History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 148

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 148
USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 148

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In Taylor's history of the ancient township of Bergen allusion is made to the marriage occasions. The twain made one, with a mirthful escort, go in a procession, the whole company singing by the way. Similar events no doubt took place within these bounds, and recollections are revived by this refer- ence. Graphie accounts and such as enliven the social eircle are often those making reference to nuptial events, and of narrations of this nature the neighborhoods hereabouts have their full share.

Among social gatherings might be mentioned donation visits by Rev. Joseph Perry, Nov. 13, 1855, and by Rev. L. Mohn, Dec. 10, 1856; the nuptials of Joseph Fahys, April 19, 1856 ; the birthday festi- val by C. Drescher, the Horist, Feb. 26, 1857; a ball

12-9

NORTH BERGEN TOWNSHIP

at the saint Nicholas (now tiranton) Jan. 21, 1557, the same bost entertaining the Old Tops, February 23rd, same year. On the 22nd of February, 1sati, the Red White and Blue Association figured at a hall at the New Durham Hotel. Committee of Ar- rangements, Abraham D. Greenleaf, Henry Allen, Garret D. Lozier, Edward A. Danielson, George T Bath and James Wilcox. Social parties were gotten up occasionally to visit d'-tant points of attraction or to witness some metropolitan drama. The former include I a view of Niagara, the fair of the American Institute, the latter " Mazeppa" and " Mig Merriles, · Metamora' also, Oct. 16, 1835, Festivals, hilarious celebrations, house-warmings, ponies and surprise- parties came and went among the ordinary incidents of the day. These are with other methods of social recreation, the recourses had for rigey ment.

Indian Springs. These spring are upon the west- erly slope, north of Tyler Park and Setwixt Paterson plank-road and the railway. Then ureother springs, each going by the name of the Indian Spring, in severa belities throughout the township. At East Now Durham there is one upon the premises now in the occupancy of Richard Meyer, and at South Now Durham upon lands of the late James (i. King. About the latter spring, for many years, there grew quantities of fine water-creases. The waters of these springs may be said to hold a reputation for purity and clearness, and in warm weather a welcome cool- ness. Old inhabitants who are familiar with these springs join in a recommendation of them.

Early Architecture. Accounts show the most priontive styles. Here and there one saw the log- house. The larger frame buildings showed what is styled the hipped roof. Where a stone house was erected there was usually an overshot or projecting roof. Beneath this appeared a front stoop, and in some instances a piazza extending the entire length of the building. The later houses were usually of one story, with a garret. Many of the houses had a kitchen extension, smaller in its dimensions than the main building. Ceiling with the modern plaster was an after-innovation ; in these antique dwellings the upper beans, usually of oak, appeared to the eye. These and the lower surface visible of the garret floor were whitewashed, painted or colored by protracted time and smoke. The usual appendage to the kitchen Was an oven, in which a weekly batch of bread, vake and pues was baked. Frequently the barns were of fair size. Near by were the hovel and the corn-cribs. The roofs of the barns were thatched in some in- stances, as were those of hovels and of barracks. The latter, instead of being inclosures for the resort of soldiers, were the entrepots for the farmer's hay or straw. In fact, that was the local designation for the depository of the crop of cornstalks, as well as that of straw and hay, and these objects were often ob- served upon the open salt meadow and in the corners of cultivated und grass fields

Cemeteries. - I'he and ent graveyard attached to several of the homeste els are of some interest to the antimarian. With the outcome of spe ulation in real estate changes oregrred, and here, de elsewhere. wen a graveyard has taken to, itself wings. The principal private burial ground saw is that of the Smith famuy at Seonu us. The bu ial-ground of Hoboken was removed to the town-taip about the year IST. Changes were made at Great Country in 1969, the widening of Bergenwood rowa l causing the appr priation of a portion of its area to highway por- powers Additional territory was bought for this cemetery afterwards The earliest interment within this cemetery was in 1.45. There are, besples this, four other cemeteries. Macpelah Cemetery and Hoboken tity Cemetery are on the east side of the Bergen turnpike, in North New Durham. Weehaw- ken t'emetery is in south New Durham, north of the Old Secaucus road, and Flower Hill Cemetery 18 located west side of Bergenwood road, at East New Durham. The List-named is au incorporation revived. Theplot, which covers ten or twelve neres, was recently fenced, atel the entrance i provided with a tasty Queen Anne cottage erected of stone, and in the occupakey of the cemetery superintendent

Improved aspects -how here a contrast to the old- time graveyard. The better instincts of human nature have given charms to the burial-plots, a vare and a tidiness being shown the place of sepulture not so observable in the carlier epochs of our history. Preparations were observed by plot-owners during several years past to make impressive thral se Des, the exhibit being in many instances decidedly at- tractive during the pleasant season. When the colder weather comes an evergreen decoration takes the place of the Hora-blooming period, and thus the dreuit of the year finds these cemeteries presenting becoming aspects.

Necrology .- But a glance at a record of this de- scription will lead the reader to meditate upon the mutations of history. About the year 156] may be noted the death of Smith A. Freeland, an efficient town clerk here. He was still a young man, and died of consumption. Same year died Job smith, of Secaucus, aged sixty-four ; his son Job, aged twenty- nine, died in 1865. Issachar Cozzens died in the month of April of the latter year. Cozzens had lived here when the township was still without its prefix " North," as he moved here from New York nearly fifty years ago. Another old resident died in Derem- ber, aged seventy-six,-Abel I. Smith, of Secaucus. The year 1807 had quite a notable mortuary record. In the month of June, John I. Earle, many years the assessor and local magistrate, in August, at the homestead of the late Job Smith, Falward Hagen, who had resided at Secaucus for a few years ; in August occurred the death of Walter Weldon, atter encountering an attack of Asiatic cholera. This de- mine was succeeded by that of James l'ex.

1290

HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Quite a shock came to the inhabitants by the That amount is the maximum sum to be voted for, and when adopted no more is expended than sudden death of John S. Mackrel, well-known as a resi- dent of New Darham. Though an old inhabitant of | the district is entitled to "under the apportion- this county he was a native of Jamaica, L. I. A death almost coincident with his own was that of Governor John A. King, the two having been boys together.

Highways .- No little care was bestowed upon the conveniences of transit here from very early periods. The "short route through the woods " as time passed on took shape in substantial roads. In the days when Revolutionary events occurred here of a stirring de- seription some labor had been already given to the roads. At a time running remotely back, road masters had their districts, within which they were to keep the roads in repair. Adam Boyd, whose wagon con- veyed passengers from Iloboken to Hackensack in 1783, said the roads were good. As the highways verged to the Weehawken ferry, then in operation, considerable travel was noticed on those highways, the farmers from a region many miles around taking their produce by these routesto market. The by-roads leading to the principal thoroughtares were more primitive, and often rough and narrow, being rather cow-paths than roadways.

Bergen turnpike, incorporated in 1s02, was con- structed under the chartered power, and continues as a highway upon which toll is collected till the present time. In 1852 planks were laid all along its route, it becoming then known as the plank-road. It was soon followed, however, by what was styled the Pat- erson plank-road. a highway that has become within a few years a county road. Planks are now super- seded by crushed stone, several years having clap-ed since the worn-out planks were taken off both of these thoroughfares. The first-named turnpike-now pretty well macadamized-is the main avenue traversed by teams going from Hackensack to Hoboken. A high- way over nearly the same route existed before this company was charted. In relation to the Paterson turnpike, a considerable distance traversed by that roadway was new, it being opened about the year 18.54. The roads leading into these main thoroughfares were for many years under supervision of road masters elected yearly at the spring town-meetings.1 Under an act passed by the Legislature and approved March 17, 1875, duties betore incumbent upon road over- seers are now performed by five commissioners of roads. The office is held for one year, the incumbent being limited to his district and to the direction of the township committee. The sum to be raised for work- ing roads is an amount fixed by the town com- mittee, set forth by public resolution, posted thirty days before the annual election in the spring.

ment of the general township tax." Ordinarily two thousand dollars have been ordered, and the five districts have shared pro rata in labor expendi- ture- for repairing the highways annually. About sixteen thousand dollars have been expended upon the roads of the township since that law went into operation. This is exclusive of outlays by the Board of Chosen Frecholders in erecting bridges and culverts npon the local highways in and about the township.

Local Government .- A town committeeman is chosen from each of the five school districts. The election occurs in April of each year, when a town- ship elerk, collector, assessor and other local officers are chosen to serve for the following year. The com- mittee meet at Town Hall the first Saturday in each month, and oftener when needful. Among the duties incumbent upon a committee here are

1, To make ont annual tax warrant; 2, to frame and enforce ordi- nances ; 3, to name commissioners on special improvements ; 4, to till va- vanvies in local offices ; à, to locate pounds and appoint their kreper- ; 6, to grant licenses npon application by inn-keepers; 7, to audit reports of overseers of the poor; s, to choose a treasurer and collector of arrears ; a, to fix amount of bonds to be given by local officers ; 10, to supervise record of township accounts ; 11, tu estimate prospective outlaya of roads ; 12, to specify and audit yearly reports ; 13, to order payments for and supervise road repairs, etc. : 14, to confirm special assessments ; 15, to re- port redemption collections for the year.

The earlier records of the township are primitive and crude, whatever may he attained of them. Many are with the missing. The records deemed in many instances valueless by the early officials went at ran- dom, and got at loose ends. There were no efforts shown to maintain any order in the local register. Publie business took its yearly tramp, having nothing but caprice to fix the locality for transaction, or, while the township was more extended in its area, popu- lar convenience was considered ; for instance, North Bergen's collector in the year 1859 sat to receive taxes, December 10th, at Guttenberg. P. Schelpt's; December 12th, at Union Hill, J. Reinhart's ; Decem- ber 14th, West Hoboken, G. Van Vorst's; December 15th, New Durham, B. S. Earle's. Even subsequent to the division of the township, in Isol, a similar line of proceeding was followed. In 1865 the com- missioners of appeals sat at the North Bergen Hotel east side of Paterson plank-road, November 28th' The collector sat December 5th at Bull's Ferry Hotel December 10th at Sigler's New Durham Hotel, and December 16th at C. McCollum's Hotel. The elec- tions were held at one and at another hotel year after year. as the majority of ballots determined at the yearly town-meeting. In particular instances, there was considerable rivalry exhibited by contending Bonifaces, each striving to outdo his competitor for the choice to be thus determined. By an act ap- proved April 3, 1873, authority was granted to the municipal corporation to purchase a suitable public

The landing road from the turnpike to Newark Railroad Station was secured by the New Durham Railroad Station Avacation, A. H. Ryder president and T D Eckeron secretary. Three conveyances were ex- ecuted June 27, 1x70

NORTH BERGEN TOWNSHIP

1291

hall, and here the public business has been translated ever since. The location of the hall is central, on th east side of the Bergen turnpike, and else to the boundary Ine betwist Smith and North You Durham. The edifice has ample accommodations to meet the requirements of the township. At the con- clusion of the fiscal year, April 4, 1874, the accounty stood, showing -

Bicjan . Ar Amistil . | Town Hall au

The committee that year were James McFarland (chairman), Andrew Brek Henry Smith (till Dec 20, 187%), Gebhard Brane till April 4, 1871. In 1875 the township committee delegated A. H. Ryder to compile the acts relating to North Bergen, a work completed August 21st, that year.

An annual statement audited by the township committed. April 1, ISS, makes the assets $30,359; liabilities, $4290; balance, $26,068. The township committee that year comprised Abm. Dwyer, chair- man, from District No. 4; and District 1, Patrick Bracken : District 9, JJolin Weigand ; District 3, John Sullivan; District 4, Albert Woringer Serving by appointment in lieu of Bracken, Edwar I Lennon filled the position for District 1.

The published report made April, 15%1, shows pro- ceeds from declarations of sale assigned, $4938; from tax sales, $1600. The cash balance from all sources, $10,171. At item of current expenses th receipts show, $3741; disbursements, $9350; leaving a bal- ance. $411.

Fire Department .- The department here comes from a voluntary organization, instituted May 15, 1865. The assemblage then met at the house of George Bruce, Jr., organizing as a book-and-ladder company.

John J. Ackerman.

Henry A heron

(' Mel'ollum

l'eter F. Achorouh

" Mit rushers

Andrew la k, Jr.

I B. M I'Moki,

George Beer, Ir

duties M. Farlane

Ephert P'ont.

Robert Halad 11.

Jacob Day William T. Day

1. 11. Ryder

William Day

4. 11 Sumer.

T D. Eckersen.

John seules.

James Danielson

Andrew J Sigler

1. B. Everson.

William Wilmainghe u.

At a meeting held Jan. 15, 1866, an act was adopted by sections and submitted for action by the Legislature, entitled " An Act to incorporate Excel- sjor Hook-and-Ladder Company, No. I, of New Dur- ham, Hudson Co.," the same being reported at a meet- ing held April 2nd to have received the Governor's signature. Lot, truck-house and apparatus were nt the company's service in June, at which time nim- bership had increased :

The truck-house is just in the eve of con liding the second decade of its existence. The effiency of the organization the esprit de erpe shown for a protracted per ol,-car mera were lyrain the fact that the company still remains at " the call" amply acom- modated with all appliance for -tohing duty. The building is eligibly located, a short distance from the Town Hall, and the truck is kept Ingood trim for -er- vice. The establishment has its sombre and pleasant reminiscence. At the loss of a member, suitable and impressive action has been taken, and in an instance or two the organization exhibited a benevolence not ordinary attributed to sellar institution- Too much space would be occupied here were an attempt male to enumerate the seal festivals of this en- Fany, from which radiate the pleasantest of menofries. Suthcient to state that a pient was held at Rock- C'ellar Park, in July, 1566. The third annual premie of the company was held at same park, Aug. 13, 1sos. A picnic was Held by the company at Schuetzen Park, Sept. 9, 1873. The company celebrated Wash- ington's birthday by having their sixteenth annual oyster supper and hop, Feb. 29, Jest, at William Wałbaun's hotel, New Durham.

Business Operations. - Besides agricultural jur- suits before mentioned and quite extensiveoperation- in Horiculture,' this township has been the arena of con- sideral le activity in other departments of industry. Within a score of years past the register of manu- facturers included 11. Atman, F. Brauback, G. W. Coolbagh, Gustav Fourch, George Kahlert, Henrich W. Lching, cigars ; Theodore H. Conkling, matting; Robert B. Russell, furniture; P L. Schwer furth, vinegar; Richard Stanton, pyrotechnics: David Walker, gold leaf; June- Ware, clothing.

This record is considerably extended by a viewot Enal business froun more varied stand-points. Andrew Beck John W. Bricher, canning : John G Earle, Thomas D. Ecerson, wheelwrights; Philip Emmerick, but her ; John F. Kinzie, mason; William Miller, cattle bre her; John Merz, John Steinbrenner, express, Joseph Tetze, smoking tobacco , Frederick Tonge, walking- enues ; Henry H. Von Gilahn, John Willse, builders; Joseph Wilson, shoes.

Manufacturing of gluc by t'harles De Plyne, of New Durham, merits mention, whale that of -ilk fabrics is extensively carried on at Homesteal, the firm established there having airy and well-ventilated buildings amply fitted for the employment of several hundred operatives. The silks made by the Giver- munds may be said to have a ready sale. Three edi-

I Hate Bouquets are made up to florets here for the New York market, J Steiger, of Bergenwind Svenne, and others alving could rable atten- fron te this itlustry

12.2

HISTORY OF HI'DSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

fies are in the occupancy of this firm at Hacken- piano-fortes. There are five persons employed about the business, and the capacity admits manipulating there from four thousand to six thousand deer-skins per year. Steam-power is in use there, and the water supply is from an inexhaustible artesian well upon the premises having a depth of ninety feet. The establishment was represented at the Paris Ex- here upon the demise of their father, in 1882. The position of 1867 and at the Philadelphia Centennial of 1876. saek, at llomestead, and at West Hoboken, Hudson Co. Atienne Givernand, the elder of the two surviving brothers, resides here, devoting his entire attention to the business. Another manufactory is that of inks by the Messrs. Underwood, sons of the late John Underwood, who established themselves chemical laboratory is the building at one period used by t'harles Bene as an ostrich-feather factory, and CHARLES DE CLYNE .- The De Clynes are de- subsequently by R. Stanton in manufacturing fire- scended from a Huguenot family who fled from France

works. The Underwood concern made an exhibit at on the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and one branch of whom settled in Schwarzburg, Sonders- hausen, in Saxony, where Albrecht De Clyne, grand- father of Charles, resided. He was by occupation a farmer, and at one time burgomaster of the town. His son George was a native of the same town, where he followed the calling of an agriculturist, was in- spector of a large estate and resided until his death. He married Dorothea Teschner, a neighbor by resi- dence, to whom were born children,-Charles, Theo- dore, William, Frederick and John,-of whom the the l'hiladelphia Centennial in 1876, and at the Paris Exposition in 1878. The remaining manufactory to be mentioned is of a business running back more than three hundred years in the family of the present proprietor, Richard Meyer. He succeeded to the business in 1873. It was established first on this continent by his father, C. F. W. Meyer, at Philadel- phia, in 1846, removed to Union Hill, 1863, and to the present building, south side of Fisher Avenue, New Durham, 1868. It is the business of tanning all kinds of buckskin, the specialty being the buckskin for | subject of this sketch, and his brothers Theodore and

1293

NORTH BERGEN TOWNSHIP.

Frederick are the survivors. Charles was born on the"is located at Feragous, near the ron-works in opera- 24th of June. 1521, in Schwarzburg, Sonder-hansen, | tion there. and in youth became a pupil of a school of forestry, where he acquired proficiency in engineering, min- vralogy and botany. He remained at this school two years, and afterward continued his studies under pri- vate auspices. The revolution having been inan- gurated at this time. Charles De Clyne's love of free- dom led him to sympathize with the Republican party, and made his escape from the country a com- after a brief period of in lustry, he sailed for France. While a sojourner in the latter country bis attention was directed to an examination of its paving system, and the superiority of the Belgian pavement over that of any other method made a profound impression on his mind. Returning to America, he obtained a con tract for the introduction of this pavement in Now York City, but through some unfortunate com- plications with a partner, was forced to abandon his project. This system of pavement has siner been used in this city with marked success. Mr. De C'lyne having met Dr. Leibig, the chendist, engaged with him in the study of chemistry, and was pursuing this profession at the outbreak of the late war. He en- listed in the Third Battalion of Artillery, New York State Volunteers, which was later transformed into the Fifteenth Regiment Heavy Artillery, New York State Volunteers, and continued in active service until the close of the conflict. He participated in various engagements, was made a lieutenant and attached to the staff of Gen. Thomas D. Doubleday, and later. on receiving promotion to the rank of captain, was ap- pointed by tien. Halleck inspector-general of defenses south of the Potomac.

On retiring from the service, Mr. De t'lyne made New Durham, Hudson to., his residence, and embarked in the manufacture of glue, in which he is still engaged. He was married, in 1854, to Miss Helen Klien, daughter of Christian Klien, of North Bergen. Their children are Caroline (Mrs. Abram Kittel), Theodore (a veterinary surgeon and graduate of the Columbia College School of Veterinary Sur- gery), Gustavus (who is associated with his father in business), Emma, Helen, Emil and Clara (twins). Mr. De Clyne is in politics a Republican, but has de- clined all political preferment other than trustee of his school district, to which position he has been chosen for the third term. He was educated in the faith of the Lutheran Church.

Post-Offices .- The earliest postmaster mentioned was Henry Ackerson, who was appointed and a post- office established at New Durham Feb. 6, 1845. The post-office in AAckerson's care was located west side of the turnpike, opposite the Three Pigeons. It was af- terwards, about the year 1863, removed to its present locality, and Thomas D. Eckerson appointed post- master. A post-office was established at Homestead a few years ago, but has been discontinued. Another . justice of the peace in the townshelp to enforce order

Public Resorts In June, 1566, Col. 3. Damel as -uned proprietor hip of the Agricultural Greatch at Secaucus, conter platin, exhibitions of a attractive description at the rare-course. The colonel brought from Virginia a considerable stort, with a retite uf Mack servants, and lived here as he had been acrus- tomed to do in the Old Dominion. Time god of an, and he discovered less chivalry than be anticipated, pulsory measure. He fed to America, from whener, I the members of the Agricultural Society saw les justtre nay ; the consequence was that the institution passed into oblivion. A few exhibitions, none start- ling in endurance for speed, gained some degree of notice, and this is all that need be noted of the Secaucus grounds a a public resort. Beyond similar entertainments loemed up the parks, far preferable for their varied diversions. Of these resorts there are three within this township : Floral Park, Rock C'el- lar and Schuetzen. The first, since under the ere of Chevalier, has had several proprietors, all of whom have made it more or less inviting as a summer re- sort. "The tenth annual Platt Deut he Volksfest ve- curred Aug. 25, 26 and 27, 1834, at the $ hnevz n; at least sixty-five societies, whose members are from the north of Germany, joined in this summer festival. Hardly any conceivable prank escapes the crowd at such a gathering, and but a single purpose is aimed at, and that is sportive enjoyment. 1 display of fireworks accompanies the evening's performances, while there is no end to the most exhilarating music. That resort has met with no limited degree of en- couragement, its pienies, concerts and festivals at- tracting multitudes to its gates. Where such gather- ings occur one could scarcely anticipate a uniform regard for decorum. Occasional irruptions must happen in the dizzy pursuit of amusement.1

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 148

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