USA > New Jersey > Cape May County > The history of Cape May County, New Jersey : from the aboriginal times to the present day > Part 30
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36
385
FIFTEEN YEARS OF PROSPERITY.
"cery and provision business with J. Henry Farrow under the firm name of Richardson & Farrow, which continued until Mr. Farrow died, in 1883. He served in the Cape May City Council in 1875 and 1876, and was treasurer in 1879 and 1880. After serving in the Assembly in 1881 and 1882, he was sergeant-at-arms of the State Senate in 1887 and 1888. In 1889 he was appointed postmaster of Cape May City and served five years. He has for several years past conducted summer hotels. In politics he is a Republican.
The fourth newspaper, a weekly, established in Cape May county was the" Ocean City Sentinel," first issued at Ocean City on April 21, 1881, by W. H. Boyle & Bros. In 1885 this paper was purchased by R. Curtis Robinson and W. H. Fenton, but a couple of years later Mr. Robinson purchased Mr. Fenton's interest and has since been sole proprietor.
R. Curtis Robinson was born in Atlantic county in 1862. At sixteen years of age he entered a wholesale dry goods house in Philadelphia. Finding this distasteful, he engaged to learn the printing business in the "Banner" office, Bev- erly, N. J. Shortly after he became connected with the "At- lantic Review," of Atlantic City, where he remained six years. During this time he was also editor of the "May's Landing Record" and associate editor of the Philadelphia publication, "Over the Mountains and Down by the Sea." In 1885 he removed to Ocean City. In 1888 he was a member of the Board of Freeholders from Ocean City. He was postmaster there from 1889 to 1893.
In 1882 the town of Sea Isle City, on Ludlam's Beach, which had been founded by Charles K. Landis, had grown large enough to have a post-office established there on June 20, with George Whitney as postmaster. In 1883 another postoffice was established at Anglesea, a new town on the north end of Five-Mile Beach. A week later an office was established at Holly Beach, which had been founded on the south end of the same beach.
President Arthur visited Cape May City in the Summer of #883. With a party of friends, he arrived at the steamboat landing at Cape May Point on Monday, July 23, at II 'clock in the morning. He had come there on the gov-
386
HISTORY OF CAPE MAY COUNTY.
ernment steamer "Dispatch." He was received there by United States Marshal McMichael, of Washington; Colonel Henry W. Sawyer and J. Frank Cake, proprietor of the Stockton Hotel. They were conveyed by carriage along. the ocean front to the hotel, where, as they entered, Simon Hassler's orchestra and the Weccacoe Band played "Hail to the Chief." In the afternoon the President was driven over the town. In the evening a reception was given to Mayor Melvin and Council; followed by a banquet and ball at the Stockton, in honor of the President. At 9 o'clock President Arthur appeared, with United States Marshals William H. Kern, of Philadelphia, and McMichael, of Wash- ing to, leading the way. During the evening President Ar- thur shook the hands of over 2500 persons.
The President left about 12 o'clock at night, amid a grand display of fireworks, and was rowed through the billows in the surfboat, manned by the crew of Life Saving Station No. 39. to the "Dispatch," which had then steamed around in front of the city.
In 1884 West Cape May was created a borough out of Lower township, and has remained a political division ever since. In 1885 Holly Beach, on the south end of Five-Mile Beach, and Anglesea, on the north end of the same beach, were made bor oughs.
In 1884 Vincent O. Miller, of Dennisville, was appointed County Superintendent of Public Instruction, to succeed Rev. Edward P. Shields. He was born at Goslien on May 5, 1852. He attended the public schools at Goshen and at Bridgeton, N. J., finishing his education at Fort Edward Collegiate Institute, Fort Edwards, N. Y., in 1870. He taught in the public schools of Cape May county for sixteen years. On June 26, 1883, he was appointed county superin- tendent, and held that position until September 29, 1896. He also hield other local offices. He is engaged at present in manufacturing fertilizers and in sawing and selling cedar lumber.
By the census of 1885 there were 10,744 persons living in the county, of which 9856 were white natives, 591 colored and 297 white foreign born. The population of the polit- ical divisions of the county were as follows:
387
FIFTEEN YEARS OF PROSPERITY.
Cape May City, 1610: Cape May Point, 200; Dennis town- ship, 1770; Holly Beach, 210: Lower township, 1208; Mid- dle township, 2605; Ocean City, 465; Sea Isle City, 558; Upper township, 1500; West Cane Mav. 618. The villages had the following number of residents: Ocean View, 191; South Seaville, 408: North Dennisville, 487; South Dennis, 308: East Creek, III, and West Creek, 175.
In 1885 the Cape May County Medical Society was organ- ized, and during the same year West Cape May was cre- ated a borough out of Lower township.
During this year Ludlam's Beach Lighthouse was built at Sea Isle City, its latitude being 39°09'42" north, and longitude 74°41'05" west from Washington. The light flashes white every quarter minute, and is of the fourth or- der. The light stands 36 feet above mean high water, and is visible a distance of II4 miles.
Joseph H. Hanes, who was elected Senator in the fall of 1885, was born at Woodstown, Salem county, on September 20, 1845. He learned the blacksmith trade when young and subsequently became a successful contractor. He served nine years in the Cape May City Council, from 1878, and was president of that body during the first three years of his service. He served in the Senate during the sessions of 1886. 1887 and 1888. In 1895 he was again elected to Council for three years, but resigned after a month's ser- vice, owing to the pressure of his private business. In politics he is a Republican.
Alvin P. Hildreth, who this same year was elected to the Assembly, was born at Cold Spring, June 13, 1830. He attended the public schools, and then attended a private academy in Central Pennsylvania, and during the years 1846-7 and 1847-8 was a student in Yale College. Owing to ill health he returned home and subsequently taught school. In private life he was connected with many large hotels afterwards in Cape May, Philadelphia and Wash- ington. He was city clerk of Cape Island in 1856 and 1857 and served in the City Council from 1859 to 1863. He was assessor from 1859 to 1873, and a member of the Board of Freeholders from Cape May City from 1880 to
3SS
HISTORY OF CAPE MAY COUNTY.
1886. He served in the Assembly in the sessions of 1886 and 1887. He was appointed a Riparian Commissioner of the State in 1892 and served two years. For several years he has been a member of the Democratic State Committee.
In 1886 the fifth newspaper established in the county was the "Cape May County Times," published by Thomas E. Ludlanı, at Sea Isle City. It contained four pages, size 15x 21 inches. He continues to be its publisher. Thomas E. Ludlam was born at Dennisville, on January 30, 1855. He obtained his education there. For eight years he taught
THOMAS E. LUDLAM.
school in different sections of the county, and then removed to Sea Isle City, and at its first election, in 1882, was made a member of the Board of Freeholders. He was six years agent of the West Jersey Railroad at Sea Isle City, and from 1884 to 1896 Mayor of the borough. He was inter- ested in the formation of the M. E. Church there and has for a number of years been on the Board of Education, be- ing now its president. As a real estate dealer he was largely instrumental in the development of Sca Isle City. He is a director of the South Jersey Railroad.
389
FIFTEEN YEARS OF PROSPERITY.
In 1886 postoffices were established at Burleigh (formerly Mayville), and at Clermont.
The valuation of real and personal property as assessed in the county in 1887 was as follows: Upper, $456,740; Dennis, $416,215; Middle, $614,125; Lower, $259,850; Cape May City. $1,700,000; Cape May Point, $200,000; West Cape May, $133,430; Anglesea. $150.000; Sea Isle City, $237,365; Ocean City, $200,073; Holly Beach, $175,000; total, $4,542,798.
On July 9, 1888, a postoffice was established at Avalon, a newly laid-out town on the north end of Seven-Mile Beach, and in September, 1889, one established at the new town of Wildwood on the centre portion of Five-Mile Beach. In June, 1890, the office at Marmora was opened.
On September 5. 1888, the people voted upon the ques- tion of "local option." or for and against the granting li- cense for the sale of liquor as a beverage. The following townships and boroughs voted for granting licenses: Sea Isle City, Cape May City, Holly Beach, Anglesea, Middle, Upper and Lower. Those voting against were: West Cape May, Ocean City, Dennis and Cape May Point. The com- bined majority in the county for license was 222. This was the only time in the history of the county when the ques- tion was decided by ballot.
The 175th anniversary of the founding of the Cold Spring Presbyterian Church was celebrated in 1889. Rev. Daniel L. Hughes, D. D., read the historical address.
In 1888 Dr. Walter S. Leaming was elected State Sena- tor. He is a son of Dr. Jonathan F. Leaming, who twice had been State Senator. He was born at Seaville on March 4, 1854, and there passed his boyhood days. For a time he was a law clerk in New York city. In 1867 his father re- moved to Court House. After that time the Doctor attend- ed the Mayville Academy. He entered the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery in 1876, graduating two years later with honors. Later on he entered Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and was graduated as M. D. in 1881. He became a partner of his father and remained so until moving to Cape May City in 1891, where he still practices
390
HISTORY OF CAPE MAY COUNTY.
dentistry. In 1887 he was elected to the Assembly and served in the session of 1888.
It was during this session of the House that in a speech, ably made, he broke the then prevailing political Republican combination, and succeeded in electing Colonel Henry W. Sawyer Sinking Funk Commissioner of the State.
That year he was chosen Senator, and served three years in the upper house. In 1891 he was the Republican caucus nominee for President of the Senate, receiving the full Re-
DR. WALTER S. LEAMING.
publican vote. In 1895 he was elected a member of the Cape May City Council for three years, during all of which time he was president of the body. In politics he is a Re- publican, and in religion a Baptist.
Eugene Conrad Cole, who was Assemblyman in the ses- sions of 1889, 1890, and 1891, was born at Seaville, June 23, 1851. He was of Revolutionary stock, and his ancestors were Massachusetts people, and was also a direct maternal descendant of Henry Young, surrogate and surveyor-gen- eral of the county in the last century. He was educated in the public schools, and studied military tactics at West Point in 1869. In 1871 he began teaching school, and
391
FIFTEEN YEARS OF PROSPERITY.
taught until about 1894. He was for years up to 1897 a county examiner. He was admitted to the bar in 1886. He was Coroner of the county from 1881 to 1884, and was a Justice of the Peace for several years. In politics he is a Republican, but not a partisan, and one in whom men of every party have confidence.
Charles E. Nichols, of Court House, who was Sheriff from 1889 to 1893, was born at Kingston, New Hampshire, on August 27, 1849. His forefathers fought in the Revolu- tion. For a time he attended school there, and later at Oswego, New York. For two years he was a drug clerk in the latter place. In 1865, when sixteen, he came to Cape
EUGENE C. COLE.
May Court House, where he has since resided. He com- pleted his education at Mayville Academy. In 1885 he was appointed postmaster by President Cleveland, and served until 1889, when he was elected Sheriff. In 1803 he was again appointed postmaster by President Cleveland. He has been a Justice of the Peace for several years. He is a Democrat politically. For thirty-two years he has been a member of the Baptist Church, twelve years of which time he has been a teacher in the Sunday school.
The condition of the county in 1890 was prosperous. Itsto- tal debt was $7000, which had been incurred three years be-
302
HISTORY OF CAPE MAY COUNTY.
fore in the building of a new almshouse, which cost $10,0003. The population of the county was 11,268, divided as follows: Anglesea, 161; Cape May City, 2136; Cape May Point, 167 ;. Dennis township, 1707; Holly Beach, 217; Lower, 1156 ;: Middle, 2368; Ocean City, 452; Sea Isle City, 766; Upper, 1381; West Cape May, 757. The number of farms were" 505; area of farms, 47,066 acres; area of improved land, 26,491 acres; unimproved, 20,575 acres; value of farms, in- cluding lands, fences and buildings, $1,312,530; value of ini- plements and machinery, $68.330; value of live stock, $141,- 580; value of farm products, $235,800.
In June, 1890, the "Five-Mile Beach Journal," at Wild- wood, was first printed by Samuel P. Foster. It contained four pages of six columns each. Mr. Foster published it until the autumn of 1895, when it was sold to Jedediah Du Bois, who continues to publish it.
CHAPTER XXVIII. DISTINGUISHED VISITORS.
Soon after Cape May Point was established, John Wana- maker, of Philadelphia, bought property there and erected a summer residence. When President Harrison was in- augurated, he appointed Mr. Wanamaker his Postmaster- General. They became warm friends. During a few weeks in June, 1889. Mrs. Harrison and the family were guests of the Wanamaker cottage, and liking Cape May well, she so expressed herself. The President also paid one visit. Dur- ing the winter of 1889-1890 the friends of the President built a handsome $10,000 summer cottage, and through Postmaster-General Wanamaker and William V. McKean, editor of the Philadelphia "Public Ledger," presented the cottage to Mrs. President Harrison, by handing her the deed and keys in the White House, at Washington, on June 6, 1890. In three weeks the family took possession, where they resided from June 20 until August 28. The President passed about four weeks of the season with his family.
Hon. James G. Blaine, the Secretary of State of Presidents Garfield and Harrison, visited the Cape during the summer. General William Tecumseh Sherman visited his daughter. who resided in a Columbia avente cottage.
On the 24th of August, that day being Sunday, the Presi- dent, accompanied by Mrs. Harrison and Mrs. Dimmick, his wife's niece, who afterwards became the second Mrs. Harrison, visited the Cold Spring Church for worship. While on their way home, Coachman William Turner, who had grown up in the neighborhood, was directed to drive by the cottage of "Uncle Dan" and "Aunt Judy" Kelly, on the "thunpike," in Lower township, to whom the attention of Mrs. Harrison had been drawn by a photograph she had seen of the aged couple, and the vine clad cottage in which
394
HISTORY OF CAPE MAY COUNTY.
they had lived for years. Through Mrs. Harrison the Presi- dent became interested, and that occasion was taken for viewing it.
The carriage drove up to the garden gate and the Presi- dent alighted and entered. Aunt Judy, who was asleep in- side the cottage, was aroused, and President Harrison re- quested a drink of water, which was furnished clear and cool from the depths of the old well, and which was drawn up by the "old oaken bucket," hung upon a rope. As he stood drinking Judy's bright eyes watched him closely. As he finished he remarked, "I have a photograph of you and your husband."
"What might you name be?" asked Judy.
"I am General Harrison," replied the President.
"The saints be praised," cried Judy. "I have lived to see a President and talk to him. Dan'l! Dan'l! Coom out here, old man. Sure an the President has coom to us."
The old man, who was a cripple, hobbled out, and, drop- ping his hat, seemed too awe-struck at the great honor to talk. Judy, however, had her tongue wagging, and, turn- ing to the President, said:
"Sure if you have my picter, can't I have one of yourn?"
"I have no picture of myself with me," answered the President. "But," and his eyes twinkled as he felt in his pocket, and drawing something therefrom, which he handed to Judy, "this is the picture of another President."
Judy's hand closed over the gift, and she grasped the President's hand, shouting her thanks as he moved toward his carriage, which he entered with a farewell, lifting his hat, and was whirled out of sight.
Only then did Judy stop to look at what had been given her, and her surprise and delight can be imagined when she discovered a new and crisp five-dollar bill, containing the likeness of President Jackson.
Du ing the summer of 1891 President Harrison and fam- ily again passed the season at Cape May Point, while the President established his executive office at Congress Hall, in Cape May, which was open from July 3 until Septem- ber 15.
The President and family came on July 3 to their ect-
395
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS.
trage, but the President himself did not remain there ail the Season. From August 18 to 29 he was away at Saratoga, N. Y. In the season of 1892 the family did not ome to Cape May Point. That fall Mrs. Harrison died. During the summer of 1893 General Harrison, who had on the 4th of March preceding retired from the Presidential chair, passed part of his summer at the cottage. in 1896 he dis- posed of the cottage to a Philadelphian.
In the fall of 1889 Edward L. Rice, son of Leaming M. Rice, who had previously been State Senator, was elected county clerk, to succeed Jonathan Hand, after fifty years of service. Edward L. Rice was born at Dennisville on January 25, 1864. He attended school at Dennisville and at Rutgers College, New Brunswick, N. J. Before he en- tered college and before reaching his eighteenth year he began teaching school. When elected clerk he was prin- cipal of the Cape Mav Citv School. He is a natural orator, and has written some poetry. In 1894 he was chosen by the people for another term of five years. In politics he is a Democrat.
The Jewish colony at Woodbine was founded in 1891. It was early in the spring of that year that the American trus- tees of the Baron Hirsch Fund closed negotiations by pur- chasing 5100 acres of land in and around Woodbine from Mr. John M. Moore, the Clayton, N. J., glass manufac- turer, for $39,000. Before the purchase was completed the titles were searched back to the days of the "West Jersey „Society."
In April, 1891, work was commenced at the colony. A number of small dwelling houses were erected for the ac- ·commodation of the men who came to the place to clear the land and build homes. A survey of the land was made and :sixty-two farms of thirty acres each were laid out. These farms are now occupied by as many families. They were sold to the settlers on terms which were extremely liberal, and yet not calculated to make the buyers entirely depen- dent. By the terms of purchase the refugees upon their arrival in this country were brought direct to Woodbine and placed on their farnis, which were thirty acres each in extent.
In August the colony was settled. To every family were
396
HISTORY OF CAPE MAY COUNTY.
allotted a neat house, barn and all necessary outbuildings ;: one cow, twenty-five chickens, farming implements and seeds.
Ten acres of the thirty were cleared and ploughed and: sown with rye or wheat. For the farm complete, the trus- tees asked $1200, the cost price. Every settler was given ten years' time in which to pay for his purchase, and in or- der to give him a start, the fund only required the interest on the principal to be paid during the first three years. After that time the purchase price was to be paid off in yearly pay -. ments.
Immediately after the founding of the colony a large num- ber of refugees were brought to the colony and employed in the large cloak factory the trustees had erected.
During the summer of 1892 the crops were very large and farming proved a success far beyond all expectations. The town site was laid cit near the depot and within six months thirty-five new houses, costing over $50,000, were built and. occupied by those who worked in the cloak factory. A new factory for the manufacture of trousers was completed and the two industries gave employment to over five hundred people.
The management ( i the colony devolved upon Professor H. L. Sabsovich, who is yet superintendent. Professor Sabsovich is a native of Southern Russia and is about forty- seven years of age. His title comes from the "Agricultural. College of Russia," of which institute he is a graduate. In 1888 he left Russia on account of aggressive laws with his .. family and came to New York. Shortly after arriving in America he accepted a position as professor of chemistry in. the Colorado State Experimental College, at Denver, where he remained until he came to Woodbine to superintend the- newly-established colony. Within a year nearly seven hun- dred persons settled there.
In 1891 the Legislature again passed an act changing Cape May's boundary line, by adding a portion of Maurice River township, in Cumberland township, to Dennis town- ship. It was during this year that Avalon became a bor- ough.
The first woman physician to settle in Cape May county
397
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS.
was Anna M. Hand, who began the practice of medicine in Cape May City in January, 1892. She was of Revolutionary stock, having had maternal and paternal ancestors in the Revolution. Dr. Hand was born near Cape May Court House, where she obtained her education in the public schools and with private teachers. This was supplemented by two years of study in the New Jersey State Normal School. After graduating she taught school for seven years in Eastern Pennsylvania. The idea of studying medicine then took hold of her, and she matriculated in the Women's
DR. ANNA M. HAND.
Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1886, and took an extend- ed or four years' course. Afterwards she took a post grad- uate course in the Philadelphia Polyclinic. Her career of preparation was concluded with nearly two years more of practical experience in the Maternity Hospital and Nur-e School, of Philadelphia. She then settled at Cape May City and acquired a large practice.
The first move towards establishing a second railroad through Cape May county was by Logan M. Bullitt, of Philadelphia, and James E. Taylor, of Cape May City. They secured an agreement with the Central Railroad of New Jer-
398
HISTORY OF CAPE MAY COUNTY.
sey, the Atlantic City Railroad Company and Vineland Railroad Company to operate a proposed road in connec- tion with these companies. On January 14, 1893, a public meeting was held in Hand's Hall, Cape May, which was. presided over by James M. E. Hildreth. At that meeting; $5300 was subscribed toward the project. The road was, built from Winslow Junction in Camden county to Sea Isle. City, and the first train ran there on July 27, 1893. The next day a regular train service was established.
On June 23, 1894, the road having been completed from Tuckahoe to Cape May, the first train arrived with a large party of invited guests, and a public holiday was the conse- quence. In July regular service was established. The road's projectors had had many financial difficulties. It was first known as the Philadelphia and Seashore Railroad, and afterwards reorganized as the South Jersey Railroad. On August 22 a receiver was appointed for the road, who still manages it. The officers of the company at the time of the appointment of the receiver were: William S. Fox, president ; Logan M. Bullitt, vice-president; Thomas H. Willson, sec- retary; Thomas Robb, James E. Taylor, Charles K. Landis, J. H. Wheeler, James M. E. Hildreth, Morris Boney, Thomas E. Ludlam, John Halpin, H. W. Sawyer, Edward. A. Tennis, Dr. James Mecray and Dr. V. M. D. Marcy.
Logan M. Bullitt is a son of John C. Bullitt, of Philadel- phia, a large land holder of Cape May. He was born in Philadelphia in 1863, and was graduated from the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania in 1883. After graduating he was ap- pointed superintendent of Dunbar Furnace Company, Dun- bar, Pa. In 1884 he became manager of the Northern Pa- cific Coal Company and remained in Dakota and Montana until 1888. In 1889 he was admitted to the Philadelphia bar.
James E. Taylor was born in Cape May, and after ob- taining an education he studied civil engineering. He was at one time head of the contracting department of the Edi- son Electric Company, New York city. In 1888 and 1889 he was collector of Cape May city.
Lemuel E. Miller, who was State Senator from 1892 to 1895, was born at Green Creek, August 1. 1854, and was a son of Aaron Miller, one time Sheriff. When fifteen his:
399
DISTINGUISHED VISITORS.
father died and he was left to care for himself. He became a gneral contractor, doing work in all parts of the coun- try, such as building railroads, bulwarks, etc. He served in the Cape May City Council from 1875 to 1878, and in 1876 was the president of the council.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.