USA > New Jersey > Bergen County > Ridgewood > Ridgewood, Bergen County, New Jersey, past and present > Part 16
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President
MRS. WILLIAM F. ALLEN, MRS. CHARLES W. STOCKTON AND
Vice-Presidents
MRS. CHARLES A. DESHON,
Recording Secretary
MRS. CORNELIUS DOREMUS,
MRS. LANSING P. WOOD
Corresponding Secretary Treasurer MRS. DUNCAN D. CHAPLIN.
The purposes for which the club was organized were the mutual improvement of its members through study and social intercourse and the active promotion of civic and social betterment. The club has de- partments of music, history and travel, drama and literature, and home economies. Civies and current events are also discussed.
The membership is divided as follows: Active 326; Honorary 14; Inactive 2; making a total of 342.
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RIDGEWOOD, BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
The Woman's Club of Upper Ridgewood
The Woman's Club of Upper Ridgewood was organized November 20, 1912. The original officers were :
President MRS. CHARLES K. ALLEN,
MRS. E. A. NICHOLS.
Secretary Treasurer . MRS. E. H. PORTSMORE.
There are at present 40 members in the club.
The purpose of the organization is to promote neighborly interest, and the work done by the club has this purpose always before it in its philanthropie, social and school work.
College Club
The College Club was organized in September, 1913, by women graduates of colleges, residing in Ridgewood. The officers elected at the time of organization were :-
President MISS NELL B. DOREMUS,
Vice-President Secretary-Treasurer MRS. RUTH WOOD CADMUS.
. MRS. THEODORE S. HOPE,
Assistant Secretary MISS RAENA RYERSON.
The original purpose was to aid in establishing the Woman's Col- lege of New Jersey at Rutgers, but that plan was abandoned in 1915 by the State Leaders. so at present the club is interested in establish- ing a girls' scholarship fund. The organization has 35 members.
The League for Creative Work
The League for Creative Work was organized in April, 1914, with the purpose of producing original work as writers, artists and musicians. The original officers were :
President Vice-President MRS. JAMES B. PARSONS,
MRS. LANSING P. WOOD.
Secretary-Treasurer MRS. WILLIAM F. SROUFE.
The present membership numbers nineteen.
Garden Club of Ridgewood
The Garden Club of Ridgewood was organized in November, 1914. The object of the club is to broaden and increase its knowledge of growing things by an exchange of ideas and experiences at periodical meetings of its members; also to stimulate intelligent and artistie gar- dening.
Its membership numbers 60. Men living in Ridgewood and vicinity, having gardens in which an active interest is taken and over which a personal supervision is exercised, only are eligible for membership. Incidentally, it is the only garden club of men within a very consid- erable radius of New York City. Monthly meetings are held at which papers prepared by members and dealing with their own experiences, are read. Discussions of various garden problems that constantly arise are entered into and plans for the exchange of plants are perfected. Members who have been delegated to visit garden elub shows and nurs-
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PAST AND PRESENT
eries report their findings to the club and professional talent is engaged to lecture from time to time. A systematic distribution of flowers to the hospitals is also a very pleasant feature of the club's work. Two shows a year are given, in June and September, to which the public is invited. These shows not only inelude flowers, but fruits and vege- tables.
The officers of the club, all of whom have served since the organi- zation, are :-
President ROBERT L. ROE.
Vice-President
STANLEY R. WALKER,
Secretary-Treasurer
E. T. SOWTER.
Ridgewood Rifle Club
The Ridgewood Rifle Club was organized in October, 1915, with a charter membership of about 20. Affiliation was at once effected with the National Rifle Association of America. The club's membership soon rose to nearly 50 and it has become one of Ridgewood's most popular organizations.
Under the guidance of the first officers.
President
DANIEL R. BACON,
Vice-President A. A. WINTERS,
Secretary
A. L. FORMAN,
Treasurer
A. L. COBURN,
Executive Officer DR. H. S. WILLARD,
the first year of the club's existence has been a most successful one. A range for indoor shooting was secured in the old cement works on Spring Avenue and many a hotly contested competition has been held there among the members and with teams from neighboring towns.
Many members who, a year ago scarcely knew what a rifle was in- tended for, have developed surprising expertness, so much so that to date the elub team has never been beaten in a match and a number of the men wear National emblems attesting their prowess as sharpshooters or marksmen.
The club has in prospect the establishment of an outdoor range upon which the regular army service rifle may be used.
The privilege of the range is extended to students in the Ridgewood High School and a large number of the upper classmen are educating themselves in the use of firearms.
PATRIOTIC ORGANIZATIONS
Ridgewood has not devoted all its efforts to the seenring of pleasure and amusement by means of social intercourse, but has found enjoy- ment in preserving the memories of its ancestors and in safeguarding the future of its children. This patriotic spirit has found expression in the following organizations :-
Daughters of the Revolution
The Society of the Daughters of the Revolution was organized in 1891, its object being "to perpetuate the patriotie spirit of the men and women who achieved American Independence; to commemorate
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RIDGEWOOD, BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
prominent events connected with the War of the Revolution; to collect, publish and preserve the rolls, records and historic documents relating to that period; to encourage the study of the country's history; to promote sentiments of friendship and common interest among the mem- bers of the Society, and to provide a home for and furnish assistance to such Daughters of the Revolution as may be impoverished, when it is in their power to do so."
In May, 1900, a chapter called the Ramapo Valley Chapter, Daugh- ters of the Revolution, was founded in Ridgewood by Mrs. Richard W. Hawes, who being a member of the Montclair Chapter, was ap- pointed Organizing Regent by the General Secretary in New York. The five charter members were Miss Rebecca W. Hawes, Mrs. Richard Hawes, Mrs. T. A. Strange, Miss Martha E. Smith and Miss Florence de la M. Bunce. Since the organization of this chapter there has been but one Historian-Registrar, Miss Rebecca W. Hawes, who was elected to this office for life. The first Regent, Miss Florence de la M. Bunce, served for a period of fourteen years.
The meetings are held at the homes of the members, of whom there are now forty, with the exception of the June meeting, when, in com- memoration of the Battle of Bunker Hill, the chapter makes its annual pilgrimage to the Revolutionary intrenchments at Hillburn. New York, marked by them with a granite tablet.
Junior Order United American Mechanics
This patriotic order was organized in Ridgewood on February 18, 1897, with 125 charter members and with these original officers :-
Counciler .J. D. VAN EMRURGHI,
Vicc-Counciler S. O. GILES,
Financial Secretary ITERVEY TERHUNE,
Recording Secretary J. BLAUVELT HOPPER,
Treasurer I. A. WALL.
Its objects are-
First-To maintain and promote the interests of Americans and shield them from the depressing effects of foreign competition.
Second-To assist Americans in obtaining employment.
Third-To encourage Americans in business.
Fourth-To establish a Sick and Funeral Fund.
Fifth-To maintain the Public School System of the United States of America and to prevent sectarian interference therewith, and up- hold the reading of the Holy Bible therein.
The membership now numbers 280.
Independence Day Association of Ridgewood, N. J., Inc.
In 1910 the Independence Day Association held its first meeting and elected as officers the following :
President MRS. J. E. COYLE,
Vice-President MRS. F. F. KNOTHE,
Secretary MRS. J. TURNER, Treasurer MRS. W. J. TONKIN.
After two successful years, it was incorporated in 1912.
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The purposes for which this corporation was formed are to discour- age the general public use of dangerous firearms and fireworks; to foster and stimulate a patriotic spirit and sentiment in the citizens and children of Ridgewood, N. J., and vicinity, by observing Independence Day in a fitting manner; the same to be accomplished by parades, pageants, mass meetings, fireworks and other suitable and appropriate observances, and in general to do all things in connection with the foregoing that may be necessary and expedient.
The membership consists of the subscribers to its fund and in 1916 it numbered 238 individuals and firms and nine organizations.
The Theodosia Burr Chapter, Junior Sons and Daughters of the Revolution
The Junior Auxiliary of the Ramapo Valley Chapter, Daughters of the Revolution, was organized in June, 1912, with the object of "encouraging patriotic spirit in citizens of the vicinity in every prac- ticable way and to extend its influence in this direction to other places. as opportunity occurs, and to promote friendship and common interest among the members of the chapter."
With Miss Edna Bunce as Director, and five charter members, the following officers were elected :-
President Secretary
Treasurer
VAUGHN KEELEY, CONSTANCE FRENCH, . MORTON ADAMS.
In 1913, the name was changed to Penelope Von Princips Chapter, Junior Sons and Daughters of the Revolution.
In 1914, a change in the name was suggested and the Chapter is now known as the Theodosia Burr Chapter, Junior Sons and Daugh- ters of the Revolution, Theodosia Burr being the daughter of Widow Theodosia Provost and Aaron Burr, and directly associated with this vicinity.
The Theodosia Burr Chapter now has an enrollment of 35 members. having the greatest increase in membership during the year of 1914-15 of any Junior Chapter in the State.
Company L, Fifth Regiment, N. G., N. J.
Company L was mustered in on February 20, 1913. The original officers were :
Captain JOSEPH L. SMITH,
First Lieutenant HORACE G. CLEVELAND.
Second Lieutenant JOHN MERRIHEW.
Upon the resignation of Mr. Cleveland and Mr. Merrihew, Joseph R. Brackett became First Lieutenant and Gene E. Pattison became Second Lieutenant. Lieutenant Brackett was lost by death and Lieutenant Pattison resigned.
The company was mustered in to federal service in June, 1916, with Captain Joseph J. Smith commanding, the junior officers being-
First Lieutenant JOSEPH C. FITTS,
Second Lieutenant SAMUEL I. BATEMAN.
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RIDGEWOOD, BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
On the date of mobilization, June 19, 1916, the company had 65 men on its rolls and was sent with its regiment, the Fifth New Jersey Infantry, N. G., to Sea Girt, N. J., at which place the New Jersey brigade was to mobilize. The Fifth Regiment entrained for Douglas, Ariz., on June 13th. On its return to the East, the regiment reached Paterson November 3, 1916. After a parade in Paterson, the out-of- town companies returned to their quarters and Company L was mus- tered out of the federal service on November 14, 1916.
Several acres of ground on East Franklin Avenue were donated to the Ridgewood Armory Association by Mrs. Joseph W. Edwards for the purpose of erecting an armory thereon for the use of Company L. The foundation has already been completed with the aid of funds raised in Ridgewood.
At present active efforts are being made to secure the $25,000 ap- propriation for this building authorized by the State Legislature.
Paramus Chapter of the New Jersey Society, Sons of the American Revolution
The Paramus Chapter No. 6, New Jersey Society of the Sons of the American Revolution was organized through the efforts of Mr. R. T. Wilson, with 35 charter members, on December 18, 1913. Those offi- cers elected at the first meeting were :
President . JUDGE CORNELIUS DOREMUS,
Vice-President RICHARD T. WILSON,
Secretary JOSEPH B. ROBERTS,
Treasurer L. F. HALSTED.
Historian E. L. ZABRISKIE.
The objects of this society are declared to be patriotic, historical and educational, and include those intended or designed to perpetuate the memory of the men who. by their services or sacrifices during the war of the American Revolution, achieved the independence of the American people; to unite and promote fellowship among their de- scendants; to inspire them and the community at large with a more profound reverence for the principles of the Government founded by our forefathers; to encourage historical research in relation to the American Revolution; to acquire and preserve the records of the indi- vidual services of the patriots of the war, as well as documents, relics and landmarks; to mark the scenes of the Revolution by appropriate memorials; to celebrate the anniversaries of the prominent events of the war and of the Revolutionary period; to foster true patriotism ; to maintain and extend the institutions of American freedom, and to carry out the purposes expressed in the preamble of the Constitution of our country and the injunetions of Washington in his farewell ad- dress to the American people.
The Chapter has now 51 members.
The National Security League-Ridgewood Branch
One of Ridgewood's newest organizations. is the branch of the Na- tional Security League which was organized on April 6, 1916, through
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PAST AND PRESENT
the efforts of Mr. W. E. Remington, who was elected Chairman. With him are serving-
Vice-Chairman
B. F. SLOAT,
Secretary
GEORGE M. SCHINZEL,
Assistant Secretary
JUDSON SALISBURY,
Treasurer
JAMES D. CRAIG.
The following, with the officers, compose the Executive Committee : Lewis R. Conklin, Judge Cornelius Doremus, W. D. Ferris, Joseph Fitts, T. J. Foster, J. J. Glynn, E. B. Lilly, George N. Pfeiffer, O. B. Surpless and R. T. Wilson.
The National Security League is non-political, non-partisan and absolutely neutral. Its object is to arouse the American publie to a sense of the nation's naval and military weakness, of the national menace that attends the present state of unpreparedness and, through publie mass meetings, petitions and resolutions, to bring pressure to bear upon representatives in Congress to provide an adequate army and navy as determined by the expert army and navy officers.
The Ridgewood branch has more than 300 members who are also interested in increasing the membership of the American Red Cross.
Bergen County Historical Society.
An organization of interest to the citizens of Ridgewood is the Bergen County Historical Society which has been extremely active in delving into the past and has brought to light much of value. Iu 1895 an exhibition was given in the Opera House under the auspices of this society. There were shown coins, ancient documents, weapons, clothing, implements of industry, family trifles and records, and an inspection of the articles displayed was a liberal education in the his- tory of the past. People throughout this section responded with en- thusiasm and were surprised to learn that there was here so much of interest relating to our past history.
Among the past presidents of this organization are Judge Cornelius Doremus, Judge David Zabriskie and Everett L. Zabriskie of Ridge- wood, while R. T. Wilson is at present a vice-president.
POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS
Ridgewood is not without its political activities nor its forees which have influence for good government, as is evidenced by the five active organizations in the Village.
The Woman's Suffrage Association
In 1894, as the only member in this part of Bergen County of the New Jersey State Suffrage Association, Miss Rebecca W. Hawes eireu- lated a petition for the restoration of full school suffrage for women and obtained a hundred signatures in Ridgewood and Ho-Ho-Kus.
At a meeting of the Ramapo Valley Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, it was voted that the members in favor of suf- frage should call a meeting and invite Mrs. Minnie Reynolds to organ-
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RIDGEWOOD, BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
ize a branch of the Woman's Politieal Union of New Jersey. The meeting was held at the home of Miss Hawes, Corsa Terrace, on November 21, 1913. At a second meeting held a month later at the residence of Mrs. F. F. Knothe, The Woman's Political Union was organized with the following officers :
President MRS. CARL M. VAIL, MRS. C. W. MACDONOUGH,
First Vice-President
Second Vice-President MRS. FRANCES H. WALTON,
Secretary MRS. CYNTHIA MITCHELL,
Treasurer
MRS. GEORGE ETESSE,
Press Agent
MRS. F. H. VALENTINE,
Auditor
MRS. F. F. KNOTHE.
In October, 1916, The Woman's Political Union was absorbed by the Woman's Suffrage Association of New Jersey.
Ridgewood Democratic Club
The Democratie Club was organized in 1892. Its original officers were :
President .. J. B. CAVAGNARO, DR. G. M. OCKFORD,
Vice-President
JOHN J. MURPHY,
Secretary Treasurer FRANK A. BAXTER.
The object of the organization was to promote Democracy along the lines laid down by Thomas Jefferson, to establish good government by the election of honest and efficient men to office, with the greatest good to the greatest number and special privileges to none. There are 95 members in the elub.
Voters' League
The Voters' League was organized August 29, 1910. The constitu- tion provides, "its object shall be to secure and maintain the maximum of efficiency in the government of Ridgewood". The adoption in 1911, by the Village of Ridgewood, of its present form of government was due to the energetie campaign conducted by the officers and members of the League in presenting to the citizens the merits of the common form of government.
Its first officers were :
President Vice-President
LEWIS R. CONKLIN, SAMUEL S. MCCURDY,
Treasurer FRANK A. THAYER, S. S. WALSTRUM, Secretary
and the Executive Committee which was composed of the above officers and John T. Hanks, J. MeGuinness, Jr., Edward J. Miller, Frank F. Knothe and Harvey H. Palmer.
Republican Club
The present Republican Club was organized in 1912 with- President I. E. HUTTON, Secretary FRANK STEVENS, Treasurer W. O. DIETRICH.
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PAST AND PRESENT
It was re-organized on January 20, 1916.
The object of the club is to carry out most effectively the principles and good government as expressed by Republicanism; to further the interests of the Republican ticket and by that means seeure the election of Republican candidates. The elub has about 75 members.
Citizens and Taxpayers' Association
The Citizens and Taxpayers' Association was organized in 1913. The following were its original officers :
President I. E. HUTTON,
Vice-President
B. F. SLOAT,
Secretary
R. L. FERNBACH,
Treasurer
. F. L. DOOLY,
Chairman of Executive Committee W. O. DIETRICH.
The Citizens' and Taxpayers' Association is a non-partisan body of voters and has about 300 members.
FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS
Another result of the "get-together" spirit manifested by the people of Ridgewood has resulted in the organization of branches of seven fraternal orders :
Fidelity Lodge No. 113, F. & A. M.
The Ridgewood Branch of the Masonie Order, established in 1869, is the oldest existing organization in Ridgewood. The original officers were :
Master
JOHN M. KNAPP,
Senior Warden ROBERT B. CABLE,
Junior Warden JOHN A. ACKERMAN.
The present membership numbers 245.
Paramus Valley Council No. 1597, Royal Arcanum
The Paramus Valley Council No. 1597 of the Royal Arcanum was organized in Ridgewood on March 5, 1895, with the following as the original officers :
Regent REV. E. H. CLEVELAND,
Vice-Regent C. C. WEST,
Past Regent
C. H. EDDY,
Orator
L. F. HALSTED,
Secretary
B. C. WOOSTER,
Collector
L. N. TAFT,
Treasurer
S. W. ORNE,
Chaplain
F. H. WHITE,
Guide
J. H. OXLEY,
Warden
E. B. VAN HORN, . F. A. Ross,
Sentry
( 'ALEXANDER BELL, JOHN R. STEVENS,
Trustees
( H. G. WHITE.
Representative to Grand Council
C. H. EDDY
Alternate to Grand Council
REV. E. H. CLEVELAND,
Medical Examiner
DR. G. M. OCKFORD,
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RIDGEWOOD, BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
The original membership in 1895 was 32. It has now increased to 303.
The Royal Arcanum is a fraternal beneficiary order founded in Boston in 1877. It has a membership of about 250,000 and has paid to the widows and orphans of its members $185,000,000, of which over $100,000 has been paid in Ridgewood.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is a secret, beneficiary so- ciety, having for its purpose the elevation of human character. While sick and funeral benefits are paid, Oddfellowship is not an insurance society and this feature of the work should at all times be recognized as secondary to the great work of the organization which consists of "visiting the sick, relieving the distressed, burying the dead and edu- cating the orphan". It therefore presents a broad platform upon which mankind may unite in offices of human benefaction.
The order in America was founded April 26, 1819, in Baltimore, by Thomas Wildey, a young mechanie, and four others. It began to grow and to spread into other localities and at the present time its membership extends throughout the civilized world and numbers 2,190,- 000. Since the year 1830, prior to which no records were kept, $170,- 000,000 has been paid out for the relief of members of the order.
Ridgewood Lodge No. 260, I. O. O. F., was instituted on the after- noon of November 7, 1900, with twelve charter members, Thomas E. English, Charles F. Bechtlofft, George A. Stevens. Theodore H. Meade, William H. Fogg. John Q. Archdeacon, Frank M. Merritt, James H. Salisbury, John G. Hopper, James B. Christopher, John McCroden and George N. Winters. The first four named are the only charter members remaining at the present time.
The first officers installed at the institution were :-
Noble Grand
THOMAS E. ENGLISH,
T'ice Grand
GEORGE N. WINTERS,
Recording Secretary . JOHN Q. ARCHDEACON,
Financial Secretary
GEORGE A. STEVENS,
Treasurer
FRANK M. MERRITT.
In the same evening 35 were admitted to membership by initiation. At present the membership numbers 51.
Branch 991, National Association of Letter Carriers
The Ridgewood Branch of this national organization received its charter on April 22, 1904. The following served as original officers :
President ROBERT CAMPBELL, PETER R. TITUS,
Secretary Treasurer ARTHUR STORMS.
The purpose of the association is to promote social and fraternal affairs, to improve and equalize labor conditions in the service and to increase the efficiency of the service.
The membership consists of the eight regular city carriers and their two substitutes.
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PAST AND PRESENT
Ridgewood Chapter No. 39, Order of the Eastern Star
The Ridgewood Chapter No. 39, Order of the Eastern Star, held its first meeting February 5, 1909, at which the following were the original executives elected :
Worthy Matron
MRS. M. V. TONKIN,
Worthy Patron
MR. P. G. DELAMATER,
Associate Matron MRS. B. G. SCHINZEL,
Secretary
MR. W. J. TONKIN.
Court Midland Park No. 172, Foresters of America
The Court Midland Park No. 172, Foresters of America, was or- ganized on November 15, 1910, and incorporated on May 2, 1911. The original officers were :
Chief Ranger THOMAS POST,
Sub-Chief Ranger
LOUIS CARLOUGHE,
Past Chief Ranger
JOHN MARR,
Leeturer
DANIEL M. CALKOEN,
Financial Secretary
CHARLES J. CHRISTOPHER,
Recording Seeretary
WILLIAM J. BENJAMIN,
Treasurer
JOHN ROBERTSON,
Senior Woodward
NICHOLAS HEEMSTRA,
Junior Woodward
GEORGE PHILLIPS,
Senior Beadle
ADAM B. GOETCHINS,
Junior Beadle
CARADOG P. MORGAN.
DR. JOSEPH PAYNE,
Physician
HUBBARD FERGUSON,
Trustees
JOHN PHILLIPS,
JOHN R. STOTT.
The organization has for its purpose the raising and maintaining of a fund for the purpose of defraying the burial expenses of members and their wives, and the rendering of assistance to members when sick and unable to follow their employment, and providing medieal attend- anee and medicine. There are at present 75 members.
Ridgewood Council No. 1736, Knights of Columbus
This order was organized in Ridgewood in June, 1914. It had as its original officers the following :
Grand Knight
PAUL A. MCGOLDRICK,
Deputy Grand Knight
HENRY JOHNSON,
Chancellor
P. L. ALBERSE,
Recording Secretary
J. B. HESKETHI,
Financial Secretary
J. G. CROWLEY,
Treasurer J. MORAN,
Lecturer
W. W. O'NEIL,
Advocate
T. P. CONNOR.
Warden
J. S. HAND,
Inside Guard
J. H. TREY, JR ..
Outside Guard
W. NALLEY,
W. MORAN,
Trustees
W. DERMODY,
F. HAND,
Chaplain
REV. P. F. PINDAR.
The Knights of Columbus have as their objectives: Charity, Patriot-
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RIDGEWOOD, BERGEN COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
ism, Unity, Education and Brotherly Love. The Ridgewood Council has a membership of about 100.
MUSICAL CLUBS
Ridgewood is fortunate in possessing two musical clubs, one eom- posed of women and one composed of men. Not only do they encourage the study of music but they give four private concerts a year which always prove a delight to those fortunate enough to be present.
The Orpheus Club
The Orpheus Club was organized in 1909. Its object was to bring together the male singers of Ridgewood for mutual enjoyment and to give private concerts to be supported by the active and subscribing members.
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