History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 149

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 149
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 149

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Elders .- Daniel Hulhizer, Henry Teel, Andrew Hulshizer, Andrew P. Kenney, Thos. T. Stewart, John W. ('line.

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WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Deacons .- Michel Cline, Peter Warman, Thomas T. Stewart, John W. Cline, Charles Tilton.

Trustees .- John Thatcher, P. F. Hulshizer, M.D., James Vliet, A. P. Kase, Robert Godfrey, John Mckinney, J. C. Boyer.

ST. JAMES' LUTHERAN CHURCH.

The early records of this church having been lost renders its complete history difficult if not impossi- ble to compile. Doubtless it had its first inception as early as 1750.

The first public notice of the existence of Luther- ans in this neighborhood is found in a German publi- cation called "Hallishe Nachrichten." From this we learn that in 1760 letters were received from Lu- therans living in Greenwich asking for preaching of the gospel. The people had no doubt met and con- ducted services in their houses, and, as was the custom in the earlier days of Lutheranism in Pennsylvania, had one to read from Luther's "Hauspostille," but, feeling the need of more regular and formal service, had written to Germany for a pastor.

From the same source is derived the information that letters or messages were received in 1762 from the Lutheran congregation in "Greenwich, at the Blue Mountains." It is therefore certain that there has been a congregation organized and worshiping on or near the present location of St. James' for more than 120 years.

From the earliest records which have been preserved we learn that originally there was a union between the German Reformed and Lutheran Churches, but, the former becoming extinct by removals and deathis, the Lutherans became the sole occupants of the church and the possessors of the property, and after- wards formed a new organization under a special con- stitution. In its early history this church was affili- ated with St. Michael's Lutheran Church of Phila- delphia, and with it held the faith of the Reformation, as declared in the Augsburg Confession, for more than a hundred years.

The only names which have come down through the history of the church to the present are those of Shipman, Feit, Ensley, and Melick, but the relatives of many others still remain in the congregation.

Tradition states that the first building for the pur- poses of worship was constructed of logs, and was about 30 by 40 feet in size. It was thatched with straw, which caused it to be generally known as the " Straw Church."

The second edifice was erected in 1790, and was of much more desirable material. It was 40 by 50 feet in dimensions, and built of stone. Galleries occu- pied three sides of the house and a high pulpit stood on one of the long sides, as was the style in early days.

The third building, which is the St. James of to- day, was constructed in 1834.

The first pastor was Rev. Peter Muhlenberg, who officiated from 1769 to 1773. His successors, with the dates of their pastorates, werc :

Revs. Christian Streit, 1773-77; Mr. Braas, 1777-81 ; John F. Ernst, 1781-92; John C. Yeager, 1792; Christinu Enders, 1815 ; J. P. Hecht, 1815-1837 ;* Daniel Miller, 1837-47; J. McCron, 1847-51; J. K. Plitt, 1851-65 ; M. H. Richards, 1865-68 ; S. IIenry, 1868.

The present pastor is Rev. Mr. Hoover, formerly of Leechburg, Pa.

" It is interesting to look over the records of St. James and note the condition of the church as indicated by the various items and incidents therein contained.

" The congregation, just before the war of the Revolution, presented many evidences of life and prosperity, young though it was. Its com- mnuion list shows that, even in a sparsely-inhabited country, it is pos- sible for large numbers of people to be gathered; and there is no doubt of the fact that distance and weather were but little regarded.

" The commencement of the Revolutionary struggle is very clearly in- dicated by the diminution of the members present at communion sea- sons, and the fewness of other items in the record shows that the con- gregation must have passed through a trying time. The majority of the men of the church were most probably in the army ; and the older and younger of the male population found themselves burdened with a heavy responsibility.

" Very soon after the end of the war the church again gave evidence of its vitality. From that time to this, with a few exceptional short periods of inactivity and indifference, the church of St. James has given evidence that it was interested in the work which claimed its attention.

" From this congregation quite a little family of churches bas sprung. At first it received its preaching from the pastors of some large towns, and enjoyed these services only at long intervals. Subsequently it be- came a part of the Easton pastorate, and, being eo near the pastoral resi- dence, found itself in rather comfortable circumstances, In a compara- tively few years, however, many of its members felt the necessity of a separate organization. The effort was made, and it became a distinct charge.

" After sustaining itself, the church began to push out its influences. Its ontposts very soon separated from the mother church and organized for themselves. Stewartsville, a considerable part of Riegelsville, and Grace Chapel iu Phillipsburg may be considered as having received their life from St. James' Church, being largely made up of its members.

" Although large numbers have been withdrawn from the congrega- tion for the formation of these churches, yet St. James has at the present time about 250 communicant members.

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH OF STEWARTSVILLE.

The corner-stone of this church was laid in the year 1851, during the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Plitt, it having been a branch of the old St. James' Church of Still Valley. The building was erected under many discouragements by a small band of deter- mined and liberal-minded men, directed by an effi- cient building committee, consisting of Messrs. John Fulmer, John H. Kase, William S. Kase, Alvah R. Kase, and George H. Weller. The edifice was at that time considered as substantial, and even elegant, and gave a fresh impulse to the growth of this denomina- tion in the vicinity.

It is a brick structure, 42 by 65 feet in dimensions, and has a scating capacity of 500 persons. It is also furuished with an excellent pipe organ. A parsonage is connected with the church, which was purchased at an expense of $3000.

The pastors since its organization have been Revs. Henkel, Barclay, Sheeleigh, Sikes, Sizer, aud Kelly, the last named being the present incumbent. The Council is composed of the following members :

Elders, G. Weller, C. Hance, and Daniel Bloom; Deacons, Robert Hance, Heury Frey, Samuel Lehn, and Peter Carling.

* Until this time it was connected with St. John's, Easton.

GREENWICH.

The trustees are William Tinsman, J. Shillinger, J. Shurtz, J. Dutt, and II. Stone. The present mem- bership of the church is about 160. A flourishing Sabbath-school is also connected with the organiza- tion.

METRODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT FINESVILLE.

The exact date of the formation of a class at Fines- ville is not a matter of record, though it is certain that a Methodist Episcopal Society existed as early as 1835. During that year a church edifice was erected, in which services were held alternately by the Methodists, Christians, Lutherans, and Presby- terians, the edifice having been erected as a union church. In 1879 it was purchased and rebuilt by the Methodist denomination, who have since that time maintained regular services, The pastor usually resided at Bloomsbury, and included this church and congregation in his field of labor. The earliest pas- tors who devoted themselves to this charge in 1835 were Revs. Benjamin Reed and Abram Carhart. Often three or four preachers would be upon the circuit during the same year, and as some of the min- isters were young men, and were often removed by the presiding elders to distant points after but six months' service, it will be readily seen that it is not an easy task to disentangle the chronology when the time is so long past. A list of the preachers from the year 1835 is given. In most cases it is difficult to give the names of all the junior preachers, for the reason just stated :

1835, Abram Carhart, Benjamin Reed; 1836, Abram Carhart; 1817, Jumer M. Tuttle ; 1838, William E. Perry ; 1839, - Chattles; 1840, George Banghart, Charles F. Deoms; 1841, George Hitchens, Jacob Hevener; 1M2, George Hitchens, Sammel E. Post; 1543, Abram Owen, Richard Vanhorne; 1844, Abrani Owen ; 1845, Edward l'age, Jonathan T. Crane, Jacob P. Daily, M. Stokes; 1846, Edward l'age, Goorgo Banghart, Jacob P. Daily ; 1847, George Banghart, John Fort, E. Sanders, Ellinwood Rutherford, John K. Burr: 1848, Benja- inin Kelly, John Fort; 1849, Benjamin Kelly, Thomas S. Dedrick ; 1-50, George WInsor, R. H. Lockwoodl; 1861, George Winsor, Isaac Trotter; 1852-53, Tranc Cross, William Copp, William HI. Dickerson; 1854, Thomas Raw Hugs, D. Bulgeley ; 1855, Oliver Budgeley ; 1856- 67, Thomas Walters; 1858, J. P. Dnily," Nathan Coleman; 1859-60, William E. Blakeslee; 1861-62, Charles Walton : 1863, John F. Dold ; 18G1-05, William H. Haggerty ; 1866-67, John B. Taylor; 1868-69, William H1. Jh Cormick ; 1870-72, William C. Nelson ; 1873, Joseph W. Pally ; 1876, William Ruth ; 1879. Rev. S. H. Decker, the present JuINtor.

The acting trustees of the church are John Hager- man, Henry White, John Fines, Edward Thatcher, and Levi Laubach. A flourishing Sunday-school is maintained by the congregation, with John Hlager- man as the efficient superintendent.

CHRISTIANS.

A society of Christians was organized at Finesville as early as 1835, when the union church was erected and services regularly maintained. in 1877 a church edifice was built by the society at Finesville, which is

still in process of completion, the basement being oc- cupied for religious worship. The organization is at present without a pastor.

Another society of Christians also exists within the township which enjoys much prosperity.

VII .- BURIAL-PLACES.

Burial-places of great antiquity exist in Greenwich township. These spots are hallowed as the tinal rest- ing-places of many of the settlers whose advent oc- eurred prior to the war of the Revolution. The oldest is probably that connected with the Greenwich Pre -- byterian church. The site of the original meeting- house stood upon the farm of HI. R. Kennedy, and adjoining it was the old graveyard, in which repose the bones of many who more than a century and a quarter ago listened to the preaching of the Word in the log church near by. The sod has long since been upturned for purposes of agriculture, and fields of waving grain for successive years have covered the spot which was formerly hallowed ground. AAnother cemetery adjacent to the present church has superseded the one long since abandoned.

The burial-ground located near the St. Jame- Luth- eran church may also lay claim to much antiquity. It is contemporancons with the existence of the church. and probably was in use some time before. The in- scriptions on many of the headstones are of very an- cient date.

A burial-ground is located on the farm of Samuel Hughes, which has been in use by the family for gen- erations, though it is now abandoned, and the Green- wich cemetery is used by the family for purposes of interment. Burial-grounds of much later date are located at Stewartsville, Hughesville, and Finesville.

VIII .- SOCIETIES. WARREN LODGE, No. 53, T. O. O. F.

This lodge received its charter July 21, 1847, its first officers having been N. G., John State; V. ti., 1. HI. Stone; Treas., Lawrence Dean; Sec., C. R. Thompson. It became extinct in 1858, and was re- organized Nov. 25, 1871, with the following otheers : N. G., C. H. Kremer; V. G., H. H. Stone ; Treas., D. F. Stone ; Rec. Sec., Robert B. Tilton. Its pres- ent officers are N. G., John Melick; V. G., C. H. Godfrey ; Treas., C. H. Kremer; See., C. Kremer, Ir.

IX .- VILLAGES AND HAMLETS. STEWARTSVILLE.

The village undoubtedly derived its name from Squire Thomas Stewart, one of the early settlers, and the pioneer of the family to the immediate locality. The Kennedy family were also among the most active in promoting the interests of the place, and have been more fully mentioned elsewhere. Benjamin Merrill and Abram Lava were early landowners, as was Robert Stewart, a brother of the squire. The earliest manifestation of business enterprise occurred .

* In 1858 the Bloomsbury Church was separated from Asbury with a young preacher, unmed Nathan Coleman, as a supply until the Confer- euro of 1839. He also officiuted at the Finesville Church.

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WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

in the erection of a store by Robert D. Stewart, after which a hotel was built by Daniel Spouenberry. About the same time or soon after came John Carr, Benjamin Merrill, Philip Hawk, Peter Carling, and Leffert Purcel. Dr. Silas C. Cook established himself as the earliest physician of the township. John Ful- mer arrived in 1822 and purchased the hotel property and seven acres of land. He became the popular landlord, and also followed the occupation of a tan- ner and harness-maker. In 1831 he devoted his at- tention to mercantile pursuits, and was succeeded by his son A. J. Fulmer, the present owner, ex-member of the State Legislature. Lawrence Dean next en- gaged in business in the village.

As the hamlet grew in dimensions the need of suitable educational advantages was felt by the citi- zens, who erected the academy in 1837, which is still standing and used as a public school. The hamlet sinee that time has continued to grow, and is now one of the most attractive little villages in the county, with a fair degree of business activity and many substantial and attractive residences.

There are now in Stewartville two hotels, kept by A. R. Kase (temperance) and Titus Tetimer; four stores, the proprietors of which are A. J. Fulmer, A. R. Kase & Son, Frederick Stock, and H. H. Stone; one tannery, owned by A. J. Fulmer; one harness- shop, by D. F. Myers; two shoe-shops; a machine- shop, by J. H. Sharp & Son; one blacksmith-shop, by William Helm; a tin-shop, by C. H. Kremer ; and two undertakers, R. R. Stone & Brother and John Hartung. The physicians of the place are Drs. P. F. Hulshizer and Cyrus Knecht. Dr. S. W. Bo- gardus is the dentist. A. R. Kase is the village post- master.

FINESVILLE.

This village is located in the extreme southern por- tion of the township. Philip and John Fine, who were of German descent, came at an early date and purchased the land on which the hamlet is built. Philip Fine erected a dam on the Musconetcong River, and soon after built an oil-mill, a grist-mill, and a saw-mill. These mills were the earliest in this portion of the county, and successfully conducted by Mr. Fine for some years. The property came by de- scent to his sons, Philip, Christopher, and Henry Fine, who conducted an extensive business and were large dealers in grain. Philip also erected and con- ducted a store located on the opposite side of the stream in Hunterdon County. A son Philip was also a merchant, and held the offices of justice of the peace and judge of the Court of Common Pleas. A woolen- factory erected for the manufacture of cloth is still standing and now used as a blacksmith- and wheel- wright-shop. The flouring-mill was consumed by fire and rebuilt as a paper-mill. It is now devoted to the manufacture of knives and owned by Messrs. Taylor & Stiles. Its location is within the bounds of Hun- terdon County. A hotel was erected by John Fine,

of which he was for years the landlord. It is still standing, and occupied now as a residence.

The only member of the Fine family now in Green- wich is John Fine, who resides at Finesville, and is the present township clerk.

There are now in the village two stores, kept by Samuel Warner and John R. Cyphers; one blaek- smith-shop, owned by Robert Butler; one wheel- wright-shop, by Jacob Seyler; the mill above spoken of, two churches, and a school-house.

HUGHESVILLE.

The earliest settler at this hamlet, which is located on the southern border-line of the township, was Judge Hugh Hughes, who was of Welsh extraction. He came at least a century ago, and purchased a tract of land of vast extent in the vicinity. He died here, and was interred in the family burial-ground. Judge Hughes had three sons, Dr. John, Isaac, and Brace- lidge, and two daughters. All the sons made Hughes- ville their residence, and died there. The children of Isaac were seven in number, but two of whom- Henry G. and Mrs. John S. Fine-survive. The fam- ily of Dr. John Hughes have all removed from the township. The homestead is now occupied by Sam- uel, son of Henry G. Hughes. At an early day a forge was erected at Hughesville, which did an ex- tensive business. It was converted by James M. Long into a grist-mill, and has since been consumed by fire. There is now at the place a store kept by Howard Young and a blacksmith-shop. A very early school was located at Hughesville, the building of which is still standing, and at present occupied as a stable. It has been superseded by a more spacious and convenient structure.

SPRINGTOWN.

This spot was so named from the numerous small springs emanating from the valley. There is much difficulty in recalling the earliest settler at this point, unless it was one Hixson, who owned much land in the vicinity. His sons, Daniel and Amos, each owned a farm, in which the hamlet was embraced. They are both deceased, and have left no representatives in the township, Edmund Stocker and Samuel Plummer being the present owners of the property. David Mixsell, of Easton, purchased land, upon which he erected a distillery, mill, and store, all of which were conducted by him until his death. The former is now closed, and the latter owned by Jacob Paulus. A church edifice and a school building are the only public edifices. A post-office is located here, with Henry Biglow as postmaster.

MIDDLEVILLE OR SEIGLETOWN.

This spot, which was for years known only as Sei- gletown, is a mere collection of houses. The earliest member of the Seigle family who located here was Benjamin, who was of German origin, and a large purchaser of land in this vieinity. He had seven children, -Catherine, Charlotte, Abram, Thomas,

Daniel Hulshizer

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GREENWICH.

William, Penninah, and Sallie. The sons all located near the homestead, Thomas having built a clover- mill on the Musconetcong. This was sold to one Grover, who converted it into a grist-mill. It has had successive proprietors, the present of which is Isaiah M. Jacoby. It has four run of stone, and does both merchant and enstom work.

The representatives of the Seigle family now in the place are Abram, son of William R. Seigle, MIrs. Levi Apgar, daughter of this gentleman, and the children of Thomas Seigle.

A pottery, owned by the estate of William R. Seigle, is located here, and a store, now closed, formerly en- joyed an excellent patronage.

STILL VALLEY.

The ground occupied by this spot was formerly owned by Judge Kennedy and his son James, the latter of whom built the hotel, and was for a while proprietor. It was later kept by Phineas Kennedy, Fred. Miller, Thomas Hunt, and others, the present landlord being Samuel Metler. The business enter- prise of the place is represented by a small store, kept by J. K. Thatcher, a wheelwright-shop, owned by Jo- seph Ruple, and a blacksmith-shop, by Jacob Stone. A post-office was formerly established here, which has since been withdrawn.

CARPENTERVILLE.

This hamlet is simply a station on the Pennsyl- vania Railroad (Belvidere division) with a store kept by - Young, and a grist-mill with two run of stone and moved by water-power from a neighboring spring, and owned by R. B. Ayers. The railroad to this point was completed in 1854, and a depot erected with Jacob Carpenter as station-agent. The carliest set- tler was Jacob Carpenter, who emigrated from Switz- erland as early as 1748, and purchased land in the immediate vicinity. His wife accompanied him and assisted in tilling the soil. He had four children,- two boys, Jacob and John, and two daughters. Both sons settled in the township, where they died. Jacob left two sons, Jacob and Charles, and one daughter. John left two sons, Isaac and William, and two daughters. The family are at present represented by Jacob, son of Jacob, and William and Isaac, sons of John Carpenter. Henry Hawk is postmaster at the hamlet.

RIEGELSVILLE.

This village, which lies both in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, is located upon the Delaware, at the extreme southern point of the township. It was first settled by a family of Ilunts, who came here at least one hundred years ago. William and John Hunt, who reside in the village, are of the same family. Benjamin Riegel, of Northampton Co., I'a., made the place his residence in ISIS, purchased the saw- and grist-mill already erected, and conducted an ex- tensive business. Mr. Riegel died in 1860, and his son, John L. Riegel, came into possession of the prop-

erty. The lumbering interest was abandoned in 1865 and a paper-mill erected on the same site, which is elsewhere described. There is a general store kept by Robert A. Shimer, who conducts a large business, and a carriage-factory owned by George W. Snyder.

Riegelsville is located on the Belvidere division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, with R. A. Poor as station-agent. R. A. Shimer is the postmaster.

X .- MANUFACTURING.

The Warren Manufacturing Company .- This estab- lishment, which is one of the largest of its kind in the State, is located at Hughesville and devoted exclu- sively to the manufacture of manilla paper. The works are located upon the banks of the Musconetcong River, which affords an ample supply of water, though steam-power is also employed, the establishment being provided with three steam-engines. The works consist of the mill, storehouses, stables, and numerous dwelling-houses. The material principally used is commercially known as jute-butts, and imported from the East Indies. About 14,500 pounds are consumed daily, which produces 5 tons of paper. There are also used daily 64 bushels of lime, three-quarters of a ton of chloride of lime, and 6 tons of coal,-and 16 horses are required in the daily routine of labor. The Warren Manufacturing Company is an incorpo- rated company, the stockholders being John L. Riegel, Benjamin Riegel, John Brown, Samuel Boileau, and James W. Long. John Brown is the president, and Benjamin Riegel treasurer.

Benjamin Riegel's Paper-Mill .- This mill is located at Riegelsville, and is also devoted to the production of a superior grade of manilla paper. It is located on the banks and derives its power from the Mus- conetrong River, the water-power having been greatly improved by Mr. Riegel. The mill has a capacity of 600 tons of paper per year. The material is imported, and the product of the mills shipped to New York and other large cities.

Mr. Riegel also has a grist-mill, with a capacity of 75,000 bushels per annum, which does both custom and merchant work.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

DANIEL HULSHUIZER.

The Hulshizer family is one of the old substantial families of Warren County. Martin Hulshizer came from Germany between the years 1750 and 1760, bringing his family, consisting of a wife and several children, with him. He was a brick-mason by trade, and first located at Phillipsburg, N. J. He subse- quently resided at various points along the Mus- conetcong Creek. His sons were Christopher, Jacob, Valentine, and John Martin. A daughter married

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WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

and went South ; another married a Mr. Robbins and removed to Pennsylvania.

John Martin Hulshizer was born on Jan. 18, 1747. He learned the trade of a blacksmith, and carried on that occupation for many years near Bloomsbury, N. J. He also engaged in farming at the same point. He subsequently became the owner of five hundred and seventy-five acres of land within the present township of Greenwich. Upon this, however, he never resided; but at his death it was divided among his children. This was about the year 1811. His wife was Mary Margaret Melick, born Aug. 20, 1757, who bore him eleven children,-viz., Catharine, Godfrey, Martin, Margaret, William, Han- nah, John, Mary, Daniel, Andrew, and James.

Daniel Hulshizer was born near Bloomsbury, Hun- terdon Co., on Feb. 15, 1797. He grew up at home, enjoying the benefits of a common-school education. When about fourteen years of age his father died. He remained on the home farm with his mother and an elder brother, and when in his twentieth year com- menced farming near Stewartsville, N. J., on a farm which he had derived from his father's estate, and which he still owns. In 1833 he removed to the farm which he now occupies at Stewartsville. On these two tracts of land Mr. Hulshizer has passed a long life of industry and toil engaged in agricultural pur- suits. By habits of economy and thrift he has ac- cumulated a large estate, and he enjoys a commanding influence in the township. Aside from his farming pursuits he has entered somewhat into outside business operations. He has engaged largely in selling wood to railroad corporations ; was in the mercantile business for several years at Stewartsville, and until a few years ago was interested, with others, in the Phillipsburg Iron-Rolling Mill. He retired from this enterprise after having suffered heavy losses. He was at one time a stockholder and director in the Phillipsburg Saving Institution, filling the position of president for about two years. He is a stockholder in the Phillipsburg National Bank. All his business relations have been characterized by the strictest integrity, and he justly enjoys the respect and esteem of all. He is a liberal contributor to church and kindred interests, and is a friend to the canse of education. He has been an elder in the Presbyterian Church of Stewartsville since its organization, in 1850; previous to that time he was connected with the Presbyterian Church of Green- wich, where he was also an elder. At the ripe old age of eighty-three he now lives in retirement at Stewartsville, and is in the full possession of all his faculties.

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History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 149

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