History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 82

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 82
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 82

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Stato ; and Dorcas, born April 4, 1772, married Henry Prico, father of Hon, %. H. P'rice, and resided near Pettit's Corner4, in Frankford town- ship. The grandchildren of Benjamin and Anne Hutt numbered one Indred und five.

Of these children, John was father of our subject and resided for a time on the farm now owned by William Space, at Myrtle Grove, and about 1798 removed with his family to Shapannek, Walpick township, where he a few years afterwards met his death under circumstances which aroused strong suspicion that ho had been murdered One of his sons, Com, John H. Hull, born in 1805, removed to Richmond, l'a., in 15 30, where he was engaged with another brother in the manufacture of wagons for two years, Ho resided at Corydon, l'a., from ISH to INIe. He was subsequently a merchant at Warren, Pa., where he it moved in 1812, and during his thirty-one years' residence there he was a member of the town council for twenty-four years. Hle died at the ngo of sixty-eight.

Benjamin, another son of John Hull, is the subject of this sketch, nud was born in Newton township, March 14, 1788, being ton years old when the family settled in Walpark. Ho served in the war of Is12, and wan in the battle of Sandy Hook. Ho married Catherine, daughter of Philip Smith, of Walpack, who bore him the following children ; Philip, a tarmer near Wilkesburre, l'a. ; Mary, wife of James Bunnell ; William, a farmer of Walpack ; Ebzabeth, wife uf Daniel B. Eilen- berger, who served in the late Rebellion and died shortly after its che; John, a farmer of Stroudsburg, Pa ; Mosos, who illed in 1865; Enmin, wife of Joseph E. Vannosse, near Montrose, I'n .; Jane, wife of Richard Lantz, who was a lieutenant in the Into Rebellion and died from disease contracted while in the service; David R., who has been a successful merchant for twenty-four years in Newton, and married Juliana, daughter of David Thompson, a prominent lawyer of the same place ; und Martin, n justice of the pence in Walpack.

Soon after his murringe Benjanun Hull purchased a small form in Walpark, which he cleared of Its original forest and for several years carried on.

About 1810 ho removed to Flatbrookville, where the remainder of hin netive business life was spent un a merchant, and where he also kept a public-house and officiated as postmaster. He retired from business several years before his death, which occurred April 10, 1861. His wife died in June, Ists.

Mr. Hull was an influential member of the Democratic party, held varluna offices in the townslup, was justice of the peace, and for one term represented Sussex l'onnty in the State Legislature, Both he and his wife wore members of the Intch Reformed Church of Walpack, and promoters of all worthy benevolent objects.

As a man, Benjamin Hull was hunable, quiet, retiring, and most scrupulously honest ; ne a neighbor, he was peacealle, kind, obliging, sympathizing, loved, and esteemed by all; as a father, he was tener. affectionate, confilling, and most exemplary ; as a citizen, he was one of those for whom the law was not made, yet his obedience to it was uni- form and constant. The Golden Rule that special Inw in Christ's Kingdom was his guide at home, in the church, in the neighborhood. everywhere, and every day, ho without ostentation, and apparently without an effort, exemplified the l'hristian life.

Elijah Rosentrans

331

HARDYSTON.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

ELIJAH ROSENKRANS,

grandson of Col. John Rosenkrans, and son of Ben- jamin Rosenkrans, was born in the township of Wal- pack, Sussex Co., N. J., March 11, 1806. He spent the first twenty-five years of his life at home, where he received the limited opportunities for obtaining an education afforded by the common schools of his native place, and learned the duties of the farm. On July 2, 1830, he married Mary, daughter of (Christian and Mary Smith, of Walpack. She was born Feb. 19, 1812, and died Feb. 7, 1864, leaving no issue. His second wife is Amanda M. F., daughter of Ben- jamin B. Van Sickle, of Sandyston township, whom he married March 27, 1866. She was born April 23, 1836. The children born of this union are Mary V., Hortense, and Sylvia Augusta.

After his marriage, Mr. Rosenkrans purchased a farm of one hundred and six acres of his father, upon which he settled. Two years afterwards he bought the farm owned by his father-in-law prior to his death, containing some two hundred and thirty acres, upon which he resided uutil 1854. He then removed to Flatbrookville, where he purchased property, erected a flouring-mill, saw-mill, and a hotel, all of which he

carried on until April 1, 1874, when he retired from the active duties of life and removed to Newton, where he resides in 1880.

He received little pecuniary assistance from his father in starting out in life, and has, by his industry, economy, and judicious management, accumulated a valuable property, a part of which consisted of some four hundred and twenty acres of land in Luzerne Co., Pa., and two hundred and seventy-seven aeres in Bradford Co., Pa., besides other real estate. His life has been one of activity, and wholly devoted to busi- ness pursuits.

Mr. Rosenkrans is known as a man of sterling in- tegrity, good judgment, and keen perceptive faculties, and ranked among the most enterprising business men on the Delaware in Sussex County.

Following in the line of his father, he was formerly a Democrat, but upon the organization of the Repub- lican party in 1856 he adopted its principles, and has remained a firm adherent of its platform since. His first vote for President was cast for Andrew Jackson, and his last one for James A. Garfield.

In his township he has been honored with most of the offices of trust and responsibility in managing its affairs, and for many years officiated as justice of the peace and assessor.

HARDYSTON.

I .- GENERAL DESCRIPTION.

The township of Hurdyston is located on the east- ern border of the county, and adjacent to the Passaic and Morris County boundary line. In dimensions it is 8 miles in length by 5 miles in breadth. It is bounded north by Vernon and Wantage; south by Sparta; east by Passaic and Morris Counties; west by Wantage and Lafayette.

In point of population Hardyston takes a foremost rank, the last census according her 2645 inhabitants, which number is exceeded by but one of the town- ships of the county.

llardyston is especially prodigal in the abundance of her mineral products. Rich mines of iron and zine ore abound, which have been undergoing devel- opment sinee their discovery, and whose veins and deposits prove more abundant and valuable as new openings are made. To this fact the township in a measure owes its business enterprise. The extensive works of the Franklin Iron Company, located at the hnmlet of Franklin Furnace for the purpose of work- ing the products of the mines, give employment to

many laborers in their various departments. The ore is here converted into pig iron, after which it is in readiness for market.

The principal hamlet of the township is Hamburg, one of the earliest settled points in the county, and the scene of very active business enterprise. This fact naturally rendered it attractive as a place of resi- dence, and made it the seat of much of the refine- ment and culture of the county during the early part of the century.

The township of Hardyston formerly embraced a much larger area than at present, including Vernon and a portion of Sparta. In 1792, Vernon was set apart, and the south part of Hardyston was, in 1845, included within the boundaries of Sparta.

The total amount of taxes in Hardyston for the last year were $8065,07, which is distributed as fol- lows :

State and county tax ..... $3337.50

Township tax ..

1335.00

Special school-tax.

1336.28

l'oll-tax ...

655.00

Road-tax.

1501.29

An accurate estimate of the financial status of the township is obtained from the above figures.

· Ry E. O. Wagner.

332

SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

II .- NATURAL FEATURES.

The soil of Hardyston is composed of a mingled limestone and gneiss. Very little sand or clay is ob- served, though a limited quantity of the former is found near Hamburg, and a streak of the latter is apparent near Franklin Furnace. The soil as a rule is rich, and yields prolific crops.

Hardyston, like its neighboring townships, culti- vates principally the dairy interest, for which it is best adapted. The surface is mountainous. The Po- chuck Mountain lies in the northwest corner, the Wallkill making a détour around its base. This mountain passes through Vernon and into Orange Co., N. Y. Farther to the southeast are the Ham- burg ranges, which extend from Franklin through Hardyston into Orange County, becoming in Vernon the Wawayanda range, and in Orange County the Belle Vale Mountains. A portion of this range is known as the Ames Mountain, from the fact that Oakes Ames, of Boston, early developed its mining interests.

The township is abundantly watered. The Wall- kill River enters its limits from Sparta, near the Ster- ling Hill mines, and pursues a westerly and south- westerly course, passing into the Drowned Lands and entering Vernon four miles below Hamburg. The Drowned Lands of the Wallkill begin within a mile of Hamburg and extend to New Hampton, in Orange County. They are twenty miles in length, and in localities five miles in width, being composed mainly of fens and cedar swamps. They were somewhat mod- ified in extent by drainage, which was attempted be- tween Goshen and Middletown, in Orange County .*

Black Creek rises in Hardyston, flows northeasterly, and empties into the Wallkill. The Pequannock, on the eastern border, is a tributary of the Passaic River, and follows a southeasterly course through the town- ship.

III .- EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The Haines family, if not among the oldest, may be justly ranked as among the most distinguished, families of Hamburg.

Hon. Daniel Haines was born in New York City, Jan. 6, 1801, his father having been a merchant and his mother a daughter of Robert Ogden, a counselor- at-law of this county.

Mr. Haines was a member from this county of the Governor's Council under the old constitution; was in 1843 chosen Governor, and again in 1847. He was in 1852 made judge of the Supreme Court, which office he held for two consecutive terms of seven years each. After retiring from the bench he was appointed by Governors of both parties to important judicial duties upon commissions for the settlement of boundaries and municipal affairs. Besides his legal attainments, he had a well-earned reputation as a Christian philan-

thropist. He was made an elder of the North Har- dyston Church in 1837, and often represented the Rockaway Presbytery in the New School General Assembly.

Governor Haines possessed a genial nature, which won for him many friends. He was largely identified with the interests of Hamburg, and evinced the strongest affection for his home and its associations. Four children and the widow still survive, though a son, Rev. A. A. Haines, is the only member of the family residing in the township.t

The Fowler family are of English ancestry. Long Island, N. Y., was the scene of their settlement, as early as 1665. A branch of the family removed to Newburg, N. Y., and from them Dr. Samuel Fowler was descended. After a thorough academic and pro- fessional training he removed, in 1800, to Hamburg. After pursuing the practice of medicine for a while in the latter place he repaired to Franklin, where he remained until his death, in 1844. He was spoken of by his cotemporaries as possessing "an acute per- ception, a vivid imagination, a very judicial mind, and original power of thought, which placed him, in his chosen profession, far in advance of his day." He was for many years owner of the iron-works at Franklin Furnace, which in their various branches he conducted while still devoting himself to the ar- duous duties of his profession. As a mineralogist and geologist he was highly estimated by leading scientists of the country. The rare mineral known as fowlerite was discovered by him, and named in his honor by brother-mineralogists.

Early in life Mr. Fowler became interested in the valuable mines aud mineral localities of the region in which he resided, and for many years made efforts to bring them to the notice of the scientific world. By his extensive correspondence with the naturalists and generous distribution of minerals, he induced men of science from all parts of the country to visit the place. It was soon discovered that in this se- questered region the rarest and most valuable Ameri- can minerals were to be found, many of them peculiar to these localities and found nowhere else in this country or in Europe. He is supposed to have given the appellation " franklinite" to the ore of iron now so extensively known by that name, the great value of which he foresaw, although no means of working it with success were discovered during his lifetime. He made it known to mineralogists by sending speci- mens to all parts of this country, and to many eminent naturalists in Europe,-among others, to Berzelius, of Stockholm, and Professor Thompson, of Glasgow, by whom it was analyzed,-and awakened an interest in it which has since resulted in its successful develop- ment and manufacture. The extensive zinc-mines of Sussex, now worked with great profit, and affording the only red oxide of zinc known in the world, were at this

* See "Drowned Lands of the Wallkill," in goneral history in former part of this work.

+ See fuller sketch of Governor llaines in chapter on "Bonch and Bar," pp. 183-185.

333

HARDYSTON.

time owned by him, but were disposed of before his death, after a brief life of exceeding activity and usefulness. His remains are interred in the valley of HIardyston, which near half a century before his death he sought as a youthful stranger, with no fortune but that which he carried in his own brave heart,-a will to use with industry and faith the talents which Providence had given him .*

The Lawrence family are of English extraction, Thomas Lawrence, the fifth of his name, having in 1780 removed to Hamburg from Philadelphia, his birthplace, and settled upon an extensive estate, to the care of which he devoted himself. He was also the first postmaster commissioned at Hamburg.

Thomas Lawrence, his son, the sixth of the name, was born in Hamburg in 1789, and spent his life on the ancestral property. He died in 1851, and was buried in the North Church cemetery, where his re- mains now repose.

The seventh of the family bearing the name of Thomas is now the occupant of the homestead, where he was born, in 1814. He has devoted himself to the improvement of his land, but has also engaged to a limited extent in the labors incident to public life, having been since 1861 a trustee of the State Normal School, and in 1870 a member of the State Board of Education. He is at the present time a member of the State Senate from this county.

Walter Louis Shea resided at Oxford until 1814, when he removed to Hamburg. He was made post- master in 1814, and judge of the Common Pleas of Sussex in 1817. His death occurred in 1856. He left no descendants in the township.

The Beardslee family numbered six brothers, of whom John Beardslee owned a tavern on the State road, west of the North church, and George followed agricultural pursuits, occupying the farm now owned by Jacob Lantz. He also built a forge and conducted an extensive business.

Hosca J. Hardin came of English ancestry. His grandfather settled early in New England, from whence he removed at a later date to Wantage, where his grandson, Hosea J., was born. He removed to Hardyston in 1832, and located on a farm purchased of R. A. Linn, where he has since resided.

The Munson family removed to Hardyston at an early day. Israel, who was born within its limits, in 1771, located at the foot of the Franklin Mountain, where he followed farming. Ile had many children, who resided in various parts of the county. Asa is the sole representative in the township. Amos, another son, resides in Wantage.

Simon Wade, the first of the name in Hardyston, came from Morristown, N. d., and settled on the farm now occupied by his descendants, where he lived and died. He had two sons, Aaron and Charles, the former

of whom removed to Belvidere; Charles occupied the homestead until his death. His widow still resides on the estate.

Zebulon Sutton was among the early arrivals, and located upon what was known as the Rutherford lands, which he cultivated and rendered productive. The family have since died or removed from the town- ship, and the farm is at present occupied by Clark Day.

David and Gerret Kemble came from Passaic County in 1808, and loeated upon land now occupied by - Wallace, in the northwest part of Hardyston. In 1824, Gerret Kemble purchased the homestead upon which he now resides. This venerable gentle- man is the oldest of the early settlers who still sur- vive. David Kemble settled upon land which his wife inherited, in the township, but later removed to the West, and died in Iowa in 1876.

Michel Rorick, also a native of Passaic County, purchased in 1765 an extensive tract of land in Ilardyston, upon which he settled. The country was then in a very primitive condition. Wolves were abundant and made nightly visitations to the sheep- fold, which necessitated the confinement of the sheep at night in caves built in the side of the hills. The death of Mr. Rorick occurred in the township when he was in his eighty-fourth year. He had four sons and six daughters, all of whom are now dead. Their descendants still reside in Hardyston.

James Scott came but a few years later than Mr. Rorick, and was also the proprietor of extensive landed interests. None of his children survive, but their descendants are among the present inhabitants of HIardyston.

The Cox family, who settled very early north of Hamburg, in the northern portion of the township, have long since passed away. A later generation re- sides elsewhere in the county, but no members of the family are found in Hardyston.

George and Reuben Buckley came about 1810, and : resided for a while in the southeast part of Hardyston. The former removed to Warren County, his present residence, while Reuben died in the township.

Caleb Rude removed from Morris County in 1776 ; he located over the mountain. Among his children was Caleb, the younger son, who purchased Innd at the point known as Rudeville, in the north part of the township, and became prominent as one of the most esteemed citizens of Hardyston. He had ten chil- dren, six of whom are still residents of llardyston.

James Hopkins, an early settler, was of English de- scent, and on his advent to the township became an extensive landowner and trader of stock. Ile lived in Hardyston during his lifetime, and on his death . rendered each of his tive children independent by the gift of a farm.

David Newman made his advent about 1800, and located in the north portion of the township. His sons were James, John, Emanuel, and David.

. Soo further respecting Dr. Fowler In history of the " Medical Profes- slou of Sussex"; also of Col. Sanmel Fowler, in " Bench and Bar."

334

SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Across the mountain lived the Ballou and La Foun- tain families, both of Huguenot descent. They were industrious farmers, and each has representatives still in the township.

Samuel O. Price is a representative of the Price family, whose history is more fully written in the early settlement of Frankford township. His pro- genitor was Robert Price, whose descendants removed across the township line into Hardyston.

Stephen Ford Marjoram was born in Hamburg and removed to Stockholm, where his death occurred in 1825. He conducted an extensive business, having at one time a grist-mill, saw-mill, and forge, in which thirty men were afforded employment. He has three sons in the county, David F., Noah H. (who occupies the homestead), and Theodore F., of Deckertown.

Nathan Smith, for many years a resident of the township, was born in 1777, and died in his eighty- first year. He was the father of fourteen children, all of whom were living in 1876, when their united ages aggregated eight hundred and ninety-six years,-an average of sixty-four years each. There were then also ninety-three grandchildren, twenty-seven great- grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren. The original fourteen embraced six sons and eight daughters. One son, S. F. Smith, resides in Warren County, eight children in Sussex County, and the re- mainder in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York.

IV .- SCHOOLS.

The most strenuous efforts to obtain facts regarding the first schools of the township have met with very little success, and the history of education in Hardy- ston during the early part of the present century or before that date has not been perpetuated.

The northeast part of the township seems to have been especially enterprising in this direction, and the earliest school now recalled was opened in a frame building located upon the farm of Theodore Beards- lee, and built for the use of the district. The first instructor was a Mr. Marsh. The exact measure of success he met with in his labors is not chronicled, though tradition relates that his refractory pupils re- quired a very rigid system of discipline.

A pedagogue of much fame at this period was George Matthews, an Irishman by birth, who suc- ceeded Mr. Marsh and left his impress upon the youthful minds of the vicinity. Other teachers fol- lowed, but their names are not recollected.

A school-house was early erected on the site of the present building in Hamburg, though many of the residents of the hamlet, being the possessors of ample means, were desirous of affording their children a more liberal education than was obtainable at the public schools. As a consequence, a large number received their early training at one or more of the popular boarding or collegiate schools of the day.

The school territory of Hardyston is divided into nine districts, as follows :

No.

Holland Mountain ..

Rudeville

Hardystonville.

North Church ... 60

Hamburg.

Snufftowa

Monroe ...

62 G3

Franklia.

Willistine 65

These districts are in charge of the following corps of teachers :

Holland Mountain, Jacob F. Wells; Rudeville, Laura A. Crissie; Hardy-

stonville, J. Amanda Silver; North Church, Peter W. Van Blarcom ; Hamburg, B. C. McGee (principal), Letitia A. White (assistant); Snufftown, Jerusha A. Smith ; Monroe, Jennie A. Shaw : Franklin, C. J. Baxter (principal) ; Willistine, John Baxter.

The apportionment of school moneys to the several districts of the township for the last year allots the annexed amounts to each district :

Holland Mount. $300.00

Rudeville.

139.52

Hardystoaville. 365.00

North Church. 300.00

Hamburg

700.17

Snufftowa ..

350.00

Monroe .

300.00

Franklin

1260.00

Willistiae

159.89

The total amount of two-mill tax alloted to the township is $2413.13 ; of State appropriation, $229.56 ; of surplus revenue, $232.70; of school-tax, $1000. The special district school-tax for 1880 was divided as fol- lows: District No. 61, $300; District No. 59, $36; District No. 64, $1000.

The following resignation of one of the early teach- ers may be of interest :

" MR. SAYRE :

"SIR,-The illiberality of signing and the nnreservedness of sending to this school, together with sundry other prominent obstacles (the re- capitulation of which is unnecessary), have reiteratedly suggested to me the practicability of relinquishing the idea of further attempting thue unencouragedly to assist in the promotion of literature when its progress is so essentially retarded by the shackles of inconvenience, the existence of which is coetaneons of my scholastic labors in this vicinity. Accord- ingly, I have concluded to terminate my tutorial exercise in this place on the 14th day of this month.

" Yours, etc.,

"ALVA PASKO.

" April, 1813."

V .- EARLY TAVERNS.

The earliest recollected tavern was erected on the site of the present Smith's Hotel, in Hamburg, by Robert A. Liun. A late landlord was John Warbasse, and Stephen Ward, in 1837, exercised hospitality within its walls. John Vanderhoff also presided for a time as landlord.

Another hotel was located opposite the residence of Dr. Linn, and was managed by Francis Hamilton.

A tavern was early built on the Paterson and Ham- burg turnpike by Alexander Hamilton, and known as the " Heights House," from its elevated site upon the highest point of the Hamburg Mountains.

The stand now occupied by Alexander Carpenter, at Hardystonville, is the site of an early tavern, but the first landlord is not remembered.

335

HARDYSTON.

VI .- EARLY HIGHWAYS.

The earliest road that traversed the township had for its objective-points Newton and Goshen. Though very early used as a public highway, the exact date of its survey is not known. It entered the township at the southwest corner, and, following a northerly course, made its exit at the Wantage boundary line, where it passed on to Deekertown.

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History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 82

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