USA > New Jersey > Bergen County > Englewood > Englewood : its annals and reminiscences > Part 3
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Squire Miller was a kind-hearted and useful citizen in his day, but his smiling face we never shall see again.
We never have had the typical "local character;" he has become extinct or very much modified; education, modern society, and death have settled him.
His dissolution was taking place about the time Englewood was founded. It was not instantly killed; but died a ling- ering death and passed away without attracting any notice. But there is a satisfaction in knowing that every gener- ation is ascending to a higher level.
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We have had a number of village squires who were guardians of our peace for a long time, but their services are no longer in demand.
One we have with us, but he is no longer in office.
Squire Alexander Cass, the veteran school-teacher of this vicinity, has had a varied experience, having been school- teacher, lawyer, justice of the peace, county superintendent of schools, sur- veyor, etc., etc. Mr. Cass has long been a useful man in all these varied pursuits. He, like many others, is living in the past and contrasting the government of Englewood years ago with that of to-day when we are a city with a mayor ard council, and a court presided over by a real judge. Moreover the town is patrolled by a large police force.
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XXV.
OUR FIRST PHYSICIAN.
AMONG the few that remain of the early settlers of this village is Dr. Hardy M. Banks, who came here to reside in 1860, having given up a good practice in New York City, where he had already estab- lished a reputation as a skillful surgeon. There was very little to encourage a young physician in a town with so few inhabitants, but his prophetic eye saw in the near future a prosperous town, and he readily joined the pioneers in the set- tlement of this village. He was our first and only physician for many years-one who not only attended to the ills that nature is heir to, but identified himself at once in public affairs.
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He was president and director of the Protection Society for five years, and is now, after forty years' residence here, president of the Gentleman's Club. It may be an evidence of his skill as a phy- sician that Englewood did not feel the need of a cemetery until 1876, sixteen years after his arrival. Forty years have come and gone since he entered this town and his eye and nerve are still steady. He has the confidence and good will of the people of this township.
Dr. Banks is a good sportsman, and a lover of dogs that follow the chase. He often takes a rest from his professional duties by tramping the fields and forests in search of game.
Dr. D. A. Baldwin came to Englewood in 1871, and is one of the three physi- cians who first settled in this place. He immediately entered into a large prac- tice, which steadily increased for years. He has been a very skillful and success-
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ful physician, who has always enjoyed the confidence and good will of the best families in this town.
Dr. D. A. Currie came here in March, 1872, and has always been very success- ful as a surgeon and general practitioner, which is attested by the large practice he has controlled for over twenty-five years.
Dr. Currie has devoted much time in the interest of the village. As a road commissioner, to which office he was elected several times, he gave entire sat- isfaction. He was a member of the town- ship government until it was succeeded by the city government, when he was elected mayor. He was captain of our militia, and when the Spanish-American war broke out was appointed lieutenant- colonel, and served in his regiment until the close of the war.
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XXVI.
PROSPEROUS TIMES.
THE civil war was ended, peace was proclaimed and man returned to his civil duties. Englewood took on new life. New buildings were erected, new streets laid out, wells and cisterns excavated and trees planted in great numbers.
From 1863 to 1868 a great many of our most wealthy and enterprising citizens made this town their home. Nearly all that came at that time remained as per- manent residents. They invested in lots, and built their own houses or purchased from those who had built. Land was cheap as well as labor and material, and there was never a better opportunity to
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turn broad acres into suburban homes than here at that time.
Francis Howland came here in 1861, and immediately took a lively interest in building up this place. He soon gave up his interest in the Cotton Exchange in New York, and devoted all his time to the interests of this town. He pur- chased a large tract of land in the center of the village, containing about thirty acres and built a fine stone mansion. This property he afterward sold to Judge Cowan of Washington, D. C.
Mr. Howland joined I. S. Homans, Nathan T. Johnson and William Walter Phelps in the purchase of a large tract of land. They called it the Three-third Account, as Mr. Phelps paid cash for his one-quarter interest, leaving the three gentlemen engaged with him to assume the incumbrances. Mr. Phelps took the bull by the tail and not by the horns, that he might let go when he had a mind
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to as advised by "Josh Billings," the lands in time all returned to their origi- nal owners.
After selling his house to Judge Cowan Mr. Howland erected a fine stone dwell- ing on Lincoln Street. Mr. Howland's contribution to the growth of Englewood continued many years, and his name should be classed with its most enter- prising citizens.
Lebbeus Chapman, Jr., came here in 1863, and made his home on Teaneck Ridge. He entered into every local en- terprise that could advance the interests of the town.
He was an active member of the Pres- byterian Church, was an officer in the Protection and many other societies. He was a friend of every one, and could crack a joke or talk Blackstone as occasion re- quired, and never took a retainer for ad- vice given outside of his office.
Colonel Washington R. Vermilye came
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in 1868, and purchased a fine house of Mr. Bryan Murray, Jr., on Palisade Avenue. He was one of our most liberal and courteous citizens, a man of great benevolence and upright in all his deal- ings. He took a great interest in all public affairs, and gave freely when called upon. He was a true friend and adviser, both in the interest of the church and the state.
Mr. David Hoadley moved to Engle- wood in 1864 and purchased an elegant home opposite that of Colonel Vermilye on Palisade Avenue. He was a man uni- versally loved and respected, a generous dispenser of charity and a person of in- fluence in the village of Englewood.
Mr. Daniel Drake Smith came here to reside in 1863, and became identified at once with the development of the vil- lage, took a great interest in its growth and gave liberally for the advancement of its affairs. He built a delightful
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home, the grounds of which occupy nearly a block, running from Lydecker to Hillside streets.
Mr. Livingston K. Miller arrived in 1860, and united at once with the citizens of Englewood in every interest that would assist in the development of the town. He was generous and liberal whether in the support of the church, of which he was an elder, or in the inter- ests of the village. He built a large stone mansion on the Knickerbocker Road, an estate containing about thirty acres, laid out with fine drives and walks, a beautiful lawn, fruits and flowers.
Mr. George S. Coe, president of the American Exchange Bank in New York City, purchased a large tract of land on Palisade Avenue, and built a fine house which he afterwards disposed of to D. W. Evans; he then ercted a large stone man- sion on the Palisades overlooking the
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Hudson River. Mr. Coe was a man of public spirit and liberality, and was a delightful companion. His name was never absent when it was called upon to assist in the interest of Church or State. He was a wise and unselfish man, whose sympathies were broad.
Mr. William A. Booth came to Engle- wood in 1866. He had been one of New York's most foremost citizens, was one of the founders of the Children's Aid Society, and was interested in many other charities. He was a great acquisition to the people of this town. He was a shin- ing light for many years, and was ever ready with open hand to assist the poor and needy or to promote the interests of this village. He was a man of large in- fluence, and his example and conversa- tion were ever safe to follow.
Mr. William Walter Phelps took up his residence in this township in 1868. He was a man of large means, of which he
RUINS OF HON. W. W. PHELPS' HOUSE, TEANECK.
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gave liberally for the purpose of elevat- ing and ennobling the human race. A large estate was purchased by him on Teaneck, comprising over two thousand acres of land. He became largely inter- ested in real estate in Bergen County, and his brilliant political career is a mat- ter of history. He was a minister to Austria and Germany for some time, also was elected to Congress two terms. His
attractive home on Teaneck, which was always open to his many friends, was destroyed by fire and never restored. It remains to-day a charming ruin with its crumbling walls overgrown with running vines and surrounded by beautiful lawns and forest shade.
The house and the master are no more, but his friends will not forget his hospi- table board and the many pleasant even- ings enjoyed in that delightful home.
Many miles of macadamized roads, through forests and open country, over
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hills and through valleys, are enjoyed and appreciated by the people of Engle- wood.
General Thomas B. Van Buren was a brother-in-law of the Honorable William Walter Phelps, and came here to reside about the same time. His home was near that of Mr. Phelps on Teaneck. He was a genial, cultivated man, and a friend of all who came in contact with him.
He was a soldier, a statesman and a fine speaker. He was at one time min- ister to China and occupied many politi- cal positions while a resident in Engle- wood.
Mr. Jacob S. Wetmore took up his resi- dence in Englewood in 1867, and evinced an active interest in its affairs. He has filled many public positions in the village government and has been closely iden- tified with all village impovements and will be remembered as one of Engle- wood's early pioneers and useful citizens.
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He has assisted in building up the town and still owns much real estate here.
Mr. Charles A. Nichols became a resi- dent here in 1860, and identified himself with the founders of the village in all their various interests. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church and was one of its active and useful members. Mr. Nichols was a very genial and interesting man in society, and was very highly re- spected by all who knew him.
Mr. James O. Morse came here about 1863, bought a fine property on the Tenafly road at the head of Demarest Avenue of Mr. Solomon Banta. He was a useful citizen, one of the founders of the gas company, an officer in the Pro- tection Society, and interested in all public improvements.
Mr. William B. Dana reached Engle- wood as a resident in 1866. He pur- chased a large tract of land on the Pali- sades and built a fine mansion. He took
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an active interest in the public road board and many other village improve- ments.
The history of Englewood would be in- complete without reference to Mr. E. A. Brinkerhoff, who came here to reside in 1874. Mr. Brinkerhoff built a fine stone
mansion on the corner of Palisade Avenue and Lydecker Street, and imme- diately united with the citizens of this village in the advancement of all its in- terests. There is not a society, either for charity, education, the church, or affairs of the Englewood government to which he does not devote his full share in time and means. The mantle of Col- onel W. R. Vermilye, his father-in-law, could not have fallen on better shoulders. Mr. Brinckerhoff is one of Englewood's most worthy citizens. He is an elder and also a trustee in the Presbyterian Church, and has devoted much time and money to its interests. He is an officer
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in many village institutions, and is a valuable neighbor and friend.
Mr. Donald Mackay, of the old bank . ing house of Vermilye & Company, New York City, deserves an honored place in Englewood history. He settled in this town in 1867, and at once became ac- tively interested in all its affairs. Mr. Mackay married a daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Daniel Wise, and has for years devoted much time and means to the promotion of nearly every enterprise that has been presented since his residence in this town. He is now president of the Citizens' National Bank, in which he takes a great interest. He was for some time president of the Protection Society, the Field Club, and the Gentleman's Club. Mr. Mackay is a trustee of the Presbyterian Church, and has always contributed largely to its support since he came to reside in Englewood. He owns a delightful home on Dwight Place.
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Colonel Henry W. Banks came to Englewood in 1867 and purchased a fine house with several acres of land of Nathan T. Johnson. This property is situated on Palisade Avenue about a half- mile from the Hudson River.
This was the first house built in the forest of the Palisades. It was destroyed by fire a few years later and replaced by a beautiful stone mansion, where, sur- rounded by forest shades, Colonel Banks spends his leisure hours.
He owns a large amount of improved real estate in Englewood, and has long been identified with all its duties whether in the interests in the village government or affairs of the church. He is a citizen who takes pleasure in sharing the re- sponsibilities that surround him.
In addition to all who have been men- tioned the following are worthy of notice : Honorable Cullum Sawtelle, Henry A. Lyman, Charles H. Waterbury, Frank B.
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Nichols, E. W. Andrews, William Stan- ley, Vincent Tilyou, Robert J. Hunter, R. K. Cook, D. R. Martin, John Bailey, T. M. Wheeler, George R. Dutton, S. H. Doughty, James L. Dawes, J.Hugh Peters William T. Booth, Herbert B. Turner, Charles G. Kellogg, Charles A. Trott, John H. Lyell, Joseph Lyman, R. H. Rochester, Charles A. Platt, E. C. Dill- ingham. These are all men who have been long identified with the social and moral interests of Englewood.
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XXVII.
OUR SCHOOLS.
OUR sons and daughters were growing up and we were not to be deprived of the privilege of education. Mr. J. W. Deuell had opened a school for boys. The public school was too far away to send our children. About this time Professor August Kursteiner opened a school for young boys, which prospered for several years. Mr. Kursteiner prepared many of our young men for college. He also taught music in several private families, and he was the first organist of the Pres- byterian Church.
In the spring of 1860 Messrs. Dwight and Fowler opened a school for young ladies, in a building that stood on the cor-
DWIGHT SCHOOL FOR GIRLS,
A MOUNTAIN ROAD.
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ner of Palisade Avenue and Engle Street. Mr. William B. Dwight of that school was a brother of our first pastor. This was a boarding school, and it became very popular from the start, attracting young ladies from several States. Many of these young ladies were received into Englewood society, and a few married and remained here.
The Rev. Thomas G. Wall succeeded Mr. William Dwight, kept the school about one year, when it was consumed by fire. Dr. Wall built a large school building on the corner of the avenue and Hill Side Street. He was a very popular man, who became interested in Englewood affairs beyond his school, and owned at one time a con- siderable amount of real estate. His successors still carry on this school, and it is in a flourishing condition.
When this village was founded the pub- lic school was not forgotten, as it is free to all classes of citizens, and of vast im-
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portance in all communities in this age of the world's history; as it is about the only benefit we receive without paying for, we appreciate it.
The large free school building situated on Humphrey Street and Englewood Avenue was completed in 1869. There was some opposition to its location by a few citizens when it was built, but it seemed to meet the wants of the greatest numbers.
After a few years an increase of popu- lation demanded more room. Larger grounds were purchased and the building greatly enlarged. This school numbers about one thousand pupils, and has always been supplied with able teachers. Having become too small for its needs, several private houses were rented in different parts of the district to receive the overflow.
A beautiful stone building was erected a few years ago by a few enterprising
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citizens on Engle Street, north of the village for a boys' high school. This school supplies a great want, as it per- mits our boys to remain at home while preparing for college.
There is a school building situated at Teaneck that has been of great service to that neighborhood. This building was occupied for Sabbath School in- struction for years. Mr. Lebbeus Chap- man, Jr., was superintendent of this school until his death. He devoted much time to his work, and the school is one of the monuments that serves to keep green his memory for his labor as super- intendent of this Sabbath School.
This Sabbath School work has been successfully carried on for' several years by George S. Coe, Jr., who is entitled to credit for his devotion to its service, besides a sacrifice of time and energy.
Misses Creighton and Farrar are the successors of the original Dwight school,
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for girls, they having succeeded the Rev. Dr. T. G. Wall. This popular and suc- cessful school has a very large number of scholars and is a credit to the town. Its numbers are constantly increasing and its present management is a credit to its principals.
Miss Gerrish's Collegiate School for Girls has long been a leading school for young ladies in this village. It occupies the Englewood House, which has been recently modernized and refurnished. It is a very large and delightful building and has a great many scholars that make their home with Miss Gerrish. This school is very popular and prosperous and the instruction very thorough. It has two departments, one collegiate where girls are fitted for colleges open to women and one for scholars who do not care to enter college. The instruction includes French, German, and instru- mental and vocal music.
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XXVIII.
THE HOSPITAL.
NORTH of the village near the boys' high school stands the hospital, a noble charitable institution, that has been of great benefit to this valley. The thanks of many a poor sufferer is due to the founders of this institution. The hos- pital was erected in 1890.
A few kind-hearted ladies and gentle- men, seeing the great necessity for a hos- pital in Englewood, met at the house of Miss Adeline Sterling and organized a hospital moveme Prominent among the movement in the matter who attended this meeting were:
Mrs. Sheppard Homans, Miss Adeline Sterling, Mrs. Stephen Clark, Dr. H. M.
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Banks, Dr. John A. Wells, Dr. Edward Clark, Miss Laura D. Smith, Mrs. Camp- bell Mortimer, Mrs. John A. Wells, Miss Gerrish, and Mr. and Mrs. William Stan- ley, and a few others whose names are unintentionally omitted. These ladies and gentlemen have continued their in- terest and contributed of their time and means ever since the hospital was founded.
A board of officers was appointed, con- sisting of Mrs. Sheppard Homans, presi- dent; Mrs. John A. Wells, vice-president; Miss Adeline Sterling, secretary, and Mrs. C. Mortimer, treasurer.
A board of physicians and surgeons was duly appointed, consisting of the fol- lowing, who gave their services gratui- tously and agreed to visit the patients daily :
Dr. D. A. Currie and Dr. H. M. Banks to act as physicians, and Dr. Edward Clark and Dr. J. A. Wells to act as surgeons.
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A fund was soon raised to purchase three acres of land opposite the Field Club and a suitable building was erected at a cost of seven thousand dollars. The expenses are met by an appropriation from the city, annual subscribers, the kindness of people from neighboring towns, etc. A training school for nurses has recently been established, and there are seven now taking the course.
Over a thousand patients have enjoyed the benefits of hospital care, and un- doubtedly hundreds of lives have been spared to the country by the endeavors of those interested in this charity.
The following comprise the present medical board and board of governors:
Dr. D. A. Currie, J. A. Wells, and Dr. Proctor, with attending physicians and surgeons.
Drs. Lansing, Hüger, Haring and Terry comprise with the former gentlemen the medical board.
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The following comprise the board of governors: Mrs. Clinton H. Blake, presi- dent; Mrs. J. O. Clephane, vice-president; Lewis Dawes, secretary; George P. Pay- son, treasurer, and a board of twenty- five governors.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL.
ـمة
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XXIX.
THE FIELD CLUB.
DIRECTLY opposite the high school stands the building erected in 1893 by the Field Club. The grounds are used for ball, tennis, and golf games. This beautiful clubhouse, with its attractive surroundings leading into the borders of the Palisade forest, which include a skating pond, forms a charming picture to those who visit the grounds on a pleas- ant summer afternoon. This club has had many efficient officers, but we cannot contemplate this house and its surround- ings without giving much credit to Mr. Donald Mackay, who has devoted so much time and money for its success. This club carries us back to the early
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days of Englewood, when, notwithstand- ing her busy life, she spent some time in harmless amusements. The first ball ground occupied was about 1862, in the valley near the public school. There was no canvas or foliage to screen us from the summer's sun, and the only seats we had were borrowed from some neighboring house. Many members of this club were formerly members of the best clubs in New York City. From these grounds they removed to Palisade Avenue, opposite the present residence of Mr. E. A. Brinkerhoff. From there they went again to the block bounded by Engle and King streets and Hamilton Avenue. These grounds were aban- doned, as they were all wanted for build- ing purposes. The first officers of the Field Club were Dwight A. Jones, presi- dent; David W. Evans, vice-president; John E. Curren, secretary; Livingston K. Miller, treasurer.
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The first billiard table imported into Englewood was by the writer in 1860. This table, although much enjoyed, and around which many a real estate trade was made, was a very primitive affair. It was purchased in New Haven, Connec- ticut, from a Mr. Bishop. The bed was
not marble but composition. It was large enough for a small village lot, and had six enormous pockets. This table rested in the attic of the first house built in this village, and gave much amuse- ment to all neighbors.
The example was followed by several citizens later on.
It was not unusual for a family who had just completed and occupied a new house to be invited to call upon a neigh- bor or leave home for some reason, re- turn and find his dwelling illuminated and occupied by nearly the whole vil- lage, who had loaded his table with a fine repast.
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Old customs that were enjoyed so much in those days exist only in mem- ory. Such as the general custom of New Year's calls, when the whole village was moving from house to house until late in the evening and then returned to their homes, happy to think the custom only occurred once in twelve months. Glee clubs were formed and Romeos, singly or in numbers, spent many a moonlight night discoursing sweet music to their Juliets.
The serenading party was sometimes invited to enter the house and partake of refreshments. Flowers were thrown from the windows, or if the Romeo hap- pened to be a discarded lover he sang to the stars. The mothers and daughters remained at home in those days, and their dwellings were the center of so- ciety, where music and songs were always heard.
The customs of society have made a
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radical change, and duties and obliga- tions of old days have passed. For many years Englewood was too busy to enter into outside history, such as the colonial fields of autobiography, and to sit under ancestral banners, as is the custom to-day. We had no women's clubs or Daughters of the Revolution at that period.
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XXX.
ENGLEWOOD GOLF CLUB.
EARLY in 1896 a meeting was held by a few gentlemen to form a golf club, as a general interest in this game had started in this country, and Englewood, not to be behind the times was among the first of the suburban towns to adopt a game whose name came from the land of the thistle and the clans. It may be safe to say that all those present at the meeting when the club was formed knew very little about the game.
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