USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Montclair > History of Montclair township state of New Jersey; including the history of the families who have been identified with its growth and prosperity > Part 23
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that of Major of his regiment, and in 1870 was appointed by President Grant consul to Singapore, and was reappointed each successive administration, including that of President Cleveland in 1884.
Young Studer, soon after his return to this country, entered the public schools of Newark, and although he could not speak a word of English, his previous training enabled him to take an advanced position which he maintained until his graduation. His journalistic training began in the composing room of the Newark Journal, and he was subsequently assigned to reportorial duties, and initiated into the mysteries of the editor's "sanctum sanctorum." In 1876 he started a jobbing office in Newark, and while thus engaged, he learned of the several abortive attempts of ambitions aspirants for journalistic honors to establish a weekly paper in Montelair. After carefully surveying the field he was convinced that there was an opening in Montelair for a live newspaper. Soon after he began his canvass, however, he discovered that he had a rival in the field, who was not only backed up by the Greenwood Lake Rail- way, but intended to start a paper in the in- Mr. Studer withdrew for velopments." These pected, for after publish- bers, the publisher was and in May, 1877, Mr. management of the paper at this time was and "filled in," under Ile soon after bought clair Journal, a defunct abandoned by the pro- appurtenances thereof." equipped, Mr. Studer lisher, reporter, compos- everything but " devil." ment, rigid economy, few friends, he soon es- basis. Hle ran it as an about five years, and can banner, which he termined to follow his a year after he started, stroyed by fire, and as he the loss was severely felt. however, but began terests of the company. a time and awaited " de- came sooner than he ex- ing two or three mu- glad to sell out at a loss, Studer assumed the Montclair Times. The printed in Jersey City, the "patent process." the plant of the Mont paper which had been prietor, with "all the to the landlord. Thus started in as editor, pub- itor, bookkeeper and Through good manage- and the assistance of a tablished it on a paying independent journal for then raised the republi- nailed to the mast, de- own convictions. Abont his whole plant was de- was only half insured Ile never lost courage, A. C. STUDER. again with the same earnestness and determination to sneceed. Dr. Bradford kindly eame to his assistance and started a column entitled " Chips From My Workshop." This gave a new impetus to the paper, not alone because of the public interest in these contributions, but because of the high esteem in which their author was hekl in this community. The plant was largely increased, the additional facilities enabled him to do all his own press work, and he now has one of the best equipped country offices in the State.
From publishing a partisan paper it was natural for him to drift into politics, and in 1888 he received the appointment of Engrossing Clerk to the lower house of the State Legislature, and two years afterward he ran for Assembly on the republican ticket, and was elected by a plurality of 683. Ile took a firm stand against the famous coal combine, which came up that year, and the " usual" powers of persuasion failed to win him over. He was re-elected the following year, and was one of the helpless minority which fought so hard against the corrupt ring that controlled the Legislature that year. Ile was a member of the Committee on Municipal Corporations to whom was referred the famous race track
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bill that was rushed through the Legislature against the protests of the large delegation of ministers and laymen who met in the Assembly representing every part of the State. He made the minority report of this committee, condemning in the strongest terme possible this infamous bill. His whole course during the two terms wa- fearless and upright, and every attempt at jobbery was met by a strong and determined opposition on his part. As an evidence of the esteem in which he was held by his party. it may be noted that he was the caucus nomince for Speaker at the beginning of his second term, with no chance, however, for election, as his opponents were largely in the majority. He made an honorable record for himself in one of the most corrupt Legislatures that ever mis-represented the State of New Jersey.
He is naturally of a modest and retiring disposition, and while earnestly advocating through the columns of his journal all the great reform movements inaugurated in Montelair, he could not be indneed to accept any local office, preferring active service. As a man, however, he is held in the highest esteem in the community, and while true to his principles as a republican, he shares equally the esteem of his opponents.
He has done much to promote publie entertainments of a high order, and has for some years repre- sented the various " bureaus " engaged in this work. As local manager of the New York Philhar- monie ('lub he has brought to Montelair a number of musical celebrities.
Mr. Studer was one of the founders of the Montelair Building and Loan Association, in which he has always taken an active part. Ile is member of St. Alban's Lodge. No. 65. F. & A. M., of Newark, and of several local organizations.
lle is domestic in his habits, and prefers the quietude of his own home to publie honors or the gaieties of social life. His wife was a Miss Elizabeth M. Ziegler, of Newark, and his family consists of one son and two daughters, to whose mental and physical training he devotes umch attention.
THE UNITED STATES PRINTING COMPANY, HINDS & KEICHAM FACTORY NO. 3.
Since the closing of the Wheeler Mills on Toney's Brook. in I>>7, manufacturing industries in this locality have cea-ed to exist with the exception of Messrs. Crump & Everdell, who had been long established in New York, started their works near the depot of the New York and Greenwood Lake Railway Company in 1875. They purchased grounds and erected suitable two story buildings, covering some 240 x 100 feet, and employed a number of hands, doing a large business in label and color printing, and also in the manufacture of waterproof wall paper.
On the morning of July 4. 1577. the buildings were entirely destroyed by fire, the origin of which was never fully determined, but supposed to have been caused by spontaneous combustion.
As soon as possible a new factory was erected on a much larger and more extensive scale, the size of the buildings being 150 x 240 feet (afterward increased to 150 x 525 feet, the present size), which were fitted up with greatly increased facilities. Mr. Everdell withdrew from the firm at about this time, and Mr. Samuel Crump carried on the business alone very successfully until Isst, when the Crump Label Company was formed, which name was changed to Samnel Crump Label Company in 1ss8.
This company continued to do an increasing business, employing some 200 hands, until it was pur- chased in June, 1890, by the Hinds. Ketcham Company, of Brooklyn, N. Y., this being a reorganization of the firm of Hinds. Ketcham & Co., which firm was formed some ten years previous by four employees of the Crump Label Company, who had built up an enormous business, located at Brooklyn, until they were able at this time to purchase the entire business conducted by their former employers. Under this new management the business was somewhat increased until February 1. 1-91. when it was purchased by The United States Printing Company, a concern that had been formed with a capital stock of $3.500,000. and included the largest label and color printing manufacturers in the country. The magnitude of this new company can be better realized when we know they at once stripped this Montelair factory of all its machinery pertaining to the printing trade, distributing it in some of their other factories, and immediately
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purchased an enormous amount of new and improved machinery for the sole purpose of coating paper and card of every description for use in their other factories, which are at present located at Brooklyn, N. Y .. Cincinnati, O., and Indianapolis, Ind., where the total product of the Montelair branch is turned into printed labels, show cards, banners, boxes, circus posters, playing cards, and every other form of novelty that can be made from either paper or card, and which are used in every known country on the globe. This Montelair factory, which is known as Hinds & Ketcham Factory No. 3, is one of the largest, if not the largest, and certainly the best equipped works of its kind in the country. The entire building is occupied in the manufacture of its goods, and while the character of the work does not necessitate the employment of as many hands as were formerly kept busy (as there are only some 75 employed now), yet the amount of product is many times greater than it ever was before, as the capacity of the works is at least 30,000 pounds of finished paper and eard per day, or about 9,000,000 pounds per year. Over 1,000,000 pounds of imported clay and over 250,000 pounds of powdered glue are used in its production, which is as large a quantity of either of these artieles as is used in any one factory in the country.
The paper enters the factory in its crude state from the mills in the East, and is coated in any
U.S. PRINTING CO. WINDSA KETCHAM FACTORY N73 PAPER & CARD
UNITED STATES PRINTING COMPANY.
weight and color, calendered, cut into any size sheets, and shipped in strong machine-made cases to the other factories all ready to be put upon the presses for printing. This factory received some time ago an order from one of its Cincinnati factories for a few months' supply of paper, which would take some 65 freight cars to transport to its destination, and over ten cars of Inmber for casing of same. The freight paid by the factory to the Erie Railroad. over which all its supplies and product is carried, can be im- agined when it is noted that they paid freight on at least 20.000.000 pounds of supplies and completed production in one year.
The factory is well protected against fire as it has a fire brigade of its own, with suitable apparatus, which can be attached to hydrants of its own, and is also supplied with an automatic sprinkler system which would easily flood the building and contents in time of need.
The factory being situated in such a remote portion of the town, is no hindrance to its growth as a residence centre, as probably not over one-fiftieth part of the inhabitants would know of its existence, if it were not for its sonorons whistle, which not only calls its employees to and from their duty, but also blows all fire alarms for the town, as it is connected automatically with the township system.
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HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
While the home office of the Company is in Cincinnati. O., all the factories are operated as separate concerns, so that all business of every description for this factory is completed at its own office. The entire busines of the factory, while condneted by home talent, is under the direct supervision of Mr. Joseph E. Hinds, of Brooklyn. the Vice President and General Eastern Manager of the Company. to whose business sagacity the grand snecess of this branch of the Company is due.
JOSEPH EDWIN HINDS. Vice-President and General Eastern Manager of the present company. who has been connected with the business for nearly a quarter of a century, is a native of Brooklyn, L. I .. born September 19, 1549, of English parentage. He has made his own way in the world since he was eleven years of age. He entered a printing office in New York City when he was fifteen years of age, and five years later found employment with Crump & Co., who were then carrying on the business of colored label printing on Fulton Street. In ist1 he was made superintendent of their New York factory, and when they moved to Montelair. in 1975, he took charge of their new factory and continued in that capacity until December. 1579, when he organized the firm of Hinds. Keteham & Co. ; ten years later they bought ont the old firm.
Mr. Hinds was one of the principal promoters of The United States Printing Company and has been its Vice-President from its organization.
During his residence in Montelair Mr. Hind- became interested in the various reform and improvement movements of that period; he was one of the original members of the Village Improve- ment Society, of which Mr. Thomas Porter was President, and was clerk of the Society during its continuance, and spent much time and labor in promoting its objects. The hundreds of beautiful shade trees which have made this one of the most attractive townships in the State are due to the efforts of this Society, of which Mr. Hind- was one of the most active members. He also a-si-ted in organizing the Montelair Literary and Social Circle, which during its existence afforded delightful entertainment, and did much to improve the intellectual and social condition of the young men of the town. He was its first Vice-President and afterward became President of the Society. He is also a member of Montelair Lodge F. & A. M., and a firm supporter of the objects of the fraternity. He was the original promoter and first Past Regent of Montelair Council. Royal Arcanum, and the first meeting of the Council was held at his house. This has since become one of the most influential Councils in the State.
Mr. Hind- did not remain long enough in Montelair to witness the fruition of all his plans and his hopes, but others have reaped the benefit of his labors, and his zeal and enterprise for the good of the community are not forgotten, and the seed sown by him has borne ample fruit. Mr. Blinds, though located in Brooklyn, still has the supervision of the manufacturing interests of his Company in Montelair. Mr. Hind- is a man of strong individuality, conscientious and upright in all his business transactions -- a firm believer in the brotherhood of man, and his aim in life has been to improve the condition of his fellow-men and to lend a helping hand to the needy and suffering. He married, in 1870. Miss Mary A. Beetham, the issue of which is right children, seven of whom are living.
BANK OF MONTCLAIR.
With the rapid growth of Montelair it has been a cause of wonder to many of its citizens how they managed for so many years to get along withont local banking facilities. It is even more surprising when it is considered that within six months after the Bank of Montelair opened its doors, nearly five hundred depositors had availed themselves of the privilege thus offered.
For more than half a century the people of this locality transacted all their banking business with Newark, Orange and New York City, entailing loss of time, inconvenience, and often considerable expense. It has been a subject of diseu-sion for many years past, and occasional efforts have been made to establish a bank in the township without success. In the antuin of Iss Mr. Paul Wilcox and Thomas Wilcox Stephens, believing the time was ripe for such an enterprise. determined to make an effort in this direction. Mr. Stephens called upon, and obtained letters of introduction from, Mr.
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Benjamin Graham and Mr. E. G. Burgess to Jasper R. Rand and Stephen W. Carey, who gave their hearty co-operation, and arrangements were made for an early meeting. The following gentlemen met by appointment at the office of Mr. Rand. in New York City : Jasper R. Rand, Stephen W. Carey, Paul Wilcox and T. W. Stephens, the present cashier of the Bank of Montelair.
The matter was freely discussed, and it was decided to etfeet an organization at an early date. Meetings were held from time to time, and other citizens beeame interested in the movement and pledged their support. Several meetings were held at the house of Mr. Benjamin Graham, who became deeply interested in the enterprise at the outset and was one of the active spirits in securing its success.
It was finally agreed to start with a capital of 850,000, one-half the amount to be paid in at once. and the balance when called for by the stockholders. This was done September, 1891. A meeting was held at the house of Mr. Paul Wilcox, on the Valley Road. There were present, Thomas Russell, Stephen W. Carey, Benjamin Graham. A. B. Howe, Philip Dorenms, Charles II. Johnson, Sr., Jasper R. Rand, Peter II. Van Riper. Paul Wilcox, Abraham Bussing and T. W. Stephens. After the subscription lists were opened there was no difficulty in obtaining the requisite capital. The citizens of Montelair gen- erally gave it their hearty liberally to the stock. Ont- ly have taken the whole ered expedient to have as Montelair.
tion of Directors was held Goodell. at Montelair, following named gentle- Stephen W. Carey, Thomas Charles II. Johnson, Beu- D. Van Vleck, Edwin .1. gess, Paul Wilcox, Jasper more, George II. Mills, iek .J. Drescher. Daniel O. Goodell, W. W. Egbert, ham Bussing. Edwin 1. the list, declined to serve A BIT OF BLOOMFIELD AVENUE, Showing the Bank of Montclair. of private business, and elected in his stead. Jasper R. Rand was elected President, Win. D. Van Vleck. Vice-President. and T. W. Stephens. Cashier.
support, and subscribed side parties would willing- amount, but it was consid- much as possible taken in A meeting for the elec- at the office of E. B. April 2. 1889, and the men were duly elected : Russell. Philip Dorennis, jamin Graham, William Bradley, Edward G. Bur- R. Rand. John R. Liver- Andrus B. Howe, Freder- Eshbaugh, Edwin B. Peter Il. Van Riper. Abra- Bradley, the seventh on on account of the pressure Mr. Benjamin Strong was
The bank was formally opened Saturday, June 1, 1889. in what was known as the Van Riper building, on Bloomfield Avenue. Forty-two accounts were opened, and the total amount deposited was $60,000. In January, 1890, at the first annual meeting, seven months after the organization of the bank, the books showed 435 depositors, with a total of $160.000. In January, 1892, there were 1,025 depositors. with a total of $365,000.
The books showed a good surplus each year, but for satisfactory reasons no dividend was declared.
In 1892 a lot was purchased. 60x200 feet. on Bloomfield Avere, nearly opposite the Presbyterian Church, and plans designed by J. C. Cady & Co., architects, for a bank buikling. Work was soon after begun and the building completed in the spring of 1893. It is 30x50 feet, three stories high. with base- ment and cellar. The walls are of briek, with white terra cotta briek front. Rooms above the bank are arranged for offices, one of which is occupied by the Montelair Savings Bank. The new building was opened for business May 13, 1893. The lower part, occupied by the Bank of Montelair, is beautifully fitted np in cherry, with brass trimmings. A separate department is arranged for lady depositors, who number nearly one-third of the entire list.
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This has proved thus far one of the most successful banking institutions ever started in this country, sustained largely by private individuals, there being but one manufactory in the town-hip, and the business being confined mainly to general supplies for the residents.
The directors for 194 are: Stephen W. Carey. Thomas Russell, Philip Doremus. Charles II. Johnson, Benjamin Graham. William D. Van Vleck, Edward G. Burgess. Paul Wilcox, Jasper R. Rand. John R. Livermore. Andrus B. Howe. Frederick J. Drescher, Daniel O. Esbbaugh, Edwin B. Goodell, Peter II. Van Riper. Abraham Bussing. Benjamin Strong. Amzi A. Sigler, J. E. Williams.
THE MONTCLAIR SAVINGS BANK.
The matter of organizing a Savings Bank in Montelair had been discussed by business men for some two or three years before any active steps were taken. According to the minutes of the Bank : " After informal consultation on the subject of establishing a Savings Bank in Montelair. N.J., the following circular letter was addressed to a number of gentlemen of Montelair and vicinity:
" MONTCLAIR :. N. I .. September 30, 1592.
". Having carefully considered the advisability of establishing a Savings Bank in Montelair. we have reached the conclusion that the time has come to do so. The shores of the two financial institutions now here, which has been much greater in both cases than was anticipated. has been the principal argument in favor of such a step.
" Believing that your assistance upon the Board of Managers of such a bank will be of great ad- vantage to it. you are requested to be present. if you will consent to serve, at the rooms of the Montelair Building and Loan Association, on Friday evening. October 7, at & o'clock, to arrange preliminaries, and sign the necessary certificate as a first step toward organization.
" If you are willing to serve and cannot then be present, and will send word to that effect to Mr. Goodell. your name will be inserted in the certificate, and a commissioner will call upon you to take your signature.
" Very truly yours,
" Ja-per R. Rand. Philip Doremns. Andrus B. Howe, Edward Madison. Hugh Gallagher. C. Alex- ander Cook, William HI. Ketchum, John R. Livermore. Charles I. Reeves. William Y. Bogle, John S. Carbon. W. Lon Doremus. Edwin B. Goodell.
" In conformity with the request contained in the above letter, the gentlemen addressed met on the evening of October 7. 1592. at the rooms of the Montelair Building and Loan Association, and held an informal meeting.
"At this meeting Mr. Edwin B. Goodell was requested and authorized to proceed to take all the necessary and legal steps required to procure the Certificate of Incorporation for The Montclair Savings Bank, and the Certificate of Authority to open the said Bank for business, and such other matters as might be required."
According to the advertisement duly inserted in the Montclair Herald. November 3. 1892. the following named gentlemen compose'l the corporators of the Bank :
Jasper R. Rand. John R. Livermore, William II. Ketchum, William Y. Bogle, I. Seymour Crane. Philip Doremus. Edward Madison. Andrus B. Howe, John S. Carlson. W. Louis Doremus, C. Alexander Cook. Hugh Gallagher. Edwin B. Goodell. Charles I. Reeves, Charles H. Johnson. Jr., John JJ. II. Love, David F. Merritt, Charles W. Anderson, Thomas Russell. Anzi A. Sigler, Stephen W. Carey. Thomas W. Stephens. Daniel O. Eshbaugh. J. Edgar Williams, Samuel C. G. Watkins. Cyrus B. Crane.
The first meeting for organization was held January 9. 1593, at the room of the Montelair Build- ing and Loan Association, on Bloomfield Avenue. It was then announced that the necessary Certificate of Incorporation had been filed with the State Banking Department at Trenton, and that the Certificate
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of Authorization had been duly issued, and that the twenty six gentlemen who had applied for a Savings Bank in Montelair were now duly authorized to organize the bank.
At this meeting By-Laws were adopted, and the following officers were elected :
President, Philip Doremus; Vice-President, Thomas W. Stephens ; Secretary and Treasurer, Il. D. Crane; Counsel. Edwin B. Goodell.
An Executive Committee consisting of the following named gentlemen in addition to the ex-officio members were elected :
William Y. Bogle, David F. Merritt, Andras B. Howe, John R. Livermore, Edwin B. Goodell.
The bank was duly opened for depositors March 15, 1893. At the close of the first year's business there were 985 accounts opened, and the amount dne depositors was 8125,229.41.
MASONIC LODGES.
BLOOMFIELD LODGE, No. 40, F. & A. M., was organized in West Bloomfield as early as 1824, and the fact that the furniture of Chatham Lodge-then suspended-was obtained for the new Lodge, indicates that the former had previously existed in this locality. The first communication was held July 24, 1824. in the hotel of Joseph Munn, on the corner of Church Street and Valley Road. A dispensation was obtained from the M ... W ... Grand Master, and the Lodge acted under this authority until the regular meeting of the Grand Lodge. The first officers elected were : Simeon Baldwin, W. M. ; Daniel D. Beach, S. W. ; Joshua Smith. J. W. ; Ephraim P. Stiles, Secretary ; Zenas S. Crane, Treasurer ; Matthias Taylor. S. D. ; John Robinson, J. D. ; William Frame, M. of C. ; and Linus Baldwin, Tyler.
The names of the twenty-seven charter members show that they were mostly residents of this locality : Matthias Smith, D. D. Beach, John Robinson, Joshna Smith, Jonathan Stephens, Linus Baldwin, Benjamin Reynolds, Matthias Taylor, Christopher Garrabrant, William Frame, John Munn, Thomas Speer, Jr .. Simeon Baldwin, Zenas S. Crane, L. F. Lewis Mitchell, Joseph Munn, Nathaniel HI. Baldwin, John Aikins, Aaron Ballard, Robert Aikins, Peter Doremns. Thomas Ryland. William Young, John Moore, Ingh Boggs, Henry Stanley. Ephraim P. Stiles.
The Lodge was duly chartered by the Grand Lodge and the first regular communication was held September 15, 1824, when the officers named in the dispensation were installed by M ... W ... Grand Master. Jeptha B. Munn. Among its members were many names familiar to the old residents of West Bloot- field. The Lodge continued to flourish and increase in membership until the Anti-Masonic agitation (fostered and encouraged by politicians) of 1828-32, when hundreds of lodges all over the country surrendered their charters. The charter of Bloomfield Lodge was surrendered about this time, and ceased to exist for twenty eight years. On February 19, 1856, it was resuscitated at Bloomfield, the okl warrant being re-issued to them under the name of Bloomfield Lodge No. 40. The new officers were installed by Past Grand Master Jeptha B. Munn, the same individual who, twenty-eight years previous- being then Grand Master of Masons of the State of New Jersey-had installed the original officers. This Lodge is still in a flourishing condition in Bloomfield.
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