title: The industrial interests of Newark, N. J. : containing an historical sketch of the city, also a complete summary of the origin, growth and present condition of Newark's industries. Including the location and description of all the manufacturing establishments
text: ■J: xo^ :i ^^^^^ .^ .0 N ■<■ V, ^:.^^ ^. <^^^ i %<?:^- .^^ s^% % * " '^ c5 ^.^ ^^ ^ ^^ '^/, * M ^ ,^\V ^(r> % X^^ % N O V ^ Y * cP-^ ' * .0^ s .^•'^^' .^'^ ^^ 2 "/ ■<p- ,<»'<■ .^^-^ ^S., '-^ ■^.■'>?%'^' ^ » 1 A '^ 9 1 ^ * ^<\^ A^^^ -* ^0 e ■^' ^. .-^' > 'X <> \. o 0^ ^^P ,^^^ .S^-^. ^.^^' v^ \V ./» A^ ^ kt> [^ -i o > V'^ % / % ^>^-^. ^0 o^ #• '<^%- <^ A <D ^ -» X ^-.^' #' "-■ ^^/^^^^ ■A' ./*. A'^ .•^.=5?^^*,'' ''-■ 9 I A ri ''-^:<. v^ ^' "' ^ A'' THE Industrial Interests OF NEWARK, N, J., CONTAINING AN HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE CITY, — ALSO — L COMPLETE SUMMARY OF THE ORIGIN, GROWTH AND PRESENT CONDITION OF NEWARK'S INDUSTRIES. — INCLUDING — THE LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OP ALL THE MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS. NEW YORK: YAN ARSDALB & COMPANY, PUBLISHERS I 8 74. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, BY VAN ARSDALE & COMPANY, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at "Washington. NEWARK DAILY ADVERTISER PRINT. PREFACE In the preparation of the following pages the design has been to give a succinct account of the history and characteristics of each industry, together with careful statistical summaries of each branch of manufactures. No attempt has been made to give the amount of capital invested, it being a matter of little importance to the world at large,, who have only to deal with results, and not the means of reaching them. The statistical information given has been acquired through personal interviews with each manufacturer, and in nearly every instance the figures have been verified by reference to the books of the firm ; their accuracy, therefore, is beyond question. It needs no specious argument to sl\ow that the following work is an innova- tion in the industrial literature of the country. No similar attempt has previously been made in the interest of any manufacturing city. That the effect of such a work is in general beneficial to the interests of a city, and hence, of great value to each individual manufacturer is obvious. That his material welfare and that of the city in which his wares are produced are identical is manifestly plam. Next to spreading accurate information concern- ing the various products of his factory, a manufacturer should avail himself of every opportunity to contribute to the popularity of his city abroad as one of the world's greatest workshops. Should this volume add to the renown which Newark has already achieved as a centre of industry and mechanical skill, the purpose of the pubhshers will have been accomplished. The labor requisite for compiling and preparing for publication the succeed- ing pages can scarcely be overestimated. The great magnitude of the task has, however, beeu materially lessened through the valuable suggestions received from Col. Robert S. Swords, the obHging Secretary of the Newark Board of Trade, and the courtesy of Mr. Wilham B. Layton of the Newark Library. Our thanks are also due for the cordial support and encouragement of the enterprising press of Newark. vl^^^]!Mfflm^^ CONTENTS. Preface, . . . : 3 Historical Sketch of Newark, 5-18 Celluloid, 20-24 Leather and its Manufactures, 24-56 Iron and its Manufactures, 57-118 Manufactures in Metals other than Iron, .... 119-161 Manufactures in Iron and Wood, 162-171 Manufactures in Wood, .... ... 172-187 Miscellaneous Manufactures, 188-251 The Newark Industrial Institute, 252 Conclusion, 25S ILLUSTRATIONS. ^%^ PA6E, Edward Simon & Brothers' Trunk Manufactory, .... 44 The Hyatt Lathe for Turning Spheres, 69 The Sargeant M'f'g Co.'s Saddlery Hardware Manufactory, . 76 The Cottrell Stone Machinery Company's Diamond Band Saw, . 79 (/. 8. Osborne & Co."s Tool Manufactory, 110 Portrait of Newark's Great Inventor, Seth Boyden, . . . 128 El). Balbach & Sons' Smelting and Refining Works, . . . 137 Carter, Howkins & Dodd's Jewelry Manufactory, . . . 146- Hewes X- Phillips' Machine Works, 159 Douglas. Sons & Co.'s Firniture Manufactory and Warerooms, . 167 Military Park, Newark, N. J., 176 Lister Brothers' Passaic Carbon and Agricultural Chemical Works, 179 Atha & Hughe's Enameled Oil-Cloth Manufactory, . . . 18& Newark Industrial Institute Exhibition Buildings, . . . 195 Hawkins & Dodge Machine A¥orks, • 204 The Backus Water Motor, 219 Edison's P.atent Gold and Stock Reporting Telegraph Instrument, 236 I NEWARK, N. J The first commercial and manufacturing town of New Jersey is the City of Newark in the northeastern part of the State on the west bank of the Passaic river three miles from its entrance into Newark Bay. Newark is situated nine miles west of New York, fifty-nine from Trenton, the State capital, seventy- eight from Philadelphia, two-hundred and sixteen from Washington and about forty-five miles from the northern boundary of the State, in latitude 40° 44' North, longitude 74° 10' West. The site of the city is one of the most attractive and delightful localities in New Jersey. Eastward toward New York are broad and level meadows, not unlike a western prairie, traversed by the Passaic and Hackensack rivers, while beyond, rising abruptly in the distance, are the historic Bergen Heights. The land on which the city proper is built lies many feet above the Passaic river, and in the western portion is sufficiently undula- ting to suggest the picturesque. At this point the Passaic, coming down from the north, makes a wide sweep westward, and thus Newark is built, as it were, on the outer rim of a semi-circle within which, across the river, is East Newark an offspring of the older town. Westward from the city, into and beyond Essex county, of which Newark is the capital, the land rises rapidly until a culmination is reached in the far-famed Orange Mountains which traverse the central part of the state. The intervening country is scarcely equaled for fertility of soil, beautiful scenery and healthful climate. It is thickly dotted with attractive villages, surrounded by highly cultivated and fruitful farms. Years of continuous cultivation have made this portion of New Jersey little less than a blooming garden. Newark in the main is regularly laid out, and has wide and well-paved streets adorned with grand old elms, which are forcibly suggestive of the typical New England town. Unlike a western city which has grown up within a few years, hence presenting a uniform appearance, Newark on account of its great age has many architectural anomalies. Here is a building of another century, and there an elaborately ornamented structure illustrating the ornate architecture of to-day. Broad-street, the main business thoroughfare, extending north and south through the central part of the city, has many fine business blocks. The south part of this street, lined with mag- 6 HISTORICAL SKETCH nificent elms, is one of the most beautiful avenues in the country. Midway at the intersection of Broad and Market streets is the centre of the city's trade and commerce. The bank buildings are especially attractive. In addition, the buildings erected by several of Newark's prosperous insurance companies are worthy of notice. Newark in many respects even now is unsurpassed as a beautiful city. The structures built in an early day are fast disappearing and in their places are building stores and blocks for ofiBces which, are the outgrowth of that taste and cultured refinement which spring from accumulations of wealth. When these changes shall have been comple- ted, the City of Newark will have no superior in the country for finished and elaborate architecture. Outside of the central streets, and even there they are not absent, the observer is struck with the frequency of manu- facturing establishments. These are the absorbing feature of Newark, whose chief glory and source of prosperity are her manufactures. The buildings are mostly neat brick structures erected in a substantial manner, thus securing permanence with economy. Newark has now reached a population of about 130,000, and as its rapid growth will soon give it a metropolitan character the number and extent of the public parks possess an absorbing interest. It is gratifying to find that the city is not without these breathing places. Military Park on the east side of Broad-street near its centre, and Lincoln Park towards the south at the mtersection of Broad-street and Clinton Avenue are delightful retreats from the heat of summer, the former being deeply shaded with the majestic elms of which Newark may well be proud. Although these parks are perfect in their way they are insufficient for the wants of Newark. A movement is on foot, however, to provide ample grounds for public recreation before the population of the city has become so dense, and land so valuable as to form an insuperable obstacle in the way of the desired result. It is hoped that any adequate plan which the enterprising citizens of Newark may have in view, will meet with the fullest success. Newark has a present area of about eighteen square miles. The city's circum- ference is about sixteen miles ; its length from north to south five and a half, and its breadth from east to west five miles. The suburbs are very extensive and attractive. On the west they extend to Orange, and within a mile of Elizabeth on the south. The suburban vQlages are in fact so numerous, and the country between so slight in importance that it has been proposed to unite them aU, including the countres of Hudson and Essex and the cities of Eliza- beth and Paterson, under one corporation the whole to be known as the City of Newark. The character ot a city is very often judged by its hotels. To estimate Newark thus would result in gross injustice. Owing to unfavora- ble circumstances it has nothing to boast of in this direction. The principal OF NEWARK, N. J. 7 causes of this serious defect are perhaps, first, its proximity to New York, and second, a love for domestic life and home comforts which looks with distrust on the privations incident to hotels; the former explains the absence of strangers who prefer the more stirring scenes of the neighboring metropolis, while the latter completely negatives what is known as a hotel population. The two principal hotels at present in operation are the Continental and the Park House. Newark like Brooklyn is a city of churches, and its people are a church going community. Some of the causes which gave rise to this healthy moral and reUgious sentiment may be mentioned hereafter. The church edi- fices are as a rule commodious, and attractive in appearance They are usually built of brown sand stone and in point of architecture are in keeping with good taste, fortunately lacking that "loud" tone which so disgraces many metropolitan churches, the result of superfluous and vulgar wealth which for want of culture lacks a better expression. The city has a commodious theatre in the Newark Opera House at the corner of Market and Halsey streets. The variety of entertainments given is of the first order, but the fullest success is in a measure prevented by the nearness of New York where are to be seen the best efiects of the histrionic art. By the aid of street cars the means of local travel are ample. The various lines traverse nearly all parts of the city, and through them are secured intimate relations with the suburbs. Amid the natural surroundings and ''advanced" ideas of to-day there is danger of forgettmg the lessons of the past in the hurry and excitement incident to the mad rush after wealth and fame. Instead of studying the records of yesterday that a solution of the problems of to-day may be reached in the hght of experience, many of our pseudo pohticians and philosophers with an egotism knovrn only to modern democracy, rely solely on their inner consciousness for a complete and satisfactory answer to the most intricate questions, when the result as influencing legislation affects the condition of milhons of people for good or evil. These modem savans, judged by their pub- lished thought and actions, affect to believe that the fact of a social theory or governmental policy having been tried in the past under as favorable condi- tions as are now afforded, does not militate against its success in the nineteenth century, their chief reason being that this is " a glorious country." The logic of events has no terrors for them. In their abhorrence for statistics and histori- cal data these philosophic pohticians manifest a remarkable inability for collat- ing and understanding the most simple facts. He who scorns the value of yesterday will contribute little of permanence to the history of to-day. Intel- lectual bubbles are as evanescent as their gaseous counterparts. Some one has said that a ^ung man's chances for success in the great world of thought and morals may be accurately foretold by the estimation and reverence in which he holds the great record of human achievements, aa shown on the pages of his- 8 HISTORICAL SKETCH tory. Youth is sophoraoric, and when surrounded by naught which bears the impress of age the tendency is to throw aside facts and premises in the forma- tion of conclusions, reaching them by an intuitive process known only to its deluded possessor. That a great city should be built up and reach the full tide of architectural splendor in two years, is marvelous. It is a material ac- chievement of which any country may well be proud. But that such surround- ings are conductive to intellectual and moral greatness is not susceptible of proof. The young man then whose aspirations are intellectual and moral is fortunate, if born and reared in a city rich in historical associations. Hudson discovered the river which bears his name in 1609. The settlement of New Amsterdam, afterwards New York, by the Dutch, immediately follow- ed, and the province of New Netherlands extending from Albany south to Cape May, including what is now known as New Jersey, took shape and di- rection under the control of Holland, then a great maritime power. During the succeeding half century, the village of New Amsterdam and the colonies along the Hudson river flourished apace. Down to the beginning of the seventeenth century the efforts which had been made to colonize New Jersey had resulted in nothing of significance. Save a few Dutch and Swedish set- tlements on the Delaware river, and a trading station at Bergen, mentioned in 1618, New Jersey was yet a wilderness, inhabited only by the Indians, who had roamed over its beautiful hills and fertile valleys from time immemorial. The eastern shore, whose picturesque beauty had attracted Hudson, was hard- ly known, except in his reports, while to the west, along the upper Delaware, the white man had scarcely penetrated. It is related, however, that some of Hudson's hardy crew, in their varied explorations, crept through the Kill-von- Kull at the north of what is now Staten Island, and entering Newark Bay, passed northward into the Passaic river. The beast and savage only were there to welcome them. On their return, they reported '' very good rid- ing for ships, and a narrow river to the westward, between the land ; the land was pleasant with grass and flowers and goodly trees, as ever they had seen, and very sweet odours came from them." The irrepressible Dutch traders, in their intercourse with the natives, were no doubt fully cognizant of the bound- less possibilities of the country between New York Bay and the Delaware OF NEWARK, N. J. 9 whose fairest spot was destined to form tlie site of the city whose wondrous growtli and industrial development this volume records. As already indicated, the Dutch settlements on Manhattan Island and the Hudson, were in the main prosperous. By right of discovery the priority of title to all the lands in North America on the Atlantic coast had been claimed by England. The Dutch were therefore regard- ed as pretenders, or rather, lawless adventurers. During the interval between 1620, when the Pilgrims landed in New England, and 1660, the settlements in Massachusetts and Connecticut had so grown and prospered that encroachments were making towards the west on the Dutch viUages which had been springing up along the Hudson. Ti.e Commonwealth in England under Cromwell had just been succeeded by the accession of Charles II, to the throne. At this time England was envious of the commercial glory and prosperity of Holland. The new king therefore, desirous of promoting England's renown, and thereby adding to his own, declared war upon Holland and all her reputed possessions. New Amsterdam and the province of New Netherlands were the first to succumb. In 1664 the Dutch and Swedes on the Delaware capitulated, and England was again in complete control of the Atlantic coast. The title of England to these immense possessions was formally acknowledged by Holland, by the peace of Breda, in 1667. Two months previous to the forcible seizure of New A.msterdam, in 1664, King Charles granted to his brother James, the Duke of York, all the lands between the Connecticut river and Delaware Bay. In honor of this great landowner, the name of New Amsterdam was changed to New York. In 1664 the Duke of York assigned to Lord John Berkley and Sir G-eorge Carteret, all lands between the Hudson and Delaware rivers. To this tract the title of New Gcesarea or New Jersey was given. In this act, if to fix the boundaries and grant the soil could constitute a State, the Duke of York gave political existence to a commonwealth. Philip, a brother of Sir George Carteret, was the first governor of the new province. He landed at a a point now called Elizabethport, in 1665, the place being named in honor of his brother's wife. Of course the first move of the proprietors was to effect a colonization of this new territory. As previously indicated, the Dutch had made no settlements west of Hackensack, Newark Bay and the sound between Staten Island \nd the main. The early history of the State has thus been briefly sketched that a ray of light may be thrown on the subsequent settlement of Newark. The induce- ments held out by the proprietors for immigration to New Jersey, form in the light of the immediately preceding events an historic anomaly. The siezure of New Netherlands by England was prompted by a spirit of aggressiveness antagonistic to^ the genius of liberty. The seizure was an act of foreign con- quest regardless of the resulting pain and misery inflicted on humanity. Yet 2 1 HISTORICAL SKETCH strange as it may appear, the first act of the new governor was to prepare a form of government liberal in the extreme. The unequalled success and glorious triumphs of the New England Puritans in subduing the wilderness that their peculiar ideas and forms of religion and government might have a home for- ever secure from the interference of priest or king, had commanded and re- ceived the world's homage. The spirit of liberty was in the air. And the G-overnor of New Jersey, while in reality the tool and emissary of despotic royalty, proceeded with commendable foresight to make the most of the situa- tion. The Ne-w England settlers not content with cultivating their sterile soil, had become restless and desirous of removing to new fields of enterprise, where agricultural labor and industrial skill might secure a more adequate re- ward. In the colony of New Haven especially this feeling was intense, chiefly on account of enforced annexation to that of Connecticut, Taking advantage of this favorable condition of things, the Lords Proprietors of New Jersey pre- pared a bill of "concessions and agreements" to all settlers and ''adven- turers " as might choose to unite their fortunes with New Jersey. Grants of land were offered on the most favorable terms, and local self-government with the utmost freedom of conscience were guaranteed to all. These "conces- sions " were pubhshed in the New Haven colony. Thus, in the language of Bancroft, did avarice render homage to liberty. The people of the New Haven colony had already been looking toward the fertile soil of New Jersey with ardent hopes, having made overtures to the Dutch at New Amsterdam previ- ous tu its surrender; hence the propositions of Governor Carteret were favor- ably received. It IS interesting to note in these days of paper currency and rapid interchange of values, that the consideratioii of the land consisted of " fifty double-hands of powder, one hundred bars of lead, twenty axes, twenty coats, ten guns, twenty pistols, ten kettles, ten swords, four blankets, four barrels of beer, two pair of breeches, fifty knives, twenty hoes, eight hundred and fifty fathoms of wam- pum, two ankers of liquor, or something equivalent, and three troopers' coats." this poHcy of fair dealing with the first owners of the soil is suggestive in many ways. It stands out in sharp contrast with the pohcy pursued by con- temporary colonies. Chiefly through this act of justice the City of Newark ever after enjoyed immunity from savage inroads and scalping excursions. A few years later a second purchase was made by which the limits of Newark were extended westward to the top of Orange Hill, the equivalent being ■* two guns, three coats, and tiiirteen cans of rum." Closely following or ac- companying the first settlers came a delegation from Guilford and Brandford, neighboring towns of the New Haven colony, to examine the ground and, if agreeable, provide for a union of interests in the new home. The first entry in the records of Newark as published by the Historical Society of New Jersey bears date May 21, 1666, and contains an account of the conference with the men from G-uilford and Brandford. It was agreed that their fortunes should be united " according to fundamentals mutually agreed upon " During the following year the proposed union was eff"ected, the second delegation being equal in numbers to the band from Milford. It appears that the men of Guil- ford and Brandford were more potent than their predecessors in moulding the forms and modes of government for the new town. Previous to their de- parture from New England they held a meeting and prepared the "funda- mental agreements " expressive of their political and religious views. They were devoted Puritans and imbued with all the peculiar notions which that name implies. The agreements provided, first, that the purity of re- ligion as professed by the Congregational Church should be maintained ; that none should , be admitted free burgesses of the town or chosen to the magistracy, or have a vote in the establishment of laws, or be eligible to 12 HISTORICAL SKETCH any chief military tiust except those who were members of some or other of the Congregational Churches ; such ordinary civil rights as were left be- ing extended to all other settlers. These resolutions were unanimously sub- scribed to at a public meeting on the Passaic, June 24th, 1667. The whole number of signatures was sixty-three. Thus were the chief features of the New England codes transferred to the statute book of New Jersey. Such restrictions are regarded now, in the words of Buckle, as relics of a by-gone age. It should not be forgotten, however, that those were troublous times, a period of great intellectual and religious excitement Men were gov- erned by dogmas, and reason was decried. Religious hypocrisy was not then so common as now. Individual worth and purity are the basis for all reform. And to this end Puritanism was a grand step onward toward a higher civilization and nobler life. Puritanism bridled the passions, commanded the virtue of self-denial, and rescued the name of man from dishonor. Bancroft says, " the maturity of a nation is but the continuation of its youth." and as this principle applies quite as well to the growth of a city, one can scarcely overestimate the never-ending beneficial influence of those city fathers in shaping the character of Newark. A local writer says, "if we, their descendants, have among us anything of purity and truth, or respect for law and justice, it is probable that to their influence and example we owe their existence." Settlers from Brandford came rather as a Church than as individuals, under the leadership of tneir pastor, the Rev. Abram Pierson. For a time the embryo city was called Milford, or, simply, " our Town on the Pesayak." The place as finally named received its title in honor of Mr. Pierson, who had come hither from an English town bearing the same name. The first church built was in 1669. It was a primitive structure 26 feet wide and 36 feet long. It is worthy of special mention as being the initial point for a church which has preserved its historical continuity from that time till now. Its organiza- tion was at first Congregational, but since 1719 it has been known as The First Presbyterian Church of Newark. It has had a long line of celebrated names among its ministers, one of whom was the Rev. Aaron Burr, illustrous father of a degenerate son. The elder Burr was for a time President of Prince- ton College. The history of this Church is replete with historic associations, but want of space forbids a more extended notice. The first school was in 1676. A saw mill was first mentioned in 1695. In the early days of Newark OF NEWARK, N. J. 13 barter was almost the sole means for effecting exchanges. The money of Hol- land and England was in circulation, but Utile of it reached a settlement so re- mote. It is interesting to note the social friction consequent upon the gradual but continuous accessions to population. Under these influences the bonds of church discipline were visibly weakened. To remedy this state of things re- sort was had to the statute book, a forlorn hope, as a means of effecting moral reforms. The " indiscriminate receiving and entertaining of strangers" v^'^as frowned upon. In fact, serious obstacles were thrown in the way of immigra- tion. It was thought that by seclusion only, could their peculiar religious forms and customs be preserved intact. They seemed not to know that a re- ligion which cannot withstand the surging tide of humanity is not worth pre- serving. Gradually but surely the Newarkers learned to gladly welcome to their city, people from every clime^and of discordant opinions. Information was being diffused among the masses, and science was advancing with rapid strides. Men learned that the key-note of advancing civilization was the utmost toleration in matters of opinion. The true reformer was in the fullest sense a Catholic. * * * " Through the ages one increasing purpose runs, And the thoughts of men are widened with the process of the suns." Down to the Revolution Newark grew and prospered. It was usually free from the troubles which agitated other New Jersey colonies on account of disagreements with the proprietary powers. Another war having occurred with Holland, New York surrendered on July 30, 16'74, and the subjugation of New Jersey immediately foUowed. Allegiance was demanded of Newark, and as seventy-three took the oath, it appears the submission was general. How- ever, by the treaty of Westminister, of February 9, 1674, England regained control of New Jersey and Philip Carteret returned as Governor. Newark is reported, in 1681, as the most compact town in the province, with a population of 500 ; having 10,000 acres of town lands and 40,000 acres of plantations. In 1713 Queen Anne granted a charter of incorporation, thus making the township of Newark a body politic. It remained in force until 1798. As a result of the continued prosperity several rehgious denominations antagonistic to the old church were established. Episcopal services were held in 1729. Trinity Church was completed about 1738 and other churches were called into existence as a result of the growing liberality of the town. The first Baptist Church was founded in 1801. The first Methodist Episcopal in 1806, and the first Roman Catholic dates from 1824. Newark now began to reap some of the benefits accruing from its fortunate situation. New York was fast becom- ing a great mart of trade. The proximity of Newark gave it great advan- tages. During the Revolution Newark was a great suff"erer, owing to its location on the main hne of communication between the north and south. After 14 HISTORICAL SKETCH the battle of Long Island, in 1776, Washington and his army of 3,000 men were quartered for a week on the city. The town was frequently occupied by each of the opposing forces. It was obliged to furnish subsistence and submit to the inroads of foraging parties. With the close of the war Newark entered on a new and more prosperous era. A decade added to its population a larger increase, than a century had done before. The means of com- munication with New York had been improved in 1765, and in 1795 bridges were built over the Passaic and Hackensack. In 1798 the township of Newark received a new charter. The town entered on the present century in prosperity and peace. In 1806 Newark was described as a flourishing, well- built village. The war of 1812 did not seriously effect it, and from that time till now the story of its progress is mainly one of continued good fortune. It is difficult to get accurate statistics of the city's condition in the early part of the century. The population in 1810 is reported as G,000, in an early directory of the city. A. census was taken in 1826 when the population numbered 8,017. Newark contained then 844 houses, 207 mechanic's shops, three lumber yards, and four quarries. The product of the latter consisted of brown free stone — a valuable building material — the quarrying of which has since become an im- portant industry. In 1830 Newark contained a population of 11,000. From this date its rate of progress became more rapid, which, however, was only an incident in the general increased prosperity of the whole country, consequent in a great measure on the introduction of the steam engme, the locomotive, and general labor- saving machinery. In 1836 the place was incorporated as the "Mayor and Common Council of the City of Newark." William Halsey was the first Mayor. May 17th, 1866, the Bi-Centennial of the settlement of Newark was observed with appropriate ceremonies by the New Jersey Historical Society. It was a memorable occasion and a day of general rejoicing. The allotted space will not permit our giving a continuous narrative of the city's history during the last forty years. It is only necessar}'- to say that its steady growth in population, and rapid increase in wealth and influence, have met with no seri- ous interruption. Newark occupied a prominent place in the history of the late war. In men and means her citizens were lavish in the extreme. The city's industries were brought into renewed activity in the production of supplies for the army. At the present time, Newark ranks as the thirteenth city of the Union in population, and the third in manufactures. The following tabular statement of the growth in population is very suggestive : OF NEWARK, N. J. 15 Year. Est. Pop. Year. Eat. Pop. 1800 4,500 1850 38,882 1810 6,000 1851 40,000 1826 8,017 1852 44,000 1830 10,995 1854 52,000 1833 15,000 1855 53,500 1835 18,201 1856 57,000 1836 20,376 1857 64,000 1840 17,202 1859 66,000 1841 18,720 1860 71,941 1842 18,800 1861 73,000 1843 20,200 1862 70,000 1844 23,187 1863 68,000 1845 25,433 1864 70,000 1846 26,000 1865 87,000 1847 28,000 1866 94,000 1848 30,000 1870 105,541 1849 32,000 The population for 1874 is accurately estimated at 130,000. The foreign element numbers 35,884. In 1890, at the present rate of increase, Newark will have a population of 200,000, and in 1900, quite 250,000. Having thus briefly followed the growth of Newark, we come now to speak of its present condition, which merits a brief summary. Much may be truthfully written of the advantages possessed by an industrial town as compared with those of a commercial or agricultural community. The last mentioned was tirst in the order of civilization. Man's first possessions were the direct products of the soil. That people living continuously in one place might possess the various articles resulting from differences in climate and peculiarities of soil an interchange of productions became necessary, and thus arose commerce. At this stage of the \vorld's progress, owing to the ac- cumulations of nature's products, men first had leisure ; with leisure came the cultivation of the intellect, when men began to analyze and compare the various commodities, in order to learn what changes in character and form, and combi- nations of different articles, were possible, to the end that means might be attained for gratifying the added desires and wants of man ; thus mechanical skill was quickened into life and activity, and thence arose industry. Agricul- ture, Commerce and Industry thus are typical of three grades of civilization, the last mentioned being latest in order of appearance, but first in culture and refinement. It ia then but the fulfillment of nature's edict that the industrial community is pecuhar to modern civihzation. With the diffusion of knowledge and the advancement of science, came the development of manufactures. No 16 HISTORICAL SKETCH. country more forcibly illustrates the truth of our first statement than the United States. Here are the finest types of the manufacturing village or city. Nowhere are there industrial communities possessing so high an intellectual and moral tone. They are the natural outgrowth of our democratic institutions, and are the strongest testimonial to the inestimable benefits conferred upon humanity by our repubhcan form of government. No American city more clearly shows this to be true than the subject of this sketch. Prom the early settlement its growth lay in the direction of manufactures. It appears that the early settlers were in the main artizans. Thus early in the history of Newark was the foundation laid for a healthful growth in the direction' of a high social order. The development has kept pace with the city's advancing prosperity. At its inception the social status and intelligence of Newark was above the agricultural community, and it has been in the main free from the feverish, demorahzing influences of the speculation incident to a commercial city. Newark to-day is among the foremost cities of the Union in intelligence, culture and refinement. Its people are provident and thrifty, as the deposits in the savings banks clearly show. The public schools of Newark are of a high order. There are belonging to this city twenty-two public school houses, whose estimated value, including sites and furniture, is $720,000. There are three industrial and five evening schools. One of the most prosperous institu • tions of the city is the Newark Library Association^ which was incorporated in 1847 and opened in 1848. The Library building occupies a central position on Market-street, west of Broad. It is a handsome and convenient edifice, having ample accommodations for a library and reading room, with a commo- dious hall, suitable for lectures and amusements. The present librarian is Mr. Wm. E. Layton. The value of the real estate and building belonging to the Asso- ciation is estimated at $100,000. There are 20,000 carefully selected volumes now on the shelves. The library is well supplied with works of reference, and has the usual supply of books for popular reading. The facts show that a great demand for the books exists, the reading public of Newark being very large. The New Jersey Historical Society, a State Institution has its home in New- ark, and occupies elegant rooms at the corner of Broad and Bank streets. It was founded in 1845, its object being " to discover, procure and purchase what- ever relates to any department of the history of New Jersey, natural, civil, Uterary, or ecclesiastical, and generally of other portions of the United States." The beneficial influence of the society has been sensibly felt througout the State ; it has printed and circulated a number of valuable volumes, and acquired a collection of local and State history of about 5,000 volumes and 8,000 pamphlets. The president of the society is the Rev. Ravaud K. Rodgers of OF NEWARK, N. J. 17 Bound Brook, and the corresponding secretary is William A. Whitehead of Newark. Being so close to New York, the press of Newark is obliged to compete with the great metropolitan dailies, nevertheless, the several daily and weekly jour- nals are a credit to the energy and enterprise of Newark. Local matters are fully reported and evidence is shown of mucli editorial ability, the literary features of the papers being of a high order. The proximity of Newark to New York, and the comparative cheapness of rents and building sites, has made the city the home for many New York busi- ness men. The means of communication with the metropolis are ample. More than eighty trains leave Newark daily for New York by the various roads. The nearness of New York again, afifects the trade and commerce of Newark. Eapid transit makes Newark a suburb of the metropolis, and the large stocks and magnificent stores of Broadway are irresistible. Thus the local trade of Newark is much less than that of interior cities of the same size. Por the same reason the wholesale trade is quite limited in extent. It is quite pro- bable that this feature of the city will continue. New York will be the base of operations, and there, in the main, are the warehouses and salesrooms for Newark's products. The direct sales and exports from Newark are less now than in former years. The railroad connections of Newark with all parts of the country are ainple. The shipping, however, is inconsiderable. Efforts are being made for the improvement of navigation in the Passaic river that thereby the city's direct trade with the world may be increased. The merchants and manufacturers of Newark have shown their appreciation of combined efforts in the organization of the Newark Board of Trade. The president of the Board is Mr. Chas. B. Young ; Col. Robert S. Swords is its obliging secretary. Newark is one of the best governed cities in the country. It has been almost entirely free from political corruption which so disgraces other cities. Only the most efficient and upright men are elected to offices of trust and honor. Hon. Nehe- miah Perry, ex-member of Congress, is ihe present Mayor. As a result of this excellent condition of municipal politics the fire and police departments of the city are models of their kind. No fire department in the world is better or- ganized or more efficiently managed than that of Newark. Many of the first residents of the city are in its ranks. Its management is entirely freed from pohtical infiuence, and those pohticians who hold that "to the victor belong the spoils," cannot claim the fire department of Newark as a part of their booty. Its present perfect working condition is mainly due to the great executive ability and fidelity of Ellis R. Carhuflf; the chief engineer. Had Chicago possessed so efficient an officer at the head of ils fire department, its last great fire would have been suppressed in its incipient stages, and the city would not now have 3 18 HISTORICAL SKETCH to mourn the loss of millions of property as a just punishment for municipal corruption. During 1873 the total losses by fire in Newark were only $114,805. For years the city has been virtually free from destructive conflagrations. N'ewark is emphatically a vjell-huilt city, and from its fine appearance, and the extent and nature of public improvements it is evident that its citizens ard not parsimonious in appropriating money. Notwithstanding, the rate of taxa- tion does not exceed two per cent. For 1873 it was 1.98, but the average is much lower. The following table shows the valuation in the city for the last ten years : Valuation. Increase. 1865 $35,646,000 1866 50,866,700 $15,220,700 1867 54,917,200 4,050,500 1868 62,794,957 7,877,757 1869 72,058,436 9,263,479 1870 77,015,279 4,956,843 1871 86,985,341 9,970,062 1872 97,330,341 10,345,000 1873 102,047,840 4,717,499 The financial institutions of Newark are among the safest in the country. The failure of a Newark banking establishment has never been recorded. The integrity of all officers has been above suspicion. The banks of the city are among the heaviest in the country. There are twelve banks, with an aggre- gate capital of $5,783,500. Newark has also five savings banks, whose total assets are $21,572,029. Newark is also noted for its safe and prosperous in- surance companies. There are three life iusurance companies, whose total assets are $30,141,486. Sixteen fire msurance companies, whose combined capital is $5,681,426. The total capital and assets of the financial institutions of Newark are $63,179,042. Few cities of equal size can make as good a showing. The general statements here made are an eloquent tribute to the sterling worth and energy of Newark's merchants and manufacturers. Favorable circum- stances are no doubt powerful allies in municipal progress, but unless utilized by men of foresight and untiring industry, the results will be of little moment. But with the two conditions combined, the possibilities are almost boundless. It is beyond contradiction then, tliat the future growth of Newark will excel even the most ardent hopes of her busy people. Her industrial destiny as the Bir- mingham OF America is assured. MANUFACTURES Statistics as to the g:rowth of Newark's Manufactures are not easily obtain- able. Doubtless the first element in their growth was the character of the early settlers. The most trustworthy sources of information show that they were in the main mechanics and artizans. The records show that in 1676 efforts were made to promote the introduction of manufactures. With this favorable tendency the admirable situation made the industrial growth of Newark a cer- tainty. Its close proximity to New York, the largest market in the TTnioa, with shipping facilities to every quarter of the globe, with the great iron and coal fields easy of access, low taxation and a thrifty people, Newark drew to her mills and factories abundant capital and skilled workmen. The records of the patent oflBce show that the citizens of Newark have contributed more useful inventions to industrial progress than any other American city. During 1873 upwards of one hundred patents were issued to citizens of Newark. One Newark inventor is worthy of personal mention. To Seth Boyden, an inventor of the highest order, Newark, and, in fact, America, is greatly indebted. He was born in Foxboro, Massachusetts, November 17th, 1788, and removed to Newark in 1815. In early life he lived on a farm, but was at the age of fifteen engaged in repairing watches. His first invention was a machine for making wrought nails, in 1812, at the age of twenty-four. In 1813 he, invented machines for cutting files, brads, and for cutting and heading tacks. In 1818 he produced the first side of patent leather ever made in this country. His important contributions to American industry are too numerous to be enumera- ted here. He was the pioneer in this country of brads for joiners, of patent leather, of malleable iron, of daguerreotypes, and of locomotives and steam machinery. Through his aid Prof. Morse was enabled to bring the electric tele- graph to perfection. After a fife of great usefulness, Mr. Boyden died in 187 at the advanced age of 82 years. 