History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 180

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 180
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 180

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John Vannatta, eldest son of Samuel, and subject of our sketch, was born in Harmony, Aug. 18, 1801. He remained at home assisting his father on the farm and ferry until he reached the age of twenty-five years. In 1826 he married Nancy, daughter of John and Susan Rosenbury, of Mount Bethel, Pa., who bore him the following children,-viz., Samuel, John R., Joseph, Moses, Lemuel, Mary Ann (wife of Lemuel Gardner), Morris, and Elias.

In 1827, Mr. Vannatta purchased a farm in Har- mony township of sixty acres, which he paid for in five years, then sold it, and purchased in 1832 one hundred and fifty acres in the township of Washing- ton, upon which he has since resided. This farm had been poorly cultivated, and upon it was a one-and-a- half-story stone house in poor repair. With his ae- customed energy Mr. Vannatta set about improving

his farm, and about 1837 built a new stone house, and subsequently erected commodious barus and out- buildings. Hle resided in this house until 1874, when, after securing a fine property by his industry and judicious management, he thought to retire from

JOHN VANN.ATT.I.

the more active duties of farm-work, built a house on a part of his farm in which he now resides, leaving his farm in the hands of one of his sons. About the time he was going to remove to his new home, in 1874, his wife died ; she was born in 1806.

Besides paying for this property, Mr. Vannatta purchased a farm of sixty acres near his other farm, which he sold to his son John R., and upon which he resides. In 1875 he married Susan, daughter of But- ler Morris, of Mount Bethel, Pa., and widow of the late William Joseph Scott, who by her former mar- riage has one son, John Wesley Scott.

In politics Mr. Vannatta has been a life-long Democrat, and has never held office except to serve as township committeeman. He has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for thirty years, and a contributor to church and kindred interests. His first wife was a devoted Christian woman, having united with the church prior to her marriage.

Mr. Vannatta has spent a life of industry and ac- tivity, and one wholly devoted to his business. He is a man unostentatious in hi- manner, and has sought to fulfill the whole duties of the citizen in a quiet way. He is now nearly fourscore years of age, and quite well preserved in both body and mind.

722

WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

ADAM WANDLING.

The first settler of the Wandling family in Wash- ington township was Jacob, grandfather of Adam, who resided near the Franklin line and on the farm where Adam Wandling was born and has since re- sided.

He was a blacksmith by trade and had a shop near

Adann Wandlung

the creek, where his son Adam for many years carried on his trade also as a blacksmith.

During the latter part of his life Jacob removed to Mooresburg, Pa., where he resided until his death. His children were Jacob, John, Henry, Adam, and Catharine.

the Presbyterian Church at Washington, and gave liberally for its support. He died March 30, 1857. His children were Catharine, John, Elizabeth, Anna, Mary, Jacob, James, Peter, Daniel, Adam, Margaret, and Sarah.

Adam, son of Adam, was born on the old home- stead, Jan. 14, 1816. His business life has been mostly that of a farmer, but for several years he was a dealer in grain and lumber, making his shipments by the Morris Canal to New York City. In 1843 he erected the substantial brick house in which he resides on a part of the homestead. He also erected a grist-mill and saw-mill on his place, which he carried on for several years prior to 1854.

Mr. Wandling has taken no very active part in poli- tics, but is well read in the principles of his party. Until the organization of the Republican party he was a Democrat, but has since acted with the former.

He married, Dec. 18, 1838, Mary, daughter of Law- rence and Elizabeth (Todd) Lomerson. She was born Jan. 15, 1818, and died March 26, 1852.

The children born of this union were Elizabeth, wife of D. R. Wilcox, William Clark, and Mary Catharine, wife of Aaron Vough.

For his second wife he married, Sept. 20, 1853, Elizabeth, daughter of Robert C. and Mary (Stephens) Caskey. She was born Aug. 9, 1826. Both her father and grandfather Robert were farmers near Hacketts- town, where they resided. Her brothers and sisters are William C .; Sarah S., wife of John Hance; Eliza- beth; Enoch T .; Addie N .; Olivia, died at the age of twenty-nine ; and Clorinda C., wife of Robert Osmun. Her father died April 14, 1852, in the sixty-third year of his age, and her mother died March 12, 1866, aged sixty-seven years.

The children of Mr. Wandling by his second mar- riage are Enoch C., Robert C., Lewis J., and Addie C.

WILLIAM G. DUFFORD.

William G. Dufford, of German ancestry, was born in German Valley, Morris Co., N. J., June 13, 1824. His father, George Dufford, born in German Valley in 1794, married Elizabeth, daughter of Leonard Neigh- bor, of the same place. He resided several years on Fox Hill, afterwards returning to his native place, where he remained the rest of his life, His life was spent in agricultural pursuits. He was a large land- owner, and at one time owned some five hundred and fifty acres. He gave little attention to politics and spent an active business life, preferring the quiet of the farm to official notoriety or preferment. He was a member of the Lutheran Church for some thirty years, and died about 1863. His wife was formerly a member of the Presbyterian Church, but after her marriage united with the Lutheran Church. She is now (1880) living, and enjoys health in body and an unimpaired mind. She was born in March, 1800.

Upon the removal of the family to Pennsylvania, Adam, father of our subject, remained. He was born Dec. 18, 1769, and married Margaret Wine Gardner, Aug. 1, 1797. She was born June 1, 1777, and died Jan. 23, 1864. Adam Wandling, Sr., had no pecuni- ary assistance in starting out in life. He did most of his blacksmithing in the old log shop built by his father, but erected a stone one in 1817, which is now standing (1880). By his own industry and judicious management he soon accumulated sufficient to pur- chase the homestead, and subsequently added to this purchase; so that at his death he had sonie five hun- dred acres in one body. He had little book-knowl- edge, bnt possessed a good business ability and sound judgment, and ranked among the substantial farmers and business men of the vicinity where he resided. During the latter part of his life he gave his attention more to agricultural pursuits. He was a member of Their children are Leonard, deceased ; Stephen, de-

GEORGE VUSLER.

Jacob Vusler, whose father came from Germany, re- moved from Albany, N. Y., and settled in Hunterdon Co., N. J., where he carried on farming during the re- mainder of his life. He was a soldier in the war for in- dependence and subsequently received a pension. His wife was Sully Castner, and his children were Katy, Jacob, Delana, Peter, Katrina, Phebe, George, and Mrs. James Dutty.

Jacob was father of our subject, and married Margaret Ockerman, who bore him children, as follows : George ; Sally, wife of James Hazlett; Robert; Katy, wife of John Barnes; James; Delana, wife of John Moore; Daniel ; and John. They resided in Hunterdon County, and most of the time after their marriage were farmers. The father died about 1859 at the age of eighty-two. The mother died at the age of seventy-nine. Both were members of the Lutheran Church at Spruce Run.

George Vusler, eldest son of Jacob and Margaret Vusler, was born in Hunterdon County, Oct. 26, 1×0.5. On account of the straitened circumstances of his parents he, with the rest of the children, had little opportunity for education, and what they did obtain was by going many miles to school. Thus early in life he met the obstacles incident to poverty, and while a boy learned that to bocome successful he must be self-reliant, and that only by industry and economy could he ever secure anything of this world's goods. llis early training was such that temperate habits and honest dealing have characterized his whole life. With a resolution to do something for himself und a strong, robust constitu- tion, upon reaching his majority he started in life for himself. On May 6, 1826, he married Mary Ann,

the daughter of John and Anna (Moore) MeDonald, who proved a worthy help-ineet, a devoted Christian mother and wife, and a kind neighbor, as they traveled through life's journey and carved out a fortune for themselves. The children born of this union are Andrew M. ; Jacob; Sylvester; Elizabeth, wife of James Anthony; and Margaret Ann, widow of the late Jacob Wyckoff.

For four years after their marriage Mr. Vusler rented farms, but in 1830 be had accumulated sufficient by his industry and care that he purchased one hundred and thirty-seven and a half acres of land in the township of Bethlehem, Ilunterdon Co., which he paid for after a few years, and then purchased another farm of the same size contiguous to it. Upon this property he resided until 1861, when he removed to the township of Wash- ington, Warren Co., where he had purchased a farm of one hundred and thirty-three acres near Port Colden, upon which he still resides. Thus by his own hands und unassisted pecuniarily he has become the possessor of three fine farms. On Feb. 14, 1871, he was called to mourn the loss of his wife, who for forty years had been a member of the Lutheran Church at Spruce Run. Hle was a member of the same church and one of the build- ing committee in the construction of the church-editlee, and for thirty-five years one of the trustees and treas- urer of the church.

Through life Mr. Vusler has been a member of the Democratic party, and cast his first vote for Androw Jackson. He has held some minor places in his party, and for many years was judge of election under the old law.

723

WASHINGTON.

ecased; William G .; Lawrence; Elijah ; Elizabeth, wife of Philip L. Welsh, deceased ; Henry P .; George; Sophia, wife of Jesse Smith ; Andrew ; and Ann, wife of John Wert.

William G. Dufford received only a district school

War G. Dufford

education. Ile early in life became inured to farm- work, and spent his minority on the farm at home. Under the thorough training of a careful father he learned the important lessons of industry, economy, and self-reliance; so that when he reached his ma- jority he felt able to think and aet for himself. He re- mained at home until the age of twenty-four, and for one year worked on the Morris Canal. On Jan. 13, 1848, he married Caroline, daughter of Jacob and Susan Welsh, of his native place. She was born Sept. 25, 1828, and died Feb. 19, 1851, leaving a daughter, Elizabeth, who became the wife of Daniel Spangen- burg, of Washington, N. J. For his second wife he married, June 18, 1853, Mary Ann, daughter of Henry I. and Margaret Hoffman, of Schooley's Mountain. Of this union were born George; Stephen ; Marga- retta Fritts, died in infancy; Caroline; Henrietta ; Mary Jemima; Anna ; Sarah Alice; and Minnie Louise. The mother of these children was born Nov. 9, 1821, and died April 9, 1875.

For eight years after his marriage Mr. Dufford rented a farm of his father, and in IS57 he purchased one hundred and thirty-five acres, now within the cor- porate limits of the borough of Washington, N. J. To this he has added, so that his present farm is one hundred und tifty acres. The house upon this place

was at the time of the purchase one hundred and one years old. In this he resided until 1868, when he built his present two-story brick residence, one of the finest and most substantial structures in the county of Warren.

Mr. Dufford is interested in all that pertains to the prosperity of the place where he resides and the well- being of the people. He has been honored by his fellow-townsmen with places of trust and responsi- bility, was one of the township committee during the war, and treasurer for some three years. He was also a member of the borough council for three years. He was formerly a member of the Lutheran Church, but upon taking up his residence in Washington united with the Presbyterian Church, of which he was chosen elder in 1878.

JAMES SKINNER.

His paternal grandfather resided in Hunterdon County, where he reared a family of four sons, -- John, Nathaniel, Jacob, and Robert.

Tomas Skinner

Robert was father of our subject, born in 1777, married for his first wife Sarah Frees, who died in middle life in 1808, leaving six children,-viz., Wil- liam, Jacob, Mary, John, Samuel, and James. Of these only John and James survive (1580). IFis second wife was Polly Bryant, who bore him the fol- lowing children, all of whom are deceased : Joseph, Daniel, Charles, Susan, and Rebecca Ann. After the death of this wife he married Hetty Bartrown, who died without issue.

724

WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Robert Skinner was a carpenter by trade. He re- sided on a farm near New Hampton for twenty years, and worked most of his time at his trade. He sub- sequently resided below Asbury for ten years, and afterwards settled in the township of Hope on a farm, where he lived the remainder of his life, and died Aug. 22, 1831. He was plain in his ways and led a quiet life. He was esteemed by all who knew him for his uprightness of character and temperate habits.

James, son of Robert and Sarah Skinner, born near New Hampton, Sept. 30, 1806, married, Nov. 20, 1828, Rachel, daughter of Elias and Hetty (Higgins) Smith, of Hampton. She was born in Bethlehem township, Nov. 20, 1807. Her father was a carpenter by trade, and worked at this business for many years. He was engaged for some time on the Morris Canal, and also tended the lock at Port Colden, where he resided for a while, and where he died in 1863 at the age of eighty years. His children were Amos, John, Rachel, Mary Susan, Isaac, and Lydia.

For some twenty years after his marriage Mr. Skinner lived on rented farms in Hampton, Green-

wich, and Harmony townships. By industry and economy during this time he had accumulated some property, and in 1847 he purchased seventy-seven acres of land near Port Colden, upon which he has resided since.

In 1857 he built his present residence, and lias erected on his place fine and commodious barns and other buildings. Everything about his place bespeaks thrift and the hand of an intelligent and careful agri- culturist. Neither he nor his wife ever received any pecuniary assistance in starting in life, and their val- uable property is the result of many years' labor and toil. Like his father before him he was a member of the old Whig party, and upon the formation of the Republican party he became a supporter of its prin- ciples, although he takes no active interest further than to cast his vote. Their children are John ; Wil- liam; Mary, wife of Aaron Riegel; Elias Smith; Jane, wife of William Apgar; Samuel, died May 28, 1878, aged thirty-six, leaving a widow and three children; Emma, died at the age of twenty-two, on March 6, 1869; and James Nelson Skinner.

MANSFIELD.

I .- GEOGRAPHICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.

MANSFIELD is one of the south border townships of the county.

The area of the township is 27-8, square miles, or 17,805 acres. It is bounded on the north hy Hope township, on the northeast by Independence, on the east by Hackettstown, on the southeast by Morris County, southwest by Hunterdon County, and on the west and northwest by Oxford and Washington town- ship

According to the census of 1880, Mansfield had 1712 inhabitants. The Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad and the Morris Canal run through the entire township from east to west.

II .- NATURAL FEATURES.

The surface of the township is rolling, there being two chains of hills running its entire length from east to west. The Musconetcong River skirts it along the south side, and the valley is filled with beautiful pro- ductive farms. Indeed, the soil in the bottoms, as also on the uplands, is remarkably rich, and yields readily to cultivation. Many farms along the river and in the valley of the Pohatcong Creek afford sixty to seventy-five bushels of corn to the acre, and from one and a half to two tons of hay per acre. The soil

is chiefly limestone, but near the top of the hills it is of a slaty nature. The valley along the Morris Ca- nal is wide, and the hills slope off to the south gradu- ally ; but in some places on the north side the hill rises abruptly from the canal. Beyond this ridge, north of the canal, is the Pohatcong valley, through which winds the creek of that name. This has its fountain-head in Independence township, on the stock farm owned by Dr. W. A. Conover. The Pohatcong runs through the township from northeast to south- west. Along this stream the land is unusually rich. On the north side of the Pohatcong, near the Hope township line, is Furnace Mountain, so called from the Oxford furnace, located there.

The two other streams running through the town- ship are Old Hollow Brook, which has its source on the Stewart farm, and Trout Brook, both flowing in a southwesterly direction into the Musconetcong River.

Fully one-quarter of the land in Mansfield is un- tillable on account of the rough surface of the coun- try, yet there is probably no township in the county that raises so much grain and hay. Although many of the farms have been worked over one hundred years, the soil at the present day shows no signs of giving out. Most of the farmers burn lime and use it on the land every few years, thereby keeping up the richness of the soil.

* By S. H. Hadley.

725

MANSFIELD.

There is an abundance of iron ore throughout the hilly portions of the township, and efforts are now making to develop it. The Crane Iron Company was opened about twelve years ago and yielded 500 tons a year, but is not now in operation. Samuel Perry and Amos Beatty own mines out of which consider- able ore has been taken. The John C. Welsh Mine has turned out 2000 tons a year. Aaron Stephenson has an ore bank, but it has not been fully developed, and the same may be said of the Criger Mine. A hematite mine, owned by Mr. Shields, is the largest one in Mansfield. It has been opened twelve years, and has yielded as high as 100 tons a day. The Hackettstown furnace gets the most of its ore.

III .- EARLY SETTLEMENT, ETC.

Among the early settlers of Mansfield, at the time the township was set off from Greenwich, in 1754, were John Axford, Richard Shackleton, Richard Bowlsby, Abraham Van Horn, Harmanus Cline, Ed- ward Demun, David Johnson, Capt, Benjamin Mc- Cullough, Richard Lacey, Mark Thomson, William Griblen, John Cline, Edward Palmer, and John Vliet.

These were among the most prominent citizens, and were chosen as frecholders, collectors, and asses- sors prior to and during the Revolutionary war. Some of these men have descendants living in the county at the present day, but the majority have emigrated and become scattered throughout the country.

One of the early pioneers was Joseph Anderson, who founded the settlement afterwards called " An- dersontown." He was born Dec. 18, 1761, at what is now ('linton Station, Hunterdon Co. He married Elizabeth Stephenson in 1787, who lived at Quaker- town, in that county. He came to Mansfield about this time, and soon became one of its leading men. The hotel now standing was built by him, and he built a distillery, the first one in this section. He had one son and seven daughters. James married a daughter of Joseph Carter, who now survives him, and is seventy-six years of age. Susan and Jane, two of his younger children, are living at Washington, in this county; the former was born in 1806, and is still in good health, but has nearly lost her eyesight ; Jane Dusenberry, her sister, is a few years younger.

Dr. Beavers came about 1790. Ife practiced medi- eine in this section and held many township offices.

One of the foremost men of his time was Dr. Robert Cummins. It is not known when he first settled here or where he came from, but the records of the State Medical Society state that he was a sur- geon in the first Sussex regiment during the Revolu- tion. He settled at what is now known as Mount Bethel, taking up large tracts of land. His practice extended for many miles around. He died in 1806, aged eighty-six years, and was buried in the church- yard at Mount Bethel.

James Egbert moved to Mount Bethel in 1790. He was induced to come by Dr. Cummins. MIr. Egbert came from Staten Island, N. Y., where he was engaged in his occupation of tanner. He estab- lished a tannery at his new home, bought many pieces of land of Dr. Cummins in the years 1798 to 1804, and these two men soon made a prosperous settlement. At that time all his hides were brought from New York by teams. Mr. Egbert moved to Morristown in 1845, and died one year later. Two years before his death he built the handsome stone church at Mount Bethel, and gave it to the Methodist Epis- copal Conference. It was dedicated and named by Bishop Asbury.

Stewart Martin was also one of the first settlers. He kept a tavern in Beattystown at the time of the Revolutionary war, and fed some of Gen. Burgoyne's army after they were captured and on their way from Saratoga, N. Y., to Virginia.

Elisha and Edward Bird, brothers, were among the first settlers of Beattystown. They were prominent men in those times, and carried on the distilling busi- ness quite extensively.

Two brothers named John and William Marlott settled there also prior to the first war with Great Britain. William came when seven years of age. He learned the blacksmith's trade, and opened a shop in Beattystown. Soon after this he married Elizabeth Brown, of Independence township. They had fourteen children, nine sons and five daughters, all of whom grew up but two. One of the sons, Jacob P. Marlott, is now living in Hackettstown, seventy-eight years of age.

Daniel Axford was one of the early settlers. He was born in Mansfield, 1804, and was a prominent man. He was sheriff of Warren County several years, and was a shrewd business man and seeured a comfortable fortune. He is now living in Hacketts- town, aged seventy-eight years.

William Gardner is also an old resident of Mans- field, and lives near Port Coleman, in the western side of the township, and has held many offices of trust. Mr. Gardner is still an active man considering his age, which is nearly eighty.

Archibald Robertson, of Beattystown, was a prom- inent and influential man in his time, in the years 1825 to 1850. Ile was justice of the peace, and in fact served the township in almost every capacity. He also served in the Legislature several terms.

Jacob Hann settled below Andersontown, on the Museoneteong River, about 1809, which farm is still in the possession of the family, his son John now oe- cupying it. Jacob Hann came from Schooley's Moun- tain to Mansfield. He had several sons by two mar- riages, of whom John was the only child by the see- ond wife, Mrs. Margaret Hann (widow ). Jacob Hann died in 1867, aged about eighty-five years.

Samuel Davis, son of Coonrad Davis, Sr., was an old resident, located east of Andersontown ; he is de-

726

WARREN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

ceased, but his widow and a daughter (Mrs. Aaron Van Sickel) are living in that village; also a son iu Greenwich township, or near there. His farm is now owned by William Hann, a cousin of Judge Hann, of Washington, and a son, Alfred, is now occupying it.

STORES.

There have never been many stores in the township, especially in an early day. Jacob Anderson kept a store in the village of that name about the year 1825. The Bird Brothers kept a store in connection with their other business at Beattystown, in 1800. The first store in Port Murray was built by Moore Furman. This was about the time the Morris Canal was opened, 1836. John W. Forker is the only one selling goods there now, and Mr. Van Syckle keeps the only store in Anderson.

EARLY TAVERNS.

The first public-house in the township, as far back as there is any record, was kept by Stewart Martin in Beattystown. It is known that he kept a hotel there during the Revolutionary war. Benjamin Leek kept the public-house there in the war of 1812, and fed three hundred drafted men whom Capt. Jake Henry had collected there in order to march them to the front. There is no hotel in the village at this time.

At Anderson the hotel was built in 1795 by Joseph Anderson, whom the settlement was named after. The building is still in good repair, and is kept as a hotel by Mr. Pidcock.

The first hotel at Port Murray was built by William Morton, 1837. It is now kept by William Smith.

Drs. Cummins and Beavers were the pioneers in medicine. The former has been already mentioned; the latter settled at Anderson prior to 1800, and prac- ticed medicine in that vicinity. He was also chosen to fill many township and county offices. The date of his death is not known.

The present resident physicians of the township are Dr. Cox, Dr. J. H. Smith, Dr. H. S. Funk, all residing at Port Murray.

HIGHWAYS.

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History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 180

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