USA > New Jersey > Bergen County > History of Bergen county, New Jersey > Part 25
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An Act organizing the township of Ridgewood was approved March 30, 1876. The territory of this township was taken from that of Franklin. The township officers for the year 1876, were as follows :- Freeholder, Garret G. Van Dien; Township Clerk, Nathaniel R. Bunce ; Assessor, John A. Marinus; Collector, James Zabriskie; Township Committee, Cornelius J. Bogert, N. R. Bunce, Peter G. Hopper, Albert P. Hopper, Thomas Terhune. During the following years, the Van Diens, Terhunes, Hoppers, Zabriskies and Ackermans, have principally held the offices of the township.
The township is bounded on the north by Hohokus, south by Saddle River township, east by Saddle River, and west by Franklin township, and is traversed by two railroads, the Erie Railroad, with a station at Ridgewood, and the Susquehanna, which has a depot at Midland Park.
The names that figure most prominently in the early history of Ridgewood township were those of Hopper, Van Dien, Van Emburgh, Bogert, Zabriskie, Banta. VanDerbeck, VanHouten, DeBaun, and Ackerman. The earliest recollected member of the Van Dien family was Albert, who resided upon the land afterwards inherited and occu- pied by Lawrence Snyder. His wife was a Miss Van Buskirk. Andrew, Cornelius and Thomas Van Dien were also early settlers in the town- ship. The name Hopper is common also, several branches of which family are represented by sketches given below. The Ackerman family, are of Holland lineage, and date back to David, one of Ridgewood's early settlers, who resided on the homestead afterwards occupied by Garret G. Ackerman. Jacob Van Derbeck. husband of Lydia Van Bussum, and father of Abram and Harmanis was born in this township
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on the land afterwards occupied by Jacob Carlock, whose wife was a grand-daughter of Mr. Van Derbeck.
Rev. David Marinus, a native of Holland, located early in Bergen county and married in the Du Bois family. He had three children, David, John and Hannah. The Van Emburghs and Terhunes are of Holland ancestry. John, son of Albert Terhune, married Margaret Ackerman, and became the father of seven children. A number of sketches of various members of this family may be found in different parts of this book.
The Zabriskie family is also one of prominence in the county. Albert Zabriskie, the progenitor of the family in America, was of Polish descent. He was the greatgrandfather of Abram J. Zabriskie and the father of Henry H. who married a Miss Bogert.
EARLY SCHOOLS.
The school territory of Ridgewood was formerly embraced in that of Franklin township and was divided into three districts, Ridgewood Grove, No. 44; Paramus Church, No. 45, and Ridgewood, No. 61. Ridge- wood Grove is located in the southern portion of the township, and in- cludes a part of Saddle River. The original school building in this dis- trict was constructed of stone, about 1770, and was used until its destruc- tion by a gale of wind in 1824. It was located near the division line
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RIDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL
between Franklin (at that date) and Saddle River townships, a short distance south of the residence of Garret 1. Hopper. In 1824 another school building was erected upon land of Paul Van Derbeck and used until 1864, when it was succeeded by a brick structure built at the Grove, on lands of Henry P. Hopper, at which time also the district was incor- porated.
The exact date of the formation of the Paramus Church District is not known, but evidently a school was established there about the time
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of the organization of the Paramus Church which was in 1730. There exists a tradition that in the grant of land for Church purposes by Mrs. Valleau, provision was made for the maintenance of a school here, and enough weight was given this tradition to influence the consistory in 1873 to give the trustees a free lease in perpetuity on the ground since occu- pied for school purposes.
About the year 1785, a small building was erected about fifty feet south of the present church edifice, and parents of some of the persons still living attended school there. In 1810 the location seems to have been changed and a small stone house was erected for school purposes. near the house lately built for the sexton of the Paramus Church. A Mr. Westervelt was one of the early teachers of this school. In 1820 a second stone building was erected and that gave way in 1845 to a frame edifice near the same ground. It was a low building, badly ventilated, furnished with rude benches, and having the door open from the rear upon the highway.
The present building is a commodious structure in keeping with the progress of the town.
Ridgewood District No. 61 is located west of the centre of the town- ship and embraces the village of Ridgewood. It was formed April 7, 1872, and formerly included portions of the district of Godwinville, Hohokus, and Small Lots. A wooden building two stories high was built upon the formation of the district. In 1893 the elegant commodi- ous High School building was erected, and there are few public school buildings in the State equal to it. It is of buff brick with brownstone trimmings and is an object of interest to the citizens.
Board of Education 1897-99-D. W. La Fetra, President; H. G. Ward, Secretary ; Rev. E. H. Cleveland, C. P. Crouter, Sylvanus White, Dr. W. L. Vroom. Dr. J. B. Hopper, George E. Knowlton, J. D. Van Emburgh, Jr.
MANUFACTURING.
The first grist mill in Ridgewood stood on grounds now occupied by "The Peerless Manufacturing Company" and was used as such for half a century and until burned in February 1853. During that year a new frame building was put up and leased to J. J. Zabriskie for a cotton mill, and six years later that too was burned. In 1866 ground was broken for a new frame structure which was leased to Edwin Taylor for manufacturing purposes, and this too was destroyed by fire in 1873. During this year a brick building was erected on these grounds and in 1879 leased to "The Peerless Manufacturing Company" for the manu- facture of soft rubber goods, such as hose, mats, springs, etc.
The woolen mills of G. Morrow & Son were established in 1853, on the Midland railroad in the south west corner of Ridgewood. They were built for the manufacture of woolen goods exclusively, and good sets of machinery were put in use. The product of these mills finds a ready market in New York and elsewhere.
PINE LAWN RESIDENCE OF JOSEPH F. CARRIGAN
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
HIGHWAYS,
The road territory of the township in the earlier, or Revolutionary days, gives some interesting matter worthy of record. The earlist re- membered road is the Godwinville thoroughfare, which entered the township on the west side, made a detour to the north, and again to the east across the township where it intersected the Paramus road. This road was associated with the historic days of the Revolution. Another road ran southerly through the southwest part of the township having its rise at the highway described above, and intersecting the old Wagara road near the Passaic River.
The Paramus road ran from Pompton to Hoboken and was the old Goshen and Hoboken stage line. It ran parallel with the east town- ship line and curved to the west entering the northeast portion of Ridgewood deviating again to the north and then passed into Hohokus.
BURIAL PLACES.
The oldest burial place in the township was given to the consistory of the Paramus Church by Peter Fauconier in 1730, and it is probable that interments took place there soon after, as the church edifice was completed in 1735. Abraham J. Ackerman, born March 8, 1793, died October 29, 1801, was buried here. Mary Bogert who died March 24. 1793 and Maria Ackerman, wife of Cornelius Demara, who died Sep- tember 18, 1803 are among others whose epitaphs can still be deciphered from old memorial slabs in this yard, in which many inscriptions are fast going to decay.
The land embraced in the Valleau cemetery was given to the con- sistory af the Dutch Reformed Church of Paramus by Magdalen Valleau. daughter of Peter Fauconier, the deed having been made out "the thirteenth day of April, in the twenty-third year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the faith, etc., Anno Domini, One thousand seven hundred and fifty. Between Magdalen Valleau of Hackensack in the county of Bergen, and Eastern Division of the province of New Jersey, widow, of the one part, and the present Elders and Deacons of the Paramus Church of the other part witnes- seth" etc.
This cemetery was incorporated in 1859.
The True Reformed cemetery lies adjacent to the church, its age being the same as that of the edifice which was erected in 1858.
RIDGEWOOD.
The only village in this township is Ridgewood, better known in the earlier period of its history as Godwinville named in honor of General Godwin, a Revolutionary hero of Paterson, New Jersey. In 1853 an effort was made by Samuel Dayton to develop a hamlet at this place by purchasing a portion of the Van Emburg estate and soon thereafter plot- ting it for a town.
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
The Paterson and Ramapo Railroad was surveyed as early as 1846. and soon after was constructed. This road connected with the Erie Rail- road at Suffern, and with the Paterson and Hudson Railroad at Pater- son. In 1859 the residents of the vicinity erected the first station build- ing and christened it Godwinville.
The land upon which Ridgewood stands belonged originally to the Hopper, Van Emburg and Westervelt families: and for many years the only structure in the vicinity was a house owned by George Van Emburg. The first building erected after this date was occupied by P. J. Hopper as a dwelling and though its dimensions were limited, room was found in which to place a small stock of goods. Mr. Hopper, thus owning the first store.
The first hotel was built by John W. Halstead, and in 1865 the Epis- copal Congregation built a church on a knoll just across the Hohokus brook on the property now in possession of Mr. J. W. Edwards. At a later date it was moved to its present situation almost in a straight line from its original location.
Cornelius Shuart who was the first to purchase a portion of the Westervelt property and lay it out into building lots, was the second party to engage in commercial pursuits. In 1866 the Erie railroad after a struggle of nearly six years. was induced to change the name of the station to Ridgewood. Mr. Shuart the first station agent served faithfully for a number of years. He was followed by E. F. Ryerson, for a short time, then Mr. A. Huttenmey was agent for a short time, then Mr. A. Huttenmeyer was agent for a period of fifteen years. The present agent is Charles F. Bechtlofft.
The post office was established in 1865 through the persistent efforts of Edward G. Walton, still residing in the village and president of the Citizens Insurance Company. New York. and Benjamin F. Robinson. then the Internal Revenue Assessor, with E. F. Ryerson, chief clerk. Mr. Garret G. Van Dien was the first post master. and served efficiently many years until his death, his widow continuing to act as postmistress until the appointment of J. F. Cruse who also served many years. Mr. Adolph Huttenmeyer then followed for a four years term being succeeded by Mr. J. F. Cruse for a second term. and he by the present occupant, Mr. R. M. Bridgman who took the office November 1, 1897. There are now ten mails a day.
The first positive awakening in Ridgewood commenced about 1880. when a public sale of property took place comprising the Kidder estate. The house then belonging to it is now owned and occupied by Dr. J. T. DeMund. The property was purchased by several gentlemen. Mr. Peter Ackerman coming into possession of a large part of it; and this astute and enterprising man did not hesitate to improve and place it upon the market, much of which is now on Prospect street.
The Reformed Church bought the first plot of one acre uncleared. for $500 which was a little less than the sum paid for the entire six acres. " About the same time." said a writer in the "Ridgewood News" "that
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portion of Union street from the Reformed Church up to and including the lot of Mr. G. Nickerson, was offered to the pastor of the Reformed Church for $300, and no money required. It was afterwards bought by I. E. Hutton and disposed of by him." The boom in real estate had come. Lots were offered for sale, and through the efforts of such mnen as Hut- ton, Bogert, Edwards, Crouter, Walton, Godwin, Richardson, Suckert and Hopper, streets were laid out, sidewalks built, and improvements generally made. The village slowly increased in population and numer- ous houses were built until the year 1875 when there came a financial depression resulting in the vacating of many homes and a stagnation in business of every kind. The name Godwinville was not satisfactory. and a change was advocated.
A number of New Yorkers came to the hamlet about 1860, most of whom still remain residents. These gentlemen purchased buildings lots and soon thereafter the place began to take upon itself a new appear- ance, since with their advent came the constructions of beautiful homes. the improvement of roads and the general beautifying of the village. It was through the influence of these gentlemen that the name was changed from Godwinville, to that of Ridgewood. This name was suggested by Mrs. Cornelius Dayton.
The following is a sketch of Ridgewood published by C. H. Dunn. in 1898. It is given entire and is as follows :
"In 1662 Albert Saboroweski, the progenitor of the Zabriskie fami- lies of Bergen County, came from Holland and purchased from the Indians. "The New Paramus Patent," a tract of land in this vicinity containing nearly 2,000 acres, which was named the Paramus Highlands. the earliest settlements being near Paramus Church. Subsequently, Newtown was established near the present site of Wortendyke and extended to Lydecker's Mills, near Midland Park. The name was changed to Godwinville in honor of General Godwin, a Revolutionary hero who lived in Paterson.
The settlement progressed and soon covered all the territory between Paramus and Wortendyke, Godwinville becoming a hamlet four miles in length, the centre being near the Methodist Church, yet standing at Midland Park. The history of the Paramus is uneventful, except during the Revolutionary period, when the armies passed within its limits. The early settlers were agriculturists and prospered by their well-directed labors. About the beginning of the century manufacturing interests began to occupy the residents of Newtown and Hoppertown, but it never extended from these centers. The distance from the city and the poor roads, prevented much communication with the outer world. The Paterson & Ramapo Railroad, the first section of the present Eric, was completed in 1850, and instilled new life into the settlement. The first station was located at Hohokus, and soon after a post-office was estab- lished at Godwinville and located a mile west of the village. The mails were put off at Hohokus and carried over the intervening country on horseback. The manufacturers at Godwinville asked for a station nearer
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works, but were refused, and it was only after a controversy of three years that one was established. There only freight trains stopped, and it was two years more before it was made a passenger station, that being only a platform. The residents of Godwinville erected a depot in 1859. Commutation began a year earlier.
In 1860 several New Yorkers settled in the village, erected homes in the vicinity of the depot, and began a commendable regime of landscape gardening. The name Godwinville did not suit these newcomers, who immediately agitated a change. An estimable lady, Mrs. Cornelia Dayton, long since deceased, suggested the name of Ridgewood, which was adopted. The railroad company was then requested to change the name of the station, but consumed six years in doing so, and not until Uncle Sam had made them drop mail bags marked "Ridgewood " for a year at this station. A post-office was established in 1865 and the name of the station changed in 1866.
" The newcomers to Ridgewood infused metropolitan methods into the place, and in 1876 induced the Legislature to create the township of Ridgewood. At the time of the change it included territory about three miles square and had a population of about twelve hundred. The growth was slow, being influenced by disturbances in the financial world, but for the past ten years there has been no interruption in its growth.
" The first postmaster was B. F. Robinson, who did faithful service for the munificent sum of ten dollars per year. The present incumbent is a Presidential appointee, and the expenses aggregate $2500 per an- num. The citizen swere alive to needed improvements, and sidewalks, lights and good roads were soon added to the natural advantages. Ridgewood township was the pioneer of macadamized roads, and in 1892 the sum of $30,000 was expended on the roads, making them second to none in the State. The town progressed steadily until the borough . craze struck the county in 1894. A large section of the southern portion was first cut off, forming the Borough of Glen Rock; then Midland Park took a section of the western border. The balance of the town- ship was then incorporated to prevent further inroads.
The first Board of Trustees elected was: M. T. Richardson, A. G. Hopper, J. W. Edwards, G. M. Ockford and W. J. Fullerton. Upon organization, Mr. Richardson was elected President. Mr. Fullerton Treasurer and R. M. Bridgman became Village Clerk. In 1895 Mr. Richardson resigned, Dr. Ockford being elected his successor as Presi- dent of the Village, and G. E. Knowlton taking his place as Trustee. Since the organization of the Village Board there has been marked im- provement in the village from several standpoints, while its growth has been steady and material. Physicians in New York and Brooklyn learned that the Paramus Highlands was one of the few places within fifty miles of New York where malaria was unknown. They recom- mended this location to their patients, and they were not the only ones benefited by the healtfulness of this location. Its fame for health-giv- ing qualities soon spread, and many who came to spend the summer be-
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came permanent residents and induced others to locate here. There is no spot as near New York that offers such inducements as Ridgewood to prospective residents. Children, particularly, acquire a vigor of con- stitution that is unusual, and severe epidemics are unknown. It is situated far enough from the ocean to escape the dampness incident to maritime climates, and the air is at all seasons dry and pure. Dr. Wil- lard Parker, during his lifetime standing at the head of the medical profession of New York city, was in the habit of recommending his patients suffering from lung troubles to go to Paramus Plains or High- lands as the most favorable spot east of the Mississippi River. The distance to New York is twenty-one miles and places us within easy reach of the Metropolis. The train service is excellent, seventy trains stopping daily at the Ridgewood station. In addition to this, Under- cliff station on the Erie and Midland Park station on the Susquehanna and Western are also within the limits of the village, thus furnishing every section with frequent and convenient trains."
Village Trustees for 1899-James Cornelius, President. Jos. W. Edwards, John R. Stevens, C. P. Crouter and Wm. J. Fullerton. H. G. Ward, Clerk. Justice of the Peace-Isaac M. Wall. Town Clerk -Hudson Campbell. Constables-Peter E. Pulis, Garret G. Ackerman, Samuel E. Edsell, Klaus Heerema. Superintendent of Streets-J. R. Stevens. Superintendent of the Poor- Rev. E. H. Cleveland. Fire Department-Protection Hook and Ladder Co., R. M. Bridgman, Presi- dent; H. A. Tice, Vice President; S. F. Lynch, Secretary; W. O. Cruse, Recording Secretary; J. Blauvelt Hopper, Treasurer. Trustees-Asa Zabriskie, Win. P. Morgan, J. D. Van Emburgh, Jr. Chief Engineer E. Nickerson. First Assistant Engineer -- C. Sidney Keyser. Fore- man-Daniel Soman. Assistant Foreman J. A. Bogert, Jr. Head- quarters, truck house, Hudson St. Regular meeting, second Tuesday of each month. Board of Health-Village Trustees (as above) with Health Officer, Dr. J. T. DeMund. Freeholders Theodore V. Terhune, Chairman. Collector -- Peter (). Terheun. Assessor Thos. Terheun. Commissioners of Appeals-Edwin Clark, Geo. E. Knowlton, R. W. Terhune.
"The Ridgewood Club was organized in December. 1893. with the following officers and governors: President, Henry S. Patterson; Vice- President, M. T. Richardson; Treasurer, W. J. Fullerton ; Secretary. Paul Walton; Governing Committee, Joseph F. Carrigan, Robert T. Haskins, E. F. Hanks, John A. Edwards, Clarence E. Chapman, Lucius Smith and Thomas Watlington.
"Mr. Patterson served as President of the club for two years, and was ably succeeded by Robert T. Haskins, who has just completed his see- ond term.
"Under the administration of these gentlemen, carnestly seconded by the Chairman of the Governing Committee, Joseph F. Carrigan, the original plan of the club has been sucessfully developed and its policy defined ; and, in a great. measure owing to their efficient methods and
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wise counsel, and it has become one of the leading institutions of the village, and certainly the center of its social life and activity.
"It has been the aim of the club from its inception to appeal partic- ularly for the interest and support of the ladies, to which fact its growth and success are mainly attributable.
. Two days of each week are set apart as . Ladies' Days,' and weekly entertainments are given throughout the season which are arranged by the Entertainment Committee, with a view to meeting the wishes of the ladies and securing their regular and general attendance.
"During the winter season afternoon lectures are held in the club parlors, followed by a 5 o'clock tea.
"The club is a member of the Whist League, and the devotees of the game have made it one feature of the club life. Several of its mem- bers have taken part in inter-town and inter-state contests with much credit to themselves and to the club.
"The following gentlemen are the present officers of the club : Pres- ident, E. LeB. Gardiner ; Vice-President, R. M. Winans; Secretary, C. J. Gayler ; Treasurer, C. H. Dickson ; Governing Committee, Joseph F. Carrigan, Robert T. Haskins, Lucius Smith, Henry A. Dunbar, Joseph W. Edwards, Henry S. Patterson, H. H. Wehrhane.
"The scenery around Ridgewood is pleasing to the eye, and from the heights on the western side of the town is spread out a magnificent panorama which extends for miles in all directions. Other points give equally charming outlooks. The streets are well shaded and the resi- dences pleasant, comfortable and attractive. Bicycling is much indulged in, and during pleasant weather out-of-town cyclers throng the village. attracted not only by the fine roads, but by the excellence of the hotel accommodations.
Athletics is a recognized factor in the many social diversions of the townspeople. The public schools have long been known as among the best in the State, the new High School being a model of convenience and utility. A corps of teachers, under the able principalship of Pro- fessor B. C. Wooster, have shown much ability in the work selected for them. The school is graded from the Kindergarten to the High School. The last census shows a gain of sixty per cent. in five years.
"The Board of Trustees has done much to bring the village up to its present model condition. James Cornelius is the President of the Village and his associate members on the Board are Joseph W. Edwards, W. J. Fullerton, C. P. Crouter and John R. Stevens. They are gentle- men of high character and rare executive ability,
"In a work of this limited scope many details must necessarily be omitted, but the facts relating to the village herewith presented have been gathered from reliable sources and are believed to be accurate'.'
The Ridgewood Building and Loan Association was established in 1885. This institution has had fourteen years of successful business and has been the means of making a good many men and women in this part of the county happy and independent.
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The officers for 1898 are as follows : W. J. Fullerton, President ; M. T. Richardson, Vice-President ; E. Nickerson, Treasurer ; O. W. Read, Secretary ; C. Doremus, Counsel ; Directors, W. J. Fullerton, H. S. Pat- terson, M. T. Richardson, E. Nickerson, C. P. Crouter, Edwin Clark, P. G. Zabriskie, Frank Wilson, B. C. Wooster, O. W. Reed, J. McGuinness.
The Co-Operative Building and Loan Association of Ridgewood was organized February 1, 1891, Officers for 1897-9, are : George R. Young, President; Isaac M. Wall, Treasurer ; Hudson Campbell, Secretary ; Directors, Edgar Cromwell, Asa Zabriskie, John J. Storms, William E. Maltbie, George M. Ockford, Andrew V. D. Snyder, Jas. A. Hales ; Counsel, D. D. Zabriskie.
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