USA > New Jersey > Bergen County > History of Bergen county, New Jersey > Part 36
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When Mr. Feitner came to his present home his father came with him and died at the age of eighty-six years. His mother lived four score and four years,
The present Feitner homestead was erected in 1873. An old stone in the corner of his house taken from the first house built in this part of Bergen county, has on its face three dates, i. e .: 1718, 1816 and 1873. The original house having been built by Francis Outwater at the date first named.
Within doors are antique furniture, and a variety of curiosities. The Feitner home has in its sacred keeping a great number of valuable souvenirs, some of them centuries old, and valuable beyond all commer- cial calculation. Here is a valuable wooden clock at least seventy-five years of age ; a handsome cherry bureau and desk combined one hundred and fifty years old ; rush bottom chairs as solid and comfortable as the day when used by the grand parents and all unique as antique ; stone
DR. A. RICHTER.
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
tomahawks and arrow heads used by the Indians were found on his place.
Vases one hundred and seventy-five years old stand beside china- ware on mantel-pieces just as aged, and all the handiwork of skilled mechanics. At the top of the stair-way is the head of a deer with its branching antlers, shot on the farm one hundred and seventy-five years ago. On the walls hang fine works of art, curious pictures of needle- work in portrait, woven in silk, gives us the shepherd and shepherdess in two frames.
In 1849 Mr. Feitner was married to Miss Mary Kline, whose grand- father was on the staff of Napoleon Bonaparte, and Governor of Straus- burg.
Their children are Peter, John F., Charles O., George W. and Martha Gertrude. Charles O. died when two years old, and John F. is a member of the clergy. He graduated at Rutgers College, and is pas- tor now of a church in Westchester county, New York.
DR. AUGUST A. RICHTER.
In the death of Dr. August A. Richter, Carlstadt lost its oldest practicing physician. He was popular among all classes both German and American, and his place cannot soon be filled.
Dr. Richter was born in the year 1840 in Sackingen, Germany, and at the celebrated institutions of Leipzig he received an education and prepared himself for a professional career. Coming to America in 1871 he first resided in Hoboken, N. J. He remained there a short time and then settled permanently in Carlstadt, where he soon built up an exten- sive and successful practice. As time went on his services became in urgent demand by the Germans of Hackensack and he opened a branch office in that city, doubling his practice.
Dr. Richter was chief medical officer of the Schuetzen Company of Hackensack besides being a member and Medical Examiner of Wieland Lodge I. O. O. F. of Carlstadt. He was a member of the Palisade Lodge of Free Masons at Union Hill. His death occurred December 25, 1898.
JACOB H. ULLMANN.
Jacob H. Ullmann was born in New York city November 15, 1861. and two years later his parents removed to Carlstadt, where his father died in 1883.
Young Ullmann's taste for botanical pursuits led him to the study of flowers, and as a florist, he does a successful business, supplying quan- tities of cut flowers both to the New York market and the home trade.
He has held a number of offices in both borough and county. In 1893 he was elected coroner by a large majority, having been elected township clerk in 1890 and re-elected the following year, still later being made Township Committeeman. Mr. Ullmann has also been chairman of the Board of Health and in 1896-'97 was elected member of Assembly. He has been Secretary of the Bergen Hose Company No. 1. and fore- man of Carlstadt Hose Company, but refused to take entire command of
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the borough fire department which was offered him. He was made postmaster of Carlstadt July 15, 1897, and is serving as collector of taxes for the borough at present.
Mr. Ullmann is a member of the Turn Verein and Concordia Dramatic Society.
REV. CAMILLUS MONDORF.
Undoubtedly every one living in East Rutherford, Carlstadt and vicin- ity knows and reveres Rev. C. Mondorf, the charitable Rector of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church. As a self sacrificing man and priest of God, he enjoys the esteem and hearty good wishes of all denomina- tions.
He was born on the historic banks of the Rhine, near Cologne, October 21, 1844. As a student he entered the Prussian Army in 1866,
FATHER MONDORF
and after serving the Statutory term he resumed his studies first in Belgium and afterward in Germany. He came to America in 1876, and the following year, January 1, 1877 was ordained a priest by Bishop Wadhams of Ogdensburg, N. Y. The Rt. Rev. Bishop Wigger selected him in August 1885 as Rector of St. Joseph's Church in East Rutherford. This Church was built in 1873. Father Mondorf also acts as Rector of St. Francis De Sales' Church in the village of Lodi, three and a half miles distant. The little Catholic Church in Lodi was built in 1854 and was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Bishop Bailey of Newark on the 21ts of De- cember in the same year.
ERNEST F. SICKENBERGER.
Ernest F. Sickenberger Ph. D., Phar. D., M. D. is a highly edu- cated physician, who came to this country in 1881 and to Carlstadt in
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1895, where he has built up an extensive practice in the profession of medicine.
He is a native of Germany and was born in 1859. After receiving a good education in the public and high schools of his native country, he studied pharmacy in the University of Freiburg, subsequently spend- ing some years travelling through Europe and the Orient, mastering several languages, which he speaks with fluency.
He was graduated also from the New York College of Pharmacy in 1852; the National College, Washington, D. C. 1887, and the Columbia College Medical Department, in 1895.
FRANZ FRITSCH.
Franz Fritsch, a well known business man of Carlstadt, is of Ger- man birth, but came to this country with his parents when but fifteen years of age. He is the oldest son of the late Joseph and Therese ( Rall- ing) Fritsch. His father was born in 1816 at Bergenz, Austria, and resided there until 1859, the date of his coming to America. Here he continued his business of wax bleaching and candle making, in New York city until 1861, when he removed to Carlstadt and engaged more extensively in the manufacture of candles, a business which he carried on up to the time of his death in 1890.
Mr. Franz Fritsch was born in Bergenz, Austria, November 26, 1847, and was educated in the public schools of his native place, after- wards learning the business of wax bleacher and candle maker. Mr. Fritsch was for some years proprietor of a large livery and sales stable. keeping a well selected stock of animals and enjoying the patronage of the best paying customers. At present he is engaged in the liquor busi- ness.
Always taking an active interest in his locality, he served as mem- ber of the new Carlstadt village board of trustees for a period of eleven years, member of the Board of Chosen Freeholders from 1893 to 1899. and was one of the original members of the fire department.
Socially he belongs to the Carlstadt Turn Verein. Mr. Fritsch married Miss Lizzie Mary Burger, from Carlstadt.
GOTTLIEB SAUTER.
Gottlieb Sauter is a representative of one of the old German families of Europe. His grandfather was a teacher in the schools of Flehin- gen and Zaisenhausen for fifty years. His father was Town Clerk eighteen years, Mayor, ( Burgemeister ) nine years and Collector of Taxes for twenty years.
The subject of our sketch was born in the town of Flehingen, Baden. Germany in 1854. In 1871 Mr. Sauter came to the United States, locating first in Rockport, Indiana, coming to Carlstadt in 1877. In 1879 he went to New York city and took a three years course in Mechanical Drawing in Cooper Institute. He then returned to Carlstadt settling first on his farm. After nine years he built his shop and later erected his residence. since then becoming prominently identified with all the important move-
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ments looking to the building up of the town. He employs twelve or fifteen inen the year round and has built many of the fine residences in this part of the county.
Mr. Sauter is now serving his third term as councilman; is a mem- ber of the Board of Education, was also one of the promoters of the Building and Loan Association, having been a director in that institu- tion from the time of its organization. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and is identified with many other societies in the place.
AUGUST MOENCH.
August Moench. editor and proprietor of the "Carlstadt Freie Presse" is a son of Jacob and Wilhelmina Moench, and was born in
AUGUST MOENCH
Wurtemberg, Germany, February 2, 1864. His father who died May 19, 1898, at the age of sixty-five years, was teacher of the German language in the Carlstadt public schools for thirty consecutive years. He was re- tired on a pension January 1, 1898, under the "Teachers' Retirement Fund" of New Jersey. Mr. Moench was a well known pedagogue. throughout the county, being the first German teacher to be actually engaged in the county. Young August was but one year old when his parents emigrated to this country, and located in the village of Carl- stadt, where he received his education in the public schools. He is sole editor and proprietor of the "Freie Presse." the only German paper published in Bergen county. After serving an apprenticeship with the
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
"Freie Presse" he became connected with "Puck" where he remained twelve years, returning to take charge of this plant.
Mr. Moench is a public spirited and respected citizen, taking a full share in the welfare of his village. He is president of the Free Sunday school, member of the Board of Education, is director of the local Loan and Building Association, president of the Carlstadt Bowling Club, member of Turn Verein, Concordia; Fire Department, Dramatic Circle, and member of the Workingman's Association of Woodridge. He is happily married to Miss Mary Wentzel of Carlstadt.
CHRISTOPHER NIEDERER.
Christopher Niederer, who conducts the Mount Pleasant Park and Hotel is a popular inan, genial, courteous and obliging. He was born in Amorbach, Bavaria, April 12, 1836, and came to America in 1853, when he settled in New York city and worked at his trade of cabinet maker.
At the beginning of our Civil War Mr. Niederer, patriotically en- listed in Company F, 20th Regiment New York Volunteers, serving two years and four months. He has always been an enthusiastic G. A. R. man and was one of the. originators of Custer Post No. 17 which was organized in his house on July 29th, 1878. Capable, as well as popular, Mr. Niederer has held all the offices belonging to the Post.
Upon coming to Carlstadt in 1871 he established his present busi- ness which he has carried on continuously and with good success.
His place is made headquarters for the Turn Verein, Friendship Bowling Club and the Carlstadt Drum Corps.
ALBERT NIEDERER.
Albert Niederer, son of Christopher and Johanna Niederer, was born in New York city March 27, 1868, and was educated in Woodridge and Carlstadt public schools and in New York College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated March 1888, receiving third prize. He then became connected with the Eastern Dispensary of New York city. remaining about two years as assistant pharmacist. After this he was connected with various pharmacist in the city until 1891, when he opened a store on his own account in Carlstadt, N. J. which is proving suc- cessful.
Mr. Niederer was married to Miss Emily Fortenbach on October 18, 1894. He is a member of the Alumni Association of the College of Pharmacy of New York city, of New Jersey Pharmaceutical Associa- tion, also a member of the "League of American Wheehnen," and the "Carlstadt Turn Verein" of Carlstadt, N. J.
WILLIAM UMBACH.
William Umbach, manufacturer of soda water, and beer bottler, has been a resident of Carlstadt since 1892. He is a native of Germany, where he attended school until fourteen years of age, after which he spent a year or more in England. When seventeen years of age he
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came to New York. landing in the New World without a cent in his pockets. This was in 1871. After working some years for Stratton & Storm, large cigar manufacturers, he had enough money to enter the grocery business on his own account. Success followed him in his new venture and he came into possession of valuable property in the city which he still owns. In 1892 he purchased property in Carlstadt, enlarged and utilized it for the purposes of his plant, two years subse- quently putting in machinery for the manufacture of soda water. Mr. Umbach gives employment to several men constantly, and has a well established business.
William Umbach, Jr., is studing law, and Louis another son, is pursuing a business education.
AUGUST GERECKE
August Gerecke, son of Christopher and Friedericke ( Volger) Gerecke, was born in Braunschweig, Germany, September 22, 1841. After coming to America he was educated in the public schools of New York city. Upon the completion of his school work he learned the trade of machinist and locksmith, in which he has since successfully engaged. May 1, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Fifth Regiment, New York Militia, for three months' service, and was discharged at New York city August 7, of the same year. On October 5, 1861, he re-enlisted in Com- pany H, Fifty-second New York Volunteers, and was made corporal. He was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks, Sunday, June 1, 1862, and was discharged at Falmouth, Virginia, December 11th of that year, because of wounds received in battle.
Since that time Mr. Gerecke has become a citizen of Carlstadt, and is president of the Vulcan Hardware Manufactory of Wire Gauges. He is a member of Custer Post, No. 17. G. A. R., and of the Carlstadt Bowling Club.
Mr. Gerecke's wife was Miss Mary A. Oswald of Scotland.
JOHN WAGNER.
John Wagner, proprietor of Union Park Hotel, was born in the city of New York in 1855. His father John Wagner, Senior, who was born in Germany in 1833, came to America in 1850, landing in New York, where he followed his trade of baker. He was the first to use the four wheeled single truck in that city, for trucking and moving. In 1867, Mr. Wagner came to Carlstadt and purchased the Dramatic Hall, but later sold this property, and on May 1, 1869, moved into the hotel which bears his name. In 1892 he built his residence on First Street, where he died December 5, 1897.
John Wagner, Jr. came to Carlstadt when a boy and remained with his father until sixteen years of age, when he went to Newark and worked five years as a butcher, following the same business for a time in Paterson. In 1871 he made a visit to the old country and in 1880 located permanently in Carlstadt, remaining since that time in charge of Union
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Park Hotel. This building when purchased occupied but a small space of ground, but additions have been made until now the grounds cover an entire block. The hotel proper contains thirteen large rooms in addi- tion to which is a large pavillion used for dancing and for large gather- ings which are frequently held there. There are also large summer and winter kitchens with all the appliances for entertaining a large company at short notice. As many as two hundred and fifty people have been served at one time in the dining room.
AUGUST RICHARD KLAUSS.
August Richard Klauss was born in Germany April 23, 1856. He was educated in the public schools of his native place and came to America in 1880, where he spent the first eighteen months in Pitts- burgh, Penna., subsequently coming to New York city and thence to Carlstadt in 1882.
He takes a lively interest in public affairs, and has held various local offices, having been a member of the Board of Trustees, Police Commissioner, Chief of the Fire Department, and also Foreman of En- gine Company No. 1. As a member of the borough council he has served on some of its most important committees.
Mr. Klauss is president of the Liquor Dealers' Association, and con- ducts a business of his own, meeting with success.
A true German in his love of music and social good cheer, he is a valuable member of the Carlstadt Schutzen Company, and also belongs to the Concordia, a singing association. He is an Odd Fellow and a Turner, in addition to belonging to different benevolent and beneficial organizations.
His wife was a Miss Maggie Deerhert of Carlstadt, who was born in New York city in 1859.
FR. RIST.
Fr. Rist, manufacturer of ladies' muslin underwear 7 and 9 Small Street, is a native of Germany born in the city of Buchan of Wirtenberg, in 1837.
In early life he lost both parents, and, after receiving some educa- tion in the public schools, he learned the trade of tailor. In 1871. during the Franco-German war, he came to America, where he worked for the Fortenbach Company, in Carlstadt, six years. After residing for fifteen years on the Hoboken Road, across the Hackensack, he moved into the village in 1888, to the property he now occupies and where he started his factory.
Mr. Rist and his four daughters began this business first in a small way, but he now employs thirty girls and will soon be under the neces- sity of increasing the capacity of his plant. He manufactures solely for Siecher & Company, New York, the largest concern in the city for the manufacture of underwear.
HENRY KRIELING.
Henry Krieling, for twenty-five years a prominent grocer in Carl-
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stadt, is a native of Germany. born in the province of Hanover, in the year 1825. When twenty-five years of age he set sail for this country, and for fifteen years was associated with one of the leading dry goods establishments in New York. In 1868 he came to Carlstadt when he established himself in business, and also became prominently identified with the Presbyterian Church, having served as treasurer, and as trustee for many years.
Mr. Krieling has two sons well known in business circles in Carl- stadt. Henry Krieling, Jr., the elder son, is a cutter, and Herman owns a dairy. Socially, they have all been prominent in various ways, looking to the welfare of the community.
JOHN N. RASMUS.
John N, Rasmus one of the oldest merchants and contractors in Carlstadt was born in Holstein, Germany, in 1830. In 1850 he came to New York and on May 10, of that year, took up his abode in Carlstadt. He worked at his trade of mason until 1855, when he became manager for Charles Treppke, with whom he remained in full charge of his store, for five years, after which he opened a store on his own account.
In 1854 Mr. Rasmus built a house on Hackensack street for Mr. Trappke, the first in the village of Carlstadt, and in 1865 he built the Stewart Winslow residence on Orient Way, the first house in Ruther- ford. He carried on the business of contractor from 1865 to 1888, and built the Methodist Protestant church and many other fine structures in Rutherford.
In 1858 Mr. Rasmus joined the Turners' Society of Carlstadt, and in 1872 became a member of the fire department, holding it's secretaryship three years, he was foreman two years, and treasurer three years, he was also on the Board of Trustees of his town fourteen years, Treasurer of the Board three years, Overseer of the Poor two terms and has been Councilman of his borough since its formation in 1882.
GOTTFRIED MERCKEL.
Gottfried Merckel, pharamacist and proprietor of the drug store established by Otto Frank, many years ago, is a native of Germany, where he was educated in the public schools, and in which country also he took a thorough pharmaceutical course of instruction, supplementing that with a three years' clerkship, preparatory to going into business for himself. In 1892 he sailed for America, landing in New York, when he continued his chosen field of labor until 1897 when he came to Carlstadt.
Mr. Merckel has a good trade and enjoys the confidence of the people.
GEORGE MULLER.
George Muller, proprietor of the Monumental Marble Works, and of the Casino, Carlstadt, was born in Darmstadt, in the province of Hesse, Germany, in 1848. He is the son of Valentine Mueller, a farmer, and was educated in the public schools of his native place. At the age
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of eighteen years he came to this country and became apprenticed to Mr. Gregory, of Hoboken, to learn the trade of stone mason.
He remained with his employer in all, until 1875, having in the meantime become his foreman, and a skilled workman at the trade. In 1875, he came to Carlstadt, purchased twelve lots of ground and began his career, which has since distinguished him, in the marble business.
The monuments for Fortenbach, Grosse, Wagner, Otto and the vault for William Werger stand as specimens of his work in Bergen county, while in Paterson the colossal monuments erected to the Rev. John C. Voorhees, Merhof and others represent his work in that place.
ADAM ZINK, SR.
Adam Zink, Sr., president of Berry Lawn Cemetery, and former Commissioner of Appeals, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1832. Farming was his occupation, and in 1854 he came to this country, locat- ing afterwards on the farm of John Ackerman in Lodi township, where his father died in 1855. In 1869 he went into business for himself, and has held, besides, many political offices. In 1897 he was elected Com- missioner of Appeals for two years. He was a member for seven years of the Carlstadt Fire Department which he joined in 1872. He was made president of the Berry Lawn Association in 1893, and still holds that position.
THE VILLAGE OF LODI.
Sixty-seven years ago, Robert Rennie, Esq., left Scotland, the place of his birth, for the United States, and arrived here penniless, but as a Yankee once expressed it, "chock full or work." He brought with him personal honesty, industry, intelligence, and a thorough knowledge of a good trade. His brother, James, who was originally " a block printer " was then conducting a small manufacturing business on the banks of the Passaic, on the spot still known as "Nightingale's Mills." To this place Robert immediately directed his steps, and became engaged as superintendent of the establishment, immediately infusing new life and energy into the business. They soon removed to the present town of Lodi where a small mill had been built for James, by Jacob Hopper and Abraham C. Zabriskie. This mill was completely destroyed by fire in 1834, and rebuilt on a much larger scale by Robert Rennie, who suc- ceeded his brother as the sole proprietor, thus laying. the foiindation of the afterwards famous " Lodi Print Works," which at one time stood at the head of all concerns of the kind in the United States.
Previous to that period Lodi had been almost a wilderness. In 1828 the only houses in the vicinity were the unassuming residences of Henry Hopper, Richard Stagg and David I. Ackerman. To-day Lodi has a large population, five or six churches, many stores, a district school. post office, and other elements of a good sized city.
For this the inhabitants are mainly, if not altogether indebted to Robert Rennie, who out of most unpromising material fashioned com- parative greatness. Lodi was at first called Renniesville, in opposition
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to the wishes of Mr. Rennie, who finally caused the name to be changed, and still retained the respect and gratitude of the community.
The Rennie brothers were three in number, Robert being the youngest. Peter Rennie was well known in New York. He had an extensive laundry in Bloomingdale, yielding him a large fortune which he enjoyed and used with commendable good sense. He remained there until his death ; but it may be said, truly, that Robert Rennie, by his industry, enterprise, liberality and genuine devotion to business did the most to make the name celebrated. He always had an extreme aver- sion to being spoken of by the press.
The heavy factories of New England, proved to be too formidable for competition here and the "Lodi Print Works, " or "Manufacturing Company," as the institution, with its stockholders, was subsequently called, went by the board.
After abandoning the print works, Mr. Rennie engaged in the manufacture of chemicals and dye stuffs and in this pursuit he was not likely to meet with any serious reverses. He employed about fifty workmen in the chemical works, but during his control of the print works he had charge of upwards of five hundred men.
He had a large interest in the Hackensack Railroad, of which he was a prominent director, and built the Lodi Railroad at his own cost. and for the convenience of his friends.
Mr. Rennie resided on the west side of Saddle River brook, on a large estate which commanded a view of the Print Works and objects of interest in the vincinity.
The grounds were laid out with fine taste, and were a model worthy - of imitation. He died August 23, 1882.
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