History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 142

Author: Shaw, William H
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: [United States :]
Number of Pages: 830

USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 142
USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 142

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From an early period the brewing of lager beer has been prominent in this locality. In May, 1-os, Daniel Bermes, George Fauul and Jacob Schweitzer were at the head of establish ments where this business was conducted; in May 1864, Brugjes & Lanneworth, Peter & Meychberg ; in May, 1>65, Koverman & Spingler ; and in May, ING, William Peter & Co. During the month of August, in the latter year, the brewers of the town of Union disposed of two thousand eight hundred and four barrels as follows: Bermes, 320 barrels ; Brunjes & Linneworth 9H barrels; Kover- mann, 721 barrels; Peter & Co. Si barrels.

In addition to the lager beer, there were manufir- turers of Weiss beer and a distiller. The business of making beer progressed, os did other traffic, and the various sorts of manufactories were from time to time added to the pursuits followed throughout the town. In September, 1867, the manufacturers within this settlement were busied as follows :

M. Baumgartner, hats; Edward Bell, clothing : A. D. Bogert. sashes; C'onrad Dicks, shutters; John Einde, lands, Frederick Koth, bungs ; Meyer's Sans, buckskins ; William Knoke, fancy covers ; H. Sieden- torp, gimp ; Jumes Warc, clothing ; Frederick Etz Id, shuttles.

SI.K. The maonfacture of ar'k has sprung up within a few years prast, and several large bijikhi gs were put up at I many operatives have Cand employ - ment at this business. Uhnef downgst those are the manufactories of Lesk n & ('s, b ated south side of Kossuth Street, west of Bull's Ferry Avenue; of simnon, on the north side of Gardner Srect, near Bergenwood Avenue and of Kamp, a short distance south for southeast) from the dwelling of the late Cornelius Van Vorst. Kampdod recently and Ernest Otz has charge. The thu It or of Kasip's was lately in the occupancy of Em] Pietschmann engaging twenty five operators in fabric ung many varieties of trimmings, ornamental borders to wedding and other cards, and some fashionable fringes.

ROBERT SIMION. Mr. Simon, who is off German parentage, was born Nov 9, 1%.], at Frankfort- on-the-Main. His youth was wholly devoted to the acquisition of a thorough education, first in his native town, after which he stu lied successively \n France, Italy and Switzerland. He then entered a werving-school in Germany, and subsequently ne- quira a practical knowledge of silk manufacturing in various sok-factories in freimady and other countries. Mr. Sinon on becoming proti ient in the art of silk- weaving sought in America a wider ti bl for his abili- ties, and on his arrival, in ISTO, located in West Hoboken, where he became superintendent of the mill owned by Moss, bakard & Hatton. Two years later, in connection with his brother, h. built the mill at Weehawken, which has established a reputation for the production of a special brand of silks known as the " Regatta" silks. The " Royal Standard, another brand, has also won wuch favor. During the year 1552, Messrs. R. & Il. simon estab- lished another mill at Easton, Pa., which is engaged in the produ tion of the same fabrics. Mr. Sunons' time is cluefly devoted to his various manufacturing Interests, which leaves no leisure for participation in the political issues of the day. He is not a partisan in politics, and influencel less by party demand th n by character and integrity in the casting of his hallot.

PIPES. One of the longest established manufac- tories here & that of the smoker's comfort, the clay tobacco-pipe. John Winters Speth has conducted the manufactory for many years, beginning the busi- ness in 1864. He uses both in ported and native New Jersey clay, and manufactures all kinds of tobace pipes. The location of the furnace is on the rear of the lot where his dwelling is, on the south side of Van Vorst Place, between Bergen Line and Bergenwood Avenues.

Prominent throughout the town as an industry conducted for a period of year is the business of cigar-making. These manufacturers are an impor- tant factor in the local business operations. August W. Bode, one of the number, an inhabitant of this locality, residing permanently here during a period

1 Hr. Puttmann was born for liten r. formany, Ther 22, 18.12. He conir to this entry in 1-47, and to the state in 1844, berating as above slated. He married in 1852, and has eight children.

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HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

of more than twenty-two years, has a store and aided by the tact and experience of their father, dwelling situated on the northwest corner of Union stir the round of wants in many ways. Their prom- inent store, on a thoroughfare so much traversed as of many buyers. They supply the house-keeper with oil-cloth, crockery, stoves, cutlery and tin-ware. Street and Hudson Avenue, having occupied these premises about seventeen years. Mr. Bode was born | Bergen Line Avenue at present is, wins the notice in Germany, Sept. 27, 1835; came to America, August, 1855; married here Ang. 10, 1862, and has two children, a son born April 20, 1865, and a daugh- P. B. Lawton, west side of Bergen Line Avenue, offers to the community, at reasonable prices, his china, wood and willow-wares, and holds out for sale a thousand implements and utensils, ranging from a sauce-kettle to a scythe, a pruning-knife to a patent pump. Wire-cloth, door-knobs, varnish and padlocks and a host of other merchantables can be found at his store. ter born May 21, 1867. About the year 1865 this business throughout the town was carried on by August Bode. Henry Bode, James Clark, Frank Lip- pert, Jacob Meuscheler, Andrew Ritchel, Gustave Ritchel, F. J. Wappler. The business more recently includes the names of William Schroeder, George Kahlert, Gustav Foerch, Charles Waas and many others.

FURNISHINGS, -Quite a brisk business is conducted at a fartory established five years ago corner of Palisade Avenue and Jefferson Street. It isa branch of a business more largely operated at 74 and 76 Leonard Street, New York City, by Bhim & Weill. The resident superintendent here is 11. A. Behn, who employs daily from ninety to ninety-five hands, mostly girls. It is a shirt and drawer manufactory, all silk manufactories, in June, 1854, presenting a seene of busy activity.

HARDWARE .- An extensive business inaugurated here in 1861, employing from twenty-four to thirty workmen, came under the auspices of the late town, and in June, 1881, was made collector of the Frederick Etzoll. This enterprising citizen was born in Saxony, Oct. 15, 1836, and came to America in 1852; as an official here, he became a mem- ber of the Town Couneil, the Board of Education, and succeeded John Gardner in 1866 as member of the Board of Chosen Freeholders, serving in that board till 1869, when Henry Brunjes was chosen to succeed him. He gave likewise some care to the public con- cerns, the business being chiefly managed, as now carried on, by a son, F. O Etzold. The . hler Etzold. in addition to business done in the hardware line, made immense numbers of shuttles for sewing-ma- chines.

At the time his building was erceted, now twenty- three years ago, it was quite alone. Dwellings were scat- tered and population sparse. Etzold relied mainly upon the business of shuttle-making, to which he gave the earnest attention he was apt to display in a business enterprise. The traffic now at this store exhibits local sales of garden implements and hous: - hold goods, builders' supplies, etc.

PAINTS, ETC .- Charles Wittreich, now located on the west side of Bergen Line Avenue, a little dis- tance from Union Place, has had much experience here in his business as a dealer in the white lead and window-glass line, or to whatever pertains to conveni once or household adornment in this direction. Ite served the people acceptably in the Board of Educa- tion and in the Town Council with zeal.

GENERAL STORES .-- Emil and William Schneider,

Several yards north of Lawton is the store of M. C. ITall, started here in 1881, and now exhibiting milli- nery goods in all their varieties. In the same vicinity Mr. Palmer sells dry-goods, and Mr. Gulden house furniture.

BUILDING MATERIALS,-Mr. Robert E. Gardner, born in 1821, and for many years a proprietor of the lumber-yard north side of Union Street, conduets the same business at present in conjunction with his son- the machines running by steam-power, and, like the in-law, under the firm-name of Gardner & Meeks,

They deal largely in building materials, making ear- peuters' Jumber and masons' commodities their chief merchantables. Mr. Gardner served several terms in the Town Council, was several years treasurer of the Bull's Ferry road improvement. Mr. Gardner is con- spicuously identified with the real estate and the business interests of the town, and has exercised his skill and tact in many directions to add to its ad- vancement, as well as its prosperity.

ROBERT E. GARDNER .- Three brothers of the Gardner family came from England to America in the year 1600, the first of whom settled in New Jersey, the second in Connecticut and the third in New York. The progenitor of the subject of this biographical sketch is Thomas, who found a home in New Jersey. In the direct line of descent from him was Elijah Gardner, born in Jeffersonville, Essex Co., N. J., where he was an enterprising farmer. He subsequently removed to the present town of Union, in Hudson County, where he became a considerable land-owner and continued to cultivate the soil. Ilis wife was a Miss Force, whose surviving children were Phebe ( Mrs. George Decker), Sarah ( Mrs. Robert Pierce), Eliza ( Mrs. Montgomery Crane), James F., John and Thomas, of whom the last-named ouly is now living. James F. Gardner was born in the present Wechawken, where he came into possession of a large landed property, and for many years followed the pursuits of a farmer. He married Mary, daughter of Daniel Earle, of the same town and county, and had children,-Sarah (Mrs. John Morgan), Charles E., Mary, James F. (lately deceased), Elijah, Eliza (Mrs. Richard t'arrey, deceased), Phebe Ann (Mrs. James Youmans), Robert E., Jane ( deceased), John,

1263

TOWN OF UNION.

Charlotte A. &Mrs. James Brown), Thomas deceased), is located corner of Columbia Street and Bergen Line and C'ornela S. (Mrs. Walham Hazzard . Robert E. Avenue. of thiss umber was born Sept. 27, 1519, in Weehawken. The st re was opened here under the manage- most of Mr. Wedemeyer. He was born March 1, 1\20 ; arr'ved in New York from Germany. Dec. 17, Is4 ; imarried in 1.53 a nalive of Germany, und has lead thirteen children. Mr. Wedemeyer makes an effort to advance local enterprise in many ways, and achieves his purpose. It ration day, J's1, he remarked to a meghbor, "I am now busy on the nineteenth hatte It appears that his attention wax early turned to making vacant lots habitable. and received his early instruction at the grammar school of the nei, hborhon), from which he entered the preparatory school at New Brunswick. While here engage l in preparation for a collegiate course he was summoned to the assistance of his father in his business operations in New York Ogly. He remained thus occupied for seven years, meanwhile retaining his residene . in We hawken. He afterward engaged in farming and marketing, und during this period acquired a thorough knowledge of the carpenter's craft, which for five years absorbed his energies. In the year 1853, under the firm-name of J. & R. Gardner, he embarked in the business of contracting and the sale of timber, in connection with which a branch was established in Hoboken under the firm-nam > of Gardner, Harp & Co., making a specialty of lumber, masons' materials and coal. In 1870 the firm of J & R. Gardner having been dis- solved was succeeded in 1871 by the present house of Gardner & Meeks, who are extensive dealers in lumber and other builders' materials. Mr. Gardner was married, Dec. 22, 1549, to Miss Eleanor M Gardenbrook, daughter of Abram Gardenbrook, of New York. Their children are Charles (who died in infancy ), Euretta E. (Mrs. H. V. Mecks), Robert E. (who died in childhood and Ella Louisa. The father of Mr. Gardner was in early life an Andrew Jackson Democrat in his political views and subsequently indorsed the principles of the Whig party. These Whig predilections were transmitted to the son, who later found the platform of the Republican party in harmony with his convictions. He has devoted some attention to local and political issues and filled various offices, such as a member of the committee of the township of l'nion, member and chairman of the Council of the town of Union and treasurer for several years of the town of Union. He is in religion a member of the Reformed (Dutch) Church of New Durham, in which he has been for several years both deacon and eller.

Miscellaneous .- Continuing a business started in 1856, Isaac Hammel deals in supplies of dry-goods, corner of Washington (now Palisade) Avenue and Franklin Street.

Martin Baumgartner, corner of Lewis Street and Hudson Avenue, began hisstraw hat manufactory about the year 1860. The building, thirty six by fifty, is three stories and a half high, and yields ample room for the business. He occupies a dwelling here, and transacted business in New York City during several years before removing the manufactory to this place.

Frederick C. Wienken located himself as a cigar manufacturer corner of Palisade Avenue and Jeffer- son Street, May 1, 1875. Besides making cigars, he deals in chewing and making tobacco, pipes, etc.

REAL ESTATE .- The store of Claas HI. Wedemeyer

HOTLEs. The Columbi's House, a re ort for recre- ation and refreshtient, located in the corner of Bull's Terry and Liberty Street, was established about the year 1867 A popular Italian Louis Canuto, is the proprietor of the "Columbus."

On the corner of the same avenue and Humboldt Street, in June, 1983, across the way from the elevated water tower, James Finneran opened a saloon called the "Tower House."

The northeast corner of Hudson Avenue and Jeffer- son Street is occupied by a grocery kept for fifteen years past by William Muller. Saloons and groceries are not rare objects throughout the town.

Education. Beauty facilities for education were manifest here at the earliest periods. It was happily in the way for Mr. Gardner, the elder proprietor of much of the soil in this locality, to add to the general convenience here. Tradition tells us that the immediate neighbors had the privilege of availing themselves of the tuitional services he employed, more particularly for the instruction of his own chil- drop. Private schools were established here so soon as the population made marks of home settlement in any degree conspicuous Among the prominent academies was that of Augusta Fredericks, conducted under the supervision of Charles Siedhof, who was town school superintendent in 1805-66. The institution flourished for years. Several other schools, with a parochial school or so, gained patronage. Miss Maria Brecht opened a select school Oct. 2, 1852, corner of Kossuth Street and Palisade Avenue. Miss Brecht graduated from a public school in New York t'ity, and has thirty-six pupils in her present little academy. She teaches what she calls the " English and German branches," and the children in her care range from six to fifteen years of age.

The school-house on Lewis Street devoted to the public use has been at the command of the local educational department for many years. It was dedicated Nov. 6, 1857. Repairs and additions were mide from time to time as these were considered nee lful. It has been deemed too limited in its ap- pointments for convenience for a few years past. The anthorities are upon the eve of dedicating a new brick edifice more commodious and better adapted to present nequirements.

The new edifice faces the eust and stands between

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HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

two streets, with ample means of illumination and ventilation ; the location is altogether, in fact, eligible. It- interior accommodations will also commend them- selves to the judicious mind. Present Board of Ed- ucation : William Kothe, president; Henry Lohaus clerk; Henry .1. Rottmann, Ephraim De Groff, Chris- tian Gorman, t'h. Heitzmann, Nicholas Goelz, Warne Smyth, Robert Schlemm.

Societies .- The town contains its charitable institutions that exercise a benign influence upon the community.

I. O. O. F .- This order has a lodge working in the English and another in the German language. Jefferson Lodge, No. 125, is the German, and Jack- son Lodge, No. 150, the English. Both convene upon particular evenings in the week at Odd-Fellows' Hall, Union Street, and, according to their rules of order, discussions are there condneted in that ' spirit of candor and open generosity which leads men to the altar of concord and good-fellowship."

These lodges are instituted by virtue of a warrant from the R. W. Grand Lodge of the State. The principal officers are elected by the members, and have a term of service named by the regulations. Members are elected after a form peculiar to the institution. Early initiation follows an election. During the earlier part of the year Isso the following gentlemen were initiated in Jackson Lodge or be- came members by card : Franklin Adriance, Calvin Clarke, Frank Meyer, Henry Petmore.

F. AND A. M .- A German and American lodge met west side of Hudson Avenue, near Kossuth Street, many years. A Masonic Hall, on Union Place, was dedicated in 1$$4. Palisade, No. 84, and MIstic Tie, No. 123, are the lodges in this locality. This venerable institution maintains that wisdom dwells with contemplation; its members appeal to the Supreme Architect of the Universe to harmonize and enrich the heart with love and goodness. In His name they assemble, and in Ilis name desire to pro- ceed in all their doings. They entertain ceremonies designed to adorn the mind, and exercise at their communications the intelligence of a Senior and Junior Dencon, a Senior and Junior Warden besides that of several other officials. Among the latter are a Senior and Junior Master of Ceremonies and a Chaplain. A lodge ordinarily has its trustees, those of Mystic Tic for 1884 being Harvey Wilkins, Anson B. Guilford and Edwin B. Young.

JACKSON LODGE, No. 150, town of Union, was in- stituted Oct. 10, 1570, Members here had been pre- viously connected with Columbia Lodge, No. 63, of Hoboken. In respect to the second order here named,-

" It i generally conceded that Mas mury in this country dates from the year 1733, when the Right Honorable and Most Worshipful Anthony, Laird Viscount Montague, Grand Master of the Grand lander of England, appointed and constituted the Right Worshipful Henry Price as Provin- rial Grand Master over all the lodge In New England, who, on the 30th of July 1733, enstituted the first Grund Le lgs of Free Masons ever opened

on the American continent. This was known as St. John's Grand Lodge which title it retained until it was hinted in 1792 with the Grand lange founded by the Earl of Dalhousie, Grand Master of scotland, of which Gen. Joseph Warren, who fell at the battle of Bunker Hill, was the first Grand Master."

G. A. R .- Ellsworth Post. No. 14, Department of New Jersey, meets twice a month. The officers are elected in December and installed in January of each year. Meets at Odd-Fellows' Hall, Union Street.

VETERAN ASSOCIATION .- Headquarters at No. 89 I'nion Street. Meet first Monday evening of each month. Organized in the autumn of 1880. In 1884 : President, William Rottmann; Secretary, Jacob Bowers.

A. D. O. H .- This "Siek Society," so termed in common parlance, now meets at Odd-Fellows' Hall, in I'nion Street. It organized about the year 1862 as Worth Lodge, No. 217. Jacob Itfert. 1). B., and Conrad Bickard, Sec.

COUNCILS OF THE O. U. A. M .- Sobriety, Junior, Garfield. The latter is at present operating. Union Hill Division, No. 7, A. O. II., has for its current. year's President Thomas P. Wall ; Secretary, Patrick Woods.

OTHER ASSOCIATION4-Quite a number of ephem- eral institutions figured here during the past two or three decades, many of which were mainly convivial or social in character. Occasionally the promptings of some ruling circumstance urged nuion of senti- ment upon particular propositions, and organization prevailed for a season, the combination ceasing on the achievement of the purpose. Similar ideas come to us when reading that Pioneer llose and Liberty Engine Companies went on an excursion to lona Is- land, or that the annual ball of Fidelio C'htb took place at Meyenberg's, or when told that the Wee- hawken filee C'lub danced with their friends and were merry at the Franklin Street club-house. The town of Union always seems to admit that merriment has a share in human experience, and that "all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." Accordingly, the reader can be assured that in any elaborate light of history the chronicles of this town carry many a fes- tive event.

But a faint glimpse of the town's history would be given were we to pass over vivid recollections that awaken ou a mention of certain headquarters so renowned among old inhabitants as the the Cali- fornia Store, corner of Main Street and New York Avenue; Ludlow's, west side of Palisade Avenue, corner of Kossuth Street ; the noted Mitchel's. east side of Palisade Avenue ; and Stoppel's, west side of Duran Street (now Hudson Avenne). These public resorts named among the earlier residents of the region are sure to stir some recollections and to in- vite special comment.

Considerable attention is evinced by the populace here in musical matters. Lively appreciation, in fact, has been shown the science in this locality. Quite a

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BIOGRAPHICAL

number of associations designed to foster the art have flourished, and a club, the Liefertatel, comprising twenty or more of the prominent citizens, having the encouragement of musical education among its ob- jeets, was incorporated by special art of the Stat . Legislature, Feb. 21, 15/2. The following gentlemen were the incorporators :

Theoladd Betz Probrick Berenlas k. Daniel B. DINB.

Hmvi Renun.

Gural Nhungder

Charles Dilker

Jolin Geschwind, sr

1.nul linamierth.

Conra I Thottr. Frederick Vanlerleit.

Frede ick Michel.

Churches. EVANGELICAL RITORMED CHLECI, south side of Columbia Street, constituted a society Det. 1, 1853. Earles' pastor, Rev. Leopold Mahn, installed Aug. 5, 1855 ; Elders, William leke, H. F. Maackers ; Deacons, John Hoffer, John Kessler. A frame edifice, with basement and belfry, the origi- nal structure having been remodeled and enlarged in 1868. A new parsonage was built in 1883, taking the place of that ere ted in 1854. Present pastor. Rev. John Justin, who has officiated here since Fune 2, 1865.

IMMANUEL CHURCH, institutel June 27. 1865, aN a mission of the German Evangelical Ass a jation of North America. A small frame edifice, with beliry created in 1865, west side of New York At me, south of Lewis Street. In 1865-47 the Rev. Christian Meyer officiated there as its earliest pastor, At the present time this Union Hill Mission, which includes service at Zion Kirche, in West New York, is in charge of Rev. John P. Lueppold, who resides on Palisade Avenve, north of Lewis Street.

FT. JESTIN THE MARTYR CHERCH,Greeted corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Bergenwood road in 1875. Episcopal services held here. Edifice was sold and moved in Is81.

ST. Jons's CHURen, organized Feb. 17, 1878. and attached to the General Council of the Evangeli- cal Lutheran Church of America. Builling locate 1 northwest corner of Franklin Street and New York Avenue. Rev. Herman Shoeppe, who was installed as the pastor of this congregation June 22, 1878, has had charge als of St. John's Lutheran Church at West New York, since Oct. 19, 1579. Services in the morning at the Franklin Street Church and in the afternoon at West New York.

FIRST BAPTIST, on the northeast corner of Frank- lin Street and Bergen Line Avenue, Small frame edi- lie, built in 1866. Present pastor, Rev. P. F. Jones.

GERMAN PILGRIM BAPTIST, a mission organized with eight members in 185] Building located north shie of Morgan Street, east of Hudson Avenue. Pas- tor, Rev. C'. F. Sievers.

CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY, located cast of

Borgenwood Avenue on the north sale of Jefferson Street, Fram building. Present pastor JA J. S. Girielf. Pertains to the diocese of Newark.

GERMAN PILGRIM BAPTIST CHURCH, Own of Inion. This church was organized April 2. 1sie, in Paterson Street, in what was then Hudson City, (now Jersey City lights), with the followingz- ouned Persons as constituent members: Charles Kaiser an 1 wife Mr. Stein , and wife, Mr. Kittner and wife, Mr. Seidel mid wife, Mr Konig, Mr har land Mr Low. enherr.

The pioneer deacons were Meses. Kaiser and Kittner, and the first trustees were Seinle, Kaiser and Lowenberg.

This organization is doing a good work among the German population, and natif May_1-1, the church service was held at Jersey City Heights, when the servis were all transferred to the town of I'nin. where the church haas at present a enaf rtaide frame house of worship, valued at four thousand ove hundre dollars, with a membership of sixty-eight

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 142

Author: Shaw, William H Publication date: 1884 Publisher: [United States :] Number of Pages: 830

Author: Shaw, William H
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: [United States :]
Number of Pages: 830