History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 8

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 8
USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II > Part 8

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The proprietor's plan being to make here a village of tasteful permanent country homes in proximity to the metropolis, rather than a showy aggregation of houses for fashionable summer sojourn, his project was from the outstart, as may be inferred from the work we have mentioned, one requiring large outlay of care and thought and money.

The building of the individual house, was under- taken with the same thoughtfulness and has been carried on with the same thoroughness which charac- terized the general work. Not a single residence was built in undue haste or of poor material or from a design which was insincere or lacking in the condi- tions which make a wholesome, substantial living place,-in short, a home. Believing that mere archi- tecture aiming to please the eye with prettiness fails of attaining the very object sought. unless it subserves other purposes and is subservient to surroundings, Mr. Hartshorn, and those whose assistance he has relied upon, have carefully studied the adaptation of every dwelling to the site upon which it was pro- posed to build, and so successful has this study been that there is not one which seems inappropriately placed. It is only the best of art which nature ap- pears not to regard as an intrusion upon her domain, and enhancey rather than belittles. Some of these park houses rising upon their rugged stone foundations from quietly sloping hillsides and surrounded by at least century old oaks and maples and elins seem almost to have grown there, and look as if they had

been homes enjoying the closest friendship of nature from very distant years. Indeed, the disagreeable sense of newness which pervades too many suburban villages nowhere obtrudes itself upon the observer at Short Hills, except where a house is in actual process of construction.

Dutch schools of architecture, and there are frequent suggestions of the recent tendency toward what may develop through eclecticism into a new order of domestic house building. Stone, brick and wood are used quite impartially, frequently in very pleasing conjunction, and sometimes reinforced with tine effects of slate and tile. The nice adaptation of the houses to their locations is everywhere observable ; as a sin- gle instance, we may mention a house which stands in a comparatively exposed situation. There are but few trees to shelter from the storm or veil from the heat of the sun, but the heavy stone walls and the massive half-inclosed verandah, speak eloquently of warmth in winter and refreshing coolness in summer, and the dwelling stands there with a character strongly marked as an exponent of the value of brain in build- ings, which even he who runs may read.

About forty houses have been built at Short Hills, and all have become homes. For the convenience of the people who have settled here in this old appearing, new park village, other buildings for general use were demanded and have been supplied. Of these, Music Hall, as it is called, a very striking and unique struc- ture near the tasteful little station, was the first pro- vided. It is a most picturesque building, containing a great audience-room, which is a theatre, lecture-hall and place for general convenings of the Short Hills folk. It is beautifully tinished in pine, and contains among other charming features, a huge fireplace, capable of receiving an English yule log, or the great "back log," which warmed and lighted the cabin of the American colonist or pioneer. The massive chim- ney with its heavy mantelpiece of blue stone is inclosed in a deeply recessed arch, which is a master stroke of bold originality in designing. In the base- " ment of this hall, which the artist delincates better than the writer can describe, are kept two select schools.

Another building which the growth of the village made necessary is a little chapel or church, which must soon be enlarged to accommodate an increasing congregation. This is built of rough stone, and is as

DEPOT

VIEWS AT SHORT HILLS, ESSEX CO., N. J.

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MILLBURN TOWNSHIP.

honest and strong a specimen of English Gothic architecture as can be found in the land.

A club stable renders unnecessary private barns, which too often prove unsightly adjuncts to dwellings. Some of the building sites, however, have been especially arranged with a view to the creation of stables where they cannot offend.

It has been Mr. Ilartshorn & especial study to pre- vent the introduction of any of these elements which may be prejudicial to any particular part of the park or mar in any degree the plan of the whole. Hence a few restrictions, easily comphed with, are imposed for the common good upon the lessees or purchasers of properties. So thoughtful has he been of insuring the permanent agreeableness of the model cluster of houses which he has established, that a wide border of field and forest has been left around the entire park. Hence there can be no obtrusion of unde-ira- ble buildings to mar the plan of the town or of evil institutions to harm the morals of the little com- munity and neutralize the influences of home life.

l'atient thought and working out of things, practi- cal and earnest endeavor in the direction of the truest and highest æsthetic education and attainment, seem constantly to have been associated in the mind of the proprietor. One can readily imagine after survey- ing the results of his seven years' study and labor, that he is a firm believer in the utility of beauty. Another thought arises irresistibly in the mind of an observer and it is this: That the projector of this extensive improvement has been animated by a higher ambition than a financial one, by an aspiration higher even than for the creation of beanty. He has been actuated by a desire to accomplish something which will add to the sum of human happiness. Short Hills P'ark could scarcely be all that it is, if it were simply the work of a financier, landscape gardener and architect. It is the outcome of a mind enthusiastic for moral, social and in- tellectual, as well as æsthetic betterment of condition.

Short Hills, with all of its beauties of nature and art, its winding undulating walks and drives, its ancient trees, its lawn and woodland, hill and dale, its breezy heights and cool ravines, and its forty restful homes, has been discovered and created within seven years. This lovely region lay hidden by the forest awaiting embellishment and human habitation, until Mr. Hlartshorn making himself a country home in the vicinity, recognized its beauty and its superb adap- tability to the purpose which he conceived and has now partially executed.

The comfort and healthtulnes and freedom of his own country life led to the thought of placing the ad- vantages of such life within the reach of others, and thus the proprietor of Short Hills entered upon the noble occupation of building the village Beautiful, which will probably continue to claim his best thought and energies until the park is the pleasant, healthful, happy home of more than a hundred -perhaps of several hundred families.

Wyoming .- About ten years since, a company was formed under the name of the Wyoming Land and Improvement Company. This Company purchased from Edward Hand and Thomas R. Reeve one hun- dred acres of land, on which they laid out streets and village lots, and on these several tasteful houses were erected. Lots were sold, many of which are not yet built on. The company ceased to exist, and the unsold land reverted to the former owner.

About twenty-five houses have been created, and there is a prospect of a more rapid growth in the near future. A railroad station is established. Water from the Orange water-works reservoir passes through the place, and a church is in process of erection.

Churches .- St. STEPHEN'S CHURCH ( Protestant Episcopal). The first services, according to the rites of the Protestant Episcopal Church, were held in Millburn, in Derember, 1851. in the public school- house, by Rev. E. A. Hoffman a missionary from Grace Church, Elizabethport. The parish was or- ganized Jan. Io, 1853, and a building lot donated by Mr. Israel D. Condit, and a church edifice erected thereon in 1853-54 and consecrated July 24, 1855, by the late Bishop George Washington Doane, Rev. II. II. Reed was the first rector, and remained two years, or . until the autumn of 1859, when he was succeeded by Rev. George V. Pennell. He was followed in Isil by Rev. W. C. Brown, who remained four years, when Rev. H. P. Hay, D. D., was called to the rectorship in Este, and remained one year. He was followed in 1867 by Rev. B. Morgan. In 1869, Rev. W. B. Mor- row became the rector and remained till May, 1874, when he was succeeded by Rev. Lewis I. Clover, D.I., who commenced his labors in June of that year.

The wardens in Isst were Israel D. Condit and J. L. Benedict : vestrymen, E. S. Renwick, Horace Park, P. J. Bodwell, JJ. W. Pierson, E. T. Whittingham, M.D., Amzi Condit, E. S. Hand. W. H. Emerson, J. F. Chamberlin, D. L. Cleveland ; superintendent of Sunday-school. W. H. Emerson. Communicants, one hundred and forty-one. Value of church property, fifteen thousand dollars.

THE CHURCH OF ST. ROSE OF LIMA (Catholic), was organized in 1852, by Father R. J. McQuade, in Springfield. A house of worship was erected in 1852, and removed to its present location in Millburn, in 1876. It is a wooden structure with three hundred sittings. The parish has five hundred souls. A cemetery is fitted up near the church.

A parochial school was established here ten years since, under the charge of the sisters of charity. It has two teachers and from eighty to ninety scholars.

THE FIRST BAPTIST U'HURCH of Millburn was or- ganized in 1858. The first trustees were William Richards, James James, Jotham Meeker, Samuel FAl- wards and William N. Mecker. The organization took place in Washington Hall, and that was during three years the place of worship ..

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

In 1860, the erection of the present church edifice on Millburn Avenue was commeneed and it was com- pleted in 1861. It is a wooden structure, forty by sixty feet in size, and it is finished in modern style. A parsonage was erected in 1871 on the same lot with the church.

The pastors of this church have been in succession, Revs. H. C. Townley Kelsey Wa ling, J. D. Merrill, Adam Chambers. A. B. Woodworth, C. A. Babcock, Henry Westcott anl the present pastor, M. E. Bo- gart.

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of Wyoming was organized in 187+ with fourteen constituent members. Its place of worship has been the railroad Section 2, of the Constitution of the fraternity depot, but in 1883 a church edifice was commenced, " reads, " The object of the fraternity shall be the pro- and it is nearly completed. It is a frame structure, motion of the social, moral, intellectual and pecuniary with a seating capacity of one hundred and fifty, and good of all its members."

its cost will reach three thousand dollars. There has been no regularly installed pastor, but Rev. B. Emer- son ministered to the congregation during six years. His health failing, the congregation has had ocea- sional supplies for the last two years.

AFRICAN M. P. CHURCH OF MILLBURN .- This was first organized in 1879, but the organization was · not kept up. It was reorganized in 18&1 with but two members, and Joseph King as pastor. The first place of worship was the town hall, but in 1883 a house of worship twenty-eight by thirty feet in size Was erected on Mechanic Street at a cost of six hun- dred dollars. Mr. King is still the pastor, and the membership is eight.

CHRIST CHURCH (Episcopal) AT SHORT HILLS- This parish was organized in the autumn of 1882 with fifty constituent members. I'p to the present time, December, 1883, the place of worship has been the basement of Music Hall, where a room has been fitted up for that purpose. A church edifice is in process of erection which will have a seating capa- city of four hundred. It is a gothic structure built of native stone, and it will not be the least of the attractive features of short Hills. Rev. F. Landon Humphries has been the rector of this parish from the time of its organization.

Public Schools. There are three school districts in the township of Millburn. They are known as White Oak Ridge, No. 24, which has a small wooden house, Short Hills, No. 25, in which there is a larger framed school-house, and Washington, No. 26, in the town of Millburn. The last has a two-story framed school- house with two school-rooms and conveniences for one hundred and fifty pupils. Two teachers are em- ployed in this school, which is kept during ten months in each year. In the other districts the term is about the same.

Societies. - STAR TEMPLE OF HONOR NO. 9, was instituted in 1867, with twenty charter members. Its carcer during several years was prosperous, and much good was accomplished. About six years since it be- came innetive, and so remained till the autumn o:

1883, when it was revived, and its prospects for useful- ness are goud.

The officers are R. S. Oliver, W. C. T .; Joseph Senior, W. V. T. ; M. Oliver, W. T .; F. Bailey, W. F. R. ; A. Overmiller, W. R .; Rev. William E. Bogart, W. C.

UNION COUNCIL, NO. 6 .- GOLDEN STAR FRAATER- NITY was organized in December, 1882, with the fol- lowing officers :

W. W. McCullom, Moderator; N. C. Cox. Vice- Moderator; W. R. Ayers, Orator ; J. M. Drake, Sec. ; Thomas Partington, Fin. Sec. ; W. E. McCullom, Treas., and George Cornell, Chaplain.

The Council has thirty-eight members. The pres- ent officers are, N. C. Cox, Moderator ; W. R. Ayers, Vice-Moderator; J. Burling. M.D., Orator; George Cornell, Sec. ; J. J. Hoff, Fin. Sec .; W. E. McCullom, Treas .; E. A. Barber, Chaplain.

Industries-CAMPBELL'S PAPER MILL .- Prior to the Revolution a forge stood on the site where this mill was afterwards built. This forge was purchased by Samuel Campbell at a very early date, and a paper mill was erected there. It was burned in 1805, and was rebuilt by Mr. Campbell. He was succeeded in the ownership of the mill by his son John, who oper- ated it during many years. It was leased to Samuel Clark, who, after some years, was succeeded in the business by his son James Clark, and his son-in-law Oliver E. Bailey, under whose administration the mill was burned about twenty-five years since. The stamp on the paper manufactured at this mill was the figure of a thistie, hence it was often called the "Thistle Mill."

DIAMOND MILL .- A paper mill stood on the site of this mill at a very early day, but it was burned early in the present century, and the site became the pro- perty of Samuel Campbell. From him it was purchased about 1820 by Jonathan Parkhurst, who erected on it a binder's board mill, which was carried on by his father Abraham Parkhurst, and himself, till about 1855, when he sold it to his son-in-law Dr. Frederick Bennett. A year later it became the property of Israel D. Condit, and was conducted by Condit and Traphagen. This firm was succeeded by Israel D. Condit, with J. J. Henderson as manager. It then passed into the hands of Condit, Henderson, Brad- bury & Company, who changed it to a straw print mill, and two years later to a paper mill. It became the property of C'ondit alone, and about six years since it was purchased by the Diamond Mills Paper Com- pany of which C. T. Reynolds is the president. Since that time it has been run on white and colored tissue papers. Twenty-five hands are employed, and one thousand five hundred pounds of paper are manu- factured every twenty-four hours.

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MILLBURN TOWNSHIP.

In addition to the water of the stream on which it stands (a branch of Rahway river), two steam engines are used, one of one hundred and the other of twenty- five horse power.

This mill was burnt in 1844, and was rebuilt by J. Parkhurst. In Isol it was altered and enlarged.

SHORT HILLS PAPER- MILL ..- In 1800 a paper-mill was established on the site of this mill by John ('lark. It was a two vat mill, in which all varieties of paper were manufactured. Mr. Clark continued to operate the mill till 1806, when John Lang purchased half interest in it, and in 1807 he became the sole owner. In 1808 Abraham Wooley purchased the pro- perty. He sold it to John Breath in 1811, and by him it was operated till his death.

In 1817 Thomas Campell purchased the property from the executors of Mr. Breath, and operated the mill till 1839, when it was leased by the present owner, Wellington Campbell. Mr. Campbell became the owner of the property on the death of his father, in 1848, and he has ever since conducted the business.

The mill was twice burnt and rebuilt prior to the time when it became the property of the elder Mr. Campbell. It was a water mill up to the time when it came into the possession of the present owner. Steam power has been introduced by him, and all the modern improved machinery used in the manufacture of paper has been adopted.

Since it was last burned and rebuilt, additions have from time to time been made and its capacity has been igercased, till now it has a daily capacity of three tons. The machinery is propelled by two steam engines, aggregating one hundred horse power, and twenty-five to thirty hands are employed. Hanging, print, and card paper are the principal kinds manu- factured at this mill. The buildings are mostly brick, and are located on Springfield Avenue-half a mile south from the depot at Short Hills, on a branch of the Rahway river.

The grandfather of Mr. Campbell removed in 1745 from Scotland to the north of Ireland, where his father Thomas Campbell was born. Thomas came to America in 1792, and in 1817 settled in what is now Millburn Wellington was born in 1816. It is worthy of remark, that he was born in a house that stood next to a paper-mill, and that he has always lived next door to one. Mr. Campbell has five children,-two ons and three daughters,- living.

W. N. WADE'S BINDERS' BOARD MILL .- About ninety years since, a calico mill was created on the present line between Springfield and Millburn, near the village of Springfield. The line between the counties of Essex and Union passes through the mill. It was subsequently converted into a woolen mill and as such was owned and operated by Hezekiah Miller iu 1825. Tradition says that prior to that time it was twice burned and relmilt.

Daniel N. Denman and Samuel Miller succeeded

Hezekiah Miller in the ownership of the property and converted it into a paper mill. The firm soon afterward became Denman & Ayres. The manufac- ture of wrapping paper was continued till 1835. when William and Abner Stites purchased the mill and converted it into a binders' board mill. In Iais William Stites withdrew from the firm, and the mill Was conducted by Abner till the time of his death.

In 1871 it was purchased from the heirs of Mr. stites by the present proprietor. W. N. Wade, who has operated it to the present time. The mill was propelled by the water of a branch of the Rahway River till 1880, when a steam engine of thirty horse- power was added. Ten hands are employed and the annual production is two hundred and fifty tons of board. The mill has a capacity of three tons in twenty-four hours.

FANDANGO PAPER MILL ..- As early as ]>10 this was an old mill and was owned by Capt. Jonas Wade. It had previously been owned by a man named Tyler, but when or by whom it was built is not now known. In 1820 it had become the property of Thompson & Belanev, and about 1825 they were succeeded by James White, and by him the mill was sold in 1x56 to Israel D. Condit, Amzi Condit and R. D. Trapha- gen. About 100 Mr. Traphagen sold his interest to C'ondit, Bradbury & Co., who changed it from a paper to a binders' board mill which it still continues to be. In Isos it was purchased by J. J. Henderson and in- herited by his son, William Henderson, the present owner and operator.

It is a wooden mill and it stands on a branch of the Rahway River, the water of which branch pro- pelled its machinery till fifteen years since, when a steam engine of one hundred horse-power was added.

Twenty-five hands are employed in the establish- ment, and its daily production is three tons of boards. Its full capacity is six toms in twenty-four hours.

SMITH'S BINDERS' BOARD MILL was built in 1822 by three brothers, Joseph P .. John W. and William C. Smith, and it was operated a few years by the three till William C, withdrew from the firm. It was then carried on by the other two till 1838, when Joseph 1. Smith became sole proprietor. In 1552 William II. Smith, son of Joseph, and James W. Roll the brother-in-law of William, became proprietors and operators. It was carried on by them till 1872, when it was discontinued and business has not been resumed in it.

CONDIT'S HAT-BODY FACTORY .- Early in the pres- ent century, probably 1810, this was a paper-mill, owned and operated by Woodbridge Eaglesfield. It was afterward leased by John and James White. It was purchased by Israel D. Condit and conducted by him and Elijah Smith, sons-in-law of Mr. Eaglesfield, and by them converted into factory for forming door- mat bodies. Mr. Smith afterward withdrew from the firm and the business was changed to a manufactory of fur-hat-bodies, and continued twenty -five years, or

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HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

till the partial destruction of the head race by a freshet. Business was then suspended and the prop- erty was purchased by Charles A. Lighthipe and A. D. Traphagen. It was leased by them to Sparrow, Venino & Co., as a hat factory, and after a short time it was burned. It has never been rebuilt.

LIGHTHIPE HAT-BODY FACTORY .- Early in the present century, a cotton factory stood on the site of this establishment. It was burned about 1812, and eight years later it had been rebuilt as a binders' board mill, and it was then owned and operated by Samuel Parkhurst. It was subsequently owned and con- ducted by John White. It became a hat-body factory and was operated by Peek, Todd & Co. Afterward Aaron Peck and Israel D. Condit owned and operated it. They were succeeded by Burr & Co., and they in 1865 hy the present owner, C. A. Lighthipe, by whom the business has since been conducted. Mr. Light- hipe has of late introduced new and improved machinery by which a better grade of work is pro- duced with fewer hands than formerly. Fifty hands are employed, and one thousand eight hundred bodies per day are produced.

GRAVES' ILAT FACTORY .- In 1849 William P'etti- grew established this factory, on the corner of Church and Main Street, in the town of Millburn. Here he conducted the manufacture of hats till 1863 on an extensive scale, employing from one hundred to one hundred and fifty hands in the business. In that year Mr. l'ettigrew became a volunteer in the army, and business in the factory was suspended.

In 1869 llenry MI. Graves purchased the establish- ment, and he has continued the manufacture of hats here since. The works cover an acre of ground and the machinery is driven by an engine of thirty-horse power. Sixty hands are employed and an average of thirty dozen felt hats are manufactured daily here, business aggregating about one hundred thousand dollars annually.

BUTLER'S HAT FACTORY .- In 1861 William Bod- well established a manufactory of hats on the corner of Spring and Church Streets, in Millburn. He con- tinned the business till his death, about ten years later, and it was then conducted by his two sons, under the firm name of Bodwell Brothers, till 1880, when it was purchased and conducted by Butler & Spriggs afterward Butler, Springs & Co., and since 1x82 by P. J. Butler alone. The machinery in this factory is driven by an engine of twelve-horse power. The capacity of the establishment is sixty hands and thirty dozen hats daily.

St MMERS' HAT FACTORY .- In 1870 Stephen 1. Merker erected a factory on Spring Street, Millburn, and the manufacture of hats was commenced in it by Edwards & Henderson, who continued about three years, and were succeeded by O. II. Summers, who continued till 1877, when the establishment was burned. It was rebuilt in June, 1883, by Philander Bodwell, and business was resumed by (). H. Sum-

mers, who still conducts it. The capacity of the fac- tory is one hundred dozen hats per week.

WICKMAN'S HAT FACTORY .- In 1882 Albert Wickman erected a hat factory in Millburn township, near the line of Springfield, and commenced the manufacture of hats. The establishment gives em- ployment to twenty-five hands.

EDWARD BROWN'S HAT SHOP on Main Street in Millburn was established in April, 1882. Eight hands are employed, and an average of twelve dozen hats are sized daily.

WILLIAM DILLON'S HAT SHOP on Main Street, Millburn, was established in August, 1882. In this shop seventeen hands are employed, and the daily average is twenty-four dozen hats.

SHAW & DUFFY'S HAT SHOP on Ocean Street, in Millburn, was established in November, 1882, by Syl- vamus J. Shaw and Edward Duffy. Sixteen hands are employed, and the daily number of hats sized is twenty-five dozen.

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History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. II, Part 8

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