USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume II > Part 63
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LYMAN KICE
Lyman Kice, a progressive and energetic business man of German Val- ley, Morris county, New Jersey, is a representative of a family which has been identified with the interests of the State for a number of generations. The name is of German origin. His father, Isaac Kice, was born in the State of New Jersey and followed the occupation of farming all his life. He died at the residence of his son in German Valley at the age of sixty- seven years. He married Martha Everett, of Lebanon, and they had an only child.
Lyman Kice was born at Peapack, New Jersey, in 1845, and was edu- cated in the schools of Morris county. After completing his education he served as clerk for a time for Samuel Welsh, and was then engaged in farm- ing for several years. Abandoning this form of industry, he was again a clerk for a time, then, in 1884, established himself in his recent business, in which he has been decidedly successful. He conducted a general store well stocked with a full line of all goods with the exception of groceries. He was up-to-date and progressive in his business methods, and the invari- able courtesy with which his customers were treated; added not a little to the popularity of the owner of the store. Mr. Kice has now retired and the business is carried on by his son-in-law, George McLean, and Mr. Kice gives all his attention to his stone quarries. He is a staunch supporter of Democratic principles, served as clerk of the township many years, and is now town collector. His fraternal affiliations are with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he is a member of both lodge and camp, at Morristown.
Mr. Kice married Amy Naughright, and has one child: Laura, who married George McLean, and has one child: Russell. Mr. Kice is held in high esteem by his fellow townsmen for the integrity which has been a dominating characteristic.
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JOHN C. WELSH
John C. Welsh, owner of the garage in German Valley, Morris county, New Jersey, is a member of a family which has been honored in many generations. His great-grandfather was Jacob Welsh, whose son, John C. Welsh, was a prominent farmer, banker and man of affairs. He was one of the directors of the Hackettstown Bank for more than forty years, and was president of that institution for fifteen years, holding the office at the time of his death. Active in the interests of the Republican party, he served it as assessor and collector. He married Elizabeth, a daughter of Matthias Trimmer, and had: Jacob W. and Matthias T.
Jacob W. Welsh was born in Washington township, Morris county, New Jersey, March 19, 1853, and was educated at Schooley's Mountain and in Chester Institute. From his eighteenth to his twenty-eighth year he was in business as a general merchant, and two years as a dealer in machinery ex- clusively. He then removed to German Valley, where he conducted a carriage and harness trade for some years, and is now associated with his son in the garage, hardware and farming implement business, a very profitable enterprise. For many years he has been a director in the Clinton National Bank, and, in association with his son, owns and operates the Dor- land Flour Mills at German Valley. He is also the owner of a large and valu- able amount of real estate in various sections. Mr. Welsh married Emma, a daughter of Obediah Latourette, and they have children: John C., whose name heads this sketch, and Elizabeth. As a member of the State legisla- ture Mr. Welsh has shown marked ability.
John C. Welsh was born in Middle Valley, New Jersey, in 1881. His education, which was a most liberal one, was acquired in the public schools of German Valley and Hackettstown; the Rennsselaer Polytechnic Insti- tute, at Troy, New York. He entered upon his business career with the A. Stevens Company, of New York, and remained with them four years. After this he became associated with his father in the conduct of the garage, as above mentioned, and by his energy and progressive methods has con- tributed largely to the success of this enterprise. Their place of business is located directly opposite the hotel, and is known far and wide. Mr. Welsh is also manager of the Welsh Dairy Company of German Valley, and presi- dent of the Welsh Farmer Dairy Company, an incorporated company of Plainfield, New Jersey. He is Republican in political opinion, a trustee of the Presbyterian church, and a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Welsh married Gertrude Colgrove, of Mansfield, who was graduated from the Mansfield State Normal School, and they have children : Mildred and Elizabeth.
FRANK L. APGAR
Frank L. Apgar, a progressive citizen and business man of German Valley, Morris county, New Jersey, is possessed of the versatility char- acteristic of his remote ancestors. All bearing the name of Apgar in this country, are descendants of the hardy race living in Lombardy, Italy, where it borders upon Switzerland. When John Adam Ebger came from that country in 1749, to make his home in this, he settled in Philadelphia, and it was about that time that the name assumed various forms. It was originally spelled Ebgert, then Ebcher, still later Edgar. and finally had its present form. William H., father of Frank L. Apgar, was born in the State of
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New Jersey, and was engaged in business as a butcher at Summit, where he died in 1885. He married Emma Compton, of Liberty Corner, now living at Plainfield, New Jersey, and they had children: George V., Ella F. and Frank L.
Frank L. Apgar was born at Summit, New Jersey, in 1879. He re- ceived his educational advantages at the public schools at Madison, and then entered upon a varied and interesting business career. During the first five years of his business life he served as clerk in a grocery store, then held the position of traveling salesman for a period of six years, and next be- came connected with the automobile business in Newark, New Jersey. Dut- ing the twelve years that this connection was in force, Mr. Apgar sold and also raced cars, some of these being the largest racers in the country, and in every case he was successful. December 22, 1913, Mr. Apgar opened the German Valley Hotel, at German Valley, this being the only hotel in Wash- ington township which is equipped with all up to date improvements and conveniences. He purchased this hotel, which has fifteen rooms, from George D. Walters, and has remodeled it in many particulars. He makes a specialty of catering to automobile patronage, as it is considered just a pleasant motoring distance from either Newark or New York. He is a strong supporter of the Republican party and a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Apgar married Ruth Black, of Newark, and they have one child : Marjorie, now in her third year.
ISAAC DANIEL LYON
Isaac Daniel Lyon, a man well known in the jewelry trade in Morris- town, New Jersey, respected and honored for his upright character and unimpeachable business methods, is a representative on both the paternal and maternal sides of old families, of Morris county, members in each generation aiding to the best of their ability in the development and im- provement of the communities in which they resided.
Daniel Lyon, the earliest known ancestor on the paternal side, removed to Parsippany, Morris county, New Jersey, from Newark, Essex county, New Jersey, and there spent the remainder of his days. Among his chil- dren was Stephen Smith Lyon, who followed the occupation of farming in Parsippany, New Jersey, and in addition to this had teams carting iron ore from mines above Rockaway, New Jersey, to Newark, where it was dis- posed of to good advantage. He lived to the venerable age of eighty-six years, and was esteemed in the community for his excellent characteristics. He was the father of three children: Mrs. Sitz, of Newark, New Jersey ; Charles Lyon, of Roseville, New Jersey ; and Isaac Daniel, of further men- tion.
Isaac Daniel Lyon was born at Parsippany, New Jersey, in 1840, and died in April, 1866. He was a farmer of Parsippany, a veterinary surgeon, and was also in partnership with one of the superintendents of the Newark Horse Car Line, he furnishing the horses for the road. He married, March 8. 1864, Harriet Eliza Dickerson, born at Denville, Morris county, New Jersey, March 9, 1843, living at the present time ( 1913) in Morristown, New Jersey, at the age of seventy years. She is a daughter of Stephen and Nancy (Smith) Dickerson, of whom further, and the mother of two chil- dren : Cora Anna, now the wife of J. E. Walch, of Morristown ; and Isaac Daniel, of further mention. After the death of her husband, accompanied by her daughter, she moved to the residence of her father, Stephen Dicker-
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son, of Taber, New Jersey, where her son was born. Mrs. Lyon married (second) February 4, 1875, Rev. Benjamin N. Reed.
Isaac Daniel Lyon Jr., was born in Taber, New Jersey, October 11, 1866. The early years of his life were spent in Denville, the family removing from that place to Morristown, New Jersey, when he was twelve years of age. His education was obtained in the country schools adjacent to the old home- stead at Denville and in the schools of Morristown. Upon the completion of his studies, in 1883, he was apprenticed to Alonzo Graves to learn the jewelry trade, and he has been engaged in that business in Morristown ever since. In 1896 he commenced business on his own account, opening his present store, which was successful from the beginning, and which has grown in volume and importance with each succeeding year. In March, 1914. he was elected a director of the American Trust Company of Mor- ristown, which fact is a testimonial to his high character, executive ability and honorable business methods. He is a Progressive in politics and served for a number of years as treasurer of the Progressive League. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, the Masonic Order, the Royal Arcanum, Improved Order of Heptasophs, the Independent Hose Company, and a number of local clubs.
Mr. Lyon married, in Morristown, Ida May Carrell, daughter of the late Eugene and Ida Fletcher (Searing) Carrell, and a descendant of one of the old pioneer families of Morristown, one of her ancestors having been one of the founders of the Methodist Episcopal church in Morristown. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Lyon: Harold C., born in 1901; Kenneth R., born in 1905; Margaret E., born in 1908; Stuart Searing, born September 26, 1913.
Eugene Carrell, father of Mrs. Lyon, was born at Philipsburg, New Jersey, September 1, 1850, and died in Morristown, January 21, 1914. He came to Morristown at the age of fourteen years with his parents, his father, Uriah Carrell, being well known in educational circles in Philipsburg and Easton, and being recommended to the public school service in Morristown, he taught there for several years. Uriah Carrell enlisted in the Union army in the Civil War as a private and rose to the rank of major, but was discharged on account of ill health, contracted while in service. Early in life Eugene Carrell became a clerk in the furnishing goods store of the late George Lawrence, in Morristown, and later he and J. Walter Searing pur- chased the business from Mr. Lawrence, and two years later Mr. Carrell purchased his partner's interest and conducted the business alone up to the time of his death. When the American Trust Company was organized he was elected a member of its board of directors, and served in that capacity for a number of years. In 1894 he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Abraham C. Gardinier, deceased, in the board of aldermen, and the following year he was elected an alderman for a two-year term. He was a member of the Morristown Fire Department for about forty-five years, and was the second oldest member of the Independent Hose Company, which company was organized in 1867, and Mr. Carrell became a member, June 14, 1869. He was for several years a commissioner of the Board of Excise ; was the efficient treasurer of the Firemen's Relief Fund ; for many years was a member of the Morristown Fife and Drum Corps; was from his youth a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for many years taught in the Sunday school. He was a member of Cincinnati Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons ; Ode de St. Amand Commandery, Knights Templar ; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Loantaka Chapter, Royal Arca- num ; Tapkaow Club, and other organizations. He married Ida Fletcher
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Searing, and had two daughters: Ida May, who married Mr. Lyon, as above stated; Grace R., a resident of Morristown.
(The Dickerson Line).
Philomon Dickerson, the pioneer ancestor, emigrated from England early in the history of the Massachusetts Colony and was among the free- men of Salem in 1638. In 1643 he purchased from the Indians a large tract of land on the north shore of Long Island and took up his residence at Southold, where he died at the age of seventy-four years, leaving: Thomas and Peter, his sons.
Philomon Dickerson, a descendant of his namesake mentioned above, was born in Morris county, New Jersey, in 1788, and died in Paterson, New Jersey, December 10, 1862. After his graduation he studied law with General Vannata, of New Jersey, in Philadelphia, and succeeded him as judge of the United States District Court of New Jersey. He was also governor of New Jersey, 1836-37; a representative in the twenty-sixth Congress, 1839-41 ; but his election was contested by John B. Aycrigg, and he did not secure his seat until March 10, 1840, his term expiring March 3, 1841.
Daniel Dickerson was born about or prior to 1740, probably at Eliza- bethport, New Jersey. The tradition is that he traded his lands at Speed- well for 105 acres with Nicholas Commesaw, where Camp Taber, New Jersey, now is located, built a house, now torn down, near the spring, a large stone in the chimney of the house being marked D. D. 1760. Daniel Dick- erson added considerable land to his home farm, and at one time was the owner of many hundred acres of adjoining lands. Besides operating his farm, he was a bloomer for John Jacob Faesch, at Old Boonton. Important papers from Adjutant-General Oliphant show that Daniel Dickerson served as a private in Eastern Battalion, Morris county, New Jersey Militia, in 1781, during the progress of the Revolutionary War, and he was also a soldier in the French War. He was assessed for the salary of Rev. Mr. Everitt, of Rockaway church, September 2, 1779, and again in 1781. He lived on the Stephen Dickerson farm, now owned by the Denville Camp Meeting Association. He married, at an early age, Phebe Genung, who died in May, 1821. There are conflicting dates for the death of Daniel Dicker- son, one being March 13, 1826, another March 23, 1826, and another 1830. He and his wife are probably buried at Rockaway, New Jersey.
Daniel (2) Dickerson, son of Daniel (I) and Phebe (Genung) Dick- erson, had four sons, one of whom was Thomas.
Thomas Dickerson, son of Daniel (2) Dickerson, married Sarah Hall, and they became the parents of thirteen children.
Stephen Dickerson, son of Thomas and Sarah (Hall) Dickerson, was born January 24, 1807. He married Nancy Smith and they were the par- ents of children as follows: I. Mary W., born June 21, 1828; married, February 26, 1844, Timothy L., son of Timothy and Electa (Garrigue) Palmer ; children : Wilber, Emma, Minton, Mary, Charles. 2. Hetty S., born July 26, 1830, died December 9, 1895; married, September 16, 1848, Davis Lyon; children : Edward, Laura, Charles, Julia, Lizzie, Hattie. Lizzie Lyon married Clarence Montague Rivers, who invented a process for making patent leather and has a large and prosperous factory ; they reside in Elizabeth, New Jersey; their children are: Clarence Langdon, Claude Hollingsworth, Clifford Dullono, Constance May, Charles Emerson. 3. Julia Ann, born July 10, 1832, died July 26, 1859; married, February II, 1858, Thomas Jefferson, born April 9, 1833, died August 5, 1899, a son of
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Christopher and Electa (Towland) Youngs ; one child, Frank J., born July 12, 1859, married, November 8, 1888, Mary Fredericks. 4. Abigail, born September 22, 1834, died August 3, 1835. 5. Caroline, born June 3, 1836; married, December 9, 1854, Charles, son of Christopher Young ; children : Henry W., George P., Jennie, Wesley, Fanny, Lida, Lillie, Caroline. 6. Daniel, born September 6, 1838; married, February 20, 1866, Charity Cas- terline; children : Susan, Frank L., Julia, Elmer, Charity, 7. Charles S., born October 30, 1840; married (first) February 9, 1865, Cornelia, a daugh- ter of Stephen Cooper, and had one child: Cummings C .; married (second) April 22, 1869, Hattie R., daughter of John and Sarah Ann (Cooper) Clark ; children : Wilena, Fred W., Clara, Marvin, Wadsworth and Harry Park. 8. Harriet Eliza, who married Isaac Daniel Lyon (see Lyon). 9. Emma Jane, born September 19, 1845; married, December 5, 1863, Elisha B. Earles ; children : Caroline M., Clarissa, Nettie A., George W., Arthur P. IO. Stephen, born December 5, 1847; married, December 25, 1873, Julia Banks. II. John Wesley, born January 1, 1851; married, September 20, 1873, Charlotte R. Quimby ; children : Flora and John; she died May 25, 1883. 12. Addie A., born October 7, 1856; married, May 8, 1875, Charles M. Meyers ; children : Cora, Fred, Claude, Roy, Mabel, Edith, Helen, and one deceased.
HENRY COOPER PITNEY JR.
Henry C. Pitney Jr., an active lawyer, prominent in the civil life of the community in which he resides, was born in Morristown, New Jersey, August 6, 1856, eldest son of former Vice-Chancellor Henry Cooper Pitney.
In June, 1874, he entered the sophomore class of the College of New Jersey, at Princeton, from which he was graduated in June, 1877, the year in which he attained his majority. He took the degree of A. M. in June, 1880. Immediately after his graduation from college he took a clerkship in the law office of Pitney & Youngblood, in Morristown, also taking up the study of law under the excellent tutorship of his distinguished father. He was admitted to the bar as an attorney-at-law by the Supreme Court of New Jersey in June, 1880, and as a counsellor in February, 1884. He at once engaged in practice in Morristown, where he has resided to the present time. Mr. Pitney gives active support to community interests, particularly to the Morristown Public Library, of which he is director, and since 1904 has been secretary. He is also a director of Morristown Memorial Hos- pital, and a manager of the Morris County Savings Bank. He is a mem- ber of the First Presbyterian Church of Morristown, and in politics is a Republican.
Mr. Pitney married, June 17, 1891, Laura Grace Putnam Wood, daugh- ter of Andrew J. and Julia A. (Henry) Wood.
SIDNEY COLLINS
In every land where freedom of the press prevails, the "Fourth Estate" is a power to be reckoned with, and the editor's sanctum is a seat of an authority not inferior to that of kings. The leading journalists of the last century were, to a great degree, the arbiters of our national destiny. And, although the stirring times which called forth the powers of these editors of the past have now become matters of history, the new age has demands of its own, and to meet these demands men have been raised up whose tal-
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ents and influence are not inferior to those of their predecessors. Taking a leading place in the list of these names is that of Sidney Collins, editor and publisher of the Rockaway Record, of Rockaway, Morris county, New Jersey. He is descended from a sturdy Protestant family which came to this country from the north of Ireland. His paternal great-grandfather was Benjamin Collins, who was a farmer and also a minister, and lived for many years at Springfield and Livingston, New Jersey. Pell, son of Ben- jamin Collins, died in Livingston, Essex county, New Jersey. He married Edwards.
Sidney, son of Pell and (Edwards) Collins, and father of the Sidney Collins of this sketch, was born at Livingston, in August, 1831, and died in March, 1900. In his earlier years he was a farmer, owning a large tract of land which was later divided into building lots, about 200 houses being erected on this land, which was known as Collinsville for many years. He was a successful shoe merchant for many years, removing to Morris- town, New Jersey, in 1860. He married Amelia Kranich, who was born and educated in Heidelberg, Germany, and came to this country at the age of eighteen years. They had children : I. Lillie May. 2. Julia. 3. Pell, who died in infancy. 4. John L., born at Livingston ; was deputy internal revenue collector for a number of years, and then he removed to Newark, where he became bookkeeper for the Galena Signal Oil Company at Franklin, held the position for twenty years, and died in Newark; he married Margaret Cluss, now living in Newark. 5. William E., of Mor- ristown, New Jersey, was assistant to Oscar B. Smith, an undertaker, for some years, and is now clerk in the office of Samuel B. Halsey, attorney. For a time he served as coroner of Morris county, and has always been a Republican, and a Presbyterian. 6. Sidney, of further mention. 7. Joanna, who married Frank P. Cole, and died in 1905 at the age of thirty-eiglit years. She left three children. 8. Abraham Lincoln, born in 1866, is a stone cutter in the employ of the Davis Monumental Works, of Morristown. He married Sarah Bowen, and has one child. He is a Republican, and a member of the Episcopal church. 9. Harry Benjamin, born in 1868, re- sides on the Stephen Douglas farm, which he cultivates, and gives his po- litical support to the Republican party, and his religious to the Presbyterian church. He married Ollie, daughter of Henry M. Smith, of Whippany, and has two daughters and one son. 10. Lockie, now forty-three years of age, was born in Collinsville, married William Ernest Dobbins, a boss painter, and has an only daughter.
Sidney Collins was born in Morristown, New Jersey, on the present site of the Municipal Building, July 12, 1860. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, leaving high school at the age of sixteen years. He then obtained a position in the office of the Morristown Jerseyman, con- ducted by A. A. Vance, and was connected with this office for a period of twenty-three years. In 1901 he purchased the Rockaway Record from Wil- liam Burd Jr., the paper having been founded by a Mr. Deitz. The paper is independent in the expression of its views, especially as connected with municipal politics. Prior to coming to Rockaway, Mr. Collins represented the second ward of Morristown on the board of freeholders from 1898 to 1901, and for ten years was a member of the Morris County Board of Registry and Election. He received five appointments. He has remodeled the office of the Rockaway Record, fitted it up with new type, and keeps it well-up-to-date in every respect. The office also does job typing. Under the able management of Mr. Collins, the circulation has been largely in- creased, and the establishment is in a most satisfactory and flourishing con-
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dition. All the news of the day is furnished with the least possible delay, and the topics of current interest are handled in a most masterly manner. Mr. Collins owns a fine residence on Rockaway avenue, and, while he has been an active worker in the interests of the Republican party, has con- sistently refused the public offices which have been tendered him. His re- ligious affiliation is with the Presbyterian church. He is a member of the Loyal Order of Buffalo, of Dover; Rockaway Lodge, Improved Order of Red Men ; and the Exempt Firemen.
Mr. Collins married (first), in 1884, Catherine Goddard Cluss, born and educated in Paterson, New Jersey, died in February, 1907. She was a daughter of Philip A. and Catherine (Campbell) Cluss, both of Paterson, where he was a furniture dealer ; both are now deceased. Mr. Collins mar- ried (second), in 1909, Helen Louise, a daughter of Michael and Helen (Grove) Lyman, of Morristown. Children by the first marriage: Mollie C., married Herbert Scheid, of Morristown, now manager of the Schultz Novelty Company, of New York City; Raymond Sidney, a member of the printing firm of Collins Brothers in Morristown, married Lydia Rarick, of Rockaway, and has one child: Catherine Cluss; Ogden Stiles, of the firm of Collins Brothers of Morristown, married Jennie, a daughter of Nathaniel Spencer, and has one son: Ogden Stiles; Sidney Jr., in the employ of the Morris County Press; LeRoy Bentley, was graduated in the class of 1914 from the Rockaway High School, and is now with his father; Philip Harold, still attending public school. By the second marriage there was one child : Helen Louise, born December 17, 1910.
BRITTON DUROC EVANS, M. D.
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