History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 112

Author: Snell, James P; Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1140

USA > New Jersey > Sussex County > History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers > Part 112
USA > New Jersey > Warren County > History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers > Part 112

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" The are at Tar Hill mine is chietly an admixture of magnetite and iron pyrites, the latter constituting by far the greater part. At Longror's mine, half n mile farther in a northeast direction, along the summit of the ridge, specimens included pyrrhotine mixed with pyrites, crystallized green epidote with red garnet, pyrites, etc., dark green feldspar, horn- blonde of the cuccolito variety, and a greenish black hornblende in dis- tinct pri-ms 3 inches long. There was magnetic iron ore possessing per- fect crystalline cleavages, nud polarle with much pyrites. The analysis at the Ainlover mine gave from 40,75 per cent. to 64,65 per cent. of ine- tallic iron. At the Tar Hill mine the yield of magnetic iron ore !was 73.6 per cent.

" North of Andover, and nbont half of a mile sonthenst of the All- dover mine, is a detached hill of limestone highly crystallized. The brook crossing the road nt the saw-mill bounds it on the north, the road separates it on the east from the gneiss, while on the south another streum flows at its base. Meadows bound It on the west. The stone here is generally white or crystalline. Some specimens have a pinkish or ginyish hue. The quarries ure worked by the Muscourtcong Tron- Works. The stone has been used for burning lime. Analyses of the soveinl varieties indicate it as approaching culcite in purity. Only traces of magnesia are found in it.

" Limestone is found near Decker's Pond, southwest of Andover. It ranges parallel to the road from the mine northeast to a point due east of the pond, its extent being 350 yards, while it is about 70 yards brond."

tX .- ANDOVER'S AGED PEOPLE.

In June, 1880, there were in Andover twenty-nine persons of ages between sixty and sixty-five. The names of those aged sixty-five and over are here given : Julın Ackerman, 66; Jane Ackermann, 7; Ellen Allen, GT; I'mrisa Beatty, 70; Temperance Clouse, 72; George Currant, 6%; Mary l'ar- rant, 66; Elizaluth Crisman, 69; Eliza M. Cole, 00; John Carnell, 6; Joseph Couts, 66; Charles Dunn, 67; Anna Decker, 71; Mul- garet Earls, 65; Daniel Farrell, Bis, Mary Farrell, 66; Elizabeth Fickla, G6 : John Griffith, 00; Heury Hart, 75; Levi Howell. 72; Jnne Howell, 72; John Hardin, 78; Jane Hardin, 72; Elizabeth Hurt, >7; John Hann, 73; James B. Hovenden, 69; Jane Hoveudon, 74; Wil- linm M. Hin, 70; June IHN, 69; Charles Johnson, 65; Nancy John- bon, 68; Henry Lawrence, 65; Thomas Martin, 75; Minerva Matin, 71; Jonathan Maines, 6%; William Mc Kinney, 69; John Onsted, 72; Mary Ousted, >8; Mary Porter. 71: Garret Hosenkruns, 66; Stang Valentine, Ai: Hobert Slater, 69 ; Elizabeth Slater, 67; Jane Struble. 67: Elay Shuler, 77; Austin Trowbridge, G" ; Hannah Trowbridge, 67 : Robert Slockbower, 71; Abram Stickles, 73; Mary Stickles, TS; William Sargeant, 05 ; Phebe Sargennt. 63; Simeon Struble, 77; Anun Stiff, 73; Jano Townsend, 70; Amanda Townsend, 71 ; Julia Vought, 70; Samuel Wilgus, 65; Elizabeth Washer, >9; Junies Young, 08: Silas Youings, 79.

* See history of Railroads, in unother chapter.

448

SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

WILLIAM M. ILIFF.

Richard Iliff came from England prior to the Revo- lutionary war and settled near Kingwood, in Hunter- don Co., N. J. His wife was of Welsh parentage. His son, John Iliff, was grandfather of our subject, married Miss Williams and settled in Tinicum, Bucks Co., Pa., very soon after the war. He was a farmer, and his real estate of four hundred acres was divided equally between his five sons at his death, which oc- curred about 1800.

His children were Benjamin, who became one of the earliest Methodist preachers, and died at German- town, in Hunterdon Co., N. J .; John and Samuel, sold the property left them by their father in 1812 and settled in Ohio, near Zanesville ; James; Joseph, a Methodist preacher of the Philadelphia Conference, died in Maryland; Mercy, became the wife of John Purcell; Lydia, became the wife of Abel White; Margaret, became the wife of Thomas Upjohn ; and a fourth daughter, Sarah, became the wife of Solomon Houseword.

Of their children, James, father of our subject, was born in Tinicum, Pa., Feb. 22, 1786, and married, Feb. 14, 1807, Elizabeth Moore, who was born Nov. 4, 1786, and died March 3, 1858. He died on his homestead, near Newton, N. J., Dec. 10, 1840. James Iliff resided on the property left him by his father after his marriage until April 4, 1814, when he removed to Newton township, now Andover, and set- tled on two hundred acres which he had previously purchased, known as a part of the old Andover tract. Here he found a log house and a wilderness traet of land, and upon this farm he spent the remainder of his life. He erected a substantial stone house, now upon the place, and cleared off most of the original forest and brought the land into a high- state of cul- tivation.

He was one of the organizers and founders of the Methodist Church at Newton, and one of the pioneer Methodists in Sussex County. His house was the place for Methodist meetings for many years, and there he had a private class of his own as a branch of the Newton Church.

The early Methodist preachers of years ago when traveling their circuit on horseback found shelter and refreshments at his hospitable home, and it was his pleasure to greet the advocates of Methodism with a hearty good cheer and contribute to all its interests commensurable with his means.

Mr. Iliff was a leading and influential citizen of his township and Sussex County; hield the important offices in his township, and in 1840 was one of the Presidential electors to the convention that placed William Henry Harrison in nomination for the Presi- dency during the log cabin and hard eider times.

His children are Jane (deceased), was the wife of

George B. Case; William M .; Margaret, became the wife of Morgan L. Smith, and in 1833 removed to Indiana; Richard, served his time as a printer with Judge John H. Hall, of Newton, and settled in Indianapolis, where he died; John (deceased), was judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Sussex County for several years prior to his death ; Benjamin, died young; Mary, became the wife of Rev. A. H. Bellis; James, is a farmer in Andover ; and Joseph, emigrated to Kansas.

William M. Iliff was born at Tinicum, Pa., April 19, 1810, and was consequently four years of age when his parents settled in Sussex County. Being the eldest son, and his help being necessary at home, his early education was very limited, but a few years prior to reaching his majority, through the kindness of Dr. Moran, he by private study obtained a fair English education, and for three terms was a teacher. He married, Dec. 8, 1831, Eliza Jane, a daughter of Rev. Jacob Hevener, a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church, who died at Asbury, Warren Co. She was born June 28, 1811. Their children are Elizabeth, wife of H. M. Rhodes, of Newark; Wes- ley, of Michigan ; and Manning F., of New York City.

After his marriage Mr. Iliff settled on a farm near the homestead, upon which he resided for twenty years. He succeeded by purchase, in connection with his brother, Judge John Iliff, to the possession of the homestead, which he now owns. In 1855 he removed to Andover, where he erected himself a dwelling, and for many years he was engaged there in building houses, and he caused to be erected many of the most substantial residences and places of busi- ness at Andover.

During his residence there he erected the store at present occupied by Freeman & Ayres, and carried on a quite extensive trade and freighting business for several years. The village owes much to the enter- prise of Mr. Iliff for its present well-laid-out streets and buildings.

Resolving to retire from the active duties of life, in 1873 he removed to Newark, but his previous active business life, and his lifelong familiarity with the farm, led him in 1874 to return to Andover, where, the same year, he erected his present fine country residence near the village, where he has resided since. Mr. Iliff has always been interested in the local af- fairs of the township and county ; has held the office of freeholder for several terms, and other township offices, and upon the crection of the township of Andover from Newton he took an active and influen- tial part. He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Jackson, and voted for Henry Clay. In 1864 he was elected to the lower branch of the State Legislature, and served as a member from Sussex in 1865, 1866, and 1867.

During his second term in the Legislature lie re- ceived the Democratic nomination for Speaker, but

HG. N. Rmg

WILLIAM KINNEY, son of David and Mary ( Mowry) Kinney, was born in Belvidere, Warren Co., N. J., May 1, 1812. Ilis father, David Kinney, an active business man, bought an oil- mill neur Belvidere, which he was carrying on during the war of 1812. Ile subsequently removed to Augusta, Frankford township, Sussex Co., nud carried on farming, and afterwards residod on the llenry Price farm for twelve years, when he purchased a farm in the township of Sparta, where he lived until his death, in 1854. Hlis nge was about seventy-five years, and his wife died at about the same age. Their children were Jacob, William, Philip, Betsey, Sarah Ann, Fanny, Mary, Ellen, Jemima, and Jane.

William Kinney married, May 9, 1840, Mary, daughter ef Jobn and Diadama (Tingley) Dennis, of Lafayette; she was born May 20, 1819. ller grandfather was Jesso Dennis, who married, for his first wife, a Miss Schooley, and for his second Martha, daughter of George MeCoy, a large landowner in Sus- sox County during his time. The children of John Dennis were Joseph, Jomos, Levi, Nathaniel, John, Ezokiel, Jackson, David, Mary and Elizabeth (twins), and Matilla.

For five years after his marriage Mr. Kinney resided on a farm near Sparta containing three hundred acres, which he paid for during that time. For ten years following he resided near by this farm upon sixty acres of land, a subsequent pur- chase, upon which bo built a residence, when, in 1857, ho settled nt Andover, then consisting of a few houses, where he purchased about one hundred deres of land adjoining tho village. This property he laid out in lots and streets, and a large part of the present villago of Andover is a portion of the property belong- ing to this purchase. During his residence at Andover he purchased about one hundred and forty neres of land, upon which is located a valuable limestone-quarry, which he retained for a few years, and disposed of the quarry to the Museonet- cong Tron-Works Company at a large advance. These interests woro only o part of the transnetions in real estate in which he was engaged. He was naturally of a speculative disposition, and his far-seeing judgment and superior business ability made him n very successful financier and dealer in property. The residenco now occupied by his widow he built in 1875.

For many years Mr. Kinney was officially connected with

township matters. He was an active and earnest supporter of the Democratic party, and wielded a large influence in town- ship and county affairs. Hle was a man of strong convictions, carried forward to a successful issue whatever he undertook, even through great difficulties, and his energy and resolution to embark in an enterprise were always based upon his good judgment and sound common sense. llis children aro Horatio N .; Martin R .; Diadama, wife of Alfred Loder, of Newark ; Jane, wife of Rev. E. Menchem, a Methodist Episcopal clergy- man ; David, deceased ; Sarah Ann, wife of Joseph Longeor, of Sparta; Isabel, deceased; William; Ello, wife of William Garret Hopkins, who resides on the homestead, in Sparta; Lydin, wife of John Hart, of New York : John ; and Lizzie.

Horatio N. Kinney, eldest son of William and Mary Kinney, was born in the township of Lafayette, Dec. 19, 1839, and married, in September, 1860, Anna E., a daughter of Simeon Struble, of Andover. Her father is a descendant of Peter Struble, who emigrated from the province of Alsnee, Germany, in 1748, with his family, and settled at German Valley, N. J., nod about 1752 removed und settled en Smith's Ilill, in the old township of Newton, Sussex Co., and from whom the numerous family of Struble in Northern Jersey are descended. llis chil- dren are Mary D., George, Clark, and Rosa.

Mr. Kinney for one year after his marringo was a farmer in Sparta, and for three years following was engaged with his father in tho limestone quarry at Andover, and in improving that property after its purchase. Subsequently he purchased one hundred and forty acres near Struble's Pond, in Andover township, to which he has added sixty neres moro, making his present valuable farm of two hundred aeres. U'pon this prop- erty he has erected commodious buildings, and everything about his premises bespeaks a thrifty and enterprising farmer. Sinco his first connection with the quarry at Andover, along with his farming, he has been a contractor for the Musconet- cong Iron Company, and has got out large quantities of stone, which are used as a separator of iron ore.

Mr. Kinney is an enterprising and thoroughgoing business man. He has been officially connected with the local affairs of bis township, and has been chosen frechokler and held other minor places.

Fr Rose

ANDREW ROSE, grandfather of George F., was of Scotch deseent, was born near New Germantown, N. J., and died in 1830, aged nbont sixty years; his wife was n Miss Frazee. After his marriage he settled nenr Hackettstown, but subse- quently purchased and settled upon what is commonly known as the "Ogilen traet," of several hundred neres, now mostly owned by the Von Syckles, in Green township, Sussex Co., N. J. lle also hought the land where the Roseville mine is located, but disposed of it to his brother Jacob. lle was one of the pioneers of Methodiam in the section where he resided, and his honse was the welcome and hospitable abode of the traveling Methodist preachers. He was the principal one in fonnding the Tranquillity Methodist Episcopal Church.

At his death his estate was divided among his children, who were as follows: Andrew D., settled in Indiana, where he died about 1880; John, resided in Green township and there died ; Anron ; Mrs. Jacob Cross, resided in Andover ; Mrs. John Van Syckle, resided in Green ; Mrs. Dr. Jacob M. Weltz, resided in Indiana.

Of these children, Aaron wns father of the subject of our sketch, and was born on the homestend in Green township in 1822; the property is now owned and occupied by Samuel Von Syckle. lle married, in 1817, Elizabeth, daughter of George Fisher, who lived and died nenr New Germantown, and who was one of the early loenl Methodist preachers, and the Fox Hill church was built on a part of his farm. She was born March 24, 1794. Tho children of this marringe were Andrew W., of Newton, George F., and Mary, who beenme the wife of Rev. John D. Blain, who entered the ministry in 1842 and had his first charge in Newton. Ile was subsequently a promi- nent toember of the California Methodist Conference, where he did excellent work in laying the foundation of the Church on the Pacific coast.

llis wife was a devoted Christian woman and shared the dithenlties and hardships with her husband, and gave her lifo

ns an enrly sacrifice, April 1, 1857, in the new country. She was born June 28, 1826.

Anron Rose soon after his marriage purchased, with his father, the Kirkpatrick farm, in Frelioghuysen, where he resided the remainder of his life, and where he died in 1829, Ile was n hardworking man and deveted his short life wholly to business pursuits. Ile was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and a devoted Christian man.

After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Rose married Martin Kispaugh, and by him bad one son, Samnel D., who died unmarried. Mr. Kispaugh was a farmer in Andover, and died March 11, 1844, aged sixty-four years. She remained a. widow for fifteen years, and for her third husband married Peter A. Miller, father of Dr. John Miller, of Andover, and re- sided at Andover, where she died, March 2.1, 1879. She was a woman of grent moral and Christian excellence, nud esteemed by all who knew her.

George F., son of Aaron Rose, was born in Green township, Oet. 28, 1822. Early in life he was thrown upon his own re- sources on account of the death of his father, but through the kindness of his guardinn he received a fair English education, and for one term was a tencher. For some fifteen years he was engaged as n clerk in different plnees, and his natural ability in this capacity and strict integrity made his services sought. For a time ho carried on n clothing-store at Trenton, N. J. The latter part of his business life, since 1856, has been spent at Andover in the care of his property and in the transaction of public business. He was one of the first commissioners of appeals after the ercetion of Andover township. He was ap- pointed commissioner of deeds in 1866, and by reappointment has hell the office continuously since. He also acts as loenl surveyor, and for two years served as constable.

In all his business relations Mr. Itose is known as a man of strict integrity and honesty of purpose. In politics he was formerly n Whig, and is now a Republican.

Daniel A Farnell

.149

HAMPTON.

was defeated on account of the Legislature being largely Republican. Mr. Iliff was in early life a member of the Methodist Church, but has been a member of the Presbyterian Church at Andover since its organization in 1857. For twelve years he was a director of the Hackettstown Bank, and for a time he was one of the board of managers of the Newark Savings-Bank. Ilis life has been one of great ac- tivity, and almost wholly devoted to business pur- suits.

DANIEL A. FARRELL.

His father, Robert Farrell, was born in Ireland, and emigrated to America in early life. He first came to Newton, N. J., where he married Jane, a daughter of John Stuart, who was born in Ireland and came to America about the close of the Revolu- tion, and resided at Hackettstown, N. J. She was born Jan. 16, 1790, and died June 27, 1857. Her unele, Daniel Stuart, was the first president of the Sussex Bank at Newton, and officiated as surrogate of the county for several years. Robert Farrell settled in Florida, Orange Co., N. Y., about the time of his marriage, but returned to Newton in the year 1814, where he resided the remainder of his life, working at his trade, that of a mason. He died Dec. 7, 1827.

Their children are Daniel A. ; Margaret S., who hecame the wife of Robert Chapman ; Mary. R., wife of James Howeth ; Sarah R., wife of Henry JJeffers; and Thomas R. Only Daniel and Margaret survive in 1881.

Daniel A. Farrell was born in Florida, N. Y., April 23, 1812, and was two years of age when his parents returned to Newton. During his minority he obtained what education he could, and in early life he was obliged to depend upon his own resources for a livelihood. With willing hands and a resolute heart he started out in life for himself. For many years he worked for different farmers, and by indus-

try and strict economy saved some five hundred dol- lars by the time he reached his twenty-fitth year.

He married, March 2, 1837, Mary A., daughter of John and Sarah ( Predmore) Frazer. She was born Feb. 2, 1814. Her father, John Frazer, born Nov. 13, 1788, in Pike Co., Pa., was a clerk at Augusta, Sussex Co., N. J., for some time, for Thomas Au- gustine, one of it- early merchant-, and was there married. He removed to Newton, where he engaged as a teacher, and also as surveyor. He was for some thirty years crier of the Sussex County Court, and his name was familiar with the leading men who had business at Newton. He was prominently iden- tified with the order of Masons.

His wife, Sarah Predmore, was born Nov. 21, 1786, and died Sept. 17, 1871. They were married March 1, ISDs. Their children were Nelson, Benjamin, Mary Allen, Joseph, Elizabeth, William, and John P.

The children of Daniel A. and Mary A. Farrell are Emma, wife of W. A. Vought, of Dover, N. J., and John, married Ida MI., daughter of W. S. Inger- soll, of Newton, and carries on the homestead with his father.

For one year after his marriage Mr. Farrell rented a farm in Newton, and for one year following he was prospecting in the Western country with a view of settlement. For nine years thereafter he resided in the township of Frankford, where he carried on farming, and in 1848 purchased some two hundred acres of land in the southwest corner of the old town- ship of Newton, which has since been his homestead. Mr. Farrell has brought this land into a high state of cultivation, and caused to be built one of the finest and most substantial barns in the county. All of his surroundings bespeak a representative and thrifty farmer.

In politie- he is a Democrat, but has never sought office. Both he and his wife are members of the Methodist Church at Newton, the latter having united with the 3l .th ul. : Church at the age of sixteen.

HAMPTON*

I .- BOUNDARIES, ETC.

Ilurros. peculiarly shaped, like a wedge, contains 20 square miles, covers an area of about 19,000 acres, and measures 5 miles wide in its broadest part by 9 miles in length. Its boundaries are Frankford on the north ; Stillwater, Newton, and Andover on the south ; Andover and Lafayette on the east ; and Stillwater on the west.

Hampton had, in 1880, a population of $95, against 1023 in 1870.

On the northwest, where the Blue Mountain range touches the farthest extremity of the town, Hampton "corners" with the four town- of Sandyston, Wal- pack, Frankford, and Stillwater. Generally, the face of the country is hilly, but handsomely attractive. The valley of the Paulinskill is a beautiful stretch of landscape set within gracefully-towering elevations,

· lly David Schwartz.

450

SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

from whose heights the eye may feast upon pictorial nature with delightful satisfaction. The Paulinskill is a small but rapid stream that for a century or more has afforded at Baleville fine mill-power, which has been utilized during that space of time almost without interruption.

Hampton is a purely agricultural town, and as a grazing and milk-producing region takes a deservedly high rank.

There are two so-called villages,-Baleville and Washingtonville,-but they are simply hamlets. The only post-office in the town-known as Pleasant Val- | suing twelve years devoted himself to the peaceful ley post-office-is located at the former place.

II .- EARLY SETTLEMENT.

It is not easy to ascertain who effected the first white settlements in the region now called Hampton township, but, according to the best available author- ities, the distinction lay between the Roofs and Hen- dershotts. Which family, if either, took precedence cannot be told, nor can much be said, indeed, about them, for the reason that the settlements took place some years before the Revolution, and for the further reason that there is no satisfactory or definite living or documentary evidence affecting the events. Accord- ing to the testimony of Mrs. Smith (a descendant of the Roofs now living on the old Christopher Roof place), Christopher Roof, who died in 1844, at the age of eighty-four, was born on the farm mentioned, and so we fix the presence of Michael Roof (Christopher's father) in Hampton certainly at 1756, and doubtless may fix it before that; but beyond that the matter would be mere conjecture.

Whatever the time of his coming, Michael Roof made his settlement in Hampton shortly after emi- grating from Germany. He died at an advanced age, leaving two sons, Christopher and Michael. Christo- pher took the old farm, and Michael the one on which now resides Mr. J. R. Stoll, the place being generally designated as the Jacob Roof farm. Christopher, who married a Hendershott, had four children, of whom Michael and Jacob were the sons. Michael, last named, had twelve children, of whom the four living ones are John and Philip, in New York State, Mrs. Joshua Harden, in Green township, and Mrs. Smith, already named. Jacob had a family of ten children. Three are living- to wit, Alfred, in Andover; Cath- crine and Clara, in Hampton. Christopher Roof, son to Michael (the first of the name to come to Hampton), was an enlisted soldier in the Revolutionary war, and fought gallantly through all its seven years.

The first of the Hendershotts was Jacob. The pre- sumption is strong that if he did not come in with old Michael Roof, his coming was not much later or ear- lier than Roof's. Both families made locations on the Paulinskill, and, in 1771, when Moses Morris came to the town, they had made material improvements on their farms.

Moses Morris, just mentioned, was not only one of

Hampton's earliest settlers, but he was a local char- acter of some celebrity, especially as a hunter, as will be seen later on. When a lad of fourteen he came from Morris County to Stillwater township with Michael Ayers, his foster-father, who then, in 1757, settled in Stillwater. At the age of sixteen young Moses shouldered his gun, and went out in the Indian war of 1759. His field of operations was along the Delaware, and, although but a boy, he gave a most excellent account of himself. After the fighting was ended he returned to Sussex County, and for the en-

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History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 112

Author: Snell, James P; Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1140

Author: Snell, James P; Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1140