USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume II > Part 23
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a part of Hunterdon county, was later Sussex, and is now the township of Parhaquarry, Warren county.
Nathan Hopkins, son of Jonathan Hopkins, married Esther Dryal or Driel, and of their children-Esther married a Mr. Schooley. There were large estates left to them upon the early death of their parents, including fine farming lands between Hope and Belvidere, New Jersey. Their only son was Driel Hopkins, who was an iron dealer and contractor in Warren county, New Jersey, where he owned and managed a large tract of land and was esteemed as a progressive and energetic business man. During the War of 1812, he supplied the government with large quantities of cattle, dealt extensively in iron and had large business interests in Philadelphia. Having been obliged to sell a considerable number of cattle at a loss upon the sudden termination of the war, he went to New York, where he was successful in importing goods and in the conduct of a hotel. He married (first) November 10, 1800, Sarah, born near Vienna, Warren county, New Jersey, December 10, 1785, daughter of James Danley. Her mother was at one time baking pies in an old Dutch oven which stood out of doors, when General Washington and his staff rode by. All pies that required filling, such as pumpkin, custard, etc., were filled by using a long-handled wooden ladle, made of one piece of wood, from the bowl of which the filling was poured into the crust, which was previously placed in the oven. Washington requested the privilege of filling some of the pies, and when they were baked he and his staff feasted thereon. The old wooden ladle which he used is now in the possession of the subject of this sketch. Driel and Sarah (Dan- ley) Hopkins had children: Juliet L., a child which died unnamed, Jon- athan, James, Caroline, Anderson, Amanda, Nathan, and Harrison. Driel Hopkins married (second) 1824, Mary Straley, and had children : Esther, Huldah, Elizabeth, Mary Jane and Sorama.
Nathan (2) Hopkins, son of Driel and Sarah (Danley) Hopkins, was born in Succasunna, February 22, 1811, died November 13, 1889. He was apprenticed to learn the trade of harness making, and followed it for a period of sixty-four years, including his five years of apprenticeship, and during this time worked on the same bench at which his employer had learned his trade, and which had been used by him fifty-nine years. In addition to this he was a hotel keeper for eight years, and the proprietor of a store for seven years. After many years' residence in Hope, New Jersey, he removed to Drakesville, now Ledgewood, in 1848. Eight years later he removed to Powerville, and in 1861 to Succasunna. He was first a Whig then a Republican, a strong anti-slavery man, whose home was a station on the famous "underground railroad," by which many slaves found their way to freedom. He acquired considerable wealth by his strict at- tendance to his business affairs. He married (first) June 1, 1834, Ann Wilson, daughter of John and Mary (Blair) Wilson, granddaughter of Robert and Betsy (Glassiner) Blair, and great-granddaughter of Robert and Betsy Blair. (Second), 1856, Mrs. Ellen, widow of James King. (Third), 1876 or 1877, Mrs. Mary Hill, a widow. Children : William Emmett, Sarah Rebecca, Abigail Gertrude, Caleb Swayze, Charles Fern, John Robertson, Elvie, Ella, Elmer Ellsworth, Winfield Scott.
Charles Fern Hopkins, son of Nathan (2) and Ann (Wilson) Hopkins, was born in Hope, Warren county, New Jersey, May 16, 1842. His early life was the usual one of a boy in a country town and he attended the dis- trict schools for four months a year for a period of seven years. At the age of twelve years he commenced to learn the trade of harness making under the supervision of his father, completing his education in this line
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in a large harness manufacturing establishment in the city of Newark, New Jersey. In 1860 he established himself independently in business in Boon- ton, and has carried on this business uninterruptedly with the exception he spent in the service of his country during the Civil War. The excellent quality of his work as well as his efficient management of his business affairs have secured him a liberal patronage, and he has been in the harness business longer than any other man in the county. May 3, 1861, Mr. Hop- kins donned the blue as a defender of the Union, being the first man in Morris county to enlist for a period of three years. He was mustered in at Trenton, New Jersey, June 4, 1861, as a member of Company I, First New Jersey Volunteers, this being assigned to the famous Kearny's New Jersey brigade. He was in the first Bull Run campaign, the peninsular campaign, and, in the battle of Gaines' Mills, Virginia, June 27, 1862, carried Sergeant Richard A. Donnelly, late quartermaster-general of New Jersey, from the field under a terrible cross fire. Mr. Hopkins had already been twice wounded, and was again badly wounded in the head after leaving Donnelly in a supposedly safe place. Later, however, both he and the sergeant were taken prisoners, and Mr. Hopkins was reported among the dead. For his act of bravery in caring for his companion he was awarded the congressional medal of honor. He was not held a captive by the Confederates, and on account of his wound was sent to a Union hospital. As soon as possible he rejoined his regiment and at the battle of the Wilderness was again badly wounded and taken prisoner, only three days before the expiration of his term of enlistment. For more than ten months he was incarcerated, part of the time in Andersonville, Georgia, and the remainder of the time in Florence, South Carolina, and while a captive endured the hardships com- mon to all whose misfortunes confined them in these prisons. He was hon- orably discharged at Trenton, New Jersey, April 21, 1865, and with a mili- tary record of which he may well feel proud, returned to his home and the pursuits of a peaceful life. In 1898 he was commissioned by acting Governor Voorhees, of New Jersey, to erect a monument at Andersonville, Georgia, in commemoration of the New Jersey soldiers who had died there.
Mr. Hopkins married in Boonton, Morris county, New Jersey, January 8, 1867, Hetty Ann, daughter of Abraham B. and Caroline (Mowerson) Van Duyne, who had other children: Elizabeth, John, Sophia, Harriet, Jacob, Peter and Mary, the last two being twins. Mrs. Hopkins was born February 27, 1846, her paternal descent being from the Van Duyne and Husk families, and her maternal from the Mowerson and Van Horn fami- lies, all old Dutch lines. Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins have had children: I. Al- faretta, born March 16, 1868; married William C. Lefferts, and have : Hetty, Harry L. and Marion. 2. Frank Fern, born August 20, 1870, died September II, 1880. 3. Lena Rebecca, born March 18, 1872; married Edwin A. Fisher, and has had: Lucile, George Eisele, Charles Fern Hop- kins. 4. Carrie, born January 20, 1874; married William J. Milner. 5. Ella May, born May 1, 1876; married Lenville Relyea. 6. Elizabeth, born July 22, 1878, died December 1, 1878. 7. Emmett, born December 24, 1880; married, Catherine E. Martin. 8. Charles, born January 24, 1884. 9. Frank Morrison, born March 1, 1887. Mr. Hopkins and his family attend the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Hopkins is recognized as a very prominent and influential resident of Boonton, and has been active in public and political affairs. He served as a town committeeman from 1868 to 1873, was a member of the board of freeholders from 1871 to 1874; elected mayor in 1880; again filled the office of freeholder from 1881 to 1884, when he resigned. He was assistant
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sergeant-at-arms of the New Jersey senate from 1882 to 1884, when he resigned from that office, for in that year he was appointed postmaster of Boonton. He served a four years' term in this office, was again appointed in 1892, serving until 1895, when he was removed as a partisan. He was, however, reappointed in 1900-04-08-12. He was elected to the assembly of New Jersey in 1896, and served until 1898. In 1898 he was unanimously elected assistant clerk of the New Jersey assembly, and served with distinc- tion throughout the term, gaining many compliments from the members for his efficient work. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party and is unwavering in his allegi- ance thereto. He cast his first vote for its candidates and has always labored to advance its interests.
Mr. Hopkins never shirks a duty that devolves upon a good citizen. He has been a Grand Army man since the formation of the order and is active in its support. He has many times served as post commander in John Hill Post, No. 86, G. A. R. He has also been a department officer, is a member of the New Jersey ex-Prisoners of War, and is always found in attendance at the reunions of the veterans of the Civil War held in New Jersey. President of the Phil Kearny Commission to remove the body and erect an equestrian statue in Arlington, Virginia. He is a man of genial manner, kindly disposition and courteous deportment, holds friend- ship inviolable, is generous and benevolent and quick to forgive. Whether on the field of battle, in public office, or in the walks of private life, he is the same loyal citizen, having the best interests of his country and of humanity at heart. He is also a member of the B. P. O. E. of Dover.
RICHARD P. MESSITER
Richard P. Messiter, president of the Boonton National Bank, of Boon- ton, Morris county, New Jersey, is a member of an old English family. We find the name originally in Christian Malford, England, whence the family removed to Maiden Bradley, Somersetshire, England, in 1640.
Richard Messiter, son of Moulton and Mary (Ring) Messiter, was born in Wincanton, 1759, served as treasurer of Somerset county, and held the rank of colonel in the English army. He emigrated to America in 1815, settling at Liberty, Sullivan county, New York, where he engaged in mer- cantile business. He made a business trip to the city of New York in 1830, and contracted yellow fever there of which he died at Newburgh on his re- turn trip to his home. He married (first) Mary Brickett, who died in Eng- land in 1812, (second) 1818, Abigail Gilbert. Children: Uriah, see for- ward; Edwin, died in infancy; Alfred, was postmaster for many years of the town of Liberty, where he was also a merchant, and inarried Hannah Mattison, of Bethel township, Sullivan county, New York; George, died in infancy.
Rev. Uriah Messiter, son of Richard and Abigail (Gilbert) Messiter, was born in Liberty, New York, 1821, and died March 7, 1877. He was a clergyman of the Methodist denomination and had charge of various churches in towns along the Hudson river and also in the city of New York. He married, 1850, Sarah Elizabeth, who died in 1905, daughter of James B. and Ellen (Langdon) Ketcham, of Fishkill, New York. They had chil- dren : Richard P., see forward ; George Nichols, born September 14, 1853, died March 23, 1909, married, 1908, Edith Storm, who died six months later ; Ruella, born April 5, 1857, married William J. Travis, and resides in Brooklyn.
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Richard P. Messiter, son of Rev. Uriah and Sarah Elizabeth (Ketcham) Messiter, was born in Fishkill, New York, February 7, 1851. His education was acquired in the public schools of the various towns to which his father was called as a minister, and he then went to New York and matriculated at the New York University, leaving this institution while in his sophomore year in order to enter the employ of the firm with which he has been con- nected since that time. In 1900 he became a member of this firm, Minot, Hooper & Company, and is now acting in the capacity of office manager and credit man, and is rounding out his forty-third consecutive year with it.
Mr. Messiter married, December 4, 1875, Hannah H., daughter of the Rev. William and Ellen (Hait) Bloomer, of Cornwall, New York, where he was a Methodist Episcopal clergyman, and is a descendant of a family which has been resident in New York State for a number of generations. They had children: Hannah H., mentioned above; Catherine, married George Cook, deceased ; Ellen, married Frederick Dibble; Peter Hazen, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Messiter have had children: I. Grace, married Fletcher H. Sillick, who is comptroller of the Manhattan & Hudson Railroad, resides in Boonton, and has two children: Fletcher H. Jr., and John Richard. 2. Arthur, resides in Philadelphia, is connected with the Hale & Kilburne Man- ufacturing Company of New York, and married Malinda Lawson. 3. Helen, unmarried. Mr. Messiter and his wife are attendants at the Metho- dist church, and he is a member of the Boonton Club, and the Merchants' Club of New York. Mr. Messiter is a reliable and worthy citizen who gives earnest and intelligent support to all measures which tend to further the development of the city. He has never aspired to public office, feeling that he was working for the best interests of the city by devoting his time and energies to the furtherance of its business prosperity by means of the con- cern with which he is connected. His career has been one of usefulness and uprightness and he has earned the respect and esteem of business and social acquaintances.
JOSEPH P. CULLEN
Boonton, New Jersey, is possessed of an unusual number of young men of character and ability, who calling her their birthplace, have made her also the scene of their later activities, both domestic and those pertaining to their business and professional careers. It might well be a matter of pride for her to point to the many sons who have achieved their measure of success within the precincts of their home community, and to none should she point more appropriately than to Joseph P. Cullen, who has made for himself an important place in the political and business affairs of the community.
Mr. Cullen was born in Boonton, February 28, 1870, son of Patrick and Mary (Boylan) Cullen. His parents were both natives of Ireland, but had been married in England in 1856, and came directly to the United States, where they settled in Boonton and have since lived. Mr. Cullen Sr. was in earlier life a farmer and iron worker, but now lives retired. Mrs. Cullen died in 1900. To them were born eight children: John; Margaret, de- ceased wife of John Dolan; Mary, now a trained nurse; Bridget, wife of A. D. McCormack; Henry ; Edward; Joseph P .; James.
Joseph P. Cullen gained his education in the Boonton public schools, later pursued a course in the Sprague Law School, Sheldon School of System and Spelling and a course in stenography. Later he took a posi- tion as bookkeeper in the office of a silk mill. He was always a student of
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music at home, however, and finally started in business for himself by open- ing a music store which is now a thriving concern. He is an expert piano tuner as well as an accomplished musician, and has given much time and attention to band music, and for many years he was a band master. Mr. Cullen's interest and activity in local politics has been of long standing. He is a Democrat, and has served his town for nine years in the office of asses- sor. In 1911 he was appointed journal clerk of the state house of as- sembly, and he now holds the same office in the state senate. He has also served in the town council. In 1914 he was appointed postmaster of Boon- ton by President Wilson. He is a member of the G. F. and of the A. O. H.
Mr. Cullen was married in 1898 to Christine R. Ringleib, a daughter of Theodore and Bridget (Collins) Ringleib, of Boonton. To Mr. Ringleib and his wife have been born four children besides Mrs. Cullen: William ; Mary, wife of John Ginder ; Catherine, wife of Martin Ginder ; James. Mr. and Mrs. Cullen are members of the Catholic church.
EDWARD COLE
One of Boonton's prominent citizens who was born and has spent his life there, making the most of the many advantages he found at hand in- stead of seeking farther afield, is Edward Cole, who has for some time past been closely identified with the industrial and business activities of his community.
Mr. Cole was born in Boonton, New Jersey, February 26, 1876, the second of the family of six children of George and Ellen (Romine) Cole, both natives of New Jersey. The names of their children were as follows : Alma, wife of Gilber Faulkner; Edward, our subject; George Jr .; Sarah Margaret, wife of James Garfield Estler, the business partner of our sub- ject ; Bertha, deceased ; Robert. The elder Mr. Cole is now in business as a carpenter and builder at Parsippany, New Jersey.
Edward Cole attended the common schools of Hanover township up to the sixteenth year of his age, when he left to learn the trade of carpenter with his father, continuing in this occupation until 1910. In this year, with James Garfield Estler, his brother-in-law, he started upon his present busi- ness enterprise and founded the large hardware and faim implements house, which is now in successful operation under the firm name of Estler, Cole Hardware Company, and which employs three men and has its home in the spacious Boonton store. Mr. Cole is an Independent in politics, casting his vote free from partisan bias for whoever is, in his opinion, the best man. He is a Methodist in religion and a member of the I. O. O. F. of Boonton.
PETER M. KANOUSE
The age of young men for success seems nowadays to come early, and the life of Peter M. Kanouse, with its youth and its large measure of success, is typical of the times, for Mr. Kanouse is only thirty-six. He is of New Jersey parentage and was born in Powerville in that State, May 16, 1877. His parents were Peter and Emma (Peer) Kanouse, residents of Powerville, where Mr. Kanouse Sr. was engaged in farming. The family numbered four children including our subject, namely : Thomas H. : Lucy, now the wife of Ezra D. Blowers; Peter M .; Mabel, now the wife of George Cook.
Mr. Kanouse obtained his education entirely in the common schools of Morris county, from which he went to spend some time with his father on
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the latter's farm. He later went to Boonton where he secured a position as clerk in the store of Kenyon & Looker. Here he remained for a period, when a better position opening to him in the employ of Atwater & Carter of Newark, he went to that city. After a time, however, he severed his con- nection with this firm and returned home where he remained for a period dur- ing which the idea of his present business had time to develop. At length, Oc- tober 7, 1906, he established the general store in Boonton which has so greatly developed that it now employs six clerks and a cashier besides running two wagons. Mr. Kanouse is an Independent in politics, refusing to be bound by party lines. He is a member of the Methodist church.
JOHN R. PUGSLEY
Classed with the representative business men of Dover, Morris county, New Jersey, is John R. Pugsley, mason contractor and general house mover. No man in Morris county has been more prominently identified with her progressive advancement along the lines of business with which he is con- nected. His loyalty towards all interests which further the public welfare and his practical ideas and untiring labors have left their impress on many of the most beneficial improvements of the county.
Joseph Pugsley, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Eng- land, in 1845, died in Randolph township, Morris county, New Jersey, in December, 1910. He was a stone mason and contractor, and was engaged in this line of business until his death. He came to America about 1871, and at once made his home in Randolph township. He married Elizabeth Cant- ton, also a native of England, and now living in Morris county, New Jersey. They had children : Joseph, a mason and contractor, of Morristown, New Jersey ; David, resides on Morris street, Dover, New Jersey; Albert, also lives on Morris street, Dover; Roy, a stone mason; Edith; Rose, died un- married; Louise, married William White, of Randolph township, Morris county.
John R. Pugsley, son of Joseph and Elizabeth Pugsley, was born at Mill- brook, Randolph township, Morris county, New Jersey, March 10, 1875. He attended the public schools of his native town and there made the best use of his opportunities, but not satisfied with this, he continued his reading outside of the school room and by this means and the practical experiences of life has gained a broad general knowledge. His first business experience was gained in the employ of his father, under whose supervision he gained a thorough and practical knowledge of the business with which he has since been associated. Twelve years ago Mr. Pugsley and his brother, David, purchased the business which had been founded by their father, have con- ducted it since that time, and have greatly broadened its scope. They have handled many of the largest contracts of this kind in the county, and have added another branch to it, that of house moving. They always employ from twenty to thirty men, and at times this number is largely increased. Mr. Pugsley lives in a fine home near Dover, which he erected in 1898, and this is noted for its open-handed hospitality.
Mr. Pugsley married, in October, 1896, Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Pruden, of Randolph township. They have one daughter: Frances Mil- dred, now almost six years of age. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and give substantial support to that institution. He is a member of Acacia Lodge, F. and A. M., of Dover ; K. of M .; J. O. A. M .; and the R. A. From his boyhood Mr. Pugsley has been a stanch supporter of Republican principles, and has been honored by his party with
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various positions of public trust. He is a committeeman from Randolph township, is a member of the township school board and is president of the board of health. In all of these positions he has shown that he is possessed of executive ability of an unusually high order. He has studied the lessons of actual life and arrives at his conclusions after mature deliberation. Such men, whether in office or out, are the natural leaders of the party with which they are identified, especially in that movement toward higher politics which is common to all public parties, and which constitutes the most hopeful political sign of the period.
JAMES GARFIELD ESTLER
A substantial and energetic business man, James Garfield Estler is a member of the Estler, Cole Hardware Company, prominent hardware mer- chants at Boonton, New Jersey. A native of Morris county, Mr. Estler was born at Powerville, New Jersey, October 19, 1880, son of James A. and Augusta (Cook) Estler, the latter of whom died in 1896 and the former of whom is now living at Powerville, New Jersey. The father was born and raised in this State and he was engaged in agricultural pursuits during the entire period of his active career. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. James A. Estler as follows : John, George, Elmer, Frank, Edward, Lottie, Arthur, Mabel, James G., Lena. Of the foregoing Mabel is deceased and Lottie is the wife of Edward P. Looker.
Mr. Estler, of this notice, passed his boyhood and youth on his father's farm near Powerville, and availed himself of the advantages offered in the neighboring district schools. He completed a commercial course in the Dover Business College and then entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the trade of plumber. He was engaged in the plumbing business for a period of nine years, most of his work in that connection having been done at Boonton. In 1906 he established his home at Boonton. Shortly after his arrival in this city Mr. Estler formed a partnership alliance with Mr. Edward Cole, a brother-in-law, and they opened a hardware store under the name of Estler, Cole Hardware Company. With the passage of time the stock of this establishment has been increased and now everything in the nature of hardware is carried. A large patronage is controlled in Boonton and in the territory normally adjacent to this city. While Mr. Estler is not an active participant in public affairs in his home community he gives a staunch sup- port to the principles and policies promulgated by the Republican party and is an enthusiastic supporter of every measure introduced for the good of the public welfare. He is a member of the Maxfield Hook & Ladder Com- pany, and he is affiliated with the R. A. and with the G. F.
November 6, 1905, Mr. Estler married Sarah Margaret Cole, whose birth occurred in Morris county, New Jersey, daughter of George Cole, a prominent citizen of Parsippany. Mr. and Mrs. Estler have two children : Margaret and James. In their religious faith the Estlers are devout Presby' terians. Mr. Estler is known to be strictly reliable in all his business deal- ings and in every connection he is upright and sincere. His genial disposi- tion makes him a good companion and his friends are numbered by the score.
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