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 48
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HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
stead, which he changed from the simple farm house to the beautiful modern villa. The grounds were laid out in lawns and shade and fruit trees of the finest variety were added, and the whole place made to blossom like the rose, presenting a most beautiful and picturesque appearance. He subsequently pur- shased three acres additional which he added to the homestead property.
He became impressed with the great social, educational and other advantages of Montelair-of its healthfulness and other attractive features, and, with characteristic energy, and faith in its future great- ness, determined to do his share toward its further development. He purchased a tract of land north of Oxford and east of Grove Street, and another traet of land lying west of Grove Street, north of Greenwood Lake Railroad. Between Montelair Avenne and Grove Street, and running from Walnut to Chestnut Streets, he opened a new street to which he gave the name of " Christopher"-that being his christian name- this perpetuating the name of its projector : this he graded so as to form a perfect drainage, curbed and macadamized it, all at his own expense. He also made the same improvements at Chestnut Street, from Grove Street to Montclair Avenue. About 600 feet north of Chestnut Street, from Grove to Forest Street, he eut an avenne in 1892, which he named Columbia Avenue, in commemoration of the ynadrennial event of that year. He has erected fifteen houses on Christopher Street, one on Walunt Street-a double brick building, and a beautiful villa on the corner of Grove and Chestnut Streets, and has prepared plans for further improvements in this direction. While benefiting himself by this large expenditure of money, he has proved a public benefactor to the township, by the enhanced value of other property arising therefrom, and has thus added materially to the wealth of Montelair.
In 1857. when fortune had smiled upon him, Mr. Hlinek began to feel the necessity of a helpmeet. and his thought naturally turned toward the fatherland which he resolved to visit, and, amid the scenes of his childhood, he found the woman of his choice, in Johanna Maria Fliedner, whom he married after a brief courtship, and returned with her to the land of his adoption. She proved a valuable helpmeet and wise counselor, and his success in life is dne largely to her aid and co-operation in all his plans, thus verifying the proverb. " Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favor of the Lord." Ten children have been born to them, eight of whom are still living ; these are Maria, Henry John, Georgine (deceased), George Frederick, Edward Louis, Louisa, Ernest Christopher, Edmund (deceased), Alfred John and Otto Helmuth,-the latter named from Count Von Moltke and Bismarck. A friend of the family communicated the fact to count Von Moltke, he sent his photograph to his namesake on the back of which was subscribed : " With the best wishes for Otto Helmuth," signed, Field Marshal Count Von Moltke.
THOMAS S. GLADDING.
THOMAS S. GLADDING graduated at Brown University in 1875. He taught the sciences at Suthield (Conn.) Institute and Worcester (Mass.) Academy for three years. He came to New York City in 1578 and formed a copartnership with Mr. C. M. Stillwell, under the firm name of Stillwell & GHladding, analytical chemists, and oflicial chemists to the New York Produce Exchange. Mr. Gladding is a member of the American Chemical Society and the English Society of Public AAnalysts. He became a resident of Montelair in 1887, and purchased the Hening property on Mountain Avenne. He is an active member and a trustee of the Baptist Church : also a member of the Montelair Club.
Chapter XVIII.
UPPER MONTCLAIR.
HE beautiful region of country known as Upper Montelair has for its northern boundary the township of Acquackanonek in Passaic County ; Watchung AAvenne is the boundary line between it and Montelair: the township of Bloomfield lies on the east and that of Verona on the west. The Greenwood Lake R. R. passess in a northerly direction through the centre of the village, having three stations within the present boundaries of Upper Montelair, viz. : Watchung. Upper Montelair and Montelair Heights. The surface of the country is high, almost unbroken upland, with a gradual slope from the mountain toward the cast, thus affording perfect drainage, and freedom from all malarions influences. It has two flourishing churches-the Christian Union, Congregational, and St. James, Episcopal-a beautiful cemetery, known as Mount Hebron Cemetery, lying on the outskirts of the township, a large brick school-house, a public hall, some half-dozen stores, an engine house, with a good fire engine, provided with all the modern fire apparatus. Some of the finest residences in the township are located in this neighborhood, notably those of Mr. C. H. Huestis and Dr. Morgan W. Ayres. Most of the houses are of the style known as AAmerican Domestic ; there are a few, however, of the English Gothic, which present a beautiful and picturesque appearance.
All of this part of the township was originally known as Speertown (so called from the Speers, who owned large tracts of land in this neighborhood) and extended from the Fordham Crane house ( Washing- ton's headquarters) in Montclair to the line of Acquackanonek township.
When the Hollanders, who gained influence at the Indian trading place of Acquackanonek on the Passaic River, made the purchase of the Acqnackanonck traet in 1679 and 168-1, they laid their farms in parallel strips along the northern Newark border back to the mountain, and were thus brought in imme- diate contact with the Puritan settlers. Many of the old familiar names connected with Acquackanonek township are found among the early records of this part of Montelair township. Among these are the Speers. Egberts, Van Giesons, Seiglers, Panluses, Posts, Garrabrantses, Van Rikers, Vreelands, Van Wagoners, Sips, Stymets, Van Winkles, Garitses, and Peterses.
COPY OF AN OLD DEED.
This Hitdenture, Made the fourteenth day of Desembre in the fourteenth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the third by the Grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c. and in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy four BETWEEN Robert Drummond of Acquackennonek in the County of Essex and Eastern Division of the Province of New Jersey Merchant, of the first part, and John Spear of Newark Bounds in the County and Province aforesaid, Yeoman of the second part WITNESSETH that the said Robert Drummond for and in Consideration of the sum of Seventy pounds Current money of the Province of New York to him in hand paid by the said John Spear at or before the Enscaling hereof the Receipt whereof he doth hereby Acknowledge and himself therewith fully satisfied Contented and paid and therefrom doth Exonorate Acquit and Discharge the said John Spear his Heirs Executors and Administrators for ever by these presents Ilath Given Granted Bargained Sold Aliened Released Enfeoffed Conveyed and Confirmed and by these presents doth Give Grant Bargained Sell Alien Release Enfee off Convey and Confirm nato the said John Spear his heirs and assigns forever All that Certain Traet or Parcel of Land Situate Lying and being within the bounds of a large Tract sold by Peter Sunmans on the East side of Peckmans River in the County of Essex aforesaid BEGINNING at a Rock Oak Tree being the South East Corner of the aforesaid Tract and from thence running first North Easterly along the Bounds thereof Twenty one Chains and forty Links more or less to the Division Line between the Lots No. 1 and No. 2, thence North Sixty three Degrees West as the Division Line
HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
runs Savisen Chans and Namen Night lanks or so far as to complet Thisis Aeres, thener South Twenty Seven Degrees West twenty Chans and mmets I've Links and from theuse to the beginning Containing Thirty Acres as aforesaid Bounded South Fasterly by hand now in the possession of the said John Spear North by Lot number two West by Land of Paules and Feiras Paulesse and South by land now possessed by Nicholas Garrabrantse Together with all Woods under- woods Hunting fouling Privileges Hereditaments and Appartenances what ever to the same belonging or in any manner of was appertaining also all the Estate Right The Interest Property Clum and Demand whatsoever Either in Law or in Forty of him the and Robert Drummond im or to the above and Granted and Bargained Premises or to any part thereof TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the above said Granted and Ringamed Premises with the Appartenances muito the said John Spear his heart and assigns to the only Proper use benefit and beloof of him the said John Spen his heirs and assigns for ever and he the and Robert Drummond for himself and his heirs doth Covenant and Agree to und with the said John Spear his hours and assigns that before and at the time of the Sealing hereof he the said Robert Drummond is the true and Lawful owner of the above Granted and Bargained premises and is lawfully seized and possessed of the same in his own proper Right as a good care Perfect and Absolute Estate of Inheritance in Fee Simple and hath in himself good rabi full Power and Lawful Anche my to Grant Bargain Sell Convey and Confirm the same unto the said John Spear his heirs and assigns in manner as a foresaid ALSO that the said John Spear his heirs and assigns shall and may for ever hereafter Lawfully Peaceably and Quietly have hold and Occupy Possess and Enjoy the same same free and Clearly Acquitted and Discharged of and from all other and former Gifts Grants Bargains Sales Leases Mortgages Wills Entails Juntares Downies and all other Incumbrances whatsoever (Excepting and Reserving all and every Such Particular Rights and Privileges as were Mentioned in a Certain Instrument or Arnele of Agreement from under the hands and seals of Ganet Van Ryker, Conchas Doremus, Peter Stymers, Paulus Paulusse, Tennis Spear, Hartman Vreeland, Michael Vree- land. Hendrick Garnis, Abraham Garritse, Hessel Peters, Adrian Post, Peter Peterse. Jacobus Post, Hendrick Post. Adrian Post June. Ane Sep. Adrian Pest Gamer Van Waggoner, Elias Vreeland, and Jan Tomisce. Bearing date the 2d. day of April Anno. Bom, 199) and the and Robert Drummond for himself and his beurs doth further Covenant and Agree : and with the said John spear his heirs and assigns that the above said Granted and Bargained Premises in the Omet and Peccable Possession of the and John spear against all and every Person and Persons whatsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof the the said Robert Drummond shall and will Warrant and forever Defend IN WITNESS WHEREOF the first party to these presents hath hereunto set his hand and Scal the day and Vear first above written.
ROBT. DRUMMOND.
IN 1.IF PRISINGF CFA
The words the said in the four- 1
teenth (35th) line was Interlined
before the delivery of these Presents, I
TH VAS VAN RIPER.
The main road which connected the settlement of Speertown with that of Cranetown was laid out in 1765, and is described as " Beginning at a road leading from 2d river to the mountain near Garrit Sper's feld." It followed the same line of the present Valley Road. passing through the lands of Peter De Garmo. Rineer Van Giesen. Gideon Van Winkle. John Egbert. Noah Crane and William Crane, the southern terminus being at William Crane's house, later known as " Washington's headquarters ": this road was for many years and natil long after the Revolution known as the " Speertown road." This was no doubt the road so frequently used by the American Army during the War of the Revolution. li connected with or intersected the "road from Newark to Horseneck." as described in the original boundaries of Caldwell Township. 176. as follows : " thenee on a straight line to the top of the First Mountain, to where a certain road laid out along the line of lands of Stephen Crane, deceased. intersects the top of said montain."
Watching Avenue, known in early times as " Oak tree lane." began at what is now Valley Road and ran to Egbert's house, under the mountain. It was ent through to its present eastern terminus within the past few years.
What is now Bellevue Avenue was an old road that ran from the Speertown Road to Stone House Plains, and was known as the " Stone House Plains road."
The construction of the Greenwood Lake Railroad through this part of the country, with a few capitalists, began operations as early as 170. They purchased farm lands, which they divided into villa plois, and began making improvements. The panie of 1573. however. cansed a temporary suspension. and there was no activity in the real estate market for the next two or three years. About 1976 a few
2017
Httoke oF MOMICLAIR lows H11
famille. fram Montela r. Bro Mast. and other pass. novedd int the im ah ot ond ard began making improvement. There were at tat tinge bit fes streste prise pas orer oxing Valley land. Watchang and Bac eville Avendes. Moun Hebron Rnal. Martair A d e. I'sW and Grove Strate. Since 1-s" there has been opened and gradel apward of twe ty mile of street .. and that are how over two hundred dwelling, whiek. s'th the iproselet', represents wa tionof latween g1 0000 and
Among the enterpr' 'ng e pives ta s ho levery interested in the derg apngst of I'pper Mumlais w. Mr. T. G. seles. of New York. who was favorably impred with ame mowts aed Ialt fulcess of the locality daring a touporaty readesce. He frt paidhe ed alint fifty arree, and latis made en additional purchase of seventy sord, He bid oft alf macidaunizel arese throng lit property. bullt s number of fine howes, andd rmale other improver cate. Ar a tet roldent Re has done probably more than any ofler mat to deralop the property in this heading.
RELIGIOUS INTERESTS OF UPPER MONTCLAIR
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308
HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
In 1873, Mr. Littell conveyed the lot of land now occupied by the St. James Episcopal Church to J. Romeyn Berry, Daniel V. Harrison and Philip Doremus, in trust, with the following conditions : " And should there be organized hereafter at any time before the expiration of ten years from the date of this instrument a church, a religious society, formed and constituted according to the rules and enstoms of the church known as the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, having a connection with the Presbytery of that church, duly incorporated," i.e., then the Trustees were author- ized to convey said lot to such new Presbyterian Church.
CHRISTIAN UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
BETWEEN 1873 and 1878, a number of families had moved into this locality from Montelair, Brooklyn, and other places. These families, representing different denominations, feeling the need of a place of worship where all could unite, started a movement in 1878, looking to the erection of a church edifice, it being under- organization was to be be non-seetarian. En- ous kinds were held raising funds, the most of these being the har- which Mrs. Thomas Il. spirit. The people of old, of all denomina- surrounding neighbor- into the work, and a source of delightful residents as well as the ing the summer and amount realized from $1,500. In addition $4,000 was subseribed in the movement. stood by them that an effeeted whiel should tertainments of vari- for the purpose of popular and successful vest home festivals, in Bird was the leading Montelair, young and tions, and those of the hood, entered heartily these festivals proved entertainment to the summer visitors dur- autumn, and the total this sonree was about to this sum nearly by parties interested A building plot, in was seenred from Mr. many years had been the Presbyterian Mis- neighborhood, and CHRISTIAN UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI. nate the property for
a desirable location, II. B. Littell, who for the Superintendent of sion School in this who consented to do- the purpose of erecting a church editice. The terms of conveyance, however, were not clearly understood between Mr. Littell and the several parties engaged in the new movement, and complications arose at a later period which led to the abandonment of the enterprise by what had become known as the Christian Union Congregational Church.
When a sufficient sum had been raised to warrant the undertaking, the building was commeneed and the corner stone laid October 22, 1878.
When the church edifice was completed and ready for dedication, the projectors of the new movement learned for the first time that it had been erceted on a lot previously conveyed to other parties pledged to the interests of the Presbyterian Church.
After careful consideration it was deemed advisable to abandon the first undertaking and begin anew. A Sunday-school was started in the little village school-house which was carried on successfully by Mr. F. W. Dorman. Rev. George A. Gates accepted an invitation to preach for them and preach- ing services were held in the school-room on Sunday afternoons for a year and a half. Ile was a man
309
HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
eminently fitted for the work of building up a new church, and consented to accept only a moderate compensation until such time as a permanent organization could be effected, and a suitable place of worship provided.
The same means were employed to raise funds as had previously been adopted, Mr. Gates entering heartily into the work. A lot was finally purchased and a neat frame building erected, less pretentious then the first, but large enough to meet the wants of the community. Mr. Gates by a unanimous vote of the church was invited to become its pastor. A council was called April 13, 1882, at which Rev. A. II. Bradford, D.D., of the First Congregational Church of Montelair, presided, and Mr. Gates was regularly installed as pastor. The charge to the pastor was delivered by Rev. Dr. Brown, and the right hand of fellowship given by Rev. Dr. Bradford. The charge to the people was delivered by Rev. Lyman Abbott, D.D.
At the beginning of the service Mr. Dorman, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, gave a brief statement of the financial affairs of the Society, and reported a balance still remaining unpaid of $1,500. Before the close of the service this amount was pledged and the church was dedicated free of debt.
Mr. Gates continued his labors until 1ss7, and under his ministrations the church grew in num- bers and influence and became noted for its benevolent contributions. The Sunday-school also grew and prospered under the leadership of Mr. Dorman.
In the winter of 1857 Mr. Gates was invited to the Presidency of lowa College. Hle hesitated long before giving his final answer, and had he consulted his own feelings in the matter, he would have remained with the little church in Upper Montelair to which he had become so strongly attached. After a careful consideration of the matter, however, he was convinced that the presidency of a growing college in the far West opened to him a wider field of usefulness. It was a severe loss to the church, but subsequent events showed the wisdom of his choice.
The following biographical sketch of Mr. Gates appeared in The Cyclone, and was published in the Junior annual by the students of the Junior Class of Iowa College, 19:
JANUARY 21, 1551, is a date of considerable interest to lowa College students, for it was on this day that their president first opened his eyes upon this world in the little village of Topsham, Vermont. Here he spent his first few years as any ordinary child might have done, varying the monotony of life by occasional tumbles into the river and nar- row escapes from a watery grave.
When five years old his parents removed to East St. Johnsbury, where he attended common school. At an early age he showed special aptitude as a student. Play days were spent among the hills, woods and trout-streams. A passionate love for such scenes and sports was acquired which takes him to similar ones always for summer vacations.
When seven years old he lost his father, and with two other children was left to the care of his widowed mother. Then he learned what it was to work and to do without many of the things dear to every boy's heart. From the experi- ence of these years he knows how to give aid and sympathy to the many Western students who, in like circumstances. are now striving under his guidance to obtain an education.
When sixteen he taught his first district school. He had nine pupils, received fifty cents a day, " boarded round," built the fires in the school-house and swept it. lle prepared for college at St. Johnsbury Academy, during the summer vacations working on a farm at munificent salaries, receiving for one summer $ .. oo a month, which he now thinks was more than he was worth at that work. In 1569 he entered Dartmouth College, from which he graduated in 1873, ranking high in a class of ninety, although every winter term was lost by teaching. The first two years after graduation were spent as principal of the Academy at Morristown, Vt. After this it was his intention to study law, but he was persuaded by a friend to spend a time at Andover Theological Seminary. During a summer vacation he accompanied the family of Samuel Johnson, one of the merchant princes of Boston, to their summer residence at Nahant, as tutor and companion to his two boys. Mr. Gates had made his plans to go to Europe this year, but was finally prevailed upon by Mr. Johnson to remain and prepare his son for college. So successful was he that in eight months his pupil was ready to enter the fresh- man class. The remaining four months were spent by the Johnson family in Europe, Mr. Gates traveling with them. When the others returned to America in the fall of 1873, he turned his steps to the University of Göttingen, where he spent seven months listening to the lectures of Lotze, the leading philosopher of the century. The two months of Easter vacation he traveled in Italy, then spent the summer semester in the University of Bonn. During the summer he studied the French language and customs at Paris, and in the fall went to Switzerland, where he sought out the humble lecture room of Godet, the Professor of Theology, and author of many of the best New Testament commentaries, with whom he spent several weeks of delightful companionship. President Gates says that he owes more to Lotze and Godet than to any others of the great men with whom he studied. Afterward he was at the Universities of Zurich and Leipsic for a short
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HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
time, and then, in Jannary, 1880, he turned his face homeward. His plans of entering the legal profession were now changed, and he went to Andover to complete his theological course After graduation he preached for two months for the church at Littleton, New Hampshire.
His next work was at Upper Montclair, New Jersey. The story of it is like a bit of romance. It was a little community abont twelve miles from New York to which business men from the city were beginning to turn to find quiet homes.
A Sunday-school had been organized before President Gates went there. For a year and a half he met the people in the school-house Sunday afternoons and preached to them at a salary of $600. The work grew and the people became interested. As a result of his labor a council was called April 13, 1882, which received the church into fellowship, ordained Mr. Gates, installed him as pastor, and dedicated, free of debt, a new house of worship costing $10,000. Although it was a new church, his salary was raised to $1,200, then to $1,500, and again to $1,800, and the church was, moreover, the banner church in the United States for benevolent contributions in proportion to its membership.
Once, in December, 1882, Mr. Gates left his pastoral work for a short trip to Syracuse, New York. There, December 14, he was married to Miss Isabelle A. Smith.
During the fall of 1887 the trustees of lowa College were searching the country for the man whom they should call to undertake the duties of President.
At the National Congregational Council in Chicago, one of the trustees asked Dr. Ward, of The Independent, " Who is the man foreordained to be President of lowa College?" Reflecting over night, he replied, " George A. Gates, of Upper Montclair, New Jersey." Further investigation convinced the trustees that Dr. Ward was right, and on Washington's birthday. 1887, the official vote was taken and the following commencement President Gates was inaugurated.
He entered into the college work with the whole-hearted earnestness which characterized his former labors. lowa College has prospered as never before. He has bought, by special contributions for that purpose, a beautiful residence one block from the college campus, which will become the college's permanent " President Honse," when it is fully paid for. Here President Gates is at home with his mother, wife and two children. Here he has his office, and is always accessible to the students, and ready to help and advise them as they need.
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