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1330337
GENEALOGY COL-LECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
3 1833 02248 3546
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ENGLEWOOD.
ITS ANNALS AND REMINISCENCES.
We have a strong City; Salvation will God appoint
for tvalls and bulwarks.
ENGLEWOOD.
c-
ITS ANNALS AND REMINISCENCES.
BY
J. A. HUMPHREY.
ILLUSTRATED.
J. S. OGILVIE PUBLISHING CO.
NEW YORK.
Copyrighted, 1899,
BY
J. A. HUMPHREY.
1330337
PREFACE.
The object of this volume is to place
on record events in the history of Engle-
wood for the last forty years, also to
keep in memory those who were its
pioneers and founders.
The writer entered upon this duty
with reluctance, as he would have much
preferred to have left it to other hands
more capable than his.
Kealizing that the annals of this city
should be written by one familiar with
its affairs from the beginning, and not
knowing how long that one may be per-
mitted to remain, is the writer's apology
for attempting the task.
vi PREFACE.
It is written mostly from memory, as
very few of the incidents are on record.
It is not intended to narrate the history
of men and affairs of to-day, except as
they form links in the chain of beings
that extends back into years that have
past.
The author has not intended to give a
detailed history of societies and institu-
tions, but to notice them in a general
way.
He asks the reader to be kind in his
criticisms, and tread gently over the im-
prefections of this little work.
J. A. H.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER. PAGE.
I. A Retrospective View 11
II. A Flight of Fancy 16
III. The Habits and Customs of the People . . 18
IV. Emigration to the Suburbs 20
V. The Birth of Englewood 21
VI. The Northern Railroad 25
VII. The First to Arrive 28
VIII. Englewood's Early Residents 30
IX. An Excursion 32
X. A Scarcity of Supplies 39
XL Moving to the Country 41
XII. Welcomed by the Original Inhabitants . 43
XIII. The Church Remembered 45
XIV. Contributions to the First Church 49
XV. Building in the Palisades Forest 51
XVI. A Large Undertaking 53
XVII. Building a New Town 58
XVIII. Malaria and Mosquitoes 62
XIX. When our Wells Ran Dry 64
XX. Effect of the Civil War 66
XXI. Our First Tonsorial Professor 69
XXII. A Railroad Experience 70
XXIII. The Liberty Pole Tavern 72
XXIV. Our First Postmaster 76
XXV. Our First Physician SO
viii CONTENTS.
CHAPTER. PAGE .
XXVI. Prosperous Times 83
XXVII. Our Schools 96
XXVIII. The Hospital 101
XXIX. The Field Club 105
XXX. Englewood Golf Club 110
XXXI. Music and Song 113
XXXII. Planting Trees 115
XXXIII. Fruit Trees 117
XXXIV. An Old Orchard 119
XXXV. Drainage 121
XXXVI. Anticipating Wants 122
XXXVII. The Canal Company 125
XXXVIII. Roads 127
XXXIX. Village Improvement Society 128
XL. The Protection Society 130
XLI. An Exciting Incident 137
XLII. The Old Ravine 139
XLIII. The Little Park near the Depot 141
XLIV. The Old Saw Mill 143
XLV. An Old Ice Pond 145
XLVI. The Press 148
XLVII. Englewood Sewer Co 151
XLVIII. A Swiss Mountain Road 152
XLIX. New York and New Jersey Bridge Com-
pany 155
L. Celebrating the Election of President
Grant in 1868 157
LI. A Surrender to Our Flag 160
LII. A Revival of Business 162
mi. A New Presbyterian Church 165
LIV. A Methodist Church 169
LV. The Catholic Church 171
LVI. The Episcopal Church 173
LVII. A Picnic on the Palisades 175
CONTENTS. ix
CHAPTER. PAGE.
LVIII. Speculating Beyond the Limits of the
Town 178
LIX. The Panic of 1873 180
LX. The Tables Turned 181
LXI. The Palisades Land Company 183
LXII. Speculation in Oil 185
LXIII. Purchasing a Gas Machine 187
LXTV. The Bergen County Gas Company 189
LXV. Water Introduced 191
LXVL Brookside Cemetery 192
LXVII. An Auction Sale 195
LXVIII. A Contest with a Burglar 199
LXIX. Our Oldest Master Builders 204
LXX. An ex-Tammany Sheriff 205
LXXI. A Chapter on Taxes 206
LXXII. Good Templars 208
LXXni. Catholic Societies 209
LXXrV. Tuscan Lodge F. and A. M., No. 115. . . . 210
LXXV. Odd Fellows 212
LXXVI. The Royal Arcanum 213
LXXVH. Dwight Post 215
LXXVIII. Loan and Building Association 217
LXXIX. The Daughters of the Revolution 218
LXXX. The Woman's Exchange 221
LXXXI. The Lyceum 223
LXXXII. Daisy Melds 225
LXXXIII. A New Church 229
LXXXD7. Our Fire Department 233
LXXXV. A City of Dwellings 335
LXXXVI. The Character of Our City 237
CO
GO
ENGLEWOOD.
I.
A RETROSPECTIVE VIEW.
As time rolls on we love to look back
into the bygone regions of the past — a
region we all must enter some day — as
we belong to a vast chain of beings with
every link united, either in written or
unwritten history. How pleasant then to
let our thoughts return to scenes and
friends of long ago.
My object in writing a brief history of
our village is to preserve the memory of
its founders, before the last one departs
and is forgotten; and to give in detail
some of the events it has passed through
from the time the first steam whistle
12 ENGLEWOOD.
awoke the echoes of the Palisades to the
period when the Township Committee
handed its affairs over to the new city
government. In other words to compare
the past with the present. It may in-
terest those who are to-day enjoying the
lights and shadows of Englewood, its
well-paved streets, its shady walks, and
handsome lawns, with forests of trees
that protect you from summer heat, with
waters that flow through every dwelling
as they pass to the ocean.
Ours was a dear little village for many
years, with all its old-time hospitality
extended to each other in everyday life,
a place where we knew every one as we
knew the shrubs and flowers in our gar-
dens. We became strongly united, more
by mutual interests and obligations than
kindred ties. It was a union of earnest
workers associated by a community of
rights and interests. They loved nature
in all its varied forms of life ; they loved
ENQLEWOOD. 13
it as a picture and not as a scientific
study.
Their object in inviting others to join
them in making this their home was that
they might have friends and neighbors
to share in the benefits that were sure to
accrue. Speculation never entered the
minds of the first settlers when they
came here, but it forced itself upon them
naturally and from necessity. If we
trace their history one by one, we shall
find that their labors were a contribution
to the community, with very little gain
to themselves.
They found poor soil, rough and un-
cultivated fields, no fences, streets,
lawns or shade ; and all the comforts of
modern civilization were wanting.
The gallinaceous quail and partridge
sang their motherly songs and raised
their young in the fields and forests un-
molested, until the sharp crack of the
village sportsman's rifle silenced them.
14 ENGLEWOOD.
The coming of the early inhabitants of
Englewood was more than an incident in
their lives — it was an event that has be-
come history. Their lives were a succes-
sion of events, the issue of which is seen
on every hand. It was a pleasure for
them to lay off the commercial harness
and spend a portion of their years in
transferring broad acres into lawns and
gardens.
"Where they could unconcern'dly find
Hours, days, and years slide softly away,
In health of body, peace of mind
Quiet by day.
"Sound sleep by night; study and ease,
Together mixed ; sweet recreation;
And innocence, which most does please,
With meditation."
Bound together in a common lot, these
early settlers spent much time in friendly
consultation for the common good.
ENGLEWOOD. 15
They worked by faith ; as to land among
strangers, surrounded by barren fields,
with very few inhabitants, buy real es-
tate, map it out, and plant a depot are
evidences that an unseen hand guides the
undeveloped germs in our minds.
16 ENQLEWOOD.
II.
A FLIGHT OF FANCY.
While spending the summer of 1859 at
the Getty House, in the village of Yonk-
ers, I often looked dreamily across the
Hudson River toward the west, and won-
dered what there was beyond those
mighty Palisades — rocky heights that
rose five hundred feet perpendicularly
above the river, and crowned by a dense
forest that seemed strangely wild and
out of place so near the great city. I
was told that beyond the western slope of
these mountains a broad and fertile val-
ley extended from New York City to
Piermont, a distance of twenty -five
miles. And that its inhabitants had no
means of communicating with the city
except by stage or private conveyance.
L_
T^f-
ENGLEWOOD. 17
The valley was watered by a stream that
ages ago was a mighty river. I was also
informed that a railroad had just been
completed, where not only the inhabi-
tants of the valley could have rapid com-
munication with the city, but where the
people of the great and growing metrop-
olis could find rest and fresh air as well
as ramble through the sweet-scented
fields and forests of New Jersey.
Conducting business in the City of
New York and retiring to the country at
the close of the day was hardly thought
of at that time. Yonkers was but a
small village, and the Oranges, with one
exception, had not appeared in history.
A township then would make a good-
sized county to-day. Hackensack Town-
ship extended to the Hudson River, and
Englewood Township did not exist until
1871. A tax on a house and lot in 1861
would hardly pay a dog tax to-day.
18 ENQLEWQOD.
III.
THE HABITS AND CUSTOMS OF THE PEOPLE.
Previous to 1858 the residents of this
valley seldom visited the City of New
York, except strictly for business or to
convey their farm products to market,
as the latter was their principal source
of income. An old stage of ancient de-
sign ran from the "Liberty Pole Hotel,"
an old inn, whose history antedates the
Revolution, to Hoboken. It carried no
mail as the nearest post office was at
Hackensack. It will hardly be realized
that many who were born so near the
city lived to a good old age, and passed
away without ever having walked its
busy streets. The voice of the first steam
whistle awoke to new life the easy-going
ENQLEWOOD. 19
•residents of the valley of the "Over-
peck." The inhabitants were an honest,
industrious people, caring little for the
busy world beyond them. Their friends,
outside of their immediate neighborhood,
were few. The entire population of a
township comprised but a small number
of names, as they married and intermar-
ried, and were nearly all first, second or
third cousins.
Fortunes were slowly accumulated,
and seldom lost, as the people never
speculated. Good health and old age
were the rewards for their contented and
temperate lives.
30 ENGLEWOOD.
IV.
EMIGRATION TO THE SUBURBS.
The population that sleep out of town,
that go to and fro from every great city,
is constantly increasing, and assumes an
air of sympathy for all who cling to the
stifling atmosphere of the city's noisy
streets and the poisonous perfumes of! its
sewers and gas factories. The singing
of birds in the early morning is better
than the noisy horse car or the small ven-
der of garden merchandise under your
front windows.
But there are exceptions to all rules,
as we have seen many delightful people
return to the city after a short expe-
rience in the country. Still there is
always a floating population that is as
restless as the ocean waves.
ENOLEWOOD. 21
V.
THE BIKTH OF ENGLEWOOD.
To Mr. J. Wyman Jones belongs the
credit of first presenting Englewood to
the outside world. Being acquainted
with several of the contractors and
parties engaged in building the "North-
ern Railroad of New Jersey," Mr. Jones
received letters explaining the opportu-
nities this road would offer for opening
new towns along its line. Quick to see
the force of this advice he visited this
valley, and after investigation, wisely
chose the present site of Englewood and
located a station. Mr. J. Wyman Jones
purchased by contract one hundred and
twenty-five acres of land bounded on the
north and south by what is now Palisade
22 ENOLEWOOD.
Avenue, and running from the "Over-
peck Creek" to the Hudson Eiver from
Thomas W. Demarest and Garrett A.
Lydecker, both of English Neighborhood,
Hackensack Township, New Jersey.
Mr. J. Wyman Jones named Utica as his
residence at that time. This contract
previously referred to was made in 1858.
In June, 1859, Mr. Jones invited others
to join him in this purchase. At that
time Messrs. I. Smith Homans, Jr.,
Robert Bayles, and Byran Murray, Jr.,
each took a quarter interest in lands on
the north side of Palisade Avenue.
Mr. J. Wyman Jones, I. Smith Homans,
Jr., and Sheppard Homans were the first
New Yorkers to come into this valley for
a permanent residence after the North-
ern Railroad was completed. Their zeal
and enthusiasm inspired many others to
join them in the new enterprise. J. Wy-
man Jones was practicing law. I. Smith
Homans, Jr., with his father, published
ENGLEWOOD. 23
the "Bankers' Magazine," and Sheppard
Homans was actuary of the Mutual Life
Insurance Company. Mr. I. Smith Ho-
mans, Jr., united with Mr. Jones at this
time and entered heartily into the enter-
prise. In the spring of 1859 a few gentle-
men met to consider a name for the ter-
ritory they had just purchased. To Mr.
J. Wyman Jones is due the credit of pre-
senting the name of Englewood. Several
other names were discussed, but Engle-
wood was adopted. How the name was
presented to the mind of Mr. Jones I
cannot say. The farm above referred to
formerly belonged to and was occupied a
short time before by the Rev. C. T. De-
raarest, whose house was located on the
site of the present Lyceum. In August,
1859, Mr. Jones had the lands surveyed,
and a map of Englewood placed on file in
the office of the county clerk at Hacken-
sack.
At that time the birth of Englewood
24 ENGLEWOOD.
may be said to have taken place. The
territory of the place included six farms,
said farms being long, narrow strips of
land running from the creek to the Hud-
son River. At this time there was no
Palisade Avenue nor even a street. Mr.
Jones had the streets laid out, and gave
the contract for grading and putting
them in order. Stumps of trees had to
be removed along the wooded part of
them to make room for the road.
ENGLEWOOD. 25
VI
"the northern railroad."
The Northern Railroad was completed
about this time. It had wrecked two or
three contractors in its construction, as
was generally the case with new rail-
roads forty years ago. A small station
stood a little south of the old brick one
that was abandoned some time ago.
The road did not pay expenses for some
time. Its bonds were unsalable at
seventy and its stock at fifty cents on a
dollar unless for the purpose of buying
real estate. The little station had a
brilliant christening the first night of its
existence. A ball, attended by the lads
and fair lasses of the valley, was kept rip
until the early hours of the morning, and
26 ENQLEWOOD.
right and left, and all hands around, kept
step with the music of a violin.
The road ran but one train a day for
some time, and one passenger and bag-
gage car accommodated the traveling
public. The trains ran through the open
cut into the Pennsylvania depot for some
years. The company's removal to
Chambers Street met with strong opposi-
tion by many of its patrons. Thomas
W. Demarest was its first president and
John Van Brunt was treasurer and a
director.
The first train must have been an
awakening to the minds of the people of
this vicinity and filled them with aston-
ishment as it went roaring up the valley
like an uncaged lion. It was to be the
last of their isolation from the world.
I presume many timid people made
their wills and parted with reluctance
and fear before taking passage for the
first time.
ENQLEWOOD, 27
C. C. Waters was the first depot mas-
ter. C. W. Chamberlain took charge not
long after and kept it to the satisfaction
of the company and the public for many
years.
28 ENGLEWOOD.
VII.
THE FIRST TO ARRIVE.
If any one will look at the map of
Englewood, filed in 1858, he will observe
that but three houses existed within its
boundaries, one of which stood on the
corner of Palisade Avenue and Engle
Street.
Palisade Avenue was a rough moun-
tain road, opened at first to convey rail-
road ties from the forest of the Palisades
to the valley below.
J. Wyman Jones and family spent the
summer of 1859 at the house of John
Van Brunt, a half a mile south of the
station.
Mr. I. Smith Homans, Sr., and family
moved into the "Dominie Demarest"
ENGLEWOOB. 29
house, corner of the avenue and Engle
Street. This old dwelling was afterward
enlarged and became a young ladies'
high school, which a few years later was
destroyed by fire.
The family of Mr. Homans occupied
the only house on the east side of the
railroad within the boundaries of the
map of Englewood just filed. It ex-
tended its hospitality to the many people
that visited the town. They were a
family of fascinating courtesy, whose
kind attention to strangers attracted
many desirable people to this place.
Their house was a sunny spot to their
numerous friends.
30 ENGLEWOOD.
VIII.
englewood's eakly eesidents.
Me. J. Wyman Jones and Mr. I. Smith
Homans, Jr., devoted more time and en-
ergy in colonizing this valley than any
residents within its boundaries, and they
are most closely identified with the his-
tory of this town. They gave liberally
toward the building of the first depot,
the little stone chapel, the hotel known
as the "Englewood House," the Athe-
naeum, as well as several private resi-
dences, and the laying out and grading
of streets, planting trees, and so forth.
They labored and gave much toward the
building of churches and the establish-
ment of schools.
Mr. Sheppard Homans assisted his
ENOLEWOOD. 31
brother with means to carry on all these
improvements. He was an old and
valued citizen, a delightful companion
who took an active interest in Engle-
wood affairs until his death in 1897.
32 ENGLEWOOD.
IX.
AN EXCUKSION.
One afternoon in the month of October,
1859, Mr. By ran Murray, Jr., stepped
into my place of business, and in coarse
of conversation informed me in glowing
terms of a valley west of the Palisade
forests, watered by the"Overpeck," and
inhabited by an industrious people who
had never enjoyed the benefits of rapid
transit. The writer was also informed
that a railroad had just been completed
to Piermont, a distance of twenty-five
miles from New York. He invited me to
join himself and a number of friends on
an excursion over this new road to the
new station of Englewood. I accepted his
kind invitation, as I had for a long time
ENOLEWOOD. 83
desired to exchange the conventional
life of a noisy city for forests, fields and
streams.
On a beautiful morning in the month
of October Messrs. J. Wyman Jones, I.
Smith Homans, Robert Baylis, Bryan
Murray, Jr., George S. Coe, Nathan T.
Johnson, and the writer, took a train for
Englewood, a new station on the "North-
ern Railroad," about fourteen miles from
New York. It was a day to impress a
lover of nature. The barren fields were
to us an enchanted garden. Well culti-
vated farms sloped down to the valley
from the west. Orchards of golden fruit
and the scattered dwellings of the peace-
ful farmer made a picture to remember.
The densely wooded Palisades on our
right, and the well watered valley, were
a revelation. The golden hues of autumn
illuminated all nature. We arrived on
time; there was no Englewood to greet
us except in name. Not a lot had been
34 ENGLEWOOD.
sold, not a building erected ; but nature
was here in all her glorious dress. We
alighted at the little rough and ready
station and after viewing our surround-
ings started for the home of Mr. I. Smith
Homans, Sr., where we were kindly wel-
comed, and invited to partake of a lunch-
eon that we shall ever remember with
pleasure. After resting a short time we
started out on the highway that led to
the Hudson River. Undulating waves
like the billows of the ocean carried us
from plain to plain, from the valley to
the Palisades, as the road ascends by
successive valleys and plains ail the way
to the river. The air was laden with the
breath of autumn; the sun shed a soft
and mellow light; all nature was vocal
with the song of birds, and the hum of
insect life filled the air. When we ar-
rived nearly opposite the present Pres-
byterian Church, my eye rested upon a
beautiful piece of rolling ground, over
1330337
ENGLEWOOD. 35
which not a tree or a shrub cast a
shadow. In a business point of view I
had gone far enough. It was love at
first sight; I would have purchased that
field then and there; I said, "If you wish
me to make my dwelling in Englewood,
there must be my home." This announce-
ment caused a little embarrassment to
two of the gentlemen present, as they
had selected that identical spot for their
homes. A desire to secure new settlers
caused them to seriously consider the
matter. After a few days' reflection, and
upon my promise to erect a dwelling the
following spring or return the land, I
was permitted to make the purchase.
This plot of ground contained six acres,
and had a frontage of six hundred feet
on the present Palisade Avenue. I had
been so accustomed to city lots that this
seemed like a small farm. My house
was completed in the time specified, and
was occupied early in the spring of 1860.
36 ENGLEWOOD.
To my personal property I added the
usual household pets, which included a
cat, a black and tan, and an animal to
supply us with butter and milk. These
animals all disappeared by accident, or
otherwise ; the dog lost his bark under
the wheels of a butcher's cart, and the
bovine lost her life in an attempt to de-
rail a train running ten miles an hour.
Nearly every one kept a cow at that
time, as the fields were all unfenced and
pasturage was free. This was the first
contract given out, and the first dwelling
built in Englewood after it received its
name.
We continued our excursion to the
Palisades. From that elevation a beau-
tiful prospect was unfolded to view ; we
were surrounded by the silent forests,
where cool shadows lie, looked down five
hundred feet to the waters of the Hud-
son, and viewed its floating commerce
as it passed to and fro on its business
ENGLEWOOD. 37
mission. Then across to its eastern
shore, stretching along like a fairy land,
thence over the Sound to the distant
cities and villages of Long Island.
Notwithstanding these scenes have
grown old like a garment — lost their
novelty, and change of dress, the reader
can hardly realize how beautiful, new,
and fascinating they were to us at that
time. The dust under our feet seemed
grains of gold, and the views seemed
priceless. We returned to the fields be-
low, and continued through wild and
tangled underbrush, over stone walls,
and through shadowy lanes to the pres-
ent village of Tenafly.
On these elevated plains there was
very little cultivation; stone walls of
ancient construction, weeds, and wild
vines covered the fields. Very little
farm produce was raised on the east side
of the valley. Rough roads and foot
paths led from each farm up into the
38 ENGLEWOOD.
mountains. These roads were used by
the farmers to transport their fuel, and
lumber. In those days we used to roam
the forests in search of game without
much fear of poisonous reptiles, but since
that time, the farmer having retired,
thick underbrush has grown up, the cop-
perhead is unmolested, and primeval
darkness, and silence reign. After a
delightful tramp we returned to the
station full of enthusiam for the land we
had discovered. The wild and unculti-
vated surroundings pleased us. Fortu-
nately our youth and ambition fitted us
for the years of toil and labor that lay
unseen in the unrevealed future.
This excursion meant more for all of
us than we realized at the time. On
that day was laid the foundation of a
city, and we were unconsciously drawing
together in a close friendship which was
to continue through our lives.
BNGLEWOOD. 39
X.
A SCARCITY OF SUPPLIES.
Foe some time we had to buy our
marketing and groceries, in fact all our
family supplies, in New York, as the
only grocery store was a very small
one kept by Mr. John Van Brunt, and
situated about a mile south of this
village. We had no market or shop
of any kind. It was not unusual for
the heads of families to carry their bas-
kets to and from the trains every day.
The streets were new and we were
obliged to drive through Jersey mud and
deep sands, our wheels often sinking to
the hubs. Our walks were nature's
walks chiefly — almost impassable. If
we missed a train, which sometimes oc-
40 ENOLEWOOD.
curred, we would drive to Hoboken or
remain at home; but distance and time
have been annihilated by rapid-running
and frequent trains. Going to and from
the country is a simple matter compared
to forty years ago.
ENGLEWOOD. 41
XI.
MOVING TO THE COUNTEY.
The early settler had to occupy farm-
houses wherever he could find accommo-
dation until new homes were erected. A
great many families were settled miles
away, families that afterward came to
live within the village limits. The
writer with his family went to reside
with Mr. J. W. Deuell, the school teacher,
until his house was completed. Mr. By-
ron Murray boarded with the same
family. In this house was born the first
child that was a native of Englewood
after the place was named.
Englewood has to-day over six thou-
sand inhabitants. On the 15th day of
August, 1859, a map of Englewood was
filed, of which the one shown in this
42 ENOLEWOOD.
volume is a copy. On this map there are
shown but three houses, one on the east
side of the railroad, and two on the Ten-
afly road. These were all farmhouses.
The only roads used by the old in-
habitants that were laid out when this
map was filed was the road now styled
Grand Avenue, which ran north to Pali-
sade Avenue; thence to the old "Liberty
Pole Tavern," where one branched off to
Schralenberg, another southwesterly to-
ward Teaneck, and one to Tenafly.
Hudson Terrace was to have been a
beautiful drive along the margin of the
Palisades, but for some unfortunate rea-
son was abandoned.
The names on this map are those of
the owners of the land when it was
filed. Mr. J. Wyman Jones soon con-
trolled, either by contract or deed, the
most of these lands, but others soon be-
came interested with him in the pur-
chase and development.
ENGLEWOOD. 43
XII.
WELCOMED BY THE ORIGINAL INHABITANTS.
The people that occupied their farms
in the vicinity of Englewood welcomed
the new settlers with friendly hospitality,
and allowed them the freedom of their
fields and gardens. The following are
among those who are entitled to thanks
for assistance rendered the founders of
this village:
Thomas W. Demarest, John Van Brunt,
James Vanderbeek, Garret A. Lydecker,
Cornelius Lydecker, Henry J. De Mott,
William H. DeRonde, Solomon Banta,
J. J. De Mott, R. P. Wurtendyke, and
many others.
These gentlemen have always taken a
deep interest in Englewood affairs.
44 ENQLEWOOD.
Mr. Cornelius Lydecker became inter-
ested at once in the purchase and sale of
property, and in assisting to advance the
interests of the town. He was a state
senator at one time, and became a lead-
ing politician in Bergen County.
ENQLEWOOD. 45
XIII.
THE CHURCH REMEMBERED.
A place of worship was one of the first
things to be thought of after the name of
Englewood was given to this town. Mr.
J. Wynian Jones and I. Smith Homans,
Jr., donated the most beautiful spot in
the town for a church, which will ever
remain a monument to their foresight
and generosity. The little stone chapel
that stands at the entrance of the Brook-
side Cemetery was built on the site of
the present Presbyterian Church, and
completed in the spring of 1860.
As time passed on and the numbers of
worshippers increased, it was enlarged
twice, but was soon found to be too
small, when it was removed to the ceme-
46 ENQLEWOOD.
tery grounds and re- erected, stone by
stone.
The worshippers in the little chapel
came frcm every point of the compass
and represented many different denomi-
nations. There were Episcopalians, Bap-
tists, Presbyterians, Dutch Reformed,
and Congregationalists. A meeting was
called to determine the denomination to
be adopted. The Presbyterians being in
a majority that form was decided upon.
It was organized the 30th day of May,
1860. A call was immediately placed in
the hands of the Rev. James H. Dwight,
who had been minister to the Union Con-
gregation. The call was accepted and on
the 20th of June, 1860, Mr. Dwight was
installed first pastor. He continued in
office until 1867, when in consequence of
ill health he was obliged to retire and
seek rest. On the 19th of September,
1867, the Rev. Henry M. Booth was or-
dained and installed as minister of this
ENQLEWOOD. 47
church. His pastoral relations continued
twenty -five years with wonderful suc-
cess. Dr. Booth was very much beloved
by his people, who parted with him be-
cause of failing health. His departure
from Englewood was very much regretted
by all, without regard to creed or de-
nomination. Although absent his influ-
ence remains, and will continue for years
to come. He was a true Christian
teacher, whose footsteps led to the cot-
tage of the poor as well as the mansion
of the rich.
This religious society was formed with
eighteen members from different
churches. From this body three elders
were chosen as follows:
Charles B. Nicholas, James Vander-
beek, Sheppard Homans. The first
deacons elected were John J. DeMott and
J. Wyman Jones. The names of the
persons organizing this church are as
follows: Mrs. Isabella S. McCulloch,
48 ENGLEWOOD.
M. H. Church, Mrs. Caroline H. Church,
Sheppard Homans, Mrs. Sallie S. Ho-
mans, William B. Dwight, Charles A.
Nichols, Jeffrey A. Humphrey, Mrs.
Julia F. Humphrey, John E. Jones, Mrs.
John E. Jones, J. Wyman Jones, Mrs.
Harriet Dana Jones, Mrs. Margaret
Fisher, James Vanderbeek, Mrs. Mar-
garet Vanderbeek, Mrs. Margaret Van
Brunt.
The Rev. James H. Dwight came from
Cherry Valley, New York, where his first
ministerial work was performed. When
»
he came here the outlook was not bril-
liant for a young minister. His faith in
the growth of the town was all he had
to encourage him. The little church he
started had but seventeen members, but
through his earnest and devoted labors
it rapidly increased in numbers until his
resignation through ill health in 1867.
He was much beloved by all his parish-
ioners who parted with him with regret.
Rev. James Harrison Dwioht.
ENQLEWOOD. 40
XIV.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE FIRST CHURCH.
I have before me the original paper
circulated in October, 1860, by the trus-
tees of the first church organized in
Englewood for the purpose of raising-
money to complete and furnish the same
at once. The names and amounts sub-
scribed are in the handwriting of the con-
tributors, and as I survey this time-eaten
document I am reminded that out of
seventeen signers but four are living.
This chapel was occupied seven or eight
years when it was removed to the ceme-
tery. I will only copy a part of the
paper presented for subscribers. It reads
as follows: "The undersigned trus-
tees of the Englewood chapel are desirous
50 ENGLEWOOD.
of having it completed and warming and
lighting the same building, the stone
wall, grading the grounds, etc." This
amount was raised and the chapel turned
over to the trustees free from debt. The
following were the trustees and the
amounts subscribed: I. Smith Homans,
Jr., John Van Brunt, J. Wyman Jones.
SUBSCRIBERS.
J. Wyman Jones, $250; I. S. and S. Ho-
mans, $150; John Van Brunt, $100;
Nathan T. Johnson, $100; J. A. Hum-
phrey, $100; C. A. Nichols, $50; B.
Murray and R. Bayles, $50; George S.
Coe, $50; F. Howland, $50; John J. De
Mott, $50; Blauvelt & Bogart, $25; Will-
iam Blanchard, $25; W. A. Bremer, Jr.,
$10; S. S. Wood, Jr., $10; H. Van Zandt,
$10; J. H. Lyell, $10; Hiram Slocum,
$10.
ENQLEWQOD. 51
XV.
BUILDING IN THE PALISADES FOEEST.
The first house erected in the forest of
the Palisades was in the fall of 1860.
This house was about one-half mile from
the Hudson River and was built by
Nathan T. Johnson. It was framed in
Boston, brought to the foot of the Pali-
sades by water, taken to the foundation
prepared for it and completed. After
occupying it several years Mr. Johnson
disposed of it to Colonel Henry W.
Banks. This house was later destroyed
by fire and an elegant stone mansion was
erected in its place by Colonel Banks.
Mr. Nathan T. Johnson was one of the
most active and enterprising men ever in
this town. He gave up his business in
52 ENGLEWOOD.
New York and devoted the rest of his life
to the advancement of Englewood inter-
ests.
Much of his time was given to public
affairs, and he filled many offices of
public trust; he also became with others
greatly interested not only in property in
this village, but in lands beyond the
borders of the township. He never had
an enemy and died beloved and respected
by all.
ENGLEWOOD. 53
XVI.
A LARGE UNDERTAKING.
Mr. Nathan T. Johnson, Mr. J. Wyman
Jones, Mr. I. Smith Homans, and the
writer undertook in 1861 to purchase all
the lands on the Palisades, running north
from the avenue to "Clinton Point," a
distance of two miles, and extending
back to the valley. Every farm was
purchased but one. As the sequel
proved our prophetic judgment was at
fault, for the shadows of these forests
deepened and very little improvement
followed.
This is now and always will be a beau-
tiful spot, and the want of easy comuni-
cation is the only cause of its remaining
a forest.
54 ENOLEWOOB.
The following is a copy of a legal docu-
ment signed by these four gentlemen foi
the purchase and sale of this large tract
of land. I copy it to show what advanced
ideas for the future of the Palisades we
had at that time. The document reads
as follows:
"This indenture, made the first day of
March, 1860, between Nathan T. Johnson
and Jeffrey A. Humphrey, both of the
City of New York, parties of the first
part, and J. Wyman Jones and I. Smith
Homans, Jr., of Englewood, New Jersey,
parties of the second part, witnesseth
that the said parties of the first part have
heretofore purchased by the agency and
personal assistance of J. Wyman Jones
and I. Smith Homans, Jr., comprising
said party of the second part, several
parcels of land situate in the County of
Bergen, fronting on the Palisades herein
mentioned, for the purpose of selling
such lands at an advanced price, and
ENGLEWOOD. 55
upon speculation, and such lands were
purchased under an agreement that the
said parties of the first part should ad-
vance and furnish the money for the pay-
ment of the price thereof, and the parties
of the second part should attend to the
purchase thereof, and that the profits
should be equally divided." The agree-
ment goes on to describe each parcel
separately. The price paid fcr said
lands was from one hundred to one hun-
dred and fifty dollars per acre.
The agreement was witnessed and
signed by each in a legal manner This
extensive purchase, especially as Engle-
wood was in its infancy, and as I did not
know but we might be induced to include
the whole of Bergen County, rather
startled me. So in October, 1860, I sold
out all my interests to Nathan T. John-
son. Not that I doubted the wisdom of
the purchase, but being in business in
New York I concluded to sell my interest
56 ENGLEWOOD.
and improve lands in the village. At
this time the same four gentlemen
bought three acres of land on Engle
Street, and built the Englewood House.
The building of the Englewood House
was a grand conception, as from its por-
tals a large percentage of its guests
issued into homes they had built here
and became valuable members of its
society. It has never been in any sense
a hotel. It has been a family home. It
has fulfilled its mission by enriching the
town if it has not always returned large
dividends to its proprietors. It was the
real estate exchange of Englewood.
This house was the social center of
Englewood for many years, and was the
means of making the village known to a
great number who remained and became
valuable citizens.
Among the first proprietors was Mr.
Kingsley, who kept the Irving House in
Broadway, New York, and later the Con-
a
o
o
ft
ft
I
a
ft
H
ENGLEWOOD. 57
tinental in Philadelphia. Many a de-
lightful social gathering took place at
this house in these days.
There was hardly a family in Engle-
wood twenty years ago that had not
spent a certain time within its walls.
Receptions and dancing parties were
often held here; billiard tables and bowl-
ing alleys were well patronized.
Of the many summer hotels that flour-
ished along the railroad from New York
to Nyack, the Englewood House was the
only hotel that escaped destruction by
fire. Many hotels were erected through
this valley that are deserving of much
credit for the part they performed in
colonizing the different towns from New
York to Nyack. Many dwellings were
built in 1860. J. S. Messenger, Henry
Van Zandt, Mr. Crowell, R. K. Cook all
built on the avenue west of the Presby-
terian Church. J. S. Messenger now occu-
pies the house built by him years ago.
58 ENQLEWOOD.
CHAPTER XVII.
BUILDING A NEW TOWN.
Englewood having spread her sails for
a-voyage of life, there was a great de-
mand for mechanics and laboring men of
all kinds. Houses had to be built for
the occupation of all sorts and conditions
of men, and material for their construc-
tion must naturally be brought from a
distance. Many inconveniences had to
be endured for a long time. Wells and
cisterns must be excavated, fences built,
hedges, trees and shrubs planted.
There was scarcely a tree to be seen on
the land now occupied in this village.
Our professional men and mechanics
came from a distance.
The Rev. James H. Dwight and Wil-
ENGLEWOOD 59
liam B. Dwight came from Utica, Mr.
Fowler from Cherry Valley, Mr. Henry
Jones, John E. Jones and William 0.
Davis from Utica.
In 1860 the valley beween the Teaneck
Bidge and the Palisades, south to New
York Bay and Snake Hill was free from
obstructions of any kind. It was neces-
sary to import the laboring man. To
provide him a home a piece of land was
purchased in the valley, and about a
dozen small double houses were hastily
erected. They were scattered over six
or eight acres of land which might have
been sold for water lots, as there was no
drainage, and this land was overflowed
several times a year. The landlord often
collected his rent in rubber boots on a
raft, and often not at all. These scat-
tered houses were finally removed to a
less conspicuous locality and look like a
row of bath houses on a sandy beach as
you enter the town horn, the south.
60 ENOLEWOOD.
One of these houses was once a scene
of an attempted Irish eviction. The
landlord found it impossible to collect
his rent, the New Jersey laws being too
slow for the owner's purpose. So a car-
penter was employed to take out the
doors and windows, remove the roof,
carry all to his shop and repair them
some time. The windows and doors were
removed, but the spectators increasing
rapidly, the removal of the roof was
countermanded. The occupant of this
humble dwelling stood in the opening
where the door should have been, using
language not proper to repeat. The car-
penter with his load returned to his shop,
the owner to his other duties, to await
developments. These came in the form
of a summons to appear at "Fort Lee,"
as Englewood's justice of the peace had
not arrived. The landlord appeared be-
fore Judge Fitzgerald, where, having po-
litical influence, he came off victorious.
ENOLEWOOD. 61
Developments continued, as the owner
was summoned to appear at Hackensack
before Judge Knapp. When asked
whether he was guilty or not guilty he
pleaded ignorance of the law and escaped
with a fine of five dollars. This expe-
rience was enough for a lifetime. The
landlord ordered the windows and doors
restored. The tenant left and he was
happy.
62 ENGLEWOOD.
XVIII.
MALARIA AND MOSQUITOES.
As New Jersey is said to be the home
of the mosquito it is not strange that
upon arriving we found a few in this val-
ley. We did not encourage or cultivate
that aggressive, musical insect, as he lives
on foul air, malaria and human gore.
Since our town has been thoroughly
drained and our lawns well trimmed, this
disturber of our peace has disappeared
to South Jersey, with headquarters at
Bergen Point. We had trouble with this
insect in early days when inviting emi-
gration to this town, as we all know
they are the enemy of man and beast,
have no friends, and are despised by a
mule.
ENGLEWOOD. 63
"Are there mosquitoes in Englewood?"
was the question asked and repeated by
all contemplating a residence here.
Fortunately that question is seldom
asked to-day.
Malaria departed about the same time
as the mosquito, and is seldom heard
of at the present time. It was disagree-
ably present for several years after
Englewood was founded. Want of drain-
age and bringing decayed vegetable
matter to the surface caused this nox-
ious disease to come to the front. This
is always an objection to emigrants to a
new location, and Englewood was no
exception.
We went as far as the law allowed to-
ward denying its presence to any extent.
It never kills but tortures, and one never
knows whether he has malaria, is tired,
seasick or in love. This disease does not
take to civilization, and with our im-
provements it has disappeared.
04 ENQLEWOOD.
XIX.
WHEN OUR WELLS RUN DRY.
For a long time we suffered for want
of water and drainage. Our tanks were
supplied from wells and cisterns, as all
the water used must be pumped to the
tops of our houses. This often consumed
the time of our servants many hours
each day. Our wells frequently ran dry,
and we were compelled to purchase
water, paying one dollar for each load.
We seemed to have long periods of drouth
in those days, and suffered very much
for the want of refreshing showers.
Lawns were almost destroyed, as they
were newly made. For want of paved
watercourses and culverts our streets
and walks were badly washed by fresh -
ENGLEWOOD. 65
ets. But we did not complain. Tho
seasons went their merry rounds, life had
a rosy hue. We knew in time all things
would come to us when we would enjoy
the fruit of our labors.
I am not sure but there was far more
pleasure in that busy life with all its dis-
comforts than at the present time when
we have so many comforts at hand and
so little to do.
66 ENGLEWOOD.
XX.
EFFECT OF THE CIVIL WAK.
The Civil War checked the growth of
Englewood for several years, and its in-
habitants became imbued with the spirit
of patriotism, when every city, village
and hamlet turned from peaceful pur-
suits to war.
This village made very slow progress
during the period of the rebellion.
A military company was formed under
the captaincy of Nathan T. Johnson. Mr.
Andrew D. Bogart tendered the second
story of his carpenter shop on Palisade
Avenue for a drill room. Some time
after Mr. W. B. Dwight offered a room
in his school building. The town was
on fire with patriotism, and nearly all
ENGLEWOOD. 67
able-bodied men joined the ranks and ap-
peared with their muskets regularly for
drill. Many members of this company
volunteered, entered the Twenty-second
New Jersey regiment and marched to the
defense of their country.
In the autumn of 1861 the Rev. Mr.
Dwight obtained leave of absence to
serve as chaplain of the Sixty -sixth Regi-
ment of New York volunteers. He was
presented with a military outfit, includ-
ing a fine saddle horse, by his friends.
He entered the army with enthusiasm
and earned the name of fighting chaplain.
He served under Burnside, McClellan
and General Richardson, and acted in
many capacities as chaplain, aid-de-
camp, surgeon, etc. He was a brave
soldier and highly respected by his regi-
ment.
Captain William P. Coe, brother of Mr.
George S. Coe, is a veteran of the Civil
War, where he saw much hard service.
68 ENGLEWOOD.
He entered the army as captain of Com-
pany A, One Hundred and Sixth New
York State Volunteers, and was stationed
under General Banks at New Orleans.
He was captured in one of the engage-
ments and suffered twenty- two months'
imprisonment at Tyler, Texas. Captain
Coe was in several battles under General
Banks. He was a stranger to fear, as
has been proven on several occasions.
Captain Coe came to Englewood to
live in 1866, and made his home on
Teaneck Ridge, near the residence of
William Walter Phelps. He organized
and became captain of Company B,
Second Battalion, National Guard State
of New Jersey, and brought it to a high
state of efficiency.
ENGLEWOOD. 69
XXI.
OUR FIEST TONSORIAL PROFESSOR.
With the different business enterprises
in the early years came the barber,
whose life here was a failure. He was a
half-witted foreigner, who became un-
popular by his indiscretions and queer
actions. His departure from town was
hastened by a gathering of citizens who
had prepared a bucket of tar and feathers
for a dress suit. The tar and feathers
were ready, but in the excitement a few
citizens took pity on him and ran him
through a building to the depot, put him
into a box car and sent him out of town.
70 ENGLEWOOB.
XXII.
A RAILROAD EXPERIENCE.
I do not recall but one accident on our
railroad where any one was seriously in-
jured. In 1860 the down train when
near New Durham left the track and ran
some distance over the ties. Every seat
was destroyed in one car; people were
thrown in every direction and against
each other, and many were badly in-
jured. I was hurled against a red-hot
stove and received an injurj^ that confined
me to my house nearly two weeks. We
had no smoking-car, and several of our
Englewood boys, not to be deprived of
their cigars, occupied a box car that was
not provided with seats or chairs of any
kind. When the performance was over
and the doors unfastened these young
men were found very much mixed and
ENGLEWOOD. 71
with many bruises. They were exceed-
ingly grateful to be released from their
dangerous position.
Our trains have been running to and
fro like a weaver's shuttle for forty
years, and the history of the road has
been very free from accidents.
72 ENQLEWOOD.
XXIII.
"the liberty pole tavern."
One of the most interesting and historic
landmarks in this neighborhood was the
old "Liberty Pole Tavern." This old inn
antedated the Revolution, and was one of
the numerous Washington headquarters.
It stood in the center of Palisade Avenue,
where it intersects the Tenafly road.
This was the political center for spring
and fall elections for some years after
the village was established. The prin-
ciple liquid that stimulated discussion
was apple jack, a strictly New Jersey
business beverage that has practically
gone out of use.
The old hotel and bar were always
wide open on election day, and there was
ENGLEWOOD. 73
no limit to the quantity of applejack one
might wish to consume. Tickets were
not deposited in boxes as at present.
Voters passed in line, calling out their
names and the ticket they wished to vote.
Until 1858 the Democrats had no oppo-
sition and there was but one Prohibition
vote cast, which was deposited by Mr.
Coxhead, who came all the way from
Fort Lee to vote.
Mr. J. W. Deuell deposited the only
Republican vote at this time.
Many exciting scenes took place at
these elections after the war, and hand
to hand encounters were frequent.
One I shall never forget. The war was
over and soldiers had all returned.
Spring election was being held at the
"Liberty Pole Tavern."
The polls and the bar were both open.
Apple jack was the rallying spirit, and
many knockouts were taking place.
Colonel Jardine, who had returned
?4 ENOLEWOOD.
with the army, appeared on crutches,
having lost a leg on the field of battle.
The fighting colonel overhearing a re-
mark not complimentary to the Union
soldier, cast aside his crutches, and
added another victory to his laurels.
The Stars and Stripes were unfurled
from the top of the old "Liberty Pole"
that stood near the hotel on every pa-
triotic occasion. The old tavern and its
banner having served their purpose, they
were removed and the hotel changed to
a private dwelling, where it stands a
silent monument of the past, unrecog-
nized and forgotten. History tells us
that the old "Liberty Pole Tavern" stood
on a triangle, on one side of which was
the tavern, on another Washington's
headquarters, and on a third a stone
schoolhouse. This school building was
taken down and removed to Highwood
in 1848, where it stands at the present
time. It was removed to a more thickly
ENGLEWOOD.
settled farming district. Could they have
looked fifty or even twenty years into
the future the school building would
have remained.
76 ENGLEWOOD.
XXIV.
0UE FIEST POSTMASTEE.
Englewood existed some time before it
was considered worthy of a post office.
Its citizens were obliged to go to Hacken-
sack or New Durham for their mail, as
Englewood was a part of Hackensack
township until 1871, and the government
of this community was carried on at
Hackensack until then.
Our township extends from the Hack-
ensack River to the Hudson River, or did
until reduced by boroughs east and west,
and was created in 1871. Our first town-
ship committee was elected April 10,
1871, consisting of Albert J. Bogart,
James Venderbeek, Samuel J. Demarest,
John W. DeRonde, and Peter R. Christie.
ENOLEWOOD. 77
The number was afterwards reduced to
three members. The last committee to
govern the township was Oliver D.
Smith, James Harris, and J. M. Gulnac.
Mr. John Van Brunt was the first post-
master of this village. He erected the
large building on the avenue near the
railroad, in which he kept the post
office, also the first grocery store. This
building is now owned, and a part of it
occupied, by Mr. Henry J. De Mott.
Offices in this building were occupied a
long time by Squire Joseph B. Miller,
who was justice of the peace, magistrate,
lawyer, trustee of small estates, school-
master, etc., etc. Squire Miller was
our protecting power in the early years
of Englewood. Previous to this period
he taught school near Schraalenbergh
two years. He was justice of the peace
twenty-five years, also was confidential
adviser and transacted business for a
great many of the old inhabitants in this
78 ENGLEWOOD.
vicinity. He was judge and jury, prose-
cuting attorney and general superintend-
ent of the affairs of the village. He, as
a rule, discharged the restless element
with a fatherly reprimand, and was
most always present to witness the ar-
rival and departure of trains. For many
3'ears he occupied a peculiar position — a
position now extinct.
Squire Miller was a kind-hearted and
useful citizen in his day, but his smiling
face we never shall see again.
We never have had the typical "local
character;" he has become extinct or
very much modified; education, modern
society, and death have settled him.
His dissolution was taking place about
the time Englewood was founded. It
was not instantly killed; but died a ling-
ering death and passed away without
attracting any notice. But there is a
satisfaction in knowing that every gener-
ation is ascending to a higher level.
ENGLEWOOD. 79
We have had a number of village
squires who were guardians of our peace
for a long time, but their services are no
longer in demand.
One we have with us, but he is no
longer in office.
Squire Alexander Cass, the veteran
school-teacher of this vicinity, has had
a varied experience, having been school-
teacher, lawyer, justice of the peace,
county superintendent of schools, sur-
veyor, etc. , etc. Mr. Cass has long been a
useful man in all these varied pursuits.
He, like many others, is living in the past
and contrasting the government of
Englewood years ago with that of to-day
when we are a city with a mayor and
council, and a court presided over by a
real judge. Moreover the town is
patrolled by a large police force.
80 ENGLEWOOD.
XXV.
OUR FIRST PHYSICIAN.
Among the few that remain of the early
settlers of this village is Dr. Hardy M.
Banks, who came here to reside in I860,
having given up a good practice in New
York City, where he had already estab-
lished a reputation as a skillful surgeon.
There was very little to encourage a
young physician in a town with so few
inhabitants, but his prophetic eye saw in
the near future a prosperous town, and
he readily joined the pioneers in the set-
tlement of this village. He was our first
and only physician for many years — one
who not only attended to the ills that
nature is heir to, but identified himself
at once in public affairs.
ENGLEWOOD. 81
He was president and director of the
Protection Society for five years, and is
now, after forty years' residence here,
president of the Gentleman's Club. It
maybe an evidence of his skill as a phy-
sician that Englewood did not feel the
need of a cemetery until 1876, sixteen
years after his arrival. Forty years have
come and gone since he entered this
town and his eye and nerve are still
steady. He has the confidence and good
will of the people of this township.
Dr. Banks is a good sportsman, and a
lover of dogs that follow the chase. He
often takes a rest from his professional
duties by tramping the fields and forests
in search of game.
Dr. D. A. Baldwin came to Englewood
in 1871, and is one of the three physi-
cians who first settled in this place. He
immediately entered into a large prac-
tice, which steadily increased for years.
He has been a very skillful and success-
82 ENQLEWOOI).
ful physician, who has always enjoyed
the confidence and good will of the best
families in this town.
Dr. D. A. Currie came here in March,
1872, and has always been very success-
ful as a surgeon and general practitioner,
which is attested by the large practice
he has controlled for over twenty -five
years.
Dr. Currie has devoted much time in
the interest of the village. As a road
commissioner, to which office he was
elected several times, he gave entire sat-
isfaction. He was a member of the town-
ship government until it was succeeded
by the city government, when he was
elected mayor. He was captain of our
militia, and when the Spanish-American
war broke out was appointed lieutenant-
colonel, and served in his regiment until
the close of the war.
ENGLEWOOD.
XXVI.
PROSPEROUS TIMES.
The civil war was ended, peace was
proclaimed and man returned to his civil
duties. Englewood took on new life.
New buildings were erected, new streets
laid out, wells and cisterns excavated
and trees planted in great numbers.
From 1863 to 1868 a great many of our
most wealthy and enterprising citizens
made this town their home. Nearly all
that came at that time remained as per-
manent residents. They invested in lots,
and built their own houses or purchased
from those who had built. Land was
cheap as well as labor and material, and
there was never a better opportunity to
84 ENQLEWOOD.
turn broad acres into suburban homes
than here at that time.
Francis Howland came here in 1861,
and immediately took a lively interest in
building up this place. He soon gave up
his interest in the Cotton Exchange in
New York, and devoted all his time to
the interests of this town. He pur-
chased a large tract of land in the center
of the village, containing about thirty
acres and built a fine stone mansion.
This property he afterward sold to Judge
Cowan of Washington, D. C.
Mr. Howland joined I. S. Homans,
Nathan T. Johnson and William Walter
Phelps in the purchase of a large tract
of land. They called it the Three-third
Account, as Mr. Phelps paid cash for his
one- quarter interest, leaving the three
gentlemen engaged with him to assume
the incumbrances. Mr. Phelps took the
bull by the tail and not by the horns,
that he might let go when he had a mind
ENGLEWOOD. 85
to as advised by "Josh Billings," the
lands in time all returned to their origi-
nal owners.
After selling his house to Judge Cowan
Mr. Howland erected a fine stone dwell-
ing on Lincoln Street. Mr. Howland's
contribution to the growth of Englewood
continued many years, and his name
should be classed with its most enter-
prising citizens.
Lebbeus Chapman, Jr., came here in
1863, and made his home on Teaneck
Ridge. He entered into every local en-
terprise that could advance the interests
of the town.
He was an active member of the Pres-
byterian Church, was an officer in the
Protection and many other societies. He
was a friend of every one, and could crack
a joke or talk Blackstone as occasion re-
quired, and never took a retainer for ad-
vice given outside of his office.
Colonel Washington K. Vermilye came
86 ENGLEWOOD.
in 1868, and purchased a fine house of
Mr. Bryan Murray, Jr., on Palisade
Avenue. He was one of our most liberal
and courteous citizens, a man of great
benevolence and upright in all his deal-
ings. He took a great interest in all
public affairs, and gave freely when
called upon. He was a true friend and
adviser, both in the interest of the church
and the state.
Mr. David Hoadley moved to Engle-
wood in 1864 and purchased an elegant
home opposite that of Colonel Vermilye
on Palisade Avenue. He was a man uni-
versally loved and respected, a generous
dispenser of charity and a person of in-
fluence in the village of Englewood.
Mr. Daniel Drake Smith came here to
reside in 1863, and became identified at
once with the development of the vil-
lage, took a great interest in its growth
and gave liberally for the advancement
of its affairs. He built a delightful
ENGLEWOOD. 87
home, the grounds of which occupy
nearly a block, running from Ly decker
to Hillside streets.
Mr. Livingston K. Miller arrived in
1860, and united at once with the citizens
of Englewood in every interest that
would assist in the development of the
town. He was generous and liberal
whether in the support of the church, of
which he was an elder, or in the inter-
ests of the village. He built a large
stone mansion on the Knickerbocker
Road, an estate containing about thirty
acres, laid out with line drives and
walks, a beautiful lawn, fruits and
flowers.
Mr. George S. Coe, president of the
American Exchange Bank in New York
City, purchased a large tract of land on
Palisade Avenue, and built a fine house
which he afterwards disposed of to D. W.
Evans; hethenercted a large stone man-
sion on the Palisades overlooking the
88 ENOLEWOOD.
Hudson River. Mr. Coe was a man of
public spirit and liberality, and was a
delightful companion. His name was
never absent when it was called upon to
assist in the interest of Church or State.
He was a wise and unselfish man, whose
sympathies were broad.
Mr. William A. Booth came to Engle-
wood in 1866. He had been one of New
York's most foremost citizens, was one
of the founders of the Children's Aid
Society, and was interested in many other
charities. He was a great acquisition to
the people of this town. He was a shin-
ing light for many years, and was ever
ready with open hand to assist the poor
and needy or to promote the interests of
this village. He was a man of large in-
fluence, and his example and conversa-
tion were ever safe to follow.
Mr. William Walter Phelps took up his
residence in this township in 1868. He
was a man of large means, of which he
Ruins of Hon. \V. \V. Phelps' House, Teaneck,
ENGLEWOOD. 89
gave liberally for the purpose of elevat-
ing and ennobling the human race. A
large estate was purchased by him on
Teaneck, comprising over two thousand
acres of land. He became largely inter-
ested in real estate in Bergen County,
and his brilliant political career is a mat-
ter of history. He was a minister to
Austria and Germany for some time, also
was elected to Congress two terms. His
attractive home on Teaneck, which was
always open to his many friends, was
destroyed by fire and never restored. It
remains to-day a charming ruin with its
crumbling walls overgrown with running
vines and surrounded by beautiful lawns
and forest shade.
The house and the master are no more,
but his friends will not forget his hospi-
table board and the many pleasant even-
ings enjoyed in that delightful home.
Many miles of macadamized roads,
through forests and open country, over
90 ENGLEWOOD.
hills and through valleys, are enjoyed
and appreciated by the people of Engle-
wood.
General Thomas B. Van Buren was a
brother-in-law of the Honorable William
Walter Phelps, and came here to reside
about the same time. His home was
near that of Mr. Phelps on Teaneck. He
was a genial, cultivated man, and a friend
of all who came in contact with him.
He was a soldier, a statesman and a
fine speaker. He was at one time min-
ister to China and occupied many politi-
cal positions while a resident in Engle-
wood.
Mr. Jacob S. Wetmore took up his resi-
dence in Englewood in 1867, and evinced
an active interest in its affairs. He has
filled many public positions in the village
government and has been closely iden-
tified with all village impovements and
will be remembered as one of Engle-
wood's early pioneers and useful citizens.
ENGLEWOOD. 91
He has assisted in building up the town
and still owns much real estate here.
Mr. Charles A. Nichols became a resi-
dent here in 1860, and identified himself
with the founders of the village in all
their various interests. He was an elder
in the Presbyterian Church and was one
of its active and useful members. Mr.
Nichols was a very genial and interesting
man in society, and was very highly re-
spected by all who knew him.
Mr. James 0. Morse came here about
1863, bought a fine property on the
Tenafly road at the head of Demarest
Avenue of Mr. Solomon Banta. He was
a useful citizen, one of the founders of
the gas company, an officer in the Pro-
tection Society, and interested in all
public improvements.
Mr. William B. Dana reached Engle-
wood as a resident in 1866. He pur-
chased a large tract of land on the Pali-
sades and built a fine mansion. He took
92 . ENGLEWOOD.
an active interest in the public road
board and many other village improve-
ments.
The history of Englewood would be in-
complete without reference to Mr. E. A.
Brinkerhoff, who came here to reside in
1874. Mr. Brinkerhoff built a fine stone
mansion on the corner of Palisade
Avenue and Lydecker Street, and imme-
diately united with the citizens of this
village in the advancement of all its in-
terests. There is not a society, either
for charity, education, the church, or
affairs of the Englewood government to
which he does not devote his full share
in time and means. The mantle of Col-
onel W. R. Vermilye, his father-in-law,
could not have fallen on better shoulders.
Mr. Brinckerhoff is one of Englewood's
most worthy citizens. He is an elder
and also a trustee in the Presbyterian
Church, and has devoted much time and
money to its interests. He is an officer
ENGLEWOOD. 93
in many village institutions, and is a
valuable neighbor and friend.
Mr. Donald Mackay, of the old bank-
ing house of Vermilye & Company, New
York City, deserves an honored place in
Englewood history. He settled in this
town in 1867, and at once became ac-
tively interested in all its affairs. Mr.
Mackay married a daughter of the late
Rev. Dr. Daniel Wise, and has for years
devoted much time and means to the
promotion of nearly every enterprise that
has been presented since his residence in
this town. He is now president of the
Citizens' National Bank, in which he
takes a great interest. He was for some
time president of the Protection Society,
the Field Club, and the Gentleman's
Club. Mr. Mackay is a trustee of the
Presbyterian Church, and has always
contributed largely to its support since
he came to reside in Englewood. He
owns a delightful home on Dwight Place.
94 ENGLEWOOD.
Colonel Henry W. Banks came to
Englewood in 1867 and purchased a fine
house with several acres of land of
Nathan T. Johnson. This property is
situated on Palisade Avenue about a half-
mile from the Hudson River.
This was the first house built in the
forest of the Palisades. It was destroyed
by fire a few years later and replaced by
a beautiful stone mansion, where, sur-
rounded by forest shades, Colonel Banks
spends his leisure hours.
He owns a large amount of improved
real estate in Englewood, and has long
been identified with all its duties whether
in the interests in the village government
or affairs of the church. He is a citizen
who takes pleasure in sharing the re-
sponsibilities that surround him.
In addition to all who have been men-
tioned the following are worthy of notice:
Honorable Cullum Sawtelle, Henry A.
Lyman, Charles H. Waterbury, Frank B.
ENGLEWOOD. 95
Nichols, E. W. Andrews, William Stan-
ley, Vincent Tilyou, Robert J. Hunter,
R. K. Cook, D. R. Martin, John Bailey,
T. M. Wheeler, George R. Dutton, S. H.
Doughty, James L. Dawes, J.Hugh Peters
William T. Booth, Herbert B. Turner,
Charles G. Kellogg, Charles A. Trott,
John H. Lyell, Joseph Lyman, R. H.
Rochester, Charles A. Piatt, E. C. Dill-
ingham. These are all men who have
been long identified with the social and
moral interests of Englewood.
96 ENGLEWOOD.
XXVII.
OUR SCHOOLS.
Our sons and daughters were growing
up and we were not to be deprived of the
privilege of education. Mr. J. W. Deuell
had opened a school for boys. The
public school was too far away to send
our children. About this time Professor
August Kursteiner opened a school for
young boys, which prospered for several
years. Mr. Kursteiner prepared many
of our young men for college. He also
taught music in several private families,
and he was the first organist of the Pres-
byterian Church.
In the spring of 1860 Messrs. Dwight
and Fowler opened a school for young
ladies, in a building that stood on the cor-
Pwight School for Girls.
A Mountain Road.
ENGLEWOOD. 97
ner of Palisade Avenue and Engle Street.
Mr. William B. Dwight of that school
was a brother of our first pastor. This
was a boarding school, and it became
very popular from the start, attracting
young ladies from several States. Many
of these young ladies were received into
Englewood society, and a few married
and remained here.
The Rev. Thomas G.Wall succeeded Mr.
William Dwight, kept the school about one
year, when it was consumed by fire. Dr.
Wall built a large school building on the
corner of the avenue and Hill Side Street.
He was a very popular man, who became
interested in Englewood affairs beyond
his school, and owned at one time a con-
siderable amount of real estate. His
successors still carry on this school, and
it is in a flourishing condition.
When this village was founded the pub-
lic school was not forgotten, as it is free
to all classes of citizens, and of vast im-
98 ENGLEWOOD.
portance in all communities in this age of
the world's history; as it is about the
only benefit we receive without pajing
for, we appreciate it.
The large free school building situated
on Humphrey Street and Englewood
Avenue was completed in 1869. There
was some opposition to its location by a
few citizens when it was built, but it
seemed to meet the wants of the greatest
numbers.
After a few years an increase of popu-
lation demanded more room. Larger
grounds were purchased and the building
greatly enlarged. This school numbers
about one thousand pupils, and has
alwa} r s been supplied with able teachers.
Having become too small for its needs,
several private houses were rented in
different parts of the district to receive
the overflow.
A beautiful stone building was erected
a few years ago by a few enterprising
ENGLEWOOD. 99
citizens on Engle Street, north of the
village for a boys' high school. This
school supplies a great want, as it per-
mits our boys to remain at home while
preparing for college.
There is a school building situated at
Teaneck that has been of great service
to that neighborhood. This building-
was occupied for Sabbath School in-
struction for years. Mr. Lebbeus Chap-
man, Jr., was superintendent of this
school until his death. He devoted much
time to his work, and the school is one
of the monuments that serves to keep
green his memory for his labor as super-
intendent of this Sabbath School.
This Sabbath School work has been
successfully carried on for several years
by George S. Coe, Jr., who is entitled to
credit for his devotion to its service,
besides a sacrifice of time and energy.
Misses Creighton and Farrar are the
successors of the original Dwight school,
100 ENOLEWOOD.
for girls, they having succeeded the Rev.
Dr. T. G. Wall. This popular and suc-
cessful school has a very large number
of scholars and is a credit to the town.
Its numbers are constantly increasing
and its present management is a credit
to its principals.
Miss Gerrish's Collegiate School for
Girls has long been a leading school for
young ladies in this village. It occupies
the Englewood House, which has been
recently modernized and refurnished. It
is a very large and delightful building
and has a great many scholars that make
their home with Miss Gerrish. This
school is very popular and prosperous
and the instruction very thorough. It
has two departments, one collegiate
where girls are fitted for colleges open to
women and one for scholars who do not
care to enter college. The instruction
includes French, German, and instru-
mental and vocal music.
ENGLEWOOD. 101
XXVIII.
THE HOSPITAL.
Nokth of the village near the boys'
high school stands the hospital, a noble
charitable institution, that has been of
great benefit to this valley. The thanks
of many a poor sufferer is due to the
founders of this institution. The hos-
pital was erected in 1890.
A few kind-hearted ladies and gentle-
men, seeing the great necessity for a hos-
pital in Englewood, met at the house of
Miss Adeline Sterling and organized a
hospital movement. Prominent among
the movement in the matter who attended
this meeting were:
Mrs. Sheppard Romans, Miss Adeline
Sterling, Mrs. Stephen Clark, Dr. H. M.
102 ENGLEWOOD.
Banks, Dr. John A. Wells, Dr. Edward
Clark, Miss Laura D. Smith, Mrs. Camp-
bell Mortimer, Mrs. John A. Wells, Miss
Gerrish, and Mr. and Mrs. William Stan-
ley, and a few others whose names are
unintentionally omitted. These ladies
and gentlemen have continued their in-
terest and contributed of their time and
means ever since the hospital was
founded.
A board of officers was appointed, con-
sisting of Mrs. Sheppard Homans, presi-
dent; Mrs. John A. Wells, vice-president;
Miss Adeline Sterling, secretary, and
Mrs. C. Mortimer, treasurer.
A board of physicians and surgeons
was duly appointed, consisting of the fol-
lowing, who gave their services gratui-
tously and agreed to visit the patients
daily :
Dr. D. A. Currie and Dr. H. M. Banks to
act as physicians, and Dr. Edward Clark
and Dr. J. A. Wells to act as surgeons.
ENOLEWOOD. 103
A fund was soon raised to purchase
three acres of land opposite the Field
Club and a suitable building was erected
at a cost of seven thousand dollars. The
expenses are met by an appropriation
from the city, annual subscribers, the
kindness of people from neighboring
towns, etc. A training school for nurses
has recently been established, and there
are seven now taking the course.
Over a thousand patients have enjoyed
the benefits of hospital care, and un-
doubtedly hundreds of lives have been
spared to the country by the endeavors
of those interested in this charity.
The following comprise the present
medical board and board of governors:
Dr. D. A. Currie, J. A. Wells, and Dr.
Proctor, with attending physicians and
surgeons.
Drs. Lansing, Hiiger, Haring and Terry
comprise with the former gentlemen the
medical board.
104 ENGLEWOOD.
The following comprise the board of
governors : Mrs. Clinton H. Blake, presi-
dent; Mrs. J. 0. Clephane, vice-president;
Lewis Dawes, secretary; George P. Pay-
son, treasurer, and a board of twenty-
five governors.
ENGLEWOOD. 105
XXIX.
THE FIELD CLUB.
Directly opposite the high school
stands the building erected in 1893 by
the Field Club. The grounds are used
for ball, tennis, and golf games. This
beautiful clubhouse, with its attractive
surroundings leading into the borders of
the Palisade forest, which include a
skating pond, forms a charming picture
to those who visit the grounds on a pleas-
ant summer afternoon. This club has
had many efficient officers, but we cannot
contemplate this house and its surround-
ings without giving much credit to Mr.
Donald Mackay, who has devoted so
much time and money for its success.
This club carries us back to the early
106 ENQLEWOOD.
days of Englewood, when, notwithstand-
ing her busy life, she spent some time in
harmless amusements. The first ball
ground occupied was about 1862, in the
valley near the public school. There
was no canvas or foliage to screen us
from the summer's sun, and the only
seats we had were borrowed from some
neighboring house. Many members of
this club were formerly members of the
best clubs in New York City. From
these grounds they removed to Palisade
Avenue, opposite the present residence
of Mr. E. A. Brinkerhoff. From there
they went again to the block bounded
by Engle and King streets and Hamilton
Avenue. These grounds were aban-
doned, as they were all wanted for build-
ing purposes. The first officers of the
Field Club were D wight A. Jones, presi-
dent; David W. Evans, vice-president;
John E. Curren, secretary; Livingston
K. Miller, treasurer.
ENGLEWOOD. 107
The first billiard table imported into
Englewood was by the writer in 1860.
This table, although much enjoyed, and
around which many a real estate trade
was made, was a very primitive affair.
It was purchased in New Haven, Connec-
ticut, from a Mr. Bishop. The bed was
not marble but composition. It was
large enough for a small village lot, and
had six enormous pockets. This table
rested in the attic of the first house built
in this village, and gave much amuse-
ment to all neighbors.
The example was followed by several
citizens later on.
It was not unusual for a family who
had just completed and occupied a new
house to be invited to call upon a neigh-
bor or leave home for some reason, re-
turn and find his dwelling illuminated
and occupied by nearly the whole vil-
lage, who had loaded his table with a
fine repast.
108 ENGLEWOOD.
Old customs that were enjoyed so
much in those days exist only in mem-
ory. Such as the general custom of
New Year's calls, when the whole village
was moving from house to house until
late in the evening and then returned to
their homes, happy to think the custom
only occurred once in twelve months.
Glee clubs were formed and Romeos,
singly or in numbers, spent many a
moonlight night discoursing sweet
music to their Juliets.
The serenading party was sometimes
invited to enter the house and partake of
refreshments. Flowers were thrown
from the windows, or if the Romeo hap-
pened to be a discarded lover he sang to
the stars. The mothers and daughters
remained at home in those days, and
their dwellings were the center of so-
ciety, where music and songs were
always heard.
The customs of society have made a
ENGLEWOOD. 109
radical change, and duties and obliga-
tions of old days have passed. For
many years Englewood was too busy to
enter into outside history, such as the
colonial fields of autobiography, and to
sit under ancestral banners, as is the
custom to-day. We had no women's
clubs or Daughters of the Revolution at
that period.
110 ENGLEWOOD
XXX.
ENGLEWOOD GOLF CLUB.
Early in 1896 a meeting was held by a
few gentlemen to form a golf club, as a
general interest in this game had started
in this country, and Englewood, not to be
behind the times was among the first of
the suburban towns to adopt a game
whose name came from the land of the
thistle and the clans. It may be safe to
say that all those present at the meeting
when the club was formed knew very
little about the game.
The founders of golf in Englewood
were Messrs. E. H. Jewett, E. H. Booth,
W. W. Burnit, F. Enos, Herbert Copple,
Charles Neave, H. M. Banks, Thomas
Thatcher, and W. W. Mackay.
On the 28th of February, 1896, the
ENOLEWOOD. Ill
club was regularly organized and a board
of governors and officers duly elected.
A piece of land was leased for the pur-
pose between Englewood and Nordhoff , a
small clubhouse was erected, and a com-
petent professional, Harry Stark, was
engaged to lay out the course.
Sixty -one men and fifty -five women
joined the club the first season.
In 1897 the grounds were enlarged by
leasing about fifty acres of land south of
the old course. A handsome clubhouse
was erected at an expense of five thou-
sand dollars and the grounds were put in
a condition to compare with any nine
hole in the vicinity of New York.
The club numbers at present one hun-
dred and twenty-five men and one hun-
dred women, and it has decided to increase
the number to one hundred and seventy-
five men and one hundred and fifty
women. Forty-five acres has been
leased by the club adjoining the present
112 ENGLEWOOD.
property, and a full eighteen whole
course is now in process of completion.
The clubhouse has recently been en-
larged and improvements are constantly
being made. This popular game from
the land of tweeds and plaids is one of
the features of Englewood and is very
accessible to this city, as a trolley passes
the grounds, and it is in easy walking
distance. It is in a delightful retired
situation on the western slope of the
Palisades, surrounded by a forest on
the east and peaceful farms sloping down
to the valley on either side.
The clubhouse is on an elevation of
about three hundred feet above the val-
ley, and the view from its spacious
piazzas looking west is magnificent,
making it a delightful place for rest or
recreation.
The present board of officers are:
Thomas Thacher, president; A. T. Enos,
vice-president; G. H. Burnit, secretary;
E. P. Ryder, treasurer.
ENGLEWOOD. 113
XXXI.
MUSIC AND SONG.
In the early days of this village enter-
tainments were enjoyed within doors
when music and song were heard in
every dwelling. Nearly every house had
a piano, and the air was vocal with music
as you passed along the streets; family
gatherings to listen to vocal or instru-
mental music were a nightly occurrence.
We had in our village many charming
voices, both male and female.
Our churches were all supplied with
volunteer choirs, and the music was
never more appreciated than in those
days when our houses were all concert
halls.
Open air is the craze to-day, and every-
body is on the run.
114 ENGLEWOOD.
A musical club was formed in the early
days, which was presided over by Pro-
fessor August Kursteiner, and became
very popular. Concerts were frequently
given in the old Atheneum and very much
enjoyed.
Echoes of those fine voices often flash
through the mind, calling back to memory
Englewood's good old days of music
and sono-.
EFGLEWOOD. 115
XXXII.
PLANTING TKEES.
In 1860 there were very few trees that
were the result of chance, and the ab-
sence of shade caused many to hesitate
before deciding to locate here. Every
farm included an apple orchard in full
bearing, but these orchards soon disap-
peared.
Nearly all the maples, evergreens and
shrubs that give you summer shade
were planted almost forty years ago.
The beautiful trees that line our avenues
and streets to-day are the forethought of
Englewood's first inhabitants, and came
from the nurseries of Mr. G. V. Zingsam
near Hackensack.
Many of us will ever remember Mr.
116 ENQLEWOOD.
Zingsam's kind hospitality, as his cellar,
stocked wi£h foreign wines, was always
open when we called, and he not only
escorted us through his beautiful, highly
cultivated grounds, but welcomed our
families into his spacious mansion.
Mr. Zingsam lived to supply many
towns throughout the county with shade
and flowers, but through the devious
changes of fortune died leaving very
little to show for his labor.
ENQLEWmB. 117
XXXIII.
FRUIT TREES.
With our many improvements we did
not neglect the fruit tree. We planted
many varieties, but early discovered that
the pear, apple, and cherry were the only
kind to succeed in this climate. Nearly
all our fruit trees came from the Roches-
ter nurseries.
There were a few large peach orchards
near here in 1860, but they were in a de-
cline, and that delicious fruit soon dis-
appeared from this part of New Jersey.
Our enthusiasm led us to experiment
in all kinds of fruits and flowers until ex-
perience taught us which to choose and
which to reject.
The absence of gardens and florists
118 ENGLEWOOD.
compelled us to rely upon our own
grounds for vegetables and flowers,
whereas to-day we can purchase
cheaper than we can produce, and our
gardens are taken care of by nature.
Very few people realize what a native
New Jersey Road is like, or the labor and
expense it takes to transfer a sand founda-
tion to one of crushed stone. With the ex-
ception of the old country road following
the creek along the valley there were no
roads except imaginary ones as laid down
on the first map filed in 1859. Our old
road board must have expended a quarter
of a million dollars on the streets of this
town before it retired.
ENGLEWOOD. 119
XXXIV.
AN OLD ORCHARD.
What delightful associations cluster
around an old orchard. It is a wise law
of nature that in looking back down the
pathway of life we only see things in
their most beautiful dress. One of the
delightful spots I love to rehabilitate in
memory is an old orchard of my father's.
I never see it in its cold and leafless un-
dress, when the chilling blasts of winter
are sighing through its branches, but
always in fall bloom with their varied
colors illuminated by the summer sun,
the air fragrant with perfumed sweets,
and the voice of a thousand insects. A
boy who has not experienced this has
missed much.
This same scene was re-enacted after
120 ENQLEWOOD.
I came to Englewood. All around us
were old apple orchards. Just west of
my house on Palisade Avenue an open
field led to an orchard which extended to
the present Hill Side Street. Under the
shades of these old fruit trees we used to
take our children and pass the hours
away. The dying remains of these old
orchards may be seen all over the vil-
lage, but the gnawing tooth of time has
nearly completed their destruction, as
seen in their dead limbs and decayed
trunks.
From my window I look out upon a
half dozen of these old apple trees that
have hardly life enough to throw out a
leaf or cast a shadow, but the sight of
them rings up memories of forty years
ago.
' ' We have all grown old together —
Those trees and I,
And shall depart forever —
By and by. "
ENGLEWOOD. \%l
XXXV.
D RAIN AGE.
The drainage of Englewood was not
neglected, and few people realize that a
large sewer, built by the "Citizens'
Sewer Company," passes under the
avenue. This sewer runs from the Ly-
ceum down the avenue to the canal or
creek below Englewood Avenue. It was
built many years ago, and has always
been maintained by private parties, and
the public know very little about it. It
was constructed to drain the lands and
cellars of business blocks on both sides
of the avenue. Before it was built these
lands and cellars were constantly flooded.
This sewer has been a great public
benefit and ought to be purchased and
kept in repair by the city.
122 ENQLEWOOD.
XXXVI.
ANTICIPATING WANTS.
The active mind of the early settler
led him to anticipate the wants of an in-
creasing population long before there was
a necessity for them. Early in the sixties
a meeting was called to establish a bank.
Twenty thousand dollars were subscribed
when the subject was dropped. The
propriety of establishing a paper was dis-
cussed when there were but few people
here. We were constantly anticipating
enterprises that were sure to come, long
before they could be supported.
Nearly every one carried a subscrip-
tion paper for some enterprise, and no
one felt offended if appealed to. Lands,
houses and lots were purchased, sold and
ENGLEWOOD. 123
traded on our trains as readily as boys
trade tops and toys. It was stated that
one of our enterprising citizens who had
an impediment in his speech would often
raise the price of land while trying to
articulate.
I will name one instance of rapid ad-
vance in price of land in these days. A
gentleman largely engaged in real estate
purchased several acres in the valley for
one hundred and fifty dollars per acre,
and disposed of it within a week for nine
hundred. Purchasers and those who
wished to sell were about equally divided
and a desire to do one or the other was
shared by all.
To show the ups and downs of real
estate before and after the panic of 1873
I will refer to two events. A party pur-
chased a piece of land in 1864 on Dean
Street for one thousand dollars. In less
than a week, he sold it for two thou-
sand. His conscience would give him no
124 ENGLEWOOD.
rest until he had searched out the party
he purchased from and returned him one-
half the profit. The writer sold a lot in
inflated times for one thousand dollars,
receiving five hundred cash. It was re-
turned for the five hundred due; sold
again for five hundred and returned again
for two hundred and fifty, which would
be a fair price for the lot at the present
time.
ENGLEWOOD. 125
XXXVII.
"the canal company."
A company was formed in 1868, to build
a canal from Palisade Avenue to Nordhoff ,
the head of tide water. The company
fancied they saw in the near future ves-
sels of every description, laden with
lumber, coal and merchandise of all
kinds, landing at the docks of the "Over-
peck Canal Company Limited." Allin's
mill stood in the way, and there was no
law to compel the owner to yield his un-
disputed right. Thirty thousand dollars
were subscribed and twenty thousand ex-
pended. The writer has before him the
original subscription book, with the list
of stockholders and the amounts stand'
ing in their name.
The following is a list of stockholders :
126 ENGLEWOOD.
William Walter Phelps, Jacob S. Wet-
more, David Hoadley, Francis Howland,
W. R. Vermilye, George S. Coe, L. Chap-
man, Jr., T. W. Demarest, N. T. John-
son, H. J. DeMott, Daniel Drake Smith,
General T. B. Van Bur en, W. A. Booth,
John Van Brunt, Cornelius Lydecker,
Henry Jones, Patrick O'Tool, J. A.
Humphrey. Jacob S. Wetmore was
president; I. Smith Homans, Jr., secre-
tary George H. Coffey treasurer.
Of this number there are but six living.
The stream was dredged, widened, deep-
ened and straightened. The money ex-
pended has been returned to the public
in the drainage of the village.
The old mill at Nordhoff has disap-
peared, but too late for the canal.
Annual meetings were held for several
years to comply with the law and retain
the charter, but the company has passed
into the material that dreams are made
of and will soon be forgotten.
ENOLEWOOD. 127
XXXVIII.
ROADS.
Our roads in 1859 were roads of Jersey
mud and sand. To improve their con-
dition a road board was organized to lay
out and macadamize new and old streets,
lay walks, and improve the thoroughfares
generally.
A large amount of money was voted
every spring to be expended on roads.
The township was divided into road dis-
tricts, each district electing its own com-
missioner. A chairman was elected
from one of their number to preside over
their meetings. We are indebted to these
commissioners for the foundation of the
roads in Englewood Township.
When the city government entered
upon its duties the road board ceased to
exist.
128 ENGLEWOOD.
XXXIX.
VILLAGE IMPKOVEMENT SOCIETY.
A Village Improvement Society was
formed in 1868 to take a general super-
vision over the village, such as lighting
the streets, planting trees and the re-
moval of any unsightly refuse that might
accumulate in the highways and unin-
closed grounds.
This society accomplished much to im-
prove the general appearance of the vil-
lage during its existence. It assumed
charge of the lighting of streets, to which
the citizens contributed a certain amount
each year. The society also purchased
oil lamps, and attended to lighting and
extinguishing the same.
About this time our fences began to
ENGLEWOOD. 129
exhibit evidence of decay, and to restore
them would be quite an expense. For-
tunately the custom of turning villages
into parks had become general and the
removal of inclosures was very popular,
as fences made good kindling wood.
We must not forget to give much credit
to the good ladies of our village, as they
not only assisted in organizing these re-
forms but often were instrumental in
carrying them out. The Improvement
Society and hospital if not inaugurated
were greatly helped by them.
130 ENQLEWOOD.
XL.
THE PROTECTION SOCIETY.
The unprotected condition of Engle-
wood and its accessibility to New York
attracted professional thieves and house
breakers, as they could, so easily escape
into the forest and down the steep gorges
of the Palisades to the Hudson River.
A society for mutual protection was
formed by an act of the Legislature in
1869, but many houses had been visited
when this society was inaugurated. The
dwellings of Colonel Yermilye, George S.
Coe, and E. W. Andrews were the last
entered before the organization of this
society. At that time Mr. Andrews had
an unpleasant experience. The burglar
appeared at his bedside and hurled a
ENGLEWOOD. 131
steel jimmy at his head, just missing
him. Securing a revolver Mr. Andrews
sent a ball after the housebreaker as he
retreated down the stairs.
The house of the writer had a mild ex-
perience with a burglar, but as he was
securely locked in his room and the
burglar overturned a chair and retired in
haste, upon entering the house, no
loss or harm came to the owner. The
affair was soon forgotten.
We had many experiences of this kind
until an armed society arose and caused
men of housebreaking tastes to disap-
pear. We often armed our servants and
placed them on guard. The house of
William King on Chestnut Street had
been entered several times. He made a
bed of a lounge in a room just off from
the hall on which his man servant slept
with pistol in hand. A robber entered.
The servant was too much frightened to
move. The thief packed up his secu-
132 ENGLEWOOD.
rities in a sheet and threw them out of
the parlor window. The servant was not
tried for murder.
Mr. James McCulloh was the first
president of the Protection Society. He
was a man fearless of danger and had
many personal encounters with men of
all grades of thievish propensities. In
one of his early experiences he arrested
a thief one dark night, tied his hands to
the stirrup of his saddle, as he was on
horseback and marched him to the "lock-
up." At another time he took two
thieves to his house, placed them in his
parlor, handcuffed them, armed his son
and placed him in charge until morning.
Mr. McCulloh's exploits by night and
day, in sunshine and fierce storms
would fill a large volume.
William Hill was our chief marshal at
that time, and as he had the acquaintance
of many New York detectives and also on
the police force, he was placed in a posi-
ENOLEWOOD. 133
tion to be informed in advance of in-
tended visits from law breakers.
I will relate an instance where about
thirty State Prison convicts were turned
out of Sing Sing by two New York pals,
and a number of them fell into the arms
of our marshal.
A burglar by the name of Kingsland,
sentenced to Sing Sing for several years,
was released by his friends in the follow-
ing manner. Two of them living in New
York captured a tug with a pilot on board
and at the point of revolvers compelled
him to take them to the prison dock at
Sing Sing. Kingsland, whose escape had
been planned, boarded the boat, and be-
fore they could leave the dock twenty-
five convicts leaped into the tug, crossed
the river and scattered to the woods.
Big Kid and Kingsland, after securing a
change of clothing, started to New York
via Englewood. They appeared at Tay-
lor's livery stable about 6 o'clock p.m.
134 ENGLEWOOD.
The marshal was informed that two
men looking suspicious were at Taylor's
stable with a jaded horse about to start
to Fort Lee. Mr. Hill sent to Dr. Banks,
a marshal of the society, who joined him
and followed the convicts, drove past
them near Fort Lee, alighted from their
carriage and questioned them. Being
satisfied that they were dangerous char-
acters they arrested and returned with
them to Englewood. Reports came from
New York to hold them. They were
locked up, and nine who had escaped
with them appeared and were taken
that night, and the next morning as they
were trying to pass to New York from
the Jersey side of the river.
Not caring to wait for extradition
papers Mr. Hills and Dr. Banks went to
Alpine, crossed the river and landed
them in Sing Sing. Big Kid, the bandit
of the tugboat, was an escaped convict.
This society became a terror to evil-
ENOLEWOOD. 135
doers faraway, who notified their friends
to keep out of Englewood. It cast a
mantle of protection over all its mem-
bers, which included nearly every
family in the town.
It is still in existence, but at no ex-
pense to any one at present through the
kindness and liberality of its president,
Mr. Donald Mackay . The present board of
officers are: President, Donald Mackay;
vice-president, Clinton H. Blake; secre-
tary, Charles F. Park.
The first board of officers in 1869:
President, James W. McCulloh; vice-
president, Dr. Hardy M. Banks ; treasurer,
W. Hart Smith; secretary, Daniel W.
Leeds.
Directors, James W. McCulloh, Cor-
nelius Lydecker, Nathan T. Johnson,
Lebbens Chapman, Jr., Hardy M. Banks,
R. K. Cook, Daniel G, Bogart,W. P. Coe,
W. Hart Smith.
The marshal of this society was invested
136 ENOLEWOOD.
with power to arrest any one within the
limits of the State of New Jersey who
shall have violated its laws within the
township. This society wr s very useful
and it was conceived and conducted by
our best citizens.
It is hard for the residents of the city of
Englewood to get a glimpse of the things
which were so real to us who were here
in the early days of its existence, but
now have almost become shadows. I
wish I could illuminate this page of his-
tory with a light that would show Engle-
wood as it appeared to us in those early
years.
ENQLEWOOD. 137
XLI.
AN EXCITING INCIDENT.
In the summer of 1862 I took an early
morning drive to show the beauties of
the Palisades to some friends who were
spending a few days with us. We drove
up the avenue £o the river, then turned
north in the direction of Alpine on a road
at that time called Hudson Terrace.
After driving about a mile we made a
sudden turn in the road, nearly running
down a suspicious-looking character with
a large well-filled carpetbag in his hand.
He passed in front of us like the wind,
and disappeared down a thickly wooded
gorge that led to the river among the
bushes.
He appeared and disappeared so sud-
138 ENLQEWOOD.
denly that he seemed like a materialized
shadow. His satchel dropped from his
hand, and its gaping mouth showed
conclusively that its contents came from
some burglarized dwelling in the valley.
We were very much surprised, and did
not stop to investigate the contents of
the bag, but drove rapidly on until we
thought it safe to return.
We retraced our steps back to the
gorge, but the burglar and bag had dis-
appeared, and all was quiet. After
watching a short time we observed a boat
pulling from the shore at the bottom of
the ravine, with two men in charge, and
move rapidly to the middle of the river.
It was reported that a house had been
entered in the village the previous night.
ENOLEWOOD. 130
XLII.
THE OLD RAVINE.
For several years after the village was
settled Palisade Avenue was divided by
a beautiful wild ravine. It was a pictur-
esque, romantic spot that remains a
pretty picture in the memory of those
who lived here at the time. It was
directly opposite the Presbyterian
Church, and was quite deep. A running
stream entered it from the church
grounds and after passing merrily
through it disappeared under the
avenue.
This stream reappears in view in Dr.
Currie's grounds at the present time.
The ravine was filled with chestnut trees,
shrubs and wild flowers. This romantic
140 ENGLEWOOD.
spot had its day and remains a pleasant
recollection. But its interment seemed
like the burial of an old friend to many,
but sentiment had to give way.
Many of our best citizens visited that
spot as it was being obliterated and
turned away with sadness. One of our
best and most esteemed citizens was so
grieved over it that he actually left En-
glewood for a month to forget its destruc-
tion.
One of our most esteemed ladies de-
clared that she would leave Englewood
and never return.
ENQLEWOOD. U\
XLIII.
THE LITTLE PAKE NEAR THE DEPOT.
A well remembered spot was a small
park -like inclosure in the center of the
avenue opposite the present post office.
It was rilled with shade trees and sur-
rounded by a railing where people could
lounge, talk politics and fasten their
horses while waiting for trains.
As the little frame depot was about
the only building near it for some time
it was like a small park in an old New
England village, where people assembled
from miles around the country to see
friends off on the train or wait for their
return. It was a pleasant meeting place,
especially in summer, as it was delight-
fully shaded with elms and maples. At
142 ENQLEWOOD.
that time this little park-like grove so
near the depot was appreciated, as there
were no trees bordering the streets or
avenues. Many of our enterprising citi-
zens while building new homes in the
village were camping in hired farmhouses
some distance out of the center of the
village and drove to and from the trains,
and this little park was a picnic ground,
where people met their friends and
neighbors.
Buildings began to arise around the
park. The shadow of a city was appear-
ing and the subject of removal began to
be discussed. From that time its doom
was sealed. It had many friends who
were very much opposed to its destruc-
tion, but a majority ruled and this pleas-
ing picture was removed from the map of
our village.
ENGLEWOOD. 143
XLIY.
THE OLD SAWMILL.
It was but a few years ago that an old
sawmill, with its race of rapid running
waters, occupied a beautiful site, lying
among the shadows of overhanging trees,
directly opposite the Brookside Ceme-
tery, west of Engle Street. Its waters
were supplied by two little laughing
streams, whose eddies and dimples re-
flected back the foliage that hung over
their borders. These streams unite,
after passing under two stone bridges on
Engle Street. Many of us wall remem-
ber this old mill, as it was in full opera-
tion long after the birth of Englewood,
but w T as finally abandoned.
The dam was removed, its pent-up
waters allowed to depart, and the old
144 ENOLEWOOD.
wheel has made its last revolution. This
old mill after standing deserted and
alone a few years was removed by the
lighted torch of some bad boy or careless
tramp. When I think of these old relics
of the past I am reminded of the time
when every village and hamlet supplied
the people with mill products from the
local "mill," and as a rule a distillery
was supplied by the same pure water, and
the farmer furnished the material. The
miller received his pay or "toll" in grain.
Do you remember the old mill,
From th9 bridge we used to hear
Waters that were never still,
Whose gentle murmur pleased the ear.
The wheel has ceased its merry round,
The mill has fallen to decay,
From the dam no pleasing sound
Longer rises with the spray.
The stream has found its native bed,
A solemn stillness all around,
The birds are silent overhead,
On either hand a burying ground.
Old Mill, Engle Street.
ENQLEWOOD. 145
XLV.
AN OLD ICE POND.
It is not generally known that the old
ice houses that stood on the corner of
Demorest Avenue and the railroad so
many years after Englewood was settled
were used for a year or two after we
came as a gristmill, when the houses
were transferred into ice houses for
storing the ice that was taken from the
pond. Our summer drinks were cooled
with ice from that small body of water
several years.
Finally public opinion and the press
found a cause for its removal. This
pond was supplied by two little streams
that came down from the mountains,
passed around and nearly encircled a
146 ENGLEWOOD.
beautiful wooded knoll. After passing
under two stone bridges they united and
danced in company down the valley as
they had for centuries, all unconscious
of the danger that was lurking in their
smile.
This shady and retired spot around
which these streams found their way was
selected by the people of Englewood for
a cemetery. It was soon whispered
about that the two little streams that
united their melody might be made im-
pure by their association with the Brook-
side cemetery. Ideas and emotions ac-
quire contagious force by a whisper, and
a hint from the press was sufficient to
start a sentimental panic. From that
time the ice pond was doomed. The
dam was removed and the waters re-
duced to a small stream. It was an un-
sightly object until vegetation had
clothed its muddy bottom and the sun
had drawn its malarial fangs. Soon
ENGLEWOOD. 147
after this a flash of light revealed the
flames that destroyed the old ice houses.
Public sentiment was satisfied, but an
individual suffered loss.
The fateful hand of time has swept
away all these ancient landmarks, forty
years have come and gone, like breakers
on the shores of time. Englewood has
had its summer skies and winter storms,
but Time's withering hand has only re-
moved useless relics, new and more
beautiful buildings arise, and nature
remains with her everlasting vitality.
148 ENGLEWOOD.
XL VI.
THE PRESS.
Until 1861 all attempts to establish a
paper in Hackensaek township had been
a failure. The Bergen County Journal,
a union paper, made an unsuccessful
effort to succeed, but went down in 1861.
In the fall of that year Mr. Eben Win-
ton joined Mr. C. C. Burr and issued the
Bergen County Democrat. In March, 1862,
Mr. Winton purchased the interest of Mr.
Burr, and the paper became a success.
In 1874 Mr. Eben Winton founded the
Englewood Times, and published it as a
non-partisan paper. Mr. Winton became
very popular with all parties, and this
paper was well received.
ENGLEWOOD. 140
In 1879 a new "Richmond" entered the
field and came to stay. Mr. Joseph H,
Tillotson, a man of energy and persever-
ance, established the Standard, and
managed it with such ability that Mr.
Win ton was glad to transfer the Engle-
wood Times to his ownership in 1884.
The two journals were then united under
the title of Standard and Times. In 188G
the name of Standard was dropped and
the paper assumed the name of Engle-
wood Times.
March 29, 1890, Mr. Tillotson disposed
of the Times and established the Engle-
wood Press, which has met with far
greater success than any of its predeces-
sors. Mr. Tillotson is a courteous and
affable man, who is always willing to
give and receive information; attends
strictly to his business, has the confi-
dence and good will of the citizens of
this town and has from the beginning
met with uninterrupted success.
150 ENGLEWOOD.
The Englewood Times was first issued
in 1874 by Mr. Eben Winton as a non-
partisan paper. It met with immediate
success, which has continued until this
day. In 1879 Mr. J. H. Tillotson bought
out Mr. Winton. In the spring of 1890
he sold the Times to Mr. H. M. Litchten-
berg, who issued it a few years, when
he disposed of it to Mr. W. H. Eicks in
1893. Mr. Eicks sold it to John P.
Stockton, who disposed of it to the Times
Publishing Company in 1895. The Times
is a very enterprising and well-conducted
paper at the present time.
ENQLEWOOD. 151
XLVII.
ENGLEWOOD SEWER COMPANY.
The Englewood Sewer Company was
organized in 1887. This company has
always been under good management
and was a welcome sanitary relief.
There is no donbt but what water and
sewerage has been the means of bringing
to this village a large increase of pop-
ulation. The first officers were: Direc-
tors, J. S. Wetmore, Dr. D. A. Currie,
Samuel F. Gold, Oliver Drake Smith, R.
H. Rochester, George W. Betts, R. P.
Wurtendyke; Oliver Drake Smith, secre-
tary and treasurer; Samuel F. Gold,
superintendent.
152 ENGLEWOOD.
XLVIII.
A SWISS MOUNTAIN EOAD.
An enterprise that cost a large amount
of money flourished for awhile and then
expired was the "Palisades Road and
Turnpike Company."
It was a stock company and the road
was built to accommodate the patrons of
the "Mountain House," a large summer
hotel on the brow of the Palisades, also
to turn travel from the valley to the
Hudson River. This road was built
after the manner of zigzag roads in
Switzerland, and was well patronized for
some time.
It was a toll-gate road, and a stage ran
from the hotel to the river, also from the
village of Englewood. A fine dock was
ENGLEWOOB. 153
built, where two boats called daily for
passengers.
A footpath was made to accommodate
those who desired to climb. After pay-
ing a few assessments the stockholders
abandoned the road. The boats ceased
running, and traveling in that direction
became a thing of the past. It was also
found to be more business than pleasure.
Before the Mountain House was de-
stroyed a company was formed with
sufficient capital to build a steam eleva-
tor to take passengers by more rapid
means than by the Swiss road. This
means of conveyance never matured, as
the destruction of the hotel checked
travel in that direction. This was the
last effort to colonize the top of the Pali-
sades.
The Mountain House, which was so
important to the Swiss road, to the docks,
and also to the building-up of that neigh-
borhood, was built in the spring of 1860.
154 ENGLEWOOD.
It was a very imposing structure, and
could be seen a long distance up and
down the river. It accommodated a
large number of summer boarders, and
was crowded every season for several
years. Mr. Hammond, of the Murray
Hill and Plaza Hotels, New York City,
leased it. It was consumed by fire
several years ago and never rebuilt.
This fine hotel was owned by William
0. Allison, who built a magnificent stone
mansion on the brow of the mountain
near the ruins of the hotel, where he re-
sides. Mr. Allison was born under the
shadow of the Palisades, near where he
now resides, but by his own exertion and
ability has risen to wealth and position.
He has climbed from the foot to the top
of the mountain.
ENGLEWOOD. \5{
XLIX.
NEW YOKE AND NEW JERSEY BRIDGE
COMPANY.
Very few of our citizens know that the
charter for a bridge across the Hudson
River originated in Englewood, and was
obtained over thirty years ago. Two
bills were presented to the Legislature
of New Jersey at the same time, one
from Hudson County and one from Ber-
gen. A fierce contest took place between
the two interests. The Bergen County
bill was, by a fine piece of strategy, suc-
cessful. This bill was introduced by
Cornelius Lydecker, Nathan T. Johnson,
and others. Mr. Culver had charge of
the unsuccessful bill. Mr. Culver, being
anxious for an interest in the charter,
156 ENGLEWOOD.
purchased in the interest of several of
the incorporators of the Bergen County-
bill. Messrs. George S. Coe, J. Wyman
Jones, Cornelius Ly decker and others
were incorporators. That charter was
revived nearly thirty years after this
period. Mr. Culver, who is interested
in the present Hudson River bridge
charter, purchased his interest in said
charter from residents of this town about
1868.
ENQLEWOOD. 157
L.
CELEBRATING THE ELECTION OF PRESIDENT
GRANT IN 1868.
The election of General Grant as Presi-
dent of the United States in the fall of
1868 was an occasion of a great public
demonstration by the citizens of Engle-
wood to show their patriotic regard for
the great captain who had restored the
Union to peace and happiness.
A grand procession was inaugurated
by the citizens of Englewood to celebrate
the occasion. Houses were illuminated
and decorated with the national colors,
and such patriotic enthusiasm has never
been exhibited in this village since.
Colonel Henry W. Banks was grand
marshal, and Lebbius Chapman, Jr.,
chief of staff.
158 ENGLEWOOD.
The order of procession will interest
our citizens. It was as follows:
1. Grand marshal and staff.
2. Seventh Regiment band.
3. Citizens on foot.
4. Orators of the day in carriages.
5. Citizens of Englewood mounted.
6. Organization from Hackensack.
7. Organization from Paramus.
8. Organization from Paterson.
9. Other organizations.
10. Citizens of Englewood in carriages.
LINE OF MARCH.
First— The line will be formed on Pali-
sade Avenue, right resting on the rail-
road.
Second — Chief of organizations intend-
ing to take part will report to the grand
marshal or chief of staff at De Mott's
store.
Third — The column will move as soon
ENOLEWOOD. 159
after the arrival of the 2 : 30 train as the
grand marshal shall deem proper.
Fourth— The line of march will be
through Palisade Avenue, Lydecker,
Chestnut, Engle Street and Humphrey
Street, to the ball ground.
Fifth — The following are aids to the
grand marshal, and will be respected ac-
cordingly by Lebbius Chapman, chief of
staff: George S. Coe, Tappan Hoadley,
C. H. Tomes, T. S. Taylor, J. A. Hum-
phrey.
Sixth — The staff will report mounted
to the grand marshal at De Mott's store
promptly at 12: 30 p.m.
Heney W. Banks, Grand Marshal.
Lebbius Chapman, Chief of Staff.
I have quoted the above, and hand it
down as a legacy from the fathers of
Englewood to their children. Of the six
staff officers but one is living.
1G0 ENOLEWOOD.
LI.
A SURRENDER TO OUR FLAG.
I will relate a single incident that took
place at the Englewood House in the
summer of 1865. Two young gentlemen,
formerly from the South, were spending
the summer at this house. The windows
and doors were draped with the Ameri-
can flag on the day when the great pro-
cession welcomed the return of our sol-
diers.
Our Southern friends refused to make
their egress or exit under the American
flags that draped the doors and windows.
A committee of gentlemen was appointed
to wait upon them, and demand that they
decorate themselves with the Stars and
Stripes, and walk under the American
Rev. Henry M. Booth, D. D.
ENGLEWOOD. 161
flag or pack their trunks and take their
departure from town at once. As they
desired to remain in Englewood they
complied with the request, joined the
others in the celebration and exhibited
no more evidence of disloyalty.
162 ENGLEWOOD.
LII.
A REVIVAL OF BUSINESS.
For several years after the close of the
war Englewood improved rapidly.
Houses went up in great numbers, and
money was plenty. The Atheneum, a
large public building with a public hall,
shops and offices, was built in 1868.
This building stood on the corner of the
Avenue and Engle Street. It was burned
several years ago. The post office and
several stores occupied the first story.
It was completed in 1870. The rapidity
with which the stock was taken showed
the public spirit and liberality of the
people at this period. Thirty-five thou-
sand dollars was the amount originally
ENGLEWOOD. 1G3
subscribed, but the plans and specifica-
tions called for seventy thousand.
A meeting to consider the subject was
held in the parlors of the Englewood
House. At this meeting it was resolved
to raise forty -five thousand dollars in
cash and place a mortgage on the build-
ing for the balance. A committee was
appointed with power to go on and erect
the building without delay. At its com-
pletion a mortgage was placed on the
property of eighteen thousand dollars.
The loan was obtained from the Mutual
Life Insurance Compan}\ A second
mortgage was afterward placed for a
small amount.
When this was completed the "hall"
was opened with the greatest number of
people that ever assembled within its
walls on a similar occasion. Clara
Louise Kellogg was to appear in concert.
The seats were all sold, and standing
room was at a premium.
164 ENOLEWOOD.
This building flourished until the panic
of 1873, when the stock fell from fifty xo
nothing. One gentleman purchased
nearly all of the stock. Two of the three
gentlemen who were bondsmen on the
first mortgage had died, and the third
one paid the Mutual Life, who loaned the
money. The building was burned soon
after, and the insurance realized very
little more than enough to satisfy the
bondsman who paid off the first mort-
gage. This building never was a suc-
cess. Its architectural construction was
bad, and it never was safe, as it was a
frame building. In the event of fire dur-
ing a performance exit would be very
difficult, and might have caused a panic.
Its destruction by conflagration was not
regretted.
ENGLEWOOD. 165
LIII.
A NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
In June, 1867, a committee was ap-
pointed to consider the subject of build-
ing a new church. This committee con-
sisted of Messrs. J. Wyman Jones, Liv-
ingston K. Miller, L. Chapman, Jr., Wil-
liam Walter Phelps, and Nathan T.
Johnson. The committee presented a
report stating the amount raised as
nearly twenty-five thousand dollars.
Plans for a stone edifice were presented
at the same time. A building committee
was appointed consisting of J. Wyman
Jones, George S. Coe, James Vander-
beek, Washington E. Vermilye, and
J. A. Humphrey.
166 ENGLEWOOD.
Mr. Livingston K. Miller was made
treasurer. On the 17th of April, 1870,
the congregation worshipped for the first
time. The entire cost of the church was
about fifty thousand dollars. David
Hoadley presented the church with an
organ costing about thirty -five hundred
dollars.
At the completion of the church a debt
of fifteen thousand dollars remained.
Colonel Vermilye was very anxious that
the church should be free from debt and
offered to contribute five thousand dol-
lars if the church would raise the
balance. This offer was increased to ten
thousand dollars, when the balance was
raised and the church, one of the finest
in New Jersey, has always been free from
debt.
After the death of Colonel Vermilye
his only daughter, Mrs. E. A. Brinker-
hoff, erected a beautiful memorial chapel
in his memory. She furnished it com-
ENGLEWOOD. 167
pletely and has always kept it in perfect
repair. The officers of this church at
this time were:
Elders, Livingston K. Miller, Frank B.
Nichols, James Vanderbeek; deacons,
John J. De Mott, Bryon Murray, Jr.,
Jeffrey A. Humphrey; trustees, Lebbeus
Chapman, Jr., James 0. Morse, Charles
H. Waterbury; treasurer, Bryon Mur-
ray, Jr.
It may interest the public to know
what this church was contributing for
charitable and other purposes during the
first twenty-five years of its existence.
The total amount of receipts for all pur-
poses were three hundred and eighty-
seven thousand dollars or nearly fifteen
thousand for each year.
An exhibit of a few years separately
will be interesting: 1861 receipts were
$3,179; 1865, $2,571; 1870, $10,234; 1871,
$26,000; 1875, $15,000; 1880, $14,000;
1885, $13,000.
168 ENOLEWOOD.
This is a good showing when we con-
sider that the twenty-five years include
many early years when there were but
few inhabitants.
On the 18th of March, 1891, a call was
extended to the Eev. James Eells which
was accepted, and on the 24th day of
September he was installed as minister.
Mr. Eells occupied the pulpit until the
spring of 1898, when he resigned to ac-
cept a call from a church in Boston.
The church was without a pastor until
March, 1899, when Dr. Samuel M. Hamil-
ton of Louisville, Kentucky, received
and accepted a call, and now occupies
the pulpit of this church.
ENQLEWOOD. 169
LIV.
A METHODIST CHUKCH.
The Methodist Church was dedicated
in December, 1863. The Rev. E. Hewett
was installed its first pastor the follow-
ing January, who has been succeeded by
many successful preachers. The Rev.
Dr. Wise became a resident here Decem-
ber, 1863, and through his efforts services
were held. Dr. Wise was a great acqui-
sition to the town, as he was a very elo-
quent, scholarly and earnest preacher;
moreover he was a brilliant writer, his
literary talents being of a high order.
Moses E. Springer was one of the prin-
ciple organizers of the church, and has
always taken a deep interest in its affairs.
Mr. Springer was one of Englewood's
170 ENGLEWOOD.
early citizens. He has built several
houses and filled many important offices
of public trust. E. A. Gorham, an old
and esteemed resident, has always been
active in the Methodist Church, and is
one of its earnest workers.
The Rev. J. W. Dalley is its present
pastor, and is a very active and earnest
preacher, and very much esteemed by
his people. An extended residence here
would be gratifying not only to his peo-
ple, but to citizens of the town.
ENGLEWOOD. 171
LV
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The Catholic Church was built in 1866.
Until that date we were obliged to send
our help to Fort Lee in our own car-
riages in order to retain them in our em-
ploy; that was the nearest church of
that denomination. Many people of that
church walked back and forth — a dis-
tance of two and one-half miles each
way. Our citizens were willing con-
tributors to a fund to build a Catholic
Church as to send to Fort Lee every Sab-
bath was very inconvenient. This
church building was very much enlarged
in 1868.
The church has a very large member-
ship, and has had many acceptable pas-
172 ENOLEWOOD.
tors connected with it, and under its
charge is a parochial school, and many
societies that bring together and elevate
their people. Father Smith was its first
pastor. He spent several years here,
and was much beloved.
ENGLEWOOD. 173
LVI.
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Episcopal Church was built and
the church organized in 1865. The
money was quickly subscribed to
complete the edifice. Every public
spirited citizen in Englewood took an
interest in its construction as they had
in everything that contributed to the
growth of the town. The Rev. 0. W.
Whittaker (now bishop) was its first
pastor. He was a very successful
preacher, and his people parted from
him with regret. He became the friend
of all denominations, who esteemed him
highly. He was followed by the Rev.
W. S. Langford, the Rev. John W. Paine
and others.
174 ENGLEWOOD.
The first wardens were: E. W. An-
drews, Charles T. Chester, William
King, John H. Lyell, Herbert Turner,
Richard K. Cook. This church has had
a steady growth from the beginning, and
its members are very much devoted not
only to the church but to each other.
Having outgrown the present church
building a new and larger one is about to
be erected for its worshippers. The
present minister, the Rev. G. F. Flicht-
ner, is very highly esteemed, and is a
very popular and successful rector.
ENQLEWOOD. 175
LVII.
A PICNIC ON THE PALISADES.
Experience has taught visitors to the
rocky heights of the Palisades to ap-
proach the dangerous steeps with caution.
Before the lesson was learned many
serious accidents had occurred. Ander-
son's terrible fall from the top of the
Palisades a few years ago will long be
remembered by all living in Englewood
at the time it happened. A company of
young ladies and gentlemen had gathered
near a gorge on the mountain to enjoy a
summer afternoon in this shady spot.
While in the full enjoyment of the oc-
casion, young Anderson, in moving
around, stepped on some running vines
that carpeted the top of a gorge, think-
176 ENGLEWOOD.
ing he was on solid ground, and fell two
hundred and fifty feet. It was con-
sidered miraculous that he could take
such a plunge without being dashed to
pieces. In an instant the young man
was seen falling with lightning speed
down the steep sides of the rocks. After
falling fifty feet he struck a small tree
among the bushes, where he was held a
moment, and then plunged two hundred
feet farther down.
It was nearly an hour before he was
rescued.
Imagination can hardly picture the
difficulty in reaching him, and returning
to the residence of Mr. George S. Coe on
the top of the mountain, Dr. Currie
was immediately sent for, and attended
him until he recovered. One of the
young ladies present had just previous
to the accident remarked that there were
thirteen present, and they must be care-
ful. This remark led them to repeat the
ENGLEWOOD. 177
superstitious legend that the number
thirteen always calls out. A second ac-
cident happened at the same time. A
horse that had been tied to a tree, with
the wheels of the carriage near the
brink, broke his fastenings and backed
over the precipice. An eyewitness said
when he crept near the gorge and looked
over that he saw flashes of light fly from
the rocks far down, and the horse passed
to the river five hundred feet below.
Eight years previous to this time a
young woman fell from the same point
that Anderson did, and was instantly
killed. Many years have passed since
an accident has happened, showing that
this sad lesson has not been forgotten.
178 ENGLEWOOD.
LVIII.
SPECULATING BEYOND THE LIMITS OF THE
TOWN.
From 1868 to 1873 some of our most
enterprising citizens having outgrown
speculating in village lots, reached out
far beyond the limits of the town, pur-
chased many farms, and founded many
villages, such as Creskill, Norwood,
Sparkill, and so forth. Seven farms were
purchased near Blauveltville on the
branch road which runs from Sparkill to
Nanuett.
A new town was to be founded, and a
station erected on the line of this road.
The farmers retired to live on the inter-
est of their mortgages, leaving their land
to run to weeds and thistles, their build-
ings to decay, and their fences to ruin.
ENOLEWOOD. 179
Several visits were made with the
president of the road to locate a new
station, but nothing came of it. Specu-
lation had reached its limit. The panic
of 1873 cast a dark shadow over the
country and the first lesson in suburban
village history was ended.
These abandoned farms with fences
and buildings going to decay were over-
grown with weeds and underbrush.
Rather than go to the expense of fore-
closure the poor farmer took back his
farm for the mortgage, returned to it,
and began life anew.
Thousands of acres of land in Bergen
County were returned to their original
owners.
The Mansard roof broke out in archi-
tecture about 1868.
Its craze appeared all over the State,
but with the fall of Napoleon that style
of architecture disappeared. Wherever
you see a Mansard roof you can know to
a certainty that it was built about 1870.
180 ENQLEWOOD.
LVIV.
THE PANIC OF 1873.
The cyclone that struck real estate in
1873 could not have been foreseen by any
financial weather prophet. It called
for a settlement of accounts of nearly all
speculators in village lots or outlying
lands.
It was eight or ten years before a re-
vival came. In the meantime the grave
of financial ruin had overtaken a great
many. Very few houses were erected,
or lots sold, for several years. In the
interval the world was not idle. The
student in mechanics, architecture, and
all other sciences was hard at work, and
when business revived a new order of
things took place.
Architecture became a thing of beauty,
as well as comfort.
ENQLEWOOD. 181
LX.
THE TABLES TURNED.
A change of fortune in which an En-
glewood gentleman was interested,
proves the uncertainty of worldly affairs.
A gentleman purchased a large tract of
land near Closter, agreeing to pay two
hundred and seventy-five dollars per
acre. Real estate at that time was boom -
ing. The gentleman that made the sale
discovered that he had sold too cheap,
and refused to deliver a deed. A law-
suit was the result. The court ordered
him to complete the sale. The panic
came and the land became almost worth-
less. The law compelled the seller to
make his fortune, while the one who
182 ENGLEWOOD.
succeeded in the law was ruined. This
was nearly twenty-five years ago, and
the land remains in the hands of the pur-
chaser.
ENQLEWOOD. 183
LXI.
THE PALISADES LAND COMPANY.
A mine of stranded hopes lie buried in
the dark shadows of the Palisades on the
mountains near Closter. A land com-
pany was formed by Englewood gentle-
men, who sold its shares for thirteen
thousand dollars each. Many men of
wealth became interested, expecting to
see a large and prosperous city planted
there. The panic came, followed a few
years later by a return to specie. The
land company dissolved. Each share-
holder took a deed for his special share,
or shares, and it is very doubtful whethe
any one of them could locate his land
should he attempt it. Many who were
interested have long since passed away.
184 ENOLEWOOD.
James G. Blaine and Whitelaw Reid were
interested.
For the purpose of introducing this
enterprise beyond the boundaries of the
county, invitations were sent far and
near for a forest picnic to be held on
these lands.
It was a beautiful autumn day. The
location was charming for a gathering of
that kind. A large number of ladies and
gentlemen assembled to enjoy the oc-
casion. There were many inducements
to inspire one to purchase an interest in
these lots. The Honorable S. B. Chit-
tenden was present. He was a member
of Congress at the time. Many other
distinguished persons were in evidence.
The views and refreshments were much
enjoyed, but as an effort to unload real
estate it was not a success. These lands
remain in their primitive state. Were a
tribe of Indians to locate here I doubt
whether they would be disturbed.
ENQLEWOOD. 185
LXIL
SPECULATION IN OIL.
The "New Jersey Oil Company" was
a child of Englewood. Lands were pur-
chased in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and
stock issued. Messrs. Nathan T. John-
son, Cornelius Lydecker, Francis How-
land, I. Smith Homans, and many others
were officers of the company.
The writer received stock to the
amount of five thousand dollars with a
guarantee. This stock was returned,
and money refunded within twelve
months and has always been worthless.
There was nothing strange about this
speculation. The oil fever had just
broken out, and many fortunes were
186 ENGLEWOOD.
made and lost. A large number of wise
and conservative men became interested.
The girl whose "dad struck ile" flour-
ished in silks and satins about this period.
ENGLEWOOD. 187
LXIII.
PUKCHASING A GAS MACHINE.
In 1868 we began to consider the sub-
ject of illuminating our houses with gas
or something more convenient than oil.
As there was no immediate prospect of
gas, Mr. E. S. Monroe and the writer
had their attention called to the Spring-
field gas machine.
This was the best machine in use, so
far as we could learn.
We purchased two machines at a cost
of six hundred dollars each. They were
lowered into large cisterns near our
houses. Before we learned to manage
these machines two lives came near being
sacrificed. A son of Mr. Monroe was
found unconscious in the vault that con-
188 ENGLEWOOD.
tained his machine, and a servant had the
same experience in mine.
Our experience with these machines
never proved satisfactory. Within a
year our Englewood Gas Company was
organized, when I sold my patent illumi-
nating machine at a sacrifice.
BNQLEWOOD. 189
LXIV.
THE BEEGEN COUNTY GAS COMPANY.
Gas was introduced into this town in
1869. It was a fortunate period for the
company, as times were prosperous and
nearly every one received it into their
dwellings. It came high — three dollars
and fifty cents per thousand feet — but
money was plenty and no complaint was
raised.
The charter for this company was ob-
tained by James 0. Morse, Daniel Drake
Smith, Colonel H. W. Banks, and several
others. Gas bills of thirty and forty
dollars were not uncommon, and coal in
1869 was fifteen dollars per ton.
After thirty years of success this com-
pany recently sold its stock to a foreign
190 ENGLEWOOD.
company. Mr. S. F. Gold was superin-
tendent and manager. Mr. Gold has
always been a faithful and competent
manager of the many different com-
panies he has represented.
The first officers of the Gas Company
were as follows:
Treasurer, William King; superinten-
dent, Samuel F. Gold; directors, Daniel
Drake Smith, James 0. Morse, Ashbel
Green, Lebbeus Chapman, Jr., Living-
ston K. Miller.
Directors and officers just retired : Col-
onel H. W. Banks, J. Hugh Peters,
Charles H. Piatt, Sheffield Phelps, B.
Drake Smith, E. A. Brinkerhoff, 0.
Drake Smith, Samuel F. Gold, J. Hall
Browning; secretary and treasurer, B.
Drake Smith; superintendent, Samuel
F. Gold.
ENOLEWOOD. 191
LXV.
WATEK INTRODUCED.
Water was introduced into Englewood
in 1886 by the Hackensack Water
Company. This company has its
offices in Hoboken, and the water
comes from New Milford. The supply
has always been abundant and satisfac-
tory, and it was very fortunate for the
town that the Hackensack Water Com-
pany found it convenient to pass our
doors. This will be appreciated more
by those who for years were compelled
to pump their water from wells and cis-
terns that often ran dry than by those
that never experienced that labor.
192 ENGLEWOOD.
LXVI.
BEOOKSIDE CEMETERY.
Englewood had been enrolled among
the villages of New Jersey sixteen years
before the citizens felt a necessity for a
place of burial, which is conclusive proof
that this was a healthy place.
The subject was long discussed before
a site was chosen.
A committee of twenty -one was ap-
pointed to purchase a piece of land suit-
able for the purpose. After a thorough
investigation and search over the town-
ship the committee decided upon the
location of the present "Brookside Ceme-
tary."
As is often the case in public affairs
there was strong opposition to this site.
ENQLEWOOD. 193
The columns of the press were open for
discussion.
Although situated on high rolling
ground far above two streams that sur-
rounded it, some thought it damp and
undesirable; but time has proved the
wisdom of the choice and its purchase
has never been regretted.
The cemetery was purchased in 1876,
when it was a wild, barren spot filled
with chestnut, dogwood, and wild
cedars. It is surrounded with streams
and swaying treetops with bright sun-
light playing among the branches.
Over thirty years have passed, and we
find within these forest walks a city of
tombs, beneath which repose the remains
of a generation of Englewood's pioneers.
The remains of Rev. James H. Dwight
sleep under the shadow of the little stone
chapel in which he preached so many
years. What more appropriate and fit-
ting monument to the first pastor of an
194 ENGLEWOOD.
Englewood church and what a strange
chain of circumstance that their last
resting-place should be side by side in
that cemetery.
It became necessary some time ago to
enlarge the grounds. As it was not pos-
sible to purchase land adjoining the old
one the trustees obtained nineteen acres
on the west side of Engle Street, run-
ning to the Northern Railroad, and
bounded by the hospital land on the
south. These grounds have been sur-
veyed, mapped and are now a part of the
old cemetery.
The first officers of the old cemetery
in 1876 were: Trustees, Sheppard Ho-
mans, Charles G. Sawtelle, Robert J.
Hunter, Francis Howland, Thomas M.
Wheeler, Jeffrey A. Humphrey; presi-
dent, Francis Howland; vice-president,
Sheppard Homans; treasurer, Jeffrey A.
Humphrey.
ENGLEWOOD. 195
LXVII.
AN AUCTION SALE.
An auction sale of property, and the
motive that prompted it is an interesting
piece of history, as showing the kind and
neighborly spirit that existed here
twenty-five years ago.
In 1868 Francis Howland sold to Judge
Cowan of Washington, D. C, his resi-
dence on Church Street, which included
about thirty-three acres of land. This
land was located east of Engle Street,
and occupied nearly a block, running
from Chestnut Street, south to Spring
Lane. Judge Cowan died in the spring
of 1873, leaving his property incumbered
for forty thousand dollars, more than it
was supposed to be worth. Out of kind-
196 ENGLEWOOD.
ness to Mrs. Cowan the citizens had the
land surveyed, lots laid out, and a map
filed in the county clerk's office at Hack-
ensack. Winthrop Street was opened at
that time from Chestnut to Church.
The auction took place on a beautiful
autumn day, when nearly every citizen
of the village took a holiday to attend it.
They had an unselfish desire to obtain
from the property the most possible, as
they wished to realize something more
than the incumbrance. It was a day of
hilarity and pleasure, as the purchasers
who were mostly our own neighbors, bid
the lots up on each other, retiring to
cover, when it was thought dangerous to
proceed further.
Robert J. Hunter purchased the house
and several acres bounded by Winthrop
and Church streets. Daniel Drake
Smith, Vincent Tilyou, E. S. Monroe,
J. Wyman Jones, J. A. Humphrey and
several others made purchases.
ENOLEWOOD. 197
George S. Coe was made treasurer.
When the sale was completed and the
purchase money all paid in the result
was seventy-one thousand dollars.
This sale gave to Mrs. Cowan thirty
thousand dollars in excess of the in-
debtedness which enabled her to spend
the rest of her days in comfort.
A little before this sale was made J.
Wyman Jones sold a few lots at auction
in the business center of Palisade
Avenue. They brought from four to six
hundred dollars, which was thought to
be a fair price. These lots were sold a
few years later for twenty-five hundred
dollars each.
Mr. Jones founded Norwood and built
the Norwood House. About this period
speculation was extending up the valley,
and the building of Norwood was
thought to be a wise undertaking. Mr.
Jones gave a splendid dinner to his
Englewood friends when the hotel was
198 ENGLEWOOD.
completed. This town continued to
prosper until the house was destroyed
by fire.
This building was not restored, and
Norwood has never recovered from its
loss.
ENGLEWOOD. 199
LXVIII.
A CONTEST WITH A BURGLAR.
On a dark and stormy night in the
spring of 1886 two brothers who had been
spending an evening with friends at a
neighboring house on Teaneck ridge were
returning home about 10 o'clock. This
was a location of scattered farmhouses
surrounded by forests and fields, a lonely
walk especially in a fearful storm. In
returning home they were compelled to
pass a schoolhouse which stood opposite
a dark forest some distance from their
home. As this school building was in
their district anything unusual occurring
within its doors at that hour would
naturally arouse their suspicion. As
they approached the building a flash of
200 ENGLEWOOD.
light caused by a match appeared from
one of the windows. "What is that!"
said one of the brothers. "There must
be some intruder inside." The darkness
and surrounding gloom made it a moment
requiring courage to enter that building
unarmed. This being a family not born
to fear, the brothers boldly approached
the door and cautiously started to enter.
In an instant the flash of a pistol rang
through the room and its murderous
contents struck the door, falling at their
feet. "They are firing bullets," re-
marked one. Upon continuing to enter
another shot was fired, but without
effect, when the young men withdrew.
Not the least unnerved by these demon-
strations these two fine types of Ameri-
can manhood, above the average in cour-
age and strength, were alert to meet their
foe without stopping to consider the
issue, and they took positions on each
side of the building under its windows.
ENOLEWOOD. 201
They had not long to wait, as the burglar
sprang to the window sill, defended by
the elder brother, who attacked him with
a cane, when the desperado fired, the
ball striking and breaking his shoulder
blade. He then sprang from the win-
dow, when a tug of war never antici-
pated before commenced. After a fear-
ful struggle the elder brother, although
suffering from a broken shoulder blade,
succeeded in landing on top. At this
time his brother appeared and com-
menced to beat the robber over the head
with a jimmy dropped by the rascal,
which he used with effect. It was
an unfortunate circumstance that
directed the robber's hand to the
pistol that he dropped in the strug-
gle. Recovering it, he fired, the ball
passing through the young man's
body, who, finding his strength failing,
started for home. After going about one
hundred yards he called for help, when
202 ENGLEWOOD.
he was assisted home by his brother and
friends. The would-be murderer had
been beaten into insensibility, but re-
covered sufficient to seek the seclusion
of a dark forest. George S. Coe, Jr., for
that was the wounded brother's name,
by his athletic training and previous cor-
rect life had sufficient reserve force to
sustain and bring him back to health
after long and weary months of painful
and patient struggle. Word had been
conveyed to the Protection Society that
George S. Coe, Jr., had been dangerously
wounded by a burglar, when over two
hundred people with lanterns and wea-
pons appeared on the scene and spent
the night in a vain search for the burg-
lar. A reward of two thousand dollars
was offered by the society for his appre-
hension. After wandering several days
in the dark recesses of the Palisades he
appeared at the Hoboken ferry in an at-
tempt to reach New York, but a police-
ENGLEWOOD. 203
man, seeing in that ragged and tattered
form the man he was looking for, ar-
rested and returned him to the Protec-
tion Society. After a long trial he was
sentenced to fifteen years in state
prison. The courage displayed by these
two brothers, Messrs. George S. and
Louis S. Coe, is hardly excelled in the
annals of history.
The Protection Society is entitled to
great credit for the part taken by them
in the arrest, trial, and conviction of this
daring criminal.
The law has been satisfied as the burg-
lar has served his term and is now at
liberty. It is reported that Mrs. Balling-
ton Booth took an interest in him while
in prison, and that after serving out his
term he joined her army, and is with
them at the present time.
204 ENQLEWOOD.
LXIX.
OUR OLDEST MASTER BUILDERS.
Andrew D. Bogart and Henry Jones
have long occupied a conspicuous place
in Englewood history, not only as master
builders who have constructed the great-
est number of our houses and other build-
ings, but as citizens and neighbors who
have long been identified as sharing the
burdens and responsibilities of the
church and the government of the town.
They have lived here nearly forty
years, and the finest buildings presented
to our view are of their construction.
I refer to them as they are very old
residents and are the most conspicuous
m our history as builders.
ENQLEWOOD. 205
LXX.
AN EX-TAMMANY SHEKIFF
resided in this town at one time in its
early history. Ex- Sheriff Orser lived
for some years on Teaneek, in an old
colonial house situated a little south of
Englewood Avenue. He devoted his de-
clining years to riding to and from this
village, working on his grounds, and re-
hearsing the sins of Tammany Hall. He
had peculiar ideas about some things,
among others was that he was opposed
to capital punshment for females, be-
cause his mother was a woman. This
was said in referring to Mrs. Surrat, an
accomplice of J. Wilkes Booth, the mur-
derer of President Lincoln.
;i06 ENQLEWOOD.
LXXI.
A CHAPTER ON TAXES.
The subject of taxation is ever present,
and from it there is no escape. The
taxes on property in this township were
very light for many years after we came
here, even when we consider that the old
township of Hackensack, which was
three times as large, included Englewood
in its boundary. As the village began
public improvements taxes rapidly in-
creased. Valuations increased by capi-
tal being invested in buildings and lands,
but never seemed to keep pace with the
increasing expenses of the township.
The bills for taxes in 1870, 1880, 1888,1894
and 1897 on a piece of property I own will
ENGLEWOOD. 207
show the increase for those years $49,
$60, $90, $125, $150. We escape many an-
noying taxes of our ancestors, and in com-
parison ought not to complain. Tradi-
tion states that our forefathers were
obliged to submit to personal taxes which
extended to females. In 1695 females paid
the collector a personal tax of two shill-
ings a head, that is, those who earned a
livelihood, and males twice the amount;
in case of old men and minors, they
were often remitted.
The first assessor of this township was
Daniel G. Boast; collector, Cornelius
Herring.
208 ENQLEWOOD.
LXX1I.
GOOD TEMPLAKS.
In Englewood's early days there was
but one Prohibitionist in the town, that
was a Mr. Coxhead, who comprised the
entire society and elected himself to all
its offices. He came from Fort Lee to
vote that ticket. Shortly after this the
I. 0. G. T. Society was organized, when
Mr. Coxhead joined them. Their num-
bers soon increased until they became
quite influential. Their efforts restored
to respectable citizenship many con-
firmed and excessive drinkers. They
accomplished much as a temperance
party, but they entered the arena of
politics and died from its excessive in-
dulgence. They demanded that a good
templar should vote the prohibition
ticket. This demand retired the party.
ENOLEWOOD. 209
LXXIII.
CATHOLIC SOCIETIES.
The Catholic Benevolent Legion and
St. Cecilia's Total Abstinence society are
accomplishing much for the elevation
and assistance of their members. The
former in establishing a fund for families
left without means of support, and by
those who have complied with all its re-
quirements. And the latter are en-
couraging temperance and endeavoring to
elevate its members to a higher plane of
morals and intelligence.
These societies are under the protect-
ing care of the Catholic Church, and have
accomplished much in an effort to attract
its people in paths of usefulness.
110 ENGLEWOOD.
LXXIV.
TUSCAN LODGE, F. AND A. M. NO. 115.
Tuscan Lodge, F. and A. M., No. 115,
was organized in 1871. The first officers
were: Treasurer, Alexander Cass; Secre-
tary, John A. Hyde; Officers, Peter
Rogers, W. C. Davis, Moses E. Springer,
Alexander Cass, John A. Hyde; Charter
Members, Peter Rogers, John E. Wentz,
William C. Davis, Alexander Cass, Moses
E. Springer, John W. Dale, John A.
Hyde, Jacob Campbell, Samuel Stalter,
Joseph Conklin; Trustees for 1899, Wil-
liam C. Davis, one year; Robert Steven-
son, two years; Henry Booth, three
years; Finance Committee, John M.
ENOLEWOOD. 211
Booth, P. M., M. Frank Vanderbeek,
George D. De Mott.
This lodge is in a flourishing condition
and its membership is constantly in-
creasing.
212 ENGLEWOOD.
LXXV.
ODD FELLOWS.
Englewood Lodge, I. 0. of 0. F., 197,
was founded October 25, 1883, with four-
teen members. This lodge has splendid
rooms in the Vanderbeek Building, and
has always been very active and prosper-
ous. It has now ninety-five members.
Its first officers were: First N. G.,
Samuel I. Demarest; Vice G., Albert H.
Clark ; Recording Secretary, Alvin Conk-
lin; Permanent Secretary, John Henry
Ackerman ; Treasurer, Henry West.
The present officers are: First N. G.,
Charles Brucker; Vice G., James M.
Gulnock; Recording Secretary, J. Edgar
Brown; Permanent Secretary, Samuel I.
Demarest; Treasurer, John M. Foley.
ENGLEWOOD. 213
LXXVI.
THE KOYAL ARCANUM.
The Palisade Council Royal Arcanum
was organized March 27, 1889. Officers
at the time of organization: Regent,
C. 0. Dewey; Vice-Regent, R. P. Worten-
dyke; Orator, G. B. Best; Past Regent,
W. J. M. Byrne; Collector, E. J. Sheri-
den; Secretary, Perry Chamberlain;
Treasurer, C. L. Vanderbeek; Chaplain,
M. Mattison; Guide, J. R. Vreeland;
Warden, M. P. Vanderbeek; Sentry,
James D. Vanderbeek.
This society was founded for a benevo-
lent purpose, which it has strictly ad-
hered to and is very economically man-
aged.
The officers of 1899 are as follows: Re-
2U ENGLEWOOD.
gent, G. W. Springer; Vice Regent, G. N.
Lounsbury; Orator, S. C. Abramson;
Past regent, F. Meyerhoff; collector,
R. B. Taylor; Secretary, G. W. Whyard;
Treasurer, Jacob R. Demarest; Chaplain,
A. H. Engelke; Guide, M. Mattison;
Warden, J. H. Howe; Sentry, J. H.
Garrison.
ENGLEWOOD. 215
LXXVII.
DWIGHT POST.
Dwight Post, 103, G. A. R., was organ-
ized March 25, 1887. It was named for
the Rev. James H. Dwight, who served
in the union army, both as soldier and
chaplain. The existence of this organi-
zation is measured by the lives of its
members, and slowly and surely its num-
bers must continue to decrease. These
veterans meet once a year, and march to
the Brookside Cemetery in memory of
their soldier chaplain. There an oration
is delivered by some citizen, when they
sadly return, filled with the memories of
scenes enacted thirty years ago.
The following are the charter mem-
216 ENGLEWOOD.
bers: P. 0., William C. Davis; S. V. C.,
Charles Barr; J. V. C., Rudolph H.
Smith; Adjutant, JohnH. Hopper; Q. M.,
John D. Christie; Surgeon, Robert Man-
ger; Chaplain, William Fredericks;
0. D., Frederick D. Coyte; 0. G., James
H. Demarest.
ENQLEWOOD. 217
LXXVIII.
LOAN AND BUILDING ASSOCIATION.
The Englewood Loan and Building As-
sociation was organized in 1887 and has
accomplished much in assisting families
of small means to obtain a home with-
out much ready cash. The western part
of the town is thickly populated with
handsome, inexpensive houses which may
have never been built if assistance had
not been rendered by this associa-
tion. It has been faithfully, and eco-
nomically managed and has been very
successful as shown by its reports.
Moses E. Springer, its efficient secretary,
has held the office since 1890.
Its first officers: President, Samuel
Riker; Vice-President, R. S. Mangham,
Treasurer, Henry Jones.
2L8 ENGLEWOOD.
LXXIX.
THE DAUGHTERS OF THE REVOLUTION.
Memories of the old "Liberty Pole"
have been restored to new life, and its
historic events revived by the Daughters
of the Revolution. The "Liberty Pole"
Chapter of Englewood was organized in
1893. It revives pleasant memories of
our patriotic forefathers to whose cour-
age and valor we are indebted for the
freedom and religious liberty we all en-
joy. The thanks of our citizens should
be extended to the patriotic women who
have founded a society to keep green not
only the memory of our ancestors, but
the spot so dear to all where liberty's
banner was unfurled in the trying days
of the revolution.
Lexington and Evacuation day, the
beginning and end of our struggle for
ENGLEWOOD. 219
liberty are to be remembered by this
society.
The following were the first officers :
Mrs. Livingston K. Miller, Eegent; Mrs.
William A. Childs, Treasurer; Mrs. Ed-
ward W. Clarke, Secretary; Miss Ada-
line Sterling, State Historian, N. J. So-
ciety D. R.
This society celebrated the battle of
Lexington on the 19th of April of the
present year, when a bronze shield was
unveiled, the inscription on which is:
"Erected by the Liberty Pole Chapter,
D. R., to commemorate the Liberty Pole
which stood on this spot in revolutionary
times."
The ceremony was opened with prayer
by the Rev. Dr. Samuel M. Hamilton,
after which a very interesting address
was delivered by Mayor E. A. Brinker-
hoff.
The tablet was presented to the society
by Mr. Abram De Ronde.
220 ENGLEWOOD.
LXXX.
THE WOMANS' EXCHANGE.
The Womans' Exchange is an institu-
tion of recent years. Like many things
in nature and commerce it appeared
when required. It is an institution
peculiar to itself, and differs from all
others as it is conducted by women,
and forms a social and commercial ex-
change, where producer and consumer
are friends and neighbors. The business
is conducted by a third party who re-
ceives and disposes of the wares on com-
mission.
The Woman's Exchange in Englewood
was organized in 1887, and occupies a
very useful position in this community.
Its first board of managers were Mrs.
Samuel Duncan, President; Mrs. Shep-
ENGLEWOOD. 221
pard Homans, Treasurer; Mrs. George
D. Hall, Secretary.
In 1897 it became incorporated under
a special act.
The following persons were the first
members of the society: Sarah B. Banks,
Mary B. Barber, Emily A. Brinkerhoff,
Eva B. Browning, Julia S. Childs, Paul-
ine M. Clephane, Mary E. D. Coe, Helen
R. Congdon, Elizabeth Coppell, Sophia
G. Davison, Jeanette L. Enos, Sarah C,
Evans, Sarah H. Homans, Emily B. Kid-
der, Mary W. Oliphant, Mary A. Peters,
Louisa A. Rochester, Persis A. Rock-
wood, Henrietta L. Sawtelle, Ellen
Squire, Mary E. B. Story, Janet T. Wells,
Charlotte B. Whittemore, Ellen P.
Wickes.
The following persons were its officers :
Emily A. Brinkerhoff, President; Char-
lotte B. Whittemore, Vice-President;
Mary E. B. Story, Secretary; Mary B.
Barber, Treasurer.
223 ENGLEWOOD.
To Miss Henrietta L. Sawtelle is due
especial credit for her great ability and
untiring efforts to make this exchange a
success.
It owns and occupies a beautiful build-
ing in a pleasant locality away from all
other business enterprises, and is con-
ducted on a higher and more restricted
plane than other institutions of business.
It has no bargain counters, nor does it
grow rich by false pretenses.
ENQLEWOOD. 223
LXXXI.
THE LYCEUM.
The Lyceum Building was erected in
1889, several years after the Atheneuni
was destroyed by fire. It is located on
the corner of Palisade Avenue and Englo
Street, and is a very substantial and
sightly building. It includes a fine con-
cert hall, a "Gentlernans' Club," which
occupies several large rooms, where its
members can meet and enjoy themselves
as they wish in reading, billiards, cards,
conversation, etc.
A large circulating library is located
on the first floor of this building, which
was organized in 1890, and has met with
great success. It comprises all the newest
224 ENGLEWOOD.
publications, and now has over six thou-
sand volumes. The needs and benefits of
a library are appreciated in this age of
civilization.
The Citizens' National Bank is located
in this building and has been a great
benefit to the town. It started with a
capital of fifty thousand dollars which it
has doubled in ten years.
The first officers of the Lyceum were:
President, Dwight A. Jones; Vice-Presi-
dent, E. A. Brinkerhoff ; Treasurer, C. H.
Blake; Secretary, B. Drake Smith. It
has an efficient board of directors and is
conducted in a conservative manner.
A Business Section.
Daisy Fields.
ENGLEWOOD. 225
LXXXII.
DAISY FIELDS.
The sympathies of the civilized world
are always aroused by the cry of suffer-
ing from innocent children. We hardly
realize this condition as we ought un-
less it is brought within our vision.
On the outskirts of our city to the
northwest, and near the Knickerbocker
Road is located a home and hospital
for crippled children, called "Daisy
Fields." A beautiful name suggestive
of meadows and flowers, forests and
streams. In 1893 a kind and philan-
thropic family who have long made
Englewood their home, feeling that they
might make happy and brighten the
226 ENGLEWOOD.
lives of a few unfortunate and crippled
children, kindly engaged a cottage on
the borders of the city. This place in-
cludes several acres of land, inclosing
meadows with many fine shade trees
overhead, and through which passes a
small brook where the children can for-
get their troubles, and enjoy fresh air
and peaceful surroundings. A few of
these children are able to roam in the
fields and enjoy a beautiful stream of
water that supplies a pond recently con-
structed within these grounds, but the
children are nearly all cripples or in-
valids for life, and it is sad to think that
they can only remain spectators in the
scenes that surround them.
We forget in our busy lives that there
are many things we might contribute
that would be inexpensive, and greatly
add to their pleasure and comfort, such
as toys, games, books, clothing, etc.
We may amuse them during their
ENGLEWOOD. 227
youth, but their pathway through life is
hard to contemplate. As men and
women their paths may lead to the gate-
way of the hospital or the institutions for
the poor.
The result of the first year's experience
was such that this institution was incor-
porated and the enterprise successfully
continued from that time. The cottage
was recently enlarged and the grounds
improved. The children have been
greatly benefited under this kind treat-
ment, and many have returned to their
homes. This institution depends upon
its own contributions or those of its
friends, as it has no endowment. The
following were its first officers: Presi-
dent, Mrs. Herbert B. Turner; Vice-
President, Miss Francis E. Lyman ; Secre-
tary, Mrs. D. Webster Evans; Treasurer,
Mrs. Joseph E. Tillinghast.
The officers at the present time (1899)
are: President, Mrs. Herbert B. Turner;
228 ENGLEWOOD.
Vice-President, Miss Frances M. Lyman;
Secretary, Mr. Thornton Floyd Turner;
Treasurer, Mrs. Joseph R. Tillinghast.
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert B. Turner deserve
great credit for their efforts in behalf of
these crippled children.
ENOLEWOOD. 229
LXXXIII.
A NEW CHURCH.
The West Side Presbyterian Church
was organized in April, 1898, from a Sun-
day school which began in 1894 by mem-
bers of the Presbyterian Church.
Some time previous to the Rev. Dr.
Henry M. Booth's departure from Engle-
wood he had noticed the rapid increase
of population on the west side of the
town, north and south of Palisade Avenue
extension, and made the remark that
there would soon be a demand for a
church in that thriving locality.
It was not very long before Dr. Booth's
prophecy came true, as meetings for
prayer were held in different families
until October, 1894, when a room was
engaged in Professor August Kursteiner's
230 ENGLEWOOD.
school building, where services were
held every Friday and Sunday evenings,
and a Sunday school established. The
Presbyterian Church kept a watchful
eye on this new church, and encouraged
its development in every way.
The Rev. James Eells and E. A.
Brinkerhoff, two members of the session
of the Presbyterian Church suggested
that Dwight Chapel was too large for the
wants of Calvary Mission, and advised
its gift to the West Side Presbyterian
Church.
In reference to Dwight Chapel it may
be stated that this building was a noble
gift by one of Englewood's former resi-
dents to the memory of the Rev. James
H. Dwight.
The condition of the gift of Dwight
Chapel was that it should be located
where it would do the most good, and
was placed under the care of the Presby-
terian Church.
ENGLEWOOD. 231
A meeting of this church resulted in
presenting Dwight Chapel to the West
Side Church on condition that it would
incorporate under the title of the West
Side Union Chapel for the purpose of en-
abling them to receive the gift. These
conditions all being complied with
Dwight Chapel was transferred to the
West Side Presbyterian Church.
Money was raised and a new building
was placed on the old foundation of Cal-
vary Mission of sufficient size for their
needs.
Five thousand dollars were speedily
raised to purchase land, build a founda-
tion, move the building and prepare it for
its new condition.
When the new church was organized,
the Presbytery, at the suggestion of the
people, appointed the Rev. Fisher H.
Booth chairman of the meeting, and
Charles F. Park was also made a member
of the committee.
232 ENGLEWOOD.
The Presbyterian Church gave letters
of dismissal to thirty-six members, that
they might be received into membership
of the West Side Church.
This church was established with fifty-
two members.
The church is now established on a
solid foundation, and is growing rapidly
under the charge of their esteemed pas-
tor, the Rev. Charles A. Junkin.
ENOLEWOOD. 233
LXXXIV.
OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.
We have a very efficient fire depart-
ment, and since its existence very little
damage has resulted from conflagration.
Previous to this organization we had
some heavy losses. The most noticeable
were the Palisade Mountain House, and
the extensive dwelling of William Walter
Phelps, one overlooking the Hudson
River, the other on Teaneck Ridge.
These buildings were situated at the ex-
treme east and west end of the town-
ship, and were a total loss. They are
beautiful ruins, as ivy and creeping vines
cover the walls and reach to the tops of
their tall chimneys.
The Mountain House was a great loss
234 ENQLEWOOD.
to Englewood, as its summer guests
added much to its life and business. A
large stone mansion was consumed a few
years ago, which stood on a large piece
of ground near the center of the village,
upon which there was no insurance, and
within its walls in some unsafe deposit
trunk or closet rested twenty thousand
dollars in unregistered bonds. All the
owner received for said bonds was the
lesson it taught.
It will be well for the rising generation
to take a little stock in this lesson of
experience.
ENQLEWOOD. 235
LXXXV.
A CITY OF DWELLINGS.
Foktunately we are not a manufactur-
ing town. Several attempts have been
made to locate large factories here, but
they did not mature. A silk mill was
started here a few years ago, but after
running some time it went into the
hands of a receiver. The only mill that
succeeds too well here is the gin mill.
A statement of the fact is sufficient. It
is hard to realize how the residents of
Englewood, with their beautiful homes,
could be benefited by making this a
manufacturing town.
The object of the founders of Engle-
wood was to build a town of substantial
homes, where peace and happiness
236 ENGLEWOOD.
might dwell. The future to them was a
pleasant dream of gilded hopes, which
lured them into paths, the termination of
which they knew not.
The class of men they induced to settle
here throws a pleasant light across their
pathway, and proves that their motives
and desires were of a high order.
Death called one after another before
their work was completed.
ENGLEWOOD. 237
LXXXVI.
THE CHARACTER OF OUR CITY.
The character of a town becomes what
its founders make it. They form its
institutions and direct its affairs; they
unfurl its banner and proclaim its prin-
ciples.
The character of this town has always
been maintained, though the ranks have
been thinned by a relentless fate, but for-
tunately a kind Providence has sent us
others who have filled their places and
assumed the responsibilities that rest on
the town.
Englewood's good name has reached
far beyond the hills that surround the
town, and within its gates the fathers are
proud of their children.
THE END.
