USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume II > Part 25
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Mr. Bryant married, in 1866, Caroline B. Snelling, and they have the following children : Elizabeth M., wife of M. B. Carrel; Augustus S., mar- ried Alice Coates and is the proprietor of the Westmoreland Hotel at Land- ing; Anna P., wife of H. H. Jowitt ; Dora L., wife of Dolph De Hanne ; Robert B., deceased, was a dentist; J. Frederick C., in charge of farm at Ironia ; Irving G., who operates the cider mill and distillery at Succasunna.
ALFRED GILLAND
Among the most loyal of the citizens of Morris county, New Jersey, are many who are numbered among her native sons. From childhood they have been interested in her welfare, and in later life have devoted their best years to promoting her progress and advancement. To this class belongs Alfred Gilland, whose interest in his city, county and State is deep and sincere, and springs from a true desire to further her growth and im- provement. As a lifelong resident of Pompton Plains, he has materially enlarged her prosperity as a business man, and has increased her prestige by his devotion to the duties of the numerous official positions he has filled.
Alexander Gilland, his grandfather, was born in Chenango county, New York, and died in the same county in 1883. He was a prosperous farmer. He married Rachel Oliver, who died in 1893. They had children: Eliza, married Samuel Miller, of Elmira, New York; James, whose son James served in the Union army during the Civil War and died in Libby Prison; Alexander, of further mention; Ann, married Peter Hennion, of Newark, New Jersey ; Margaret, married John B. Taylor, of Jersey City, New Jersey. Alexander (2) Gilland, son of Alexander (I) and Rachel (Oliver) Gil- land, was born in Chenango county, New York, October 18, 1838, died in 1900. He commenced earning his own living at the age of nine years, re- ceiving four dollars a month for such services as his strength would permit him to perform on the farm. In the course of time he secured a position with the firm of Root & Shafer, dealers in tinware in Newburgh, New York, receiving twenty-six dollars a month and his expenses as a traveling sales- man. The value of the services he rendered found appreciation which was shown in increased salary for a period of four years. He was just nine- teen years of age when he removed to Pompton Plains, Morris county, New Jersey, served as a clerk for David M. Berry for about one and a half years, then returned to agricultural pursuits. After his marriage he managed the farm of his father-in-law, and resided on it six years. He bought the Martin J. Berry hotel at Pompton Plains in 1864, and conducted the same personally and successfully until his death. Mr. Gilland married, November 28, 1858, Clarissa, daughter of Michael H. and Mary ( Winters) Demott, and they had children: Charles H., died young; Alfred, whose
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name heads this sketch ; Annie I., married Seymour Smith, of Millport, New York; Susie M., married F. L. Lewi, of Newark; John W., whose sketch follows; Cora May, married Joseph F. McLean, of Butler; Harry Alex- ander; Florence Adele.
Alfred Gilland, son of Alexander (2) and Clarissa (Demott) Gilland, was born in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, in 1863. He acquired his educa- tion in the public schools of his native town, and after gaining the necessary experience to carry on a mercantile business of importance, purchased a store which dealt in general merchandise, and improved it in so many lines that it is now the largest and most enterprising store in the town. Mr. Gilland has been at the head of this undertaking without interruption for a period of twenty-seven years. At the same time his brother, Harry Alex- ander, has carried on the hotel business since the death of the father. Mr. Gilland has taken a prominent part in the public affairs of the community, and has filled a number of public offices with great benefit to the town. He has held the office of postmaster for the past twenty-six years; was collector of the township five years; assessor six years; president of the school board five years, serving on the board twenty years. He is a member of Emmanuel Lodge, No. 200, I. O. O. F .; also of the F. and A. M., and the J. O. U. A. M. He is also a member of the D. of L. Mr. Gilland married Hester Mandeville, and has two children: Clara and Ruth.
JOHN W. GILLAND
A resident of Pompton Plains, Morris county, New Jersey, and a con- spicuous figure in the financial and industrial affairs of the county, it might with propriety be said that John W. Gilland is also identified with its com- mercial interests; he has been closely associated with the agricultural and coal interests of Morris county, and has owned and cultivated a large farm here for many years.
John W. Gilland was born in Pompton Plains, February 25, 1870. He acquired his elementary education in the public schools, then attended a business college in Newark, and completed his education in the New Bruns- wick Preparatory College. Becoming associated with his father in the con- duct of the hotel business, he was thus occupied until the death of his father, and has since that time been identified with extensive farming and coal operations. He is the largest land owner in that section of the county, having a farm of 300 acres, on which he raises annually 150 tons of hay, 1500 bushels of corn, and other grain in proportion. He is also the owner of a coal business, the only one in the town of this kind. His hay is stored in a yard on the Erie Railway, and he has a depot on the canal for the stor- age of his coal. He is Republican in political matters, and a member of the Reformed church. His fraternal affiliations are with the I. O. O. F., the F. and A. M., in which he has attained the thirty-second degree, and various other organizations. Mr. Gilland married Jennie De Bow, and has children : J. Wisewell, Alfred McLean, W. Colfax.
GARRISON M. BOWLBY
Wonderful initiative and the ability to make the most of opportunities offered are the characteristics that stand out with prominence in the career of Garrison M. Bowlby. In 1897 he conceived the idea of plotting out his farm, which lay adjacent to the city of Dover, into suburban lots, calling the new addition Bowlbyville. This section is now inhabited by over 500
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people and is one of the most attractive residential quarters of Morris county. In addition to his real estate interests Mr. Bowlby has promoted various other business projects and it is interesting to note that all of his surplus cash has been invested in the improvement of Bowlbyville. A native of Hunterdon county, New Jersey, Mr. Bowlby was born at Norton, the date of his birth being June 2, 1853. He is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Millroy) Bowlby, the former of whom was a prominent farmer in Hun- terdon county during his lifetime. Joseph Bowlby owned two well im- proved farms-one in the vicinity of Norton and the other near Asbury, New Jersey. He and his wife became the parents of fifteen children, of whom the subject of this review was the thirteenth in order of birth.
Garrison M. Bowlby lived on the farm at Norton during the first two years of his life and then was taken by his parents to Asbury, where he was reared to maturity. He early began to assist his father in the work and management of the home farm and in the winter months attended the neighboring district schools. In 1884, at the age of twenty-one years, he began to work as a clerk in the store of J. A. Lyons, at Dover, remaining with that concern for a period of four years, then one year with Mr. Baker, having formerly opened a merchandise store for himself at Wash- ington, New Jersey, which he conducted for two years. He was engaged in business as a merchant for two years but as his health began to fail he felt forced to change his occupation to outside work. Accordingly he disposed of two pieces of property that he had acquired in Dover for a farm of one hundred and one acres, located half a mile distant from the business sec- tion of that city, the same lying in the townships of Randolph, Rockaway, and Dover borough. He then proceeded to lay this farm out into streets, blocks and building lots and called it the suburb of Bowlbyville. He met with success from the beginning and he now holds a reputation for having sold more lots than any other man in Dover. Bowlbyville now has a popu- lation of over 500 people and it boasts fully 100 school children. So great was the demand for his lots that in one week Mr. Bowlby disposed of property worth over $10,000. He still owns 400 lots in this section and he also has a lake, covering twenty acres of ground, on the banks of which he has erected an ice house. This property was boomed greatly by the loca- tion of the stove works in Dover and it has the convenience of gas and city water. Many fine buildings have been erected in Bowlbyville and residences are now under construction for the accommodation of nine families.
Needless to say Mr. Bowlby is himself a resident of this suburb and his beautiful home is one of the show places of the district. In politics he is a loyal and public-spirited Republican. He served for fifteen years as a mem- ber of the Randolph township board of education and for three years was president of that board. Every matter projected for the improvement of the general welfare of his home city meets with his heartiest support. He is a power in the business world of Dover and inasmuch as his success is the result of his own ingenuity and energy it is the more worthy of admiration.
September 28, 1880, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bowlby, to Anna Sampson, daughter of Roswell Sampson, who was for many years a teacher at Denville, New Jersey. Mrs. Bowlby is a granddaughter of Stephen Cooper, an old resident of Morris county. She was educated by her father and was graduated in the Morristown High School. Mr. and Mrs. Bowlby have one son, Russell S. He attended the public and high schools of Dover and in 1912 was graduated in the University of New York. During the past three years he has been principal of the schools at German Valley. He married Carrie Skinner, daughter of Albert Skinner, a
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resident of Dover. Mr. Skinner is a teacher by profession and he has served with honor as principal of the schools of Hackettstown, Chester and other New Jersey cities. Mr. and Mrs. Russell S. Bowlby have one daughter, Carrie, aged six years.
ANDREW J. SLINGERLAND
One of the progressive and representative farmers of Pompton Plains, Morris county, New Jersey, is Andrew J. Slingerland, whose family came to America prior to the Revolution. The first of the Slingerlands, Nicholas, to make his home in New Jersey, is said to have come from up the North river. He became connected with the Roome family by marrying Catalyntje, a daughter of Peter and Anna (Berry) Roome, the Roomes being another old family.
His son, Samuel, was born at Pompton Plains, was a farmer, married and had a family among whom was: Jacob, father of Andrew J. Slinger- land, born in Pompton Plains, New Jersey, was a farmer and also a car- penter by occupation. He died on the family homestead when about seventy years of age. He married Aletha Berry and had children: Eliza- beth ; Emily, deceased; Andrew J., whose name heads this sketch; Ellen, married C. M. Meade; Jacob A., who owns and cultivates a farm in Pompton Plains, married Emma S. Bond, and has one child, Lillie M .; Marietta ; Samuel, deceased, married Mary Martin and had two children.
Andrew J. Slingerland was born in Pompton Plains, Morris county, New Jersey, 1840, on the Slingerland homestead. He acquired a substantial edu- cation in the public schools of his district, and then for a time assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm. Subsequently he went to Rye, Westchester county, New York, and spent three years, then returning to his home. His next removal was to Newark, New Jersey, where he was en- gaged in the grocery business for a time. During the Civil War he was a member of the Pioneer Corps of the United States army, and was engaged in construction work, building of bridges, etc. He spent one winter on Missionary Ridge, then returned to his home. There he purchased the farm of more than 100 acres on which he is located at the present time, and in the cultivation of which he has been very successful. It was formerly known as the old Major-Colonel Mendaville Home. In political matters he is a Republican, and has held office as treasurer of the township, and has also been a member of the county committee. His religious connection is with the Reformed church.
Mr. Slingerland married Sarah Jacobus, of Cedar Grove, Essex county, New Jersey, who died February 12, 1904, and they had children: Child, died in infancy ; Carrie E., married John C. Austen, of Brooklyn, New York, and has five children; Aletha B., and Emily A., living with their father. Mr. Slingerland is a loyal and disinterested citizen who gives his support to all measures for the public good. He has the warm regard of all with whom he comes in contact by reason of his honorable, upright life, and his consideration for the rights of others.
DR. CHARLES D. VAN ROMONDT
In proportion to the number of its inhabitants, Pompton Plains, Morris county, New Jersey, has a long list of medical practitioners, the oldest one in continued practice being Dr. Charles D. Van Romondt, whose reputa- tion is wide-spread. He has been a leader in all plans which tended toward
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the elevation of the community with which he has been connected for so many years.
Professor Charles R. Van Romondt, his father, was born on the Island of St. Martin, in the West Indies, of which his father was at the time gov- ernor, representing the Netherlands. Professor Van Romondt came to this country when he was a very young man in order to complete his education, and was graduated from Rutgers College, New Brunswick, New Jersey, and the Seminary under the charge of the Reformed church. For a period of eleven years he was professor of modern languages at Rutgers College, New Brunswick, New Jersey, and after some years in the ministry of the Reformed church, he then was appointed librarian in the war department of Washington. He returned to his native island, where he died at the age of seventy-four years. He married Anna M., daughter of Dr. Skillman, of New Brunswick, and had children : Charles D .; Harry T., deceased.
Dr. Charles D. Van Romondt was born in New Brunswick, Middlesex county, New Jersey, 1849. He received his preparatory education in vari- ous schools in New Brunswick, and then matriculated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University. New York City, and was graduated from this institution in the class of 1872. Rutgers conferred the honorary degree of A. B. For a time he was engaged in medical prac- tice in New Brunswick in association with Dr. Baldwin, then a short time was spent in similar practice in the city of New York, after which he de- cided upon Pompton Plains for the scene of his future activities. He located there about 1878, and has been in continuous practice since that time. During this time he has not alone gained a large practice and won the con- fidence of his numerous patients, but he has been called upon to fill numer- ous official positions. His political support has always been given to the Re- publican party, and he has served as health inspector of the township, and as medical inspector of the township schools. He has also been medical exam- iner for the New York Life Insurance Company, the Colonial Insurance Company of Jersey City, the Masonic Insurance Company of Buffalo, the J. O. U. A. M., and the order of F. and A. M. He and his family are members of the Reformed church.
Dr. Van Romondt married Anna F. Doremus, daughter of Jacob Dore- mus, of Jacksonville, and a descendant of one of the old families of that section of the State. They have one daughter: Annie, who married Ben- jamin F. Budd, and has children: James, Anetia, Margaret, Romondt. While Dr. Van Romondt has been decidedly successful in his medical prac- tice, he has never ceased to be a student, and has kept himself constantly in- formed of all discoveries and improvements in his profession. His reten- tive memory of incidents and achievements is the wonder of his colleagues, and his wide experience of men and events makes his companionship a de- light to all who are privileged to be with him.
GEORGE W. STICKLE
The founder of the Stickle family in America was Peter Stickle, whose birth occurred in Germany, where he was reared and educated and whence he immigrated to this country in the year 1760. He first settled in New York and there met and married Elizabeth Parliman, who bore him eight children as follows: George, Peter Jr., Edward, James, Jacob, John, Anna, Elizabeth. After a brief sojourn in New York, Mr. and Mrs. Stickle es- tablished their home in Morris county, New Jersey, where respresentatives of the name have lived and prospered to the present time, 1913.
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George Stickle, eldest child of Peter and Elizabeth (Parliman) Stickle, was born in Pequannock township, Morris county, New Jersey, August 3, 1763. He was a farmer by occupation, and assumed an active part in the public affairs of Rockaway valley. In 1782 was solemnized his mar- riage to Sarah Beaman, a daughter of David and Mary Beaman. They had the following children: Hubbard S., George Jr., David, Peter, Parli- man, Beaman, Maria and Washington (twins), Adams, Mahlon, Chilion, Sarah, and two sons who died in infancy.
Hubbard Stansbury Stickle, first born of the above children, was a native of Rockaway, New Jersey, where his birth occurred September 4, 1783, the day following that of the acknowledgment of American independence. He used to say that he was the first free man born in New Jersey. He spent his entire life in Morris county and prior to his death was con- sidered one of the most influential men in this section. At the age of twenty-five years he became foreman of an iron forge at Denmark and sub- sequently removed thence to Stony Brook, in which latter place he erected a forge and school house and also organized a religious society, which he supplied with regular preachers from different points. He enlisted as a soldier in the War of 1812 but was not called upon for active service. Eventually returning to Rockaway, he here engaged in the general mer- cantile business as head of the firm of Stickle & Rutan, on the site later occupied by the firm of B. K. Stickle & G. W. Stickle, his grandsons. This enterprise he sold out to Barnabas King Stickle, his son, and then located on a farm near Denville, afterward known as the Peter Freeman farm. From the latter estate he removed to the old Francis McCarty homestead on the Hibernian road, there passing a number of years, finally returning to Rockaway where he died June 18, 1881, at the patriarchal age of ninety- seven years, nine months and fourteen days.
In his political allegiance Mr. Stickle was a stalwart supporter of Re- publican principles. He was elected to numerous public offices in his home community and served with honor and distinction in all of them. He was a fervent member of the Presbyterian church for over seventy years and at the close of his life was the oldest inhabitant of his locality, retaining good health up to the very last and managing his business affairs personally until death called him. He was always prominently connected with the business projects of Morris county and accumulated a competency. Hon- orable and reliable in all his dealings, he won the high regard of his fellow- men, who loved him for his generous and genial disposition.
About the year 1808 Mr. Stickle was united in marriage to Sarah Mc- Carty, daughter of Francis and Charity McCarty, of Rockaway. This union was prolific of six children, whose names and respective dates of birth are here entered: Francis, born November 12, 1808; George Parliman, August 5, 1812; Edward Allen, October 7, 1815; Barnabas King, October 12, 1817; John McDonald, May 7, 1820; Harriet Newell, August 24, 1823. The mother of the foregoing children died April 12, 1854. On January 4, 1863, Mr. Stickle married Mrs. Jane McGrath, widow of Isaiah W. McGrath.
Barnabas King Stickle, fourth in order of birth of the children of Hub- bard S. and Sarah (McCarty) Stickle, was born October 12, 1817, died October 7, 1875, aged fifty-nine years. He grew up in Morris county and after reaching man's estate was for a time engaged in the general mer- chandise business at Rockaway. He also conducted a lumber yard, was a heavy real estate dealer and for many years prior to his death was an iron manufacturer. He was a shrewd business man and a public-spirited citizen. Union Hall Association of Rockaway was incorporated in March, 1869, by
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Barnabas King Stickle, J. Mills Mattox, Stephen B. Hooper, John B. Lans- bury, Robert Richards, Samuel Tippet, Jacob P. Stickle, the purpose being to erect a hall for the use of societies, lyceums, public meetings, concerts, etc.
Mr. Stickle married Caroline Tuttle, a native of New Jersey. They had issue: Cornelia A., wife of Benjamin B. Oram; David Edgar, de- ceased ; Laura, married Samuel Klotz; Byron King, for many years a busi- ness partner of George W. Stickle, deceased; Carrie, wife of Dr. Robert A. Reid, of Boston; George W., of this notice. Mr. and Mrs. Stickle are both buried in the cemetery at Rockaway.
George W. Stickle, youngest child of Barnabas King and Caroline (Tuttle) Stickle, was born at Rockaway, New Jersey, August 29, 1854. He was educated in the public schools of this village and as a young man became associated with his brother in business. Upon the death of his father in 1875 he associated himself with his brother, Byron K., which partnership continued until the latter's death, March 16, 1912, these brothers having taken over the general mercantile and lumber business which had been established by their father. Byron K. Stickle left two daughters : Helen and Laura May. George W. Stickle now owns lumber yards at Rockaway and deals exten- sively in real estate.
He is a director in the Morris County Savings Bank and is likewise a member of the directorate of the Hanover Fire Insurance Company of New York and of the Morris County Fire Insurance Company. His political convictions coincide with the principles upheld by the Republican party and for two terms he gave efficient service as mayor of Rockaway. Although not a member of the Presbyterian church, he was reared in the faith of that denomination and is one of the trustees of the Rockaway Pres- byterian Church. Mr. Stickle devotes most of his time to his extensive busi- ness affairs but he is deeply and sincerely interested in civic matters and gives a loyal support to all measures projected for the betterment of the general welfare.
DAVID C. BERRY
David C. Berry ranks as one of the foremost citizens of Rockaway, where he conducts a big and enterprising business as a contractor and builder and where he is president of the Rockaway Hardware & Stove Company. He was born at Dover, Morris county, New Jersey, October 11, 1857, son of Stephen C. and Angeline (Westfall) Berry, the former of whom was a native of New Jersey and the latter of whom was born and reared in Pennsylvania. Mr. Berry was a farmer during his active career and was the owner of a finely improved estate of 100 acres, eligibly located, a part in city limits of Dover, Rockaway township. He died in 1910, and his cherished and devoted wife is also deceased ; their remains are interred at Dover. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stephen C. Berry: Augus- tus S .; Mary L .; Sallie H., wife of George E. Mattox; David C., the im- mediate subject of this review ; Edwin H.
To the common schools of his native place, David C. Berry is indebted for his primary educational training, which he has since effectively sup- plemented with extensive reading and by association with men of affairs. After leaving school he began to learn the trade of carriagemaker, engaging in that line of enterprise for a period of four years, at the expiration of which he became an apprentice to learn the trade of carpenter. For the past thirty-five years he has been a resident of Rockaway and here he now conducts a splendid business as contractor and builder, employing a force
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of from four to twelve men constantly. Many of the finest homes and business blocks in this section of the county stand as monuments to his skill as a builder. Since 1899 he has been president of the Rockaway Hardware & Stove Company, a growing business establishment that was incorporated under the laws of New Jersey in 1899, with a capital stock of $10,000. Mr. Berry's success in life is due entirely to his own efforts and for that reason it is the more pleasing to contemplate.
In May, 1888, Mr. Berry married Harriet L. Mott, a daughter of John G. and Caroline (Freeman) Mott, of Rockaway. Mr. Mott is a carpenter by trade but for the past thirty years he has devoted his attention to the duties which devolve upon him as sexton of the Presbyterian church in this city. Mr. and Mrs. Mott became the parents of the two following children : Harriet L., wife of Mr. Berry ; Emma, wife of George W. Ward, of Rock- away. Mr. and Mrs. Berry have three daughters and one son : Angeline M., Helen L., Harriet C., Robert F., all at the paternal home.
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