History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 91

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 91
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 91

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the artin Cole

IlaN. MARTIN COLE is a grandson, bern Oet. 11, 1762, of Mar- tin Cole, who resided at an early day in Montague townsbip, where James E. Cole now lives. lle erected the first frame dwelling-houso in the "Clove," and was an extensive farmor as well as miller. He died April 17, 1825. His wife was Eloa- nor Rosenkrans, of Pennsylvania, who was born Oct. 11, 1770, and who died March 14, 1836. One child was born of this union,-James R. Cole,-on July 23, 1791. The latter was the fatbor of our subject. lle passed his life in tho tilling of the soil on the family homestead, and was a large Inndholder in the township. Ilo was a large, portly man, a captain in the militin of his day, of suave and courteous manner, and with success filled the leading public offices of his township, being a justice of the peace for many years. Itis wifo wns Jane, daugh- ter of Jucob and Diana Cuddeback, of Deerpark, Orange Co., N. Y., and the children of the union who reaebed mature years were Maria, deceased, wife of Elijah Rose, of Pike Co., l'a .; Eleanor, wife of James Clark, of Sandyston : uur subject : Jacob, who died in early manhood, leaving two children now living; Catharino, wife of Finley Shafer, who resides in Part Jervis, N. Y .; Diana, who married Rev. Henry Dutcher, of Port Jervis; and Hannah Jane, wife of Moses L. Cole, of Mat- ninorns, Pa. James R. Cole died July 30, 1868, and his wife on Oct. 19, 1876, in her eighty-seventh year.

Martin Cole was born on the " Clovo" homestead April 9. 1817. His carlier years wero passed upon his father's furm, where he enjoyed the benefits of such instruction as the noigh- boring district school afforded. His acadomio education was obtained nt the excellent institution of William Rankin, at Deckertown. At the age of ninoteen ho returned to the pater- nal farm, whore he remained until his marriage, in 1839. Soon after that event he commenced farming in Pennsylvania, on a place owned by himself and father, and after one year exchanged it for property aljoining his father's estate, where he resided for thirty two years. For the past twelve years he has resided at " Brick House."

While the life of Judge Cole has been largely passed in ogri-

cultural pursuits, in connection with his publie life, he has be- come widely known. For the past forty years he has been the leading surveyor of his section, and this pursuit has brought him intu familiar contact with people throughout u wido extent of country. lle has been a justice of the pence for the past thirty-five years, and as a commissioner of deeds, notary pub- lic, and praetieul serivener has transacted much public business and administered many estates as trustee, exceutor, and guard- ian. Ile now owns about five hundred acres of land in Mon- tague townsbip, and enjoys the respect and confidence of many friends and of the community in which he dwells. Ho is ener- getic, a man of generous impulses, a liberal supporter of ebureh and kindred interests, and a partner in the mercantile firm of Martin Cole & Son, at the " Brick House." Politically he is a Democrat, and has filled many offices of responsibility and trust, including all the township offices, and that of assessor for seventeen years successively. In 1858 and 1859 he repre- sented Sussex County in the State Legislature, and was reeog- nized as an able and conscientiuus legislator. In 1878 ho was appointed by Governor Mcclellan one of the lay judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Sussex County, and held that posi- tion for two years. In the spring of ISS0 he was appointed ono of the judges of tho Court uf Errors and Appeals of New Jersey, rice Judge Lillie, deceased, and holds that position at the present writing. His wife, whom he married on Jan. S, 1839, is Lydia Jane, daughter of Hon. Thomas Van Etten, of Orange Co., N. Y., and a representative of an old Huguenot family of Deorpark. She was born May 29, 1$17, and the issue of the union bave been Sally Jane, deecased, wife of An- thony S. Stoll, of Sandyston, horn Aug. 13, 1839; Eleanor, born March 27, 1841 ; James E., born Dee. 12, 1813, a enptain in the Fifteenth Regiment of New Jersey Volunteers during the late war, now farming on the old family-seat of his grand- father : Thomas Van Etten, horn Pec. 30, 1846, a merchant at " Brick House" and postmaster : Martin, Jr., born Ang. 22, 1849, a practicing physician at Huinesville : and Jacob, born April 21, 1857.

Sauch Sommers 3-

THE Hornbeck family is ene of the pioneer families of Sussex County, and was prominently represented in Ulster Co., N. Y., at an early day. It is of Holland extraction.

Benjamin Hornbeck, the carliest ancestor ef the family in this section ef whem anything is known, was among the first settlers of the towaship of Montague. He had several sons, who settled in the same locality, ameng whom was Joseph, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He resided nt nn early period where Benjamin ITernbeck lives in Montague, and, being a blacksmith by trade, followed that avocation as well as farming. Ilis wife was Lydia, daughter of Jacob West- brook, of Montague, by whem were born four children,- namely, Jnceh, Benjamin, Severyse, and a daughter, Lydia, who married James Benactt. Jacob settled in Pike Co., Pa., and Severyne was drowned, in July, 1806, in the Dolaware River.

Beajnein Horabeck, father of Jnceb, lived and died on the eld homestead. He engaged principally in farming pursuits, but traded considerably in Inad, and was interested in the milling business, at Millville, for a number of years. He was a Democrat in politics, teok an active interest in public affairs, and filled the position of town clerk of Montague for thirty years. Ile died on April 5, 1855. His wife was Mary, daugh- ter of Jacob and Phebe Shimer, of Mentague, and the children of the union were Phebe, widow ef William Posten, ef Phila- delphia, and Jacob. Mrs. Hornbeck died in 1860.

Hen. Jacob Hernbeck was born on Dec. 24, 1809, en the old family bemestead in Montagne. Until be attained the age of seventeen he lived at home, attending the district school and assisting with the duties of the farm. Subsequently he enjoyed the benefits of nendemic instruction at the select sebeol ef Rov. Clarkson N. Dann, of Newton, N. J. At the close of his educa- tional carcer he returned home and entered business with his father in farming and milling. In 1833 ho established a store at Millville, in connection with the milling business, and enn- tinued in trade at that point until 1845. On Feb. 20, 1836, he married Maria, daughter of Cornelius and Margory Cuddeback, of Deerpark, Orange Co., N. Y., and in June of that year removod to his present residonce. In 1844 bis father withdrow

and confined his whole attention to farming the homestead, leaving to the son the management and control of the large business that had been built up at Millville by industrieus enterprise. Here he has since continued in activo and success- ful business life. The store nt Millvillo bas beca discontinued, and in its stend Mr. HIarnbeck is cagnged in the retail and whelesalo grocery trade at Pert Jervis, N. Y., in connection with his son-in-law, Thomas J. Bonnell, the firm being knowa as Hornbeck & Bonnell.

Mr. Hornheck has ever been actively interested in the growth and development of the section of country in which he lives, and taken a prominent part in the establishment and mainte- naace of its institutions. Though not n member of any religious denominatien, he has rendered liberal support to the churches of his locality, and is an attendant upon the services ef the Reformed Church of Montague, of which semo ef his family nro members. He was largely instrumental in consolidating several of the smaller school districts of Montague into one Inrge and prosperens one, with a commodious and substantinl school- building at " Brick House." In politics he was formerly a Demo- crat, and represented Sussex County in the State Legislature for three successivo years,-1847-50. He left the Democratic ranks on the second olection of George M. Vail to Congress, and prior to the formation of the Republican party, and is now an ardent Republican. He has been interested in many public caterprises throughout the county, and was one of the foundors of the Farmers' National Bank of Deckertown, N. J., and con- tinued a director is that institution until the organization of the First Natieanl Bank of Port Jervis, N. Y., of which he was president for three years. Ilis business dealings are character- ized by the strictest intogrity, and ho enjoys the confidenco and respect ef a large class of business men and of the community ie which he dwells. His children are Benjamin, residing on tho homestead-farm in Mentague; Mary, wife ef Thomas J. Bennell, of Pert Jervis, N. Y. ; Martha, wife of Rev. William J. Ilill, pastor of the First Reformed Church of East New York, L. I. ; Jacob, whe resides at home and is associated in business with his father; and Emma, wife of Robert Jordan, a leading morchant of Port Jorvis, N. Y.

David Westfull

THE Westfall family has been identified from the earliest years with the pioneer life of the Mamakating and Minisink regions. Simeon Westfall, the great- grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was one of the first settlers of the township of Westfall, l'ike Co., Pa. ; his son David also lived and died in that locality. The children of the latter were Simeon, Cornelius, Wilhel- mus, Abraham, Esther, who married William Van Noy, and Surah, who became the wife of James Bennett, of Carpenter's Point, N. Y.

Wilhelmus, son of David, was born on Jan. 21, 1796. and died Sept. 23, 1843. Ilis wife, whom he married on July 26, 1817, was Margery Cole, who was born Oct. 21, 1797, and died April 6, 1855. The children were Cornelius C., born July 12, 1818; David, born Jan. 16, 1821; Jacob G., born Feb. 2, 1824; Charles H., born June 20, 1826, died Feb. 17, 1855; Sarah A., born Oct. 19, 1828, married Simeon Swartwout, died June 3, 1850 ; George, born Nov. 21, 1830, died June 19, 1860; llun- nnh J., born Nov. 24, 1833, wife of Albert Westfall, of Michigan ; Lewis, born Jan. 9, 1836; and Julia, born Feb. 23, 1838, died Juno 17, 1854. Wilhelmus Westfall passed his entire life in the culture of the soil. For a number of years he owned n farm on the site of a portion of the present Port Jervis, N. Y., which he subsequently sold to the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company. About the year 1827 ho purchased of Samuel Westfall the farm now occupied by bis son, David, in Montague township, Sussex Co., where he passed the remainder of his life. The main part of the family residence was built by John Westfall fully one hundred years ngo.

David Westfall was born in Port Jervis, N. Y., on

Jan. 16, 1821, and since the age of six years has resided on his present farm in Montague township, with the ex- ception of two years during which he engaged in the milling business at Carpenter's Point, in connection with James Bennett. Much of his early life was passed in tenching school, for which avocation he was fitted by attendancent William Rankin's Academy, Amity, N. Y., and Deckertown, N. J.

In 1816, Mr. Westfall settled down to the life of a farmer, and is at present recognized as one of the suc- cessful and representative agriculturists of his section. lle makes a specialty of dnirying and the sule of milk, and supplies large quantities each year to the milk- dealers of Port Jervis. Ile confines hinself strictly to the legitimate demands of his business, and lives a retired, honorable, and quiet life, enjoying the respect and esteem of his friends. In polities he is a Republican, but no seeker after public position. Ile has filled the minor offices of his township, has been a commissioner of deeds for fifteen years, and when a resident of Carpenter's Point towk an active part in the atluirs of the local militia. He is an attendant upon the ministrations of the Reformed Church of Port Jervis, and a prompt contributor to the various benevolent and philanthropic enterprises of the day.

Mr. Westfall was married, on April 20, 1845 to Ann June, daughter of Hornee K. and Emeline (Youngs) Stewart, of Minisink, Orange Co., N. Y. ; she was born Dec. 17, 1829. The children have been Wilhelmus, born Feb. 16, 1819, died Nov. 9, 1878; Emeline S., born Sept. 7, 1850, died April 2, 1553 ; Sarah Edna, born Jan. 15, 1851, married James E. Cole, of Montague, Dre. 23, 1880; and Anna, born Aug. 31, 1858, living at home.

Allen Everite

ALLEN EVERITT is a grandson of Jacob Everitt, who was born about the year 1735, and twenty years later eame to this country from Germany. He was by profession a practitioner of medicine, performed active service during the French-and- Indian war, and was present at the battle of Ticonderoga. In company with a brother, the only remaining member of the family who came to this country, he first took up his residence in ITanterdon Co., N. J., where he married Hannah Langafelt, daughter of a Presbyterian elergyman. Subsequently he re- moved to Montague township, Sussex Co., where he continued to practice his profession from 1770 until his death, in 1802. IIe resided near where Daniel D. Everitt now lives, and bad eight children,-viz., John, Christian, Jacob (who was shot during the Whisky War at the close of the Revolution), God- frey, Abraham (one of the first settlers in Oswego Co., N. Y.), Isane, Marshall (who removed to Michigan in 1835), and George, who also took up his residence in Michigan.

Isaac Everitt, son of Dr. Jacob Everitt, and father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Montagne township on Mareh 13, 1771. In his younger days he followed the avoca- tion of a blacksmith, but subsequently entered upon the avoca- tion of a farmer, in which pursuit he passed the remainder of his life.

Ile was a man of standing and influence in the township, possessed of strong will and a self-reliant naturo, and a Whig in politics. lle filled various township offices, and was ap- pointed a justice of the peaco as early as 1817. Ilis wife, whom he married in 1797, was Mary, daughter of Daniel Davis, bern in May, 1777.

The children of the union were John D., horn March 23, 1798; Betsey, bern Feb. 10, 1800, married Abraham Shimer, died Aug. 19, 1828; George B., born June 14, 1802, died May 22, 1874; Jane Westbrook, born Aug. 24, 1804, died Sept. 18, 1835; Mary Ann, horn Feb. 26, 1807, widow of Isaac J. Inbar, of Wyoming Co., Pa. ; Hannah, born Oct. 10, 1809, married Elisha Depue, died Jan. 17, 1840; Allen, born July 2.1, 1811; Catharine, born Jan. 9, 1817, married John M. Barlow, of Michigan, died Jan. 16, 1856; Isaae (24), born Dee. 31, 1818; and Matthew L., born Nov. 10, 1822, diod April 28, 1872.

Isaae Everitt died on March 7, 1833, and his wife on June 23, 1835.

Allen Everitt was born on the John Cortright farm, in Mon- tague, on the 'date abovo indicated. Ilis earlier years wern passed upon his father's farm, and his education, which termi- nated at tho age of fourteen, was such as tho common schools of his day afforded. For two years he elerked in the store of his brother, John D. Everitt, at ITainesville, and upon the death of his father, in 1833, he worked the home-farm on shares with his mother for two years. After her demise he rented the home- stead for a time, and, gradually buying out tho heirs, became its sole owner. In IS57 he sold the property to Daniel D. Everitt, and two years later purchased his present farin of two hundred and thirty acres, near "Brick House."

Mr. Everitt is recognized as onu of the hard-working, indus- trious, and successful farmers of the township, and in tho enm- munity in which he dwells hears the reputation of an honorahlo and upright man. First a Whig and then a Republican, he enst his first vote in 1836 fer Gen. Wm. HI. Ilarrisen, and has sinco remained true to the traditions of his party. He has novor been a secker after position, and has filled only the ordinary offices of his township. Ho is a supporter of the Roformed Church of Montague, is favorably known in financial circles, and has been a member of the board of directors of tho First National Bank of Port Jervis, N. Y., and of the Morchants' National Bank of Newton. He has been twice married. Ilis first wife, to whom he was united on March 2, 1847, was Ellen, daughter of Jesso and Margarot P. Hunt, of Frankford town- ship. She died Fch. 27, 1857. Ilis prosent wife, whom he married on April 5, 1859, is Sally Jane, widow of John Finch, of Orango Co., N. Y., and daughter of James B. and Mary Dayton (Foster) Armstrong, of Montague. The following children were born of the first marriage,-viz., Ilannah Jane, Jan. 5, 1848, widow of Wilhelmus Westfall; George, Oct. 6, 1850, died March 4, 1854; Martin, March 26, 1853, died June 22, 1878; and an infant who died unnamed. By the second marriage were horn George Lindley, April 21, 1860, died Sept. 17, 1860; Frank Allen, March 14, 1862, died March 18, 1864; and Surah Ellen, April 6, 1865.

369

MONTAGUE.

call, purposing by much money to take him from ne. But the Lord, who has thus far caused your nets of supplanting to fail, will further direct them to a good end. We feel ourselves bound to obey the command of the Savlour, 'Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that per- xecute yon,' We therefore will denl with you hereafter as we have before, -doing you good. You do not thank us for hie service among you. You are bold enough to say that he has eight Treo Sabbaths in each year, which is as truo as the words of the Devil to Eve, ' You shall not surely die.' If you desire, then, to have our minister four or six times In the year, we will by no means refuse you, but will leave it to our minister tu arrange the compensation with you. And if this cannot prevent the execution of your unjust purpose, and the Lord is pleased to use you as a rud for our chustisement, we will view it is coming from the hand of the Lord and comfort ourselves with the grucions language of Paul, liebrewe xii .: ' Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, aud scourgoth every won whom He receiveth.' If It plende the Lord to prevont you to deprive ue of our minister, then we hope that your consciences will not be so seared ns to take away a part of our living, being the sum of £125 12. fr .* Should this, however, bo the ense, we shall not hesitate to give the matter into the hands of the worldly judge.

" We expect an nnewer to this communication, which we conclude with the wish that the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God the Father und the communion of the Holy Ghost remain with you to a blessed eternity. Amon.

" We remain your undersigned servants,

" JAN KONTRECHT, " JAN VAN VLIEDT, " ABRAHAM VAN CAMI, " WILLIAM COOL .. "

From the docket of Soferyne Westbrook, justice of the peace. A record of marriages performed by him :

" November 30th, 1800 .- Jacob Westfall and Mary Meddaugh was mar- ried by the. Soferyne Westbrook.

" November 26, 1809,-Gilbert Vuil and July MeGown was married by me, Suferyne Westbrook.

"Jan. 7, 1810 .- Tunis Quick and Sarah Rosenkrance was married by ine, Soferyne Westbrook.

" Jan'y 9, 1810 .- James Ousterhont and Elizabeth Quick was married by me, Suferyno Westbrook.

" Jan'y 10, 1810 .- Isane Van Anken and Polly Foster was married by me, Soferyne Westbrook.

" Ap'1 22, 1810 .- Benjamin Westbrook and Elizabeth Westbrook was married by me, Soferyne Westbrook.

" June 23, 1810,-Richard MeKechy and Lydla Westfull was murrled by me, Suferyne Westbrook, Justice.

" August 5, 1810,-David Metlonge and Millie Paugh was married by me, Seferyne Woutbrook, Justice."

During a trial held before Soferyne Westbrook, in February, 1810, the following jurors, citizens of Mon- tague, were impaneled : Roger Clark, Jesse Reanolds, William Cole, John Kelsey, Everitt Van Auken, Samuel D. Westfall, Julius Foster, Stephen Doolittle, James MeGown, James Stoll, Isaac Everitt, Isaac Compton. Christopher Decker was sammoned as a witness, Trask MeCormick having, as constable, de- livered the subpoena.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.

ITON. ISAAC BONNELL.

Hon. Isaac Bonnell, at present one of the oldest inhabitants of Sussex County, was born near Ding- man's Ferry, Pike Co., Pa., on the 8th day of April, 1790. His grandfather, Thomas Bonnell, emigrated

from England at an early day, and located in Morris- town, N. J. Ilis father, James Bonnell, a native of Elizabeth, N. J., served as a captain in the war of the Revolution, in which he achieved no little distinction

for his powers of discipline and skill. He kept in a field-book a complete record of all orders, the places of encampment, and the skirmishes and battles of the troops under his command. This historical relic is now in the possession of the aged son, and it contains about 400 pages, legibly written in round hand. Its contents chiefly relate to Indian incursions in that portion of the Delaware valley formerly known as Minisink. Capt. Bonnell died in 1814.

The wife of Capt. Bonnell was Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham Shimer, of whom were born a number of children : John died in Wantage; Joseph was an- other ; Ellen married John Laforge, of Milford, Pa .; Catharine became the wife of Thomas Kelsey, of Newton, and removed with her husband to Lewiston, N. Y., in 1816; Isaac and Jacob were the remaining children. Catharine, who resides at Lockport, N. Y., and Isaac are still living, the remainder having died.

Mr. Bonnell resides near Brick House, in Montaguo township, upon the old place where his parents took up their residence in 1791, and where the years of his long life have since been honorably passed. His early education consisted of two years' schooling in an old log school-house situated near the present residence of Jacob Hornbeck, Esq. He possesses considerable natural ability, and ever since he reached the age of manhood has been a regular subscriber for several newspapers, to which ho aseribes much of his

* Supposed to be money pald by them for his education.

370

SUSSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

knowledge. He has a remarkable memory, and the flood of years has not impaired his strong mind nor given it that dotage incident to old age. The scenes, incidents, and occurrences of his long and eventful life he can relate with perfect facility and exactness.

He has experienced many vicissitudes in life, and has never had a dollar given him, but at times has been quite wealthy, and has given much property to his children. In 1812, having learned the trade of millwright, he commenced building mills, which oc- cupation he followed twenty-one years. During that time he put up over one hundred buildings, chiefly saw-mills, at Easton, Toronto, White Lake, Lumber- land, Lackawaxen, Scranton, and other points. His wages were two dollars per diem, and he had in his employ usually three or four apprentices. He has engaged extensively in the lumbering business, and has owned eleven different saw-mills in Sullivan Co., N. Y. Since 1833, Mr. Bonnell has been engaged in farming, in which pursuit he takes considerable pride and interest, and, as old as he is, he yet superintends the work on his farm.

The churches and schools have always found in him a friend and willing worker, ever ready to lend a helping hand and to contribute no small pittance to their support. Although not connected with any religious denomination, nor a believer in forms and creeds, he is a living pillar of faith, hope, and love, and a stern advocate of truth and justice.

Mr. Bonnell has held several offices of public trust and honor, and in his younger days he was one of the most prominent politicians in Sussex County. Until 1860 he was a staunch Democrat, when he voted for Douglas. In 1864 he cast his first Republi-

can vote for Lincoln, since which time he has been a firm believer in Republican principles. In 1812 he voted for Madison, and has voted at every subsequent Presidential election, having cast his vote for James A. Garfield on the 2d day of November last. In 1844 he was elected to the General Assembly of New Jer- sey. This office he held two years. He was State senator from 1853 to 1855, and while in the Senate he distinguished himself by being largely instrumental in defeating an obnoxious and unjust bill known as the "Maine Liquor Law." He made the crowning speech of his life against that so-called temperance measure, and he takes great delight in repeating it to this day.

He is physically well preserved, walks with firm step and erect stature, and can see to read the finest print without the aid of glasses.

On Feb. 10, 1812, he was united in marriage to Roxanna Brink, of Honesdale, Pa. She died Oct. 5, 1877. The issue of the marriage was as follows : James, born April 13, 1813, a retired merchant of Milwaukee, Wis .; Elizabeth, born July 19, 1815, married Guy Price; Jonathan, born Nov. 13, 1817 ; John L., born Nov. 24, 1820; Lansing, born Nov. 19, 1822; Sally Jane, born Sept. 22, 1825, died Septem- ber, 1827; Roxanna, born Sept. 27, 1826, died Sept. 28, 1827 ; Sally Jane (2d), born Jan. 5, 1829, wife of A. J. Coykendall, Elmira, N. Y .; Isaac, born Aug. 14, 1831; Joseph, born Ang. 31, 1833, died Jan. 20, 1841; Jacob, born Sept. 8, 1835, died Dec. 21, 1875, from disease contracted while in the army during the late war; Thomas J., born May 2, 1838, merchant at Deer Park, N. Y .; and George W., born July 21, 1840, died Dec. 9, 1840.

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History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 91

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