USA > New Jersey > Bergen County > History of Bergen county, New Jersey > Part 29
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*From the History of Bergen and Passaic Counties.
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
times reported to the officer the impossibility of longer enduring the terrible cold. He remarked to the troops that they must protect them- selves as the guards were relieved. A party of Hessians surrounded the buildings, and at once directed their attention to the barn where most of the troops were quartered. The major and surgeon, who were in the house, were taken prisoners. The defenseless soldiers found escape impossible. They were captured and slaughtered without quarter, and their bodies thrown into a neighboring tan-vat; but three escaped by fleeing to an adjoining wood and secreting themselves.
" The Hering family are of Dutch descent, and intimately associ- ated with the early history of the county. Four brothers purchased a tract of one thousand acres in New York State, the deed bearing date 1729. and subsequently an additional six hundred in Washington (then Harrington ) township, upon which three cousins, sons of the original settlers, and all named Cornelius, located, each of whom was given a tract embracing two hundred acres. One portion of this land was situ- ated at Pascack, the descendants of the son who settled here being William, John, Cornelius and James.
One of the four brothers first named was Abram A. F. Hering, whose son Cornelius Abram, settled upon the farm afterward occupied by Abram C. Hering. The children of Cornelius A. were Ralph, Abram, and four daughters. Both sons located upon the family estate. The children of Ralph were Cornelius R. and David. David had two sons, Ralph D .. and David, the former of whom resided in the township. The earlier members of this family were identified with many of the Revo- lutionery scene which transpired in the township."
CIVIL LIST.
The following is the list of freeliolders since the organization of the township:
1840-42, Garret I. Demarest; 1341, Thomas Achenbach; 1842-43, 1845, 1853, Henry Blauvelt; 1843, 1845-46, 1851, Cornelius R. Harring; 1846, John Achenbach; 1847-49, James I. Demarest: 1847-50. Harmon F. Van Riper; 1850-51, John P. Duryea; 1852-53, John I. Ackerman; 1852, James D. Van Horn; 1854, 1856, Cornelius G. Ackerson: 1854. Henry H. Kingsland; 1856-58. Andrew M. Hopper; 1857-59, Benjamin Z. Van Emburgh: 1859-61, Peter R. Wortendyke; 1860.62. James L. Ackerman; 1862-64. Thomas Van Orden; 1863-64, 1866, 1870, Jacob D. Van Em- burgh; 1866, Frederick F. Wortendyke; 1867, Abraham Van Emburgh; 1867-69, James G. Harring; 1868-69, John Christopher; 1870-72, Nicholas B. Ackerman; 1873-75, Thomas Post; 1876-78, B. S. Demarest; 1879, Abraham C. Holdrum; 1880-81, Thomas Eckerson; 1889-90, Garret Her- ing; 1891-97, Isaac D. Bogert; 1898-99, J. A. Eckerson.
Township Clerk, 1840-41, Cornelius R. Haring: '42-43-45, Henry G. Banta; '46-48, P. M. Holdron; '49-51, John C. Westervelt; '52-54, '56-58; '55, Frederick Wortendyke, Jr .; Frederick P. Van Riper; '59-61, Henry G. Hering; '62-63. Jacob J. Storms, '65-67, Garret R. Haring; '68-70, Gar-
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
ret J, Lydecker; '71-73, John P. Wortendyke: '74-76, James A. Acker- man; '77-79, John J. Meyers; '80-81, Garret J. Wortendyke; '82 Garret J. ยท Wortendyke; '83-84-85, Schuyler Banta; '86-87-88; Garret N. Ackerman; '89-91, Edward Sarson: '92-99, John H. Ackerman.
Assessors, 1840-42, Garret S. Demarest: 1843-46. John A. Demarest; 1847-49, John I. Demarest: 1850-51. James K. Bogert; 1852-54, George T. Brickell; 1855-57, John P. Johnson; 1858-60, James G. Hering; 1861- 63, Garret F. Hering; 1864-66, 1873-75, Peter M. Holdron; 1867-69, John H. Demarest; 1870-72, Louis M. Plauck: 1876-78, F. F. Wortendyke: 1879-81, Henry G. Hering; 1882-83-84, John P. Wortendyke; 1885-86-87, John H. Ackerman; 1888, John H. Wortendyke; 1889-90, John H. Wort- endyke; 1891-96, John G. H. Knoner; 1897-98, John W. Kinmouth; 1899, Nicholas Cleveland.
Collectors, '40-42, Casparus I. Zabriskie; 43-16, Peter F. Van Riper; 47-49, Henry Achenbach; 50-51, John P. Westervelt; 52, Jacob J. Storms, 53, 55-56, 66-68. Peter R. Wortendyke; 54, Abraham Bergen; 57-59. Abraham Van Emburgh; 60-62, Cornelius F. Crouter: 63-65, Henry G. Hering; 69-71, Albert Z. Ackerman; 72-74, John H. Ackerman; 72-75, John H. Ackerman; 75-77, Garret J. Lydecker; 78-81, Jacob M. Myers: 82-83-84. Peter R. Wortendyke: 85. Isaac D. Bogert; 86-87-88. Andrew H. Smith; 89-92, Andrew H. Smith; 93-95, John A. Eckerson; 96-98, John Heck; 99, John H. Ackerman.
Township Committees, 1840-42, John R. Blauvelt: '40-41, David Bogert; '40, Cornelius Ackerman; '40-41, James I. Demarest; '40-43, '49- 51, John Flearoboam; '41-43, 45, Herman Van Riper: '42-43, 45, 49-51, J. A. L. Demarest; '42-43, 45, John P. Perry: '43, 45-46. Lawrence Van Buskirk ; '45-47, Garret S. Demarest ; '46-48, Peter A. Westervelt, J. A. Lozier. Isaac Mabie ; '47-49, Peter Crouter ; '48-49, James P. Westervelt ; '49-51. Henry Pullis; '50, Garret C. Ackerman, Cornelius R. Haring ; '51. J. Z. Van Blarcom, William C. Holdron; '52-53, A. H. Westervelt : '52- 54, James L. Ackerman, Garret J. Lydecker ; '52. J. H. Van Emburgh : '52-53, James A. Campbell : '53-54, 76-78, Thomas Van Orden : '54-56. 64-66, Albert A. L. Demarest ; '54-55, Andrew M. Hopper : '55-56, Benja- min S. Demarest; '55-57, 61-62, Frederick Crouter : '55, James Demarest. Jr .: '57-59. Peter J. Banta : '56-58, 69-71, Henry Z. Ackerman ; '56-58, 63- 65, John A. Ackerman: '57-59, H. A. L. Demarest : '58-60, Nicholas B. Ackerman ; '59-60, John P. Johnson ; '59-60, Jacob Z. Van Blarcom ; '60- 62, Thomas Post ; '60-62, 73-75, Anthony C. Tice : '61-63, John I. Blan- velt, David A. Campbell : '63-65. William A. Demarest, Garret J. Hopper: '64-66, Thomas D. Blanch : '66, Nicholas A. Demarest : '66-68, David Tice, f. F. Wortendyke, Jr .: 67-69, Garret F. Hering. Daniel J. Post. Jacob H. Van Derbeck: '69, John W. Christie: '70-72. John A. Felter. Abram J. Allen, John A. L. Blauvelt, Stephen J. Goetschius: 72-74. David Brickell: 73-75. Richard Van Derbeck ; '73-74, John Messenger : '73-75, Abram S. Van Horn : '75-77. Garret D. Van Busson, Isaac Onderdonk ; 76-78, Samuel B. Demarest. John D. Durie : 78-80, Abrau A. Campbell : '78-79. Mercelins Post: 79-81. Abram Gurnee : '80-81.
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
Schuyler Banta ; '81, John Henry Ackerman ; '82, Schuyler Banta, John Henry Ackerman, James Alfred Ackerman ; '83, John Henry Ackerman, James Alfred Ackerman, Jacob D. Demarest ; '84, James Alfred Acker- man, John J. Myers, J. H. Wortendyke ; '85, John J. Myers, J. H. Wort- endyke, Gilbert Bell; '86, Gilbert Bell, J. H. Wortendyke, Abram S. Van Horn; '87, Gilbert Bell, Abram S. Van Horn, A. J. House ; '88, Abram S. Van Horn, A. J. House, J. C. Blauvelt ; '89, W. D. Ackerman ; '90, W. D. Ackerman ; '91, Daniel O' Mara, W. D. Ackerman ; '92, Daniel O'Mara, John H. Ackerinan ; '93, Daniel O'Mara, John H. Ackerson, A. B. Van Emburgh ; '94, John B. Lozier, John H. Ackerson, A. B. Van Emburgh; '95, David L. Lockwood, John B. Lozier, A. B. Van Emburgh; '96, David L. Lockwood, Abram A. Hopper, John B. Lozier ; '97, David L. Lockwood, Peter J. Westervelt, Thomas C. Demarest; '98, Daniel O'Mara, Peter J. Westervelt, Thomas C. Demarest; '99, John G. H. Knoner, Daniel O'Mara, Peter J. Westervelt.
WESTWOOD.
Westwood, a beautiful village 21.6 miles from New York on the New Jersey and New York Railroad, has a population of about one thou- sand persons. The land occupying this site was purchased of John Mar- sellus on the 26th of March, 1765, in the fourth year of the reign of George III, and another tract ajdoining, was bought of Jacob Hopper April 5, 1780 by Isaac Bogert, of New York, who was the ancestor of Isaac D. Bogert, the present mayor of Westwood. Albert Bogert, son of Isaac, was a carpenter, and having fallen from the roof of a building and broken his leg, his father was induced to move from the city to this township, where he purchased in all five hundred acres of land, one tract of which nearly covers the site of Westwood.
David I. Bogert, George T. Brickell and David Brickell were the first to cause a survey to be made of the lots for a village at this place.
Isaac, grandson of Isaac and grandfather of Isaac D. Bogert lived here fifty years ago. His son David, the father of Isaac, was killed on the Midland railroad at Central Avenue, Hackensack in 1871. Mr. Isaac D. Bogert rebuilt the old house in 1852. The old mill just below the house was rebuilt in 1823.
In 1869 Isaac D. Bogert and Z. B. Van Emburgh built the first store in the village. It is now one of the leading stores in the county. Z. B. Van Emburgh was the grandson of Henry and Mary Voorhis Van Em- burgh and son of Albert and Hannah Zabriskie Van Emburgh, and brother to H. A. and Nicholas Van Emburgh, all of Washington Town- ship. He was the father of Albert Van Emburgh, now of the firm of Bogert and Van Emburgh.
The Westwood Hotel was built by A. B. Bogert at this time and was the beginning of the village history of Westwood. In 1870 at the time of the building of the railroad, Dr. S. J. Zabriskie, now the old- est practicing physician in the county located here, at which time there were only two or three houses in the place. At present there are three
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
grocery stores, one hardware store, two churches and two hotels and other places of importance. The Borough of Westwood was formed in 1894, the first officers of the incorporation being as follows :- Isaac D. Bogert, Mayor; W. W. Voorhis, John C. Kent, J. H. Ackerson, George W. Collignon, Walter Ray, George W. Youmans, Council; James E. Demarest, Clerk. Mr. Bogert was followed by T. G. Brickell, Mayor, who held the office four years. The officers for 1899 are: Isaac D. Bogert, Mayor; Dr. S. J. Zabriskie, Walter DeBaun, Walter G. Ray, John W. Horn, A. B. Bogert, John J. Blauvelt, Council; Charles D. Westervelt, Clerk.
The Borough of Westwood was formed into one school district at the time of its organization. The school building was erected at a cost of four thousand dollars. A Union Chapel was built in the place in 1878: On August 25, 1886, on Sunday at one o'clock p. m. a fearful cyclone tore down the church, and schoolhouse, and damaged other buildings.
CHURCHES.
Religious services were for a period held at a public hall in West- wood, but a building was erected in 1872 at a cost of $4000, and union services regularly conducted by clergymen from Closter, Schraalenburgh and other villages. This house was destroyed, and rebuilt at a cost of $4000, and an elegant school house was also erected. The edifice has since that time received important additions, and the church is supported by a membership of one hundred and thirteen. It started with twenty-seven persons. The Rev. David Talmage, nephew of Dr. DeWitt Talmage. formerly of Brooklyn, N. Y., was called to the pastorate of this church in 1887, and is still in charge of the congregation. Isaac D. Bogert gave the grounds for the church building, and has been one of the elders since its organization.
A Catholic Church, having a limited membership, was established twelve or fifteen years ago. It has no resident pastor.
The borough of Westwood is supplied with excellent cool, clear, spring water, for domestic use. Mr. C. S. De Baun first drove a number of wells, which, for a series of years, supplied the people through tanks. but subsequently an inexhaustable supply of spring water was found, which abundantly supplies both the fire department, and the water for domestic purposes.
The Fire Department of Westwood is under the control of one capable foreman and thirty-six voluntary assistants, while one marshal and constables look after the peace of the borough.
ISAAC D. BOGERT.
Isaac D. Bogert, Mayor of Westwood and leading merchant of that borough, was born on the old Bogert homestead in Westwood in 1834. His great great grandfather Isaac Bogert, had children, Jacobus and Albert, of whom the first died in the Revolution. Albert inherited the estate in Washington township, and his son Isaac married Margaret
.
ISAAC D. BOGERT
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
Durie and had children David and Leah. Hannah Ackerman became the wife of David and the mother of three children of whom two, Isaac D. and Mrs. Z. B. Van Emburgh reside in the township, the former on the land purchased in 1765.
Having spent his early life in school, Isaac continued on the farm until 1869 when he began a mercantile career, and which he has con- tinued from that time having been the head of the firm of Bogert & Van Emburgh from the time the business was started. Besides the grocery business he was postmaster for twenty years. The firm maintained a large trade in lumber and coal also. Aside from his business career, Mr. Bogert has been selected by his fellow townsmen at various times to represent their interests in official life. He was Freeholder six years during a part of which time he was a director of the county board. He also filled the office of Collector for Washington Township. He was elected the first Mayor of Westwood in 1899.
In conjunction with Richard Hopper, Abram B. Bogert and others he organized the Reformed Church at Westwood in 1887, of which Church organization he has filled the office of Elder since that time.
Mr. Bogert is a member of the G. A. R. fraternity but aside from this his relations in life are domestic. He is public spirited, and through his kindly aid the village has received great help. In 1894 he generously donated for public use two acres of valuable ground in the center of the borough, for a park, in which are twenty-seven vigor- ous sugar trees of his own planting.
In 1852 Mr. Bogert was married to Miss Anna Van Wagoner, daughter of John Van Wagoner of Oradell, Their beautiful home constitutes one of the attractions of Westwood. They have no children.
DR. S. J. ZABRISKIE.
Dr. S. J. Zabriskie, the oldest physician in Bergen county, belongs to the old family of that name, who came to New Jersey in the early days of the country. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (Zabriskie) Zabriskie, and was born February 3, 1830, and brought up on a farm. After a primary education in the common schools, he took an academic course, followed by his professional studies in the medical department of the University of New York, from which he was graduated in the class of 1856.
He first located in Lodi and subsequently practiced his profession in Saddle River for a few years. In 1870 he removed to Westwood where he built up a lucrative business. In addition to his general practice Dr. Zabriskie is physician to the Bergen county Ahnshouse.
He is a member of the Bergen County Medical Society, member of Odd Fellows Westwood Lodge No. 201, is president of Board of Health, and has held a number of local offices. In politics the doctor is a Democrat.
He was married in 1857, to Miss Sarah L. Moore, daughter of Benjamin Moore a native of Bergen county.
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
PASCACK.
Pascack was the name given to the northern part of the township which embraced what are now the villages of Woodcliff, Park Ridge, and Montvale. It is a settlement full of tradition and history antedating by a century or more, the beginning of the villages, whose existence were brought about chiefly by the building of the railroad in 1870. The Demarests, the Perrys, the Ackermans or Eckersons, the Westervelts, the Blauvelts, the Herings and others. Garret Ackerson, a native of Holland, settled at Old Tappan in Bergen county a long time prior to the Revolution. His son John born in 1743, settled on a tract of land at Pas- cack. He married Garritje Hogencamp who bore him two children, Garret, and Hannah, afterward Mrs. Nicholas Zabriskie. Garret became the Major-General of the New Jersey militia and was twice sent to the State Legislature. He had four sons, John, Cornelius, Garret G., and James. Hon. John Ackerson above named not only engaged in farming but had a store, a cotton mill and a distillery on his premises. He died at Pascack in 1828, ninety-four years of age.
This probably was the beginning of the mercantile history of this place. The store now owned by J. H. Ackerman was built in 1871. This family trace their descent to Mrs. Elenor Ackerman who came to the township with a family of children among whom were David, Garret and Johannes. The latter married a daughter of Cornelius Demarest and had four children, Garret, Cornelius and two daughters.
J. H. Ackerman, the present Mayor of Woodcliff, son of Nicholas B. Ackerman, comes of this family. The father of J. H. was a promi- nent man in the Church and was a merchant of this place for a long time. He built the store in 1871 and had his son J. H., for a partner at one time. The store is now in the name of J. H. Ackerman & Brothers. They have a store at Montvale, also,
The first schoolhouse of which mention is made in Pascack, was built in 1808, near the Reformed Church. It was an unpretentious building with an old-fashioned fireplace, and slabs around the room for seats. Colonel Garret G. Ackerson of Hackensack, born in 1816, went to school there under George Ackenbach. A Mr. Leach taught this school in 1820. In 1855 a new building was erected and the present one was built at a cost of three thousand dollars.
Manufacturing at Pascack was begun soon after the Revolution by John Campbell who established a Wampum factory conducting an ex- tensive business, supplying the Indian agents and traders of the day with this commodity. Mr. Campbell had eight children all of whom located in the township. The sons of Abrahamn A., one of these children, are John A., James A., David A., and Abram A., all now dead. the youngest dying in 1899 at the age of eighty-seven years. Years ago the business was conducted by all these brothers, the pro- ducts consisting of pipes, beads, moons, etc., made from conch shells,
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
all known under the general name of wampum. John Jacob Astor was a large patron of this house.
Friendship Lodge No. 102 F. and A. M. is located at Pascack. It was granted a dispensation October 14, A. D. 1869, and was constituted a working lodge on the 17th of February, 1870. The warrant officers were Henry C. Neer. W. M., James G. Hering, S. W., Garret R. Hering, J. W.
The inhabitants of Pascack and vicinity desired for many years to organize a church in their neighborhood, but were prevented from va- rious causes. Finally the Saddle River Church, being separated from that of Paramus, offered to join with the people of Pascack, and to assist them in building a house of worship. It was agreed to have two church buildings, one consistory, and one congregation, and to hold services alternately in the two houses of worship.
In the year 1814, Rev. Stephen Goetschius was called as pastor. The building of the church at Pascack was then begun, and was com- pleted in one season. In the autumn of the same year ( 1814) it was dedicated, the sermon being preached by the pastor.
On the 2d day of July, 1814, the committee appointed by the Classis of Paramus met according to the order of the Classis, all the members -John Yury, Joseph Debaun, Jacob Debaun and John Debaun-being present. They proceeded to the election of elders and deacons. The following persons were chosen elders: John J. Eckerson, John Camble. Gerret Duryea, and John Banta; Deacons, Gerret J. Ackerman, Edward Eckerson, Hendrie Storms and John J. Demarest. The church was organized with fifty members, Rev. S. Goetschius continuing pastor of the two churches, Saddle River and Pascack, from the year 1814 to 1835.
Rev. John Manley was called in the year 1835, and continued his relations until 1853 or 1854. About this time the two churches became separate organizations, and the Rev. John Manley remained as pastor of the Saddle River Church. Rev. John T. Demarest, D. D., accepted a call from the consistory of the church of Pascack. His pastorate extended over a period from 1854 to 1867. In the year 1865 land was purchased and the parsonage erected.
In the year 1867 Rev. J. T. Demarest. D. D., resigned his charge. and the following year the Rev. B. A. Bartholf was called to the pastor- ate of the church, where he remained until 1873.
During the years 1873 and 1874 the church and parsonage were remodeled, at an expense of about four thousand five hundred dollars. after which Rev. Alexander McKelvy was stated supply for three months.
Rev. Edward Lodewick, the present pastor, accepted a call from the consistory in the year 1875.
The present officers of the Church are as follows: Elders H. C. Neer, A. J. Ackerman, Isaac Forshay, J. H. Ackerman : Deacons, J. E. Mabie, C. Cronk. 1. Donaldson, G. J. Ackerman ; Sexton, Joseph Daw- $011.
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
The old Pascack cemetery, near the church, is also of great age, several of the memorial stones bearing that date 1745. These are engraved in rude fashion, and are mostly in the Dutch language. Those erected at a later day bear date 1790, 1796, 1800, 1813, etc.
The following is the legend upon the tablet erected to the memory of one of the most eminent of the sons of Washington township :
Here rests the remains of Hon. Jacob R. Wortendyke, born in Ber- gen County, N. J., November 27, 1818, died at Jersey City, November 7, 1868. After he had served his own generation, by the will of God he fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers.
The old burying-ground connected with the Pascack Church has been in use for years, and is still maintained as the place of interment for many of the families of the township. Among the inscriptions are these :
In memory of Sarah Peack, wife of Jacobus Demarest, who died March 17, 1820, aged 80 years and 8 days.
The voice of this alarming scene,
May every heart obey ; Nor be the heavenly warning vain That calls to watch and pray.
In memory of Margaret Pulis, wife of Jacob Post, who departed this life March 31, 1826, aged 25 years, 3 months, and 22 days.
In memory of David Wortendyke, who departed this life August 2, 1827, aged 19 years, 6 months, and 29 days.
In memory of Peter Cambell, who departed this life September 15, 1819, age 1 year, 1 month, and 2 days.
In memory of Daniel Peck, who died November, 1819, aged 76 years, 9 months, and 2 days.
Daniel I. Hering, born November 17, 1775, died January 13, 1815, aged 39 years, 7 months, and 29 days.
In memory of Maria Ackerson, wife of Isaac Debaun, born October 27, 1730, died April 18, 1817, aged 86 years, 10 months and 12 days.
The Old Hook cemetery lies in the southeastern portion of the town- ship, and is intimately connected with the earlier deaths in the town- ship. It has been used by many of the prominent families of Washing- ton, and carefully maintained since its incorporation by an act of the State Legislature. Among the families who have buried here are the Coopers, Alyeas, Bogerts, Hoppers, etc. There are several other private burial-places within the township limits.
Woodcliff Borough was organized in 1894. It has a population of about four hundred. The official vote given in November 1898 was eighty-five. The first officers of the borough were: S. B. Read, Mayor; J. H. Wortendyke, Assessor; William English, Collector; Martin J. Meyers, C. A. Felter, F. F. Wortendyke, Garret J. Ackerman, Walter Stanton, F. P. Van Riper, Council; Richard Storms, Clerk. Mr. J. H. Ackerman was elected Mayor in 1896, and re-elected in March 1899. The remaining officers for this year are J. H. Wortendyke, Assessor; A. J.
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
Ackerman, Collector; J. H. Post, C. A. Felter, C. A. Lowrie, T. H. Tice, George Mudiking, Garret Cronk, Council ; G. J. Wortendyke, Clerk.
HILLSDALE TOWNSHIP.
This a township within a township, having the village of Hillsdale for its central or business location. The village is desirably located on the New Jersey and New York Railroad, having its mercantile and business interests dating from the building of that road.
CHURCHES.
There are two churches at Hillsdale, of which the Methodists were first. Religious services were originally conducted under the auspices of the Rev. E. M. Garton, and the society was organized in 1875. The building lot was donated by D. P. Patterson in 1876, upon which an edifice was erected. Services have continued here regularly from the time of the organization in both pulpit and Sunday school work. Rev. Mr. Thomas was pastor in 1899.
There is also an Episcopal Church, of which the Rev. Henry M. Ladd was rector until 1895.
There are three schools in the township of Hillsdale, one at the village, occupying a two-story four-room building, recently erected. Three teachers are employed in this school. Of the first school houses in the township, there is no definite record. In 1856 a school house one mile west of Hillsdale, on the road from Pascack to Paterson, was erected. Mr. W. W. Banta, a resident of Hillsdale and now a teacher in Hackensack, taught there.
David P. Patterson built the first store in the village about the time the railroad was built, or a little before that time. He let it to H. G. Hering, who conducted it for a number of years. Then came John U. Voorhis, and one or two others. John F. Winters now owns the prop- erty. There are also one or two other places of business in the village and one hotel.
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