USA > New Jersey > Bergen County > History of Bergen county, New Jersey > Part 26
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SOCIETY DIRECTORY AND OFFICERS FOR 1898.
Fidelity Lodge, No. 113, F. & A. M., Ridgewood, was organized first at Hohokus Station, under and by virtue of a dispensation granted by M. W. Robert Rusling, Grand Master, dated October 17. A. L. 5870, A. D. 1870 and was set at work by R. W. William E. Pine. D. G. M., on November 7, A. L. 5870.
Officers for 1898 :- John R. Stevens, Worshipful Master ; James Cornelius, Senior Warden; Leonard N. Taft, Junior Warden; John F. Cruse, Treasurer; John F. Weiss, Secretary; Rev. Edward H. Cleveland, Chaplain; William W. Holcomb, Senior Deacon; William Morrison, Junior Deacon; Harry Terhune, Marshal; Alfred A. Stansfield, S. M. of Ceremonies; Isaac M. Wall, J. M. of Ceremonies; George M. Ock- ford, Senior Steward; Charles W. Banta, Junior Steward; Charles W. Kohler, Tyler; George M. Ockford, Past Master, proxy to the Grand Lodge; Henry Hales, Trustee for three years.
The officers were installed by W. Geo. Morrison, Past Master; John F. Cruse, Past Master, acting as Grand Marshal.
Stated Communications second and fourth Fridays at Masonic Hall, corner of Ridgewood and Rock Avenue.
JR. O. C. A. M. ELECT OFFICERS.
On Monday, January 23, 1899, the Junior Order United American Mechanics met and appointed the following officers for the current year: J. D. Van Emburgh, Jr., Councilor: Roger M. Bridgman, Vice- Councilor; J. H. Christopher, Past Councilor; C. C. Ackerman, Record- ing Secretary; John Knowlton, Assistant Secretary; Harvey Terhune. Financial Secretary; Chas. Sworn. Conductor; Winfield Terhume. Warden; I. M. Wall, Treasurer; Rev. Franklin Mathiews, Chaplain; J. A. Van Emburgh, Orator; T. L. Ackermann, Inside Sentinel; Wm. G. Ackerman, Outside Sentinel; Dr. J. B. Hopper, Daniel Soman, Ells- worth Pell, Trustees; J. Irving Bogert, Representative to State Comeil.
LEGION OF HONOUR, COUNCIL. 1100.
Officers for 1898: Henry Hales, Commander; J. H. Christopher. Treasurer; J. Cruse, Secretary: J. Naugle, Guide; J. H. Zabriskie, Warden: J. J. Hopper, Sentry; E. D. Leary, Chaplain.
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Meets first Wednesday evening of each month in Masonic Hall. Companions of other Councils are cordially invited.
HALL AND PARK ASSOCIATION.
M. T. Richardson, President: E. A. Walton, Vice President; Paul Walton, Secretary and Treasurer: John B. Van Dien, J. F. Carrigan, Maurice Fornachon. C. P. Crouter, Cornelius Doremus and N. B. Kukuck.
KNIGHTS OF HONOR.
List of Officers :-- D. J. O'Neill. Past Dictator; J. D. Van Emburgh. Jr. Dictator; C. Snyder Keyser, Vice Dictator; S. Frank Lynch, Assist- ant Dictator; C. M. Keyser, Reporter; F. M. Merritt, Financial Re- porter; D. D. Zabriskie, Treasurer; Harvey G. Ward, Chaplain; Geo. E. Miller, Guide; Chas. L. Jackson, Guardian; Stanley G. Cheel, Sen- tinel; Dr. Harry S. Williard, Medical Examiner.
ROYAL ARCANUM.
Paramus Valley Council. No. 1597, meets first and third Tuesday in Jr. O. U. A. M. Hall.
Officers for 1898: - R. M. Winans, Regent: H. G. White, Vice Re- gent; H. A. Brown, Orator: F. A. Ross, Past Regent; W. A. Cheel. Secretary; John R. Stevens, Treasurer; Arthur White, Chaplain; A. A. Fitzhugh, Guide; A. Frank Halsted. Collector: John B. Hopper, War- den; Jacob Ward, Sentry.
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS.
The Ridgewood News was first issued in 1890 by W. J. Tonkin, as a monthly, the mechanical work being done in New York. Mr. Tonkin carrying his office in a cigar box. Mr. L. N. Taft took charge the sec- ond year, putting in presses and type in a room over Eglin's blacksmith shop. About one year later Mr. John A. Ackerman owned the paper for a short time, returning it to Mr. Taft in 1892, when he removed it to Ridgewood Avenue where it is now located.
Mr. Frank A. Baxter has made it a nine column quarto. It is the official organ of Ridgewood and Orvil Townships and of Glen Rock and Midland Park boroughs, being non-partisan in politics.
RIDGEWOOD RECORD.
The Ridgewood Record has been regularly issued as a weekly for upwards of a year, and is Republican in politics. It is edited and owned by E. F. Farrell, with W. P. Millar as associate editor.
CHURCH HISTORY.
The old Reformed Dutch Church of Paramus is one of the land marks in which Ridgewood Township is intensely interested. That the first church building was erected in 1735, appears to be well established. from writings which have been found bearing upon this subject. On the flyleaf of the baptismal register is a sentence which translated reads: "On the 21st day of April 1735, was the first stone of the church laid." It is also confidently asserted that on January 15. 1735, a committee was appointed by the assembled consistory and congregation, to consider and
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make arrangements for the building of a church and to formulate rules for the promotion of the best interests of the church, Conradus Vanderbeck and Johannes Wynkoop being the persons chosen to superintend and con- duct these important matters. After adopting seventeen articles for the government of the seating of the members, and for the control of the calling of ministers to their pulpit, they proceeded to erect the house of worship.
REFORMED CHURCH-RIDGEWOOD
In those times all the Dutch churches were built of stone, and of similar style, having an octagonal roof with a steeple in the centre, the chairs, which were used instead of pews such as we have, being marked on the back with the owner's name. The law of compensation being observed here as in all things else, Peter Fanconier was allowed two seats, one each for himself and wife " for a continual possession for themselves and their heirs "=" as an acknowledgement of their donation
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of the land on which the church is built." This donation appears to have been for the church edifice, as Magdalen Valleau, in 1750, gave a parsonage farm of forty acres. A school is now located on these grounds. to which the consistory a few years ago gave the trustees a per- petual lease, owing to a tradition extant, to the effect that Mrs. Valleau embodied a provision in her original grant of land that a school should be maintained on this tract. The church is located in the northeastern part of the township, adjacent to which lies the True Reformed Ceme- tery, the oldest burial-place in the township. In the old church on this spot Aaron Burr married the Widow Provost, an incident always recalled in connection with this time honored place of worship.
Many years prior to the building of the church, however, an organi- zation had been effected and the preaching of the Word regularly attended by these pious people. As early as 1725, in a letter written by Rev. Reinhart Erickson to a brother-in-law. Henricus Coens, at Acquack- anonk, he speaks of being "minister at Hackensack, Schraalenburgh, and Peremus." From this statement we conclude that "Paramus" at that time was a recognized congregation. While Rev. Guillam Bert- holf preached to the united societies of Hackensack, Acquackanonk and Tappan, from 1694 to 1724, it gave the people of this vicinity the oppor- tunity to attend his ministrations according to their location; but they were progressive, and had determined upon independent action as is evidenced by a document in possession of the consistory, dated Decem- ber 26, 1730, and signed by Peter Fauconier, in which he promises to give land on which to build a church.
The first building erected stood intact until 1800. with the excep- tion of repairs made necessary by the injuries sustained during the Revolutionary war, it having been used during that period, for various purposes. From 1731 to 1732, Rev. George W. Mancius ministered to the two churches of Schraalenburgh and Paramus, but no further evi- dence is given of their having another pastor until sixteen years later, although much advancement was made during this time, which if accom- plished without an appointed leader, shows a wonderful devotedness to the cause, as well as an indomitable will to do needed work. Rev. Benjamin Van Der Linde received a call from the two churches of Para- mus and the Ponds, on August 21, 1748, Rev. Antonius Curtenius of Hackensack moderating the call, in which stipulations were made as to the days upon which he was to preach and the number of sermons each day. This was signed by Elders, Albert Van Dien, Steve Terhuen. Jan Romyn, Barent Van Hoorn, Hendick Van Aele. Roelof Van Houte; Deacons, Johannes Stek. Klaes Zabriski, Albert Bogart, Simon Van Winkle. Cornelius Van Houte. Steve Bogert. Mr. Van Der Linde is described as a man of muscular strength and quickness of movement, qualities which were needed in those times, when long and tiresome trips had to be taken without opportunity for rest or refreshment. They could only promise sixty pounds a year with parsonage and wood, but later on, added enough to make ninety pounds. Although these two
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OLD PARAMUS CHURCH- RIDGEWOOD
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
churches were a number of miles apart he continued to be their pastor for forty years, until old age obliged him to have assistance. Rev. Van Der Linde with Elder Stephen Zabriskie, were the representatives of this church in 1771 in the convention which met to form a constitution of the Reformed Dutch Church of North America. After the organization of the church at Saddle River, which would add to his labors, the consistory called Rev. G. Kuypers, a newly licensed minister, to assist him. This was in 1787, as after about one vear and a half Mr. Kuypers was called to the Collegiate Church in New York, leaving Paramus April 15, 1789. Rev. Van Der Linde died July 8, 1789. When we consider what his labor must have been to attend to the pastoral work of a field covering an area of twenty-five miles in length and fifteen in breadth, we conclude that nothing less than an athlete could have borne up under the strain. That he was loved and appreciated by his people, is proven by the fact that in 1800, when the edifice was erected, his bones were removed and placed beneath the pulpit. Following Rev. Kuypers, Rev. Isaac Blau- velt was called in December, 1790, Ponds, not now being connected with the Paramus Church, which at this time consisted of only the original congregation with that of Saddle River. Rev. Blauvelt was a popular man, and it was for him the parsonage was built in 1791. His service here, however, was discontinued in the summer of 1792, the Rev. William P. Kuypers being called in May, 1793, remaining until May, 1796. During the three years following they were without pastoral care, after which they called Rev. Wilhelmus Eltinge, then but twenty-one years of age, his pastorate extending over this church and that of Saddle River. In 1811, the care of Saddle River, in connection with Paramus was discontinued, Mr. Eltinge confining his work to the Paramus Church, without any formal call until five years later, when a call was tendered him from the joint congregations of Paramus and Totowa. which he accepted, continuing these relations until 1833, when Paramus claimed his sole attention. After a lapse of fifty-one years in charge of this church, he was obliged on account of the infirmities of age to retire from active service, closing his earthly career in June, 1851.
At this time there were four hundred and thirty communicants in the congregation. Rev. Aaron B. Winfield succeeded Rev. Eltinge. be- ginning his ministry in January 1851, which was continued until his death in 1856, when he was laid beside his predecessor in the ministers plot in Valleau Cemetery. . Rev. Edward Tanjore Corwin succeeded to this place in July of the following year, and was in turn succeeded by Rev. Isaac De Mund. During the incumbency of Rev. Goyn Talamge, D. D. from 1871 to 1879, a handsome new parsonage was built and the old church remodelled, the walls alone remaining of the old structure. Rev. J. C. Van Deventer was installed the same year of Dr. Talmage's departure.
The present pastor Rev. W. H. Vroom has been in charge of this
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church since 1887. In 1893 the latest improvements were made by putting in steam heat, pipe organ, etc.
This congregation now comprises two hundred and eight members with a flourishing Sunday school of about one hundred and seventy- five scholars.
The officers are as follows: Superintendent, S. T. Van Emburgh, Assistant Superintendent and Secretary, J. A Van Emburgh; Treasurer, A. G. Zabriskie; Librarian. A. H. Vroom; Organist (Juvenile Depart- ment ), Mrs. R. A. Post. There are seventeen teachers: Rev. W. H. Vroom and Mrs. Vroom, Mrs. E. Ackerman, Mrs. Vermilye, Mrs. E. Nickerson, Mr. C. V. A. Lacour, Mrs. S. T. Van Emburgh, Mrs. J. A. Van Emburgh, Miss F. I. Vroom, Mr. and Mrs. N. G. Hopper, Miss Lida Vermilye, Miss Mary Van Dien, Mrs. P. D. Westervelt and Miss L. L. Newcomb.
Rev. W. H. Vroom conducts a Bible class for men, and Mrs. E. Ackerman and Mrs. Vermilye each conduct a Bible class for women.
PRESENT OFFICERS.
Pastor, Rev. Wm. H. Vroom; Elders, A. A. Blauvelt, Win. Hard- ing. G. H. Winters and Geo. Demarest.
Deacons, Peter J. Westervelt. Wm. J. Hanham, James W. Mower- son and A. G. Zabriskie.
G. H. Winters, Treasurer; A. G. Zabriskie, Clerk; W. H. Ackerman, Organist; Cornelius Banta, Sexton.
LADIES' AID SOCIETY.
Mrs. W. F. Palmer, President; Mrs. D. S. Hammond. Vice President; Mrs. John T. Ackerman, Treasurer; Miss Mary Van Dien, Secretary.
WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
Mrs. W. H. Vroom, President; Mrs. E. G. Board, Vice President; Mrs. J. A. Van Emburgh, Secretary; Miss Irene Van Einburgh, Treasurer.
The First Reformed Church of Ridgewood, N. J., was organized by a committee from the Classis of Paramus, consisting of Reverends John H. Duryea, D. D., John Gaston, D. D., W. H. Clark, D. D., and Elder Garret S. Blauvelt at Shuart's Hall, Rock avenue ( since burned ), on May 24, 1875. The following persons were received by certificate and organ- ized as the "First Reformed Church of Ridgewood, N. J.," viz: Edward Jardine, from Church of Puritans, New York; Mrs. Mary C. Jardine, from Reformed Church, Harlem ; Edward H. Leggett, from Church of Puritans, New York ; John M. Knapp, from Second Reformed Church, Hackensack, N. J .; Cornelius Z. Berdan, from Reformed Church, Para- mus; Margaret R. Ackerman (wife of Cornelius Z. Berdan), Margaret A. Van Orden (wife of Henry A. Hopper), Rachel L. Hopper, also from Reformed Church, Paramus; Mrs. Esther Earl, from Second Pres- byterian Church, Paterson, N. J. Elders, Edward Jardine and Cornelius Z. Berdan, and Deacon Edward H. Leggett were constituted the first Consistory by afore-mentioned committee from Classis of Paramus.
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At the first regular meeting of the Consistory, June 17, 1875, pre- sided over by Rev. Goyn Talmage, D. D., pastor of the Reformed Church of Paramus, N. J., a call to become the first pastor of the Church, was then formulated, and afterward presented to a student, John Alfred Van Neste, graduated in May 1875, who accepted it and was ordained and installed July 12, 1875, as the first pastor of the Ridgewood Church. The Rev. J. A. Van Neste has remained the only Pastor during the twenty- four years since the organization of the Church.
For two years from the genesis of the church the congregation wor- shipped in Shuart's Hall on Rock Avenue. But the place soon became too small, the development and future growth depending upon a more suitable building, it was resolved on August 7, 1877 to secure a location and begin at once the erection of a church. After failures and numerous hindrances a building was partially finished upon a lot donated by Mr. Frederic Kidder. The basement was first used for divine worship November 4, 1877. Since that the growth of the church has been con- tinuous. In the meantime the church has been greatly enlarged and beautified, improved appliances for work and convenience being con- stantly added. At date of writing the congregation numbers among its adherents a large proportion of the most influential and intelligent members of the community. In addition to the church building, a spa- cious and attractive parsonage located on Prospect Street, and valued at seven thousand dollars, is ownod by the congregation.
Notwithstanding that within six years practically three other church organizations, viz. the Baptist, Methodist and the Reformed at Glen Rock have been organized from the membership of the Ridgewood Reformed Church, the congregation is still as large as before the new en- ter prises were brought into existence. The following statistical table will illustrate in brief the present status of the Reformed Church family of Ridgewood.
Organized 1875 with nine members. Received in fellowship in twenty-three years, 401. Present resident membership 240. Disburse- ments during the year 1898 nearly $8000.
There are numerous Christian organizations within the church, all prosperous and effective in maintaining and developing the general work of the church.
The Rev. Mr. Van Neste is arranging to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the organization of the church, and his installation as pastor at one and the same time on May 25, 1900.
Rev. J. A. Van Neste, Pastor ; W. P. Millar, Isaac A. Hopper, J. F. Cruse, J. C. Wilkinson, Elders : W. J. Fullerton, J. H. Christopher, F. A. Ross, R. S. Cortelyou, Deacons.
In 1860 a committee was appointed to act in a matter looking toward the founding of an Episcopal parish, preliminary organi- zation of Christ Church Parish being effected in 1864, when a meeting had been called at the house of Captain Samuel Dayton on February 6 of that year. Captain Dayton at this time offered a lot one mile east
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of the depot as a site for a church building, which was accepted on February 17.
The name of the church being decided upon, Messrs. James Keely and J. T. Walton were elected wardens, and A. J. Cameron. Samuel Dayton, E. Rosencrantz, W. H. Hawlett and E. A. Walton, vestrymen. After subscriptions to the amount of eighteen hundred dollars had been secured, an organ was purchased and placed in the house of B. F. Robinson for the use of the choir. March 28, 1865, the corner-stone was laid by the Bishop of the diocese, Right Rev. W. H. Odenheimer, D. D., who held service the same day in Union Hall, Paramus. On Sunday, May 13, 1866, the church was opened for divine service, the Rev. J. M. Waite officiating. The pews were rented on May 16, several persons paying a premium for choice of seats. The cost of the build- ing, including furniture and sheds, was a little more than $6000. Rev. Leigh Richmond Dickenson, of Yonkers, N. Y., became the first rector, administering holy communion to twelve communicants. On May 12, following, a Sunday school was organized with E. A. Walton as superintendent and Thomas T. Walton librarian. Twenty-one scholars and seven teachers were present. The congregation increased, until in March, 1869, the question of enlarging the church was agitated and a subscription started to assist in accomplishing the work. This was a successful undertaking and the foundation was begun on August 2, and on December 19, the church was reopened for service. A beautiful chancel, three new windows, one of which was presented by the Sunday school. A vestry room, organ room and ten pews were added at this time, the whole costing $2600, a part of which was paid by the indi- vidual liberality of Mr. Christian A. Zabriskie and others. In May, 1869, Mrs. C. W. Newton organized a Sunday school in her home which was continued until 1870 when a Mission Snuday school was opened in Shuart's Hall in the village of Ridgewood, continuing until September, 1875, when it was merged into the Parish School.
In 1873 the vestry resolved to move the church to a central location in the village. A lot was tendered by Mr. Robinson and accepted. This, with an additional plot, purchased for a sumn somewhat exceeding eleven hundred dollars became the site of the new church. Work began on August 4, 1873 and in October the new church was opened for public worship. In 1874 the old site was sold for seven hundred and fifty dol- lars. Mr. E. A. Walton resigned the treasurership, at Easter of this year after having held the office ten years. The present officers are as follows: Wardens, E. A. Walton and Henry Hales; Vestrymen, W. E. Maltbie, H. C. Lawrence, F. E. Palmer, H. S. Patten, Alexander Bell, S. M. Orne, Thomas Watlington, E. LeB. Gardiner, John R. Stevens and Lagnel de Berier. The Sunday school has a roll call of about fifty pupils. The school is superintended by the Rector, Rev. E. H. Cleveland. Mr. Cleveland held his first service as Rector on March 4, 1894.
The Baptist church is located on Hope Street and Ridgewood Ave- 1111e. The Society was organized about the year 1890 and named The
PETER ACKERMAN
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
Emmanuel Baptist. Mr. Frank White, the present and efficient super- intendent of the Sabbath School, with a few other gentlemen, were in- strumental in securing a class for religious worship. The work of these members eventually led to the formation of the Church Society, and to its present membership of over 109 persons. Elder Shrive was the first pastor and under his pastorate the church building was erected, Rev. Frank K. Mathiews, a graduate of Brown University and of Crozier Seminary, is the present pastor. The Deacons are, Sylvanus White, William C. Parker, George E. Ferguson and George Barr. The build- ing originally cost $3200.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of this place was organized in 1896. It has a flourishing membership under the pastorate of Rev. Frank Chadwick. They worship in the old schoolhouse on Prospect Street.
The Unitarians have but recently organized. They hold religious services at stated intervals in the Town Hall. The Rev. George Badger is the officiating pastor.
The A. M. E. Zion Church worship under the pastorate of the Rev. T. T. B. Reed, A. M., M. D., Pastor.
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel is under the pastorate of Rev. Father Kelly, graduate of Seton Hall of the class of 1885. The building was dedicated by Bishop Wigger, and the corner stone of the new building was laid in 1890. The church has about 400 communicants.
PETER ACKERMAN.
Peter Ackerman of Ridgewood belongs to the old Dutch family of Ackermans, who came from Holland about the year 1610. Mr. Acker- man was born in Paterson, September 16, 1831, and is the son of David D., and Martha ( Stevens ) Ackerman.
When but fifteen years of age he left home to try his fortune in new fields, going to New York, where he found employment in the business of stair building, but only remained a short time in this work. Upon leaving this business he became employed with a firm in this city doing trucking, and in 1849, started a line of carts and wagons, doing storage business on his own account. In 1885, he formed a partnership with his brother who was in the same line of work, and continued under the firm name of D. & P. Ackerman. Business increased until it became one of the largest of its kind in New York city.
In 1887 Mr. Ackerman retired with ample means at his command, and has since spent his time in the care of his property. He has served his state in the Assembly, first in 1885, when he defeated Lydecker by a plurality of forty votes, but the following year was defeated by John Van Bussum by a majority of seventy-nine, and the next year he defeated Van Bussum by a pluralty of seventy-four. In the session of 1885, he was chairman of the committee on agriculture and a member of com- mittee on incidental expenses and the Soldiers' Home.
RESIDENCE OF PETER ACKERMAN
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
In 1892 he was nominated by acclamation, for state senator, but was defeated by Henry D. Winton. He has in addition to these, held various offices in his county.
Mr. Ackerman married Elizabeth Hopper, daughter of John Hopper of Fairlawn, in 1856.
His wife died December 9, 1894.
He is now President of the First National Bank of Ridgewood, which was opened for business July 24, 1899.
JOHN B: VAN DIEN.
The family of this name date their residence in Bergen county to an early period of its history. The Van Diens have owned and occupied their present homestead for a period of one hundred and thirty years. Garret Van Dien, the father of John B., was a well known man of his time, who successfully served his generation in various capacities. At that time Bergen county comprised a greater scope of territory than it does at present, Hudson county then being included within its boundary.
Mr. Van Dien held prominent offices in his day, those of surveyor and township assessor being among the number. He also held the responsible office of sheriff for a term of three years. The county was a large area to cover, but the population was inconsiderable as compared with that of the present Bergen.
In politics Mr. Van Dien was an old time Whig. His religions affiliations connected him with the old Dutch Church.
The mother of Mr. Van Dien was Jane Demarest of French Hugue- not extraction. The children were Albert, Rachel, Maria, John B .. Catherine, Casper and Garret. Of these, Catherine married Jacob Banta while Maria became the wife of Abram Carlock. The great grand- father of our subject was Harmon Van Dien, the first of the name of whom we have any definite account, in this country. Harmon's son, Albert, the grandfather of John B., was always a farmer. Mr. Van Dien learned the trade of Carpenter becoming a builder of some note. He erected the Town Hall, the residences of M. T. Richardson, Peter Ackerman, Dr. De Mund, Judge Zabriskie, Isaac Hopper and other build- ings.
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