USA > New Jersey > Morris County > Dover > Dover dates, 1722-1922 : a bicentennial history of Dover, New Jersey , published in connection with Dover's two hundredth anniversary celebration under the direction of the Dover fire department, August 9, 10, 11, 1922 > Part 15
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And in 1872 Leopold D. Schwarz bought the Steel Furnace lot on Sussex street for $2,500 and erected the Central Hotel from the old bricks of the Steel Furnace, this being the second brick building in Dover.
To secure a right of way through this Sussex street property in 1880, for the Central Railroad of New Jersey, George Richards made a bargain with Leopold Schwarz, giving him the Old Stone Store (now Friedman's) near the National Union Bank, in exchange for said right of way. Hence said store on Blackwell street was rated as worth a fraction of $2,500 in 1880.
To resume the story of McFarlan's Park :- the portion from the corner of Blackwell and Warren streets to the Woolworth store near the Baker Theatre was sold to Mayor Pierson for $5,500 about 1885. W. H. Baker bought the rest of it for $8,000. From the Baker purchase 125 feet was sold to the Hoagland Memorial Church for $15,000 in 1899.
Every street has its real estate story and of these Blackwell street is the most startling. The Business Men's Association might well devote an evening to swapping real estate stories about Dover's main street. Old Dickerson street, once the Fifth ave- nue of the village, also has a tale to tell. Our new Americans from classic Greece and Italy now delight in the mansions of Dover's "old families."
In 1912, the Presbyterian Church (the original name for the Hoagland Memorial) sold its old building and lot on the south side of Blackwell street and opposite its present edifice for $6,500.
In 1911, Edward Jenkins and Price, the photographer, bought a lot (50x120) from Miss Mary Rose for $15,000. In 1922 the lot known as the "White property" (50x100), opposite the Jenkins & Price purchase, was sold for $30,000.
It is said that the Killgore corner (25x50) which sold in 1827 (2,500 square feet) for $400, was sold in 1922 for something between $40,000 and $50,000.
Another Blackwell street corner worth noting is that at the north- west corner of Essex street. The late Robert F. Oram had a mort- gage on this lot (50x100) and a small strip (18x50) in the rear, with River street between the two lots. The mortgages were for $3,261.72 and $526.47. At public vendue in 1889 the two lots sold for $3,100. In 1919 this property was sold for $30,000 to Pasqual Nazzaro, who has since sold it at a profit.
The property at southeast corner of Blackwell and Warren streets,
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opposite the Trust Company, was recently sold to Wm. S. White .. The price was said to be $75,000. The corner is occupied by a brick building, three stories high. There are six stores on the first floor. Lot 35 x10512. This makes a price of $6.77 a square foot.
Lehman's corner (Morris and Blackwell street), was bought in 1902-3 for $19,000 (75x100). Two years before that date it could have been bought for $12,000. All taxes on this property, when bought, amounted to $166. The property was formerly occupied by Sovereign's Mercantile and Savings Association, and by the residence of Sidney Breese.
The lot on which Pierson's Clothing Store long stood, sold in 1872 for $6,000 with no building on it.
In some such way a table or chart of real estate transactions could be made out and the rise in value of each city lot recorded in chrono- logical order. Then we should have that complete guide to Dover real estate values which I feel myself unprepared to furnish. Besides, my interest in the subject is purely academic.
The Trust Company, by the way, secured their corner (30x65) for $22,500 in 1912, and have since added a lot (30x35) in the rear for $13,500. With some incidental expenses this brings the purchase price of their property up to $36,000 and more.
If we should add to these statistics of commercial real estate the story of the mining properties by which Dover is surrounded-farms and hillsides with "mineral rights"-we should have another chapter of thrilling interest, leading up to the recent gathering up of the old mining lands by Replogle, Inc.
There is still another side to our real estate story, and that is the chapter that tells of the many cozy homes for working people of whatever occupation, erected by their thrift and often, in great part, the work of their own hands, aided perhaps by the Building and Loan Association, founded in 1882. This is the real crux of Dover's pros- perity-how can the man or woman of moderate means secure a com- fortable and satisfactory home? Many interesting answers to that question have been worked out in Dover and on all the hills surround- ing the town, where choice building sites become more and more available through the increasing possession of automobiles. The air- plane may yet lead some of our good folks to "mansions in the sky"; but, if you fall short of that, try the vicinity of Quaker Church or Mt. Fern for delightful scenery at an elevation of 800 to 1,000 feet above sea. Or West End Heights and Mine Hill. Low-lying plains beyond these toilsome heights may be found at Kenvil, with plenty of elbow room. Elycroft on the east is also holding out inducements. But I am not an agent.
In addition to the above historic facts the following considera- tions may be noted.
Real estate values in New Jersey have been notably affected by a growing appreciation of landscape beauty and picturesque scenery and surroundings. There was a time when land was valued chiefly for ts productivity and this always holds for farming properties.
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But after the Civil War and especially during the last quarter century, beauty of rural and suburban scenery has become a distinct factor in real estate values-witness the developments at Morristown, Summit, Short Hills, Far Hills, Peapack, Lyons Farms, Montclair and numerous modern residential tracts. With the application of landscape gardening and the erection of attractive villas many of the old farms have risen in market value from $60 to $1,000 an acre.
Another potent factor in causing such values is the social charac- ter of the community. This may become exclusive or exaggerated ; but it cannot be denied that land rises or falls in value by the charac- ter of those who reside on it or near it. Good neighbors are an asset to any man who wishes to put his property on the market.
Accessibility to daily work is another consideration. In old times it was a marked feature of our village life, as when Zenas Pruden had his shop at one end of his garden spot and his dwelling at the other, at the corner of Morris and Dickerson streets, N. W .. With the growth of a great population of commuters to our cities suburban real estate has acquired new value. In a local way it may be noted that Guenther's factory has raised land values to and beyond the Rockaway Township line from about $150 or $200 a building lot to $1,000. The Richardson & Boynton Stove Works has added greatly to the real estate possibilities of the Baker tract and North Dover as well as other parts of the town.
Architectural beauty also enters into ultimate values of residen- tial and even business-block properties. The architectural fitness, vari- ety, harmony and tout ensemble of a village, town, or city creates positive market value. Well designed buildings such as public schools and libraries, churches, banks, municipal buildings, stores and even factories may be so treated, grouped and harmonized as a whole that the general effect is a real asset to all property owners in such a community or neighborhood. I have even heard the remark that if a group of houses that may be seen at one view along a country road were well harmonized in their color scheme instead of seeming to "swear at" one another, the result would bring artistic blessings to humanity if not dollars and cents to the owners. In towns and cities a building commission may do much for the general good. Europe learned this lesson long ago. Our Trust Company Building marks a forward step in Dover. When the post-sewer building craze sets in, then engage a competent architect that a new Dover may rise majestic from the ancient foundations !
The completion of a sewerage system will be another great step forward in the history of Dover real estate. Sanitation is a founda- tion stone of good living and real estate value. Dover's future, in this respect, is bound up with that whole area which includes New York City and a circuit of fifty miles about it, for which the Russell Sage Foundation is endeavoring to raise up competent constructive advisors.
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Any changes that our railroads may make in shifting their line of road building will inevitably cause some shift in real estate availa- bility. We are all watching to see which way the Lackawanna will jump when it seeks a better line of traffic through the awkward turn at Dover, going west. The ultimate fate of the Morris Canal is another factor.
Dover's diversified and picturesque scenery makes possible build- ing sites in great number, beautiful for situation and outlook-situa- tions that would cost much more if nearer New York. We are here at the gateway of the Switzerland of New Jersey. Lake Hopatcong is eight miles west of us, and many smaller lakes and ponds dot the landscape of the State as one flivvers through this Schooley's-Moun- tain peneplain of New Jersey.
CHURCHES
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The First Presbyterian Church of Dover was organized in 1835 and held its first services in the Stone Academy erected on Dickerson street by Henry McFarlan, Sr., to serve in part for church use. The first building erected by the Presbyterians was located on land donated by the executors of Henry McFarlan, Sr., on the south side of Black- well street, at the west corner of Prospect street. It was dedicated in 1842. The first building was later moved across Prospect street to the triangle where Totten's Garage now stands.
The second building (now used as Arcanum Hall) was erected on the site of the first and dedicated in 1872. Elder J. L. Allen left $10,000 towards the erection of this building, and $5,000 for a parson- age, located on Prospect street, further up the hill.
The third and present building, known as The Hoagland Memorial Church, was erected, 1899, on land purchased from Wm. H. Baker, opposite the former site of the old church buildings. The third build- ing (with the land on which it stands) was donated by Hudson Hoag- land as a memorial of his wife, Martha D. Bigelow.
These gifts are recorded in recognition of the generosity of the donors.
The pastors of this church have been as follows:
Rev. James Wyckoff . 1835-1838
Rev. Robert R. Kellogg. 1838-
Rev. Burtis C. Magie, D.D .. 1839-1876
Rev. William W. Halloway, D.D. 1876-1910 Rev. Peter McMillan, D.D. . 1910-
Previous to the organization of this church prayer meetings had been held in Dover and a Sunday School established in 1816. A series of special religious meetings was conducted in Dover in 1831 by Rev. Edwin F. Hatfield, later known as the author of Hatfield's History of Elizabeth, N. J. These meetings, apparently, were a prelude to the organization of the church in 1835. It was "set off" from the Rockaway Church in 1834.
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GRACE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The first organized Methodist society in Dover was an off-spring from Millbrook Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1838 the first Meth- odist Episcopal church in Dover was erected on the corner of Sussex and McFarlan streets. For fifty-two years this church stood as the pride and honor of Methodism in Dover. In 1890 this old church was sold to H. P. Hopler, as it had served its day and generation and must give place to the new. It was removed to its present site on Sussex street and turned into a dwelling house. It is still owned and occupied by its original purchaser, H. P. Hopler.
On July 23rd, 1890, the cornerstone for the new church was laid. On the 28th day of January, 1891, the new church, now known as Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, was dedicated. With few minor changes, this building has been used for the glory of God for a period of thirty-three years, and is in good condition to-day.
The present membership is about 150. Number on roll in Sunday School, 280; members in the Epworth League, 135; number in Ladies' Aid, 40; in Sisters of Bethany, 28; in Boys' Club, 25; Girls' Club, 85.
The pastors who have served the church since 1876 are as follows : W. H. McBride, one year; A. M. Palmer, one year; W. I. Gill, three years; W. H. McCormick, three years; J. R. Daniels, three years; Fred Bloom, five years; Thomas Hall, one year ; S. D. Decker, one year; W. M. Trumbower, two years; W. J. Hampton, three years ; J. F. Machman, one year; M. T. Gibbs, four years ; S. H. Jones, four years ; E. V. King, one year; H. P. King, one year ; A. B. Fitzgerald, five years ; Nathaniel Brooks, seven years ; William H. Hudson, present pastor, one year.
THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The First Methodist Episcopal Church, like the Grace M. E. Church, dates its organization from the first church building erected in Dover in 1838 on the corner of North Sussex street and McFarlan street.
They removed from the old site and put up a stone church in 1872, on North Essex street, corner of Blackwell street. In 1907 they erected the present large and beautiful stone building on Blackwell street, to which the building of 1872 becomes an annex for the use of the Sunday School and other purposes.
The present pastor is the Rev. J. Fred. Bindenderfer, who suc- ceeded Rev. George Whitehead, who followed Rev. Christopher Von Glahn.
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ST. MARY'S R. C. CHURCH ST. MARY'S PARISH
In the matter of church history St. Mary's has set us all an example by publishing, in connection with its seventy-fifth anniversary, a pamphlet containing a history of the parish, illustrated. In it are shown pictures of the church buildings, higher dignitaries of the church, pastors and others-23 illustrations, such as every church ought to have. From this pamphlet the following data are obtained. 1774 Earliest record of missions in Morris County. Baptism by Rev. Father Schneider.
1844 Rev. I. P. Howell visited Dover, stopping with Mr. and Mrs. William Phillips. Father Dominic Senez of Madison followed. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips donated ground for a church.
I845 Work was begun on it. Father Senez was pastor.
1847-1867 Father John Callen. Parish School established in base- ment of old church.
I867-1869 Rev. Bernard Quinn. First school building 1868.
1869 Rev. P. Byrne and Father Fitzsimmons.
1870 Rev. Pierce McCarthy. New cemetery acquired.
1873 Cornerstone of new stone church laid.
1878 Rev. James Hanley.
1883 Rev. John A. Sheppard.
1884 Rev. Nicholas Hens.
1885 Rev. Gerard Funke. Brick school and new rectory built.
1908 Rev. Paul T. Carew.
1914 Rev. E. J. Miskela. Sisters' Home built.
1917 Rev. P. A. Maher.
1920 Seventy-fifth anniversary.
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ST. JOHN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
NOTE :- At the time of the seventieth anniversary of St. John's Church a history of the church was published in the local papers. It: was not possible to obtain such a history in 1913 for the "Dover His- tory" and I now include this history in "Dover Dates" the better to preserve it .- Editor.
1919. The Seventieth Anniversary.
On Sunday morning there was corporate communion of the parish in thanksgiving to God for His years of care. On Sunday evening the service was in charge of five of the former pastors, the Rev. Messrs. Butterworth, Butler, Pickslay, McCleary, and Thomson. Special music was rendered at both services by the choir under the direction of Miss Mabel Banghart.
On Monday evening there was an informal reception to former pastors and communicants in the parish house, to which the local clergy were invited. The townspeople of Dover were invited to attend the anniversary exercises.
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PARTIAL HISTORY OF THE CHURCH
In the month of November, 1849, the Right Rev. George Washing- ton Doane, D.D., LL.D., Bishop of New Jersey, placed the village of Dover under the charge of the Rev. Charles W. Rankin, Rector of St. Peter's Church of Morristown.
Henry McFarlan, Esq., of New York, had in years past manifested his interest in the establishment of the church in Dover by designating a commanding piece of ground as the site of a parish church and pro- viding a large folio Bible for the use of the minister officiating in that village.
His son, Henry McFarlan, Esq., residing in Dover and inheriting his father's spirit, was the first to encourage the revival of the church's work and has been foremost in every labor of love to carry it forward to a successful end.
The above, taken from record made by Dr. Rankin, is in brief the tale of the beginnings of the work of St. John's Church which is now keeping its seventieth anniversary.
On the evening of the eighth of November of that year the first service was held in an "upper chamber" of the Academy building then located on what is now Dickerson street, where Snyder's restaurant now is. The room could hold about a hundred people and is reported as being well filled. So well was this enjoyed that it was then determined to begin a weekly service, which has been continued ever since.
On November 23, the sacrament of Baptism was first administered by the pastor. The three children of Asa M. Clark, George C., Augustus H., and Mary E., were presented and their names are the first entered upon the parish register.
The following January it became needful to enlarge the meeting place and a number of repairs were made so that the room might have "a neat and pleasant appearance." Shortly afterward a Sunday School was organized under the superintendence of Henry McFarlan.
Because it was not possible to have the services of a clergyman in the morning, no Communion service was held until January 12, 1852, when the Bishop himself officiated. The service consisted of the Litany and Holy Communion and nine communicants were reported.
Encouraged by this visit of the Bishop, the people determined to effect a parish organization and this was done at the first Parish meet- ing, held on February 28, 1862. At this meeting Henry and Charles McFarlan were chosen Wardens and Asa and Henry Phillips, William Losey, Thomas T. Lewis and Joshua Butterworth, Vestrymen.
Among the early members of the congregation were many whose names are familiar to all who have traced the history of Dover. McFar- lan, Blackwell, Cooke, Elliott, Richards, Munson, Tippett, Tremain, Stickle, Mott, Jackson, Phillips, Clark, Tonkins, and Green are names known and still to be found in our community. These communicants came from Dover, near Dover, Succasunna, Mt. Pleasant Mine, Rock- away, Denville, Lake Hopatcong, Mt. Hope, Mott Hollow, Mine Hill, Long Pond, Swede's Mine, Iron Dale, Scrub Oaks and Ferromont.
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St. John's treasures the first prayer book used at this time. This book was used by the first rector of St. Peter's Church in Morristown, Rev. Benjamin Holmes, and its services were marked for punctuation and emphasis by Rt. Rev. John Croes, who was one of the first bishops of the American Church. It was in continuous use there from 1830 to 1849, and when the services were begun in Dover, was presented to the new mission by the parent church.
The Church grew and prospered and on October 18, 1866, work was begun upon the present stone edifice upon the plot which Mr. McFarlan, Sr., had promised. His son, Henry, fulfilled this promise by deeding the land which has become so valuable to the parish, on December 1, 1866, for the purposes of a church, rectory, and parish school. The work of building became burdensome to the little congrega- tion, and after foundations were laid the work ceased and services were continued in the Academy. When Rev. John F. Butterworth became rector the project was revived and under his energetic leadership the church building was completed and was consecrated by Bishop Oden- heimer in 1871. The total cost was $15,037.19, a large sum for those days.
During the rectorship of Dr. Wm. M. Pickslay, the present parish house (since enlarged) and the rectory were built. Much of this work was superintended by Mr. Cadwallader Mulligan, who is still a member of the Vestry.
St. John's has always evidenced a community spirit and co-operation in movements for the benefit of the town, and for some years the school conducted in the Academy was under its jurisdiction. Pupils are still living who studied under the Rev. H. C. H. Dudley, and Platt's Dover History remarks that documents from the Parish School conducted by Rev. James A. Upjohn constitute a report on education in Dover in 1869. It may be interesting to note that the curriculum embraced Cate- chism, Sunday lessons, Latin, Arithmetic, Spelling, Reading, Gram- mar, Geography, History. Astronomy. Writing, Dictation, Composition, Declamation, Drawing, Vocal and Instrumental Music, and French. Quite a formidable list when we know that he had only one assistant, Miss Forgus.
During the influenza epidemic last year (1918), the Parish House was used by the town as a hospital for those unable to secure medical attention elsewhere.
During the years of its life St. John's has had the following clergy as settled pastors :
Rev. Charles W. Rankin 1849-1852
Rev. Charles S. Little. 1852-1853
Rev. J. B. Berry. 1853-
Rev. Nathan W. Munroe 1853-1854
Rev. Charles F. Hoffman 1855-1856
Rev. Francis D. Canfield. 1856-1857
Rev. H. C. H. Dudley 1857-1860
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Rev. Thomas W. Street 1860-1861
Rev. Thomas Margot. 1861-1862
Rev. James A. Upjohn. 1863-1869
Rev. John F. Butterworth 1869-1871
Rev. Edwin E. Butler. 1871-1880
Rev. David D. Bishop 1881-1883
Rev. James B. Mead. 1883-1887
Rev. William M. Pickslay. 1887-1897 Rev. C. R. D. Crittendon 1897-1898 Rev. C. Harvey Hartman
Rev. Edgar E. Brooks. 1898-1904
1904-1908
Rev. James A. McCleary
1908-1912
Rev. Robert J. Thompson
1912-1914
Rev. Walter E. Howe ..
. 1915-
After his return from Germany, where he represented the Amer- ican Church for a long period, Dr. Butterworth was elected Rector. Emeritus. His death occurred May, 1921.
WALTER E. HOWE.
THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
Corner of Richards Avenue and Union Street
The first meeting which led to the organization of the First Baptist Church of Dover was held in Bennett's Hall on Blackwell street, Feb- ruary 22, 1892, under the leadership of Rev. W. H. Shawger, pastor at Netcong, and Wm. H. Morey of Dover. The organization of the church was completed on September 18, 1893, by request of thirty- nine members of the Netcong Baptist Church and residents of Dover who withdrew from Netcong, with deacons and trustees as follows :
Deacons-Obadiah Parker, Sr., Charles Parker, Peter Swayze; Trustees-James H. Rhone, Eugene Ayres, Thomas Headland, Wm. Morey. Clerk and treasurer, Wm. Morey.
The laying of the cornerstone of the church building took place on Sunday, P. M., December 1, 1895, Rev. David Spencer, D.D., giving the address and laying the stone. Dedication of the church edifice took place on Sunday afternoon, April 5, 1896. Dedication sermon was preached by Rev. D. De Wolf, superintendent of missions, of Newark.
Rev. E. O. Wilson was appointed pastor in 1921.
Pastors of the Church:
Rev. W. H. Shawger. 1893-
Rev. Melvin Shelford. . 1902-1904
Rev. John H. Earle. . 1904-1906
1906-1908
Rev. Robert Gordon.
Rev. John A. Cortright. 1908-1910
Rev. T. J. Winslade, Ph.D. 1910-1918 Rev. F. P. Bemensderfer .1918-1920 Rev. Edwin O. Wilson 192I-
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CHRYSTAL STREET CHAPEL
From Mrs. Stephen A. Broadwell (Rachel A.) I have obtained the following information about the Chrystal Street Chapel.
On November 16, 1879, Mrs. Alexander Searing (Jane), residing on the top of Chrystal street, gathered children together in her parlor for a Sunday School. Mr. C. J. Broadwell was superintendent and Mr. Oliver Freeman of the First Presbyterian Church of Dover, his assistant. To meet a growing need Mrs. Searing later gave a lot and the people erected a small, one-room house (14x14), which may still be seen on Chrystal street, now a dwelling, but looking as if it had once been something else, like other discarded church buildings in Dover. Mrs. Searing deeded this lot and building to the Grace M. E. Church of Dover. Then it was enlarged and as Grace Church was in need of money they, sold it to the Presbyterians. The school grew. Then the Presbyterians bought from Wellington C. Casterline the site of the present Chapel, on the corner of Morris street and Chrystal street, and in 1892 built the edifice now known as Chrystal Street Chapel. Mr. E. J. Ross was much interested in this. In 1908 the Presbyterian Church sold the property to the people of the neighbor- hood, represented by Wm. W. Sickles, J. D. Pedrick and Edward A. Smith.
Union prayer meetings and a Union Sunday School are held here. The people belong to various churches in Dover, but unite in these neighborhood meetings. They invite leaders and singers from many places to conduct the meetings, which are well attended and heartily supported by the people.
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