Rutherford in Bergen County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Hoage House
Lafayette and Harriet (nee Henon) Hoage are believed to be the first African-American family to settle here in 1868. In 1872, they built this vernacular Italianate house where their seven children were born. During the Civil War, Lafayette aided a severely wounded Union Army Captain, Alonzo L. Mabbett, who brought him to Rochester where the captain's family were conductors with the Underground Railroad. Lafayette and Harriet were married in Rochester's African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1867.
In this house, Lafayette, a coachman and member of Rutherford's Lincoln League, and Harriet, who was a seamstress, raised three daughters and four sons, one of whom, named Rutherford, died in infancy. Their oldest child, Lillian Florence Hoage, a seamstress, remained in this house through the mid-1930's. A son, David, was a physician and co-founder of the American Negro Tennis Association. His brother, George Lafayette, became an aide to eight Minnesota governors, including presidential candidate Harold Stassen.
Dedicated during Black History Month 2022 at the home of Tino and Marta Melhmann. Presented by Rutherford Mayor Frank Nunziato and the Rutherford Borough Council, the Rutherford Historic Preservation Committee, the Rutherford Civil Rights Commission, and Rod Leith, the Rutherford Borough Historian.
Erected 2022 by Rutherford Historic Preservation Committee.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: African Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1872.
Location. 40° 49.702′ N, 74° 6.808′ W. Marker is in Rutherford, New Jersey, in Bergen County. Marker is on Donaldson Avenue east of Montrose Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 127 Donaldson Avenue, Rutherford NJ 07070, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. John Rutherfurd (approx. 0.3 miles away); Rutherford World War II Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Rutherford Vietnam & Korea Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Gettysburg Address (approx. 0.3 miles away); U.S.S. Maine Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Rutherford World War I Monument (approx. 0.4 miles away); Rutherford Veterans of War (approx. 0.4 miles away); United Spanish War Veterans (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rutherford.
Also see . . . Borough Honors Hoage Family - Rutherford Historic Preservation Committee. (Submitted on March 3, 2022, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2022, by Doran Howitt of Fair Lawn, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 157 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 28, 2022, by Doran Howitt of Fair Lawn, New Jersey. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide view photo of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?