USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume II > Part 45
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Mr. Christensen married (first) in Chicago, October 28, 1897, Ida Enders, who died May 26, 1900, leaving one child, Adah Marie, born August 9, 1898. He married (second) in Morristown, August 13, 1904, Clara Jensen, born in Dover, New Jersey, daughter of Christian S. and Frederika (Ander- sen) Jensen, natives of Denmark, and residents of Dover, New Jersey, Mr. Jensen following the occupation of cleaner and dyer. Mr. and Mrs. Christensen have one child, Claire F., born September 27, 1907.
John. M' Donald
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JOHN McDONALD
John McDonald, the well known and popular chief of police of Whar- ton, New Jersey, is a member of an Irish family, typical of the best char- acter of that enterprising race, which has contributed so large and valuable an element to the composite citizenship of the United States, an element acting in that citizenship as a leaven of the sterling Celtic virtues, indomitable courage, loyalty and a happy union of practical common sense, with a strong bent to the romantic.
His father is Michael McDonald, a native of Ireland where he was born in the year 1834. He spent the years of his childhood in his native land up to the time of attaining the age of fourteen years, when he set sail for America to seek in a "New World" a fuller life and greater opportunity than was offered him at home. Arriving in the United States, he went to Morris county, in the State of New Jersey, and settled in the little town of Mount Hope, where he quickly found employment in the ore mines, then in the early years of their development. From that year. 1848, Mr. Mc- Donald has continuously followed mining as an occupation for over sixty- five years, and is to this day, at the age of eighty years, working as a pumper in the Richards Mine of the Thomas Iron Company, a hale and hearty old gentleman. His first work was done in a mine at Mount Pleasant, and since that time he has made his home in that beautiful section of Mor- ris county, surrounding and bordering on Lake Hopatcong. one of the loveliest bodies of water in that region of the eastern mountains. He and his family finally moved to Wharton, Morris county, at a time when his son John was but five years old, and here he has continued to make his home to the present time. He married, in 1854, Agnes Goldan, a native of New York State, where she was born, daughter of Michael Goldan. Mrs. McDonald died two years ago, in 1912. To Mr. and Mrs. McDonald were born seventeen children in all, a number of whom died in infancy. The others are. as follows: Thomas, died of diphtheria in his sixth year; Delia, now Mrs. Mark Walton, of Newark, New Jersey, and the mother of three children; John, of whom further ; Michael, a resident of Wharton, where he is engaged in the oc- cupation of mining : Agnes, now Mrs. Harry Walsh, of Newark: William, deceased, a brakeman by occupation and was killed at Wharton Furnace while in the exercise of his duties; Mary, now Mrs. George Martin, a resident of Wharton, and the mother of two children; Nora, now Mrs. William Fritz, of Wharton, and the mother of one child ; Leo, a clerk at the Piccatilla Arsenal, Mount Hope, New Jersey. Of the children who died in infancy, several were the victims of diphtheria. Mr. and Mrs. Michael McDonald were reared in the Roman Catholic Church and have continued therein all their lives, rearing their children in turn in that faith. They were communicants of St. Mary's Church of that denomination, Dover, New Jersey.
John McDonald, second son of Michael and Agnes (Goldan) McDonald, was born June 29, 1871, at Dover, New Jersey. When five years of age his parents removed from Dover, where they had been living temporarily, to Wharton, in the same county, and it was here that the lad received his education, attending the local public schools, and has since spent most of his subsequent life. After completing his studies, he secured a position as - boss in the stock house of the Wharton Furnace and there worked for a. period of eight years. He then took up his father's line of work and en- gaged in mining in the Mount Pleasant Mine, where he remained twelve
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years. He then spent a period of five years in the employ of the Richard- son and Boynton stove works at Dover, his native city. During this time Mr. McDonald had not been idle in many of the departments of the life of Wharton and vicinity, quite outside that of his business interests. Es- pecially was this true of politics, in which he took an active and effective part. He was a staunch member of the Democratic party, and his voice was greatly heeded in the local organization thereof, besides which he was known as a man who took a keen and intelligent interest in questions of public polity, whether of national or local significance. This in connection with his well established reputation as a man of probity, the most unim- peachable habits and great courage, rendered him the most available choice of his party for the post of chief of police of Wharton in 1908. He was still in Dover with the Richardson and Boynton people when he received the appointment of this important post, and had to resign his position with them in order to accept his political honors. He took office on January I, 1909, since which time he has performed the duties of police chief to the eminent satisfaction of his fellow townsfolk. His eminently temperate habits, Mr. McDonald has never touched alcohol, and his constant solici- tude for the welfare of his community, make him a particularly effective officer, whom Wharton is greatly favored in possessing as its guardian. Mr. McDonald is a prominent figure in the community of which he is a member in more than one particular. He takes a conspicuous part in the social life of the town, and in fraternal circles, being a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Moose. He is also a member of the State Association of Chiefs of Police. He was for many years connected with the Wharton fire department, and in virtue of this membership is now an exempt fireman. He is a member of the Firemen's Relief Association at Wharton and of the Firemen's Relief As- sociation of the State of New Jersey, being one of the two life members of the latter living in Wharton. Mr. McDonald has been a life-long resi- dent of Morris county, and of Wharton for thirty-eight years. He has owned his residence on Railroad avenue for a long time, and still makes his home there.
Mr. McDonald married, April 18, 1900, Susie Coleman, a native of Wharton, New Jersey, where she was born in 1874, daughter of Michael Coleman, of that place. Mr. and Mrs. McDonald are the parents of four children as follows: John, aged thirteen years; Anna, aged eleven years; William, aged nine years; Veronica, aged six years. Besides these four, they had another child who died in early childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- Donald are staunch members of the Roman Catholic Church, and in that faith are rearing their children.
JOHN A. BERMINGHAM
This family was founded in America by Andrew Bermingham, a native of Kings county, Ireland, who as a mere child accompanied his parents to the United States. The family located in Morris county, New Jersey, where the parents of the boy died very soon after their arrival. Andrew Bermingham was reared in Morris county, and after receiving his education in the local schools, became a soldier in the Civil War which broke out between the states. He enlisted in Company A. of the Sixty-ninth New York Volunteer Infantry, and following his regiment, took part in some of the most severe battles of the war. He participated at the engagements at Coal Harbor, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, and many other
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famous battles, having been wounded at Coal Harbor. His death occurred March 5, 1906, after having lived a long and useful life. He married a widow, Mrs. Conley, whose maiden name was Mary Johnston. She also was Irish by birth, having been born in county Leitrim, Ireland; she ac- companied her parents to America while yet a child, and after reaching maturity married a Mr. Conley, by whom she had four children as follows : Mary Conley, who became the wife of Joseph Dean, of Newark, New Jersey ; Rachel Conley, married James Senior and is now deceased ; William Conley, Daniel Conley. After the death of her first husband, Mrs. Conley was married to Andrew Bermingham, by whom she had two children : Eleanor, who became the wife of John Tully ; John A., of further mention. Mrs. Bermingham died March 11, 1910, at the age of sixty-six years.
John A. Bermingham, son of Andrew and Mary (Johnston) Berming- ham, was born at Mine Hill, Morris county, New Jersey, November 13, 1875. He is now one of the leading undertakers and funeral directors of Morris county, with a finely equipped establishment at Wharton. Mr. Ber- mingham received his education in the public schools of Mine Hill, having been also for a period of six months a student of St. Mary's Parochial School. At the conclusion of his studies he entered business life as a barber, following this trade for a period of three years. For the following five years he was in the saloon business at Wharton, after which he at- tended the Renouard School for embalming, in New York City; and be- coming thoroughly conversant with that art, received his certificate or diploma in July, 1905. He has followed the business ever since, and has been very successful, standing well in the community and commanding the respect of all those with whom he is associated. Mr. Bermingham resides in Wharton, where in 1908 and 1909 he erected a beautiful house and offices. He is now secretary of the Morris and Sussex County Funeral Directors' Association, and represents the board of freeholders of Morris county, having been elected November, 1911. He is a member of the An- cient Order of Hibernians, the Knights of Columbus, and the Catholic Benevolent Legion ; and is a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat ; he is a freeholder, and is secretary of the board of health. He has served as assessor for a period of three years, and has been very active in the public welfare.
On February 26, 1908, Mr. Bermingham was married to Anna Heslin, daughter of Cornelius and Mary (Mulvey) Heslin; she is also of Irish extraction. Mr. and Mrs. Bermingham are very happy in their married life and in the regard of the citizens among whom they reside.
JOHN STEPHENS KERNICK
John Stephens Kernick, the prominent citizen and concientious official of Wharton, New Jersey, is a member of a family of English origin and rep- resentative of the best type of that strong and dominant people, who formed in the early days of America colonization the firm foundation for our citizenship, upon which has been erected in safety the subsequent com- plex fabric of our population, composed of elements from every quarter of Europe, to say nothing of Asia and Africa, elements as divergent as the four corners of the carth.
His parents were both born in the southwest part of England in that long arm that stretches out into the stormy Atlantic south of Wales, Lewis Kernick having been a native of bold and rocky Cornwall, and his wife of picturesque Devonshire. The latter was born May 2, 1851. daughter of
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John and Mary Stephens, who came to America when she was twenty-two years of age, in 1873. The Stephens family settled in Mount Hope, Mor- ris county, New Jersey, and there lived a considerable time, though they finally removed to Franklin Furnace, New Jersey, where they died. A brother of John Stephens, Richardson Stephens, was the superintendent of the great Mount Hope iron mines. Lewis Kernick, father of John Stephens Kernick, came to this country from Cornwall when he was but nineteen years of age. This was in 1870, and he immediately went to Mount Hope, Morris county, New Jersey, and there made his home for a year. His life in America was somewhat nomadic, and he moved hither and thither about the country, seeing a large portion of it and becoming familiar with the industries, especially that of mining, in which he was engaged. After spending a year in the iron mines of New Jersey, at Mount Hope, he removed to the other extremity of the country and found employment in the mines of California. Here he remained for eighteen months and then returned to Mount Hope, New Jersey, and to work in the mines there. It was while in Mount Hope on this occasion that he met Mary Stephens, and on August 19, 1875, they were married at Hamburg, Sussex county, New Jersey. Shortly after his marriage, he once more went west, this time to Colorado, where he remained three years. Again he returned to New Jersey, and this time stayed in the east, moving about, however, both in that State and in Pennsylvania. He first went to Franklin Furnace in Sussex county, New Jersey, where he remained for about three months, still following his occupation of mining, and then was employed in the famous Mount Pleasant and Orchard mines of Port Oram or Wharton. This was in 1879, and he continued in that place until 1884, when he re- moved to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and there engaged in coal mining, a new work for him. He gave this up three years later, however, and once more returned to New Jersey, staying for a few months in Sussex county, and then, finally, on September 24, of that year, moved to Whar- ton, where he made his home up to the time of his death. He found work in the Orchard, Mount Pleasant and Hurd mines. His death occurred February 5, 1905, when he was but fifty-four years of age. His wife and two sons survive him, Mrs. Kernick, now residing in Wharton, at the age of sixty-three years. The two sons born to them and mentioned were both born in Colorado, during the three years residence of their parents in that State. They are: Frederick, born June 28, 1876, now a resident of Newark, New Jersey, where he is associated with the large paint establish- ment of the Sherwin-Williams Paint Company; John Stephens, of whom further.
John Stephens Kernick, the second and youngest child of Lewis and Mary (Stephens) Kernick, was born June 30, 1877, at Silver Plume, Clear Creek county, Colorado, about two miles from the town of Georgetown in that State. He was still an infant at the time of his parents' return to New Jersey, so that all his childish associations are with the eastern State rather than the place of his birth, and especially with Morris county, where he passed the majority of his youthful years, attending the public schools of Wharton until he was nine years of age, and then receiving employment in the Ross & Baker Silk Mill, where he was employed until he was eighteen years of age. One of the very large industries of the section sur- rounding the busy city of Dover, New Jersey, is the manufacture of fur- naces, ranges and other heating appliances, and one of the largest plants of the kind is that of Richardson & Boynton, well known all over the country for their heaters. Two years after he had left the work in the
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silk mill, Mr. Kernick secured a position in the manufactury of this com- pany, remaining with them a considerable period, from January 6, 1897, to February 13, 1906. When he finally left this concern it was to take a num- ber of temporary positions with concerns of many sorts, in different parts of the region. The first of these was the Standard Oil Company of Newark, but here he remained but a short time, later going with the Governor E. Smith Lumber Company of New York City, where he held a position as clerk and bookkeeper. He then received an offer of a position as clerk with the Dover Trust Company of Dover, New Jersey, and accepted it, re- maining with this flourishing institution for just a year, from February 13, 1907, to February 13, 1908. In February of that year Mr. Kernick was taken ill and had to abandon business altogether for a considerable period.
For many years Mr. Kernick had taken a keen interest in politics, both national and local, but particularly the latter, and not only that of an interested onlooker, but of an active partisan of the right as it appeared to him. His word was regarded with respect in the councils of the Re- publican party, of which he is a member, and he came to be considered a strong man for a political office. Conscientious and able, with unimpeachable habits and an integrity never called in question, and added to all this, a very wide spread popularity in the community, he appeared a most available man for an important candidacy. Accordingly in 1908 he was nominated on the Republican ticket for the office of collector, and in November of that year was triumphantly elected to the office. Mr. Kernick served for the three years term prescribed by law, and evidently to the entire satisfaction of his con- stituency, for in 1911 he was re-elected for another three years, and is now the incumbent of that office. How satisfactory is his work in the above capacity may be gathered from the fact that in 1913 the office of borough clerk was added to that he already held, and in January, 1914, this ap- pointment was repeated. Besides these responsible offices, the people of Wharton have intrusted Mr. Kernick with that of school custodian. In spite of his manifold duties in connection with his official positions, Mr. Kernick has not entirely given up his financial and mercantile interests, but still retains the office of secretary and treasurer of the Wharton Fire Com- pany. Every scheme and plan whatsoever, the purpose of which is the development and improvement of the town, may count on friendly interest and aid from Mr. Kernick, not only of a pecuniary nature, but of his time and energy as well. In line with this side of his character it is to be noted that he is a very prominent member of the Wharton Board of Trade and serves that body in the capacity of secretary. He is also treasurer of the Shade Tree Commission of Wharton. His activities cover a very wide range, and to the others just related, he adds those of the active church member. He is a devoted communicant of the Methodist Episcopal church, attending St. John's Church of that denomination. He is a conspicuous member of the congregation, doing fully his part in all church work, and supporting in a material manner the many benevolences in connection there- with. He is treasurer of the board of stewards of the church and secre- tary of the Sunday school. During the many years in which Mr. Kernick has made Wharton his home, he has moved but once. This move was in 1901, when he took up his abode at No. 72 East Park street, Newark, New Jersey. He is highly respected and honored in the community of which he is so valuable a member and the same qualities which have won for him so general an admiration, have also gained him a great number of warm personal friends. Mr. Kernick is unmarried.
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BRADLEY J. BLOODGOOD
Bradley J. Bloodgood, the genial proprietor of Old Orchard Inn, at Woodport, on Lake Hopatcong, Jefferson township, Morris county, New Jersey, is one of the best known business men in that section of the country. He is a son of Francis and Clara (James) Bloodgood, the former long retired from active business life, and was born in New York City, December II, 1869.
His earlier education was obtained at the Friends' School, in Brooklyn, New York, and this was supplemented by a thorough course at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College. Three years were spent in the optical goods business in Chicago, Illinois, and then his connection with hotel affairs, in which he has since become famous, was commenced. For a time he was with the Hotel Chamberlain, at Old Point Comfort, Virginia, then with the New Marlborough, in Massachusetts. Twelve years were spent in as- sociation with The Pouch, in Brooklyn, and in all of these places he in- troduced original and effective ideas. He has made a thorough study of the wishes and caprices of hotel guests, and it is his pride and pleasure to forestall them. In 1910 he purchased property at Woodport, and there erected Old Orchard Inn on beautiful and picturesque Lake Hopatcong. The hotel is surrounded by large apple trees, and in this respect is appro- priately named, and the structure in its rustic appearance appeals to all trie lovers of nature. Since its erection, Mr. Bloodgood has twice been under the necessity of enlarging the original building, owing to the con- stantly increasing demand for accommodation, as the merits of the Inn be- came known. The building is constructed of long logs, with the bark un- removed, and is a two-story structure. The sleeping rooms are on the second floor, while the lower story contains large sitting rooms, parlors, billiard room, public and private dining rooms, a dancing parlor, etc., all furnished in a manner to promote the comfort of the guests and suit the most fastidious taste. There is also a pavilion near the hotel. The art of the taxidermist is displayed in every part of the hotel, beautiful and interest- ing specimens of fauna and flora to be met with on every hand. The gen- eral appearance of the interior of the Inn compares favorably with the interiors of the finest hotels in the country. As far as location is con- cerned, there is no more beautiful spot in the United States. Lake Hopat- cong is surrounded by virgin forest: the water of the lake is as clear as crystal, furnishing splendid bathing, excellent fishing, and is a constant source of delight to those who find pleasure in boating of various kinds. Thousands seek recreation here during the heated term of the year, and springtime, with its soft and numerous shades of green, its delicately tinted flowers, rivals autumn, with its more vivid and glowing colors, each being wondrously attractive in its distinctive way. While the additions Mr. Bloodgood has made to the Inn have resulted in increased patronage, this appears to be a rule that works both ways, for the constantly increasing patronage necessitates a steady increase in the size of the buildings. In con- nection with the hotel Mr. Bloodgood owns twenty-seven acres of land, and a private lake facing the hotel. In association with three others, he owns a tract of 190 acres with 3,000 feet of water frontage. The comfort and pleasure of his guests are matters of paramount importance with Mr. Blood- good, and while the greatest attention is paid to all the more important mat- ters connected with the conduct of the hotel, no detail is considered too insignificant to be given his personal attention, if it in the least affects the welfare of those whom he has in charge for the time being. Mr. Bloodgood
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is a man of pleasing address, and has the happy faculty of winning the confidence of those whom he meets, whether this is in a business or social way. His New York residence is with his parents at No. 331 West Eighty- third street.
GEORGE S. DEGROOT, M. D.
Fully a third of a century has elapsed since Dr. George S. deGroot added his name to the scroll bearing the coat-of-arms, as it were, of the medical practitioners of Mendham, Morris county, New Jersey. His career of professional helpfulness incurs the admiration and has won the respect of his contemporaries, and in a calling in which one has to gain reputation by merit he has advanced steadily until he is acknowledged as the superior of most of the members of the profession in this county, having long since left the ranks of the many to stand among the successful few. He is actively interested in community affairs and at the present time, 1913, is a member of the town council and is serving on the board of health.
In the year 1856, at Mendham, New Jersey, occurred the birth of George S. deGroot, a son of George W. and Marindah ( Bristol) deGroot, both of whom are now deceased. The father was born and reared in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and the mother was a native of the State of Connecticut. In early life George W. deGroot became interested in the general merchandise business and for many years he ranked as one of the foremost merchants of Mendham; he lived in partial retirement during the fourteen latter years of his lifetime at Bayonne, New Jersey. They were staunch Methodists in their religious faith and to them were born three children: Laura, de- ceased, was wife of Charles S. Woodruff, D. D .; Dr. George S., of this sketch ; and a son who died in infancy.
In a home of peculiar charm and refinement Dr. George S. deGroot grew to years of maturity. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Mendham and in a private school conducted by William Rankin. In 1876 he was matriculated as a student in the University of Columbia. New York City, and in 1880 was graduated in the medical department of that renowned institution, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. After a short time Dr. deGroot returned to his home town of Mendham and here in- itiated the active work of his profession. His splendid success as a physician and surgeon is due as much to his kindly, encouraging disposition as to his innate talent and acquired ability in the line of his chosen work. He stands as a monument of strength and hopefulness to the ailing inhabitants of Mendham and the surrounding territory and during his residence here has accomplished many remarkable cures. In connection with his chosen work he is a valued and appreciative member of the Morris County Medical Society and the American Medical Association and for years past he has been a member of the Auxiliary staff of the Memorial Hospital of Morris- town as well as All Souls Hospital, Morristown. He was township phy- sician of Mendham township for twenty-five years and is now president of the local board of health. His political affiliations are with the Republi- can party and as a member of the town council he is an important factor for progress and advancement. In a fraternal way he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and he and his wife are regular attendants of the Presbyterian church, in which they are enrolled as members.
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