Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-03-18


minor repairs made from time to
time, 1t is in its original state, and
shows little wear from the elements.
1t cost fifteen hundred dollars, a
good deal of money In those days,
| but there are very few buildings that
have given as good a return on an
| investment of that amount.
Old Manse Occupied 7s Years.
| The Rev. Baker Johnson. associate
pastor with Grover Cleveland
father. was the first occupant. lie
was followed by a long line of par
sons. and it is singular fact thai
in its eighty-one years of existence
the Old Manse has not been unoc-
cupied altogether more than three
| years.
Two other Cleveland children were
born in the Caldwell parsonage, an
older brother of the President, Rlch-
! ard Cecil Cleveland, and younger
sister. Margaret Louisa. An older
sister. Anna, Is listed with the bap-
tlzed children of the church in Jan
nary. 1885, being four years old at
the time. A son of Mr.. futile, the
Rev. Mr.. Cleveland's successor, sun
living in Madison, was born IN
the Old Manse. A President, three
ministers and at least one prominent
man of business first saw the light
of day within it's walls
The first attempt to emphasize the
old houses claim to dlstinc-
ton was when Dean Andrew
r West. of Princeton CniVer-
sitv: DR.. John ii. Finley, presi-
dent of the City College of New York,
and Richard Watson Glider, the poet,
and for many years the editor of the
Century Magazine. with the coopera-
tion of other friends of Cleveland,
prepared bronze memorial tablet,
19x22h inches in size, which, with the
| consent of the owners of the house
and with due ceremony, was set IN
the wall of the room in which Mr..
| Cleveland was born.
B;rthpIacc Society Formed.
Some time later 1t was proposed to
purchase the building and turn 1t into
a Cleveland memorial museum. SO a
society, known as the Cleveland
Rirthnlace Memorial Association, was
formed. and set out to raise money
enough to make the Old Manse a
standing tribute to the memory of the
former President. The project includ-
ed not only the purchase of the Manse
and its grounds as Cleveland memo
| rial. but the purchase of an adjoining
plot of land as site for library
which Andrew Carnegie has promised
to give the town.
The whole project requires $4,000,
! of which Caldwell is asked to raise
one-tenth. The Old Manse itself and
the adjoining ground, which is being
taken over today. cost $4,000
Caldwell has always been so enthu-
siastic about preserving the house
destined to become famous that there
was little trouble in raising enough
funds In fact, they so honor Cleve-
land and revere his birthplace that
they affectionately refer TO the house
as 'The Old Mansc, Our Link with
Fame" An admiring Caldwellite,
writing anonymously, penned several
stanzas to 1.-THE Old Manse," and in
cluded in 1t eulogy to the former
President. The first verse, relating to
| his birthplace, sumo UP WI > NN'hiNNA'
the sentiment of the townsfolk:
Muses. Tribute 70 shrine.
Dear ancient. humble, hallowed
shrine,
Let all thy heart. uplifted be,
For lo cherished son of thine
This day returns to thee!
On childish feet he left thy door,
To follow where his Star should
guide;
But never shall he leave thee more
He cometh to bide!'
Cleveland's birth in Caldwell gives
the town a place in very small
group or class. Only twenty-seven
men have been chosen to sit in the
seat of presidential authority since
the day when George Washington
fathered his country. Ten States fur