USA > New Jersey > Bergen County > History of Bergen county, New Jersey > Part 49
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There are sixty-four names on the roll of church members.
CHARLES VOGEL. .
Charles Vogel, inventor and machinist was born in Germany August 22nd, 1843, and eight years later his father, Ludwig Vogel, with his family set sail for America, landing in New York where Charles was educated. At the ageof twenty-two he began the career of inventor, since then having taken out about fifteen patents on various kinds of machines. His first patent, granted in 1867, was for a machine for cut- ting files. Many previous attempts having been made by prominent inventors without success, it was the general opinion that the only way to cut a file was by hand. Mr. Vogel's invention, however, refuted this idea, his files comparing favorably with the hand made, both in dura- bility and cutting qualities.
In 1874 he moved with his family to Fort Lee and established a machine shop, where he continues to construct the machines of his own invention. The last two, which are manufactured mostly by himself, are an improved steam engine, and an especial contrivance for burning crankshafts for engines, etc. This engine has three cylinders and but one rotary valve making half as many revolutions as the main shaft. It is perfectly balanced, and can be run slowly on account of having no dead center and can also be run rapidly, several engines running now at the rate of fifteen hundred revolutions per minute. It is light in weight, very compact, economical in the use of steam, entirely enclosed, and can be started or stopped at any point, and can also be instantly reversed.
A
CHARLES VOGEL
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
Any one familiar with the process, is aware of the tedious task of burning a crank in a lathe on account of the vibration of the unbalanced and unsupported mass of metal, and as only light cuts can be taken, the necessity of using long cutting tools in order to reach the crank pin, adds to the vibration and uncertainty of the work. On this machine crank pins are burned with the shafts remaining in the main centers, thus assuring perfect alignment in every direction, the crank remaining stationary while the cutter travels around the crank. A rest easily adjusted holds the crank perfectly rigid while being burned, thus pre- venting vibration and enabling it to produce a round crank pin on shafts which would be considered too weak to be burned by the old way. A change can quickly be made to a greater or less throw of crank without removing shaft from main centers.
In 1862 Mr. Vogel joined the New York National Guard and as a member of the 11th Regiment took part in the campaign when the New York National Guard was called upon in 1863 to repulse the invasion of the Confederate General Stuart in Pennsylvania and Maryland. He continued an active member of this regiment until 1871, when he resigned. Since 1870 Mr. Vogel has been a member of Copestone Lodge 641, F. and A. M., of New York.
He was married in May 1873 to Miss Elise Gulde of New York. She died in 1891. Their children were Charles. Alfred and Paul. In 1893 Mr Vogel married Miss Marie H. Campbell of Fort Lee, and two children have been born of this marriage, Henrietta and Weston.
GEROME SARDI
On Third Street, New York. near West Broadway, is one of the largest plants in the East for the manufacture of artificial flowers. The business was established in 1878 by Gerome Sardi who mastered the intricacies of manufacturing and trade in this line of goods, after years of experience and close application, having successfully met the requirments of the most fastidious, for beauty and personal adornment, not only in flowers but also in feathers and piquets.
The business is carried on under the firm name of G. & M. Sardi, importers and manufacturers, and gives employment to nearly five hundred hands. The trade has almost a world wide patronage in the wholesale line, and Mr. Sardi has a favorable and extensive acquaint- ance, especially in the East. They have offices in Paris, at the Rue des Petites-Ecuries, 54.
Mr. Sardi was born in Italy in the city of Genoa in 1855. When sixteen years of age he came to America and worked for a pittance until he amassed a small sum for his business, which he finally suc- ceeded in establishing on a small scale, in 1878. In 1888 he came to Fort Lee in which place he now resides, having always taken an active interest in the prosperity and growth of the place. Mr. Sardi is fore- most in all progressive movements looking toward the improvement of the place of his adopted home.
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
J. FLETCHER BURDETT.
J. Fletcher Burdett is the son of John F., and grandson of Peter Burdett, of whose ancestry a full history is given in this chapter on Fort Lee. J. Fletcher Burdett was born in March, 1843. After his education in the public schools, which was completed when he was fifteen years of age, he apprenticed himself in the carriage making business at Rahway, N. J., where he remained until the war broke out in 1861, when he went with his company, being one of the members of the Twenty-Second N. J. Regiment of Bergen county. Upon returning home from the South Mr. Burdett fitted himself more completely for business by taking a course of instruction in the College at Poughkeep- sie, N. Y., after which he began carpentry in Fort Lee and vicinity, and during the succeeding five or six years erected many houses in this part of Bergen county. He built his own residence in 1896. Mr. Bur- dett has also been successfully engaged in the real estate business for many years. As a public official he has filled the offices of assessor and collector for a number of terms, as will be seen by reference to that chapter. He is at the present time collector of the township.
In 1868 Mr. Burdett was married to Miss Susan Mannix, daughter of David Mannix of Fort Lee, and is the father of five children. His eldest son, George Burdett, was educated in Manhattan College, and is now successfully engaged in the grocery business in Fort Lee. He married Miss Ada Dubois. The other children are Catherine, Laura. Harry, Lester and Grace.
JAMES F. TRACEY.
James F. Tracey, present township Clerk of Ridgefield township. was born at Fort Lee. Bergen county, N. J., January 23, 1864. He has spent all his life here, where he was educated in the public schools, supplemented by a course of instruction in the parochial School.
Mr. Tracey is of purely Irish origin, both of his parents having been born in Ireland. He takes a lively interest in the affairs of his township and has served in the office of township Clerk, to which he was elected March 8, 1892, and re-elected March 14, 1893. He was elected Justice of the Peace March 13, 1894, and served to May 1, 1899. On March 10, 1896, he was again elected township Clerk and was re-elected March 14, 1899. He has been secretary of Madonna Benevolent Society of Fort Lee, since 1892. In private life Mr. Tracey is engaged in real estate and insurance, conducting a profitable business. He has never married.
MAX WYLER, M. D.
Dr. Wyler, a young man peculiarly fitted for the profession of medicine, is a native of Switzerland. He was born in 1864, and was educated in his native country, in the cities of Zurich and Berne, taking a full course of instruction in the institutions of those cities. From Switzerland he went to Germany for further study and research, the great centers of learning, Munich, Heidelberg and Wurzburg attracting him, in the pursuit of a course of preparation for his proposed profes-
JAMES F. TRACEY
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
sional career. After completing his studies in those institutions he came to America, first settling in Burlington, Vermont, but later com- ing to New York city, where he entered the Harlem Dispensary for eye, ear, throat and nose diseases. In 1892 he located in New York city, and remained until 1896, at which time he came to Fort Lee, bought prop- erty and is building up a lucrative practice, making a speciality of the eye, ear, nose and throat, besides his general pratice.
Dr. Wyler is a member of the Bergen county Medical Society, and of the New York Physicians Mutual Society. He was married in 1895, to Miss Miriam Schreiber of New York.
CHARLES J. HIRLIMANN.
Charles J. Hirlimann an expert in electric batteries and a manufac- turer of prominence, was born in France, September 1, 1849. Mr. Hirli- mann has been a resident of Fort Lee, Bergen county since 1873, although his business is located in New York city, at 17 Laight street. He is not only a manufacturer but an inventor as well, and during his professional career in the United States has made many improvements in the "Disque Leclanche Battery," of which he was the first manufac- turer in this country. Mr. Hirlimann's batteries have been adopted and are in constant use with the Telephone companies, Railroad and Steamship companies in the United States, as well as in Canada, Mexico and Cuba. The Industrial Academy of Paris, in 1891, awarded him a gold medal. The "Electrical Age" of October 17, 1891 devotes a con- siderable space to the "Disque," in which it exhorts the public to main- tain the integrity of this battery above all others.
In politics Mr. Hirlimann is prominent in Democratic circles. He was married June 1, 1885, to Miss Aimee Dubois of New York. He is a member of several clubs and organizations, among which are the Circle Francaise de l'Harmonie, New York; Mardi Gras, New York and the Fort Lee Fire Company.
JOSEPH SCHLOSSER.
Joseph Schlosser, proprietor of the Fort Lee Club House, was born in Fort Lee in 1857. His father, Joseph Schlosser, was a native of Germany, but was in business in Leonia and Fort Lee the greater part of his life. He came to Leonia in 1855, and in 1859 bought the property in Fort Lee, afterward converted into a hotel, but which was first used for a few years in part as a meat store. The interests in the last named business were sold to his brother-in-law, Philip Hook, who moved across the street, and where he has been in business since that time.
Mr. Schlosser then began the manufacturing of stone blocks for street paving purposes, and carried on that enterprise successfully for a few years. In 1869 he opened the hotel, subsequently making such ad- ditions to the house as were necessary for that purpose. Here he re- mained until his death, in 1891.
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
Joseph Schlosser, son and successor to the hotel property, is one of six children. His four sisters, Mrs. Benecke, Mrs. Cherny, Mrs. Heft and Mrs. Saita, all live in Fort Lee.
While Mr. Schlosser has confined hi's attentions wholly to business, he is, nevertheless, a public spirited citizen, and has frequently been called into positions of honor and public trust. He was a member of the Township Committee from 1889 to 1897, and was appointed in Janu- ary 1898 as a member of that body to fill out an unexpired term. He is a member of the Pioneer Lodge, F. and A. M., of Hackensack, and a charter member of the Fort Lee Fire Department, and is treasurer of the company. He also belongs to various other organizations.
RIDGEFIELD PARK.
Although Ridgefield Park began to attract the notice of land specu- lators as far back as 1870 when the Ridgefield Land Company parcelled a section of the town into building lots and sold them at what is even now looked upon as high prices, it was not until ten years ago that the home builder put in his appearance. Soon the little ridge midway between Hackensack and the Palisades caught the infection and devel- oped into a community of commuters. Speaking of commuters, Morti- mer Smith and Peter Kenny deserve mention as the oldest. They for- merly went to New York by way of the Northern Railroad at Leonia three miles away. Mr. Kenny died two years ago; Mr. Smith is still travelling every day, but has the pleasure of using the New York, Sus- quehanna and Western at Ridgefield Park. He collected over two hun- dred dollars to build this station, and speaks with pride of his efforts to establish it.
With the advent of the home builder and his beneficient help mate. ( The Building Association ), came a demand for better and more modern improvements. It was thought that the old township form of govern- ment, run exclusively by the politicians of Fort Lee, or those under their direction, was inadequate for the needs of this growing hamlet, and soon a question of change was agitated. The good offices of Sena- tor Winton were obtained and he framed a law which was called the "Winton Act" and under which Ridgefield Park was incorporated as a village, in the summer of 1892. Many, however, thought this form of government was not suitable as the vote by the people was eighty-four in favor and sixty-two against. The interest in the first primary, how- ever, was intense, twenty-three candidates for village trustees being nominated, while only five were to be elected. The village Board met at the residence of Thomas M. Brewster on July 11, 1892. They were Andrew Gaul, Dr. Adolph Dexheimer, Thomas M. Brewster, John W. O'Brien and John A. Crandall. Andrew Gaul was elected the first president of the village; Dr. Adolph Dexheimer its first treasurer: Joseph A. Behan, clerk; and James A. Stratton, superintendent. The Board decided that eight hundred dollars would be sufficient for current expenses and ordered the Assessor to levy that amount. The tax offi-
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
cials were still controlled by Ridgefield township. Ridgefield Park was not entirely out of its grasp. At the Spring election of 1893 George E. Helin was elected to succeed John A. Crandall whose time had expired. John E. Hoey was appointed clerk. Owing to a lack of funds very little work was done during the first year. During 1893 nearly all the streets were dedicated and made public thoroughfares, the exception being those in the northern section, known as Westview. Garden Street was cut through to Brinkerhoff Street making a much nearer outlet from the southern end of the village. The grade map was made by Williams Brothers.
On March 12, 1894, Mr. O'Brien introduced the first sidewalk ordi- nance, providing for Central Avenue between First and Fourth Streets.
In the Spring of 1894 a complete change was made in the personel of the Board, the terms of Messrs. Gaul and Dexheimer expiring. Mr. Gaul was re-elected, but Dr. Dexheimer was not a candidate, while W. H. Hobart was elected after a very close and exciting contest. Three or four votes would have turned the election either way. After election day four citizens were indicted for alleged illegal voting but were sub- sequently released the indictments having been quashed for lack of evi- dence. Mr. Hobart was elected president of the Board; George E. Helm, treasurer, and Joseph A. Behan, clerk. From that time bitter feeling among the citizens sprung up and resulted in two factions, both evenly dividing the two great parties. One was the Brewster and the other the O'Brien faction, both Democrats. Messrs. Brewster and O'Brien retired from the Board of Trustees on April 9, 1895, and were succeeded by John H. Ficken and Milo H. Morgan. Mr. Hobart con- tinued to be president but Mr. Ficken assumed the office of treasurer. Nothing of particular interest occurred during 1895. George E. Helm was re-elected village trustee at the Spring election, 1896, for three years, and Alfred W. Price supplanted Joseph A. Behan as Clerk of the Board. After a few months Mr. Helin objected to the methods of the Street Superintendent and with the assistance of Messrs. Morgan and Gaul dismissed Thomas Marshall and installed Thomas R. Lindley in his place. Mr. Price then came under the ban and was removed, Mr. Behan taking his place. These changes caused a bitter feeling and Mr. Helm was roundly denounced by some of the citizens. One of the vil- lage notes went to protest through lack of harmony in the Board, and an indignation meeting was called which was largely attended. The Board was censured for its indifference to the credit and reputation of the village. The legislature of 1896 and 1897 passed an Act making Ridgefield Park a township, which was called Overpeck, thus taking the village out of the semi-control of Fort Lee. The new law did not interfere with the village government. A snag was struck later, how- ever, when the village trustees endeavored to make a settlement with Ridgefield township. The latter's town committee refused to recognize the trustees; a mandamus was applied for but the Supreme Court decided against Ridgefield Park. The fact that Ridgewood was a village in a
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
township was cited, but Ridgewood had no settlements to make with other townships, and the right of a village trustee, to be a town com- mitteeman without election to that office was disputed successfully. The village was not declared illegal as some believed, but it was neces- sary to have a town committee to transact business, which the law did not confer on the village trustees. Thus it came later that trustees and committeemen were elected. Frank C. Lowe and John L. Oberg were elected trustees March, 1897, with the remaining township officers neces- sary to transact business. Mr. Oberg held office as trustee for one year. In March, 1898, D. S. Seryoss was elected trustee for two years; W. N. Schwab and Hugh Innes each for three years. They were also elected township committeemen. W. A. Wilcox is the township clerk elected in 1897.
Practically all the business is transacted by the Village Board, and since the new board was installed the streets have been lighted by elec- tricity; gas mains are in nearly four miles of street, and two miles of new sidewalks have been laid, with no village bonded indebtedness. We have sprung from a hamlet of a few families to a population of nearly two thousand five hundred in ten years. Over five hundred chil- dren are on the school census rolls. Two schools with nine teachers, six churches, two railroads, and other virtues too numerous to mention.
The first Board of Education in the township of Overpeck consisted of Conrad W. Mergler, H. W. Brewster, John E. Hoey, P. W. Johnson, Adolph Dexheimer, F. C. Lowe, E. S. Ferris, Carl Damcke and C. Oberg. The first meeting of the new board was held at the school house on April 6, 1897, when they elected Conrad W. Mergler president, and John E. Hoey district clerk, immediately proceeding to a final ad- justment of details incident to the new conditions.
On account of the overcrowded condition of the one school in the township, a building had been secured from the district known as West- view, which was made to serve the purpose until the completion of the new building, then in process of erection. This house, built at a cost of six thousand five hundred dollars, was dedicated September 6, 1897. The enrollment at this time in School No. 1 was two hundred and fifty, and in School No. 2 one hundred and forty.
In March, 1898, a new board was elected as follows: John E. Hoey, Conrad W. Mergler, H. N. Brewster, Carl Damncke, P. W. Johnson, James M. Shourt, William F. Dowell, Jesse Gregory and Alfred Price. John E. Hoey was made president and Conrad W. Mergler district clerk.
The present board (1899) consists of John E. Hoey, president; William F. Dowell, district clerk; Louis Weiss, Samuel J. Shaw, H. M. Brewster, Carl Damcke, P. W. Johnson, James M. Shourt, Conrad W. Mergler.
The total enrollment of the schools in Overpeck township at present is four hundred and eighty.
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
FIRE DEPARTMENT OF RIDGEFIELD PARK.
Although organized in 1892 it was not until March 2, 1896, that the Ridgefield Park Hose Company, No. 1, and Friendship Hook and Lad- der Company were brought into department form, and put under control of the Board of Village Trustees, which enacted an ordinance creating the offices of Chief and Assistant Chief Engineers, and formu- lated rules and regulations for the government of the newly made fire department. The first officers elected were: Fred A. Lyman and Charles M. Brewster. The following year Mr. Brewster was promoted to Chief; and Mr. A. E. Innes, D. A. Christie, Samuel J. Shaw and E. S. Carr have since served as chief and assistant chiefs.
On August 15, 1899, E. S. Carr and John E. Hoey were elected for the ensuing year.
FIREMEN'S RELIEF ASSOCIATION.
Firemen's Relief Association was organized April 22, 1895. This organization is managed by a "Board of Representatives" elected annually from the two companies. This board provides out of the fund furnished by the state, for members who are sick or disabled. They also elected delegates to the State Firemen's Convention, held an- nually.
RIDGEFIELD PARK HOSE COMPANY NO. 1.
Ridgefield Park Hose Company No. 1 formed a temporary organi- zation on December 9, 1891, enrolling fifty citizens who agreed to become volunteer firemen, £ A permanent organization was effected February 10, 1892, with the following officers: President, C. W. Calloway; Vice President, W. H. Hobert; Secretary, J. H. Ficken; Treasurer, J. A. Behan; Foreman. F. S. Sturgis; Assistant Foreman, F. H. Rudolph; Trustees, C. W. Mergler, C. W. Reinhart and J. A. Crandall.
The event leading to the formation of the Hose Company, was the burning, one night, of the dwellings of Messrs Reinhart, Henderson and Enders, on Preston Street. The entire population turned out to see the blaze, but owing to a lack of proper facilities, were unable to sub- due the flames.
Since March 2, 1896, the Board of Trustees have, among other things, provided a Jumper and two hundred and fifty feet of hose. which with a first class Hook and Ladder Company, insure protection to the town.
FRIENDSHIP HOOK AND LADDER COMPANY.
The Friendship Hook and Ladder Company was organized February 22, 1892, with twenty members and was incorporated on April 5th of the same year. The officers elected were: President, A. P. Carpenter; Vice President, E. S. Carr; Secretary, Isaac B. Win; Treasurer, M. T. Brewster; Foreman, C. K. Brewster; assistant Foreman, Austin Wolf; Trustees, E. M. Lemarie, James T. Donnelly, D. A. Christie. A hook and ladder truck having been procured the company was ready for business.
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
The company set to work to secure funds to build a house, and have now a commodious home on Garden Street. The membership numbers twenty-seven, and that of the Hose Company twenty-eight. In the department are men prominent in all the walks of life, and from its inception has made itself felt in local affairs.
UNION CHURCH.
This church owes its origin to Mrs. E. W. Barnes, a daughter of Mortimer Smith, in whose parlors a Sunday School was opened in 1884. From this small beginning came the congregation, which is apparently doing a good work. Organizing in 1890, they built their house of worship in 1891 and dedicated it the following year, the present pastor being installed June 4, 1893. This church has now a membership of one hundred and fifty, is non-sectarian, and supports two Sunday Schools of about three hundred scholars, a Young People's Society
UNION CHURCH
of Christian Endeavor of fifty members, a Ladies' Society of sixty and a Junior Endeavor Society, of ninety, educating two of its members in schools. They also publish the "Union Herald," a monthly paper-support a "Winter Night College," a "Penny Bank " and a Boys' Athletic Club and Fife and Drum Corps.
The pastor of this church, Rev. Allan MacNeill, is of Scotch and English parentage. On the paternal side he is of Scotch descent, while his maternal ancestors are English. He was born on Prince Edward's Island, August 22, 1860, and was educated in Prince Edward's Island public schools, and in the night schools, and Denver High School. He then took a course in Amherst College, after which he entered Union Theological Seminary, where he studied for his professional career, finishing his school work with Post Graduate studies in the University of New York. He was graduated from the Seminary immediately pre- ceeding his installation in 1893.
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
Mr. MacNeill is president of the Public Library Association; a member of the Reading Club; of the Athletic Club; and of the Society of Comparative Religions, being also president of the Township Sun- day School Association.
Mr. MacNeill married Miss Fanny Pomeroy Cutter, of Amherst, Massachusetts.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Ridgefield Park, is the result of a service looking to the formation of a church of this denomination, held in Republican Club Hall, November 16, 1890. At this meeting Rev. J. R. Daniels of Hackensack preached to about fifty people. A Sabbath school was organized soon after, and March 9, 1891 the church was regularly incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey. The first regular preacher was Mr. C. E. Schenck, from Drew Theologi- cal Seminary. A Ladies' Aid Society was an early helper financially. After incorporation, the subject of a church building was discussed, when the Board of Trustees appointed a committee to select a site. Two lots, previously donated were sold and the proceeds applied toward the purchase of more suitable ground, upon which a church was built and the same dedicated on July 7, 1895. The present pastor, Rev. Alfred Evans, resides at Ridgefield Park. He was graduated from Drew Seminery in the class of 1893.
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