USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume II > Part 56
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HORACE WILSON ZELIFF
The name of Zeliff has been a familiar one in Morris county, New Jersey, for many years, and the present representative of the family, Horace Wilson Zeliff, of Lincoln Park, has the respect of business and social ac- quaintances for his many admirable qualities.
Daniel Zeliff, his father, was born in Long Hill, Morris county, and conducted the Farmers' Hotel for almost half a century, in a house which was erected 100 years ago. This hotel was never without a license with the exception of a period of one and a quarter years. Daniel Zeliff was one of the most extensive land owners of the section, and died at the age of seventy- four years. He married Maria Van Hoden, a native of Holland, and had thirteen children.
Horace Wilson Zeliff was born in the Farmers' Hotel, Morris county, New Jersey, in 1847, and was educated in the district schools of that sec- tion. Upon the completion of his education he went to Montclair, New Jersey, where he remained for thirteen years, then purchased the farm on which he was located until his death. The house in which he was living is more than 100 years old, and is still in an excellent state of preservation, needed repairs and improvements having been made from time to time. The land is a part of the old Zeliff homestead. and Mr. Zeliff kept it in a fine state of cultivation. He was engaged in general truck farming, but made a speciality of raising asparagus, and was very successful in this un- dertaking. Politically he was a Republican, and served as supervisor of roads. Mr. Zeliff married Henrietta De Hart, a descendant of one of the old families of the State, and they have had children: Warren ; James, mar- ried Sadie M. Blackman, and has Raymond and Leon; Lowell, married Emma Wilson, deceased, and has Horace and Isabella ; Harry, married May Burnette and has Marguerite and Roland ; Seymour. Mr. Zeliff's first wife died in 1904, and he married (second) in 1907, Miss Isabella Wilson, who survives him, he having died suddenly, May 13, 1914. The career of Mr. Zeliff was one of industry, usefulness and uprightness, and he used his in- fluence for good in the community.
JAMES M. DOREMUS
The Doremus family, represented in the present generation by James M. Doremus, of Pompton Plains, retired from active business pursuits, have resided in Morris county, New Jersey, for more than two centuries, the homestead remaining in the possession of the family until recent years.
Jacob G. Doremus, father of James M. Doremus, was born in Morris county, New Jersey, on the old home farm, and his death occurred there in the eighty-fourth year of his age. He was a successful business man, enter- prising and progressive in his methods, and also devoted considerable time to the tilling of the soil, from which he derived a goodly income, sufficient for the needs of himself and family. He led a life of usefulness and activity,
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an example well worthy of emulation, and his influence for good was felt in the entire community. His wife, Rachel (Berry) Doremus, a native of Pompton, New Jersey, bore him nine children, eight of whom attained years of maturity.
James M. Doremus was born in Jacksonville, Morris county, New Jersey. After completing his studies in the schools of the neighborhood, he went to New York City and engaged in business with his brother, and later took up his residence in Newark, New Jersey, where he resided for thirty- seven years, devoting his attention to business, and then retired, having by his industry and keen business judgment accumulated sufficient capital to enable him to spend his remaining years in ease and comfort, a fitting sequel to a life of activity. His brother is still conducting the grocery business, in Cranford, being the proprietor of two stores which are largely patronized and therefore yield him handsome returns for labor expended. In March, 1913, Mr. Doremus removed to Pompton Plains, purchasing a farm con- sisting of thirty-one and a half acres from Mr. Beans, the land being highly cultivated and therefore productive, and here, amid peaceful and picturesque scenes, is enjoying his life to the utmost. He gives his political allegiance to the Democratic party, and during his residence in Newark served in the capacity of alderman, performing his duties faithfully and conscientiously. He attends the services of the Reformed church, and has attained a high position in the Masonic order, affiliating with the various bodies up to the Mystic Shrine.
Mr. Doremus married Miss Sawyer. Children: I. James F., engaged in the grocery business in Cranford, New Jersey. 2. Golina, a civil engineer, employed in the city engineering department of Newark, New Jersey. 3. Annie Adelle, married Mr. Lillbach, an attorney of Newark, New Jersey. 4. Florence, married Mr. Sawyer, of Chicago, Illinois. 5. Albert, secre- tary and treasurer of Electric Garage of Newark. 6. Rachel, resides at home. 7-8. Edna and J. Berry, died of diphtheria, in early life. The family, during their short residence in Pompton Plains, have gained the respect and confidence of the people in their neighborhood, who estimate them at their true worth. They have taken an active part in community affairs, and are valued accordingly.
EDWARD CLEARY
Among the citizens of Butler who have been active and influential in the welfare and advancement of that town must be mentioned Edward Cleary, who substantially supports its leading institutions and liberally encourages its worthy enterprises. He is a native of England, and thus is among that class of foreign-born citizens, who are ever foremost in upholding the prin- ciples and policies of their adopted land.
His father, William Cleary, also a native of England, came to this country in early manhood, led a useful and active life, and died in Butler, New Jer- sey, aged about sixty-eight years. His wife, who was a Miss Schuse before marriage, bore him ten children, five of whom are living at the present time (1914).
Edward Cleary, after his emigration to this country, was a resident of . Boonton, Morris county, New Jersey, attended the schools of that place, and upon the completion of his studies entered upon employment in Boonton, remaining until the works shut down. In 1877 he removed to Butler, where he has since resided, a period of thirty-seven years. He at once entered the employ. of the Rubber Company of Butler, continuing in their service
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for sixteen years, and then established a business on his own account, open- ing a general store, carrying a full line of groceries, also other commodities, and in addition to this has a meat market, separate, well stocked with the best meats obtainable, and his business has steadily increased in volume and importance, he being one of the oldest and most successful merchants of the town. In 1910 he erected a building for the conduct of his business, and he is assisted in the management of the same by his five sons, all of whom render valuable service. Mr. Cleary was a member of the common coun- cil for three years, and to him is due the credit of the fine roads in that section of the county, he being the first man to use his influence in having the roads macadamized. He is a member of the Catholic church, the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Foresters, and is a Democrat in politics.
Mr. Cleary married Bridget Loughman, born in Ireland. They. are the parents of five sons. Mr. Cleary is a man of marked ability and genuine worth, and is highly esteemed by all who know him.
JAMES WRIGHT BREWEN
In the demise of James Wright Brewen, which occurred in Rockaway, New Jersey, February 28, 1899, after a life-long residence there, the city lost one of its representative citizens, a man of uncompromising integrity, keen perception and unassailable character, an active and potent factor in the mer- cantile affairs of his native city.
James Harvey Brewen, father of James Wright Brewen, was a native of Madison, Morris county, New Jersey, died in 1885, aged sixty-seven years, after a life of usefulness and activity. He was reared and educated in his native town, learned the trade of plumber, and in young manhood removed to Rockaway, where he spent the remainder of his days, following his trade with a large degree of success. He was a Presbyterian in religion, and a Republican in politics. He married Emily Kelsey, daughter of John B. and Delia B. (Conger) Kelsey, the former named a shoemaker by trade, who removed from Rockaway, New Jersey, to Tennessee, later returning to Rockaway, where they spent their declining years. Mr. and Mrs. Kelsey
were the parents of fifteen children. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Brewen, as follows: I. Arthur M., resides in Jasper, New York; a minister by profession; married Carrie Metcalf, of Jasper. 2. Delia K., died aged fourteen years. 3. James Wright, of whom further. The mother of these children died in 1899, in the seventy-fourth year of her age.
James Wright Brewen was born in Rockaway, Morris county, New Jer- sey, March 13, 1849. He attended the public schools of his native place, and the knowledge thus obtained was supplemented by attendance at the Morristown Academy, where he completed his studies. He began his busi- ness career in the employ of his father, who was a member of the firm of Brewen & Bunnel, and later engaged in the hardware business, continuing along that line up to the time of his decease, being well known in mercantile circles, and winning and retaining the respect and confidence of all with whom he had business relations. He was a Presbyterian in religion, a Re- publican in politics, and a member of the Royal Arcanum. Mr. Brewen resided in Rockaway, where he was well known and highly esteemed.
Mr. Brewen married, April 17, 1872, Emma A. DeHart, born March 13, 1850, daughter of Charles C. and Harriette Louise ( Pierson) DeHart, and granddaughter of Moses DeHart, who was a descendant of a French Huguenot ancestry. Charles C. DeHart was born in Madison, Morris county, New Jersey, in 1825, died in 1902. His parents died when he was
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quite young, and thus he was early thrown upon his own resources. He learned the trade of butcher, and about the year 1848 entered into partner- ship with Alexander Robertson, of Morristown, continuing along the same line up to a few years prior to his death, achieving a large degree of suc- cess, becoming the owner of considerable land, and residing at Edgewood, near Rockaway, New Jersey. He was a Presbyterian in religion, and a Demo- crat in politics. In 1849 he married Harriette Louise Pierson, of Newark, New Jersey, daughter of Elihu Pierson, and the following named children were born to them: Emma A., aforementioned as the wife of Mr. Brewen ; Georgietta, became the wife of David C. Berry, a hardware merchant of Rockaway, formerly a carpenter, and her death occurred in 1885; Charles Robert, married Catharine Jean Hume, of Brooklyn, New York; they resided near Rockaway, New Jersey ; he died in March, 1913, and she died in November, 1913. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Brewen: I. Delia K., became the wife of Edward T. Davey, of Rockaway, foreman of a foundry ; one son, Everette K. Davey. 2-3. Children died in infancy. 4. Harriette De- Hart, unmarried, resided in Newark, New Jersey. 5. Sarah B., resides at home. 6. Francis B., resides at home. 7. James Harvey, employed in the Union National Bank of Dover. 8. Emily Louise, became the wife of Nelson Leroy Root, of New Haven, Connecticut ; two children: Harriette Louise and Bruen DeHart; Mr. Root conducts a bakery. 9. Harold Rob- ert, was a student at Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, afterwards went to New Brunswick; resides at home.
FRANK L. JACOBUS
A resident of Towaco, New Jersey, Frank L. Jacobus is one of the pros- perous and progressive agriculturists of his locality, and as such a personal mention of him is highly appropriate in this work. This is one of the oldest families in this section of the State, the members of which have been prominently identified with every movement that has meant progress and improvement.
Henry D. Jacobus, father of Frank L. Jacobus, was born in Clinton. Essex county, New Jersey, and his death occurred there at the age of seventy years. He served an apprenticeship at the trade of wheelwright in early life, which occupation he followed successfully for a number of years, in his later years devoting his attention to the cultivation of the soil, con- tinuing along that line up to the time of his death. He married Sarah Jacobus, who lived to the advanced age of eighty-four years, and they were the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of Frank L. and Hassel, the latter named a resident of Newark, New Jersey.
Frank L. Jacobus was born in Towaco, Morris county, New Jersey, No- vember 17, 1865. His early life was spent in attendance at the public schools, where he obtained a rudimentary education, and in assisting his father in the work of the home farm, thus gaining a thorough knowledge of agriculture. After a short residence in Newark, he returned to his home, where he again became his father's assistant, and since the death of the latter is the owner of his present place, consisting of 100 acres of well cultivated land located in Montville township, and is devoting his attention to the raising of general produce and to stock raising. He personally supervises every detail of the work, and the well-kept appearance of his property indicates that he is a man of thrift and enterprise. In addition to the work of his farm, which requires considerable attention owing to its extensive size, he is serving in
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the capacity of justice of the peace and notary public, and since 1903 has acted as collector of the township, discharging the duties of this office with promptness and efficiency, as attested by the fact that he has been several times re-elected. He is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Towaco, serving as a member of the board of trustees, a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and a Republican in politics, prominent and active in the councils of his party.
Mr. Jacobus married, January 1, 1893, Lavinia Van Duyne, born Sep- tember 19, 1903, daughter of James and Hester (Mandeville) Van Duyne, and a representative of one of the pioneer families of Morris county. Children: Edison, Laura, Clarence, Mabel, Florence. Mr. Jacobus pos- sesses in marked degree the confidence and respect of the entire community and wields a wide influence for good.
SAMUEL CLAUDE GARRISON
Among the distinctively prominent and brilliant lawyers of Morris county, New Jersey, none is more versatile, talented, or well equipped for the work of his profession than Samuel Claude Garrison, who maintains his home and business headquarters at Dover. For about seven years he was a resident of Boonton, this county. Throughout his career as an able at- torney and well fortified counsellor he has, by reason of unimpeachable con- duct and close observance of the unwritten code of professional ethics, gained the admiration and respect of his fellow members of the bar, in addition to which he demands a high place in the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens.
At Boonton, Morris county, New Jersey, occurred the birth of Samuel Claude Garrison, the date of the same being August 16, 1881. He is a son of Samuel Loder and Mary (Ferguson) Garrison, both of whom are living, in 1914, and both of whom were born and raised in Cumberland county, New Jersey. As a boy Samuel Loder Garrison began to work in the office of one of the Bridgeton newspapers and there began the thorough training which has resulted in making him one of the foremost newspapermen of Morris county. He has been editor of the Boonton Weekly Bulletin since the early '70s, having located in Boonton at the time he purchased the above publication. Prior to that time he was foreman of the Millville Republican. As a man he is possessed of a shrewd and interesting personality, and in his citizenship he is enthusiastically in favor of all measures and enterprises projected for the betterment of his community and State. He and his wife are the parents of three sons and one daughter as follows: Wilbert, who resides in Mount Vernon, New York, is president and owner of the Wilbert Garrison Company, a high-class printing, manufacturing and engraving concern, the headquarters of which are at 82-84 Beekman street, New York City ; Samuel Claude is he whose name initiates this review : Thomas Fer- guson is a prosperous and progressive farmer, his fine estate being located five miles distant from Bridgeton, in Cumberland county ; and Mary Florence is the wife of James W. Proctor, who is engaged in the chemical business and who maintains his home at Cleveland, Ohio.
To the public schools of Boonton, Samuel Claude Garrison is indebted for his early educational discipline, the same including a course in the local high school, in which he was graduated in 1897. In September of that year he was matriculated as a student in the University of New York, in the law department of which excellent institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1899, duly receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He ob-
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tained his practical experience as a lawyer in various legal offices of note in New York City and in Jersey City. In February, 1903, he was admitted to the New York bar and immediately thereafter opened an office for inde- pendent practice in the great metropolis. In 1904 he was admitted to the New Jersey bar and he has since practiced in both states. In June of the above year he opened an office in Boonton, where he was appointed city attorney, in which capacity he served with the utmost ability for three and a half years. January 1, 1913, he was reappointed city attorney of Boonton and served until January 1, 1914. August 20, 19II, he opened an office above the National Union Bank in Dover, and here has succeeded in build- ing up a large and lucrative practice. He still maintains an office in Boonton and in both cities is well known as a lawyer of great skill and splendid equipment.
In connection with the work of his profession, Mr. Garrison is a valued and appreciative member of the Morris County Bar Association, and he tries cases in both the State and Federal courts. While in college he was initiated as a member of the Zeta Psi Greek letter fraternity, and he is affiliated with Dover Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In politics he is unswerving in his support of the principles and policies for which the Republican party stands sponsor, and while he is not a seeker after political honors of any sort he manifests a deep and sincere interest in community affairs and gives his eager assistance to all matters tending to uplift and benefit humanity. He is a man of progressive ideas; although versatile, he is not superficial; exactness and thoroughness characterize all his attainments ; his intellectual possessions are unified and assimilated ; they are his own.
November 7, 1912, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Garrison to Miss Lillian May Stevenson, a native of Boonton, New Jersey, and a daughter of Alonzo C. Stevenson ; her father is engaged in business at Boonton, and the mother is deceased. Mr. Garrison is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church at Boonton, and Mrs. Garrison is a devout communicant of the Protestant Episcopal church.
CHARLES J. MASSINGER, M. D.
It is entirely within the province of true history to commemorate and perpetuate the lives and character, the achievements and honor, of the illus- trious sons of the state. High on the roll of those who have made the his- tory of medicine in New Jersey a work of fame appears the name of Dr. Charles Jerome Massinger, who has been actively engaged in medical work for nearly a quarter of a century and who for the past three and a half years has maintained his home and professional headquarters at Butler, in Morris county, this state.
In the maternal line Dr. Massinger is descended from Bishop Henry Funck, first Mennonite bishop in America. He was born and reared in Germany, but left his native land as the result of religious persecution and came to America in 1692, settling in what is now Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. The father of the Doctor was Charles Massinger, a native of Germany, whence he immigrated to America at the age of sixteen years. In 1850 he crossed the plains to Colorado, and at one time was part owner of Central City, that state. He was a pioneer gold miner in the west and re- mained in Colorado until 1866, when he returned east and located in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. In the latter section he became owner of several valuable farms, and he was called to eternal rest in 1897. His wife, Mary
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Amanda Heckler, was a native of the Keystone commonwealth, and died in June, 1897, aged sixty-nine years. Six children born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Massinger : Eber, is a veterinary surgeon at Phoenixville, Pennsyl- vania ; Wesley, is likewise a veterinary surgeon by profession and he is milk inspector for eastern Pennsylvania; Omray, is a physician and surgeon at Bridgeport, Connecticut ; Mabel, is wife of William S. Phillips, manager of a publishing company at Santiago, Chile ; William, is a prominent real estate operator in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Charles J., is the immediate subject of this review.
Dr. Charles Jerome Massinger was born at Chalfont, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, August 31, 1868. After completing the curriculum of the public schools of his native place he was matriculated as a student in the University of Pennsylvania, in which well known institution he was gradu- ated as a member of the class of 1888. He then entered Washington and Jefferson College, and in the medical department thereof was graduated in 1890, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Subsequently he was a student for one year in the Southern Homoeopathic College of Baltimore. He initi- ated the active work of his profession at Mays Landing, New Jersey, and continued to reside there for a period of five years, at the end of which he removed to Collingswood, near Camden, New Jersey. Dr. Massinger re- mained at Collingswood from 1895 until 1910, and there controlled a large and lucrative patronage. In the latter year he came to Butler and here succeeded to the practice of Dr. H. V. Day. During the three and a half years that represent the period of his residence in Butler, Dr. Massinger has won re- nown for himself as one of the ablest and most reliable physicians and surgeons in Morris county. He has kept abreast with the advancement made in the medical profession during the last decade and has accomplished some remarkable cures among his patrons. In connection with his life work ne is a valued and appreciative member of the Morris County Medical Society, and is a fellow of the American Medical Association. In a fraternal way he has passed through the circle of York Rite Masonry, being affiliated with Trumble Lodge, No. 117, F. and A. M., at Camden ; Siloam Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Cyrene Commandery, Knights Templars; Excelsior Con- sistory, at Camden ; and Lulu Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Philadelphia. His religious views coincide with the tenets of the Presbyterian church, of which he is a zealous member.
June 4, 1891, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Massinger to Miss Al- phoretta Chester, a daughter of Captain James and Mary (Jones) Chester, the former of whom was a sea captain and a pioneer settler in Cape May county, New Jersey. Dr. and Mrs. Massinger have four children: James, a student in Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Charles Jerome Jr., attending Wiliams College, Williamstown, Massachusetts ; and Eva Gladys and Mabel, aged eleven and nine years respectively, both at the parental home.
ANSELM B. DECKER
Anselm B. Decker, of Hopatcong, Morris county, New Jersey, is the bearer of a name frequently met with in the United States. It is a genuine German surname, frequently spelled Decher, which represents the number ten, and was applied to the tenth child. Some assume, however. that the name was derived from the occupation of a decker, one who builds or lays the decks of vessels. The name is common in Germany, and the family is also found in Holland, whither it is believed they fled to escape religious
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persecution. It is found in the early records of Staten Island, where Johan- nes de Decker arrived in April, 1665. He was a prominent man in his day, filling a number of public offices and then retired to his farm on Staten Island.
Morris Decker, grandfather of Anselm B. Decker, was an old resident of Morris county. His son, Morris C. Decker, father of the subject of this sketch, was born at Newfoundland, Morris county, and settled at Raccoon Island, more than seventy years ago, and died there in 1899. He was one of the first settlers in his section, and was a noted fisherman. As a small boy he had visited Lake Hopatcong with his parents, and his admiration of the place never abated. He married , who died in 1906, and had chil- dren : James, a fisherman, died unmarried, in 1901 ; George, died in 1900, also a fisherman, married Mahala Smith, and his widow and children now reside at Mount Washington ; Mahlon S., whose sketch also appears in this work; Euphemia, married Joseph Tripp, and lives in Illinois : Anselm B., whose name heads this sketch.
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