USA > New Jersey > Bergen County > History of Bergen county, New Jersey > Part 20
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From a discourse delivered in the Oakland church, November 30th. 1876, we take the following historical notes of the old church in early days, known in connection with the old Paramus church as the " Panne" (Ponds). There is no record of the first church, and all the informa- tion in regard to its early history must be found with that of other churches, with which it was connected.
The Rev. Guilliam Bertholf returned from Holland, after his ordi- nation, 1694, and became the pastor of Hackensack and Aquackanonk churches. He was registered at Second River, now Belleville, in about 1700 and at Ponds 1710. This was the first public worship of God in this place. Here Rev. Bertholf remained over twenty years. He was also the first minister at Tappan, and besides, ordained elders and
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deacons at Raritan, and administered the sacraments. He was for many years the only Dutch pastor in New Jersey. The old Log Church was located east of the new cemetery, near the public road, and was the first religious structure north of the Passaic River, but there is not a vestige of it left to mark the spot.
Rev. Henricus Coens succeeded Mr. Bertholf in the Log Church in 1725, ministering at the same time in the churches of Belleville and Pompton.
The Rev. Johannes Van Driessen, the next minister, was settled in Aquackanonk in 1735, and was pastor of Pompton and the Ponds in con- nection with Aquackanonk. Mr. Van Driessen was the last preacher in the Log Church.
The plot of land upon which stands the present (1876), church was given by John Romaine and Jacob Garrison, a part of which was appro- priated for a graveyard.
The edifice was built of stone, hexangular in style, the roof converg- ing to a point. The materials were provided by the congregation. The interior of the church was furnished with chairs. There was a high pulpit and a short gallery, all very plain but substantial. As near as can be determined it was built about 1745.
Rev. Benjamin Vanderlinde, the next pastor, was a native of Bergen county, born at Pollifly in 1719, and was called to this church in connec- tion with Paramus on August 21st, 1748. This is the first record in the old Dutch Book. The Elders at this time were : Albert Van Dien, Steve Terhune, Yan Romaine, Barbent Van Hoorn, Hendrick Van Aele, Roe- lof Van Houten, The deacons were : Johannes Stek, Kleet Zabriskie, Albert Bogert, Simeon Vanwinkle, Cornelius Van Houten, and Steve Bogert. The Ponds Church belonged to the Classis of Hackensack until the year 1800, to the Classis of Bergen until 1839, and is at this time, (1876), connected with the Classis of Passaic. The Rev. Peter Leydt was licensed and became pastor at the Ponds about 1788, and died in 1793, and the Rev. Peter Dewitt was called to this pastorate in 1798. The Hexangular Church had now been in use fifty years and the Consists ory decided to furnish a new roof, a new pulpit, and to substitute pew- for the chairs. All improvements that were made, added to the value of the property. Mr. Dewitt extended his labors to Wyckoff on the east and to Preakness on the south.
The people of Wyckoff now built a new church, Judge Van Voorhees acting as treasurer and general manager. The work of building began in 1806, and the same Fall the pews were sold. Mr. Dewitt died in 1809, and was laid to rest under the old church. The Rev. Demarest was next installed as pastor on November 11th. 1811. There were no stoves in the church, but this did not deter people from going to the services. Mr. Demarest's ministry closed about 1820. He always signed his name, John Demarest, V. D. M. (Minister of the Word of God.) The elders at this time were : Joseph Van Cleve, Conrad Sturr, Nicholas Romeyn,
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and William Pulis. The deacons were : George Snyder, Simeon Van Winkle, Samuel Romeyn and John A. Van Voorhees.
Upon coming to the Ponds, the people honored Mr. Demarest with a large reception, This was his last regular charge. His daughter, Mrs. Jacobus Blauvelt, of Paterson, has given some facts in regard to her father. He was born at New Bridge, N. J., in 1763. He moved from Tappan where he owned the farm upon which Major Andre was executed and buried. Mrs. Blauvelt relates that she was at that time a young lady, and stood by when the body was exhumed by the British Consul Buchanan and Captain Park. She further says: Two cedar trees grew on his grave, fastening their roots into his coffin. The grave was protected by a stone wall. The trees entire were transported with the coffin to England and converted into snuff boxes. One box, says Mrs. Blauvelt, "was elegantly finished, being lined with satin and velvet, covered with red morocco, bound with gold, and sent to my father, bear- ing this beautiful inscription: "From his Royal Highness, the Duke of York, to mark his sense of the Rev. John Demarest's liberal attention upon the occasion of the removal of the remains of the late Major John Andre at Tappan, on the 10th of August, 1821." Each line was written in a different style of letters. We examined it and pronounced it a rare and costly present."
At the close of his ministry, Mr. Demarest returned to his farm at Tappan. The seal of this church was bought by Simon Van Winkle, and cost $1.75. The church was incorporated October 25, 1824, as the "First Reformed Dutch Church at Ponds." Prior to this, however, is the following record: "Ponds, May 10th, 1822. According to the grant of the Classis of Bergen, the members in full communion of the Church at Ponds, assembled for the purpose of having their congregation regu- larly organized. Petitions for every necessary aid and assistance were offered at the throne of grace. They then proceeded to the election of elders and deacons. The elders chosen were: Joseph Van Cleve and George Snyder, the deacons Benjamin Bartholf and Simeon Van Winkle. Whereas there are but few members, it is judged best to ordain two elders and two deacons at this present time, to serve as consistory.
It is agreed that next spring one elder and one deacon shall be chosen in the room of George Snyder and Benjamin Bartholf, and if practicable add four to the present number. The line agreed upon ver- bally between the two congregations, by the consistory, is the following: Beginning at the house of Garret Post, from thence to James Acker- man's; from thence to Abraham Winter's; and from thence to Garret Garrison's. A sermon was preached by the minister named by the presi- dent of the Classis, and after the sermon the consistory chosen were ordained to their office."
Rev. Zachariah H. Kuypers, licensed by the Classis of Hackensack. was called to this church, the call being dated February 24, 1825. The elders then were: Benjamin Bartholf, Samuel Romaine, Simeon Van Winkle and Jacob Garrison, Jr. The deacons: Samuel P. Demarest.
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Henry I. Spear, William H. Winters, David N. Romaine. One-third of Mr. Kuypers time was given to this congregation, preaching every third Sabbath, twice a day in summer and once in winter.
The Hexangular Church which had then been in use about eighty years, was considered unfit for use, and the entire structure was re- moved, and a new house erected on the same spot. The trustees at this time were: Martin Van Houten, William H. Winters, Peter C. Bogert and John S. Post, Jr. The builder was Cornelius Demarest and the principal mason, William Winters of Paramus. It was several years before the front was finished, when Mr. Nicholas D. Romaine and his cousin put on the white wall of cement.
The work of building began in 1829 and the pews were offered for sale on the 17th of November. During this season the church service was held in the barn of Peter S. Demarest. Mrs. Maria Garrison, wife of Samuel P. Demarest, presented a hymn book, baptismal cup and table cloth to the new church. Black velvet bags attached to long poles were used for collections. It is said that in some churches a little bell was placed at the bottom of these bags to wake up the sleepers. Mr. Kuy- pers ministry closed in 1841. On July 20th 1842 the Consistory of the Church of Ponds met at the house of Mr. Albert Bartholf and prepared a call for William J. Thompson and upon his signifying his acceptance, the Classis convened at the Church on August 23, for the purpose of ordination and installation. One-half of Mr. Thompson's time was given to the Ponds and one-half to the Church of Wyckoff, which had united in the call. The pastoral relations were dissolved July 12, 1845, and thereafter these churches became independent, each calling a pastor of its own. The Wyckoff church called Rev. Abram G. Ryerson, whose successor was Rev. William B. Van Benschoten, and the next (1876), Samuel T. Earle.
On November 13, 1845, Rev. Barnabas V. Collins was installed at the Ponds. The congregation provided a suitable home for the pastor with thirty acres of ground attached. This was the first time in their history that a parsonage had been provided. Among other resolutions adopted for the good of the church was this: "Resolved, that any per- son not paying salary shall pay two dollars for a funeral sermon, and fifty cents for a baptism." Mr. Collins remained until 1867 when he re- signed and was followed in 1869 by Rev. Alburtus Vandewater, whose pastorate extended over the short period of three years, when the church called Rev. Theodore F. Chambers the same year (1872), and in 1876 he received a call which he accepted.
The Pompton Church was founded in 1815. The first Sabbath school at the Ponds was organized in 1883, with some opposition. Pleasant Valley organized a Sabbath school in 1867, in the old tavern of Stephen Bartholf. Chrystal Lake organized a school in January 1876, using the depot as a place of meeting.
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AARON G. GARRISON
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
RODMAN M. PRICE.
Rodman M. Price, former Governor of New Jersey, was born in Sussex county, N. J., November 5, 1818, and was the son of Francis Price, who subsequently removed to New York city.
Here, in the High School, and later in Lawrenceville (N. J. ) Aca- demy, Rodman M. prepared for college, but after a brief period spent in the class of 1834, in Princeton, he was obliged to give up his studies on account of ill health. After studying law for a short term he became interested in politics, and in the interest of the Democratic party he addressed large assemblages when but eighteen years of age. He was sent as a delegate to the National Democratic Convention at Baltimore in 1840. After his marriage to the daughter of Captain Edward Trenchard, United States Navy, he applied to President Van Buren for the appoint- ment of purser in the navy. Mr. Price was first ordered to the steam frigate "Fulton," Captain Newton. After a year's service. Captain Newton and Mr. Price were ordered to the new steam frigate " Missouri," which, with her sister ship, the "Mississippi," were the largest in the world, carrying at that time the heaviest guns, and considered the finest specimens of steam naval architecture. This was in 1842. In 1843 the * Missouri" was ordered to take Caleb Cushing, minister to China, to Alexandria, and the night after her arrival in the harbor of Gibraltar she was destroyed by fire. After Mr. Price's return he did special duty. disbursing for the "Allegheny," the first iron steamship built by the government. He was next ordered to the sloop-of-war "Cyane," which eventually sailed for Monterey, where it arrived on July 3d, and on the 7th of July, 1846. formal possession was taken of Upper California, Mr. Price being one of those who manned the halliards that run up the flag. which still floats over California. In 1850 he was elected member of the Thirty-second Congress. On January 17th, 1854, he was inaugurated Governor of the State of New Jersey for a term of three years, and after retiring from this office, he established the Weehawken Ferry, which he managed for a number of years. His last public work of importance was as representative of the Peace Congress at Washington.
AARON G. GARRISON.
Among the old residents of Bergen county no life, perhaps, is more interesting in detail than that of Aaron G. Garrison, whose home is in the Ramapo Valley. Garret Garrison and Elizabeth Hopper were the parents of five children. Mary Ann. Eliza, Aaron, Sally and Peter of whom Mary Ann, Aaron and Sally are now living.
Aaron G., the subject of this sketch and the oldest son, was born September 21, 1819. He became the chief help of his father, who was a farmer, and a man of sound judgment and independent thought, although of limited education. The son inherited his father's intellect, carly acquiring a practical knowledge of general business transactions, which was recognized by the community. At twenty-one years of age he was elected town clerk of the original township of Franklin, serving the full
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terin of three years. Upon declining a re-election to this office, he was immediately elected member of the town committee for the following three years. At the expiration of this term he was again elected town clerk, and has since served a number of terms in this office. Prior to the creation of the office of School Superintendent. Mr. Garrison was made member of the school committee, and, as chairman, discharged the duties of that office for a period of three years.
An advocate of the cause of education, he established a new school district, and contributed largely toward the building of two new school houses, one at Riverdale and one at Oakland.
For more than forty years of his life he was justice of the peace, and has drawn up deeds, bonds, mortgages, wills, and all sorts of docu- ments, agreements, contracts, etc., for many people in both Passaic and Bergen counties.
In the spring of 1868, Judge A. Garrison was elected County Collector of Bergen county, and during his incumbency (to 1873), received and disbursed over $1,000,000. He was foreman of the Grand Jury several terms of court, and was judge of the Court of Common Pleas two terms. of five years each. In the spring of the present year (1899) he was again elected justice of the peace by both political parties, and has accepted. being now established in that office.
In private life he has often been called upon to act as executor of estates. Being something of a musician, the Judge has been chorister of the Reformed Church of Ponds, has composed sacred music, and, in his younger days, taught "singing school." Remarkably versatile, he can invoke the muses and indite his thoughts in rhyme, which he often does for friends on both sides of the Atlantic.
Judge Garrison was one of the first directors of the New Jersey Western Railroad for five years, and contributed liberally towards its construction. In summing up his various avocations the Judge has aptly said:
"At ten years old I drove a team, At twelve I grain did sow, For fifty years I fished the stream And walked behind the plough."
DAVID CHRISTIE BUSH.
The first train of cars on the Midland Railroad through the village of Oakland was run on May 1, 1870. This important event was due mainly to the foresight and public spirit of David C. Bush, who was one of the leaders in a movement which has built up this place to a prosperous village, which, with its stores and manufacturing industries, is equal to any other place of its age and size in the county.
David C. Bush is the grandson of Samuel Bush, who came to Malı- wah from Holland in colonial times. He was a blacksmith and manu- facturer of cowbells, in which industry he was an expert. His son. Peter S. Bush, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Peter S.
DAVID C. BUSH
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
Bush and his wife Bridget Christie were the parents of Samuel, John, Mary, Magdalene, Elizabeth Ann, David C., Rachel and Peter. The father died eighty-four years of age, soon after the late war. David C. Bush was born on the old homestead at Mahwah in 1827. In 1848 he married Miss Anna Van Blarcom, and in 1852, he located at Oakland. where he has resided since that time. His business has been farming and following various callings and pursuits, looking to his own material interests and the growth of the village. As one of the sponsors for the success of the railroad he took. stock in that company, and helped in part to build it. In 1869 he erected his present residence, and upon the completion of the railroad, used one room of his new house for a few months as a ticket office, and subsequently became agent for the com pany, where he served for seventeen years. He was postmaster of the village sixteen years; was on the Township Committee seven years; a Freeholder during the troublous times of the late war, and has held various other offices and positions of trust when necessity so required. In 1887 he built a store and did merchandizing until recently when he retired from active business.
He was married to his present wife Jemima Van Houghten, daugh- ter of Martin Van Houghten, May 7th, 1867, and his son David C. Bush, Jr., and her son, W. H. Shuart, by a former marriage, now own and operate the store.
J. E. MOWERSON.
J. E. Mowerson, of Wyckoff, is a son of John J. and Mary Ann (Pulis) Mowerson, of Bergen county. At an early age he learned the trade of carpenter, and later followed the business of trucking in New York for a period of three years. In 1878 he located in Wyckoff, embarking in the business of general merchandise, now dealing in all kinds of groceries, provisions and hardware, with marked success. Mr. Mowerson was born at Saddle River, December, 9th, 1846. In 1867 he married Miss Lettie C. Ackerman, of Westwood. They have had five children. Anna, now deceased, was the wife of John G. DeBaun; James A. (now deceased ), Ida and Archie J., who assist in their father's store, and George.
Mr. Mowerson is a Republican, and has been for many years post- master of Wyckoff. He is a member of the Reformed Church.
PETER S. PULIS.
Mr. Pulis became an employee of the New York. Susquehanna & Western Railroad Company at Wyckoff, when a boy, and although en- gaged in other business, still retains his place at the head of the office, where he has had charge since his twentieth year. In addition to the responsibilities devolving upon him as an employee, Mr. Pulis carries on an extensive ice trade, from which he realizes a handsome profit, while being the owner and proprietor of what is known as "Spring Lake Farm," on which poultry raising is the chief industry, bringing in generous income.
J. K. MOWERSON
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
Mr. Pulis was born December 9, 1863, in Bergen County where he received a limited education in the common schools. His father, Samuel Pulis, is a native of Bergen county, carrying on farming and also doing a good business in the grocery trade.
Mr. Pulis was married in 1885 to Miss Jennie Demarest, daughter of John C. Demarest of Bergen county. They have two children : Charles S., and Ida. In politics Mr. Pulis is a Republican. He is a member of the Junior Order, United American Mechanics.
H. T. LAWRENCE.
H. T. Lawrence is the son of Thomas Lawrence, formerly State Senator from Sussex county and an honored and highly respected citizen. Mr. Lawrence was born at Sparta, a village of Sus- sex county, in 1846. He is a well-known citizen of Wortendyke, where he has conducted a business in general merchandise covering a period of seventeen years. His industry and economical business methods have established him as a reliable business man. In politics Mr. Lawrence is independent, voting for the candidate who seems best fitted for the place, while he never seeks office himself. His time and energies have been devoted to his business, in which he has been successful.
He has a delightful home, and is a man of means and influence in the county.
CHAPTER XIX. HOHOKUS.
THE OLD TOWNSHIP OF HOHOKUS - CIVIL LIST -ITS ENTERPRISES - ORGANIZATION-RAMSEY'S COUNTRY SEATS - MAHWAH -INDUS-
TRIES-SCHOOLS-CHURCHES-BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
The township of Hohokus presents alternately valleys and ridges, picturesque as to scenery and of great fertility. The town is well watered, rich in meadow lands, and is very beautiful. The abundance of water furnishes excellent power which is utilized along the streams for manufacturing purposes, and the numerous grist and saw mills en- joy home patronage.
The name "Hohokus" is an Indian word signifying "Cleft in the rock," which name of itself is indicative of the abode of the Red Man at some former period. For successive generations much of the land in this township, has been held by its original owners and their descendants, other portions of it having been taken up by city purchasers who have erected elegant mansions of architectural beauty for their homes. In point of enterprise the town is fortunate. The Ramapo and Paterson --- now the Erie railroad, passes through the township and has since its advent, assisted greatly in the development of the place.
Among the early names in the township of Hohokus are those of Bogert, Ackerman, Hopper, Voorhis, Zabriskie, Rosencrantz, De Baun, Wannamaker, Christie, Conklin, Ramsey, Van Gelder, Garrison, May, Goetschius, Valentine, Vanderbeck, Quackenbush, Storms, and Powell. Of these families a full account is given in our biographical department.
HOHOKUS.
The township of Hohokus was taken from the township of Franklin as shall appear and since its formation, has been divided and subdivided until but a portion of its original area is comprised within its former boundary lines. Originally the township was made to include Upper and Lower Saddle River Borough, Allendale Borough and Orvil town- ship, all of which have since been taken off leaving simply the villages of Ramsey and Mahwah, and their vicinities as a relic of the old town- ship.
ORGANIZATION.
The act organizing the old township of Hohokus reads as follows: "An act to set off from the township of Franklin, in the connty of Bergen, a new township, to be called the township of Hohokus.
" Be it enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey, That all that part of the township of Franklin, in the county of Bergen that lies north of the following line : beginning at the Saddle River Creek, at the upper end of Daniel Perry's mill-pond opposite the course of the road leading from the Saddle River road to Fairfield ;
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
thence a staight course to said road ; thence along the middle of said road until it intersects the road leading from new Prospect to Paramus ; thence across said road, the course of the aforementioned road, direct to the Paterson and Ramapo Railroad ; thence along said railroad northerly to the Hohokus Brook ; thence along said Hohokus Brook westerly until it crosses the public road leading from Campgaw to Paterson, at the utpper end of John Halsted's mill-pond ; thence westerly along the line, between the lands of Andrew G. Ackerman, Abram J. Hopper, Henry Sturr, Conrad Sturr, and Peter H. Pulis on the north and Lewis You- mans and others on the south, .to the middle of the road leading from Wyckoff to Campgaw, at the southeasterly corner of lands of Peter H. Pulis ; thence westerly along the middle of said road to the division line between lands of Henry B. Winter and Daniel Thomas ; thence a straight course to the middle of the Youpoh road, north of the house of David Bertholf, at the intersection of the mountain road leading from Wynockie; thence a northerly course through the Ramapo Mountain, parallel with the New York State line, to the line between the counties of Bergen and Passaic, shall be and the same is hereby set off into a separate township, to be called and known by the name of the township of Hohokus, in the county of Bergen."
It was also enacted that the township of Hohokus should hold its first annual meeting on the day appointed by law for holding the annual township meetings in other townships in the county of Bergen, at the house of John W. Ramsey, at Mouut Prospect, in said township of Ho- hokus.
This act was approved February 5. 1849.
CIVIL LIST.
The following is a list of the principal township officers since 1849: Freeholders, 1849, James S. Wanamaker; 1850-52, Elijah Conklin; 1849. John G. Ackerman; 1850-51, Abraham Van Horn; 1852, Jacob I. De Baun; 1853-54. 1861-64. Peter P. Ramsey; 1853. John W. Ramsey: 1854, Abraham Ackerman: 1856-58, 1868-70, Aaron Ackerman; 1856-58, John A. Winter; 1859-60, Andrew Van Buskirk, David P. Ramsey: 1861- 63, Andrew N. Hopper: 1864-66. Thomas Henyon: 1866-67, Jacob H. Bamper; 1867-69, Garret H. Van Horn; 1870-71, 1873-75, Aaron H. Westervelt; 1872, Henry P. Wannamaker; 1876-78, Cornelins Folly; 1879-81, John E. Hopper; 1882-83, W. H. Packer: 1884-85, Andrew H. Ackerman; 1886-89, Martin M. Henion; 1890-93, A. A. Ackerman: 1894- 97, Daniel S. Wanamaker; 1898, Albert A. King.
Township Clerks. 1849-51, Peter P. Ramsey; 1850-52, Peter Ward; 1853. Richard H. Wanamaker; 1854-56. Isaac J. Storms; 1855, Henry R. Wanamaker; 1857-59, Jacob P. Herring; 1860, Abram H. Ackerman; 1861-63-75-77, John A. Garrison. Jr .: 1864-66, John W. Bogert; 1867-69- 79-81, John Q. Voorhees; 1870, Andrew J. Winter: 1871-73. John G. Esler; 1874. Albert W. Conklin; 1878, Daniel S. Wanamaker; 1881-83, John Q. Voorhees; 1884-89. Richard Wanamaker; 1890-92, John Acker- man: 1893, W. J. Thurston; 1899, W. Van Horn.
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