The record shows that William Stegg and Magdalena Peters Demarest had only one child, Magdalena, born in 1723, but he had a daughter, Elizabeth, who married John Ackerman at Schraalenburgh in 1728. John and William Stegg (Stagg) settled in the vicinity (south) of Hackensack on parts of the Berry tract. Abram Stagg, of Hackensack, settled at Schraalenburgh when he married Maritie Bogert in June, 1732. It was his brother (probably), Cornelius Stagg, a widower, of New Barbadoes, who also settled at Schraalenburgh and married Ann Christie in January, 1734.

It is said that in the start three brothers came to America from Holland, one of whom settled in New York City, another at Sicamac in Bergen County, and a third "went west." However that may be, a John Stagg was known to have settled at Sicamac in Bergen County much more than a century ago, where he married a Miss Van Houten and prospered as a farmer. His son, James Stagg. was born and resided for a time at Wyckoff, Bergen County. He also followed agricultural pursuits. His wife, Sally Westervelt, was born at Tenafly in 1400. The couple eventually moved to Teaneck, where they bought a part of the old Brinckerhoff farm, on which they spent their days. They had issue John, Joseph, James H., Sarah E., and Letty.

John was born in New York City, but was brought up at Teaneck. He married (1) Sally Westervelt and (2) Jane Voorhis. By his first wife his issue were James and Peter IV., and by his second wife his issue were Edward. Henry. Jesse, and John, of whom Peter W. is the subject of this sketch.

Peter W. Stagg was born in New York City October 24, 1850. His childhood and early life, however, were spent in Cresskill, N. J.. where he attended the public school. In 1875 lie went to Jersey City and became a student at law in the office of the late Charles Schofield, and there he remained two years, after which he moved to Hackensack and entered the office of Ackerson & Van Valen, continuing with them until 1879, when he was admitted to the bar at the June term. Immediately after being admitted he opened an office for the practice of his profession, in which he rapidly built up a good business.

At the June term of 1883 he was made a counselor at law. He served as assistant clerk to the House of the Assembly at the sessions of 1891-92, and in 1895 was appointed by Governor Werts as Prosecutor of Bergen County for a term of five years. Prior to the time at which Mr. Stagg became Prosecutor Bergen County had been infested with poolroom and green-goods gangs. These the new Prosecutor drove out, in addition to conducting the ordinary criminal business.

Mr. Stagg is a member of Bergen County Lodge, I. O. O. F., and has been Grand -Master of the State of New Jersey, having in 1897 the care and jurisdiction of two hundred and forty-nine lodges in different parts of the State, comprising a membership of 25,000 Odd Fellows. He is also a member of the Fire Patrol. His oldest son, Arthur, was a member of the Second Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, in the late Spanish War.