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 9
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When it is understood that the holders of these bonds had held them during many years of Itiigation and consequent uncertainty as to their payment, and that they were now reinforced by a decision of the highest legal tribunal of the country, it was hardly to be expected that any considerable discount could be obtained. It is said that some parties had taken them in payment of debt, and during the period of uncertainty had offered to part with them at a considerable discount.
Among the obstacles to be overcome was the refusal of individual firms or corporations, within the State or out of it, to accept the bonds as collateral for any advances except as they were additionally seenred by the personal guarantee of entirely responsible men. This made it necessary for public-spirited citizens to raise upon their individual guaranty the entire amount needed to take up the bouds as fast as they could be secured. This they did, and placed at the disposal of the town not only their time, but their private fortunes as well. Previous to any arrangement for funding the new bonds, and at a time when very little encouragement had been received in reply to the applications they had made for a new loan, the actual amount jointly assumed by Messrs. Russell and Carey was $195, 796.95.
Of course they hoped to effect a negotiation, but at this time little headway had been made.
The bonds were purchased, with the exception, perhaps, of a dozen or twenty, from those who had held them for years, and it was difficult to locate them ; it was finally ascertained that but four bonds of the two hundred were owned within the township. In negotiations for a portion of the bonds, efficient aid was rendered by Mr. David F. Merritt. The committee made no effort to seek out these bondholders, but waited patiently, and resorted to means to resist payment of the full value, that, as private
50
HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
individuals, they would hardly have felt justified in doing. This was no hardship to the majority of the bondholders, as many of them are said to have obtained the bonds at a large discount.
The committee were as industrious in getting the new loan funded at a low rate of interest as they were in purchasing the old bonds ; and as a result of their efforts the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of Newark took the entire new issue of $335,000, running through a period of thirty-five years, and divided in series of $5,000, $10,000, and $15,000, bearing interest at five per cent. per annum ; the last one, of $15,000, maturing in 1918; thus the entire debt of $400,000 cost the town not exceeding $335,000. Only the actual outlay for small legal expenses were incurred by the committee. The following estimate shows the result of their efforts :
Amount saved on purchase of bonds. $65,000 00 Difference between 5 per cent. on $335,000 and 6 per cent. on $400,000-$7,250 per annum for say twenty-two
years, average time the new bonds are to run. 159,500 00 Saving of interest in addition to the above on $90,000 of old bonds not yet matured, which were entitled to
interest at 7 per cent. until maturity 4,500 00
$229,000 00
Several attempts were made by the citizens of Montelair to give substantial evidence of their appreciation of the work of this Township Committee, but the gentlemen composing it have modestly declined the offer, and the above record, which time cannot efface, is the only recognition of the eminent services rendered by them to restore the impaired credit of the township. and avert the impending financial disaster which threatened many of its citizens, and in this connection favorable reference should be made to Messrs. A. Eben Van Gieson and Warren S. Taylor, the other members of the Committee, who, with Mr. William L. Ludlam, the Town Clerk, rendered efficient aid.
The gentlemen who carried this financial load for the town until negotiations and the new issue of bonds were completed were Thomas Russell, Stephen W. Carey, George P. Farmer, W. L. Bull, Abraham Bussing, and II. A. Dike; Mr. John R. Livermore also offered aid in the matter, if needed.
TOWN OFFICERS FROM 1868 to 1893.
Judges of Election .- James Crane, 1868 to 1875 inclusive ; Nehemiah O. Pillsbury, 1873 to 1878 inclusive ; James G. Crane, 1879 to 1883 inelusive ; 1884, James Crane and James Owen ; 1885, the same; 1886, the same; 1887, James Crane and George R. Milligan ; 1888, Edward M. Benham and Edward Madison ; 1889, Edward Madison, William M. Taylor and W. R. Green ; 1890, Edward Madison, George T. Bunten and John Goman.
From 1890 the system of election by the people was abolished and Judges of Election appointed by the County Committee, under the new ballot law of 1890.
Inspectors of Election .- 1877, Jarvis G. Crane, George W. Taylor, James Crane, A. P. Kerr; 1878, Jacob B. McChesney, Jarvis G. Crane, James Crane, Francis Marion ; 1879, Jacob B. MeChes- ney, F. A. Wheeler, James Crane, Francis Marion ; 1880-1881, J. B. McChesney, F. A. Wheeler, Edgar T. Gould, Francis A. Marion : 1882-3, J. B. McChesney, F. A. Wheeler, James C. Crane, Francis A. Marion ; 1884, Frank A. Wheeler, Frederick Richter, James C. Crane, Francis A. Marion ; 1885, F. A. Wheeler, J. B. McChesney, James C. Crane, Richard Sheridan ; 1886, F. A. Wheeler, James T. Crane (two Democrats omitted from records) ; 1887, Cyrus C. Corby, John Kenney, James C. Crane, Richard Sheridan ; 1888, Cyrus C. Corby, John Kenney, James C. Crane, George Courter ; 1889, Wm. L. Doremus, George Conrter, James C. Crane, J. B. McChesney, Cyrus C. Corby. John Kenney; 1890, Win. L. Doremns, John N. Halsey, James C. Crane, John N. Finnerty, Cyrus C. Corby, Walter Courter.
Clerks of Election .- 1877, Frank A. Wheeler, Edward Madison ; 1878, I. Seymour Crane, Chas. II. Corby ; 1879, I. Seymour Crane, Edward Madison ; 1880-2, John Goman, Edward Madison ; 1883. John Goman, R. E. Van Gieson ; 1884-5, John Goman, John Poole, Jr .: 1886, John Goman, R. E. Van Gieson ; 1887, Henry L. Yost, I. Seymour Crane : 1888, Henry L. Yost, Abner Bartlett, Jr .; 1889, I. Newton Rudgers, Henry L. Yost, Aaron Shepard ; 1890, the same.
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HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
Under the new ballot law of 1890 the election of this office by the people was abolished.
Inspectors and Clerks of Election Under the New Law .- The Law of 1590 abolished the offices of Judge and Clerk of Election. and substituted instead four Inspectors and Cierks, two Republicans and two Democrats.
Inspectors, First District .- For 1590. William B. Jacobus, Edwin B. George, Philip Young, Vaughn Darress. For 1591-2. the same.
Clerks, First District .- For 1890. Frank W. Crane and Edwin B. Littell. For 1891-2, the name of Theodore Badgley was substituted for that of Frank W. Crane.
Inspectors, Second District .- For 1890. Wallis Lonvirer, Thomas P. Meyer, William Sigler and Elijah Pierce. Same for 1891-2.
Clerles, Second District .- For 1590. C. Mexander Cook. Calvin Smith. For 1591-2, the name of Hiram Sigler was substituted for that of Alexander Cook.
Inspectors, Third District .- For 1590. William Jacobus, J. D. Huntington, J. C. Williams and J. W. Potter. For 1891-2, the appointments were the same with the exception of John Goman in place of J. D. Huntington, deceased.
Clerks, Third District .- For 1890. William N. Jacobus. John Goman. For 1591-2, the appointments are the same with the exception of John C. Kingsley in place of John Goman.
Assessor .- 1-68-9, Zenas S. Crane; 1-70 8, A. E. Van Gieron : 1574 6. Wm. Jacobus; 1877, Edmund Williams : 187. Win. Jacobns: 179. Andrus B. Howe: 1880-90, Robt. B. Harris: 1891, Charles (. Morris (elected for three years ).
Collector .- 1565-76. Edwin C. Fuller : 1-FT, Edwin I. Heustis : 1-78-90. Edwin C. Fuller; 1891, Edwin C. Fuller (elected for three years).
Town Clerk .- 1968-74, Charles P. Sandford : 1575, Geo. W. Poole ; 1876, E. G. Heustis ; 1877, Edward Madison : 1878 51. Geo. W. Pool : 1552, Edward Madison : 15-3, Win. L. Ludlam ; 1884 and 1885, John Poole, Jr. : 1586, Ranford E. Van Gieson ; 1>>7 to 1892. Henry L. Yost : 1893, Henry L. Yost (elected for three years).
Chosen Freeholders .- 1365, Robt. M. Hening, Grant J. Wheeler: 1569, Amos Broadnax, Grant .I. Wheeler: 1870, Wm. Sigler, Grant J. Wheeler; 1-71-7. M. W. Smith, Grant J. Wheeler; 1878-53, M. W. Smith, Philip Doremus : 1554, Melanethon W. Smith, J. Wesley Van Gieson ; 1585-6, J. Wesley Van Gieson, Jasper R. Rand : 1.57 and 1955, J. Wesley Van Gieson, Melanethon W. Smith ; 1889, .I. Wesley Van Gieson (held for two years).
[By the law of 1890 Chosen Freholders were elected at the annual election in the Assembly District for two years.] 1-90. James Peck, elected for two years: owing to insufficient legislation he held over to the spring of 1-93. when Thomas McGowan was elected from the XIth Assembly Distriet.
Surveyors of Highways. 1sos, Edgar T. Gould, Joseph H. Baldwin ; 1869, Joseph II. Baldwin. Win. A. Torrey; 1870-73. Edgar T. Gould. Chas. Smith ; 1874-77, Aaron Sigler, Chas, Smith; 1878, Nathaniel Dodd. Aaron Sigler: 1979-83. Nathl. R. Dodd. Jos. IT. Ballwin : 1554-88, William Tichnor, Aaron Sigler: 1599, William Tichner, Aaron Garabrant : 1-90-98. William Tichnor, Melvin Sigler.
Toun Committed .- 186%, Chas. B. Baldwin, Amos Broadnax, Jos. Il. Baldwin, Jacob B. Brau- tigam. Robt. J. Dodge : 1569. Peter II. Van Riper. Amos Broadnax, Win. B. Holmes, Win. S. Morris, John J. H. Love: 1550. John J. H. Love, Thos. (. Van Riper. Nathan T. Porter. Daniel V. Harrison. Win. Frame; 1871, Samt. Wilde, Jr., Thos. C. Van Riper, Nathan T. Porter. Daniel V. Harrison, Edmund Williams : 1872, John J. H. Love. Alfred Taylor. Aaron Sigler, Daniel V. Harrison, Edmund Williams : 15;3. JJohn HI. Parsons, Alfred Taylor. Philip Doremus. Clark W. Mills. Edmund Williams ; 1874. J. J. 11. Love. Alfred Taylor. E. T. Gould. Wm. Tichnor. Thos. Levy; 1875. W. I. Adams, Jacob C. Brantigam. Edgar T. Gould, Thos. A. Levy. A. E. Van Gieson; 1876, John H. Parsons, Jos. Van Vleek, A. A. Sigler, F. W. Doremus, Edmund Williams : 1877, Jos. Van Vleck. A. A. Sigler, F. W. Doremus, John II. Parsons. Thos. H. Bouden : 1575, Jos. Van Vleck, A. A. Sigler, Reynier Van Gieson, Thos. Russell, Win. II. Wilson ; 1979, Jas. R. Thompson, Jas. B. Pierson, Thorndike Saunders, Thos.
52
HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
Il. Bouden, Warren S. Taylor ; 1880-81, Thos. II. Bonden, Jasper R. Rand, Jas. B. Pierson, Warren S. Taylor, Henry Speer; 1881-2, Jas. B. Pierson, Geo. P. Farmer, Jasper R. Rand, Warren S. Taylor, A. Eben Van Gieson ; 1883, S. W. Carey, Warren S. Taylor, Thos. Russell. A. Eben Van Gieson, Geo. P. Farmer; 1884 and 1885, Thomas Russell, Stephen W. Carey, Shepard Rowland, A. Eben Van Gieson, Warren S. Taylor; 1886, Thomas Russell, Stephen W. Carey, James Owen, A. Eben Van Gieson, Warren S. Taylor; 1887 and 1888, Stephen W. Carey, Thomas Russell, James Owen, A. Eben Van Gieson, Warren S. Taylor; 1889, John H. Wilson, George Inness, Jr., A. Eben Van Gieson, Isaae Denby, Warren S. Taylor ; 1890, John II. Wilson, Isaac Denby. George Inness, Jr., Morgan W. Ayres, Warren S. Taylor ; 1891, John H. Wilson, Wilson W. Underhill, Amzi A. Sigler, James B. Pier, Morgan W. Ayres; 1892, John Il. Wilson, Wilson W. Underhill, I. Seymour Crane, James B. Pier, Morgan W. Ayres ; 1893, John H. Wilson, I. Seymour Crane, Ingh Gallagher, Moses N. Baker, Decatur M. Sawyer.
Commissioners of Public Roads .- 1872-73. Hiram B. Littell, Nathan T. Porter, Samnel IJolines. Thos. C. Van Riper, Jacob C. Brantigam ; 1874, N. O. Pillsbury, Saml. Holmes, Jos. Van Vleek, A. 1. Sigler ; 1875, N. O. Pillsbury, J. Van Vleck, A. A. Sigler, Saml. Wilde, Abram Speer ; 1876, A. E. Van Gieson, N. O. Pillsbury, Samuel Wilde, Samuel Holmes, Elmer G. Doolittle: 1877, A. E. Van Gieson, Saml. Wilde, E. G. Doolittle, Saml. Holmes, E. M. Harrison : 1878, A. E. Van Gieson, Saml. Wilde, E. G. Doolittle, E. M. Harrison, Win. Tichenor; 1879-80, Saml. Wilde, Elmer G. Doolittle, Saml. Holmes, E. M. Harrison, A. E. Van Gieson ; 1881. A. E. Van Gieson, Saml. Wilde. Geo. P. Farmer, Saml. Holmes, E. M. Harrison ; 1882, Theron A. Doremus, Saml. Wilde, W. Irving Adams, Saml. Holmes, A. P. Haring; 1883-SS, Theron A. Doremns. Saml. Wilde, Robt. M. Boyd, Saml. Holmes, E. M. Harrison ; 1889. Theron A. Doremus, Edwin M. Harrison, George P. Farmer, Charles W. English, A. P'. Haring (the latter could not serve, not being a freeholder), Amzi A. Sigler, appointed in place of A. P. Haring; 1890, George P. Fowler, Amzi 1. Sigler, Samuel Hohines, Edwin M. JIarrison, Charles W. English ; 1891-2, Charles W. English, Edwin M. Harrison, William J. Soveral, William B. Hohnes, Theron A. Doremns : 1893, Edward B. Crane, Edwin M. Harrison, William J. Soveral, William B. Holmes, Theron A. Dorens.
Commissioners of Appeal .- 1868-69, Edward H. Merritt, Hiram B. Littell, Win. S. Morris ; 1870-71, Alfred T. Taylor, Nehemiah O. Pillsbury, Win. S. Morris : 1872, Amzi A. Sigler, Nehemiah O. Pillsbury, Clark W. Mills ; 1873, A. A. Sigler, N. O. Pillsbury, John J. II. Love; 1874, Peter II. Van Riper, Joseph Doremus, Samnel Wilde ; 1875 93, Peter 11. Van Riper, J. J. II. Love, Joseph Doremus. Township Treasurer .- This office was created in 1892, and I. Seymour Crane was the first appointed Treasurer, and was reappointed in 1893.
Police Force .- Previous to 1889, the only township officer who exercised the functions of police was the regularly elected eonstable. Two regular policemen were appointed this year by the Township
ELM STREET.
53
HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
Committee, viz .: William Dunlap and James MeNarar. Others have since been added and there are now seven, ineluding the Captain. William C. Niederhanser.
Overseer of the Poor .- 1865-69. Nathaniel R. Dodd: 1870-73. W. Corby ; 1874-58. Charles Smith : 1889, William R. Greene : 1890-91. Melanethon W. Smith ; 1892. John Sanford ; 1893, John Sanford (elected for three years) ; deceased September 18, 1893; vacancy was filled by the Township Committee appointing John Goman.
Justices of the Peace .- 1868, Zenas S. Crane, William S. Morris, Amos Broadnax, Stephen R. Parkhurst: 1869, Nehemiah O. Pillsbury, Charles B. Morris : 1970. no choice : 1871. A. E. Van Gieson ; 1×72. Zenas S. Crane: 1873. Joseph Lux: 1874. J. Ogden Clark, A. E. Van Gieson : 1875, N. O. Pillsbury. Charles B. Morris : 1876, Zenas S. Crane, George Ennis; 1877, Alfred Taylor, A. E. Van Gieson, Z. S. Crane; 1878. A. E. Van Gieson ; 1550. N. O. Pillsbury, Charles B. Morris, A. E. Van Gieson : 1881. Franklin W. Dorman: 1582. F. W. Dorman, James C. Crane, I. E. Clark : 18 3, George R. Milligan, Abram Speer, Edward B. Crane : 1>84. Abram Speer, Edward B. Crane; 1885, J. Ogden ('lark, Henry E. Clark. N. O. Pillsbury. Charles B. Morris: 1556, incumbents held over ; no election ; 155%. George R. Milligan : 1589, incumbents held over ; no election ; 1590, Charles B. Morris. I. Ogden Clark. Henry E. Clark. Hugh Gallagher (the latter did not serve) : 1891, Edward B. Crane, elected but did not serve : Thomas P. Meyer, Louis Lang : 1-92, Aaron Garabrant. Thomas Harrop (the latter did not qualify) : 1893, George R. Milligan. William JJones (the latter did not qualify).
Constables .- 1865, Ira Crane, Geo. Speer, Edward II. Merritt, Abram Speer: 1869, W. Corby. Jared Van Gieson, George Bowman : 1870. W. Corby. John H. Hayden, James C. Crane ; 1871. W. Corby, John Il. Hayden, Edwin J. Baeron, Henry S. Rodman : 1872. W. Corby, Geo. Simonson, Edwin J. Bacron. Win. Simonson : 1573. W. Corby, Geo. Ungemab, Edwin JJ. Bacron, James Kane : 1871, John M. Layland, Jos. Dunn, Geo. DeLong. Edwin J. Bacron : 1575, Edwin J. Bacron, Joseph Dun Stephen W. Tibbs, Oliver Levy ; 1576, Edwin J. Bacron, Thos. Wiggins, Francis Concannon, Geo. Simonson : 1577. J. Il. Jacobus. Geo. Ennis, E. C. Fuller. E. J. Bacron, Thos. Wiggins; 1578, Thos. J. Courter, Geo. Ennis, Geo. T. Bunten, E. J. Barron, Jas. E. Murphy ; 1-79, Geo. T. Bunten. Geo. Ennis, E. I. Bacron, Geo. Dipley. J. C. Doremus. Jr .: 1850. Geo. T. Bunten, Jas. T. Norman, J. C. Doremus, Wm. R. Green, Thos. Courter : 1>>1. Gen. T. Bunten. I. C. Doremus, Isaac A. Dodd ; 1-82. Isaac . Dodd : 1883, Geo. T. Bunten : 1854. John P. Doremus; 1985, Thomas Wiggins, James Kane ; 1886, George T. Bunten, Win. F. Allsworth, Jr .; Isst. John P. Doremus: 1888. James Kane, William Mulligan : 1899, Wm. F. Allsworth, Jr., John Bowman. Isaac Dodd ; 1590, Isaac Dodd, George Green ; 1891, James Kane, Charles J. Dickson : 1592, Wi. F. Allsworth, Jr., Peter Whiting, Henry Kane, Isaac A. Dodd, Cornelius Halstead : 1893. Isaac A. Dodd.
Tomenship Engineer .- This office was created about 1-84, and James Owen was appointed by the Township Committee, and has been reappointed every year, with the exception of 1590, when the ollice was held by F. W. Crane.
PRESENT TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENT.
Township Clerk, Henry I. Yost: Assessor. Charles B. Morris: Collector of Tures, Edwin C. Fuller: Township Counsel, Alfred S. Badgley ; Civil Engineer. James Owen ; Township Physician. James S. Brown ; Derwer of the Poor, John Sandford: Health Inspector. Dr. Richard P. Francis ; Commissioners of Appede, Peter H. Van Riper, John J. H. Love, Joseph Dorens ; Commissioners of Public Ronds, William J. Soverel, Theron A. Doremus, Edward B. Crane, Edward M. Harrison, William B. Holmes: Justices of the Peder, Charles B. Morris, Geo. R. Milligan, Lewis Lange. Thomas I'. Meyer. Aaron Garrabrant : Constables, Lane A. Dodd. James Kane. William Allsworth, .dr. Henry Kain, Cornelius Halstead : Police Justice. Thomas P. Meyer.
TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE.
Chairman. John II. Wilson; Members, Decatur M. Sawyer. Hugh Gallagher. Moses N. Baker. 1. Seymour Crane ; Treasurer. I. Seymour Crane; Finance Committee, Crane. Sawyer ; Law, Sawyer.
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HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
Baker; Roads. Crane, Sawyer ; Poor, Gallagher, Baker ; Sidewalks, Gallagher, Sawyer; Water, Baker, Crane; Fire Committee, Crane, Gallagher; Sewers, Crane, Baker ; Auditing, Sawyer.
BOARD OF HEALTHI.
Composed of Township Committee, Health Physician, Inspector and Assessor. Chairman, John H. Wilson : Secretary, Chas. B. Morris. Meets first Monday evening of each month, at Town- ship Committee rooms.
THE OLD TOWNSHIP FORM OF GOVERNMENT UNDER THE GENERAL LAWS SUPPLANTED BY THE NEW LAW OF 1888.
When the township of Montelair was set off from Bloomfield, in 1868, the form of government adopted was that provided by the general laws which had been in existence for many years, and while the population was small and the wants of the people were few, no objection was raised to it. As the population increased, however, and large amounts were being expended for public improvements, the old laws were found to be entirely inadequate to meet the growing demands. Complications arose which necessitated frequent litigation to determine the rights of individuals, and citizens of one part of the township enjoyed privileges of which others were denied.
At a meeting of representative citizens held in April, 1893, the subject of a change of govern- ment was introduced by Mr. John HI. Wilson, Chairman of the Township Committee, and fully discussed, which resulted in the appointment of a non-partisan committee, consisting of the following- named gentlemen : John IL. Parsons. Stephen W. Carey, John J. H. Love, John R. Livermore, Charles 11. Johnson, Charles K. Wilmer and Andrus B. Hlowe, to consider the question and the advisability of a change. This committee held several conferences during the smummer and fall of 1893, and as the result of their deliberations found the existing form of goverment inadequate, antiquated and unsatis- factory, and recommended the adoption of the law of 1888, known as the " Short Law."
The preliminary steps were taken to submit the matter to a vote of the people, and on February 21, 1894, an election was held, and by a vote of more than two to one the new charter was adopted, and, with the life of the present Township Committee the old form of goverment ends.
Among the advantages to be derived under the new charter are : First, in the matter of appropria- tions, which will henceforth be made by the governing body or council; Second, in the administration of public schools, all the school interests are consolidated and the management placed in the hands of a central Board of Education, thus giving every citizen in the township equal privileges in the matter of common and also of high school education, of which. under the old law, many were deprived through the division into school districts. The management of the affairs of the township will be lodged in a conneil made up of representatives from wards into which the town will be divided. It lodges in the council all the powers heretofore exercised by Commissioners elected or appointed by the Court for levying assessments, opening streets, improving and regulating thoroughfares, etc. It simplifies matters in the form of government. It is substantially a City Charter withont the usual executive head.
One of the most important changes under the new law is that relating to excise. Under the old law the township had no voice in the granting of licenses to liquor dealers, that power being vested solely in the Court of Common Pleas, at Newark. A written application, signed by ten Freeholders, enabled the applicant to procure a license from the Court. Under the new law the power is vested in the Town Council to " regulate, license, or prohibit inns, taverns and restaurants," and the sale or transfer of spirituous liquors, and to fix and prescribe the terms and conditions upon which license shall be granted. and to provide for the annulling of licenses for violations of conditions.
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55
HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
POSTMASTERS AND POSTAL FACILITIES.
Previou- to and for some time after the erection of Bloomfield as a separate township the residents of Cranetown were dependent on the Newark post office for their mail. When in later years a post office was established at Bloomfield, and in addition thereto a regular daily mail service between there and New York City, it was hailed with delight by the citizens throughont the township, as it brought them into more direct communication with each other and with the outside world. Gradually. however, as business increased in West Bloomfield, and it became an important manufacturing centre, the want of better postal facilities was felt, and in 1-30 application was made for the establishment of an office at the west end of the township.
It was at this period. during the administration of President Jackson, that the ery was raised, "To the victor belongs the spoils"; but as the political sentiment of the people of Bloomfield, and more especially the locality of West Bloomfield. was overwhelmingly whig, an acceptable democrat could not be found to till the position.
Nathaniel 11. Baldwin, a well-known business man, although a whig in politics, received the first appointment as postmaster of West Bloomfield in 1-30. He was a bachelor, and boarded at the tavern kept by Munn & Baldwin. The mail was so small at that time, that it required but little of his time, and the proprietors of the tavern were very willing to have the office kept in their place, as it would naturally increase their patronage. Mr. Baldwin proved a very acceptable postmaster, and held the position from 1830 to 1>41. during the democratic administrations of Jackson, Martin Van Buren, and a part of the whig administration of President Harrison.
Calvin S. Baldwin (no relation of the former) was appointed in I>11. under the administration of Tyler, who succeeded Harrison, the latter having died in office. Mr. Baldwin transferred the office to his own building, on the north side of Bloomfield Avenue, west of what is now Fullerton Avenue. There being no democrat to dispute hi- title, he held the othice until 1-53. under the whig administration of John Tyler, the democratic administration of James K. Polk, the whig administrations of Taylor and Fillmore, including a part of the democratie administration of Franklin Pierce.
Amzi L. Ball, a democrat, succeeded Calvin S. Baldwin, but only held the position for a short time. He kept the office in Sandford's tailor's shop, which was then located on the south side of Old Road now Church Street.
William Jacobs, a democrat, who had frequently assisted Ball in his work, was appointed in 1855, under the administration of James Buchanan, and two years later the name of the post office was changed from West Bloomfield to Montelair. The office was still a small one, and under the percentage system, which then prevailed, was worth only about $200 to $800 a year.
John C. Doremus, a republican, was the first one appointed under a republican administration, which began in Isol with President Abraham Lincoln. He kept the office in his own store on the south side of Bloomfield Avenue, opposite the residence of Judge Zenas S. Crane. The business had increased to a considerable extent, and the office became for the first time a salaried one. He held the position longer than any of his predecessors-a period of sixteen years-1861 to Isis -- and served under Presidents Lin- coln, Johnson, and the two terms of General Grant.
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