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CHARLES LUXTON
Originally published in 1900 |
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CHARLES LUXTON, one of the earliest real estate operators in Hudson County, was born in London, England, and came to America when five
or six years of age, with his parents. The family settled in New York City,
where lie received his education, and where he learned and subsequently
engaged in the business of ship carpenter and joiner. In 1850 he moved to
Jersey City Heights, N. J., and at once became a large landowner and real
estate operator, being one of the very first to make that business a distinctive
feature in the industries of Hudson County. No man was more prominent
or active in promoting the growth of that section, or in developing
its resources and contributing to its prosperity. He secured the charter
incorporating old Hudson City on the 11th of April, 1855, furnishing the
money for the purpose out of his private means. He also organized the
old Hudson City Fire Department and was its first Chief Engineer. He
was a leading Democrat, for some time Tax Collector, and the principal
mover in the inception and construction of the first walk across the meadow
from the foot of Congress Street into Third Street, Hoboken. His
liberality and enterprise were prime factors in building up the young and
growing city. He developed the section formerly known as Luxtonville,
from Bowers Street to the Paterson Plank Road and from Palisade Avenue
to Central Avenue, and opened large tracts of land in North Bergen. Clarendon
(Secaucus), and Greenville (South Bergen) as well as in old Hudson
City. He was also heavily interested in lumbering and lumber mills in
Pike County, Pa. Possessing great mechanical genius, he invented several
important appliances, including a post socket, a machine for manufacturing
peat into fuel, and others. He was a prominent, active, and influential
citizen, a man of great foresight and sagacity, and a generous benefactor.
As a charter member of Eagle Lodge, F. and A. M., he took a deep interest
in local Masonic matters, and out of his own funds built the lodge rooms.
He also contributed liberally to church and school, and to all projects designed for the advancement of the community.
He died in Jersey City Heights in Mareh, 1889, at the age of sixty-five, and is survived by his widow, who was Susan Hopper, and who is now eighty-one years old, and by an only son, George J. Luxton, and three of his four daughters.
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