USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > A History of the city of Newark, New Jersey : embracing practically two and a half centuries, 1666-1913 Volume III > Part 15
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One of the sides of his service to the community in the midst of which he worked, was the educational. Owing possibly to the difficulties and privations with which his own education was gained, Dr. Fish was always an earnest advocate of all educational movements, and to the cause he invariably gave cheerfully both of his means and of his time. He was for twenty-three years, from 1850 to 1873, the efficient secretary of the New Jersey Baptist Education Society. He was always the enthusiastic and devoted friend of Peddie Institute, Ilightstown, New Jersey, and spoke of it with a peculiar interest.
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A few years before his death he was enabled to realize what had long been a cherished dream, to visit the Holy Land. In 1874 his church gen- erously granted him a leave of absence of eight months and presented him a purse towards his expenses. He sailed March 7, 1874, going by way of France, Italy, and the Mediterranean and Egypt. He spent seventy days in traversing Palestine and the lands east of the Jordan. He brought away over three hundred specimens illustrative of the habits, usages, and customs of the Bible lands, which he made of great use in his subsequent work. His return journey was made by way of Asia Minor, Cyprus, Rhodes, Smyrna, Ephesus, Constantinople, Athens, and other places of interest.
Three years after his return from this trip he passed away, leaving a gap in the community that was profound. He died October 3, 1877, and it was as if the whole city of Newark had lost a friend. Every religious organization in the community made a fitting expression of the loss sus- tained by the city, and the memorials of other civic bodies were numerous and marked by a personal sense of bereavement.
In addition to his conscientious and very individual work in his own congregation, Dr. Fish was an unusually prolific author of works of a religious and educational character. He felt this to be a line of work that was peculiarly needed and by a very close husbanding of the odd moments of his time he succeeded in accomplishing a remarkable amount of literary work. He was the author of the book: "Primitive Piety Revived," which was a prize essay issued by the Congregational Board of Publication in Boston. This work has been widely circulated, having reached its twentieth edition. In 1860 it was translated into Dutch and published in Utrecht, Holland. He afterwards at different times, took three other prizes. The second was for a tract, entitled "How Can I Be Saved?" The third was a little tract on profanity called "Don't Swear," and was subsequently translated into French and published in Canada. The fourth was for an essay entitled "The Hour for Action." In 1856 was published the "History and Repository of Pulpit Eloquence," and in 1857 followed "Pulpit Eloquence of the Nine- teenth Century," and in the next year a volume entitled "Select Discourses." In the winter of 1872 he wrote two small volumes entitled "Harry's Conversion" and "Harry's Conflicts." As one of the fruits of his foreign tour he brought before the public an octavo volume entitled "Bible Lands Illustrated; a hand-book of the antiquities and modern life of all the sacred countries." In addition to these he also published two eight-page tracts called "Saved or Lost?" and "Do or Done?" An address entitled "Power in the Pulpit" was, through the interest of a Scottish admirer, printed in Edinburgh, and distributed among the clergy of Scotland, and reached its seventh thousand.
Dr. Fish married, July 15, 1845, Clarissa, daughter of Gurdon and Delia Jones of Shelburne, Massachusetts. They had four children: Delia J., Henry G., Frederick S. and Clara J.
EDWARD W. GRAY
Edward W. Gray is of Irish parentage. He was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, August 18, 1870, where his father, Edward Gray, was for many years engaged successfully in the shoe trade.
Edward W. Gray attended the public schools of Jersey City. For three years he was with his father in the shoe business. He then became an em- ployee of the Preferred Accident Insurance Company, of New York City. He contributed many articles to New York newspapers, and soon received
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HISTORY OF NEWARK
an appointment as a city staff reporter on the New York Herald. Later, Charles E. Russell, then city editor of the New York World, gave him a position on that paper.
New Jersey, however, was the portion of the country in which Mr. Gray felt most interest, and he naturally sought to transfer his activities across the Hudson river. His first opportunity was to become assistant city editor of the Newark Daily Advertiser in 1898, and soon after he became city editor. His progress was rapid and he eventually attained the presi- dency and took charge of the general management of the Newark Daily Advertiser Publishing Company. His ability, versatility and adaptability to circumstances were the sole elements of his success.
On January 1, 1904, Mr. Gray resigned his position with the Newark Daily Advertiser, and the following fall was put in charge of the Publicity Bureau of the Republican State Committee. The campaign then under way was that of Honorable Edward C. Stokes, for the governorship of New Jersey, which resulted in Mr. Stokes's election. Governor Stokes so warmly appreciated the efforts of Mr. Gray, whom he had never before been ac- quainted with, that he appointed him his secretary. His term expired with the Governor's in January, 1908. In 1907 he had resumed his work on the Republican State Committee, of which he was made secretary by Former Governor Murphy, then state chairman.
The necessity for the protection of public health through better sanitary conditions attracted Mr. Gray's interest, and he became a member of the State Board of Tenement House Supervision. As a member of the legislative committee to investigate the problems involved in the condition of tene- ment houses, he earned further appreciation from the overburdened officials who were striving to better the state of things. A state tenement house de- partment having been established, he was appointed as a commissioner by Governor Murphy, and re-appointed in 1907 by Governor Stokes for the full term of five years, serving eight years in all.
After his term as secretary to Governor Stokes had expired, Mr. Gray again devoted himself to insurance. In 1909 he, together with various associates, began to organize the Commercial Casualty Insurance Company, which was the first casualty insurance company having its home in New Jersey. This company is now one of the established insurance institutions of the state.
Mr. Gray married Altha Reynolds Hay, daughter of the late Robert Hay, of Summit, New Jersey. The couple have three daughters: Altha, Julia and Elizabeth.
M. ROYAL WHITENACK, M. S., M. D.
In medical and other professional circles of Newark, New Jersey, the name of Dr. M. Royal Whitenack, M. S., is held in the highest esteem as that of a man who has done much to further the interests of the medical profession. He is a son of Thomas Whitenack, a member of one of the old families of Newark, and was born in that city, April 2, 1875.
He attended the public schools in the city of his birth, and was grad- uated from the high school in 1892. He then became 'a student in Rut- gers College, which conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Sciences in 1896, and subsequently that of Master of Sciences. Matriculating at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York City, he was graduated from that institution in 1900, and the degree of Doctor of Medicine was awarded him.
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After the usual length of time spent as an interne, he was appointed as an assistant on the medical staff of the Newark City Hospital, and is now (1913) visiting physician on the pediatric service. He is also a visiting physician at the Babies' Hospital of Newark, and, in addition to his general private practice, makes a specialty of the diseases of children. His private practice has grown to satisfactory proportions, and he enjoys the affection as well as the confidence of his patients.
As a public spirited citizen he takes a lively interest in all matters concerning the welfare of the community, and has served one term as medical inspector of schools. He gives his political support to the principles of the Republican party, and his religious affiliations are with the Roseville Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Alumni associations of Rutgers College, Chi Phi fraternity, Essex County, State, and American medical asso- ciations, Practitioners' Club of Newark, Pediatric Society of New Jersey, Anatomical and Pathological Society, Newark Medical Library Association, Automobile Club.
Dr. Witenack married F. Clementina Hawley, of Newark, and they have had one child: Royal Hawley, died February 27, 1913.
JAMES WILMER KENNEDY
James Wilmer Kennedy, well known in Newark for his service in the cause of education, is a notable example of one of the men of sterling worth produced by the Scotch-Irish stock in the United States. He was born near New London, Pennsylvania, the son of Washington and Jane (Turner) Kennedy, the latter being a native of Pennsylvania, and a daugh- ter of Alexander and Elizabeth (Whiteside) Turner. Washington Kennedy was the son of James and Rachel (MacCracken) Kennedy, and was born in Pennsylvania, on March 17, 1819, the fourth of a family of six children. Washington Kennedy also had six children, the fourth of whom was James Wilmer.
James Wilmer Kennedy early evinced a desire for an education. He attended the public schools of New London, prepared for college at the local academy, and entered Lincoln University, graduating with the degree of A. B. After teaching in public and college preparatory schools in Penn- sylvania for a few years, and wishing to prepare himself more thoroughly for his work, he entered the post-graduate school of New York University, where the degree of A. M. was conferred upon h'm.
Mr. Kennedy has never stepped aside from the profession of teaching. His work in Newark began in the Newark Academy, when Dr. Samuel A. Farrand was headmaster. Later he was elected principal of a Newark public school, established the Central Evening High School, and was its principal for a number of years. At present he has the responsible posi- tion of assistant city superintendent of schools. He prepared the text-book, "Newark in the Public Schools of Newark," now in use in the city schools, and the first book of its kind published in the United States.
In politics, Mr. Kennedy has been a Republican. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
GEORGE JENKINSON HOLMES, M. D.
The medical profession of the city of Newark, New Jersey, is ably represented by George Jenkinson Holmes, M. D., who not alone has acquired an extensive private practice, but holds official position with all the most
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important medical associations of the city and state, and is connected in an official capacity with a number of public institutions. He is a direct descend- ant of one of the old colonial families of the country, his lineal ancestor being Sir Thomas Holmes, born in Ireland in 1625, died in Philadelphia in 1695, and is buried in Holmesburgh, Pennsylvania. He came to America with William Penn, was surveyor general, surveyed and laid out the city of Philadelphia. Josiah, grandson of Sir Thomas Holmes, married Mary Bancker.
Adrian Bancker, son of Josiah and Mary (Bancker) Holmes, was born at Shrewsbury, New Jersey, January 18, 1776. He married Catherine, a daughter of David and Christine (Messier) Morris.
Charles Muir, son of Adrian Bancker and Catherine ( Morris) Holmes, was born in New York City, at No. 99 Church street. He was a jeweler by occupation, and an adherent of the Republican party. In 1832 he was captain in the Two Hundred and Twenty-third Regular Infantry, New York, at a time when Enos Throop was governor, and John A. Dix, adjutant- general. He married Mary Francis Lane Proctor, and had children: Cath- erine Eliza, Mary Ann, James Scrymgeour, Abba Proctor, Charles Muir, Caroline Frances, Benjamin Proctor, Adrian Bancker, Alfred Peckham and Edward Cooke.
Edward Cooke, son of Charles Muir and Mary Francis Lane ( Proctor) Holmes, was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, December 11, 1850, and was actively engaged in the mercantile business. His political affiliations are with the Republican party and he is a member of the Presbyterian church. He married, May 21, 1874, Eliza, born in Newark, daughter of George B. and Jane (Stringer) Jenkinson.
Dr. George Jenkinson, son of Edward Cooke and Eliza (Jenkinson) Holmes, was born at No. 58 Spruce street, Newark, New Jersey, January 13, 1877. The Chestnut Street Public School furnished him his elementary education, after which he attended the Newark Academy, from which he was graduated in 1896. Having matriculated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Columbia University, New York, New York, he was grad- uated from this institution in 1900 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He at once engaged in active practice at the conclusion of the necessary interneship, and has attained a high rank in professional circles. For a long time he has served as supervisor of medical inspection for the Board of Education of the city of Newark. He is a stanch supporter of the Repub- lican party, but the multitude of his professional duties prevents him from participating actively in political affairs. He is a member of Corinthian Council, Royal Arcanum. Dr. Holmes is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is connected in various capacities with the following named organizations: Academy of Medicine of Northern New Jersey, Essex County Pathological Society, Essex County Medical Society, American Medi- cal Association, New Jersey State Pediatric Society, Association of Surgeons, New Jersey State Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis, New Jersey State Association of Charities and Corrections, National Association for the Study and Prevention of Infant Mortality, Newark Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary, Newark Board of Trade, and the Wednesday and Thursday clubs.
Dr. Holmes married in Jersey City, April 21, 1904, Mabel Chamberlain, born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, October 17, 1881. They have one child: Mary Ogden, born January 26, 1909. Mrs. Holmes is a daughter of Joseph Clement and Mary E. ( Rose) Chamberlain, whose other children were: Edna, William H. and Emma A. Mr. Chamberlain was engaged in
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the mercantile line of business, and removed from Charleston, South Caro- lina, in 1868. He was in the Confederate (Home) service until the close of the Civil War. Dr. Holmes is held in high esteem by his professional brethren, and is called in consultation frequently in cases of unusual difficulty. He is full of sympathy for the suffering and unfortunate who come to him for treatment, a feeling which familiarity has not dulled. In charitable projects he is always a leading spirit. He is a ripe scholar, an interesting speaker and a delightful host.
WILLIAM ORRIN BARTLETT
Among the younger generation of Newark business men William Orrin Bartlett stands forth conspicuously as a leader in his chosen profession- that of architecture. Mr. Bartlett is also associated with the political and religious life of his home city and is prominent in social circles.
Grandison V. Bartlett, father of William Orrin Bartlett, was a son of George V. Bartlett, who, for fifty years, was the proprietor of a slaughter and packing house, and attained to the venerable age of ninety-two. Grandi- son V. Bartlett, in his early manhood, served as a soldier during the Civil War, and after the return of peace was, for one year, a broker on Wall street, and during that time amassed a considerable fortune. On retiring from the brokerage business he associated himself with his father, main- taining the connection until 1897, when he turned his attention to art paintings, in which he had been, all his life, more or less interested. He married Carrie Orinda, daughter of George and Caroline (Latson) Frear, the former a prominent officer in the Union army during the Civil War and killed in one of the engagements. Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett were the parents of the following children: May Belle, wife of W. E. Erler, of Nutley, New Jersey; Walter Edward, of East Orange; George G., associated in business with his brother, William Orrin; Bryant M., now living in the West; Grace 1., of East Orange; and William Orrin, mentioned below. Grandison V. Bartlett died January 9, 1900.
William Orrin, son of Grandison V. and Carrie Orinda (Frear) Bartlett, was born September 10, 1886, in Montclair, New Jersey, and was educated in the public schools of Newark and by private tutors, graduating from the South Eighth Street Grammar School. He entered the office of Hugh Rob- erts, the well-known architect of Jersey City, where he remained ten years, developing his natural talents for the profession, gaining an intimate knowl- edge of all its details and acquiring a fund of experience which was to stand him in good stead in after years.
In 1908 Mr. Bartlett passed the State Board of Examiners on Architec- ture and then engaged in business for himself in Newark, opening an office in Broad street, where he has since continuously remained in the active practice of his profession. His business has grown with astonishing rapidity and at present he has plans approved for buildings that will require one million five hundred thousand dollars for their construction. Among the buildings which he has already planned and constructed are the following: Bartlett Building, on High street; George Sturm's factory on Market street; Cyrus Currier's factory, also on Market street; residence of Frank Currier, in Maplewood, New Jersey; and residence of Elmer C. Van Duyne, also at Maplewood. The aggregate cost of these buildings is upward of two hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Bartlett has also planned and constructed a moving picture theatre in East Orange which is the first, building for this purpose ever approved by the Building Department of that city.
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As a citizen with exalted ideas of good government and civic virtue Mr. Bartlett stands in the front rank, ever lending his influence and support to every project which, in his judgment, tends to promote the welfare and progress of Newark, and no good work done in the name of charity or religion seeks his co-operation in vain. He belongs to the Board of Trade, the Greater Newark Committee and the City Plan Commission, and is a member of the Commercial Club and the Automobile Association. He is an Independent in politics and holds the faith of the Presbyterian church.
Aggressiveness, will-power and tenacity of purpose are dominant traits in Mr. Bartlett's character and their impress is stamped upon his counte- nance and manifests itself in his bearing. His personality is also indicative of a genial nature and companionable disposition which, combined with his sterling traits of manhood, has surrounded him with friends.
Mr. Bartlett married, June 21, 1911, in East Orange, Mabel Margaret, daughter of Isaac and Emma (Young) Clark, of that city, the former a veteran of the Civil War. Mrs. Bartlett is a woman of winning personality and charming tactfulness, and she and her husband are both extremely popular in the social circles of Newark.
The professional career of Mr. Bartlett has opened under the most favorable auspices and seems filled with brilliant promise for the future. In considering the prospects of a man of his years and type, it is impossible to predict with certainty the ultimate degree of success to which he may attain, for he is one of those who have erased the word "fail" from their vocabulary and whose qualities are such as to render triumphant accomplish- ment a "foregone conclusion."
JOHN B. OELKERS
John B. Oelkers, successful as a manufacturer and prominent as a citizen of Newark, was born at Algermissen, near Hildesheim, Province of Hanover, in Germany, December 17, 1846. He comes of an old and respected German family, and received his education in the parochial school of his native place, later attending a private school where students of the Gym- nasium Josephinum in Hildesheim, who prepare themselves for a career as teachers, give instruction.
At an early age he learned the trade of damask weaving from his father, and was subsequently apprenticed to the mercantile house of Ferdinand Meyer & Company, in Braunschweig, where he had to attend a commercial school twice a week, thereby acquiring knowledge that stood him in good stead in after years. Having thus received a thorough educa- tion in the fullest sense of the term, Mr. Oelkers decided to essay his fortunes in the United States, where he arrived in 1864, being then not yet eighteen years of age. Not afraid of hard work and ready to turn his hand to whatever he could find to do, he was employed for some time in an iron foundry. In 1868 he formed a partnership with his friend, Christian Deppe, at Newark, and there established a factory for the production of variety work and ivory articles. The undertaking was a success from the outset, but when celluloid was discovered and the use of this material became general, the firm, with a clear perception of the possibilities of the new product, discontinued the making of ivory articles and thereafter utilized celluloid. The outcome of this departure was all that could be wished for, and the firm became one of the leading concerns identified with that branch of industry. Mr. Oelkers is a business man of marked ability, keen in judgment and unerring in his foresight. He is both progressive and energetic,
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qualities that have proved potential factors in the building up of his busi- ness. Most of the success attained has been directly due to his personal efforts and to the intelligence with which he has conducted the affairs of the establishment. He used his knowledge to the best possible advantage and quickly acquired a reputation for honesty and reliability of which he may well feel proud. Active as he has been in business matters, he has still found time to devote to public affairs. A Democrat in his political views, he has served for many years as treasurer of the Democratic Committee of Essex county, resigning the office when William J. Bryan was nominated for President in 1896, and uniting with the so-called "Gold Democrats." He was a delegate to the National Convention that nominated Palmer and Buckner at Indianapolis, and he participated actively in the campaign that followed. He has been a member of the Board of Education of the city of Newark for seven years, acquitting himself of his public duties in that capacity with high credit, rendering valuable service to the educational inter- ests of the community, and in 1904 he was appointed a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners by the Republican mayor, the commission being a non-partisan body, again demonstrating his eminent fitness for the place.
Mr. Oelkers belongs to many benevolent and social organizations, and is particularly active in German affairs, serving as first vice-president of the United Singers of Newark for seventeen years, and as a director of the Northeastern Saengerbund for twelve years. He is one of the most prom- inent figures in German Catholic circles, and has devoted much time and energy to their interests, filling the office of State president of the German Catholic Associations of New Jersey for seven years. For the past ten years he has been president of the German Catholic Central Federation of the United States, an association extending over all the states of the Union. Under his policy the society in question has increased its membership from 44,000 to 130,000. Thanks to his initiative, for the first time in the history of the Central Federation, a pilgrimage to Rome was undertaken. The party consisted of two hundred and eight delegates, and started under Mr. Oelkers' leadership, May 2, 1908. The party was given an extraordinary reception by the Pope, being received in a special audience, and on Mr. Oelkers was conferred a special order, that of the Order Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, which signifies "in recognition of service for the Holy Father and Church." , After the audience at Rome, Mr. Oelkers traveled all through Europe and visited the place of his nativity, which he had not seen for forty-four years. On September 5 of the same year he returned to his home in the United States and immediately took up his business affairs as before and remained the plain, unassuming citizen that Newark has always known him to be. Although high honors and favors were shown him by clergy and laity, he still continued as unpretentious as ever. At his home in Newark, Mr. Oelkers is respected and looked up to by the people of all classes and nationalities, regardless of their descent or religious belief. Although a consistent and positive Catholic, he is thoroughly liberal in his views and actions where others are concerned, conceding to everybody the right of full freedom in the matter of convictions and opinions. No bet- ter proof could be presented of his popularity, or of the esteem and con- fidence in which he is so generally held, than the fact that he was elected a member of the Board of Education three times in succession with steadily increasing majorities in a district where hardly ten per cent. of the voters are of his religious faith. In the discharge of the duties of the political posi- tions that he has held he has, above all, been fair and just to all. He has
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