The Jersey City news., 1902-01-25
YOUNG At
S|XTY.SEVEN
President Of the First Ma
tional Bank Full of
Life and Vigor.
THIS IS HIS BIRTHDAY
At His Desk in the First Ma
tional He Receives Con-
gratulations and
Good Wishes.
IN A REMINISCENT MOOD
Word Picture of Jersey City
Fifty-nine Golden Years
Ago.
IN A REMINISCENT MOOD
Word Picture of Jersey City
Fifty-nine Golden Years


Today is Mr.. Edward F. C. Young's
birthday. Since he entered the First
National bank this morning until he left
it in the afternoon he has been receiving
the sincerest compliments from people OF
high and low degree. The first citizen
of Jersey City, is now sixty-seven years
of age and at time when most men
think Of leading an easy life takes an
active interest in the affairs Of some OF
the largest corporations in the State
There's not a buster man in New Jersey
than he.
When a News representative called
on him this morning he was busily en-
gagged in wading through his mail. Then
came batch of papers to sign and
audiences to this one and that, and finally
he said, he had a few minutes to spare
and chat Looking around the bank par
lor he remarked that 1t was thirty-eight
years ago since he entered the bank.
"And it doesn't seem such a long time
after ALL" he said ref1ectively.
You must have seen a great many
changes in the city since you first came
here?'' said the visitor.
Yes was born on a farm in Morris
County and when only nine years oia
came to Jersey City. Jersey City then
had less than 5000 inhabitants. It's
boundaries were the Hudson River and
Lower Bay, Grove street on the west and
Bay street TO the north. Lafayette was a
district by itself. Then you know we ran
along to 1870 when the cities Of Bergen
and Hudson were added and after that
Greenvilie
when l was only a small boy con-
unaed Mr.. Young, waving his hand, the
crlv way to Lafayette was by the road
which ran south from the foot of the
hill around by way of where Comnluni-
paw avenue now is. People living at the
-extrame end of that district would use
the tow path on the canal There wasn't
any bank in Jersey City then and the
business people had to go to New YORK
anG bank with the Merchants Exchange
then at the corner of Dey and Greenwich
Streets
where was the Postoffiee then?''
tPostoffice?'' replied Mr.. Young chuck
ling. @why it was most anywhere I
think it was in David Smiths grocery
store at the corner of Greene and York
sfreets. Later it was in Washington
street and afterwards Samuel Brignell
had it in his grocery store on Moatgoin-
cry and Gregory streets. There were a
few stores on Newark avenue and private
residences.
"PLineas c. Dummer was Mayor of Jer-
sey City then and the municipal body met
on the second story of tlle Lyeeum on
Grand street That building then was a
school conducted by the father of DR.
Dickinson. Afterwards it become Has
hrouck Institute The Town Hall was an
cd building adjoining st. Matthews
Church, and the, school was in the rear
II was half pay and half free"
Mr. Young laughed swaen ne was asked
about the elections at shat time.
Mayor Dummer had a glass factory
then where the Sugar House now stands
He vas one of the leading politicians. but
Cornelius Kanouse, who owned a foundry
on Washington street and Railroad ave-
nue.. now occupied by the Pennsylvania
Railroad. was the head Of the Democratic
PARTY in the city, and Dudley S. Gregory
was the leader of the Wings; there were
M Republicans then. The polls were held
IN Sussex street adjoining Gregory's house
and the old town hail. Afterwards it was
changed to a house where No. 3 Engine
House stands.
.'Well, it was funny and very novel
sight to be seen around the polls on elec-
ton day, I can tell you,1 continued Mr..
} Young. smiling at the recollection of the
scenes. ePrecisely at twelve O'Clock
would the employees of the New Jersey
Railroad and Transportation Company,
the predecessor Of the Pennsylvania Rail-
road, march up with Dudley Gregory at
their head to cast their votes for the
wings, ard from the other end of the
street would come a long line of Kan
ousers worlzmen, with Cornelius himself
leading them. to vote the Democratic
ticket There was no backing out-they
had to vote as they were told.
s.As 1 remarked said Mr.. Young,
.sthere was no bank in Jersey City when
I first came here in 1874 Along about
August, 1851. think, a number of lead
ing men got together and started the
Hudson County Bank. Its first president
was John Cassidy and the cashier was
Albert /. Smith, who vas before that
principal of Public School No. /. George
III. Iinsiey. the present principal, was the
vice president. The year following, on
November /, came into the bank and,
with Mr.. Hardenbergh, made up the
working force OF that institution for
some time.
II remember well. as IL 1t were yester-
dav. when we boys used to go up
Newark avenue to the railroad crossing
at Henderson street, where there was a
house Built on stilts. There was water
there. where we used to boat and in the
Writer t9 skate
.sF'iae times we had then. Do you know
f33at the BOYS IN the October months