USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume I > Part 29
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Grace Church (Episcopal)-The parish of Grace Church was organized in September, 1854, in conformity with the usages of the Protestant Episco- pal church. Rev. John A. Jerome accepted a call to the parish for one year commencing in October, 1854. The first service was held in Odd Fellows'
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Hall, on October 8, but measures were at once taken to erect a church edifice. Through the liberality of several members of the parish, this was accom- plished, and the building dedicated April 13, 1856. Rev. Samuel Randall accepted a call to the rectorship on the third Sunday after Easter ; December 13, 1855, was installed, and served until his death, April 20, 1862. Many rectors have since served the parish faithfully and well, the congregation constantly increasing in numbers. A rectory was added to the church prop- erty in 1874, a chapel in 1879. The present value of church, chapel and rectory is placed by the assessors at $25,000. The present rector is Rev. Victor More.
Other Churches-The Colored Methodists have an organization and own a church edifice valued at $2,500; Rev. Edwin E. Tyler is pastor. The Colored Baptist congregation owns a church building valued at $1,500; Rev. J. P. E. Love, pastor.
Drew Theological Seminary-This institution had its inception in the great centenary celebration of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1866, and is one of the greatest educational results of that year of jubilee. Daniel Drew, who had long been considering a gift to his church, announced in that year his intention of having this gift take the form of a theological school. He donated a large sum, one-half to be expended upon buildings and grounds ; the remainder to be an endowment fund. The property purchased was "The Forest," an estate on the Morristown road, founded in 1833 by William Gibbons, a man of wealth from Elizabeth, New Jersey, who there erected a spacious and imposing mansion which he occupied as a home from 1836 until his death in 1852. He left the property to his son, William, who in 1867 sold it to Daniel Drew. The mansion, as Mead Hall, became the chapel, library, reading room, offices and lecture room of the seminary. Mr. Drew did not furnish the endowment fund, business reverses making it im- possible for him to comply with his promises. The seminary, however, was formally opened in November, 1867, with eighteen students, Rev. J. Mc- Clintock, D.D., being president and professor of practical theology. The en- dowment fund was raised in other ways, and the institution has become one of the leading theological seminaries of the Methodist Episcopal church. Eminent theologians have graced the chairs, including Dr. D. P. Kidder, Dr. J. F. Hurst (later Bishop), Dr. John Miley, Dr. R. S. Foster, Dr. James Strong, Dr. H. A. Buttz ( also president of the seminary ), Dr. D. H. Nadal, and many others. The first catalogue contained the names of 18 students, but in the years following, over 2,400 men who have entered the ministry of the church, have had their training here. Tuition and the use of rooms and library are free to all students intending to embrace the ministry as a pro- fession, and pecuniary assistance to a stated amount is provided.
In more recent years there have been munificent gifts made to the sem- inary by John B. Cornell, William Hoyt, Samuel W. Bowne (now deceased), and others. In accordance with the provisions of its charter, Drew Theo- logical Seminary has sought from the beginning to prepare young men to be efficient members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and to fit them by scholarly attainments for any service that the church may require at their hands. Graduates have entered all conferences of the church, and are found in all foreign mission fields of the church. The location of the seminary is ideal, on the slope of a spur of the hills, pure air and pure water ren- dering the locality exceptionally healthy. A campus of ninety-five acres sur- rounds the buildings, ornamented with walks and drives, trees and shrub-
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bery, and a large area of woodland. The buildings are : Mead Hall, Asbury Hall, Embury Hall, J. B. Cornell Library Building, Hoyt-Bowne Adminis- tration Building and Chapel, Bowne Gymnasium, and Samuel W. Bowne Hall-the latter the latest addition to the group, formally opened in October, 1913. It is a granite building of great beauty, a close copy of the famous hall of Christ Church College, of Oxford University. The seminary is under the supervision of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and while it is intended to prepare young men for the ministry of that church, those are admitted who are preparing for the ministry of other evangelical denominations, or for other forms of Christian service. The courses of study are designed for men who have graduated from colleges of recognized standing, and only those who have had such training are prepared to carry the full course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Divinity. The seminary confers the degree named, and in 1913-14 for the first time conferred that of Doctor of Theology (Th. D.). The Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church con- stitute a board of supervision. The officiary is as follows:
Drew Theological Seminary Board of Trustees-Bishop Luther B. Wilson, D.D., president ; George J. Ferry, vice-president; Walter R. Com- fort, treasurer ; Eugene A. Noble, D.D., secretary.
Faculty-Ezra Squier Tipple, Ph.D., D.D., LL.D., President and Pro- fessor of Practical Theology ; Henry Anson Buttz, M.A., D.D., LL.D., Presi- dent Emeritus and Professor of New Testament Exegesis; Robert William Rogers, M.A., Ph.D. (Leipzig), D.D., Litt.D., LL.D., F.R.G.S., Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament Exegesis ; Charles Fremont Sitterly, M.A., B.D., Ph.D., S.T.D., Professor of Biblical Literature and Exegesis of the English Bible and Secretary of the Faculty ; Olin Alfred Curtis, M.A., B.D., S.T.D., Professor of Systematic Theology; John Alfred Faulkner, M.A., B.D., D.D., Professor of Historical Theology ; Edwin Lee Earp, M.A., B.D., Ph.D. (Leipzig), Professor of Christian Sociology ; William Joseph Thomp- son, M.A., B.D., Ph.D., LL.D., Professor of Religious Psychology and Ped- agogy ; Wallace MacMullen, S.T.D., Professor of Homiletics; Frederick Watson Hannan, A.B., B.D., D.D., Associate Professor of Pastoral The- ology and Lecturer in Biblical Theology; Wallace B. Fleming, M.A., B.D., D.D., Adjunct Professor in Hebrew and Greek, and Registrar; James Mon- roe Buckley, D.D., LL.D., Lecturer in Ecclesiastical Law; Leonard B. Mc- Whood, A.B., Instructor in Music and Hymnology ; Robert E. Harned, A.B., B.D., Librarian; Byron G. Sherman, Instructor in Physical Training and Hygiene; A. A. Austin, Superintendent of Grounds and Buildings.
Young Men's Christian Association-This association was formed in 1873, by members of the several churches of Madison, and has been sus- tained with vigor during the years that have since elapsed. Rooms large and commodious were rented for public meetings, prayer meetings and for read- ing room and library, these quarters serving the association until 1877, when removal was made to the Brittin building, which was occupied until the present modern Association Building was completed in 1907. The building is located on the main street, is four stories in height, and contains, besides class and study rooms, a well equipped gymnasium, swimming pool, four bowling alleys, reading room, and amusement room, the Association also owning an athletic field. The assistant to the secretary, and caretaker of the building, Frederick B. Stevens, has been actively connected with the Association for twenty-five years, making that his sole work. The present membership is 400, and every branch of the work is in a flourishing condi- tion. There is also a Ladies' Auxiliary numbering 200 members, which has
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contributed greatly to the success of the Association. The property owned by the Association is valued at $75,000. The officers and directors are as follows: Edward D. Conklin, president; Charles F. Sitterly, Ph.D., vice- president; Charles G. Davis, recording secretary ; Eli G. Partridge, treas- urer ; James H. Baker, W. Reginald Baker, Harold S. Buttenheim, Stark B. Ferriss, Arthur Herrington, Edward P. Holden, Fred A. Miller, James H. McGraw, F. Irving Morrow, J. A. Smith, William P. Tuttle; Will J. Appel, general secretary ; Willis B. Day, physical director.
Public Schools-The first public school house in the township of Chat- ham was in the village of Madison, and one of the early school teachers was Dr. Ashbel Green. This was known as the Bottle Hill school house, and stood until a new one was erected on a lot nearly opposite the Catholic church. In 1809 the school was moved to the Academy building. The pres- ent public school system of the borough comprises a high school with six teachers ; grammar school, eight teachers ; primary school, nine teachers; an ungraded school, one teacher; and special teachers in manual training, do- mestic science, and music, all under control of a Board of Education: Eli G. Partridge, president; Huldah I. MacDougall, district clerk: F. Irving Morrow, custodian : Dr. A. B. Coultas, medical inspector ; Mrs. Kate Robin- son, attendance officer. The teachers are: Supervising Principal, J. T. Godfrey ; Manual Training, Alice C. Roberts ; Domestic Science, Margaret J. Cowan ; Music, Edward J. Young: High School-E. M. Sanford, Edina M. Johnson, Grace L. Faulks, Anna M. Kerner, Martha B. Hopkins, Henry Logan; Grammar-Alice M. Humphrey, Carrie M. Dunaway, Jessie B. Couch, Florence I. Ayers, Olive A. Briggs, Madeline Hendersh. Louise B. Hopping, C. Olive Tuthill; Primary-Natalie Beebe, Laura E. DePuy, Ella E. Jackson. Helen B. Price, Nellie S. Hawks, Lucy D. Anthony, Jane A. Young, Evelyn Moodey, Gavnell T. Combs ; Ungraded-Marie I. Crowley.
For the school year ending June, 1913, 741 pupils were enrolled in all departments, the average daily attendance being 539. For the same period the borough expended $27,103.07 in operating expenses. The school prop- erty is valued at $100,000.
Borough Government-Madison was incorporated as a borough Decem- ber 24, 1889. The present officials are as follows: Benvew D. Philhower, mayor : Albion L. Page, Dr. Clarence Van DeWater, Joseph E. Pierson, Frank McEwan ( president ), Robert B. Holmes, Harvey E. DeHart, council- men : Samuel G. Willits, clerk : Samuel Brant, assessor : F. Irving Morrow, collector and treasurer : Charles A. Rathbun. counsel : William Tvacke, Jr., recorder ; Fred R. Johnson, S. Fred Bennett, William J. Ryan, William Tull. John Walsh, police: Edward F. Frenz, street commissioner : A. J. Jones, engineer : S. F. Burnet, overseer of the poor: Arthur Freckman, pound- master ; Daniel Forte, road cleaner; Henry Hentz, Jr., forester: Joseph F. Bertrand, lineman; John F. Cavanaugh, constable; J. J. C. Humbert, W. F. Redmond. Edward Miller. commissioners of sinking fund; A. L. Reynolds. W. H. Larison, Eugene W. Cook, commissioners of assessments ; fire department-Samuel A. Gruver. chief engineer: James Cavanagh, Joseph F. Bertrand. assistants : S. H. Torrey, chief engineer. water and light ; board of health-W. H. Barton, president ; Edward P. Holden. secretary ; J. J. C. Humbert. treasurer ; S. Fred Burnet, inspector ; A. C. Puddington, Dr. F. H. Seward.
The borough owns its own waterworks, the supply being taken from artesion wells and pumped to a standpipe and supplied through twenty-
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JAMES BUILDING
MADISON LIBRARY
MADISON ACADEMY
CENTRAL AVENUE SCHOOL
GREEN AVE. SCHOOL
SCHOOLS I₦ MADISON
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four miles of mains to every part of the borough. The water is of purest quality, and ample in quantity, nine artesian wells, ranging in depth from 86 to 160 feet, six inches in diameter, furnishing 1,000,000 gallons daily. The cost of the entire system, works and mains, was $300,000. The borough also owns its own electric plant furnishing light and power. A sewage disposal plant is owned and operated jointly with the borough of Chatham.
The Fire Department is composed of two companies of forty men each -- engine, and hook and ladder. The apparatus comprises an automobile fire engine, and a hook and ladder truck, fully equipped. The department is an efficient one, as the recent fire on Waverly Place demonstrated, that fire being fought for six hours and confined to a small area.
The Mercantile Building, in which the borough business is transacted, is a gift to the borough from the late D. Willis James. It is a three-story modern edifice of brick, containing stores, offices, and a public assembly room known as James Hall. The revenue derived from the building is applied to the support of the Free Library, also donated by Mr. James, who in addition donated to the borough the James Park. The building was erected at a cost of $40,000.
The Free Public Library is housed in a beautiful stone building with handsomely decorated interior, Mr. James sparing no expense in its erection and furnishing. The total number of books in the library January 1, 1914, was 10,445. As stated, the endowment fund of the library, provided by Mr. James, is the revenue derived from the Mercantile Building. The trustees are (1914) : Edward P. Holden, president; Henry A. Buttz, D.D., vice- president ; Mrs. James A. Webb, secretary pro tem .; Warren H. Barton, treasurer ; Mrs. William O. Rogers, Jr. The officers are: Norma B. Ben- nett, librarian ; Jessie C. MacCurdy, Edna Phillips, assistants.
Madison is a postoffice of the second class, and since 1899 has been a free delivery office. The latter service was established with three carriers and one substitute, the present force numbering five carriers and two substi- tutes. The postal savings bank feature was established July 22, 1911. The present postmaster, Lewis A. Waters, was appointed December 1, 1903, and is now serving his third term. Theodore E. Garrison, assistant postmaster ; Miss S. E. Kellenring, chief clerk; and three other clerks, complete the office force.
The trains of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad furnish frequent service to all points east and west, the cars of the Morris County Traction Company also passing through the borough, connecting for Newark and Lake Hopatcong.
Banks-The First National Bank was established in 1881, but in 1912 passed into the control of the Madison Trust Company. The bank is pros- perous, having deposits of $500,000. The officers are: Alfred G. Evans, president ; Edward Miller, vice-president ; F. Irving Morrow, cashier.
The Madison Trust Company was established and began business Janu- ary 3, 19II. The last report of the company showed total resources of $977,035, with capital stock $100,000; surplus and profits, $116,212 ; depos- its, $700,425. The officers are : Alfred G. Evans, president ; John J. C. Humbert, vice-president; Theodore B. Morris, secretary-treasurer.
Societies-Madison Lodge, No. 93, Free and Accepted Masons, was chartered February 4, 1869, after having worked under dispensation from July 9, 1868. There are also lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, the Patriotic
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Order Sons of America, Independent Order of Foresters, Royal Arcanum, Daughters of Liberty, Daughters of Pocahontas, Improved Order of Red Men, St. Patrick's Alliance, and others.
The Thursday Morning Club is one of the great forces that have con- sistently contributed to Madison's betterment. It is composed entirely of women, its membership numbering 165, and has been a vital force in town uplift for eighteen years. Among the results of its work is the Settlement House, its work among those of foreign birth and the opening of the doors of the public schools to the young for social purposes. The able president of the club is Mrs. Winifred L. Betzler.
Hotels-From the "Sign of the Bottle," on Academy Hill, to the pres- ent well kept hotel of to-day is a far cry and in the interim many licensed houses have flourished and passed away. The present hotels are the Madi- son House, John B. McGrath, proprietor, and the American House, James C. Bellingham, proprietor. The Mansion House has been a hotel for many years, the quaint old building standing practically unchanged.
The only newspaper in the borough is The Madison Eagle, established in 1880, now published every Friday by J. E. Clearey, editor and publisher.
Madison at one time was the center of a large flower growing industry. The production was large, and the amount of capital invested was consider- able. The business now is confined to the larger growers, combination among the New York commission men driving the smaller producers out of business. The stores of the borough are of high class, and the buildings occupied are modern and creditable. The merchants are progressive and stable, their efforts to maintain a high commercial standard vying with the other departments of borough activity in making Madison a community of the highest class, justifying the newly created title "likeable and liveable."
CHATHAM BOROUGH
This borough will be found in connection with Chatham Township-a special contribution by Mr. Charles A. Philhower.
BOROUGH OF BUTLER
The village of Bloomingdale, on the Pequannock river, in Passaic county, overflowed across the stream, that part of the village being first known as West Bloomingdale. Later, a postoffice was established, known as Butler. Industries started here that attracted workers, the gain in popu- lation being such that on March 13, 1901, the borough of Butler was incor- porated. The location is in the semi-mountainous region along the Pequan- nock, thirty-eight miles from New York, by the New York, Susquehanna and Western railroad, but twenty-seven miles as the crow flies. The health- ful conditions that there prevail have attracted many summer residents and a permanent population of 2,265, according to the thirteenth federal census. The fine roads traversing the section have placed Butler on the automo- bile map, and during the season many tourists visit the borough.
The principal industries are those connected with manufacturing, the leading plant being that of the American Hard Rubber Company, which em- ploys when in full operation, 800 hands. This large plant manufactures hard rubber goods in endless variety and is a well managed modern plant. The company that first erected the plant and began operations in 1876 was known as the Rubber Comb and Jewelry Company, and it was operated by that com-
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pany until 1882, when they were absorbed by the Butler Hard Rubber Com- pany. That company continued in successful operation until 1898, when the plant and business passed to the American Hard Rubber Company, Fritz Achelis, president. The plant has been enlarged at various times until it is one of the largest hard rubber manufacturing plants in the country. The company's main offices are in New York, the Butler factory being under the efficient management of Paul Witteck, superintendent, who is also mayor of the borough, and one of its leading citizens.
Other plants in successful operation in the borough and contributing to its prosperity are The Pequannock Rubber Company, Joseph F. McLean, president, a reclaiming works employing 100 men hands; The Pequannock Valley Paper Company, White Brothers, proprietors, manufacturing medi- cated paper, and employing fifty hands ; The Bloomingdale Rubber Company, also a reclaiming company, employing fifty hands ; J. A. Farrell, paper box manufacturer, employing fifty hands, and the North Jersey Excelsior Com- pany, working fifteen hands.
The borough is well supplied with stores of all kinds, Cleary Brothers, the leading merchants, doing a very large business. The Butler Argus, a weekly newspaper, is published every Friday by James White, editor and publisher. The Argus is one of the useful forces of borough life and a factor in its progress.
Churches-Four churches have been erected in the borough, Methodist Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Baptist and Protestant Episcopal. The Method- ist Episcopal church has a membership of 455, with a Sunday school of 236 scholars, and 26 officers and teachers. The church is a well constructed appropriate edifice, valued at $6,000. The pastor, Rev. Wesley Martin, is now serving his fourth year with this congregation.
St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church is presided over by Rev. Henry A. Post.
St. Anthony's Church (Roman Catholic) is under the care of the mon- astery of Franciscan Fathers O.F.M., a parochial school also being main- tained, where students are fitted for college. The monastery buildings are valued at $65,000, the school at $38,000.
The Baptist church is at present without a pastor. These churches are well supported and carry on an aggressive work through the pulpit and the various societies connected therewith.
There is also a Young Men's Christian Association that has rented rooms in one of the large buildings, where meetings are held and the various forms of association work conducted.
The social and fraternal organizations are the Free and Accepted Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Improved Order of Red Men, Catholic Benevolent League, Knights of Columbus, Ancient Order United Workmen, and Patriotic Order Sons of America ..
Twelve years ago, on May 17, 1902, papers were signed by which the borough secured the attractive park which now beautifies the town. The land, then a swamp, was secured from the East Jersey Water Company, by William Kiel, the then mayor, Mr. Kiel, loaning the money for filling in the swamp, straightening the brook and making the park attractive.
The First National Bank of Butler is an institution with a proud record. Established in November, 1903, with a capital of $50,000, the bank on March 4, 1914, reported total resources amountng to $909,602, with a surplus fund of $60,000; undivided profits, $31,381 ; deposits, $708,453. The bank build- ing is a tasteful two-story structure of brick, valued at $8,000. The officers
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are: Charles G. Wilson, president; W. L. McCue, vice-president; M. H. Glann, cashier ; C. H. Ferguson, assistant cashier ; directors-John B. Burli- son, Fred R. Casterlin, Isaac Q. Gurne, William Mullen, William L. McCue, Charles G. Wilson, Paul Witteck, John A. Farrell, Milton H. Glann.
The Butler postoffice was established in 1881 and is an office of the third class, with a postal savings bank and parcel post features. R. Frank Tree- weeke served first in 1892, was out of office during Cleveland's administra- tion, was again appointed in 1897, and is still the efficient capable post- master.
Hotels-There are five hotels in the borough that cater to the traveling public: The Park, Fred Casterlin, proprietor ; The Butler, Frank Barnes, proprietor ; The Park View, Arthur Westervelt, proprietor ; The Riverside, Martin Cook, proprietor ; The Germania, John Weckbach, proprietor.
Schools-The public schools of Butler are of the best class and afford opportunity for every child in the borough to acquire a good education. The course of study embraces all branches, from kindergarten to High School graduation, with special teachers in drawing and manual training. During the school year 1912-13, 412 scholars were enrolled in all grades, the average daily attendance being 300. During the same period the operating expenses of the schools were $16,529.38. The school building is ample in size, well equipped ; its valuation is $70,000. The teachers are: Principal, Warren Marts; drawing and manual training, Beatrice Treadway; high school, Mary E. Long, Evelyn H. McCaskie, Violetta Wolfe, Maude B. Daverin, Isabel C. Perkins, Louise MacMullen; grammar, Lila A. Beach, Emma C. Cheeseman, Hazel R. Smith, Mabel T. Daglian; primary, Julia Williams, Lillian P. Bacon, Hattie L. Maryott, Margaret Hopler ; kinder- garten, Ethel L. Stamets.
The Water System-Butler's water supply is furnished by a private company and is brought from the reservoir one and a half miles distant and distributed through all parts of the borough by gravity. Sixty hydrants are supplied at different parts of the borough, the pressure for fire purposes ranging according to elevation, from 80 to 140 pounds. The supply is ample and the quality of the best.
The fire department consists of five volunteer companies, aggregating 150 men-Kinney Hose, Kiel Hook and Ladder Co., Pequannock Hose, Bar- tholdi Hose and Decker Hose. The apparatus consists of an automobile truck, hook and ladder with all accessories and an ample quantity of hose. Three of the companies are located in Borough Hall, two on the hill.
The borough officials are: Mayor, Paul Witteck ; councilmen-Edward K. Roberts, president, Joseph F. McLean, Howard Tintle, George Laurence, E. K. Roberts, John Weckbach ; clerk, George J. Fritz ; assessor, Charles A. Decker; collector and treasurer, Jesse Ward; counsel, Edmund Stetler ; recorder, Allen Looker; constable, Francis E. Cook; overseer of the poor, James Gormley ; police marshal, Martin McKeon; the officers of the fire de- partment are-Chief, S. K. Owen; assistant chiefs, Allen Looker, Joseph Gormley ; deputy chiefs, S. E. Estler, John Weckbach; board of health, Dr. W. P. Thorne, Dr. S. K. Owen, Rudolph Guenter, Edward Smithyman, Allen Looker ; president of the board of education, E. P. Smithyman; dis- trict clerk, Emory W. Myers; custodian, Samuel G. Harris; medical in- spector, Dr. E. N. Peck; attendance officer, Jacob L. Hutt.
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