USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume II > Part 58
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ADSER HANSEN BLUME
If arguments were needed to refute those who would check the immigra- tion setting so steadily to these shores, they might be found innumerable in the persons of those immigrants and children of immigrants who have achieved prosperity and decent worldly success, who are wealth producers, and have attained to the full stature of worthy citizenship. This is true, indeed, of practically all the races seeking refuge or opportunity in the new world, but of none may it be more appositely urged than of those northern races of Europe whose inherent hardiness has been developed and con- firmed by life in their rigorous climates, and whose labor, when it has not produced ample returns, has been handicapped by pressure of population or untoward natural conditions. To one of these races does Adser Hansen Blume belong, his parents having both been Danish and he, himself, being a native of Denmark and spending his life up to his twentieth year in that country. His parents were Herman Adolph and Abel Catherine Blume, of Copenhagen, the father being an architect and building contractor of that city, who was born, lived and finally died there about 1872, at the age of forty-eight, the mother still living there at the advanced age of seventy-nine years. To Mr. and Mrs. Blume Sr. were born eight children : I. Christopher, followed the sea ; was an officer on a vessel navigating the North Sea, and was lost when she was wrecked off the Danish west coast in 1883. 2. Maria, has remained single, and lives at home with her mother. 3. Charles, now proprietor of a thriving bakery at Silkeborg, Denmark. 4. Helen, now Mrs. Herman Huhne, resides in Sonderhausen, Germany, where her hus-
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band has a position as bookkeeper with a large manufacturing concern; she is mother of six children, and her eldest son is now in New York City, em- ployed by the National Lead Company. 5. Adser Hansen, our subject. The three younger children, Sophia, Johannes and Edward, died in infancy or early childhood.
Adser Hansen Blume was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, September 24, 1864, and obtained his education in the public schools of that city. He left school when only fourteen years of age and began the active business of life by taking a position in a dry goods manufacturing concern, in 1878. Here he remained six years, during which time he was determining upon one of the most important steps of his life. It requires no small courage to pack up at the age of twenty, and leaving home and the familiar, em- bark upon unknown ways to a strange land, there to begin life. This was what young Mr. Blume did, and in 1884 he set sail for America, and arriv- ing the same year, settled in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He soon found work in the employment of Henry A. Rath, a plumber, to whom he apprenticed himself. Mr. Rath, now deceased, had a shop on East Broad street. Eliza- beth, New Jersey, and here for four years Mr. Blume served his appren- ticeship, and later worked as a journeyman for six additional years, gaining great proficiency in the manual side of his trade, and a comprehensive knowledge of the requirements and needs of plumbing generally. About this time the rapid development of Mount Arlington, Morris county, and the whole region around Lake Hopatcong, came to his attention, and feeling himself entirely capable of conducting a business for himself, he removed to Mount Arlington and opened the plumbing establishment which has since flourished so greatly. He soon became interested in Mount Arlington real estate and invested in property there, and in 1892 built himself a com- modious home. Some idea of the magnitude of Mr. Blume's business may be had from the folowing examples, taken from among many others, of the large plumbing installations he has made. In 1910-II he removed all the old plumbing from the Hotel Breslin, and installed a complete new system at a cost of $16,000. He has also done extensive work for Messrs. F. D. Heuysler, Berens, Hengstler & Hexamer, and for the Beethoven Double Quartette Club in the building that is now Shafer's Hotel. He has also installed the plumbing in Mr. Fuchs' new cottage, and for Bernhardt Muench, Mr. H. A. Janke, Mrs. Virginia Bertran, Mr. M. F. Moore, Mrs. Brinkman, Charles Hartdegen, Rev. Dr. Pisck, Mrs. Emma Byington, Mr. Theodore Gessler Jr., Mr. G. O. Zeller, Villivan Compe, and many others.
Mr. Blume married October 17, 1888, Carrie Fine Gardner, daughter of John and Sarah (Stewart) Gardner, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, and of Bloomsbury, New Jersey, where Mr. Gardner owned and operated a farm. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Gardner are now living. Mrs. Gardner had one brother, General James T. Stewart, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who saw service with the Ninth New Jersey Regiment. Mrs. Blume is a communi- cant of the Presbyterian church, but since her marriage to Mr. Blume and residence in Mount Arlington she has identified herself with the Mount Arlington Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Blume have no chil- dren.
A great change has taken place in the borough of Mount Arlington and the vicinity of Lake Hopatcong since Mr. Blume first made his home there, and he has witnessed nearly all the great improvements made on the lake in that time. When he first came there were but few people in the town and there were but few boathouses and scarcely any power boats on the lake. Indeed, when he first established his business, he used to get about to the
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scenes of his various operations in a row-boat, whereas he now carries on his business with three motor boats of his own, besides often hiring others. It is estimated that there are now over 600 power-boats there, and that the lake buildings have increased by over sixty per cent. in the past twenty-five years. In many of the best of these new structures, Mr. Blume has installed the plumbing. Mr. Blume is a Republican in politics, and active in the affairs of the community. His fine home stands on what was formerly known as the Totten property, purchased some years ago by Mr. Blume.
MAHLON S. DECKER
Mahlon S. Decker, of Hopatcong, New Jersey, is the bearer of a name which is 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 persecution. It is found in the early records of Staten Island, where Johannes De Decker arrived in April, 1665. He was a prominent man in his day, filling a number of public offices, and then retiring to his farm on Staten Island.
Morris C. Decker, father of Mahlon S. Decker, was born in Newfound- land, and when a small boy removed to Berkshire Valley with his parents. His father was Morris Decker, and he settled on Raccoon Island, Morris county, about 1844, and for a great many years was the only resident of that place. He owned land there and was occupied as a fisherman. He died in 1889. Morris C. Decker died in February, 1914, at the age of sixty-six years, and his wife died in 1908. They had children: James, a fisherman, died in 1901 ; George, also deceased, married Mahala Smith, and his family reside at Mount Arlington ; Mahlon S., whose name heads this sketch; Euphemia, married Joseph Tripp, and lives in the State of Illinois; Anselm B., a fisherman and a dealer in bait, married Delia Bain, of Brooklyn ; Her- man, a violinist, lives in Netcong.
Mahlon S. Decker was born on Raccoon Island. Jefferson township, Morris county, New Jersey, February 16, 1859. He acquired his education in the public schools of Hurdtown, and was engaged in business as a fisher- man for a period of thirty-five years. In 1907 he established himself in the steamboat business on Lake Hopatcong, and is the owner of the Edeva D. and the Sallie D., both gasoline boats, the former carrying eighty-five passengers, the latter carrying ninety-nine passengers, and both plying on Lake Hopatcong. At the time he commenced this business there, there were no improvements at the lake, and he has been instrumental in furthering many of them. Since the death of his father, Mr. Decker has been the owner of the old homestead, and has resided on it. He is a Democrat in his political opinions, and a member of Dover Lodge, Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks. Mr. Decker had children, Raymond and Edeva, by his first marriage, and by his second marriage, one child: Morris, a railroad man in the employ of the Jersey Central Railroad Company, at Jersey City, New Jersey. He married (third) in October, 1907, Lillie, daughter of Matthew and Eliza (Cramer ) Bush, of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, and ha> children : Marjorie, Mildred and Ethel. Mr. Decker is an excellent man of business, and his unvarying courtesy has won him the esteem of the community. During the summer months he is scarcely able to handle the volume of business with which he is fairly overwhelmed.
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WILLIAM D. YOUNG
In the days when names were being bestowed, a large class referring to age, size, shape and capacity, embraced every possible, and well-nigh im- possible, feature of human life. The name of Young was first bestowed to distinguish him from some one older and having the same Christian name. It became a fixture in the next and succeeding generations, without refer- ence to its original signification. We cannot trace the direct ancestry of W. D. Young, a farmer of Parsippany, Morris county, New Jersey, for many generations, but there is now doubt that his family name was bestowed in this manner. William B. Young, his father, was born in Morris county, New Jersey, and died there at the age of seventy-four years. He was a carpenter by trade, and married Phina Derickson. They had five children+.
William D. Young was born in Morristown, Morris county, New Jersey, in 1856. He was educated in the public schools of his native county, and upon leaving these served for a time as a clerk in a store in Morristown. He then removed to Parsippany, remaining there on a farm until about 1880, when he removed to Jersey City and engaged in business in New York. About twenty-five years ago he again went to Parsippany, purchasing his present farm of 100 acres, and has resided on it since that time. He has made many improvements on this property, and in addition to general farm- ing makes a specialty of dairy farming, in which he has been very successful. He is a staunch Republican in political matters, and has served as a mein- ber of the school board. His religious affiliation is with the Presbyterian church. Mr. Young married Addie Harrison, born in Parsippany, and they have had children: daughter, who married Thomas Cook; Louise ; W. Harrison.
MICHAEL O'CONNOR
One of the most popular and widely known citizens of Montville is Michael O'Connor, who is a self-made man, working his way up to his present position by his own unaided exertions, achieving success by means of industry, perseverance and thrift, attributes which are necessary to an active and useful career. James O'Connor, his father, was a native of Ire- land, where he was reared and educated, removing from there to England, and later emigrated to the United States, locating in Calicoon, New York, where he was employed as a laborer, and where his death occurred. His wife. Mary (Cairn) O'Connor, bore him thirteen children, and the family was highly respected in the community.
Michael O'Connor was born in England, in 1856. He attended the common schools in the vicinity of his home, after which he served an ap- prenticeship in the iron business, later working as a journeyman, both in England and in this country, whither he removed in early life. About a quarter of a century ago he removed to Montville, Morris county, New Jersey, and erected the Columbia House, which contains ten bed rooms in addition to the other necessary rooms, all neatly furnished and well kept, this being one of the best hotels in the county and the finest in this sec- tion, also having accommodation for driving and auto parties. In addition to the management of the hotel, to which he devotes the greater part of his time, Mr. O'Connor conducts a bottling business, bottling beer and soft drinks, from which he derives a good income, and the capital he has ac- cumulated has been invested in real estate, he being the owner of eight build- ings in Montville, the revenue from which adds considerably to his income.
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In point of years of service Mr. O'Connor is the oldest man engaged in the hotel business in this section of the county, and his genial disposition and urbane manners have gained for him an extensive patronage, his guests ever finding in him a most hospitable host, who does all in his power to make their visit a pleasure. Mr. O'Connor is a member of the Sacred Heart Church (Catholic) of Boonton, Holy Name Society, St. Patrick's Alliance, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and is a stockholder in the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Montville. He is a Republican in politics, but has never sought or held public office.
Mr. O'Connor married Mary Ellen Moore. Children: Mary Ethel, Margaret, and Anna Odell, who died, aged thirteen years. Mr. O'Connor is a man of broad and practical general information, is one of the public- spirited men of the community, and is faithful in the fulfillment of any obligation that rests upon him in public or in private life.
CHARLES C. MASE
One of the substantial businesses at Dover is that conducted by Charles C. Mase, who is employing his own skill and management, and the services of a staff of capable workmen in filling a large number of contracts for general roofing. He has been in this line of industry for a number of years, knows all the details from experience, is familiar with all the sources of supply and methods of construction, and enjoys the reputation of being thoroughly reliable. Mr. Mase keeps a force of about six men employed throughout the year.
Charles C. Mase was born at Dover, New Jersey, June 1, 1872, son of Nathaniel H. and Sarah A. (King) Mase. His father was born in New Jersey and his mother in Connecticut. His father was also a general con- tractor, and later operated a saw mill, and engaged in timber dealing. There were only two children, Charles C. and a brother William, the latter being now deceased.
Charles C. Mase attended the only school that existed in Dover in his boyhood, and his advantages were discontinued in that direction when he was about fifteen years of age. On leaving school he started to learn the trade of machinist, and worked at that steadily until 1895. He engaged in that year in his present line, and in a few years was an independent and very successful operator. In July, 1892, he married Miss Jennie M. Crampton, a native of Newark, New Jersey, and a daughter of John and Winifred (Sweeney) Crampton, her father a machinist. Children of John Crampton : William D .; Ida, wife of Hezekiah Weaver; Jennie M .; Marshall, de- ceased ; Elizabeth, wife of William Craig; Sibella, wife of William Lundy , and Jennette. Mr. and Mrs. Mase are the parents of three children, Bessie, Mortimer, and Leon. Mr. Mase's grandparents on the paternal side were John G. and Amy (Hooping) Mase, and on the mother's side were Charles and Sarah Ann( Cooper) King.
In local civic and social affairs Mr. Mase had borne a prominent part for a number of years. He is a Progressive Republican, served in the office of justice of the peace for one term, was constable eight years, and a member of the local police force for six years. He is a member of an engine company in the city fire department. His fraternal affiliations are with the Loyal Order of Moose, the Grand Fraternity, and Sons of Veterans, and he and his family attend the Episcopal church.
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FRANK ESTLER
A prominent factor in the business life of Boonton, Morris county, New Jersey, Frank Estler belongs to that class of progressive enterprising citizens to whom is attributable the commercial prosperity and activity of a com- munity. He is a man of strong determination and resolute purpose, and these elements have been essential factors in his business career. James A. Estler, his father, was born near Boonton, New Jersey, and spent his entire life in that vicinity. Until his death he was engaged in the milk business and in trucking. He married Augusta Cook, now deceased, of Denville, Morris county, and had seven sons and three daughters.
Frank Estler was born in the locality in which he is residing, in 1866, and was educated in the public schools of the township. For a time he worked for his grandfather in the milk business, and after his death was engaged in it alone for a period of two years. In 1891 he sold this business, and in the same year he established himself in the ice business, with which he has since that time been successfully identified. He constructed the pond on his place, known as Spring Lake, and his concern is known as the Spring Lake Ice Company. They have two wagons constantly in use and supply Boonton and the surrounding country. He takes a deep interest in public affairs, is a member of the Republican party, has served as township clerk, and has now been in office as township treasurer for a period of five years. His excellent business qualifications are highly appreciated by his fellow citizens, and he has been treasurer and trustee of the Rockaway Val- ley Cemetery Association for a long time. His farm consists of fifty acres, and he keeps this in a fine state of cultivation. He has been a member of the Royal Arcanum for the past twenty-eight years, and he and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Estler married Eva Muller, of Boonton. and has children : Clinton, Alice, Mildred and Frank.
T. J. DOWNEY
As there is no set rule for building character, so there is none for achieving success, and the man who has been able to rise from the ranks to a position of importance in the business world and the social life of any section, has amply proved his inherent worth. It is of a man of this caliber that this review treats. T. J. Downey, of Boonton, Morris county, New Jersey, proprietor of the Franklin House, has conclusively shown his busi- ness ability. James W. Downey, his father, was born in Ireland and was a young man when he came to the United States. He located in Morris- town, New Jersey, where he found employment as a gardener for many years, and died at the age of fifty-five years. He married Mary Nolan, also deceased, and they had four children.
T. J. Downey was born in Morristown, New Jersey, in December, 1869, and obtained his educational training in the public schools of his native town and those of Jersey City, New Jersey. After leaving school he obtained employment in various capacities, all with a view to training him- self for the hotel business, on which he had determined to embark. About 1893 he established the Franklin House, of which he has made a decided success. It has nineteen sleeping apartments, in addition to general public rooms, and is furnished throughout in a modern and comfortable manner. Both service and cuisine are excellent, and it is kept up-to-date in every particular. Mr. Downey also conducts a cafe at No. 109 Brooks street, which is also first-class in every respect. He keeps well abreast of the times
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in all essential matters, and is always ready to introduce improvements. He is a man of pronounced views on all subjects, and prefers not to bind himself politically to any party, casting his vote independently. He is a member of the Catholic church, and has been president of the St. Patrick's Alliance, and of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Mr. Downey married Jemima G. Blue, and of their eight children, five are living at the present time.
DANIEL N. CAMMEYER
The success achieved by Daniel N. Cammeyer, a farmer of Towaco, Morris county, New Jersey, is the result of industry and resolute purpose. He is a son of Theodore Cammeyer, a native of the State of New York, who was engaged in business in New York City for some years. Later he removed to Morris county, on the farm now occupied by his son, and there followed farming until his death at the age of sixty-four years. He married Sarah Jacobus, born on this farm, which had been in her family for some generations, and where she is still living at the age of eighty-one years. They had children: Daniel N., the subject of this review ; Ida, who married - Goodrich ; Stella.
Daniel N. Cammeyer was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1852, and was educated in the schools of that city. For a number of years he was engaged in general farming, in the employ of his father, and upon the death of the latter, worked independently on the same farm, which consists of eighty acres. He is a Republican in national politics, and independent in local matters. At present he is in office as surveyor of highways, and takes a deep interest in all questions concerning the welfare of the community. The house now occupied by him was erected by his maternal grandfather. Mr. Cammeyer married Estella, a daughter of Thomas Phillips, a native of England, who emigrated to this country, and settled at Boonton, Morris county. For a number of years he worked in the rolling mills, and died at the age of sixty-nine years. He married Martha Lewis, and had children: Sarah, Thomas, Ida, Jessie, Estella, who married Mr. Cammeyer: Arthur. Mr. and Mrs. Cammeyer have children: Theodore and Dorothy.
CHARLES H. LEONARD
It is interesting to notice how business ability can be traced from genera- tion to generation in a family. This is the case with Charles H. Leonard, who inherits this fine trait from both maternal and paternal ancestors.
William H. Leonard, his father, who was born in Orange, New Jersey, April 26, 1816, and died in Parsippany. Morris county, when more than seventy years of age, was a son of Josiah and (Ogden) Leonard, the former noted as a school teacher in Orange. In his earlier years Wil- lim H. Leonard followed the shoemaker's trade, but seeing a better future in the butcher business, established himself in that in Boonton, Morris county, at a time when he was the only butcher in the town. Later he established himself in the same line of business in Parsippany, and was successfully identified with it for many years. He was active in his support of the Re- publican party, and was honored by his fellow townsmen by election to a number of public offices. He married Martha Ann Stetson, who died July I, 1896, a member of the Stetson family whose name has become famous in the entire Union. They had children: Kate; William W. ; Charles H., the subject of this sketch ; George E.
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Charles H. Leonard was born in Parsippany, Morris county, New Jersey, August 20, 1856, and acquired substantial educational advantages in the public schools of his native county. Before attaining his majority he had already established a reputation for excellent business qualities, and was beginning to make a name for himself in the business world. He engaged in the grain and feed business about 1884, both in Boonton and Morristown, and is a director in the firm of C. H. Leonard Company. At one time he was the main owner of the interests of this concern. The Fox Hill Coal, Ice and Lumber Company was incorporated March 1, 1913, the present officers being as follows: D. M. Merchant, president; William Franscisco, vice- president ; Charles H. Leonard, treasurer and general manager. This com- pany has the most complete coal pockets on the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad, and employs about six men, and has in use four large buildings in addition to the coal pockets. It is the most complete and best equipped plant in Morris county, and is the only one of its particular kind in the county. Mr. Leonard is a Republican in his political affiliations, and is a county. Mr. Leonard is a Republican in his political affiliations, and is a member of the Order of Free and Accepted Masons. He married (first) in March, 1880, Mary A., who died March 30, 1881, a daughter of ex-Judge De Witt C. and Adelaide (Ball) Quinby. He married (second) in January. 1887, Phoebe Gertrude, a daughter of Jesse and Gertrude ( Bockoven) Pier- son, and by this second marriage has one son: Charles Pierson, born May 23, 1898. Mr. Leonard has always taken an active interest in whatever concerned the welfare of the community, and he has served as postmaster of Parsippany, and as the Hanover township member of the Republican county committee.
EDWARD ARTHUR QUAYLE
Prominent among the leading members of the Morris county bar who have achieved distinction and success in their vocation as the natural sequel of thorough preparation, persevering effort and a determination to succeed, is Edward A. Quayle, who was born October 15, 1854, in Whippany, Mor- ris county, New Jersey, son of Thomas M. and Charlotte A. (Hallock) Quayle, his father having come to this country in early manhood from the Isle of Man, and his mother having been a native of New York.
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