USA > New Jersey > Bergen County > History of Bergen county, New Jersey > Part 37
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CHURCHES.
In 1845 was organized the Lodi Congregational Church. Services were regularly held at various places in the village until the year 1872 when a plot of ground was purchased and a church edifice erected at a cost of three thousand dollars. Subsequently a library of several thous- and volumes, formerly belonging to the Lodi Reading Room Association. was purchased by the church which made a valuable addition to the needs of the society.
The first ministers in succession since 1871 were Revs. Frank A. Johnson, F. Y. Turn, and William H. Broadhead. Subsequently sup- plies from the Theological Seminary New York, filled the pulpit.
In 1878 the founders of the Second Reformed Church of Lodi Village, seceded from the Congregational Church. They were accompanied in their movement by the former pastor of the church, Rev. R. M. Offord. The secession from the Congregational Church was due to a dispute as to the regularity of the ordination of Mr. Offord. On the 17th of Sep- tember 1878, he was admitted to the Classis of Paramus, and on the 10th of October of the same year was installed pastor of the Second Re-
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
formed Church. A house of worship was subsequently erected and ser- vices regularly held thereafter.
The First ( Holland ) Reformed Church was organized in 1859. A house of worship was erected in the village of Lodi, at a cost of about two thousand five hundred dollars, during the same year. In 1868 the General Synod of the Holland Reformed Church in America directed that the term Holland be dropped from the name of the church, or placed in brackets. A majority of the members of this church in Lodi, with their pastor, Rev. W. C. Wust, disapproved of the change, and refused to comply with the direction. A minority, on the other hand, conceded the right of the General Synod to modify the name of the church, and were ready to carry out the direction. A question arose as to which party should have the church edifice. A long course of litigation fol- lowed, which terminated in favor of the minority. The minister was the Rev. James Hyssoon, 1859-64; Rev. W. C. Wust, 1864-75; Rev. Wil- liam F. Betz, 1875-78. The next pastor of this church was Louis G. Jongeneel, the preaching being in the Holland language. The first officers were: Deacons, Aart Jonsen Brun, Nicholas Boogartman, P. Vande Vreede; Elders, B. H. Smith, Christian Van Heest, Pieter Van Heest, Cornelius Vande Vreede, G. W. Burchkeyser.
The body which seceded from the First ( Holland ) Reformed Church in 1868 assumed the name "Netherland Reformed Church." The pastor, Rev. W. C. Wust, under whose leadership the secession was consuma- ted, in 1876 gave a plot of ground to the society, on which an edifice was erected at a cost of two thousand dollars. Since that date their pastor accepted a call to preach in his native Holland. He remained there two years but returned. During his absence the services were conducted by one of the leading members, Mr. Daniel Cook. The first officers of this church were Daniel Cook, Garret Buller, Peter Ney, Peter De Vries, M. Sacker, and A. Vogleson.
St. Francis de Sales' Roman Catholic Church of Lodi Village en- joys the distinction of being the oldest Catholic Church in Bergen county. It was organized in 1855. The edifice was erected during that year at a cost of four thousand dollars, and was dedicated by Bishop J. Roosevelt Bayley, late Archbishop of Baltimore. It is a mission church, its pulpit having been supplied in turn by pastors from Paterson, Hackensack, Fort Lee, and Carlstadt. The first pastor was L. D. Senez.
The African Zion Episcopal, a small society, was organized about 1872. The first pastor was Henry Dunnison.
BURIAL-PLACES.
The township of Lodi has only two public burial-grounds, one in Lodi and the other in Carlstadt, both of comparatively recent origin. The one at Lodi is a Catholic cemetery, and was opened in 1855, when the Catholic Church was built. It is quite extensive, having been used for several years as a burial-ground by all the Catholics in Bergen coun-
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ty. The cemetery at Carlstadt was opened soon after the organization of the village in 1853. The inscriptions are mainly in German.
GEORGE C. MERCER.
George Cockburn Mercer was born in Earlston, Scotland, March 17, 1856. His mother's lineage mingles not far back with that of the late Lord Chief Justice Cockburn of England, Cockburn being her maiden name. Earlston has historical interests and lies in one of most beautiful sections of Scotland. It was the home of Thomas the Rhymer, the ruins of whose castle are visited by tourists from far and near. These old ruins have recently passed into the hands of the Historical Society of Scotland, and will receive the care due them. Seven miles over the hills from Earlston is Galashiels, famous for its woolen industries. At much less distance is Melrose with its immortal abbey, also Dryburgh, Abbots- ford, the home of Sir Walter Scott, and other places of world wide renown. The Leader, a picturesque stream, home of the finest trout in Scotland, and on which Earlston stands, flows into the Tweed, two miles below the town. To the beauties of nature are added the atmosphere of romance, and here young Mercer not only first saw the light, but received his principal educational training, passing through a thorough academic course.
Mr. Mercer followed the example of many of his kinsmen and a still larger number of his countrymen, when in 1873 he left his native shores for America. He reached the land of his adoption October 24th of that year, and at once found a home with relatives in Lodi. After a brief engagement with the proprietor of the old Lodi store, he became associated with the New Jersey and New York railroad, and managed its Lodi branch, overseeing the disposition of large quantities of freight, which passed to and from the Lodi mills. Subsequently he was engaged in a confidential capacity with Messrs. H. J. Libby & Co. of New York, the well known agents of the Norfolk and New Brunswick Hosiery Co. with their large mills in New Jersey and New England. Later on he became a member of the firm of Byrne, Bros. & Co., with its cotton goods finishing mills at Lodi, and was the New York representative and financial manager of the concern. After seven years of marked suc- cess the property of the firm was destroyed by fire. It was not rebuilt, and the firm was dissolved by mutual consent. Mr. Mercer then turned his attention to the manufacture of woolen shoddies and extracts, and located in Garfield. For this purpose he organized in 1894 the Garfield Woolen Company and became its president and treasurer and still holds these offices, to which he devotes his most assidious attention. He is also a director of the Peoples' Bank and Trust Company of Passaic, of which concern he has been a stockholder from its inception. Seven years ago he organized the Lodi Building and Loan Association and is its president. This organization has a high reputation for its conser- vatisin. It has aided scores of the citizens of Lodi to procure homes of their own, and proved a lucrative form of investment to the stock- holders.
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
In 1896 Mr. Mercer married Miss Isabella Vair Cockburn, a daugh- ter of George Cockburn, of Ludington, Michigan. She is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music, and a young lady of marked musical talent.
In addition to his many business duties, Mr. Mercer was for many years postmaster of Lodi. As a result of his efforts, the village was incorporated as a borough in 1894, and at the second election for Mayor in 1897, he was elected to that office without opposition. In this official capacity he has pushed needed measures for the improvement of its thoroughfares, and has shown a spirit of progress that is proving infec- tious and full of promise for the welfare of the place. In his private capacity he ensured the locating of the Alexander Dye Works, one of the largest silk dyeing and finishing mills in the world, in Lodie. He has also introduced an electric system and is lending his efforts to the move- ment, which he practically initiated, to link Passaic and Lodi by means of an electric railway.
Mr. Mercer is a member of the Washington Club, Passaic, a Govern- nor of the Passaic General Hospital and a member of its Committee on Finance. He is a Free Mason of high degree, having some time since become a member of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the St. Andrew's Society of New York and of the Orean Park Club of Passaic. He was one of the founders of the Second Reformed Church of Passaic, serving for nearly twenty years as deacon and its treasurer. He has been one of its most active members and supporters, and its interests are dear to his heart. He is the Superintendent of its Sunday-school and in many other ways fosters the work and aids the cause. Mr. Mercer is a man of unflagging energy, great executive ability and industry. He is a Republican in politics, an intelligent observer of the times, a faithful friend, and among his fellow men always genial and companionable. He is benevolent without ostentation, and has the respect and hearty esteem of a wide circle of acquaintances.
WALLINGTON.
The Borough of Wallington includes all that territory of land lying between the Passaic River, the Short Cut Railroad and the trolley road from Passaic to Hoboken. It was organized in March 1895.
The officers elected were as follows: Mayor, Jacob Wagner; Presi- dent of Council, Bernard Koster; Councilmen, Bernard Koster, John Baker, Thomas R. Collins, Walter F. Schmitt, Charles R. Stewart, and Robert Engle; Clerk, Conrad Kreger; Assessor, William De Vogel; Collector, Pascal Gardella; President Board of Education, Bernard Kos- ter; Board of Health, Menzo Neer, president.
March, 1899: Mayor, James Van Bussum; President of Council, ' Thomas R. Collins; Councilmen, James Soop, James Ryan, Peter Gly- nis, George W. Gill, John J. Polmann; Clerk, Christian De Keyser; As- sessor, John McMahon; Collector, Peter De Keyser; Counsel. A. D. Sul- livan; Chief of Police, Robert Cook; Commissioners of Appeals, Wil- liam De Vogel, Jacob Wagner and John De Keyser; Board of Education,
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Frank Wentink, president; Board of Health, Edward Cutting, president.
PUBLIC HALL.
The corner-stone of the new Public Hall of Wallington was laid on Saturday, November 13, 1897, by appropriate exercises, Mr. A. D. Sulli- van acting as Master of Ceremonies. Mr. Sullivan was followed by As- semblyman-elect, John M. Bell. Mayor Koster, ex-Mayor Wagner, Coun- cilman James Soop, and others. President Krug of Wallington Hall Association, presented Mayor Koster with a handsome silver-plated
WALLINGTON SCHOOL
trowel with which he tapped the stone, saying, "I herewith dedicate this hall to the welfare of the Borough of Wallington."
The children sang "America," and other national melodies, and each received a souvenir.
After the ceremonies, ex-Mayor Wagner entertained the invited guests at his residence, where the festivities were prolonged until a late hour.
WALLINGTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
From a report of the secretary, Mr. George C. Woolson, to the officers of the Wallington Presbyterian Church and Sunday School, dated October 17, 1897, we note the following interesting facts relative to its history.
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
Mr. Woolson says: "The articles of incorporation constituting the Board of Trustees of the Wallington Presbyterian Society were drawn up and filed according to law on May 23d, 1896. Two preliminary meet- ings of the trustees were held on May 30 and June 11, respectively, to consider plans for a church edifice, and to devise ways and means to secure funds for such a building, as well as to select two lots on which to build, said lots having been previously generously donated by Mr. L. M. Alden, of Passaic. On June 19th a meeting was held at the Wal- lington public schoolhouse to decide upon plans for the proposed church edifice, when it was decided to accept that offered by Architect S. B. Reid of New York city, and the trustees were empowered to make such alterations as in their judgment were deemed necessary. At the close of the meeting the ladies met and organized the Ladies' Aid Society of the Wallington Presbyterian Church.
"On June 22 the trustees met and proposed certain changes look- ing towards the improvement of the plans, and in the last week in June ground was broken for the cellar."
" The corner-stone was laid by Rev. Dr. P. F. Leavens on the even- ing of July 21st, with appropriate ceremonies and in the presence of several hundred persons. Mr. Woolson says 'This corner-stone was cut and donated by Mr. Daniel Demarest of Passaic, and it may be further stated that nearly all the material and labor used were freely given by those interested in the promotion of a church in this place.'"
On October 7th, 8th and 9th a very successful fair was held in the building, at which time about $491,-no small sum for such a commun- ity-was cleared, and in June a lawn party was held, at which $75 more was cleared, this money enabling the ladies to furnish the church.
The Sabbath School was opened at 2.30 o'clock on Sunday, October 11, and the church was dedicated November 17, Rev. Ame Vennema de- livering the sermon. November 22, Rev. Dr. P. F. Leavens, preached the first sermon at 3.30 P. M. On April 11, 1897, fifteen members were received by confession of faith, three joined by letter, and during the past year forty-one adults and eight infants were baptized.
The attendance at the Sunday School from October 11, 1896, to October 3, 1897, inclusive, averaged sixty-five, a weekly contribution of $11.21 having been given. The average attendance at church for the same time was fifty-seven, the weekly contribution amounting to $4.80.
The trustees of the new church are W. A. Willard, president; G. C. Woolson, secretary; James Soop, treasurer; J. Van Idestine, Charles Kuhne, John Kingsland, A. L. Springsteen. Adney P. Post and Charles R. Stewart.
Regular church services are held every Sabbath evening at 7.30. and besides the Society of Christian Endeavor, which holds regular services, a weekly prayer meeting was started in November 1898, and is held every Friday evening, at eight o'clock. The present pastor is Mr. A. F. Parker of Paterson and under his earnest and zealous preaching the society is making good and substantial progress.
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
STANDARD OIL WORKS.
The Standard Oil Company carry oil from their fields in Pennsylva- nia to the seaboard at Bayonne, in pipes laid under ground to a depth of thirty-six inches.
Were the surface through which these pass, on a level, or nearly so, the force necessary to carry the oil to its destination would be greatly reduced, but as it is necessarily over hills and along lowlands, it is not possible to use long lines of tubing. To obviate the danger of bursting pipes by such great force, pumping stations are arranged at regular intervals of thirty miles where the oil is received in large tanks and again pumped to the next station. This is the eleventh and last station on the line.
At Garfield twenty-four large iron tanks having a capacity of thirty- five thousand barrels, and several large brick buildings are located. One of the buildings contains the engines and pumps, while in the others are the telegraph office and steam boilers. The engines are running constantly day and night throughout the year, egg-anthracite coal being used as fuel. Natural drafts keeps the furnaces running without artifi- cial aid consuming about twenty-five tons of coal in every twenty-four hours. To determine when a break or leak occurs, and also the amount of pressure, each station employs a mercury pressure-gauge, which will indicate a leak of even one barrel per hour. The pipe lines are passed over each day by men who are called line walkers. At the station are employed four engineers, four fireman, two coal-heavers and four tele- graph operators.
The Standard Oil Company bought their right of way for a large sum, by which they are entitled to this right for a term of twenty years more or less. The station in Garfield is in the south-east corner of the borough, near Passaic.
THE ANDERSON LUMBER COMPANY.
The Anderson Lumber Company was established in 1812 by David I. Anderson and Major Post, under the firm name of Anderson & Post. David I. Anderson, the senior member of the firm, was born in 1792 and died in 1873. His son W. S. Anderson was born in 1827, and after at- taining his majority, became a clerk in the lumber and coal office of Anderson & Post, eventually becoming a partner in the business and finally succeeding to the sole ownership. In 1876 S. T. Zabriskie came into the firm. In 1885, S. L. Nickerson, who for twenty-eight years be- fore had been a sea captain, entered into partnership with W. S. Ander- son Company and built the original factory on the Wallington side. This building afterwards receiving additions, has a one hundred and fifty horse-power engine, while about fifty men find constant employ- ment in manufacturing all kinds of packing cases, and everything per- taining to wood work for a house. In 1887 a stock company was formed. The present officers are: Simeon T. Zabriskie, President; Edward Phil- lips, Secretary and Treasurer; Captain S. L. Nickerson Superintendent.
JULIUS ROERHS
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
This company has extensive dock facilities. Its water front is more than half a mile in length.
MR. JULIUS ROEHRS.
Julius Roehrs, proprietor of the Mammoth Flower Garden, near the crest of the Showhank ridge, on the Paterson plank road, is a native of Germany, born in the city of Hamburg in the year 1844.
After leaving school he started as apprentice in the Kiel Botanical Garden at the University of Holstein. He afterward supplemented his training by travel through the greenhouses and flower gardens of Ger- many, Belgium and other countries, until he secured a position with M. Sienan, Esq., of Jersey City, to take charge of his extensive collection of Orchids. He came to the United States in 1868, and for six years was associated with Mr. Sienan. After this he rented the plant, enlarging it subsequently and conducting it as his own in connection with another establishment, on Jersey City Heights.
In 1884 he formed new plans, and began anew. He sold out his
ROEHRS' FLOWER HOUSES
interests in the city, bought fifteen acres of ground and moved his effects to the present site near Carlton Hill where he soon afterward erected his beautiful residence. He now began building his glass houses and since that time he has added structure to structure until the place has become, in appearance, a miniature city of greenhouses.
Mr. Rochrs was married to Miss Magdalene Schroeder, also a native of Hamburg, Germany, in 1877. They have seven children, five boys and two girls. The eldest son, Julius, is now completing his education in the science of Botany at St. Albans, England, at which place is one of the largest flower gardens in the world. Mr. Rochrs trade is in the wholesale line solely. Following is a description of his garden by one who has had an intimate knowledge of it from the beginning.
" There is no part of the -world where the growing of ornamental- leafed plants and cultivation for ent flowers is more successfully carried
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
on, than on the grounds of Mr. Julius Roehrs near the crest of the Showhank ridge. In fact there is no part of the old world that can boast of a similar establishment. The growers of Europe are amazed at seeing such an immense stock of well-grown plants. Mr. Roehrs himself is what may be justly called an intense product. He is Hortus maximum in the plant growing world. That he began in a small way is a credit to his skill, industry and preseverance. Taking a look into his houses we see specialities grown, to meet the demands of the most critical retail trade. We find Orchids growing as perfectly and as profusely as in their native soil. Of these there are 20,000 Catteyas of rare varieties, and more than 5000 strong clumps of Cypripediums of the standard sorts, as well as the more rare novelties. His Orchid collectors are in every field where these beautiful plants are found, India, the Phillipine Island and South America are constantly contributing to his collection. Mr. Roehrs grows 1,000,000 Lily-of-the-valley pips annually, and any day of the year these delicate flowers may be had in reasonable quant- ities. But few, if any, of the seed merchants of our country sell, as many, as he alone grows. Lilacs both white and purple are here forced in such quantities as to supply the market from Christmas until they can be cut in the open air. 250,000 Tulips, Hyacinths and Narcissus are annually disposed of here, and 20,000 choice Azaleas, large and small, are yearly grown for the Easter Trade. In his Palm houses are all the better varieties by the thousand, all in perfect health and beauty.
"Mr. Roehrs selected this fine location about twelve years ago and immediately began the work of erecting and preparing his present ideal establishment, and at this time has sixty greenhouses with an area of 125,000 square feet, or about three acres. In addition to all these he grows roses of only choice varieties and on a large scale, besides any other flowers the trade may demand. The system adopted here, permits of no idle house room or idle houses, the moment one plant has furnished its flowers or perfected its growth, it must make room for another. thus forming a constant succession. There are in all about forty men employed, and all are kept busy."
GEORGE C. WOOLSON.
George C. Woolson, florist, and senior member of the firm of Wool- son & Co., Wallington, N. J., is a native of Massachusetts, born in the town of Hopkinton, that State, July 26, 1848. His father Levi Wool- son, now eighty-seven years of age, is a prosperous farmer from which occupation young Woolson, no doubt, learned to love nature in general and living plants in particular. After graduation from the high school of Hopkinton, in 1867, he entered the Agricultural College at Amherst, Mass., from which institution he took the degree of B. S., in 1871. Having become proficient in a technical knowledge of the studies, which he had been pursuing he was offered and accepted the Assistant Editor- ship of the "Hearth and Home," and the "American Agriculturist,"
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under the management of the well known botanist, the eminent Dr. George Thurber, to which position he was called in 1870, one year be- fore taking his degree from the college. He remained actively engaged in this capacity until 1877. In 1885 he was made superintending Gard- ener of the department of Public Parks of the city of New York, having passed a very severe Civil Service examination and securing the highest rating of twelve applicants, and for seven years devoted his time to planting and otherwise adorning the parks from the Battery to the Harlem River. As the homes of Dr. Thurber and Mr. Woolson were one, they were brought into constant companionship and this gave him the privilege of making the acquaintance of many eminent scientists of both Europe and this country. Mr. Woolson came to Wallington in December 1870, and five years later married Miss Sarah Martin Thurber, the sister of Dr. Thurber. They have ever since resided here.
Mr. Woolson was the first in this part of the country to engage in the cultivation of hardy perennial plants for commercial purposes. In 1889, he purchased the seven and one-half acres he now occupies, since which time his nursery has steadily kept pace with the demands of the trade. Mr. Woolson has also been prominent in the borough of Walling- ton. He was school trustee and district clerk for nine years, and takes an active interest in all things affecting the welfare of his part of Ber- gen county. He was made a Mason in Passaic Lodge, No. 67, in 1883, and from that time until the present has held some office in his Lodge, serving as Worshipful Master in 1889-'90. He is now and has been for five years Historian of his Lodge. For six years he was a member of various committees in the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. In 1884 he was elected and exalted in Centennial Chapter of P. M. 34, of Royal Arch Masons. For the past six years he has been High Priest of this Chap- ter, and has received high honors in the Grand Chapter of this State, now holding the office of Grand King. In 1885 he was knighted in Mor- ton Commandery, No. 4, of New York city, and in 1890 joined Mecca Temple and was made an Illustrious Noble of the Mystic Shrine of New York city. He also holds a membership in the Fraternal Union of Annointed High Priests of New York.
DR. GEORGE THURBER.
George Thurber, distinguished botanist, author and teacher, and for nearly a quarter of a century editor of the "American Agriculturist," was a resident of Wallington from 1868 to 1890, where he died April 2, of that year. He was born on September 2, 1821, at Providence, R. I., where he received an apprenticeship as apothecary, at the termination of which he began business for himself in partnership with Joshua Chapin. During these years he devoted himself early to the study of chemistry and natural sciences in general, but especially to botany, so that at that early age he was already well known as one of the most accomplished botanists of the century. This brought him in close intimacy with Drs. John Torrey, Asa Gray, Louis Agassiz, George Engleman and other
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