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City of Bridgeton.
NEW JERSEY.
ITS SETTLEMENT AND GROWTH — ITS ATTRACTIONS
—ITS INDUSTRIES— ITS ADVANTAGES AS
A MANUFACTURING SITE.
Sixty -Two Illustrations.
1889.
PHILADELPHIA:
BuRK & McFhtridc;e, Printers, 306-308 Chestnut Street.
1889.
<<
G0549 KXPLANATORY.
Believing that Bridgeton is destined to become, at no distant day, a city of commanding importance and influence in the State, and that its superior advantages should be presented to the world in a more attractive shape than heretofore, the writer submits this pamphlet, trusting that it may be the channel through which much additional capital shall be secured, thereby increasing the population, and enhancing the material and industrial prosperity of the people.
In preparing the accompanying pages, use has been made of information contained in Elmer's History of Cumberland County, and Everts & Peck's History of Gloucester, Salem and Cumberland. Thanks are due, also, to the proprietors of manufacturing establishments, and other gentlemen who have furnished statistics and facts relative to the industrial life of Bridgeton.
To Wm. E. Service, Bridgeton's talented artist, much credit is due for the fine views photographed for the work ; also, to the Electro-Tint Engraving Company, 726 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, for the hand- some engravings on copper plate.
I. T. Nichols. Bridgeton, May, i88g.
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City Government.
Mayor,
JEREMIAH Dubois.
Treasurer, Tax Collector,
FRANK M. RILEY. LEWIS H. DOWDNEY.
Solicitor,
FRANK M. PORCH.
President of Council,
FRANCIS C. PROBASCO.
Recorder,
. CHARLES B. MOORE.
MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. First Ward.—]. D. JOHNSON, FRANCIS SEELEY, JOHN McPHERSON. Second lVard.—]KQ.Q)^ DAILEY, GEO. E. DUFFIELD, FRED CONNER. Third Ward.—Y. C. PROBASCO, STACY S. LEWIS, FRANCIS B. MINCH. Fourth ^«n/.— BENJ. F. HARDING, WM. JERRELL, J. A. WOODRUFF.
BOARD OF ASSESSORS.
First IFard.—E. MILFORD APPLEGATE. Second Ward.—C. F. KRAUTER. Third Wi-;,/.— JERE H. LUPTON. Fourth JVard.—U. C. ENGLISH.
Board of EouGftTioN.
President,
JOSEPH S. MINER.
Seeretary,
GEO. W. McCOWAN.
School Superintendent,
DANIEL SHARP.
MEMBERS OF BOARD.
First JT^r^.— WILSON L. SILVERS, J. S. MINER, E. C. LAMBERT. Second Ward.—O. E. PECK, BENJ. T. BRIGHT, C. R. COREY. Third fF«r^/.— RICHARD LOTT, \VM. C. WHITAKER, JACOB ftlENZLE, Fourth \Vard.—]Q^K. S. AVARS, W. F. HORT, I. T. NICHOLS.
Board of Health.
President,
CHAS. E. SHEPPARD.
Inspector,
M. W. APPLEGATE.
MEMBERS OF BOARD.
C. E. SHEPPARD, M. W. APPLEGATE,
CHAS. E. MULFORD, ELI LOPER.
Fire Department.
Chief,
\V. H. H. ELWELL.
First, WM. T. BOWEN. ^ng.neers. ^^^^^^^^ ^ ^^^ ^ MYERS.
Third, WM. SIMPKINS.
Captain of Hose, FRANCIS WILSEY.
First Assistant, G. H. EARTH. Second Assistant, ^VM. HUSTED.
Water Department.
Superintendent,
TIMOTHY WOODRUFF.
Engineer,
CHAS. W. BAKER.
Chief of Police,
HIS HONOR, THE MAYOR.
MEMBERS OF LEGISLATURE. State Senator.— VWWAY P. BAKER. Assemblymen.— 'Xl\0'=,. \V. TRENCHARD, REUBEN CHEESMAN.
United States Officials.
Collector of the Port,
FRANK M. PORCH.
Postmaster, Internal Revenue Collector,
SAMUEL A. LANING. JOHN SMALLEY.
County Officers.
Sheriff,
BENJAMIN F. SHAW.
Clerk,
FRANCIS L. GODFREY.
Surrogate, Coroner,
SAMUEL R FITHIAN. ISAIAH F. BARNES.
Presiding Judge County Courts,
ALFRED REED.
Associate Judges,
NATHANIEL STRATTON. ELI B. HENDEE.
Law Judge,
JAMES R. HOAGLAND.
Prosecuting Attorney,
WILLIAM A. LOGUE.
Crier of the Court,
LEWIS YOUNG.
Board of Freeholders.
Director,
MORRIS BACON.
Clerk,
HOWARD L. TYLER.
Solicitor,
JAMES R. HOAGLAND.
County Physician,
JOHN R. C. THOMPSON.
County Collector,
JAMES W. TRENCHARD.
County School Superintendent,
CHARLES G. HAMPTON.
BRIDGETON FREEHOLDERS.
First mird.—CUAS. H. MICKEL. Secotid Ward.—]. M. SHOUGH. Third Ward.~]OS. T. WHITE. Fourth Wa,-d.—\\M. B. TRENCHARD.
Board of Trade.
President,
DAVID McBRIDE.
First Vice-President, Second Vice-President,
CHARLES G. HAMPTON. DANIEL BACON.
Secretary, Treasurer,
ALEX. R. FITHIAN. DAVID P. ELMER.
Corresponding Secretary,
GEO. W. McCOVVAN.
GENERAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
JACOB DAILEY, DAN'L SHARP, JOHN SMALLEY,
DAN'L B. MAYHEW, FRANK M. RILEY, J. D. JOHNSON,
SAMUEL A. LANING, FRANCIS R. FITHIAN, JACOB MENGEL,
JAMES J. REEVES, JACOB KIENZLE, LEANDER SHARP,
JOS. ARNOLD, SAM'L M. ALLEN, J. BOYD NIXON.
FRANK EGGMAN,
COMMITTEE ON RAILROADS. S. A. LANING, JACOB DAILEY, FRANK M. RILEY.
COMMITTEE ON MANUFACTURES. J. NIXON BODINE, FRANK R. FITHIAN, DAN'L B. MAYHEW.
COMMITTEE ON NAVIGATION. DANIEL SHARP, JOHN SMALLEY, JAMES J. REEVES.
The City of Bridgeton.
SETTLEMENT AND GROWTH.
r>rHORTLY after the battle of Culloden, 1746, where C^\ Charles Edward was so disastrously defeated in his ^"^ struggle for the English crown, the General Assembly of New Jersey passed a bill setting off certain portions of the then county of Salem into a district to be thereafter known as the county of Cumberland. The Duke of Cumberland, who won the battle of Culloden, was the hero of the day, and it was in his honor that the new county was named.
Up to this period the country was but sparsely settled. There w^as a small settlement at Greenwich, one in Fairfield, and another at Port Elizabeth, with a widely-scattered farming community located principally in the vicinity of the Cohansey and Maurice rivers. On the present site of the City of Bridge- ton there was a collection of houses, few in number, which settlement was called " Cohansey Bridge." The first white settlers are unknown, but they were -probably a portion of Fenwick's Colony, together with emigrants from New England, and perhaps a few Swedes.
It was not till 1754 that the place began to take shape. At that time Daniel Elmer, who was a surveyor, laid out a town on the east side of the Cohansey, which was to be called " Cumberland." The streets were surveyed, and a plan adopted. The site extended from Jefferson street on a line with the present Broad street bridge, as far north as the Central R. R. depot ; covered largely by a forest. From the
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river it ran as far east as where Orange street is now located. The survey was made at the request of the owner of the land, Alexander Moore, but the streets were never opened. From the date of Moore's attempt to lay out a town until 1791, " Cohansey Bridge " made but little progress. The road to Deerfield was laid out in 1768, and the road to Fairfield changed in 1785. John Moore White, who came to the "Bridge" in 1791, erected a fine dwelling, which afterwards became a part of the old Davis Hotel property, and was occupied as a tavern for nearly seventy years. He took a great interest in the town, and had several streets laid out, and others straightened. From this time there was a steady growth. The early settlers had opened a road to Greenwich by way of Bowentown, in 1769, but the straight road to Millville was not laid till 1805. In 18 10 the road to Buckshutem was laid. Atlantic street was opened in 1800. Franklin street was laid out as early as 1771. The road to Roadstown, through what was then known as Main street, now Broad, was opened in 1798. Laurel street was laid out about the year 1791, and was given that name because of the laurel which grew so abundantly in the woods then situate on what is now designated " Laurel Hill." The exact date of the laying out of Commerce street is unknown, but it is supposed to have been about the year 1763. It probably took its name from the fact that it was a business street almost from the beginning. The road to Shiloh was laid in 1825.
Up to the Revolution, Bridgeton was but a small hamlet, with barely two hundred inhabitants. It was a patriotic vil- lage, however, and sent a good-sized contingent to the Revo- lutionary Army. The most distinguished soldier in the ranks of those who enlisted was a young physician, Ebenezer Elmer, father of the late Judge L. Q. C. Elmer, who came home from the war a Brigadier-General. He was afterward a member of Congress. Col. David Potter and Col. Enos Seeley, residents of Bridgeton, were also officers of distinction in Washington's army.
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The first bridge over the Cohanse}', at Commerce street, built about 1716, had no draw. The latter was finally secured after a long dispute between John Moore White and the fi"ee- holders. Stone abutments were put under the bridge in 1799, and the bridge was built on piles and raised much higher. A new bridge was erected in 1849, and the present handsome iron structure built in 1875.
An enumeration of the inhabitants made in 1792, showed that they numbered 300. In 1 800 the town had grown to some importance. It was the business centre of the county, and much wood and produce was shipped to Philadelphia and other points by water. The most influential citizens and busi- ness men at that time were Dr. Jonathan Elmer, Ebenezer Seeley, Jonathan Bo wen, Col. David Potter, Dr. Samuel M. Shute, James Burch, Zachariah Lawrence, Enoch Boon, John Moore White, General James Giles. A number of substantial wharves were built along the river about this time. The Court House stood in the middle of Broad street, and was a quaint, old-fashioned edifice.
Up to the year 1800 there were a number of slaves in Bridgeton, black persons being held as chattels in New Jersey. In 1804 the Legislature passed an act for the gradual abolition of slavery, so that the number thereafter decreased continually. In 1830 there were still two persons owned as slaves, but with their death emancipation in this State became complete.
In 1829 the population had reached 1,736. That portion of the town located on the east side of the river began to outstrip that on the western side. There were ten stores and four taverns in the place. Twenty-five vessels w^ere employed in the wood trade, and there was also several oyster boats. Twenty-five thousand cords of wood were sent every year to Philadelphia. Stratton & Buck were the most enterprising business men.
In the early part of 1830, there began to be a desire among the people of the county for a new and better Court House. The subject was agitated until 1836, when the lot
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on which the building now stands was purchased by the county. This action on the part of the Board of Freeholders produced great excitement, and the inhabitants of the eastern portion of the county clamored for the removal of the county- seat to Millville, In order that the matter might be promptly settled, an act authorizing a special election was secured from the Legislature. The election to determine the question was held July 25 and 26, 1837. Never in the history of the county was there so much excitement or so much hot blood. The result was 1,284 votes for Bridgeton, 1,059 ^^^ Millville, 214 for Fairton. The people of the eastern end of the county were not satisfied with the result, and they still continued to oppose the erection of the Court House. As there were eight townships at the time, four in the east and four in the west, the vote was a tie. The politicians then got to work to unravel the difficulty, and through some fine work in the Legislature, a bill was passed forming a new township at Shiloh, called Columbia. By the aid of the new Freeholder from that section the eastern townships were beaten, and the present Court House built. It was first occupied in 1845.
The year 1838 opened on a population of 2,315. At this period the streets were named as they now are. In 1850 the population had increased to 3,303. In i860 it was 5,104. In 1885 it had reached 10,050, and it now numbers 12,000.
The first stage from Bridgeton to Philadelphia began running in 1774. In 1792 a post route was established from Philadelphia to Salem, and thence to Bridgeton, the mail being carried on horseback once a week. Eli Elmer was the first Postmaster. He was succeeded by John Soulard, who lived in a house on Broad street, near Fayette, and kept the office there. A mail route to Woodbury was established in 1802, the first carriers being Benaiah Parvin and son, who began their work by stage in 1804. The first daily mail commenced in 1 8 16.
Benjamin and David Reeves, of Camden, came to Bridge- ton in 181 5, and erected the factories known as "The
Cumberland Nail and Iron Works," and commenced the manufacture of nails the same year.
The first livery stable was started in 1825 by a joint-stock company.
Glass works were established in 1836 by the firm of Stratton, Buck & Co. Both hollow-ware and window glass were manufactured.
The first newspaper published in Bridijeton was started by James D. Westcott. It was called the Argt(s, but con- tinued only two years. In 181 5 the Wasliingtoii IV/iig \\a.s founded, Peter Hay, editor. It was started as a political paper, and was red-hot against the Federalists. From the date of its first publication until the present day, it has continued under different proprietors. It is now known as the Bridgcton Chronicle. At one time it was the most popular newspaper in South Jersey, and under the editorship of the gifted James M. Newell, was one of the leading journals of the State. Mr. S. Siegfried started a second paper in 1822. It was known as The West Jersey Observer. In 1826 it was consolidated with the Whig. Still another paper was started in 1846, called The West Jersey Telegraph. It was afterward changed to The West Jersey Pioneer, and still later to the Bridgeton Pioneer, by which name it is still continued. In 1862 Fayette Pierson started a Democratic paper called the Aurora, and it is now published as The Nezv Jersey Patriot.
John Westcott established and taught the first day school in Bridgeton, about the year 1773. He taught mathematics principally. The school-house on Bank street was erected in 1847. The school-house in the Third Ward, then known as Cohansey township, was built in 1848.
Cumberland Bank was chartered in 1816, and began busi- ness in September of that year, with a capital of $52,000. Gen. James Giles, President ; Charles Read, Cashier.
Dr. Elijah Bowen was the first practising ph}'sician in Bridgeton. He began about 1738. Dr. Jonathan Palmer, grandfather of the present Dr. Wm. Elmer, began practising
in 1768. He was prominent in politics, and at one time a Representative in Congress, and afterward United States Senator.
The Courts were first established in Bridgeton in Febru- ary, 1749, they having previously been held at Greenwich. An election had decided that " Cohansey Bridge " should be the county seat. Until 1752, when the first Court House was finished, the Courts usually met at the taverns of Messrs. Parvin and Cotting. The whipping-post was the principal method of punishment for petty crime in those days. John Brick was the first Judge.
Bridgeton was incorporated as a city in 1865, with a Mayor and Common Council. It was divided into three wards, which covered the entire territory formerly within the limits of Bridgeton and Cohansey townships. It now has four wards. James Hood was the first Mayor.
The name " Cohansey," given Bridgeton by the early settlers, was the same as that now borne by the Cohansey river. It is said to have been derived from that of Cohanzick, a chief of a tribe of Indians who at one time made their home near the banks of the river.
Until the year 1765, the town retained the name of " Cohansey Bridge," but it was changed, by order of the Court, that year, and called Bridgetown. This name was commonly accepted up to the date of the establishment of the Cumberland Bank in 18 16, when Gen. Giles, its first President, had the word " Bridgeton " printed on the notes. It has retained that name ever since.
The Cumberland County Agricultural Society, now one of the most flourishing associations of the kind in the country, was organized January 23, 1823; Dr. Wm. B. Ewing was the first President ; Dr. Ephraim Buck, Secretary. The society was re-organized in 185 1, when Lewis McBride was chosen President. It has held annual exhibitions every year since.
The Cumberland Mutual Fire Insurance Company com- menced business in May, 1845, with Benjamin Sheppard, President. It has had a prosperous career.
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The first steamboat company was incorporated in 1845, and a fine steamboat called the " Cohansey," ran regularly to Philadelphia.
The Bridgeton Gas Light Company was organized in 1858, and the present works built in November of that year.
A railroad from Woodbury to Bridgeton was completed July 24, 1 86 1, and a through route from Philadelphia opened up. The occasion was a great event in the history of the town, and the day of arrival of the first train was given up to festivity and general rejoicing. It was an epoch in Bridgeton history which will long be remembered.
The City Water Works was established, as per vote of the citizens, in March, 1877. It was carried by a vote of 1,145 in favor, to 171 against. On December i8th of that year the works were opened, and the pumps started for the first time. The event was celebrated by a grand street parade. The plant has cost the city nearly $100,000.
In the year 181 1 Jeremiah Buck erected a cotton and woolen factory on the south side of Commerce street. It was afterwards removed to near East Lake, where Dr. Wm. Elmer erected a new mill. Later on it became the property of Robert and Jeremiah DuBois, who built the present handsome four-story brick factory.
Ephraim Seeley built the first grist mill in Bridgeton as early as 1700. The mill was located on East Lake near what is now called Mulberry Cove, but all trace of it has long since disappeared.
Brearley Lodge, No. 2, Free and Accepted Masons, was the first secret society started in Bridgeton. It was instituted November 15, 1790, in the old Court-house on Broad street. Gen. James Giles was the first Master. In October, 1798, the Lodge moved to the second-story room of the Bank Street Academy, where it has remained to this day.
The Cumberland County Medical Society was organized in Bridgeton, December 18, 18 18. Dr. Ebenezer Elmer, Presi- dent ; Dr. Wm. B. Ewing, Vice-President ; Dr. Enoch Fithian,
i6
Secretary. The latter is still living, at the ripe old age of ninety-six. The society is now one of the most influential medical fraternities in the State, and has a large membership.
The bridge over the Cohansey at Broad street was built by resolution of the Board of Freeholders, and was opened to the public in 1869. It is an iron structure resting on stone abutments and pier.
Bridgeton was made a port of entry immediately after the adoption of the Federal Constitution, and the Custom House has remained here ever since. Col. Eli Elmer was the first Collector. The total number of vessels enrolled at the port at this time is 460, with a tonnage of 15,000 tons. Nearly one-half of the boats enrolled are coasting vessels, the balance being engaged in the oyster business.
There are three Educational Institutions in Bridgeton of which the citizens are very proud. The West Jersey Academy was built by the Presbyterians of South Jersey, the corner- stone of the building being laid August 9, 1852. Building and grounds cost over $10,000. The school was first opened in 1854. The building is three stories high, and is built of Jersey sandstone, and is located on the handsome property in West Bridgeton known as "Academy Hill." It covers an entire square, fronts on Broad street, and has an extensive lawn, with attractive surroundings.
The South Jersey Institute was established by the West Jersey Baptist Association. It was erected in 1869 at a cost of over $45,000. It was opened to the public in October, 1870. The structure is of brick material, five stories high, and has a centre or main building, with east and west wings. It stands on the bluff overlooking the Cohansey river, near the foot of Atlantic street, in the heart of a fine grove of cedar and oak. The situation is one of the finest in the State, and the view of the river and town from the Institute verandas is of rare beauty. It has proved one of the most successful educational institutions in the country.
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Ivy Hall Seminar}-, a model school for girls and young ladies, located on Commerce street, near the foot of the hill, is an old-time brick edifice, whose walls are covered with ivy. It was established by Mrs. Margaretta Sheppard in 1859. It is now, and always has been, a very successful institution.
The Bridgeton National Bank was organized July 12, 1883, with a capital of $100,000. Thomas U. Harris, president; James W. Trenchard, cashier.
Cumberland Lodge of Odd Fellows, the first of that Order organized in the county, was instituted January 15, 1846. Martin L. Green v/as the first Noble Grand, and Henry Neff, Secretary.
Since the Revolution, Bridgeton has been frequently honored in the halls of Congress, in the Legislature, and once in the Gubernatorial chair. Dr. Jonathan Elmer was a Senator of the United States from March 4, 1789, to March 4, 1791 ; he was also a Representative in Congress during the years 1776, 1777, 1781, 1783, 1787, 1789. General Ebenezer Elmer was a member of Congress from 1801 to 1807; L. Q. C. Elmer from 1843 to 1845 ; James G. Hampton from 1845 to 1849; John T. Nixon from 1859 to 1863. Elias P. Seeley, who resided in the residence now occupied by Thomas Cummings, on Church lane, which formerly stood on Com- merce street, about where Pierce & Carll's furniture store stands, was Governor of the State of New Jersey from Febru- ary 27, 1833, to October 25, 1833, having been elected to that position by the Legislature to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Governor Samuel L. Southard, who had previously been chosen United States Senator. .
Daniel Elmer, of Bridgeton, was a Justice of the Supreme Court from March 9, 1841, to January, 1845. L. Q. C. Elmer from February 5, 1852, to February 5, 1859, and again from August 22, 1861, to March 15, 1869. John T. Nixon was appointed Judge of the U. S. District Court in 1870, and still holds that office.
Gen. Ebenezer Elmer, L. Q. C. Elmer and John T. Nixon were also members of the New Jersey Legislature, and Gen. Elmer and Mr. Nixon were each Speakers of the House of Assembly. In recent years Bridgeton has been represented in the House of Assembly by Lewis H. Dowdney, Isaac T. Nichols, Jere H. Lupton and Thos. W. Trenchard. Providence Ludlam, a Bridgetonian, was Senator from Cumberland County during the years 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865, 1866, 1867, and Isaac T. Nichols represented the county in the same position during the sessions of 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886. Both Ludlam and Nichols held the Senatorship a longer period than any of their predecessors.
Jonathan Bowen, David Potter and Eli Elmer, were mem- bers of the State Convention which ratified the Constitution of the United States, at its session in Trenton, Deceniber 18, 1787. They were residents of Bridgeton at that time.
Bridgeton had no organized church or any place of wor- ship outside of the Court House for nearly a half century after it became the county seat. The Old Brick Presbyterian Church, on Broad street, was the first erected. The founda- tion stone was laid July 26, 1792. The necessary funds to complete the building were procured through a lottery author- ized by act of the Legislature, and the church was finished, and dedicated Sunday, May 17, 1795, by Rev. John Daven- port. The lottery method of raising money in those days was considered entirely honorable, and nothing was thought of it. Rev. Wm. Clarkson, of Philadelphia, was the first pastor.
The First Baptist Church was organized in the old Court House under the preaching of Rev. Henry Smalley, in 1797. A lot was purchased at the corner of Pearl and Marion streets, and the foundations for a church edifice laid May 31, 18 13. The building was not completed until December 16, 18 16, on which day it was dedicated. Mr. Smalley was the first regular pastor. The present structure, known as the Pearl Street Baptist Church, is a part of the original edifice.
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Bishop Asbury, the eloquent apostle of Methodism, was the first Methodist minister that ever preached in Bridgeton. This occurred in September, 1783. Wm. Brooks was the first Methodist class leader. He resided in a small house at the southeast corner of Broad and Atlantic streets. Rev. Jonathan Brooks, a noted exhorter and zealous Christian man, vi'as one of the fourteen members of his class. The first regularly- organized Methodist society in Bridgeton was due to the efforts of John Murphy, of Fairfield, who began work here about the year 1791. The Commerce Street Church, at first a frame building, was built in 1807. Rev. Joseph Totten preached the dedicatory sermon.
During the War of the Rebellion, 1861, 1862, 1863, 1864 and 1865, Bridgeton's record for patriotism was unsurpassed by that of any other town in the country. More than five hundred volunteers, the flower of the community, enlisted in the several companies which went out to the seat of war. The first company to enroll for three years was that known as the " Cumberland Grays," afterward Co. F, Third Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers ; James W. Stickney, Captain ; Samuel T. Du Bois, First Lieutenant; George Woodruff, Second Lieu- tenant. It left home for the field, May 27, 1861. The second company became a part of the Twelfth Regiment, and was officered as follows : Richard S. Thompson, Captain ; Daniel Dare, First Lieutenant ; Wm. E. Potter, Second Lieutenant. This company departed September 4, 1 862. Three companies were organized about the same time for the Nine Months Regi- ments, and over three hundred men were enlisted in Bridge- ton within three days. This patriotic feat was never exceeded in any part of the Nation during the war, and had but one parallel — that of the town of Haverhill, Mass., where about the same number were enlisted in about the same time. The three companies were known as F, G and H, of the Twenty- fourth Regiment. Co. F was commanded by Captain Samuel Harris ; Co. G by Captain Jas. R. Hoagland, and Co. H by Captain Henry Neff Part of a company of soldiers for the
20
First New Jersey Cavalry also went from Bridgeton, with Ethan Harris as Captain. A portion of the Tenth Regiment Infantry, was also recruited here during the same year.
Of the membership of Co. F, Third Regiment, Captain Stickney was promoted to Major; Samuel T. DuBois, Captain and Major, and Sergeant Charles F. Salkeld, Captain. Lieu- tenant Wm. E. Potter, of Co. K, Twelfth Regiment, was made Captain and Major, and Sergeant Ed. M. DuBois, Major and Lieutenant-Colonel. Sergeant Frank M. Riley, of the same company, was also promoted to Captain. All rendered meritorious service to the country.
Among those who served in New Jersey Regiments from Bridgeton, were Captain F. Marion DuBois, of the Twenty- fourth Regiment, and Sergeant Bowman H. Buck, of the Third Regiment. Both were in the Mexican War with Gen- eral Winfield Scott's Army, and both passed safely through the campaigns of the war for the Union. Sergeant Buck is known in Bridgeton as " Old Chepultepec," from the fact that he was one of the volunteers engaged in the attack and storming of that celebrated Mexican fortress. He came out of that bloody siege without a scar, as he likewise did at Bull Run, at Malvern Hill, at Fredericksburg, at Chancellorsville, at Antietam, at Gettysburg, at Spottsylvania, the Wilderness, Petersburg, and in front of Richmond. His term of three years having expired, he re-enlisted for the balance of the war, and was in at Lee's surrender, at Appomattox. The Sergeant is still hale and hearty, and frequently remarks that he is ready to enter the ranks again whenever the country shall call.
Appended is a list of those who have served as Mayor of Bridgeton since its incorporation as a city : James Hood, 1866; Isaac B. Dare, 1867, 1868, 1869, 1870, 1871, 1872; Ephraim E. Sheppard, 1873, 1874, 1875 ; Seth P. Husted, 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880, 1881; John Smalley, 1882, 1883, 1884; Jeremiah DuBois, 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888, and is still in office.
The City of Bridgeton.
ITS INDUSTRIES— THE CUMBERLAND NAIL & IRON \VORKS.
One of the leading industries of Bridgeton, and in many- respects the chief, is the estabhshment that bears the above title. It has justly been ranked among the great manufactories of the State. Benjamin and David Reeves, having procured a site on the western bank of the Cohansey, above the Com- merce street bridge, erected a mill, and began the manufacture of nails in 1815. Nails were then made exclusively from re-heated scrap iron, and wholesaled from ten to fifteen cents per pound. They were made differently then from what they are now, being cut altogether across the fibre or grain. The mill on the east side of the river, now known as the Puddling and Sheet Mill, was erected in 1847. This changed the method of making nails — they being manufactured from pig iron instead of scrap. The iron was puddled, made into bars, and re-heated, afterward the bars were rolled into sheets from which the nails were cut. The new nails were much better and tougher, being cut with the grain instead of across it. During the year 1847 the nail mill on the west side was greatly enlarged, and the entire water power utilized in the work of driving the machinery. This gave added power, and better and larger quantities of nails were manufactured. In 1853 the firm built the large pipe mill on the east side, where gas, steam, and water pipe have been manufactured ever since.
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The company changed its name in 1856, it having pre- viously been known as Reeves, Buck & Co, It was now incor- porated by act of the Legislature, and obtained the title of " The Cumberland Nail & Iron Works." Robert C. Nichols was President and Superintendent of the company in 1856. Robert S. Buck succeeded him in 1867. In 1877, his son, Robert J. Buck, became President, with Chester J. Buck as Superintendent. The two latter gentlemen still retain the presidency and management of the works, with John M. Reeves, Secretary and Treasurer.
From the twenty-six hands employed in 1822, the number has increased until the employes now exceed four hundred men and boys. To this army of workmen the company pays wages at the rate of ^150,000 per annum. The product turned out every year amounts to 4,000,000 feet of pipe and 140,000 kegs of nails. There are manufactured at the works 220 kinds of nails, from the two-penny to the eight-inch spike. Among them are boat nails, casing nails, finishing nails, tobacco-box nails, trunk nails, brads, etc. In gas, steam and water pipes, the smallest pipe made is one-eighth of an inch, inside diameter, and the largest, three and one-half inches. The nails and pipe are chiefly sold in New York, Phila- delphia and Baltimore, from which points they are frequently shipped to California, South America, and other remote parts of the world.
In the great business in which it is engaged, " The Cumberland Nail & Iron Works," consumes a vast amount of raw material. In a single year over 11,275 tons of iron are used, at a cost of 5202,950; 5,600 tons of iron ore, at a cost of 539,200; 15,750 tons of coal, at an outlay of $63,000; 650,000 feet of lumber, at an expense of 56,500. The amount paid out for raw material, labor, etc., approximates a half million dollars annually, which is a sum equal to the capital stock.
The company has fifteen engines of various makes, six- teen steam boilers, ninety nail machines and six welding
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furnaces. They also own a fine steamer known as the " Laura B," and two large barges, which convey nails and pipe, raw material, and other freight to and from the works.
No manufacturing establishment in the country can boast of a better or more faithful class of employes. Many of them have been continuously in the employ of the company for periods of from twenty to sixty years. John Husted, weigh- master, has served sixty-three years ; William Hetzell, foreman of the cooper shop, sixty-one years ; Charles Holmes, nailer, fifty-eight years ; George Woodruff, sheet mill shears, fifty-six years ; William Naglee, roller, fifty-one years ; James Lindsay, roller, thirty-eight years ; Sheppard Howell, puddler, forty- four years ; Benjamin Shaffer, stocker, thirty-eight years ; Elijah Hider, roller, thirty-one years ; Henry Hummell, engineer, thirty-seven years ; Edgar Riley, foreman nail mill, thirty-five years ; William H. Loper, roller, twenty-seven years ; Thomas Rose, wheeler, forty-two years ; Providence Long, carrier, fifty years ; Benjamin Ford, nailer, thirty-five years ; Albert Dalton, nailer, thirty-five years ; Capt. Ephraim Burch, of the " Laura," has also served the company thirty years. Robert L. Young, foreman of the rolling mill, has served in that respon- sible position twenty-two years. Also, Hugh Moncrief, nailer, fifty years ; W. H. H. Elwell, master mechanic, thirty-one years ; Charles J, Howell, nailer, thirty-five years ; Robert Smith, nailer, thirty-eight years ; Charles H. Boone, nailer, thirty-five years ; John B. Nieukirk, blacksmith, twenty-six years ; Charles H. Dare, assistant blacksmith, twenty-five years ; Joseph C. Brooks, prover, pipe mill, thirty-five years ; John W. Seeley, welder, pipe mill, twenty years ; Frank Woodruff, nailer, twenty-eight years ; Joseph Abbott, annealer, twenty years; John V. Booblitz, nailer, twenty vears; Charles F. Booblitz, nailer, twenty years ; Dennis Dougherty, mason, twenty-five years ; Ephriani Buck, mason, twenty years ; William Ganns, puddler, thirty-five years ; Joseph Gravies, pipe mill, fifty-two years ; Capt. Levi A. Wood, scrap packer, forty-two years ; James R. Sellers, foreman, sheet mill, forty-two ears.
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In the cooper shop, where the barrels and kegs of the company are made, Charles Hetzell has been employed fifty years ; Samuel Wilson, forty years ; Dayton Riley, forty-eight years ; James W. Murphy, thirty-five years ; William Herman, twenty-five years. Of such a record, both company and employes may well be proud.
COHANSEY GLASS WORKS.
The oldest glass manufactory in Bridgeton is that known as the " Cohansey Glass Works." It was founded in 1836 by Stratton, Buck & Co. The first factory was a small building, with very primitive facilities. The furnace was of crude manu- facture, and the pots weak in structure. The fires were fed^ by pine wood, of which commodity immense quantities were burned. Small bottles were the first articles manufactured. The business was not much of a success, and after it had con- tinued a few years the works passed into the hands of a Mr. Rosenbaum. He held possession but a short time, when Joel Bodine assumed charge. Maul, Hebrew & Co. afterward controlled the property and managed it until 1857, when a new firm, Gen. David Potter, of Bridgeton, and F. L. Bodine, of Philadelphia, under the title of Potter & Bodine, came to the front. This partnership continued until 1863, when the firm again changed and took the name of F. & J. N. Bodine & Co. The Co. was dropped soon after, and the business prose- cuted under the proprietorship of F. & J. N. Bodine solely. In 1879 it was incorporated and took the style and title of "Cohansey Glass Manufacturing Company." The present officers of the company are : President, F. L. Bodine ; Vice- President, J. NT Bodine ; Secretary, W. G. Millikin ; Assistant Secretary, W. M. Bodine. City office. No. 32 N. Fourth street, Philadelphia.
The plant of the company, located at the foot of Pearl street, is one of the most valuable in the State. It is situate directly
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on the Cohansey river and has nav^igation at its ver)' doors. The West Jersey Railroad extension runs along Glass street directly through the factory yard, thus bringing the works into connection with the outside world by rail. Shipments are thereby made to almost every point of the compass with but little delay.
The works cov^er an area of about six acres, and consist of three window-glass and two hollow-ware factories. They are thoroughly equipped with all the modern facilities for the successful production of glass. The company is now running four houses, two engaged in the manuficturc of bottles and two turning out window-glass. When all the factories are in opera- tion the company employs about five hundred men and boys. They are now employing some four hundred, and paying about ^10,000 per month for wages. The value of glassware manufac- tured at the Cohansey works exceeds $300,000 annually. An estimate of the amount of raw material used in the factories per annum shows the following : 4,000 tons of white sand ; 800 tons of lime; 800 tons of soda; 1,500,000 feet of lumber and box boards ; 8,000 tons of coal ; 1,200 tons of coke ; 400 tons of German and American clay, and about 2,000 cords of wood; together with 200 tons of hay and straw, with large quantities of nails and other necessities incident to the business.
The company manufacture all kinds of hollow-ware such as bottles for druggists' use ; phials, beer and v/ine bottles ; fruit jars ; bottles and jars for acid, and carboys or demijohns in large numbers. Window-glass, double and single strength, and every grade of glass in that line is turned out. The specialty of the company is the " Cohansey Fruit Jar," on which the owners have a special patent. This jar is one of the finest in the market and has a ready sale. From special moulds the company also manufactures a variety of glass-ware for private parties, among them a handsome syrup bottle for an Eastern firm. The works are run by steam with a fifty horse-power engine. This engine runs the machine shop, the batch-mixer, and almost everything connected with the factories.
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The capital stock and plant of the " Cohansey Glass Com- pany " are valued at ^250,000. It is a fine property, and the business since the day when the Bodine Brothers took charge has proved a great success, so much so, that it is now classed as one of the most prosperous glass establishments in the country.
The company also has a large store where a heavy business is done in dry goods, groceries and provisions. George W. Ireland is manager.
EAST LAKE WOOLEN MILL.
The fine four-story brick structure standing on the western bank of East Lake, at the corner of East avenue and Com- merce street, is one of the heaviest manufacturing establish- ments in the city. Reference has already been made to its earlier history. Within a few years the mill has passed into the hands of an organization known as the " East Lake Woolen Co." Its officers are as follows ; President, Jonathan Elmer ; Vice-president, George W. Patton ; Secretary, Edward A. Green ; Treasurer, James G. Shaw ; Superintendent, Joseph T. Ashworth.
Recent improvements have added largely to the capacity of the mill, and it now has facilities equal to those of the best woolen manufacturing establishments of the country. The company has a capital of ;$300,000 invested in its plant, mill, machinery and raw material. One hundred hands — men, young women and boys, are given constant employment the year round. The wages paid to employes exceeds ^3,000 per month, or about ^40,000 per annum.
The machinery consists of thirty-five looms, improved Broad & Knowles, with every modern appliance for the turn- ing out of first-class woolen goods. Wool is taken in its raw state, cleaned, sorted, and made ready for the loom, from which it emerges in the shape of all-wool cassimeres in the latest and
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best designs. In the manufacture of cloth and cassimere, the company uses 250,000 pounds of wool annually, together with 510,000 worth of silk thread, assorted colors. The total output of woolen goods per year amounts to 5100,000 in value.
The mill is run by steam power, and has three boilers of 125-horse power each. It has powerful engines, and is one of the best equipped factories in the world. When steam cannot be used, the company has a fine water power, drawn from East Lake.
FERRACUTE MACHINE WORKS.
The establishment known as the " Ferracute Machine Works " is splendidly located on the southeastern bank of East Lake, a beautiful sheet of water in the immediate vicinity of Bridgeton proper. The original factory was but a small shop on Laurel street, where, twenty years ago, Smith & Webb carried on business with a force of three men. In 1877, the company was re-organized and incorporated under the above title. Since then it has grown to far greater proportions, until now its plant, consisting of main shop for the manufacture of presses, the erecting and forging shops, pattern shop, draught- ing rooms and offices, etc., etc., cover nearly an acre of territory. Eighty men, nearly all skilled workmen, are constantly employed, turning out one hundred and ten different styles of presses, lathes, dies and other tools for making articles in sheet metal, and for general work in cutting, pressing and forming leather and paper goods, together with special appa- ratus, solder tools and other machinery for working bar and sheet metals. Among the products of the Ferracute Co., are machines for making dust pans, milk pans, dinner plates, brass bells, electrical gong bells, spear heads, tin colanders, army and sportsmen's buckles, match safes, fruit knives, watch cases, sugar tongs, curtain rings, percussion caps, blacking boxes, lamp
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frames, metallic shingles, etc., etc. Some of the specialties manufactured are those articles invented by Mr. Oberlin Smith, the head of the company, who is one of the most accomplished draughtsmen and skilful inventors of the day. One of them, known as the " Rotary Squeezer," is in use by the great Stand- ard Oil Company for the work of fastening the heads of the square five-gallon oil cans, and another is the " Dipping Machine," used for soldering the heads on said cans. It is said that these machines save ^50 per day in solder alone. Other specialties gotten out at the " Ferracute," are pill machines for producing conxpressed tablets for druggists, at the rate of 100 per minute ; a new machine for making nails from tin scrap, and a series of presses called " Parabolic," which are adapted to a large variety of work. They also manu- facture the " Screw and Drop " presses, and many small tools used by can-makers and metal-workers. The presses, dies and other machinery made at these works are shipped to all parts of the world, orders being frequently filled for Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, California, the Gulf States, Australia, China, Japan, South America and various sections of Europe.
The Ferracute shops are fitted with the best appliances and latest improved machinery. They are lighted with electricity — the incandescent light being furnished from the company's own dynamo. Special appliances for loading machinery, with ten-ton scales, crane, track and car connecting with the tracks of the West Jersey Railroad, which run close to the establish- ment, make facilities for the quick transportation of goods second to none in Bridgeton. Additional shop-room for the erection of heavy machinery has been recently made. Power for running the machinery of the several shops is furnished by a fifty-horse engine and sixty-horse boiler.
The company has about ^120,000 invested in its plant, and pays out 51,000 per week in wages. It manufactures ^ 100,000 worth of goods annually. The following is a list of its offi- cers : President, Oberlin Smith ; Secretary and Treasurer, Fred. Smith ; Superintendent, S. Ashton Hand.
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CUMBERLAND GLASS MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
CLARK WINDOW GLASS COMPANY.
The Cumberland Glass Company was organized in August, 1880, and a factory built the same year. Since then the works have been moved from the former site on Water street, and four hollow-ware factories erected on North Laurel street, near the line of the New Jersey Central Railroad. Its officers are: R. E. Shoemaker, President ; S. M. Bassett, Superintendent and Secretary ; C. W. Shoemaker, Treasurer.
This company employs 300 men and boys. It pays wages at the rate of ^$9,000 per month, or about $95,000 annually. Capital invested $150,000. Value of bottles manufactured per fire, $200,000. No specialties are manufactured, but the company turns out almost every variety of bottle in colored and green glass. Raw material is consumed annually as follows : 1,400 tons of soda ; 3,000 tons of sand; 48,000 bushels of lime; 6,000 tons of coal ; 1,400,000 feet of lumber, etc.
The Clark Window Glass Company was established in December, 1882. It has a capital of $25,000 invested in one factory, the latter being fitted with every modern glass-making facility. Fifty hands are employed, and about $2,500 per month paid in wages. Ware produced per annum, $60,000 value. In the running of the window-glass furnace, the Clark Company uses two tons of soda per day ; four tons of sand ; two tons of lime, and large quantities of hay and straw ; also, German and American clay in the manufacture of pots.
Both the Cumberland Glass Manufacturing Company and the Clark Window Glass Company, are successful companies, and among the best in the country.
Officers of Clark Window Glass Company : C. H. Shoe- maker, President; S. M. Bassett, Secretary'; W. C. Mulford, Treasurer.
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The Cumberland Glass Company has a large factory store immediately connected with their works, in which a heavy business is transacted with the workmen, their families and the residents of that portion of Bridgeton in which the factories are situated. The store is managed by Richard Brockson.
COX & SONS' MACHINE WORKS.
During the year 1868, Stephen Cox, Sr., Wm. E. Cox, and Stephen Cox, Jr., established the extensive machine works and iron foundry which bear their name. All the members of the firm have a practical knowledge of the business they pursue, and are skilled mechanics and inventors. The com- pany has an office at their works in Bridgeton ; also at 204 North Fourth street, Philadelphia, the latter under the charge of Wm. P. Cox. It also has an agency at 75 Water street, Pittsburgh, Pa. The shops, foundry and plant, located on Water street. West Bridgeton, near the Cohansey river, cover about two acres of ground, and extend over 21,000 feet of floor space. The property has a frontage on Water street of 175 feet, with a wharf line of 250 feet on the Cohansey.
Cox & Sons are manufacturers of improved low-pressure steam-heating apparatus, improved vertical and horizontal engines and boilers, pipe-screwing and tapping machinery, pipe-screwing stocks and dies, cast and wrought-iron fittings, flattening ovens with circular and straight bars, grinding machines, and other machinery for glass factories. Castings are made in the foundry from an ounce to five tons' weight. Special attention is paid to the manufacture of engines and boilers. Last year the firm shipped pipe-cutting and thread machinery to both Russia and Germany ; also manufactured and shipped to Mexico a 250-horse-power engine and three large boilers, for a silver mine in that country, where the Messrs. Cox have an extensive trade. Considerable Govern- ment work is also done for the New York and Norfolk Navy
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Yards, Estimates are now being made for a steam-power plant for a gold mine in South America. Within a few years, Cox & Sons have furnished steam-heating facilities for the Odd- fellows' Home, the Presbyterian Home, the Lutheran Home, and other institutions of Philadelphia. They have also equipped numerous private residences in various parts of the country in the same manner.
The raw material used in the shops and foundry is of the best and finest quality. Bituminous coal is burned in the furnaces ; also coke, in large quantities. Five hundred tons of the best pig iron, also many tons of bar iron and steel, are annually worked up into castings, boilers and machinery. The buildings are three stories high, brick material, with slate roofs, and present an imposing appearance. One hundred skilled workmen — machinists, moulders, boilermakers — and apprentices, are kept constantly employed, to whom wages amounting to ^2,500 per month are paid. The plant of the company is estimated at $80,000.
GETSINGER GLASS WORKS.
Bridgeton has twenty glass factories, but few of them have transacted so large an amount of business as the works owned and managed by John E. Getsinger & Son. The manufacture of window glass was first begun in a new factory, near Mul- berry street, on what is known as the Steamboat Landing, in the Spring of 1879. Since then the plant has been moved to the fine location on Grove street, South Bridgeton. The site overlooks the Cohansey river, and is accessible by both water navigation and rail — a branch of the West Jersey Railroad connecting the factories with the main line. There are three large window-glass factories and one hollow-ware house. The firm employs two hundred men and boys, the blowers being skilled workmen, and pay wages amounting to $7,000 per month; capital invested in business $75,000. The factories
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and shops which constitute the works cover five acres of land. Mason fruit jars and bottles of almost every variety, with window glass of the best quality, are annually manufactured to the value of ,$200,000.
In the work of carrying on their large business, Getsinger & Son use 6,000 tons of lime per fire ; 2,500 tons of white sand ; 600 tons of lime ; 600 tons of soda ; 6,000 tons of coal ; r,ooo tons of coke ; 300 tons of German and American clay (the firm manufacture their own pots); 1,000 cords of wood; 1,000,000 feet of lumber; 100 tons of hay; 50 tons of straw (both of the latter for packing glass) ; 20 tons of iron, and 200 kegs of nails.
Getsinger & Son manufacture all sizes of window glass, making a specialty of double-thick plates, known as the " Newton Brand," which have become famous in the glass market. They ship most of their ware to New York, Phila- delphia and points in the South and West. The factories are run by steam power.
MORE, JONAS & MORE GLASS WORKS.
The glass works located on the West Jersey Railroad, in North Bridgeton, near Bank street, were established by the firm of More, Jonas & More — the individual members being Robert More, Jr., George Jonas and Richard More. This company erected a hollow-ware glass factory, and made it a success. The first fire was placed under the furnace in March, 1 882. Every description of bottles, principally druggists'-ware, are manufactured.
Since the hollow-ware business was begun the firm has entered into a partnership with Robert More, Sr., and Wm. H. Allen, for the purpose of manufacturing window-glass. The title of the organization is More, Jonas, More & Co. They own and run one factory.
The two companies employ one hundred and seventy-five men and boys, to whom they pay wages to the amount of ,$6,000 monthly. Their product in window-glass and bottles
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amounts to $125,000 per year. Capital invested, about ^50,000. In raw material the two companies consume 3 tons of soda, 3 tons of lime, 15 tons of coal and 8 tons of sand per day. They use 500,000 feet of lumber for boxes, etc., every year. In the manufacture of pots they use large quantities of both American and German clay, and one ton of straw and hay per week for packing purposes. The factories are connected with the West Jersey Railroad by a siding, with one-quarter mile track, also by siding with the New Jersey Central Railroad.
PERFECTION FUNNEL WORKS.
The manufacture of funnels is a distinct industry, and is a new thing in this country, and the "Perfection Funnel Works," Augustus Gersdorff, Proprietor, located in East Bridgeton, near East Lake, is said to be the only establishment devoted exclusively to this work anywhere in the world. The works are well supplied with special facilities for the production of the funnels, which Mr. Gersdorff invented and on which he has letters patent. Nine machines, presses and lathes are used in the works, besides several soldering machines. The "Per- fection Funnel " is manufactured, in all standard sizes, of tin, copper and glass, and when complete, with the strainer, is the finest and best funnel made. Mr. Gersdorff's shops are divided into apartments, where the several branches of the business are carried on. There is a room where the tin and copper is cut and shaped, another where the funnels are burn- ished on a cloth wheel until they shine like beaten gold, and still another where the finishing touches are placed upon them and thus made ready for the market. Twent}- men and boys are employed in the factory. The plant is valued at $30,000. Wages paid per month, $600. Product of the establishment, 3,000 funnels per day, or about 1,000,000 per year.
Main office of the works, 1904 Seventh street, N. W., Washington, D. C. Nelson Bavier, Superintendent, office at the works, Bridgeton, N. J.
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BOTTLE MOULD FACTORY.
In 1883 Richard Trenchard and Charles D. Crickler entered into partnership, and began the manufacture of bottle moulds in a small room on Broad street. They started with the help of a small boy in addition to their own, and from this humble beginning have advanced, year by year, until they now have one of the largest factories of the kind in the country. The building is of brick, three stories, located on Atlantic street, near Commerce. Messrs. Trenchard & Crickler employ from twelve to fifteen men, all of them skilful mechanics ; ^600 per month is paid in wages. The firm have ^15,000 invested in building and machinery. Mr. Crickler, the junior member, is a practical mould maker, and has a perfect knowledge of the business. He states that the factory can turn out any design of mould for the manufacture of articles produced in glass. The moulds are fine specimens of workmanship, and are made part by machinery and part by hand. The raw material is chilled cast iron; ;^I2,000 worth of moulds are manufactured every year, and the firm supplies moulds for all of the Bridgeton glass factories, and also many outside parties. They ship moulds as far as Canada, and have filled orders for factories in Southern States. In addition to mould production, Trenchard & Crickler manufacture presses for shaping glass into signs, etc. They have just finished a press for G. G. Green, the patent medicine man, which manufactures the most perfect glass sign ever invented. It is a fine piece of workmanship. The factory is run by steam, and is complete with lathes, drilling presses, planers, and every species of machinery required in the business.
LOTT'S MILL.
Lott's Flour Mill, located near the Cumberland Nail and Iron Works, West Bridgeton, was founded in 1820, by Daniel P. Stratton. It is run both by steam and water, and has a fine
JD
water power, to which there is a perpetual right. Richard Lott purchased the mill in 1858. and ran it, continually, for a period of thirty years. Recenth' the mill passed into the control of R. Lott, Jr., & Co., the senior Lott becoming a silent partner. The establishment is a full roller flour mill, twelve reductions. It was changed from a stone mill in 1887. Capacity seventy-five barrels per day. The finest grades of roller flour are produced ; 50,000 bushels of grain are ground annually. The flour under three brands, " Excelsior," "Cream of Wheat," and "Low Grade," is sold mainly to the stores in Bridgeton and vicinity, and is very popular with housewives. Among the special and improved machinery of Lett's Mill is one of the Richmond City (Indiana) Packers, which packs a barrel or bag of flour within one ounce of the desired weight. Value of mill property ^25,000.
LUCKNOW PAPER MILL.
The Moorhouse & Lenhart Paper Manufacturing Establish- ment began operations in April, 1886, under the name mentioned. It is located at the foot of Water street, West Bridgeton, near the river, an admirable situation for the busi- ness. The buildings are of brick, two and a half stories high, with extensive frame additions, one story. Walter Moor- house is the manager in charge of the mill. He employs forty men and women. Wages, ^1,000 per month. The machinery, which comprises every variety of apparatus for the perfect production of paper, is run by steam power, with two engines, of 150 and 25-horse power, respectively. Five thou- sand pounds of book paper, white and colored, are manufactured daily. The paper is made from rag sorts purchased of dealers in old paper, and, after cleansing, it goes through a pulverizing and regenerating process, until it finally appears from the rolls in a perfect state, ready for the market. The company values its plant at ^^ 5 0,000.
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EAST LAKE GLASS WORKS.
Messrs. Kirby & McBride, proprietors of the above-named works, have a fine factory, located in East Bridgeton, on the line of the N. J. Central Railroad, Cumberland and Maurice River branch. The works were founded in 1885. Hollow- ware only is manufactured, the principal production being wine and beer bottles. Capital invested in the business,. ;^io,000; value of glass produced per year, ;^75,ooo. Eighty men and boys are employed, and wages paid amount to ;$3,500 per month. In the work of glass manufacture, Kirby & McBride use 365 tons of soda per annum ; 840 tons of sand; 12,000 bushels of lime ; 1,600 tons of coal ; 400 bushels of salt; 315 cords of wood; and 350,000 feet of lumber (the latter principally boards for the manufacture of packing boxes). David .McBride, Superintendent and Manager.
PEARL RIVER MILLS.
At Riverside, South Bridgeton, wonderful improvements have recently been made. During the past Winter the above- named mills were erected. The building is of brick, two hundred and fift}^ feet in length by forty in width, with an L one hundred by seventy. The engine house attached is fifty by sixty, and there is an office thirty by forty. The structure has an elevator with tower, the latter forty feet high. The mill§ are run by steam, and have an engine of one hundred and fifty horse power. The factory proper consists of four " long mills " for the manufacture of enamelled and rubber cloth, and carriage goods. These mills take the material and pass it through a method somewhat similar to that used in the pro- duction of calico, using the same printing machines. The plant covers 20,000 square feet of floor space, and the premises occupy over two acres of ground. The mills employ sixty men, women and children, and produce 4,800 yards of cloth per day, about 1,500,000 yards a year. Besides this, they
have space and power to double the capacity. $600 per week is paid as wages. Machinery is of latest design, and worth $25,000. The capital invested in the business amounts to $50,000. The cloth, when finished, is of superior quality. It is sent to a commission house in New York, from whence it is shipped to all parts of the world. E. P. Tappey, of Bridgeton, is Superintendent and Manager of the mills.
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L_.
ilu.Mu Knithnl. -MiLi.
The Home Knitting Mills, George H. Selb, Proprietor, began business at Riverside, South Bridgeton, in April. The mills are built of brick, three stories high, thirty by forty feet on the ground floor, with wing fourteen by fourteen. The plant is valued at $10,000. Mr. Selb is a practical workman in his line of business, and has the factory in good shape, well supplied with machinery and other necessary equipments. The mills contain fifty-two knitting machines, capable of manu- facturing two thousand dozen of hosiery per week. The machinery is all new. Four thousand pounds of yarn per week, or ninety tons per year will be the amount of raw material used, together with large quantities of worsted,
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Egyptian cotton and Lisle thread. The goods manufactured will be principally fine seamless hosiery, leggings, mittens and underwear. Seventy-eight men and women will be employed throughout the year, and ;^2,ooo wages paid each month.
THE PACKING INDUSTRY.
Bridgeton has six canning factories where vegetables and fruits are packed. This industry has grown rapidly within the past few years, and is now one of the heaviest in the Middle States. The canned goods are shipped by water and rail to Philadelphia, Boston, New York and other leading cities.
The first canning establishment located in Bridgeton was erected by Stein Edwards, about i860. It passed into the hands of Warner & Rhodes, of Philadelphia, in 1866, by whom it has since been conducted. In May, 1888, it was incorpo- rated as the West Jersey Packing Company. The works are located on Irving avenue, near what is known as Indian Fields, but the office of the company is at No. 23 South Front street, Philadelphia. The following is a list of its officers : President, Chas. M. Rhodes ; Vice-President, T. M. Towle ; Secretary, Andrew J. Slack ; Treasurer, W. F. Hort. T. M. Towle, Superintendent and Manager of factory. The company manu- facture their own cans, and pack from 700,000 to 1,000,000 cans yearly. About 2,500 boxes of tin plate and four tons of solder are used in the business. A great variety of vegetables and fruits are packed. Tomatoes and peaches are a specialty. Lima beans and sweet potatoes are also among the principal staples canned. The firm manufacture catsups and salad dressing under three brands, " Standard," " Bugle," and " Daisy." These constitute the brands of the canned goods which have become celebrated. During the busy season — from June to November — the company employ one hundred and seventy- five hands, male and female, and pays out ^1,300 per week as wages. They pay farmers, for produce, from ^8,000 to ;^ 1 0,000 each season. The works are run b)^ steam power and the plant is valued at $25,000.
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The next oldest canning house is that of John W. Stout, located at the corner of Bank street and Irving avenue. It was formerly the property of Stout, Dyer & Wicks. John W. Stout obtained entire control in the Spring of 1865, At this factory, fruits, vegetables, Lima beans, pumpkins, and tomatoes are canned in great abundance. The output will exceed 6oo,oco cans per year. In the manufacture of cans 2,500 boxes of tin plate and four tons of solder are used. Mr. Stout not only purchases metal for can making, but also for solder, which he also manufactures. The trade mark of goods turned out at this factory is familiar in the canned-goods market. It is known as the " Red X." In the Summer and fall months Mr. Stout employs one hundred and seventy-five men, women and girls, and has paid as high as ^ i , 1 00 wages per week. The factory is supplied with steam-heating apparatus. Cox's Cap- ping Machine, and every improved device for successful pack- ing. Wm. L. Morris is Superintendent and Manager of the factory, and has been for the past twenty-four years. The office is at No. 96 Barclay street. New York. Plant valuation, ;^ 2 5, 000.
The Cumberland County Packing and Canning Company, formerly the Diamond Packing Company, has been in exist- ence as an incorporated organization since the Spring of 1887. The factory was erected under the eye of Mr. L. J. Wick, who was an accomplished packer, having a thorough knowledge of the business. It is situate near Grove street, on the Cohansey river. South Bridgeton, an admirable location. The plant, valued at ;^25,ooo, covers some two acres of ground. The company manufacture and pack 800,000 cans each year, the principal articles being tomatoes, sweet potatoes, Bartlett pears, Lima beans. They also put up the famous " Diamond " Catsup. Two hundred men, women, and children are em- ployed in the busy season, and $ i ,000 wages paid every week. The company use the patent Packing Machines, and other first- class facilities. Two thousand tons of tomatoes are packed yearly, and ^15,000 paid farmers for produce. Three thousand
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boxes of tin plate and five tons of solder are used in the manufacture of cans. The company is officered as follows : President, Daniel G. Evans; Secretary, D. M. Huntley; Treasurer, Geo. W. Turner; Superintendent, H. K. Chew.
The B. S. Ayars Canning Factory was located on Water street. West Bridgeton, in the Spring of 1880, it having been removed from Greenwich. The location is near the river. Mr. Ayars packs the "A" brand tomatoes chiefly. In the manufacture of cans he uses about two thousand boxes of tin plate and three tons of solder, and packs 500,000 cans annually, although he has put up as many as 650,000 cans. In Summer he employs one hundred and fifty men, women and girls, and pays wages amounting to about ;^8oo a week. To farmers he pays from ^8,000 to ^10,000 a season. Valuation of plant, ^15,000. It requires a large amount of capital, however, to run Mr, Ayars' business, as he has another canning establish- ment located at Snow Hill, Maryland. For produce he has, some years, paid as high as ;^40,ooo to growers.
Messrs. Probasco & Laning (a view of their factory appears in this work) began the packing business in 1883. The " Silver Lake Tomatoes " are a specialty with them, but they also can squashes, pumpkins, and some other vegetables. Their factory is complete in every part. It has the " Harrison Conveyor," manufactured by Borden, Schick & Co., Chicago, which carries off all refuse without hand labor, thus econo- mized several days per year in the way of help. The firm also have " Burts' Burners " for heating purposes, and the Acme Automatic Oil Engine. The factory is directly on the river, and is connected with the large cities by water and rail. One hundred and forty men, women, and boys are kept busy during the canning season, and $4,000 per month paid in wages. The factory is run by steam power. From 500,000 to 600,000 cans are manufactured every year. Twenty-five hundred boxes of tin plate and three tons of solder are used. The pack equals 500,000 annually. Capital invested, $20,000. The members of the firm are Francis C. Probasco, Wm. Laning.
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John F. Brady, Robert G. McGcar and C. H. Vannaman, started a canning factory on Clark street, North Bridgeton, in the Spring of 1887, under the firm name of J. F. Brady & Co. They pack the " Turkey " brand of tomatoes, peaches, pears, Lima beans, and manufacture jelhes and catsups. The factory is connected by siding with New Jersey Central Rail- road. One hundred and fifty hands are employed during the season, and $4,000 per month paid in wages. 500,000 cans of goods are packed. The company's plant is valued at $15,000.
PLANING MILLS AND LUMBER YARDS.
There are four large dealers in lumber in Bridgeton, each having extensive lumber yards and saw and planing mills.
The oldest firm is that of D. B. & W. C. VVhitaker, estab- lished in i860. Their steam saw mill and yard is located on the river front, No. 16 Cohansey avenue. Messrs. Whitaker work up and sell over 1,000,000 feet of lumber a year. They employ from thirty to forty carpenters, and contract and build from fifteen to twenty houses, stores and other buildings every year, in addition to a large amount of jobbing and repairing. Doors, sash, blinds, and all the necessary woodwork for the erection of buildings are put in shape at the planing mill. ^2,000 per month are paid out in wages. Mr. W. C. Whitaker, the senior member of the firm, draws plans and specifications for buildings in frame, stone or brick, and has a fine reputa- tion both in that line and as a contractor and builder. The firm have about $25,000 invested in the business.
Smith & Conover, located at the foot of Broad street, near the bridge, have large lumber yards and steam saw and planing mill. They are contractors and builders, and manu- facture doors, blinds, sash, and other woodwork. Twenty-five men are employed in building operations, to whom about 1^1,500 per month is paid as wages. The firm handle about 1,000,000 feet of lumber annually, and build about twenty houses and stores. The firm furnish plans and specifications for buildings. The business was established in 1875. Capital invested, $25,000.
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A. F. Randolph, contractor and builder, has a large steam saw mill and lumber yard on the Cohansej'' river, near South Laurel street. He employs some fifty workmen, and pays wages amounting to $2,000 per month. Manufactures doors, blinds, sash, etc., and uses 1,500,000 feet of lumber a year. Builds from twenty to twenty-five buildings, stores, etc. Draws plans and specifications. ;$25,000 invested in plant. Began business, on the present site, in 1884.
Ackley & Allen have a steam saw mill and lumber yard on Railroad avenue, near the West Jersey Railroad Depot. They began business in 1886, and are contractors and builders. They make doors, sash and blinds, and use about 800,000 feet of lumber each year. Employ fifteen men, and pay ;^ 1,200 per month as wages. Capital invested, about $15,000.
„,.^.
" cEDARBROOKb " GREENHOUsLa.
One of the most beautiful places near Bridgeton is that owned by Stein Edwards & Sons, at " Cedarbrooks," Irving avenue. This enterprising firm was first established in 1873, but the senior Edwards had previously carried on the business in a small way for a number of years. In the year named the business of growing hothouse plants and flowers was taken
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up in earnest, and a large amount of capital invested. One greenhouse was built, but now the firm own thirteen, which contain 40,000 square feet of glass. The houses have all the latest improvements for the successful growing of plants and flowers, and are heated by pipes filled with hot water. The stream that furnishes the City of Bridgeton with water flows within a few feet of the greenhouses, through scenes of great natural beauty. Cut flowers are a specialty with the Edwards', and thousands are shipped yearly to New York and Philadel- phia. Roses — Jacks, Marechal Neil, La France — Violets, Pansies, Carnations, are grown in profusion. The firm will pick 100,000 Carnations this year. Forget-me-nots, Mignon- ettes, and other beautiful flowers are also grown. The Freesia- Refrecta-Alba is one of the flowers in greatest demand, and the firm now have orders for 73,000 bulbs of that variety. The Bigonia Venusta is another specialty, 1600 clusters of which are cut each year. Messrs. Edwards have a large stock of palms and foliage plants, and value their plant at |>20,ooo. They grow from ;^7,ooo to ^^ 10,000 worth of plants and flowers yearly.
BUILDING ASSOCIATIONS.
The building association has done much toward making Bridgeton a " city of homes," thus adding to its wealth and general prosperity. The small deposit monthly has grown in volume until wealth has come in the shape of handsome homes and attractive surroundings.
The oldest association is " The Bridgeton Saving Fund and Building Association," established in June, 1865. Since that time it has loaned ;$ 1,500,000 on bond and mortgage. Every two years a new series is issued and stock taken. Payments are made monthly, at the rate of ;^l per share. About eleven years is required for the maturing of the series, when the ^i share has reached the value of $200. The share- holder is then paid the value of his shares in cash, or, if he has drawn them out for the purpose of building, his account
44
is cancelled, and he comes into possession of his property, free of incumbrance. Seven series of stock have already run out in this association. The eighth series will be complete Avithin a year. Five series are now running. At the last annual report they were valued as follows: 192 shares, 8th series, ^171.24 per share, ;$32, 878.08 ; 402 shares, 9th series, ^122.90 per share, ;^49,405.8o; 659 shares, loth series, ;^88.42 per share, $58,268.78; 573 shares, nth series, $57.21 per share, $32,781.33 ; 758 shares, 12th series, $27.1 1 per share, $20,549.38. The monthly dues paid in amount to $31,096, and the association has bonds and mortgages amounting to $190,000. The following are officers of the society: Presi- dent, Benjamin Hancock ; Secretary, T. U. Harris ; Treasurer, R. M. Seeley ; Board of Directors, Albert F. Randolph, Benjamin Hancock, Constant Albertson, David P. Elmer.
The Merchants' and Mechanics' Savdng Fund and Building Association was organized in April, 1870. It has done a big work, and is the model building association of the State. A new series has been successfully issued each year since the date of its organization, makiag nineteen series in all. The first eight of these have matured, been paid off and cancelled. The whole number of shares issued since April, 1870, is 6,830. The amount of money received and disbursed exceeds $1,000,000, as follows: Received from monthly instalments, $446,895; premiums, $50,778; interest on loans, $119,833; fines, $7,546; repayment of loans, $340,600; sale and rents — real estate, $37,079.49. Disbursements — Loaned on bond and mortgage, $551,000; purchased real estate, $41,372.28 ; with- drawing amounts and matured stock, $368,420 ; taxes from 1870 to 1888, $24,035 ; legal expenses, salaries, losses, etc., $14,419.27; amount now in treasury, $3,484.94. The amount now loaned on bond and mortgage is $210,400; amount invested in real estate, $4,292.79. Number of series now running in Association, 1 1. Present number of shares of stock, 3,299. Value of stock — 9th series, 79 shares, $186.61 per share; loth series, 145 shares, $162.43 pci' share; nth series,
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204 shares, $140.92 per share ; 12th series, 199 shares, $124.39 per share; 13th series, 169 shares, $105.22 per share; 14th series, 227 shares, $87.65 per share; 15th series, 431 shares, $71.02 per share; i6th series, 410 shares, $56.05 per share; 17th series, 330 shares, $40.69 per share; i8th series, 569 shares, $26.72 per share; 19th scries, 536 shares, $13.49 per share. Dayton B. Whitaker was elected President of the Board of Directors at the organization, in 1870, and remained in that capacity until April, 1881, when sickness incapacitated him from further service. Since then George Donaghay has been the faithful and efficient head of the Board, Charles F. Dare, the popular druggist. No. 94 Commerce street, was elected Secretary in June, 1870, and still serves in that capacity. He has proved a most accomplished officer, and to his efforts and business ability much of the success of the Merchants' and Mechanics' Association is due. Samuel Applegit was the first Treasurer, followed by W, H. Woodruff. Wilson L. Silvers is the present efficient Treasurer. The Association is officered as follows : President, George Donaghay ; Secretary, Charles F. Dare ; Treasurer, Wilson L. Silvers ; Directors, George Donaghay, Oscar E, Peck, Ji. D. C. Evans, E. C. Lambert, Tnscnh .\. W^oodnifr
The West Jersey Nursery Company is located on Irving avenue, on the Charles S. Fithian farm, a handsome and fertile tract of country. The depots of the W^est Jersey Railroad and New Jersey Central Railroad are within easy distance. The company is regularly organ- ized, with R. D. Cole, Presi- dent; S.B.Cole, Secretary and ui..M JERSEY NURSERY. Trcasurcr. Both R. D. Cole
and sons have been engaged in the nursery business many years, and are practical tree growers. Their nursery was
46
established in 1876. Since that date they have transacted a large and increasing business yearly. So extensive has their trade become that they now ship trees and plants as far north as Canada, and as far south as Texas. The Messrs. Cole grow every variety of nursery stock, trees, plants, vines, but make a specialty of the peach tree, called Meech's Prolific Quince. They have grafted as high as 80,000 in one year. This year they will grow about 250,000 peach trees. The Pearl Straw- berry is another specialty of this firm, of which they grow and ship 250,000 plants annually. Capital invested in the business, ;^ 18,000, ^10,000 of which is, this Spring, placed in peach trees. The firm employs twenty-five men, and are busy the year 'round.
C. E. LANING'S FOUNDRY.
The Iron Foundry on Railroad avenue, near West Jersey R. R. Depot, was established by David W. Laning, in 1869. It is now owned and managed by Charles E. Laning. The building is of brick, two stories high, and well equipped for the business. Mr. Laning does general jobbing, and manu- factures wrought-iron fencing, vessel and other castings. Castings of large dimensions are made for the Ferracute Machine Works. Large quantities of pig iron are used in the foundry for castings, and much bar iron in railing work. Ten skilled workmen are constantly employed, and ^450.00 wages paid monthly. Capital invested, $8,000.
THE CUMBERLAND NATIONAL BANK.
One of the oldest banking institutions in the State of New Jersey is that which bears the above title. It was organized in 18 16 by virtue of a charter granted by the Legislature, and began business September 26th of that year. The capital stock
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was 552,000. General James Giles was elected President and Charles Reed, Cashier. Gen. Giles deceased in 1825, and was succeeded, as President, by Judge Daniel Elmer. The judge resigned in 1S41, when James B. Potter was chosen. He occupied the position until 1865. Charles E. Elmer was elected Mr. Potter's successor, and held that place until 1886, when he retired, and William G. Nixon was chosen. Charles Reed was succeeded as Cashier by William G. Nixon, who held the office until 1S86, serving from 1844, the long period of forty- two years. Mr. Nixon was succeeded as Cashier, by I'rank M. Riley in 1886, who had been identified with the bank since 1865.
In 1857 the capital stock was increased to $102,000, by the accumulation of the surplus earnings, without any additional payments by the stockholders. This was a remarkable feat, but the great financial success of the bank was amply sufficient to warrant it. In 1865 the title of the bank was changed from " Cumberland Bank " by which name it had been known under its State Charter, and it was authorized to do business as " The Cumberland National Bank," under the then new National Banking Act. The capital was increased to $150,000.
During the first fifteen years of its history, the bank's deposits averaged $20,000 ; for the next fifteen, $30,000 ; the next fifteen, $50,000; later on they reached $100,000, and then $150,000 annually. At the last report, January i, 1889, the individual deposits amounted to $615,296.34. For the first thirty years there was a regular dividend of three per cent, every six months, beside an extra dividend in 1844 of twenty- four per cent. Since that year the dividends have reached four, five, six, seven and eight per cent, semi-annually, the dividend for the past year reaching fifteen per cent.
The bank owns real estate valued at $25,000, and has a sur- plus fund of $150,000, an amount equal to its capital stock. Its undivided profits amount to $32,181.15. This is a remarkable showing, and when it is remembered that during its entire history Cumberland Bank has never failed to keep its notes at par, and
4S
often continued to pay specie when other banks did not, it may be truly said, that as a banking institution, it has few equals and no superiors anywhere in the country.
In the summer of 1886 the corporation began the erection of a new bank building, which was finished in May, 1887. It is located on the northwestern corner of Commerce and Laurel streets, the most prominent business corner in the city of Bridgeton. The structure is from plans drawn by Messrs. Hazelhurst & Huckel, the Philadelphia architects. It is built of handsome pressed brick, two and a half stories high, with Connecticut sandstone trimmings. The design is very fine ; and the appearance imposing. The principal entrance between two massive sandstone pillars, with highly orna- mented pediment, faces both Commerce and Laurel streets. The interior is divided into counting-rooms, offices, and other business apartments. The vault was manufactured and put up by the Hall Safe and Lock Company, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and is one of the most complete and perfect in the world. Every appointment of the building is first class, and like the corpora- tion itself, is sound, solid, rounded and finished. Every Bridgetonian has a pride in the veteran institution, and it is a saying among the people of the county, when reference is made to a good or substantial thing that it is as " sound as old Cumberland." This is high praise, but it is deserved. No bank in the country has a better record. Its business life covers a period of nearly three-quarters of a century, part of that time the most critical in the nation's history, yet come financial panic, or storm, or civil war, the bank went on with success, each succeeding year bringing it additional laurels.
Appended is a list of the officers and members of the Board of Directors : President, William G. Nixon; Vice-President, J. Boyd Nixon ; Cashier, Frank M. Riley ; Directors, Jonathan Elmer, Theophilus Trenchard, Richard Lott, William G. Nixon^ Charles S. Fithian, Ephraim Bateman, Chester J. Buck, Daniel Bacon, J. Boyd Nixon, Daniel Elmer, Timothy Campbell.
- o
— 23
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THE BRIDGETON NATIONAL BANK.
In the spring of 1883, a number of citizens of Bridgeton, believing that the business interests of the city demanded additional banking facilities, met at the law office of John S. Mitchell, Esq., where initiatory steps were taken toward the organization of a new bank. A charter from the Government was soon obtained, and it was largely due to Mr. Mitchell's efforts that the new bank w^as so promptly and successfully organized. At the first meeting of the Board of Directors, Thomas U. Harris was chosen President, and James W. Trenchard, Cashier. Both gentlemen still remain in those positions. The bank began business July 12, 1883, with a capital of $100,000, and by October ist had secured a line of deposits amounting to ^^73, 243. 1 1, with loans and discounts of $103,009.45.
Within a few months after its organization, the Board of Directors purchased a lot on South Laurel street, in the busi- ness heart of the city. A handsome banking house, of Gothic design, w^th pressed-brick front and brownstone ornaments, was soon erected. Business grew with the better accommoda- tions ; and, by a recent statement, the loans and discounts arc shown to have reached $323,727.63, with individual deposits of $268,256.83 ; surplus, $50,000; undivided profits, $5,188.74; real estate, $ 1 5 ,ooo.
The following compose the Board of Directors : Gen.Wm. J. Sewell, Benjamin Hancock, Jas. R. Hoagland, Joseph H. Elmer, Martin Anderson, Charles F. Dare, Wilson L. Silvers, Francis B. Minch, Thomas U. Harris, Jacob Dailey, Jacob Kienzle, Isaac M. Smalley, Jeremiah N. Ogden, Jos. A.Wood- ruff, Ner Allen, Robert M. Hitchner.
SOUTH JERSEY INSTITUTE.
In the South Jersey Institute, the citizens of Bridgeton claim to have one of the best educational institutions in this or any
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other State. Established in 1868, it has constantly grown in favor and efficiency until the present time.
With its large and commodious brick building, furnished with modern conveniences, situated upon high and extensive grounds, with plenty of pure air and pure water and perfect drainage, it has been found to be unsurpassed for healthful- ness. Not a case of serious illness has occurred in the build- ing since the school was opened, nineteen years ago.
The school is well supplied with chemical and philosophi- cal apparatus, maps and charts, and extensive cabinets of minerals and geological specimens. It has also a large and very valuable museum of specimens in natural history. Few schools are so well supplied with the means for illustration in the various branches taught. Principal H. K. Trask has been at the head of the school from the start. Under his management, the Institute has attained an enviable reputation for thorough instruction, kind and paternal, and yet successful discipline. He has always been aided by an able and experienced faculty of teachers, and supported by a generous Board of Trustees, who have looked to the financial interests of the Institute.
The courses of study are : College, Preparatory — Institute, Business and Music. Students who complete the first of these courses are admitted into many of our colleges without exami- nation. The Institute course requires three years for comple- tion, and is designed to give a practical preparation for life. It includes the languages, ancient and modern, mental and moral philosophy, natural science, mathematics, history and higher English. The business department is in charge of a practical book-keeper, and the course compares favorably with that afforded by the best business colleges. Pupils are graduated in the music department after four years of study, beginning with the rudiments. A high standard of instruc- tion is maintained, and no pains has been spared to make this department all that can be desired by those who wish to obtain a thorough musical education. In the drawing and painting department, also, excellent instruction is furnished.
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Thus, while the Institute does not claim to rank as a college, in many respects it furnishes equal opportunities and advantages.
IVY HALL SEMINARY.
Ivy Hall, on the northwest corner of Commerce and Atlantic streets, has been a flourishing young ladies' school almost from the date of its establishment, in 1861, by Mrs. Margaretta C. Sheppard. Some of the principals succeeding Mrs. Sheppard have been eminent in their profession, and one of them, Miss Ada L. Howard, was called from this post to the Presidency of Wellesley College. A large number of graduates and others have gone out from this school to the neighboring States and to other portions of our own State to become, with their educational endowments, useful members of society. The commencement exercises, in June, held in one of the largest churches, furnish annually an event of con- siderable interest in the annals of education in our city. For college preparation, the certificate of this institution will admit to Wellesley College without further examination.
In two respects the situation is favorable ; the institution is as nearly central as a school of the kind can well be, and it is protected on the north and west from the winds of winter, by the high bluff or river terrace. The school is for boarding and day pupils. In both the main and intermediate depart- ments the English branches are made prominent, while French, German and the ancient languages, the piano, pipe organ, violin, guitar, vocal music, and all the branches of art are taught to those who desire them. Of late years among the regular teachers are three college graduates, while seven other instruc- tors teach daily or at stated times. The present Principal, Rev. Henry Reeves, Ph. D., entered upon the work here in 1 88 1, and under his management the school has been highly prosperous.
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WEST JERSEY ACADEMY.
The West Jersey Academy, situated on the west side of the town, was substantially built of native stone, by the Presbytery of West Jersey, in the year 1852, and fitted as a first-class modern school. Not long ago, in order to give additional school accommodation, a two-story wing was erected of the same stone as the main structure.
The buildings are thoroughly warmed, drained and venti- lated, and, standing on rising ground, command a fine view of Bridgeton and the surrounding country. Fourteen acres of partially-wooded grounds surround the institution.
The school is divided, upon the Rugby plan, into six forms. The course of each form occupies one year. A complete course prepares a student for any college he may select, whilst an extra year will fit him for advanced standing. A commercial department gives thorough training in business matters. Prof Caleb Allen, is the able Principal.
SEVEN GABLES.
This school, founded in 1874, now ofiers to young ladies a full course of instruction, and, if desirable, prepares the student for any woman's college.
The school comprises three departments : primary, inter- mediate and academic. All departments under the care of college graduates. Native French and German teachers. Music, drawing, painting, and other branches of art, are in charge of good masters.
The residence, which is one of the finest in South Jersey, is built on high ground, surrounded by large forest trees and belted by pines. The interior is handsomely furnished in hard woods throughout, with open fires on first floor. All the rooms, including large bath-rooms, well warmed, well lighted
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and ventilated. Every attention has been paid to sanitary- requirements. Wire springs and hair mattresses in each bed- room. Extensive shaded lawns add greatly to the charm and beauty of the place, and afford opportunity for all out-door amusements, including tennis; while connected with the grounds is an exquisite sheet of water, covering a row of several miles, which is greatly enjoyed by the students, who, accompanied by a teacher, have free access to the boats belonging to the school.
The Principal, Mrs. Sarah S. Westcott, is a lady of ability and culture, and it is her endeavor to make the education of the young ladies committed to her care so distinctively com- prehensive, that the body, in every respect, shall be equally improved with the mind at the end of their educational career. An experienced teacher has charge of the gymnasium, which is well supplied with the best apparatus adapted to Dr. Sargent's method of physical training.
S. E. McGEAR & BRO'S DRY GOODS HOUSE.
Tho most extensive dry goods establishment in Bridge- ton is that of S. E. McGear & Bro., founded in 1855. The location — southwest corner of Commerce and Laurel streets — is the best in the city. During their thirty-three years of business life, the Messrs. McGear have made but one change of situation. They began in a small way in Grosscup's build- ing, where they rapidly built up a business. Nineteen years ago they erected the fine three-story block (a picture of which is given) which they now occupy. It is the finest business block in Bridgeton, and cost $50,000. The McGear Bros, do a splendid trade, which has increased each and every year. Their sales reach $150,000 per annum, and they carry a stock of $50,000, employing twenty salesmen. They deal only in the best of dry goods, and have thereby secured a great reputa- tion. Their line of silks, dress goods, coats and cloaks, is
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immense in variety and value. Both proprietors are trained drygoods men from their youth up, and thoroughly familiar with every department of the business. This is the chief reason why they have stood the test of time, and become leaders in trade, while so many others who have flourished for a season were swept away by financial storm and disaster. It is a solid house, built upon the solid rock of financial honor.
RIVERSIDE.
Walter H. Bacon, Esq., whose office is No. 14 South Laurel street, is a young man who has done much for Bridge- ton. Having purchased a tract of land at Riverside, South Bridgeton, he has offered special inducements to manufac- turers, and has succeeded in getting several establishments to locate there. Riverside is situate on a high bluff over- looking the Cohansey. It is level land ; and, as it will soon be connected by rail with the West Jersey Railroad extension, it will have the advantage of both rail and water communica- tion. The tract covers a territory of one hundred and fifty acres, directly along the river, unusually well situate for manufacturing sites. On the river front there will be fine wharfage, and every facility for the transportation of goods by water. Manufacturers who desire to locate in Bridgeton, will do well to write Mr. Bacon for particulars.
INDUSTRIAL ITEMS.
The firm of Garrison & Minch, No. 70 South Laurel street, began business in December, 1884. (A fine view of their new building appears on another page.) They manufacture a brand of fertilizer known as " Pride of Cumberland." In 1885 they sold fifteen tons, but last year the demand had reached one thousand tons. The firm mixes and erinds this
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fertilizer in its own mill, and this guarantees its purity. It is sold principally to farmers in Cumberland, Salem and neigh- boring counties. This year over a carload a day is being shipped. Garrison & Minch also deal in agricultural imple- ments, coal, terra-cotta pipe, garden seeds, paints, etc., in which they do a large business.
David O. Frazeur and J. Lenhart Rice do a business as Frazeur & Rice on the wharf property at the foot of Broad street, near the bridge. They started in 1877. The firm deals in lime, hair, cement, plaster, and masons' supplies. In two kilns they burn about 120,000 bushels of oyster shells, and manufacture shell and stone lime for glass factories, farmers, and builders. They employ several men, and have about $8,000 invested in the business.
The Atlantic Refining Company, Bridgeton Branch, founded in 1888, is located at the foot of Grove street. South Bridgeton. Its plant consists of two large tanks, of 90,000 gallons capacity, with workshop and office. 100,000 gallons of oil are refined in the busy season, and two wagons are con- stantly traveling distributing the oil to dealers in the country. The quality is 150° test headlight. Manager of works, F. Vanderbucken, Philadelphia.
The Bridgeton Beef Company, L. T. Gaskill, Superin- tendent and Manager, commenced business May 7, 1888. It has a fine building on Cohansey avenue, near the New Jersey Central R. R. Depot. The company is a branch of the well- known Swift Meat Co., of Chicago. The Superintendent furnishes the Bridgeton public with dressed beef and mutton, also Swift's sugar-cured hams, bologna sausage and breakfast bacon. 28,000 pounds of Chicago beef are sold by the com- pany in Bridgeton and vicinity every week, an amount equal to forty cattle. This business in meat is in addition to that of the local dealers, who are numerous.
Rice Brothers & Co. do an extensive business as ship builders, on South Water street. West Bridgeton. They began in 1865. In the summer months the firm employ
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twenty men, and pay ,$200 wages per week. Seventy-five vessels are drawn on the marine railway, and repaired every year, and fi'om one to five new vessels built. Messrs. Rice work up $25,000 worth of iron, lumber, and other shipbuilding materials annually. Their plant is worth $10,000.
G. W. Rush, trunk manufacturer, No. 3 Commerce street, near the bridge, turns out 1,000 trunks and 1,700 valises every year. The materials used are basswood and fine russet leather and alligator. Mr. Rush employs several men. He has recently invented and patented a self-locking metalic trunk brace, which is proving a great success.
At the West Jersey Steam Soap Works, Broad street, corner of Water, Henry C. Kienzle, Proprietor, an extensive business is carried on. Mr. Kienzle employs five skilled workmen, who manufacture 15,000 pounds of soap per week. The chief brands produced are " Oleine," " White Float- ing," "Satin Gloss," " Borax," " Blue Soap," and all grades of toilet soaps. He also deals in starch and washing soda extensively. •
The segar trade is carried on by several Bridgeton firms, nine in all. The heaviest manufacturer is Jacob Mengel, corner of Commerce and Laurel streets, next to Post-office, who employs a large number of segarmakers, and manu- factures about 300,000 segars per annum. Newton Elmer, No. 89 South Laurel street, comes next, with a manufactured product of about 200,000 segars.
The J. L. Rice Shoe Company was founded in January, 1888, and is one of the flourishing industries of Bridgeton. The company has an extensive factory on Cohansey avenue, near the Central R. R. Depot, where the latest improvements in shoemaking machinery are found. Fifty men and women are constantly employed, who manufacture two hun- dred pairs of shoes per day. $300 a week, and sometimes ;^400, is paid for labor alone. The product consists of ladies', misses', and children's fine shoes, in Kangaroo, French Kid, Dongola, Patent Leather, Ooz Calf, Oil Goat. The company
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is incorporated, and has a capital stock of $25,000. Officers: President, J. Lenhart Rice ; Secretary, Wallace C. Rice ; Treasurer, David O. Frazeur; Superintendent, Charles H. Maurer.
The Parker Brothers' Glass Factory is located in West Bridgeton, at the foot of West Commerce street. The com- pany is composed of five brothers, all practical glassworkers, with Clayton Parker, President; Benj. Parker, Secretary and Treasurer. They began business in September, 1885, and were incorporated in 1888. They have a well-fitted establish- ment, with three-pot furnace, and manufacture pressed ware of various designs, but make a specialty of the " Ointment Jar," with nickel-plated screw top, from one-quarter of an ounce to sixteen ounces in weight. They also make jar lids, and are now filling an order for 50,000 gross for the Mason Improved Jar. Many private orders are also filled, aggregating forty in number. Fifteen persons are employed, and $150.00 per week paid as wages. Capital invested, 320,000. The furnace is run b)' natural draught. Forty tons of coal are used per month. Eight tons of soda and thirty tons of sand are also used each month. The business is growing, and promises to be one of the most successful in Bridgeton.
The manufacture of shirts is a thriving industry. The chief factory is located on Broad street, near Atlantic. It is the Burgess & Montelius Shirt Company, and occupies nearly the entire brick building known as Riley's block. This com- pany has transacted a large business since 1885. It now employs one hundred and twenty-five persons, principally women and girls. As an incorporation it has a capital of ;^25,ooo, with the privilege of increasing to $40,000. Two hundred dozen shirts are manufactured every week. The material used amounts to 6,000 yards of flannel, cheviot, and muslin. The " Capitol" Shirtisthecompany'sfavorite, and it has a wide popularity. Mr. F. H. Burgess, the Superintendent and Manager of the factory, is a practical shirt cutter and designer, and designs all of the patterns used in the business. Se\-enty-fiv'e
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sewing machines are kept constantly at work. Attached to the factory is a laundry — one of the most complete in the world — where all the goods of the company are beautifully laundered. They are then packed in pasteboard boxes and made ready for market. $20,000 per year are paid to their help by Burgess, Montelius & Co. Office and salesroom, No. 837 Market street, Philadelphia, A. B. Hoar, Manager. Both factory and laundry are run by steam power.
In the Garrison & Minch building, South Laurel street, there is another shirt factory. It was established in the Spring of 1888, and is the property of Sol. Miller Company, of Phila- delphia. At this factory flannel shirt manufacture is a specialty. Fifty sewing machines, run by fifty women and girls, turn out three hundred and fifty dozen shirts per week. Fifty thousand yards of material are used, and $1,200 wages paid each month. The factory is run by steam. Super- intendent, Robert Neill.
Elmer's Mill, near East Lake, was built in 1808. It is run by water power exclusively. The present proprietor is Jonathan Elmer, Jr. It has the full roller process, and manu- factures a first-class brand of flour, known as " East Lake." Three grades are made, and packed in barrels and bags. The capacity is twenty-five barrels per day. Fifty thousand bushels of grain are ground yearly. Capital invested, $25,000.
Two extensive carriage factories are located in Bridgeton. Robert M. Rocap, No. })J and 39 Franklin street, has a fine brick building, with elevator and all the modern appliances. He manufactures light carriages, buggies, phaetons, jump-seats, market, and business wagons. Output, thirty carriages and wagons annually. He employs eight men — skilled mechanics — and has the best carriage trimmer in the State, a workman of marvelous skill in trimming and block-stitching of carriage backs and seats.
Loudenslager & Harker, North Laurel street, also have a large carriage factory, where twenty-five carriages and wagons are manufactured in a year. They employ seven
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men, and do both carriage niaking and trimming, also general jobbing and blacksmithing.
J. Howard Ferguson, No. 44 Jefferson street, does general machinist work, and manufactures a capping machine of his own invention. He has in hand a contract for five thousand brass ferrules for the Rumrille Umbrella Tent Company, of Camden.
Bridgeton has two potteries. One on Cohansey avenue, Wm. J. Smith, Proprietor, and one on East avenue, Geo. F. Hamlyn, Proprietor. At both establishments large quantities of earthenware, stone and Rockingham ware are manufactured. Mr. Hamlyn, at the East avenue pottery, is an expert potter, and makes a specialty of fine ware of the latest designs.
The Cohansey Tannery, located on Fayette street. West Bridgeton, Jacob Kienzle, Proprietor, was established by that gentleman in 1858. It has an extensive plant, and employs a number of workmen who tan hides into leather. The products are calf-skin, upper, butt and harness leather. Mr. Kienzle has, in some years, tanned as many as 2,500 hides and 1,500 calf-skins, most of which are finished and sold in Bridgeton and vicinity.
Alfred H. Lupton has extensive brick yards on South Water street, where he manufactures 1,300,000 red brick annually; 100,000 of which are extra quality pressed brick. Clay in abundance, and of fine quality, is found on the premises, Mr. Lupton has thirty brick makers, whom he pays ^800 per month wages. He has ^12,000 capital in the business. An- other brick yard is located on Water street, near the Moorhouse Paper Mill, Isaac W. Mulford, Proprietor. Mr. Mulford has fine clay on his property, and manufactures about 500,000 good red brick per year.
J. Lewden Robeson, Nos. 18 and 20 Water street, has an extensive machine shop. He manufactures presses, dies, can- house machinery, and does general repairing. Began business in September, 1885. Runs shop by steam power, and employs five men.
City Notes.
The City of Bridgeton is growing rapidly. Two hundred and two building permits were granted by the mayor during the past year.
Lemuel Johnson, West Bridgeton, contractor for stone and brick work, also plastering, does a large business. He does the stone work for at least forty houses a year.
A million boxes of strawberries are shipped from the region near Bridgeton,by way of the Cumberland and Maurice River Railroad, every year during the berry season.
Mayor Jeremiah Du Bois has served the city four years, and served it well. He is a progressive official, honored by men of all parties. Under his administration the city has grown and prospered.
The fire department of Bridgeton has twenty-eight mem- bers. There are two hose carriages, a hook-and-ladder com- pany and a Silsby engine, with a forcing capacity of ninety feet in the perpendicular.
The Bridgeton Post-office has a free delivery department, with six letter carriers. It ranks as second-class, and is a Presidential appointment. Receipts of office, ;$ 12,000 per year. Postmaster's salary, ^2,300.
The police department consists of six officers, with the mayor as chief This is a small force, but it does its work well. No city of the size in the country is more free from lawlessness, mob rule, drunkenness, or disorderly conduct.
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Every branch of mercantile business is carried on in Bridgeton, and many enterprising men are engaged therein, but there is room for others, and the outside world is invited to come and settle in a goodly town among a goodly people.
The farmers of the county raise 2,330 tons of dressed poultry annually, which they ship to city markets, and receive in return about ;$65 0,000. The entire poultry interest in county, eggs included, is said to exceed ^750,000 per year.
John R. Graham, dealer in carpets, No. 40 Commerce street, is one of Bridgeton's most successful merchants. He has transacted business at the store which he now occupies, for thirty-five successive years. A longer period than any other person doing business in Bridgeton.
The city markets are always filled to repletion with the finest and best products of the sea as well as the soil. In the spring the Delaware shad, the best in the world, is found as early as the last week in February. In March, April and May, the toothsome fish appears in abundance, at very low rates.
Ayars & Mulford, merchant tailors and clothiers, occupy the large three-story brick building 59 and 61 Commerce street, next to the Cumberland National Bank. They employ eighteen cutters, tailors and clerks, doing the heaviest clothing trade in Bridgeton. Their building was recently erected at a cost of ^20,000.
In the month of June a large crop of small fruits and berries is gathered from the farms near Bridgeton. Last year 140,000 boxes were shipped from the New Jersey Central Railroad depot, and 70,000 boxes from the West Jersey Rail- road station. Over 100,000 baskets of peaches were also shipped from the Bridgeton stations.
The heaviest dealer in groceries and provisions in Bridgeton is Ed. M. Fithian, No. 50 Commerce street, who docs a retail trade amounting to $50,000 a year. Wilson L. Silvers, No. 1 13 East Commerce street, dealer in groceries and provisions, also docs a large business. He has been engaged in that line of trade for thirty-three years.
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At Edwards & Sons' Park, " Cedarbrooks," Irving avenue, beautiful views of the head of East Lake are found. The scenery is grand, especially at one point in the dense wood, where the stream winds gracefully among the trees. A view of this delightful spot is published on another page under the title of " The Cedars at Edwards and Sons' Park."
Under a beneficent law, of the State of New Jersey, the schools of the city of Bridgeton receive about $iO,ooo, annu- ally, from the surplus in the State School Fund. This large sum added to that raised by local taxes, gives the city ample financial means to run the schools on the best methods. With this help and the energetic management of the Board of Education the Bridgeton schools have attained the front rank.
One of the finest churches in Bridgeton is the West Pres- byterian, on West Commerce street, corner of Giles. It is of grey stone, well built. The interior is beautiful. The Second Presbyterian church. North Pearl street, has a picturesque exterior, the walls being covered with ivy, thus giving the edifice the appearance of an old-time English abbey. St. Andrew's Episcopal church has a striking interior, a view of which is given.
The leading physicians are Dr. T. G. Davis, No. 122 Commerce street; Dr. J. G. Streets, No. 133 Commerce street ; Dr. Thos. J. Smith, S. W. cor. Commerce and Atlantic streets ; Dr. Henry W. Elmer, No. 64 Commerce street ; Dr. M. K. Elmer, S. E. cor. Commerce and Franklin streets ; Dr. John H. Moore, No. 135 Commerce street; Dr. J. R. C. Thompson, No. 236 Commerce street; Dr. David Streets, No. 133 Commerce street.
There are many beautiful private residences in Bridgeton. Among the number are the following, views of which are given: Mrs. R. C. Nichols, East avenue; Dr. J. G. Street, East Commerce street ; Mrs. C. E. Elmer, Broad street ; Capt. F. M. Riley, West Commerce street; A. F. Randolph, Broad street ; B. H. Minch, West Commerce street ; Miss Sarah
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Buck, Giles street ; B. T. Bright, East Commerce street ; Mrs. Kate Knight, Atlantic street.
The shipments of poultry and eggs from Bridgeton to the New York, Philadelphia and Boston markets are very- heavy. J. Dailey & Son estimate that they purchase and sell one hundred thousand pounds of poultry annually; Timothy Campbell, one hundred thousand pounds ; C. G. Davis, from ten to twenty thousand pounds, and other smaller dealers in pro- portion. The value of the poultry and egg product shipped annually will exceed ^250,000.
Bridgeton has very efficient telegraph and telephone ser- vice. The Delaware and Atlantic Telephone Company has fifty miles of Avire covering the entire city, and seventy-five subscribers ; Samuel H. Meyers, Superintendent. The Western Union Telegraph Company, Miss M. E. Schofield, operator, does an average business of one hundred messages per day. Both offices are centrally located, in the basement of the Hotel Cumberland, North L.aurel street.
Bridgeton contains three thousand dwellings, more than one-half of which are owned by the occupants. It also has four large dry-goods houses ; sixty grocery and provision stores ; two flour mills ; sixty manufacturing establishments of various character; two banks; fifteen churches; three hotels ; eight drug stores ; six newspapers ; four lumber yards, with saw-mills ; four academic schools ; five public schools ; six canning establishments ; a tanyard, soap factory and shipyard.
The old Presbyterian Church, on Broad street, with its moss-grown roof and ivy-covered walls, grey with age, and the cemetery beside it, rich with memories of the honored dead sleeping within its precincts, are points of interest to citizen and stranger. In this cemetery are buried several officers of the Revolution, many soldiers of the late war, and a numerous company of men and women, many of them dis- tinguished in life as lawyers, physicians, theologians, philan- thropists and statesmen.
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Not quite a score of miles below Bridgeton is the famous Maurice River Cove, where oysters are grown in never-ending abundance. Three hundred vessels and fifteen hundred men are employed in the business of planting and catching oysters in Maurice River Cove and Delaware Bay. During the oyster season, the oyster captains and leading business men of the industry have on deposit in the National Banks of the city nearly ;$ 1,000,000. The oyster crop brings a vast sum of money into the city and county.
Among late improvements on our business streets, the new Pioneer building is considered one of the finest blocks ever built in Bridgeton. It is a fine three-story pressed-brick building, with brown-stone trimmings. It contains the office of the Daily Pioneer, the Arnold clothing establishment, law office of Walter H. Bacon, and the hall of Bridgeton Castle, No. 13, Knights of the Golden Eagle, the handsomest lodge- room in the State. The Pioneer building was erected by' Messrs. McCowan & Nichols, at a cost of ^20,000.
The leading lawyers of Bridgeton are John S. Mitchell, No. 83 Commerce street; James R. Hoagland, No. 80 Com- merce street ; Potter & Nixon, No. 60 Commerce street ; Walter H. Bacon, 13 North Laurel street; Jas. J. Reeves, No. 95 Commerce street ; Wm. A. Logue, over County Clerk's Office, Commerce street ; Charles E. Sheppard, No. 29 Com- merce street; Thomas W. Trenchard, No. 107 Commerce street ; Orestes Cook, No. 34 Commerce street ; Jas. L. Van Syckle, No. 70 Commerce street; Frank M. Porch, No. 103 Commerce street.
At a meeting of citizens, held October 11, 1888, H. K. Trask, President, it was resolved to organize a stock com- pany for the purpose of building a street railway. The system suggested by Mr. Oberlin Smith, of the Ferracute Machine Works, and the one likely to be adopted, is that known as " The Sprague Electric Railway Motor." The engine, dynamo, cars, tracks and necessary equipments, will cost about ;^5O,000. It is proposed to track Commerce street first, and afterward
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Broad, Laurel, Pearl and other thoroughfares. Work will probably be commenced during the summer.
The gas consumed in the cit\- is furnished by the Bridge- ton Gas Light Company. Jona Elmer, President; Wm. C. Mulford, Secretary ; Benjamin F. Harding, Superintendent and Treasurer. The works are located on Water street, and con- sist of a valuable plant, with two tanks of 40,000 feet capacity, and several large buildings where the furnaces are situate, together with office, etc. The gas is produced from bitumi- nous coal, and is a first-class article. Capital stock of the company, $31,000. Price of gas, $1.50 per thousand feet to general consumers, and as low as $1.20 to manufacturers.
One of the leading business establishments of Bridgeton is that of Wm. W. Robbins, 33 and 34 North Laurel street. The building is one of the largest in town, being three stories high, with seventy feet front, and a depth of one hundred and thirty feet. The edifice is of brick, and is divided into boot and shoe and clothing departments. At No. 44 Commerce street, Mr. Robbins has a large dry goods store, in which he has an extensive stock, and considerable capital invested. His stores and contents are valued at $So,ooo. He does a business of ;$ 100,000 per annum, and employs eighteen salesmen and women.
Beside the Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist ceme- teries, a new cemetery has been recently opened. It is called " Overlook," and is located on the land lately occupied by Chas. S. Hunt as a farm. The site is on the road to Bo wen- town. West Bridgeton, and contains eighteen acres, hand- somely laid out in squares, with graveled walks, lined with Norway maples. The company owning the cemetery is incor- porated, and has the following officers : President, Dr. G. W. Bailey; Secretary, L. D. H. Gilmour ; Treasurer, George Jonas ; Executive Committee, G. W. Bailey, B. F. Shreeve, Richard More.
In no town in America is there a better class of people than those to be found in Bridgeton. It is an intelligent community.
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Society is good, the churches are many, and everybody is welcome. Opportunities are offered for the cultivation of the mind rarely found outside of the great cities. There is a course of lectures each winter, under the auspices of the Young Men's Christian Association, from whose platform the greatest orators and musicians hold forth. There is a local singing society which gives public concerts twice a year, with lawn concerts in the summer, and an opera house where the first companies of the land appear. There is every desirable form of platform, musical and operatic entertainment.
Captain Frank M. Riley, the City Treasurer of Bridgeton, is a very popular officer. He has served in that capacity twelve years, and is re-elected every three years by a unanimous vote of the people. The Captain was an officer in the Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers during the late war, and participated in many battles. At the Wilderness he was wounded in the face, a Minie ball passing through the flesh near the right eye and coming out in the mouth. The wound healed, and only a scar shows where the bullet entered. Afterward he was taken prisoner and lay for three months in a loathsome cell in Libby Prison. Of such a citizen and officer Bridgetonians are justly proud.
Eli Minch, the learned farmer of Hopewell, has a cider mill on Water street. West Bridgeton, which turns out, in the apple season, 2,000 gallons per day, and 60,000 gallons all told. The capacity of the works is 4,000 gallons daily. In addition to this business Mr. Minch carries on farming the year 'round. One of his specialties is the Minch apple, which he grows very extensively. He is also a famous potato grower, having fre- quently produced, in a season, over three hundred bushels of Silver Lake potatoes to the acre. Such results can only be produced in good soil, and that we have in Cumberland county at the very gates of the city of Bridgeton. Why go West, then, with such land and such results at home?
Several very handsome improvements are in contempla- tion this Spring. A new county building for the Clerk and
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Surrogate's offices will be erected on the site of the present structure on Commerce street. It will be built of stone, and is to be a fine edifice. It is proposed, also, to erect a large brick school-house in the Third Ward at an early date. A new City- Hall is also to be built, but the site is not yet selected. By the close of the next session of Congress it is believed that a sufficient appropriation will be received to erect a Government building for the Post-office and Custom-house. Thus it will be seen that Bridgeton is to have a boom in the public building line, and a class of structures erected that will prove ornaments to the city.
The following newspapers are published : Evening- News, daily, J. Ward Richardson and David C. Appclgate, proprietors. Founded in 1876, and is the oldest daily in the city. Inde- pendent. Circulation (largest in the county), three thousand per day. The same firm publish the Weekly News. Circula- tion, two thousand. The Pioneer, daily, George W. McCowan, proprietor. Established 1887; Republican; circulation, fifteen hundred per day. The Bridgeton Pioneer, weekly. Fovmded in 1848; Republican; circulation, one thousand. Bridgeton Chroinele, weekly, F. R. Fithian, publisher. Founded in 181 5 ; Republican; circulation, twelve hundred. New Jersey Patriot, weekly, John Cheeseman, editor and proprietor ; Democratic ; circulation, one thousand.
The new Central Methodist Episcopal Church edifice, soon to be erected at the corner of Bank and Commerce streets, a fine picture of which can be found in one of the groups contained in this pamphlet, will be, when completed, one of the handsomest churches in the State. The design is Gothic, and is the work of Messrs. Hazelhurst and Huckel, Philadelphia. The structure will be built of Avondale stone, with Indiana stone trimmings. The side-walls of the interior are to be frescoed ; the ceilings will be chestnut and the rafters cherry. The new church will be cushioned and car- peted throughout, and will seat one thousand persons. The scats will be circular, arranged in amphitheatre style. Cost of building and furniture ^$40,000.
The Cumberland Mutual Fire Insurance Company is one of the substantial business institutions of the town. It is located in the handsome two-story brick edifice, on Commerce street, near Pearl. It does a large business in fire insurance. Since its organization, in 1845, it has issued 30,700 policies, and has policies still outstanding amounting to over ^10,500,000. The following constitute the Board of Directors : David P. Elmer, Jonathan Elmer, James Stiles, Geo. Tomlinson, Joseph K. Riley, Edwin Stokes, Charles S. Fithian, Daniel T. Howell, James B. Ware, Ephraim Bateman, Albert F. Randolph, Ben- jamin F. Harding, Robert M. Hitchner, Francis Reeves, Reuben Townsend. President, D. P. Elmer ; Secretary and Treasurer, Charles S. Fithian.
Secret societies flourish. There are two Masonic Lodges ; Brearley No. 2, and Evening Star, No. 97 ; with a membership of ninety and eighty respectively. There are three lodges of Odd Fellows: Cumberland, No. 35; Bridgeton, No. 129; Cohansey, No. 205. The three have a joint membership of over five hundred. The Knights of Pythias have two lodges : Excelsior, No. 4 ; Calanthe, No. 103 ; membership about one hundred and fifty each. There is also an Encampment of Odd Fellows, a lodge of the Junior Order American Mechanics, an Assembly of the Knights of Labor, a lodge of the Inde- pendent Order of Mechanics, several Life Insurance societies; A. L. Robeson Post, No. 42, G. A. R.; Bridgeton Castle, No. 13, Knights of the Golden Eagle, and other benevolent and fraternal associations.
The Bridgeton Electric Light Company, which lights the town by electricity, was founded April 12, 1886. It is incor- porated under an act of the Legislature, and has the following officers : President, Charles O. Baird ; Secretary and Treasurer, Samuel T. Given ; Superintendent, William A. Logue. The capital stock of the company is $50,000. The plant is located on Washington street, near Cohansey avenue. There are two engines of sixty and one hundred and twenty horse power, and two boilers of one hundred and two hundred horse.
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One dynamo is for arc lighting, and one for incandescent. The company covers the entire city with fifteen miles of wire ; eighty arc lights, of 1,200 candle power; 1,200 incandescent lights, of sixteen candle power. The system is the Thomson- Houston.
Bridgeton has been fortunate in having many men of character and ability who have served as members of City Council. Among those recently retired from office, after having served the city faithfully and well, may be mentioned Robt. M. Seeley, of the First Ward; Benjamin Hancock, of the Third Ward, and Eli E. Rogers, of the Fourth Ward. i\Ir. Rogers gave his time and ability for eight consecutive years, serving four years as President of Council. Mr. Hancock served six years in Council, the larger portion of the time with rare ability as a member of the Finance Committee, a position of great responsibility. Mr. Seeley rendered valuable service on the same Committee. As a rule, nearly all the members of Council have studied the city's interest, and because of that fact good government has resulted.
The religious denominations are represented as follows : — Methodist, Episcopal, four churches — Commerce street, Rev. Geo. C. Stanger; Trinity, Fayette street, Rev. Geo. H. Neal ; Central, corner Commerce and Bank streets. Rev. John Hand- ley; Fourth, South avenue. Rev. J. B. Whitten. Presbyterian, three churches — First, Laurel street, Rev. S. W. Beech; Second, North Pearl street, Rev. H. H. Beadle; West Presbyterian, West Commerce street. Rev. W. H. Belden. Baptist — two churches — First, Rev. T. G. Cass; Pearl Street, Rev. W. R, McNeil. Episcopal — St. Andrew's, East Commerce street. Rev. S. C. Cheevers. Lutheran, corner Oak and Giles, Rev. Thos. Steck. Catholic— St. Mary's, Rev. C. WYnst. Methodist, Protestant, two churches. Laurel street and South avenue. Rev. W. D. Stultz. Mt. Zion African M. E., West Bridgeton, Rev. L S. Yemmans, Third Baptist, Rev. S. D. Kelly.
Few towns have finer hotels. The " Hotel Cumberland," on North Laurel street, Robert S. Tice, manager, has lately
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been erected, at a cost of $40,000. The building is of brick, four stories high, and of fine design. It is the property of a stock company, of which F. B. Minch is President ; Walter H. Bacon, Secretary. The house has forty-six rooms, ele- gantly furnished ; hot and cold water; bath ; elevator; electric bells ; heated by steam. The parlors and reception rooms of this model hostelry are said to be among the handsomest in the country. The " Hotel Hohenstatt," South Laurel street, Frederic Hohenstatt, proprietor, a three-story brick building, is of modern design and finish. It has thirty-four rooms, with every convenience, such as hot and cold water, etc., and cost about $20,000. The " City Hotel," corner of Broad and Franklin streets, C. G. Cast, proprietor, has twenty rooms, with latest improvements. Each of these hotels have stables attached.
The peach crop of Cumberland county is the most profit- able of all its farm crops. In the townships of Hopewell, Stoe Creek, Greenwich and Fairfield, bordering on Bridgeton, immense orchards yield many thousands of baskets of this luscious fruit. The orchards on the bay shore, in Greenwich township, grow the finest peaches in the United States, supe- rior in quality to those of Maryland and Delaware. It is estimated that there are 800,000 peach trees in the orchards of the county. The returns from freight agents, packing houses, and an estimate of the quantity consumed in the home market, show the crop to be not less than 750,000 baskets annually, netting farmers and growers about $400,000. It is thought this year the crop will amount to $500,000. Thomas E. Hunt, of Greenwich, is a specimen peach grower. During the sum- mer of 1886 Mr. Hunt gathered from his orchard of 1,200 trees, 4,381 baskets of fruit, for which he received, net, $2,080.59. This is peach-growing that cannot be surpassed anywhere.
The Bridgeton Opera House, one of the handsomest in the State, was built in 1880, by J. M. Moore & Son. It is a fine four-story brick edifice, located on South Laurel street. It
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has a seating capacity of one thousand, and is elegantly fitted up with the Demaris Patent Opera Chair. The floor is an inclined plane, and the seats are so arranged that a view of the entire interior can be had from any part of the house. There is a circular gallery, and a fine stage, sixty-five by thirt)', with stage opening of thirty feet. The decorations are beautiful, the work on walls, ceiling and scenery being by the hand of \V. F. Wise, the well-known scenic artist. There are sixteen sets of scenery. Dressing rooms with every convenience are connected with the stage. The entire building is heated by steam, and is lighted by gas. The acoustic properties are first- class. The building complete cost the Messrs. Moore about ;$40,ooo. Under the Opera House Wm. J. Moore, one of the proprietors of the building, has one of the largest boot and shoe stores in South Jersey, where he carries a heavy stock of the best goods.
The Young Men's Christian Association was organized February, 1859, and is the oldest association of the kind in the State. In membership it is surpassed only by that of the Newark association. It now numbers four hundred and thirty. The rooms of the association, in Robbins' block, North Laurel street, are large and handsome. They comprise a library, reading room, two parlors, class room and gymna- sium. The library contains four thousand volumes, and is the most extensive Y. M. C. A. library in New Jersey. Educa- tional classes are carried on each season, and social receptions held from time to time. Medical and practical talks are given to young men, during the winter months, by business and professional men of the city ;' also, each winter, a Star Course of Lectures and Concerts, given in the Opera House. The association has a Boys' Branch, with eighty members, and a Ladies' Auxiliary, with thirty-eight active members. The reading room is supplied with the leading daily and weekly newspapers, illustrated and otherwise, also the leading monthly magazines. The parlors are neatly furnished, and contain piano, organ, and two cabinets filled with various kinds of
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curiosities. Meetings for young men are held every Sunday afternoon, when music is furnished by an orchestra of ten pieces. The officers of the association are as follows : Presi- dent, Dr. Thos. J. Smith ; First Vice-President, C. W. Shoe- maker; Second Vice-President, C. R. Corey; Treasurer, H. W. Fithian; Recording Secretary, Wm. J. McCowan; General Secretary, W. R. Southwell ; Librarian, Mrs. Maria Elmer.
The common schools of Bridgeton are organized on the " graded system," with grammar, secondary, primary depart- ments. They are governed by a Board of Education, con- sisting of twelve members, chosen for three year terms, four going out annually. The schools are all ably managed, and among the most successful in the country. There are five school buildings. The Pearl Street School, in north Bridge- ton, is the most modern. It is built of brick, three stories ; is heated with steam. The Second Ward School, on South avenue, ranks next, it being same size and style of architecture. The Bank Street School is the oldest in the city. It is a large, three-story frame building. The Third Ward School, on Giles street, and the Vine Street School, are also frame. All the schools are thoroughly equipped with educational appliances, together with latest and best text-books. At the Bank Street School, Prof A. E. Prince, Principal, one hundred and ten scholars are enrolled in the grammar department; one hun- dred and thirty-four in the secondary; two hundred and two in the primary. Second Ward, Prof C. H. Platts, Principal, twenty-four in grammar department ; seventy-three in secon- dary ; two hundred and eighty-five in primary. Third Ward, Prof. E. J. Hitchner, Principal, sixty-five in grammar depart- ment ; ninety-three in secondary ; two hundred and forty-eight in primary. Pearl Street, Miss M. E. Foster, Principal, in secondary, seventy-one ; primary, two hundred and seventy- nine. Total number of children enrolled in the schools, one thousand five hundred and eighty-four. The teachers in charge of the several departments are ladies and gentlemen of ability and culture. They are doing splendid work.
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No city in the country has a better water supply, or a more perfect system of waterworks. East Lake, from which the water supply is chiefly obtained, is fed by a stream which rises in a cedar swamp. The stream is five miles long, and its waters are as clear as crystal. The lake has a storage capacity of 90,000,000 gallons. From the lake the water passes into a Retaining Reservoir near the dam, which has a storage of 2,000,000 gallons. It is pumped thence to the Distributing Reservoir, situate on East Commerce street, at an elevation of 103 feet above high-water mark in the Cohansey river. It has a capacity of 1,500,000 gallons. The water is forced through a sixteen inch main to the Distributing Reser- voir by a compound duplex Worthington engine, which has a pumping capacity of 1,000,000 gallons per day. This is sup- plemented by a Blake pump which adds 500,000 gallons every twenty-four hours. Two boilers of thirty and eighty horse- power respectively, are required to furnish the necessary steam. Recently the water supply has been increased by putting down a well a short distance below the retaining reservoir. It is thirty feet in diameter, and twenty feet in depth, and is sunk through pure white sand, from which an abundance of pure water has been secured. Temperature of water in the well from fifty-three to fifty-six degrees. Temperature in surface water of East Lake ninety degrees. The well yields 500,000 gallons of pure water per day. The daily consumption of water by the city is 247,000 gallons. The plan of distribution covers the entire city. There are sixteen miles of pipes, with 1,100 taps, and about the same number of houses supplied. The mains are eleven inches in diameter, with three-inch galvanized-iron connections. The office and engine house are located near East Lake, on Commerce street, in a commodious brick structure of fine appearance. The works were built for the city in the year 1887, by Engineer I. S. Cassin, of Philadelphia. Under the management of Superintendent Timothy Woodruff they have been a success from the beginning.
The City of Bridgeton.
LOCATION, ATTRACTIONS, ADVANTAGES.
The City of Bridgeton is located in a region remarkable both for situation and climate. It is the shire town of the rich and fertile county of Cumberland. The business centre of the city lies directly along the Cohansey, a navigable stream spanned by three handsome bridges, and most of the indus- trial and manufacturing establishments are within a few rods of the river. The heart of the city is a valley which gradually rises into elevations both to the east and west. The town itself covers a territory about three miles in breadth, and more than four miles from its northern to its southern boundary.
A CHARMING LOCATION.
The country round about is of a charming character, part hill, part woodland, with lake and pond nestling here and there in picturesque beauty. Few towns possess such a varied landscape, or such attractiv^e surroundings. The drives from the city to the rich agricultural region beyond, disclose many beautiful views of farmhouse and farm lands, occupied and cultivated by an industrious and prosperous people.
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RICH IN NATURAL SCENERY.
The vicinity is ricli in natural scenery, as the numerous views along the Raceway, at the Tumbling Dam Pond, at East Lake, on Jeddy's, and on the Cohansey, near the South Jersey Institute, fully attest. So romantic, indeed, are many of the drives and walks near the lakes and streams of suburban Bridgeton, that one \yho has traveled much, both in Europe and America, has recently declared, that in all his journeyings, he has rarely gazed on scenes of greater loveli- ness than those to be found at the head of the Cohansey, near the silvery waterfall at the Dam.
A MILD CLIMATE.
The latitude is that of Baltimore, Maryland, the average temperature being about thirty-two degrees in winter and seventy in summer. While severe weather occasionally pre- vails in the winter months, and heat at periods of the summer, the seasons, as a whole, are mild and healthful. The spring and fall months are delightful. There is no rai7iy season of half a year, as upon the Pacific slope; or long weeks of dronth, as on tlic plains of Kansas ; or terrible ivinds and bitmg blasts, as in ice-bound Minnesota ; or months of ititense heat, to parch the earth, and compel irrigation, as in Colorado ; neither is there epidemic of fever or the touch of malaria, as in the sunny lands of the South. On the contrary, there is an abundance of sunshine, and a wholesome quantity of rain, with the coming and going seasons in the fullness of time, bringing each in their turn, the bud, the blossom, the flower, and the "full corn in the ear." Nowhere on the earth's surface, take it all in all, can there be found a more genial climate or more productive soil than that of Bridgeton and its vicinit\'.
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RICH SOIL, FRUITFUL RETURNS.
The vegetable kingdom finds its true home in Cumber- land county, while our fi."uits cannot be surpassed in any quarter of the globe. One need not go to California for a home, when the grape, the plum, the pear, the apple, the peach, can be produced as prolific and as luscious here.
COUNTY FACTS AND FIGURES.
According to the census of 1880, Cumberland county agricultural products were — wheat, 157,952 bushels; corn, 602,546 bushels; oats, 63,324 bushels; buckwheat, 3,162 bushels; rye, 4,131 bushels. Dairy products on farms — 72,000 gallons of milk ; 282,040 pounds of butter, and 886 pounds of cheese. There were in the county, 3,849 horses, 419 mules and jacks ; 59 working oxen ; 5,139 milch cows; 3,485 other cattle; 3,663 sheep; 6,979 swine. There were 291 manufacturing establishments, with ^1,706,834 capital; number of hands employed, 5,085; wages paid, ^735,416; value of goods manufactured, :$3, 35 1,730. Since then the county has largely increased in population, manufactures and agriculture. It is believed that the census of 1890 will show a population of at least fifty thousand. Located in the midst of such a prosperous agricultural and manufacturing commu- nity, Bridgeton is indeed fortunate.
IMMIGRATION INVITED.
In the midst of so many great advantages, with freedom from the tornado and earthquake, a death rate of barely seventeen persons to the thousand per annum, Bridgeton is
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encompassed 'round and about by almost every blessing which it is possible for man to receive. Wh)', then, should the young man turn his face westward, or the old man sigh for a home in other lands ? Immigration is invited to come hither, as it certainly will when the resources and advantages of Bridgeton are better known and understood by the outside world. In no other section are the people better housed, better clothed, better fed, or more generally prosperous.
THE FINEST MARKET.
The Bridgeton markets are filled to repletion with the choicest meats, finest fruits and vegetables, fish, oysters, poultry and game in their respective seasons. Prices are reasonable, especially as to meats, while butter and eggs rarely exceed twenty-five cents per pound, or twenty cents per dozen. Milk can be had from four to six cents per quart, and of superior quality. The surrounding countiy, through its many Avell-tilled farms, furnishes the cit\^ with fresh produce every day.
RENTS REASONABLE.
Rents are reasonable, the best houses with modern improvements, gas and water, can be had for from tweh'e to fifteen dollars per month.
A CITY OF HOMES.
Bridgeton is pre-eminently a cit)' of homes. The greater portion of the inhabitants own the houses in which they live, and because of this fact there is more interest taken in home improvements, and more security for life and property. It is also well eoverned.
L«IC. U <^
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NEARNESS TO THE GREAT CITIES.
Philadelphia and New York, the two imperial cities of the continent, are within a few hours by rail. For the former city seven trains leave Bridgeton daily, five by West Jersey Railroad, and two by the New Jersey Central. Close commu- nication is also had with the great watering places on the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean. Cape May, Atlantic City, Long Branch, Ocean Grove, Sea Isle City, Holly Beach, Anglesea, and other popular resorts, are at our very doors. It is only two hours sail from Bridgeton by river to the sea, and a shorter time by rail.
ADVANTAGES ON THE SOUTH.
On the south the city is brought, by the Cumberland and Maurice River Railroad, to the mouth of the great river from whose famous cove come the celebrated oysters so much in demand in all the city markets. Connection is also had by the same road with many towns in Cumberland and Cape May counties. This road opens up a broad country and thrifty people, who add much to the business interests of Bridgeton.
LOW TAXES— ECONOMICAL GOVERNMENT.
While the city has the electric light, a splendid system of water works, good roads and streets, first-class schools and other modern improvements, yet the taxes are low. The rate per one hundred dollars of assessed property has never yet exceeded $i.6o. Property is taxed for two-thirds value, and not for the whole as in other towns and cities. The City Government is economically administered.
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SPECIAL MANUFACTURING ADVANTAGES.
Manufacturers locating in Briclgeton have special advan- tages guaranteed them. By an act of the New Jersey Legislature —
All capital employed in manufacturing in Bridgeton, to the amount of ten thousand dollars and upward, is exempt from city tax for a period of ten years.
With the many fine manufacturing sites offered at low rates, a number of them free, on both sides of the Cohansey River, and in other sections of the city, coupled with other great advantages, capital ca7i have no more inviting field.
;^2, 143,000 capital is invested in the manufacturing establishments of Bridgeton. Number of hands employed, 3,718. Wages paid per annum, ;^ 1, 043, 500. Value of manu- factured product, $2,759,000.
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