USA > New Jersey > Bergen County > History of Bergen county, New Jersey > Part 50
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ST. FRANCIS' ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The first church edifice erected in Ridgefield Park was that of St. Francis.
The Catholics of the Park having met on February 24, 1889, formed themselves into what was called the St Francis Association, for the purpose of devising means to build a church. Plans were adopted, means secured, and the building begun immediately, the corner-stone being laid on Thanksgiving Day, November 28th of that year. The work was carried forward without delay and on July 27, 1890, the church was dedicated. The first pastor, Rev. John F. Duffy, took charge on August 3, continuing until November 14, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. Russell. Pastor Russell remained until March 25, 1891, and was followed by Rev. John Hennes who had pastoral charge until March 15, 1892, when the present pastor the Rev. John E. Lambert assumed the care of the little flock.
The membership at present numbers about fifty families or two hundred and fifty souls.
Rey. John E. Lambert was born in Philadelphia February 20, 1864. and received his Parochial school education in that city, graduating from the grammar department. He then took a classical course in St. John's College, Brooklyn, N. Y., and was graduated from that institu- tion in 1885. After pursuing theological studies in Seton Hall at South Orange, N. J., for a time, he went to Genoa, Italy, continuing his studies in that city for a period of four years, subsequently completing
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his course in theology at the University of Innsbruck, in the Tyrol (Austria ), and was ordained by the Archbishop of Brixen ( Tyrol), July 28, 1890.
Returning to America Rev. Mr. Lambert became assistant at St. Peter's, Newark, N. J., until March 25, 1892. Since then he has been pastor in lower Hackensack and Ridgefield Park.
HOTELS.
There are three hotels in Ridgefield Park. The one at Little Ferry was erected by Michael J. Collins in 1893 at a cost of seven thousand dollars and serves the travelling public to a considerable extent as a depot, there being no suitable accommodations provided by the railroad company at that place.
Mr. Collins has conducted hotels during the most of his business career. He was born fifty-three years ago in Ireland and came direct from Mayo, the people of which province are among the most hospitable in the world. His father was a farmer. His parents both died when he was a youth, and he then sailed for this country landing in New York city, where he served first as an orderlie in a hospital for sixteen years, then for nineteen years in the hotel business at 59 West Street. He came to Ridgefield Park in 1893.
MORTIMER SMITH.
Among the residents of this part of the old township of Ridgefield should be mentioned the name of Mr. Mortimer Smith, of Teaneck Ridge, who has been living here for the past thirty years. Mr. Smith is a native of the city of New York, where he has maintained business relations with two of the old insurance companies for over forty years. He was with the Gebhard Fire Insurance Company, as an appraiser, twenty-one years, and has now been with the New York Life Insurance Company in the same capacity over twenty years.
Mr. Smith has a life membership in the National Academy of De- sign, having been a fellow of that institution since 1860. He is a lover of fine art, a man of public spirit, interested in all charitable and benevolent work, and one of the founders of the Ridgefield Park Free Public Library.
THE OLD CHRISTIE HOMESTEAD.
This home. prior to November 6th, 1844, belonged to the farm of Paul Paulison, at which time it was conveyed by commissioners H. W. Banta, David D. Demarest and William De Wolfe, to David Christie of English Neighborhood for his son Albert, and upon his death in 1848, Albert became absolute owner and lived there until his father's death in 1887 or '88. All his family of nine children were born there, but since his death the family have removed to a new residence on another part of the farm. The house was presumably built by Paul Paulison, and is no doubt nearly if not quite two hundred years old.
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THE OLD CHRISTIE HOMESTEAD.
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
CORNELIUS CHRISTIE.
Cornelius Christie, train master for the West Shore Railroad at Weehawken, N. J., is distinctively a railroad man, having spent his entire business life in that line. His grandfather, David Christie, upon his mar- riage to Anna Brinkerhoff. removed to New York city, where he accum- lated a fortune in his trade of stone cutting, and in 1835, bought the farm of Garret Meyer at English Neighborhood and retired from busi- ness. His son, Albert Brinkerhoff Christie, the father of Cornelius, went to Ridgfield Park about 1830 where he died in 1888, nearly seventy years of age. His wife who was Miss Lydia Ann Christie ( not a relative ) died in 1896 at the age of seventy-two.
Cornelius Christie was born at Ridgefield Park September 24, 1864, and was educated in the public schools. He was graduated from Washing- ton Public School, No. 32, Hackensack, in July 1881. Beginning business as a telegraph operator in the office of the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railroad, in May 1881 he continued in their employ until June 4, 1883. At this date he entered the office of the West Shore Railroad Company as telegraph operator and so continued until March 1888 when he was promoted to the position of train dispatcher, which he held until April 1. 1895, when by a second promotion be became train master. Mr. Christie has about five hundred men under his supervision, directly and indirectly, more than half of whom may trace their examination, disci- pline and employment to his management, conductors, brakeman and baggagemen all coming under his surveilliance.
Mr. Christie was married October 12, 1898, to Miss Selena Wells of Goshen, N. Y., only daughter of J. E. Wells, for many years Super- visor of the Town of Goshen and also general superintendent of the Orange county Agricultural Society. The bridal trip of Mr. and Mrs. Christie extended over nine thousand miles of travel throughout the Western States. In this long trip they never passed over the same road a second time between any two points.
ALBERT RAVEKES.
Among the names of those who have become identified with the growth and prosperity of the village of Ridgefield Park, is that of Albert Ravekes, which stands prominent among the first of those, in this part of Ridgefield township. Mr. Ravekes is a native of New York city where he was born fifty-six years ago. He attended school in that city until eleven years of age, and then began a business career. In 1857 he became apprenticed to the carpenter trade, an occupation which he has successfully followed ever since, having had his offices at one place on Mulberry Street, New York, forty-two years.
In 1885 Mr. Ravekes removed to Hackensack, N. J., but the year following he moved to Ridgefield Park where he erected a beautiful home and is surrounded by his married children, who also occupy homes of their own.
RESIDENCE OF CORNELIUS CHRISTIE.
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Before the incorporation of the village of Ridgefield Park Mr. Ravekes served his township as committeeman for six years, having been the first representative of the western district elected to that posi- tion, serving as treasurer of the township at the same time. The duties incident to a large business interest, however, prevented him from serv- ing further in any politicial capacity, nevertheless, he has been kept foremost in various other positions before the people. He is president of the Sherwood Land and Improvement Company and also president of the Ridgefield Park Town Hall Company. He has been president of the Ridgefield Boat Club during the past five years. Among the fraternal organizations, he is Past Regent of the Ridgefield Park Council Royal Arcanum No. 1428; member of the Masonic Order, of which both he and his son Oliver have taken the highest degrees, while they are also members of the Mystic Shrine.
Mr. Ravekes has been a liberal contributor to all the churches in Ridgefield Park ; was one of the promotors of the village organization, and has been identified with all its interests since its incorporation.
JOHN H. FICKEN.
John H. Ficken, cashier for Charles H. Zinn, of New York, was born in the city of New York in February, 1858, where he was educated in the public schools. Upon leaving school Mr. Ficken became connected with a commercial house in the city, holding responsible positions continuously since that time, first in the tea and coffee business, and then, for twelve years, in the cotton trade. The past nine years have been spent in his present position. In 1883 he married Miss Annie S. Beaven, of Brook- lyn, N. Y., and since then has resided in Ridgefield Park, where he has been prominently identified with the living issues of that village, hav- ing been treasurer from 1894 to 1897, and a member of the School Board appointed when the present law went into effect in 1894. He was a charter member of the Royal Arcanum, and has also held the offices of secretary, vice-president and president of the Fire Department, holding each office for a term of two years. He is a trustee and assistant treasurer of the Union Church, Ridgefield Park, besides being prominent in other organizations.
CHARLES W. CALLOWAY.
Charles W. Calloway, private secretary to Mr. J. P. Morgan, Banker, New York, is a native of the Isle of Wight, England, and was born forty-seven years ago. He is the son of George Calloway, who died in 1898, at the age of seventy-nine years, having been an officer in the British navy for nearly a half century.
Mr. Calloway graduated in 1865 and after several years of mercan- tile life in Buenos Ayres and the Island of Ceylon, became connected with the house of J. P. Morgan & Co., reaching New York in 1879, being the only one of his family who ever came to this country.
Mr. Calloway married Miss Maud Glover of Brooklyn, a lineal descendant of General Burgoyne of Revolutionary fame. In 1889 Mr.
albert Ravelles
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Calloway took up his residence in Ridgefield Park. His son Alfred Calloway is superintendent of the Rochester & Pittsburg Coal Com- pany, at Adrian, Pa., and Ernest Evelyn, a second son, is assistant cashier for Price McCormick & Co., Bankers and Brokers, New York.
CONRAD WILLIAM MERGLER.
Conrad William Mergler, is of American birth and education. His ancestors in the paternal line are purely Gerinan, while the maternal line is French, making a good union of the stolid, plodding German temperament with the mercurial French spirit. Mr. Mergler is himself a good illustration of this combination especially in his business enter- prise. Coming to Ridgefield Park in 1887 with but a meagre sum as capital, he had a fund of "energy and pluck," which no doubt were the chief powers in securing his success.
Mr. Mergler is the son of Jacob Mergler, whose father was Philip. His mother was Elsie Archard, a direct descendant of a French Hugue- not family who in the time of Catherine de Medici, fled from France to Germany, where they made a home prior to their emigration to America.
Conrad W., was born in New York city February 5, 1861, and was educated in the public schools of that city, afterward taking a course in civil engineering, in Cooper Institute. In 1888, with a capital stock of fifty dollars, and in a room twelve by thirteen feet in dimensions, this young man started to build up his fortune. Faithful attention to busi- ness and continuity of purpose have gained success. He has not only made a home for himself, but has helped build up the village. What was formerly a bog, is now one of the finest corners in the town, a hand- some store covering eighteen hundred square feet and holding a stock of goods valued at not less than five thousand dollars, adorns the spot.
In 1888 Mr. Mergler was appointed postmaster, continuing in the office four years; he was elected member of the local Board of Education in 1889, being re-elected four times since, and holding the office at the present time. He is a charter member of local council of the Royal Arcanum; member of Pioneer Lodge, Free Masons, Hackensack; mem- ber of New Jersey Sovereign Consistory Scottish Rite F. M. and of Kis- muth Temple Mystic Shrine, Brooklyn. He is president of the local Building Association, re-elected three times, and also charter member of local Fire Department.
Mr. Mergler married Miss Louise Rech of New York city.
JOHN EDWARD HOEY.
John Edward Hoey, a progressive citizen of Ridgefield Park, was born in the city of Philadelphia, September 6, 1866, receiving a com- mon school education in his native place.
In 1890 Mr. Hoey came to Ridgefield Park for the purpose of mak- ing it his home, and immediately becoming identified wwith all the interests of the village, political, social and religious, has ever since taken an active part in its development and growth. In 1894 he was appointed village clerk serving one term, and was subsequently in 1896,
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elected member of the Board of Education of Ridgefield township, which embraced several communities including Coytesville, Leonia Heights, Palisades Park and Ridgefield Park. Upon the organization of the board he was elected district clerk, serving until 1897, when by an Act of the Legislature, Ridgefield Park was made the township of Over- peck. He was then appointed district clerk by Superintendent John Terhune, to serve until the regular election of 1898, at which time he was elected for a term of three years. In the same year (1898), he was chosen president of the Board of Education and re-elected in 1899. Mr. Hoey acted in the capacity of village clerk during the fiscal year of 1898 and 1899, and while district clerk of Ridgefield township took an active part in the erection of the new school building at Westview, being chairman of the committee on site, and subsequently on dedica- tion. He also helped organize and became a charter member of Ridge- field Park Hose Company No. 1 in 1892, and also of the Royal Arcanum Council No. 1428, organized in the same year. Mr. Hoey is president of the Hose Company; trustee of the Royal Arcanum and assistant chief of the Fire Department of Ridgefield Park.
ANDREW GAUL.
Andrew Gaul, first president of the village of Ridgefield Park, is a native of Hudson, Columbia county, N. Y., and was born fifty-two years ago. His father John H. Gaul, was a prominent merchant in that county.
Mr. Gaul received an academic education and then selected the busi- ness of engineer for his future career. His license dated from 1868 and his field of labor covered the rivers of the American continent and its coasts, trading on the Atlantic in all kinds of vessels, in which a valu- able experience was gained which fitted him for the position he now holds. One of the first vessels on which he served as fireman was the dispatch boat Greyhound carrying dispatches from the seat of war to Jamestown Island whence they were wired to Washington.
He began as assistant engineer on the steamship Ladona, a vessel plying between New York, New Orleans and Havana, and was subse- quently advanced to the position of chief engineer. After an experience of nearly thirty years he was commissioned in 1897 United States Inspector of Steam Vessels, which position he holds at the present time.
Mr. Gaul was married to Elizabeth Smith of New York city in 1873. In 1889 he moved to Ridgefield Park, since which time he has borne his share of political responsibilities. He became one of the promotors of the village government; was its first president, and served two terms as trustee on the village board. His eldest son, Andrew Gaul, Jr., is cashier for Johnson & Wood, brokers New York, and is also doing a brokerage business on his own account. John, the next son entered ser- vice in the Cuban war, stationed in the hospital ship, "Missouri," returning to his home in perfect health, but died a few days afterward. Ray, Anniedeal and Alexander complete the names of the other mem- bers of the family.
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OVERPECK PARK, HOTEL, AND LAKE L. A. EUCHER, PROP.
CHAPTER XXVIII. BOROUGHS OF OLD RIDGEFIELD TOWNSHIP
RIDGEFIELD - FAIRVIEW -PALISADES PARK-LEONIA - UNDERCLIFF. BOGOTA.
RIDGEFIELD BOROUGH.
The village of Ridgefield is situated on the New Jersey and North- ern Railroad ten miles from New. York and is the center of what was known as English Neighborhood.
Many English people had settled in this locality. hence the origin of the name. The old stone church standing just west of Ridgewood depot, erected in 1768, is a memento of former years. There is also in the village an Episcopalian church, a hotel, two stores and a town hall. The borough has a population of about six hundred.
STORES.
Samuel DeGroot built the first store in Ridgefield in 1875, and which is now occupied by A. M. Lemm. This building was first occu- pied by Mr. DeGroot. then by his stepson, Mr. Lozier, after whom came W. G. Christie, and, in 1877, John Brinkerhoff began business. In 1888 he sold to Christie & Ackerman who disposed of the property to W. B. Pugh in 1891. Mr. Pugh came to the village a few years prior to this time continuing to occupy this store until 1895, when he opened his present office since which time many sales of real estate have been effected by him. He was the first mayor of Ridgefield elected to that office, which he held two terms. He was a freeholder of the town from 1896 to 1899. A. M. Lemm, the present owner of the store, and the postmaster of the village, began business here in October, 1895,
Mr. Lemn is a member of the Building and Loan Association, of the Board of Health, also of the Fire Department of Ridgefield, and belongs to a number of clubs and societies. Frank A. Kiel began busi- ness in Ridgefield in 1889. At that time he erected a building adjoining the one he now occupies, and kept a barber shop and stationery store. Three years later he built his present store and carries meat and gro- ceries. He also owns a store in Hasbrouck Heights. He was born in Bergen county in 1859.
The borough of Ridgefield was incorporated May 26. 1892. Peter Hall was the first mayor. The first councilmen were as follows: N. Jacobus, W. H. Goodday, D. V. Brower, J. V. Banta, W. B. Pugh, E. H. Platt, J. R. Beam, E. B. Meyrowitz. George S. Wood, borough clerk; S. E. DeGroot, collector; Frederick G. Bennett, assessor.
W. B. Pugh was elected Mayor and held the office two terms. being followed by the present officers, Alexander A. Shaler, Mayor; J. V. Banta, Charles E. Boardman, Charles Englehardt, James E. Maxfield. L. K. Cotton. P. A. Meserole, Council; C. B. Wilson, Borough Clerk:
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Board of Health, Marion A. Lemm, Dr. B. F. Underwood, W. B. Rueckart, James McGill.
The Reformed Church of the English Neighborhood can only trace its written history to a few years prior to the Revolutionary war, the records of the most interesting period of its existence having been lost.
The two churches, located at Hackensack and Bergen Hill, respec- tively, were the easiest of access from this part of the county. The church at Hackensack called the "Church on the Green," was attended by many of the settlers at English Neighborhood, prior to 1768, when on November 18, a meeting was called and steps taken toward the erec- tion of a church at this place. The records of the society of this date, contain this entry:
"English Neighborhood, in the County of Bergen and Province of New Jersey. November 18th, Anno. Dom. 1768.
SCHOOL
" As Mr. Thomas Moore has conveyed to us, the underwitten trus- tees, one acre of land, on purpose that we should erect a church on it agreeable to the constitution of Thirteenth Reformed Church of Hol- land, established by the National Synod of Dort ; and as the minister, elders, and deacons, and also the members and all their successors, which shall be elected, appointed, and established in the said church, now act- nally building in the English Neighbourhood, are to be conformed to the doctrine, discipline, and worship established in the United Provinces by the National Synod of Dort aforesaid, we promise according to engage- ment to endeavour that such minister, elders, deacons, and members shall now be called and appointed in said church ; we all promise that we will keep out of the debate that is now between Coetus and Conferentie as much as in us lies, and we will indeavour to live in Christian peace with
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both parties, as we have agreed from the first, on purpose that all the inhabitants of the English Neighbourhood and members of the said church may live in peace and love among themselves and others, for a divided house must fall, but a well united house or church shall stand. "(Signed ),
" ABRAHAM MONTANY, MICHAEL MOORE, "STEPHEN BOURDETT, THOMAS MOORE, JOHN MOORE."
"JOHN DAY,
The strife between Coetus and Conferentie was disturbing the Church at this time and in this new organization its members sought to avoid as much as possible a discussion of these questions, the record stating that:
"The people of the English Neighbourhood, being unanimous, agreed to erect a congregation, and having thus accomplished their desire and intention, they proceeded by a free vote of the people to call Mr. Garret Lydecker, then Candidate of Divinity, who, having accepted their call, was ordained and installed in the congregation by Dominies Ritzma and Vanderlinden, in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy, and in the said year the consistory, to wit, Abraham Montany and Michael Moore, elders, and John Day and John Lozier, deacons, were elected and constituted by Abraham Day, form Hackensack con- gregation, and Dominus Garret Lydecker."
The record also adds this entry,
"N. B. The above is a small statement of the building of the church and of organizing the congregation. The congregation being deficient, on account of Dominus Lydecker removing in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six from this congregation to New York, who at that time took with him all the papers and writings belonging to the congregation, from the time of his removal we were destitute of the preaching of the gospel, excepting some temporary sup- plies which different ministers favored us with, until the year one thou- sand seven hundred and ninety-two. The consistory, in behalf of the congregation, entered into a combination with the congregation of Bergen to call John Cornelinson, their present candidate, who accepted our call, and was ordained and installed in the church of Bergen by Dominus Froeligh, Lansen, old Dominus Cooper, and son. W. Cooper, on the 26th day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-three."
The Rev. Gerrardus Lydecker referred to above went with the Tories in the Revolution. After officiating for a time in the Dutch Church in New York city, he went to England, and died at the house of his son at Pentonville, at the age of seventy-five years. A record dated July 1, 1770, says:
"Then were constituted members of the Reformed Dutch Church in the congregation of the English Neighborhood the following persons after due examination, viz .: Michael Moore, Abraham Montany, John Lashier, John Day, David Day, Thomas Moore, Edward Bylestead,
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Samuel Moore, Benjamin Bourdette, John Cahy (and nine females). At the same time were nominated and chosen Michael Moore and Abraham Montana as elders, and John Day and John Lashier as deacons of the aforesaid congregation. Garret Lydecker, V. D. M., examined the above named persons and nominated the aforesaid members of the consistory.
During these times of strife this church was sixteen years without a pastor, the Rev. John Cornelison (spelled Cornelinson in the church record ) was called to this church, November 28, 1792, and on May 26, following was ordained and installed pastor of this church and the church at Bergen, by Revs. S. Warmoldus Kuypers, William Prevoost Kuypers, Nicholas Lansing and Solomon Froeligh. Only one-third of Mr. Cornelison's time could be devoted to this church, and service in Dutch was only occasional. In 1793 a new church was built, but before a new one was begun the following document was issued, apparently as a precautionary measure: "That Catharine, widow of Michael Moore, deceased, and Michael, Jacob, and Samuel Moore, his sons, gave full power to the elders and deacons for building up or pulling down or removing the (old ) church without any molestation from them or any person claiming under them." Subscriptions came in freely, the highest amount subscribed being twenty-five pounds and the lowest, two shil-
lings. The subscribers were to be credited pro tanto in purchasing pews. Everything was planned in detail as the description here given will show: "Plan for building the Reformed Dutch Church of the English Neighborhood, 1793:
" Whereas, The Elders and Deacons of the Reformed Dutch Church of the English Neighborhood, in the county of Bergen and state of New Jersey having long seen the necessity of having a place of public worship, having by consent, and it also appearing to be their right. thought most beneficial to the said congregation to pull down the old church, and have laid a plan to build and erect a new one in a more proper place, and
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