History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 150

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 150
USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 150

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James 11. Symes located a lumber-yard near the Guttenberg line, upon the west side of Bergen Line Avenue, Sept. 2, 1882. An othice, sheds and dwelling were erected, and he entered at once upon the man- agement of an energetic business.

A little to the west and south of the last-named place, upon the slope ascending Tower Hill, stands the studio of Henry Melrose, the landscape painter. From the site be there occupies a commanding pros- peet presents itself' at this time, the view ranging over New York Bay, the vicinity of the Narrows, Staten Island and the Orange Mountains.

Centennial Fourth .- This memorable day won the notice of a patriotic populace here. l'erhaps no township of its size in the country shows more flag- statl's, and on gala-days more flags, than does Union township. A committee of arrangements had served efficiently on the centennial anniversary. The people of the several localities in the region united in a parade and patriotie demonstration in the morning. Early in the afternoon, according to the announce- ment, exercises at the Hudson County Park consisted of the reading of the Declaration of Independence by Frambach Frederick, Jr., and an oration pronounced by A. II. Ryder.

The themes dwelt upon in this park oration referred to the aspects of the country. comparing 1776 with 1876. Evidences of advancement were set forth and the number of changes wrought during the century wit- nessed as well in this locality, as the entire land.

Township Officers .- Governing this municipality is a township committee consisting of three members. elected annually at the spring town-meeting. This committee, assisted by a township clerk. also elected Yearly, supervise the general atlairs of the township.

At the meeting of the joint committee held at Hudson County Park House, March 20, 1879, the township was represented by Town Committeemen William 11. Schmidt, Cornelius Healy and Charles Wurtz, Jr. The joint committee, after adjusting and determining the separate assets justly pertaining to the township of Union and to the town of Gutten- berg, submitted to the inhabitants their proceedings by a publication covering seven pages, and dated the 31-t day of March, Is79.

The township committee for the year 1884 were Messra. William H. Schmidt (chairman) Michael Furlong and Garret Fink. Thomas Motormack is the township clerk, the present year being the second he has served. The chairman of the town-

ship committee, William 11. Schmidt, has served several terms as a committeeman of this town- ship and was a member of the joint committer in 1879. Born in Saxony, Germany, in May, 1834, Mr. Schmidt emigrated to this country in 1851. He var- ried on a business in New York t'ity for eighteen years, excepting about eighteen months which he passed in military service as a lieutenant in the Fifty- fifth Regiment New York Infantry. Mr. Schmidt married, in 1853, a native of Bavaria; has had four children, all of whom reside within the township. lle removed from the city in 1869, and ereeted the house on the east side of Bergenwood or Dalleytown road, where he has since lived. Mr. Schmidt is the pro- prietor of the Palisade ice-houses, buildings re-erected in 1884 and he continues the ice business, which he has successfully conducted since 1873, besides attend- ing to a landed estate, to the future improvement of which he looks forward with interest.

Residents of this township as now constituted ap- pearing in the Board of Chosen Frecholders, may be mentioned: Michael Henry, 1884; Hugh Mooney, 1866; Franeis Pollock, 1865.

Miscellany. - The entire area of this township is thought to have been owned at an early period by Bergeners, among whom were Van Vorst, Van Horn, Newkirk, De Mott and others. Plots were purchased by men of enterprise, surveyors employed, and maps marking out building lots numbered and located and announced for sale. Among these maps are " Map of West New York," 1855, giving localities of lots on both sides of Jefferson and of People Streets; " Map of eighty-two building lots" filed July 5, 1856, show- ing lots on Bergenwood road, Washington Street, Jef- ferson Street, and Pierce Avenue; " Map of Property surveyed by William Hexamer, surveyor, 1867," showing lots on Washington Street and Jefferson Street, West New York. As years have elapsed these maps have multiplied, so that at the present time very little of the area of this township can be said to be without map illustrations, denoting the " building lot," though the building itself be in a dis- tant future.

The summer abode of the late D. S. Gregory, at Oak Cliff, meets occasional mention among old in- habitants; it has, since his death, been in the occu- pancy of agents connected with the stock-yards. The locality had many attractions while the Gregory family possessed, it and the earlier incumbent, Jacob Brower, tilled the soil, making the property no little source of profit. The river-front, called Brower's Point, gained its name from this tenant, whose home was there for many years. The owner of the property was Van Vorst.

Some distance below or south of this place was a stone dwelling built by Mr. Comstock, who had bought the land of Cornelius Van Horn, son-in-law of Garrabrant, the original owner. Comstock resided there for the space of a year or two only.

1299

UMON TOWNSHIP

It was about the first of August, 1-20, that a large whale came up the river. "I recollect the circu stance." says an ad narrator "as though it were yesterday, the bullets shot frem father's gup glance! off, or seemed without any effect; at any rate the monster continued his way up the river."

For several years. In the earlier History of Ferry incidents a great deal could be chroni led converting gunners. During tor sammer and ant non too, no seant number of target companies gave their -alites to this township. For several years in fact, It seemed to be the special resort of similar esempioniste; especially while Pave Pollock -as he was familiarly styled -stood at the head of an establishment near the shore. That elever Boniface, a native of New York. had the attractive quality and genial nature that gave him great popularity with these crowds Your after year, his roomy pavilion near the ferry was the notice of many hunters and marksmen coming from the city for practice or for a hunt Pollock's brother Frank followed him, and the vicinity of the ferry, for a considerable period of time, had a galaxy of brilli- ant resorts, cach vieing with the other.

Among the military veteran residing in this town- ship is Henry Dumar, who served three years as a private in the New York Fifty-fourth Regiment Infan- try, enrolling himself August 13, 1×62 .1. Scherer.

The school-building opened Ort. I, Jose net- the d mands in an eminent degree. It can health- fully ac on modate the pupils in attendance, having an apple supply of sitting, and being in all reports adapted to the purpose for which it was built. The edifice is large, construct duper a good plan, eligibly enlisting in September 1861, also served nearly three located, and affording the convenience for two de- years in the Ninth and nearly three months in the Ninety-seventh New York Militia, having the advan- tage of herpie experience at Bele Isk, at Gettysburg. South Mountain, Winchester, the Wilderness, with other places, where the content was the thickest

Charitable Organizations have the convenience of a very commodious hall corner of Pierce Avenue and Polk Street. At present two institutions meet at statul periods here, conducting their proceedings in the German language and co-operating with member admitted from another locality. The edifice, serving also as an inn, exhibits a sign, " Union Ass mbly Rooms by Garret Fink." Here also the township committee holds many of its meetings. (Fink is sery- ing his second vear as a committeeman. He was horo in Westphalia in 1850, and accompanied his parents to America in 1853). He has resided here about eigh- teen years ; married in 1876 Christiana Weit, a native of West New York, and erected the edifice in which he at present lives, in 1883. About the year 1862 and for several years afterwards, what is called " Alter Dutcher der Harigari" met in this neighborhood It is now occupying a lodge room in an adjoining town.

Educational Matters have made headway, al- though progress here may appear at times other- wise. In the year's report for I'mon Township, Isti, the superintendent of the then township says : " If" have built a very hands me school-house in one of the districts which cost, with the land, three thousand two hun Ired dollars." This was at West New York.

As now constituted the township has two school die- triet , numbered mine and ten.

District number nine covers the area of territory long the river and on both ide of Hill's Ferry road During a number of years, se hond was kept in a hired building but reageres adapted to the purpose. ~ a h a circumstance afforded opp rtunities for caustictoff. meat. The county superintendent in has report for 1571 intimate that he had never ser si por a hool-house and in his report for 1975 consider the district " fortunate in not owning it At the Etter date he gives the d'etre to be houdre land fts ight children Asort of adulation attended the chronicles referring to the other districts, ad I number nine had ho attractions to recommend it to a gener 1 10 tice. It's romantic locality rarch received any notice, its memvenient appointments and its other repulsive fon- tures presented any encomiums Accordingis the dis- triet became an interesting field for educational efforts. The attention of the people, too long entremed by other matter, was now directed to a new school house

partments. It is a two- tory brick building, with an extension for entrances; the ceilings are high; the furniture and apparatus the choice of practical minds; and the ent re outfit does credit to the district. The present Principal, Mary Lynch, has occupied the position since the new school opened Jenrie D. tiros, is the assistant

The second district in Union township, No. 10, organ zed as a separate school district in June, 1565. It has a one-story frame building in good condition, with convenient class-rooms, created in that year and subsequently at a considerable outlay, enlarged. The rooms are furnished with modern desks ; the school possesses a globe, an organ and other auxiliaries, including a circulating library. The present Princi- pal, Alexander Smith, has been here since 1552. The primary department has been in care of Amelia Coll- mer for more than six years. The district is known as the " West New York District. ' Trustees: George A. Melrose, George Schwartz, John Oitjen.

Churches-Ztox Kinenr .- There are twochurches at West New York, both using the German language in their services. On the corner of Pierce Avenue and People Street fronting on the latter street towar is the cast, stands an extremely nest church edifice. Over the large front entrance appear the words in German text, Zion Kirche. It was created during the summer of 1575, and dedicated November 7th that year. The present pastor, Kes E. I. Lnippold, labors also in a church on New York Avenue, town of I'nion.

1300

HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

ST. JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH OF WEST NEW YORK .- Another Church edifice was erected on the west side of Maackens Street, south of Picree Avenue, West New York, in 1875. It was built by a congre- gation that had organized in 1870, and worshiped for some time in the Public School House of district number ten, under the ministrations of Rev. R. W. Buehler, a missionary from New York. Following that missionary, came Rev. Gerbhard Burkhardt, now ut Greenville, under whom the church was built and dedicated as St. John's Lutheran Church of West New York. His successor, F. L. Brown, was unfor- tunate in his ministry here, and was succeeded by Rev. Ernest Edee, at present in Maryland. The last named clergyman has been absent about four years, his place being filled for that period by Rev. II. Shoeppe, who also officiates in a church at Union Hill. Services are held in the afternoon on Sundays. The earliest officers of the church were George Ellwein, Gabriel Bayerline, William H. Schmidt, Ferdinand Muller, Hermann Hilderbrand. Present membership, twenty-five. Valne of church property, two thousand dollars.

\ Sabbath-school accompanies the organized in- fluences of this ecclesiastical association. Also a Ladies' Benevolent Society, of which Mrs. Charles Schultz is treasurer, and Mrs. W. II. Schmidt, secre- tary. The Sunday-school holds its sessions on Sun- days, from 9 to 10.30 A. M. Superintendent, Alber. Miller. Miss Breckwedel, organist.

CHAPTER XLIX.

WEST HOBOKEN TOWNSHIP.'

Description and Boundary. Perhaps no vera- eious historian, seeking from exterior objects merely, would give West Hoboken its actual area of territory. One would say this and another that locality is West Hoboken. In a qualified sense both would approxi- mate the fact and yet fall short of full reality. For a certainty, as a municipal dominion, West Hoboken vovers a greater extent of ground than goes in every- day confab by its name. Within what is now by a re- cent ordinance declared to be the town of West Hobo- ken are portions of Weavertown, of Lossburg, and the entire boundaries of Weehawken village and Bonns- ville. The act of State Legislature, 1861, making West Hoboken a separate township, extended its area beyond what ordinary town-talk would, in common conversation, attribute to it. General comments make it "a charming village within arm's length of Hobo- ken," or " the village that overlooks Hoboken and the majestic Hudson :" then further limiting it to "a

broad avenue, on each side of which are the emhow- ered residences of its inhabitants." These descrip- tions, and similar ideas arising from them, come from the notion commonly prevailing that West Hoboken proper extends to the north very little beyond High Street, and to the south but a short distance from Hague Street. The boundaries, as fixed, place por- tions of Hoboken and Wechawken on the cast; Weavertown or Bergenwood road on the west; the Bergen turnpike, leading to Hackensack, on the north; and the Paterson turnpike on the sonth.

Early Chroniclers .- The steady sentinels of the forest occupied these lands in Continental days. The elder inhabitants speak of the rural aspects ruling the region and refer to rustic experiences common in sylvan localities. The earliest postmaster of West Hoboken, Mr. Andrew Anderson, a native of this im- mediate vicinity, develops the fact that even far in the current century much of what is now West Hobo- ken was, as he styles it, "a mass of timber." MIr. Anderson lives at present at the corner of Clinton Avenue and Malone Strect. When a stripling he went from his dwelling to the vicinity of the "Indian Spring " in search of the cow, and remembers well how the country looked about there. The trees now in Squire's Woods are samples of what were then all over the hill. As years elapsed the avenue came into use here. No saw mill was in this vicinity. "though farther down there was one." In my early notion, says Anderson, and when contemplating the wilder- ness around, the idea haunted me that "I might sometime meet an Indian near the Indian Spring." This region, "in later years, was my gunning ground. I found here partridges, quail, woodcock, snipe, etc. Rabbits were plenty." Somewhat of a similar account is given by others; a particular point here and there showing the red cedar as being a prevalent tree, especially upon a knoll in the vicinity of what has since been known as Cox's Corners. At the Cedars (meaning the knoll and grounds around it, where the cedar was plentiful) many of the earlier gunners got an abundance of birds and other game. With the lapse of years and the march of speculation varied scenes have succeeded, and the territory at present is occupied by numerous dwellings and garden plots. Among the carliest pursuits that presented itself here was that of the florist.

Florists .- A graphic writer, penciling this locality, puts forth in prominent colors "its graperies and its flowers of every kind, both native and exotic." Still another writer, as if entranced by Flora's gifts, says with earnestness :

" Bring me flowers, ford flowers, to to be achaired and loved for their Maker's sake, lo awaken within me a source of innocent delight. When I see the eyes of the young kindle with pleasure while gazing upon these lovely objects, I pray that such tastes may never be supplanted by grenser ones; and when I behold the aged taking pleasure in them, I am thank- ful that their rough experience of the world has not rendered them so ollurate is to quench this delicate suribility. "

The vineyard of Loss was an early object observable

1 By Hon Anthony H. Ryder.

1301

WEST HOBOKEN TOWNSHIP.

on the easterly slope, its proprietor giving Lensburg its name. The florists located mainly along the Bergen wood road. this vocation making itself conspic nous for its permanent thrift and its enterprise. Near the Schuetzen Park, just south of Cox's corners, are some three and a half acres of land, owned by Henry Kuhl. a florist established there upward- of thirty years. Like his neighbors in the same business, Mr. Kuhl says . "We grow roses, and violets, and punks, and whatever sells in our line at the city stores where pur- chases are made of us." To the floral department. which numbers ten hot houses, Kuhl adds other lines of enterprise, and he has of his own rearing grape- vines, fruit and ornamental trees. The season's pre- ductions receives Mr. Kuhl's attention. Mr. Kuhl arrived from Hanover in 1>44, located in this vicinity in 1847, and is now in his seventy-sixth year. His dinary conveyance, and this velnele was always ready fellow -townsmen engaged in similar business, include now as formerly : Messrs. C. A. Asmus, Herman Brensing, William Dietz, Charles Drescher, Jacob. Exth, Julius W. Paulsen, C. Welterbe, and others.

A tourist would find something akin to enchant- ment where the vocation here referred to is carried on. A wayfarer observed recently an invoice of flowers en The locality rame to one and then to another point of advancement, looking at it from a social and cons- ventional standpoint. Jotting down the village notes route to the city from the establishment of Mr. Bren- sing, whose residence is half a mile south of Mr. Kuhl's. The exhibition surpassed any similar one in 1852, the morning gossip reports that he does not he had ever beheld. The Howeret is quite as innocent, "see much of the young Sinclairs. Anderson is well. and " is the village " patron saint." Sylvera re- turned from California some time ago and has made two or three trips to south Carolina since. Butters- worth still pur-nes hi- artistic voention and frequently brings in to my view the work of this delicate pencil. Your rosy-checked artist, Coordon, may be seen as formerly in close companionship with his pipe and pleasant thoughts, having a word and witticism for all." simple, and vet superbly complex as any created thing. It expands to heaven its grateful and to man its cheerful looks. It in many instances exhales a fragrance that exhilarates and delights, thus yielding "a sweet friendship of the quiet plant." Lesson- learned amid the works of nature are of peculiar value in the present age. 'Tis wise, no doubt, now and then to take instruction from the lily, that quiet denizen of Divine bounty. Surely, too, if an admiration of the beautiful productions of nature has any tendency to refine, a culture of them has additional power in the same direction and a more abiding influence. Delight- ful as such exhibitions are in the domain of horti- culture the floweret, the ornamental -hrub ; besides these are many fruits, the propagation of which gains no little care at West Hoboken. East of Palisade Avenue, near Charles Street, is the establishment of a noted mushroom cultivator, Mr. J. Conor 1. Thise plants are produced for the market by a process that is a specialty here with Mr. Conord, who has con- ducted the business upwards of thirty years.

Syns' Park. The visitor to West Holmken during the summer can not be otherwise than pleased with Syms' Woods. It is located west of tivernaud's large factory, whose employes resort to it in the warm weather during their noonings. Pienie parties and school have found it a pleasant resort in July and August, an I not a few retain happy recollections of the spot. It is an ample grove, the trees of which yield from high branches a cooling shade. The ground is covered with luxuriant grass and altogether

free from thickets and underbruch. S. one visits this natural park without having a sense of grandeur awakened, and at midday the shelter of the lufty foliage is really grateful and refre hing. One walks among these veteran frees encountering no obstrue- tions and the piercing rays of the Burning sun are altogether excluded.

Indications of Progress. Kindling with enthu- sinem as land speculators got hold of the call here, steps were taken to improve the place. Building a- sociations were formed, the highway - were graded and attention was shown towards cars methods of tran- t. The hill road and a plank-walk over the meadow to the Deer Park, and a "short cut " across that " Park" to Washington Street, Hoboken, was for years the pedestrian's route to the city. The Back was the or-

at the ferry to take the passenger in what ver diree- tion he chose to go. In December, Isil, Seth Hunt, an enterprising inhabitants of Albany, was delibe rat- ing upon the establishment of a line of stage- to run to and fro betwist the Hoboken Perry and West Hoboken.

At about this period the newly established post- office was in ample operation, and it became, as such institutions do, the headquarters of the town news. Events and incidents of a local description were com- mented upon here, and tourists and excursionist- had a tendency to regard it as the proper place to gain information upon many subjects. A literary society operated in the vicinity. The exercises here con- sisted of critiques, debates, essays, occasional lectures and concerts. Proceedings of that description had an awakening influence amongst the poonlave, stoch an institution conducted with no small degree of ani- mation, as that was, stirred the intellect and gave vivacity to the neighborhood. In a short time after- wards the following circular gained local distrib tion among the inhabitants.

Hola kent The West flanken Library Sommation lins a la bais in nollormiguel, Trust of the me. log leave to call th alt somefter fellow i DreDa 1 the ity to if the Section and th alonutages which It -n. m to Its member

" It is pirujumedî t Establish al onatmin, in this villasa PulLi-

1302

HISTORY OF HUDSON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

brary, selectei with refere to the wants and tastes of our population, and aiming to bo bath and I've and useful. Measures have already been taken to we are a good selection of popular books in the various departewots of reading, such as llistory, Biography, Travels, Poetry. Light Laterature, Science and Morals, which will be increased as rapidly and judien sly an pressible.

" The Association has ula now ready a large and varied list of Standard Reviews, Magazines and Periodicals. Many of these works, it is well know i peers great intellectual ability and attraction; and it is he- Iu ved Chat our colle tion will be fomal to contain those which the lovers of ground reading will not fail to appreciate. Among them will be found -ich as the following . The North American Review, the . London Quarterly Review,' the . Minburgh Review,' the ' Westminster Re- view,' the North British Review,' 'Blackwood's Edinburgh Maga- zine 'Harper's Magazine." the . Eclecti . Magazine, Lattell's Liv- ing Age,' the ' Kickerlocker,' the ' Democratic Review, & Cham- bers' Edinhigh Journal,' the ' London Illustrated News,' the 'Al- bion,' 'sartain s Magazine,' 'Godey's Lady's Book,' and several other well-known periodu als.

"In the appropriate sson, the Vocation purposes to secure a meries of interesting popular Lectures on scientific subjects, with illustrations and apparatus by able lecturers. It is believed that the Anciation pos- Besses the means of providing a series of popular and attractive intel- lethal entertainments, which will be a source of great benefit and pleasure to its members. A debating society will also form a part of the objets of the Association.

" Believing that the inhabitants of our village have long desired such an instituts n, and will appreciate its advantages, especially in its influ- ences on the young, we take the liberty of respectfully soliciting the ra operation uf uur fellow-citizens. With the united efforts of all who frel an interest in the improvement of our place, we are confident that a most valuald . result may be easily and -predity realized.

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 150

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