History of Rockland County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 47

Author: Cole, David, 1822-1903, ed. cn; Beers, J. B., & co., New York, pub
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 993

USA > New York > Rockland County > History of Rockland County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men > Part 47

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" And the said Ayre Smith and Yannetie his wife, the aforesaid tract of land and all and singular other the premises with their appurtenances before mentioned, and all the estaet right tittle unto the said parsons Gerret Onderdonk and Abraham Onderdonk unto their heirs will well and truly warrent and forever defend by under and from all manner of person or persons that shall law- fully claim the same or any part thereof, and will well and sufficiently sowed keept harmless and endemenefia by the sd. Ayre Smith and Yannetie his wife, and that the said Gerret Onderdonk and Abraham Onderdonk may pacebley enter into the possession widhout any hin- derance or molestation or Denyal of him the said Ayre Smith and Yannetie his wife have hereunto set our hands the day and year first above written.

" Sigened sealed and Delivered

in the presants of us

his " JAN + HOLDRUM, AURI SMITH,

mark

" REM REMSEN,

JANNETIE SMITH "

"Oringe County June 21st day in the year of our Lord Christ 1755 then personally appeared before me Cor- nelius Cuyper, one of the judges of the court of common pleas for the County of Oringe, the within named Jan Holdrum and was sworn on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God, and saith that he saw Ayre Smith and Jannety his wife, sign, seal and deliver the within in- strument as their voluntary act and deed for the uses

ORANGETOWN -VILLAGE OF NYACK.

207

therein mentioned, and I having examined the sanie allow the same may be recorded. " CORNELIUS CUYPER."

" This transfer of land by Ayre Smith and his wife Jan- nety, made in 1755 to Gerret Onderdonk and Abraham Onderdonk embraced that part of the river shore lying between what is now known as South Nyack and the ing an undue share of attention, and others being almost Sparkill Creek at Piermont.

" The reader has probably noticed *

* the changes which took place in names of individuals and families. * *

* In the original patent we have Cor- nelius Clausen, son of Claus Jansen; we have Claus Jan- sen, then Claus Jansen van Permerant, Claus Van Per- merant. We have in the patent Harmanus Dow and in the indenture his son Tunis Dowse Tallman, or more correctly Tunis Dows Tallman. The most remarkable change of name, however, is in a inap surveyed in 1738 by Charles Clinton, in which the names of the two sons of Cornelius Clausen are given as John and Hendrick Cooper, instead of John and Hendrick Clausen. * * * * They were coopers by trade and so obtained the name of Cooper, or in Dutch, Cuyper."

VILLAGE CORPORATIONS .*

The State Legislature, April 20th 1870, enacted general laws for the incorporation of villages, and during the same year certain citizens of Nyack, in the town of Or- angetown, deeming the place large enough and of suffi- cient growing importance to require changes not easily effected under the town government, such as the im- provement of streets and sidewalks, organization of po- lice, lighting streets, sewerage, etc., called a public meet- ing of the inhabitants to vote upon a proposition to in- corporate a village. This original proposition included the land from the Hook Mountain on the north, and ex- tended southerly along the Hudson to below the southern boundary line of the present village of South Nyack, a distance of about three miles. The movement failed, a large majority of the citizens voting adversely.

In a very short time thereafter the village of Upper Nyack was, by a vote of its inhabitants, duly incorpora- ted, its limits being the Hook Mountain on the north, and the line separating the towns of Clarkstown and Or- angetown on the south. Its first officers were: Garret Sarvent, President; Peter Voorhis, Charles A. Fellows, and John G. Tallman, Trustees; and Daniel M. Clark, Clerk. Its present officers (1884) are: Garret Sarvent, President; Isaac V. Smith, William H. Jersey, and Fran- cis J. N. Tallman, Trustees; James H. Blauvelt, Treas- urer: Daniel Younians, Collector; and Thomas Gilchrest, Clerk.

Within two years after the first meeting in Nyack above described, another public meeting took place, Oc- tober 23d 1872, when the original movers in the matter were successful, and Nyack was duly incorporated.

Its first officers were Daniel D. Demarest, President; Isaac Vervalen, David L. Crane, and Charles E. Hunter, Trustees; William B. Collins, Treasurer; Isaac W. Can- field, Collector; and William T. B. Storms, Clerk.

During the existence of the village differences arose between the incorporated authorities or officers and the people. A great deal of dissatisfaction was manifested by taxpayers, who complained that their money was not impartially expended, certain districts and streets receiv- totally neglected. The boundaries of the village were diminished, by the inhabitants of the extreme southern part petitioning the Supervisors of the county to exclude their portion of the territory embraced within the incor- porated village. Finally, in the early part of the year 1875, the disaffection resulted in the formation of an or- ganization in opposition to the continuance of the cor- poration, and a number of old and prominent citizens, and the largest taxpayers, among others Commodore William Voorhis, Cornelius T. Smith, Tunis De Pew, Richard De Cantillon, and Azariah Ross, were identified with the movement.

A petition, signed by the requisite number of electors under the law, was presented to the Trustees, praying them to call a meeting to determine whether the village should remain an incorporated village, which petition was denied by the board. The petitioners then applied for and obtained a mandamus from the Supreme Court to compel the Trustees to call the meeting. On the day called for the meeting, however, as the citizens were about to vote, an injunction was served on the Trustees to prevent the election.

Trouble and litigation continued for nearly two years, and, after failing in the courts, the baffled corporation- ists repaired to the Legislature, and attempted to accom- plish the repeal of the law by which the citizens were allowed the right to vote upon the question of a continu- ance of the corporation. But all their efforts failed, and, finally, the public meeting was called by the Board of Trustees, and in the year 1876 Nyack ceased to be an incorporated village, by a vote of nearly four to one.

The last Board of Trustees were: William B. Collins, President; Abram L. Smith, Calvin C. Powell, and John A. Sickels, Trustees; and Charles H. Meeker, Clerk.

On May 25th 1878, the citizens of South Nyack de- cided, by an almost unanimous vote, to incorporate the district bounded on the north by Cedar Hill avenue, south by the southern boundary line of Mr. Cornelius T. Smith's property, and west by the old Nyack Patent line, a little less than one square mile in extent. The first election was held June 22d 1878. Garret Van Nostrand was the first President; John G. Perry, Richard J. Lyeth, and Grenville D. Wilson, Trustees; William C. Moore, Treasurer; Tunis D. Seaman, Collector; and Charles H. Meeker, Clerk. The present Board of Trustees of the village (1884) are: James Winterbottom, President; Isaac M. Van Wagner, Henry De Baun, and James W. Blau- velt, Trustees; and Charles H. Meeker, Clerk.

During the winter of 1882-3, an attempt was made by the inhabitants of a portion of the district bordering the northern line of the incorporated village of South Nyack, to be included in such corporation, and a peti- tion was presented to the county Supervisors to that ef-

*Furnished by Charles H. Meeker.

208

HISTORY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.

fect, but such influences were brought to bear upon them, and such opposition to the movement manifested by cer- tain persons in Nyack, that the effort failed, the Super- visors denying the right of petition.

This seems, however, to have hastened the incorpora- tion of Nyack, for very shortly thereafter, namely, on February 27th 1883, the village of Nyack was incorpo- rated, its northern limit being the Clarkstown line and southern line of the incorporated village of Upper Ny- ack, and its southern limit the northern line of the incor- porated village of South Nyack, containing a territory of about one square mile, and a resident population of 3,256 persons.

Its first officers were: William De Groat, President; John A. Burke, Edwin B. Sippell, and George F. Morse, Trustees; Nicholas Blauvelt, Treasurer; Garret W. Hart, Collector; and Edward H. Cole, Clerk. The Board of persons, and manufacturing 900 pairs of shoes per week. Trustees are unchanged (1884), with the exception of Mr. Morrell first engaged in the business here in 1876, and moved to his present location in 1881. John A. Sickels for Trustee, in place of John A. Burke, who removed from the State.

Thus where it was originally intended that one incor- porated village should exist, there are now, within the frame structure, 30 by 70 feet, at the corner of Railroad same area, three healthy and flourishing corporations. and Hudson avenues. They employ twenty men and make 800 pairs of fine shoes per week.

MANUFACTURING.

The first manufacturing industry in Nyack was the shoe shop of William H. Perry, opened July 12th 1826, at the upper village. Mr. Perry afterward removed to Main street. In 1832, ten or twelve men were em- ployed.

The next to engage in this business was Daniel Burr, . who soon afterward associated with him Edward and Nathaniel Burr, under the firm name of Burr & Com- pany. One year later Nathaniel withdrew from this firm

and started a new shop. Daniel and Edward remained a brick structure, three stories high above the basement,

together for a time, and then separated, each starting for himself.

In 1855, the business of Edward Burr was purchased by the firm of Austin & Burr, consisting of T. Austin and John Burr. This firm opened a shop in Union Hall, and afterward admitted as a partner, Frederick Dezen- dorf, changing the firm name to Austin, Burr & Com- pany. They soon afterward bought out the business of Daniel Burr, and in a short time Mr. Dezendorf with- drew from the firm to start alone. In 1863 or 1864 Mr. Dezendorf was succeeded by Mr. Cooke.

In 1857, the firm of Ketchel, Caywood & Burr was formed. Two years later John Burr withdrew from this quality of all work produced by him, and is not surpassed firm, began business for himself, and continued it till 1863 or 1864

At about the same time Smith & Baker started busi- ness in William Perry's shop.

Daniel Burr was the first in Nyack to use sewing ma- chines in the shoe business. His shop was on Hillside avenue, near the present residence of James Winterbot- tom. He afterward removed to Main street.

About 1867, Ketcliel & Caywood began business. They built the factory at the corner of Railroad & De sons, making 100 pairs of shoes per day.

lew avenues. They were the first to use steam power in

the business here. The firm subsequently became Ket- chel & Purdy. The latter firm afterward failed. In 1876, Messrs. G. T. & C. Morrow began to manufacture shoes in this building, and continued for three years. During their occupancy, the building was nearly doubled in size by the addition of a large wing. The main build- ing is 25 by 75 feet, the wing is 30 by 60 feet. The first floor is occupied by C. B. Kennedy. Mr. Kennedy be- gan the manufacture of shoes in 1875, on Broadway; in 1881 he moved to his present location. He employs fifty persons, manufacturing about 1, 100 pairs of ladies', misses', and children's shoes per week. The second floor is occupied by Conrad Doersch, who began business here in August 1878. He employs thirty hands and pro- duces about 1,000 pairs of fine sewed shoes per week. M. A. Morrell occupies the third floor, employing forty

William E. Tuttle & Company began to manufacture shoes in Nyack, in 1876. Their factory is a two story

Charles Theis began to manufacture shoes January Ioth 1879, in Ernst block, corner of Main and Franklin streets. He employs about seventy hands and makes about 1,750 pairs of shoes per week.

Jacob Siebert began business here in August 1879. He occupies a two story frame building, 40 by 80 feet, on Main street. He employs about forty hands, making about 300 pairs of shoes per day.

Morrow's shoe manufactory is on the corner of Rail- road and Cedar Hill avenues, near the new depot. It is 40 by 125 feet. It was erected in 1879 at a cost of $20,000. The manufacture of shoes was begun January Ist 1880. About two hundred and twenty-five hands are employed and 3,500 pairs of shoes are made per week.

The shoe manufactory of A. H. Jackman is the largest concern of the kind in the village of Nyack. Mr. Jack- man established this enterprise in 1876 and has been uni- formly successful in business. The factory is a fine brick structure, three stories in height, 40 by 181 feet in size. During his eight years' experience Mr. Jackman has gained a reputation for first-class fine goods and a uniform system of dealing as well as for the excellent by any other manufacturer.

Glenn & Hadley, shoe manufacturers, Main street, Nyack, began the manufacture of ladies', misses', and children's fine sewed shoes, January Ist 1884. This company gives employment to 40 males and 30 females, who produce on an average 1,800 pairs of shoes per week. The machinery is run by steam power .-

G. W. Tremper & Sons opened a shoe factory on Main street, February Ist 1884. They employ eighteen per-

The ship yard of James E. Smith is at the foot of

ORANGETOWN-INDUSTRIES OF NYACK.

209

Fourth avenue, Nyack. It was established in March 1867. Among the large number of vessels built in this yard may be mentioned the yacht Gracie. She was built in 1868, and for more than five years was the swiftest boat of her kind in America. Her owner, Commodore Voorhis, won a number of races with her. Mr. Smith afterward enlarged her. Mr. Smith changed the yacht Madeline to a schooner. In 1873 this boat sailed from Newport to Block Island and returned, a distance of 40 miles, in three hours and sixteen minutes. The little yacht Storm King was built in this yard in 1868, the schooner James Dunbar in 1870, the yacht Republic in 1879, and the steamer Meteor in 1882. The business furnishes employment for 30 men.

In 1832 the business of piano making was begun in Nyack by John Tallman, afterwards Tallman & Randall. Their first shop was on Main street. They afterwards moved up to " The Lane," erected a new shop, and con- tinued the business for a number of years. After Tall- man & Randall ceased from business, Mr. Thompson, a former apprentice of that firm, started a small shop on Piermont avenue. The firm of Thompson & Ross was formed in 1850, and the business was continued till 1853, when Mr. Thompson died. This firm built the factory at the corner of Broadway and Third avenue. After Mr. Thompson's death the factory lay idle for about four years, when Sumner Sturtevant began manufacturing pianos here. He afterward built a large addition to the factory. The building is a frame structure 40 by 60 feet. Mr. Sturtevant and his son, Joseph W., are well known as manufacturers of superior instruments.

A Frenchman, named Dimfelt, carried on the business of making sulphur matches in Nyack for a number of years previous to 1850.

Henry and Abram Storms began the manufacture of wooden ware at the corner of Burd and Cedar streets. They afterward occupied an old grist mill, soon adding a brick engine room, and using steam power. In 1856 the factory burned. A new building was erected. At one time the business was quite extensive.

The Nyack Foundry was established in 1850 by Wil- liam Crumbie & Sons. Captain Isaac P. Smith afterward joined the firm, and for several years an extensive busi- ness was carried on. In 1863 Thomas Magee purchased the business and it has since been carried on by him. The variety of manufactures embraces boilers, tanks, smoke stacks, and steam pipes of every description.

Aaron L. Christie began making carriages here in 1835. In 1871 he was succeeded by A. E. & J. H. Christie. The factory is on South street between Church and Elm. The proprietors are well known and highly respected citizens of Nyack.

E. L. Wright began the business of carriage making in Nyack in 1843. Besides a variety of carriages, wagons- and harness, he makes twenty-seven different styles of sleighs.

The Rockland Car Head Lining and Decorated Ceil- ing Works were established in 1869 by George W. Grif- fen, the present proprietor. Eight men are employed.

Coplestone's straw hat factory is at the foot of Burd street, Nyack. It is a three story brick structure, 32 by 96 feet, built in 1876. Mr. Coplestone began manu- facturing hats in this building in November, 188t. Up- wards of forty persons are employed and 200 dozen hats are made per week.

The Rockland County Straw Works are on Piermont avenue, a short distance below South Nyack. The factory was built in the fall of 1879 and was originally 18 by 35 feet and three stories in height. In 1881 a wing, 18 by 50 feet was added, and in 1882, this was extended 25 feet. About 36 dozen straw hats are made per day. The proprietor, Nelson Puff, was the first manufacturer of straw goods in Rockland county.

The flock mill of D. A. Grant was established in Nyack in 1881, in the buildings formerly used by Henry and Abram Storms, as a wooden ware manufactory. The buildings are of brick, two in number, 100 by 30, and 32 by 20 feet. They are situated on Piermont avenue, near foot of Hudson avenue. The power is supplied by a 45-horse power steam engine. From sixteen to eighteen persons are employed, and about 1,000 pounds of raw inaterial are consumed daily. The goods produced here are used in the manufacture of woolen cloths and wall paper.

The Lockwood Manufacturing Company was incor- porated March 31st 1883. The first officers were: W. F. Storms, president; E. B. Sippell, secretary and treasurer. The officers in 1884 were: Charles A. Lockwood, presi- dent; Joshua F. Hazard, secretary and treasurer; C. A. Lockwood, J. F. Hazard, and D. D. Smith, directors. The business is the manufacture of wrought iron rail- ings. The factory is at the foot of Main street.

SCHOOLS.

The first school house in Nyack stood on a lane lead- ing from the village to the Kings road, and was erected before 1800. It was built of unhewn logs, and the inter- stices were filled with mud. The seats and desks were of rough slabs. The first teacher was a Mr. Davenport.

A new two-story building was erected in 1806, on ground now owned by heirs of Aaron L. Christie. The lower floor was used as a school-room, the upper as a hall. This building was burned in 1827, and was re- built, one story in height. A new building was erected in 1851, and Archibald Stewart was the first who taught in it. A large addition was built in 1867, and fourteen teachers were employed. The expense of enlarging and rebuilding was $17,745.35, and that of furnishing was $7,047.11. Union Free School District No. 4 was in- corporated by a special act of the Legislature, passed in 1859, and amended in 1866. L. B. Antisdale has been principal since September, 1879. The number of chil- dren of school age (5 to 21) in the district, September 30th 1883, was 1,170.

The school-house in District No. 9, at Upper Nyack, was built in 1845. The first teacher was N. G. Spencer. The building was enlarged and repaired in 1867. It is still in use, but a new building is soon to be erected.

210

HISTORY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY.

The Rockland County Female Institute was opened August 28th 1856. The first principal was Rev. B. Van Zandt. This gentleman was succeeded in 1858, by Rev. Delos Mansfield, and his brother, Charles, who died in his place as one of the principals. The institution was beautifully located, on a lot of ten acres, on the bank of the Hudson. It was supplied with pure spring water

from the mountains. It had accommodations for one education was received at Oneida Conference Seminary,

hundred boarding pupils, and owed its origin largely to the late Simon V. Sickles, of Nyack, who gave $25,000 student at Wesleyan University, Connecticut, after which toward the erection of the building. For several years it he entered Union College, New York, from which he graduated in 1848. He subsequently received the de- gree of A. M. from his alma mater. was a successful school, with ample patronage; but, through financial trouble, it became the private property of Mr. Mansfield. He, in turn, became involved in pe- cuniary difficulties, and the Rockland County Female Institute ceased to exist. It has become a summer boarding resort, and for several years has been known as the Tappan Zee House.

In 1858, Christopher Rutherford started a private school in Nyack. The Military Academy was soon after ward built for him. Mr. Rutherford died in 1870, and the school was closed.

Rockland College was founded in 1876, by Professor W. H. Bannister A.M., who is still its principal. It oc- cupies the building formerly used by Mr. Rutherford as a boys' school, but which has been greatly enlarged and improved by Mr. Bannister.

It was incorporated under the Regents of the Univer sity of the State of New York, in 1878, the following named gentlemen constituting the Board of Trustees: Judge George M. Van Hoesen, President; Merritt E. Sawyer, Secretary; D. D. Demarest, Treasurer; Richard De Cantillon, Isaac W. Canfield, William H. Jersey, Mat- thew W. DeBaun, Hageman Onderdonk, James E. Smith, David F. Ackerson, Edmund Ehlers, Andrew Fallon, and John H. Edwards.

Under the skillful management of the Principal, as- sisted by this able Board of Trustees, the facilities of the college have been greatly increased, the buildings have been extended until they can accommodate more than three times the number of the original building, and the number of students has increased correspondingly; so that Rockland College is now a fully equipped institu- tion, with an able corps of teachers, and all necessary Philosophy and Literature, Languages, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, English, Music, and Art.

The Rockland County Journal, of Nyack, is edited and appliances. It has seven departments, viz .: those of published by John Charlton. It first appeared on Satur- day, August 3d 1850, and as a twenty-eight column paper, 19 by 36 inches, bearing the motto: " Light, more light."

It is liberally patronized by residents of the county, and has a very large number of students from various States of the Union, and from foreign countries.

The leading idea of its management has been to estab- lish a popular school at popular rates, with individual instruction by close attention of the teachers, as opposed to large classes with little personal attention to individu- als. The success of the school justifies the wisdom of the plan pursued. Professor Bannister is providing for further enlargement of the premises, and will make the college still more attractive in its surroundings. He has the best wishes of all who appreciate education for still

greater success in carrying out his broad and compre- hensive plans.

William Henry Bannister was born in Phelps, Ontario county, New York, in 1824. He was a brother of l'ro- fessor Edward Bannister, president of the University of the Pacific, and cousin to Professor Henry Bannister, of the Garret Biblical Institute, Illinois. His preliminary Cazenovia, New York. He was then, during a year, a

In 1850 he became principal of Johnstown Academy, New York. In 1855 he was one of the founders and the first principal of Claverack College and Hudson River Institute, at Claverack, New York. In 1857 he became principal of the Fort Plain Seminary and Female Col- legiate Institute, at Fort Plain, New York. In 1861 he was sanitary commissioner at Washington, D. C. During several years he was engaged in business in New York. In 1876 he became principal of Rockland College, which position he still occupies.

It is hardly necessary to call attention to the success which Mr. Bannister has achieved as a teacher, and to the high esteem in which he is held by all who know him.

Willistine Hall, a home boarding and day school for young ladies and misses, is beautifully situated on ele- vated grounds at Upper Nyack. This institution was started in 1881 by Misses J. A. & J. Kempshall, who are the present proprietors. The number of pupils is limited to thirty. There are four instructors and four depart- ments. The branches taught embrace higher English. French, German, Latin, music, drawing, and painting.

The Nyack Kindergarten and Primary school for children was started June 10th 1878, and it is under the guidance of Miss S. C. Robinson. The school is pleas- antly located on the corner of Gedney street and Second avenue. The studies consist of primary English, design- ing, drawing, etc., as taught by the Kindergarten system.

THE PRESS IN NYACK *.

Willian G. Haeselbarth, the founder of the enterprise, was then a young man, and sanguine of success in his ven- ture. After having three issues printed in New York city, he brought his presses to Nyack and opened an office on Main street, near Broadway. The Journal was then an independent paper, sold at 614 cents per copy. Able writers contributed to its columns, and its circulation and patronage steadily increased. A careful study in the preparation of departments of interest was noticeable, and the course of the Journal was upward and onward till the breaking out of the Civil war. In the campaign

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History of Rockland County, New York : with biographical sketches of its prominent men, Part 47

Author: Cole, David, 1822-1903, ed. cn; Beers, J. B., & co., New York, pub Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 993

Author: Cole, David, 1822-1903, ed. cn; Beers, J. B., & co., New York, pub
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York : J. B. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 993