USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume II > Part 34
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CHARLES W. DENNIS
Charles W. Dennis, one of the progressive and thrifty farmers of Troy Hills, Morris county, New Jersey, who combines other industries with his farming labors, is one of the representative men in this line in the county. His father, A. P. Dennis, was born in Princeton, New Jersey, and was a shoe dealer there until his death, which was occasioned by the kick of a horse, at the age of forty-five years. He married Mary Cole, also now deceased, and they became the parents of thirteen children.
Charles W. Dennis was born in Somerset county, New Jersey, in 1860. He acquired his education in the public schools of his native county, and upon its completion engaged in farming with a cousin until the death of the latter, when he hired out his services by the month until he was twenty-two years of age. At that time he came to Morris county, with whose interests he has since been identified. He purchased the farm on which he is located at the present time, and provided it with necessary and suitable buildings, among them being a fine barn and an ice house. Both of these are equipped in the most complete manner, and he has made many im- provements on the place. He cultivates his land for general farming. He has laid out his land systematically, and his thorough understanding of his business enables him to utilize the land to the best advantage. He raises an excellent quality of vegetables and has no difficulty in finding a good market for his products. For about thirteen years he also conducted a general merchandise store. About six years ago he started a saw mill which he has operated successfully since that time. He prepares all kinds of lumber, making a specialty of hard wood and the materials necessary for wagon building. He is an active worker in the interests of the Republican
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party, and has served as a member of the township committee for the past six years. Mr. Dennis married Margaret, daughter of David Sutphen, of Newark, and they have had children: Harry, Gertrude, Hattie.
EDWARD HALSEY BALL
The original settler of the family in the State was Edward Ball, who with his wife Abigail (Blatchly) Ball, of Branford, Connecticut, removed to Newark, New Jersey, in 1767, where he was an important man of affairs, holding many positions of trust and honor ; in 1683 he was appointed on a committee to settle certain differences between the settlers and the lord proprietors, and was continued on this very important committee while all his associates were changed; in 1693 he received the appointment of high sheriff of the county. The first map of Newark shows his home lot (said to have been six acres) situate between Broad and Washington streets. About 1740 Deacon John Ball, son of Caleb Ball, and grandson of Edward Ball, removed from Newark to Hanover, Morris county, (but at that date all being in Hunterdon county) ; the farm was purchased from the Indians, and when sold by James H. Ball, a great-grandson of Deacon John Ball,, about the year 1870, the first deed was drawn for the property. Deacon John Ball was one of the founders and strong supporters of the Hanover church and his son, Captain Samuel Ball, was also deacon for many years in the church his father helped to build. Captain Samuel Ball served in the first company of minute-men organized in this township and the soldiers stationed at Morristown during the scourge of smallpox were some of them carried to Captain Samuel Ball's barn, where the children would steal away to peer through the cracks as they were forbidden to enter. There were twelve children in this family, Amzi Lewis, the youngest son. whose commission as lieutenant of the One Hundred and Fortieth Regi- ment of Infantry of the State of New York, dated May 1, 1815, is now with other old and valued papers in the possession of his grandson, Edward Halsey Ball, whose name heads this sketch. Anthony D. Ball, father of E. Halsey Ball, was a carpenter and contractor, and died in Montclair, New Jersey, while still a young man. He married Sarah D. Baldwin, a de .- scendant of Revolutionary stock, and whose father, Captain John J. Bald- win, was stationed at Sandy Hook and was a member of the legislature ; she died in Montclair at the age of seventy years. They had four children, of whom three died in early youth.
E. Halsey Ball was born in Montclair, New Jersey, in 1855. He there attended the public schools and the high school. After holding positions of varied responsibility, he filled the office of paymaster for the New York & Ohio Coal Company at Cleveland, Ohio, for about five years, but was obliged to resign by reason of impaired health. He then came to his present location in 1885, purchasing a farm of seventy acres, and has since that time been identified with farming interests. Mr. Ball married Annette C., a daughter of the late Monroe Howell, and the house in which they live at the present time was built in 1788 by a great-great-grandfather of Mrs. Ball, Ebenezer Farrand. It has never been out of the possession of some member of the family since its erection, and Mr. Ball's daughter is the sixth generation in a direct line to live in it. Mrs. Ball is historian of the local chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution. They have one child, Helen, who married William O. Farrand, and they live on an adjoining farm ; they have one daughter, Annette Elizabeth. Mr. Bell is a staunch Republican, and is now serving as collector of the township. Since living
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here, he has also conducted a store, and has been paymaster for an ice company. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and has been an elder in this institution for the past twenty-five years. He has been super- intendent of the Sunday school connected with it for many years. This was started in 1814. The present church building was erected in 1828.
JOHN C. DALRYMPLE
The Dalrymple family, for many years residents of Morris county, New Jersey, where they have been noted for integrity and uprightness, trace their lineage to Scotland, from which country so many of our worthy citizens have sprung, and from whence came the immigrant ancestor of the line here under consideration.
Joseph Dalrymple, the youngest of seven sons of the ancestor above mentioned, was born October 29, 1714, and among his fourteen children was John, born September 10, 1757, a highly respected citizen of Morris county, New Jersey, who married Desiah Pitney. She died in 1819, he died in 1818. They had several children, among whom was John, born Febru- ary 28, 1796, married Nancy, a daughter of John Briant, and among their children was James B., born on the old family homestead in Randolph town- ship, December 11, 1825, died in Dover, aged eighty years. He conducted operations on a well improved farm of 100 acres, and in addition to this began dealing in ice, in 1881, having constructed near his home a pond, which is fed by spring water, and from which he derived a good income. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church at Dover, and was a Republican in politics. He married, February 23, 1859, Mary L. Bailey, of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, born April 11, 1840, daughter of Charles and Mary (Hensley) Bailey, natives of Morris county, New Jersey. Two children : John C. and Ella L.
John C. Dalrymple was born on the family homestead in Randolph town- ship, Morris county, New Jersey, October 11, 1863. He received a common school education, and his active career has been devoted to the cultivation of liis farm, consisting of about eighty acres, located in Randolph town- ship, upon which is a comfortable residence, good barns and other neces- sary out-buildings, and the general appearance of the property indicates the supervision of a master hand. He is also conducting the ice business established by his father, supplying that necessary commodity to the greater number of the hotels of Dover, being the owner of the pond and ice houses, the latter named having a capacity of 3,500 tons, and this enterprise yields him good returns for labor expended. This is spring water ice and has been passed by the board and certified. Mr. Dalrymple is active in community affairs, a consistent member of the First Presbyterian Church at Dover, and is independent in politics, the man best qualified for office receiving his vote at the polls. Mr. Dalrymple is a member of the Natural Ice Associa- tion of America.
Mr. Dalrymple married, December 21, 1887, Jennie L. Hedden, of Newark, New Jersey, born April 17, 1864, daughter of Isaac B. and Mil- licent Hedden, of Newark. Children: James Roy, Robert L., Grace L., Ella M., Frederick E., Florence, Carl E., Gustavus H.
WARREN A. GARDNER
It is a well attested maxim that the greatness of a State lies not in its machinery of government, not even in its institutions, but in the sterling
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qualities of its individual citizens, in their capacity for high and unselfish effort, and in their devotion to the public good. The career of Warren A. Gardner, of Succasunna, although he is comparatively a young man, fairly illustrates what can be accomplished by a man actuated by an honest, manly purpose, and a determination to make the most of his opportunities and ability.
The family is an old and prominent one in Rhode Island, and a number of the earlier members proved their patriotism by enlisting their services in the Revolutionary War. The first ancestor of the line here under con- sideration of whom we have definite information was Samuel Gardner, a resident of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, where he was regarded as a man of integrity and worth. He was the father of several children as follows : Mrs. Dorcas Arnold; Mrs. Hannah Vaughan; Mrs. Weltham Hall; John, married Mary Parkhurst; George S., of whom further.
George S. Gardner, son of Samuel Gardner, was born in East Green- wich, Rhode Island, 1799, died 1863. His entire life was spent in his native town, where he gained the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens by his many excellent traits of character. He married Hannah, daughter of Joseph Hopkins, who bore him three children: John G., deceased, who was a resi- dent of Red Cliff, Colorado ; George A., formerly of Brooklyn, New York, now of Providence, Rhode Island; Warren D .. of whom further.
Warren D. Gardner, son of George S. and Hannah ( Hopkins) Gardner, was born in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, February 14, 1845. He attended the public schools of his birthplace until sixteen years of age. In early life he learned the trade of carpenter, and he also followed the sea to some extent, working on a schooner engaged in the coasting trade, and by diligence and perseverance attained the rank of mate. For a number of years he was a contractor and builder in his native city, later was connected with the American Mill Company, in the capacity of mechanic, and when that firm failed in business he was offered a similar position with the Atlantic Dyna- mite Company, at Kenvil, Morris county, New Jersey, now known as the Hercules Powder Company, where he has remained to the present time, enjoying the full confidence of his employers, who have always estimated him at his true worth.
Inheriting in a marked degree the patriotism of his ancestors, it was not surprising that he should render his service in defense of his country dur- ing the struggle between the north and south. He was a volunteer in Com- pany K, Fourth Rhode Island Infantry, enlisting in September, 1861, and serving for thirteen months, during which time he participated in the bat- tles of Roanoke, Fort Macon, Newberne, receiving an honorable discharge, September 25, 1862. Later he enlisted in the Third Rhode Island Regiment, participated in the Red river expedition and the battle of Pleasant Hill, was stationed at Alexandria, Louisiana, and was mustered out of service, November 29, 1865. He took an active interest in military affairs in his native State; he enlisted in the Kentish Guards, one of the oldest regiments in the United States, was promoted from the rank of sergeant through the various positions of company and regiment until commissioned colonel by Governor Burnside. Mr. Gardner is a Democrat in politics, a Baptist in religion, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the German Valley Encampment.
He married, in January, 1867, Alice L., a native of Rhode Island, daugh- ter of Horace Harrington. Children: 1. Anetta H., wife of State Senator Richard Fitzherbert, of Dover. 2. Warren A., of whom further. 3. Elmer E., of Bernardsville, New Jersey, an electrician, employed by the firm of
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Whitcomb & Gardner. 4. George D., employed in the office of the wire chief of the Bell Telephone Company, Dover, New Jersey. 5. Hattie R., resides at home.
Warren A. Gardner, son of Warren D. and Alice L. ( Harrington) Gard- ner, was born in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, August 27, 1872. He re- ceived his education in the public schools of his native place, completing the course at the age of twelve, and then entered Coleman's National Business College, of Newark, New Jersey, where he pursued a thorough business course. After spending a few years in business life, he took a course in pharmacy in the College of Buffalo, graduating in the class of 1899, and receiving a certificate from the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy. In the year of his graduation he engaged in the drug business at Succasunna, New Jersey, where he resides with his parents at the present time (1913). His store is well equipped with a full line of goods, and he receives the patronage of the best people of the town, having gained their confidence by strictly attending to their wants and by his courteous treatment. In addition to this business he acted as special agent for the New York and New Jersey Tele- phone Company, starting an exchange with two subscribers and raising the subscription to seventy-five. In 1907 he relinquished this position, owing to the pressure of his other business interests. For some time he has been interested in real estate business, his largest transaction being with Mr. ). C. Oudermeuler, selling to him the Lippincott property, one of the largest deals made in the immediate vicinity. Mr. Gardner is a Democrat in politics, has served on the board of election, also as a member of the school board, performing his duties in a highly creditable manner. He is a member of Roxbury Lodge, No. 184, I. O. O. F.
AUSTIN DOREMUS
Austin Doremus, a well known resident of Towaco, a descendant of a family that has long been seated in Morris county, New Jersey, is a man whom to know is to honor, as his life has been one of activity and useful- ness, performing the various duties and obligations in a manner calculated to inspire respect.
His father, Peter G. Doremus, was a native of Morris county, New Jersey, born on what is now known as the Hedley farm. In his early life he gave his attention to the trade of carpenter, at which he served an ap- prenticeship, and also worked at the same for a number of years until he was forced to retire owing to an injury which incapacitated him for that kind of work. He then turned his attention to farming on the old home- stead, and his death occurred there at the advanced age of eighty-two years. His wife, Susan Doremus, was born, married and died in the house below the hill, next to that of Austin Doremus, and she bore her husband eight children, all of whom attained years of maturity; two brothers of Austin were: Henry M., ex-mayor of Newark, and Melvin, an invalid, who died March 3, 1914, aged seventy-three years.
Austin Doremus was born on the farm adjoining the one on which he now resides in Towaco, New Jersey, in 1845. He attended the common schools of the neighborhood, resided with his parents until two years after his marriage, assisting with the work of the farm, and then erected the house in which he now resides, his farm consisting of 160 acres, which he brought to a high state of cultivation, the land yielding excellent crops which found a ready sale in the nearby markets. As a result of an accident, he is now leading a retired life, but this does not deter him from taking an active
Walgardner,-
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part in the varied interests of the community. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and in the agricultural circles of Towaco he occupies a position that is indeed enviable.
Mr. Doremus married, June 26, 1872, Elmira Mandeville, born in 1847, died in 1908, daughter of Thomas Mandeville. Children: Edwin, Kittie, Mamie, Susie, Clifford. Edwin married Delia Day and resides on the homestead. Kittie married William DeMott and resides at Paterson, New Jersey. Susie married Wesley Mutchler, of Boonton. Clifford married Helen Anderson and resides in Newark, New Jersey. The family is one of prominence in this section of Morris county, widely known for its hospitality, and thus merits recognition among the families noted for their integrity and worth. They affiliate with the Reformed church.
NOBLE VAN NESS
A worthy representative of one of the pioneer families of Morris county, New Jersey, Noble Van Ness, of Towaco, possesses in marked degree the characteristics of his progenitors, thrift, energy, enterprise and persever- ance, traits which are essential to a successful career.
Abraham Van Ness, father of Noble Van Ness, was a native of Morris county, New Jersey, a successful farmer, devoting the active years of his life to that occupation, and a man of integrity and honor, whose death, which occurred in 1881, at the age of sixty-four years, was sincerely mourned by all who knew him. His wife, Caroline (Dixon) Van Ness, also deceased, a descendant of one of the old and honored families of Montville township, Morris county, New Jersey, bore him five children, but one of whom is living at the present time (1914), Noble, of whom further.
Noble Van Ness was born in his present place of residence, March 3, 1855. The common schools of the neighborhood afforded him the means of obtaining a practical education, and since attaining a suitable age he has given his undivided attention to the cultivation and tilling of the soil, his farm consisting of 125 acres of good, arable land, which yields a plentiful harvest in return for labor expended. He has been very successful in his work, sending to market large quantities of general produce, from which he derives a fair income, sufficient for the needs of his family and which has enabled him to accumulate some capital to provide for his declining years. He has led a quiet and peaceful life, his chief aim being to attain an honorable name and to merit the confidence and respect of his neighbors and friends. He is a member of the local Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and his political ideas are in accord with those advanced by the Democratic party, but he has never sought or held public office, his time being entirely taken up with the man- agement of his property.
Mr. Van Ness married (first) Mary Augusta Vreeland, who died in 1881, daughter of James P. Vreeland. Two children: Watson, deceased, and Ethel, married George E. Fisher, of Boonton, New Jersey. Mr. Van Ness married (second) Linnie Vreeland, daughter of John P. Vreeland. Children : Crawford, married Helen Blowers and has one child, Ellen Crawford; Grover.
J. W. SAMPSON
The loss by death of any member of a community is to be deeply de- plored, and this is more particularly the case with a man of the standing of
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the late J. W. Sampson, of Dover, Morris county, New Jersey, whose ex- ample as a good and devoted citizen might well be emulated by all. While not a native of this country, he had identified himself closely with all matters concerning its welfare.
Mr. Sampson was born in Cornwall, England, November 5, 1842, and died in Dover, New Jersey, February 28, 1912. He was a son of Robert Sampson, a butcher, who never left his native country, England. J. W. Sampson came to this country when twenty-seven years old in 1869, in the spring of the year, and at once proceeded to Dover. There he found employment with Mr. Pierce, who owned and personally conducted the leading butcher store in the town, and with him learned, thoroughly and practically, the methods in vogue in this line of business in this country. He remained with Mr. Pierce until he established himself in business in- dependently, a record alike creditable to employed and to employer. Mr. Sampson opened his first store in Sussex street, later purchasing property for this purpose opposite his first location, and subsequently made one other change in the location of his business. At the time of his death he was the oldest butcher living in Dover, but he had retired from active participation in business in 1907. While he gave his consistent support to the Republican party, he never had any aspirations for public office. He was a member and generous contributor to Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a member of the Knights of Pythias. Mr. Sampson was one of the first fire wardens of Dover, and at death was member of Exempt Firemen.
Mr. Sampson married Lucy, born in Millbrook, New Jersey, a daughter of George Blanchard, and a descendant of one of the oldest families in the county. Mr. Blanchard was a mason in his earlier years, and later engaged in the contracting business. Mr. and Mrs. Sampson had one son: John W., who is the owner of a butcher store at King and Elm streets, Dover, and who married (first) Jennie Cooman, and had one child, George; he married (second) Eliza Tillotson, and has : Mabel, John and William.
ARTHUR WESTERVELT
Prominent among the enterprising and progressive business men of Butler, noted for their integrity and sterling worth, is Arthur Westervelt, owner and proprietor of the Park View Hotel, who richly merits the high regard in which he is held by his numerous friends.
The Westervelt family is one of the pioneer families of this section of the State, its members contributing in large degree to the changes and im- provements which have been made during the last century. William West- ervelt, father of Arthur Westervelt, was a native of Morris county, New Jersey, an extensive land owner and builder, a man of influence and power, whose death occurred in his seventy-fifth year, after a life of activity and usefulness. He married Caroline Carman, who bore him seven children, four of whom are living at the present time ( 1914).
Arthur Westervelt, the only son in the above named family, was born in Butler, Morris county, New Jersey, March 23, 1879. His educational train- ing was obtained in the schools of Butler, and upon attaining a suitable age to engage in business he secured employment in a rubber factory in that sec- tion, where he remained for ten years. He then went to Passaic county, New Jersey, making a complete change in his business career, as he turned his attention to the hotel business, assuming the management of three hotels, conducting the same in a highly successful manner for a number of years. After thus obtaining experience of a practical kind, he returned to his native
Theo. & young
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town, Butler, and on August 5, 1908, purchased the Park View Hotel, located on Kiel avenue, added many improvements which greatly enhanced the value of his property, in addition to beautifying and improving its ap- pearance, and it is now one of the finest hotels in that locality, patronized by a fine class of people, who fully appreciate the efforts of the proprietor, who is doing all in his power to conform to the wishes and tastes of his numerous patrons. Needless to say the enterprise is a financial success, as that generally follows well-directed effort and persevering labor. In politics Mr. Westervelt casts his vote for the man best qualified for office, irrespec- tive of party affiliation, and he is identified with the Improved Order of Red Men and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Paterson, New Jersey.
Mr. Westervelt married, June 25, 1901, Florence Brink, born September I, 1882, in Paterson, daughter of William and Henrietta (Nichols) Brink. Children : Fletcher, born September 2, 1902; Arthur, born August 6, 1911.
THEODORE L. YOUNG
The Young family was founded in New Jersey by Daniel Young, great- grandfather of Theodore L. Young. He was a native of the fine old Key- stone commonwealth, his ancestors having been pioneer settlers in the Penn colony. Daniel Young was a blacksmith by trade and he owned and culti- vated two large farms, one at the mouth of Budd lake and the other in the vicinity of Drakestown, New Jersey. He married a Miss Betson and they both died on their estate at the mouth of Budd lake.
Daniel Young, son of Daniel and ( Betson) Young, was born in New Jersey in the year 1809 and he passed to eternal rest in 1885, aged seventy-six years. He worked at his trade-that of shoemaker-for many years and inherited the farm at Drakestown from his father. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Ann Wyre, was born 1819, died 1871, aged fifty-two years.
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