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 73
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 73
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PAPER-MILLS.
The " Mountain Spring Mill," the first paper-mill in Lambertville, was built by James C. Weeden. It was commenced Dec. 4, 1859, and finished in the summer of 1860. The business was very successfully carried on by the firm of James C. Weeden & Co. until the death of Mr. Weeden, in March, 1866. The name of the firm, however, was continued, and the business was conducted by the widow of Mr. Weeden and her nephew, William H. Gandy, with the same degree of success for several years. Aug. 16, 1878, the firm was dissolved and the business, until July 31, 1879, was conducted in behalf of Mrs. Weeden by Edward R. Solliday. Since that time it has been managed for her by Cornelius Lake.
The " Perseverance Paper-Mill" was built by Wil- liam McCready in the spring of 1868. The business was conducted by him until July 1, 1870, when an organization was formed with the title of the " Lambertville Paper Manufacturing Company," under whose management the business has been con- tinued ever since. The first officers were William Cowin, President; Joseph Smith, Secretary and Treasurer ; William McCready, Superintendent. Mr. Cowin subsequently resigned his office, and Griffith L. Williams was elected in his stead. Since that time there has been no change in the officers of the company.
The mill was much enlarged in the summer of 1879, and again in the autumn of 1880. It has facilities for steam- as well as for water-power. Its capacity for production is 8000 pounds a day, and it gives employment to 40 operatives. The products of its manufacture are manilla and flour-sack paper, for which the principal markets are New York and Phila- delphia.
The "Centennial Paper-Mill" began operations under the management of William H. Gandy & Co., July 4, 1876, but on November 1st of that year the present firm-McDowell & Son-came into possession of the mill. The firm is engaged in the almost exclu- sive manufacture of manilla paper. About 30 opera- tives are employed. The mill is capable of producing more than 7000 pounds of paper daily.
In fact, all the paper-mills of Lambertville are prospering under their several ellicient managers,
and we hope are destined, with the other vigorously- conducted manufacturing establishments, to add to the wealth and prosperity of the town.
THE COTTON-MILL.
A meeting was held on Feb. 2, 1866, for the pur- pose of considering the feasibility of organizing a company for the manufacture of cotton thread, and it was decided to form such an organization. Accord- ingly, a charter for the "Amwell Mills Company" was obtained on April 6, 1866. The first officers were William Cowin, President; Joseph J. Frazer, Secre- tary ; Joshua Hilton, Superintendent.
Mr. Hilton resigned his office March 9, 1868, when Joseph J. Frazer was elected in his place, continuing until December, 1873, when he resigned on his re- moval to Massachusetts. Joseph Smith succeeded Mr. Frazer in January, 1874.
Owing to the financial depression throughout the country and the over-production of cotton goods, the company met with but little success, but was reorgan- ized Nov. 1, 1877, under the corporate title of "The Amwell Spinning Company," and has since been more prosperous ; it lately declared a dividend of six per cent., clear of tax, on its net earnings during the past year.
The officers of the new company are as follows : Ashbel Welch, President; Joseph Smith, Treasurer and Manager; Ashbel Welch, Jr., Secretary.
The cotton yarn which the company manufacture is reputed to be of excellent quality.
THE SPROAT MANUFACTURING COMPANY
was organized Nov. 1, 1880. It manufactures twine and rope from jute, flax, and hemp. The capacity of the mill is 2000 pounds per day, and it gives employ- ment to 42 persons. The officers of the company are Ashbel Welch, President; Joseph Smith, Secretary and Treasurer ; John Sproat, Superintendent.
In 1843, John Sproat (now deceased), the father of the present superintendent, came to Lambertville and leased of Jonathan Fisk a building which stood below where the railroad-station now is and converted it into a twine-factory, and with his brother Henry com- menced business as the firm of J. & H. Sproat. In 1847 the factory was destroyed by fire. It was, how- ever, rebuilt, and business was resumed.
In 1855 the firm sold out their interests to James French, and the brothers Sproat removed to Lansing- burg, N. Y., but in three years moved back again and took possession of their former mill. In 1862, John Sproat, Sr., removed into the substantial brick building now owned by the Sproat Manufacturing Company.
Upon the death of Mr. Sproat and the settling up of his estate the mill lay idle for a considerable time, but seems now to have commenced with most favor- able auspices under the new management.
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CITY OF LAMBERTVILLE.
THE LAMBERTVILLE SPOKE-MANUFACTURING COMPANY carries on an extensive business and sends its pro- duets to the most distant regions of the globe. Aus- tralia, New Zealand, and California, as well as Great Britain and some parts of the European continent, furnish a market for its wares. The business has within the last two years been greatly enlarged by facilities for making wheels, a sufficient number being manufactured every day to supply a hundred wagons.
The manufacture of spokes was commenced here by Mr. William Thatcher, who built the mill, in 1868. Ile continued in the business for a short time only. For several years Mr. John Finney has been the leading member of the company, owning seven- eighths of the stock.
In 1871, William G. Moore commeneed the manu- facturing of spokes, but his mill is now running only a part of the time.
THE STEAM SAW-MILL
owned and managed by Cornelius Arnett was erected in 1863. Large quantities of hard-wood, and occa- sionally of pine, are sawed at this mill.
Mr. Arnett sends ship-timber to the ship-yards on Staten Island and in New York City. He has also sent ship-timber to Australia. He is now largely en- gaged in preparing telegraphie supplies, such as pins and brackets. These he has sent largely to the Southern States, and once filled a large order for mili- tary service on the vast plains beyond the borders of civiliz ation.
BANKING AND INSURANCE. THE LAMBERTVILLE NATIONAL BANK
was originally chartered as a State bank under the general banking law of New Jersey. Its charter was obtained June 20, 1857. Its first board of directors was chosen May 5, 1858, and consisted of the follow- ing persons : Samuel D. Stryker, James D. Stryker, Thomas B. Carr, Nelson V. Large, Jacob Skillman, Charles A. Skillman, Ingham Coryell, John G. Read- ing, Liscomb R. Titus, Charles Moore, and John C. Hopewell. Samuel D. Stryker was chosen president of the board, Charles A. Skilhan secretary, and Martin L. Reeve cashier. The first discount com- mittee appointed were Samuel D. Stryker, Ingham Coryell, and Charles A. Skillman.
Samuel D. Stryker continued to be president until his death, in January, 1863, when his brother, James D. Stryker, was chosen to succeed him, and has been annually re-elected to the present time.
Martin L. Reeve served the bank faithfully as cashier until his death, June 11, 1871. William Crook, who had served for a time as teller, was elce- ted to fill the vacancy thus created, and continued to urt until January, 1874, when he resigned the office, and the teller, Isaiah P. Smith, was elected in his stead. Hampton C. Shafer was chosen in the place of Mr. Smith, and continued to act as teller and as- sistant cashier until his removal to Seranton, in
January, 1881. Frank Phillips was chosen to fill his place.
The original capital of the bank was $50,000; present capital, $100,000. It was chartered as a national bank July 20, 1865.
Samuel D. Stryker, the first president, was one of the most successful and sagacious business men Lam- bertville has ever had. He came to this place in the spring of 1826, and remained here until his death. He was for many years treasurer, and then for a long while president, of the Hunterdon County Bible Society. He was seventy-two years of age at the time of his death. He left a large estate and bequeathed a sum of money for a public library, to become available when a like sum, principal and accruing interest, should be raised by the town of Lambertville or by any association of its citizens. Such an associa- tion, after a long delay, is about to be formed, to be known as the "Stryker Library Association." The money needed to meet the conditions has almost all been raised.
AMWELL NATIONAL BANK.
" The Lambertville Building and Loan Savings- Bank" was incorporated Feb. 11, 1875, and dissolved July 26, 1876. Its first officers were the following : Samuel Lilly, M.D., President ; William V. Cooley, Cashier ; Richard McDowell, William L. Hoppock, John A. Anderson, Nelson V. Young. Henry C. Hooker, George A. Allen, Ashbel Welch, John Gro- man, William V. Cooley, Directors.
On the dissolution of this bank the Amwell Na- tional was formed, with a capital of $60,000, which continued to be the capital until Jan. 14, 1879, when it was increased to $70,000. On July 28, 1876, the first board of directors was elected,-viz., Samuel Lilly, M.D., William V. Cooley, Ashbel Welch, Richard Me- Dowell, Henry ('. Hooker, William L. Hoppock, John A. Anderson, Hugh B. Ely, William V. Case, Hiram Scarborough, J. Patterson Smith. Samuel Lilly, M.D., was chosen president, Ashbel Welch vice- president, William V. Cooley cashier, and F. W. Van Hart teller.
THE HUNTERDON COUNTY MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COM- PANY
was organized March 13, 1845, and the first meeting was held at that date. John Coryell, Esq., was elected president and Jacob Servis Gary secretary.
The officers of the company at the present time are as follows : Dr. Jeremiah Hayhurst, President ; Joseph Smith, Secretary ; Charles A. Skillman, Treasurer; Augustus C. Barber, General Agent.
GAS- LIGHT COMPANY.
The Lambertville Gas Company was chartered April 21, 1856. The first officers chosen were the following : John Runk, President; Charles A. Skill- man. Secretary; Samuel Lilly, M.D., Treasurer ; Samuel Lilly, M.D., Liscomb R. Titus, Ingham
286
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
Coryell, Samuel H. Titus, Thomas B. Carr, Alexander H. Holcombe, Directors.
The gas-works were built under contract with Lis- comb R. Titus. These have been much enlarged and improved. For several years they were not remuner- ative, but under the efficient management of Richard McDowell they have become profitable. For the five years beginning with 1870 and ending with 1874 the gas stock yielded a dividend of ten per cent. per annum, clear of tax, but since 1874 the dividend has been seven per cent. The present capital is $30,000, divided into 1500 shares at $20 a share. The present officers are James D. Stryker, President; William V. Cooley, Treasurer; Charles A. Skillman, Secretary ; Richard McDowell, Superintendent; William V. Cooley, William G. Moore, Richard McDowell, Henry C. Hooker, Augustus C. Barber, Charles A. Skillman, Directors.
LAMBERTVILLE WATER-POWER COMPANY.
The Lambertville Water-Power Company was or- ganized Oct. 28, 1857, and purchased of the estate of Dr. John Wilson, deceased, valuable lands and water- rights along the feeder of the Delaware and Raritan Canal, in the lower part of the town. Some of the most valuable mills have since been constructed on that water-power. Liscomb R. Titus, Imlah Moore, Charles Moore, Ingham Coryell, and Augustus G. Richey were elected the first board of directors. Lis- comb R. Titus was chosen president, Imlah Moore vice-president, and Charles Moore secretary and treas- urer.
The following persons were chosen officers of the company in February, 1880: James D. Stryker, Presi- dent; A. H. Holcombe, Secretary and Treasurer ; James D. Stryker, A. C. Gandy, Joseph Sproat, Henry Matthews, Richard MeDowell, Directors.
LAMBERTVILLE WATER COMPANY.
The Lambertville Water Company was organized July 21, 1877. The water-right of a pond on Swan's Creek and two and eight-tenths acres were bought of A. Smith Wilson. The reservoir contains, when full, 1,800,000 gallons of water. The daily flow of the creek into the reservoir has been carefully estimated at 400,000 gallons daily for nine months of the year, and 70,000 gallons daily for three months.
The water-shed from which the water is collected is the "trap-dike" known as "Goat Hill," and has an area of 1000 acres, and, from a low estimate of the amount of rain-fall during the year that could be made available by impounding all the water, it would reach the enormous quantity of 326,700,000 gallons.
TITE LAMBERTVILLE VIGILANT SOCIETY * was organized Feb. 24, 1837. Jacob B. Smith, Esq., was made chairman, and William B. Ely secretary.
Amos Ely, Ezekiel Blue, and William M. Case were appointed a committee to draft a constitution.
Jacob B. Smith was elected the first president of the association, and continued to be re-elected every year until his death, when Dr. Samuel Lilly was elected president in his stead, and served in that capacity until the annual meeting in 1857, when Johnson Barber was chosen. Mr. Barber was suc- ceeded, in 1860, by John H. Anderson, who held thie office for two years. James D. Stryker was the next president. He was elected at the annual meeting in 1862, and held the office for six years, when the present incumbent, Dr. J. Hayhurst, was chosen.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
We are not able to give the date at which the first fire company was formed in Lambertville, but of the first fire-engine many of the citizens have a distinct recollection. It was a very small machine, rotary in its action and turned by a crank npon each side. It was nicknamed the " coffee-mill." This gave place to a heavy, lumbering machine named the "Globe," bought at second-hand from a Philadelphia con- pany.
The fire company was then known as the " Union Fire Company." It was suffered to decline in interest, and became virtually defunct. This state of things continued for some time, when the "Aquetong Fire Company" was formed, in 1863, and a new engine purchased from the manufacturers at Cohoes, N. Y. The new "Union Fire Company" was formed July 18, 1864. In September, 1869, a steamer was purchased, and has proved to be a very effective engine.
"The Fleet-Wing Hook-and-Ladder Company" was organized in 1864 and incorporated in 1867. In 1868 its truck-house was built, and is creditable to the company and ornamental to the town.
During the past year the Aquetong Company was dissolved.
"The Hibernia Fire Company" was formed Jan. 13, 1870. The members purchased a hand-engine, which has been of great service when occasion re- quired.
The fire department of Lambertville, in its equip- ments and management, will compare favorably with that of any town of its size.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
MASONIC.
The first lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in this vicinity was established in New Hope, in the house now occupied by William H. Murray. When the brick hotel in New Hope was built, by William Maris, a room in it was fitted up for the use of the lodge, and was occupied by them for a considerable period. The HIon. William Wilson, Capt. John Lam- bert, and Thomas Thomson, all of Lambertville and vicinity, were members.
In June, 1847, Ancel St. John, William Wilson,
* Wo are indebted for the facts here given to Dr. J. Hayhurst, who, as president, gave an historical address to the society at their annual meeting in February, 1877.
287
CITY OF LAMBERTVILLE.
Thomas Sterrett, John Runk, Thomas Thomson, Ed- ward Badger, and Mckenzie Hall petitioned the Most Worthy Grand Lodge of the Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New Jersey for a dispensation to open a Masonic lodge in Lambertville, N. J. The dispensation was granted June 13, 1847, and " Amwell Lodge, No. 13," was instituted June 16, 1847, by the following grand officers : John Merchant, M. W. Grand Master; John J. Crockett, R. W. Senior Grand Warden ; William Hf. Earl, R. W. Junior Grand Warden; Edward Stewart, W. Senior Grand Deacon ; John Vanderbilt, Tiler. The first officers of the lodge were Ancel St. John, W. Master ; William Wilson, Senior Warden; Thomas Sterrett, Junior Warden ; MeKenzie Hall, Treas .; Thomas Thomson, Sec. A charter was granted to the lodge Jan. 12, 1848. Since its institution 233 have joined the lodge. The present number of mem- bers is 96.
From "Amwell Lodge" went forth "Darcy Lodge, No. 37," located at Flemington, N. J., and instituted in 1855; "Orion Lodge, No. 56," located at French- town, N. J., and instituted during 1860; "Orpheus Lodge, No. 137," located at Stockton, and instituted in 1873; and a portion of "Cyrus Lodge, No. 138," located at Pennington, N. J., and instituted Feb. 7, 1877.
The " Wilson Chapter of Royal Arch Masons" in Lambertville was instituted May 11, 1864. The first members were William Wilson, John F. Schenck, Frederic M. Slaughter, Jacob S. S. Pittenger, Charles Schulhaus, Jacob Young, Gabriel II. Slater, Isaac S. Cramer, William B. Brown, and John T. Sergeant.
Since the chapter was instituted 103 new members have joined it. The present membership is 67.
The "St. Elmo Commandery of Knights Templar" was instituted Oct. I, 1878. The first officers were Joseph H. Boozer, E. C .; J. S. Roberts, Gen. ; J. Simpson Large, C. G .; W. H. Everett, S. W .; R. B. Reading, J. W .; C. Schulhaus, Treas. ; W. II. Titus, Recorder; John Lilly, J. S. Cramer, O. H. Sproull, Trustees.
In the year 1877 the Masons built their present hall. This spacious and tasteful edifice is an orna- ment to the town.
ODD-FELLOWS.
regularly every Tuesday evening for 38 years. Six lodges have had their origin in this lodge. In May, 1879, the lodge commenced rebuilding their hall, and now have a stately and commodious edifice, an orna- ment to the town and a specimen of thorough as well as tasteful workmanship.
UNITED AMERICAN MECHANICS.
The first council of United American Mechanics instituted in Lambertville was the "Star Council." The date of its institution is not known, as the books and charters of the council were given to the State Council after its dissolution.
The next formed in Lambertville was "Union Council," which was organized Jan. 4, 1848, and con- tinued in operation under a dispensation from the State Council till May 31st of the same year, when it ceased to exist.
On Aug. 23, 1858, the persons who had previously composed the membership of Union Council organ- ized themselves into a tribe of Red Men known as "Tuscarora Tribe, No. 11, Improved Order of Red Men," which continued in operation until some time during the year 1863, when, in consequence of the war reducing their membership, they returned their charter to the Great Council of the State of New Jersey, and the tribe was disbanded. After a lapse of a little over five years the council was reinstituted, Dec. 28, 1868, since which time it has continued in operation, and is now flourishing.
"Vigilant Council of United American Me- chanics," now in operation, was organized Dec. 30, 1870.
OTHER SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS.
"Red Jacket Tribe of Improved Order of Red Men" was instituted Nov. 17, 1873.
"Lone Star Lodge, No. 16, Knights of Pythias," was organized Dec. 22, 1868, with nine charter mem- bers,-viz., Theodore Abbott, James Gordon, Ashbel W. Angel, Charles H. W. Van Seiver, Thomas Fla- herty, Augustus C. Barber, J. Gaddis, Amos Johnson, and Charles W. Crook.
The " Major C. A. Angel Post, No. 20, Grand Army of the Republic," has the following-named officers, who were installed Nov. 20, 1878: Post Commander, C. H. W. Van Seiver; Senior Vice-Commander. Ashbel W. Angel; Junior Vice-Commander, George W. P. Fisher ; Officer of the Day, Charles A. Slack; S. Kroesen ; Surgeon, John J. Green ; Adjutant, Ben- jamin 11. Joiner ; Officer of the Guard, H. A. Conover ; Quartermaster-Sergeant, Asa L. Miller; Sergeant- Major, William 11. Moon ; Inside Guard, Henry L. Van Horn; Outside Guard, Joseph Taylor; Ord- nance-Sergeant, G. L. Akers.
About the year 1840 there existed in Lambertville a secret society called the "Forloru Hope." The | Quartermaster, Frank R. Pierson ; Chaplain, Harry principal officers were Hiram Blake and Louis Pax- son ; the members, Amasa Ely, William B. Ely, Thomas L. Southard, Jonathan Fisk, Thomas B. Carr, besides others whose names we have not ob- tained. From this association originated the society of the order of Odd-Fellows, and on Jan. 19, 1843, " Lenni Lenâpe Lodge, No. 15," I. O. O. F., of New "The Emerald Beneficial Association" was organ- ized June 8, 1878. Thomas J. Murphy was chosen president, John Hurley secretary, and Martin Drudy treasurer. Jersey, was instituted. The first officers were Daniel Skinner, Thomas B. Carr, Martin Coryell, Joseph B. Gray, and Samuel Lilly. Meetings have been held
288
HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
The present officers are John F. McEntee, Presi- dent ; John E. Kilroy, Secretary; John Purtell, Treasurer.
PATRIOTISM DURING THE CIVIL WAR.
The contribution of Lambertville for the support of the national government in the late war of the Re- bellion in men and supplies, as shown by the rosters of the companies sent forth and by the amounts raised by the Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society, deserves honorable mention.
For a list of the three months' men,-Co. E, Capt. Angel, and Co. I, Capt. Huselton, of the Third Regiment,-as well as of other soldiers enlisted for the three years' service, see Chapter X., et seq., in the "General History of Hunterdon and Somerset Counties," at the beginning of this work.
In this historical sketch of Lambertville it is due to the patriotism of its citizens, especially to that of the ladies, that some account should be given of what was accomplished in supplying the wants of our sick and wounded soldiers in the late war of the Rebel- lion, In this respect Lambertville bears favorable comparison with any place of its size in the land.
LADIES' SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY .*
"On Sunday, Oct. 6, 186I, a call was read in the different churches of the place for a meeting 'to consider the subject of supplying clothing and reading-matter to the troops now in the field for the defense of the government.' "
This meeting was held on Monday evening, October 7th, in the Presbyterian church. The clergymen and a large number of the people of the different churches were present. Samuel D. Stryker, Esq., presided. After brief appeals by the clergymen and others, an eloquent address was made by the Rev. J. L. Jane- way, of Flemington, who spoke by special invitation.
" A letter from Governor Olden was read by the Hon. John Ruok, fol- lowed by some remarks from Mr. Runk urging the citizens to raise funde to procure rubber blankets for the soldiers, and a committee was ap- pointed for the purpose.
" By a vote of the ladies, it was determined to hold a meeting on Thurs- day, the 10th, to form an aid society. This meeting was accordingly held, and largely attended. The ladice were favored with the presence and advice of Mrs. Samuel D. Ingham, who had been engaged in working for the soldiere for some time in the city of Trenton.
" A society was then formed, and some of the officers were chosen. At eubeequent meetings the organization was perfected and a constitution adopted. It was determined to hold weekly meetinge for work during the war.
" The following were the officers of the association, chosen at its or- ganization,-viz. : President, Mrs. J. A. Anderson; Vice-President, Mrs. Jane N. Van Horn; Secretary, Miss Mary M. Welch; Treasurer, Mrs. D. P. Paxson,-with a board of eight managers, composed of the follow- ing persons,-viz. : Mrs. A. A. Kneass, Mrs. John Runk, Mrs. M. L. Ileeve, Mrs. Alexander Coryell, Mrs. Sidney Blackwell, Mrs. William Wetherill, Mrs. Ingham Coryell, and Mrs. William Janney.
" During the second year Mrs. Paxson resigned the position of treas- urer, and Mrs. A. A. Kneass was chosen to fill the office. The vice-pres- ident, Mrs. Jane Van Horn, died in June, 1864. At a subsequent election Mrs. William Wetherill was chosen in Mra. Van Horn's place, the presi- dent, secretary, and treasurer were re-elected, and Mra. J. A. Anderson was elected corresponding secretary."
Our brief space will not allow us to enter into par- ticulars, but in justice to the society, which accom- plished so much good and reflected so much credit on our town, it may be permitted us to mention that at the close of the third year of the war $3658.76 had been raised, and 297 boxes and barrels of stores for the sick and wounded had been sent to the front. The report of the society for the last year of the war the writer has not had access to.
Through the instrumentality of the ladies, also, funds were secured for the erection of
THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.
On one face of this monument are engraved the names of the officers from Lambertville who were killed or died from wounds or disease in the service of their country,-viz. :
Lieut. C. Augustus Angel, Lieut. William Eagan, Lieut. George C. Jns- tice, Capt. Charles L. Knease, Adjt. Josiah S. Studdiford, Lient .- Com- mander H. M. Blne, Lient. C. W. Arnett.
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