History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 76

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 76
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 76

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).

John B Sacher

JOHN B. DECKER.

The first white man to enter the precinets of what is now Wantage township, in Sussex County, was Peter Decker, a Hollander by descent, who left the

Neversink settlement about the year 1740, and, pass- ing over the Kittatinny or Blue Mountain, pursued his search after suitable land upon which to effect a per- manent settlement. His choice fell upon the present

306

SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

site of the village of Deckertown, where, amid tall forest-trees, murmuring brooks, and the solemn si- lence of a vast solitude, he erected the first dwelling built by a white man in that section. Here he passed his days engaged in clearing up land and tilling the soil, enduring the trials and privations of pioneer life. He was the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch.

Josiah, son of Peter Decker, was also an early resi- dent of Wantage township. He lived at the "Clove," and operated the first grist-mill at that point, besides engaging in farming to a considerable extent. To himself and wife, Sarah, were born five children,- namely, Bowdewine, Abraham, William, Fametje, and Margaret. The sons lived and died in Wantage. Fametje became the wife of Ephraim Kilpatrick, grandfather of Gen. Judson Kilpatrick, and Margaret married Seth Wickham.

Bowdewine Decker was one of the strong men of Wantage township in early times. He was born Feb. 25, 1763, and grew up on his father's farm, his school- ing advantages being but meagre in those days. He was a great reader, however, and a teacher in one of the early district schools of his locality. In 1787 he located near the present residence of his son, John B. Decker, where he erected a stone house, which he occupied for some years. In 1805 he built the main portion of the present dwelling of John B. Decker, where he continued to live until his death, in 1857, in his ninety-fourth year. Besides being a thrifty and successful farmer, owning over four hundred acres of land, he engaged extensively in other business. For many years he kept a store near his residence, where he carried on mercantile pursuits ; he had a tan-yard, a distillery, an extensive potash-works, and was gen- erally identified with the growth and development of his section. A man of good judgment and strong sense, the adviser of many people, of sterling integ- rity, generous and public-spirited, he was for many years one of the leading men of Wantage. He was a supporter of the Clove Presbyterian Church, and at one time bought the church edifice at public sale, and presented it clear to the congregation. He was an Old-Line Whig, but never an aspirant for office. His first wife, whom he married on May 31, 1787, was Naomi, daughter of Richard Westbrook, of Wantage, and a representative of one of the strong pioneer families of the section: She was born June 14, 1772, and died April 29, 1825. Her children were Richard, born Aug. 15, 1788; Josiah, born April 15, 1792; Mary, born Aug. 30, 1790; Hannah, born Feb. 5, 1794; Sarah, born Oct. 10, 1796; Frederick, born May 16, 1802; and John B., the only one surviving, born Nov. 16, 1803. Bowdewine Decker married for a second wife, on June 8, 1826, Rebecca Van Sickle, born May 1, 1768; died Sept. 11, 1845.

John B. Decker was born on the paternal farm, on the date indicated above, and is one of the oldest and most highly esteemed citizens of the township. His

earlier years were passed upon his father's farm, but his labors were mostly directed to the tanning busi- ness. In 1824 he took up his residence at his father's mill, and continued to co-operate with his father in the management of his affairs. In 1845 he removed to the family homestead, and worked the farm, and a few years later it was deeded to him by his father. Here he has continued to reside since, the property now, however, belonging to his son-in-law, Jacob Swartwout.

Mr. Decker has devoted his entire life to agricultu- ral operations, and has long been a representative farmer in Wantage township. He has owned a large estate, some of which is still preserved to him, but, though of good business qualifications and of excel- lent judgment, he has lost no less than eighty thou- sand dollars during his life by indorsements for friends, and because of his generous heart and liberal spirit. He now owns the mill at the Clove, a farm of one hundred and fifty acres near by, one hundred acres in Montague township, a small farm in Penn- sylvania, and houses and lots in Coleville and Decker- town. He has paid particular attention to the raising of fine stock, particularly horses. The celebrated trotting mare " Goldsmith Maid" was foaled on his farm in 1857, and sold by him, in 1863, for three lun- dred and fifty dollars to John H. Decker and Thomas Bingham, of Newburg, N. Y.

Mr. Decker has now reached the mature age of seventy-eight years, and is well preserved, and in full possession of all his faculties. He is a man of strict integrity, possesses the confidence of many friends, and is a contributor to the Clove Presbyterian Church. A Republican in politics, he has never been an aspi- rant after place. He has been twice married. His first wife was Sarah, daughter of William and Eliza- beth Decker, to whom he was united on April 24, 1824, and who bore him the following children,-viz., Wil- liam (deceased) ; Naomia E. (deceased) ; Elizabeth (deceased), wife of Jansen H. Beemer; Mary (de- ceased); Bowdewine (deceased) ; Daniel W., who died from disease contracted in the army in the late Rebellion ; and Emma R., wife of Judson J. Wiek- ham, of Craigville, Orange Co., N. Y. Mr. Decker's second wife was Charity M. Kilpatrick, whom he married on March 20, 1855. She was born May 12, 1824, and died March 15, 1868, leaving one child, Lillie, wife of Jacob Swartwout, of Wantage township.

JACOB E. HORNBECK.

The Hornbeck family is one of the pioneer families of Sussex County, and was early represented in UI- ster Co., N. Y., being of Dutch extraction.

Philip was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch and the first representative of the family in this section. His son Jacob was one of the early and prominent physicians of the county. He resided a

acob & Amibeche

ELIAS COOPER.

307

WANTAGE.

part of his life where Jacob Westbrook lives, in San- dyston township, and in Montague township, and was licensed to practice by the State board of censors on Oct. 5, 1802. Ile enjoyed a large and extensive practice, and at one time represented his fellow-citi- zens in the Legislature of the State. Ilis wife was Esther, daughter of Capt. John I. Westbrook, and granddaughter of Jacob Westbrook, and his children who reached mature years were seven in num- ber-namely, John W., a prominent lawyer of Allen- lown, l'a., who died in 1848, while representing his district in Congress; Maria (deceased), wife of James Bassett, of Honesdale, Pa .; Sarah, widow of Dr. Cornelius Stillwell; Elizabeth, widow of Archibald Drake; Cornelius, a leading merchant and lumber- dealer of Honesdale, Pa .; Margaret, widow of Wil- liam Cortright; and Jacob E., our subject. Dr. Hornbeck died Nov. 12, 1859, aged eighty-four years.

Jacob E. Hornbeck was born March 20, 1820, on his father's homestead, in Sandyston township, where his earlier years were passed. Hle enjoyed the bene- fits of academie instruction under Rev. Mr. Allen at Milford, Pa., and at the Allentown Academy. Upon attaining the age of twenty years he entered mercan- tile life as a clerk in Honesdale, Pa., where he re- mained for five years, owning one-quarter interest in the White Mills, near Honesdale, and in eighteen hundred acres of land in Wayne Co., Pa., and super- intending the erection, one summer, of a new mill, at an expense of two thousand eight hundred dollars.

At tho conclusion of that time he engaged in trade in Montague, in partnership with Jacob Hornbeck, and married, for his first wife, Mary D., daughter of James B. Armstrong, of that township, who died a few months later. In 1847 he opened a store at the Lackawaxen Narrows, in Pike Co., Pa., and contin- led at that point for four years. He then moved to Hawley, Pa., and, in partnership with Joseph S. Soli- duy, followed mercantile pursuits for two years.

On Jan. 3, 1856, he married, for his second wife, Zillah M., daughter of Samuel and Margaret Whit- aker, of Deckertown, N. J., and soon after removed to that place. He purchased a cedar swamp near the village, erected a mill, and for a time manufactured cedar shingles quite extensively. Subsequently he assisted his father-in-law, Mr. Whitaker, in the man- agement of his affairs, and later engaged in trade in the village, in partnership with John A. Beemer and John Loomis, under the firm-name of Hornbeck, Beemer & Co., for about five years. After the termi- nation of this business connection he purchased the Deckertown mill property, and has since owned and operated the grist-mill at that point.

Mr. Hornbeck is recognized as one of the self- made, influential, and successful business men of Wantage. Starting out in life with small capital, but tilled with an ambition to do and succeed, he has, by the exercise of sound judgment, industry, and close application to business, achieved honorable promi-

nence in business life. He is generous and liberal- minded, a warm supporter of the progressive and be- nevolent enterprises of the day, and one of the moy- ing men of Deckertown. A few years ago he erected the Opera House block, in size fifty-four by eighty feet, and comprising several stores and a public hall, which he still owns. He has dealt considerably in real estate and owns several houses and buildings, besides a farm of two hundred and eighty-seven aeres in Orange Co., N. Y. He is a Democrat in politics. was a warm supporter of the war, and postmaster at Deckertown for two years, commencing April 1, 1859. He has been collector of Wantage township for two years past, being chosen without opposition, and was trustee and clerk of Deckertown school for thirteen years. He has acted as the private adviser and coun- sel of a number of friends, and has administered five different estates. Towards the project of bringing the Midland Railroad to Deckertown he contributed fif- teen hundred dollars, and lent warm personal encour- agement.

Ilis children are Maggie E., wife of Whitfield Gibbs, editor of the Deckertown Independent, and Samuel W., residing at home.

ELIAS COOPER.

Capt. Elias Cooper, as he was familiarly known, was one of the strong men of Wantage township in early days, and did much by his energy and force of character to develop the industries of the section of country in which he located. His father was Obadiah Cooper, of English descent, and a farmer at Fishkill, Dutchess Co., N. Y. Here Elias was born, on July 19, 1783. Ilegrew up on the paternal farm, and attended the common schools of his day. When he had attained the age of twenty-nine he was induced to come to Sussex County and take charge of the plantation of his maternal uncle, Dominic Elias Van Benschoten, one of the pioneer Dutch ministers of the Minisink region, who became widely known throughout that section. The removal to Sussex County occurred on April 1, 1812. This large tract of land, lying in Want- age township, and comprising about one thousand acres, finally became the property of t'apt. Cooper, sub- jeet to a bequest of twenty thousand dollars, which the captain paid, to Rutgers College, New Brunswick, which had been left by Rev. Van Benschoten to that institution, provided his will was read at each annual meeting of the Classis of New Brunswick. Upon this tract Capt. Cooper lived, surrounded by his slaves, and engaged in agricultural operations, and in running a grist- and saw-mill at the " Clove." He was a gentle- man of the olden time, liberal and publie-spirited, of strong judgment and common sense, and one whose advice and assistance were sought by all classes of people. Hle loaned a great deal of money through his section, and many families whose representatives are now leading agriculturists in Wantage received their

308

SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

first start through his liberality and assistance. He took great interest in local military affairs, and was a captain in the militia of his day. He was a Whig in politics, and a strong pillar in the Clove Presbyterian Church. In his latter days he was actively interested in the temperance cause. He passed away on Sept. 9, 1846, dividing his property equitably among his children, who still own a large portion of the original estate.

Capt. Cooper was married on Dec. 25, 1811, to Sarah, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Rosencrans) Dodge, of Dutchess Co., N. Y., and a member of the influential family of that name, in New York City. Her father, Henry Dodge, was once a representative in the New York Legislature, and many of her rela- tives performed active service in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Cooper was born May 4, 1790, and died on June 12, 1872. Her children were as follows: Mat- thew H., born Oct. 25, 1812, residing in Brooklyn, N. Y .; John J., born April 9, 1814, residing at Goshen, N. Y .; William, born Sept. 16, 1815, graduated at Princeton College, practiced law at Deckertown, died March 3, 1842; Sarah M., born April 30, 1817, mar- ried Asa Smith, of Wantage, Sept. 30, 1835; James H., born Feb. 21, 1819, died Nov. 19, 1876; Charles A., born Jan. 2, 1821, graduated at the University of New York, practiced medicine for twenty-two years in Wantage township, now a leading oil operator at Oil City, Pa .; Hannah E., born Jan. 23, 1823, de- ceased, wife of W. W. Rose, of Brooklyn; Mahlon, born June 26, 1824, residing at Warwick ; Walter, born Sept. 28, 1828, died Aug. 14, 1830; and Daniel WV., born March 7, 1831, a practicing physician of Wantage township.

EVI DE WITT.

Among the many old families who, about the mid- dle of the seventeenth century, sought the shores of the New World, none had been more distinguished in political and social life, none had numbered in its ranks more noted men than the De Witts.

Natives of Dordrecht, one of the oldest burgher towns of Holland, and in later years dear to art as the birthplace of Cuyp and Ary Scheffer, and to theology as the meeting-place of the Synod of Dort, the " Geschlacten von Dordrecht," in the Royal Library at the Hague, gives the descent of the De Witt family in an unbroken line from the year 1295 to Sept. 8, 1639. Some of the names served under Wil- liam the Silent, and were zealous supporters of the revolted provinces against Spanish oppression. After the death of John of Barneveldt, Jacob De Witt succeeded to the high honors of "Land Advocate of Holland." His son Cornelius, the burgomaster of Dordrecht, "at the head of a Dutch fleet, with a stout Dutch admiral to do his bidding," sailed up the Thames, burning the English ships and sending con- sternation into the very heart of London. Another

son, John De Witt, one of the most distinguished men in the history of the Netherlands, became Grand Pensionary of Holland during the period between the separation from Spain and the opening of the Thirty Years' War.

The family emigration to the colony of "New Amsterdam" began about the year 1639. Andries and Tjerck Claus De Witt located at Esopus, in Ulster Co., N. Y., about 1648, and became the progenitors of the Ulster branch of the family. As the gener- ations increased the family became numerous, and some of its representatives followed the line of settle- ment through the Mamakating and Minisink regions, and have since been numerously represented in that section.

Moses De Witt, son of Jacob and Leah De Witt, and father of our subject, was born Oct. 23, 1761. He served in the war at Minisink, where he held the office of captain, and is said to have stood his ground against the Indians, and to have fought bravely until a white man was no longer to be seen. After the struggle he located in Wantage township, Sussex Co., near the Jacob W. De Witt farm, where he passed his days as a farmer, being one of the pioneers of Wantage. To himself and wife, Margaret, were born the following children,-namely, Hiram, born Nov. 9, 1783; Olivia, born Jan. 7, 1785, married Amos Titsworth, of Wantage; Jezereel, born Sept. 1, 1786 ; Tjerck, born April 19, 1788 ; Evi, born June 11, 1789; Moses, born Sept. 1, 1790; Mary, born April 20, 1792; Aaron, born June 24, 1793; Elizabeth, born Jan. 20, 1796, married Edward Lewis ; Margaret, born Oct. 13, 1797, married Samuel Smith; John, born Jan. 18, 1799; Naomi, born March 23, 1801, married John B. Decker ; Jacob W., born Nov. 27, 1804; and Cath- arine, born March 23, 1806, married Jacob Swarts. Of this large family of children, all attained mature years save Hiram, who was killed in early life by the falling of a tree. Olivia, Evi, Moses, Elizabeth, and Jacob W. became residents of Wantage. Jacob, Soferine, and Samuel were brothers of the first Moses. The first two passed their lives in Wantage township, and Samuel removed West. Moses De Witt died Dec. 8, 1842, and his wife on May 19, 1845.

Evi De Witt, the subject of this sketch, is one of the oldest residents of Sussex County, being in his ninety-second year. He was born June 11, 1789, in Wantage township, grew up on his father's farm, and at the age of seventeen went to learn the trade of a tanner and currier with John Peckham, of Greenville, Orange Co., N. Y. He worked as an apprentice for two years, and was taken in as a joint partner the third year. On March 9, 1811, he married Prudence Stoddard, a native of Connecticut, who was born Nov. 6, 1791. After this event he continued to work at his trade for some time, when he removed to his native township and engaged in tanning and carrying on the farm where his son, Jonathan S. De Witt, now lives. Here his family was born and raised, the two

Jacob MOD. Will-

309

WANTAGE.

avocations of farming and tanning being separately pursued. Upon the marriage of his son, Jonathan S., Mr. De Witt purchased the Tjerck De Witt farm, whereon he erected his present residence, about twenty- eight years ago. He subsequently resided for a few years where Jacob W. De Witt now lives.

The life of Mr. De Witt has been a modest and busy one, spent within the inner cireles of society, yet having an important relation to the growth and development of the community in which he has passed so many years. He enjoys the respect and confidenee of his friends for his honest, straightfor- ward, and manly life, and will carry down with him, at a green old age, the recollection of a sincere, earnest, and useful career. He is a Democrat in politics, and has filled the leading offices of his town- ship, though never a seeker after place. He is a member of the Wantage Methodist Episcopal Church, and a liberal contributor to church and kindred inter- ests. ITis wife died Aug. 25, 1873. Of a large family of children eight are still living, and his grandchil- dren number twenty-four. The children were Lucy S., born Feb. 9, 1812, who resides in Wantage, and married John 1. Decker and Obadiah A. Wright; Jezereel, born Sept. 16, 1813, died Aug. 24, 1821; Hannah, born Oct. 11, 1815, wife of Halsey Kite ; Simcon S., born Dee. 21, 1817, and Lorenzo, born Feb. 20, 1820, both of whom died Aug. 21, 1821; Prudenec, born Sept. 3, 1822, married Benjamin Van- etten; Jonathan S., born May 31, 1825, a leading farmer of Wantage; Lucretia, born July 23, 1827, died Feb. 9, 1846; Arminda L., born Dec. 1, 1829, wife of Nathaniel W. Bailey ; Daniel S., born Feb. 23, 1832; Nelson, born April 9, 1834, residing on the home farm; and Margaret L., born Aug. 19, 1836, wife of Abraham J. Decker, of Wantage.

JACOB W. DE WITT.

Jacob W. De Witt, son of Moses and Margaret De Witt, was born on the homestead of his father, in Wantage township, on Nov. 27, 1804. He came of distinguished Dutch stock in Holland, and the family of which he is a representative has long been identi- fied with the settlement and development of the see- tion of country in which he lives. The earlier history of his ancestors is presented in connection with the sketch of his older brother, Evi De Witt, in this work.

Until the death of his parents the life of Mr. De Witt was passed on the old homestead, which he farmed on shares a portion of the time. ITis educa- tion was obtained at the district school which stood on the corner, near his present residence, on the " Clove" road. On Feb. 3, 1830, he was united in marriage to Phebe, daughter of Constant and Lydia A. Fuller, of Wantnge. She was born April 10, 1810, and died Sept. 4, 1857. After the demise of his father the home farm came to Mr. De Witt, upon which he lived, engaged in agricultural pursuits, until his re-

moval to his present residence, in 1873, and which he still owns. He is recognized as one of the success- ful leading representative agriculturists of Wantage, and by a life of industry, integrity, and fair dealing has accumulated a good estate and won the respect and confidence of many friends. He is a man of generous impulses, liberal in his support of the re- ligions and benevolent institutions of his day, and for thirty years past has been an elder in the First Pres- byterian Church of Wantage. He was formerly a Democrat in polities, but now identified with the Republican party, and has filled the office of free- holder, and the minor offices of the township, as the representative of each party. Ile took an active in- terest in the project of bringing the Midland Railroad to Deckertown, to which he contributed two thousand dollars, and is one of the well-preserved, intelligent, and popular aged men of his section. His children by his first marriage were as follows: Lydia A., born Dec. 30, 1830; Constant F., born March 29, 1833, died May 27, 1867 ; Miranda L., born Feb. 22, 1835, mar- ried Alfred Hardin, died Jan. 8, 1876; Theodore, born July 9, 1837, a leading farmer in Wantage; Sarah Naomi, born July 31, 1841 ; Emma A., born Dee. 5, 1843, died May 20, 1852; Margaret, born June 14, 1846, widow of Dr. Lewis Westfall; Moses, born April 30, 1849, a graduate of Prinecton College in 1870, and a practicing lawyer at Newark, N. J .; and an infant son, who died unnamed. His second wife was Fanny, daughter of Henry and Sarah Shepherd, of Wantage, and widow of Silas Lewis, of the same place. She was born March 24, 1814, and is the present helpmeet of his home.

CHARLES A. WILSON.

The Wilson family is of Scotch extraction, and has been identified from the earliest years with the settle- ment and development of Wantage and contiguous townships in Sussex County.

Andrew Wilson, the pioneer of that branch of the family to which the subject of this sketch belongs, was born in Scotland, on Nov. 30, 1726, and emigrated to this country from Ireland in early life. He was of good family and a commissioned officer under George III., serving at the battle of Ticonderoga during the French and Indian war. lle was badly wounded in the service, and granted a patent of land by the government. He first located in Wantage township, near the Wallkill River, and finally estab- lished himself where his grandson now resides, and where he passed his life in clearing up land, tilling the soil, and in the usual farming operations inei- dent to a pioneer life. Ilimself and wife, Martha Ferguson, were among the six who formed the first Methodist class in this section of Sussex County. She was born on March 5, 1731, and the marriage oc- curred on Aug. 29, 1750. The fruits of the union

310

SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

were Mary, born Aug. 13, 1751 ; Joseph, born Oct. 29, 1752; Benjamin, born May 24, 1754; Andrew, born Nov. 27, 1755; Catharine, born Sept. 15, 1757 ; Hope, born Jan. 1, 1760; Jacob, born May 23, 1761; Mar- garet, born July 17, 1763; Addi and Neri, born May 24, 1765; Martha, born Feb. 14, 1767; Iliram, born March 4, 1769; Forger, born June 2, 1771; and Abiah, born March 9, 1773.

Andrew Wilson died Nov. 6, 1802, and his wife on February 16th of the same year.

Abiah Wilson, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born on the old homestead, on the date indicated above. He ocenpied throughout life a large tract of productive land in Wantage township, and became favorably known as a successful and represen- tative agriculturist. At his death he divided his property equitably among his children, and many of his descendants are still identified with the farming and business interests of that section. To himself and wife, Mary Lobden, a large family of children were born,-namely, a son, Jan. 26, 1794; Andrew, April 15, 1797, died Sept. 15, 1874; Eliza, July 18, 1798; Julia, Nov. 17, 1800; Mathias, Oct. 25, 1801; Eliza, July 4, 1804, married William Stoddard, died July 4, 1847 ; Samuel, Feb. 6, 1806; Augustus, July 2, 1807 ; Philetus, father of our subject; James, July 9, 1810; a daughter, April 1, 1811 ; Mary, May 18, 1812, mar- ried John Fuller, died Aug. 16, 1844; Abiah, April 23, 1814; Lebeus, Ang. 17, 1817, died April 8, 1846 ; Lida, March 1, 1819, married James Coe. Abiah Wilson died Nov. 15, 1827, and his wife, Mary, on Feb. 9, 1855.

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 76

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