USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Jersey City > History of Jersey City, N.J. : a record of its early settlement and corporate progress, sketches of the towns and cities that were absorbed in the growth of the present municipality, its business, finance, manufactures and form of government, with some notice of the men who built the city > Part 25
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
until 1882. Mr. E. W. Kingsland, the present secretary and treasurer, was elected at the death of his father.
The present officers are : President, Freeman A. Smith ; Vice-President, R. C. Washburn ; Secretary and Treasurer, E. W. Kingsland ; Assistant Secretary and Treasurer, J. S. Newkirk; Trustees, John D. Carscallen, John Chilver, N. W. Condict, John E. Cronham, Henry S. Dray- ton, William E. Pearson, John Scott, William F. Taylor, William H. Turner, James B. Vreden- burgh, Richard C. Washburn, James Warner, Jacob Weart and Washington B. Williams. In 1889 the bank was removed to its new banking house on Washington Street, near Grand.
THE HUDSON COUNTY NATIONAL BANK.
The Hudson County National Bank is the oldest institution in the city doing a general banking business. It has always been conducted in a conservative manner and has enjoyed prosperity and the confidence of the public. It was incorporated as the Hudson County Bank July 7, 1851, and was the first bank created under the free banking law. The direct- ors were: D. S. Gregory, John Cassedy, James Kcene, John Griffith, Samuel West- cott, Richard Morrow, Matthew Arm- strong, Minot C. Morgan, John Van Vorst, Abram Becker and James R. Thompson.
John Cassedy, ex-senator and ex-judge of the court of common pleas, was one of the prime movers in the organization and he was elected president. Albert T. Smith, for many years principal of the public school, was chosen as cashier. In 1854 A. A. Hardenbergh became assistant 1 cashier. Judge Cassedy resigned in 1856 ff and John Griffith became president. In 1858 Griffith resigned and was succeeded by Matthew Armstrong, who held the place until his death, seven years later. In 1857 Smith resigned and Lewis N. Condict became cashier. He remained but a year, and in 1858 A. A. Hardenbergh became cashier. In May, 1865, the bank was reorganized under the national bank- ing law, with a capital of $250,000. The directors were : Matthew Armstrong, Abram Becker, D. S. Gregory, John Grif- THE HUDSON COUNTY NATIONAL BANK. fith, Job Male, J. Dickinson Miller, Minot C. Morgan, Garrett Sip. Charles G. Sisson, James R. Thompson and John Van Vorst. Matthew Armstrong was elected president, John Van Vorst, vice-president, and A. A. Hardenbergh, cashier. President Armstrong died during the year and his son, John Arm- strong, was elected to fill the vacancy. John Armstrong died in 1873 and was succeeded by Job Male. In 1878 Male resigned and A. A. Hardenbergh was elected to fill the vacancy. He held the presidency until his death, in October, 1889, and much of its success was dne to his wise management. Mr. Van Vorst resigned the vice-presidency in 1872, and Thomas Earle succeeded him. David W. Taylor was elected cashier in 1878 and held the position until May, 1882, when he resigned, and Edward A. Graham succeeded him. In July, 1889, Mr. Graham went away for a vacation and did not return, on account of poor health. J. W. Harden- bergh was elected cashier in 1889. In October, 1889, Richard C. Washburn was elected president. The bank is now located in a new building erected for it at the corner of York and Washington streets, one of the finest bank buildings in the State. It was built in 1889. The present officers are : R. C. Washburn, president : Angustus Zabriskie, vice-president ; J. W. Harden- bergh, cashier. Directors: Hampton A. Coursen, Garret D. Van Reipen, R. C. Washburn,
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
Cornelius Zabriskie, Augustus Zabriskie, Gilbert Collins, Myles Tierney. John D. McGill, John A. Blair, J. W. Hardenbergh and Frank H. Earlc. The capital is $250,000, the surplus $300,000, and the annual statement of the bank's business showed $2,604,601.61 in resources at the end of June, 1894.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK. .
The First National Bank was incorporated as the Mechanics and Traders Bank in 1853. The leading spirit in organizing the institution was Peter Bentley, who became its first presi- dent. The bank was reorganized under the national banking law February 19, 1864. The directors chosen were : John S. Fox, M. B. Bramhall, A. O. Zabriskie, James S. Davenport, Ephraim Marsh, S. Alofson, P. Rafferty, Il. G. Eilsbemius and A. H. Wallis. John S. Fox was elected president, and M. Sandford cashier. On January 1. 1865, James S. Ogden was elected vice-president, and Edward F. C. Young assistant treasurer. Mr. Fox died in 1871, and A. H. Wallis became president. In 1874 Mr. Sandford resigned, and E. F. C. Young was elected
cashier, George W. Conkling being elected assistant cashier. Mr. Wallis died in 1879, and E. F. C. Young succeeded to the presi- dency ; Mr. Conkling became cashier, and John W. Omberson became assistant cashier. James S. Ogden was vice-presi- dent until 1890, when he died, and his place still remains vacant. The other offi- cers still remain unchanged. The directors are: E. F. C. Young, A. M. Fuller, Ham- ilton Wallis, Charles Siedler, George T. Smith, F. A. Smith and F. O. Matthiesen. Ex-Gov. Bedle was in the directorate until his death this year. The capital stock is $400,000, and the surplus $500,000. The resources in October, 1894, were $6,597,- 066.37. The bank building was erected in the early Sixties at the corner of Hudson and Montgomery streets, and reconstruct- ed and enlarged within a few years.
THE SECOND NATIONAL BANK.
The Second National Bank was organ- ized originally as the Jersey City Bank, on June 25, 1856. It was reorganized under the national banking act December 23, 1864. The first directors were : Blakeley THE SECOND NATIONAL BANK. Wilson, Joseph M. Brown, H. M. Trap- hagen, Daniel T. Hoag, Robert Mc- Laughlin, Joseph MeCoy, 1. I. Vanderbeek, Horatio N. Ege. John Neilson, William Pearsall and Joseph M. Fuller. Blakeley Wilson was the first president, and William Hogencamp was the first cashier. Mr. Wilson died after holding the presidency eleven years. Cashier Hogen- camp was chosen as president on March 23, 1876, and is still in office. I. I. Vanderbeek became vice-president in 1868, and continued until his death, February 21, 1889. Edward N. Wilson became cashier March 23, 1876, and continued until his death in January, 1882. James G. Has- king was assistant cashier from April 1, 1880, until May 1, 1882, when he was elected cashier, a position he still fills. Thomas E Bray was elected vice-president February 21, 1889, and re- tained the position until November 23, 1890, when he died. A. A. Lutkins was elected to suc- ceed him on February 4, 1892, and died May 9. 1894. The present directors are : William Ho- gencamp, Marcus Beach, Charles W. Allen, James G. Hasking and Charles H. Winfield. The capital is $250,000.
5
1.
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FIRST NATIONAL BANK BUILDING.
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
THE THIRD NATIONAL BANK.
The Third National Bank, at the corner of Pavonia Avenue and Erie Street, was organized May 2, 1887, with a capital of $200,000. The first directors were: John D. Carseallen, Henry Lembeck, Oliver H. Perry, Frank J. Matthews, Delevan De Long, John Gardner, James Warner, P. G. Van Zandt, C. B. Van Dyke, A. Q. Garretson, B. A. Watson, R. M. Jarvis and William M. King. J. D. Carscallen was elected president: Henry Lembeck vice-president; William MI. Laws, cashier, and George 11. Farrier, assistant cashier. The officers, at the close of 1894, were un- changed, except that Robert S. Ross had become cashier, Geo. H. Farrier had resigned and the vacancy had not been filled. The board of directors were : John D. Carscallen, Henry Lem- beck, O. H. Perry, F. J. Matthews, James Warner, C. B. Van Dyke, P. G. Van Zandt, A. Q. Garretson, D. E. Cleary, H. H. Farrier and Dennis MeLaughlin.
The bank has had a remarkable success, and its surplus is over $100,000, or fifty per cent. of its capital, besides paying the regular dividends. The management has been all that could be desired, and the bank is one of the strong financial institutions of the city.
THE FIFTH WARD SAVINGS BANK.
The Fifth Ward Savings Bank, at Erie Street and Pavonia Avenue, was organized March 19, 1883. The first board of man- agers were: Henry M. Traphagen, An- drew J. Post, Charles W. Cropper, M. D., Henry Wood, John H. Burgess and Charles L. Rickerson. Henry M. Traphagen was elected president and C. L. Rickerson treasurer. On September ro, ensuing, Mr. Rickerson resigned and George H. Gould was elected to fill the vacancy. He is still in office. President Traphagen died in May, 1884, and Mr. John H. Bur- gess was elected president. He continued in office until his death in 1887. Mr. Henry Wood took an active part in the bank's affairs until his death in 1884. The presidency was conferred upon An- drew J. Post in 1887, and Dr. Cropper be- came vice-president the same year. They are the only survivors of the original board of managers. The bank has grown stronger financially each year and in the favor of residents in that section of the city. On January 1, 1893, there were 844 depositors, and the deposits aggregated THE THIRD NATIONAL BANK. $145,356.80. Since that time the financial depression and general business stagnation has operated against all savings banks, but up to October 1, 1894. the Fifth Ward Bank had no canse to complain. Its depositors had increased in number to 970, and the deposits were $144.944.72. The bank has been blessed with wise and conservative management, and its loans have been so carefully placed that it has never lost one dollar of principal or interest and has not been forced to foreclose a single mortgage. The bank has received from depositors 8657.595.44, of which it has loaned $230,085 on bond and mortgage and has paid to depositors in interest 834,191.41. The present officers are : Andrew J. Post, president ; Chas. W. Cropper, M. D., vice-president ; Geo. H. Gould, treasurer. and H. M. T. Beekman, secretary. The managers are: Andrew J. Post, John Pellens, Carl Lampe, Walter E. Ammon, Charles W. Cropper, Theodore Pellens, Henry Rollfs, Edward Walmsley and J. Nelson Pidcock, Jr.
168
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
THE HUDSON CITY SAVINGS BANK.
The Hudson City Savings Bank was incorporated March 27, 1868, and began business in the following August. The first officers were : Benjamin F. Sawyer, president ; George A. Toffey, vice-president ; Garret D. Van Reipen, secretary and treasurer ; John J. Toffey, assist- ant secretary. The trustees were : G. D. Van Reipen, B. F. Sawyer, George V. De Mott, J. E. Culver, Charles Gobisch, Andrew McLean, Charles J. Roe, John R. McPherson, Patrick Mc- Nulty, John Roemmelt, Geo. A. Toffey, Andrew Leicht, Joseph Montgomery, C. J. Rooney, Fred. A. Goetz, John Leitz, C. W. Conger, Wilson M. Hosier, Thomas E. Bray, A. H. Laidlaw, Chas. Kamioh, John Hogan, John Bott, J. B. Stanton, George Gloubrecht, Arend Steenken, George Och and Asa W. Fry.
G. D. Van Reipen was elected president January 9, 1873, and still holds the position. John Hedden, Jr., was elected secretary January 8, 1874, and still fills the position. The bank, under a special act, does a regular banking business.
THE NEW JERSEY TITLE GUARANTEE AND TRUST COMPANY.
On April 2, 1868, there was incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey a company known as "The Hudson Stor- age and Indemnity Company." It was formed under a special act of the legisla- ture, and was granted a perpetual charter, under which it had the following power :
" The said company shall have power to guarantee the payment, punctual perform- ance and collection of promissory notes, bills of exchange, contracts, bonds, ac- counts, claims, rents, annuities, mortgages, choses in action, evidences of debt and certificates of property or value, and the titles to property, real or personal, upon 56 such terms as may be established by the board of directors of said company ; to re- ceive upon storage, deposit or otherwise, merchandise, bullion, specie, plate, stocks, bonds, promissory notes, certificates and evidences of debts, contracts or other property, and to take the management, 2,627 - custody and charge of real and personal THE HUDSON CHIV SAVINGS BANK. estate and property, and to advance moneys, securities and credits upon evi- dences of debt, or any property, real or personal, on such terms as may be established by the directors of said company, but no rate of interest to exceed seven per centum per annum shall be charged or received by said company upon any transaction."
The corporation, though chartered, never established any business, and its valuable charter privileges were unenjoyed and unappreciated until April 2, 1888, when some enterprising citi- zens secured control and changed the name to The New Jersey Title Guarantee and Trust Company. Subsequently the number of directors was increased and the capital stock doubled.
In the infaney of the company .A. Q. Garretson was president, and William H. Corbin, treasurer; both of these gentlemen devoted a great deal of energy and time to laying the foundation for the new business, and it is to their efforts that the present success of the com- pany is in a measure due. The company's first office was at No. 45 Montgomery Street. Here the records of the register's office were copied and arranged in a plant for the purpose of search- ing titles in Hudson County.
Owing to the increase in the company's business, Mr. P. HI. Charlock was elected secretary to
UNJ-TITLE GUARANTEE & TRUST CO.
3
[BUILDING OF THE NEW JERSEY TITLE GUARANTEE AND TRUST CO., JERSEY CITY.
169
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
relieve Mr. Corbin, whose law practice required all of his personal attention. Mr. Charlock filled the position creditably until he resigned to manage a large estate in New York.
The business of the company soon grew to such proportions that it was deemed advisable to erect a building that would be calculated to meet its requirements ; accordingly the structure now occupied by the company at No. 83 Montgomery Street was erected and occupied June 30, 1891.
The company has three distinet departments-Trust, Title and Safe Deposit. In the Trust Department the company carries on a general banking business, allowing interest on daily balances subject to check, loans money on bond and mortgage in accordance with a plan of mortgage peculiar to the institution, known as instalment mortgages, issues debenture bonds, acts as trustee, registrar, transfer agent, pays coupons, makes demand and time loans on approved collateral, and executes all trusts known to the law.
In the Title Department the company searches and guarantees titles to real estate any- where in the State of New Jersey, for charges that are much cheaper than it is possible for lawyers to make them, furnishes memorandum and chain of title searches and issues abstracts of title. In this department the company has one of the most complete plants of Hudson County that it is possible to obtain. For five years the locality dockets have been verified by searches made therein, and by the indexes at the register's office, and the superiority and ac- curacy of the dockets have been established beyond a doubt.
When the company's plant was completed, Mr. John Olendorf was called to serve as Title Officer. He still holds the position devoting his entire time to the examination of titles. He is a conseientions worker, and is regarded as one of the best real estate lawyers in New Jersey.
In the Safe Deposit Department the company has spared neither pains nor expense to make its vaults equal to any vaults that have ever been constructed. Every device, protection and safeguard known to the business are to be found there.
The stockholders have always elected for their board of directors gentlemen of the highest moral character, good judgment and skilled in their various business capacities. The present officers and board of directors of the company are as follows :
President, Abram (). Garretson ; Vice-Presidents, William H. Corbin and George F. Per- kins; Treasurer and Secretary, J. E. Hulshizer, Jr. ; Assistant Secretary, John Alvin Young ; Title Officer, John Olendorf. Board of Directors: Abram Q. Garretson, Charles L. Corbin, Frank Stevens, William G. Bumsted, Edward F. C. Young, De Witt Van Buskirk, Earle Insley, George F. Perkins, William H. Corbin, John A. Walker, Frank H. Earle, James B. Vreden- burgh, George W. Young. Spencer Weart, Lawrence Fagan.
Ex-Judge A. Q. Garretson has occupied the position of president since the company changed its name to that now in use. The offices of vice-presidents have changed from time to time and some changes have been made in the board of directors, but in the main they are the same now as when the new company started.
Mr. William H. Corbin was the company's first treasurer, and resigned the position in favor of Mr. George W. Young. During Mr. Young's administration the new building was completed. He devoted his entire time and skill to the interest of the company, and it is grati- fying to him to see the results of his labors. He resigned his position to associate himself in the management of the United States Mortgage Company, of which company he is now the president. lle was succeeded by Mr. J. E. Hulshizer, Jr., the present incumbent. Mr. Hul- shizer has been associated with the company for more than four years, and has served in various capacities, from the lowest position to that now occupied; he is therefore thoroughly conversant with all details of the business. During his administration the company has continued to enjoy flattering success, and its affairs were never in a better condition. Its last published statement showed resources of $2,475,527.54.
The success of the company proves beyond a doubt that Jersey City was in need of such an institution.
THE BOARD OF TRADE ..
Early in the Eighties the leading merchants down town formed an informal association for mutual benefit and protection. The moving spirit in this association was George W. Clerihew.
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
For several years the meetings were held in his store on Newark Avenue. The advantages obtained by co-operation were many, and it was believed that much good would be accom- plished, not only for the merchants, but for the city at large, by extending the scope and powers of the organization. Through the efforts of Mr. Clerihew, a committee was appointed to eall a
JOSEPII A. DEAR.
ORESTES CLEVELAND.
JACOB RINGLE.
EX-PRESIDENTS BOARD OF TRADE.
meeting for the formation of a Board of Trade. This committee consisted of Messrs. G. W. Clerihew, C. C. Van Anglen. J. W. Knanse, George Hawes and E. M. Doane. The meeting was held on March 14. 1888, in Murray's Hall, 47 Montgomery Street. Orestes Cleveland was elected chairman, and representatives from one hundred and ninety-two business firms were present. On April 25, 1888, a second meeting was held, at which The Board of Trade was form- ally organized. The officers elected were : Orestes Cleveland, president : Jacob Ringle, first vice-president ; Joseph A. Dear, second vice-president ; Edward Hoos, third vice-president ; F. W. Hayes, secretary ; Frank Stevens, treasurer ; C. C. Van Anglen, P. H. Hanley, J. C. Lind- say, Charles S. Furst, W. R. Turner. H. W. Carr, David W. Lawrence, James Leo, John Edelstein, W. McLanghlin, Simeon H. Smith, directors.
The presidents since its organization have been : Orestes Cleveland, Leonard J. Gordon, Jacob Ringle, Joseph A. Dear and John J. Voorhees. The officers for 1895 are : John J. Voor- hees, president ; C. C. Jewell, first vice-president ; James G. Hasking, second vice-president; A. J. Corcoran. third vice-president ; Frank Stevens, treasurer; W. J. Tait, secretary. The directors are : Joseph A. Dear, Myron J. Furst, R. Anderson, E. R. Wessells, H. V. Condict, J. E. Banks, Daniel E. Cleary, James Leo, H. W. Carr, B. L. Stowe and F. C. Wolbert.
The board has exerted a beneficial influence in the city, and many local improvements have been procured through its action. The enlargement of the site for the new city hall from part of a block to its present size, the extension of the city railways, the night collections of letters from the street boxes, the imposition of a tax of five per cent. on the gross earnings of city railroads, the increase of funds for the boulevard, the prevention : of the secession of Harrison and Kearny from Hudson County, the abolition of the Ellis Island powder maya- HEADQUARTERS BOARD OF 1RADF. zine, and many other benefits have been secured or aided by the board. It has persistently labored for the improvement of the city, the increase of facilities for business and everything that has a tendency to make the city more desirable for residents, merchants and manufacturers.
DIRECTORS OF THE JERSEY CITY BOARD OF TRADE.
I. J. J. Voorhis, President. C. C. Jewell, Vice-President. 8. J. G. Haskin-, "
6. J. E. Banks, Director.
7. fames Ilall. 4. E. R. Wesell
10. R. Anderson.
II. A. J. Corcoran. " 2. H W. Carr, Director.
12, J. A. Walker.
3. James Len,
4. George Hillier,
14. B. S. Stowc.
13. W. J. Tait, Secretary.
CHAPTER XXV.
THE FOURTH REGIMENT -HOW THE ORGANIZATION WAS FORMED-WHO WERE CONCERNED IN ITS CREATION, AND THE MEN WHO HAVE CARRIED ON THE WORK-A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF IT'S SER- VICES, WITH A COMPLETE LIST OF THE STAFF AND LINE FROM THE FIRST ROSTER TO THE PRESENT.
RIOR to 1861 the militia of the States lacked uniformity in tactics and equipment. The disadvantage arising from this attracted attention during the earlier stages of the war, but the rebellion was suppressed before the general government attempted a remedy. Legislation by Congress created the National Guard. The militia of all the States was in bad condition at the close of the war, and the New Jersey organizations were practically demoralized. It never had uniformity. Special acts had been passed from time to time by the legislature creating the Hudson Brigade, the Essex Brigade, the Rifle Corps and other organizations. Most of the young men who composed these commands had enlisted, and many had not returned. Most of those who came back had no desire to return to the old organizations. The old tactics had been superseded and the old commandants were back num- bers. In Hudson County there was a formidable list of brigadier-generals, colonels and staff officers of the old regiment, but not a single uniformed and equipped company. Out of this chaotic condition the Fourth Regiment sprang, and with it the entire National Guard of the State. The importance of the preliminary movements, and the fact that they are nowhere re- corded, makes it worth while to go more into the details of the series of events, than of those more generally known in connection with the regiment.
In 1865 Col. Ellsworth, of Chicago, with his celebrated Zouaves, visited New York City and excited the envy of every military man by the excellence of their drill and discipline. A company of young men, clerks and students, was immediately formed in New York with the landable intention of rivaling the Ellsworth Zouaves. They secured W. W. McChesney, previ- ously the drill-master of the Zouaves, to command them. They soon had a company of seventy young enthusiasts, who became known as the National Zouaves. They had an armory in an old building at the corner of Mercer and Broome streets, known as Mercer Hall. Many of the young men procured mattresses, and slept in the armory in order to have an hour or two of drill in the mornings before they went to business.
When President Lincoln issued his call for troops after Fort Sumpter was fired upon, this company volunteered almost to a man. It subsequently became Company A, Tenth Regiment, N. Y. Volunteers. One of the charter members of the National Zonaves was Win. E. Rogers. He was a law student as well as a student at Cooper Institute. With his comrades he was mustered into the United States service in April, 1861, under a two years' enlistment. After one month spent in drill and equipment in their camp on the point at Sandy Hook, the regiment sailed for Fortress Monroe. The former captain of Company A was then its colonel. In a short time he brought the regiment to such a state of perfection in drill and discipline that it was selected by Gen. Wool from his division of fifteen thousand men as the show regiment and garrison of Fortress Monroe. It was engaged in this duty when the conflict between the Monitor and Mer- rimac took place almost under the walls of the fortress.
In those early days of the war the dividing line between our forces and the enemy was the village of Hampton, two miles from the fortress. Raids and counter-raids were frequent, and in one of them the village was burned by the enemy.
For the first year of its service the regiment was confined to garrison and picket duty on the road to Yorktown, with occasional expeditions to the eastern shore to destroy the enemy's supplies. While on picket duty Private Rogers was seriously wounded. A bullet passed through the bone of the left arm, making a compound fracture at the shoulder socket. Dr. Hunt, formerly universally known in Jersey City, saved his life. The surgeons at the hospital
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