USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume II > Part 21
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egger married Dora Augusta Paul, a native of New York City. This union has been prolific of two children: Doris Elizabeth and Gregory Albert.
Mr. Sturzenegger maintains an independent attitude in his political con- victions and he does not participate in local politics further than to exercise his right of franchise. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and in a fraternal way he is affiliated with Prospect Lodge, No. 24, F. and A. M. of Chester, and Dover Lodge, B. P. O. E.
JAMES G. CASE
James Gordon Case, who is engaged in the general merchandise busi- ness at Chester, is a Civil War veteran and has been a resident of Morris county for the past thirty-five years. He is a stockholder in the National Union Bank of Dover and in the Morristown Trust Company, two prominent financial institutions of this section. His citizenship has been characterized by honest and upright methods and his life has been exemplary in all re- spects.
A native of Sussex county, New Jersey, Mr. Case was born in Decem- ber, 1843. His father, John O. Case, was likewise born in Sussex county, as was also his mother, whose maiden name was Jane Van Kirk. To them were born seven children : Edward A., deceased ; Winfield S .; Ellen, widow of William Munnell; Frank; Elizabeth, wife of Levi Kays; Marcus, de- ceased ; James G., of this sketch. John O. Case was reared a farmer and followed that line of enterprise in Sussex county until he died in 1888. His cherished and devoted wife passed away in 1894 and both are interred at North Church, Sussex county, New Jersey.
Under the invigorating discipline of the old homestead farm James G. Case was reared to maturity and he attended the common schools of Sussex county. He reached manhood during the strenuous period of the Civil War and in his twenty-first year manifested his intrinsic loyalty to the cause of freedom and justice by enlisting for service in the Twenty-seventh New Jersey Volunteer Infantry for a period of one year, at the end of which time he became a member of the Second New Jerscy Cavalry, serving in the latter organization until the end of the war. He took part in many im- portant and sanguinary conflicts, including that of Egypt Station, and he was on duty everywhere with General G. B. Grearson. After General Lee's surrender he received his honorable discharge from the army and returned to his home in Sussex county, where he farmed for the ensuing eight years. He then began to work in the general store of Richards, Simpson & Com- pany at Woodford, Morris county, and in 1878 came to Chester as manager of a branch store for that concern. Subsequently he formed a partner- ship with Mr. Simpson and together they conducted the general store known under the style of Simpson & Case for sixteen years. The above mutually agreeable alliance was dissolved in January, 1913, since which time Mr. Case has conducted his business individually, under the name of James G. Case. A fine patronage is controlled and the stock of goods handled is strictly high class. Mr. Case has money invested in the National Union Bank of Dover, and in the Morristown Trust Company and he owns some fine real estate in and adjacent to Chester.
In 1864 Mr. Case married Emma Lantz, whose demise occurred in 1883. She is survived by two children: Fannie, wife of Joseph Wilson; Charles S., a grocer, a resident of Boonton, New Jersey. In 1888 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Case to Sarah A. Emmons, who bore him a daughter, Elizabeth. Mr. Case is a Republican, and he and his wife attend the Pres-
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byterian church at Chester. He is connected with Prospect Lodge, No. 24, F. and A. M.
ALONZO P. GREEN
It is not necessary that the man who achieves success be made of sterner stuff than his fellowman but there are certain indispensable characteristics that contribute to the prosperity of the individual; these are energy, enter- prise and determination and the ability to recognize and improve opportuni- ties. These qualities are cardinal elements in the character of Alonzo P. Green and have accompanied him on his progress from a humble station in life to one of prominence and affluence. Mr. Green is the owner of a finely equipped and up-to-date drug store at Chester, is one of the directors of the New Jersey Telephone Company and since September, 1911, has been local postmaster. He has lived in Chester during the greater part of his life thus far and has been in business here since 1897.
April 3, 1875, at Chester, Morris county, New Jersey, occurred the birth of Alonzo P. Green, who is a son of Dr. Whitfield A. and Emma (Boell) Green, both natives of this county and residents of Chester, where the father has gained distinctive prestige as a physician and surgeon of unusual skill. Dr. Green controls a large and lucrative practice in Morris county, and he and his wife have three sons, namely: Frederick, Charles, Alonzo P.
Alonzo P. Green passed the early years of his life in Chester and he completed his educational training with a course of study in the New York College of Pharmacy, in which excellent institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1895. His first work as a druggist was obtained at Chester, where he was in the employ of F. N. Jenkins for two years. In 1897 he purchased the Jenkins' drug store and since that time he has been owner and manager of the same. His store is stocked with a complete line of drugs and in addition thereto stationery and other specialties are like- wise handled. Mr. Green is local manager at Chester for the Postal Tele- graph Company and has charge of the county exchange for the New Jersey Telephone Company, in which corporation he is a stockholder and a director. In September, 1911, he was appointed postmaster of Chester and in that capacity he is discharging his duties with the utmost efficiency. He is a Republican in his political proclivities, and is a valued member of Prospect Lodge, No. 24, F. and A. M., of which he was master for eight years.
In 1894 was celebrated his marriage to Anna Haines Seward, born and reared in Morris county, daughter of William H. and Emma (Haines) Seward. Mr. Seward is an insurance broker in New York City ; he is now living at Madison, New Jersey. His wife is deceased and her remains are interred in Pleasant Hill cemetery at Chester. To Mr. and Mrs. Seward were born three children : Anna H., now Mrs. Green ; Dr. Frederick H., of Madison, New Jersey ; Francis C., a resident of Madison. Mr. and Mrs. Green have no children. They are devout members of the Presbyterian church, he being an elder, and are prominent and influential residents of Chester.
FRANK EMIL LIPPMAN
Frank Emil Lippman, a prosperous member of the commercial world of Morristown, Morris county, New Jersey, stands for all that sturdy Ger- man blood can accomplish in the United States through thrift and close ap- plication to business. It is such men as Mr. Lippman that this country
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needs, and to such it stretches out welcoming arms filled with fair promises of a bright future, or at least a competence. His father was John Augustus Lippman, born in Saxony, Germany, who died in the fatherland at the age of eighty. His mother was also German, and lived and died in her native country.
Mr. Lippman was born in Saxony, Germany, May 26, 1858, and was one of a large family. When a boy of fourteen he put his fortunes to the touch, left his native land, knowing no English, and came to the United States alone, a courageous thing for a boy of that age to do, especially when his quiet German environment is taken into consideration. All the education he received was gotten previous to his leaving Germany, for once in America his sole object was to seek a position and secure the wherewith to keep his soul in his body. He went first to Morris county, New Jersey, where he secured a position in a flour mill. Here he remained two years, giving per- fect satisfaction to his employer. In 1874 he went to Morristown and was engaged by an older brother, Francis Louis, who was in the grocery business in Morristown. In 1884 Mr. Lippman became impressed with the idea that he could do as well for himself as he could for his employer, and he opened a grocery store on Speedwell avenue, where he prospered greatly and estab- lished for himself a name in the grocery world. By energy, thrift, affability, honesty and progressiveness he steadily built up his business until he decided that a change of location was necessary. In 1906 he secured his present store at 8 Park Place, where he has duplicated his past success, and has been compelled to greatly enlarge his place of business. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States in due course of time, and since doing so has taken a deep and understanding interest in politics. He is a Democrat, from conviction, and works hard for the State and national ticket. He was alder- man of Morristown from 1902 to 1906, serving well and wisely the city that conferred the honor upon him. He is a member of the B. P. O. E. and the I. O. R. M. He is a Lutheran in faith, attending that church.
He married, in Morristown, April 19, 1887, Katherine Becker, born in Morristown, daughter of William Becker, deceased, a commercial salesman, and his wife, Katherine Becker, who lives in Morristown. Mr. and Mrs. Lippman have four children: Augusta, born January, 1888, who acts as bookkeeper for her father in his business; Frank Edward, born November, 1890, graduated from Princeton College, June, 1912; Beatrice, born No- vember 20, 1892; William Becker, born July 20, 1907.
DANIEL H. SKELLENGER
At this point in a biographical history of Morris county it is a pleasure to insert a resumé of the career of Daniel H. Skellenger, who is successfully engaged in the general merchandise business at Chester and who is a stock- holder in the Dover Trust Company. He owns a great deal of valuable property in and adjacent to Chester and for five years served his com- munity in the capacity of justice of the peace. Mr. Skellenger is a native of Morris county, New Jersey, the date of his birth being October 9, 1840. He is a son of Charles J. and Nancy (Anson) Skellenger, both of whom were likewise born in Morris county and both of whom are now deceased. The father was for many years a prominent and progressive farmer, his fine estate of 140 acres being located five miles distant from Chester. He and his wife were zealous members of the Congregational church of Chester and devoted considerable time to good and charitable work. They lived an honest, outdoor life, their rugged, sterling characters being the outcome of
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a close association with nature. To them were born the following children : Daniel H., of this notice; Martha, married James Able and they are both deceased; Josephine, wife of Charles Strowbridge; Charles Robert; Wil- liam H .; Lydia C., wife of George Walk; Emma, wife of Charles Hos- kins ; Mary, wife of Frank Apgar; Anna, married Henry Wiggins ; Laura, wife of Frank Budd.
As the firstborn in a large family of children, Daniel H. Skellenger early became an able assistant to his father in the work and management of the old homestead farm. He attended the neighboring district schools and completed his educational discipline with a course of study in the Ches- ter Institute. At the age of eighteen years he began to clerk in a general store at Flanders and he has followed the general merchandise business with marked success ever since. His well stocked mercantile establishment at Chester has been an institution here since 1875 and is recognized as one of the finest concerns of its kind in this section of Morris county. Mr. Skellen- ger has extensive property holdings in Chester and he has money invested in the Dover Trust Company. He is an unswerving Democrat in his politi- cal convictions and in 1888 he was honored by his fellow citizens with elec- tion to the office of justice of the peace, serving as such for a term of five years. He fraternizes with the local lodge of the I. O. O. F., and his re- ligious faith is in harmony with the tenets of the Congregational church, of which he is now a trustee and of which he has been treasurer for a number of years. He manifests a deep and sincere interest in civic affairs, and as a man he is esteemed by his fellow citizens for his honorable and upright character.
Mr. Skellenger has been twice married. In 1863 he wedded Adeline Fleming, whose demise occurred in 1895, and who is survived by a daugh- ter, Nancy, wife of Alfred Baker; Mr. and Mrs. Baker have two children : Albert and Daniel. In 1896 he married Amelia J. Renkel. There have been no children born to the latter union. Mrs. Amelia J. Skellenger is the daughter of William and Mary J. (Charltan) Renkel. William Renkel was a native of Germany and at twenty-seven years of age came to America and located in Sussex county, New Jersey. After his marriage in New York, in 1875, they moved to Chester township, Morris county, New Jersey, where he died in 1897, aged seventy-five years ; his wife died June, 1904. They were farmers, attendants of Congregational church. Seven children : Leonard, baggage master on Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad ; Sanford, farmer at Mt. Olive; William, carpenter at Woodport; Amelia J., mentioned above; Rachael E., wife of Daniel Abel, of Flanders ; Au- gustus, of Mountainville, a blacksmith ; Esther A., single, resident of Chester.
GILBERT Y: HOPLER
The general store conducted by Gilbert Y. Hopler at Chester, New Jersey, is first-class in its equipment and it secures a splendid patronage from residents of this city and from farmers in the territory normally tribu- tary to Chester. Mr. Hopler was born at Bartley, New Jersey, January 29, 1878, son of Jacob and Amanda (Karr) Hopler, both natives of this State. The father was a carpenter by trade and for many years he was engaged in farming operations in Morris county. He died in 1885 and is survived by his devoted wife, who now maintains her home at Naughright, New Jersey. He was a Democrat in politics, and in religious faith was a Presbyterian. There were nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Hopler: William ; Warren: Mary, wife of Theodore Sharp; Sarah, married William West-
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ervelt ; Ella, wife of Jacob Wiseburn; Jacob; George; Gilbert Y., of this notice ; Amos. All of the above children but William are living in 1913.
After leaving school Gilbert Y. Hopler spent a period of two years learn- ing the trade of moulder. He then began to work in a rolling mill at Fland- ers and five years later located at Naughright, where he opened a general store which he conducted with moderate success for a year and a half. In 1904 he returned to Bartley, the place of his birth, and there engaged in the general mercantile business for the ensuing five years, at the expira- tion of which time, in 1909, he came to Chester. He owns the modern build- ing in which his store is located in Chester and his business is gradually extending in the scope of its operations, so that he now has one of the most up-to-date concerns of its kind in Chester township. He is decidedly ener- getic and progressive in his business methods and is strictly reliable in all his dealings. He does not own allegiance to any political party, preferring to vote for the man or measure of which he approves, and in a fraternal way he is connected with the J. O. U. A. M.
In the year 1899 Mr. Hopler married Ella Thomas, a native of Morris county, daughter of Holloway and Mary (Rearick) Thomas, the former of whom is an agriculturist by occupation. Mrs. Hopler has one sister and two brothers : Mary, Herbert, Roy. There are three children in the Hopler family: Thelma, Theresa, Clyde. The family attends the Presbyterian church.
HERBERT D. BEATY
Herbert D. Beaty, who has conducted a general store at Chester, New Jersey, since 1901, and who is the owner of a finely improved farm of two hundred acres in Hunterdon and Morris counties, is one of the representa- tive citizens of this section of the State. January 17, 1863, in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, occurred his birth, son of William and Hannah (Slater ) Beaty, both of whom were likewise born and reared in Hunterdon county. The father was for many years engaged in the lumber business and he was the owner of many valuable farms in different sections of New Jersey. He was a Democrat in politics, and in religious faith he and his wife were Presbyterians. They became the parents of five children, three of whoni died in infancy and two of whom are still living, namely: Arthur B. and Herbert D.
As a farmer's son Herbert D. Beaty was. reared to adult age amid rural surroundings, and he received his educational training in the public schools of Hunterdon county. At the age of nineteen years he began to farm on his own initiative and he likewise became interested in the saw mill business. For a number of years he manufactured peach baskets at Penville, and in 1899 he located at Naughright, where he purchased a general store, which he conducted with moderate success for one year, at the expiration of which time he removed to Lebanon, where he was engaged in the same line of enterprise for another year. The year 1901 marks his advent in Chester and here he owns and conducts a splendid general merchandise establishment. He carries a fine stock of goods and caters to the best trade in this city. He does not take an active part in civic affairs but supports Democratic principles, believing that the platform of the party contains the best ele- ments of good government.
In 1895 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Beaty to Margaret Petty, a native of Pennsylvania, daughter of Mathias Petty, for many years a prosperous farmer at Berwick. . Mr. and Mrs. Petty had the following
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children : Samuel; William; Charles; Hattie, wife of James E. Smith; Annie; Margaret, wife of Mr. Beaty ; Mary ; Lulu, wife of Willard Smith ; Edith; Emily. Mr. and Mrs. Beaty have no children. They are regular at- tendants in the Presbyterian church at Chester, and are accorded the un- alloyed confidence and esteem of their fellow citizens for their exemplary lives.
NATHAN L. BRIGGS
Nathan L. Briggs, one of the representative men of Boonton, a leading man of affairs, whose public spirit as a citizen and broad-minded policies as an official have been to the general good of the community, was born in Wareham, Plymouth county, Massachusetts, January 4, 1845, son of Job M. and Rebecca (Holmes) Briggs, natives of Massachusetts, both of whom are now deceased, his death occurring in Massachusetts and hers in New Jersey after a residence of about two years there. Job M. Briggs was a sea captain during the active years of his life. He and his wife were the par- ents of a large family, three of whom are living at the present time ( 1913) : Mrs. Oscar W. Myers, of Boonton; Mrs. Benjamin Stanley, of Haddle- borough, Massachusetts ; Nathan L., of whom further.
At the age of seventeen years, after completing his education in the public schools of Wareham, Nathan L. Briggs came to New Jersey, locating in Boonton, where he secured employment in the Boonton Nail Works, re- maining there until the business was closed in 1876, when he removed to Northumberland, Pennsylvania, where he served as superintendent of Van Alens Nail Works for ten years, and then, in order to recuperate his failing health, returned to Boonton, New Jersey, and has resided there up to date. In 1890 he was one of the organizers of the Boonton National Bank, was appointed one of its directors, in which capacity he served until 1903, when he was appointed vice-president, his present position. The bank was organ- ized with a capital of $50,000, which in 1907 was increased to $100,000, and at the present time the total resources amount to $1,078,561.10, which fact is ample proof of the efficient manner in which its affairs are conducted and the confidence reposed in its officers by the residents of the community. He is also president of the Boonton Building and Loan Association, serving in that office since its organization in 1889, and is a stockholder in the ma- jority of the important enterprises of Boonton, which have added so ma- terially to its growth and material welfare. He has also been equally prom- inent in the public affairs of the town, affiliating with the Republican party, and serving as trustee of the village of Boonton, was a member of the committee that effected its incorporation as a city, was a member of the council, and for two terms held the office of mayor, discharging the duties of that onerous position with wisdom and clearness, winning the approba- tion of his fellowmen and the loyalty of his constituents. He attends the Presbyterian church, and is a member of Arcania Lodge, No. 60, F. and A. M., having held membership in the same for a longer period than any other resident of Boonton.
Mr. Briggs married, 1867, Amelia C. Norris, born in Boonton, daughter of James S. and Elvira (Clauson) Norris, of Boonton, the former named being an iron worker and a man of prominence in the community. The life of Mr. Briggs has been a busy, useful and honorable one, well worthy of emulation, and his worth commends him to all with whom he is brought in contact.
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FREDERICK GORDON
The successful career of Frederick Gordon, of Boonton, president of the Frederick Gordon Company, now retired from active business pursuits, is a fitting illustration of what can be accomplished by the exercise of ability, sagacity and perseverance, coupled with integrity of character. He is a lineal descendant of a Revolutionary ancestor, David Gordon, who served as a private in the Fifth Company of Foot, First New Jersey Regiment, from July 24, 1777, to January, 1783.
William Gordon, father of Frederick Gordon, was born at Middle Forge, Morris county, New Jersey, March 6, 1839, son of John Harvey and Mary Ann (Fichter) Gordon, the former named born October 26, 1805, resided in Boonton for a time, and died in Montville, October 4, 1855. William Gordon became a mechanic and for forty years had charge of the water works for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, located between Easton and Hoboken, and when seventy years of age was pensioned by that company, the reward of faithful and meritorious service, and now (1913) resides in Boonton, having attained the age of seventy-four years. He is a Republican in politics, and he and his wife, who is seventy-one years old, attend the Methodist church. He married, June 27, 1860, Susan A. Unangst, born September 14, 1843, daughter of John Unangst, and four children were born to them: Laura, January 16, 1862, wife of C. Byron Dixon; Frederick, of whom further; Mary, born April 6, 1869, wife of Charles Kincaid; Harry, born September 27, 1880, civil engineer, in the employ of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad.
Frederick Gordon was born in Boonton, New Jersey, March 3, 1864. He was a student in the common schools of Boonton until fourteen years of age, and then accepted a position as messenger boy for the Western Union Telegraph Company at Scranton, Pennsylvania, remaining for eighteen months. He then returned to Boonton and for the following three and a half years acted as clerk in the grocery store conducted by Mr. Porter, after which he engaged as fireman on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, continuing in this capacity for four years. In 1887 he entered into partnership with his former employer, Mr. Porter, proprietor of a general store in Boonton, dealing principally in fancy and staple groceries, and seven years later he purchased the interest of his partner and conducted it on his own account until 1899, when he formed a corporation, admitting his employees to membership, under the style of the "Fred Gordon Company," of which he was appointed president, which office he has since filled satis- factorily. The store, which is the most extensive and best patronized of its kind in Boonton, is well equipped with a high class of goods, consisting of groceries, dry goods, furniture and house furnishing articles, and they have the patronage of the residents of Boonton, also of the adjoining sections, their business having increased rapidly both in volume and importance. Mr. Gordon is a director of the Boonton National Bank, of which he is a charter member, and an active factor in every enterprise that has for its object the material welfare and prosperity of his native town. He is a member of the board of trade of Boonton, and was chairman of the committee of citizens who had the town separated from the township, also chairman of the com- mittee who supervised the erection of the viaduct connecting Main street with Boonton Park, the cost of which was $84,000, of which sum the town of Boonton paid $9,000. He is a staunch advocate of Republican principles, but is independent of party affiliation, casting his vote for the candidate who in his opinion is best qualified for office. He is a member of Arcania Lodge, No. 60, F. and A. M., of Boonton.
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