USA > New Jersey > Union County > History of Union County, New Jersey > Part 23
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N. W. PEASE,
ex-county superintendent of schools in Union county, and principal of public school No. 2, of Elizabeth, first engaged in educational work in 1854, in East Long Meadow, Massachusetts. He was born in what is now the town of Hampden, Massachusetts, and was prepared for his work in the Wesleyan Academy and the Wesleyan University. He taught two terms in Springfield, Massachusetts, and then removed to New Jersey, in the fall of 1857, and was engaged to take charge of the schools at Rahway, where he remained nearly ten years. In March, 1867, he removed to Elizabeth, to take charge of school No. 2, and has since remained in that position.
Mr. Pease was appointed county superintendent in 1868, and served in that capacity practically twenty-one years. When first appointed, he found the whole educational field in a comparatively unorganized condition-district boundaries poorly defined, schools, school manage- ment and methods of instruction at a very low standard; trustee boards poorly informed both as to their duties and responsibilities under the state school law. By consolidation and centralization he reduced the school districts from thirty-five to twenty-one, thereby giving better schools to outlying and small districts. His first object was, after forming new district lines, to have a uniform course of study propounded, and such a course having been discussed in trustee and township board meetings, was adopted by each township board separately. This was done in 1878, and it resulted in great improvement to the schools.
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Principals were put in charge of these consolidated schools, and when- ever a slight change in the course was deemed necessary he met with the trustees and principals and discussed the subject until an agreement was reached in the matter.
This course, still in use and slightly changed, has unified the edu- cational work of the county and has been followed quite extensively even in other states, being introduced by teachers from this county or by teachers who had learned of it through them.
Calls for copies of the course of study, even from points far distant, were of frequent occurrence, until it was found impracticable to respond to them. It is but just to say here that a few other counties in New Jersey, about the same time, evolved and put in operation similar courses of study. Thus it was demonstrated that country schools could be successfully graded and their needs met by a uniform course.
In connection with the course above mentioned a system of annual examinations for the issuance of certificates for primary and grammar, and a diploma for high-school pupils, was provided for, and lists of questions were prepared by committees of principals, appointed by the county superintendent, and adopted after a full discussion, by vote. Times for examinations were assigned, and the county superintendent knew just what was going on in every school at any hour during the examination. The principals also helped grade all examination papers.
School libraries were also established, under the law, during Mr. Pease's term, and all the school buildings of the county, except two, were rebuilt or remodeled.
Mr. Pease has been an active worker in county and state teachers' associations ; also in the National Teachers' Association, and fre- quently in the National Council of Education.
He is the son of a New England farmer, and is descended from oue of the early families of that region. He was married, in Union county, to Alice Howard, by whom he had two children, both of whom, how- ever, are deceased.
THE LANSLEY BUSINESS COLLEGE
was established in Elizabeth in August, 1872, and the following year was incorporated, and located at the head of East Broad street, on the corner of Jefferson and Magnolia avenues, where it still remains.
There are provided for its patrons, several independent courses of study, of which may be mentioned : First, a business course ; second, a college-preparatory course ; third, an eclectic course ; and fourth, a stenographic and typewriting course. Pupils of either sex are admitted, and they often remain for years in this college,-here completing their education. Dr. James H. Lansley, proprietor and principal of the college, is a thorough instructor, as well as a rigid
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disciplinarian. By his extraordinary abilities he has made of this institution an educational centre of Elizabeth, especially for a thorough business education, as an evidence of which may be noted its many graduates now holding responsible positions with banks, railroads, lawyers and business men, both in and outside of the city.
THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS OF THE PAST.
On the 22d of October, 1746, the charter of the "College of New Jersey " was granted to Rev. Jonathan Dickinson, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, and others. Dickinson was the first president, and taught his pupils in the old parsonage on the south side of that part of the old Rahway road, now known as Pearl street, between Washington avenue and Race street. "It was a frame building covered with shingles and painted red ; in form it was long, two low stories in front, and the roof declined to the rear in a long slope, terminating at the height of one story above the ground." Upon Dickinson's death, in 1748, the college was removed to Newark, and the Rev. Aaron Burr, became its president. In 1756 President Burr moved it to Princeton, its present site. Passing on to a period which reaches the memory of the present generation, we have Mr. Coudert's school established near the "Wheatsheaf." Of this school no records are at hand. In 1806 the "Adelphian Academy" was erected in what was then called "Horse Hollow," which place it occupied until it was removed to give way to the present market house, on Elizabeth avenue. The teachers remembered are Mr. Periam, Mr. Ross, Mr. Stickney, Mr. Woodruff, Mr. C. J. Luster, Mr. Smith, Mr. Root and Mr. A. D. Rowe.
THE MASSIE SCHOOL.
Peter Massie, whose decease occurred in 1840, left, in his will, the sum of five thousand dollars for the education of the needy poor. From the avails of this fund a small building was erected on East Jersey street, in which, under successive teachers, a school was kept under the provisions of the will until 1862. With the approbation of the chan- cellor, the avails of the original bequest were transferred to the educational department of the Orphan Asylum; and they are still applied to the salaries of the teachers in that institution. The building is now occupied by the Hope Mission, on Olive street.
MR. FAY'S SCHOOL.
Julius A. Fay, a graduate of Williams College, came to this city in 1845. He had been principal of the Stockbridge (Massachusetts) Academy, the Freehold (New Jersey) Academy, and for eight years head of a leading classical school in Baltimore. This last named he transferred to this city, opening a school of high order in "The
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Chateau " on Rahway avenue. The school was continued until 1864, but Mr. Fay owned "The Chateau " until his death, in 1887.
MR. FOOTE'S SCHOOL.
Frederic W. Foote, well known as a teacher, and afterwards editor of the New Jersey Journal, commenced his labors as teacher in connection with St. John's parochial school, during the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Noble. On the discontinuance of this school Mr. Foote became teacher of the public school in the North End school house; then, in 1833, the principal of his own private school, which was conducted with honorable success until he became editor of the New Jersey Journal, in 1863. His useful life was brought to a sudden termination in 1879.
THE PINGRY SCHOOL.
Among the private schools of to-day should be mentioned the Pin- gry, an institution of the highest repute, founded in 1861 by Rev. John F. Pingry, Ph. D. The school is in a flourishing condition to-day.
Mr. Young's School was established by John Young, who came to this city in 1854. In 1860 he built a dwelling house, on West Jersey street, where he now (1897) resides, and where he has carried on liis work to the present time. Miss Ranney's School was established in 1861 by Miss N. D. Ranney. In 1881 she resigned her school to Miss Purviance, who, in 1889, resigned to Miss Hunt. The Union School, afterward known as the Elizabeth Institute, for young ladies, com- menced its sessions in 1861. It subsequently became known as Miss Higgins' School, and under the wise management of this teacher is still held in well deserved repute. The well known and efficient institution, on North Broad street, known as the Misses Sargent's School, was established in 1867. Two years later the Misses Vail and Deane's English and French School for young ladies was opened by Miss Hayward, near Jefferson park. In 1877 it was moved to North Broad street. The management changed hands in 1866. Mrs. C. B. Knapp's Home School for young ladies and children was opened in 1889. Rev. John T. Halsey taught a private school in Elizabeth for many years. He was born in 1797 ; was graduated at Union College, New York, in 1816, and died, at Elizabeth, in 1842.
ST. JOSEPH'S ACADEMY,
conducted by the sisters of St. Dominic, was first opened on April 18, 1876, by Rev. Mother Dominica, with five other sisters. They had been called hither by the Rev. Father M. Gessner, rector of St. Patrick's church, Elizabeth, and until 1892 utilized a frame building on the corner of First and Wall streets. As the number of the pupils rapidly increased, the necessity of a larger and more appropriate build-
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ing was more keenly felt, and on the 11th of June, 1892, the corner- stone of the present handsome and commodious building was laid, and completed and ready for the reception of scholars in September, 1893.
PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS.
St. Patrick's Parochial School is located in Court street, and is the oldest Catholic school in the city. It was established in 1860, by Rev. Father Werzefeld. A two-story building, containing ten rooms, was erected, and an addition was made by Father Hennessey some years later, but the wants of the parish became so great that in 1883 the Rev. Father Martin Gessner opened a new building, next to St. Patrick's church, that was one of the finest in the state. The building is three stories high and is fire proof. There are fourteen class-rooms, and four rooms for offices, library, etc. The cost was sixty thousand dollars, and the school has a seating capacity for twelve hundred pupils. There are now enrolled one thousand students.
St. Mary's Parochial School is located on Washington avenue, and was built by Rev. Father Howell, about 1861. Rev. Father O'Neill is principal at the present time, being ably assisted by Rev. Father Brady and the sisters. The school is supported by the parish. There are six rooms and six teachers, and on the roll three hundred pupils. St. Henry's Parochial School is located on Magnolia avenue, and consists of several class-rooms, over which preside four sisters from the convent adjoining. The school was established by Rev. Henry Lemke, in 1869, and was first located in the nunnery, but in 1872 the present building was erected. The Rev. Father Wirth is in charge, and the school is supported by the parish. St. Walburga's Select School is connected with St. Henry's parish, and is presided over by two sisters. The School of the Church of the Holy Rosary is under the charge of Rev. Father J. J. Smith, assisted by the Sisters of Charity. This is a new parish and is located on First avenue.
FINANCIAL AND STATISTICAL.
In Elizabeth are five banking institutions,-the First National Bank, National State Bank, Citizens' Bank, Union County Savings Bank, and Elizabethport Banking Company, -each of which is provided with ample capital.
The First National Bank was chartered in 1864; capital, $200,000; surplus fund, $152,781.02; organized as a national banking institution in 1864. President, William R. Thompson; vice-president, M. W. Reeve; cashier, Edward L. Tillou. The National State Bank was chartered in 1812; organized as a national banking institution July 13, 1865; capital, $350,000; authorized capital, $1,000,000; surplus profits, $280,000. President, John Kean, Jr .; vice-president, Julian H. Kean; cashier, James Maguire. The Elizabethport Banking Company
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THE ELIZABETHTOWN WATER COMPANY-GATE HOUSE AND DAM AT URSINO LAKE
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was chartered in 1890; capital, $50,000; surplus, $30,000. President, Frederick Heidritter; vice-president, Lester Davis; cashier, Walter O .. Smith. The Citizens' Bank was chartered in 1890, with a capital of $50,000; surplus and profits, $70,000. President, Amos Clark; cash- ier, Edward A. Faulks. The Union County Savings Bank receives deposits from one dollar to five thousand dollars. Deposits draw interest from first days of January, April, July and October. President, Job S. Crane ; vice-president, E. C. Woodruff ; treasurer and secre- tary, Meline W. Halsey.
THE SUBURBAN ELECTRIC COMPANY.
This corporation began its career in 1891. The premises occupied by the company cover about thirty-five thousand square feet of ground, located at 71-77 Murray street. The main building is 70 x 224 feet in dimensions, and the boiler-house has a stack one hundred and fifty feet in height, and contains six boilers, with a combined capacity of twelve hundred horse-power. The power house is connected with the most distant points of the city,-including Roselle, Cranford, and Westfield,- there being nearly four hundred and fifty miles of wire required for this service. One hundred and fifty-five arc lamps are constantly used, the full capacity being two hundred and twenty-five, while the incandes- cent-lighting capacity of the plant is fifteen thousand lamps, fourteen thousand and sixty-seven of which are in daily use, besides two hundred and ninety-nine electric fans, the horse-power of motors installed being one hundred and forty. Besides the current necessary for the above lighting purposes, an immense quantity is generated daily for motive- power purposes and other needs, the concern being prepared to furnish electricity for cooking, heating, etc. The officers of the company are A. M. Young, president; Henry Hayes, vice-president; B. G. Bryan, treasurer; E. H. Stevens, secretary and general manager.
THE ELIZABETHTOWN WATER COMPANY.
This company was founded and incorporated in 1855. It is furnishing the citizens of Elizabeth over four and one-half million gallons of water a day, the same being conveyed through seventy-six miles of mains. They also have two hundred and sixty-one hydrants, six thousand taps, and sixty meters, with large independent mains for manufacturing purposes, offering special low rates to manufacturers.
The pumping system is located on Westfield avenue, near Harrison street. Here they have seven pumping engines of the Worthington system, with four boilers, of four hundred horse-power capacity. A new plant has just been completed, two and one-half miles from the city. In the hummock forty-six wells were sunk, at depths ranging from two hundred and fifty to five hundred and eighty feet, and a supply of water furnished, which, on being analyzed by Professor Leeds, is pronounced
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ELIZABETHTOWN WATER COMPANY-ENTRANCE TO IRVINGTON AVENUE RESERVOIR
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to be the purest and finest that nature can afford. The cost of the entire plant will be about two hundred thousand dollars. The capital stock of the company is two hundred and forty-five thousand dollars. The officers are as follows: John Kean, president; Julian H. Kean, vice- president ; J. W. Whelan, secretary and treasurer; and L. B. Battin, engineer.
ELIZABETHTOWN GAS LIGHT COMPANY.
This company was organized and incorporated in 1854. Its capital stock is three hundred thousand dollars, and its gas is supplied through nearly every street and thoroughfare in the city, while miles of pipe are laid through two-thirds of the entire county. There are about one hundred miles of pipe and eight hundred street lainps. The capacity of the plant at present is five hundred thousand cubic feet a day, and employment is furnished to from fifty to sixty men. The price of gas has been reduced from four dollars and fifty cents per one thousand cubic feet when the company started, to one dollar and fifty cents per one thousand, as at present. The officers of the company are John Kean, president; F. K. Price, secretary; Julian H. Kean, treasurer; and Francis Engel, superintendent.
MANUFACTURING.
Experience has shown manufacturers that it is far more economical and convenient to locate factories in Elizabeth than in New York, and this accounts for the many large business interests here, with offices in that city. In this connection the Kill-von-Kull and Staten Island sound, constituting one of the greatest water-ways in the world, together with the freight facilities by rail, should be mentioned, as the prosperity of Elizabeth is, in a commercial sense, indebted to these highways of traffic. Commerce at the port amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars annually, while the railroad facilities of Elizabeth render it unnecessary to unload any car destined for any port in the United States or Canada. There are but two systems of freight traffic here, but they are comprehensive.
The fast-freight lines of the Pennsylvania system are the Union, National, Empire, and Erie and Western Lake and Rail or Anchor, direct track connections being had with the Lehigh, New York, Susquehanna and Western, and West Shore. Over the tracks of the New Jersey Central run the following freight lines: White, Red, Blue, Nickel Plate, Merchants' Dispatch Transportation Company, Inter- state Dispatch, Erie, American Express, New York, Lake Erie & Western, Traders' Dispatch, Lehigh Valley, Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, and West Shore & Housatonic.
Among those early in Elizabeth Town as manufacturers should be mentioned the name of John Ogden, one of the founders of the town.
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ELIZABETHTOWN WATER COMPANY-IRVINGTON AVENUE RESERVOIR, LOOKING TOWARD THE CITY
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He early erected a dwelling on the town plot, and was the first to operate a mill. His house, it is thought, was erected on Elizabeth avenue, near where Robert Ogden, his great-grandson, and Colonel Barber afterward lived. John Ogden was appointed justice of the peace, on October 26, 1665, and was the representative of Elizabeth Town in the legislature in 1668. His water mill was near the dwelling house of Governor Carteret. "This mill," says Hatfield, "was located immediately west of the Broad-street stone bridge, and, with the dam across the creek just above, was doubtless constructed by Mr. Ogden, whence the creek was frequently called Mill creek, or Mill river. The governor's house was located east of the bridge and north of the creek, on the ground latterly occupied by the Thomas house."
Timothy Ogden, a descendant of John Ogden, was a tanner by trade, and during the Revolutionary period operated a tanyard on what is now Elizabeth avenue, near Spring street, and in close proximity to his house. His son, John Ogden, father of James Ogden, the undertaker, carried on the cabinet trade.
THE SINGER MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
The immense plant of this company is located at the corner of Trumbull and First streets, where is utilized an area of about fifty acres, with a water frontage on Newark bay of sixteen hundred feet, and a building frontage of about one mile in length. The buildings occupy in their entirety nineteen acres of floor space.
This is one of the largest industrial establishments in the world, and the company employ from four thousand to six thousand operatives in the manufacture of the celebrated Singer sewing machine, now sold in all parts of the world. The first Singer machine was made in Boston, in 1851, and the firm of I. M. Singer & Company (Edward Clark being the "company"), was formed that year, whereupon the business was moved to New York city. Subsequently a large factory was built on Mott street in that city, but in 1863 the enterprise passed into the hands of the above named company, and the selection of the present site in Elizabeth was made. Ample facilities, both by water and rail, have been obtained, there being over four miles of railroad track within this yard alone.
The main office of this company is located at 149 Broadway, corner of Liberty street, New York, and the officers of the company are Frederick G. Bourne, president; William Proctor, first vice-president; Douglass Alexander, second vice-president; E. H. Bennett, treasurer; C. A. Miller, secretary; L. B. Miller, superintendent of the factory.
BROOKLYN & NEW YORK RAILWAY SUPPLY COMPANY.
Besides street cars, this company manufactures car trucks, either for its own or cars of other makes. They are also the makers of the L.
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& F. passenger-fare register, which was the first fare-register to be manufactured. It registers one hundred thousand fares, and is up to date in every respect. Bronze trimmings for car or other work are also a product of this plant. The company utilizes a splendid brick build- ing, covering fifteen thousand square feet of floor space, and located at the corner of Third and Pine streets, Elizabethport. The enterprise was started as Lewis & Fowler Manufacturing Company, in 1885, and incorporated about that year, but on December 5, 1895, it was reorgan- ized, and the firms of Lewis & Fowler Manufacturing Company and James A. Trimble consolidated and reincorporated under the present firm name, having a capital stock of two hundred thousand dollars. Since the reorganization of the company they have increased their facilities and added every improvement of the latest design. They have, when running at full capacity, from four hundred to six hundred employes, but with the increase of business from the revival of trade, their working force will be largely increased. The power of the plant is furnished by two boilers with a capacity of three hundred and fifty horse-power, and two engines, one of one hundred and fifty and one of two hundred horse-power. The official corps is as follows: James A. Trimble, president; W. L. Brownelle, secretary; C. L. Cammann, Jr., treasurer.
THE BALL & WOOD COMPANY.
The remarkable progress made in engine-building in recent years has made this branch of industrial activity one of more than ordinary interest, and to no single firm is the mechanical world more indebted for this advancement than to the reliable, well established Ball & Wood Company. The plant of this company of engine-builders occupies a very large ground area, upon which have been erected two handsome brick structures, one of them 200 x 90, and the other 60 x 20 feet in dimensions. Besides these there are numerous outbuildings. These buildings are filled with the most modern machines and tools known in the manufacture of high-grade engines, and the plant is a model one in every respect. Employment is furnished to ninety skilled mechanics in the various branches of the business. The engines built by this company are for all classes of work, and are simple and compound, horizontal and vertical automatic cut-off engines, one of their recent productions being an engine by which the direct connection of the dynamos can be made. The shops were built expressly for their work and are fitted up with the latest improvements, among them being an electric crane. The advantage derived by buyers of their engines are : simplicity, absence of parts requiring frequent adjustment, regularity in speed, the limited space for engines and fly wheel, a compact form insuring rigidity in all parts, the use of short belts in place of long ones, the avoidance of gearing to produce high speed, and the extraordinary saving in room, building and foundation. The company is incorporated
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under the laws of New Jersey, and its officers are: Thomas E. Wood, president ; Charles R. Vincent, vice-president, and Langdon Greenwood, Jr., secretary and treasurer. The plant is located at Elizabethport.
S. L. MOORE & SONS COMPANY.
The Samuel L. Moore & Sons Company, was founded in 1854, and incorporated in 1886, with a capital stock of three hundred thousand dollars. This well established company occupy fifty-eight city lots, upon which are erected machine shops, one brass and two iron foundries, besides numerous outbuildings and sheds, these being filled with the most modern machinery known in the iron and steel workers' art, many of them being of the company's own design and invention for the special purposes of their business, in the production of chemical works, machinery oil, machinery, engines, mining machinery, copper furnaces, etc. The numerous machines manufactured by the company are all made from new and improved patterns. The company employ in the various departments of their business about three hundred skilled mechanics; the products are shipped to Mexico and Cuba, and from Maine to California. The power of this immense plant, known as the Crescent Iron Works, is furnished by five engines, having a combined one thousand horse-power, connected with a suitable battery of boilers. The officers of the company are Douglass G. Moore, president; Albert B. Moore, vice-president; M. F. Moore, treasurer and secretary; and W. W. Ackerman, assistant secretary.
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