History of Morris County, New Jersey, Part 90

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 90

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He also took a deep interest in establishing the Uni- versity of California, and was chairman of the joint com- mittee of the two houses appointed to mature and perfect the bill introduced and finally passed for that purpose. In 1868 he was elected one of the regents of the univer- sity, and he continues to hold that position.

In October 1872 he was married to a daughter of the late James H. Lucas, a prominent and leading citizen . of St. Louis, a son of Judge John B. C. Lucas, who was born in Normandy, France, in 1762, emigrated to the United States, settled in Pennsylvania, and while repre- senting that State in Congress was appointed by Presi- dent Jefferson judge of the United States court in upper Louisiana, when he resigned his seat in Congress and re- moved to St. Louis in 1805, where during a long and eventful life he ranked among the most marked and in- fluential men in that section of the west.

Mr. Hager was elected to the United States Senate as an anti-monopoly Democrat for the unexpired term of Eugene Casserly, resigned. His election was noticed with approval by leading journals of all parties. The San Francisco Examiner said:

"Long ago Judge Hager established a reputation for learning and integrity, which he illustrated on the bench of the fourth district court in this city, and during three terms in the State Senate, where he acquired legislative experience of service to him in his new capacity. He has all the elements of success with him and within him. We have no doubt he will make an impression in the fed- eral Senate by his quiet, dignified deportment, his calm,

judicial bearing, his scholarly attributes, his closely logi- cal yet interesting style of speech in debate, his judicial ability, and his familiarity with public affairs."

A Republican journal, the Sacramento Daily Union, said:

" Judge Hager's abilities, culture, educational training, and legislative experience, qualify him to maintain a re- spectable position in the national Senate. In something like six years' service in the California Senate, commenc- ing as far back as 1851, he always showed great skill, self-possession and force in debate. We feel no appre- hension but that he will prove an efficient and valuable ally of the people's cause."

Mr. Hager took his seat in the United States Senate February 9th 1874. During the time he was a member of that body he took a modest but influential part in the debates, and devoted himself with energy and faithful- ness to the duties of his position.

EARLY TAVERNS.

The earliest hotel was situated in German Valley; we can obtain the name of no proprietor previous to Jacob Drake. It was certainly in existence at the time of the Revolution.

Another ancient caravansary was that at Pleas- ant Grove, with the somewhat unpleasantly suggestive name of the " Jug Tavern." This inn was probably built when the turnpike was first cut through and con- tinued in operation for about fifty years. The earliest landlord was Lambert Bowman. It was during his pro- prietorship that an accident occurred which is still re- membered. A celebration of the national anniversary was held at the Grove in 1808. Just in front of the Jug Tavern a large crowd had gathered to assist in or witness the firing off of a large cannon. By some accident one of the discharges of the gun was premature, and the swab struck Luther Garner, who was standing nearly in front of the piece, passing through his body, tearing off one of his arms, mutilating him in a horrible manner and killing him instantly.

Another hotel of long standing is that at Springtown, which was first kept by Azael Coleman, and which is still in operation. There was formerly a hotel at Middle Val- ley and also one at " Mud Street." There are at present four hotels in the township.

MILLS, STORES, ETC.

Jacob Swackhammer's grandfather informed him that the earliest grist-mill in the township was situated in Ger- man Valley and was kept at an early day by Henry Neit- ser. It is thought that it was in existence for some time previous to the Revolution. Nicholas Neighbour had a similar mill at Middle Valley, which was also a very old' mill, and Caspar Wack had a fulling-mill and an oil-mill at German Valley during the time that he was pastor of the church at that place. It is probable that there were not more than two stores in the Valley previous to 1800, one at German Valley, kept by Jacob Neitser, and one at Middle Valley, kept by David Miller. The store at Pleasant Grove was established about 1820 and was first

379

BUSINESS INSTITUTIONS OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

kept by Thomas Smith, but it was not in the same build- ing in which Mancius H. Hann now carries on the busi- his term. ness, the latter building being erected by Lawrence Hann about 1850. The store at Springtown, about half way be-

tween German Valley and Belmont Hall, was established township named as post offices, and it is possible that about 1812, and was first kept by Welsh & Dellicker, af- terward by Neighbour & Dellicker. The store was dis- continued about ten or twelve years ago. There was also a store at German Valley kept by Lawrence Hann about sixty years ago. There are now ten stores in the town- ship.

There were several blacksmiths' shops in operation at the commencement of the century. About that time the one at German Valley was occupied by William Willet, and the one at Middle Valley by Isaac Willet. Asher Jones carried on the one at Pleasant Grove, but in 1809 removed to Springtown, where he either opened a new one or succeeded some one already engaged in the busi- ness. We are informed that these four were the only ones at that time in the township. There are nine at present.

An apple distillery was kept by one Roelofson in the neighborhood of Middle Valley between 1800 and 1810, and continued in operation a number of years. Leonard Neighbour carried on a similar enterprise in the neigh- borhood of German Valley at a somewhat earlier date. Just previous to 1832 he divided the greater part of his property among his children, and the distillery came to Jacob's share. Soon after the division had been effected Leonard and his wife went to hear a temperance sermon by a Mr. Grant, a friend whom Dr. Hutton had brought from Philadelphia to lecture on that subject. So strong- ly were they impressed by this discourse that they at once destroyed the distillery and made good its value in Jacob's share.

There is a marble yard at Springtown and a butcher shop and harness shop at German Valley. Hance & Apgar and L. H. Trimmer deal largely in wood and lum- ber.

POST-OFFICES.

Probably the first post-offices were established in the township between 1810 and 1820. The first mail route was by way of Chester and passed over the mountain at Pleasant Grove. At this time or a little later there were offices at Springtown, Pleasant Grove, German Valley and Middle Valley. The one at Middle Valley is prob- ably the oldest, and was first kept by David Miller. The one at Springtown was the post-office for the hotels at the "Springs," and has been changed several times back and forth between one place and the other. William Dellicker was the first to have charge of this office. Charles Watson was the first postmaster at Pleasant Grove, and he was succeeded by Jonathan Wilson. Wil- son's clerk was in the habit of opening the letters con- taining money which passed through the mail, and for some time did so with impunity; but at last he was sus- pected, and, having taken and used some marked money which had been enclosed in a letter, was arrested, con-

victed, and sentenced to State prison, where he served

In Beemish's Traveler's Directory for the United States for 1820 we find none of the localities in this

the date fixed for the establishment of offices at the places above named is a trifle too early. There were at that time but 4,030 offices in the United States, which was regarded as a marvelous increase over the commencement of the century, when the total number was but 903. The rates of postage were as follows: For any distance not ex- ceeding 36 miles, 6 cents; 80, 10 cents; 150, 1212 cents; 400, 1834 cents; exceeding 400, 25cents. Double letters (or those composed of two piecesof paper) were charged at double those rates, triple letters at triple rates, quadruple letters quadruple rates if they weighed one ounce, otherwise triple rates. Newspapers were carried not over 100 miles for I cent; over 100 miles, 11/2 cents; but to any place within the State I cent whatever the distance. One of the old mail carriers is still remem- bered. His route was from Trenton through Somerset, Hunterdon and Morris counties, and then back again to Trenton, of which he made a six days' journey. He car- ried a horn with which he was accustomed to signal his arrival. He used to make one of his stopping places at Dr. Jacob Karn's, about half a mile below Middle Valley, where he stayed over night.

There are at present seven post-offices in the town- ship.

SCHOOLEY'S MOUNTAIN HOTELS.

The period between 1800 and 1820 seems to have been one of marked activity throughout the northern portions of the county. It was during this epoch that many of the principal highways were constructed, at once an evidence of growing enterprise and a fruitful source of improvement. The turnpike running over Schooley's Mountain and connecting Morristown with Easton was chartered in 1806, and is said to have been completed about the year 1810.

One result of the opening of this turnpike was to bring the mineral springs situated on the mountain with- in reach of travelers. Conover Bowne was the first to keep a hotel at this place; he began business about 1810. His place was close by the mineral spring, and the first attempt does not seem to have been very successful. His house was not large and could accommodate but few boarders. An agreement to sell a tract of land (being the same on which now stand the Heath House, Belmont Hall, and the residences of H. W. Hunt and W. W. Marsh), by Joseph Colver to Joseph Heath, dated 1799, still exists, in the possession of W. W. Marsh. Mr. Heath came from Hunterdon county, and saw at once the importance which the springs might be made to as- sume as a place of resort under proper management. Between 1810 and 1815 he erected a number of build- ings, but not of a first-rate order, on the ground where the Heath House is at present situated. His establish- ment was able to accommodate comfortably between

380

HISTORY OF MORRIS COUNTY.

thirty and forty boarders. In 1816 he secured the ser- vices of Ephraim Marsh as manager, and gradually made additions to the buildings and improved the property in various ways until about 1820, when he sold them to Mr. Marsh, who had become his son-in-law. From 1820 un- til r850 continual improvements and additions were made by Mr. Marsh to the Heath House, until it reached its present capacity of about three hundred guests. The present proprietor is J. Warren Coleman.

Analyses of the mineral spring had been made between 18ro and 1815, by Drs. Jackson and McNevin, of the University of New York, who declared it to be the purest and best chalybeate water known at that time in the country; and this fact, together with the pure moun- tain air and the romantic surroundings, first brought it favorably into notice. Dr. Green, professor of chemistry in Lafayette College, who has recently analyzed the wa- ter of the spring, declares that he finds but very little. change in its composition since the earliest analyses were made, nor has it varied in quantity in all that time. The waters have been known to effect wonderful cures.in re- storing physical vigor, and especially in cases of calculus concretions and derangement of the urinary functions or organs. The spring itself is now the property of William Wallace Marsh.

The mountain largely owes its fame and success as a summer resort to the enterprise and business energy of Judge Marsh. That gentleman (whose portrait appears herewith), was born at Mendham, in 1796, and came to Schooley's Mountain in 1816. For nearly half a century he was one of the prominent and most respected citizens of the county. He was long active in politics, and at different times represented the county in both branches of the Legislature, being for some time the president of the Senate. He held the office of judge of the court of com- mon pleas for many years; was a member of the conven- tion that revised our State constitution in 1844; was a prominent candidate for the governorship at the time of the nomination of Mr. Olden, and was president of the national convention in Philadelphia in 1856 that nomi- nated Millard Fillmore for President-but which nomi- nation he was constrained to renounce subsequently, and gave his reasons for so doing in an able letter published in the early part of the campaign.

Judge Marsh, however, was better and more widely known from his long connection with and eminent suc- cess in the management of the Morris Canal Company. The canal, costing millions of dollars, and designed as one of the great avenues for the transportation of pro- duce and merchandise, but chiefly of anthracite coal from Pennsylvania to New York city, had become worth- less as a public work, when Judge Marsh became presi- dent of the company. For the last sixteen years of his life he devoted all his energy and resources to this insti- tution, and he lived long enough to see it become under his management not only a great business success but one of the most profitable investinents of capital to be found anywhere.

while on a visit to his only surviving son, William Wal- lace Marsh, on Schooley's Mountain.

The first buildings of Belmont Hall were erected about 1820 by Conover Bowne, who had given up his house by the spring, and it was controlled by him for some years, after which it came into the possession of William Gibbons, of Madison, who had also became the owner of the mineral spring. Mr. Gibbons did much toward enlarging and improving the property, and re- mained in possession of it until his death. It then passed into the ownership of his daughter, Mrs. Frank Lathrop, and then into that of Edward Holland, and finally into the hands of David A. Crowell, who is the present owner as well as manager. Mr. Crowell has been connected with the hotels on the mountain for about thirty years, during the last twenty of which he has been the proprie- tor of the Belmont, which has prospered greatly under his charge.

As a summer resort Schooley's Mountain is one of the oldest in the country. The old hotel registers show a goodly list of distinguished visitors. From Pennsylvania came such men as John Sargent, once a candidate for the vice-presidency; Vice-President George M. Dallas, ex-Governor Edward Coles, Dr. George B. Wood, Rich- ard Vaux, General Cadwallader and others. Among those from New Jersey were Garret D. Wall, Peter D. Vroom, Philemon Dickerson, William L. Dayton, Gov- ernor Pennington, Samuel L. Southard, Hon. Theodore Frelinghuysen and Hon. Frederick T. Frelinghuysen. Among those from New York were Jacob Le Roy, C. V. S. Roosevelt, ex-Governor E. D. Morgan, Rev. Dr. Spen- cer H. Cone, Rev. Dr. George B. Cheever, Dr. McIlroy and others. Many distinguished men from other sec- tions of the country were frequent guests, and although the place has a larger number of visitors at the present time it probably occupied a much more prominent posi- tion as a fashionable resort forty years ago than now. Many of the guests, not to be enticed by the glare and attractions of Long Branch, Saratoga or Newport, have returned here year after year without intermission for periods of twenty or thirty years, and in a few instances for thirty-five and forty years. David Sargent, of Phil- adelphia, was an annual visitor for forty years, and Prof: Ruggles, of Washington, D. C., for thirty-nine year's. .

PHYSICIANS AND LAWYERS.

There seems to have been no resident physician in the township before 1800. Dr. Samuel Hedges, ancestor of the present Dr. Hedges of Chester, practiced in the val- ley and Fox Hill district, and Drs. Cook and Stewart, of Hackettstown, attended to the wants of the people on Schooley's Mountain. Dr. Eliphalet Kopp or Copp is the earliest resident physician of whom there appears to be any remembrance. He lived here perhaps as long ago as 1800, and came from New England. Dr. Ebenezer K. Sherwood settled at Middle Valley about 1813 or 1814, and removed from there to Hacklebarney about 1845. It was previous to 1820 that Dr. Samuel Willet

He died in the summer of 1864, in his 68th year, commenced to practice at German Valley, which he con-

Chheim Marsh

RES OF WM W. MARSH, SCHOOLEYS MOUNTAIN, N J

381

SCHOOLS OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

tinued to do until succeeded by his son Dr. Eliphalet C. Willet, who practices there at the present time, and is much respected and esteemed both as a physician and citizen. About twelve years ago Dr. Farrow settled at Middle Valley, and he has established a good practice. Dr. Martin has practiced for several years at the "Springs."

Ira C. Whitehead once practiced law in the township, but with that exception Holloway W. Hunt is the only lawyer who has ever made his home in Washington. Mr. Hunt resides at the "Springs," and is already known as a rising man in the profession. He has engaged actively in politics, and represented his district in the Legislature during the years 1878 and 1879. His grandfather, Rev. H. W. Hunt, was the youngest of sixteen children, and was born in Westchester county, N. Y., in 1769. He was pastor of the churches of Newton and Sparta, and afterward for forty years of the churches of Bethel, Alex- andria and Kingwood in Hunterdon county. Of his four children the Rev. H. W. Hunt jr. removed to Wash- ington township in 1826, where he married Amanda, daughter of Lawrence Hann, in 1827. Two of their chil- dren, Lawrence H. and Holloway W., now reside in the township.

SCHOOLS.

The following information regarding schools is taken chiefly from the "Centennial Collections of Morris County," pages 51 and 52.

In 1798 there were six schools in Washington town- ship. They were situated in what are now known as the districts of Pleasant Grove, Flocktown, Middle Valley, German Valley, Schooley's Mountain and Naughright- ville. The buildings in the first three were of logs; in the last there was a frame school-house. The average daily attendance at these buildings was about 153, di- vided as follows: Flocktown 20, Pleasant Grove 18, Middle Valley 40, German Valley 30, Schooley's Moun- tain 25, Naughrightville 20.

The city or town schoolboy of to-day must regard with horror when he comes to learn of them the uncouth habits and dreadful hours which prevailed among the pu- pils of sixty and seventy years ago. A good housewife eighty-two years of age informed us that she used to have to rise very early and " scratch around sharp to get the young ones off in time for school." . Mr. Birch, who taught in the Valley, was not particularly exacting in this respect, but Master Robert Caul, who came from Chester and was of Dutch descent, used to expect the children on the mountain to be in their places at 7 o'clock in the severest winter weather, and in milder seasons be- gan to teach at half past 6. School was dismissed at 6 o'clock in the evening, and sometimes, when the children had learned their lessons better than usual, at 5 o'clock.

This same Mr. Birch, the savor of whose name still lingers in the memory of an old gentleman of ninety-six years, was of a genial and vivacious disposition. His visits to the tavern were often more frequent and more prolonged than would be considered desirable in a teacher

now-a-days. His pupils, getting an inkling of this foible of his, on one occasion at noon-spell gathered in the school-room and locked the teacher out. On his return they succeeded in maintaining their position, and re- fused to surrender except on condition of being treated. The master forthwith (so runs the tale) returned to a neighboring magazine, procured a bottle and cup, and gave the children a drink all round.

A holiday was procured once in the school at Pleasant Grove by the mischief of the boys. They stopped up the chimney with leaves and other material so successfully that the room was utterly untenable, and a vacation was had until the chimney could be cleaned.

During the first three decades of the present century the old school-houses were replaced by stone structures, which were thought to be more durable and handsome.

The stone building at Flocktown was erected in 1823, that at Pleasant Grove in 1827, at a cost of $150; the one at Middle Valley in 1810, that at German Valley in 1830, that at Schooley's Mountain in 1825, and the one at Naughrightville in 1830.

The average daily attendance of pupils during these three decades was about 220, as follows: at Flocktown 40, at Pleasant Grove 25, at Middle Valley 55, at German Valley 35, at Schooley's Mountain 35, at Naughright- ville 30.

Frame buildings have replaced the stone structures in all these districts with the exception of German Valley, where the school-house is the one erected in 1830. The present frame school-house at Stephensburg was elected in 1835, and the average daily attendance during the first ten years was about 28.

A log school-house was built in the Fairmount district in 1826, and in 1836 the present stone structure, which, as well as the site therefor, was given by Mr. Philhower to the district. The average attendance at the log house was about 18, and the former attendance in the second building about 25.

In the Unionville district a frame building was erected in 1830 and had an average attendance of 20 pupils. This building was succeeded in 1872 by the present one.

The average attendance at these schools for the year 1880 was as follows: Flock 22, Naughright 36, German Valley 78, Schooley's Mountain 43, Stephensburg 27, Pleasant Grove 21, Middle Valley 18, Philhower 19, Unionville 24. In 1840 there were (according to the Historical Collections of New Jersey) 15 schools and 753 pupils. In 1880 there were 9 schools (public), 724 chil- dren between 5 and 18 years of age, 587 pupils enrolled on the school register, and 11 teachers, of whom three were males and eight females. The total amount of in- come for the year was $3,137.59, of which all except $149.55 was used to support the schools. The male teachers received an average monthly salary of $31.72 and the female of $30.67. The schools were kept open for an average period of 9.6 months.

Among the early teachers were Robert Caul or Call George Phillip, - Hurd, Jacob Alpaugh, Caspar Wack, Miss Brackett, and Mr. Birch already mentioned. Several

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HISTORY OF MORRIS COUNTY.

private schools have existed in the township. Those of Rev. Mr. Taylor and Mr. Hunt are noted elsewhere. Rev. Luke I: Stoutenburg conducted one at Schooley's Mountain for several years. Mr: Stoutenburg is a gentle- man of much culture and refinement, and has exercised a large degree of influence for good in the community where he has dwelt.

THE STOUTENBURG FAMILY

originally came from the Hague, in Holland, and Jaco- bus Stouttenburg, its first representative in this country, settled at. Hyde Park, Dutchess county, N. Y., about the year 1712. He married Miss Margaret Teller, in 1717, and to them were born eight children-Tobias, Peter, John, Jacobus, Luke, Anna, William, and Margaret. Luke, the grandfather of Rev. Mr. Stoutenburg, married Miss Rachel Teller, and to them were born also eight children. Of these James L. married Sarah Morris, of Clinton, Dutchess county, N. Y., and they were the pa- rents of Rev. Luke I. Stoutenburg, who was born in Clin- ton. The first two generations of Stoutenburgs. were large land owners in Dutchess county, and the family has always occupied a prominent place in that locality.

Rev. L. I. Stoutenburg was engaged, after the death of his father and when only fourteen years of age, as a clerk in a dry goods house in New York city, and after remaining there for two years commenced a course of study for the ministry, which he completed after eight years of industrious effort, and was licensed by the New York Congregational Association in 1841. On the even- ing after receiving his license he commenced preaching to the Congregational church at Chester, Morris county, where he continued his labors for nearly twenty-seven years .. After his settlement there his congregation soon became large, revivals of religion among his people were numerous, and large numbers were converted. Under his ministry the old meeting-house was first repaired, and afterward replaced by the present handsome structure. His preaching was mainly directed against the existing evils of the community and the nation, especially against intemperance and slavery. He was for eleven years the superintendent of the public schools of Chester town- ship, and was the projector and one of the main founders. .of the famous Chester Institute, of which he was pro- .prietor and principal for three years after William .Rankin (the learned, cultured, generous and noble- hearted old gentleman who was the pioneer schoolmaster of northern New Jersey) left it to establish himself in Mendham in 1864. On account of ill health Mr. Stout- :enburg was obliged to give up both church and school, and he removed to Schooley's Mountain Springs for the improvement of his health. There he purchased the' Forest Grove House and established the Schooley's Mountain Seminary, which under his charge became one of the most successful and flourishing schools in the State. A large number of individuals, both ladies and gentlemen, who, have been educated under his charge remember Mr, Stoutenburg with honor and esteem, both as a friend and preceptor; and although not now engaged

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