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 was first quartered in Passaic Engine Company No. l's house at Broadway and Mulberry Street.
Dayspring Collection
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
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 Ave)
House at corner of Godwin and Auburn Streets
From the 1939 book "Enjine, Enjine"
"House Warming" events
August 1 Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
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.
November 21, 1870: Company presents their treasurer with a gold badge
Guardian courtesy Dennis Morrison
1871: Foreman James H. Lane; Assistant Foreman: Nathaniel Lane Jr.: Secretary: Henry S. Drury
Company By-Laws
Dayspring Collection
Part of the By-laws book defining the functions of the Foreman and Assistant Foreman
Carte de Viste of Cataract Hose 2 Foreman -- Dayspring Collection
Hose Company Badge -- Dayspring Collection
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
Presentation Badge of Foreman Henry M Butler
Dayspring Collectiion
Drawing of Foreman John Dempsy
Passaic County Historical Society
Helmet of Foreman of Cataract 2 (Metal Shield)
Dayspring Collection
Dayspring Collection
Multi-ribbed helmet likely belonging to John Greer - Fireman with trumpet finial
1873: Foreman: William Trussel; Assistant Peter Zeluff
Cataract 2 to the Rescue: Newspaper description of a June 2, 1882 fire.
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
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.................................
February 2, 1886: Visit from Roundout, NY FD - Cataract Co presented with silver pitcher and goblets
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
September 20, 1887: Hose Carriage repainted
Morning Call courtesy Dennis Morrison
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
February 15, 1917: Upcoming Banquet Reunion planned