USA > New Jersey > Union County > History of Union County, New Jersey > Part 36
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west. In 1833 Mr. Lufbery built a new grist mill, on the south side, and at the same time removed his logwood mill to the north side, attaching it to his saw mill. From that time, however, he did little with it, as logwood extracts began to come into use.
Mr. Joseph O. Lufbery continued to carry on these enterprises until 1846. In November of that year Messrs. Ayers, Williams, and John H. Lufbery formed a copartnership, under the firm name of Ayers, Williams & Lufbery, and rented the premises for five years, at the expiration of which they purchased the property, paying therefor the sum of twenty thousand dollars. The mills up to this time had been operated by water, but in 1855 the dams were removed, in accordance with an act of the legislature, and the mill was converted into a steam mill. On the 3d of September, 1868, the saw mill was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt and put in operation three months later. Mr. Williams died in 1865, and the following year the firm was changed to Ayers & Lufbery, and so remained until January 1, 1868, when Thomas M. Martin was admitted, and the firm of Ayers, Lufbery & Company continued until the retirement of Mr. Martin, August 29, 1873. Then the style became Ayers & Lufbery, and now it is Lufbery & Ayers.
THE REGINA MUSIC BOX COMPANY.
Mr. Gustave Adolf Brachhausen was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1860. He possesses marked mechanical talent and is the inventor of the Regina music box. In company with Mr. Paul Riessner, he began the manufacture of the polyphone, at Leipsic, in 1890. Soon afterward he came to this country, and in October, 1892, the first Regina boxes were turned out of the factory in Jersey City. In April, 1894, when the company was incorporated, Mr. Percival Knauth, and Mr. Percival Kuhne, of Knauth, Machod & Kuhne, bankers of New York, became president and vice-president respectively; Mr. Ludwig C. Tietz, secretary and treasurer; and Mr. G. A. Brachhausen, manager. In 1896 the company purchased property in Rahway, more as a matter of economy than anything else, and in July of that year moved here, bringing with them about two hundred employes of the concern. The present plant has double the machinery the old plant had, and the output has greatly increased, they having hardly room enough, with thirty thousand five hundred feet of floor space, in this splendidly equipped factory, for business purposes.
GORDON PRINTING PRESS WORKS.
The Gordon job-printing presses are too well known to require a description of this article. There are many thousands of them in operation in the United States to-day, besides many which have been sent to foreign countries. Mr. George P. Gordon, the inventor, was born
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in Salem, New Hampshire, in 1810, and early in life became a practical printer. The well known press which bears his name was invented in 1851, and was for a time manufactured in Rhode Island.
The factory at Rahway is situated in the central part of the city, occupying a space of about three hundred by three hundred and fifty feet in area. The main building, of brick, is thirty by one hundred and thirty feet, four stories high, with a two-story addition, about sixty feet square. Adjoining the main building is the foundry, where the castings used in the manufacture of the presses are made; also numerous small buildings for the storage of lumber, moulding-sand, iron, and coal.
HETFIELD & JACKSON
were manufacturers of light carriages, sulkies, etc. They began business in 1865. In 1866 they bought the Ackerman shops, on Irving street, to which they made additions from time to time. They made the lightest and best work possible, and were very successful in this particular, having received one medal and three first premiums on this work. David B. Dunham, Charles Grube, F. L. Graves, and Samuel and Andrew J. Haliday are old and prominent manufacturers of carriages. Mr. Dunham, being the oldest manufacturer now living in the town, commenced the manufacture of carriages in 1859, building a factory on. Fulton street. They lost considerably in the south, on account of the war. After the war their average work amounted to about ten to twelve thousand dollars per year for a time. They occupied the shops on Irving street for many years. Andrew Miller now carries on the business on Main street, corner of Commerce street and New Brunswick avenue.
MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIES.
The Eustis Manufacturing Company moved to Rahway about two years ago. This company manufacture nothing but high-grade goods, their wares being known as the Puritan Cookers. Their Puritan five- o'clock teakettles are very unique. They employ about thirty men. H. C. Brown is the superintendent; D. C. Sprague is general manager.
One of our oldest and most valuable industries is that known as Bloodgood's Mills. They use both steam and water power, and have the most improved machinery, which is operated by about two hundred skillful workmen in making all kinds of felt. The Rosenbaum shirt manufactory is one of the flourishing and prosperous industries of our city.
The Rahway Wheel, Spoke and Spring Works were established in 1865 by Ira and Joel La Forge. They purchased their shops of Samuel Sanders in 1870. They run a fifty-horse power steam engine and employ about thirty hands.
The Mershon Company, manufacturers of books, was established in 1872. The building which they now occupy is the third into which
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they have moved, as business increased. It is equipped with automatic sprinklers for use in case of fire. During the year 1895 this company manufactured over one and a half million of books. They are con- stantly adding the most improved machinery, which is operated by over two hundred skilled men and women.
The growth and cultivation of flowers in Rahway is an extensive industry. The large hot-houses of Arinstrong and W. B. Durie are well worth visiting. They supply the leading florists of New York with thousands of cut flowers during the winter season, and growing plants during spring and summer.
THE RAHWAY FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The present fire department of Rahway was organized in 1859, when Rahway became an incorporated city. It comprises three hose companies and two hook-and-ladder companies, and has one hand- engine. On the roth of January, 1859, all the companies then existing turned over their apparatus to the city and became subject to the municipality. The department consists of a chief and two assistants, and its membership numbers two hundred and five,-twenty-five to each hose company, fifty to the engine company, and forty to each hook-and-ladder company. There are twelve fire wardens, two from each company.
The present fire department succeeded the Rahway Fire Associa- tion, which existed for many years before Rahway became a city and of which Isaac Osborn was president at the time the present department was organized. The first fire company organized in Rahway was Washington Engine No. I, in 1815, the membership including many of the leading citizens of that time. The machine was a primitive one, such as were used in those days. The first engine house was near the Monroe street bridge, being afterward located on Poplar street. About 1840 a more commodious house was erected, on Main street, nearly opposite where the Second Presbyterian church now stands, and this building was occupied by that company and the Washington Hose Company (subsequently organized) until the present neat structure was erected on Milton avenue east of Main street. After the introduction of water by the use of direct pressure there was not much use for engine companies, and in October, 1892, the members organized into Hook and Ladder Company No. 2.
Franklin Engine Company, No. 2, was organized in 1823, and, under the different memberships, did good service until 1878, when the company disbanded for lack of required service. In 1885 the company was reorganized, with the object of doing service outside the city water districts. Independence Hook and Ladder Company, No. I, was organized New Year's day, 1850, and like the other old companies has had many of the leading citizens as members, reorganizing under the
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city charter, December 16, 1858. Washington Hose Company, No. 1, was organized in 1856 and has always numbered among its members some of the most active young men of the city. Protection Hose Company, No. 3, is really a successor to Eagle Hose Company, which was organized in 1856. It was afterwards changed to Warren Hose Company, which became defunct, and was finally organized, May 29, 1883, as Protection. The company won the prize-a handsome silver pitcher and goblet-for being the best equipped and appearing company in the Elizabeth parade, October 2, 1893. The old Eagle Engine Company, No. 3, which was organized June 23, 1835, and numbered among its members such men as Senator John R. Ayers, Robert C. Voorhees, Stephen M. Oliver, Samuel B. Hicks, Randolph Ross and other business men now deceased, was disbanded August 19, 1873, after the construction of the water works.
Other companies that have existed and disbanded were Vulcan Engine Company, organized by the late Joseph Gatchell, in 1858, and manned principally by the employes of his spring factory. It disbanded in 1868. Liberty Engine Company, organized at Milton, November I, 1858, disbanded August 31, 1874. Excelsior Hook and Ladder Company, organized October 18, 1875, disbanded May 3, 1878.
The following are those who have served in the capacity of chief of the department: Jonathan B. Marsh, John T. VanTyne, John M. Jackson, Stewart C. Marsh, James C. Sym, John R. Ayers, Joseph Gatchell, Thomas Gaffney, Joel Clarkson and Lawrence Brower (all deceased); those living are Silas H. Leonard, Charles I. Holder, Michael Fallon, Thomas Robinson, William H. Bogart, Robert H. Kinsey, Edward C. Fox, John H. Lutbery, William Wraight, Charles Schlundt, Samuel W. Luke, Harry P. Ryno, Charles B. Healy, Henry Bierwirth, Alexander G. Fyffe, Fritz Frank, Jacob Keiler, A. Lewis Ryno, Louis Gehring and August L. Fischer. The present incumbent is James B. Mershon.
RAHWAY SAVINGS INSTITUTION.
This bank was incorporated February 19, 1851, with William C. Squier as president. The bank began business on Main street, opposite Cherry, but has been in the building now occupied since May, 1868. Mr. Squier has been president from the beginning, having now filled the position forty-eight years. George F. Webb, the first secretary and treasurer, died in November, 1860; and December 3, 1860, his place was filled by Joel Wilson, who served as secretary until May, 1870, and as treasurer until May, 1875, the offices being divided at the former date. John Bowne was chosen treasurer in May, 1875, and Joseph S. Smith, in June, 1876, the latter remaining in office until August, 1879. Ross Vanderhoven was elected secretary in May, 1879, and treasurer in November, 1879, and still holds those offices. Joseph S. Smith and
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James B. Laing were chosen first and second vice-presidents at the time of the organization. In 1854 Benjamin M. Price was made the second vice-president and Mr. Smith first. In 1858 A. C. Watson was made second vice-president. In 1863 A. V. Shotwell and J. R. Shotwell were made respectively first and second vice-presidents. The offices of first and second vice-presidents were abolished in June, 1894, and Bartlett V. Clarke was elected vice-president, and continues to hold this position.
THE RAHWAY GAS LIGHT COMPANY.
The Rahway gas plant was established by the Rahway Gas Light Company in 1857, with William D. Parish, of Philadelphia, as builder, and with Jacob R. Shotwell as president and E. Y. Rogers as secretary. Mr. Shotwell remained president until his death, May 9, 1894, and the same year Mr. Mershon, of Rahway, was made president. About this time Mr. John Kean, of Elizabeth, became the guiding spirit of the plant, with Mr. Mershon as president. In 1895 Mr. Mershon resigned, and Mr. Hamilton F. Kean, of Elizabeth, became the president, and H. Simmons, treasurer of the company. Mr. Horton was retained as secre- tary, having been first elected in 1870, with Mr. J. R. Shotwell as president. Mr. Josephus Shann, of Rahway, is the sole survivor of the original board of directors.
Richard Horton, secretary of the Rahway Gas Light Company, is one of the most experienced gas men of New Jersey, having been occupied in the inanufacture of illuminating gas almost continuously since the year 1859. He began at Staunton, Virginia, whence he went to Meadville, next to Piqua, Ohio, then to Binghamton, New York, and finally, on February 23, 1870, he came to Rahway, New Jersey.
Mr. Horton was born in Rhode Island fifty-two years ago. He married Louise, daughter of Jeremiah Wood, of Linden, New Jersey, and his wife, Susan Woodruff Winans, of Elizabeth, whose ancestry is of the first families of Elizabeth. They have a daughter and one son,- Richard Frederick.
Mr. Horton was absent from Rahway five years preceding the year 1892, but returned that year to his old employer, Mr. Shotwell, and took charge of the latter's business. He thoroughly overhauled the plant, introduced new and improved equipment, and applied modern methods to the business of the concern,-all of which has redounded to the best interests of the city and the company.
FRIENDS' MEETING.
The records of Friends' meetings in east New Jersey have been very carefully kept since 1686, the date of their first monthly meeting at Perth Amboy. In a single volume, in the possession of Mrs. Abel V. Shotwell, of Rahway, there is the record of a hundred years,
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reaching from 1686 to 1786, and including minutes of their meetings at Perth Amboy, Woodbridge, Plainfield and Rahway.
The entry made on the roth of September, 1686, announces that the monthly meeting, held at Perth Amboy, "agreed" that "all friends should bring minuts of ye births and burials since they first came into this place, that they may be recorded." On the IIth of March, 1686, it was directed that "John Reid or his wife take care that widow Mill do not want, and give report to the meeting." Also two Friends were appointed "to speak to widow Mitchell that shee do not talke of Peter Sonmnans, as it seems shee doth. Rather wish hir to come to the meeting, and if ye be difference, lay it before Friends, according to the order of truth." At the next meeting, April 8th, the "difference" allnded to was settled by arbitration.
At a monthly meeting held at Woodbridge on the 16th of the tenth month, 1742, a motion was made by divers Friends at Rahway to hold a meeting for three months at the house of Joseph Shotwell, which was agreed to be held on the first days of the week.
It appears from an entry in the records of Jannary 1, 1757, that the Friends in Rahway had "repeatedly made application to the monthly meeting for leave to build a meeting house at that place, and that the Friends in Woodbridge referred the matter to the 'consideration of the Quarterly meeting.'" The representatives brought word from that body, the substance of which was, in regard to the matter in question, that it was "the solid sense of that meeting that a meeting house ought to be built at Rahway." Without further opposition the project was pushed forward. During February and March much was done toward the new enterprise. Solomon Hunt, Samuel Marsh, Abraham Shotwell and Benjamin Shotwell were appointed to purchase a suitable lot. Francis Bloodgood, Abner Hampton and Robert Willis were appointed to assist in selecting the ground and determining the size of the plat. It was decided that the new building should be thirty-four feet long and thirty feet wide. The building is still standing, on Main street. It was abandoned as a meeting house in 1804, and was loaned to the First Methodist society to hold services in before the erection of their church. In later years it was occupied as a hardware store, and is now used as a tea store.
In August, 1761, a " preparative meeting " was established at Rah- way. In 1769 the Woodbridge preparative meeting was removed to Rahway, and in the same year the monthly meeting ceased to be held at Woodbridge, from this time forward alternating between Rahway and Plainfield. At this time the meeting house in Rahway was enlarged, at an expense of one hundred and sixty-one pounds. Delegates met in it for the first time thereafter in August, 1769. In 1785 the Friends erected a school house in Rahway, upon the meeting-house lot. It fronted the road (now Main street), and was twenty by thirty feet in
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dimensions and one story high. In 1804 the Friends in Rahway built another meeting house, on Irving street, at the head of Poplar. It is a frame building, fifty by thirty-five feet, and two stories in height. In 1827 the society was divided, and the other branch have a brick meeting house located on Irving street, between Lewis street and Milton avenue, the upper story being occupied for a school.
Robert Willis was one of the most active preachers among the Friends in this section of the country. He lived in Woodbridge, but visited the Friends in many localities. Sarah Shotwell was well and favorably known as a speaker among the Friends of this section. She is spoken of as "a pattern of humility and faithfulness." John Vail was very prominent in his day. He died at Rahway November 27, 1774, in his eighty-ninth year. Agnes Elston was prominent as a speaker. She died in Rahway. Isaac Martin, most prominent since the Revolution, died August 9, 1828, aged seventy-one. Hugh Davis, also well known, was another early preacher.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
" This historic church," says the Rev. Dr. Payson, its pastor, " was born in a revival. The Holy Spirit, like a dove, brooded over its cradle ; the infant church was baptized by the Holy Ghost." The exact date of its birth is uncertain, since the early church records are lost; but there is every reason to believe that the church organization was effected before the church building was erected. This was in the winter of 1741-2. Up to this time the First Presbyterian church of Elizabeth was the mother of all the Presbyterian churches in Union county and in parts of five adjoining counties. It was during the pastorate of the Rev. Jonathan Dickinson, D. D., that occurred the widespread work of grace which resulted in the organization of this church,-now one hundred and fifty years ago. This church, when organized, belonged to the presbytery of New York, which then included East Jersey and Long Island. Its first pastor was the Rev. Aaron Richards. He was ordained and installed November 15, 1748. Hitherto the pulpit of the newly organized church had been supplied by the Rev. Messrs. Cleverly, Grant, Strong, and Watkins. The first pastorate was the longest. It covered the trying period of the Revolution, and with pardonable pride the church can point to the inonument in its cemetery erected to the memory of Abraham Clark, one of the worshipers in this church, and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. It is impossible to overestimate the heroic zeal of that first third of this church history.
The pastoral relations between Mr. Richards and the church were dissolved in 1791, having lasted forty-three years. He died May 16, 1793, in the seventy-fifth year of his age, and lies buried in the church cemetery, close to the spot where for more than two score years he had preached the "gospel of good news." Mr. Richards was a graduate of
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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
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Yale College, of the class of 1743. He was an ardent patriot during the war of the Revolution and was compelled to flee froin the British invaders in 1776,-at a time known familiarly as the "hard winter." The old church building was a two-story frame structure of heavy timber, its sides inclosed with shingles, with two rows of windows, which let in an abundance of light. The bell tower was surmounted by a copper weather-cock, perforated by a bullet,-said to be a mark of the Revolu- tionary period. Within were galleries upon three sides; the pulpit, located in the west end of the church, was high, of barrel shape, was small, having room for but one, and was overspread by a sounding board. There were four rows of pews, with backs high and straight, approached by two aisles. The floor was laid of heavy, hewn plank, not closely joined, the cracks widening with age, making it necessary, in the winter season, for the ladies to bring foot-stoves to keep their feet warm.
Mr. Richards' pastorate was followed by five years of stated supplies by the Rev. Messrs. Cooly, Cook, and others. The Rev. Robert Hett Chapman was the second pastor, but resigned his charge after three years of discouraging labor. Mr. Chapman died in 1833. After a three- years vacancy, the Rev. Buckley Carll was called to the pulpit, and served the church for twenty-three years. He was fervent, faithful and "passing rich on forty pounds a year,"-personally eccentric, physically infirm, controversial and severe, yet, being zealous and earnest, he raised both the material and spiritual condition of the church to a higher plane. Several revivals took place during his ministry, which extended till 1826.
The Rev. Thomas L. Janeway followed with a pastorate of eleven years. It was at this time the new church building was erected. It cost eighteen thousand dollars, and was dedicated February 5, 1832. Gracious revivals attended the ministry of Dr. Janeway. In 1834 one hundred and fifty-seven united with the church. There has been an addition of thirty-five a year, as an average. November 17, 1840, the pastoral relation between the church and Mr. Janeway was dissolved, and in December following he was succeeded by the Rev. Charles K. Imbrie, who had just been graduated from Princeton. Gracious revivals also attended his ministry, and at this time fifty-five meinbers of this church took a peaceful separation, on November 9, 1849, to form the Second Presbyterian church of this city. Rev. Samuel S. Sheddan, D.D., succeeded Dr. Imbrie one month after the latter had resigned. He remained in charge of the interests of this society for a period of twenty- two years, during which time one hundred and fifty were received into the church by confession, and one hundred and eighty-four by certificate. His pastorate was terminated by his death, October 18, 1874. After several months of supplies, Rev. J. J. Pomeroy, D. D., became the eighth pastor of the church. During his pastorate the churchi was remodeled by the addition of a beautiful auditorium and, thus adorned, was rededicated, November 3, 1876. On April 2, 1884, Dr. Pomeroy resigned
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his charge here and accepted a call to Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where he died December 1, 1889. About six months after Dr. Pomeroy left, the Rev. William Alfred Gay took spiritual oversight of this flock, but resigned the charge in August, 1888, and in October, 1889, the Rev. George Hubbard Payson, of Newtown, Long Island, accepted the call to this church, and began his ministry here on January 1, 1890. Mr. Payson was born at New Hartford, New York, January 5, 1852 ; was graduated at Hamliton College, Clinton, New York, in 1873; and at Union Theological Seminary, New York city, in 1878; was pastor at Roslyn, Long Island, one year, and at Newtown, Long Island, from 1882 till 1889, when he was installed pastor of this church, January 16, 1890.
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The history of this church has its origin in the strong religions feeling which for several years prevailed in lower Rahway, and out of which grew the Leesville Sunday School Association. Not far from 1825 Miss Lee and Miss Catherine B. Edgar organized small Sunday schools and met alternately in the residence of Mr. Adam Lee and in the old toll-house at the Edgar dock. About 1830 these two schools united, under the name of the Leesville Sunday school, and services were held in Mr. Lee's school house, corner of Main and Adam streets, which building is still standing. Mr. Frederick King, the first cashier of the old Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank, of Rahway, was chosen superintend- ent. Monday evening, February 18, 1833, the officers and teachers of this school met at the house of Mr. King (afterwards for years the police station) to organize a permanent association, and then and there the name of the Leesville Sunday School Association was adopted. The preamble was as follows : "We, the subscribers, hereby agree to form ourselves into an association for teaching and supporting a Sunday school in Lower Rahway and Leesville, and otherwise advance the cause of morals, religion, and learning in this place." The Association was incorporated. Frederick King was chosen superintendent, Jonathan Thompson, assistant superintendent, and Messrs. King, Thompson, and George F. Webb were appointed a building committee and authorized to make a contract for a building 27x45 feet, suitable for a Sunday- school house. On April 18, 1833, the association confirmed the report of the committee, that they had contracted with Benjamin Parker to do the carpenter work and find the materials for eight hundred and thirty- six dollars; and with James Smith to do the mason work and find the materials for two hundred and forty-one dollars. Major William Edgar and Cornelius Baker gave the lots, at the corner of Main and William streets, for the building. March 5, 1833, Rev. Thomas L. Janeway, Major William Edgar, Cornelius Baker, Adam Lee, George F. Webb, Frederick King and Jonathan Thompson were chosen the first trustees. From 1851 until 1869 the building was used for week-day evening
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