History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 143

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 143
USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 143

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The pasters of the church have been Rev. 11. Frebleman, from 186) to 1-52, and Rey. F Never- from June 1, 1883, to the present tim .

The deacons of the church for Jest were Messrs. Greppand Bramstedt. Trustees, Charles Kaner, & hanf and Branste It.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

JAME WIGGINS

Jam's Wiggins was born in the town of taran. in the northern part of Ireland, Ort. 1. 1-13, and was des ended from thit sturdy class, the Scotch ('wenanters. Under the early instruction of the most pious and godly of mothers, he dedicated him- self while very young to the service of the Lord, and pursued his education with a view to ent ring the ministry at a later period.

C"reumstances over which he had no control caused him to relinquish this cherished desir , and, in acc rd- an e with his father's wish, he entered the gardens of Lord Farnham, Earl of Maxwell, nar his native town, for the purpose of learning gar lening and her- ticulture. His excellent knowledge of Latin soon made him a proficient in his business, and before the age of twenty he had offered to him the charge of one of the largest estates in Northern Ireland. He was particularly fortunate at this period of his life in meeting some celebrated French, German and Se ach botanists, his natural genial manner and cultivated mind causing them to take more than a passing inter- est in the youth. His love for reading was intense.

1 Ily Rev. F sievers.

1266

HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

and more than gratified by daily access to the well- filled library of Lord Farnham. The latter noted his literary taste, and afforded every opportunity to in- dulge it. In later years the knowledge gained at that time proved of great benefit.

His father determined to settle in America, and James, being the oklest child and actuated by a strong filial love, gave up his bright prospects for the future, and accompanied his parents and seven other children to New York, in 1834. In that city he found employment with the firm of Greenfield & Co., by whom he was engaged in matters of interest and

become overseer of the estate of James Brown, Esq., of the banking firm of Brown Brothers, of Wall Street, New York City. Mr. Brown found in Mr. Wiggins a man of more than ordinary intellect and culture, and, being himself a true Christian gentleman, recognized and appreciated those qualities.

Mr. Wiggins remained with Mr. Brown for cighteen years, and during that time was identified with the town committee of Wechawken, besides holding other offices of trust. On making Weehawken their residence he and his wife united with the Reformed Church of New Durham by letter from Eighth Street Pres-

Jamies hig gins

confidence until the financial revulsion, occurring in byterian Church, New York, and became thoroughly 1836-37, led him to Mattewan, near Fishkill, where identified with the church-work, the former as deacon, Sabbath-school superintendent and treasurer of the church, holding the last two positions for more than twenty years. his father and mother resided. He became a mem- ber and an active worker of the Presbyterian Church of Mattewan, at that time under the charge of Rev. Dr. Irenacus Prime, now senior editor of the New In April, 1873, Mr. Wiggins was appointed associate judge of the Hudson County Court. His affable man- ner and genial nature made him an acceptable asso- ciate on the bench, and those with whom he came in York Observer, whose friendship he always retained. Here he was married by Dr. Prime, Aug. 14, 1838, to Mary Ramsay.

He came to Wechawken from New York in April, | contact from day to day recall his kindness of heart 1×46, where he had resided, after leaving an official | and the correctness of his judgment. Ile was dis- position which he held for several years, and which posed to take the merciful side in every case that ad- became vacant in the political changes of the day, to J mitted of it. He had time to attend the funerals of

1267

TOWN OF GUTTENBERG.

those who buried their dead. He had a kind word for the boys and girls growing uparound him, interest- ing himself greatly in their education. Jo the earlier years of the town, when schools were of an inferior order, many men now living recall his suggestion that they seek a higher education in New York City, de companied by an introductory letter from him.

In a word, no man more sincerely rejoiced in the good of others, or more sincerely grieved for others in trouble, than James Wiggins. It is to be credit that, coming to this country with nothing but his purity of character and an excellent education, he and his wife reared a large family of children, giving them a lib- eral education and qualifying them for places of trust and importance, bequeathing to them the com- forts of a good home and the legacy of so excellent it reputation.

Worthy alsoy of notice was his habitual and life long fidelity to Christianity. He read the Bible daily, de- voting the early morning hours to his loved pursuit. Hle was able to quote Scripture, as also religions and secular poetry, with great accuracy, and could give chapter and verse for Scripture. He was exemplary in coming himself and bringing his family to the so- cial religious meetings of the sanctuary. For more than thirty years he was always in his place at the Sabbath and social gatherings, in the latter place con- tributing not only his prayers, but addresses, which his bright and cheerful temperament enabled him to do with silutary effect.

The study of higher astronomy claimed a large por tion of his time, and during his carlier life, while in New York City, he spent many hours of the night on the house-top surveying the heavens through his tele- scope. All the standard works on this science were found in his library, and read and studied with profit to himself and others. He gave several lectures on astronomy for the benefit of the Sabbath-schools a few years before his decease.

ITis funily was his crown. For them he lived, and in him they ever found a most tender and sym- pathetie friend.

Mr. Wiggins loved the promises of Scripture and the worship of God's people, and died as he had lived, in their enjoyment, on the 21st of July, 1577.

CHAPTER XLV.

TOWN OF GUTTENBERG.1

THE name of this locality arose from an enterprise of what is styled "The Weehawken Land and Ferry Association," who proposed the plan for a settlement to be called the new village of Guttenberg. . An out-

line of the property took forms in a map made of the tract of land showing numbered lots, avenues and streets. That map was placed on file June 7, 1-53, and made a public record at the county clerk's office. The widening of rondways in subsequent years made it expedient to direct surveys of a later date. The original map of 1553, by William Hexamer, was there fore followed by another, presumed to be nearer exact, the work of D. E. Culver, in 1970.

The deed conveying property about this kvality usually contain the phrase 'being part of a tract of land known by the name of tutteoberg."

As a town under mun cipal authority the area is wHall, extending from the Hudson on the rast to the Bergenwood road on the west. The northern undary is Bull's Ferry district of North Bergen, and the southern is the northerly line of I'ni n town- ship as now constituted. About the year 1-52 immi- gration increased quite rapidly. The New York Herald announced ir its issue of Aprilith the in- coping at that port 2 of more than two hundred an i ninety-nine thousand passengers from foreign ports during the previous year, and only a few days before the New York Times made the announcement that "a city almost as large as Philadelphia is annually emptied from ships upon the New York docks." such a wonderful increase by immigration stirred the spirit of enterprise, and suburban settlement increased in population at a rapid rate. Looking in this direc- tion, we soon see a quickened. progress in the way of land sales. The Weehawken Land and Ferry Asso- ciation covered by its possessions a considerable area. and brisk sales were made to purchasers desiring to locate. The deeds given by the association in the years 1554, '55 and i are signed by John Hofer as presi- dent and Aaron Frauk as secretary, enumerating lots in Guttenberg. The association, it seems, organized in January, 1-53, with thirty shareholders, chose ofli- cials, trustees and a committee of finance, and an- nounced their purpose to be to divide the tract3 into lots and sell them "at a moderate price."

Earlier Chronicles .- Very early in the present century there stood upon the summit here, just in the rear of Meckert's brewery, since creeted, a log house. It was encompas-ed by a clearing, and in the occu- paney of one John H. Rapp, his wife, El zabeth, and a number of children. Of the latter, we mention Elizabeth, who married Benjamin Westerfield; Ann, who married James Brower; Katrina, who married William Greene ; Maria, who married Samuel Moore ; Syntie, who married Barney De Klyne; Henry, who married Katie Dodds: Conrad, nicknamed Coon; John, who died aged about thirty.

This family occupied the old home for many years. Rapp and his wife came from Europe, the former

1 Arrivals at Cast e Ganten in 1& numbered 141,625, sud during t o next year, 1x), Iré in 1º14, 101,648.

" Thewriting " the forms of M Compper, situated on the lake of the Hudson River, in Hudros County, N. J "

By Hon. Anthony Il Ryder.

1265

HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

being what i- styled of the High Dutch, and the latter that Benjamin signed his name Benjamin (. Wester- field. His brothers numbered five, and he had one of the Low Dutch race. The ohl log cabin was still standing about the year 1530. Parties owning the si-ter, named Hannah. The brothers were nanied lails near them were D. Van Winkle on the north, while Michael G. Vreeland and David Lozier, of Ten Neck, held the other adjoining land. Quite likely Rapp and his family were about the only inhab- itants for several years of what is now Guttenberg.

The son Henry, who married Katie, or Catharine Dodds, and who died Aug. 6, 1880, aged eighty- seven years, showed himself a worthy son of a worthy sire in replenishing the earth. Ilis children were Eliza, who married Anthony Samler, Sarah, who married John Green; Sophronia, who married D. Westerfield; Hannah, twice married, and at present a widow : James, David, John.

Another early inhabitant here was Benjamin Wester- field, who was born June 14, 1775. He married Eliza- beth Rapp, who survived him many years The father of this Westerfield was a resident of Bull's Ferry, near the river. A reference to this elder Westerfield will be made a little later. The lands in the oecu- pany of the Westerfield family here were on the west side of the Bergen Line Avenue, and had been bought by (ren. Ives for the heavy timber upon them. This was hewn down and sent as river-rafts to the ship-yards. About sixteen acres of the area thus cleared were bought by Benjamin Westerfield, who settled himself here. The frame house erected then was still standing in 1884. The location was in a measure favorable for cultivation. A resident in the neighborhood revolleets that about the year 1820 the peach-trices there yielded fine peaches in abundance. I'ruit, it seems, was not scarce in the vicinity ; a few years later old residents discovered on the property of Rapp ancient trors bearing Harrison apples, Spitzen- bergs and excellent plums, the latter being of the large blue sort. Westerfield and his neighbors sent their fruit to the city market by way of the Hyler ferry. At this ferry a periauger and row-boats were in service. In seasons of great abundance, one old resident remarks, his eyes sparkling as he tells it, peaches were taken in large quantities to Demarest's eider-mill and still. At this establishment were made two kinds of whisky and peach brandy. Demarest's was near what is now called Fairview, and the spry old resident remarks: "Oh, many and many a load of apples have I carted there." Westerfield, who can- tinued to occupy the premises named till his death, had several heirs, comprising daughters and sons, as follows: Ann, who married James Wiley ; Eliza, who married Hiram Secly ; Hannah, who married William N. Day; Catherine, who married Richard Earle ; Bridget, who married John McDonald ; Jasper, who married Sarah Day ; John, who married Mary Short ; Henry, who married Eliza Danielson ; Cornelius, who married Adeline Mc Lane.

By a conveyance bearing date Aug. 11, 1821, to William W. Cowan, of New York, it is ascertaincd

Jasper, David. Janes, Cornelius and John At the demise of Benjamin C. Westerfield. about the year 1829, the real estate went into the possession of the heirs, who disposed of the bulk of itto the association located here. John occupied the homestead for several years. This property was west of Bergen Line Avenue.

The real estate vested in the Rapp family was near the Hudson and about the brow of the hill. It in- cluded. according to one informant, "the log house, the orchard and the land around it." March 26, 1816, Martin Winney and Rachel, his wife, of Bergen, conveyed to John, mentioned as the seventh child in the previous record, about five acres of land adjoining " the out-water line on the Hudson," the tract being bounded northeast by lands of D. Van Winkle, east by the North River, southwest by lands of the late D. Lozier, and west by lands of Michael G. Vreeland. By the last will of this John, bearing date Sept. 4, 1826, all the property vested in him is devised to his father and mother. The attesting witnesses to the instrument, which is admirably drawn,1 are neigh- hors of the testator,-John Bertolf, Michael Carley and John Brower. Subsequently to the demise of John the care of the father in his extreme age devolved upon the daughter, Elizabeth, now the widow of Ben- janıin C. Westerfield. Five acres of land came into the possession of Mrs. Westerfield at about this period, and these were ultimately deeded to William Cooper, who purchasel other lands in the vicinity. The region went then by the name of Slonga. Cooper enlarged the cottage he lived in about the year 1837. His real estate here passed into the pos- session of the Wechawken Land and Ferry Associa- tion. Mr. Cooper was twice married. The heirs sur- viving him were two children by cach wife .- Fanny, James, William and Nellie.

Like a multitude of other localities, the town of Gint- tenberg met with vicissitudes. All is not guld that glit- ters. Adventurers who made exuberant investments, here as elsewhere. did not in every instance realize their anticipations. The philosopher, as well as the student in history. will observe a great deal to edify him when The looks closely into the chronicles of a little town. The breeze, so lively and brisk about this region at one period, met its hull; the quickened march of progress attending land sales had its time to halt ; calculations took shape occasionally in fictitious esti- mates; the consequences were some mishaps. From the old and slow plod the locality here had got into a prance. Subsequent events developed the fact that mistaken estimates lodged somewhere.

) The messenger, W. N. Day, then a lad, is still Iving, who went, as he says, wening an old Mraw hat, in his shirt sleeves an I barefooted, for the official to prepare this testament. Esquire Paradies, of Newark Avenue, Jersey City, came up to Rapp's dwelling aud drew the document.

1269

TOWN OF GUTTENBERG

Improvements .-. As early as 1586 stops had been taken to widen Bull's Ferry road, ' this road crossing what is now the town of Guttenberg. Spreial measures were matured for the improvement of a part of the Ferry road about the month of May, IS69. That part included the space from the casterly line of Bull's Ferry road to the dock on the river. An assessment for this work was confirmed August 15th. Among the connellmen at that time were Adolph Meckert, Peter Handwerk, John P. Weisgerber, Heinrich W. Tigger.2

Several proceedings and enaeton ots relating to the work done upon this road ensued as years elapsed. A supplement to the charter of this town, passed Fel. 28, 1468, permits seven thousand dollars to be levied under an ordinance to improve the Ferry road ; a supplement preceding this, passed March 22, 194, related likewise to the improvenant of this rozd. All the " improvements" making the Ferry road the most eligible of the local highways were really more of the fancy than of fact. The Ferry road a sess- ment yielded food for local gossip a number of years, leaving a limited area for its levy ; the assessment ultimately spread all over the town. At least sixty- two plot- or pieces of property within the town were announced for sale the 20th day of October, 1 wis, to meet calls for this assessment, together with costs. interest and expenses. At this time Henry Meyer was chairman, and the following-named persons were of the Council: A. Meckert, F. Walker, Joseph Schwartzmeyer, Christopher Farnkopt.

All this expensive diversion over Ferry road did not achieve any much-desired ferry, although there were passed, from time to time, several legislative acts relating to the subject. The earliest of these was " An Act to incorporate Guttenburg Ferry Company," approved March, 25. 1869. Occasional landings dur- ing the summer were made at the dock here, keep- up a sort of ferry convenience, by a number of the steamboats. This was the case when the " John Hart," Capt. Green, and the steamer " Merciry," Capt. H. Mallan, years ago, made stated trips to suburban resorts.3 The ferry at Guttenberg is a thing yet to be, and while on its winding way its seekers can be led to an incident among historical characters persevering in the line of river navigation by the following anecdote of the first experiments of Robert Fulton, from the pen of R. N. Haskins, of Buffalo :

stessobut on the Hudson River, with a gentleman why on that is slon, related to me incidents of the Arst voyage of Falton tu Albany, iu his storiabut the ' I'lormont," which I had never met with elsewhere.

ton arrived there in his mubrand af craft, which porvionly fult so much Interest in weing. Being ready to Five, and hearing that has pruft was

The ancient road ran out of Cooper's resilience.

John Hennissun, one of the coutu ihren had just died (November, 1 min(1).

3 The steambonta " tily Son" and the " Thomas K. Hulse" Coopt. George Anbei mule this a landing | late.

For turn t , New York, In mar Ions In an ognireif r M. Fulton.

u ., wh es nlune như engaged in wr

* Mr Fult n, I pren n.'

.. . Yes,

" [way are white New York i ile hat ".

. . We shall try fog thick,

. Vinestak y arch ik with user

that right wir Th rou Th m as from a weert also be Locked up at the the ti tesr was Frimi ang in his eye, and liny - filter-J a ho

a little of wine with yous, h tica . IAmter .if It, «t Www.pt I trust we may meet again when the

with out m plent

l'articular ordinances were framed rving the popular advantage. Hans were entered upon regu- lating grandes and facilitating drainage. Streets gained improved aspects by being given more regular and even surfaces ; the avenues were gutter d and curled, the sidewalks were flagged, and access to one and another point in many ways improved. Among the more prominent labors in these directions we may mention a few projects which were shown by the re- sult following the Hudson Avenue improvement, for which an assessment was levied in 1864. Next came the sewer from Hudson Avenue to Ferry road, an as- sement for which was confirmed May 25, 1575. The improvements as to grade of Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Streets game attention, assessments for which were matured in September, 1879, at which time assessments were likewise made for the curb, gutter and fag along Hudson and Hermann Aventes.

By a report emanating from a financial statement as to the local improvements, published early in the year 1877, it is made known that the total amount assessed for

First Street, tu Supf 10, 171. ..

· street sewer, te May 28. 1875 11 21

Fourth Street, to Jan 7, 17H Filth M'rret. to April _. 1=75 2. 1: 10

Herumna Avenue, tu Vụ 6, 1575

Hudsub Avenue, to Mai h 15, 1873

Of the First Street assessment the treasurer that Frar says,-

All the Improvement ertificafem im inden First street, nt mbered from 1 fois, were redeemed and cancelled, which, together with thef & of the com Mejor ud the printing of bill-head in uut us to fur dollars, makes the amount es ved the amount of isement, as sunde is the uTer "

Very moderate amounts were collected upon the other assessments. The annual report issued in 1884 shows sum due April 1, ISSI, upon what is styled the Second and Third Street improvement $5363.15. The latter sum was reduced by payments up to April, 1864, to a total of $5776,54. The sum due upon the Fourth Street certifientes at the latter date,

1270

HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

$332.07. The amount due upon the Fifth Street, demand. Every thoughtful person will, upon a little April 1, 1844, was $699.85. Sum due at latter date reflection, determine that mere love of sunshine does on Hermann Avenue accounts, was $30,877.28.1 Sum . not go a great way in building up a thriving commu- due at latter date on Hudson Avenue accounts, Was nity. Says a writer, - 840.455.20.

The board that closed their labors March 31, 1884, report a continued improvement in the financial con- dition of the accounts.

COUNCIL.MEN FROM 18 2 To 188-1.

1 == >3

1-83->4.

Ge ig Sneath, chairman.

Gro. N. Klechugel, chairman.

August U'n hoefer

August I'mhoefer.

George N. Kleefingel.

Hrury Miregades.

David Koddie.

l'eter Handwerk.

Charb > Klein.

John Minnix.

As years elapsed ordinances multiplied here, the duties of the recorder taking a wider range with the lapse of time and the increase of population. In a casual way the recorder serving in 1879 remarks, in his annual report, "Everything has been provided," and the recorder filling that chair during 1882 says, "The ordinances are intended to enure to the best interests of the town." Every year presented an ex- hibit of valuations, as follows :

l'or the yrar 1574, Guttenberg

$561,600

For the year 1576, .4

513,750

For the your Ist,

145,090

For the year Iss1.

376.40

l'or the year 1852,

377,3 M)

Efforts of the Ferry Association. - The Land and Ferry Association gave their attention almost exclu- sively to sales of their lots. The fourth elause of the fifth article of their constitution was never fully opera- tive. At any rate, it may be said that it had merely spasmodic force, coming into play when the season of travel supplied the passengers. Nevertheless, the clause, as a section of the constitution adopted in 1853, declares that

"I'ntil the Ferry Company shall be able to run itsown boats, armange- ments have been munde with the owner of the Bull's Ferry boat to land and take passengers at the property "

An enterprise in the vicinity eventuating in the establishment of a ferry half a mile south of the Gut- tenberg dock rendered any extra exertions in this direction useless ; although, as one may observe, there is here a diversion from the carlier purposes of the association. Quite probably a reason appeared for not pressing this ferry enterprise. Guttenberg has its charms, and one may bask upon its lovely heights in the genial weather, watch the porpoises, gaze upon the passin_ sloops and steamers and enjoy a panoramic scene seldom surpassed. The solid substantial resi- dents who came hither to exercise their capacity in lawful pursuits did not care to beoverrun by excursion- ists, who came across the river to be just too jubilant. Picking out this spot to show a greater exuberance of the trolicker me spirit did not shape itself to the local

"The inhabitants of Norway are active as squirrels, while sunny Italy has more than one-half its inhabitants sturdy beggars, poetically called lazaroni, who consider basking in the sunshine, with liberty to ask alms and scratch themselves, as the tallest kind of terrestrial enjoy- ment. A Yankee will make money amid show and icebergs, while a Brazilian would wail out in a thunderstorm for laziness to lift the latch of his cottage to get under the roof. bid our own sunshine continue some months longer than it does, we should soon lwe all laid up in the country as lazy as the worst of them. "

Of such material the Guttenbergers who began their settlement here were not made. They looked to thrift and industry as the main source of happiness.

Local Industries .- Quite a buzz was given to the business of brewing here at one period, the locality having two important breweries. The first was an establishment at Belle Vue, near the river, and the other on the east side of Bull's Ferry Avenue, between Hermann and Franklin Avenues. Adolph Meckert had the supervision and ownership of the latter, and Otto Kohler, for a time connected with Andrew Fink, L and subsequently with Woltze Kamena, the former. The lager sold by these manufacturers went mostly to the city. At one time, however, considerable | quantities of the beer made by the large concern at which Kohler was the head went bottled to distant ports.

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 143

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