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 58
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64
In 1871 he was elected a member of the Jersey City board of aldermen, and was chosen as president. He was also a member of the board of finance and taxation for two terms, 1872- 1874, and upon his retirement received a flattering testimonial from his fellow-members. In 1872 he was elected a member of assembly, and was re-elected in 1873 by a largely increased majority. In 1881 he was again sent to the legislature. He was a strong advocate of equal taxation for corporate and individual property, and a speech he made on the subject was ordered printed by the legislature, and over 100,000 copies were circulated. He also served as county collector in Hudson County for three years. He has been a voluminous writer for the local press, besides being the author of a number of poems of merit. He has been a close student of local history, and is the author of a " Memorial of the Centennial Celebration of Paulus Hook, with a Sketch of the History of Jersey City," published in 1879, and of a work on the value of Bible coins. He is a recognized authority on numismatics, and had a collection numbering more than 7,000 coins. He has been an active worker in all that tended to benefit the city, and his name appears in the records of half a century.
WILLIAM WILKINS FARRIER was born in Jersey City, May 24, 1842. His parents were En- glish, and removed to this country in 1834, settling in Harsimus. He was forced to go to work at an early age. He was one of the first volunteers at the outbreak of the war in 1861, enlist- ing in the Thirty-seventh New York Regiment. At the expiration of his term he re-enlisted in the Twenty-first New Jersey Volunteers, and served in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancel- lorsville, Deep Run and in a number of severe skirmishes. He re-enlisted again in the Tenth New Jersey Volunteers, and served until the close of the war. He was with Sheridan's com- mand in the battles of the Shenandoah Valley, and with Grant from the Wilderness to Appo- mattox. He was the youngest of five brothers, all of whom served in New Jersey regiments. After his return from the war he learned the plumbing business, and by close attention to it has acquired a competence. He was for many years a member of the Jersey City volunteer fire department, and has always been an active republican, though he never accepted office.
411
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
ALEXANDER B. DUSENBERY was born at Clinton, Hunterdon County, N. J., September 18, 1857, and removed to Jersey City in May. 1861. He was educated in the public schools and Hasbrouck Institute, graduating from the latter in 1873. He entered business with the United States Express Company, and subsequently with the Wells-Fargo Company, for whom he was city route agent. He was elected to the Jersey City board of aldermen from the sixth district in 1891, and re-elected in 1893. He has been a member of the executive committee of the republican county committee a number of years. He is water assessor of Jersey City, and is a member of the Union League, Jersey City, New Jersey and other clubs, and political organizations.
ELIAS P. ROBERTS was born in New York City, May 11, 1842. Mr. Roberts received a common school education in the grammar school of his native eity. When he was sixteen years of age he was employed by his father in the West Washington Market. In 1865 he came to Jersey City to reside. In 1866 he engaged in the wholesale meat business at Wash- ington Market, New York City, and is still condueting his business at that place.
On December 20, 1865, Mr. Roberts married Miss Caroline, youngest daughter of John and Caroline Thompson, of New Brunswick, N. J. Three sons and four daughters have been born to the union. Mr. Roberts resides with his family in a comfortable home at 589 Bergen Square, Jersey City Heights, the interior of which denotes culture and refinement.
In 1886 Mr. Roberts was elected a poliee com- missioner, and was re-elected to that position in 1888. His services while a member of that body were of great value to the city and the depart- ment. When the new charter went into effect in 1889 he retired from the office.
Mr. Roberts is a member of the Police Mu- tual Aid Association, the Carteret Club, the Royal Society of Good Fellows, the Dennis McLaughlin and George B. Fielder associations He is identified with the Bergen Reformed Church.
FRANK EVELAND was born at Bloomfield, N. J., 1 March 14, 1860. He is the son of Samuel and Margaret Eveland, natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, respectively. Mr. Eveland received a common school education, after which he took up the study of the drug business under the tuition of Mr. George Davis, of Bloomfield, ELIAS P. ROBERTS. N. J. After serving his apprenticeship and filling a number of responsible positions in that busi- ness, he came to Jersey City in 1880, and purchased the drug establishment formerly owned and conducted by Dr. E. S. Wells, at the corner of Monticello and Harrison avennes. Shortly after coming to Jersey City, Mr. Eveland's health began to fail. He decided upon out-door exercise, and mastered the art of riding the bicycle. After that fad began to be popular he secured the business room adjoining his drug store, and in connection with the drug business engaged in the bieycle trade. In a short time he opened a branch store in Hoboken.
Mr. Eveland is a director and a stockholder of the Queens County Cycle Club. He is a member of the Jersey City Athletie, the Hudson County Wheelmen's clubs, and is a stock- holder and director of the latter. He is also a member of Bergen Council, A. L. of H .; Damon Council, R. A .; Grant Lodge, K. of P .; Bergen Lodge, F. and A. M .; Compass Lodge, A. O. U. W., and of the New Jersey Pharmaceutical Association.
Mr. Eveland married Miss Ella V. Clark, of Mt. Vernon, N. Y., in 1883. They have one son living, and reside at 90 Monticello Avenue.
DENNIS MCLAUGHLIN was born in Ireland, 1849. His parents removed to Jersey City in 1850, and he was educated in the local Catholie schools, and St. Michael's Institute. He left
412
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
school at the age of seventeen, and secured employment in the Atlantic Iron Workson Morgan Street. He remained there several years, and left it to go into the newspaper business. About that time he became a member of Minot Engine Company, under the volunteer system, and was elected treasurer, an office he held until the depart- ment was superseded by the paid force. He was then appointed a member of Six Engine Company. While holding this position he was elected a member of the board of aldermen on an independ- ent ticket. He was re-elected, and held the posi- tion four years. He was appointed a member of the board of assessors by the board of finance. In 1881 he was elected a member of assembly by a majority of 1,825, and re-elected the two ensuing years by majorities of 2,300 and 2,825. He was then elected county clerk, and re-elected at the expiration of his term. He held the office ten years. He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Johanna Biggrue. Four boys were born to the union. After her. death he married Miss Theresa L. Stack, of Hoboken. He is a member of the Hudson County Democratic Association, the DENNIS M'LAUGHLIN. Berkeley Club, Davis Association, Mclaughlin Association, Foresters, Land Leagne, Hoboken Democratic Club and many other social and political organizations. He is a director in the Third National Bank, and in the Lembeck & Betz Brewing Co. He is one of the largest property-owners in Hoboken, and holds a large quantity of property in Jersey City. He has been a prominent figure in eity, county and State politics for many years.
LEWELLYN E. CARPENTER was born in Hartford, Pa., October 8, 1844. He is the son of Elias Carpenter and Amanda Tiffany, natives of Pennsylvania. He received an academic edu- cation. His early life was spent upon his father's farm. In 1867 he located at Binghamton, N. Y., where he remained until 1875. After again spending three years at farm life and two years in the study of medicine and the drug business, in 1880 Mr. Carpenter came to Jersey City, and has resided here ever sinee. After loeating in Jersey City he opened his present drug establishment at the corner of Bramhall and Jackson avenues. He is a member of Unique Council, R. A., United Order of Workmen, Grant Council, K. of P., and Bergen Bap- tist Church. He resides at 71 Jackson Avenue. In 1871 Mr. Carpenter married Miss Elsie J. Perry, of Sussex County, N. J. Four children have been born to the union, one son and three daughters.
FRANK H. KIMMERLY was born in New York City on March 23, 1856. He has been a resident of Jersey City since boyhood. He is popular with all classes, and especially so in the Greenville section. He is president of a strong social and political organization organized and named in his honor. He was elected a member of the board of freeholders in 1887, and 4 re-elected in 1890. In 1891 he was appointed a police justice for Jersey City by Gov. Abbett, and held the position until 1894, when, by legislative enactment, FRANK H. KIMMERLY. the number of police courts was reduced. He has been an active and influential member of the democratic county committee for the past ten years.
413
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
GEORGE W. CLERIHEW was a prominent citizen of Jersey City, and universally liked. Well-directed activity and enterprise brought material success, and made him conspicuous among its merchants ; but it was not his business ability which earns for him a place in the memory of thousands, nor space in the history of the city. His business record, though re- markable, has often been paralleled. He rose from a clerkship to the front rank, and became a man of means. He left no monumental institution ; he originated no great charity. His business fell away when his guiding hand was stilled, yet his place remains vacant, and years after he has joined the silent majority none name him but to praise.
For a quarter of a century no good work went on in the city in which he was not a potent factor. He was a part of the moral fibre of the community. A man brimful and running over with spontaneous charity ; a liberal giver of time, ability and material aid to every effort for the betterment of his fellows. His death took away a palpable moral and physical force from the upward and onward tendency of the whole community. He did not seek for new channels in which to exercise philanthropy. He took hold at the nearest place and worked. His observant eye saw opportunities which were unseen by men of smaller sympathy, and his help was snre and immediate. He was an enthusiastic christian, and much of the success of the Tabernacle was due to his untiring efforts and inspiriting faith. Natural selection made him a teacher in the Sunday-school. Children instinct- ively recognized him as a friend, and the infant class under his direction became a noted feature which attracted Sunday-school workers from all near-by cities. They went to study his methods, and found that lie succeeded because the children loved him. For twenty years he was superintend- ent of the Sunday-school.
The Children's Home was one of his special eares. He gave of his means, and induced others to follow his example. He took details from the Home to churches in this and other cities, told of their helpless dependence, and then had them sing. No one who has seen him standing before an audience, with a little child in his arms, while he said : "Of such is the kingdom of Heaven," can ever forget him.
The Home for Aged Women was another care, and no one was more frequently a visitor. His efforts in its behalf were not confined to any season, but he always provided a Christmas dinner and evening entertainment, with a well- loaded tree, which bore a present for every inmate.
3
GEORGE W. CLERIHEW.
The Home for the Homeless was materially aided by his hearty, generous support, and its little inmates always crowded around him with unrebuked glee. He was a good citizen, and that made him a worker in the Young Men's Christian Association-he was president of the organization for three years. It made him an active member of the Municipal Reform League, and a busy worker in the Board of Trade, of which he was the original promoter.
In all these lines he was a conspicuous figure and known to all in the city, but these did not sum up his philanthropy. They were only the outward, visible evidences of his manner of life. Many a youthful offender against the law, who would have gone down if left unaided, was quietly and quickly removed to another city, supplied with employment, and given a new start in life under more propitious surroundings, and few but those immediately interested knew that the helping hand that saved the repentant sinner was George W. Clerihew's.
The story of his life would require a volume. It was unique. He was born at Pompton, Passaic County, N. J., in 1843. He began his business life as a boy in a Newark clothing house, and subsequently occupied a responsible position in a large elothing establishment on Broad- way, New York. He began business on his own account in Jersey City in 1877, and continued, with remarkable success, until his death in 1891.
414
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
ROBERT DAVIS was born in Ireland, March 6, 1848. His parents removed to Jersey City during his infancy. He was educated in Public School No. 3, and St. Peter's parochial school. He was employed as a collector by the Jersey City Gas Company for eighteen years. He was a member of the volunteer fire department, and took a lively interest in politics. He became a member of the democratic county committee, and soon developed executive ability and the quali- ties which made him a leader. He was elected a member of the board of alder- men in 1885, and re-elected again, serving until 1888. He was elected sheriff of Hudson County in 1887, and served the full term. He was appointed a police justice in 1891, and was appointed jailor for Hudson County in 1892, resigning the office of police justice to accept the latter position. He is the acknowledged leader of the democratic party in Hudson County, and exerts a strong influence on the poli- tics of his party throughout the State. He is engaged in the mercantile business, and controls the stock of the Jersey City Sup- ply Company, a firm largely interested in plumbers' and gasfitters' supplies. He is a member of the Hudson County Demo- cratic Association, and is president of the ROBERT DAVIS. Fourth District Democratic Association. He is president of the Davis Association,
a social and political organization named in his honor. He is widely known for his generous liberality, and for many years has given an annual excursion for the benefit of the people of Jersey City. He married Miss Margaret O'Rourke, of New York City, and six children were born to the union, five sons and a daughter. One son and a daughter are deceased.
Mr. Davis has been one of the most successful leaders the democratic party has had in New Jer- sey. His talent for organization, and his executive ability, with his strong friendship, have enabled him to exercise a control over political affairs in Hud- son County for many years. His name has been one to conjure by, and he has the strongest per- sonal following of any political leader in the State.
JOHN J. DUFFY was born in New York City on January 10, 1855. He attended the public schools until 1868, when he entered the drawing-school in Boston, from which he graduated. His first occupation was as designer for the American Shade Roller Co., of Watertown, Mass. He re- mained there until 1872, when he removed to Jersey City, and obtained employment with James JOHN J. DUFFY. Roach in the liquor business. In 1886 he estab- lished his present place of business at 68 Newark Avenue. On November 10, 1874, he married Miss Mary A. Hill, in Boston, and five children have been born to them, John J., Harold F.,
415
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
Mary Emma, Lizzie and Tillie. He is a member of Court Little John, Order of Foresters, Knights and Ladies of Honor, B. P. O. Elks, the Excelsior Rifle Club, the Davis Association, and other social and political organizations.
HENRY H. HOLMES was born at Fort Sumpter, in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, on March 9. 1855. His father was engaged in the construction of the fort. He was educated at the Glenwood Institute, in Matawan, N. J. At the age of twenty he began business as a druggist in Matawan, but failing health compelled him to seek out-door employment. He secured employment with a firm of civil engineers, and remained with them six years. Since then he has been engaged in the contracting business. He has built many large and important works in New York and vieinity, including much elevated railroad work, and water- works in several New York and Pennsylvania towns. He has been associated with Thomas Cogan, under the firm-name of Holmes & Cogan, and for a number of years they have been very successful in business. Besides being engaged in contracting, they are among the most extensive dealers of the city in coal, wood and ice. In 1893 HENRY H. HOLMES. he was a member of the legislature, having been elected in a strongly democratic district by a majority of 463, and was the first republican who carried it. He made strong opposition to the
.
race-track legislation, which was the char- acteristic feature of that year's legislation. He also prepared and advocated many bills for the betterment of Jersey City, including bills providing for a two-cent rate of ferriage, equal taxation for corpo- rations and individuals, and a bill provid- ing for filling in Mill Creek and the con- struction of a sewer to drain the meadow now overflowed by the creek. He is unmarried, and is a member of a number of social organizations.
WINFIELD SCOTT WEED was born in New York City on August 8, 1855, and was educated at Mount Washington College. He removed to Jersey City in 1877, and was clerk for Chief Engineer Sykes, of the board of public works. He was elected a justice of the peace, and in 1890 he began a money brokerage business, which he still continues. He is a member of the Pavonia Yacht Club, of the Crescent Club, and of the Orders of Foresters, I. O. O. F., and Red Men.
GEORGE A. WOOD was born in New WINFIELD SCOTT WFED. York City in August, 1840. He was edu- cated in the High School and Academy in Hackensack and Springfield. After leaving school he studied civil engineering, and assisted in laying out the towns of Tenafly and Englewood. On September 16, 1862, he enlisted in
416
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
the Twenty-second New Jersey Volunteers, and served nine months in the field. On his return from the war he lived on a farm for several years. In 1868 he started a hardware store at Englewood, but sold it after a year, and engaged in the printing business in New York. In 1870 he opened a hardware store on Pavonia Avenue, Jersey City. In 1873 the increase of business caused him to open another store on Newark Avenue. In 1889 he erected the building on Barrow Street near Railroad Avenue, known as Wood's Hall. It is the largest and one of the finest public halls in the city. He is a member of Van Houten Post, and of the Crescent Club.
JOHN G. FISHER.
JOHN G. FISHER was born in New Brunswick, N. J., January 22, 1843. In 1866 he removed to Jersey City, where he has resided ever since, and where he was engaged in mercantile business until 1871, at which time he became associated with the office of county clerk as a deputy, a posi- tion he has held twenty-three years. He has served one term as an alderman from the fifth district. He served as a justice of the peace from 1874 to 1879. In 1894 he was elected county clerk of Hudson County for a term of five years.
In 1862, during the Civil War, Mr. Fisher enlisted as a private in the Fourteenth New Jersey Regiment. He was severely wounded by being struck with a ball, which passed entirely through both cheeks. On account of his disablement he was honorably discharged in 1864. He is a prominent member of Zabriskie Post, No. 38, G. A. R.
Mr. Fisher married a Miss Jennie E. Baldwin, of Newark. Four children have been born to the marriage, two sons and two daughters.
JOHN E. MCARTHUR was born in Glasgow, Scotland, February 28, 1855. His parents re- moved to America in 1863. The family lived in Portland, Me., two years. They removed to Jersey City early in 1865. His father died in 1870, and he completed two of his unfinished contracts. In 1874 he took charge of the sewerage system of Lawrence, Mass. In 1876 he went to California to reclaim Roberts Island, in the San Joaquin River, for an English syndicate. He returned to Jersey City in 1880. In 1882 he took charge of the West Point tunnel for the North River Construe- tion Company. During 1883 he had charge of all the buildings erected for the West Shore R. R. Co. west of Utica. In 1887 he began business as a general contractor in Jersey City. In 1890 he was elected an alderman from the fourth district. In 1893 he was elected city building inspector. In 1894 he was appointed a street and water commis- sioner, and elected president of the board.
GEORGE R. HOUGH was born at Manchester, Ontario County, N. Y., on April 16, 1853. When he was three years of age his parents moved to Jersey City, where young Hough obtained his education in Hasbrouck's and other private JOHN E. M'ARTHUR. schools. Leaving school at the age of eighteen, he secured a position as a clerk in an insurance office in New York City. After filling various elerical positions, in 1880 he was appointed to
417
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
a clerkship in the office of the comptroller of Jersey City. In 1889, when the new city charter took effect, Mr. Hough was made comptroller, a position for which he was well adapted.
In 1878 Mr. Hongh married Miss Cora V. Hitch- cock, of Wayne County, N. Y. Mr. Hough's father was Washington I. Hough, Esq., who at one time was a member of the board of aldermen.
GEORGE W. HARDING was born in New Hope, Orange County, N. Y., April 23, 1840. He worked on his father's farm until he was fifteen years of age. He was educated in the country school and at Fort Edward Institute, Washington County, N. Y. He taught school for a number of years, and later studied medicine with his brother, a physician in New York. In 1864 he removed to Jersey City to take charge of his cousin's milk business when the cousin volunteered. He has continued in that business, He was elected a member of the New Jersey legislature in Novem- ber, 1893. In 1894 he was appointed a member of the street and water board of Jersey City. He is a member of Variek Lodge, of the Knights of Honor and Royal Arcanum. In 1864 he married Miss Addie E. Stage, of New Hope, and they have two children, a son and a daughter.
GEORGE W. HARDING.
JOHN F. MADDEN was born in Troy, N. Y., October 24, 1852. His parents removed to Jersey City in 1854, and he was educated in the public and parochial schools. He began his business career in the office of Jewell, Harrison & Co., grain and com- mission dealers in New York, and re- mained in their employ a number of years. He left them to take a position with Thomas Gross, in the express business, on the Cunard piers in Jersey City. In 1880 he bought the Park House, at Grove Street and Pavonia Avenue, and in 1885 he bought the store at the corner of Coles and Eighth streets. He still carries on business at both places. In 1890 he was elected a member of the assembly, and served during the session of 1891 with credit to himself and his constituents. In 1891 he was appointed a member of the Jersey City street and water commission, and served two terms. He was elected president of the board during his second term. He is a member of the American Legion of Honor, and for eleven years has been treasurer of Council No. 66. He is a member of Washington Council, Order of Chosen Friends, and a member of the JOHN F. MADDEN. New Jersey Club and the Dennis Mc- Langhlin Association, being treasurer of the latter. He has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Mary E. Buckley, by whom he had one child, a son. His present wife was Miss Elizabeth F. Morris. Six chil-
418
HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
dren have been the issue of this marriage, three sons and three daughters. Mr. Madden was an efficient publie officer, courteous and obliging, and has a wide eirele of friends.
HENRY L. KELLERS was born in Brooklyn, July 21, 1855, and attended the public schools in that city until 1870. He graduated from St. Francis Xavier College, New York, in 1875, and took a position at the Roach iron shipbuilding works in Chester, Pa. He remained there three years, and removed to Jersey City in 1878 to become book- keeper for Lembeek & Betz. When that firm was incorporated he became secretary and treasurer. He still fills the position. He was appointed by Mayor Wanser, in April, 1894, as a member of the street and water board. lle is a member of the Palma Club, the Hudson County Democratie Asso- eiation, the Arion Singing Society and the Ho- boken Quartette Club.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.