1
NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES
3 3433 07897425 4
GENEALOGICAL HISTORY
OF
Hudson and Bergen Counties
to
NEW JERSEY
CORNELIUS BURNHAM HARVEY
EDITOR
The New Jersey Genealogical Publishing
Company, i 14 Fifth Avenue, New York
1900
(A
1
1 ,
, , , . ...
1 .... ,
, ,
THE NEW YORK
ASTOR, LENOX AND
TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
R 1933 L
The Winthrop Pri 88
New York
I [ail to posterity !
Let the young generations yet to be
Look kindly upon this.
Think how your fathers left their native land.
— Pas tori ><s.
What he was and what he is
They who ask may haply find.
— Whittier.
HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
THE FIRST SETTLERS AND THEIR ORIGIN
P T< > tin- close of i he < "\\ il War family origin and lineage re-
ceived lmt a small measure of attention in the United
Stales. Here and there, along the line of the centuries,
persons possessed of wealth and leisure had caught up and
reunited t he broken t hreads of kinship; but I he great mass of the com-
mon people considered time thus spent ms time squandered. In ac-
counting for i his ii should be remembered thai the early settlers of
the country never expected to set fool again on European soil. Hav-
ing deliberately severed all the ties thai connected them with the past,
they lived to remember only — and that with hatred — the tyranny,
despotism, hardships, and persecutions of a church and state which
had forced them from the land of their birth. Again, these pioneers
of a new civilization had little time to think of remote family ties.
With them " self preservation was the first law of nature." Bound-
less forests must be felled; lands must be cleared and tilled; crops
must be reared, harvested, and protected; the savages must be
watched, fought, and exterminated; civil government must be organ-
ized and maintained; highways, canals, churches, schools, court
houses, and jails must be constructed and paid for; villages, towns,
cities, counties, states, even a nation, must be built up; and, when,
after long years of untold hardships, all these things had been accom-
plished, then came the great revolt from, and struggle with, the
mother country for freedom and national independence.
After the republic, the War of 1812, then the war with Mexico, and,
lastly, the Civil War, the great and final struggle for national life and
perpetuity. This "building of the nation," and the wars incident
thereto, did not stimulate genealogical research. The American
Revolution arraved the descendants of the early settlers against the
descendants of their European oppressors, and the American Civil
War arrayed father against father and brother against brother. Both
of these conflicts tended to keep alive in the breasts of Americans the
animosities kindled by wrongs committed on European soil several
generations before.
HUDSON AND BERGEN COl NTIES
Bu1 the surrender a1 Appomattox soon changed all this. The new
nation had emerged triumphanl from her greal crucial stniiruh'- freed
from the curse of human slavery. Moreover, and quite ;is Important,
she had shown thai she could and would maintain t li<* integral v of the
Union. She immediately took n commanding position among the
nations of the earth, :i position which has grown stronger and more
commanding as time has rolled on, until a1 I a si the respecl of Europe
has been won. Equality breeds sociability. And now the descend-
ants of the early emigrants to America hobnob with Europeans with
as much freedom as it I hev were members of the same household.
THE FIRST SETTLERS
All this lias aroused a deep and abiding interest in family lineage,
and this interest has been greatly intensified in the last decade by
the organization of the Holland Society, the Huguenot Society, the
New England Society, the Colonial Dames, the Sons of the Revolu-
tion, the Daughters of the Revolution, and numerous societies of a
similar character. The desire among all classes of the people to
know something of their ancestry has been still further stimulated by
4 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
the Qumerous genealogical societies qow established throughoul the
1 'nioii.
1 1 is a source of deep regrel thai the early records of Northern New
Jersey are so widely scattered more so, perhaps, than those <>r any
other section of the country. The historian and genealogisl must
find them ;it Albany, New York, Goshen, Richmond, and New City
in New York State, and ;ii Trenton, Perth Amboy, Newark, Jersey
Uity, Paterson, and Hackensack in the Stale of New Jersey. Then,
again, the chirography of the early records of ihis section is peculiar,
and many of the documents and records are in a foreign language.
Thousands of grants, deeds, wills, and other documents relative to
Bergen County, all of the greatesl importance to the searcher for
knowledge, were never recorded and never even deposited in any pub-
lic record office, owing to the bitter conl roversy be1 ween the Colonies
of New York and New Jersey over the location of the boundary line
between them, a controversy which lasted more than a century
Prom the time the country began to be settled by Europeans. I am
forced to the conclusion thai he who would make a successful plotting
of the early grants of land in Northern New Jersey would need to
spend at least five years in a house-to-house hunt for the necessary
data, in trunks and chests <d the old pioneers, now hidden away and
forgotten, in the garrets of their descendants. I have prepared this
article from such data as 1 have been able to find, bul for the reasons
above stated the matter it contains must necessarily be replete with
errors and importanl omissions. Nevertheless, 1 am not without
strong hope thai it may be of some assistance to the thousands of
descendants of the sturdy men and women who settled the Counties
of Hereon and Hudson. I have prepared and inserted four maps:
No. 1, showing Bergen County as erected in L693; No. 2, showing the
greater part of the same county as re-erected in L709-10; No. 3, show-
ing Hudson County at the present time: and No. 4, showing the
greater pari of Bergen County as erected in L709-10, and, as far as
possible, the locations of the original land patents. In the text these
ire called and on map No. 1 are numbered " Sections." The outlines
of these "sections" are, of course, only approximately correct, but
they will be found useful to the reader In locating any particular set-
tler. I have also set forth t he counties Into townships, boroughs, and
other municipalities, and, lastly, I have given in tabulated form the
surname ol each of the principal settlers, his nationality, and, as far
as possible, the name and domicile of his European ancestor.
FORMATION OF BERGEN AND HUDSON C0UNTD3S
The first municipality within the limits of New Jersey was erected
by order of Director General Btuyvesanl and his council on Septem-
THE FIRST SETTLERS
ber 5, 1661, and christened "The Village of Bergen." The origin of
the name " Bergen " rests in some doubt. Some writers confidently
claim it to have been derived from " Bergen," the capital of Norway,
MAP
or
HUDSON COUNTY
/900
while others as confidently assert it to have been derived from Ber-
/' n op Zoom, an important town on the River Scheldt, in Holland,
eighteen miles north of Antwerp. Without expressing an opinion,
HUDSON AM> BERGEN COUNTIES
1 may say that, bo far as my investigations have extended, the evi-
dence seems to favor those who claim the name to have been derived
from ili<* IIi>]1;iii<1 town. During the seven years following tin* christ-
ening oew settlers rapidly purchased and located on lands outside of
the " Village" limits. These, with a view to more effectually pro-
tecting themselves from the savages, asked thai they mighl be an-
nexed to the main settlement. Accordingly, on the "ill of April,
1668, Governor Philip Carterel and his council, of Easl New Jersey,
granted to the settlers of Bergen (then comprising some forty fam-
ilies) a charter under the corporate mime of " The Towne ami < Corpora-
tion of Bergen." This new "Towne" comprised the present County
<»f llmlsun as far wesl as the Hackensack River. The line on the
nort li. as described in i he charter, started "a1 Mordavis meadow, lying
upon the wesl side of Hudson's River; from thence to run upon a X. W.
lyne by a Three rail fence thai is now standing to a place called
Espatin [The Hill] and from thence to a little creek [Bellman's
Creek] surrounding N. X. W. till it comes unto the river Hackensack
[Indian name for "Lowland"], containing in breadth, from tin- top of
the Hill, 1\ miles or L20 chains." During t he nexl sixteen years now
settlements sprang up north of Bergen, bul in matters of governmenl
these were termed "'out lands'" or "precincts," without any corpor-
ate ] lower whatever, and subjeel to the jurisdiction of the authorities
of t ho - Towne."
As time W'-nt on and population increased, courts became neces-
sary; and as all the colonial officials wore Englishmen, and many Eng-
lish immigrants had settled in the colony, it was hut natural that t bey
should desire the adoption of the English system of county govern-
ment. < »n the 7th of March. 1682, tin- provincial legislature passed,
and Deputy Governor Rudyard approved, an act under which New
Jersey was divided into four counties : Bergen, Essex, Middlesex, and
Monmouth. Bergen County, as then defined, contained "all the
settlements between Hudson's River and the Hackensack River, be-
ginning al Constable's Hook and so to extend to the uppermost
bounds of the Province, northward between the said rivers with the
seal of governmenl at the town of Bergen." (See Map No. l.i Essex
County comprised " all the settlements between the west side of the
Hackensack River and the parting lim- between Wbodbridge ami
Elizabethtown, and nort bward to the utmosl bounds of the Province."
r»\ this division the greater part of the present County of Bergen
fell within the limits of Essex County, where il remained until L 709-10.
This division into counties caused ureal dissatisfaction among the
people, particularly in Northern New Jersey. They complained that
the counties were too large, that the distance between their homes
ami the county seat was too long, ami that traveling such long dis-
THE FIRST SETTLERS 7
timers, over the worst of roads, in all sorts of weather, interfered with
their pursuits and subjected them to great expense and bodily dis-
comfort. Sheriffs found it difficult to summon and compel the at-
tendance of jurymen and witnesses. The administration of justice
and the transaction of all other public business were seriously re-
tarded. From every part of the province petitions came pouring into
the colonial assembly, sometimes accompanied by delegations of in-
dignant citizens. For several years the assembly stood out against
these numerous complaints and petitions, but in the end it was
obliged to yield, and on the 2d of January, L709-10, an act was
passed and approved directing a redivision. By the terms of this
act the boundaries of Bergen County were fixed as follows:
" Beginning at Constable's Hook, so up along the bay to Hudson's
River, to the partition point between New .Jersey and the Province
of New York; thence along the line and the line between East and
West New Jersey to the Pequannock and Passaic I livers; t hence down
the Pequannock and Passaic Rivers to the sound; and so following
the sound to Constable's Hook where it begins." iSee Map No. 2.)
In the Qorthwestern pari of the county, as above described, was
included the County of Passaic, and on the 22d <d" February, 1840,
all that pari of it lying south of the original north bounds of the
"Town and Corporation of Bergen," together with a considerable
area of territory west of the Backensack River known as New Bar-
badoes Neck, were, by legislative enactment, erected into the County
of Hudson. A pari id' this was annexed to Bergen County in 1852,
leaving the boundaries id' Bergen and Hudson Counties as they are
to-day. (See Map No. 3.)
INTRODUCTION OF TOWNSHIP GOVERNMENTS
The first division of the counties into townships was made pursuant
to two aids of the colonial assembly, one approved in September, 1G92,
and the other in October, L693. The reasons for this division were
set forth in the preamble to the second of the above mentioned acts,
as follows :
•'Whereas, several things is to be done by the inhabitants of
towns, hamlets, tribes, or divisions within each county, as chusing
of deputies, constables &c, taxing and collecting of several rates for
publiek uses and the making orders amongst themselves respectively
about swine, fences &c.
" Whereas, a great inanv settlements are not reckoned within anv
such town or division, nor the bounds of the reputed towns ascer-
tained, by means thereof the respective constables know not their
districts, and many other inconveniences arising from them, and for-
asmuch as the act made in Sept 1092, for dividing the several counties
8
uritsox and i;i:i;<;i:\ counties
and townships, the time for the returns of the said divisions, being
too short and the method of dividing by county meetings inconvenient.
ThtTof'oiv 1)0 it enacted," etc.
Under the above acts Bergen County (then including the |»n-sent
Bergen and Hudson Counties) was divided into three townships:
Hackensack, Veto Barbadoes, and Bergen. Of these, Eackensack com-
prised "all the land betwixl the Hackensack River and Hudson's
-~
BLOCK'S '• 1 I'.i l: \ i IVI MAI'." LAID BEFORE THE BTATES-GENERAL IN 1614.
River, that extends from the corporation town hounds of Hereon to
t Ik- partition lino of i In- Province." New Barbadoes comprised " all
the land on Passaic River, above the third river, and from the mouth
of the said third river aorthwesl to the partition line of the Province,
including also all the land in Now Barbadoes neck, betwixl Hacken-
sack and Passaic rivers, and thence to the partition line of the Prov-
ince." Bergen comprised what is now thai pari of Hudson County
easl of the Hackensack River. (See Map 2.)
THE FIRST SETTLERS
9
The following table shows the names of the several townships
erected in Bergen County l<> date, the dales of their erection, and the
names of the townships or municipalities from which they were
erected :
NO.
NAME OF TOWNSHIP.
DATE OF ERECTION.
NAMES OF TOWNSHIPS FROM
WHICH TAKEN.
1.
1 lackensack.
October,
L693.
Original.
2.
New Barbadoes.
October,
1693.
Original.
3.
Saddle River.
1737.
New Barbadoes.
4.
Franklin.
1707.
New Barbadoes.
5.
Harrington.
dune 22.
177.",.
I lackensack and New Barbadoes.
(i.
Pompton.
February 8,
1707.
Saddle River and Franklin.
7.
Lodi.
December 1,
1825.
New Barbadoes.
8.
Washington.
January 30,
1840.
Harrington.
9.
Hohokus.
February 5,
1849.
Franklin.
10.
Union.
February 19,
1852.
Harrison in Hudson County.
11.
Midland.
March 7,
1871.
New Barbadoes.
12.
Palisades.
March 22,
1871.
1 lackensack.
13.
Englewood.
March 22,
1871.
Hackensack.
14.
Ridgefield.
March 22,
1871.
Hackensack.
1.-,.
Ridgewood.
March 30,
1870.
Franklin.
16.
17.
Boiling Springs.
Orvil.
A,>ril 17.
April 2(>.
1870.
1885.
Union.
Hohokusjand Washington.
18.
Bergen.
February 22,
1893.
Lodi.
19.
20.
Teaneck.
Overpeck,
February 10.
March 23,
1895.
1807.
Englewood and Ridgefield.
Ridgefield.
21.
Hillsdale.
March 25,
L898.
Washington.
There i^ no record of the erection of Saddle tfiver and Franklin.
They are first mentioned as townships in deeds and oilier recorded
instruments in 17.">7 and 17ti7 respectively. Prior to that they are
called "Precincts." Franklin is firsl mentioned in the county free-
holders' book -May 17, 1772
The following table shows the names of the several townships and
municipalities erected in Hudson Counts to date, the dates of their
erection, and the names of the townships and other municipalities
from which they were erected :
NAMES OF TOWNSHIPS
FROM
NO.
NAME OF TOWNSHIP.
DATE OF ERECT
WHICH TAKEN.
1.
Bergen (Tp.).
October,
1693.
Original.
2.
Jersey (City).
January 28,
1820.
Bergen.
3.
Harrison (Tp.).
February 22,
1840.
Lodi, Bergen County.
4.
Van Vorst (Tp.).
March 11,
1841.
Bergen.
5.
North Bergen (Tp.).
February 10,
1843.
Bergen.
6.
Hoboken (Tp.).
March 1,
1841.
North Bergen.
7.
Hudson (Tp.).
March 4,
1852.
Bergen.
8.
Hoboken (Citv |.
March 28,
1855.
North Bergen.
9.
Weehawken (Tp.).
March 15,
1859.
Hoboken.
10.
Bayonne (Tp.).
Febiuary 16,
1861.
Bergen.
11.
Union (Tp.).
February 28,
1861.
Bergen.
12.
West Hoboken (Town).
February 28,
1861.
Bergen.
13.
Greenville (Tp.).
March 18,
1863.
Bergen.
10
HUDSON A.ND BERGEN COUNTIES
NO.
NAMi ni TOWNSHIP.
DATE 01
ERECTION.
NAMI OK TOWNSHIPS FROM
WHICH TAKEN.
14.
Town of Union.
March 29,
1864.
1 iiiiin.
15.
Kearnej Town).
Maid! 1 1.
1867.
1 [arrison.
it;.
Bayonne (Citj .
March 10,
L869.
Bayonne.
17.
( ruttenberg Tp. |,
April 1.
L878.
LJnion,
18.
\\ est New York Town ).
March 21,
is; is.
I Inion,
19.
East Newark | Town).
Secaucus i Bor.).
1 s<ts
1 [arrison.
North Bergen.
20.
March L2,
1900.
< »f ilic above, ;ill of Ponipton and ;i large pari of Franklin and Sad-
dle River in Bergen County became pari of Passaic County by acl of
February 7 3 L837. (See Map 4.i Union in Bergen County was
taken from Earrison in Hudson County, February 1 ( .», L852, and Barri-
son in Hudson was taken from Lodi in Bergen County, February 22,
L840. Pari of Lodi in Bergen was annexed to Now Barbadoes in
L896. Van Vorst, Eoboken, Greenville, Hudson, and Bayonne Town-
ships in I hid soi i County have 1 icon absorbed by the remaining munici-
palities in the county. Kearney was made a " Town " March 23, L898.
West Now York absorbed the whole of Union.
BOROUGB GOVERNMENTS
The borough system of government for small communities was iirsi
introduced into Now Jersey -March 28, L789, by an act incorporating
the " Borough of Elizabeth." During the next ninety years a num-
ber of similar municipalities were erected in various pans of the
Siaio. each of which was the creation of a special act of the legisla-
ture. No genera] law on the subject was enacted until April 5,
1878, when what has since been known as "The General Borough
Act " became ;i law. It provided that the inhabitants of any town-
ship, or pari of a township, embracing an area not to exceed four
square miles, and containing a population not exceeding live thou-
sand, mighl become a body politic and corporate in fact and in law
whenever, ;n a special election n» ho called for thai purpose, it mighl
ho decided by a majority of votes of the (doctors of the proposed
borough qualified to rote ;it elections for State and township officers.
For :i period of sixteen years following the passage of this ad very
few boroughs were organized in the State, only three of them being
in Bergen County. [n the spring ol L894anac1 was passed establish-
ing an entirely new s est en i of public instruction. By i his acl i ho old
school districts were blotted out and each township erected into a
separate and distind district. All the taxpayers of each township
wore thenceforth required io assume and pay, pro rata, the debts
already incurred by the several old districts, as well as nil future
debts of the township fop school purposes. The people complained
againsl the injustice of such a law, and soughl a way to escape its
operation. By the terms of the law it was inoperative in all Lncor-
THE FIRST SETTLERS
11
porated boroughs, towns, villages, and cities, and accordingly a rush
was made to form boroughs, particularly in Bergen County, and had
not the legislature hastened to check tins rush by amending the
SChoo] law the whole count v would have heen carved into boroughs
in less than two years. As it was, twenty-six boroughs were created
in the county from January 2o, 1S1I4, to December IS, of the same
year. The amendment which the legislature made to the school act
provided that no borough might maintain a school separate from the
township unless there should be four hundred children within its
limits. 'Phis so effectually checked the borough movement that only
five have since been formed.
The following table shows the aames of the boroughs organized in
Bergen County to date, tic dates of t heir organization, and the town-
ships from \\ln<li they were respectively taken:
DATE OF
NO.
NAME.
FROM WHICH TOWNSHIPS TAKEN.
OROANI/ \ 1 I'iN.
1.
Rutherford
September 21, 1881.
EnlargedJune 10, '90
- Union.
2.
Ridgefield.
Mav 25,
1892.
Ridgefield.
3.
Ridgefield Park.
May 25,
1892.
Ridgefield.
4.
Tenaflj .
June 23,
1X04.
Palisades.
.-..
East Rutherford.
March 29,
1894.
Boiling Springs.
6.
Delford.
Ma\ 7.
1891.
Midland.
7.
Creskill.
May 8,
1894.
Palisades.
s.
West wood.
May 8,
1894.
Washington.
9.
Park Ridge.
Mas 11,
1 S94.
Washington.
10.
Bergenfields.
dune 2,
1894.
Palisades and Englewood.
11.
Carlstadt.
dune L!7,
1894.
Bergen,
1L'.
Maywood.
June 29,
1894.
Midland.
13.
Riverside.
dune 29,
L894.
Midland
14.
Schraalenburgh. '
July 19,
1894.
Midland.
ir>.
Hasbrouck Heights.
duly 21,
1894.
Lodi.
16.
Woodcliff.
August 25,
1894.
Washington and Orvil.
17.
Montvale.
August 30,
1894.
W ashington and Orvil.
IS.
Glenrock.
September 12
1894.
Saddle River and Ridgewood.
19.
Little Ferry.
September 18
1894.
Lodi and New Barbadoes.
20.
Old Tappan.
October Hi,
1894.
Harrington.
21.
Allendale.
November 8,
1894.
Orvil, Hohokus, and Franklin.
22.
Bogota.
November 14,
1894.
Ridgefield.
23.
W oi>d ridge.
November 15,
1894.
Bergen.
24.
Saddle River.
November 19,
1894.
Orvil.
2.-..
Upper Saddle River.
November 20,
1894.
Orvil and Hohokus.
26.
Leoiiia.
December 5,
1X94.
Ridgefield.
27.
Undercliff.
December 5,
1894.
Ridgefield.
28.
Fairview.
December 18,
1894.
Ridgefield.
29.
Wallington.
December 31,
1894.
Saddle River.
30.
Cliffside Park.
January 15,
1895.
Ridgefield.
31.
Englewood Cliffs.
May 19,
1895.
Englewood and Palisades.
32.
North Arlington.
March 9,
1896.
Union.
33.
Eastwood.
March 26,
1896.
Washington.
34.
Garfield.
March 15,
1898.
Wallington Borough.
35.
Palisades Park.
March 22,
1899.
Ridgefield.
1 The name of Schraalenburgh Borough was changed to Dumont in 1899.
12
uudsox and i.kuckn counties
EARLY SETTLERS OF HUDSON COUNTS
A greal majority of the pioneer settlers of Bergen and Hudson
Counties were emigrants from Holland, or descendants of persons
who had emigrated from thai country and settled on Manhattan
Island or Long Island. The resl were English, French, Germans,
and Scandinavians. What broughi those to the shores of America?
What led them t<» settle in New Jersey? Who were they? The
limits of this article will permit of only a brief reference to the two
principal causes which impelled them to leave their native land,—
overcrowding of population in Holland and the desire to better their
condition.
More than a century had elapsed since the Augustinian monk
UISl I i;i> \M, HOLLAND
Luther, had nailed his ninety-five theses on the church door at Wit-
tenberg. Thai act had, at last, wakened into activity all the dor-
mant forces of Christendom. During the Middle Ages all learning
and religion had been controlled by the Roman hierarchy. All that
lime the papacy had been a confederacy Tor the conservation of learn-
ing, againsl the barbarism ami ignorance of the times; and so long as
the pontiff retained the character of chief clerk of such a confederacy
his power remained irresistible, lint as su<>n as he abandoned the
idle of chief clerk in spiritual affairs, and assumed that of secular
prince, the greal revolution began. His former friends became his
( nemies. The British schoolmen led the way in the revolt, followed
by Wickliff, Ihtss. Jerome, and others. The breach kept widening,
until all the countries of Western Europe started like giants out of
their sleep at the first blast of Luther's trumpet. In Northern
ADRIAEN VAX DER DOXCK's MAP, 1656
4
HUDSON AND BKIUJKN COUNTIES
Europe the besl half of the people embraced the [^formation. The
spark which the monk had kindled lighted the torch of civilization,
which was to illuminate the forests of the Hudson in America,
At no time since this terrible contest began had the Catholic mon-
archs of Europe been more persistently active and relentlessly cruel
toward the believers in the new religion than ;it the beginning of emi-
gration to New Netherland. The Id ly conflict known as "The
Thirty Years' War" was then paging with all its attendant horrors.
Nevertheless, Holland, of all the circle of nations, had guaranteed
safety to people of every religious belief, and enforced, within her own
borders at least, respecl for
civil Liberty. As a result she
had become the harbor of ref-
uge and the temporary home of
t housands of t he persecuted of
almost every country; the
Brownists from England, the
Waldenses from Italy, the
Labadists and Picards from
France, the Walloons from
Germany and Flanders, and
many other Protestant sects,
all flocked into Hollan d.
Across her borders flowed a
continual stream of refugees
and outcasts. This influx of
foreigners, augmented by the
natural increase of her own
people, caused Holland to suf-
fer seriously from overcrowd-
ing, particularly in her large
cities. A learned Hollander,
writing at thai time, said of
the situation: ''Inasmuch as
the multitude of people, not only natives but foreigners, who are
seeking a livelihood here, is very great, so that, where one stiver is
to be earned, t here are ten hands ready to seize it. .Many are obliged,
on this account, to go in search of other lands and residences, where
they can obtain a living."
In the few years preceding L623 several voyages of discovery and
adventure had been made by the Dutch to New Netherland, bu1 do
colonies had been founded. Letters from these voyagers declared thai
New Netherland was a veritable paradise -a hind "flowing with
milk and honey," traversed by numerous greal and beautiful rivers,
THE "NEW NKTHKl:l..\NI>.
THE FIRST SETTLERS
15
plentifully stocked with fish; great valleys and plains, covered with
luxuriant verdure; extensive forests, teeming with fruits, game, and
wild animals; and an exceedingly fertile and prolific soil. These and
many similar letters aroused and stimulated many of the discontented
and unemployed of Holland to emigrate to New Netherland with
i heir families in the hope of being able to earn a handsome livelihood,
strongly fancying that they could live in the New World in luxury
and ease, while in the old they would still have to earn their bread
h\ the swrjit of their brows.
In 1621 the "States-General' took steps looking toward relief
from the sit mil ion, t he gravity of which t hey now fully comprehended.
On June 3 they granted a charter to "The Dutch West India. Com-
&' fort nicutf <±A trifle r<lam <?j> <7s J/r-h.tki/is. e*<S><<*r*£*dr?iS>iA03>' <^>-
Till HIJS'I VII \\ ()K NEW AMSTERDAM, IX 1635.
pany " to organize and govern a colony in New Netherland; and in
June, L623-4, an expedition under Captain Cornelius Jacobsen Mey, of
Amsterdam, carrying thirty families, most of whom were religious
refugees, came over to New Amsterdam ami began a settlement on
the lower end of Manhattan Island. Mey, not liking the job of being-
director of the new colony, soon returned to Holland, leaving matters
for a time in charge of William Verhnlst, who was succeeded by Peter
Minuit in 1626. This first colony was not a success. The colonists
were "on the make." Aside from building a few rude bark huts
and a fort, they busied themselves dickering with the savages for
skins and furs. They tilled no ground, and for three years were non-
supporting. On the 7th of June, 1G29, the " States-General " granted
a bill of " Freedoms and Exemptions " to all such private persons as
16
IIUHSOX AM) I'-KRCE.N COUNTIES
would planl any colonics in any pari of Now Netherland (except the
[sland of Manhattan), granting to them the fee simple in any land
they mighl be able to successfully improve. Special privileges were
also granted to members of the Wesi [ndia Company. Whoever of
its members should planl a colony of fifty persons should be a feudal
lord, or " Patroon," of ;i trad "sixteen miles in length, fronting on
a aavigable river and reaching eighl miles back."
As vol only exploring parties benl on trade with the savages had
traversed Bergen and Hudson Counties. No one had ventured to
" take up " any lands there. But now, under the stimulus of the bill
of " Freedoms and Exemptions," one Michael Pauw, then burgomas-
ter of Amsterdam, was impelled, for speculative purposes no doubt.
to obtain from the Director General of Now Netherland, in L630,
grants of two large tracts, one called " Hoboken Hacking" (land of
the tobacco pipe) and the other " Ahasimus." Both of these tracts
were parts of what is now Jersey City. These grants bore date, re-
spectively, July 13 and November 22, 1630. The grantee gave one
place the name of "Pavonia." Pauw failed
to comply with the conditions set forth in his
deeds and was obliged, after three years of
controversy with the West India Company,
to convey his "plantations' 1 back to that
company. Michael Paulesen, an official of
the company, was placed in charge of them
as superintendent. Tt is said he built and oc-
cupied n hut at Paulus Hook early in 1633.
If so, if was the first building of any hind
erected in either Bergen or Hudson County. Later in the same year
the company built two move houses: one at Communipaw, afterward
purchased by -Tan Evert se Bout, the other at Ahasimus (now Jersey
City, east of the Hill), afterward purchased by Cornelius Van Vorst.
Jan Evertse Bout succeeded Michael Paulesen as superintendeni of
the Pauw plantation, June 17, 1634, with headquarters at Commu-
nipaw, then the capital of Pavonia Colony. He was succeeded in
June. 1636, by Cornelius Van Vorst, with headquarters at Ahasimus,
where he kept "open house" and entertained the New Amsterdam
officials iu great style.
In 1641 one Mynderl Myndertse, of Amsterdam, (bearing the pon-
derous title of " Van der Ileer Nedderhorsl ;,") obtained a grant of all
the country behind I west of) Adder Kull i Newark Bay), and from
thence north to Tappan, including part of what is now Bergen and
I hid son Counties. Accompanied by a number of soldiers, Myndertse
occupied his purchase, established ;i < niiip, and proceeded to civilize
the Indians bv military methods. It is needless to say thai he failed.
1 LAG OK HOLLAND.
THE FIRST SETTLERS 17
He soon abandoned the perilous undertaking of founding a colony,
returned to Holland, and the title to this granl was forfeited. Early
in L638 William Kiefl became Director General of Now Netherland,
and on the first day of .May following granted to Abraham Isaacson
Planck (Verplanck) a patent tor Paulus Hook (now lower Jersey
City).
Tli ore were now t wo " plant at ions " at Bergen, those of Planck and
Van Vorst. Tarts of those, however, had been leased to, and were
then occupied by, Claes Jansen Van Purmerend, Dirck Straatmaker,
Barenl Jansen, Jan Cornelissen Buys, -Ian Evertsen Carsbon, Michael
Jansen, Jacob Stoffelsen, Aerl Teunisen Van Putten, Egberl Wouter-
sen, (iarret Dirckse Blauw, and Cornelius Ariessen. Van Putten
had also leased and located on a farm at Hoboken. All these, with
their families and servants, constituted a thriving settlement. The
existence of the settlement of Bergen was now imperiled by the acts
of Governor Kieft, whose idea of governmenl was based mainly upon
the principle thai the governor should gel all he could oul of the
«-o\( rned. His treatment of the Indians soon incited their distrust
and hatred of the whites. The savages, for the first time, began to
show symptoms of open hostility. Captain Jan Petersen de Vries, a
distinguished navigator, who was t hen engaged in the difflcull task of
trying to found a colony at Tappan, soughl every means in his power
to conciliate the [ndians, and to persuade Kiefl that his treatment of
! hem would result in bloodshed.
The crafty and selfish governor turned ;i deaf ear to all warnings
and advice and continued to goad the Indians by cruel t reatment and
harsh methods of taxation. In 1643 an Indian no donbt under
stress of greal provocation— shol and killed a member of the Van
Vorst family. This first act of murder furnished a pretext for the
whites and precipitated what is called "The .Massacre of Pavonia,"
on the nighl of February 25, L643, when Kieft, with a sergeant and
eighty soldiers, armed and equipped for slaughter, crossed the Hud-
son, landed at Communipaw, attacked the [ndians while they were
a -h-ep in t heir camp, and, wii hoiit regard to age or sex, deliberately,
and in the most horrible manner, butchered nearly a hundred of them.
Stung by this outrage upon their neighbors ami kinsmen, the northern
tribes at once took the war path, attacked the settlement, burned the
buildings, murdered the sett has, wiped the villages out of existence,
and laid waste the country round about. Those of the settlers who
were not killed outright Hod across the river to New Amsterdam. Nor
was peace restored between the savages and the whites until August,
1645, when the remaining owners and tenants of farms returned to the
site of the old village, rebuilt their homes, and started anew.
Kieft having been driven from office, Petrus Stuyvesant was made
18
HUDSON AM' BERGEN COUNTIES
Director General, Julj 28, L646. Under his administration the settle-
ment ;ii Bergen \\;is revived, grew rapidly, and prospered. Between
his arrival and the year L669 tin following named persons purchased
or leased lands, though ;il! of them <li<l not become actual residents:
POPPUE'S I'l.AN OF NEW rORK ANT) ITS ENVIRONS, 1 T.'W.
I 4 ' <
Michael Pauw, Michael Paulesen, Jan Evertse Bout, Cornelius \';in
Vorst, Mynderl Myndertsen Van der Beer Nedderhorst, Abraham
[saacsen Planck (Yerplanck), Claes Jansen Van Purmerend (Cooper),
Dirk Straatmaker, Barenl Jansen, Jan Cornelissen Buys, John Evert-
THE FIRST SETTLERS
19
sen Carsbon, Michael Jansen ( Vreeland), •'Jacob Stoffelsen, Aert
Teunisen Van Putten, Egberl Woutersen,VGarre1 Dircksen Blauw,
\ Cornelius Ariesen, Jacob Jacobsen Roy, ^Francisco Van Angola
(negro), Gnilliaein Ck>rneliesen, 'Dirt Sycan, Claes Carsten Norman,
* Jacob Wallengen (Van Winkel)/ James Luby, ' Lubbert Gerritsen,
/Gysbert Lubbertsen, John Garretsen Van [mmen^homas Davison,
J Garret Petersen, Jan Oornelissen Schoenmaker, Jan Cornelissen
Crynnpn, Casper Stimets, Peter Jansen,' Hendrick Jans Van Schalck-
- \-
wyck, Nicholas Bayard, Nicholas Varlet," I Ierman Smeeman, Tielman
Van Vleeck/Douwe /Harmansen (Tallman), Claes Jansen Hacker,
. Egberl Steenhuysen, Harmen Edwards Paulus Pietersen, Allerd An
ihony/.Joiiii Vigne, Paulus Leendertsen, John Verbruggen, Balthazar
Bayard, Samuel Edsall, and Aerent Laurens.
All these persons received their deeds, or such titles as they had,
from the Dutch, through the different Director Generals.
The English captured Now Netherland from the Dutch in L664, and,
thereupon, Philip Carteret, by an appoint-
ment of the "Lords-Proprietors" of the
Province of Mast New Jersey, became its first
governor. The t it les of i he set t lers of Bergen
were confirmed by Carteret and his council
in L668. In L669, following his appointment
as governor, Carteret also granted other por-
tions of the lands in Hudson County to the
following named persons: Maryn Adrianse,
Peter Stuyvesant, (lues Petersen Cors,
Severn Laurens, Bendrick Jansen Spier, sealoi new Netherlands
Peter Jansen Slott, Barent Christianse, Mark '
Noble, Samuel Moore, Adrian Post, Guert Coerten, Frederick Phil-
lipse, Thomas Frederick de Kuyper, Guert Geretsen (Van Wagenen),
Peter Jacobsen, John Berry, Ede Cornelius Van Vorst, Hans Diedrick,
Hendrick Van Ostum, Cornelius Ruyven.
••The town and corporation of Bergen," as appears by Carteret's
charter, had an area of 1.1,500 acres. Up to the end of 1669 scarce
one-third of this area had been patented to settlers. The balance,
more than 8,000 acres, was used in common by the patentees, their
heirs, devisees, and grantees, for nearly a century before it was finally
divided and set off to those entitled to it. As is ever the case under
similar circumstances, many of the patentees and their descendants
and grantees encroached upon these common lands. ••Tom, Dick,
and Harry" pastured their cattle on them, made lavish use of the
timber, and in various other ways committed waste with impunity.
.Many patentees caused surveys to be made, presumed to "take up,"
and used divers parts of the public domain " without any warrant,
20 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
power, or authority for so doing, withoul the consenl of the majority
of the other patenl owners," so thai in the course of time ii could qoI
be known how much of these common Lands had been taken up and
appropriated. This state oi things caused greal confusion and
numerous violent disputes between the setl lers, who. in January, 1714.
petitioned Governor Hunter for ;i now charter empowering thorn, in
their corporate capacity, to convey or lease their common lands, in
fee, for one, t wo, or t hree lives or for \ ears.
Governor Hunter, in response to this petition, procured a new
charter for the town and corporation, known as ••The Queen Anno
Charter." The power given by this charter had little or no effecl in
putting a stop to encroachments upon, and disputes between, the
settlers about the common lands. Thus matters continued until
HUJ. when another effori was made by tin- settlers to proted their
rights in The common lands. An agreement was made, dated June
the Kith, of that year, providing for a survey of the common lands and
a determination of how much of the same had been lawfully taken
up, used, or claimed, and by whom. For some reason this agreemenl
was not carried out, and matters continued to grow worse until De-
cember 7, 17<>:>, when the settlers appealed to the legislature for re-
lief. That body passed ;i hill, which was approved by Governor
Franklin, appointing commissioners to survey, map, and divide the
common lands of Bergen among the persons entitled thereto. These
commissioners, seven in number, made the survey and division and
filed their report and maps on the 2d day of March, 17<i.». in the secre-
tary's office at Perth Amboy, copies of which report and maps are
also tiled in the offices of i he clerks of both Hudson and Bergen < !oun
1 ies.
In the division made by the commissioners tic- common lands were
apportioned among the patentees, hereinbefore named, and their de-
scendants, as well as among the following named persons: Michael
de .Mott. George do Mott, Gerebrand Olaesen, Joseph Waldron, Dirk
Van Yec ht en. James < lollerd, Thorn, is Brown, Amir ies Seagaerd, 1 >irk
Cadmus, Zackariah Sickels, Job Smith, Daniel Smith. Joseph Hawk
ins. John Halmeghs, Philip French, [de Cornelius Sip. Herman
Beeder, Nicholas Preyer, Sir Peter Warren, Anthony White, Michael
Abraham Van Tuyl, Walter Clendenny, John Cummings, David
Latourette, John Van I >olsen.
Several other families, namely, those of Day, de Grauw, de Groot,
Hessels, Hopper, Banta, Huysman, Van Giesen, Earle, Franzen, Mor-
tis, and Swaen, had heroine residents of the county withoul having
lands granted them. !t may therefore be safely said thai the fami-
lies above named constituted nearly all of the original settlers of
Hudson County easl of the Hackensack River. The westerly portion
THE FIRST SETTLERS
21
S. BELLIX'S RARE MAP, 1764.
22 HUDSON A\I» BERGEN COUNTIES
of the county was included in the purchase by Captain William Sand-
ford from the Parish of St. Mary's in tin- [sland of Barbadoes. Gov-
ernor ( arterel and council granted this trad to Sandford,July 4. !(»<'>>.
h contained within its boundaries an area of L5,308 acres, extending
from ili<- poinl of union of the Hackensack and Passaic Rivers about
seven miles northward along said rivers, to a spring now known as
the Boiling Springs, i r Sandford Spring, near Rutherford. This pur-
chase was made by Sandford for himself and Major Nathaniel Kings-
land, also from the [sland of Barbadoes, and the same was subse
(iu.iiiIn divided between Sandford and Kingsland. Kingsland, who
hem mi- the owner of the norl hern pari (including pari of the present
Bergen County), resided ai whal is now known as " Kingsland
Manor," south of Rutherford, in Bergen County, while Sandford, who
became the owner of the southerly part, resided ai what is now Easl
Newark, in Hudson County. Much of this large section of territory
remained vested in the respective descendants of Sandford and Kings-
land for many years after their deaths.
EARLY SETTLERS OF BERGEN COUNTY
Some of the original se1 1 lers of what is now- Bergen County were de-
scendants of those who have been mentioned as having settled Hud-
son County. 01 hers came from Manhattan Island, Long Island, New
Harlem, Yonkers, Albany, Esopus, Kingston, and other already estab-
lished settlements, while still others came direct from Europe. The
granl of section 1 to William Sandford, in L668, as before stated, ex-
tended north as far as Boiling Springs near Rutherford. 1 The
northern half of this was released to Kingsland. In L702 Elias
Boudinot, a French Huguenot, purchased a large trad from the
Kingslands, described as butting on the Passaic River, in Bergen
County. John and William Stagg, Bartholemew Feurst, Daniel
Rutan, Jacob Van Ostrand, Cornelius Vanderhoff, Herpert Gerre-
brants, John Varrick, David Provost, John Van Emburgh, Jacob
Wallings (Van Winkle), and Henry Harding acquired title to por-
tions of the trad in Bergen County, but the hulk of Kingsland's estate,
a1 his death, passed l>y his will to his near relatives, who settled on
it and retained ii for many years. In Kids Captain (afterward
Major) John Berry received from Govern r Carterel a patenl for sec-
tion 2, being all the lands between the Hackensack and Saddle I livers.
for a distance of six miles north from Sandford's purchase, or nearly
as Car as Cherry Hill, on the Now Jersey and New Fork Railroad.
Berrj settled and buill his home mansion on the southerly pari of
this tract, and on his death, most of it passed to the ownership of his
1 For sections, refi r to Hap No. 1
THE FIRST SETTLERS
23
heirs. The northerly pari he had conveyed in parcels at various times
to his son, Richard Berry, his daughter, Hannah Noel, and (Jarret
Van I Hen, Laurence Laurensen Ackernian. Rev. Guilliaem Bert-
holf, David Thomas, Thomas Nicholson, Albert Albertsen (Terhnne),
Arie Albertsen (Terhune), Claes Jansen Romeyn, Dr. John Van Em-
burgh, Hendrick Hopper, Ryck Lydecker, Juriaen Lubbertsen (Wes-
tervelt), Herman Brass, Abraham Huysman, Isaac Vreeland, Nicho-
las Devoe, Walling Jacobsen (Van Winkle), Elinor Mellinot, Folkert
Hansen (Van Nostrand), Thomas Staag, Alexander Alliare, Peter
France, Nicholas Kipp. Oorneliese Christiansen, -John Christiansen,
Charles Maclean, and Anthony Anthonys (a negro), each of whom
INDIAN TOTEMS AND TOTEMIC SIGNATURES.
settled on the portions purchased by th< m. The " Moonachie " sec-
tion he sold to Kutt Van Horn, Nicasie Kipp, and Thomas France.
The Zabriskies, Voorheeses, Brinkerhoffs, Demarests, Coopers, Van
Reipens, and Powlesses acquired interests in the trad at an early
date. In HiliS Samuel Edsall and Nicholas Varlet bought from the
native Indians section 3, comprising 1,872 acres <»f " waste land and
meadow," bounded east by the Hudson River, west by the Hacken-
sack River and Overpeck ('reek-, and south by the "Town and Cor-
poration of Bergen." The extent of this tract was two and a half
miles from north to south, aud the north boundary, beginning at
Aquepuck Creek below Fort Lee, on the Hudson, ran northwest to
the ( herpeck Creek near Leonia. Subsequently Carteret gave Edsall
and Varlet a patent of this tract. Nicholas Varlet soon after sold
24
IU'DSnX A.ND BERGEN COUNTIES
his interesl in ii to Edsall, who, in L671, conveyed the northerly part
of ii to Michael Smith (a son-in-law of Major John Berry). Smith,
;ii his death, left ii to Uis son and tieir-at-law, Johannes Sm it h, who,
in 1 7( Mi, conveyed ii to - F < > 1 1 1 1 Edsall, son and heir-at-law of Samuel
Edsall, deceased, who settled <>n i) and devised ii to liis children.
In L676 Samuel Edsall, by deed of gift, transferred the westerly
pari of the remainder of the original trad to liis sons-in-law, Benja-
min Blagge, of London, and William Laurence, of Newtown, L. 1.. who
divided ii between them, Blagge taking the northerly pari and Lau-
rence the southerly part. On Blagge's death
his widow ;in<l devisee conveyed it to Wessel
Peterson, who, in L690, conveyed it to David
Danielsen, who settled on it. Laurence's pari
of it passed to his son. Thomas Laurence. He
sold half of it, said to contain 550 acres, in
17:'.o, to Matthew Brown, who. in 17:57. sold ii
to Cornelius Brinkerhoff. Joseph .Morris and
Adriaen Boagland musl have go1 the balance
of Laurence's half, as they were living on it in
1 T: lo, ami they and the Brinkerhoffs were the
first actual settlers. Brinkerhoffs purchase in-
cluded the presenl Borough of Ridgefield. The
easterly pari of the remainder of the original
tract, which fronted on the Hudson River, was,
on March L2, L686, conveyed l>v Samuel Edsall
to Jacob Milburn, who. with Jacob Lois lor, then
< rovernor of Now York, was attainted of and ex-
ecuted for high treason, in 1691. Milburn's
ostato (which by his will, executed just before
his death, he devised to his wife Mary), .\as.
by operation of the attainder, forfeited; bu1
parliament, by special act, restored the estate to his widow and sole
devisee. The widow i who a1 the time of her death was the wife of
Abraham Governeur) lefl ;i will empowering her daughter Jacoba, as
executrix, to sell her lands on the Hudson. The executrix conveyed the
lands in separate parcels to Hendrick Banta, Arie *\<' Groot, Petei
de Groot, Michael \ r reeland, William Day, John Day, Mary Edsall
(alias Mary Banks), John Edsall, and John Christiansen, who mu-
tually released each other and settled on the same. The trad be-
tween the high rocks and the Hudson River was claimed l>y John
Christ eon. of Newark, under a granl from Berkley and < Jarteret, prior
to thai of Edsall ami Varlet. This hind Christeen sold in L7C0 t«»
his daughter Naomi, wife of .John Day, and it seems to have become
BOWS AND ARROWS.
tin:
MUST SETTLERS
25
vested eventually in the same persons to whom .Mrs. Governeur's
executrix conveyed ii.
On June LO, L669, Governor Carterel patented to Major John Berry
section I, comprising a trad of 1,500 acres, lying between the llud-
sen River ami Overpeck Creek, extending one and one-half miles
Qorth from the Edsall and Varlel patent. Berry sold the north hall'
of this trad t<> George Duncan, an English merchant in New York.
•lames Duncan inherited ii from his father. Richard Hacker, John,
Samuel, and Matthew Benson, -Jacob Day, Michael Vreeland, Hen-
drick Banta, and Jacob < Jowenhoven subsequeni ly acquired and set tied
on portions of ii. The south half of it Berry conveyed to his son-in-
law, Thomas Noel, who. ai his death, devised ii to his son, Monteith
Noel, ami to his wife's son. Richard Hall. .Monteith Noel died in-
testate ami without issue. By the terms of his father's will the
lands passed to Elizabeth Patterson and .James Martin, the two in-
fant children and only Ueirs of Richard Hall, then deceased. By or-
der of the courl ii was sold in Roberl and Ann Drummond in trust
for the two Hall children. <>n April I. L726, I he trustees sold it to
.John Stevens and William Williamson, who soon after sold it to
Samuel .Moore.au Englishman from the Island of Barbadoes. Will-
iam Laurence, Cornelius
Bri nkerholT. Wa 1 l or
Briggs, Thomas de Ka \ .
am! others eventually
bough.1 parts of it.
Sections 5, '». and 8,
containing ti,770 acres
of wildland, were, in
L661, granted in one
parcel, by Carterel and
his council, to Philip
Carteret. It was de-
scribed as being seven
miles in length, north
and south, and three
miles in width from the Hudson River to Overpeck Creek. It ad-
joined Berry on the south and Bedlow on the north. Carterel
failed to settle within the prescribed time and it was again
granted, in L669, to Robert Vanquillan, of Caen, France; James
Bollen, an Englishman (then a resident of Ridley, Pennsylvania);
and Claude Yallot, id' Champagne, France. Vanquillan sold his in-
teresl to Carteret in 1(170. These gentlemen, failing to make any
settlement within six years, lost their titles by forfeiture and the tract
remained a wilderness without an owner until 1698, when it was
:^?>.t
FORT LEE, 1770.
26 HUDSON AM> BERGEN COUNTIES
granted to Mary, widow of Jacob Mil burn, who also failed to settle
it. <>n December l<>. 1702, the southerly portion of section 5, forty
chains wide and said to contain 500 acres, was granted by the pro-
prietors to .Michael I law don, a native of Ireland, bu1 then a residenl of
Now York and engaged in land speculation. On July L6, L676, llaw-
don conveyed to George Willocks, of Kenay, Scotland, and the heirs
of Andrew Johnston, deceased, of Leith, Scol land.
John Johnston, Andrew's heir-at-law, released to Willocks and
Willocks sold to George Leslie, of Barbadoes, W. I., a strip on the
south, nexi to the Berry trad, half a mile in width. Leslie, on No-
vember 5, 17:'.::. sold the southerly half, this being a quarter of a mile
in width and containing 330 acres, to .Manias Demott, of Bergen, who,
it is said, sell led on it. Carrot Lydecker, I hen a resident of New
York, acquired the title to the remainder of the Willocks and John-
ston purchase and to the remainder of section 5, one mile in width,
and containing L,000 acres. This made Lydecker's farm one and
one-quarter miles in width on the Hudson Liver and the same width
on Orei-peck ('reek. It extended northward as far as Englewood.
On Ins death, in 1754, Lydecker's lands, comprising section 5, passed
by his will to his four sons, Ryck, Abraham, Cornelius, and Garret
Lydecker, whose descendants still occupy portions of it.
John Lodts, or Loots, a native of Norwich, England, came to this
country in H'>!>4, and in the fall of 1695 married Hilletje Powless,
widow of Lubbert Lubbertsen Westervelt, Jr., of Bergen (now Jersey
City). He removed to Bergen County and purchased a large portion
of section ('», adjoining Lydecker on the south, on which he settled.
Upon his death his lands were inherited by his sons, John and Paulus
Loots; his daughters, Tryntie, wife of Henry Wierts Banta, and Gessie,
wife of Daniel Commegar. Roelofl Lubberts Westervelt, a brother
of the ti l-st husband of Loots's wife, purchased a strip north of Loots
in section 6, as did also Cornelius, Hendrick, Dirk, and Seba Banta,
i he sons of Epke Jacobs. The purchases were all made in L695. The
combined purchases of Loots, Westervelt, and the Bantas, according
to references in old deeds, must have included all of section <>, which
extended north nearly as far as Tonally. Descendants of the de
Motts, Demarests, and Komaines subsequently acquired parts of sec-
tion G.
The triangular lot, section 7, lying between the east and west
branches of Overpeck Creek, was lirst patented by the East New Jer-
sey proprietors, in 1688, to Samuel Emmett, of Boston. Without
settling it, Emmetl conveyed it, September 17. L695, to Roloff Lub-
bertsen Westervelt. The Indians disputed Westervelt's title in 1705,
and he was obliged to procure from them a release. This tract ex-
tended from the junction of the two branches of the Overpeck, at
THE FIRST SETTLERS
27
Englewood, northward to the head of the Tlena Kill Brook, a Little
south of 'Penally. The acquisition of section 7 by Westervelt gave
him one of the largest farms <>n the Hudson. lie settled on it and
his descendants si ill occupy parts of it.
Section 8, containing 2,120 acres, extending from the Hudson River
to the Tiena Kill, and one mile in width, was granted, April 27, 1688,
to Colonel Jacobus Van Cortland! , of New York, who, on April 10,
17:1s. conveyed ii to Abram de Peyster, Margaret, his wife, John
Chambers, Anna, his wife, and Peter Jay and Mary, his wife, all of
New York City. The wives of these three men were the daughters of
Van Cortlandt. Thev divided the tract, .Mrs. Chambers taking the
northerly third, .Mrs. Jay the nexl third south, and Mrs. de Peyster
the mos1 southerly third. Mrs. de Peyster's
third included the present village of Tenafly.
Mrs. Chambers devised her share to her
ni phew. Sir James Jay. who. by his father's
will, also got the initei-'s third. Sir James
devised the north third :<> his son, Peter Jay,
and the other third to his daughter, Mary
O'Kill. The north or Chambers third was
sold by the sheriff in L820 to William Van
Hook. Van Hook sold it in 1S21 to Moses
Field, who sold it to David < >. Bell, in L829.
The three farms were then divided into lots
and mapped, being known respectively as
the Bell, O'Kill, and de 1'eyster tracts. This section was settled by
the Van Buskirks, Bantas, Baldwins, Tow losses, Demarests, Wester-
velts, and other of the families already mentioned.
Section !>, adjoining No. 8 on the south, was patented by Carteret
and his council to Isaac Bedlow, a Swede, June 20. Kit;;). It was also
one mile in width, ami extended westerly from the Hudson River to
the Tiena Kill Brook. Its extent northward w;is to a point near Dem-
arest, X. J., and it contained 2,120 acres. Bedlow had an Indian deed
for this tract as early as L661. lie held it until 1728, when he sold it
to Colonel Jacobus Van Cortlandt, id' .New York. Captain John Huy-
ler, Johannes Rolofse Westervelt, Samuel Peters Demarest, Barent
Jacobs Cole, and Peter Mathews Bogert became the owners and
settlers on this section, and their descendants still occupy it.
Another section, No. 10, one mile wide, adjoining and extending
north from the Bedlow tract, was granted by Carteret, July 30, 1669,
to Baltkazer de Hart. De Hart's heirs sold it March 5, 1701, to Ber-
nard us Vervalen, Gideon Vervalen, and Rynier Vervalen. Under a
grant from the Colony of New York it was claimed by Captain Lan-
SEAL OF EAST JERSEY.
28
HUDSON AND BKlKiKX mi'XTIES
caster Symes, of London, who, prior to 1711, had sold parts of it to
Casparus Mabie, Jacob Hertie, and others. Eventually, however,
B( rnardus Vervalen, by a granl from Queen Anne in L709, and a re-
lease from Symes and Ids grantees in 1717, acquired the title to the
whole trad and conveyed portions of it to Matthew M. Bogert, Peter
M. Bogert, Cornelius Harmensen Tallman, Dowa Harmensen Tall-
man, Isaac Johns Meyer, Martin Powless, and Walter Parsells, who
settled it. The remainder of the trad descended or was conveyed to
Bernardus Vervalen's beirs, who also became settlers. Vervalen's
sons were Isaac. Daniel, John, Frederick, Abraham, Jacobus, Ber-
nardus, Gideon, and Cornelius. His daughters Alida, Cornelia, and
Hester married, respectively, Hubartus Ger-
retsen Blawvelt, Peter \'an Schuyven, and
Jacob ( Jole.
Until 1772 the Colony of New York
claimed thai this tract was within its bound-
aries and so t reated it.
The " L " shaped section. No. 1 1, adjoining
this last tract on the north, contained L,300
acres, and was also claimed to be within
Symes's patent from the New York Colony.
It remained wild and unoccupied until April
28, 1710, when Symes and his wife conveyed
it to two brothers, Barenl and Resolveri
Naugle. It was an irregular shaped tract,
extending, on the north side, from Hudson's
River to the Tiena Kill. On the west it was
narrow, bui on the east end it extended from
the de Hart tract northerly beyond iho present south boundary of
Now York. The Naugle brothers divided it between them in June,
171s. Barenl taking the north half and Resolveri the south half. The
sons of Barenl and Resolveri Naugle and their sons-in-law, Nicholas
Demarest, Arie Auryansen, Tennis Van Honten, RolofE Van Houten,
John W. Ferdon, and Roloff Stevens, together with William Ferdon,
Daniel de Clark, John Parcells, and Peter Quidore, settled this tract.
The sect ion No. L2, the next trad north of the Naugle tract, contain-
in;: 3,410 acres, extended northerly into the Colony of New York, and
was granted l>v < rovernor I )ongan, of New York, in L687, to 1 >r. ( reorge
Lockhart, a London physician. The title passed from 1 >r. Lockharl
to his half-brother, Colonel William Merritt, whose heirs sold it to
John Corbett, an English sea captain, in L703, who. at his death,
devised it to his only child, .Mary, wife of I Eenry Ludlow, of New York.
The Ludlows sold it to the following persons, who settled it : Wilhel-
GOYKRXOR THOMAS DO.NGAX.
THE FIRST SETTLERS
29
ruus and John W. Ferdon, Hendrick Geisener (Gisner), bis sons John
and Nicholas i risner, Matthias Concklin, Jacob Concklin, John 1 icy ken
(Riker), Abram Abrams Baring, Teunis Van Houten, Johannes
Hyberts Blawvelt, John J. Naugle, John Sneden, Cornelius Smith,
Jonathan Lawrence, Nicholas Aekerman, William Campbell, and
Jacob \';m Weart, who settled thai pari lying
*%&3&s within the presenl County of Bergen.
>$&■-; . '..w^& The " Tappan patent," section L3, consisting of
■gf*i"-Z ..„ several thousand acres lying wesl of the Lock-
^^^ ■*.-.', harl patent, was purchased from the rndians
in L681 , and in Lf»8*i patented by
Governor Dongan, of New York,
to Daniel de Clark, Peter Jansen Haring,
#'™*mN Coshm Haring, Carrel Steinmets, John
®gr%$Mgg^ uel*John Straatmaker, Staats de Groot,
,*V Lamberl Arianse (Smith), Arianse Lam-
berts (Smith), Cornelius La mbeife (Smith),
Hyberts Gerrits (Blawvelt), Johannes
Con its (Blawvelt), and [de Cornelius Van.
Vorst, the Indian purchasers. In 1704 it was surveyed and mapped
and a pari of it partitioned between the last named persons and their
heirs and assigns. A final division was made of the balance in 17:i0.
The persons named in the two divisions, in addition to the above
sixteen original purchasers, were .Manuel Claesen, Lewis Claeson,
Elizabeth Claeson (children of Claes Manuel, deceased), Barbara de
Croot (widow of Staats de Groot, deceased), Garret Hyberts Blawvelt,
Maritie Hvberts Blawvelt, and Dirke Hyberts Blawvelt (children of
W yen
.
J"J^Ay ~Yjc\!Y &■
30 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
Huyberts Gerretse Blawvelt, deceased), Abram Johns Baring, Jacob
Mattyce Flearboom, Cornelius Jansen Baring, Antje Meyer, John
Barmensen T-a+httm*-- Henry Van Campen, [saac Gerrets Blawvelt,
•hw -otitis John ilc Vries i V;m-4ixx baji). Abram Jansen Baring, Ryniere
Ryserick, Laurence I ;«•<-< 1 . Daniel Blawvelt, Joseph Blawvelt, Jacob
Blawvelt, Tunis. Roeloff, and Nicholas Van Bouten, John Van Dol-
sen, John ; i ii*I Cornelius Eckerson, Jurie (Aaron) Tomassen, Gysberl
Bogert, William de Graw, John Ward, Jacob Cole, Jacobus de (Mark,
Jr.. Jeremiah Borroughs, Abram ami France Van Salee, Jacob King,
Conrad Bertie, and Mynderi Myndertsen Bogencamp. Of these, all
except the Claesens, Reed, Ward. Borroughs, and King became set-
i lers "ii portions of ii.
Early in jr>(; ( .) Oratani, the great chief of tin' [ndian tribes of the
Backensack Valley, in consideration of her ser\ ices as interpreter be-
tween his people and the whites, presented to Mrs. Sarah Kierstead,
of New York, a deed of the southerly pari of section 14. containing
2,260 acres, described as "A neck ol land between Backensack River
and Overpeck Creek, beginning at the north line thereof of Backen-
sack River ai a swale brook thai runs about twenty rods into the
w Is. thence to cross over upon a direct east ami west line to Over-
peck ("reek." The tract extended north as far as Nordhoff on the
Overpeck, and to a point above Bogota on The Backensack. Mrs.
Kierstead was the eldesl daughter of the celebrated Anneke Jans and
the wife of Dr. Hans Kierstead. at thai time New York's leading phy-
sician, with a residence on the corner of Pearl and Whitehall Streets.
Dr. Kierstead died in 1660, leaving Sarah, his widow, and eight chil-
dren. She afterward married Captain Elbert Elbertson (Stoothoff),
of Platlands, L. I., one of tin- purchasers of section 29. Upon his
death she married for her third husband Cornelius Van Borsum,
whom she also survived. She died in L693. On June 24, L669, Gov-
ernor Carterel issned a patenl to .Mrs. Kierstead containing a condi-
tion that tin grantee should settle it within three years.
On January 6, Ki7<> ( Tantaqua, Carquetiem, Wechlampaepeau,
Bamougham, Banagious, Anesaschere, ami Poughquickquaise,
sachems representing the Backensack tribes, with the consent of Gov-
ernor Philip Carteret, deeded to Laurense Andriesen Van Buskirk
and company " a parcel of land commonly called by the name of New
Backensack, hounded on Old Backensack, and from thence to a
small kill adjoining to the greal [ndian field, called 'the Indian
Castle' northward forward." <Md Backensack was the name given
to the Demaresl patents, which are mentioned later on, and the " In-
dian castle "* was a little south of Palisades Park, opposite the mouth
of Overpeck Creek. The description given in the granl covers, or was
intended to cover, sections 14. L5, and L6, and indicates thai Mrs.
THE IMKS'I SETTLERS
31
Kierstead either lost her title by failing to comply with the condition
in her dcnl or conveyed her interest in section 1 1 to Laurence Andrie-
sen and company.
During the year L669 Governor Carteret patented sections L5, L6,
17, is. and 1!». each containing 2,000 acres, as follows: section L5, to
Roberl Van Quillian; section L6, to James Bollen; section 17. to Mat-
thias Nichols; section is, to William Pardon; and section in, to Major
John Berry. Each of these five patents contained a condition that
the patentee should settle on his patent a certain number of families
within six years. The grantees failed to comply with the conditions,
and the patents were declared forfeited. Sections 14, 15, and l<;
were afterward, in L676, granted by the Indians to Laurence Andrie-
sen (Van Buskirk) and company, the "company" consisting of John
Corneliesen (Bogert), Martin Powlesen (Powles), Hendrick Joursen
(Brinkerhoff), Roloff Lubbertsen Westerfield (Westervelt), and John
Loots, or Lodts. The
patents 1 1 wo or more)
of Governor Carteret
for t be last nieiit toned
sect imis designal ed
them as " parts of New
1 1 a c ke nsa c k." 'I 1 h e
1 a n d s described ox-
tended south from the
1 lemarest patents at a
point between High-
w 1 and Tenafly am!
Were bounded west by
llackensack River and east by Overpeck Creek. Lady Elizabeth
Carteret confirmed the patents on April 10, 1682. A Large par!
of these patented lands was allotted to the patentees. Other por-
tions of them were sold to Nicholas Lozier, Peter Vandelinda, and
John, Peter, and Lawrence, the sons of Lawrence Andriesen (Van
Buskirk), the latter of whom had the largest interest in them. The
balance was sold or released by the patentees November 20, 1(586, to
Eolof Vandelinda, Albert Zabriskie, Dirk Epke (Banta), Lawrence
Lawrencen (Van Buskirk), Cornelius Christianse, and Gerret Gellis
Mandeville, who subsequently made a division between them. The
subsequenl owners ami settlers in section 14 seem to have been John
Zabriskie, Joost Zabriskie, Jacobus Hendricks Brinkerhoff, Jacob
Van Wagoner, Samuel Demarest, Wiert Epke Banta, Hendrick Epke
Banta, Garret Diedricks, Jacob Banta, Johannes Terhune, and Chris-
tiaen Zabriskie, as appears by a release which they executed June
I ROM AN <>I.I> PRINT.
32
liri»S().\ AM' BERGEN COUNTIES
19, 1 7<»:i, of ;i trad which is declared to be ;i pari of the Sarah Kier-
stead patent.
After ili«' forfeiture of the titles to sections IT, L8, ;m<l M>. James
Bollen claimed them under an alleged patenl procured by him in 1072.
Berry also claimed sectiou L8, and the subsequenl patentees of these
three tracts were finally compelled to procure releases from both Bol-
len and Berry.
David Demarest, Sr., purchased from the Indians, June 8, H*>77. (by
estimation,) aboul 5,000 acres, including sections L7, 18, 19, and 20, and
lands north of them, bu1 received patents for only sections L8 ;in<!
1 '.». I ' | ii in bis death, in L693, his lands were divided between his sons
John, Samuel, and David, Jr., his nephew, John Durie, and liis numer-
ous grandchildren. Mis granddaughters married, respectively,
Jacobus Slotl (Slote), Peter Slotl (Slote), Abram Canon, Thomas
Heyer, John Stewart, Abram Brower, James Christie, Peter Lub-
bertsen (Westervelt), Andries Jans Van Orden, Wierl bJpke i Banta),
Andries Lawrencen (Van Buskirk), Rynier Van Houten, Stephen
Albertsen Terhune, Cornelius Epke Banta, Samuel Helms, Cornelius
Van Horn, Jr., Peter Durie, Christian Debaun, Johannes Juriansen
Westervelt, Jacobus Peack, and Benjamin Van Buskirk. AH these,
except Canon, Heyer, and Stewart, settled on portions of the original
grant. Demarest's hind was sometimes known as " Schraalenburgh '
and sometimes as " Old Hackensack." Section Xo. 20 was sd i led by
Samuel Demaresl (son of David Demarest. Sr.), Jacobus Peack,
Adolph Brower, Care! Debaun, John Van Schuyven, John Durie, Cor-
nelius Jansen Haring, Cornelius Cornelissen Van Horn, John Hertie,
and Abram Davids Demarest. Some of the grants were made by
Governor Gawen Laurie and some by Peter Sonmans. representing
the Mas! New Jersey proprietors. The intermediate owner- svere
Jurie .Maris i Morris) and Ruloff and 1 [endrick Vandelinda, who, how-
ever, did nut locate on any i»t' the section, which was known as the
•• Ninth West Hook."
The tirs! attempt to settle lands wesl of the Saddle River was made
iii L681, win n a patent was issued by Governor Cart erel and his coun-
cil to Jacob Cortelyou, Hendrick Smock, Rutgerl I > sten, and others,
for 3,525 acres of section 29, adjoining the Saddle River on the east
and smith, partly on the Passaic River and partly on a brook, on the
west. This patenl was declared forfeited for non-settlement. The
second attempl was made seven years later (.March l!.~>, L687), when
section is. containing 5,320 acres, described as lying between the
Passaic and Saddle Rivers, -"beginning at the meeting of the said
rivers and running northerly along the Passaic River, its several
i urns, reduced to a straighl line, four miles and t hirty-six chains to a
white oak tree marked on four sides al the Mound 15 rook, thence from
THE FIRST SETTLERS 33
the Bound Brook north easl by a great Rod? of Stone, eighty four
chains, thence north easl along the line of the Indian purchase, one
hundred and eight chains, thence along Saddle River southwesterly
to the place where if began. Being in length, reduced to a straight
line, six miles and a half,"- -was patented by the proprietors to nine
persons, to wit: Colonel Richard Townley, of Blizabethtown, X. J.;
Captain Elbert Elbertsen (Stoothoff), of Flatlands, L. L; Jaques
(Jaiiiesi Cortelyou, of New Utrecht, L. T.: Richard Stillwell, of Staten
Island. N. V.; William Nicholls, of the City of New York; Catharine
Hoagland, of Flatlands, L. T.; Peter Jacobus Marius (Morris), of the
City of New York; and Roloff Joosten (Van Brunt) and Hendrick
Matthiesen, of New Utrecht, L. T. The survivors of these persons,
and the heirs of those deceased, partitioned the tract, May 16, 1692,
and thereafter sold it to settlers as follows: Joshua Bos (Bush),
Thomas Jurianse (Van Reipen), John Van Horn. John Post. Halmagh
Van Honten, Garret Jurianse (Van Reipen), Garrel Garretson (Van
Wagoner), Garret Garretson (Van Wagoner), Jr., John Garretson
(Van Wagoner), Voter Garretson (Van Wagoner), Dirck Barentsen,
Thomas Fredericksen, Warner Burger, Abram Van Varrick, Laurence
Toers. Peter Jaeobson Morris, David Laurencen Ackerman, Dirk Van
Zyle, Hendrick Vandelinda, Jacob Marinus, Thomas F. and Andries
F. Cadmus, and John Billfield. This section is sometimes called in
deeds " Acquackannock ' and sometimes " Slotterdam," and com-
prised the greater part of the present Township of Saddle River. The
" Rock " referred to is supposed to have been what is now Glen Rock.
A portion of section 22 (adjoining Major Berry) was patented by
Lady Elizabeth Carteret, in 1682, to Jaques (James) Laroux and An-
thony LTendricksen. The same year Lady Carteret patented to Cor-
nelius Mattys 420 acres adjoining Laroux on the north and 424 acres
to Albert Zabriskie, adjoining Mattys on the north Zabriskie seems
to have acquired the title to the Mattys and Laroux purchases, and
all the land west of himself. Laronx, and Mattys, as far as Sprout
Brook.
North of Zabriskie. in section 22. lav lands patented to Olaes Jan-
sen Romeyn, fronting east on the Hackensack and extending to
Sprout Brook. Romeyn conveyed parts of these to his sons, John.
Albert, Daniel, and Claes Romeyn, and to David Ackerman, John
Zabriskie, Peter La roe, and Henry Van Giesen, husbands of his daugh-
ters Gerrebrecht, Elizabeth, Lydia, and Sarah, respectively. Jurian
YVestorvelt, Isaac Van Ciesen, Paulus Vanderbeck, and John Berdan
each purchased farms from Romeyn, in this section, all bounding east
on the Hackensack. Section 24 comprised the Kinderkamack patents,
granted by Governor Gawen Laurie to David Demarest, Sr., his son
John, his son-in-law John Dnrie, and Peter Pranconier. The latter
34
limsoN AM> BERGEN COUNTIES
sold liis portion t<> John Demarest, who ;i few years later conveyed it
to Cornelius CI aes < !ooper. The Demarests, Duries, < 'oopers, and Van
Wagoners were the principal settlers in this section. The Indian
sachems who signed the grants in this vicinity were Mamche, Sacka-
maker, ( toorang, Rawatones, and Towackhack.
Section 21, known as die Paramus patent, containing 11,067 acres,
was boughl by Alberl Zabriskie in L662. Zabriskie's title to this
trad was no1 confirmed by grants from the proprietors during his life-
time, Inn Ins son Jacob procured a release Iron 1 Peter Sonmans, agenl
id' ili" proprietors, .May 13, L731. In 1 675 the sachems of the tribes of
Northern New Jersey became ind< bted to Allien Zabriskie for a con-
siderable sum, to secure the payment of which t hey verbally promised
to convev to Zabriskie a large trad in Rockland Countv known as
" Xarransha we." The promise to convey was not, however, followed
by the execution of a
deed from t he Indians,
and in due course of
time a new sot of
sachems sold and con-
veyed the " Xarran-
sha we '" tract to other
persons. T h e s e sa-
chems were probably
ignoranl of the prom-
ises which their pred-
ecessors had made to
Zabriskie. The latter
d e in a n d e d a fulfill-
ment of the Indian
promise and a (}<'('•]
from tin- sachems of
lands in Bergen < boun-
ty X. J., equal in area and value to the • Xarransha we *' tract On
•Iiiii« 1. 177l'. Orachanap, Metachenak, Coorang, and Memerisconqua
then sachems of the tribes of Northern New Jersey, executed to Zabris-
kie a (]ci'<\ r.ii- 2,100 acres of land in Bergen County, described as
•• bounded West by t ho Saddle River, North and Eas1 hy ("hies Jansen
konievn. and South by Alberl Zabriskie." This large tract, con-
stituting parts of 21 and 23, was known as the New Paramus patent,
bu1 is frequently referred to as " Wieremus," and sometimes as
• Paramus Highlands." Zabriskie procured mains from the proprie-
tors of this last tract, which, added t>> his previous grant, made him
one of the largesl landholders among the original settlers. One-half
of the tract last mentioned Zabriskie conveyed March 20, L708, to
HAMILTON-Bl 111: DUELING GROUND, WEEHAWKEN.
THE Flit ST SETTLERS 35
Thomas Van Buskirk, of New Hackensack, who settled <>m it, and
whose descendants still occupy portions of it. John George Achen-
bach, :i German emigrant, together wit f i persons named Baldwin,
Arkerman, and Conklin, settled on parts of it. Zabriekie's children
;iml grandchildren settled in this section us well ;is in section ~2'.\.
His sons were Jacob, John, Joost, Christian, and Henry.
Section 23, besides Zabriskie's 2,100-acre grant, included several
l>;iients granted ;it various times t<» ('hie-; Jansen Romeyn and Jacob
Zabriskie, son of Albert, who cut it n|> into farms and parceled it
out to their children. Romeyn's children have already been named.
Jacob Zabriskie's sons were Albert, Peter, Stephen, and Jacob, and
his sons-in-law were Anthony Lozier, Peter Lozier, John Ackerman,
and Sylvester Earle. These with families named Duersen, Stagg,
Eopper, Bogert, Terhune, Meyer, Van Gelder, Trapgagen, Verway,
Tibout, Conklin, Volker, Banta, Vanderbeck, Van Blarcom, and
Laroe settled in these several Paramus tracts.
Section 25, known as the "Old Hook Tract," consisting of L,300
acres, was purchased from the Indians, April 24, 1702, by Jaques
(James) La Roux and John Alyea. This tract was part of the share
of Peter Sonmans, one of the proprietors of East New Jersey. On
December 1, 1 727, Nicholas Le Sieur (Lozier) purchased a one-third
interest in it. The three owners then made a division of the trad
between them, and on June 23, of the same year, Sonmans was in-
duced to confirm the Indian granl by a den] in which the grantees
named are Jaques (James) La Roux, Peter Alyea (son of John
Alyea), Nicholas Lozier, Hendrick La Roux, and Samuel I. a Roux
( sons of Jaques (James) Laroux). The trad was settled by the last
named persons and their numerous sons and sons-in-law. Peter Van
Buskirk, Andrew Hopper, Peter Debaun, -Jacob Debaun, Richard
Cooper, Daniel Duryea, and Jacob Cough purchased parts of it.
Families named Bogert, Blawvelt, Vandelinda, Ackerman, Rutan,
Demarest, Perry, and Quackenbush also became settlers on parts of
the tract.
The southwest pari of section 28 was called " Wierimus " and fell
within a patent granted to Samuel Bayard, in 1 703. The title passed
from Bayard's heirs, by purchase, to Roloff Vandelinda, who died in
New York in 1 70S. By his will he devised these lands to liis son,
Hendrick Vandelinda. The area of land devised to Hendrick is not
given, but it was large, and by several deeds from Peter Sonmans, as
agenl of the proprietors, lie afterward acquired several other tracts
in the vicinity. His binds were, as the deeds state, bounded on the
south partly by Zabriskie and Romeyn and partly by the Musquamp-
sont Brook, a branch of the Pascack River. He sold it in parcels to
Rolof Vandelinda, Rev. Benjamin Vandelinda (pastor of Paramus
36 HUDSON A.\l> BERGEN COUNTIES
Church), Frederick Wortendyke (the first settler a1 Pascack), Cor-
nelius Baring, John and Albert Van Orden, Jacob Zabriskie, John
Bogert, Rev. Bernard Van Duersen, Jacob Arents, John Durye,
Daniel Baring, Care! Debaun, Abraham Post, David Bopper, Abram
La Roux, Abraham Van Borne, ami Rev. Samuel Verbryck (pastor
of Tappan Church). The two "dominies" conveyed parts of their
purchases to Garrel am! David Eckerson, John Forshee ( Fiseur), Gar-
re1 Baring, William Holdrum, Frederick Van Reiper,and .Michael and
John Ryer. Wes1 and north of the above Cornelius Mattys, William
Sandford Van Emburgh, John Guest, Peter and Andrew Van Buskirk,
Cornelius Epke Banta, -lames Johnston, and John Stagg secured pat-
ents from the proprietors. The locality of Arent's, Mattys's, and Van
Emburgh's purchases was called " Awashawaughs's " plantation.
Nearly all of the above purchases and settlements were made be-
tween L728 and 1732.
The lands comprising section iM, between iho Backensack River
and the Pascack River, were within thai pari of the Bonan and Baw-
don patent which was purchased by John McEvers and Lancaster
Symes, and at the division between McEvers and Symes it fell to Mc-
Evers. About L,800 acres of this lie sold to Dirk Cadmus, Garrex
Bybertsen Blawvelt, Jacob Flierboom, John Blawvelt, Abram Blaw-
velt, John Berry, Care! Debaun, Thomas Clark. Jonathan Rose, and
Colonel Cooper. Owing to the long dispute between the Colonies of
Xew York and New Jersey over the location of the boundary line be-
tween them but very few of the conveyances of lands in sections 2<'>.
27, and 28 were ever recorded, and it is therefore nexl to impossible
to locate all of the original settlers of these sections. It is known,
however, from old gravestones and other sources that, besides those
above mentioned, families named Demarest, Post. Merseles, Meyers,
Storms, Mabie, Baring, Bogert, Banta, Holdrum, Cooper, Eckerson,
Van llouten, Peack, Van Reiper, Westervelt, Bopper, Campbell,
Zabriskie, Van Emburgh, and Peterson were among the earliesl set-
tlers of section 24.
Section 30 appears to have first been settled by the Ackermans.
Garrel Ackerman bought of the proprietors 17s acres butting on the
Saddle River as early as 1712. David Ackerman and Andries Bopper
purchased large tracts adjoining Garrel on the south, while on the
north of them were the purchases of Peter Van Buskirk and John
Verway, in 1724, and William Sandford Nan Emburgh and John
Guest, in 1720.
On December 10, 1700, Peter Sonmans, styling himself "Sole
Agent, Superintendent, General Attorney, and Recorder General " of
the rest of the proprietors, conveyed to s^v+u* persons, to wit : John
Anboinean (3-24), Elias Boudinol (3-24)J Peter Franconier (7-24), Lu-
.«'
Ma p
"/
I N EW YORK I^fk ^
and other 7vmarkaMe m ] itli , ul . t f /^ uiphAl 4
Porta of !E^ a ( s ./,//^i&,^/^'.
/•'
40
44
/2
ro
7"4-- G.'M^Lo/ujf/h. Londxni
MILITARY MAP, 177G.
38 HUDSON AND BERGEN C< HJX1 ll>
.as Kierstead i 2-24), John Barberie I 3-24), Thomas Bayaux (2-24) 2 An-
drew Fresneau (2-24), and Peter Board (2-24), a tract bel ween the Sad-
dle and Ramapo Rii ers, aft< rward known as the Ramapo patent. An
boineau, Boudinot, Barberie, Franconier, and Bayaux were French-
men. Kierstead was a Dutchman and Board was an Englishman. This
trad contained 12,500 acres and was eighl and nine-tenths miles in
length from the head of Saddle Riv< r southerly i«> iln- junction of the
Hohokus Brook with the Saddle River, from which poinl iis boundary
ran N. <>7 W. 150 chains i<> .i l^ i - < - ; 1 1 rock or stone called Paniackapuka
i in, w den Rock), thence X. G3 VV. sever and twenty-nine-fortieths
miles i«i 1 1 it- Ramapo River, thence X. 1 •"> W. 77 chains i " i he top of the
Ramapo mountains, thence along the top <>l the said mountains aboul
uine and a half miles, and thence southeasterly to the beginning. This
included all of iln- present Township of Ridgewood, nearly all of
Franklin and Hohokus Townships, and pari of Orvil. William
Bond surveyed and mapped ii in L709. The map is filed in iln- clerk's
office at I [ackensack.
On February I. 17H'. Franconier convejed his interest to Theodore
V'alleau and David Stout, who, on Augusl Hi. 17.~»l\ conveyed to Mada-
lene V r alleau, daughter <.i t> illiam Franconier. In i lie same year the
proprietors discovered, or affected to discover, thai Sonmans's con-
veyance of December L0, L709, to Auboineau and company was in-
valid, and forthwith took steps n» regain the title. On March 29,
17.".::. John and William Burnetl and Cortlandl Skinner, pursuant to
a warranl of tin- proprietors, induced Madalene Valh-an t<> execute
a release t<» the proprietors of all her interest in the original 42,000
acres, upon receipt ol a, deed from the proprietors i<> her of 900 acres
ai Campgaw. This 900 acres, located in section 30, .Mrs. Vallean
afterward sold in parcels i<» Dirk and John Tiesbots (Tiebout), dohn
Pullisfelt (Pullis), John Billfield, [saac Bogert, William Winter,
Barent Van [lorn, and llarman Xax, who settled on it. Between
LG99 and L753 several grants had been made of portions of this 12,000
acres some by the proprietors or their representatives, and some by
the grantees ot Sonmans, under the deed of December L0, 17<m.
Thomas Hart, of Enfield, Middlesex County, England, procured a pat-
'■iii for several thousand acres in the locality called Preakness, then
in Bergen County, but now in Passaic County. By his will in L704
he devised an undivided part of this tract to his sister, Patience Ash-
field, and the other part to one Mercy Benthall.
Patience Ashfield's will, made in L708, made Joseph Heale executor
with power to sell. Thereupon Heale with Mercy Benthall and
Richard Ashfield, heir of Patience Ashfield, sold their patented lands
in parcels, the earliesl purchasers being Anthony Beem, Conrad Lyn,
M 'i.i in Lyn, Derrick Day, Peter Post, Cornelius and John Blinkerhoff.
THE FIRST SETTLERS 139
Jacob Arents, Philip Schuyler, George Ryerson, Rip Van Dam, John
de Reimer, John Berdan, ninl Cornelius Jans Doremus, who, with I he
exception of Van Dam, were the principal settlers in thai locality.
The lands were in seel ion 31.
Andrew Johnston, Edward Vaughn, William Skinner, and George
Leslie, all Scotchmen, received ;i patent for about 1,0(10 acres in the
same locality, which was sold, among others, to John Berdan, John
Boaert, Gysberl Nan Blarcom, and Abram Garretsen i Van Wagoner).
In KiO!' George Willocks and Andrew Johnston procured a patent
for several thousand acres, consisting of tracts in various localities,
west of Saddle River at Preakness, The Ponds, Paramus, etc. These
lands were mostly in section 31, and were sold, among others, to John
Laurence Ackerman, Jacobus Laurence Ackerman, Jacobus Kipp,
John Romaine, Jacob Kip]), Tennis Bennion, David Bennion, Edo
Merseles, Martin Ryerson, John Bogert, Jacob Outwater, Nicholas
Slingerland, John Le Toere, John Berdan, Samuel Van Saun, Ruloff
Romaine, George Vreeland, Stephen Camp, and Zekiel Harris.
What was, and is still, known as the Totowa section was purchased
by Anthony Brockholsl and company. On Brockholst's death it
passed to his son Henry, who sold it, among others, to David Marinas,
Gerrebrechi Van Bouten, Balmagh Van Bouten, Bastian Van
Giesen, Abram Godwin, and .Martin Ryerson, in L768. These lands
were in section 31.
George T. Ryerson procured a patent lor a considerable tract in
1748, adjoining north and east on the Preakness patent, which he sold
to persons having similar names to Trie Westervelt, John Stagg, John
Romaine (Romeyn), and others. These were in section 31.
Peter Franconier and others had sold several parcels, in the mean-
time, on the west side of Saddle River, in section 30. Garret Van Dien,
Peter Johns Van Blarcom, and Dr. John Van Emburgh had procured
from them the land between the Saddle River atid Bohokus Brook,
for some distance northward, and Major Isaac Kingsland, Peter
Johns Van Blarcom, Bendrick Bopper, and Garrel Van Dyke owned
extensive tracts west of Bohokus Brook. John and William Van
Voorhys, John Rutan, and John Berdan had procured grants and were
located at what is now Wyckoff, where later families named Van
Horn, Balstead, Ackerman, Winter, Van Blarcom, Stur, Folly, and
others located.
By reason of these many prior titles the proprietors, after they had
acquired the release from Magdalene Valleau, in 1753, found them-
selves face to face with the exceedingly difficult task of dealing with
numbers of settlers who had supposed their land titles were without
flaw. The proprietors undertook this task, getting some settlers to
take leases, — thereby admitting the title of the proprietors, — purchas-
■iO HUDSON A.\I» BERGEN COUNTIES
ing from some, and compromising with others. Many of the settlers
would make no settlement, the courts were appealed to, and ;i bitter
controversy ensued, which was do1 entirely settled until L790. In
1 707 the whole 12,000 acre trad was surveyed and mapped by < reorge
Ryerson, Jonathan Bampton, and Benjamin Morgan. The original
map, a piece of sheepskin four feel square, is in the surveyor general's
'•Hire ;ii Perth Amboy, N. J. li is badly worn, and much of the writ-
ins is obliterated therefrom by time and use. After t li«* man was
filed the lots were, from time to time, leased or sold to actual settlers.
In L789 John Stevens, James Parker, and Waller Rutherford ob-
tained a grant of 5,000 acres <>f the Ramapo patent, made up of many
tracts located in different places. The following persons purchased
from Stevens and company and from the proprietors and became set-
tlers en the Ramapo patent or on lands south of it : Albert. H. Za-
briskie, John Fell, Albert A. Terhune, Baron Steuben, Cornelius Bar-
ing, Jacob de Baun, Abraham Van Voorhis, John D. Ackerman, John
Doremus, Nicholas Bopper, David Bertholf, Benry Van Allen (the
latter at The Ponds), Abraham Larue.. loin- Christie, Benjamin Wester-
velt. dames Traphagen, Andrew Bopper, John Stevens, Andrew Van
Orden (the last two at New Foundland), .Matthias Stuart, Garret
Bopper, John Moore, dames Crouter, John Ramsey, Jacobus Van
Buskirk, John Zabriskie, < Jonrad Wannamaker, Derrick Wannamaker,
Benry Smith (the last named at New Foundland), Peter Baring,
Abram Stevens, Rolof Westervelt, Ryer Ryerson (The Ponds), Gerret
Garretson, Teunis Van Zyle, Andrew Van Allen. Edward Jeffers,
< '"rnelius de i rraw, Richard de Graw, John Neafle, Derrick Tise, Esaac
Conklin, David Simons, Daniel Rutan, Christiaen, Benry, and Peter
Wannamaker, Douglas Caines, Adolph Sivert, Solomon Peterson.
Conrad Massinger, William Jenkins, John Meyer, John Winter. John
Straat, Joseph Wood, and Peter St hit. and also families named Fitch,
Chappel, Oldis. Courter, Camp, Fountain, Folly, Fox, Osborn, Parker,
Bamper, Dater, Frederick, Youmans, Mowerson, Packer, Quacken-
biish. Bush, Vanderhoff, Van Dine, Van Bouten, Terhune, Bogert,
John Arie Ackerman, and John Labagh.
On November 11. L695, the proprietors granted to Anthony Brock-
liolst, Areiii Schuyler, and Colonel Nicholas Bayard section 32, 4,000
acres of land, on the east side of Pequannock and Passaic Pi vers, one
and a half miles wide, and running northerly from aear Little Falls,
up the Passaic River, along the Pompton River lour ami a half miles.
This was then in Bergen County, now in Passaic Both Schuyler and
Brockholst located on the tract <m the easl bank of the Pompton
Rivera little south of Pompton Lake. The purchase was made for
mining purposes, but the grantees conveyed the greatest part of it
December 17. L701, to George Ryerson, John .Meet. Samuel Berry,
THE FIRST SETTLERS
41
David Mandeville, and Bendrick Mandeville. They settled on por-
tions of it and sold oilier portions to Elias Smith, Michael Vander-
beck, Thomas Juriansen (Van Reiper), Peter Van Zyle, Gerebreeht
Gerrebrants, John Westervelt, Michael Hearty (Hartie), Casparus
Schnyler, Dirk Van Reiper, Steven Bogert, Cornelius Van Horn, (Jar-
ret Bertholf, Michael Demott, and Rolof Jacobs.
In 17(U Oliver Delancy, Henry Cuyper, Jr., and Walter Rutherford,
representing the proprietors, sold to Peter Hasenclaver what are
known as the Ringwood and Long Pond tracts, in the northwest pari
of Bergen County, containing about 12, (too acres. This is now in
Passaic County. The lands were first patented to and occupied by
Cornelius Board, James Board, Joseph Board, John Ogden, David
( >gden, Sr., David < >gden, Jr., CJzal < >gden, Samuel < i overman-, Thomas
Ward, John Morris, David Stevens, and Andrew Bell.
1 1 would require too much space to give the names of all those who
purchased or settled on the Ramapo, Pequannock, Totowa, Preakness,
and other patents of lands west of the Saddle 1 fiver. The reader will
note that nearly all the surnames given of sei tiers west of the Saddle
River are the same as of i hose sot t ling east of that river, thus indicat-
ing that the Ramapo patent ami the lands south of it were settled
principally by the descendants of t hose who set t led I he older parts of
Bergen and Hudson Counties. It, would therefore be a repetition of
names to describe in detail the numerous sub-divisions of the Ramapo
and other tracts.
LANDOWNERS AND SETTLERS
For the information of the reader and i hose who may become inter-
ested in genealogical research a lisi of the earliest and most promi-
nent landowners and sett has of Bergen and Hudson Counties is hereto
appended.
SURNAME
OF SETTLER.
LINEAGE.
NAME AND DESCENT
>F EUROPEAN ANCESTOR.
ACKERMAX
Dutch
David Ackerman
Berlikum
Holland
ACKKUSON
Dutch
Johannes Tomassen
( )ostenvelt
Holland
ADR I ANSI'.
Dutch
Maryn Adrianse
Veere
Holland
AERISON
Dutch
Cornelius Ariesen
N. Brabant
Holland
ALLEN (1)
Dutch
Pieter Van Hallen
Utrecht
Holland
ALLEN (2)
Flemish
Lorens Y;iu Hallen
Limbourg
Flanders
ALYEA
French
John Alvea
Artois
France
ANDERSON
Scotch
.John Anderson
Inverness
Scotland
ANTHONY
Dutch
Allerd Anthony
Amsterdam
Holland
ARENTS
Dutch
Johannes Arents
Vanderbilt
Holland
AURYAXSE (1)
Dutch
Jan Auryanse
New York
United States
AURYANSE (2)
Dutch
Lamhert Arianse
Gelderland
Holland
BACKER (1)
Dutch
Claes Jansen Backer
Hertogenhosli
Holland
BACKER (2)
English
Richard Backer
Barbadoes
West Indies
BACKER (3)
Dutch
Jacohus Backer
Amsterdam
Holland
rz
iiihsi i\
AND BERGEN COUNTIES
BURN \MI
LINEAGE.
KAMI ANH 1>I -il M
in 1 riauM AN ANCESTOR.
■l FETTLER.
BANTA
Dutcb
kc Jacobs
1 [arlengen
Holland
BARENTSEN
Dutch
Dirk Barents
Amsterdam
Holland
BASTIENSEN
Dutch
Johannes Bastiansen
Aernheim
Holland
BAYARD (1)
French
Balthazar Bayard
1 >aupheney
France
BAYARD (2)
French
Nicholas Bayard
Alphen
France
BEDLOW
Sw edish
[saac Bedlow
Stockholm
• s \\ cden
BEEDER
Dutch
Herman Beder
Amsterdam
Holland
BEEM
( rerman
Alithull\ I'.ccin
Flammersvelt
Germany
BELL .1)
< rerman
Hermann l>ell
I >armstadi
Germany
BELL 2
English
William Bell
New York
1 nited States
BENSON
Sw edish
Dirck Bensingh
( rronengen
Holland
BERDAN
Dutch
Jan Baerdan
Amsterdam
Holland
BERRY
English
John Berry
Barbadoes
W est Indies
BERTHOLF
Flemish
Guillian Bertholf
Sluys
Flanders
BILFIELD
English
John Bilfield
Enfield
England
BLACKLEDGE
English
Philip Blackleach
London
England
BLAGGE
lish
Benjamin Blagg
London
England
BLANCH
English
Richard Blanch
Bristol
England
BLAWVELT
Dutch
( .ci-id I [endericksen
1 >c\ enter
Holland
BLAUW 1
Dutch
( iciTct I >ircks Blauw
Drcnthe
Holland
BLAUW 2
Dutch
Herman Jansen Blauw
' i vi mengen
Holland
BOARD
English
1 lornelius Board
/on don
England
BOGERT 1)
Dutch
< lornelius Jansen
Schueiidew oerl
Holland
BOGERT 2
Dutch
John Louwe
Schoendewoert
Holland
BOGERT ;3)
Dutch
Tunis ( i-ysbertsen
Heykoop
Holland
BOUT
Dutch
Jan Evertsen limit
BarneveH
Holland
BRAECKE
Dutch
Dirk Claesen Braecke
Amsterdam
Holland
BRIGGS
English
Walter Brig
Providence
Rhode Island
BRINKERHOFF
Dutch
[oris Dircksen
Drenthe
Holland
BROCKHOLST
Dutch
Anthony Brockholsf
Amsterdam
Holland
BR< >SS
Dutch
Hendrick Brass
Albany
New York
BROWEK J
Dutch
Peter Clementsen
I [oorn
Holland
BROWER 2
Dutch
Adam Brower
Cologne
France
BROWER 3
Danish
Jacob Eldertsan Brower
1 [olstein
Denmark
BROWN
English
Thomas Brown
London
England
BURGER
Dutch
Burger Joris
1 1 srsburg
Silesia
BUSB
Dutch
Hendrick Bosb
Leyden
Holland
BUYS
Dutch
Jan Cornelisen Buys
l>i'('St
Holland
CADM1 -
Dutch
i >irck Fredricksen
Friesland
Holland
CAMPBELL 1
English
Alexander ( 'ampbell
North Britain
England
CAMPBELL 2
- <ch
James Campbell
Aberdeen
Scotland
CAMPBELL
English
William Campbell
Isle of Man
England
CAMPBELL
Irish
William ( iampbell
1 1( land
CARSTENS
Norwegian
1 - ( !arstiaens
Sant
Norwaj
CHAMBERS
tch
John Chambers
New York
1 uited States
CARSBOON
Dutch
Jan Elbertsen ( larsboon
< relderland
Holland
CHRISTIANSE l
Danish
Christ iaen Pietersen
Holstein
1 leiiinark
CHRISTIAN :
iiish
Barenl Christianse
1 [olstein
I Denmark
CHRISTIE 1
itch
James ( 'hri-t \ u
Edinburgh
Scotland
CHRISTIE 2
Dutch
• I on ( Ihristianse
Amsterdam
Holland
CLAESEN
Dutch
Gei brand < !laesen
1 [oorn
Holland
( LARK
[rish
IL. I.mt Clark
Caven Co.
Ireland
< i. i:\dt.\ny
- itch
^ alter ( llendenny
Scotland
( OLE
Dutch
Barenl Jacobsen Kool
Amsterdam
Holland
COLLERD
lish
Jacobus < lollerd
London
England
( OMMEGAR
Dutch
I tendrick Jan- ( lommegar
Amsterdam
Holland
COOPER !
Dutch
( Ilaes Jansen
Purmerend
Holland
THE FIRST SETTLERS
43
surname
OF -1 MM R.
LINEAGE.
NAME AND DESCf \ I
o; 1.1 Itoi'KAN ANCESTOR.
COOPEB 2)
Danish
Tennis Fredericks
( Hdenburg
Denmark
CONKLIN (1)
English
Mattys Conkelin
Philipsburg
New York
CONKLIN (2)
English
John Conklj ne
Not'ghamshire
England
CONOVEK
Dutch
Jacob Wolfortsen
An sterdam
Holland
CORBETT
English
John ( lorbetf
London
England
CORNELISEN
Sw edish
Cornelius Mattys
Stockholm
Sweden
CORNELL
French
W illi.iin Cornelise
Kalhrist
France
CORS
Dutch
Claes Petersen C<>r>
Amsterdam
Holland
CORTELYOU
French
Jacques < iortelj ou
It reidit
Holland
COX
( rerman
Michael Cox
Banover
( rermany
CUMMINGS
English
John C. Cummings
Sent land
DANIELSON
Dutch
James & Jacob Danielsen
Amsterdam
Holland
DAVIDSON
Dutch
John Davidsen
Liveden
1 Eolland
DAVISON
English
Thomas Davison
1 -olldoll
England
DAVISON (2 )
[rish
William Davison
Dublin
[reland
DAY (1)
Dutch
Tunis \h\
Amsterdam
Holland
DAY 2)
English
William Day
New York
United States
De baun
Flemish
Joosl de Baen
Amsterdam
Holland
DEBOW
Dutch
llendrick De Boog
Amsterdam
I loll and
De CLARK
Dutch
Daniel de Clerq
Amsterdam
Holland
De i;i;.\\v
Dutch
Alberl Leendertsen
Amsterdam
Holland
Di GROOT (1 )
Dutch
Dirk Jansen de < i n>i>t
Ryleveli
Holland
De GROOT (2 i
Dutch
Staats Jansen de < rroof
Tricht
Holland
l»i GROOT | :'■ i
Dutch
Win. Petersen de < 1-rool
Haarlem
Holland
Di HART
Dutch
Balthazar de I [aerl
I t ri.fil
Holland
De KA1
Dutch
Theunes <le Kay
Amsterdam
Holland
De KLYN
Dutch
Hugh Barents de Klyn
Buren
Holland
Di KUYPEB
1 Danish
Thomas Fred. <le Kuyper
( Udenburg
Denmark
DELAMATER
French
Claude de la Maister
Biechburg
1'" ranee
De La MONTAGNE
French
.lean de la Montagne
Saintong
France
DEMAREST
French
Da\ ill des Marets
Beauchamp
France
DEMEYB
German
X icholas (!«• Meyr
1 [amburg
Germany
De MONT
( i< in, an
Frederick Temonl
Darmstadt
( rermany
Di. MO'IT
Dutch
Mattys de Mott
Kingston
New York
Di REIMEB
French
Petrus de Beimer
Amsterdam
Holland
Di BONDE
Dutch
Jacob ih- Bonde
( lortl'd .Manor
New York
De VOE(l)
French
Frederick de Voe
Bochelle
France
De Vol. j
French
Nicholse de Voe
Walslandl
France
De VRIES (1)
Dutch
.Ian Jacobs de Vries
Vries
1 lolland
De VRIES (2)
Dutch
.Ian ( Sarretsen de Vries
Workum
Holland
Di VRIES (3 i
French
.Ian Petersen de Vries
Amsterdam
Holland
De WITT
Dutch
Dirk ( llaesen de Witt
Zunderland
Holland
DIEDRICKS
Dutch
Hans I >iedricks
Isleven
Holland
DOREMUS
Dutch
Johannes Doremus
Middleburgh
Holland
DOUGLAS
Scotch
W illiani 1 >ouglas
Leith
Scotland
DOW
Dutch
Douwe Jans
Harlengen
Holland
DOUW
Dutch
Volkert Jansen
Lenwarden
Holland
DUNCAN
English
George Duncan
Bristol
England
DURIE
French
Jan Durje
Manheim
Germany
EARLE
English
Edward Earle, Jr.
Maryland
United States
ECKERSON
Dutch
Jan Tomassen
Oostenvelt
Holland
EDSALL
Enolish
Samuel Edsall
Reading
England
EDWARDS
Welsh
Harman Edwards
New York City
New York
ELBERTSEN
Dutch
Elbert Elbertsen
Xieukerk
Holland
ELY
English
Nathaniel Ely
Hartford
Connecticut
EVERTSEN
Dutch
John Everts Bout
Barnevelt
Holland
FELL
French
S\ moil Fell
Dieppe
France
44
HUDSON AND BERGEN COU
NTIES
-i i:\ \mi
"i si 1 1 i i i:.
i i\i \(.i
NAM! \ \l> DRSCRN1
"i i i ropj \\ w< i - tor.
FELTER
• i' I man
William Velta
Hamburg
' rermany
i i i;iM»\
1 i . ni'll
Thomas \ erdon
A msterdam
Holland
FEURST
1' lemish
Barl holme w Feursl
Bruges
Flanders
FLIERB( ><»\|
Dutch
Mattys Flierboom
A 1 1 »:i n \
New York
FRAN( 1
Dutch
Frans Jacobsen
Beesi
Holland
FREDERICKSEN
Dutch
Dirk Fredericksen
Friesland
Holland
FRENCH
Englisli
Phillip French
London
England
FOUN IAIN
Freuch
< 'hard Fontej u
Brooklj it
Long Island
GARRABRAN rS
Dutcb
< rerebrand ( llaesen
1 [■m.iii
Holland
G PRISON
Dutcb
1 \( net ( rerretsen
W ageningen
Holland
GARRETSON
Dutcb
1 i ' rerretsen
W ageningen
Holland
GARRETSON i^ \
Dutcb
W outer • rarrel sen
W orkum
Holland
GILBER rs
Dutch
Gysberl Lubberts
Hilversam
Holland
GISNER
< rerman
1 [endrick < reisener
W estchester
New York
GROOME
English
Samuel < > i me
Stepney >
London ,
land
(, II -1
Dutch
John < i lies!
l'cnii>\ Ivania
I nited States
HALMAGHS
Dutch
Peter Roloefsen
I trechl
Holland
HARDING
S\\ iss
Hans Jacobsen 1 larding
Berne
Sw itzerland
HARING
Dutch
Jan Pietersen
Hoorn
Holland
HARRIS
English
Ezekiel Harris
New England
I nited States
HART
Englisli
Thomas 1 lart
Enfield
England
II W\ KINS
English
Richard Hawkins
1 don
1 Ingland
HELMS
Dutch
1 [endrick Teimis I lellinck
Leyden
II. .Hand
HENNION
Dutcb
Nath'l Pietersen Henyon
New York
United States
HERTIE
Sw iss
I [ans Jacob Hertie
Berne
Switzerland
HESSELS
Dutdi
Peter I [essels
New Utrechi
Long Island
HOLDRI M
Dutch
William Holdrum
Amsterdam
HoUand
HOOGLAND | 1 )
Dutch
1 >iik Jansen
Maarsendeen
Holland
HOOGLAND (2)
Dutcli
tielius Adriance
Amsterdam
Holland
HOPPER
Dutcli
Andries Hoppe
Amsterdam
Holland
HOUSMAN
Dutch
1 iicii ( Jornelius Huysman
Amsterdam
Holland
HUYLER
Dutch
< !apt. John Hu\ ler
New Fork
United states
JA( OBS
Dutd,
Peter Jacobs
Beesi
Holland
JACOBUS
Dutch
Roloff Jacobus
Amsterdam
Holland
JANSEN l
Norw egian
Peter and Roloff Jansen
San<
Norway
JANSEN (2
French
Matt ice Jansen
Cologne
France
.1 INSEN
Swedish
Baranl Jansen
Stockholm
Sweden
JAY
French
Peter Jay
London
England
JEROLEMON
Dutch
John Hans Jerolemon
Albany
New York
JOOSTEN
Dutch
Rutgert Joosten
Amsterdam
1 1.. Hand
JURIAN( 1.
Dutch
Andries Juriance
Bergen op
Zoom
Holland
KIERSTED
< rermau
Kid Wblters
Magdeburg
* lermam
KINGSLAND
1 English
Nath'l & Isaac Kingsland
Barbadoes
Wesl Indies
KIPP
Dutch
1 [endrick de K \ pi
Amsterdam
Holland
KUYPER
Dutch
i laes Jansen
Purmerend
Holland
LAMATER
French
( 'laude de Lamaister
Riechbom g
France
LAROE
1 i • neb
Jaques Laroe
France
LAURENI 1. l
English
William Laurence
St. Albans
England
LAURENI 1 2
Dutch
Arenl Laurens
^ sselstein
Holland
LAURENC]
1 Danish
Serven Lorens
1 [olstein
1 Denmark
LAUREN* 1. 1
1 >; 1 1 > i — 1 1
Laurens Andriesen
Holstein
I •einiiark
LEENDERTS
Dutch
Paulus Leenderta
Amsterdam
HoUand
LOCKHART
English
_• Lockharl
London
England
LOOTS
English
John 1 t>
Norw ich
England
LOZIER
1 1 1 iich
Francois Luseur
( iiliucnil
France
THE FIRST SETTLERS
45
>1 K\ \MK
LINEAGE.
NAME AND DESCENT
OF EUROPEAN ANCESTOR.
OF SETTLER.
Dutch
LI HY
Jacoh Luby
Amsterdam
Holland
LUDLOW
English
Gabriel Ludlow
London
England
LYDECKEK
Dutch
Ryck & Gerrit Lydecker
Amsterdam
Holland
I.VN
( rerman
( lonrad and Abram Lyn
1 tarinstadt
Germany
mai'.ii:
Dutch
Casparus Meebje
Amsterdam
Holland'
MACLEAN
Scotch
Charles Maclean
Leith
Scotland
MANDEVILLE
Dutch
Gillis Jansen de Mande-
ville
( larderen
Holland
MARINUS
Flemish
Cornelius Jansen Marinus
Oostberg
Flanders
MARTIN
English
James Mart in
New York
United States
MERSELIS
Dutch
Peter Merselles
Beest
Holland
MATTYS
Swedish
Cornelius Mattice
Stockholm
Sweden
MEET (1)
English
Adam Meet
Essex
England
MEET (2)
Dutch
Pieter Jans Meet
A.mersfort
Holland
MELLINOT
Italian
Michael Mellinoi
Savoj
Itah
MERRITT
English
William Meiritt
London
England
MEYER (1)
( rerman
Adolph Meyer
Usen
( iermanv
MEYER •_'
German
Nicholas Me\ er
Hamburg
( rermany
Ml A l.i; :;
German
1 [armanus Meyer
Bremen
( rermany
MILBURN
English
Jacob Milburn
London
England
MOORE (1)
English
Francis Moore
Boston
Massachusetts
MOORE 2
English
Samuel Moore
Barbadoes
West Indies
MORGAN
Welsh
Carl Morgan
Hamburg
( iermanv
MORRIS I
English
Robert Morris
Liverpool
England
MORRIS 2
English
Richard Morris
London
England
MORRIS i
English
Anthony Morris
London
England
MORRIS | 1 i
English
Jurj Maris
N w (ii.i:
Dutch
l'.aint Naugle
( i ronengen
Holland
NEWKIRK
Dutch
( rerbrand ( ilaesen
Amsterdam
Holland
NOBLE
English
Mark Noble
New England
I 'nited States
ONDERDONK
Dutch
Adrian Yanderdunk
Breda
Holland
()l rWATER
Dutch
Frans Jacobs < >utwater
( hidewater
Holland
PAR( ELLS
Erench
Thomas Parcells
I luntington
England
PAUW
Dutch
Michael Pauw
A msterdam
Holland
PEACE
English
Johannes Peack
A msterdam
Holland
PERRY
French
.Ian Perie
Pont-le-feekes
France
PETERSEN ( 1 )
Dutch
Gerrel Petersen
Friesland
Holland
PETERSEN (2)
Dutch
Peter Rolofsen
Ltrecht
Holland
PHILLIPS
Dutch
Frederick Phillipse
Bolswaeri
Holland
PINHORNE
English
William Pinhorne
London
England
PLANCK
Dutch
Abram [saacsen Planck
Amsterdam
Holland
POST ( 1 )
Dutch
Jan Jansen Posl mail
Harlingen
Holland
POST (2)
Dutch
(apt. Adrian Post
Harlingen
Holland
POWLESS
Dutch
Pow les Pietersen
M erven
Holland
POWLESSEN
Dutch
Pow les Pietersen
Merven
Holland
POWLESSEN (2)
PRIOR
Dutch
Michael Pom les
Yeendoren
Holland
Dutch
Casparus Cornelissen
Amsterdam
Holland
PROVOST
Dutch
David Provost
Connecticut
United States
PULIS
( rerman
John Pulisfelt
Darmstadt
< rermany
QUACKENBUSH
Dutch
Petrus Quackenbos
( >ostergeest
Holland
QUIDORE
French
Petrus Quidore
Havre
France
RAMSAY
English
Samuel Ramsay
Scotland
REYSERICK
Dutch
Rynier Reyserick
Amsterdam
Holland
RIKER
Dutch
Alnam Reyken
Amsterdam
Holland
ROMAINE
Dutch
Claes Jansen Romeyn
Amsterdam
Holland
ROY
Dutch
Jacob Jacobsen Roy
Amsterdam
Holland
KIT AX
Dutch
Daniel Rutau
Esopus
New York
46
HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
SURNAME
m| 81 III. Kit.
MM \(.l
\ \Ml IND DE8CEN1
01 ii ROPI \ \ A M l 3TOR.
RYERSON
Dutch
Adrian & Martin Ryerson
Amsterdam
Holland
RUYVEN
Dutch
( lornelius 1! u\ \ en
Ruyven
Holland
SANDFORD
English
William Sandford
st Marys I
Barbadoes (
West Indies
SAUNIER
French
Paul Saimier
Normand j
France
SCHOONMAKER
Germ au
i lornelius Jans Scl -
SCHUYLER
Dutch
maker
David Pietersen and
1 [amburg
I rermany
Philip Petersen
Amsterdam
Holland
SEGER
Swedish
Andries Seagard
New Albany
New York
SCHOENMAKER
Dutcli
Jan Cornelius ( !rj anen
Aernheim
Holland
SHUART
( rerman
James Shureg
I rarmstadi
( ieiinain
SICKLES
Aiist rian
Zacharias Sickels
Vienna
A list ria
SIP
Dutch
Jan Adrianse S\ |>
Amsterdam
Holland
SIMMONS
1 Inglish
( reorge Simmons
Philadelphia
Pennsj Lvania
SIVERT
( i-erman
Adolph Shcit
I'l ll\ lies
I u! lliall\
SLINGERLAND
Dutch
Albert Slingerland
A 1 ha ns
New York
SLOTE
1 Danish
Jan Pietersen Slut t
Holstein
1 leninark
S MK KM AN
Dutch
1 Iciinaii Smeeman
The Marsh
Holland
SMITH 1
I rish
Morgan Smith
( !o. ('man
1 reland
SMITH 2
English
Matthew Smith
London
England
SMITH 3
SMITH 1
English
Dutch
Michael and John Sniii h
Lambert Arianse
Loudon
( S-elderland
England
Holland
SMOCK
Dutch
1 lendrich Mat t ice Smock
Friesland
Holland
SNEDEN
Dutch
Johannes Sneden
Amsterdam
Holland
SNYDER
( J-erman
Ahram Snyder
( rermany
SOMERINDYKE
Dutch
Neeaseus de Stille
Aernheim
Holland
SONMANS
Scotch
Pieter Sonmans
Wallingford
Scol land
SPIER
( rerman
I >irck Jansen Spier
Bremen
( rermanj
STAGG
Dutch
■John and William Stagg
Amsterdam
Holland'
STEENHUYSEN
Dutch
Egberi Steenhusen
Soesl
Holland
STEVENSEN
Dutch
Oloff s te\ ensen
Holland
STEWART
Scotch
John Stewart
Stirling
Scot land
STILLWELL il i
Dutch
Alex. Stilluell
1 runkirk
Holland
SI ILLWELL 2)
English
Nicholas Stilwell
Stateii Lland
New York
STIMETS
Dutch
( laspar St iiuets
Zeeland
Holland
STOFFELSEN
Dutch
Jacob Stoffelsen
Zirrickzee
Holland
STOOTHOFF
Dutch
Elberl Elbertsen
New kelk
Holland
STORMS
Dutch
Dirk Sturm.
1 t rechi
Holland
STRAATMAKEB
( rerman
Dirk St raatmaker
Bremen
I ri'iiiiam
STRAUT
i rerman
1 »iik Straatmaker
Bremen
• rermany
STUYVESANT
Dutch
Pel rus St u\ v/esani
Friesland
Holland'
SI FFERN
1 rish
John Suffern
Ant rim Co.
Ireland
SWAEN
Sw edish
John Sw ;n n
St ockholm
Sweden
M( AN
1 • anish
Dirk Sycan
1 1 O I s | , • i 1 1
1 Denmark
1A I.I, .MAN
Dutch
1 >(iu we I la rmensen
Friesland
Holland
III; BOSH
( rerman
John Terbosh
1 >elmanhors<
Wesl phalia
TERHUNE
French
Albert Albertsen Terhune
1 1 tinen
Holland
TIBOUT
French
Michael dan Tiboul
Bruges
France
TISE
Dutch
Dirk Tysen
( iehlellalld
Holland
TITSORT
Dutch
John Titsorl
A msterdam
Holland
\ wdki.inda
Flemish
Joosl \'andeil\ nileii
Belle
[■'landers
VANDERBEEK
( rerman
PauluS Yaildellicek
1 [amburgh
I ici inan\
VANDERHOFF
Dutch
( lornelius Vandehoff
I ichhrland
Holland'
\ ANDERPOOL
Dutch
M \ ndeit ( rerritsen
Amsterdam
Holland
VAKI.KT
French
Nicholas \ a rlel
Amsterdam
Holland
\ai;i;k k
Dutch
lkii(li>l]iliiis Van \ ariuk
( relderland
Holland
THE FIRST SETTLERS
47
SURNAME
OF SETTLER.
LINEAGE.
NAMK AND DKSCKNT
OF EUROPEAK
ANCESTOR.
V A N
ALLEN (1)
Flemish
I. mens Van Ilalcn
Limbourgh
Flanders
V A X
ALLEN (2)
Dutch
1 'it ins Van llalcu
Utrechl
Holland
VAN-
BLARCOM
Dutch
Johannus Van Blarcom
Blarcom
Holland
VAX
BUSKIRK
Danish
Lourens Andriesen
rlolstein
Denmark
V A X
BUSSUM
Dutch
Cornelius and ( rerrel Van
Borsem
Emden
Holland
V A X
CAMPEN
Dutch
( iai ret Jansen
Campen
Holland
VAX
CORTLANDT
Dutcli
( )hitl Stevens Van Cort-
Wyck te dun-
lamlt
aerstede
Holland
Y A X
DAM
Dutch
Rip Van Dam
Albany
New York
VAX DINE (1)
Dutch
( icrn-ct ( lornelisse Van
Dyne
Xieu kiik
Holland
V A X
DINE (2)
Dutch
1 Mi k ( rarretsen
Tricht
Holland
Y A X
DOLSEN (1)
Dutch
rT a ii ( rarretsen Vries
Workum
Holland
V A X
DOLSEN (2)
Dutch
1 >irk Jan Van Dolsen
1 laarleni
Holland
VAN
DUSER
Dutch
Ahraiu Pietersen
1 rursen
Holland
\' A X
DYKE
Dutch
.Jan Toma sse Van 1 *\ ke
Amsterdam
I lollaud
V A X
EMBURG
Dutcli
I i j sherl Gysberts Van
[mbrooch
Amsterdam
Holland
VAX
ETTEN
Flemish
Jacob Jansen Nan Etten
Brabant
Flanders
Y A X
GELDER
Dutch
Jacobus Evei*tse Van
Gelder
( relderland
Holland
VAN
GIESEN
Dutch
l!\ uicr Bastianse
( riesen
Holland
V A X
HORN
Dutch
< !laes Jansen
1 lool II
Holland
VAN
HOUTEN
Dutch
Peter Roelfseu
Utrechl
Holland
VAN
I. MM EX
Dutch
Dirk ( rarretsen \';m
Iniiiiiu
Bextel
Holland
V A X
X Kss
Dut.-h
Hendrick Garretsen Van
Xc^
Emberlandl
Holland
VAN
Xos'li; AND
Dutch
1 [ans 1 [ansen
Zeeland
Holland
V A X
ORDEN i 1
Dutch
( 'lacs Jansen
Xacnlcn
Holland
V A X
ORDEN 2
Dutch
Dirk Jansen
Xaenlcn
Holland
VAX
OSTUM
Dutch
Hendrick Van < )stuni
Amsterdam
Holland
V A X
PUTTEN
Dutcli
Aerenl Teunesen
Putten
Holland
\' A X
REIPEN
Danish
Juriaen Tomassen
Reipen
Denmark
V A X
SALLE
Dutch
Anthonj Franzen
Saale
Holland
Y A X
SAUN
Dutch
Jacob Van Saun
Zauwen
Holland
V A X
SCHALCK-
Henry Jans Van Schalck-
WYCK
Dutch
W\ck
Schalckwyck
Holland
V A X
SCIVER
Dutch
I'eti u> Van Schuyveu
Schuyven
Holland
V A X
TUYL
Dutch
Michael Abrams Van
Tuy]
Tuyl
Holland
VAX
VALEN
Dutch
Johannes Wn idle
Amsterdam
Holland
VAX-
VECHTEN
Dutch
Tunis I Urcksen Van
Vechten
Noeg
Holland
VAX
VLECK
German
Tielman Van Vleck
Bremen
Germany
V A X
VOORHIS
Dutch
( 'ucit Albertsen
Voorhuysen
Holland
VAX
VORST
Dutch
Cornelius Nan Vorst
Gelderland
Holland
VAN
WAGENEN
Dutch
( inert ( rerretsen
Wageningen
Holland
VAN
WART(l)
Dutch
Mattice Van Waert
I trecht
Holland
VAN
WART (2)
Dutch
Tunis Jacobsen Van
Woert
Schoendewoert
Holland
VAN
WINKLE
Dutcli
Walling, Jacob and
Simon Jacobsen
Middleburg
Holland
VEDDI
Dutcli
Harman Albertsen
Vedder
Gronengen
Holland
VERBRUGGEN
Dutch
John Verbruggen
Amsterdam
Holland
is
lil'I»S('.\ AND BERGEN COUNTIES
BURN \Ml
01 SETTLER.
LINEAGE.
VERBRYCK
Dutch
\ I.KWAY
Dutch
VINGE
Flemish
VREELAND
Flemish
WALDRON
Dutch
WANNAMAKER
( rermau
WARREN
English
\\ 1 STERVELT
Dutch
WHITE
English
WILSON
Scotch
WINANS
Dutch
w i x x i •:
Flemish
WORTENDYKE
Dutch
WOUTERSON
Dutch
5TEREANSE
Dutch
ZABRISKIE
Polish
NAM] wi> DESCEM IKol'lAN \Mlsiolt.
Jansen Verbryck
[sveren
Holland
( lornelius \ ri« aj
Amsterdam
Holland
.Idliii Viuge
Bruges
Flanders
M ichael Jansen
Brockhuysen
Flanders
Resolved Waldron
A msterdam
Holland
Peter Wannamaker
Darmstadl
Germany
Peter Warren
London
England
Lubber! Lubbertsen
Meppel
Holland
Anthony White
Bosl on
Massachusetts
Peter Wilsej
Leil li
Scotland
Cornelius Wj nhard
Gronengen
1 [olland
Peter Winne
Ghent
Flanders
Nicaseus <lc St die
Aernheim
Holland
Egberl Wouterson
^ sselsl ine
Holland
A niliics Jurianse
Bergen o]>
Zoom
Holland
Albrechl Sobeiski
Zolkieu
Poland
•
Y
•-•
*S5 .
; • -
DUTCH \\ I N I > .Mill.
GENEALOGICAL
ABRAHAM OOTHOUT ZABR1SKIE belonged to one of the most. nu-
merous and eminently conspicuous families of Bergen County. In Poland
the name was " Sobieska," and Albrecht Sobieska was the first of the
family in America.
It has been claimed by many of his descendants that royal blood coursed
in Albrecht's veins, because he was a brother of John III., the lasi king
of Poland. The facts d<> qo1 sust.-iin such a claim. Albrechl Sobieska
was not a brother of the last king of Poland, -lames Sobieska (the king's
fathen and his wife. Theophila, had hut three children: Mark, John (the
king), and a daughter. Mark was killed in the battle of Batog, leaving
behind no issue; John, the king, had two sons. .lames and Alexander,
both of whom died childless, as did also the king's sister.
Albrechl Sobieska (who in America was known as Alberl Zabriskie)
was a cousin of the king of Poland. That fad, however, did not make
royal blood flow in his veins, for the crown of Poland when attained by
King John was not Inheritable. That quality had long since been forcibly
taken from it. None of John's ancestors had ever worn it, and John was
elected to wear it. Hence, there was no more inheritable quality in it
than in the Presidency of the United States. There was, however, noble
Idood in Albert's veins. His ancestors foe two centuries had been Palatine
nobles <d' Poland — famous generals who had fought long and bravely in
the cause of their country, distinguished for their virtues in peace and
for their courage in war. Albert's cousin .John, upon his merits alone,
not only became king by the voice of the people of his native country,
but he had also become one of the greatest warriors of the sixteenth cen-
tury. Albert's father was a soldier, but the son had no taste for the favor-
ite calling «>f a long line of noble and warlike ancestors. Born at Zolkiew
in Poland, in 1638, he grew up in the shadow of the church and school,
receiving a fail* education. His turn of mind was such that his father
had early hopes of seeing his son in the pulpit preaching the Reformation.
To that end he sent Alberl to a Protestant school in Holland. The strict
rules and Puritan tenets of the institution were not, how 7 ever, relished
by Albert, and he soon ran away. While roaming about from one city to
another, without occupation or funds, he was seized by the government
authorities of Prussia and pressed into the army. Watching his oppor-
tunity he escaped to Amsterdam, early in 1662, from which port he sailed
to America in the ship " Fox," reaching New York in August of that year.
For ten years he seems to have wandered among the settlements about
New York without any settled purpose in life; but in 1070 we find him
at Bergen (Jersey City), where he met, and on December 17 of that year
married. Miss Machtelt (Matilda) Van der Linden, daughter of Yost Van
der Linden, a young lady then twenty years of age and a native of the City
50 HUDSON \M> BERGEN COUNTIES
of Brussels, Belgium, whose brother, Roloff Van der Linden, was destined
later to become, like her husband, one of the largesl landowners in Bergen
County. The intiiTiage ceremony was solemnized in the hutch Reformed
Church .11 Bergen, near whal is qow "the Five Corners."
In the year of his marriage il<i7<;i Alberl made his firs! purchase from
the Backensack ;in<l Tappan Indians — a trad of L,067 acres— abutting
south on Captain John Berry's purchase, extending north one and five
eighth miles, and from the Saddle River easl to whal is known ;is Sproul
Brook. This trad was known as "Paramus" or "The Point." <>n this
In- lniili his family mansion, and spenl his life in agricultural pursuits.
.Much of ii is still occupied by his descendants, who have become numerous
in Bergen, Budson, and Passaic Counties, h bas been said thai the
!ii(li;ins captured his eldes! sun. Jacob, and refused to give him up to his
father until he should be taughl the Indian language; thai the father ac-
quiesced; thai ili" boy mastered the language, and the chiei of the tribe
thru gave the father title i<» his lands. This is probably only tradition.
At any rate, the deed recites the consideration to have been wampum
(white and black), peltries, clothing, rum, and implements of husbandry.
In L682 Alberl obtained from Lady Carterel grants of several tracts of
land adjoining his firs! purchase, principally one of 120 acres on the easl
and extending to the Backensack River. In i<'»7!> the Indians in some way
(nol stated) became indebted to Albert, and to liquidate such indebtedness
the sachems verbally agreed to convey to him 2,000 acres in Rockland
County, X. Y. This agreemeni was no1 performed until 171)2. when Alberl
agreed to take lands in New Jersey instead of Rockland County lands.
Accordingly, the sachems of the tribes deeded him 2,100 acres in Bergen
County, north of his firsl purchase, and fronting wesi <>n the Saddle River.
Albert's patents are known as the " Paramus " and " New Paramus" pat-
ent ,. Altogether Alberl must have owned more than 4,000 acres in Bergen
County. .Much of this was afterward claimed by Peter Sonmans. whose
claims to it wen- not released until 1 731-35, long after the death of Albert.
In his day he was considered a very wealthy man. lie was highly re-
speded, no1 only for his greal liberality, Lin Tor his integrity, and above
all for his fair dealings with the savages, who esteemed him highly. Be
understood their language and frequently acted a- their interpreter. In
Hi^fi he helped to organize the "Church on the Green" at Backensack,
of which he was one of the firsl members. Be took an active pari in civil
affairs and was the firsl Justice of the Peace for Upper Bergen County,
to which office he was commissioned by Governor Hamilton in L0S2. Be
died September 11, 1711. having been one of the most active and enter
prising of the pioneer settlers of his county, and his descendants are noted
for the same qualities. Mis wife survived him, dying in L725.
His children (of the second generation) were (1) Jacob A., born aboul
April li'. L679 (married Ann Alliens Terhune), and had ten children; (2)
John A.; (3) Joosl A., born in L687 (married November L2, L712, Christina
Casparus Mabie), ami had eighl children; ih Christian A., horn July •*'..
IG0G (married .M ; i \ 28, 171 I. Lea Hendricks Bopper), and had five children:
and (5) Benry, born in L696 (married Gertrude Bendricks Bopper), and
had lour children.
John A. Zabriskie, of the second generation, was horn at Backensack
aboul L682. He married Hi September 20, L706, Elizabeth Claes Romeyn,
who was horn in L683 at Graves laid. I.. I., and died near Backensack,
GENEALOGICAL
51
\. J., in 171l'. lie i2i married again December (i, 1712, Margaretta Johns
Durie. lit- succeeded to the ownership of part of Ids father's lands. In
1720 he bought el' Samuel I >es Maresi (2) ;i large farm ill what is now
Hawroth, N. •!.. some of which, until very recently, was owned by the de-
scendants of Ids eldest son Albert. Il extended from the Schraalenburgh
road west to the Hackensack River. Some of his lands were claimed by
Peter Sonmans, hut were released to Zabriskie aboul L751, by Hans Spier,
agenl of Sonmans.
John Zabriskie (2) was a farmer, but was active in township and church
ABRAHAM O. ZABRISKIE.
matters. He died in 17<><>. His second wife survived him. His children
of the third generation were four by his first wife and nine by Ins second
wife, to wit: Albert, Matilda. Nicholas. Christina, Elizabeth, John, Jacob,
Elizabeth, Peter, Joost, Rachel. Cornelius, and Christian.
Of the above named thirteen children Jacob J. Zabriskie. of the third
generation, born near Hackensack, July 27. 171s. married, in 174-">. Sarah
Varrick. a descendant of an old aristocratic family of New York. Their
issue of the fourth generation was a son, John L. Zabriskie, baptized Feb
ruary 27. 1752. He died April 24, 1782. He married December 7, 177."),
52 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTESS
Lena Lansing, <>r Albany, N. Y.. where she was born October .~i. 1 T ~» o . She
died April 26, L826.
John L. Zabriskie's widow, after his death, married (2) November 11.
I7si;. General Abraham Oothout. John L. Zabriskie (4) had issue one
son, John Lansing Zabriskie (5), who married Sarah Barrea. He was a
prominenl clergyman ;ii Greenbush, X. Y., and had issue two children of
the sixth generation: John Barrea Zabriskie (a prominenl physician a1
Flatbush, L. I.) and Abraham Ootl i Zabriskie (the subjed of this sketch).
Abraham Oothoul Zabriskie, LL.D., <»r Backensack and Jersey City, was
born in Greenbush, N. Y.. June 1<>. L807, and when four years old wenl
with his parents to .Millstone. N. J. lie received ;ni academic education
and matriculated at Nassau Hall, Princeton, in L823. becoming a member
of the junior class when only sixteen. He was graduated from thai insti-
tution in L825, read law with dames S. Green, of Princeton, and was ad-
mitted as ;ui attorney in November, 1828, and as a counselor in 1831. He
practiced in Newark two years and in Hackensack aineteen years, and in
1838 was appointed Surrogate of Bergen County and was re-appointed
in ls-l.">. serving in all ten years. He not only learned how to frame state-
ments of execution and administration, bu1 acquired a lull knowledge of
ecclesiastical law as pertaining to estates of descendants, and also evinced
a method and accuracy that distinguished his life.
In 1842 he was appointed Prosecutor of the Pleas of Bergen County and
became master of the principles of criminal law. Later he often acted
as counsel in criminal and civil cases, and in cases involving land lilies.
He became familiar with the duties of a practical surveyor and also with
the proprietary history of New Jersey, and understood i-\(\\ patent in
the old "Field Book of Bergen County," and tin common hinds assigned
to each patent, lie was regarded as a formidable adversary in all cases
involving title to land, and was for several years Supreme Court Reporter
io 1855. In l>li he removed to Jersey City, and in 1850 he was elected
State Senator and served three years.
He was a member of the committee of citizens which framed the charter
of Jersey city, passed .March 18, 1851; was the author of the " Long Dock
Charter" of 1856; and from ls."i<; to 1866 was a Director of the New J< rs< \
Railroad and Transportation Company. In 1859 he was appointed by
Governor Newell Chancellor of New Jersey, bu1 the Senate refused to
confirm him, and the State, during thai memorable struggle, was without
a Chancellor for a year. In 1866 he was nominated by Governor Ward
and confirmed by the Senate as Chancellor, and began his official duties
.May 1. 1866. He performed the duties of that office with a promptness
and ability thai have never been surpassed by any of his successors. lie
took a prominenl pari in the greal railroad war as opposed to tin monopoly.
aud for an expression used in a public speech earned the sobriquel of
• Captain of the Pick-axe Guard." He was an eminent jurist, an aide and
learned lawyer, a sagacious lmsinrs> man. and officially connected with
several corporate enterprises. He traveled extensively, and while on a nip
io the Pacific slope died a1 Truckee, California, dune 27, is"::.
lie married Mi April 7. is:;*;. Sarah Augusta Pell, horn September '•'.
1810, died April ::. 1845. He married (2) January :'. 1848. Julia M. Halsey.
His children of the seventh generation were Abraham, Lansing, Sarah A..
and Augustus, of these, Abraham (8) was commissioned \djuiant of the
Ninth New .Jersey Volunteers, October 18, L861, promoted 1<> Major Feb-
ruary H>. 1862, to Lieutenant-Colonel December, L862, and subsequently to
GENEAIiOGICAX 53
Colonel. Be died May 24, L864, of won nds received in the battle of Drury's
Bluff, Va. Sarah A. (8) is the wife of Franz Ernsl de Bille, a native of
Denmark, who is a1 present Danish Minister to England.
Lansing Zabriskie (8), now deceased, was a prominenl lawyer in Jersey
City, as iv ;l |si> his brother Augustus, at the presenl lime. Augustus and
Sarah have children of ihe ninth generation.
» v
JOHN N. ACKERMAN is a descendant in the direct line from
David Ackerman, the tirsi American ancestor of the family. Southeast
of Rotterdam, in hutch Brabant, twenty-four miles from Breda, is the
City of Bois-Le-Duc, called by the natives Eertogenbosch. It is now the
chief low n of North Brabant, ami was built and strongly fortified in the
eleventh century, though it was a place of some note much earlier, being
near the Maas River and the great highway built by the Romans in their
later coiii|i]csis in Northern Kurope. In the seventeenth century there
was much heath land to the south and west of it which has since been
reclaimed. Agriculture and manufacturing were then, as now, the main
employments of tin- people, Tilbury, the nearest city, being noted for its
extensive cloth manufactories. The « • i i \ contains the chapel and church
of St. John, built in L260 and rebuilt in i:»L2, — one of the oldest and best
preserved edifices in Northern Europe, from the city a road leads almost
direct to the renowned battlefield of Waterloo. Near Bois-Le-Duc, in
about L620, vvas born David Ackerman, the son of a farmer and the pro-
genitor of the Ackerman family in Hudson and Bergen Counties. Growing
to manhood, he married in Hill, and engaged in tilling the soil until the
stampede to the New World, caused by religious persecution and the threat
ened war with Spain and England drew him into its vortex. Being an
ardent Protestant, he could not brook the fanatical domination of Roman-
ism, and when in August. L662, the power ol the state could no longer
protect him in the exercise of his religious liberty, he. with many of his
neighbors, including the Storms. Terbosches, and others, whose descendants
Lave since become n numerous host in Bergen County, embarked with
their families on board the Dutch West India ship " Pox " (Captain .Jacob
IIuvsi. and on September 2, following, landed at New Amsterdam. David
had with him his wife and six children — t he latter aged respectively t wenty,
eighteen, sixteen, twelve, eight, and six years. It has been said " it may
be doubted whether he survived the voyage "; but there is little reason
for such doubt. Ii is tine that the emigrant list published is a list of those
who sailed from Holland ports, not of those who actually arrived at New
Amsterdam. It is likewise true That the records make no further men-
tion of either David or his wife. lint these facts furnish no ground to
doubt their arrival on our shores. The first family abode was in the
Marhvelt Stegg. In 16G8 the family nucleus was at New Harlem. Whether
David or his wife were living at the time of the removal to Harlem,
whether Elizabeth on her marriage and removal to Harlem took her
brothers with her, are at best subjects of conjecture. David may have
'lied ,ii the .Markvelt Stegg residence, or he may have removed to Harlem
and died there. However this may be. as no public records of deaths were
kept, the date of his death and that of his wife, as well as her name, are
facts which are likely never to be ascertained, except by accident. Of
ihe children. Ann was the first to break the family circle by her marriage
in 1664, and subsequent removal up the Hudson. Elizabeth followed her
example in 1668, uniting in marriage with the somewhat renowned Kier
54 HUDSON AMi BERGEN COUNTIES
Walters (ancestor of the Kiersens), who, however, died two years later.
Lawrence was ;i youth of untiring energy and persevered in everything he
undertook. In 1669, being then only nineteen, he hired ;i portion of whal
was then called the Archer farm a1 Harlem, hi hill) he married Greetje
Egberts and remained at Harlem until L685, during which time two daugh-
ters were born to him. I>;i\id. the eldest son, wenl to New York, where,
in L680, be married Hellegorid Ver Planck, and remained there until L686,
during which time several children were born to him. Lodowyck, who
us. .it first, t<» have been rather a wild boy, went to Kingston, X. Y..
where, in L681, he wooed and wedded .Miss Jenneke Blaeck, by whom he
had at least two children. Alter his removal to Bergen County his wife
died and he married Hillegorid Bosch, by whom he had two children.
Abraham, the youngesi of the children, married, in 1683, at New York.
[tie Van Lear, by whom he had six children before his removal to New
Jersey, and four more in New Jersey. Lawrence and David were the first
i l i he family to remove to Bergen County in 1686. Lodowyck and Abraham
followed in 1694. They all settled on large tracts of land between the
Hackensack and Saddle Rivers, and also west of the Saddle River. The
family became very numerous both in Bergen and in what is now called
Passaic County. Numerous members of the family have been the most
active and influential in the county, and have been honored with town,
county, and State offices, others have been important factors in religious
work, and have attained eminence in various branches of learning.
Lawrence Ackerman was buried at Wyckoff or Oakland. His children
were John and dames.
John Ackerman, sou of Lawrence, married Catherine Etomaine. Both
are buried at Wyckoff or Oakland. Their children were Lawrence, Nicholas,
and dames.
Nicholas Ackerman. son of John, was born .January 24, 17!).j. died dune
1. ls:;!>. married Polly or .Maria Snyder, who was born in L801, died March
24, 1S77. Their children were John N.. born January 28, 1818; Abraham,
born August -7. 1830; and George.
John N. Ackerman, whose name heads this sketch, was born in Franklin
Township, Bergen County, N. J., January 28, 1818, and is now one of the
oldesl residents of Hackensack. He is the eldest son of Nicholas Ackerman
and Polly or Maria Snyder, a grandson of John Ackerman and Catharine
Romeyn, and a great-grandson of Lawrence Ackerman. He was educated
in the public schools of Franklin Township, lb- left home at the age of
fifteen, and for two years worked at the trade of carriage making. Since
tin n he has earned his own livelihood. When seventeen he went to New-
York <"iiy and learned the carpenter's trade, mastering <-\e\-y branch.
In L837 he returned to Hackensack, N. J., married Rachel K. Vanderbeek,
and engaged in business as a manufacturer of sash, doors, and blinds.
which In- followed with marked success until L896, a period of tifl\ nine
years. He then retired to enjoy in private life the fruits of a long and
honorable career. Mr. Ackerman has resided in Hackensack since he es-
tablished himself in business there in 1837, and from the first lias taken
.in active interesl in the growth and development of the town, and all those
public matters which appeal to the progressive spirit of a patriotic, ener-
getic citizen. Though never aspiring to office, and as a rule avoiding
political life, he was for ten years a Justice of the Peace, and in this and
other minor capacities has displayed greal ability, sound judgment, and
commendable enterprise.
GENEALOGICAL 55
Mr. Ackerman was married, June II. 1837, in Backensack, to Rachel
Ryerson Vanderbeek, born February 7. L806, died June 26, 1891, a descend-
ant, like himself, of one of the old Holland Dutch families of Bergen
County. Their children are George J. Ackerman, born March i!7. L839, and
.Mary R. Ackerman. horn September L'T. 1845.
George J. Ackerman. oldest child of John X. and Rachel R. Ackerman,
married Julia A. Groesbeck, Decembei 24, 1863. She was born November
27, 1842, and died April 11. 1886. Thej had one child. George Groesbeck
Aekorman, horn November ii. 1.867, who married, September 27, 1803, flrne-
line Inglehart, of Watertown, X. Y.. who was horn December ■">. 1.869. Thej
have one child. Alison Groesbeck Ackerman, born October 13, 1896.
AARCXN E. ACKERMAN, of Backensack, is of the seventh generation
from David Ackerman. the lirsi of I he family in America (see sketch on
page 53). lie was horn a I Saddle River. Bergen < 'on my, September <">. L836,
and is a sen of Peter Ackerman and Eliza Eckerson, ami a grandson of
Allien Ackerman and Eliza, his wife. This Allien served as a soldier in
the War of L812. Aaron Ackerman's maternal grandparents were Aaron
Eckerson and Matilda YVestervelt. As will he seen. Mr. Ackerman is of
Dutch extraction on both sides of the family tree.
lie was educated in the public schools of Bergen County, remaining on
his father's farm until he reached the age of seventeen. He then entered
the employ of Conklin & Post, of Schraalenburgh, as a carpenter, and con
tinned with thai well known firm lor aboul twenty-three years. (Mi (he
death ol Mr. Posl ho became a partner with Peter I.. Conklin, the senior
member of the old firm. The new firm of Conklin iV Ackerman continued
in hnsiness eighl years, or until L882, when Mr. Conklin retired after an
active life of lorn years. Mr. Ackerman succeeded to the hnsiness, which
lie siill conducts, and which is one of the oldesi of the kind in Easl Jersey,
having been in continuous existence for nearly sixty years. And under
his able and energetic managemenl ii has not only retained hut greatly
increased its old-time prestige ami usefulness. Tin- buildings and other
carpenter work which he has erected in Backensack and vicinity would,
if enumerated, make a list thai would Mil a good sized volume.
Mr. Ackerman is a man of acknowledged ability ami integrity, and both
in hnsiness and social relations has always enjoyed the respect and con-
fidence of his fellow mien. Enterprising, patriotic, and public spirited, he
has taken from the tirst a deep interesl in municipal affairs, and liberally
encourages every worthy project, lie served three years and one month
in the War of the Rebellion, becoming a second sergeant, and is a promi-
nent member of the Second Reformed Church of Hackensack.
He married Miss Abigail Wygant, and they have two daughters: Nellie,
born in 1st;:;, and Fannie, horn in 1871.
ALEXANDEB TAGGART McGILL, A.M.. LL.D., for thirteen years
Chancellor of the State of New Jersey, was born October 20, 1845, in Alle-
gheny City, Pa., where his father. Rev. Alexander T. McGill, D.D.. LL.D.,
was a professor in the Western Theological Seminary. His great-grand-
father was an Indian fighter of note in Pennsylvania, and served as a
Lieutenant-Colonel in the Continental Army under Washington at Trenton
and Princeton. The Chancellor's father was for some years a lawyer in
Georgia, but later studied theology and became professor in the Western
Theological Seminary. When the Chancellor was nine years old.
56
HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
iii 1854, ltis father accepted a professorship in Princeton Theological Semi-
nary and the family moved to New Jersey. His father held that position
until his deal h in L889.
Chancellor McGill thus spenl his early life in the midst of the best
edncational and social advantages, which he imbibed with an eagerness
characteristic of his race. While a youth he exhibited scholarly tasies,
and rapidly acquired a high standing as a thorough and painstaking
stud< in. His chief aim was to master every problem, no matter how diffi-
cult, that came to his attention. He was a keen observer, possessed of
ALEXANDER T. McGILL.
analytical powers of a high order, and won the praise and respect of both
teachers and associates. Entering Princeton College, he pursued the reg
ular course and received the degree of A.B. in 1864 and that of A.M. in
L867, and afterward his alma mater and Rutgers College of New Jersej
'•:>.li conferred upon him the honorary degre of LL.D. In June, i860, he
was graduated from the < !olumbia Law School, and thereafter continued his
legal studies with the late Hon. Kdward W. Scudder, of Trenton. He
came to 1he bar in New Jorse\ as an attorney at the November term. 1867,
and as a counselor in November, 1870.
GENEALOGICAL 57
For ;i few months he remained in Trenton as an associate of his preceptor,
Judge Scudder, and then, in L868, moved to Jersey City, where lie after-
ward resided. Chancellor McGill soon achieved prominence as an able,
industrious, ami conscientious lawyer. From L870 to L876 he was the law
partner of the late Attorne} General Robert Gilchrist. In L374 and 1875
he was counsel lor the Ci1y ol Bayonne and also member of Assembly from
the then Firsl District of Hudson County. He was active and influential
in the Legislature, and served on the loading committees. In April, 187s.
Governor McClellan appointed him Prosecutor of the Pleas for the County
of Hudson, and in April, iss::. ho was appointed Law Judge of that county
by < rovernor Ludlow.
On Mar.h 29. L887, ho was appointed by Governor Green as Chancellor
of the State of New Jersey, and the appointmeni was unanimously con-
firmed ''\ ihi Senate on the 31s1 of the same month. His lirst term ex-
pired May 1. L894, and ho was re appointed to the office by Governor Worts,
and ;n once unanimously confirmed by the Senate without reference.
It was during his term as Chancellor thai the famous coal combine bill
was passed b\ the Legislature. When Governor Abbot i refused to sign the
bill the railroad companies in the combination contended that they were
protected by existing laws, and proceeded to act accordingly. The at-
torney genera] broughl suit againsl the Coal Trust in the Court of Chan-
cery. The Chancellor rendered t decision which not only laid down the
relations of corporations to the State with a clearness and fairness that
placed his ruling beyond ittack, bul dealt a blow to nil the monopoly com-
binat ions of the I !oal Trust class.
In the fall of L895 the Democratic party nominated the Chancellor for
Governor. In the campaign thai followed he look no part, but continued
to discharge the duties ol the office of Chancellor. The election resulted in
Ids defeal i>\ John \Y. Griggs, now United states Attorney General, by a
plurality ol 26,900.
Chancellor McGill died April 21, I! a1 his home in Jersey City. His
friends declare thai he died ;i martyr to duty. Mis office killed him. lb
was ;t scrupulously conscientious man. and thoughl of duty above every-
thing else. He would never shirk a responsibility, however much he might
sutler in fulfilling it. His learning, dignity, good judgment, and ability
long adorned the highest equity bench in the State. He was one of the
most popular jurists thai ever presided over the Courts of Errors and Ap-
peals and chancery. As a citizen, lawyer, and judge he was universally
respected am 1 esteemed.
Chancellor McGill married .Miss Olmstead, a relative of the Stevens
family, of Hoboken, who survives. He had no children. He is also sur-
vived by a brother. Dr. John I). McGill, Surgeon-General of New Jersey.
MATTHEW J. BOGERT.— The Bougaerdts were a numerous and in-
fluential family in Holland, where they filled many important military
and civic positions, and attained lasting fame in the arts, sciences, and
literature centuries before the advent of any of them in America. Guil-
liaem Bougaerl was Sellout of the City of Dordrecht in 1123. His son Adam
became first Professor of Music and Rector of the Academy at Leyden,
where he died in 1482. He is buried in St. Peter's Church in Leyden, be-
neath a stone surmounted with a copper plate on which is an inscription
setting forth his fame. Tins church was built in 1315 as a monument to
Boerhave, the great physician, and contains the remains of the most dis-
58 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
tinguished worthies of Holland. Adam's son Jacob became firsl physician
to the City of Antwerp and afterward was Profesor of Medicine and Sur-
gery .-it Leyden for more than twenty years. Like his father he also at-
tained ili«- rectorship of the academy. He was a fluenl writer ob medical
science, <»n which he published a treatise in five parts, the manuscript of
which is now in the public library a1 Antwerp. ETarman Myndertse Bou-
gaerl came to New Amsterdam in L620, and was probably the first of the
name to locate in America. He was a medical man of long experience and
was appointed official physician to the Infani metropolis. In l<;.".4 Rev.
Everard Bogardus, a son of William Bougaert, and who wrote his name in
Latin Everardus Bougardus, came over to New Amsterdam in company
with Governor-General Wouter Von Twiller. Bogardus was the firsl regu-
lar preacher on Manhattan Esland, where he married, in H>:'»7. Ann, widow
of Roelof Jansen, of Maeslandt, Holland, the lady aboul whom, and whose
estate and Trinity Church, so much has been written and said during the
last thirty years. Dominie Bogardus rented a tobacco plantation on the
island and spenl much time and labor upon it. tobacco being a1 thai time
the principal currency of the country. In time be quarreled with Governor
Kieft because of the latter's cruelty to the New Jersey Indians. Kieft
broughl charges of immorality against him, the investigation of which was
cut short by ih»- superseding of Kieft, who was drowned off the coast of
Wales.
Joosl (Justus) Bougaert, in 1641, was appointed by Queen Christina, of
Sweden, commander of a colony on the easl side of the Delaware River
below Philadelphia. He held that position seine time on an annual salary
of 500 florins.
In M]~)'2 Tennis Gvsberl Bougaert emigrated to New Amsterdam from
Hey Koop, a little hamlet northeast of Leyden. Two years later he settled
at Brooklyn, when he married Sarah Rapelje, a daughter of one of Brook-
lyn's earliesl settlers. He was Mayor of Brooklyn for three years. His
farm fronted on the Walabochl (Wallabout). His descendants scattered
over Long Island and along the Raritan Riv -v in New Jersey.
Matthew J. Bogerl is descended from Jan Louwe Bougaerdt, a cousin of
Gysbert, above named. Jan was cradled and grew to man's estate at
Scl ndewoerdl (a word meaning liner words), a small fortified village
noted for its salmon fisheries, on a branch of the Maas River twenty miles
above Rotterdam and about two miles from Hey Koop, the former home of
his ancle Gysbert. Jan was reared a farmer, bu1 early in life struck out
for himself. Reaching manhood, he married Cornelia Evertse, the daughter
of a well ted.) neighbor, and settled down to farming in his native town.
In common with thousands id' Hollanders he seems to have caughl the
prevalent emigration fever, for, on April LG, 1663, we find him and his
family with many of his neighbors embarking at Amsterdam on the Dutch
Wesl India ship "Spotted Cow," hound for the shores of America. A
month later the stamh crafl touched the what! at New Amsterdam, where
some of the cargo of emigrants remained and others went to Brooklyn,
Staten Island, and All. any. dan. no doubt, desiring to 1m- near his uncle,
repaired to the vicinity «»l Bedford, I.. I., where he boughl a farm, and
remained there until KiT:!. He must have been possessed of some means,
as in the spring of that year he had an opportunity, of which he availed
himself, to take charge of the farm of Dr. John de la Montagne uear Harlem.
On the 1st of May, L671, he removed thither from Bedford, and thence
forward for a period of twenty years was an active participanl in the civil
GENEALOGICAL 59
ami religious affairs <>f Harlem. Thai he prospered is evidenced by the
fad thai in L679, L691, and 1 To l he boughl lands a1 Hoorns Hook, Spuy ten
Duyvil, ;iikI on Bellega1 Sound. Ele was chosen magistrate of Harlem
in L675 and HiTti. bu1 tailed afterward in the realization of his political
aspirations, which seem to have been strong. In L695 he sold his lands at
Bedford and in I To* ; his farm lands a1 Harlem. The followins sorine
stricken in years, he and his wife removed to New Amsterdam (joining the
Dutch Church there .May l'7. L707), where they died soon after at a ripe
old age.
.Ian l.oiiwc Bougaerdl was a man of firmness and decision of character;
born to c nand. rather than to follow; hasty in his temper, but prone to
justice when cool; a man of his word, who demanded of his neighbor the
exercise of the same quality; shrewd in protecting his own interests, but
honest iii his dealings with Ins neighbor; a man of sound judgment, keen
intelligence, and possessing a large fund of general information; a stern
hut affed ionate and dutiful husband and father, and a devoted Christian, —
all qualities which, under i he i rying circumstances in which he was placed,
lined him for the trials of a frontier lite. They had nine children of the
second generation, to wit: Peter Jansen, Margaretta, Gysbert, Nicholas,
Elizabeth, Catharine, Cornelia, Janneke, and John.
Peter Jansen Bogerl (2d gen.), born at Schoondewoerdt, Holland, in
L656, married in New York, September 29, L686, Sophia, a daughter of Judge
.Matthias Flierboom, of Albany, lie. with his sister Margaretta, and his
brother Gysbert, removed to Tappan, then a pari id' Orange County, X. Y.
Gysberl and Margaretta's husband purchased large tracts of land at
Tappan, on which iln\ settled. Peter Jansen died in New York, but his
children remained at Tappan. These were of the third generation, to wit:
Cornelia, Maria, Elizabeth, Catalyntie, John P., Matthew P., Peter I'.. and
Willeiiiina.
Mai I hew I*. Bogerl (3d gen.), baptized at Hackensack in L702, married,
in L735, Margaretta Tunisens Talman, ami in January, L740, boughl of
Bernardus Van Valen U ~» u acres of woodland south of Closter and ex-
tending from the Hudson River to the Tiena Kill Brook. The westerly
part of this was soon cleared and slocked .\\\A a family mansion erected
on the easl side of the old road leading to Piermont. .Matthew P. Bogert
followed agricultural pursuits until his death in list. His children of
the fourth generation were Peter M., Sophia. < Jornelius, Maria, Matthew M.,
Maria, and Howe.
Matthew M. Bogerl ilth gen.) by will obtained and resided on pari of
i he homestead of his father at Closter until his death. He married, in 1777,
Sarah Bogert, a relative of his. who survived him. He served as a private
in the New Jersey militia in 177U. He was a. farmer and left children of
the fifth generation, to wit: Margaretta.. Sarah. Mai ia. Matthew M., Albert
M., and Sophia.
Matthew M. Bogert (5th gen.), born .November 6, 1779, died March 30,
1871, married .May «.t, L801, Willempie Haring, born March 28, 1783, died
•Inly 25, 1859. Matthew M. (5) was also a farmer and resided on the home-
stead occupied by his ancestors at Closter. His children of the sixth
generation were Sally, -lane, Margaret, Maria, and Jacob M.
•Jacob M. Bogerl (6th gen.), born at Closter. X. J., May 15, 1*]», died
March 18, 1*74, married. November 30, 1842, Maria Haring. born in 1823.
She survives him and resides in Hackensack. He was a farmer by oc-
60 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
cupation. Their children of the seventh generation were Henry Ver Valen
(deceased), Matthew •).. Cornelia, Sarah Jane, Leah, and Huyler.
Matthew J. Bogerl (7th gen.), the subjed of tins sketch, born a1 Clost< v,
X. J., .May l. 1846, was educated in the public schools al Closter and worked
.hi his father's farm until L864, when he became a clerk in the wholesale
tore of Pangborn & Bronner in New York City. Later he became ;i book-
keeper in the hardware house of II. Carter & Bon. May 22, L873, he married
.Miss Mary A. Hopper, daughter of James G. Hopper, of Etna, X. -T. Iu
i v 7i he embarked in the business of wood-turning in Pearl Street, New
York. This lie made ;i success, and will, his partner. Abraham .1. Hopper,
now conducts an extensive business in William Street, New York, with
mills a1 Kingsfield, Me. Mr. Bogerl is an active, energetic, and thoroughly
practical business man. Though an active Republican with the exception
ol being Postmaster at Demarest, X. J., since L892, he has aever held any
really political office. He has for several years been a member of the
School Board of Harrington Township, and for twelve years has been a
Director and Treasurer of the Harrington Building and Loan Association,
which he helped to organize. He is prominent and active in religious
work. He is now an Elder and has during several vears held other offices
in th" Reformed Church at Closter, and for thirteen years has boon Super-
intended of the Sunday School of thai church. His living children of the
eight h general ion arc Jessie (married in 1900 Frederick \Y. Mai tocks, a New
York lawyer), Virgil mow associated with his father in business!, and
Clarence, who has jnst entered Princeton University-
JOHN M. BOGERT is descended from the same common ancestor as
Matthew J. Bogert, whose genealogy has been given. Peter M. Bogert,
of the fourth generation from dan Louwe Bougaerdl and son of Matthew
P. Bogerl (3d gen.), was born at Closter, April L2, 17:Ui. died there L809,
married November 22, 17.~>!t. Rachel Banta, born 1740. He was a plain
fanner and resided near Closter on part of the lands which hi> father had
bought. He also purchased other lands adjoining them. His children of
the fifth generation were Margaret, Mary Ann. Matthew p.. Seba, Sophia.
Samuel, and Margaret. His uncle, Peter Bogert, resided and was one of
the earliest settlers west of the Hackeiisack in Washington Township. He
was born in 17or> and died in L786. He was a man of wealth, a Judge of
the Bergen County Common Pleas, and held main other offices.
Seba Bogerl (5th gen.), born at Closter. March 25, 1771. died April 27,
L84G, married Sarah Blackledge, born May 20, 177<i. died December 20,
L81 1. Seba was a farmer and resided all his days at Closter. His children
of the sixth generation were Peter S., Benjamin S., Matthew S., Samuel S..
Henry S.. Jacob S., Peter S., and Rachel.
Mat i hew S. Bogerl (61 b gen.), born at < Jloster, April 9, 1 7!i!t. died < October
23, LS74, married January 31, L824, Maria Kipp, who died March 2, L833.
He married (2) November L3, L833, Margarel Christie, widow, born October
27, L794, died September is. 1874 Matthew S. Bogerl was a farmer, but
was active in township affairs. His children of the seventh generation
were Seba M. mow a Wall Sire.t broker). Eliza, Sally, Catharine, David
(a soldier in the Union army who died in the service), John M.. and Samuel
M., who served as a Union soldier and died April 5, L871.
John M. Bogerl (7), the subjeel of this sketch, was born at Closter, X. J.,
Augusl <i. L839. lb- was reared on his father's farm, where he imbibed a
GENEALOGICAL 61
greal liking for horses, which he still entertains. His business is farming
and training horses for speed. Ee married, June 5. L858, Jane Bogert, a
daughter of Johu J. Bogert, born Augusi 26, 1839. Upon his father's death
he succeeded to the ownership of the <>I<1 homestead at Cluster, where he
now resides. They have had seven children of the eighl generation, to wit:
Margarel (died), David, dark. Morton, Emma (died), .Mabel (died), and
Elmer.
David Bogert (Sth gen.) married in 1885 and has issue tour children of
the ninth generation, and Morton h;'s one child.
GARRET A. EARING.— The City of Eoorn is located on a small arm of
t In' Zuyder Zee in 1 loll and. It is now a place of lit tie importance, but from
the beginning of the fifteenth to the seventeenth century it was a city of
considerable magnitude and trade. During the Spanish wars it was suffi
ciently so to be fortified and stubbornly defended by the Spanish under
Admiral De Bossu. It glories in being the birthplace of William Schouten,
who in Hilt) first doubled the soiiihniosi cape of South America, which he
named after his birthplace, Cape Horn. Abel Jansen Tasman, who dis-
covered Van Dieman's Land and New Zeeland, was also a native of Hoorn.
Back from the city the land is low but fertile, adapted to grazing and dairy
purposes. Manufacturing and shipbuilding were, two centuries ago. exten
sively carried on there. It was at Boom thai the great fleet of Admiral He
Ruyter was built. But the most extensive of its varied interests were its
herring fisheries, which were numerous and of great value, employing large
numbers of men.
Among tin- families residing at Hoorn were tin- Earings. The name is
mentioned on the pages of histon .is far buck us L573, and when the Dutch
weie defeated ;ii 'he battle of Diemark, in that year, it is related of one
John Earing, of Eoorn, that he stood with sword and helmet, on a narrow
part of the dyke, and singly by miracles of valor kept back a thousand
Spaniards, until his comrades had made their retreat. Then plunging into
the sea, he escaped unhurt. Not long afterward, in a sea fight, he climbed
on board the great Spanish ship "The Inquisitor" and hauled down her
flaunting colors and was fatally pierced by a bullet. Among his descend-
ants I'ieter Jansen Earing ih is said to have been a native of Newcn-
huysen in Holland, where he was born in HI in. and from whence he removed
to Eoorn. His third son. dan Pietersen Baring (2), one of a large family,
was born at Hoorn. December 26, l»i-"»::. He emigrated to America in 16G0,
and on Whitsuntide in L662 became the second husband of a young widow
named Margaretta Cozine, born in Haarlem, Holland, in 1634. This was
i he first marriage in the Dutch Church, on the farm called the Bowery,
which chinch was situated where now stands St. Mark's Church, corner
of East Eleventh Street and Second Avenue, in New York.
John Pietersen Haring purchased and resided until his death (December
7. Kis.'b on a farm of 100 acres, which extended from the Bowery Lane
westward to and beyond Bedford Street, including both sides of Broadway.
from vVaverly Place to Bleecker Street. His descendants continued for
more than a century to own portions of it. John Pietersen Haring (2) had
children of the third generation Peter, Cozine, Cornelius, Abraham, Brechie,
Vroutie. and Maretie. All of these with their mother. Margaretta Cozine,
removed to Tappan in 1080. The widow had previously (February 2. 1685)
taken a third husband in the person of Daniel de Clark, by whom she left
62 HUDSON AMi BERGEN COUNTIES
no issue. John Pietersen Haring's children all married and settled at or
near Tappan on the Tappan patent, of which I wo of (ho sous were joint pur-
chasers with de Clark, the Blawvelts, Smiths, mid others, in 1686. They
all reared large families. Peter, Cozine, Cornelius, and Abraham settled
within the limits of Harrington Township in Bergen County, N. .1.. where
their descendants are very numerous. The township received its name from
the family in 1775. Garret A. Haring, the subject of this sketch, is de-
scended in the seventh generation from John Pietersen Haring, the first
American ancestor. The line of descent is as follows: (1) John Pietersen
Haring ami Margaretta Cozine, (2) Cozine Johns Haring and Margaretta
Garrets Blawvelt, (3) John Cosines Haring and Aeltje Van Dolsen, (4) Gar-
ret -Johns Haring and Cornelia Lent. (5) Abram Garrets Haring and Eliza
beth Blawvelt, (6) Garrel Abrams Haring ami Maria Smith, ill Abram
Carrots Haring and Charity Johnson, and (8) Garrel Abrams Haring and
Lavina Van Houten.
Rev. Garret Abram Haring, for many years the beloved pastor of the
True Reformed Church of Schraalenburgh, Bergen County, is one of the
oldest ami host known clergymen in Eastern New Jersey. His great-grand-
father, Abram G. Haring, born .May 18, 1755. settled in Tappan, N. J., and
followed agricultural pursuits. By his wife. Elizabeth Blawvelt, also of
Holland descent, he had a son. Garret A. Haring, who was born March '2:1.
L781, and who was the grandfather of tin subject of this sketch. This
Garret A. Haring settled in Ramapo, Rockland County. X. V.. and spent
his active life as a farmer and mil lei-, dying December li'. L869. He married
Maria Smith and had two children: Abram G. and Hetty (Mrs. Albert J.
Terhune). Abram C. Haring was born on the homestead in Rockland
County on the Kith (if -Inly. 1803, and was also a farmer, succeeding his
father in the management and ownership of t he family estate. He married
Charity Johnson, of Ramapo, and had two sons: Rev. Garret A. and John
J. Mr. Haring died March li'. 1864, after a career which equaled in use-
fulness and prominence t ha1 of his honored father, who survived him nearly
six years.
Rev. Garret A. Haring, eldesl son of Abram G. and Charity (Johnson)
Haring, was born on the family homestead in Ramapo, Rockland County,
X. Y.. on the L8th of November, 1829. There he also spent his early life.
acquiring in the distrit t schools the rudiments of an education and follow-
ing various business pursuits. But he was not destined for a mercantile
nor an agricultural life. His lastes were scholarly; Ids inclinations were
for a profession. And with this end in view he took up the st udy of theol
ogy. Having thoroughly tilled himself for the ministry, Mr. Haring re
ceived a call ami was duly ordained pastor of the True Reformed Church
• J Schraalenburgh, Bergen County, and in that capacity has labored ever
since. Under his pastorate, which covers a generation, the church has
grown and prospered until now it is one of the largesl in that locality.
.Mr. Haring is a man of broad scholarly attainments, of noble and gener-
ous impulses, and universally esteemed and respected, not only for his
learning and culture, but also for those affectionate and sympathetic quali-
ties which make him so popular among all denominations. He has always
interested himself in the a Hairs of the community, and is an anient advocate
of every movenieiii and project which lias the welfare of the people at heart.
He is a' Democrat in politics, a friend of education, and a benevolent, patri-
otic, public spirited <it izen.
GENEALOGICAL 63
Januan 1. L851, Mr. Haring married Miss Lavina Van Houten. They
have three daughters: Melissa, Ellen EL, and Anna Naomi.
ALBERT ZABRISKIE HARING is a lineal descendanl of Jan Pietersen
Haring, the firsl emigranl of the name (see sketch on page 61). Cornelius
Jansen Haring (2) (the third <>l' the children of Jan Pietersen Haring ill and
Margaretta Cozine), born in New Vork in 1672, married, in L693, Catalyntie,
daughter of Judge Matthew Flearboom, of Albany, X. V. Cornelius re-
moved in Tappan, N. Y.. with other members of the family, in L686, and in
1721, when the Tappan patented lands were divided, he received as
his portion a large trad in Harrington Towmship, on both sides of the
Tappan road and extending easl of thai read as far as what is now North-
vale, lie subsequently boughl of Samuel Des Maresl (2) a farm of several
hundred acres near whal is new Haworth, X. -I.. on which he erected his
family mansion and resided until his death. Much id' this farm remained in
the ownership of his descendants up to twenty years ago. His seven chil-
dren of the third generation were John c. Margaret, Sophia, Vroutie,
Daniel <'.. Cornelius < '.. and Jacob < !.
of these seven children, Ljjxmdiu.v < '. Haring (3) married, in 1710. Ken si.'
Blawvelt, and dying lefl eighl children ol the fourth generation: Caroline.
A l»ra ha m J., Cornelius < '.. Margan i. Maria. Elizabeth, John < '.. and Sophia.
A lira ha m Johns Haring i 1 1 married Elizabeth .Ma hie. He boughl and set-
tled on a large farm jusl north ol whal is now called Wes1 Norwood, in
Bergen County. This farm had formerly belonged i<» his grandfather,
Cornelius Haring (2). He left three children: John A., born in March, 175]
(died); Peter A.; and John A. (2), hern April 9, 1702. Of these Peter A.
resided on his father's farm until his death.
Peter Abrams Haring (5), hern a1 Norwood, X. J., April 16, 1754, married
Maria Blawvelt, by whom In- had two children of the sixth generation:
Elizabeth, hern January 20, 177:; (married Abraham A. Blawvelt), aud
David P.
David Peters Haring (6), hem Ma.\ 27, 1775, married Lydia Zabriskie, and
lived all his lifetime on a portion of his grandfather's farm near West
Norwood. l!is children of the seventh generation were Margarei (died),
Lavina (married John Tallman), and Peter l>.
Peter I>. Haring (7) married Betsey Bogert, and had issue of the eighth
generation David P. (married Catharine Bross), Samuel B. (married Letty
Blawvelt), Albert Z., Newton (died), Ann .Maria i married Isaac Onderdonk),
and James (married Jane Van Houten).
Allien Zabriskie Haring, the subjed of this sketch, was born near Nor
wood. X. J., December 21, 1846. He attended the common schools of
Bergen County until fourteen years of age, and then became a clerk in the
grocery business, which occupation he followed for a number of years. In
1873 he entered as a clerk tin- Hudson Countj National Bank of Jersey City,
then under the managemenl of John Armstrong, John Van Vorst, and Hon.
A. A. Hardenburgh. lie has been in the hank for twenty-nine years, has
occupied various positions in it. and for the past twelve years has been its
ravin- Teller.
He married in 1866 Jemima, the daughter of the late Senator Ralph S.
Demarest, and lias two children of the ninth generation: Chauncey and
Minnie C. The latter is married and has issue of the tenth generation,
CTarisse. horn in 1900. He has a summer residence at Demarest, X. J.
64
HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
ELMER WILSON DEMAREST is a din .1 descendant of Jean des
Marest (1), a prominent citizen and resident of Beauchamp in the Province
of Picardy, Prance. There, about L620, was born his son. David des Marest
(2), who, upon reaching manhood, espoused the Protestant faith and lied
to Holland to escape persecution, locating at Middleburgh on the Island
of Walcheron in Zeeland. Hoc on July 24, L643, David married Maria,
a daughter of Fran
q o i s S h i e r, of
Nieppe, a (own in
Hainault. The couple
resided at Middle-
b u i- g h until 1651,
when they removed
10 Manheim on the
Rhine River, in the
lower Palatinate,
then under the pro-
it ction of the Elector
Charles Lewis. At
Manheim, tin- Protes-
tants were already
being threat* nod by
the Catholic princes,
and David des
Marest, with others
of a like religious
faith, determined to
go to America for
safety. Accordingly,
early in the spring of
1663 they journeyed
down the Rhine t"
v - msterdam, w h e r e
they embark* d for
New Amsterdam on
t h o ship •■ Spot ted
Cow," reaching tin
latter port on April
11;. 1 (;<;::. \)i-^ Marest
first went with his
wife aad throe sons
io Stati-n Island, where they joined the Huguenot settlement, recently
started. The following year he was elected to represent the settlement
in the provincial assembly. The savages proving troublesome, Demarest
bought and located on lands at New Harlem, then a name applied to the
upper end of .Manhattan Island. Here he prospered, acquired several
town lots, and became prominent in town affairs. In L677, a tax having
been levied on him for the supporl <>r the Dutch Church at Harlem, he
refused to pay it. claiming immunity therefrom because he was neither
:in attendant ma- a communicant of the Dutch Church. The "powers
1 hat i»i-*' sued him for Hie tax. procured judgment, and proceeded by ex-
ecution and levy to collect it. This angered Demarest and he determined
1.. leave Harlem. <>n the 8th of June, 1077. lie purchased from the Hack-
ELMEK W. DEMARES1
GENEALOGICAL 65
ensack and Tappan Indians a large trad (estimated a1 about 6,000 acres)
of land on the fast hank of the Backensack River, extending northward
from Now Bridge. By subsequent purchase lie added an extensive tract
west of the Backensack, on which lie built two mills. He built his family
residence ;u what is now old Bridge and erected a French Church on the
easi side of the river, a little west of the Schraalenburgh road. The lands
he purchased were claimed by several white persons and by the savages.
Some of these claims w ere not extinguished until after his death. He-
died in New York <'ii\ in LC93, leaving a will by which he devised all
his lands to his two surviving sons. John and Samuel, and to his very nn
nieroiis grandchildren.
David des Mutest. Jr. (3), the second of the i migrant's sons, died in 1691,
before the decease of his father. At the time of his death he was residing
east of the Backensack on part of his father's original patent near
Schraalenburgh. Il< was horn at Manheim in the lower Palatinate in
1652, ami married, April I. 1675, Rachel, daughter of 1'ierre Crasson, a
French refugee. His occupation was that of a farmer, lie had twelve
children: David, Peter, Susanna. Rachel, Jacobus !>.. Samuel, Mary,
Daniel, Benjamin, Jacomina, Lea, and Lydia.
Jacobus Davids ']<■<■ Marest (4), the tilth of these, baptized at New York
October '■'». 1681, mat tied (1) Lea De Groot and (2) Margaretta Cozine
Baring. Farming was his principal occupation and he held several town
ship offices. He resided in the Schraalenburgh district and left at his
death twelve children, id' whom Garret Jacobse Demarest (5), born at
Schraalenburgh, June 30, L725, died there December 17. lT'.is. married.
in 1747, Jacomina (Tunis) Helms. They resided at Schraalenburgh, where
Garrel pursued tin- calling of a farmer. His issue were fifteen children,
of whom Abraham Garrets Demarest (6) was born at Schraalenburgh
March L5, 17t;7. ami died there March is. i860. He married Margaret
Demarest. a relative, born Decembers, L 761, died May L6, L832. Abraham
was a farmer and left three children: Garret A.. John A., and James A.
John A. Demarest (7), born April 11. L798, died May 23, l^fil. married.
in L818. Jane, daughter of Peter Merseles, horn March .!. L803, died Sep-
tember 22, L888. He purchased and resided, at the lime of his death, on
lands at what is now Eastwood, X. J., where, on his death, he left two
children: Margaretta -I.. wife of Albert X. Ackerman, and Abraham J.
Demarest. lie was a cattle dealer, purchasing cattle in the west and sell-
ing them in New York, under the firm name of Demarest iV Grant, lie also
conducted an importing house of willowware, etc., in New York, and a
country grocery store on the farm at Eastwood.
Abraham .1. Demarest (8), born at Hast wood. X. J., April .".<). 1840, mar-
ried, May 18, L859, Eliza W.. daughter of Jacob G. II. Lozier, of Teaneck,
now Englewood. She was a descendant of Peter Wilson, a Scotchman, who
held the degree of Doctor of Haws, and was for some time a member of
the faculty of Columbia College, New York. Abraham J. followed farm-
ing until his father's death, when he removed to Closter, X. J., where he
conducted a meat market until L892, when ho retired from business and
is now residing at Bayonne, X. -I. Ho has had three children: Nettie
Marcelia. married Horace Roberson, a lawyer, at Bayonne; Edwin S.. died;
and Elmer Wilson, the subject of this sketch.
Elmer Wilson Demarest i«»i was horn at Eastwood, N. J., May L5, 1870.
He was educated in the public schools of Closter, X T . J., the Rutgers Pre-
paratory School. Rutgers College, and Columbia Law College, graduating
66 BTJDSON AM) BERGEN COUNTIES
from tin- Ias1 named institution as ;i Bachelor of Laws in 1802. ITe was
admitted to the New Jersey bar as an attorney in February, L892, and
as a counselor in June, 1805, and i<> practice in the United Stales Courts
in January, 1S07. Since liis admission he lias practiced law in Bayonne
and Jersey City, and lias been successful in litigations, having conducted
a number el' importan! cases. He i^ eounsel for a number of corporations.
He inn only stands high in Ids profession, bu1 is also prominenl as a
Republican leader, having always affiliated with the Republican party.
He lias shown greal activity in lids connection. In L802 lie was a mem-
ber of the Bergen County Republican Executive Committee. He has been
a member and Vi<i President of the Hudson County Republican Coin
niiiiee from L803 to Hie presenl lime. He is also a Trustee and a member
of the Executive Committee of thai organization, in 1807 lie was elected
to the New Jersey House of Assembly, was prominently connected with
the equal taxation measure of that year, and conducted Hie fighl in the
House for Hie Voorhees Judiciary Constitutional amendments. He is
a member of the New Jersey Athletic Club of Bayonne, of the Newark
Bay Boa1 Club of Bayonne, and of the Talma (dub of Jersey City.
()n September !». L806, Mr. Demaresl married Miss Blanche Adeline
Bristow, of Bayonne, ami they have one child. Kenneth I-:. Demaresl (10),
born Au-nst M. L897.
GARRET I. DEMAREST is descended from the same common ancestor
as is Elmer Wilson Demaresl (see sketch on page 'Hi. David des Maresf,
the first American emigran! of the name, had a great-grandson, Garrel
Jacobus des Marest (5), who married Jacomyntie Tunis Helms, and had
fifteen children. One of these. John <i. Demaresl Mil. was born at Schraal-
enburarh, Januarv 23, 1771. and died there November 6, LS34. He married
Catharine Blawvelt, who died May 4, 1849, aged seventy-one years eleven
months. John G. was a farmer and had issue ten children, of whom
John J. Demaresl (7), born at Schraalenburgh, X. J., November 1. 1824,
married Elizabeth, a daughter of Weirt Banta and Margarel Demarest.
John G. Demaresl was a farmer and resided neai the North church at
Schraalenburgh. He left two children. Garrel I. ami Margaret.
Garrel I. Demarest (8), the subjeci of this sketch, was born al Schraalen-
burgh May 25, L828. He is a prominent farmer ami resides in the Borough
of Dunioni on part of the farm originally owned by his French ancestor.
All of his long line of ancestors, both paternal and maternal, have been
honored citizens of Bergen County, active and influential in local affairs
of both church and State.
.Mr. Demaresl was educated in the public schools of Schraalenburgh,
which lie attended until lie reached the age of sixteen. Since thai lime
he has devoted his energies to the condud el tin- old family homestead.
He succeeded his father on the farm, and through his integrity, industry,
and sound judgmenl has achieved marked success. Having been horn and
reared on tin- place he has always occupied and now owns, he has imbibed
the associations and traditions which have descended to him from an hon-
orable ancestry, and from the first has improved ami beautified the home
so dear to him and his family by reason of these ancestral connections.
His patriotism is attested by his service of nine months in the Civil War
as a sergeani in the Twenty second Regimenl New Jersey Volunteers, He
was for one \.;ii- ;i lie-nil n -p of the Town ('oiiiicil. is a nieiulier of the North
GENEALOGICAL 67
Reformed Church of Schraalenburgh, and enjoys the confidence and respeel
of his fellowmen.
Mi. Demaresl married Miss Catherine Demarest, a member of another
branch of the Bergen County Demarests. They have had three daughters
of the ninth generation from their original French ancestor.
DAVID DEMAREST is another of the lineal descendants of David des
Maresl and Ins wife, Maria Sohier, who came to America in L662 (see sketch
on page 64). The emigranl had a great-grandson, David Demarest, who
resided ;ii Schraalenburgh more than ;i hundred years ago. This last named
David had several children, one of whom was dames D. Deiuaresl (6), horn
at Schraalenburgh March 2, 17«i::. died there April 28, 1830. Mis wife
Rachel, born July 28, L768, died April lV,. L828. dames I), was a farmer
residing at Schraalenburgh. One of his several children was Abraham
J. Demarest (7), wlm married Rachel Blawvelt, daughter of David Blaw-
velt. Th<-\ lived at Schraalenburgh. Both of them have been dead several
years. Among their children was David Demarest.
David Demaresl (8), the subjed of this sketch, was horn at Schraal-
enburgh (now I Milium! i February 1. L832. lie owns and resides on pari
of the farm which his French ancestor owned two hundred and twenty
three years ago. This trad has passed from lather to son in an unbroken
line for more than two centuries. In a barn on the premises is a beam
which was tirst used in ,i barn on the same farm in L721. Mr. Demarest
was educated in the public schools of the county. Ai the age of seventeen
he ceased studying hooks ami took charge of the old family homestead,
which he has ever since conducted. During the War of the Rebellion he
served nine months as a private in the Twenty second Regimen! New Jersey
Volunteers, being honorably discharged at the end of his term of enlist-
ment. Mr. Demarest is regarded as one of the besl and most substantial
farmers in Bergen County, where he has speni his entire life, lie is deeply
interested iii public affairs, active and prompl in the supporl of all worthy
objects, prominently identified with the welfare of the community, and
thoroughly alive to the needs of his fellow citizens. As a member of the
North Reformed Church of Schraalenburgh he lias been influential in pro
moting various moral and intellectual movements which have contributed
materially to the general welfare.
In early life Mr. Demaresl married Christina de Kami, who died May 11.
L895. They were the parents of five children — four daughters and a son—
of t he ninth general ion.
^*
EDMUND W. KINGSLAND, President of the Provident Institution for
Savings of Jersey City and one of the ablesl and hest known financiers in
Eastern New Jersey, was horn in Jersey < 'it y on the loth of December, L839,
his parents being Edmund \V. and Sarah A. Kingsland. He is a direct
descendant in the sixth generation from Isaac Kingsland, an Englishman
from the Parish of Christ Church, on the Island of Barbadoes, W. I., and a
nephew of Major Nathaniel Kingsland, of the same place. On July 4, 1008,
one Captain William Sandford, also of Barbadoes, W. 1., purchased of the
Hackensack Indians a tract of land between the Hackonsack and Passaic
Rivers, extending "northward about seven miles." Tin's purchase was
made in the interest of Major Kingsland. On June 1, 1071. the Major con-
veyed the south half of this to Sandford and kept the north half after ex-
tinguish in.- the Indian title. By the Major's will, dated March 14, 1085,
68 Hi DSON AND r.KK«;i:.\ COUNTIES
lif gave one-third <>t' his New Jersej lands — aboul 3,402 acres — to liis
nephew Isaac, [saac's residence was a1 Kingsland Manor near Rutherford
in Bergen County. His descendants are still numerous in both Bergen ;m<l
Hudson Counties. The 1 1 ; 1 1 : i * - of his wife does nol appear.
Edmund \V. Kingsland received his early educational training under the
tutorship of the lat< William Leveretl Dickenson, and subsequently at-
tended the New York Polytechnical School, from which he was graduated
with honor in the class of L856. After completing his studies, which were
designed i<» lii him for the practical affairs of life, he accepted a clerkship in
i he wholesale in ii ion house of Lyman Cook & Co., of New York City, and re
tnained with them until 1 >«",:;. gaining a broad and accurate knowledge of
Imsimss matters as well ;is the entire confidence and resped of his em
plovers.
Iii L863 Mr. Kingsland resigned his position as clerk for Lyman Cook &
Co. ami was made general clerk of the Providenl Institution for Savings
in Jersey City. There he soon gained recognition lot- those abilities which
have ever since characterized his business life and which have long made
him a powerful factoi in local financial circles. He gradually rose by pro
motion and in L888 was elected Secretary and Treasurer, which positions
he tilled with greal energy ami satisfaction until duly i'ii. L896. when he was
elected President. In this capacity he has maintained and in a large mens
ure increased tin- prestige and substantial character of the Provident In-
stitution for Savings, making it one of the soundest and besl known fidu
ciary concerns in Eastern New .Jersey.
Mr. Kingsland is one of the leading citizens of Jersey City, where he has
spent his entire life. He is public spirited, progressive, and enterprising,
thoroughly identified with every project which promises advancement to the
community, and generously encourages those movements that have the wel
fare of the place at heart. He is a member of the [Jnion League Club of
Jersey City, a man of broad and accurate learning, and universally re-
spected ami esteemed. Iii 1^77 he married Miss Justine Bayard Blackwell,
of New York City, and of their five children two are living.
DAVID l>. BLAWVELT. — After the Demaxests and Barings, the Blaw-
velts ate the most numerous of the families that settled the northern part
of Bergen County. < >n the east hank of the River Yssel, in the Province
of Overyssel, in Holland, nestles the by no means sleepy town ol Deventer
-the birthplace of the great Gronovios and the still greater Groote, — a
town of iron foundries and carpet manufactories, famous for its " honey -
cakes," a species of gingerbread, tons of which are annually shipped to
different parts of the kingdom. The Valley of the Yssel, traversed as it is
by numerous tributaries to the river, is exceedingly fertile, and the lands
about Deventer are among the- most productive of any in Holland. Near
Deventer, in L623, was horn of well-to-do Dutch parents one Garret Hen
dricksen, who. as a youth, is said to have been possessed of a restless spirit.
In Hill he tired of agricultural pursuits, left the paternal fold, and found
Ids way to America, landing, as all emigrants in those days did, at New
Amsterdam. Two years later he married Mary, tin- eldest daughter of
I.anihert Moll, a native of Berne, who had emigrated to America a few
years earlier and was then domiciled at Bushwick, L. I. Garret Hen-
dricksen and his wife. Mary Moll, lived and died in New Amsterdam,
having had thirteen children, most of whom adopted 'he surname id' Blaw-
GENEALOGICAL 69
veil (Blue-Field), in memory, it is said, of the blue hills about Deventer.
Of Garret Bendricksen's sons, Hybert, John, Abraham, and Isaac Blawvelt
were destined to transplanl the name in Bergen County, principally in
Harrington and Washington Townships. Elyberl and John (2) joined in
the purchase of the Tappan patent, in 1686, and in L689, with others of
the family, became members of the Tappan settlement. Hybert mar-
ried, April L5, Hi7'.», Wellempie Ariense, a sister of one of his co-patentees,
and located in Harrington Township on the Tappan road, just north of
what was once known as the "Old Jug" tavern. His brother Abraham
iL'i settled on the west side of the road leading along the rim north of
the mill, late of Peter A. Demarest. Isaac and another brother settled
on a large trad on which are now the residences of John R. Herring and
others, lake the Demarests and Harings, though not to such an extent.
the Blawvelts had much to do with the administration of civil, military,
and religious affairs of Bergen County.
David l>. Blawvell is of the sixth generation in direct line from Garret
Hendricksen, the emigrant. He was born at Tappan. Bergen Countv,
November 17, lsi'.i. and is a son of David < '. Blawvell (who was born
February 1". 1 77:'. died January 30, L835, married Maria Demarest, born
April L2, 1770, died .May L3, 1843), a grandson of Cornelius Blawvell (born
January 9, L 744, died January 11. 1832), who also married a Demarest. His
father had six children — four sons and two daughters: one daughter died
in L824, aged nineteen; the other -Inly 6, L887, aged eighty-eight; dames
D. Blawvell died in L891, ai the age of ninety: Cornelius D. died aged
eightv-two: and John D. is still living a1 the age of eightv-four. Educated
in the public schools of his native county and reared amid scenes of ances-
tral associations and agricultural activity, Mr. Blawvell started, at the
early age of sixteen, to learn the trade of cabinet making, which he followed
successfully tor fourteen years, gaining in the business a wide and honor-
able reputation. Hut this was not to be his life work. The influences and
surroundings of his youth drew him back to rural pursuits, and since 1853
he has been actively engaged in farming in Schraalenburgh. When the
War of the Rebellion broke out Mr. Blawvell enlisted in the Union cause,
becoming first sergeant of Company C, 'Twenty-second Regimenl New Jersey
Volunteers. He served nine months, returned with an honorable discharge,
and resumed his labors on the farm.
In public life Mr. Blawvell has rendered valuable service to his town
and fellow citizens. He was surveyor of township roads for a number
of years, one of the Township Committee for three years, a. member of
the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders for four years, Town
Assessor tor six years, and a member of the Town Council for three years.
In each of these capacities he displayed eminent ability, sound judgment,
and greal sagacity. He has been a consistent member of the Dutch Re-
formed Church since April. L860.
Mr. Blawvelt has been married fifty-eight years, his wife's maiden name
being Elizabeth Quackenbush. They have had eight children, seven of
whom — four sons and four daughters — are living. They also have thirty-
four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Mr. Blawvelt inherited
and early developed the sturdy characteristics of his race, and, emulating
his ancestors' worthy lives, has instilled into the minds of his descendants
those qualities of head and heart which have served him so well, and which
have won for him the confidence and respect of the entire community.
70
HUDSON AMI BERGEN COUNTIES
GILBERT COLLINS, a Justice of the Supreme Courl of New Jersey,
was horn in Stonington, New London County, Conn.. A.ugus1 -<i, L846, and
is a descendanl of an old English family which originally came from Kent,
England. His great-great-grandparents were Daniel Collins and Alice
Pell. His great-grandfather, Daniel Collins (1732-1819), of Stonington,
served in the Revolutionary War. and according to existing records was
First Lieutenanl in the
First Regimenl Connec
ticul line, formation of
1777. and il is also
known thai lie was in
service from 177.~>. Be
married Anne Potter.
Mis son Cilheii (1789
L865), grandfal her of I lie
present Gilbert Collins,
served several terms in
the Conneci Lcu1 Legisla-
ture. His wife was
Prudence Frink. Judge
Collins's father, Daniel
Prentice Collins (bom in
1813, died in 1862), was a
manufacturer in Ston-
ington throughout his
life; he also had busi-
ness relations in Jersey
City, and on this ac-
count his son event nally
made choice of thai city
as his field of labor and
his home. His mother.
Sarah R., was a descend
ant of the Wells family,
of ( !onnec,1 icut.
Judge Collins was
prepared for Yale Col-
lege, but the death of
his father and the in-
volved state in which
his financial affairs were
left rendered the completion of his course there impracticable. The family,
which consisted of his mother and one sister, removed to Jersey City, X. J.,
in L863, and in lsti.") he there entered the law office of Jonathan Dixon, now
a Justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey. He was admitted to the
bar as an attorney in February, L869, and as a counselor in February, \xl'2.
On January 1. L870, he became a partner of .Mr. Dixon and continued in
that relationship until thai gentleman was elevated to the bench in April.
L875. He afterward formed a partnership with Charles L. Corbin. In L88]
William II. Corbin was admitted as a member of the firm, which continued
under the style of Collins & < Sorbin till March s, L897, when Mr. ( 'oil ins was
appointed a Justice of the Supreme Courl of New Jersey, which position In-
st ill holds, having recently been assigned to the Hudson circuit.
GILBERT COLLINS.
(I
GENE LLOGICAL , I
His jury practice was the largesl in his county, and probably was not
exceeded l>.\ thai of any one in the State. He was counsel for the Hudson
County National Bank, of which be was a Director; counsel for the Now
Jersey Title Guarantee and Trust Company, of which ho was one of the
founders and active promoters; and local counsel for the Lehigh Valley
Railroad < !ompanj .
.lud^e Collins is. in politics, a Republican; he has been nominated by
his party for State Senator (1880) once and lor Congress twice (1S82 and
L888). For two years, from May, L884, to May, lssi;. he served as Mayor
f Jersey City, having been elected by a combination of an independent
organization of citizens with the Republicans. Foi five years previous to
L893 he served as Chairman of the Republican County Committee, when he
declined a re elect ion.
June 2, L870, he was married to Harriel Kingsbury Bush. Of their six
children, a son and two daughters survive. Their son. Walter ( 'oil ins. was
graduated with honors from Williams College, and is now practicing law in
Jersey City. -Indue Collins is .-i member of the Union League and Palma
Clubs of Jersey City, and one of the Board of Managers of the New Jersey
Society of the Sons of the Revolution.
JACOB II. HOPPER.— The Hopper family, ii is said, started in France.
They spelled the name Hoppe, and finally changed it to Hopper. Some of
them went to Holland during times oi religious persecution. It is known
thai Andries (Andrew) Hopper came to America from Amsterdam, Holland,
with a wife (and, perhaps, two or three children), as early as Hi.""):!, and lo-
cated in t he City <>f New Amsterdam. The name of his wile does not a p] tea i
in the New Jersey records. After their arrival the couple had three chil-
dren hern in them: William in L654, Hendrick in L656, and Matthew in
1658.
Of the three lasl named children William (2) married Mynen Paulus and
hud issue three children: Christina, Gertrude, and Belitie (Bridget)., all
horn in New Amsterdam. William's two brothers, Hendrick il'i and
Matthew (2), went to Bergen (Jersey City) in L680. There, on March 14, of
the same year, Hendrick (2) married .Mary Johns Van Blarkum, a daughter
of the American emigranl of thai name, and April 15, L683, Matthew (~i
married Ann Peterse, afterward called Aritje Jorckse. It does not appear
thai Hendrick and Matthew purchased lands in Bergen. They probably
lived on leased lands while there. William (2) went to Hackensack in L686,
where he joined the Hutch Church in March of thai year. His brothers
Hendrick il'i and .Matthew (2) went to Hackensack the following year.
William (2) had a child. Andrew, baptized at Hackensack in March. L686,
shortly after his arrival. Nothing more is said of William (2), and the in-
ference is that he died soon after. Hendrick (2) and Matthew (2), soon after
their arrival, each purchased from Captain John Berry a farm of between
two and three hundred acres a1 Hackensack (partly in the presold village),
and extending from the Hackensack River i<> the Saddle River. Each of
them settled and lmilt on his farm, where they remained until their deaths.
Both were farmers, hut took an active pari in town and church matters.
Mat t hew was a. deacon of the " ( Jhurch on t he ( rreen " in 1705.
Matthew's children (of the third generation) were Andrew, horn in 1684,
at Jersey City, married Elizabeth Bross; Christina, horn in 1686 (married
•John Huysman); Lea. horn in 1695 (married John Vanderhoff, of Albany);
Rachel, horn in 17(»:'» (twice married); and John, horn in 1705 (married
72 HUDSON A.\I> BERGEN COUNTIES
Elizabeth Kipp). Ml excepl Andrew were born a1 tlackensack. Hendriek's
children oi the third generation were Andrew, born in l'isi (married
Abigail A ckerman); John, born in L682 (married Rachel Terhune) : William,
born in l(iS4; Catharine, born in L685 (married Peter Garretse Van Allen,
of Rotterdam, Holland); Garret, born in L696; Gertrude, born in 1<'>!):>
(married Hendrick Alberts Zabriskie) ; and Lea (married Christian Alberts
Zabriskie).
Many of these, with their children, removed !<> Paramus ;in<l scattered
through Saddle River, Ridgewood, and Midland Townships, where their
descendants are to-day numerous. Members of the family have represented
Bergen County in both houses of the Legislature; others have worn the
judicial ermine with dignity and respectability; still others have held from
time to time county and township offices, and have become famous .-is
physicians, clergymen, lawyers, mayors of cities, publicists, mechanics,
sailors, soldiers, and agriculturists.
•Jacob II. Hopper, the subjeci of this sketch, is a lineal descendant of
Andrew Hopper, the first emigrant of the name. He is a son of John
Hopper and Elizabeth (Goetchius) Hopper, and was born at Saddle River,
in Bergen County, Augusl <i. L823. Having received a fair common school
education in the schools of his native county, he acquired while quite young
i lie trade of harness-making, which lie followed successfully at Hackensack
until 1880, when he was made superintended of the cemetery in that vil
lage. He still holds this position, having tilled it with great ability and
fidelity during the last twenty years. Mr. Hopper has also been a promi-
nent figure in public affairs. He was Town Collector of Hackensack for
three years and a Justice of the Peace for ten years, and has served as a
member of the Town Committee. For forty-nine years he has been a lead-
ing member and one of the chief supporters of the Hackensack Christian
Reformed Church. The ability, faithfulness, and integrity with which he
has discharged every trust, and the active interest he has taken in the
progress and welfare of his town and county, have won for him great re-
spect and the confidence of all who enjoy his acquaintance. He is public
spirited, enterprising, and patriotic and a liberal, progressive citizen, whose
energies have been directed toward useful and charitable ends.
lie married Lydia Bogert, a descendant of one of the old Bergen County
families, and their children are Ann Elizabeth, John Henry, and Martha
Amelia Hopper.
JOHN II. POST. — Captain Adriaen l'os! tirst came to America from
Harlengen, Holland, about 1653, as agenl or manager of Baron Van der
Cappellan's colony on Staten Island. Upon the destruction of that colony
by I lie savages early in L655, Mr. Tost (led to Bergen (Jersey City), whence,
in September following, he, with his wife, five children, two servants, and
one girl, were taken prisoners by the savages at what is known as the
second massacre at Pavonia. The family escaped by the payment of a
heavy ransom, and Tost was thereupon dispatched by the Bergen colonists
to treal with the sachems of the Hackensack tribes for a release of other
prisoners. After his return from a successful performance of this duty
he settled at Bergen and eventually became one of the most active and
influential members of the struggling colony. Having had some military
experience in Holland, the Bergen colonists appointed him Ensign of the
militia September <i. L665. <>n Mn\ L2, L6G8, he boughl from Governor
Philip Carteret lots Nos. ".."». 55, 117, l(t<>. and Hit. of the Bergen common
GENEALOGICAL 73
lands, containing in all aboul Hi.") acres. Be built and resided on lot 164,
containing fifty-five acres. <>n June in. Ib7">. fie was elected to represent
the Towd el' Bergen in the provincial assembly, where fie acquitted himself
with distinction. On duly 1!>. L672, fie was appointed Prison Keeper for
East Jersey, and was the first person to hold that position. "Captain
Post." by which official title he always went, died at Bergen in February,
li!77. His wife's name is not mentioned. Me left a large family. He was
the ancestor of all the Posts in Bergen and Hudson Counties. He resided
in the town on lot \o. Kil. His children were Adriaen. William. Elias,
Margaretta, Francis, and Gertrude. Adriaen lib became one of the paten
tecs of the Aquackanonck patent. The latter"s two sons, Adriaen and
Abraham (3), came to Bergen County in L735, and married respectively
Bendricke Ackerman and Rachel Bertie. Abraham located on the upper
Saddle River, purchasing lands of Bendrick Vandelinda.
John II. Post, the subject of this sketch, is descended in the seventh
generation from Captain Adriaen Post. His paternal grandfather, Benn
Tost, a farmer, was horn in the western pari of the county, lnit died in Se
can (Mis. where his son, Adriaen Post . the father of John II.. was horn in 1818.
Adriaen Post was a farmer in New Durham and Secaucus, and died in the
latter place March L5, L896, in his seventy-eighth year. His wife. .Mary Van
Giesen, daughter of Garrel Nan Giesen, died December, 31, L891, aged
seventy-two. Ber family was also a very early one in Hudson County.
and like the Posts was of Holland hutch descent. Mr. and Mrs. Adrian
Post had five 'hi Id ren. namely : I lenry. Leah Ann, John 1 1.. Adrian, dr., and
one who died in infancy.
John 11. Tost was born in New Durham, Hudson County, October 7, 1844,
but has spent most of his life on a part ol the old family homestead on tin
Paterson plank road in Secaucus. He received a thorough education, at-
tending the public schools of Secaucus. Union Hill, ami Bergen Point, and
a boarding school at Deckertown, X. d.. and since completing his studies has
devoted himself to agricultural pursuits. Mr. post is one of the best
fanners in Hudson County, and has been eminently successful. He has al-
ways taken a deep interest in public affairs, and. though never aspiring to
office, has served three years as a school trustee and three years as district
clerk. With these exceptions he has declined political or public prefer-
ment. In politics he is a consistent Republican, and in a quiet way has
rendered efficient service to his party. Be is a progressive, patriotic citi-
zen, honored and respected, and enjoys the confidence of the entire com-
munity.
Mr. Post was married April 6, L868, to Fredericka Huber, daughter of
Frederick Huber. of Secaucus. They have four children: Adrian. Christina,
William 1 1., and Walter.
CORNELIUS BURNHAM HARVEY.— The surname Harvey is cor-
rupted from Bervey, and is from an ancient Norman name, Herve or
Bervie. M. do Greville in his Mem. Soc. Ant. Norm.. 1644, observes: " We
sometimes call it Bervot le Hervnrie. As a family designation it appears
in the twelfth century.*' Didot, however, in his Vouvelle lii<></. Universale,
shows the name to have been adopted much earlier, when he speaks of
Bervie, Archbishop of Rheims, who, he says, died A.I). 922, and Polydore
Virgil, in his Chronicle, says - Harvey and Hervey " was Hervicus. "One
of the family," he adds. " came over to England from the Flemish coast in
the time of King Hardicanute and participated in subduing the British."'
74 HUDSON .\\h BERGEN COUNTIES
Lower (English Sur-names) maintains thai in the time of the Conquest
Harvey was Hervie, and thai in Brittany and France Hervieu retains its
I aim it i\ •«' terminal ion Herve. The same writer in liis Patronimica Bi'itannica
remarks: " Osberl de Hervei is stvled in the Register of St. Edniundsbury
the son of Hervey. Prom Hervie spring the Herveys ennobled in England
and Ireland and also (in ;ill probability, from the resemblance of the arms)
the Herves and Hervies of Aberdeenshire and other parts of Scotland."
I'.oili SiuIiIps (Regi-strum sacrum Inglicanum) and the author of Li Veues
Fastt Ecelesia Vnglicana make mention of Herve le Breton, Bishop of
Bangor, in 1092, and Ely in L109, who died A. I >. L131. Didot, in Ids
BiographU Universale, mentions a Hervie who was a noted monk in tin
eleventh century, and also of a Hervie who was abbot of Si. Ghildas dp
Rhins in Brittany in 111'.", and of Hervie, a monk famous as ;i religious
teacher, who died a. i>. L145. This writer also praises the --kill of a
celebrated French writer named Hervie Freerabras, who flourished A. I».
t550; of one Francois Cucq de Hervie, a poel and Knighl of Si. John of
Jerusalem in the sixteenth century; of William Harvey, the discoverer of
the circulation of the blood; of Daniel Hervie, a greal French Theologian,
who died in 1694; and of Gideon Harvey, a ureal English physician, born
A. I>. L625, and died A. I>. t700. Michaud in his i:i<i</!<i/>hi< I'nivcrsali
mentions a monk named Hervie as having acquired greal oratorical fame
and ho tells something of N T oel Hervey, or Hervie, who was general of the
Order of Preachers and Philosophers and died A. I). 1323. The Rotuli
Hundredorum (of Edward l.i names Hemes as having become the holders
of lands in England A. I>. li'Tii. and by Domes Day />'«»/,• Hervies are domi
riled in lielis. Suffolk, and Bucks. Oridge, in his Citizens and Rulers <■
London, makes honorable mention of Sit- Walter Harvey, High Sheriff of
London A. I >. 1268 and Lord Mayor of thai city A. I). il'Tl': of Sir dames
Harvey, High Sheriff of London A. I). 1573 and Lord Mayor of the same
eii\ a'. I>. L581 ; and of sir Sebastian Harvey, Sheriff of London A. I>. L609
and Lord Mayor A. I>. L616. Cooper in his Ithenat Cantaorigiensis makes
mile of William Harvey, a famous divine in London in L525, and of one
Roberl Harvey, another equally noted preacher there in L570.
Camden comments on several prominenl Herveys and Hervies to wit:
••The ureal gate of i he church-yard of St. Edmonds was constructed by
ller\e\ the Sociisl in I he lime of Aiiselni 7lh. AldioU of Si. Ldnionds in the
eleventh cenl ury." Again he says: •• William de Hervie was king's a1 torney
in .lime. iiT'.i. ami pleaded a celebrated land case in London in thai year.''
lie extols the bravery id' Sir Nicholas Harvey and other aobles in the
battle of Tewkesberry in 1471. lie briefly alludes to John Harvey, the
boatman ai < 'a la is. France, in l-*'» IT: and further says: " Some of the Harveys
were merchanl adventurers at Lyme, England, in Queen Elizabeth's time.
Richard Harvey gave the pulpil a1 Lyme Church in 1613 with an inscription
on ii • Faith is by hearing.'' Rose in his Biographical I >i<-H<ui<irn stales
i ha i Richard Harvej was famous as a writer, astrologer, and antiquarian in
the sixteenth century, and thai another almosl equally noted astrologer in
London was John Harvey in the seventeenth century. Watts in his
Bibliothea Britannica mentions one Henry Ham \ as an eminent preacher
and master in chancery and John Harvey as a -real writer, who died
A. I>. L592. Chalmers in his (it mini Biographical Dictionary uotes
Gabriel Harvey, a greal English lawyer and poet, Lorn A. I ».
L546, died A. I >. 1630, and Lord John Harvey, of [cksworth, a political
writer and versifier A. I >. 1696; while Foss in his Judges of England highly
GENEALOGICAL 75
commends the wisdom and justice of Sir Francis Harvey. Prom Collection
Tnj>. Gen. ii appears thai a Hervie was abbot of Hingham County, Salop,
A D. L236-37; thai one Thomas de Harvye was clerk of St. Nicholas Priory
at Exeter in the third year of Edward III.; that Goldstan Harvey was a
truanl at Beauchamps A. 1>. L222; that Walter Harvey and his son wen
tenants at Drayton in L222; and there were one Godeman Hervie and one
Ulrica Hervie at Thorp at the same time. At St. Leonard's Parish, Aston
Clinton. Bucks County, England, is the will of one Sylvester Baldwin
wherein the testator leaves all Ids property to Henry and Sylvester Harvye
and to the six children of Preamor Harvye A. 1). L564. Preamor Harvye
married Baldwin's daughter Avelyne. This marriage license was made
at the registry of the Bishop of London. She died in L585 and Harvey
married (2) and died June L5, L621. Walker in Ids Independency says
Adam Harvey, a silk merchant, was made a Colonel by Cromwell, and go1
the Bishop of London's house and Manor of " Pulham." Clarendon in his
Rebellion says this man was "a decayed silk man." and Buckle in his
History of Civilization refers t<> the same person.
The Harveys, two centuries after the Norman Conquest, had become
numerous in Bedfordshire, Lincolnshire. Kent, Suffolk, .Middlesex, Hert-
fordshire, ami Norfolkshire; at Beachamwell in Norfolkshire were John
Harvey, Ids son Robert, and his grandson Robert; ai Northwald Thomas
I lar\ c\ ; and at Norwich John Harvey, twice Lord Mayor of that city.
Roberl Harvey, a descendant of one of t host Norfolkshire Harveys, had
a son Robert, who was a man of note, possessing a considerable fortune,
which his eldesl son. under the laws of primogeniture, inherited to the ex-
clusion of his brothers and sisters. This eldest son had two brothers,
Samuel ami Roberl Harvey, who emigrated to America about 17.~>H. and
located in New York City, whence, after a brief stay, they went to Shrews-
bury, Monmouth County, N. I. In May. L763, they purchased a trad of 1 Til
acres in what was then Shrewsbury Township in Monmouth County. This
tract lay south id' what is now Ocean Grove. Robert's firsl wife, who came
over from England with him. died in 17<iL' and in January, L764, he married
Hannah While, who survived him. He was a farmer and iron smelter. His
children of the second generation were Jacob, Stephen. Thomas. Peter, and
Samuel, besides daughters.
Of these, Thomas Harvey (2), born in M on month < !ounty, X. J., Noam mber
IT. IT.")."., married there, January lit. 177."). Elizabeth Sutton, born then
December LO, L758. Thomas was a farmer and resided there oil a farm of
115 acres, near what is now Belmar. He died December 11, 1811, and his
wife survived until April 6, l^.'Ui. Their children of The third generation
were L\dia. Abigail. Nathan, Asher, Reuben, John, Elizabeth, charity.
Jesse, and Sarah.
Of these eleven children Reuben Harvei (3) was horn at Shrewsbury,
X. J., May 12, 1782, died at Enfield, X. V.. June 23, 1866. married, in 1806,
Lydia Bennett, born in Monmouth Countv, X. J.. Januarv !». 17S4. died at
Enfield, X Y.. May 23, 1862.
In L806 i he "Genesee Country" began to open up and emigrants, par-
ticularly from New Jersey, began To pour into the - Empire Stale.** All
of Thomas Harvey's sens caughl the emigration fever, and loading their
families and their household effects upon canvas-covered wagons or carls,
drawn by ox teams, they made a journey of more than 300 miles, occupying
several weeks. Their route lay much of the way through an unbroken wil-
derness, through which roads had to be cut as thev went. Thev subsisted
76 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
on what they could find en route, ;in<l slept in their wagons. In time they
readied n poinl half way between the Cayuga and Seneca Lakes in Tomp-
kins County, where they located <>n various tracts of wildland. These
tracts, which they purchased from the original grantees of the Stale, were
densely weeded, but exceedingly fertile. Reuben Harvey, with his wife
Lydia, was in this " caravan."' He settled on a " half section " of rich and
heavily timbered land near what is now Enfield renter, aboul eighl miles
west of Ithaca, and with the aid of his sons cleared and lei n-ed ;i large farm.
His nearest neighbor was then about five miles, and the surrounding forests
rang with the howls of wild beasts. Bears and wolves played havoc with
the | »i lis. poultry, and lambs. In the course of time his farm was denied
and became one of the finesl in the county. Alter his boys grew up he,
lor several years, followed droving, buying up sheep and cattle, principally
in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and driving them to New York City to a ready
market. He accumulated wealth and was greatly respected by his ueigh-
bors, who always gave him the prefix of "Uncle." His children of the
fourth generation were Seneca. Charlotte, Charles, Joel B., Eleazer 15. .
A slier, Cornelia, Mary A.. Elizabeth, and Reuben.
Of these Joel 15. i4) was born at Enfield Center, N. Y.. November 21, L813,
died at Howell, X. •!.. August 11. 1880, married Mi Lydia A. Wood; (2)
Susan Arzilla Buck; and (3) Elizabeth B. Hagerman. Joel 15. engaged in
farming at Enfield, X. Y.. until the winter of ls."iti, when he removed to
Howell, Monmouth County, N. J., where he continued agricultural pursuits
until his death. He was a respected citizen and a member of the Met hodist
Episcopal Church at Jerseyville, X. J., which he helped to organize. His
children of the fifth generation were Cornelius Burnham, Lucretia M.,
Huldah 15.. Samuel II.. -Mary E., Charles \\\, VVinfield S.. Euphemia II..
Joseph II. and Joel B. (twins), and Ida S.
Cornelius Burnham Harvey (5), the subject of this sketch, is tin- eldest of
these. He was born in Enfield Center, Tompkins County, X. Y., October
20, 1839, and married. March 4. L873, Mary P., daughter of Peter J. and
Sarah (Zabriskie) White, of Closter, Bergen County. He received the char
acteristic discipline of hard work on the farm throughoul the summer, with
attendance at the district schools in the winter. He was '11111111 ions, and
between 1855 and is.")!) every moment of leisure was devoted to study and
reading. Having passed the requisite examination, in L859 he received a
license in leach school from the School Board of Monmouth County. After
teaching for two terms in thai county he attended school for some lime in
New York City.
Moved by a war sermon preached by Henry Ward Beecher in Brooklyn,
early in the summer of L862 he enlisted as a private in Company I >. Four
leenili New Jersey Volunteers, and was in camp on the Monmouth battle
ground at Freehold, X. .1. Having been mustered into service in August,
1862, the regimenl was sent to Monocacy. Md., and did its fust campaign-
ing in West Virginia and Maryland. After the battle of Gettysburg ii was
attached to the Third Corps of Hie Army of the Potomac, under the com
tnand of General Sickles, a ml subsequently was attached to the Sixth Corps,
under the command of General Sedgwick and Intel- of General II. G.
Wright. Mr. Harvey served for three years, until the close of the war. lie
became one of the uon-eommissioned officers on the regimental stall', be
coming Chief Musician of the regiment.
At i he dose of t he w;ir he resumed teaching, in Bergen County, following
iliis profession for three years. In the fall of L868 he began the study of
GENEALOGICAL 77
law in the office in Jersey City of the late Hon. Roberl Gilchrist, then At-
torney-General of New Jersey, ami was admitted to practice in 1873, and as
counselor in L876, and for a time was associated with Mr. < iilchrist in pro-
fessional practice.
He thus became employed in the arduous historico-legal work of preparing
the rase for New Jersey in the famous jurisdiction and boundary suit be-
tween the State of Delaware and the State of New Jersey, begun in L872,
and not vet settled. It was essential in this case to locate and identify
the original land-grants in certain sections of New Jersey, and in this work
Mr. Harvey and others were engaged. The results of this research can be
seen by anyone fortunate enough to examine the large octavo volume
privately printed ;it Trenton in 1ST.", for the lawyers in the case, and en-
titled ••The State of the Question of Jurisdiction and EJoundary between
New Jersey and Delaware, A. D. 1ST::." To achieve accuracy in this, every
conceivable source of information was drawn upon, including the State
records .it Trenton, the records of the early Proprietors at Perth Amboy,
those ,n Albany. tog< ther with local records and original deeds, and what-
ever of use could he found in the State libraries of New Jersey, Delaware.
New York, and Pennsylvania.
While engaged in researches in this case Mr. Harvey began to take notes
with reference to the original land-grants of Bergen County, X. .1. This
labor of lov< — lot- such it necessarily is — has been prosecuted to the present
time, lie has had the record offices of New Jersey and other Stales
ransacked tor every scrap ol information ascertainable respecting the early
hi in I grants and transfers in Bergen County, has uncart lied numerous deeds
thai were never recorded, ami has engaged in the arduous labor of identify-
ing boundaries and preparing maps. The use. in the original surveys, ol' the
old manner's compass, which was not perfectly accurate, renders this work
el' identification one of the most delicate tasks imaginable. .Mr. Harvey
has also collected ami arranged in alphabetical arrangement all the mar
riaee records tor Bergen Countv known to be in record offices. In another
series of manuscript volumes he has, in alphabetical order, the inscriptions
from the tombstones in .ill the graveyards in Bergen County, N. J., and
Rockland County, N. Y.. with the single exception of that at Nyack. The
labor and expense involved in acquiring these collections would be quite
incredible to one unfamiliar with the requirements of such work. lie also
has ;i set of large manuscript volumes containing miscellaneous historical
and genealogical collections, never before used in historical works,
and which would till many printed volumes. Prom these collections,
together with all the more ordinary sources of historical information,
he is preparing a work upon the original families and land-grants in Bergen
County, which will be more exhaustive and accurate, probably, than any
thing of the kind ever attempted for a similar section of territory by his-
torical workers in this country. He has also compiled, and in 1889 pub
lished, a genealogical volume on the Origin, History, ami Genealogy of tin
Unci- Family, and has compiled the Origin and Genealogy of the Harvey
Family, not yet published.
On his mother's side Mr. Harvey is descended from Emanuel Buck, who
came from England in L634, and settled at Wethersfield, Conn. His great-
grandmother was Elizabeth Sherman, wife of James Buck, a Revolutionary
soldier, and a sister of Roger Sherman, a Signer of the Declaration of
Independence. His paternal grandmother was a descendant of Wilhelmus
Burnett, who emigrated to New York from Holland in 1660. Mrs. Harvey
78 HUDSON AMi BERGEN COUNTIES
was a studenl a1 Swarthmore College, Pa. On the paternal side she is de-
scended from Jonas White, who emigrated to America from Avon, Somer-
setshire, England, in L81 I. and became a farmer ;il " The Flatts " in Bergen
County. On her maternal side she is descended from Albert Zabriskie, the
Polander, whose family lias been traced in these pages.
.Mr. Harvey's children are Augustus Hardenburgh Harvey , born in 1880,
qow an accountant with the Mutual Life insurance Company' in New York,
and Arzilla B., born in 1.886, now ai school.
^Ir. Harvey is a member of the New Jersey Historical Society, of the
Englewood Council, Royal Arcanum, of Guilliam \'an Houten Post, No. :'>.
Grand Army of the Republic, of Jersey City, and of several oilier organi-
/.:'. I ions.
ISAAC ROM VINE, of Jersey City, is a lineal descendant of ill Klaas
Jansen Romeyn, who came from Holland to America in 1653 and eventually
sell led iii Hackensack, X. J., where his son (2) Alberi was horn in L680, and
where the iai ter's son (3) Nicholaas was horn in I >eeember, 1711. The nexl
in descent, i-li \lherl Romein, son of Nicholaas, was born in Schraalen-
burgh, N. J., February 11.1 752, and had a son (5) Roelef A., whose birth oc-
curred duly _'l. 1774. John R. Romine (6), son of Roelef A. Romein, was
horn in Bergen County, X. J., May 18, 1806, and married Ann. daughter of
John Zabriskie, of old Bergen mow Hudson) County. They were the
parents of Isaac Romaine, the subject of this sketch, who was born in
Bergen Township, Hudson County, N. J., on the 4th of May, 1&4.0. These
worthy ancestors not only took a lively interest in public and business
affairs, but transmitted to their numerous descendants in general and Mr.
Romaine in particular their sturdy Dutch characteristics and habits of
thrift, and left behind them careers which illumine the pages of history and
urace the annals of their respective communities.
Mr. Romaine attended the Columbia Distriel School until 1 s ~>l\ prepared
for college at a private school in the Township of Bergen, Hudson County,
and was graduated from Rutgers College in 1S59. Having studied law
with Hon. A. ( ). Zabriskie, subsequently Chancellor of the Stale of New
Jersey, he was admitted to the bar as an attorney in November, 1862, and as
a. counselor in November, 1865, and since i he spring of 1863 has practiced in
Jersey City, lie was Corporation Counsel of the City of Bergen from 1865
to 1867, and. becoming an Alderman in May. 1869, was President of the
Board of Alderman in 1869 and 1870, immediately preceding the consolida
i ion of Bergen ami Jersey « !ity. from 1880 to 1885 he was a member of t he
Board of Education of Jersey City. Tn 1883 he was appointed a member of
the Board of Finance and Taxation, bui was not seated on account of legal
complications until 1.885. In 1884 he was elected to the New Jersey As-
sembly, in which body he served on the Committees on Claims and Revo-
lutionary Pensions and Stationery, as well as on the Joinl Committee on
Passed Bills.
Throughout his career Mr. Romaine has been a stanch and active Re-
publican. He is a master and examiner and a special master in chancery
for New Jersey. Prior to ihe expiration of thai office by legal limitation,
duly 1, ls'.»7. he was ;i Commissioner of the Circuil Couri of the United
States for the Distriel of New Jersey. At the presenl time he is a Commis-
sioner of the District Courl of the United States for the Distrid of New
Jersey. He has been President of the Star Mutual Building and Loan As
GENEALOGICAL 7!)
soeiation of Jersey City since L886, having been one of iis founders and iis
first Vice President in L885. He is a member of the I loll and Society of New
York Crh and was its Vice-President from Hudson County, X. J., in lsiiT
;iihI L898. He is also a member of the Jersey City, Carteret, and Union
League Clubs of Jersey City, and of other important organizations.
December l".». L863, he was married to Miss Annie A., daughter of John \Y.
Morton, of Jersey City, she died February 1. L895.
VVHEELOCK HENDEE PARMLY, D.D., for forty years the beloved
pastor of the First Baptisl Church of Jersey City, X. J., \\:>s born in Brain
Vt., July 27, 1816, Ids parents being Randolph Parmly and Elizabeth
B. Murray, the former of English and die latter of Scotch descent. He
came of good New England stock. 1 1 is father was I he lirsi male child horn
in i he village of Randolph, Vi .. i he dale of his birth being January 15, 1 783,
and ai the request of the selectmen his parents, Jahial Parmly and Eunice
Hendee, named him Randolph, after the town. His mother, a niece of
Eleazer Wheelock, the founder and first President of Dartmouth College,
was born in Chester, X. II.. .May 19, 1 782, and was the daughter of Robert
Murray and Jane Ramsey. In L795 her parents moved into the State of
N'etnioni. and there both families became prominent in all public and
private a ffairs.
When four years of age Wheelock II. Parmly removed with the family
to Hancock and three years later to Middlebury. Vi.. whence they came,
seven years afterward, to New Jersey, locating at Shrewsbury, Monmouth
County. In l v :' v . after a residence of eight years in that town, they moved
to New York City.
Dr. Parmly's parents did all in their power in give him a good earlv
training, but their means were limited and he was dependent in a greal
measure upon his own efforts for his education. While residing in
Shrewsbury he prepared himself for college by teaching and performing
various other kinds of work, and at a very early age became ;i great Bible
reader, a trait which characterized his entire life. His parents, though
not members of any church, attended with their children the Episcopal
services, but young Parmly, convinced of the truth of the Baptist prin
ciples. adopted the faith and practice of that denomination, and amid con
siderable opposition, from both his family and the Episcopalian clergy, was
baptized August •">. L834, in the Shrewsbury River. And connecting himself
with Hie Baptist Church ;it Middletown, X. J. — the nearest society of that
faith to his home, — he was faithful in his attendance on worship, active in
ali departments of church work, and influential among both old and young.
In 1838 Dr. Parmly entered Columbia College in New York City and was
graduated from that institution in 1842. standing high in ids (lass and
receiving many tokens of excellence in scholarship during Ids collegiate
course. About the time he entered college he united with Hie old Amity
Street Baptisl Church in New York, of which Rev. Dr. William R. Williams
was pastor. He also formed a close friendship with Rev. Dr. Spencer II.
Cone, of Xew Fork City, which, with that of Dr. Williams, lasted until his
death. It was undoubtedly from these eminent clergymen and great
teachers that he learned many of the principles which made him so success-
fid during his career of half a century in the ministry.
< >n leaving college Dr. Parmly was confronted with the problem of de-
termining his vocation in life — a problem which all young men must
solve. He had been urged to enter the ministry bv nianv friends who
80
BUDSON A.\ii BERGEN COUNTIES
f
m
thoughl him peculiarly fitted for thai profession; others assured him of
success in ;i mercantile career, while others still tempted him with flatter-
ing offers in various branches <>t' business; bui the guiding voice of nature
bade him preach the gospel, a labor i<> which his ••mind rather inclines."
On Augusl 1". L842, at the requesl of Dr. Williams, he preached to the peo-
ple of the Amity Streel Church, and immediately afterward made this entry
in his diary: " The subject of the ministry has occupied my mind for a long
time. It is now settled, and I hope for good."
Dr. Parmly was unanimously voted a " license to preach the gospel " by
the Amity Streel Church
on the L6th of July, 1844,
and in the following
nnnii h | August) w a s
graduated from Madi-
son Theological Semina-
ry, where lie had pur-
sued a thorough course
of study. On August •'>.
1867, Madison Univer-
sity conferred upon him
the honorary Title of
Doctor of Divinity.
Soon after graduation
he received a call To the
pastorate of the Harlem
Baptist Church of New
York City, which he was
obliged to refuse on ac-
count of impaired health
and a serious affliction
of the eyes that had de-
\ eloped d u r i n g his
course in the seminary.
A three Weeks" sea voy-
age brought him to New
( Orleans, where he began
to preach, and while
there he accepted the as-
sistant pastorate of the
Baptist Church at Clin-
ton, La., which he filled
must acceptably for two
vears, declining during
that period three calls
to become paster of churches in the North. He developed a strong friend-
ship for the negro, frequently visited them in their cabins, took a fearless
stand on the slavery question as an advocate of human rights, and after-
ward sheltered many a fugitive slave. During his residence in The South
he also acquired that habil of great hospitality which always characterized
his home.
The illness of his mother, however, compelled him to return at the end
of two years to New York <"ity. and on November 1~>. l s 47. he accepted a
call to the Baptist Church at Shelburne Falls, .Mass.. where he remained
Win > LOCK II. I'AKMI.V. D.I).
GENEALOGICAL SI
two years, and resigned, the winter climate of the Berkshire hills being too
hard for his constitution. Shortly after be accepted ihis pastorate he mar-
ried Katharine Dunbar, daughter of Rev. Duncan Dunbar, of the Mac-
dougal Streel Baptisl Church, New York City, and a lady "lovely in
character, strong in faith, wise in judgment, remarkable for patience,
prayerful, and zealous in every good work." Upon her death on July 10,
L877, he wrote in his diary: " The brightest light of my home has gone out,"
while another expressed these words and sentiments: -she added to the
sum of human iov, and were everyone to whom she performed some [ovine
service to bring a blossom to her grave, she would sleep to-night beneath a
wilderness oi flowers."
Dr. Parmly assumed the duties of pastor of the Baptist Church at Bur
lington, N. J., in .May. L850, and remained there nearly five years, during
which time the " church grew mightily."
On the 1st of September, LS54, at the age of thirty-eight, he entered upon
his labors .is pastoi of the First Baptist ('lunch of Jersey City, and ably,
honorably, and satisfactorily idled that pastorate until his death, August 1,
ism. — a period of fortj years, lacking one month. When he came to
Jersey City there was but one church of the Baptist faith in the place, and
that was mad" up <>\' the scatt< red membership of churches which had been
formed and which had proved too weak to continue their organizations.
The chinch was then known as the Union Baptist ('lunch and had 206
members. Three other rigorous Baptisl churches now exist in the city,
the beginnings of which came largely from the old church during Dr.
Parmly's pastorate. The mother church changed its name on the establish-
ment of the other churches to the First Baptist Church of Jersev City, and
now has a membership of nearly four hundred.
Dr. I'ainilx labored hard with great success, baptizing in the winter of
lsi;.~i aim ver one hundred converts. In that year he spenl four months
in Europe, and, returning with new energy, entered into his work with re-
doubled force, giving also a vast amount of his time to the general inter-
ests of the city, the suite, and the Nation. He was especially active in the
establishment of the denominational school now known as Peddie Institute
at Hightstown, X. J., contributing years of labor and large sums of money
for t hat purpose.
As a pastor Dr. Parmly certainly excelled. His people were strongly at-
tached to him, and under no circumstances would they allow him to go
in response to the successive calls which he received from other societies.
He was recognized as t he man for t he place. < >nce each year he endeavored
to visit personally every family in his congregation, and his calls upon those
who were sick were frequent. Believing in this method as he did, it
certainly added largely to his success in pastoral relations. He preached,
while in Jersey City, five thousand sermons, made addresses on public oc-
casions to an equal number, attended 844 funerals, performed L,425 mar-
riages, raised nearly $300,000 for the church and $50,000 for benevolent
purposes, received into the church over 1,000 members, and baptized more
than 1.:: >thers.
He remained as the faithful servant of that church until September. 1887,
when, at the age of seventy-one, he was unable to bear longer the burden of
the pastorate alone, and at his request the church called to his aid an assist-
ant pastor Two years later he again asked to be relieved, and by unani-
mous vote of the chinch was made its Pastor Emeritus, a position he held
until his death, which occurred August 1, 1894. He was survived by four
82 iiudsox and p,i:i;<;i:.\ cottnties
children: Duncan D. Parmly, Mrs. Elizabeth P. Thompson, Randolph
Parmly, and Christine I>. Parmly. < >ih* son. Walter, died in his youth.
His only installation as pastor of the church in Jersey City was the
singing by the congregation of Montgomery's beautiful hymn, of which the
following is a pari :
" We bid thee welcome in the name
Of Jesus, our Exalted Head;
Conic as a servant, so He came,
And we receive thee in His stead.
" Conic as a messenger of peace,
Filled with His spirit, fired with love!
Live to behold our large increase,
And die to meet us all above."'
Dr. Parmly was especially interested in the cause of Christian education,
and gave himself unreservedly to the upbuilding of Peddie Institute and
the New Jersey Baptist Education Society, becoming a member of the
latter in 1852, serving it for more than forty years as a member of its Board
of Managers, for seven years as President, and then being elected its
Honorary President, an office specially created for him. From almost the
Hist he was also a member of the Board of Trustees of Peddie Institute and
for many years one of its Education Committee. In every capacity he was
a good man, a true Christian, a benefactor, anchored in the Baptisi faith
by an intense st inly of the Scriptures, and loyal to all the trusts confided to
his care. No man had a more honored leadership in Ins church in the
State, and none was more beloved or more universally esteemed.
DUNCAN DUNBAE PARMLY, the oldest son of Rev. Wheelock II.
Parmly. was horn in Shelburne Falls. .Mass.. .May 25, 1849, and until re-
cently resided in Jersey City. lie Avas graduated from Mount Washing-
ton Collegiate Institute of New York City and at an early age entered
the office of Henry G. Marquand, banker, of New York City. Later he was
connected with the St. Louis, Iron .Mountain and Southern Railroad — now
a pari of the Missouri Pacific System, — and was one of the founders and for
many years file senior partner in the firm of Marquand & Parmly, bankers,
of New York. Owing to ill health he was compelled to give up his active
business and in L893 became the President of the Phenix National Rank ol
New York < Jity, and has since acted as the head of thai financial institution.
For i he past eighl years he has been a resident of the State of New Jersey
with his hone- at Middletown in Monmouth County.
RANDOLPH PARMLY, of New York and Jersey City, was born April 2,
L854, at Burlington, N. J., ami is the son of Rev. Wheelock II. Parmly and
Katharine (Dunbar) Parmly. He was educated at Hasbrouek Institute in
Jersey Cit.v and at the University of the city of New York, from which he
was graduated in L875. Afterward he continued his course of study in the
( 'oluniltia La w School.
Mr. Parmly was admitted to the bar of the State of New .Jersey in .June,
L878, and lias continuously practiced from that time to the present. He
is also a member of the New York bar. Having made a specialty of cor-
poration law. he has spent a good portion of his time with certain cor-
porations for whom he is counsel in t he City of New York. He is a member
of the Association ol the Bar of Jersey City and of New York, and of the
Lawyers' club and the University club of New York Citv.
GENEALOGICAL 83
.IOI1N •!. VOORHEES- Steven Coerts (or Koerts, as he wrote it), the
common ancestor of the Voorhees family in Bergen :ui<1 Hudson Counties,
emigrated to this country in April, L660, coming over on the ship " Spotted
Cow." with his wife and seven children. They came from Ruinen, in the
Province of Drenthe, Holland, and from in fronl of the little hamlel of
Hees, Dear thai locality. Hence the name was at first Van Voorhees,
•• Van " meaning "from," " Voor," meaning "near," and "Hees" (the
hamlet name) "from near" or, ■■oxer from Hees." Steven was not the
tiisi of the family to emigrate. In February, L659, Harman Koerts had
preceded him on the shi|i " Faith," with his wife and five children. Steven
soi i led ai Flatlands, L. I., where many other Dutch emigrants had already
located. He musl have been born aboui L600. Who his firsl wife was does
not appear, bu1 she died in aboui L675, and he married (2), in 11177, Well
empie Roeloffse Leubering. IN' died aboui February, L684. lie bought,
November 29, LG60, n\' Cornelis Dircksen Hoogland, eighteen acres of corn
land, fourteen acres of woodland, twenty acres of plainland, ami ten acres
of sail meadow -in all sixty-two acres — for $3,000; and also the house
and lot lying in the village of Amersfoort, with the brewery and all the
brewing apparatus, kettle-house, and casks, with the appurtenances, which
shows thai he musl have been a brewer as well as a fanner, lie was
assessed ai Flatlands in L675, and was manager of taxes there in L683. His
name appears as one of the patentees there in 1664 and K»<»7. Me died
aboui February L6, L684. His children were Hendricke, Mergen, Coert,
Lucas, John, Albert, Aeltje, lannetje, Hendricke (2), and Abraham. Mis
son. \lheri Stevens Voorhees, and his wife. Jelletie Rynieres Wisselpen-
aick, wein i«i Hackensack in L686, joined the Dutch church there, and
boughl an extensive trad of land from .Major John Berry between the
Hackensack and Saddle Rivers.
John -I. Voorhees is a lineal descendant el the sixth generation of
Steven Coerts Van Voorhees, the emigrant. His father. Peter Voorhees,
was horn !in the "hi farm ai Flatlands, L. I., where Steven firsl settled in
1660.
Mr. Voorhees was educated in the public schools of New Utrecht, 1.. I.,
and in L863 accepted a clerkship in a. country store, where he remained
five years. After filling similar positions he obtained a position as assist-
ant bookkeeper for the New Jersey Car Spring and Rubber Company, and
ai the end of one year was promoted to head bookkeeper. Not long afterward
he was made Secretary of the company and held thai position until L885,
when he was elected Treasurer of the corporation. In lsss he was made
Genera] Manager, and a1 the present time is Presidenl of the Voorhees
Kul iher Manufacturing Company, of Jersey City, which is one of the largest
and most successful concerns of I he kind in the country, having an exten-
sive business and employing a large number of hands.
In 1885 Mr. Voorhees was appointed a member of the Board of Educa-
tion of Jersey City and served for three terms, during five successive years
of which he was President of the hoard, being annually re-elected without
opposition. As a member of the Condemnation Commission on the County
Roads in L892 he rendered most efficient services to the community at large,
and displayed that eminent ability and superior judgment which have
characterized his entire business career, lie is a member of The Hoard of
Directors and a member of the Jersey City Board of Trade, of which he
was President in 1892. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of
the Commercial Trust Company of New Jersey, of the Board of Trustees
84 HTJDSOM AMI BERGEN COUNTIES
of the Free Public Library of Jersey City, and of the Palma Club, the
Carterel Club, and the Holland Society of New Fork City.
Mr. Voorhees was married October 14, 1S74. to Annie M. Collier, of
Brooklyn, N. Y. They have had three children, and reside at ."»" Duncan
Avenue. Jersey City.
CHARLES E. VOORHIS is a descendanl in the eighth generation from
Steven Coerts Van Voorhees, Hie first American ancestor of the family in
America, whose pedigree has been written in the sketch on page 83. One
of Steven's children, Albert Stevens Voorhees (2), emigrated with bis father
to America in L660, and located with the rest of Ids family a1 Flatlands,
L. L. where he married ill Barentie Williamse, (2) Tjelletje Wizzelpenning,
and (3) Elina Vander Scheur. He was living at Flatlands as late as 1683,
as the assessment roll then shows. TTe removed with Ins family, in 1686,
to Hackensack, where he purchased from Captain John Berry a large farm
extending from the Hackensack to the Saddle River, Lie joined the church
in 1686, and subsequently became an officer in it. His children of the
third generation were Cornelia, Stephen. Stephen, Jannetje, Margrietie,
Lucas. Rachel, Feumietje, Albert, William, Peter, Isaac. Willempie, John,
and James.
Of these Lucas Alberts Voorhis(3) married, September, 2. 1 72<>. Ann Kipp.
They resided at Hackensack. Their children of the fourth generation were
Ann. Henry, Lena. Elizabeth. Margrietie, Nicholas. Catharine. Isaac, and
Jacob. Of these, Nicholas (4) married Jannetje Ackerman and had issue
Albeit N.. Ann. Lucas. Henry, and Jannetje.
Albeit N. Voorhis (5) was born in 1767. TTe was a farmer and resided
at Schraalenburgh. He married, December 10, 1791, Grietie Demurest, who
died in 1854, leaving several children of the sixth generation.
Of these children of the sixth generation Henry A. L. Voorhis f6), who
was born September 20. 1702. married Levina Blawvelt. born September 14.
171»2. and died July 15, 1872. He was a farmer- and resided near Demurest.
N. J., on part of the farm formerly belonging to John Peack. Among his
children of the seventh generation were Elizabeth. Maria. Margaret, Henry
D.. David H.. Nicholas 1L. and John.
Nicholas IT. Voorhis (7) married Caroline, daughter of Peter B. Wester-
velt, of Cresskill, N. J. He resided at Orosskill until his death.
Charles E. Voorhis (8), son of Nicholas n. and the subject of ibis sketch.
\\;is born at Cresskill, Bergen County. N. J.. September 11. 1856, and was
educated in the public schools of his native town. He left school when
seventeen years of age and began his business career in the grocery trade,
in which he remained for ten years. At the end of thai time he engaged
with the firm of Peter Henderson & Company, the famous New York City
firm of seedsmen and tlorists. Tie has continued with this house to the
present lime. TTe is a member of the Dutch Reformed Church.
Mi- Voorhis married Ruth Richardson and bus four children: Edward,
aged thirteen; Henry, aged eleven; Raymond, aged nine: ami Clarence,
aged seven.
i ^ v
JOHN ALBERT BLAIR, Judge of the Court of Common Fleas, General
Quarter Sessions, and Orphans' Court of the County of Hudson, was born
near Blairstown, N. J., on the 8th of July, 1842, his parents being John
GENEALOGICAL
85
II. Blair and Mary (Angle) Blair. Be is the grandson of William and
Rachel (Brands) Blair, of Know lion Township, Wan-en Count v. N. J., and
descends from one of the mosl distinguished families in the State His
ancestors sprung from
ill,, noted Blair family
of Blair-Athol, Perth-
shire, Scotland, whence
they came to this conn
try in L720, settling in
Pennsylvania and Now
Jersey. Among tin-in
were two brothers, Sam-
uel and John Blair,
both of whom were edu-
cated at the Lou College
on the Neshaminy an
dor the celebrated Will-
iam Tennant. They be-
came disi inguished min-
isters of the Presby-
terian Church. The
Rev. Samuel Blair was
culled to Fagg's Manor
in < Jhester < 'ounty, Pa.,
in L739, where, in con
junction with his pas
torn! work, he con
ducted a school I hat was
among the mosl aote-
worthy of the early
Presbyterian academies.
Ilis son. also the Rev.
Samuel Blair, was pas-
tor of the Old South
< 'hurch in Boston before
the Revolul ion. He be-
came Chaplain of the
Pennsylvania Battalion
of Riflemen that part ici-
pated in the siege of Boston. The Rev. Samuel Blair, the second, was
offered the presidency of the College of Now Jersey (Princeton), but de-
clined in favor of Dr. Witherspoon. The Rev. John Blair was ordained
pastor of Big Spring, .Middle Spring, and Rocky Spring in the Cumberland
Valley in 174:!. but resigned in consequence of the frequent Indian incur-
sions on the frontier 1 L755-57) and succeeded his brother at Fagg's Manor.
In 17<>7 he became Professor of Divinity and Moral Philosophy at Prince-
ton, and was acting President of the college until the accession of Dr.
Witherspoon in 17<;!>. He died at Wallkill, in the New York Highlands,
in 1771.
While one branch of the family was devoting its energies to the work
of the ministry and the dissemination of knowledge, another w r as molding
the commerce which has since become one of the mainstays of the State
of New . Jersey. In the latter part of the eighteenth century another Samuel
JOHN ALBERT KLAIR.
86 HUDSON AM) BERGEN COUNTIES
Blair was sent by a Philadelphia linn id lake charge of the iron industry
at Oxford Furnace, in Warren County, X. -I. This Samuel Blair was the
great-great-grandfather of Judge John A. Blair and the great-grandfather
of the laic John [nsley Blair, who died December 2, L899, ai the age of
ninety-seven, after one of the mosl eventful careers in the history of Now
Jersey.
Judge John A. Blair's rudimentary education was obtained in the public
schools of his native place, and later on lie prepared for college ai the
Blairstown Presbyterian Academy. He entered the College of New Jersey
ai Princeton and was graduated from thai institution in ls<»<>. At the close
of the college term he began the study of law in the office of the Hon.
d. <;. Shipman, at Belvidere, X. d. lie was admitted to the bar as an
attorney at the June term, L869, and as a counselor at the dime term,
L872. In January, L870, he came to Jersey City, where he has ever since
resided and been engaged in his profession.
On the passage of the law creating district courts in Jersey city Hon.
Bennington F. Randolph and Mr. Blair were appointed the firs! judges
thereof by the Hon. Joseph l>. Bedle, who was at that time Governor of
the State. In .May. L885, Mr. Blair was appointed Corporation Counsel
of Jersey City, which office he held until his resignation in L889. He was
re-appointed in L894 and served in thai capacity until April 1. L898, when
he resigned to accept the appointment of Judge of the Court of Common
Pleas, General Quarter Sessions, and Orphans' Court of the County id'
Hudson, to which he had been appointed by Governor Griggs just before
the latter became Attorney-General in President McKinley's Cabinet.
Judge Blair is a sound lawyer, an attractive and eloquenl speaker, a
man of tine rlassir;il acquirements, and the possessor of a large and choice
library. He is a prominent and active Republican in politics. Although
never seeking office, his name has been frequently mentioned in connection
with some of the most prominent positions in the Stale. He is a regular
ai tendant of i he First Presbyterian < Jhurch of Jersey < Jity. He is a member
of the Palma Club, was one of the organizers of the Union League Club,
and was President of the latter organization for several years.
ALBERT V. HUYLER. — Johannes (John) Huyler came to America from
Holland a 1 ton i 1 71 1. and weni to Bergen County, where he married, in L742,
Eva, daughter of Cornelius Banta. He purchased of the heirs of Colonel
Jacobus Van Cortlandi a large trad of land (several hundred acres) bei ween
Cresskill and Tenafly, extending from the Hudson River to the Tiena Kill.
where he resided until his death. His children were Cornelia, married John
Banta; Joris (George), married Maria Symonson; John, married ill Effie
Westervalt and (2) Anntje Banta; Jannetje (dead); and Wilhelmus, married
< 'hrisi ina ( !ole.
John Huyler il'i known as "Captain John," born in 174s. resided on his
father's farm above Tenafly and was in the Revolutionary War. By his
wife he had children John, Peter, and George.
Peter Huyler (3), born April s. L7S1, married Catharine Benson, and had
children Barney, Carrel. Henry, John, and George, the latter of whom
obtained 1 it le to the old homestead.
Henry Huyler ill married Margarel Voorhis and by her had three chil-
dren: Peter E., Harry, and Albert V.. the hitler of whom is the subject of
this sketch.
Albert V. Huyler (5) was born at Tenafly, X. J., and there received his
GENEALOGICAL 87
education in the public schools. At the age of nineteen he left school and
engaged in the watch and diamond business a1 No. -1 Maiden Lane, New
Fork City, in which he has continued for the pasl fifteen years, doing
business under the style of X. II. White & Co. lb- is a public spirited and
nroeressive citizen, ami thoroughly identified with the affairs of the com-
munity.
Mr. Huyler married .Miss Virginia Connor, ami they have two children:
Cleveland C. ami Washington E. Buyler.
ALBERT IRVING DRAYTON, President and General Manager of the
Xew Jersey Title ami Abstract Company am! one of the leaders of the
younger bar of .Jersey ('it v. is the son of Henry S. Drayton, M.D., and
Alraira E. Guernsey, and a grandson of William R. ami .Mary M. (Shipman)
Drayton ami of Dr. Henry ami Martha .1. (Halsey) Guernsey. His paternal
greal grandparents were Henry ami Mary (Rood) Drayton ami Jacob and
M;h\ (Mulford) Shipman, while those on his mother's side were William
ami Elizabeth Nancy (Scofield) Guernsey and Rensselaer ami -lane Halsey.
These names represent some of the oldest families in New Jersey, many
of whose members have been prominent in the history of the colony and
State, and distinguished in both civil and military life. William Henry
Drayton, one of Mr. Drayton's ancestors, was Chief Justice and Governor
of South Carolina in L776-77 and a member of the Continental Congress in
177ST!». and another member of the family was Captain Percival Drayton,
an eminent naval commander.
Albert I. Drayton was born in Jersey City on the 14th of August, 1869.
He received his preparatory education in the various public and private
grammar schools of that city and at the Jersey city High School, and sub-
sequently entered the New York University, from which he was graduated
wit h t he class of Issn. | determining upon t he law as his profession, he was
a law student from L888 to L891, and in the meantime took a course of
lectures at the Columbia haw Scl I. He was admitted to the bar of New
Jersey as attorney in November, L891, and as a counselor February, L895,
and ever since his admission as an at torney has been actively and success-
fully engaged in the practice of law in his native city. In the many cases
in which lie has been identified in all the courts of the State he has
displayed marked ability, sound judgment, and broad ami accurate learn-
ing, and. although a young man. he has gained a leading position at the
Hudson County bar. His legal connections with imporiant real estate
matters led him finally into a close study of that subject, and as President
and General Manager of the New Jersey Title and Abstract Company of
Jersey City he is widely known and an acknowledged authority on land
titles'.
tie is also an officer in various other corporations, being President of the
Jersey City Coif Club, first Vice-President of the Alumni Association of
Gamma Chapter of Delta Phi, a member of the Delta Phi fraternity, and a
member of the Cosmos Club, of the Jersey City Chess Club, of the New
Jersey State Bar Association, of the Hudson County Bar Association, of
the Nyaek < Jountry Club, of the Deal Golf Club, of the New York University
Alumni Association, and of St. John's Episcopal Church of Jersey City.
Mr. Drayton was married on the 14th of October, 1896, to Sarah Con-
selyea Traphagen, a descendant of one of the oldest families of New Jersey.
Their children are William Pood and Grace Traphagen Drayton.
88
IIIDSOX AND BERGEN COUNTIES
HENRY D. WIXTOX. for thirty years editor and proprietor of the
Bergen County Democrat, of Hackensack, N. J., is the son of EbeD Winton,
and was born on the I It h of February, 1848. He received a common school
education, .[\\(\ in L8G3, a1 the early age of fifteen, entered the office of the
Democrat, where by assiduous attention to Ids duties he soon became a
thorough practical printer. In 1870, when bu1 twenty tun years old. lie
became proprietor and
assumed the editorial
control of the Bergen
County Democrat, which
under his judicious man-
agement h a s steadily
grown in influence and
popularity, and which
now ranks among the
leading newspapers of
New Jersey.
M r. W'int on is an able
editor and business man
—a fad which is abun-
danl h shown by the sin-
cess and development of
his paper. He is one of
Hackensack's most pub
lie spirited c i t i z e n s.
deeply interested in lo-
cal affairs, and thor-
oughly identified with
everything affect ing the
community. In politics
an active and influenl ial
Democrat, he represenl
ed his Congressional dis
trict as n delegate to t he
Democrat tc Nat ional
( 'onvention at ( Jincin-
nati in 1880 and al the
convention in Chicago
in 1896, and in various
other important capaci-
ties has rendered ef-
ficient service to his party and town. He was elected Senator from Bergen
County in 1889 and served two terms, and has the record of being the only
Senator from Bergen County who has served six years in the Senate of
New Jersey.
II I \KY I). \\ IN'loN.
ABRAM QUICK GARRETSON, for aine years prosecuting attorney
..l the most populous county of the State, during five years more haw
or President Judge of the Cour-1 of Common Pleas of Hudson County, and
now an Associate Justice of the Supreme Courl ot New Jersey, is d<
scended from the old Holland stock which contributed so largely in early
colonial days to tin- stability and prosperity of the States of New York and
New Jersey. The names of his ancestors appear in the old Dutch records
GENEALOGICAL 89
of New Jersey, the tirst of them having come over from Eolland soon after
the tirst planting of New Amsterdam. The Garretsons were among the
number who originally settled in the presenl territory of New Jersey, in
the vicinity of New York City. Later branches of the family pushed into
the western counties with the tirst pioneers. Judge Garretson's direct
ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Somerset County. He is
the son of Martin Schenck Garretson and Ann Beekman Quick and a great-
grandsou of Abraham Quick, a colonel of New Jersey militia in the Revo-
lutionary War.
Judge Garretson was horn in Franklin Township, Somerset Comity , on
the 11 th of March, L842. He was sent to school in Trenton at the age of
thirteen, and entered Rutgers College in the fall of 1859. His preparation
had been such thai he was enabled to enter the sophomore class in the
classical course a1 the age of seventeen, graduating with honors three
years Inter, in L862, and standing tirst in his class. In 1865 he received the
degree of A.M. in course. He chose the legal profession as promising
the best opportunities for a career. He also determined to select the
largest citj of his State as his field of operation. Accordingly, we find
him, almost Immediately after graduation, entering as a student the law
office of the well known Chancellor A. < >. Zabriskie, of Jersey < !ity. After
spending two years in the Chancellor's office, lie rounded out his legal
studies by a year a1 the Harvard Lav* School, in November, L865, he was
admitted to practice at the bar of New Jersey as an attorney, and at the
end of three years, in L868, and ;is soon as the law of the State permitted,
he wns admitted as a counselor, giving him the righl to practice in the
highesl courts of the State. He was afterward admitted to practice before
the United States Supreme Courl at Washington.
The young lawyer's success was not only immediate, but quite phe-
nomenal. ,-is wns shown by his appointmenl in 6'ebruary, L869, only one
year after his admission as a counselor and only four after his lirsl prac-
tice, to the responsible position of Prosecutor of Pleas for Hudson County,
an office identical in every respeel except its mime with that of the or-
dinary district attorney of other Stntes. He was appointed for a term of
live years l»\ Governor Randolph, and tilled the position so ably and with
such general satisfaction that at the end of the time he was re-appointed
for a second term by Governor Parker. He served four years of tins
second term, making n continuous service of nine years, and then resigned
to accept in L878 the appointmenl by Governor McClellan as Law or
"President" Judge of the Courl of Common Pleas of Hudson County,
lie served in this capacity for five years.
The ability and integrity displayed by Judge Garretson upon the bench
only served to great ly increase t he esteem and respect of his fellow-citizens.
Bui notwithstanding all this, he desired to return to private' practice, and
this he eventually did in L883, when his term as judge expired, he having
announced thai In- was not a candidate for re-appointment previous to the
expiration of his term.
In the same year he formed a legal partnership with James P>. Vreden-
burgh in Jersey City. In 1900 he was appointed an Associate Justice of
the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
While .Indue darretson has always been a consistent Democrat in poli-
tics, in local affairs his sympathies are fully enlisted in the welfare of
the community. He lias served ;is one of the Commissioners for the Ad-
justment of Tax Arrearages for Jersey City since 1887, when that connnis-
90 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
sioD \v;is organized. In Jersey City an immense amount of property has
been snowed under ;i ureal burden of tax arrears which it was utterly
impossible for its owners to meet, while if they abandoned their property
the city treasury was unable to realize upon it. and it lias been the delicate
and difficull task of the commission to readjusl such old claims of the city
and fix a sum which the property owners could pay and thus put such
property on a tax-paying basis, and at the same time lilt :i burden which
could not tail to depress values and impede municipal growth and develop-
ment, claims aggregating millions of dollars ha\e been thus readjusted,
while the commission is now beginning to see the prospective end of its
labors.
Judge Garretson was a founder in L888 and is President of the New
Jersey Title and Guarantee Trust Company, the only one of its kind in
Jersey City, and is a Director in the Third National Bank. He is also
similarly interested in other directions. His name niiisl ever be linked with
the progressive development of his adopted city, where he has resided
since 1st;.").
November li'. L879, he married Josephine, daughter of Joseph and Mary
(Davis) Boker, of Philadelphia. Their children are Leland Beekman, .lose
phine Boker, and Eleanor Helen.
JAMES CHIDESTEE EGBERT, D.D., for forty-two years the be-
loved pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of West Hoboken. X. J.,
and now pastor emeritus of that society, is a lineal descendant of dames
Egbert, who was born in L695. His paternal ancestors were Germans,
coming from Saxony or Hanover to this country several generations ago.
Lewis Egbert, a member of his branch, served in the Revolutionary War.
Dr. Egbert's father, James Egbert, was the son of Enos Egbert and Sarah
Lyon, both natives of New Jersey, and was born at Elizabeth, in this State,
in L801. He learned the trade of printer in the office of the Palladium of
Liberty at Morristown, X. J., and, moving to New York, became a partner
of Mahlon Day. one of the earliest printers in thai city and for many years
the publisher of the weekly Bank Note List. Mr. Day. with his wife and
daughter, was lost at sea on the ill fated ship Antic. James Egberl suc-
ceeded to the firm's business, and for nearly fifty years conducted a large
and successful printing establishment in New York on Pearl Street, oppo-
site Frankfort. He finally retired, and died in West Hoboken, X. J., No-
vember 17. L881, having settled there about 1867. His father. Enos, was
a blacksmith and iron founder, and also a native of Elizabeth, dames
Egbert married Joanna Jones Chidester, daughter of dames and Peninah
(Guerin) Chidester, all of whom were born in New Jersey. She died in
L866.
Dr. Egberl was born in New York City on the 17th of October. L826,
and there received his education, lie attended one of the public grammar
schools and t hen taughl for four years in the same institution. Afterward
he continued his studies and also taughl in the private school of Professor
John Jason Owen, of New York, and in L848, having received a thorough
preparatory training there, entered New York University, then under the
presidency of Theodore Prelinghuysen. He was graduated with honors
in lsr>L\ receiving the degree of I»..\.. and on March 1. L889, the university
conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity in recogni-
tion of his eminence as a minister and of his learning and standing as a
scholar. In 1852 Dr. Egberl began the study of theology at the Union
GENEALOGICAL 91
Theological Seminary in New York. Be was graduated from thai institu-
tion in April, L855, and licensed to preach by (lie Third Presbytery of New
York od i he Llth of i lie same monl h.
<>n .lime L3, is.")."), he was ordained pastor of the Firsi Presbyterian
Church id' West Eoboken, N. -I.. and continued in that capacity for forty-
two consecutive years, resigning dime Id, 1 s;»7. Soon afterward he was
made pastor emeritus id' the congregation. This church was organized
dime L2, 1850, willi eighl members, and the church edifice was dedicated
dune 25, L851. For four years Rev. Charles Parker supplied the pulpit,
and through his efforts, and with the aid of Rev. William Bradford, then
editor of i he New York Evangelist, the church building was erected. Dr.
Egberl was their firsi settled pastor, and faithfully and diligently dis-
charged the duties nf the trust, gaining not only the love but the confidence
and affection of the entire community as well as of his own parishioners.
Prom a very small congregation he lmilt it up to a membership of over
-Id.) and the Sunday school in 500 scholars, with a chapel in Jersey City
of aboul 250 members. The society made a strong effort to retain him
as their active pastor, bu1 advancing years and the evident need of rest
inipelh-d him to resign, and the pastorale has since been undei Rev. Charles
Alexander Evans, a graduate of Princeton, class of L884. As pastor
emeritus, however, Dr. Egbert continues to exercise a broad and wholesome
influence in i he church.
He has twice been Moderator of the Presbytery of Jersey City, is a
member of the Associate Alumni ami of the Alumni Club of the Union
Theological Seminary, and is known throughout the Slate and in other
Presbyteries as a man of broad culture, of greal learning, and of line
intellectual attainments. Ilis sermons, many of which have been pub-
lished, bear evidence of high literary skill as well as sound logic and
doctrinal knowledge.
Dr. Egbert was married, August 1. L855. to Harriet Louise Drew, daugh
ter of George and l'hilimla Drew, of New York City. Their children are
Annie Lake Egbert, a teacher in the New York public schools; dames C.
Egbert, Jr., professor of Latin in Columbia College, New York; Rev.
George Drew Egbert, pastor of the Presbyterian church at Cornwall,
X. Y.: and Marion Dupuy Egbert, also a teacher in the New York public
schools. Two other children died in infancy.
RAYMOND I'. WORTENDYKE is descended from Cornelius Jacobse,
alias Siille (or The Silent), a farmer, who. with his brother John, came
to New Amsterdam from Amsterdam, Holland, in 1630. Shortly after their
arrival they assumed the surname of Somerendyke. Cornelius, after re-
maining a short time in New Amsterdam, bought aud located on a planta-
tion at Bushwick, L. I. From thence he removed to what is now the
Williamsburgh district of Brooklyn. In 1664 he took the oath of allegiance
to the British king, at which time he was residing on a farm of one hun-
dred acres in what was formerly the Greenwich district of Now York City.
He married (1) August 24, L692, Classic Tennis, and (2) duly 28, L695,
Tryntie Wallings Van Winkle, of Amsterdam, Holland. He died in New
York in KIT!), having had nine children of the second generation, the
eldest of whom was Jacob Corneliesen, born in 1<>44, who married, March
11, Kill, Aeltje Fredericks, an estimable Brazilian lady. Their children
were four of the third generation, to wit: Jacob, Nicholas, Frederick J.,
and Cornelius. Frederick (3d gen.), known as Frederick Jacobsen Someren-
92 HUDSON AMi BERGEN COUNTIES
dyke, located on the upper west side of Manhattan Island. He and his
descendants adopted the surname of Wortendyke, while those of his broth-
ers retained thai of Somerendyke. The old Somerendyke mansion house,
built of stone, stood, ;i few years ago, on the Bloomingdale road near Wes1
Seventy fifth Street. Frederick (3d gen.) married, June LO, l Tot. Divertie
Rynearsen Quackenbush, a granddaughter of Peter Quackenbush, of
Oostergeest, Eolland. Aboul lTJi! Frederick removed to Bergen County,
\. J., where he purchased several tracts of land, the principal one of which
was nearly five hundred acres in ana al what is now Park Ridge, formerly
Pascack. On this tract, lying on both sides of Pascack Brook, he built his
residence and two or more mills. He was the founder of Pascack settle-
ment and left a large landed estate After his death his will became the
subject of a long litigation. His children of the fourth generation were
Aeltie. Rynier, Elizabeth, Frederick F., and < 'lassie.
Frederick F. Wortendyke (4th gen.), horn in New Fork city. April 10,
L720, married April :!. 174s. Sara Peters Durie, of Pascack. By the will
of his father he obtained half of the homestead at Pascack on which he
resided, besides lands at Tappan and on the Palisades. He died about L770,
leaving issue of the fifth generation Frederick, Jannetje, Jacobus, Marya,
Elizabeth, .Judith. Peter F., Sara, Susanna. Divertie, Mensie, and John.
Of these, Frederick was taken by the British in 1 77«; and confined for
some time a prisoner in the old Sugar House in New Fork.
Peter F. Wortendyke (5th gen.), baptized August 29, 17."i4. married
.Martha Demarest. He resided at Pascack. where he was a farmer and
millet'. His children of the sixth generation were Frederick P.. Angenitie,
Peter P.. and Jacobus.
Peter P.. of the sixth generation, born .June 15, lT'.iT. died at Pascack,
January 31, 1885. He was a farmer and married, January <i. 1816, Maria
Banta, by whom he left issue of the seventh generation Peter P.. Maria.
Frederick P.. Cornelius P.. Martha, Laney, and John.
Peter I*. Wortendyke, of the seventh generation, born .June 11. L816,
died April L2, L900. He married Harriet Cumniings, a native of Spring
Valley, X. Y. He resided at Pascack and spent most of his life as a
tanner. His children of the eighth generation were Maria, Raymond P..
•John 11.. ami Charles P.. the second of whom is the subject of this sketch.
Raymond P. Wortendyke (8tb gen.), one of the prominenl members of
i he bar of .Jersey City, was born at Pascack, Bergen County, X. J., De-
cember 30, 1845 He is the youngesl son id' Peter P. a ml Harriel (Cummin gs)
\\ oiieiidyke. and inherits from a long line of ancestors on both side» the
sturdy characteristics of his race. He attended the public schools at
Pascack and Hackensack, Bergen County, and was graduated from" the
New -Jersey Stat.- Normal School at Trenton. June L5, L862. Subsequently
he taugh! school for upward of seven years, during the last three of which
he was connected with Hasbrouck Institute in Jersey City. In the
meantime he studied law in Jersey City three and one half years in the
office of Hon. Jacob R. Wortendyke. member of Congress, and for six
months with Hon. William Brinckerhoff, State Senator. He was ad-
mitted to the bar at Trenton as an attorney -June .",. L869, and as counselor
June • '>. L872, and for over thirty years has been actively and successfully
engaged in the general practice of his profession, his present office being
in .Jersey < 'ily.
Mr. Wortendyke resides in Englewood, Bergen County, where he has
served as a public school trustee for twenty years and as counselor of the
GENEALOGICAL 93
old Public Road Board for ten years. Ee has been counsel for the Town-
ship of Englewood for many years, and is now City Attorney for the
Gitj of Kn-lrw I. During his career at the bar he has been connected
wiili a number of importanl cases in which he lias displayed marked abilil \ .
sound judgment, untiring industry, and great force of character. He is
public spirited, progressive, and patriotic, thoroughly identified with the
besl interests of the community, and holds a prominent place at the bar.
Mr. Wortendyke has been twice married, lirst on December 30, 1869,
to Caroline, daughter of Levi and VVilhelmina (Ackerman) Gurnee, of
Pascack, X. -I.. who died February 11. 1895. On September 29, L897, he
married .Mis. Aim E. II. (Demarest) Gurnee, of Backensack, daughter of
David A. Demarest, of Tenafly, Bergen County.
DAVID A. DEMAKEST was without doubt in his day one of the most
widely known and highly respected men in Borden County. He was of
ili" sixth generation from David des Marest, the French Buguenot emi-
grant, concerning whom see page 64. The line of descent was as follows:
David des .Maresi ih. the emigrant, and his wife. Maria Sohier. had four
children, one of whom was David Demarest, Jr. (2), who married Rachel
Cresson ami had twelve children, one of whom was Jacobus (3). who mar-
ried Lea de (iroot and Margrietie Cozines Baring, and had fifteen children,
one of whom iby the second wife) was Abraham I >. Demarest i 1 1. born at
old Bridge, Bergen County, September 25, L738, died uear Closter, X. .1..
•Inly 9, L824, married, in 17<;::. Margaretta Garrets Demarest. born at
Schraalenburgh, December 2, 1711. died June L3, L834. Abraham D. Dem-
arest ih resided at old Bridge for many years, when he removed to Back-
ensack and kepi the Mansion House. About ITsi he purchased a large
farm on the west side of the Schraalenburgh and Tappan road, lying on
hot 1 1 sides of i he rond to old I look. There until his death he kept a general
store of groceries, hardware, and smh wares us farmers require, lie also
kept (until L809) a tavern where the elections were held and other public
business transacted. In April. 1 7>7. he added to his farm on the south by
purchases from the Barings and Van Boms. Abraham was a man of some
note. His store and tavern were known and patronized by the people for
miles around. From L781 until L799 he held uianv town offices, including
those of Commissioner of Appeals, Townsman. Road Master, and .Justice
of the Peace. He was one of the most active members and workers in the
North Church at Schraalenburgh, in which he several times held the offices
of Deacon and Elder. His issue were David A..; Rachel, 1768; Margaret,
1 77:'. ; John, 1775 (died); and Christina. 1783.
Of these David Abraham Demarest (5), the subject of this sketch, was
born at eld Bridge, August 28, 17C4, ami died at Nyack, N. Y., February
1. L860, aged ninety-five years, five months, and three days. He married,
in 17s7. Charity Baring, daughter of Cornelius Baring, of Pascack, where
she was born duly 24, L769. She died at Schraalenburgh, January. 2!). L849,
aged about eighty years. She was a lady of sound judgment, with a kind
and cheerful disposition, who was her husband's faithful helpmeet and
companion for more than sixty years. The issue of this union was only
one child, a daughter, Margaret Demarest, born at Schraalenburgh, N. J.,
September 5. 1789.
David A. Demarest (5) was an unusually bright and active boy. Re-
alizing this, his father sent him to the best school in the village of Hacken-
sack. wlnre he acquired a fair education, including a knowledge of pen-
<U
HUDSON AM) BERGEN COUNTIES
manship and composition. Clerking in and purchasing stock for liis
father's store, as well as attending to Hi" wants of the tavern guests,
threw liim in contacl with all kinds and conditions of people from whom
he obtained a large fund of information which, in Unci years, be turned
to good account. When the Revolutionary struggle broke ou1 he was a lad
twelve years old, yd the father had difficulty in restraining the patriotism
of liis son sufficiently to pr< venl him from offering his services ;is a drum-
mer boy to the < '<>mi inental forces.
Thai struggle over, and having married and settled dow r n i * » business,
DAVID /V DEMAREST.
he gave liis attention qoI only to the store but to agricultural pursuits,
which were then profitable. Products <>l the farm were senl by sloop from
old Bridge, or Closter Dock, to New York. A considerable trade in pi.u
iron was carried <»n with the iron works ;ii Ramapo. Groceries were <\
changed for pig iron and the iron shipped to New York and sold ;ii a profit.
In October, 1T!M. he was one of the militia force from New Jersey, Virginia,
and Pennsylvania sent l>\ President Washington to Pittsburg to suppress
what in American history is known ;is the "Whisky Insnrrect ion." In
1796 he began to mingle in and wield influence in town affairs. From
that time to 1843 he held numerous town offices, including that of Justice
GENEALOGICAL 95
of Hie Peace. In 1800 he superintended the construction of Ins father's
new stone dwelling istiii standing). The tavern business was abandoned
with the demolition of the old family mansion.
His daughter Margarel married, in L810, John Perry, a member of one
of the oldesl and mosl prominenl families in Rockland County, X. Y., by
whom she had issue i wo daughters, Catharine (181.1) and Charity iisi'iM.
In lsii' the quota of Bergen County drafted troops for the war with Greal
Britain rendezvoused ai Jersey City for three months. Captain Samuel
(i. Demaresl (of what is now Westwood, X. J.), who raised a company of
men for thai war, recruited pan of Ins force a1 the store of Abraham l>.
Demarest. Ii has been said thai David A. Demaresl served in the War
of L812, Ian it so his name does noi appear upon the muster rolls of the
companies thai wenl from his vicinity, commanded by Major Van Saun.
At his death in 1824 Abraham l». Demaresl gave all his lands to his
son. David A. Demarest. The latter soon after purchased several adjoining
tracts, until the whole area of his homestead farm was over 300 acres, lie
also owned a large farm west of the Hackensack River and a trad at
Ramapo. Henceforth ami until his death he was considered a wealthy
man. Bui he was one of those men whom wealth makes neither proud nor
avaricious -a most genial and hospitable man. noted I'or his liberality.
Nearly all his life ho had been a member ami liberal supporter of the
North Church at Schraalenburgh, which he helped to organize and to
which In- liberally gave. Ilis commodious mansion was always open to
the ministers of thai and sister churches. They came and went ;il (heir
pleasure, sometimes staying with their families lor weeks at a lime. Their
host's hospitality was of the good old fashioned variety, spontaneous and
hearty. Everybody was welcome bent^ath his roof. He had ureal inilm e
over his neighbors ami a happj wax of settling disputes. As a Justice
of the Pence for many years his practice was to avoid trials, if possible, and
usually he would bring the parties to an agreemenl to settle before the i rial
day came on. lie was a gentleman of " ye olden time " a sort of " Cadi " in
the community t»» whom the people wenl for advice in time of trouble
and did not go in vain. He was a lover of music, ami in lsiil organized
n band in which he played second clarinet. The minutes <d' this hand in
his handwriting show thai ii prospered for some time. He was an
entertaining conversationalist and storyteller who never lacked for lis
timers. Physically he was remarkably robust, and was never severely ill.
lie was found dead in bed one morning at the home of his daughter, :M
Xyack. X. Y.. whom he was visiting, lie lay as though he had quietly
dropped into n peaceful sleep. He was of the type of man rarely to be
met with in these days, lie saw the Revolutionary War. the War of L812,
and the .Mexican War, ami had he lived another year he would have seen
the beginning of tin- <"ivil War. The year before his death (he Northern
Railroad was completed. The company gave him a pass, but he never
used it, and died without having experienced the sensations of riding on a
moving railroad (rain.
Catharine and Charily Perry, has granddaughters, married, respectively,
Isaac and Tunis Smith, of Xyack, X. Y.. who, for many years, owned and
operated a steamboal line between New Fork and Nyack. Isaac and Tunis
Smith were descendants of Lamberl Ariaense, a native of Gilderland, Hol-
land, who came to America when a young man and settled at New Amster-
dam, where, on April 9, L682, he married Margaretta Garrets Blawvelt, a
daughter of Garrel Hendricksen Blawvelt, of Deventer, Holland. In Hist;
96 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
Lamberl and his brothers-in-law, the Blawvelts, and others purchased
the Tappan patent. Lamberl settled od pari of it a1 the "Green Bush,"
in Rockland County. His descendants sood became so numerous thai it
was accessary to distinguish one from the other, and as Lambert was a
smith by profession it became convenienl t<> designate him as Lambert
Ariaense Smidt. .Most of the family eventually dropped the Ariaense and
called themselves Smith. Lamberl Smith and Margaretta Garrets Blaw-
vell had issue, among other children, a son. Garrel Smith (2), who mar-
ried Brechie (Bridget) Peters Haring, of Tappan, and had issue, among
other children, a son. Peter G. Smith (3), who married Annetie (Hannah)
Blawvelt, ami had issue, besides other children, a son. Isaac ih. who mar-
ried Rachel Smith, and had issm- several children, anion- whom was Peter
Smith (5), who married Christina Demaresl (a sister of David A. Demarest,
above mentioned), old patrons of the steamer " Chrystenah ,; will re-
member her portrail ;it tin- head of the stairway to the uppei deck. They
had issue of tin- sixth generation: Isaac Abraham, Tunis, and David.
Isaac married Catharine Perry, and Tunis married Charity Perry, as
above stated. The issue of Catharine Perry and Captain Nam- Smith were
John, -lames, and Margarel Ann. all now deceased. The issue id' Charity
Perry and Tunis Smith were six children, all now deceased excepl David
and Sidney.
JAMES KII'P is of the tenth generation in lineal descent from Roeloff
(Ralph) de Kype, who. as the prefix "de" unmistakably indicates, was
of French origin, bu1 who resided at Amsterdam, Holland, whither he
had lied from France. His life-long calling was that of a soldier, wherein
In- exhibited bravery, energy, and capacity of tin- highest order. He at-
tained prominence as a military leader in L555, during the long and bloody
struggle between the Catholics and Protestants, in which the latter finally
triumphed. It has been said That in 1559 he returned to France and foughl
againsl the Protestants under the banner of the Duke of Anjou. Whether
he did or not is at this late date a matter of little importance. It is known
that his sons espoused tin- 1'rotestant cause. One of them is said to have
been a stockholder in the Dutch East India Company and an active pro
moter of the vx>yage of Bendrick Hudson to New York in L609. His son.
Hendrick de Kype (3d gen.), born at Amsterdam in 1578, came to America
accompanied by his son Hendrick (4th gen.). They were the firsl of the
name iii the New World. Bendrick (3d gen.), owing to ill-health, soon
returned to Holland, but his son Bendrick (4th gen.), who seems to have
been the firsl to drop the "de" from the name and who was usually
known as " Bendrick Bendricksen Kype," married and became one of the
lirst permanent settlers on Manhattan Island. Being a tailor by occupa-
tion, he was sometimes dubbed " Schneider Kype." On April 28, Hit."., he
purchased a lot 30x110 east of "The Fort" mow Bridge Street, near
Whitehall i. on which he built his family residence and shop. There, for
years, he was the principal tailor of the town. Be married Ann de Sille.
a daughter of Nicholas de Sille, of Wyck, Holland. Aboul this time Ki< ft
was Governor of New Amsterdam. Kype despised the governor and pub-
licly denounced him as "a butcher" for permitting the massacre of the
Backensack Indians at Pavonia. Kiefl summoned him to appear and
answer for his insolence, but Kype replied by messenger that he would
not appear before " a man of blood." Mrs. Kype likewise denounced Kieft
as a false judge. Upon the succession of Stuyvesant to the governorship
GENEALOGICAL <>7
Kype was made a Councilor. Later he was chosen to be one of the nine
Selectmen, because, as is said, he was one of " the mosl notable, reasonable,
honest, and respectable citizens of the city." Two years later he was made
a Burgher, but becoming dissatisfied with the management of town affairs
lie seen after sold mil and removed to Amstel, in Delaware, where he
embarked extensively in the brewing business on the west hank of the
Delaware River. The governor of Delaware soon made him a member
of the Council, and later, in 1660, appointed him Commissioner of Amstel.
About 1694 he seems to have returned to New Amsterdam and about the
same time purchased from Captain John Berry a trad of two hundred
acres of land smith of Backensack, from the Hackensack River to the
Saddle River, and including in it the present village of Lodi. lie died in
New Amsterdam about 1703. leaving children of the fifth generation < !or-
nelia. Catharine, Peter, and Nicasie (Nicholas).
Nicholas (5th gen.), born at Amstel, Del., in L668, went to Hackensack
in 1694, and married Ann Breyant, of old Bergen. The same year the
couple joined the Dutch Church at Hackensack. In L698 Nicholas, with
Thomas Fraunce and Rutgerl Van Born, of Bergen, purchased from Cap
tain Berry a large trad at Moonachie. Nicholas made other purchases
in dm- time— one of two hundred acres from Garrel Lydecker extending
from the Backensack to the Saddle River, and another large area of
•meadow land" for which, as his i\^^\ recites, he gave a "fatted calf."
Upon his death he inherited a large portion of his father's lands, and passed
as one of the mosl extensive landholders in thai section. He resided on
the Polifly road, was active in town and church affairs, and held several
responsible official positions. His eleven children of the sixth generation
were Ilenrv. Peter, Isaac. Cornelius. Jacob, Ann. Catherine. Elizabeth,
< iarret. Nicholas, and John.
Nicholas (6th gen.), born at Moonachie in L720, married in 1749 Lea Vree
land, of Bergen, lie was a farmer by occupation and resided for thirty-
five years in Lodi Township. In L755 he removed with his family to
Schraalenburgh, where he boughl a large farm lying on both sides of the
Schraalenburgh road near the present North church. The same year
lie and his wife joined the Schraalenburgh South church, of which Nicholas
was made a Deacon in 17<i<!. lb- was a man of means and greatly re-
spected by his neighbors His children of the seventh generation were
Sophia, Isaac. Catharine. Peter. John, .Maria. \nn, and Jemima.
Isaac Kipp (7th gen.) was born at Schraalenburgh, May 14. 1756, and
died there March 10. 1813. He joined the Smith Church in ITS.",, and
became one of the principal and. in fact, the most influential man in
Schraalenburgh. He owned and managed a large farm on both sides
of the road near the North Church. Though wealthy, both he and his
father Nicholas fervently espoused tin- cause of the colonists. For this
the British and Tories raided the Kipp farms and buildings, drove off the
live stock, and committed other acts of spoliation. Isaac joined the local
militia, known as the " train bands." ami served against the British during
the last years of the Revolutionary struggle. At its close he became active
in the organization and drilling of the State militia, in which he was at
first a Major and later a. < Jolonel. He was oneof the principals in the organi-
zation of the North Church Congregation, and one of the seven men chosen
by resolution of the Consistory in 1800 to build the present church edifice,
receiving for that service si\ shillings per day. He died in March, 1813,
and was buried near the church in which In.' was so long prominent. His
98 HUDSON AMi BERGEN COUNTIES
children of the eighth general ion were Nicholas, I >avid, I [enry (who became
a prominent physician), Ann. Leah, Maria. Christina, Isaac and James.
David Kipp (8th gen.) was born at Schraalenburgh, January 24, 17^::.
and died May L8, L864. He was reared on his father's farm, and in L806
married Elizabeth, daughter of William de Graw, of old Tappan. David
resided and for man.\ years kept a general store at what is now Bergen-
field, on the corner of the road leading from Schraalenburgh road to the
South Church. His children of the ninth generation were Maria (married
Matthew S. Bogert), William, and Fanny (married Cornelius L. Blawvelt).
William Kipp (9th gen.) was born at Schraalenburgh, August 1!». 1812,
and died in L871. He married, November 24, LS31, Elizabeth Banta, born
in L813. William resided for many years at Old Tappan, new Harrington
Park. Although reared a farmer, he was a born politician, and for many
years was the Democratic leadei in Harrington Township, hate in life
lie removed to Closter. At his death he left living issue David, John B.,
Isaac Levina, James, and William de Graw, the lasl two named being
the subjects <d' this and the following sketch.
• lames Kipp (10th gen.) was born at old Tappan, N. J., October L5, L844,
and received his scl ling in the public schools at Tappan. At the age
of fifteen he lefl home to become a clerk in the grocery store of his brother
David, at Sparkill, N. Y. He was called home in the fall of 1862 to take
the place <d' his brothers John B. and Isaac who had joined the Union
Army in Virginia. Upon the return of his brothers dames soughl and
obtained a clerkship in the grocery house of Elbert Bailey, then at 518
Sixth Avenue, New York. After four years' service with .Mr. Bailey he
entered the office of the Lorillard Insurance Company, bu1 remained there
only three months. A more lucrative position was offered him with the
New York Rubber Clothing Company at :'>47 Broadway, which he accepted.
In duly. 1><i~. this company combined with the Goodyear Rubber Com-
pany. Mr. Kipp acquired an interest in the business and was given the
responsible position of manager, a position which he >till holds at Nos.
787-789 Broadway, New York. To manage a concern doing the great vol
nine of business which the Goodyear Rubber Company is doing demands
business tact and judgment of the highest order. These qualities Mr. Kipp
possesses in a marked degree, and his untiring energy, activity, thorough
knowledge of the business, and (lose attention to its details have marked
him for the early future as one id' the great army of successful mercantile
men in the great city, lb- is thoroughly domestic in Ids habits ami tastes,
and spends his spare time with his family, lie belongs to no city clubs,
does not dabble in politics, has never held political office. lb' "leans
toward " the hutch Reformed Church ami t he Republican party.
IP- married, February 21, L872, Rachel, a daughter of John d. and Hannah
M. Naugle. .Mrs. Kipp was born at Closter, X. J., March 25, L850. The}
have three daughters : Ada (married in L895 to Edward Livingston Gilbert,
a New Fork stock broker), Eva, and Florence, the last two both unmarried.
Florence is a recent graduate of the Comstock School of New York City,
and her sisters are graduates of tin- New York City public schools. Ada
has a daughter, Margery (11th gen.), born in L897.
WILLIAM De GRAW KIPP (10th gen.), brother of the above, was horn
at old Tappan, N. J., February 25, L848, and like his brother obtained his
education in the public schools of his native township. He left home in
1866 to take a position as clerk in the grocery store <d' Ward Carpenter,
GENEALOGICAL 99
No. 520 Sixth Avenue, New York. Here he remained for a year and then
entered the employ of E. C. Hazard & Co., where he filled the position of
salesman for nine years, after which he embarked in the grocery business
on his own accounl at Closter, X. •). This venture being unprofitable, he
beca?ne a salesman in the house of Wrighl Gillies & Brother, New York.
He loft them in L880 to take charge of the city sales department of the well
known house of K. R. Durkee & Co., of New York, and still tills that posi-
tion. Their factory and office are at ~i'-'A Washington Street. As a sales-
man his knowledge of general merchandise and his long experience on the
i-oad and behind the counter have made him one of the most expert and
valuable men in his line of business. Ai home he is public spirited and
enterprising, favoring public education, local improvements, and athletics,
and opposing the liquor traffic and dishonesty in public office. He is an
independent Democrat in politics, but has never held political office. He
served a term in the Board of Trustees of the public school at Closter. He
was a Trustee and Treasurer of i he < !ongregat ional < 5hurch for a number of
years, and was also the prime factor in placing the railroad station at
Closter in its present local ion.
lie married in 1^71 Sarah Elizabeth, a daughter of John -T. and Hannah
M. Naugle. Sarah 1-:. Naugle was born at Closter, X. J.. March 25, L853.
They have four daughters living: Edna, born October 31, ls7.~» (married
in L899 William < '. Bouton, an employee of the Union Trust Company, of
New York); Lizzie, born in 1878; Ethel, born in L882; and Grace, born
in 1 ss 1 . Three others — two daughters and a son — died in infancy.
THE WESTERVELTS on- You Westervelts, as they once called them
selves) are another of the very prolific families of Bergen and Hudson
Counties. Should the traveler happen to journey through the Province of
Overyssel in Holland, about a mile oast of the coast of the Zuyder Zee,
on the highroad from Deventer to Groningen, he will pass through a con-
siderable town called Meppel. In the middle of the seventeenth century
this town was a mere hamlet. Thro.- miles east was the town of Zwolle,
where Thomas a Kempis for half a century resided, where he wrote his
famous book'. J a Imitation of Christ, and where he died about 1471. Easl
of Meppel the country for miles was then a desert waste of lowland.
To-day this has been bought up by humanitarian societies to secure from
beggary able bodied laborers and their families by locating them on these
lands and employing them in bringing the lands to productiveness. South
and west of Meppel were rich, green pasture lands. Near Meppel lived
William and Lubbert Lubbertsen, two sturdy brothers, tillers of the soil,
and raisers of cattle.
In April. 1(102. those two brothers joined the throng of emigrants which
was then heading from Amsterdam to America to better their condition
in life. William, with a wife and four children, and Lubbert. with a wife
and six children, readied New Amsterdam about tin' first of May, 10(12.
in the Dutch West India ship " Faith." William repaired to New Utrecht,
L. I., and Lubbert. with his wife. Gessie Roelofs Van Houten, and family,
went to Flatbush, where a considerable Dutch settlement had been col-
lected. At Flatbush. Lubbert bought a house and lot December 15, fol-
lowing his arrival, and went to farming, assisted by his boys. He soon
became an extensive and prosperous farmer, bought much land, and owned
a number of slaves. Upon his death, near the close of the century, his
sons Lubbert, Jr., Roeloff, John, and Juriaen went to Bergen County, N. J.,
666316 A
100 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
and settled. Lubbert, Jr., who married Billetje Pouwless, resided for a
time in what is now Jersey City, and then removed to the vicinity of what
is now Highwood, X. •!.. where lie died and his wife remarried. RoelofE
and .lohn (who married respectively CJrsolena Stimets and Magdalena Van
Blarcom) bought lands south of Highwood and in the vicinity of Cresskill,
X. d. The Indians disputed their titles, bu1 subsequently the sachems
signed releases. Juriaen, who married ill Gessie Bogert, (_i Antjie Banta,
and (3) Cornelia Van Voorhis, boughl and settled on lands on the Backen-
sack and Saddle Rivers. Lubbert's two daughters, Margretie and Mary,
married and settled a1 New Backensack. The descendants of these four
sons and two daughters of Lubberl Lubbertsen, intermarrying with the
Demarests, Naugles, Barings, Blawvelts, and others, became a mighty
host, and are scattered throughoul Bergen, Hudson, and Passaic Counties,
X. J., and Rockland County, X. Y.
SAMUEL WESTERVELT is of (he seventh generation from Lubberl
Lubbertsen, the tirst emigrant, and was born at Tenafly, Bergen County,
X. J., on the L6th of August, L853, being the son of David I. Westervell
and Sophia Parsels, and a grandson of John R. Westervell and Samuel
Parsels. He received his education in the Bergen County public schools.
and at the age of seventeen associated himself with the well known firm
of Lord & Taylor, of New York City, with which he has remained for twenty
eighl years, and where he now holds a responsible position. This house
is widely known as one of the leading dry goods establishments in the East,
and has few equals in tin' quality or kind of its business. As an attache
of this great establishment .Mr. Westervell has displayed the highesl
business abilities, great executive energy, and superior judgment. He
is a public spirited, patriotic and progressive citizen, and as a resident of
Tenafly, Bergen County, has taken an active interest in local public affairs.
He has served two years as President of the Board of Education and stijl
holds that office, and is also Trustee and Treasurer, as well as a member,
of the Presbyterian church of Tenafly.
Mr. Westervell married .Miss Charlotte E. Bolden, and they have four
children: Florence E., born in L880; Ralph E., born in L884; .lames B..
born in L887; and Martha B., born in L891.
THE BEBRY FAMILY.— One of tl arlicst emigrants ai Bergen was
•lohn Berry, an Englishman who came from Christ Chinch Parish in the
Island of Barbadoes. presumably with Kingsland, Sandford, Moore, and
one or two others, lie was, perhaps, one of tin- most active and energetic
of all the emigrants, and certainly the most liberal. In 1668 he bought ;ill
the hinds between the Backensack and Saddle Rivers, extending from the
Sandford patenl ;i^ far north as Cherry Hill in Bergen County. The same
year he bought three other tracts: one of L,500 acres on the Hudson River
adjoining Edsall, another of 2,000 acres at Schraalenburgh, and another of
nearly ih.it number of ma-es on the upper Saddle River. He came to be
one of the most wealthy of tin- Bergen settlers, and in a sense "ran the
towne." lb- was a member of the Governor's Council several years, at one
time acting Governor, member id' tin- ('(denial Assembly, a Justice for
Bergen County, ;i Captain and Major in the militia, and Commander of the
"Bergen Rangers" or train bands. In L670 In- boughl hind at Bergen,
where ho made his home. He gave lands for various purposes, especially
the land at Hackensack on which stands the " Church on the Green." He
GENEALOGICAL
101
died in New York. leaving a large family of children, among whom were
John, Mary, Samuel, Richard, Francis, and Francina. .Most of these ve-
mained in Bergen Countv, where their descendants arc still numerous.
HENRY 11. BRINKERHOFF, Jr., M.D., member of the Board of Health
and one of the leading physicians of Jersey City, was born at Rocky Hill,
Somersel County, X. -I.. on the 23d of May, L865. His ancestors were
among the earliest seniors of the State, coming originally from Holland.
" Joris Dircksen Brinckerhoef, the founder of the American branch of
this family, came from the
Count v of I> r ent, r
Drenthe, in the United
Provinces, and having lived
sonic time at Flushing, a
seaporl in Zealand, arrive. 1
in t his count rv in L638. He
settled on Staten Island.
a ail entered into a conl r;ni
with Cornelius Melyn, the
owner of the island, to re-
side there; bu1 owing to t he
murder of some neighboring
planters h\ the Indians, in
L641, he obtained a release
from the contract, August
1.-,, 1641. Then he wenl to
Long Island and settled in
l'.reokh q. lie married Su
sannah Dubbels, who died
January L6, L661." The
family settled in Bergen
< 'oiinty ;if a very early day,
and is one of the oldesl and
best known in the eastern
pari of New Jersey. In H»77
Hendrick Brinckerhoef, son
of Joris Dircksen Brincker-
hoef, purchased land on
Bergen Hill, Jersey City,
and was the ancestor of I hi
family in Hudson and Ber-
gen Counties, w Idle another
son of the original emigranl .
Abraham Brinckerhoef, is the founder of the Long island branch.
i>r. Brinkerhoffs parents were Henry II. Brinkerhoff and Elizabeth Vree-
land, daughter of Michael Vreeland. granddaughter of Michael Vreeland,
Sr.. and a great-granddaughter of Johannis Vreeland, who was the son of
.Michael Vreeland, who was the son of Cornelius Vreeland, who was the
son of Michael Jansen. The Vreeland family arrived in this country in
L636 from Holland. On his father's side Dr. Brinkerhoff is a grandson of
John V. \Y. Brinkerhoff, a great grandson of Hartman Brinkerhoff, a great-
great-grandson of Hendrick Brinkerhoff, and a great-great-great-grandson
of Hartman Brinkerhoff, whose father, Cornelius Brinckerhoff, was the
IIKXHY H. BRINKERHOFF.
102 HUDSON AMi BERGEN COUNTIES
son of Hendrick, the founder of the New Jersey branch of the family.
Dr. Brinkerhoff was educated in the public scl Is. graduating from
the High School of Jersey City in L883. Subsequently he spenl half ;i
dozen years in mercantile pursuits, and then, having decided upon medi-
cine as his life work, entered Bellevue Hospital Medical Colh ge, and after
graduating began a private pra< tice which he has since continued, and in
which he lias achieved erainenl success.
lie is one of the besl known physicians in Jersey City. He is City
Physician, member of the Jersev <"ii\ Board of Health, Visiting Physician
and Associate Surgeon of St. Francis Hospital, Treasurer of the Hudson
County .Medical Society, and prominently identified with the Home for
the Homeless and the Hospital for Contagious Diseases in Jersey City.
He enlisted as a private in Company A. Fourth Regiment, X. <:. X. J.,
November '••. L886, was promoted Corporal December 13, 1887, became
Sergeanl of his company April ::. 1888, and was commissioned Second
Lieutenanl of Company C January 15, 1894, Captain duly 2, 1894. and
Major of the Fourth Regiment in 1899, which latter position he still holds.
He is a member of Woodland Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of the Hol-
land Society of New York, of the Hudson County Medical Society, of
the New Jersey State Medical Soci< ty, and of the American Medical Asso-
ciation, and is thoroughly identified with the affairs of the city and active
and influential in promoting every worthy object. He is especially gen
erous in the encouragement of those movements which have the welfare
of the community at heart.
Dr. Brinkerhoff was married on the 28th of April, 1897, to Ella Adelaide
1 Ia\ es. of Newark. X. J.
•
RYNIER J. WORTENDYKE is descended from the same ancestor as is
Kay m oml P. Wortendyke (see sketch of latter on page !>1 1. His great-great-
grandfather, Rynier F. Wortendyke (son of Frederick Wortendyke and
Divertie Quackenbush), baptized in New York March 14. 1714. married (1)
December 10, 1746, Jannetye Peters Durie, and (2) March 2, 1752, Jannetje
Smith. With his brother Frederick, the ancestor of Raymond P., he ob
tained part of the homestead farm at Pascack. Rynier spenl his days
in farming and running a mill. His children of the fifth generation were
Frederick, Peter, Jannetje, Cornelius (1), Divertie, Cornelius (2), Rynier,
John, Jacob II.. Mary. Albert, and Aeltje.
Jacob R. Wortendyke, of the fifth generation, born May ~>. 1704. died
December 18, 1858, married December 7. 1792, Elizabeth Campbell, born
October 26, 177::. died March 20, 1862. He was a farmer and resided at
Pascack. Their children of the sixth generation were Lutische, Rynier J.,
and Elizabeth. Of these. Rynier J. (6th gen.), horn Augusl 16, 17!»:'.. died
December •".. 1884, married, January 1<». 1M V . Cornelia Haring, who died
Augusl 12, 1891. The; resided at Pascack. Their children <•! the seventh
generation were Jacob R., Peter R., Garret, and Elizabeth.
Jacob II. Wortendyke (7th gen.) was born a1 Pascack, X. .1.. November 27,
1818, and died at Jersey City, November 2, 1868. He married, June 2, 1853,
Susan J. Doremus, born Augusl '.». 1826, who now resides in Jersey City.
Jacob R. Wortendyke was graduated from Rutgers College in 1839, after
which he read law in the office and became a partner of Chancellor A. O.
Zabriskie. Alter his admission to the bar he was successful in his prac-
tice and held numerous official positions in Hudson County. He organized
ilm Jersey <'it\ Water Board and served as a member of the Riparian
GENEALOGICAL 103
Commission. In L857 he was elected to Congress from the Hudson
district and served two terms in that body. In 1.868 he was a delegate
t»> the Democratic National Convention. His children of the eighth genera-
tion were Nicholas l>.. Cornelia E., Rynier J., .Jacob (died), and Jacob R.
Rynier J. Wortendyke isth "•end, the subject of this sketch, was born in
Jersey City, N. J., August 24, L860, and has always resided there. Having
received a thorough preparatory education, he entered Rutgers College
and was graduated from thai institution with lienors in the class of L882.
lie then took up the study of law with James P>. Vredenburgh at Jersey
City, and after the usual course was admitted to the Xew Jersey bar as an
attorney in dune. L885, and as a counselor in dune. 1888. He has been
actively and successfully engaged in the general practice of his profession
in his native city. Be is a promineni member of the Presbyterian Church,
;i public spirited and patriotic citizen, a man of broad and accurate learn-
ing, and a leading factor in the affairs of the city in which he was born,
and in which he has spent his life.
Mr. Wortendyke married Miss Carolyn M. Cooley, October 11. L893, and
their children of the ninth generation are Rynier d. Wortendyke, dr.. and
Howard B. Wortendyke. Airs. Wortendyke died September 22, 1900.
JAMES B. VREDENBURGB is of Holland descent, the respectability
of which has been strengthened by intermarriage with the Coles, Schure-
inans. Van Horns. Brinckerhoffs, and oilier id' the most promineni Holland
families.
Isaac Van Vredenburgh 1 1 1. a well-to-do citizen, resident, and burgher
of the City of Hague, in Holland, had a son who bore the somewhat
elongated name of William [saacsen Van Vredenburgh (2), who. while
yet a very young man. enlisted as a soldier in the service of the Dutch
West India Company and came t<> America in May, L658, on board the good
ship " Gilded Beaver." lie s,.enis to have done military duty in and about
Xew Amsterdam for several years, during which time, on October I'd. L664,
he married Apollonia Barents, a daughter of Barenl Jacobsen Cole (Kool),
a promineni officer of the West India Company, of Amsterdam, Holland.
He continued in the military service after his marriage, being stationed
and residing with his family, part of the time, at Fori William llendrick,
and part of the time in the new fortification at Xew Orange. In 1677 he
must have left the military service, as he then, and as late as L680, was
living with his family ai Esopus, X. Y. His children were eighi in number,
the eldest of whom was Isaac Van Vredenburgh (3), baptized in Xew York,
October 1. L665, and who married March 7, 1»>!)4, Janneken Joosten, a
daughter of Joosl Carelszen, by whom he had six children. William (4),
the second of these six. baptized in New York, October 4, 1696, died Feb-
ruary 4. 177:!, married April 22, 1717. Catharina, daughter of Patrick
Schott or Scott, of Kingston. N. Y. William's children were nine, the
fourth of whom. Petrus Benedict Vredenburgh (5), born July 30, 1721,
died duly 26, 1810, married I Margarita, daughter of Jacobus Schureman,
and (2) Elizabeth Fisher. His children by his two wives were eleven in
number. He removed to New Brunswick, X. J., in 1712. One of his sons,
Petrus Mil. baptized in Xew Brunswick. X. J., August 4, 1745, died August
24. 1823, married December 17, 1772, Margarita, daughter of John Schure-
man. This Peter was for many years a prominent merchant at Xew Bruns-
wick, where he became one of the most influential men in Middlesex
County. He was County Collector of that county for forty-one years (from
>
104 BUDSOTS AXI> BERGEN COUNTIES
17m' in L823) and ;i member of the New Jersey Assembly from 1790 t<»
lT'.t.". Hi- also held many local offices, including thai <>i' Justice of the
Peace. Of his two children Petrus (7), born in New Brunswick, October
.-). 177>. removed to Somerville, X. J., where he became one of the most
prominenl physicians of the State, and where he died September L5, 1848.
Be married December 20, 1804, Maria, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Van-
derbilt) Van Dorn, who was bora April 7. 17>.*'.. and died April 2, 1855.
Petrus (7) left a large family ol children, one of whom, Peter Vredenburgh,
Jr. (8), bora ;ii Somerville, X. -I.. October .".1. 1805, entered IIui^ts College
and was graduated therefrom in 1821. He read law at Somerville and
was admitted i«» the New Jersey bar in 1829. Soon afterward he removed
to Freehold, X. J., where In- commenced the practice <>t' his profession. In
due time he was appointed Prosecutor oi the Pleas I'm- Monmouth County,
and soon after was elected to the State Legislature as a member of the
Council. Subsequently he was made an Associate Justice of the Supreme
('(Hiii df Xc\\ Jersey, which position Ik- la-Id for fourteen years from 1854.
.Many of tin- opinions which la- rendered were beautifully expressed and
are continually quoted as precedents. He married April 19, 1836, Eleanor,
daughter of Abraham and Catharine (Remsen) Brinckerhoff, bora duly l.
1815, died March 29, 1884. Judge Vredenburgh died ai Freehold, X. J.,
.Match L'4. 1873. ilis children were Peter, William II.. and James B. (9).
Of these the eldest was Major of the Fourteenth Regiment of New Jersey
Volunteers in the War of the Rebellion. He served as Inspector-General
of the Third Army Corps, mi the staff of General William II. French, and
was presenl and look part in all the battles in which his regiment wa
engaged. At the battle of Oppequan < Jreek, near Winchester, on September
19, 1864, while in command of his regiment, ho was killed while bravely
leading it in a charge.
<>n his mother's side -lames B. Vredenburgh is descended from an old
New -lersey family, the founder of whom was Joris Dircksen Brincker-
hoff, who came to America from Drenthe in the United Provinces in 1638,
settling on Staten Island and subsequently in what is now Brooklyn. His
sons subsequently sett led in Bergen and Hudson Counties.
dames B. Vredenburgh, the subject of this sketch, is of the seventh
generation from William Isaacson Van Vredenburgh, and was born ai
Freehold. X. J.,-October 1. 1844. He received his early education in Free-
hold, was graduated from Princeton University in 1st;:;, read law with
Aaron R. Throckmorton, of Freehold, and was admitted to the bar of New
dorse \ as an attorney in dune. 1866, and as ,-i counselor in June, 1869. Upon
his admission he located in Jersey City and soon came into prominence
as a lawyer of abilitv, industry, and perseverance. In 1872, when the late
Isaac W. Scudder was elected to Congress, .Mr. Vredenburgh formed a
partnership with that eminent man and thus acquired an equal share in
an extensive ami lucrative practice. This partnership continued until the
death of Hon. Isaac W. Scudder in 1881. In l 883 Mr. Vredenburgh associated
himself with Judge Abram <,}. Garretson, and the two have ever since
carried on a large and successful business, practicing in all the State
and United Si.-nes courts, the firm name being Vredenburgh & Garretson.
Mr. Vredenburgh succeeded Ids former partner, Judge Scudder, as counsel
for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and still holds that position. He
has appeared in all the important cases affecting the interests of that com-
pany and in many others of note. He served on the staff of Governor
Joseph D. Bedle with the rank of Colonel, has always taken an active
GENEALOGICAL 105
interest in public affairs, and is ;i member of the American Bar Association.
He has never soughl political preferment, yel he has discharged the duties
of the citizen with characteristic energy and is widely known as a man of
commanding influence. Be has maintained the high reputation, not only
of his father, bu1 of his ancestors, and has displayed those sterling attri-
butes and high legal qualifications which have distinguished the family
for generations.
Mr. V'redenburgh married .Miss Emily II. Van Vorst, a descendant of the
well known Van Vorst family, the founder of which was Cornells Van
Voorst, who came to this country from Holland as early as L636. Their
children are Peter, .lames. John, William. Eugene, and Eleanor.
CORNELIUS BRINKERHOFF, of Secaucus, is the son of .lames D.
and -lane (Alcorn) Brinkerhoff and a grandson of John Brinkerhoff and
Kate Bogert, and was born in West Hoboken, X. •!.. October .'11. LS59. lit'
is descended in the ninth generation from Joris Dircksen Brinckerhoef,
of the Province of Drenthe, in Holland, who left Holland and lived for a
lime in Flushing, a seaporl in New Zealand, whence he came to this conn
try in L638. Settling on Staten Island. N. Y.. he contracted with Cornelius
Melyn, the owner, to reside there; bu1 on account of the murder of some
of the planters by the Indians, in 1641, he secured a release from the con
tract and moved to Brooklyn, Long Island, lie married Susannah Dubbels,
and died January l»'». L661. Of their four children the second, Hendrick
Brinckerhoef, married Claesie, daughter of Cornelius Boomgaert, and
seii led near English Neighborhood in New Jersey. In H>77 he purchased
land on Bergen Hill, and became the founder of a numerous family in
Hudson and Bergen Counties, his children being Geertje, Margrietje, Cor-
nelius, Joris, Derrick, and Jacobus. Most of these as well as their parents
united with the Hackensack church, -lames l>. Brinkerhoff still resides
in West Hoboken, his wife having died in December, LS93.
Mr. Brinkerhoff was educated in the public schools of his native town
and spent much of his early life on the farm. Afterward he was employed
by his uncle. ( '. II. Brinkerhoff, on a tugboal in New York harbor, ami
here developed that mechanical and professional genius which he has
since displayed with so much credit and honor. Becoming an engineer
by trade, he has tilled various responsible positions, and at the present
time is superintendent of the New Jersey Trap Rock Company af Snake
Hill. X. .1. lie is also Chief Engineer of tin- Pire Department of North
Bergen Township, having been appointed to that office in August, L8 ( J8,
and having Keen a leading member of the department for about eighl
years. He is also a member of the Royal Society of Good Fellows. Mr.
Brinkerhoff inherits the sturdy mental and physical qualities of his race
a race famous for its attributes of thrift, industry, integrity, and upright-
ness of character. He has always taken a deep interest in public affairs,
has contributed materially to the growth and advancement of his county,
where his ancestors have resided for more than two centuries, and is active*
in the support of all worthy projects. His attention, however, has been
given chiefly to the duties of the different engineering positions which he
has held, and in which he has achieved marked success. He resides in
Secaucus.
September 9, 1882, Mr. Brinkerhoff married Mary Margaret Leahy.
106
HUDSON AND r.KKCKN COUNTIES
daughter of Thomas and Mary Leahy, of County Tipperary, [reland. They
have oik' daughter, Lillian May, born November L5, L883, in New Fork
City.
belongs to on<
of the inosi numerous and
members thereof having held
CORNELIUS CHRISTI1
influential families in Bergen County
numerous and important positions ol trusl and responsibility, civil and
religious, during the pasl two hundred years. Mis fust American an-
cestoi was James Christie, who emigrated to this country from Aber-
deen, Scotland. i1 is said aboul L685. bu
ih.
C(ii:\l in - CHRIS") IK.
eighl years. Bis children were Jacol
Elizabeth, James, David, and Williai
William Christie (2), the lasl named,
28, L720, died September 28, L809, ma
Demarest. Be was ;i farmer, reside
children: James, Margrietie, Magdal
Jacomina, I >avid, and Sophia.
James Christie (3), known ns " Capi
burgh, Augusl 20, 171 1, died July 3, 1
Facoi
n.
bap
rried
d at
ena,
iina. A ne
probability is thai it
w;is much later, un-
less In* was ;i boy a1
the I ime of Ids emi-
gration. Be \\<-nt to
Backensack in L703,
and from thence,
tin- same year, to
s c li r a a 1 e nburgh,
where, on the 81 h of
September, he mar-
ried M a g d a 1 e n a,
daughter of John
Demaresl (2), and be-
came the owner, by
purchase, or in right
of his wife, from the
D e m a r es1 s, of a
large farm (aboul
300 acres) just norl h
of the North ( Jhurch,
and extending from
the Tiena Kill Brook
w e s t w a r (1 to I lie
S c li r a ;i 1 e n burgh
road. His residence
was on the site re-
cently occupied hy
John H. Anderson.
< >n t his farm some <if
liis descendants have
ever since resided.
lie died in 1768, al
the advanced age of
ninety-six or ninety
ije. Lae, John, Maril ie,
tized ;it Schraalenburgh Augusl
September 20, L743, < Jatharine
Schraalenburgh, and lefl ten
Maria, Peter, John, < !ornelius,
;iin -lames.*' was born at Schraalen-
817. I Ie married Maria Mama, horn
GENEALOGICAL 107
August I, L754, died September L3, 1815. " Captain James " was a farmer
by occupation, bu1 patriotic ;in<l public spirited. Be volunteered his serv-
ices to the Continental cause in 1777, was commissioned Captain, and raised
a company of sixty-five men, with whom he served gallantly. His children
were William, John, Magdalena, .Maria. David. Peter. Eenry, and Jacomina.
David Christie (4), horn December 1. L789, died April 8, LS48, married
March 12. L814, Anna Brinkerhoff.
Cornelius Christie (5), one of their children and the subject of this sketch,
was horn in English Neighborhood mow Leonia), X. -I., December <i, 1835.
lie was graduated from Vale University in the class of 1855. After read-
ing law one year in the Harvard Law School he studied in the offices
(it Mercer Beasley, ai Trenton. N. J., and of Abraham < >. Zabriskie, at
Jersey City. No was admitted i<> the New Jersey bar in February, L860,
ami his practice since has been largely an office practice ami in con-
sultation. For many years he has served as counsel for his own township
and for the hoards of adjoining municipalities. In 1867 he was elected
to the House of Assembly in I he New Jersey Legislature, from the County
of Bergen, ami was re-elected in lsi;s. From L870 to L876 he was editor
and proprietor of the Vew Jersey Citizen, a local weekly journal. Independ-
ently Democratic, published bj him ai Hackensack. lie has been from
time to lime interested in various real estate enterprises ami in develop-
ing ami carrying them forward t<» successful issues. Among others lie
has devoted himself to the development of Leonia, the place of his life-
long residence, and was prominent in effecting its incorporation as a
borough in December, L894. lie was elected the first Mayor of the borough,
and has since held that office. By the insertion of explicit provisions in
his own deeds ami influencing others to follow his example he has been
instrumental in keeping the borough exceptionally free from nuisances
and vicious influences, and in bringing to it a peculiarly desirable popula-
tion.
THE ALLLX FAMILY of Bergen Count;? is descended from Peter Gar-
rets Van Ilalen. The name is probably derived from Eaelen or Ilaalen.
a town in Belgian Limbourg, from which place the family originally hailed.
The name has gone through several forms: Ilaelen, Ilalen, Aelen. Alen,
and Allen. Peter Van Ilalen was the sou of (ierrel Van Ilalen, of the City
of Rotterdam, in Holland, where Peter was born about L687. He came to
America in 1706 and settled in the Paramus section of Bergen County,
where, on the 11th id' August of that year, he married, at Hackensack,
Tryntie Hendricks Hopper. He purchased lauds on the west side of the
Saddle River, where he resided and reared a large family of children, whose
names were Eenry, 1707; Garret, 17))!); William, 1710; Andrew, 1712;
Maritie, 1714; Willempie, L716; Lea. 1718; Rachel, 1723; Andrew, 1725;
and John, 1727, all baptized at Hackensack. The descendants of these by
the name of Allen and Van Allen are very numerous in the western part
of Bergen Count v.
&'
THE BERTIIOLFS, who are very numerous in Bergen County, particu-
larly in the western part, are descended from (Juilliam Bertholf, who was
horn at Slavs in Flanders, and with his wife, Martina Hendricks Verwey,
came to America in 1684 and first located at Bergen in Xew Jersey, where
they joined the church, October (i. 1684, and where their son Henry was
baptized April (i, 1686. Guilliam had studied theology at Middleburgh,
108 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
Holland, and had come to Americn in the capacity of catechiser yoorleser
and schoolmaster, in these capacities he labored ;ii Bergen until L690,
when he removed to Hackensack, where the people so esteemed him thai
in L693 iIm\ smi him to Holland i<> !»<■ licensed as :i minister of the Dutch
Church. The Classis of Middleburgh, Holland, ordained and licensed him,
;iikI on liis return in L694 he accepted the pastorate of the " Church on the
Green," ;ii Hackensack, where he preached until liis death. For the firsl
fifteen years of his ministry he is said to have been the only Dutch
preacher in \e\\ Jersey. During his pastorate he had the control of all the
surrounding churches, preaching a1 Tappan, Tarrytown, Staten island,
Raritan, Pompton, Belleville, and The Ponds. He was a well-read and elo
quent man, indefatigable in his work, and organized many churches. His
issue were Sarah, Maria, and Elizabeth (all born ;ii Sluys in Flanders),
and Henry, Corynus, Jacobus, Martha, and Anna, all of whom joined the
Hackensack church. Sarah married David l». Demarest, Maria married
John Bogert, Elizabeth married John Terhune and Rolof Bogert, Henry
married Mary Terhune, Corynus married Anna Ryerson, Martha married
Allien Bogert, Jacobus married Elizabeth Van Emburgh, Anna married
Abraham Varrick. Rev. Guilliam Bertholf purchased from John Berry ;i
farm ni Hackensack, extending from the Hackensack to the Saddle River,
mi which the village of Hackensack is now partly located, and there he
died, universally respected, in L724. All his children remained in Bergen
< 'on niy. over which their descendants are thickly scattered.
JAMES SHREWSBURY ERWIN, one of the leaders of the Hudson bar
and Prosecutor of the Pleas for the County of Hudson, was born in Jersey
City, September 5, 1857. lie is the son of Matthew Erwin and Caroline A.
i( Sore) Erwin and a grandson of John Erwin, a nai ive of Ireland, who came,
a1 an early dale, to New York City, where .Mai I hew was born. On his
mother's side Mr. Erwin is a grandson of William (lore, of Deal, Kent, Eng-
land, the birthplace of both William Gore and his daughter, Caroline A.
One of Mr. Erwin's maternal uncles, William Shrewsbury, was a missionary
lo Africa in L835, while another, James Shrewsbury, for whom he was
named, was a prominenl English barrister in London. John Erwin, his
paternal grandfather, was in the War of L812, being a member of a New
York company called " McQueen's Men."
Judge Erwin received his preliminary education in Public Schools Nos.
1 and .". in Jersey City. He also attended Cooper Institute, New York, and
finished Ids studies under private tutors. Having received a thorough
training, he took up the study of law in the office ol Washington B. Will-
iams, and. in February, L881, was admitted to practice as an attorney in
his native State. In February, L884, he became a counselor. Mr. Erwin
has been actively and successfully engaged in the general practice of his
profession in Jersey City since his admission in L881, and in a large number
of importanl cases with which he has been identified he has displayed high
legal qualifications, a broad and accurate knowledge of the law, and ureal
skill and ability. He has established a reputation as a lawyer and advocate-
in 1890 Mr. Erwin represented his distrid in the General Assembly of
New Jersey, and there magnified an already high reputation. He served as
Distrid Courl Judge from January 26, L897, to February 27, 1898, when he
resigned on his acceptance of the office of Prosecutor of the Pleas of Hud-
son County. His term expires in L903. Judge Erwin is a prominent,
progressive, and public spirited citizen, a man of broad attainments, and a
GENEALOGICAL
109
member of the Union League of Jersey City, of the Minkakwa Club, of
the Royal Arcanum, of the Loyal Additional Royal Arcanum, of Bayview
Lodge, No. 146, Free and Accepted Masons, of Jersey City, and of Amity
Chapter, \<>. 31, Royal Arch Masons, of Bayonne, N. J.
November 22, L882, -Judge Erwin married Martha J. Robinson, and their
children arc Margarei •!., Martha, James R., and Hobart <!. Erwin.
WAIIXKi: W. WESTERVELT, a prominenl member of the New York
bar and a leading citizen of Woodcliff, Bergen County, N. J., is of the
seventh generation from Lubberi Lubbertsen, the emigrant (see sketch on
page 99), and was born in Spring Valley, Rockland County, N. V., on the
L3th of July, L847. Be is descended from a long line of worthy and dis-
tinguished Holland ancestors, his parents being Sylvester Westervelt and
Margarei Blauvelt, liis
grandparents dames
and Ilanna (Ten Eyck)
Westervell and Joseph
C. and Rebecca l Rem-
sen) Blauvelt, and his
great-grandparents A I
berl Westervell and
Cornelius and Bridge!
(Talman) B I a u vel t.
James Westervelt, his
grandfather, was a
private in the War of
L812. These names rep-
resent some of the
oldest and mosl promi-
• icni families in Rock-
land Count y, New
\ oik. those who have
h o i' n e them having
been conspicuous in
military, profes
and business
civil,
si o nal ,
life.
Mr.
quired
Westervelt ac-
ids educational
WARNER W\ WESTERVELT.
training at the New
York State Normal
School in A Ibany, from
which he was grad-
uated in July, L867. At
the age of twenty he
began teaching, first in
the Union Academy at
Belleville, N. Y., later
at Union Hall Academy in Jamaica, L. I., and then at the Polytechnic In-
stitute in Brooklyn, N. Y. Subsequently he taught in the Ashland Public
School at East Orange, N. J., and finally in the schools at Plainfield, N. J.
These various positions gave him a broad and valuable experience as well
as a high reputation for scholarship and ability as a teacher.
110 Hudson a.\i> r.i:i{(;i:.\ counties
Bui teaching was not to be his life work, though he had been eminently
successful, llis tastes, his ambition, and his efforts were for the law :is
;i profession. Having pursued the regular course of legal study, he w;is
admitted t«> the New York bar in May, L880, and since then has practiced
in \c\v York City with marked success, lie has built up a large and suc-
cessful clientage, and as n lawyer and advocate Ims gained a wide reputa-
tion.
Mr. Westervelt is a prominenl citizen and a member of the Reformed
Church of Pascack a1 Park Ridge, Bergen County, near where he resides,
lie is thoroughly identified with the affairs of the community. His alien
lion, however, has been devoted to his professional labors to the exclusion
of public trusts and responsibilities, which have often been urged upon
him. lie married Miss Mary A. Beach, of Orange, N. -I.. and they have six
children: Jennie II.. born in 1870; Burton B., horn in IsTl!; Mary A., horn
in L876; Margaret, born in 1878; Warner \Y.. dr.. born in L883; and
Stuart <\. horn in 1891.
ABRAHAM GARRISON DEMABEST is descended in the seventh gen-
eration from David des Marest, the French emigrant and first American
ancestor of the Demarests (see p. 64). Samuel Demaresl was horn in Ber-
gen County in L778 and removed to ••The Ponds" fin Franklin Township)
while a young man. where he settled and married Miss Maria Garretson,
a descendant of Gerret Gerrets, the Dutch emigrant and first American
progenitor of the Garretson, Garrison, and Van Wagenen families. Sam-
uel Demarest, who was a farmer, died in ls:',7. and his wife in L850. They
left several children, one of whom. Abraham Demarest. the father of
Colonel Abraham G., married Margaret Garrison, and resided at Oakland,
where their son. Colonel Abraham G., was born on the 16th of November,
1830. While the latter was st ill quite young he moved with his parents to
New York City, where he early became i mimed with the military spirit, and
at the age of twenty-two recruited a company for the now celebrated
Seventy-first Regiment, of the City of New York, then known as the
American Rifles. Organized during the "Know Nothing" movement,
this regiment was composed exclusively of American citizens.
Colonel Demarest received his first commission from Governor Horatio
Seymour in is."):;. In 1855 he was asain commissioned, by Governor Myron
II. Clark, while in ISoT he was commissioned by Governor John A. King.
In L860 he removed to Cresskill, X. d. When the civil War broke out he
recruited a company at Closter, X. J., for the Independent Battalion of the
Bergen County Brigade, and in 1862 was commissioned iis Captain by
Governor Charles S. Olden. One hundred and fifty men rendezvoused -it
Trenton under his command, becoming a part of the Twenty-second New
Jersey Volunteer Infantry. When held officers were appointed Captain
Demarest became Major, lie held this rank until January, 1st;::, when he
was commissioned Colonel. The regiment left Trenton for Washington,
September 22, L862, joined the Army of the Potomac, and thereafter partici-
pated in all the campaigns and hard fought battles ^\' t ha t army.
Colonel Demarest is a prominent member of the Military Order of the
Loyal Legion, the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Society of the
Army of the Potomac. After his return to civil life he removed from Cress-
kill to Tonally. X. J., where he has since engaged successfully in mercan-
t ile pursuits.
Colonel Demarest's first wife was Charity Ferdon, daughter of Henry
GENEALOGICAL
111
Ferdon and Prances Tallman. She died in October, 1872. Ee married (2)
Ellen Van Giesen, of Paterson, X. J. His issue by the firsi wife were Mar-
garetta, Maria Louis.-, and Edwin, and by the second wife Clifford, Amy
E., M;uion L.. and II. Le Roy.
WALTEB CHRISTIE is descended from the same American ancestor
as Cornelius Christie (see sketch on page 106), .lames Christie, of Aberdeen,
Scot land, the emigrant, who had ten children or more of (he second genera-
tion, one of whom, William (2), married Catharine Demaresl and by her
had ten or twelve children. One of these was "Captain .lames," and an-
other was Peter \Y. Christie (3), who married Belitie Westervelt, by whom
he had several children, one of
whom was Ralph P. Christie i 1 1.
born at Schraalenburgh, October
L2, lis::, died June L5, 1ST::, mar-
ried Catharine Westervelt, born
October 7. L787, died April 26,
is is. They resided .it Schraalen-
burgh and had three sons: Cor
nelius R. and Doweh, who were
apprenticed to the harnessmah
ing trade, and Peter, who w:is ap
prenticed to the trade of mason.
( Jornelius R. < Jhrisl ie (5) married
Annie < 'hristie. ( me of I heir chil-
dren was Walter ("hristie, the
subject of this sketch.
Walter < ?hris1 ie ((5) was born at
Schraalenburgh, near t he Soul h
Church, November 16, LS63, and
st ill resides on the old homestead
o f his paternal grandfal her.
Ralph < 'hrist ie, purchased by t he
latter March 31, L808, from Wierl
Banta. The locality is now known
as the Borough of Bergenfield, of
which Walter Christie is now the
.Mayor. For many years after his
purchase from Banta, Ralph
Christie conducted a tannery on the farm, and when his sons, Cornelius and
Doweh, reached the age of sixteen he apprenticed them to the harnessmak-
ing trade, which thev successfully followed until the breaking out of the
Civil War.
Walter Christie attended the public schools of his district, and succeeded
his father as a farmer, having inherited the homestead. Tie still conducts
the farm, and has, in addition, built up a thrifty real estate and insurance
business, lb- has also managed with great success a number of large and
important estates, for several of which he has acted as executor. In all
these connections Mr. Christie has gained an honorable standing as a man
of ability, integrity, and enterprise.
He has also been prominent and influential in public affairs, having
served for eight consecutive years as Collector of Taxes for the old Town-
ship of Palisade, which embraced the territory lying between the Hudson
WALTER CHRISTIE.
112 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
River on the cast and the Hackensack River on the wesl .in Bergen County.
In .Mardi. L897, he was circled Mayor of the Borough of Bergenfield, ami
served two years, declining a renomination in t899, and was succeeded by
Mr. Van Valkenburgh, the presenl Mayor. On the 15th of March, L900, he
was elected a member of the Board of < "li< >s< -n Freeholder's of Berg< n ''nun
i_v by the largest majority ever given any candidate for any office in Pali-
sade Township. Mr. Christie lias discharged every duly with satisfaction
and credit, no1 only to himself bu1 to all his constituents, and is widelj
respected and esteemed for those qualities which mark the successful man.
and for thai public spirit, methodical devotion, and genial good nature
which have characterized his life. He is a member of Lodge No. 3,63$,
Knights of Honor, of Tenafly, X. J., and a regular attendanl ai the Chris-
i ian Reformed < fhurch.
Mr. Christie married Maria Van SVagoner, daughter of John Van Wag-
oner, Jr., of Kinderkamack, now Etna, X. J.
JOHN W. HECK, who has been actively and successfully engaged in
the practice of law in Jersey City since ls~<i. was born in Trenton, X. .1..
July 27, L855, and when three years old (1859) came with his parents to
Jersey City, where his father took charge ol the oil works of I. & C.
Moore, located at the fool of Morris Street. His father died in LS65. On
the 1st of April, 1867, young Heck entered the office of the late Stephen
Billings Ransom, with whom he later began the study of law. He became a
clerk and student at law in the office of I.. X A. Zabriskie on September
28, L874, and at the November term of the New Jersey Supreme Courl in
L876 he was admitted to the bar.
After the dissolution of this firm Mr. Heck remained with Lansing
Zabriskie, the senior member, until L884, when Mr. Zabriskie retired from
practice. Mr. Heck then assumed charge of the business as Mr. Zabriskie's
attorney, and upon the hitter's death on March 29, L892, continued as the
attorney I'm- estates for which Mr. Zabriskie had been trustee. Mr. Heck's
practice has been largely in thai field of legal work.
In L884 Mr. Heck was elected a member of the New Jersey Assembly
from the Sixth Hudson District, and during his t< vm introduced the famous
citizens' charter, which was defeated by his Republican colleagues from
Jersey City. He also introduced and secured the passage of the firemen's
tenure of office act, removing the Jersey City Fire Departmenl from
politics, and re-introduced the bill providing for a bridge over the " Gap,"
on Washington Street, which, as in i former attempl to pass this bill, was
defeated, owing to the powerful influence broughl to bear againsl it. In
1885 Mr. I hek was renominated for member of Assembly, bu1 was defeated
by Hon. R. S. Hudspeth. Two years later, in l vv 7. a committee of the
Hudson County Bar Association, of which Mr. Heck was made a member,
was appointed to prepare a bill to provide proper indices in the office of
the register of deeds, and in connect ion with Spencer Weart, a fellow mem-
ber of the committee, Mr. Heck secured the passage of the law providing
for the well-known "block system." The work under this ad was per-
formed by the commission appointed by Judge Manning M. Knapp, of
which Mr. Heck was clerk, and completed in fourteen months. Hudson
County now has the host sei of indices to us land records thai exist in the
Stat--.
Mr. Heck was a charter member of the old Jersey City Athletic Club,
ami served in official capacities during the tirst six years of its existence,
GENEALOGICAL 113
and in L884 was its President. Be is a member of Amity Lodge, F. and
A. .M., of Jersey City, and of several social and fraternal orders, and a
Trustee, Secretary, and Treasurer of the Bay View Cemetery Association.
Hi- was married October, L884, to .Miss Lillian Benson, of Haverstraw,
.\. Y. They have had two children.
J. HULL BROWNING, prominenl financier and railroad president, was
born at Orange, N. -J.. December 25, L841, and is the son of John Hazzard
Browning and Elizabeth Smith illnlli Browning, both natives of New
London County, Conn. His paternal ancestor, Nathaniel Browning, came
to this country from England in L645 and settled at Warwick. R. L On the
maternal side he descends from Rev. -Joseph Hull, horn in Somersetshire,
England, in L595, who settled in Weymouth, Plymouth Colony, in Ki:;."),
and in L639 was one of the founders of Barnstable, Cape Cod, Mass. The
descendants of Rev. Joseph Null were conspicuous in the Revolutionary
War and in the War of L812, Loth in the army and navy. Colonel John
Hull, grandfather of J. Hull Browning, commanded a regimenl at the
hat t le dt Stonington, ( !onn.
.Mr. Browning was broughl to New York at the age of two years, was
educated in the puhlic schools, and was graduated from the New York
Free Academy mow the College of the City of New York). He engaged
in the wholesale clothing business in New York City with two brothers
until 1883. Upon the death of Charles G. Sisson, his wife's father, he
was left as executor of his estate, and one year later (1875) succeeded him
as President of the Northern Railroad of New . Jersey, a position which
he held till July, L897, when In- sold out his interest in that corporation.
He was left, also, as executor of his father's estate and succeeded him
as Director and later became President of the Richmond County Cas Lighl
Company. He has been prominently and successfullj connected with
numerous railroad and commercial enterprises. He improved the facilities
of the Northern Railroad of N< \\ Jersey, and lmilt some of the finest
railroad depots in the country to accommodate its business.
Although a prominenl and influential Republican, Mr. Browning ban
always refused offers of nominations for puhlic office, hut he has taken a
leading part in every movement made to advance the interests of Bergen
County and of the Town of Tonally, when- he resides. He was for some time
President of the County Republican League and is Vice-President of
Chris! Hospital in Jersey City, a charity which has profited by his business
ability and generous liberality. He was a Presidential Elector on the
Republican ticket in 1892 and L896, hut with the exception of these honors,
and local responsibilities in the Borough of Tonally he has held no offices.
Tn fSTl he married Eva B. Sisson. daughter of Charles (I. Sisson, of
Jersey City, and they have one son, J. Hull Browning, Jr.
HENRY SIMMONS WHITE was horn at Red Bank, Monmouth County.
N. J., July 13, 1S14, and is of the fifth generation of his family in this
country, the founder. Thomas White, coming over from England about
two hundred years ago. His father. Isaac Pennington White, a well known
lumber merchant, who died .January 28, 1876, was the son of Esek White
and Ann Besonet, his wife, of French Huguenot extraction; a grandson
of Thomas White. Jr.; and a great-grandson of Thomas White, Sr., the
immigrant. On the maternal side Mr. White is of English and Irish an
cestry, his mother, Adaline Simmons, being a descendant of the old Sim-
114 EUDSON AND BERGSN COUNTIES
mons family of Maryland, from which State her parents, Abraham Sim
mons ;ui(] Temperance Jones, removed to Ontario County, X. Y.. where
she was born.
.Mr. White was graduated from the ( 'ollege of Physicians and Surgeons of
New Fork i. Medic; 1 1 Departmenl of Columbia University) in L86 1, but, being
under age, did no1 receive the degree of M.D. until March, L866. He was
Acting Assistanl Surgeon in the United States Armv in the War of the
.^ - ».—■-■ <> >•■■>-,
Rebellion, enlisting in L864. Prom L865 to 1868 he practiced medicine ;ii
Red Bank, X. J. He then read law with Hon. William A. Lewis, of Jersey
City, was graduated from Columbia Law School, and in June, 1870, was
admitted to the bar of New York, in October, L872, he was admitted
to practice as an attorney at the bar of New Jersey, and in November,
INT."). as a counselor. Since L872 he has successfully practiced Ins pro-
fession in Jersey City. He was Assistanl Collector of Customs. Port of
New York, from 1878 to L882, delegate from New Jersey to the Repub-
lican National Convention at Chicago in L888, United States Attorney for
the District of New Jersey from 1890 to 1894, and at present is Chairman
of the Monmouth County Republican Committee. He is President of the
Red Bank Board of Trade, Vice President of the Navesink National Bank
of Red Bank, a Director in the Hudson County National Bank of .Jersey
City, and was at one time President of the Hudson Tunnel Railroad Com
pany. He is a member of the Union League of Jersey City and the Grand
Army of the Republic, of which he was Departmenl Commander in 1895
and 1896.
Mr. White was married, November 19, 1878, at Freehold, X. J., to Annie
II.. daughter of Judge Amzi C. McLean and a granddaughter on her
mother's side of John Hull, a Revolutionary soldier who was captured and
held a prisoner by the British. They have one child, Margaretta P.
CHARLES PITMAN BUCKLEY, Mayor of the Borough of Tenafly,
Bergen County, and a prominent member of the bar of New York City,
was born in W'esl Bloomfield, Essex County. X. J., on the 22d of December,
1834. His father. John Buckley, who became a resident of Bergen County
in 1845, was a native of Yorkshire, England, while his mother, Elizabeth
Van Gieson, was descended from Rynier Bastienstianse, a native of Giesen,
a village in North Brabant, who came to this country in 1660 and taught
the first school at Flatbush, P. P. also performing the duties of court
master, rung the bell, kept the church in order, and performed the duties of
precentor, attended to the burial of the dead, etc.. for a salary of 200
florins, exclusive of perquisites. He removed to Bergen, X. .P. where he
and Ids sons Garret, Isaac George, and Rynier boughl land and later pur-
chased and settled on lands north and northeast of Hackensack in Bergen
County. Isaac died in 1703 and a son. Jacob, died in 1704.
Mr. Bucklej received his education in the public schools of New York
City and Bergen County, X'. J., and subsequently took up t he study of law,
being admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court in New York City at the
October term in 1858. Entering at once upon the active practice of his
profession in Xew York, he was in partnership with William G. Wheelrighl
until 1862, and afterward with .lesse C. Smith ami John S. Woodward
under the firm names of Smith A: Woodward, Smith. Woodward X' Buckley,
and Woodward X Buckley. Since January P 1891, he has been associated
with William \Y. Buckley under the firm name of ( '. p. & \\ . \\. Buckley.
In 1873 he was appointed master in chancery by Chancellor Runyon.
GENEALOGICAL 115
Mr. Buckley has resided in Tonally since L865. Upon the formation of
Palisade Township in L870, and thereafter for aboul ten years, he took an
active part in political matters, attending all the State and county con-
tentions, at the same time declining all nominations for office. In March,
L899, however, he became Mayor of the borough. He is n member of the
Lawyers' Club and of the New York Athletic Club, of NVw York City, and
of the Long Beach Club, of Barnegat, and the Tenafly Club, of Tonally, X. .1.
Mr. Buckley was married in New York City, in L857, to Ella Augusta Mix,
who died in 1884, leaving four children: William \Y. Buckley, a graduate
of Columbia College, Now York City; Thomas .!. Buckley, a graduate of
Stevens Institute. Hoboken, X. .1.; and two daughters.
WILLIAM JAMES TILLEY, pastor of the Protestanl Episcopal Church,
in Harrison, Hudson County, was born in Bristol, R. I., on the L6th of Sep-
tember, L815. He is the «>u of Benjamin Tilley and Susan \Y. Easterbrooks,
a grandson of Benjamin Tilley and Rachel Simmons, a great-grandson of
William Tilley and Catherine Sabine, and a greal greal grandson of Will-
iam Tilley. dr.. and Dor, as. his wife. William Tilley, Jr., was horn in
Exeter, England, aboul L685. He came to Boston, Mass.. where he mar-
ried his wife. Dorcas, in 17."><i. and subsequently went to Newport R. I., and
established himself in business. From that early colonial period until the
presenl the family has been conspicuous in civil and public affairs, and
respected in the communities in which they resided. The name Tilley is
firsl found on tin roll of the companions of William the Conqueror in
England, in L066, and since that dale it is found in every county in Eng-
land, fiance, and Holland, and in L620 in America. The coal of arms of
the Tilleys of Prance is the same as of the family of England today. The
first of the mime in America were Edward and John Tilley, who came over
in the •" Mayflower," and whose names are on the Plymouth monument.
Mr. Tilley is ;i brother of Benjamin F. Tilley. Commander in the United
States Navy, who was in command of the United Stales gunboat, "New
port," of the blockading squadron during tin- late Spanish-American War,
and who in that capacity captured numerous prizes and distinguished him-
self for bravery, patriotism, and loyalty to duly.
Rev. William dames Tilh-y was educated in the schools of his native town
and at North Yarmouth Academy, near Portland, Me. He also took a spe-
cial course of classical study under the direction of Dr. Leonard Bacon, of
Yale University, and under Dr. McClintock, and was graduated from Drew
Theological Seminary in 1871, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Divinity.
In the meantime he had spent three years in the Treasury Department at
Washington.
After graduating from Drew Theological Seminary he was successively
pastor of charges at Sand Lake. X. Y.. Dalton, Mass., Troy, N. Y., and
Brandon, \'t., in which State he remained about ten years. In 1880 he
took a special course in divinity under the direction of Bishop Bissell, of
Vermont, and entered the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church,
with which lie has ever since been actively connected. He was called to
Amherst, Mass., in 1888, and remained there about five years, being called
from there January 1, 1893, to Newark (Harrison), N. J., where he still
resides. He has built the Harrison church up to its present flourishing
condition.
Rev. Mr. Tilley has achieved notable distinction in the priesthood, and
during his twenty years with the Protestant Episcopal Church has exerted
116
Iin>S<).\ AND BERGEN COUNTIES
a wholesome influence in advancing its doctrines throughout the com-
munities in which he has held rectorships. Endowed with intellectual abil-
ity of the highesl order, he is an eloquenl speaker, forcible ;in<l convincing
in his arguments, simple and concise in diction, and beloved and esteemed
by all who know him. He 1ms also gained distinction in literature, having
contributed a Dumber of important articles to various magazines and
periodicals. His poems in the New York Independent and other journals
have been favorably received. !!<• \\;is awarded the second prize <>m <>f
four hundred competitors by judges appointed by The Great Divide for
a poem <>n Colorado, and is also the author oi n volume entitled Masters
of the Situation, which lias Keen issued in both trade and subscription
editions. Mr. Tilley married Katharine J. Travis, <d' Cohoes, Albany
Countv, X. Y.
GENEALOGICAL 117
KDW IN MANNERS, A.M., LL.B., is the son of the late Hon. David Stout
.Manners and Deborah Philips Johnes, and was born in Jersey City, N. J.,
on the 6th of .March, L855. His father was for several terms Mayor of
Jersey City and universally esteemed and respected as one of its best ex-
ecutives and citizens. Be is a grandson of David Manners, a great-grand-
son of John Manners, and a great-great-grandson of John Manners, Sr.,
of Yorkshire, England, who was born in KITS, emigrated to America about
170)1. and married Rebecca Stout, of Middletown, X. .1., a granddaughter of
Kit-hard and Penelope Van Princess Stout, of interesting memory, and the
first in America.. John Manners, Si-., smiled at Upper Freehold, N. J., but
afterward moved to Amwell, Hunterdon County, in this State, where he
died in 177(1. The American branch is connected with the noble family of
Manners in England, which traces its distinguished lineage back to the
time of William the Conqueror, and indeed is of Norman origin.
(>n his mot hoi's side Edwin Manners is a grandson of David Johnes, a
great-grandson of David Johnes, Sr., a great-great-grandson of Stephen
Johnes, and a greal greal great-grandson of Samuel Johnes, dr., who was
the son of Samuel Johnes, Sr.. whose father. Edward Johnes, of Somerset,
England, came to Charlestown (Boston), Mass., with Governor Winthrop
in Hi-">(»; ho later was one of the founders of Southampton, Long Island,
and died there in L659. Edward married Anne, daughter of George
and Alice Griggs, natives of Dinder. The Johnes family in the United
States may be distantly related to that of Dolan Cothi, in Wales, which
traces to Godebog, King of Britain, but is directly descended from the
Johnes family of County Berks, County Salop, and London and Somerset,
England, the branches living in those counties and also in Bristol all
proceeding from the same original stock. Sir Francis Johnes was Lord
Mayor of London in L620. fid win Manners's great-grandfather, John
Schenck, was a Captain in the Revolutionary War, took an active part in
the principal battles in the Slate, ami by a well-planned ambuscade pre-
vented the British troops from overrunning Hunterdon County. His
grandfather, David Manners, who married Captain Schenck's daughter
Marv, was an officer in the War of lsii'. and won honorable mention in
several important engagements. On the maternal side Mr. Manners's
great-great-grandfather, Stephen Johnes, married Grace Fit/- Randolph,
whose brother Nathaniel gave to Princeton the land upon which Nassau
Hall is erected, and his great-grandfather, David Johnes, was a Major in
the Revolution and rendered efficient service in establishing American
independence.
Edwin Manners early displayed unusual intellectual abilities, and in pre-
paratory school and college won prizes for composition and select and
original speaking which distinguished him as a scholar. From his earliest
school days he exhibited a disposition for the world of letters. While a
student at Hasbrouck Institute, Jersey City, he was connected with the
(Jiiill. a school paper, and while pursuing his studies at Sing Sing-on-the-
Hudson was the editor of the Mount Pleasant Reveille, the organ of the Mount
Pleasant cadets. During his senior year at Princeton University, from
which he was graduated Bachelor of Arts in 1S77, he was one of the editors
of the Nassau Literary Magazine, and on class day delivered to the dis-
tinguished class of 1S77 a characteristic presentation address. Princeton
conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts in 1880.
After leaving college Mr. Manners began the study of law with Collins
& Corbin, of Jersey City, and at the same time took a course at the Co-
118 III DSON A\l> BERGEN COUNTIES
liitiiliin Law School in New York City, graduating from thai institution
with the degree of LL.B. in 1879. In November, L880, he was admitted to
the bar, and since then lie has been actively and successfully engaged in the
practice of his profession in his native city. Although interested in mu-
nicipal matters and politics, he has declined offers of political preferment.
A large portion of his time is taken up with the care and managemenl of
his own property and business affairs.
.Mr. Manners has ably assisted those who have procured for Jersey <ii.\
an improved water supply and other public improvements. Greater Jer-
sey <*it\ has also claimed Mr. Manners's attention, and received his favor-
able comment. Many advantages are to he gained in bringing the various
municipalities of Hudson County under one name and government. This
unity of developmenl in particular is much to be desired. Willi the exten-
sion of rapid transil facilities the last of apparenl excuses for delaying
consolidation has disappeared, and ii would seem a needless expense to
keep up separate charters in contiguous towns.
\s a landlord Mr. .Manners is liked by his tenants, and their praise is in
evidence of his liberality and forbearance. He is a member of the Hudson
County Bar Association, the University and Palma <'lnl>s of Jersey City,
the Princeton Club of New York City, the Sons of the American Revolution,
and other societies. Of literary aptitude, he writes occasionally for news-
papers and magazines. He is unmarried.
PETEB E. MOORE, merchant. Borough Collector, and since ls-TT Post
master of Schraalenburgh, Bergen County, X. -I.. was born in New York
Cits <»n the LSth of October. 1842. He is the son of Peter D. and Elizabeth
(Voorhis) Moore, his mother being of Holland Dutch descent. Samuel
Moore ami his wife Naomi emigrated to America from the Island of Barba
does. \Y. P. in L671-72. Barbadoes was then under the control of England,
and both Samuel and his wife were English people. They landed and
located at Boston, where their son. Francis Moore, was born about 1<>74.
Francis Moore came to New York and from thence in L69C to Bergen
County (English Neighborhood), where he married Jannetje Laurens,
daughter of Thomas Laurens, of Newtown, L. I. They eventually settled
:it English Neighborhood (near Ridgefield), in Bergen County, where some
of their descendants have ever since lived. He had several children, the
youngesl of whom was Samuel, who married Sara (Michaels) Smith, an-
other el the original settlers in Ridgefield Township. From this couple
have sprung mosl of the Moores in Bergen County.
Peter E. Moore was educated in the public schools of Bergen County,
whither his parents removed from New York Citv when he was a mere boy.
i *
He htt school at about the age of seventeen and went to work on his
father's farm, and in the active and healthful duties of an agriculturisl
continued until he was thirty. This period was one of constant usefulness.
He laid the foundation of a sturdy physique, acquired habits which insured
success, ami gained a reputation for industry, enterprise, and integrity.
P.ui farming was not destined to be his life work. In L873 he engaged in
the grocerj business in Schraalenburgh, which he has ever since followed.
building up a large ami successful trade. He has been for main years
one of the principal merchants in thai village. In )s77 he was appointed
Postmaster of Schraalenburgh, ami by successive re-appointments has con-
tinued to hold thai important position. Mr. Moore is also Collector of the
borough, having held that office since L895. He is a regular attendant al
GENEALOGICAL 119
the Dutch Reformed Church of Schraalenburgh, and in every capacity has
distinguished himself for ability, sound common sense, enterprise, and pub-
lic spirit.
Mi. Moore married Miss Charlotte Christie, and has had five children —
i luce sons and t wo daughters.
AI'.KAM I. AURYANSEN, of Hackensack, whose career as a locomotive
engineer dates from L852, is the son of John and Elizabeth (Auryansen)
\ iiryansoii, and was horn in Closter, Bergen County, N. J., April 5, 1822.
His ti rst American ancestor was Lambert Arianse, who came from Holland
to America in M^- and became one of the original patentees of the Tappan
patent. Most of liis descendants adopted the name of Smith and are scat-
tered principally throughout Rockland County, X. Y. Lambert Arianse (or
Auryansen) married in New York, in April, 1682, Margaretta (lerrets Blaw-
vell. a_dauijhl»-r of another of the Tappan patentees, and resided in Rock-
land County. Two of his 3ons, John and Arie (Aaron), who married re-
spectively Margaretta Meyers and Cornelia Naugle, settled near Closter,
Bergen County, X. J. The subjeel of tins sketch is descended from Arie
(Aaron) Auryansen and Cornelia Naugle, who liad children John, Resolvent,
\ iiiiiiie. Garret, Ann. and Maria. Mr. Auryansen's paternal grandparents
were Daniel and Tiny (Cole) A uryansen, Daniel being a son of .John Auryan-
sen. His maternal grandparents were Garretl and Elleanor |Yan Valen)
Auryansen and liis great great grandfather Aaron Auryansen. above men-
tioned.
Mr. Auryansen received liis educational training in the public schools of
Harrington Township in Bergen County, and in hard work and study de-
veloped those traits which have marked his long and honorable career. As
a boy he exhibited unusual mechanical genius and a strong inclination for
thai line of industry, and leaving school at the age of seventeen began
to learn the trade of blacksmith. In L843 he engaged in this business for
himself and followed it with great success for eight years, leaving it in 1851
to acce] i a position as fireman on the Erie Railroad. In 1852 he was pro-
moted to locomotive engineer, and in this capacity has ever since been in
active service. He is one of the oldest and best known engineers on the
Erie system, his career on that road covering a period of forty eight years.
His profession has always been of a nature which precluded his entrance
into public and political life, yet he has from the first taken a deep interest
in local matters, and in Hackensack. where he has so long resided, he has
exerted no small influence upon the general welfare. As a member of the
Dutch Reformed Church he has been active in the support of those move-
ments which benefit a town and its people. He is a loyal, public spirited
citizen, a firm friend, and a man of unswerving integrity.
Mr. Auryansen married Cornelia Haring, whose ancestors were also early
residents of Bergen County. They have four children: John, Maria, Ellen,
and Eliza.
ROBERT LINN LAWRENCE, one of the prominent members of the
bar of Jersey City, was born in Sparta, Sussex County, N. J., October 4,
L851. He is the son of Thomas and Margaret Rembert (Taylor) Lawrence
and a great-grandson of Thomas Lawrence, of "Morrisvale," Sussex County,
who was appointed .Judge of the Sussex County Court of Common Pleas
in February, lxiil. His great great-grandfather, Lewis Morris, was one
of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence and Judge of the Court
120 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
of Admiralty from L760 i<> 1876, and the son of Lewis Morris, Sr., who was
Judge of the Courl of Admiralty in l~:;s. having jurisdiction in the Prov-
inces of New Y<>rk. New Jersey, and Connecticut. Lewis Morris, the father
of Judge Lewis Morris, Si .. Ias1 named, was < rovernor of X<-\\ Jersey, Judge
of the Courl of Common Pleas in L692, and Chief Justice of the Supreme
Courl of New York from 171.", to 17.".::.
Robert L. Lawrence thus numbers among his ancestors sonic of the
mosl distinguished men in tin- professional history of New Jersey and
New York, and at an early age developed those sterling qualities which
characterize his race. Be was graduated from Princeton College in the
class of 1873, with honors, and afterward read law with Thomas Anderson,
of Newton, N. J., being admitted to the bar of the State as an attorney in
November, 1 s 7<i. and as a counselor in June, 1885. Since L876 Mr. Lawrence
has been actively and successfully engaged in the practice of his profession
in Jersey City, where he steadily rose to prominence among the members
of the Hudson County bar. Endowed with broad intellectual qualifications,
with superior judgmenl and greal energy, he lias through his own efforts
achieved distinction as an aide industrious, and painstaking lawyer, and
is highly esteemed and respected by all who know him. He was associated
with Stewarl Rapalje in conducting tin- Criminal Laic Magazine from the
commencemenl of the work until L883 and in the preparation of thai valua-
ble and well known work entitled Rapaljt and Lawrence's Law Dictionary.
Those enterprises as well as a number of other important achievements
in ih. held of legal literature have gained for him a wide reputation in
Wei h legal and literary circles.
Mr. Lawreme was married on the L8th of December, 1893, to Lillian M.
Fisher, daughter of the hire John H. Fisher and Jeannette P. (Walters)
Fisher, of Jersey City, N. J., where they reside.
JOSEPH CHILD, Streel Commissioner of the 'hewn ,,f Kearny, N. J.,
is the son of George and Bridgel (Noon) Child, and was born in Bradford,
Yorkshire, England, on the 26th of September, 1S49. The family is an old
one in both England and America, and is descended from three brothers
who figure conspicuously in the early shipbuilding interests of the English
nation, and who received titles for their activity in both industrial and pub-
lic affairs. Mr. Child's parents wer< both born and married in England,
and spenl th< ir active lives in thai country. There he received an excelh m
private school education, and after completing his studies he engaged in the
business of brick contracting, which he followed successfully until L873,
when he came to America. Locating tirst in New York City, he soon
mastered and for some time followed the trade ol iron moulder. In
1884 he removed to Kearny, Hudson County, N. J., where he still resides.
Here he resumed his trade for a few years and then engaged in the meal
business for himself. He followed thai line with marked success until he
was obliged to abandon i1 in order to devote all his energies to the public
positions which his fellow-citizens conferred upon him.
\- a stanch and consistenl Republican Mr. Child has taken an active
interesl in the a Hairs of his adopted town, and for several years has wielded
an importanl influence in party councils and municipal matters. He has
served as Water Purveyor and Streel Commissioner of the Borough of
Kearny with greal satisfaction and still holds these positions. He is an
active member of the Exempl Fire Departmenl <d' Kearny and has held
the positions of Foreman and Assistant Foreman. He is a member of the
GENEALOGICAL 121
Methodisi Episcopal Church, ;i prominenl member of Victory Lodge,
Knights and Ladies of the Golden Star, of Arlington, public spirited, patri-
otic, and enterprising, thoroughly interested in the affairs <>t' the com
munity, and highly respected as ;i liberal and energetic citizen. His integ-
rity of character, his faithfulness in all business relations, and the close at-
tention whirl: he has given to public duties have broughl him into more
than local prominence, and stamp him as a man of the highesl attributes.
Though born and reared in England, he is descended from ancestors who
came to America during the early history of the colonies and fought with
distinction in the Revolutionary War.
Mr. Child was married first to .Mail ha Ann Berry, daughter of William
and Sarah (Greaves) Berry, of Oldham, England. She died leaving two
children. William and Matthew, lb' married for his second wife. Eva
(Jilbert (nee Revere), daughter <>f Judge Revere, of Harrison, N. -I. She
died January -'■'>. is!)!). For his third wife he married .Mis. Annie Eastwood.
of Kearny. X. -I.. where they reside.
PETER BENTLEY, Sn. : was one of the most illustrious members of the
bar ot the State of New Jersey, and was (peculiarly identified with Jersey
City as one of t wo or three lawyers who tirsl practiced in t hat municipality.
Mr. Bentley was the son of Christopher and Eleanor (Althouse) Bentley, of
English descenl upon his father's side. I lis mother's family was one of the
ancient Holland stocks of New Amsterdam. Their sen was born in LS05
upon a farm in the village of Half Moon. Saratoga County. X. Y.
Young Bent ley's services were required upou the farm during the sum
mer season, and he enjoyed only such educational facilities as the crude
disirict schools of that pioneer country afforded. The very excellent edu-
cation, classical as well as English, which he enjoyed during life was
wholly the result of his own application in reading and study. In L825,
after twenty years spenl upon t he farm, he came to Jersey City and entered
the employ of Yates & Mclntyre, who conducted a species of printing busi-
Hess. He remained with them for live years, and during this time de-
termined to adopt the more ambitious profession of a lawyer, which had
been his desire from early boyhood. Thus early in L830 he entered the law
office of Samuel Cassedy, whose practice extended throughout the old
County of Bergen, from Rockland County in New York to Kill von Kull.
Mr. Bentley read law assiduously, and was soon practicing with unusual
success in the justices' courts, lie gained the confidence of the old Dutch
farmers of Bergeu County, and became in a special sense their lawyer. He
was admitted to the bar of New Jersey at the May term of the Supreme
Court in L834, and in the September term of is:!!) was admitted as a coun-
selor, with the full privilege of practice in all the higher courts of the
State. But in 1s:::;. a year previous to his admission even to ordinary prac-
tice, we find him holding the office of City Clerk, or " Clerk of the Board of
Select Men of .Jersey City." as the title reads, in the rising young munici-
pality which lie had chosen as the scene of his life's work. Nothing could
bear more striking testimony than this fact to the universal confidence and
esteem which he inspired. Later on. as a full-fledged lawyer, he became
the attorney of the selectmen of Jersey City, and represented them in 1842
in the celebrated case of the selectmen against Dummer, in which he
triumphantly established the doctrine of dedication by maps.
In 1843 Mr. Bentley was elected to the office of Mayor of Jersey City.
which, as has been well said. " was not so much a matter of party success
122
HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
;is an expression <»t' confidence and good will among neighbors." During
i his same year 1 1843) was inaugurated the famous case in which Mr. Bentley
maintained the righl of .Mrs. Bell t<> lands under water, <>n the western
shore <»!' the Eludson River, which had descended to her by will and been
re-affirmed by an ad of the New Jersey Legislature. This controversy was
carried from courl i<» court, and contested in all the higher courts in the
State during the greater pari of a quarter of a. century, when .Mr. Bentley
finally triumphed, i<> I hi greal surprise of those who had prophesied failure.
^^^t/ ~~~^^z*^o<££Z£^^
This case well illustrates the persistence which was so characteristic a
feature and such an importanl elemenl of his success in all his cases
1 hroughoul his life.
.Mi-. Bentlej also contributed largely toward the commercial upbuilding
oi Jersey City. Finding the banking facilities wholly inadequate to the
needs of the growing city, and having the lull confidence of capitalists, in
L853 he organized tin- Mechanics" and Traders' Bank and became its Presi-
dent. In this position he manifested remarkable business abilities, and to
his persona] efforts tin institution is principally indebted lor its prosperity.
GENEALOGICAL 123
Be also became a prominent Trustee of the Providenl Institution for
Savings in Jersey City, and continued as its legal adviser until his death.
Similarly, he was Vice-Presiden1 of the Savings Bank of Jersey City, a
Director and at one time Treasurer of the <!as Company, and Treasurer of
the Jersey City and Bergen Plank Road Company. Beginning with an ex-
tensive purchase of land in L854, he was also a pioneer in the development
of real estate interests on the western slope of Bergen Hill. Here he built
the elegant mansion which still remains the home of his wife. The activity
he manifested outside the strict lines of his profession, as shown in these
various enterprises, gives us good evidence not only of his unusual business
abilities, hut of the ureal confidence which was reposed in him by shrewd
business men en every hand.
" Peter Bentley," says Jacob Wean. Esq., of Jersey City, " was one of the
active men who laid the foundations and who helped to plan our municipal
corporations, and draft our laws and charters, upon which the institutions
of this great county have been reared." Mr. Bentley also interested himself
in the cause of his fellow-citizens to prevent municipal extravagance and
unjust and wasteful tax extortion. Finding thai the accumulations of un-
paid taxes of many years had imposed burdens upon millions of dollars
worth of property which wen- absolutely unjust and unendurable to the
1 »m per t \ holders, be conceived the idea oi a com mission composed of leading
citizens which should readjust these burdens upon an equitable basis, ad
vantageous to the suffering citizens and the city treasury alike. Accord
ingly, in ls7:'». he broughl his plan before the consideration of the Legis-
lature, and had the pleasure of se< ing it enacted into law. Under its pro-
visions a com mission was appointed with Judge tiaines, an ex-< rovernor and
ex-Justice of the Supreme Court, at its head. The work accomplished by
this commission has been simply invaluable to Jersey t'ity, and has satis
factorily solved the s1 formidable problem which ever threatened the
welfare of the municipality. The accomplishment of this plan of relief
was the last ureal service which Mr. Bentley rendered to his fellow-citizens
ere he passed away, on the 26th of September, L875.
lie was a rate gentleman, peculiarly attached to his wife and children,
most gracious and hospitable in his home, sincere and earnest in his re-
ligious faith, and so honest and honorable in all the affairs of life that the
faintest breath was never raised to question his perfect integrity.
on the L3th of October, L842, Mr. Bentley was married to Miss Margaret
E. Holmes, of Jersey City, the descendant of an ancient English family.
Highly cultivated, and of the most kindly disposition, she was the devoted
companion of Mr. Bentley, and was a source of strengtli and inspiration to
him until the day of his death. She still survives him, as she does also her
son. Peter Bentley, Second, and holds their memory in reverent affection.
In addition to this sen. a sketch of whose life is also given here, they were
blessed with but one other child, a daughter.
PETER BENTLEY. Second, the only son of the subject of the previous
sketch and the heir of all his hopes, succeeded his father in the respect and
affection of the community, just as he succeeded him in his legal practice
and other business affairs. Never was a father more wrapped up in a son,
and never did a son respond more perfectly to the high ideal of his father,
lie was born in Jersey City on the 5th of December, 1845, and received
his education entirely at home and in his father's law office. As a boy he
124
IirHSdX A XI) BEItCEX COUNTIES
manifested ;i most amiable disposition, and was much given to serious
reading— the thorough investigation <>f historical questions, and peculiarly
<>!' everything concerning his father's ;i Ffairs and importanl law cases. 'I 1 lie
Rev. Van ('leek was ili<" boy's tutor, and he grounded him in a mosi
thorough education. When ;i boy, during his summer vacations and <>n
Saturdays, In- used i<> accompany his father in his office, and there <'<>]p.\
/
papers and entertain himself with various law authorities. Mis father en-
couraged him in think thai he was thus <>r greal assistance, and presently,
indeed, he was enabled in copy briefs and make citations, He, with a skill
which was of real service.
As his general education was finished, and he began i«> study law in
earnest, a room in his father's office was especially fitted up for his use.
and here he mastered the intricacies of legal hue and prepared himself for
GENEALOGICAL 125
the examination which must precede his admission i<> the bar. It has been
said thai the hopes of the lather were completely wrapped up in the sou.
The desire of the former thai the 3'oung man should do well in the examina-
tions was so greal that, as the ordeal approached, his anxiety quite un-
nerved him, and he was obliged to absenl himself during the examination.
I n 1 his suspense his relief can be imagined when a neighbor brought him the
news of the result, remarking with a laugh, "You need not have felt
anxious, Bentley, for your son has carried off the honors, with the highest
standing in the entire class of thirty candidates who took the examination."
And such indeed was the fact. Immediately upon his son's admission to
the bar, the elder Mr. Bentley formally turned over his office to him,
placed all his affairs in his hands, ami gave him the full revenues of their
joint practice. Tims gradually the elder lawyer withdrew from active
practice, devoting his energies in other directions, until the full burden of
Ids extensive legal business was fully set t led upon his son's shoulders.
Nor was the latter in any way unworthy to take his father's [dace. lie
maintained the same relative position in the community as his father, dis-
played similar abilities and the same unimpeachable integrity, and inspired
everywhere the same widespread confidence and respect. He frequently
championed the cause of his fellow citizens, as his father had done. For
example, he was the successful counsel in proceedings whereby the unjust
water rents on vacant properly, and upon property where the water privi-
leges were not used, were set aside and made inoperative, with thus a great
saving effected to t he taxpayers. Again, at the time of his death, he was the
representative of the citizens in proceedings instituted to set aside the
whole tax levy on the ground of gross inequality in its assessment. But his
practice was most remarkable for his handling of commercial entangle-
ments and the adjustment of the affairs of greal corporate enterprises, lie
manifested greal ability in settling disputes, and thus keeping them out
of tin- courts, lie was the counsel for the Standard Oil Company, one of
the leading counsel of the Lehigh \ 'allev Railroad Company, and counsel for
the Barber Asphalt Company, of New York City, and the Provident Insti-
tution for Savings and the Consumers <ms Company, of Jersey city. He
also rendered important legal services to the Pennsylvania Railroad
< Jompany.
Mr. Bentley was a man of remarkable powers of memory. He kept the
most minute details of all of his cases in his mind, and could lay his finger
on any given fuel at any time. After his father's death he, in 1.875, formed
a legal partnership with Charles EL Hartshorne, under the firm name of
Bentley & Hartshorne. This endured until .January 1, 1886, when Mr.
Hartshorne was obliged to withdraw on account of ill health. From this
time until his own death Mr. Bentley practiced alone. This sad event oc-
curred on the 30th of April. 1888, when he was in the prime of life, and it
was considered a public calamity by the whole community. He was never
strong in constitution, yet did not himself realize this fact, and often worked
beyond his strength. He was of a refined, sensitive, and sympathetic na-
ture, benevolent and whole-hearted like his father, and as deeply attached
to his own family.
November 30, 1869, Mr. Bentley married Miss Emma Parker, of Jersey
city, daughter of Captain Robert Parker, who was the owner of Watts
Island, in Chesapeake Bay. where he died and was buried. This island has
been the old family patrimony for many generations, since its first occupa-
tion in early colonial days. Their children were Eleanor, born July 13,
12(i
nrnsiiN ami i v i : u< ; 1 :x counties
1 s 7 1 . now the wife of Warren H. I >i xon, son of Judge Dixon, of Jersey City;
Emily, born December 5, L872, now Mrs. Joseph M. Rector; Peter Bentley,
third, born February «'». L874; Richard Parker Bentley, born September 25,
1st.".: John, bom June L6. L879; Eugenie, born December 23, 1881; and
Parker, boi n June L6, L884.
PETEB BENTLEY, Third, eldesl son of Peter Bentley, Second, and Emma
(Parker) Bentley, was born in Jersey City on the 6th of February, L874.
He pursued Ins studios at Princeton College for a time and subsequently
read law with Warren Dixon. He was admitted to the bar of New Jersey
PETER BENTLEY, 3d.
before the Supreme Courl November 27, is!).~i. and since then has been
actively and successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in
Jersey City. Mr. Bentley has displayed marked legal qualifications, and
though a young man lias already gained distinction as a lawyer and advo-
cate. He is prominent l\ identified with public alia its and respected and es-
teemed hv all who know him.
THE BLACKLEDGES of Bergen County are descended from John
Blackleach, of Boston, and his second wife. Elizabeth (daughter of Ben-
jamin Herbert). One of their three children, Philip Blackledge, came, it
GENEALOGICAL 127
is said, from Wethersfield, Conn., to New York, in 1709, and on November
20, 1710. married Willempie ' Jonwell, born in England in 1680.
Philip Blackledge removed from New York to Elizabethtown, X. J., early
in \T-->. and there remained until his death in 1761. His will was proved
and recorded at Trenton, N". J., July 11, 1761. He was a man of some means
and wrote the title " Gentleman " after Ids name. By Ids will lie gave Ids
children each five shillings and Hie balance of Ids estate, lands and monev,
folds wife absolutely. His issue were eiglri children, four baptized a1 New
York and four ai Elizabethtown, X. J.: Annatie, 1713; Philip, 1716;
Zacharias, 1718; Philip, 1720; Catharine, 1730; Jacob, 17:'.."); Sarah, 1740;
and Benjamin.
Benjamin Blackledge (2) was born ai Elizabethtown, X T . J., August 2f>,
171*'.. While slill a young man ho went on foot from Elizabethtown to
Closter and taugh! school there, the firsi one in the northern part of Ber-
gen County. Here ho married, April L'o, 1770. Cathelyntie Tallman. He
became the most prominent man in the northern part of Bergen County,
was the Mist Town Clerk of Harrington Township in 177o. a Justice of the
Peace, a Judge of the Comity Couni of Common Picas, and tilled other
township and county offices. lie was a splendid penman, of which fad
hundreds of old deeds and other documents still extant hear witness. TTe
died at Closter, November 27, 1815, and Ids wife died October 5, 1836. TTis
issue were Benjamin, 1770; Maria, 1 77*_' : Cornelius, 1774; Sarah. 1776;
Jacobus, 177!»; Peter. 1782; Henry, L784; Jacob, I7^i; and Elizabeth, 1788.
These married as follows: Benjamin, Deborah Westervell and LeaPowless;
Maria. Daniel Van Sciver; Cornelius, Rachel Tow less: Sarah, Seba P.
Bogert; Peter, Elizabeth 1). Naugle; Henry. Catharine Manning; and
Elizabeth, Cornelius Van Valen. Their descendants are slid numerous
throughout Bergen ( '< >u n t \ .
THE BLANCHES of Bergen County are descended from Richard Blanch,
a uative of Bristol, England, where he was born in 1704. He came to
America prior to 1732, and settled near Closter in Bergen County. Tn
17.".:'. he married ('lassie Van Giesen, of New York. He owned lands in
what was then called the "Closter Mountains," on the Palisades of the
Hudson, lie died September 0. 1707. TTis issue were Ann. 1734; Isaac,
17:'.0; Thomas: and Cornelia, 171.",. of these Ann married John Blawvelt,
of Tappan. Isaac married Geertje Johns Haring. Cornelia married David
Smith. All of Richard Blanch's children settled at Tappan and in the
upper part of Bergen County. The issue of Isaac Blanch were Isaac,
.Martina. Richard, Abram, Thomas. John Henry, and (lassie.
Thomas Blanch (2) was one of the most prominent men in Bergen County
in his day. He was a magistrate and held other township and county
offices. He raised and was ( 'aptaiu of a company of volunteers from Bergen
County during the Revolutionary struggle. He was born near Closter in
1710. and died June ::, 1825. He married, in 4 701, Erne Johns Mabie, of
Tappan, who was born in 1741. and died August 28, 1825. Their issue
were thirteen children: Elizabeth, 1762; Classie, 1763; Ann, 1705; Rieh-
ard, 1700; Susanna. 1769; John. 1770; Thomas, 1<74; Isaac, 1776; Eliza-
beth, 1770. and Cornelia, 1779 (twins); Effie, 1783; and Lea, 1786, and
Rachel, 1786 (twins). The descendants of these are scattered over Bergen
County, particularly the northern part.
128
mitSo.X A XI > BERGEN COUNTIES
.MAKKIIAM E. STAPLES, of Jersey City, President of the New Jersey
State Board of Prison [nspectors, was born in New York City on the loth
of December, L850. lb- is the son <>t John Buthune Staples and Elizabeth
Douglass Young, daughter of William Young, liis paternal grandfather
being s<-th 1'. Staples. The family is an old and prominenl one in Ameri-
can history ami for generations have been influential citizens.
.Mr. Staples was edu-
cated a1 Dwighl and Bol-
brook's School in < Mint on.
X. Y., and ai Pough-
keepsie (New York) .Mili
i a r y Ens1 ii ate. After-
ward hf spciii one year
as draughtsman with -I.
A. Wood, a prominenl
architecl in Poughkei p-
sie, and three years as
draughtsman and rod-
man in the < 'i-oioii Aque
dnci Department, New
York City. For fourteen
months he was brakeman
and baggagemaster of
the Iowa division of the
Chicago, Burlington and
Quincy Railroad, and for
twenty-seven years he
has been associate d wi1 h
the Fa-it' Railroad as a>\[-
ductor, yardmaster, sta-
tion master, superinten-
dent of floating equip-
ment and lighterage, and
general agent of the New
York terminal, which re-
sponsible posii ion he qow
holds. In all those a
pacities Mr. Staples has
displayed untiring energy
and devotion to duty.
greal executive ability,
and all those qualities which win both resped and approval.
In public life he has also achieved distinction. He has been an In-
spector of the New Jersey state Prison for eighl years and Pr< sident of the
Board of Inspectors for five years, and has lour years more to serve, FTe
was appointed to this office by Governoi Abbetl and was re-appointed by
Governors YVerts and Voorhees, and has discharged its duties with uni-
versal satisfaction and approval. Mr. Staples is a prominenl member of
St. Mary's Episcopal Church of Jersey City, of the I>. McLaughlin and
Robert I >a\ is Associal ions, and of the < 'ai terel < "lab. all of Jersey < Mty. and
ot' the Commercial ami Railroad Clubs of Now York City. He is a life
MAKKIIAM E. STAPLES.
GENEALOGICAL 129
member <>t' Jersey City Lodge, 211, B. 1'. (>. F.. and Vice-President of the
National Board of Steam Navigators.
Mr. Staples was married, in 1880, to .Miss Mary Willis, of Jersey City.
They have two children, Francis George and Mary \Y.
EDWARD EVERSON, of West Hoboken, X. J., who has boon associated
with the Delaware Coal and ('anal < 'onipany ever since 1863, was born at
Homestead, North Bergen, Hudson County. January 14, 1S40. His father.
Benjamin Everson, was born at Pompton Plains. X. J. nis mother's
maiden name was Sarah Biker. Mr. Everson is of Holland lineage, being-
descended from the Evertsens who settled in New York two centuries ago.
He received his education in the public schools of North Bergen, and ;it
the tender age of eleven began working on a farm in Bergen County.
Thrown upon his own resources at that age. he has ever since depended
upon himself. He followed farming until he had reached the age of
seventeen, when he entered upon the trade of gold beating, which he
followed for a year and a half, lie then entered the employ of Edward
Ackerman as an apprentice at the blacksmith trade, continuing in that
capacity until L862. in that year he enlisted in Company E, Eighth New
York Volunteer .Militia, tor three months, and at the expiration of his
term of enlistment was honorably discharged. He then entered the service
of the Federal Governmenl at the Brooklyn Xavv Yard, where he re-
mained for a short time, and in L863 he associated himself with the Dela-
ware Coal and Canal Company, with which he lias ever since remained.
Hiiiing his long and active service of over thirty three years in tin employ
of this corporation .Mr. Everson lias discharged every duty with singular
fidelity and great satisfaction, and from the lirst has enjoyed the respect
and confidence of both employers and associates. He is in the fullest
sense a self made man. having depended entirely upon himself since the
early age of eleven years.
.Mr. Everson is an ardent and consistent Republican, a member of the
Reformed church, and ;i member of tin [ndependenl Order of odd Fellows.
In -Inly. L863, he married Miss Ellen Gotchuns (deceased), by whom he had
three children: Edward, Jr. (deceased), Eliza Ann (deceased), and Maud
Alice, who resides with her father.
EGBERT SEYMOUR, Mayor of tin- City of Bayonne and widely known
as a merchant in thai part of Hudson County, was born in Ulster County,
X. Y.. December L5. L850, the son of dames Seymour and Sarah Ann,
daughter of David and Elenor Radiker, and grandson of (diaries and Eliza
Seymour. His boyhood was not unlike those of other country lads. He
attended the district schools, spent six months at the academy in Mont-
gomery, Orange Comity, and another six months at the academy in Xew-
bnrgh.' in the same county, in New York State, and subsequently served
as a clerk for twelve years. These advantages, however, afforded him an
opportunity to lay the foundation upon which he has built a successful
career. From a clerk he became a. merchant, and for eighteen years has
been actively and successfully engaged in the butter and cheese trade in
New York City.
Mr. Seymour is one of the foremost citizens of his adopted city, a man
nniversallv esteemed and respected, and prominent and influential in every
movement and especially in political a II airs. For two years he rendered
130 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
efficienl servic< as ;i member of the Board of School Trustees. As Mayor
of the City of Bayonne he has seised three terms. He has been instru-
mental in advancing the best interests of the community, in 1 mi Mini; up the
city, and in promoting many importanl public improvements. When his
present term expires on May i. L901, he will have filled the office for six
consecutive years, and ii is sale to say thai no man ever discharged its
duties willi more fidelity and honesty of purpose. Mr. Seymour is respected
and esteemed tor liis ability and integrity of character, and in every ca-
pacity has gained the confidence of nil who know him. He is a promineni
member of the Newark Bay Boa1 Club, <>l the Exempl Firemen of Bayonne,
of < 'ouncil Nn. 695, Royal Arcanum, and of Council No. 434, Benevolenl
and Protective Order of Elks, of Bayonne. He is also n leading member of
the Bayonne City Democratic Club and of the Rober! Davis Association of
Jersey < !ity.
Mr. Seymour married, October 22, isl.'k Marietta II. Neafie, and their
children are James II. and Everetl E. Seymour.
THE BROWEK FAMILY is another very numerous family in Bergen
County, rhey are descended from Adam Brouwer, who emigrated to
New Amsterdam from Cologne, Franco, in 1642. Three years later he
married Madalena Jacobs Ferdon, of Long Island. He was a miller, and
lived in New Amsterdam until lt>47. when lie removed to Brooklyn, where
lie joined the Dutch Church in DiTT and paid taxes from L675 to L698. His
issue were fifteen children: Peter, ' Jacobus, Aeltiej Matthew," William,'
.Mary. Magdalena', Adam, Abraham*, Sophia', Ann. Sarah.' Nicholas' Daniel.'
and Rachel.
Peter, baptized in Ui-in. married ill Pieternella Uldricks, (2) Gertrude
dans, and (3) Anne Jansen. lie tirst -resided at Flatlands, I.. I., and sub-
sequently removed to Brooklyn, where he died. I lis issue were Abram,
.John. Adolph, Magdalena, Ulrick, Adrientie, Vroutie,* Cornelia, -Jacob,
I Ians<'. and .Madeline.
Abraham, .John, and Adolph removed to Hackensack aboul 1700, where
Abraham married ill Lea Johns Demaresl and (2) Elizabeth Ackerman.
Ulrick married Hester de Vow, and -John married Ann Hendricks Mande-
ville. The descendants of Abraham, Ulrick; John, and Adolph are to-day
very numerous and scattered over the Counties of Bergen and Hudson.
THE De CLARKS are still numerous in Bergen County. Daniel de
Clerque (de Clark) emigrated to America prior t<i L676. The name of his
first wife (hies mil appear, bu1 the couple broughl two or three children
with them ami had two baptized in New York (Daniel and Abraham,
i winsi. March L3, L678. His wife died soon after, and he married (2), March
!. L685, (ieertje Cozines, a widow, by whom he had mi issue. Two of his
sons. John and Henry, were evidently married when they left Holland.
the family having sailed from Amsterdam. Both John and Henry sub-
sequently had children in New York. Another son of Daniel. Jacobus de
Clark, was born in Holland. Daniel, in L686. became one of the Tappan
patentees with the Barings, Blawvelts, Smiihs. and others, and removed
id Tappan, where, in L702, lie was made a Justice of Orange County, and
he took the census of Orangetown the same year. He was probably the
first Justice ever appointed in the county. At that time there were only
a few families huddled at Tappan, and Daniel seems id have been the
biggesl man of them all. Tic marriage of his son Jacobus to Antic Van
<;i:\i: u.ocmai.
131
Houten, September 14. lToti. is one of the earliesl in the county. Jacobus
had eighl children, all of whom reared large families and gravitated south-
ward into Bergen < Jounty.
JAMES S. NEWKIRK, Secretary and Treasurer of the Provident Insti-
tution for Savings, of Jersey City, was born in Bergen mow Jersey City)
September !». L852. His family at one time was one of the most numerous
in Hudson County, and the name is still very common. .More than a cen-
turv ago some members of the family settled in New York State, in Ulster
and Sullivan Counties, where their numerous descendants have spread
rapidly and become
prominent in the \:ir
ions walks of life.
Mattlieiis < Jornelissen,
who is said i o ha ve been
a native of Nienwkercke
iN.'w Church) in Hoi
land, emigrated to
America in about the
year L660, and after
landing and sia \ ing at
New A msterdam a short
time went to Flatbush,
I . I., where he bouglil
and located on a " Hon
werie " of about thirty
six acres of land, hutt-
ing, as ins deed de
dared, on " < Jorlears
Flais." This trad lie
sold March in. L665, to
one Aiimii Evertse, and
he removed thence lo
i ho •• Town ' of Bergen,"
in New Jersey. Here,
on December 1 1. IG70,
ho married one Anna
I,ub\ . daughter of Jacob
Luby, who had served
as a non-commissioned
officer (Sergeant i in i he
I mtch West India sen
ice, hut who had for
some years been a resi-
dent and landholder at Bergen. .Matt hens Cornelissen assumed the sur-
name of Newkirk — in honor of his birthplace, no doubt. He leased lands
ai Bergen which were afterward conveyed to his children. His occupa-
tion seems to have been that of a farmer. His wife, Anna, died December
I'll. L685, and he married in 1686 Catharine Pouwless, a daughter of
Poulus Pieterse, of Bergen. She died in April, 1764. The children of
Matthew Cornelissen Van New Kirk were twelve — live by the first wife
and seven by the second wife: Gertrude, Gerritie, Jacomina, Cornelius,
Jacob, lannetje, John, Jannetje, Peter, Gerrit, Poulus, and Cornelius.
JAMES s. XKWKIKK.
132 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
Those by the lirst wife scattered to differenl parts of 1 1 1 « - country, while
those of the second wife remained in Bergen County, inheriting all their
mother's property, which was considerable. The eleventh of these children,
(in rit New kirk iiM gen.), born ;ii Bergen November L8, L696, married
September 5, I7.".u. Catrina, daughter of Hendrick Kuyper (Cooper). She
died September 12, 1 T.~» 1 . He died April 23, L785. Their children of the
third generation were lour: Catrina, Janneke, Matthew, and Henry.
.Mm i hew (3d gen.) married Caroline, daughter of Arenl Toers. lie died
July 10. L811, leaving three children: Garrel M., Aaron, and Henry.
Garrel M. Newkirk (4th gen.), born a1 Bergen April !). L766, < 1 i « *< I August
28, L832, married Polly Ackerman. They had six children: Catharine,
Margaret, Sally, Sally, Henry, and Garret.
Garrel G. Newkirk (5th gen.), born a1 Bergen October 17. lsus. married
ill October 25, L828, Rachel, daughter of Halmigh Van Houten. She died
December l. L835. He married (2) Jane Fowler, widow of Abram Tice.
She died October 6, L849. He married (3) September <i. 1851, Eliza Ann
Beatty, daughter of George E. Beatty, born in L820. His children by three
wives were: two by lirsi wife, ten by second wife, and four by third wife.
One of these children is the subject of this sketch.
•Innies S. Newkirk (6th gen.) inherited all the sturdy characteristics
of Ids race and early displayed those intellectual finalities which have
since won for him so much distinction in the affairs of life. He was
educated in the common schools, at Columbian Academy, and at District
School No. 1 in the Town of Bergen. He commenced his business career
as clerk in the grocery store <>f Jacob Van Winkle, of Bergen Square, in
L865. Five years later, or in 1870, he entered the Provident Institution
for Savings in Jersey City, with which he has ever since been actively
identified, having filled important positions in all the departments up to
and including the offices of Secretary and Treasurer, which he now holds.
Mr. Newkirk has not. however, aspired to public or political office, hav-
ing devoted himself almost exclusively b> business affairs. For five years
he was a member of tin- Fourth Regiment, N. G. X. J. lie is a member if
the Jersey City and Union League Clubs, of the Free and Accepted Masons,
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Junior Order United
A merican Mechanics.
Mr. Newkirk's lirst wife. .Mary Elizabeth Terhune, died in l>7s. In
L881 he married Annabella Meeker Randall, and they have four children
of the sex cut h general ion.
ALBEKT Z. BOGERT, of River Edge, Bergen County, is descended from
one of the oldest families in New Jersey. His first American ancestor,
Cornelis Jansen Bogaerdt, came to America from Holland with his wife,
O.eesie Williams, a few years prior to 1661. He bought and settled on a
village ph>i in Flatbush, h. I., which he subsequently sold to one Peter
Jansen. la H'»77 he was one ■>! the patentees of the Flatbush patent. He
resided at Flatbush until his death, about L684. His children were \V\ ntio.
.John Cornelise, Classic, Roloff, Maritie, and Peter, all of whom, except
W'xntie. eventually removed <<» Hackensack, N. •!. His son dan Cornelius
(2) married Angenitie Strycker, and resided ai New Lots, I.. I., until 1694,
when he sold his farm there and with several others purchased a large
trad of land southeast of Hackensack. His numerous descendants have
spread oxer the County of Bergen, and have exerted an important and
GENEALOGICAL 133
wholesome influence in shaping the affairs of the county, having been
prominenl in business, in the professions, and in all the walks of life,
honored and respected for those noble virtues which characterize the
I Milch, and energetic and enterprising in promoting every worthy object.
Albert X. Bogert, the subject of ihis sketch, is of the eighth generation
from Cornells Jansen Bogaerdt, the emigrant above named. His parents
were Allien -lames Bogert and Catherine A lei la Zabriskie. His grand-
parents were John and Catharine Zabriskie Bogerl and Albert G. and
Sally Annie (Winters) Zabriskie. Mr. Bogerl was horn in Spring Valley,
Bergen County, X. J., on the llth of November, L864. He received his
education in the Bergen County schools, which he left at the age of nine-
teen to assist his father on the farm, where lie remained five years. In
isss he settled permanently in River Edge and bought a half interest
with P. V. 15. Demaresl in a large coal, lumber, and grocery business. A
year later Mr. Demaresl sold his interest to John II. Banta and the busi-
ness was continued by .Messrs. Bogerl and Banta until L892, when Mr.
Banta died. Since thai time Mr. Bogerl has successfully continued it
alone.
Mr. Bogert's activity, enterprise, and influence in the community stamp
him as one of I he leading citizens, while his success in business has won
fei' him a high reputation. He is a member of the Borough Council of the
Borough of Riverside and of the Dutch Reformed Church of Schraalen-
burgh, and active in various other capacities. In March, 1900, he was
elected a member of the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders from
Midland Township.
His wife, Anna Van Wagner, who was also descended from an old
Holland Dutch family of New Jersey, died in 1892, leaving two children,
dames Gordon Bogert, born in isss, and John \Y. Bogert, born in 1891.
JOHN J. BOGERT, the miller of Earrington Park, is a descendant in
the ninth generation from Cornells Jans Bougaert, I he emigrant t see sketch
on page 132). Stephen Bogert, of Ihe seventh generation, son of Guilliam
Bogerl ami Maria Banta, was horn in IT.").",, married Sophia Alyea, and
lefi issue a son. Jacobus (James) Bogert, of the eighth generation.
Jacobus Bogerl (8) was born January 24, L788, died March (J, 1871, mar-
ried .lane Meyers, who was hern February 13, 17!M. and died May 7, 1873.
They had several children of the ninth generation, among whom were
John J., James, and Stephen.
Of these John J. (9), the eldest, married Margaret, (laughter of John R.
BlawveH and Leah Demarest. Their issue, of the tenth generation were
four children: Jane, Leah Ann. Klma, and John J., the latter being the
subject of this sketch. John J. Bogert once raised a horse which he sold
to Robert Bonner, of New York City, for |10,000.
John J. Bogert (10) was born December 6, 1846, at Harrington Park, N. J.,
where he still resides. He was educated in the Bergen County schools,
which he left at the age of eighteen to engage in the milling business and
in farming with his father. Upon his father's death in 1892 he took charge
of the entire business and has since conducted it with marked success.
During his active life he has wielded an important and wholesome influence
in all local affairs.
Mr. Bogert married Hester Jemima Ackerman, and has four children:
Eugene, Walter, Clyde A., and Mary L.
134
HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
EDWIN BERKLEY YOUNG, a Leading and successful real estate and
insurance man of Union Hill, is descended from :i distinguished family
of United Empire royalists. The ¥ igs made the firsl settlemenl in
Athol, Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada, a1 Eas1 Lake. Some his-
torians claim they were the lirst settlers in thai county. Certain ii is they
wciii there when the country was a forest, unbroken and practically im-
penetrated by man, : 1 1 1 < 1 ou1 of the wilderness carved for themselves and
their families a home which siill remains in the possession <d' their descend
ants. Colonel Henrv Young, born in Jamaica, Long Island, in l7.">7. was
EDWIN B. YOUNG.
the second son of six children of an English gunsmith, who came there
from Nottingham ai an early age, and who founded a family which has
spread over this country and Canada. Some of his posterity still live <m
Long Island. I lenrv joined t he Bri1 ish army when a \ oung man. served with
distinction for six pears in the French and Indian wars under Generals
Amherst and A.bercronibie, and with the English participated in the battle
of Bennington and in no less than seventeen other engagements againsl
the continentals. For gallanl services at Bennington he received an en-
signcy in the " King's Royal." His title of Colonel, 1»> which he was popu-
larly known, was conferred upon him by provincial appointment. At the
GENEALOGICAL 135
close <>t' the American Revolution he retired on half pay, and received a
grant of 3,000 acres of land for himself and ether tracts for various mem-
bers (if iiis family. His tirst residence in Canada was at Cataraqui. With
a brother officer lie set out in a canoe in 1 7s:', and selected a site at East
Lake in the Town ..I Athol. Thither he brought his family in the fall of
L7S4. lie died there in his eighty-fourth year, leaving numerous descend-
ants, many of whom became conspicuous in civil and official affairs. His
four daughters. Elizabeth, Mary, Catherine, and Sarah, married East Lake
settlers and lived to In- d\cr eighty years of age. Of his two sens, Henry
and Daniel, the former settled on the homestead, and as a soldier in the
English army died at Kingston el' cholera during the War of 1812.
Richard Young, son of Henry, Sr.. was a farmer in At hoi, and married
Nancy Van Vlackren, now spelled Van Vlack. Their son, William Henry
Young, served in the Ontario militia during the Fenian raid, and is now a
retired farmer living in Picton, Canada, lie is a cousin of the Rev. George
Young, D.D. , President of the Methodist Episcopal Conference of Ontario,
lie married Sarah -lane Clark, daughter of Enoch Dorland ("lark- and
Namy Smith, of Ontario, who. like the Van Vlackrens, were descended
from Holland I Mitch stock. The family have long taken a leading pari in
the agricultural and military affairs of Ontario, and have always borne
high reputations tor honor and integrity.
Edwin B. Young, eldest son of William Henry Young and Sarah Jane
('lark, was born in Athol Township, Prince Edward County, Ontario,
Canada, January 4, L860. He at tended the public schools ami remained on
the homestead until he reached the age of twentv-one, when, having re-
ceived a good education, he came to New York City. His capital consisted
of three or four dollars in money, a rolmsi constitution, and indomitable
pluck and courage. For a lew months he was employed in various ca-
pacities. Becoming superintendenl of the Grove Church Cemetery a1 New
Durham, Hudson County, N. -I.. he look up his residence in the Town of
Union, and has ever since been identified with its besl interests. During
the past nine years he has also keen extensively interested in real estate in
the town, and in L896 he opened a general real estate and insurance office
at i:::'. Bergenline Avenue, which he still conducts, and to which he de-
votes his entire attention, having resigned the superintendence of the
< '.rove ( diurch < Vmetery in January, L899. In addit ion to I his he has lately
established a mercantile collection agency, the first one of the kind on
Union Hill.
Mr. Young has achieved marked success in real estate operations, and by
untiring devotion to business has won the confidence and respect of the
entire community. He is a genial, companionable, public spirited man,
deeply interested in the genera] welfare, and always ready to respond to
the demands of good citizenship. Progressive in all that the word implies,
he has he.. ii active and influential in the advancement of the town, a
liberal contributor to its growth and moral improvements, and ever alert in
increasing its useful institutions. He was Secretary of the old Literary
Society of the Town of Union, and later became one of the prime movers
in organizing the Free Reading Room and Library Association, of which he
was for many years Treasurer, and of which he was an original Director.
It mav he safely said that he was a founder and the chief organizer of
this association, which succeeded the old Literary Society. Later a special
act of the Legislature enabled the Town of Union, and other towns in the
State, to levy a tax for the support of such institutions, and this association
136 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
has since been maintained by the public :is a free library. In ;ill <>f these
movements Mr. Young was active and influential, :m<l to him is due in ;i
large degree the establishment of this institution. He is an ardenl Demo-
crat, a Justice of the Peace, and a prominenl member of various fraternal
and social organizations, including Mystic Tie Lodge, No. \--\. P. and A. M..
of New Jersey, of which he was for four years tin- Worshipful Master, He
is also a member of the Scottish Rite bodies, 32 . of Now Fork City, of
the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Masonic fraternity, and of the Royal
Arcanum. In September, L899, In- was elected Most Worthy Grand Patron
of the Order of the Eastern Star of Now Jersey, and in the spring of L900
ho was one of the organizers of the Past Masters' Association of Hudson
County, of which ho was elected the hist President.
Mi-. Young's brother, George Alfred Young, was horn May it. L869, came
to New .Jersey when seventeen, and is now head bookkeeper for (he Hudson
Trusf and Savings Institution of West Hoboken. He is a member and
Worshipful Master of Mystic Tie Lodge, No. L23, F. and A. M.
Mr. Young was married October LO, Ins:;, to Henrielta Hell, daughter of
Henry and Ellen (Westerfield) Bell, of the Town of Union. Her father was
horn near Liverpool, England, while her mother was descended from an
old Holland Dutch family. They have three sons: Edwin Henry, Ralph
Percy, and Herbert Eldred.
ROBEBT CAMPBELL DIXON, Jr., one of the leading architects of Onion
Hill and Eastern New Jersey, is of English and Scotch parentage, being the
son of Robert and Margaret (Campbell) Dixon and a grandson of Robert
Dixon. Sr., and Hannah Lawson. His maternal grandparents were John
and Isabel (Anderson) Campbell. His father was born in Nicholforest,
Cumberland, England, and Ins mother in Perthshire, Scotland. Some of
his ancestors were prominently engaged in the East India service, others
tilled important positions of trust, one branch had a representative in the
English Parliament in the person of Sir Wilfred Lawson. and others occu-
pied posts in the Church of England. The Dixon and Lawson families have
been for generations conspicuous in civil, military, governmental, and pro-
fessional affairs, contributing to their respective communities a wholesome
influence, and achieving for themselves distinction as men of learning and
ability.
Mr. Dixon was born in New York City on the loth of May. L857. He at
tended the public schools of Pough keepsie. N. Y .. until he reached the age
of about fourteen, and afterward pursued his studies in private schools, de-
veloping a naturally strong and brilliant intellect, and laying the founda-
tion for an honorable career. He completed his literary education at
Riverview Military Academy and finished with a business course graduat-
ingfrom Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie. A large part of his
early education was intended to tit him for a military career, hut he turned
his at tent ion to architecture, and in the early pari of ls7<> entered the office
of D. <V .1. .laid inc. architects, of New York < !ity, as a student. Be continued
with them a little over four years, after which he was for a brief period
in the office of -I. ( '. Cady & Co. In L883, having received important work in
competition, Mr. Dixon engaged in busim ss for himself as a practical archi-
tect, and lias ever since been devoted to his profession, achieving marked
success and a notable reputation, lie has had an office in New York City
for about fourteen years, and many important public and private buildings
have been erected from his designs. The town hall, the Palma and ( Columbia
GENEALOGICAL 137
Club houses, public schools, many church edifices, and numerous other prin-
cipal buildings in Union Hill, N. J., have been built by him. All of these
show greal artistic taste and practical skill, and represent some of the finest
and choicest work in the country.
In political matters Mr. Dixon has been an active and influential leader
since about L884, serving frequently as delegate to local and State Demo-
cratic conventions, and being at the present time a member of the Board of
Education of Union Hill, of which he was formerly President. He is a mem-
ber and at times has served on important committees of the Columbia Club
of Boboken, and has also been a member of the Palma Club of Jersey City
for several years. He was one of the organizers of the New Jersey Society
of Architects and has held some ot its most important offices. He is also
an associate member of the American Institute of Architects, a member
of the Central Democratic Organization, a warden of Grace Episcopal
Church of Union Hill, where he resides, and a member of Columbia Lodge,
Xo. LSI, Knights of Pythias. He is a public spirited, enterprising citizen, a
man of broad and liberal culture, and is and has been prominently Identi-
fied with many of the leading charitable organizations.
.Mr. Dixon was married September 22, 1886, to Sadie Gardner Morgan,only
daughter of -lames < ;. Morgan, of Union Hill, N. J.
DAVID DEMAREST ZABRISKIE, Law Judge of the County of Ber-
gen, is a direct descendant in the eighth generation from the Polish emi-
grant, Albert Zabriskie (see sketch on page 49).
Jacob A. Zabriskie (2), eldest son of the Polish emigrant, born about
April 22. KiTT, at Pembrepoch, Bergen County, married il), September 20,
L706, Ann (daughter of Albert Alliens Terhune ami Hendricke Voorhis),
born in L678 on Long Island. He resided at Upper Paramus on part of his
father's large estate, where he died in 1 7.~»s. having had issue ten children
of the third generation: Hendricke. Sophia. Maritie, Albert A., Peter,
Jannetje, Rachel, .Matilda. Stephen, and Jacob.
Albeit A. (third generation) was baptized February 1. L708, and mar-
ried, May 8, L739, Maritie Hopper. He resided at Paramus, and had at
least two children. Ann. born 171M. and Andrew.
Andrew Zabriskie ifi, born in L746, died about L805, also resided at
Paramus, where he married Jannetje Lozier. and had issue of the fifth
generation at least three children. -John A., Christina, and Andrew.
John A. Zabriskie (5) was born at Paramus. November 11, 17(iS, and
died there. One of his children of the sixth generation was Casper .1.
Zabriskie (6), born at Paramus. April 27, 1799; died there June 4, 1849. He
married Catharine Post, who died in February, L872. They lived at Para
mus and had issue of the seventh generation: Andrew < )., Robert, Catharine
J., Mary M., Alletta P.. Sophia, and John C.
John C. Zabriskie ill. born September I'll. L822, married il) .Maria Hop-
per. (2) -lane Demurest, and (3) .Maria C. Bogert. lie resided at Paramus,
and was a farmer by occupation. His children of the eighth generation
were Andrew J., Maria J., Catharine, Emma. David !>., Ida, Simon, John,
and Alletta.
David D. Zabriskie (8) was born at Paramus. X. J., November 27, 1856,
and received his preparatory education at Erasmus Hall Academy in Flat-
bush, Long Island. He was graduated with honor from Rutgers College in
the <dass of 187!), and then entered Columbia College Paw School, from
which he was graduated with the degree of LL.B. in 1881. He was admitted
138 HUDSON AMi BERGEN COUNTIES
t<» the New Jersey bar as an attorney al the November term of the Su
preme Court, L882, and a1 once began active practice. In June, L889, he
was admitted as a counselor. Judge Zabriskie has for many years main-
tained law offices in both Hackensack and Jersey City. Soon after enter-
ing upon his professional career he came into prominence ;is n lawyer of
unusual ability, ;m<! steadily won recognition for those eminenl legal ;hh1
judicial qualifications which lie has since displayed both a1 the bar and
on the bench. He was uniformly successful, and as an all-round advocate
and counselor achieved a high reputation.
His law practice, however, though constantly growing in volume and
importance, did no1 prevenl him from taking an active interesl in public
ami political affairs. As a Republican from boyhood he lias contributed
much in the success of the partj as well as to the government of his town
and county. In 189-J and L895 he represented his district in the State
Legislature, serving on some of the most important committees, and taking
a prominent pari in shaping legislation. In L896 and L897 lie was Count}
Counsel for th" County of Bergen, and from L894 to L89S he >\;is Chair
man of the Republican County Committee of Bergen County. In January,
L898, Governor Griggs appointed him Law -Indue of Bergen County for a
term of five years, and since April 1 of that year he has served on the
bench with conspicuous ability ami universal satisfaction.
Judge Zabriskie was married in October, L883, to Lizzie S. Suydam, of
New Brunswick, X. J. They have one daughter, Ethelind S., of the ninth
generation, and reside in Ridgewood.
ABItAM De BAUN.— The common ancestor of all tin- DeBauns in !ier
gen and Hudson Counties was Joost de Baen, a native of Brussels in
Flanders (Belgium), who came over to Now Amsterdam in L683. The
next year ho married Elizabeth Drabb and located at Bushwick, L. I., where
he was soon afterward made town clerk. In 1686 he removed to New
Utrecht, where he was elected town clerk and taugh! the village school.
This was during the controversy over Hie conduct of Governor Leisler. De
Baen entered that contest and took an active part agains! the Governor,
which caused him to lose his clerkship. He, however, continued to teach
school ami to reside at New Lrtrecht, where he took the oath of allegiance
to the English king in lo^T. Early in 1704 he sold his hinds, of which he
acquired a considerable area, and removed to Bergen County, X. •!.. where
lie joined the Kinderkamack settlement, lie died in L718 or 1719. his
children of the second generation were Matie (married, in L7Q5, David
Samuels Demarest), Christian (married Judith Samuels Demarest), Mayke,
Carrel, Christina, jacobus, am! .Maria.
Of these seven children Carrel (Charles) (2) married, in 1711. Jannetie
Peters Haring, of Tappan. He first boughl a large farm, in 171!>. on the
north side of Hardenbergh Avenue mow in Harrington Township), ex-
tendi'!!.: from the Schraalenburgh road to the Tiena Kill (including part of
w h.-i ! is now Demarest), on which for a time he resided. Shortly after 1721
he sold this farm and bought several large tracts between the Hackensack
and thi' Pascaok Livers, on one of which he settled and died. I lis issue of
the third generation were Joost, Margaret, Elizabeth, John, Jacob, Carrel,
and < liristiaen.
Carrel i.".i. born in I 7l's. married ill Bridgel Ackerman (born December
in. 17:11. died January 27, L793) and (2) Lea Van Orden. He was a farmer
by occupation, and settled in the upper part of Bergen County. His issue
GENEALOGICAL 139
of the fourth generation were Carrel, Margaret, Abram, Jannetie, Andrew,
Sarah. I >a\ id, John, ami Isaac
Isaac de Baun (4) was born December 9, 177!), and died .June 18, 1870.
Ee was a farmer and resided nearly all his life al Mousey, X. Y. He mar-
ried June L3, 1807, Elizabeth Yeury, who died August 24, 1875. Their
children of the fifth generation were Abram, Elizabeth, Jacob, .Maria, Brid-
get, Rachel. Jane, and .John Y.
-John Y. de Baun (5) was born at Monsey, X. Y., August 22, 1S27. He
was a remarkably precocious child. Although he had hut an ordinary com-
mon school education he, by dint of an untiring perseverance and constant
application to study, qualified himself tor the ministry (which under the
circumstances was a rare achievement), and on April 17, is.")."), was licensed
to preach by the Classis of Hackensack of the True Reformed Dutch Church.
His first charge included the churches at Hempstead in Rockland County,
X. Y.. and at Ramseys in Bergen County, X. •)., where he preached alter-
nately until L860, when he took charge of the two churches al Hackensack
and English Neighborhood, X. .1. or these two churches he was the pastor
Tor twenty six years. During this time he resided al Hackensack. where he
established and was the editor of the Banner of Truth, a monthly magazine,
which is still the organ of the Tine Reformed Dutch Church. He died at
Leonia, X. J., in February L895. lie was twice married : (1) April 8, 1st'.), to
Margaret Iserman, who died about L893, ami (2) to -lane Van Houton, who
survives him. He was a thoroughly self-made man, an eloquent preacher,
and in every way worthy of his high and noble calling. His issue of the
sixth generation were Susan E., Martha A., .lames D., Abram, Edwin,
Anna. John Z., James E., and Isaac < \. of whom Abram ((>) is the subject
of this sketch.
Abram de Baun (6) was horn April 2. L856, at .Mousey, X. Y., where he
spent his childhood days. When old enough he entered Hackensack Acad-
emy, where he had the benefit of a full course of study, and then entered
the law office of A.. D. Campbell, at Hackensack, as a law student. He was
admitted to the New Jersey bar as an attorney in June, 1S77, and as a
counselor in June, L880. After his call to the bar he became a business
partner of his old tutor, with whom he remained until March, L894, when he
formed a law partnership with Milton Demurest, with whom he is still
associated in a lucratice practice.
Mr. De Baun was clerk of the Bergen County Board of Chosen Free-
holders from 1878 to L895 and for three years a member of the Backensack
Improvement Commission, during two years of which he was treasurer.
For twelve years he has been counsel for the Hackensack Mutual Building
and Loan Association. He is a Director of the Hackensack Old Ladies'
Home.
He married (1) in L878 Mary B. Christie, of Leonia. She died in Septem-
ber, 1881, and he married (2), October 2, 1884, Lydia B. Christie. He has no
children.
JAMES A. ROMEYN. — The Romeyns, Romanies, and Romains.of Bergen
Countv, claim to be of Italian lineage, which they trace to one Giacomo de
Ferentino, an Italian gentleman who settled at Bongham Manor, Norfolk-
shire, England, in the early part of the thirteenth century, and married an
English lady, Isabella de Rucham, by whom he had issue two sons, one of
whom was Peter. This Peter was sent to Rome to be educated, and on his
return took the surname of Romaeyn (Peter the Roman). He married a
140
III [>S<>.\ AND BERGEN COUNTIES
daughter of Thomas de Leicester. Many of Peter's descendants became
noted men in England. One of them, Jan Romeyn, went from England to
the low countries (Holland) and settled in Amsterdam. Be had several chil-
dren, among whom were Claes Jansen, Simeon Jansen, and Christofer .Jan-
sen. Claes and Christofer sailed from Rotterdam, Holland, to Brazil, as mem-
bers of an expedition to thai eon nt iv com n landed li\ Prince Maurice of Nas-
JAMES VAN CAMPEN ROMEYN.
san. Soon after arriving in Brazil thai country was ceded to Portugal, and
i hereupon i he i wo Romeyns sailed lor America. There is a disagreemenl as
to the dale when they arrived, bui it was probably aboul L661. They
settled first ;ii New Amersfoort, I.. I. Christofer married, in L678, Grietie
Pieters Wyckoff, and settled in Monmouth County, X. -I. Claes married
lit is said), .May 2, L680, Stymie Alberts Terhune, and in L690 went to
Hackensack, where lie !>onv,ht four Indian fields between the Saddle River
GENEALOGICAL
141
and ilif Backensack River, called in his deed Wierimus, Paskack, Gemagkie,
and Marroasonek. These four tracts were north of Paramus, on the east
siil< of the Saddle River. He did not locate od these lands, 1 > 1 1 1 returned
to NVw York and located in the Greenwich district of the city, where he
died. His children, to whom he devised all his lands on his death, divided
then! into farms and mntuallv released or sold to actual settlers. (Maes
JAMES ROMEYN.
Jansen's children of the second generation were Gerrebrecht, Elizabeth,
L\ dia. Albert C, John < '.. Rachel, Sarah, and 1 >aniel.
Jan Claas Romeyn (2) married, in May, L690, Jannetie Bogert, at Hack
ensack, and resided on part of his father's lands. He was a member and
church master of the "Church on the Green'' in 1715. His issue of the
third generation were Nicholas, John. Christina, Roelof, Rachel, Isaac,
Angenetie, Christina, and Ursula.
Nicholas Romeyn (3), baptized at Hackensack in February, 1699, mar-
142
nrnsox and r.i:i;ci:.\ counties
pied, in lTiMi. Elizabeth Outwater, who died in L732. Be died in 17<;::. He
married (2) Rachel Vreeland, who died in L761. The issue of Nicholas
Romeyn (3) and liis t\\<> wives oi the fourth generation were Rev. Thomas
Romeyn and John Romeyn.
Rev. rhomas Romeyn ih. born a1 Pompton, X. -I.. March ~. 17l'!i. died
October 22, L794. He was graduated from the College <»!' New Jersey in
1750, studied theology, and after preaching ;i few times <m Long Island
THEODORE B. ROMEYN.
wenl to Holland, in 1 752, for ordination, and was settled ;il Jamaica, L. I.,
until 1790. He married (1) June 29, 17.~>(i. Margaretta Frelinghuysen, who
died ;ii Jamaica, December l".. 17.17. He married (2) Susanna Van Camp-
pen. He died a1 Fonda, X. Y.. ( >ctober 22, L794, and was buried there under
the pulpil of liis church. Mis issue of tin- fifth generation were seven: Rev.
Theodore F.. Rev. Thomas, Nicholas, Abraham, Rev. Broadhead, Benjamin,
and Rev. James Van < Jampen.
GENEALOGICAL
143
Rev. James Van < Jampen Romeyn (5) was born ;ii Minsink, Sussex County,
X. •).. November L5, L765, and died at Baekensack, June 27, 1 sin. He at-
tended Schenectady Academy in 1784, studied theology under Rev. Theo-
dore Romeyn, his uncle, was a Trustee of Rutgers College, and preached al
several places, the last in the Reformed Church of Hackensack and Schraal-
enburgh from L799 lo 1833. He married ill Susanna .Maud Van Vranken,
JAMES A. ROMEYN.
of Schenectady, and (2) Elizabeth Pell, who survived him. His issue of
the sixth generation were Susan. Harriet, Anna, Maria. Rev. James, D.D.,
Anna, Eliza, Caroline, Theodore, and Sarah.
Rev. James Konievn Mil was horn at Blooming Grove, N. J., September 30,
17!)7. and was graduated from Columbia College in L816 and from the
Theological Seminary al New Brunswick, N. J., in 1819. He declined the
Doctor of Divinity degree bestowed on him bv Columbia College. He
144 BUDSON ANIi BERGEN COUNTIES
preached ;it several places, \v:is pastor of the old "Church on the Green"
ai Hackensack from is:;:: to L836, and was a Trustee of Rutgers roller in
L842. Be married Joanna Bayard Rodgers, daughler of .John K. P.. Rodgers,
-Ml ► . of Columbia College, New 5Tork. His children of the seventh gen-
eration were . James R. and Theodore li.
Rev. Theodore Bayard Romej n (7) was born ai Nassau, N. Y., October l'2,
ISl'T. He attended school ai Hackensack and other places, was graduated
from Rutgers College in L846 and from the Theological Seminary in New
Brunswick in L849, and received the degree of 1>.I>. from Rutgers College.
He preached ai Blawenburgh, N. •!., and ;it Hackensack, and was the author
of the History of the Reformed Church of the latter tillage. He married
Amelia A. Letson, who died October 22, L897. He died at Hackensack,
August 29, L885. His issue of the eighth generation were Mary L. (deceased.)
and dames A., the latter being (lie subject of this sketch.
James A. Romeyn (8) was horn in Blawenburgh, N. J.. May 15, 1853, and
received his education at Rutgers College. He studied law with Bedle,
M airhead & McGee, of Jersey City, and successfully practiced Ids pro
fession until L890. Since then he has been the editor of the Rnnin;/ Record
of Hackensack, where he resides.
Mi. Romeyn is a. man id' acknowledged ability ami untiring energy, and
has always taken an active part in public affairs. He was for eight years
a member of the Hackensack Board of Health, and for seven years (1SSS ;>.">)
served as Treasurer of the Hackensack Hospital. At the bar and in the
editorial chair he has wou distinction ami honor, aud as a citizen he is
highly respected.
In L884 Mr. Romeyn married Flora May Cochran, of Lancester, Pa., who
died in 1891. By her there were two children: Theodore B. and Katharine,
lie was married, second, in 1894, to Susie Burgess Conover, of Newark. X. J.
JOHN LANK has achieved distinction in the twofold capacity of marine
surveyor and public officer. He is a native of Shrewsbury, X. J., where
I btained his early education in the public schools. Subsequently he
pursued ;i course of study at Cooper Institute, New York.
Reared on his father's farm in Shrewsbury, he developed a strong con
slitution. and at the same time acquired those habits of thrift and industry
which mark the successful man. His studies were designed to enable him
to enter professional life, for which he was menially and physically quali-
fied, and in which he has won an honorable reputation. Entering, as a
youth, the shipyard of McCarthy & Brother, of Hoboken, he tilled success-
ively the positions of clerk, timekeeper, bookkeeper, and general manager,
and gained the respect and confidence of all with whom he came into
contact, and especially of his employers. His experience was at once
broad and practical, and included a thorough knowledge of every branch of
ship building, even to designing, carpentering and joining, calking, and
murine draughting. After a period of sixteen years in these different
capacities he withdrew to engage in business for himself as a marine sur-
veyor, a profession for which his duties had eminently fitted him. and one
in which he has achieved remarkable success. In 1888 he removed from
Jersey City to West Hoboken, X. J., where he has built, on Malone Street,
a neat and attractive home after his own plans and designs.
Mr. Lane has for many years been an active and influential leader of the
Democratic party, especially in the town where he resides, and in various
capacities has served both party and town with ability, honor, and satisfac-
GENEALOGICAL 145
tion. In L89J he was appointed ;i member of the Wes1 Hoboken Board of
Health. 1 n L893 he \\;is elected ;i member of t he Board of School Trustees.
Since LS95 he has served as one of the Councilmen of West Hoboken, and
in 1898 and L899 was chairman of the board. He discharged the duties con-
nected with these positions with signal efficiency and fidelity. Public
spirited, energetic, and progressive, he lias always encouraged and sup-
ported every movemenl calculated to advance the general welfare of the
community. He is a prominent member of the Masonic order, of the Royal
Arcanum, and of the Foresters of America.
CORNELIUS LYDECKER.— Ryck Lydecker, the common ancestor of
the Lydecker family in Bergen County, was from Amsterdam, Holland,
but thai city was probably not his birthplace. At all events he was a
Hollander. The lime of his arrival in America does not definitely appear.
He lirst settled permanently at Bushwick, L 1.. on a granl of land ob-
tained by him in L660 or 1661. There he resided several years — perhaps
until his death, which is snid to have occurred prior to L696. lie was
magistrate of Bushwick from L682 to 1685. <>n June 2-1, L663, he was
appointed captain of a company of militia and received orders from Govern-
or Stuyvesanl to fortify the town, which he did. The records show thai his
company contained forty men. including its officers, and that this com-
pany was divided into four watches, of whom one fourth, or ten men, were
on duty every nighl to guard againsl an expected attack by the savages,
who were at the time very troublesome to the settlers. His wife's name
was Clara Vooreniere, and his issue of the second generation were Garret,
John, Ryck, Cornelius, and Abraham.
Ryck (2) married Maritie Benson and settled at Hackensack, where he
boughl a large trad of land of Captain John Berry. Garrel (2) married
Neeltie Cornelis Vandehuyl, of Holland. Mo purchased a tract of land
between Leonia and Englewood, in Bergen County, extending eastward
from Overpeck Creek to the Hudson River. This he devised to his four
sous after named, who partitioned it between i hem. it contained more than
one thousand acres. His issue of the third generation were Ryck, Eliza-
beth, < Jlara, < Jornelius, < rarret, and Abraham.
Garrel (3) married Wintie (Levina) Terhune, and resided near Englewood
on his father's homestead. His issue of the fourth generation were Neeltie,
L724; Garret, L728; Geertie, 17".l: Cornelia. 17J4; Ann, 17J<;; Elizabeth,
1738; and Albert, 1740.
Garrel i4i married Lydia Demarest. He became a man of note, and
commanded a company of Continental troops during the War for Inde-
pendence. Roth he and his wife were prominent members of the Did
South church at Schraalenburgh. His issue of the fifth generation were
Garret, IT.".::; James, L755; Levina. IToT; Margaret, 17.~>!L Garret, 1761;
James and Cornelius (twins), L764; Lydia. 1766; James, 176!); Elizabeth,
1771 ; and .Maria. 1 77-L
James (5), last above named, born in 1769. married. September 25, 1790,
Maria Day, and had issue Lydia and Garret -1. of the sixth generation.
la-ret -I. (6) was born in 17!>7 and died in 1SSI). He occupied a prominent
position in the locality then known as English Neighborhood, having
large farming interests, and 1 eing one whose advice was sought in all
leading questions of the day. He married Sarah Ryer and had issue of
the seventh generation James, John R., and Cornelius, the last of whom
is the subject of this sketch.
1-46 innsox \\i> bergen counties
Cornelius Lydecker (7) was born ;ii Englewood, X. J., on the place where
be now lives, April P>, lsi'7. Be has bi»en prominenl in public and private
affairs. In 184(1 lie entered as a clerk the dry goods store of his brother
John R. in New York, where he remained two years. In L849 he caughl
the gold fever and wenl to California via Cape Horn. Two years in the
gold " diggins " was enough for him. He returned home and soon after
entered the political field by being elected Surveyor of Highways in his
native town. Following this venture n|>. he became Township Collector in
1862, and later County Collector, which office he held for five years. In
L872 In- was elected to the State Senate on the Democratic ticket, and
was from year in year returned antil L875, when he became a candidate for
State Treasurer and Controller. For seven years thereafter he was a
member of the " Third House" in the Legislature. With William B. Dana
lie built in L871 the Palisade Mountain House, and then look a resl by
traveling for a time, finally returning to embark in the real estate business.
He married in L852 .Miss Catharine S. Van Blarcom, by whom he has had
six children of the eighth generation: Mary (wife of Oliver Drake Smith),
Sarah Ryer (wife of Stanley P. Parsons), Elizabeth, Garrel mow in a
banking house at No. is Wall Street, New York), Kate, and Cornelius,
new at Englew r ood. Mr. Lvdecker is a member of Masonic Lodge No. 114.
■.-•
CHARLES WESLEY RANDALL, of Jersey City, has been actively and
successfully engaged in the practice of architecture in Hudson County
since 18.80, or during a period of t wenty years. He was born in t he Hudson
City sect ion of Jersey City in 1856 and is the son of George W. Randall and
Sarah Hellier, both of whom are of English descent. His family originally
settled in old Hudson City in 1837, and lias ever since been active and in
fluential in important capacities.
Mr. Randall was educated primarily in Public School Xo. 1. of Hudson
City (now Jersey City), and subsequently took a course at Cooper Institute.
New York, graduating therefrom as an architect. In 1S80 he entered upon
the active practice of his profession in Hudson County, and from that
time to the present has built a large number of houses and other building,
in all of which appear evidences ot his genius. He is a man of decided
artistic talent, energetic and influential in all the affairs of lite, thoroughly
identified with the besl inn rests of the community, and one of the besi
architects and builders in the County of Hudson.
In L880 Mr. Randal] married Eleda Erickson. They have three children:
George E., Elizabeth G., and Josephine E. Randall.
JOHN 1 RATHBONE RAMSEY is one of the leading lawyers of Hack-
ensack. Bergen County. X. J., and. in November, 1895, was elected to the
office of County clerk by a majority of 961, being the first Republican ever
elected to that position in that county. He is the son of John P. Ramsey,
a farmer, and Martha Rathbone, his wife, and a descendant on his father's
side of Samuel Ramsey, a native of Scotland, who with his son. John
Kanisey. came to America in 1772, and settled a1 New Scotland. Albany
County. X. Y. The son John, born in 17-~7. married Margaret Connolly,
and settled at New Scotland, where he enlisted and served in the Conti-
nental \rmy againsl the British in !h«- war for independence.
Peter Kanisey. said to have been another son of Samuel, and to have
followed his father and brother to America, had two sons. Peter P. and
William P. Kanisey. both of whom settled in the Ramapo distrid of Bergen
GENEALOGICAL 147
County. Peter P. married Jane Reyerson, and William I*. married Hannah
— . The inscriptions on their tombstones show the following fads: Peter
P. Ramsey, born July is, 1770, died March .*'»o, 1854; Jane Reyerson, his
wife, died January 2S, 1825. William P. Ramsey, boru December 25, 1774,
died July 19, 1863; Hannah, his wife, born January 29, 177.~>, died Augusl <>,
1849. These were the first of the uame in the county, and were undoubtedly
the ancestors of all the Ramseys in Bergen County, including the subject
of i Ins sketch. (>n his mother's side John R. Ramsey's ancestors were of
English descent.
Mr. Ramsey was born in Wyckoff, Bergen County, X. J., on the 25th of
April, 1862, and spent much of his early life — from 1872 to 1X7!> — with his
maternal grandfather, John V. Rathbone, in Parkersburg, \Y. \'a., where he
received a private school education. In 1^7'.i he returned to New Jersey
and entered the law office of the late George 11. Coffey, of Hackensack. lie
subsequently continued his law studies with the firm of Campbell & He
Baun, also of Hackensack, and was admitted to the New Jersey bar as an
attorney in November, 1883, and as a counselor in February, 1887. For
nearly twelve years following his admission he was actively and success
fully engaged in the practice of law in Hackensack. displaying marked
ability as a counselor and advocate, and gaining an extensive clientage.
Mr. Ramsey has always been an active, ardent, and consist cut Republican,
ami for many years has been a power in the councils of his party. He was
the Republican candidate for the office of County Clerk, of Bergen County,
in 1890, lmt was defeated by a very small majority, although In- tan ahead
of the res! of the Republican tickel by several hundred votes. In November,
1895, he was again the Republican candidate for that office and was
elected by a majority of 961, for a term of five years from November is, 1895,
being the firsl Republican ever elected County Clerk in the County of Ber-
gen, lie has discharged the duties of this office with marked ability and
satisfaction, and has displayed 'he same energy which characterized his
career at the bar. lie is .i member of Fidelity Lodge, No. 113, Free and
Accepted .Masons, of Ridges I. N. J., of Wortendyke Lodge, No. 17.~>, In-
dependent Order of odd Fellows, and of various social organizations and
clubs.
lie was married, January 26, 1898, to Mary Evelyn Th pson, of Clarks-
burg, \Y. Va. She died very suddenly April 27, 1898.
CHARLES A. HAMILTON, of Closter, Bergen County. X. J., was born
at Canaan Four Corners, Columbia County. X. V., March :!4. 1859. He is
the son of Silas P». and Emily -I. (Haight) Hamilton, a grandson of James
Hamilton and William Haight, ami a descendant of a long line of Scotch
ancestors.
.Mr. Hamilton received his education in his native Slate. He left school
at the age of seventeen and entered a railroad office, where he remained
three and a half years. He then accepted a position with the Mutual Life
Insurance Company, of New York City, and has since continued with that
well known corporation. In this latter capacity he has developed ability
in a line which requires accurate knowledge of mathematics and all
business forms, ami lm has discharged his duties with satisfaction and
earned f«,r himself the confidence of the officials of the company.
As a resident of closter. Bergen County, Mr. Hamilton has taken part
in the affairs of the community, has served as a member of the School
Board, ami is a member of the Dutch Reformed Church.
MS
HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
Mr. Hamilton married Carrie L. Preston. They have two sons: Charles
EL, horn in L883, and Kenneth P., born in L885.
WILLIAM OUTIS ALLISON, of Englew I. X. •!.. is descended in the
eighth generation from Lawrence Ellison (or A-llison), :i Puritan, who
moved from Watertown, M;i^.. to Wethersfield, Conn., thence to Stain
ford, in the same State, and finally to Hempstead, Long Island, with other
emigrants who accompanied Rev. Richard Denton in Hill. These emi-
grants are supposed to have been ;i pari of the colony which came over
from England with Rob-
er1 Winthrop and Sir
Richard Saltonstall in
1630. John Ellison, son
dl' Lawrence, became one
of 1 1n- founders of I temp-
stead in KM L His son
John, a nal ive of Hemp-
stead, Mas the imme
<li;ii( founder of the fam
ily of Allisons which,
for several generations,
have lived and slept
within the limits of
Haverstraw, Rockland
( 'ounty, New York. He
was one of the company
that purchased the north
part of tin- Kakiat pal
en1 of land in Orange
County, which is now
Rockland County, in
t719, and founded the
Town of New Hemp-
stead, now Ramapo. TTe
died in 1754, after a life
of ureal usefulness and
activity. Of Ins nine
children, Joseph, the
third, was born in An
iiiist. 17'_M or 1 Ti'l'. re-
sided in Haverstraw,
and died January -.
I7!>0. lie was called
Captain Joseph Allison, and became one of the largesl landowners and
farmers in Ids section. March tO, 171-".. lie married Elizabeth, daughter
of Matthew Benson, who died December li'. 17<i7. leaving ten children.
His second wife, whom lie married May I. L769, and who died April 16,
L815, was Elsie Parsells, and she bore him eighl children.
Matthew Allison, i fie eldest of all these eighteen children, was born
in Haverstraw, and died before L795, leaving several children, among them
Hendrick Allison, who married Sarah .Marks, daughter of George .Marks.
of the same town. They moved to Manhattan Island, theme to New
WILLIAM <>. ALLISON.
GENEALOGICAL 149
hock. X. -I.. and finally i<> Hackensack Township, Bergen County, to a point
beneath the Palisades, near wliai is now Englewood Township. They were
the grandparents of the subject of this article. William Henry Allison, son
of Hendrick and father of William <>., was born in Hackensack Township
on ili.- Kith of September, L820. In 1S4(> he married Catherine, daughter of
David and Elizabeth (Blauvelt) Jordan and granddaughter of Joseph -Jor-
dan, a French soldier, who came over with Lafav. lie and foughl for Ameri-
can independence, and who. after the Revolution, married Elsie Parsells,
and settled at Closter, on the top of the Palisades, where he died.
The maternal ancestors of William < >. Allison were among the original
1 Mi tch settlers a I Old Tappan. one ol t he earliest settlements in New Jersey,
ami have resided in Bergeu < iounty for more than two hundred years.
William < ). Allison was born in old Hackensack mow Palisade) Town-
ship, Bergen County, X. J.. March 30, L849. Prom his early boyhood he
lived much of the time in the family of William P. Dana, a prominent
resident of the Palisades, a man of forceful and exemplary character, and
a journalist of culture. The accidenl of this environmenl had an im-
portant part in his career, and he has never failed to fully acknowledge,
by word and deed, the benign influence which Mr. Dana's wife, .Mrs. Kath
arine Floyd Dana, exerted upon him. She took a deep interest in the hoy,
and his intellectual development was guided by her in a manner horn of
superior intelligence and refinemenl and by the greal strength of character
which she possessed. Finding in him the inherent traits for development,
she saw them expand into manhood, and broaden and increase in power.
Never was a friendship more liberally rewarded. His gratitude was ex-
pressed by the devotion which he accorded to her and by his adoption of
the name " < hit is *' in complimenl to a fancy of hers t hat his initials should
correspond to those of her nom de plume, " Olive A. Wadsworth."
In L868 Mr. Allison, having received an excellent training at the hands
of this childless woman, entered the office of the Financial Chronicle and
the Daily Bulletin, which were owned by Mr. Dana and John (!. Floyd.
Mrs. Dana's brother. Here he acquired a thorough and general knowledge
of the publishing business, and with this and keen business instincts he
soon developed into the best commercial reporter ever connected with the
New York press. He invented and instituted a system of thoroughness
in reports which had previously been unknown, and which few reporters
have been able to copy successfully. When he entered Mr. Dana's employ
he received $7 per week; inside of three years he had a weekly salary
of spt as a reporter. Put this rapid progress did mil satisfy his ambi-
tion. The confidence which he felt in his system of making a specialty
of a few markets and doing them thoroughly led him, on October 21, 1871,
lo issue the firsr number of the Oil, Paint and Drug Reporter, a small four-
page paper of extremely modest appearance when compared with other
publications already prominent in the industries to which it was de-
voted. The Reporter, however, contained more of real value to the sub
scribers than any other sheet, and its growth in circulation was remarka-
ble, while its advertising patronage, in connection with added departments
of valuable reading matter, forced numerous successive enlargments.
Put it was not until after a hard struggle of several years that Mr.
Allison saw the fulfillment of the hope which he had entertained at the
beginning of his career. His perseverance', muted with great business
tad and skill, alone brought him into prominence in a field in which he
now has no superiors and few if any equals. As a result of the policy of
150 BUDSON ANH BERGEN COUNTIES
obtaining and furnishing accurate, comprehensive, and valuable infor-
mation concerning all the markets which the paper covers and reports,
the successful growth of the business is believed to have no parallel in
commercial journalism. The Reporter soon became "'in- of the most profit
able class publications in the country, ;in<l exerts an influence in the
nudes in which it is allied such ;is uo other commercial publication has
wielded. In 1>71 he established Tin Painters Magazine, with which was
subsequently consolidated the Wall Paper Tradi Journal, and aboul the
same time he purchased Tin Druggists Circular, whirl) was started in ls.~i7.
These three publications — the Oil, Paint and Drug Reporter, Tin Druggists
Circular, and Tin Painters Magazine — not only continue to hold their
prestige and influence among the trades which they represent, bu1 enjoy
;i constanl ly increasing measure of sue. ess and a world-wide popularity and
reputation.
These relations have brought Mr. Allison into close personal contact
with a large clientage, have made his judgmenl and opinions much sough!
after, and have led him into enterprises outside of the publishing business.
Inheriting a tendency to operate in real estate, he has acquired from time
1«» time considerable tracts <>r land on or near the Palisades until he has
become one of the largest landowners in that section. And the eminenl
success which he has achieved as publisher, financier, and real estate
operator has won for him the respect, confidence, and admiration of all
who know him. His industry and good judgment, his commercial and
financial enterprises, and his many successful achievements, together with
his unostentatious benefactions, mark him as a man of distinction and
honor. He has gained by his own efforts an enviable place among the
foremost publishers and financiers of the day, and may well regard with
pride the career which he has carved out of surroundings shorn id' none
of the difficulties and temptations which every one encounters.
Mr. Allison was married October 22, L884, to Caroline Longstreel Hovey,
daughter of Alfred Howard Eovey and Frances Noxon, of Syracuse, X. Y.
Her parents dying when she was very young, she was adopted by tin-
late Hon. George F. Comstock and his wife, and look tin- name of Com
siock. Mis. ("onistock was a sister of .Mis. Allison's mother, and .Mr.
Comstock was a1 em- time Attorney-General of the United States and
chief Justice of the \cu York Court of Appeals. .Mrs. Allison was born
in Syracuse on dune L2, L862, received her education at Keble School in
ih.ii city and at a French school in N'euillv. near Paris, France, and resided
in Syracuse until her marriage. She died at Paris on March 31, L89G. Their
children were Katharine Floyd Allison, horn duly 1.".. L885; Frances Cor
in lia Allison, born November 23 1887; Allis Allison, born September 30,
1888, died April If. L880; William Dana Allison, born September 8, 1890,
died September 8, 1894; John Blauvell Allison, horn January L3, L893;
and Van Kleeck Allison, horn May i'::. L894. All wen- horn in Englewood,
\. ■). .Mr. Allison married, second, .Mrs. Caroline A. Comstock, daughter of
I »;i\ id Shaw, of I Detroit, .Mich.
dolIX ENGEL, formerly Post master of Hackensack, and one of the
most popular hotel proprietors in Bergen County, was born in Prussia,
Germany, on the L6th of April, 1845. Hi-; parents, Charles Engel and
Agustia Kuehn. were both horn and married in Prussia.
Major Engel received his education .it the military school at Schloss,
Annaburg, Province of Saxony, and in I860 came to this country, arriving in
GENEALOGICAL 1 ,V1
New Vork City od tin- ltiili of October. His tirsl business here was as a
barber in New York. In L868 he removed i<» Hackensack, X. J., where he
has since resided, and where he was for some time engaged in the barber
business. Be became Postmaster of Backensack in 1888, and served one
term. Afterward he engaged in the hotel business in Backensack, in which
lie lias since continued, becoming one of the mosl popular and besl known
hotel keepers in Bergen < !ounty.
As a soldier in the Civil War .Major Engel made an enviable record. Be
enlisted, in L862, in the One Bundred and Sixty-fifth New York Volunteers
and served until the close of the war in L865, receiving an honorable dis
charge after a long and active service ai the front. In L898 he enlisted for
active service in the War with Spain, becoming .Major of the Second
Battalion, Second Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, and going into camp
with his regiment at Jacksonville, Fla. Be was mustered ou1 in November,
1808. Be is Past Commander of -lames B. McPherson Post, No. 52, G. A.
R., and also CaptaiE of Major John Engel Command, No. -"><>. Spanish War
\ r eterans. Be served twenty-seven years (1872-1899) in the National Guard
of New Jersey, rising from a private to the command of the same battalion
in which he enlisted in L872.
Major Engel is a man of ureat energy, ability, and enterprise, and
during his entire career has maintained the respect and confidence of all
who know him. Be is one of the most public spirited citizens, deeply in-
terested in the affairs of the community, and thoroughly identified with
every movement which has for its object the general welfare. Be is a mem-
ber of Lodge No. 177. independent Order of odd Fellows, of Hackensack.
of the Improved Order of Red Men. of the Hackensack Wheelmen's Club,
and of the Basbr k Beights Field Club.
on October 31, L867, he married Miss M. II. Gehrels, of Charleston. S. C.
Their children are Charles W.. George S., John A.. Augusta, Berberi 15.,
Frank I'.. Emma T. B., ami Daniel O
ALEXANDER FISHER was born in Buffalo, X Y.. on the Hth of May,
L849, his parents being John Fisher and Margaret Cortelyou. His an-
cestors came to this country from England, lie was educated in lite public
schools of Buffalo and spenl his early lite as a traveling salesman. In this
capacity he gained a wide practical experience. He is now private secre-
tary To Henry Dalley, of New Fork City.
In L892 Mr. Fisher became a resident of Closter, Bergen County, X. -I..
where he has since remained. As a citizen he is thoroughly identified with
public affairs, liberal in promoting every worthy object, and prominent
in the community. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church,
public spirited and progressive, patriotic and enterprising, and highly
esteemed and respected. He married Mrs. H. R. Downs (na Dn Hois).
NELSON JAMES HARRISON EDGE was born in Jersey City, N. J.,
and has long been one of the leading bankers and citizens of Hudson
County. He is a member of one of the oldest families, not only of Jersey
City, but of tin- country, his first American ancestor. Roberi Edge, em-
barking with twenty others with their families at London. September 15,
Hi:!."), in the ship " Hopewell," Thomas Babb, Master, for New England,
where they first settled. Mr. Edge's grandfather, Isaac Edge, left Brooklyn,
where hi had been residing from about 17!)7. and came to Jersey City — then
I'anlns Hook — in the year L806, when there were but three houses in the
152
III I>So\ AND BERGEN COUNTIES
place: a tavern, the barracks, and a private residence. The family has
resided here ever since. In L815 iliis Isaac Edge buill a large windmill
ilhe material for which he imported) near what is dow the northeast
corner of Green and Montgomery Streets, and which at that time was
lapped by the waxes el' the riyer. The eld mill was for many years a
prominent landmark and still lives in the memories and traditions of the
(ddest inhabitants, lie married Frances Ogden, of Duffield, England,
and died -Inly 7. L851, leaving surviving him four sons: Isaac Edge, dr..
who died March Hi. 1859; Benjamin O. Edge, who died Jun< 11. L871;
George W. Edge, who died January 1, L880; and Joseph <i. Edge, who died
ISAAC EDGE, JR.
.May Hi. L883. lie also had two daughters: Alice Edge, who died Decem-
ber II. L870, and Elizabeth Edge, who died in 1887. George W. and Eliza-
beth died unmarried : the others, Isaac Hen jam in ( >.. Joseph G., and Alice.
married and left families surviving them.
Isaac Edge, Jr., father of Nelson J. II. Edge, al a very early age enlisted
in Captain Smith's company, Third Regiment, New Jersey Infantry, and
served his country in the armj during the War of L812. lie subsequently
became one of the pioneer manufacturers of Jersey <'ity and achieved a
national reputation as n pyrotechnist. Prom his establishment for many
GENEALOGICAL 153
years went forth all the displays of fireworks which were a1 one time annu-
ally .uivcii on the Fourth of July by all the principal cities of the country.
llf was also die originator of movable pieces, the first being a representa-
tion of the battle of Vera Cruz given on Boston Common, lie died March
lo. L859, and left surviving him liis wife Margaret, who died October 27,
LS79; his son. Nelson .). II.; and his daughters, Mary Louisa and Prances
Ogden. The latter died January 5, 1885.
Nelson J. II. Edge has been a life-long resident of Jersey City, lie firsl
attended old Public School No. 1, afterward studied at Mr. Dickinson's
school in the Lyceum, and from there entered St. Francis Xaviei College in
New York City, where he finished his education. His early training was
designed to tit him lor an active business life, which he soon entered,
and in which he has achieved an honorable reputation. Upon leaving
college he entered the Mechanics* and Traders' Bank of Jersey City, now
tiie First National Bank, and from there went to the Merchants' Bank of
New York City as cashier's assistant. In L887 he assisted in the organiza-
tion of the Bank of New Amsterdam, of New York, and acted as its Cashier
until L896, when he retired from business, lie was not long permitted lo
remain idle, however, for in 1899 he was called t<> the post of Cashier of
the Hudson County National Hank of Jersey City, which he accepted, and
which he is now filling with characteristic energy, ability, and satisfaction.
Mi-. [Edge is one of the foremost bankers of Hudson County, lie is a man
prompt in the discharge of every obligation, imbued with the highest prin-
ciples of integrity, and active and influential in promoting business and
public interests. Besides discharging his duties as a financier he has taken
an active part in local public affairs, lie was one of the organizers of the
Jersey City Vn-c Public Library, and was appointed one of the original
Trustees by Mayor Cleveland in L889, being re-appointed by Mayor Wanser
in 1.893 and again by .Mayor I loos in L898, tor terms of five years each.
Since his first appointment he has filled the office of Treasurer of the
library. In L896 Mr. Edge was the candidate of the "Gold" Democrats
for Presidential Elector on the Palmer ami Buckner ticket. He served
seven years in Company F, Seventh Regiment, National Guard of the State
of New York, enlisting in L876 and acting as Paymaster the greater part
of that period. Mr. Edge is a member and President of the Palma Club of
Jersey City, a member of the Carterel ami Cosmos Clubs, ami a member
of the Lincoln Association, of the Jersey City Board of Trade, of the
Seventh Regiment Veteran Club, of the Reform ('bib of New York, and
of the Society of the War >A' L812. lie has never married.
cooK CONK" LI NO. of Rutherford, N. J., is the son of Calvin B. Conk-
ling, a native of Sag Harbor. Long Island, and a descendant of one of two
brothers who came from England in Cromwell's time and settled originally
in Salem, Mass. This ancestor married Mary Gardiner, daughter of Lyon
Gardiner, proprietor of Gardiner's Island, and moved from Salem to Long
Island. Calvin B. Conkling's wife was Harriet A. \Y. King, who was also
descended from an old New England family.
Cook Conkling was born in Ledgewood, X. J., on the 4th of November,
L858. He received his preparatory education at Schooley's Mountain Semi-
nary in Morris County, in his native State, and afterward entered Mount
Union College in Ohio, where he took an elective course, but did not grad-
uate. Aft<T leaving college he taught country school for a time, but soon
abandoned that occupation to go "upon the road" as general traveling
1~)4 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
agen! for a machinery house. He filled this position for seven years, in
the course of which he visited forty-three States in the Union.
In his younger days Mr. Conkling wrote for the newspapers and during
his travels in America and Canada he constantly wrote for the press. His
letters descriptive of the people and their ways and the countries ;ii large
encountered in his travels have been reprinted and favorably commented
upon, lie has probably seen us much of the United Slates as almost any
other citizen of the country, and is well known throughoul Northern New
Jersey, over which his business connections extend.
Mr. Conkling finally studied law, was admitted to the bar of his native
State, and in 1888 began the active practice of his profession with a part
tier in Rutherford, N. J., where he still resides. This association continued
until February, L893. Afterward he was engaged alone in a general bank-
ing and law business in Rutherford until dune 1. ls'.is. when he formed a
copartnership with es Mayor Luther Shafer, of Rutherford.
Mr. Conkling is a Democrat by inheritance, his ancestral lines on his
mother's shh — the Phoenixes and Kings of New Jersey — having been
prominently identified with that party. He is a public spirited citizen and
deeply interested in the affairs of his native State. For many years he has
been influential in the growth of Rutherford, and in everj capacity has
displayed characteristic enterprise.
JOHN T. HARINGPS ancestors, for many generations, have resided at
old Tappan. lie is descended in tin eighth generation from dan Pietersen
Haring, the emigranl from Hoorn, Holland, for an account of whom and
of his children, see page 61. His line of descent as far as the fourth gen-
eration is identical with those outlined on pages 61 and 63 of this work.
John Cozine Haring, of the fourth generation, horn November 24. 1693,
and his wife. Aeltie Van Dolsen, horn in April, L696, had issue of the
fifth generation eight children, of whom one was Frederick d. Haring (5).
Frederick Johns Haring (5), horn December 7. 1729, died March <i. 1807,
married (1), April 30, 1 T.~l'. Rachel Abrams Haring, born May L3, 1732, died
Angus! 27, L795. He married (2), November If. 1796, Ann de < dark (widow
of Peter Perry), horn duly 7. 1741. died September 18, L816. Frederick's
children (of the sixth generation) by Rachel Abrams Haring were ten:
Aeltie, Abram F.. Dirkie, John F.. Garrel F.. Harman, Rachel. Margaretta,
Maria, and Abram B.
John Fredericks Haring (6), horn dune 15, 17<>(>. died Augusl in 1836,
married, in November, L781, Jemima, daughter of Tunis Blawvelt, horn
November 2.",. 1 77: >. died January 27. 1859. Their issue of the seventh gen-
eration were two: Frederick d. and 'funis d.
'funis d. Haring (7) was horn at Tappan, September 17. 17>7. died there
October L8, L881, married il I, October 7. 1806, Elizabeth Perry (daughter of
Peter Perry), horn March 2.".. L784, died November L3, 1858. He married (2),
November 22, L859, Lea Demaresl (widow of John R. Blawvelt). horn Febru-
ary •".. L 785, died Augusl 6, L872. Tunis i7i by his firsl wife had issue of the
eighth generation Abram B.„ Jane, Peter P.. ami John T.. the last named of
whom is the subject of this sketch.
John T. Haring (8) was horn in Harrington Township, Bergen County,
May Pi. 1822, and received his education in the local schools. He hit
school at the age of fifteen and went to work on his father's farm, where
he has ever since remained, never having engaged in any oilier business.
He is not only one of the leading farmers of Bergen County, hut has
GENEALOGICAL 155
also taken an active pari in public affairs, and served three years as a free-
holder and three years as Township Collector. He is a member of the
Reformed Church, a public spirited citizen, and highly respected and
esteemed.
Mr. Earing married Rachel Blawvell and has three children: Tunis J.,
of Hackensack; Richard B.; and Elizabeth P., of Sparkill, X. Y. They
reside at old Tappan, Bergen County.
MILTON T. RICHARDSON, a well known publisher of New York City
and for two terms President of the Village of Ridgewood, Bergen County
\. J., was born in VVestford, .M;iss., on the 7th of February, 1S4.'». He is the
son of Thomas Richardson and Mary Fletcher, ;i grandson of Abijah and
Elizabeth (Livingston) Richardson and of Peletiah and Sully i Woodward)
Fletcher, and a ureal grandson of Thomas and Hannah (Colburn) Richard-
son. On his father's side he is descended from Ezekiel Richardson one of
three brothers who came to this country from England in 1630. His
mother's family — the Fletchers- are equally old residents of \eu England,
her emigrant ancestor, Robert Fletcher, coming from England also in
1630. Both the Richardsons and the Fletchers as well as their collateral
ancestors bave long been prominent in the history of New England and
other Eastern States, and for generations have contributed materially to
the growth and prosperity of the communities in which they resided.
Milton T. Richardson received his education at Westford Academy in
VVestford, .Mass., and at Eastman's P.usiness College in Poughkeepsie,
N. Y. In these two institutions he laid the foundation upon which he has
built a successful career. Soon after completing his studies he engaged
in journalism and in the publishing business, and for a number of years
has been successfully connected ;is publisher of trade and class journals
.it 27 Tark Place, X< w York City. At the present time he is the publisher
of the Blacksmith and Wheelwright, the Amateur Sportsman, and Boots and
Shoes Weekly, being President and Treasurer of the corporation styled
the M. T. Richardson Company, which publishes these well known peri-
odicals. He is also the publisher of a large number of mechanical and
technical books. These publications are known throughout the country,
and represent in their respective fields the best interests of the trade and
the highest attainments of trade and class publications.
Mr. Richardson has achieved marked success as a publisher, and through
his own energy, ability, and superior judgment has brought his periodicals
to n high standard of excellence. He has also taken an active part in pub-
lic life. As a resident of Ridgewood, Bergen County, X. J., he has been
called upon to (ill important positions of trust and responsibility, being
elected, iii L892, a member of the Township Committee and later, upon the
incorporation of the village, a member of The Board of Village Trustees, to
which he was afterward re-elected and was twice chosen President of the
village. In these capacities he rendered most efficient service to the com-
munity, bringing to his duties the same energies, ability, and thoroughness
which characterize his business affairs. For a time he was a private in
Company 1, Sixteenth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers. He is Vice-
President of the Ridgewood Building and Loan Association and President
of the Ridgewood Hall and Park Association, a member of the Ridge-
wood Club, and also a member of the Knights of Honor and of the Royal
Arcanum. lie is a member of tin- New York Press Club, of the American
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GENEALOGICAL L r )7
Trade Press Association, and in 1898 was elected President of the latter
body, lie is also a member of the .Masonic order.
In 1870 .Mr. Richardson married Annie M. Rochford, by whom he had
three daughters: Annie Louise Richardson, Mildred Richardson, and Mrs.
II. Dunbar Johnston, lie married, second, in 1896, Anna J. Porter, and
they have one daughter: Irene Fletcher Richardson.
THE COLE FAMILY.— One of the earliest families to arrive in America
was Barent Jacobsen Kool mow written Cole), of Amsterdam, Holland,
an officer in the Dutch West India service, who came over to New Amster-
dam during the administration of Director-General Peter Minuit, under
whom he served for some lime with credit to himself and to his country.
Mis son. Jacob Barentseu Cole, married Maritie Simmons and located
at Kingston, X. Y., about L659. This Jacob had eight children, the youngest
of whom was Jacob, baptized at Kingston, X. Y., January 1. 1673, married
Barbara Hanse, and in L695 removed t<> and settled at Tappan, X. Y.,
where he died, leaving six children, all of whom married and settled either
in Rockland County. X. Y., or in Bergen County, X. .1. One of these,
Abraham, born in 1707. married Ann Meyer. They were the great-grand-
parents of Rev. Isaac Cole, who was for many years pastor of the Dutch
Church at Tappan, and whose son. Rev. David Cole, of Yonkers, X. Y.,
has published a History of Rockland County, X. Y., ami of the Tappan
Church.
Barent, said to he a brother of Abraham, above mentioned, bought a
large farm of the Van Valens a little south of Closter, where his descend
ants are numerous. Other branches of the family started at Eackensaek.
It may he safely said that many hundreds of the family are scattered over
Bergen and 1 1 udson < Jount ies.
THE CONKLIN FAMILY are scattered over Bergen and Hudson Coun-
ties, most, if not all, of them being descended from John Conklyne, of
Nottinghamshire, England, and his wife, Elizabeth Allseabrook (married
in 1625), who came to America in 1638 and settled at Salem. Mass., where
he and his brother, Ananias, established the lirst glass works in America.
They moved to Southold, L. L. ahoitt 1650. Prom thence .John removed
to Buntington, L. L. where he died in 1683, aged aboul eighty-three years.
His brother, Ananias, settled at Easthampton, L. I. His descendants spell
the name Conkling, of whom the late Senator Roscoe Conkling was one.
John's descendants spell the name Conklin. His grandson, Nicholas he-
came one of the purchasers of the " Kakiate" patent of many thousand
acres in Rockland County, X. Y.. and settled at Haverstraw in 1711. He
left several children, among whom were John. Edmund, Elias, William,
and Joshua. Of these. John, horn at Eastchester, N. Y., about 1700,
married. January 1, 1721). Gertrude, daughter of John de Tew, and settled
at Haverstraw. Edmund married Barbara, daughter of John Hogencamp.
Joseph Conklin, Rebecca Hyer, his wife, and Samuel Conklin and Jan
netie Hyer, his wife, settled at Haverstraw, N. Y.. in 1700. Matthias
Conklin, probably a brother of Nicholas, above mentioned, left his home
at Philips Manor in Westchester County, N. Y., early in 1710, and went to
Hackensack, where on the 27th of September of that year he married
Sophia Mabie, daughter of Casparus Mabie, the first immigrant of that
name. Matthias bought from Henry Ludlow and settled on a large farm
on the west side of the Hudson River in Bergen County, N. J., a little
158
HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
south of the present New York State line, bounded south by the Biker
farm, north by the Gesner farm, easl by the Hudson River, and wesl l>y
the "Ludlow Ditch." His sons were Jacob, Abraham, and Casparus, of
whom Jacob inherited the bulk of his father's lands. Be married Hester
Lawrence and had issue Delifrens, Parent, Maria, John, Elizabeth, David,
.•mil Jacob. Abraham, his brother, married Margaretta, daughter of Will-
iam Bell, and Ief1 ;i family of nine children, while Casparus, who married
Mynote Marl ling, Ief1 six children.
The descendants of the above spread rapidly over Rockland County,
X. Y.. and Bergen < !ounty, X. J.
WILLIAM GALBRAITH, probably the earliesl and mosl noted taxider
mist in Hudson County, was born in County Down, Ireland, of Scotch-Irish
ancestors, the name being conspicuous in Scotland before the exodus caused
bv the wiirs and political disturbances. When a young man be emigrated
in America and settled in New York City, bu1 sunn went to Long island,
and in April, L838, removed to Wes1 Hoboken, X. J., where he died in
October, 1872, in his sixt; seventh year. He was a distinguished taxider
mist, and in the constanl practice of his profession achieved considerable
fame and eminenl success. Numerous examples of his work which are still
in existence attest his remarkable skill and ability, and stamp him as one
of the leading taxidermists of his time. Coming to Wes1 Hoboken when
the countn was new and practically an unbroken forest, he found plenty
of birds and animals, many of which exisl now only in the specimens which
he preserved.
Mr. Galbraith purchased a house and two hits on the corner of Spring
and Cortlandl Streets, of Cyrus W. Browning, the founder of the Town of
West Hoboken, and during Ids active life took a prominent part in local
ah'aii-s. serving as Town Committeeman, etc. He was also a member of
the Methodisl Episcopal Church. He married, first, Jemima Payne, who
bore him four children: Elizabeth Charity (Mrs. Whittemore), of Chicago,
Charles S., of Wes1 Hoboken, and two who are deceased. His second wife,
Eliza Billings, whom he married in New York, died in Wes1 Hoboken,
leaving two children: William and John, both deceased. He married,
third, in New York <"itv. .Miss Dorothy Nixon, by whom he had seven
children, of whom one is living, nameh : Richard E., of West Hoboken.
Charles Stewart Galbraith was born on Long Island, on the 2ls1 of
September, 1831, and adopted his father's profession, which he has fol-
lowed for many years. He has traveled extensively in the interest of his
work, and resides in Wesl Hoboken.
RICHARD EDWIN GALBRAITH, eldest surviving son of William and
Dorothy (Nixon) Galbraith, was horn in West Hoboken, X. J., April IT,
1842. After completing his studies in the public schools of his native
town he associated himself with his father, and learned, and for several
years practiced, the art of a taxidermist. He was successfully identified
in a professional capacity with P. T. Barnum, the Chicago Academy of
Sciences, and the Kentucky University at Lexington, and afterward was
engaged for nineteen years in the ostrich feather business, in West Ho-
boken and New York, with E. V. Welch t V Co. and their successors. Bene,
Creighton & Co. These connections gave him a broad experience and a
valuable training in both professional and commercial affairs, and broughl
GENEALOGICAL
159
him into prominence ;is a man of unusual ability, of greal force of character,
and of rare mental and executive attainments.
In 1SS4 Mr. Galbraith engaged in the real estate and insurance business
in WVst Hoboken, which he still follows with characteristic energy and
success. lb' lias been an extensive operator in real property in thai
section, and through his enterprise and foresight lias been instrumental
in developing several importanl tracts.
In politics he is a conservative Democrat, lb' was four years a member
and nnc year Chairman of the Town Council <>t West Eoboken, three years
RICHARD E. GALBRAITH.
Chief of Police, two years a member and one year Chairman of the West
Hoboken Board of Education, and one of tin- founders of the Hudson Trust
and Savings Institution, of which he is a Director and a member of the
Executive Committee. Do has been President of the Palisade Building
and Loan Association of West Hoboken since its organization in April,
L891. lie is a promineni member and for three years was Master of
Doric Lodge, No. si;. F. and A. M., of West Hoboken, and is a member
of Cyrus Chapter. No. 32, R. A. M., of Pilgrim Commandery, No. 16,
K. T., and of the Scottish Kite bodies in the Valley of -Jersey City, of
Mecca Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of New York, and of the
1G0 HUDSON AMI BERGEN COUNTIES
Masonic Veterans' Association, of Brooklyn, and is Pas1 Junior Grand
Steward of the Grand Lodge of Masons of New Jersey. He is also a mem-
ber of Ellsworth Post, No. 11. G. A. R., of the Town of Union, hav-
ing enlisted in August, L862, in Company F, Twenty-firsl New Jersey
Volunteer Infantry, and serving in the Third Brigade, Second Division,
Sixili Army Corps, of the Army of the Potomac, in the Civil War. This
was the tirsi nine-months' regimenl from New Jersey in the War of the
Rebellion. Mr. Galbraith participated in both battles of Fredericksburg,
and ;ii 1I1-' second battle was captured by the enemy and confined as n
prisoner for aboul ten days. His high standing in the community, the
esteem and confidence in which he is held, and his greai popularity and
wide acquaintance are attested by the several importanl positions he
has filled, the duties oi which he has discharged with ability, integrity,
sound judgment, and faithfulness. Almost every importanl movemenl in
West Hoboken, during the lasl fifteen or twenty years, has fell the impetus
of Ids wholesome and benevolent influence.
Mr. Galbraith was married, dune 1. L8G5, to Surah Jane, daughter of
William Granger Quigley and Esther, his wile, of New York City and later
of AYosi Hoboken.
TIM': De BOW FAMILY. — Dirk de Bow, or de Boog, as ii appears on
tin- records ai Amsterdam, Holland, emigrated from thai city to America
in L649, with his four children, and settled a1 New Amsterdam, where he
died. His children were Catharine (married, September 5, L649. Wilhelmus
Beekman), Susanna (married, in L660, Arenl Everson), Frederick (married
Elizabeth Fredericks), and Garrel (married, September 1<'>. 1663, Hendricke
Paden, of San Francisco).
Garrel had issue three children: Henry, John, and Isaac. This John
was a baker in New York, and had a son, Garrel de Bow, born in New
Vork aboul L703, died aboul 17<;s. a1 Pompton Plains. X. .1.. married, May
i'::. ITl'T. Maria, daughter of Paulus Vanderbeck and Catharine Ryerson.
She was baptized February 21. 1706. Garrel settled on the lands of his
father-in-law (Vanderbeck) at Pompton, where he spent Ids days, and left
six children: Catalyna, horn in ITl's (married Simeon Van Ness); Eliza-
beth, horn in L729 (married Abraham Gould); Paulus, horn in L731; John,
horn in 17.".."; Maria, horn in 17:'." (married Samuel Berry); and Sarah,
horn in 1740 (married Philip Schuyler).
The descendants oi these children of Garrel de Bow have scattered over
Passaic County and the west side of Bergen County, were they are quite
numerous.
THE COOPEK FAMILY is still one of the more numerous families
throughoul Northern New Jersey, and particularly in Bergen County.
Claes Jansen Van Permerend emigrated to America in 1647, from Per
merend, a town near tin- Zuyder Zee. between Amsterdam and Hoorn,
Holland. His fust stopping place was Brooklyn, where In- married Pie
tartie Brackhoengie, of Gowannus. She died soon after and he removed
to Bergen, N J., where he married (2), November 11. L656, Ann. a sister
of [de V;iii Vorst. <>r January 1. 1662, he obtained a patent for a trad
of hind near Harsimus, en which In located and remained until his death.
which occurred November 20, Kiss. His widow survived him until January
1.2, L726. Two weather-beaten headstones mark their last resting places
in the cemeieiv of the old Bergen hutch Church, ('laes was an active.
GENEALOGICAL 101
energetic man. and attained prominence in town affairs. He was some-
times known as "John Pottagie," and in later days as " Kuyper." il is
said, because he was a cooper by trade. His descendants have ever since
retained the name Kuyper, anglicized to Cooper. On April lb. L671, he
boughl from Governor Carteret 240 acres on the Hudson River, including
in it the present Village of Nyack, N. V. The same year he bought 400
acres adjoining lus first purchase on the north, and in 1678 lie bought
several traits of meadow adjoining him — in all about Ids acres of meadow.
Seme of these lands he owned in partnership with the Tallnians v All of
them,eventually passed to his sons. Hi^ issne wire Cornelius, John, (Maes,
hirls. Henry, Vroutie, Trvntie. Divertie, Pietartie. Janetie, Grietie, Marine.
Hellegond, Judith, and Cornelia — in all fifteen. One or two of these
joined in the purchase of the Tappan patent.
Cornelius went from Bergen to Tappan in L689, bul soon sold to Tall-
man. He thin removed to Schraalenburgh, where he boughl of John
Demaresl -~><> acres on the Hackensack River, near old Hook, where he
resided. He and his wife. Aeltie Bogert, of Tappan, reared a large family
of children, from whom mainly are descended the Bergen County Coopers.
RICH \KI> B. HARING is descended in the ninth generation from Jan
Pietersen Haring, the emigranl from Hoorn, Holland, and the line of de
scent is the same ns that of his father, John T. Haring (see page L54), ex-
tending it one generation further, as follows:
John T. Haring (8), born May Hi. L822, married. May 24, LS43, Rachel,
daughter of John R. Blawvelt, born August 24, 1822. He resides at Tappan,
on pari of the farm which his lirst American ancestor purchased from the
Indians. The issue of John T. Haring (8) of the ninth generation are
three: funis. I.. Richard B., and Elizabeth 1'.. of whom the second, Richard
B. (9), is the subject of this sketch.
Richard B. Haring (9) was bom in Harrington Township, Bergen
County, January 24, LS56. He acquired his education in the Bergen County
schools, which iie left at the age of eighteen to go to work on his father's
farm. He still remains on the homestead. About L886 he engaged in the
business of general auctioneer. In L897 he also established himself in the
coal business at Tappan. X. Y.. and still continues both enterprises.
lie was for four years a member of the Township Committee and for
four years served as Township Treasurer, discharging the duties of each
office with characteristic ability and devotion. For some time he has also
served as a member of t he Borough < Council. He is a member of t he Ameri-
can Legion of Honor, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the
Reformed Church. In every capacity he has maintained a high standard
for integrity, honor, and laudable ambition.
Mr. Haring married Mary < I. Banta, and has six children of the tenth gen-
eration: Lila Kay. Charles lb. Vbram Demarest, J. Eugene, D. Leroy, and
< lert rude.
JOHN JOSEPH NEVIN, Judge of tin Criminal Courts of Jersey City,
is the son of Patrick Xevin. and was born in Summit, X. -I., on the 31st of
August, 1*70. After attending private schools he entered St. Peter's
College of Jersev City and was graduated from that institution in the class
of L889, receiving in -Inly of that year the degree of Bachelor of Arts; a
year later he received the degree of Master of Arts. On leaving college
lie was offered the position of clerk to Mayor Cleveland, which he accepted,
162
HUDSON AMI BERGEN COUNTIES
and wlirii Mayor Wanser succeeded Mr. Cleveland in office Mr. Nevin was
retained on accounl of his efficiency, industry, and superior qualifications.
In these capacities Judge Nevin gained a wide reputation and displayed
those broad executive abilities which have since distinguished him in both
public and private affairs. He also engaged in journalism, being the Jer-
sey City corresponded of the New York \Io?'ning Advertiser and also of the
New York Star and Daily Gotitinent during the existence of those papers.
Ho is now Judge of the Criminal Courts of Jersey City, which office he is
lilliiiL: with marked ability and universal satisfaction. In L899 he was ap-
pointed a member for Jersey City of the Hudson County Consolidation
JOHN J. NEVIN.
Commission, and he is now Secretary of thai body. Judge Nevin was mar-
ried April 30, L895, to Katharine Walsh, of Jersey <'iiy. and has two chil-
dren, Joseph and Edward.
THE De GROOT FAMILY, still numerous in Bergen and Hudson Coun-
ties, arc of Holland descent. William Pietersen de Grool came to America
in LG62, on hoard the ship '* Hope," with his wife and five children. They
were from Amsterdam, Holland. Dirck Jansen de Groot, a Dative of Ryle-
velt, in Holland, came to Now Amsterdam as a soldier in the Dutch
service, on hoard the ship "Spotted Cow," April L5, L6C0, leaving behind
GENEALOGICAL 163
him hi-- wife, Grietie Gerrets, and two children. In April, L663, Dirck's
brother, Staats de Groot, who, the chip's register says, was a resident of
Tricht, Holland, came to America on the same ship which had brought
over his brother. Staats broughl over with him his brother's wife and
children. Staats married, in 1664, Barbara Springsteen. Dirck and his
first wife. Wybrig Jans, resided in New Amsterdam antil 1679, when they
removed i«» Flatbush, L. I., where they remained permanently. From
Flatbush several of the children removed to Hackensack in L695-96. Siaais
first settled at Brooklyn, where the assessmenl roll of KIT.") showed him
to be a taxpayer. He was of a roving disposition. In L678 he was living
in Westchester County, X. Y. lie next turned up at Bergen, X. .1.. where,
in June, L678, his second daughter was baptized. While living at Bergen,
where many id' his relatives lived, he became in L686 one of the Tappan
patentees, lie was ai New Amsterdam in Hiss, and probably never lo-
cated on his Tappan lands. He died between Kiss and 17<M. having deeded
or willed his lands to his wife Barbara, who was a daughter of Casparus
Springsteen, of Groningen, Bolland. His children were Yoost, Neltje,
Mary, and Geesie. Yoost settled a1 Tappan and his descendants spread into
Bergen County. The descendants of Dirck and William Pietersen de Grool
spread through Bergen County from Bergen and EJackensack, where they
seit led.
THE EDSALL FAMILY are still numerous in both Bergen and Hudson
Counties. The founder of the family in America was Samuel Edsall, a
native of Reading in Berkshire, England, where he was born about li;::o.
lie was a hatter by trade, and came to America early in the spring of
L655 ias is saidi. settling first ;ii New Amsterdam. There, on .May L'!>,
L655, he married Mi Jannetie Wessels, then a belle of the city, whose
mother kept a tavern in Tear! Street, celebrated for burgomasters' din
ners. In April. L657, lid-all was made a small burgher. From Xew Am-
sterdam he went id Newtown, I.. 1. In L663 he volunteered his services in
the Esopus Indian War, and was made a Sergeant. <>n October <>. HiiU.
he. with Richard Nichols, bough.1 of Governor Philip Carterel a tract called
Xipnichsen on the Kill Von Kail in Eudson County, containing about ><M>
acres. lb sent over four men to Bergen thai year to help fortify the
•• towne." In L668, with Nicholas Varlet, he boughl from the Indians I.sTl*
acres of land fronting on the Hudson River, bounded west by Overpeck
("reek, and extending northward from the town bounds of Bergen to
what is now beonia in Bergen County. After the surrender of the Dutch
to the English he took the oath of allegiance to the British king ami re-
moved from Newtown to Bergen. There he was a member of Carteret's
Council from Kills to 1672. In L668 he was appointed a commissioner to
assess and collect a tax to resist invasion, and was made treasurer of the
fund. He joined James Bollen and .John Berry in petitioning I he Dutch
government that the books and papers of Xew .Jersey be delivered to Sec-
retary Bayard. September 12, L673, and was one of the commissioners sent
by Bergen to the same government. In 1689 he removed to Xew Amster-
dam and became a partisan of Governor Leisler, a member of the Com-
mittee of Safety, and of the Court of Exchequer. Ee was caught in the
net with Leisler and put on trial for high treason, of which charge he
was honorably acquitted. In 1699 la- removed to Queens County, L. I.,
where la- was" Justice of the Peace in 1690, and where In- died. He mar-
K)4 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
iic<l (2) Augusl 27, 1689, ;ii Flatbush, I.. I.. Janneite Stevens, widow of
Cornelius Jansen Beory, of Newtown.
His issue were Ann. L656; Judith, 1658; John, L660; Ann: Julia; and
Richard. Of these Ann married William Laurence, <>t' New York, and
Julia married Benjamin Blagge, <>i Plymouth, England. -I « >liii seiileil north
<it' liis father's farm en the Budson. Blagge ami Laurence by the deed of
Edsall became the owners of pari of liis Budson River farm, and the
remainder passed i<> the ownership of the he ilivmis. Hays, Sniiilis. and
other settlers of Bergen County. Seme of Edsall's descendants are siill
living on portions of the farm bought from the savages by their Mist
common ancestor.
THE FLIERBOOM FAMILY.— The first American ancestor of the
Elierboom and Vlierboom families was Mattys Elierboom, a Bollander,
who emigrated to America somewhere aboul 1660 and settled at New
Orange (Albany), where !n- became a man of note, rising to the dignities
and honors of ;i judge of the courts at Albany. There he reared a family
of five children: Caroline, Wellempie, Maritie, Servaes, and Jacob, and
perhaps others. About L692 the family removed to New Amsterdam,
where Wellempie married in 1693 Cornelius Eckerson. Caroline, in L6!)3,
married Cornelius Jans Baring. .Maritie married in L694 Rynier Reyserick.
Servaes, in 1697, married Gertrude Lesting. Jacob married in 1699 .Mari-
tie Peters Baring. All these, except Servaes, became residents of Bergen
County. Jacob, at the division of the Tappan patent, boughl a large farm
at what is now Rivervale, in Washington Township. He owned other
lands there. His issue were .Mary. Matthew. John, Abram, Rynier, -Inn
uetie. .lames, and Jannetie. All of these except Matthew were baptized
at Tappan. Jacob's children (a large family) located west of the Backen-
sack on lands bought of John McEvers, and their descendants are scat-
tered over Bergen County, some having taken the name of " Freeborn."
THE GARRABRANT FAMILY, the later members of which are nu
merous in the western part of Bergen and Hudson Counties, claim descent
from Gerbrand Claesen, a Dutch emigrant, who. at one time, had much
influence over the early affairs of Bergen. Claesen was from Amsterdam,
and was at Bergen probably two or three years before he married Maritie.
only daughter of Claes Pietersen <'<>s. which was Augusl 25, L674. Be
became a large property owner and held many official positions. In L6S9
he obtained permission of < rovernor Leisler to purchase a tract of land now
in Putnam County, X. V.. and. on December <i. L699, he purchased of < reorge
Willocks an extensive trad of land on the Pequanonck River, then in
Bergen < bounty.
His issue were nine children: Peter, Claes, Berpert, Cornelia, Metje,
Cornelius, Maria. Gerrebrand, and Mindert. Some of these remained at
Bergen, where their descendants still live, while others settled on their
father's lands on the Pequanonck River, whence their issue spread over
Bergen and Passaic ' bounties.
MOSES E SPRINGER, the leading undertaker of Englewood, X. J., was
horn August 5, 1 V 1'7. in New York <"ity. where he resided until 1857, when
he went to Wisconsin, where he remained two years. His education was
acquired partly in the public schools, but chiefly through his own exertions
and by those means which an ambitious youth linds amid the active employ
CEXEALOCIOAL
165
nients of life. Thrown at an early age upon his own resources, he manfully
paved his way in the world, picked up here and there valuable bits of in-
formation, and rapidly acquired a practical experience which has served
him well throughout his career.
For aboui fifteen years, both before and after his residence in Wisconsin,
Mr. Springer was successfully engaged in business as a builder and con-
tractor. In 1859 he returned Last and settled in Englewood, X. -I., where
he si ill resides, and where he has successfully conducted an undertaking
*_ —.j.
MOSES E. SPRINGER.
business since he retired from contracting. He is now the leading under-
taker in that town, and has also been active in public affairs, having served
for three years ;is Tax Assessor. He was one of the founders of Englewood
Lodge of Good Templars and was a (barter member of Tuscan Lodge, No.
11". r\ and A. M., of Englewood, of which he is still a prominent member
and Past Master. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a
public spirited and enterprising citizen, and in all the relations of life has
displayed the attributes which mark a successful man. During the past
16f) HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
eleven years he has been Secretary of the Englewood Mutual Loan and
Building Association, a position which he si ill holds.
Mr. Springer was married, in L854,to Mary A.Golding, of New York City.
Their children are Hester, Mary E., George W.. Charles \Y.. and Josephine
Burr Springer.
THE GOETSCHIUS FAMILY is also a numerous family in the western
pan of Bergen < !ounty. They are all descended from John Henry < roetschy,
who was born in the Canton of Zurich, in Switzerland, about 1695, where
he studied for the ministry in the University of Switzerland. He came to
America aboul L728, and firsl preached a1 Skippach and in the valleys of
the Delaware and Susquehanna in Pennsylvania. His son. John Henry
Goetschius, born at Liguria, Switzerland, in 17ls. studied in the University
of Zurich, and came to America with his father in Ill's. He was licensed
to preach in 1738, and preached on Lout: Island until 1740, when he came
to Hackensack, X. •). There he preached until Ills, when he took charge
of the church at Schraalenburgh, which he kepi until his death in 1771.
He was an able, eloquent, and effective preacher. His son Stephen, also a
minister, preached at Saddle River and Pascack from L814 to L837. His
father. John II. Goetschius, married. August 26, 174'.i. Rachel Zabriskie.
Both John Henry and his son Stephen reared large families, who scattered
rapidly over Bergen < Jounty.
THE GAUTIEK FAMILY, at one time numerous in Hudson County,
was a French Huguenol family who came to America after the revocation
of the Edid of Nantes by Louis XIV. By intermarriage a considerable
landed estate in Bergen, N. J., came into possession of the family. This
property, at what is now Greenville, is known as the " Gautier farm," de-
scended through om Captain Thomas Brown. Jasques Gautier, of Saint
Blancard, in the Province of Languedoc, France, is said to have been the
tirst American progenitor of the Gautiers. He settled in New Amsterdam.
and left issue two sons. Daniel and Francois, besides daughters. Daniel (2)
married, at New York, September <i. 171*',. Maria Bogert, and had eleven
children, one of whom was Andrew (3), who was horn in L720 and married
(1) in 1714 an English lady named Elizabeth Crossfield, and il'i in 1774
Elizabeth Hastier. Andrew (3) was a prominent man in New York,
and left issue four children, one of whom. Andrew i4i. horn December is.
1755, married Hi Mary Brown, of Bergen, and il'i Hannah Turner. Andrew
ill took up his residence at Greenville and left eighl children, from whom
are descended the Gautiers of Bergen and Hudson Counties.
WILLIAM MTNDRED JOHNSON is one of the most prominent lawyers
of Bergen County, X. J., ami since 1895 has represented that county in the
State Senate. He comes from distinguished families, his fatlu r being Hon.
Whitfield Schaeffer Johnson, Secretary of State of New Jersey from L861
to L866, and his mother Ellen, daughter of Enoch Green, granddaughter of
John Green, and sister <>l Hon. Henry Green, Chief Justice of the Supreme
Courl of Pennsylvania. His paternal grandparents were John Johnson and
Maria < '. Schaeffer. His paternal ureal grandfather was Captain Henry
. Johnson. ,i Quartermaster in the Continental Army. Hon. Whitfield
Schaeffer Johnson, father of the subjed of this article, was eminent in the
Stale of Xew Jersey, alike as a leading lawyer, a leader id' the Republican
party, and as a public man. lie was horn in Xew ion. Sussex Comity. No-
GENEALOGICAL
167
veinber 14. L806, read law in Newark with Chief Justice Joseph C. Eorn-
blower, and came to the New Jersey bar in L828. For many years he was a
successful lawyer in New ten. and for seme time served as Prosecutor of the
Pleas of Sussex County. In 1^<>1 lie was appointed Secretary of State by
Governor Olden and served until 1866, and in 1867 lie was made register in
bankruptcy. He died in Trenton on the 24th of Decemb< r. 1S74; his wife's
death occurred there September 1.6, L894.
William M. Johnson was horn in Newton. Sussex County. N. J., Decem-
ber 2, L8.47, and received his preparatory education at the Newton Colle-
giate Institute and the State Model School nt Trenton. lie was graduated
from Princeton College with honor, receiving 'he degree of Bachelor of
Arts in L867. Subsequently lie also received the degree of Master of Arts
from the same institution. .Mr. Johnson read law in Trenton with the hit"
Hon. Edward W. Scudder until the I atter's appointment to the bench, and
afterward in the same city with Garrel I >. YV. Vroom, now and for several
, , mm
RESIDENCE OF WILLIAM M. JOHNSON.
years Slate Law Reporter, and was admitted to the bar of New Jersey at
Trenton in June, L870, as an attorney, and in dune. 1ST:;, as a counselor,
As a member of the firm of Kingman & Johnson he successfully practiced
his profession in Trenton from L870 to December. 1S74, when he moved to
Hackensack, Bergen County, where he has since resided, becoming one of
the recognized leaders of the Bergen County bar. In connection with an
extensive legal business, and as a progressive, public spirited, and liberal
minded citizen, he has achieved a wide reputation and an honorable stand-
ing throughout the State, lb- is one of the most conspicuous figures in the
public and political life of his section. He has appeared in a large number
of very important cases, ami is universally regarded as one of t lie ablest and
most talented lawyers of the county, eminent in the profession, and re-
markably successful as an advocate and counselor. His sound judgment,
his integrity, his broad legal attainments, and his fine sense of honor as a
168
HUDSON \M> BERGEN COUNTIES
111:) 11 have woe for him the confidence of no1 only his clients, biri of 1 1 n •
entire community, in ;mi unusual degree.
Ilr is ;ils<> one of the influential leaders of the Republican party in the
stale, having served on the Republican Stnte Committee in 1884, and
being a delegate to the Republican National Convention ;ii Chicago in L888.
In the autumn of L895 he was nominated and elected State Senator from
Bergen County for ;i term of three years, and so ably and satisfactorily
did he discharge the duties of that office thai in L898 he was re-elected for a
second term of three years. He has been active in proposing and shaping
legislation in the interest of the taxpayers ol both the State and his
district, and has served as Chairman of the Committees on Appropriations,
State Library, and the Judiciary and as a member of the Committees on
Boroughs and Townships and State Hospitals. In L898 and L899 he was
tin" leader of his party on the floor of the Senate. He was the first Re-
publican senator ever elected in Bergen County, and received 6,287 votes in
L895 and 6,999 in L898; these facts speak volumes for the popularity, the
confidence, and the esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens, while
his re-election by an increased vote attests the satisfaction he has rendered
in t his important trust. In L900 he was elected President of the New Jersey
Senate and became Acting Governor during the absence of Governor Voor-
hees in Europe in .May. L900, and in Augusl of the same year he was ap-
pointed by President McKinley First Assistant Post mast er-< lenera I of the
United Stales, vice Perry S. Heath resigned.
Senator Johnson has also been prominent in the local affairs and public
interests ^\' Hackensack, where he lias so long resided. He has held various
town offices, has served on the Hackensack Board of Education, and Ims
taken for many years a deep interest in the development of the public
school system. " The Johnson Public Library," costing nearly $50,000, was
erected in L900 by .Mr. Johnson, at his own expense, and presented by him
to the Town of Hackensack. Outside of the lines of his profession he has
been eminently successful in the management of a number of business in-
terests. Hi' was ime of the original organizers and founders of the Hack
ensack Bank, and has served upon its directorate continuously from its
organization to tin- present time, lie is also President of the Hackensack
Trust Company, lie is likewise a prominent member and one of the officers
of the Second Reformed Church of Hackensack. while he is also a member
of the Oritani Field <'lnl». the \'<ntli Jersey Country Club, the Hamilton
('liih. the Lawyers* Club, and the Princeton Club of New Fork. In every
capacity and relation in life Senator Johnson has exhibited consummate
ability, a broad and liberal knowledge, and a commendable public spirit
and enterprise. Privateh he is possessed of scholarly attainments, and is
universally respected for those virtues which make up the loyal friend and
lieiiesl man.
He was married October 22, L872, to Maria P.. daughter <»f William
White, of Trenton. X. .1. Their eldest son, Walter Whitfield Johnson, died
March Hi. 1891, aged sixteen. The other two, who are living, are George
White Johnson and William Kempton Johnson.
THE MEYEB FAMILY.— The first American ancestor of the Meyer
family in America was Adolph Meyer (or Mayer), a native of risen, a
parish of Bertheim in the German Province id' Westphalia, who emigrated
to New Amsterdam in LG61. His arrival was followed soon after by the
advent of his kinsmen. Andrew and .lohn Mover, brothers. Thev must
GENEALOGICAL Kit)
have been on friendly terms wit li I he Van Vorsts at Bergen, for, on Novem-
ber 5, L671, Andrew's Qiarriage to .Miss Vroutie, eldest daughter of Ede
\';iu Vorst, was dnlv solemnized in the old hutch ('lunch on the heights,
and on June L3, ItiTT. .Miss \mii Win Vorst, Vroutie's sister, was united
to John Meyer in the same church. Andrew and John both took their
wives to New Amsterdam, where they prospered and reared large families.
In 1»''.U John removed to Tappan and located near the Sparkill Brook.
John's wife, then a widow, received her share of the Tappan patent at the
division in L704. Their children, whose descendants spread southward into
Bergen County, were Catharine, [de, John, Judith, [den, Cornelius, Ann.
Elizabeth, and A adrew.
Adolph .Meyer removed to near Demaresl in Bergen County, where he
settled on a large farm purchased by him from the Demarests. His issue
spread all over Bergen County and are uumerous today.
TIM': OTJTWATEK FAMILY.— Franz Jacobsen was a native of Oude-
water, a small town on the River Yssel, between Leyden and Utrecht, Hoi
land. This town is also the birthplace "\' Vrminius, after whom the •• Re-
monstrants" were called A i ininia ns. A picture in the Stadt hnys. by Dirk
Stoop, commemorates the brutal excesses committed t here by t he Spaniards
in 1575. Jacobsen came to America prior to L657 and located at Albany.
( Mie of his sons. Thys Franz < Mil water, went from A Ibany to Tappan, X. 'S ..
in L686, where he married Geertie Lamberts .Moll (widow of John Jacobs
Harding). Mis descendants spread over Rockland County and into New
Jersey. One of them. Mr. Thomas Ouiwaier. was a noted surgeon in the
Revolutionary Army. Thomas Franz (Mil water, another son of l'Tanz
Jacobsen, the emigrant, removed to New York, where he married Neetie
Peterse. He subsequently removed to and settled in Bergen County, south
of Baekensack, where he married (2) in 17-">n Jannetie Durie, widow of
Cornelius Epke Banta. Bis children were Jacob, Thomas, John, Peter,
Elizabeth, Janneke, and Annatie, all of whom married and settled around
Hackensack, where their descendants still reside.
THE LAROE (La ROUX) FAMILY, still numerous in Bergen County,
are descended from Jaques la Roux, who was horn in l(ir>7. .Mr. Riker
in his " History of Harlem "' says of him: " From his name and affiliation
with the French refugees we conclude he was himself French, though
Vander Vin usually carefully writes his surname the first two or three
times el Roey, and finally adopts the form of El Roe. As he must have
had warrant for this, probably Jaques was of mixed blood, Spanish and
Walloon, lie is always called by Vander Vin ' Jaco," a juvenile form of
Ins name used by the Walloons. He was at New Harlem as early as 1<!7.'». a.
young man and unmarried. Probably he had then been here bu1 a short
time. In 1 < '» 7 7 he joined the I Mitch Church at New Amsterdam, but early
the next year accompanied the Demarest family to their settlement on
the upper Hackensack River. At Hackensack he married Hendricke Tennis
Belling (Helms), and by her had issue Peter, Henry, Samuel, Samuel, Abra-
ham, and John." On the decline of the French church at New Bridge,
•' which he must have helped to form." says Riker, he joined the church at
Hackensack. April .">, 1696. The same year lie. with the emigrant Lozier and
others, purchased of the Indians the "Old Hook" patent, containing 1,300
acres on the west side of the Hackensack in Washington Township. The
title to this tract was defective and was not made good until April, 1704,
170
HUDSON AMi BERGEN COUNTIES
after his death. He was known ns " Siques La Roux." Upon his death
his children inherited his property, married, and reared large families, the
descendants of whom spread rapidly over Bergen County. They are still
numerous.
HENRY PUSTEE is a fine example of the German-American citizen, one
of that large class whose industry, economy, intelligence, and sturdy in-
tegrity have done so much toward the developmenl of our country, and
whose solid qualities and \aluahlr services in all departments of private
and public life have been recognized in everj portion of the republic. He is
a native of Jersey City, N. J., where he was born March LO, 1858, and where
he has ;d w ays resided. I lis
father. Valentine Puster, a
na1 ive of Bavaria, came to
America about the year
L850, and located in Jersey
< 'iiy. where his son enjoyed
the advantages ot the pub-
lic as well as the German
private schools.
While bui a youth he
made choice of the jew (dry
business as his life work:
bu1 after a short appren-
ticeship he became con-
vinced that his tastes,
abilities, and natural apti-
tudes pointed tO a very
differeni sphere of action.
Heme, with more mature
• judgment revising h i s
former decision, he resolved
to make the law his pro-
fession. In the li^hi of
subsequent events no one
can doubt that 1 his was a
most fortunate change. Mr.
Puster now entered the law
office of Hon. William I).
Daly, since Stale Senator and Congressman. For four years following he
received kindly advice and instruction from Mr. Daly, as well as from his
partner lai thai time), Mr. Wynkoop, who look a lively and warm inierest
in him, seeing his aptitude and industrious endeavors, and coached him
through all the intricacies confronting the law student. Mr. Puster also
found a warm friend in the late Hon. Bennington F. Randolph, Judge of
the Jersey City Districl Court, who did much for him while pursuing the
rugged course of the law student, and he afterward had the extreme pleas
ure of succeeding his benefactor and friend on the Districl Courl bench.
\i the close of ihis period Mr. Puster took his examination in company
with a number of i el low students from i he same building (Flemming Build-
ing), and to-day is the only living and successful lawyer of all those who
look the journey to Trenton benl on attaining the same goal. After be-
coming regularlv admitted to the bar of New Jersev, he at once entered
IIKNl:\ PUSTER.
GENEALOGICAL 171
upon the practice of his profession in his native city, where his courtesy,
ability, and knowledge of the law, his tireless activity, with prompt and
thorough attention to business, rapidly added to his circle of friends and
steadily built up for him an extensive and valuable practice. He is a man
of kind and generous impulses, as is evidenced by the fact that he is known
as a friend of the poorer classes, who often receive the benefit of his legal
services and advice with little remuneration or quite gratuitously.
So bright and energetic a man could scarcely fail to become a leader
in politics. He comes of Democratic stock and has always been true to
the Democratic standard, and hence enjoys the fullest confidence of his
party. As early as 1881, when but twenty-three years of age, he was elected
Alderman of his district, the Sixth, and received the cognomen of "the
School-Boy Alderman." which position he held tor two years, and labored
assiduously for his district with good effect. In L890 he was chosen As-
semblyman for the same district by a large majority over his opponent,
lion, -lames S. Erwin. The duties of this office he discharged with ability
till the Hon. Leon Abbett, having discovered his titness for the honors and
responsibilities of the bench, m April, L891, appointed him to succeed
William I*. Douglass as Judge of the First District Court of Jersey City.
As a jurist he fully met the high expectations of his friends, presiding
with marked dignity, ability, justice, and decision.
.Judge busier is u member of <ir;ini Lodge, X<». 89, K. of 1'.. of Unique
Council, R. A., and of the Order of Good Fellows; bast Grand of Lincoln
Lodge. No. 136, I. t >. o. V.. and representative to the Home for Aged
Indigent odd Fellows of New Jersey, of which institution he is a Director
and formerly President. lb- has also served several years as the repre-
sentative to the ( Ira lid Lodge of Odd bellow s of New .Jersey. He is one of
the managers of the Aged German Home, known as the Raymond Roth
Altenheim, under the management of the German Pioneer Verein, as well
as counsel for the same institution. He is also counsel for five different
building and loan associations.
On the 24th of January, L883, Judge Luster was married to Miss Julia
A. Weiiner. daughter of John < '. Wenner, for many years past a leading
business man and manufacturer of Jersey City. They are blessed with
four daughters, in whom -Judge Luster has a great and fatherly pride.
He became associated in partnership with Hon. Robert s. Hudspeth,
ex-Presiding -Judge of the Hudson County Court of Common Pleas, ami has
a suite of finely appointed offices in the Davidson Building, Jersey City.
Judge Luster is still a young man, having only reached the prime of life,
and has every prospect of a brilliant future before him.
THE FIRST OF THE MABIES in America wrote the surname Meebji.
He was Casparus (Jasper) Maine, and of French origin, though from what
particular part of France he hailed does not appear. He was a Huguenot,
and either he or his ancestor had lied from France to Amsterdam, in Hol-
land, from which city he emigrated to America about 1692 with his wife,
Elizabeth Schuerman, and three children: Christina. Sophia, and Peter.
The family went to New Harlem, where Casper bought lands of Daniel
Tournure, and where he became a considerable landholder. On September
L'!», L696, he was elected Constable of Harlem, the duties of which office he
discharged for one year. In 1700 he sold part of his farm and in 1709 the
balance, and removed to Bergen County, X. J., where in 171(1 he purchased
of Captain Lam-aster Symes a large tract on the west bank of the Hudson,
\~'l HUDSON AMi BERGEN COUNTIES
extending westward to Closter. Here he settled, and here he died aboul
1 7i'<>. I lis children were Christina (married Joosl Alberl Zabriskie), Sophia
(married Matthew Oonklin), and Peter, all born in Holland, and Jeremia,
Abraham, Frederick, and John, baptized a1 Harlem. Of these Peter mar-
ried Catelyntie Johns Bogerl and had issue a1 lens) thirteen children, all
baptized a1 Tappan. Peter located ai old Tappan. The descendants of
his children spread over Bergen County, and many of them are siill
residents.
THE MERSELES FAMILY is still numerous in Hudson and Bergen
Counties. They trace their lineage to Pieter Marcelisen (Marcelis), a native
of the little Town of Beest, near Leerdam, in the Province of Utrecht, 1 1 « > 1
land. He lefl Amsterdam in April, L661, with his wife, four children (aged,
respectively, twelve, six. four, and tw r o years), and two servants, on the
Dutch Wesi India ship " Beaver,'" and arrived ai New Amsterdam on the
Oth of May of the same year. The ship's register shows he paid 232 florins
passage-monej for the family of eighl persons, all of which goes in show
that even then he must have been a man of considerable means, lie re-
moved in Bergen, where he settled, and where his wife died in L680, and he
followed her in L681. His issue were James, Jannekie, Pieter, Merseles,
Elizabeth, and Hillegond. These all married ami remained at Bergen.
Peter, the eldest son, died wealthy. Some of his descendants settled in
Rockland < 'ounty, X. Y.. and in t he north end of Bergen < bounty.
THE VAXDELINDA FAMILY.— Pieter Linde was a native of Belle, a
town on the road from Bruges to Ghenl in Flanders. He was a physician,
and came to America in lii.",!i with his wife, Elsie Barents. The shipping
records show that, on April is. 1639, he paid to David Pietersen de Vries
and Frederick Pietersen de Vries 140 Carolus gelders ($56) for passage for
himself and wife to New Amsterdam, where he settled and followed his
profession until the death of his wife in 1643. On July 1, of the following
year (1644), he entered into a marriage contrad with Martha Chambers, or
Ekomberts, of New Kerck, in Flanders. She was the widow of John Manje,
or Monnye. The marriage knot was tied .Inly 10, Ki44. ai New Amsterdam.
After tins marriage Vandelinde removed to Brooklyn, where he became
the owner of the patent of his wife's iirst husband. This he sold January
23, 1652, to Barenl Joosten. He owned several other pieces of property,
both ai Brooklyn and New Amsterdam, and in 1655 was tobacco inspector
of the latter city. After Linde's death his descendants assumed the name
of Van der Linde.
Ilis son. Joosl Van der Linde, removed to Bergen, \. J., in the fall of
1670, where, mi January 30, 1671, he boughl aboui 'an aires of land of
Pieter Jansen Slote between Constable's Hook and Bergen Point. Here
he resided until Ids death. His children of the third generation were
John (died in 1696), Roclof, Jannetie (married Peter Laurens Van Buskirk),
Hendricke (married I. aniens Laurens Van Buskirk), and Machtell (mar-
ried Albert Zabriskie). All of these excepl John removed to Bergen County.
Roelof resided with his father ai Bergen, where, on October 2, 1682, he
married Susanna Hendricks Brinkerhoff. lie removed i«> Hackensack in
1686, where he helped to organize and became a member of the Dutch
chinch. He became joint owner with his brothers-in-law, Laurence and
Peter Van Buskirk, in the Now Hackensack patented lands, and also
bought of the New Jersey proprietors large tracts of wild land west of the
GENEALOGICAL 173
Pascack River in Washington and Midland Townships in Bergen County.
Mis first wife having died in L700, he married (2) Rachel Cresson, widow of
John Peters Durie, who survived him, bin by whom he had no issue. Be
was a man of wealth, and died in Now York City early in 170!>, leaving a
will daiod September »». L708, proved February L3, 170!). His issue of the
fourth generation were Peter, Benry, ('lassie, Maritie, Sophia, and Geesie.
Peter, by tin will of his father, received his father's plantation at New
Backensack, and Benry all the lauds on the Pascack and Saddle Rivers,
in the northern pari of the county. Bendrick resided at Polifly, below Hack-
ensack. The numerous descendants of Peter and Benry ill have become
scattered over a large area of territory, including Bergen and Hudson
( bounties.
GEORGE LOURIE WILEY, a well known electrical engineer and a
prominent resident of Arlington, X. •!.. was born in St. Louis. Mo., on the
li'th of May, L849. He is the son of George W. Wiley and Elmira M.
Gregg, a grandson of James Wiley, dr.. and Margarel Sutherland and of
dainos ( rregg and A.bagail Wright, and a great-grandson of -John Wiley and
.Matilda Lourie and of Joseph Wrighl and Mary Sinclair. The Sutherland s
and Louries were of royal Scotch blood ami the Greggs and Wrights on his
mother's side were members of the Society of Friends or Quakers. His
father. George W. Wiley, was a stock broker and well known in Wall
Street twenty-five years ago; he was an esteemed and prosperous citizen,
and died in Chicago in L899, having retired from business in L87S.
Mr. Wiley was graduated from the St. Louis (Mo.) City University and
afterward spent one year in a classical and technical course under a private
tutor. In L868 he became a clerk in the New York (Sold Exchange Bank,
where he remained one year. He then associated himself with the (iold
and Sleek Telegraph Company of New York, and continued with that cor-
poration for eleven years (1869-1880), serving successively as clerk, As-
sistant Superintendent, and Superintendent. In L880 the Gold ami Stock
Telegraph Company's telephone business, which was t hen under his charge,
was consolidated with that of the Bell Telephone Company of New York,
forming what is now the New York Telephone and Telegraph Company.
Mr. Wiley continued under tin- consolidation of tin- new company as Gen-
eral Superintendent for two years, resigning in L882 to become President
and General Manager of the Central Telephone Company in Mexico. Be
sailed for that country dune 22, L882, and continued with that company
in Mexico for three years, until it was put on a paying basis. In L885 he
returned to New York and became manager of the Standard Underground
("able Company, manufacturers of electrical wires and cables, with offices
in New York, Pittsburg, Philadelphia, Chicago, and San Francisco, and
factories in Oakland, Cal., Pittsburg, Pa., and Perth Amboy, X. J. He is
also President id' the New York Electric Construction Company, a Di-
rector in several important electrical enterprises, and a member of the
American Institute of Electrical Engineers and of the New York Electrical
Society.
In these various positions Mr. Wiley developed great executive ability,
and not only achieved success, but gained a reputation in electrical circles
which extends throughout the country. He also lias a wide reputation as
<in inventor and electrical expert. Though an active, energetic, and pa-
triotic citizen, lie has always avoided public or political office, having de-
voted his entire time to the important duties which have devolved upon
174
HUDSON A.Mi BERGEN COUNTIES
him and which he has discharged with ability and satisfaction. II«' is a
Mason, an Odd Fellow, a Pas1 Regenl of the Royal Arcanum, and a member
of the Loyal Additional. He holds membership in America Lodge, No.
1304, R. A., and in Arlington Council, 1-. A. He was raised in the Presby-
terian Church and has affiliated with ihai faith. His career lias been an
active and successful one, and in both business and social relations he is
highly esteemed and respected. As a resident of Arlington, X. J., he has
contributed much t<> the growth and developmenl of that attractive
borough, and is prominently connected with many of its leading instil 1 1 -
t ions.
GEORGE L. WILEY.
On Christmas Day. December 25, ]s~:\. Mr. Wiley was married to Jo-
sephine (irilliths Polhemus, of New York, a lady well known in literary
circles. They have six children, three sons and three daughters, the eldest,
a son. being t went v-t wo vears of age.
THE PEACE FAMILY. — John Peeck (as he spelled it), the common an-
cestor of the Pake and Peak families of Bergen County, ^till quite num-
erous, was of English parentage, lmt whether he came to New Amsterdam
from Holland or England does not appear. He must have come over in
GENEALOGICAL 175
16-19 or 1650, for his marriage t<> Maria Vlockers (widow) is recorded in
ilif New Amsterdam church records ;is of February 20, 1650. This entry,
unlike iimisi of the other entries, contains no reference to the place
of his nativity. As the name Peeck dees not appear in any of the
New York or New Jersey records prior to this, he must have been the
tirsi of the name in New Netherlands ;it least. The couple lived in New
York, where he died in 1659. His children were at least four: Ann, L651;
John, L653; Jacobus, L656; and .Maria. L658.
John Peeck married in New Fork, duly is. L683, Elizabeth, daughter of
Dr. Gysberl Van Emburgh, the American ancestor of all the Van Km
burghs of Bergen County. Dr. Van Emburgh was from Amsterdam, and
began as a shopkeeper and book-vender in New Amsterdam, hut went from
there to Albany to reside. From there In- removed to Kingston, where he
practiced medicine successfully, and was scheppen from 1663 to his death
in 1.665. His son. John, was a physician, and married a daughter of Will
iam Sandford, of Bergen County. Me boughl considerable land in Bergen
County, where he eventually set t led.
John I'eeck had eight children by his wife. Elizabeth Van Emburgh, all
id' whom settled in Bergen County, principally in the localities called
Schraalenburgh and Kinderkamack, where his descendants still flourish.
TIM", row I.kss FAMILY, still very numerous in Bergen County, trace
their descent from Paulus Pietersen, who was horn at Merwen, Holland,
in n;:'.'_\ and emigrated in this country in 1656. His wife. Tryntie .Martens,
was among the emigrants who came over from Holland in tin- ship •• Gilded
Beaver," in L658. The marriage of Paulus Pietersen am] Tryntie Martens
is that announced on the records of the eld Dutch church in New York:
'•Paulus Pietersen j.d. Van Merwin in1 Stiff Aken in hint van Gilberl
Sept 1. 1685." Merwin is a small town in Holland, and Aken a town in
Prussian Saxony, on the left hank of the River Elbe. Paulus Pietersen
located at Bergen, N. J., where he soon became a prominent man in all
town affairs. In L663 Governor Stuyvesanl appointed him one of the
commissioners to fortify the town (a1 what is now Bergen Square, Jersey
City) against the depredations of the surrounding Indians. In the same
year he obtained patents lor several pan-ids of laud in and about the
Town of Bergen, containing in all thirty-seven acres. After the occupation
by the British (May 12, L668), Governor Cartere! confirmed Pietersen's title
to his Bergen lands. In IKil these lands passed to the ownership of Gar-
re! New kirk. Paulus Pietersen died December IS. 17<>L\ and his wife's
death preceded his on May l!l of the same year.
They had issue seven children, who took the surname of Powleson and
Powless. Most of them remained at Bergen, but Martin Powless, the third
in point of age, born in Hit;:'., bought lands and settled near Hackensack.
He married Margaretta Westervelt and reared a large family. They scat-
tered throughout the county, and the descendants of Paulus Pietersen are
numerous today in both Hudson and Bergen Counties.
DANIEL RTJTAN was located at Esopus on the Hudson River prior to
L700. The place of his nativity does not appear, but he was no doubt a
Hollander. His sons. Abraham, Daniel, Jr.. and Peter, came to New .Jersey
and located at Aquackanonck (Passaic) as early as 1702. In 1703 Abraham
married, at Hackensack, Mary Rutan, probably a near relative of his. In
1710 Daniel married Ann Hanse Spier, of Bergen, whose parents were then
176
HUDSON AM) BERGEN COUNTIES
living ;ii Passaic. In November, L713, Daniel's brother Peter located al
New Barbadoes (wesl of Backensack), where he married Gertrude Vander-
hoff. The Vanderhoffs and Rutans came to Bergen County from Albany
about the same time. Probably they were related. The Rutans settled
wesl of the Saddle River in the Eohokus and Paramus sections of Bergen
Countv, where many of them still reside.
THE SCHUYLER FAMILY.— The New Jersey branch of the Schuyler
family, now very numerous in the western and northern parts of Bergen
County, are descended from Philip Pietersen Van Schuyler, born in 1<;:>
at Amsterdam, Holland, who, with his brother David, emigrated to
America in L650 and settled tirst at Fort Orange (Albany), N. Y.. on I »«•
cember ilk L650. Following his arrival at Albany he married Margaretta
Van Schlectenhorst, of Nieuwkirk, Holland,
her father being then manager of the <"ol
onie of Van Rensselaer. He was a masris-
trate a1 Albany in L656, L657, and L661. In
Kifii' he received permission to plant a vil-
lage on the Esopus River. He died March
mffr ^^ QlP§^ ^'Ir 'if !♦. 1 t',s4. His children were six. on.- of whom
A^'^_/Ja NV;IS ,\ rent Schuyler, born dune 25, LG82,
who married and came to New York while
yet a young man. In L793 he went to IV
quannock (then in Bergen County), and with
Anthony Brockholst purchased 4,000 acres
for mining purposes. lb- also boughl large
tracts of land in Orange County. X. Y.. bur
in 1710 he purchased land of Edward Kings-
land on New Barbadoes Neck, where he re-
sided and where he opened a copper mine.
He became a wealthy man. His issue were
eighl children, several of whom became fa
men. and their issue scattered over Bergen and Hudson
fll-V COMMISSARIS ^ K «
|. d 65 6.
x IIIVLKK ARMS.
moiis Jersey
( 'ount ies.
JOHN d. KENNEDY, glove manufacturer of West Boboken, is an
example of what one man can accomplish by his own indomitable efforts
united with untiring industry, constant application, and original methods.
Born ami reared in the town, and educated in the local schools, he has
paved his way to success and reputation through those channels which
would appal a less courageous man. but which, nevertheless, are the only
true means of laudable endeavor. His present position, as proprietor
of the only glove manufactory of the kind in the country, is all the more
noteworthy because it is the result of his personal labors, after years id'
difficull ies and perseverance.
lb- is the eldest son of Andrew and .Mar\ (Kelly) Kennedy, both natives
<d' Ireland, ami a grandson of dames and Bridgel Kennedy, who came from
Ireland to this country when Andrew was about nine years old. They
settled in Weehawken, X. d. Andrew Kennedy followed the trade of
mason and bricklayer during his active life, and is now retired. His wife
died May C. I^-HT. Their children are John -I.. Thomas A., and Mary (Mrs.
John Curran), all of West Hoboken, N. J. dohn J. Kennedv was born
GENEALOGICAL
177
March 21, L858, attended the public and parochial schools of his native
town, and al the age of fifteeD entered the office of the old Highland
Sentinel, in West Eloboken, with a view of learning the printer's trade.
After an experience of two years in Miis capacity and another year as a
fisherman he turned his attention i<» fine glove cutting, associating him-
self with a Dane uamed Gustav Elgeti, who claimed to be the first man to
learn the French glove cutting system in Copenhagen, Denmark. Mr.
Kennedy was the tirst native of this country i * > learn French glove cutting,
and, so far as can !><■ ascertained, is the onlv man in the trade who lias
JOHN J. KENNEDY.
mastered and follows thai excellent but little known system in its entirety.
In L880 lie engaged in the manufacture oi fine gloves in West Hoboken,
on Hill Street, near Palisade Avenue. He started on a very small scale,
mi one or two rooms, and with only two or three assistants, whom he was
obliged to teach the system, as he has. in fact, all those who have ever en-
tered his employ. Numerous difficulties, principally the introduction of his
goods, were met, fought, and overcome, but not without indomitable per-
severance and constant endeavor on his part. Competition being keen and
general, it was some time before he got his product into the chief centers of
the glove trad-, but when once it was there no scheming nor maneuvering
178 HUDSON AM) UKIJCKX COUNTIES
by rival manufacturers could prevenl its instanl success, in l^s.", he in-
vented and patented a re-inforcemen1 for the opening slit which proved at
once valuable, practical, and economical, and in L890 he obtained another
patent which has become famous as the Kennedy patent cu1 glove.
Mr. Kennedy steadily overcame all obstacles, numerous though they
were, and successfully introduced his gloves into every State and territory
in the Union, where they now have a very high reputation, selling side by
side with the most celebrated makes in the world. He employs aboirl
eighty people and manufactures about $60,000 worth <>f fine street and
driving gloves annually. The produd is all sold through Wilson Brothers,
of New York, Chicago, and Paris, the largesl dealers in men's furnishings
in the world. Mr. Kennedy luis revolutionized the glove business, both
in manufacturing and in selling. I lis success is due entirely t<> the genuine
merit of his goods, together with his personal efforts and tad in placing
them before the public. One point of superiority which distinguishes his
gloves is the fingers, which are straight and of equal length. In 1883 he
originated a picture of two elephants pulling a glove, typifying strength,
which has been widely copied by clothing manufacturers and others,
though often in differenl designs. The idea was his.
One can regard Mr. Kennedy's success only with feelings of respect and
wonder, for his is one of those very few instances where a man. imbued
with a single idea, steadily ami persistently hews to the line and eventually
achieves the goal of his ambitions. His whole life has been spent in the
town of his birth. His labors have been directed toward one object— the
manufacture of the best gloves in the market. And the wonderful result
of his efforts is seen in his present factory, a large and finely equipped brick
building on or near the spot where he made his tirst start, nearly twenty
years ago, and very near the home in which he was born and reared. No
man is worthy of more respect than he who carves out his own fortune, un-
aided save by his hands and brain, and this Mr. Kennedy has done. He
stands among the leading glove manufacturers in this country. He has de-
voted himself strictly to business, tit the exclusion of all political or public
preferment, and belongs only to St. Michael's Catholic Church, the Holy
Name Society, and Palisade Council. No. 387, Knights of Columbus. The
object of the Holy Name Society is to suppress swearing. He lakes a deep
interest, however, in the affairs of his town and county, and never fails to
bear the responsibilities of a progressive, patriotic citizen.
Mr. Kennedy was married .June 24, L885, to Nellie, daughtei of John and
Julia Lucey, of -Jersey City Heights, N. -I. Of their nine children two died
in infancy; the others are John, Mary. Ellen, Julia. Alice, Andrew, and
Salome.
THE QUACKENBUSE FAMILY in Bergen and Hudson Counties un-
descended from Peter Quackenbush, of Oostgeest, Holland. His son,
Rynier Pietersen Van Quackenbosch, came to America in HIT:; 71 and lo
cated at New Amsterdam, where he married, March 2, 1674, Elizabeth dans,
of Flushing, L. I. He was a carpenter by trade, and pursued that calling
in New Amsterdam. His wife having died in L691, he married, the follow-
ing year, Classie Jacobse. He had a large family of children, among whom
were Abraham. Jacob, and John. Abraham settled at Schraalenburgh in
Bergen County ami married Susanna, a daughter of Samuel Hellings
(Helms), by whom he had issue ten children. His brother .John married
Lena Van Houten, and his brother Jacob married Ann Brower. John
GENEALOGICAL 179
and Jacob both located in the northerly pari of Bergen. Abraham, John,
and Jacob each reared large families, from whom have sprung numerous
descendants now scattered over Bergen County.
THE RYERSONS arc the niosi numerous today of any family in the
western pari of Bergen County. The original surname of the family was
" Reyertzoon." The family were numerous in Amsterdam, Holland, as
early as L390, in which year one William Reyertzoon was Burgomaster of
the city. Another member of the family filled the same office in 1414 and
14 is. Members of this family hold prominenl positions in Amsterdam up
to L585. .Many of them took an active part in the expulsion of the Span
iards from Holland, for which two of them wore banished by the Spanish
king, and another. Albert Reyertzoon, was beheaded April ll', \~>'M. The
family coat-of-arms, as registered in Amsterdam, is described as follows:
■• Eradicated arz; 1 and I Sa. a tree withered and eradicated Arz; *J and
:; Arz; three halberts bend ways and in bend sinister, the middle one
longer than the ethers, sa. the blades vert; Surtout, az, a martlet, or.
Crest, a swan roussant. Motto Voor < 5 « ><1 en Paderland." The fad that
the family had a. coat-of-arms, of course, indicates that some of them be
longed tot he nobility of I [olland.
Martin Reyerson, with his brother, Adriaen Ryerson, emigrated from
Amsterdam. Holland, in 1646, and settled at Brooklyn, where Martin
married. Ma\ 11. L663, Ann. daughter of Joris Jansen Rapeljea. He re-
sided at Brooklyn until 1685. Be joined the Dutch Church there in 1(!7T,
was elected a magistrate in L679, and constable i:i L682. In His.") he re-
moved to Flatbush, L. I., where he was one of the patentees of that patent
that year. His issue were Marritie, Joris (George), Ryer, Catalyntie, Sarah,
Cornelius, Jacobus, Geertie, Helena, and Franz.
Joris (George), baptized September L9, L666, married, Augusl 11, L691,
Ann Schouten, widow of Theunis Dircksen Dey, of New York. In L695
George, in company with Auihou\ Brockholst, Arenl Schuyler. Colonel
Nicholas Bayard, and John Meet, all of New York, and Samuel Berry,
Henry McDonna, and David Mandeville, of New Jersey, purchased from the
Governor and Council of East New Jersey 4,000 acres of land in what was
then Bergen County (now Passaic), extending northward from the junction
of the Pompton River with the Passaic River. Of this large tract George
Reyerson eventually became the owner of the greater part, on which he
settled. His issue, baptized in New York, were Martin, 1698; Helena, L701;
George, 17(>:S; Lucas, 1704; and Blandina, L706. There were probably
other children born in New Jersey. The descendants of these children are
still numerous in Bergen and Hudson Counties. Many of them have held
positions of trust and honor in the councils of the State.
THE SICK] ES FAMILY had much to do with the early settlement of
Hudson and Bergen Counties. Zacharias Sickles, the common American
ancestor of the family, was a native of the City of Vienna, Austria, who
soon after reaching manhood drifted to Amsterdam, Holland, where he
entered the military service and was soiit with a fleel on a cruise to
Curaqoa, where he remained until 1655. In the service he attained the
rank of Adolhorst or Cadet. In 1655 Governor Stuvvesant paid a visit to
the island where Sickles was on duty. The latter accompanied the Gov-
ernor to New Amsterdam and soon after attached himself to the garrison
at Fort Orange (Albany). In L658 he became a tapster at New Amsterdam,
ISO HUDSON ANIi BERGEN COUNTIES
and upon the surrender by the Dutch to the Biitish in 1664 he married
Anna, daughter of Lamberl Van V T aelkenburgh, and wenl to work to gain
n livelihood ;is ;i carpenter. In 1<;td he was elected "town herder," which
office he held for thirteen years on ;i salary of L8 gelders ;i head for the
season. He was appointed rattle-watch, so called from the rattle used to
give warning in making liis uightly rounds, lit- was also for sonic time
crier to call the people together on Deeded occasions, and porter or keeper
of the city gates, to close them a1 nighl and open them in the morning.
In Ki<i!t he purchased a lot of land in Bergen, X. J., on which his eldest
son. Robert, settled. The children of tins son scattered through Bergen
County, where many of Zacharias's descendants still reside. Be had nine
children, the eldest of whom was Robert, who married Gertrude Redden-
hause and located at Bergen, where he was a prominenl resident, and left
a large family. His son William, born in October, 1704, married Elizabeth
Cooper, and removed to Rockland County, X. Y.. from which locality
his uumerous descendants spread south into Bergen County, where their de-
scendants are st ill found.
JAN A DKAIXSK SIP was at Bergen as early as L6S4, where, on April
22 of that year, he married Johanna Van Voorst. He bought several lots
at Bergen during the nexl fifteen years, and became an important and
influential person in the town. His issue were eleven children, among
whom were Ide, John, Cornelius, Abraham, Henry, and Helena. .Most of
them married and became residents of Bergen. Their descendants ate still
numerous in Hudson < Jountv.
•
AARON STOCKHOLM BALDWIN, of Hoboken, comes from one of
the oldest families of New England, his ancestors emigrating from the
mother country with the early colonists. From New England th<*\ moved
into Eastern New York, and tin re raised the standard of their race, con
quered t lie primeval forests, am] exemplified in their lives the sterling traits
of industry, integrity, and progress. Like the subject of this sketch, many
<<f them achieved prominence in public ami business affairs, wielding a
potent influence for good, and leaving behind them the memories of an
honorable name.
Mr. Baldwin was born in East Fishkill, Dutchess County, X. Y.. .June S,
L839, being 1 he sou of Elisha S. Baldwin and Ale1 ta C. Stockholm, a grand-
son of Daniel Baldwin, of Lake Mahopac, Putnam County, X. Y.. and of
Aaron Stockholm, of Fishkill, from whom he was named, and a great-grand-
son of Elisha Baldwin, a pioneer of the Hudson River Valley. His father
was horn at Lake Mahopac, and during his active life followed sin-cess
fully tin- dual occupation of farmer and live stock dealer. Mr. Baldwin
attended the Last Fishkill public schools until he was twelve years old.
when he entered Pingre< Acadonn a1 Fishkill, where he remained five
years. Afterward he spent five years at what is now Drew Seminary in
Carmel, Putnam County, graduating in L860. His studies in these institn
tions were in every wa\ worthj of the broad ami receptive intellectual
qualities which he manifested as a boy, and which have served him well in
business and public relal ions.
Having received a thorough classical training, he returned home, ami in
September, L8G3, went to Chicago to accepl a position with the American
Express Company, which he held until July, 1870. At that date he moved
to Weehawken, X. J., and engaged in the live stock storage business as
GENEALOGICAL
181
general live stock agenl for the Erie Railroad, ;m»l continued in thai ca-
pacity miiil L898, when he organized ;tii(l incorporated the Weehawken
Stock Yard Company, of which he is Presidenl and Treasurer and a Direc-
tor.
Mr. Baldwin lias been an active Republican ever since he cast his lirst
vote and almosl ever since the organization ol the party, and for aboul a
quarter of a century, with the exception of one or two years, lias been a
leading member of the Hudson County Republican Committee; and he is
now Chfiirman <>f its Organization Committee, which has been asked to
AARON S. BALDWIN.
devise ways and means by which the party can he re-organized in the
county. !!<• was a member of the Hudson County Board of Chosen Free-
holders in 1.881, L882, and L883, from the Tenth Assembly District, and for
seven years served as a member and Chairman of the Board of Tax Com-
missioners of Ilohoken. where he settled in April, L886, and where he still
resides. He is now one of the commissioners appointed by Governor Voor-
hees to inquire into the expediency of consolidating the several municipali-
ties of Hudson County into one great city. This commission was formally
organized June 14, L899. Mr. Baldwin is also one of the commissioners in
Ilohoken to adjust the taxes in arrears under the .Martin act. lie has been
182 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
a delegate t«> almosl every State, district, county, and local Republican con-
tention for upward of twenty-five years, was an alternate delegate to the
Republican National Convention of L880, and in L896 was his party's candi-
date for Sheriff of Hudson County, and, though defeated by aboul L,100
votes, carried Hoboken by over 500 and uo1 <»iil\ reduced the usual Demo-
cratic majority to an insignificant figure but changed entirely the com-
plexion of the Democratic vote and raised the standard of the Republicans.
His activity and prominence in the ranks of the Republican party ;in<l his
long ;m<l honorable connection with the live stock markets of New Jersey
and New York have won for Mr. Baldwin an extensive acquaintance, among
whom he is universally respected and esteemed. He is one of the most
popular men of Hudson County. Il<' is a member of the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks of Hoboken, and has always supported with ;i
liberal hand every movemenl designed to promote the general welfare.
Mr. Baldwin was married, June :'»<». L869, to Elizabeth Janet Watson,
daughter of George L. Watson, of Auburn, X. V.
THE SLOTE FAMILY.— The first American ancestor of the Slote family
was John Pietersen Slot, a Dative of the Province of Holstein in Denmark,
who came i<> America aboul L650 with his two sons. John ami Pieter, ami
settled .it Harlem, where In- bought lands ami became a prominent and
useful citizen, filling the important office of magistrate from L660 to L665.
In Hit;.") he bought of Governor Stuyvesanl ami located on lands on the
Bowery in New Amsterdam, remaining there until L686, when he bought
and occupied a house in Wall Street. In 17o:; he removed to the south
ward of the city, where he died. His son John, married in L672 Judith
Elsworth, and made his residence in New Amsterdam. Some of his chil-
dren removed to Hackensack. His brother, Peter Jansen Slot, bought, Maj
11. It;.")!, fifty acres at Communipaw, in Bergen County, X. -I.. on which
he located in April, l<><>r». having first married (1663) Maritie Jacobs Van
Winkle, of Bergen. He joined the hutch church and remained there until
Kill, when he sold his Bergen lands and removed to New Amsterdam,
remaining there until KiTT. when he removed to Esopus X. Y.. and followed
his trade as a builder. Returning in L683, he again located at Bergen,
hut was soon hack in New Amsterdam, living near the Stuyvesanl Bowery.
lie died there in Hiss, and his widow married John Demarest and removed
to Hackensack. whither also all except one of Peter's children went and
settled. Peter's issue were John, L665; Jacobus, 1669; Tryntie, H'»71
(married Nicholas Lozier); Aeltie, 1678 (married Adam Van Orden ami
Cornelius Banta); and donas. L681. The descendants of these are thickly
scattered over Rockland County, X. V.. and Bergen County. X. J.
THE SMITH FAMILY.— A branch of the Smith family, which is still
numerous in the northern and western parts id' Bergen County, is descended
from Lambert Ariaense, who was a native of the Province of Gelder-
land, in Holland. lie emigrated to America when young and settled at New
Amsterdam, where, on the 9th of April. 1682, he married Margaretta Gar-
rets Kkiuvelt. ,i daughter of Garrel Hendricksen Blawvelt, of Deventer,
Holland. In L686 Lambert Ariaense became, with his brothers-in-law, the
Blawvelts, and others, ;i purchaser of the Tappan patent, a large part of
which was in Bergen County, X. -I. Lambert received n large portion of this
patenl ;it each of the divisions. Rev. David Cole in his •■ History of Rock-
land < 'ount v " savs:
GENEALOGICAL 183
- Lambert and his two sons located ai the 'Green Bush.' where he built
n stone house, uear where the burying-ground now is. This house was
torn down after the Revolution and a new one erected on the same spot
by Gerrel Smith. Lambert had three sons. The eldest. Garret, was set-
tled, by his father, smith of the swamp. Abraham, the second, staved on
the eld place, and the third. Cornelius, built on what was then called the
Ridge, just west of the present Erie Railroad. Garret, the eldest, was
great-grandfather of Gerrel Smith, the philanthropist and friend of the
slave Lambert's descendants soon grew so numerous that it was necessary
to distinguish one from the other, and as he was ;i smith by profession it
became convenient to designate him as Lambert Ariaensen Smidt. This
name continued for several years, most of the branches dropped the Ariaen-
sen entirely, and t lie family was known by the name of ' Smith."
The descendants of Lambert, the smith, spread south into New Jersey,
some of them retaining the surname Ariaensen, hence the Auryaunsen
family.
THE SNEDENS of Bergen County are descendad from John Sneden,
;i native of Amsterdam, Bolland, where his family had lived for many
generations. On tin- 23d of December, Ki~>7, John Sneden, Ids wife,
Gretie Jans, his two children, Carsten and Grietie, and his brother. (Maes
Sneden. set sail from Amsterdam in the ship "St. John Baptist," bound
for the Colony of New Amstel, <>n the Delaware River. Three years later
('hies Sneden removed to New Amsterdam, and John to New Harlem, where
the latter purchased two town lots on which he permanently located, and
where he died early iii L662. Beginning on the 25th of March, 1662, his
estate was sold ;it public auction. The house, lands, and standing crops
brought L35 gelders and the household effects L85 gelders. After the
payment of debts 42 gelders remained for the widow and two orphaned
children. Carsten and Grietie, of whom, on April 28, L662, Philip easier
and Lubbert Gerritsen were appointed guardians. Grietie married, Au-
gust 1.".. following, dean Guenon (Genung), and went to reside at Flushing,
L. I. Carsten entered the service of Daniel Tourneur, January L5, 1668,
f<»r a year, to have at its expiration 300 gelders and "a pair of shoes and
stockings." His uncle. Claes Sneden. resided at New Amsterdam, where
he had by his wife. Maria - — . several children. John Sneden (supposed
to have been a grandson of Carsten), about 1740, bought of Henry Ludlow
and settled on a large farm at what is now Sneden's Landing, on the west
side of the Hudson River. This farm was partly in Bergen County, N. J.,
and partly in Rockland County. X. Y. John's sons. Dennis (who died un-
married) and John, became the owners of his lands at Ids death, and John's
descendants are still numerous in the northerly part of Bergen County.
FRANK H. MELVILLE, of Bayonne, Hudson County, was born in Eng-
land on the Tlh of July, 1840. He received his education in that country,
and then came to the United States. For twenty years he was success-
fully engaged in the paper and paper bag business. Later he engaged
in manufacturing sample mailing boxes and rust preventive in New York
City.
In public as well as in business affairs Mr. Melville has long been a
prominent figure. He has always been an active Republican, and has
served as President of the Third Ward Republican Club, as President of
the Republican City Committee of Bayonne, and as Secretary of the latter
184
HUDSON AMI BKKCHX C< )T.\TI KS
organization. He was twice elected Supervisor of Taxes, and received the
unanimous nomination of his party for Freeholder and member of Assem-
bly. Under McKinley's administration he became Postmaster of Bayonne,
where he has resided for :i number of veins. He is a member, Trustee, and
Treasurer of the Fourty-fourth Streel Methodisl Episcopal Church, a mem-
ber of the Hudson County Republican Committee, a member of the Bayonne
City Republican Committee, and ;i member of the Union League Club, the
Masonic order, and the Improved Order of Red Men. In every capacity he
has displayed greal patriotism, sound judgment, and unfailing public spirit,
FRANK H. MELViLLE.
and is highly respected and esteemed by ;ill who know him. lie
charged the various public duties he has been called upon to
notable zeal.
in L869 Mr. Melville married Philona A. Smith, and of their four
l wo survive, namely: Florence, born in 1872, and Francis Lome
L880.
has dis-
til] with
children
born in
.IKSSK \Y. FERDON.— Thomas Ferdon (he spelled ii Verdon) emigrated
to America ns early as 1045. It \\;is probably ;i sister of his. Magdalena,
who married, March 19, 1645, Adam Brower, a1 Flatlands, l>. I The Ferdons
GENEALOGICAL 185
came of a French famih which bad for some time resided in Holland.
Thomas settled in the Gowannus section of Brooklyn, on a farm late of one
Anthony liaise, lie married Mary Dadge, ;i daughter of Aeltje Bredenbend
(widow of William Bredenbend) by a former husband, by whom he had one
child. Thomas Ferdon (2) was born aboul L654. The elder Thomas was a
magistrate in Brooklyn in L6G1, 1662, L663, and L664, and is recorded there
ns haAing taken the oath of allegiance to King Charles in 1687. His sen
Thomas (2) \\;is thrice married, Ins first wife being Yte (or Elsie) Jurianise
(or Jeuriens), widow of Tunis Ten Eyeke. By Ins second and third wives he
had no issue. He is enumerated in i lie census of Brooklyn in L687 as having
only three persons in his family. He was an Ensign in the Kings County
militia in 171.~>. and both he and his fust wife were members of the Dutch
Church ut Brooklyn. When he tool? the oath of allegiance, in K»s7. he was
described us u "native" and as residing a1 < lowannus. owning and occupying
the homestead of his father. He was a constable in L664. In Ills he is se1
down us residing a1 New Utrecht, where he wns a deacon in the Dutch
Church and where he died. One child, Jacob Ferdon (3) by his firsl wife.
was Ids only issue, born ;ii Brooklyn. March 10, L656.
Jacob (3) .Miiiiied. May 17. 1078 lal New York), Femmetye Williams, of
Flatlands, I.. I.. ;i native of Meppel, Holland. The couple lived ni Flatbush,
where i hey joined i he Dutch Church in 1694. Jacob bought ;i farm ;ii New
Utrecht, to which lie must have removed, as his name appeared on the as
sessmenl roll there for that year and in the census of lens. The census re-
cites that he had then seven children. In 1709 his name appears on a peti-
tion for .-in additional ferry t<» Brooklyn. His children were Barbarba,
Wilhelmiis. Thomas, .Maria. Jacob, Jannetje, Femmetje, Dirke, and John.
Of these nine Wilhelmus ih transplanted tin- name in \ew Jersey, lie
was born at Flatbush in April, L680, and married Elizabeth --, of
New Utrecht, L. I., where he resided until his removal to this Stale. On
t he erect it m o! t he ne w ch u rcli a t New I 'tree III. in 1700. he was allot led three
men's ami three women's sents. In 1720 he was a deacon, and in L738 an
elder, in I he s; line church. He removed in Bergen County, X. J., as early as
171'!. On the loth <>l March. 171!). he made his firsl purchase of a tract of
170 acres of land at Closter from Henry Ludlow. On this tract he settled
and luiilt his family mansion wesl of the presenl residence of Ben S. Smith,
northeast of Closter. He boughl other lands of Ludlow north and east of
his home tract, until he owned over 1,000 acres. The surname of his wile
and the dale of his death are unknown. His children were John, William.
Elizabeth, Dirke, Abram, John (2), and Phebe. His farm after his death
passed to the ownership of his three sons. John, William, and Abram, ami
his numerous descendants spread oxer Bergen and Rockland Counties.
of the above children. John Ferdon (5), horn at Closter, Augusi 5, 1700,
died i here .Inly l'O. 1827, married, December 20, 17S4. Marytie (or " Marishy,"
as she was called) Sickles, horn August 31, 1704. died June 11, 1.824. John
was a farmer ami always lived on pari of his father's farm. His children
were Braekie (married John A. Haring), Nicholas, and Abram (dead).
Nicholas Ferdon (6), horn October L8, 17s7. died December 22. f862, mar-
ried, in L809, Jemima Westervelt, horn October L0, 171)1. died February 1!).
L870. By tin will of his father all the hitler's lands, including the old home-
stead of his father, went to Nicholas.
Abraham X. Ferdon i7i. son of Nicholas (6), was horn at Closter, October
5, 1810, and died there in L883. He married 1 1 1 Maria Demarest and (2) Leah
Ferdon. He was a farmer and resided on the old homestead at Closter.
186 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
His children were eighl — six by liis tirsi wife and two by liis second wife:
Caroline, John l>.. Margaret, Abraham, William, Martha, Jesse W.. and
Samuel.
Jesse W. Ferdon (8), the subject of this sketch, was born ai Closter,
N. •!.. < October L4, L8 18. 1 Ee lias been a life long resident of Bergen < Jounty.
lit- was educated in the public schools at Closter, leaving, however, at i In-
age of fifteen to rain liis own livelihood. When eighteen years old he left
farm work, ai which he had been employed, i<» learn the carpenter's trade
and by steady application soon mastered every branch of carpentering,
joining, and building. Bu1 circumstances and inclination finally led him
after some four years, to abandon the trade and return to farming, which
he has since followed with success.
Asa resident of Bergenfield, Bergen County. Mr. Ferdon has been nunc or
less active in public affairs, bu1 lias invariably declined to accept political
office, even \\ hen urged to do so by hosts of f fiends. He is deeply interested
in every problem or movement affecting the welfare of the community, and
in a quiet, unostentatious way contributes liberally for the support! of all
worthy objects. In religion he is a member of the Dutch Reformed Church,
and in all the relations of life has displayed great mental ability, unswerv-
ing integrity, sound judgment, and a patriotic spirit.
Mr. Ferdon married Miss Leah Westervelt, a member of one of the old
Bergen Counts families, and by her has had three sons.
EDMUND W. WAKELEE. a prominent lawyer of New York City and
Englewood, Bergen County, N. J., was born in Kingston, N. V.. on the i!lst
of November, L869. He is the son of Nicholas and Eliza C. (Ingersoll)
Wakelee, a grandson of Joseph and Susan (Curtiss) Wakelee and of Justus
and Esther (Stow) Ingersoll, and a great-grandson of David and Hannah
Ingersoll and David and Anna (Perkins) Stow. 1 1 is father, Nicholas, was a
prominent business man in Kingston.
Mr. Wakelee received his education at Kingston Academy and at the
University of the city of New York, and subsequently entered the law
office of Bernard & Fiero, then of Kingston, but now of Albany, N. Y. He
was admitted to the bar «»f both New York and New Jersey in L891, having
graduated from the University of the < Jity of Now York in that year. Since
then he has been actively and successfully engaged in the practice of his
profession both in Bergen County. N. J., where he resides, and in New York
City.
During the past seven years Mr. Wakelee has been active in politics
in Bergen County as a Republican leader, and has been President of the
Republican Club of Harrington Township. In November, 1898, he was
ele.t. .1 a member of the New Jersey General Assembly, in which he gained
distinction as an able debater, lie was re-elected to the General As-
sembly in L899 and was selected as the leader on the floor of the Republican
majority. He has always been a lb-publican. Asa lawyer he has achieved
eminent sin-cess, and in the many important cases with which he has been
connected has displayed marked ability and high legal qualifications. He
is a member of the Bergen County Bar Association, of the Englewood club,
of the Tonally Club, of the Phi Delta Phi and tin- Delta Qpsilon fraternities,
of Northern V r alley Lodge, Knights of Honor, of Tenaily, ami of Alpine
Lodge, No. 77. Free and Accepted Masons, of Closter. N. d. He is also
President of the Demarest Firemen's Association, and is a life member of
the New Jersey State Firemen's Association, lie is unmarried.
GENEALOGICAL
187
ERNEST KOESTER, of Efaekensack, X. J., Prosecutor of the Pleas for
Bergen ( lounty, was born <it Norristown, Pa., April 28, L858, the son of <!. F.
and Mary B. Koester. He attended the excelleni schools of dial place and
afterward the High School in Philadelphia. He then went to Germany and
studied three years in Heidelberg University, and on returning to his native
State entered A llegheny ( Jollege ai Meadville, from which he was graduated
A. II. in ls~<i. receiving the A.M. degree in course in L879. He studied law
at Meadville, was admitted to the bar of Pennsylvania August IT, 1881, and
was elected Distriel Attorney for McKean County, Pa., on the Republican
tickel in L884. After the expiration of his official term (January 1, L888) he
practiced law in McKean and adjacent counties until ls ( .»4, when he came to
Hackensack, X. •!.. where he at once entered upon the work of his profession
throughout Bergen County and soon secured a lucrative practice. He was
admitted to the New Jersey bar at Trenton June 6, 1895.
(>n coming to Bergen County Mr. Koester immediatelv took an active in-
MAIN STREET, NORTH OF PASSAIC STREET, HACKENSACK.
lerest iii Republican politics and soon became one of the most prominent
leaders of his party. While his political convictions and partisan action
are consistent there is uothing of what is called hitter partisanship in his
make-up. He is one of the ablest lawyers and most respected citizens of the
community. In February. L900, Governor Voorhees appointed him Prose
cutor of the Pleas for Bergen County for the usual term from March follow-
ing. Mr. Koester's high standing in his profession and his qualifications for
the prosecutorship are unquestioned. He was not inexperienced in the
duties of that office, and his effort to make the administration of justice by
the courts in Bergen County impartial, efficient, and economical is note
worthv. He is married and has two children.
ALEXANDER CASS, of Englewood, was born at Carlisle. Schoharie
County. X. V.. November 20, L825. His maternal ancestors were Germans
188 HUDSON AND BEKCEN COUNTIES
.iihI Hollanders, while those on his father's side were English, the ancestral
lines going hack to LC86. Hon. Lewis Cass, United States Senator from
Michigan, was a aienib< r of i his family.
Mr. Cass's father died when he was aboul eighteen months old, and some
two years later his mother remarried and moved to Carthage, Jefferson
County, in thai State, where she died in L852. Alexander was left, after
his mother's marriage, with his maternal grandparents ai Carlisle, where
he spent his early life mi a farm, attending the districl school. Ai the
age of twelve lie was senl to Albany as clerk in a grocery store, bul a year
later he returned to his grandparents, and for t wo years attended Schoharie
Academy. Afterward he attended the select school of Professor A. Smith
Knight, who was also a civil engineer and lawyer, and there he studied
surveying and acted as amanuensis. <>n April 1. L842, he became the
teacher of the Carlisle school (Districl No. I. or the Little York district),
where he continued for two and a half years, when he went to the adjoin-
ing (Rockville) district, remaining there five and one half years. In the
meanwhile, from 1848 to L850, he spent a pari of his time in the law offici
of John 1 1. Salisbury . of < !arlisle.
In November, L850, Mr. Cass entered the law office of T. & II. Smith, of
Cobleskill, X. Y.. and there pursued his legal studies until September,
1852. In April, l^o.*'.. ho was graduated from the Law Departmenl of the
University of Albany, and in the same month was admitted before the
Supreme Court lo the New York bar as attorney and counselor, being .it
that time associated with his old preceptor, Thomas Smith, who had moved
to the capital city.
.Mr. Cass moved to Bergen County. X. J., May 22, L853, and on Augusl <i
assumed charge of the Upper Teaneck public school, lie continued as
teacher there and at Lower Teaneck in all thirteen years, and was instru-
mental in building up the schools to the standard of excellence which
i hose districts have long maintained. In 1845 he was elected Town Super-
intended <d' Public Schools at Carlisle, X*. Y.. hut on account of his youth
could not qualify. In 1846, however, ho was re-elected and served two
terms. He moved from Teaneck to Englewood in L865, and in L867 was
appointed the first School Superintended for Bergen County, serving two
terms, or six years. Since retiring from thai position he has acted as
civil engineer and in public capacities, lie was elected a Justice of the
Peace in 1864 and is now serving his fifth term. From 1859 to L865 he was
Town Clerk of Englewood. lie was Assessor for Englewood Township in
isTC and lsTT. Coroner from L87S to 1881 and from 1892 to L895, Com-
missioner of Appeals for several terms, and one of the two examiners and
visitors of the public schools of Bergen County in L858-60. In all of these
positions he displayed sound judgment, marked ability, and greal execu-
tive energy.
-Inly 1. L855, Mr. Cass married Maria Louisa Halleck mow deceased), a
native of Delaware County. X. Y.. and a lineal descendant of Fit/, (ire. lie
Halleck. the noted author of "Marco Bozzaris." They had two children:
Willard < ass. the subject of the following article, and Hat lie ]■].. who died
at the age of sixteen months.
WILLARD CASS the well known «i\il engineer of Englewood, X. J.,
has been a life-long resident of that town, where he was horn January 5,
1861. He received an excellent public school education, and subsequently
studied civil engineering, which profession he has followed successfully
GENEALOGICAL
L89
in Englewood. II*- has been connected with many Important engineering
enterprises, and in every instance lias displayed emineni qualifications and
a thorough mastery of the business. Public spirited, progressive, and enter-
prising, In' is one <il the most respected citizens of Englewood, and lias
always taken a deep interesl in the general walfare of liis section. .Mr.
('ass was married in 1895 to Isabella Tavlor, of Now York city.
ISAAC L. NEWBERY, of Arlington, is the son of Joseph II. Newbery
and Emily Ann Rockefellow Sharp, daughter of .Matthias and Catherine
(Wilier.) Sharp, and a grandson of William Newbery, all natives of Eng-
land. His father. Joseph II. Newbery, came from London in early life,
settling in New York City, and there successfully carried on business as
a halter until his death in 1865. His wife died in L866.
Mr. Newbery was
born in New York < Jity
on t he I'll h of August,
1854, and I here received
.111 excellent ]> n b I i c
school educal ion. grad
dating in 1867 from
Grammar School No.
:V2. In the same year
he engaged in the ens
torn house brokerage
business, in which he
has ever since contin
nod. achieving marked
success and gaining
wide reputation. Hi
moved to Arlington,
Hudson County, in
L881, and in that at
tractive suburb has
erected a beautiful
home which he now
occupies.
Although Mr. New
bery has devoted him-
self assiduously to his
business interests he
has been act ive in pub-
lic affairs, and since
taking up his residence
in Arlington has be-
come prominent in
various important ca-
pacities. A Republican
in politics, he was a membei of the Township Committee in lss.~>, 1886,
1806, and 1897, serving in 1896 as Chairman of that body. He is Presi-
dent of the Kearny Building and Loan Association, having held thai
position during the last nine years. This is one of the largest and
strongest corporations of the kind in Eastern New .Jersey, and under
Mr. Newbery's able and energetic managemenl has made an excellent
ISAAC L. NEWBERY.
190 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
record. Mr. Newbery is an honorary member of Company G, X. G. X. J.,
n member and Pas1 Master of Triune Lodge, A. P. and A. M.. and ;i member
and Past Regenl in the K« >.\ . » 1 Arcanum. In L882 he organized the Society
of Foresters in Arlington, of which he is Past Chief Ranger. He is also
Pasi Grand of Pilgrim Lodge, I. O. < >. P.. and has long been a member
of ilif Volunteer Fire Department of Kearny, which he firsl served as
Foreman and Assistant Chief for two years each. In these various ca-
pacities as well .-is in all business relations Mr. Newbery has displayed
marked ability, sound judgment, and greai enterprise. As a citizen he is
highly esieeined and respected. He is thoroughly identified with the affairs
of his adopted town and county, active and influential in promoting every
worthy object, and thoroughly interested in all movements which promote
the general welfare.
Mr. Newbery married Jennie Sinclair, and their children are Agnes L.
(wife of II. L. Pra/eei. William A.. Arthur X.. Jennie S.. [saac L. (de
ceased), Joseph II. (deceased), and Emily S.
JAMES WRIGHT MERCER, Freeholder of Bergen County and Pes!
master of Lodi, X. J., was born in Scotland on the LOth of May, LS66, his
parents being dames Mercer and Ann Coverun. James and Ann Mercer
were hern and married in Scotland and came to the United States in L882,
locating in Lodi.
Mr. Mercer was educated in the public schools of his native country, and
shortly after the arrival of the family in Lodi entered the employ of the
Susquehanna Railroad as agent at that place. Afterward he engaged in
the coal business, which he still follows, having built up a large and suc-
cessful trade.
In public life Mr. Mercer has displayed the same ability, integrity of
character, and enterprise which have marked his business life. He was
for three years, or one term, Councilman of the Town of Lodi. and for five
years was a member of the Republican County Committee. He is now
(1900) Freeholder of Bergen County and Postmaster of Lodi. and is dis-
charging the duties of those offices with characteristic energy and satisfac-
tion. Mr. Mercer is a member of Passaic Lodge, No. 387, Benevolent Order
of Elks, and of the Crescent Social Club of Lodi. He was married, No-
vember 8, L893, to .Jennie Langford, of Lodi. X. I.
JACOB L. VAN BUSKIRK.— The founder of the Van Buskirk family
in ihis country was Lourens Andriessen, who. after his emigration to
America, took the surname of Van Buskirk, the Van signifying " from."
and Bos Kerch meaning "church in the woods." He was a native of the
Province of Holstein, in Denmark, a tanner by trade, and came to America
in Hi"). Although a single man when he arrived, he set to work at his
trade, which he soon abandoned for that of a draper. On dune 20, L656,
he boughl a lot on Broad Street. Soon afterward he went to Bergen and
purchased about ITli acres of land in what is now the Greenville district of
Jersey City, on which he settled, and there he took the oath of allegiance
to King Charles in L665. He soon becamea man of prominence, and wielded
greai influence in the affairs of Bergen. On September L2, L658, he married
Jannetie Jans, widow of Christiaen Barrentsen, who broughl him, as is
said, besides four sons by a former husband, about 1,400 florins, heavy
money, and ten wampum beads for one stiver. Mr. Winfield adds: " When
the country was recaptured by the Dutch and the people expected a for-
GENEALOGICAL
191
feiture of the lands he and John Berry, Samuel Edsall, and William Sand-
ford appeared a1 Fori William Benry, August is, L673, to request thai their
plantations be confirmed in the privileges which they obtained from their
previous patroons." When a contesl arose between the Town id' Bergen
and tin- inhabitants on tin- south of them, concerning fences and the sup-
port of ;i schoolmaster, la- again appeared before the council to plead the
cause of his neighbors.
Under the ad of November 7. 16G8, for the marking of horses and cattle,
he was appointed recorder and marker for Minkakwa, April <>. L670, and
marker-general for the Town of Bergen, t October 8, 1676. On that day he was
also appointed ranger for Bergen, with power to name deputies to range
the woods and bring in all stray horses, males, and cattle. He was com-
missioned a member id' the Bergen court February Hi, 1(177, and February
is. L680, ami President of the same Augusl 31, L681, and President of the
ANDERSON PARK, HACKENSACK.
County Court August 31, L682. Ho was a member of I he ( rovernor's Council
for a number of years, appointed first March is. L672, and held the first
commission to administer crowner's quest law in the county in 1 (JTii. On
January <i, 1676, jointly with the Bogerts, Bantas, and others, ho bought
a large tract of land north and east of Hackensack, known as \ew Hacken-
sack, upon which he resided as early as 1688. His issue of the second
genei at ion were four children : Amities A. i L660), Lawrens A., Peter A., and
Thomas. Of these Peter and Thomas remained at Bergen, while Andries
(2), who married in 1717 Jacomina Davids Demarest, and Lanrens (2), who
married in 1716 Hendricke Vandelinda, bought and settled on extensive
tracts of land on the east side of the Saddle River.
Andries's grandson John (4) was born at Saddle River in 1741 and died
in L815. He was a fanner, and was known as " Decke Jan" (thick John),
because he weighed some 40(1 pounds. His grave is in the old Blue .Mills
graveyard at Saddle River. His wife Sarah is buried at the Lutheran
192 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
Church. Their issue of the fifth generation were John, 1777 (died), Andrew,
177it. ! lannah, Jemima, and John.
John (5), liisi above named, was born ;ii Saddle River in 178G and died in
L873. His wife, Elizabeth Ackerman, was born in L790 and died in I860.
He and his wife arc both buried in the Lutlieran cemetery at Saddle River.
This John was a farmer. His issue of ilu sixth generation were John,
Adelaide, Sarah, David, Eliza, Jasper, Charity, Andrew, and Jemima M.
John (6) was horn al Saddle River August L3, L809, and died a1 Haeken
said-; October IS. L8GG. Hi^ wife was Eliza Buyler, of Tenafly. Both are
buried at Cherry Hill near Hackensack. This John was a butcher by <•«•
cupation. His issue of the seventh generation were seven children: Sarah
Ann. Euphemia, John EL, David, William 11.. Alvin, and Jacob I... the last
named being the subjed oi this sketch.
Jacob L. Van I'.uskirk (7) was born at Saddle River, X. J., duly I'll, L851,
and received his education in the district schools al New Bridge and Hack
ensack, after which he learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he fol
lowed successfully for nine years. He then took up the calling of a butcher
in Hackensack, which he still pursues. Some years ago he was elected
Freeholder from his township, which office he faithfully idled for six years.
For three years he was Director of tin- hoard. He was elected Sheriff id'
Bergen County in 1898 by a majority of 7(1!) votes over his Republican
competitor.
He married Miss .May E. Naugle, of Areola, who was horn .May 11. L851.
The couple have issue of the eighth generation three children: Margarel
V.. ( Seorge, and Henry C, 1 he first two of whom are married, and each have
one daughter of the ninth generation.
Mr. Van Buskirk is a member of Hope Encampment, I. < >. O. F.. of the
Order of American Foresters, of the Order of Red Men, and of the Order of
United Workmen; President of the Exeinpf Firemen's Association: Treas
urer of the Firemen's Insurance Company; and a member of the Liberty
Steam Fire Engine Company, the Democratic Club, the Wheelmen's Club,
and other organizations.
CHARLES A. SCHINDLER, Sit., son of Christian Henry Schindler and
Catherine Keller, was horn July 5, L827, in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany,
where his father, who died in L839, was a prominent furniture manufac-
turer and upholsterer. He was educated ami learned the trade of upholster-
ing and decorating in the Fatherland. In 1848 he took pari in the revolu
lion, and in consequence was obliged to flee to America, in company with
many other fellow patriots, and here he was extensively engaged in iiianu
facturing furniture and upholstering in New York City until L870. hi
that year he moved his business to West Hoboken, X. J., where he has
resided since 1860.
Mr. Schindler is one of the oldest and most esteemed German citizens
in North Hudson County, a man of the loftiest integrity, and in even
relation id life has gained the confidence as well as the respecl of the
community. In politics he is a Republican from conviction, especially on
National issues, hut in local affairs he is independent, casting his influence
in favor of matters promising the greatesl good, lie is a prominenl mem
her of the Patriots' Society of 1 s IS and '49 of New York.
In May. L852, he married Sophia Ziegeler, daughter of Daniel Ziegeler, of
Hamburg, Germany. She died in October, 1898. <>l their ten children six
are living, viz.: Charles, -\v.. Cora, Sophia, Otto, Thekla, and Rose.
»;i:\i:ai.o<;ical
L93
CHARLES A. SCIIINDLER, Jr., eld< si sou of Charles A. Schindler, Sr.,
and Sophia Ziegeler, was born January :!. L857, in West Boboken, X. J.,
where he lias always resided, and where he received a public school educa-
tion. After leaving school he learned the cabinetmaker's trade in the
establishmenl of Brunner iK: Moore, of New York, where he remained five
years, or until aboul 1884. Since then he has been engaged in business for
himself, making a specialty of line cabinel work and of election appliances
such as booths, registry cases, ballol boxes, etc. He is located at 287 Pali
sade Avenue, Wes1 Boboken, where he resides with his father, being un-
married.
CHARLES A. SCHINDLER, JR.
In the prosecution of his trade Mr. Schindler has achieved marked suc-
(rss and a wide reputation, and by industry, honesty, and enterprise has
buill up an extensive business, lie is a public spirited, patriotic citizen,
a Republican in politics, and a man universally esteemed and respected. For
two years — 1894 and L895 — lie served as Recorder of his town. He was one
of the principal organizers of the old Hillside Boat Club, of which he was
for nine years the Captain, and was one of the founders and organizers of
the Lincoln Club of Wesi Boboken, of which he is President, having held
that office during the last ten years. These and other connections attest
194 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
his popularity ;is well ;is the deep interesl he takes in the progress and
welfare of the community. He 1ms a fondness for horticulture, and all the
fine shrubbery around the old horn* stead was propagated by him.
WILLIAM D. EDWARDS, a leading lawyer of Jersey City, was born
in Greenpoint, Long Island, X. Y., December IT. 1855. In I860 he removed
with liis parents to Jersey City, the family settling in thai pari known ns
Lafayette. Mr. Edwards received his rudimentary education in the Jersey
city public schools and in L867 entered Hasbrouck Institute, where la-
was prepared for college. In 1871 he entered the University of the City of
New Fork, from which he was graduated with honor in 1875. Immediately
afterward he became a student a1 the Columbia College Law School, New
York <'ity. and was graduated from that institution with the degree <>f
LL.B. in 1S7S. Dining the three years which he spent at the law school
he was also a student in the office of William Brinkerhoff, of .Jersey City.
He was admit ted to the bar of New Jersey as an attorney in June, 1878, and
in 1879 formed a partnership with Hamilton Wallis, under the firm aame
of Wallis .S: Edwards. William G. Bumsted was admitted to the firm in
isss. and since then it has continued under the style of Wallis. Edwards &
Bumsted.
Mr. Edwards has been for twenty years one of the active and influential
leaders of the Democratic party of Hudson County, and in various official
capacities has displayed .ureal executive ability and political sagacity.
He was Secretary of the Hudson County Democratic Committee in L879,
Chairman of thai organization in L880 and 1881, and in the latter year was
elected Corporation Attorney of Bayonne, which office he held for five years.
In 1886 he was elected State Senator from Hudson County to succeed
William Brinkerhoff, and during his senatorial term framed the bill which
gave -Jersey City its new charter. He was appointed Corporation Counsel
of Jersey City in 18X9, and filled that responsible position with marked
energy and ability until the spring of 18!t4. In 1889 he was unanimously
nominated by the Democratic party for a second term as State Senator. bu1
declined the honor, preferring to devote his attention wholly to profes-
sional work. Mr. Edwards is one of the ablest members of the Hudson
County bar, and since his admission to practice has maintained a high
standing among his associates.
BAKEK B. SMITH is a descendant of .Michael Smith, an Englishman,
who. while quite young, came to America with Captain .John Berry, .Major
William Sandford, and the Kingslands from the Island of Barbadoes, W. I.
.Michael tiist settled at English Neighborhood in Bergen County, X. J.,
where he married Fram-ina (Frances), a daughter of .Major John Berry.
.Michael was a man of intelligence and business capacity. He was the first
High Sheriff of Bergen County and also held a commission as Lieutenant
in the colonial militia, of which his father-in-law was .Major. .Michael
purchased from Samuel Edsall a large farm at English Neighborhood front-
ing on the Hudson River. His children of the second generation, by
Frances Berry, were at least two: Frances and John, the latter of whom
married Debora, daughter of Thomas raurens, of Newtown, L. I. Frances
married Debora's brother, Thomas Laurens. 'I 'he dates of birth of Frames
and John Smith are unknown, hut 1 1 h • \ were both baptized in the Hacken-
sack Dutch Church in duly. 1695. Michael Smith's land in Bergen County.
at his death, and which he had bough! in 1679, jointly with John Berry,
GENEALOGICAL 195
passed to his son and luir, John Smith. John's children of the third genera-
tion were Francis, born in L712; Michael, born in 1714; and John, born in
17 Hi.
.Michael Sniit h, t hird generation, married Maria Smith, but the date of the
marriage does not appear. Their children, so far as known, were twins,
.John and Abel Smith, born at English Neighborhood, X. J., July 10, 1750.
Aliel and John subsequently became largely interested in Secaucus lands.
Baker 15. Smith, the subject of this sketch, is descended from either .John
or Abel, above named. His father, Baker Smith (whose father's name was
Enoch Smith), married Elizabeth Sickles, of Bergen, prior to ISO:;, and
settled at New Durham. Hudson County, X. J., where Baker B. was born
November 29, L817. Baker Smith died in L857, at the age of sixty-eight, and
his wife at the age of eighty-six. Their children were Mary, Enoch, Eliza,
Phcebe, Abram, Baker P.. Rebecca, and Philip. Baker P.. Smith has
always lived at New Durham and is one of the most prominent citizens of
that village. For many years he was successfully engaged in the business
of shad-fishing, al the same time carrying on fanning enterprises. He
has been for some time retired from active business pursuits. While he
has always been a stanch Republican since the organization of that party,
lie has neither sought nor accepted office of any kind.
.Mr. Smith was married to Sarah Ann Haslett, by whom he had three chil-
dren: Clarinda II.. who became Mrs. A. II. Rider, and is now deceased;
Philip EL Smith, now deceased; and Anna M. Smith. Mrs. Smith died
March 12, 1895, at the age of seventy-seven. She was an earnest Christian,
and an active member <>f the Reformed Church of New Durham.
CORNELIUS \Y. BERDAN— During the religious persecution in Frame,
Jan Baerdan tas he wrote his name), one of the persecuted Huguenots,
tied to Amsterdam and from thence came to New Amsterdam sometime
prior to L682, with his wife and one son, Jan Baerdan, Jr. The elder
Berdan tas his descendants now spell the name) bought land and settled
at Plat-lands, Brooklyn, L. 1. His wife dying soon after, he married again
and had issue by his second wife two daughters.
• Ian Berdan (2) and his stepmother could not agree, so .John left home
and went ti» Ilackensack sometime previous to the year l<i!>:'>. for on .May
2d. 1693, under the name of -Ian Bordet or Boudet, he was married at Flat-
lands, L. I., to Eva Van Sicklen, of that place. His place of residence at
the time of his marriage is given as Hackensack, N. J. The person who
wrote the record of his marriage very likely either dispelled or misun-
derst 1 the name. The baptism of his eldest child was recorded in the
" ('hurt h on the Green " in 1695. He bought a large farm at what is now
Maywood, extending from the Hackensack River to the Sprout Brook, on
which he lived and spent his life in agricultural pursuits. He bought lands
west of the Saddle River, and one or more tracts in the Wieremus section of
Bergen County of the Romeyns. His issue of the third generation were
ten children: John, 1695; Eva, 1697; Ferdinand, 1700; Albert, 1701; YYill-
imina. 1704; Rynier, 1706; Elena, 1708; Dirck, 1712; David, 1711; and
Annatie, 1718.
David Berdan (3), who married, May 12, 1738, Christyontjin Daniels
Ronieyn. resided on the homestead at Maywood, and had issue eleven chil-
dren: Eva, Mary, Geesie, Annatie, Margaret, John, Daniel, Lena, Daniel,
Mary, and Daniel.
John Berdan ill was born at Maywood, N, J., in 1740, and died there in
196
iiidsox and r.i:K<;i;\ counties
L818. His calling was thai of a farmer. He married Ursula Van Voorhis,
by whom he had eleven children of the fifth generation: Albert. Isaac,
Daniel, John, Peter, David, Peggy, Anna. Christian, Hannah, and Maria.
David Berdan (5), born April •".. ITsii. married twice. By his first wife
he had children Jane and Sally, and by lus second wife, Abagail Bean, he
had seven children: John, James, Albert. Harriet, Ann. Rachel, and Chris-
tina, all of the sixth generation.
.Innies Berdan (6) was born at Mayw'ood, March LO, L818, and died there
September 6, L862. He was a farmer, and married .Marv Wortendvke, bv
whom he had issue of the seventh generation Abagail L., Mary E., Corne-
lius \\\. and Waller, of whom Cornelius \V. is the subject of this sketch.
Cornelius \V. Berdan was born in New York City, December 24, L850.
While yet a mere lad his parents removed to Maywood in Bergen County,
where Cornelius attended the district school. He subsequentiv finished
COURT HOUSE AND GREEN, HACKENSACK.
his education at Professor Williams's private academy at Hackensack.
At seventeen years of age he became a clerk in a New York broker's office,
and later entered the employ of the American News Company, where he
remained until L874. when he entered, as a law student, the office of the
late Judge Manning M. Knapp, at Hackensack. A yc^v later he entered
the office of Garn t Ackerson, dr.. then the most prominenl lawyer in the
county. .Mr. Berdan was admitted to the bar in February, L878, and has
been successfully practicing his profession ever since.
He married, October L5, 1ST!). .Mary Pond O'Connor, daughter of John
< \ and Elizabeth O'Connor, of Milford, Conn., by whom he has issue a
daughter, Elizabeth H.. born May 20, L883. He is a member of Pioneer
Lodge, Xo. 7(i. I\ and A. M.. of New York Council. No. 348, Royal Arcanum,
of the Hackensack Club, of the Hackensack Golf and Wheelman's Clubs
and of Relief Hook and Ladder Company, of Hackensack. He is also
counsel for three townships and two boroughs.
CENEALOCICAL
197
and
close
Rebe
lain
ROBERT CHAPMAN, of Arlington V J., who lias been associated
with the Citizens' Insurance Company of New York since L871, is the
eldest sou of Captain William Osborn Chapman and Harriet J. Tel-
ler, and a grandson of Darius Chapman and Millicent, his wife. Ilis
grandfather, a native of New York City, was for many years a prominent
carpenter and builder. Captain William O. Chapman was born in
New York in 1826, and
for about twenty-four
years was actively as-
s o c i a t e d with the
A n c h o r Steamship
Line. Ho enlisted in
L861 in the famous
Seventh New York
Regiment, and three
months later re-enlist-
ed in the Ninety-fifth
New York Volunteers
served until the
of I he War of i lie
llion, being Cap
of his company.
1 n 1 8(>6 he look i! j) his
residence in Jersey
City Heights, N.J., ami
about 1800 removed
from there l<» Arling-
ton, Hudson County,
where he still lives,
lie is prominenl in
Grand Army circles,
being a member ami
Past Commander of
Zabriskie Tost, of
Jersey City, lie has
five children: Robert,
.Millicent, Fannie, Car-
rie. and William ( >s
born. Jr.
Robert Chapman was
born in New York < 'it y
November 4. 1S.~>2, and received his early education in the New York public
schools. When thirteen years of age he entered the employ of the old
Indemnity Insurance Company, ol which Colonel Emmons (Mark, now Sec-
retary of the New York Board of Health, was Secretary, lb remained
with that corporation until it failed, about two years later, when he as
sociated himself with the Harmony Insurance Company, which he left in
1871 to accept a position with the Citizens' Insurance Company of New
York. Since then ho has been actively and prominently identified with
that company, having charge at the present time of its loss department.
Mr. ( 'hapman's career of nearly thirty-five rears in the fire insurance busi-
ness has given him an unusually broad experience in underwriting, and the
various positions which he lias held have enabled him to gain a practical
ROBERT CHAPM A X .
198 HUDSON AND BERGSN COUNTIES
knowledge of every branch. An expert mathematician, he is recognized as
authority, qo1 only in the lines with which he has been mosl intimately
connected, bul in the business generally, and in every capacity he lias
achieved eminenl success. In politics he is ;m ardent Republican. He is
a member of the Insurance Clerks' Association <»f New Fork, of Lafayette
Camp, Sens of Veterans, of New York City, and of the Seventh Regimenl
Veterans, having been an active member of the Seventh Regiment, N. <'..
X. Y.. from L873 to L878. In L890 he settled in Arlington, X. .J., where
he still resides, and where he has wielded no small influence in advancing
the liest interests of the town.
September LO, L874, Mr. Chapman married Josephine, daughter of
Joseph and Mary Pollock, of Jersey City Heights, X. J., and their children
are Walter Roberl and Florence.
VEDDER VAN" DYCK, a well known resident of Rayonne, X. .1.. and a
lawyer in New York City, is descended from Hendrick Van Dyck, who came
to this country from Holland with the first hutch settlers before 1630.
These Dutchmen first settled at Communipaw, X'. J., bul soon found their
way over to Manhattan Island.
Hendrick Van Dyck was an ensign in command of the Hutch forces in
their early wars with the Indians. He was the first Sellout Fiscal — a
soit of judge and sheriff — in Xew Amsterdam, and held his office until
Ht.~)2. He was one of the original grantees, from the West India Company,
of plots of land at New Amsterdam, his lot being on the west side of what
is now Rroadway, below Trinity Church, and running to the North River.
His son Cornelius removed to Albany. X'. Y.. where he practiced his pro-
fession as physician. This Cornelius had a son. Jacobus Van Dyck, also
a physician, who settled at Schenectady. X". Y.. and was the surgeon at
the fort there at the time of the burning of the town, by the Indians, in 1690.
Jacobus died at Schenectady in 1759. He left several children one of whom
was Lieutenant-Colonel Cornelius Van Dyck, of the First New York Regi-
ment, commanded by Colonel Goose Van Schaeck, during the Revolutionary
War. From one of the other sons Vedder Van Dyck is descended, his
grandfather being Jacob and his father Peter Van Dyck. His mother,
Eleanor Vedder, was also a descendant of the earliest Hutch settlers who
came to New Amsterdam.
Vedder Van Dyck was born at Schenectady, X". Y.. on the 22d day of
January, 1*42. and there received his early education, first in the public
schools and subsequently at Union College, being in the class of L865, but
leaving college in L862 to join a Xew York regiment during the civil War.
lie continued in the service until the war was over, and then entered
Harvard haw School, leaving there in L867 and being admitted to the bal-
ed' his native State. Since L867 he has been engaged in the practice of his
profession in Xew York City, having an office a1 No. 15 Wall Street. Since
L885 he has resided in Bayonne, Hudson County, X. J., where he has served
a term of three years as School Trustee, and since L894 has been one of its
Health Commissioners. He married Emily Adams in Xew York City in
isTT.
ROBERT OSCAR BABBITT was born in Mendham, .Morris County. X.
J., November 5, L848, and is the son of Roberl Milieu Babbitt and Henrietta
Jolley. On his father's side his first American ancestors were from Eng-
land and on his mother's side from France. He received his early education
GENEALOGICAL 199
in the district schools and in the academy of William Rankin, at Mendham,
preparing for Princeton College, although he did not enter that university.
He studied law for two years with Frederick G. Burnham, of Morristown,
N. J., and removing to Jersey City, in L871, entered the 1 office of Potts &
Linn. He was admitted to the New Jersey bar as an attorney in February,
1873, and as a counselor in November, 1878.
After his admission to the bar Mr. Babbitt became a member of the firm
of Potts & Linn, with whom he had pursued his studies, and continued his
association, under the firm name of Lot t s. Linn & Babbitt, for one year,
after which the tirm was re organized as Linn & Babbitt, and so continued
for seven years. However, in ls^i', he formed a partnership with Robert
Linn Lawrence, which continues to the present time.
Mi*. Babbiti has devoted himself exclusively to his profession, applying
his leisure to miscellaneous reading, and as a result of his application and
legal abilities enjoys a high standing at the bar and commands a large and
lucrative practice. He is independent in politics, and has never accepted
public otliee.
Soon after his admission to the bar .Mr. Babbitt set himself to the task of
mastering the Spanish language, to til himself for the transaction of the
business of certain corporations who had connections in Mexico and other
Spanish-speaking countries. His professional duties in this direction,
therefore, have afforded him the opportunity for extensive travel in Mexico
and other American countries. Mr. Babbiti is a member of the Lawyers'
Club, of New York City, and of the Carteret and Union League Clubs, of
Jersey City. He was married June !». L875, to Mary Elizabeth McCrea, of
Middletown, Orange County. N. Y.
REV. JOHN JUSTIN, pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church of the
Town of Union, Hudson County, since L865, was born in Germany in 1842,
the son of Peter and Margarel -lust in. lie spent his early lite in hard study.
In 1.858 he came to this country, crossing the ocean in forty days, and first
settled in New Brunswick, N. J. There he entered Rutgers College and
afterward the Theological Seminary, from which he was graduated with
honors. In the meantime Mr. .lust in spent much of his leisure with the
renowned musicians Schneeweiss, Fischer, and Mohlenhauer, and later be-
came organist of one of the New Brunswick churches.
In 1864 Mr. Justin moved to Lnioti Hill, and the next year was installed
pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church on Columbia Street, which position
he continues to hold. The church was then in a very poor condition, but
he gave it a new impetus and in 1868 had the satisfaction of rebuilding it.
In 1883 the edifice was thoroughly renovated and in 1890 it was enlarged,
and at the present time it is one of the most prosperous churches in Hud-
son County. This is almost entirely due to Mr. Justin's efforts. Bringing
to his work great native energy, unusual ability, and unfailing enthusiasm,
he has steadily advanced the church and congregation to a point of more
than local importance, and has imbued them with his own spirit of courage
and usefulness. He has had frequent calls to distant places, but has pre-
ferred to give to this society the efforts of his life.
He has traveled extensively, making several trips to the West and two
abroad, including one to Asia and Africa, and is an earnest promoter of
education. He married Catharine, daughter of Henry and Louise Wester-
feld, and has graduated his children from some of the best institutions in
the East.
200
HUDSON AND BER<;i:.\ rnrNTIES
JOnN CLEMENT -ll'STIN. M.D., of Guttenberg, X. J., son of Rev.
John Justin and Catharine Westerfeld, was bom in the Town of Union.
Hudson County, September 26, L868. He began his education in the public
schools of his native town, spenl a year and a half in the employ of the
Equitable Life Assurance Society, and was graduated from Hasbrouck
Institute, Jersey <"i1y. in L885, and from New York University in the arts
and sciences with the degree of B.A. in ls s '.». In L891 he began the study
of medicine a1 the Medical Departmenl of the University of the City of New
York, from which he was graduated with the degree of M.D. in L893. He
JOHN CLEMENT JUSTIN.
immediately entered Heidelberg Hospital in Germany, where he remained
one year, and ilicn look special courses in the Wiirzburg hospitals. After
ward he traveled through the principal cities of Germany, visiting hospitals,
and thence went to Switzerland, italy, Prance, and England.
Returning to America, Dr. -In si in substituted for Dr. Exton, of A rlington,
for a period of i wo months, and in the fall of I s '.' I began the practice of his
profession in Guttenberg, and afterward buill Ids present residence in
West New York, Hudson County, where he continues to reside.
Dr. Justin lias already achieved success as a physician and surgeon, and
throughout the section in which he has acquired an extensive practice is
GENEALOGICAL '201
highly esteemed and respected. His ability, integrity, and genial good
nature have won for him the confidence of the community. He is a mem-
ber of the Royal Arcanum, of the Knights of Honor, of the Order of
American Mechanics, and of 1 1 1 * * Foresters of America.
November 26, L895, Dr. Justin married Ottilie [Catherine Kothe, daughter
of William and Ottilie [Catherine (Fuchs) Kothe, of the Town of Union, N.
J. They have one son living, viz.: John ('lenient Justin, Jr., born October
Hi, L897.
GARRET T. HARING is descended in the ninth generation from dan
Pietersen Haring, the emigranl from Hoorn, Holland. The line of descenl
is the same as thai of Garrel A. Haring (see page 61) down to the fifth
general ion.
( Jarrel Johns Haring (5). a sen of John Cozine Haring (4) and A el tie Van
Dolsen, born April 28, L725, married, in L751. Cornelia Lent, and had issue
et' i he sixih generation eighl children: Aeltie, Peter, Frederick, dames,
Catharine. Elizabeth, John, and Abraham.
John Garrets Haring (0), horn at Tappan in 1.752. married Rensie (Gar-
retsi Eckerson and had issue of the seventh generation four children: Altie,
( rarret, A itie, and Margaret.
Garrel Johns Haring (7), horn January 24, 177!). died .May •_'.'">, 1849, mar-
ried Elizabeth Eckerson, and had issue of the eighth generation Reusie
.iiid Thomas E.
Thomas E. Haring (8), horn March .".. L808, died duly 6, 1S7<>, married
Rachel Taylor, and had i^sue several children, one oi whom is Garrel T.
I Caring, i 1m subjeel of this sketch.
Garrel T. Haring (9) was born ai River Vale, Bergen County, February
'2'J, L851, ami received a good education in the local schools. Leaving
school ai the age of uineteen, he began active lite on his lather's farm, and
subsequently engaged in the business oi' breeding and dealing in horses,
in which he has since continued with substantial success.
Mr. Haring is one oi the besl known men in Bergen County, and lor a
uumber of years has been prominenl and influential in public affairs. lie
has served mosl efficiently as a mem her id' i he Board of Chosen Freeholders
for nine vears. has also officiated as poormaster of the Borough of old
Tappan, and is a member of the Reformed Church. He is an active, pro-
gressive, and public spirited citizen, and highly esteemed by all who know
him. He married Anne A. Hasbrook and has two children: Sarah < \ and
Thomas < \.
HENRY (i. HARING is a descendant in the eighth generation from Pie-
ter Haring, of Hoorn, Holland, for a sketch of whom and of Ids sons and
grandsons see page 61. This branch of the family always resided around
Tappan. Hillsdale, Westwood, and Pascack, in Bergen County. Henry G.
Haring's line of descent from Pieter, of Holland, is as follows: Pieter Har-
ing ill. of Hoorn. Holland, dan Petersen Haring (2), of Hoorn. Holland,
the tirst emigranl to America, married Margaretta Cozines (widow), and
had i^sue of the third generation six children, one of whom was Cozine
•Johns Haring (3). Cozine Jansen Haring (3), born in l(i(i!). married Margar-
etta dans Bogert, and had issue of the fourth generation eight children, of
whom one was John Cozine Haring (4). John Cozine Haring (4), born in
1696, married Altie Van Dolsen, and had issue eight children of the fifth
generation, one of whom was Garrel Jansen Haring. Garret Jansen Har-
202 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
ing (5), born in April, 1Tl'.~. married Cornelia Pent, and had issue of the
sixili generation eighl children, one of whom was Jacobus Garrets Bar-
ing (G). Jacobus Garrets Baring (6), horn in October, L764, married, about
I7 s !t. Rachel Fredericks Baring, and had issue of the seventh generation
John, Rachel, Garrel (died), Cornelia, Altie, Ann. Garrel J., .Maria. Catrina,
and Frederick.
Garrel Jacobus Baring i"i. born near Tappan, November 30, L801, died
November L9, l s 'i'.*. married Caroline, daughter of Benry P. and Adeline
(Smith) Westervelt, and had issue of the eighth generation Adeline. Benry
[died i, I Ieiir\ ( ;.. and others.
Henry G. Baring (8), the subject of tliis sketch, was born in Hillsdale.
X. •!.. December 5, L837, and received his education in the public schools
of Bergen County. Leaving school at the age of eighteen, he engaged
in teaching and so continued for five years. During that period he
gained a broad practical experience and established an excellent reputa-
tion. He then worked on his father's farm at Hillsdale lor ten years, and
since then has been actively and successfully engaged in business for
himself as a civil engineer and surveyor. In this profession as in all other
connections he has displayed marked ability, sound judgment, and great
enterprise, and is widely respected as a public spirited citizen and upright
man.
Mr. Baring has also been prominent in the affairs of his town and county.
He served at various times as Town Superintendent, Town Clerk, and
Assessor, was a member of Assembly in the sessions of L868 and 1869,
and from 1881 to 1886 held the office of Cinder Sheriff. At the present time
he is Overseer of The Pool-. lie is a Mason, a member of the Improved
Order of Foresters, and an attendant of the Reformed Church.
His wife. Christina de Baun, is descended from the French Buguenol
family of In- Bauns who are noticed elsewhere in this work. They have
had three children : Annie. Harry, and Garret (deceased).
ANDREW B. BARING is descended in the ninth generation from Jan
Petersen Baring, the emigranl from Boorn, Holland. The line of his de-
scent is the same as that of his umle. John T. Baring (see page 154), down
to the seventh generation. Tunis .1. Baring (7) and his wife, Elizabeth
Perry, had issue four children of the eighth generation, one of whom was
Abram P.. (8).
Abram P. Baring (8) was horn May 20, 1811, and married 1 1 1. April 18,
1835, Ann Eliza Baring, who died April !». 1841. He married (2), in 1843,
Mary, daughter of Peter Hopper, horn September 16, 1819, died May 31,
1853. He married (3), May ::. l>.~>7. Margaret Demarest. The issue of Abram
P.. Baring of the ninth generation are. by the first wife. Elizabeth, Ann.
John A.. Tennis A.. Martha, and Kate; and. by the second wife. Andrew H.
and May.
Andrew H. Baring (9), the subject of this sketch, was born at River
Vale, Bergen County, X. -I.. October Hi. 1852, and received his education
in the local schools and at Fergusonville, X. Y. At the age of seventeen
he started to learn the drug business, and after continuing in that line for
two years entered the employ of A. T. Stewart, of New York, with whom
he remained three years. He then returned to Bergen County and took
charge Of the homestead farm, which he conducted for twenty years with
marked success. A few years ago he accepted a position with the West
(i KXKA LOGICAL
203
Shore Railroad and still continues in the employ of that lino. He has also
been engaged in I he coal business at Harrington Park and Tappan.
Mr. Haring early took an active interest in public affairs, and during his
entire life has wielded a wholesome influence in the community. He served
for ten years as Township Collector, and is now Marshal of the Palisade
Protective Association. He attends the Dutch Reformed Church at Tappan.
He married Surah \V. Westervelt, also a member of an old New Jersey
familv, and thev have t wo sous and three daughters.
LUTHER A. CAMPBELL— William Kempbell (Campbell) was born in
Ireland, duly 20, L718, and came to America in the spring of 17:'.."). He
settled in the Schraalenburgh section of Bergen County, where, on August
111 of the same year, he married Elizabeth Samuels Demarest.- She was
horn April •">. L716, and died duly 9, 1707. The couple lived at Schraalen-
burgh, and had issue of the second generation seven children, one of whom
was John \V.
John \V. Campbell (2) was horn duly 31, L746, and died at Pascack, N. J.,
March 1."). L826. He married Letitia Van
Valen. of Closter, who was born May 11.
L751, and died dune 25, L841. John \V.
Campbell (2) early in life located at Pas-
cack, where In- established a wampum
factory, and for years conducted an exten-
sive business, supplying the United Siates
and traders of
His descend
continued the
John W. had
ie fourth
gen-
governmenl Indian agents
the day with Indian monej
ants, until quite recently.
manufacture of wampum.
issue eighl children of ti
'■ration, id' whom one was Abraham d.
Abraham d. Campbell (4) was born at Pas
cack, October L3, L782, and died there March <i.
1S4T. I lis wife. Margarel Demarest, whom he
married May 9, L807, was born October 10. 177!),
and died October L5, L834. He had issue of the
tilth generation John A.. Peter A., dames A., David A.,
and Abram A.
David A. Campbell (5), born January 1<», 1812, died dune
20, L893, married Sally Haring, of Pascack (born March (i,
1814, died dune L2, L899), and had issue of the sixth gen-
eration Ritie, Margaret. Elizabeth, Daniel II., John A.,
dames A., and Abram D.
Abram D. Campbell (6) was born ar Pascack, October 10. 1S42. Pie
was educated in the public schools of his native place and at Hackensaok,
and after teaching for a short period, during which time he was elected
School Superintendent of his township, he resigned and entered the State
Normal School at Trenton, from which institution he was graduated in
1863. After leaving school he engaged in teaching until 1S0.~>, when he
entered the office of Colonel Garret Ackerson. Jr., at Hackensack, as a
law student. He was admitted as an attorney at the June term in 1869
and as a counselor in 1875. A few months after his admission as an
attorney he opened an office in Hackensack, and on August 7, 1870, was
appointed Prosecutor of the Pleas, to fill the vacancy caused by the resig-
WAMl'L'M.
204 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
nation of Colonel Ackerson, and on September 1. of the same year, h" wis
appointed by Governor Randolph to lill thai office until the close of the
next session of I lie Legislature. On April ."». LS71, lie was appointed for the
full term, and by subsequent appointments held tin- office for twenty-five
years.
Having enlisted in Company I '. Second Battalion, X. G. X. J., October 8,
L872, In- was commissioned Quartermaster of the battalion with the rank
of First Lieutenant January 14, 1873, and on March L5, ls7<;. received the
commission of Captain. He served during the railroad strike of lsTT. and
retired with the rank of Brevet-Major December 1G. 1890.
.Mr. Campbell was married, September 22, L869, to Ann E. Hopper,
daughter of .Jacob Hopper and Lydia Bogert, of Hackensack, horn August
."). 1846. They had five children of the seventh generation: Luther A., Eva,
David (deceased), Harry (deceased), and X. Demarest Campbell.
Luther A. Campbell (7), the subject of this skdch. was born at Hack-
ensack. November 28, 1872. He was educated in the public schools, and
was graduated with honors from the Union Street High School, of which
Dr. Nelson Haas was Principal. Immediately after leaving school he began
i he study of law in Ins father's office, and in June, 1894, was admitted to
the bar as an attorney; subsequently la- became associated with his father
under the firm name of A. 1). & L. A. Campbell. In 1894, at the organiza
tion of the Improvement Commission, Mr. Campbell became counsel and
clerk of thai board, and was also for several terms clerk to the Grand Jury,
by appointment of Judge Dixon, bui was forced to give up his position
because <»f growing business in general practice. He has also been chosen
counsel in several townships ami boroughs in Bergen County. He is n
member of Hope Encampment, No. •'!."). I. (). (..). F.
He was married, April 22, 1895, to Mae E.. daughter of Richard P. Pauli
son, of Hackensack. Their children of the eighth generation are Ruth De-
baun, born March ."». 1897, and Clarendon, born March 7. 1899.
DAVID W. McCREA lias been actively and successfully engaged in the
practice of law in Jersey City since 1882, and through his ability and
integrity of character has achieved distinction and honor. He is the son
of James \V. T. McCrea and Harriet E. Schroeder, and was born in New
Hampton, X. Y.. on the 3d of February, 1861. There he spent his early
life, laying the foundation of a sound physique, and gaining in the district
schools a rudimentary English education. lie also pursued his studies at
Middletown i X. Y.i Academy, and later at the private school of Dr. Henry
Warren.
From his father's ancestors Mr. McCrea inherits those sturdy Scotch
characteristics which distinguish the race, while from his mother, who
was of German descent, he likewise inherits high intellectual attainments.
Even before completing his studies he had decided upon the law as a pro-
fession, and after leaving school began active preparation for admission
to the bar. In due time he found himself prepared to enter upon the active
practice of the profession, to which he has since devoted Ids energies with
uninterrupted success. Mr. McCrea was admitted to the bar of New Jersey
at the February term of the Supreme Courl in L882, and ever since then
has been actively and successfully engaged in practice in Jersey City. He
is a public spirited, enterprising, and progressive citizen, deeply interested
in the affairs of his adopted city and state, and highly esteemed and re-
spected by all who know him.
CEXEALOCICAL
205
He was married on the 1-ih of January, L899, t<> Emma Fenner Smith,
Hi' Jerse\ ( 'ii y, N. J.
DAVID W. LA WHENCE, of Jersey City, N. ■).. was born in the City of
New York. November L0, L850. While a child his parents moved t<> Pike
County, Pa., and continued i * » reside there and in the contiguous County
of Monroe until L863. Thai region was then (and is still) a wilderness.
While the family lived at Shawnee, Monroe County, the Civil War broke
(int. and Mr. Lawrence's two older brothers enlisted. In 1863 the family
returned to New York,
and Mr. Lawrence's fath-
er also enlisted. He was
wounded in t he ba1 1 le of
the Wilderness, taken
prisoner, and subs e
quently died in Ander-
sonville military prison.
This left Mr. Lawrence,
I hen a boy of thirteen, as
the main support of his
widow ed una her a n d
two brothers younger
than himself, lie ob-
tained employraenl in a
retail store, attending
school nt night.
In L868 Mr. Lawrence
moved i <> Jersey City
and engaged in a mer
cantile business until
L872, when he accepted
an appointment in the
New York postoftice
where lie remained eighl
\ ears, discharging h i s
duties with ability and
satisfaction, and being
promoted to Assistant
Chief Clerk of the Reg
istrv Department, which
position he resigned in
L880. In L877 he was
elected a member of the
Board of Aldermen in
Jersey City over ex-Mayor John r>. Romar, a popular Democrat. He de
(dined a renomination in the spring of L879, bui accepted the nomination
for Assembly in the fall and was elected over David J. Post, receiving more
majority than his opponent had votes. He was re-elected in 1880 and 1881.
At the session of L881 he was appointed Chairman of the House Committee
selected to represent the State of New .Jersey at the centennial celebration
of the battle of Cowpens at Spartanburg, S. C. At the session of 1882 he
was the Republican nominee for Speaker of the House. Prior* to the (dose
of the session he was elected in joint session of the Senate and House of
DAVID W. LAW III \i I .
206 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
Assembly ;i Police Justice for Jersey City for the term of three years. At
the expiration <»f his term of Police Justice Mr. Lawrence decided to retire
from political lit". Two days later, however, lie was appointed by 1 1 1« -
Board <>!' Finance and Taxation, ai the request of ;i <'iti/.ens' Committee,
Assessor for the Fifth Aldermanic District. This position In- tilled for
three consecutive years, each year being unanimously elected Presidenl of
the Board of Assessors. In L888 he was nominated as a Republican and
citizens' candidate for Sheriff of Hudson County. Though net elected, he
received a very gratifying indorsement. In L889 he was appointed by
Mayor Cleveland, under the new citv charter, a member of tin- Board of
Tax Commissioners I'm- the long term of three years, and while he was the
minority member his associates unanimously elected him Presidenl of the
board. Before the expiration of his term he publicly announced thai he
would not accept any other political office. Bui en the requesl of Justice
Lippincotl he has served on several commissions appointed by the court.
lie was formerly a member of Monticello Lodge, No. 140, I. < >. of 0. F..
of the Orion Rowing Association, and of the Palma, Berkeley, and Jersej
City Clubs. He is also a member of Bergen Lodge, No. 47, F. and A. M..
of Jersey City Consistory, No. 51, of the Hopatcong Club, of the Union
League, and of the Lincoln Association, and a life member of the Carteret
( 'In 1). He is also one of the managers of the Provident Institution for Sav-
ings, a Trustee of the New Jersey State Home for Boys at Jamesburg, and
is trustee and executor for a number of important estates. He has been
faithful and popular in every position he has held, and few business men in
Jersey City have been more successful, and none more highly trusted and
respected. Be is still engaged in the real estate and insurance business,
which he established in 1885, and is a large real estate owner in .Jersey City.
ABEL I. SMITH, one of the leading lawyers of Hudson County and Dis-
trict Court Judge of Hoboken, is descended from one of the oldest families
of Fast -Jersey. In 1 732 Abel Smith, his ancestor, settled on a large tract
of land in Secaucus, which was then included with Hoboken in old Bergen
County. This land was conveyed by deed to Mr. Smith by Israel Hois
lit Id on October 24, \~-V2. and has ever since been owned and occupied
by a member of the Smith family. Daniel Smith, son of Abel, served
in the Revolutionary War as a soldier in Colonel Oliver Spencer's cavalry
regiment of the Continental Army — a regiment, by the way. uoted
for its efficiency and bravery. John Smith, son of this patriot Daniel,
had a son. Abel I. Smith, S;\. who was the father of the subject of this
article, ami who served as a private in the War of L812, afterward holding
many positions of trust and honor in Hudson and Bergen Counties, and
being one of the most prominent and best known men in that section until
his death in L865. He was one of the few persons honored 1»\ Robert
Stevens with a pass for life over the Hoboken ferries. The original pass.
in the handwriting of Mr. Stevens, is still in the family, ami reads: " Abel
I. Smith and his wife, if he gets one."
Judge Smith represents the fourth generation of his family after they
settled in Hudson 1 1 hen Bergen I County. He is t he son of \bel I. Smith, Sr.,
ami Prudence Cary, his wife, and was born in North Bergen, X. -I.. June 12,
L843, on the lam! conveyed t<> the original Abel Smith in \~'\'2 by a deed de-
scribing him as " i gentleman." There he received his preliminary educa-
tion in the public schools. He was for eight years under the able tutorship
of the Rev. William V. V. Mabon, D.D., later a professor in the New Bruns-
GENEALOGICAL 207
wick Theological Seminary. In l^ii' he was graduated with honor from
Rutgers College, and the same year began his legal studies in the office
of J. Dickerson Miller, of Jersey City, being admitted to the New Jersey
bar as an attorney in June, L866, and as a counselor in June, 1ST:',. He
has practiced Ins profession in Hoboken since L868, coming there from the
Town of Union, Hudson County, and by the exercise of great natural
ability has achieved eminent success and a high reputation.
lie has also tilled several important positions'. In L869 he was elected
as a Republican to the Legislature from the old Eighth Assembly District.
comprising Bergen, West Hoboken, Weehawken, and the Township of
Union, and served in the session of 1S70. TTe was the first Republican
elected from that district and the only Republican from Hudson County
in the session of thai year. He declined a renomination. Tn 1888 he was
appointed Judge of the District Court of the City of Hoboken by Governor
Green and served until April 1. 1891, and in 1898 he was again appointed
to the same position by Governor Griggs. A fact of special interest in
connection with his first term on the bench is that, of the many cases
which he decided, few were taken to higher courts for review, and all
but two so taken were affirmed. His present term expires in 100.°>.
Judge Smith has been a life-long resident of Hudson County, and for
more than thirty years has been actively identified with the growth of
the City of Hoboken. TTe is an able and talented lawyer, one of Ihe ac-
knowledged lenders of the Hudson County bar, a learned, fair-minded,
and conscientious jurist, and :i public spirited, progressive citizen. His
practice has been largely confined from the first to civil suits in the Court
of Chancery, in Ihe Circuit, Supreme, and Orphans' Courts, and in the
Court of Errors and Appeals, and also in the United States Circuit and
District Courts of Xew Jersey, to the bar of which he was admitted in
1894. He was counsel in the matter of the crossing of the new county road
by the Lehigh Valley "Railroad Company, and also for three of (he most
important and noteworthy improvements in Hudson County, namely:
the " Bull's Perry "Road." the " Bergen Ta'ne Road," and the " Bergen Wood
Road." For ten years lie was counsel for the Township of North Bergen;
for three years he was counsel for the Jersey City, Hoboken. and Ruther-
ford Electric Railway Company: and in a legal capacity has also been
connected with many large estates and interests in Ihe County of Hudson.
For four years he served as President of the Hudson County branch of
the State Charities Aid Association of Now Jersey, being also a member
of the Committee on Laws of the State Association.
Few men have achieved the distinction in both professional and public
life which Judge Smith enjoys. He has long been an active and influential
Republican and a recognized leader of the party, and in the various
positions which he has filled he has displayed great executive ability, sound
judgment, and commendable foresight. At the bar and on the bench he
has pained a merited eminence. Well versed in the science of the law.
and firmly grounded in the loftiest principles of practice, his untiring
efforts and legal attainments have placed him among the foremost lawyers
of Fast Jersey, and in the possession of an extensive and successful prac-
tice. Since 1885 John S. Mabon, a son of his early tutor, has been his law
partner, the firm name being Smith & Mabon. Judge Smith is also an
antiquarian of no little reputation, and at his home has a large and valua-
ble collection of continental money, rare old coins, etc., several of which
have been in the familv since their settlement in America. His collection
208 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
includes gold pieces of various countries from L632 to L800 and ;i number of
continental coins which wore exhumed a few years ago at or near the site
of the Smith homestead in Secaucus. He also has a large library, which
includes the old family Bible containing the date of the birth of Mary
Bailey, one of his ancestors, in St. Philip's Parish; Bristol, England, in 1653.
lie is a member of the Palma and Union League Clubs of Jersey City, and
for years has been identified with many of the leading institutions of his
county.
Judge Smith was married December 7. L870. to Laura Howell, daughter
of Martin A. Howell, a prominent resident of New Brunswick and popu-
larly known throughout New .Jersey, being a Director of the New Jersey
Railroad and Transportation Company, the Camden and Amboy Railroad
Company, and other important corporations. They have three children:
A-bel I. Smith, dr.; Eliza Howell, wife of .lames Brown Mabon, of the firm
of Kingsley, .Mabon & Co., brokers. Wall Street, New York; and Dorothy
Gailbraith Smith.
THE VAX BUSSU.M FAMILY— Egbert Van Borsum was a native and
resident of Linden, a little town between Groningen and Delfsyle, 1 1 < > I
land. There was born, about 1605, his son, Egberl Van Borsum, dr.. who
emigrated to America in 1639 and settled at New Amsterdam, where, on
December 11 of the same year, he married Antic Hendricks a native of
Sweden. Van Borsum was a sailor and captain, or skipper, of the ship
"Prince William" in 1664. On July 15, 1654, he obtained a paten! for
two lots at Hie ferry in Brooklyn, and on March 12, 1636, he bought an-
other lot adjoining his firsi purchase. On these lots he resided. He leased
and operated the ferry between New York and Brooklyn, dune 1. 1654, and
in li;.->7 was assessed ten gelders toward supporting the salary of Dominie
Polhemus. Prior to 1660 he belonged to the New Amsterdam Hutch
Church, and took the oath of allegiance to the English King. In L670 he
appears to have resided at Flatbush. lb- is said to have died on Long
Island. His issue were Herman. 1640; Cornelius. 1642; Henry. L648: Ty-
man. L651; Janneken, 1653; and Ann. 1656.
Cornelius married, September 1. 1669, Sarah Roelofse, widow of Hans
Kierstead. lb- was then residing at the ferry at Brooklyn, where he had
previously married Grietie Gysberts. August <>. Kids, he was allotted lands
at Canarsie, but he probably resided on a farm at Flatbush, which he
and Paulus Richards had bought in 1654. On dune 28, 1678, he was at
Bergen, X. J., and purchased from Anthony Verbruggen a lot of meadow
hind on t he Hudson River at Weehawken, since known as Slaugh's meadow .
He afterward became interested in the Saddle River patenl in Bergen
County. Herman Van Borsum, a descendant of Egbert, Jr., settled a1 Hack-
ensack in 174s with his wife. Abagai] Furbis. Others of Egbert's de
scendants settled at Aquackanonck and south of Hackensack, and their
descendants have become widely scattered over Bergen County.
GEORGE \Y AKL.MAX WHEELER, of Hackensack. X. J., was born in
Easton, Conn., on th< 1 ~t h of October, is:; l . He is t he son of Hon. Charles
Wheeler and Jerusha Bradley. His father was a Judge of Probate in
Connecticut and a member of the Legislature in that State.
.Mr. \\ heeler received his preparatory education a1 the old Easton (Conn.)
Academy and at Dudley School at Northampton, .Mass. Afterward he
entered Amherst College, from which he was graduated in the class of
GENEALOGICAL
209
IS56. Ele spent much of his early life teaching school, and in Mississippi,
where li«' resided for a time, filled the position of Superintendenl of Schools
with acknowledged ability and satisfaction.
Settling anally in Backensack, N. J., Mr. Wheeler soon came into pronii-
aence as a man of energy and public spirit, and as Chairman of the Backen-
sack Board of Education rendered important service to the community.
Be also served for some time as .Indue of the Courl of Common Pleas. I lis
business has been mainly that of an insurance broker, although he lias been
interested in various financial enterprises. He is Treasurer of the Backen-
sack Cemetery Company and Vice-President of the Bergen Turnpike Com-
pany. In politics he is a Democrat. Be is a member of the Episcopal
Church, a Royal Arch Mason, and a Past Bigh Priest in the Masonic order.
He has traveled extensively in this country as well as abroad.
In L859 he was married to Lucy Howie. They have two sons: Bon.
George W. Wheeler, dr.. a Justice of the Superior Courl of Connecticut,
ANDERSON STREET, LOOKING EAST, HACKENSACK.
and Henry I >. Wheeler, a commission merchanl of New York City.
Mr. Wheeler is a member of the State Geological Hoard of New Jersey,
of the Geological Survey, and of the Forestry Committee, and a life
member of the New Jersey State Forestry Association. He was President
of the Backensack Hall and Armory Association tor ten years, and has been
actively associated with every movement ami project which had for its
object the welfare and advancement of the community.
THE SPEEK FAMILY. — Hendrick Jansen Spiers, the common ancestor
of the Speers of Bergen and Hudson Counties, emigrated from Amsterdam
to America with his wife. Madeline Hanse, and two children, on the
Hutch West India ship "Faith," in December, 1659. It is not doubted
that he was a native of Holland. He located at New Amsterdam, whore
he was known as Hendrick Jansen Spiering, and whore three of his chil-
dren were baptized. In the spring of 1668 he removed to Bergen, N. J.,
210
iiidso.n and r.i:i;«;i:\ countiks
where, on the 12th of May of thai year, he obtained from Governor Philip
Carteret a patenl tor about fifty acres of land (extending across the nock
from Newark Bay to Now York Bay), to which lie added by subsequenl
purchases. lie died prior to L680, and Ins widow married, in 1681, Aertsen
Van der Hill. His issue were five children, only three of whom survived
him. These were John (married Maritie Franse), linns miarried Tivntie
Pieterse), and Barenl (married Cathelyntie Jacobs).
John Hendricks Spier became largely interested in the Aqnackanonck
(Passaic) patent, on which he located about 1C>!>2. His children were Henry,
Franz. Gertrude, Maddeline, Jannetie, Rachel, and Maritie, of whom the
following were married in the Hackensack Dutch Church: Henry to
Rachael Tennis Pier, llo*: Franz to Dircke Cornells, 1705; Gertrude to
Arent Laurense Toers, 1704; Jannetie to Roelof Cornells Van Houten,
1715; and Maritie to John Reyerson in 171<». Tin- numerous descendants
of these are now spread over Bergen and Passaic Counties, while the de-
scendants of the family who remained al Bergen are numerous in Hudson
Connlv.
THE TERHUNE FAMILY is another whose members are widely
scattered over Bergen and Hudson Counties. They an- descended from
Alberts Alberfse. Sr.. a ribbon weaver by trade, who is said to have been
a native of Hunen or Huynen, in Holland. The date of his emigration
does not appear, but lie was residing at New Amsterdam for some lime
prior to Kirn. In that year he re
moved to the Nyack patent in New
Utrecht, L. I., where in January, LCG2,
he obtained a patent for -i farm which
he sold. April ::. 1664, to Nathaniel
Rritton, of Stale,, Island. In 1G60
and lf)<io he boughi hinds ;it Plat-
lands. L. 1. Subsequently lie. with
Jaques Cortelyou and others, ob-
tained the Aquackanonck (Passaic)
patent of about 5,000 acres on the
Passaic River, in New Jersey, in
which the Van Winkles. Gerretsons,
Spiers, and many other families be-
came interested. His children were
John, Albert, Heyltie, Ann,. Styntie,
ami Snrah. All of these settled near
Hackensack in Bergen County. Al-
bert, the second, born in 1651, mar-
ried ill Hendricke Stevens Voorhis,
and (2) Levina Brickers. lb- resided
a; Flat lands. L. I., until 1676, when he re, mixed to Hackensack, where he
was on" of the leading spirits in the Dutch (■lunch, and was sent to the
Colonial Legislature in 1696. He houghl ;i large farm of Captain John-
Berry, extending from tin Hackensack to the Saddle River. His i^sim were
Wlllempie, Albert, John, Antie, Gerrebrecht, Willempie, Stephen, Maritie,
Gertrude, and Rachel. Excepl the Demarests and Harings probably not
one of the early emigrants has as many descendants in Bergen County as
Albert Alberts Terhune. The name Terhune was adopted after the re-
moval t<> Bergen County. In New Amsterdam and Long Island it was
Albertsen.
TiiK nirucii AT II.ATI.ANDS.
GENEALOCK A I .
211
GEORGE STEVENS, of Jersey City, was born in Paterson, N. J., April
L5, is:, i. He is the son of George T. Stevens and Caroline, daughter of
Abram and Cynthia Stager, and a grandson of Ephraim Stevens and Ruth
Doughty. His ancestors were early Massachusetts people.
Mr. Stevens's entrance into Jersey City was marked by his entrance into
Public School No. 2, under tin celebrated Yerrington. lie was an apt
scholar, his keen, quick
perception proving his
ability to comprehend any
task set before him.
Leaving school, he became
;i niessi nger hoy for the
Western Union Telegraph
Company, under the su-
pervision of Charles Cary,
and afterward accepted a
similar position for the
Erie Railroad Company.
A Her serving for thirteen
years in the capacity of
clerk - and bookkeeper in
Wall Street. New York,
he cast about for some-
thing else. His father
having died when he was
about eighteen, he was
obliged to assist tin rest
of the family, and from
that lime manifested a
tendency for entrance in-
to liu^iiiess for himself.
The opportunity came.
During his employment in
Wall Street he often visit
ed a friend in an under
taking establishment, and
carefully noting all the
preparations required in
the work of trimming
caskets and other details
soon found that he possessed sufficient insight into the business to make
it his life work. And for five years he devoted himself to studying the
business in all its branches.
On June 1. 1880, Mr. Stevens engaged in the undertaking business for
himself, at CI 7 Jersey Avenue, Jersey City, and in 1890 moved to No. 605
Jersey Avenue, where he still continues, having built what is without ex-
ception one of the most complete and commodious establishments in the
State of its kind.
He owes his success to his own personal characteristics, as he possesses
all the qualifications that go to make up honesty and fixed purpose. No
detail in the requirements of his business are unknown to him. The ap-
pointments of his establishment are modern in every respect, beautiful in
appearance, and wholly devoid of that <jrewsome air which often character-
GKOKGE STEVKNS.
212 HUDSON A\!> BERGEN COUNTIES
i/.cs such places. In brief, they are particularly arranged so as n<>i to pre-
sent any unpleasanl feature to the mosl delicate-minded observer. His
business is large and lucrative, and exclusively among the better class of
people, :is i Ik isc with whom he is closely associated attest. His entire es-
tablishmenl is the consummation ol his own itlcns and designs.
As a citizen Mr. Stevens is known to foster ;t jnsi pride in his surround-
ings, and is an active participanl in any movemenl thai will advance local
improvement. He is a member of St. Paul's Methodisl Episcopal Church,
of Jersey City, of Rising Star Lodge, No. 1 07 F. and A. M. of Rising Star
Lodge, No. 210, 1. < >. ( ). 1\ (which was named upon his suggestion), of
I [armony Encampment, IT. I. ().(>. P., and of i he Union League Club.
Mr. Stevens married Melvina Wayne, daughter of George Wayne, ami a
native of New York City. They have no children.
TIM-; TOERS FAMILY.— The lirsi f this family in New Jersey were
Laurence Arents Toers and (Maes Arents Toers, and. no doubt, they were
Hollanders. They were at Bergen as early as Hill', where, on Augnsl L5th
of thai year. Laurence married Francyntie Thomas. Claes married, Julj 8,
1684, Jacomina \"<in Neste. Both boughl land al Bergen in Kill on which
they permanently located. Laurence's issue were twelve children, among
whom were John. Thomas, Mary, and Aaron. Claes, who died in L730,
had eighl children, among whom were Judith, Pietertie, Arent, Nicholas,
and George. Of Claes's children only three survived, among them being
Arent, who received Ins father's property. Arenl married, in 1609, Ann
Spier, and reared a large family. The descendants of Laurence and < 'lacs
are still quite numerous in Hudson ( bounty.
Till-; VANDERHOFF FAMILY.— In 1711 Cornelius Vanderhoff, John
Vanderho IT, and Gertrude Vanderhoff came from Albany, N. Y. to Hacken-
saek. They are said to have been the children of Cornelius Vanderhoff (or
Vander Horen, who came to America from Horen, a tillage in Gelderland,
Holland, and fust settled at Bedford, L. I., from whence he removed to
Albany). Cornelius, John, and Gertrude Vanderhoff settled in the Saddle
River districl of Bergen County. Cornelius married iITIl'i Elizabeth Lau-
rence Ackerman. John married (1714) Lea Mathews Hopper. Gertrude
married, a little later. Peter Rutan, of Esopus, to which place she probably
removed. Cornelius had issue Geertie, Catharine. Jacob, Cornelius. Egbert,
and Jannel ie.
John Vanderhoff had issue John, Geertie, and probably Catharine, Doro-
thy, Jacob, and Jacobus, hut this is uncertain. The descendants of Cor-
nelius and John are still quite numerous in Bergen County.
GEORGE WILKINSON ST< >RM was for many years, and until recently.
one of the mosl prominent and public spoiled citizens of Hackensack,
Bergen County. His successful career is the product of energy, enterprise.
and integrity in business and private life, on the part of one determined to
make his own way in the world, with the capabilities resident in himself
as the resources to be depended upon. His success is an encouragemenl to
others, and a brief outline of the fads is here given with that end in view.
Mr. Storm enjoyed the advantage oi excellent ancestral antecedents —an
advantage which no doubl it is often difficult exactly to estimate. Cer-
tainly the inheritance of a disposition of mind and heart, which provide a
solid foundation for the development of capacity and character, is beyond
GENEALOGICAL
213
price: the richest legacy from parenl to child. The sou of Edward Storm
and Helen, daughter of George and Sophia Wilkinson, and the grandson
of John A. and Catherine Storm, the subject of this sketch descended from
strong American strains on both the paternal and maternal sides. Ilis first
American ancestor was Dirck Storm. ;i native of Utrecht, Holland, who
emigrated from Holland to the New Netherlands during the early Dutch
period. Mr. Storm's lather was a member of the Holland Society of the
City of New York. On the maternal side his ancestors were long seated
in New England, and came originally from England.
George Wilkinson Storm was horn in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess County,
N. Y.. in July, L856. Be attended St. Mark's School at Southboro, Mass..
and completed his education a1 Harvard College. Having determined upon
a business care";, he engaged in the manufacture of elevators and thor-
oughly learned the business. Saving original ideas of his own. and having
acquired patent rights, he engaged in manufacture on his own account in
ANDERSON STREET, LOOKING EAST, HACKENSACK.
L889. His business has continually developed ami extended to the present
time. The Storm elevator has become a well known standard make. Since
L889 the factory has been in Newark, N. .I., while for nine years from that
date .Mr. Storm resided at Hackensack. He now resides in Orange.
.Mr. Storm has been active in ;; social way. and in connection with church
work and general philanthropy. Ho is a member of various social clubs
and of the Episcopal Church, lb- interested himself in Hie cause of edu-
cation in Efackensack, and in various interests in the community. He mar-
ried, in New York, in October. 1ST!). Isabel T. Abeel, and has two children.
THE VAN DUSEN FAMILY.— The Van Dusens and Van I Misers are de-
scended from Abraham Pietersen Van Deusen, a miller by trade and a
native of Deusen in Holland, where he was born about 1602. He came to
New Amsterdam prior to L641 with his wife, Tryntie Melchiors, and sev-
eral children. In that year he was appointed one of the "twelve men"
214 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
of the city, and in 1643 one of the "eight men." In 1<>.~>7 h<. was admitted
to the rights of ;i burgher. His children were Levina, Peter, Abraham,
Isaac Catharine, and Henry. Of these [saac Abraham, Sr., was born in
Holland in L634. He came over with his father and settled in New Am-
sterdam, where he married in L659 Jannetie dans, widow of Adam Van
Sandt, from Arnheim in Gelderland. He eventually removed to Albany.
\\ Y.. where his son. Abram Isaacsen Van Deusen, married, in 1(1*2, Ann.
daughter of Zacharias Sickels. His son. Isaac Abrahamsen Van Deusen,
horn at Albany in Kiss, married, April 5, L713, Ann Waldron, and had is-
sue, among other children. Daniel, who married Lea Hertie and settled ai
Tappan in L735. Johu Bernard Van Dusen, probably a brother of Isaac's.
married a La Roe, and set i led in Washington Township, Mermen County,
N. J. From these two brothers are descended I lie Van Dusens of Bergen
I 'oiiniy.
AUGUSTUS A. RICH, who lias successfully practiced law in Hudson
County since L876, is the son of Samuel A. Rich, a native of Genoa, Italy,
who followed the sea all his life, leaving home at the age of thirteen. His
mother was Ellen E. Stephens. Mr. Rich was born in Brooklyn. N. Y.. De-
cember 28, 1851, and in 1854 moved with his parents to Hoboken, X. J. In
1st, (i the family settled in \V"si Hoboken, Hudson County, where the sub-
ject ol this article 1ms since resided, and where he received a good public
school education.
Mr. Rich studied law in New York City with the well known firm of Van
Schaick, Cillender & Thompson, and was admitted to practice in that State
in 1ST:!. He was admitted to the bar of New Jersey as an attorney in
November, ls74. and as a counselor in February, 187s. He began the active
work of his profession in Hudson County in 187G, and for many years has
been the leading lawyer in West Hoboken. Following without interrup-
tion a general law practice, Mr. Rich has achieved eminent success as well
as a high reputation, which is by no means confined to his immediate
localii v.
He has also held several positions of trust and honor. In 18S2 and again
in L883 he represented West Hoboken in the New Jersey Assembly, and
served both years as Chairman of the Committee on Revision of Laws and
as a member of the Judiciary Committee. During these two terms he intro
duced a number of lulls of local importance and was active and influential
in all legislative matters. Since then he has drafted several important
measures, including the general act for the government of towns, under
which Kearny. West Hoboken. West New York, and other boroughs were
incorporated and organized, and which served as the model upon which
the general act for cities in New Jersey was drawn. In tin's resped Mr.
Rich has gained wide distinction. Having made a special study of town
and municipal governments, and endowed with rare good judgment and
great legal ability, he is regarded as an authority on these matters, and
his prominence in connect ion with them attests his standing and usefulness.
During the pas: eighteen years he has served as corporation attorney for
West Hoboken, and a1 present he is also attorney for the Townships of West
New York and Weehawken. Since L895 he has been Chairman of the Hud-
son County Board of Elections, and in May, LS99, be was appointed a mem-
ber of the committee whose object is the pro lion and ultimate incorpor-
ation of Greater Jersey City, to include all or nearly all the cities, boroughs.
GENEALOGICAL
215
and townships in the County of Hudson. He is a Democrat in politics, and
lias distinguished himself as a public spirited, progressive, and patriotic
citizen. I [e is unmarried.
ROBERT F. LORD, of Kearny, Hudson County, is the son of John and
Jane Lord, and a grandson of Robert Lord and James and Sarah Lang.
His ancestors on both sidrs came to this country from the North of Ire-
land. .Mi-. Lord was born in Newark, X. J., on the 22d of January, 1853,
ltul was taker by his parents when young to Kearny, Hudson County,
where he received Ids educal ion. For i went v-tive years ho has boon actively
ROBERT F. LORD.
associated with the Stewart Hartshorn Company, the well known manu-
facturers of shade rollers, of Harrison. During that period he has filled
nearly every position in the establishment, being at the present time the
efficient and successful manager of the company's New York office at 480
Broadway.
Mr. Lord has displayed marked executive ability and business capacity,
and during his long connection with the great Hartshorn Company he
has discharged his duties with credit, honor, and satisfaction. In politics
he is an ardent Republican. He has been for many years one of the most
active men in the affairs of his municipality, which he served for a term
216
III DSOX AND HEUCEX iDI'NTIES
of two years ;is a member <»t the Board of Aldermen, and upon the incor-
poration of Kearny :is n town he was circled ;i member of the first Common
Council, :i position he new holds, lie has also been active in the Kearny
Volunteer Fire Departmenl and is a member of the .Masons and the
I [eptasophs.
Mr. Lord married .Miss Martha Coulson, of Jersev <"itv. N. J., l>v whom
lie lias had Com children: Bella, John, Roberl J., and William J.
THOMAS 11. CUMMING, a prominent business man and Justice of the
I' >ace, of Uackensack, was born in New York City on the fiili of November,
ls.'.'.i. lie received liis education in Ids native city, and after completing
Ids studies entered a large dry goods store, where he remained three years.
laying the Inundations of a successful career. On severing his connection
with that house he formed a copartnership with his father, and actively
engaged in the business
of contracting, chiefly in
New York and New Jer-
sey, the former being
mainly in the line of
building sewers. Among
ni her important contracts
winch they secured and
executed was that for the
construction of the Lodi
branch of the New Jersey
and New York Railroad,
and another for the line
running from Essex
Si reet to Woodbridge.
In lsiil Mr. Cumming
engaged in the oil trade
in I rreenwich St reel. New
York, and so continued
for two years. Following
this he was for six years
engaged in the leathei
business. Al the end of
that period he removed to
I [ackensack, X. J.. wher«
he si ill resides, and en-
gaged in contract ing. Ir.
each of these lines of in-
dustry he has achieved
marked success and a
wide reputation for hon-
est v and uprightness.
Mr. Cumming is also a
Commissioner of Deeds and a. Notary Public, and since 1885 has held the
office of Justice of the Peace. He has always taken an active interesl in
the Backensack Fire Department, serving faithfully and efficiently as a
member of Hook and Ladder Company, No. 2, for twenty-six years, a part
of the time as iis Foreman. He is now an honorary member of thai or-
ganization. For a number of years he has been President of the Hacken-
THOMAS H. CUMMING.
GENEALOGICAL 217
sack Relief Association, and during the last thirteen years has served as
Collector of License for the Hackensack Commission. He is an adivc and
influential Republican, being Vice-Chairman of the County Executive
Committee. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum and a charter mem-
ber of the National Union. His father, Thomas Cumming, Sr., was for
many years a Lay Judge of Bergen County.
Mr. Cumming married a daughter of the late John II. Banta, of Hacken-
sack, and has t liree sons.
FRANK It. POOR, President of the Hackensack Board of Trade and
one of the niosi enterprising citizens of Bergen County, was horn in Hack
ensack, X. J., aboul thirty years ago, and is the son of E. E. Poor, formerly
Presidenl of the Park National Bank of New York City. He has spent
nearly $250,000 in beautifying Hackensack and advancing its interests. He
erected the Hamilton Building in 1899 1900 at a cost of $50,000. He formed
the Bergen Count) [ce Company, which recently erected a $50,000 plant.
He organized the Golf Club, which is erecting a $12,000 club-house, and
he was instrumental in organizing the Hackensack Trust Company, which
hnilt in l'.MHi a s7.~).(iiin structure. His aim is to see Hackensack advance.
As was recently said of him: ".Mr. Poor has done more for our town
in one year than has been done by many men during a generation. One
evidence of his ability was the consolidation of the gas and electric lighi
companies in Bergen County, which corporation now supplies thirty three
towns. Their producl will he cheapened, and not a single stockholder
in the old companies has losl a cent by the change. Mr. Poor is spending
money lavishh ami intends to turn over to the town many miles of macada-
mized Streets, with sewers, etc.. withoul a cent of expense to the town.
Such enterprise is unprecedented, ami it is done for the best interests of
his hill hplace."
JAMES 'I. BLACK, who has been successfully engaged in business as a
blacksmith and carriage-maker in Harrison, Hudson County, since 1888,
was born in Belleville, Essex County, N. .1.. January L5, 1st;:;. lie is the
son of .lames V. Black ami Elizabeth Vreeland, ami a great-grandson of
Benjamin Vreeland, a member of one of the oldest families of (his State.
His hist maternal ancestor in this country was Michiel Jensen, who left
Holland. October 1. L636, in the ship " Rensselaerwyck," with his wife and
two children, and originally settled opposite Albany, N. V.. hut a few years
later re red to New Jersey. He was one of the hist magistrates of the
new conn at Bergen, and. although he bore the surname of .Jensen, was
the founder of the Vreeland family in Eastern New Jersey. Mr. Black's
father, .lames V., was a native of Arlington, N. .1., while his mother was
born in Moonachie in this State. They were married in New Durham,
Hudson County, and in ls.~>7 removed to Belleville, w here the subjeel of this
article was horn and educated.
James II. Black received the educational advantages which the excellent
public schools of Belleville afforded, and after completing his studies be-
came a bookkeeper in a large grocery house. Subsequently he interested
himself in the manufacture of iron chains and later engaged in business for
himself as a blacksmith and carriage maker at Woodside, X. J. In 188S he
removed to Harrison, Hudson County, and has since followed that business
with constantly increasing success. He is widely known, not only for his
218 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
mechanical skill and ability, but also for his public spirit, enterprise, and
great force of character.
Mr. 1 Mack is an independent Republican in politics, and lakes a deep in-
terest in every movement thai affects the welfare of the community. He
is thoroughly identified with the best interests of Harrison, lias contributed
materially to the success of many worthy objects, and is highly esteemed
and respected. He ; s a member of Harrison Camp, No. 66, Fraternal Le-
gion, of Sylvania Council, No. 5, Golden Star Fraternity, of Newark, and
of the .Master Horseshoers' Association, No. 67.
Ob Christmas hay. December 25, L8S7, Mr. Black married Lillian Seaver
daughter of Joseph B. and Annet te (Sexton) Seaver, of Newai k, N. J. They
have t wo children: Ruth Black and Annette Black.
LOUIS FORMON, manager of the People's Safe Deposit and Trust Com-
pany of the Town of Union and Treasurer of the Town of Union, is the
eldest of five children of William and Louisa (Siedentopf) Formon, natives
of ( rermany, who came to America about 1850 and firsl set t led in New York.
There William Formon engaged in ship blacksmithing until jusl before the
outbreak of the Rebellion, when he moved with his family to Secaucus,
N. J., and devoted himself to farming. He soon returned to his trade, how-
ever, in which he achieved marked success, and died in Union Hill in L872,
widely respected and esteemed. He was a man of great strength of char-
acter, of unquesl toned integrity and enterprise, and gave to his children the
rich inheritance of a good name. His wife died January 7. L898.
Louis Formon was born in Brooklyn, N. Y.. July '24. 1854, and received
his education in the public and German schools of New York City. Being
the eldest child, and at the time of his father's death the only one of the
family old enough to work, the support of his widowed mother and her
children devolved almost entirely upon his energies, and though but eight-
een years of age he took up his new responsibilities with commendable
courage and marked sm-cess. Leaving school, fairly well equipped with
a literary training, he engaged in the trade of piano making, which he
followed successfully for eighteen years, supporting his mother and educat-
ing the younger children. He mastered every detail of piano construction;
his skill and mechanical ability won for him a high rank among his
associates, while his untiring attention to duty, his constant application,
and his greal care and practical devotion to the interests of his employers
gained their appreciation and confidence.
As a resident of the Town of Union. N. J., he early came into prominence,
displaying a broad public spirit and winning a deserved popularity, lb-
has taken from the firsl an active interest in the welfare of the community,
;ind has filled several offices of trust and honor. In the spring of 1890 he
was elected Town Clerk of the Town of Union, and served six years, being
twice re elected with out o| iposi i ion ; and so faithfully and satisfactorily did
he discharge the duties of thai position that when he resigned in L896, to
accept the post of manager of the People's Safe Deposit and Trust Com-
pany of the Town of Union, he was given a handsomely engraved gold
watch, bearing the following inscription: " Presented to Louis Formon by
the Officials and ex-Officials of the Town of Union. N. J., for efficiency and
faithful service as Town Clerk from April, L890, to May. L896." This is
a silent bul potent evidence of the esteem in which he is held by his fellow-
citizens, and especially by those who represenl the Leading interests of the
town. Mr. Formon is still manager of the People's Safe Deposit and Trust
GENEALOGICAL 219
Company of the Town of Union, whose main office is in Jersey City, and
which has a capital of sunt, (Min. h is one ol the leading fiduciary institu-
tions in Eastern Now Jersey, and under Mr. Formon's able and energetic
management the branch in the Town of Union has developed to a point of
wide usefulness and efficiency. Be lias distinguished himself as a sate
financier of marked ability and sagacity. In L897 ho was nominated and
elected Treasurer of the Town of Union for ;i period of three years. For
fourteen years .Mr. Formon has been actively identified with the Fire De-
partment of the Town of Union, holding every office within the gift of his
company, such as secretary, assistant foreman, and foreman. During the
last eight years he has hit n :i member of the department's Board of Repre-
sentatives and a Vice-President of the Slate Firemen's Association. lie
has rendered valuable and appreciative service in developing the Fire De-
partment of the town, and has been instrumental in placing it upon its
present efficient basis, lie is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and a public
spirited, progressive, and highly respected citizen.
Mr. Formon was married on the "-'."dli id' February, L879, to Miss Elizabeth
A. O'Brien, daughter of Michael and Mary (Foley) O'Brien, of the Town of
Union, X.J. They have eight children: Louisa. Martha, .Mary, Louis, Jr.,
Elizabeth, Henry. Frederick, and August.
MAX BECHT, MA).. IMi.C. of \\ est Boboken, is the son of Ansel Becht
and Rachel Jacobs, both natives of Banover, Germany. Ansel Becht came
io this country when a young man and first settledin Baltimore, Md., whence
lie soon removed to New York City, where he was for many years a large
manufacturer and import, r of lace goods, collars, and cuffs. He resided in
the meantime in Boboken, X. .). In L866 he moved to West Boboken, Hud-
son County, and purchased the present family homestead on the corner of
Palisade Avenue and Courtlandt street, where he died in March, LSI*!. His
wife still resides there. lb- was a member of Doric Lodge, F. and A. M., of
West lloboken.
Dr. Max Becht was born in Boboken, N. J., Jan nary 1. lS(»."i, but has spent
practically his whole life in West lloboken, moving there with his parents
when he was one year old. After attending the West lloboken public
schools he entered Cooper Union Institute, New York, from which he was
graduated in 1883. Subsequently he look- ;i full course at the New York
College of Pharmacy, graduating with the degree of l'h.(i. March 1.3, 188G,
and then matriculated at Bellevue -Medical College, from which he received
the degree of M.D. March 30, L891. Thus equipped with a thorough literary
and professional training, he immediately began the active practice of medi-
cine in West lloboken. opening and ever since cont inuing an Office in the old
family homestead on Palisade Avenue, corner of Courtlandt Street. During
the first year of his practice he was also actively connected with the Belle-
vim Dispensary in New York.
In the twofold relations of physician and citizen Dr. Becht has already
gained no little distinction, even outside of his town and county. He is
w idely known as a practitioner of recognized ability and skill and has a very
extensive acquaintance. Steadily developing his talents in every branch of
medicine, lie has been successful from the start, and, although a young man,
has gained a high reputation. For about one year he was health inspector
of West Hoboken, resigning on account of the increasing duties of his prac-
i ice. He is a member and physician to the Independent Order of Foresters,
the chief medical examiner in West Hoboken for the Prudential Life Insur-
220 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
.nice Company <>f Newark and the Equitable Life Assurance Society of New
York. ;uh1 n 1 1 1< •!! 1 1 m ;r of the < ><1<1 Fellows ;111(1 of I lie I Iudson Count \ Medical
Society. He has been quite extensively interested in real estate in the im-
mediate vicinity of his home, where he has recently completed a handsome
residence.
Dr. I Ice hi was married, March 8, L898, to Clara Elizabeth Heath, daughter
of Joseph A. Heath, of Hoboken, X. J., and n descendant of an old English
family .
-lolix FRANCIS MARION, of Jersey City,is i lie son of John Marion, who
came from Ireland to Jersey City, X. J., when thirteen years old, and soon
removed to Key West, Va.. where he was engaged for a time in the catth
business ; he returned t<> Jersey City, and for manv vears was in the employ
of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and died here in L879, aged forty
vears". John .Mai ion married Ellen Bradv, whose father, James Brady,
t » •
came to Jersey City from Ireland about 1830 and died here in L879, having
been long employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.
John F. .Marion was born in Jersey City, X. J., on the 7th of June, 1867.
He attended St. Peter's Parochial School and then entered St. Peter's
College, Jersey City. Afterward he road law with Hon. J. Herberl Potts
and Frederick Erambach, Jr., in his native city, and was admitted to th<
bar in November, L891. Since then he has been actively and successfully
engaged in the general practice of his profession in -Jersey City. He was ,-i
partner of Thomas II. Kelly. Collector of the Porl of Jersey City under
Cleveland's first administration, until Mr. Kelly's death in L895, the linn
name being Kelly & Marion. He practiced one year alone, and then formed
a partnership with Daniel P. Byrnes, under the firm name of Marion &
Byrnes, which continued until January 1, 1899. Since then Mr. Marion has
practiced alone. He has built up a large and successful legal business and
is regarded as one of the able members <d the Hudson County bar. He
probably has charge of more law work for Catholic institutions than an\
other lawyer in Eastern New Jersey. He is counsel for St. Peter's College
and St. Peter's Church of Jersey City, for the Sisters of Peace of Xew
Jersey, and for St. -Joseph's Church of Guttenberg, and one of the counsel
for St. Francis Hospital, -Jersey city.
Mr. Marion has not only achieved success ai the bar. Imt has also gained
distinction for those qualities of citizenship which characterize an ener
getic, patriotic, and progressive man. In L895 he received in a post-gradu-
ate course the degree of Ph.B. at St. Francis Xavier College, New York
City, and for a time wrote many special articles for the New York Catholic
Vews. He is a prominent member of the Knights of Columbus, and one of
the charter members of the council in -Jersey City, of which he was elected
first financial secretary. He is also a member of the Catholic Club of
-Jersey City, of the Third Ward Democratic Club, and of the Catholic Be-
nevolenl Legion. In politics he is an active and ardent Democrat.
Mr. Mnrion was married, October U7. I s '.i7. in St. Peter's Church, Jersey
City, by his former preceptor in chemistry, Francis de Fullerton, to Miss
Belle Priest, daughter of George and Fannie IJ. Priest, natives of Boston,
Mass.
.1. HERBERT POTTS, -Justice of the Police Courl of -Jersey City, was
born in Trenton, X. J., July -"». L851. He was educated at Laurenceville
High School, a1 which institution he graduated in 1868 and prepared for
GENEALOGICAL
221
college. Por two years he was ;i member of the Princeton class of 1X72.
Returning to Trenton ai the end of thai period, he entered the law office
of Hon. Edward T. Green, subsequently a Justice of the United Stales Cir
ciiii Court. Mr. Polls was admitted to the bar of New Jersey as an at-
torney February 5, L874, and in the same year began the active practice of
his profession in Jersey City, associating himself with a relative, Joseph
C. Toits. He has continued in the active practice of law here, except when
holding official positions.
In 1ST.". Judge Potts w.is appointed Assistant Clerk of the House of the
J. HERBERT POTTS.
Assembly at Trenton, and in 1880 and 1881 he was a member of thai body,
representing the Sixth Assembly District of Hudson County. In the session
of 1880 he was ( Jhairman of i he < Committee on the Revision of Laws, and in
the session of the following year was < 'hainnan of the Judiciary Committee.
He was again (dec ted to the Assembly in 1889, 1890, and 1891, representing in
the new re-apportionmeni the Second Assembly District of Hudson County,
and being the only Republican Assemblyman from the county in 1892.
During thai year he was the party (minority) leader on the floor of the
House and served on many important committees, including the Judiciary,
Revision of Laws, and Treasurer's Accounts. In the autumn of ISO:.' he
222 iiiDsox ami i:i:ki;i:\ counties
was nominated by the Republicans for State Senator from Hudson County,
and, although defeated, reduced the Dei iratic majority from 8,000 to
3,000. This fad illustrates the popularity which he 1ms always enjoyed.
In 1894 he was appointed Justice of the First District (Criminal) Courl of
Jersey City, which position he still holds, having been re-appointed in L897.
In the spiin- of ili< latter yeai he was ;i candidate for Mayor of Jersej
("iiv ;ui<l was defeated I>\ Mayor lines by tin- very small majority of aboul
3,000 votes.
Judge I'oits has achieved distinction ai the bai ;i< an able and talented
lawyer, and on the bench has displayed greal dignity, broad and accurate
Learning, and acknowledged judicial qualifications, lie is especially pop-
ular in serial circles, prominent in the councils of tin- Republican party, a
member of the Carterel Club, of which he was Vice-President two rears, m
member of the I'nion League, and a member of tin- Palma Club, having
served the latter fouj years as a Trustee. For a number of years he has 1m -en
a leading am! influential member of the Repul lican County Committee of
Hudson I 'emit v.
In ls7<> Judge Potts married .Miss Louise Bechtel, daughter of Charles
Bechtel, who was for many years the publisher of the State Gazette at
Trenton. They have three children.
HARRY MARTIN CONOVER was horn in Manalapan, Monmouth
County, X. J., on the L8th of March, 1867, and descends from some of the
oldest ami most respected families in the State, lie is the son of William
Stephen Conover, the grandson of Stephen Conover, a great-grandson of
John P. < 'o wen ho ven. ami a great-great-grandson of Peter i !owenhoven, who
was the -en of William Cowenhoven, who was the sen of John William
I lowenhoven, who was the son of William < rerrets < Jouwenhoven, who was
the son of Gerrel Woolferts Couwenhoven, who was the son of Woolferts
Garretson Van Couwenhoven, who came to this countrv from Amersfoort,
Province of Utrecht, Netherlands, in 1630, who was superintended of farms
for the Patroon of Rensselaerswyck, now Albany, ami who subsequently
boughi a farm at Amersfoort, L. I., and settled there. Mr. Conov< r's mot I mm
was Nancy I*. Mart in. a. ml on her side lie is the grandson of John S. Martin,
a great-grandson of Ephraim s. .Martin, and a great-great-grandson of
Ephraim Martin, who was an officer in the Revolutionary War.
It will thus he seen that I larr\ Mart in Conover descends from some of the
oldest families in this country, each generation having distinguished itself
in official ot- private capacities. From these lines of ancestors he inherits
those sturdy characteristics which the Holland immigrants broughl with
them to their new hemes, and which still characterize the race. Mr. Con-
over received his education in Monmouth County, X. J., and in Brooklyn,
X. Y. At the age oi sixteen he entered tin- employ of the New Fork Kile
Insurance Company in New York City and has been associated with that
great corporation ever since, holding position-, of trust and honor and gain-
ing for himself the confidence of his associates and superiors.
Mr. Conover served for five years .is a member of the Twenty third Regi-
ment, National Guard of New York, receiving an honorable discharge. He
was with the regimenl in Buffalo during the well known strike riots of L894.
He is a member of the Dutch Reformed Church.
September 28, l v '->-".. Mr. Conover married Louise Ferdon Kipp. They have
two children : David Kipp Conover and Alberl Stephen Conover.
GENEALOGICAL
223
JOSEPH FRANCIS XAVTEE STACK. M.D., was borD July 6, 1871, in
Boboken, Budson County, N. J., where he still resides. Be is the son of
Maurice Slack and .Mary Can !y, and a grandson of Martin Stack, who
married Mar\ Kelly. His ancestors on both sides descended from Irish
emigrants who, since their set i lenient in this country, have been prominent
in both business and civil life. His father, who is now retired, was for
twenty-eight years a
member of the police
foi ce of Boboken, where
the family settled in
July, 1863.'
Dr. Stack was educat-
ed at Si. Peter's < Jollege
in Jersey City and at
Bellevue Hospital Medi
cal College, New Fork,
gradual ing from the lat-
ter institution with the
degree of M.l>. in March,
L896. Be then served in
the Ou1 Patient Depart-
ment of St. Vincent's
Hospital. New York
( 'ity. for t wo years, and
mi November 2, L897, en-
gaged in the act ive prac
l ice of his profession in
Boboken, opening lii^
present office at 212 < ; ar-
den Street. In May.
L898, he was appointed
( ' i t * Physician, which
office he still holds.
He is physician to
('mill Castle' Point and
< Jhristopher < Jolumbus
Lodge, Ancient ( >rder of
Foresters of Boboken, a
member of Council No.
!>!>. Royal Arcanum, of
Boboken, and a member of Court Harmony.
Athletic CI up, and of the Knights of Columbus.
man, has achieved an excellent practice and a
• losil'll I. X. STACK, M.I).
A. <). F., of the Riverside
I >r. Stack, though a young
recognized standing in the
community, and enjoyed a wide acquaintance and popularity. He is deeply
interested in public affairs, is n public spirited, energetic, and progressive
citizen, and one of the leading young physicians of Hudson County.
CHAUNCEY II. SILLIMAN was horn in New Bedford, Mass., De-
cember 24. 1855, and is the son of Joseph Silliman and Electa -I. Miller,
a grandson of John Leeds Silliman and Catherine Lock wood, and a great-
grandson of Joseph Silliman. Some of his ancestors were conspicuous in
the Revolutionary War, among them being Arnold, Wooster, and Silliman,
who repulsed Tryon in the Tory raid at the battle of Bennington. The
224
iirnsox .\\h i v i ; i i< : i : \ counties
family is -m old one in this country, and for generations has been active
and influential in local affairs and honored and respected for their sterling
qualities, patriotism, and progressive spirit.
Mr. Silliman received a preparatory education in the Betts Military
Academy <>n Strawberry Hill. Stamford, Conn., and subsequently entered
Columbia College, from which he was graduated in the class of L876. He
then entered upon a successful business career as assistanl freight ageni of
the Fall River line of steamers; was subsequently associated with Lord &
Tavlor, of New York, for ten years: and in L895 engaged in the express
CHAUNCEY H. SILLIMAN.
business, in which In- still continues, under the style of tin* Suburban
Parcel Deliver^'. His held of operation embraces aboul twenty-five square
miles radiating from Arlington, and affords employmenl to some thirty
horses and thirty men. In this business Mr. Silliman has been very
successful.
He is a Dei -rat in politics, having cast his tirsl vote tor Samuel .1.
Tilden. As a member of tin- Board of Education and Town Council of
Arlington he has rendered most efficienl service to that borough, and
is noted for his public spirit, patriot ism. and energy. He is a member of
GENEALOGICAL
225
the .Masonic order, a Presbyterian by birth, and a liberal contributor to the
church of thai denomination. He married Lutie Lainhart, by whom he has
two children: Florence E. and Chauncey EL, Jr.
SAMUEL AUSTIN BESSON, member of the well known law firm of
Besson & Spohr, of Hoboken, and one of the foremost attorneys and ad-
vocates in Hudson County, was horn in Everittstown, Hunterdon County,
\". .1.. April <>. LS53. His great-great-grandfather, Francis Besson, a French
Huguenot, came to this country in the latter pari of the seventeenth cen-
tury and solllcd in the Township of Amwell, in Hunterdon County, where
lie was an extensive
landowner. In thai
vicinity the family has
been established foi sev-
eral generations, always
wielding a potenl influ-
ence in public affairs ami
taking a prominenl pari
in nil matters affecting
the welfare of tin- com-
munity. Mr. Besson's
greal grandfal her, -I oh n
Besson, Si-., was an en-
sign in Hie American
Revolution and presenl
at the siege and capture
nf Yorklown. and ;il the
dose of the war married
Margaret, daughter of
John Opdycke. T h e i r
son, John Besson, Jr.,
had a son William, who.
by his wife, Margarel A.
Case, was the father of
Samuel Austin Besson,
t he subject of this art icle.
Mrs. Margaret A. (Case)
Besson was the daughter
of < Godfrey and Elizabeth
(Welch) Case and a de-
scendanl on her father's
side of one of the oldest
families in the southern
pari of II u n I e r d o n
County.
Mr. Besson attended the public schools of Everittstown, the State
Normal School at Carversville, Pa., and Lafayette College at Easton, from
which he was graduated in 187<i. During his college course he was Prin-
cipal of the Franklin (Pa.) High School for one year, and immediately
after his graduation became Principal of the High School at Phillipsburg,
N. J. In 1877 he moved to Hoboken, and for three years read law in the
office of his brother. Hon. John C: Besson, one of the leaders of the Hudson
County bar and one of the ablest lawyers in the State. It was Mr. Besson's
SAMUEL A. BESSON.
226 HUDSON ANH BERGEN COUNTIES
intention i<» complete ;i course of study ;ii the < Jolumbia Law School in
New York, but business matters compelled him to abandon this hope.
[Jnder his brother's instruction, however, he enjoyed, practically, tin- full
benefits of such ;i course, niid when he came to the New Jersey bar ;is an
attorney in June, L879, he was well iittr<] for the general practice of his
profession. Entering at once upon his legal career in Boboken, he seen
displayed qualifications <d the highesi eider, and in May, L882, \v;is up
pointed Corporation Counsel.
At this time he was ;i Republican. Be served as Corporation Counsel
one year, when there was ;i complete change in the political offices of the
city. During his term, however, he rendered valuable and importanl
services to the municipality in various cases, including those which raised
the question of the waterfronl rights. In L886, finding the majority of the
Republican party hopelessly under the influence of the liquor dealers and
the Democratic politicians, Mr. Besson resigned his membership on the
Budson County Republican Committee, and in thai year, and again in L887,
was the candidate for Mayor of Boboken on the Prohibition ticket, in
L888 he was the candidate of the same party for member of Congress;
and though defeated in each campaign, he demonstrated his popularity
by polling a very flattering vote. Subsequently he returned to the Repub-
lican party, and has ever since actively associated himself with its interests
and excited himself for its welfare, and until a year- past has been an
influential member of the Hudson County General Republican Committee.
As a lawyer he enjoys an extensive general and corporation practice.
FTe was counsel for the Hoboken Land Improvement Company, and the
Hoboken Ferry Company until .Much. L898, the First National Bank of Bo-
boken until L894, and is ye1 counsel of the Budson Trust and Savings Insti
union and various other importanl corporations and financial enterprises,
lie was a member of the law firm of J. C. & S. A. Besson from the time of
his admission to the bar until the death of his brother, John < J. Besson.
December 1.1. 1894, when the firm of Besson, Stevens & Lewis was or-
ganized, which continued until April 1. L89S, when by requesl of Mr.
Besson that firm was dissolved, and Mr. Besson took as a partner John
R. Spohr, a young lawyer of good reputation, the present firm name being
Besson & Spohr, with offices in the Hoboken Savings Bank Building on the
southwest corner of Washington and Newark Streets in the ('it\ of Bo-
boken. Mr. Besson devotes considerable time to tin study of political
economy, history. English literature, etc. !!<• is a close student, a man of
broad culture and accurate learning, a sound and able lawyer, a public
spirited, progressive citizen, and a ruling elder of the First Presbyterian
Church of Boboken. He was one of tin- Iwo found* is and one of the firs!
Trustees of the Columbia Club of Hoboken. of which he is still a popular
member: and is also a member of Columbia Lodge, No. ''»•".. I. < >. < ». F.. of
Euclid Lodge, F. and A. M.. and of the Budson County Bar Association,
which he has served as President.
Mr. Besson was married on the l'tth of November, 1881, to Arabella,
daughter of Joseph M. Roseberry, of Belvidere, N. J. Their children are
Benrietta and Barlan.
JOHN CASE BESSON, brother of Samuel Austin Besson, was born in
Alexandria Township. Bunterdon County, N. J., April 30, L838. Be
received his rudimentary education in the public schools of his native
village, completing his studies at the Pennington Seminary. After leav-
GENEALOGICAL 227
ing the latter institution he taughl school for a short time. Afterward
he studied law in the office of Edward R. Bullock, of Frenchtown, X. •!.,
where tie remained for one year. He thou look a thorough course a( the
New York and National haw School at Poughkeepsie, X. Y.. where he
was graduated LL.B. in the class of L860. After his graduation he entered
the law office of Abraham \'an Fleet, of Flemington, X. J., where he re
mained until February, L863, when he was admitted to the bar as an
attorney. Mr. Bessou then opened his own office, locating at Millville,
Cumberland County, X. .1. His first month's revenue amounted to fifty
rents, and the succeeding nine months were bu1 little better, lie removed
to Flemington, where he formed a copartnership with George A. Allen,
which continued for one year. lb' then removed to Clinton. X. .1.. opening
;in office, where he remained for two years. In February, L866, he was
admitted as ;i counselor. On .May 1. 1867, he located in Hoboken and
opened an office on Washington Street, in the old Reed house, and began
u practice which became one of the largesl in Hudson County. In L883
he formed a copartnership with his brother. Samuel A. Besson.
Mr. Besson married Miss Hasseltine Judson Nice, daughter of Rev.
George I'. Nice, a prominent Baltimore clergyman. They had two sons.
Mr. Besson died December L5, L894.
He was ;i Director of the First National Hank, the Hudson Trust and
Savings Institution, the Hudson County Cms Light Company, the New
Jersey Title Guarantee ami Trust Company, and the North Hudson County
Railroad Company. In L875 he published Besson's ¥ew Jersey Loir Prece
dents, which has been adopted us authority by the general legal profession.
He was n member of the Quartette, Columbia, and Union Athletic Clubs,
was for six years the Corporation Counsel, and served as Assemblyman
in 1885-86.
JOSEPH -lollN HASEL, pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in West
Hoboken. was born in Newark, X. J., on the Ith of February, 1861. His
parents, Joseph Hasel and Kunigunda Dettinger, were natives respectively
of Westphalia and Wurtemberg, Germany. The former came to America
in 1820, before his marriage, and had six children: Francis. .John. Lena,
Clement. Fiances, and Joseph -I.. the subject id' this article.
Father Hasel was educated at St. Benedict's College, Newark, at St.
Vincent's College in Pennsylvania, ami at Seton Hall. Newark, and was
ordained i«> the priesthood April II. 1886. He was successively assistant
pastor of St. Teresa church. Summit. X. J., of St. Peter's, Newark, and of
the Holy Family Church in the Town of Union, in the meantime attending
Si. Joseph's in West Hoboken. Hudson County. December 1. 1889, he was
appointed pastor of St. Joseph's Church, West Hoboken. where he is now
doing a most commendable work in both church and school. Father
Hasel's pastoral career is rich in good deeds, and one of which he may
well feel proud. A worker as well as a student and scholar, he has labored
with greal zeal and energy for the best interests of his parish, and is be-
loved and respected by all. His labors in St. Joseph's parish have resulted
in the erection of a parsonage, sisters' house, and handsome church, which
will cost §75,000, and these improvements were instituted and carried to
completion by him. The corner stone of the new church was laid July 31,
1898, and solemnly dedicated July 2. 1899, by Rt. Rev. W. M. Wig^er, D.D.
Father Hasel has also greatly increased the communicant membership
of the parish and enlarged the parochial school connected therewith.
228 hudson and bbrgen counties
giving 1<» both ;i new impetus, a very large measure <>f his own enthusiasm,
and thai hearty support which emanates from ;i pure hearl and honest
endeavor. He organized the Sacred Hearl Society, the Young Ladies' So-
ciety, and the Children of Mary, and also the Young Men's Katolischer
Gesellen Yen-in, which is incorporated, and of which he is President.
These societies have wielded a powerful influence for good, and under his
able and efficieni direction are carrying on a work second only in impor-
tance to that of the church.
EDWAED C. STRIFFLER, a prominent citizen of Harrington Park,
Bergen County, N. J., was born in New York City on the 1st of November,
1868. lie is the only son and child of Christian Striffler and Mary Herzog
and a grandson of John Striffler, all natives of Wurtemberg, Germany.
John Striffler was a soldier in Napoleon's army, and a farmer. Christian
Striffler came to New York City when a young man and was married here.
He established himself in the hardware business on (he Bowery aboul L868
and in 1873 moved to Ninth Avenue, near Forty-seventh Street, where the
firm of C. Striffler & Co.. which was formed aboul L889, still carries on a
thriving business and is one of the important hardware stoics of New York.
Mr. Striffler was a member of the Knights of Honor, and ;it one lime a
Sergeant in the New York militia, in 1884 lie moved his family from New
York City to River Vale, N. J., where his wife died August 12, 1894, and
where his death occurred May 25, 1899.
Edward C. Striffler received his education in the public schools of New
York City. He left school at the age of seventeen and entered his father's
hardware store, with which he has ever since been identified, becoming a
member of the present firm of C. Striffler & Co. upon the retirement of his
father in 1893, the other partner being Emil Rudolph, his cousin. Tins is
one of the oldest and most successful general hardware, iron, and steel
houses in New York City, and has occupied its present location on Ninth
Avenue, near Forty-seventh Street, since 1ST.'!.
Mr. Striffler has been active and influential in the community where he
resides, and as the successor of his father's business and affairs lias de-
veloped marked ability. He has served as a School Trustee of Harrington
Township, Bergen County, since 1896, and in various other important ca-
pacities has displayed the highest attributes of the citizen. In politics he
is a Democrat.
Mr. Striffler was married on the 22d of dune. L892, to Elenore Banta,
daughter of the late Garrett TT. Banta. They have two children: Willard
C. and Helen M.
JOHN G. FISHER, formerly County Clerk of Hudson County, was born
in New Brunswick, N. J., January 22. isj::. ami is the son of d. G. Fisher, of
New Brunswick, and his wife. Julia, daughter of Captain William Henry,
of the merchant murine. Mr. Fisher received his education in the public
schools, and after leaving school became a clerk in a clothing store in his
native town. In dune. L862, he enlisted ;is ;i volunteer in the Fourteenth
New Jersey Volunteers, being mustered out in August, L864, with the rank
of First Lieutenant. He was severely wounded during the buttle of Cold
Harbor. In L867 he entered the law office of Judge W. T. Hoffman, of
Jersey city, with whom he remained for several years. In isit lie accepted
;l position under County Clerk John Kennedy, ami continued to serve
through several succeeding administrations. When County Clerk Dennis
GENEALOGICAL 229
McLaughlin entered the office Mr. Fisher resigned and entered a real estate
office, inn subsequently resumed his position at Mr. McLaughlin's request.
He \\;is elected a member of the Board of Aldermen of Jersey Citv in L873.
Later he was elected a Justice of the Peace. In 1895 he was elected
County Clerk of Hudson County and served five years. He cast his first
vote for Abraham Lincoln, and from thai time to the present has been an
active and zealous Republican. He is a prominent member of Zabriskie
Tust. No. 38, ( rrand Arnrj of the Republic.
Mr. Fisher married Jennie E. Baldwin, of Newark, X. J., and has two
sons and t wo daughters.
WILLIAM M. VAX SICKLE, Supervising Principal of Schools of the
Town of Wes1 New York, Hudson County, was horn on a farm near Peters
Valley, Sussex County, X. J., March ir>. L854, and there spent his boyhood
days. His father, Benjamin P. Van Sickle, was one of the best known
farmers in that county and took special pride in his work.
William M. Van Sickle received his early education in the country school
near where he was born. When he was a mere lad he received a license
to teach, and for a period of three mouths engaged in the profession.
From this fust school he entered the New Jersey State Normal School, and
after finishing a course t here he took a special course at Cooper I'n ion. New
York. He has taughl school all along tin- line since he completed his
studies at Cooper [Jnion, teaching at the country cross-road, afterward at
the rural tillage, then going to the town, and is now the Supervising Prin-
cipal of Schools at West New York, where lie lias successfully tilled the
position i he pa -a eighi years. These schools are now among the best in the
country, and have a full complement of studies ranging from the kinder-
garten to the high school.
Aside from public school work .Mr. Van Sickle has been more or less
identified with the local interests of the several communities in which he
has lived, holding at different limes the offices of United States Census
Enumerator, Town Clerk, County Committeeman, etc He has also been
connected with the press for a number of years, furnishing many special
articles on the questions of the time.
lie is also co-editor with Superintendent A. .1. Demarest, of Hoboken,
in writing the famous system ol reading known as "The Synthetic Phonic
Word Method of Teaching Reading," which will in lime be universally
adopted throughout the country. Mr. Van Sickle is now President of the
Hudson County Teachers' Association, and he is also one of the members
of the Hudson County Teachers* Examining Hoard.
He was married in March, L886, to Miss Harriet Brown, of Stockholm,
N. .1., and has two children: Koscoe and Edith.
ANDREW J. DAVIS, formerly Treasurer of the Town of Weehawken
and ex-Chairman of the Board of Council, was born in Albany County, N.
V.. March !), 1843, the son of Howland Davis and Lorinda. daughter of
Thomas Craft. His ancestors came originally from Wales and Holland,
settling in this country several generations ago. His maternal grand-
father, Thomas Craft, of Albany County, X'. Y., was a soldier in the patriot
army during the Revolutionary War.
Mr. Davis acquired his education in the public schools of his native
county. At the age of twenty he became a sailor on the Hudson River,
running between Albany and New York. In 18G3 he was engaged by the
230 HUDSON \M» BERGEN COUNTIES
Camden and Amboy Railroad us n deckhand and subsequently, in L869, he
was raised to a pilot, running between New York and South Amboy. In
L873 In- was engaged by the Erie Railroad as Master of the "General
McCallum," where he has since remained.
His career has bei o an eminently successful one. As a Republican, Mr.
Davis has long taken an active pari in political affairs and is recognized as
one of the party's foremosl leaders. He lias served as Treasurer of the
Town of Weehawken, has been a member of the Town Committee, and was
Chairman of the Board of Council and Chief of Police. Mr. Davis has also
held various other minor offices. He is a progressive, patriotic citizen, a
man of the bighesl integrity, and has long wielded a commanding influence
in the affairs of Weehawken, X. J., where he has resided since L883, having
resided for six years in Guttenberg prior to thai year. His prominence
and popularity have been attested by the several positions which he has
been called upon to fill, and the duties of which he has always discharged
with fidelity and sal isfaction.
Captain Davis married Amanda \Y.. daughter of Samuel II. and .lane
(Caruthers) Houston, of Blnglishtown, X. .1. They have had three children:
Lillian (deceased). Jesse A., and Lester L. -Jesse A. was graduated from
Slovens Institute and is now in the Navy Department as an inspectoi of
steel. He was born in 1ST-*, in South Amboy, X. J.
WILLIAM CLAYBORN MARION, of Arlington, X. J., has achieved
special distinction in the manufacture of gold pens, a. business he has fol-
lowed for fifty-two years. Born in Lexington, Ky.. April 1.2, 1834, he is the
eldest son of Captain William C: and Caroline (Elserth) Marion and a
grandson of Alfred M. Marion and Mary. Ins wife, who settled in Kentucky
in the eighteenth century, all being Americans of French extraction. As
pioneers in the famous Blue Crass region the family wielded an important
influence and distinguished themselves for their artistic taste and median
ical genius, and Mr. Marion seems to have both inherited and developed
these traits with peculiar success. His father was a Captain in the
Mexican War and was killed, in the battle of Churubusco in L846. His
mot her died t he same year.
Breathing in his father's house a wholesome mechanical atmosphere, and
having received at the district schools a good rudimentary education, lie
left home at the age of fourteen and apprenticed himself to Andrew .1.
Berrian, a maker of gold pens at 75 Nassau Street. New York. Mr. Marion
remanied t here three years, and became so skillful in the art of pen making
thai he secured, at the early age of seventeen, a position as journeyman in
tin' shop of Albert (!. Bagley, on the corner id' Duane and Centre Streets.
New York. Mi-. Bagley is credited with being the inventor of the gold pen.
After his death the business changed hands, but .Mr. Marion continued to
act as foreman for thirty-three years, when the plant was purchased by
Edward Todd. .Mr. Bagley was long tin' leading gold pen maker of the
world, and Mr. Marion not only became deeply interested in his work, but
devoted much id' his spare time alter working hours to the study of difficull
mechanical problems connected with the trade, and as a result of this close
application lie achieved a national reputation as an expert gold pen maker,
orders for difficull work being sent to him from all parts id' the country.
In L884 Mr. Marion formed a partnership with <i. Armeny and engaged
in business on Nassau Street in New York city under the present firm
name of Armeny & Marion. Mr. Marion is without doubt or question the
GENEALOGICAL
231
oldest living working i^ < » 1 < 1 pen maker in the world, his successful and active
career extending over a period of more than fifty-three years. He is still
in active service, and enjoys a reputation unequaled by anyone in his line
of business.
.Mr. .Marion has carved out his own fortune and paved his own way to
success. Coming to New York a small hoy. without money, he steadily and
courageously went to work, fust in Burton's old theater in Park How and
soon afterward in Bagley's pen factory, and when the War of the Rebellion
broke out hade good-by t<> wife and children and enlisted in the Union
WILLIAM C. MARION.
cause. In The summer of 1861, with James Miller, he recruited a company
which became a pari of the Fifty-second New York Volunteers, Shepard
Rifles. He enlisted, however, in Company I. Ninth New York Volunteer
Infantry, in the fall of L861, as a private, and served nine months, partici-
pating in the battles of Ball's Bluff and Edward's Ferry. At the latter
place he was wounded in the right hand. After this service in Maryland
and Virginia he was detailed on recruiting duty in New York City, as a
Sergeant, and continued in that line for about one year and three months.
In November, 1863, he was honorably discharged.
On his return from the war .Mr. Marion resumed the trade of gold pen
232 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
maker. Tn his business relations as well as in private life he is regarded
wiili greal affection and as :i benefactor. Sincere and true in all he at-
tempts, he is a thorough gentleman, universally esteemed and respected as
a public spirited, enterprising citizen, and worthy of the confidence v. hich
is reposed in him. Mr. Marion lived in Brooklyn for many years. In
August, L889, he moved from thai city to Arlington, N. J., where he now
resides, lie is a Democral in politics and for several years was Presidenl
of the Arlington Democratic Club, resigning with all the other officers
when the free silver question came to the fronl in L896. Be attends the
Presbyterian Church, is a member of Chancellor Walworth Lodge, P. and
A. M.. ami holds membership in the Scottish Rite bodies, '■'>- . of New Fork
City. He was n member of Tribune Lodge, No. L59, P. and A. M.. of Ar-
lington. I Ie is ;i member of Pilgrim Lodge, L O. O. P., of Arlington, which
he served as Noble Grand two terms, has been a delegate to the Masonic
and (>i\*\ Fellows Grand Lodges of New Jersey, and as ;i member of the
Jamaica Bay 5Tach1 < !lub.
.January 29, 1855, Mi'. Marion was married in New York City to Caroline
Patten, daughter of Susterry and Sarah (Long) Patten, of Nantucket, Mass.
They have had ten children: Prank \\\. an actor; Harry W., who is con
nected with the firm of A. G. Spalding & Co.. of New York; Bertha (Mrs.
Edwin Lewis), of Brooklyn; William < '.. Jr., the New York manager of Hie
Morgan-Wrighl Company; Alfred I'.. foreman for Armeny & Marion: Daisy
O O XT « * •
I. (Mrs. Barry Stover), of Brooklyn; Sidney T.. who is employed by his
father in the factory; Emma, unmarried; and Edwin and Winfield,
deceased.
WILLIAM II. VOORHIS has always resided in Schraalenburgh, Bergen
County, N. -I.. where he was born on the 6th of November, L870. He is a
dire, i descendant of Steven Coerts Van Voorhees, the emigrant (see sketch
on page 83), of the seventh generation. His father is John W. Voorhis.
The Voorhis family has given many eminent men to the State: its mem-
bers have been conspicuous in tin* professions, in military and civil life,
and in the quieter pursuits of business and the trades for man\ genera-
tions. His mother was Sophia Yross. daughter of .lames Yross; her fam-
ily also came originally from Holland.
Mr. Voorhis acquired his early education in the public schools of
Schraalenburgh. Leaving school ai the aire of fourteen, he entered upon
the active duties of life. lie learned the carpenter's trade, which he fol-
lowed as a journeyman for three years, when he engaged in the business
for himself. Since that time he has steadily and successfully prosecuted
his chosen trade, executing many important contracts, and adding ma-
terially to the general advancement of his town. His services have also
been called into requisition as a public official. For two years he was a
valued member of the Town Council. He is a member of the Dutch
Reformed Church, an enterprising, public spirited citi/en. and a man of
acknowledged influence and standing.
Mr. Voorhis married Minnie Yereance, and they have two children:
Ethel, born in 1891, and Arthur, born in L897.
EDWARD EARLE, known as Edward Earle, dr.. came to Bergen mow
Jersey City, N. J.) early in the spring of L676, from Maryland. He was an
Englishman, <>r of English descent. On the 24th ol April, following his
GENEALOGICAL 233
arrival a1 Bergen, he purchased Secaucas Island, taking a deed therefor
from Samuel Edsall and Peter Stoutenburgh, executors of the will of
Nicholas Varied, who hist purchased it from the Indians. Earle's deed
recites thai the area of the island was about 2,000 acres. Three years
later he sold one half oi the island to Judge William Pinhorne for £500,
including one half of all the stock, "Christian and negro servants." A
schedule attached to this (\t-r\\ discloses what improvements and personal
chattels were on the island at this time, and enumerates "one dwelling
house, containing two lower rooms and a lean-to-below-stairs and a loft.
above, live tobacco houses, one horse, one mare, two colts, eighl oxen, ten
cows, oae hull, four yearlings, seven calves, thirty or forty hogs, four aegro
men. and live christian servants." Edward Earle died December 15, 1711.
Me married, February 13, Kiss. Elsie Vreeland. After his death his
widow. Elsie Vreeland, went to Hackensack, where, on the 24th of dime,
L716, she married Hendrick Meyer, by virtue of a license from the Governor
of Xew Jersey, dated ,M;i\ 8, 1 71 <">. i:d ward. Jr.'s children by Elsie Vree-
land were seven in Dumber: Edward, born in L690; a soil, horn 1692;
Hannah, bom in L685; Marmaduke, born in L696; John, horn in L698; a son
horn L703; and a daughter born in L704. All of these children eventually
settled within the limiis of Bergen County and mostly at English Neigh-
borhood.
SAMUEL E. EARLE, tin- subjed of this article, is of the sixth genera-
tion from Edward Earle, Jr., who came from Maryland, as stated in the
foregoing sketch. His father. Samuel E. Earle, Sr., a life-long farmer, was
horn in old English Neighborhood, now Ridgefield, tilled the offices of
school trustee, mad master, etc. and died March L2, L898, ;il (he age of
ninety seven years and fourteen days; his father was Nathaniel Earle, also
a farmer. The wife of Samuel E. Earle, Sr.. was Eliza McDonald, who was
born in North Bergen, and who died there March 28, L898, aged eighty-
seven. She was of Scotch descent. Eer paternal grandmother lived to be
Over one hundred years old. Mr. and Mrs. Earle were both endowed with
greal force of character and with attainments of a high order, and during
their lives were universally respected and esteemed for those sterling
qualities which distinguish their race. Of their eight children three are
living, namely: Matthias T. Earle, of Jersey City Heights, N. J.; Samuel
E. Earle, of North Bergen; and Abraham McDonald Earle, of Brooklyn,
N. Y.
Samuel E. Earle was born December 15, 1848, in North Bergen, Hudson
County, N. J., where he has always resided. After attending the public
schools of his native town he took up his father's vocation, that of farmer,
which he has since followed, engaging also from time to time in contract
work on roads and streets. He has been Road Commissioner of North
Bergen for nine years and a member of the North Bergen Board of Educa-
tion since 1892. In politics he is an independent Democrat. Mr. P^arle has
filled every position with ability and satisfaction, and during an active
career has won and maintained the confidence of his fellow-citizens. His
interest in township affairs, his faithful attention to the trusts committed
to his care, and his unfailing public spirit and patriotism, together with
his industry, enterprise, and activity, have gained for him universal esteem
and respect. He is a member of the Royal Society of Good Fellows.
234
m i)So.\ and j:i:k<;i:\ cou.xtiks
November I. L880, .Mr. Earle married .Miss Mary s. Rodgers, daughter
of Abiatha and Rhoda Rodgers, of New York City. They have two chil
(lieu: Rhoda Ann and Fred Reed.
JAMES SMITH, Treasurer of the City of Boboken, X. J., sin.-,. .May,
L888, is ili.' son df James Smith, Sr., and Elizabeth Eaton, and was born in
County Meath, Ireland. May .1, IMS. In L850 In- was brought by liis
parents to America. The family settled in Boboken, Budson County, and
there Mr. Smith has ever since resided, idenl ifying himself \\ iili the growth
and advancemenl of the city and contributing materially in iis general
welfare. lb- attended Bo-
boken Public School No. 1,
being one of iis first scholars,
and finished his si udies a1 St.
Francis Xavier College in New
York City. Subsequently he
engaged in the provision i rade
in Boboken, and for thirty
years has followed thai busi-
ness wi1 h constanl ly increas-
ing success.
In politics Mr. Smith has
always been a Democrat. He
was elected Treasurer of the
< 5ity of Boboken in .May. L8S8,
and by successive re-elections
has ever since held thai office
wit h greal credil and honor to
himself and entire sal isfaction
to the people. Thai he is
popular, trust woi i hy, and uni-
versally respected is attested
by the fad thai he has had
no opposil ion at I he polls since
his firsl election, and even then
his opponent for t he office was
Dominated on an independent tickel and polled a very small vole. Mr.
Smith has discharged his duties as Treasurer of the city with unceasing
fidelity, and with such marked ability and integrity thai in IS'Jfi he was the
Democratic nominee for the State Treasurership. Be is public spirited,
enterprising, and patriotic, prompt and exad in the discharge of every
obligation, genial and affable in manner, and popular among all who know
him. Be is a member and one of the founders of the Columbia Club of
Boboken.
Mr. Smith married Miss Minnie -Indue whose father was one of the
original Police Commissioners of Boboken. They have three sons and two
daughters.
EUGENE VAX A RTSDA LUX MAGEE, of Boboken, was born in -lames
burg, X. •!.. December 21, L852. lie is the son of Joseph C. and Elizabeth
(Van Artsdalen) Magee and a grandson of Jonathan Magee and Daniel Van
Artsdalen, and springs from a family whose members have long been
active and prominent in the State.
.1 VMES SMITH.
GENEALOGICAL
235
Mr. Magee was educated at Freehold Institute in Freehold, N. J., and
for a time was in the First National Bank of Jamesburg. In 1S71 he went
to New York City, where he added to his practical knowledge of business
affairs. Be engaged in the business of clothiers' trimmings in 1880, and so
continued with marked success until L894, when the death of his brother-
in-law caused a change in his commercial relations. He then associated
himself with his father-in-law, William II. Harper, in the real estate and
insurance business in Ilohoken. of which he is the manager and proprietor.
This agency dates hack to L860, and conducts an extensive business t hrough-
EUGENE VAN ARTSDALEN MAGEE.
out Hudson County. Mr. Magee is an expert in all matters connected with
real property and, whenever differences of opinion in respect to values
arise, his judgment is accepted as final. He is a resident of East Orange,
a gentleman of excellent social and financial standing, and is held in much
respect by all with whom he has business or personal relations. He is a
member of the Munn Avenue Presbyterian Church of East Orange. He
married Minnie Harper and has two children.
WILLIAM WILLIAMS BANTA, of Hillsdale, N. J., numbers among
his ancestors some of the most distinguished men of Bergen County. The
236 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
Bantas, the Demarests, the Duries, and other prominent families came
over from Holland and were original set) lets of the county, and to their
energy, activity, and enterprise is due much of the county's prosperity,
as well as the growth and development of the eastern part of the State.
Mr. Banta is a lineal descendant of Epke Jacobse Banta, a well-to-do
farmer who emigrated to America from Harlengen in the Province of East
Friesland, Holland, in 1659. The register of the ship " De Trouw" shows
thai Banta with his wife and children: Seba, aged six pears, Cor-
aelius, aged four years, Henry, aged two years, and Weart, aged nine
months, left the port of Amsterdam, February 13, L659, and in due time
reached New Amsterdam, from whence Banta went to Bergen in New
Jersey, where he took an active part in town affairs, and in PiT'.t was there
appointed one of the Judges of The Court of Oyer and Terminer. The
same year he bought a tract of land neat- Eackensack. His son Dirk bought
lands adjoining his father in 1681, and in 160.") four of the sons, in com-
pany with other persons, bought a large tract at English Neighborhood
in Bergen County. The sons all married, reared large families, and became
prominent and influential in county affairs, principally in Bergen.
William W. Banta is of the eighth generation from Epke Jacobse Banta,
the emigrant, and is the son of John J. Banta and Margeretta Demarest,
and a grandson of Jacob J. and .Maria (Williams) Banta. and on his
mother's side of David and Margeretta Durie Demarest. He was born at
Old Bridge, Bergen County. N. J., on the 20th of July, 1857, and received
his education in the public schools of River Edge in the same county.
He subsequently spent ten years in teaching, first as Principal of the
Hillsdale Public School and later as teacher of Public School No. 2, at
Teaneck. From 1887 to 1806 he conducted a general store at Hillsdale.
serving also as Postmaster during that period. In 1897 he again accepted
the principalship of the Teaneck school, which he still holds.
Mr. Banta is a teacher of acknowledged ability, and during many years'
service in that occupation has been eminently successful. He has brought
to his duties great intellectual capacity, liberal ideas, and a broad educa-
tional training, ami the schools under his management have experienced
unusual prosperity. He was one of the Assessors of Washington Township
in 1894 and Clerk of the new Township of Hillsdale in 1898, and is a
Steward and Trustee of the Hillsdale Methodist Episcopal Church. In
every capacity he has won the respect and confidence of all who know
him. He married Emma Hopper, daughter of Abram A. and Margaret
I topper, of Hillsdale. N. J.
THE VAN HORN FAMILY.— The first American progenitor of the Van
Horn family in Hudson and Bergen Counties was .(an Cornelissen, who
en • t ( , America from his birthplace, the City of Hoorn, Holland, pre-
viously to the year Kit.".. Mr. Winfield, in his " History of Hudson
< 'oiinty.*' thinks this emigrant was under twenty-one years of age when
he arrived at New Amsterdam, and cites as proof the fact that, on
< October 4. PUT. a power of attorney was executed by him for the purpose
of collecting money due him from his guardian in Holland. lb- sided with
the English in L664, and took tl ath of allegiance to the king the same
year. One id' his sons, named Joris, married. March 11. 1663, Maria Rut-
gers, of Amersfoort, L. I., and had eight children, one of whom was Rutgert
Jansen Van Born, baptized at New York, January 5, 1667. This Rutgert
married. April 25, 1697, Neeltie Van Vechten. Another son was Cornelius
GENEALOGICAL 237
Jansen Van Horn. In L697 both Rutgert and Cornelius went to Schraalen-
burgh, where Cornelius married Jacomina Demarest, widow of Samuel
Belling, and settled east of Closter, where liis descendants still reside.
Rutgert returned to Bergen and purchased lands at Bayonne, where he
resided until 1711. when he bought a farm at Communipaw, where he spent
his days, and where he died May L5, 1711. Rut port's descendants spread
over Hudson County, and those of Cornelius over Bergen County.
THE VAN HOITKX FAMILY.— Boele Roelofsen Joncker, a native of
the Province of Gelderland, Holland, and his wife and four children, be-
sides his wife's sister and a boy, came to America, in February, L659, and
settled at New Amsterdam. His wife's surname was Teunis. The names
of the children he brought wiih him were Halmagti, Cornells, Tennis, and
Matilda, and after his arrival in New York he had two more children bap-
tized there: Henry, February 6, L661, ami Catharine, October S, L662.
Roelofsen's children after his death removed to and set t led at Bergen, X. -I.
Halmagh married. September .".. 1<»7(>. Jannetje Peters, a daughter of Peter
Merselis, of Beest, Holland. Cornells married. November 11. 1<>77. Mag-
dalena Rynese Van Giesen. Tenuis married. January 8, 1678, Catharine
Claes Kuyper (Cooper)( Matilda married, duly l'l*. L683, John Hendricks.
No further men t ion is made of I lie other two children. Halmagh's children.
baptized at Bergen, were ten: Roelof, Peter, Cornelius, Catelyntie, Jacob,
Dirck, Geertie, Elizabeth, John, and Jannetie. These all remained at Ber-
gen, where their descendants are very numerous. Cornelius went to
Aquackanonck, where, on .March L6, L684, lie and several others purchased
and settled on a large tract known as the Aquackanonck (Passaic) patent.
His children were Grietie, Roelof, Rynier, Drickie, John, and Cor-
nelius. These remained at Passaic, and their descendants are numerous
in Passaic < bounty and in : he western and northern parts of Bergen < 5ounty.
Teunis removed to Rockland County, X. Y. (then Orange County), where he
purchased lands and located, ami where he became somewhat noted. In
L689 he was a Justice for Orange County, and the same year he was a
member of tin- Committee of Safety to deal with the treason of Governor
Leisler at New York. He had thirteen children, some baptized at Bergen,
some n Xew York, and some at Tappan. Their names were Grietie, Rolof,
Ann, Claes, Jannetie, Vroutie, Cornelia, John, Vroutie, Elizabeth, Pietartie,
Grietie, and Anetie. Many of these married and their descendants spread
over Rockland County. X. Y.. and southward into Bergen County, X. d.
THE VAX GELDEB FAMILY. — The numerous Van Gelders in Bergen
County are descended from Johannes Van Gelder, who came from Gelder-
land in Holland about 1661 and settled at Xew Amsterdam, where he had
issue Hester. 1»;<;l!; John, 1664; Hermanns. L666; Elizabeth; Maria; Abra-
ham, 1673; Cornelia; Emmerdus; and dames. John married in 1686
Effie Roos. Hermanus married in 1689 Catharine Teunis. Abraham mar-
ried, in 1695, Catalyntie Elias. dames settled at Hackensack, X. J., in 171)."),
and married Susanna Devoe, a widow. Abraham's son John, born about
1702, married Catalina Vanderbeck, and about L730 settled at Pompton,
then in Bergen County. From these two. John and dames, there are nu-
merous descendants living in the western part of Bergen County.
ABKAM C. HOLDRUM.— The Holdrums of Bergen Countyare of Holland
extraction. The first to come to America was John Holdrum (or, as he
238
HUDSON AND BEKOEN COUNTIES
spelled it, Holdron). Tl xacl date of his arrival ;it New York is not
known, bul ii musl have been early in 17ns. for in thai year he married
.Miss Cornelia Van Tienhoven, a daughter of Director-General Cornelius
Van Tienhoven, of Xew Amsterdam, where she was born in the fall of KITS.
John Eoldrum and his wife resided in New Amsterdam for five years
after their marriage, during which time three children were born to them.
In L713 John and his family removed to Tappan, X. Y.. where they seem
to have resided, neighbors to the Coopers, Eckersons, Barings, and
Straatmakers, sonic of whom were living within the limits of Bergen
County. Of whal pari of Holland John Holdrum was a native docs nor
definitely appear. It is known thai he styled himself "yeoman," which
signified he was a man possessed of some property, and thai he sailed
from Amsterdam. He
was an agriculturist,
and must have been a
man of respectability to
obtain an introduction
into such an aristo
ciat ic family as the Van
Tienhovens. His chil-
dren of t he second gene-
ration were William.
Elizabeth, and Lucas,
born in New York City,
and Elsie, Sarah, John.
and Cornelius, born at
Tappan, X. Y.. the last
of whom married Antje
.Meyer, and had five
children.
William Holdrum, of
the second generation,
born in New York aboul
1710, married, in L734,
M a i- gr i e1 i e Peters,
d a n g li t e i- of < 'lacs
Peters, of Rockland
County, X. Y. William
purchased lands in Har-
rington Township, Ber
gen < 'omit v. just soul h
of the State line, about
174."). Inn what ana
does not appear, the
deed never having been recorded. <>n December is. 1760, he purchased
from Dominie Benjamin Vandelinda a trad of 258 acres west of the Hack-
ensack River, adjoining the State line. On i his William resided all his life-
time, following the occupation of a farmer. Mis children of the third gen-
eration were; John, born in 17.">.~p. married Catharine Lepper (and had
three children); Cathelyntie, born in 17.'!7; Cornelia, born in 17.''>!i: (Maes,
horn in 174n; William, horn in 1711': Maria, born in 174."; Abraham, born
in 1717; Cornelius, born in 174!t: and Catharine, horn in L751. One of these
last (Cornelius, third generation) married Elizabeth Haring. He died May
ARRAM C. HOLDIUM.
GENEALOGICAL
239
31, L831. They had a son, James C. Boldrum (4), born December 21, L785,
who oiarried Margarel Demarest. lie died October 5, 1ST7, and she died
.March 30, L870. One <>l their children was Cornelius -I. Boldrum (5), who
married Elizabeth De Pew, and had children, one of whom was Abram 0.
Holdrum (6), the subjed of this sketch.
Abram ( '. Boldrum was born a1 Orangeburgh, Rockland County, X. V.,
September 23, is:',7. Be received his education in the local public schools
of his town, and. alter finishing the usual course, was duly appointed to a
scholarship in the New York Normal School at Albany, where he com
pleted a thorough classical training. Subsequently he was engaged in
business in New York City for nearly twenty years, retiring in ISTl' and
removing to Bergen County, where he has since resided. From thai time
to the present he has been honored by almost every local office of trusl
within the gifl of the county and State.
lie is and has been for many years a commissioner of deeds and a notary
public I'm- New Jersey. Pennsylvania, and New York. Be has served
us ,-i member of the Board of School Trustees of Washington Township for
more than twenty years, being distri el clerk most of thai period. In L879 he
was elected to the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders, and was the
tirsi Republican representative from the Township of Washington. He
was appointed to take the United States census in L880 and again in L890,
and in the latter year was appointed by the Governor a member of the
Bergen County Board of Elections, of which he served as Secretary until
his election to the New Jersey Legislature of L897. In L895 he was com
missioned Postmaster of Westwood, N. .1.. and held that office four years.
Elected to the Assembly of L897 by a plurality of 3,633 over Van Em
burg, the highest Democratic candidate, Mr. Boldrum served on the Com-
mittees on Game and Fisheries and Revision of Laws, and was reelected
for the session of L898, his majority over Mr. Fellows, the Democratic nom-
inee, being 808. I lis entire legislative career was marked by a careful, com-
prehensive, and intelligent attention to the business of the House, and
especially to those measures which affected his town or county, and gained
for him a high reputation us well as a wide and intimate acquaintance.
Mr. Boldrum has been a leading member of the Republican County Ex-
ecutive Committee of Bergen County for many years, and in 1896 he-
came the committee's Vice-Chairman. He has been President of the Ber-
gen County Farmers' .Mutual Fire [nsurance Company since 1891, has been
Vice President of the Bergen County Board of Agriculture and a delegate
to the State board for some time, and is also President of the Progressive
Building and Loan Association, of Billsdale, N.J. In all these capacities
he has displayed greai business ability, sound judgment, and unerring
foresight, united with manly courage, indomitable industry, and honest
effort, lb- has faithfully and honestly discharged the duties of every trust.
He is a member and past officer of City Lodge, F. and A. M.. of New York
City, and a member of Rockland Chapter. R. A. M.. of Nyack, X. V.
lb married, in January, L872, Miss Mary Leah Hopper, and has two chil-
dren living: Bessie C, born in L876, and Garret S. ML, born in L881, and
resides in Westwood, Bergen County.
THE VAX DIEN FAMILY has numerous members in the central parts
of Bergen County. Their common ancestor was Gerret Cornelise Van
Duyn isaid to have been a native of Zwolle in the Province of Overyssel in
Hoi kind i. In \i\V.) he emigrated from Niewkerk in Zealand to New Am-
240 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
sterdam and married Jacomina Swarts. He settled at Brooklyn, where lie
plied his trade of a carpenter and wheelwright. He was fined there in
L658 for refusing to pay toward supporting the minister. On Augusl in.
1<;7(». he obtained permission to return to Holland, and. with his wife, kepi
house at Zwolle, but, do1 prospering, lie returned in 1<;7 ( .» in the ship " The
Charles.'* on hoard oi which wen- several lenders of the seel known as
i.ahadisis. He finally located on a farm on Long Island, between New
CJtrechl and Flat hush. II- boughl other lands at Flatbush. He was
among the Flatbush patentees in Hi^<; and 1687, took the oath of alle-
giance in H'» s 7. and was a magistrate in L687-88 and a justice in L689-90.
He died in 1705, leaving issue Cornelius, Garret, Denys, William, Dirck.
Cornelia, Abraham, Aeltie, and Jacomina.
Cornelius removed to Somersel County, X. Y. Abraham settled on the
Raritan River in New Jersey, and later went to Cecil County, Md. All the
ethers excepl Carrel settled in Somersel and .Middlesex Counties, X. ■).
Garrel went to Bergen, where he settled, and died in Hist;. n,. married
Gertie Hopper, and boughl lands in 1662 from Governor Stuyvesant, on the
Saddle River. His children wrote their names Van Dien. Among Ins issue
was Cerret Van Dien, who married Vroutie Verwey, and lived west of
the Saddle River. His issue wen- Dirk. Cornelius, Hendricka, Alberl and
William, and the descendants id' these children are now numerous in
Bergen ( Jounty.
THE VANDERBECK FAMILY is among the mosl numerous of any in
Bergen and Hudson Counties. Paulus Vander Beek, the common ancestor
of the family in America, was a native of Bremen, in Germany, and came
to America aboul 1<>4.">. stopping firsl at New Amsterdam, where, on < October
9, 1644, he married Maria Thomas (or Baddie). a widow who had previously
heen the wife of Thomas Farden and William Arianse Bennett, of Gowan-
nus. Paulus Vander Beek appears to have heen of a roving disposition.
In 1655 he was living at Brooklyn. In 1660 he was following the calling
of a butcher in New Amsterdam. In 1661 he was farming the excise of
Long Island, and in 1662 he was ferry-master. On October 24. 1663, In
boughl plantation lot No. 17 ai Graves End. He was enrolled as a tax-
payer of Brooklyn in Kilo, and was one of the patentees of the Brooklyn
patent in KIT". In l»i7!> he sold half of a farm at Gowanus for 3,000
gelders. He resided on the farm at Gowannus, late of Garrel Bergen. He
died in 1680. His children were Conrad, 1647; Aeltie. 1649; and Paulus.
Hester, Isaac, and Catharine. Paulus Vander Beek (2), baptized at Xew
A sterdam. November 17. 1650, married, dune !::. n;77. Sarah Schouten. He
resided at Gowannus, where he died aboul 1690. His issue id' the third
generation were Sarah. Maria. Paulus. Sarah. Lucas, and Janneken.
Paulus Vanderbeck (3), baptized a1 Gowannus, November <">. 1681, mar-
ried Jannetie Springsteen, and settled at Hackensack, joining the church
there September •*!<>. 1 7 1 < L which is aboul the time he went there. He
boughl land in what is now .Midland Township and at Paiamus. where
he setth-d. His cousin. Paulus Vanderbeck, son of Conrade (2), married Hi
Jannetie Johannes, widow of Jacob Culver, and (2) June, 17u::. Catryn
.Martens, widow of Samuel Berry. He likewise settled near Hackensack.
Paulus (3) had issue Ahrani. 17ns. and Isaac, 1712, and Paulus (3), son of
Conrad, had children Conrad. Jacob Elsie, Paulus, and Catharine. From
these residing aboul Paramus and Hackensack have sprung a numerous
host, scattered over Bergen and Hudson Counties.
GENEALOGICAL
241
HENRY ISA .\r DARLING, of Jersey City, was bom in County Meath,
Ireland, on the 7th of June, 1S47. He is the son of James Darling and
Susan Pfolliotl and a grandson of Hiram Darling and .John Pfolliott. He
received Ins education at Santry College, in Dublin, and in 1865 came to
New Fork City, where he began hi^ active career. In L866 he went to
California and spent four eventful years in San Francisco and Sacramento,
gaining a wide experience
and a full knowledge of
business generally. Re
turning easl in L870, tie
was in the greal ( 'hicago
fire of L871, and the next
year (1872) returned to
New York, where he was
employed for several
years in the wholesale dry
goods business.
Mr. Darling remo^ >'d | o
1 [oboken, 1 1 adson ( Jounty,
X. J., in L875 and lived
there nine years. In l s ^ !
he moved to the Hudson
( 'it.\ section of Jersey < 5ity
and engaged in real estate
business and building op-
erations. He was the
first in his sect ion of Jer-
sey City to inaugurate i he
system of building a de-
tached house on a lot and
selling the whole property
on eav\ terms, thus enab
ling working people of
moderate means to gel
possession of their homes
and pay for them in the
easiest possible manner.
In this line of operation
Mr. Darling has been emi-
nently successful, and a
large number of families
to-day are enjoying homes
Among the buildings whi<
HENRY I. DARLIXO.
which he has provided for them on this basis.
h he has erected up to the present time are
<me hundred and thirty-five houses by actual count in Hudson Count}',
nearly all of which he has sold to families now occupying them. Most of
these homes have been built within the past six years, thus bringing into
the county property to The value of over $300,000.00, and improving; lands
which would still be unproductive and of small value as a taxable asset.
Numerous builders and contractors have followed his example of building
detached houses for homes for working people and have been very suc-
cessful, yet the inception and inauguration of the plan is due wholly to
him, and in this particular line lie is the acknowledged leader. Blocks
of houses all over the Hudson City and Bergen sections of Jersey City, on
242 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
Weekawken Heights, and in West Hoboken attest his design of working
people's homes. .Mi. Darling makes a specialty of one and two family
houses, and he justly claims thai he never built a house Ian whai he could
sell easily.
As a business man and citizen Mr. Darling lias achieved an excellent
reputation. He lias been successful in all his efforts, for in their inception
and execution he lias displayed the highesl abilities, untiring industry, and
superior judgment. He was ai one time a member of the Republican
County Committee of Eudson County and also served a five years* term as
Justice of the Peace, bu1 with these exceptions has never held public
office. Though a public spirited citizen, deeply interested in the welfare
of the community, and thoroughly identified with its interests, he has
never taken a very active part in politics, his extensive business interests
demanding and receiving his entire attention. He is a member of Hoboken
Lodge, F. and A. .M.. of Unique Lodge, A. (). I". \\\. and of the Berkley
( lull. Both he and his family were prominent in the Ascension Protestant
Episcopal Church, New York Avenue and South Street. Jersey City, for
mam rears; they now attend St. John's Church on Summit Avenue, Jersey
(Mty.
Mr. Darling was married in Hoboken. N. J., in 1875, to Miss Martha J.
Dowden. They have one son, Benjamin J. Darling, now a law student in
the office of Henry A. Gaede, of Hoboken, and a member of the afternoon
law class of Xew York University. 1901, and two daughters. Kli/.abeth and
Isabel Letitia.
THE VAX GIESEX FAMILY.— One Reynier Bastiaensen Van Giesen,
from Giesen, a village in Xorth Brabant. Holland, came to New Amster-
dam with his wife. Dircke Cornelis Van Groenland, prior to 1660, and
setth d ai Flatbush, L. I. He was a schoolmaster, and The first one at Flat-
bush, as appears from an agreement dated June <i. 1660, which he signed
between himself and the consistory of the Dutch church of Flatbush. He
resided at Flat hush in a house which he sold in January. 1663 and was an
officer in attendance upon The court. From Flatbush he went to Bergen,
and from thence to Hackensack, where, in September, 1699, he married his
second wife. Hendrickie Buys, of Bergen. Ai this time he had dropped
th" Bastians from his name. His issue were John; Jacob, L670; Gysber-
tie, 1673; Bastianse, Abraham. Henry, Isaac Rynier, Isaac, and per-
haps daughters. Of these Isaac married Hillegond Claesen Cooper and
Anna Breyand. Henry married Sara Romeyn. Rynier married a Van
Dien. All Those settled at Hackensack. and later their descendants set
tied in the western part of Bergen County, where the name is now
common.
Till-] VAX SAI'X FAMILY. — The Van Sauns are a numerous family
today in Bergen County. Jacob Van Zauwen came to America in 1 < > 7 7
and settled at Xew Amsterdam. There, the following year, he married
Jennetie Lucas. The entry of this marriage discloses the fact that the
groom was a native of Ransdorp in Holland.
One of his sons. Jacob Van Saen (as he wrote in. horn in New Amster-
dam aboul L683, wenl to Hackensack in L705, and married Rachel Bogert.
lb- purchased lands in the Paramus district of Bergen County, where he
finally settled. He and his wife joined the Hackensack Hutch church in
1726. His issue were Jacob. ITitC; John. 1709; John. 1711: Jannetie,
GENEALOGICAL
243
1714; Isaac, 1717; Angenitie, 171!»; Lucas. 1722; and a daughter, 1725.
These intermarried with the Bantas, Demarests, Goetschius, and other
families, and scattered over the Counties of Bergen and Passaic.
FKEDERICK \Y. HORSTMAN, of Eas1 Newark, Hudson County, was
horn in Newark. N. -I.. on the 9th of January, 1843. lie is the son of Henry
Horstman (son of William and Margaret Horslinanl. a native of Hanover,
Germany, who came to America in L837 and settled in Newark, where he
was married in 1841 to Wilholmini Luderson. daughter of Frederick Luder-
son, and where he spent the remainder of his life as a manufacturer of
steel springs.
Mr. Horstman received a
thorough public school edu
cation in his Dative city,
and at an early age learned
the machinist's trade. <>n
Lincoln's firsi call for
troops in L861 he enlisted in
Company E, First New Jer
sey Volunteer Infantry, in
which he served three
months, when he was hoE
orably discharged. He sub-
sequently associated him-
self with the firm of Hughes
X- Phillips, manufacturers
of machinery, of Newark,
N. J., with whom he re-
mained thirty years, being
foreman of their establish-
ment during twenty years
of that period. In politics
Mr. Horstman is an ardent
and consistent Dei -rat.
He has for many years
taken an active part in the
a Hairs of the community,
having served as Town
Committeeman and as a
member of the School
Board of the Town of
Kearny — a part of which
now comprises the Borough of East Newark, of which he is at the present
time Borough Recorder. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and
of the Knights of Honor, an honorary member of the Aurora Singing So-
ciety of Newark, and President of the People's Building and Loan Asso-
ciation, with which he has been actively identified for more than twenty-
seven years. Mr. Horstman is a public spirited, enterprising, and progress-
ive citizen, has filled every position with acknowledged ability and satis-
faction, and is highly respected by all who know him. He has always
enjoyed the entire confidence of the communitv, and in both business and
public capacities has achieved an excellent reputation.
Mr. Horstman's wife, Bertha Meis, whom he married in Newark, N. J.,
FREDERICK W. HORSTMAN.
211 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
came from Germany in L865. Their children are Henry J., Frederick W.,
Jr., Bertha, [da, Julia, .Minnie Sophia, Grace, and Franklin (1. The family
reside in the Borough of Eas1 Newark.
THE VAX VOORST FAMILY.— The firsl American of the Van Voorsts,
of Bergen and Hudson Counties, was Cornelius Van Vorst, who came to
America between L634 and 1636, as is supposed, from the little town of
Voorst, in the Province of Gelderland, Holland, near the River Yssel; but
as there was a town of the same name in the Province of Antwerp, in
Belgium, there is seme doubl aboul Van Voorst's birthplace. He arrived
ai Bergen (while the Lord of Achtienhoven was still the patron of Pavonia,
and Wouter Van Twiller, I director ( reneral of New Ne1 herlands), and settled
at Ahasimus. The evidence makes ii likely thai before his advent at Ahasi-
mus he was engaged in commerce between Holland and the New Nether-
lands, lie appealed at Pavonia in 1636 as superintendent of Michael
Pauw's plantation ar Pavonia. The name of his firsl wife does no1 appear,
lml his second wile's name was Vroutie Ides. He died in the summer of
L638, and she died in the spring of 1641. His issue were Hendrick, John,
and Ann. born in Holland, and Ide, born in New York. The latter is
reported to have been the first white male child born and married in New
Netherlands. Ide was captured by the Indians in 1643 and taken to Tap-
pan, but was ransomed by Captain John de Vries and others. Ide married.
October 18, 1652, Hilletie Jans, of Oldenburgh. He resided ai Ahasimus.
where, as a farmer, he accumulated wealth and eventually became the
owner of nearly all of Michael Pauw's domains. He braved the dangers of
border life, and exposed himself, bis property, and family to attacks by
the savages. In L656 he took refuge in New Amsterdam, but returned to
Bergen when peace was restored. Several times he was obliged to flee
from the savages. His children of the third generation were Vroutie, Ann.
Cornelius. Pietartie, Cornelius, and Joanna. From these are descended
the Van Vorsts of Beriien and nudson Counties:
se
THE VAN ORDEN (VAN NAERDEN) FAMILY is said to have origi-
nated at Naerden, a town in North Holland, from whence, as early as 1639,
one Claes Jansen Ruyter emigrated to America. The surname Ruyter
was bestowed on him because he was. as the name signifies, a good horse-
man. His children dropped the " Ruyter" and went by the Dame of -Ian-
sen. He and his wife, Pietertie dans, are said to have gone tirst to Esopus,
but, qo1 liking that locality, located at Brooklyn, where in 1645 claes
bought 42 acres of land adjoining the farm of Peter Van Delinde. Claes
was an Indian interpreter in L660. His son. Claes Jansen. married in
New York in 1676 Cornelia Williams, of Esopus. He was then registered
as being from Esopus. By his two wives he had a large family of children.
Claes's son John married and reared a large family, among whom were
Andries (Andrew), Albert, and Adam. These came to Hackensack aboul
1700, where, en AugUSl 31, of that year, Andries married Rachel, eldest
daughter of David Demaresi (2), by whom he had a son. John. Rachel
Demaresl died in L708, and Andries married, August L2, 17H>. Antie la
lliiux. a granddaughter of Jaques la Roux, the emigrant. Andries's chil-
dren were Jacobus, Elizabeth, Jannetie, Meter, and Wybrig. Albeit,
brother of Andries. married in 1717 Margarel Mains, of Hackensack, by
';i:\i:alogical
245
whom 1h- had issue. Many of tin- children of A.ndries and Albert settled
on lands now in Washington, .Midland, and Bohokus Townships, where
the name is frequently met with to-day.
EDWARD McDERMOTT, for more than twelve years a leading architect
and builder of North Hudson County, was born July 31, L866, in West Ho-
boken, N. J., where he has always resided. lie is the son of -John McDer-
mott and Elizabeth McClure. lie received his education in the West
Hobokon public schools, and after completing his studies tinned his atten-
tion to architecture, for which he had decided taste. Saving gained a prae-
EDWARD McDERMOTT.
tical as well as a theoret ical knowledge of the profession, he opened an office
for the active practice of architecture in West Hobokon, in 188G, and
through his ability and skill has gained an extensive business. He has de-
signed and elected many of the finer structures, including numerous dwell-
ings, in the northern part of Hudson County. His work shows great origi-
nality, broad professional knowledge, and marked artistic taste, as well as a
thorough comprehension of structural problems. His success is the result
of his own efforts.
Mr. McDermott has also been active and influential in public affairs, fill-
246 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
iug several positions with the same ability and satisfaction which have
characterized his professional career. Elected a member in L890 and Treas-
urer in 1S!)1 of the Hoard of Fire Trustees of West Hoboken, and Tax As-
sessor of the town in LS92, he si ill holds the latter office, discharging his
duties with ability, faithfulness, and honor, lie is a member of Cosmopoli-
tan Lodge, No. 351, I. O.O. F.
THE VAN WAGENEN AND GARRETSEN FAMILIES.— Garret
Gerretsen was a native of Wageningen, an ancient town near the Khiue
River, and about ten miles west of Arnheim in Gelderland, Holland. This
town stood on marshy ground, was walled, and was a place of considerable
strength during the Thirty Years" War. Garret Gerretsen left his native
town with his wife, Annetie Hermanse, and child, Gerret (then two years
old), in November. L660, on the ship -> Faith" (commanded by skipper -Ian
Bestevaer), and reached New Amsterdam on December L':!. following. The
fare for himself and family was ninety florins. Gerretsen brought with
him a certificate of the mayor and scheppens of his native town that he
and his wife " have always been consider* d and esteemed as pious and
honest people, and that no complain! of any civil or disorderly conduct has
ever reached their ears." (lerretsen went to Bergen, where, on May 12,
L668, he bought of Philip Carteret eight parcels of land in the Town of
Bergen. Lie resided in what is now the Communipaw section of Jersey
City, where he died, in October, 1696. His wife died September 7, K59G.
His issue were seven children: (Janet, Jannetie, Sophia, Herman. Aeltie,
Henry, and John.
Some of these took the name of Van Wagenen, while others retained
that of Gerretsen, from the name of their father. Garret Gerretsen's de-
scendants, going by the surname of Garretson, Garrison, Van Wagenen,
and Van Wagner, are today numerous throughout Bergen and Hudson
Counties. One of them is Hon. Abram Q. Garretson, jnst il!H)()i appointed
Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.
THE VAX WINKLE FAMILY.— Mr. Winfield lias written in reference
to the origin of this family: "This name is derived from winkel, a corner,
square, shop. Winkelier was a shopkeeper. The ancestor was a shop or
storekeeper. Its present orthography is comparatively modern. The family
settled at Harsimns shortly aftei their arrival in this country. They came
from Middleburgh, the capital of the Province of Zealand, in Holland.
This city was on the Island of Waleheron, about forty miles southwest of
Rotterdam, well built and populous, with a line harbor and a prosperous
trade.
'• I have not ascertained the names of the parents of the three boys and
two girls who seem to have made up this family. Their names were Jacob.
Waling, Synion, Annetie, and Oriel ie; their patronymic being Jacobse —
children of Jacob. Jacob was the founder of the family in Hudson County.
Waling and Synion were of the company from IJorgen who. in 1679, pur-
chased and afterward settled ' Haquequenunck,' Aquackenonck, now
Passaic." They were the founders of the family in New Jersey, and their
descendants are very numerous in the western part of Uergen County as
well as in Hudson County. Jacob's son Jacob married Egie Paulis in lToi*.
and Symon's sou married Aniie Saunders in 17<C>. Both of these settled at
Hackensack. and so spread the family name through the central parts
of Bergen County.
GENEALOGICAL 247
THE WHITE FAMILY in the northern part of Bergen County are de-
scended from a family of shepherds, for many generations located near
Avon, and not far from Bristol, in Somersetshire, England. Here William
'White was born in 17:'..") and his wife. Mary, in IT:'.!*. William was reared
in the calling of his ancestors, and married in 1762. They were hard-work-
ing, industrious people. William's wife died in 17!»L.\ and he survived her
until 1802. Their issue of the second generation were eight children, all
born near Bristol: Ann. October. 23, 1 7<i:i ; Isaac. November 17, 176!);
George, March 24, 1771; .lames, September 17, 1774; Thomas, December
20, 1775: Benjamin, 1777; Jonas: and Solomon. December 23, L781.
Ann il'i married William Tucker and, emigrating to America, settled in
Canada, where she died, leaving children: Solomon. Mary, Jacob, Ann
Maria, George, Jonas, Joseph, Esau, Harriet, and Benjamin, whose num-
erous descendants abound in Southern Canada. George (2) served twenty-
one years in the British Army, and was severely wounded. Thomas (2)
came to America and married. He died October 6, 1823, and his wife,
Maria, followed him September 13, 1836. Solomon (2) died, aged twenty-
three, unmarried. All the others except Jonas (2) remained in England.
Jonas ii'i, born near Bristol, November •">, 1779, came to America in 1822,
and located on '"The Flails,"' in what is now Palisade Township. Bergen
County, X. J., where he married. December 24, 1808, Mary (daughter of
Peter Lozier), who was born at Schraalenburgh, July 19, 177s. She dying
a few years later, he married (2) Jane Westervelt i widow). He bought lands
al •"The Flatts." where he spent his lime farming until late in life, when
he removed to New York, where he died May in. 1856. His issue of the
third generation by his tirst wife were William, IS] I (died); Mary, 1818
(died); and Peter J.; and, by his second wife. William.
Peter -I. While (3) was bom at "The Flatts." February 17, 1812. His
occupation was always thai of a farmer. Until his marriage he resided at
"The Flatts." The rest of his days were spent at Closter, where he died,
January 28, 1895. He married. March 111. 1841, Sarah (daughter of Abra-
ham .1. Zabriskie and Susanna Helms), born at Paramus, May 2s, 1806,
died at Closter, X. -I.. October Hi. 1875. Their issue of the fourth genera-
tion were David S.. .Iul\ 25, 1842; Charity, May :*>. 1845; Mary Frances,
October 29, lsis; and Lydia Zabriskie, January 24, 1852. These all have
children of i he fifth general ion.
Though a farmer by occupation. Mr. White was for many years foremost
in the development of the religious, educational, and material interests of
the community in which he lived. In 1S62 he organized the tirst church at
Closter (Reformed), in which he was for some time an officer and member,
giving liberally to its maintenance and to the support of the minister.
Rev. Fben S. Hammond. The latter was a sturdy and outspoken Unionist
in a congregation in which anti-war sentiment predominated. Mr. Ham-
mond's advocacy of the war made him enemies, and in the end he was
compelled to retire. Mr. White and his wife, an active and energetic
woman, supported the clergyman to the end, and, on the hitter's retire-
ment, transferred their membership to the North Church at Schraalen-
burgh. Both strongly upheld the Union cause, and their only son served
a term in the Union Army. Mr. White took a lively interest in public
improvements, and, in 1865-66, was instrumental in having several new
roads laid out and opened in Harrington Township. To the cause of
public education he was a liberal patron. He gave Ins children the best
educational advantages. His family were at all times the friends and
248 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
defenders of schools and school teachers. Be was generous and hospit-
able ahnosi to a fault, for which reason tie was often imposed upon by
those whose motives were purely selfish.
JOHN \Y. ROCHE, of Kearny. Hudson County, was born in Elizabeth,
N. J., May 17, L863, and is the son of John and Ellen (Dorran) Roche, and
a grandson of John and Martha (Crawford) Roche and of Simon and
Mary (Forestel) Dorran, all natives of Ireland. His parents came to
America in L861 and sell led in Elizabeth, where his father died in is<)4.
His mother still survives and resides in Kearny.
JOHN W. ROCHE.
Mr. Roche was educated in the schools of Elizabeth, where he resided
until he was sixteen years old. when he removed with his parents to
Kearny. As a boy he served his lime as ;i machine moulder, and (•on-
tinned in ilia I avocation until about the year L887, when he engaged in the
hotel business. In L889 he built his present hotel, the Windsor House, at
345 Kearny Avenue, in Kearny, a commodious struct are of three stories
Under his management that well-known hotel has had a prosperous and
successful career.
Aside from his business connections Mr. Roche has for a number of
GENEALOGICAL 249
years taken an active and Leading part in public affairs, and from its
organization until L897 was a member of the New Jersey Naval Reserve.
In politics he is a Democrat, lie lias served as a member of the Demo-
cratic County Committee of Hudson County, and in LS98 was the regular
party nominee for Freeholder, but being in a district where the Republicans
have a nominal majority of over 700 he was defeated by about 50 votes.
He is a member of the Red Men and Foresters, active and progressive in
the affairs of the community, and prominently identified with many public
movements.
Mr. Roche married Delia C Smith, daughter of Owen Smith, and by her
has had eighl children: .John and James, both deceased, and Catherine,
Helen. Thomas. Margaret, Mary, ami John, who are living.
HLILMAN WALKER, Mayor of the 'town of Guttenberg, is one of the
most prominent citi/ens of Hudson County. N. .1. This is true alike of his
business career and influence, ami ol his activity in political and public
life. Since L878 he has been extensively engaged in the real estate busi-
ness, acquiring property throughout Northern Hudson and Southern Ber-
gen Counties. He became chief owner of such well known tracts of land
as Eighwood Park, Eldorado, Grand View, Hudson Eeights, Bergenwood
Park, Cliffside Park, and others, having jusi taken title to the Van Yorst
tract in West New York, containing 345 lots. He was chiefly active in
the creation of what now constitutes the choicest section of Union Town-
ship. He was President of Eldorado, the famous amusement resort, and
was one of its originators and second largesl stockholder. He is Presi-
dent of the North Hudson Land Company, of the New York and Rochester
Steel .Mat Company, and of the Hudson View Land Company. He is an
officer ami stockholder in ni;in_\ more corporations. In L890-91 he was Vice-
President of the New Jersey State Firemen's Association. He is a member
of t he Union League club and other organizal ions.
.Mr. Walker is one of the most influential leaders of the Republican
party in Hudson County, lb' has been a delegate to nearly every New
Jersey Republican State Convention since L871, and for twenty years he
has been a member of tin- Hudson County Republican General Committee.
As the candidate of the Republican party and Jeffersonian Democrats for
County Clerk of Hudson Counts in L889 he was rightfully elected, but
was one of those who were defrauded by the notable election frauds of
that year. In Democratic Guttenberg, however, his popularity is such
that lie has never failed of election to any of the many offices for which
he has been a candidate. In L878 he was Assessor and Clerk of the Joint
Committee to set off the Town of Guttenberg from the Township of Union.
From L878 to April. 1886, he was Town Clerk of Guttenberg. From 1881
to 1SS<; he was Tow n Recorder, and again, from 1888 to 1895, held the same
office. He was a member of the Board of Councilmen in 1880, 1887, 1897,
and 1898, and held the position of Chairman of the board in 1880 and
again in 1897 and 1898. He was Justice of the Peace from 1879 to 1899,
and as Chairman of the Board of Councilmen is by courtesy called Mayor.
The son of Frederick and Barbara Walker, natives of Germany, Mr.
Walker was himself born in New York City, April 21, 1850. He attended
the schools of New York City and Guttenberg — his parents having removed
to the latter place in 1800 — until he was fourteen years of age, when he
entered the office of his father, who conducted in New York a successful
business as a manufacturer. At seventeen years of age Mr. Walker
250 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
assumed the management <>r this business, in which he showed marked
ability, i I « - began investing in real estate in Eudson and Bergen Counties,
however, and since L878 has devoted himself exclusively lo ihis business.
on August 26, L875, he married, a1 Guttenberg, Diana E., daughter of John
and Diana Behrens, and has four sons and two daughters.
Throughout his business career Mr. Walker has exhibited a remarkably
progressive and enterprising spirit, and has been active in securing and sug
gesting the execution of projects of greal public interest. Ee conceived the
plan oi preserving the Palisades by the construction of a grand boulevard
along the entire edge of the bluff, making the most magnificenl driveway in
the world. Ee also conceived the plan of the consolidation into one large
municipality of the various towns and villages in Northern Hudson and
Southern Bergen Counties. Be was one of the large donators of land for
the building of the presenl loop of the County Road, under tin ad re-
quiring a donation of two-thirds of the right of way before the work
could be undertaken. At his suggestion the route was changed so as to
pass through Bighwood Park, instead of through West Eoboken, as
originally contemplated. Some time ago be acquired a brewery in Gut-
tenberg. with thirteen lots and buildings, which had been inactive for
several years, but through his ett'orts a New York syndicate was formed
and the plant sold to a stock Company and is now successfully operated.
JOHN J. WESTERVELT is descended in the seventh generation from
Lubber! Lubbertsen (Von Westervelt), who with his wife and children lefl
their home at Mepple, in the Province of Drenthe, Holland, and emigrated
to America on board the ship " Hope ** in April, L662 (see page ( J9j.
John J. Westervelt is the grandson of Peter and .Matilda Westervelt,
and a son of -lames P. Westervelt and Margarel Demarest, daughter
of -John Demarest. He was born ai West WoodclifT, N. J., October 14.
L829, and obtained his education in the schools of Bergen County. Ee
leti school at the age of thirteen and went to work on his father's farm,
where he remained until he attained his majority. He then engaged in the
trucking business in New York and so continued until he reached the age
of fortv-six, when he returned to Bergen Countv and has since devoted
himself to agricultural pursuits. He is one of the best farmers in his
section, a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, and honored and re-
spected by the ent ire community .
Me has been twice married, first to Helen Ely, who died in L878, leaving
two children: Margaret and John. In L884 h( married, for his second wife,
Margaret Brinkerhoff, a member of an old New Jersey family.
MAURICE -I. STACK, Countj Clerk of Hudson County, was born in
Hoboken, N. -I.. May 20, L865, and has lived there all his life, lb- attended
the public schools in thai city and sold uewspapers during much of his boy-
hood.
Mr. Stack was appointed a patrolman in the Hoboken Police Department
July 1. 1886, whenonl\ twenty-one years old. In L890 he was promoted to
lie ;i roundsman. Two years later he was made a sergeant. In December,
L892, at the request of the late Prosecutor Charles il. Winfield, the Ho-
boken Hoard of Police Commissioners detailed Mr. Stack as a detective in
the Prosecutor's office to take the place of .Mayor P. R. Stanton, of 1 1 oho ken.
who gave up the position as Prosecutor's detective when appointed Sheriff
<;k\kai.<m:h'ai.
251
of Hudson County to till the vacancy caused by the death of Sheriff John
M. iPhillips. .Mr. Slack continued as Prosecutor's detective until the death
of Mr. Winfield. In L899 he was elected County Clerk of Hudson County
and has Idled that office with characteristic ability and satisfaction. He
has three children — two sons and a daughter.
EDWIN KAYXOR CASE has been a life-long resident of Jersey City,
Hudson County, where he was horn on the 7th of April. L855. He is the
son of Menzies Ravnor Case and Amanda .Malvina Coon, a grandson of
MENZIES R. CASE.
Moses and Charlotte (Miller) Case and of Samuel and Hannah (Negus) Coon,
a great-grandson of Josiah Case and Robert Negus, and a lineal descendant
of John Case, who came from England and settled in Simsbury, Conn., in
L650. He is also a direct descendant on the maternal side of Anne Hatha-
way and of Commodore Perry, his great-grandmother, the wife of Robert
Negus, being a Perry. Mr. Case's father was director of the Jersey City
Board of Education for five terms, his associates in the board, during that
time, being Joseph McCoy, James L. Davenport, and A. S. Jewell. He was
also, for sixteen years, superintendent of Old Trinity M. E. Sunday School
in York Street.
9^9
_ • ' _
Iiri)S(».\ AND BERGEN COUNTIES
Edwin R. Case was educated ;ii Public Schools Nos. 1 and L3, in Jersey
City, and .11 Hasbrouck Classical and Commercial Institute, which he
lefl in January, L872, t<» engage in the tea brokerage business with his
father. He continued in thai emplojinenl until September LO, isT.'t. and
from thai iim<' until November 1. L899, was associated with the People's
Gas Lighl Company of Jersey City, ftrsl as a clerk and from October li'.
L880, to October 31, L899, as Secretary and Treasurer of the company. Prom
the leasing of the gas company to the United Gas [mprovemenl Company,
EDWIN R. CASE.
iii September, L886, to the presenl time, he has been engaged in the stock
and bond brokerage business.
Mr. Case has been a member of the Jersey City club since LS84, and is
also a member of Unique Council, No. 134. Royal Arcanum, and of Vigilant
Council, No. t3, Loyal Additional Benefil Association. He is public spirit-
ed, active and influential in the community, a man of superior business
ability and sound judgment, and highly respected by .-ill who know him.
September 25, L876, Mr. Case married Emily Pay Hoyt, and they have
had three children : Caroline Hoy1 Case, Edwin Raynor Case, deceased, and
Herbert llo\ I ( 'use.
GENEALOGICAL 253
HAMILTON WALLIS. one of the leading members of the New York
mid Hudson County bars, was born in New York City ou the 25th of No-
vember, L842. lie is die son of Alexander Hamilton Wallis and Elizabeth
Geib, a grandson of John and Mary Ann (Geib) W'allis and of John and
Margaret (Lawrence) <ieil>. and a great-grandson of Joseph and Sarah
(Tatterson) W 'allis, of .John and Rebecca (Shrimpton) Geib, and of Thomas
Lawrence, whose wife was a Bogardus, a descendanl of " Dominie " Bogar-
dus, the first Dutch minister in New Amsterdam. Joseph W'allis, .John
Geib, Jr., and Mary Ann Geib were natives of England, the tirsl reaching
this country about 177.~» and the latter two in 17!»7. John <ieih. Sr., was a
native of Staudernheim, Germany. Alexander Hamilton W'allis was Presi-
dent of the First National Hank of .Jersey City and was a well known New
York lawyer before his removal to Jersey City more than half a century
ago. He served as a member of the Jersey City Board of Aldermen and
was twice United Stales Collector of Internal Revenue for the Fifth Dis-
I ricl of New -Ierse\ .
Hamilton W'allis received his preliminary and preparatory education
under the tutorship of W. L. Dickinson, ai public school No. l, and in
Ibisbromk Tnsiiiuie. all in Jersey City. He subsequently studied under
Charles M. Davis, of Bloomfield, N. J., and under Rev. Samuel Jones, of
Bridgeport, Conn., ami entering Yale Colleg< was graduated from that
institution in 1863. He look a course ai the Columbia College Law School.
graduating with the degree of LL.B., and was admitted to the bar of New
York in May, L865. He was admitted to practice as an attorney in New-
Jersey in February, L875, ami as a counselor in November, L878, and is
also a member of the bar of the Supreme Court of tin- United Stales.
Mr. Wallis has practiced his profession in New York City ever since his
admission to the bar there in 1st;:., and has also had an office in Jersey
City since L875. His rise in the profession was steady and rapid. He early
displayed legal abilities of the highest order, and before a court and jury
as well as in office work exhibited those striking characteristics which
mark the successful lawyer. Possessed of sound judgment, great force
of character, and wonderful intellectual capacity, he has been connected
with some of the most important litigations in the courts of New York
and New Jersey, and the many victories lie has won stamp him as an
attorney and counselor of unusual ability. In New York he is a member
of the well known firm of Wilson & W'allis. and in Jersey City is senior
member of the firm of W'allis, Edwards & Bnmsted.
While Mr. Wallis has always taken a deep interest in public and political
affairs and in all questions which affect the welfare of his city, State, and
Nation, he has never sought nor accepted political office, preferring to
devote his entire time and energy to the practice of his profession. As a
citizen, however, he has long wielded an important influence upon all
public matters, and is universally esteemed and respected. He has achieved
a wide reputation as an able, conscientious, and reliable lawyer, and
through his many excellent qualities has always had the confidence and
respect of all who know him. He is a member of the Down Town Associa-
tion of New York City, of the Carteret Club of Jersey City, and of the
Lake TTopntcong Club of New Jersey. He is also a distinguished member
of the Lodge of the Temple. No. Hit. F. and A. M., of Jersey City, of which
he was Worshipful Master in 1873. He was Grand Master of Masons in
New Jersey in the years L879 and 1880, and in these important official capac-
ities has rendered valuable service to the fraternity in the State. He is
254 HUDSON AMi BERGEN COUNTIES
President of the Board of Trustees of the I {rick Presbyterian Church of East
Orange, N. J., and to the duties of all these positions he lias brought the
same ability and integrity which have conn-United so largely to his success
and eminence at the bar.
Mr. W'allis was married <»n the L3th of October, lscs. to Alice Waldron,
and their children are Emeline Waldron i W'allis') Dunn, Alexander Ham-
ilton W'allis. Nathaniel Waldron W'allis. and Clinton (ieib W'allis.
CHARLES hi: CLYNE, until his death a leading citizen of Hudson
County, and the lather of Gustave and Kinil de Clyne, prominenl business
men of New Durham in the same county, was born in Schwarzburg, Sonder-
schausen, Saxony, dune 24, 1821, and died at his residence in New Durham,
X. J., November ."">. 1886. Be was the eldest of five brothers, — Charles,
Theodore. William. Frederick, and John, — who were the sons of George de
Clyne and Dorothea Teschner, both natives of Schwarzburg, Saxony.
George de Clyne followed the business of an agriculturisl and was in-
spector of a large estate. He was. in turn, the son of Albert de Clyne,
a farmer, who was al one time Burgomaster of Schwarzburg, and who was
: he descendant of a Eluguenol family which lied from France on the revoca-
tion of the Fdid of Nantes, one branch of it settling at Schwarzburg,
Saxony.
Charles de Clyne received his education in a school of forestry, becom-
ing proficient as a civil engineer, mineralogist, and botanist. Following his
course a1 this school, he also continued his studies under private tutelage.
Like Carl Schurz, Oswald Ottendorfer, and other liberty-loving Germans,
he became involved in the revolutionary movement of 1848 and was com-
pelled to flee. He came to America, but soon after re-crossed the ocean for
a sojourn in France. During this visit he was impressed by the superiority
of the Belgian pavement, and securing a contract for its introduction in
New Y<uk City, returned to America. He failed to realize from this proj-
ect through complications with a partner, although the pavement was sub
sequently introduced in New York. He then entered upon the study of
chemistry with the celebrated Dr. Liebig, and was so engaged when the
Civil War began. He at once enlisted in the New York State volunteers
as a member of the Third Battalion (artillery), which was subsequently
re-organized as the Fifteenth Regiment Heavy Artillery. He remained in
t he service until t he close of the war. taking pari in many act ions. He was
commissioned Lieutenanl and assigned to the stall of General Thomas D
Doubleday; subsequently he was commissioned Captain, and by General
Halleck was appointed [nspector-General of defenses south of the Potomac.
Upon th" termination of tic Rebellion he established a large manufactory
of glue in Hudson County, N. J., which is still owned and conducted by his
family. While an active member of the Republican party, he refused to be-
come a candidate lor public office, holding only some such unremunerat i ve
trusts of honor as school trustee, etc. He established his residence at New
I Mirhaiii.
December 13, L855, he married Helen, daughter of Christian Klien, of
North Bergen, Hudson County. Their children were Caroline (who became
Mis. Abram Kittel), born October 25, L856; Theodore, born November 26,
L857; Gustavus, born December 29, L858; Emma, born March 31, 1861. who
married Thomas Alcorn, of New Durham; Helen, born Angusl 20, 1866, who
married John Henry Outwater, of Washington Grove, Bergen County; and
Emil and Clara (twins), born May 1."). 1869. Clara, the last named, married
GENEALOGICAL 255
Francis A. Kilgour, of Passaic, N. .1. Of the three sons, Theodore, a grad-
uate of Columbia College, is n veterinary surgeon, while Gustavus and Kuril
conduct the large business established by their father.
Upon the death of Their father in November, 1SSC, the brothers Gustavus
and Kniil de Clyne assumed the active managemenl of the manufactory,
and under their supervision it lias grown to be one of the largest and most
successful concerns manufacturing sizing and gold gum in the country.
They have two plants, one being located in New Durham and the other in
Homestead. The former is ;i familiar landmark of North Bergen and
comprises several large buildings, covering a floor area of over 50,000
square feet. That at Eomestead was established by them in 1897 for the
purpose of grinding mica and has been a greal success.
WILLIAM THOMPSON, a prominent resident of .Marion, Hudson
County, and President of the New York Pie Baking Company, of New
York City, was born in Goshen, Orange County, X. Y., February L9, 1826,
his parents being -lames A. Thompson and Catherine Kay. The Thomp
sons were originally from Ireland, emigrating to America at the time of
the religious rebellion, settling lirst in Orange County, N. Y., subse-
quently removing to Long Island, and finally locating in Bedford, West-
chester County, N. Y. Tiny have been engaged in farming and dairying
for several generations. The Kay family, his mother's ancestors, came to
this country from Scotland.
Mr. Th pson was educated in the <»hl Brick Church which stood on
the site of the presenl Tribune building in New York City, and well
remembers that locality as it is now portrayed in history. He also at-
tended Hoi-are Greeley's free lectures. At the age of thirteen he left home
under very ad verse circumstances, with nothing bui a will and determination
lo succeed, finding himself in N< w York City withoul a cent. He obtained
employmeni in a bakery, where he worked for live years and thoroughly
mastered the business. When eighteen years old he stalled on his own
accounl in the baking business, with which he has ever since been identi-
fied. His career in tins line of industry has been an eminently successful
one and stamps him as a man of unusual ability, of great force of char-
acter, and possessed of that self-reliance and perseverance which charac-
terize the man of affairs. In 1872 he organized 'he business now con-
ducted at 82 Sullivan Street. New York City, by the widely known Now
York Pie Baking Company, of which he is President. This extensive es
tablishment employs one hundred and fifty people and sixty horses, has
a capacity of producing from eighteen to twenty thousand pies daily, and
is a model in its workings in every respect. It is the largest pie baking
establishment in the Tinted States, and under Mr. Thompson's able and
energetic management has achieved a phenomenal success as well as a
prominent place among the leading manufacturing institutions of New
York City.
In this connection James M. Gray, M.D.. writing in the American Jour-
nal of Health, published in New York, says:
" The average home-made pie, owing to improper equipment and lack-
ing faeilifies, is almost invariably a disease breeder instead of a health
help. The pies offered by some of the smaller bakers as evidence of their
constructive ability are even worse as a rule. In every large city, fortunate-
ly, there are large concerns which have reduced pie-making to an exact sci-
ence and whose product is not only appetizing, but is deserving of all praise
256
HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
from ;i health standpoint. The New York Pie Baking Company of this
city is a fitting example to illustrate the point in question. This house
possesses every facility, every convenience, and c\c\y advantage sessary
to the production of an article for household consumption which is above
criticism. Their establishment is a model of cleanliness, and as they nsi;
only the finest grades of high-priced flour and richest and purest milk
cream, and lard obtainable, and combining these with fruits and berries
of most superior quality, it naturally follows thai the product is all that
could be desired by either the epicure or the hygienist.
'•There may be. and probably arc in other cities throughout the conn
WILLIAM THOMPSON.
try. manufacturers whose goods arc as wholesome as the New York Pie
Baking Company's pies, but a most searching investigation of this spe-
cial product enables us to write advisedly concerning its merits as a
health food."
A. X. Talley, dr.. M.D.. in an article in the United States Health Reports
for Augusl 1. L899, says:
"The evolution and development of the American pie, like all great
industries, has created a positive demand for a standard of excellence,
both intrinsically and commercially, Americans being satisfied only with
GENEALOGICAL k J."")7
tin- best of everything. This demand has been ably filled by the New York
Pie Baking Company, of No. 82 Sullivan Street, New York City, who have
established the reputation, justly deserved, of producing the besl and
greatest number of pies <>r any firm in the United States.
"In ilic rigid inspection and examination made by our experts great
care was taken to thoroughly note the physical environments and hygienic
conditions of the entire plain and establishment <>i' the company, all of
which were found i<> be in the highest possible state of cleanliness, with
the added fact of complete compliance with all sanitary requirements.
"The final reports of our experts have been compiled and unanimously
approved by our medical staff, showing so high a grnd< <>t' merit that we
are pleased to extend to I he product of the New York Pie Baking Com-
pany, for the protection of patrons, the official recognition of the / nited
States Health Reports."
Mr. Thompson's vast fund of reminiscence is well known. A most
interesting article in a recent cumber of the Hold and Restaurant \laifii-
zine, entitled " Reminiscences of New York in the Forties; Gleaned from
an Interview with One of the Mosl Prominenl Business Men in the Metrop-
olis," contains this allusion to his ability to recall past events:
•• lb- who wishes to spend a profitable and interesting hour knows full
well that the reminiscent conversation of the old resident has a special
zest in which the present is linked with the past, and the institutions of
the day contrasted with those of former times. In a recent conversation
with Mr. William Thompson, web known to the New York business public
as the President of the New York Pie Baking Company, the writer was
entertained for several hours with a graphic portrayal of incidents in
.Mi. Thompson's experience back in the forties. Unhappily, written lan-
eruaere fails to srive the inflections of verbal narration; it fails also to
portrav the expression of the features when the mind of the narrator is
Ijecalling the events of half a century past. The reader can assist in ob
taining a clearer comprehension of these reminiscences if he will give free
vent t<» his imagination and ('raw a mental picture of Mr. Thompson, a
hale and hearty gentleman, although seventy years of age, sit tin!.' in his
cozy office with a tar away look in his eyes, living over again, as it were,
the days thai are gone. As recollections crowded each other for utter-
ance his countenance would glow with enthusiasm in the one moment
and be saddened in the uext as he referred to companions who have passed
away. Being requested to give some of the factors which entered info
his notable business success, he said: Perhaps the most valuable factor
in my success was the experience back in the forties. At that time there
was a ureal rivalry among pie-baking establishments — every one was try-
ing to obtain the reputation of making the best old fashioned pie. The
public was a critical one. and a good pie was in great demand. I entered
into the business contest with vim and started an establishment, on a
much smaller scale, of course, upon the site we now occupy. There was
one bridge which carried me to success, and I have never forgotten that
it is essential to keep in mind that fact in order to continually maintain
our supremacy in the pie business. That bridge was first-class material.
I personally purchased and inspected every ingredient which entered into
a pie. and under no consideration would I permit any adulterated products
or second grade goods to enter my doors. I gave close attention to the
minutest details. Those who bought our pies knew (hey could thoroughly
258 HUDSON AND BEKCJEN COUNTIES
rely upon every pie at all times, and thai tfforl to secure trade by ;i
good article and then afterward furnish an inferior grade would be made.
The Ih'si testimonial i<> the ironclad rule, 'never to have our inferior pie
leave our doors' is contained in the fad that Dolan — you know him, of
course — of P. Dolan & Nephew, and also Hitchcock, of Oliver Hitchcock &
Son. have been my customers for forty years. Well, of course, if anybody
in New York oughl to he need judges of things to eat. then Dolan and
Hitchcock are those men. ;is the public fully knows.
"Another factor which Ins aided materially in our success is the fad
that our large patrons, when visiting this establishment, are at perfed
liberty at any and all times to go through the various departments — we
have no special 'exhibit' days, when extra clean utensils, floors, etc.. are
put forward for inspection; every day is inspection day, for every employee
knows full well that scrupulous cleanliness is a rule (hat can not he in
fringed upon more than once."
In politics Mr. Thompson has always been a Republican. Deeply in-
terested in the affairs of Ins country and prominent as a citizen and business
man, he is especially well informed upon almost every current topic, lie
is a life member and was one of the founders of the Carterel Club of Jer-
sey City, and is also a member of New York Lodge, No. 330, A. F. and A. M.
In 1866 Mr. Thompson married Matilda Robinson, by whom he has had
six children: James A.. William, Lydia Ann. Matilda, Rachel (deceased),
and Catherine.
GEORGE W. BLAWVELT is descended in the seventh generation from
Gerrel Hendricksen (Blawvelt), the emigrant, and the progenitor of all
the family in New Jersey. ITis parents were Isaac Blawvelt and .Mary.
daughter of John Hopper, and his grandparents were Cornelius Blawvell
and Mary Lydecker. He was horn on Staten Island. X. Y.. February !».
is 17. but removed fo Bergen County when young, and there received his
education. At an early age he entered the employ of the well known dry
goods house of Lord & Taylor, of New York City. Subsequently lie en-
gaged in the general trucking business in New York for James Ackerman,
in which he continued until 1S7.~>. when he established himself in the sugar
and molasses trade. In this line he remained until 1895, when lie re-
tired, and has since been engaged in the real estate business at Ridgewood,
X. J., where he resides.
Mi-. Blawvell has achieved success in every business relation, and during
his entire career has enjoyed the confidence and resped of all who know
him. lie is a public spirited citizen, a Mason, a member of the Knights
of Honor, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. lie married
Annie E. Chisholm, and of their three children one. Annie, is living.
PETER W. STAGG. — The earliest of this uame to settle in Bergen Coun-
ty was John Stagg, who is described as " a young man born at Bergen, Fasi
N. Jersev." The Bergen records, however, make no mention of him. His
marriage to Mary (daughter of Cornells Jans Bogert) was registered in
the Dutch church at Hackensack, March l l. 1697. The marriage of Will
iam Stegg, described as "a young man born a1 New Barbadoes Neck,"
was to Magdalena Peters Demarest, registered in the same church. October
l'J. 10!i7. John and William were probably brothers, but where they came
from does not appear. The New York church records throw no lighl upon
the question. John's wife must have died soon after their marriage, as
GENEALOGICAL
259
on November L'«i. L698, his marriage to Cornelia Verwey was registered.
By his tiisi wife he had no issue, hut by Cornelia Verwey he had issue
Thomas, I7t>::; Margaretta, 1710; [saac, 1712: Jacob, 1 7 1 r, ; George, 1717;
and William. 171 ( .». There were probably others whose baptisms were not
noted on any record.
The record shows that William Stegg and Magdalena Peters Demaresl
had only one child, Magdalena, hern in 171':!, bu1 he had a daughter, Eliza-
beth, who married John Ackerman a! Schraalenbnrgh in 1728. John and
William Stegg (Stagg) settled in the vicinity (south) of Backensack on
parts of the Berrj tract. Abram Stagg, of Backensack, smiled a1 Schraal-
enburgh when he married Maritie Bogerl in June, 1732. Ii was his brother
(probably), Cornelius Stagg, a widower, of Xew Barbadoes, who also set-
tled at Schraalenburgh and married Ann Christie in January, 1734.
It is said that in the start three brothers came to America from IIol-
ESSEX STREET, LOOKING EAST, HACKENSACK.
land, one of whom settled in Xew York City, another at Sicamac in Ber-
gen County, and a third •• win west." I low ever I hat may be, a John Stagg
was known to have smiled at Sicamac in Bergen County much more than
a century ago, where he married a Miss Van Houten and prospered as a
farmer. His son, .lames Stagg. was horn and resided for a time at Wyck-
off, Bergen County. He also followed agricultural pursuits. His wife,
Sally Westervelt, was born at Tenafly in 1800. The couple eventually
moved to Teaneck. where they boughl a pari of the old Brinckerhoff farm,
on which the\ spent their days. They had issue John, Joseph, James H.,
Sarah E., and Letty.
John was born in New York City, but was brought up at Teaneek. He
married (li Sally Westervelt and (2) -lane Voorhis. By his tirsi wife his
issue were James and Peter W., and by his second wife Ins issue were
Edward. Henry. Jesse, and John, of whom Peter W. is the subject of this
sketch.
260 BUDSON AM» BERGEN COUNTIES
Peter \Y. Stagg was born in New York City < October 24, L850. His child-
hood and early life, In wever, were spenl in Cresskill, X. •!.. where In- -^
tended the public school. In L875 lie wenl i<> Jersey City and became a
studenl ;ii law in the office of the late Charles Schofield, and there lie re
mained two years, after which lie moved i<> Hackensack and entered the
office uf Ackerson & Van Valen, continuing with them until LS79. when be
was admitted to tin- bar at the June term. Immediately after being
admitted he opened an office for the practice of his profession, in which
he rapidh buill up a good business.
\ I i lie June 1 1 'in i uf L883 he was made a counselor al law. He served as
assisiani clerk to the House,)! the Assembly mi the sessions of L891-92,
and in 1895 was appointed by Governor Weils as Prosecutor of Bergen
County for a term of five years. Prior to the time at which Mr. Stagg
became Prosecutor Bergen County had been infested with poolroom and
green-goods gangs. These the new Prosecutor drove out, in addition ro
conducting the ordinary criminal business.
.Mr. Stagg is a. member of Bergen County Lodge, I. < >. <>. ]\. and has
been Grand Master of the Stale of New Jersey, having in 1 ^iH the care and
jurisdiction of two hundred and forty-nine lodges in differenl parts of the
State, comprising a membership of 25,000 odd Fellows. He is also a mem
ber of the Fire Patrol. His oldest sou. Arthur, w.-.s a member of the Sec-
ond Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, in the late Spanish War.
Mr. Stagg was married January 14. 1875, to Jennie E. Westervelt, of
Bergenfield. His issue are Arthur A. (a law student), Warren n. and
Charles W. (both electricians), Elmer, and Harry (I.
GEORGE CADMUS.— The Cadmus family are numerous in Hudson and
Passaic Counties, Xe\\ Jersey. Cornelius Cadmus (Cadmuys) was living
at Aquackanonck (Passaic) as early a- His. for the records of the Hacken-
sack Dutch Church register the fait that in April of that year Arientie
Cadmus, of Aquackanonck, and Ide Sipp, of Bergen, were married ai
Hackensack. It is more than likely that Dirk (Richard) Cadmus (who
Mr. Winfield thinks was the lust of the name in Hudson County) was a son
of Cornelius, of Passaic. This Dirk was at Bergen before L718, for on
June 20th of that year he married Jannetje Van Horn. Early in the
spring of 17."!1 he boughl of John McEvers and wife ;i trad of -".^t; acres of
laud at Tappan mow in Bergen County), xtending from the Hackensack
River u> the Pascack River. The (\i-t'(\ describes him as •• Dirck Culm is
of the towne uf Bergen." Some or all of ii he soon after sold to the
Blawvelts, of Tappan. He seems to Lave remained in Bergen, for in No
vember, 1740, he boughl lands of his father-in-law 7 , Van Horn, at Con
stride's Hook. He died November 8, L745. He was beyond doubl a Hol-
lander, bul when he emigrated oi what pari of thai country he hailed as
his birthplace are questions which the early records do not answer. I'»\
Jannetje Van Horn he had issue of the second generation Rutgert, Catrina,
Frederick, John, Cornelia, and Joris (George). He must have had other
children.
•(oris Cadmus (2), born .it Bergen, married Hi Jannetie Vreeland and (2)
Jenneke Trior, she died January 29, L795, and he died April 2, L781. Their
issue of the third generation were Jannettie, Jannettie, Jannettie, Joris,
Metie. Dirck, Casparus, and Jenneke.
Casparus Cadmus (3), born at Bergen, August L6, L770, died September
■_'•".. L845, married Cathlantie Johns Dodd, horn January 27, litis, and died
GENEALOGICAL 261
October 11. L822. Their issue of the fourth generation were thirteen:
Sara, Joris, John, Casparus, Jannetie, Seeltie, -Martha, Martha, Michael,
Richard, Cathrina, Andrew, and Eleanor.
Richard Cadmus ill. born November 22, isn::, died October 16, 1X7:5,
married Cathaline (daughtei of Michael de Mottj, died, aud had issue of
i In- fifth generation, one of whom was George Cadmus, the subject of this
sketch.
George Cadmus (5) was bom April 12. 1840, in Bayonne, N. J., where
he still resides. Be was educated in the schools of Bayonne and Bloom
held, in his native State, and has spent his active life as a farmer. He
now lives on the old family homestead at Bayonne. In politics he is a
Republican, and in everj capacity he has displayed marked ability and
won for himself the confidence and respect of his fellow-citizens. He mar-
tied, first, Cornelia B., daughter of William X. Smith, of New Brunswick,
X. J., formerly of New York. She was born October L5, L839, and died in
L8G7. They had one child. Henry S. Cadmus, born April :!<>, L865, died Feb-
ruary 1. ls»;7. Mr. Cadmus married, second. June 11. L889, Mrs. Lillie A.
(Jones) Abbott, of Bayonne, and has two children of the sixth generation,
namely : < !larence \Y. and May.
DA XI Kb DRAKE BRYAN was born in New York City on the 2d of
December. L864. lie is the sen of James II. and Nancy (Hall) Drake, his
father being of English am! his mother of Holland Dutch descent.
Mr. Bryan was educated in the public schools of New York, and has
spent the most of his active life in the custom house brokerage business in
thai city. He is a Republican in politics, a member of the Royal Arcanum,
and ;i public spirited citizen. In Arlington, X. J., where he resides, he
has taken a deep interest in local affairs, and in both business and social
relations is highh esteemed as a man of integrity and enterprise.
lb married Mary Hay Berry, of New York City, ami has one child,
Edna I Make Bryan.
DARIUS S. JOHNSON is of English descent. Forty years ago John P.
Johnson went from New York (where he was born October 8, 1819) to
Pascack mow Park Ridge in Bergen County) and established a passenger
stage line between Pascack and Hosier. This he operated successfully
until the construction of the New York and New Jersey and the West
Shore Railway lines did away with all cross-country stage lines. Mr. John-
son then removed to Closter and established a livery business, winch he
continued until his death, June 7, L882. He married (1) Ellen de Baun, who
was born May 13, 1s:>l>. and died Augusl is. L859. He then married (2)
Maria Christopher, born May 22. 1sl»7. died April 4, 1882. Mr. Johnson's
issue of the second generation were Euphemia, Maria, Henry 1). B., Marga-
rei olied i. Delia, Darius S.. Carrie (dead), George, and Maggie — live by his
tirst wife and four by his second.
Darius S. Johnson (2) was born May 4. 1863, in Closter, Bergen Coun-
ty where he has always resided, and where he received his education.
Leaving school at the age of thirteen, he clerked for two years in a grocery
store and then entered his father's liver} stable. When eighteen years old
he engaged in business for himself, becoming a member of the firm of
Taveniere & Johnson, which still continues.
Mr. Johnson has achieved success in both business and public affairs.
He served one term as Township Collector for Harrington Township and
262
HUDSON AND REROEX COUNTIES
during the past ten years 1ms been Road Commissioner. He is a member
of the Dutch Reformed Church and highly respected by ;ill who know him.
lie married Blanch Pearsall and has two children: Hazel and Martha.
JESSE KIMBALL VREELAND, I'm- many years one of the leading
contractors and builders of Hudson County and from 1864 a resident of
Bayonne, was born in Rahway, X. I., on the L5th el' October, is:;."). Ids
parents being Jesse Kimble Vreeland, Si-., and Lockey Brant. His family
is one of the oldest in the Siate. the branch in Hudson County descending
from Michael Jansen. who came from Broeckhuysen (North Brabant). He
' left Holland, October 1.
l(i:!(i. in the ship " Rens-
selaerwyck," with b i s
wife and two children.
He settled at w hat is now
Greenbush, opposite Al-
bany, as a boereknecht, or
farm servant. It was not
long before he g r e w
weary of agricultural
pursuits and the narrow
road thereby opened to
wealth, and engaged in
the fur trade, in which
•• he made his fort une in
t wo years." Such private
speculation being p r o-
hibited by law, he was
soon broughi into diffi-
culty with the authori-
t ies. He thereupon aban-
doned his farm and came
to Manhattan. The date
ot this change is not
known. Imt he was a resi-
dent in New Amsterdam
November 4. 1G44. on
winch date he empower-
ed Arenl Van Curler to
settle with Patroon Van
Rensselaer all accounts
and differences. In LG46
he came over to Commu-
nipaw and settled on the
bouwerie, owned by Jan
of t he stock on it he paid
n the years Kill. L649, and
Nine," and joined his asso-
In L649 lie was ap-
ii SSE K. VREELAND.
Kvertsen Bout. For this •• Bouwerie" and pai
Bou1 tlie good round sum of 8,000 gelders.
L650 he represented Pavonia in the Council el
ciates in their crusade against Governor Stuyvesani
pointed one of the delegates in Holland against the Colonial administra-
tion, lmt owing to the unsettled state of his business he declined the up
pointment. It was a1 his house in New Amsterdam that the journal of
Van der Donck entitled " Vertoogh" was written. It was seized, and it
GEN E A LOO rC AL 263
was suspected upon information furnished by Michael Jansen. lie was
a signer of Mi*- application for the first municipal government in Nevi
Netherland, July 26, L649.
During the troubles of 1<;.V> the Indians drove him from his home, when,
mi September L5, they made a raid on Pavonia and killed every man there,
excepl the family of Jansen. From the dangers and uncertainties of
border life at " Gemoenepa " he t n<»l< refuge on Manhattan. On January
22, L658, lie asked for permission to return to Pavonia and to be relieved
from certain tithes. In September, L661, he had become a man of "com-
petence," living on his bouwerie at Gemoenepa. Be was one of the firsl
magistrates of the new courl at Bergen. In December, L662, he joined
Ids neighbors in asking the governor for a minister of the gospel, and for
whose support he subscribed twenty five florins. Be died in 1663. His
wife was Fitje Hart mans, and they had eight children, from whom are
descended various branches of the family now represented in Eastern Xew
Jersey.
Jesse Kimball Vreeland was of the seventh general ion from .Michael dan-
sen and his wife, Fitje Bartmans, the emigrants. His parents were both
horn ami married in Rahway, where he received his education in the public
schools. Afterward he speni several years in the South. Be finally re-
moved from Rahway to New York City and thence, in L864, to Bayonne,
\. J., win re he was long prominenl in both business and public affairs.
Alter leaving school Mr. Vreeland identified himself with the building and
contracting business, which he thoroughly learned and successfully fol-
lowed. Be built a large number of public and private buildings, which
stand as monuments to his skill and industry, and stamp him as a man of
original it \ as well as enterprise.
Mr Vreeland was also prominenl in military and civil life. He served
throughoul the War of the Rebellion, being connected with the (Juarter-
master's Departmenl at Porl Royal. He also served us chief of the Fire
Departmenl at Bayonne, as a member of the Bayonne Common Council,
and as a Commissioner of Appeals, and discharged his duties in each
position with acknowledged ability and satisfaction. In politics he was
a Democrat, and in religion a memb< r of the congregation of the Hutch Re-
formed < Jhurch. His life was one of constant ad i\ ity and in evevy way suc-
cessful, and during his entire career he won and maintained the confidence
of all with whom he came in contact, lie died duly 23, L900.
Mr. Vreeland married Emma -I. .Meyer, of Charleston, S. C They had
nine children: Jennie, Emma, Henrietta. Rachel, Jesse. Frederick, Chester,
( 'lareiice, and Edna.
WILLIAM SCOTT FERDON is descended from Thomas Verdon, the
emigrant, who came to America about L645 (see sketch on page L84). The
line of descent is as follows: Jacob Ferdou, of the third generation, had
issue seven children of the fourth generation, as lias been stated. One
of these. Jacob Ferdon (4), baptized in New York in L687, was known as
Jacob Ferdon, Jr. He married .Maria Flierboom, April 8, L720, and re-
mained on Long Island until L730, when he removed to Schraalenburgh,
X. J., where he bought lands and died about 1752. He had issue of the
lifih generation several children: Jacob. Jannetje, Servaes (died), Servaes
(died), Maria. Servaes fdied), and Catharine.
Jacob Ferdon (5), born on Long Island about 1723, married at Schraalen-
burgh, May 5, 174S, Helena Van Blarcom. They resided at Schraalenburgh
•_M)4 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
and had children of the sixth generation Jacob, Henry, Servaes, Jacobus,
Jacob, A mi. Maria, and Peter.
Henry Ferdon (6) married Jannetje Archbold, lived a1 Schraalenburgh,
and had children of the seventh generation David, James, Lena I [enry, and
Jannel Le.
Henry Ferdon (7), born a; Schraalenburgh, March Hi. 1790, died Febru-
ary -7. L855, married. Augusl 2, LSI !. Eflie Banta. She was born March 22,
L795, and died Augusl 27, 1>7D. They Nil issue, among whom were Sam
in-] B. Ferdon (8), who married Sarah M., daughter of Daniel and Rachel
Christie, and had issue, among other children, William Scotl Ferdon of
the ninth genera i inn.
William Scotl Ferdon, the subjecl of this sketch, was born in New York
City <in the 29th of July, L858, and there received a public school education.
For several years he has been successfully engaged in the coal and lumber
business a1 Dumont, X. J., succeeding in May. L899, the firm of De Coster
\- Ferdon. He is a member of the Dutch Reformed Church, a public spirited
citizen, and actively identified with the affairs of his section.
On Augusl is. L880, Mr. Ferdon married Jemima Christie, and thej
have two children: Sadie M. and Myra C.
JULIUS BERGEE was born in Davenport, Iowa, March 20, 1860, his
parents having emigrated to this country from Germany in 1857. His
mother's family was wealthy and influential in the Fatherland, but none
of the wealth ever crossed the ocean. His father served for three years in
the civil War. receiving an honorable discharge.
Mr. Berger acquired a limited education in the public schools of Daven-
port, Inn in the harder school of practical life he laid the foundation upon
which he has hnilt a successful career. The death of both of his parents
in lsT'i threw him upon his own resources at the tender age of thirteen,
and from that time to the presenl he has relied upon himself. Anxious
and willing i<> work, endowed with plenty of pluck and energy, and de-
termined to pave a way in success and reputation, he entered, in April,
I s "-'!. a manufactory of hats and furs in ids native city, where he soon
gained a valuable experience, which supplemented the earlier training he
had obtained in t he public schools.
In dune. L880, he removed from Davenport, Iowa, to Jersey City, X. J.,
and entered the employ of the firm of Harris & Russack, of New York
City, manufacturers of fine furs, remaining with them until 1889. On June
22, of that year, he opened his own manufactory of hats and furs at 368
Centra] Avenue, Jersey City, where he has since continued. He started
with a capital of $150, hut with pluck, perseverance, and practical business
knowledge acquired from his long association with his former employers
slum iuiili up ;ii! extensive trade.
Mr. Berger was the founder of the Hudson city Business Men's Associa-
tion and was its President for two terms. He was also President of the
Hudson City Turn Verein in 1888 and 1896, and was very active for the
welfare and advancemenl of both organizations, lie is also a member of
the Jersey City Board of Trade. He was appointed a member of the
Board of Rdueation of Jersey City in May. L899, by Mayor Hoos, and has
continued to hold thai position. He is a public spirited citizen, active in
the affairs of the community, and respected by all who know him. Mi-.
Berger married Marie Bechtoldt, daughter of George Bechtoldt, a veteran
of the Civil War.
GENEALOGICAL
265
ANTHONY JACOB VOLK has gained the reputation of being one of
Mir best known and oiosl enterprising undertakers in Hoboken, N. .1.
where be was born November -\. 1865. In ;i measure he inherits litis from
his father, Jacob Volk, who, a1 the time of his death, on Augusl •"., L874, was
the oldesl and foremosl undertaker in Hudson County, and who, profes-
sionally and privately, was universally respected and esteemed. Bu1 Ins
reputation is no1 altogether inherited from his honored father, h is very
largely the resull of his owe efforts, and of a natural ability developed from
boyhood.
He is the son of Jacob Volk and Rosa Raab, hoih natives of Germanv
ANTHONY J. VOLK.
who came to this country when young and were married in New York
City. They settled in Hoboken, and were well known throughoui the Coun-
ty of Hudson. Mr. Volk attended the public schools of Hoboken and also
Hoboken Academy, where he received a thorough classical training. Leav-
ing school at the early age <>f fourteen, he entered the employ of the Na-
tional Express Company, and in this and in the office of the American
Express Company, both of New York, he spent three years. In 1S74 his
father died, leaving a large and successful undertaking business to the
ear.- of his wife, the mother of Anthony J. Yolk, and the latter, when
266 HUDSON AND BERGEN COTTNTTES
seventeen, assumed iis immediate management. Though bu1 a boy, he
displayed marked business ability, excellenl judgment, and great sagacity,
and soon woe the resped and confidence of the community. His success
was practically instantaneous and uninterrupted. In addition to the un-
dertaking establishmenl he conducted a large livery stable, and combining
the two \v;;s necessarily a very busy man. In L886 he purchased the entire
business, which he still continues.
Mr. Volk is independent in politics, firm in his convictions, I nisi worthy in
all the relations of life, and influential and active in the best interests of
the community. In the autumn of LS93 he was elected Coroner of Hudson
County by the handsome plurality of over 4,400, the county usually giving
a Democratic majority of aboul 6,000. This office he tilled with grenl
credit and satisfaction for three years. He is ;i member and past officer of
Hudson Lodge, No. 71. F. and A. M., of Hoboken, and also a member of
Protection Lodge, No. 634, Knights of Honor, of Lady Washington Lodge,
No. 111. Knights and Ladies of Honor, of the American Legion of Honor,
of Guiding Star Lodge, Xo. 189, I. O. O. F., of Hoboken Council, No. it!).
Royal Arcanum, of the Germania Schuetzen Bund of New .Jersey, of the
Hoboken Schuetzen Corps, of the Hoboken Quartette Club, of the Hoboken
Independeni Schuetzen Corps, and of the Mannergesang Verein Lyra. For
a time he was also financial secretary of the Undertakers' Association of
Hudson County. He is a member of the German Lutheran Church, and
active in various other organizations.
Mr. Volk was married on the 12th of September, 1888, to Anna M. Kaiser.
daughter of John Henry and Anna M. Kaiser, of Hoboken. They have
two children: Florence M. and Anthony J., Jr.
JAMES H. STEPHENS, of Closter, is descended from John Stephensen,
an Englishman, who came to America about 1670 and located at Fori Or-
ange lAlbanyi. where he followed his profession, which was that of a school
teacher. On October 4, 1673, he married Elizabeth Lucas, who. the record
states, was from New Orange. The couple must have resided in New Am-
sterdam for some time, as seven of their children are recorded as having
been baptized there, in the Dutch church, up to 1693. His first wife died
in New Amsterdam and he married (2) Maria - . He had children of
the second generation: Elizabeth, Lucas! Mary. Steven, Jennekei Cornelius.
Catalyna, John, Peter} Nicholas. Roeloff, Abraham, and Gertrude.
Lucas Stephens lib married and had issue, among other children. Abra-
ham (3), born about 1730, who married, in 1757, Sarah Peters O'Blenis, of
Clarkstown. They resided at Clarkstown, N. Y., and had seven children
of the fourth generation: Elizabeth, 1759; Peter, 1760; Maria, 1763; Eliza-
beth, 17<;.~>; Aluam. 17<>7; Jannetie, L769; and Hendrick, 1771.
Hendrick ill. born at Clarkstown, June 11. 1771. married Ann de ("lark,
l.oin at Clarkstown. December 11. 1771. died there December 25, L843.
Hendrick died there October 25, 1834. They had issue, among other chil-
dren, .James II. Stephens of the fifth generation.
• lames II. Stephens (5), born at Clarkstown. N. Y., August 28, L804, died
at Closter, N. J., August 28, L867, married (1) Catharine Pye in L824 and (2)
Ida E. I've, widow of Edmund Irish, .lames II. Stephens was a carpenter,
and for many years followed his occupation in the City of New York, where
he acquired a competence in constructing frames for buildings which were
at i hat time being shipped to California. Early in t he fifties he purchased a
large farm in Monmouth County on which lie devoted his time to the pro-
GENEALOGICAL 267
duel ion dt fruits, for which he found .1 ready markel in New York. In 1867
he sold his Monmouth farm and removed to Closter, X. J., on the farm for-
merly owned by David A. Demarest. He died there five months after his
arrival. 1 lis issue by Catharine Pye were two sons, Abraham and John II.
Stephens, and by Ida E. Pye two children, Edmund and Catharine.
John II. Stephens (6) was horn in Bank Street. New York. February 8,
1831, and died at Closter, X. J., September 8, L887. He learned the car
penter's trad" with ids lather in New York and married Rachel D. Hinder,
daughter of Barney and Maria (Demarest) Hinder. In 1.858 he removed to
Closter, X. J., bough 1 lauds, and followed carpentry until the opening of
the railroad in the following year, when he built a store (the first one in
the place) and began to speculate in real estate. He was station agenl for
twenty-five years, Postmaster for thirty years, laid many town offices, and
was the promoter and Leading spirit of the village. In fact he may justly he
called the father of Closter. His issue of tin seventh generation are dames
II., Eugene, and Percy.
dames II. Stephens, the subject id' this sketch, was horn in Closter, N. J.,
September L9, L860, and received his education in the public schools of
Bergen County. Leaving scl I at the age of eighteen, he tirst engaged in
the sugar business in New York City, in which he continued four years.
He was then engaged in the meat business in Closter for seven years,
and subsequently, after a retirement id' two years, associated himself with
the .Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York.
Mr. Stephens has been successful in every connection, and as a public
spirited citizen has taken a deep interest in local affairs. He is a member
of the Reformed Church and identified with other organizations in his
native county. He married Elizabeth M. IVi-don and has one child, a
daughter, E. Marion Stephens.
CALVIN DEMAREST, of Hackensack, is descended in the eighth gen-
eralion from David des Marest. the emigrant and first American ancestor
of the family, for a sketch of whom see page 64. <'alvin*s grandfather,
Thomas Demaresl (of tin* sixth generation from the first David), was
born July L8, L757, and died April 27, 1829. He married, in 1 782, Lena
Naugle. Their issue id' the seventh generation were Sarah. Cornelius T.,
William, Vroutie, and perhaps others.
Cornelius T. i7i. born January 23, 1786, died December 26, L862, mar-
ried Margaret L\ decker, born August 1. 1791, died dune L'7, 1883. She
was the daughter of Cornelius Lydecker. Cornelius T. was graduated from
Columbia College in 1804, studied for the ministry with Rev. Dr. Froeleigh,
was licensed to preach at Paramus in March, 1807, and preached at White
House. X. J., from 1808 to 1813, and at English Neighborhood, N. J., from
1813 to 1824. lie organized the new church at English Neighborhood and
preached in it from 1824 to 1S39, and also preached at Hackensack and
English Neighborhood from 1839 to 1851 and in King Street, New Y T ork, in
the Tine Reformed Church, from 1851 until his death. His children of
the eighth generation were fifteen: Helen. Cornelia, Leah, Thomas W., Cor-
nelius Lydecker, Christiana. Penelope, Maria. Calvin, 1st., Charles, Calvin,
Garret 1... Peter, James H., and Margaret.
Calvin Demarest (8), the subject of this sketch, was born in New York
City on the 15th of July, 1825, and received Ins education in Bergen
County. He left school at the age of fourteen and went to work on his
grandfather's farm in Bergen County, where he remained fourteen years.
268
HUDSON AND BKUCKN COT'XTIES
since then — for a period of forty-six years — he has been successfully en-
gaged in the general trucking business in New York City. He resides
in Hackensack, is a member of the Reformed Church, and for years lias
taken a deep interesl in the affairs <>f Bergen County. Mr. Demaresl mar-
ried Mar\ Lozier and has two children living: Waller and Mvra.
WALTEB K1SSA.M BIRDSALL, a rising young lawyer and a member of
the Board of Education of Jersey City, is the son of David and Susannah
A. (Clyde) Birdsall, and a descendanl of the Birdsalls in the vicinity of
Leeds, England. His parents were born in New York State, bu1 came
in Jersey City in 18-19, where his father, David Birdsall, established the
Jersey City Lr o n
Works, in which he is
still interested.
Walter K. Birdsall
was born in Jersey
City, X. •!.. on the 2d
of January. L869, and
received his educal ion
in thai city, ai tending
Public School No. 1
and the Jersey City
High School. I [e was
graduated from Yale
University in i he class
of L891, and during
his senior year there
look a year's course
in elementary law in
I lie Yale Law School.
Subsequently he spent
four years in the office
of William A. Lewis.
as a student, and was
admitted to the New
Jersey bar a1 i he Feb-
ruary term of the Su-
preme Court in L895.
Since then he has
been acl ively and suc-
cessfully engaged in
the practice of his
profession in Jersey
City.
In politics .Mr. Bird
sail is a Republican.
He has tak< n an active interesl in the affairs of his party, has contributed
largely to its success, and among its younger members is recognized as a
leader. On May 1. 1899, he was appointed a member of the Board of Edu
cation of Jersey <'Jt.\ for a term of two years, and is now serving in thai
capacity with the same marked ability which he has displayed in profes-
sional life.
lie is a member of Jersey City Lodge, No. 71. Free and Accepted Masons.
of William T. Sherman Council, Roval Arcanum, of the Zeta Psi Greek
WALTER K. BIRDSALL.
GENEALOGICAL 2()i>
Letter fraternity, and of the University Club, lit- was formerly a member
of I In- I'alina ( 'lull of Jersey < 'ity.
Mr. Birdsall is a prominent, patriotic, and public spirited citizen. He
has already achieved a high reputation, and through his liberality, integrity
ut' character, and activity is universally esteemed and respected.
Mr. Birdsall was married on the 24th of August, L807, to Fannie E. Wat-
son, of Perry, Wyoming County, N. Y.
JOHN HILLRIC BONN, the founder of the presenl system of street
railways in North Hudson County, and one <it' the mosl enterprising and
successful men of his day. was born in the City ••(' Norden, East Friesland,
in list- extreme northwesl of Germany, September 11. L820. There he
received his early education under private tutors and ai the national and
classical high schools. He sprung from an honored and respected family,
his parents being people el' greal energy and force of character, and as a
boy developed those strong intellectual and moral traits which charac-
terized his entire life. His father was for many years a. successful master
of vessels in the Eas1 India trade, and with him .Mr. Bonn visited the
East Indies as a youth. This enabled him to acquire, a1 an impressionable
period, a liberal km>w ledge ot i he v orld.
Subsequently he attended a nautical school near Amsterdam, Holland.
passed the difficuH and intricate examination before the Royal Examining
Committee in that city, and was awarded the first degree. Bui he was
not destined for a life <>u the ocean. From the autumn of L845 to October,
ls.'iii. he was employed by a firm in Emden, East Friesland, which con
ducted an extensive commercial, shipping, and banking business. In
October, L850, he left Germany and came in New York City, where he
accepted a position as bookkeeper and English am! French correspondent
in a large Greek shipping-house. Two years later, having saved some
money, he invested in real estate in North Hudson County, X. -I.. and also
became a permanent residenl there, and as soon as he could legally do so
lie became a citizen of the United States. These relations «oon resulted in
making him a man of commanding influence. In L856 he spent considerable
lime in traveling in America and Europe, and in October of that year
was married to .Miss Angelina Bonjer, of Einden, Eas1 Friesland. In
April. L857, lie brought his bride to this country and took up his residence
in Weehawken, Hudson County, whence he later removed to Hoboken.
They returned to Weehawken in L867 and made that city their permanent
home, settling on the spot formerly owned by Daniel Webster, the states-
man. There Mr. Bonn di 'd on the 1 5th of November, 1891.
Mr. Bonn probably did more than any other one man to develop and
improve Northern Hudson County, and to stimulate enterprise and the
growth of population. Fie was untiring in his efforts to secure for that
section those permanent improvements which to-day make it so easy
of access and so attractive to both residents and visitors. He was a
founder and a prominent member of the first Board of Regents of the
llmlson County Hospital. In L868 he was appointed by the late Hon.
Joseph D. Bedle one of a commission of seven authorized by the New
Jersey Legislature to lay out and improve the public streets on the
heights of Hudson County, which include West Hoboken, Union Hill,
W'esi New York, and other territory. Upon the organization of Has
commission .Mi-. Bonn was unanimously chosen chairman by his col-
leagues. For various reasons the plan which had been contemplat-
270 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
ed by the commissioners was not carried out, although the incep-
tion ;iihI construction of the magnificent Eudson County Boulevard issued
from the movement. In 1872 Mr. Bonn also became chairman of the
Board of Commissioners which supervised the improvement of the Bull's
Ferry road from Nineteenth Street in Eoboken, northerly, and which also
built the main sewer in lloboken to the Hudson River, this public work
being completed in 1875.
But his uiosi notable work, and one to which he devoted the best
energies of bis life, was in connection with the surface and (derated rail-
ways of t lie* northern half of Hudson Count v. He was the founder, oriei-
nator, and father of the present system of transit. He commenced the
construction and operation of street railways in IS.")!), and soon had lines
radiating in every direction from the Hoboken ferry. His investment in
this enterprise proved wonderfully successful. He was the lirst. and
indeed the only. President of the various original corporations; and when
these were consolidated in 1865, forming the North Hudson County Rail-
way Company, he became the first President of that corporation, and so
continued until his death in 1891, a period of twenty-six years. During
that time the several linos were extended and improved, new roads were
built, and the system placed upon its present efficient basis. In 1X74 he
built the lirst steam elevator in Hudson County, and with this the street-
cars, with the horses attached, were lifted to the top of the bluff, the process
requiring but one minute. In 1884 lie erected the elevated railway from
Hoboken to Jersey City Heights, an iron structure ranging from fifteen
to nearly one hundred feet high. This road was originally operated by
• able, and was the lirst elevated road so operated in the United Stales.
All these roads have adopted electricity as Hie motive power. In 1800
the .meat Weehawken elevators, of which Mr. Bonn was the originator,
were begun, and on their completion, on October 23, 1891, he made the
first trip in them with several other gentlemen. The elevators were form-
ally opened to the public April 26, 1892. These great railway and ele-
vator enterprises may be regarded as the best work of his life, though
they were by no means the sum total of his remarkable achievements.
As important and necessary public works, however, they represent a man
whose foresight and energy proved the wisdom of his judgment.
Mr. Bonn had no inclination for and never held political office, except
that of Superintendent of Public Schools in the old Township of North
Bergen, to which he was elected in 1857, on both tickets. He held this
position one year. He held the respect and confidence of the entire com-
munity, and was noted for his benevolence, kindness, and generosity.
Mr. and Mrs. Bonn were members of the German Lutheran Church of
Weehawken. and were active in both religious and charitable work.
Of their eleven children four died young, and two sons, John H.. dr.. and
Hillric -I., arc mentioned in the following sketches. Mr. Bonn was chiefly
influential in bringing out the German- American Encyclopedia, a work of
eleven volumes, and the first of the kind in the United States.
HILLRIC JOHN BONN, eldest son of the late John Hillric Bonn and An-
gelina Bonjer, was born, October 10,1858, in Bonnsville, North Bergen Town-
ship, Hudson County, a village named in honor of his father. He attended
the public schools, and in 1878 was graduated with the degree of Mechan-
ical Engineer from Stevens Institute at Hoboken. Afterward, for several
years, lie followed his profession with success in Scranton, Pa.. Hoboken,
CKXKAI.OdlC.VL 271
N. .1.. New York City, Pittsburg, Pa., and Chicago, and was assistant
engineer during the construction of the North Hudson County Elevated
Railway. On the death of his father in ls!H he was elected Vice-President
of i liai corporation.
JOHN HILLRIC BONN, Jr., another son of John II. and Angeliua
(Bonjer) Bonn, was born in Weehawken, N. J., May L5, 1 s 7 1 . and received
his education a1 Boboken Academy and Slovens High School, from which
he was graduated in 1889. In lsitl he was graduated with the degree of
LL.B. from the Law Departmenl of the University of the City of Now
York, and then took a post-graduate course at thai institution, graduat-
ing as .Master of Laws in L892. Be also read law one year in Now York
in the office of Brainerd, Davenporl & Brainerd. and for a time in Hoboken
with Hon. Abel I. Smith and John S. Mabon, and was admitted to the bar
of N« w York in L893, ami to the New Jersey bar as an attorney in Febru
aiv. 1895. In the latter rear he opened offices in both Hoboken and West
Hoboken. lie subsequently gave up his Hoboken office, but still continues
the one in Wes1 Hoboken, where he has a large and successful general
practice. In 1898 he was attorney tor the Township of Weehawken. He is
a master in chancery, a membt r ol the Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity, and
an ardent Republican.
.Mr. Bonn was married January 26, 1898, to Marguerite L.. daughter of
Thomas and -lane Fisher, of Jersey City. They reside in Weehawken.
LIVINGSTON CONKLING, the founder and President of the Asso-
ciated .1 nsi ices of the Peace ami Constables' Protective Association of Hud-
son County, is a descendanl of some of the oldest and most distinguished
families in this country. Ilis paternal ancestors came from England and
Ireland in L735, settling firsl in New York ami removing thence in L750 to
Hackensack, Bergen County, X. J. lie is the great-great-grandson of Al-
fred ami Hannah (Marshall) Conkling, a great-grandson of Nathaniel and
Hortley (Schrone) Conkling, a grandson of Matthew ami Prances (Brickel)
Conkling, and a son of Matthew II. and Elvina (Van Ripen) Conkling, his
mother being a daughter of Jacob Van Ripen ami [Catherine Van Drouf, a
granddaughter of Isaac and Martha (Goetschins) Van Ripen, and a great-
great-granddaughter of Jacob and Mary (Vreland) Van Ripen. Her ances-
tors came from Holland in liilii and were among the earliest settlers in
Eastern New Jersey. Through his grandmother Mr. Conkling is a great-
grandson of Sir Alfred Brickel, of Manchester. England, and though his
father he is closely related to i he late Hon. Roscoe Conkling, whose ances-
tors came from Kent County, England. His grandfather, Matthew Conk-
ling, was one of the famous drummers of his (\-,\y. In L854 he was presented
with the firsl silver drum ever made. He was the first Poormaster in Ho-
boken and active during the Civil War. .Matthew H. Conkling, the son
of Matthew and father of Livingston, was the organizer and leader of
Conkling's famous New Jersey Brass Band in 1870, and ably represented
the family, which has been prominently identified in the politics of Hudson
County for upward of sixty years. Mr. Conkling's mother's cousin. Hon.
Garrel I>. Van Ripen, was .Mayor of Jersey City, while another relative and
namesake, Jacob Livingston, represented his district in the State Senate.
Livingston Conkling's full name is Matthew Livingston Conkling. He
was named after his father, but because of the similarity of the names of
his father and grandfather, both of whom bore the name Matthew, he
272
II1DSOX AND P.EKOEN COUNTIES
dropped the .Matthew and lias continued to use only the middle name. Liv-
ingston. The family name was. originally, Conklin, and not Conkling, but
a number of the descendants added the y. thus giving the name its present
form. On the | aternal side the family is of Irish and English descent.
Livingston Conkling was bom in Hoboken, X. J., on the loth of May,
1801, and inherited all the sturdy characteristics which made his ancestors
s<> famous in the early and subsequent history of this section of the State.
Receiving an excellent public school education in his native city, he learned
the trade of decorating and painting, and at the presenl time is senior mem-
LIVINGSTON CONKLING.
ber of the well known firm of L. Conkling & Co., painters and decorators, 1 I-"'
Clinton Street. Boboken, and li'.~) Eighth Avenue, New 5TorK City. Mi'.
Conkling has achieved marked success in business and is popularly known
as a man of ability, integrity, and greal force of character.
He has also achieved prominence and distinction in public life, and in Hi is
connection hears with credit ami honor the eminence which the family has
maintained for so many generations, lie entered the National Guard of
New Jersey as a private in the old Ninth Regiment, and from 1880 to 1889
served as Sergeanl in the Second Regiment, X. <',. X. .1.. and from 1889 to
1892 he was Captain of the old Columbia Guards in New Jersey. In polit-
GENEALOGICAL 273
ical affairs he has been for several years one of the ablest leaders of 1 1 1 •
Republican forces in the county. He lias served efficiently as a member of
the Hudson County Republican General Committee lor six years, was a
member of the Republican Executive Committee of Hoboken for a time, and
Vice-President of tin Ninth Assembly District Republican Committee for
one year, lb- has been a delegate to numerous city, county, and congres
sional conventions and always wields a potent influence in party councils
and in campaign affairs, lb- was Secretary of the Garfield Club in L893,
President of the McKinlej club of Hoboken four years, orator of Achaean
League, No. 2, of Hoboken, Commander of Christian Woerner Post, No. 1.
Sons of Veterans, in L888, and Judge Advocate-General of the National
Department. Sons of Veterans, l". S. A., in L889. In L899 he organized the
Associated Justices of the Peace and Constables' Protective Association.
of which he is President.
Judge Conkling is serving ins second term as .lust ice of the Peace,
having been tirst elected in L894 and reelected in L899, and represents the
third generation Of his family who has held that office in the City of
Hoboken, his predecessors being his father and grandfather. He is also
a Commissioner of Deeds and a member of the Knights of Honor, and in
every capacity has gained the confidence and esteem of the entire com
inanity. He is an energetic, progressive, and public spirited citizen, and ;i
man of broad intellectual attainments.
June •'!<>. L889, Judge Conkling married Miss Julia Hetzel. They have
six children: [rving, Raymond, Gertrude, Roscoe, Isabel, and Matthew Liv-
ingston, Jr.
■)-*•
JOHN II. LINDEMANN.— The Lindemann family is anion- the most
numerous and important in Germany. Many of them have, within the last
century, attained wealth and distinction in the United Stales. Henry Lin
demann was born in 17!»!». near Bremen, in the Kingdom of Hanover, Ger
many, where he married Anna C Butts ami established himself in the dual
business of baker and grocer. His only sun and child. William L. Linde-
mann, was boin at Bremen and adopted the business of his father. In L840
William I... the son. came to America and married Johanna Waetge in 1846.
His father. Henry, followed him to America in 1845, and the two, having
bought a part of the old Naugle farm at Closter, in Bergen County, X.
•I.. adopted farming for a livelih 1. Henry, the bit her, died in 1867, intes-
tate, and his lands descended to his son William I... who in time became one
of the largest landholders at Closter. He built and owned the first hotel in
the village and was instrumental in organizing the Lutheran church, the
fire company, the Building and Loan Association, and other enterprises for
the improvement of the town. He died October 8, 1899, respected by all
who knew him. He married Johanna, daughter of Diedrich Waetge. His
children of the third generation were William L.. Ernest, and John H.
John H. Lindemann (3), the subject of this sketch, was born at Closter,
X. J.. August 20, 1859, and received a public school education. Leaving
school at the age of fifteen, he has since remained on his father's farm,
which he has conducted with marked success. TTe has served on the Town
Committee, has been Collector of Harrington Township, and is a member of
the Dutch Reformed Church. In every capacity he has displayed ability
and integrity of character, and is highly respected by the entire community.
Mr. Lindemann married Amelia Waetge and has three children: Her-
miena. Dorothea, and Alien.
274 HUDSON" AND BERGEN COUNTIES
ANDREW H. BRINKERHOFF is a descendanl in the eighth generation
from Joris Dircksen (Brinkerhoff), the first American progenitor of the
New Jersey branches of the family. .Juris (George) Dircksen ill was a
native of the grazing and stock raising Province of Drenthe, Holland (from
whence came so many of the pioneer families of the New Netherlands),
where he was bora about L590. Early in life his family removed to Vlis
singen (Flushing), a seaporl on the Islam! of Walcheron in Zeeland, at
which city many persons were Seeing from religions persecution. Here
Joris married Susanna Dubbelo. In 1638 Joris, with his wife, emigrated to
America. II<- first settled on Staten Island and is said to have entered
into a contraci with one Cornelius Melyn, the owner of the island, to re-
side there, but on August 16, 1641, owing to the numerous murders com-
mitted in the neighborhood by the Indians, he obtained a release from his
contract. The same year be settled at Brooklyn, where, on March 23, lf»40.
he obtained a grant of thirty-six acres of land. On this he seems to have
built his home and resided until his death. January 16, 1661. He must
have been a man of ability and respected by his neighbors, otherwise he
would not have been elected a magistrate in lf»r>4 and re-elected annually
thereafter until 1660. He helped to organize the Dutch church at Brook-
lyn and was an Elder in it at the time of his death. His issue of the
second generation were Derrick ikilled by the Imliansi. Hendrick, Abra-
ham, and Aeltie.
Hendrick (2), horn in Holland about 1630, married Claesie (a daughter
of Cornelius Jans) Bogert (see sketch on page 105), then of Flatbush, L. I.
He lived at Flatbush until 1685, was a magistrate of Brooklyn in 1662-63,
ami became a member of the Colonial Assembly in 1665. On June 17.
L685, with dan Cornelise Bogert. the Bantas. and others, he removed to
Bergen County and purchased a large tract of land between the Hacken-
sack River and the Overpeck Creek, on which Hendrick settled, and where
he died in 1610 or 1011. A stone marks the spot where his remains art-
buried in the cemetery of the church on the Green," at Haekensack. Of
this church he was one of the founders, and for many years a leader and
officer in it. He held other responsible positions, and was one of the most
active and useful members of the new colony. His issue of the third gen-
eration were Greetie, Margrietie, Cornelius, Joris. Derrick, and Jacobus.
Cornelius Hendricksen Brinckerhoff (3), born on Long Island, married
Aegie Vreeland, of Bergen, May 28, 1708. He was a member of the Hack-
ensack church, and (bed September 1. 1770. aged ninety-seven. Derrick
Brinkerhoff (3) married (1) Margaret Sibse Banta and (2) Abagail Acker-
man, ami Jacobus (3) married Angenitie Hendricks Banta. The descend
ants of the last three named have spread over Hudson and Bergen Coun-
ties and are <t ill numerous.
Andrew H. Brinkerhoff (8), the subject of this sketch, is a descendant
of one of tlcse. and was born at Boiling Springs, Bergen Coun-
ty. October 13, 1S47. He is the S on of George C. Brinkerhoff i7i and
Kezia H. Hopper, daughter of Andrew P. and Anna Hopper, and a grand-
son of Cornelius d. (6) and Hannah Brinkerhoff. He was educated in the
district schools and at Packard's Institute. New York, and with the ex-
ception of a few years spent in farming has followed the banking business
since leaving the latter institution, being at the present time the Cashier
of the Rutherford National Bank. Tfishm step by step to this responsible
position, he has displayed from the first great executive ability, sound
business judgment, and a thorough knowledge of financial affairs.
GENEALOGICAL
275
In public life he has also been active and prominent. IT<> has served
efficiently as Collector of Taxes, and in 1890 was elected a member of the
Borough Council, serving two years, and in 1899 was again elected to
that office for a term of three years. He is a member of the Knights of
Pythias and (A' the Board of Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church of
Rutherford, of which he is a regular attendant and liberal supporter.
Mr. Brinkerhoff was married on duly 12, L868, to Jennie M. Brinkerhoff
and has five children: George 0., Eenry A.. -Tames IT., Kezia H., and May.
ISAAC A. HOPPER.— The Hoppers in Bergen and Hudson Counties
are descended from Andries Hopper, who. with his wife, (iriolie Hen-
dricks, emigrated to America in L652 and settled a1 New Amsterdam, where
he was enrolled and granted the privileges of a small burgher in 1657.
He acquired considerable property, bu1 did no1 live to long enjoy it, as he
died within a year. He had entered into an agreemenl with Jacob Stol
to purchase the Bronx lands, but
death cut off both him and Stol be
fore a deed could be signed. His
widow married (2) a man named Van
Trichl in May. L660, thereby securing
to each of her three children two
hundred gelders. These three chil-
dren were William, burn 1654 (mar-
ried Minnie Jurcks I'aulusi; Hen
drick, bein L656 (married Maria Van
Blarcom); Matthew Adolphus, born
L658 (married Anna Jurcks I'aulusi.
M.it t hi w ami I [endrick sett led in
New Jersey.
Isaac A. Hopper i^ descended in
the eighth generation from Andries
Hopper ami Grietie Hendricks, the
emigrants. Matthew Hopper married
Aedtje Peters (see sketch on page
71 1. This Matthew Hopper (3) had
a son. Andries (4), who married
Elizabeth Bros and had a son. Peter
(5). Who this Peter married the
Paramus church records may show,
but Peter (3), it is said, had three
sons: Canei P. (6), Andrew P. (6),
and Henry P. (6). Andrew P. was born about 1772, married, .July 2:}, 1797,
Anne Voorhis, and had issue, among other children, Henry A. Hopper (7),
who married Helen, daughter of Isaac Ackerman, and had issue, besides
other children. Isaac A. Hopper (8), who is the subject of this sketch. His
father was Sheriff of Bergen County and a member of the New Jersey
Legislature.
Isaac Ackerman Hopper (8) was born at Boiling Springs, now Rutherford,
N. J., April 24, 1843. He received a district school education at "Small
Lots" (now Fair Lawn), and, completing his studies at the age of fifteen,
has followed farming when not serving the community in official capacities.
During the Civil War he enlisted as a volunteer soldier in Company E,
Twenty-second New Jersey Regiment, and participated in the battles of
ISAAC A. HOPPER.
276 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
Chancellorsville, Frederickburg, the Wilderness, and Gettysburg, where
his regiment formed a part of General Meade's reserves.
After t lie war Mr. Eopper again Engaged in agricultural pursuits on his
father's farm, and soon became active and prominenl in local public affairs.
He served for six years as Assessor, and in 188] was elected Sheriff of Ber-
gen Comity, which office he filled with ability and satisfaction for three
years. He was again chosen Assessor for I lie Township of Saddle River
and served ten years, and in 1892 was elected County Collector, serving
for four years. Afterward he was for four years Treasurer of Bergen
County.
Mr. Hopper is a stanch friend of public improvements, has been especially
persistent and successful in his efforts to secure improvement of public
i-oads. and is highly respected by all who know him. He is a member of
Gabriel Paul Tost, 0. A. R., a Democrat in politics, and a member of the
Reformed Church of Ridgewood.
November 25, 1868, he married Maria, daughter of Garret A. Hopper, a
prominent citizen of Bergen County. They have had one child, deceased.
THOMAS J. POST is descended in the eighth generation from Captain
Adriaen Tost, the emigrant and common ancestor of all the Post family in
Bergen and Hudson Counties (see sketch on page 72). He is the son of
Thomas Post and Lucretia Merseles, and was born at Westwood, X. J..
April 20. 1862. In the schools of Bergen County he acquired a fail' educa-
tion, and by industry and perseverance has achieved success. Leaving
school at the age of sixteen, he engaged as an employee in manufacturing
chairs, which he followed for fifteen years, when he established himself
in that business. He has built up a large and successful business in this
line, and is widely known as a man of integrity, enterprise, and energy.
Mr. Post is a member of the Board of Education of the Borough of West-
wood, a member of the Westwood Union Church, and Superintendent of
the Westwood Fnion Sunday School. In every capacity he lias discharged
his duties with honor, fidelity, and satisfaction. He married Catharine A.
Conklin and has one son. Percy A.
WILLIAM WILLCOX VOORHIS is descended in the eighth generation
from Steven Coerts Van Yoorhis. the first American ancestor of tin- family.
Thel line of descent is the same as in the sketch on page 83. As will be
seen, Lucas Alberts Voorhis (3) had issue several children of the fourth gen-
eration, among whom was Hendrick Lucas Van Voorhis (4), born February
11, 1731, died March 6, 1803. He married Wybsie Laroe, who was born
November 28, 1736, and died dune 8, 1813. They lived northwest of Hacken-
sack, and had issue ten children of the fifth generation: Abrani 11.. Lucas
H., Albeit n., John II.. Annatie. Nicholas II., Jacobus II.. Catharine. Mag-
dalena, and Henry H.
Jacobus IT. (5), born November 2. L769, died April 13, 1833, married Mary
Demarest, who was born duly 1 !. 17s::. and died August II. 1849. Three
generations of the above are buried in the old Voorhis graveyard on the
west bank of the Hackensack below New Milford. Jacobus II. Voorhis (5)
and Mary Demarest had issue, besides other children. Albert .1. Voorhis (6),
who married Rachel Hopper. She was born October .". 1809, and died
April 10. 1S77. They had issue, among other children. Peter A. H. Voorhis
(7). who married Cecelia C. Smith, and who was the father of William
Willcox Voorhis (8), the subjed of this sketch.
GENEALOGICAL 277
William Willcox Voorhis (Si was born November L'T, 1865, in Hacken-
sack. N. •).. when he received his education. Ee Left school at the age of
sixteen and engaged in business with his father, continuing in that relation
until the latter's death, lie then retired and has since devoted his en-
ergies to the managemenl of the estate.
In public as well as in business affairs Mr. Voorhis has achieved distinc-
tion. He served for a time as ['resident of the Hoard of Council of the
Borough of West wood, is a life member of the New Jersey Society for the
Prevent ion of < 'ruelt v to A ninials. and is a member of the Reformed Church.
He is public spirited, enterprising, and active in promoting every worthy
movement, and thoroughly identified with the affairs of his native county.
.Mr. Voorhis married Leanora W'estervelt, a member of an old Bergen
Countv family, and they have two children: Cecelia Marguerite and Marie
Louise.
JOHN EXSTICK has achieved as a contractor a measure of success
which stamps him as one of the must prominent men in his line of business
in Eastern New Jersey. His reputation and high standing are doublj
merited, because it is through his own efforts, his indomitable perseverance,
and his unquestioned integrity and ability that he has paved the way to
a place among the leading contractors of the state, lie comes from the
sturdy old Enstice and Giles families <>r Cornwall, England, where he was
beiii March 20, L867, his parents being .lames Enstice and Annie Giles
and his grandparents John Enstice and Maria Norway. His mother, who
still survives, is the daughter of .lames and Amelia Giles, of Cornwall. On
belli sides he inherits the admirable characteristics of people whose broad
and liberal attainments had ;i mosl important influence upon the com-
munity in which they lived, and who raised l>\ deed and word the high
standard of industry, honesty, and fearless fidelity thai marks their de-
scendants in both the Old and tin New World.
Mr. Enstice has been a resident of New Jersey since he was four years
eld. In May, L871, tin- family bade adieu to the Cornwall home of their
ancestors and emigrated to America, to seek, in broader fields, a fortune
for I hemselves and t heir children. They tirst located in 1 diver. X. J., where
the father, .lames Enstice, successfully prosecuted his business as a con-
tractor until shortly before his death, which occurred on the 9th of March,
1 883. I le had five sens and t wo daughters, .John, t he subject of this article,
being t he t hird son.
John Enstice attended Public School No. 2, at Mine Hill, near Dover,
Mollis County, X. -1.. until he was sixteen, and as a boy manifested and
developed those energetic mental qualities which have since won for him
so much honor and distinction. Having laid the basis of an active career
in studies besi titled for a business life, he became an apprentice to the
carpenter's trade in Dover, and there and in Morristown, N. J., followed his
vocation with constantly increasing success, winning the respect and con
fidence of all with whom he came in contact. In the spring of 1886 he
moved To Kearny. Hudson County, where he prosecuted his trade for two
years, being in charge of important work most of the time. In 1888 he
engaged in the business of contracting and building on his own account.
His lirst attempts were modest and unassuming, but the high reputation
which he had made soon followed him to his new field of operation, and
within a very short time he occupied a foremost place among the promi-
nent contractors in that section. He associated himself with his brothers.
278
HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
William and Edward J., iinder the presenl firm name of Enstice Brothers,
and many of the finesl and most imposing buildings in Kearny. Harrison,
Newark, tin- Oranges, and other towns are the result of their efforts.
Dwellings, public edifices, and a variety of work have been erected by
them, and bear lie- distinctive stamp el' their skill and energy and thorough
workmanship. In L899 they completed extensive government contracts at
Sandy Hook, which they had commenced in February, L897, and their
work there is among the largest and most importaDl military posts along
the Atlantic coast.
JOHN ENSTICE.
In the business and financial as well as in the constructive department
of the firm's business Mr. Enstice has been the leading figure, bringing
to the management and detail work ureal executive ability, untiring en-
ergy, sound judgment, and unusual foresight. His success in handling the
largest contracts, in securing and carrying them to completion, is tangible
evidence of his courage and enterprise. His achievements are tin- result or
his own efforts, <>f constant application, and of the broad and progressive
id<-;is of an able man. As a citizen as well as a contractor he is prominent.
In .May. l!MK). he formed a partnership with John Bohenna, and under the
linn mini of .John Bohenna & Co. engaged in the real estate and insurance
GENEALOGICAL 279
business. Mr. Enstice is public spirited and universally esteemed, and in
the growth and prosperity of the Township of Kearny he lias taken an im-
portant part, having been a liberal supporter <>i' its chief institutions and
lending bis influence in favor of every commendable object. For two years
be was a member of the Kearny Board of Education. He is a member of
Kane Lodge, No. 55, P.and A. M.. and of Union Chapter, No. 7, K. A. M., both
of Newark. He is a charter member of Ethic Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of
Harrison, and was for three years an Elder and for two years Treasurer of
Knox Presbyterian < "hutch of Kearny. He is a Director of the Harrison and
Kearny Building and Loan Association, a Republican in politics, and in all
t he relations of life has displayed the highest attributes of a loyal, energetic,
and useful ci1 i/.eii.
Mr. Enstice was married, June 8, ls ( .>!». to Nellie May Decker, daughter
of Thomas W. and Martha (Van Duyne) Decker, of Kearny, formerly of
Pine Brook, Morris County. Soon after his marriage he removed to South
Orange, X. J., where he now resides.
JAMES T. LILLIS, Surrogate of Hudson County, is the eldest son of
Martin and ( 'atherine (Mc< 'arth.v i Li 11 is, both natives of Ireland, who came
to this country about L849 and settled in the north part of the County of
Hudson. His father, one of the prominent and extensive truckmen of his
time, died in Jersey City on the 1st of January, L879. His mother's death
occurred there August l*i, L887.
Surrogate Lillis was horn in West New York, Hudson County,
March 6, L853, and when about four years old his parents moved to
.Jersey City. He there acquired his early education in public and
parochial schools. Entering Rutgers College at New Brunswick in 1870,
on a scholarship mauled him by the freeholders after he had passed
the required examination, he was graduated with the degree of B.S. in
1ST:'., and the same year entered the Hudson County surrogate's office in
Jersey City, with which he has ever since been connected. The probate
history of Hudson County during the past twenty seven years is practically
a historv of Surrogate Lillis*s life, and via versa. Prom a clerkship he
lose steadily to the post of Assistant Surrogate, and in November, 1896,
was elected Surrogate on the Democratic ticket over his Republican op-
ponent. Hon. P. P. Wanser, then Mayor of Jersey City, receiving a flatter-
ing majority. Surrogate Lillis still holds thai office, and has discharged
its duties with ability and satisfaction. Having had more than a quarter
of a century's uninterrupted experience in general probate matters, it is
not strange that he should be everywhere regarded as the man best quali-
fied to perform the work coming before a surrogate, and during a life-long
devotion to his labors he has achieved an enviable reputation as well as
signal success. Genial, sympathetic, and able, thoroughly versed in every
department of probate law, and methodical in all his efforts, he is one of
the most popular of Hudson County's citizens, and prominent in both
political circles and private capacities.
For many years he has been a leading member of the Hudson County
Democratic Committee, and for some time he served as its Secretary. He
is also a member of the Robert Davis Association of Jersey City, of the
Berkeley and University Clubs of the same place, of the Knights of Co-
lumbus,' of the Benevolent Order of Elks, and of other bodies. He has
resided in Jersey City for more than forty years, his present residence
being at 20S Palisade Avenue.
280
HUDSON AND HKIKJKN < '< >U XTI KS
Surrogate Lillis was married June 3, 1ST", to Alice Dooley. daughter of
Felix Dooley, of Poughkeepsie, N. Y. They have four children: Martin J .,
. lames T.. Jr., John, and Anna.
WILLIAM SEBASTIAN STUHR, of Hoboken, one of the ablest and
foremost lawyers of Hudson County, was bora in Williamsburg, N. Y..
October 1. 1859. Ai a very earlyage he moved with his parents to Hoboken.
X. J., where his lather exerted for many years a commanding influence
in political and public affairs.
.Mr. Stuhr has, therefore, spent his active life in Hoboken. and to the
growth ami welfare of
the city and also to many
of its leading institu-
tions he has contributed
some of I he best ele-
ments of his life. There
he acquired his elemen-
tary education. He also
studied for three years
at a prominent institu-
tion of learning in Ger-
many, and by the time
he had reached early
manhood had gained a
good classical knowl-
edge as well as a liberal
knowledge of the world.
Upon his return to the
United States in 1874 he
entered the Law Depart-
ment of New York Uni-
versity, from which he
was graduated w i t h
honor in 1ST!), receiving
the degri f LL.B. He
subsequently continued
his legal studies in the
office of -lames W.
Vroom, of Hoboken. and
was admitted to the bar
of New .h-rsey as an at-
t o r n e y in November,
1880, and as a counselor
in November, ISS'i.
Since L880 .Mr. Stuhr has been actively and successfully engaged in the
practice of his profession in Hoboken. He rose rapidly to a leading place
at the bar, not by any sudden freak of circumstances, but by his own
efforts, by the exercise of recognized legal ability, ami by those honest.
straightforward p;iihs which inevitably lead to an honorable end. Careful
and painstaking in the preparation of each case which was intrusted to
his charge, industrious and indefatigable in collecting both facts and evi-
dence, and sincere in all his arguments before a court and jury, he soon
gained an enviable reputation for skill and ability, and for several years
WIIXIAM H. STUHR.
(JENEALOGICAL 281
has been regarded by his associates as well as his fellow-citizens as a
leader of the Hudson County bar. He is one of the ablest and strongest
advocates in the trial of causes in the State. Few lawyers have in this
respect a higher or wider reputation. His masterful presentation of cases
before courts and juries has frequently been noted. He is especially strong
in argument, keen and adroit in the examination of witnesses, and a public
speaker of admitted prominence and eloquence. A man of unquestioned
integrity, he possesses scholarly as well as legal attainments of a high
order, and at the bar and in public and private life has been eminently
successful.
Mr. Stuhr was Corporation Counsel of the City of Hoboken from iss:;
to 1885 inclusive, and served as Assistant Counsel to the Hoard of Chosen
Freeholders of Hudson County in isss. in these capacities he materially
magnified an already high reputation, and discharged his duties with char-
acteristic ability. From boyhood he has been deeply and actively interested
in the advancement of his adopted city. He has always been a prominent
Democrat, and for several years was President of the Jeffersoniau Democ-
racy of Hudson County. In L889 lie was nominated by that party as their
candidate for Slate Senator, and also received the indorsement of the
Republicans, and after one of the most exciting campaigns in the history
of his county was declared, defeated. But he was not one to abide by this
decision, width appeared at once to have been brought about by unfair
means, lie therefore determined to make a contest, and did, with the
result that he was seated in the Senate in .May. lS'.MI. just as the Legislature
was about to adjourn. Probably the most significant and important result
of the testimony taken at this time was the indictment by the grand jury
of more than fifty election officers of Hudson County, forty of whom were
tried and convicted. These were among the most flagrant and noted
election frauds ever discovered and prosecuted in New Jersey.
Senator Stuhr was not permitted, however, to actively till the position
which he had so honestly and dearly won. In .la unary, 1891, the Democrats,
gaining control of the Senate, unsealed him. but not until he had made
on the floor of the Senate one of the ablest and most brilliant defenses on
record in New Jersey. For three hours on the loth of that month, im-
mediately after the election of officers, he defended his seat with a zeal
and coinage which challenged the admiration of his political adversaries
and gained lot- him a host of friends from all parlies. Tacked galleries
at first attempted to interrupt him. but after five minutes all were quiet,
and In- was given the closest attention lo the end. His quiet dignity, his
manly courage and commanding presence, his brilliant argument in defense
of his rights, not only awed his hearers, but in numberless instances con-
vinced them of the justice of his cause. Even the adherents of McDonald,
his opponent, who crowded the Senate and galleries, accorded him their
highest respect as a result of his logical and eloquent speech. The vote
was taken in silence, but no argument was or could be advanced to show
the constitutionality of the action of the majority. The Trenton Times,
characterizing it as "The First Revolutionary Act," says:
•• It was unconstitutional, revolutionary, and entirely without precedent,
and can only serve to inflict injury upon the party which performed the act.
Senator Stuhr, it will be remembered, was seated by the Senate after a
long and tedious investigation. In that investigation it was shown that
the frauds of Hudson County were so great that they must have tainted
the result and affected the seat of Senator McDonald. Whether wise or
282 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
unwise, the Senate Flection Committee decided then not to call a new
election, hut to declare thai Mr. Siuhr had probably received a majority
of the votes cast, and should be sworn into office. ;nid the Senate solemnly,
on its own responsihility as a judicial body, so adjudicated."
Again the same paper, in speaking of Mr. Stuhr's brillianl effort, said:
'• Senator Stain's address in defense of his seat, yesterday, was at limes
burning with an eloquence which is rarely heard in the New Jersej Legis-
lainre. . . . He lias shown qualities of courtesy and manliness which
have made for him hosts of friends, lie came to the legislative halls a
stranger, bu1 his i lest demeanor and pleasant manner, proving him at
once a gentleman and a fair minded, conservative man. won praise and
friendship. He goes hack to his home known and appreciated outside of
Hudson County."
Mr. Stuhr has continued in the practice of the law in Hoboken, where
he is a large real estate owner, and where he is liighly respected and
esteemed. He is a prominent member of Euclid Lodge, No. L36, F. and
A. M., of Hoboken; of the Quartette Club and of the Deutscher Pioneer
Yerein of Jersey City; and of the .Jersey City Arion and the Alumni Asso-
ciation of the Law Department of New York University.
He was married in February, L886, to .Miss Marietta Lindsay Miller,
daughter of Thomas Miller, a leading citizen of Flushing, L. I.
WILLIAM H. DANIELSON was bom in New Durham, Hudson County,
X. J., where he still resides, June 16, 1826, and is of Scotch descent on
the paternal side and of Dutch ancestry on the maternal side. He is the
son of Joseph Danielson and Rebecca Ackerman and a grandson of ^\"ill-
iam Danielsou and Mary Lee. Henry Ackerman. his maternal grand-
father, was an old resident of New Durham, a soldier in the War of
1812, and a descendant of the old Dutch family of Ackerman of Bergen
and Hudson Counties.
Mr. Danielson received his education in the schools of New Durham,
and has since followed the occupation of a fanner. He has been a success-
ful agriculturist and an influential member of the Democratic party, and
has served as Town Committeeman of Nev» Durham. He has been a sup-
porter of the Baptist Church and of various kindred interests, and is
highly respected and esteemed.
He married, first, Rachel Biker, by whom he has four children: William
II. (born in L850), Anna M.. Joseph, and Ella. He married, second, for
his present wife. Caroline Wilmington.
AUGUST SEITZ was horn in Kay. near Eerrenberg, Wurtemberg, <ior-
many. November 24, L815. He studied for the ministry, but owing to the
war of L830 was obliged to give up his studies. In L836 he went to Paris.
engaging in business until L848, when he came to the United States,
locating at New Orleans, and one year later in New York. In L852 he set-
tled in Hoboken, X. -I.. and resided there until his death. May 13, 1S!»!>. lie
was a Mason for more than forty years, and for twenty two years held a
responsible position in the Astor House in New York.
He married. April 22, 1st:;, at Paris, France, Miss Athenias .1. A. Grivel,
daughter of Joseph and Rose (Rottier) Grivel. She died in Hoboken, Febru-
ary 23, L899. Mr. Seitz was an Elder for man\ years in the Cerinan Luther-
GENEALOGICAL 283
an Church of Boboken, one of the organizers of the Hoboken Academy,
and a member of the old Volunteer Fire Department, or his seven chil-
dren i\\<> arc living. His brother Charles was knighted for services to the
king of Wurtemberg. Another brother, William, succeeded Ids father as
keeper of the king's forests, was recently retired, and is siill living. His
nephew was one of the < io\ < ■nuneiit architects at Stuttgart, Germany.
Israel Seitz, lather of August, Charles, and William, was descended
from an old and honored Lutheran family of Wurtemberg, Germany, who
had held the office of king's forester for several generations. Their in-
tegrity of character and honesty of purpose made them conspicuous in the
Fat herland.
ARTHUB SEITZ, son of Augusl and Athenias J. A. (Grivel) Seitz. was
born in Hoboken, X. -I., December 6, LS55, and received his education in the
public schools and Hoboken Academy, and under a French tutor. At the
age of sixteen he entered the silk house of Linneiuau, W'ehry & Co., of
New York City, and remained one year. He then entered the shipping
house of Sailer «.V lavermore. in New York, and later the employ of the
Eamburg-American Packel Company, as collector. Soon afterward he as-
sociated himself with the Domestic Sewing .Machine Company as note
clerk. ;ind Liter in Hoboken with Charles S. Shultz, lumber dealer. In
April, L882, he engaged in business tor himself as a dealer in coal and build-
ing materials, under the firm name of Seitz & Campbell (Herbert P. Camp-
bell). In L883 they opened the Hoboken free stores, the tirst of the kind
there, which are still in existence, under the name of the Campbell stores.
Mr. Seitz was the first President of this corporation.
Selling out his interest in these stores in L886, he again engaged in the
building material and coal business with <*h;irles Fall, as Seitz & Fall,
ami soon afterward they began extensive building operations. Mr. Fall
withdrew and Thomas II. Mickens became a partner as Seitz & Mickens.
This firm continued about five years. Since then Mr. Seitz has been en-
gaged in the contracting and building business alone, and for the last two
years in appraising property almost exclusively. In February, 1899, he
became one of the organizers of the North River Light, Heat, and Power
Company, of Hoboken. of which he was Treasurer.
Mr. Seitz has always been a strong Republican, as was his father before
him. He has served two terms as a member of the Hoboken Board of Edu-
cation, is Vice-President of the Hoboken Free Library Commission, is Pres-
ident of the Hoboken Tax Commission, and is President of the Board of
Trustees of the First Presbyterian Church of Hoboken. He is also Past
Master of Advance Lodge, No. 24, A. O. I*. \\\, having served four terms,
and is now Representative to the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. He is a
member of Hoboken Council, No. 99, Royal Arcanum, was Vice-President
and one of the organizers of the Hoboken Chess Club, and was the organizer
and one of the first officers of the Philatelic Society of Hoboken, and is still
a prominent collector of stamps. He was for several years a member of the
Hudson County Republican Committee, has been a delegate to local and
State Republican conventions, and has been Chairman of the Hoboken City
and Ward Republican Conventions, in April, 1900, .Mayor Fagan ap-
pointed him a commissioner for Hoboken to the State Exposition to be held
in Newark in 1902.
Mr. Seitz was married to Miss Helen Jamieson Borthwick, of Hoboken,
284
HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
N. J., April 1 1. 1887. Be is a public spirited citizen, active and influential
in all the ;i IT; i irs of the community, deeply interested in American shipping,
and highly respected by all who know him.
JOHN ZELLEB is one of the foremosl men of Hudson County and an
acknowledged leader of the Democratic party. Having lived in the Town-
ship of North Bergen since he was one year <>l<i. he is actively identified
with public and political affairs, and through his integrity, ability, and
genial u<»<>d nature lias gained a wide popularity. He was born in New
York City on the 16th of December, 1855, the son of Gottfried and Mar-
garel Zeller, both na-
i ives of Germany. 1 1 is
parents came to iliis
count i- y from the
Fatherland and firsi
settled in New York.
When John was less
i han on*- year old they
removed In X o i- I ll
Bergen, Hudson < kmnty,
\. J., settling in the
vicinity of ( Jul tenberg.
Ai the outbreak of the
War of the Rebellion,
in 1801. Go1 tf ri ed
Zeller enlisted in the
Fifty-sixth New York
Infanti-v Volunteei s.
and served two years
and six months, when,
having received an
honorable discharge,
lie reenlisted in the
T li i r d New Jersey
< ' a v a 1 r y. He re-
raained with thai regi-
niein until the close of
the war. gaining dis-
i Miction for bravery in
action and honor and
acknowledgment for
high soldierly qualities
which lie displayed in
ad ion.
John Zellep obtained a public school education in the Guttenberg section
<>f North Bergen, and in early manhood learned tin* trade of barber
and hairdresser, which lie lias followed more or less down to the presenl
time. In politics lie lias always affiliated with the Democratic party, ami
from his youthful days 1ms taken an active and influential part in its
councils. For many years Ids prominence and popularity in party affairs
have made iiim a recognized leader, while his sound judgmenl and great
executive ability have won the confidence as well as the respecl and admira-
tion of the entire community, which has frequently honored him with elec-
• lolIN ZELLER.
GENEALOGICAL 285
lion to offices of responsibility and trust. He was Assessor for the Town
of Guttenberg from 1883 to L886, a member of the Guttenberg Town
Council in L890 and L891, and a representative to the New Jersey Legisla-
ture in L892 and L893 from the Eleventh District, comprising the Town-
ships of Union and North Bergen, tin- Towns of Union, West Hoboken,
and Guttenberg, and the north pari of the Township of Weehawken.
In each of these capacities .Mr. Zeller displayed those broad and brilliant
qualities which have made him so popular throughoul Eastern New Jersey,
.ind which have won for him an extensive acquaintance and hosts of
friends. His legislative career was marked by close attention to duty, bv
valuable and efticient work both in committee and on the floor, and by con-
stant usefulness in the interests of his constitpents. Socially, politically,
and fraternally he is widely known and universally esteemed, and if the
pas! is an indication of the future there are yei higher honors in store for
him.
DANIEL G. BOGERT, Jr., is of the ninth generation from Cornelis Jans
Bougaert (see sketch on page <'>~n. who was the firs! American ancestor of
the several branches of the Bogerl family in New Jersey. Among his
children were two son*. John Cornelise and Guilliam of the second gen-
eration.
John Cornelise Bougaerl (2) emigrated with his father about 1662 and
first settled in the Walkabout section of what is now Brooklyn. He seems
to have been a farmer and well to do. as he wrote ••yeoman" after his
name. As has been said in the sketch referred to. he married Angenetie
Strycker, daughter of a wealthy Long Island farmer, and in Hist; removed
to Hackensack, where he had previously (with the Bantas, Van Buskirks,
and others) purchased a large trad called •• New Hackensack." lb' and
his wife joined the Dutch Church there in L686. He was elected a Deacon
of the church in L696. He is presumed to have died about 1715, as his
name does not appear on the records alter that date.
Guilliam Bougaerl (2), the other son of the emigranl firsi named, came
over with his father aboul 1662 and also settled in the Wallabout section.
He mat lied a widow, a Mrs. Bergen, who was the tirst white child born on
Long Island. Their issue was seven sons and three daughters who settled
in differeni localities.
Guilliam (3), one of the sons, settled in Teaneck, Englewood Township.
Bergen County, X. J., in L697, where In- built a log cabin, which he occu-
pied for a number of years ion the site of the present Bogert homestead).
He then built a stone house nearer the Teaneck road which stood until
1840. His issue was five sons: John. Jacob G., Cornelius, Henry, and
Stephen.
Jacob G. (4), the second of these children, married Sarah Van Voorhiss
and settled on a farm one-half mile north from his father's farm. Their
issue of the fifth generation wore Maria and Albert J.
Albert J. Bogerl (5), born July 29. 170.". married Sophia Westervelt. and
continued on his father's farm. His children were Sarah. Jacob, Albeit,
•lane, Gilliam, Henry, and Belinda.
Gilliam Bogert (6), born March 3, 1797, bought his great-grandfather's
farm and married Maria Deniarest. a direct descendant of north of France
Huguenot stock. Thev had issue of the seventh generation Albert G.,
286 HUDSON AND BBKGBN COUNTIES
Sarah. Sophia. Daniel Gr., John C... Hannah D., Marie B., Andrew D., Be-
linda. Jacob (J., and Elsie.
Daniel (I. Bogerl ill. son above named, was born October 13. L825. He
is a farmer in Teaneck, near the old Bogerl homestead. He lias served as
Assessor for several years, as a Freeholder and Deputy Sheriff, and as
Census Enumerator in L864, L865, 1866, 1870, 1880, and L890. He married
Sarah A. Bogert, of Paramus, and had nine children: Gilliam D. (born Au-
gust 16, 1849), John A.. Mary Emma, Cecelia, Daniel. Lillian, Estelle,
Arthur, and Edith.
John A. Bogerl (8), born in Teaneck. October 12. 1850, married Emily,
daughter of Stephen Gr. Hopper, of Hackensack, and lias two children liv-
ing: Charles A. and Stephen G. He is engaged in the lumber business in
Englewood with Andrew D. Bogert.
Gilliam D. Bogerl (8) is a carpenter and builder of Hie firm of Gilliam
D. Bogert & Brother, which operates in Englewood and Leonia. TTe mar-
ried Mary E. Christie, daughter of Peter and a granddaughter of Dower
Christie, of Schraalenburgh, and has two children: Daniel CJ., Jr.. and
Sarah A., of the ninth generation.
This family of Bogerts have ever since their settlement in New Jersey
lived at Teaneck. Etiijlewood. and vicinity. The old Bogert homestead ;\\
Teaneck is now owned by the William Walter Phelps estate.
Daniel G. Bogert, Jr. (9th gen.), was born in Englewood, N. J.. December
27. 1S77. He was educated in the Englewood public schools, graduating
therefrom June 27. 1894. and since then has been engaged in the publish-
ing business in New York City.
EDMUND E. JOHNSON lias been a resident of Secaucus, Hudson Coun-
ty, since 1854,and is one of the most prominent atid highly respected citizens
of that community. A Republican in politics, he has held such local of-
fices of honor and trust as Town Committeeman and School Trustee. He
was born on Staten Island. N. Y.. December 0. 1S24. and was educated in
the public schools of New York City. lb' is the son of William Johnson
and Catherine Martling, his father being a volunteer soldier in the United
States Army during the War of 1812.
Early in life Mr. Johnson engaged in the hotel and restaurant business
in partnership with his brother. Later he organized the firm of Jaques &
Johnson, of New York City, dealers in pianos, organs, and other musical
instruments. Subsequently he resumed the hotel ami restaurant business,
was very successful, and in 1863 retired from active business. He has since
successfully speculated in real estate in New York City. Westchester,
Long Island, Jersey City, and Secaucus. where, as already stated, he has
had his residence since 1854. He has always taken an active interest in
public improvements, and is known as an enterprising and public spirited
citizen. He is an Odd Fellow, and while a resident of New York City was
identified with the South Baptist Church. He is now identitied with the
Reformed Church. In 1S47 he was a member of the Carbine Hangers (cav-
alry) and participated in quelling the Astor Place riot.
.Mr. Johnson married Loretta B. Delavergne, of Dutchess County, N. Y..
by whom he has four children: Eliza It. (wife of A. S. Engle), William E.
Johnson, Alvah W. Johnson, and Marie Louise, wife of George H. Dentz.
The eldest son. William Edgar Johnson, who resides at Homestead. Hud-
G i:\EALOGICAL
287
son County, is in the Registry Departmenl of (lie New York Postoffice,
where lie has been for the |>asi eighteen years, lie was hern in 1852, and
married Mary Olson, by whom ho has live children. Mrs. Greorge H. Dentz
resides at Jersey City Eeights and has five children. .Mrs. A. S. Engle re-
sides ai Kearny and has three children. Mrs. .Johnson died February 7,
1899. Florence Delavergne, daughter of .Mr. and Mrs. Dentz, died Septem-
ber 26, iS'.is. William Delavergne, son of William E. Johnson, died Febru-
ary 12, IS!'''.
IV1NS I). APPLEGATE, chief Engineer of the Fire Department of
Hoboken, Hudson County, was born in that city on the 14th of May, 1853.
IVINS D. APPLEGATE.
lie is the son of Ivins D. Applegate, Sr., and Susan Deas Whitney, and a
grandson of John B. and Nancy (Anderson) Applegate and John and Mary
i Ludlam) Whitney.
Mr. Applegate was educated in Public School No. 1. in Hoboken. In
1870, at the age of seventeen, he went to sea with his father, who was
master and part owner of a sailing vessel engaged in the coasting trade.
In 1871 he was promoted to the position of first mate, and in 1876 he be-
came master of the same vessel. Afterward lie entered the employ of
William X. rarslow% a prominent undertaker in Hoboken, with whom he
288 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
remained until June 1, 1891, when the paid fire department was organized
and lie was made its Chief Engineer. Mr. Applegate became a member of
the old Hoboken Volunteer Fire Department by joining Engine < Jompany
\<>. l in May. 1877, and continued in that company until the department was
disbanded. During this time he represented his company two terms of one
year each in the Board of Representatives of the Widows' and Orphans'
Relief Fund, and during five terms of one year each was the company's
foreman. Be served as Chief Engineer of the Volunteer Fire Department
during the years L889 and L890, until the organization of the present paid
department on June 1, 1891, when ho was appointed Chief Engineer, which
position he still holds, having been three times elected Chief to succeed
himself. Be was the last Chief of the old Volunteer Fire Department and
the first Chief of the present paid department of the City of Hoboken, and
has probably done more than any other ono man toward placing the de-
partment upon a substantial basis and affording the city that excellent pro-
tection from fires which has long been its pride. Tie is one of the leading
tiro chiefs in the State, being well known not only in this section but
throughout Xew Jersey for his efficient executive ability and courage. TTe
was influential in bringing about the movement which resulted in the
organization of the present paid fire department of Hoboken. and from the
first has been indefatigable in making it one of the best protective bodies
in the State. He is a member of Euclid Lodge. No. l.°>fi. F. and A. M.. a
public spirited and progressive citizen, and actively identified with the
public and social life of his native city. During his entire career he has
maintained the confidence, respect, and esteem of the community.
Mr. Applegate was married on the 2d of September. 1884, to Fvantrlyn
Parslow. sister of his old employer. William X. Parslow. of Hoboken. They
have seven children: Tvins D.. Whitney Parslow. William Nassau, Susan
Elizabeth. Evanglvn Marv, Path Alga, and Arthur Knox Banta.
JAMES W. PEAPSALL. President of the New Idea Pattern Company
of Xew York City, which he organized, and of which he is the owner, has
lonjr been a resident of Ridgewood, Bergen Countv, N. J., where he has
been prominent in church and Sunday school work and in connection with
various other interests. His business success has been entirely due to his
own energy and talents.
Mr. Pearsall was born in Xew York City. October 17. ISfW. and is the
son of Silas Pearsall and Ellen, daughter of Alonzo Parker, nis father
was also born in New York City, while the ancestral line on the paternal
side was long established in America. Ellen Parker was born in Water-
ford. Ireland. Having been educated in the Xew York public schools,
about 1856 Mr. Pearsall entered the employ of James V. Freeman in the
wholesale butter trade at 101 Front Street. Xew York City. Afterward
he was with W. H. Phillips, his successor, with whom he remained for nearly
eight years. He then removed to Hempstead. Dong Island, where for some-
thing more than two years he was engaged in the retail grocery business.
Returning to Xew York City, the next ten years were also spent in the
wholesale battel- trade in the employ of S. W. & J. I. Boyt. During the
subsequent two years he engaged in the same line on his own account.
Mr. Pearsall then formed a connection which eventually led to his present
business. lb- entered the employ of th«- Domestic Sewing Machine Com-
GENEALOGICAL 289
pany in New York, and remained with them for eighteen years, until the
company failed. During the lasl seven years of the eighteen he had been
manager of the pattern departmen! of this concern, and he recognized the
existence of needs in the pattern trade which no one had undertaken to
incci. Thus having severed Ids connection with the Domestic Sewing Ma-
chine Company, in April, 1894, he organized and secured the incorporation
of the New [dea Pattern l !ompany, of which he is President and chief owner.
This business has been recently described as follows:
"When the New [dea Pattern Company was started, about six years
ago, it had practically no cash capital, but whai was even more valuable
than a bank account was Mr. Pearsall's experience in the pattern business,
Ids acquaintance and good standing among New Fork houses, and, most
important of all. a plan for selling patterns thai proved an instantaneous
success. This plan or idea is threefold, or has three salient features, which
are, briefly: (1) a uniform price, (2) the requirement of no contract, and (3)
no minimum limit to the amount of goods to be purchased by a retailer.
"Working on these principles and other innovations to the pattern trade.
the upbuilding of the company's business has been of the record-breaking
order. Five times in these years it has been necessary to move the head
office in New York into larger quarters. Now ii has fifty feet frontage on
Broadway, with a depth of two hundred feet, and has over one hundred
people on its pay roll. There are now over 3,000 agencies established among
retail merchants, and distributing others are located in Chicago, Toronto,
and seven other large cities, Chicago being the principal distributing point
in the West. The company is incorporated and the stockholders, besides
Mr. Pearsall, are his three sons and a son-in-law."
Mr. Pearsall married Hannah W. Myers, and has three sons and three
daughters: Ella I... William I\. Edgar L., Silas E., Lina G., and Laura C.
Pearsall. During the past twenty five years he has been an active member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for a number of years has been
a Sunday school superintendent. lb- is Chairman of the Ridgewood Town-
ship Sunday School Association, a member of the Board of Education of
Ridgewood, and a Director of the First National Bank of Kidgewood. For
fifteen years he has also been a member id' the Knights of Honor, and in
IS!i!) held the position in this order of Grand Dictator of New Jersey.
MTLTOX DEMAREST, of Hackensack, X. J., is descended in the eighth
generation from David des Marest, the French emigrant, concerning whom
see j). 64. The line of descent is as follows: David des Marest and his
wife. Maria Solder, the emigrants, had issue of the second generation sev-
eral children, of whom one was Samuel (2). who married Maria Dreuns. and
had issue eleven children of the third generation: Magdalena, David, Sam-
uel, refer, Jacomina, Judith, Sarah, Simon, Rachel, Susanna, and Daniel.
Samuel Demurest (3), of Schraalenburgh, married Annatie Van Horn
and had issue of the fourth generation Samuel. Jannetie, Cornelius, Samuel,
David. Elsie, Daniel, and Maria.
David Demarest (4) removed to Kockland County, X. Y., where, in 1729,
he married Catherine Van Houten. He resided near Tappan, N. Y., where
they had issue of the fifth generation Annatie, David, Geertie, Peter, Will-
iam. Elizabeth, Samuel, Geertie. I.ydia. Jacobus, and Garret.
•~iL Jacobus Demarest (5), born at Tappan, August 20, 1748, married, in 1784,
Rachel, daughter of Cornelius C. Smith, who was born at Tappan, May 14,
•J! Ml
HUDSON AND RERCEN mrXTIES
L756. She died April 28, L825, and he died October 9, L844. They had issue
of the sixth generation Cornelius J.; Jacobus, L789; Sarah, iT'.ti': Eliza-
beth, 1795; and Joost, L797.
Cornelius .1. ((;) was born ni Orangetown, X. Y.. May l'4. 1785, and died
September 27, L863. His wife, Catherine Holdrum, was born June :'»<». 1787,
and died August 31, L852. Both are buried a1 the cemetery at Tappan.
Among the children of Cornelius J. (6) and < Jatherine i Holdrum) Demaresl
was John C. Demaresl (7), who married [sabella. daughter of Daniel I>.
Tallman, and had issue, among others, ol the eighl generation, Milton
Demarest, the subject of this sketch.
Milton Demaresl (8) was born in Rockland County, N. Y.. June 8, 1855.
lie spent his boyhood days [j\ attendance upon the public schools at Nyack.
N. Y., and finished his education in the private school of Professor William
Williams and at Backensack Academy, his parents having removed to
A
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H
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_ » _
in
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1
ORITANI FIELD CLUB, HACKENSACK.
Hackensack when he was quite young. After completing a thorough aca-
demic course h>' entered as a student the law office of M. C. Grillham, at
Hackensack, where he completed a full course of study. In dune, l>77. he
was admitted io the New Jersej bar as an attorney, and three years later
as a counselor. He practiced his profession until the summer of L879,
when he formed a law partnership with Walter Christie, of Hackensack,
which lasted for one year. From that time until L894 he practiced alone,
and then associated himself with Abram de Baun, with whom he has since
carried on an extensive and lucrative practice.
From L872 to l v 77 Mr. Demarest served as a member of Company C,
Second Battalion, N. G. X. J. II<- has served seven years as counsel and
clerk of the Hackensack Improvement Commission, and is a member of
the New Barbadoes Board of Education, of which body he was elected
President in .Match. 1.900. He is a member of Pioneer Lodge, F. and A. M..
of Bergen County Lodge, I. O. O. F., and of the Oritani Field Club, and
GENEALOGICAL 291
has served as a Deacon and Elder in the First Reformed Church at Hack-
ensack. In politics he is a Republican. He ranks high in his profession,
and is popular socially.
lie has beeu twice married, (1) to Carrie W. Christie and (2) to Adaline F.
Christie. His issue of the ninth generation are Lottie, Carrie I., and Edith.
SAMUEL BTJRRAGE REED, one of the oldest and most prominent
architects in this country, was born in Meriden, Conn., on the 7th of
January, L834. TTe is the son of Samuel Francis "Reed and Sarah Tharp,
and ih" grandson of Solomon and Bessie Reed and Joel and Sarah
(Darling) Tharp. On his paternal side his ancestors came from Holland
during the Revolutionary War, and his great-grandfather took an active
and conspicuous part in that conflict. At the close of the war- lie settled
in the fertile valley or pass which for upward of one hundred years has
been known as "Reed's (Jap." between the mountains that skirt the east-
erly boundary of Wallingford, Conn. The Air Line railroad between
New York and Boston inns through this "Reed's Gap," as will be noted
on their published tables. On his maternal side, the Tharps (three broth-
ers) came from Leeds, England, and were among the first settlers in Xew
Hampshire. One of the brothers (William), about the year 1760, removed
to Meriden. which at that time was a part of Wallingford, Conn. Here
he established himself on a farm which still remains in the family, and
here it was that Joel Tharp (an only child) was born December 10, 177$.
The buildings have all twice gone to decay, and the third have since been
erected within a few feet of the original site. The elder Tharp was re-
spected and served as adviser and administrator of the laws under the
"Charter of King Charles II.." of which he was the keeper. The copy
el' this " Charter with the Acts and haws for the English Colony of Con-
necticut, in New England in America," is now in possession of the subject
of this sketch, and is prized by him as a family relic.
Following an old custom. Joel Tharp deeded all his property to his
only son. Gideon, leaving three daughters with nothing, or risking that
in life's lottery they would find companions that would care for them
and bear their burdens. This worked all right for the majority, but badly
for the minority. Sarah was the eldest, and from the time she was seven-
teen, when her mother died from sunstroke, she took entire charge and
• •are of the family. Her two sisters married first, and married well, while
she remained single until she was thirty years of age, when she married
Samuel F. Reed, a builder, aged thirty-two years, on March 24, 1833.
Their married life was short, for he died on the 12th of the following
October, so Mr. Reed, the subject of this sketch, entered this world as a
post 1, unions child. His mother was able to care for her child until he was
seven years of age. when she was advised to part with him, and send
him " West " to those she trusted would care for him. She did not realize
that she was virtually sending him out of the reach of civilization. At
the age of seven he was sent to parties she had known years before, who
had settled in the " Flack Fiver Country " (Leyden, Lewis County, N. Y.),
which, was then mostly a wilderness, with occasional settlements miles
apart along what was known as the " State Road." There were no schools
in that section, and consequently no means of enjoying those educational
advantages which the youth of to-day have at their doors. In this frontier
region Mr. Feed spent seven years of his boyhood with an aged couple
who had nearly worn themselves out on a partly-cleared farm of two
292
HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
hundred acres. Being large for his age, very much of the work fell to his
lot. There were no idle hours to waste away, nor had he any companions
to divert him from his tasks. He acquired a rugged physique, grew to be
self-reliant, learned to think for himself, obtained valuable experiences,
and developed an individuality which bus remained with him and char-
acterized his life.
Seven years was a long time for him to have charge of all the matters
on this farm, but at last relief came when his mother suddenly appeared
in her anxiety to learn of his situation. At first he did not recognize her,
S. BURRAGE REED.
again
having forgotten her features. They very soon became acquainted
He then showed her over the place, the hundred sheep and other animals,
the amount of work he had to do and how he did it. It was easy for him
to explain to her that this was no place for him; that while here lie
would always be a drudge and wear the tow-cloth frock and strap. She
saw that his complaints were well founded and determined to find
means to take him East with her. A few weeks after she took him to
Meriden, and apprenticed him to learn the builder's trade. His first work
here was done on the famous mansion of Moses Y. Beach (then proprietor
GENEALOGICAL 293
of the New York Sun). This structure was erected from designs furnished
b\ Architect Austin, of New Haven. Its cost was sixty thousand dollars,
which was a great deal of money in those times when one dollar paid for
one day (of twelve hours) of skilled labor. It was while learning his
trade that he realized and felt the importance of an education. Just at
this time a popular clergyman delivered a lecture on "The Powers of the
Mind." in the school-house near by. The matter of this lecture made a
deep impression on Mr. Reed, then about fifteen years of age. The lec-
turer had a trunk with him, containing various articles which he used in
illustration during the lecture; along with these were books, some of
which he discarded while closing his trunks. Among them were catalogues
of publications, of which up to this time Mr. Heed had no knowledge.
These books lie gradually obtained, read, and re-read, until he thoroughly
knew what they contained. His habits of study had attracted the atten-
tion of a physician (Dr. David Allen), who gave him access to his
library and offered to guide him in his studies. At once his theme was
medicine, and after two years' study lie appeared before Dr. Sperry, of
Hartford, for an examination and a certificate, which he obtained. He
was still an apprentice and had some time yet to serve, which prevented
the practice of his profession except during spare hours.
Gradually the subjeel of medicine became a secondary matter. As his
skill in his trade developed he became intensely interested in its problems,
and finally at the ag< of twenty-one with his chest of tools he settled in
Flushing, L. I. lie took his books with him and continued his studies,
determined that he would not allow himself to be in ignorance on any
subject, lie veiy soon made the acquaintance of Prof. Howard Osgood
(now of Rochester University), who kindly offered to give him instruction
in the Greek language. This otter was gladly accepted and Strong's Epit-
ome, as his primer, and Intigone, as a classic, were soon mastered. At the
age of twenty four he possessed an extensive library, including the works
of Comb, Spurzheim, Lavater, Gall, Comte, Wayland, Not! and Gliddon,
Dick, Koch. Gill, Howling. Cavallo, Mattison, Silliman, Hale, Home, Plu-
tarch, Good, Dodd, Esdale, and many others of like character, which he had
studied industriously and become thoroughly familiar with.
A course of lectures by local talent Inning been proposed during the
following winter, Mr. Reed consented to deliver one entitled "Mental
Science." The subject attracted the faculty of a nearby institution
that attended the lecture. At its close an interview was requested and
arranged for. The purpose of the interview was not stated, but turned
out to be an examination, and unfolded the plan of establishing a class
in mental philosophy with a request that he assume its leadership.
Mr. Reed, though flattered by this request, could not with his retiring dis-
position enter a curriculum with which he was entirely unfamiliar, and
believing that the walls and rules of such an institution would be too
narrow and restraining for him declined the offer. He had discovered
however, that with perseverance, industry, and indomitable energy he
had acquired a broad and accurate knowledge of those studies and sciences
which are usually taught only in colleges, and through his own efforts and
personal exertions had secured a splendid education and laid the founda-
tion of a most successful career.
For several years he was engrossed in the building business, which up
to this time he regarded as his legitimate calling. Designing structures
became an interesting part of his work, and to perfect himself in this
294 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
branch he took a course of instruction under Prof. James McLean (brother
of -Judge McLean, of Ohio), who for twelve years was a designer on govern-
ment work in Washington.
Now being fully equipped by practice and experience in designing as
well as construction, his plans were sought after until his entire time was
devoted to their execution. It must be gratifying to him in his travels
in any direction to point out the works of his Lands that stand as monu-
ments of his taste and skill. For thirty years he has been located at No.
245 Broadway, New York City, opposite the City Hall, where he has
planned an. average of upward of one full s< t of original designs per month
during the whole time. Buildings in everj style and for all purposes are
included in the list. He was the first to develop what has go long been
known as the " Queen Anne Style," or more properly " Cottage Style." The
Pinard cottages in Newport. P. 1.. represent his lirst work in that style.
Mr. Reed is a fellow of the American Institute of Architects, and is the
author of five publications on architecture specially intended to assist
in the erection of convenient and comfortable cottages. Hew well this
laudable endeavor to aid the deserving classes has been appreciated is
best told in the fact that the sales of ids first book outnumbered any other
architectural work ever published.
For about twenty years his labors have been devoted to more elaborate
structures. The residence of James A. Bailey (successor to P. T. Barnum)
on St. Nicholas Avenue, New York City, is an interesting and distinct
type. Bloomingdale Church, Sixty-eighth Street and Broadway, New
York City, was where limestone was first used in that city. Collegiate
Cnurcn on isecoiia Avenue is a beautiful decorated Gothic. Mention of
many other buildings of similar character that are now standing in many
parts of the country might be made, but it is needless to extend the li.-i
here. We should mention his latest work as the Passaic County courl
house, at Paterson, N. J., which Mr. Peed secured in a competition, in-
cluding forty-eight architects from all the principal cities. This beautiful
structure is in classic design, id' white marble, lire-proof throughout, sin-
mounted with a dome, and will require four years for its construction.
We have entered at some length into the details of this story and life
work because of its lesson and tendency to inspire determination, hope,
energy, and industry in the face of misfortune and disadvantages, and as
an example it may be of infinite value to the younger readers. Mr. Reed
started without the help of either father or mother, absolutely without
means or friends to advise with, and could hope for nothing from his sur-
roundings. In spite of all these adverse conditions he d< termined to work
up and win at least the respect of intelligent men. and this he has done as
all who know him will testify. His business has been his constant pleas
ure and to its development he has devoted his best energy. In early life
he had no chance to join in sport with other boys, and to this day has
never seen a ball game, shot a gun, worn a skate, or gone a fishing. He
does, however, enjoy table games and is especially fond of chess, lb' has
decided convictions concerning any action, believing in any case thai there
is but one right way to act. Serving as the '•balance wheel' between
clients and contractors in more than four hundred cases, he has been
able to fully cover each case both professionally and judicially. We are
sure no other living archited has such a record.
For several years Mr. Reed has resided in Woodcliff, N. J., where he has
taken an active pari in public alfaiis. He was twice elected Mayor of
GENEALOGICAL 295
WoodclitV, and afterward was elected .Justice of the Peace. Subsequently
lie was appointed I 'ommissioner of Deeds. The two latter positions lie now
holds. .Mr. Reed is an interesting talker on religious matters, and for
seven years served as a Deacon in the Baptist Church in Flushing, L. I.
For seven years ho was an Elder in the Reformed Church in New York City,
and for i lie same period a member of the Classis of New York.
Mr. Reed has been twice married, his first wife being Eliza A. Wright, of
Flushing, L. I., and his second Lizzie Lowerre, of Brooklyn, L. I. He has
five children — four daughters and one son.
■a
COKXEIJl'S CHRISTIE, train master of the West Shore Railroad at
Weehaw ken. X. J., is distinctively a railroad man. having spent his entire
business life in that line. He is descended in the sixth generation from
James Christie, the Scotch emigrant, concerning whom see sketch on page
L06. The line of descent is James Christie ill. the emigrant, who married
Magdalena Samuels Demarest, of Schraalenburgh, and had issue of the
second generation thirteen children, one of whom was William Christie,
who married Catolyntio Demaresl and had issue of the third generation
ten children, of whom < 'aptain Jam< s ( Jhrisl ie. of Revolutionary fame, mar-
ried Maria Banta, and had issue of the fourth generation seven children, one
of whom, David Christie, born December 1. 17S!>, married Anna Brinkerhoff,
and removed to New York City, where he made a fortune as a stone cutter.
In 1835. having bought the farm of Carrel Mayer .it Ridgefield, X. J., he
retired from business, lie had issue of the fifth generation, one of whom
was Albert B. Christie, who married Lydia A. Christie (a distant relative)
and settled at Uidjjelield Park about 1830. He left issue of the sixth gen-
eration, of whom one was Cornelius, the subject of this sketch.
Cornelius Christie (6) was born at Ridgefield Park, September 24, 1864,
and was educated in the public schools, graduating from Washington pub-
lic school, No. 32, Hackensack, in July, L881. Beginning business as a
telegraph operator in the office of the New York, Susquehanna and West-
ern Railroad, in May. L881, he continued in their employ until June, 1883,
when he entered the office of the West Shore Railroad Company as tele-
graph operator. He so continued until March, L888, when he was promoted
to the position of train despatched which he held until April 1, 1895, when
bv a second promotion he became train master. Mr. Christie has about
five hundred men under his supervision, directly and indirectly, more than
half of whom may trace their examination, discipline, and employment to
his management.
Mr. Christie was married, October 12, 1898, to Miss Selena Wells, of
Goshen, X. V.. only daughter of James E. Wells, for many years Supervisor
of the Town of Goshen and General Superintendent of the Orange County
Agricultural Society. Their bridal trip extended over nine thousand miles
through the Western States.
'&•*
CORNELIUS DOREMUS, a prominent lawyer of Hackensack and New
York City, was born at Areola. Bergen County, N. J., on the 22d of January,
L862, his parents being Jacob W. Doremus and Sophia E. Van Dien. He is
descended in the fifth generation from Johannes (John) Doremus, who was
born at Middleburg in the Island of Walcheron, in Zeeland, Holland, about
1698. He came to America in 1709, and located at Acquackanonck (Passaic).
From there he went to Hackensack, where, in August, 1710, he married
Elizabeth, daughter of Abraham Ackerman. The date of the registry of
296
HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
the marriage is August 19. He bought lauds in the limits of the Ramapo
patent at Preakness and on the Saddle River neai Paramus. Joris (George)
Doremus, probably his sou, lived at Passaic. He married Mary, daughter
of Jan Berdaen (1 Jordan). John and George had each several children,
whose descendants have become numerous throughout Bergen and Passaic
Counties. On his mother's side Mr. Doremus is descended from Dirck
Garretsen Van Dien, of Utrecht, Holland. His grandparents were John U.
and Margaret iW'estervelt) Doremus and Cornelius G. and Susan E. (Post)
Van Dien.
Mr. Doremus received his primary education in the public schools of
Bergen County, and after graduating therefrom, in 1878. entered Stevens
Institute in Hoboken, where lie completed his academical studies. In lssi)
he began the study of law as a student in the Law Department of the
University of New York, from which he was graduated in 1883, being ad-
HACKENSACK RIVER.
mined to the New York bar in the same year, lie was admitted to the
bar of New Jersey as an at torney in 1884 and as a counselor in 1889, and has
successfully practiced his profession in Hackensack, Bergen County, and at
L20 Broadway, New York City, for a number of years. He has been counsel
to the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Bergen County, which position he
held for four years. He has been also counsel for Ridgewood village and
the Township of Ridgewood and is now counsel for Saddle River. Maywood
Borough, and other municipalities.
Coming to the bar well equipped for the duties of a professional career,
Mr. Doremus has been eminently successful and in a number of important
cases has displayed the highesl legal abilities and qualifications. He has
devoted himself unceasingly to the interests of his clients, and (luring the
sixteen years of his pracl ice has built up a large and lucrative business, both
in New York < 'ity and in his native county, lie has never as] tired to public
office, but in L895 was induced by his friends to accept the nomination for
GENEALOGICAL 297
State Senator. Be is a member of (he Reformed Church of Ridgewood, N.
.1., where he resides, and is a loyal and public spirited citizen, thoroughly
interested and identified with the affairs of the community, active in pro-
moting every worthy object, and highly esteemed and respected by all who
know lii 111.
.Mr. Doremus was married on the lith of December. 1885, to Jennie M.
Lake, of .Mousey, N. Y., and their children arc Florence L., born September
23, lssu. died July 25, L887; Mabel, born June 14, 188S; and Nellie Budlong,
born September 26, 1891.
HAMILTON VICTOR MEEKS is one of the most successful business
men of Hudson County, X. J. He is President of the Gardner & Meeks
Company, which controls large lumber interests at Union Hill and Gutten-
berg. lb- is a Director and Vice-President of the Hudson Trust Company
of Hoboken and Wes1 Hoboken, of which he was one of the original in-
corporators. In ism he organized the Woodcliff Land Improvement Com-
pany, and has been its Secretary and Treasurer to the present time. To
his business abilities and energy are chiefly due the remarkable success of
this company in building up the beautiful village of WoodclilT-on-the-Hud-
son. The Grand Boulevard, constructed by Hudson County at a cost of
|3,000,000, runs i hrough I he edge of W Icliff, on the crest of the Palisades,
and from this elevated poinl -i remarkable view of New Fork City is spread
before the eye. Whether it be view< d by day. or whether it be identified by
iis myriad lights by night. — an impressive spectacle,— the great metropolis
is unfolded to the eye like a huge panorama. The site of Woodcliff is
historic ground, and for nearly half a century it has been in the possession
of the Meeks family, — one of the interesting old families of New York City
and New Jersey.
Joseph Meeks was a prominent citizen of New York City prior to the
American Revolution. He was one of the founders of "The Baptist So-
ciety.** as it was then called, and its lirst meetings were held at his home.
His name appears in the poll list of the electors of the City of New York
in lTiil. ' He was a patriot, and his three sons. John, Joseph, and Edward,
all fought in the patriot cause during the Revolution.
Captain John Meeks. the eldest son. married, in New York City, Susanne
Helene Marie de Molinars. of an old French Huguenot family. She was
the daughter of Jean Joseph de Molinars, and a granddaughter of Jean
Joseph Sieur Brumeau de Molinars. who was at one time assistant to the
Rev. Louis Rou of L'Eglise de Saini D'Esprit of New York City. John
Meeks held the commission us Captain during the Revolution in the fa-
mous regiment known as " The Hearts of Oak." He owned a country place
at Morristown, N. J., adjoining Washington's headquarters, and his wife
acted as interpreter for Washington and Lafayette during the time of their
stay there. As a reward for his services during the Revolution Captain
John Meeks received a grant of land near Syracuse, N. Y., which his de-
scendants have never claimed. He had several sons and a daughter.
Joseph Meeks, the second son, was a prominent citizen of New York
City. At the age of twelve he assisted in tearing down the British flag
from the top of a greased pole erected in Battery Park. Subsequently
he was a soldier in the War of 1812. He was one of the founders of the
original Tammany Society, from which Tammany Hall has sprung. He
married Sarah, daughter of Colonel John Van Dyke, an officer of the Revo-
1 See James Grant Wilson's Memorial History of the City of Neiv York, vol. ii., p. 322.
298 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
Iution and a descendant of one of the besl known old Dutch families of
New Fork. They had several sons and | w ( . daughters.
John .Mocks, father of the presenl Mr. Meeks, was the oldest son of the
preceding. He married Elizabeth Bush, granddaughter of Richard Bragaw,
of Revolutionary lame Mr. Mocks became a residenl of Hudson County,
X. J., and in L85] acquired aboul one hundred and fifty acres of land, —the
presenl site of Woodcliff, — purchasing from nineteen differenl titles. It is
upon this land that, through the enterprise of Hamilton V. Mocks, the
presenl beautiful village of Woodcliff has sprung up within loss than a
decade. As already slated tins land has an interesting history. A portion
of it was once the property of Commodore do Kay. one of t he most remark-
able characters in the history of Hudson County. Again, the poinl of land
jutting into the Hudson from the Woodcliff property is no other than the
identical Block-House Point, of Revolutionary fame, where "Mad An-
thony' 1 Wayne made his unsuccessful sortie againsl the British in the
winter of 1779-80. Unfortunately the only fruits of General Wayne's
prowess on this occasion consisted in the capture of a herd of cattle, ami
this performance became the inspiration of the satirical poem, '•The Cow
chase.*' published in New York City by tin' ill-fated Major Andre' just
previous to his capture and execution for acting as a spy in connection
with the treason of Benedict Arnold. In AVintield's History of J}tnls<,n
Cou nti/ the reader will find a full and careful account of the attack upon the
block-house, with Major Andre's poem in full.
Hamilton V. Mocks was born in New York City, December 19, 1850. His
father was a member of the New York firm of J. & J. W. Meeks. cabinet-
makers, which had been established bv their father, in turn, in the early
pari of the present century. This business was originally established on
Broad Street, and barely missed destruction in the great fire in New York
in 1835, being just on the edge of the burned district. Mr. Meeks received
his education in the New York public schools and the College of the City
of New York, being graduated from the latter in L872. On November 1.
L874, he married Euretta Eleanor, daughter of Robert E. < rardner, of an old
family of Hudson County, N. J., and the same fall engaged in business
with his father-in-law under the style of Gardner & Me, -ks. lumber dealers.
of Union Hill and Guttenberg. This business had been originally founded
by the firm of J. & R. Gardner, which became, successively, Robert E. Gard-
ner and Cardner <S: Meeks. Upon the death of Mr. Gardner in L895 the
Gardner & Meeks Company, of which Mr. Meeks has since been President.
was incorporated.
Mr. Meeks resides at New Durham, and is an Elder in the Grove (Dutch)
Reformed Church of that place. He is also a member of the Columbia
Cliih of Hoboken, and is on its entertainment and library ami picture
committees. His college fraternity is the Chi Psi, Kappa Chapter. He is
an independent Republican, broad-minded and liberal in his views and has
never held any public office. He has been a generous promoter of every
movement looking to the public interests, and is one of the gentlemen whose
liberal donation of two thirds of the righl <>\' way al » enabled the con-
struction of the Grand Boulevard, on the cresl of the wesl bank of the
Hudson, overlooking New York City, to hi' carried into execution.
Mr and Mrs. Meeks have three children, two sous and a daughter: How-
ard Victor Meeks. clarence Gardner Meeks, and Euretta Eleanor Meeks.
GENEALOGICAL 299
FLAVEL McGEE was born April 6, 1S44, in Frelinghuysen Township,
Warren County, N. J. He prepared for college at Newton Collegiate In-
stitute, Newton, X. J., and Blair Presbyterial Academy, Blairstown, N. J.,
and was graduated from Princeton College in June, 1865. Three years
later he received the degree of A.M. He studied law in Belvidere, and was
admitted to the bar of New Jersey in June, 1868. He began practice in
Jersey City, forming a partnership with William Muirheid, under the firm
name of .Muirheid & McGee. The degree of counselor-at-law was con-
ferred upon him at the dune term <>t the Supreme Court, L871, the first
term possible under the rules. At the same term that he was admitted
lie argued two cases in the Supreme Court and one in the Court of Errors
and Appeals. Two of these afterward became leading cases. One was
thai of the International Life Insurance and Trust Company r. Haight,
in which it was held for the firsl time in New Jersey that in estimating
the assets of a corporation for taxation United States securities and mort-
gages not liable to taxation niiisi lie deducted. The other was the case
of Ransom ads. Ruckman, wherein the Courl of Errors settled the law on
the doctrine of arbitration. Within the firsl year after his license as a
counselor he was employed in importanl railroad litigation, and since
that time has at all times been extensively employed by corporations,
uotably railroad, banking, and insurance corporations. He was one of
the earliest members of i he .NVw Jersey bar lo engage in the practice of
admiralty.
In the year L876 the late Governor Bedle was added to the firm, which
was known as Bedle, .Muirheid i\: McGee until L888, when Mr. Joseph D.
Bedle, dr.. was added to the firm under the style of Bedle, Muirheid. McGee,
iV Bedle, Jr. This continued until the death of Mr. Muirheid in L892, when
the firm became Bedle, McGee & Bedle. <>n the death of ex-Governor
Bedle in October, 1894, the firm was changed to McGee, Bedle & Bedle, Mr.
Thomas I\ Bedle being added. The latter retired from the firm in L899,
when the firm name was changed to McGee & Bedle. Recently Robert L.
Lawrence has been added, the firm name remaining unchanged.
Upon the death of the late Mr. Justice Bradley, Mr. McGee was put
forward by the bar of New Jersey for the position of Justice of the Su-
preme Court of the railed Slates, and upon the death of the late Chief
dust ice Beasley his name was urged for the position of chief Justice of the
State, lie holds commissions as Master in Chancery, Supreme Court Com-
missioner, and Advisory Master of the Cour-1 of Chancery. He is also a
counselor of the Supreme Courl of the United Stales.
He has ad ways been a Republican, and in important elections has
frequently taken the stump. In the contest for the United States Senator-
ship, in which the late Governor Abbott was defeated by Rufus Blodgett,
Mr. McGee took an active part with his then partner, Governor Bedle,
in opposition to Mr. Abbett's candidacy. In the canvass, which resulted
in the nomination of the Hon. John W. Griggs for Governor of New Jer-
sey. Mr. Met lee was in the beginning one of the few Griggs men in Hudson
County, but he was able to go into the convention with forty-one votes
from Hudson County unalterably pledged to Griggs, which resulted in
the casting of the whole vote of Hudson County for Griggs, thus securing
his nomination.
On the death of the late Charles H. Winfield, Governor Griggs offered
to Mr. McGee the position of Prosecutor of the Pleas of the County of
Hudson, and earnestly urged its acceptance. The latter declined, how-
300 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
ever. He has been offered by his party the nomination for almost every
important office within the gift of the party in Hudson County, all of
which he has declined. He is Vice-President of the Republican County
Committee and a member of the Executive Committee. He is a member
of the Union League Club of Endson County, the Carteret and Palma Clubs
of Jersey City, the Union League Club of New York, the Society of the Cin-
cinnati, and the Sons of the American Revolution of New Jersey. He was
an Elder in the Presbyterian Church of Jersey City up to the time of its
consolidation with the First Presbyterian Church of Bergen, since which
time he has been an Elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Jersey City.
Mr. McGee married Julia F. Randolph, daughter of the late Judge Ben-
nington F. Randolph and Eliza Forman, of Jersey City, and a grand-
daughter of Francis C. P. and Phebe H. (Crane) Randolph, of Belvidere,
and John B. and Hope Forman, of Freehold, N. J.
CHARLES CLARKE BLACK, one of the leading members of the bar of
Jersey City and a member of the State Board of Taxation of New Jersey
since April 1, 1891, was born on Wigwam Farm near Mount Holly, Burling-
ton County, N. J., July 29, 1858. He is the son of John and Mary Anna
Black and grandson of John and Sarah Black, on his father's side, and of
Charles and Rachael Clarke, on his mother's. They were all prominent
citizens of this State. His ancestry is an old and honorable one.
Mr. Black received his preparatory education at Mount Holly Academy.
He was graduated from Princeton University in the class of 1878, after a
regular four years' course, and then entered the law office of Colonel James
N. Stratton, of Mount Holly. Afterward he studied for a time in the office
of Coult & Howell, of Newark, N. J., and then entered the Law Depart-
ment of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He was admitted to
the Michigan bar by the Supreme Court of that State in 1880, and to the
New Jerse,y bar before the Supreme Court as an attorney at the June term,
1881, and as a counselor at the June term, 18S4. Since his admission to the
bar of his native State Mr. Black has successfully followed his profession in
Jersev Citv. For nearly twelve years he has been a member of the well
known law firm of Randolph, Condict & Black. He is a man of broad and
accurate learning, an attorney and counselor of acknowledged ability, and
during his legal career has displayed those high qualifications which stamp
him as a leader.
Mr. Black served for five years as a member of the Hudson County Board
of Registration under the ballot reform law, and on the 21st of March,
1891, was appointed a member of the New Jersey State Board of Taxation
for a term of five years from the 1st of the following April. In 1890 he was
re-appointed to that office for a second term of five years, and is discharging
his duties with the same ability, integrity, and cons* ientious attention to
duty which have made him so prominent at the bar.
Outside of his law practice and official duties Mr. Black has found time
to indulge in literary work, for which he has decided talents. In his Taxa-
tion in New Jersey and Law <tn<l Practia in Accident Cases he has made two
valuable additions to legal literature, and won for himself a reputation as
a writer which extends beyond his native Si ale. He is a member of the
Palma Club, of the Princeton Club of New York, of the University Club of
Hudson County, of the Hudson County Bar Association, of the New Jersey
State Bar Association, of the Knights of Pythias, of the Independent Order
GENEALOGICAL 301
of Odd Fellows, and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In religion
he adheres to the faith of tin 1 Society of Friends.
On the ll'th of February, 1S!I0\ Mr. Black was married to Alice G. Hazen,
at Flushing, L. I. They have no children.
PRANK P. MeDERMOTT. one of the prominent members of the bar of
Jersey City, was born on the historic battleground of Monmouth, N. J.,
October l':'.. ls.ll. For more than a century the family name has been promi-
nently identified with (hat locality. His great-grandfather, William Mc-
Dermott, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and after the de-
cisive battle of Monmouth settled in Monmouth County, where his de-
scendants have ever since resided.
Mr. McDermott received an excellent preparatory education, attending
first the common schools and subsequently Freehold institute. He was
obliged, however, to abandon the cherished hope of ;i college course, and,
turning his attention to the law, entered the office of Acton C. Hartshorne
and Chilion Bobbins, both skillful, studious, and eminent advocates. Mr.
McDermott pursued his legal studies under their instruction, and in Novem-
ber, 1875, shortly after attaining his majority, was admitted to the bar.
He began the active practice of his profession at Freehold, Monmouth
County, X. J., and there his abilities ;is an advocate, his broad and accurate
knowledge of the law. and his devotion to the interests of his clients soon
won for him a leading place among the prominent lawyers of that section.
The law and equity reports of the State contained many important cases
argued by him. and not a few of them determined difficult legal principles.
His practice at the Freehold bar soon outgrew the limits of his native
county, and. desiring a more central point and a wider held for the exercise
of his energies, he removed his office, in the fall of 1894, to Jersey City.
There, as in his native county, he has built up a most excellent reputation.
He is a member of the Lawyers' Club of New York, a public spirited and
enterprising citizen, and a man of unswerving integrity and great strength
of character.
In March. L880, Mr. McDermott married Elizabeth Thompson, daughter of
Dr. Joseph C. Thompson, of Monmouth County. They have three sons and
one daughter.
>->■
JOHN H. Du BOIS.— The Du Boisos are of French origin, and are de-
scended from Louis Du Bois, who was born at Wicres, near the City of
Lisle, now in the Province of Artois. France, October 27, 1626, and married
October ,10, 1655, Catharine Blancon. The couple fled from Lisle to Mann-
heim in the Lower Palatinate to escape persecution shortly after their
marriage. In 1660 they emigrated to America, and located, or attempted
to locate, at Hurley, Ulster County, N. Y. In 1667 Louis Du Bois led a
colony for the settlement of New Paltz, from which place he removed to
Kingston in 1687. His w r ife, at one time, w r as captured by the Indians,
but was afterward rescued by her husband. She died in 1706. Their chil-
dren were Abram, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, David. Solomon, Louis. Matthew,
Rebecca, and Rachel.
John H. Du Bois is lineally descended from the emigrant, Louis Du Bois,
in about the seventh generation. He was born in Kingston, N. Y., April
22. 1841. His father, John S. L. Du Bois, was a native of Hurley, N. Y., and
his mother, Margaret Van Gaasbeck, was born in Kingston, N. Y. These
as w r ell as their worthy ancestors exemplified the sterling characteristics
302
HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
of their race. Mr. l>u Bois is now one of the foremosl citizens of Wee-
hawken.
John II. Dm Bois obtained his education in the Kingston public schools.
After completing hi* studies he found ernploymenl as a bargeman for the
Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, with whom he remained until he
attained his majority. Subsequently he was for four years the master of
n coal barge, and al the end of thai period came to Weehawken as an
overseer <>l' men for the same corporation. Ai the present time he has
john h. Dubois.
charge of all outside work, including all shipments of coal, tor the Dela-
ware and Hudson Canal Company.
Through his faithfulness, integrity, and untiring devotion to duty Mr.
Dii Bois has won the confidence of qo1 only his associates, bul of all the
company's officials and <>1' the community in which he is an honored citizen.
He is universally esteemed for those qualities of manhood which distin-
guish his race, and which deserve the trusl and resped of every honest
man. Being a Republican in politics, he has taken an active interest in
local public affairs, and was elected by his townsmen a member of the
Board of Town Council and subsequently Chairman of the board for a term
of three years, lie is also a prominent member of the Lincoln Club, a
GENEALOGICAL 303
leading Republican organization of Weehawken, and a member <>l' the First
.Met lunlisi Episcopal Church of Koboken. Progressive, patriotic, and enter-
prising, ami imbued with the highest principles of manly courage and de-
motion, ho has always supported every movement designed to advance the
community and its people.
Mr. Du Bois was married, on the 28th of December, L864, to Miss Alice
R. How land. They have two sons: George II. and Charles II.. and reside in
Weehawken. X. .1.
WILLIAM LEWIS STEWART, formerly Tost master of Arlington, Hud
sod County, and a veteran of the Civil War. is descended from a long line of
Scotch Irish ancestors. His father, Edward Stewart, son of John Stewart.
died in Arlington, November 15, L894, aged eighty-four years. His mother,
Maria (Hoyt) Stewart. died May 1. L895, at the age of eighty-three. Both
were Presbyterians, the father being an Elder in thai church and otherwise
connected with the churches .n Muscatine, la.. Brooklyn, X. Y., and Ar-
lington, X'. J. They had I wo sons: William L.. the subject of this article,
and John E. Stewart, of Plainfield, X. J., senior member of the firm of
Stewart, Warren X Co., stationers, '_"•> Howard Street. New York City.
Mr. Stewart comes from Revolutionary stock. He was horn in Middle-
town, X. Y.. A | nil is. L843. and received his education in the district schools
of Iowa, whither the family removed while he was young. After leaving
school he engaged in farming in [owa, and subsequently became a practical
sugar planter in Louisiana, where he remained seven years. He removed
to Brooklyn, X. Y.. in L875, ami thence in 1876 to Arlington, X. J., where he
has since resided. He was successfully engaged in the stationery business
in New York City from IsTT to 1804. Hi- served as Postmaster at Arling-
ton from 1894 to December 31, 1899.
Mr. Stewart served with distinction in the War of the Rebellion, lie was
mustered into Company E, Eighteenth [owa Infantry. Augusl 6, L862, and
served on the frontier division of the Southwest under Curtis, Schofield,
and Steele, his regimenl being a pari of the Seventh Army Corps. He par-
ticipated in a number of importanl engagements, notably those at Spring-
field, Mo., second I'ea Ridge, Poison Springs, ami Camden, Ark., and was
honorably discharged from the service in August, 1865.
Returning from the war, Mr. Stewari entered upon an active business
life. He is ;i member of the Union Veteran Legion and of* the Veteran Asso-
ciation. He is a member of the Union Veteran Legion and of the Veteran
Association of Arlington, ami respected as a man of ability, enterprise,
and public spirit.
Mr. Stewari married, in 1884, I.ydia II. Miller, daughter of James Burt, of
Warwick, X. Y. They have no children.
JOnX HENRY MACDONALD has been a life-long resident of Bayonne,
X". J., where he was born on the loth of February, 1844. He is the son of
John Macdonald and Hanna Everson, and a great-grandson on his mother's
side of ;i soldier in the Revolutionary War. His parents were both born and
married in Hudson Comity. N. J., where the Macdonalds and Eversons
have resided for many years.
Mr. Macdonald attended the Bayonne pnblie schools, acquired an ex-
cellent rudimentary education, and then engaged in the oyster business in
his native town. Afterward he became lighthouse keeper at Bergen Point,
X. J., under President Lincoln. He enlisted in 1861 and served nine months
304
iiudsox and bi:r<;ex cor.NTircs
in Company C, Twenty-first New Jersey Volunteers, participating in tlie
battles of Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, and other engagements, and
being honorably discharged from the service in 1862.
Mr. Macdonald is now the proprietor of the Riverside House in Bayonne,
and is one of the most popular citizens of Southern Hudson County. He
is patriotic, public spirited, and progressive, active in the interests of the
community, influential in promoting local prosperity, and respected and
esteemed by nil who know him. In politics he is a Republican, and in
religion a Methodist. He is a member of Van Houten Post. Grand Army
JOHN H. MACDONALD.
of the Republic, of Jersey <'ity. and prominently identified with other im-
portant organizations and enterprises in his native county.
Be was married on the 24th of December, 1865, to Ann L. Barnes, daugh-
ter of Stephen I), and Judith Barnes, of Porl Richmond, Staten Island.
N. Y. They have three children: John S., Emma J., and Charles W.
JAMES PRENTICE NORTHROP, a membei of the well known law firm
of Wallis, Edwards & Bumsted, of Jersey City, X. J., springs from some of
the oldest families of Now England, his paternal ancestors coming over in
1630 and his mother's in 1640. Both lines were among the earliest settlers
i i RNEALOGICAL 305
of Massachusetts and Connecticut, and were represented in the Colonial
and Revolutionary wars, as well as in the professional and business affairs
and in the civil life of the colonies and States. Mr. Northrop is the only
child of James K. Northrop and Catherine S. Prentice, daughter of Nathan
and Alice (Spencer) Prentice. His father was the only son who attained
maturity of Rev. Bennetl F. Northrop, a graduate of Yale College and of the
Albany Theological Seminary, and a well known Congregational clergy-
man of Connecticut, and who was the only son of Joshua Northrop, of
Litchfield, Conn.
•lames P. Northrop was born in Springfield, Mass.. on the ~>th of August.
L856, and received Ins education in the common schools of Connecticut and
New Jersey. He read law in Jersey City in the offices of Hon. William A.
Lewis. Raymond P. Wortendyke, and Wallis & Edwards, successively, and
was admitted to the bar of New Jersey as an attorney ai the November
term of the Supreme Coui'1 in L880 and as a counselor ai the February term
in L892.
Since L880 Mr. Northrop has been actively and successfully engaged in
the genera] practice of his profession, and is now a member of the law firm
of Wallis. Edwards \ Bumsted, of Jersey City. He resided for a lime in
P.ayonne. Hudson County, where lie served for two years as City Attorney.
lie is now a residenl of North Plain field. X. .1. Mr. Northrop is an able law-
yer, a man of broad attainments, ami respected ami esteemed by all who
know him. He is n member of lam rprise Lodge, No. 1 17. F. ami A. M., of
Jersey City, a member of the Hudson County Bar Association, and a mem-
ber of the Park club of North Plainfield.
September 27, L883 Mr. Northrop married Harriel R. Wilson, daughter
of Milton li. and Harriel (Metcalf) Wilson, of Danielson, Conn. Both the
Metcalfs and Wilsons are among i he oldest families of thai Slate. Mr.
and Mis. Northrop have one daughter, Norma.
FRANCIS DOUGLAS JACKSON, of Hoboken, one of the leading prod-
uce commission merchants in Hudson County ami a .Major in the Spanish-
American War, w.is born in Brooklyn, X. Y.. on the I'.Mh of August. 1841.
Me is the son ..f Charles Jackson and Eliza M. Castle and a grandson of
Amasa ami Mary (Phelps) Jackson and of William and Sarah (Marvin)
Castle. His great-grandfather, Colonel Michael Jackson, was Colonel of
the Eighth Massachusetts Enfantry in the American Revolution and was
brevet ted Brigadier General for meritorious service. 1 lis ^reat-great-grand-
father, Jonathan Jackson, was the firsl Collector of the Tort of Boston,
Mass.. while his t'nst ancestor, Edward Jackson, came to New England
about L630 and settled near Boston. The family lias always been prominent
and influential in all the affairs of life active in promoting every worthy
object, and distinguished in public and other capacities. The name has
figured prominently in the history of New England for gem-rations.
Major Jackson was educated in the schools of Brooklyn, N. Y., where he
resided until 1870, when he moved to Hoboken, Hudson County, N. J.
During the past thirty years lie has been actively and successfully engaged
in the commission business, dealing extensively in farm and dairy products,
with Ins office in Hoboken. He owns five creameries in different localities
and is one of the largest shippers in Hudson County.
In military affairs Major Jackson has achieved special distinction. He
served in the Civil War in 1862 and 1863, in Company H, Seventh New York
Infantry. Afterward lie was active in the New Jersey militia, becoming
306 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
First Lieutenant and Adjutant in the Ninth Regiment December 20, 1881,
Captain of Company E, Second Regiment, April (>. 1886, Captain of Com-
pany L. Fourth Regiment, May 31, 1892, and .Major of the Second Regimenl
May -'2. 1893. He was Major of the Second New -Jersey Infantry in the
Spanish-American War. being attached to General Fitzhugh Lee's corps,
and was honorably mustered out of service November 17. L898. Major
Jacksou is a member and Trustee of the Columbia (Mult of Hoboken, a mem-
ber of the Seagirl (X. J.) Rifle club, a member of the Spanish-American
War Veterans' Association, and a member of the Naval and Military Order
of the Spanish-American War. He is one of the best known men in Hud-
son County, universally respected and esteemed, and active in promoting
local objects. In business he has been eminently successful; in military
affairs he has achieved special distinction, having risen from private to com
manding officer. He is and has been for several vears a Vestryman in St.
Paul's Church, Hoboken.
Major Jackson married Lizzie H. (Jaunt, by whom he has had six chil-
dren: Gertrude, E. Douglas, Charles Phelps, Edward. Nathalie, and Oliver.
MARTIN LAWLESS, Police Justice of Harrison, Hudson County, since
1894, and for many years a leader of the Democratic party, was born in
Newark. N. J., April 0. 1850, the son of James Lawless and Ellen Sims.
His parents were both natives of Ireland, but were married in this come
try. his father coming over about 1845. James Lawless was associated
with Obert, Meeker & Co., of Newark, for about thirty years, and later
was made attendant on the Harrison Avenue free bridge. He died in L879.
Judge Lawless attended the public schools of Newark, and then learned
the trade of mason and bricklayer, which he followed for several years.
About 1887 he engaged in business for himself, and as a contractor and
builder erected a large number of important buildings, including the first
carbonizing furnaces for Thomas A. Edison in Harrison, the Sacred Heart
Convent, the Goodman building, the Hartshorn factory, and many others
in Harrison and vicinity. His work stands as monuments to his industry
and enterprise. His success was merited, because it was the result of his
own efforts.
He also found time for political activity, and as a Democrat served on
the Board of Aldermen of Harrison for four years and in the New Jersey
House of the Assembly during the sessions of 18f>2 and 1S93. In both of
these capacities he exerted a potent influence and made honorable records.
In 1894 he became Police Justice of Harrison, where he resides, and he
has continued in that office, discharging its duties with ability, courage,
and satisfaction. Judge Lawless is a man of sound judgment, of great
force of character, and of fearless energy and directness. In the councils
of the Democratic party he is a trusted and valued leader. He is a promi-
nent member of the Robert Davis Association, of the Knights of Colum-
bus. and of the Master Masons' Association, and in religion is a Catholic.
He has never married.
JAMES SHI "ART. of Ramsey*. Bergen County, is the grandson of
Adolphus Shuart. who fought in the War for Independence. His maternal
grandfather, John Sutherland, was in the War of 1S12. and received a pen-
sion of $12 per month up to the time of his death. The Shuarts are of Ger-
man ancestry, but have made their home in Bergen County since coming
to America.
CKNF.AI.OCICAL
307
Mr. siniaii is the son <>f Benry A. Shuarl and a grandson of A.dolphus
Shnart, and was born in Hohokus Township, Bergen County, August L9,
1844. After receiving a limited education in the common schools lie began
business in tin- dry goods and grocery trade in Orange County, X. Y. This
proved successful, and in L870 he came to Ramseys, where In- opened a meal
market. This also became a profitable business, and in L896 he retired. Mr.
Shuarl is a Free Mason and a prominenl ^h\<\ Fellow, lie served three
JAMES SHUART.
years as a member and Presidenl of the Board of Education, and was re-
cently elected to serve three more years in the same capacity. He has also
s"ivt d as Assessor and Road Commissioner of Hohokns Township for three
years. In politics he is a Democrat. Tie and his family attend the Lutheran
Church.
Mr. Shuart was married at the age of seventeen to Susan Jane Hunter,
daughter of David Hunter, of Orange County. X. Y. They had one son,
308 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
Franklin Shuart, of Bamseys. Mr. Shuart's lirst w i f r* died in 1868, and he
married, in 1872, Miss Eleanor N. Litchult, of Brooklyn, N. Y. They have
had four children: Elizabeth, who married Alberi G. May, of Bamseys;
Eva E.. who married S. <>. Conklin, of Newburgh, X. Y., and died ;it the
age of twenty and one-half years; Harry, formerly a studenl a1 Peddie In-
stitute and now a studenl al Yale College; and Edna. a1 home.
HENBY HOPE VANDEBBILT, of Hoboken, descends from the noted
Vanderbilt family of Staten Island, X. Y. The first ancestor of this family
in America was dan Aersten Van der Bildt, who came from Holland
about 1650. He was married three times. His sou. Jacob Janse Van der
Bildt, was married, August 13, 1687, to Maritje (Mary) Van der Yliet (" of
the stream "), and their son Jacob, born in 1002. married Neeltje (Cornelia)
Denyse. In 1718 the last named Jacob purchased a farm on Staten Island
and removed thither from Flatbush, Long Island. From him descended the
famous "Commodore" Vanderbilt, the distinguished Vanderbilt family of
Xew York, and numerous branches of the family in different sections of
the country.
Henry H. Vanderbilt was born in Williamsburg, X. Y.. April 8, 1S02.
but has spent nearly all his life in Hoboken, X. J., whither he came with his
parents when a small boy. His father. Jacob Vanderbilt. and his mother.
Angelina C. Hope, inherited the sterling characteristics of their ancestors,
and instilled these traits into the minds of their children. He attended
the Hoboken public schools, improved every opportunity that came in his
way. and early displayed high mental and physical qualifications. His
training was practical as well as theoretical. Soon after completing his
studies he established himself in business, dealing in coal, masons' mate-
rials, and drain pipe, and has built up an extensive trade. His office and
yards are on Willow Avenue and Seventeenth Street. Hoboken.
Ha vine,- devoted his energies strictly to business. Mr. Vanderbilt has
never sought nor held public office, but as a public spirited citizen, deeply
interested in the affairs of his town and county, he has contributed to the
general welfare by casting his influence on the side of right and justice.
and is respected for those 1 virtues and attributes which mark the successful
man. He is a member of the Columbia Club of Hoboken. He married Miss
Lavinia E. Taft, and resides on Garden Street. Hoboken.
JOHN SIDNEY DABLING, one of the most prominent residents of
West Xew York, formerly the Township of Union, Hudson County, was
born in New York- City, July 29. 1853, the son of James Darling ami .Mary
Adams. He is of Scotch descent, his father having been born in Glasgow,
while his mother was born in Edinburgh. His parents were married in
New York', having come to this country in L85A and 1S44. respectively.
For eighteen years his father was engaged in business in that city as a
plumber and gas fitter. Subsequently he was a collector for the Man-
hattan Gas Company of Nev York. He moved to West Xew York (Taurus
postofficek X. J., in 1860, and died there September 22. 1867, from the
effects of a shot fired by burglars. His mother was born in the City of Edin-
burgh. December 25, 1S20. and died in West Xew York. X. J.. July's. 1000.
John S. Darling was educated in the public schools of Xew York' City
and in Xew Jersey in what is now West Xew York. He served an ap-
prenticeship as a bricklayer, and then engaged in the business of bleach-
ing and refinishing lace curtains in West Xew York. Disposing of this
GENEALOGICAL
309
business in 1889, he became Secretary and Treasurer of a corporation
which operated the so-called sanitary laundry trays, subsequently, also,
becoming manager of the plant. Having disposed of his interest in this
enterprise, he nexl engaged in manufacturing music-boxes, under the name
of the American .Music Box Company, of Wes1 New York and later of Ho-
boken. since L893, however, his business lias been that of a real estate and
insurance operator, and in this line he has been remarkably successful,
having cilices on Bergenline Avenue in West New York, opposite the
town hall.
JOHN S. DARLING.
Mr. Darling was a member of the Iloboken regiment of the National
Guard, Ninth New Jersey Volunteers, and was honorably mustered out as
Sergeant at the expiration of his term of enlistment of seven years. He
is a charter member of the Empire Hook and Ladder Company and was its
Foreman for two years, and belongs to Mystic Tie Lodge, No. 123, F. and
A. M., to Cyrus Chapter, No. 23, R. A. M., to Pilgrim Commaudery, No. 16,
K. T.. of Iloboken. to Mecca Temple, A. A. O. Nobles of the Mystic Shrine,
of New York, to the Order of the Elks Lodge, No. 74, of Hoboken, to the
Foresters of America, of West New York, to Oak Cliff Council, No. 1,748,
Royal Arcanum, and to Palisade Lodge, No. 128, Knights of Pythias. He
310 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
has held various official positions in these orders. He is also ;i member
of i he I Mitch Reformed ' 'lunch.
Mr. Darling has been conspicuous in various public capacities. He is a
Democrat, and an active leader of the party. He was Township Clerk of
the Township of Union mow Wesl Ww STork), being in fad iis firsl Clerk,
and served three years. For four years In- was 'lax ( Jollector and Treasurer
of the same township, being successively elected without opposition. For
two years In- was Chief ol Police of the Township of Union. Hi- was also
both Tax Collector and Disbursing Officer of the school funds of tin- Town-
ship of Union, and is now the Tax Collector of Wes1 New York, being
elected oil the Organization of llie town ill L897 UIld re-elected in ]s.'.l!l )',,,
a term of three years. Hi- is also a Commissioner of Deeds and a Notary
Public.
He married, September 17. L893, Abigail B., daughter of James and
Sarah Crossley, of Fairview, X. •).. by whom In- has one child. Sidney Louis
Darling, born August !». 1894.
STEWART LOWRY, ;i well known hotel proprietor of Secaucus, Hud
son County, has been a life-long residenl of thai place, having been horn
there on the 3ls1 of .March. L854. lie is the son of Roberl Lowry and Mar-
garet Folev, both natives of Ireland, who came to this country in earlv
life and took up t heir home in Secaucus.
Having received a good practical education in the Secaucus public schools,
.Mi-. Lowry engaged in the business of a hotel keeper and farmer, which
he has since followed with uninterrupted success. He 1ms also served his
fellow-townsmen in various important capacities, among them that of Con-
stable. He is a member of the Royal Society of Good Fellows and the For-
esters of America, and as a citizen is highly respected for his integrity,
enterprise, and sound common sense.
.Mr. Lowry married .Miss Annie Price and has six children: Margaret,
Nellie, Stewart, Jr., Humphrey, Isabella, and Mary.
JSA.\<' i>. BOGERT, .Mayor of Westwood and a leading merchant of that
borough, is descended in the eighth generation from Cornells Jansen Bo-
gaerdt, the Hutch emigrant, concerning whom see the sketch of Daniel <;.
IIo<;eri on pace L32. The line of descent is as follows: Cornells Jansen
Bougaerl (1), the emigrant, and his wife. Geesie Williams, had issue of the
second generation Wyntie, John C, Classie, Roelof, Maritie, and Peter.
•John <". Bogerl ii'i married Angenetie Strycker. of Long Island, and set
tied at Hackensack, N. J., where !n- had issue of the third generation
Roelof, Lammetie, Claes, John, Cornelius, and Allien.
Alberl Bogerl (3), of Hackensack, born about L690. married. February 17.
1713, Martha Bertholf, and had issue of the fourth generation John, Guil-
liaem, Isaac. Jacobus, Angenitie, Henry. Cornelius, Cornelius, and Angen
itie.
Isaac Bogerl (4), born in L718, married, June 4. 1742, Lea. daughter of
John Demarest, and settled near Westwood, X. •!.. on a farm purchased in
17<;~. His issue of the tilth generation were Albert, Jacobus (who died in
the Revolutionary cause), John, and .Martina.
Alberl Bogerl (5) inherited his father's homestead, married, ami had issue
of the sixth generation, one of wbom was I sane A. Bogert, horn about L766,
who married, Mn 31, L788, Margarel Durie. They resided on the old home-
stead and had issue of the seventh gem ration two children: David and Lea.
David Bogerl (7), born July 2, 1800, married Hannah Ackerman, and re-
CKXEALOOICAL
311
sided a1 Westwood, where he had issue of the eighth generation, one of
whom was Isaac I>. Bogert, the subject of this sketch.
Isaac l>. Bogerl (8) was born on the old Bogert homestead ai Westwood in
1834. Having spent his early life in school, he continued on the farm until
1869, when he began a mercantile career, which he has since followed, hav-
ing been the head of the firm of Bogerl & Van Emburgh from the time
the business started. Besides the grocery business he was Postmaster for
twenty years. The firm also maintained a large trade in lumber and coal.
Mr." Bogert has been selected by his fellow-townsmen at various times to
represent their interests in official capacities. He was Freeholder for six
years, during a pari of which time he was Director of the county board.
He also filled the office of Collector for Washington Township, and in L899
was elected the tirst Mayor of Westwood. Id conjunction with Richard
Hopper, Abram B. Bogert, and others he organized the Reformed Church
at Westwood in L887, and has filled the office of Elder since that time. Mr.
Bogerl is a member of the Grand Army, but aside from this his relations
in life are domestic, lie is public spirited, and through his kindly aid the
village has received greal help. In 1894 he generously donated for public
use two acres of valuable ground in the center of the borough for a park,
in which are I went y-seven sugar trees of his own planting.
In L852 .Mr. Bogert married Anna Van Wagoner, daughter of John Van
Wagoner, of < >radell, X. -I. They have no children.
ADDISON 1>. WHITE, a veteran of the Civil War and now a Justice of
the Peace in Harrison. Hudson County, was born on Slaten Island, New
York, April !), lSKi. He is the son of Richard White and Ann Sinionson,
;iud a descendant of ancestors who came to this country several generations
ago, both his parents being natives of Staten Island.
Mr. While acquired, as a boy, a good public school education, and had
scarcely finished his studies when. Impelled by the patriotism which dis-
tinguishes his race, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-second New
Ynrk Volunteer Infantry for service in the War for the Union. He served
three years, participating in Sherman's historic march to the sea and in
numerous battles and skirmishes, in all of which he bore a conspicuous part.
Returning home at the close of his service, with an honorable discharge
and a brilliant record for bravery in action, Mr. White devoted himself to
active business pursuits. In 1870 he removed to Harrison. X. J., where he
has since resided, and until 1875 was successfully engaged in real estate
operations. He is now connected with the Domestic Sewing Machine
Works. In politics Mr. White is an ardent and influential Democrat, and
for several years has been active in the interests id' his party. He is now
(1900) serving his second term as Justice of the Peace. He is a member
of the Junior Order United American Mechanics and of the Daughters of
Liberty. He married Miss Margaret Martin and has three children.
ORD DARLIX'G, a prominent citizen of West New York (Taurus post-
office), Hudson County, and a brother of John S. Darling, whose sketch
appears on page .''»<>S. was born on Forty-second Street in New York
City, on the Kith of April. 1857, and moved with his parents to West
Xew York when about seven years old. He was educated in the public
schools of the latter place, and when sixteen entered his father's bleachery,
where he remained until he reached the age of twenty, learning and master-
ing every branch of the business.
312
HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
In 1873 Mr. Darling entered the employ of the National Wood Man-
ufacturing Company, of New York. He continued with thai concern as
outside man, laying parquel floors, until L878, when lie became super-
intendent of lighters for the Wes1 Shore Railroad. Aboul L885 he re-
signed thai position, but after ;i year spent in a bleachery returned as
ferry master a1 the old ferry, where he continued from L886 to L890. He
was subsequently foreman of the Union Granite Company until 1893, and
since that time has been Stale agenl for New Jersey of the Climax Powder
Company, of Emporium, Pa., having liis office in West New York (Taurus
postoffice).
ORD DARLING.
In public life Mr. Darling has been prominenl for a number of years.
He was a member of the Board of Council of the Township of Union for
one vear. Chairman of (lie board for two vears, Police Sergeanl of the
Town of Union for two yeras, and Township Treasurer one year. At the
present time he is serving his second term as a member of the Hudson
County Board of chosen Freeholders from West New York. In politics
he is an active and influential Democrat, lie has been a member of the
Democratic Countj Committee from his district since about 1895.
Mr. Darling was a charter member of Courl West New York, No. 29,
GENEALOGICAL 313
Foresters of America, has been Chief Ranger for three successive terms, and
has served as District Deputy for Courl Fori Lee and Court Palisade, lie
was one of ill" organizers and is still a prominent member of the Fire De-
partment »>t' West New York, and was most active and useful in the
organization of that township. He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum
and of the Elks.
In these and various other capacities .Mr. Darling has displayed great
executive ability and native energy, and throughout his life he has re-
tained the confidence and respect of all who know him. He has always
been a progressive citizen, ready to promote every worthy enterprise, and
active in the affairs of the community. It was while serving as Sergeant
of Police, at the Guttenberg race track, that he saved the life of Michael
Buckley, a constable, while the latter was attempting to arrest a noted
desperado and criminal.
Mr. Darling was married, in March. L880, to Alice, daughter of John and
Alice White, of West New York. They have nine children: Ord, Jr.,
Jennie, John, Harry, Alice, Gertrude, Erastus, Mary, and dames.
.IOIIX JAMES TOFFEY, of Jersey City, for two terms Sheriff of Hud-
son County and State Treasurer of New Jersey from L875 to L891, was
born in Pawling, Dutchess County, X. Y.. on the 1st of dune. L844. lie is
the son of George A. Toffey and Mary D. Cooke and the grandson of Daniel
and r,etsc\ Toffey.
In ls."«l he removed with his parents to Hudson County and since then
he has 1 n a resident of Jersey City. He received his education in the
public schools and in the I 1 1 i \ ei sit y of the City of New York. He look an
active pan in the War of the Rebellion, enlisting, August 21, L862, at the
age of eighteen, in the Twenty-firsl Regiment, Xew Jersey Volunteers.
After serving with that regimenl for nine months, and taking part in all
its engagements, he was mustered out of service, but immediately re-en-
listed in the Thirty-third Regiment, Xew Jersey Volunteers, and was cone
missioned First Lieutenant of Company G. < >n November 23, 1st;::, during
an engagement at the battle of Missionary Ridge, Tenn., he was severely
wounded, which disabled him from further service in the held. President
Lincoln afterward commissioned him a Lieutenant of the Veteran lie-
serve Corps, and he performed duty until dune, L866, when he was honor-
ably discharged from service. He received from Congress a medal of
honor for " gallantry at the battle of Missionary Ridge."
Returning to civil life, Mr. Toffey engaged in active business as a live
stock dealer, and so continued from 1.866 to 1874, being connected with
the well known firm of Daniel Toffey & Co., one of the first in this country
to engage in shipping dressed beef to Europe.
Mr. Toffey has always been an active Republican, prominent in public
affairs, and one of the mosl distinguished men in his section. He was a
member of the Board of Aldermen of Jersey City in 1874 and 1875, and in
the fall of 1875 he accepted the nomination of his party for the Fifth Dis-
trict for Member of Assembly and was elected by a large majority. He
was again elected in 1876. He served as Sheriff one term, and in 1885
was elected State Treasurer of New Jersey by joint session of the Legis-
lature, and served in that capacity six years. In 1891, both Houses of the
Legislature being Democratic, he was succeeded by Hon. George R. Gray,
but his services were acknowledged and recognized by the following reso-
314 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
hit ion. passed March !>. L891, the Legislature being Democratic in both
branches:
"Whereas, The retiring State Treasurer, Bon. John •). Toffey, has dis-
charged the duties of his office in a manner honorable i<> himself and
greatly to the hcncfll and advantage of the State;
"Resolved (the House of Assembly concurring). Thai we hereby express
our recognition and appreciation of the services ol' our retiring Treasurer,
and congratulate him upon the excellent record he has made for himself
and the State."
In 18!»."> Mr. ToiVcv was again elected Sheriff of Hudson County by over
6,000 majority, and served another three years. In L867 he organized Com-
pany D, Fourth Regiment, Now Jersey Hide Corps, which became a pari of
the National Ouard, and of which he was Captain. He was elected Major
of the new regiment, and later was elected Lieutenant Colonel, which | >« ►
sit ion he held until 1876, when he resigned.
Colonel Toffey is one of the mosl popular men of Hudson County. He
is a member of G. Van Houten Post, No. :'>. G. A. R., and of Pennsylvania
Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion. He is Pasl Master
of Bergen Lodge, No. 17, F. and A. M., and a member of .Mourn Vernon
Chapter, E. A. M., of Hugh de Payen Commandery, K. T., and of Now
Jersev Consistorv, Scottish Rite. He is a member of the Union League,
Palma, Carteret, and Jersey City Clubs, and of the Medal of Honor Legion,
and is also an Elder in the Bergen Reformed < Jhurch.
Colonel Toffey was married. May 17, 1870, to Mary Elizabeth Sip, grand-
daughter of Colonel Garret Sip and great-granddaughter of Peter Sip. one
of Hudson County's first Judges. They have had four sons, three of whom
survive: George A. Toffey, John J. Toffey, Jr., and William V. Toffey.
He resides at 155 Magnolia Avenue. Jersey City. His son. John .1. Toffey,
Jr. (1900), is Firsl Lieutenant in the Fourth I nited States Infantry ai
Manila, Philippine Islands, having been in many of the engagements in
that place. His brother. Daniel Toffey, was an officer on board the [Jnited
States steamer " Monitor " during the historical engagement with the Con-
federate steamer " Merrimac " in the < s ivil War.
JOHN E. OTIS, the first Chairman of the new Town of Wes1 New York
and one of its leading business men. is the son of Patrick Henry Otis and
Margarel Gillorly, natives of Ireland, who came to this country in the
spring of L853 and settled in New York City. There Mr. Otis was born on
the 20th of September, 1S5.",. soon after their arrival. The family removed
shortly afterward to Philadelphia, where Patrick II. (Mis engaged in busi
ness as a distiller, rectifier, and wholesale dealer in liquors, which he con-
ducted with success for several years. He died in Jersey City Heights
about 1875.
Mr. Otis was reared in Philadelphia. He attended St. Michael's Faro
chial School until he was ten years old, when he entered St. Michael's Acad
emy, where he remained until he reached the age of twelve. Afterward he
attended De la Salle College a1 Philadelphia until he was fifteen, when he
moved to Brooklyn, E. I >.. N. Y.. ami continued his studies a short time. He
was then employed by his father as bookkeeper and assisted in managing
his business. Subsequently he was associated with his father in Jersey
City Heights. \. J., until 1ST.", when his father died. In 1876 the family
moved back to Philadelphia, when Mr. Otis was employed by Gould & Co.,
GENEALOGICAL
315
wholesale milk dealers, of Washington, to manage their dairy during the
Centennial Exposition. In L877 the family moved to Baltimore, Md., where
Mr. Otis engaged in mining, which business he followed successful]} 7 in New
Jersey, New York. Maryland, and Georgia. For lour years he was in the
service of the West Shore Railroad. In L888 lie established himself in the
hardware trade al West New Fork, where lie has since resided.
Few men have contributed more to the growth and welfare of a com-
munity than .Mr. Otis has to the section in which he lives. He has not
only given it an important impetus in business affairs, hut has also been
JOHN E. OTIS.
active and influential in its very foundation as a town as well as in its
organization and advancement. As Clerk for one year, as a member of the
Board of Council, and as Acting Chief of Police of the Township of Union
he took a prominent part in all local affairs, and it was through him that
the Town of Wesf New York was set off and legally incorporated July 5,
L898. He was the principal founder and organizer of the new r town, and
in the spring of 1899 became its first Chairman, which office he now fills.
He is also Acting Chief of Police under the new charter, Treasurer of the
Firemen's Relief Association, and Foreman of the Empire Hook and
Ladder Company, having organized the first fire department in West New
316 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
York. In these various capacities he has displayed patriotism and enter-
prise, and is universally respected and esteemed as a public spirited, en-
ergetic, and progressive citizen. His popularity is attested by the con-
fidence in which hie is held and by the honorable standing which he has
attained in the town and county. He was a Commissioner of Appeals in
the Township of Union for about three years and Financial Secretary of
the West New York Lodge of Foresters of America for about five years,
and in various other connections has been a useful and valued citizen
and a trusted business man.
.Mr. Otis was married in L883 to Emma Hoppelsberg, daughter of Fred-
erick August Eoppelsberg, of G-uttenberg, N. J. They have live children
living: Henry (jeorge, Charles Carhart, John Edward, Walter William,
and Cecelia.
CLEMENT De R. LEONARD, of Hoboken, attorney and counselor at
law. is the son of Francis De P. Leonard, a grandson of John Leonard, and
a great-grandson of Joseph Leonard, who was Bigh Sheriff of the Colony
of New .Jersey in 1771, and who died in 1779. His paternal ancestors were
French Huguenots, and. coming to this country about the lime of the
Huguenot War, figured prominently in the civil and military affairs of
New Jersey. Mr. Leonard's father is an old and well known citizen of Red
Bank. His grandfather. John Leonard, was a warm personal friend of
Thomas Jefferson, and was by him appointed United Slates Minister to the
Court of Spain, a position he held for thirty years, achieving distinction as
an able and talented diplomat and gaining the confidence and respect of his
countrymen as well as the esteem and friendship of the Spaniards. His
mother, the "wife of Francis De P. Leonard, was a member of the distin-
guished Lippincott family of Monmouth County, X. J., whither her ances-
tors came from Holland in the early settlement of the territory. Like the
Leonards, the Lippincotts have been conspicuous and prominent in nearly
every capacity in the State, and have contributed much to iis professional,
civil, and military welfare.
Mi. Leonard was born in Red Bank, Monmouth Countv, X. J.. Februarv
is. 1846, and inherited the sturdy Holland Hutch and Huguenoi character-
istics of his race. He received his early education at St. Charles College
near Ellicoti city. Md. Subsequently he took a full classical course at Seton
Hall College in Orange, X. J., and was graduated therefrom with honor in
the class of 1869. During the next three years he read law in the office of
diaries H. Trafford, of Red Hank, and then became assistant to Hon.
Roberl Allen. Jr., Prosecutor of the Fleas for Monmouth County, in these
offices he gained a wide and valuable experience. He was admitted to
the New Jersey bar as an attorney in .lime. 1>7:'>. and as a counselor in
June. L876, and in ]s77 removed from Red Bank to Hoboken. where he
has ever since practiced his profession, lb- is one of the ablest lawyers in
Hudson County, and the many importanl cases with which he has been
connected as counsel attest his legal skill and attainments. He has built
up a large general practice, ami enjoys tin- confidence of the entire com-
munity.
A Republican in politics, .Mr. Leonard has long been active in the welfare
of his party. He was a delegat to the Republican State conventions of
1888, 1892, and 1896, a delegate to all the Republican congressional and
county conventions in his district from L888 to 1896 inclusive, and Chairman
of the City Republican Executive Committee of Hoboken in 1894, and did
J I I \ r^J AA^eJU
v// 2^
ywxiu fa ^tri-e^^^y ^ c
] ' e/MVLA^ Ufa ^ o^ 3 (T(f^2 t
^H UcJL
u£r^
V
I^TC. Mr. Smith married Emily Gilhooley, daughter of R. <i.
! man) Gilhooley, of Nyack, N. Y. They have four children:
all win i u Joh n, ;m*1 Mary.
T^nrn -M"r-i -vt tt< /- < a ttv ~ i i: - l i ,£ T'. • tthi -vr t
IS ALBERT MENEGAUX, a leading plumber of Union Hill. N. J.,
Lember and formerly President of the West Hoboken Board of
ion, was born in Philadelphia, ra., June 14, 1868. His parents,
i Frederick Menegaux and Louisa Petchin, were natives of France
3cendants of old and respected families; his paternal grandfather,
ck Menegaux, being Mayor of Dembenois, Canton of Audincourt,
Charles Frederick was born. The latter came to America in 1853
ttled in Philadelphia, where he was for many years engaged in
re manufacturing, and where he died in August, 1868. His wife.
Petchin, who still survives, came over in 1855, and they were mar-
Philadelphia. He was a man of great enterprise, and highly re-
and esteemed.
i A. Menegaux received a thorough education and a military train-
!H-;ir Kllicot I Ulty, S/ICT. StroSeqrreiltlJ Ue l UU STrmn craaareai twuim ..
Ball College in Orange, X. J., and was graduated therefrom with h
the class of L869. During the next three years he read law in the i
Charles II. Trafford, of Red Bank, and then became assistanl i
Robert Allen. Jr., Prosecutor of tin- Pleas for Monmouth County. I
offices he gained a wide and valuable experience, lie was admi
the New Jersey bar as an attorney in June, 1873, and as a couns
June, l s 7<>. and m 1877 removed from Red Hank to Boboken, wl
has ever since practiced his profession. Be is one of the ablesl law
Hudson County, and the many importanl cases with which he hi
connected as counsel attesl his legal skill and attainments. Hi- h«
up a large general practice, and enjoys the confidence of the enti
munity.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Leonard has long been active in the
of Ins party. Be was a delegate i<> the Republican State convent
lsss. ls'.n'. and 1896, a delegate to all the Republican congressioi
count v conventions in his district from isss in 1SD0 inclusive, and Ch
of the city Republican Executive Committee of Boboken in 1894, ;
ut~ oo atJUC ^x^xJUcL_
:7^
ftcW^ 9tcuo £u^^f^i~ f
4>^o
^
x ?'/^u
pi umJL^ "fcr An Uk^ In oy~^ ^ftn^X
lino 23, 1876, Mr. Smith married Emily Gilhooley, daughter of R. G.
za (Hoffman) Gilhooley, of Nyack, N. Y.
J£U**n Talhnan. .U»lui. <HtVl Marv.
They have foui- children:
IS ALBERT MENEGAUX, a leading plumber of Union Hill. N. J.,
uember ;m<l formerly President of the West Hoboken Board of
ion. was born in Philadelphia, Pa., June 14, 1868. His parents,
? Frederick Menegaux and Louisa Petchin, were natives of France
scendants of old and respected families; his paternal grandfather,
ck Menegaux, being Mayor of Dembenois, Canton of Audincourt,
Charles Frederick was born. The latter came to America in 1853
ttled in Philadelphia, where he was for many years engaged in
re manufacturing, and where he died in August, 1868. His wife.
Petchin, who still survives, came over in 185;*), and they were mar-
Philadelphia. He was a man of great enterprise, and highly re-
l and esteemed.
3 A. Menegaux received a thorough education and a military train-
w
near bJincoti uity, hut suosequenuj ae ^ ,t nm . ..i^i. <<■ , o, ,.
Hall College in Orange, X. J., and was graduated therefrom with li
the "-lass df lsoii. During the nexl three years la- read law in the
Charles EL Trafford, of Red Bank, and then became assistanl i
Robert Allen, Jr., Prosecutor of the Pleas for Monmouth County. ]
offices he gained a wide ami valuable experience. II'- was admi
the New Jersey bar as an attorney in June, l s 7.*t. and as a coun
June, ls7<i. and m lsTT removed from Red Bank to Eoboken, w
has ever since practiced Ids profession. He is one of the ablest la\
Hudson County, and the many important cases with which he li
connected as counsel attest his legal skill and attainments. He h
up a large general practice, and enjoys the confidence of the enti
munity.
A Republican in politics. .Mr. Leonard has long been active in the
of his party. He was a delegate to the Republican State conven
1888, 1892, and 1896, a delegate t<> all the Republican congressio
countv conventions in his district from L888 to L896 inclusive, and CI
of the City Republican Executive Committee of Hoboken in 1S94,
GENEALOGICAL 317
excellent work. In 1895 he was President of the Ninth Assembly District
Committee, and at present (1900) he is Chairman of the First Ward Asso
ciation of Hoboken. In 1896 he was elected to the New Jersey Assembly
by the handsome plurality of 2,429 over his Democratic opponent. He is
also President of the Governor Griggs Battalion, an active and aggressive
Republican organization. In 1898 he was the choice of his party for Dis-
trict Judge, but declined the nomination. As citizen, lawyer, and party
leader lie is universally respected and esteemed, and in every capacity his
ability and sound judgment have won for him an enviable record.
EDWARD SMITH, of Bayonne, X. J., was horn in Clarkstown, Rockland
County, X. V.. on the 4th of September, 1847. His parents, Peter D. W.
Smith and Sarah Tye, were both natives of Rockland County, where they
were married.
Mr. Smith received his educational training in the Clarkstown district
schools and early displayed those business attainments which have since
marked his life. He first engaged in the grocery trade at Closter, X. .1., and
subsequently in the livery business at Nyack, X. Y. On the 1st of April,
1^7.".. he removed i<» Bayonne. Hudson County, and established himself in
business as a butcher, in which he was very successful. For a number of
years he has been engaged in the liquor business in Bayonne.
In politics Mr. Smith is a consistent Democrat, active in public affairs,
ami prominent in campaign work. For three terms he was one of the
School Trustees of Bayonne, and in that capacity rendered efficient service
to the city and to the cause of local education. He is the founder and
President of the Edward Smith Association, one of the leading political
organizations in Hudson County. He is also Vice President of the Liquor
Dealers' Association, of Bayonne, a member of the Exempt Firemen's Asso-
ciation, and a member of Bayonne Lodge, X<>. '•'!». F. and A. M., and of
Bayonne Council. No. ''»"•"">. Royal Arcanum. His religious affiliations are
with the Dutch Reformed Church.
Mi-. Smith is a prominent and enterprising citizen, active in promoting
every worthy object, prompt in the discharge of duty, and thoroughly iden-
tified with the best interests of his section. He is an acknowledged leader
of the Democratic party in Bayonne and for many years has wielded an
important influence in shaping tin- political destinies of his party (here.
On June 2°.. 1S70. Mr. Smith married Emily Gilhooley, daughter of R. G.
and Eliza (Hoffman) Gilhooley. of Nyack, X". Y, They have four children:
Frank. W4*>ii Tallmau. -Uthn. and Mary.
LOUTS ALBERT MENEGAUX, a leading plumber of Union Hill. X. J.,
and a member and formerly President of the West Hoboken Board of
Education, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., June 14, 1868. His parents,
Charles Frederick Menegaux and Louisa Petchin, were natives of France
and descendants of old and respected families; his paternal grandfather,
Frederick Menegaux, being Mayor of Dembenois. Canton of Audincourt,
where Charles Frederick was born. The latter came to America in 1853
and settled in Philadelphia, where he was for many years engaged in
furniture manufacturing, and where he died in August, 1868. His wife.
Louisa Petchin, who still survives, came over in 1855, and they were mar-
ried in Philadelphia. He was a man of great enterprise, and highly re-
spected and esteemed.
Louis A. Menegaux received a thorough education and a military train-
318
HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
Lng in Girard College, Philadelphia, from which he was graduated with
honor in L885. He also spent ;i few months in a public school in Wesl
Boboken, N. J. His father having died when he was only six weeks old,
he was reared by his mother, a woman of greal force of character and of a
peculiarly sweel disposition, and t<> her able guidance he owes much of
his success in life. On leaving college he spenl a year in his native city
learning the Hade of plumber and gas and steam fitter, which he finished
in Union Hill. Hudson County, with Allien Thourot. removing there in
August, 1886. he remained with Mr. Thourol for aboul five years, mas
LOUIS A. MtNEGAUX.
tering every detail of the business, and in 1MH he purchased the estab-
lishment and still conducts it. Mi-. Menegaux is a man of recognized
ability, and as a plumber has achieved eminent success. He has one
of the finest and mosl complete establishments in his section of the
Slate, and the many important contracts which he has executed attest
his skill and enterprise. Few men of his age have gained the popularity
and high reputation which he enjoys, and fewer still are better or more
widely known.
As a citizen he is public spirited, energetic, and progressive, encourag-
ing all worthy movements, and liberally and cheerfully supporting every
GENEALOGICAL 319
commendable enterprise. In polities he is an ardent Republican. He re-
sides in West Hoboken, where he lias been a member of the Board of
Education since 1895, being the only Republican elected to that body in
ili.it year, and being re-elected in the spring of L899 without opposition.
Be was President of the board in 1897 and L898, and in that capacity and
as a member has rendered most efficienl service to the cause of local edu-
cation. Mr. Menegaus is a member of Hoboken Lodge, No. 74, Benevolent
and Protective Order <>f Elks, and of Palisade Lodge, No. \~x. Knights of
Pythias, in the uniform rank of which he holds a captain's commission.
He is also a member of Mystic Tie Lodge, No. \-'.\ % F. and A. M.. of Cyrus
Chapter, R. A. M., of Pilgrim Commandery, No. L6, K. T., and of Mecca
Temple, A. A. < >. Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, lie was appointed United
States Grand Juror for the September term, L900.
JOSEPH ELLIOTT WRAGG, a prominent retired manufacturer and
ice dealer of North Bergen, X. -I., descends from a distinguished family
of England, one of his ancestors, John Wragg, being buried in Westminster
Abbey. No is the son of -lames Wragg and Hannah Hbdkins, and was
born in Chesterfield, England, mi the 18th of April. L828. When a boy —
qoI four years of age — he came with his parents to America, and in 1889
sci i led in Bergen County, X. -I. hi L8o9 he removed to English Neighbor-
hood, Hudson Countv, where he still resides, and where he was engaged
wii)i Ins brother. John Wragg, under the firm name of -lames Wragg's
Sons, in the manufacture of worsted, linen, ami horse hair oil press-cloths
for linseed, cotton seed, rape seed, mustard seed, sperm, and stearine. He
continued in this business with success until L870, gaining a wide reputa-
' ion for ability, sound judgment, ami executive skill. Prom 1869 to 1S82 he
was engaged in the ice business, building up a large and successful trade 1 .
He had received, ;is a boy. a good private school education in Williams
burg, X. Y. In public affairs, and especially in the development of the com-
munity, he has always taken a deep interest, but never aspired to office or
political preferment. He has exerted an important influence in various
directions, and by courage and perseverance has achieved a high reputation
in all t he relat ions of life.
Mr. Wragg was married. Octobei I". is.")!), to Catharine Fisher Tracy,
widow of William Henry Tracy, daughter of Michael Fisher and Martha
Engle, and granddaughter of Lieutenant Andrew Engle, a distinguished
Revolutionary soldier, and Janette Strachan, his wife. Mrs. Wragg died
May 15, 1898. She had two daughters by 1km- tiist husband, viz.: Margaret
M. Tracy and Elbe M. Tracy. The family reside at Fairview, N. J.
MICHAEL FISHER was for many years one of the most prominent and
hest known men in Hudson County. His influence was felt in both public
and private affairs, and in the various positions which he filled he rendered
very efficient service. He was born on April 29, 1794, and died on the 15th
of November, 1880. He received a common school education. On October
13, 1S14. he married Martha Engle Banta, daughter of Andrew Engle aud
Janette Strachan, and settled in New Durham, Hudson County, where he
resided until his death November 15, 1880. He held several offices of trust,
including those of Countv Treasurer for many years and Freeholder from
North Bergen in 184G and 1847. His ability and integrity, his broad execu-
tive qualities, his strength of character and genial habits made him popular
320 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
and esteemed, while his long and intimate connection with public interests
gained for him the confidence of the entire community.
Mr. Fisher lefl three daughters, the youngest of whom, Catharine, was
married twice, and is survived i>\ two daughters: Margarel M. and Ellie
M. Tracy. The former was born in English Neighborhood, N. J., March 4.
1S44. Jioth are daughters of William Benry Tracj and granddaughters of
Ephraim Tracy and Elizabeth Youmans.
Mrs. Martha Engle Banta Fisher's father, Andrew Engle, enlisted at
Philadelphia, October 1, 177r>. as Ensign in the Twelfth Pennsylvania Regl-
meiii. Continental Army, and served in the American Revolution with dis
tinction, being promoted to a second lieutenancy in Brigadier-Cienoral Con-
way's brigade. He saw considerable service, and a1 the battle of Mom ith
his regimeni was nearly destroyed. Being reduced to a mere skeleton by
exposure and severe fighting, it was incorporated with the Third Pennsyl-
vania under Colonel Thomas Craig, and on December 20, 177s. Andrew En-
gle was made a captain's lieutenant. His original commission, signed by
John Jay. is still preserved by his descendants. After the close of the war
he purchased a farm in English Neighborhood, X. J., where he died June 2,
1810, from the effects of a wound received at the battle of Monmouth. He
left three sons and four daughters. The youngesl son. dames Engle, was
educated ai West Point and served in the United States regular army.
ELIJAH STROXG COWLES, one of the prominent members of the bar
of Jersey City and New York, was horn in Coventry. Vt.. on the 30th of
April, 1836. His ancestors came to Xew England at a very early day and
for generations have been active and influential in all the affairs of life.
Mr. Cowles received his educational training in the public schools and
at St. Johnsbury (Vt.) Academy, where he fitted for Dartmouth College.
Illness, however, prevented him from entering the latter institution and
he therefore turned his attention to the study of law, entering the office
of Hon. Ephraim Paddock, one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of
Vermont. Mr. Cowles was admitted to the bar of his native State and
for two years practiced in Coventry, where he was born. He came to Xew
York City and practiced his profession for about two years, or until 1868,
when he removed to Jersey City. X. J., and entered the law office of Wash-
ington 45. Williams. Here he formed the acquaintance of Edward B. Wake-
man, then a prominent lawver and resident of Jersey City, who soon
it. * •
retired from active practice.
Mr. Cowles entered Mr. Wakeman's office and upon the hitter's retire
incut succeeded to his business. Tn 1875 he associated himself again with
Washington F». Williams under the firm name of Williams ^ Cowles, which
continued for about twelve years, and was one of the best and foremost
law firms of Eastern New Jersey. About 1895 Mr. Cowles formed a CO
partnership with William IT. Carey, formerly a professor in Basbrouck
Institute, Jersey City, and the law firm of Cowles & Carey is now actively
and successfully engaged in the practice of law in both Jersey city and
Xew Fork.
Mr. Cowles has achieved an eminent reputation at the bar. and during
his entire career has maintained the respeel and confidence of all who
know him. He is a lawyer of ability, industry, and unimpeachable
integrity. As a citizen he is thoroughly identified with the affairs of his
city and county, and active and influential in every movement which affects
the welfare of the community. He is interested in an important corpora-
GENEALOGICAL
321
t ion known as the Automatic Fire Alarm Company, of New York City,
of which he has been for several years President. Much of his time has
boon devoted t«» the organization and development of Christian and chari
table work and especially in connection -with the Young .Men's Christian
Association of Jersey City, of which he was one of the founders and which
he served for five years as President. In politics he is an ardent and con-
sistent Republican, taking at all times an active part in political affairs.
Mr. Cowles's first wife was Miss Sarah L. Persons, of Coventry, VI., who
died in L871. Thev had two children, both deceased. In 1X75 he married
ELIJAH S. COWLES.
Miss Sarah E. Woodward, of New York City, who died in L893. January 3,
lS!)r>, he married Miss Anna Banta, of New York City, and they have one
daughter, Sarah Banta Cowles.
CHARLES KINSEY CANNON, for nearly thirty years one of Hoboken's
leading lawyers and formerly Corporation Attorney of the city, was born
in Bordentown, X. J., November 12, 1846. He is the son of Garrit S. Can-
non, a grandson of James Spencer Cannon, and a great-grandson of Will-
iam Cannon, all of whom were distinguished citizens of West Jersey. On
his mother's side he is likewise descended from one of the old New Jersey
322
HUDSON AND REROEN COUNTIES
families. beini: ;i i:reat meat-grandson of John Kinsey, a great-grandson of
James Kinsey. and a grandson of Charles Kinsey. whose daughter Hannah
married Garril S. Cannon, .lames Kinsey was for some time Chief Justice
of the Supreme Courl of Now Jersey.
Mr. Cannon obtained his early education a1 Burlington, N. J. He was
graduated with honor from yah College in the class of L867, and then
tool; up the study of law, graduating from Columbia College Law School in
\ew York city with the degree of LL.B., in June, 1870, and being admitted
CHARLES K. CANNON.
in the New York bar at the same lime. He was admitted to the bar of New
Jersey as an attorney in November, 1870, and since Then has been actively
and successfully engaged in the general practice of his profession in Ho-
boken, Hudson County, where he also resides. In November, 1873, he was
admitted before the Supreme Courl as a counselor. Mr. Cannon has hen
in constanl practice for thirty years, and during that period has tried a
large numbi r <>f importanl cases in the various courts of the State which
have won for him a recognized leadership at the bar. He is a lawyer and
advocate of unusual ability, of marked judicial qualifications, and of keen
I i ENEALOGICAL 323
discrimination ami ready perception, and both in the office and before a
jury displays those qualities which have long held him among the foremost
legal practitioners in Hudson County.
\\\< energies have been devoted almost uninterruptedly to the duties of
his profession, in which he lias achieved eminence and success; yet he
has been called upon to till several important trusts and positions, among
them that of Corporation Attorney, of Hoboken, from May, 1S77. to May.
L878. He lias been Vice Presidenl of the Columbia Club of Hoboken since
ls!»."). and is also a Director of the Firsl National Bank and a Vestryman
of Trinity Church, Hoboken. In every capacity Mr. Cannon has exhibited
that public spirit and consummate ability which characterized his ances-
tors, from whom he inherits peculiar legal qualifications and forensic skill.
A man of the strictest integrity, he is universally respected and esteemed,
and during a long and honorable career has maintained the entire con-
fidence of t he communil y.
Mi-. Can nen was married on the 22d of April, L880, to .Miss Agnes R. Her-
bert, who died March 22, L897. They had two children: Can-it S. and Agnes
II.. who are still living.
CHARLES LUXTON, one of the earliesl real estate operators in Hud-
son County, was born in London, England, and came to America when five
or six years of ag< . with his parents. The family settled in New York City,
where he received his education, and where he learned and subsequently
engaged in the business of ship carpenter and joiner. In L850 he moved to
Jersey City Heights, X. •!.. and at once became a large landowner and real
estate operator, being one of the very lirsl to make thai business a distinc-
tive feature in the industries of Hudson County. No man was more promi-
nent or active in promoting the growth of thai section, or in developing
its resources and contributing to its prosperity. He secured the charter
incorporating old Hudson City on the 11th of April, L855, furnishing the
ni(>ne\ I'm- the purpose oul of his private aieans. He also organized the
old Hudson City Fire department and was its first Chief Engineer. He
was a leading Democrat, for smne time Tax Collector, and the principal
mover in the inception and construction of the first walk' across the mead-
ows from the foot of Congress Streel into Third Street, Hoboken. His
liberality and enterprise were prime factors in building up the young and
growing city. He developed the section formerly known as Luxtonville,
from Bowers Street to the Paterson Plank Road and from Palisade Avenue
to Central Avenue, and opened large tracts of land in North Bergen, Clar-
endon (Secaucus), and Greenville (South Bergen) as well as in old Hudson
City. He was also heavily interested in lumbering and lumber mills in
Pike County, Pa. Possessing ureal mechanical genius, he invented several
important appliances, including a post socket, a machine for manufacturing
peat into fuel, and others. ITc was a prominent, active, and influential
citizen, a man of great foresight and sagacity, and a generous benefactor.
As a charter member of Eagle Lodge, F. and A. M.. he took a deep interest
in local Masonic matters, and out of his own funds built the lodge rooms.
He also contributed liberally to church and school, and to all projects de-
signed for the advancement of the community.
He died in Jersey City Heights in March, 1889, at the age of sixty-five,
and is survived by his widow, who was Susan Hopper, and who is now
eighty-one years old, and by an only son, George J. Luxton, and three of his
four daughters.
324 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
GEORGE JOHN LUXTON, only son of Charles and Susan (Hopper) Lux-
ion, was born in New York City on the 20th of February, 1S44. Tn 1850
he moved with the family to New Jersey, and there, in the public schools
<if old Hudson City, received his education, which was practical and cal-
culated to lit liiui for a business career. At the age of nineteen he associated
himself with his father, and so continued until the latter's death in 1889,
siiicr which time he lias engaged in peal estate operations alone Mr. Lux-
ton's experience of thirty-six years in the real estate and insurance business
makes him the oldest operator in Northern Hudson County, and one of the
oldesl wesi of the Hudson River in Eastern New Jersey. Probably no
other man in the State lias been more heavily identified with real estate
matters nor more prominent and active in developing suburban property,
improving it for factory and residential purposes, and converting it into
handsome homes, than has Mr. Luxton during the last ten or fifteen years,
lie opened and built up, in Jersey City Heights, the Loinau tract, a tract
of L02 lots, between Nelson and Tonnelly Avenues, and two tracts of 82
and 95 lots each, representing a total valuation of about $150,000; the In-
dian Spring property of about !»u lots, the Buse tract on Malone and Spring
Streets, and the Van Amberg tract. IIS lots, on Central and Summit Ave-
nues and Shippen Street, in West Hoboken; Tyler Park, 145 lots, between
Grand and Tonnelly Avenues north and south of Hamblet Place, in North
Bergen, at a cost of $40,000; and Weehawken Heights in Weehawken.
The last named tract represented property valued at about 8400.000. and
under the name of the Palisade Land Company Mr. Luxton converted it
from a field, overgrown with brush and trees, into one of the finest and
most thickly settled sections of the county. The houses which adorn it
cosi from $4,000 to $18,000, and the whole was developed between 1S04 and
1897.
Mr. Luxton's extensive real estate operations are best illustrated by
the fact that he has built up sections comprising about one-half of Jersey
City Heights, one-third of West Hoboken, practically all of Weehaw-
ken Heights, and a considerable pari of North Bergen. TTis method has
been to buy the land, lay it out into cit\ lots, streets, and avenues, cause
modern improvements to be carried out. and place the property in the
market on terms which have enabled the workingman as well as the capi-
talist to own and occupy his home. And in nearly every venture he has
been successful. He is one of the prominent and enterprising, as well as
one of the oldest, real estate operators in Hudson County, and is widely
respected as authority in all matters pertaining to the business. His
knowledge of land titles is broad and comprehensive, giving him the posi-
tion of a recognized leader among his fellow-citizens. He settled in West
Hoboken in 1893, and has offices at 470 Palisade Avenue, Weehawken. and
596 Palisade Avenue, Jersey City.
Mr. Luxton has also been interested since 1898 in the North River Com-
pany, in connection with real estate matters, and is a member of Doric
Lodge, F. and A. M. In politics he is a Democrat. lb- has long been a
prominent and useful citizen. His patriotism led him to enlist, January
30, L865, in Company E, Fortieth New Jersey Volunteers, with which he
served in Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina, participating in
numerous skirmishes in following up Lee's army, including Farmersville.
New Store. Danville, and others, and being present at the surrender of
Lee at Appomattox. He was honorably discharged -Lily 13, 1865.
GENEALOGICAL
325
Mr. Luxton married Louisa C, daughter of Charles and Margaret (Nil-
tier, natives <>f Prance, who moved to this country and settled in Jersey
City. Of their four children two are living: George and Emily .Mai-ion.
WILLIAM HENRY \\ I LI I ELM has been a lifelong resident of Hani
son. Hudson County, X. J., where he was born on the 1th of November,
is.').",, his father being Pete] Wilhelm, a native of Prance, while his mother,
Mary Hasson. was horn in Ireland. They came to the United States when
young and first settled in Barrison, X. J., where they were married. Dur-
ing their long and eventful careers they enjoyed the respect of all who
knew them. They were
industrious, progressive,
a n d patriotic people,
whose native character-
istics impressed them-
selves upon the commu-
nity in a remarkable de-
gree.
Mr. Wilhelm received
his educational training
in the public schools of
Newark and Harrison,
and after completing his
studies engaged in the
brewing business with his
fat her, who then conduel
ed a large brewery in
Newark. Leaving his fa-
ther's employ, tie ac-
cepted a position with
the Peter Haucb Brew-
ing Company, of Harri-
son, X. .1.. with which he
has been actively asso
ciated during the last
twenty years, and of
which he is now Superin-
tendent. The success and
reputation of tins well
known corporal ion is due
in no small measure to
Mr. Wilhelm's efficient
and energetic manage-
ment. He has been iden-
tified witli the business
from boyhood, possesses a practical knowledge of every department, and
is thoroughly qualified for the duties which he has so admirably and suc-
cessfully performed.
He is one of the most popular citizens of Harrison, a man of broad and
liberal attainments, thoroughly identified with the progress of the com-
munity, and actively interested in those affairs which affect the municipal-
ity and its people. He is a prominent and influential Republican, and for
seven years served with marked ability as a member of the Harrison Board
WILLIAM H. WILHELM.
326 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
of Aldermen. His services in this and other capacities have won for him
an excellent reputation and stamp him as a trustworthy leader. He is a
prominent member of Copestone Lodge, No. 147, F. and A. M., of Kearny.
of Harrison Lodge, No. L20, I. O.O. 1\. of Newark, of Lodge No. 21, B. P. 6.
E., and of the Arion and Aurora Singing Societies, of Newark, and as a
citizen is public spirited, patriotic, and enterprising, and deeply interested
in the welfare of his nai ive town.
Mr. Wilhelni was married on the L2th of May, L889, to Tilley Haas,
daughter of Frederick and Josephine (Bridgem) Haas, of Newark, X. J.
They have one child, Hazel Wilhelni.
ALONZO WOEDEN LETTS, a well known lawyer of Hoboken, descends
from some of the oldest families of New Jersey and New York. Be is the
son of William Henry Letts and Gettie Jane Clum, a grandson of William
and Ann (Runyon) Letts and of Sylvester and Catherine (Hover) Clum,
and a great-grandson of John Letts, whose wife, Mary Bennett, was the
daughter of Uriah Bennett. The Let's and Benneti families were earlj
settlers of Manahawkin. Ocean County, N. J., while his paternal grand-
mother. Ann Runyon, was a native of Lakewood, in the same county, and
the daughter of Richard and Deborah (Runyon) Runyon. His great-great-
grandfather. Benjamin Letts, was the son of Nehemiah Letts, a soldier in
the War of the Revolution and a nephew of John Letts, also a soldier in the
Revolution. William Letts, the earliest known ancestor of the family in
this country, was an original settler of Elizabethtown, N. J., and ever since
his arrival the name has been conspicuous in the historv of both the Colonv
and State. It is prominently mentioned in the Town Book of Middletown
as early as December 30, Ki(>7. as well as in the Congressional records now
in the library of the New Jersey Historical Society. Their ancestry is Hol-
land Dutch. The Bennetts came originally from England, and both fam-
ilies were among the early settlers of Ocean County. The Clums and
Hovers, who were also of Holland Dutch descent, have lived in Columbia
County, N. Y., for many generations, and from the first have been promi-
nent and influential in all local affairs. Sylvester Clum, the maternal
grandfather of Alonzo W. Letts, was the son of Jonas and Gettie (Stahli
Clum. while his wife, Catherine (Hover) Clum, was the daughter of Jere
miah Hover and Amanda Waters.
William Letts, the grandfather of Alonzo W., was born in Manahawkin.
( tcean County. N. J., January 29, 1827. At the age of thirteen he left home
and for many years followed the sea. In L850 he settled in Hoboken,
Hudson County, where he has since resided, being successfully engaged in
the ice business. William Henrv Letts, his son, and the lather of Alonzo
t/
W., was born in Hoboken on the 13th of November, L852, and has always
lived in thai city. He was educated in the Hoboken public schools, and for
many years has been actively and successfully engaged in the ice business.
He was ;i leading member of the Hoboken Volunteer Fire Department,
serving for t wo years as Assistant Foreman and for three years as Foreman
of Excelsior Engine Company No. 2. in LSS2 he was elected, on the Re-
publican ticket. Freeholder from the Ninth District, a Democrat strong-
hold, and for five years was annually re-elected to thai office. This indi-
cates at once his popularity and the confidence in which he is held by both
Republicans and Democrats, hi 1SS7 he was elected to the New Jersey
Utilise of Assembly, and being re-elected in lsss served two terms in that
body with ureal honor and ability. In L892 he was appointed Fire Com-
GENEALOGICAL ',V2~
missioner of Boboken. In isi»7 he received the appointment of Clerk of
the Eoboken District Court, which position he still holds, having for three
years discharged its dnties with acknowledged ability and satisfaction, lit-
is one of i he best known < :itizens of Eoboken, where he has spenl his life.
Alonzo Worden Letts was born in Boboken, X. J., May 28, L876. As a
student in Public School No. - and later in the Boboken Bigh School he
developed a strong Inclination for professional life as well as decided
scholarly ambitions, and after leaving the latter institution entered the Law
Departmenl of New York University, from which he was graduated with
the degree of LL.B.
On the L'lst of February, L898, .Mr. Letts was admitted to the New Jersey
bar, and at once began the practice of law in Boboken. <>n the 22d of the
following March In- was appointed a Master in Chancery by the late Chan-
cellor Alexander T. McGill. Mr. Letts came to the bar well equipped for
the duties of a lawyer, and has already displayed those legal abilities and
qualifications which win success. He is a member of Boboken Council, No.
99, Royal Arcanum, and of the Columbia Club of Boboken, and actively
identified with the affairs of his native city. Be was married July 21, L898,
to Marie ( '. Koch, of West I lav en, Vt.
THOMAS B. USHER, of Wesl Boboken, Secretary of the New Jersej
Siate Board of Taxation since its inception in L891, is descended from
sturdy Scotch ancestry, being connected with the family of which the Very
Right Rev. dames Usher, l>.I>.. Archbishop of Armagh, Ireland, was a dis
tinguished member, dames Usher, his father, was horn in Edinburgh,
Scotland, came to America about 1M:'. and first settled in Canada, whence
he removed in L860 to West Boboken, N. d. He was a genealogist and
writer of family history. His large and valuable library, comprising more
than three thousand volumes, covered marlv everv phase of the history of
this country, and was regarded as one of the best and lines! in its line in
the United Stales. He died in West Boboken. His wife, who also died
there, was Harriet Birks, daughter id' John Birks and a native of England,
and their children were James Usher, id' the Town of Union, a member of
the New Jersey A-Ssemblj in L894 and L895 and in the latter year the leader
of the Democratic minority and the party nominee for Speaker of the
House; Thomas 15. Usher, the subject of this article; Walter Scott Usher, a
Captain of the police force of West Boboken; and Wallace Bruce Usher, of
West Hoboken.
Thomas B. Usher was born in Bonnsville, Hudson County. X. J., on the
30th of March, L861. He received a common school education in West Ho-
boken. supplemented his literary studies by a business course at Cooper
Union. New York, from which lie was graduated at the age of nineteen,
and then became a clerk in the hook store of Alexander Denham, of the
latter city. Subsequently he entered the employ of Bradley & Smith, brush
dealers, of New York, where he remained until 1890, when, having been
elected a member of the New Jersey Legislature from West Hoboken, he
took his seat in the House of the Assembly and served with honor as Chair-
man of the Committee on Labor and Industries and as a member of the
Revision Committee and of the Committee on Towns and Townships. In
1891 he served a second term and held the same positions on those commit-
tees. Mr. Usher had long made a serious study of those vital problems
which affect the welfare and liberty of the people. His studies and observa-
tions were along original lines, principally in the field of moral and muni
328 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
cipal reforms, and on entering the Legislature he at once took a promi-
nent part, nol only in the measures coming before thai body, but also in
the introduction of various bills, which soon gained for him a recognized
leadership, especially in reform legislation. Anions these bills was one
separating prisoners confined in the State prisons on a basis according to
their moral standing, and. although ii was defeated, the measure attracted
wide attention and received the supporl of the better elements of society.
lie ill so introduced a bill allowing a will to be probated during the lifetime
of the testator, thus eliminating the chances of a legal contesl and permit-
ting the testator to sec thai his or her intentions were carried out. lie
originated and secured tin- passage of a bill authorizing the floating of the
American flag on public school houses, another providing for the establish-
ment and maintenance of free reading rooms in different cities, and many
others of equal nolo and importance.
On the organization of the X' w Jersey State Board of Taxation in March,
L891, Mr. Usher was appointed by Governor boon Abbott the Secretary
of thai body, and has ever since discharged the duties of the office with
credit and ability. To him is due in a large measure the board's constantly
increasing usefulness.
Mr. Usher is a Democral in politics, has served as a member of the Hud-
son ( )ounty Democratic < Committee, and enjoys the confidence and respect of
the entire community. He was married in September, 1882, to Dora Beegen,
daughter of William and Mary Beegen and a descendant of old Holland
Dutch stock. They reside in West Hoboken, and have two sons: James and
Edward, both students at Blair Presbvterial Academy, Blairstown, N. J.
JOHN SEELEY, of New Durham, Hudson County, is one of the best
known citizens of that section. He was born in Oxford, England, April 4.
1819, the son of Job Baker Seeley and Elizabeth Willis, his ancestors having
been long established in the City of Oxford. When the present .Mr. Seeley
was a boy his father came to America, settling in North Bergen, X. J..
where he engaged in the shoe business. He died in New Durham in L855,
when sixty-three years of age. His wife subsequently died in Ohio.
John Seeley was educated in the public schools and then engaged in the
manufacture of shoes, in which business he was successful. He subse-
quently engaged in real estate speculation, chiefly at New Durham. Hud-
son County. For a time he was also engaged in the grocery business in
Hoboken. He is a Democrat, and held the office of Town Treasurer for a
period of twenty-one years. For a greal many years he has also been con-
nected with the Fire Department, lie is a member of various clubs and so-
cieties. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and a liberal supporter of
church and educational interests and of all worthy local enterprises.
Mr. Seeley has been twice married. By his firsl wife. Sarah House, of
Schenectady County. N. Y .. he has five children: Mary. Kale. John, William,
and James. He married, second, Augusta Blythe, by whom he has two
children, Frederick and I toward.
GEORGE M. SNYDER, one ol the most prominent and public spirited
citizens of West Hoboken, Hudson County, is a native of Germantown,
Columbia County, X. Y.. where he was born January 29, 1842. He is the
sen of George AN'. Snyder and Margarel Rouse, a grandson of Samuel and
Lydia Snyder, and a descendanl of German Palatinates who sett led in New
York near the beginning of i he eighteenth cent ury.
GENEALOGICAL
329
Mr. Snyder attended the districl schools of Greene County, X. Y., and the
Claverack Institute, of Columbia County. II" became a deck hand on a
steamer plying on the Hudson River, and a little later was fireman on the
same vessel. At the age of twenty he came to New York City and engaged
in tla produce commission business in Washington Market. This business
he followed tor twenty eighl years, being very successful. Through his early
steamboat experience he also became interested in the project of the Cats-
kill lino <>\' boats on the Hudson River. He was at first a Director in the
corporation owning this line, hut presently became its President and Gen-
GEORGE M. SNYDER.
oral Manager, and has continued in this position for twenty-two years, to
the present time. Under his management the business of this line has
grown, and five boats are now kepi in commission, instead of two boats, as
formerly. Among the well known boats of this line are the " Escort," now
the " City of Hudson *'; the " Walter Brett,"' now out of commission; the
" Citv of Catskill," which was destroved by fire in the winter of 1884: and
the •• Kaateiskill.*' one of the finest steamboats on the Hudson, now in ac-
tive service. The " Escort *' was rebuilt and lengthened and rechristened
the - City of Hudson."' The steamers " W. 0. Redfield " and " Thomas Mc-
Manus " were purchased under the present management. In 1898 the " On-
330 HUDSON AXD BERGEN COUNTIES
teora" was buili by W. ».V A. Fletcher, of Boboken, is entirely new, with
steel hull, and has proved to be one of the fastest and ablest boats on the
river.
Mr. Snyder lias long resided in one of the most elegant mansions on Pali-
sade Avenue. West Boboken. Be liiiilt this edifice, and has also elected
twenty-four other residences in West Boboken. Be is also well known for
his public spirit in other directions, has taken greal interesl in the public
school system, has contributed to it^ development, and is likewise conspicu-
ous in connection with other public institutions and public movements.
lie is a leading member of the First Presbyterian Church of Wes1 Boboken,
with which he has been officially connected for about thirty years. Be has
been a stanch supporter of the Republican party since it was organized, and
has been one of its liberal financial assistants and influential in its councils.
Mr. Snyder married, in 1804, Anna E., daughter of Captain John Gould,
wlie commanded some of the vessels since owned by his son-in-law. Of the
four sons of Mr. Snyder the eldest. Rev. Joseph G., is a Presbyterian minister
in Brooklyn. Another. Edwin B., is his father's successor in business, and
is President of the Hoard of Education of West Boboken. The third son.
' i orge W., is cashier of the firm of A. F. Young & Company, a produce
commission house of New York City. The youngesl son. John B., is now
attending the Law School of Columbia University, New York City.
FREDERICK WILLIAM FARR, one of the rising young lawyers of Bav-
onne, Hudson County. N. J., was born there on the 16th of April, 1S74.
and is the son of William C. Fair and Dora Schmidt. His parents were
both natives of Germany, but came to the United States when young and
were marrii d in Bayonne, where they have spent their active lives.
Mr. Fair received an excellent private school education in his native citv
and at St. Matthew's Academy, New York City, and as a youth displayed
those intellectual qualifications which early led him into the law as a pro-
fession. Be pursued his legal studies under the tutelage of Horace Rober-
soii. counselor at law, one of the leading lawyers of Bayonne, and at the New
York Law School, and was admitted to the New Jersey bar in L895. Since
then he has been actively and successfully engaged in the general practice
of his profession in Bayonne.
May 3, 1897, he formed a copartnership with William W. Anderson, under
the style of Anderson & Farr, which still continues. In politics he is a Re-
publican, and in religion a member of the Lutheran Church. He is public
spirited, progressive, and enterprising, and actively identified with the best
interests of his na1 ive place.
Mr. Farr was married on the 7th of November, L895, to Louisa Burkhardt,
daughter of Ludwig and Augusta Burkhardt, of Newark. N. J. They have
one son. \\ illiam C. Parr.
SAMUEL BESS, of New Durham. Hudson County, was descended from
one of the oldest ;i| M l most respected families in Pennsylvania. His ma-
ternal grandfather, Adam Hart, was a soldier in the War of 1812 and was
wounded and lost a finger in action, lb was a radical Democrat, a promi-
nent farmer in Lycoming County. Pa., and lived to the great age of one
hundred and three. The Hart and Hess families were all substantial resi-
dents of Lycoming < Jounty. W. W. Hart, uncle of the subject of this article.
is a practicing lawyer in Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pa., having a large
and lucrative clientage. Two other uncles, Davis Hart and John Hart, en-
listed as members of a Pennsylvania cavalry regiment in the Fnion Army
<;i:\ i:\i.ocical 331
at the outbreak of the War of the Rebellion and served three years, being
honorably discharged. Davis became a Captain in the service. He was in
Andersonville prison for a time and made a most honorable record. J. T.
Hess, a brother of Samuel Hess, enlisted in the War for the Union at the
iirst call for troops and after six months' service was discharged on account
of sickness.
Samuel Hess, son of Reuben and -lane (Hart) Iless. was born at .Mont
gomery Station. Lycoming County, Pa., January 1<>. L850, and received Ins
education in Ins Dative State. His early life was thai of the average farmer's
hoy. At the age of eighteen he began to learn the carpenter's trade. a1
which he served a two years' apprenticeship. In L870 he engaged in rail-
roading, becoming a fireman on an engine. After three and a half years of
this servict . running on the Eastern Division of the Philadelphia and Erie
Railroad, a branch of the Pennsylvania line running to Sunbury, Renova,
and Harrisburg, he was made a locomotive engineer and continued in that
capacity until 1883, when he resigned. He then entered the service of the
West Shore Railroad as a locomotive engineer and remained with that com
pany until L89C, when failing health compelled him again to resign and
give up railroading. He then engaged in the hotel business at New Dur-
ham, in the Town of North Bergen, Hudson County. During his long and
active service on the railroad Mr. Hess made a tirst -class record, never be-
ing suspended, and always discharging his duties with the utmost fidelity,
energy, and satisfaction. He was respected by both employers and em-
ployees, and gained a high reputation.
Mr. Iless was a prominent Democrat and for several years look an active
pari in politics. In L878, while a resident of Sunbury, Pa., he served as a
member of the Common Council, in L896 he was elected a member of the
Board of Education of North Bergen Township, Hudson County, X. J. His
brother, J. T. Hess, was Clerk and Recorder of Lycoming County, Pa., while
his uncle. Frederick Iless. also held important offices there. Samuel Hess
was a member of the Sunbury (Pa.) lodges of Odd Fellows and Knights of
Pythias, of the .Masonic fraternity, of West Shore Council. I {oval Arcanum,
of Cyprus chapter. No. 32, Royal Arch Masons, of Union Hill, and of the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers of Sunbury, Pa., until L896.
Mr. Iless married .Miss Gertrude Hasbrouck, of Ravena, Albany County,
N. V.. by whomhehad one daughter, Mary, who died in infancy.
JOHN GEORGE SYMS. who with Ids father, the late John Syms, has
done so much for West Hoboken and Hudson County, was himself long
established in business in New York City. His grandfather, John Syms,
was born and lived in the Town of Torquay, Devonshire, England, where his
ancestors were long seated. About 1S14 .John Syms. the father of John
George Syms, came to New York City, established himself in the shoe busi-
ness, in Chatham Street, and acquired a comfortable fortune. He bought
a large trad of land on the present site oi West Hoboken, then known as
the Indian Spring woods and subsequently as the Synis woods, and another
trad from Palisade Avenue to Central Avenue. In 1843 he removed to
YVesI Hoboken, which remained his residence from that time until his death
in L868. John Syms was very active in connection with public improve-
ments. He was one of the builders and owners of the Jersey City Plank
Road, joining with Mr. Armstrong and others in the execution of this
project. He was also very prominent in establishing the public school sys-
tem of West Hoboken, and always took a lively interest in educational mat-
332
nrnsox and rer<;ex counties
tors. He was ili<' founder of wli.it was k n< »w n as the Syms Library. He
lmili the original church edifice of the Firsl Baptisl Church, of West Hobo-
ken, of which he was long the leading member, and by his will lefl a large
sm a of money to be devoted to the erection of the presenl church structure-
He was active and successful in efforl s to secure the observance of the Sab-
bath-day, and to prevenl its desecration. He was a stanch and leading mem-
ber of the Whig party, and one of the mosl eminenl and public spirited men
in t lie history of 1 1 ad-
son ( lounty. I le died
in LX()X, at the age of
seventy-eight. H i s
wife, Grace Lakeman,
also a prominent
member of the Firsl
Baptist Church, of
West Hoboken, and
active in church and
benevolent work, died
in L859, at t he age of
sixty-seven.
John George Syms
was born in New
York City, November
2o. L826, and received
hiseducation there and
in inst ilut ions in Con-
nect icut. lie was long
engaged in business
on Chatham Street,
New Fork City, as
a dealer in guns and
firearms, but retired
in lsTli from active
business in this line.
Since that time he
lias been engaged in
/
at tending to his
la rue
real estate interests
in Hudson County.
He has resided in
West Hoboken since
1st:;, with the excep-
tion of the years from
1848 to L856, and. like
his father, has been
prominent in con-
nection with matters
affecting the general
welfare el the community. He was conspicuous among the original number
who secured from the New .Jersey Legislature the act authorizing the im-
provement of the streets of West Hoboken, to run parallel and at righl an-
gles, widening them, and making a tax map which is still in use. He has
held for many years sm-li posil ions of local trust and responsibility as Treas-
GENEALOGICAL 333
urer of West Hoboken and member oi the Township Committee. Prior to
the beginning of the Civil War he was a member of the Whig party, and
since that time lias been a Republican and a leader in party councils. He is
a member, an officer, and one of the niosi liberal supporters of the First Bap-
tist Church of Wes1 Boboken. lie donated $15,000 to this church to enable
it to carry onl certain improvements.
Mr. Syms married Louisa Gordon Brown, and lias six children living:
.John B. Syms, Grace Lakeman (wife of James R. Whaples, a native of ( 5on-
necticut i. Mary Louisa (wife of Thomas Reynolds, of Rhode Island), Winfield
II. Syms. George X. Syms, and Louisa <!. (wife of William E. Warner, of
New York ('it vi. All of his children are members of the First Baptist
Church, of Wesl Hoboken, with which Mr. Syms and his father have been
so prominently identified, while some of them hold official positions in con-
nection with it.
ERNST <i. ASMUS has spent his active life as a florist and horticulturist,
and from a small beginning has built up one of the largest and most suc-
cessful establishments in the United State*. Born in Hamburg, Germany,
on the L'Tth id' November, 1Mb he is the son of Christian A. and Elizabeth
i Had ei A smus. both natives of that city. 'I'h ere he obtained his preliminary
education. In 1852 he came with his parents to this country and first
settled on Staten Island. New York, but soon moved to the present Town
of [Tnion, X. .1.. where he completed his studies.
After leaving school Mr. Asmus engaged in business as a florist. He
started in a very small way and with comparatively little capital, but by in-
dustry, perseverance, and economy, soon gained a foothold and a ready
market for his products, lb- made a close study of plants and flowers, not-
ing especially the conditions under which they attained the highest degree
of perfection, and observing from a scientific standpoint the rules which
produced the best results. In brief, he thoroughly mastered every detail of
horticulture and floriculture and soon became a recognized expert. He
also studied the market, the tastes of the people, and the best interests of
his patrons, and steadily acquired an extensive trade, which has grown to
be one of tin- largest in the [Jnited States. His grounds, located on the
Hudson Boulevard in the Town of North Bergen, cover an area of twenty
acres, five of which are under ulass. and his output includes every variety of
ornamental plants indigenous to the climate or in demand for home decora-
tion.
.Mr. Asmus is a public spirited, patriotic citizen, and thoroughly alive to
the interests and welfare of the community. He is a Democrat in
politics, a prominent member of the Association of American Florists, and
a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
lie married Miss Josephine bunt; and lias three sons: Adolph E., born in
1875: Edward R.. born in 1878; and Grover E., born in 1885.
AUGUST FRANK, a leading druggist of the Town of Union, is the son of
Gottfried Frank and Maria Odenwalder ami a grandson of John Frank, all
members of prominent families of Germany. His parents came to America
in 1881. They were thrifty, respected people, and gave to their children
the rich inheritance of a good name.
Mr. Frank was born in Stuttgart, Germany, August lis, ISC!), and there
received his preliminary education. Coming to this country with his
father and mother in 1881, he turned his attention to the drug trade, and in
334 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
L888 was graduated from the New York College of Pharmacy with ili«' de
gree of Graduate of Pharmacy. Afterward he held a clerkship in and sub
sequentrj became the Manager of the large drug store of F. W. Eille, re-
maining iiniil L894, when he purchased the business for himself, adding to
iiiis pharmacy the one located .11 lie Bergenline Avenue in the Town of
Union, which he still continues. With n large and practical expe-
rience in the trade he has achieved n high reputation. He has devoted his
undivided attention to ;i constantly increasing business, and by studying
the demands of the time has kepi abreasl of every condition. As n Imsi
ness man he lias displayed marked ability. His excellenl judgment, his un-
questioned integrity, his genial nature have won for him a deserved popu-
larity as well as the confidence of the entire community. In the growl b and
welfare of the town he has exercised much influence. Public spirited, pa-
triotic, and progressive, he has taken an active interesl in various move-
ments of local importance, and has contributed much to the general ad
vaneemenl of the place.
In politics Mr. Frank is ;i stanch Dei -tat. and in religion a Protestant.
He is ,-i member of Wesl Shore Council, Royal Arcanum, of Jefferson Lodge,
i 0. O. F.. and of the Independenl ( >rder of Foresters. !n all of these he is
prominenl and influential. He is also a member and Secretary of the
Sohuetzen Corps of Union Mill, and a member of the Turn Verein, of the
Inch Sam Bowling Club, and of other social and political organizations.
Mr. Frank was married. April 8, 1896, to Miss Tillie Beier. daughter of
Florian and Carolina Fransisca Beier, of Germany. They have one son:
Richard Augusl Frank, born January -U, ls ( .»T.
GEORGE BRUCE has been a resideni of Hudson County, X. J., since
L857, and throughoul this period has had his homo at North Bergen, with
the exception of the years from 1861 to L864, when he resided a1 Jersey
City Heights (then Hudson City). He is of Scotch descenl and the son of
a shipbuilder.
Mr. Bruce enjoys the unique distinction of being the leading restorer of
oil paintings in the United States, lie has restored many valuable public
and private collects us, including the Trumbull and Jarvis collections for
Yale College. In 1888 he restored the collection of historic portraits in
the Governor's room of tin- City Hall. New York City. His success in
this delicate work is of course only possible because he is a talented artist,
and has executed many original studies in oil of high merit. In L857 he
met the late Alexander H. Taylor, the celebrated restorer of oil paintings,
and started with him to learn the art. UN business relations with Mr.
Taylor remained very (dose, and upon the kilter's death in L878 Mr. Bruce
became his successor.
Mr. Bruce has been honored with many local trusts. Ho was elected a
Town Committeeman of North Bergen in lstiT. when the hoard consisted
of three members. For twelve consecutive years, beginning with L873,
he was a member of the Hoard of Education and District Clerk of School
Disirict \o. ::. North Bergen. He served as township Assessor contin-
uously from L878 to L900, when ho declined further service. He is a
Democrat and has been prominent in the councils of the party for many
years. For twelve years he was a member of the Democratic County
Committee of Hudson County. He took a prominenl pari in perfecting the
new method of voting at the primaries, lie was the first Treasurer of North
nerv.cn Township, and has served efficiently as commissioner on many im-
l! KNK A LOGICAL
335
portant improvements in the northern j >;i i- 1 of Hudson County, including the
Paterson Avenue and Secaucus road, the Hudson County Boulevard, the
joint outlei sewer from the Town of Union, and a number of others, lie
has also been useful in various oilier capacities, being an active member
of the Fire Department in Hudson County from 1863 to April, 1900, when
lie resigned. He is prominent socially, and at his home in New Durham
has a rare art collection, including valuable oil paintings, prints, engrav-
ings, and curios, lie is a member of Hoboken Lodge, No. 35, F. and A. M..
of Pentalpha Chapter, No. 11. B. A. M.. of Pilgrim Commandery, No. 1(1.
K. T.. and of Mecca Temple, A. A. N. O. .M. S., of New York City.
GEORGE BRUCE.
Mr. Bruce married Catherine, daughter of Major John S. Sexton, of
Bull's Ferry, a veteran of the War of 1812. of their live children two are
living, namely: John S.. of the Town of Union, and George, Jr., of Wee-
hawken.
CARL HENRY RUEMPLER, Sheriff of Hudson County, was born in
Germany on the 12th of .March. 1848, his parents being George Martin
Ro< mpler and Dorothy Egoets, both natives and descendants of ancestors
of the Fatherland.
336 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
Mi. Ruempler was educated in the public schools of Germany and then
learned Ihe carpenter's trade, which he followed for several years. In
1ST-", be came to this country, arriving in Jersey City on the 6th of Septem-
ber. Immediately afterward be took up his trade as carpenter and con-
tinned the same until March, 1.875. On the 1st of May of thai year he es-
tablished himself in the liquor business in Jersey City and so continued un-
til 1881, when he became proprietor of the Courl House Hotel, formerly
Allen's Hotel, which he continued until May 29, L899.
Seen after coming to this country Mr. Ruempler identified himself with
the political and public life of Hudson County. He declined political
preferment until L895, when he was elected to the New Jersey Assembly by
a majority of 1,417. Efe served one term in thai body and gained a high
reputation. In November, L899, he was elected Sheriff of Hudson County
for a term of three years, his majority being 9,951 — the greatesl majority
ever received li> any Sheriff of Hudson County.
Mr. Ruempler is a public spirited and patriotic citizen, deeply interested
iii the affairs of his adopted city and State, and thoroughly identified with
its business and political prosperity. He married, in 1884, Elizabeth
Landwehr, and has two children: Elsie and Minnie.
J. WILLIAM GRIFFIN, Superintendent of the New York and New Jer-
sey Water Company and a respected citizen of Arlington, Hudson County,
was born in Washington, 1). < '.. on the 23d of September, 1860. His an-
cestors wore Virginians, and for many years were conspicuous in the his-
tory of that Colony and State. His mother's maiden name was .lane Ander-
son. His father. Dennis Griffin, served with the celebrated Home ( ; wards at
Washington during the War of the Rebellion.
Mr. Griffin acquired his educational training in the public schools of New
York <"ity. He became an expert in mathematics, and early displayed a
strong desire for a profession. After leaving school he took up the study
of civil engineering, and from 1 ks and active practice soon achieved the
reputation of an expert. That lie has put his broad and accurate knowledge
to practical use is evident from the responsible position he new holds, that
of Superintendent of the New York ami New Jersey Water Company al
Arlington. He has discharged the duties of this important office with abil-
ity and satisfaction. Mr. Griffin is a public spirited citizen, and takes a
deep interest in every movement affecting tin- welfare of the community.
He resides at Arlington, Hudson County, where he is held in high esteem,
net only for his professional achievements, but also for those eminent
qualifications and personal attributes which distinguish the successful
man. He is a member of the Loyal \rcannm and prominent in other
connections.
Mr. Griffin married Mis-; llanna Engelsheim, and has two children: Wel-
don Dominick and Herberl Lanris.
JAMES HENRY SYMES, a leading residenl oi Wesl New York, Hudson
County, and tor many years a Captain in the National Guard of New Jersey,
was born in Somersetshire, England, April 21, L847, being the youngest but
one in a family of ten children of .lames Symes and -lane Dally. 1 1 is father
was a carpenter. His mother was the daughter of John Dally and a sister
<d' William Dally, tin- founder of what was called Dallytown on Union Hill,
the place being named in honor id' him.
In 1S4!) the familv started for America in a stanch sailing vessel. When
Ill DSO.N AND BERGEN COUNTIES
337
off the cove of Cork, [reland, the ship was wrecked, and Captain Symes's
father, his twin brother Henry, another brother Albert, and a sister Ellen
died during the trip, which lasted four months. Undaunted, however, by
(his terrible disaster, which included also the loss of nearly all their goods,
the brave mother continued the voyage, arriving in New York January 17,
L850, with her remaining seven children : John Symes,nowof Elmira, N. Y.;
Louisa, wife of Joseph St< [fens, of Sacramento. Cal.; Emma, wife of Will-
iam \Y. Whitman, of Oakland, Cal.; Cecelia Synies, also of Oakland;
Aaron Synies, of California; and Sarah, who died in L888. Arriving in this
countrv, with scarcely a friend or acquaintance, and berefl of her husband
JAMES H. SYMES.
and three children under circumstances at once sudden and sad. the mother
Ins- no time in establishing a home for her family in what is now the Town
nf Tin <>n. then North Bergen, N. J. She died there in September, 1881, aged
seventy-four. Her life was one of greal self-sacrifice, of genuine hero-
ism, and in every respect exemplary. The manner in which she reared her
fatherless family attests the goodness and purity of her character.
Captain Synies was educated in the public schools of the Town of Union
and at the Free Academy in New York City, and at the age of seventeen
entered a New York broker's office, remaining there from 1862 to 1867.
338 HUDSON ANH BERGEN COUNTIES
Ee was then made teller of the Ne\* York Gold Exchange Bank, an insti-
tution doing a gold clearing house and banking business, and continued in
thai capacity until after the memorable Black Friday of September, L869.
Tliis experience has been <d inestimable ralue to Captain Symes, and is
one that he regards with peculiar satisfaction. It enabled him to acquire a
broad and liberal knowledge of general business matters as well ;is of the
intricacies of banking, and by strid industry and perseverance he gained
an honorable record. Ili^ fondness and skill in mathematics made him an
expert, while Ins ability and sound judgmenl attracted no little attention.
The panic of l v ~.">. however, turned the course of his life into channels
outside of banking, and. becoming active in political affairs as a member
of ili'- Democratic party, he served as Town Clerk of the Town i I' Union
for three terms between l s ~1 and L876. Ee was also Town Recorder for
two years and a Justice oi tin Peace. A.bou1 l v 7^ he entered the office of
Speelman & Bruch, map publishers of Boboken, and assisted them on the
surveys and in the publication of maps for New York City and Budson
County for three years. Ee no1 onh did much of the selling, bu1 also acted
as financial man and confidential clerk.
In L881 he purchased property in Wes1 New York, Budson County, and
took up Ins permanenl residence there, and there, in September, L882, he
established a lumber yard and at once entered upon an energetic business.
Ee was successful from The first. Starting on a modesl scale he gradually
and steadily buill up an immense trade, aggregat ing <>\ er $100,000 a year —
a sum not exceeded and probably unequaled l>\ any similar business in
North Hudson County. Ho conducted this business with uninterrupted
success until the spring of L898, when, having acquired other large and
important interests, he sold it T <> the Dodge & Bliss Company, the present
owners.
During the decade between L885 and 1895 he also purchased large trac -
of land in Tin- Towns ot YV< st New York, North Bergen, and YVeehawken,
which he laid out into lots, streets, and avenues, with all the modern im-
provements, and upon which he buill many houses, factories, etc., thus con-
tributing materially to the growth and development of those communities.
He has developed properties amounting to over LOGO city hits, and has buill
up and sold over a quarter of a million dollars' worth nf holdings
Ee still owns large properties, principally real estate, to the development
of which he is devoting all his time and energies. With a number of other
gentlemen he is actively interested in a project having for its purpose thi
establishment of a grand railroad terminal, with coaling and other facili-
ties, <»n Tin- Hudson Countv Boulevard in North Bergen, at the head of Main
Street.
Captain Symes has always been actively interested in educational mat-
ters, in politics, and in everj movemenl affecting the future of his town and
county. Ee has always been one of tin most generous and benevolent of
men, giving liberally of time and means to everj worthy object. Though
often urged to accept public office he has generally declined to
d<> so, on account of engrossing business cares, yet he has never failed to
discharge with promptness and fidelity all the duties of a citizen, [n
L896-97 he was .1 prominent member of the Board of Council of West New
York, being the only Democrat in that body. Be has also been a delegate
to mam town, county, district, and State Democratic conventions.
He has been especially prominent in the National Guard of New Jersey
and. in rifle practice, being widely known as an expert marksman. In L867
GENEALOGICAL 339
he joined Company B, Firsl Battalion, N. G. N. -J., as a private, and was
successively promoted to be Corporal, Servant, Second Lieutenant, and,
in L872, Captain, and served until 1S77. when he resigned, the battalion in
the meantime becoming the Ninth Regiment. Ho declined a Major's com-
mission in order to take care of Ins company, which he built up, and which
gained the reputation of being one id" the best disciplined companies in the
State. In lsls and 1^7!» Captain Symes acted as Quartermaster of the
regiment, and ai the end of that period he took command of Company E,
a position he was urged to accept t<> save and re-organize tin- company,
which had scarcely enough members in give ii a standing. About this time
the Ninth became the Second Regiment, \. G-. X. J. He was Captain of
Company E for about three years, and recruited and reorganized it, put
it in good shape, and then resigned. When dames A. Garfield was inaugu-
rated Presidenl he induced the regimenl to go to Washington, where
ii received the honor of being the largesl and best military organiza-
tion in line. In 1888 Captain Symes was persuaded by Colonel Edwin A.
Sievens and the other officers of the Second Regiment, and by the members
of Company 1'.. to accepl the captaincy of thai company, which he did,
although he had retired from the other command with the intention of de-
voting himself entirely to private affairs. The company had run down to a
membership of about fifteen, bin under his able guidance it was soon re-
cruited to iis full quota and became one of the " crack " companies of New
Jersey.
Enthusiastic, patriotic, and popular, he gained the love of his men and
the respect and esteem of his superior officers, and was noted as a good
disciplinarian. In rifle practice he was experl and proficient. He was a
member of the Slate learn of LS80, which won the Hilton trophy, a statue of
the "Soldier of Marathon." This match occurred at <Y lniore, and was
open lo every State in the Union and to the United States regular army.
In 1881 Captain Symes won the firsl prize — a rifle — a prize offered by the
Governor in a match open to all line officers in New Jersey, five shots each,
the distance being from 200 and 500 yards. He has also won many other
honors a- an expert marksman, both in military and in private contests.
He is a dose student of natural histon and science, an expert mathema-
tician, am! deeply interested in ail questions of current import, and has a
large and valuable collection of scientific works. His travels Include two
trip;- io California, one to the Yellowstone Park, and another with team
through the entire Adirondack region. He is a member and Past .Master of
Mystic Tie Lodge, No. 123, P. and A. M., and a member of Cvrus Chapter,
No. si. R. A. M.
Captain Symes was married, April \'K is?:'., in the Town of Union, N. J.,
to Matilda, daughter of Henry F. Maackens, a native of Holland, and Ma-
nilla, his wife, who was born in Germany. -Mrs. Symes was born in the
Town of Union in L853. She died March 1, 1892, leaving three children:
Jane Victoria, wile of Arnold II. Rippe, of the Town of Union; Henry Fred-
erick Maackens Symes: and Matilda Symes. Two other children died young.
LOUIS DIEHM, Jr., the well known iee dealer of West Hoboken, N. J..
was born in that town July 16, 1865, and has always resided there. He is
the son of Louis and Lizzie Diehm, both of whom came to this country from
I rermany.
Mr. Diehm obtained his education in the public schools of his native town,
and, like most youn^ men, found various employments until he w r as twenty-
340 in i»so\ and p,ek<;i:n cui;ntiks
|-, V( . i n is!!ii he engaged in the ice business, which he has continued with
marked success to the presenl time, having Ins headquarters in West 1 1 * »
boken. He is an active, enterprising citizen, deeply interested in public af-
fairs, .ind thoroughly alive to the needs of his town and c iiy. For some
time he served as a member of the Wes1 Bobokeu Towd Council. He is a
member of the Independent Order of odd Fellows and of other organiza
1 inns.
Mi . l >ieli in married Miss Leonie T. Thourol and has four children : Km i lie.
Lnr\ . Edward, and Harry.
DAVID DAVIS, <»t Kearny, overseer of the Marshall Thread Mills,
is the son of William Davis and .Mary Morrison, both natives of Wales and
descendants of eld and prominenl Welsh stock. He was born in Shrews
bury. England, February 1. L870, and (here received Ids education in public
schools. After leaving school lie turned his attention to the linen thread
business, and by energy and perseverance lias mastered every detail, be
coming a recognized expert.
In 1887 Mr. Davis came to the United States and settled in Kearny, X. J.,
where he ai mice associated himself with the well known Marshall Thread
Mills, of which he is now overseer of one of the departments. This
position lie has tilled with practical ability and satisfaction. lb- is thor-
oughly conversant with everv branch of thread manufacture, having grown
up in the business.
Mr. Davis is an ardent Republican, and for some time served as Town
Clerk of the Town of Kearny, where he resides, lie is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, of the Independenl Order of Foresters, of the Benev-
oleni Order of Redmen, and of the Firs! Districi Republican club.
He married Miss Helen Connett and has one son, William Gladstone
1 >avis.
THOMAS JEFFERSON DOBI5S. a member of the old family which gave
its name to Dobbs Ferry-on-the-Hudson. is the son of Frederick Fowler
Dobbs, who was born at Dobbs Ferry, N. Y.. in L800, was engaged in the
business of shad-fishing, and died at North Bergen, Hudson County, Febru-
ary 14, 1854. Frederick F. Dobbs's wife, Leah Carling, whom he mar-
ried in L836, died March 10, l vvv . His parents were Jerry Dobbs and
.lane Fowler, daughter of Vincent Fowler, of Dobbs Ferry, with whom
Aaron Burr stopped for a time after his celebrated duel with Alexander
Hamilton in L804. The site of this duel is near the presenl residence of
Thomas .1. Dobbs. in Weehawken. Thomas .1. Dobbs's maternal grand
father, Michael Carling, lived at Kingston, X. Y.. and married Margaret,
a daughter of John Bartholf. Force of circumstances compelled -101111
Bartholf i<> serve the British during the Revolution, ami he was instru-
mental, while carrying powder, in defeating General Wayne's attempt
to capture the blockhouse, just north of Guttenberg, on the Hudson,
opposite New Fork City. Mr. Dobbs's paternal great-grandfather was
a piioi and ship's carpenter, who served the patriot cause during the
Revolution, building batteaux for Washington across the Hudson. Dobbs
Ferry was named after him and his famih . Mr. I >ohhs's grandfather, Jerry
Dobbs, was also a carpenter, and was killed by accident at Tappan
Rockland County, X. Y. 'the presenl Mr. Dobbs is a worthy descendant
f this interesl in- family, and enjoys the highest esteem of a wide range
GENEALOGICAL
:ui
of friends and acquaintances throughout Hudson County and beyond its
boundaries.
Thomas J. Dobbs was born in North Bergen Township, now West New
York, Hudson County. March 7, L841, and received his education in the
public schools at Hulls Ferry. He worked with bis father until the latter's
death. February 14. 1854, following the calling of a shad-fisherman. After
working lor a time with oth< rs in the same business he established himself
in I860 in the business of quarrying pavement stones, which he conducted
for main vears. On July 26, L864, he enlisted in the United States Xaw.
THOMAS J. DOBBS.
and was honorably discharged duly 6, ISC."). He was on blockade duty at
Wilmington, X. C, and on the dames River, and was in action at Howled
House and other engagements. His two brothers, Henry and Richard,
also served in the Union Army during the Rebellion, the former in the
Twenty-second New Jersey Volunteers and the latter in the Sixth Cali-
fornia Infantry.
At the close of the Civil War Mr. Dobbs resumed the quarrying business
winch lie had established, and successfully carried it on for some time.
Afterward he was engaged in tin ice business, about seven years, in
which he was no less successful. He sometimes put up as much as
342 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
3,300 tons of ice in a winter, still later he followed successfully the
business uf piledriving, while he served as inspector and timekeeper for
John EL Bonn, in connection with the piledriving for the < > i « 1 iron bridge
or viaduct nt the West Shore ferry in Weehawken. .Mr. Dobbs has also
established a considerable reputation as an inventor. His importanl in-
ventions include in apparatus for clearing spiked cannon, an unconnect-
able harness, and other devices. He is a member of Ellsworth Post. No.
l i. ('.. A. R., nt Union Hill. Mi- has 1 « ► 1 1 «.■ been one <>i the prominenl leaders
of the Republican party in Hudson County, and has held a number el'
local offices. In the Town of West New York, where lie resides, In lms
served with credit in the positions >t Collector of Taxes, Town Treasurer
n wo terms — L867 and L878), School Trustee (several years), and Town
Committeeman (three years). For several years in- was a courl officer in
Hudson < Jounty.
on July I'll. 'l ssi i. he married Eliza Wiley, daughter of John M. Wiley
and Matilda Young, of Wes1 New York. Tke\ have four children: Leah,
Thomas Jefferson, Jr., Aaron B., and Matilda Dobbs.
GABRIEL B. REID, Treasurer of the Town of Kearny, X. J., and one of
the leading real estate men of thai section of Hudson County, was born in
Glasgow, Scotland, on tin loth of .Maw L851. In t853 his parents, .lames
• i
Reid and Elizabeth Menzies, came to this country and settled in Newark.
N. J., whence they removed, in L873, to Kearny, where both died— the
mother in 1884 and the father in 1897. dames Reid, a compositor by trade,
held positions on different newspapers. Ho and his wife broughl from
t keif native land all the sterling attributes of their race and t fa asm it red the
s niie to their child feu. i< gether with an honorable name.
Gabriel B. Reid received his earlj education in the public schools of
Newark, and for a time, while the family were on ;i visit to Scot kind, at-
tended the schools in Glasgow. There he also began active life as a mer-
chant. Upon his return to America in L872 he was I'm- twenty-five years
connected with tin Clark Thread Company in Newark, N. J., and during the
lasi two years has keen successfully engaged in the real estate business.
He is n typical Scotchman — a man of excellent character ami sound judg-
ment, and ;: public spirited, enterprising, and patriotic citizen, being one
of n family of ten children broughi to this country by his parents. He has
relied from a \ei\ early age upon his own resources, and enjoys the dis-
tinction of being a fearless and conscientious exponenl of the higher char-
acterisl ics of the Scotch race.
Mr. Reid is a prominenl and active Republican, and has tilled several
positions with ability ami satisfaction. Tie was Town Committeeman of
Kearny lot- three terms, Town Clerk two years, ami Treasurer of the town in
LS97 ami in 1899 was again appointed to thai position, which he still holds.
Ik- is Pas! Master of Copestone Lodge, No. 1 IT. A. F. and A. M.. am! was
of its charter members. Ik- is also a member of the Knox Presbyterian
Church of Kearny, win re he resides. Mr. Reid married Miss Jennie Tanne-
kilk also a native of Scotland, ind they have five children: dames M..
Gabriel Ik. Elsie J., John \\ '.. and Annabel G.
JEREMIAH CLARE WHITTLES, one of the Sinking Fund Commis-
sioners of Kearny, Hudson County, N. J., is ike son of Abram Whittles and
Mary (Jones) Whittles and a grandson of Abram Whittles. Sr., and was
kin n in Rochdale, Lancashire, England. April 25, L859. There his ancestors
GENEALOGICAL 343
had lived for many generations, his father being superintended of woolen
mills Mr. Whittles was iducated in his native town, and from earlv in life
has been actively identified with cotton and woolen inaniit'act uring. Learn-
ing the trade as a hoy. he devoted himself to it with energy and mastered
c\i'!\ detail. Coming to America, he interested himself in the manufac
inre of machinery for cotton and woolen industries, and in L893 invented
and patented an automatic (doth feed appliance which lias hum with great
success. This appliance is entirely different from anything heretofore
made, li does noi tear the mosl delicate cloth, and ye1 it works with won
derful rapidity and in some respects revolutionizes the work for which it
is intended and which was foi merly done by hand.
Mr. Whittles has no1 only achieved prominence as an inventor and maim
facturer, but lias also taken an active interest in public affairs, and as a
Republican has filled several positions with credit and satisfaction. He
served for two years as a member ot the Kearny Board of Education, and
is now a member of the Sinking Fund Commission of that city. Mis activ-
ity in politics covers a period of five years, during which time he has ren-
dered efficient service to his parly and town, lie is a prominent member
of the Masonic fraternity, of the Independent Order of odd fellows, of the
Knights of Pythias, of the Improved < >rder id' 1 Jed men. and of I he Episcopal
Church. Having spent five years in a technical school in England, and be
ing of an inventive i urn of mind. .Mr. Whittles has gained a wide reputation
in the industry to which in- has devoted his active life. He is a public
spirited, patriotic, and progressive citizen, a man of unswerving integrity,
and highly esteemed in the community.
.Mr. Whittles married Miss Elizabeth Emily Dixon, of Carlisle, England,
and t hey have five children: Mary Ellen, Frank. Camilla, Ethel, and < reorge.
WILLIAM KEUDEL LEICHT.— At Schottenstein, a town in the King-
dom of Bavaria, earlv in the nineteenth century, resided Andrew Leicht,
the earlier home of whose ancestors was in the Tyrol, an Austrian province
on the southwestern frontier of Germany, from whence some of their de-
scendants found their wax into Bavaria ami settled at Schottenstein many
generations back of the nineteenth century. Andrew Leichl and his wife,
Eva Barbarie, had issue, among whom was Andrew Leicht (2), horn at.
Schottenstein, dune 5, L817. At twenty years of age the latter came to
America and located at Hudson, Columbia County, X. Y., where in L840
he met, wooed, and married Miss Maria Sender (daughter of John and
Anna Semler), who had come to America in L829, from the village of (iross-
I'elda. in the Grand Duchy of Hesse Darmstadt, where she was horn May
1, L822.
After his marriage Andrew Leicht (2) embarked in the butcher business
at Hudson, X. Y.. continuing successfully for sixteen years. In L856 he
sold out and came to New York City, and the following year removed to
Hudson County, X. J., where he purchased a valuable tract of land west
of Hoboken on what was then known as " Van Yorsi Heights." On this
tract, in the following year (1857), he ImilT and equipped a large brewery
plant, and with John Roemmelt, his son-in-law, began the manufacture of
lager beer under the firm name of Roemmell & Leicht. The business was
continued with varying success until the death of the partners. During the
first twenty years of its existence the lager beer industry of the country
was in its infancy, and Roemmelt & Leicht's products were known far and
344
IIII»S(»\ \M» BERGEN COUNTIES
wide. Mr. Roemmelt, who was a native of Schwanfelt, in Bavaria, died
in isxi, and Mr. Leicht's deatli occurred in L885. In bis lifetime .Mr. Leiehl
was one of the best known and mosl promini ul men in Hudson County. I !«■
tools ;in active pari as a Democral in the political affairs of <»l<l llinls:ni
City before it was swallowed up by Jersey City, being twice elected Alder-
man and (nice Freeholder of the ward in which he resided. He was active,
energetic, scrupulously honest, and possessed sterling integrity, blended
with good business capacity, which qualities made him popular with and
WILLIAM K. LEICHT.
respected by n large circle of his fellow-citizens. His widow, a lady of
cheerful disposition and kind and matronly instincts, survives him, having
passed (lie seventy-eighth mile posl <>f liio. The issue of the third genera-
tion of Andrew Leichi and Maria Sender fall born a1 Hudson, X. Y.i are
five children: Andrew E., born in ISIl'; Amelia, born in L843; Charles K..
born in ls.~N: William K.; and John M., born in L856. Of these Andrew
E. married (1852) Louise .Miller and is a retired brewer with two children
in Chicago, III. Amelia married John Roemmell (now deceased) and has
had ten children (now in Jersej City). Charles P. married Kate Mahoney
GENEALOGICAL 345
and with lour children is in Newburgh, N. V. John M. married Eugenia
Veyressel and with two children is at Cleveland, Ohio.
William K. Leichi (3), the subjed of this sketch, was horn at Hudson,
Columbia County. N. Y.. October 1. is:»4. and came with his parents to
New Jersey in L857. He obtained ;i thorough education in the German
academy at Hoboken, at a high (grammar) schoo] in New York City, and
at Columbia College, from which institution he was graduated. He read
law in the office of the lat<- Attorney-General Roberl Gilchrisl in Jersey
City, and was admit ted to the New Jersey bar as an attorney in February,
L875, and as a counselor in February, L878. He then formed a law part-
nership with C. B. Harvey, of Jers< \ City. A few years later tins partner-
ship was dissolved, sine- which lime .Mr. Leichi has maintained an office
and successfully practiced his profession at No. 328 Palisade Avenue, Jer-
sey City, making real estate law and conveyancing specialties. As one of
the executors and trustees umh r I lie w ill of his wealthy uncle, Joseph Rub-
sam, of Stapleton, Staten Island. .Mr. Leichi lias been kept busy since 1.890
managing a large estate, and for the past five years he has been Secretary
of the Rubsam & Horrmann Brewing Company, at Stapleton, a position
which requires much of his attention am! from which he receives a hand-
some salary. He is a great lover of travel, and notwithstanding his many
business responsibilities has found time to travel all over the United Slates,
Mexico. South America, the West Indies, the Bermuda Isles, and through
ever\ country in Europe as far aorth as "the land of tin' midnighl sun."
In i'.iou he made an extended trip through Scotland and [reland. He is
sociably inclined and genial in his disposition. Extensive travel and ob-
servation have made him an agreeable conversationalist. He is a member
of but one club the Berkeley, of Jersey city. He has never married.
JAMES <i. WALLACE, seiner member el' the well known real estate
brokerage and insurance firm of Wallace & Limouze, of Union Hill, is the
sen of Lawrence W. Wallace am' Man Golden. He has always resided in
the Town of Union, Hudson County, X. •!., where he was born December :;.
L865. There he received a public school education, graduating at the age
of twelve. He then accepted a position as clerk in the banking house of
.lames C. King's Sons, the wideh known Wall Street linn which has since
retired from business after a continuous existence of over a century. Mr.
Wallace rose from office boy to a position of trust and responsibility, and
during the fifteen years of his connection with the lirm handled millions of
dollars, became an expert accountant and penman, and had Hie advantages
of a thorough business training in foreign and domestic banking. The
broad and valuable experience which he obtained in that institution has
served him in various capacities and brought him into prominence as an
aide, conservative business man.
In L893 Mr. Wallace formed a copartnership with George Limouze, under
the firm name of Wallace iV Limouze. and since then he has been actively
and successfully engaged in the general real estate brokerage and insur-
ance business in the Town of Union, their office being at L65 Bergenline
Avenue. He is an ardent Democrat, and was one of the founders and or-
ganizers of the Democratic Central Organization, of which he is still a lead-
ing member, and which he served for a time as Secretary. He is also a
member of the old Third (now First) Ward Democratic Club, formerly Vice-
President and now President of Columbia Hose Company of Union Hill, and
a member and the present Advocate of Palisade Council, No. 387, Knights
346 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
of Columbus. lie \\;is one <>f the organizers in L898 of the Hamilton Build-
ing ;iinl Loan Association ol Union Hill, and is its Secretary. He is also an
enthusiastic member of the Foresters of America, n Commissioner of heeds.
a Notary Public, and a Justice of the Peace, which office lie lms held since
L891, having been re-elected in 1896 for a second term of five years.
He was married, M;i\ L6, L888, to Miss Katherine II. Walker, daughter of
ili'- late James Walker, of the Town of Union, X. J. They reside al *_'•'>«;
Palisade Avenue, Union Hill, and have three children living: Katherine
Walker, Ethel .Mav. and Marguerite Mary Wallace.
TIloMAS l\ BULGER, nienil er of the Board of Aldermen and one of the
leading manufacturers of Harrison, Hudson County, was horn in Newark,
X. J., March 25, L857, His parents, John and Mary (Eustis) Bulger, were
nativ< s of Ireland, bu1 came to the United States when young, and in L854
were married in Newark. In L858 they moved across the river and took up
their residence in Harrison. Hudson County.
As a h<iy Mr. Bulger attended the parochial schools of Newark and Har-
rison. He not only acquired a good practical education, but developed a
rugged physique, and when he arrived at man's estate he entered upon the
career which has won for him both honor and success. After leaving school
he engaged in the business of manufacturing wire cloth, which he has ever
since followed, building up a large and successful industry. He stands
among the leading manufacturers of Hudson County, and through his own
indomitable efforts, applied with intelligence, united with skill and ability.
has achieved an honorable reputation.
His public life has been equally conspicuous. An ardent and enthusias
tic Democrat, he was for seven years a member of the Harrison Board of
Education and is now (1900) a member of the Board of Aldermen, repre-
senting the First Ward. His services in these and other capacities have
brought him into more than local prominence as a man of ability, integrity,
public spirit, and enterprise. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus
and of the < Jatholic Church.
Mr. Bulger married Ellen McPhillips. Of their eleven children eight are
living, namely: Henry J.. Joseph. Kate E.. John, William. Thomas F.. Jr.,
George, and May. Tine.- — Charles. James. Mary Lizzie — died young.
DAVID ST. JOHN, M.D., of Hackensack, one of the leading physicians
of Bergen County, was born in Berne, Albany County, X'. Y.. in March,
L850, his parents being David St. John and Mary Johnson. His mother
was of Scotch descent. He is descended from Matthias St. John (Sention),
who came from England in L635 and settle,! in New England. His grand-
father, Noah St. John, moved to New York State upon his marriage to
Elizabeth Waterbury, of Waterbury, Conn.
Dr. St. John pursued a preparatory course of study in the Albany schools
and then began to lit himself for the profession of medicine, entering the
office of Dr. II. W. Bell, of Berne, X. Y.. and afterward the office of Pro-
fessor dames II. Armsby, then the leading surgeon of Albany. He took a
course of lectures ;>t ill'- Albany Medical College, the Buffalo Medical
College, and the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, graduating from the
latter institution with the degree of M.I >. in L875.
Upon graduation Dr. St. John settled in Hackensack, X". J., where he
has since resided, and where he has acquired one of the largest and mosl
successfnl practices in Eastern New Jersey. He is not only prominenl in
GENEALOGICAL 347
the profession of medicine and surgery, bu1 1ms also boon closely identified
with all matters of local or public interest, lie was the lirsi to realize the
need and advantages of a hospital for the holier treatment of a class of
medical and surgical cases, and in L888 was instrumental in organizing the
llackensack Eospital, one of the mosl useful institutions in Bergen County.
While his energetic and untiring efforts in its behalf have been ably sec
ended by all classes of citizens, his indefatigable labors have been the
primary cause of its success, and nude; his able direction as President of
the .Mcdi.al Board and visiting physician and surgeon the hospital has
outgrown its present quarters and is being replaced b.\ a much larger
structure, which will be ,u f the besl equipped institutions of its class
in the State. One wini: of the new building, consisting of two wards, will
he known as the Si. John wards. Dr. St. John having assumed (In- cost of
this part. Another win- will be the Frank 15. Poor wards, thai gentle-
man having given the amounl necessary for its construction. Dr. St. John
is ;i member and former Presideni of the Bergen County Medical Society,
and a member of the New Jersey State Medical Society, the New York
State Medical Associalh.ii. the New York Academy of Medicine, and the
Aeierieau Medical Association, lb- was appointed by Governor Griggs
one of the managers of the N«-w Jersey State Hospital for the Insane at
Morris Plains, and is surgeon for the Erie Railroad. Ho also does a .ureal
deai of surgical work in the western portion of Bergen County outside of
his hospital practice. Associated with him is Dr. A. A. Swayze, a graduate
of the College of Physicians ami Surgeons of Baltimore, Md.
Dr. St. John is hirst Vice President of the llackensack Trusi Company,
;i Director of the Backensack Bank and of the (las and Electric Company
of Bergen County, and Presideni of the llackensack Eeights Association,
owners of a large trad of valuable real estate on llackensack Eeights.
Courteous, dignified, and sympathetic, Dr. Si. John has achieved marked
success in his profession and enjoys the confidence and respect of his
numerous patients as well as of the entire community. He was married
in 1S79 to .Miss Jennie Angle, second daughter of John II. Angle, of Scran-
ton, Pa. They have three children: Olive Graham, Fordyce Darker, and
Florence Angle.
CHARLES W. WYCKOFF, carpenter and builder, of West Hoboken, is
the son of George and Margaret Ann (Snook) Wyckoff and a grandson of
Jacob Wyckoff, a native of Holland am! later a leading farmer of Werts-
ville. Eunterdon County, X. J. George Wyckoff was born in Wertsville
and followed I he trade of blacksmith until the War of the Rebellion, when
he enlisted in the Thirtv fourth New Jersey Zouaves. Ee was wounded in
a skirmish near Atlanta and died at Koine, < la., while in the service.
Mr. Wyckoff was born in Wertsville, Eunterdon Countv, N. J., October
1!). 1848, and received his education in the adjoining County of Mercer,
attending the public schools. He learned the trade of carpenter in Hope-
well, A'. J., which he followed as a journeyman for ten years, principally
in Princeton and Asbury Park. Dining the last twenty years he has been
actively and successfully engaged in business for himself as a carpenter,
contractor, and builder, beginning in Asbury Park and continuing since
August, 1887, in West Hoboken, A'. J. More than one hundred dwellings
in Asbury Park and Ocean Grove and an equal number in Hudson County
are I he result of Mr. WyckofTs energy and enterprise, and all bear evidence
of his skill, thorough workmanship, and executive ability. He has also
348 iiudsox and bergbn counties
erected many other buildings of note, including the old elevated structure
of the Wesl Shore Railroad in Weohawken.
Be is an ardenl and consistenl Democrat, and during the pasl six years
lias served as a member of the Board of Education of Wes1 Hoboken, where
be resides, having his home a1 722 Dubois Street. In May, 1st;;;, be en-
listed in the Thirty-fourth Regiment, United States regular army, and for
eighteen months was connected \\ ; i I; the B^reedman's Bureau in Texas, thus
gaining an active experience in the greal reconstruction problem. Be then
became a civilian, and remained there in all four years, when be returned
North and took up the trade of carpenter. Mr. Wyckoff is a member of
Mystic Tie Lodge, No. L23, I', and A. M.. of Union Bill, of Columbia Lodge,
No. L51, K. of 1'.. and of WVsi Shore Council, No. L097, R. A. Be is widely
respected, uo1 alone because of his prominence in contracting and building
circles, bul also on accounl of the active interest he lias tak< n in local af
fairs and especially in all matters affecting the public welfare.
Be was married June 29, L870, to Abbie Britton, daughter of Stephen
Britton, of Rocky Bill, X. •!.. the ceremony being performed by the laic Rev.
Alexander T. McGill, D.D., LL.D., professor in Princeton Theological Semi-
nary. They have eighl children: Sarah Elizabeth, Margarei Annie. Will-
iani A.. Charles \V.. dr.. Joseph II.. Abbie, Louie, and .May.
BALLOWAY WHITFIELD CLOUSE, of Kearny, was born ai Four
Bridges, Morris County. X. J., February 21, L839. His parents, Stephen
Clouse and Susan Sliker, were both horn and married in Morris County,
and were descended from sonic of the oldest families of the State, his moth-
er's ancestors having serv< d in the Revolul ionary War.
.Mr. Chaise received his education in the public schools at Lour Bridges,
and subsequently learned the carpenter's trade, which he still follows. Be
removed from Morris County to Kearny. X. J., when a young man, and for
many years has been actively ami prominently identified with the progress
of thai town. For thirty-three years he was associated with the Delaware,
Lackawanna, and Western Railroad Company, holding a position in the
carpentry and building department. Be is one of the oldest and bes!
known carpenters in Eastern New Jersey.
Mr. < 'louse has always been a Republican in politics, active and influ-
ential in party councils, and foremosl in promoting the welfare of Ins
community, lie was a member of the Board of Education of Kearny for
nine years, and in that capacity rendered efficienl service. Be is now an
election officer of that town. He is a member of Friendship Lodge, No. 1 1 1.
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Newark, and of the Knights and
Ladies of Bonor of the Golden Star, of Last Newark, and in religion is a
Presbvterian.
.Mr. ('louse married Martha Jane Bennett, daughter of Moses D. and
Mary B. Bennett, of Mendham, X'. .1. They have three children: Warren
( '.. Louis L.. and Morris W.
JACOB CxUNSET, of North Bergen, is one of the substantial business
men of Budson < Jounty, where he has resided lea- more than forty-five years.
He has had a successful career, is highly esteemed and respected in the com
nmnity. and is now engaged in farming and market-gardening. In politics
he is independent, and has never cared to become a candidate for any polit-
ical office. He is a member of the Evangelical Association.
Mr. Ounsci is the son of Philip and Elizabeth Gunset, and was born Feb
<;k.\i:ai.o<;k'al
349
ruary 27, L833, in Alsace, now a part of Germany, bu1 ;il thai time a part of
Prance. Saving been educated in the public schools of his native place, he
came to America in IS.").",, and originally settled in New York City, bid
shortly afterward removed to North Bergen, where In has since resided.
He married Mary (Heck, and lias nine children: Katie. George, Maggie,
Jacob. Elizabeth, Charles. Emma, Fred, and Mary.
A substantia] citizen in the community in which he lives, Mr. Gunsel be-
longs to the number of foreign bora citizens who came to America out of
love for its tree institutions, and on account of their appreciation of the
JACOB GUNSET.
greal advantages which tins country affords to the worthy and the enter-
prising. He was for nineteen years a School Trustee in North Bergen
Township. Hudson County, and was the prime mover in the establishment
of Public School No. 5. He has always been active in school work, was
District Clerk of the School Board, and hired the first teacher in District
No. 5.
EDWARD WILLIAM BERGER was born in Liver] 1. Onondaga Coun-
ty. N. Y.. -Inly 17, 1871. His grandparents, Andrew and Elizabeth Berger,
were substantial residents of Ettlinger, Baden, Germany, the former being
350 HUDSON AND BERGEN COUNTIES
a large and successful brewer. His father, Edward William Berger, Sr., a
native of Ettlinger, came to America at aboul the age of eighteen, and was
married in New York City to Margaret Bensel. Afterward he moved to
Liverpool, and with two brothers engaged in the sail business, then the
leading and mosl promising industry in Central New York. Be died a1 the
early age of twenty-nine, in New York City. His wife survives him, and
resides with the subjecl <>r this article in Weehawken.
Edward \Y. Berger was educated in the public and high schools of New
York City, graduating from the latter in 1883. He then entered Packard
Institute in New York and took a fall course in mechanical engineering,
meanwhile holding a position with the rngersoll Rock Drill Company, :ii
thai time the largesl manufacturers of all kinds of mining machinery in the
world, in the dual capacities of studenl and employee he obtained no1 only
a theoretical bu1 a practical knowledge of the profession in which In- lias
achieved success, lie was graduated from Packard Institute with the de-
gree of M.E. in 1889, and remained with the Ingersoll Rock I Mill Company
from 1.883 to L895, having for several years full charge of all inside detail
work in connection witli the machinery. Resigning this position in Febru-
ary, 1895, he engaged in the machine, hardware, and plumbing supply busi-
ness in the Town of Union, X. J., where he soon made a record as an able,
substantial, and enterprising business man. In April, L896, he buill his
presenl store and home on the cornet- of Bull's Perry road and Fulton
Street in Weehawken, and there he has continued Ids business operations
on the same linos, building up an extensive trade. lie conducts the largesl
business in t 
