USA > New Jersey > Somerset County > History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 166
USA > New Jersey > Hunterdon County > History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 166
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Aug. 20, 1879, a stock company was organized under the name of "The Cemetery Association of Somerville," and purchased the cemetery grounds mentioned above for $11,000. Hugh M. Gaston was chosen president, and L. R. Vredenburg secretary and trensurer.
The old burying-ground on the hill at Bound Brook is the resting-place of many of the early dead. The oldest stone on which an inscription is legible bears the following :
" In memory of Surah, wife of James McCoy, who departed this life Sept. yo 5th, 1744, aged 57 years. James McCoy, 1747, aged 59 years."
Many others are illegible. There are buried bere Mrs. Mary Reed, wife of the Rev. Israel Reed, Jan. 13, 1770, aged thirty-eight, and by her side her hus- band, who died in November, 1793; Adam Jobs, March 7, 1798, aged fifty ; Tobias Van Norden, 1800, aged eighty-five; Michael Field, Jan. 13, 1792, aged sixty-seven ; Peter Harpending, Peter Williamson, Col. John Staats, William Riddle, John Anderson, Dr. Jonathan Ford Morris, Capt. Creighton McCrea, Dr. Ambrose Cook, Dr. William MeKissack, Jacob and John Littell, Mary R., wife of the Rev. John Boggs, the MeElworths, Joseph, Benjamin, and Peres Bonney, the Ross brothers, Irvine, De Groots, Steele, MeEvers, Kelso, Trimbly, Van Brunt, Harris, Brown, and many other representatives of the old families that have passed away. The descendants of many of them are still living in the village and surround- ing country.
BOUND BROOK CEMETERY.
l'eter L. Van Deventer, an old citizen of the vicinity of Bound Brook, left to the trustees of the Presbyterian Church of Bound Brook in his will $3000 for purchasing a cemetery lot and beautifying it. In accordance with this bequest, the trustees, Sept. 7, 1863, purchased 12.16 acres of John D. Voor- hees for a burial-ground. It is situated a short dis- tance north of the village of Bound Brook, on the east side of the road leading to the mountain. The whole plot has been tastefully laid out, and will con- tain more than 600 lots. The first to be buried in the new ground was Nicholas Conover, whose body was deposited there May 15, 1864.
SCHOOLS.
The first mention of schools in the town records is of action taken at a meeting of the town committee, Sept. 2, 1826; it was "ordered that Overseer John H. Voorhees pay the schooling of (giving the name of two boys), now paupers, until bound out." April 16th, the next year, it was ordered " that each mem- ber of the committee expend the sum of $20 in his district for the education of poor children which may reside in said district, if necessary."
The first mention of a common school is in a reso- lution passed April 9, 1832, and in the election record of 1834 appear the names of Peter D. Vroom, Peter Q. Elmendorf, Abraham Skillman, Henry Tunison, and Richard Stout as the first school committee.
For several years $500 was annually raised. In 1854 the amount was $2000, and the surplus revenue appropriated; 1864, $3000 and the surplus revenue ; 1880, $7580,56, including State appropriation, two- mill tax, and surplus revenue.
680
SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
The following statement is taken from the report of the State board of education of 1879, and shows the present state of the schools :
Total amount received from all
sources for public school pur-
Present value of school prop- erty.
Whole number of children of
Average number of months the
Numher hetween 5 and 18 years
Average number who have at-
tended school while open.
Number of children the school-
house will seat comfortably.
Number of teachers employed.
24. Washing'n Valley
$397.39 379.49
$1,200.00
113 10.
89
36
42 1
25. Martinsville.
1,200.00
106 10.
79
31
72 1
26. Adamsville ..
300.00
1,200.00
49 10.
55
27
70, 1
27. Green Knoll
300.00
1,000.00
47 10.5
40
14
40
1
28. Somerville ...
3,214.99
15,000.00
910
11.
465
267
650 6
29. Raritan ...
3,685.13
12,000,00
774 11.
470 239
350 G
30. Willow Grove.
607.89
500.00
102
9.
79
33
60 1
31. Bound Brook
829.98
800.00
189 10.
134
64
100
2
$9,014.87 $32,000.00
2,290 10.2
1,418 711
1,284 19
COPPER-MINING.
Copper ore was discovered in the hills of this town- ship prior to the Revolution, and mining commenced on the face of First Mountain. A drift was run in over 700 feet beneath the hill, but when New Jer- sey became the theatre of the war operations were interrupted, and finally ceased. No further develop- ment was attempted until about 1821, when Augustus F. Cammann* commenced exeavations on 3 acres of ground (part of the old works), which he rented of Mr. Hodge and afterwards purchased. He continued work on this land until 1823, when he associated with him Mr. Goold Hoyt, of New York, in the formation of "The Bridgewater Company." Three tracts (about 400 acres) were purchased: a traet of 100 acres, north and east of Somerville, on First Mountain ; the "Compton tract," of 188 acres, and the "Wintersteen tract," embracing 110 acres. In the Hollow, near where Francis Smith now lives, and at Chimney Rock, on the road from Bound Brook to Martinsville, they erected smelting-works, and imported two expert smelters from Germany. Their operations. extended from 1823 to 1830, when they ceased, under pressure of financial difficulties.
About 1835, Albert Cammann (sou of Augustus) and Peter I. Stryker organized "The Washington Mining Company," and purchased of James Hodge the right of mining on 150 acres, formerly the Kearney tract, west of Chimney Rock, adjoining the Dr. Elvender tract of the Bridgewater company. A drift was run into the hill 700 feet from the east end, and another
300 feet from the south. The ore taken from this mine was not smelted here, but was "trimmed" and transported in barrels to Boston. It contained about seventy-five per cent of pure copper. Afterwards sale was made of this right and the property to parties living in Boston, the name of the company remaining the same. Three months' labor by the latter produced good results, but water coming into the drifts com- pelled them to cease. Nothing has since been done.
Cammann and Stryker were shareholders in the "Somerville Mining Company," which operated to a limited extent on the "Jolin Steele tract," lying above the Middle or Compton tract, on the same mountain, belonging to the Bridgewater company.
About forty years ago, Peter Paul, Sr., William Tucker, and William Tanner purchased a mining right of 100 acres near Martinsville. This right was purchased, and is still owned, by James Hodge.
A mine was opened on the land of Richard R. Field some years ago, but little was accomplished, and the work was discontinued. The mine is now being reopened with a prospect of success.
BANKS.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF SOMERVILLE.
This bank was incorporated with a capital of $100,000, March 21, 1864, with the following di- rectors : A. D. Hope, Joseph Thompson, John G. Schenck, John W. Taylor, Samuel W. Davenport, Samuel B. Birdsall, Nelson Young, Samuel S. Hart- well, and Peter V. Staats. A. D. Hope was chosen President. May 21st of that year John W. Taylor resigned as director, and was appointed cashier. John W. Ammerman was elected to fill the vacancy. The bonds of the president and cashier were presented and filed on June 29th. The first banking business was on July 20, 1864. An office was opened in the first floor of the " Ten Eyck House," now occupied by a saloon, where they remained until the erection of their new building, on the north side of Main Street, in 1874. They removed to their present office on Saturday, April 10, 1875.
The present officers are Nelson Young, President ; John W. Taylor, Cashier; Joseph Thompson, John G. Schenck, John W. Ammerman, David Craig, Peter De Witt, Samuel W. Davenport, Nelson Young, and James J. Bergen, Directors. The bank has a capital of $200,000.
THE SOMERSET COUNTY BANK.
This institution was incorporated in 1848 with a capital of $100,000, and opened for business October 10th of that year. Its first officers were Joshua Doughty, President; William G. Steele, Cashier; Philemon Dunn, Aaron Longstreet, John Steele, Willianı Van Nest, Samuel S. Hartwell, Tunis Huff, James Castner, Albert Cammann, A. W. Dunham, and Rynier Veghte, Directors. Joshua Doughty re- mained president until Jan. 5, 1874, when John V.
* Mr. Cammann was a uative of Hanover, Germany, and was educated for the army as a cadot in the public gymnasium. He emigrated to the United States In 1810 and soon after came to the valley of the Raritan and became Interested in mining. About 1823 he removed his family to the old Van Veghten house, near Findern Station, where he lived many years. lle died Jan. 3, 1849, aged seventy-three.
NOS. AND NAMES
OF
DISTRICTS.
poses.
school age residing in district,
schools have been kept open.
enrolled during the year.
EUGENE SOLOMON DOUGHTY, third son of Maj .- Gen. Solomon Doughty, was born at Doughty's Mills, Mor- ris Co., N. J., May 11, 1812. His minority was mostly spent at home, where he acquired a common-school edu- cation.
After the death of his father, in 1827, he worked on the farm in New Providence until he was twenty years of age, when he engaged in mercantile business with Mr. A. M. Elmer (afterwards Judge Elmer), of that place, and continued in trade until 1836. For two years following he was engaged in staging between Basking Ridge and New York City. In 1838 he came to Somerville, formed a copartnership with his brother Joshna (J. & E. S. Doughty) in a general mercantile trade, which was carried on until 1842, when he with- drew from the firm and established himself as a lumber merchant, which business he still continues, being a longer time in continuous trade as a lumber dealer than any other man in the State except one, Mr. George Green, of Trenton. He obtained his supply of lumber mostly from Pennsylvania, Canada, and Michigan. In 1851 he purchased some three thousand acres of pine timbered land in Tioga Co., Pa., and began manufactur- ing his own lumber, which he shipped, via Chemung and Erie Canals, through Albany to Elizabethport, N. J., and thence by railroad to Somerville. He continued manufacturing lumber for twelve years, and in 1863, having disposed of his timbered lands, he has since con- fined his lumber trade wholly to Somerville, purchasing most of his lumber in Michigan.
Mr. Doughty has been a stockholder of the State Bank of Elizabeth since 1843, and for thirty years of this time one of the directors of the bank. Upon the
organization of the Somerset County Bank in Somerville, in 1848, he became its largest stockholder, which inter- est he retains in 1880, and for the past twelve years he has officiated as president of the Somerset County Mutual Fire Insurance Company.
He has always been interested in local and State legis- lation, and for many years an active member of the Democratic party. Although not solicitous of political preferment, he has often received the suffrages of his fellow-townsmen as a delegate to county and State con- ventions, and was elected to the Assembly of the State for the years 1850 and 1851, where he was efficient as chairman of the committee on ways and means, and also as chairman of the joint committee of both houses on lunatic asylum and State prisons.
Mr. Doughty has ever been interested in and a liberal promoter of all worthy enterprises in connection with the growth and prosperity of the village, and his gener- osity has always been commensurate with his means. Of a naturally genial and sociable turn of mind, and ever sympathizing with those less fortunate than him- self, he will be remembered for his many kind acts to those needing assistance, and for his self-sacrifice in re- membering his many friends. His life has been one of activity, and almost wholly devoted to business opera- tions, and his integrity has not been questioned during many years' residence in Somerville.
He married, in 1842, Mrs. Eliza, widow of the late James Onderdonck, and only daughter of Henry Van Arsdale, of Somerville. She died in February, 1875, aged sixty-two years. The children of this union are George Pierson, Eugene Solomon, and Mary Eliza- beth.
681
BRIDGEWATER.
Veglite was elected, and held the position till Janu- ary, 1880. Calvin Corle followed, and is now the pres- ident. William G. Steele remained cashier until No- vember, 1862, when John V. Veghte was elected. Upon his accession to the presidency, in 1874, T. W. Frech was made cashier, and remained until Septem- ber, 1878. John V. Veghte then assumed the position until August, 1879, when L. R. Vredenburg was chosen.
The present capital is $50,000. The officers are Calvin Corle, President ; L. R. Vredenburg, Cashier ; Rynier II. Veghte, John V. Veghte, John Lindsley, John D. Bartine, J. Vred. Voorhees, Culver Barcalow, Peter W. Young, Lewis E. Anderson, and A. C. Mol- lison, Directors. The banking-rooms were first opened in the Hartwell Building, and afterwards removed to the present office.
JOSHUA DOUGHITY.
The father of Joshua, the late Maj .- Gen. Solomon Doughty, was born Sept. 26, 1772, at a place called Doughty's Mills, about three miles from Basking Ridge, in Somerset County. For many years he car- ried on a grist- and saw-mill at that place, then a wilderness. This property he traded for a farm in New Providence, N. J., upon which he resided until his death, Dec. 20, 1827. He was active in politics and a representative man in the Democratic party during its carly history, although he never aspired to office. For many years he was the principal civil engineer and surveyor in Morris and Essex Counties. He was brigade inspector during the war of 1812, and was subsequently promoted to the rank of major-gen- eral in the State militia.
Joshna, eldest son of Maj .- Gen. Solomon Doughty, was born Feb. 25, 1799, in Morris Co., N. J. . His early life was spent at home, where he received a good business education and learned those inestimable lessons,-economy and self-reliance. At the age of eighteen he went to New York City, and for some three years was engaged in a wholesale dry-goods house. Upon reaching his majority he went to Mo- bile, Ala., where he spent one year, and then engaged in business on his own account in Appalachicola, Mla., when he sold the first goods ever offered in that place. After two years he engaged in a general country trade in Franklin, Ala., where he remained until 1836, when he closed up his business in the South, returned to his native State, and settled in Somerville. Here, in 1838, he built a store, and agaiu entered into a general trade, in which he con- tinued to be interested until 1866, lle purchased considerable real estate contiguous to the village, 4-4
which he has improved, and on which he has erected many substantial residences, now forming a desirable part of the village of Somerville. His mansion is one of the old landmarks in New Jersey, having been built in 1751, of brick imported from Holland.
In 1848 he procured the charter for the Somerset County Bank. Immediately upon its organization he was elected its president, and held that position uninterruptedly for twenty-five years, resigning in 1873. This bank was one of the most substantially prosperous institutions of the kind in the State, and its high standing was due in a great measure to his judicious management. He has been for a number of years president of the Raritan Water-Power Com- pany, and for several years a stockholder of the New Jersey Central Railroad. Since his residence here he has been interested in and a promoter of the various local enterprises tending to its prosperity as a village, and has perhaps done more than any other person towards building up and beautifying the place. He was one of the founders of the Episcopal Church in Somerville, and has been for many years one of its vestrymen and a liberal contributor to the funds necessary for its support. During his active business life he was a staunch supporter of the Democratic party, and in 1860 was one of the delegates to the National Democratic Convention at Charleston, where he supported Mr. Guthrie for the Presidency ; but when that body adjourned to Baltimore he supported Breckenridge. In 1863 he was elected to the State Senate by the largest majority ever given to a Demo- crat in Somerset County, and while serving his first year as senator he was prominently identified as the efficient chairman of the committee on treasurer's accounts.
Gen. Doughty married, March 9, 1796, Mary, a daughter of Jonathan Pierson, and granddaughter, on Mr. Doughty, now in the eighty-second year of his age, retains to a remarkable degree the vigor of both her mother's side, of Col. Ludlow, of Long Hill. She was born April 3, 1775, and died July 6, 1856. Their mind and body common to men younger in years. children were Agnes, Joshua, Elizabeth Pierson, Sin- eus Pierson, Eugene Solomon, and Sarah Maria. He is known to the people of Somerville as a man of sound judgment, correct habits, aud possessed of strict integrity in all the relations of life. His residence here has been marked by indefatigable perseverance, a will to accomplish whatever he undertakes, and a conscientious devotion to every enterprise in which he has been engaged. Ile married, in 1835, Susan MI., daughter of Col. Isaac Southard, and a niece of the late Senator Samuel L. Southard. Their children are Louisa (widow of the late Walter Cammann), Sarah Elizabeth, Mary Pierson (wife of A. C. Dun- ham, of Salisbury, N. C.), John R., Joshua (a druggist in Somerville), Susan ( wife of Frederick Van Liew), Agnes Jackson, and Laura R.
RARITAN SAVINGS-DANK.
This institution was chartered in 1869, with the fol- lowing officers : President, Andrew J. Farrand; Treas- urer, George Y. Ford: Managers, Peter V. Staats, Andrew J. Farrand, David P. Kinyon, Jeremiah Whitenack, John F. Edwards, La Rue Vredenburgh,
682
SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
Rynear H. Veghte, John S. Haynes, J. Franklin Westcott, William S. Opie, Abraham Qnick, Isaac Polhemus, Fred. J. Frelinghuysen, John Frech, Theo. Frelinghuysen, George Y. Ford, Albert P. Cooper, John J. Bergen, John V. Davis, Samuel B. Birdsall, Peter J. Schomp, Richard Provost, Jacob W. Stout, John Davis, Job C. Kinyon, Benjamin Ford. The deposits have reached $70,000. The ac- counts are kept at the First National Bank in Somer- ville, and the business office is at the drug-store of John V. Davis, at Raritan.
The present officers are D. P. Kinyon, President ; A. P. Cooper, Vice-President ; John V. Davis, Sec- retary and Treasurer ; D. P. Kinyon, A. P. Cooper, Frederick J. Frelinghnysen, Theodore Frelinghuy- sen, Dr. J. T. Edwards, A. H. Brokaw, William S. Opie, Abraham Quick, James Harper Smith, John J. Bergen, Richard Provost, Henry S. Long, John V. Veghte, L. R. Vredenburgh, W. D. Wyckoff, John V. Davis, Jacob W. Stout, Managers.
SOMERVILLE DIME SAVINGS-BANK.
This institution was incorporated March 27, 1871, with John W. Taylor, Edward F. Loomis, Edwin C. Schott, John F. Conklin, Culver Barcalow, Nelson Young, Samnel W. Davenport, and Alvah A. Clark as incorporators. The organization was perfected by the election of officers : Nelson Young, President ; E. C. Schott, Vice-President; Edward F. Loomis, Sec- retary ; and John W. Taylor, Treasurer. The depos- its amount to $100,000, and are now only received on old accounts. The entire funds of the institution are immediately available in case of demand. The busi- ness of the institution is transacted at the First Na- tional Bank.
The present trustees are Nelson Young, E. C. Schott, Alvah A. Clark, John T. Conklin, Geo. V. Tunison, Peter Dewitt, Culver Barcalow, S. W. Da- venport, and John W. Taylor. The officers are Nel- son Young, President; E. C. Schott, Vice-President ; J. W. Taylor, Secretary and Treasurer.
SOCIETIES.
"The Young Men's Christian Association" of Som- erville was organized Aug. 18, 1873, with 95 members, and first took rooms under "Somerset Hall." The next year 117 members were reported. The highest has been 175; present number, about 60. Ladies are received as associate members. The work laid out was mostly religious, but subsequently a reading-room was opened when the society took possession of the quarters especially prepared for it in "Association Hall." This building was erected by five association men to accommodate the growth of the organization, and is the handsomest business structure in the town. These men were George V. Tunison, David K. Craig, Dumont Frelinghnysen, William C. Veghte, A. V. D. Honeyman. The presidents of the association have been A. V. D. Honeyman, 1873-75; William
W. Anderson, 1876; John E. Rowe, 1877; A. V. D. Honeyman, 1878; Martin N. Wyckoff, 1879; A. C. Lindsley, 1880. Union meetings of the churches, held every Sabbath afternoon, have been one of the outgrowths of this institution.
A lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was instituted in 1787, under the name of "Solomon's Lodge, No. 1," a history of which will be found in the township of Bedminster. The meetings of this lodge, as was the case with many in the early days, were held in different parts of the county, many being at this place. The only one of which any knowledge is pre- served was on Dec. 17, 1816, when a celebration of the festival of St. John the Evangelist was held at Somer- ville. That society surrendered its charter about 1830.
"Solomon's Lodge, No. 46," worked under a dispen- sation for about three months in the fall of 1856, and in January, 1857, received its warrant. It had seven charter members. The first officers were Rev. J. H. Black, W. M .; A. E. Donaldson, S. W .; D. P. Kin- yon, J. W. ; Pethuel Mason, Treas .; F. F. Elmendorf, Sec. Meetings were held in a hall over Somerset County bank uutil the completion of Masonic Hall, in 1872, when it was taken possession of by the so- ciety and is still in use.
The officers for 1880 are Alfred Barber, W. M .; H. McClaren, S. W .; F. William Koehler, J. W .; C. Stein, Treas .; C. Cruiser, Sec .; F. Van Liew, P. M., S. D .; P. Struve, J. D .; James Wyckoff, P. Dumont Whitenack, M. of C .; Charles Young, Tiler; Robert L. Day, P. M., G. S. Cook, J. R. Garretson, Finance Committee; Fred. Van Liew, P. M., Robert L. Day, P. M., George S. Jones, P. M., Trustees. The present membership is 106.
"Keystone Chapter, No. 25, R. A. M.," was instituted in September, 1871. Its first officers were Dr. H. G. Wagoner, High Priest; Thomas Childs, King; J. Harper Smith, Scribe. It has at present 30 members. Meetings are held in Masonic Hall.
The officers for 1880 are C. Stein, M. E. H. P .; W. T. F. Ayres, E. K .; H. G. Wagoner, P. H. P., E. S .; J. Doughty, Jr., C. of H .; H. McClaren, P. S .; A. H. Dayton, R. A. C .; F. William Koehler, G. M. of 3d V .; John J. Dean, G. M. of 2d V .; F. Schell, G. M. of 1st V .; John Ringlemann, Treas .; F. Van Liew, Sec .; Robert L. Day, Tiler; G. S. Cook, A. H. Dayton, R. L. Day, Finance Committee.
Feb. 19, 1864, a number of gentlemen met at Tem- perance Hall, Washington, D. C., for the purpose of organizing the order of Knights of Pythias in the United States. Among the officers elected at this first meeting were Abraham Van Derveer, of Somer- ville, as Grand Banker; Matt. H. Van Derveer, the present county clerk, was appointed Worthy Guide by the Worthy Chancellor; both offices are now ob- solete. March 24th of the same year M. H. Van Derveer, with others, was elected a representative to organize a Grand Lodge. This was accomplished
683
BRIDGEWATER.
April 8, 1864. Abraham Van Derveer was elected Grand Scribe.
"Lodge of the Castle, No. 82," K. of P., was insti- tuted Jan. 13, 1873. The charter members were John M. Powell, John C. Henry, David Noll, Joseph B. Smith, Jacob Shirts, John G. Dumont, Matt. H. Van Derveer, George Chase, James Folmsby, George T. Seis, C. V. D. Smith, James V. Smith, Garret P. Smith, John Voorhees, Edward A. Weeks, Edward Smith, Arthur Gaston, William Messler, John Mess- ler, Edward Cooley, Frank Drobney, Theodore Staats, John V. D. Ten Eyck, William E. Johnson, George Clickener, Peter Struve. Meetings were first held in Somerset Hall one year. A hall was then finely fitted up in the third story of Adair's building, and since that time the meetings have been held there. The society is now in a prosperous condition, having $1400 in its treasury. A section of the endowment bank is in connection with the lodge.
, The present officers are John E. Wehrly, Chan- cellor Commander ; William Harris, Vice-Chancellor; D. S. Rockafellar, Keeper of Records and Seals; John S. Barber, Prelate; Cyrus Peterson, M. at_1 .; George W. Garhart, Master of Finance; Joseph B. Smith, Master of Exchequer.
" Schiller Lodge, No. 28, D. O. H." (Deutsche Oden Harigari), was instituted in Somerville on March 17, 1871, with llenry Reimer as O. B .; Ferdinand Gutter, U. B .; Charles Schwed, Sec .; Lewis Phillips, Treas. It contains at present 32 members, and its present ofli- eers are C. T. Fredericks, O. B .; Jacob Miller, U. B .; Adolph Hock, Treas. ; Charles Schwed, See. Meetings were held at first in a room in the house of Mr. Lance, but in 1878 Schwed's Hall was fitted up and the meet- ings are now held there.
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