USA > New Jersey > Bergen County > History of Bergen county, New Jersey > Part 59
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While always the possessor of ample wealth, Mr. Phelps was most democratic in his manners. His hospitality was proverbial, and his house was in every sense of the word made a home to all his guests. His popularity with all his neighbors and the people of Bergen county was demonstrated on many occasions. He was the kindest of employers; his large contributions to private charities and his generous gifts to the needy were without ostentation.
His financial standing and his character for probity were of the highest. He made notable pecuniary sacrifices to save the credit of others. His business interests were extensive, and he was an influential member of the directories of many companies and institutions.
While a positive party man, early in his public career he established a character for political independence and liberality which gained him a public respect that he never lost.
He was a fluent talker, and as an orator he was natural and concise. discarding the ornate. and speaking in the choicest diction directly to the point. His wit was ever bright, keen and fresh. In Congress he did not speak often, but he was among the few in the House who were always listened to.
Soon after concluding his collegiate course Mr. Phelps was married to a daughter of Joseph E. Sheffield, the founder of the Sheffield Scien- tific School of New Haven. Of this marriage there was one daughter.
JASPER WESTERVELT
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the wife of Dr. Franz Von Rottenburg, a German scholar and Under Secretary of State for the German Empire; and two sons, Captain John Jay Phelps of Bergen county, and Colonel Sheffield Phelps, editor of the Jersey City Journal.
THE WESTERVELT FAMILY.
PER CRUCEM AD CORONAM+ The Westervelt family trace their lineage to Derick Van Westervelt who was born about 1520. In Holland, the native place of this family, they occupied places of honor and trust such as burgo- masters, students, doctors and as landed proprietors. Lubbert Lubbertse Van Westervelt the first American ancestor came in the ship "Hope" in 1662, from Meppel, Province of Drenthe, Holland. Westervell. He first settled at Flatbush, Long Island, after- wards removing to Hackensack, N. J., where he assisted in building the first Reformed Church on the "Green" in 1686. He and his wife were members of this church.
Benjamin Westervelt, the great great-grandfather of Jasper, was the first American ancestor, and was born in 1702. His wife was Hen- dricktie Bouguert. Casparus, the son of Benjamin, was born in 1723, and married Wyntie Terheun. The grandparents of Mr. Westervelt were Casparus C. and Maria (Durie) Westervelt, and his parents were Peter C., Jr., and Anna (Lozier) Westervelt. His father was born in 1811.
Jasper was born at Teaneck, Bergen county, December 2, 1837, in the same house in which he has resided for the last sixty years, and whose foundation walls were laid more than one hundred years ago by his great grandfather. The house has been several times rebuilt and modernized, and still continues in possession of the family.
Until fifteen years of age Jasper attended the public schools of his native village, after which he was placed in a private school at Leonia. and at seventeen years of age entered Claverack Institute, a boarding school, situated at Claverack, N. Y. After leaving school Mr. Wester- velt began farming, keeping steadily at this occupation until fifty-five years of age, when he retired from active business. On the subject of pear culture Mr. Westervelt is an enthusiast, holding a first-class diploma for the exhibiton of pears, apples and quinces.
When the call was made for volunteers in our Civil War, Mr. Wes- tervelt responded, becoming a private in Company I, 22d Regiment, N. J. Volunteers. He was one of "Father Abraham's Three Hundred Thousand ;" was in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, advancing in the famous mud march under Burnside. He is a member of James B. McPherson Post, No. 52, Department of N. J., G. A. R., and is at present the Chaplain. In his religious life Mr. Westervelt has been a member of the first Reformed Church of Hackensack for the past thirty-nine years, serving in the consistory of that church under Dr.
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WILLIAM W. BENNETT.
1
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Romeyn and Dr. Vanderwart, both as deacon and elder for a number of terms. He was also for many years connected with Sabbath school as teacher, and subsequently as superintendent.
He was married on June 22, 1865, to Miss Annie Maria De Mott, daughter of John J. De Mott, who died in 1898.
In 1888 Mr. Westervelt travelled through the West, taking a tour through the most interesting portions visiting the beautiful points on the Pacific coast, the Yosemite Valley, the Columbia River and Yellow- stone Park; the large cities also claiming a share of his time. In 1896 he made an extended tour of the old World, making visits to Holland, Germany, Switzerland at Interlaken and Mont Blanc, France, Belgium England. Mr. Westervelt reported after coming back from the old World that he still retained his admiration for the new: with the sublime, grand and inspiring views of the Yosemite, its peaks in the clouds and its beautiful falls descending from dizzy heights; the mag- nificent and unequalled scenery on the Columbia river, the Yellowstone Park filled with Nature's wonders, Geysers, Hot Springs, beautiful cas- cades and grand views of the falls and the gorge of the Yellowstone. He says: "Unfurl the Red, White and Blue, it is good enough for all."
Mr. Westervelt is a man with well stored mind and exemplary character, a pleasant companion and true friend.
WILLIAM W. BENNETT.
William W. Bennett, Superintendent of the Phelps Estate in Bergen county; was born in England, February 4, 1841. When six months old his parents came to America and located at Binghamton, New York, where the father died about twelve years later. When eleven years of age young Bennett was taken by a Mr. Louis Lee Morris, a farmer of Otsego county, N. Y. where he remained six years. This was one of the important periods of his life, in which he was trained to habits of industry, and frugality and otherwise prepared to meet and solve the many difficult and trying problems of life which come to all. At the age of seventeen years, the young man met Mr. John Stewart Wells, of Binghamton, N. Y., to whom he apprenticed himself to learn the trade of carpenter, and remained with him three years, thoroughly master- ing this branch of mechanics, becoming an architect as well. After working for a time at his trade at home, he enlisted as a mechanic, in the War, in 1862, and stayed with the army in one capacity or another. with the construction and repair work on railways, going to Alexandria, then to Norfolk and Suffolk, Virginia, remaining for a considerable time on the Peninsula where Mcclellan operated. In 1863 he was assigned to the quarter-master's department, under Captain Goodwin. and then was employed solely in the construction of Barracks and prison houses, and in the manufacture of army furniture, which closed his army career. After the fall of Richmond, he applied for his dis- charge papers, and while on his way home, when near Turner's Station, on the Erie railroad, in New York, President Lincoln was shot, and a
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singular coincidence was, that he happened to be on the same spot on July 2. 1881, when President Garfield was assassinated.
For two years after the war. Mr. Bennett followed his trade of carpentering at Binghampton. N. Y .. but in 1867 came to New Jersey. going to the home in which he now lives. staying there one year as a tenant. In 1882 he returned to the same house, where he has since resided. His work in New Jersey, was the erection of a fine house for Judge Phelps, subsequently building a row of houses in Teaneck. and following this with a number of buildings in Englewood, then the elegant residence of William Walter Phelps, which led to the acquaint- anceship of the two men, and the life long superintendency of Mr. Ben- nett in the management of the Phelps estate. This was twenty-seven years before the death of Mr. Phelps. during which time the large interests of this wealthy resident of the county was so ably managed and so agreeably with Mr. Phelps' wishes. that substantial considera- tions not infrequently accompanied the salary allowed, and also honor- able mention with flattering financial considerations were made in his will ..
Mr. Bennett has been married twice. His first wife was Mrs. Mary C. Corby, daughter of Peter and Catherine Terhune to whom he was married in 1870. She died in 1875. Two daughters were the fruit of this union, Catherine, the younger being the wife of Captain Frank S. De Ronde. On June 10, 1877. he was united in marriage to Mrs. Margaretta Ferdon, daughter of Gilchrest and Eliza Perry of Nyack, N. Y. They are the parents of four children. two boys and two girls. the elder of the boys now being a member of the Second Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, Infantry ..
When Mr. Bennett first came to Englewood he was elected Town Committeeman and held that office for a number of years. He was also chosen member of the board of Freeholders and elected by both parties and re-elected.
When Teaneck township was formed he was selected by all parties for Town Committeeman and elected chairman of the Board. This office he held three years and then by all parties, was re-elected to the same position and also selected for Justice of the Peace.
Mr. Bennett's life has been a comparatively sinooth one. He is a kindly man whose lines have fallen in pleasant places. In politics his preference has always been Republican, except where in his judgment the party needed discipline. in which case he has not hesitated to vote with the opposite party.
CHAPTER XXXI. PALISADES TOWNSHIP.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS -- BUROUGHS OF TENAFLY, DUMONT, BERGENFIELDS AND CRESSKILL-CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, SOCIETIES, LODGES, ETC .-- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Palisades township is of special interest from a historical point of view, many of the most interesting events of the Revolution having transpired within its borders. In 1776 the patriots held Fort Lee, which was a constant source of annoyance to the British, making it almost impossible for them to navigate the Hudson river. Lord Cornwallis crossed the river to Huyler's Landing from Spuyten Duyvil on Novem- ber 18, 1776. He had with him a force of two battalions of light in- fantry, two companies of chasseurs, two battalions of British and two of Hessian grenadiers, two battalions of guards and the Thirty-third and Forty-second Regiments of the line. General Washington; who was in Hackensack, was immediately notified by General Green of the movements of the enemy, and that he had ordered a retreat of his troops to English Neighborhood, now in Ridgefield township, and to River Edge, now in Palisade township. Washington met General Greene at River Edge (then called New Bridge). After reaching this point in safety, General Greene returned to Fort Lee and brought up some. who, in the rush, had straggled behind. By his quick movements three thousand Americans were saved from capture. Huyler's Landing was formerly known as Lower Closter. Among the early settlers of this township were the Huylers. Captain John Huyler, who served in the militia during the Revolution, was a special object of vengeance by the Brtish, who burned his house and left him in a destitute condition. At the close of the war he purchased the estate, which is yet in possession of the family, and was a part of the confiscated estate of John Ecker- son, which was sold for £1658, York money. In 1818 this property descended to Peter, born in 1780. He died in 1872. The Demarests settled here in early times where Samuel R., was born in 1783. He belonged to the Schraalenburgh Reformed Dutch Church. The Lozier family were early settlers, coming in the latter part of the seventeenth century. Daniel Lozier was born in 1707, and died in 1792. The Zabriskies also came in the seventeenth century, their descendants con- tinuing to reside in the township. The Paulisons who trace their origin to Paulis Pieterse, removed to Bergen from New York about 1660. Governor Peter Stuyvesant appointed Paulus Pieterse in 1663 one of the commissioners for fortifying Bergen, N. J., against the Indians. For his services, he received the same year a patent for several parcels of land. In 1662 he subscribed towards the support of a minister at Ber- gen and was one of the founders of the Reformed Dutch Church organ- ized there in 1664, the earliest in the state. He and his wife both died
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PALISADES AND HUDSON RIVERS RESIDENCE OF W. O. ALLISON.
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in 1702. A son of Paulus Pieterse named Martin Paulisse married Margrietje Westervelt, and their son Paulus Martense, married Rachel Demarest. They joined the Reformed Dutch Church in 1731. Their descendants still reside in Palisades township
Palisades was a part of Hackensack township until 1871, when it was organized into a separate township. The first officers were: Samuel D. Demarest, who was elected Freeholder in 1871, and was followed by John Westervelt in 1875. John H. Anderson was the first Town Clerk and served from 1871 to 1873, when he was succeeded by John H. Huyler. The first Justice of the Peace was William S. Harris; the first Collector, John C. Banta; the first Assessor, Albert A. Terhune.
The present officers are: J. E. Collins, J. B. Christie, and G. Buck. Township Committee; William Ely, Assessor; Joseph Arnold, Collector; Walter Christie, Freeholder, and Ralph Saier, Township Clerk.
THE PALISADES.
This precepitous wall of rock, known as the Palisades of the Hud- son, have ever been an attraction since discovered by Henrick Hudson in 1609. This wall of rocks rising from the western shore of the river forms the eastern boundary of the old boundary lines of Ridgefield, Englewood, Palisades and Harrington townships, to the state line.
The height of the range near Weehawken is about three hundred feet above the river, rising gradually to five hundred and forty feet near its northern terminus. This precipice rose at first, undoubtedly, right from the river's edge, but time has formed a talus of fragments of the trap falling in course of long centuries, as if to guard the deep founda- tions below the great river. The range continues in bold precipitous heights and rocky bluffs along the river to Haverstraw, a little below the Highlands; thence it sways back from the river. rising again in lofty escarpments and massive columns to the northwest and the west from three hundred to eight hundred feet high.
In spite of all efforts to prevent the destruction of the Palisades. systematic attempts have been made for some time by blasters of rock to break up the stone, to be used chiefly for macademizing streets. Indian Head one of the most historie points of the Palisades, a few years ago projected one hundred and fifty feet into the North River beyond the point, where its demolition was effected at four o'clock in the morning. on May 30, 1899. The destruction of this massive rock by a blast in which at least ten thousand pounds of dynamite were used, and two hundred thousand tons of rock torn away .was one of the most success- ful efforts ever made to destroy the grandeur of this part of the Hudson. It broke out an area surface of one hundred and seventy-five by one hundred and sixty-five feet and a depth of about one hundred feet con- stituting nearly one-third of the height of the cliff.
Indian Head is about five hundred yards from Washington Point at which the Father of Our Country arrived after the defeat of his forces in New York. The declivity up which he climbed still stands although the point is practically wiped out.
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TENAFLY.
As to the name of this locality it is undoubtedly from a compound Holland word signifying "Willow Meadow." The territory embraced by the name in question never exceeded an area of more than six miles. The country northward was known as Closter. The section west of Tenafly was known in the remote past by another Dutch word signi- fying barren hill. That country to the south of Tenafly for a dist- ance of several miles was known as English Neighborhood. The old Tenafly road connected these two places and was used long years ago as a trotting course.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
George Huyler who died in 1894 aged eighty years, was one of the old residents of Tenafly. His residence was built and occupied by his grandfather John Huyler, who owned part of the forfeited estate of John Eckerson, the purchase price having been £1658, York money. John Huyler owned the premises in question, to 1818, when it descended to his son Peter, who died in 1872, aged ninety-two. John Huyler was Captain of Militia during the war of the Revolution, and became the especial object of British vengeance, his house having been burned and his family left destitute. At the close of the war he purchased the property above mentioned, which had been confiscated by the State, the title deed to him, bearing date 1780. He had two children, John a physician of high reputation in New York, and Peter born April 8, 1781, on the parental estate. Peter married Miss Catharine Naugle. daughter of Barney Naugle, whose birth occurred August 26, 1781, and the birth of his son George occurred June 24, 1811, George was married May 25, 1847 to Miss Jane, daughter of Garret A. Hopper. Mr. George Huyler was for fifteen years Captain of Jersey Blues, a military organization comprising the foremost men of Bergen county.
Huyler's Landing on the Hudson, formerly known as Lower Closter was the place at which the British crossed the river at the time of their raid on Fort Lee.
TENAFLY.
Tenafly as a post office, railroad station, and a part of Palisades township has been a pretty village of the northern valley for about forty years. In the winter of 1893 a call was issued by a number of property owners for a citizens' meeting at the home of Colonel A. G. Demarest, for considering the advisability of incorporating the village of Tenafly, under the borough law of 1879, permitting an area of four square miles. The result of that meeting, held January 26th, was a determination to apply to Judge Van Valen, of the County Court, for an order to hold an election, which application, as required by law, was signed only by owners of land in fee simple, within the boundaries of the proposed in- corporation.
The committee appointed by that meeting to carry this wish into effect were Stenhen G. Clarke, chairman; H. B. Palmer, treasurer;
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William G. Jellison, Frederic L. Colver, H. E. Demarest, J. Hull Browning and Charles E. Vogt.
There was much opposition to this movement at the time, and not a little effort, made legally and politically, to defeat the object at the election, there being cast about three hundred votes, with a majority of only seven in favor of such an organization. This was in January, 1894. At this time, however, the beneficial effects arising from such an incorporation in a municipality, having now an assessed value exceeding $800,000, is apparent to all interested, and what was once political dis- sent, has now become mutual amity and good fellowship.
OFFICERS OF THE BOROUGH AND BOARD OF HEALTH.
The first officers elected in January 1894 were :.- Henry B. Palmer, Mayor; Garret W. DeMott, J. Hull Browning, Stephen G. Clarke, Paul Richter, James H. Buckley, and Frederic L. Colver, Council; F. R. Ingersoll, Clerk, succeeded by Warren H. Wendover; Charles J. Everett. Assessor; George E. Westervelt, Collector; George H. Westervelt, Mar- shal. The last three officials mentioned are still in office.
The first officers of the Board of Health were :- Dr. J. J. Haring, president; Dr. J. B. W. Lansing, secretary; James E. Butler, Richard Delahanty and Stephen G. Clarke. Commissioners of Appeals, Messrs A. G. Demarest, B. F. Pond, and John R. Zabriskie. The mayors of the borough have been as follows: Henry B. Palmer, General Thomas L. James, Charles P. Buckley.
The present officers of Tenafly borough are: Charles P. Buckley, mayor; John H. Osterman, J. Hull Browning, Elias H. Sisson, John H. DeMott, George Lounsbury, Paul Richter, Councilmen; Maurice Lind- say, Clerk. The Board of Health: Drs. Haring and Lansing; Messrs Stephen G. Clarke, Richard Delahanty and Frederic L. Colver.
In the Fall of 1897, in response to a petition signed by Judge Ashbel Green and others, who had originally opposed the incorporation of the borough, together with many other citizens who favored the movement, the New Jersey Legislature passed a special Act extending the corporate limits eastward to the Hudson River, which Act took effect February 1, 1898. Tenafly is now bounded on the North by Cress- kill, South by Englewood, and West by Bergenfields. Tenafly is one of the most successful towns in the county under the borough form of government, and many desirable improvements are now possessed by the people at a moderate tax rate.
TENAFLY LIBRARY SOCIETY.
This society was organized February 5, 1891, in response to a call issued by Frederic L. Colver, John W. Hull and William G. Jellison. who was then editor of " Tenafly Record."
The society was incorporated in March, 1895, its object being the improvement of its members in literary matters and for maintaining a
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reading room, which were reasons sufficient for enlisting the good will and kind support of every truly public spirited citizen of the village.
For several years meetings were held at the homes of members of the society, and very frequently from that time many successful enter- tainments, literary and otherwise of a public character, have been given. Many of the most prominent professional men and women, and citizens of Bergen county have delivered lectures on these public occasions, and the society now numbers about one hundred members.
The present officers are: Trustees, Stephen G. Clarke. Henry B. Palmer, A. C. Worth, Fisher Howe Booth, Colonel A. G. Demarest: Secretary, Frederic L. Colver; Treasurer, J. Eddie Tuttle. The pres- ent executive committee are F. H. Booth, chairman; Frederic L. Colver. Rev. C. W. Kirkby, H. M. Rogers, secretary; James Currie, Mrs. A. G. Demarest, Miss Carrie Cauter, Mrs. Samuel Westervelt, Miss Amelia Haring.
The society holds meetings twice a month in its rooms. Tenafly
LIBRARY HALL
Hall. and during the winter season gives entertainments consisting of lectures, debates, public socials, and other affairs for amusement or improvement. Being the only non-religious and non-political organ- ization for men and women, young and old, it naturally holds a leading place in Tenafly, and contributes largely to the literary and social life of the community.
TENAFLY HALL COMPANY.
This company was started in the spring of 1891 by a committee from the Tenafly Library Society. That commitee consisted of Frederic L. Colver, chairman; David H. Gildersleeve, John W. Hull, and A. J. Waddell. Jr. In 1892. the company was incorporated with sixteen thousand dollars capital stock, the incorporators and officers being: Stephen G. Clarke, president; John Hull, vice-president; Frederic L. Colver, treasurer: Frank R. Ingersoll, secretary; Henry B. Palmer. A.
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G. Demarest, Frank A. Hine, B. F. Pond, and E. K. Meigs. The present board of officers consists of Mr. Clarke, president; Mr. Browning, vice- president; Mr. Palmer, treasurer, and Mr. Colver, secretary; and in addition Charles H. Sission, Col. A. G. Demarest, John H. Demott, J. E. Tuttle, J. S. Lyle.
This company has a membership of nearly one hundred, built Tenafly Hall in 1892-3. This building, modern in its appointments and beautifully situated on Highwood Avenue, was opened under the auspices of the Tenafly Library Society on June 6, 1893. It was one of the most brilliant social events ever held in Tenafly, there being present fully four hundred people admitted by ticket two dollars each. The enter- tainment was furnished on this occasion by the New York Philharmonic Club and the University Glee Club, followed by a reception.
The entertainments given in this Hall have always been of a high character. The building is used by the borough government, the Tenafly Library Society, the Tenafly Club and the Royal Arcanum. Mr. W. Stoddart, formerly a resident of Tenafly was architect of Tenafly Hall.
SCHOOLS.
Originally the youth from this vicinity attended the school at Liberty Pole. The district was to large, however, and in 1871, the community in the meatime having grown rapidily, County Superintendent Cass formed the new district, designated as No. 12. The trustees then appointed were: Messrs Charles P. Buckley, John Westervelt and Charles H. Clarke. In due time lots were purchased from Charles P. Buckley, and a beautiful brick structure erected. It was built two stories high with mansard roof and basement, and was forty by sixty feet in dimen- sions. The building has since been enlarged, there being apartments for various grades, and at the present time five teachers are employed. Besides the grammar school grades, one year of the high school course is taught here.
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