USA > New Jersey > Salem County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2 > Part 63
USA > New Jersey > Gloucester County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2 > Part 63
USA > New Jersey > Cumberland County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 2 > Part 63
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The roads and streets were always bad, and at times almost impassable, owing to the depth of the loose white sand which covered the site of the town. They were in their best condition when frozen. Upon the incorporation of the city the Council commenced to improve the streets and principal road- leading to the city. The streets were straightened, and lot-owners were compelled to move back their fences when they were found to have eneroached upon the line of the streets, as they had in many in-tances. Clay and gravel were carted in immense quantities and at great expense, and all the streets and Reading roads were heavily coated with it. This work was pushed on from year to year, and at the end of ten years, when it was substantially completed, it was found that eighty-two thousand dollars had been expended for this purpose, every cent of which was raised by tax, a marked contrast to those municipalities in other portions of the State which during the same decade became involved in enormous debts, mostly borrowed for public improvements. Large sums are still spent yearly in keeping the streets up to their good condi- tion and in improving the new streets since laid out. Great complaint was made at the time by many of the inhabitants because of the large sums spent in this way, but it is safe to say that not a single inhabitant, after enjoying this great improvement for a year, would be willing to go back to the old condition of the streets. For every dollar spent in this way Mill- ville had received many in return in the increased value of property and the great change in the at- tractiveness of the place. The improvement of the streets has been followed by a general spirit of im- provenient by the property-owners. The old-time rows of frame tenement-houses, so well known in former years as a marked characteristic of towne where the manufacture of glass was a lading occu- pation, are no longer built, and the former ones are
disappearing. In their places neat single and double houses are building, with many of the modern im- provements and ornamentations, and the painting of loures and building of porticos and verandas have contributed to change Millville from a sandy, un- interesting glass-house town to a neat, well-built, attractive city.
Bridges .- The first bridge at the place now called Millville was built between June 20, 1754, when the road before mentioned was laid ont across the river at this place, and October, 1856, when it is referred to as having been " lately built" in laying out a road from it to Fairfield. It was a short distance below the present one, and rested on log eribs, and was with- out any draw. Whether this bridge was replaced by another before the beginning of this century is un- known, but, judging from the length of time other bridges lasted, it is probable that it was. After the law was passed requiring bridges to be built by the county repairs were made to it, and in 1807, after the glass-works were established above it, a new one was ordered built by the board of frechoklers, with a hoisting draw in it, the builling of the glass-works necessitating a draw. A contract was made with Jeremiah Buck, nud the bridge was built in that summer for the sum of one thousand and fifty dollars. It was a continual source of trouble, and in 1816 was radically rebuilt. 1: 1823 a new bridge was built on the site of the old one, three rods longer on the west side. This bridge was eleven rods long, and twenty feet wide, with wings extending twenty feet above and below the bridge, and a draw twenty-three feet wide. A contract was made with John Elkinton, who built it at a cost of fifteen hundred and fifty dollars. This draw not answering the purpose, a new one was built in 1828, on the same plan of the one at Bridgeton. This bridge stood until 1537, when the board resolved to build a new one, a law having been passed by the Legislature of that year authorizing a bridge over the river. Previous to that no law authorized it, and it was without any protection from any one who in- jured or interfered with it. This bridge was located a short distance above the former ones, on a line with Main Street, and was one hundred feet long, twenty feet wide, and was a pivot-bridge. The draw was twenty- four feet wide, and the abutment on the west side of the river was built of stone; previous to this only log abutments having been used. The north wing of the western abutment was run ont one hun- dred feet, so as to bold the dirt to be filled in. In November, 1860, the board of frecholders met at Mill- ville, and resolved to build a new draw to the bridge, but the next month they authorized their committee on the bridge to reconstruct so much of it as neces- sary. During that year it was rebuilt, and was essen- tially a new bridge. This bridge lasted until 1873, when the present wrought-iron pivot-bridge was built, at a cost of $2.1,574.18.
In 1560 a new bridge was built over the river on
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636
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
Sharp Street, then lately laid out from the vicinity of the cottonnaill across the river to the turnpike to Bridgetoo. The length of this bridge was cighty-four feet. and its width sixteen feet, with stone abutments, and it rested on white-oak posts. It was located close to the hill on the west side of the river. After the putting up of the present duum, in 1868, the location of the bridge was not suitable to the overllow of the dam, and after several efforts to move it, the board of freeholdlers, in May, 18;1. resolved to build a new iron bridge opposite the tumbling-dam of the pond, which was done that summer, and the old bridge was adver- tised and sold.
Menantico Bridges .- When the present straight road hom Millville to Port Elizabeth was laid, after a long contest over its location, the board of freeholders, on May 8, 1805, ordered a bridge built, which was done that year, at an expense of two hundred and twenty-eight dollars and forty-four cents. This bridge had no draw. In 1819 a law was passed for the build- ing of a draw in the bridge here, in order to allow vessels to ascend to Schooner Landing. At a meet- ing of the freeholders in June of that year, a new bridge with a draw was ordered built, and one thou- sand dollars appropriated for it, and it was completed the same year. So imperfect was this that six years after, in 1825, the board ordered a new draw built on same plan as the one at Bridgeton, and in August, 1827, they appointed a committee to contract for tim- ber for a thorough rebuikling of the bridge and for doing the work, and ordered the draw to be made twenty-four feet wide, the abutments, of white-ash logs, to be extended into the creek on both sides so as to make the bridge shorter, and the bridge to be raised one foot higher. This was done during 182%. In 1811 the board resolved to build a pivot-bridge at this place, fifty feet long between abutments and four- . teen feet wide in the clear, the draw to be twenty-five feet wide. In JS6S a new draw was built. In May, 1873. the bridge was thoroughly rebuilt, and the draw retained, although it was little used owing to Schooner , turnpike, and is known as the Western School.
Landing having fallen into decay, and the wood trade , having almost entirely ceased. In 1881 the bridge was repaired, and a new draw built.
In 1872 a two-story brick house of about the same seating capacity as the Western was built on South Fourth, below Smith Street. This is now called the Post-Offices .- A mail route was established from Woodbury to Bridgeton, Millville, Port Elizabeth, and Cape May in 1802, and offices were established and postmasters appointed for the latter three places Jan. 1, 1803. The first postmaster at Millville was Eastern School. The Northeastern school-house, ou North Fourth Street, was built in 1878. It is a one- story brick building, and will seat one hundred schol- ar4. A new school-house was built at Schetterville in 1879, and is a one-story brick building, seating our Robert Smith, who was one of the purchasers of the , hundred and fifty scholars. The New Furnace School. property at Millville, with Joseph Buck and others. The pre-ent ineninbeat is John W. Newlin, who was appointed March 28, 1878.
Stages and Steamboats .- Previous to 1515 the . stage route from Millville to Philadelphia ran by way of Bridgeton. At that time a stage was started directly north through Malaga, and for several years before the building of the railroad, in 1860, there was a daily line.
The first steamboat to Philadelphia was started by a joint-stock company in 1846, but the expense of running a boat, owing to the length of the route, was such that it was soon abandoned. Since that a boat called the " Chickapee" was run from here to l'hila- delphin by Samuel F. Fries, but she was burnt in about a year, while lying at Fenster's Landing, two miles below Millville. More recently the " Helen Getty" ran on that route, but she shared the fate ot her predecessor, and was burnt at the wharf in Mill- ville.
Press in Millville .- The Milleille Republican was established Jan. 4, 1864, by John W. Newlin, who has continued its editor and proprietor ever since. It is the organ of the Republican party in this end of the county, and is published weekly.
The Millville Herald is a weekly Democratie paper, first issued in October, 1871, by William A. Gwynne, who remained its proprietor until October, 1878, when he sold it to llenry (, Whitaker and his son, Frank A. Whitaker, who are the present editors and pro- prietors.
The Transcript was first issned March 10, 1882, by J. Bennington Elfreth, and has been published by him ever since. It is a Democratic paper.
Public Schools .- The first public school-house in Millville was built in 1849, at the corner of Third and Sassafras Streets. It is a three-story buikling, the first story being of brick, and the upper two of frame, and it will seat about four hundred and fifty scholars. It is called the Central School. About 1862 a second school-house was built, now called the Furnace School, on the corner of Powell and Dock Streets, in the neighborhood of the cotton-mill. It is a two-story brick house, and it will seat about three hundred and fifty scholars. The increase of inhab- itants west of the river called for a school-house in that portion of the city, and in 1871 a two-story brick house, with a scating capacity of two hundred, was built on West Main Street, or Bridgeton and Millville
at the corner of Archer and MeNeal Streets, a fine two-story brick building, seating two hundred, was built in 15:2. Beside these seven school-houses within the city proper, there are five schools in the country portions of the territory of the city. Piue Grove, on the Bridgeton and Millville turnpike, three mites from the bridge at Millville, is a neat and con- venient one -- tory building, of brick, and has seating · room for thirty scholars. Farmington, formerly calle.]
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637
CITY OF MILLVILLE.
Zoar, is on the road from Bridgeton to Buckshutum, at the junction of the road running sonth from the Pine Grove school-house, and near the southeastern limit- of the city. It is a one-story frame house, seat- ing about forty scholars, built in 1873, and is in good condition. Oak Grove school-house is a small frame building, in poor condition, at the junction of the roads to Buckshutum from Bridgeton and Millville. It was built by John H. Sharp about 1870, who allowed the Board of Education to use it, which they have ever since done. It will seat about twenty-five scholars.
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About one and a half miles east of the river, on the road leading to the place where was formerly Leam- ing's mill, is a brick school-house, one story high, built in 1875, that will seat about thirty pupils. It is called Newcomb's. On the road to Port Elizabeth, near the line of the city, is the Menantico house, a two-story brick, the first story used for the school, und the upper room t-ed by the people of the neighbor- hood to hold religious meetings in, they contributing toward the expense of the extra story. It was built in 1876, and the school-room will seat forty.
The Board of Education maintain good schools in all of these, and those in the city proper are of an excellent character. They employ six male and ! tian Temperance Union are held there. The audi- thirty female teachers, and the total running expenses enees are largely from a class which rarely attend a temperance meeting in a church. The rental of the hall affords a large income. of the schools each year are about nineteen thousand dollars. The school property is valued at fifty thou- sand dollars, and the total number of children in the ! city limits within the school age is two thousand five hundred and fifty-six.
Workingmen's Institute of Millville.'-The in- stitute was organized in March, 1882. It compri-ed over four hundred members, and opened a hall hired for the purpose, in which it provided games, music, lectures, debates, etc., and smoking and conversation was unrestrained. Three months of trial proved its success in attracting young men froin the saloons. The absence of any rules of order placed them on their sense of propriety, and no case of rowdyism was had.
A fine lot was bought at head of Iligh Street, with large grounds in the rear. The foundation was begun in May, 1852, and the corner-stone was laid July 4, 1882, the whole town joining in a holiday on the occa- sion. The superstructure was completed in February, 1883. The opening was celebrated by a tea-party given by the ladies of the city. It realized one thou- saud dollars for the institute. The purpose of the institute is to advance the moral and educational in- terests of the people. Organized by the workingmen on the basis of improving their leisure hours, it was
singing ate heard. and games of checkers, chess, authors, jack-straws, puzzles, etc., amuse the crowd nightly. The attendance numbers over a hundred nightly. The noise is social, not boisterous. In an adjoining room is the library of two thousand vol- mnes, and a reading-room which has been made quite attractive. The latter is supplied with the daily New York and Philadelphia papers, together with illus- trated magazine, and papers. The room is open to ladies and children, while the club-room is only open to men. The average number in attendance in this room is sixty. In the basement is located the gymna- sium, bath-rooms, kitchen, for use in festivals, and the steam-heating apparatus. The gymnasium is now being fitted up with approved apparatus. The bath- rooms are popular, and have an average attendance of fifty per week. A charge is made for the bath, but members have the use of it at a reduced rate.
The upper story contains a hall with seats for five hundred people, a stage fitted with scenery, and two dressing-rooms attached. This hall is largely used for amateur performances, school exhibitions, and social gatherings. The various temperance organiza- tions use it as their meeting-room, and the Sunday afternoon temperance meetings of the Women's Chris-
Beside the hall there are four class-rooms on the upper floor, which are occupied almost every evening I by classes in English branches. This is one of the most important branches of the work planned by the directors, and they hope to extend it to a regular course of industrial education. The building and furniture cost twenty-three thousand dollars. Mr. R. Pearsall Smith, one of the members of the firm of Whitall, Tatum & Co., gave five thousand dollars, and advanced the rest at a low rate of interest. The institute has itself raised, by subscription, members' dues, and entertainments, two thousand five hundred dollars. Members' dues and the baths are expected to pay the expenses. The annual tax is only one dol- lar, with an extra charge for the use of the depart- ments. Its membership and management are chiefly from the ranks of the glass-factories, and the build- ing stands as a testimonial of the carnest endeavor of the employés of the great establishments to advance the interests of temperance, co-operation, and educa- tion, the three fundamental principles of the insti- tute.
Millville National Bank .- This bank was char- tered under the name of Millville Bank, as a State founded largely on the basis of entertainment. Act- . bank, by act of the Legislature approved March 19, ing on this principle, the chief room in the building on the main floor is fitted up as a club-room, with pictures, tables, and comfortable chairs. Music and 1857, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, and was at once organized. The first officers were : Presi- dent, Nathaniel Stratton, and cashier, Lewis Mul- ford. They built a convenient bank building in 1857, I Frum Richard 3. Atwater, of Millville. at a cost of two thousand eight hundred dollars, ou
638
HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY.
the northeast corner of Second and Main Streets, and water was turned on about July 1, 1879. Th .. which they still occupy. In 1565 it became a na- works are supplied with one of E. Gaylin's duplex turbine-wheels, with a pumping capacity of one mii. lion two hundred thousand gallons every twenty-four hours. A stand-pipe twelve feet in diameter and one hundred and twenty-eight fert high is erected, from which the city is supplied. Water to operate the turbine is drawn from the pond, and the water for city use is taken from a large well. Over eight mile- of water-pipe have been laid throughout the city. The purchase of the works by the city is now in con- templation. tional bank under the above name, and the capital stock was increased. to one hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Stratton remained president until Jan. 14, 1808, when he resigned, and was succeeded hy Lewis Mul- ford, the cashier, who has held the office to the present time. On the promotion of Lewis Mulford to the presidency, Thomas E. Mulford became cashier, and continued until his death, March, 1875, when he was succeeded by Edward H. Stokes, who was elected March 30, 1875, and is the present efficient officer. The bank building was rebuilt and refitted during CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS AND CITY OFFICERS. 1883, at an expense of two thousand five hundred 1992. Fithian Stratton, Sr. 1833-34. William G. Leake. dollars, and it is now one of the most convenient edi- Nathan Leake. Cooper Madden. fices of the kind to be found outside of the larger 1503. Fithian Stratton. 1835, Lewis Mulford. cities. The bank is a paying institution, the divi- Robert smithi. Couper Madden. 1601. Robert Smith. 1836. Preston Stratton. dends on its stock having been as high as ten per Jeremiah Stratton. Cooper Madden. cent., and for several years past they have been eight 1-05-6. Robert Smith. 1837. Lewis Mulford. Ezekiel Forter. Robert Jordan. per cent.
1507-10. l'zeklel Foster. 1838. Jereminh Stratton.
Daniel Richman. 1 Isaiah llarnes.
1811. Daniel Richmon. 1>39. Jeremiah Strulton.
Nathan fake. William G. Leake.
1×1ª. Ezekiel Foster. 1&19. Joreminh Stratton. Cooper Madden.
Nathan Jeakc.
1-13-15. Karkiel Foster.
1811-42. Jeremiah Stratton.
John WIsharl.
William G. Loako.
1-16. Nathan Leake.
1843-41. Jeremiah Stratton.
Israel :: rattun.
Jatro luyor.
1517. Nathan Leake. Jatnes NeClong. Lowla Mulford.
1-47. William G. Leake.
Nathan Lenke. William Strutton.
1.21-22. John Imoning, Jr. 1848. WHham Stratton. Lewis Miulford.
Nathon Leuke.
182123. Daniel Brandlriff.
1849-50. James Loper. Lewis Mulford.
1-26. Nathan Drake. Wiliam Palice.
William Stratton.
15/7-2%. Spencer Tracy.
1853-51. Lewin Pullund. Edwardl Tatiılıı.
1829. Jeremiah >tratton.
1855-6. George H. Couper.
Nathan Leake.
Jacob Jalinson
1830. Richard 1 .. Wood.
1857-68. Dr. Ferdinand F. Sharp.
Dauiel Brandritt. William D. Wilson.
1831. Richard La. Wood.
1859-64. Dr. Ferdinand P. Shatp.
Cooper MaldeD. Nuthoniel II. Reares.
1832. Joseph T. Wurd.
1865. Thomas Curson.
Daniel Brandriff.
Francis Rooves.
Frat Ward.
1866. Nathaniel Il. Riceved. 1815. Somers L. Irwin. Thomas Corson. Peter G. Ludlum.
IS67. John L, Sharp, 1876. Summers L. Irwin.
Lewis Mulford.
Smith Reeves.
1968. Nathaniel HI. Heeves.
1877. Somers L. Irwin.
Nathaniel Stratton.
Peter G. Ladlum.
1669-70. Samyel Hillard.
1878. Sommere L. Irwin.
Smith Reeves. Julin N. Brannin. 1879 Sutuers L. Irwin.
1871. Smith Beovos. Albert Harris. Elbridge G. McClong.
1672-73. Smith I:reyes. 1680. Somerx L. Irwin.
Peter G. Indlum. 18-1-$2. Francis L. Godfrey.
13;4. Sommers L. Irwin. Smith Heerre.
S cond Hard.
186 ;. J'ranels Reeves.
Furmut I .. Mulford.
1.67. Trancio Breves. Stephen A. Garrison.
· 1868. Francia Reeve4.
Furman 1 .. Mufford.
1869. Nathunlet Breves.
George W. Dummett.
The Millville Mutual Marine and Fire In- surance Company .- The charter of this company was granted by the Legislature in 1859, but no organ- ization was effected until I867, when the company was formed, with Nathaniel Stratton a- president, and Samuel F. Fries as secretary, the latter of whom was succeeded by Furman L. Mulford in 1872. It built a handsome brick building on the south side of Main Street, not far from the river, part of which it ocen- pies for its own offices and part is rented for offices to other parties. It did not confine itself to local busi- ness, but effected insurance on both the stock and the mutual plan throughout the whole country east of the Mississippi. The great extent of their risks proved disastrous to the company, and they met with heavy losses. This necessitated a suspension of business until sufficient funds were raised by an assessment of the premium notes held by them to pay off their losses, It recommenced business Oct. 26, ISSO, with Furman L. Mulford as president, and Richard L. Hlowell as secretary. On the death of Mr. Mulford, March 21, 18S1, he was succeeded by Francis Reeves, who is the pre-ent head officer. Since its reorganiza- tion it has confined its bu-ine -- to thi- State, and it is now a safe and reliable insurance company.
Millville Gas-Light Company .- This company was chartered in 1857, and the work, built to supply the cotton-mill, and the pipes were not extended through the town until six or seven years later.
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The Millville Water Company .-- This is a cor- poration, all of the stock of which belongs to the heirs of Richard D. Wood, deceased. A contract between the company and the city of Millville was entered into Jan. 16, 1879, by which the city agreed to pay the sum of thirty-nine thousand dollars, in consideration of which the company agreed to erect water-works, and allow the city the use of the water, free of all cost, for fire purposes, flushing gutters, and sprinkling streets. The works were erected that year,
1
1845-16. James Loper.
1.15-20. Jeremiah Stratton.
William Doffer.
1851-52 Lewis Alulford.
Daniel Brandrif.
1883. Jeremiah Curson.
639
CITY OF MILLVILLE.
Is;0. Franci- Heeres.
1>;3. Andrew J. Steelman.
George W. Dummett.
1-7-77. Francis Herves. John Carrell.
Elias Wilson.
1878-79. l'rancis Reeves. Aaron Riley.
15:2. Elias Wilson.
Francia Recves.
1580. Francis Reeves.
1973-74. Frauch Reeves.
las1. Alfred Brandriff.
John Carrell.
1852. William MI:Clure.
1875. Francis Reeves.
JEst. Francis Reeves.
Third W'ard.
1>64. George Wood.
Flins Wilson.
1567-78. James L. Wilson.
IS77. Willintu MeClure.
George Wood. Charl~ MeQuilkin.
1899-20. John Mc Neel, Sr.
1876. William McClure.
Georgn Woud.
George B. Lingley.
1871. John MeNeal, fr. Malcolm R. HfcNeal.
1879. Charles Metfullkin. John W. Hannold.
1872-73. Jawre McLaughlin. 1830. Willlam MeClure.
George H. Langley.
ISal. Clarence Westcott.
1874. George B. Langley.
18-2. Alfred Brandrif.
Samuel ifilliard.
1863. James Me Laughlin.
Under the provisions of the art incorporating the city the following have been the city officers :
MAYORS.
1868. James ). Wells.
1871. George .W. Dummitr.
Jun.8. Thomas C'areun.
1574. Dayton Wallen.
Jx60. James M. Wells.
1877. Jonah D. Comer
CITY TREASURERS.
1866. Thomas F. Mulford.
1-75. Edward HI. Stoke4.
1800. Thomas JI. Ludinb.
1528. James I.lfreth.
1671. Jamen Melanghlin. 1879. Edward II. Stok+4
CITY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS.
1866. Dr. E. B. Ehchono.
1878. Dr. W. I. C. Smith.
1472. Richard Atwater. Jeso. John W. Newlin.
1573. George t'. Spilth.
18-2. Dr. J. A. Bolatd.
1671. John W. Newllo.
CITY SOLICITORS.
1906. James M. Nixon. 1820. J. I .. Van Sockel.
1$81. James Hf. Nixon.
The present officers, and the time of their last elec- tion, are:
Mayor, Joslah B. Comer, 1883; President of City Council, Ingene Il. Goodwin, 1853; Councilmen, Jat Ward, John J. Poubom, 1-52; Charles T. Butiett, JS42; Johnson Carton, 1-23; 2d Ward, Eugeno B. Goodwin, 1983 ; Inhe W. Vannoman, 1882; J. Wesley simmons, 1883; 3d Ward, Clarence Westcott, 1-533; George D. Lauzley, 1852; James Me Laughlin, appointed to fill vacancy ; Hircorder, John s. Hand, les3; City Treasurer, Edward 1. Stakes, 1993; City Solfeltor, James 11. Nixon, 18×3; City Marshal, Jesse L. Butter, 15533; Board of Education, John JI. Sixsmith (president), Thomas Carson, Jr., Robert Bumbf, Joseph Cungdon, Samuel Berry. William Manks, Elward P. Connaeller, Dr. Thomas Sturdevant, Jacab Rieck.
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