USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume II > Part 36
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When he was about four years of age, Thomas H. Smith was brought to Dover by his parents, and thus he has been almost a lifelong resident of the city. While growing up he took the courses in the common school, and at an early age went to work in the silk mill at Wharton. His em- ployment in that mill continued for eight years. For a year and a half he was with the Central Railroad of New Jersey, and then entered the service of the Ulster Iron Works, where his advancement has been steady and highly gratifying. Mr. Smith's first marriage was to Cyrenia Force, born at Dover. She died in this city without children. The second wife was Maud Van Derveer, a native of Dover, daughter of Abraham and Fanny Van Derveer, her father being a well known butcher of Dover. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have two children: Margerie and Harriett. In politics Mr.
Ser. F.Tech.
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Smith is a Republican and has for one term served as ward committeeman of the town of Dover. He is affiliated with the Patriotic Order Sons of America, the Knights of Maccabees, the Knights of Pythias, being a delegate to the Grand Lodge, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He and his family attend the First Methodist Church in Dover.
GEORGE T. KEECH
George T. Keech, editor and publisher of the Stanhope Eagle, of Net- cong, New Jersey, stands to-day among the most able and active members of the publishing body of Morris county, New Jersey. Endowed by nature with strong powers of mentality, trained in excellent educational institu- tions, he has made the most of his opportunities and by the force of his character and his literary qualifications has risen to an enviable position in the land. He is the grandson of Aaron and Christiana Keech, whose son, Henry G. Keech, was born in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, February II, 1809, died March 31, 1888. He married Mary A. Thompson, born in Cumberlandshire, England, November 30, 1807, came to this country on a sailing vessel, in 1818; she was a daughter of Mark Thompson, who set- tled in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Keech was a stone mason by occupation during the active years of his life. They had children : William, Annie, Sylvania, Lorenzo, Aaron, Bartholomew, who is a mason and contractor, and resides in West Philadelphia; and George T.
George T. Keech, the youngest son of Henry G. and Mary A. (Thomp- son) Keech, was born in Lower Merion, Montgomery county, Penn- sylvania, January 28, 1852. Until the age of seventeen years he was a pupil in the public schools of Merion Square, Lower Merion township, then for almost one and a half years was a student in the Treemount Seminary, Norristown, Pennsylvania. For about ten years he was then engaged in the profession of teaching, his various positions being as follows: One year at Clarksboro, Gloucester county, New Jersey ; one year at Assonet, Massa- chusetts ; Richwood, Gloucester county; Mantua, Gloucester county, New Jersey, two years ; Harrisonville, Gloucester county, New Jersey, two years , Kennett Square, Chester county, Pennsylvania, one year ; during this period he was also a student at the, State Normal School, at Bridgewater, Massa- chusetts, and was graduated fromn this institution in 1873. For one year he was engaged in the ice business in Philadelphia and two years were spent in teaching at Broadway, Warren county, New Jersey. During the last two years of his pedagogical work Mr. Keech became interested in printing and publishing matters and has been connected with these lines since that time. On June 30, 1885, he founded the paper which he is still editing, and it has been published without interruption since that date.
Mr. Keech married, March 5, 1887, Amy B. Willever, of Broadway, New Jersey, and they have been blessed with children: Sylvia B., deceased; George Thompson, a student at Bucknell University, is taking a course in mechanical engineering, is manager of the football team and was class treasurer ; Finley, a valued worker in the office of the Stanhope Eagle ; Mabel, employed in the post office of Netcong. The political connections of Mr. Keech have always been with the Republican party, and he served as justice of the peace from 1886 to 1891, and was re-elected to office in 1911. He was borough clerk of Netcong for several years, and recorder for three years at two different periods. The business of which he is the guiding spirit has grown from small proportions, and has outlived all opposition. When Mr. Keech returned from his extended trip to Gettysburg and
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through Virginia, his paper contained articles founded on these travels which were of the utmost interest to the reading public. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and his wife are in- terested members of the Mount Olive Baptist Church. He has done much to assist this denomination in Netcong, and has been township secretary of the Morris County Sunday School Association for ten years. Tire- less energy, keen perception, honesty of purpose, genius for devising and executing the right thing at the right time, joined to everyday common sense, are the chief characteristics of the man and have brought to him a success which is well merited.
MAHLON MUNSON SEARING
One of the ablest industrial executives of Morris county is Mr. Searing, owner of the Wharton Textile Company, manufacturers of silk and cotton hosiery, and also superintendent of the Singleton Silk Manufacturing Com- pany of Dover until July 26, 1913. For more than thirty years he has been connected with this line of business, has worked his way up from the bot- tom, and through his own enterprise has added a great deal to the industrial welfare of Dover and Morris county. He has been connected with the Singleton Company since 1881. The plant had been established only the year before, in 1880, and now through a period of a third of a century has been steadily prospering and manufacturing a product of standard grade and in ready demand over a large territory. The officers of the Singleton Silk Manufacturing Company are: George Singleton, president and treasurer ; Russell Murray, of New York City, vice-president ; M. M. Sear- ing, secretary. The company employ about one hundred operatives, while the Wharton Textile Company has about sixty persons on its payroll.
Mahlon Munson Searing was born at Millbrook, New Jersey, in 1862, son of Martin Van Buren and Emeline (Munson) Searing. Both the parents were also born in New Jersey, and for many years the father was a contractor and builder, associated with his brother, Isaac W. Searing, in that business. There were only two children: Frank and Mahlon M.
After a common school education, Mahlon M. Searing took a course i11 the Magie Private School at Dover, spent two years at Stephens Institute at Hoboken, New Jersey, and took a business course at the Gregory Business College. Having fairly liberal equipment so far as books and schools were concerned, he started in practical life as a grocery clerk, then spent two years with the Morris County Machine Company, and finally in 1881, found an opening with the Singleton Silk Manufacturing Company, where his services have been held in high appreciation ever since. Since July 26, 1913, Mr. Searing has devoted his entire attention to the conduct of the Wharton Textile Company which was founded by Mr. Searing July 1, 1910, for the manufacture of silk and silk and cotton hosiery; the plant is located at Wharton, the output is distributed at present largely in the United States and Canada, but the concern has begun to reach out for foreign trade and has established a considerable business in the Hawaiian Islands. The business is incorporated, the officers being M. M. Searing, president ; J. Allen Crews, secretary ; M. Augusta Searing, treasurer.
In 1887 Mr. Searing married Mary Augusta Pyle, a native of New Jersey, daughter of Campbell and Elizabeth ( Applegate) Pyle. Her father was a carpenter and contractor. Mrs. Searing has a brother and sister ; George, and Amanda, wife of Charles Otto. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Searing is Howard Cassard. In politics Mr. Searing is an independent voter. He and his family attend the Episcopal church.
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MATTHIAS H. FANCHER
A resident of Morris county all his life, of an old and respected family, Matthias H. Fancher has long pursued a business which has been profitable to himself and has afforded a much needed service to a large community at Kenvil and vicinity. His father before him was in the butchering and meat business, and Matthias H. has developed the enterprise on his own initiative. He handles high class products, does everything on a sanitary and wholesome scale, and has a large list of regular patrons whom he serves by wagon delivery throughout this section of the county. Mr. Fancher is the owner of a pleasant and comfortable home and four acres of land from which he supplies a large patronage with truck during the summer seasons.
Matthias H. Fancher was born in Succasunna, Morris county, New Jersey, August 24, 1852, son of James H. and Marguerite R. (Hart) Fancher. The paternal grandfather was John Fancher. Both parents were born in Morris county, and James H. Fancher as already mentioned was a farmer and butcher, and held a place of prominence in the public affairs of the county, serving as county judge for ten years. Both parents are now deceased. The father was a Jackson Democrat. Their children were: Reuben W., Peter, Matthias H., John W., William H.
In the common schools of Succasunna, Matthias H. Fancher pursued his book studies, until he was about seventeen years of age. At the same time during vacation he assisted his father, and when his school days were ended he joined the elder Fancher in conducting the retail meat business. He started in as driver of the wagon, and now for many years has been familiar to the people of his neighborhood as a man who supplies first- class meat products, and also a fine line of vegetables and fruits.
In 1879 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Fancher to Carrie Amelia Ann Cary, born in Morris county, daughter of Ralph H. and Elizabeth (Hart) Cary. Her parents were likewise Morris county people, and her father is now living at the age of eighty-six, after a long career, first as a farmer, and later as a miller. Mrs. Fancher was the only child of her parents. The following children were born to Mr. Fancher and wife: I. Elizabeth S., wife of Edward E. Kilpatrick Jr., has two children, Mildred H. and Edward W., the latter being the third to bear successively the name of Edward W. Kilpatrick. 2. Marguerite R., wife of Charles Zeek. 3. Ralph C., married Lula Lowrey. 4. Grace L., wife of Raymond Zeek, and they have one child Marion R. In politics Mr. Fancher is a Democrat. With a public-spirited attitude towards the affairs of his community, he served for about fifteen years on the board of education, and is one of the men to whom credit is due for getting the high school located in Succasunna for Roxbury township. He and his family attend the Presbyterian church.
WILLIAM C. SWENEY
Few citizens of Morris county have more to show for their efforts in a business way than William C. Sweney of Kenvil. He started out in life by learning the trade of blacksmith, in a few years had mastered the art, and had bought the establishment owned by his employer, and from that time to this has been steadily prospering, and withal has borne his share of the responsibilities that devolve upon citizenship in a democratic com- munity. Mr. Sweney is now proprietor of a large blacksmith and wagon- making shop at Kenvil.
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William C. Sweney was born at Sussex, New Jersey, April 10, 1859, a son of John and a grandson of James Sweney. His father was born in Ireland, and was a boy when he came to America. The mother, whose maiden name was Hannah Little, was born in Sussex county. Both par- ents are now deceased, and during their lifetime they were attendants at the Methodist church. The father was a fairly prosperous farmer. The children in the family were: Edward, William C., John Jr., and Andrew.
With a common school education only, William C. Sweney started out in life as an apprentice under a blacksmith. For four years he worked in- dustriously, learned all the niceties of the trade, and at the end of that time bought out the man he had worked for and under whom he had learned the trade. Since then he has developed his business, and at the same time has extended his interests outside of his immediate industry. Besides his connection with various financial and commercial concerns, as already noted, Mr. Sweney is the owner of a fine farm of eighty acres in Roxbury township. On that place he keeps nine or ten horses, and about fifteen head of cattle, employs several men, and now has various sources of business prosperity.
In 1884 Mr. Sweney married Anna Hill, a native of Warren county, and a daughter of Marquis D. Lafayette and Mary ( Froane) Hill. Her father was a farmer. Mrs. Sweney is the only child. To Mr. and Mrs. Sweney have been born the following children: Mary, who died at the age of twenty-four : Edna, who died when six years of age; Harry, who married Ethel Banks; Floyd, who died when thirteen years old; Grace, who lives at home; Kenneth, William C. Jr. and Florence, all of whom are at home.
Mr. Sweney takes much interest in Masonic and church affairs. In the Scottish Rite of Masonry, he has taken all the degrees beginning with the Blue Lodge up to and including the thirty-second. In politics he is a Democrat, but often exercises his choice independent of the party line. He and his family belong to the Presbyterian church, he is a trustee of the local society and has been its librarian for the past twenty-eight years.
MILLER P. CASTNER
Of the old and well remembered merchants of Morris county, one of the most prominent was the late Miller P. Castner, who many years ago started in business as a clerk, gradually acquired interests of his own and ended as one of the leading merchants of the county. A successful busi- ness man, he displayed much public spirit in the civic affairs of his lo- cality, was a kindly and highly esteemed associate and friend. His death, which occurred January 7, 1912, closed a career of substantial achievement and good citizenship.
Miller P. Castner was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, March 19, 1863, a son of Adam and Jane ( Plotts) Castner, both natives of New Jersey. His father was a substantial farmer. Their children were: Charles ; Miller P .; Anna, wife of Welch Cougle; Mattie, wife of George Riley ; Jennie, wife of Robert Riley.
Miller P. Castner spent his youth on his father's farm, attended the common schools, which were the sole source of his educational advantages. His career in practical business began as clerk in a general store, he later became bookkeeper in the Hulse store at Kenvil, and was then employed by the old firm of Jenkins, Buck & Company. His next noteworthy promo- tion was when he took charge of the store at Richards Mine for Reese
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Jenkin. After nine months at that in 1895, he started the establishment known as the Castner, Rogers & Company General Store. For seven years the business was continued under the original title, and then Mr. Castner began buying out the other stockholders. From 1905 the business has been the Castner Company General Store, with stocks of dry goods, groceries, shoes, meat, etc. All the stock is now owned by the family, Mrs. Castner and sons.
In December, 1880, the late Mr. Castner married Abbie Jordan, a native of Warren county, New Jersey, daughter of Jonathan and Ella (Stires) Jordan, both natives of New Jersey, and the father was a farmer by occupa- tion. The Jordan children were: Abbie, aforementioned; Ida, wife of Benjamin Marlatt ; Eden, who died in January, 1913; Jacob; William ; Her- man ; George; Mary, wife of Charles Pilling; Johnson. To Mr. and Mrs. Castner were born the following children: Floyd; Olive, wife of Alvin Dorman; Ida, wife of John Teed; Austin, Mildred, Kenneth.
The late Mr. Castner was active in affairs, was a Republican voter, served on the Republican committee, and was a man of influence in his locality. His affiliations fraternally were with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Encampment, and he and his family attended the Baptist church, he being a deacon in that society at the time of his death. His son Floyd has been chief manager of the business since his father's death, and is a progressive and enterprising young business man. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Masonic Order and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. For one year he served on the Republican committee.
JOSEPH H. MOTT
One of Kenvil's successful and highly esteemed citizens and business men, Joseph H. Mott has been a resident of Morris county from the day of his birth, and is a fine example of the self-made man who attains an enviable position by means of his unaided ability. He is one of the most enterprising merchants it has ever been the good fortune of Kenvil to claim as her citizen, and in addition to his business ability he is one of that kind of merchants who believe that the best method and policy is to give value for value. He has therefore won the trust and friendship of every one with whom he has come in contact, and for this reason has triumphed over competitors who started on their careers under far more favorable circum- stances than he. Mr. Mott is superintendent of the Kenvil Store & Lumber Company, having active management of one yard and the stock of merchan- dise, and is one of the stockholders in that important local enterprise.
Joseph H. Mott was born at Dover, New Jersey, February 9, 1869, a son of Alexander and Frances ( Morrison) Mott. Both parents were natives of New Jersey, his father a machinist, and they now live at Rocka- way in this State. Their children were: Susan, wife of Percy Hough ; Joseph H., Benjamin.
The first event worthy of note in the career of Joseph H. Mott was his attendance at common schools. When he had got as far as was con- sidered necessary in the local schools, he started to work, about 1887 01 1888, for the old firm of Jenkins, Buck & Company, the predecessors of the present Kenvil Store & Lumber Company. After a time at that em- ployment, he discovered that his educational equipment was not yet com- plete, and that greater opportunity would come with greater learning. He therefore took a commercial course at Coleman's Business College, and then
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returned to his former employers. From that time his has been a record of steady progress, until he is now one of the interested principals in a business of large proportions and volume of annual revenue.
Mr. Mott was married in December, 1899, to Annie J. Butterworth. Mrs. Mott is a native of Morris county, daughter of Hudson and Evelyn (Ike) Butterworth, her father well known as a carpenter in Morris county. The children in the Butterworth family were: William, Mrs. Mott, John, Ida, wife of John Lyons. Three children, Ralph V., Evelyn, Robert S., were born to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Mott. In politics he is an independent voter, is affiliated with the Royal Arcanum at Netcong, and he and his family attend the Presbyterian church.
EZRA SEGUINE
An industry which adds much to the material resources of the town of Kenvil is the Seguine Bogert Company, shippers of washed and screened sand and gravel. This company has a large plant at Kenvil, employs a force of about ten men, has a complete modern equipment, and is almost the only establishment of its kind in the State, which employs screening and washing machines. It has established a splendid reputation for its output, and the capacity of the concern has been regularly tested to its full. The secretary and the treasurer of this concern is Mr. Ezra Seguine, who is a live and enterprising New Jersey business man, and he is also secretary and treasurer of the Seguine Company, operating a similar piant at Portland, Pennsyl- vania.
Ezra Seguine was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, November 19, 1855, a son of Isaac W. and Ellen P. (Gary) Seguine, both natives of New Jersey. His father was by trade a mason, and later took up the butcher business. Both parents are deceased and buried in Columbia, New Jersey, cemetery. Isaac W. Seguine died October 20, 1886, his wife December 16, 1873. The children were: David E., James A., Ezra. Mary Jane, de- ceased; Sarah Amanda, Emma, Ella G., John A., Charles R., Martha.
The career of Ezra Seguine has been one of steady advancement, be- ginning at a time when he had no advantage in the race of business. His first equipment was that supplied by the common schools, and he em- ployed his energies in different lines for several years. For nineteen years he was engaged in operating a grist mill, also did some truck gardening, and for nearly twenty years has been identified with the sand and gravel business. His prosperity has been built up on a substantial basis, and he is recognized as a man of influence and standing in his community. As to politics Mr. Seguine casts his ballot independently. He is well known in fraternal circles, having affiliation with Portland Lodge, No. 311, A. F. and A. M., at Portland, Pennsylvania; with Lodge No. 1106, B. P. O. E., at Bangor, Pennsylvania; is a past grand in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and belongs to Chickasaw Tribe, No. 114, I. O. R. M. His church is the Methodist.
Mr. Seguine married Hattie Rinker, a daughter of Elias and Julia Ann (Singer) Rinker. In her family were: Oscar, Wallace, John, Emma, Mrs. Seguine. Mr. and Mrs. Seguine have three children: Josephine, wife of Frank B. Beck, and their child is Blanche E .; William M., a professor in the East Stroudsburg Normal School; Iva May, lives at home.
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LEWIS K. LARRISON
John L. Larrison was the son of Robert C. and Harriet (Green) Larri- son, who were descendants of John Larrison, a Danish nobleman, who was compelled to flee and lose his estate by confiscation on account of a con- spiracy in 1660 because of taxes. He fled to Scotland and hearing that a price was set on his head came to America and purchased a large tract of land (about 1700 acres) near Brooklyn, Long Island, as recorded in Cham- bers "History of Morris County."
He was born at Schooley's Mountain, Washington township, Morris county, New Jersey, 1840. He has living one sister, Mrs. Jacob Lake, of Pleasant Grove, New Jersey, and one brother, Robert Larrison, of Ger- man Valley, New Jersey. After leaving school, he worked at the carpen- ter's trade until August 25, 1862, when he enlisted in Company F., Fifteenth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers. He was wounded, May 3, 1863, at Salem Heights, and was promoted sergeant, October 1, 1863; was mustered out at the close of the war, 1865. After the close of the war, he went west, principally in Ohio and Kentucky, came back in 1868, and married Elizabeth Kice, daughter of John and Delilah Kice, July 4, 1868. He lived in differ- ent places on Schooley's Mountain until 1877, when he built his present house, where he still lives, near the Schooley's Mountain post office. He had four children: I. Augustus, married Mary Thomas, daughter of James M. Thomas, of German Valley ; have one son, Claude ; residence, Mendham, New Jersey. 2. Minnie, married Samuel Scadden, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Scadden, of Schooley's Mountain, June 1, 1893; had one son, Harold Knowles; residence, Wharton, New Jersey. 3. Lewis K., married Emma L. Swackhamer, daughter of Daniel and Louisa Swackhamer, of German Valley, December 23, 1899; have two children: Roland D. and Elizabeth E .; residence, Wharton, New Jersey. 4. Anna May, married Herman Rice, son of John and Louisa Rice, of Schooley's Mountain, New Jersey ; have two children : Horace and Dorothy ; residence, Hackettstown, New Jersey.
ALLEN M. HUNTER
The Hunter family is one of the old and respected families of this country, whose members have been prominent in many walks of life, some winning renown on the battle field, some in the business world, and some in professional life. The Hunters are of the same lineage as that of Sir Francis Drake, and by marriage became connected with a lineal descendant of Sir William Wallace. General Robert Hunter was governor-general of New York and contiguous colonies, by appointment of the English Crown, during the period when Great Britain held sway over the section of our country bordering the Atlantic.
Captain Elijah Hunter, the first of the branch here under discussion of whom we have definite information, was a distinguished officer of the Colonal army in the Revolutionary War, and was entrusted with much important service. He was in Colonel Holmes' campaign, participated in the battle of White Plains, and won recognition for his bravery and skill. He was a native of Newcastle, New York, born in 1749, died in 1815. In early life he was employed in the store of Gilbert Drake, where he gained a thorough knowledge of the mercantile business, and won the ap- probation and approval of his employer by his paintaking efforts and valu- able aid. Later he removed to Bedford, New York, where he engaged in
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