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 4
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He married, October 1, 1901, Annie Waldron, daughter of Manning and Julia (Condit) Force, of Newark. They have one child, Nancy Ripley.
FRANCIS LAWRENCE SHIELDS
Francis Lawrence Shields, president of the Frank L. Shields Company, real estate operators of Newark, New Jersey, and also president of a number of other corporations, is a fine example of the progressive young business man of the twentieth century. He has inherited the business acumen of his father and unites this with original and progressive ideas of his own, greatly to the benefit of all whose interests are represented by him.
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HISTORY OF NEWARK
Christopher Shields, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Longford, Ireland, and died in this country in 1891. He was descended from an ancient and honored family of Longford, and was a man of learning, culture and refinement. His education was the best which the times in which he lived afforded, and he was graduated from the University of Dublin. At the age of twenty-five years he emigrated to America, landing at New York ('ity in 1861, at the commencement of the Civil War. He immediately enlisted in support of the Union army, becoming a member of Company D), Second United States Regular Artillery. He was in active service throughout this conflict, was engaged in numerous important battles and skirmishes, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He then went to Newark, and after his marriage made his home at Nutley, the family home- stead of his wife. Mr. Shields engaged in the pork and provision business, a line of industry with which he was identified until his death. He married B. Elizabeth Noon, of Nutley, who died in 1901. She was a daughter of Thomas Noon, whose parents had settled in New Jersey about 1775. Thomas Noon was prominent in- his community and had served as clerk of the town of Roscommon, and was one of the early settlers of Nutley. The family homestead, which had been established about 1772 by the Noon and Hanley families, is still in the possession of the family, and served as the home of Mr. Shields from the time of his marriage until his death. Mr. and Mrs. Shields had children: 1. Thomas L., who served in the Spanish-American War and is now in the United States Engineering Department, Washington, D. C. 2. Mary W., also a resident of Washington, D. C. 3. Frank L., the subject of this sketch. 4. Elizabeth E., who is well known for her literary attainments, and is a frequent contributor to magazines and the daily press. She is recording secretary of the New Jersey Woman's Press Club. 5. Christopher A. Shields. Christopher Shields was a close student, a reader, and an author of pronounced literary merit.
Francis Lawrence Shields was born in Belleville, New Jersey, March 29, 1878. His early education was acquired under private tuition at St. James' Parochial School, Newark, and he then became a student at the Newark High School. When he left this last-named institution he was well equipped for a business career, upon which he immediately entered. His first position was with the Prudential Life Insurance Company of Newark, where he obtained a large and varied experience which has been of the greatest benefit to him in every respect. In 1904 he established himself in business independently, opening an office for the transaction of real estate and insurance business. Success attended his efforts, and the careful attention he gave to the details of matters of moment entrusted to him could not fail to have the desired result. His business increased rapidly and consistently and in 1911 he was the leading spirit in the organization of the Frank L. Shields Company, of which he is president, and which enjoys great prestige, their real estate operations being among the most important of any in the city of Newark. This company is especially interested at the present time in the development of the Nye tract and of Caldwell Home Acres. Mr. Shields is also president of the Chestnut Heights Company and the Nye Construction Company. His main business office is in the Union building, but he keeps in close personal touch with all transactions of any of the corporations with which he is connected, and it is owing to this personal supervision that much of the success is due.
Mr. Shields married, in November, 1910, Leonilda B., daughter of Thomas McGrath, of Nutley, New Jersey, and they have one son, Frank L., Jr.,
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born August 14, 1912. Mr. Shields is an important member of the Newark Board of Trade, the Greater Newark Committee and the Real Estate Board of Newark. He and his wife are members of the Blessed Sacrament Church of Newark.
Like his father, Mr. Shields is deeply interested in literature and has a fine library containing upwards of seven hundred volumes. In this he finds his favorite recreation, history being an especial study and never- failing source of pleasure. He is a close student, a profound thinker and unites practical judgment with the acuteness necessary to unravel business tangles.
UZAL H. MCCARTER
U'zal H. McCarter, a man of recognized position in the financial circles of the northern part of the State of New Jersey, was born in Newton, Sussex County, New Jersey, July 5, 1861. His parents were the late Hon. Thomas Nesbitt and Mary Louise ( Haggerty) McCarter. His father was the distinguished lawyer long prominent in the legal world of New Jersey. His parents moved to Newark when he was a boy of four years, and it was in the private schools of that city that he received his early academic training and his preparation for Princeton College. From that institution he was graduated with the class of 1832. About a month after he left college he entered the office of the New York bankers, Kidder, Peabody & Co., remain- Ing with this house for five years. He then obtained a position with the Lombert Investment Company of New York City, whose business was largely in we tern farm mortgages. He remained with this firm for two and In March, 1359, entered into an association with the Fidelity Frukt Company of Newark, becoming at once an important factor in the gallery of that institution. He had spent all the time since his graduation in montesthen with financial work, and the knowledge of finance that he gained In this way was large and became of great practical advantage to him.
Mr. MeCarter entered upon work with the Fidelity Trust Company very al. rtly after its organization, and a large measure of the subsequent develop- ment and prosperity of the corporation has been due to the wise and far- nichied practical wisdom he has brought to bear upon its policies. From March 18, 1889, when he was elected executive manager, he filled other position, serving as the secretary and trust officer, as well as those other offices that are not easily defined with names. It is frequently the case in Institutions of rapid growth that certain men do all the important work without waiting to be officially called to the position, and it has been largely so in the case of the connection of Mr. McCarter with the Fidelity Trust Company. During the time in which he has been serving the financial interests of Newark he has seen New Jersey rise from a minor rank as a manufacturing and industrial region to one which is second, perhaps, only to Massachusetts as a producer of manufactured goods and an employer of labor. During the period Newark has more than doubled its population, and in all this advance the Fidelity Trust Company has, through the wisc management of Mr. MeCarter, kept pace, and has become one of the leading Institutions of a financial character in the State of New Jersey. Mr. McCarter is Interested in other institutions of this kind, and serves as director of the Union National Bank of Newark, of which he is also vice-president; of the Prudential Insurance Company, the Essex County Trust Company, of East Orange; the Union County Trust Company, of Elizabeth; the New
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Brunswick Trust Company, and the Public Service Corporation. In the man- agement of all these institutions his influence always carries much weight, and he is a power in all their councils.
A tribute to his standing as one of the financiers of the most progres- sive school, and of the most weighty influence, was the fact that at the organization of the New Jersey Bankers' Association Mr. McCarter was elected vice-president, followed in the next year by his election to the presidency, and his work for the organization has fully justified the expecta- tions of his friends. He is an interesting public speaker and frequently appears to deliver addresses on the subject of finance, in which he is recog- nized as one of the last authorities. His characteristics are wise progres- siveness, tempered by a judicious and flexible conservatism.
Mr. McCarter married, January 30, 1889, Jane Meeker Lewis, of Newark. They have one daughter, Isabelle Lewis, born January 11, 1891, who is the wife of Roger Young, of Newark.
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SIMON PHILLIPS NORTHRUP
A man of tried ability in more than one line of activity, Simon P. Northrup has, though still a young man, occupied a position of honor in Newark, the town of his adoption. He was born near Branchville, Sussex County, New Jersey, August 23, 1876. He is the son of Oscar and Mary J. (Phillips) Northrup, and on both sides of family can trace his descent to an honorable Colonial ancestry. Both parents were of English lineage.
Simon P. Northrup graduated from Dickinson College with the class of 1897, and from the Law School of Yale University in 1899, receiving his degree of bachelor of laws. He made a conspicuous record while at Yale for ability and scholarship, having been president of the Wayland Club, and at the time of his graduation receiving the Kent prize for his success in debate. This is a highly coveted honor and the recipient is necessarily a marked man in his class. 'In February, 1899, he was admitted to practice before the New Jersey bar, and was for a time in several law offices, forming, in 1905, a partnership with Francis Lafferty. This association lasted, how- ever, only two years, as in 1907 Mr. Northrup became connected with the Fidelity Trust Company of Newark. His position in that institution has been one of extreme responsibility and trust, and in 1909 he was elected assistant title officer.
Aside from his business interests Mr. Northrup has shown a keen and active predilection for political affairs, taking a leading part in the cam- paigns of the Democratic party. A striking and persuasive speaker, he was in great demand during the National campaigns, and rendered services of acknowledged value to his party at that time. He is a member of the Park Presbyterian Church of Newark.
Hle married Jennie M., daughter of George W. Roe, of Newark, and they have one child, Mary Elizabeth.
WILLIAM GREENFIELD
The career of William Greenfield is an instance of what may be achieved In an American commonwealth by ambition, brains and an indomitable energy. He has made his way to a position of acknowledged professional standing, though he began his education with few or no advantages. He is the son of Louis A. and Fannie Greenfield and was born January 1, 1875, in New York City.
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Hle first went to the public schools of his native city, and when still a young boy took up the trade of tinsmithing. He worked at this for two years, and, not seeing any future in it, looked about for another trade. He decided on the printer's and obtained a position as a pressman, and at this he worked for ten years, nursing the while ambitions for a professional career. But he had to put these aside for a time, and he embarked in the milk business, which developed in a short time into a dairy trade. He found, however, that he would be able to attend his business in the day- time and read law at night. His milk route was in New York City, and there in the evenings, in the office of Judge Otto A. Rosalsky, he studied law. He returned after this to the printer's trade, continuing his law studies in the evening classes of the New York Law School, and from this institution he was graduated in 1899. In November of that year he was admitted to practice In New Jersey as an attorney, and was admitted as counsellor in 1910, and in the former year entered upon the practice of his profession, continuing for a few months at his old trade of printing. It is told of him that he began his professional career with a capital of four dollars, and as that was only twelve years ago, it is a commentary upon his energy and ability that he has In that time not only acquired among his professional brethren a reputation as a lawyer of talent and character, but has also gained a fair measure of wealth. He Is the owner of his own home, and of a large apartment house in Newark.
He first opened an office at his own residence, but in the following June be established himself in the Globe Building at 800 Broad street, where he La ever since remained. His practice, which has in that time grown to most frapectable proportions, has been largely court work, Mr. Greenfield making Birading at the bar, In which he is markedly successful. He Las ofalogical gifts of a high order, and is most laborious and diligent in . " perparation of his cases, leaving nothing to chance, and guarding the lateresta of clients with scrupulous fidelity. The regard in which he is held la attrated by the fact that he holds the position of counsel for such Bruo ax the Mrroer Realty Company, the Workman's Realty Company, and the suburban Realty Company. He also serves in the same capacity H. Koch & Co., M. Zimmerman & Co., and the Christian Schmitt Furniture Company. In politica, Mr. Greenfield is a Republican, and has been very actively Mentifled with the Interests of the party. In religion, he is a Hebrew, having hold to the faith of his forefathers, and is a member of the Board of Directors and member of the Executive Committee of Beth Israel Hospital and several other philanthropic institutions. He is the president of the Hebrew Repub- Hean League of Essex County and of the Hebrew Republican Club of the Third Ward of Newark. He is an influential member of New Jersey Lodge No. 38, Order of B'rith Abraham.
He married June 19, 1901, Sadie, daughter of Godfried Cohn. They have two children: Harold, born July 6, 1904, and Norma Lydia, born July 4,1907.
HENRY WILLIAM EGNER, JR.
Henry William Egner, Jr., is a descendant of an old. respected family In Germany. His father, Henry W. Egner, Sr., was born May 13, 1837, in Merchingen, Baden, the son of Frederick John and Susan (Siller) Egner, his father being a man of some importance, connected in various capacities with the munletpal government of Merchingen. Henry W. Egner, Sr., came to the
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United States with his father in 1852 and settled in Orange, New Jersey. In the lines of jewelry, watchmaking, and later the leather business, he was a successful merchant, and was connected with many concerns. In 1875 he was elected Mayor of Orange, serving for three successive terms, and declined a fourth term. He subsequently served as register of deeds in Essex County, 1879-1884. Later as collector of customs of the port of Newark, appointed by President Cleveland, he showed his splendid trustworthy character, and the ability which in every office had brought him the warmest commenda- tion and the highest honors. He married, June 5, 1866, Emily S. Nasher, daughter of Martin and Anna Maria (Worth) Nasher.
Their son, Henry William Egner, Jr., was born in Orange, February 3, 1874. His education began in the public schools, continued through the Newark High School, from which he was graduated. Entering Columbia University, he was graduated from that institution in 1895 with the degree of B. A. After studying law in the office of Judge Henry, in Newark, he became an attorney in November, 1898, and a counsellor in February, 1902. He then started into general practice, and was not long in acquiring the reputation for ability which leads to ultimate success. Ilis profound knowl- edge of law and the soundness of his counsels made him greatly sought by merchants as well as firms and corporations to protect their interests. · His offices in the Niagara Building, 185 Market street, Newark, became a center soon for the conduct of much important litigation.
As a Democrat, Mr. Egner has been a strong supporter of the party interests in Eastern New Jersey, but has not followed in his father's foot- steps in seeking public office, preferring to remain an influential onlooker, and to pull the strings of control without entering the arena as a contestant for official position. His high standing in Newark business and social circles makes his opinion one of great weight, and his sterling character is known by every class.
In Masonry he has become a member of Kane Lodge No. 55, Free and Accepted Masons; Union Chapter No. 7, Kane Council No. 5, Damascus Com- mandery No. 5, New Jersey Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of New Jersey; Salaam Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the Tall Cedars of Lebanon. In the Odd Fellows he holds membership in Howard Lodge No. 7 and Mount Ararat Encampment No. 3. His fraternity is Phi Delta Theta. He also belongs to the Board of Trade of Newark, the Lawyers' Club, the Jefferson Club and the Concordia Building and Loan Association, of Newark.
EDGAR JOHN HAYNES
One of the seven oldest fire insurance companies in the United States and one with a record as honorable as it is old, the Newark Fire Insurance Com- pany has reason to be one of the most distinguished business organizations in the city of Newark. , Its present substantial position is based on a cen- tury's development and distinction well worthy of note when it is remem- bered that of eighty-six insurance companies chartered previous to 1811, only seven are now doing business. The story of the fighting of fires and the succor of those who have suffered by fire has, during a century, brought out many a story of heroism, and much of the unsuspected romance of business, but it has also been a chronicle of quiet faithfulness to high ideals of duty and efficiency brought to the highest pitch by precept and example. The prestige of such a house Is due not merely to the vague consenting
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respect of public opinion, but to a very real momentum of tradition that made officers and employees alike into a force that stands for everything that is just in business principles. Founded in 1810, in the years just pre- ceding the second war with Great Britain, it was thought wise to call a meeting in Newark to consider the question of establishing a mutual insur- ance company. The aggressions of Great Britain had produced a feeling of animosity against all things British and had in some states found voice in laws expressly prohibiting insurance by foreign corporations. In addition to this a spirit of self-protection prevailed to a noticeable extent, and to these is due the establishment of many enterprises directed in part to keep at home the capital put into a commercial undertaking to help to foster local industries. It is a noteworthy fact and one of large economic interest that those towns that have had the most remarkable growth have been those in which this spirit of a close corporation has been most ripe. With such tradi- tions and such an honorable history behind it, Edgar J. Haynes, as the presi- dent of the Newark Fire Insurance Company, is a man of noteworthy distinction in the community. His position at the head of so important an institution is due to no mere good fortune or lucky chance, but is an eminence to which he has climbed by hard work, coupled with a large share of natural ability and determination of character. He has been actively engaged in the insurance business since boyhood, and knows it with great thoroughness which only such an acquaintance can bring. He was born June 29, 1866, in Brooklyn, and when a boy of scarcely sixteen obtained the position of office buy In the office of James N. Ewell & Company, who were stock brokers on Wall . treet. His previous school training was that which he had gained in the public schools of Brooklyn. He was of the stuff, notwithstanding his Hide & advantage of which leaders are made, every experience furnishing al material. Not exactly satisfied with his first position, he, after a short time, entered the employ of the Phenix Insurance Company of Br . klyn. working In the agency department under J. W. Barley, who was Ira geartal axent of the company. With this company Mr. Haynes remained rinien yrata, passing In this time through the various grades until he went pa the road as a special agent. His next change was to go into the service of the Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company, Springfield, Massa- rhusetta, taking charge of Eastern New York, including charge of the Hudson River district, which Included Long Island, Staten Island and North- ern New Jersey. During the time from his assuming the charge of the district the annual income derived from premiums rose from sixty-seven thou- sand dollars to three hundred thousand dollars when he left. With the Springfield Fire and Marine Insurance Company, Mr. Haynes remained until he was offered his present responsible position at the head of the Newark Fire Insurance Company a little over two years ago (1912). Mr. Haynes is recognized by insurance men as an exceptionally painstaking and careful underwriter. Thoroughly familiar with every branch of the business, he is a good general in his ability of picking and training to the highest efficiency a force of lieutenants who are to be relied upon as most trustworthy and efficient field men. He is interested in all the various phases of the business, and for two years served as vice-president of the New York State Association of Supervising and Adjusting Fire Insurance Agents, known as the Old Asso- ciation, and as president of the association in 1904. In 1908 he was elected president of the Underwriters' Association, Middle Department, Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania.
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EDWARD STELLE CAMPBELL
The entire active career of Edward Stelle Campbell, late president of the National Newark Banking Company, of Newark, New Jersey, was disting- uished by exceptional business ability and sagacity. To his remarkably wise and intelligent direction was mainly due much of the success achieved by that institution. He ever took a keen personal interest in all of its operations, guiding its policies and gaining their accomplishment with shrewd, unerring skill.
Mr. Campbell was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, January 8, 1854, son of David Freeman and Susan Runyon (Stelle) Campbell, and was descended from the famous Runyon family of Revolutionary fame, the ancestors of both having come to this country about 1680, from Scotland and France respectively.
Mr. Campbell attended the public schools of New Brunswick, being graduated from the High School in 1868. Two years later he found employ- ment in the National Bank of New Jersey, in New Brunswick. Fourteen years were spent in this institution, where his reliable performance of the duties assigned him and his systematic methods secured him advancement, and, after having shown exceptional executive ability during a very trying period, he was advanced to the post of cashier, which position he capably filled until 1894, at which time he was advanced to the vice-presidency of the institution. This honor came to him unsolicited, and was a spontaneous tribute to his ability and a compliment as highly appreciated as it was unexpected.
The National Newark Banking Corporation is the oldest banking organ- ization in the State of New Jersey, being founded in 1804 by some of Newark's most representative citizens for the purpose of doing a general banking and insurance business, but the insurance interests were abandoned many years ago. The Newark City National Bank, which was fifty years old in 1902, was, in May of that year, merged with the National Newark Banking Corporation, and the capital stock was increased to $1,000,000. This great financial institution at the present time has a surplus and undivided profits of far more than that amount, and its depositors number about four thou- sand. Under the presidency of Mr. Campbell the policy of the institution has been progressive, yet conservative. Especial attention was given to the accounts of the smaller depositors, and no banking house enjoyed greater popularity.
As receiver of the Middlesex County Bank at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, which had been ruined by its cashier, Mr. Campbell achieved one of his most noted triumphs and demonstrated his unusual executive ability. The claims allowed amounted to $508,000, with offsets of $49,000, and in March, 1900, Mr. Campbell, who had been appointed as permanent receiver by Vice- Chancellor Pitney, paid a dividend of 35 per cent., and in July, 1902, a supplementary dividend of 15 per cent. was paid. By the beginning of 1904 the entire difficulties were practically settled, with the exception of a few outstanding cases which would undoubtedly be settled in favor of the institution and leave a balance in its favor. When Mr. Campbell applied for an increased allowance in this receivership, Vice-Chancellor Pitney, in an oral opinion sustaining this application, said in part: "Throughout the entire case I cannot find that Mr. Campbell has made a single mistake or has been the least bit slack in his duties, or that he has shown the least deficiency
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