USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume II > Part 49
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James E. Purcell was born in Succasunna, Morris county, New Jersey, February 26, 1865. He obtained his education in his native town, attending the Alspaugh School of Succasunna, and after completing his course of studies there he began his work as gardener in the same locality. He later removed to Mount Arlington, New Jersey, where he has made his residence for twenty-seven years. He at once became prominent in the affairs of the town and has been engaged in many important works there. With his father, he was engaged in laying out the grounds of the Hotel Breslin in Mount Arlington and has remained with Mrs. Patten twenty-three years, in charge of the property, the lawns, gardens, etc., and caring for the hotel during the season it is closed. Mr. Purcell is not content, however, with devoting his time and attention exclusively to his personal affairs, but takes an active interest in the life of the community and has served in several offices in the gift of his fellow citizens. He has lived in Mount Arlington since its incorporation and has become well acquainted with the needs of the town and is eminently fitted to direct its affairs. For a number of years he has been a member of the board of education, an office he has filled to his own credit and the satisfaction of the community. He is a Republican
John H. Polhemma
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William @ Polhomies
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in politics and has twice been elected on that ticket to the council, and is now serving his second term in the capacity of councillor.
Mr. Purcell was married in October, 1899, to Catherine C. McNally, daughter of Michael and Ann McNally, natives of Ireland, who came to this country and settled in Mine Hill, where Mrs. Purcell was born. Mr. McNally was employed for a time by P. C. Buck in the Mine Hill Store and later engaged in the tea and coffee business for himself. Both he and Mrs. McNally are dead. To Mr. and Mrs. Purcell was born one child, Catherine Mary, who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Purcell are members of the Roman Catholic church and attend St. Mary's Church, Dover, of that denomination, in the cemetery of which Mr. Purcell Sr. lies buried.
JOHN H. POLHEMUS
John H. Polhemus, one of the substantial business men of Whippany, Morris county, New Jersey, has the distinction of having a long and honor- able line of ancestors. The progenitor of all of the name of Polhemus in America was Johannes Theodorus Polhemus, a minister of the Reformed Church of Holland, who accepted a call from the church in Flatbush, and labored there from 1654 until 1665. Later, and until his death, he was pastor of a church in Brooklyn. He married Catherine Van Werven, and died in 1676.
Daniel Polhemus, son of the immigrant ancestor, was captain of the troops of King's county, and died shortly before 1730. He was for a time supervistor of Flatbush, and later served as county judge.
Daniel Polhemus, son of Daniel Polhemus, removed to New York, where he took up his permanent residence.
Henry Polhemus, son of the second Daniel Polhemus, was born in New York, and removed to Battle Creek, Michigan. After the death of his wife he returned east, and made his home in Somerset county, New Jersey. He married Helen Van Middlesworth, born in New York.
John H. Polhemus, son of Henry and Helen (Van Middlesworth) Pol- hemus, was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, April 11, 1856, died April 13, . 1914. He was four years of age at the time of his mother's death. A part of his education was acquired in his native State, and it was completed at a college for elocution in Middlebush, New Jersey. In 1876 he came to Whip- pany, Morris county, New Jersey, where he found employment as a clerk in a general store. Strict attention to business and faithful performance of all duties which fell to his share were not without their due effect. It was not so many years later that he became the proprietor of a general store in the same town, and steadily continued in business there. From the outset his methods were enterprising and progressive, yet tempered with a sufficient amount of conservatism to render them perfectly safe. He closely studied the trend of the times, always kept a large and well chosen stock of goods on hand, and the never failing courtesy with which all of his customers were treated was duly appreciated. He always gave his staunch support to the principles of the Republican party, and filled the office of postmaster of Whippany under President Harrison. His religious affiliations were with the Presbyterian church, of which he was a director, he was president of the Whiponong Hall Association, and a member of the Royal Arcanum and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.
Mr. Polhemus married, April 21, 1880, Fannelia Beach, daughter of Thomas McIntyre, of Mount Vernon, New York. They had children : Minnie Fannelia, married David L. Emmeluth, of Mount Vernon, New
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York; John Howard, a resident of Brooklyn, New York, is assistant audi- tor with the Underwood Typewriter Company; William Alexander, who was associated in business with his father; Helen Van Middlesworth, mar- ried Russell Webb; Laura Elizabeth, at home; Jennie Mabel, in the employ of the Morristown & Erie Railroad Company ; Hazel Jewett, in the Orange Training School for Nurses; Edna Gordon, a senior in the Montclair State Normal School; Dorothy Gladys, in the public school.
William Alexander Polhemus is an active young Republican and has held the office of township clerk of Hanover township for the past four years, completing his second term, and was for some time president of the Whippany brass band, he being an accomplished cornetist.
WILLIAM PARTRIDGE GRIFFITH
William Partridge Griffith is a member of an old and distinguished Welsh family and spent the first twenty-seven years of his life in Great Britain, where he was educated and carried on his business with success in associa- tion with his father. The lure of the new world was at length strong enough to overcome the attraction of security, even when based on a sub- stantial success, and he came to America in search of the fortune he believed awaited him. The event has been his justification. Almost from the time of his arrival, his efforts have been crowned with success and he has devel- oped a large and independent business, and made a prominent place for him- self in the adopted community.
He was born May 1, 1864, in North Wales, a son of John and Frances Griffith. Mr. Griffith Sr. was a native of Wales, but Mrs. Griffith was an Englishwoman and brought to the splendid character of the best Welsh type the characteristic English qualities. Mr. Griffith Sr. was employed by the British government as a valuer of lumber and his thorough understand- ing of his work and of construction doubtless was a strong influence in turning the attention of his son to architecture and determining him in the choice of a career. To the parents were born ten children.
William Partridge Griffith was a pupil in the Oswuster grammar school, where he obtained the elementary part of his education. He left this insti- tution at the age of nineteen and entered a school of architecture, where he took a course fitting him for a career in that profession, and upon gradu- ating, established himself in his chosen line in England, where he pros- pered for a number of years. He was associated with his father during this time and remained with him until the year 1891, when he decided upon the radical step of coming to America. In the same year he landed in New York City and shortly afterwards was employed by the great Swift Pack- ing Company of Chicago to construct some buildings for them in New York. The work was eminently satisfactory and the same company proceeded to turn over to him much of their eastern construction work so that he was kept busy for a number of years traveling all over the eastern United States in their interests, erecting such buildings as were necessary to the carrying on of their immense business in the various eastern cities. He started at different times in business in Philadelphia and Jersey City, and in the year 1906 went from the latter place to Mount Arlington, Morris county, New Jersey, which he has since made his home and where he estab- lished himself in his profession of architecture as well as in a general con- tracting and construction business. At the time of his arrival in Mount Arlington, the great development experienced along the eastern shore of Lake Hopatcong was at its height and building was in rapid progress. Mr.
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Griffith came in at once for a large share of this and has erected a num- ber of the largest and finest structures on the lake. One of his largest works was the remodeling of the Hotel Breslin and besides this he built the Mount Arlington Casino and the fine boat house there. He also designed and erected the splendid Hexamer house and many other handsome struc- tures.
Mr. Griffith has not confined his interests to his personal business, how- ever. He has taken an active part in the affairs of the community at large and was identified with the Republican party until the year 1912, when something like a political revolution occurred in New Jersey. He has served his fellow townsmen on the Arlington council for the past four years with honor and independence, qualities he has always displayed in his- political as well as in his private relations. Mr. Griffith is a member of the Royal Arcanum, Bergen Council, Jersey City. Some time ago, Mr. Griffith pur- chased a property in Mount Arlington upon which stood a large old fashioned house. This he has remodeled into a splendid home for himself with con- sumate skill and taste.
Mr. Griffith was married in 1903 to Mae Kohler, daughter of Benjamin and Emma Kohler, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in which city she was educated and passed her girlhood. Mr. and Mrs. Griffith are members of the Episcopal church and he was a chorister in that church for seventeen years before coming to America. Mr. Griffith is the worthy representative in this country of the distinguished Welsh family of Griffith, as his only brother lived abroad. This brother was an engineer in the British army and gave his life in the service of his country.
ALBERT JAMES THOMAS
Albert James Thomas, proprietor of the Milton Hotel, at Oak Ridge, Morris county, New Jersey, is a man of well-rounded character, whose mental, social, moral and business natures have been fully developed. He is a citizen of public spirit, a man of sterling purpose and indefatigable energy in business, an advocate of the best intellectual progress, and a Christian gentleman whose life conforms to the precepts which had their origin many centuries ago.
Joseph Henry Thomas, his father, was born in Cornwall, England, in 1839, and emigrated to America .while still young. For some time he was a boss, under Perdee & Clark, in the Dickerson Mine, and was then for a number of years with the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Com- pany, in Hoboken, New Jersey. He married (first) in England, where his two eldest children were born, Emma Lee, who died in 1885, and ( second) Mrs. Bessie (Kelley) Farrell, and is now living in Hoboken. Children, all by first marriage : I. William George, a resident of Jersey City Heights, New Jersey ; was for more than twenty-five years in the employ of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company; he married Eliza Veal. 2. Joseph, now deceased : for a time was employed in the Dickerson mine, and at the time of his death was a warper in the silk mills in Paterson, New Jersey ; he married Grace Nichols, also deceased. 3. Richard, born at Mine Hill, Morris county, New Jersey : resides in Albany, New York, and is a salesman for new and secondhand safes ; he married Emily Grenfell. 4. and 5. Nellie and Emma, died young. 6. Albert James, of whom further. 7. Anna Louisa, married Augustus Staksing, of Paterson, New Jersey, a cigar maker.
Albert James Thomas was born at Mine Hill, Randolph township.
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Morris county, New Jersey, December 24, 1873. He attended school at the old King schoolhouse, at Mine Hill, but left at the age of eleven years in order to learn the blacksmith's trade. This knowledge he acquired with Daniel W. Matthews, at Mount Pleasant Mine, Berkshire Valley. He was then for seven years employed as a blacksmith at the Pickatinny Arsenal, and in a similar capacity at Dover for six months. Seven years were then spent as a motorman in Paterson, New Jersey, and in 1910 he purchased the Milton Hotel, which he has conducted personally since that time. He has made many improvements in this since it came into his possession, and it is now one of the best equipped hotels of its size and class in the country. The cuisine is excellent, the service prompt and satisfactory, and the comfort of the numerous guests is looked after with the greatest attention to even the smallest detail. With the exception of the seven years spent in Paterson, Mr. Thomas has always lived in Morris county, where he has given his staunch support to the Republican party. Mr. Thomas mar- ried, August 17, 1893, Anna Jane, a daughter of Thomas J. and Mary Jane Pope, both natives of Cornwall, England, who settled first at Mount Hope, later in Berkshire Valley, where he was employed at the Mount Hope Mine.
ANTONINO ESPOSITO
Energy, enterprise and perseverance have been the main attributes in the success which has attended the well directed efforts of Antonino Es- posito, proprietor and manager of the Palace Theatre, located on Speedwell avenue, Morristown, erected in 1910 and opened in that year, which is con- sidered one of the finest miniature playhouses in the State of New Jersey, having a seating capacity of 700, and equipped with everything needful for the comfort, convenience and safety of its numerous patrons.
Antonino Esposito was born in Sorrento, Italy, December 15, 1866, son of Salvator and Lucia (Marisca) Esposito, natives of Italy, where they spent their entire lives, performing the various tasks allotted to them in a manner calculated to win the respect of all with whom they were brought in contact, and rearing their children to lives of useful endeavor and righteous living, all the members of their family being in prosperous circumstances, highly esteemed by their fellowmen. In 1881 Antonino Esposito left his native land to seek a home in the United States, where he considered the advantages for earning a livelihood were greater, and upon his arrival here located in Brooklyn, New York, where he secured employment in a furni- ture establishment, performing his work to the best of his ability. His next employment was in the carpentering trade, later in the fruit business, and in 1899 he went to the Argentine Republic, the largest of the Spanish-Ameri- can republics, lying between the Andes and the South Atlantic, and there assumed charge of the carpentry work for a large company, his services proving entirely satisfactory to his superiors. He then traveled extensively throughout the United States, his journeys taking him through many States, and in this manner gained a wide and varied experience which has proven valuable to him in the management of his present business, giving him a thorough knowledge of men and affairs in general not obtainable in any other way. Upon settling down to a quiet routine after his travels, he gave his at- tention to the amusement business, and with the shows under his control visited the Buffalo Exposition, Omaha Exposition and other affairs of a like nature, all of which were successful from a. pecuniary point of view. In 1907 he located in Morristown, New Jersey, and there established a mov-
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ing picture business on Park Place, which he successfully conducted for about two and a half years, and then opened his present place of amuse- ment, the Palace Theatre, which is a remunerative source of income. Dur- ing the winter season, in addition to moving pictures, which are of a high class, there is a vaudeville performance, which is the best that can be ob- tained, nothing of an obnoxious character being allowed on the boards, thus insuring to ladies and children who patronize it a clean show in every way with nothing offensive to their senses or morals, and during the summer season, in addition to moving pictures, there is a stock company which furnishes a fine repertoire of the best plays portrayed in an excellent man- ner. This brief statement of facts proves conclusively that the Palace The- atre is conducted on the best known lines, and is worthy the patronage of the better class of residents, the constant aim of the proprietor being tu make it rank among the leading amusement places of the county. Mr. Esposito is now, October, 1913, beginning the erection of a new and more commodious play house to be located immediately in the rear of his present play house, it will have a seating capacity of 1,641 and standing room for 400 more. The theatre will be constructed along lines the most modern, and where the best talent can appear and feel at home. It will be called the Morris Theatre.
Mr. Esposito married, in New York, in February, 1889, Elizabeth Gar- giulo, born in Italy, in 1872, daughter of Salvatore and Philomina Gargiulo. Children : Salvator and Ralph. Mr. and Mrs. Esposito are communicants of the Catholic church, and he is connected with a number of Italian societies, in which he is prominent and active, which have for their object the bet- terment and uplift of the natives of Italy who seek a home on this side of the Atlantic Ocean, their name being legion.
EDGAR HARVEY McCORMICK
The proper management and cultivation of our farming lands is the foundation on which the prosperity of the country rests, and to no one class of the people in the country are we more indebted for its growth and develop- ment than the farmers of the land. Well known among those who have accomplished good work in the State of New Jersey is Edgar Harvey Mc- Cormick, of Jefferson township, Morris county.
(I) William D. McCormick, his grandfather, resided in Jefferson town- ship, on the homestead still in the possession of the descendants. He had four sons : Calvin and Morris, deceased ; William Harvey, of further men- tion ; Charles, who resides on the old homestead.
(II) William Harvey McCormick, son of William D. McCormick, was born in Jefferson township, Morris county, New Jersey, in 1840, died in 1887. He followed the occupation of farming all his life. He married Mary Zeek, born in 1840, died on the farm of her son, Edgar Harvey, in 1902, a daughter of Christopher Zeek, a farmer and forgeman at Marcella, Rockaway township, Morris county, New Jersey.
(III) Edgar Harvey McCormick, son of William Harvey and Mary (Zeek) McCormick, was born January 3, 1876, on the old homestead on which he now resides, one mile from Milton, in Morris county, New Jersey. He was the only child of his parents, and received his education in the public schools of Jefferson township. During his earlier years he as- sisted his father in the cultivation of the homestead farm, and upon the death of the latter assumed sole control. Like his father and grandfather, his entire life has been spent in Jefferson township, and like his father he is a
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strong supporter of the Democratic party. He is now serving his second term as a member of the Democratic committee of the township, and is a member and clerk of the board of education from Jefferson township. The farm is a valuable one of 160 acres, and was at one time the property of the Headleys, the last owner of that name being Joseph W. Headley. Mr. Mc- Cormick possesses in rich measure the sterling qualities which characterized his Scotch ancestors, and by his thrift and industry, as well as his sound and practical ideas, has made himself a highly valued member of the community of which he is a resident. He married Mattie W. Wallace, of Jefferson township, and they have had children: Roger, Bessie, Cletus and Seward, all attending public school.
EDWARD N. NORMAN
After a useful and honorable business career, Edward N. Norman, of Oak Ridge, Morris county, New Jersey, is now living practically retired, at Milton, enjoying the well-earned measure of rest which should always follow years of labor.
(I) Samuel Norman, his grandfather, came to Morris county with sev- eral brothers, and died there at an advanced age. He was a prosperous and influential farmer. He married Mary Keepers, and had children : Thomas K., of further mention; William S., died in California; Samuel, died at Milton ; Millie, married (first) Samuel Wolfe, (second) Paul Manderville; Fannie, married Squire Lum; Elizabeth, married James L. Davenport ; Hannah, married David Hines ; Caroline, married Zopher Talmadge; Mary, married William R. Mckay; Jane, married Richard Davenport.
(II) Thomas K. Norman, son of Samuel and Mary ( Keepers) Norman, was born in Milton in 1810, and was for many years a farmer and wheel- wright. He was blind fifteen years prior to his death. He married La- vinia Davenport, who died at the age of seventy-six years, a year and a half after the death of her husband. She was a daughter of John C. and (Janes) Davenport, the former a farmer, whose only other child was: Mary, who married Mahlon Jennings. John C. Davenport married (second) Delilah Turner. Mr. and Mrs. Norman had children: Edward N., whose name heads this sketch ; John K., deceased, married Mary Ellen Headley : Samuel L., a carpenter living at Midland Park, New Jersey, mar- ried Delia Whittle ; David E., a farmer, of Sparta, married Mary E. Keepers ; Warren D., a farmer and dairyman, of Redman, Washington, married Josephine Pelletreau, of California ; Mary Catherine, married Amzi D. Alli- son, a farmer of Jefferson township, Morris county, New Jersey.
(III) Edward N. Norman, son of Thomas K. and Lavinia (Daven- port) Norman, was born at Milton, Morris county, New Jersey, December 24, 1841. He attended the public schools of his native township, and upon attaining man's estate he went west, spending seven years in Idaho, while there being connected with mining interests. Upon his return to the east he established himself in business as a merchant, and carried on business for a period of forty-two years, retiring in 1913. He owns the farm on which he resides, and has erected a beautiful house. All his life, with the excep- tion of the seven years spent in the west, have been passed in Morris county. He is a strong supporter of the Democratic party, and has served as a member of the board of freeholders for Jefferson township.
Mr. Norman married, in 1871, Caroline A. Chamberlain, and they have had children: 1. Nellie, living with her parents. 2. Cyrus C., treasurer ot the Alpha Supply Company, of Eastern Pennsylvania; married Minnie
Frederic R Guerre
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Allison, and has a son, Harold. 3. Willard L., a carpenter of Whartondike, New Jersey ; married Leonora Margarum, and has children: Leona A., Marjorie, Noah Edward, Willard C. The business methods of Edward N. Norman were always honorable and reliable, and in his intercourse with his fellowmen he has always borne himself as a quiet, unassuming gentleman, his true worth winning him the regard of all.
FREDERICK R. GUERIN
During the past fifteen years Frederick R. Guerin has been interested in the grocery business at Mendham and since 1908 he has been owner and manager of the grocery formerly owned by the Freeman & Hoffman Com- pany, for whom he was clerk and manager for the preceding thirteen years. Mr. Guerin was born at Morristown, New Jersey, October 21, 1873, and is the only child of Harry and Eveline (Irving) Guerin, the former a native of Morristown and the latter of Somerset county, this State. The father was a carpenter by trade and he was a resident of Morristown at the time of his demise, in 1910, aged sixty-five years. Mrs. Guerin is also deceased.
The maternal grandfather of Mr. Guerin was Peter A. Irving, born in Peapack, New Jersey, July 29, 1819, died at the home of his son, Theo- dore Irving, on Sussex avenue, Morristown, New Jersey, November 15, 1913, in the ninety-fifth year of his age, thus being at the time of his death one of the oldest men in this part of the State. His parents died while he was still young. He went to Paterson from Peapack and in 1866 came to Mor- ristown and associated himself with his cousin, Mr. Van Doren, in the mill- ing business, and for a time was engaged at the old Speedwell Works.
In the year 1870 he purchased the interest of the senior partner of Cooper & Brown, soap manufacturers, later selling his interests. The factory is now an Italian apartment house. His next business was that of carpen- try which he followed up until about twenty years ago when he retired. He retained his health and vigor up to within a few years of his death.
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