USA > New Jersey > Bergen County > History of Bergen county, New Jersey > Part 60
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When the district was first organized the school was held over the store of Peter I. Westervelt, and continued there until the middle of October, 1872, when the new building was completed. At that time Miss Angle was employed as principal and Miss Libbe Duel as assist- ant. Miss Maggie Terhune was principal of the school a number of years. Mr. R. S. Maugham, the present principal, took charge of the school in 1887. He has five assistant teachers.
MISS HARING'S PRIVATE SCHOOL.
There are in average communities some parents who for various reasons prefer to have their children pursue their preparatory education in a private school judiciously conducted; and hence the demand for such opportunity. Recognizing the same, Miss Haring opened a school about twelve years ago and has conducted it with marked success. Being well qualified for the work both by careful preparation and natural tem-
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perament, she has had under her care each year a group of happy children whose elementary training has been very thorough.
In conjunction with the intellectual work, efforts are made to culti- vate the moral and religious natures of the children, and to instill into the youthful mind high ideas of correct deportment.
With such aims in view pursued with rare enthusiasm on the teach- er's part the result could hardly fail to be in every sense gratifying to the patrons of the school.
The school building is well located on high ground with rural sur- roundings in keeping with the work, and not a few parents congratulate themselves in being able to place their children under the moral and intellectual influence of this private school.
NORTHERN VALLEY LODGE 3638, KNIGHTS OF HONOR.
Above Lodge was instituted April 7, 1891, with twenty-six charter members. Present membership one hundred and twenty-one including seven charter members.
Four members died since the Lodge was organized, two of the widows receiving two thousand dollars each, and two receiving one thousand dollars each.
This Lodge also pays sick benefit to all members in good standing at the rate of five dollars per week for ten weeks, and two dollars and a half per week for five weeks additional; and has paid as much as two to three hundred dollars annually.
The officers for term of 1899 are as follows: S. P. D., J. C. West- ervelt; Dict., Jos. A. Jacobs; Vice D., William R. Golding; Asst. D., Alexander B. Roberts; Reporter, Nicholas Kreutzfieldt; Fmcl. Rep., John Ostermann, Jr .; Treasurer, John Golding; Chaplain, Charles B. Hooper, Jr .; Guide, William Ryan; Guardian, Jacob Radner; Sentinel, Pacific M. Valle; Lodge Physicians, James B. W. Lansing and Robert G. Contrell. The Past Dictators are George E. Tooker, Leonard Schenkel, Edward Henkel, Nicholas Kreutzfieldt, Charles P. Wester- velt, John Ostermann, Frank H. A. Achilles, Henry M. Hensel, J. C. Westervelt. All of above with exception of Messrs. Charles P., and J. C. Westervelt are members of the Grand Lodge. Mr. Tooker is assist- ant Grand Dictator for the term 1898 to 1899.
CHURCHES.
Prior to the year 1860, the locality then and since known as Tenafly, though near the great metropolis, was yet strictly rural, its population being engaged almost wholly in agricultural pursuits.
Descended from French and Holland ancestry, they were a religi- ously inclined and church-going community, having their connections with the old Reformed and Seceder churches in Schraalenburgh about two miles westward.
The intervening distance between their residences and these churches was not regarded by them as much of an obstacle to regular church attendance. Regularly on Sabbath mornings, more or less re-
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gardless of weather conditions, the farm horses were harnessed to the carry-all vehicle of no standard type, and, filled with the family, the church was reached in time to exchange greetings with neighbors and relatives before the service.
The construction of the Northern Railroad through the valley soon entirely changed the trend of affairs. New families began to appear who were naturally strangers to and hence uninfluenced by the local environments and traditions. Among these were the families of Ashbel Green, Henry B. Palmer, William S. Opdyke, Edwin Saxton, William K. Fowler, Benson Van Vleet, Lyman F. Holman, Thomas G. Wall, D. D., and others. These families soon began considering the religious needs of themselves and of the incoming population. Arrangements were made for weekly religious services, which were conducted by the Rev. Mr. Wall. A small chapel was erected in which services of a union nature were held for a year or more.
By the explosion of a lamp the building was set on fire and totally destroyed. Services were afterward held in a building erected by Mr. George Huyler for store purposes, but rented later for a boarding school for boys.
A denominational preference towards Presbyterianism having from the first been apparent, application was made to the Second Presbytery of New York, which met at Tenafly on November 21, 1865, and organized the Society under the name of the Tenafly Presbyterian Church, about fifteen names constituting the first roll of membership. At the same time Edwin S. Saxton and Robert Halley were elected as the first board of elders.
The society was legally incorporated March 31, 1866. The follow- ing persons were elected upon the first Board of Trustees: Ashbel Green, William S. Opdyke, Henry B. Palmer, William K. Fowler, Garret Huyler, and Colin G. Newcombe. The board organized on April 2, 1866, Ashbel Green being elected president; and Henry B. Palmer, secretary. The time now arriving for considering the subject of a permanent build- ing, this board took the matter in hand and under its able management the present elegant and costly stone edifice soon appeared upon the well graded and beautiful site upon the hillside, the latter having been donated by the heirs of the Jay estate. At a meeting of the congregation pre- sided over by Rev. Dr. Alexander of New York, the Rev. T. G. Wall, D. D., was unanimously chosen as the first pastor. Mr. Wall served the church until 1873.
Rev. Clarence Geddes became his successor on July 16, 1873, and continued in the pastorate until June, 1881. Rev. Richard Bentley suc- ceeded Mr. Geddes for the following six years, and Mr. Vernon B. Car- roll was Mr. Bentley's successor for eight years. The present pastor Rev. Fisher Howe Booth is in the third year of his pastorate.
The church has exerted a very wholesome influence upon, and has been a useful factor in the experience of a growing community. Oppo- site the church edifice on a beautiful site, on a high knoll, there stands
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a noble and commodious stone building erected and donated as a manse, by the late Judge Ashbel Green in memory of his wife Louisa B. Green. who was closely identified with the church, and whose death was greatly lamented by a wide circle of friends.
CHURCH OF ATONEMENT.
There is no record giving the date of organization of this society nor any statement relative to the church property made on the church books. Mrs. Mahon mother of Captain Mahon, gave the land for the church building, and her sister gave the land for the Presbyterian church. The first baptism recorded is that of Charles Rowland in 1869, and the first marriage was in October of that same year. The Rev. Ralph B. Hoyt who was the first rector of the church remained until 1882. He was succeeded by the Rev. Joseph Fletcher who had charge of the congregation until 1890, when the Rev. M. M. Fothergill succeeded. The present rector, the Rev. Charles W. Kirkby, A. B. a graduate of Cambridge, England, came to take temporary charge of the parish in January 1898, and was invited to remain as rector, shortly be- fore Easter of that year. Under his spiritual direction the church and congregation is rapidly increasing. The officers of the church are :- Henry Torrence, Senior Warden; Joseph H. Heddon, Junior Warden; H. T. Bailey, H. A. Wolcott, J. F. Denton, David Paul. A. Torrence, Vestrymen. St. Luke's Mission, Bergenfields, is a branch work of the Church of Atonement, Joseph H. Heddon being the Lay Reader.
TENAFLY COUNCIL, ROYAL ARCANUM, 1479.
Tenafly Council, Royal Aacanım, 1479, instituted August 19, 1892. Charter members: T. L. MacIntyre, R. S. Maugham, J. C. Westervelt, C. H. Buckley, Herbert Westervelt ( deceased ) J. H. Buckley, T. L. Hunter, J. B. W. Lansing, M. D., T. L. Taveniere, Edwin Demarest, James Roome, E. B. Buckley, J. J. Edsall, P. J. Westervelt, W. H. Mowerson, J. J. Schuh, George E. Westervelt, W. B. May, F. R. Ingersoll. C. P. Westervelt, M. E. Martin, W. G. Trabold, F. J. Campbell, H. F. York, Jr., S. Upward, Christie Westervelt, J. C. Schnebbe.
The past Regents are J. H. Buckley, T. L. MacIntyre, R. S. Maugham, James Westervelt, H. F. York, E. H. Sisson, Jr.
The present officers are: Regent, A. I. Benedict; Vice Regent, J. H. Demott; Orator, Huyler Bogert; Treasurer, Samuel Westervelt; Secretary, Edwin Demarest; Collector. H. J. B. Willis. ( Term expires December 31.) Present membership is eighty-nine.
Tenafly Council has lost two members by death, Herbert Wester- velt and Frank A. Hine, the widows in both cases receiving $3000.
CHARTER LIST OF NORTHERN VALLEY LODGE K. OF H.
Northern Valley Lodge 3638 K. of H., was instituted April 7, 1891. with twenty-six charter members. Leonard Schenkel, Edward Henkel. Theodore Taveniere, Paul M. Hawthorne, John G. Ruhl. Frederick C. Evers, ( dead ): George Van Valen, Nicolai Kreutzfieldt, John B. Tren-
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kle, Isaac Mabie, Jacob H. DeMott, Paul Richter, David W. DeMott, Ludwig Mayer, Charles Stagg, Joseph Van Valen, Charles L. A. Wenger, John J. Demarest, (dead) ; Richard J. Lyons, Edward J. Lyons, Richard Wright, William Weise, David D. Campbell, Edward Hall. Charles P. Westervelt, Jacob A. Tuers.
"HAPPY LAND"-FRESH AIR HOME.
Upon a commanding site on West Clinton avenue about a half mile from the railroad depot, owned by Mrs. J. S. Lyle, a wealthy resident of Tenafly, there began about six years ago to be evidences of a build- ing enterprise of some sort.
Soon a large and ornate building loomed up, which in due time was finished. Its size and general arrangement showed it to be intended for some charitable purpose.
At the commencement of the hot weather of the following year, a group of forty or more children under proper oversight alighted from one of the northbound trains. Conveyances were at hand and they were taken to the new building designated as "Happy Land." This deter- mined the purpose of the building and the nature of the work for which it was provided. Since then about four hundred children are annually brought from the hot over-crowded districts of New York city in relays of fifty, each group remaining about two weeks. While at the Home they are under careful management. The beautiful grove upon the grounds, well provided with facilities for amusing and interesting the children, resounds with happy shouts from morning until evening. Nutritious and wholesome meals are well served, and the children are taught as far as possible in their short experience, the rules of practical politeness and proper behavior. Upon Sabbath afternoons exercises are provided to stimulate the religious nature of the children, and when each group leaves the Home it is believed they have not only been enter- tained and made comfortable physically but that their mental and relig- ions natures have received an uplift that may leave a permanent impress for good.
This work is understood to have been inaugurated by Mrs. Lyle, who, though delegating its details to able assistants, still gives personal oversight to this good enterprise, which in the line of fresh air work for children is perhaps not surpassed by any similar movement any- where.
RETIMORE HOME.
This institution was established by Mrs. J. Hull Browning in August, 1892, and incorporated in December, 1892, for the purpose of giving a fresh air home to a limited number of poor children from the city of New York. During the first year, twelve children were taken at a time in the " Home, " two weeks being allowed each party to remain. The following year the house was enlarged, so the number has been increased, and now twenty-six or more are admitted at a time, the num- ber for the season being over two hundred. Children were first taken
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from St. Augustine Mission, New York, but during the past two years the New York Protestant Episcopal City Mission has enjoyed that privilege.
In 1892 the Rethmore Sunday school was established with thirty- five scholars. In connection with the school is a Sewing Class and a Boys' Battalion of sixty cadets. Recently a Convalescent Home has been established at "The Rethmore" for aged people.
The Rethmore Home (Rethmore means "large spring") consists of about four acres of ground, and formerly belonged to the Westervelts' estate, but, through the philanthropic spirit of Mr. and Mrs. Browning, has been dedicated to uses above mentioned. Mr. J. Hull Browning did most of the repairing of the Episcopal Church in Tenafly in 1882, and
CLARK & GEIGER PHOTO ENG CO.
RETHMORE HOME
restored the building to a good condition, and has been a large con- tributor to that society. After the establishment of the "Home" public services for Episcopalians were begun there, first by the Rev. R. H. Herron, and subsequently by the Rev. C. B. Mitchell, both of whom were from the Union Theological Seminary, New York.
BOROUGH OF DUMONT.
Schraalenburgh is a village on the West Shore Railroad and was orginally in Palisades township. It has a population of about six hun- dred; is the site of the North Reformed Church, and the center of con- siderable mercantile interests in this part of the county. John Quacken- bush owned and operated the first store, which was sold to Peter E. Moore, its present proprietor, in 1877. Mr. H. Meartens, another
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merchant, came here in 1895, and DeCoster & Ferdon erected their build- ing in 1898.
The borough of Dumont, originally named Schraalenburgh, was organized in 1895 and was at that time three miles square, but in 1897 it was reduced to an area of about two and a half miles. It is bounded on the North by Harrington township, on the South by Ber- genfields borough, on the East by Cresskill borough and on the West by Palisades township.
The first Mayor of the borough was Dumont Clarke. He was fol- lowed by Newton A. Fuller, and Mr. Fuller by the present Mayor, Richard Van Buskirk.
The village has a fire department with a membership of forty men, under the chieftaincy of D. J. Whittaker. The Town Hall was erected in 1896.
BOROUGH OF BERGENFIELDS.
The village of Bergenfields is on the West Shore Railroad, thirteen miles from the city of New York, and is the place where the old South Dutch Reformed Church is located. John Z. Demarest, freeholder, owns the only store in the village. Originally this part of the old township of Palisades belonged to the Schraalenburgh district.
The borough of Bergenfields was organized July 17, 1894. The first officers were :- W. P. Tyson was the first Mayor; Mr. Walter Christie became the second Mayor and was followed by the present in- cumbent William Van Valkenburgh.
THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH.
The Dutch Reformed Church of Schraalenburgh was organized about the year 1724, and the first Church was erected in 1725. The Rev. Reinhardt Erickson became the first pastor. In 1730, the Rev. George Wilhelmus Mancius commenced his work there on September 19. The next pastor was Rev. Antonius Curtenius in 1737, continuing over the two churches ( Schraalenburgh and Hackensack ) until 1784, when Rev. John Henry Goetschius became his colleague.
After the strife which resulted in a second church organization, the old church called Rev. Direk Romeyn who was pastor from 1775 to 1785.
The first pastor of the second church ( known as the South Re- formed Church ) was Rev. John Schuyler. Dr. Solomon Froeligh was the successor of Mr. Romeyn in the first church in 1786, remaining until 1822, when the separation took place which resulted in the forma- tion of the "True Reformed Dutch Church." The second pastor was Rev. Cornelius J. Blauvelt, from 1828 to 1852; Rev. Eben S. Hammond, 1858 to 1862; Rev. Abram A. Van Houten from 1862 to 1868, followed by Rev. Garret A. Haring, 1868, who stills remains its pastor.
The old North Church at Schraalenburgh was built in 1800, after repeated attempts to induce the other party, to join in the building of a house of worship. Mr. Romeyn served the combined churches thirty- three years, but in 1832 when paralysis disabled him and a colleague
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was needed, the church at Schraalenburgh made application for an inde- pendent organization, which was granted, and the relations of pastor and people then existing, was disolved in April 1833, when that at Schraalenburgh became a distinct church.
The minister's salary was provided for by circulating a paper yearly for subscriptions, which were to be paid half yearly. The highest amount given was ten dollars and the lowest amount one dollar. The amount subscribed for 1817 was three hundred and forty dollars and eleven cents in money, and sixty-four loads of wood.
Rev. John Garretson, of Middleburgh, N. Y., was installed pastor October 23, 1833, and remained as such until 1836, during which time the parsonage was built. He was followed by Rev. Michael Osborne, of Virginia, May 15, 1837, who continued with them until 1841. He died in 1863. Cornelius Blauvelt, a licentiate, was ordained and in- stalled November 16, 1842, remaining until 1858, and in October of that vear Rev. William R. Gordon, S. T. D., was installed, and was a suc- cessful pastor until 1880.
In June, 1859, the church was enlarged, the cost being $5300. Rev. George Seibert entered upon his pastorate October 1, 1880, after which many improvements were made in the church property. Rev. George H. Cotton succeeded Mr. Seibert about eight years ago, and is the pres- ent pastor.
In 1784 the congregation of which Rev. Warmoldus Kuypers was was pastor, elected John Demarest their precentor, the service being conducted entirely in the Dutch language. Dominie Kuyper died September 10, 1797. In 1799, Rev. James V. C. Romeyn became his successor. One-third of the service was then conducted in English, and John P. Durie was made English precentor. For ninety-two years the position of precentor was occupied by John Demarest and Isaac D. Demarest, except about thirteen years intervening, when Frederick Mabie and Jacob Brinkerhoff served. Mr. Demarest was chorister of the church fifty-two years.
CRESSKILL.
The borough of Cresskill was formed in 1894, and taken from Palisades township. The officers first elected were: James H. Ferdon, Mayor; B. I. Westervelt, W. H. Westervelt, John Ferdon, W. A. Tall- man, Henry H. Westervelt, William Frazier, Council; A. C. Demarest. Assessor; W. V. Wilson, Clerk.
Mayors of the borough subsequently elected were: Egbert Tallman, A. C. Worth and E. B. Westervelt, the present incumbent. Mr. Wilson filled the office of Clerk until his removal to Tenafly in 1899. A. C. Demarest that of Assessor to the present time.
Colonel A. G. Demarest and I. Smith Homans were among the first owners of land in Cresskill. Colonel Demarest had the first store which was sold to Daniel H. Voorhis in 1861. This stand is now used for a hotel. In 1869 C. A. Demarest bought land of I. Smith Homans and erected his wagon works, which have been operated since that time.
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
About five years later Simeon Westervelt built his carpenter shop in the village, since which time with a force of men constantly employed he has constructed a great number of houses in Cresskill, being one of the largest contractors in this part of the county.
The Manhattan Optical Company in the vicinity of Cresskill began operations a few years ago, manufacturing cameras, lenses, etc. F. and E. M. Shafer are largely interested in this plant and in 1894 erected a building fifty-two by one hundred feet. They employ a large force of help and ship their products over the entire country. Their plant stands on ground formerly occupied by J. R. and B. V. Demarest's Woolen Mills.
The school at Cresskill was formerly included in District No. 12, Old Hackensack township known as Federal District. The schoolhouse stood in Harrington township, on the farm of Samuel A. Demarest, afterwards District No. 14. This school was patronized until the year 1857, when the trustees made application to have the district divided. The application was granted and the organization effected. A lot was purchased of John B. Westervelt, corner of Madison Avenue and County Road, near Cresskill station. John .Durie was given the contract to build a house, which he erected in a satisfactory manner. The house was furnished with seats for seventy-five pupils.
Miss Ray Ward and R. S. Maugham have each held the principal- ship of this school for six or eight years. Robert F. Doyle is the present principal. He has one assistant.
DAVID H. VOORHIS.
Albert N. Voorhis, a descendants of Henry Demarest, probably a Revolutionary soldier, who emigrated from Holland in Colonial times and settled at Demarest, N. J., was born here about 1760, and died at Demarest at the age of seventy-nine years. His two children were Henry A. L., and Nicholas N. Henry A. L. Voorhis married Lavinia Blauvelt of Old Tappan, N. Y., and raised nine children, four of whom, David H., Henry D., John B. H. and Elizabeth, wife of John P. B. Westervelt, are still living.
David H., the subject of this sketch, is the eldest of the family. He was born on the old homestead at Demarest N. J., December 7, 1818.
At the age of seventeen he went to the city of New York and learned the trade of carpenter. Shortly afterwards, however, he formed a connection with Ludlan & Lazanby, large tobacconists, who carried on an extensive trade with the merchants in the South in their line of business, and through them became agents for the Old New York and Virginia Steamship Company, which position he kept for nineteen years. This company first built and operated the " Roanoke," subse- quently building five other vessels, and these were the first ships that plied between New York and Virginia.
Mr. Voorhis was superintendent of the men at the New York Dock, and maintained that position with fidelity and satisfaction to the com-
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HISTORY OF BERGEN COUNTY
pany until the war broke out in 1861, when his vessels were taken into government service, which severed his business relations with that com- pany. Afterwards Mr. Voorhis removed to Cresskill and purchased the store and other property of A. G. Demarest. He then built his resi- dence here, but carried on the mercantile business but a short time.
In 1840 Mr. Voorhis married Jane, daughter of Henry Westervelt, and by this union became the father of nine children, six of whom are now living. His daughter Lizzie M. Voorhis was drowned in the Hud- son river in 1888.
SIMEON WESTERVELT.
Simeon Westervelt. carpenter, is a direct descendant of William Lubbertsen Van Westervelt, who came from Meppel, Province of Dren- the, Holland, in the ship "Hope." April. 1662, and settled in Bergen county, sketches of whom and his descendants can be found in the chapters on Englewood and Palisades.
Dower I. and his wife, Anna ( Banta ) Westervelt, daughter of John T. Banta. were his grandparents. Their son, John D. Westervelt, of Tenafly, not only carried on a large farm but operated a cider mill on an extensive scale.
Simeon Westervelt was born in Tenafly November 1, 1842. In 1861 he enlisted in Captain Vreeland's company, Twenty-second Regiment, N. J. Volunteer Infantry, afterwards commanded by Colonel A. G. Dem- arest, and was with that command in the war of the Rebellion as a drummer boy until mustered out of service. After the war he mastered the trade of carpenter, and was with Blauvelt & Bogert, of Englewood, for ten years, after which he came to Cresskill and began business for himself.
November 7, 1866, Mr. Westervelt married Sarah M. Bogert, daugh- ter of Jacob S. Bogert, one of the old settlers of Closter, who died March 1, 1886, over seventy-one years of age. He was the son of Seba Bogert. The old Bogert homestead farm is situated in Cresskill, on the Closter road, midway between Tenafly and Demarest, N. J.
During the year after his marriage Mr. Westervelt located on twenty acres of this farm, and built his residence in Creskill. Shortly after his business settlement he built an office and shop, one of the best of its kind in this part of the county. A large force of men has been constantly employed, and almost every building in and around Cresskill has been built under his supervision. He has also constructed a number of large and extensive buildings in the city of New York. In addition to other business. Mr. Westervelt owns and operates a cider mill in sea- son, consuming great quantities of apples every year.
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