June 9, 1869: 3rd ward hose company will be called Cataract Hose 2 and that for the 7th or 8th ward be called Hibernia Hose 3
Guardian
June 10th, 1869: This company (cataract refers to a waterfall) was organized and went into service December 1st of 1869 with 30 members. The city purchased of Thomas Peto, of Philadelphia, their carriage (shown below). The first foreman was James Lane
Company Motto was "Onwards and Upwards"
The company's Hose Carriage was first quartered in the Hose House on Bridge Street and then at Passaic Engine Company No. l's house at Broadway and Mulberry Street.
Photo location ? near quarters of Passaic 1 on Mulberry Street - Dayspring Collection
August 24, 1869: New Hose Companies - Cataract 2 and Hibernia 3
The Press
October 21, 1869: Hose Carriage Firehouses #2 proposed to be built on Slater Street at Auburn and Tyler Streets
The Press
November 15, 1869: Cataract 2 receives its Philadelphia Hose Carriage
The Press
November 23, 1869: Cataract 2 to go on duty December 1, 1869
The Press
December 1, 1869. The following newspaper clips describe the fanfare of the ceremonies welcoming the new hose car - (note typo calling the Hose Company as #3 instead of #2))
Paterson Daily Press - Courtesy Jim Eifler
December 2, 1869: Note the new carriage for Cataract 2 was held in Hose House on Bridge Street and then at Passaic Engine 1
Paterson Press
Paterson Press
January 5, 1870: The lot for new quarters at Godwin and Auburn Streets is staked out. The new hose carriage is stored in quarters of Passaic 1.
The Press
May 23, 1870: ~ 8:30 PM False alarm on Main Street Hose cart severely damaged in accident
May 24 Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
July 31, 1870: Cataract Hose 2 took possession of their magnificent new house at the corner of Auburn and Goodwin streets (183 Godwin Street). Note the section of Godwin Street east of Eire RR became 41 Godwin Ave when RR was elevated). That west of the RR remained Godwin Street
Company has ~ 28 members: James H Lane, Foreman; Nathaniel Lane, Assistant Foreman; H.S. Drury, Secretary; P.G. Hopper, Treasurer; S.D. Smith, President; John Petttigrew, Vice President.
House at corner of Godwin and Auburn Streets
From the 1939 book "Enjine, Enjine"
August 1, 1870: "House Warming" events
August 1 Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
August 8, 1870 - The Press
August 10 - The Press
August 9 1870: Hose Carriage houses to be occupied
The Press
November 21, 1870: Company presents their treasurer with a gold badge
Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
November 25, 1870: Truck 1 of East New York visits Cataract 2 and gifts them a large Presentation Shield
Guardian
January 16, 1871: Officer Elections
Guardian
1871: Company bylaws
Dayspring Collection
Carte de Viste of Cataract Hose 2 Foreman -- Dayspring Collection
Hose Company Badge -- Dayspring Collection
February 10, 1871: Gift (engraved lithograph) to Foreman Jacob Fitzmeir in appreciation of a roll top desk he built.
1872: Foreman: John W. Petigrew, Assistant Foreman: William Trussel, Secretary: Godwin C. Auburn
Cataract Hose Company house and apparatus were burned and destroyed on the night of November 9, 1888. At that time te firehouse was rebuilt and a new Hook and Ladder Company or Truck company (Rapid 3) was organized to replace Cataract 2. The former members of Cataract 2 formed the new Truck company.
The city disbanded all hose companies in 1889 as the paid department was being organized.
Shield Shaped Badge from Cataract 2 (with hose behind the company number). This is badge # 10 which on the roster bellow is listed as belonging to William Fielding
Shield shaped Hose Company Badge
Drawing of Foreman John Dempsy
Passaic County Historical Society
Helmet of Foreman of Cataract 2 (Metal Shield)
Dayspring Collection
Chief John Mauro collection = Vincent Marchese photo
Dayspring Collection
Multi-ribbed helmet likely belonging to John or James Greer - Fireman with trumpet finial
1873: Foreman: William Trussel; Assistant Peter Zeluff
July 14, 1873: Assistant Engineer of Auburn NY FD visits Cataract 2.
Guardian
December 7, 1875: Election of officers at annual meeting - Foreman is William Martin
The Press
April 19, 1876: Hose carriage repainted
The Press
December 6, 1876: Elections - William Harmon Forfeman
The Press
July 23, 1877: FF William Martin loses coat while responding to fire
July 24 Press
August 26, 1877: Robbery (money) at Cataract 2 quarters
August 21 Press
Press
December 3, 1877: Company elections - William Harris is foreman & Robert Brayford Assistant
December 4 Press
September 22, 1879: Cataract Hose 2 F/F pranks Passaic's McLean Hose company
Guardian
October 9, 1877: Excursion to Middletown
Press
March 8, 1880: Cataract 2 statement on their behavior between members at a fire
Press
December 5, 1881: Cataract 2 elections - Foreman William Townsend - Assistant John Dempsy
December 6 Paterson Press
January 7, 1882: Company Directors elected
January 9 Paterson Press
June 2, 1882: Cataract 2 to the Rescue: Newspaper description of fire at River and Montgomery Streets. Station 21 (Bridge and River)
June 5, 1882: Officer elections
June 5 Paterson Press
December 4, 1882: Company Elections - Foreman James Coyle - Assistant John Parkinson
December 5 Paterson Press
January 8, 1883: Company elections for directors
Paterson Press
December 4, 1883: Company elections - Foreman James B Greer, Assistant Michael Hawley
Paterson Press
Likely the aluminum parade helmet of Foreman James Greer - Eifler Collection
Parade belt of James H. Winters (courtesy of his Great Grandson Ed Scott)
Winters is said to have served in 1880s
March 9, 1884: Firefighter Robert Gedneyof Cataract 2 died responding to Box 21 at Bridge and River Streets whch sounded on a cold and stormy night for a fire in 2 story house. Fireman Robert Gedney responded from his home - running to the scene. He collapsed on the Arch Street Bridge and died presumably of a heart attack.
March 10, 1884 - Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
Paterson Press March 11 - Courtesy Jim Eifler
Paterson Press March 12 - Courtesy Jim Eifler
March 31 Guardian - Courtesy Jim Eifler
June 2, 1884: Company officer elections
June 3 Press
July 30, 1884: Death Bernard Coyle
July 31 Press
August 16, 1884: Yellow Jacket next hinders firehouse carpenters
Guardian
Cataract 2 inviting Rapid Hose 1 of Kingston NY to next year's annual parade
Feb 1, 1884 Daily Guardian
Early 1884 Daily Guardian
September 14, 1884: At the invitation of Cataract Hose 2, Rapid Hose Co 1 of Kingston NY to visit PFD for Annual Parade
Sept 15, 1884 Kingston Daily Freeman
Eifler Collection
Sept 16, 1884 Daily Guardian
Sept 17, 1884 Daily Guardian
July 21, 1884 Daily Guardian
December 1, 1884: Company elections - Foreman is MD Harley and assistant Richard Acker
Paterson Press
March 20, 1885: Company Roster & Badge numberss
Foreman, MICHAEL T. HAWLEY, Assistant Foreman, RICHARD ACKER, Secretary, NATHANIEL. C. QUACKENBUSH, Treasurer, ALBERT BOOTH
Badge Name Occupation Residence Number 1 John Marshall . . . . . . Baker. . .......... .Cor. Jackson & Clay. 2 Peter Zeluff.. . ... . .. . .. .Tinsmith . ... .. . .. .80 Clinton Street 3 Charles DeGroat..... ... Teamster ......... Cor. Madison & Essex 4 James Paton. .... ...... Printer... .. ........63 Water street. 5 James Conlin.......... Teamster.. .........4 Lane street. 6 Cornelius Van Riper.. . .Printer.... .........12 Tyler street. 7 Charles Moss.... . . . .. ..Laborer. .......... 179 Tyler street. 8 William F. Townsend.. .Moulder.. ........ ..Albion Avenue. 9 John Mallinson. . . .. Painter.. . . . . ..... 127 1/2 North street. 10 William Fielding. ...... Machinist . .. . . 249 Straight street 11 John M.Greer......... Silk Weaver........ 36 Fulton street l2 A.F. Uber. .. .. .... . . . .Liquor Dealer. . .. .81 Straight street 13 James B. Greer... .. .. ..Carpenter. ........ . 36 Fulton street. 14 John Parkinson. . . .. . ..Brass Finisher. . .. .. 107 Division street. 15 James H. Coyle.. .. . ... . .Dyer. ........... ..19 Washington street. 16 Richard Acker. ..... .Laborer. .......... 18 Watson street. 17 Nathan'l Quackenbush.....Carpenter. ....... .186 Mechanic street. 18 William F. Greer.. ...... Carpenter ........ .......114 Jersey street 19 Peter Post. . .. . ... . . Silk Weaver. .. .. ........32 Percy street. 20 Edward Voogd..........Mason................................................... 21 James H. Fox. . . .. . . . .Blacksmith. ........41 William street. 22 Thomas Hall....... ......Silk Weaver. . .. ..185 Division street 23 Michael T Hawley. ... .Plumber. .......... 109 Division street 24 Robert Dewar. .. . . .. ...Brass Finisher ... 157 Willis street. 25 Phillip Hartley. ....... Carpenter..................1 Arch street. 26 John S. Shaw ...... Carpenter........ . ......22 North Main street. 27 David H. Quackenbush......Carpenter . ........11 East Main street. 28 Lemuel Paulison. ...... Brakeman. ..............123 Rip Van Winkle. 29 SyIvester Van Gieson . . . .Grocer ........ 216 Godwin street. 30 Albert G. Booth. . ....Clerk ..........................221 Godwin street. 31 Charles Neeb. . . .. . . . .. .Watchman.......... 275 River street. 32 John Haycock. ......... Peddler. ....... .44 North West street 33 Nicholas Boogertman . . . Silk Weaver. .... 43 First street. 34 Leonard Brain . . .. . . .. Teamster. ....... .Jefferson & North 4th. 35 Thomas G. Wilson. . .Silk Weaver. ..... 193 Division street . 36 Henry M.Butler...............Clerk ..............Cor. Division street 37 William Close . ... . .. Dyer . ... .. . .. .. 209 Godwin street. 38 Edward Haley... . .Silk Weaver... . .. 109 Division street 39 John Woodward ...... Liquor Dealer.. . .. .61 River street. 40 Albert Mainz. .......... .File Cutter. ....... 34 Madison street. 41 Leonard Wienman . .. .File Cutter... . ..34 Madison street. 42 Nelson Norris. ... ..... Machinist. ....... 64 R.R. avenue. 43 Edward Coleman. . . .. . . .Silk Weaver.........94 Paterson street. 44 Charles Green.. . ... .. ..Clerk.. ...... . .. .. .Summer street. 45 William Trussell........ Mason . . .. .. Madison av. & Palton. 46 Matthew C.. Winans.. . . . .Silk Weaver. .......122 Matlock street. 47 William H. Bacon. . .... Machinist ..........11 Cross street. 48 Tunis Ross.. ............ Painter ............88 Lane street. 49 John J. .Dempsey. . . .. .Printer .......... Lafayette street 50 Garret Walraven.... ... Painter.................................
September 8, 1885: Company preparations for the Annual Parade
Paterson Press
January 4, 1886: Officers elected
Paterson Press
February 2, 1886: Visit from Roundout, NY FD - Cataract Co presented with silver pitcher and goblets
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
October 1, 1886: Cataract Hose 2 leadership
Morning Call
Presentation Badge of Foreman Henry M Butler
Presentation Badge for Foreman H Butller -- Dayspring Collection
June 6 1887: Civil officers elected
June 7 Paterson Press
September 20, 1887: Hose Carriage repainted
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
December 5, 1887: Company elections - Foreman is Thomas Hall and assistant David Quackenbush
December 5 Paterson Press
February 9, 1888: Presentation badge to from Cataract 2 to Assistant Chief John Struck
Morning Call
March 10, 1888: Despite having no horses cataract1 is first to arrive at Station 154
March 12 Paterson Press
July 2, 1888: Alderman started the reorganization of the Volunteer Department by closing the three hose companies, including Cataract Hose 2. Shortly thereafter the Godwin Avenue firehouse was destroyed by fire.
From the 1939 book "Enjine, Enjine" - Columbian Hose 9 hose reel from NYC
Morning Call
November 8, 1888: 2:10 AM Station 18 (Tyler and Straight Street) - Cataract Two Firehouse fire - complete loss of building
Weekly Call
November 24, 1888: Reward offered by aldermen
Morning Call
December 12, 1888: Fire Department Committee approve plans to rebuild the firehouse and adapt it for a truck company.
Paterson Press
December 20, 1888: At a meeting of the Exempt Association, Cataract 2 presented the Exempt Association with two Silver play-pipes. (reported in the Paterson Weekly)
May 11, 1889: Company to meet and wrap up its affairs
Paterson Daily Press
February 15, 1917: Upcoming Banquet Reunion planned
Press Guardian - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
February 17, 1917: Banquet
Morning Call - Courtesy Dennis Morrison
CATARCT 2 Foremen and Assistant Foremen
1869 1870 Foreman James H Lane Assistant Nathaniel Lane Jr 1871 Foreman Rush Neer Assistant Foreman John Pettigrew 1871 Foreman John Pettigrew Assistant Foreman William Trussel 1873 Foreman William Trussel Assistant Foreman Peter Zeluff 1875 Foreman William Martin Assistant Foreman William H Harmon Jr 1876 Foreman William H Harmon Jr. Assistant Foreman Whitfield 1877 William Harris Foreman Assistant Foreman Robert Brayford 1881 Foreman Nathaniel O. Quackenbush Assistant Foreman William F Townsend 1882 Foreman James Coyle Assistant John Parkinson 1883 Foreman James B Greer Assistant Foreman Michael T Hawley 1884 Foreman M.T. Hawley Assistant Foreman Richard Acker 1886 Foreman H. M. Butler Assistant Foreman T. W. Hall in 1887 Assistant Foreman was David H. Quackenbush