USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume I > Part 36
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The officers are: Mrs. William Watts, president; Mrs. Thomas C. Bushnell, Mrs. Morris Sutphen, Mrs. George E. Chisolm, Miss Anna Shaw, vice-presidents ; Mrs. Lloyd Saltus, secretary ; Mrs. Edwin Ross, treasurer. Executive Committee-Mrs. Howard Coghill (chairman), Miss Anna Shaw, Mrs. John T. Gillespie, Mrs. Henry Shaw. Board of Managers- Mrs. Robert F. Ballantine, Mrs. Douglas S. Bushnell, Mrs. Thomas C. Bush- nell, Mrs. Thomas W. Cauldwell, Mrs. George E. Chisolm, Mrs. Howard Coghill, Mrs. Franklin B. Dwight, Mrs. George P. Fiske, Mrs. Emlen P. Franklin, Mrs. George C. Fraser, Mrs. H. Elmer Gibb, Mrs. John T. Gil- lespie, Mrs. F. H. Humphreys, Mrs. Frederic R. Kellogg, Mrs. Elbert S. Kip, Mrs. Charles Gordon Knox, Mrs. Robert W. Locke, Miss Meta H. Lord, Mrs. George A. Low, Mrs. A. Heyward McAlpin, Mrs. E. K. Mills, Mrs. D. H. McAlpin, Jr., Mrs. Frank Marsh, Mrs. Paul Moore, Mrs. Edwin Ross, Mrs. Lloyd Saltus, Miss Anna Shaw, Mrs. Henry Shaw, Mrs. J. Morgan Slade, Miss J. Frances Sherman, Mrs. Morris Sutphen, Mrs. Henry F.
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Taylor, Mrs. Louis A. Thebaud, Miss Thurston, Mrs. Alexander Torrance, Mrs. W. D. Vanderpool, Mrs. William Watts, Mrs. Ridley Watts, Mrs. John I. Waterbury, Mrs. John Camp Williams.
The Minard Home-In the year 1870, Abel Minard, of Morristown, presented to the Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States a valuable property to be used as a home for girls, the children of foreign missionaries of that church, during their minority, so long as the parents were engaged in missionary work-for girls, orphans or half orphans, children of ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, or such girls, orphans or half orphans, as the trustees may designate. The property, which is quite valuable, con- sists of a handsome commodious brick house, in every way well adapted to the purpose for which it was built. The Home, situated on South street, below Madison avenue, was indeed a home, with all the name implies, and not an asylum, an orphanage, or a charity school. The institution was incor- porated by the State of New Jersey under the name of The Minard Home of Morristown, and free from taxation up to $100,000. Its management was vested in a board of eighteen trustees, appointed quadrennially by the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. After a few years of usefulness, the Home was discontinued, and for many years the building has been used as a private residence.
BANKS
The first two banks organized in Morristown ended their careers in- gloriously, but even our twentieth century financiers have not altogether escaped a similar fate, nor more honorably closed their doors. The first bank of record is the State Bank at Morris, for which subscription books were opened March 17, 1812, by Aaron Kitchell, Edward Condict, Jonathan Ogden, Charles Carmichael and Ebenezer H. Pierson, commissioners. The president of the bank was Daniel Phoenix. Business was conducted for a number of years in the building at the corner of Park Place and Bank street, but finally the bank went into bankruptcy.
The Morris County Bank was incorporated February 24, 1836, by Henry A. Ford, Dayton I. Canfield, George H. Ludlow, Joseph Jackson, Richard S. Wood, James Wood, Henry Hillard, Jeptha B. Munn, Silas Con- dict, Timothy S. Johnes, Jonathan C. Bonnell, George Vail and William Brittin. James Wood was the first president, succeeded at his death by Wm. Nelson Wood, his son. The capital stock of the bank was $100,000, and for a time this was the leading bank of the county. In the financial troubles of 1857 the bank suspended. It soon met its obligations and re- sumed business, but less than ten years later the doors were forever closed.
The National Iron Bank was first known as the Iron Bank of Rock- away, moving to Morristown in 1858. The first president after it removed was Sherman Broadwell; Horace Ayers, cashier ; directors-C. S. Hulse, Samuel W. Corwin, John Bates, James Holmes, George S. Corwin, Francis Lindly, and Henry C. Pitney. Until 1865 this was a State Bank, but in that year was organized under the National Banking Law as the National Iron Bank. The original capital of $50,000 was increased to $100,000, and again in July, 1871, to $200,000, the present capital. In 1870 a banking house was built at a cost of $40,000, this in turn being succeeded by the present building, which with furniture and fixtures, is valued at $115,000. Mr. Broadwell continued in the presidency until 1869 and then was succeeded by Hampton O. Marsh. The present officials are: Robert D. Foote, president; P. B. Pierson, vice-president; L. D. Kay, cashier ; M. L. Toms, assistant cashier.
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Deposits at the close of business, August 9, 1913, were $1,903,947, and total resources, $2,308, 117.
The First National Bank was organized April 4, 1865, and began busi- ness June 21, of that year, with a capital of $100,000, later increased to $200,000. The first officials were: Theodore Little, president; Louis B. Cobb, vice-president ; Joseph H. Van Doren, cashier; directors-Daniel Budd, William G. Lathrop, John F. Voorhees, J. Boyd Headley, Henry M. Olmsted, Columbus Beach, George T. Cobb. The present officers are: H. Ward Ford, president; Rudolph H. Kissel, vice-president; Guy Minton, vice-president ; Joseph H. Van Doren, cashier; Henry Cory, assistant- cashier. An interesting fact is that the first cashier, Joseph H. Van Doren, still holds that office, and at this date (1914), lacks but one year of completing an honorable service covering a period of half a century. The bank's last statement showed a surplus of $200,000, an amount equaling its capital stock.
The Morristown Institution for Savings was incorporated April 9, 1867, by George T. Cobb, Austin Requa, Lebbeus B. Ward, Joseph W. Ballentine, Augustus W. Cutler, Louis B. Cobb and William C. Caskey. The first presi- dent was Louis B. Cobb; the first deposit was made May 25, 1867, and after an honorable life of about fourteen years the bank wound up its affairs, paying not only dollar for dollar, but dividing a surplus of about $30,000. From the date of the first deposit until February 1, 1881, when deposits ceased, over one and a half million dollars had been received, the largest amount on deposit at one time being above $540,000.
The Morris County Savings Bank was incorporated March 3, 1874, by William L. King, Henry W. Miller, Theodore Ayers, George E. Voorhees, Henry C. Pitney, Thomas B. Flagler, James A. Webb and Augustus C. Canfield. William L. King was the first president; John B. Byram, the first secretary-treasurer, both elected March 7, 1874. Mr. King served until January 1, 1881, when he was succeeded by Henry W. Miller. The present officers are: Philander B. Pierson, president; Guy Minton, vice-president ; Horace G. Wolfe, secretary-treasurer. The bank took on an increased prosperity in 1881, when the Morristown Institution for Savings began winding up its affairs, and has steadily gone forward. On January 1, 1914, the eighteenth semi-annual interest dividend was credited to depositors, the amount of the dividend being $84,440. Deposits December 31, 1913, were $4,460,633 ; surplus, $424,547 ; real estate owned, $85,000.
The Morristown Trust Company, Samuel Freeman, president, was in- corporated December 15, 1892, with a capital of $600,000. The bank's statement, December 31, 1913, showed deposits of $6,671,946; surplus and profits, $1,094,470 ; market value of bonds owned, $3,901,274; market value of stocks owned, $930,062; loans, $1,037,218; mortgages, $319,900; real estate owned, $319,900; total resources amounting to $8,370,680. The officers of the bank are: Samuel Freeman, president; Willard W. Cutler, vice-president ; John H. Capstick, vice-president; John H. B. Coriell, secre- tary ; Harry A. Van Gilder, treasurer ; Ralph S. Streett, assistant secretary- treasurer.
The American Trust Company, capital stock $150,000, showed at the close of business, March 4, 1914, deposits of $247,666; surplus, $22,500; undivided profits, $16,799, with total resources of $440,038. The officers are: Thomas J. Hillery, president ; Charles R. Whitehead, vice-president ; Edson J. Neighbour, vice-president; Victor E. Boell, secretary-treasurer.
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NEWSPAPERS AND PRINTERS
Caleb Russell may be styled the "father" of the Morristown press. Although not a printer he was the prime mover in the founding of the Morris County Gazette, the first newspaper issued in the town. Mr. Russell purchased the press upon which it was printed, secured the services of Elijah Cooper, a practical printer, and issued the first number May 24, 1797. The paper was issued by E. Cooper and Co., until November, 1797, when Cooper retired, leaving Mr. Russell as sole editor. He continued the Gazette alone until early in 1798 when he secured the services of Jacob Mann, a practical printer, placing him in charge of the paper. The Gazette was continued until May 15, 1798, when the name was changed to the Genius of Liberty. Jacob Mann edited the paper until May 14, 1801, when he went to Trenton, New Jersey, where he conducted the True American in com- pany with James J. Wilson. Mr. Russell then gave the entire plant, press and newspaper, to his son, Henry P. Russell, who continued the paper several years.
The Genius of Liberty was succeeded by the Morristown Herald, which was edited and published by Henry P. Russell, from 1813 to 1820, when he removed to Savannah, Georgia, the Genius then fading from view.
In 1808, Jacob Mann, of previous mention, returned to Morristown, where he became the editor of the Palladium of Liberty, issuing the first number March 31, 1808, continuing until January, 1832, when he was suc- ceeded by N. H. White. Mr. White only continued a few months, Mr. Mann again taking the paper, to be succeeded later in the year by E. Cole and J. R. Eyers. Early in 1833 Mr. Cole retired, Mr. Eyers continuing sole editor and publisher until June 4, 1834, when he changed the name to the Morris County Whig.
The Jerseyman was founded by Samuel P. Hull, the first issue ap- pearing October 4, 1826. He continued the paper successfully until 1852, when Alanson A. Vance purchased the paper and became its editor. In 1869 he sold a half interest to L. O. Stiles. The paper has been published continuously until the present time and is one of the substantial papers of the county. The Jerseyman is published every Friday by Pierson and Sur- dam, Vance Pierson, editor. The offices of the paper are at 12 Park place.
The True Democratic Banner was established in 1838 by Louis Vogt, who had learned the printing business on the Commercial Advertiser of New York. He located in Morristown in 1836 and in the same year started the Democratic Banner. Through a misunderstanding with his patrons he ceased its publication and in 1838 began the publication of the True Demo- cratic Banner. After his death the paper was continued by his widow and her sons, Louis A. and LeClerc Vogt, the brothers until recently continuing publication in the Banner Building, under the firm name of Vogt Brothers. LeClerc Vogt died in April, 1913. An interesting fact concerning this paper is that the father purchased his first bill of paper from a New York house with which Cyrus W. Field was connected, and the sons seventy-five years later are still customers of the same house, the account never having been terminated, which proves the solid worth of both houses.
The Morris Republican was an ably conducted paper during its short life. It was established May 8, 1872, by F. L. Lundy, who continued it until his removal from the town in July, 1877.
The Morris County Chronicle began publication November 2, 1877, under the editorial charge of T. J. O'Donnell, who was succeeded in a few months by D. H. Prime and Co. On January 21, 1880, the paper passed to
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the ownership of Joshua Brown. The publication is yet continued (1914) from the office of the Jerseyman.
The Daily Record, as the only daily paper in Morris county, occupies a field all its own. It is peculiarly a one-man paper, the owner, editor and publisher, E. H. Tomlinson, being entitled to all the credit for its success, virility and popularity. The Daily Record was established June 25, 1900, and quickly sprang into public favor. It is a 7-column paper, running from six to sixteen pages, with a daily circulation of 3550 copies, distributed throughout Morris county and vicinity. The paper is published in its own building and printed from a Cox duplex press, the entire plant being fitted with the best modern accessories. The Record building is located opposite the Soldiers' Monument on the "Green," building and paper consti- tuting a valuable property. Mr. Tomlinson, before coming to Morristown, was connected with Trenton, New Jersey, dailies, and is a thorough news- paper man. His firm adherence to principle is illustrated by the fact that no whiskey, beer or objectionable medical advertisements are admitted to the Record's columns, at any price. The Daily Record is strictly and al- ways independent in political opinion.
The Morris County Press is published in Morristown every Thursday by the Press Printers and Publishers, Incorporated ; David W. King, editor, secretary and treasurer ; Rex Beach, president. The paper has a circu- lation of 1800 and is independent in its politics.
Printers-In the early part of the nineteenth century Morristown achieved considerable importance from the number of books there pub- lished, Jacob Mann, Henry P. Russell and Peter A. Johnson being the leaders. Jacob Mann in 1805 published a complete Bible, together with the Apocrypha, which although not as famous as the "Wicked" Bible and the "Breeches" Bible, nevertheless attained considerable notoriety from a mistake which secured for it the name of the "Arminian" Bible. The mistake occurs in Hebrews vi. 4, which he made to read: "For it is pos- sible for those who were once enlightened * if they shall fall away to renew them again unto repentance."
Another work, popular in its day, was "An Historical Compend," in two volumes, by Samuel Whelpley, A. M., principal of Morris Academy, which was published in 1806 by Henry P. Russell. Peter A. Johnson pub- lished and Henry P. Russell printed, in 1815, "A Syllabus of Lectures on the Visions of the Revelation," by Rev. Amzi Armstrong, "Minister of the Presbyterian Church at Mendham, N. J."
For seven years Joseph A. Adams, an apprentice of Jacob Mann, lived in Morristown. He is famous as the inventor of the art of electrotyping, which he also brought to a high plane of perfection. He mastered all the details of the printing business during his seven years with Jacob Mann, then went to New York, where he became a skillful wood engraver. In 1839 he began experiments in electrotyping plates from wood cuts, suc- ceeding so well that in 1841 an engraving was produced by his process, and printed in Mapes' Magazine. His invention of electrotyping was perfected after a long series of experiments, but at last he secured a full and perfect current for a long time, and an equalization of the action of the battery until it was nearly exhausted of its acid. He also invented an entirely new process for covering wax moulds in a few minutes with a coating of copper. He was granted a patent on this last invention January 29, 1870. On April 19, of the same year he patented the Electric Connection Gripper, whereby
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Washington's Headquarters itg -so, Morristown, N.J.
Washington's Headquarters, Morristown. Residence of Henry A. Ford, 1860-1870. Built in 1774.
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the metal pan is taken entirely out of the current of electricity and the copper precipitated only upon the mould.
For a long time he was connected with the Harpers, having entire charge of the engraving in their famous Bible of 1843. He won highest praise not only for his inventive genius but for his artistic ability. He died September 17, 1880, aged seventy-eight years.
Hotels-In 1738, at the May term of the Hunterdon county court (Morris county then being in that jurisdiction), Jacob Ford and Abraham Hathaway were granted renewal of licenses to keep public houses in New Hanover. This is the first record of licenses issued in Morristown. Two noted houses flourished during the Revolution, one of them owned and kept by Colonel Jacob Arnold, a commander of an effective squadron of light cavalry. This hotel was Washington's Headquarters during the win- ter of 1777. The other hotel was kept by George O'Hara, at whose house the famous "assembly balls" were held during Washington's second winter in Morristown, 1779-80.
After Morristown became famous as a health and summer resort, William Gibbons, of Madison, at the solicitation of a gentleman in New York, selected a lot on the west side of "The Green," and there erected a splendid brick and brownstone hotel, at a cost of $200,000. This he called the Morris County House, later changing its name to New Jersey Hotel. The building, finished in 1843, was totally destroyed by fire in 1845, the house at the time being filled with guests, all escaping in safety but one, a Mr. Bailey, who lost his life.
The Mansion House, on Washington street, near the court house, is one of the oldest hotel properties in the county. Other hotels in the town are the United States, Piper's, Washington, and the West End. The Morristown Inn, a high-class family house, is much patronized by auto- mobilists.
Washington's Headquarters-This historic building, whose foundations were laid in 1772, was finished in 1774, and occupied by the Ford family in that year. It is located on a gentle eminence nearly a mile east of Mor- ristown Green, and in full view from the railroad. Morris avenue (Whip- pany road) and Washington avenue unite in front of the house, and form Morris street, one of the five thoroughfares that branch out from "The Green." During the summer of 1873 the property was offered for sale in order to settle the estate of Henry A. Ford, a lineal descendant of Colonel Jacob Ford. A few gentlemen who attended the sale, headed by former Governor and United States Senator Theodore F. Randolph, purchased the property, their object being to preserve for the people the house with its great historic associations. To this end they formed the Washington Asso- ciation of New Jersey, with capital stock limited to $50,000, transferable only with the consent of the association, and then only to a male descendant of the holder. If no such descendant claims within five years from the death of a holder, the stock becomes the property of the State. The Association obtained a very liberal charter from the state, among its pro- visions being total exemption from taxation; prohibition of any unsightly building or object near by ; police powers upon and near the grounds; and the semi-annual payment by the state of $1250 to aid in keeping the Head- quarters in condition and open to the public.
The house is filled with relics and mementoes of the Revolution, with the office and bedroom furniture of General Washington, all as nearly as
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it was when he used it, as is possible. The most highly prized relic is the original pen commission issued to Washington as "General and Commander- in-Chief," signed by John Hancock, and dated June 19, 1775, and preceding the engrossed commission ordered by the Congress. The house and grounds, beautifully kept, present a pleasant sight, the ancient cannon on the lawn and the national flag floating above giving an imposing military effect. Volumes could be and have been written concerning the Headquarters and its sacred associations. The house is open to visitors on week-days.
In connection with the foregoing in relation to the "Father of His Country" as a sojourner at Morristown, it is pleasing to add to these pages the following on "Washington and the Holy Communion," from the pen of the Rev. James M. Buckley, D.D., LL.D., the eminent divine, author and antiquarian, whom the author has referred to at greater length on an earlier page. His narrative follows:
After the death of a great man, if he had been connected with national or general political affairs, or in places of power, especially as commander of armies on land or sea, his biography is hurriedly put upon the market. Later, others have been produced by authors who aim to make not only a great work but to spread knowledge hitherto hidden from the public. Fre- quently two or more bring forth histories of the life of the same man; and, when this is the case, there is often much contradiction between them. Therefore succeeding generations "instructed only by popular writers, think too highly or too meanly of the world's heroes or sages." This is illustrated in the elaborate biographies of Washington, and also in the "sketches of individual characteristics or actions;" and particularly in the question whether George Washington took the Holy Communion when his army lay encamped in the environs of Morristown, New Jersey.
The late Dr. Samuel Hanson Cox, a notable Presbyterian min- ister, first attracted attention to this subject. He had received the account from Dr. Hillyer, who had it from the lips of the Rev. Dr. Timothy Johnes, who had been for many years the pastor of the church, and who administered the sacrament at that time. According to Dr. Hillyer, at that time the church was occupied as a hospital for smallpox patients, that loathsome malady being epidemic in the army. During that period, the religious services were held in the orchard not far from the parsonage.
In the morning of the previous week, General Washington, after his customary inspection of the camp, visited Dr. Johnes and said, "Doctor, I understand that the Lord's Supper is to be celebrated with you next Sunday. I would learn if it accords with the canons of your church to admit communicants of another denomination?" Doctor Johnes responded, "Most certainly ; ours is not a Presbyterian table, but the Lord's table, and hence we give the Lord's invitation to all His followers of whatever name."
The General replied, "I am glad of it; that is as it ought to be. But, as I was not sure of the fact, I thought I would ascertain it from yourself, as I propose to join with you on that occasion. Though I am a member of the Church of England, I have no exclusive partialities." On the next Sabbath, General Washington was present, seated on his own camp-stool, brought over from the residence in which he then lived.
This story is reported in the Presbyterian Magazine, in articles in the February and December numbers for 1851. The February number con- tained the account, and shortly after the editor received a letter from the Rev. Nicholas Chevalier, of Virginia, who stated that some years before
Parsonage of Rev. Timothy Johnes, pastor of Presbyterian Church in Morristown while Washington and his army were en- camped there in 1777, and also in 1779-80. (Plate of P. H. Hoffman).
Spot in dell in rear of Parson Johnes' house, where religious services were held, and communion was administered to Gen. Wash- ington. The churches were at that time used as hospitals. (Plate of P. H. Hoffman).
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he was informed by Dr. Johnes, a son of the Rev. Dr. Johnes, that the religious services including the Holy Communion were then held in an orchard. The editor of the magazine wrote to Mr. Kirtland, and also to the pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church at Morristown, who had married into the family of the Rev. Dr. Johnes, and who corroborated the statement.
Being convinced that, if such an account were correct, such event would be commonly known in all the important families who had descended directly from the most influential inhabitants of Morristown, I began in 1897 an investigation among them, with the following results: I. I secured a certificate signed by Mrs. Anna Johnes Little, wife of the Hon. Theodore Little, a well-known lawyer in Morristown, an elder in the First Presbyterian Church, and president of the First National Bank. It is as follows:
"It has always been the tradition in my family that Washington took the Com- munion in a hollow back of the parsonage during the ministry of my great-grand- father, the Rev. Timothy Johnes, D.D., who was pastor of the Presbyterian church for fifty years. The churches were at that time used as hospitals, and the services were held out-of-doors behind the parsonage.
"Washington frequently asked Dr. Johnes's advice during his residence in Mor- ristown, and they were on the most friendly terms. "(Signed) MRS. ANNA JOHNES LITTLE. "January, 1898."
II. The following certificate is signed by two ladies, descendants on both sides from important families of Morristown :
"Mills St., Morristown, N. J.
"I have always heard, from my father and mother both, this story: That General Washington partook of the Communion at the outdoor service held in the little hollow behind Parson Johnes's house. General Washington asked him if he might commune with them, and Dr. Johnes's reply was that it was the Lord's table. It was always understood that such was the case.
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