History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 131

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 131
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 131

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

527

THE PRESS OF WARREN COUNTY.

and re-entered the Journal office. Mr. Clason sold his interest to Mr. Fitch, who conducted the paper for a short time, but, owing to financial embarrass- ments soon after its purchase, was obliged to retrans- for it to Clason. July 18, 1848, Mr. Clason enlarged the paper by the addition of one column to each page and adding about one inch to the length of each col-

On June 13, 1850, Mr. Clason disposed of the Jour- nal to the Hon. Ely Moore, of New York City. Mr. Moore in early life emigrated to New York from Sus- sex County, after serving the usual apprenticeship to the printing business in the office of the Sussex Reg- ister. In New York he had become a successful poli- tician, having filled various offices and been elected to Congress for two terms. He was a vigorous writer and a popular and effective stump-speaker. For a time the Journal flourished under his management, and became a power not only in the politics of the county, but of the entire State. While connected with the Journal he became a candidate for United States senator, in 1851, and lacked only a few votes of an election.

On Aug. 11, 1853, the paper passed into the hands of Lewis C. Reese, who at that time was surrogate of the county. He published it for a short time only, and on Sept. 24, 1853, it passed into the hands of William II. Hemenover. On Feb. 18, 1854, he asso- viated with him Jacob Sharp, who continued one year, when he disposed of his interest to Hampden Moore, a son of its former editor, Hon. Ely Moore. This partnership continued until Feb. 11, 1856, when Mr. Hemenover retired, and Mr. Moore became sole editor and proprietor.

In 1858, Mr. Moore became financially embarrassed, and the journal was purchased by a stock company, with Judge Philip HI. Hann as president and the then county clerk, lehiel T. Kern, secretary and treasurer; and on Sept. 24, 1858, Mr. Moore termi- nated his connection with it editorially.

On Oct. 6, 1858, Charles W. Jay, a man of large experience in the newspaper business, and known throughout the State as one of the most versatile and rendy writers connected with the newspaper press of the State, assumed editorial control for the stock- holders. It was during the excitement occasioned by the " Kansas- Nebraska bill," and Douglas had a strong following among the Democracy of the county. Jay at the time helt a position in the custom-house at Philadelphia under Buchanan's appointec. He at- tempted to stump the county in the interest of Wil- lium Patterson, the administration candidate for Congress, but became so disgusted at the rebutl's he received-notably at Walnut Valley-that he left the county in disgust, about Nov. 1. 1858. The paper was then run by the association until January, 1859, .Jehiel T. Kern and Dr. Redford Sharp doing the editorial work.

John Simerson, a graduate of the Hunterdon County

Democrat office, a young printer, having been induced to take charge of the paper, came to Belvidere on Jan. 1, 1859, and became it- editor and publisher. The subscription-list and advertising and jobbing patron- age of the paper had become very small by the fre- quent changes through which the paper had pre- viously passed. By dint of hard work, in a short time much of its old-time patronage and prestige were re- stored.

In April, 1867, Mr. Adam Bellis, of Flemington, having purchased the stock, became sole proprietor and publisher, Mr. Simerson retaining bis connection with it in the capacity of assistant editor. Mr. Bellis restocked the office with new material, purchased a power-press, and made many other improvements.

The Journal has been since its first establishment the organ of the Democratic party of the county, and under all its various changes of ownership has never deviated from the landmarks set up by its founders and projectors.

OTHER PAPERS.

The Mountain Visitor, published by E. P. Banks and J. I. Browne, at Belvidere, Warren Co., was estab- lished in 1829. This was the first attempt to issue al miscellaneous periodical in the upper part of the State.

The Family Visitor, a literary and miscellaneous weekly paper, was issued first in 1839 by Manning F. Stillwell, a practical printer, who in 1853 established the Hackettstown Gazette. The Visitor was continued about two years, when it was suspended.

The Warren Temperance Journal, a small weekly paper, was published from the Warren Journal oflice by John W. White and Rev. Mr. Reeves-John W. Wyckoff managing editor-in July, 1854, and was suspended in November of the same year.

The first and only daily newspaper published in Belvidere was called The Independent. It was a small four-page paper, and was first issued on July 21, 1880, and suspended publication on November 13th of the same year. It was intended primarily as a campaign paper. The publishers were Messrs. Sharps Mellick and Hamilton Fish, two practical printers.

tI .- PRESS OF HACKETTSTOWN. HACKETTSTOWN GAZETTE.

The Hackettstown Gazette was first issued in 1858, by Manning F. Stillwell, who published it about one year and soll it to Eben Winton. Mr. Winton con- tinued to own and manage the paper till Isel, when he disposed of it to Messrs. Godly & Able, who con- ducted it till 1866, in which year Eli W. Osman became the editor and proprietor, and condneted it with ability for eleven years, or until a short time before his death, which occurred in 1878. During his administration of the Gazette it was a strong aud- vocate of temperance. Since his decease the paper has been conducted by his father, Mr. Ziba Osmun. It was at first independent in politics, but since the

528

WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

war has been Democratic. It has been enlarged somewhat from its original size, and has a good cir- culation.

THE HERALD,

the only other paper published at Hackettstown, was established during the Greeley campaign of 1872. It continues to be Independent or Liberal Republican in its political tone. E. O. Higgins is the proprietor.

III .- PRESS OF PHILLIPSBURG. THE WARREN DEMOCRAT.

Phillipsburg's first newspaper was the Phillipsburg Standard, founded in 1860 by Peter Kelchner and James Smith. Its politics were Republican and its life a short one. Thaddeus G. Price started the War- ren Democrat in 1866. For a brief time in 1869 and 1870 he printed a daily edition called The Daily Mail, butit failed to pay. In 1872, J.W. Wood and C. F. Fitch purchased The Democrat of Price, and in 1876 Wood sold his interest to R. E. Godschalk. In January, 1880, Fitch became sole proprietor, and thus remains. The paper has been Democratic in politics since its foundation.

IV .- PRESS OF BLAIRSTOWN.

Previous to 1877 there had been no newspaper pub- lished in what is termed the northern part of Warren County, while the growing interests of the flourishing village of Blairstown and vicinity seemed to demand a publication of that kind, and Jacob Z. Bunnell, a practical printer, of Newton, Sussex Co., but for- merly of Blairstown (having as a partner George W. Dawkins, who retired from the firm in a few months), embarked in the business and established The Blairs- town Press, to whose columns we are greatly indebted for many favors of a historical character, and Feb. 7, 1877, No. 1, Vol. I., of a twenty-eight-column weekly was issued, whose bright and cheerful appearance and newsy columns gladdened the hearts of its numerous readers. The Press, which is yet published hy its first proprietor, is issued every Wednesday morning, and enjoys a good patronage.

V .- PRESS OF WASHINGTON.

The Star was first issued by E. W. Osmun, as its editor and proprietor, Jan. 2, 1868. Andrew A. Neal became the proprietor Oct. 2, 1869, and changed its day of publication from Thursday to Saturday. It was next published by the "Star Publishing Com- pany," and edited by the Rev. R. B. Yard, from Jan. 1, 1871, to Aug. 12, 1871. At the last-named date Joseph A. Wild & Co. assumed its management. The Star office was purchased by O. B. Sigley & Co. from the attorneys of Joseph A. Wild, June 15, 1874; on or about Aug. 11, 1877, O. B. Sigley became sole proprietor of the establishment. March 1, 1881, the latter sold an interest to R. Vanhorne, Jr., and the firm is now known as Vanhorne & Sigley. Dur- ing the Warren County ring trials a daily morning newspaper was published from the Star office, contain-

ing a report of the court proceedings. In less than two weeks the circulation was run up to sixteen hun- dred copies daily. The Star is a thirty-two-column weekly, of quarto form, issued on Fridays, at two dollars per annum.

The Washington Review was established Sept. 15, 1877, by John W. Nutze. It is published weekly in the Review building, on Washington Avenue; it is a twenty-four-column quarto, and the subscription price is one dollar per annum.

The following are obsolete papers :

The Touchstone first appeared in 1870, published by S. W. Herrick. It was a weekly, twenty-eight by forty inches in size. It was published as late as 1874, but about that time was discontinued.

The Warren County Chronicle was the successor to the Touchstone, in 1874, and the following year was merged with the Hackettstown Herald and Portland Enterprise.

CHAPTER IX.

SOCIETIES.

I .- THE WARREN COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.

THIS association is as old as the county in which it is located. When Warren County was formed, in 1824, many "good and devout" men within its limits who hitherto had been members of the Sussex County Bible Society, contributing in efforts and money to the successful accomplishment of its worthy ohjects, feeling that it was proper they should have a county organization of their own, met, April 13, 1825, at the new Presbyterian church, in Danville, pursuant to previous notice, and instituted the " Warren County Bible Society."

On that occasion the Rev. Jehiel Talmage preached a sermon, after which Daniel Vliet was chosen moder- ator, and William H. Sloau, Esq., secretary. A con- stitution was adopted, and the following persons chosen as the first officers of the society :

William Kennedy, President ; Rev. Wm. B. Sloan, First Vice-President; John M. Sherrerd, Second Vice-President ; John Clark, Third Vice- President ; John Armstrong, Fourth Vice-President ; W. H. Sloan, Re- cording Secretary ; Rev. Joseph Campbell, Corresponding Secretary ; and Wm. C. Morris, Treasurer.

MANAGERS.

Greenwich .- Thomas Stewart, Wm. Kennedy, Jacob Kline. Mansfield .- Rev. J. R. Castner, John M. Sherrord, Henry M. Winter. Oxford .- Rev. L. F. Leak, John Clark, John Kinney, Jr. Knowlton .- Rov. Jehiel Talmage, Wm. C. Morris, Elijah Pierson. Hardwick .- Rev. Benj. Lowe, John Armstrong, Grant Fitch. Puhaquarry .- Abraham Van Campon, Benj. Depne, John Depue. Independence .- Rev. Joseph Campbell, Job Johnston, John Stinson.

An executive committee of seven for each township was also appointed, after which the society adjourned, to meet in the Presbyterian church at Greenwich on the second Tuesday of June following.

At the next meeting no business was transacted ex- cept to further complete the organization of the soci-

529

SOCIETIES.

ety by the change of some of the members of the board of managers and of the township exceutive committees.

The organization being now completed, the board of managers hell their first meeting Nov. 29, 1825, in the Presbyterian church, Mansfiekl, at which it was

" Resolved, Thut the executive committees of the several townships be requested to take effectual measures to ascertain, without delay, what number of BIbles may be necessary to supply each township where they reside, and to report to the misungers at their next meeting."

At a meeting of the managers, April 19, 1826, reso- lutions were adopted directing the treasurer to dis- tribute the Bibles on hand and appropriating forty dollars to the purchase of more copies of the sacred Scriptures.

The next annual meeting was held at Marksboro', in June, 1826, at which a communication was received from John Moore, the Worshipful Master of Corin- thian Lodge, No. 51, F. and A. M., inclosing five dollars and a resolution of the lodge that the same be presented to the society. This free-will offering was areepted, and thanks returned therefor. At this meet- ing the society voted to become auxiliary to the American Bible Society.

In 1827 the Nassan Hall Bible Society tendered agents to explore each township of this county and ascertain the number of families destitute of Bibles. They made the canvass, and reported four hundred and fifty families as destitute. In the fall of this year five hundred Bibles were purchased and distributed to the chairmen of the executive committees of each town- ship. The managers met on New Year's Day, 1828, at Harmony, when they ordered the purchase and distribution of two hundred and fifty more Bibles. At a meeting of the board hell at Danville, Dec. 25, 1828, they were visited for the first time by Rev. Mr. Fairchild, agent of the American Bible Society.

According to previous invitation, the Sussex County Bible Society met with this society at the Yellow Frame meeting-house, Feb. 3, 1829, and spent the day in converse and prayer for the promotion of the objeet they mutually had in view. A few months after this memorable meeting the managers ( at Green- wich, Aug. 11, 1829) adopted the following resolution :

" Resolved, That the Warren County Bilde Society, relying on Divine Providence to succeed in their endeavor, will raise $1000 in one year to and the parent society in carrying into effect their resolutions to supply every destitute family in the U'nited States with the Table."

Considering that the county had a population of only about eighteen thousand, and possessed not one- tenth of its present wealth, this was one of the most important arts which the society ever attempted to perform. At a meeting held at Oxford, July 20, 1830, less than one month from the completion of the year, .it was found that a " musterly inactivity" had possessed some of the township committees, and that three hun- dred and twenty-four dollars and twenty-five cents was required to be raised to redeem their pledge. Whereupon the Revs. J. R. Castner, Joseph Camp-

bell, and I. N. Candie, and lay members John M. Sherrerd, George C'reveling, William P. Robeson, Lefferd Haughawout, MI. O. Balsted, William C. Morris, Robert C. Stephens, Abram Bidleman, George Weir, and Job Johnston, Esqs., volunteered to aid the township committees to raise the required sum. This was nobly done. At the meeting of the society held agreeable to adjournment, at Harmony, Ang. 7, 1830, four days before the expiration of the year, the sum of the collections was reported by the treasurer as one thousand and thirty-eight dollars and eighty- one cents. The whole amount was donated to the American Bible Society.

In 1831 and 1832 the society supplied the destitute at the county almshouse with Bibles, and the Sabbath- schools of the county with the New Testament, be- sides contributing to the parent society and to the New Jersey Bible Society to aid in sending the "Word of Life" throughout the I'nited States and to the natives of the Sandwich Islands. In 1836 the county was again canvassed, S. B. Ayres, the agent, reporting two hundred and thirty-four destitute fami- lies : the same year two hundred Bibles were pur- chased and distributed.

At Greenwich, May 1, 1838, it was first proposed to establish a depository of Bible- at the county-seat, and August 7th of the same year two hundred dollars were appropriated for that purpose. The first contri- bution from any religious body was in 1841, being fifty dollars from the Presbyterian Church of Belvi- dere.

From 1825 to 1843 the business of this society was conducted by the clergy and laymen of the Presby- terian Church. The other denominations had their own Bible societies, and consequently did not affiliate with the county society. After the burning of the Book Concern of the Methodist Episcopal Church that denomination united with the American Bible Society in this branch of missionary effort. After a suspension of nearly eight years the Warren County Bible Society was reorganized, Jan. 15, 1851, by Rev. George Sheldon, the State agent of the parent society. From this time the Presbyterian and Methodist, and more recently the Lutheran, Churches have heartily and harmoniously engaged in this work.

The reorganization was effected by the election of Wm. 1. Robeson president ; Daniel Hulshiser, Mar- shall Hunt, Archibald Robertson, vice-presidents; Rev. Henry Reeves secretary; and Dr. Roderick Byington treasurer. The excentive committee was composed of Dr. J. M. Pant, Rev. 11. M. Brown, John M. Sherrerd, J. G. Shipman, Rev. James Mc Williams, and A. N. Easton. During this year the county was recanvassed by Rev. Cornelius Clark, and the two hundred and forty-four families found destitute of Bibles, supplied, as well as the boats on the Morris Canal. In 1856, Mr. (later the Rev. ) Theodore Bying- ton was engaged to canvass the county, and in 1862- 63 John Agin made a very thorough exploration,

530

WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

visiting five thonsand one hundred and fourteen fam- ilies, supplying four hundred and forty-eight destitute families, and donating and selling Bibles and Testa- ments to the number of seven hundred and forty- seven. In 1862 a new constitution was adopted.

This society contributed three hundred and sixty- three dollars and twelve cents as its quota of the in- debtedness of the American Bible Society, incurred in supplying the New Jersey soldiers in the late civil war with Testaments and Bibles.

In 1871 the county was again canvassed by the so- ciety's agent, John Travis, five thousand two hundred and forty-nine families were visited, and seven hundred and ninety-six Bibles distributed, of which four hun- dred and seventy-six volumes were donated and three hundred and twenty sold. At the anniversary meet- ing held August 3d, this year, at the Methodist Episco- pal church, Belvidere, a tribute of respect was paid to the memory of John M. Sherrerd, Esq., late presi- dent, and recently deceased ; he was one of the origi- nal founders of the society, and the latest survivor of that honored company.

The meetings have been regularly held since the reorganization in 1851. In 1867 there were deposi- tories at Belvidere, Hackettstown, and Washington ; in 1868 one was established at Phillipsburg. These are still continned.

The semi-centennial anniversary meeting of the society was held at the Presbyterian church at Wash- ington, Aug. 5, 1875. The annual sermon was preached by Rev. John J. Morrow, of Belvidere, from the text (Lev. xxv. 12), " It is the jubilee : let it be holy uuto you." The secretary, P. F. Brakeley, read a historical review of the society's operations during the half-century of its existence. The Rev. C. E. Little addressed the society, giving a brief sketch of the English Bible; the president and the Rev. Dr. Sheldon, Revs. Sawyer and Stoutenberg, from the Morris County Bible Society, and Revs. Barrett and Hart, from the Sussex County Bible Society, also delivered brief addresses on this occa- sion.

In 1879, at the annual session held at Asbury Methodist Episcopal church, August 14th, the Society resolved upon "the resupply of the county at once, on what is called the voluntary plan ;" but for some cause this measure was not at once carried into effect. It is stated, however, to be the intention of the so- ciety to make the canvass the present year.

The officers of this society, from its organization to the present time, have been as follows :

Presidents .- 1825-27, William Kennedy ; 1828, Abram Bidleman; 1829- 33, John Clark ; 1834-58, William P. Robeson, Esq .; 1859-62, Dr. J. Marshall Paul ; 1863-65, John M. Sherrerd, Esq. ; 1866, Hon. John White; 1867, Ilon. Philip II. Hann; 1868, Selden T. Scranton ; 1869, Daniel Hul- Bhizer; 1870, J. G. Shipman, Esq .; 1871, Joseph Vliet : 1872, Dr. John C. Johnson; 1873, Dr. J. M. Paul; 1874-76, Hon. Robert S. Kennedy ; 1877, John S. Labar; 1878, Charles E. Vull ; 1879-81, Hon. Philip HI. Ilann.

Recording Secretaries .- 1825, William II. Sloan, Esq .; 1827, Rev. Joseph

Campbell; 1828-32, Chapman Warner; 1833-34, James lliles; 1835-36, Wm. C. Morris ; 1837-43,* George R. King ; 1851-58, Rev. Henry Reeves ; 1859, Rev. A. M. Palmer; 1860, George B. Day; 1861-81, Dr. P. F. Brakeley.

Treasurers .- 1825-26, Wm. C. Morris; 1827-31, Nathan Stiger; 1832, John Kinney, Jr .; 1833-35, Nathan Stiger ; 1836-38, John M. Sherrerd ; 1839-43,* Wm. R. Warne; 1851-69, Dr. Roderick Byington; 1870-81, Wm. H. Morrow, Esq.

II .- THE WARREN COUNTY FARMERS', MECHAN- ICS', AND MANUFACTURERS' ASSOCIATION.

According to public notice, a number of citizens of Warren County met at the town-hall, Belvidere, on the 17th of March, 1859. James M. Ribble was made chairman, and Daniel Swayze secretary. This is the first recorded date of any measures being taken for organizing an agricultural society for Warren County. After a free and general expression of opinion, it was resolved by this meeting

"That the mutual interests of all classes of our citizens and the dif- fusion of practical scientific knowledge require the formation of a society for the promotion of the agricultural and the mechanic arts."

A committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws, and to solicit information with regard to the location, cost of proper grounds, etc. A com- mittee was also appointed to solicit stock subscrip- tions throughout each township in the county. The meeting reassembled at the court-house on the 7th of May, 1859, and was organized by appointing Judge William R. Sharp chairman, and E. L. Campbell sec- retary. The draft of a constitution and by-laws was submitted, and adopted by the meeting. The follow- ing officers were then elected viva voce,-viz., Presi- dent, James M. Ribble; Vice-Presidents, Abraham McMurtrie, A. O. Bartow, and Jacob Sharp; Corres- ponding Secretary, Edward L. Campbell; Recording Secretary, Philip H. Hann; Treasurer, Israel Harris; and the following Board of Managers: Samuel L. Shimer, Elijah Allen, John II. Blair, Isaac Brands, James K. Swayze, Simon Wyckoff, Abel Young, George H. Shoemaker, Philip Mowery, George W. Williamson, William Hamlin, Dewitt Ramsay, Jon- athan Pidcock, William F. Wise, David Shields, Theodore P. Cornell, Nelson Smith, Stephen D. Wyckoff, William R. Sharp, William P. Robeson, Peter Fisher, Dr. Samuel S. Clark, Alfred Thomas, William Silverthorn, William R. Brokaw, Hon. Isaac Wildrick, Judge David B. Hazen, William McMiller.

Suitable grounds were leased of Abraham Mc- Murtrie, situate about one mile south of Belvidere, and a track was graded and buildings erected during the season. The first fair was held on Oct. 11, 12, 13, and 14, 1859. It was largely attended, and the display of stock, farm products, machinery, etc., was very creditable to the county. Philip H. Hann, the recording secretary, tendered his resignation on Aug. 12, 1859, and was succeeded by Jacob Sharp.

The second annual fair was held Sept. 11, 12, 13, and 14, 1860. The receipts were not so great, but the attendance was nearly as large, as at the first one, and

* Tho society was inoperative and held no meetings from 1811 to 1851.

531

SOCIETIES.

the exhibition was generally satisfactory to the people interested.

At a meeting of the directors on Jan. 12, 1861, James K. Swayze, Esq., was appointed president of the association, and Israel Harris treasurer, and Je- hiel T. Kern secretary. Mr. Swayze continued to serve as president for ten years, and Mr. Harris as treasurer and Jehiel T. Kern as secretary until this date (March, 1881).

The association has held its annual fairs regularly every year down to October, 1880, with frequent changes of directors, but never had any other presi- dents than the following: James K. Swayze, ten years ; James M. Ribble, two years ; John V. Deshong, Isaac Brands, John Anderson, and George Lommas- son for the balance of the time,-Mr. Deshong hold- ing the position at present.

The association has a deed for about eighteen or nineteen acres of land, beautifully located for a fair- grounds, and a good track for speeding horses, etc. It has had to struggle against ditlieulties the past five years, ou account, principally, of the dullness of the times, and has also been unfortunate in having much rainy weather during fair weeks, which together have crippled its resources. Its influence on the farming and stock-growing community has, on the whole, been healthy and beneficial, in spite of di-appointments and jealousies among the exhibitors.

It obtained an act of incorporation from the Legis- lature of our State during the session of 1860, author- izing the association to purchase and hold real estate not to exceed in value ten thousand dollars, and to mortgage and sell the same, to employ its own police force, and is exempt from taxation. The original share of stock was twenty-five dollars, which has been paid. There were about two hundred stockholders at first, but some of them have failed to pay, and their stock has been declared forfeited.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 131

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