USA > New Jersey > Bergen County > History of Bergen county, New Jersey > Part 42
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After the use of Union Hall as a place of worship for several years, the erection of a proper church building, at the intersection of Park Avenue and Chestnut Street, was undertaken in 1869, and on the 25th of December in that year the completed edifice was dedicated to the service of God,-about $12,000 having been expended. Four years later important improvements were made at a cost of $6700, and subsequently much was done for the good condition and adornment of the church. But the growth of Rutherford caused it to be insufficient, and the build- ing of a new edifice upon a new site was begun in 1888. The corner- stone was laid May 9, 1889, and the dedication of the finished work took place March 27, 1890. It stands upon a triangle of nearly an acre in extent, Park and Ridge Avenues intersecting in front, and Passaic Avenue crossing at the rear. Its style is the rural English Gothic, with low side walls and high gables of brown Belleville stone, laid in rock- faced ashlar. The interior is of corresponding finish, the cost of the site, edifice, and furnishing being about $75,000.
In 1868 the first manse, or parsonage, was built on Chestnut street. Upon the sale of this, the one on Ridge Avenue was erected, and con- tinued to be occupied by the pastors until the resignation of Dr. Bulkley.
In organic connection with the Rutherford Presbyterian Church. there are three chapels, Kingsland, Lyndhurst and Emmanuel, at dis- tances of about a mile from the Mother Church, all having sufficient and well-appointed houses of worship, and growing Sabbath schools. Services are regularly maintained by pastor's assistants.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Grace ( Protestant Episcopal) Church was organized March 4, 1869, in the Rutherford Park Hotel.
The building now called the "Lyndhurst Chapel, " and formerly the "Academy." was erected in the same year by the "Rutherford Park School and Hall Association." The lower rooms were used for a private
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school, and the upper room was leased for the church services. 'Rev. W. H. Lord was chosen first rector May 12, 1869, and remained with the parish until July 1871. At that time the church's finances had become so embarrassed, and the population so much changed in the vicinity of the "Academy," that it was decided to move to the upper part of Union Hall, where the congregation was under charge of Mr. N. R. Boss, as a lay reader. for one year. He was succeeded by Rev. E. S. W. Pentreath, a deacon at the time, who remained till April 5, 1874. Rev. R. M. Hayden. deacon, accepted charge in 1874, his min- istrations covering a period of about one year. The services were there- after mainly conducted by lay-readers, till the spring of 1878, when Rev. N. R. Boss was called as rector, and remained in that office till September 25, 1883. The parish was without a rector till February 8, 1883, when the Rev. F. J. Clayton began his services, continuing till his decease December 27, 1894. He was succeeded in May 1895, by the present rector, Rev. Henry M. Ladd.
The corner-stone of the present church edifice was laid October 14, 1872, on a plot of ground (Passaic Avenue) donated by Mr. F. W. Tomp- kins. It was completed at a cost of about $7,000. and opening services were held October 7, 1873. In 1887 the remainder of the mortgage, incurred in building the church was paid, and on August 1, 1890 the corner-stone laid of a new chancel and transepts, which were form- ally opened on February 5, 1891. The enlargement was designed by W. Halsey Wood, and cost about $12,000.
A new organ has this year been placed in the church, and the interior tastefully decorated-all signs of cheering progress.
St. Thomas Mission, in the adjoining township of Union, is under the care of Grace Church, and is regularly supplied with services and Sunday School.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
The earliest Baptist residents of Rutherford participated in the Union Sunday school until the organization of the the First Baptist Church, October 1, 1869, with eighteen members. For some time the pulpit was occupied on Wednesday evenings by Rev. Franklin Johnson, D. D., the pastor of the Passaic Baptist Church. On October 9, 1870, the Rev. John A. McKean became the settled pastor, and continued as such till July. 1873. He was followed by Rev. A. H. Robinson, Octo- ber 10, 1873, who terminated his pastorate November 1, 1874. From early in 1875 to July 28. 1876, the Rev. W. E. Wright served the church. In November of the latter year Rev. A. H. Cornell became pastor. remain- ing until July, 1878. At the close of his labors the Rev. J. Huggins and others acted as temporary supplies, until October 19, 1884, when a call was extended to the Rev. P. Franklin Jones, who became the last pastor of the "First Baptist Church." In September, 1884, in conse- quence of a difference of opinion about church order, ten members with- drew and formed themselves into the Pilgrim Baptist Church, January 22, 1885. In February, 1885, the " First" church voted to disband on
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account of financial weakness. A new organization of the "Rutherford Baptist Church" was effected October 28, 1887, the Pilgrim Baptist Church transferring its property to this organization. A council recog- nized this November 4, 1887, and ordained Rev. J. Hewitt to the minis- try and pastorate November 15, 1887. He continued only till April 28, 1888, and was succeeded by Rev. J. L. Hastie, Jr., who began his services as Stated Supply May 13, 1888, and three months later was settled as pastor. He resigned June 16, 1890. Rev. W. Guthrie Myles was pastor about a year and a half, from November 2, 1890. His successor, Rev. E. J. Cooper, served as supply and pastor for four and a half years. The present pastor, Rev. W. W. Case, shortly accepted a call to the pastorate, and had his public recognition December 22, 1896.
A house of worship was erected soon after the organization of the "First Church" on a site at the corner of Park Avenue and Highland Cross, by Mr. R. Shugg, at a cost of about $3000. This building was sold at the time of the disbanding of the church for a sum about cover- ing the mortgage upon it. Worship was maintained by the Baptist congregations in Union and Masonic Halls until the present church edifice on Passaic Avenue was erected during the ministry of Mr. Hastie, at a cost of near $6000.
In the pastorate of Mr. McKean a mission chapel was built at Moon- achie, at a cost of $1000. The building was fully paid for, but passed into the control of the owner of its site. The field, after some years of good and rewarded work, was abandoned by the Baptists, and is now occupied by the Presbyterians and Lutherans.
METHODIST CHURCH.
The Methodist Episcopal Church entered this field with preliminary missionary efforts, extending from 1868 to 1870. On December 15th of the latter year, an organization was effected of the "Park M. E. Church of Rutherford Park," under Rev. S. P. Hammond as Preacher in Charge. Services were held in Union Hall until the Society entered a new church edifice, June 19, 1872. This stood in Orchard Street, north of the railway. The corner-stone was laid September 25, 1871, the basement was completed, and the building formally dedicated Septem- ber 15, 1872. After enjoying the use of it for a season, and turning it to profitable account, the Church became so discouraged by diminishing numbers and financial burdens, that it was disbanded in the Spring of 1878, and the building sold by foreclosure.
On March 3, 1880, the church organization was revived. A site for a chapel was given on Ames Avenue, and the dismantled Park Church was purchased that its frame and materials might be used in a new building, which was dedicated November 20, 1881.
The first church was served, in the succession, after Mr. Hammond (1870-'74), by Rev. J. A. Owen ( '74-76), Rev. E. Clement ( '75-'78) and Rev. A. A. King ('78-'79). The present Church by Rev. Messrs. W. H. Russell ('80-'84 ), Ostrander, Howard ('84-'87). Schuch and Bower. In
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1888 the Rev. C. M. Anderson commenced his five years' ministry, dur- ing which the church grew, and a parsonage was erected on Passaic Avenue. In 1893 the Rev. W. Tumbower was appointed pastor, suc- ceeded in 1894 by Rev. W. Day, who was suddenly removed by death before the close of his term. The next incumbent was the present pastor Rev. Charles L. Mead. During the ministry of Mr. Day, the old church building on Ames Avenue was sold, and the congregation met in the Union Club Auditorium, and later in Ivison Hall. The erec- tion of a new edifice on the site adjoining the parsonage, followed in due course, the corner-stone being laid November 4, 1895, and the dedication occurring April 12, 1896. A fine organ has since been put in place, and general prosperity crowns the church. The parsonage and its lot are valued at $7500. The church and its lot at $22,500.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
Upon the retirement of Rev. D. M. Walcott from the pulpit of the Presbyterian church in 1878, some eleven of its membership followed him and associated with others, became the Congregational Church of Rutherford. July 15, 1878. For a number of years they mnet in the brick building, at the corner of Park Avenue and Franklin Place. The small remnant then withdrew to the house of the pastor, in which they con- tinued to hold services and enjoy his ministrations.
UNITARIAN CHURCH.
The first Unitarian service was held in Rutherford at the residence of H. G. Bell, October 3, 1891. From that time regular services have been continued, the "Unitarian Society of Rutherford, N. J.," being incorporated December 22, 1891. On May 26, 1892, Rev. George H. Badger was called to the pastorate, entering upon his ministry in Ruther- ford July 1st. A Sunday school was began immediately. Upon the settlement of the pastor the church organization, with a simple non- credal covenant, was effected September 13, 1892, under the name of "The Church of Our Father." A small, but tasteful house of worship, built on Home Avenue at a cost, with furnishings, of $6800, was dedicated December 15, 1892.
MT. ARARAT BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church ( colored ) was organized July 14, 1896, and incorporated March 12, 1897. It is under the pastoral care of Rev. W. H. Howerton, and worships at present in Union Hall.
NEWSPAPERS. THE BERGEN COUNTY HERALD.
The Bergen County Herald, published by the "Bergen County Herald Publishing Company," with one exception is the oldest newspaper published in the county of Bergen. Its first issue came out about 1871, and represented a constituency in the neighborhood of Rutherford and Carlstadt. It soon passed into the hands of a Publishing Company con-
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sisting of Charles H. Voorhis, Henry Kipp, John Bartholph and Jacob P. Westervelt. As early as 1873 the Bergen County Herald was not excelled by any newspaper in the county. In fact its only competitor was the Hackensack Democrat. It 1875 it was purchased by John Hay- wood and the plant moved to a frame building which then stood opposite the Rutherford Depot. Mr. Haywood associated with him Mr. James N. Bookstaver, an old newspaper man, and together they made character and reputation for the Herald. It was well and familiarly known by every body as the "Bergen County." Mr. Haywood and Mr. Bookstaver conducted the paper as an independent Democratic sheet and from the date of their purchase until the present time it has maintained and supported with vigor the principles of the Democratic party.
On the death of Mr. John Haywood, Mr. James N. Bookstaver con- tinued the publication of the paper for about a year, when the plant being disposed of by the Haywood estate, the title and good will of the newspaper was purchased by ex-Coroner Nelson W. Young and Messrs. Frederick and Nelson W. Wilson, when a new office was fitted up to accommodate the paper. Shortly afterwards the Messrs. Wilson severed their connection with the paper, and for many years it was intelligently and effectively conducted by Mr. Young. In 1889 Messrs. Morris and Stevens purchased the interest of Mr. Young. Mr. Morris, having other business in New York state, sold out his interest to Mr. Stevens, who continued the publication for several years.
Mr. C. L. Parker succeeded Mr. Stevens, and in 1895 Captain Addi- son Ely acquired the plant. Under his ownership and influence it has secured an extensive circulation, and is regarded as one of the leading Democratic weeklies in the state of New Jersey.
In 1896 the County Democratic Committee after inducing Captain Ely to move his plant to Hackensack and they constituted his paper the official party organ. Many additions and extensions were then made to the plant and the size of the paper increased to an eight page. The circulation has rapidly advanced and it is known as an enterprising and fearless Democratic journal.
THE RUTHERFORD NEWS.
The Rutherford News was founded by James N. Bookstaver, Sep- tember 1885. It was Republican in politics, remaining so while under the control of its founders, to June 1888, when it passed into the hands of the following gentlemen, taking the name of the " Rutherford News Publishing Company:" Carl Dannheim, H. N. Bullington, Andrew H. Brinkerhoff, E. N. Edgar. William K. Everdell, Joseph D. Brinkerhoff, John J. Dupuy, Carl von Hartz, William H. Smith and Anderson Price. This corporation passed under the control of John J. Ketchum, Tom Stevens and E. A. Fletcher, who made it a Republican paper until Dr. Ketchum had a change of heart and became a Democrat. The paper was finally sold to Homer, Farnum & Homer, who were succeeded by Homer & Farnum and later by Thomas W. Homer. In June 1897
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the paper was bought by the Rutherford News Publishing Company whose owners and officers are, Carl von Hartz, President; Anderson Price, Treasurer; and William E. Sturm. Secretary.
The Rutherford American was started on June 30, 1892, as a four- page, six-column Republican newspaper, to be published every Thursday. At the end of six months an additional column was added to each page, and later the paper was increased to eight pages, six columns to a page, at which size it now remains. Its office is in the Shafer Building, Rutherford. It is owned and edited by John E. Tyler.
ROYAL ARCANUM.
The local Subordinate Council known as Rutherford Council, No. 1229, was instituted on January 17, 1890, with nineteen members. Its first Regent was S. N. Higbie, the subsequent Regents being: J. L. Chapman, W. G. Williams, G. N. Janes, S. T. Davy, A. A. Clark, J. H. Bowne, W. W. Ward, and for the term of 1898, J. A. Jesty. The following is the list of the nineteen original members: W. A. Tomp- kins, S. N. Higbie, Dr. S. E. Armstrong, J. W. Burgess, A. A. Clark, J. L. Chapman, Win. Fleming, Sr., J. C. Hastie, E. H. A. Habbert, A. O. Jackson, G. N. Janes, F. H. Miller, E. R. S. Saunders, L. T. Savage, C. E. Tolhurst, J. H. Van Harding, W. G. Williams, W. W. Ward, Jr., C. H. Warner.
The officers elected for the term ending January, 1899, are: Regent, J. A. Jesty; Vice Regent, H. J. Ronalds; Orator, George Shrive; Past Regent, W. W. Ward; Secretary, F. T. Doolittle; Collector, W. C. Jesty; Treasurer, J. P. Speer; Chaplain, C. E. Conkling; Guide, Thomas Hunt; Warden, Edwin Speer; Sentry, E. A. Staehley; Organist, Harry Green; Representative to the Grand Council, W. W. Ward; Alternate to the Grand Council, A. O. Jackson; Trustees, S. H. Rhodes, W. M. Petty.
To-day there are one hundred and ninety-six members belonging to the Rutherford Council.
BOILING SPRING LODGE, OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF RUTHER- FORD, N. J.
The present growing and successful lodge of Free Masons at Ruther- ford would hardly be recognized as the infant Lodge that on the ninth day of December, 1881, met in the upper room of old Union Hall on Ames Avenue and were officially instituted as a Masonic lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the State of New Jersey. The organization of a Masonic Lodge at Rutherford was long in abevance. In 1880 there were but few Masons in Rutherford, and the population of the whole township of Union was scarcely more than 2500, but a few faithful Masons among whom may be mentioned Dr. Kenneth K. King. Mr. Jacob H. Vreeland, Captain Addison Ely who was then principal of the public school and Abraham B. Mckeon from time to time dis- cussed the propriety of organizing a Masonic Lodge, and for this purpose
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with other Masons in the neighborhood they met and for more than a vear continued their meetings in the upper room of Union Hall and exemplified the work, and finally obtained a dispensation from the Grand Master to institute the Lodge provided they were qualified. The appli- cation was referred to the Passaic Lodge and an exemplification of the work of a Free Mason made before them. This being satisfactory the Lodge was ordered instituted. The warrant members were: Jacob H. Vreeland, Worshipful Master; Dr. Kenneth K. King, Senior Warden; Eugene K. Sloat, Junior Warden; William Earle, Secretary; Arbam B. Mckeon, Treasurer and Andrew McClaury, Daniel D. Burtis, Louis Kruger, Addison Ely and Peter Dammers. Addison Ely was the first Senior Deacon and held the office for several years. Peter Dammers and Louis Kruger were Masters of Ceremony and Daniel D. Burtis was Tyler. It would be an incomplete his- tory if Past Master William H. Van Houten of Paterson, Orange Lodge. were overlooked in this connection for to him the Lodge owes much as its first instructor. Of the eleven members who worked so diligently to establish Boiling Spring Lodge Dr. Kenneth K. King, Abram B. McKeon and Louis Kruger have gone to that bourne from which no traveler returns. Dr. King's was the first death in the Lodge and he was buried with Masonic honors in Greenwood Cemetery. From a Lodge of eleven members the Rutherford Lodge now has about one hundred members and is in every way a successful and thriving Lodge. The room in Union Hall proved inadequate and insecure and Mr. Arthur Van Winkle who afterward became a Mason fitted up in this building an excellent lodge which served for many years, and in this room the first officers were installed on the 27th day of February, 1882, by William Hardacre the Grand Master of the State of New Jersey, six grand officers being in attendance. Afterward the lodge mnoved to the Bell- chambers Building where it now has pleasant and spacious quarters. Its membership includes almost all the influential and prominent men of the borough of Rutherford and surrounding villages. It is fulfilling the purposes of its organization to a high degree. Since its organiza- tion 129 Masons have joined the lodge and there have been losses from deaths and demits amounting to 34. The present officers of the lodge are: W. M., James Leyland; S. W., David Taylor; J. W., Frank P. Newman; Treasurer, Theo. Muehling; Secretary, W. A. Tompkins; S. D., H. J. Ronalds; J. D., Charles G. Hyslop; Chaplain, R. P. Klinger: S. M. C., W. F. B. Pratt: J. M. C., J. C. E. Chambers; Marshal, Charles Rehwoldt; Tyler, A. B. Douglas. The lodge now has a membership of ninety-one, and is in a prosperous condition.
Of the original members of the lodge who are still members and attend its meetings are Past Master Jacob H. Vreeland, William Earle. Addison Ely and Peter Dammers.
THE WOMAN'S READING CLUB.
The Woman's Reading Club was originated by Mrs. Margaret G. Riggs in 1889, when she invited a few ladies to unite in an association
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for mutual improvement. Twenty-two women soon after effected an organization, with Mrs. Riggs as president. Mrs. Castor, Mrs. Gnade, Mrs. Crear, Mrs. A. W. Van Winkle and Mrs. Henry G. Bell, succeeding to the presidency in the order named. The membership increased rapidly until a question of limitation was brought up, but that idea was abandoned, and all who sought for admission were received. When it became necessary to have more room, the Field Club kindly offered the use of their parlors. The offer was accepted and meetings were held in the home at the corner of Chestnut street and Franklin Place, until the Field Club, after changing its name to that of "Union Club," built its new house on Park Avenue. 'The Reading Club then met here until the winter of 1896, when they removed to the hall of the Library building. They are now investing a part of each year's income in a building and loan association. They have a choice collection of over two hundred volumes and a bookcase, toward the furnishing of the home they hope to have.
The question of a public library had been agitated to some extent, when Mr. H. S. Rhodes took the initial step by holding a concert for the purpose of starting a fund. This effort netted one hundred and ten dollars, but nothing further was done until 1893, when Mrs. Henry G. Bell opened the subject in the Reading Club. Mrs. Gnade, then presi- dent, appointed a committee, calling a meeting for February 16, which resulted in a good attendance, Mr. Joseph P. Cooper in the chair. On March 10, 1893, The Rutherford Free Library Association was organ- ized, the constitution and by-laws, as reported, being adopted March 24th. Mr. Cooper as Mayor of the borough, was the first president, the other officers being elected by members of the Association. At a meet- ing held on April 17th about six hundred dollars was subscribed. This called out a spirit of helpfulness among the members of the Reading Club, when it was proposed that each member contribute a book, the whole to go as a gift from the Club to the Library. Nearly four hun- dred books were secured by this movement.
Rev. George H. Badger, who had had some experience in such work, undertook the business of arranging the details, shelving and catalog- ing. A room in the Shafer building was taken and furnished, when Miss Anna T. Cooper, who had just finished a course of study in the work, was engaged as librarian. May 4th, 1894, the library was opened with about eleven hundred volumes.
At present there are in all about twenty-five hundred volumes in various classes of literature. September, 1896, Mr. David B. Ivison presented to the library association the stone building on the corner of Park Avenue and Chestnut Street, formerly occupied by the Presbyterian Church. A reference and reading room was now opened and supplied with more than fifty volumes of cyclopedias, dictionaries, etc., with the principal current literature of the day.
The appropriations from the borough have been about two hundred and fifty dollars annually. This with members' fees and gifts are the
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only source of support. Rent paid by the Reading Club for use of the hall has added a little but much more is needed.
THE UNION CLUB. M. W. HAWES. *
The Union Club of Rutherford was organized March 1st, 1892, when the following officers were elected :
Charles Burrows, President; E. J. Turner, Vice-President; W. H. Stevens, Treasurer; C. Dannheim, Recording Secretary; R. B. Beau- mont, Corresponding Secretary. The first Board of Governors consisted of H. H. Copeland, T. W. Alyea, W. H. Smith, M. W. Hawes, G. V. Sloat and A. L. Watson. The Union Club was the successor of the Rutherford Field Club, which owned the building on the corner of Frank- lin Place and Chestnut Street, and which was organized by the combi- nation of the Rutherford Wheelmen and the Rutherford Chess Club. The Union Club in 1892 had a membership of fifty-nine, which has increased to one hundred and seventy. The object of the Club is the social enjoyment of the members, which is supplied by committees ap- pointed by the President each year, who arranges stage entertainments, billiard, pool and bowling tournaments, informal dances, receptions, card parties, &c. The charter of the Club prohibits the sale or use of intoxicating liquors in the club house, and by the rules and regulations of the club no gambling is allowed. These features make it a desirable resort for all the members and a place where their wives or parents can find no objection to their attendance. Friday evening of each week is set aside as ladies' night, on which night there is always a bowling match, dance, card party or a stage entertainment. The present officers of the Club are: Henry Prentiss, President; H. N. Bullington, Vice- President; W. H. Stevens, Treasurer; J. E. Spaulding, Recording Sec- retary; J. K. Watson, Corresponding Secretary. Board of Governors, W. Williams, M. W. Hawes, C. A. Goodspeed, G. T. Hollister, A. D. Wheelock, J. Zahn.
RUTHERFORD LODGE NO 240, I. O. O. F., NEW JERSEY.
The birth of Odd Fellowship in this country took place on the 26th of April, 1819, butit was not until August 3, 1833, that the Grand Lodge of New Jersey was instituted, while Rutherford Lodge No. 240 dates its existence from the 17th of October, 1893.
In 1891-92 certain residents of this borough, members of the order but away from home lodges, conceived the idea of forming a subordinate lodge here to which they might attach themselves, thus securing the benefits of a lodge home, so dear to every member of the order.
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