USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume II > Part 42
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Joseph E. Osmun, son of Elisha and Mary Osmun, was born in Warren county, New Jersey, in 1824, and died in 1890. Until middle age he was a contractor, his work being the grading of streets and roads, and he laid out many of the streets of Hackettstown. Later in life he was a farmer, and was identified with this calling until his death. He was very public spirited, and for a long time served as a justice of the peace in Mansfield township. He married Mary Cougle, born in 1837, died in 1913, and they had children : Asa H., a member of the firm of Taylor & Osmun, builders, of Hackettstown; George D., who is a farmer on the Osmun homestead ; Warren, died in infancy; Grant, a clothing merchant doing business under the name of The Osmun Company, at Madison, Morris county; Emma, married Frank I. Davis, a member of a family prominent in that section ; Louis E.
Louis E. Osmun was born at Rock Port, Warren county, New Jersey, December 22, 1877. There he attended the public schools, and when he had been graduated from them he entered upon his business career with an earnestness of purpose which has distinguished him throughout his life up to the present time. He lived frugally and economically, saving as much of his earnings as possible in order to better equip himself for his future life work. He became a student at the Hackettstown Institute, taking a complete commercial course, and defraying all the expenses of this himself. Entering the employ of the A. B. Yetter Globe Storage and Warehouse Com- pany, he remained with this concern two years, and was then with his brother-in-law, Frank I. Davis, a hardware merchant of Nutley, New Jersey, for eighteen months. He commenced learning the plumbing trade with E. M. Osmun & Son, of Hackettstown, but at the end of two years, matriculated at the New York Trade School, a State institution, and was with the F. G. Stephen's Company, plumbing and heating contractors, for four years, during which time he was engaged in work in various sections of Morris county. When he severed his connection with this firm he as- sociated himself with Thomas E. Haggerty under the firm name of Hag- gerty & Osmun, which obtained until August, 1913, when he bought out Mr. Haggerty and since has conducted the business under his own name, estab- lishing himself in Netcong where he has been for the past ten years. During this time he has executed the majority of the work in Netcong and Stanhope, in his line, and also that of the Public Water Works. He owns a fine home in Netcong. He is a member of the Musconetcong Lodge, No. 151, F. and A. M .; the Masonic Protective Association, and is president of the Netcong Fire Company. He is a member of Stanhope Presbyterian Church, joined the Second Mansfield Church in 1890. Mr. Osmun married, April 22, 1902, Cora May, a daughter of David Miller Hann, of Pleasant Grove. They have had children : Helen May, born in 1903; Emma Evelyn, born " 1905; Paul, born in 1907. Mr. Osmun is a man of liberal ideas, and while his business interests are extensive, he can always find time to aid in the cause of advancing the moral standard of the race.
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JERRY P. MEADE
Jerry P. Meade, of Netcong, Morris county, New Jersey, is the freight and ticket agent for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Com- pany, Netcong-Stanhope, and is a man whose nobility of character and genuine worth commend him to the confidence and the respect of all who know him. He has a large circle of friends, and is a very acceptable com- panion among his business associates and acquaintances in Morris county.
David Meade, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Ireland, and died at Ithaca, New York, in July, 1910, at the age of seventy-seven years. He emigrated to America in 1853. He held the position of railroad foreman for the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company for almost half a century. Mr. Meade married, in Groton, New York, Margaret Lucy, a native of Ire- land, who died in April, 1888. They had children: Ella, who married Joseph Stoddard, of Ithaca, New York, a foreman of a pipe line; James, who is a member of the police force of New York City, and resides there, married Catherine Sexton ; John, a steamfitter, resides in Binghamton, New York, and married Agnes Steed ; Johanna, unmarried; Margaret, deceased ; Mary, died in infancy ; David, who is unmarried, is an electrician, and re- sides in Ithaca, New York; Jerry P., whose name heads this sketch.
Jerry P. Meade was born in Groton, Tompkins county, New York, April 9, 1884. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, being graduated from the high school of Groton, at the age of seventeen years. He at once entered the service of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company, and has been in the employ of this company uninterruptedly since that time. His first position was as a clerk at Cortland, New York, where he remained until 1904 when he was transferred to Scranton, Pennsylvania, also as a clerk. He came to Netcong, New Jersey, in 1905, and was placed in a clerkship at Port Morris. From this position he was advanced to his present one in March, 1909, and has displayed com- mendable executive ability in the discharge of the numerous and responsible duties which devolve upon him. He is Democratic in his political opinions, and his religious affiliation is with St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. He is a member of Cortland Council, No. 233, K. of C., of Cortland, New York.
Mr. Meade married, June 16, 1906, Alice G. Allen, and they have had children: Hugh Allen, born April 4, 1907; Margaret Elizabeth, born Jan- uary 13, 1910. Hugh Allen, father of Mrs. Meade, was a prominent con- tractor in partnership with his brother, Thomas J. Allen. They constructed public roads, railroads, etc., and were very successful in their undertakings. Mr. Allen died about 1890. He married Stella Brennan, who married (second) Dr. Theodore Jackquemin, of Union Hill, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Allen had two other daughters: Mary, who is unmarried ; and Stella, who married Thomas K. Edwards, a druggist, of Dover, New Jersey. Mr. Meade has served his community in public affairs as clerk of the borough council of Netcong. His has been an honorable life, pervaded by earnest purpose, sterling principles and good deeds, and is thus worthy of perpetua- tion.
AUGUSTUS A. DRAKE
While most energetic, enterprising business men usually reach the same goal, that of success, there are different conditions in the lives of all-con- ditions that call for individual effort and for certain strong traits of char-
augustus, DiDrake
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acter, to meet the many obstacles and difficulties that are sure to come. As the surroundings and conditions of no two individuals are precisely alike, it is impossible to lay down any invariable rule for achieving success, and the result must depend upon the man, his power of adapting himself to circumstances and of overcoming the barriers in his path. Success there- fore is a matter of individual effort and merit, and in this particular Au- gustus A. Drake, of Netcong, Morris county, New Jersey, deserves especial credit. He is one of the representatives of a family which traces its descent to Sir Francis Drake the famous discoverer.
Abram Johnson Drake, paternal grandfather, was born in 1791, and died August 31, 1861. He had brothers-Job, Hampton and James-all of whom resided on Schooleys Mountain. He became the owner of several hundred acres of land in Netcong and its vicinity, some of which is still in the Drake family. He married Mary Applegate, born in 1771, died April 21, 1853; she was a daughter of Moses Applegate, a descendant of one of the oldest families of Morris county, and whose landed interests were among the most important in that section of the State. They had children: Wil- liam, of further mention; Moses, who removed to Indiana, reared a family and died there; Charlotte, married Peter Applegate and died at an ad- vanced age; Sarah, married (first) Moses Allwood, (second) Nathan S. Smith ; Elizabeth, married Thomas Haggerty, a maternal uncle of the Mr. Drake of this sketch.
William Drake, father of Augustus A. Drake, was born in Morris county, New Jersey, May 2, 1814, and died April 24, 1893. He was a farmer by occupation, and displayed much ability in the management of his farm. While he took a great interest in all that concerned the welfare of the com- munity in which he resided, he took no active part in public affairs, content- ing himself with casting his vote in favor of the candidates of the Demo- cratic party. Mr. Drake married Sarah M., born April 1, 1826, died Feb- ruary 7, 1902, a daughter of Christopher Haggerty, of Irish descent, and of a family which has been known and honored in Morris county for many years ; he owned much landed property and affiliated with the Whig party. He married (first) Van Kirk, (second) Dusenbury, of Sussex county. He had children: Thomas, who married Elizabeth Drake, as mentioned above ; Joseph, went to California, and was not again heard from; Charles, removed to Illinois; John, also went to Illinois, where he died leaving a son, also called John; George, died at Bloomfield; Wright, died in the west ; Sarah M., who became the mother of Augustus A. Drake. Mr. and Mrs. Drake had children : George, who died unmarried at the age of twenty-seven years; Abram Johnson, ex-mayor and postmaster of Netcong ; William, married Malinda Wilgus, and both died in Netcong : Augustus A., whose name heads this sketch; Charlotte, married James Drake, now a re- tired merchant of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, and has a son, Francis, who is a physician in Phillipsburg; Henrietta, married William T. Hilts, and lives in Netcong; Bernice M., married John Thorp, and has one daughter, all of Netcong ; Ida, married James Dill, a contractor, and ex-mayor of Netcong.
Augustus A. Drake was born in Roxbury township, one mile from Net- cong, Morris county, New Jersey, July 13, 1866. After completing his edu- cation in the public schools, he was engaged in farming on the homestead farm for a period of three years, and then entered the employ of his brother, Abram Johnson Drake, in Netcong, as carpenter and builder. At the ex- piration of two years he accepted a position as engineer on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, and filled this for twelve years. Having purchased the Imperial Hotel in Netcong, he conducted this for one year,
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then established himself in the bottling business in Netcong, commencing with a capital of eighty dollars. His diligence, industry and executive ability have brought up this enterprise to a very flourishing condition, and he now owns the store in which his business is conducted, his own residence, and eight building lots, all of high value. During the busy season he has five men constantly at work in his bottling establishment. He is a Republi- can in politics, and a member of Schosheon Tribe, No. 188, I. O. R. M .; Patriotic Order Sons of America; Order of the Moose of Dover, New Jersey. Mr. Drake married (first) Mary McGraw, (second) Maggie, a daughter of George and Sarah J. Drake, the former a conductor on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, who was killed while in the discharge of his duties. His widow lives with Augustus A. Drake. Children of the first marriage: Rena, married Cleveland Baird, a brakeman on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, and they have one child, also named Rena ; Charlotte, who married Mr. Heller, engaged in the dry goods business at Easton, Pennsylvania.
DAVID B. JARDINE
Among the industrious men of Morris county who have spent long years in toilful activity, have worthily won a moderate degree of prosperity, and are now enjoying the fruits of a well spent life, is David B. Jardine, living retired at Kenvil. . Mr. Jardine has been a resident of Morris county for more than half a century and has now reached the venerable age of eighty- five years.
David B. Jardine is a native of Canada, born in the Province of Ontario, March 23, 1828, a son of John and Hannah (Eastman) Jardine. John Jardine came from Annandale, Scotland, when a young man, while his wife was a native of Canada. Her parents came from New York State. John Jardine was a farmer by occupation, and his children were as follows : John, David B., Mary, wife of George Johnston; Sarah, wife of David Brown; William, Marion Alva, Osborn, James.
David B. Jardine had such opportunities as were afforded by the con- mon schools, but had to leave off his educational work when thirteen years of age, and take up something of a practical nature. He learned the black- smith trade, beginning his apprenticeship at the age of sixteen. For three and a half years during which time he worked for his master, his entire salary was $120, including of course board and washing. At the end of his apprenticeship, he was confined by illness for about eight months and then started out to earn his living by blacksmithing. That has been his regular occupation throughout his active life, and he has worked in various places and in many capacities, always efficient and reliable. At the age of twenty- one he crossed the St. Lawrence river, and has been a resident of the United States ever since. He was in New York State for six years before moving to Dover and was blacksmith at Sweed's Mine. For about one month he was on a prospecting tour through the west in the interest of the Bethlehem Iron Company. The comfortable prosperity which has resulted from his long years of industry is represented chiefly by his own home in Kenvil, and five acres of land on the borders of the town.
In 1858 Mr. Jardine married Anna Eliza Baker, a daughter of Andrew K. and Nancy Baker. The Bakers are one of the old families of Morris county, and their children besides Mrs. Jardine were: Byram, Adeline Post, Henry A., Adolphus, Louise Beemer. Mr. Jardine has two children : John Andrew, who is in the coal business at Philadelphia; Mary Eletta,
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wife of Charles G. Warner, and the mother of one son, John David Warner. In politics Mr. Jardine is an independent voter, and was committeeman of Roxbury township for seven years. He and his wife attend the Presbyterian church.
OLOF BERG
There are no rules for building character, and there is no rule for achiev- ing success. The man who can rise from the ranks to a leading position in any line is he who can see and utilize the opportunities which are presented to him. The essential conditions of human life are ever the same, the sur- roundings of individuals differ but slightly. And when one man passes all- other on the highway to reach the goal of prosperity before others who, perhaps, started out before him, it is because he has the power to use the advantages which probably encompass the whole human race. It is this power which has made Mr. Olof Berg, of Dover, Morris county, New Jersey, one of the leading contractors and builders of that section of the State. He is a son of Nils and Mary Berg, of whom the latter is still living. Nils Berg was a carpenter and died in his native land, Norway.
Olof Berg was born in Trondhjen, Norway, May 2, 1862. His educa- tion was a practical and good one, four years being spent in a military school, and this was supplemented by a course in a school of architecture. At the age of twelve years he commenced practical labors in the carpenter shop of his father, and later worked for a building concern. After the death of his father he came to the United States, this being about 1890. He had no difficulty in finding employment upon his arrival in this country, a few months being spent in the employ of L. Loomis & Company, of Brooklyn. He resigned this position in order to accept one with the Dover Car Shops, with whom he remained for a period of seven years. Upon leaving this concern he established himself in the contracting business, with which he has been identified successfully since that time. In con- nection with this he utilized his knowledge as an architect, and the excel- lence of his ideas and the fine manner in which he has executed the orders given him, have gained a large clientele, and he has designed and built some of the finest buildings in Dover. Among these may be mentioned the brick residence of W. H. Baker, and the Paul Guenther house on the Rockaway road, one of the finest residences in Morris county. He has also remodeled the Dover Hotel and the Dover Trust Company's building, the latter for W. H. Baker.
Mr. Berg married, 1887, Anna Osberg, born in Sweden, and they have had children: Emile M., in the employ of his father; Nils H., also with his father ; Raymond O., a student in the Dover High School of the class of 1914, has never missed a day at school; Anna Laura and Edward Albert, also at school. The family live at No. 33 Depew avenue, while the workshop is at No. 76 East Blocknell street. Mr. Berg has resided in Dover for almost a quarter of a century, and his political affiliations have always been with the Republican party. He is a member of the Order of Vaso, district secretary for New Jersey, an office he has filled for the past nine years, and is a member of the Grand Fraternity and Improved Order of Red Men; was an active member of Engine Company, No. 1, Dover, was captain of this company, and is now an exempt fireman, he was a charter member of the Carpenters and Joiners Association, which was founded in 1900. One of the leading characteristics of Mr. Berg is an indomitable perseverance in whatever he undertakes. He respects the
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opinions and theories of others, and listens to them with a reasonable amount of respect, but he prefers to think for himself, and results usually show that he has thought to some good purpose.
JOHN DENMAN
John Denman, who is well-known in the building trade of Morristown as a carpenter who handles the greater part of the heavy carpentry work in that town, is an example of one who has won his way up to a position of respect and esteem in the community in the face of great obstacles by dint of his own force of character and persistent pluck.
He was born in Newark, New Jersey, February 17, 1825. and lost his mother at the time of his birth, his father, John Denman, of Newark, dying when he was three years old. The first John Denman was in the trucking business in Newark, and his wife was a Miss Gott, who was of German origin. Benjamin Gott, a brother of Mrs. Denman, was the first policeman in Newark.
Left thus early an orphan, John Denman never had any school ad- vantages, but was bound out as the custom was in those days at the age of eight years to Aaron Solomon at Mt. Olive and was with him until he arrived at the age of thirteen and a half years. Aaron Solomon died at this time and John Denman then went into the service of Robert Beaty, a mason who lived in the neighborhood of Hackettstown, remaining in his employ for two years. He then went to Mendham and worked as a farm laborer until he was seventeen years old. About this time he decided to learn the carpentering trade, and to this end went to the Branch, Morris county, and worked at it for two years, gaining such a knowledge of the trade as to enable him to do miscellaneous work in that line in Morris county, which he did except for a period of three years when he worked in Batavia, New York.
About this time the Civil War broke out and young Denman, full of enthusiasm and patriotism, responded to the call to arms, and enlisted in Company A, Fifth New Jersey Regiment. He was severely wounded in the leg and abdomen at the battle of Spottsylvania Court House, May 12, 1864. and after being brought home and spending a year in the Newark Hospital he was unable to return to active service. He then came to Morristown and went into the carpentry business and has remained there ever since. Among other things he has been connected with the Washington Steamer Company (of the Morristown fire department) for over fifty years, having in charge the driving of the horses. He is now largely en- gaged in teamster work and is the owner of seven different teams doing most of the work of a heavy kind in the building field in Morristown and has been one of the heaviest contractors in Morristown. He served on the township board as committeemen. He is a Democrat.
Mr. Denman married, in Morristown, April 17, 1859, Susan B. Smith, born in Morris Plains, New Jersey, and is now seventy-eight years old. Her parents, Charles and Rebecca Smith, were both natives of New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Denman had seven children, of whom two, Lizzie and Susie, died in childhood. The living are: Charles, of Newark; Theodore, at the head of the Sewerage Plant of Morristown; Kittie, married Frank Smith, of Brooklyn; Laura, married Joseph Ambrose, of Morristown; William, who is working for his father.
& Ho Financial
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SAMUEL H. FRANCIS
Samuel H. Francis, the first of this family to come to America, was a native of England, born in about the year 1850. He came over to this country when about nineteen years of age, and became a mining con- tractor, dying in November, 1901, at the age of fifty-one years. He mar- ried Mary Smith, born in Morris county, New Jersey, now living at Hack- ettstown, at the age of fifty-nine years, daughter of Alfred Smith, a de- scendant of one of the oldest families in New Jersey, whose ancestors were among the first settlers of the State; her mother was Harriet Merritt prior to her marriage to Mr. Smith, and was also a representative of one of the old families of New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Francis were the parents of five children as follows: Samuel Henry, of further mention; Minnie, married P. L. Bloxham, of Dover; Hattie, married James H. Morgan, of Dover; Anna, married Harry Dean, of Dover; Walter, married Clara Ball and lives in Dover. They are all among the most respected and influential members of the community where they have continued to make their home since childhood.
Samuel Henry Francis, son of Samuel H. and Mary (Smith) Francis, was born at Hibernia, Morris county, New Jersey, February 22, 1875. His early education was received at the Horton and Mount Pleasant schools, which he attended for some years, and at the conclusion of his studies he entered business life as clerk in a grocery store in Boonton, New Jersey. Here he remained for about twelve years, and in 1906, desiring to establish himself in business on his own account, he determined to become a funeral director, entering the C. A. Renouard training school for embalmers. On July 1, 1907, he passed the state board examination, and November I, 1907, opened an establishment of his own in Dover where he has con- tinued ever since most successfully, becoming one of the leading citizens and business men of this city. He is a member of many societies and associa- tions, being especially prominent in fraternal circles, and belonging to the Free and Accepted Masons; the Royal Arcanum, at Dover; the Grand Fraternity ; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Improved Order of Red Men ; the Knights of Malta ; the Eagles, and the Royal Order of Moosc. He is a member also of the Junior Order of American Mechanics, and be- longs to the Methodist Episcopal church.
In October, 1900, Mr. Francis was married to Lillian Friary, who was reared in Boonton, New Jersey. She is the daughter of James Friary and his wife, who was Anna Vandyne prior to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Francis have a comfortable home in Dover where they are the centre of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
HUGH CAMPBELL HOLMES
Advancement has been the watchword of the world throughout the century. In every line of endeavor great progress has been made, but in no field of human effort has it been more marked than in horticulture. Ex- periment, scientific research, chemical analysis, the conditions and effect of climate-all have been taken into consideration in the production of fruits, vegetables and flowers, and varieties have been so multiplied and qualities improved that the products of nursery, garden and greenhouse are almost beyond comparison with those of a century ago. Among those who stand in the foremost rank of the horticulturists of Morris county, New Jersey, is Hugh Campbell Holmes, of Morristown, who brought his taste and love for his work from his native country.
NEW JERSEY
Mr. Holmes was born just outside of the city of Glasgow, Scotland, and is the son of Walter and Eliza (Campbell) Holmes, both deceased. He was about eight years of age when he was sent to live with an uncle who resided in Chester, England, and there he learned the art of landscape gardening and the cultivation of flowers very thoroughly and practically, partly under the instruction of his uncle and partly in the employ of Dick- son & Sons, who were extensive growers of roses and fruits. In the spring of 1887 he emigrated to America and, after a short time spent in Con- necticut, went to Poughkeepsie, New York, where he devoted himself to landscape gardening exclusively for some years. He then went to Albany, New York, and found employment as a private gardener for a period of three years, after which he spent one year in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Finally he decided to come to Morris county, New Jersey, and since that time he has been identified with that section of the country. He accepted a position with Richard H. McCurdy, as superintendent of his grounds and greenhouses and remained there four years. In 1898 he leased the place on which he is now located, engaging in business independently as a florist, and so successful was he that at the expiration of two years he had amassed a sufficient capital to warrant his purchasing the entire ground. He made extensive improvements on the place, erecting large greenhouses, having now 15,000 feet of glass, and installed all appliances which tended toward improved methods. He cultivates all kinds of flowers, but his rose gardens are especially fine, and people come from near and far to admire their beauty. In addition to his business as a florist Mr. Holmes is still engaged in landscape gardening of all kinds, and his services are in great demand. He and his wife attend the Episcopal church, and he is affiliated with the following organizations: Cincinnati Lodge, No. 3, F. and A. M .; Madison Chapter, No. 27, R. A. M .; Ode de St. Amand Commandery, No. 12, K. T .; Salaam Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Knights of Pythias ; Scottish Clan; Knights of St. George.
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