USA > New Jersey > Burlington County > Burlington > History of Burlington and Mercer counties, New Jersey : with biographical sketches of many of their pioneers and prominent men > Part 73
USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > History of Burlington and Mercer counties, New Jersey : with biographical sketches of many of their pioneers and prominent men > Part 73
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103
Thomas Patterson,1 1ss1.
John Smith,2 1878.
Silas The,1 ISTO.
Frank Burton," ISSI. i
Real Estate Owners, Land and Building Asso- ciations .- Chambersburg has grown up largely as the result of various land and building associations. which have offered to the numerous employés of the constantly increasing manufactories there opportu- nities to own homes which they could not have ob- tained without the aid of these organizations, most of which have been carefully managed to the good of all concerned.
In 1830, Robert Chambers purchased a tract of thirty-five acres in what is now Chambersburg, and en- gaged in farming, his barn standing on the site of the Chambersburg Hotel. In 1854 he erected a woolen- mill at the corner of Broad and Coleman Streets. which was occupied by Yates, Worthley & Co. until it was destroyed by fire. About the same time Mr. Coleman laid his land out in village lots and offered them for sale, erecting several houses for rent or sale. This was the beginning of the village.
Robert Chambers was a descendant of one of three brothers who came to America as early as 1730, two of them locating in Mercer County, the third in Penn- sylvania. He married Catharine Houghton, and lived in Trenton. He had six children, of whom none survive except Abner Chambers, well known in Chambersburg and Hamilton.
The Hamilton Land Association was organized in 1845. It owned forty acres, which was cut up into lots, and most of it was purelased by the late Ger- shom Rusling, of Trenton. The Linden Park Land Association was incorporated in 1869. Its officers were Israel Howell, president ; Alexander Yard, sec- retary ; and James F. Rusling, treasurer. It was possessed of about sixty acres of land in Chambers- burg, which was laid out in one hundred lots, each twenty-five feet by one hundred, most of which were disposed of from time to time. Many of the earlier improvements in the place were made by, or by the
1 First polling district.
: Second polling district.
1
George Milne, 1873. Joseph E. Sweeney, 1873. - Snowden, 1873. Samnel Stead, 1873. Michael Farrell, 1873. John Gordou, 1873-74. Jacob S. Carr, 1874-75. James Gridrod, 1874-75. John C. Schwitzer, 1874-73.
Thomas MI. Jamison, 1874-76. James II. Tallon, 1974-75. George F. Van Ilart, 1874-75. James G. West. 1874. Joseph Wagner, 1874. John I'flegar, 1875. Garret S. Otis, 1875-76. Henry Warman, 1875.
. Aaron Ilaw kyard, 1875, 1879-80. James Miller, 1875.
John II. Whaien, 1879. Julius R-idle, 1880, 1881.
John C. Schwitzer, 1879.
James Curns, 1879.
II. R. Haven, 1880.
750
HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
aid of, this association, and for a time the village was known as Ruslingville, a name which was superseded by the one now so familiar, but which is still some- times thoughtlessly used by old residents.
Among land associations of a later date may be mentioned the Central, Franklin, Jefferson, Me- chanies' Home, and considerable tracts of land are owned by W. S. Yard, S. K. Wilson, John A. Roeb- ling's sons, and the estate of Capt. William E. Hunt, deceased. Others whose names cannot now be re- called are said to have dealt in real estate in Cham- bersburg, which now presents opportunities for the establishment of homes unsurpassed by those of Trenton or any other place adjacent to that city. Under the impetus given to the growth of the place during the past fifteen years by the establishment of numerous manufacturing enterprises, the population has been steadily increasing. Building associations have been forined from time to time on the plan introduced in Philadelphia to enable mechanics and others to own residences, thus securing the perma- nency of a class of good citizens which is con- stantly increasing in numbers.
Those interested in real estate have been liberal contributors toward the establishment of churches and schools, and have done much in aid of such institutions as were likely to attract residents to the village.
Manufacturing History .- THE WIRE AND WIRE ROPE MANUFACTORY OF THE JOHN A. ROEBLING'S SONs' COMPANY. - The extensive wire and wire rope manufactory of John A. Roebling's Sons' Company, on Broad and Canal Streets, covers an area of four- teen acres, and gives employment to one thousand hands. There is not a larger or more important es- tablishment of the similar kind in the United States. The business was established in 1849, by John A. Roebling, who acquired a universal reputation for introducing and successfully accomplishing the sus- pension bridge system, which has since become one of the greatest enterprises of the age. The suspen- sion bridge just below Niagara Falls has been seen and admired since its erection by engineers from all parts of the world, and for many years will remain as a monument to Mr. Roebling's skill. The great Covington, Ky., and Cincinnati, Olfio, suspension bridge, also built by Mr. Roebling, is no less note- worthy. Several other bridges of equal beauty, economy, and endurance, but of lesser notoriety, are scattered over the country, in the construction of which Mr. Roebling was conspicuous. That his sons are not unworthy to wear his mantle is attested by the prominence of the na de in connection with the great East River bridge, now nearly completed. At the death of Mr. Roebling, in 1871, the factory passed into the possession of the present company, of which Charles G. Roebling is president, and F. W. Roebling secretary and treasurer.
Iron and steel wire rope, suspension bridge cables,
galvanized ship rigging, galvanized telegraph wire, bright and annenled iron and steel market wire, wheels and ropes for transmission of power, and su- perior charcoal and common wire rods are manufac- tured.
THE AMERICAN SAW COMPANY'S WORKS .- The American Saw Company was organized under the laws of New York in January, 1866, with a capital of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The manufactory is located on Canal Street near Broad, and the company has a general office in New York. At the date of its organization its officers were as follows : James G. Wilson. president ; Henry G. Ely. treasurer ; Samuel W. Putnam, secretary, all resi- dents of Brooklyn, N. Y., and James E. Emerson, of Trenton, superintendent.
The company was organized for the purpose of manufacturing movable tooth circular saws, an in- vention of Mr. Emerson while in California, but greatly improved by an invention of 1865, covered by a patent under which the company manufacture.
The works were destroyed by fire on the evening of the 7th of February, 1870, involving a loss of about one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, but four weeks later new buildings had been erected, and the hands resumed work as usual.
It is worthy of note that at this manufactory was made the largest saw the world has produced, it meas- uring seven feet four inches in diameter, the plate of which was rolled expressly for the purpose in Shef- field, England. This saw was manufactured for the Exposition Universelle, in Paris, in 1867. Two hun- dred hands are employed.
The following are the officers of the company : Jolin B. Woodward, president ; R. H. Johnson, vice- president ; S. W. Putnam, secretary and treasurer. The factory is under the supervision of R. W. Prosser, superintendent, who has a thorough knowledge of saw manufacture in all its branches.
THE UNION IRON-WORKS .- The firm of Throp, Mackenzie & Wilkes was organized in 1865, and be- gan the manufacture of machinery and iron and steel appliances of various kinds at the foot of Taylor Street, Trenton.
In 1878, Mr. John Throp withdrew from the firm, which has since been known as Mackenzie & Wilkes. The foundry on Hamilton Avenue, Chambersburg, was erected in 1873, and the machine-shop and boiler- shop in the fall of 1878, when the firm removed their enterprise entirely to its present quarters.
Messrs. Duncan Mackenzie and Peter Wilkes, at their shops, known as the Union Iron-Works, manu- facture steam-engines, boilers, cast-iron girders, col- umus, heavy machinery, rubber machinery, wire. ! drawing benches, charcoal-sinking furnaces, Wilkes' patent annealer, and Wilkes' patent crucible jiggers. inill-work, shafting, pulleys, hangers, and all kinds of pottery machinery.
BREARLEY'S COTTON AND WOOLEN YARN MANU-
751
THE BOROUGH OF CHAMBERSBURG.
FACTORY .- The cotton and woolen yarn manufactory of Mr. George Brearley was established in 1872, by Samuel Stead, and purchased by the present propri- etor in .1877. A large business is done, and twenty- five hands find employment in the pottery with which the former proprictor, Samuel Stead, is connected.
WEST'S "TRENTON CRACKER" BAKERY .- About 1862, S. N. West began the manufacture of erackers on Coleman Street, in a building which had been erected by Robert Chambers. About 1864 he received Fletcher Knowles as a partner, and the firm became West & Knowles. In 1867 the business of this firm was purchased by Zimri West and George Brearley, who continued the business under the firm-name of West & Brearley about ten years, when it passed into the sole ownership of Zimri West, the present proprietor.
THE NEW JERSEY AGRICULTURAL WORKS .- Among the most prominent manufacturing indus- tries of Chambersburg may be mentioned Butter- worth's New Jersey Agricultural Works, on Hamilton Avenue and East Canal Street, the property covering the entire block on East Canal Street, from Hamilton Avenue to Hampton Street. The main building measures sixty by thirty-two feet, and is three stories ligh. The erecting-shop, in which heavy machinery is put together, is thirty-six by forty feet, and three storics high.
This enterprise was established in 1860 by John Butterworth & Sons, the firm comprising John But- terworth, Sr., and James and Robert Butterworth. In 1870, Robert, William H., and John Butterworth, Jr., assumed control of the business under the firm- name of Butterworth Brothers, and have since con- tinued it under their personal supervision, with John Butterworth, Jr., as superintendent.
THE EUREKA CHAIN WORKS .- The Eureka Chain- Works of John Billingham & Sons, at the corner of Clinton and Anderson Streets, were established in 1876. Cable and brake chains are manufactured. The works have a capacity to turn ont twenty tons per month, and furnish employment to sixteen hands.
THE VULCAN CHAIN-WORKS .- The Vulcan Chain- Works, 1018 and 1020 Broad Street, were established in 1877 by Joseph Horton & Sons. The capacity of the works is four tons per week, and twelve hands are employed.
THE WORKS OF THE TRENTON MATCH COM- PANY .- The factory of the Trenton Match Company is located on Hamilton Avenue, and was put in opera- tion in 1880. The proprietor is George F. Wilson ; George O. Seward is manager. The manufacturing capacity of the works is three hundred gross of matches per day. Dr ing the busy scason eighty-five hands are employed. The principal shipments are to the South.
Collins' shop was opened in 1873. It is located at 911 and 913 Broad Street.
Jacob Rue's shop, at 918 and 920 Broad Street, was established in 1874.
MOORE'S CIGAR MANUFACTORY. - George R. Moore began the manufacture of cigars in 1873, and continued until 1877, when he discontinued business for two years, resuming at 856 Broad Street in 1879, and continuing since.
YATES, WORTHLEY & Co.'s WOOLEN-MILL .- A factory was ereeted on the Chambers tract in 1854, which was occupied by Yates, Worthley & Co. as a woolen-mnill a few years until the building was de- stroyed by fire.
VARIOUS ENTERPRISES .- There have been and are in Chambersburg various small industries, such as are found in all villages and boroughs. The follow- ing may be mentioned as among the bakers: W. F. Burgner, S. W. Cubberly, E. Ginder, Matlaek Brothers, S. M. McLearn, W. H. Nelson, J. H. Pfister, and S. West. Carpenters and builders: Thomas M. Jemi- son, W. Mills, C. W. Parrish, J. M. Sexton, Slack & South, George Sommers, Sewers Brothers, and H. Vannest.
Other Interests .- Among the business men of Chambersburg may be mentioned the following : Civil engineers, C. C. Haven and F. C. Lowthrop; coal and wood dealers, J. Butterworth, A. Peake, and Wilson & Stokes; cigar dealers, John Bradley & Co., M. Conley, G. R. Morse, C. Pirola, and C. H. Selianek ; crockery dealers, Jacob Blanth and Joseph Carman ; druggists, Horace B. Howell, E. B. Skel- lenger, M. Tidd, and G. W. Woodward; boot and shoc manufacturers and dealers, W. Bradshaw, A. L. Conner, W. F. Desman, E. T. Middleton, and William Paine; butchers, Anthony Archer, Henry Asbrant, W. L. Hill, Gottlieb Kuppinger, and T. Metz.
Physicians .- The following physicians are well- known practitioners: Elmer Barwis, G. S. Hutchin- son, N. B. Oliphant, E. B. Skellenger, and W. V. Wilson.
The Broad Street Methodist Episcopal Church. -Prayer-meetings were first held in Ruslingville, as Chambersburg was then known, in 1864, by Ezekiel Pullen, Zimri Wood, and others from the Central Methodist Episcopal Church of Trenton, at the house of William Jamison. They were held regularly until winter, then discontinned until the spring of 1865. During the following winter they were held in the school-house, and a revival ensued in which a dozen or fifteen were converted. After its close regular meetings were discontinued until the following spring.
A class was formed and met at the house of Reuben Kent. The leader was Zimri Wood. The class was attached to the Trenton Central Church, other mem- bers of which living in the vicinity met with it. The members of the class were Reuben Kent and his wife
WHEELWRIGHTS AND BLACKSMITHS .- The wheel- wright- and blacksmith-shop of Theodore Hunt, at 863 Broad Street, was opened in 1871. George L. i and daughter Caroline, Theodosia Aslunore and ler
.
752
HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
son Matthias, and her daughter, Hester Wilson, Isaac Gibbs and wife, James Daughtery and wife, Amelia Jamison, Mary and Julia Carman, Matthias Taylor and wife, Martha Carman, and Sister Rulon. William 1. Snyder and wife, members of another class, also attended.
About a year later Matthias Taylor was appointed leader of the class, rice Zimri Wood, who removed to Trenton. Prayer-meetings were held from house to house, and the class-meetings were kept up. The class-leader was generally in charge of the prayer- meetings. Occasional meetings were held at the school-house by one or two brethren from the Central Church of Trenton. In 1867, Mr. Taylor removed to the West, and Mr. Knowles was appointed leader. Previous to this time other of the members had moved away or fallen out of the class, but their places were filled by James Greenage and wife, Levi Kearney, and Elias Chambers and wife. The follow- ing spring several members moved out of the place, considerably reducing the class. It was about this time that James Greenage was chosen leader.
In the spring of 1869, Gen. James F. Rusling, of the State Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Trenton, called together some of the members of the class and others at the "white" school-house, on Prospect Street, and organized and became superintendent of the first Sunday-school of Chambersburg, which was regarded as belonging to the Ruslingville class, and both were under charge of the Central Methodist Church of Trenton. After a year or two the Sunday- school was discontinued, but was afterwards revived and continued for a time at the house of Thomas Howell. 1
The class continued under the leadership of MIr. Greenage nearly two years and a half, during which time W. R. Owens and wife, C. Fowler, and one or two others joined it. During the second or third winter of Mr. Greenage's leadership, a series of meet- ings was held in the school-house by him and James Harl, which resulted in a number of conversions, principally among children. Mr. Harl succeeded Mr. Greenage as leader, and was succeeded by Wil- liam J. Snyder. In the mean time another class had been formed, and both were for a time slimly attended. There were some who were dissatisfied with the ap- pointment of Mr. Snyder, and Reuben Kent declined longer to have the meetings held at his house. At the suggestion of Rev. Richard Thorn, pastor of the Central Methodist Episcopal Church of Trenton, the class met at the house of the leader. The first meeting under Mr. Snyder's leadership was held Sept. 5, 1870. The following names were then on the class-book: William J. S. yder, James Greenage, Harriet Green- age, James Ilarl, Reuben Kent, Elizabeth Kent, Caro- ! line Kent, Isaac Gibbs, Elizabeth Gibbs, William J. Owens, Sarah Owens, Anna MI. Cook, Levi Kearney, Charity Curlin, Elizabeth Jones, Charles Jones, Mel- vina Greenage, Hannah Grover, Lana F. Snyder,
Rachel Van Morter, Catharine E. Snyder, Mary Jones, and Mrs. Grover.
About this time a Local Preachers' Association was established in Trenton, Ruslingville being one of its appointments. According to the plan issued by the association, a preacher and exhorter held services in the school-house Sunday evenings. The class had long contemplated building a church, encouraged by the Messrs. Rusling, of Trenton, who had promised to give a lot or lots upon which to erect it. A neces- sary step was a more complete organization, which was soon effected. The minute-book contains the following entry :
"The Methodist Episcopal Society and Congrega- tion worshiping in the public school house of Rus- lingville, in Hamilton township, Mercer Co., N. J., on Monday, Oet. 20, 1869, pursuant to the notice which had been given, signed by James F. Rusling, secretary. The following persons were elected trus- tees, viz. : Israel Howell, Joseph Atwood, William S. Yard, Alexander C. Yard, Joseph F. Kennedy, James F. Rusling, and Reuben Kent, at which time the following resolution was passed : 'That the said trustees be instrusted to take upon themselves the name of the trustees of the Broad Street Methodist Episcopal Church of Hamilton township, Mercer Co., N. J.'"
The board of trustees was incorporated; William S. Yard was chosen president, and James F. Rusling secretary. A committee consisting of William S. Yard, James F. Rusling, and Joseph Atwood was appointed to solicit subscriptions and attend to other matters. There is no record of subsequent meetings of this board. .
At the beginning of 1871 a revival began in the school-house, under the preaching of Rev. George H. Neal, and continued against some opposition through the month of January. The following persons were converted : Edith Curlin, Jacob Young, Joseph B. Baker, Catharine Whittock, Edward Cook, Sarah Kearney, Amelia Pitman, Mary Levering, Jacob Os- born, John Yard, and Elizabeth Baker. These were added to the class, many of whose former members returned, rendering it so large that the leader deemed it best to divide it, a portion meeting at the house of Reuben Kent, under the leadership of Mr. Greenage, the others continuing under the leadership of Mr. Snyder. In a few months, however, the two classes united under the leadership of MIr. Snyder. In August, 1871, the place of meeting was changed to the house of Mr. Leverings. At this time the school trustees refused longer to permit the school-house to be occupied as a meeting-place, and until the follow- ing January the local preachers preached at Mr. Howell's. By this time the people had become thor- oughly aware of the necessity of their having a per- manent place of worship of their own. The class- leader asked Rev. Richard Thorn, pastor of the Central Church of Trenton, to dismiss the Chambers-
753
THE BOROUGH OF CHAMBERSBURG.
burg members from that organization, and permit them to build a church and employ a preacher. Rev. Mr. Thorn refused to do so until the following spring, but advised that as the term of service of the first board of trustees had expired, notice of the election of a new board should be given, and that the new board, when organized, should proceed to erect a house of worship. The following trustees were elec- ted June 5, 1871 :
James G. West, Zimri Wood, David G. Denis, Isaaę Ashton, William H. Applegate, William Risdon, and Rev. George H. Neal.
The sense of the meeting was then taken in regard to the propriety of accepting two building lots offered by Abner R. Chambers, and it was decided to accept them. James G. West, Zimri Wood, and William Risdon were appointed "to wait upon Abner R. Chambers and James F. Rusling, for the purpose of procuring a deed or deeds for said building lots to Broad Street Methodist Episcopal Church," and at a subsequent meeting it was recommended by Zimri Wood "that the trustees meet and make out a pro- position to be presented to the direetors of the Linden Park Land Association, who have in charge the lots on the part of James F. Rusling." The following resolution was passed by the trustees of the Broad Street Methodist Episcopal Church, June 13, 1871 :
" Resolved, That the two building lots offered by the Linden Park Land Association be accepted and a frame building erected thereon" [and ] . . . "that the wall of said building be eight feet deep, and George lIenry, William Applegate, and David G. Denis be appointed a committee to estimate the probable cost of the building."
June 19, 1871, a meeting was called for the purpose of organizing the board of trustees. David G. Denis having declined to aet, William J. Snyder was chosen in his place. Rev. George H. Neal was elected pres- ident, William J. Snyder. secretary, and James G. West, treasurer. Messrs. Applegate and Henry "reported $3700 as the cost of a building 45 feet by 60, 20-feet posts, with unfinished cellar and reeess." Rev. George H. Neal, James G. West, and William Applegate were appointed a building committee. The amount of available subscription reported at this meeting was one thousand dollars.
After various plans for a building had been adopted and reconsidered, Sept. 8, 1871, it was finally resolved "that the building should be frame, forty-five feet front by sixty-five feet deep, with basement." It was then determined to proceed at once with the erection of the building, and the meeting adjourned sine die, with the understanding that the building committee should have power to call the board together at any thne. It was ascertained that the holders of the lots were t .willing to convey them until Conference ac- knowledged the labors of the board by sending them a preacher. This was done in the following spring, when the board was duly incorporated. Preaching was continued at the house of Mr. Howell until about the 1st of February, 1872, when, permission having
been obtained, meetings were again held in the school- house. About this time the place of holding elass- meetings was changed to the house of the leader, and the second prayer-meeting was held at the house of Reuben Kent by James Greenage.
In March, 1872, Rev. J. R. Westwood was ap- pointed pastor of the Broad Street Church, in con- neetion with the Homestead Church and outlying preaching-places (to labor in connection with the local preachers), and succeeded Mr. Snyder as class- leader upou the latter's resignation. Broad Street Methodist Episcopal Church was now virtually estab- lished, Jolin Parrish having been appointed steward to render the organization complete. Regular morn- ing and evening Sunday services were held in the school-house.
A trustees' meeting was held at the house of Zimri Wood, April 13, 1871, at which James G. West, Zimri Wood, William Risdon, and William J. Sny- der were present. William Applegate having re- moved, George Henry was elected to fill his place, and Charles Wilkinson was elected to fill the place of Isaae Ashton resigned. A proposition from James F. Rusling was read :
"That the Liudeu Park Land Association will con- vey to the trustees of the Broad Street Methodist Episcopal Church two building lots, provided that work on the church building be commenced by the first day of May, 1872."
This proposition was accepted. The following record appears without date in the trustees' minute- book :
" WHEREAS, the deed for the first fifty-two feet from Chestnut Avenne westerly to the trustees of this church, bearing date April 21th, 1872, is only nominally from the Linden Park Land Association ; and whereas, it has been and may be questioned as to how our church received this property; therefore resolved, that the said ground was given and pre- sented to the said church by James F. Rusling and William II. Kusling, of the city of Trenton jointly, they having purchased the same from said association ; but said deed, at their suggestion and request, was conveyed direct to us to save time and cost. Resolved that the above be entered on our minute book and made part of our record."
George Henry was elected to fill the place on the building committee of William Applegate. At a meeting of the board of trustees held at the house of Thomas E. Howell, April 25, 1872, at which Zimri Wood, James G. West, George Henry, Charles Wil- kinson, and William I. Snyder were present, it was "resolved that the president of the board be author- ized to sign the agreement on behalf of the trustees between the board and James F. Rusling and William H. Rusling, in relation to conveyance of lots No. 39 and No. 40 of the Linden Park Land Association, and erection of a new church." It was also resolved that the building committee should mect for the purpose of breaking ground for the church building.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.