History of Morris County, New Jersey, Part 78

Author: Halsey, Edmund Drake, 1840-1896; Aikman, Robert; Axtell, Samuel Beach, 1809-1891; Brewster, James F; Green, R. S. (Rufus Smith), 1848-1925; Howell, Monroe; Kanouse, John L; Megie, Burtis C; Neighbour, James H; Stoddard, E. W. (Elijah Woodward), 1820-1913
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: New York : W.W. Munsell & co.
Number of Pages: 540

USA > New Jersey > Morris County > History of Morris County, New Jersey > Part 78

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* a noble horse that performed the journey. * *

The following morning early I crossed the bridge over the Delaware into New Jersey, making my way toward Succasunna Plains, my destination, stopping at Washing- ton, 12 miles east of Easton, for breakfast. I then pro- ceeded, inquiring of persons my best route to Succasunna, but, strange to say, I could get no information until I reached Andersontown, some miles west of Hacketts- town. Late in the afternoon of that day I reached my Uncle William Hinchman's residence in Flanders; re- maining a day or two to rest, I then made my way to my Uncle James Hinchman's, at Succasunna, and at once commenced duty in my uncle's store as junior clerk- Mr. William F. Kerr and Chilion F. De Camp being seniors. I remained so employed until 1815, alternating between the store on the Plains and a supply store at Brookland, at the outlet of Lake Hopatcong, where my uncle was working a four-fire forge, a grist-mill and a saw-mill. At the close of the year I went to Mount Pleasant mine, to look after affairs there, my uncle hav- ing a short time previous purchased it of Moses Tuttle, Esq., for the sum of $4,000, payable in iron ore, in monthly installments. In the latter part of 1815, or early in 1816, my uncle failed in business, as did most persons engaged in the iron business. As he had received no title for the mine he offered me his interest and that of his son John R. Hinchman. I accepted, and agreed to pay to each $900, and also to pay Mr. Moses Tuttle, in ore, the balance still due, as stipulated in their contract, which I performed, and received a title from Mr. Tuttle. I continued to work the mine for seven years. The ore was considered the best for blooming and the freest from impurities of any ore in the county. Many preferred it to Governor Dickerson's Succasunna ore; it was thought to make an iron of greater solidity.

In 1816 I married Susan G. De Camp, daughter of Joseph and Jane De Camp, and we took up our residence at the mine. Her sisters and brothers being married, her mother gave up her business to her son Chilion Ford, and came to reside with us, occasionally spending some- time with other members of the family.

In the fall of 1822 I sold the mine to Nathaniel Cor- win for $3,000, and in the spring of 1823 removed to New York, entering into partnership with William H. Hinchman at No. 10 South street in the wholesale gro- cery business. In 1825 William died. I continued in the same business until 1834, when my health became so impaired I was compelled to relinquish business and come to the country with my family. I spent the winter of t835 at Longwood, in the family of Mr. Chilion F. De

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HISTORY OF MORRIS COUNTY.

Camp. During the winter and early spring months my health was so much improved that at the solicitation of Mr. Henry McFarlan I accepted the superintendence of the Dover iron works, belonging to the estate of Black- well & McFarlan, which he then rented and afterward purchased. On the 5th day of May 1835 I engaged in my new vocation, and continued in the supervision of said works until July 1869, when the iron business be- came very dull, and Mr. McFarlan, finding his business matters perfectly easy, not having an' obligation unma- tured or outstanding and anxious to dispose of his works, decided to close his business. During the thirty-four years that I was so engaged the most cordial intercourse existed between Mr. McFarlan and myself; in fact, I be- came so identified with the business that my feelings would not have been different had my own interest been involved, and I am happy in the belief that I had Mr. McFarlan's entire confidence.

In 1835 and 1836 I resided in a house on the north side of Blackwell street, nearly opposite the Presbyterian church. In 1837 Mr. Chilion F. De Camp built my pres- ent residence, to which I removed, renting from him until 1850, when at his solicitation I purchased the premises; at that time it embraced several lots, being 210 feet on Blackwell street, the same on Dickerson street, and in depth 275 feet.

January 29th 1841 I was elected president of the Union Bank of Dover, and continued as such untill 1866, when the taxes on capital were so much increased that the stockholders believed that the capital could be used to better advantage than in banking, and the bank went in- to liquidation. All its bills and indebtedness were promptly paid. Straggling bills continued to be pre- sented for nearly ten years, and though debarred at the latter time by limitation they were all promptly paid.

I have been mercifully granted health and strength to enjoy my many years of happiness. United to an amia- ble, loving wife of unerring judgment, who was ever the sunshine of the household, happy in our children and our friends, our home was the abode of comfort and peace. Our first affliction was the death of our little son Felix, in New York; and the next the death of our daughter Stella, the wife of Charles E. Noble. On the 27th of February 1875 my beloved wife died, after an illness of six days, aged 77 years and 10 days.

Nine children were born to us: an infant, dying soon after birth, Zerviah and Felix were born at Mount Pleasant; Augustus, Jane, Louisa and Stella were born in New York city; an infant, dying soon after birth, and Fronie were born in Dover, where I now reside.

In my boyhood and early manhood I was very active, engaging in all the pastimes and sports, such as wrestling, jumping, hopping, running, skating, hunting, swimming, etc., etc., and I became tolerably expert in all. I be- came fond of the rifle and fowling gun, was an expert shot at birds on the wing, and made some as good target shooting as was made in those days, using a rifle now in my possession, " Old Hickory," that I purchased of a staunch Jackson man, at the Thatched Cottage garden at Jersey City; firing ten shots at 100 yards measuring less than five inches in the aggregate from the center of the bullseye, whose diameter was two inches. On the same afternoon I witnessed shooting by "Davy Crockett, of Kentucky fame." He was then in Congress; a plain sensi- ble man, and by no means the rough character he was fre- quently described as being-the only thing remarkable in his apparel was a cameo breastpin with the head of Wash- ington, about three inches in diameter. His poise when shooting exhibited his familiarity with the rifle. He shot well on that occasion, but complained that the gun was different from those he had been accustomed to use.

JOSHUA H. BUTTERWORTH.

Joshua H. Butterworth came to Dover from Massa- chusetts about the year 1839. He was a skillful machin- ist, and he engaged in the service of Henry McFarlan, proprietor of the Dover rolling-mills and spike and iron mills. The machines in these mills were constructed by him, or under his supervision, and he was the superin- tendent of the works. Not only was he a mechanic of rare skill and ability, but he possessed a fertile inventive genius. He made many useful inventions, prominent among which was a combination lock for safes. This ought to have secured for him a fortune; but he was like many great inventors-he did not possess the ability to bring his inventions properly before the public and make them available for his own benefit. He left to others the management of the matter, and failed to derive from it any returns. He invented a very ingenious ma- chine for making spikes, and heading and pointing them automatically. He was also the inventor of a machine for making boiler rivets. For this machine, which made rivets very rapidly, he applied for a patent; but by rea- son of some mismanagement his application failed. He accumulated a fortune of about $20,000.

Mr. Butterworth was twice married. By his first mar- riage he had one son. His second wife was Mary Car- roll, daughter of James B. Carroll. She is still living. He died in 1879, after suffering from bad health during a year.

THOMAS B. SEGUR.

Thomas B. Segur, a merchant of Utica, N. Y., came to Dover in 1832 at the request of Anson G. Phelps to take charge of the Union Bank of Dover, which was or- ganized that year. . Mr. Segur continued to be its cash- ier till his death, which occurred in 1854. He was an excellent officer; during the twenty-four years of his service the bank donbled its capital, and it was said the institution never lost a dollar while he was cashier. A few weeks before his death William E. Dodge, the son- in-law of Anson G. Phelps, deceased, called together the directors, who made to the family a donation of $5,000 as an expression of their appreciation of the cashier's valuable services. Mr. Segur was a man of great activ- ity, and he took a leading part in the moral enterprises of the day. His zeal in the Sunday-school department, in missions, in the Bible cause, and especially in the tem- perance reform was untiring. Soon after coming to Dover he organized a temperance society for the town; and the next year he organized the Morris County Tem- perance Society, which led to the formation of temper- ance societies in all the other townships. He infused such energy into this movement that it commanded pub- lic attention and produced an extensive reformation. It was customary at that day to sell intoxicating drinks in ordinary country stores. Through his zealous and per- sistent efforts this practice was given up in every store in Dover, and for years the tavern was the only place where liquor could be obtained. Temperance meetings were held monthly, and the executive committee met weekly and all

Eng 2H & GEoevoets, WY

IH Butterworth

RESIDENCE OF

GEORGE RICHARDS, PROSPECT

ST., DOVER, N. J.

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DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS OF DOVER.

the members attended. The public monthly meetings were HON. GEORGE RICHARDS. usually made up of the larger portion of every family in Among "the men of mark " in the State of New Jer- sey, and especially in the county of Morris, Hon. George Richards of Dover stands in the front rank. Of humble, honest and industrious parentage, he is a perfect type of the self-made man. Denied the advantages of an educa- tion in his youth except to a very limited extent, and at an early age forced to test the realities of life, the active and ever ready brain nature gave him has developed an executive ability surpassed by none, and a business ca- reer successful and varied in its nature. In his inter- course with men he is affable and easily approached, and is the same in manners to the millionaire that he is to those who labor for him. He is ever ready by influence or means to engage in any enterprise that will aid in the place. The pledge of total abstinence was circulated at the close of each meeting, and the names of almost the entire community were on the pledge. A drunkard was a rare sight, and Dover was known as the banner temperance town of New Jersey. Its fame extended wherever the temperance reform spread. It was common for speakers of national reputation to address large au- diences in Dover. John B. Gough and orators of like fame were often there. Mr. Segur was himself an elo- quent speaker, and he made frequent addresses at home and abroad. He was president of the Dover society, the Morris county society and the New Jersey State Temper- ance Society. In 1841 through his instrumentality the Rev. Charles Warren-a sweet singer and a popular .benefiting those around him, and bestows his charity up- speaker-became the temperance agent of Morris county. on the deserving without letting his right hand know what his left hand doeth. He has thus carved for him- self unconsciously in his adopted town, of which he has been so long the chief executive, an epitaph that will be rehearsed and remembered as long as the town of Dover exists. Mr. Segur raised the funds to meet his expenses. Mr. Warren visited every town and village and every Sunday- school, and organized the children into juvenile temper- ance societies. Of the 2,458 children in the Sabbath- schools of the county, 2,000 signed the pledge. In 1842 the great reform among drunkards began. Mr. Segur secured the services of Ira Hall, a reformed drunkard, who labored in the county and especially in this town- ship; and during the year 266 drunkards signed the piedge, though within a twelvemonth 32 relapsed. This was a proud period in the history of this reform. Chil- dren hitherto excluded by their ragged appearance from the company of the more favored, now clothed by the earnings of reformed parents, took their place in schools and churches with the sons and daughters of the sober and pious. With countenances indicative of returning hope once despairing wives appeared with their husbands in the sanctuary of God. Two reformed men in Randolph moved from hired houses into their own dwellings, pur- chased by the savings of their industry since they signed the pledge. These two men, Uzal Crane and Mordecai Wilson, continued total abstainers till their death.

Thomas B. Segur was counted among the leading temperance men of the nation. But his zeal was not confined to the temperance reform. He was an earnest Sunday-school worker. While superintendent of a Sun- day-school he held at his own house during the week a Bible class for young men. He also visited and ad. dressed the Sunday-schools of the county and some- times beyond the county. He took a leading part in the missionary cause; obtained in Dover over fifty sub- scribers for the Missionary Herald, took an active part in the " monthly concert," purchased a large missionary map, and with it lectured in many churches in this State. He died in. 1854. Some weeks afterward a memorial service was held, at which the leading men of the county were present. The Rev. John M. Johnson, of Hanover -his faithful coworker in moral enterprises-was the chief speaker; he was followed by others who pro- nounced brief eulogies. Mr. Segur's death was a severe loss to Dover. Since that event the temperance reform has not advanced, but retreated in Randolph and in Morris county.

Mr. Richards was born near Pottsville, Schuylkill county, Pa., on the 21st of March 1833. He was the feldest son of Henry and Hannah Richards, natives of England. The educational facilities in those days were of an exceedingly limited character, and George Rich- ards at the age of thirteen years was removed from school and apprenticed to the machinist's trade. He made very rapid advancement in this occupation, but meeting with a severe accident in the third year of his apprenticeship he was forced to abandon his trade, so nearly acquired, and seek other means of employment. Although this was a great disappointment to the young machinist at that time, the lessons he had learned during the three years at the lathe and bench proved of an incalculable value in his later years. After a long and painful illness he removed to Durham, Pa., and there took his first les- sons in practical mining. In 1850 he was sent by the Glendon Iron Company to Wiretown, Warren county, N. J., to explore for iron ore, and in 1851 he went for the same purpose to Whitehall, Sussex county. After he had remained at this place about a year the Glendon Iron Company perceived that a more extendcd and important field of operations needed the management of Mr. Rich- ards, and placed him in charge of the Hurdtown mine, in Morris county; and in the next two years those two important and valuable mines of Morris county-Teabo and Hibernia-were added to his responsibility. From the time of his taking charge of these three valuable mines to the present time the practical workings of the same have been continuously under the eye and manage- ment of Mr. Richards; and the success thus gained by his employers is due to his care, prudence and fore- thought. Not only has he held the responsible office of mining superintendent, but he has held a number of pub- lic officrs, such as freeholder and State director of rail- roads and canals, and was one of the electors on the presidential ticket of 1880. A number of high and re-

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HISTORY OF MORRIS COUNTY.

sponsible positions have been tendered him, but large and important private business demands all his time and precludes acceptance of official positions of a public na- ture. He advocated and by his influence secured the act of incorporation of Dover, which transformed a rural village into one of the prettiest, busiest towns of New Jersey-the boast of the inhabitants and the admiration of sojourners. At the first charter election of Dover Mr. Richards was elected mayor, and since then he has held this official position six terms of two years each. As mayor he has shown a financial ability of the highest or- der; relieving the town of a heavy bonded indebtedness without a perceptible increase of taxation on its inhabitants.

His natural ability, force of character, and experience make him invaluable as an executive officer, and at once he masters every detail of the matters entrusted to his supervision or care. These characteristics have made him the president of a number of private corporations, as the Ogden Mine Railroad, the Ogden Iron Company, the Hibernia Mine Railroad, the Hibernia Underground Railroad, the Dover and Rockaway Railroad, the Dover Lumber Company, the Morris County M. & I. Company, the National Union Bank of Dover, and the Dover Iron Company. He is also a director in the Miners' Savings Bank, Delaware and Bound Brook Railroad Company, Prudential Insurance Company, Cranberry Coal and Iron Company, East Tennessee and Western North Carolina Railroad Company, Chester Iron Company, Dover Print- ing Company, and American Sheet Iron Company; and in all these corporations he is a ruling spirit, and his in- fluence is a power in their successful management.

In 1860 he was married to Miss A. E. McCarty, who has been to him a helpmeet of inestimable value, and made his home a place of domestic happiness; and a more hospitable household cannot be found than the one presided over by George Richards and his amiable wife.

J. L. ALLEN.

new church, which was dedicated in 1842, that his busi- ness suffered; and he was compelled to abandon it. This led him to exchange the mercantile for the iron business. He purchased an iron mine, which though at first not promising yet afterward proved to be a valuable property. He paid $to,ooo for it; for many years realized $5,000 and upwards annually, and finally sold it for $100,000.

His health became poor before he died, and in hopes of improving it he purchased property in Jacksonville, Florida, and intended to make that place his home. He died suddenly from the effects of a fall from a tree, just as he was about to remove to the south. His will left to the Presbyterian church of Dover $10,000 to- ward the erection of a new church and $5,000 for a parsonage. This bequest led to the erection of the beautiful sanctuary now used by the First Presbyterian Church of Dover. His death was a great blow to the congregation, both in the loss of his personal labors and in the discontinuance of his generous contributions to benevolent objects, which stimulated others to give. A memorial window in the new church records his name, and is a memento of his worth.

ROBERT F. ORAM.

Robert F. Oram came to this country from England in the year 1845, first settling in Schuylkill county, Pa. There he married about two years after. While there he was, with his brother Thomas Oram, engaged in mining and shipping coal to Philadelphia. Coal mining was then in its infancy. It was then, at Minersville, that the first coal breaker ever erected in this country was put up.

Jabez L. Allen came from Morristown to Dover about the time the Union Bank was started, and engaged in the mercantile business. His store was at the corner of Blackwell and Sussex streets, where for several years he did a prosperous business. Modest and retiring, he was yet always in his place, and ever ready to do his part. He instinctively shrunk from speaking in public; when he did speak, however, he was attentively listened to, because his words were replete with good sense. He was a Christian man, and an elder in the Presbyterian church. He was a moral pillar in the community, and the most liberal man in town. As Sunday-school super- intendent, teacher, or worker, he was most faithful. He was concerned in the organization of the Presbyterian church in 1835, and did more than any other man toward the erection of the first Presbyterian church edifice, in 1842, both in personal service and in money. No one did more to support the gospel at home; no one did more for benevolent purposes outside his own church. His religious character was exemplary; he was always in his place at church, in the Sunday-school, in the weekly prayer meeting, and in other religious gatherings. He married Caroline C., daughter of Jabez Mills, the father of a substantial Christian family, whose influence. gave to the present time. All these properties were in charge important aid to the moral character of the community. Mr. Allen became so interested in the erection of the

In the early part of 1848 Mr. Oram entered into an engagement to go to Dover, N. J., to take charge, with his brother, at Swedes mine, which was then owned by John Stanton, William Green jr. and Lyman Dennison. This mine was originally owned by Colonel Jackson, of Rockaway, and he sold to the above parties in 1847. Early in 1848 was purchased the Mount Pleasant mine, which Mr. Oram took charge of, commencing mining 'operations on the 16th day of August of that year. In 1849 was also purchased the property known as the Bur- rel farm, near Washington forge, on which are located the Orchard mine, the works of the Port Oram Furnace Company and the whole of the village of Port Oram. The Mellon mine and the Beach Glen property were purchased in 1850. All those properties were sold to Dudley B. Fuller and James Brown, of New York, in 1852. Soon afterward Messrs. Fuller & Lord became the owners. The firm name was changed to Fuller, Lord & Co., and so continued up to 1875. In the year 1858 Mr. Oram purchased from Fuller & Lord the prop- lerty on which the village of Port Oram now stands, and. in the following year commenced to improve the prop- erty. In 1859 he built four dwelling houses, and with John Hance built the Port Oram store house. They be- gan the business of storekeeping in 1860, associated with: John Hill and William G. Lathrop of Boonton. This. firm continued a little over one year, when Mr. Hill re- tired and the firm of Oram, Hance & Co. commenced business. It has continued without any further change up. of R. F. Oram until February 1881, when he retired from their management.

Respectfully yours, IlFin chman

RES. OF ROBERT F.ORAM, NEAR DOVER, MORRIS CO., N. J.

ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP.

BY JAMES H. NEIGHBOUR.

HIS township lies in the northeastern part of the county and embraces more territory by over 3,000 acres than any other township in the county. Its length from Newfoundland to Shongum is about twenty miles, and its width from Powerville to the Jefferson township line near Lxuemburg is about twelve miles. It was erected in 1844 from parts of Pequannock and Han- over townships, by an act of the Legislature, and made the eleventh township in the county. The principal part was taken from Pequannock, or from " Old Pequan- nock " as it is frequently called because Pequannock has existed since the year 1740 as a separate and distinct township. The history of Rockaway township prior to 1844 will naturally apply to those parts of Pequannock and Hanover up to that date.

This township was settled principally by the Hol- landers; at least there were many families of that nation- ality in the lower or eastern part of the township, who came there about 1715.

In the act of 1844 creating the township of Rockaway the boundaries are given as follows:

" Beginning at the bridge over the Pequannock River, at Charlottenburg iron works, and thence running a straight line to the north end of the county bridge first above Elijah D. Scott's forge at Powerville; and to in- clude all that part of Hanover that may lie to the north and west of said line; thence a straight line to the center of the natural pond in Parsippany woods called Green's Pond; thence a straight line to the corner of the town- ships of Morris, Hanover and Randolph, on the top of the Trowbridge Mountain; thence on the lines of the townships of Hanover and Randolph to the mouth of Dell's Brook, where it empties into the Rockaway River at the corner of the townships of Jefferson and Pequan- nock, to the place of beginning."

The causal reader of this description does not detect any error in it; but when we come to locate its bounds on a map it will be discovered that our Legislature ing the township the third in population. Dr. J. W. has omitted the last two lines of boundary, viz .: the Jefferson line, which follows the top of Green Pond Mountain to the Passaic county line at Newfoundland, and the Passaic county line from Newfoundland to the said place of beginning.

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