USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume II > Part 12
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71
He married, at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, March II, 1891, Emma E. Schall, born in Williamsport. Her parents are both dead. They have no children.
JOHN A. ANTONY
A well-known figure in the business circles of Morristown, John A. Antony is not a native of New Jersey, but was born January 2, 1866, in Richmond, Virginia. He is of foreign extraction, his father, Andrew Antony, having been born on the island of Corsica, made famous as the birthplace of Napoleon. Andrew Antony was brought to this country when he was four years old and acquired his early education in Philadephia, in which city his parents had settled. At the age of twenty years he went to Richmond and there went into the confectionery business. He enlisted in the Confederate army at the breaking out of the Civil War and served as a corporal in the home guard throughout the entire period of hostilities with the Richmond Light Infantry Blues, the second oldest company in America, he. being the only living member of that company. He married Kate M. Drew, born in Brooklyn, New York, died in 1875 at the age of thirty-three years. They had six children of whom one, named Mary, died in childhood. These now living besides John A. Antony are: Andrew (2), Katie, Alice, Marguerite, John A. being the second living child. Andrew Antony is now living retired at the age of eighty-four years (1913).
Though born in Richmond, John A. Antony was educated in New York City. At an early age he entered Hegeman's drug store and there held a position for a year. This experience was followed by a course in the Baltimore College of Pharmacy from which he was graduated in 1890. His practical experience at this period of his life included six years in Richard Hudnut's, also six months of work at Riker's drug store in New York, thence to Van Horn & Ellison on Fifth avenue four and a half years. In 1902 he decided to come to Morristown and for a time held a position in the Johnson drug store, the predecessor of the establishment of which he is at present the owner. After two years as a subordinate he bought out the busi-
79
MORRIS COUNTY
ness in 1904 and since that time he has been at the head of a successful and constantly growing business. It is located in the Babbitt building, and to this flourishing store Mr. Antony devotes a very energetic and able person- ality. He is a man with strongly marked social characteristics and talents, and is a member of the Elks and of the Heptasophs. In his political beliefs he subscribes to the principles of the Republican party. He is a member of All Souls Church.
Mr. Antony married in Morristown, 1902, Julia Lindabury, a niece of Judge Lindabury, of Newark. Her father, Isaac Lindabury, is living re- tired at Monroe and her mother is dead. They have two children: Theo- dore J., born January II, 1903, and now a student in the public school ; Anna C., born 1908.
BENJAMIN MUIRHEID VAN CLEVE
Benjamin Muirheid Van Cleve, an esteemed citizen of Morristown, New Jersey, ranks with the leading representative men instrumental in her in- dustrial growth, and as such merits consideration. His name indicates that he is of Scotch, English and Dutch ancestry, a combination that invariably produces admirable results of which he is a shining example. He was born in Pennington, New Jersey, March 30, 1865. His father was Augustus Van Cleve, also born in Pennington, where the family made its home for generations. Mr. Van Cleve Sr. died in Pennington, aged forty-seven years. He was a carriage trimmer and founded a harness making shop, which he conducted with great success until his death. He became noted for the perfection of his work, and through it was known over the State. He married Caroline B. Potts, born in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, of an old family of that section. He was the parent of two children, one of whom died in infancy, and Mr. Van Cleve, of Morristown. The grandfather was John S. Van Cleve, a man famous in his day.
Mr. Van Cleve was educated at the Pennington Seminary, and on leav- ing school went direct to Morristown, where he was employed, a lad of sixteen, by John Edward Parker, founder of the business that Mr. Van Cleve manages with signal ability. At the death of Mr. Parker, in 1902, Mr. Van Cleve entered the firm, and since that time has devoted his time, energies and brain to making it one of the prosperous and ever growing commercial concerns of Morristown. In his business dealings he is scrupul- ously exact and always fair, and through these admirable qualities has won a name and success that are not only highly flattering but greatly merited. It is conceded by all who know him that success has come to him as the result of shrewd foresight, splendid executive ability and discrimination, and a strict honesty in all his dealings with his fellowman. He is public spirited and is invariably to the fore when the interests of his city, county and State are under consideration. He votes and works indefatigably for the Republican ticket in national politics, but reserves the right to vote in an independent manner in local matters, selecting the man he thinks best suited for a given place irrespective of his political affiliations. He is a bright member of the R. A., and of the Independent Hose Company, and has been actively interested in the hose company for twenty-one years. It is perhaps his one hobby, and the hose company has profited materially by his interest in it. He is a Presbyterian in belief, and attends that church with his family.
In Morristown, on April 8, 1889, he married Phoebe Elizabeth Adams, born in New Jersey, daughter of Mr. Adams, a retired groceryman of
80
NEW JERSEY
Morristown. Since his marriage he has made a comfortable home in the residence portion of the city. Children: Benjamin Muirheid Jr., born January 19, 1896; Dorothy Adams, March 1, 1905; Elizabeth Parker, July 26, 1907.
WILLIAM HERMAN DOWNS
William Herman Downs, one of the successful, self-made business men of Morristown, New Jersey, is regarded in the commercial world as both' progressive and aggressive in his methods. Progressive because he is the first to seize an idea, and aggressive because he puts that idea into execution before many of his competitors have turned it over in their minds. His name indicates that he is of English or Irish descent, but of this he is not certain. He is perhaps a descendant of Herman Downs, who came to America in 1678. His father was William Herman Downs, born on Long Island, and now deceased.
William Herman Downs was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, May 27, 1872. He was educated in the public schools of that place, and at an early age left school to earn his living. He laid the foundation of his present prosperous business career as a conscientious, paintaking salesman in the Boston Store in Jersey City, where for four years he pleased his employer and his customers by his affability and sincere desire to please. Looking around for an opportunity to make his way upward at a little faster pace than that of salesman, he conceived the idea of establishing a laundry busi- ness. This he succeeded in doing, and with practically no capital. He gave it his closest attention, ran it for ten years, increasing its capacity as his state of finances would permit, until at the end of that time he had four branches to his business and employed over forty people. Disposing of his laundry interest he went to Morristown in 1903, and clerked for Isaac Katz for seven years, or until the death of the former, when he purchased the busi- ness and has since conducted it along the most approved lines of up-to-date and original methods. Since taking over the business it has doubled, trebled its earning capacity. He expended over three thousand dollars in improve- ments, and that where they would have the most telling effect, and he has now the model store of Morris county. He has unusual progressive ideas, which he puts into effect, and that, combined with shrewd business acumen, the determination to please, a reputation for honesty and veracity all go toward the further upbuilding of his interests and give him unassailable position in the commercial worid. He is an Independent Republican and works for his party. He is an active member of the Morristown Business Men's Association, promoting its best interests on all occasions.
He married (first) Lena Bockman in_1898, in Hoboken, who died in 1903. By her he had one child, Walter William, born May 4, 1899. He married (second) Frances Katz, a daughter of his employer, in Morristown, April 21, 1907. She was born and reared in Morristown, and is the daugh- ter of Isaac Katz and his wife, Rekah (Newhouse) Katz. Mrs. Katz is living in Morristown. By the second marriage there are two children: Raymond William, born May 21, 1908; Phyllis, April 15, 1911.
FRED AUGUSTUS TROWBRIDGE
Fred Augustus Trowbridge, prominent citizen and progressive business man of Morristown, New Jersey, was born in Morristown, January 12, 1870. He is the only living son of John Thompson and Edna (Pierson) Trowbridge, of Morristown.
81
MORRIS COUNTY
Mr. Trowbridge is the grandson of David Trowbridge, who was born in Morris county. New Jersey, of ancient and honorable New Jersey pioneer stock, who helped subdue the Indians, conquer the wilderness, erect homes, cultivate farms, establish cities and bring about law and order, making the State one of the most advanced in the union. He was a prosperous farmer and at the time of his death had a large estate. He was one of the public spirited men of his day, being the first to advocate and support all measures for the advancement of his town, county and State. He lived and died in Morris Plains, at the age of sixty-four, his death being universally re- gretted. In his young manhood he married Nancy Lindsley, in Morris county, who, like himself, was of an old, long established and highly re- spected family of New Jersey. She outlived him by many years, and died, at the age of seventy-two, in Boonton. Their children were: A daughter, Louise ; and two sons, John Thompson and Edwin, the latter a master mason and builder of Newark, New Jersey.
John Thompson Trowbridge was born at Morris Plains, New Jersey, July 7, 1841, where he grew to man's estate. When about sixteen years of age he began teaching in the public schools, teaching at Brookside, Morris Plains, and several different schools in Morris township and a great nuni- ber of the present older Morristown business men sat under his tutelage. After several years he removed to Boonton, New Jersey. After his mar- riage he moved to Morristown, and ten years later changed his place of residence to Boonton, where he established himself in the stationery busi- ness, which he conducted for years, retiring only in 1911. He now makes his home in Boonton, having earned a well deserved rest after forty years in the stationery business, which he managed with unusual ability and foresight. He married Edna Pierson, a daughter of Samuel S. Pierson, a resident of long and high standing in New Jersey, whose family also helped in the upbuilding of the State, first as a colony and then as one of the sisterhood of the United States. Mr. Pierson acquired a large property through thrift and close attention to business, and was one of the well known wealthy farmers of that section of the State. He was one of the early public survey- ors, and knew more of the ancient and historic landmarks of Morris county than any other man. He was affectionately called "Uncle Sam" by those who knew and loved him. The children of John Thompson Trowbridge and his wife are: Edna Louise, now the wife of Melville C. Van Ness, of Paterson, New Jersey ; and Fred Augustus Trowbridge. The mother died in Morristown when the latter was but eight years old.
Fred Augustus Trowbridge, descending from such a splendid pioneer and advanced stock on both the paternal and the distaff side, has behind him traditions of success, and it is little wonder that he has accomplished and built up in such a short time the largest, best equipped and most up-to-date sporting goods concern in Morris county. When yet a small boy his father moved from Morristown to Boonton. He attended the public school of the latter place, and in due time graduated from it. In 1888, being then eigh- teen years old, he returned to Morristown, his birth place. Here he learned thoroughly, he does everything thoroughly that he undertakes, the carpen- ter's trade under George A. Mills. In 1892 he went to New York City, and engaged in business. The homing instinct, as well as business acumen, car- ried him back to Morristown in 1898. He purchased the nucleus of his present business, and from somewhat of an insignificant beginning he has enlarged, increased and advanced it until the F. A. Trowbridge Company is the largest and best equipped sporting goods concern in Morris county. By splendid executive ability, close attention to every detail, even the most 6
82
NEW JERSEY
inconsequential, the desire to please and accommodate his numerous patrons, by carrying a superior line of sporting goods he has succeeded in establish- ing himself in an enviable position in the commercial world, at the same time commanding the admiration and respect of his competitors. His artistic letter head reads: "F. A. Trowbridge Company, (Incorporated). Every- thing in sporting goods. Automobiles and supplies." He has added an extensive garage to the rear of the store, which has met with untoward suc- cess and fills a long felt want. He is sustaining the traditions of his family for being a pioneer, a progressive business man and up-to-date in every respect. In politics Mr. Trowbridge is a Democrat, voting with his party; in religion, he and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is regarded as one of the leading citizens of Morristown, and is foremost in all that pertains to the public welfare. He is a Mason, being a member of Lodge No. 188, Morristown; a member of the R. A .; of the B. P. O. E., the I. O. H., has been a member of the Resolute Hook and Ladder Company for twelve years, and is an ex-chief of the fire depart- ment. He is a veteran of Battery A, National Guard of New Jersey, and is much interested in a Veterans Association, for which he works indefatigably.
He married in Boonton, October 7, 1897, Nellie Augusta Salmon, a daughter of ex-Congressman Joshua S. Salmon, who died, May, 1892, aged fifty-six, and his wife, Deborah (Emmons) Salmon, also of a distinguished family, and who is now deceased. Mr. Salmon was an honored and dis- tinguished citizen of Boonton for forty years, and upon him was conferred many honors by his admiring constituency. To Mr. Trowbridge and his wife have been born two children to perpetuate the name of Trowbridge and keep alive its best traditions : Marian Augusta, born January 10, 1901, and Robert Salmon, born January 1, 1903.
REV. PATRICK AMBROSE MAHER
Back to staunch old Irish stock does the Rev. Patrick Ambrose Maher, of Chatham, Morris county, New Jersey, trace his lineage, and that in his character abide those sterling qualities which have ever marked the true type of the Irish nation is manifest when we come to consider the more salient points in his life history. This has been marked by persevering industry and unwavering honor, and a devotion to duty far above the average. These traits have most naturally secured hin a position which is unassailable in the respect and esteem of his fellowmen.
Patrick Maher, his father, was born in county Limerick, Ireland, and he was in his early manhood when he emigrated to the United States. Upon his arrival here he went to Mount Hope, New Jersey, where he found ent- ployment as a miner, and in this dangerous work he was engaged until he met with his death, March "12, 1876, while in the faithful performance of his duties. He married, in America, Eliza Mitchell, also born in county Limerick, Ireland, and still living. They had children: James, deceased, who was an engineer : Margaret, deceased; Martin, an engineer, resides in South Orange, New Jersey, who also gives instruction in violin playing ; Ella, married Charles Feighery, of Passaic, New Jersey ; Patrick Ambrose, see forward; Mary, married Harry Kennedy, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Rev. Patrick Ambrose Maher was born at Mount Hope, Morris county, New Jersey, January 2, 1873. His early education was acquired in the public and parochial schools of his native town, while all of his spare time was taken up with working in the mines. Having displayed great natural ability, his parents decided to educate him for the career of a priest, and he
Rer. . A. Maker .
83
MORRIS COUNTY
accordingly matriculated, in 1892, at St. Charles College, Ellicott City, Mary- land, and after two years spent in that institution he entered Seton Hall College, South Orange, New Jersey, was graduated in the class of 1897 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and was awarded the degree of Master of Arts by the same institution in 1899. In 1897 he commenced the study of theology, received minor orders and became sub-deacon, in June, 1900; deacon, October, 1900; ordained priest, June 29, 1901, by Bishop McFall, of Trenton, New Jersey. His first assignment was at St. Mary's, Jersey City, New Jersey, where he remained for upward of five years. He was then appointed, October 1, 1906, to St. Joseph's Church, Mendham, New Jersey, and November 27, 1911, transferred to his present station at St. Patrick's Church, Chatham, Morris county, New Jersey. The gifts of the Rev. Maher are of the highest practical order. He has a warm heart and a genial nature, and the culture he has acquired makes him a safe counselor, a warm friend, a pleasant companion, and an interesting and instructive preacher. His pulpit efforts are attended with the utmost success, because of the fact that his sermons are characterized by great simplicity and directness of aim. He frequently goes outside of the exact course prescribed for him in order to render assistance which is not strictly within his province, but his kind heart will not permit him to allow an opportunity to assist another pass by unheeded.
WILLIAM HENRY LINDER
William Henry Linder, a highly esteemed member of the business, po- litical and social life of Morristown, New Jersey, has attained his present enviable position through unquestioned merit, constant application to the interests of the Western Union Telegraph Company, which he so ably rep- resents, and to a laudable determination to succeed in his line of endeavor. The life of such a man, however unpretentious and quiet, is the epitome of what true Democracy stands for in the United States, and proof positive that there is really no royal road to achievement except through endeavor rightly and intelligently directed.
Mr. Linder is of German extraction, and has in him all of the essential qualities that go toward the making of a splendid German subject and an American citizen. His grandfather, John Justus Linder, was born in Frank- fort, Germany, coming to this country while yet a young man, and locat- ing in New York. After reaching the United States he became thoroughly imbued with the ways and independence of the Americans and reared his children as though he was "to the manner born." .He became a merchant and met with a just reward, becoming known for his strict honesty in all things ; he exercised his right of franchise, after becoming naturalized, for the benefit of the Republican party, and was a staunch member and generous supporter of the Presbyterian church. Mr. R. H. Linder, the father of Mr. Linder, was born in New York City ; his mother, Mrs. Mary (Naas) Linder, was born in Baltimore. Mr. Linder, Senior, was educated in the public schools in New York, and entered business when quite young. He mar- ried, in 1860, an estimable lady from Baltimore. Seven children, five stalwart sons and two daughters, all of whom were early taught the highest principles of citizenship and allegiance to the flag. At the present time Mr. Linder, Senior, is a member of the board of education in Oxford township, Warren county, New Jersey.
William H. Linder was born in New York City, in 1868, and received his preliminary education in the public schools, afterward attending the grammar
84
NEW JERSEY
school. Later he went to a business college, where he learned telegraphy and was fitted to accept the positions that have since been his for the taking. He entered the business world at the age of fourteen, becoming a telegraph messenger boy at that time. When he was fifteen he had mastered the intricacies of telegraphy to such an extent that he was promoted to a key and became an operator, one of the best in the office. So devoted was he to the business and so thorough were his methods that he was made manager for both the Western Union Telegraph and Postal Telegraph companies of New York and the suburban towns when he was but sixteen years of age, a remarkable and phenomenally rapid rise for one so young, but large corpora- tions are quick to know and appreciate brains, loyalty and energy in their employees. To express its appreciation of Mr. Linder's untiring efforts in behalf of the company, and his constant endeavor to look after its best in- terests and promote its welfare, the management appointed him to the re- sponsible position of the Western Union Telegraph Company in Morris- town in 1904, a position he has held with credit to himself, the satisfaction of the public and approval of the company. He was elected member of the board of Morristown aldermen for the year of 1912, and re-elected for 1913, and is now president of that dignified board, the first to occupy the position. That he has the entire confidence of his fellow citizens is attested by this fact. He is a member of the F. and A. M., and has held all offices up to that of worshipful master. With his family he attends the Presbyterian church, working for it and aiding it in every possible manner.
He married, 1898, at Belvidere, New Jersey, Gertrude Belle Kenney, born 1879, at Scranton, Pennsylvania, daughter of an old New England family, her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Kenney, making their home in Oxford township, New Jersey, where he is on the board of educa- tion. Mr. and Mrs. Linder have made themselves a comfortable, bright home in Morristown. They are the parents of two children: Mildred Kenney and Robert William, both of whom are pupils in the Morristown High School.
SAMUEL KARN
Samuel Karn, senior partner of the well known and substantial firm of Karn & Eicklin, of Morristown, New Jersey, represents to a marked degree American progress, clean commercial methods and unquestionable business ability.
Mr. Karn descends directly from the sturdy and upright German emi- grants - ho located in German Valley, New Jersey, in 1724, who con- tended with the Indians for every acre of the ground that they reclaimed from the wilderness and put under cultivation, who engaged with the Eng- lish against the French, and later allied themselves with the triumphant Revolutionary cause. He is the grandson of David Karn, born in Morris county, where he lived and died a wealthy farmer. David Karn was a lineal descendant of Christopher Karn, of German Valley, whose name ap- pears in the articles of incorporation, drawn February 4, 1784, when a new congregation composed of Lutherans, Presbyterians and the Reformed sect, erected a church in German Valley for a place of worship. The Karn family has always been prominent in the social, religious and political life of German Valley, where it was for a long time concentrated, and the members who have left their ancestral homes in the Valley have established themselves with little trouble among the people with whom they have cast
85
MORRIS COUNTY
their lot. David Karn, the grandfather, was twice married. A son by his first marriage was Philip Karn.
Philip Karn was born in German Valley, and was for years one of the live merchants of that place. Later he retired and is now living in Newark, New Jersey, at the age of seventy-three. During his business life he was known far and wide for his honesty and scrupulous attention to his cus- tomers. He married Ellen Dufford, a daughter of Philip Dufford, who was born and reared in German Valley, whose family for over a hundred and fifty years has been connected with that portion of New Jersey and its best interests. He was the father of six children, and died at the age of fifty. Ellen (Dufford) Karn died in 1902. To Philip Karn and his wife were born nine children. One died in infancy; seven are still living, five of which make their homes in Morris county, and continue the work of upbuilding the State that was begun by their forefathers. They are: George D., John R., Mrs. William Pierce, Mrs. W. H. Klinedist, Samuel Karn.
Samuel Karn was born April 25, 1862, at German Valley, Morris county, New Jersey. He received his education in the public schools of the county, and was more noticeably diligent at his studies than most lads of his age. When he was ten years old his parents moved to Orange county, New York, and there remained for four years, thus giving him an entirely new environ- ment and a broader outlook on life than had he remained in his birthplace. In 1876 they returned to Morris county, selecting Morristown as their place of residence, which was a fortunate move for Samuel as it afforded him still another outlook on life. In 1880 Mr. Karn entered commercial life, and engaged as a clerk in the grocery business with a prominent Morristown firm. Here he remained until 1894, when, with a laudable ambition to reach the topmost rung of the ladder in the commercial world, he organized the firm of Karn & Eicklin. From a somewhat small beginning the company has enlarged and extended its business, and has met with notable and quick success owing to superior, up-to-date business methods. It is a large and ever growing concern, and under its present management will continue to increase in wealth and maintain its hold on the public. Mr. Karn is a Democrat, voting the straight ticket. He has been honored several times, politically, by his city. He was elected alderman, and so great was his popularity that he was re-elected two more times. He is at the present time tax collector for Morristown, having been elected January 1, 1913. He is an enthusiastic member of the order of I. O. O. F., standing high in its councils. He and his family are members of St. Peter's Protestant Episcopal Church of Morristown.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.