USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume I > Part 37
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New Brunswick distinguished itself in all of the Liberty Loan cam- paigns by always subscribing more than the quotas assigned to it, which was true in the United War Work campaign, and all subsequent benevolent drives. The Board of Trade did its full share in all of these campaigns.
In 1919 the Retail Merchants' Division was formed, and the history of this adjunct of the Board is along the lines of the parent organiza- tion. It has conducted various campaigns of all kinds, "dollar day sales," and its cooperation in the work of the Board of Trade advances the interests of the merchants in every respect.
Early in the history of the organization conferences were held with Congressman Benjamin F. Howell regarding the improvement of the Raritan river, the need of which has long been apparent. Many years ago steamers plied between New Brunswick and New York, and it was through one of these lines that Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt earned the foundation of his great fortune. In November, 1911, Wilfred H. Schoff, secretary of the Atlantic Deeper Waterways Association, ad- dressed the Board. In June, 1913, a committee had a conference with
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Congressman Thomas J. Scully. In December, 1916, Hon. J. Spencer Smith, of the State Board of Commerce and Navigation, spoke before the Board. It soon developed that the lack of a terminal at New Brunswick, which would provide a docking place for boats, militated against all efforts for deeper water. The Federal government in 1919 adopted the policy that no waterway would be improved unless the municipality provided adequate terminal facilities.
Then the advocates of deeper water had their attention directed to the need for a better channel when the Eastern Potash Corporation began the erection of its immense potash plant on the banks of the Raritan river, about two miles below the city. The announcement that this company planned to bring tank steamers carrying eight thousand barrels of crude oil from Mexico for fuel purposes, made it apparent that the steamers would not be able to land at the dock of the company until the Raritan river was deepened.
About this time the Raritan Terminal and Waterways Association was projected. It is made up of the affiliated civic and governing bodies of nine municipalities on the Raritan river and bay, and New Brunswick took an active part in its organization, and the Board of Trade has several of its members numbered among the directors. This organiza- tion has advocated deeper channels to New Brunswick, and its ultimate object is to make Perth Amboy, South Amboy, Keyport and New Bruns- wick all seaports. As a result of its work, a hearing on the project was held at New Brunswick in December, 1920, by Colonel J. N. Sanford, the district engineer, for the purpose of determining the need for making the channel fifteen feet in depth to New Brunswick. Also, the chief of engineers recommended $100,000 for the Raritan river, but the river and harbor bill was reduced from $36,000,000 to $12,000,000, and the Raritan river appropriation was cut proportionately. Because of the importance to the commercial growth of New Brunswick, the deepening of the Raritan river will be advocated by the Waterways Association, backed by the Board of Trade, until it is finally accomplished.
The annual banquets of the Board of Trade have been notable affairs throughout its existence, and some of the best after-dinner speakers in the country have spoken before its members. Among them are Hon. J. S. Frelinghuysen, United States Senator from New Jersey ; J. Adam Bede, the former humorist of Congress; Dr. Charles A. Eaton, Hon. John H. Fahey, of Chicago; Rev. S. Parkes Cadman, of Brooklyn ; Hon. Charles S. Whitman, former Governor of New York; Haley Fiske, president of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; Dr. Frank Crane, the noted writer ; former Governor J. F. Fielder ; Mayor J. Hamp- ton Moore, of Philadelphia ; Job E. Hedges, of New York, and others.
The Board of Trade of New Brunswick holds membership in the United States Chamber of Commerce, the New Jersey State Chamber
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of Commerce, the Atlantic Deeper Waterways Association, and the Raritan Terminal and Waterways Association. The officers are: Presi- dent, Prof. Ralph G. Wright; first vice-president, William G. Bearman; second vice-president, Harry Weida; third vice-president, Elmer E. Connolly ; treasurer, William Van Nuis, Jr .; secretary, C. S. Atkinson. The list of former presidents follows : Henry G. Parker, George A. Vieh- mann (deceased), Charles A. McCormick, William R. Reed, Leonard S. Webb, E. P. Darrow, Robert Carson, O. O. Stillman, S. B. Carpender, and P. J. Young.
Clubs and Societies-The New Brunswick Historical Club was in ex- istence several years before its complete organization, August 17, 1875. A constitution and by-laws were adopted in 1871, members' names were annexed as soon as they were admitted. The club held annual meet- ings at Rutgers College until 1878, when a suite of rooms was fitted up in the Booraem House on Church street. The expenses being heavy, after a year the club became inactive, but through the efforts of a few literary citizens, it was revived, becoming one of the leading organiza- tions of its kind in the eastern section of New Jersey. Meetings are held the third Thursday in each month during the college year, in the Fine Arts room, Rutgers College.
Inspired with the spirit of good fellowship and a desire to extend the principles of International Rotary, a group of twenty-three business men met at the Hotel Klein in May, 1920. Subsequent meetings were held, and James Orr, of the Elizabeth Rotary Club, attended the pre- liminary meetings and explained the scope of the organization and did some excellent work in aiding with the formation of the Rotary Club of New Brunswick.
The Club then adjourned for the summer months, and on September 9, 1920, the charter was presented to the Club, with the following enrolled as charter members: C. S. Atkinson, Lawrence Ballou, William G. Bearman, Harry F. Beldon, Elmer B. Boyd, Charles H. Bruns, G. Harold Buttler, Sydney B. Carpender, Rev. C. J. Culp, Walter B. Flavell, H. J. Long, Alex. Merchant, Henry Moraff, John J. Monigan, Ramon Mon- talvo, Jr., Dr. R. L. McKiernan, Clifford Parsil, Martin E. Roach, H. R. Segoine, Bert Stowell, F. V. Terrill, Harry Weida, Dr. H. F. Zerfing.
The following officers were elected : President, Ramon Montalvo, Jr .; vice-president, F. V. Terrill ; secretary, Dr. R. L. McKiernan ; treasurer, Rev. C. J. Culp; sergeant-at-arms, Harry F. Beldon. Directors-Harry F. Beldon, Sydney B. Carpender, Rev. C. J. Culp, Walter B. Flavell, Dr. R. L. McKiernan, Ramon Montalvo, Jr., Martin E. Roach, Frank V. Terrill, Harry Weida.
Twenty boys who had never been on Broadway enjoyed the hospi- tality of the Club at Christmas, and the Hippodrome, with many other interesting sights, will be pleasant thoughts in years to come. Through
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the efforts of the Club a Municipal Christmas Tree was enjoyed at Christmas, and the singing of carols was a rare treat for the citizens.
The Club took an active interest in the Red Cross Campaign, and over $500 was raised towards the campaign fund. The generosity of the Club was enjoyed by the boys of the Rice Industrial School (col- ored) when about forty boys were given a Christmas dinner at the Y. M. C. A., and each presented with several toys. A Ladies' Night was enjoyed by the members and their wives, February 23, 1921, at Hotel Klein. The Club was well represented at the Poughkeepsie Conference and at "Jersey Day," held at the McAlpin Hotel, New York, when twenty-six out of thirty-three members were in attendance, which was a remarkable showing for an out-of-town luncheon.
The Club increased in numbers during the first year of its existence, and it became an organization that displayed an active interest in all matters affecting the civic welfare of the city.
Although organized here so recently as March 23rd of the present year (1921). the New Brunswick Den of Lions body has had an auspi- cious beginning, and has scheduled an array of activities promising of great benefit to the city in all its varied relations. It is one of a multitude of "Dens" throughout the country, whose membership is of the best, representing every profession, but mainly of active business men who are necessarily brought into intimate association with public affairs. Its meetings are at the noon hour, and their declared purpose is "For the promotion of greater efficiency through the exchange of experiences, ideas and methods."
The New Brunswick Den already numbers forty members-citizens of every walk of life-who are interested in the welfare of the city, both materially and morally, and whose patriotism is of the highest order. They realize that the present time is one of the greatest im- portance, burdened with problems such as have never before been known-with business embarrassments, with conflicting interests, with varied views as to legislation and governmental authority in the com- munity, the State and the Nation. At the base of all this is the individ- ual citizen, whom the Lions seek to bring into intimate association with his fellows, that they may through consultation and united effort exert a potent influence upon society and in all the channels of citizenship duty, upholding and maintaining that which is best for city, State and Nation, and furthering by all that in them lies, all proper movements looking to the betterment of mankind and the establishment of a reign of peace throughout the world.
The organization of the New Brunswick Den of Lions was effected on the date before mentioned, at Hotel Klein, when the following officers were elected : Norman H. Smith, president; John J. Morrison, Edward J. Houghton and Walter C. Sedam, vice-presidents; Edward H. Mon- aghan, secretary and treasurer ; and the following named trustees : Har-
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court St. P. Ward, Dr. Edwin I. Cronk, Dr. Philip L. Schwartz, Frederick Gowen, James A. Harkins and Raymond P. Wilson.
Among the clubs organized for athletics and sports are the New Brunswick Boat Club, incorporated in 1892, having a clubhouse at Albany street bridge. The New Brunswick Country Club, organized in 1894, is located on the River road near the New Market road. The New Brunswick Yacht Club, incorporated in 1911, maintains rooms on Albany street, and a station near Albany street bridge. The New Brunswick Gun Club has a house and rifle range on the River road.
Religious associations and clubs are the Young Men's Christian Association, the Young Men's Hebrew Association, and Christ Church Club, whose objects and aims are to foster church life and church work among the males of the parish, to promote Christian and social fellowship among its members. The Catholic Club was organized May 4, 1869. The Love and Brotherhood Hebrew Society meets on Burnet street. There are also miscellaneous associations, societies and clubs, whose members are interested in the social, benevolent or business interests of the city.
The Charity Organization Society of New Brunswick was established in October, 1884, for the promotion of whatever tends to the permanent improvement of the condition of the poor; first, by aiding and directing those who have gifts to bestow; second, by suppressing professional begging by preventing indiscriminate giving. The Children's Indus- trial Home on Somerset street was established in 1877, for the reception of girls and boys between the ages of three and ten years, instructing and providing for them until old enough to be placed in good homes, or becoming of age, when they can care for themselves. The institution is controlled by a directorate of twenty-seven ladies and gentlemen, and accommodation is given to about seventy inmates, the average being about fifty.
The Humane Society, organized in 1806, distributes coal to the worthy poor during the winter season. The city is divided into thirteen dis- tricts under the charge of resident managers. The Middlesex County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was incorporated in 1884, and the Middlesex County District Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1907. The Dorcas Society and Day Nursery was established in 1813, and holds meetings at No. 14 French street. St. Mary's Orphan Asylum, a Roman Catholic institution under the control of the Diocese of Trenton, was founded in 1883. It is located on Easton avenue, opposite Huntington street, and is under the charge of the Sisters of St. Francis.
Banking and Insurance-The early financial history of New Bruns- wick seems to have been attended with more or less disaster. The first bank was the Bank of New Brunswick, in 1807, founded by Jacob R.
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Hardenbergh and others, and locally known as Hardenbergh's Bank. It was located at the corner of George and Paterson streets, and continued to do business for over a quarter of a century, suspending about 1834.
The State Bank of New Brunswick was chartered under an act of the legislature of 1812, entitled "Act to Establish State Banks." This act also chartered banks in Camden, Trenton, Elizabeth, Newark and Mor- ristown. The directors named in the charter were Robert Lee, Bernard Smith, Phineas Carman, Henry V. Low, John Outcalt, John Bray, Jonathan Hutchings, Jonathan Squire, John Brewster, Daniel Perrine, Robert McChesney, Jacob Snyder and Jacob Van Winckle. The bank did business in the old State Bank building at the corner of Peace and Albany streets. The first cashier was Daniel W. Disbrow, and its presidents were Charles Smith, F. R. Smith, John B. Hill, John R. Ford and Abraham Voorhees. During the money panic of 1873 the bank closed its doors, September 13, but paid all its liabilities and was resus- citated the following October by means of contributions from stock- holders and others amounting to $750,000. It failed a second time, March 31, 1877, when its affairs were placed in the hands of Colonel John W. Newell as receiver.
The third bank to be incorporated and the successor of the Bank of New Brunswick, was the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank of New Brunswick. The act of incorporation passed the legislature February 26, 1834. Its first president was James F. Randolph, who was succeeded by Charles Dunham, who gave way to Abraham Suydam. The first cashier was Lewis Carman. The bank first did business on Burnet street, but subsequently removed to Church street, where it remained until by a special State charter the Bank of New Jersey succeeded to its business and as agent liquidated its affairs. The Bank of New Jersey was chartered June 19, 1854; its first president was John Van Dyke, and its cashier Moses T. Webb, who became president after the resignation of Mr. Van Dyke in 1859. The vacancy thus created was filled by the appointment of John T. Hill as cashier, in which office he remained only a short time, when Isaac H. Voorhees became his successor. Mr. Webb, on receiving an important commission in the army in September, 1861, was succeeded in the presidency by Garrett G. Voorhees. In February, 1864, John B. Hill became president, and November 22, 1864. the Bank of New Jersey took advantage of the new National Bank Act and was re-incorporated as a national bank, with the title of the National Bank of New Jersey. The act of incorporation was for twenty years, and was renewed in 1884 and 1904.
The First National Bank of New Brunswick, under the presidency of Israel H. Hutchings, which had been organized with a capital stock of $100,000, was merged in 1870 with the National Bank of New Jersey. The capital stock of the National Bank of New Jersey is $250,000, and
NATIONAL BANK, NEW BRUNSWICK
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GEORGE STREET, NEW BRUNSWICK
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its banking building was situated on the corner of Church and Neilson streets. Mr. Hill's death occurring in 1874, he was succeeded as president by James Dayton, who died in 1877; his successor was Mahlon Runyon. Mr. Runyon died in 1884, when Lewis T. Howell became president, serving until his death in 1903, when he was succeeded by V. M. W. Suydam, who resigned January 1908, and Henry G. Parker, who had been cashier since January I, 1894, was elected president, a position which he now fills. The bank remained at the corner of Church and Neilson streets until 1910, when the present eight-story building on the corner of George and Church streets was erected. This seemed at the time an ambitious plan, there being one hundred offices to rent in the building, but its success was immediate, as all rentable space was taken within six months of the completion of the building. The bank shows a continuous existence since the first charter taken in 1808 as the Bank of New Brunswick, which was succeeded by the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank, and in turn was succeeded by the Bank of New Jersey, the latter becoming the National Bank of New Jersey. Its deposits have grown rapidly ; at the time of moving into the new quarters they amounted to $2,200,000, and at the present time are over $10,000,000.
The People's National Bank was organized in March, 1887, and opened for business the following May 16. Its first banking office was on the southeast corner of Neilson and Church streets. The growth of this bank was phenomenal. With a capital stock of $100,000, it soon accumulated undivided profits, and on June 3, 1895, it removed to its present banking building on the corner of George and Church streets. Its first president was George W. Devoe, who died November 20, 1890, and was succeeded by present incumbent, Benjamin F. Howell. The surplus of the bank is $200,000, with undivided profits amounting to $25,000.
The New Brunswick Trust Company, located at 352 George street, was chartered in 1902. The company transacts a general banking business, and acts as executor, trustee, guardian, agent for investing personal funds and separate estates, etc. It also acts as trustee under mortgage issued by a municipality or corporation to secure bond issues. Its capital stock is $100,000, and there is a large undivided surplus.
The Middlesex Title Guarantee and Trust Company was organized in 1907, to do a general trust business and especially to examine and guarantee titles to real estate, and has established a thorough system covering Middlesex county. Much of its success is due to the energy and activity of its first president, George A. Viehmann. Its office is at No. 40 Paterson street, and since the death of Mr. Viehmann in 1918, August C. Streitwolf has filled the office of president.
The New Brunswick Savings Institution was incorporated March Mid-21
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15, 1851, and established its banking house at 17 Albany street. The first president was Garrett G. Voorhees ; secretary and treasurer, Neilson Dunham. The present location is the corner of George and Church streets, in a banking building erected in 1888. The bank has always been conducted in a careful and conservative manner. The deposits range over $3,000,000, and a handsome surplus has been accumulated. The president is Nicholas G. Rutgers; the secretary and treasurer, Charles A. Dunham.
The Dime Savings Bank was incorporated by an act approved February 7, 1871. It commenced business at 137 George street, and deposits were received from ten cents upwards, on which interest was allowed from first of each month. The first directors were: Levi D. Jarrard, Lyle Van Nuis, A. V. Schenck, Henry De Hart, Henry K. Howe, Garrett G. Voorhees, Jehiel K. Hoyt, Robert G. Miller, Peter I. Stryker, Uriah De Hart, John V. H. Van Cleef, Henry N. Marsh, Adrian Vermeule, George C. Ludlow, Amos Robins, Joseph L. Mul- ford, Jacob E. Stout, Garret Conover, John M. Cornell and Miles Ross. Even with this formidable array of names it failed to be prosperous, and finally suspended in 1886, its depositors receiving a dividend of sixteen cents on the dollar.
The New Brunswick Fire Insurance Company was organized December 27, 1826, and commenced business May 1, 1832. Its original capital stock was $50,000, and for over seventy years it did purely local business. In 1903 the capital stock was increased to $200,000, the man- agement being vested in an able directorate consisting of George A. Viehmann, president; D. L. Morrison, vice-president ; Charles D. Ross, secretary ; and E. B. Wyckoff, assistant secretary ; these, with Theodore F. Hicks, William B. Lloyd, W. L. Perrin, W. F. Rollo and M. F. Ross, formed the board of directors. The business was soon extended into twenty-eight States, and in 1908 premiums received amounting to $460,000. The capital stock has been increased several times, at present being $500,000. It is represented in most of the States, except- ing those generally known as of the Pacific Slope and a few of the South- ern and Western States. The death of Mr. Viehmann in 1918 caused the election of Charles D. Ross as president. The vice-presidents are Daniel L. Morrison and I. D. Clark ; the secretary and treasurer, E. B. Wyckoff. The general office of the company was formerly at No. 40 Paterson street ; in August, 1920, removed to a new building constructed by the com- pany, and devoted exclusively to its business, on Bayard street, oppo- site the court house.
In the forties and fifties of the past century, there was an epidemic of organizing assessment fire insurance companies under the general laws of the State. Among these in 1846 was formed with a euphonic title, the New Brunswick Mutual Fire Insurance Company. Its busi-
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ness was simply local, being confined to writing policies of insurance on real estate risks in Middlesex county. The general office of the company is confined to the legal offices of its president, W. E. Florance, in the National Bank of New Jersey building on George street, who, with J. W. Helm as secretary, are its executive officers.
CHURCH HISTORY.
First Presbyterian Church-The first authentic date in the history of the church is 1726, when Gilbert Tennent became its pastor. Its organization may have preceded this settlement, but the loss of the church records in 1776 places its history for its first half century with no authentic testimony. The old records were supposed to have been destroyed during the Revolution, when the house of Dr. Moses Scott, a prominent elder, was entered and plundered by British troops. A wooden building was erected by the congregation in 1727, small and unpretentious, on Burnet street, just north of Oliver street, in the center of the old Presbyterian burying ground. The accepted tradi- tion is that this building was set on fire and destroyed by the British in their attack on New Brunswick.
The first great controversy in the Presbyterian church in this country was the disruption in 1741, which was not healed until 1758. The question between the elements which were known as "Old" and "New," was, briefly, whether or not revivals were to be encouraged, and whether piety or education was most important in the gospel ministry. Of the "New" side, Gilbert Tennent was the acknowledged leader. The New Brunswick church, which had been first connected with the Presbytery of Philadelphia, was in 1733 transferred to that of East Jersey; subsequently, when the Presbyteries of East Jersey and Long Island were merged in 1738 in that of New York, it was set off with other churches to form the Presbytery of New Brunswick. Here we have the origin of a Presbytery that has exerted in the course of its long history a more commanding influence than any other in the Presbyterian body. In the history of the church at this time, the terms the "New Side" and the "New Brunswick party" are constantly occurring as interchangeable. Between this party and the Synod of Philadelphia, the "Old Side," the Presbytery of New York occupied for a time an intermediate position. It finally came into organic union with the Presbytery of New Brunswick, the united body growing into the Synod of New York, which on the reunion of 1758 outnumbered the "Old Side" three to one, and included within itself the best part of the vigor and piety of the Presbyterian body.
Mr. Tennent removed to Philadelphia in 1745, and the congregation was left without a settled pastor for several years. There is a tradition that Rev. Thomas Arthur was pastor from 1746 to 1751. The minutes of
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the Presbytery show that a temporary supply was appointed in 1760, which was repeated from time to time until 1768, when Rev. Israel Reed became pastor. In 1784, solid facts are obtainable. Lots were purchased, and the following year church walls were up and under cover, but the edifice was not actually completed for several years. The structure stood on the corner of George street, fronting on Paterson street. It was built of bricks painted yellow, hence became known as the "Old Yellow Church." An act of incorporation was obtained in 1784; two years later the congregation relinquished its partial claim on Rev. Israel Reed, and Rev. Walter Monteith was called to the pastorate. The congregation being short of funds, in 1786, applied to the Legislature for the questionable aid of a lottery. This scheme was entitled "The Elizabethtown and New Brunswick Church Lottery ;" the highest prize was $2,000, the lowest $20. The net result to the New Brunswick church was £665 13s. 5d., proclamation money. This amount proved inadequate to discharge all debts, which were stated to be, March 30, 1786, £ 1,426 3s. 2d., and was not finally liquidated until May 6, 1801. The next pastor, Rev. Joseph Clark, installed Janu- ary 4, 1797, died suddenly in office, October 20, 1813. He was a most impressive preacher, of commanding influence, and left the church with one hundred and twenty-seven members, nearly double the num- ber at his accession. Rev. Leverett J. F. Huntington was installed pastor December 5, 1815. His services were particularly attractive to the young, and during his pastorate, in the year 1816, the Sabbath school was established. It was the first in the city to be organized, like the original ones in England, for neglected children rather than those of Christian families. Mr. Huntington died May 11, 1820, and Rev. Samuel B. How was installed pastor in 1821. His term of service was brief, as on July 25, 1825, Rev. Joseph H. Jones was installed. Under his pastorate the church immediately entered on a new career. A parsonage was built in 1827; and a new church fronting on George street instead of Paterson street, was dedicated December 15, 1836, at the cost of $23,328.26. Dr. Jones was a man of rare gifts, both in pulpit and parish. He had the hearts of the congregation with him and its cooperation in all his efforts. He resigned in 1838 to accept a call to the Sixth Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. The member- ship of the church when he left was 4II souls. The congregation next enjoyed the ministry of Rev. Robert Birch, who was Installed March 4, 1839 ; his pastorate was short, being terminated by his death, Septem- ber 12, 1842. Then followed one of the longest pastorates in the history of the church. The Rev. Robert Davidson was installed May 4, 1843. Gas was introduced, and repairs made on the session house in 1852; a year or two later a thorough refurnishing of the church was under- taken. Dr. Davidson's pastoral relations were dissolved in September,
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