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 137
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 137
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EARLY INCIDENTS.
Reminiscences of life in early Phillipsburg pre- served through unpublished manuscripts left by the late Maj. Sitgreaves show how
"Every man was armed with a gun and every woman with a spinning- wheel. The outer clothing of the men was stripped from the bodies of deer and bears. Their food was Indian corn, beans, flesh of beasts from the forests, and fish from the river. The women dressed in linsey-wool- Hey, wore their own hair, and ate with their own teeth, and their feet were shod with moccasins made by their own hands. The early settlers all owned and carried guns for self-protection und to supply themselves with game. There were no roads of uny account except George (now Main) Street. Mere Indian months through the forestssupplied the people with means of travel. The sports and amusements of that day consisted of hunting, fishing, wrestling, and racing. On South Main Street, run- ning through the farm of Michael Rosoberry, wus the course for the favorito sernb races so hugely enjoyed by our forefathers. They an-
nounced the advent of each year with sulutes of guns fired in front of their houses. This fashion continued until 1812. Shooting-matches were also a favorite amusement with the hardy settlers of the early days. Nearly all the houses were mere log cabins, and for luxuries the fathers of the town indolged in sugar from the maple and gathered strawberries and other small fruits."
Mrs. Elizabeth Walker died in Phillipsburg in Au- gust, 1880, at the unusually advanced age of one hnn- dred and six years. She was born at Blackwater, County Kildare, Ireland, in 1774. Her first serious sickness was on the Friday preceding her death.
EARLY PHYSICIANS.
David Brainerd, the apostle to the Indians, was not by any means a regularly-graduated physician, but the times in which he lived called for the exercise of genius in various directions, and so it happened that in the course of his wanderings he learned something about physic. To be prepared for emergencies he carried a medicine-chest, and probably doctored the Indians thereabout occasionally when an urgent case presented itself. The first resident physician at Phil- lipsburg of whom anything definite can be asserted appears to have been Dr. John Cooper, who in 1791 came hither from Long Hills, in Morris Co., N. J., and made his home at the house of Capt. Henry Bi- dleman, in the locality now known as Green's Bridge. After a four years' residence and practice there he moved to Easton, where he practiced over fifty years. When Dr. Cooper left, the place looked to Easton for medical attention, and for nearly fifty years could offer no inducements sufficiently strong to secure a resident practitioner, although medical services were meanwhile dispensed occasionally by Jacob Reesc and his son Hiram, while a transient doctor would now and then stop a week or more. In 1843, Dr. Henry Southard established himself here and stayed two years, when he removed to Reaville, in Hunter- don County. After his departure there was a lapse until 1850, when Dr. T. Stewart came in, but a short stay satisfied him. He is now a resident of Scran- ton, Pa .*
PHILLIPSBURG'S LAWYERS.
Henry D. Maxwell was doubtless the first lawyer to establish a resident practice in Phillipsburg. His home was in Easton, although his office was in Phil- lipsburg. In 1850 he was sent by President Taylor as consul to Trieste, in Austria. In 1856 he was ap- pointed by Governor Pollock president judge of the Third Judicial District of Pennsylvania. Maj. Charles Sitgreaves, prominent as a politician and Congress- man, was a practicing lawyer of Phillipsburg, although but little of his time was spared to the pursuit of his profession, since other duties were more pressing. J. F. Dumont, for five years prosecuting attorney at Flemington, removed to Phillipsburg in 1856, antici- pating that the place would be the county-seat of the
* For a list of the physicians of Phillipsburg down to the present time see page 501; also chapter on the Medical Profession in the general his- tory of Warren County, for biographical notices of most of those named.
553
TOWN OF PHILLIPSBURG.
new county of Musconetcong. He was disappointed in that, but he remained, and since 1856 has been continuously in practice in the town. Phillipsburg's lawyers are now John F. Dumont, Bartlett C. Frost, William M. Davis, Charles Fitch, Sylvester C. Smith, Silas W. Dewitt, David Mixsell, John Sheppard, and Jacob S. Stewart.
III .- CIVIL ORGANIZATION. TOWN INCORPORATION.
By act of Legislature approved March 8, 1861, Phillipsburg was incorporated as a town. Section 1 of the act declares:
" That all that part of the township of Phillipsburg contained within the following limits-viz, beginning at a point In the middle of the river Delaware southwest of a birch-free standing at the month of lar- patcong Creek, on the lands of Burrows Riley, opposite said Biley's saw mill: running thence in a northerly course over lands of said Riley to the New Jersey turnpike ; and thence still in the same course on lands of Jacob Alde to a stake in a bunch of cedars on lands of sald Able on the brow of the hill; thence in a westerly direction over lands of suld Aldo und others to an apple-tree situate on lands of Jobn P. Anderson ; and thence still in the same course over Inils of said Anderson, Charles Davis, und Joseph Roseberry to a hickory-tree on Innds of said Roseberry standing near a limestone-quarry, anst also near line of landa of John (. Bennett and William R. Beers; and from thence over landis of said Bennett and Beers nad Joseph Howell to a stump of a cedar sapling, marked, standing on the brow of the hill ; and from thence still in the enino course to the middle of the river Delaware west of a beech-tree, marked, standing on the bank of said river on lands of Joseph Iluwell ; and from thence down the middle of the river Delaware to the place of beginning-shall be, anıl hereby is, erected into a borough or tuwo corpo- rute which shall he called and known by the name of 'the town of Phillipsburg,' and the inhabitants thereof shall be, and hereby are, in- corporated by the name of ' the inhabitants of the town of Phillipsburg,'" etc.
The first town-meeting was ordered to be held at the I'nion Square Hotel on the second Monday in April, ISGI, for the election of one mayor, six com- mon councilmen, one assessor, one collector, one clerk, one judge of election, one town superintendent of pub- lic schools, one chosen frecholder, two surveyors of highways, one or more constables, one or more over- seers of the poor, as many overseers of the highways and pound-keepers as the inhabitants of the town should deem necessary, and as many justices of the peace as the town might be entitled to eleet.
March 6, 1862, the charter was amended, giving the L'ouneil authority to prohibit the retail of malt liquors within the town. March 18, 1863, the act was supple- mented to authorize the Council to lay out and estab- Fish streets, etc., and to appropriate any lands necessary for the purpose. March 22, 1866, a third supplemental art provided among other things for the election of six councilmen that year, -three to hold office one year, and three to hold for two years,-and that at each annual election thereafter three councilmen should be chosen to serve two years. Act passed March 17, IS70, amended the charter, divided the town into three wards, and described the ward boundaries. Net approved March 8, 1872, revised the charter, changed the ward boundaries, and provided for the election from euch ward of three councilmen to hold office respectively one, two, and three years. Supplemental
acts concerning the public schools were passed March 9, 1869, and April 6, 1871. March 13, 1873, the Leg- islature authorized the Lehigh Water Company of Easton (which had by aet of March 8, 1861, been authorized to supply Phillipsburg with water) to eon- tract with the Common Council of Phillipsburg to exempt the said company's works, etc., from borough taxation. Further supplemental acts were passed March 4, 1874, and April 9, 1875. On the latter date it was enacted that "all that part of the Second Ward of said town lying on the southerly side of a straight line running through the centre of Jefferson Street from the boundary line between the Second and Third Wards of said town shall hereafter be known as the Fourth Ward of said town."
The first meeting of the voters of the incorporated town of Phillipsburg was held at the public-house of Joseph Fisher on Monday, April 8, 1861. Lewis M. Teel was chosen moderator and judge of election, and Wm. M. Patterson town clerk. John C. Bennett and John Seager were chosen inspectors of election. Six hundred dollars were voted for roads and $300 for the poor. At the election which followed 363 votes were east. Officials were chosen as follows :
Mayor, Charles Sitgrenves; Councilmen, William Smith, Charles Dav- Idge, George W. Beurder, William Wyckoff, A. I. Farrand, John Ingham ; Justices of the Peace, John S. Bach, Edmund Teel, William A. Hoff, Patrick Walsh ; Assessor, Valentine Mutchler ; Constable and t'ollector, Albert K. Metz; Town Clerk, Thomas 1. Reese; Judge of Election, Abraham C. Hulshizer ; Chosen Frecholder, Charles Reese; Town Superintendent of Public Schools, Jurob R. Lovell ; Surveyors of Highways, W. S. John- Bon, Robert Dempster; Overseer of the Poor, John Lesher; Pound-Keepers, John Miers, William P. Reese.
Following is given a list of the persons chosen annually from 1862 to 1880 inclusive, to be mayors, councilmen, clerks, judges of election, etc. :
1×02 .- Mayor, Jolin C. Bennett ; Councilmen, George W. Hearder, Charles Davidge, John Inghum, Christopher S. Melick, William Wyck- off, Charles Reese; "'lerk, William Smith; Judge of Election, William A. End ; Chosen Frecholder, John Segraves.
1863 .- Mayor, John C. Bennett ; Councilmen, Patrick Walsh, Michuel Roseberry, George W. Bearder, C. S. Melick, John Rueff, Lewis l'ebelhoar; Clerk, William Smith; Judge of Election, William M. Patterson ; Chosen Frecholder, John Segraves.
1864 .- Mayor, John S. Bach ; Couneihnen, Thomas J. Titus, Charles Calvin, Lewis Cebulhoar, John W. Pran, Jrsse Flummerfelt, John P. Lesher; Clerk, William smith ; Judge of Election, Juseph E. M. Laughlin; Chosen Freeholder, WillInin Patter- 8011.
1865,-Mayor, John C. Bennett ; Councilmen, Joseph F. Sheppard, Pat- rick Walsh, John W. Iran, Jesso F. Cathurt, Samuel Schurch, Bimund Trel; Clerk, Frederick ". Tolles; Judge of Election, Charles sitgreaves, Jr ; Chosen Freeholdler, W. M. Patterson.
1866,-Mayor, Jesse C'athnit; Councilmen, A. f. Darling, John E. Ruef, George Mount, Charles Davidge, Dennis Murray, Benjamin Car- mentor ; Clerk, Frederick Tolles; Chosen Frecholder, A. I. Dur-
1867.ª-Mayor, John W. Denn ; Councilmen, B. T. Harris, William R. Beers, Henry Roberts; Clerk, James E. Moon ; Assessor, John Segraves; Collector, Daniel Vanderbelt ; Choon Frech Ider, J. l'. Bennett.
1868,-Mayor, John W. Dean, Councilmon, John Carry, George 11. Staf- ford, John E. Hnoff; Clerk, James L. Moon ; Asesor, John
* Charter amended. Three councilmen elected annually for two years.
30
551
WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
Segraves; Collector, Daniel Vanderbelt ; Chosen Freeholder, J. C. Bennett.
1869 .- Mayor, John W. Dean; Councilmen, Valentine Mutchler, Wil- liam R. Beers, Thomas L. Titus; Clerk, James E. Moon; As- sessor, John Segraves; Collector, Daniel Vanderbelt; Choseo Frecholder, J. C. Bennett.
1870 .- Mayor, William R. Beers ;* Councilmen, Jesse Flammerfelt, George H. Stafford, John Brady, Charles Morgan, Samuel B. Mutchler, Charles Davidge; Clerk, James E. Moon ; Collector, Francis McDermott; Chosen Freeholder, R. J. Swackhammer.
1871 .- Mayor, A. S. Metz; Councilmen, Valentine Mutchler, Sanmel Thomas, John E. Rnef, Henry T. Spinner; Auditor, F. C. Tolles; Clerk, James E. Moon ; Collector, A. J. Raub; Chosen Free- holder, R. J. Swackhammer.
1872 .- Mayor, W. R. Beers; Councilmen, Thomas L. Titus, James Chris- tie, William H. Huff, James L. Lake; Anditor, l'. R. Hlager- man; Clerk, James E. Moon; Collector, A. J. Raub ; Chosen Frechoklers, J. H. Sweeny, J. F. Carhart, W. Il. Mettler.
1873 .- Mayor, S. A. Comstock; Councilmen, Edmund Teel, Samuel Thomas, A. E. Ileinley, James D. Smith; Anditor, P. R. Hager- man ; Clerk, James E. Moon; Collector, A. J. Ranb; Chosen Freeholders, J. F. Carhart, J. H. Sweeny, J. L. Kellar.
1874 .- Mayor, James Christie; Councilmen, Samuel Thomas,+ Jacob Bassett, William K. Bowers; Auditor, P. R. Hagerman; Clerk, James E. Moon ; Chosen Freehollers, R. J. Swackhammer, J. F. Carhart, R. S. Bitting.
1875 .- Mayor, Thomas L. Titus; Councilmen, George M. Davis, Hugh F. Mckeever, Joseph Pierson, William H. Huff, B. O'Brien, Casper Vetter; Auditor, P. R. Ilngerman ; Clerk, J. D. Sweeny ; Chosen Freeholders, J. W. Dean, J. F. Carhart, J. L. Kellar, Andrew Newman.
1876 .- Mayor, Thomas L. Titus; Councilmen, Charles Sitgreaves, Wil- liam A. Winter, James D. Smith, Casper Vetter; Auditor, How- ard Melick; Clerk, John D. Sweeny ; Chosen Freeholders, J. W. Dean, Bernard Flynn, William Osborn, Sr., Andrew New- man.
1877 .- Mayor, P. HI. Hagerty ; Councilmen, A. K. Metz, D. S. Hazzard, A. Moenig, William K. Bowers, Francis McDermott; Auditor, Iloward Melick; Clerk, John D. Sweeny; Chosen Frecholders, J .W. Dean, Bernard Flynn, William Osborn, Sr., Andrew New- man.
1878 .- Mayor, Ephraim B. Davis ; Councilmen, Charles J. Able, Abraham Heimley, William Cease, A. Albus; Auditor, Hugh F. Mc- Keever; Clerk, John D. Sweeny; Chosen Frecholders, Henry Walters, William McLaughlin, William Osborn, A. Newman.
1879 .- Mayor, Edwin II. Beiber; Councilmen, G. G. Stryker, William 11. Leigh, E. S. Kline, Alexander Shultz, Joseph McCorkell, Casper Vetter, Patrick Gearighty ; Auditor, Hugh F. Mckeever; Clerk, John D. Sweeny: Chosen Freeholders, Henry Walters, David Kutzler, Michael Kinney, Robert Dempster.
1880 .- Mayor, E. H. Reiber; Councilmen, William Reamer, Rudolph Laner, George E. Fuller, Howard Melick; Auditor, William R. Spettigne; Clerk, John D. Sweeny; Chosen Freeholders, H. Walters, David Kutzler, Michael Kinney, D. W. Hagerty.
The full board of councilmen serving in February, 1881, was composed of Messrs. Charles J. Able, William Reamer, and G. G. Stryker, from the First Ward; Messrs. A. E. Ilemley, Randolph Lauer, and John T. Thacher, from the Second Ward; George E. Fuller, Alexander Schultz, and Joseph McCorkell, from the Third Ward; Albert Albus, Howard Melick, and Casper Vetter, from the Fourth Ward. The town treasurer is Isaac Shields, and town clerk S. C. Smith.
IV .- STATISTICAL.
FINANCIAL EXHIBIT OF FEB. 1, 1881.
RESOURCES.
Tax warrant 1873-78. $11,491.55
Tax warrant 1879. 887.92
Tax warrant 1880.
7,612.01
Remainder of judgment S. A. Leibelsperger. 1,139.35
Cash in huil I. Shields, treasurer. 2,383.90
Cash in hands of collector.
169.46
$23,684.19
* Charter reamended.
+ Disqualified. Joseph Melroy chosen at special election.
LIABILITIES.
Public school bonds $9,100,00 21,515.00
Registered war bonds.
Municipal coupon bonds 8,800.00
Renewal war bonde 22,550.00
Registered municipal bonds
17,350.00 5,200,00
Funding bonds. Renewal coupon bonds.
20,500.00
Renewal conpon bonds.
5,000 00
Funding bonds.
8,000,00
Due overseer of poor. 45.00
Orders outstanding.
957.02
$119,017.02
AMOUNT OF REAL ESTATE OWNED BY THE TOWN OF PHILLIPSBURG.
No. 1, lot on Main Street, opposite M. E. church,
First Ward. $1,300.00
No. 2, on Main Street below M. E. church, First
Ward ... 8,000.00
No. 3, on Main Street, in Fourth Ward, and en- gine-house .. 5,070.78
No. 4, in First Ward, Market Street, and engine- house. 11,654.47
No. 5, school-house and lot in First Ward ... 10,000,00
No. 6, school-house and lot in Fourth Ward 9,000.00
No. 7, school-house and lot in Third Ward. 46,250.00
No. 8, school-house and lot, North Main Street ... 3,199.88
No. 9, lot on Mercer Street. 4.000.00
$08,475.13
V .- SCHOOLS.
Mr. Jeremiah Reese, Phillipsburg's oldest inhab- itant, says the first school-house within bis recollec- tion in Phillipsburg was a log house that stood, in 1801, below the stone railway bridge over Main Street, in the Bidleman neighborhood. In that house a Mr. Coben (known as "Old Cohen") taught school at the time mentioned, and to that school Jeremiah Reese went two years afterwards, but only for a few days. In 1803 a stone house replaced the log cabin. The first teacher in that was Mr. Simpson, and there also Cohen taught afterwards. In 1812 the stone house was burned, and that year a new stone school-house was built near where the Andover Iron-Works are, where also, in 1815, Colien taught. Among other early teachers in the last-named school were Aaron Chamberlain, William Down, Mr. Scott, and Mr. Brendell.
While Phillipsburg was a portion of the township it was divided into two school districts. Ihrie Dis- triet, No. 10, included the Second and Fourth Wards, and Phillipsburg District, No. 11, the First and Third Wards. In 1861, when the town was incorporated, Phillipsburg District was called No. 1 and Ihrie Dis- trict No. 2. Thus they remained until Feb. 2, 1869, when the two districts were consolidated at the request of the tax-payers at a meeting held Jan. 14, 1869. The county superintendent then appointed as trustees Dr. J. F. Sheppard, John P'. Lesher, and J. J. Troxell, who were to serve until the next annual election for trustees. March 9, 1869, the Legislature constituted the town one school district divided into three sec- tions. In March, 1870, the sections were changed in name to wards. At the same time provision was made for the election of three school commissioners from each ward. These commissioners were to form a body politie to be known as "The Commissioners of Public Schools of the Town of Phillipsburg." They were charged with full control and direction of the public
JOSEPH HENNY BRENSINGER, the second son and fourth child of Henry Augustus and Sarah Brensinger, was born in Ridley towoship, Delaware Co., Pa., on the 26th day of February, 1846. ITis parentage on his father's side was of Teutonic extraction, his father being a native-born American, his grandfather being from Switzerland, his parentage on his mother's side being of Quaker extraction. His parents removed to Media, the county-seat of Delaware County, in 1857. Joseph received a grammar-school education, and commenced the trade of a printer in the office of the Delaware County American, where he remained until the war. Enlisted in Company B, One Hun- dred and Twenty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteers, and served nine months, participating in the battles of Antietam and Chancellorsville. After his return home the rebels invaded Pennsylvania. Governor Curtin called out the nine months' troops for the emergency. Ilo then enlisted in Company F, Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Militia, and served nutil the rebel hordes were across the Potomac; was discharged, and then en- listed in Company G, Ninety-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteers, for three years; served in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac until he was wounded at Green Plains, in front of Petersburg (fracture of the tibia) ; was taken to hospital at Fortress Monroe ; gangrene set in ; was transferred to Mcclellan Hospital at Philadelphia. Caught measles, then ceratitis, and was sent to Satterlee Hospital, West Philadelphia, for treatment of the eyes ; was discharged from said bospital July 5, 1865, hy General Orders from War Department.
Entered the classical school of Rev. James W. Dale, D.D., and was prepared for college. Entered Lafayette in September, 1866, and graduated in 1870. Commenced select school in the basement of the Presbyterian church in Phillipsburg, N. J., in September, 1870, and taught until November, 1871, when he was selected among the many other aspirants to organize the Phillipsburg High School, and was its most efficient principal until April 24, 1876, when he was elected superintendent of all the schools of the town, which position he has occupied with great acceptability up to the present time.
lle was seven years a member of the Eastoo Grays,-Com- pany F, Fourth Regiment, National Guard of Pennsylvania,- as third sergeant. and scennd and first lieutenant, and rendered very important service during the railroad riots of 1877 at Reading, Pa.
It is said that no member of that famous company (Easton Grays) showed greater valor than did Lieut. Brensinger upon the occasion when the Fourth Regiment was ordered to march through the " Cut," where it seemed that an earthquake had taken place, or a volcano had burst forth upon their devoted heads, from the amount of stones and other missiles thrown upon them.
Ilis kindness of heart is best shown among the poorer scholars of his graduating classes in the high school, many of whom can testify to and fully appreciate the helping hand in many, many delicate ways of Joseph H. Brensinger. Ilis classical education and his acute knowledge of human nature place him among the best observers as to the wants and neces- sities of the splendid corps of teachers under his charge. The high appreciation in which he is held by them speaks in toncs louder than any mere words can express. To know him per- soually is to love and respect him.
In 1875 he was married to Miss Ida Jones, daughter of Geo. Il. Jones, M.D., of Phillipsburg, N. J., an accomplished young lady and a graduate of the Phillipsburg Iligh School, by wbom he has had two children. The same rule holds good in the domestie circle as among his fellow-men, making him one of the best of husbands and kindest of fathers. The general contour of his countenance indicates nothing but feclings of friendship, love, and truth.
Superintendent Brensinger stands five feet ten and one-half inches high, and weighs about one hundred and eighty pounds. Ilis form is erect, and to any ordinary observer he presents a fine military bearing. Ho is also a very muscular man, which fact arises from his fondness for outdoor sports and athletic oxercises. Ile has a sanguine temperament, which causes him to look on the sunny side of life, and he has such perfect control of him- self that he has never been known to willfully ineur tbe ill-will of any living person.
As an educator of the rising generation he has few superiors, and as a disciplinarian it would be a very difficult matter to find his superior. Standing as he does to-day among the best educators of the land, his advice is sought by teachers from far and near upon questions of importance. In his social relations he is generous to a fault, having naturally that suavity of manner among all classes that makes his company so much sought after and adds so much to his popularity.
555
TOWN OF PHILLIPSBURG.
school interests. The first room ever occupied for a school in what are known as the First and Third Wards was located in the stone building now used in part by the Warren Democrat. The school was opened by Eliza Davis in 1833 and taught by her until 1838. The second school was taught by Jane Weller from 1838 to 1843.
The first school building erected within the present limits of the town was the Ihrie school-house. It was built in 1812, by subscription, upon lands do- nated by John Carpenter. In 1846 the trustees of this school were Enoch Green, Charles J. Ihrie, tieorge Bruch, Jr., Joseph Howell, and M. M. Rose- berry. The building was demolished in 1854. The last teacher therein was HI. P. Marsden. In August, 1842, the trustees of Phillipsburg District, No. 11, were John R. Wise, Jeremiah Reese, Peter Carling, Richard Hagerman, John Beers, John Howell, Jr., and Charles Sitgreaves. In 1843 a brick building, one story in height, was put up, and cost, with the lot, about $500. In 1852 the school-house was aban- doned for the more commodious one on Hudson Street. The house built in 1843 stood in the First Ward, near Maj. Sitgreaves' residence. Charles Reese, the first teacher in it, taught from 1842 to 1846. Succeeding teachers were Nicholas Olmstead, Jacob R. Lovell, and Messrs. King, Carroll, and MeCarty. The Hudson Street school was opened in 1852. The building cost $3500. Edward Clark was the first principal. Oct. 10, 1854, the trustees of District No. 2 resolved to build a new school-house, to take the place of the Furnace school-house. It was opened May 14, 1855, with II. B. Niles as principal and Miss Mary Kitchen as assistant. Early in 1869, it being apparent that the existing school accommodations fell far short of supplying the town's needs, measures were undertaken to fill the want. May 10, 1869, a lot in the Third Ward was purchased of Henry Se- graves for $1800, having a front of 240 feet by a depth of 100. The erection of the building was begun in September, 1869, and in October, 1871, it was com- pleted and occupied. The structure is of brick, with sandstone trimmings, measures 62 by 41 feet, reaches to the height of three stories, and has two additions, 21 by -12 and 16 by 42. On the first floor are the primary and secondary schools, on the second floor the intermediate and grammar schools, and on the third floor the high school. The cost of the building and lot was $46,131.81.
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