History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 147

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 147
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 147

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).

DANIEL AXFORD

I Hate

THEODORE G. PLATE is a son of John Peter and Charlotte Von den Berken Plate, of Roensahl, Westphalia, Prussia. His father, a native of Valbert, Prussia, engaged for many years in the business of a "kline smith" at Roensahl, and died in 1853 or 1854. Ilis mother died ten years previous, and both are interred at Roensahl. Out of a family of seven children but three emigrated to this country,-viz., the subject of this sketch, a younger brother, Emil, who located in Cali- fornia in the year 1854, where he engaged in the confectionery business, and a sister, Leo- nora, wife of Henry Ammann, of Union Hill, N. J.

Mr. Plate was born at Roensahl, on March 1, 1830, and attended school until he reached the age of fifteen. He then entered the factory of his brother, a piano-manufacturer of Roen- sahl, for the purpose of learning the trade. Ife remained with his brother for several years, and then worked at his trade at Frankfort-on- the-Main and at Hesse-Darmstadt for nine months each.

In 1851, upon attaining his majority, he left his native country for the purpose of avoiding the unjust compulsory military service which the laws prescribed, and landed in New York City on September 29th, of that year, with small means, but with a determination to meet the exigencies of life manfully, and if possible to achieve success by honest industry and faith- ful application to duty.

Upon landing in New York, Mr. Plate at

first entered the employ of Firth & Pont, piano-makers, on Franklin Square, with whom he remained two years. He then worked four years for Raven & Baeen, in the same business. In October, 1857, he located at Hackettstown, N. J., and worked in the jewelry business with Charles Hairhouse until the following March, when he established himself at Hope N. J., and carried on the business of a jeweler. After one year he returned to Hackettstown, where he has since remained in successful trade. He is now the leading jeweler of the village, and by courteous and faithful attention to business has accumulated considerable property.

He is a prominent representative of the German element in Warren County, and is deservedly popular with all classes of people. He acts politically with the Republican party, but has always persistently refused to accept office of any kind. He is a liberal contributor to all worthy objects, and is a member of In- dependence Lodge, A. F. and A. M., of Hack- ettstown. Himself and family have always been members of the Lutheran Church.

Mr. Plate has been twice married. His first wife, whom he married Sept. 3, 1853, was Friederika Buerhaus, of Kluppelberg, in Rhineland. She was born Ang. 22, 1830, and died May 12, 1870, leaving two daughters, Amanda C. and Cornelia, both of whom are living. His present wife, née Julia Vollberg, of Roensahl, he married on Aug. 31, 1872. By this union was born Theodore G. Plate, Jr., who is also living.

J.S. Voustanul

T. S. Van Horn is a grandson of George Van Horn, a native of Frelinghuysen township, born in 1771, and for many years a prominent and representative man in his locality, and a soldier in the war of 1812. His father, Isaac H. Van Horn, was born on March 10, 1814, and was a leading farmer in Frelinghuysen township until his demise, in 1858, at the age of forty-four. His mother, Rebecca, daughter of Tobias Stillwell, of Allamuchy township, resides in Hackettstown. Out of a family of twelve children, equally divided in sex, ten grew to years of maturity and are now living,- namely, Lavinia, wife of Henry W. Reynolds, of Hope ; George W., a leading merchant at Johnsonsburg; the subject of this sketch ; Alice, wife of William Everitt, of Hackettstown, died Sept. 1, 1879; William, Jr., in the mercantile business at Marksboro'; Nettie S., wife of G. K. Hart, Esq., a lawyer at Knoxville, Iowa; Theodore F., doing business at Kenton, Ohio ; Philetus R., in mercantile business in Hackettstown ; Emma S., wife of Chas. F. Wade, of Hackettstown ; and Richard M., pursuing legal studies at Belvidere, N. J.

T. S. Van Horn was born on his father's farm, at Johnsonsburg, Warren Co., N. J., on Sept. 12, 1840. His boyhood days, until the age of fifteen, were passed at home, and comprised the usual routine experiences of a farmer's son. On April 1, 1856, he entered upon the active duties of life by entering the store of Alpheus Swayze, of Hope, N. J., with a view of learning the mer- cantile business. Here he remained until September, 1862, when, animated by patriotic impulses, he enlisted as a private soldier in the Thirty-first Regiment of New Jersey Volunteers, and entered the field with his regi- ment to battle for his country's rights. At the expiration of his term of enlistment he received an honorable dis- charge, having attained the rank of commissary sergeant. He re-entered the store of Mr. Swayze for a few months after his return home, and in October, 1863, passed to

the store of A. W. Creveling, at Washington, N. J., where he remained until April 1, 1864. On that date he established himself in trade at Johnsonsburg, where he continued five years. At the expiration of that time he made a prospecting tour through the West with a view to a settlement, but returned to his native county, and in the fall of 1868 purchased the site of his present com- modious store in Hackettstown, and the following spring entered into mercantile life at that place, where he is to- day one of the leading and prominent business men. He erected his store-house in 1874.

Mr. Van Horn, though but now in the prime of life, is recognized as one of the self-made and growing busi- ness men of Warren County. Starting out early in life with only the preliminary training of a farmer's son, and with no capital other than strong hands and a willing and ambitious spirit, he has by industry, economy, and close application to business gradually reached a posi- tion of comparative affluence. While he has confined his attention strictly to the legitimate business of a merchant, he has been actively identified with various movements tending to elevate and develop the com- munity in which he dwells, and has been a liberal pro- moter of church and kindred interests. In 1870 he was one of ten men in establishing the Land Improvement Company at Hackettstown, and in the building of a fur- nace and car-shops at that place,-a venture that caused him serious financial loss. He is a member of the Pres- byterian Church of Hackettstown, and has served as superintendent of the Sabbath-school connected with that church, and has been a trustec of the church for the past two years. He takes an active interest in the tem- perance cause, and is the president of the Band of Hope connected with the Sabbath-school of the church.

He was married on Jan. 15, 1867, to Olivia, daughter of Caleb Swayze, of Hope, and has two children,-Alice E. and Sarah O. Van Horn.

593

HACKETTSTOWN BOROUGHI.

ITis life is only another illustration that farming is one of the most honorable and lucrative of human callings.

Ilis interest in political affairs dates back to his early manhood. He has filled the offices of justice, collector, freeholder, and sheriff. He was twice ap- pointed by the Legislature of the State justice of the peace, and each appointment was for five years; but, being elected to the office of sheriff' of the county in the midst of his second term, he resigned his judicial office. He relates, as a matter of pleasantry, that he married twenty-eight couple while he was justice of the peace. He held the office of sheriff from 1836 to 1839, and during that time inflicted the penalty of publie whipping in the county the last time it was done before the repeal of the law. In two instances he was chosen delegate to Congressional conventions : once in the fall of 1830, during Jackson's administra- tion, when the convention was held in Trenton and nominated, according to the custom then prevailing, a ticket for the entire State. The second time was in 18-14, when the convention met in the Methodist Episcopal church in Stanhope, and nominated only for the district. Mr. Axford has always been strong and decided in his political convictions, and unswery- ing in his loyalty to his party. He has voted at every election for sixty-six years, and always a Democratic ticket.

When the county house and farm were purchased to improve the condition of the county panpers, he was chosen a director, with Archibald Robertson, of Beatyestown, to prepare the buildings and to gather in the poor. They began the work in April, and in the August following they had them housed in their new and comfortable quarters. When the necessity afterwards arose for enlarged accommodations, he was appointed a member of the building committee, and the present creditable and commodious county build- ings were erected under his supervision.

Mr. Axford was one of the founders of the Belvi- dere Bank, and has been a stockholder and director uninterruptedly from its origin to the present time. Hle has also been one of the directors of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company of Warren from its or- ganization, and for several years he held the office of treasurer of the company.

His reputation for honesty, ability, and kindness led many of his neighbors to select him as the executor of their wills, and the court to appoint him as admin- istrator of estates. Few men in the county have done

as much in that line, and done it as satisfactorily, as Mr. Axford. Ile was noted for the accuracy of his accounts and the moderation of his charges. His life has been strictly moral. Without attaching himself to temperance societies, he abstained personally and abolished the use of liquor on his farm, even in har- vest, nearly half a century ago. He used no profane language, and always rested, with all his household, on the Sabbath-day. He qnit the use of tobacco, after having been addicted to it for thirty years, simply by the exercise of a manly will. His case is in striking contrast with multitudes who, after the most painful and prayerful struggles to give up the weed, are con- quered by their appetite in spite of their agony,-

" A man of no purpose no purpose fulfills ; Weak men have wishes, but strong men have wills."

His cheerfulness and sociability made him many friends, and few men enjoy the society of their friends more than he. He loved humor and repartee, and often in his happier moments would indulge in mer- riment and bursts of laughter which, by quick con- tagion, would in an instant convulse whole assemblies whether in public or private.

Mrs. Axford was the granddaughter of Rev. Mr. Johnston, a Presbyterian clergyman settled and well known in Ilunterdon County in his day. She was of a thoughtful, serious turn of mind, and in her home displayed more than ordinary prudence, skill, and neatness. They had three children, -Rachel, who mar- ried William Drake; Margaret, the wife of Rev. R. Vanhorne, of the Newark Conference; and Nancy, the wife of Isaac S. Dill. Mrs. Axford died of paralysis, Oct. 9, 1866, in the sixty-ninth year of her age.

Although Mr. Axford has never become a commu- nieant in any church, he has always been a believer and supporter of Christianity. He remembers with interest going with his parents, when he was a little boy, on a winter evening, in a sled drawn by oxen, some distance to a Methodist service in his grand- father's house at the big spring, before there were any churches of that denomination in the county. In his later years he has been a pew-holder and a regular attendant on the religious services in the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he has also enjoyed with a new interest. Ile lived in Oxford for nearly three- quarters of a century, when he removed to Hacketts- town, where he now, in the eighty-seventh year of his age, resides in the house of his oldest daughter, be- loved by his children and grandchildren, and respected by all who know him.

GREENWICH.

I .- DESCRIPTION.

GREENWICH, the most southerly of the townships of Warren, was originally one of the four civil divi- sions of Sussex County, which at that time embraced Walpack, Newton, Hardwick, and Greenwich. At an early date it comprised a large extent of territory, but has from time to time been reduced in size nntil its dimensions, including Lopatcong, were 7 miles in | length by 6 in width. It was by the erection of the latter township still further diminished until its present limits were attained. Greenwich is bounded on the north by Lopatcong, south by Hunterdon County, west by the Delaware, and east by Franklin and Hunterdon Counties.

In point of population Greenwich ranks as second ' in the county, having a total of nearly 2600 souls.

The township tax for the last year was $3000; the county tax, $6591.83 ; the State school tax, $3567.68; the special tax, $19.81; and the extra school tax, $806. Greenwich is traversed both by railroads and a canal, which afford it ample facilities for traffic as well as for travel. The Morris and Essex Railroad runs through the northern portion, with a station near Stewartsville. The Belvidere Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad follows the Delaware River, with a station at Riegelsville and another at Carpen- terville. The New Jersey Central runs through the centre of Greenwich, with a station near Spring- town, and an extension of the Lehigh Valley Rail- road also passes through the township. The Morris Canal begins at Easton, and, passing through Green- wich and other townships, terminates at Jersey City.

II .- NATURAL FEATURES.

The surface of Greenwich is undulating, presenting much variety of scenery, portions of which are very beautiful. The soil is a combination of limestone, clay, and sand, though its prevailing ingredient is limestone. Clay is chiefly found in the centre, sand being occasionally interspersed with it, while occa- sionally ridges of slate are found in localities. This soil is admirably adapted to the raising of all grains, and abundant crops are the reward of the husband- man's labor. Greenwich is amply supplied with water. The Delaware River follows its western bor- der, while the Musconetcong rises in the mountains above Hackettstown, and, flowing southwest along the sonthern boundary of the township, pours its waters

into the Delaware near Riegelsville. The Pohatcong Creek has its source in the mountains on the east side of the county, in Mansfield, and, flowing southwest through Washington and Franklin into Greenwich, also empties into the Delaware. These streams afford a superior water-power, which is extensively used for manufacturing and milling in various portions of the township.

Iron ore has been discovered within the township and is now being mined, though to a limited extent. Numerous limekilns are erected in localities where limestone abounds, and have become one of the chief sources of business enterprise.

III .- EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

Few, if any, of the early settlers of the township survive, and their representatives who are still in Greenwich, have not preserved the traditions of their ancestors. It is, therefore, almost impossible for the historian to obtain a sufficient number of facts to make a record of the early settlement interesting or valuable. The earliest families of the neighborhood came from different sections and remote parts of the world. English, Scotch, Scotch-Irish, German, Dutch, Welsh, and probably other nationalities, contributed a share. The larger, and for a time the controlling, ele- ment was Scotch-Irish. The Maxwells came from the North of Ireland in 1747. The Stewarts and Ken- nedys and Ramseys and Mcculloughs and Kellys were of the same stock, but the Stewarts and Kellys caine hither from Bucks County. The Smiths, Crevelings, Bidlemans, Fines, Hulshizers, Carpenters, Clines, Hances, and Youngs were of German origin, as were also the Boyers. The Hagawouts, Beavers, and Sharpensteins (now abbreviated to Sharps) were of Dutch and Holland origin. The Pursells, Hunts, Hixons, Davis, Hamlins, Carters, Greens, Barbers, Bulmans, and probably the Robbins were of English extraction. The Hughes family were of Welsh origin, and the Hyndshaws of Scotch extraction. In a few cases there may be errors in this classification, but the statements are substantially correct. With the difficulty of obtaining facts in view, it will be possible to touch upon the advent of but a few families, and those briefly. The Kennedy family, one of the first in Greenwich, was early represented by two brothers, Thomas and William, who came from Bucks Co., Pa., and purchased a tract of land in the north portion of the township, the former locating at Stewartsville

* By E. O. Wagner.

594

595

GREENWICH.

and the latter at Still Valley. The year of their ad- vent, as nearly as can be stated, was 1771.

Thomas Kennedy, who was a man of much influ- enee, left two sons,-Robert S. and James, -the latter of whom removed from the township. Robert S. remained upon the homestead, where his death oe- curred in 1879, in his seventy-seventh year. Having been of Scotch-Irish descent, he possessed many of the characteristics of that race. He was a man of powerful build, and was possessed of a strong mind, a elear judgment, a powerful will, and indomitable energy.

Judge Kennedy was actively interested in political affairs, and in civil life he ocenpied with credit various positions of responsibility and honor .* In church relations Judge Kennedy was a Presbyterian, and for a period of nearly sixty years actively en- gaged in Sabbath-school work. He was a leading elder in the Greenwich Presbyterian Church for a period of thirty years and later of the church at Stew- artsville, and participated actively in meetings of the General Assembly of the Church. A safe and wise counselor, a firm friend, and an upright man, Judge Kennedy will for years be mourned by the community of which he formed a part.

Robert HI. Kennedy was descended from a different family, yet one of the earliest in the township. He was a prominent man in his time, and in political faith was a Democrat, while Robert S. was a Whig.

The earliest representative of the Stewart family in Greenwich was Squire Thomas Stewart, who came from Bucks Co., l'a., carly during the present century and purchased land, upon which he resided, having followed farming pursuits. The land on which he at first located is now occupied by Charles Paulus. He died in the year 1837, and left six sons, of whom Jesse, Thomas, and John survive, though neither resides in Greenwich. The representative of the family now in the township is Jesse, the son of William, ex-judge of the Court of Common Pleas, who reside> at Stew- artsville. Robert, another of the sons of Squire Thomas Stewart, was an early merchant, and subse- quently removed to Wisconsin, where his death oe- curred. Robert, a brother of Squire Stewart, also re- sided in the township, one-half mile from Stewarts- ville, upon the farm now occupied by Charles Ober- ley, Jr. He had a large family of sons and daugh- ters, all of whom removed from the township.

James Hyndshaw formerly spelled Hyndshau) was of Scotch descent. He served in the war of the Rev- olution, was taken prisoner, and nearly suffered death from starvation, the shock of which permanently in- jured him. At the close of the conflict he came to Greenwich and purchased 400 acres of land, which, upon his death, in 1819, was divided among his four children, each of whom was given a farmn. Of these children, two sons are now living. James resides in

Chicago, and John S. represents the family in the township and lives upon the homestead.

Lewis Cline was of German extraction, and located at New Brunswick, N. J., before the Revolutionary war. Ilis son Lewis settled upon the homestead, and, two years before his death, which occurred in 1842, removed to Greenwich, upon land now occupied by Michel Cline. Lewis ('line had tive sons and five daughters. Of these children, Lewis Cline and Dr. Garner Cline reside in Harmony township. John is located in Franklin and Michel in Greenwich, being the only representative of the family in the township. A daughter, Mrs. Christian Davidson, resides in Ox- ford.

John Shimer emigrated to the township from Lehigh Co., Pa., as early as the year 1800, and settled upon the land now occupied by Samuel L. Shimer, which is known as the homestead Thru. On this place seven children were born,-Peter, John N., Robert K., Isaac S., William B., Samuel L., and Mary, who became Mrs. John P. Smith. Of these sous, four are now living. John N. and William B. reside in Green- wich, Robert K. in Lopatcong, and Samuel L. in Phillipsburg. Mr. Shimer's death occurred in the township, and his remains repose in the ancient burial-grouud of St. James' Church.

The Shipman family are of Holland descent. Two brothers carly emigrated to New York State, and chose a location in Sehoharie County. About the year 1760 one of these brothers, named Matthias, removed to New Jersey and purchased a traet of 400 aeres of land in the township of Greenwich, which was largely uncultivated, and inhabited principally by Indians. On his death the estate was inherited by his son Isaac, who had 12 children, of whom G are now living. Three sons reside in Lopateong town- ship, and one, Dr. William Shipman, a physician enjoying an extended practice, is a resident of Green- wich. The children of Isaac, another son, are also located in Greenwich. Jesse resides in Easton, Pa.

The family of Hulshizers are, as their name indi- cates, of German origin. A full history of the various branches of this family will appear in the biograph- ieal department of this work.

George W. Zeller came from Pennsylvania in 1797, and located upon the farm now occupied by his son, George Zeller. He had two sons, John and George, above mentioned, and two daughters, Maria, who married Christian Kreider, and Margaret, who be- came Mrs. Michael Messinger. Mr. Zeller died upon the land he purchased, in his eighty-second year. Both sons located in the township. John died in 1879, and George, who resides upon the homestend with his family, is the only survivor.

William Paulison removed from Pennsylvania prior to the Revolutionary war and settled in Greenwich. He had two daughters and a son, C'ornelius, who also resided in the township, and was the father of ten children, five sons and five daughters, all of whom

* Sco sketch in chapter on the Hench and Bar of Warren County.

596

WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

are now deceased, with the exception of Miss Mary Panlison, who resides at Springtown.

The Sharp family were very prominent in Green- wich at an early day. Four brothers, John, Stuffle, Jacob, and Peter, each owned extensive farms, which they improved, and upon which they resided. Jacob, at a later day, removed to Wilkesbarre, Pa. The property of the family has passed into other hands, and none of its former owners are found in Green- wich.

The sons of John Stocker now residents of Green- wich are Peter and Edward. Abram Stocker is rep- resented by his sons William, Josiah, and Abram.

Balsar Carpenter early owned a tract of land ad- joining that of Peter Sharp. This property on his death passed into the hands of his son Joseph, whose decease occurred in 1878, in his eighty-sixth year, after which his sons William and Samuel came into possession and are the present occupants.

Jacob Youngs, formerly a resident of Pennsylvania, purchased an extensive landed interest in the town- ship, which was inherited by his sons John, Jacob, and Abram. These sons are since deceased, and Al- fred, a son of John, only resides in Greenwich.

Godfrey Insley was an early citizen of Franklin, where, after serving his time, he purchased a farm. At a later date he removed to Stewartsville, and finally to Lopatcong, where his death occurred in 1863. He had children,-Philip, Mary, Catharine, Christopher, John, Jacob, George, Isaac, Margaret, and Godfrey. But one of these, George Insley, now resides in Green- wich.

Another of the older settlers was Philip Weller, who on his arrival purchased the land now cultivated by his grandson, William Weller. Here after a life of much industry he died, and was buried in the cemetery of Greenwich Church.

John Weller removed from Franklin township in 1820, and inherited land now occupied by Peter Lantz and George Beers, upon which he resided until his death, in 1839. He had eight children, seven of whom grew to mature years. But one son, William, remains in Greenwich, and is located upon a farm east of Stewartsville.

Charles Oberley came from Northampton Co., Pa., in 1833, and selected land at present occupied by his son Owen. Mr. Oberley died in 1875, and is survived by his widow and five children.

Many old and prominent families of Greenwich have passed from the recollection of a later generation. It is therefore impossible to make this record of early settlements as complete as it might otherwise be.

EARLY HIGHWAYS.

It is probable that roads in a very rude condition existed in Greenwich more than a century ago. As early as the close of the Revolutionary war one of the highways was traversed by a detachment of Burgoyne's army, who marched through the valley and lodged in the old Greenwich church. The earliest remembered turnpike is known as the New Brunswick turnpike, which entered the township near Phillipsburg, and, pursuing a southeasterly course, then an easterly route through Still Valley, left the township at Bloomsbury.

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 147

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