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 49
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In 1875 he was appointed city attorney for Newark, his tenure of office being noted for efficiency. For two years, 1877-1879, he served as counsel for the American Protective Association. He frequently represented labor organizations in important litigations. He refused retainers from corpora- tions, preferring to give his services to the people when needed. In 1879 he was nominated for the New Jersey Assembly, on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated by a narrow margin. Twice, in two successive periods, 1899 and 1902, he was nominated by his party for State Senator in a Republican stronghold, but was defeated both times by greatly reduced majorities. In April, 1911, he was appointed by Governor Woodrow Wilson a justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, for the term of seven years, to succeed Hon. Alfred Reed, whose term expired June 16, 1911. Justice Kalisch's circuit comprises the counties of Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem.
It had long been the boast of the politicians of Atlantic that so long as they had the sheriff they need not stand in fear of grand juries and the enforcement of the law. For nearly a quarter of a century it was an utter impossibility to obtain an indictment against transgressors of the law, if they possessed the least political influence. Justice Kalisch's advent upon the bench was marked by a prompt, determined and vigorous action on his part to awaken the conscience of the people of Atlantic County. He dis- qualified the sheriff from selecting and summoning a grand jury to investi- gate election frauds, in which it appeared that the sheriff himself was impli- cated, and appointed two elisors in his stead to perform that duty. This resulted in the selection of a grand jury composed of the best citizens of the county, who, in the conscientious discharge of their duties, indicted the sheriff and many prominent public officials. Justice Kalisch presided at the trials, which resulted in the conviction of the. principal transgressors, and nearly all of those who were not brought to trial pleaded guilty.
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Justice Kalisch is equally prominent in journalism, both as editor and special writer, and is the author of poems, essays, sketches of travel and other miscellany. He is the author of the memorial of Dr. Kalisch, pub- lished in 1886, and articles on "Influence of Women on American Juries," "Up the Hudson," "Newark to Nashville," and "Legend of the Talmud." His series of articles on "Legal Abuses" are credited with having "led to the reform of the minor judiciary and the establishment of the district courts." He is the possessor of a very valuable library, part of which was inherited from his father, and to which he has added considerably during his extensive travels abroad. He is a member of the American Bar Associa- tion and of the New Jersey State Bar Association, elected president of the same in June, 1909, and a member of the Society of Medical Jurisprudence of New York, and of the Grolier Club, American Academy of Political and Social Science, and is a thirty-second degree Mason.
HUGO S. SPIDEL
Hugo S. Spidel, president of the David Henry Building Company, is widely known both in Newark and in Paterson. The firm of which he is the head was founded in Paterson by Mr. Henry and does an extensive business, making a specialty of mills, warehouses, and all heavy forms of construction. The David Henry Building has offices both in Paterson and Newark, the Newark representative being O. W. Cook.
Among the many notable buildings erected by this well-known firm may be mentioned the Hyatt Roller Bearing Company, Harrison, New Jersey; Quinby Carriage Works, Newark, New Jersey; John Sturm & Sons, Newark, New Jersey; Balbach Smelting & Refining Company, Newark; American Oil & Supply Company, Newark; Cawley, Clarke & Company, Newark; Public Service Gas Company, Newark; Public Service Railway Company, Newark; Public Service Electric Company, Newark.
OWEN F. CONLON
Owen F. Conlon, formerly president of the Newark Board of Taxes, and prominent in the business of real estate and insurance in that city, was born near Armagh, Ireland, July 4, 1861. He came of ancient and distinguished Irish stock, his grandfather being Redmond Conlon, who married Phoebe Passmore. Their son, William Conlon, married Catherine Sheridan, whose ancestors lived for many generations in Ballinarea, and are well known in the annals of Ireland.
While a child of twelve Owen F. Conlon was brought by his parents to America, in 1873. They settled in Newark, New Jersey, and he there attended St. Patrick's Parochial School, and later St. Benedict's College, obtaining a thorough training in the rudiments. His diploma was granted him on graduation in 1877. The following year he entered upon business life by obtaining a position with John Reilly & Company. With them he learned every detail of the business of manufacturing patent and enamelled leather, and was steadily promoted through all departments, from the tan- yard to the business office. At the expiration of nearly six years Mr. Conlon changed his vocation, and took up the line of fire insurance with his elder brother, Redmond P. Conlon, remaining in this partnership until 1889. He then undertook the lines of real estate and stock brokerage, and has met
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with flattering success, both in his business interests and in their political relation to municipal affairs.
Taking at first an active interest in politics, and affiliating with the Democratic party, Mr. Conlon was soon discovered to be a candidate for office who would be agreeable to the majority of his fellow voters. During the years 1885, 1886 and 1887 he was made assessor for the Eighth Ward in Newark. Under Mayor Haynes, in 1888, he. became tax commissioner for two years, and was reappointed in May, 1889, for a five years' term. For the last two years, 1893-94, he was made president of the Board of Assessment and Revision of Taxes. He won a high reputation for his broad knowledge of comparative values of real estate, and for his personal honesty and earnestness of character. He perfected a system of taxation, which is followed to-day in Newark, and in many other of the largest cities of the Union as well. He has added, in devising this system, a valuable contribu- tion to the modern theory of "scientific efficiency."
Mr. Conlon is a valued member of the following associations: The Board of Trade, of Newark; the Young Men's Catholic Association, of which he is a life member and was one of the originators; the St. Michael's Young Men's Catholic Association; the Catholic Benevolent Legion; the Royal Ar- canum; the Institute Boat Club; the Knights of Columbus; the Improved Order of Heptasophs; the North End Club; the Jeffersonian Club; the Joel Parker Association; the St. Patrick's Alliance; and the American Catholic Historical Society.
Mr. Conlon married, January 15, 1890, Mary A. Newton, of Newark. Their children are: Owen Newton, Marguerite, Leo, Aloysius.
FRANK A. FOLEY
One of the most ambitious and energetic young men of the city of Newark is to be found in the person of Frank A. Foley, undertaker, whose establishment is at No. 302 Lafayette street. He is a son of John and Mary (McEnore) Foley, and was born in Newark, June 30, 1880.
His education was entirely under the supervision of the Catholic fathers, as he attended the St. Patrick's Parochial School, and subsequently the first St. James' Parochial School. Upon the completion of his education in 1897 he found employment with the Condit Transportation Company of Newark, with which he remained several years. Mr. Foley is connected with a number of organizations, among them being: The John F. Monahan Asso- ciation, the Charles B. Hayhurst Association, the John B. O'Reilly Club, and Lodge No. 21, B. P. O. E. In all of these he is a highly esteemed member, and his presence adds greatly to the sociability of the gatherings. The political affairs of the community have also been far from neglected by Mr. Foley. So pronounced and beneficial were the opinions he voiced found by the Democrats of the Fifth Ward, that in 1908 he was elected a member of the Board of Freeholders, and served a full term. In 1912 he received nomination for membership in the General Assembly, and he was elected twice.
Mr. Foley married, in Newark, January 20, 1903, Marie F. Farrell. They have no children. The reputation of Mr. Foley is a constantly growing one, and the political party which he has already represented looks up to him as one of its future leaders in matters of importance.
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GEORGE SANZENBACHER
Faithfulness in the performance of duty is one of the finest qualities which can be possessed by any human being, and when this fine trait extends over a period considerably more than a quarter of a century, it is more than ordinarily admirable. A conspicuous example of this excellent virtue is to be found in the person of George Sanzenbacher, who has been in the public employ of the city for the long period of thirty years, and Newark may well feel proud of what he has accomplished.
Mr. Sanzenbacher is a native of Germany, and in Stuttgart, that country, was employed in constructing and drafting in the public water works. In the province of Wurtemberg, he was engaged in work of a similar character under the State engineer, Carl von Ehman. Upon coming to America, Mr. Sanzenbacher made his home in Newark, and in the course of time was appointed a member of the old Aqueduct Board, under the admin- istration of Mayor Lang. His work was that of drafting, and the head of his department was Engineer Carl Jacobsen. When Morris R. Sherrerd assumed control, Mr. Sanzenbacher became engineer and superintendent of the water department, and was subsequently advanced to the office of chief engineer of that department. As the city grew and developed, there was a constant introduction of new methods of water supply, and the necessary piping, etc., and the work of this department increased correspondingly. At all times Mr. Sanzenbacher has occupied a position which carried with it great responsibility, and made demands upon the executive ability and creative powers of the incumbent. His long continuance in office is ample proof of the satisfaction given by Mr. Sanzenbacher while holding this difficult position. He, with two others, are all who remain of the original Newark Aqueduct Board, which is now (1913) known as the Board of Public Works of Newark. During his time of service the city has increased in population fully two and one-half times.
While Mr. Sanzenbacher is a good citizen, he has never taken an active part in the political affairs of the community. He prefers to devote all of his working hours to close attention to the work of the department with which he is connected, and the results he has achieved testify to the wisdom of this plan of action. He is of a sociable disposition and has numerous friends, who are justly proud of the record he has attained.
GEORGE B. F. HANNAY
George B. F. Hannay, of Newark, New Jersey, an insurance broker, is noted for the energy which he throws into any undertaking in which he engages, and this, coupled with his ability as a business man, and as a man of sound judgment and unerring foresight, have served to bring fruit in the shape of a constantly increasing clientele from the time he first established himself in business.
He is a son of Isaac Hannay, and was born in Blenheim, Schoharie County, New York, June 3, 1857. After attending the public schools of his native town, he became an instructor there at the age of seventeen years. While his winters were thus devoted to the profession of teaching, in which he achieved eminent success, he assisted his father with the labors of the home farm during the summer months. When he was nineteen years of age, Mr. Hannay became a student at the State Normal School, at Albany,
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New York, and was graduated with honor in 1880. Again taking up the profession of teaching, his time was occupied with this in various cities for a period of twelve years.
Having decided to engage in the insurance business, Mr. Hannay selected Newark for the field of his operations, and in addition to this enter- prise he devoted his evenings for the first three winters to teaching in the South Tenth Street School. He has never found cause to regret the change he made in his occupation, and finds that the business occupation enables him to mingle to a far greater extent than he was formerly able to do with wider circles of society. His fraternal association is with Woodside Council, Royal Arcanum.
Mr. Hannay married, in May, 1885, Margaret A. Knox, of Boston, Massa- chusetts, and they have children: Meta Knox, who was graduated from the Newark High School, and Muriel M., who is at present (1913) attending the same institution. Mr. Hannay enjoys an eminent reputation for literary and scholarly culture, and, possessing a personality both engaging and forcible, he sustains intimate relations with the leading men of the com- munity in which he resides.
HENRY N. SAYRE
Of all the branches of industry in a large city, the building industry is one of the most important and one in which the character of the men engaged in it plays a large part. One of the best known names and one heading one of the oldest establishments of its kind in the city of Newark is that of Henry N. Sayre, president of the Building Material Company of Newark. This concern was founded by an uncle of Mr. Sayre about three- quarters of a century ago, and has been in a flourishing condition since that time. The parents of Mr. Sayre were Marcus and Jane Elizabeth (Stone) Sayre, the former also a business man of Newark.
Henry N. Sayre was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1856. After being graduated from the public schools of the city, he attended the Newark Academy. Subsequently he was a pupil in Dr. Holbrook's Military Academy, at Sing Sing, New York, (now Ossining). Being graduated from this institu- tion in 1874, he immediately engaged in business with his father in the concern which had been organized by his uncle, and has been associated with it since that time. He is a member of Newark Lodge, No. 21, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Newark Board of Trade; Mason Material Association; Dealers' Association of New York; National Dealers' Associa- tion; and Building Material Exchange of New York. In the meetings of all of these organizations Mr. Sayre is an important factor, and his views and opinions are listened to and considered with close attention.
Mr. Sayre married Louise, daughter of Windlon Martz, of Newark, who was engaged in the cooperage business in that city for many years. Mr. Sayre has never taken an active part in political matters, preferring simply to cast his vote as a good and conscientious citizen, without aspiring to hold public office. He holds the opinion that in forwarding the business interests of the community by devoting himself closely to the conduct of the affairs of the company of which he is the head, he is also working for the good of the community. In private life he is genial and sincere, and his home is noted for its generous hospitality.
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JAY BRAISTED ROE SMITH
Jay Braisted Roe Smith, of Newark, lawyer, and former Assistant Secretary of State, comes from an old and honored New Jersey family. He was born in Branchville, Sussex County, March 24, 1869, son of Samuel and Letitia W. (Roe) Smith. His father was a prosperous merchant in Branchville, and held various local offices, in which he served with ability and fidelity.
Jay Braisted Roe Smith was educated in the Branchville public schools, and the excellent Wyoming Seminary at Kingston, Pennsylvania, which he attended for two years. After leaving the latter institution he became a partner with his father in a mercantile business at Branchville, under the firm name of S. Smith & Son, and this relationship existed for ten years until January 1, 1893, when J. B. R. Smith retired from the firm, being succeeded by his brother, Daniel J. B. Smith. Immediately afterward he purchased The Warren Tidings, which as editor and manager he success- fully conducted until 1907, when he disposed of it. While making a credit- able record in the newspaper field, he was also reading law under the preceptorship of Oscar Jeffrey, of Warren, and he was admitted to the bar as an attorney in June, 1900, but his entrance upon active practice was delayed on account of official duties to which he was called. In 1897 he was appointed clerk in charge for the Court of Errors and Appeals, in the office of the Secretary of State, under Secretary George Wurts. His service in this position was eminently satisfactory, and in 1902 he was appointed Assistant Secretary of State by Secretary S. D. Dickinson. In 1906, by legislative enactment, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles was created, and added to the Department of State, and these new duties also devolved upon Mr. Smith. He was reappointed to the assistant secretaryship for the term expiring in 1912, and upon retiring from the position he entered actively upon the practice of his profession, in which he has been successfully engaged to the present time in the interests of a large and important clientele.
Mr. Smith is a staunch Republican in politics, and an earnest and capable exponent of the principles of his party. With his wife, he is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He married, July 11, 1905, Anna L., daughter of James and Zerviah (Stires) Myers. There are no children.
BENJAMIN E. CHAPIN
Among the men whose lives and personal exertions have done much toward the material welfare and prosperity of the city of Newark it may be well doubted if any deserve more honorable mention than Benjamin E. Chapin, proprietor and editor of the Railroad Employee, a publication which has materially advanced the interests of railroad employees, meeting and filling acceptably a long-felt want.
Mr. Chapin was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, in 1867. He obtained a practical education in the public schools of his native city, and at the age of fourteen began his active career, serving in the capacity of mes- senger boy `for the old Hoosatonic railroad (now the New York, New Haven & Hartford), with whom he remained for two years, at the expira- tion of which time he became an employee of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad, serving as a timekeeper of locomotive shops at Kings- land, New York, performing his duties in such a creditable manner as to
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receive promotion from time to time until he was appointed secretary to the superintendent, a responsible position which he filled to the entire satisfaction of his superior officer. In 1891, while in the employ of the latter named railroad, he started the publication of the Railroad Employee, and in 1899 resigned his position in order to devote all his attention to his new line of work, which had grown to such an extent as to make this step imperative, and at the present time (1913) the paper has a circulation of fifteen thousand copies, which reaches all the railroad employees of all eastern divisions, giving them information of interest in their particular line and keeping them in touch with the members of their craft.
Although his time is so fully occupied, Mr. Chapin takes an active interest in matters calculated to promote the general welfare of his adopted city, and is held in high esteem by its citizens. He is a Republican in politics, and in 1908 and 1912 had charge of the transportation for the national committee campaigns of the Republican party. He is a member of Northern Lodge, No. 25, Free and Accepted Masons; of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, being past exalted ruler of the lodge in Hoboken; a member of various railroad organizations, including the Order of Railroad Station Agents, and an honorary member of the New England Association of Railroad Veterans.
WILLIAM F. HOFFMANN
We would perhaps be accused of intruding into the recognized domains of psychology, if we were to try to solve the riddle, why it is much easier to build a new personality than to carve it out from some previously estab- lished one, why it is less difficult for a poor, unknown, lonely, struggling individual to at last succeed than for the man stepping out into "the fight" prepared with everything that riches can afford, sophistical as the term may be. The answer, if there is one, would probably be the same as to the known saying-It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. But a well-known fact it is that it demands more capacities, much more of initiative abilities and an almost inexhaustible store of perseverance to succeed in winning the laurels of conqueror if one's name happens to be attached to a fame already existing, than if it were to rise out from the chaos of the unknown. For are not words and names but symbols which awaken and drive forward pictures and ideas, and the same symbol must be powerful enough to detach itself from the old train of ideas and pictures by which it is naturally included in its absorbing folds, "put in the shade"-to detach itself into a separate existence. Such victors are doubly so, and among their coveted ranks William E. Hoffmann must certainly occupy a dignified place.
Born in Newark, November 7, 1869, the son of Eugene E. Hoffmann, the latter a man who had succeeded in climbing the ladder of fortune, by relentless efforts crowned with well-earned success, occupying for over twenty-five years a prominent position with the Standard Oil Company, William F. Hoffmann had a great example, a splendid model which might have had a discouraging as well as a stimulating effect on his natural impulses. With William F. Hoffmann it proved to be the latter.
William F. Hoffmann received a wholesome good education before he started his business career that was to lead him to his present prominent posi- tion as one of the most important men of business of Newark, and of the country. As a boy he attended the Morton Street Public School, where he
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proved to be a studious pupil with more of insight into the nature of things than the usual lot of children of his age and time. He later attended the High School of his native city, and graduated at about the age of sixteen. It was not in the habit of the family of the Hoffmanns to spend their time idly, nor was it any of young William's desire, and we soon find him, inevitable as it was, due to his father's connection, in the employ of the Standard Oil Company. Slowly and surely did William F. Hoffmann plod his way in the service of the great company, with the inevitable result- positions, honor and rewards falling in, in his trail.
For ten years to the very last day of his employment William F. Hoff- mann was one of the men the Standard Oil Company could well be proud of. Though occupying a position which many others would envy in one of the greatest companies, and perhaps the greatest company in this country, Wil- liam F. Hoffmann's initiative capacities could be held in restraint only at a slaughtering expense of tremendous will power. But at last his natural inclinations, his potential energy that lay in waiting and necessarily only found a restrained field of activity in the employ of the Standard Oil Com- pany, gained the uppermost, and in March, 1885, ten years after he entered the service of the Standard Oil, he severed his connections with that great institution to steer his own boat.
William F. Hoffmann is one of the few who have as their life maxims, "Aut Caesar aut nulus," and "it is better to be first in a village in Gaul than second in Rome"; and he counts his place among the still less few who dare risk the uncertain and court capricious fortune. But men of the stamp of W. F. Hoffmann, combining intellect, capacities, initiative abilities and, what is more important still, perseverance, are bound to succeed.
William F. Hoffmann was one of the organizers of the American Oil & Supply Company, a company to a certain extent a rival of the great corporation with which Mr. Hoffmann had severed his connection, which he piloted through many dangerous passes and straits during the first year of its existence as treasurer, a position which he still continues to fill to the satisfaction of all.
Other great concerns have tried-with what success no others but they can tell -- to secure the most valuable services of Mr. W. F. Hoffmann to their organizations; at least, to have his name attached. But Mr. Hoffmann does not believe in "dummy representation," and his name is only attached to such organizations to which he can really give his time, and the South Jersey Glass Works, and the Brewers' & Bottlers' Supply Company have been fortunate to secure the two, for Mr. W. F. Hoffmann is president of the aforementioned concerns. One of the rewards that naturally fell to Mr. W. F. Hoffmann as a recognition of his great commercial experience and success was his enrollment into the Newark Board of Trade.
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