River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey

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River Street, Hoboken, N. J.

Hoboken Historical Museum

Struckmeyers - River at Neward Streets
Struckmeyers at the north west corner of Newark facing River Street - 92 River Street.

1895 Census: Struckmeyer, John, Lena and John. This census does not list ages or occupations.

1892/1895: Struckmeyer, John, 206 River st. Expresses

1896: Stuckmeyer, John 38 Newark st., saloon

1896: Struckmeyer, John, Hoboken, Rubeam & H. saloon and hotel fixtures $1,950 (Saloon and Restaurant Fixtures sold - Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide, Volume 57)

1896: Herman Horns, a fireman on the Hamburg Line steamship Normania severely injured his arm when he smashed several windows of John "Stuckemyer's saloon, 38 Newark street." He and several other drunk firemen got into a "row". He was cut with a wound "open to the bone." (New York Times, October 26, 1896)

(Note: Firemen on steamships were those who stoked the fire in the boiler that gave power to the ship.)

1897: A young man was arrested for attempting to pass a forged check for $4.75 at the Saloon of John Stuckmeyer, 38 Newark street, Hoboken.

Note: The clam broth house was at 38 Newark street for "twenty-five" years in 1927

1897/1901/ 1902/1903: Directories - John Struckmeyer 92 River, Hoboken, Restaurants and Saloons.

1904/1906/1910: Struckmeyer, John hotel, 321 River st.

1904: Featured on the 1904 map of Hoboken "100. Struckmeyer, John, Cafe and Restaurant, 312 River St."

1920: Irvington Ward 3, Essex, New Jersey Ferdinand Frick 46 Anna Struckmeyer 24, part owner, Lena Struckmeyer 50, born Germany, part owner, immigrated 1888, widow.

Marriage: John Struckmeyer age 26, born Germany to Helena Friedrick age 222, 11 December 1892 Hoboken (LSDS)

Children:

  1. John Struckmier, 31 Dec 1893, Hoboken, Hudson, New Jersey, Father John Struckmier, Age: 28, Birth Place: Germany, Mother Lena Frederricks, Age: 23, Birth Place: Germany, FHL Film Number: 494226

    WWIIDR: John Henry Struckmeyer born Hoboken December 31, 1893, employee Weston Electrical Instruments Newark, wife Mabel. 2 Oakland Terrace Maplewood.

    1966: John Struckmeyer, BIRTH: 31 Dec 1893, DEATH: Feb 1966 - Maplewood, Essex, New Jersey, USA, CIVIL: New Jersey

  2. Anna

1900: 36 Newark street, John "Stockmayer" 34, head, born German immigrated 1880, saloon keeper, Lena "Stockmayer" 29, wife, married 8 years two children two living, born New Jersey, John H "Stockmayer" 6, son, Anna "Stockmayer" 4, daughter, John Bosse 21, boarder, bartender, Arnold Foulke 30, boarder, bartender

1910: Irvington, Ferdinand Fink 36, 1st marriage, engineer, mercantile, Helen Fink 39, wife, 2nd marriage, John Struckmeyer 16, son, Anna Struckmeyer 14, daughter, Mary J Schnelbach 40, servant


Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck

River Street Looking North, Hoboken, N.J.

River Street was the first street off the water.

The North German Lloyd Piers are on the right. This would place this image of River street between 2nd and 3rd streets.


Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck

West Side of River Street between 3rd and 4th streets, Hoboken, N.J.

330 River Street is the building with the light awning advertising liquor and cigars- the sign above the awning reads in part "Grossman - 330- can't read - Centennial Beer". On the Awning itself "Wine, Liquors, Cigars".

332 River is the building with the Columbia sign.

The addresses put this image between 3rd and 4th streets on the west side of the street.

In 1904 Mr. L. Von Biela of 332 River Street Hoboken was robbed of $80 taken from the till at his establishment. The thief, a bartender and an employee at 332 River spoke English, German, French, "Hollandish and the Scandinavian languages."

In 1920 330 River street was sold. At the time it was described as a four-story tenement.

In 1904 John Struckmeyer had a Cafe and Restaurant at 312 River St. John Srtuckmeyer was listed in the 1895 New Jersey census in Hoboken in Ward 1 with Lena and John. In 1896 John Struckmeyer bought Saloon and Restaruant fixtures. In 1902 and 1903 John Struckmeyer was listed at 92 River street, saloon.


Postcard collection of Maggie Land Blanck

River Street West Side between 3rd and 4th streets Hoboken, N.J.

Posted 1905.

This card is labeled "Fifth Avenue opp. Park Entrance Hoboken, N. J."

However, despite being labled "Fifth Avenue" it is clearly the same row of buildings labeled "River Street" above. See close up below.

This image shows that the building to the left of the "Columbia" building was a hotel. The sign below the top floor reads "Hotel Restaurant". Also to the right of the Columbia building is another beer hall with the sign "Excelsior Lager Beer". Excelsior was a brand of beer.

This is a close up of the above postcard showing the entrance to 332 with the same ---- Centennial Beer sign over the awning. Although in this case the awning is gone and just the supports are visable. The "Columbia 332" sign is the same in both images.

River Street West Side from Hudson Place looking north, Hoboken, N.J.

A Loewy postcard labled "Fifth Avenue, Hoboken, N. J."

Dated 1904

Note: There was no "Fifth Avenue" in Hoboken.

The building partially seen at the extreme right in this image is the Post Office, which was located on the corner of River and Newark. This images shows the front of the building which was on River.

The Delaware Hotel sports an awning advertising Excelsior beer. The 1904 map lists the Delaware Hotel, A. Bewig, Proprietor, corner of Hudson Place and River St.

Prof. M Loewy was a magician who lived in Hoboken. He was a postcard and stamp collector. See Loewy


Business and People on River Street, Hoboken in the late 1880 early 1900s

Descriptions of River Street after 1900 portray it as a wicked den of sleazy bars and cheap hotels populated by drunken sailors and longshoremen and called the Barbary Coast. There is probably a lot of truth in these descriptions. However, it should be remembered that in times gone by people lived near their work and communities were mixed, with the rich and the poor, the illiterate and the educated, living in close proximity to one another. At the turn of the 19th to 20th century River Street was predominately German or German/American. The German and German/American population of Hoboken came from a country were only the very rich lived separated from the rest of the population.

River Street before 1900 was a mixed population and mixed usage street. In addition to the bars and hotels there were businesses and residences. As evidenced by the 1900 census the inhabitants of River Street were grocery stores owners, harness makers, blacksmiths, and other working class people.

August Bewig, River Street Hotel Owner

In 1880 August Bewig age 37 provisions dealer was living with his wife, Christina also 37 and their daughter Mary 17.

He was listed in the 1880 city directory as a butcher at 62 River street.

In 1896 August Bewig was a prominent member of the Independent Schuetzen corps of Hoboken.

In 1896 Capt. August Bewig petitioned the Hoboken Water Commissioners to lower the water rates.

In 1897 August Bewig was elected First Ward councilman as an independent.

In 1900 August Bewig, 51, saloon keeper was at 78 River street, with his wife Christina Bewig 50 and a servant Mary Thory 32.

In 1906 August Bewig was listed as a brewers' agent home Delaware Hotel Hoboken.

1900: Genealogical History of Hudson and Bergen Counties

"AUGUST BEWIG, of the City of Hoboken, was engaged in the grocery and provision business there for several years, and is now the agent for the Excelsior Brewery. He has long resided in Hoboken, Hudson County, N. J., where he is an active member of the Democratic party. He has been President of the Board of Water Commissioners and more recently served as an Alderman for a period of eight years. He also acted as Chairman of the Council for three years. He was Captain of the Independent Schuetzens for five years and President of the Plattdeutscher Volks Pest of New York, recently the largest of its kind in the United States. Mr. Bewig was born in Germany, March 9, 1843, the son of Henry Bewig and Christina Klusmann. He was educated in the public schools of his native town and came to the United States when a youth."
In October 1902 Christina Bewig the wife of August Bewig died at her home 78 River Street Hoboken age 61 (NY Times)


John Steneck, River Street Hotel Owner and Banker

Johann (John) Stenick was born in Osterholz, Hanover, German on 24 May 1846. He immigrated on the America from Bremen to America "on or about" 30 June 1866. He married Emma Schmittmann. He was a member of the Lutheran Church, the German club of Hoboken and a Mason. His 1906 passport application states that he was naturalized in the court of common pleas in Jersey City in September 1871.

In 1880 he and his family were living at 84 River street and he was listed as a hotel keeper. The family included wife, Emma, and sons, John age 3 and Henry age 1, plus a servant and two boarders whose occupations were bartender and waiter. Presumably they worked in the hotel. In 1880 the neighbors were longshoremen, retail dry goods, liquor dealer, stableman, artist, tobacconist, confectioner, truck drivers, etc. 84 River is/was in the first block of River Street closest to the train station. However, I am not sure that the house numbers in the 1880 census truly represent the house numbers of a later date.

Quarter-century's progress of New Jersey's leading manufacturing center ... 1887

"Hoboken Passage Agency, Meyer & Steneck, Nos. 20 and 82 River Street. An office of the greatest utility to foreign bound travelers in Hoboken is that of Messrs. Meyer & Steneck, and known as the Hoboken Passage Agency. This firm are prepared at all times to furnish passage tickets to and from Hamburg, Bremen, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam; deal in drafts on England, Ireland, Germany, and all the principal European cities, and furnish letters of credit to travelers which are available in all parts of the world. Sovereigns, bank notes, and the legal-tenders of all countries are also bought and sold. Powers of attorney and passports are procured, and steerage tickets and cabin berths secured without delay upon the best transatlantic steamers. The firm have been established in the business here since 1866, and are the oldest in this line in Hoboken. They occupy excellent offices and possess unsurpassed facilities for supplying every traveler to Europe with those articles that are indispensable on foreign soil. They are noted for their thoughtfulness and attention to the comforts of those who call upon them, and give much practical information and advice that serves to make the trip across the ocean more enjoyable and satisfactory. They do a personal business with all the chief stewards and officers of the lines running into Hoboken, Brooklyn, Greenpoint, and from all the railroads. They have on hand plans of all the steamships and a personal knowledge of all the steamers, which enable them to readily name the best part of the steamer to take berths. The firm is composed of Messrs F. Meyer and J. Steneck, both of whom are natives of Germany, residents here for many years, and known to the community as useful and honorable citizens."

By 1900 the Steneck family was at 508 Hudson Street [near 5th street] and John's occupation was banker - John born May 1855, Germany, head, age 45, married 24 years, immigrated 1875, banker, his wife Emma, October 1858, "3 children 3 still living", Henry, son, October 1879, bankers boy, Nicholas, son, January 1881, office boy, George, October son 1884, office boy, Josephine daughter Nov 1886 and one servant. In 1900 the neighbors were merchants and manufacturers.

In 1910 Henry, George and Josephine were still living with their parents and Nicholas, ticket agent steamship co. was listed with his wife, Amelia, and son John Nicolas and one servant.

In 1920 John was listed as a bank president and George, banker partnership with father, was still living at home. John Steneck died in July 1929.

There were no Stencks listed in Hoboken in the 1930 census.

Sometime before 1913 Steneck built a building next to the post office. See Hoboken Public Buildings

The Steneck Trust company had locations at 95 and 222 River Street.

In November 2010, Giuseppe Spadaro sent me the above image which he had found in his house in Italy.
JOHN STENECK & SONS

Banchieri e Cambia Valute
[Bankers and currency exchangers]

VAGLIA POSTALI
[Postal Orders]

Abbiamo ingrandito il nostro dipartimento per vaglia italini, ed avendo proprii corrispondenti all'estero, siamo in grado di ribassare le tariffe di spedizione. Gli ordini ricevuti un'ora prima della partenza dei vapori saranno anche avvisate e vengono pagati al ricevitore in brevissimo tempo.
[We have enlarged our department of Italian money and having correspondents abroad we are able to keep shipping rates down. Orders received an hour before the vapori leave will also be notified and will be paid to the receiver quickly.]

MONETI ITALIANA
[Italian money]

Importiamo direttamente dall'Italia carta moneta ed argento in tutti denominazione che rivendiamo ai prezzi di piazza.
[We import directly from Italy paper and silver money in all denominations which we resell at market prices.]

DEPOSITI
[Deposits]

La nostra Banca accetta qualsiasi deposito di danaro all'interesse del 4%, da cui libretto col quale si puo presentare in qualungue ora per ritirare il danaro, senza bisogno di preavvisi
[Our Bank accepts any deposit of money at a 4% interest, from any libretto, which one presents at any hour to withdraw money without advance notice.]

COLLEZIONE DI MONETA
delle Bancha Italiane
[Money collection from the Italian Banks]

Noi abbiamo in questa dipartimento persone che sono al corrente con le vigenti leggi, regolando la collezione di denaro della banche italiane, servizio che e fatto in un periode relativamente breve ed a basse rate. [We have in this department personal who are familiar with the existing laws regulating the collection of money for Italian banks, service that is done in a relatively short period of time and at a low rate.]

ORE D'UFFICO
Office Hours

Il nostro Uffico al No. 95 River Street e aperto giornalment dalle ore 8 A. M. alle ore 7 di dera, e 'Ufficio al No. 22 River Street e aperto di Domenica dalle 9 all ------
Our office at No 95 River street is open daily from 8 A. M to in the evening and the office at No 222 River is open from Sunday at 9 to -----

Bankers magazine, Volume 105 for some images of the bank and of the Steneck family

See German Americans in Hoboken


John M Niver, Flour, Grain and Hay Dealer on River Street, Lived on Bloomfield Street

In 1877 John M Niver had a hay dealership at 16 & 18 River Street Hoboken.

In 1880 John M Niver age 38, born New York, hay dealer and his wife, Emma C age 27, son Ernest age 1 and one servant were listed on Bloomfiled street in Hoboken.

By 1900 there was an additional child, Florence age 17 and John's occupation was listed as "produce".

Quarter-century's progress of New Jersey's leading manufacturing center ... 1887

"John M. Niver & Co., Commission and Wholesale Dealers in Flour, Hay, Grain, and Feed, Nos. 16 and 18 River Street. The business house of Messrs. John M. Niver & Co., the well-known wholesale and retail dealers in flour, hay, grain, and feed, was first brought to the notice of the public in 1877, since which time, by the exercise of energy, enterprise, and perseverance, an immense trade has been built up throughout the city and surrounding country. For trade purposes the firm occupies a two-story frame building 50x150 feet in dimensions, where they carry at all times a splendid assortment of the finest brands of flour, grain, hay, and feed. In order to comply with the demands of their patrons, the firm have made arrangements with manufacturers and producers whereby the largest orders are promptly filled and at prices which preclude successful competition. All goods are received from the most reputable sources, and are highly esteemed by the community for their uniform good quality. The proprietors, Messrs. J. M. and N. H. Niver, are natives of New York, and conduct their business upon an upright and liberal basis." Quarter-century's progress of New Jersey's leading manufacturing centres ... By International Publishing Company (New York, N.Y.) 1887

Niver, John M, Niver & Brett, Flour, Grain & Hay, 76 River Street Hoboken, Report of the New York Produce Exchange By New York (N.Y.). Produce Exchange, 1899

John Niver was a native of New York.


Edward Gudeman

Annual register of officers and students By Columbia University 1884-1885
  1. Edward Gudeman (C) 112 River Street, Hoboken

Edward Gudeman '87S, PhD.'91

I do not know why he was listed in Hoboken. The family seems to have been in New York City. Edward Guderman was a chemist who moved to Chicago.


Henry Morton

The 1880 Census "128" River Street listed Henry Morton age 43, pres S - of technology born New York, and his wife, Clara age 42, son Henry S age 6, Quincy L 6 months a sister in law and her three children, an aunt and five servants.

In 1900 they were at 529 River Street and Henry was listed as a chemist.

I believe that they were at Castle Point on the Steven's Campus. The same was probably true for the 1880 census.


Mrs. Mitilda Bott widow of Professor Jean Joseph Bott, muscian

Reports of cases heard and determined in the Appellate Division ..., Volume 44 By New York (State). Supreme Court. Appellate Division, Marcus Tullius Hun, Jerome B. Fisher, Austin B., 1900

A 1894 incident of of a stolen Stradivarius violin worth $4,500 owned by professor Bott, a musician. Professor Bott died before the violin was recovered and his wife subsequently moved to 306 River Street, Hoboken.

Jean Joseph Bott

Jean Joseph Bott, NYPL Digital

The story of the Bott Strad:

The Bott Stradivarius is one of the most interesting violins in the United States, on account of its romantic history and because of the vicissitudes through which its different owners have passed. The superstitiously inclined have been wont to look upon it as "haunted" or "hoodooed" or a "jinx" according to their choice of phraseology. It is said that a spell of bad luck is transferred to the new owner when the violin changes hands, much as was the curse of the bottle-imp in Stevenson's story of that name. At the time the instrument first came into prominence it was a favorite in the collection of the late Duke of Cambridge, who willed it to his friend, Moritz Hausman, of Hanover. The violin, made in Cremona about 1723 by Antonio Stradivari, is of a bold, rugged type, which at this period was characteristic of Stradivari's work. Jean Joseph Bott was born in Hesse-Cassel on March 9, 1826. His father was a prominent court musician and carefully laid the foundation of his son's musical training. He was placed under Louis Spohr, one of the greatest violinists of that time. Under Hausman, the study of harmony and musical theory was pursued. After concertizing several years throughout Europe, he accepted the directorship of the Royal Opera at Hanover. When Hausman died, in 1876, and his collection of violins dispersed, Bott bought the Stradivarius. In 1884 the late Theodore Thomas persuaded Bott to move to New York. In 1894, after a protracted illness, thinking he would never again be able to use his Stradivarius, Bott decided to sell it. A deal was made with Signor Nicolini, husband of Adelina Patti, who offered a certified check of his wife's for $4,500. Prof. Bott expected to be paid in gold. The banks, being closed and no one able to cash the check, Signor Nicolini and Madame Patti sailed for Europe, and the deal fell through. Prof. Bott sorrowfully took his beloved Stradivarius home and laid it away in a bureau drawer, from which the violin was stolen a few days later. No trace of it could be found for months, and Bott died April 30, 1895. A series of disputes, arrests and litigations followed, which proved of little avail, until seven years later a violin was discovered in a tailor shop in Brooklyn, which Mrs. Bott and others identified May 24, 1902, as the lost Stradivarius. It was returned to the widow and sold. The next owner of the instrument was killed while attempting to board a moving trolley car. Although it was under the man's arm at the time of the accident, the violin was found to be uninjured. Lyon & Healy bought the violin December, 1903, and soon sold it to Archibald Mitchell, a connoisseur and art lover. Rumor says his business interests immediately suffered a decline, but on placing the "Strad" in the hands of a dealer for sale fortune again smiled on his ventures. Returning straightway to the dealers to take the violin from sale, he discovered that it had been sold. In 1914 the "Bott" Strad was again in the hands of a violinist, a present to Roderick White, who used it in his concerts until he entered the service two years ago, and three months ago Lyon & Healy sold it for Mr. White to a connoisseur and collector, Mr. Zamustin, of Philadelphia." The Violinist, Volumes 26-28
1885: 23 Sep 1885 arrival October 5, 1885, ship Westphalia, Jos Bott 59, musician, Mathilde Bott 43, Hamburg to New York

1887: Jean Bott 58, Mathilde Bott 46, Departure Date: 4 Okt 1887 (4 Oct 1887), Destination: New York, Residence: Hamburg, Hamburg Occupation: Kapellmeister Ship Name: British Queen Captain: Cooper Shipping Clerk: Carl Bennin & Co. Ship Type: Dampfschiff Accommodation: ohne Angabe Ship Flag: England Port of Departure: Hamburg Port of Arrival: West Hartlepool (Amerika (USA) via Liverpool) Volume: 373-7 I, VIII B 1 Band 071

1892: Jean Jos. Bott, age 56, Prussia, to New York Mathilde Bott, age 52, Arrival Date: 18 Nov 1892 Port of Departure: Cuxhaven Port of Arrival: New York, New York Ship Name: Dania

1895: Death Jean J . Bott Age: 66 Death Date: 28 Apr 1895 Death Place: New York, New York Certificate Number: 15614

There is more on the internt of the "Bott Strad"


John Clark Farr - Wholesale Lumber - 5th street docks

1880 Ad:
J. C. Farr
(Sucessor to William C. Harp)
Wholesale and Retail Lumber Dealer In
LUMBER, TIMBER, BRICK, LATH, LIME
Cement, Plaster Sand etc.
Yard at Fifth street dock, Hoboken
I keep constantly on hand a large assortment of Oak, Ash, Chestnut, Cherry, Black Walnut, and White wood lumber, also all grades of Pine, together with Yellow Pine Timber, Flooring, etc. Ceiling dunage sic lumber and wood for vessels always on hand. I would most respectfully solicit your investigation of my stock before purchasing elseware.

Note: dunnage - loose wood, matting, or similar material used to keep a cargo in position in a ship's hold.

Birth: C 1841 Vermont

Marriage: Charlotte Taylor

Children:

  1. Mary c 1865

  2. John born Albany, N. Y. c 1870 - married Jane Park in 1893 - he had been a partner in the trucking company of Paterson-Farr Company (furniture moving company) - became a doctor - in Hoboken 66 years at his death in January 1943 - his son Walter was also a doctor in Teaneck.

  3. Fredrick c. 1873

  4. William c 1875

    Marriage: William Courence Farr Marriage Age: 31 Marriage Date: 6 Mar 1907 United Methodist, Hoboken, Hudson, Father: John C Farr, Mother: Lottie Taylor, Spouse: Amelia Henrietta Rogers, age 15, born Brooklyn, father Charles, mother Amanda H. (maiden name ??), first marriage for both - in 1910 census age 35 truckman, wife Amanda age 18 and son Charles age 1 month - in 1930 census, lodger, single, sales manager, born Albany New York - with John Farr age 20 born New Jersey, salesman

  5. Death: Amanda H. Rogers, Father: John Clark Farr, Mother: Charlotte Taylor, Children: Charles Rogers, Birth: 21 Mar 1875 New York, USA, Death: 27 Aug 1948 Teaneck, Bergen, New Jersey, USA (Farr Family Ancestry.com)

  6. Lotta/Lottie c 1880

  7. Alfred A. c 1887 - 1907 933 Bloomfield street, Stevens Institute - WWII - Alfred A Farr - 1045 Bloomfield st Hoboken next of kin Mary Farr - 57 Birth Date: 13 Aug 1885 Birth Place: Hoboken, New Jersey, USA Residence Date: 1942 Residence Place: Hudson, New Jersey, USA

  8. Arthur Vanderbreck c 1889 - 1907 Stevens Institute junior class -

1870: Albany, John Farr 28, salesman, $4,000, born Vermont, Charlotte Farr 26, Mary Farr 6, John Farr 4

1880 : Eleventh Street Bloomfield Street John C. Farr 37, lumber dealer, born Vermont, Charlotte Farr 34, born New York, Mary A. Farr 16, born New York, John C. Farr 10, born New York, Frederick Farr 7, born New York, William C. Farr 5, born New York, Lotta Farr 6/12, born New Jersey

1883: Industries of New Jersey: Hudson, Passaic and Bergen counties By Richards Edwards

J. C. Farr, Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Lumber, Timber, Brick, Lath, Lime, Cement, Plaster, Sand, etc., Office and Yard at Fifth Street Dock. - Hoboken is one of the most active business centres in the vicinity of New York. Along its river front are the great docks and warehouses of the German steamship lines and also the depots of the heavy coal operators and the docks and yards of those engaged in the lumber trade. An immense business is carried on in lumber, ship timber, and builders' supplies, one of the leading and largest wholesale and retail dealers being Mr. J. C. Farr, who is one of the best posted men in the trade in this section, having been for eighteen years at the head of one of the largest concerns in the lumber trade at Albany, New York. In 1877 he succeeded to the business he now controls, which was established more than twenty years ago by Mr. W. C. Harp, a thorough going, active, enterprising business man. Mr. Farr infused new life into the business and greatly extended the facilities trade, and by his energy and straightforward transactions placed himself at the head and front of the lumber interests in this vicinity. The premises at the foot of Fifth Street have a water frontage of nearly two hundred feet and extend to the rear a distance of three hundred feet. The docks are large and every facility is provided for the discharging of cargoes from vessels and boats and for storing it in the yards. The general business comprises lumber of all kinds, ship and building timber, hardwoods, including black walnut, oak, ash, chestnut, cherry, also whitewood lumber, yellow pine flooring, ceiling, weather boarding, ship plank, birch, hemlock, spruce, etc., dunnage wood, and lumber of all kinds for vessels. Mr. Farr is also a heavy contractor and supplies nearly all the steamship lines sailing out of New York, and builders of docks and warehouses, shipwrights and builders generally, with everything required in lumber or timber. Another important branch of his business is handling brick, lath, lime, cement, plaster, sand, etc., in which line he controls a large trade and always keeps in stock a full and general supply. Mr. J. C. Farr, the proprietor of this extensive business, is a native of the State of New York, and has been identified with the lumber interests all his life. Since he has been located in Hoboken he has always been popular and highly regarded for his enterprise and public spirit. He is the recognized representative of Hoboken's trade and commerce, and has by his extensive operations materially added to the city's prosperity and assisted in developing its commercial and industrial resources. Mr. Farr is extensively engaged in shipping lumber by car-load and vessel-load to all parts of the country.
1883: A rumor circulated that the business of John C. Farr, a lumber dealer at the foot of 6th street, had failed and his liabilities were $100,000. There was no comment from Mr. Farr. (Courier-Post Camden 27 November 1883)

A Lumber Dealer in Hoboken Broken
HOBOKEN, N.J. November 22, J. C Farr a dealer in lumber and masons materials has made an assignment. Liabilities $100,000. Farr was interested in the firm of Sullivan & Co. sash and door mills Asbury Park. Sixty hands are throw out of employment." (Detroit Free Press 23 November 1883)
1883:
"On July 17, 18S3, John C. Farr, having a lumber business at Hoboken and a manufacturing business at Asbury Park, formed a partnership as to the latter business with J. H. Hagerman and J. S. Fielder, under the firm name of J. C. Farr & Co. Hagerman and Fielder gave Farr their note for the interests they acquired in the Asbury Park business. On October 29,1883, the new firm was embarrassed financially and dissolved. Hagerman and Fielder assigned to Farr all their interests in the business, and Farr returned their notes and agreed to pay the debts. On November 30,1883, Farr assigned all his property, under the statute, to Arnold, for the benefit of creditors. In the early part of 1884, the Second National Bank of Red Bank obtained judgments against the members of the firm of J. C. Farr & Co., for debts due from that firm, and caused executions to be levied on what had been the property of that firm. The bank afterwards filed a bill to set aside the transfers from Hagerman and Fielder to Farr, and the assignment of Farr to Arnold on the ground that they were fraudulent as against the creditors of J. C. Farr & Co.

The court below held the transfers by Hagerman and Fielder to Farr to be void."

Appeal.

Cases on the Law of Partnership (1889)

1900: Hoboken, Bloomfield street, John C Farr 58, lumberman, born Vermont, Charlotte Farr 56, 7 children 5 living, born New York, Mary Farr 36, born New Jersey, Lottie Farr 19, born New Jersey, Alfred Farr 13, born New Jersey, Arthur Farr 11, born New Jersey, William Farr 25, born New Jersey

1910: Bloomfield street, John C Farr 66, Vermont, lumber, Charlotte Farr 65, 3 children 3 living, Mary A Farr 46, daughter, Alfred A Farr 24, salesman, lumber, Arthur V Farr 23, salesman lumber, children listed as born in Vermont

Death 1914: John Clark Farr, BIRTH 1841, DEATH 10 Nov 1914 (aged 72–73), Elmira, Chemung County, New York, USA, BURIAL Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands, Albany County, New York, USA Show Map PLOT Section 19, Lot 22. - Find a Grave

1916 fire:

October 20, Fanned by high winds, fire swept the J. C. Farr Lumber Yards in Hoboken and the Chocolate Menier Company's plant. Damage $300,000. The Schmaltz Bakery Company was also damaged. (West Schuylkill Herald)

The fire spread from the lumber yard at 7th and Clinton streets, in Hoboken, to the candy factory where over 100 girls were driven from the building. The entire candy factory was destroyed. An explosion of a 500 gallon gasoline tank near the lumber yard hurled fragments of lumber and other debris in all directions, fortunately no one was hurt. The boiler in the candy factory also exploded. The candy factory was a new brick building that extended halfway down 7th street and halfway down Grand. It was separated from the lumber company property by only a few feet. A row of tenements was "scorched". The flames and sparks could be seen from Manhattan. The Hoboken Fire Department got assistance from the Jersey City Fire Department. (New York Times and Pittsburgh Daily Post, 14 October 1916)

1920: Bloomfield st. Charlotte Farr 75, widowed, Mary A Farr 54

1924: Find a Grave - Charlotte Farr, Maiden Name: Taylor, Birth Date: 1843, Death Date: 1924, Cemetery: Albany Rural Cemetery, Burial Place: Menands, Albany County, New York, Spouse: John Clark Farr


M. C. Mills - Wholesale Lumber - 5th street docks

1887:
"M. C. Mills & Bro., Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Lumber and Timber, Yards, Fifth Street Docks. The house of M. C. Mills & Bro., successors to Bramhall & Mills, must be accorded a conspicuous position as one of the most extensive concerns of the kind in the city. The business conducted by this firm was originated by Messrs. Kimball & Harp in 1865, and, after several changes, the present firm succeeded to the control in 1887. They have become widely known as wholesale and retail dealers in lumber and timber of every description, including white pine, yellow pine, basswood, white wood, hemlock, spruce, black walnut, oak, chestnut, ash, cherry, and maple. Their yards are very conveniently located at the steamship docks, and have a water frontage of 200 feet and a depth of 300 feet. The firm carry from three million to four million feet of lumber on hand at all times, and ship by the carload or boat load to all parts of the United States. Their facilities for the prompt fulfillment of all orders are unsurpassed by any house in the city, while their reputation for first-class goods and for fair and honorable dealing has been the basis of their present prosperity. Estimates are promptly given on all kinds of building materials, and a force of thirty hands is constantly employed. The firm is composed of M. C. Mills and J. G. Mills, who have experience and thorough knowledge of the wants of the trade. Mr. M. C. Mills has had fifteen years' experience in this line and has been for the last two years in Hoboken." Quarter-century's progress of New Jersey's leading manufacturing centres ... By International Publishing Company (New York, N.Y.) 1887

501 River

1910 Census: King, George, age 25, butler, and a cook

1900: 501 River not listed


Hoboken Historical Society


507 River

1910 Census: Fontlemonde, William, 45, superintendent Hollan Docks, Louise, 39, 1 child 1 living, Louise,11

William Fontlemende, born Holland, foreman on the docks, and family were also listed at this address in 1900.

1915: Dohrmann, John born 1894 Germany, waiter
Hoboken Historical Society


509 River

1910 Census: Garnett, Mary M head single, born Virginia, and a servant.

1900: 509 River not listed.

1915: At 509 River - capitalist - with one servant


Hoboken Historical Society


Campbell, Palmer (1856 - ) - 531 River

"Business manager; born in New Orleans, Louisiana, December 25, 1856; son of William Patrick Campbell and Caroline Elizabeth (Beers) Campbell. He was educated in Edinburgh, Scotland, and Liverpool, England. He was with John Sinclair and Company from 1870 to 1876, and since 1876 has been with the Hoboken Land and Improvement Company, of which he is now director, treasurer and general manager. He is also director of the New York and Hoboken Ferry Company, president of the Campbell Stores, treasurer and general manager of the Hoboken Railroad Warehouse and Steamship Connecting Company; secretary of the Tietjen and Lang Dry Dock Company. He is president of the Board of Trade of Hohoken, New- Jersey, and secretary of the First National Bank of Hoboken and the Hoboken Trust Company. Mr. Campbell has made many trips across the Atlantic. He was a member of Troop I (Essex Troop), in the National Guard of New Jersey. He is a Democrat in politics. Mr. Campbell was president of the Hoboken Board of Health from 1891 to 1898, and is now commissioner of parks, Hudson County, New Jersey. He is a member of the Episcopal Church and a vestryman of Trinity Church in Hoboken. Mr. Campbell is a member of the Elks, Royal Arcanum and Masonic orders. His favorite recreations are tennis and golf. He is a member of the German and Columbia Clubs of Hoboken, and the Somerset Hills Club of Bernardsville. New Jersey. Mr. Campbe1l married in Plymouth, Pennsylvania, January 22, 1882, Jeannette Eno, and they have one child, Eno Campbell. Address: 531 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey." Men of America: A Biographical Dictionary of Contemporaries edited by John William Leonard, 1908


531 River - Hoboken Historical Museum

1910 Census Hoboken: 531 River street, Campbell, Plamer, age 55 married 25 years, president, real estate company, Gean wife, 45, 1 child 1 living, Eno son, age 14, and two servants

1915: Gibbin, Elizabeth, age 40, cook


Thomas Stillman - 532 River

1910 Census: 532 River, Hoboken Thomas B Stillman 57, professor, chemist, college, Emma L Stillman 51, 3 children 3 living, Albert L Stillman 26, engineer, mining, Anita M Stillman 22, Thomas B Stillman 19, Mary Brady 40, servant Ellen Donnelly 25, servant

Thomas Stillman, chemist, and family also listed at this address in the 1900 Census.

1915: Gran, William born 1880 England, steward and Mabel born 1879


532 River - Hoboken Historical Museum


1939 Description of River Street, Hoboken

New Jersey A guide to Its Present and Past, 1939
"To seamen, as well as visiting New Yorkers, River Street is the heart of Hoboken. An almost unbroken row of saloons, with cheap hotels and flats above, stretches along one side of this broad, paved street. On the other side are the entrances to the piers on Hudson River, protected by high wire fences. During the arrival and departure of great liners, River Street resounds to the rattle of innumerable truck and taxis, the footsteps of excited, hurrying travelers and their friends. Between times the street is a Rialto of the seamen of all nations, interspersed with stevedores and longshoreman."

The 200 Block of River Street in the 1900 Census

A brief survey of the 1900 Census River Street shows a lot of longshoreman and saloon keepers on 200 block of River street. However, there are a lot of working class occupations represented in the block in 1900.

This was the block between 2nd and 3rd streets.

  1. 202 River street occupations: longshoreman, longshoreman, carpenter, longshoreman, longshoreman, dressmaker, servant, waiter, dressmaker, millinery, -- store, grocery store, clerk grocery
  2. 204 River occupations: plumber, longshoreman, longshoreman, clerk restaurant, longshoreman, longshoreman, longshoreman, servant, longshoreman, longshoreman, clerk, cigar store
  3. 206 River occupations: wallpaper, bartender, wallpaper, longshoreman, longshoreman, servant, servant, servant fireman on R. R., saloon keeper
  4. 208 River occupations: foreman in stable, watchman, longshoreman, coachman
  5. 210 River occupations: stableman longshoreman, coachman, saloon keeper
  6. 212 River occupations: longshoreman, engineer, coffee trade, harness maker, servant, driver, bartender, restaurant, inventor, musician, fireman in steamer butcher, carpenter, horseman, locksmith, insurance agent, fireman in steamer, carpenter, longshoreman, worker factory, restaurant, fireman steamer, fireman steamer
  7. 214 River Street occupations: blacksmith, painter, coachman, horseman, drugstore, coachman, R. R. worker, saloon keeper,
  8. 216 River street occupations: stableman, stableman, stableman, stableman, cigar store, worker store
  9. 218 River Street occupations: longshoreman, longshoreman, clerk in wholesale, musician, longshoreman, longshoreman, market meat, saloon, store, longshoreman, shoe store
  10. 220 ??? I don't know why 220 and 222 were not listed. There are no pages missing.
  11. 222???
  12. 224 River street occupations: foreman on docks, artist painter, longshoreman, longshoreman, saloon keeper, grocery store
  13. 226 River street occupations: saloon keeper, photographer, bartender, porter, servant, waiter
  14. 228 River Street occupations: longshoreman, longshoreman, longshoreman, saloon keeper, bartender, servant, longshoreman, longshoreman, longshoreman, longshoreman, musician, servant
The inhabitants of this block of River street were predominantly German or German/American.


The Petermann Family at River and Second street

My ancestor Johann Berend/Bernard Petermann and his family lived for a time at 32/36 2nd street - the corner of 2nd street and River. They were at this address in the 1900 and 1905 censuses when Bernard was listed as a foreman on the docks. He was also listed at this address in the 1909 Hoboken directory.

See Petermann


If you have any suggestions, corrections, information, copies of documents, or photos that you would like to share with this page, please contact me at maggie@maggieblanck.com

Connecting Hoboken Pages

WAYS TO THE HEIGHTS HOBOKEN MAIN PAGE HUDSON STREET
NEWARK STREET CHURCHES PARKS
JUNE 30, 1900 FIRE PHOTOS OF THE FIRE THE PIERS
PUBLIC BUILDINGS TRAIN STATION STEVENS INSTITUTE
TUNNEL WASHINGTON STREET
Professor M. Loewy

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© Maggie Land Blanck - Page created 2004 - Latest update, June 2020