USA > New Jersey > Bergen County > History of Bergen county, New Jersey > Part 30
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Hillsdale Township was set off in the Spring of 1898. This organi- zation was effected through the intervention of O. S. Thrall, J. H. Riley, J. F. Winters, David A. Demarest, Herndon Rohrs, A. C. Hold- man and others. Election for officers held Tuesday, April 19, 1898 resulted as follows: Arthur J. Stever, Freeholdler ; Orrin S. Thrall, Collector ; John A. Storms, Assessor; Sanford Bogert, George H. Sea- man, Edward L. Greenin, Town Committee; William W. Banta, Town- ship Clerk.
Officers elected Tuesday, March 14, 1899, are as follows : Freehold- er, John H. Riley ; Collector, Orrin S. Thrall ; Assessor, Cornelius H. De Voe ; Township Committee, George H. Seaman, Sanford Bogert. Edmond L. Greenin ; Township Clerk, William W. Banta.
" The Hillsdale Manor," a group of beautiful suburban residences. called formerly, Hillsdale Terrace, by F. J. Finlay, its projector, lies
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
within the bounds of the village of Hillsdale. This place contains one summer hotel and a number of beautiful residences built by the Hillsdale Improvement Company, of which Arthur J. Stever is president.
PARK RIDGE.
Park Ridge is situated one mile north of Woodcliff, and is the center of business interest in that part of the township. Here the Mittag & Volger Company have their works, a business that reaches out to every country on the globe. In a mercantile way the Gurnee family were long identified with Park Ridge. Abram Gurnee, son of Levi, owned and operated a store here for twenty years. He was murdered in his place of business about the year of the Centennial. A Mr. Rawitzer now has the store. G. H. Teimeyer, owner of another store came to the village in 1880. The hotel at this place was formerly used by a Mr. Bannister for a private school. It finally passed into the hands of Gil- bert Ackerman, who turned it into a hotel. Mr. John Johnson now owns the property.
Manufacturing of bobbins was begun here by A. Wortendyke many years ago, but the business has since passed away. Mittag & Volger do a large business the world over in the manufacture of carbon paper, ribbons, fine inks and other supplies for the type-writer trade. They first built a factory in 1889, and again 1895. This was burned down September 9th, 1897, and rebuilt that same fall. They employ now about forty men, and make shipments to New York, Chicago, San Fran- cisco, Toronto, London, Paris, Cologne, Bombay and Sidney.
A good school building in Park Ridge was erected a few years ago, in which are employed four teachers. There is also a Congregational Church, of recent origin but it is a small congregation and has no pas- tor at the present time.
PARK RIDGE BOROUGH.
This borough was organized in 1895, but originated in the Park Ridge Improvement Association instituted iu 1889, by W. B. Smith and others, for the improvement of that part of old Pascack. Through the efforts of that society of public spirited gentlemen, avenues were laid out, trees planted, and lights placed at suitable intervals along the highways, the public school interests were fostered and cognizance takeu of every public need. The officers were: W. B. Smith, president, Dr. E. Gehl, first vice-president; J. E. Brooks, second vice-president; J. B. H. Storms, secretary; W. Park, treasurer; J. Freebes, sergeant-at- arms.
As time progressed local interest in good roads, taxes for schools and other improvements led to the formation of the borough under legislative enactment as a better way for the securing of these neces- sities; and accordingly the borough was voted for, May 4, 1894, and the first borough meeting held June 2Ist, that year, with officers elect as follows: Mayor, H. C. Neer; Councilmen: Francis Wheaton, Theodore G. Volger, Jacob H. Hall, James A. Heale, James Leach, John J.
FRANK O. MITTAG.
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
Storms. Election contested and set aside. At new election August 7th James H. Weild elected Mayor; Councilmen: James A. Heale, Theodore G. Volger, Jacob H. Hall, Eugene Gehl, James Leach, John J. Storms. Present officers are: Mayor, Andrew P. Perry; Council: Geo. Braus- grove, Isaac B. Herring, Alonzo J. House, Arthur Lesoil, James S. Mittag, John S. Storms; Assessor, Robert A. Libbald ; Collector. George J. Stark; Commissioner of Appeals, William D. Woodly, Peter E. Wortendyke, William Denton; Board of Education, William D. Woodly, Theodore F. Granger, William H. Romaine; Borough Clerk, George Ritter.
FRANK O. MITTAG.
Among manufacturers in America, who are known to the com- mercial world on both sides of the Atlantic, should be mentioned the name of Frank O. Mittag, inventor and manufacturer of Park Ridge, N. J. Mr. Mittag is the son of John C. L. and Caroline (Herms) Mittag, who are both natives of Prussia, Germany. Mr. Mittag's father is a landscape gardener, a profession to which the flower-loving German is so admirably adapted. His mother is a descendant from the Herms and Schillings, who in Prussia, for more than a century have been noted manufacturers of tobacco and cotton, and also of Chinaware
Frank O. Mittag was born August 1, 1855, at Marshland, Richmond county, New York. He has, however, been a resident of Park Ridge since 1886. In 1889 he began business with Mr. J. H. W. Maclaghan, under the firm name of Mittag, Maclaghan & Co., manufacturing type- writer carbon papers, transfer papers, stamping inks, numbering machine inks, copying inks for use in connection with typewriter machines, and in fact everything in the line of carbon transfer, duplicating and copy- ing papers, ribbons and ink for use on the typewriter machine, dating machines, numbering machines, stamping machines, etc.
A change in the firm was made in 1891 when Mr. Maclaghan re- tired from the firmn, disposing of his interest to Mittag and Volger, the firm since then being known as Mittag & Volger. Mr. Maclaghan then went to New York city where he has since had the sale of all goods manufactured by this firm.
Prior to 1899 Mr. Mittag was connected with a house in New York, which manufactured the same goods he is now making. In fact he is the original maker, inventor, and perfector of many of the inks used for making typewriter ribbons, carbon papers, etc, for use on the various typewriting machines. When the typewriting machine was put on the market in 1870 to '75, Mr. Mittag saw that many changes in its con- struction were necessary in order to make perfect impressions through an inked ribbon, that would be legible, and copy plainly, and also that it might be possible to make duplicate copies, by alternating the carbon with the white paper, making the impressions through the ribbon and he various carbons at one and the same time. About 1880 the machines had come to a perfected state, and since that date the sale of all sorts of typewriter supplies has grown to enormous proportion.
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Carbon paper invented in England, fifty, or probably sixty years ago, and still in use there, is made of lamp black and grease, a soft and smutty production, unsuited to the uses required in this country. Mr. Mittag claims to be the veteran American carbon paper and ribbon maker for writing machines, transfer, and pen and pencil work.
OFFICE
Under the new firm, trade so increased, that after a period of five years the business had so outgrown the older buildings, as to make it neces- sary to erect a new factory and offices. The new structures were placed near the railroad stations, and furnished with new and more modern and improved machinery. These new buildings were burned September 9, 1897, but were immediately replaced by the present ones which were
F
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FACTORY
occupied in less than three months after the fire, and ever since that time the business has been carried on more extensively than at any time preceeding.
The present office and buildings of the company are shown in the accompanying views.
THEODORE G. VOLGER.
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
EX-MAYOR THEODORE G. VOLGER.
Ex-mayor Theodore G. Volger of Park Ridge is of German origin tracing his ancestry back to 1307, and may be said to belong to a family of mayors. In 1310, Dietrich Volger was Mayor of the city of Hanover. Germany, and more than a century later -- in 1420-Goedecke Volger held the same office. Following in direct line through a little more than three centuries, in 1725, we find Otto Johan Volger, mayor of the same important city.
Ever since 1420 members of this family have represented, uninter- ruptedly, the city of Hanover, in the highest offices, such as Senators etc. One of the principal streets in Hanover is named "Volger's Way," and one of the family is now General-Adjutant to the Ex-Queen of Han- over living in Vienna, Austria. The coat-of-arms of the family is now in the Museum of Hanover, being one of the oldest on record.
Theodore G. Volger was born in Augusta, Georgia, February 26. 1867, and is the son of Gustavus G. Volger and Sophie Huneken. Having been educated at Detmold and Lemgo, Germany, where he received a high school education, he returned to America and began business in New York city in the dry goods trade where he remained during the year 1886. The following year he engaged in the export of cotton, succeeding which came three years' experience in the dry goods business in Charleston, South Carolina. In August 1891, he returned North locating at Park Ridge, N. J., where he has since been associated with Mr. F. O. Mittag in the manufacture of typewriter supplies. Their trade is a large one, goods being shipped in great quantities to all parts of the world.
Mr. Volger is also active in local affairs. In 1894 he was elected councilman of Park Ridge borough, serving three years and at the close of this term of office was elected Mayor serving one term. He is also vice president of the Eureka Building and Loan Association of Park Ridge.
Mr. Volger's military career covered a period of three years, as a private in the First Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, from 1888 to 1891.
Mr. Volger married Miss May Marjorie Smith.
WILLIAM BENJAMIN SMITH.
William Benjamin Smith, a prominent figure in the organization of of the Borough of Park Ridge, is a son of Alexander and Mary S. ( Johnson ) Smith. His paternal grandparents were William and Edna ( Etheridge ) Smith; his great grandfathers on the paternal side being Enoch Smith and Samuel Etheridge. His maternal grandparents were Benjamin Johnson and Mahala ( Brickhouse ) Johnson.
Mr. Smith's American ancestors were the settlers of Roanoke Is- land, N. C. and back to his great grandparents, all lived and died on their own estates in North Carolina and Virginia. Mr. Smith was born
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
on Knott's Island, Currituck county, N. C., September 15. 1841, and was educated at Cobb's Preparatory Academy, near Murfreesboro, N. C.
In 1858 he edited the "Newbern Gazette," but in 1860 bought and edited the "Tarboro Mercury." Putting aside all business at the call to arms on April 17, 1861, he entered the Confederate service in which he continued until the close of the Rebellion in 1865, when a surrender of his command was made to General Hartranft at Greensboro, N. C., on May 1.
Going back into the publishing business in this same year, he be- came owner and publisher of 'Southern Field and Fireside," with sundry other periodicals, in connection with a bookstore at Raleigh, N. C.
In January, 1868, he came North and entered the employment of A. S. Barnes & Co., of New York, school book publishers, remaining with them five years. At the time of leaving their employment Mr. Smith was receiving a salary of four thousand two hundred and fifty dollars per year, all his living expenses, and three per cent of the firm's annual profits.
In 1873 Mr. Smith organized and incorporated the Authors' Pub- lishing Company, succeeded by W. B. Smith & Co., at 27 Bond street, New York, where he conducted a regular book publishing business until 1885.
He moved to Park Ridge in 1883, and became the founder of the Improvement Association, and this led to the formation of the Borough of Park Ridge, then known as "Pascack," where there were at that time only one hundred population. Here he accidentally drifted into real estate and sold out his publishing business in 1885.
Mr. Smith, in 1862, at Goldsboro, N. C., married Miss Penelope Churchill, by whom he has one child living, a daughter, now a widow, and through whom he has one granddaughter. He was married a second time in 1878, at Dover, N. J., to Louise Capsadell.
Mr. Smith held the office of Justice of the Peace at Park Ridge from 1889 to 1898, but declined a re-election. He is a member of Fidelity Lodge, F. A. M., No. 113, at Ridgewood, and is also a Royal Arch Mason, Council Mason and 32d. He was confirmed in the Episcopal Church but is now a Swedenborgian in religion. He still retains on Knotts Island, Currituck County, N. C., the old "homestead" where he was born, owned by his forefathers, whereon the dwelling was built in 1799, of imported bricks.
MONTVALE.
The land on which the hamlet of Montvale is located, was originally owned by Jacobus Demarest, and was later purchased and buildings erected by various parties from time to time.
Among the early settlers of the upper portion of Bergen county and the lower portion of Rockland county, N. Y. were a number of Low Dutch and German families, who were, while in the Fatherland, either
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
members of the Lutheran Church or whose sympathies were strongly enlisted in behalf of this congregation. These families were formed into a congregation in 1745, under the pastoral care of Rev. H. M. Muhlenbergh, D.D., and a house of worship built at Ramapo, N. Y. near the State boundary line.
The borough of Montvale was organized in 1896. The first officers of the borough were as follows :- Jacob Terkuile, Mayor; William I. Weller, H. W. Ellsworth, Auguste Avenengo, Fred Steiner, S. S. Barie, John W. Allison, Council; Edward Brown, Clerk; J. D. Van Riper, Assessor; John B. Herring, Collector.
The present officers are Garret F. Herring, Mayor; Rasmus J. San- dall, Garret Van Houten, John F. Hering, Samuel Rudlun, Arnold J. D. Heins, Council; Jas. D. Van Riper, Assessor; Freeman C. Ackerman, Collector; John B. Herring, Clerk; Garret F. Herring, Sidney Genung, Justices of the Peace.
The Hering family are of Holland ancestry. The progenitor of this branch was Garret F., who resided at Pascack. He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Campbell, to whom was born one daughter,- Rachel. She was married to David Hering, who had one son,-Ralph, born February 28, 1809, on the homestead in Washington, formerly known as Harrington township. He passed the early portion of his life on the farm of his grand-father, whom he succeeded as owner and culti- vator of the family estate. He was married to Gertrude, daughter of Judge John R. Blauvelt, of Old Hook, in the township before men- tioned. They had children-Garret R. and Rachel Ann (Mrs. Aaron Rider) of Schraalenburgh. The birth of Garret R. occurred February 26, 1831, at Tappan, in Washington township, where his early years were passed. His education was acquired first at the academy under the management of David I. Cole, and later at Hackensack, when Jacob Wortendyke filled the role of instructor. Being desirous of a career of independence he engaged in teaching, his earliest field of labor being Cumberland county, N. J., where he remained for two years, after which he repaired to Bergen county and followed the same vocation. The inherited love of agricultural pursuits led him eventually to adopt the calling of farmer. He was, in September, 1842, united in marriage to Catharine A., daughter of Garret A. Eckerson, of Tappan. to whom two children were born, -John and Sarah, the latter of whom became Mrs. Charles Fornier, of Hackensack.
The tastes of Mr. Hering prompted him in 1874 to embark on the restless waters of political life, when he was elected sheriff of Bergen county and was re-elected, and servel three additional years. Being favorably impressed with the wealth of the ores of North Carolina, he engaged extensively at one time in mining enterprises.
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CHAPTER XXIV. MIDLAND.
ROADWAYS-SCHOOLS -- EARLY SETTLEMENTS-ORGANIZATION-CIVIL LIST -ARCOLA-DELFORD-NEW MILFORD-ORADELL-RIVERSIDE BOR-
OUGH-RIVER EDGE AND CHERRY HILL-BURIAL PLACES -MAYWOOD-MANUFACTURING-SCHOOLS-OR- GANIZATIONS-BIOGRAPHY.
The township of Midland was formerly a potion of New Barbadoes, from which it was set apart in 1871. It has productiveness in the lands, and has historic associations of great interest. The army of the Revo- lution camped frequently in this township, and Washington frequently honored the early settlers here with his presence.
Midland has always received close and careful attention to its roads. Among the historic highways in this township, that of Paramus and the stone Arabia road should be mentioned. Both of those roads were much used in former times before the railroads were built. The Paramus road extended from Hoboken to New Burgh and Goshen, and doubtless was the thoroughfare for the earliest stage line. Many taverns were built on this road. The Stone Arabia Road, however, was probably the earli- est one in the township. This highway began its course at Hackensack and following a north easterly, then a northerly direction entered Rock- land, N. Y. It ran near the Hackensack River for a distance of several miles and was the principal thoroughfare for many years.
In its educational interests the township has taken high rank. Schools were established here long prior to the Revolution, and in these last years, a high degree of scholarship has been maintained. There were until recently five school districts in the town, but the formation of the three boroughs within its borders leaves only three school dis- tricts at the present time. They are the Paramus District, the Arcola District and the Spring Valley District. The first schoolhouse was erected in the Paramus District, which is in the north-western part of the township, in the year 1726. It was a house built of rough stone and finished after the old fashion, with slab benches. This house was near the residence of Peter Board, but over a hundred years ago, probably another house similar in style, was erected to take its place on the west side of Paramus road, and this in turn was succeeded by one near the mill of David Baldwin. Finally Mr. Garret A. Hopper erected a frame edifice at his own expense, which for a period of eighteen years was the schoolhouse of the District.
The present school district was formed in 1833, The district event- ually leased the land owned by Mr. Hopper for a period of twety-five years at a nominal cost of one dollar, and the edifice used was erected at a cost of three hundred and fifty-six dollars. This was superseded
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
by a new building of modern architecture and furnished with all the latest improvements, which cost all told, two thousand five hundred dollars.
Among the many teachers in this district, the name of Mr. George Ackenbach should be mentioned. He taught for forty dollars a month and board for his labor. Afterward he became cashier of the Merchants Bank of New York for many years, and at the time of his death was president of the Bank of Bergen County.
MIDLAND.
In the History of Bergen and Passaic Counties we find a sketch of the early settlement in this town, which we give in full, as follows:
"Among the oldest families is that of Zabriskie, the progenitor of whom was one Albert Saboroweski, t who emigrated to America in the Dutch ship "Fox" during the year 1662. He was of Polish descent. and was united in marriage to a Miss Van Der Linde, after which he settled in Bergen county. His five sons were John, Jacob, George, Henry and Christian, one of whom, probably Jacob, was stolen by the Indians. On his recovery the red men gave as an apology for the theft the fact that they wished to instruct him in their language, in which he afterwards became proficient. As an evidence of their good faith they gave his father the title to the patent of land known as the "New Paramus patent," containing nineteen hundred and seventy-seven acres. Saboro - weski is said to have studied for the ministry in the Lutheran Church, but, not being satisfied with his calling, emigrated to America at the age of twenty, and became the ancestor of the large family of Zabris- kies in Bergen county. Three of the five sons of Albert, aboved named, located in the northern portion of Midland township, Jacob, Hendrick and Christian, each of whom left a numerous descent. The homestead of Christian fell by inheritance to Cornelius. Among the representatives of Jacob were Jacob J., Thomas V. B., David, John C. and Abram S. Another branch of the family located at Arcola, and were formerly from Paramus. The oldest member of this family recalled is John, who resided upon the land afterward owned by Stephen Berdan. He had five sons, John, Barney, Albert and George. The death of John Zabriskie occurred many years ago, in Saddle River township. The family of Zabriskies is not confined to Midland, but largely represented in other portions of the county.
"The pioneer of the Demarest family was David Desmaretz, who emigrated from France about the year 1676, and was one of a large band of Huguenots who left their native land to escape religions per- secution. With him came three sons-David, John, and Samuel. It is related of this gentleman that on his arrival he located on Manhattan Island, where he purchased the whole of Harlem, but subsequently dis-
In an old paper preserved by Hon. Isaac Wortendyke we find the following:
" Albert Zaborweski is Geboren den, 17 January Anno 170 In is Overleden Den li January Anno 1753 .**
This either refers to a later Albert Zabriskie, or the statement above given is incorrect. Probably it refers to one of the descendants of the original Albert.
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
posed of this property and secured two thousand acres in Bergen County, extending along the easterly side of the river from New Bridge to a point beyond Old Bridge, and easterly so far as the line of the Northern Railroad. The original deed bears date June 8, 1677. Many parties claimed the land after Mr. Demarius (as the name was later spelled ) had acquired possession, and he was obliged to purchase no less than four times before he became absolute owner. A grant of land was originally made to David Dumarius from the Governor of New Jersey, in consideration of his forming a colony, the members being all French or Hollanders. He was unable to carry out fully his intention, and the grant was withdrawn, but a subsequent grant was made to his sons. The decendants of these sons are numerous. John located at Old Bridge, now River Edge, and erected a mill upon the river, which has long since gone to decay. A. J. Demarest, a represen - tative of this branch of the family, is now living at River Edge, as is also P. V. B. Demarest. The remaining branches are located in various portions of the county.
" Yost De Baun and his wife, Elizabeth, came about the year 1700 from their native Holland, and settled in Bergen County. Very little is known of them or their immediate offspring. It is probable they located within the boundaries of the present Midland township. Jacob De Baun, a descendant, inherited from Aurt Cooper, before the war of the Revolution, land now occupied by David W. Christie. He had the honor of acting as host for three weeks to the General-in-Chief when the Federal army were encamped on the hill above the river. Jacob De Baun had one son, Peter.
"The Kipp family made their advent to the county previous to 1695, and but little is known of their early history. John Kipp had sons- Isaac, William, John, and Albert-and four daughters. Of this num- ber William lived in the township, married, and had children, -James B., John W., and a daughter. He died at the residence of his son, John W., in 1856.
"The Copper family are of Holland extraction. the name having originally been Kupos, and subsequently Kuypers. Aurt Cooper resided in Midland long before the war of the Revolution, at which period he was a man of advanced years. He was much annoyed by the depreda- tions of Federal soldiers, who made raids upon his granary and carried away his cattle. He reported the fact to Washington, who gave orders that the old man should not be further troubled. He resided at River Edge, and left four daughters, but no sons.
"Another member of the family was John Cooper. He had a son, Richard, who was the parent of three children, a son and two daughters. The latter married with the Van Wagoner family.
"John Van Wagoner was the first of the family to settle in Mid- land. His son Jacob resided at New Milford, and lived upon the farm afterward occupied by his son John.
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
"The Voorhis family, originally spelled Van Voorheysen, have been since their early advent into Midland largely represented, and many branches are still occupying inherited estates. The pioneer was Lucas Voorhis, who resided on the river between New Milford and River Edge. He purchased of the Indians property, which was, by will dated January 5, 1768, devised to his son Necausie, who lived upon the land until his death in his ninetieth year, when his son, Henry N. Voorhis, became owner. He also survived until his ninetieth year, when his son, Henry H., became the possessor. Jacob Voorhis removed from River Edge to Oradell, and followed milling, having purchased the mill-site there located. He had three sons,-Henry, Albert and Lucas, the latter of whom left two sons and three daughters. Albert Voorhis, another member, resided at Arcola, and had sons and daughters. His son George died on the homestead, and left children, Albert and Thomas. The Oldis family are of French descent, the first to settle in Mid- land having been Garret, who before the Revolutionary war located on the homestead later owned by J. R. Oldis. The original dwelling, which was a popular house of entertainment during the Revolution, was burned by the British and afterwards rebuilt. Among the chil- dren of Garret were John, Benjamin, and Garret, all of whom settled in Midland, then New Barbadoes. The family is now represented by J. R. Oldis and Garret J., a descendent of John.
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