USA > New Jersey > Bergen County > History of Bergen county, New Jersey > Part 55
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The Hon. Hiram Slocum, Ex-Mayor of the city of Troy was one of the early purchasers of Englewood lands, as were also Nathan T. Johnson and Jeffrey A. Humphrey of New York city, each of whom acquired considerable interest in Englewood. He came in 1859 and during that year lots were sold to J. W. Stagg, John Van Brunt. Hob- art Van Zandt, John S. Messenger, and to Mr. Crowell all of whom be- gan to build in a short time.
In 1860 Francis Howland, Esq., also from New York, settled in Englewood, and his contributions to the town were continued for many years, and in various forms.
About the same time came Byron Murray, Jr., then cashier of the American Exchange Bank in New York, afterwards occupying the same position in a large banking institution in San Francisco, and Robert Baylis, then assistant cashier in the same bank, and subsequently presi- dent of the Market Bank in New York. Mr. Murray built the Swiss house afterward sold to Colonel Washington R. Vermilye, and later occupied by his son. W. Romeyn Vermilye, this was one of the large, prominent stone and brick houses of the place. Both these gentlemen became considerably interested in real estate.
Very soon after, the circle of "new-comers" was enlarged by the addition of John H. Lyell, president of the New York Marine Insurance Company, Daniel Drake Smith, president of the Commercial Marine Insurance Company, Charles E. Trott, Rev. Dr. Daniel Wise, Darius W. Geer, Charles A. Nichols, Livingston K. Miller, Dr. H. M. Banks, and James W. Mccullough. all of whom established their family residences in Englewood.
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Shortly after came E. W. Andrews, Frank B. Nichols, James O. Morse, Charles H. Waterbury, George S. Coe, William B. Dana, Donald McKay, Rev. Thomas G. Wall, and Rev. Dr. James Eels.
Following these came at different times, with their families, David Hoadley, president of the Panama Railroad Company, Elwood Walter, president of the Board of Marine Underwriters, Colonel W. R. Vermilye, General T. B. Van Buren, afterward consul-general at Yokohoma, Jacob S. Wetmore, Henry W. Banks, E. S. Munroe, Dr. F. Markoe Wright, John Bailey, Lebbens Chapman, Jr., the Hon. William Walter Phelps, afterward minister of the United Stated to Austria, Vincent Tilyou, Charles Taylor, Henry A. Lyman, Uzal Cory, Stephen Lane, Jr., Hon. Cullin Sawtelle, and others.
At a somewhat later day the following gentlemen and their families became residents of Englewood: William A. Booth, widely known in commercial circles in the city of New York and in large benevolent societies of the country, and president of the Third National Bank of New York; his son, William T. Booth; his brother, Charles H. Booth; and his son-in-law, J. Hugh Peters, H. A. Barling, James L. Dawes, Oliver H. Shepherd, S. Doughty, the Rev. Dr. George B. Cheever, John and Augustus Floyd, J. H. Selleck, Clinton H. Blake, William Stanley, Charles T. Chester, Joseph Lyman, S. Hinckley Lyman, William Blakie. D. Randolph Martin, Thomas M. Wheeler, Charles W. Hassler, R. I. Hunter, etc.
From among this list of the earlier settlers in Englewood death has already gathered an abundant harvest.
HOTELS.
The only public means of communication with New York in earlier times was by omnibus, which left " Liberty Pole Tavern" every day. Sundays excepted, at seven o'clock in the morning, reaching Hoboken at ten o'clock. In the afternoon it reached Englewood on the return trip at four o'clock. Long loud blasts from a tin horn, by the driver. announced its approach to the places along the way, and from which was gathered in the course of the trip, a mixed company of travelers. Occasionally there would be a full load of people aboard, but more frequently the "bus" would start out with but one or two passengers for the journey. "Liberty Pole Tavern" was the principal hotel in Englewood and known far and wide for years.
Englewood House was built in 1860, and a small hotel near the station was opened at the same time. Mr. Kingsley was the first pro- prietor of the Englewood House. In 1869 the Palisade Mountain House was erected by Senator Lydecker in connection with William B. Dana, editor of Financial Chronicle. Unfortunately this elegant structure was burned in 1871. The property is now owned by W. O. Allison. There are two hotels at this time in the city for the accommodation of the traveling public, and a number of places for the accommodation of boarders during the heated season.
RUINS OF THE PALISADE MOUNTAIN HOUSE
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SCHOOLS.
Mr. J. W. Deuel, one of the most thorough and successful teachers Bergen county has ever had, established the first private school in Englewood, using one part of his house for that purpose. Mr. Deuel had been engaged in teaching the district school in the "Neighbor- hood," and foreseeing a demand for a select school, erected his dwelling house to serve that purpose. Mr. Deuel was greatly beloved, and pos- sessing fine abilities as a teacher, he became the instructor of men now engaged in the active pursuits and professions, who prepared for busi- ness and college under his tuition. It was in the schoolroom of this building, the Rev. James H. Dwight began to preach to a small congre- gation, which was the nucleus of the first Presbyterian Church.
A school for young ladies had been started by S. S. Norton in the former residence of Dominie Demarest, and before the end of the year 1859, the town had both a church and a school.
The Seminary for young ladies was still further enlarged and passed under the control and management of Professor Jonathan A. Fowler and Rev. W. B. Dwight, brother of the pastor, being succeeded by the Rev. Thomas G. Wall, who maintained the school until the building was accidentally burned.
An advanced school for boys, which educated many of the youth of the place, was established by Prof. August Kursteiner who also opened a boarding school on Palisade Avenue west of the railroad, which he conducted with assistants, until 1880.
DWIGHT SCHOOL FOR GIRLS.
The modern Dwight School for Girls has been under the principal- ship of Miss E. S. Creighton and Miss E. W. Farrar since 1889. The school is well attended, and its course is adapted to suit the admission requirements of any college open to women. Miss Gerrish's Collegiate School for Girls has long been a leading school for young ladies of this place, also.
ENGLEWOOD SCHOOL FOR BOYS.
The Englewood School for Boys was incorporated in September, 1890. The building is situated on an attractive site, and contains five recitation rooms and a large, well-ventilated assembly room.
The course of study covers seven years, the object being to meet the requirements for admission to the foremost colleges and scientific schools.
The military drill is one provisioned for physical development. the fatigue suit of the United States army officers being the uniform used. Mr. E. A. Brinkerhoff is president of the Board of Trustees and Mr. John B. Parsons principal of the school.
11E:1.1CON HALL.
Helicon Hall, situated on Woodland Street. is probably the most unique educational institution in the country. The building, designed by the principal, Dr. J. W. Craig, is a harmonious adaptation of various
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architectural designs. The pictures, statuary, a palm garden, a Greek theatre, and many other features emphasize the individuality of the institution.
Within the city limits there are four public schools, with an attend- ance in all of some six hundred and fifty children. The force of teach- ers is large and the course of study liberal and comprehensive. Improve- ments and changes have recently been made in the school buildings.
POST OFFICE.
Postal facilities have been given the people of this vicinity from the time of John Van Brunt, who was the first postmaster in Englewood. He also kept the first grocery store. During his term of office, mail was distributed from Liberty Pole tavern. Following came John F. Vanderbeck, J. W. Deuel, Gilbert W. Chamberlain-who had the office in the depot-H. C. Jackson, John H. Ackerman, Frank H. Demarest, Alexander Livingston and James Harris, the present post- master, whose commission dates from December 15th, 1897. The office maintains a free delivery. four letter carriers, and a money order depart- ment.
The Citizens National Bank was founded in 1890. Donald Mackay, president; Charles B. Platt, vice-president; Fred. H. Hoffman, cashier. It has a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. The present officers are: Donald Mackay, president; Clinton H. Blake, vice-president; Char- les F. Park, Cashier.
NEWSPAPERS.
Englewood is reaping the benefits derived from two newspapers. publications in both instances issued without bias or affiliation with any other interest save that of the public, in the place in which they are published. The first of these enterprises had its origin in the "Bergen County Journal," a Union paper, but went down in 1860. In the fall of 1861 Mr. Eben Winton and C. C. Burr, started the "Bergen County Democrat." Mr. Winton becoming sole owner in 1862. March 1874 the "Englewood Times" was started by Eben Winton and successfully maintained as an independent first-class local newspaper. In 1879 No. 1, Vol. 1, of the "Englewood Standard," was issued by Tillotson & Litch- enberg, proprietors. This paper growing in popularity and financial prosperity under the able management of Mr. Tillotson, is now published under the name of the Englewood Times Publishing Company. Charles Huckin, manager. They bought the plant in 1895.
Mr. Huckin was born in Englewood. April 17, 1871. His experi- ence in Journalism began with the "Oil, Paint and Drug Reporter," a New York publication which was continued three years. He was a member and secretary of the Board of Education 1897-98, is a member of the National Guard, also of the I. O. O. F., belonging to Hackensack Hope Encampment.
"The Englewood Press" was started by Mr. Joseph H. Tillotson 1890. It has steadily gone forward confining attention to the
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news of the day, keeping pace with the demands of the times, and the needs of an ever growing city. In order to meet the exigencies of a large patronage Mr. Tillotson erected and equipped a building in all respects suitable for his business and is in possession of one of the best plants of the kind in the county. Mr. Tillotson is one of the public spirited citizens of Englewood, and his name frequently occurs in the affairs of the city. His paper is one of the land marks of Bergen county.
TUSCAN LODGE, F. AND A. M. NO. 115.
Tuscan Lodge F. and A. M. No. 115, was chartered January 19, 1871. First officers were: Peter Rogers, W. M .; John E. Wertz, S. W .; W. C. Davies, P. M .; Moses E. Springer, treasurer; Alexander Cass, secretary ; Jno. H. Hyde, S. D .; Saml. Salters, J. D. ; Jacob Campbell and Jos. Conklin, Master of Ceremonies; Jno. W. Dale, Tyler. The officers for 1899, are: Edw. Koster, P. M., W. M .; Jas. W. Proctor, S. W .; M. Frank Vanderbeek, J. W .; John Tipper, treasurer; Robert Jamieson, secretary; Jacob R. Demarest, P. M., S. D .; John A. Campbell, J. D .; George E. Bearss, S. M. C .; Byron G. Van Horne, J. M. C .; Moses E. Springer, P. M .. Chaplain; Francis W. Phelps, P. M., Marshall; Philip M. Weidig, Organist; Peter Martin, Tyler.
The Past Masters are: William C. Davies, Moses E. Springer, William Bennett, Daniel A. Currie, Robert Stevenson, John M. Booth, Jacob R. Demarest, James Harris, Francis W. Phelps, Edward Koster. There are about sixty-five members.
ENGLEWOOD LODGE NO. 197, 1. 0. 0. F.
This Lodge was instituted October 25, 1883. It now has a member- ship of ninety-three. Its first officers were: S. I. Demarest, N. G., Albert H. Clark, V. G .; Alvin S. Conklin, R. S .; John H. Ackerman; F. S .; Henry West, treasurer.
The officers for 1899 are : Charles Brucker, N. G .; James M. Gulnac, V. G .; J. E. Demarest, R. S .; S. I. Demarest, F. S .; John M. Foley. treasurer.
PALISADE COUNCIL, ROYAL ARCANUM, NO. 1135.
This beneficiary order was incorporated under Massachusetts laws in November 1877. The society is secret in part, but founded with nin- selfish motives, and upon strict business principles and has all the facili- ties for successfully promoting its objects.
The Society was organized March 27, 1889. Its regents to the present time are: 1889, C. O. Dewey; '90, R. P. Wortendyke, '91, C. L. Vanderbeek; '92, George Lounsbury; '93, M. Mattison; '94, T. B. Haring; '95, John Demarest; '96, E. S. Richards; '97, Jacob R. Demarest; '98, F. Meyerhoff; '99, G. W. Springer.
DWIGHT POST, NO. 103, G. A. R.
This Post was organized March 25, 1887. It was named for the Rev. James H. Dwight who served in the Union Army both as a soldier and as chaplain.
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THE WOMEN'S EXCHANGE.
The Women's Exchange was organized in 1887. Mrs. Samuel Dun- can, was first President.
COMPANY "F."
This company was mustered into the United States service at Sea Girt on May 14, 1898, having been ordered to that place on April 27. On May 25, they were ordered to Jacksonville, Florida, where they remained until about September 1st, when the company was removed to Pablo Beach, Florida, and from which point they were ordered North and mustered out of service November 17, 1898.
Every company in the Regiment had some deaths save Company F, which escaped without the loss of a single man. In the department of rifle practice Company F ranks seventh in the State, while, according to the last adjutant-general's report, it was the only company in the regiment which received a superior mark for efficiency at the annual inspection. Public drills are held in the Armory every Monday night. In addition to the active members of the company it numbers among its honorary members all of our city's best and most public-spirited citizens.
Captain Frank S. DeRonde the present commander of the company joined the National Guard in June, 1888, as a private; was made a corporal in 1890; sergeant in 1892; second lieutenant in 1895; captain in 1897. The company is composed of the representative young men of Englewood.
THE ENGLEWOOD MUTUAL LOAN & BUILDING ASSOCIATION.
The Englewood Mutual Loan & Building Association was organized May 7th, 1887, and incorporated under the laws of the state of New Jersey May 16th. Its first officers were: Samuel M. Riker. president; R. S. Maugham, vice-president; Henry Jones. treasurer; William J. M. Byrn, secretary. Samuel M. Riker remained president of the Association until his death which occurred November 6th, 1898. Mr. Garry Vanderbeck was elected vice-president June 18th, 1889, and still holds that position, having also acted as president since Mr. Riker's death. M. E. Springer was elected secretary September 5th, 1890, and has continued to serve in that capacity to the present time. George H. Payson was elected treasurer, at the annual meeting June 18th, 1889, and still holds that position.
The present officers are :- Garry Vanderbeck, vice-president and acting president ; M. E. Springer, secretary ; George H. Payson, treasurer ; Robert B. Taylor, William C. Davies, R. A. Gorham, Alfred P. Thud, Albert Grasing, John S. Westervelt, Jacob R. Demarest, F. W. Phelps, Andrew D. Bogert, Garret Fenton, John Tipper, Carl Hall- berg, directors.
THE ENGLEWOOD LIBRARY.
The Englewood Library was organized in June 1890. It was started by a number of public spirited gentlemen, among whom should be men-
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tioned Dr. Daniel Wise, Dr. Henry M. Booth. Mr. E. A. Brinkerhoff, Dwight A. Jones and Clinton H. Blake.
Life memberships to the number of seventeen at a cost of two hun- dred dollars each, were obtained and the money thus secured was applied to the purchase of books. There are now six thousand four hundred volumes in the library.
The officers for 1892-93 were: President, Rev. Daniel Wise, D. D .; Vice President, Elbert A. Brinkerhoff; Secretary, Clinton H. Blake ; Treasurer, Donald Mackay ; Librarian, Miss Anna L. Waterbury.
The present officers are: Dwight A. Jones, president; E. A. Brinck- erhoff, vice-president; C. H. Blake, Secretary; Donald Mackay, treas- urer; Harriet R. Prosser, librarian.
THE ENGLEWOOD FIELD CLUB.
This club was organized June 30, 1887, at which time the following officers were elected: President, Dwight A. Jones; Vice-president, D. W. Evans; Secretary and Treasurer, John E. Curran.
Articles were filed soon after in the County Clerks office. An admirable field on Engle street was rented for a term of years with privilege of purchasing the land at a fixed price, and a contract awarded for putting the grounds in order for baseball, lawn tennis, archery and wheelmen. On Saturday July 9, 1887, the managers opened the new ground imformally the feature of interest being a ball game between a team from the Englewood Field Club and the Rutherford Wheelmen.
With great energy and in a remarkably short time D. L. Barrett, contractor, put the grounds in order, having them graded and rolled. A baseball diamond was laid out, on the north side, a cricket ground on the east side, with four earth tennis courts on the south, and behind the tennis courts high wire nettings were placed. Two entrances from the street for carriages were made, and seats for spectators arranged. There was also a handsome little clubhouse erected containing lockers for the use of the members, a bathroom, and a reception room furnished with chairs and tables and with curtains at the windows. From a forty- foot staff the colors of the Club, a beautiful streamer presented by the ladies, floated to the breeze.
The grounds were formally opened to the public by a tennis tourna- ment begun on Thursday August 20th, 1887, ending on Saturday fol- lowing.
The Club is well equipped for every kind of out door and indoor recreation. The ground in level as a floor and for tennis or baseball, cricket or golfing, is as fine as any in the state. They also have bowl- ing alleys, skating ponds and other accommodations for indoor sports.
There are now over five hundred members belonging to the Club, and the total receipts for the year 1898, amounted to six thousand seven hundred and forty-eight dollars, and thirty-six cents. The officers for the year 1899 are :- President, William Dulles, Jr .; Vice-President. David W. Cory; Secretary, Augustus Duryea; Treasurer, Charles J. Peabody.
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The Golf Club has its own links and its own club-house, both of which are models of their kind. The membership is large and the standing of the club is excellent in every particular.
A Bicycle Club holds regular meets in the season and has made exceptionally fine runs. One of the more recent organizations is the Camera Club, which has its headquarters on Engle Street.
ENGLEWOOD GOLF CLUB.
The Englewood Golf Club owns a piece of land between Englewood and Nordhoff. A Golf Club was formed early in 1896, a club house was erected and a course laid out by Harry Stark. Sixty-one men and fifty- one woman joined the club the first Season. In 1897 fifty acres more land was leased and a handsome Club house erected. The organization has now over two hundred and fifty members. Thomas Thatcher is president.
ENGLEWOOD HOSPITAL.
This hospital at Englewood was organized on the 7th of May, 1888, at the residence of Mr. Sheppard Homans. Mr. William Blaikie having been called to the chair the following officers for the ensuing vear were elected :- President, Mrs. Sheppard Homans ; Vice-President, Mr. S. G. Clarke; Treasurer, Mr. C. F. Park; Secretary, Miss Adeline Sterling. Standing committees were then appointed on Domestic Affairs, Medicines, and Comforts for the sick, on Visiting and on Finance. Mr. Peck, Mr. Frendenthal, Mrs. Currie, Dr. Banks and Dr. Wells were appointed a committee "to secure a suitable building for the hospital, or land for the same." On May 7. 1888. steps were taken to secure the present grounds which extend from Engle street to the Railroad, and soon after the present building was erected by A. D. Bogert, builder, at a cost of about five thousand dollars.
In 1896 a Training School was opened and the first class of trained nurses graduated in that year.
The Englewood Hospital has never stood still since its opening. and is becoming a larger and better equipped institution every year of its existence. The citizens of Englewood have always taken a deep interest in its welfare, and generous gifts of money, delicacies for the sick, and comforts for the injured have always been freely and graciously bestowed.
The number of patients treated during the year 1898 was three hundred. Total expenses for nursing in the hospital was $6370.67. The total receipts were $7688.69.
President, Mrs. Clinton H. Blake; Vice-President, Mrs. J. O. Cle- phane; Secretary, Lewis Dawes; Treasurer, George P. Payson; Attend- ing Physicians and Surgeons, D. A. Currie, M. D .; J. A. Wells, M. D .: J. W. B. Lansing, M. D .; J. W. Proctor, M. D .; Consulting Physician, E. L. Partridge, M. D .; Consulting Surgeon, L. A. Stimson, M. D .: Consulting Oculist, J. M. Emerson, M. D .; Resident Physician, Dr. Helen A. Lord.
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HACKENSACK WATER COMPANY.
Water was introduced into Englewood in 1886. In April 1887, the Hackensack Water Company began to lay mains through the streets of Englewood for the new water supply, at which time also it was agreed by the Town Committee that forty fire hydrants should be built in June of that year, the pipes having been laid, the New Milford Water became a fixed fact.
The citizens next formed the Englewood Sewerage Association, and on July 9th of that year it was found that one hundred subscriptions had been given to the stock of the company, amounting to twenty-three thousand dollars. The first directors of this association elected were: Jacob S. Wetmore, president ; Herbert B. Turner, first vice-president ; Oliver Drake Smith, secretary and treasurer.
The separate flushing system was put into use, allowing only the house waste from kitchens, closets, etc., to be drained off. Six miles of small pipes were laid, fifteen flush tanks and ninety manholes and venti- lators were then built for the inspection of the interior of the main pipes.
In the Company's building is a tap made in twenty-four inch main December 1, 1892. Charles B. Brush, chief engineer, was largely instrumental in securing water for the city. There are now twelve hundred consumers. The officers are: Robert W. De Forest, president: E. A. Stevens, treasurer ; William Shippen, secretary ; D. W. French, superintendent. Charles B. Brush, the former engineer and superinten- dent, died June 3, 1897.
THE ENGLEWOOD FIRE ASSOCIATION.
Monday evening, October 10th, 1887, citizens of Englewood held their first meeting, with Oliver Drake Smith as chairman, to take meas- ures against loss by fire. On November 11th they met again to form and incorporate a Hose Company. Among those prominent in the movement were Donald Mackay, W. D. Terry, John E. Miller, Jacob Taylor, John H. Ackerman, Oliver Drake Smith, Joseph H. Tillotson, H. M. Banks, Charles C. Townsend, George R. Dutton. On November 24th Donald Mackay was elected president of the Association; Oliver Drake Smith, secretary; the Governing Board consisting of Donald Mackay, Oliver Drake Smith, W. O. Terry, Dr. D. A. Currie, C. F. Park, George R. Dutton, J. B. Burdett, Fred Holst, J. F. Fitschen. Jacob Taylor was elected Foreman and Charles C. Townsend Assistant Foreman. The Association purchased two jumpers with one thousand feet of hose, five truck ladders, buckets and other equipments. They also decided to build a truck house with a tower containing an alarm bell.
BERGEN COUNTY GAS COMPANY.
Bergen County Gas Company introduced gas into the town in 1869. charging first $3.50 per thousand feet. The first officers of this com- pany were, Treasurer, William King; Superintendent, Samuel F. Gold.
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POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The protection of the citizens of Englewood, began first in an Association formed April 25, 1869, known as the Englewood Protection Society. James W. McCulloh, president. The Society has been one of the most effective ones in existence. The officers for 1899 are: Presi- dent and Special Police Justice, Donald Mackay; Vice-president, C. H. Blake: Secretary and Treasurer, Charles F. Park; City Marshal, Charles C. Townsend.
Armed as it is with police authority by the state, and sustained by the people, this association has proven a protection indeed against all sorts of evil doers, arrests by the thousands having been made since its existence.
The protection of the citivezs of Englewood is intrusted to six patrolmen under James A. Turhune, Chief of Police, and John T, Markam, Sergeant. The Police Board is under the control of the City Council, E. A. Brinckerhoff, president; Ernest T. Fellows, recorder. Cornelius Lydecker, clerk.
BROOKSIDE CEMETERY.
In 1876, this site then a wild barron spot, filled with chestnut, dogwood and wild cedars, was purchased for a place of burial. The grounds have recently been enlarged, and under the charge of its superinten- dent, Moses E. Springer, has been made one of the beautiful places of its kind in the county.
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