Ocean County , NJ History

 New Egypt Press 15 Nov 1923

 New Jersey Courier 26 Nov 1874

Lakewood Times and Journal 30 Nov 1878

Lakewood Times and Journal 11 Nov 1871

Ocean County Journal 21 Oct 1871

While 1870-71 was a very newsworthy year for Bricksburg, by mid-decade the excitement had died down and news items from that part of the county became increasingly rare. In NJ from June 10, 1875 it does mention a "Mr. Jones of Bricksburg", who went to the Tuckerton Sunday schools, apparently to organize an excursion for the students to Long Branch the following month. One of the only other news items to come out of Bricksburg in 1875 was a marriage announcement--on 21 July, Clara W. Phifer of Bricksburg married Theodore M. Nichuals of Camden. There was also mention of another family from Bricksburg in 1874: "The wife of one Charles Porter, a druggist, of Bricksburg, died on the 14th inst.(July, 1874), from the effects of an abortion produced by the use of instruments by her husband. The coroner's jury found a verdict to the above effect. Porter escaped. The case caused considerable excitement in the neighborhood." In 1876 there are a few more mentions of th...

the following bit of history is taken from an article written by Edwin Salter for the New Jersey Courier on June 28, 1882. "The old Bergen Iron Works was originally built about 1814 by Jesse Richards, and it is said Wm. Irvin was a partner. It was then called the Washington Furnace. It was subsequently rebuilt by Joseph W. Brick, and named Bergen Iron Works. The ore found in the vicinity made a very brittle iron and gave Washington a poor reputation. hence the change in the name, Bergen county being celebrated for its good iron. "

(from the New Jersey Courier, January 18,1871) Bro. Brick has commenced his new Foundry at Bricksburg, just north of the railroad station. The main building is to be 75 x 200 feet, 34 feet high, a pipe or clay shed of 300 feet in length, together with a pattern and carpenter shop is concluded in the contract. He also proposed a cottage for his foreman, and 20 tenements for workmen. Charles W. Fox is the contractor, which is a sufficient guarantee for it's faithful execution. Work has been resumed on the Manufacturing Companys' buildings. The roofs have been slated and the process of finishing goes on. The Presbyterian Church was getting a new bell, weighing over 1000 lbs.. The village even had it's own band, called the Wiser Cornet Band, consisting of: Name Professor H. Wiser Leader S. Pugsley Assistant Leader M.D. Stout Secretary R.J.Ticknor Treasurer H. Wiser Baritone S. Pugsley Clarinet C. Morgan Piccola M.D.Stout Clarinet B. Allen Cornet W.Jenkins Alto ...

Lakewood Times and Journal 12 Dec 1874 We notice the fingerboards, indicating direction and distance are being placed up at the prominent points of public roads The evening train from New York was detained at Bricksburg on Tuesday last. The detention was caused by the leakage of some of the locomotive pipes. The citizens of Bricksburg have already forwarded a generous package of goods to one suffering family in Nebraska. The friends and neighbors of Rev. Isaac Todd will make him a donation visit on Wednesday afternoon and evening next, 16th inst.

Lakewood Times and Journal 12 Dec 1874

New Jersey Courier 11 Dec 1870 Our friend, Charles H. Applegate of Bennett's Mills, has been chosen Secretary and Treasurer of the Bricksburg Manufacturing Company and enters upon his duties this week. Mr. Applegate adds $10,000 to his already large subscription to the stock of this company. Benjamin Snyder has just moved into his new house corner of 1st and Madison Avenue. It is a very fine looking establishment. Mr. B. Sinclair met with an accident on Wednesday morning last, on the new machine shop. It threatened to be quite serious for a time, but has resulted thus far in nothing of a complicated nature

In the last few months of 1870, there was a great deal of building going on in Bricksburg. On November 22nd of that year, the New Jersey Courier gives us some more examples of the town's rapid growth: Rev. Mr. Graw, of Long Branch, visited Bricksburg a few days since and lectured on Temperance, and formed a Lodge of Good Templars, with about 35 or 40 members. A list of those members appeared the following week: they are: M. Bunker Mrs. Emma Patterson Mrs. Jones J. Tushingham Miss Huntley G.B. Stratton Jas. Patterson Henry Hoft Miss Rich Miss Bunker Clearly not a complete list, as both article mention between 30 and 40 members. The Bricksburg Bakery under the management of F.M. Marston and S. Lewis, has gained a widespread popularity. A.S. Larrabee, has been making recent changes in his buildings and they now cover nearly half an acre of ground, for the transaction of his country merchandising business. Later, in the Dec 11th issue of the Courier, a description of his...

From New Jersey Courier 9 Nov 1870 On the first instant we paid our esteemed friend, A. Jameson, Esq., of Bricksburg, a visit. We found him full of business, and received from him the same honest cordial greeting , as of olden time. Our friend at the present time is the president and general manager of a new enterprise which he has inaugurated at Bricksburg, a few miles to the north of us. When we knew A. Jameson long years ago, we always found him the same truthful, temperate, upright and industrious man as now. Scrupulously prompt in his business he, as a matter of course, succeeded. With an energy that brooked no denial, he has worked his way up, until he has become a self made man, and the architect of his own fortune. We rejoice at his prosperity. After a cordial interchange of friendly greeting, we placed ourselves under his guidance, and we proceeded to visit his water power, formerly known as Bergen Iron Works. A large massive well built raceway has been constructed underg...

From New Jersey Courier 28 Sep 1870: Alexander Conklin has presented a silver communion service of five pieces to the Methodist Church at Bricksburg. Rev. Mr. Ogborn preached at the Methodist Church, Toms River, Sunday night and received a collection of $21 for the aid of the M.E. Church at Bricksburg. Lewis, Blackman, and Co. have sold their extensive business to F.M. Marston Kelsey and Blackman have purchased the lumber yard of Fuller and Noble, at Bricksburg. A December 11th article describes their business: "Mr. B informed us that he had got through with middle men and was purchasing quite largely direct of the Manufacturers of Canadian lumber at Burlington, VT. By so doing he was saving quite largely and giving his customer the benefit thereof." Perkins and Townsend have sold out their hardware store to a party who design to open a crockery and hardware store. Moses Bachrach has got a splendid stock of Fall and Winter dry goods in his store The Bricksburg Manufact...

From the New Jersey Courier, 31 May 1866: We paid a visit to this lively village on Friday last. Found French, of the Bricksburg House, in his happiest mood with a jolly good table. Parmentier, mirthful and happy, and our friends Bradshaw and Bechtel, busy selling tape and dry goods and raking in money. "Murphy", alias Bradshaw, is building as fine a dwelling as there is in the embryo city, perfectly contented, even if we did give him a world wide reputation, under the cognomen of Murphy by mistake. Larrabee, at the depot, and D.B. Stout, are doing finely in their respective pursuits. The new steam saw mill of the Company is buzzing away, getting out lumber and all creation are after the sacred material. Several new houses are going up. Found a dominie, Rev. Mr.Mason, with whom we were much pleased. Could laugh and joke and retain his dignity as a clerical gentleman, without freezing you. Liked him much, and hope to see him often. Bricksburg is bound to rise and shine. The e...

New Jersey Courier April 10 1873 On Wednesday last, just after the 3 o'clock p.m. freight line had left the station and was nearly opposite the foundry buildings, Robert Hoft, a boy eleven years of age, son of Herman Hoft, one of the employees at the foundry, was caught under the wheel of the rear car and his right arm crushed and mangled in a shocking manner. His two brothers, one two years older and the other younger, were near him at the time of the accident and state that he attempted to get on the car by catching hold and clinging to the iron hand rods and the speed of the train, thouugh not running at a swift rate, threw him on the track and under the forward wheel of the truck. Dr. Gordon amputated the arm, assisted by Dr. Chase. The fracture extended so far above the elbow that amputation had to me made very near the shoulder and consequently increased danger of a fatal result, or more protracted time for recovery.

New Jersey Courier 10 Apr 1873 William Messler, a young man employed in the mill, was caught in a belt and thrown with great violence through an aperture in the floor or partition, causing a fracture of one arm and a dislocated shoulder, with severe bodily injuries. Dr. Chase was sent for immediately, but being engaged with Dr. Gordon in the amputation of Mr. Hoft's son some delay occurred before he could attend to Mr. Messler. The case received the earliest possible attention, however, and the injured man is doing well and likely to recover.

New Jersey Courier 10 Apr 1873 On Wednesday last, just after the 3 o'clock p.m. freight line had left the station and was nearly opposite the foundry buildings, Robert Hoft, a boy eleven years of age, son of Herman Hoft, one of the employees at the foundry, was caught under the wheel of the rear car and his right arm crushed and mangled in a shocking manner. His two brothers, one two years older and the other younger, were near him at the time of the accident and state that he attempted to get on the car by catching hold and clinging to the iron hand rods and the speed of the train, thouugh not running at a swift rate, threw him on the track and under the forward wheel of the truck. Dr. Gordon amputated the arm, assisted by Dr. Chase. The fracture extended so far above the elbow that amputation had to me made very near the shoulder and consequently increased danger of a fatal result, or more protracted time for recovery

New Jersey Courier 18 Jan 1871 Bro. Brick has commenced his new Foundry at Bricksburg, just north of the railroad station. The main building is to be 75 x 200 feet, 34 feet high, a pipe or clay shed of 300 feet in length, together with a pattern and carpenter shop is concluded in the contract. He also proposed a cottage for his foreman, and 20 tenements for workmen. Charles W. Fox is the contractor, which is a sufficient guarantee for its faithful execution.

New Jersey Courier 9 Nov 1870 On the first instant we paid our esteemed friend, A. Jameson, Esq., of Bricksburg, a visit. We found him full of business, and received from him the same honest cordial greeting , as of olden time. Our friend at the present time is the president and general manager of a new enterprise which he has inaugurated at Bricksburg, a few miles to the north of us. When we knew A. Jameson long years ago, we always found him the same truthful, temperate, upright and industrious man as now. Scrupulously prompt in his business he, as a matter of course, succeeded. With an energy that brooked no denial, he has worked his way up, until he has become a self made man, and the architect of his own fortune. We rejoice at his prosperity. After a cordial interchange of friendly greeting, we placed ourselves under his guidance, and we proceeded to visit his water power, formerly known as Bergen Iron Works. A large massive well built raceway has been constructed undergroun...