USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume I > Part 30
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MORRIS COUNTY
BOROUGH OF ROCKAWAY
Great as was the stimulus of the building of the Morris Canal to various Morris county settlements, to no village was its coming so important as to Rockaway village and township. Passing from Powerville on the east, through the entire width of the township, it was the salvation of Rockaway, then the headquarters of the iron industry of the county. The means of transporting its rich ores and manufactured iron was slow and expensive and for this reason the iron industry was in danger of abandonment. But when in 1830 the canal came and became the medium of transportation, Rockaway was one of the places most benefitted. In 1848 the building of the Morris and Essex railroad furnished rail communication with the sea- board and from that time transportation was no longer a problem.
The first business enterprise in Rockaway village was the Rockaway Manufacturing Company, incorporated February 15, 1837, for the purpose of manufacturing iron, cotton and wool in all their branches, with authority to negotiate with the Morris canal for water to run their mills. The incor- porators were: Joseph Jackson, Stephen J. Jackson and Samuel B. Halsey. Nothing was done under this charter but later the same parties with one or two others procured a second charter, authorizing the manufacture of iron only, this charter bearing date February 14, 1843. This was also allowed to go by default. On February 12, 1855, a third company was incorporated under the same name for the purpose of making iron and steel at Rockaway. Freeman Wood, George Hand Smith, Lyman A. Chandler, Theodore T. Wood and Nathaniel Mott were the incorporators; the life of the company to be thirty years. This company expended a large amount of capital and operated several years but were not successful and finally surrendered to creditors.
The American Swedes Iron Company, operating the Judson Steel and Iron Works, was incorporated February 26, 1868, by Adrian B. Judson, James L. Baldwin and George Neemus. This company leased the rolling mill and operated for some time with varying success in producing iron and steel, but soon retired from the field. The works were, however, operated by different parties until about 1879, when they came under the management of Joel Wilson, of Dover, the inventor of the "Wilson direct process," by which a superior quality of iron was to be made direct from the ore, without first being made into "pigs." He interested New York capital and operated as "The American Swedes Iron Co." The four Catalan forges were em- ployed in making iron from the black sand obtained from Block Island and Long Island ore beds, that was sold to the makers of crucible steel. This sand ore was separated from impurities by a magnetic machine invented by C. G. Buchanan, of Rockaway, the heavy rolls used being manufactured in Rockaway by Mahlon Hoagland, owner of the Union Foundry, noted in the township history.
The Iron Bank of Rockaway was incorporated August 20, 1855, as a state bank with a capital of 3,000 shares, par value $50. George P. Wil- liams, of Hoboken, New Jersey, was the owner of 2,000 shares; Freeman Wood, of Rockaway, of 300 shares; Charles Sanford, of New York, of 596 shares; Nathaniel Mott, of Rockaway, of 100 shares; Elisha Mott, S. S. Beach, Jr., John Mott and Stephen Estile, all of Rockaway, each owning one share. Freeman Wood was elected first president of the bank, and for three of four years Rockaway was the bank's location. After the pas- sage of an act by the legislature in 1858, authorizing the removal, the bank
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was removed to Morristown, later becoming the National Iron Bank of that town.
In May, 1858, the Rockaway Bank was incorporated to take the place of the Iron Bank, but although its 1,000 shares of stock were subscribed for, no further business was ever transacted.
Colonel Joseph Jackson, who is regarded as the founder of Rockaway village, was born in a log house on the north bank of the river about a mile above the village, March, 8, 1774, son of Stephen and grandson of Joseph Jackson. He was a man of education, a practical surveyor, and in April, 1793, became his father's assistant. He was actively engaged in mining and manufacturing iron, owned mines, forges, mills and stores; was the first and only postmaster of Rockaway from November 29, 1796, until 1843, when removed by President Tyler; was major of the First Battalion, Third Regi- ment, Morris County Militia, in 1801 ; lieutenant colonel of the Third Regi- ment, 1804, serving as such until 1817; elected judge of the court of com- mon pleas of Morris county, 1813, serving until 1832; elected as a "Jackson Democrat" to the New Jersey legislature in 1829, and re-elected; and was a ruling elder of the Rockaway Presbyterian Church, elected 1818. Colonel Jackson built the Rockaway Rolling Mills with his brother, William; became sole owner in 1834, and executed many profitable contracts with the United States government for iron. He died in 1855, aged eighty-five years.
Dr. John Darby Jackson, brother of Colonel Joseph Jackson, was born in Rockaway, graduated from a medical college in Philadelphia, in 1815, and was the only physician in Rockaway until his son, Dr. John W. Jackson, began practice. Dr. Jackson was a Democrat, a member of the state legis- lature in 1835, 1836, and 1855 and 1856; was one of the first freeholders of the township and held many town offices. He practiced in Rockaway all his life and there died November 17, 1859, aged sixty-five years.
Samuel B. Halsey, son of Dr. Abraham and Mary Beach Halsey, was born at Fishkill, New York, July 24, 1796. He graduated from Union College in 1815. He commenced the study of law with Hon. James Tal- madge at Poughkeepsie, and in 1817 was appointed aide-de-camp by Gov- ernor Talmadge. He was licensed as an attorney by the supreme court of New York, October 30, 1818, and practiced until 1834, when he removed to Rockaway. He was elected to the legislature of New York from Dutchess county in 1826 and 1830. At one of these elections he was the only member of his party that was elected. On his removal to New Jersey he abandoned the active practice of the law, and engaged in mining and manu- facturing iron, farming, etc., and in assisting his father-in-law, Colonel Joseph Jackson, in the management of his affairs. He was frequently engaged as master in chancery in the settlement of estates, and from 1846 to 1851 was one of the judges of Morris county. He was elected to the legislature of New Jersey in September, 1841, and in 1843. At the second election he was made speaker of the house. He died in Rockaway, Sep- tember 15, 1871. His strict integrity and kindness of heart won the respect of all who knew him.
Another old-time Rockaway business man was Hubbard Stansbury Stickle, a descendant of Peter Stickle, who came from Germany in 1760. Hubbard S. Stickle was born in Rockaway village, September 4, 1783, the day following the acknowledgment of American independence, a fact that he often boasted of, saying he was the "first free man born in New Jersey." He enlisted in the War of 1812; was prominently connected with the busi- ness interests of Morris county, as head of the mercantile firm of Rockaway,
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MORRIS COUNTY
Stickle and Rutan; held many local offices; was a member of the Presby- terian church for more than seventy years; retained good health and memory and managed his business personally until his death, June 18, 1881, aged ninety-seven years, nine months, fourteen days.
Other men and enterprises of the early village days are mentioned in Rockaway and other township histories. The village flourished and was content with civic conditions until June 18, 1894, when its corporate exist- ence as a borough began. At the first federal census taken after its incor- poration (1900) Rockaway reported 1,483 inhabitants; in 1910 this number had increased to 1,902. The assessed valuation of real estate in the bor- ough for the year 1912 was $767,000; personal property, $94,733. The present features of the borough, commercial, political, educational and religious, show a prosperous, orderly and moral community.
Schools-The excellent school system of the borough consists of kin- dergarten, primary, grammar and high schools. In them were enrolled dur- ing the school year ending June, 1913, 447 pupils, the average daily attend- ance during the same period being 329. For the support of her schools during that time the borough expended $12,378.45. The teachers for the year 1913-14 were as follows: Principal, C. Herbert Walling; high school, Ethan J. Randall, Edith M. Jackson, Charlotte L. Clemens; grammar, Hilda L. Johnson, Mildred V. Gardner, Margaret Sherrick, Helen M. Printz, Muriel Benedict; primary, Blanche L. Gay, Thalia Dearborn, Muriel Seyboldt, Edith E. Meyers; kindergarten, Bertha M. Winterscheid. The officers of the board of education are: President, Samuel A. Crook; district clerk, Edwin J. Matthews; custodian, Daniel Brooks; medical in- spector, Dr. George H. Foster; attendance officer, William Shepard.
The First National Bank-This institution although just past its sev- enth birthday has well proved its right to exist. Established March 4, 1907, a report made at the close of business just seven years later, showed total assets of $392,161.58; deposits, $328,246.35, and a surplus fund of $5,000. The bank is capitalized at $25,000, transacts its business in its own banking house valued at $3,275, and is a government, state and municipal depository. The officers are: S. J. Loewenthal, president ; William Gill, vice-president ; E. H. Todd, vice-president ; A. Y. Yetter, cashier.
Churches-The early history of the Presbyterian and Methodist churches of Rockaway is given at length in the township history. The Presbyterian church dates from 1758; the Methodist church in the borough from 1833, the oldest Methodist church congregation in the township (now the Denville church) dating from 1799. Both churches are in good repair, the Presby- terian, with the exception of a Sunday school wing added in 1880, being as it appeared when built in 1832. It is of brick and in its coat of white paint forms an impressive sight, flanked by its setting of green. While a pipe organ has been installed, the pulpit and altar modernized, stained glass win- dows and electric lights put in, the interior with galleries on both sides and rear presents the same appearance as when built. The present pastor is Rev. George S. Mott Doremus. The congregation numbers about 300.
The Methodist Episcopal Church in Rockaway was incorporated April 20, 1833, David Stickle, James Eakley, David Cole, Abraham L. Clark and Joseph Casterline, trustees at that time. The first church building was erected in the fall of 1833, the location being also that of the present building, erected about 1871. The present membership is 206; Sunday school enrollment, 265;
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value of church property, $10,000; parsonage, $2,750; pastor, Rev. Austin E. Armstrong.
The old cemetery surrounding the side and rear of the Presbyterian church is the Protestant burying ground for all denominations in the borough. It contains fifteen acres, is beautifully undulating and well shaded by grand old trees, and carefully kept. Here lie many of the pioneer fathers : Colonel Jackson; his brother, the old "Doctor," and his son, also Dr. Jackson; the Hinchmans, Tuttles, Estiles, Hills, Captain Job Allen, the Motts, General William Winds, the Beamans, and many, many others, the history of this sacred spot being contemporary with the history of the church to which it belongs. Here are the old, old stones of brown, the inscriptions entirely gone; the plain marble slabs of later days, and the stately granite monu- ments of the present time. Over all her children the old church stands a silent sentinel, and welcomes to her bosom each year both her own dead and those of other congregations. Here, too, as if an additional guard to warn all to preserve the sacredness of this consecrated ground, stands the stone sol- dier, armed, surmounting the monument erected by Rockaway township to the memory of her military sons. A figure long to be remembered is the old sexton, John G. Mott, who for thirty-nine years has been custodian of church and burial ground. He has performed his part at the burial of 2,127 persons in the old graveyard, during that time (the present date being May 15, 1914) and is still in charge, although age has laid upon him no gentle hand.
After Rev. Barnabas King had completed his fifty-five years as pastor of the First Church, he was succeeded by Rev. Samuel P. Halsey, who was fol- lowed in 1872 by Rev. O. H. Perry Deyo. Rev. David E. Platter succeeded him ; Rev. James O. Averill becoming the next pastor in 1881. Rev. Charles Anderson was the next pastor, then came Rev. Thomas A. Reeves, who in 1893 was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. George S. Mott Doremus.
Another item concerning the old graveyard is the date of its oldest legible stone, April 8, 1762, "Mary, wife of David Estil," as near as the name can be made out. One of the captors of Major Andre is said to be buried in this graveyard, but the location of his grave, as well as that of many others, is unknown.
St. Cecelia's Roman Catholic Church, built in Rockaway in 1876, also has a burial ground on the road to Mount Hope, first opened at the time the church was erected. There are other old graveyards in Rockaway town- ship, but none in the borough.
Societies-There are many societies connected with the churches of Rockaway, all well supported and useful. In the borough are lodges of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Improved Order of Red Men, Junior Order United American Mechanics, Daughters of Liberty, Royal Arcanum and others. The oldest lodge in the borough is Rockaway Lodge, No. 68, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, organized July 22, 1852, and duly incor- porated under the act of legislature providing for incorporating societies of benevolent and charitable intent. Freeman Wood was the first executive, Thomas M. Sturtevant, vice; Jacob Powers, secretary and treasurer.
The Rockaway Record, an independent weekly newspaper, is now com- pleting its twenty-fifth year. The present editor and publisher, Sidney Collins, became editor about eleven years ago. The paper is of local interest, well edited and commands a generous support.
Postoffice-Through the efforts of Colonel Joseph Jackson, a postoffice was established in Rockaway village on November 29, 1796. Colonel Jack-
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MORRIS COUNTY
son was the first postmaster and held the office for nearly half a century, being removed by President Tyler in 1843. The office is one of the third class and presided over at present by Van Cleve F. Mott, who succeeded his father, Elias B. Mott, as postmaster.
The Rockaway Fire Department is a well organized and efficient body of volunteer firemen, led by David Hart, chief. The apparatus consists of an auto chemical engine and an auto hose cart, well supplied with hose and accessories.
Hotels-There are three licensed hotels in the borough, the old Rock- away House, Christopher Kelly, proprietor and owner; The Central House, Jacob Keller, proprietor and owner; Brooks Hotel, George Brooks, pro- prietor and owner.
Present Industries-On the site of the old rolling mill plant now stands the great plant of the Liondale Bleach, Dye and Print Works, erected in 1897. At the head of the corporation owning and operating the plant is Simon Loewenthal, president; Emil M. Loewenthal, vice-president and treasurer; Alfred S. Levi, secretary; Harry P. Watson, superintendent. These gentlemen also comprise the board of directors. The business of the company is bleaching, dyeing and printing cotton piece goods, their reputa- tion being high in the textile market. From 300 to 350 operatives are employed.
The Rockaway Rolling Mills, further down the river, are owned and operated by Edward Ehlers. The Lincoln Iron Works by John Neilon.
Just below the dam at the Main street bridge stands the old mill that has served its purpose many years, now owned and operated by John H. Miller. Crossing the bridge, the old Mckinnon Axe Factory attracts atten- tion. This plant was established in 1845 by William McKinnon, who was succeeded by his son, who maintained the quality of the Mckinnon axe until his death in 1907, the plant then passed to a corporation, The McKin- non Rockaway Axe Company, and the manufacture of axes continued.
. In 1911 the municipality erected a handsome Borough Hall, on Main street, near the bridge, where the borough business is transacted and the fire apparatus stored. The officials for 1914 are: Mayor, Edward Ehlers ; bor- ough clerk, James B. May ; councilmen-L. N. Hoffman (president), Clar- ence H. Beach, Edward T. Davey, Arthur Beardwood, George E. Crampton, Arthur J. Yetter.
BOROUGH OF WHARTON
This borough, originally the village of Port Oram, is located two miles west of Dover on the' Morris canal and the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western railroad, largely in Randolph, but partly in Rockaway township. Port Oram was selected as a location for a store, from the fact that it had been a central shipping point on the Morris canal, for the ore from the many mines of the district. In 1860 a storehouse was built, also a small freight depot of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western railroad, and called Port Oram after Robert P. Oram, who had been chiefly concerned in its selection. The store was opened under the firm name of John Hill & Co., but Mr. Hill retiring the next year the firm became Oram, Hance & Co. Up to 1864 only four buildings had been erected but the store did a large business with miners, farmers and others living away from the hamlet. From 1864 to 1868 over forty buildings were erected and the population increased from four to sixty-
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four families, numbering nearly 400 persons. The increase continued until that paralyzing period for the iron business, 1872-1880. Business then re- vived and prosperity came to the village in leaps and bounds, the great iron works bringing so many that in 1910 the census showed a population of 2,983, with at least 1,000 foreigners not enumerated. The Boonton Iron Company operated important mines near by and their miners greatly increased the figures, nearly all of them being of English birth. The Mount Hope and Chester branches, and later the High Bridge branch of the Central Railroad of New Jersey, made Port Oram their terminal point, which with the Dela- ware, Lackawanna and Western and the Morris canal made the village the best manufacturing point in Morris county. The Port Oram Iron Company was incorporated March 31, 1868, by John C. Lord, Robert F. Oram, William G. Lathrop, C. D. Schubarth, James H. Neighbor, W. H. Talcott, J. Cowper Lord, Henry 'Day and Theodore F. Randolph, the possible capital being $300,000. Nearly all of these gentlemen were interested with the owners of the Boonton Iron Company, who also owned the Mount Pleasant and other mines near by. The company originally issued $150,000 in stock, which was all consumed in the erection of a blast furnace and works; $100,000 addi- tional was then raised on bonds of the company, the stockholders taking almost the entire amount. The furnace was much larger than either of the Boonton furnaces, its capacity being 150,000 tons yearly. The cost of furn- ace and land was $200,000. It was blown in August 27, 1869, and operated by the owners until May 4, 1872, when Ario Pardee leased the plant for four years, conducting it very successfully. In January, 1877, the furnace was sold under foreclosure of the mortgage given to secure the bonds and was bought in for the bondholders who reorganized under the name of the Port Oram Furnace Company. After being operated for a time it was out of blast until the entire plant was purchased by the Wharton interests of Philadelphia, who operated the works on a large scale. The works were in blast until in February, 1911, when they were closed, throwing 400 men out of employment, although in rush seasons 600 had been employed. At the same time the Hurd mine, owned by the same company, closed down, 275 miners and helpers losing employment. There are few miners working in the section, except the 145 men employed at the Richards mine, owned by the Thomas Iron Company, the ore being shipped to the company's mills at Catasauqua, Pennsylvania.
John Hance and Robert F. Oram built a forge in 1877-78 and on August 5, 1878, began making pig iron by new methods and improved machinery. A company was later incorporated with $50,000 to build and operate the forge, Robert F. Oram, president ; John Hance, vice-president ; William G. Lathrop, treasurer ; Edward Hance, secretary. Other operations dealing with the iron business were started and attained considerable suc- cess, but all are now closed. Other industries, however, have been established from time to time and the borough, while regretting the hard fate that closed its principal industry, is still a prosperous one, every house being occupied and the population remaining at about the figure reported to the census of 1910-2,893.
The present active industries are the Wharton Textile Company, manu- facturing hosiery and employing eighty-five hands; Lake & Langdon, silk goods, eighteen hands; Washington Forge Company, manufacturers of broad silks, 109 hands; Downs & Slater, foundrymen, ten hands; Eastern Slag Company, manufacturing slag into roofing and street compounds,
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twenty-six men. The Richards mine, the stove works at Dover, and the government powder arsenal at Picatinny, also furnish employment for a great many Wharton men. At the arsenal about 200 men are employed in the manufacture of powder and fixed ammunition for the United States government, Colonel Odus C. Horney, of the regular army, being command- ant. The Navy also has a department on the same grounds for the storage of ammunition, a detachment of twenty marines being there on duty, but entirely distinct from the Army department. The Hercules Powder Com- pany, at Kenvil, also furnishes employment to many Wharton workmen.
The business houses of the borough are well kept and prosperous and include general, grocery, drug and clothing houses, with the small shops incident to every community. A free public library is maintained, a board of trade is in active operation and the fraternal orders are well represented. These include the Improved Order of Red Men, the Knights of Pythias, Pythian Sisters, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Knights of Columbus, Cath- olic Benevolent League, Holy Name Society, and St. Patrick's Alliance.
Four railroads enter the borough, thirty-four trains arriving and depart- ing daily. These are the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western (main line), Central Railroad of New Jersey (High Bridge branch), the Mount Hope Mineral railroad and the Wharton and Northern.
Churches-The present churches of the borough are St. John's Method- ist Episcopal Church, 234 members, 485 enrolled in the Sunday school ; Rev. William C. James, pastor. St. Mark's Roman Catholic Church, with a hand- some stone church edifice and large brick parochial school buildings, about 1,000 communicants, Rev. Paul T. Carew, pastor; Rev. Edwin Lange, as- sistant pastor. The Hungarian Presbyterian Church, 125 members, and a suitable edifice, Rev. Charles Azure, pastor. The Presbyterian Church (English speaking) has thirty-five members and own their edifice, Rev. Theodore F. Chambers, pastor.
The postoffice is one of the third class, two rural free delivery routes departing therefrom. A postal savings bank is a department of the office, as is the parcels post, money order, and registry systems. Edward S. Hance, appointed April 28, 1898, served as postmaster until his death, March I, 1914. Miss Allie Hance, his daughter, and assistant during the same period, is at present acting postmistress.
There are no banks in the borough, Dover, two miles away, being the nearest banking point. For savings accommodations, however, many depos- itors are using the Postal Savings Bank.
Telegraph, telephone and express service is excellent, the large com- panies being represented and are well patronized.
Schools-The first school house was built in Port Oram in 1867 and a school taught therein by Henry Allen, who was succeeded by Erastus E. Pot- ter. The schools were under township control until 1895 when the village was incorporated a borough, since then their management being local. In 1902 the name of the borough was changed to Wharton by act of the legis- lature. The schools of the borough are a high school with two teachers, a grammar school with four teachers, and a primary school with five teachers, as follows: Principal, W. P. Curtis; high school, Elizabeth McNally, Gretchen H. Law; grammar, Addie M. Reilly, Mary L. Linabery, Mary M. Maloney, Helen J. Hicks ; primary, Effie M. Bray, Marie V. Duffy, Effie Honeychurch, Lida K. Parks, Grace E. Beam. The total enrollment for the
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