USA > New Jersey > Bergen County > History of Bergen county, New Jersey > Part 44
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CAPTAIN ADDISON ELY.
The subject of this sketch was descended from the Rev. George Ely, Vicar of Tenterden, county of Kent, England, through his son the Rev. Nathaniel Ely also a vicar of the Church of England and the latter's son Nathaniel who came to Massachusetts in the year 1634. Captain Ely's great-grandfather was Captain Levi Ely who was killed in the Revolutionary War in the Battle of Mohawk in 1780. His great-grand- mother was Abigail Sergeant whose father Lieutenant John Sergeant distinguished himself in the French and Indian War. His grandmother was the daughter of Colonel Samuel Rose a distinguished officer in the Revolutionary War. Captain Ely's mother was a Harrison, being descended from the same family of which William H. Harrison and later Benjamin Harrison were distinguished members. The subject of this sketch was born at Westfield, Mass., in 1853, and came to New Jersey in 1862 with his father who settled at Bloomfield, N. J., within a few miles of which he has since lived. Captain Ely was prepared for Harvard College at the Newark Academy and Philips' Exeter Academy, and afterwards was graduated at the Polytechnic Institute. In 1871 he became a teacher in the public school at Connecticut Farms, Union county, N. J,, and later acted as principal of the High School at Cakl- well, Essex county, and in 1879 came to Rutherford as principal of the Public School. He joined Company C. Third Regimeut, the crack military organization of the New Jersey National Guard in August. 1872, and in 1893 organized Company L, Second Regiment, National
WILLIAM M'MAINS.
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Guard, N. J., which was mustered into the state service June 24, 1893, of which Company he has been captain ever since. Captain Ely and his company volunteered in a body for the Spanish-American War April 22, 1898, and were mustered into the United States service at Sea Girt May 14, 1898. On June 1st they were sent to the front being attached to the Seventh Army Corp of which General Fitzhugh Lee was the coin- manding officer, but remained in camp during the whole period of the war, at Jacksonville, Florida.
Captain Ely was admitted to the bar at the February term of the Supreme Court 1888, and as Counsellor-at-Law four years later, Since his admission to the bar he has been recognized as a successful lawyer, taking in all the important litigations in his part of the State. Probably no other lawyer in New Jersey has been counsel in so many cases invol- ving the construction of Borough Law. The Borough Law of 1897 was formulated and almost entirely drafted by Captain Ely, and at present he is devoting a large amount of time to secure the passage of an act to give extra pay to the New Jersey soldiers in the Spanish-American War.
On December 29th, 1874, he married Emily J. Johnson at Connecticut Farms, N. J., and while Captain Ely and his wife are still young peo- ple they have a family of ten children, seven boys and three girls all of whom are living. The oldest son, Addison Ely, Jr., is editor of the Bergen County Herald. The other children are Seth Harrison, Sanford D., William H., Leon Abbett, Hiram Baldwin, James S. T. Stranahan, Abigail M., Emily J., and Clara Stranahan Ely.
With the exception of the term of one year as member of the Board of Education of the borough of Rutherford, Captain Ely never held a public office although he has been actively identified with public affairs and has always expressed a deep interest in their proper conduct. His views on public questions have generally been pronounced. He has always been a steadfast Democrat, insisting that the liberties of the people are best maintained and preserved through the success of that party. As a Democrat his influence is second to none in the county of Bergen. In 1896 he was nominated for Congress in the 5th N. J. Con- gressional District and made a thorough and brilliant canvas, but that was a bad year for Democrats.
DAVID BOSMAN.
David Bosman of Rutherford, prominently connected with the Erie railroad is a son of David and Sarah Bosman of Brooklyn, N. Y., where he was born December 18, 1864. Young Bosman was educated in the "()ld Public School No. 1," and in the High School of his native city. from which he was graduated in the class with Congressman Charles G. Bennett. For some time after leaving school he was engaged in commercial pursuits, later entering the office of Hon. William B. Horn- blower of the New York bar, where he read law for several years. In 1887 he became an employee of the Erie Railroad Company in the office of the general manager. Soon after this he was appointed private
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secretary to the president, John King, and continued in this capacity until President King's resignation in 1895. Previous to this in 1893, he was appointed secretary to the Receiver of the road, in which office he continued until the reorganization of the company in 1895, when he was appointed assistant secretary of the Erie Railroad Company, where he still continues. In 1890 Mr. Bosman was one of the incorporators of the Chicago & Erie Railroad, being elected secretary of that road in 1891 and in 1897 elected assistant secretary of the New York & Green- wood Lake Railway. All of these positions he still holds.
In politics Mr. Bosman is a Republican, and has always taken an active interest in the affairs of the party, having served as delegate to numerous conventions and held various offices in the party organiza- tions. He was nominated on the Republican and Citizens' ticket for the office of Councilman in the Spring of 1898, and was elected by the largest majority ever given a candidate in that borough. He is chair- man of the Fire Committee and a member of the Finance, Police and Ordinance committee of the borough.
Mr. Bosman is a Past Master and member of the Grand Lodge of the A. O. U. W., a member of the Union Club, Junior Order of Ameri- can Mechanics, Alumni Association of the Brooklyn High School and of the Republican Club.
In 1892 Mr. Bosman was married to Miss Emily Sloane, of Brook- lyn, N. Y.
GARRABRANT RYERSON ALYEA.
Garrabrant Ryerson Alyea, at one time postmaster of Rutherford and for twenty-five years teacher and superintendent of schools in and about Rutherford, is a native of Paterson, N. J., born December 18, 1841.
When eighteen years of age he came to Rutherford and began teaching school but in 1861 he left his chosen profession for a place in the Ocean National Bank, New York, where he remained seven years filling all the positions of trust in that institution except those of cashier and president. In 1868 he returned to Rutherford and to school work, giv- ing his attention to pedagogy and didactics, nothing diverting, until 1892. At this time a change from a professional to a business career was made by accepting a position in the Peoples' Bank, Rutherford, remaining Cashier of that Institution until 1894. He then became postmaster of the borough, filling that position with credit to himself until relieved by change of administration in 1898. Mr. Alyea was also collector when postmaster, and in fact he has filled every position of trust in the borough except that of mayor and he was only defeated for that office by a few votes in favor of his opponent, Luther Shafer.
Mr. Alyea was marred to Miss Martha Brinkerhoff October 20, 1869. and not only by marriage but by both the paternal and maternal lines is connected with the Rversons, Paulisons and Cadmuses, all old families of Holland ancestry and French Huguenot extraction. Mr. Alyea's oldest son William T. Alyea was, until his death, which occured Janu-
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ary 13, 1899 a student-at-law. His oldest daughter Eva B., is a graduate of the State Normal School, and taught in School District 39 until her marriage.
Mr. Alyea is a Past Master in the Masonic fraternity, and is also a prominent member in the Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows.
W. J. LAWRENSON & CO.
C. W. Lawrenson, who for twenty-five years has been manager for Spaulding & Co., of New York, one of the largest concerns of the kind in the country dealing in Sporting Goods, removed to Rutherford from the city of New York in 1883.
His son W. J. Lawrenson, the head of the firm that now bears his name, was born in Rutherford in 1878, in which place he was educated and prepared for his business career. In 1897 he opened the well equipped and commodious establishment now occupied at 90 Park Avenue.
This business, though but two years old, has stepped to the front rank among the enterprising dealers of the town and enjoys a liberal and first-class patronage.
The company carry in stock a fine line of Spaulding's bicycles and other wheels of the "best make" which deserve the term "celebrated." Messrs. Lawrenson & Co. are business men and besides renting and repairing, which is promptly attended to, they also keep a complete assortment of bicycle sundries usually found in all well conducted establishments.
RUCKSTUHL BROTHERS.
George and Adam Ruckstuhl began the manufacture of pianos in Rutherford in 1823. The brothers are natives of New York city where they received skilled training in the art of piano making, the elder hav- ing been in the employ of Chambers & Co., the younger with Steinway, both having perfected themselves in the work years before beginning for themselves.
The Ruckstuhl piano is an instrument of high grade with fine tone and finished workmanship, its good qualities being protected by patents, the result of years of test and study. Besides the factory in Ruther- ford, the Ruckstuhl Brothers have salesrooms in both the cities of Passaic and Jersey City, where their trade is in keeping with their enviable reputation.
Mr. George Ruckstuhl, the senior member of the firm, has been an active enterprising citizen of Rutherford since his coming to the .place in 1886. He has been identified with the fire department of Rutherford for ten years, and was foreman of the company. He was elected Justice of the Peace in the Spring of 1898 being the only Democrat elected on the ticket. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, of the Knights of Pythias, and is identified with other societies and enterprises of Rutherford.
They erected their new building in 1899.
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FRANK E. HATCH.
About forty years ago, in the village of Watertown, Connecticut, the subject of this sketch first saw the light of day. His father was a mechanic and skilled worker in wood and iron; his mother of true Yankee blood had much to do wth the forming of his character. The son, Frank E. Hatch, inherited a taste for mechanical pursuits, and the genius of mechanism thus transmitted has proved a rich legacy. With- out money but with a fair education, young Hatch when a lad entered the field of labor for himself. At thirteen years of age he was earning six dollars a week, and as experience and opportunity afforded, he was advanced in keeping with his abilities. Possessing an inventive genius he won laurels which soon distinguished him from the ordinary opera- tor. Besides skill in handwork, he excelled as a designer. He was the first to build special machinery for drilling several holes in iron, at one and the same time, while he also originated the three spindle drills and the combination dies, inventing this machinery before he was sixteen years of age.
Mr. Hatch continued his work in New York and Brooklyn, where he was married to Miss Emily L. Bull, in 1878. The father, Mr. George W. Hatch, a few years afterward moved to Allendale, this county, where he now resides, and in 1887, the son moved to Ruther- ford, where he has become a known factor in the upbuilding of this little city. Some four years ago, following the charitable bent of his nature, he sought to aid another in a financial way which resulted finally in the purchase of the Park Pharmacy. This store with its trimmings and finished equipments, is one of the finest of the kind in Bergen county. It is under the management of an able pharmacist with a corps of competent assistants and is a credit to the town.
Mr. Hatch is constantly on the road, in charge of other interests that keep him traveling North and South and from coast to coast almost without cessation. He is sole agent for some half dozen large manu- facturers of paper box machinery, for the United States, in which his father assists him. As a public spirited citizen, Mr. Hatch has been a leading factor in the Rutherford Board of Trade, and has identified him- self with all the prominent societies and institutions of the place. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the Free Mason lodge, was one of the charter members of Lincoln League and has been a promoter of nearly every enterprise looking to the growth of Rutherford, in which he takes great pride. Mr. Hatch is a self made man in the true sense of the term.
MR. GEORGE B. HOLMAN.
George B. Holman, proprietor of Holman's Steam Carpet Cleaning Works, is one of the bright men of the country. His father, George W. Holman, was a man of marked characteristics, who as a poor orphan boy made his way to New York state, then to Chicago, returning to New York in 1850, having succeeded in all his business enterprises.
-
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He was married in 1861, to Miss Jane Crocker of Lyme, Conn., becom- ing a resident of Rutherford in 1872. After serving on the police force of New York for several years he was made Sergeant in 1866, and dur- ing the war acted for a time as government detective in the city. He died in 1872.
George B. Holman was born in 1866, and at nineteen years of age began business for himself. Upon securing the loan of ten dollars on the night of June 22, 1885, he took the initial step in his business venture. Although in ill health, he attended an ice-cream festival at the Methodist Church assisting at the table and under each plate as it was served he placed his business card, as an upholsterer. That night's advertisement brought him sixty dollars worth of orders. In one month from that time he was employing a man and had more work than they both could do. In December, 1886, he built an extension to his mother's house for a shop, and the following year bought the site which his house and other buildings now occupy.
In 1887 he erected a two-story building and in 1889 added Steam Carpet Cleaning Works. In 1891 he put up a three-story house for upholstering, and in 1892 converted the original two-story structure into a residence, by adding a front and other extensions. In October 1893 he was married to Miss Ethelyn R. Huntly of Lyme, Conn.
They have one child, a son. Mr. Holman does a large business, employing several men constantly.
CORNELIUS COLLINS.
Cornelius Collins the well known Coroner and undertaker of Ruther- ford, is of Irish descent, his father having emigrated from Ireland in 1803. Mr. Collins was born at Littleton, Morris county, N. J .. August 21, 1842, where he recieved his education in the public schools. At eighteen years of age the iron manufacturing establishment of William Berdan of Troy, New York, was entered where he learned the trade of making horse shoes, an industry which was carried on extensively and where he remained twenty-three years. In 1877, he came to Ruther- ford, finding employment in the locomotive shops of the Delaware and Lackawana R. R. In 1883, Mr. Collins opened undertaking rooms with his son John, under the firm name of C. Collins & Son, and three years later bought a lot on the north side of Park Avenue and erected a two story and basement brick building, where they opened a stock of furni- ture, and did an extensive business not only in furniture but in livery and undertaking. In 1892, this partnership was dissolved since which time Mr. Collins has carried on the undertaking business alone. being assisted in the work of embahning by his daughter Abby, who like him- self holds a diploma from the National Embalming College, New York.
In 1863 Mr. Collins married Miss Healy of Albany, N. Y., their children are John, Cornelius, William, Abby and Annie, all living. Mrs. Collins died in 1882, and the following year he married Miss Alice Cor- bitt of New York. Of this marriage there is one child, Alice.
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Mr. Collins has held a number of political offices. He was Super- visor of Highways for six years; was first made coroner by appointment from Governor Griggs and afterward elected to the same office in 1896, for a term of three years; was made Justice of the Peace in 1893, for five years and in 1898, he was appointed Recorder of the borough of Ruther- ford. Mr. Collins was with General Kilpatrick, in the Harris Cavalry for two and one half years.
DR. CORNELIUS H. ALLEN.
American dentists are noted for being the best dentists in the world. As a rule they are thorougly trained and expert in the use of many in- struments utilized in modern dentistry. What is true of the profession as a whole is true of the individual members of the fraternity ..
The enviable reputation attained by Dr. Cornelius H. Allen during his stay in Rutherford, is a credit to the profession he represents. He is English by birth, and was born in Manchester in 1858. Ten years later. he came with his father to Jersey City, where he served an ap- prenticeship under him in the gold leaf business.
His inclinations, however, were decidedly in favor of a professional career, and in 1893 he entered the New York Dental College, from which after a thorough course, he received his merited titled D. D. S. Dr. Allen is a licensed practitioner in the states of New Jersey and New ·York. He occupies a fine suite of rooms at 88 Park Avenue, Ruther- ford.
AUGUST NADLER.
August Nadler, the florist, is a native of Switzerland, born in 1846, and received his education in his native land, coming to America in 1865, when he located in Westchester county, N. Y. He first worked for a florist, and later was employed by Mr. Leland, the well known hotel man, whose son is now the proprietor of a hotel in New York city. He remained three years with him taking care of his grounds at his home in New Rochelle, N. Y. In 1868, he came to Rutherford, N. J., where he was for some time in the employ of Mr. David B. Ivison. In 1871, he bought ten lots, on Woodward Avenue, for a greenhouse, and has at the present time, seven thousand five hundred square feet under glass. He opened an office on Park Avenue in 1895, and keeps on hand a supply of palms, and plants of various kinds. He is prepared to furnish cut flowers, and floral designs at short notice, and enjoys a liberal patronage in the retail trade, both at home and in New York city. In March 1871, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Tilly. She died in 1891, and in 1894, he contracted a second marriage with Miss Annie G. Baker, of Martinsburg, West Virginia. Mr. Nadler is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church.
MR. FERDINAND BRUNNER.
Mr. Ferdinand Brunner, the popular jeweler, of Rutherford, N. J., may well be classed among the pioneers of Bergen county.
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Mr. Brunner came to this country when a boy nine years of age. He attended public school in New York and at an early age entered the jewelry business to which he has ever since been devoted. He first became identified with Bergen county in 1866 when he moved to Carl- stadt. In 1868 he purchased ground and erected a house at Woodridge. At all times interested in the development of the town, and especially interested in school matters, it was largely through his efforts, while a school trustee, that the handsome school building was erected. A few years later when the Corona Land Association was organized Mr. Brunner was chosen president. This was a prosperous organization until the panic of 1873, after which real estate was at an ebb for a long time, but with the name now changed to Hasbrouck Heights it is again in a flourishing condition.
In 1876 Mr. Brunner opened a small jewelry store in the McMain's Building in Rutherford, where by honest dealing and strict attention to business, it can safely be said that he now has the largest, best equipped and most modern jewelry establishment in Bergen county. In addition to a full line of jewelry, there is also in the rear of the store a private optical parlor which is in charge of a graduate optician. This depart- ment has made rapid strides in the past few years, and many people can testify to the care which is taken in fitting the eyes.
Mr. Brunner has erected a fine brick building at 60 Park Avenue for his ever increasing trade. He is ably assisted in the business by his two sons, Robert A. and Ferdinand, Jr.
ROBERT A. BRUNNER.
Robert A. Brunner, who was born in Bergen county, March 1869. was educated at the Park Avenue school, Rutherford.
At the age of sixteen years he was employed by one of the largest jewelry firms in New York, and a few years later decided to make watch- making and optics a study. Since that time he has confined himself wholly to these two lines. At one time he was in business for himself on Maiden Lane, but owing to failing health was compelled to leave New York, when he entered his father's store to assist in his greatly increased business.
Mr. Brunner becoming interested in National Guard affairs, was one of the promotors of Company L, Second Regiment, N. G. N. J., in 1892. After the organization of this company he was elected a sergeant and in 1895 was made First Sergeant. In 1896 he was elected Second Lieutenant and now holds that commission. Upon the breaking out of the Spanish-American war he was among the first to volunteer and while in the service was an honest, courteous and hardworking officer. Lieutenant Brunner is also secretary and one of the directors of Com- pany L Rifle Association, and ably assisted in building the handsome structure now owned by the company. Mr. Brunner is a graduated optician associated in business with his father in Rutherford.
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GEORGE F. SCHERMERHORN.
George F. Schermerhorn, one of the promoters of Rutherford is a descendant of Judge Jacob Jansen Schermerhorn, who came to this country from Holland in 1640, settled at Fort Orange ( now Albany. N. Y. ), and purchased a tract of land on the Mohawk River in the vicinity of the present city of Schenectady. Simon ( probably his son ), accord- ing to record lost a son and three negroes, in the massacre and burning of that village by the French and Indians in 1689, himself being wounded. He was the first to give the report of that event to the citi- zens of Fort Orange.
During the Revolution, over sixty of this name appear on the roster of New York State troops. Cornelius, grandfather of George, was engaged in the Naval Service during that war and was afterward captain in the merchant service, having an interest in a line of packets between New York City and Charleston, S. C. He was also in the ship chandlery business in New York city. On an old map of the city, 1728, is to be seen "Schermerhorn Wharf," near the foot of Beekman Street. George F., son of James Stewart Schermerhorn, was in the book busi- ness for a number of years in New York. Having become a stockholder in the Mt. Rutherford Company in 1870, he moved to Rutherford in 1872, and has resided there to the present time.
JOSEPH W. BURGESS.
Joseph W. Burgess, Clerk of the borough of Rutherford, is an Englishman by birth, the year 1853 being the date of that event. When still in infancy his father, Robert Burgess, emigrated to America locat- ing in the city of New York where young Burgess received his educa- tion. When fourteen years of age his parents located in Rutherford. where the father died in 1896. For many years the show card business was carried on in Canal Street, New York, by father and son, the son continuing with the father until recent years. Robert Burgess was also identified with the government of the borough of Rutherford having been one of its first councilmen when organized.
Joseph Burgess was made Borough Clerk in 1894 and has held that position with credit to himself since that time. By appointment he has been Commissioner of the streets and was elected Councilman for one term also. He has been Deacon in the Presbyterian Church for the past ten years, and is Treasurer of that Board. When in 1875 the Ruther- ford Mutual Loan and Building Association was projected, Mr. Burgess was active in the formation of that successful organization, and was shortly after made its Secretary, which office he held for seven years when he was elected to the position of Treasurer. This office he now holds, having been chosen for twelve successive terms. During this period, between one and two million dollars have passed through his hands, without the loss of a dollar to the Association. It may be said that it is to Mr. Burgess' twenty-two years of untiring effort in behalf of this association, that its successful career is largely due. He is one
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