of Jersey City, subsequently graduating from Nugent's Com- mercial College, corner of Montague and Court Streets, Brooklyn, taking his diploma from that institution in 1S()4. He then become identified I'KKDIiKIL'K W. C Wl-; HISTOKY OF BERGEN COUNTY 58.^ with the above named tirm, since which time the company of W. H. & F. W. Cane have undertaken many mammoth enterprises, carrying; them throug-h to successful completion. They plan for work only ona larg-escale, and build warehouses, docks, hotels, railroads and electric light plants, carrving on business in various sections of the country at one and the same time. Being- a practical builder, and having- knowledge of archi- tectural structure, Mr. Cane's services :is an adjuster of fire losses have been eagerly sought by the assured. In this capacity he has adjusted some of the largest losses known to the insurance companies in the city of New York. Although owning numerous houses in Hoboken and Jer- sev Citv, Mr. Cane, lured by the pleasures and privileges incident to country life, sought a home in the village of Bogt)ta. In 1893, from the time of his coming here, he has been an active participant in all move- ments looking to the public welfare, and to promote healthy and invig- orating exercises for the young men of Bogota, Mr. Cane built a boat house and formed a boating association as a means to that end, giving to them both pleasure and profit. He was quick to see the advantages of borough government, and through his efforts, principally, that organ- ization was effected in 1894, when he was elected the first mayor, con- tinuing in office until the present time. It is due to the people of Bogota to sav, also, that its government is one of the most economical and one of the best of its kind in the county. Mr. Cane has been identified with different companies as director, \ice president and president, is a member of high degree in the Masonic order, and belongs to various other organizations. Mr. Cane was mar- ried to Miss Kate A. Ed-^\-ards of Brooklyn in 1807, the daughter of Captain Edward Edwards of that city, and three children were born to this union, two daughters, Caroline Augusta married and living in Boston, and Gertrude Louise also married, and living in Jersey City, and one son William H., Jr.. who is with his father at Bogota and is al)out to become a member of the linn. MAX K. KK IN KM AN", D. I). S. Max R. Brinkman, D. 1). S.. an accomi)lished dentist of Hacken- sack, was born in Hartford, Conn., in ISdd. P^ducated in the public schools of New Haven. Conn., an\- lege of Dentistry, from which institution he was graduated March "I, 18S.^, with the degree of D. D. S. Dr. Brinkman then began the i)ractice of his jtrofession in the citv of Ne-w Haven. Conn., making a s])eciality of crowning and bridging. He continued here inuil IS'Ml. when he came to New York and hecanu- a 5S4 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY member of the firm of F. A. Ring-ler Co., manufacturers of Printing Plates, remaining- with them until January. 1899. at which date he opened an office for the practice of dentistry in Hackensack. Dr. Brinkman was married in 1889 to Miss Anselma Stolz, of New York cit3-, and resides at Bogota, where he erected a beautiful residence in 1896. CHAPTER XXIX. THE Te)WNSHIP OF ENGLEWOOD. GENEKAL DESCRIPTION — CIVIL LIST — CITY OF ENGLEWOOD — THE NEW VIL- LAGE AND ITS PROMOTERS — HOTELS — NEWSPAPERS — CHURCHES — SCHOOLS — ORGANIZATIONS — BIOCiRAPHICAL SKETCHES. The township of Enjrlewood was set off from the old township of Hackensack by an Act of the Legislature passed in 1871. By virtue of this act the boundaries of the territory are described as follows: "Be- ginning- at the Hackensack River, where the road leading from New Bridge to Schraalenburgh intersects it. and running thence easterly along the middle of said road to the Schraalenburgh road ; thence southerly along the middle of the Schraalenburgh road to the inter- section thereof with the middle of Liberty road; and thence southerlv along the middle of Liberty road to the intersection thereof with the middle of the road leading to Cornelius Brinkerhoff's house ; thence along the middle of the same to the Tenafly road; thence northerly along the middle of the Tenafly road to the south line of lands formerly of Jacob I. Demott; and thence southeasterly along the same to the east line of the township of Hackensack." The first census after the organization of the township in 1875, showed a population of 3932. It has since become so densely inhabited that a village-like appearance is given to every part of it. In some respects portions of it might be called one long continued hamlet, especi- ally is this true of the picturesque Phelps villa, and other residences on the Teaneck road which form almost one continuous village for miles. The township is amply provided with railroads and trolley lines for the accommodation of travel. The New Jersey Nothern and West Shore railroads run parallel through the township, about one mile apart, affording rapid and frequent connection with New York. The Bergen County Traction Company has a trolley line of cars running to Englewood city, which is well patronized, and a branch of this road runs to Hackensack connecting with the main line at Leonia. The village oi Highwood is an extension of the northern part of Englewood, and occupies high level ground. It contains a railroad station, a church, a store, and many beautiful residences. The streets are well graded and the grounds artistically laid out. Teaneck Ridge named from Teaneck road, now Teaneck township, was set off from Englewood in 1895. Englewood Cliffs Borough was also taken from Englewood township. The act of the Legislature for the erection of the township of Englewood provided that the first meeting for the election of township officers should be held at Stagg's Hall. The first chosen freeholder of the township was Joseph W. Stagg, who held office for the years 1871-73, 586 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY and was succeeded by James Vanderbeck for 1874-76, who was followed by William Bennett for 1877-79 ; Henry West, 1880-82 ; Silas Wright, 1883; Georg-e R. Button, 1SS4-8'); W. W. Green, l,s')()-'H; A. D. Bog-ert. 1895-%. The justices of peace have been Ira W. Hover, 1871-7.1 ; Hardy M. Banks, 1871-73 ; Joseph B. Miller, 1872-74, 1877-79 ; Philip P. Class, 1876; George R. Button, 1878-80; Joseph B. Miller, William Ellison, 1882; William Ellison, 1883; Gilbert W. Chamberlain, 1884 ; Alexander Cass, Peter Van Wag-oner, 1885; Alexander Cass, 1886-90; John H. Ackerman, Bavid C. Van Horn, 1891 ; Henry J. BeMott, Patrick H. Morris, Charles R. Bailey, Bavid C. Van Horn, 1892; Joseph W. Stag-g-, Cornelius Sweeney, 1893; Fred L. Voorhees, Samuel M. Riker, William C. Bavis, 1894; Alexander Cass, Bonald Mackay, Bavid C. Van Horn. 1895 ; Bavid Ireland, John L. Hendricks, 1896. The assessors : Baniel G. Bogert, 1871-76 ; Alexander Cass, 1877 ; John B. Cole, 1878-80; Baniel G. Bogert, 1883-85; John Henry Acker- man, 1886-87: Gilbert W. Chamberlain, 1888-91; Moses E. Springer, 1892-94; Hezikiah Birtwhistle. 1895-96. The collectors: Cornelius A. Herring, 1871-73; Charles Barr, Jr., 1874-76; Adriance Van Brunt, 1877; Jacob A. Bogert, 1878-79; Thomas Russell, 1880-82-84; George Bavis, 1885-86; Henry Cooper, 1887; Thomas Russell, 1888; Henry Cooper, 1889-93; James H.Coe, 1894-96. Town clerks: Francis W. Van Brunt, 1871-73; Albert A. Coyte, 1874-76; Richard Bemarest, 1877; Robert Wagner, 1878-79; Gilbert W. Chamberlain, 1880-82; Charles F. Valentine, 1883-84; Frank F. Bema- rest, 1885; Albert A. Coyte, 1886-87; Edward J. Sheridan, 1888; Thomas O'Brien, 1889-92; Robert Jamieson, 1893-95; Fred G. Coyte, 1896. Township committee: 1882, Cornelius Lydecker, Henry R. Bailey, Mr. Terry; 1883, Henry R. Bailey, Patrick H. Morris, W. C. Bavis; 1884, Henry R. Bailey, Patrick H. Morris, Isaac J. Zabriskie; 1885, James Harris, Henry R. Bailey, Patrick H. Morris; 1886, James Harris, Henry R. Bailey, Patrick H. Morris; 1887, Jacob S. Wetmore, James Harris, Henr}- R. Bailey; 1888, Henry R. Bailey. James Harris, Jacob S. Wetmore, Henry J. Brinckerhoff. (To fill out an unexpired term.) 1889, James Harris, Abram Tallman, Jacob S. Wetmore. 'To till out an unexpired term. ) 1890-91, James Harris, Abram Tallman. Henry J. Brinckerhoff; 1892, James R. Harris, Henry J. Brinckerhoff, Abram Tallman; 1893, Oliver Brake Smith, Henry Brake Smith, James R. Harris; 1894, Joseph Thompson, James Harris, Oliver Brake Smith; 1895, Joseph Thompson, Oliver Brake Smith, James Harris; 189(), James Harris, Baniel A. Currie. Joseph Thompson. CITY OF ENGLEWOOD. Until the spring of 1859 Englewood was part of the old English Neighborhood and was known as Liberty Pole. Prior to that date this part of the old township bore its share in the war of the Revolution after which for eighty years it was the residence only of a few thrifty HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 587 families. In 1858 it was but a mere succession of long narrow farms reaching from the valley back into the forest and up the Palisades to the Hudson River. The lands comprising the present site of the city, were secured by J. Wyman Jones, Esq., and under his management months were spent by Hopkins and his assistants iu surveying, laying out streets and lots, mapping the surveys of the old town lines, deter- mining exact center lines and the corners of different plots in detail, for the new village. This work was begun in the autumn of 1858, con- tiiuicd through the winter and spring following, the map being filed in the clerk's nftice of the county of Bergen, August 15, 1859. The con- tract for much of this jiropertv was drawn September 24, 1858. The map of the pro]3erty covered six farms, and a lot on the Palisades then belonging to John Van Neste of the city of New York, the whole con- taining altogether six hundred and twenty-five acres of land. Two ot these farms were on the south of Palisade Avenue, and the other four on the north of that road. The hI). In the fall of 18()1 Mr. Eben Winton and C. C. Burr, started the "Bergen County Democrat." Mr. Winton becoming sole owner in 1862. March 1874 the "Englewood Times" was started by Eben Winton and successfully maintained as an independent first-class local newspaper. In 1879 No. 1, Vol. 1, of the "Englewood Standard," was issued by Tillotson & Litch- enberg, proprietors. This paper growing in popularity and financial prosperity under the able management of Mr. Tillotson, is now published under the name of the Englewood Times Publishing Company. Charles Huckin, manager. They bought the plant in 1895. Mr. Huckin was born in Englewood, April 17, 1871. His experi- ence in Journalism began with the "Oil, Paint and Drug Reporter," a New York publication which was continued three years. He was a member and secretary of the Board of Education 1897-98, is a member of the Natiimal Guard, also of the I. O. (). F., belonging to Hackensack Hope Encampment. "The Englewood Press" was started l)y Mr. Joseph H. Tillots(m 1890. It has steadily jfone forward confining attention to the HISTOKY OK KKKCIEN COUNTY S'>o news of the day. kee])inir pace with the demands (if the times, and the needs of an ever i^rowintf citv. In order to meet the exii^eneies ol a hiri^-e i)atronag-e Mr. Tillotsoh erected and equipped a huildinii- in all respects suitable for his business and is in jiossession of one of the Ijest plants of the kind in the county. Mr. Tillotson is (uie iif the public s])irited citizens of Englewood, and his name frequently occurs in the affairs of the city. His ])a]ier is one id' the land marks of Bcrt;-eu countv. TUSCAX T.ODCK, I". AN'I) .\. M. NO. 11.='. Tuscan Lodg-e F. and A. M. No. 115, was chartered January l'». 1S71. First officers were: Peter Rogers, W. M., John E. Wertz, S. W.; W. C. Dayies, P. M.; Moses R. Springer, treasurer; Alexander Cass, secretary; Jno. H. Hyde, S. D.; Saml. Salters, J. D. ; Jacob Campbell and Jos. Conklin, Master of Ceremonies; Jno. W. Dale, Tyler. Theoiiticers for 1899, are: Edw. Koster, P. M.. W. M.; Jas. W. Proctor, S. W.; M. Frank Vanderbeek, J. W.; John Tipper, treasurer; Robert J amieson, secretarj-; Jacob R. Demarest, P. M., S. L).; John A. Campbell, J. D.; George E. Bearss, S. M. C; Byron (i. \'an Ilorne, J. M. C; Moses E. Springer, P. M., Chaplain; Francis W. Phelps, P. M., Marshall; Philip M. Weidig, Organist; Peter Martin, Tyler. The Past Masters are: William C. Dayies, Moses E. Springer, William Bennett, Daniel A. Currie, Robert Steyenson. John M. Booth, Jacob R. Demarest, James Harris, Francis \V. Phelps, Edward Koster. There are about sixty-fiye members. ENflI.EWOOD I.ODdK N'O. 1 ''7. I. O. (). K. This Lodge was instituted October 25. iSS.i. It now has a member- ship of ninety-three. Its first oflicers were : S. I. Demarest, N. G., Albert H. Clark, V. O.; Ahin S. Conklin. R. S.; John H. Ackerman; F. S.; Henry West, treasurer. The officers for iS'C) are : Charles Brucker, N. C; James M. Gulnac, \'. G.; J. E. Demarest, R. S. ; S. I. Demarest. F. S.; John M. Foley, treasurer. p,\i.is.\nE coi'NCiL, ^■(:)^■.\I. akcanitm, no. 1135. Tliis beneficiary order was incorporated under Massachusetts laws in Novemljer 1877. The society is secret in part, but founded with un- selfish motives, and upon strict business principles and has all the facili- ties for successfully promoting its objects. The Society was organized March 27, i88'>. Its regents to the present time are: 1889, C. O. Dewey; '90, R. P. Wortendyke, '91, C. L. Vanderbeek; '92, George Lounsbury; '9.^, M. Mattison; '94, T. H. Haring; '95, John Demarest; '96, E. S. Richards; '97, Jacob R. Demarest; '9S, F. Meyerhoff; '99, G. W. Springer. dwi(_;ht post, no. 1().\ i;. a. iv'. This Post was organized March 25, 1S87. It was named for the Rey. James H. Dwight who served in the Union Army both as a sohlier and as chaplain. 594 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY THE women's exchange. The Women's Exchange was organized in 1887. Mrs. Samuel Dun- can, was first President. COMP.\NY "F." This company was mustered into the United States service at Sea Girt on May 14, 1S')8, having been ordered to that place on April 27. On May 25, the}- were ordered to Jacksonville, Florida, where they remained until about September 1st, when the company was removed to Pablo Beach, Florida, and from which point they were ordered North and mustered out of service November 17, 1898. Every company in the Regiment had some deaths save Company F, which escaped without the loss of a single man. In the department of rifle practice Company F ranks seventh in the State, while, according to the last adjutant-general's report, it was the only company in the regiment which received a superior mark for efficiency at the annual inspection. Public drills are held in the Armory every Monday night. In addition to the active members of the company it numbers among its honorary members all of our city's best and most public-spirited citizens. Captain Frank S. DeRonde the present commander of the company joined the National Guard in June, 1888, as a private; was made a corporal in 1890; sergeant in 1892; second lieutenant in 1895; captain in 1S97. The company is comjjosed of the representative young men of Englewood. THE ENGLEWOOD MUTU.VL LOAN & BUn,D!N(; AS.SOCI ATION. The Englewood Mutual Loan & Building Association was organized May 7th, 1887, and incorporated under the laws of the state of New Jersey May 16th. Its first officers were: Samuel M. Riker, president; R. S. Maugham, vice-president; Henry Jones, treasurer; William J. M. Byrn, secretary. Samuel M. Riker remained president of the Association until his death which occurred November 6th, 1898. Mr. (iarrv Vanderbeck was elected vice-president June 18th, 1889, and still holds that position, having also acted as president since Mr. Riker's death. M. E. Springer was elected secretary September 5th, 1890, and has continued to serve in that capacity to the present time. George H. Payson was elected treasurer, at the annual meeting June 18th. 1889, and still holds that position. The present officers are: — Garry Vanderbeck, vice-president and acting president ; M. E. Springer, secretary ; George H. Payson. treasurer ; Robert B. Taylor, William C. Davies, R. A. Gorham, Alfred P. Thud, Albert Grasing, John S. Westervelt, Jacob R. Demarest, F. W. Phelps, Andrew D. Bogert, Garret Fenton, John Tipper, Carl Hall- lierg, directors. THE ENGLEWOOD I.IBKAKV. The Englewood Library was organised in June 1S')0. It wasstarte7. The total receipts were $7()88.()'t. President, Mrs. Clinton H. Blake; Vice-President, Mrs. J. O. Cle- phane; Secretary, Lewis Dawes; Treasurer, George P. Payson; Attend- ing Phvsicians and Surgeons, D. A. Currie, M. D.; J. A. Wells, M. D.; J. W. B. Lansing. M. D.; J. W. Proctor. M. D.; Consulting Physician, E. L. Partridge, M. D.; Consulting Surgeon, L. A. Stimson, M. D.; C(msulting Oculist. J. M. Emerson, ^L D.; Resident Physician, Dr. Helen A. Lord. HISTOKY OK BKKGHN COUNTY 507 HACKKXSACK WATIiK COMPANY. Water was introduced into Eni^-lewood in tS.Si). In April 1S,S7, the Hackensack Water Company began to lay mains through the streets of Eng-lewood for the new water supply, at which time also it was agreed by the Town Committee that forty lire hydrants should be built in June of that year, the pipes having been laid, the New Milford Water became a hxed fact. The citizens next formed the Knglewood Sewerage Association, and on July yth of that year it was found that one hundred subscriptions had been given to the stock of the company, amounting to twenty-three thousand dollars. The tirst directors (d' this association elected were: Jacob S. Wetmore, president; Herbert I>. Turner, tirst vice-president; Oliver Drake Smith, secretary and treasurer. The separate flushing system was put into use, allowing only the house waste from kitchens, closets, etc., to be drained oil. Six miles of small pipes were laid, fifteen flush tanks and ninety manholes and venti- lators were then built for tlie inspection of the interior of the main pipes. In the Company's building is a taj) made in twenty-four inch main December 1, 18"»2. Charles B. IJrush, chief engineer, was largely instrumental in securing water for the city. There are now twelve hundred consumers. The officers are: Robert W. De Forest, president; E. A. Stevens, treasurer; William Shii)])en, secretary; D. W. French, superintendent. Charles H. llrush, the former engineer and superinten- dent, died June .^. 1S')7. THK KN(;i,i':w()ui) Mivi': association. Monday evening, Octolier Idth. 1.SS7, citizens of Englewood lielil their first meeting, with Oliver Drake Smith as chairman, to take meas- ures against loss by lire. On November 11th they met again to form and incorporate a Hose Company. Among tliose prominent in tlie movement were Donald Mackay, W. D. Terry, John E. Miller, Jacol) Taylor, John H. Ackerman, Oliver Drake Smith, Joseph H. Tillotson, H. M. Banks, Charles C. Townsend, (ieorge R. Dutton. On November 24th Donald Mackay was elected president of tlie Association; Oliver Drake Smith, secretary; the Ooverning Board consisting of Donald Mackay, Oliver Drake Smith, W. O. Terry, Dr. D. A. Currie, C. F. Park, George R. Dutton, J. B. ]5urdett, Fred Hoist, J. F. Fitschen. Jacob Taylor was elected Foreman and Charles C. Townsend Assistant Foreman. The Associaticm purchased two jumpers with one thousand feet (d' hose, ti\e truck ladders, buckets and other equipments. They also decided to build a truck house with a tower C(mtaining an alarm l)ell. BKKOEN CO^■NT^■ OAS COMPANY. Bergen County Gas Company introduced gas into the town in 1S(>'(, charging first S3. 50 per thousand feet. The tirst oflieers of this com- ])anv were, Treasurer, W^illiani King; Superintendent, Sanniel !•'. Gold. 598 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT. The protection of the citizens of Enfjlewood, bej^an first in an Association formed April 25, 1869, known as the Eng-lewood Protection Society, James \V. McCulloh, president. The Society has been one of the most effective ones in existence. The officers for 1899 are: Presi- dent and Special Police Justice, Donald Mackay; Vice-president, C. H. Blake; Secretary and Treasurer, Charles F. Park; City Marshal, Charles C. Townsend. Armed as it is with police authority by the state, and sustained by the pet)ple, this association has proven a protection indeed ag-ainst all sorts of evil doers, arrests by the thousands having' been made since its existence. The protection of the citivezs of Eng-lewood is intrusted to six patrolmen under James A. Turhune, Chief of Police, and John T, Markam, Sergfeant. The Police Board is under the control of the City Council, E. A. Brlnckerhoff, president; Ernest T. Fellows, recorder, Cornelius Lydecker, clerk. BKOOKSinE CEMETERY. In 1876, this site then a wild barron spot, filled with chestnut, dogwood and wild cedars, was purchased for a place of burial. The gfrounds have recently been enlargfed, and under the charge of its superinten- dent, Moses E. Springer, has been made one of the beautiful i)laces of its kind in the county. ENGLEWOOD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. This church is located on Palisades Avenue and is one of the most beautiful and most costly church structures in the county. The chapel of this denomination once stood on the site of the pres- ent church. It was completed in 1860 and twice enlarged, but after ten years "was found too small as a place of worship, and was removed stone by stone and re-erected within the cemetery grounds. Funeral services are now held there at the departure of the dead to their graves. Then, too, it will stand a memorial edifice of the first church ever built in Englewood. The new edifice is constructed of red and white sandstone. J. Wvman Jones and I. Smith Homans, Jr., gave the land on which the church stands. Mr. Jones prepared and circulated the subscription papers for the needed funds to build the church. A building committee consisting of Messrs. Jones, W. R. Vermilye, George S. Coe, James Van- derbeck and Jeffrey A. Humphry with Mr. Jones as chairman, was appointed June 29, 1S68, The first meeting of this committee to organize, was held July 4, 1869, and a report of the building completed was made October 24, 1870, its entire cost, exclusive of bell, but inclu- sive of furniture, being forty-nine thousand, seven hundred, forty-five dollars and sixty-six cents. David Hoadley presented the organ at a cost of three thousand six hundred dollars. The bell cost fifteen hun- dred dollars and was the gift of Colonel W. R. \'ermilye. After the coin])letion of the church the chajiel was rcmo\-ed to the cemetery by HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 599 Mrs. Emily (). Brinkcrhoff, the only daui;-hter of Colonel Washington R. X'ermilve, in memory of her father. The eighteen persons forming this ehureh have been members from various denominational churches, as follows: seven from the Madison Square Presbyterian Church, New York city; three from the Church of the Pilg-rims, Brooklyn, Congregational ; two from the Westminister Presbyterian Church, Utica, N. Y., two from the Reformed Dutch Church. Utica ; three from the Reformed Church of English Neighborhood; and one from Reformed Dutch Church, Hoboken. James Harrison Dwight, the first pastor was a son of the missionary to Turkey, Rev. H. G. O. Dwight, D. D., and was born on the island of Malta, October 9, 18.^0. He left Turkey at seventeen, was graduated at Yale College in 1852, and thence attended medical lectures in the College of Physicians and Surgeons and the Union Theological Semi- nary in the New York city. Afterwards he preached in Cherry Valley, in New York, and in 1859 in Englewood. Mr. Dwight was possessed of great natural abilities, which were quickened and greatly aided by a most accomplished education in two professions. He was carried away by consumption, dying on the 2d of December, 1872, and sleeps in the be.iutiful little cemetery at Engle- wood, lamented by his own church and people of the town, who will long revere his memory. The first pastor of this church took up liis residence in the place early in 1859, and held public services on each Lord's day, with the purpose of gathering the nucleus of a congregation. In this he was cordiall}- sustained by the original inhabitants of the valle}', who gladly opened their houses for divine worshij) until, towards the close of the year, a more suitable room was i)ro\iiled in the newly-erected school- house of Mr. James W. Deuel. In the meantime, as the c(mgregation enlarged and interest increased, a sum of money was raised by subscription sufficient to build a chapel, the foundations of which were laid in the fall of the year. In March of 18()0 this chapel was completed, and the first service held on the 25th of that month, when a dedicatory sermon was preached fr(mi the text, "My name shall be there." Thus it became the first church of Englewood, and first Presby- terian Church of Bergen county. The following individuals were elected as lirst officers of the church: Elders, Charles A. Nichols, James X'anderbeck. Sheitjiard Homans; Deacons, John Dc Mott, J. Wyman Jones. At the first worshiping in the chapel the congregation numbered from seventy to one hundred. On the tirst day of May, 1S()7, the lirst pastor resigned liischarge_ taking leave with sorrow of a warm-hearted and affectionate i>eo])le. and of an enterprise with which his affections and labors had been identilied from the betiinning. 600 HISTOKY OF BEKGKN COUNTY After an interval of only a few weeks the church and congrega- tion voted unanimously to extend a call to Rev. Henry M. Booth, of New York. This was prosecuted in due form through the Fourth Pres- bytery, and accepted. Whereupon, on the I'Hh of September, 1867, Mr. Booth was duly ordained and installed as second pastor of the Engle- wood Presbyterian Church. Under the pastorate of I\Ir. Booth, the church prospered and en- larged both in numbers and in the administration of Christian labors and charities. His excellent services as a pastor and" most capable preacher closed in 1891, when he was succeeded by the Rev. James Eells, who in turn was followed March 1st. 1S')8, by the present pastor, the Rev. Samuel M. Hamilton. The present officers of the church are: -Elders Henrv W. Banks, Elbert A. Brinkerhoff, Henry Jones, Charles F. Park. J. Hugh Peters, L. V. Davis(m, Frederick B. Schenck. (iarrv \'anderbeck, Edwin M. Bulkley. Deacons: — (icorge H. Payson, John W. Pitkin, Stuart IvVinan. John F. Fitschen, C. D. Kerr, Theodore L. Peters. The West Side Presbyterian Church is a branch of the First Pres- byterian Church of Englewood, and was formed in 1S97. the Rev. Paul A. Junkin pastor. The Scientists have also recently organized a society in the city which is growing rapidly. The Highwood Chapel service Committee organized for 1899 with the following officers : J. C. Thomson, chairman; George Baker, secre- tary; N. V. Ketchum, treasurer. ENGLEWOOD METHODIST EPI.SCOP.\I. CHl'KCH. This organizaticm took its rise in the Summer of 1859, but it was not until 1862 that a church building was erected for worship, with the Rev. Daniel Wise, D. D., as pastor. It was largely through Dr. Wise's enterprise and generosity that the tasteful edifice was constructed. The dedicatory services were conducted by the late Bishop Edmund S. Janes in December, 1863. Succeeding Dr. Wise, came the Rev. E. Hewitt, whose brief pastorate was followed by that of the Rev. Henry M. Simpson, A. M., a graduate of Wesleyan University. In 18()() the Rev. James B. Faulks became pastor; in 1869, Rev. Edson W. Burr, A. M. now a trustee of Wesleyan University. During Mr. Burr's term an addition was made to the church edifice at a cost of S5000, and the new thoroughly furnished. The Rev. John Coyle, M. D., was his successor, remaining in charge one year, when the Rev. Sylvester Bebout was ap- pointed in 1873. He occupied the pulpit until 1876, and was succeeded bv the Rev. James W. Marshall, D. D., now of Camden, N. J. The Rev. C. E. Walton followed in 1879, and his successor in 188(» was the Rev. J. (t. Johnston who remained three years. From 1883 to 1886, the Rev. Joseph W. Dally ministered to the congregation, when he was succeed by the Rev. N. Wallin"- Clark in the latter year. Mrs. Clark is HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY ()01 a well known autliDress, now rcsidini^ in Italy, where Prof. Clark occn- pies a chair in the Methodist Theological School at Rome. Rev. E. H. Conklin was the next pastor, appointed in 15. 'J^he first war- dens were John H. Lyell, Charles T. Chester, William King, Richard K. Coole, E. W. Andrews and Herbert Turner. The first rector was Rev. O. W. Whittaker, now Bishop of Pennsylvania. He was followed by Revs. Mr. Benjamin, John H. Elliott, W. S. Langford, — afterward general secretary of the Church at large — he died in 18()7,- John 602 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY William Pavre, James H. Van Buren, and the Rev. Charles F. Flicht- ner, the present pastor, who took charge January 1, 1888. The present Wardens of the church are W. E. Tillinghast, H. L. Congdon. The church has a membership of four hundred and sixty communicants. An elegant house of worship is about to be erected. ST. Cecelia's church. Catholic services in Englewood were held in 1863-64 by Father Coardly, followed by Rev. D. Corrigan of St. Mary's Church, Hoboken. Then Father Brann took the pastorate and under his able direction the church building was erected in 18b6 and under Father Smits was enlarged in 1868. He was followed by A. J. Smits, T. J. McDonald. C. J. Feehan, A. E. Van Rich, A. M. Murphy. The Rev. A. J. Smits was here at different times covering a period of twenty years. The Rev. D. T. O'Malloy, O. C. C, came here the last time in 1897. He was gradua- ted in Dublin in 1873, came to America in 1874 when he was appointed to work in Kentucky. From there he went to Niagara Falls, N. Y., coming to Englewood first in 1885, leaving in 1889. Under his efficient services the church has reached a membership of about two thousand, and is well equipped in various ways through organized effort to meet the needs of young men, the education of children and the spiritual requirements of all. Father O'Malloy is ably assisted by Fathers Fink, McDonald and Angelus. He holds three masses on Sunday and two services are held at Tenafly by the Rev. I. J. McDonald. A school of two hundred children, under the direction of the Sisters of Charity, from Madison. N. J., is ably maintained, and there is also a school of one hundred children at Tenafly. A Catholic Club with a membership of two hundred under the presidency of William Tierney, Jr., the Rev. I. J. McDonald, treasurer, and a board of governors, holds regular meetings in the Lecture Hall and gives entertainments of various kinds for the young and old. The club has a well appointed gymnasium and among other equipments has one of the best bowling alleys to be found any- where. ENGLEWOOD LODGE, NO. 103. Englewood Lodge, No. 103, Independent Order of Good Templars was instituted April 12th, 1870, with sixteen charter members: It is also an efficient organization having influenced during its time hun- dreds, if not thousands of persons for good. CITY OF ENGLEWOOD. City of Englewood March 10, 1896, the village of Englewood became a city by a vote of its citizens who favored the change, five hundred and sixteen votes being cast for the incorporation and three hundred and twenty-eight votes against it. This election was held under the act entitled, "An Act authorizing any town, township or borough or part thereof containing a population exceeding five thousand inhabitants to HISTORY OK BEKCJEN COUNTY 603 be incorporated as a 'city,' after a vote by the people, and providing' the g'overnment and powers of such cities." A special meeting of the township committee was called March 12, 1896, for the purpose of dividing the city into wards. Mr. Thomson offered the following resolution: The Township Committee of the township of Englewood, pur- suant to the lifth section of the Act entitled "An Act authorizing any town, township or borough, or part thereof, to be incorporated as a city, after a vote of the people, and providing for the government and powers of such cities, approved March 22d, 1895," hereb}- divide the city of Englewood into four wards as follows. (Giving boundaries). Mr. Oliver Drake Smith was appointed Mayor; Mr. J. Hugh Peters Councilman from the first ward; Mr. James Harris Councilman from the second ward; Mr. Joseph Thomson Councilman from the third ward; Mr. Henry Birtwhistle Councilman from the fourth ward; City Clerk, Robert Jamieson. The following is a list of the officers of the city of Englewood to the present time. Elected April 14th, 1896, Mayor, Daniel A. Currie City Clerk, Robert Jamieson; Receiver of Taxes, Thomas O'Brien; Assessor, Hezekiah Birtwhistle; Chosen Freeholder, James C. Ander- son; Board of Excise, George S. Coe, Jr., George R. Van Brunt, James M. Gulnac; Members of City Council, Leonard E. Curtis, Edward P. Coe, Abram Tallman, William Scully; Board of Education, Huyler Bogert, Robert B. Taylor, Francis M. Demarest, Eugene M. Boeheim; Commissioners of Appeals, Jacob S. Wetmore, Rufus A. Gorham, Walter Westervelt, Ralph J. Demarest. Elected April 13th, 1897, Councilman first ward, unexpired term, Clinton H. Blake; Board of Education, Miss Adaline W. Sterling, Robert B. Taylor, Joseph M. Cooper, Charles Huckin; Board of Excise, George H. Payson, Edward J. Irwin, Henry Booth, James M. Gulnac. Elected April 12th, 1898, Mayor, Daniel A. Currie; City Clerk. Robert Jamieson; Receiver of Taxes, Thomas O'Brien; Assessor, James C. Thomson; Chosen Freeholder, Andrew D. Bogert; Members of City Council, Oliver Drake Smith. Abram DeRonde, James F. Cooke, Heze- kiah Birtwhistle; Board of Education, Miss Adaline W. Sterling; Board of Excise, George H. Payson, M. Frank Vanderbeek, Frank D. Cana- vello, Edward Ouirk. Elected April 11th, 1S99, Mayor, Elbert A. Brinkerhoft; Council- man-at-large, John Dougherty; City Clerk, Robert Jamieson; Collector of Taxes, Tho'mas O'Brien; Overseer of Poor, Hugh Smith; Chosen Freeholder, William C. Davies; James M. Gulnac; Members of Com- mon Council, James C. Anderson, Robert B. B. Taylor, Frederick L. Vorhees, John M. Booth; Assessors, Moses E. Springer, Edson B. Gor- ham, James C. Thomson, Henry Birtwhistle; Commissioners of Appeals, John W. Pitkin, Garry Vanderbeek, Walter Westervelt, Edward O'Hara. f)04 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY J. WVMAN JONES. *" It is always interesting- to trace the early life of men of energ-y for usually there will be found those surroundings which foster a vigor- ous and independent character. This is aptly illustrated in the life of J Wyman Jones. Born in the town of Enfield, N. H., he was subjected throughout boyhood to the hardy and healthy country life of New Eng- land; and the rug:ged aspect of nature, the exhilarating winter, together with' a ri"-orous home training, combined to produce a strong and cour- ageous youth, eager for a conflict with the world. His father was a st'urdy New England justice, prominent in the affairs of his locality, and several times a member of the State Legislature. His mother was a woman of genuine sweetness and refinement; a direct descendant of the famous Hannah Dustin. It was the desire of both parents to keep their only son at home, but when his school career at Meriuen Academy was ended, he pressed onward to Dartmouth College, where he was ad- mitted in \s:^7. In his class were a son of Daniel Webster, Edward Webster, who died in the Mexican war; Rev. Dr. Leonard Swain, of Nashua,'N. H.. and Gardiner G. Hubbard, Esq., of Washington, D. C. Upon graduation, in 1841, he could not be persuaded to locate at home and^although put wholly upon his own resources, he began the study" of la^v iaNew York city. In 1843 he was admitted to the New York bar, and foftwenty years followed his profession, the latter part of the time af Utica, N. Y. Prior to his removal there he married Harriet Dwight Dana, daughter of James Dana of Utica, and sister of Professor James D. Dana of Yale University, who survived until 1882. At Utica Mr. Jones made many warm friends in his profession, includ- ino- the late Justice William J. Bacon, Senator Kernan, Joshua Spencer, and Senator Conkling. But advised by his physician that he must lead an out-of-do.)r life, he reluctantly relinquished the practice of law to give himself to rural pursuits, alth..ugh still retaining his interest and mem- bership in the New York bar. In 1S5S, by invation of a former client, then en-a-ed in surveying the Northern Railroad of New Jersey, he made an examination of the prop..sed route, and being impressed by the natural beauty of the country, with characteristic daring determined to throw himself heartily into" the developmeut of the regi(m where Englewood is now located. He spent the summer <,f 1S5S in securing property rights from the ori-inal owners, and by the autumn of that year had control ot nearly all the land now occupied by the village. He proceeded to lay out the town to name its streets, and to procure a survey and map of its territory By the spring of 1859 he had moved his family to the new place and had gained for it the support of several valuable friends. In this same spring at a meeting of the residents, the name Englew.od. su-<^ested and advocated by him, was adopted. Since that time Mr. Jones has been prominent in the secular and religious life of Englewood, and he still maintains a keen interest in its growth and welfare. He „, „ i„ ,„e ■■ M,-m..ri.-,l llismry of Ihe city of N.-w York and flu. Hudson Riv.T V^llle I 4iA.^ HISTORY OF BEK<;EN COUNTY 607 has had the satisfactiun of seeiiiii- it develop pursuant to the g-oneral plan formuhited liv himself, into a beautiful and progressive suburb of New York city. In 1S()5 Mr. Jones became president of the St. Joseph Lead Companv, a corporation manufacturinuf and mining- lead in the state of Missouri; and bv persistent energy he has raised the Company to its present position as one of the largest lead producing concerns of the United States and the world. With this Lead Company are also associated a railway corporation having- a road forty-eig-ht miles in length, and a cattle and farming company transacting- a large business, of both of which Mr. Jones is president. He is also president of the Doe Run Lead Companv. During the thirty years of his presidency of the St. Joseph Lead Company, he has sjjent much of his time at the mines of Missouri, where now there is a prosperous community. During this entire period there has never been a serious strike among the men ; it having been one of the chief concerns of the company, under the leadership of Mr. Jones, not 7- or during the whole time the provision made by that law was in existence. He was one of the organizers of the Bergen County Mutual Assurance Association; was a member of the State Senate from 1S4'» to 1853 and held other positions of trust. DR. H.\KDV M. BANKS. Dr. Hardy M. Banks, the youngest of five children was born on August <», 1 830 at Murfresboro, N. C. His father Hardy M. Banks, was a planter at Murfresboro, where his son was educated. He died there in 1 84 1. In i846 young Banks began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. James B. Gilbert of Savannah, Ga., and one and a half years afterwards entered the office of Dr. John F. Gray a leading homeo- pathic physician of New York city. He was gratuated from the Medi- cal Department of the University of the City of New York in i84*>. Not being of age at the time of his graduation Dr. Banks went to Paris and attended the lectures of the ''Faculty of Medicine" for two years, and attended lectures of that famous writer on medical therapeutics. Dr. Trousseau, a professed believer in the palliative treatment of .■\llopathy. In 1 852 Dr. Banks received his diploma from the University of the City of New York and at once entered upon the practice of his profes- sion in that city, and soon afterwards became associated with Dr. A. D. Wilson, a leading homeopath with wht)m he remained until i860. In the summer of i860 he k)cated in Englewood. Dr. Banks is very popu- lar and was president of the Protection Society of the villiage for a number of years. DR. D. A. CURKIK. Dr. D. A. Currie, Mayor of Englewood, was born October 1(1, 1.S42, at Searsville, N. Y. In 1857 he entered as a student in the office of Dr. Sanford Eastman, of Buffalo, N. Y., and attended lectures at the Medical University of Buffalo, where he was graduated in 1863. He afterwards studied at Edinburg University, for two and half years and at the close of the year 1867 returned to the United States settling in Englewood in the practice of his professicm in 1872. His specialties in practice are surgery, and diseases of women and children. He was HISTOKY OF BERGEN COUNTY 611 president of the Bergen County Medical Society in 1876, and is a mem- ber of various medical societies. He enjoys wide popularity in Engle- wood and upon the organization of the city was elected its mayor. He served in the Spanish American War as Lieutenant Colonel of the Second New Jersey Regiment. GAKKET A. LYDECKEK. The Lydecker family are descendants of Ryck Lydecker, who was amt)ng the first settlers of Bushwick, L. I., in 1661, where he obtained a grant of land in 1660, as recorded on page 54 of the English Manual. In the years 1662-63-65 he was magistrate of the town, and was appointed captain of the militia June 24th, 1663, as noted on the town record. The muster roll contained forty names, including officers, and these were divided into watches of ten men each, of whom one watch was on duty each night as a guard against attack by the Indians, and , 1759; Gerrit, Aug-ust 31, 17()1; Jacobus and Cornells (twins) March 2S, 1764; Lidia, September 13, 17()(); Jacobus, March 14, 1769; Elizabeth, June 2o. 1771, and Maria, March 15, 1774. These were all born at Knglewood. His son Garrit born August 31, 17(>1, drove one of the wagons containing- household goods belonging to the family when they fled from the British, and after crossing at New Bridge, the bridge was destroyed behind them to prevent the enemy from following. The British after landing at Fort Lee came and encamped on the Lydecker homestead adding quite materially to their commissary stores by appro- priating a number of fat sheep and hogs, which were necessarily left behind. Mr. Lvdecker subsequently engaged in agricultural pursuits on this farm. He married Annaatje Westervelt, daughter of Ari and (ieertje (Zabriskie) Westervelt, (born February 16, 1766) November 27. 1784. Their children were : Abraham born May 23, i7S6; Gertrude, born April 16, 1790, married John Edsall of English Neighborhood ; and John, born December 25, 1795. Garret Lydecker died April 27, 1848, and his wife September 15, 1849. Abraham the eldest son of this Garret, was born on the old home- stead as given above, and became a farmer, as his father had been. He was active and energetic, identified with the interests of his locality. He served as freeholder of his township for two terms, and represented his district in the Legislature of the state. A man of sound judgment and business abilitv he was frequently called upon to act as executor and administrator of estates. Mr. Lydecker married Maria, daughter of Uaid N., and Maretje (De Clark) Demarest, December iS, i808. Their children were Garret A., David, born May 3i, i8i4, died in infancy ; Mary Ann, born February 15, 1820, married Thomas W. Demarest, and Martha born July 18, 1824, married John Van Nostrand. Abraham Lydecker died November 20, 11S41, and his wife tm July 7, i834. Garret A. Lydecker was born on the farm on which his son Abra- ham afterward resided, in Englewood, on January 5, 1811. He was educated in the common schools of his locality and at the Hackensack Academy. In 1833 he removed to the farm which became his by bequest from his grandfather. Garret Lydecker, and continued to reside here during his life. Mr. Lydecker was a Democrat, and in his younger days was interested in local politics. He was freeholder of his township for three years, and was town committeeman for a period of about fifteen years; also holding the position of commissioner of appeals, and other local offices. He was a member of the board of directors of the First National Bank of Hackensack, and of the Hackensack Savings Institu- tion, and a director in the Bergen County Mutual Assurance Society, of which his father was one of the founders. He was a member of the True Reformed Dutch Church, of Leonia, in which he held the office of elder for many years. THOMAS \Vn,I.IA:\I I.VDKCKKK HISTOKY OF BEKGP:n COUNTY ()1,S Mr. Lydecker was married first to Gertrude, daug-hter of Peter J. Cole, on August 25, i83f. She was born August 22, 1813, and died August 10, 1847. Of this marriage were: Gertrude, who died in infancy; Abraham, born January M), 18.^4, married Rachel, daughter of Ralph S. and Jane (Haring) Dcmarcst; Rachel, born July 10, 1838, married James Christie; Maria, born August i2, 1841, wife of Cornelius Terhune, and John, who died in infancy. His second marriage was to Maria, daughter of Samuel R. and Elizabeth ( Zabriskie ) Demarest, of Bergen county. They were married December 30, 1847. The children of this union were Thomas William, born April i8, i849, died October 20, l.s70, and Martha, born April 9, 185i, married Silas Wright, of Jersey C'ity, died July 29, 1879. Mr. Lydecker died March 16, 1888. THOMAS WILLIAM LYDKCKKK. Thomas William f.,ydecker, grandson of Garret A., is of Holland and French ancestry, having descended directly through the line oT KESIDKNCK )K TUDMAS « II. 1, 1AM I.VIIKCKKK Lydeckers and Demarests, two of the oldest families in Bergen county. On the maternal side his grandfather Ralph S. Demarest, was a great grandson of Samuel Demarest who was imprisoned in the Old Sugar House in New York city, being a true patriot worthy of historical notice. The four sons of Samuel Demarest all served in the Revolu- tionary war. Ralph S., who was a schoolmate of Hamilton Fish and John Jay in New York city, chose the life of an agriculturist, becoming a representative man not (mly in business but among men. He was one of the projectors of the Northern railroad of New Jersey and was for many years a director in the company. He was a member of the New Jersey State Assembly from 1854 to 1855, and was also State Senator from 1859 to 1861. His daughter, Rachel, married Abraham Lydecker, a farmer. Their children were (iarret and Jennie, who both died in infancy, Gertrude, Ralph Demarest. Thomas William, and Bessie. 616 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY Thomas William was born at EuHflewood August 11, 1868. He occu- pies the house built in 1803, by his great-grandfather. Garret Lydecker, and in which his grandfather Garret A. Lydecker was born January 5, ISll. This is the oldest house in Englewood, a print of which accom- panies this sketch. Thomas William Lydecker was educated in the public schools of Englewood. He is a floriculturist, devoting his time almost wholly to the cultivation of roses. He began in a small way in 1892, first occupy- ing a building covering a space of about eleven by forty-eight feet and having on,ly about two hundred feet under glass. His business has increased until he now has 25,000 square feet under glass, and does a wholesale trade almost exclusively. He is a thorough going business man, understanding and carr3'ing out in detail the enterprise he has so successfully inaugurated. Mr. Lydecker's father died September 16, 1885. His mother is still living. JAMES LYDECKER Another branch of the family descends from James, son of Captain Garret, whose son Garret J., was born in i797, died in i880. He was a man who occupied a prominent position in the locality then known as the English Neighborhood, having large farming interests, and being one whose advice was sought in all leading questions of the day. His wife was Sarah Ryer, who died in 1862. Their children were James, John R., Cornelius, and Maria. John R., was born in i824. He was a merchant for a number of years. Afterwards he entered political life and served as deputy collector for the port of New York for twenty-five years. He was a personal friend of President Arthur and many other well known men. He married Elizabeth Ward. They had four children. Garrett J., Lieutenant Colonel in the regular army, J. Ward, Robert and Ida. He died in i896. James was born January i5, i822. When twenty-one years of age he went to New York and became station agent for the Harlem Rail- road and in one way and another he had been connected with the railroad interests until his retirement to private life. In iS()2 he went to Alex- andria, Va., where he served the interests of railroad officials as conductor in and about Washington for awhile, but in 1864. and for a few years subsequently, he conducted a train for the Erie Railroad, from Port Jervis up through the Catskills in New York. In i868 he returned to Englewood and subcontracted for the building of the Northern Rail- road of New Jersey and afterwards wasconductor for a train on this road. In 1842 he was married to Miss Ellen Lake with whom he lived fifty years. Four children were born of this union. CORNELIUS LVUECKEK. Cornelius Lydecker a descendant of Dutch ancestry, who emigrated Irom Amsterdam, Holland, at an early day, is a conspicuous figure in the county. He is a great grandson of Garret Lydecker, and a grand- son of James Lydecker and Mariah Day. Mr. Lydecker's father was (iaret J., who married Sarah Ryers. Their children were James, John HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY ()17 R., and Cornelius who was born at Englewood on the ])lace where he now lives, April 16, 1827. Mr Lydecker has had a varied experience in both public and private life. In 1846, he went to New York as a clerk in the dry goods store of his brother John, where he remained two years. The gold excitement of i849, attracting him to California, he went by the water route sailing around Cape Horn. After a stay of two years in the gold regions he returned home and subsequently entered the political field, soon after being elected surveyor of highways. Follow- ing this he was elected township collector, and in 1862, was elected county collector, holding that office five years. In 1872 he was elected to the state senate, on the Democratic ticket, being continued in this office from year to year until 1875, when he became a candidate for state treasurer and comptroller, and for seven years thereafter he was a lobbyist in the Senate. In 1871, Mr. Lydecker with William B. Dana, editor of the "Financial Chronicle" built the Palisade Mountain House. He then took a rest by travelling for a time, returning to engage in real estate, building and selling. Mr. Lydecker was married in 1852 to Miss Catherine S. Van Blar- com, they have six children, Mary wife of Oliver Drake Smith, Mary Ryers, wife of Stanly P. Parsons, Elizabeth, Garret in a banking house at 18 Wall Street, New York, Katie and Cornelius at Englewood. Mr. Lydecker is a member of Masonic Lodge, 114. AI.EX.\NDEI< CASS, ESQ. Alexander Cass, Esq., Justice of the Peace, Surveyor, Coroner and citizen needs no introduction, although many have been introduced to him, and some in the quiet retirement of the County boarding house in Hackensack have subsequently regretted the necessity of the interview. Mr. Cass was born November 20, 1825, at Carlisle, Schoharie county, N. Y. When he was about eighteen months old his father died. Some two years later his mother remarried and went to Carthage, Jefferson county, N. Y., to reside. She died there in 1852. The then juvenile Alexander did not accompany his mother to her new home, but was left with his maternal grandparents, at Carlisle, on a farm. There he grew, and when of sufficient years was sent to the public school, where he received a rudimentary education. When he reached the age of twelve years he was taken from the school and sent to Albany, where for a year he officiated as clerk in a store. At the end of the twelve months he returned to his grandparents' home, where he remained for a few weeks. Next he was sent to the Schoharie Academy, remaining two years. After this he worked for one season on the farm of an uncle, but, as he himself says, he did not take kindly to farming. He next attended a select school conducted by Prof. A. Smith Knight, a most excellent teacher, who was also a civil engineer and a lawyer. There he studied surveying and acted as amanuensis. During the last six months of study under Prof. Knight he made his home with him. He left his tuition Ajiril 1, 1.S42, and became teacher of the school HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY f)14 in Carlisle where he had received his earlier education. The school was known as District N. 4, or the Little York District. He tauj^ht there for two and a half years, when he went to an adjoining- district, known as Rockville. There he remained live and one-half j-ears. From 1848 to ISSO, however, he spent a portion of his time, Saturdays generally, in the law office of Mr. John H. Salsbury, at Carlisle. In November 1850, Mr. Cass went to Cobleskill, N. Y., where he entered the law office of Messrs. T. and H. Smith, remaining until September 1852, as a student, subsequently entering the law department of the University of Albany, from which he was graduated in April 1853. He was admitted to the bar at the April term of the Supreme Court of the State, and the same year, at Albany, as an Attorney and Counsellor at Law. Meantime the Senior member of the firm, Thomas Smith had moved his law office to Albany and Mr. Cass remained with him at No. 51 State Street, for some time. He looks back with a justifiable pride tt) the fact that he paid most of his way while studying law, with money he saved while teach- ing school. One man, Mr. Charles Courter proved his bon ami, and advanced him money to enable him to finish his legal course and pay graduating expenses, taking Mr. Cass's note, simply, as security. This was paid after Mr. Cass removed to New Jersey. Mr. Cass came to this state, to Bergen county. May 22, 1853, and and through Mr. John Van Brunt was appointed teacher of the Upper Teaneck public school. In 1842 the school committee consisted of Abram Ely, New Bridge; Abram Carlock, P^ort Lee; and John Van Brunt, English Neighborhood. There were then ten school districts in the township. In 1853 there were thirteen, as follows: Bulls Ferry, Fort Lee, English Neighborhood, Tenafly, Lower Teaneck, New Bridge, Schraalenburgh, Kinderkamack, Closter, Upper Teaneck, Central Eng- lish Neighborhood, Old Bridge and Palisades. The Coytesville district was set off frcmi District No. 11, this year (1898). In Mr. Van Brunt's report for 1854 he says: "Eight districts have changed teachers within the year. These changes are not so much to be attributed to entire dissatisfaction with the teachers as to efforts on the part of the trustees to engage the services of such as possess rare abilities. This township has now a far better corps of teachers than at any time within the recollection of the superintendent." This may be considered a highly complimentary reference to Mr. Cass and the other seven new teachers. Mr. Cass assumed charg-e of the Upper Teaneck School August 6, 1S53. The school house was then located on the corner f)pposite the present building. About six months after Mr. Cass assumed charge it was moved to the present site. He taught in the Upper Teaneck school, in all about ten and a half years, but after si.x years and a half he was transferred to the Lower Teaneck District, where he remained two years after which he returned to the Upper District. This gave him all told a teachership of thirteen years in Teaneck. Besides his experience as a teacher Mr. Cass had other connections with various schools. In 1845 he was elected Town Superintendent of 620 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COtTNTY Public Schools at Carlisle, but could not qualify on account of his age. The next year he was re-elected and served for two terms. He moved from Teaneck to Englewood in 1865. In 1867 he was appointed School Superintendent for Bergen coiinty, being the first man to hold that office. He remained in the position two terms or six years in all. The salary for the first year was S688, of which he had to pay expenses. Subsequently the Board of Freeholders allowed SlflO extra for the latter purpose. Since retiring from the position of County Superintendent, Mr. Cass has acted as civil engineer, been a Justice of "the Peace, a Coroner, and has held other offices. His first term as Justice of the Peace began in 18()4, and was for five years. Mr. Cass is now serving his fiith term as a Justice. He was the Town Clerk for Englewood from 1859to 1865. He was Assessor for Englewood Township during the years ISTfi-??. He served his first term as Coroner, 1878 to '81, and his second term 1892 to '95, the term expiring in November. Mr. Cass has also served several terms as Com- missioner of Appeals. In 1858 he was a,ppointed one of the two examiners and visitors of th,e|)ublic schools of Bergen county, a position beheld for two years' ' , , . ' Many of our citizens were pupils under his tuition at Upjier and Tjower Teaneck, and Mr. Cass feels proud of the fact that ex-Judge J. M. \'an Valen, of the Court of Common Pleas, was one of his pupils. The Judge Teceived his first license as a teacher from Justice, then superintendent Cass. Other pupils who received their early training under his guidance were Rev. S. I. Vanderbeek of the Reformed Church, late of (irand Rapids, Mich.; Judge Holt of Galesburgh, N. Y.; H. T. Austin, E. I).. now of California; and lawyers, late George Palmer, of East Worchester. N. Y.. and Theodore F. Lozier of Jersey City. Mr. Cass was married July 4, 1855, to Miss Maria Louisa Halleck. a lineal descendant of Fitz Greene Halleck, the celebrated author of •• Marco Bozzaris." Miss Halleck was a native of Delaware county, N. Y., is now dead. Two children were born to them Willard, now a civil engineer, and a daughter, Hattie E., who died at the age of sixteen months. Mr. Cass' ancestors were Germans and Hollanders on the ma- ternal side, and English on the paternal side. He traces his ancestry back to 1686. He is a distant relative of the late U. S. Senator Lewis Cass, of Michigan." Copied from Englewood Press, of September 7, 1S'I5. ABKAM DK KONDE. On a common field stone in the old De Ronde grave yard in King Valley. Rockland county, New York, is the name of Abram De Ronde, of Revolutionary fame. The death of this old soldier occurred in 1781, and was caused by a gunshot, in an attempt the Americans were mak- ing to recapture him from the enemy who had taken him while he was conducting an expedition to Clinton Point. 0<*^^^=-5:?Z^ A^ HISTOKY OF BHKGEN COUNTY ()2.> William I)e Rondo was the i^randson of Hendrick De Ronde one (d' the ancestors of this family who e"aine frcjm Holland in Colonial days and settled on Long- Island. The De Ronde's were French Huguenots, who like others failed to find an asylum in Holland and came to this country in consequence. His son William De Ronde married Rachel Goetchess and moved to Teaneck, Bergen county about sixty-five years ago. He was the father of four children three sons and one daughter. Two sons, Abram and John died recently, aged respectively eighty-two and eighty- three years. The other son W-^illiam, the father of the subject of this sketch, is the well known coal dealer of Englewood and is still living. By his marriage to Miss Lavinia Doremus, he became the father of seven children, three sons and four daughters, all living excej>t Rachel the eldest. Abram De Ronde was born in 1S57, and his career, for so young a man, has been both financially and politically a brilliant one. His education preparatory to entering College was received in the Has- brouck Institute, Jersey City, N. J. When seventeen years of age he left school and entered upon a business career, which eventually evolved the well-known house of Abram De Ronde & Co., a large business firm favorably recognized as such throughout the countries of Europe as well as in both North and South America. It is not often that financial ven- tures backed by syndicates and moneyed influence have forced them- selves world wide upon the business public even under these favorable circumstances, but Abram De Ronde has accomplished this mercantile feat, not only alone but without a dollar to begin the enterprise and with the natural drawbacks and disadvantages which always encumber such undertakings. With a definite conception of life before him and a faith in himself necessarily commensurate with the victory to be achieved, Mr. De Ronde became first the agent for E. Oakes & Co., 41 Dey Street, New York, going- to Boston for this firm, where he succeeded in establishing their Eastern house under some trying difficulties and putting it upon a solid business foundation. Two years afterwards he established a busi- ness for the same firm in Philadelphia, and when twenty-four years of age launched out for himself in the manufacturing and importing of chemi- cals, colors and dyes, with offices in New York, at which place the head- quarters of the concern has remained ever since, with branches in Bos- ton and Philadelphia. The manufacture of nitrate of iron occupied the attention of Mr. De Ronde at first, but as business necessitated, other chemicals were put upon the market, and the trade eventually so widened that importa- tions were undertaken, a large agency with a competent corps of buyers and sellers were brought into requisition, so that now the name of Abram De Ronde & Co. is well known throughout the old world, and is (me of the most prominent of American houses as manufacturers ;ind im])orters of all kinds nf chemicals and dye stuffs. h24 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY Mr. De Ronde has also become largely identified in real estate in- terests, and has built several larg'e houses in Englewood. His own resi- dence is one of the most elegant structures in this part of the county. In 1889 Mr. De Ronde was elected a member of the State Legisla- ture, and was re-elected in 1893. He was afterwards candidate for State Senator, but was defeated in the nominating convention. As a prominent member of the Democratic party he served four years on the State Com- mittee of New Jersey, but not approving of the Chicago platform, he resigned that position and took a prominent part in the campaign for sound currency. He has also served as a member of the City Council, of Englewood, where he now lives. IIOSE.S E. SPRINGER. Mr. M. E. Springer is one of the oldest citizens of Englewood. and was born at the corner of Bedford and Commerce streets, in the old Ninth Ward, New York, August 5, 1827. When about five years old he was taken to Paterson, N. J., where, at the early period of seven sum- mers he began to earn bis own living. He was first put to work in a cotton mill and at one time worked in the " Old Red Mill " at Oradell At that time he used to walk the entire distance to and from Paterson, both morning and night, from and to the house of his grandmother, where he resided. When about eleven years old he was taken back to the city of New York, where he attended a public school on Seventeenth street for a short time. He afterward received a brief course of rudimentary instruc- tion in the public school, which with an occasional month or two at a country school at Cold Spring, and at the Pond Church. Franklin town- ship, this county, was all the schooling he received. At the age of twelve years he was placed in a shoemaker's store and shop, on Houston, opposite Orchard Street, New York city, with a view of mastering the mysteries of the cobbler's art. The employment was not congenial and at the end of a year and a half he went to reside with a Dr. Colville who at that time had a local reputation as the "Scotch Doctor," a man who was both a practicing physician and a druggist. Master Springer remained here for two 3-ears. During that time he mastered the art of making pills, learned to compound drugs and to put up physicians' prescriptions. This line of business proved pleasant to him, but those who had control of his destiny thought that he should learn a trade, and when fifteen years and a half old he was taken to Fishkill Landing, " Five Corners," N. Y., and apprenticed to ti country carpenter to learn the trade of carpenter and joiner. Here he learned to swing the broad-axe, to handle the adze, to tongue and groove flooring by hand, to match boards, to dress siding, to stick mouldings, and to do all the various things pertaining to house building. After working here for about three years Mr. Springer became dissatisfied with the prospects in a small country town, and once again returned to the city of New York where he obtained employment MOSES K. SPKINGEK HISTOKY OK KKKCKN COUNTY 627 for a time, at five shillings a day, under instruction. By close applica- tion he soon obtained sufficient knowledge of the art (jf house building, to be able to turn his hand to stair building, sash and blind making which are now followed as separate trades. In the year 1853. Mr. Springer liecame acquainted with Miss Mary A. Golding, of English parentage, born in London, but subsequently removed to New York. He wedded her in 1854. At this time, and for two or three years previously he was in the employ of Mr. A. G. Bogert, in Bank street. New York, a brother of Mr. Andrew D. Bogert, of Englewood. In his shoj), for some time he occupied the responsible position of foreman, until in the Spring of 185(>. About this time he started West, landing in B^'averdam, Wisconsin. Two years following his arrival at Beaverdam were marked b}- great financial depression, and although Mr. Springer worked hard to make the business of a steam planing mill and sash and door factory (in which he was part owner) successful, the venture proved a failure. Heartily tired and sick of the West he turned his feet toward his former home. To reach this he was obliged to obtain some pecuniary assistance, hav- ing wasted his substance and accumulation of former years in his ill-stared venture in Beaverdam. As Mr. Springer and family were about ready to start for the East they heard through a friend of the existence of a place called Engle- wood, and where carpenters would be in demand to put up houses which it was supposed would soon be needed for the accommodation of the multitude expected to flock to its beautiful site. This news was the changing factor in Mr. Springer's life. It brought him to Englewood in time to grow up with the town and to be identified with its founders. With his little family of wife, two girls and a boy, he left Beaverdam. and on April 10, 1859, landing in Englewood. At first he occupied the house which has recently been known as the Metzler house, now in Lafayette Park; and worked for a year as a journeyman carpenter for Messrs. Van Brunt & Waters, whose shop -a brick building with steam power — was located at what was then called \'an Brunt's Station, on Railroad avenue, near Grand. Arriving thus in the infant days of the town, Mr. Springer natur- allv assisted in putting up scmie of the first buildings which were erected in the place. He helped to build the first railroad station at Englewood, and also aided in constructing the water tank for the rail- road, Englewood then being a watering station. He further contri- buted his labor in the building of the Presbyterian Chapel which for a long time occupied the site where the Church now stands. In the Spring of 18()0 Mr. Springer purchased the interest of Mr. Waters in the firm and entered into a co-partnership with Mr. Adriance Van Hrunt. One of the first buildings erected by them vras the store now occupied by Mr. H. J. DeMott, on Palisade Avenue, by the rail- road. In this building Englewood had its first post-office located. Mr. John Van Brunt, then the owner, being the first postmaster. The 628 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY small building' now owned and occupied by tbe Woman's Exchange was erected along- side the Van Brunt building and was used as Van Brunt & Springer's office. At the close of the civil war thej removed their shop from Van Brunt's station, and erected the large building west of the railroad, for a time known as the Ramie Spinning Works, although used at one time as a rubber factory, subsequently as the Democratic Campaign headquarters during the Cleveland campaign, and since as a livery stable. They fitted the building with steam power and introduced the many wood working machines required in con- ducting a large business for building purposes. Mr. Joseph Blauvelt was about this time taken into partnership with Messrs. Van Brunt & Springer, and the firm became ''Van Brunt, Springer & Blauvelt." After a few years Mr. Springer purchased the interest of his two partners and then for a number of years conducted the business alone. During this time he erected many substantial residences. Mr. Springer has been connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church of Englewood almost from the date of its organization, both himself and wife having united with it during the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Hewett, who was in charge during the first six months after the erection and dedication of the building. He has been a member of the Official Board of the church from that time to the present, and was largely instrumental in raising the funds necessary for the work of en- larging the church building in 135 ing from the Hudson River to the Hackensack River and embracing' what is now the business portion of the town. His son Tunis and Douwe removed to N^ack after his death and became the progenitors of all the Tallmans in Rockland county, N. Y. and Bergen county, N. J. Mr. Tallman can also trace his connection with many of the other old Dutch families who settled in this country in the latter part of the seventeenth and the the early part of the eighteenth centuries, among them being the DeRonde, Onderdonk, Haring and Blauvelt families of Rockland county, N. Y. Abram Tallman was born at Tallman's, Rockland, county, N. Y., on May 6, 184(). His father, John A. Tallman, like most of his ancestors, was a farmer, and Abram's early life was spent on the farm and attending school at Sufferns, N. Y. In 1862, when sixteen years of age, he taught school for a few months at Tallman's, the first venture he made in life for himself. In 1863 and 1864 he was employed in a photograph gallery in New York city, but this work proving too trying to his health, he returned to Tallman's, and, after six months' rest on the farm, found employment at the Ramapo Car Shops, at Ramapo, Rockland county, N. Y., where he stayed for the next two years, learning the car building trade. Afterwards he worked at the carpenter trade in Sufferns and Middletown, N. Y., and Paterson, N. J., and finally, in 1867, came to Englewood. From 1867 to 1882 he worked at the building trade in Englewood, and in 1882 formed, with Mr. James M. Gulnac, the present firm of Gulnac & Tallman. This firm, since 1882, have built up a good business and established a first-class reputaticm for themselves as car- penters and builders, and are among the leading concerns engaged in that business in Englewood, having built many of the city's finest residences. Mr. Tallman has always taken an active interest in the welfare of Englewood, having seen it grow from a village of about fifteen hundred, in 1867, when he first came there, to a city of about five thousand five hundred inhabitants in 1889 to 189,3. He was a member of the Engle- wood Township Committee from 1889 to 1893. He was also a member ' of the Citizens' Committee formed in 1895 to promote the movement for the incorporation of Englewood as a city, and when the place was finally incorporated in 1896, he was elected a member of the first regular City Council and was chairman of that body from 1896 to 1898. Mr. Tallman was married in 1870 to Miss Maria Zabriskie of what is now Oradell, Bergen County, N. J., whose ancestors were am(mg the earliest settlers of Bergen County. They have one daughter and three sons of whom (me. William Tallman is a lawyer practicing in New York city. THE BOKOUC.H OF ENC.I.EWOOD CI.IKK.S. This borough originally formed a part of Englewood townshij) and was organized into a municipality by itself March 11th, 189.S. W. (). Allison was elected mayor, and has been continued in office to the pres- IJ.WID J,. KAKKICTT. HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY 637 ent time. John (1. Ropes, Assessor and Clerk; and Benjamin Woster- velt, Collector, have also held their respective positions from the ortranization of the biirou<>h. HUDSON KIVKH AND THE PAI.ISAI>H> CHAPTER XXX. TEANECK TOWNSHIP. HOW FOKMED — CIVIL LI.ST — TEANECK GKANGE — SCHOOLS — BIOCIKAPHICAL This township was formed from Englewood township and is bounded on the north by Berj^enfields boroug-h, east by Eng-lewood city and Le- onia borough, south by Bog-ota boroug-h and river, and on the west bv the Bogota borough and river. It contains about three thousand live hundred acres and has a real estate valuation of four hundred and sixtv three thousand, six hundred and seventy-five dollars. The population in 1895 was one thousand eight hundred and ninety-five. The official vote cast at the November election of 1898 was one hundred and fortv- nine. The township was incorporated February 13, 1895. The first officers were:— Township Clerk, P>ank S. De Ronde, 1895-98; John H. Acker- man, 1898-1901; Township Committee, William Bennett, 18<)5-98; Peter I. Ackerman, 1895-97; Henry J. Brinkerhoff, 1895-96; Freeholder, John J. Phelps, 1895-1901; Assessor, Daniel (i. Bogert, 1895-98; Jonathan Hawkins, 1898-1901. Collector, Tunis Cole, 1895-98 (died in 1895), Warren M. Cluss appointed to '96, elected '96-98; Jasper Wester velt 1898 resigned in '98; Robert Stevenson appointed in 1898. Daniel G. Bogert elected in 1899-1901. Justices of the Peace, Robert Stevenson, 1S'»5 to 1900; William Bennett, 1898-1903. Officers elected March 14, 18')9. were: — For Township Committee, Henry J. Brinkerhoff; for Collector, Daniel G. Bogert; for Constable, Christian Cole, Jr.; for Commissioners of Appeals, Peter Rademann, Jasper Westervelt; for Surveyors of High- ways, Donald Matheson, Cornelius J. Terhune. Teaneck township is a representative of unity so far as politics and party are concerned, there never having been a party election held, all tickets have been citizens tickets and all nominations have been made at citizens primaries. While the political complexion of the township is two to one Republican the agreement is favorable to the Democrats who could not expect anything from a party vote. TEANECK CrKANGE. There are no villages in Teaneck township, but a villa grange lies within its precincts, of more than usual significance and historical importance, extending from Nordhoff in both directions over twenty-five miles of roads. It runs through the Phelps estate and is the Mecca of thousands during the summer months, who drive or bicycle through the woods and shaded groves. Here resided William Walter Phelps, our former minister to Austria and Germany. His estate included the thousand of acres of field, slorje and hill, intersected bv macadamized ro.ids. sli.nU-d bv f)40 HISTORY OF BERGEX COUNTY forests and ornamental trees. The quaint, low. rambling', wooden structure flanked oti the south by an ornate om of stone containing drawing- rooms, picture gallery, etc., the whole surrounded by spacious grounds beautified bv rare plants and flowering shrubs was for years the home residence of the family. This unique Villa-Grange, for years, not only the political Mecca of one party, but the seat of hospitality so generous and wide as to attract to it persons of all parties and classes, unfortunately and to the regret of all, fell with the greater portion of its contents, a victim to the cruel ravages of fire, April 1, 1888. On the hill New Bridge lies partly in this township and partly in Palisade township. It is the locality of Baron Steubens residence, built in 1752, but aside from its Revolutionary history and traditions the place has but little that is important for this chapter. WitLIAM WALTER PHELPS. William Walter Phelps, was born in New York city, August 24. 1839. His father, John Jay Phelps, one of the leading merchants of the city, accumulated a large fortune, having been prominently identified with many of the imp&rtant enterprises of his day. He was the pro- jector and virtual founder of the Delawaro, lyackawanna and Western Railroad Company andheld the office of president for many years. William Y*' alter, his distinguished son^ received his collegiate edu- cation at Yale College from which institution he was graduated with high honors in 1860. Following. this he pursued a special line of study for a short time in Europe, subsequently taking a leading place in the class of 1863, in the Columbia Law School, where he was graduated as valedictorian. Immediately after being admitted to the bar, Mr. Phelps opened offices in New York and was rapidly building up a large practice when the death of his father occurring in 1868, changed all his future plans for life. The settlement and care of a large estate now demanded his attention, compelling him to abandon his profession and devote his entire time to private interests. Recognizing his abilities, Governor Fenton, had, prior to this, tendered him the appointment to the bench of the Sixth Judicial District of New York city. The estate upon which he resided is situated near Englewood, N. J., and comprises about twenty-nine hundred acres of land. In the midst of this stood a residence of palatial proportions filled with treasures collected during extensive travel in foreign lands. ( This residence was burned April 1, 1888. Soon after his removal to Bergen county, Mr. Phelps began to take an interest in the success of the Republican party. In 1872 he was elected to Congress, representing the Fifth Con- gressional District of New Jersey. Forceful and vigorous in oratory, ready in debate, and ever the courteous gentleman, he attracted atten- tion and made an immediate and marked impression. He was made a oMJ. 9LiM HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 643 member of the committee on Batikins^ and Commerce, one of the lead- ing' committees of the House. His statesmanlike abilities were quickly recognized by Speaker Blaine, who appointed the young New Jersey Cong-ressman upon several special committees of the highest importance, where he acquitted him- self with such fairness and good judgment as to elicit the approval of prominent m>n and the newspapers of all parties. It was at this tim; that a warm friendship and close personal inti- macy sprang up between Mr. Phelps and Mr. Blaine which was life lasting. Mr. Phelps was renominated for Congress in 1874, which was a Democratic tidal wave year, and although he ran six hundred votes ahead of his ticket, the Democratic candidate was elected by a plurality of seven. He declined to become a candidate again in 1878, his private business demanding his whole attention. In 1880 he was a delegate-at-large from the state of New Jersey to the National Republican Convention at Chicago, where he worked heroically for the nomination of James G. Blaine for president, but with characteristic gracefulness he accepted the inevitable, and at once threw his influence and hearty support toward the election of Mr. Garfield. His health giving way during this campaign, he was ordered abroad by his ph3'sicians and sailed in October. In the Spring of 1881, while still abroad, he received the appointment of Minister to Austria from the new administration. This he accepted but resigned the new posi- tion after the death of Mr. Garfield three months later. He, how- ever, remained in his position at the Court of Vienna for another year before being relieved by a successor. On returning to this country in 1882, he found his party ready to again nominate him for a seat in the National House of Representatives. He was elected by a handsome plurality, and was re-elected in i884, and again in i886, each time by an increased majority. He positively declined a re-nomination for Congress in 1888, and at the Republican National Convention, that year his name was pre- sented as a candidate for the vice-presidency, and he received a vote next to that of Mr. Morton of New York, the successful candidate. Mr. Phelps had no sooner closed his Congressional career in March. 1889, than he was appointed by President Harrison, one of the Com- missioners to represent the United States at the International Congress 44 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY returned, he was nominated by the President to be Minister to Getmanv, Mr. Harrison remarking at the time that it was the reward of merit. His nomination was promptly contirmed by the Senate which was thon in session. Mr. Phelps tilled the Berlin mission until superseded in llu- summer of 1S<)3 by Ex-Chancellor Theodore Runyon the appointee of President Cleveland. The mutual regard which had grown u]> between the American Commission and Prince Bismark during the Samoan Conference, proved of much assistance to Mr. Phelps when he went back as Minister and it enabled him to perform important services to the United States which his predecessor had failed to secure, especi- ally in the removal of the embargo on American port products. Before Mr. Phelps left Berlin, he received an appointment imm (lovernor Werts to be a special judge of the Court of Errors and Ajjpeals of the State of New Jersey. Mr. Phelps accepted the honor, and the choice of so distinguished a man to serve in the court was warmly applauded throughout New Jersey. Mr. Phelps took a keen interest in the work of the court, but his health never robust began rapidly to fail, and his illness made rapid progress early in the Spring of 1894. Governor Werts had named him as one of the Commissioners provided for by a joint resolution of the Legislature to revise the con- stitution of the State. Mr. Phelps looked forward with great interest to the work of this body, which was to hold its first session the latter part of June, but it was fated that he should never meet his distin- guished associates of that Commission, for on the seventeenth day of June he died. While always the possessor of ample wealth, Mr. Phelps was most democratic in his manners. His hospitalit}- was proverbial, and his house was in every sense of the word made a home to all his guests. His popularity with all his neighbors and the people of Bergen county was demonstrated on many occasions. He was the kindest of employers; his large contributions to private charities and his generous gifts to the needy were without ostentation. His financial standing and his character for probity were of the highest. He made notable pecuniary sacrifices to save the credit of others. His business interests were extensive, and he was an influential member of the directories of many companies and institutions. While a positive party man, early in his public career he established a character for political independence and liberality which gained him a jjublic respect that he never lost. He was a fluent talker, and as an orator he was natural and cnncise, discarding the ornate, and speaking in the choicest diction directly to the point. His wit was ever bright, keen and fresh. In Congress he did not speak often, Ijut he was among the few in the House whu wen- always listened to. Soon after concluding his collegiate course Mr. Phelps was married to a daughter of Joseph E. Sheffield, the founder of the Sheffield Scien- tific School of New Haven. Of this niarriasje there was one daughter. JASPKK WKSTI'.KN'IU.T 646 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY the wife of Dr. Franz Von Rottenburg', a German scholar and Under Secretary of State for the German Empire; and two sons, Captain John Jay Phelps of Bergen county, and Colonel Sheffield Phelps, editor of the Jersey City Journal. THE WESTEKVELT FAMILY. The Westervelt family trace their lineage to Derick Van Westervelt who was born about 152tt. In Holland, the native place of this family, they occupied places of honor and trust such as burgo- masters, students, doctors and as landed proprietors. Lubbert Lubbertse Van Westervelt the first American ancestor came in the ship "Hope" in 1662, from Meppel, Province of Drenthe, Holland. ^ r t— . 11 He first settled at Flatbush, Long Island, after- wards removing to Hackensack, N. J., where he assisted in building the first Reformed Church on the "Green" in 16S(.. He and his wife were members of this church. Benjamin Westervelt, the great great-grandfather of Jasper, was the first American ancestor, and was born in 1702. His wife was Hen- dricktie Bouguert. Casparus, the son of Benjamin, was born in 1723, and married Wyntie Terheun. The grandparents of Mr. Westervelt were Casparus C. and Maria (Durie) Westervelt, and his parents were Peter C, Jr., and Anna (Lozier) Westervelt. His father was born in 1811. Jasper was bom at Teaneck, Bergen county, December 2, 1837, in the same house in which he has resided for the last sixty years, and whose foundation walls were laid more than one hundred years ago by his great grandfather. The house has been several times rebuilt and modernized, and still continues in possession of the family. Until fifteen years of age Jasper attended the public schools of his native village, after which he was placed in a private school at Leonia, and at seventeen years of age entered Claverack Institute, a boarding school, situated at Claverack, N. Y. After leaving school Mr. Wester- velt began farming, keeping steadily at this occupation until tifty-live years of age, when he retired from active business. On the subject of pear culture Mr. Westervelt is an enthusiast, holding a first-class diploma for the exhibiton of pears, apples and quinces. When the call was made for volunteers in our Civil War, Mr. Wes- tervelt responded, becoming- a private in Company I, 22d Regiment, N. J. Volunteers. He was one of "Father Abraham's Three Hundred Thousand;" was in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. advancing in the famous mud march under Buruside. He is a member of James B. McPhers49 Komevn and Dr. Vandcrwart, both as deacon and elder for a number of terms. He was also for man}' years connected with Sabbath school as teacher, and subse([uentlv as superintendent. He was married on June 22, lHh5, to Miss Annie Maria De Mott, (laui^hter of John J. De Mott, who died in 1898. In 1888 Mr. Westervelt travelled throug-h the West, takinj^ a tour through the most interesting- portions visiting the beautiful points on the Pacific coast, the Yosemite Valley, the Columbia River and Yellow- stone Park; the large cities also claiming a share of his time. In 18<»(. he made an extended tour of the old World, making visits to Holland, (iermany, Switzerland at Interlaken and Mont Blanc, France, Belgium England. Mr. Westervelt reported after coming back from the old World that he still retained his admiration for the new: with the sublime, grand and inspiring views of the Yosemite, its peaks in the clouds and its beautiful falls descending from dizzy heights; the mag- nificent and unequalled scenery on the Columbia river, the Yellowstone Park filled with Nature's wonders, Geysers, Hot Springs, beautiful cas- cades and grand views of the falls and the gorge of the Yellowstone. He says: "Unfurl the Red, White and Blue, it is good enough for all." Mr. Westervelt is a man with well stored mind and exemplarv character, a pleasant com])anion and true friend. WII.I.I.V.M W. BKNMCTT. William W. Bennett, Superintendent of the Phelps Estate in Bergen county; was born in England, February 4, 1841. When six months old his parents came to America and located at Bingham ton, New York, where the father died about twelve j-ears later. When eleven years of age young Bennett was taken by a Mr. Louis Lee Morris, a farmer of Otsego county, N. Y. where he remained six years. This was one of the important periods of his life, in which he was trained to habits of industry, and frugality and otherwise prepared to meet and solve the many difficult and trying problems of life which come to all. At the age of seventeen years, the young man met Mr. John Stewart Wells, of Binghamton, N. Y., to whom he apprenticed himself to learn the trade of carpenter, and remained with him three years, thoroughly master- ing this branch oi mechanics, becoming an architect as well. After working for a time at his trade at home, he enlisted as a mechanic, in the War, in 1862, and stayed with the army in one capacity or another, with the construction and repair work on railways, going to Alexandria, then to Norfolk and Suffolk, Virginia, remaining for a considerable time on the Peninsula where McClellan operated. In 1863 he was assigned to the quarter-master's department, under Captain Goodwin, and then was employed solely in the construction of Barracks and prison houses, and in the manufacture of army furniture, which closed his army career. After the fall of Richmond, he applied for his dis- charge papers, and while on his way home, when near Turner's Station, on the Erie railroad, in New York, President Lincoln was shot, and a ()50 HISTOKY OF BKKCrKX COUNTY sing'ular coincidence was, that he happened to be on the same spot on July 2, 1881, when President Garlield was assassinated. For two 3'ears after the war, Mr. Bennett followed his trade of carpenterinir at Binghampton, N. Y., but in 1867 came to New Jersey, g'oing to the home in which he now lives, staying there one year as a tenant. In 1882 he returned to the same house, where he has since resided. His work in New Jersey, was the erection oi a tine house for Judge Phelps, subsequently building a row of houses in Teaneck, and following this with a number of buildings in Englewood, then the elegant residence of William Walter Phelps, which led to the acquaint- anceship of the two men, and the life long superintendency of Mr. Ben- nett in the management of the Phelps estate. This was twenty-seven years before the death of Mr. Phelps, during which tiirie the large interests of this wealthy resident of the county was so ably managed and so agreeably with Mr. Phelps' wishes, that substantial considera- tions not infrequently accompanied the salary allowed, and also honor- al)le mention with flattering financial considerations were made in his will. Mr. Bennett has been married twice. His first wife was Mrs. Mary C. Corby, daughter of Peter and Catherine Terhune to whom he was married in 1870. She died in 1875. Two daughters were the fruit of this union, Catherine, the younger being the wife of Captain Frank S. De Ronde. On June 10, 1877, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Margaretta Ferdon, daughter of Gilchrest and Eliza Perry of Nyack, N. Y. They are the parents of four children, two boys and two girls, the elder of the boys now being a member of the Second Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, Infantry. When Mr. Bennett first came to Englewood he was elected Town Committeeman and held that office for a number of years. He was also chosen member of the board of Freeholders and elected by both jiarties and re-elected. When Teaneck township was formed he was selected by all jjarties for Town Committeeman and elected chairman of the Board. This office he held three years and then by all parties, was re-elected to the same position and also selected for Justice of the Peace. Mr. Bennett's life has been a comparatively smooth one. He is a kindly man whose lines have fallen in pleasant places. In politics his preference has always been Republican, except where in his judgment the party needed discipline, in which case he has not hesitated to vote with the opposite party. CHAPTER XXXI. PALISADES TOWNSHIP. ICAKl.Y SKTTI.KMKNTS — BUKOl-GIIS OF TEXAl'I.V, DrM(_)\-T, iii;Kr.i;x i-n;i,i>s AXl) CKKSSKILL — CHUKCHK.S, .SCHOOLS, .SOCIKTIKS, I.ODCKS. ETC. — BIOGKAPHIC.\L SKETCHES. Palisades township is of special interest from a historical point of \-iew, many <>t" the most interesting- events of the Revolntioii havini;- transpired within its borders. In 177h the patriots held F'ort Leo. which was a constant source of annoyance to the British, niaking- it almost impossible for them to navigate the Hudson river. Lord CornwalHs crossed the river to Huyler's Landinjf from Spuyten Duyvil on Novem- ber IS. 177(1. He had with him a force of two battalions of light in- fantry, two companies of chasseurs, two Itattalions of British anuse and left him in a destitute condition. At the close of the war he purchased the estate, which is vet in possession of the family, and was a part of the confiscated estate of J(din Ecker- son, which was sold for /!^1<)5S. York money. In ISIS this ])roperty descended to Peter, born in 17S(i. He died in 1S72. The Demarests settled here in early times where Samuel R., was born in 17S3. He belonged to the Schraalenburg-h Reformed Dutch Church. The Lozier familv were early settlers, coming in the latter ])art of the seventeenth century. Daniel Lozier was born in 17o7, and died in 17"»2. The Zabriskies also came in the seventeenth century, their descendants con- tinuing- to reside in the townshij). The Paulisons who tr.-ice their origin to Paulis Pieterse, removed to Bergen from New York about l(i()((. Governor Peter Stuyvesant appointed Paulus Pieterse in li)<.4. the earliest in the state. He and his wife both died HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 653 in 1702. A son of Paulus Pieterse named Martin Paulisse married Marg-rietje Westervelt, and their son Paulus Martense, married Rachel Demarest. They joined the Reformed Dutch Church in 1731. Their descendants still reside in Palisades township Palisades wasa part of Hackensack township until 1871. when it was organized into a separate township. The first officers were: Samuel D. Demarest, who was elected Freeholder in 1871, and was followed by John Westervelt in 1875. John H. Anderson was the first Town Clerk and served from 1871 to 1873, when he was succeeded by John H. Huyler. The first Justice of the Peace was William S. Harris; the first Collector, John C. Banta; the first Assessor, Albert A. Terhune. The present officers are: J. E. Collins. J. B. Christie, and (i. Buck. Townshij) Committee; William Ely. Assessor; Joseph Arnold, Collector; Walter Christie, Freeholder, and Ralph Saier. Township Clerk. THE PALISADES. This precepitous wall of rock, known as the Palisades of the Hud- son, have ever been an attraction since discovered by Henrick Hudson in l()(t'». This wall of rocks rising from the western shore of the river forms the eastern boundary of the old boundary lines of Ridgefield. Englewood, Palisades and Harrington townships, to the state line. The height of the range near Weehawken is about three hundred feet above the river, rising gradually to five hundred and forty feet near its northern terminus. This precipice rose at first, undoubtedly, right from the river's edge, but time has formed a talus of fragments of the trap falling in course of long centuries, as if to guard the deep founda- tions below the great river. The range continues in bold precipitous heights and rocky bluffs along the river to Haverstraw, a little below the Highlands; thence it sways back from the river, rising again in lofty escarpments and massive columns to the northwest and the west from three hundred to eight hundred feet high. In spite of all efforts to prevent the destruction of the Palisades, systematic attempts have been made for some time by blasters of rock to break up the stone, to be used chiefly for macademizing streets. Indian Head one of the most historic points of the Palisades, a few years ago projected one hundred and fifty feet into the North River beyond the point, where its demolition was effected at four o'clock in the morning, on May .^0, 18<^'». The destruction of this massive rock 1>y a blast in which at least ten thousand pounds of dynamite were used, and two hundred thousand tons of rock torn away was one of the most success- ful efforts ever made to destroy the grandeur of this part of the Hudson. It broke out an area surface of one hundred and seventy-five by one hundred and sixty-five feet and a depth of about (me hundred feet con- stituting nearly one-third of the height of the cliff. Indian Head is about five hundred yards from Washington Point at which the Father of Our Country arrived after the defeat of his forces in New York. The declivity up which he climbed still stands although the ]>oint is i)racticallv wiped out. 654 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY TKXAFLY. As to the name of this locality it is undoubtedly from a compound Holland word signifying "Willow Meadow." The territory embraced by the name in question never, exceeded an area of more than six miles. The country northward was known as Closter. The section west of Tenafiy was known in the remote past by another Dutch word signi- fying barren hill. That country to the south of Tenafiy for a dist- ance of several miles was known as English Neighborhood. The old Tenafiy road connected these two places and was used long years ago as a trotting course. EAK I.V .SKTTI,EM1{NTS. George Huyler who died in 1894 aged eighty years, was one of the old residents of Tenafiy. His residence was built and occupied by his grandfather John Huyler, who owned part of the forfeited estate of Juhn Eckerson, the purchase price having been ^^^IftSS, York money. John Huyler owned the premises in question, to 1818, when it descended to his son Peter, who died in 1872, aged ninety-two. John Huyler was Captain of Militia during the war of the Revolution, and became the especial object of British vengeance, his house having been burned and his family left destitute. At the close of the war he purchased the property above mentioned, which had been confiscated by the State, the title deed to him, bearing date 1780. He had two children, John a physician of high reputation in New York, and Peter born April 8, 1781, on the parental estate. Peter married Miss Catharine Naugle, daughter of Barney Naugle, whose birth occurred August 26, 1781, and the birth of his son George occurred June 24, 1811, George was married May 25, 1847 to Miss Jane, daughter of Garret A. Hopper. Mr. George Huvler was for fifteen years Captain of Jersey Blues, a military organization comprising the foremost men of Bergen county. Huyler's Landing on the Hudson, formerly known as Lower Closter was the place at which the British crossed the river at the time of their raid on F^ort Lee. TKNAFLV. Tenafiy as a post office, railroad station, anil a part of Palisades township has been a pretty village of the northern valley for about forty years. In the winter of 189.1 a call was issued by a number of property owners for a citizens' meeting at the home of Colonel A. G. Demarest, for considering the advisability of incorporating the village of Tenafiy, under the borough law of 1879, permitting an area of four square miles. The result of that meeting, held January 26th, was a determination to applv to Judge Van Valen, of the County Court, for an order to hold an election, which application, as required by law, was signed only by owners of land in fee simple, within the boundaries of the proposed in- corporation. The committee apjiointed by that meeting to carry this wish into effect were Stchen (i. Clarke, chairman; H. B. Palmer, treasurer; HISTOKY OK BKRGEN COUNTY ()55 William G. Jellison, Frederic L. Colver, H. E. Demarest, J. Hull Browning' and Charles E. Vog't. There was much opposition to this movement at the time, and not a little effort, made leg-ally and politically, to defeat the object at the election, there being- cast about three hundred votes, with a majority' of only seven in favor of such an organization. This was in January, 1894. At this time, however, the beneficial effects arising from such an incorporation in a municipality, having now an assessed value exceeding $800,000, is apparent to all interested, and what was once political dis- sent, has now become mutual amity and (). The follow- ing persons were elected upon the first Board of Trustees: Ashbel Green, William S. Opdyke, Henry B. Palmer, William K. Fowler, Garret Huyler, and Colin G. Newcombe. The board organized on April 2, 1866, Ashbel Green being elected president; and Henry B. Palmer, secretary. The time now arriving for considering the subject of a permanent build- ing, this board took the matter in hand and under its able management the present elegant and costly stone edifice soon appeared upon the well graded and beautiful site upon the hillside, the latter having been donated by the heirs of the Jay estate. At a meeting of the congregation pre- sided over by Rev. Dr. Alexander of New York, the Rev. T. G. Wall, D. D.. was unanimously chosen as the first pastor. Mr. Wall served the church until 1873. Rev. Clarence Geddes became his successor on July 16, 1873, and continued in the pastorate until June, 1881. Rev. Richard Bentley suc- ceeded Mr. Geddes for the following six years, and Mr. Vernon B. Car- roll was Mr. Bentley's successor for eight years. The present pastor Rev. Fisher Hov^e Booth is in the third year of his pastorate. The church has exerted a very wholesome influence upon, and has been a useful factor in the experience of a growing community. Ojjpo- site the church edifice on a beautiful site, on a high knoll, there stands 660 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY a noble and commodious stone building erected and donated as a manse, by the late Judge Ashbel Green in memory of his wife Louisa B. Green, who was closely identified with the church, and whose death was greatly lamented by a wide circle of friends. CHUKCH OK ATONEMENT. There is no record giving the date of organization of this society nor any statement relative to the church property made on the church books. Mrs. Mahon mother of Captain Mahon, gave the land for the church building, and her sister gave the land for the Presbyterian church. The first baptism recorded is that of Charles Rowland in 1869, and the first marriage was in October of that same year. The Rev. Ralph B. Hoyt who was the first rector of the church remained until 1882. He was succeeded by the Rev. Joseph Fletcher who had charge of the congregation until 1890, when the Rev. M. M. Fothergill succeeded. The present rector, the Rev. Charles W. Kirkby, A. B. a graduate of Cambridge, England, came to take temporary charge of the parish in January 1898, and was invited to remain as rector, shortly be- fore Easter of that year. Under his spiritual direction the church and congregation is rapidly increasing. The officers of the church are: — Henry Torrence, Senior Warden; Joseph H. Heddon, Junior Warden; H. T. Bailey, H. A. Wolcott, J. F. Denton, David Paul, A. Torrence, Vestrymen. St. Luke's Mission, Bergenfields, is a branch work of the Church of Atonement, Joseph H. Heddon being the Lay Reader. TENAFLY COUNCIL, ROYAL ARCANUM, 1479, Tenafly Council, Royal Aacanum, 1479, instituted August i9, 1892. Charter members: T. L. Maclntyre, R. S. Maugham, J. C. Westervelt. C. H. Buckley, Herbert Westervelt (deceased) J. H. Buckley, T. L. Hunter, J. B. W. Lansing, M. D., T. L. Taveniere, Eawin D^^marest, James Roome, E. B. Buckley, J. J. Edsall, P. J. Westervelt, W. H. Mowerson, J. J. Schuh, George E. Westervelt, W. B. May, F. R. Ingersoll. C. P. Westervelt, M. E. Martin, W. G. Trabold, F. J. Campbell, H. F. York, Jr., S. Upward, Christie Westervelt, J. C. Schnebbe. The past Regents are J. H. Buckley, T. L. Maclntyre, R. S. Maugham, James Westervelt, H. F. York, E. H. Sisson, Jr. The present officers are: Regent, A. I. Benedict; Vice Regent, J. H. Demott; Orator, Huyler Bogert; Treasurer, Samuel Westervelt; Secretary, Edwin Demarest; Collector, H. J. B. Willis. ( Term expires December 31 . ) Present membership is eighty-nine. Tenafly Council has lost two members by death, Herbert Wester- velt and Frank A. Hine, the widows in both cases receiving $3000. CHARTER LIST OF NORTHERN VALLEY LODGE K. OF H. Northern Valley Lodge 3638 K. of H., was instituted April 7, 1891. with twenty-six charter members. Leonard Schenkel, Edward Henkel, Theodore Taveniere, Paul M. Hawthorne, John G. Ruhl, Frederick C. Evers, (dead); (ieorge Van Valen, Nicolai Kreutzfieldt, John B. Trcn- HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 661 kle, Isaac Mabie. Jacob H. DeMott, Paul Richter, David W. DeMott, Ludwig Mayer, Charles Stag^, Joseph Van Valen, Charles L. A. Wenger, John J. Demarest, (dead); Richard J. Lyons, Edward J. Lyons, Richard Wright, William Weise, David D. Campbell, Edward Hall, Charles P. Westervelt, Jacob A. Tuers. "happy land" — FKESH AIK HOME. Upon a commanding site on West Clinton avenue about a half mile from the railroad depot, owned by Mrs. J. S. Lyle, a wealthy resident of Tenafly, there began about six years ago to be evidences of a build- ing enterprise of some sort. Soon a large and ornate building loomed up, wl ich in due time was finished. Its size and general arrangement showed it to be intended for some charitable purpose. At the commencement of the hot weather of the following vear, a group of forty or more children under proper oversight alighted from one of the northbound trains. Ct)nveyances were at hand and they were taken to the new building designated as "Happy Land." This deter- mined the purpose of the building and the nature of the work for which it was provided. Since then about four hundred children are annually brought from the hot over-crowded districts of New York city in relays of fifty, each group remaining about two weeks. While at the Home they are under careful management. The beautiful grove upon the grounds, well provided with facilities for amusing and interesting the children, resounds with happy shouts from morning until evening. Nutritious and wholesome meals are well served, and the children are taught as far as possible in their short experience, the rules of practical politeness and proper behavior. Upon Sabbath afternoons exercises are provided to stimulate the religious nature of the children, and when each group leaves the Home it is believed they have not only been enter- tained and made comfortable physically but that their mental and relig- ious natures have received an uplift that may leave a permanent impress for good. This work is understood to have been inaugurated by Mrs. Lyle, who, though delegating its details to able assistants, still gives personal oversight to this good enterprise, which in the line of fresh air work for children is perhaps not surpassed by any similar movement any- where. kethmokE home. This institution was established by Mrs. J. Hull Browning in August, 1892, and incorporated in December, 1892, for the purpose of giving a fresh air home to a limited number of poor children from the city of New York. During the first year, twelve children were taken at a time in the "Home," two weeks being allowed each party to remain. The following year the house was enlarged, so the number has been increased, and now twenty-six or more are admitted at a time, the num- ber for the season being over two hundred. Children were first taken 662 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY from St. Aug-ustine Mission, New York, but during the past two years the New York Protestant Episcopal City Mission has enjoyed that privilege. In 1892 the Rethmore Sunday school was established with thirty- five scholars. In connection with the school is a Sewing Class and a Boys' Battalion of sixty cadets. Recently a Convalescent Home has been established at "The Rethmore" for aged people. The Rethmore Home (Rethmore means "large spring") consists of about four acres of ground, and formerly belonged to the Westervelts' estate, but, through the philanthropic spirit of Mr. and Mrs. Browning, has been dedicated to uses above mentioned. Mr. J. Hull Browning did most of the repairing of the Episcopal Church in Tenafiy in 1882, and KETHMOKE HOME restored the building to a good condition, and has been a large con- tributor to that society. After the establishment of the "Home" public services for Episcopalians were begun there, tirst by the Rev. R. H. Herron, and subsequently by the Rev. C. B. Mitchell, both of whom were from the Union Theological Seminary, New York. BOROUGH OF DI'MONT. Schraalenburgh is a village on the West Shore Railroad and was orginally in Palisades township. It has a population of about six hun- dred; is the site of the North Reformed Church, and the center of con- siderable mercantile interests in this part of the county. John (Juacken- hush owned and operated the first store, which was sold to Peter E. Moore, its present jjroprietor, in 1877. Mr. H. Meartens, another HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY hf>3> merchant, came here in IS'tS, and DeCiister& Ferdon erected their build- ing in 1898. The borough of Duraont, orig-inally named Schraalenburgh, was organized in 1895 and was at that time three miles square, but in 18'»7 it was reduced to an area of about two and a half miles. It is bounded on the North by Harrington township, on the South bv Ber- genlields bort)ugh, on the East by Cresskill borough and on the West bv Palisades township. The first Mayor of the borough was Dumont Clarke. He was fol- lowed by Newton A. Fuller, and Mr. I'^uller bv the present Mavor. Richard Van Buskirk. The village has a fire department with a membe'-ship of forty men. under the chieftaincy of D. J. Whittaker. The Town Hall was erected in 18'»(.. BOKOUfrH OK BEKGENFIELDS. The village of Bergenfields is on the West Shore Railroad, thirteen miles from the city of New York, and is the place where the old South Dutch Reformed Church is located. John Z. Demarest, freeholder, owns the only store in the village. Originally this part of the old township of Palisades belonged to the Schraalenburgh district. The borough of Bergenfields was organized July 17. 18'>4. The first officers were: — W. P. Tyson was the first Mayor; Mr. Walter Christie became the second Mayor and was followed by the present in- cumbent William Van Valkenburgh. THE Dl'TCH KEI'OKMED CHUUCH. The Dutch Reformed Church of Schraalenburgh was organized about the year 17.24, and the first Church was erected in 1725. The Rev. Reinhardt Erickson became the first pastor. In 17,^0, the Rev. George Wilhelmus Mancius commenced his work there on September 19. The next pastor was Rev. Antonius Curtenius in 1737, continuing over the two churches (Schraalenburgh and Hackensack ) until 1784, when Rev. John Henry Goetschius became his colleague. After the strife which resulted in a second church organization, the old church called Rev. Dirck Romeyn who was pastor fnmi 1775 to 1785. The first pastor of the second church ( known as the South Re- formed Church ) was Rev. John Schuyler. Dr. Solomon Froeligh was the successor of Mr. Romeyn in the first church in 1786, remaining until 1822, when the separation took place which resulted in the forma- tion of the "True Reformed Dutch Church." The second pastor was Rev. Cornelivis J. Blauvelt, from 1828 to 1852; Rev. Ebeu S. Hammond. 1858 to 18(>2; Rev. Abram A. Van Houten from 1862 to 1868, followed by Rev. Garret A. Haring, 1868, who stills remains its pastor. The old North Church at Schraalenlmrgh was built in 1800, after repeated attempts to induce the other party, to join in the building of a house of worship. Mr. Romeyn served the combined churches thirty- three years, but in 1832 when paralysis (lisal)le(I him and a colleague 664 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY was needed, the church at Schraalenburgh made application for an inde- pendent organization, which was granted, and the relations of pastor and people then existing, was disolved in April IS.^.^, when that at Schraalenburgh became a distinct church. The minister's salary was provided for by circulating a paper yearly for subscriptions, which were to be paid half yearly. The highest amount given was ten dollars and the lowest amount one dollar. The amount subscribed for 1817 was three hundred and fort}- dollars and eleven cents in money, and sixty-four loads of wood. Rev. John Garretson, of Middleburgh, N. Y., was installed pastor October 23, 1833, and remained as such until i836, during which time the parsonage was built. He was followed by Rev. Michael Osborne, of Virginia, May 15,- 1837, who continued with them until 1841. He died in 1863. Cornelius Blauvelt, a licentiate, was ordained and in- stalled November 16, 1842, remaining until 1858, and in October of that Year Rev. William R. Gordon, S. T. D., was installed, and was a suc- cessful pastor until i880. In June, 1859, the church was enlarged, the cost being S5300. Rev. George Seibert entered upon his pastorate October 1, 1880, after which many improvements were made in the church property. Rev. George H. Cotton succeeded Mr. Seibert about eight years ago, and is the pres- ent pastor. In 1 784 the congregation of which Rev. Warmoldus Kuypers was was pastor, elected John Demarest their precentor, the service being conducted entirely in the Dutch language. Dominie Kuyper died September 10, 1797. In 1799, Rev. James V. C. Romeyn became his successor. One-third of the service was then conducted in English, and John P. Durie was made English precentor. For ninety-two years the position of precentor was occupied by John Demarest and Isaac D. Demarest, except about thirteen years intervening, when Frederick Mabie and Jacob Brinkerhoff served. Mr. Demarest was chorister of the church fifty-two years. CKESSKILL. The borough of Cresskill was formed in 1S94, and taken from Palisades township. The officers first elected were: James H. Ferdon. Mayor; B. I. Westervelt, W. H. Westervelt, John Ferdon, W. A. Tall- man, Henry H. Westervelt, William Frazier, Council; A. C. Demarest, Assessor; W. V. Wilson, Clerk. Mayors of the borough subsequently elected were: Egbert Tallman, A. C. Worth and E. B. Westervelt, the present incumbent. Mr. Wilson filled the office of Clerk until his removal to Tenafly in 1899. .•\. C. Demarest that of Assessor to the present time. Colonel A. G. Demarest and I. Smith Homans were among the first owners of land in Cresskill. Colonel Demarest had the first store which was sold to Daniel H. Voorhis in 1861. This stand is now used for a hotel. In 1869 C. A. Demarest bought land of I. Smith Homans and erected his wagon works, which have been operated since that time. HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY About five years later Simeon Westervelt built his carpenter shop in the village, since which time with a force of men constantly employed he has constructed a great number of houses in Cresskill, being one of the largest contractors in this part of the county. The Manhattan Optical Company in the vicinity of Cresskill began operations a few years ago, manufacturing cameras, lenses, etc. F. and E. M. Shafer are largely interested in this plant and in 1894 erected a building fifty-two by one hundred feet. They employ a large force of help and ship their products over the entire country. Their plant stands on ground formerly occupied by J. R. and B. V. Demarest's Woolen Mills. The school at Cresskill was formerly included in District No. 12, Old Hackensack township known as Federal District. The schoolhouse stood in Harrington township, on the farm of Samuel A. Demarest, afterwards District No. 14. This school was patronized until the year 1S57, when the trustees made application to have the district divided. The application was granted and the organization effected. A lot was purchased of John B. Westervelt, corner of Madison Avenue and County Road, near Cresskill station. John 'Durie was given the contract to build a house, which he erected in a satisfactory manner. The house was furnished with seats for seventy-five pupils. Miss Ray Ward and R. S. Maugham have each held the principal- ship of this school for six or eight years. Robert F. Doyle is the present principal. He has one assistant. D.WID H. VOOKHIS. Albert N. Voorhis, a descendants of Henry Demarest, probably a Revolutionary "soldier, who emigrated from Holland in Colonial times and settled at Demarest, N. J., was born here about 1760, and died at Demarest at the age of seventy-nine years. His two children were Henry A. L., and Nicholas N. Henry A. L. Voorhis married Lavinia Blauvelt of Old Tappan, N. Y., and raised nine children, four of whom, David H., Henry D.. John B. H. and Elizabeth, wife of John P. B. Westervelt, are still living. David H., the subject of this sketch, is the eldest of the family. He was born on the old homestead at Demarest N. J., December 7, 1818. At the age of seventeen he went to the city of New York and learned the trade of carpenter. Shortly afterwards, however, he formed a connection with Ludlan & Lazanby, large tobacconists, who carried on an extensive trade with the merchants in the South in their line of business, and through them became agents for the Old New York and Virginia Steamship Cimipany, which position he kept for nineteen years. This company first built and operated the "Roanoke," subse- quently building five other vessels, and these were the first ships that plied between New York and Virginia. Mr. Voorhis was superintendent of the men at the New York Dock, and maintained that ])osition with fidelity and satisfaction to the com- 666 HISTORY OF BEKOEN COUNTY pany until the war broke out in 1861, when his vessels were taken into government service, which severed his business relations with that corn- pan v. Afterwards Mr. Voorhis removed to Cresskill and purchased the store and other property of A. G. Demarest. He then built his resi- dence here, but carried on the mercantile business but a short time. In 1840 Mr. Voorhis married Jane, daughter of Henry Westervelt, and by this union became the father of nine children, six of whom are now living. His daughter Lizzie M. Voorhis was drowned in the Hud- son river in 18S8. SIMEON WESTEKVELT. Simeon Westervelt, carpenter, is a direct descendant of William Lubbertsen Van Westervelt, who came from Meppel, Province of Dren- the, Holland, in the ship "Hope," April, i662, and settled in Bergen county, sketches of whom and his descendants can be found in the chapters on Englewood and Palisades. Dower I. and his wife, Anna ( Banta ) Westervelt. daughter of John T. Banta, were his grandparents. Their son, John D. Westervelt, of Tenaflv, not only carried on a large farm but operated a cider mill on an extensive scale. Simeon Westervelt was born in Tenafly November 1, 1842. In 18()1 he enlisted in Captain Vreeland's company. Twenty-second Regiment. N. J. Volunteer Infantry, afterwards commanded by Colonel A. G. Dem- arest, and was with that command in the war of the Rebellion as a drummer boy until mustered out of service. After the war he mastered the trade of carpenter, and was with Blauvelt & Bogert, of Englewood. for ten years, after which he came to Cresskill and began business fur himself. November 7, 186f), Mr. Westervelt married Sarah M. Bogert, daugh- ter of Jacob S. Bogert, one of the old settlers of Closter, who died March 1, 1886, over seventy-one years of age. He was the son of Seba Bogert. The old Bogert homestead farm is situated in Cresskill, on the Closter road, midway between Tenafly and Demarest, N. J. During the year after his marriage Mr. Westervelt located on twenty acres of this farm, and built his residence in Creskill. Shortly after his business settlement he built an office and shop, one of the best of its kind in this part of the county. A large force of men has been constantly employed, and almost every building in and around Cresskill has been built under his supervision. He has also constructed a number of large and extensive buildings in the city of New York. In addition to other business, Mr. Westervelt owns and operates a cider mill in sea- son, consuming great quantities of apples every ^^ear. Mr. Westervelt is a member of the G. A. R., Royal Arcanum and Masonic fraternity. He is also one of the marshals of the Protective Society. Mr. Westervelt is the father of one son and two daughters. Arthur Bogert, Antoinette and Alice Irena. The son, Arthur Bogert Westervelt, was formerly in the American Exchange National Bank of New York city, for a period of twelve years, but is now with Harvey, HISTOKY OK BEKGEN COUNTY 667 Fisko & Co.. (if New York. Ho married Henrietta H. Kohler. and has two children. Marian K. and Noeline. AAKON C. I)I';M.\1\MvST. One of the jjrojeotors of the horoujjfh of Cresskill, and for a number of years prominently identified with town and county politics, is A. C. Demarest, member and secretary of the Berg'en County Republican Committee. Mr. Demarest was born in Sprinir Vallev, N. J. in 1S4S, and twenty years afterward went to Spring Valley, N. Y.. where he operated a store for a time. In 1869 he came with his father, Cornelius A. Demarest, to Cresskill where property was purchased and a wag-on sho]) built. The father died in 1885, about sixty-five years of age, since which time Mr. A. C. Demarest has conducted the business himself. From the time he first came to Bergen county, he has been more or less active in politics, having been permanently identified with the Republi- can County Committee during the past fifteen years, filling the office of chairman for two years and at present being secretary of the board. He was one of the organizers of the borough of Cresskill, and has been Assessor since its incorporation, and during the same time has been a member of the Board of Education, serving as District Clerk of that bodv. From 1895 to 1898 he was Freeholder of Palisades Township, and was director of the board during the last year of his term. In is'is and 1899 he was made Assistant Journal Clerk of the House of Assembly for the State of New Jersey. Mr. Demarest is a member of the Odd Fellows, and is a Past Grand Master of that fraternity. Mr. Demarest married Miss Addie Cluss, daughter of H. H. Cluss of Ne^v Bridge in 1868, and has four cliildren. THP; KICHTEK M.^NITKACTUKINC COMPANY. This company was organized in 1887, by Paul Richter princii>ally for the manufacture of window shades, etc., the building having been erected for that purpose. William Jefferson Johnson, son of Josiah Johnson a Revolutionary soldier and claiming to be the only living son of a Revolutionary soldier, was the builder. The manufacture of window shades, however, was changed to that of textile fabrics, for upholstering and interior decorations, the product of these articles at this time having a somewhat worldwide reputation and sale. Burlap the article manufactured by Mr. Richter, for interior decorations, made from manila or Indian hemp, was a coarse heavy material for wall covering or decoration which has been used in many of our best colleges, such as Columbia and Bryn Mawr, and similar institu- tions in the United States, as well as in hotels and halls. Mr. Richter employs a large number of men constantly, and from burlap manufactures draperies, canvas, buckram, etc. Mr. Richter is a native of (Germany. He has been in business for himself since he was seventeen years of age, and as a citizen of Tenafly has been honored with various positions of trust and responsibility. lie was one of the PAl'I, KICHTKK. HISTOKY 01-- BEKGEN COUNTY f)69 promotors of the borou^-h ^--uvcrnment of Tcnafiy and has been a mem- ber of its Borough Council from the time of its incorporation, and is at present president of the council. He is also member of the school board. KLIZABKTH C.VDY STAXTON. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, one of the most aygressive of the advocates of W(mian Suffrag-e and a leader in the movement ever since she was a mere g-irl, was born at Johnstown, N. Y., November 12, 1815, received her preparatory education in the Johnstown Academy, where she studied Cxreek, Latin and the higher mathematics, with a class of boys. Although prepared to enter any college, these institutions not then being open to women, she finished her school work in Mrs. Kmma Willard's Seminary at Troy, N. Y. Mrs. Stanton's father was Daniel Cady, an eminent jurist, a juf Lincoln Bank, New York city, is of pure Welsh ancestry. Both his paternal and maternal grandparents came to America from Wales in 1801). He was born and educated in Utica, N. Y., learning the trade of printer, in the office of the Utica Liberty Press. Subsequently he bought the Madison County Journal, a Whig newspaper, published at Hamilton, N. Y. In 1856, his paper united with the Democratic Re- flector, under the name of Democratic Republican. Mr. James' career in newspaper work, covered a period of ten years, and in the meantime he incidentally acted as collector of canal tolls at Hamilton for a year or more. In 18bl, having been appointed Inspector of Customs, he removed to New York city. Later he was appointed Weigher, and in 1870 was made Deputy Collector and placed in charge of the Ware- house Division and the bonded warehouses of the port. His methodical and systematic manner of conducting business, in a few months estab- lished order and efficiency, where confusion and laxity had heretofore existed. General Chester A. Arthur, who was then Collector of the Port appointed Mr. James a member of the civil service board of the Col- lectors and Surveyors offices, of which board he was soon after maS. HISTOKY OF Bp:kGEN COUNTY 673 JOHN J. HARING, M. D. John J. Haring-, M. D., was born in Rockland count}-, N. Y., March 15, 1834. His parentag-e was among the Holland Huguenot stock com- mon in that county. His education was pursued in the public schools and academies progressing to a stage fitting him for entrance to college, it being his original intention to complete a college course. A chain of circumstances turned him aside from this purpose and in 1852 he began the stud}- of medicine in the office of Dr. M. C. Hasbrouck, then the leading physician and surgeon in Rockland county. A year later he came to the office of Dr. Charles Hasbrouck, a brother of his former preceptor, then in an extensive practice in Schraalenburgh, Bergen county. His first winter medical course was in the University Medical College, his second in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, both in New Yf)rk city. A third course was in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1854. Invited to a partnership with his preceptor. Dr. Charles Hasbrouck, he accepted the same and for two years performed the larger share of the joint work extending over at least forty square miles of territory. At the end of that time the entire practice came into his hands by the removal of his preceptor to Hackensack. For fifteen years Dr. Haring responded to all professional demands of this extensive field, he being the only practitioner within its limits. The amount of work involved in these demands was known only to him- self. Fifteen hours were daily spent in making his professional rounds, all of the tooth extracting, fractures, dislocations, and accidents gener- ally of the locality, came into his hands. In addition he was compelled to perform many of the duties assigned in recent times to the druggist. With a view to restricting his professional field and taking advant- age of the developments expected from the construction of the Northern Railroad, he located at Tenafly thirty years ago, selecting a fine site and erecting upon it an attractive and expensive residence, where he has since resided and has pursued his profession with unabated activity and success. Being of a practical matter-of-fact mental make-up, and not given to sentimental tendencies, he has pursued the even tenor of his way never resorting to any of the doubtful expedients often made use of in attaining popularity and professional repute. Naturally reticent and a stranger to the art of flattery, there is little about him of what is known as personal magnetism. Hence he has never courted social popu- larity and has been sparing in his selection of close and confidential friends. In the domestic life he has found his chief source of satisfaction, and has attained to more than the average of its enjoyment. Positions of public trust, political and otherwise, have for the most part been declined when offered to him. At the present time he is Presi- dent of the Health Board of his borough and chairman of the Medical Board of the Englewood Hospital. He is the oldest member of the J. J. HAKINC, M. D. HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 675 Herjren County Medical Society-, having- been associated with that body since its organization, over forty years ago. Politically he has been in sympathy with the Democratic party, and has frequently and earnestly advocated through the public press some of its leading- measures. His religious relations have been with Pres- byterianism, having- been an elder for many years in the Tenafly Pres- byterian Church and clerk of its session. He is tolerant of the opinion of others and is of charitable tendencies, having cheerfully given an un- usually large share of time and labor without expectation of pecuniarv reward. He is a writer of unusul facility, having made numerous con- tributions to various periodicals. Several years ago he published in the local weekly paper of his borough a series of paper^, running through an entire year, upon the history of the eastern part of Bergen county, given reminiscences and personal observations of much interest, from which papers we have been privileged to quote in other pages of this volume. One of the doctor's dreams ( if he mav be supposed to have any i is. when he shall retire from active professional life, he may have the op- portunity and intellectual vigor to write just one book differing from any other printed, which will find favor with serious and thoughtful readers, and which may hold a permanent place upon their book shelves. This would satisfy the full measure of his future ambition. His large circle of acquaintances and friends we feel assured will be gratified if this cherished hope shall be realized. COLONEL ABRAHAM C. DEMAKEST. The subject of this sketch was early imbued with the military spirit and at the age of 22, he recruited a company for the now cele- brated 71st Regiment of the city of New York, which was then called the American Rifles. This regiment was organized during the "Know Nothing" excitement in that city, and was composed exclusively of American citizens. Colonel Demarest's first commission was received in 185.^ from Horatio Seymour, who was then Governor of the state of New York. In 1855 he was again commissioned by Governor Myron H. Clark and again in 1857 by Governor John H. King. At this time owing to his faithfulness in attending to duty and his efficiency in matters militarv, he was appointed drill-master, and, during this time, it is a matter of record that he never was absent from a drill or a parade. Those who remember the so-called " Quarantine War" at Staten Island and the "Dead Rabbit Riots" in the city of New York, may know that the Seventy-first Regiment was called upon, and, by its prompt and effective service, put an end to the unpleasant disturbance. In 18M», Cohmel Demarest removed to Cresskill, N. J., which neces- sitated his retirement from the New York militia. The troublous times of the Civil War stirred again his military spirit, and, with old-time vigor, he recruited a company in Closter for the independent t)attalion of the Hergen County Brigade, and was com- 67f> HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY missioned captain by Governor Charles S. Olden, in 1862. As soon as the companv was formed he commenced to drill his men in his usual efficient manner, so that when Governor Olden issued his proclamation, calling for New Jersey's quota, under President Lincoln's call for 300, (KKI men, he had a nucleus around which to rally recruits for the purpose of forming a company, which he did by enlisting volunteers, and by Sep- tember 1, the limit of time given, had one hundred and fifty men recruited from Closter, Cresskill, Tenafly and Englewood. With these he reported at the rendezvous in Trenton, when they became a part of the Twenty-second New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, which left the capital for the seat of war, one thousand strong — eight hundred being from Bergen county and two companies of about two hundred men com- ing from Mercer county. The Twenty-first New Jersey Regiment, which was enlisted in Hudson county, under the same call, was enrolled the day previous to the muster-in of the Twenty-second, and proceeded to the front. When field officers were appointed. Captain Demarest be- came major, which rank he held until January 1863, when he was com- missioned colonel. The Twenty-second Regiment left Trenton for Washington very hur- riedly, and was ordered into camp on East Capitol Hill. In a few days the regiment joined the Army of the Potomac and was stationed in the defences of Washington at the Chain Bridge, near Georgetown, which position it occupied until November 30, when it was ordered to the front. During his connection with the army he participated in many of the hard-fought battles, until mustered out of service upon the regiment's return to Trenton at the expiration of its term of service. After the war. Colonel Demarest had in contemplation the assist- ing in raising the Second Regiment of New Jersey Cavalry, which was afterward formed under Colonel Louis Karge, but the strenuous objec- tions of his family deterred him from the purpose, and he returned to the management of his mercantile business. Colonel Demarest is a prominent member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion; also of the Grand Army of the Republic and of the Society of the Army of the Potomac. FREDERIC L. COLVER. Frederic L. Colver is of New England and New York ancestry, but was born in Milwaukee, Wis., October 13, 1863. He resided in Brooklyn. N.Y., from 1866 to 1888, removing then to Tenafly, where he has since lived and built a home. His tastes early inclined him to the publishing business, and at seventeen years of age he began the pub- lication, in Brooklyn, of the "Philomathean Review," the official paper of the Philomathean Society, of which society Mr. Colver was one of the founders and presidents. This paper he succeeded with the "Brook- lyn Magazine" in 1886, organizing a stock company to publish this magazine, a department of which contained the sermons of Henry Ward Beecher and T. DeWitt Talmage. During the last winter of Mr. Beecher's life, 1886-7, he conducted a newspaper syndicate of Beecher HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 677 articles. In 1S87 the "Brooklyn Magazine" was succeeded b}' the "American Magazine," with Mr. Colver as manager. In May, 1889, Mr. Colver accepted the post of advertising- manager for Frank Leslie's publications, after serving a short time as partner in a book publishing business. He was lessee and manager of Frank Leslie's Publishing House from 18M5 to July 1, 1898, at which date he incorporated the business under the Frank Leslie Publishing House, with Mrs. Frank Leslie as president and Mr. Colver as secretary and treasurer. In June, 1899, Mr. Colver was chosen president and general manager. Since his removal to Tenafly in 1888, Mr. Colver has taken an active interest in FKF.r)i:Kic I many public movements. In 1891 he started the Tenatly Library Society, now a growing and prosperous literary associaticm. In the spring of 1892, he was chairman of the committee from that society which raised the funds and built the Tenafly Hall, he acting as Treasurer of the Tenafly Hall Company. During the years of 1894-.=; he was editor and manager of the "Tenafly Record," a weekly news- paper, and in the winter of 1892-3, he organized the movement which led to the incorporation of Tenafly as a borough in January, 1894. Mr. Colver served cm the first Borough Council, and in 1S9S was a])pi.inted 678 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY a member i)f the Board of Health. He is an active worker and officer in the Presbyterian church, and a member of the Tenafly Council, Royal Arcanum. Mr. Colver is married to Lillian Frances Warren, of Glens Falls, N. Y., and has one child, Frederic Beecher Colver. HENRY B. PALMER. Henry B. Palmer, first mayor of Tenafly, is a native of New York- city and was born in 1840. He received his education in the city of New York, where he has also been identified with the firm of Barrett, Palmer & Heal, for years one of the largest dyeing- establishments in the coun- try. The works of this company are at Nordhoff, N. J., and the business done by them is extensive. Mr. Palmer is also president of the "Old Staten Island Dyeing Establishment," the largest of the kind in the world. He came to Tenafly about the close of the Civil War where he has since resided. As one of the public spirited citizens of the new borough, he was elected its first mayor, and was subsequently re-elected to the position twice afterward, both preceeding and succeeding General James in that office. PROFESSOR R. S. MAUGHAM. Professor R. S. Maugham, principal of the schools at Tenafly, and Recorder of that borough, is a native of Jersey City and was born in 1859. His father Joseph B. Maugham, Supervising principal of Bern- ard township, Somerset county, N. J. came from England just prior to the war of the Rebellion, locating in this state, where his life since that time has been given to educational work. Being a teacher and a scholar, his son, the subject of this sketch, received from him a course of instruction and mind training equal to that pursued by those who secure classical degrees in our colleges of the present time. Possessing a logical mind and with a taste for scientific subjects, such topics as evolution and the science of life, has engaged his attention, both as a writer and a lecturer. As an educator, however, he has devoted his energies, since eigh- teen years of age, to the work of teaching in the public schools, first in Tuckerton, N. J., then in Cresskill, for a period of six or eight years, coming here in 1887 where he has remained to the present time at the head of the Tenafly schools. He is public spirited and jxissesses qual- ities of leadership as in connection with many of the institutions of his adopted city will testify. He is a member of the Presbyterian church of Tenafly, and was superintendent of the Sabbath school and organist of the church for a few years. He was recently appointed Recorder of the borough, and is otherwise identified with the government of the place. BUELL B. BROWN. Buell B. Brown, was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1848. His ancestors came from Vermont in the early part of the century, and settled on what is known as the Western Reserve, then a wild region- HISTORY OF BEKOEN COUNTY 674 Thev were noted for their public spirit and patriotism, the g-reat-urand- father on both sides being soldiers in the Revolutionary war, and the grandfathers soldiers of the war of 1812, while the subject of this sketch, his father and brother served in the war of the Rebellion. Mr. Brown is a distant relative of John Brown, "whose soul is marching on" and of Lord Nelson, his mother being a grand-neice of the hero of Trafalgar. At the age of sixteen he enlisted as a member of the Sixth Ohio Cavalry, and served under General Sheridan until the close of the war. He was graduated from the Spencerian Institute of Cleveland, Ohio, in lSr>S, the Kingsville Ohio Academy, in 1870, and the Rochester New York Business University, in 1871, being an instructor in the last named institutiim in 1871-72, when he accepted the principalship of the Louis- ville Business College. He afterwards established and conducted sev- eral commercial schools, which now bear his name. He has been the editor of several weekly papers, and is a frequent contributor to the New York press, also author of works on commercial education. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and director of the Englewood Loan and Building Association. Mr. Brown gave up the school and newspaper business some time since and is now a real estate and insurance broker. CHAKI.ES p. lU'CKI.KV. Charles P. Buckley, Mayor of the borough, is a native of New Jersey, but has been a practitioner of law in the city of New York for over forty years. He was born in Montclair, N. J., in December 1834. A few years thereafter his parents moved to the city where he received his education. He has followed his profession since 1858, when admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of that State. He was appointed a Master in Chancery in 1873 by Chancellor Rumyon. In 18f.5 he became a resident of Tenafiy, where his name is found in connecticm with all the movements in that place, socially, politically and other- wise. Mr. Buckley was elected Mayor of the borough of Tenafiy in March 18')9. He is a member of Lawyer's and New York Athletic Clubs, New York city and of the Ll, Garret I. Auryansen; '57-59, Henrv (t. Zabriskie; '60-62, John T. Har- ring; '62-64, John S. Powles; '63-64, '(>(>, Abraham C. Eckerson; '66. Barney N. Ferdon; '67-68, Cornelius Eckerson, Jr.; '68-70, Ralph S. Demarest; '69-70, Abraham Harring; '71, John Van Buskirk; '72-74, James P. Blackledge; '75-77, Peter S. Yeury; '78-80, Peter A. Demarest; '83-84, John Ackerman, Jr.; ''84-86, Jacob B. Eckerson; '86-90, W. L. Lindemann; '90-99, Garret T. Haring; '99, George N. Brewster. Justices of the Peace, 1872, Barney A. Ferdon; '75, Henry G. Zabriskie; '7(>, Cornelius Eckerscm, Jr., John C. Ackerson. Moses .1. HISTOKY OF KHKGEN COUNTY 681 Taylor; '77, John B. Kipj); '7S. James Y. Van Orden; '80, IMartin De Wolf, Allien B. Eckerson; "82, J. P. Andrews. H. G. Zabriskie; "83, P. C. De Wolf, James Y. Van Orden. Robert N. Sneden; '85, Jenkins Sloat; '88, Moses J. Taylor, Peter C. Ue Wolf, James Y. Van Orden; '89, C. Eckerson, Jr.. B. N. Ferdon; ''H, H. Campora, B. N. Ferdon; '')2, George Dayton; '9.^, Georg-e Dayton, who still holds that office; J. Y. Van Orden, who was elected for five years and J. 1!. Eckerson. who was elected for three years. Town Clerks. 1871-73, Jacob J. Demarest; '74-76, Cornelius A. Eckerson; '77-79, William J. Demarest; 'S()-,S7, Charles L. DuBois; '87- 89, Charles H. Lyons; '89-9.^, C. A. Eckerson; '93-96, W. C. Endres, resig-ned November, 1897, George Dayton a]}pf)inted; '98, George Day- ton elected. The officers for the year 1899 are: Town Committee. Ward Varian, Closter; George E. Tooker, Demarest; (iarret D. Durie, Closter; Town- ship Collector, John H. Lindemann. ( loster; Assessor. William J. Demarest. Norwood; Township Clerk, George Dayton, Closter. EAKI.Y sktti.1':ks. The Harings, or Harrings, as the name was sometimes spelled were among the first settlers, giving the name to the township upon its organization in 1775. Peter Haring came to America from North Holland early in the seventeenth century. His son John born December 26, 1633. married Margaret Cozine. Their son Cozine whose son John, had a son Frederick whose son John, was born June 14, 1760. He married Jemima, daughter of Tennis Blauvelt. Their son Teunis, born September 7, 1787, married Elizabeth Perry who died in 1858. Among their children were Abram B., and Jane, wife of Ralph S. Demarest. Abram was born on the old homestead May 20, 1811. He is a member of the board of freeholders, was surveyor, and was sheriff of Bergen county from 1853 to 185(). He also served two terms in the State Legislature. Peter Westervelt the ancestor of the branch of the family of that name living in this part of Bergen county, settled here in the first part of the seventeenth century. His scm, Peter Benjamin, was the father of John Peter Benjamin of this townshi]). The Blauvelts, Ackermans and Ferdons were also early settlers in the township. Garret Ackerson, the first of his name in America, settled at Old Tappen. He sometimes spelled his name Eckerson. SCHOOLS. Benjamin Blacklidge, who was the first teacher of English in Ber- gen county, located in Harrington township as a doctor in the latter part of the eighteenth century. He married Caroline Tallman, and began housekeeping in a part of the house in which he taught school, teaching both Dutch and English. The oldest school house of which we have any definite account was built on ground given bv Abraham Ackerman on condition that it 682 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY should be used always as a school lot. The house was of stone one- story high, with two rooms, one of which was for school and the other for the teacher to live in. It was in that house that Mr. Blacklidge began housekeeping with his sixteen-year-old wife. It was built by subscription. The deed was written in Dutch, but was never recorded. The first school in Closter City District, No. 15, was a private enter- prise begun in 1864 in the basement of the church and became a flourish- ing institution. The first public school in this district was opened in 1870, in a barn rented for the purpose, while the new building was in process of erection. This new house was of brick, thirty by seventv- one feet and two stories high. Alpine District, No. 16, had no school of importance until 1845. The old Closter District, No. 17, is in the northeastern part of the township, where the first building was of stone, near the house of Moses Taylor. This was used until 1830, when a new one was built on the farm of Mr. Taylor, where the lease was to be good as long as used for school purposes. The next building was erected in 1858, and was twenty-eight by forty feet in dimensions. Old Tappan District No. 1'^, is upon historic ground. Major Andre having been executed near the boundaries of this district. The first school building in No. 19 was built a long time ago. According to some accounts, it was about 1785, when a little school house was built with no ceiling and having a chimney built of sticks and mud. A house erected in 1856 was the fourth to be put up in the district, but they did not all occupy the same site. Harrington township will always be interesting as the locality in which young Andre was executed as a spy, October 2, 1780, the execu- tion taking place between the village of Tappan and the state line, not over two hundred feet from the boundary line of Harrington townshij). This vicinity was the scene of the massacre of Colonel Baylor's troop. a small force detached from the main army to intercept a British forag- ing party. The massacre of these men was a cruel and inhuman act calling forth the greatest hatred of the Americans against their British foe. The liorough of old Tappan was taken out of this township, and incorporated in rS94. John H. DeWolf was elected the first mayor December 6, 1S')4. and has been re-elected to that office every election since that time. vn.L.\GES. Closter, the largest village in the township, is very pleasantly situ- ated on the Northern Railroad of New Jersey, twenty miles from the city of New York. It has one hotel, several stores and four churches, with a flourishing public school. Manufacturing of window shades was begun under the firm name of Adam Richter & Co., the business being carried on from that time to the present. The present jiroprietor, Mr. Joseph Schuessler, who HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY 683 has always been interested in the company from the beginninir, is to-dav manufacturing' about ten thousand every two days. He emjilovs nearly twenty hands constantly. HOTELS. The Closter Hotel was built by William L. Lindemann many years ■Ago, but it proved a failure, and subsequently, for want of an occuj)ant, stood idle for a number of years. Finally a manager, in the person of the g-enial landlord, John W. Hutton, took the property, and from that time the house became a landmark of some value to the village. Mr. Hutton purchased the property in ISS'I. and. in IS'ts. sold it to (rarret I^. DHMAK'KS'I' SCH< Earing, the present proprietor. Mr. Hutton at one time carried on an extensive trucking business in New York, and later opened a large restaurant there on Wall and William Streets, where he conducted two bars, and kept about thirty men constantly employed. Tiring ol such an active life, he sought a home where the remainder of his days could be spent in retirement. DKM.VKKST. The village of Demarest follows next in population. It was lai84 HISTORY OF BEKGEN COUNTY located here. An artificial lake adds to the beauty and attractiveness of the place. XORWOOD. This villag-e has two churches, two stores and a hotel. J. Wvman Jones, who bought the land, laid it out in lots for a villag-e. Among the older settlers Henry ver Valen and his son-in-law. David Hariug, are worthy of mention. Mr. Haring lived where Peter A. Blauvelt now resides. CHUKCHES. The Methodists have held services in the town of Harrington since the year 1841. At that time Rev. Mr. Stur, a local preacher, from the Bedford Church in New York, came to the vicinity of Uemarest and held meetings, which were continued by DuBois and others from the same church in New York. From that time a movement was set on foot which resulted in the building of a church edifice on what is known as Hilltop, at a cost of five hundred dollars. The first board of trustees consisted of Henry DuBois, Thomas DuBois, Jacob Jordan, and William Jordan. Before this church was built, it is stated that the mother of Jacob DuBois was in the habit of walking four miles to a Reformed Church in the valley. At that time there was no village on the cliff, but most of the people lived on the river bank and on the hill. Among the early members of this church were Oliver Cosine, Henrv DuBois. Thomas DuBois, Mrs. Thomas DuBois. Jacob Jorden. William Jorden. Mrs. Springstead, and Mrs. Older. In 1857 a new edifice was erected sixty feet long and thirty feet wide, the building material being hard bluestone. Mr. NordhofF defrayed the architect's expenses. The A. M. E. Zion Church of Closter was organi/.ed in IS'H), and is a small congregation. In the fall of 1860 Rev. E. S. Hammond began preaching at Closter, and in February, 1861, at a public meeting held at the house of Peter Maxon it was resolved that an effort be made to secure a church edifice for the better and permanent accommodation of the county, and in 1862 a plot of ground was deeded to the congregation by Thomas W. Demar- est and wife, and a church was erected under the supervision of Daniel Blauvelt, Nicholas Duree, Garret J. Demarest, John H. Stevens, and Matthew S. Bogert. The church was completed, and dedicated October 7, 1862, by Rev. Isaac W. Cole, of Tappan, N. Y. The church was organized September 30, 1862. by Rev. W. B. Mabon, Rev. W. R. (iordcn. Rev. James Demarest, Jr., and William Williams. The first members were Garret J. Demarest, Agnes Westervelt, Peter A. Blauvelt, Elixa Herring, Robert D. Huvler. Mrs. R. D. Huyler. John H. Stephens. David D. Blauvelt, George H. French, Phebe W. Peck, Gideon Peck, Lydia Coddington, Isabella Percell, Margaret H. Hammond, Peter J. White. Sarah Zabriskie, and Abraham J. Hopper. The first elders were Gideon Peck, Daniel Blauvelt, (larret Demarest; deacons, Peter Blauvelt. Abraliaiu J. Ho])per, Peter White. HISTORY OF BHKC.EN COITNTY ()S5 The church is located on the hill, and is built of wood, fiirtv l)V sixt\- feet, and cost ten thousand dollars. The pastors have been Co-- nelius Blauvelt, 1865, who continued until April 27, 18'^>S, as a su'>-)iv, and was succeeded by Rev. P. K. Vaubuskirk, Mav, 18')9, who remained in pastoral charge until April, 1SS7, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Henry Ward, the present jjastor who took- charge September, 1SS7. FIK.ST CONCKM'.CATIONAI. CIIUKCH. The First Congregational Church of Closter is the outcome of the meetings for prayer, instituted by a number of Christian i)eo)le who first met in the building then known as Closter Institute, but is no.v Hammond Hall. This prayer service resulted in the People's Churcli, organized with eighteen members. December 6, 1877, becoming in time the F^irst Congregational Church of Closter. February 22, 1S7S, the church was recognized in a council of which Rev. R. B. Howard, of East Orange, was moderator, and Rev. William H. Brodhead, of S])ring Valley, scribe. The first pastor was Rev. Herbert B. Turner, installed February 6, 1879. The dedication of the new church building took l)lace on December 8, ISSl. In October, 1883, Mr. Turner left the congregation, and in October. 1884, Rev. G. W. Plack was installed, remaining until September, LS'iO. In December of the same year Rev. (i. M. Walton was called, serving the church until April, 189,'^, when Rev. C. A. S. Dwight followed him, beginning his laliors in November of the same year, and in November, 1894, was installed, continuing to serve as pastor to the present time. A Protestant Episcopal church in the village has a small meniber- shij). Rev. Arthur Whitaker is the rector. A Lutheran church was built in 1887 in the village of Closter, and dedicated in 1888. The membershij) is small. The Rev. (ntstav H. Scheild is pastor. THIC N(_)K\V()OI) I'Ki:SHVTl-:i " Bcmtekoe," (spotted cow), arriving at New Amsterdam April 16, 1(>63. On June 8, 1677, a deed of conveyance was made for a large tract of land in the northern New Jersey province and Mr. des Marest with his entire family settled at what is now known as River Edge, N. J. in 1()7S. Samuel des Marest son of David, married Maria daughter of Simon Dreuns, August 11, 1678. They had eleven children. Peter, their son, married Margrietie Cornelise Hariugh, a daughter of Cornelise Hariugh, one of the first settlers of Tappan, N. J., September 14, 1717, and made his home at Schraalenburgh, N. J. having two children, Samuel and John. Samuel was born June 5, 1724. and died March 14, 1808. His wife Margaret Brinkerhoif who was born October 4. 172<», died March 21, 1S02, l)ore him the following children: Peter, Hendrick, Cornelius, (;ai%'kkt /. i)i;:vi \kicst «)88 HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY Roeldf and Margaret Ann. All of the sons served in the Revolutionary war. The father, Samuel, was captured by the Tory leader, Colonel Abraham Van Buskirk, in his famous Old Closter raid and was im- prisoned in the Sug-ar House in New York city. Cornelius was killed in this raid and Hendrick wounded. Roelof, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born August 23, 1756, and died September 4, 1814. His wife, Maria Demarest born August 8, 1756, died May 10, 1810. She had borne him three children Samuel R., John R., and Margaret. Samuel R., the father of our subject was born February 5, 1783, in the old township of Hackensack now Palisades, and died February 24, 1872. His occupa- tion was farming and distilling. In politics he was a staunch Demo- crat, representing the county in both branches of the State Legis- lature. He was a very active man, and was connected with all mat- ters in both church and civil life, that pertained to the prosperity and welfare of the community, and can safely be classed as a representative man of the past He married Elizabeth Zabriskie December 22, 1808, who was born February 13, 1789, and died May 14, 1875. Their chil- dren were John Z., Ralph S., Cornelia, John S., Maria, Samuel S.. Margaret, Catherine, Garret Z., and Ann Eliza. Garret Zabriskie Demarest the onl)' surviving son, was born in Lower Closter or what is now Demarest, in Harringtown township June 21. 1829. He married Margaret Zabriskie, a daughter of John Zabris- kie, October 18, 1849. She was born October 14, 1830 and died October 10, 1893, having borne him two children, John H. Z., who mar- ried Elizabeth V. Moore ( children J. Westervelt and Gretta ) and William E., who married Sarah Ferdon ( children Margretta, Garret and Bessie ). Mr. Demarest was educated in the public schools of his town, and early in life turned his attention to farming and later entered into the coal business, to which enterprise he is now devoting his entire attention. Mr. Demarest, though a strong Democrat, has never sought any political office. He is a man of amiable disposition, and one who has the respect of his entire community, always an ardent supporter of all enterprises that lead to the advancement and prosperity of his town. Mr. Demarest has ever been an earnest supporter of the True Reformed Church of Schraalenburgh known as the "South." This church has been the place of worship for his ancestors since its organization. Mr. G. Z. Demarest is the brother of the Hon. Ralph S. Demarest who represented Bergen county in both branches of the Legislature, and who held many other offices of trust in the county, being also one of the promoters and first directors of the Nothern R. R. of New Jersey. Demarest, N. J. was named in honor of this branch of the family. CKOKGE D.WTON. George Dayton, for many years Justice of the Peace, is a great- grandson of Jonathan Dayton, one of the incorporators of the borough HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY f)8'» of Elizabethtown, N. J., and father of General Elias Dayton, who was borti in Elizabeth Town in 1737. Here Jonathan, son of General Elias Dayton, was born October 16, 1760. General Elias Dayton commauded the Third New Jersey Regiment in the Revolutionary war, and was made a major-general by act of Congress. His son Jonathan was a captain of one of the companies in his father's regiment, and afterwards United States Senator. Nathan Dayton, brother of General Elias Day- ton, was grandfather of our subject. He was born May 11, 1758, and died October, 1842. He also was a Revolutionary soldier. His wife, Mehitable (Hutchinson) Dayton, was born October 11. 1750, and died June 4, 1803. Their son, Samuel Hutchinson Dayton, father of Judge George Dayton, was born on Long Island September 2, 1790, and died August 9, 1864. He married Sally S. Crary, October 13, 1814. She was bora May 25, 1793, and died March 6, 1846. He was a farmer and spent most of his life in the vicinity of Troy, Albany county, N. Y., where the subject of our sketch was born October 2, 1827, and where he spent the first twenty years of his life. A few years before the civil war Judge George Dayton took up his abode in the city of New York where he engaged in mercantile pursuits, and where he on February 1, 1859, married Miss Martha J. Dennis, daughter of Stephen A. Dennis, a manufacturer of jewelry of that city. The names of his children are Ella Fitch Wiswall and George Crary Dayton. In 1868 a residence was established in Rutherford, N. J., and next a removal was made to Saratoga county, N. Y. In 1890 Mr. Dayton came to Closter, where he has resided ever since. He has held numer- ous positions of trust. While in Rutherford he was elected to various ofiices and was sent to the State Senate from 1874 to 1877. In 1891 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and has since served the township of Harrington in that capacity. In 1897 he was elected Township Clerk and still holds that office. ROBERT GRAHAJI CONTRELI., M. D. Among the younger physicians of the county who are fast pushing their way to recognition in the profession of medicine, is Doctor R. G. Contrell of Closter, N. J., whose admission to the practice of Materia Medica, is but recent. He is the son of John P. Contrell of Newark, N. J., who has been cashier for Clark's O. N. T. Spool Cotton Works for thirty-seven years; and the grandson of John Contrell of New York, the proprietor and manufacturer of Contrell's Magic Troches, which have been known to the world for years. Doctor Contrell is a native of Newark, N. J., in which city he received a public school education. Subsequently he was a student at Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., and in 1896, his degree of M. D. was received from the University of Penn- sylvania, Department of Medicine. Following graduation he took up his residence in Newark where he was in charge of the Newark City Dispensary until his removal to Tenafly July 2, 1S'»7. He resided here 600 HISTOKY OF BEKGEN COUNTY until October, IS'Ct, when he removed to Closter, N. J., where he is at present practicing;-. He is examiner for the Prudential Life Insurance Company, Newark. N. J.; the Colonial Life Insurance Company, Jersey City, and for the Knights of Honor, Tenafly. Dr. Contrell was married on May "^l, 1S4'),, to Miss Ann May Curtis of Englewood, N. J. MK. CHAKI.ES W. WKTYKX. Mr. Charles W. Wetyen, one of the substantial and progressive citizens of Closter, is a native of New York city, and was born in 1S58. He is the son of John Henry and Mrs. Adeline Brickwell Wetyen, both of whom were born in Germany. His father came to New York when a young man, and was successful, first in the milk business then in the grocery trade for ra.any years. About forty years ago he moved his family to Bergen county, locating on a valuable tract of land near Demarest, N. J. Soon after this time the father died. Mr. Wetyen has spent his life principally, in this part of Bergen county. In 18S2 he was married to Miss Anna L. Schenck, daughter of John Schenck, a business man of New York, now dead, and by this union is the father of nine children all living. In 1S93 Mr. Wetyen took up his family residence in Closter, where he his been active in all the forward movements made in the interest of his village and church, is identified with the schools, and has been a member of the school board for the past five years. He is a stockholder and director in the Harrington Building and L«jan Association, is a member of the Closter Hook and Ladder Company, and is otherwise identified with the interests of the village. PETER .V. BLAUVEI.T. Peter A. Blauvelt, pioneer undertaker at Norwood, and for many years ati official in the church at that place, is a grandson of Abraham Blauvelt of Paramus, a history of whom can be found in another part of this work. Abraham A. Blauvelt, father of Peter A., was born in Paramus, but owing to the death of his mother he was placed in infancy under the care of an uncle who lived in the vicinity of Norwood. He became a farmer, but having learned the trade of tailor followed that occupation also. In early manhood he married Mary Bogert, daughter of Matthew P. Bogert. By this union he became the father of six children, four girls and two boys, all of whom married except one daughter, who died when fifty years of age. Mr. Blauvelt senior died in 18()7 at the age of sixty-nine. Peter A. Blauvelt, the eldest of this family was born in l. .<^^ .x^^'% A^^ ^z-- . V^~^ ''^ <.,:^-^^ .,^^ <> '/^...^s^^ .«>■•■ ^v C^^ O ■■^^. ,oXN^ ■^..^^ ^^■% ,0o. .^^^^ ■J' 'V ..r^'' >-^.A CO' ■'. ,,^' < ^^^^:- °5. ^ ., ,., ' .0-' ,-0' ."> .^^^ ^..^ "^/^ >^ .\*5 ='^. ■A <^ '^^>. ■f V -f- -^ -: .'^ ,aV^' •'?.•. ^^•% ,\^^' % ,0 a^ <',. <^- ^,ym^r c^^' -'/■. .\\^' ^^^•^ ^^^' V^'% 'o