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 44
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Shortly after the beginning of last year Mr. Feist purchased the entire interest in the business and is in full control, ably assisted by a corps of salesmen and employees of the old firm.
Mr. Feist early proved himself an expert on factory property and was thus enabled to consummate many extensive deals that brought first-class returns to everyone concerned. That he was one of the first to recognize the opportunities afforded by Newark as an ideal manufacturing center simply demonstrates his keen, far-seeing business acumen. He also recognized the need of telling the outside world some of the things necessary to convince the skeptical that the city of Newark should be seriously reckoned with as an industrial power; among, in fact, the very first in this country. This was, of course, accomplished by the aid of a free use of printers' ink, in which Mr. Feist has always reposed considerable confidence. Feist & Feist did not stop at factory properties, but extended the field of operations until it included every branch of the real estate business, including insurance. The insurance department has attained extensive proportions and again emphasizes the fact that fair, square and honest dealing, properly sustained by knowledge and efficiency, cannot fail to make success certain.
Another factor may be fairly mentioned here-personality. Some men have the faculty of making friends rapidly and of gaining the confidence of people generally. This is especially true of Mr. Abraham Feist. A good test of a man's character is the opinion entertained of him by those associated with him in business. By this standard Mr. Feist is properly placed in the front rank, for he is looked upon by those in his employ as a friend rather than as one in sole authority.
The personnel of his staff of assistants in the sale and negotiation of properties is one more factor in the success of the firm of Feist & Feist. These gentlemen are Messers. H. Adler, B. A. Ham, A. O. Birn, I. E. Heyman, F. Cauffield and Harry Stern. Mr. Monroe B. Hess is in charge of the insur- ance department. Alert, active, intent upon doing their very utmost in fur- therance of the interests of the firm, they have also impressed their per- sonality upon the business. Mr. H. Adler, whose additional duty it has been to formulate publicity campaigns and look after the general advertising, has acquitted himself with much credit in the different responsible matters coming within his authority.
Feist & Feist were not behindhand in the opportunity that presented itself when the idea of holding a great industrial exposition was first broached. As soon as the matter was decided upon by the Board of Trade the firm made arrangements to have representation at the exposition. Fac- tory insurance of all kinds, renting, central selling and leasing, together with the complete urban and suburban departments, will be ably looked after by
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the specialists of the concern. Official information in regard to all matters connected with the above departments will be gladly advanced.
The firm extends a cordial invitation to interested parties who attend the Newark Industrial Exposition to make free and liberal use of the facilities here offered.
WALTER J. ASCHENBACH
The family of which Walter J. Aschenbach, a well-known architect of Newark, New Jersey, is a member, is of German origin, as the name would indicate, and many of the admirable traits of the ancestors have been trans- mitted to the descendants, and being united with the progressive methods in vogue in the United States have formed a combination which has been greatly to the benefit of this country in many respects. They have borne their share bravely in defence of the rights and privileges of their adopted land, when the time demanded such service, and have freely given of their means for the same laudable purpose. James J. Graubart, an uncle of the Mr. Aschen- bach of this sketch, served throughout the Civil War, being wounded during one of the most hotly contested struggles. His life was saved by a thick photograph which he carried in his pocket, which was first struck by the bullet and deflected it in its course.
William J. Aschenbach, father of Walter J. Aschenbach, was engaged in the harness making line of business in the city of Newark until his death in 1901. During the Civil War he secured a large government contract, and was engaged in manufacturing harness and saddles for the army horses and belts and boots for the soldiers. He married Matilda R. Roder, and had children : William, Mary, Nellie, Oscar (deceased ), Oscar, Estella, Alice, Walter J. (see forward), Jessie, Winfield, Dolly, Daniel, Elizabeth, Edmund.
Walter J. Aschenbach was born in the city of Newark, New Jersey, May 28, 1874. His preparatory education was acquired in the public schools of his native city and those of South Orange, and he was graduated from the high school of the latter place. He then went to New York, where he studied architecture, and also in the city of Newark, and even his earliest designs earned commendation for him from those best able to judge of such matters. A partial list of the structures erected by Mr. Aschenbach is herewith given: Hobbs Building, corner of Oliver and Mulberry streets; residence of Benja- min Schloss, High street; Cafferty Leather Plant, Frelinghuysen avenue; residence of Robert Funger, East Orange; Donald Building, 69 Market street; Troy City Laundry Building, Market street; apartment building for B. Ches- ter, Main street, East Orange; Vaudeville Theater, at the corner of Oak- wood and Parrow avenues, Orange.
Mr. Aschenbach married, August 17, 1898, Leonora G., daughter of Samuel J. and Lillian E. ( Lobdell) Gaffy, and granddaughter of John Gaffy, who was a naval designer, captain of the first steamer that made a passage up the Passaic River, captain of a Hudson River steamboat and captain of an ocean liner. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Aschenbach: Walter J., Jr., born in 1900; Cyril, 1901; Ruella Esther, 1904.
In his private life, as in his public career, the conduct of Mr. Aschen- bach has been beyond reproach. He is a man of rare singleness of purpose and integrity of nature. He gives his whole soul to whatever he undertakes, and as a citizen he is universally esteemed. He is full of sympathy for the . unfortunate, and the assistance he is ever ready to give is not that of mere empty words.
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CHARLES KNOPF
The profession of architecture is one requiring a high order of intellect in order to achieve success. Among those who have achieved distinction in this field in the city of Newark is Charles Knopf, who displayed a marked aptitude for this business from the outset of his career and who has applied himself to the duties of his calling with a perseverance and diligence worthy of emulation.
Born June 25, 1871, in the Province of Thuringia, Prussia, Germany, of which his father and grandfather were also natives, Mr. Knopf was educated in the public schools of his native country. Upon completing his education in them, he became a student at the Bau-Schule, or School of Architecture, at Weimar, Germany, and was graduated from this institution. He was engaged in the practice of his vocation in various offices, then commenced in business independently in the city of Newark in 1898. His father, Richard Knopf, born April 27, 1850, was a builder in Germany, and served with honor in the German army during the Franco-Prussian war, 1870-1. The elder Mr. Knopf married, in 1870, Alma, born April 25, 1852, daughter of Wilhelm Vopelius, a prominent dyer of his time. Richard Knopf was a son of Karl Knopf, of Thuringia, Germany, an architect and builder.
Charles Knopf is a man of modern and up-to-date ideas and has many original ideas of his own, which he very successfully combines with the more conservative and older ones which he learned from his father, and the result has been an exceedingly gratifying one from every point of view. The structures which have been erected through his instrumentality combine grace, lightness and beauty of design with a firmness and solidity which speak well for their durability. This is a consideration greatly to be desired, as they add much to the beauty of the city. Mr. Knopf is a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and his fraternal and social affiliations are with the following named organizations: Diogenes Lodge, No. 22, Free and Accepted Masons; Tall Cedars, in which he is past master; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Phoenix Singing Society and the Arion Society.
He was married, April 18, 1897, in Newark, to Julia, daughter of Emil and Fredrika Hirt, of Newark. They have had four children: Karl, born March 30, 1898; Frida, June 26, 1899; Emmy, November 30, 1902; Edna, May 30, 1906; all are pupils in the public schools. While Mr. Knopf has already given ample proof of the excellence of his work and of the original- ity of his ideas, he is only at the beginning of the prime of life, and in view of what he has already accomplished his fellow citizens may well look for- ward with great expectations to a future of renown for him.
ROMOLO BOTTELLI
Romolo Bottelli, one of the rising young architects of Newark, is one of those many foreign-born citizens to whom she owes a large measure of her prosperity. He was born in Rome, Italy, April 20, 1875, and is the son of Henry Bottelli, a printer in Rome, who is now dead. Besides Romolo, there was a daughter, Isabella, who now is living in Belleville, New Jersey.
Mr. Bottelli came over to this country when he was Kut eight years of age, and his early education was received at the Catholic parochial schools in New York State. Later, after he had determined upon the choice of a career, he attended the Technical Evening School in Newark. Following the course here he studied under Arthur Connelly of Newark, during the period
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from 1888 to 1899. In 1899 he entered upon the practice of his profession on his own account, establishing his headquarters at 191 Market street, and continuing there ever since. In political preferences Mr. Bottelli is of the Independents, and is a member of the Roman Catholic church, being affiliated with the parish of St. Antoninus. He is a member of the West End Club, and belongs to the Knights of Columbus, Newark Council, No. 150.
He married, in 1899, Anna, daughter of Joseph Brown of Newark. Mrs. Bottelli was born in Newark in 1878, and her father was the foreman of the Lister Agricultural Works, and is now retired from active business. The children of Romolo and Anna Bottelli are: Grace, born 1900; Beatrice, born 1901; Romolo, Jr., born 1902; Anna, born 1904; Alice, born 1906; Richard, born 1908; Isabella, born 1910.
ROBERTSON SAYRE WARD
The leather industry forms an important part of the industrial activity of the city of Newark, New Jersey, and Robertson Sayre Ward, head of the firm of E. S. Ward & Company, is one of the representative men of the city in this particular line. Not only has he managed the affairs of his own concern with marked executive ability, but he has been the means of introducing many innovations which have benefited the leather trade throughout the country and have attracted widespread attention.
Elias Sayre Ward, his father, was the son of Moses Dodd and Justina Louisa (Sayre) Ward, and was born in Afton, New Jersey, November 25, 1842, died in Roseville, in the same State, December 23, 1896. He was at the head of numerous business enterprises, instituted many reforms for the decided benefit of traveling men, and was the founder of the firm of E. S. Ward & Company. This is the largest plant of its kind in the city, and in addition to conducting this, he was one of the prime movers in the introduc- tion of electric street railways in Newark, and was largely interested in sev- eral other electric enterprises. A vigorous supporter of the Republican party, he was nominated as governor of the State of New Jersey in 1895; he was buried with public honors. He married, March 4, 1872, Anna Dickerson, daughter of Joel M. Bonnell, and had children: 1. Jessie Bonnell, married Henry R. Angelo, now of Copenhagen, Denmark. 2. Robertson Sayre, the subject of this sketch. 3. Charles Bonnell, after traveling in Europe for a considerable length of time, lived for some years on a ranch in Arizona, then returned to Newark; he married Anna Heller. 4. Allen Bonnell, died in infancy. 5. Laurence Colin, traveled in Europe for the purpose of making an exhaustive study of languages, then studied at Cornell University. He is now the manager of the L. C. Ward Machine Company; he married Marion Roby, daughter of Walter T. and Julia (Terry) Dwight.
Robertson Sayre Ward was born in Newark, New Jersey, October 27, 1875. At the usual age he became a pupil at the Roseville avenue public school, then spent one year at the Newark Academy, from whence he went to the Chester Academy. Here he received his college preparatory education and matriculated at Princeton University, from which he was graduated in 1898 with the degree of Bachelor of Sciences. Returning to the home of his mother in South Ninth street, Roseville, in the following autumn he assumed control of the business founded by his father. The keen, progressive methods introduced by Mr. Ward have not alone kept up the previous record of the firm, but have added prestige to it and greatly increased its scope. They employ upward of one hundred hands in the manufacture of patent
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leather, which is their specialty, the furniture, carriage and automobile factories offering a ready market for the output of the plant. Their leather is in great demand throughout the country, but their greatest market is in the west.
While taking the normal interest of a good citizen in matters concern- ing the public welfare, Mr. Ward has had no desire to hold public office, and contents himself with casting his vote for the candidates of the Republican party. He is a member of numerous organizations, among them being: The Essex Club, Essex County Country Club, Union Club of Newark, Automobile Club of New Jersey, College Club of Princeton, Princeton clubs of New York and of New Jersey, and the University Club. He is an active member of the Newark Board of Trade, and his opinion carries weight at the meetings of this influential body.
Mr. Ward married, April 23, 1906, Marie, daughter of Jacques and Eugenie Baillieux, of Aix les Bains, France. They have had one child, which died in infancy. In character Mr. Ward is peculiarly sincere and earnest. He is honest and honorable in all matters, even to the veriest trifle, and has the esteem and confidence of his business acquaintances as well as that of his private friends.
JOHN F. MONAHAN
In every community there are a few individuals who, having a natural talent for leadership, are supremely honored by the confidence of their fellow citizens, and are entrusted with the conduct of affairs. Of this class, and holding a dignified position in it, is John F. Monahan, who is a formidable antagonist in any cause, and an equally valuable friend in any cause which has for its object improvement and advancement. As sheriff of Essex County he has done particularly efficient service and has been an instrument in righting a number of abuses.
He is the son of Michael and Mary ( Carny) Monahan, and was born in the city of Newark, 1869. Educated in the public schools of his native city, he commenced his business career with an excellent foundation for any line of business in which he might venture. In 1892 he established himself in the stone cutting industry and so enterprising and up-to-date were the methods employed in the conduct of this that he is now at the head of one of the largest concerns of this kind in the city of Newark. From his early manhood he had taken a deep and earnest interest in all matters concerning the welfare of the city and State, giving his support to the principles of the Democratic party, and never casting his vote without a careful and deliberate consideration of the merits of the various candidates, and the most important questions at issue.
His natural acumen and thorough grasp of the situation was soon recognized by the leaders in the political affairs of the party with which he had become identified, and, in 1898, he was honored by election to the office of alderman from his ward, a position he held one term. Business matters required a great deal of his personal attention then for a number of years and it was not until 1911 that he was again at leisure to hold public office. His supporters were not slow to take advantage of this fortunate condition, and in that year Mr. Monahan was elected as sheriff of Essex County, an office he is holding at the present time.
He has a number of fraternal and social affiliations, among them being: The Foresters of America, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Knights
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of Columbus, Gottfried Krueger Association, and Joel Parker standard bearer of the John F. Monahan Association. In religious matters Mr. Monahan is a devoted and devout Catholic, and his donations to the church are generous ones.
Mr. Monahan married Laura E. Carberry, of Newark, and they have children: Helen, Grace and Loretta. He has devoted considerable time to the study of civil government, and can hold his own in debate with many a lawyer who has taken his station at the bar of New Jersey. Patriotism is one of his strongest characteristics, and when called upon to address a gathering of any sort he has shown talents of a high order.
REV. ELLIOT WHITE
Rev. Elliot White ( whose name was changed in 1890 from Elliot White Bumstead to its present form), rector of Grace Episcopal Church, one of the oldest and most influential of the churches of Newark, is a native of New York City. He was born November 26, 1861, being the son of Dr. Freeman J. and Mary Josephine ( White) Bumstead.
Dr. Freeman J. Bumstead was born in Boston, May 21, 1826. He was a nephew of N. P. Willis. He was one of the prominent physicians of the metropolis. During the Civil War, Dr. Bumstead was medical inspector of the troops in Kansas. Subsequently, he was professor in the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York City. He married, January 29, 1860, Mary Josephine, daughter of Ferdinand White, of Boston, Massachusetts, whose second wife was Dolly Gardner, niece of John Hancock, and brought up in the old Hancock house facing Boston Common. Children of Dr. and Mrs. Bumstead: Elliot White, Anna W. Cogswell, Mary Josephine and Ethel Q. Bumstead.
Rev. Elliot White received his early education under private tuition. He entered Williams College, and was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1881. He received his Master's degree in 1885. He was saluta- torian of his class in 1881. He studied theology at the General Theological Seminary of New York City, and received the degree of Bachelor of Divinity in 1887. He served as assistant at Trinity Church, Trenton, New Jersey, 1885-86; rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Rocky Mount, North Carolina, 1887-91; curate of Trinity parish, New York City, 1891-94; rector of St. Alban's Church, Newark, New Jersey, 1894-1903; rector of St. James' Church, Long Branch, New Jersey, 1903-06; in the latter named year he became rector of Grace Church, Newark, and of St. Andrew's Church, Newark, which is part of the parish of Grace Church. He is also rector of St. Matthew's Church, Newark, and of All Saints' Church at Bay Head, New Jersey. Rev. Elliot White was ordained deacon by Bishop Potter at the Church of the Holy Communion, New York City, May 31, 1885. He was ordained priest at Trinity Church, Trenton, New Jersey, December 12, 1886.
Grace Episcopal Church was founded by Rev. George T. Chapman, as an offshoot of Trinity Church, Newark, in 1837. It was the first church in New Jersey to accept and develop the principles of the Oxford tractarian movement, which principles are still adhered to in the teachings of this aggressive or progressive church. The present building was erected in 1847 at a time when the city had a population of 15,000. It was regarded as a great event in the history of the little city and people of every denomination assisted with their subscriptions. The church was designed by the elder Upjohn, the famous architect of Trinity Church, New York City. The interior
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is artistic and beautiful. Two things attract special attention-the massive stone altar and the magnificent west window. The church has had twelve rectors, of whom three-Ogilby, Cady and Edmunds-have been called to fill chairs in the General Theological Seminary, and a fourth, Dr. Watson, became president of Burlington College, at Burlington, New Jersey. With the rector are associated two assistants, Rev. M. A. Barnes, at Grace Church, and Rev. Charles H. Wills, in charge of St. Andrew's. A sister of the Order of St. Margaret works in the parish. There are four guilds for girls and women, and one for young men. The church has about 900 communicants. The Sunday School, of which the rector is superintendent, has a membership of 200.
Four of the uncles of Rev. Elliot White served in the Civil War-Lieu- tenant White, 12th Massachusetts, who was killed at the battle of Antietam; J. Gardner White, a private in the Boston Cadets; Captain Willis Bumstead, 112th Massachusetts Volunteer Militia; Major Horace Bumstead, who was a major of the colored regiment, and later became president of Atlanta University.
CHRISTIAN R. WOLTERS, JR.
While Newark is principally noted throughout the world, wherever American commerce reaches, as a manufacturing city, it is a fact that its business community comprises almost every interest belonging to the domains of commerce and finance. Representative among these are commission merchants whose transactions are of great importance and add no incon- siderable sum to the grand total of Newark's resources, and in this class as a foremost figure is Mr. Christian R. Wolters, Jr., who conducts, and on a largely increased scale, a business which was established by his father more than fifty-eight years ago, when the city of Newark was comparatively unimportant. Thus the Wolters, father and son, have been identified with its business development during this long period, and have been no unim- portant factors in bringing it to its present magnitude.
Christian R. Wolters, the founder of the house, was born January 12, 1836, in Friesland, Holland, and was eight years old when he came to the United States with his parents. The family landed at Quebec, but soon came and established their home in Newark, New Jersey. Here the son attended the public schools, obtaining an education which fitted him for the active duties of life. Coming at a tender age, he was susceptible, and became an American, as to the manner born. For two years beginning with his sixteenth year he was employed in the soap factory of Governor Marcus L. Ward, then one of the important industries of Newark, and thus began his active career. His ambition grew apace with his knowledge of business affairs, and in 1855, at the early age of nineteen years, he entered upon business on his own account, establishing the commission business which now (1913) is the oldest of its class in New Jersey. He conducted it success- fully, constantly increasing its scope, until 1878, when he withdrew for a time in order to take a much needed rest, and devoted some months to an extended European tour with his wife, who had been a valuable helpmeet from the days when limited means demanded close economy and indefatigable industry. On his return to the United States, Mr. Wolters resumed super- vision of the business, but on October 16, 1882, admitted his son, Christian R. Wolters, Jr., to a full partnership, and in 1896 he himself retired perma- nently, leaving the son as his successor.
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Mr. Wolters married Mary Ann Norton, who was born June 5, 1837, and died September 29, 1912, and their children who came to maturity were: Emma, married Herman Borneman, Jr., and died in 1910; Mary E., married John L. Carroll; Christian R., of whom further; Irene, married Dr. Henry Forest Quackenbos, of New York City; Celia A .; and Norton, who married Miss Frances M. Tierney, of New York City. The elder Wolters is a fine man of sturdy character and genial disposition, and was for many years a member of the Jeffersonian Club.
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