USA > New Jersey > Bergen County > History of Bergen county, New Jersey > Part 35
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62
PHILIP MEHRHOF
Philip Mehrhof, the well-known brick manufacturer, at Little Ferry, was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, January 23, 1839. When
361
HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
four years old his father, Nicholas Mehrhof, came to America and lo- cated eventually at Croton Point, N. Y., going subsequently on a farin in Oneida county, where he died in 1869. He was an architect, formerly, but an agriculturist in later years. Young Philip attended school until sixteen years of age, working in the summer at the brick making indus- try. When twenty-one years of age he began the manufacture of staves for barrels for the Syracuse lumber market, but two years thereafter returned to Croton Landing, where he managed the brick yard of Harris H. Cox, for nine years. Following this came two years' foremanship for Orrin Frost's brick yard in New York city, and two years more in the same position at Croton Point, and in 1875 he came to Little Ferry. where he commenced, on a larger scale than ever, with his brothers, and with whom he continued until 1895, when he started business on his own account.
On the 23d of April, 1862, Mr. Mehrhof was married to Margaret Hare, of Newburg, N. Y., and with whom he lived thirty-two years, when she died. Two years later he was married to Miss Alice Hunniken, daughter of John Marshall, of Ridgefield Park, N. J., the well-known florist and nurseryman, of that place.
Mr. Mehrhof is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, is also a member of the Royal Arcanum. He loves a good horse and is fond of yachting. He has a delightful home.
BERGEN TOWNSHIP.
The old township of Bergen was important in territorial area in this history of the county, and in tradition. The new Bergen town- ship is now but a patch of meadow land of very small extent, lying opposite Woodbridge just east of the old Polifly road having at this time only 61 official votes. It is, therefore, the smallest township in the county.
Originally, howerer it was made to include the town of Carlstadt, Woodridge, Wallington and Moonachie, and the voters of the old town- ship are still entitled to a freeholder. It was created a turnpike at the time Mr. George Zimmermann was in the Legislature, and was organized on March 18, 1893, and in Zimmermann's hotel two days after organiz- ing the following officers of the town were elected. Town Clerk, Alfred Gramlich; Assessor, Adolph Kruger; Collector, George Zimmermann; Freeholder, Frantz Fritsch; Town Committee, John McMahon, J. F. Feitner, F. Kohbertz. Mr. Fritsch has been. freeholder of the town six years.
The present officers are: Chosen Freeholder, Adolph Kruger; Col- lector , Charles Beck; Town Committee: Alfred Harry, Peter La Place, Joseph Linden; Assessor, Pius Crueter; Clerk, Charles Link.
VILLAGES AND HAMLETS.
The village of Carlstadt is one of the largest in the county, having a population of 2200 based upon the last official vote which was 480. The land on which it stands is laid out in rectangles bounded by streets. Form- erly the village was called Tailor Town from the fact that many of the
362
HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
inhabitants both men and women were engaged in sewing for New York tailors. In 1851 the land here, was purchased of John Earl by a society of workmen, known as the German Democratic Land Association. In 1855 there were only two stores, now there are more than a score. The village of Carlstadt is largely engaged in manufacturing, nearly half of its population being employed in its various factories. In 1893 Carlstadt became a part of Bergen township and in 1894 it was organized into a borough with John Oehler as its first mayor. George Zimmermann was next elected to that office and by common consent has held that position ever since. Through interests best calculated to promote the growth of the village, since its organization into a borough, three annexations have been made, one of which was the extension of its territory to in- clude that of the Moonachie district. The other addition extends to the short cut railroad in the other direction, while the third was to present boundary line between this village and that of Woodridge.
In Carlstadt the name of the buildings, the hotel signs and the ad- vertisements are largely in the German language, which is used almost exclusively in the pulpit, the school and the family.
The social spirit of this people is maintained in a variety of asso- ciations. About the year 1872 a dramatic club was organized to which the name " Concordia " was given. Its membership is large, and it meets in a hall decorated with emblems appropriate to the character of the exercises.
About 1880 an Odd Fellow's lodge was organized with Charles Fo- wald as the first N. G. and John Bedenkopf as secretary. It was named after the illustrious German poet, Wieland Lodge, and is No. 113 in the Odd Fellows' Lodge of New Jersey.
The Fire-Department of this village is well equipped with engine, truck and hose. It was organized in 1872, and is under a governing power of a Board of Commissioners.
The present postmaster of the village is Jacob H. Ullman.
Following is a sketch of Carlstadt by Hermann Foth, first pub- lished in the "Illustrated Rutherford," and reprinted here by per- inission.
CARLSTADT.
"The village of Carlstadt, known to many readers of the New York Dailies as "the beautiful little German Village on the hill," is situated ' upon the ridge of land separating the Hackensack and Passaic valleys, ten miles northwest from the post office in New York city, within twenty minutes' ride by the New Jersey & New York, and New York, Lake Erie & Western Railroads. Looking from the ridge towards the south gives a splendid view of the New York Bay and Statue of Liberty and towards the north, of the beautiful Passaic valleys including the city of Passaic and the Orange mountains in the back ground.
A number of German residents of New York city most of whom emigrated to the United States to exercise political liberty, and who de- sired more healthy and comfortable homes in the country formed in 1851
363
HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
an association known as the German Democratic Land Association. The organization was perfected April 27, 1853 with the following offi- cers: President, Carl Klein; Vice-President, Alexander Lang; Treas- urer, Ignatz Kappner. The latter was a Polish refugee and accom- panied Kossuth from his home to Constantinople and thence to this country. Other prominent founders were Lewis Foth, John Ruettinger, Frederick Merkel, Charles Treppke. William Maass, Valentine Dietrich, Henry Dechert, John, Jacob and Joseph Fortenbach and Charles Trassbach.
The Association after searching in the vicinity of New York for suitable property for a village settlement resolved to purchase from John L. Earle, executor of the Abraham I. Berry estate, the present site of Carlstadt. They bought 140 acres for $16,000.
The land was divided into three sections, and each section sub- divided into lots. Each of the 240 members received seven lots by allot- ment, two on the highest part of the ridge, two below the ridge and three in the lowlands, at a cost of $70.
Papers of incorporation were executed February 24, 1854. The projector of the village was Dr. Carl Klein, and in honor of him the vil- lage was named Carlstadt. After the settlement here numerous other organizations purchased adjoining tracts of land and laid them out in building lots constituting the villages of New Carlstadt, Woodridge, Hasbrouck Heights and Boiling Springs, and this has been without doubt the cause of the prosperity of the present thriving Borough of Rutherford.
Carlstadt is compactly built, all parts of it being within five minutes walk of the depot of the New Jersey and New York Railroad, and within fifteen minutes of the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railroad. Twenty-six trains stop at Carlstadt daily; on Sundays there are ten trains, and the accommodations on the N. Y. L. E. and W. R. R. are more extensive, there being twenty-eight trains each way daily, and six- teen trains each way on Sundays. Monthly commutation tickets are sold on both railroads at $5.35, and fifty trip family tickets at $7.50.
The growth of the town has been gradual and steady, its present population is between 2500 and 3000. The inhabitants are a progres- sive and industrious class, and the town presents a thriving New-Eng- land-like appearance.
Its chief industries in the way of manufacturing are: S. Klaber & Co., Marble and Onyx Works. It might be mentioned here that they do quite some of Tiffany & Co.'s work, and build some of the finest onyx and marble church pulpits. Justus Nehler, manufacturer of ladies' shoes, Watch Case, Spring & Tool Co., are manufacturers of watch case springs. The Silk Controller Manufacturing Co., Charles H. Levy & Herman Schultze, proprietors. This company has been recently organized and has bright prospects for success. The Vulcan Hardware Co., manufacturers of wire gauges. August Gerecke is presi- dent. Gebhardt Fritsch's wax bleachery and manufactury of fin-
364
HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
decorated wax candles for church purposes. Theodore Muehling manu- facturer of segars.
Other industries are the manufacture of artificial flowers and inak- ing of ladies' white goods.
In 1854 only two stores existed, which have since increased to a considerable number and now supply the neighboring smaller towns.
Carlstadt is supplied with water by the Hackensack Water Works, and its streets are lighted by electricity. Negotiations are pending for the supply of gas from the Rutherford Gas Company. It is protected by an efficient Fire Department and Police Force.
It possesses a large Public School accommodating 500 children. In it the English and German languages are taught by competent and experienced teachers. Thirty years ago the only school existing was a half a mile above the present village on the Polifly road, which was frequented by all the children of the neighborhood some of whom were obliged to walk two miles. The new settlement of Carlstadt gradually increased and in 1865 the old building became too limited in its dimen- sions. The villagers then made strenuous efforts to have an edifice erected sufficiently large to supply the demand for comfortable space, but differences arose in selecting the site and as a consequence the then existing district was divided leaving Carlstadt a school district by it- self, to build as it . chose. To accomplish this the Trustees, in 1865, purchased four lots in the village and received authority to erect a two story brick building 35 feet front by 32 feet deep with an addition 10 by 16 feet to be used as a hallway. On October 4, 1865. the corner stone was laid and in 1866, the building was completed at a cost of four thousand three hundred and five dollars. The school increased so stead- ily in numbers that more space was required and the Trustees were forced to enlarge. An addition was built 62 by 32 feet which was ready for use in February 1874 and cost eight thousand two hundred and forty three dollars. Six rooms are furnished with modern improve- ments and are heated by a hot water apparatus. Through the strenuous efforts of the late principal, Richard Geppert, a Kinder- garten department was established in 1875, which has become very popular. This in all probability was the first Kindergarten in a public school of New Jersey and most likely of this country. Specimens of work of this Kindergarten were exhibited at the Centennial Exhibition in 1876 and at the New Orleans Exposition in 1886. Besides this
department there is a Primary, an Intermediate and a Grammar department in which besides the regular course of studies, Manual Training was introduced in September, 1891. The school ranks as one of the best in the county and its pupils have in many instances attained a high degree of scholarship. Mr. A. F. Schem is the present principal and Mr. Jacob Moench the German teacher.
There are three churches, Presbyterian, Lutheran and Catholic. A weekly newspaper the "Carlstadt Freie Presse" is published in the Ger- man language.
365
HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
The inhabitants here have manifested a social spirit in the forma- tion and maintenance of a variety of associations.
A gymnastic association, the "Carlstadt Turn Verein," which is the oldest, was organized in 1857 and incorporated in February 1864. The members meet for exercise once a week and the association entertains a drawing school and juvenile classes for gymnastics. From the above it will be seen that athletics received attention early in the history of Carl- stadt. The association is a link of the "North American Turner Bund."
Twenty-two years ago a Dramatic Club was organized under the name "Concordia". Plays by well known authors are presented semi- monthly. A choir, the Concordia Mannerchor which is a section meets for exercise once a week. The latter has participated in several Saen- gerfests and brought laurels for the society.
Among the different beneficial associations Wieland Lodge, No. 113 I. O. O. F. of New Jersey is the oldest here, having been organized about twelve years ago and was named after the illustrious German poet. Branches of the Chosen Friends, United Friends, Germania Sterbe-Kasse and other orders exist. The G. A. R. isrepresented by Custer Post No. 17.
The village is governed by a President and a Board of Trustees. A great many of the streets are curbed, guttered, macadamized and lined with flagged sidewalks which are bordered with shade trees. A resident here may have in his house all the conveniences which he has in the city. Another of Carlstadt's many advantages is a booming Building and Loan Association." --- HERMAN FOTH.
MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.
John B. Fortenbach a native of Germany, born in 1803, and now living at the age of ninety-five years, came to this country in 1847, and to Carlstadt about ten years later. He became the head of the great Watch Case Manufacturing Co., in Carlstadt. He and his sons Jacob and Joseph Fortenbach operated this plant several years beginning at the close of the war and at one time employed about four hundred men and manufactured as many as eight hundred silver watch cases daily. The factory was eventually leased for a term of six years for five thousand dollars per year, after which it went into disuse.
The Cragin Manufacturing Co., are now in charge of this plant for the manufacture of Japanned Cloth, Hatters Glaze and Specialties. They have had the business about two years and employ from fifteen to twenty men.
Gebhard Fritsch's Wax Bleachery and Manufactury of fine decorated candles for church purposes was established here in 1867.
In 1890, the father died and the business was sold to Smith Nicholas of New York. Mr. Fritsch being retained as superintendent of the works. The Company employ about forty men and manufacture about 200,000 candles annually.
GERMAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, CARLSTADT,
The First German Presbyterian Church of Carlstadt. ( the first Church organization of the town ) was organized on Wednesday even-
366
HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
ing, August 18, 1869, with thirty-two members. The first elders of the congregation were J. H. Boking and J. H. Deppert, the Rev. Albert J. Winterick being the first pastor. His pastorate extended from August 19, 1869, until April 16, 1871. The congregation met in Woodridge schoolhouse in the near vicinity until under the pastorate of Rev. F. Kern a church building was erected on the border of what was called Old Carlstadt, corner Division avenue and Third street, in the year 1871, the church being dedicated on the 17th of December 1871, by the Rev. J. U. Guenther of the First German Presbyterian Church of Newark, N. J. The dedication sermon was from the forty-fifth psalm.
Carlstadt and surroundings have always proved to be a poor field for evangelical work and in consequence of this fact there could only be expected a very slow growth of the church work. The pastorate of the Rev. F. Kern extended from the year 1872, January 2, until May 28, 1876. The following pastors served the church in succession: Revs. F. O. Zesch from July 14, 1876, until April 30, 1883; Emil Hering, December 17, 1883 until August 3, 1888; Louis Rymarski, June 28, 1898 until September 18, 1891; Augustus Lange September 24, 1892 until Angust 25, 1893. The Rev. F. J Kraushaar was installed as the present pastor of the church on the 15th of February, 1894. The church has now a membership of one hundred scholars, a Sunday school of one hundred and a Ladies' Society of about forty members.
Directly north of the Carlstadt cemetery there is a very old private burial-ground, that of the Berry family. There are five stones here with the following inscription:
In memory of Philip Berry, who departed this life September 25th, 1793, aged 72 years, 1 month and 4 days.
Remember, man, as thou goes by. As thou art now so once was I. As I am now so must thou be: Prepare for death and follow me.
In memory of Catharine Berry, who departed this life August 14, 1803, aged 78 years, 2 months, and 6 days.
Hier Jut, Begraven, Hermanus Vogelsang, Oud:32: Jaar, Gestorven 19: December: Aa 1797, Van: Holland.
Philip Berry, born July 4, 1763, died December 22, 1850.
In memory of Eve Van Winkle, wife of Philip Berry, who departed this life April 16, 1843, aged 70 years, 5 months, and 25 days.
THE CARLSTADT MUTUAL LOAN AND BUILDING ASSOCIATION.
The Carlstadt Mutual Loan and Building Association was founded in May 1890. It is an institution which owes its existence and present unbounded success almost wholly to the untiring efforts of Mr. George Zimmermann who was the prime mover and its sole supporter for years. Eventually the leading men of Carlstadt took hold of the enterprise and Mr. John G. Niederer was elected president ; Adolph Kruger, secretary, and George Zimmermann, treasurer.
GEORGE ZIMMERMANN
368
HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
The present officers are: John Oehler, president ; Charles Ziegler, vice-president; George Zimmermann, treasurer; Adolph Kruger, secre- tary, and Charles Albertine, recording secretary.
The association is capitalized at $120,860,84, and has a membership of three hundred persons. It is a substantial institution of Carlstadt, and is one of the most prominent and useful institutions in this part of the country.
GARRET HOPPER.
Garret Hopper who was of Holland origin, purchased a large tract of land, extending from the Hackensack River to Slaughter Dam, some five hundred acres of which became the homestead of the family. He was a member of the church in Hackensack as early as 1792. His son, Jacob Hopper, had his residence on the property on the Polifly road. leading from the Paterson turnpike to Carlstadt. Jacob Hopper's wife was Cornelia, who bore him the following children: Katrina, wife of John Earle, who died in the beginning of the Revolutionary war; Henry Garret and John I. settled on the homestead, which was divided between them, the latter occupying the homestead part; and Elizabeth, wife of Cornelius Terhune, grandson of John Terhune, the progenitor of the Terhune family, and who settled where Sheriff Jacob C. Terhune resided in 1881, upon coming to this country. Jacob Hopper died about 1815, aged eighty-eight.
JOHN I. HOPPER.
John I. Hopper, his grandson was born in 1775, and died in 1833, on the homestead where he resided during his whole life. His wife was Maria, daughter of Albert Terhune, who died January 1, 1857, aged seventy-six years. Their children were Cornelia, wife of John Terhune, a farmer and miller of New Barbadoes, who died in 1879, aged seventy- nine; Altia, widow of Albert A. Brinkerhoff, of Hackensack ; Catharine, wife of Jonathan Hopper, a merchant of Paterson; Albert died in 1833, aged twenty-four; Jacob I .; John, a lawyer of Paterson; Eliza; Maria, wife of Henry Demarest of New York; Jane, wife of Dr. Wilson, of New York, both of whom are deceased.
John I. Hopper was drafted to serve the war of 1812 but furnished a substitute. He is said to have used springs on his wagon the first of any one who carried products to a New York market. In 1818 he erected the elegant brownstone house on the premises known subsequently as Terrace Avenue. Jacob I. Hopper, his son, was born on the homestead in 1810. He was united in marriage in 1835 to Ann, daughter of Garret Merselis and Leah DeGray of Preakness, Passaic county, N. J. He was born December 13, 1812. Their children were John and Ellen.
HON. GEORGE ZIMMERMANN.
Some years since the New York World published photographs of one hundred notables of the State of New Jersey. Among this list we find the picture of the Hon. George Zimmermann, who because of his prominence in political and official life is entitled to a place among that number. Mr. Zimmermann has probably been advanced more rapidly
JOHN F. FEITNER
369
HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
than ordinarily falls to the lot of young men because of the public spirit he has always manifested.
He was born in New York city in 1857, the family removing to Carlstadt the same year. In 1873 his father purchased of Adam Rut- tenger the property now known as Zimmermann's Hotel, then a farm- house, and an old landmark of the locality, probably a hundred years old. Here Mr. Zimmermann has demonstrated his capacity as a busi- ness man both in the real estate and insurance business, while showing a public spirited interest in his locality, resulting in his election to var- ious offices of trust.
When twenty-one years of age Mr. Zimmermann was elected to his first office, serving the public in one important capacity or another ever since. It was in 1879 he was made Clerk of the township of Lodi. Subsequently certain irregularities were discovered in the books of the township collector and a change in the office was demanded by a popular uprising of the people, and being prevailed upon to accept the nomin- ation he was elected by an overwhelming majority. He was next ap- pointed by President Cleveland postmaster in 1885, without opposition, and the able manner in which he conducted this office gave universal satisfaction.
Having successfully met all official requirements, he was nominated for Assembly in 1889 and elected by a large majority. He has twice filled the office of Assemblyman, holding that place when the noted Reform Ballot Act was passed, and during the many heated controver- sies he was always found true to the interests of his constituents. In 1898 he was again nominated for the Assembly but was snowed under in common with all aspirants of his party almost everywhere. In 1897 he was elected Mayor of his borough and is discharging the duties of that office at this time to the entire satisfaction of all.
Mr. Zimmermann has successfully filled the office of Fire Commis- sioner, president of the Fire Department, and also Chief of the Depart- ment. He is founder of the Carlstadt Mutual Loan and Building Asso- ciation. a highly successful institution which particularly owes its exist- snce to his good judgment and persevering spirit. As a real estate man Mr. Zimmermann has been very successful, while socially, there is no Lodge or Club in Carlstadt that does not seek his followship as a mem- ber of their organization.
JOHN FRANCIS FEITNER.
Something over a hundred years ago, John Jacob Astor, John F. Feitner and a Mr. Phillips set sail together from Waldorf, a mountain village in Germany for the shores of America. The name of Astor is well known. Phillips died in the poor-house, but Feitner left a hand- some fortune and descendants, who like their progenitor, possess many of the sterling qualities of which that name is a synonymn.
Feitner purchased a large tract of land extending from the Bloom- ingdale road, now Broadway, to the river. Astor purchased on the op-
RESIDENCE OF JOHN F. FEITNER
371
HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
posite side of the Feitner Lane. The old Feitner homestead was at Forty-sixth street and Broadway.
Mr. Feitner married Miss Catherine Ann Kellar, and there children were Peter, George, Charles, Daniel, Catherine, Elizabeth, John, Francis and Hannah, all of whom are now dead.
Peter, the father of the subject of this sketch, married Marie, daughter of John and Sarah Hunt, whose grand-father was one of Washington's body guard, and an old naval soldier in the war of 1812, with Commodore Decatur on the old Constitution, at Algiers. The homestead of Peter F. Feitner was on Ninth Avenue and Feitner's Lane. John F. Feitner, of Moonachie Avenue, was an only child. He was born in the city of New York, March 2, 1826. His youth and early man- hood was spent in the city and doubtless had he remained there he would have become a distinguished factor in the political history of the Great Metropolis of to-day. Born gifted with strenth of mind, and with an iron will in an iron frame and possessed with ability to manage political situations in great emergencies, he was advanced at a somewhat rapid rate in official life. Among other positions he held, in New York, was a seven years service as secretary of the old Volunteer Fire Department, being a member of Hudson Engine Company No., 1. Twenty five years ago, however, the superintendency of the Twenty-Second Police Pre- cinct, of New York, having been tendered him and foreseeing the turbu- lence of such a political existence he declined the honor and instead was induced to seek the pleasurable pursuits of a more quiet life in the country. Accordingly the farm on Moonachie Avenue, was purchased and the change of reidence made to Bergen county. It is not to be sup- posed, however, that Mr. Feitner has kept aloof wholly from politics in this county. The acknowledged fitness of the man for official life has of itself brought almost every public trust in the gift of the people with- in his reach, but he has invariably refused all offers. Although of rather a brusque manner he is one of the kindest of men.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.