USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume II > Part 24
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FRANK N. BANTA
In view of the nomadic spirit which dominates the American public and causes its citizens to wander restlessly about from one place to another, it is most gratifying to come in contact with a man who has passed practically
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his entire life in the county of his birth. Frank N. Banta, who has been most successfully engaged in the grocery and meat business in Boonton, New Jersey, since 1890, was born at Montville, Morris county, this State, the date of his nativity being February 20, 1869. He is a son of Henry W. and Susan G. (Martin) Banta, both of whom were born and reared in New Jersey and both of whom are now deceased. The father was a farmer by occupation and was recognized as a highly responsible citizen in his home community. He and his wife had issue as follows: Anna M., deceased ; Hattie E., wife of Phineas Tredway, of Pasadena, California; Frank N., of this sketch ; Rhoda M., wife of James W. Smith.
After the completion of a common school education, Frank N. Banta began to clerk in a grocery store and in 1890 he located at Boonton and here, in partnership with Albert Husk, opened a general store for the handling of groceries and meats. This establishment is now one of the well stocked and up-to-date stores of Boonton and is known under the firm name of Banta & Husk. Mr. Banta is a valued and appreciative member of the Business Men's Association of this city, and in politics he is an unswerving Republican. He is secretary of the Boonton board of health and for the past two years has given most efficient service as coroner of Morris county. He is business- like and on the level in all his dealings and commands the unqualified re- spect of all with whom he comes in contact. He and his family are zealous members of the Dutch Reformed Church. .
October 26, 1892, Mr. Banta was married to Dora E. Vreeland, a native of Boonton, daughter of Silas J. and Emma L. (Jacobus) Vreeland, the former a carpenter by occupation. Mrs. Banta has a sister, Laura B., and a brother, Clayton J. Following are the names of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Banta : Beatrice G., Bertram M., Estella, Emily. The two young- est children are twins and all of them are pupils in the public schools of Boonton. The Banta family occupy a beautiful home in this city and they are noted as good, hospitable entertainers.
JAMES S. CUNNINGHAM
The iron foundries owned and managed by the firm of Cunningham Brothers represent an important place in the business world of Boonton. This concern has been doing business here for the past ten years and the industry is located in the old Lord Estate Foundry, which was built in 1850. James S. Cunningham, general manager of the business, was born at Boonton, Morris county, New Jersey, September 1, 1868. His parents, Edward and Mary (Colligan) Cunningham, are still living and they are spending the closing years of their lives in Boonton, where the former is known as a retired business man. He was a cooper by trade and through hard work and constant application won a fair place for himself in business circles of this county. To him and his wife were born six children, whose names are here entered in respective order of birth: James S. ; Nellie, wife of John J. Hilliery ; Edward; Mary, wife of William J. Lowery; John J .; Catherine, who is at the parental home. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham are both in good health and they are sincerely beloved by their fellow citizens.
At the tender age of eleven years James S. Cunningham left school and began to work. He filled various positions until eighteen years of age when he began to learn the trade of moulder. He has been engaged in foundry work during the long intervening years to the present time and since 1903 has been a member of the firm of Cunningham Brothers, who conduct the iron foundries at Boonton. The firm is comprised of James S. Cunning-
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ham, John J. Cunningham and Charles S. Case, the first-mentioned being general manager of the foundries. A force of thirty-five men are employed and a fine business is controlled.
In 1892 Mr. Cunningham married Alice Guiton, a native of Boonton, daughter of Jeremiah and Mary (Kelly) Guiton. Mr. Guiton was for many years engaged in agricultural pursuits in the vicinity of Boonton, but he and his wife are now both deceased. The Guiton family consists of the follow- ing children : James, Mary, Edward, Dennis, Alice, Margaret, Ellen, Pat- rick, Josephine, John. To Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham have been born. four children : Marie, Dolores, James, Monica. In religious faith the family are devout communicants of the Catholic church. Politically, Mr. Cunning- ham is Independent. He is affiliated with the R. A. and with the S. P. A.
S. E. ESTLER
The spur of ambition is the hope of reward, and honorable ambition is the keynote to success. Without it business would flag, enterprise and energy would stagnate, and advancement would be slow; with it the world moves on to better things, to greater achievements and to more enduring successes. It is this same ambition which has made S. E. Estler one of the leading business men of Morris county, New Jersey, where his finely equip- ped drug store in Butler has won renown in a wide circle.
James A. Estler, his father, was born near Boonton, New Jersey, was engaged in trucking, and still lives on the homestead. He married Augusta Cook, now deceased, of Denville, Morris county, and had seven sons and three daughters.
S. E. Estler was born near Boonton, Morris county, New Jersey, Octo- ber 24, 1870. From his earliest years he was of a studious and inquiring mind, and his attendance at the country schools was crowned with success for him and satisfaction to his teachers. Upon the completion of his education he commenced to assist his father actively in the conduct and management of the home farm, and was engaged in this occupation until he was twenty years of age. He then came to Butler, and was part owner in a store for six years, in partnership with Allen Looker Jr., under the firm name of Looker & Estler. In 1896 he returned to Boonton for a time, then went to New York, where he became a student at the College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated in the class of 1901. He became senior clerk in the drug store of John Brown, in Boonton, and in 1905 purchased his present place of business from James Macue, and since that time has carried it on independently. His stock is a most comprehensive and extensive one, in- cluding, in addition to a full line of drugs and toilet articles, a number of lines of fancy articles, which are now included in the line of druggists' sundries. He is a Republican, and a member and director in the board of freeholders, and has been an official of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years. He is a member of the Silentia Lodge, No. 168, F. and A. M .; Boonton Chapter, No. 21, R. A. M .; Cypress Commandery, No. 67, K. T., of Middletown, New York; Salaam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; the Eastern Star Lodge; the local lodge of the I. O. O. F., and the Rebekah Lodge of that order ; and the B. P. O. E. Mr. Estler married Ella Oliver, of Boonton.
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HARRY S. GOULD
A resident of Butler, Morris county, New Jersey, Harry S. Gould is recognized as one of the most able business men of the county, where he is the owner of a large grain, feed and flour business, located near the railway tracks for convenience in the transportation of his large shipments. He is a son of John Gould, born in Morris county, and living near Butler, where he is engaged in farming. He married Fannie Milner, and has had two children : John B., in the wholesale lumber business in Butler, and Harry S.
Harry S. Gould was born in Morris county, New Jersey, in 1882. He acquired a sound, practical education in the public schools of his native county, and for many years was engaged in the lumber business, both retail and wholesale, abandoning it in June, 1909, when he engaged in his present line of business. He has three men constantly in his employ, and upon occasions when he is more than ordinarily busy, is obliged to hire extra assistance. He is a Republican in politics, but has never sought to hold public office. Mr. Gould married May B. Kayhart, of Rockaway, and they have one child, Sarah Frances.
GEORGE S. LAWRENCE
George S. Lawrence, treasurer of the Lawrence Hardware Company, of Butler, Morris county, New Jersey, is one of the representative busi- ness men of the town, and has been largely in evidence in furthering many projects which have been for the general benefit.
Jacob Lawrence, his father, was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, spent some years in Newark, New Jersey, and in Brooklyn, New York, but the greater part of his life was spent in Sussex county. He was also in the hardware business, and died at the age of eighty-two years. He married Anna B. Snyder, also deceased, and they had children: F. W., of Sussex ; George S., whose name heads this sketch ; H. R., of Sussex.
George S. Lawrence was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, in 1867, and acquired his education in the public schools of that county. Upon the completion of his education he commenced working in the store owned and conducted by his father, and in this manner obtained a practical and thor- ough knowledge of all that pertains to the hardware trade. Mr. Lawrence, his eldest brother and his father, formed a partnership in 1890, and this was continued until 1900. In the last mentioned year the Lawrence Hardware Company was organized. This is located on Main street, Butler, and at the present time the officers of the company are as follows. F. W. Law- rence, president ; S. F. Quince, vice-president ; F. B. Whittle, secretary ; and George S. Lawrence, treasurer. They have three stores, one being in Butler, Morris county ; another in Pompton, New Jersey ; and a third in Sussex. Among their varied assortment of stock may be found harness, builders' supplies, plumbing and heating supplies, electrical supplies, etc. It is the largest concern of its kind in Butler, and has a patronage from all the surrounding country. Mr. Lawrence gives his political support to the Re- publican party, and is now a member of the common council, serving his second term ; he is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. He resides in Butler and married Catherine De Puyt, of that town ; has one child, Dorothy, by a previous marriage.
M. W. Corwin
Mrs. Phebe Corwin
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MARCUS WHEELER CORWIN
One of the fine country homes of Morris county, New Jersey, which for many years has given a distinctive character of prosperity and well ordered enterprise to the country life of this section is the old Jesse Dell farm of 153 acres near Kenvil, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Marcus Wheeler Corwin. For many years both the Dell and Corwin families have been prominent in this section of New Jersey, and have borne honored names both as substantial farmers and good citizens.
The Dell family is of English extraction. Thomas Dell, grandfather of Phebe J. (Dell) Corwin, was born in Morris county, New Jersey, 1759. He followed the occupations of surveying and farming, and was one of the most honored men in the community. He married Mary Berry, who lived together for more than sixty-two years, she passing away December 31, 1848, and he February 25, 1850, aged ninety years. Among their children was Thomas, of whom further.
Thomas Dell Jr. pursued the occupation of farming throughout the active years of his life, was one of the leading citizens of the neighborhood, served as constable for a number of years, also as justice of the peace. He married Maria Francisco, a descendant of a French ancestry, whose father was a miller by occupation. Children of Thomas and Maria Dell: Louis B., of California, deceased ; Clarissa, wife of William Baker; Harriet, wife of Mahlon Dickerson; Anna, wife of Asbury Searing; Silas, of Succasunna, New Jersey ; Maria, wife of Henry Bottome; Amos Vale; John Elmer ; William Harrison, of Jersey City, New Jersey; Henrietta, wife of Nicholas Blowers; Phebe J., of whom further ; Alfred ; Mahlon ; all of these children are deceased with the exception of four: Silas, William Harrison, Henri- etta, Phebe J.
Phebe J. Dell married, January 13, 1902, Marcus Wheeler Corwin, born in Morris county, New Jersey, 1853, a descendant of an English ancestry. His great-great-grandfather emigrated to this country from England and settled on Long Island, New York. His son, William Corwin, was a car- penter and builder, erected the first church edifice in Chester, New Jersey, where he resided ; he was the owner of considerable land in and in the vicinity of Chester, also in Succasunna Plains. His son, Goldsmith Corwin, was born at Chester, New Jersey, married and among his children was William, a native of Chester, New Jersey, engaged in agricultural pursuits, was also an expert veterinary surgeon, practicing the same for a number of years. He assisted in the work of widening the Morris canal and in building the Chester branch of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad. He was a Republican in politics, and the family were attendants of the Presbyterian church. He married Hannah Doremus, daughter of a merchant at Mont- clair, New Jersey, there being five other children in the family as follows : Philip, Edmund, Joseph Owen, Marcus, Emma. Children of William and Hannah Corwin: Mary, widow of Albert Marsh; Marcus Wheeler, of whom further ; Philip.
Marus Wheeler Corwin received a common schools education. He re- sided on the farm with his father until he was twenty-five years of age, then went out west, where he spent a number of years, serving for several years as superintendent of an immense ranch in North Dakota, comprising five thousand acres. He also for a time conducted a farm on his own account. Returning to Morris county, New Jersey, for a visit, he found his father very ill and remained at home. He is now one of the well known citizens and prosperous farmers of his section of the State, conducting a
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successful business as a general farmer, stock dealer, and he also handles considerable real estate. In politics he is an independent voter. Mr. and Mrs. Corwin are members of the Presbyterian church, he acting in the ca- pacity of trustee, and she for the past twenty-five years taking an active interest in the missionary society. Mr. and Mrs. Corwin were associated with the Sunday school of the Presbyterian church and Christian Endeavor Society for more than twenty years, Mrs. Corwin being the teacher of a class of nine young ladies for several years. Mr. Corwin is also one of the trustees of the Friends' Meeting House at Dover. They reside on the old Jesse Dell farm, which is owned by Mrs. Corwin.
ALLEN LOOKER
Numbered among the successful business men of Butler is Allen Looker, proprietor of a drug store, the oldest druggist, in point of years of service, in that city, who by strict integrity, straightforward dealing and thorough knowledge of his business has gained the entire confidence of the public, these being the salient features in his success.
Allen Looker Sr. was a native of New Jersey, his death occurring in Boonton at the age of seventy-three years. He was a teamster during the early part of his active career, and later boated coal on the Morris canal. He took an interest in community affairs, and was esteemed by his neigh- bors and friends. He married Levina Solomon, a native of Mt. Olive, New Jersey, who bore him five children, four sons and one daughter, among whom was Allen, of whom further.
Allen Looker Jr. was born in Boonton, New Jersey, September 22, 1868. He attended the schools adjacent to his home, and his first occupation was that of driving mules on the Morris canal, assisting his father, remaining thus employed for five years. For the short period of six weeks he was an employee in Booth's Knife Factory in Boonton, after which he accepted a position as clerk in a silk mill, in which capacity he served for two years, and then entered the employ of Mr. Norris, who was engaged in the drug business in Boonton, with whom he remained for five years, during which time he familiarized himself with the business, gaining a thorough knowl- edge of every detail, and about the year 1884 he engaged in business on his own account, associating himself with Mr. Norris, of Boonton, and in 1890 he came to Butler, selecting a store on Main street, his present location, where he carries a full line of reliable drugs, toilet articles, perfumery, etc., his patron- age increasing year by year as a result of his progressiveness and earnest de- sire to please his customers in every way possible. He is a member of the Pres- byterian church of Boonton; member of Silentia Lodge, No. 168, F. and A. M. of Butler, of which he is past master ; Boonton Chapter, No. 21, R. A. M .; and staunchly upholds the principles of the Democratic party. For three years he served as a member of the board of freeholders, was a mem- ber of the board of health, and acted as first assistant fire deputy. He is active and alert in advancing the interests of the town in which he resides, and ranks among the substantial and influential citizens, being highly re- garded for his many estimable qualities.
Mr. Looker married, February 23, 1893, Edna B. Meachem, daughter of Rev. E. Meachem, who served as minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. and Mrs. Looker were the parents of one child, which died in infancy.
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RICHARD H. RICHARDS
As a reward of diligence and well applied energy Richard H. Richards occupies a leading place among the prominent business men of Boonton, where he is proprietor of two up-to-date stores. In addition to caring for his private affairs he has served the public in the capacity of election in- spector, as councilman and as surveyor of highways. His nativity occurred at Fall River, Massachusetts, July 2, 1849, son of James and Eliza Ann (Mansell) Richards, both of whom were born and reared in England, whence they came to America prior to their marriage. The father was an iron worker and for many years was employed in foundries at Fall River, Massachusetts. He removed, with his family, to Boonton in 1852, and here continued to reside until his demise in 1900 at the venerable age of seventy- seven years. His cherished and devoted wife passed away in 1890, aged sixty years. To them were born the following children : Richard H., whose name initiates this article; Mary Elizabeth, who was the wife of Nathaniel Wilderman at the time of her death; Eliza Ann, wife of Mahlon Eyler ; William, deceased; John W .; Frank M .; three of the foregoing live in Boonton.
Richard H. Richards was three years of age at the time of his parents' removal to Boonton and here he completed a meagre education. At a very tender age he began to work in a nail mill and subsequently he was employed in the Boonton Rolling Mill. In his eighteenth year he started to clerk in a general store and was occupied in this manner for a short time. He then took a short course in a business college at Paterson and in 1870 located at Paterson, New Jersey, there opening a grocery store. He remained in Paterson for the ensuing four years and at the expiration of that time re- turned to Boonton and here, on May 4, 1874, opened a general merchan- dise store. As time passed he increased his business and in 1887 he opened a second store in Boonton, the latter dealing exclusively in dry goods, boots and shoes. Mr. Richards manages the general store and his wife, who is a decidedly capable business woman, has charge of the dry goods store. Both establishments carry a high-class of goods and cater to a very select patronage.
Mr. Richards' marriage to Jane F. McArthur was celebrated September I, 1873. She was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, daughter of Collin and Jeanette (Urquhart) McArthur, both of whom passed thir entire lives in Scotland. Mr. McArthur was clerk for steamboats between Liverpool and Glasgow and he is now deceased. He and his wife had four children: John, Jane F., Duncan, William, one of whom came to the United States. Two children came to bless the union of Mr. and Mrs. Richards: John Franklin, who died at the age of five years; William, who married Maude Elizabeth Lytle, and they have three children : Collin Livingston, Dorothy Silverthorn, Lewis Ramsey.
In his political convictions Mr. Richards is a loyal adherent of the prin- ciples put forward by the Republican party. He has been inspector of elections, served on the common council of Boonton for several years and has also been the popular and efficient incumbent of the office of surveyor of highways. In the time-honored Masonic order he is a member of Arcana Lodge, No. 60, F. and A. M .; and he is likewise affiliated with the Boonton lodges of the I. O. O. F. and the J. O. U. A. M. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Presbyterian church and their exemplary lives and kindly dis- positions have greatly endeared them to the citizens of Boonton.
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SAMUEL G. WILLITS
For a number of years Samuel G. Willits has been the popular and effi- cient incumbent of the office of borough clerk of Madison, New Jersey. He was born in Manchester, Ocean county, New Jersey, July 17, 1865, son of Hiram and Mary J. (Reed) Willits, the former a native of northern New York and the latter of Green Village, New Jersey. Both parents are de- ceased. The father was a school teacher for many years during the early period of his life and subsequently became a bookkeeper. He was a staunch Methodist in his religious faith. He and his wife are both buried in the Madison Cemetery.
An only child, Samuel G. Willits grew up in Madison and there received a thorough public school education, which he later supplemented with a course of study in Coleman's Business College, at Newark. He initiated his active career as a clerk in a general store at Madison, and later went to New York City and for the ensuing three years was in the employ of the Lawyers' Title Insurance Company. Returning to Madison in 1892, he be- came bookkeeper for the firm of Green & Pierson, coal and lumber dealers, and remained with them for fourteen years. In 1906 he was honored by Mayor Calvin Anderson with appointment to the office of clerk of the bor- ough of Madison, and he has since served in that capacity with honor and distinction. Diligence and thoroughness characterize his work and makes him an ideal clerk. He is a stalwart Republican in his political affiliations, and is a member of the local lodge of the I. O. O. F. His religious faith is in harmony with the tenets of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is a steward.
The year 1891 marks the marriage of Mr. Willits to Fannie H. Searing, born and reared in Madison, daughter of Alfred W. and Mary Elizabeth (Baird) Searing, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Searing was a car - penter and builder by occupation, and he and his wife were devout Metho- dists. They had four children : Fannie H .; Laura E., wife of Samuel A. Corey ; George A. and Arthur D. Mr. and Mrs. Willits have three children : Seymour R., Gladys M., Ethel D., all at home with their parents.
DORASTUS L. BRYANT
Mr. Bryant is a retired business man at Landing on Lake Hopatcong, and was one of the leading business men of Morris county, New Jersey. He is a native of the county and a descendant of ancestors long resident there.
Dorastus L. Bryant was born April 1, 1840, at Succasunna, New Jersey. on premises which he now owns where one of his sons lives and operates an apple distillery. His father, Samuel C. Bryant, was born in 1808 at Ironia, on the original Bryant tract, now owned by his son, and occupied by his grandson as aforementioned. He was reared a farmer and was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits until near middle life, when he turned his attention to merchandising, farming and distilling at Succasunna, continu- ing the same successfully until his death, that event occurring in 1866. He was a son of Elias Bryant, who was also born on the homestead farm, and whose father was one of the original settlers and a large property owner. Samuel C. Bryant married Phebe A. Garrison, daughter of L. B. Garrison, and two children were the fruit of their union-Dorastus L. and Alonzo- the latter deceased.
Dorastus L. Bryant grew up in the business established by his father, receiving his education in that and the country schools, and at his father's
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death succeeded to the business, which he continued until about 1880. About 1870, at the height of the iron-mining boom, he discovered and operated the iron range between Ironia and Chester, in connection with the Bryant mines at Succasunna, and in 1873 he formed a partnership with Edmund Canfield in the store and lumber business at Ironia, that continued for three years. About twenty-three years ago he became associated in the construction of the Westmoreland Hotel, where he resided until about two years ago when he took up his residence in his cottage adjoining the hotel. Mr. Bryant is one of those men who seem to be able to take the right step at the right time, and succeeds where others fail. Politically Mr. Bryant is a Democrat, as well as his father, and both have filled numerous places of trust and responsibility in the township.
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