USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume II > Part 65
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Jesse S., son of Phoebus Langdon, was born in Morris county in 1818, and died in 1894. During the greater part of his life he was engaged in farming. He purchased a farm of fifty-six acres about 1860, and devoted his time to this and the carting of ore from the Richards and Allen mines to Wharton. He built the fine brick residence now on the farm. He was a staunch Whig, and then a strong Republican, and a member of the Pres- byterian church. He married Sarah, born in 1819, died about 1897, a daughter of John and Elizabeth Martin, and they had children: Louisa, died young; Andrew C., a resident of Dover ; Theresa, deceased ; Theresa ; Jairus J., the subject of this sketch ; Webster C., lives in Omaha, Nebraska, and has been for a number of years state veterinary surgeon of North Dakota; Sarah E., widow of Lemuel S. Vanderbeak, resides at Roseville, New Jersey ; Henrietta, married Augustus Burkhart, of Bethlehem, Penn- sylvania.
Jairus J. Langdon was born on the Langdon homestead, Morris county, New Jersey, November 18, 1849. His early years were spent at Mount Pleasant, and he acquired his education in Rockaway Seminary. His first business occupation was in the employ of the Mount Hope Mining Company, with which he was associated for a period of four years. His next field of industry was in Passaic county, New Jersey, where he and Edward G. Coursen were in the general merchandise business under the firm name of Coursen & Langdon, the business being closed out when Mr. Langdon removed to Mount Pleasant in 1876. There he commenced a store on a small scale, which he gradually increased in size as conditions war- ranted, until it was the largest in the town. He then opened a branch store at Hopatcong, the firm name of this being Langdon & Van Derbeek,
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then bought out his partner, and placed it in charge of his brother-in-law, Mr. Burkhart. A part of his time was devoted to farming, in which he was also successful. For the past five years he has been a partner in the Lake and Langdon Silk Mills, which is operated by water power. They manufactured dress and braid silks, and have opened a retail store for the sale of their output at No. 24 West Blackwell street, Dover, New Jersey. They employ about twenty operators in the mills. One of his farms is located in Berkshire Valley and the other near Wharton. Mr. Langdon was a Republican until the formation of the Progressive party when he joined the ranks of that organization, and was a delegate to the convention in the summer of 1912, at Chicago. He has served as a member of the town council for a period of four years, and was formerly a member of the school board. He is a member of Acacia Lodge, No. 20, F. and A. M. of Dover ; Randolph Lodge, No. 130, I. O. O. F .; Hope Council, Golden Star. His religious affiliation is with the First Presbyterian Church of Dover.
Mr. Langdon married, in 1874, Mary E., of Verona, Sussex county, New Jersey, a daughter of Richard S. Denton, a merchant. They have one daughter: Elizabeth Denton, who attended the Wharton public schools, and then Blair Hall.
CHARLES D. WOLFE
Charles D. Wolfe, of Netcong, Morris county, New Jersey, is one of the representative business men of the town and county, and is a descendant of a family long resident in America. His grandfather was Augustus Wolfe, who was the owner of much landed property. He was a Democrat in politican allegiance, and in religion a member of the Presbyterian church.
J. Salmon, son of Augustus Wolfe, was born in Mount Olive town- ship, Morris county, in 1831, and is still living in excellent health. He resided in Morris county except for several years spent at lumbering in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, until 1884 when he removed to Ariel, Wayne county, Pennsylvania, and was there engaged in the farming and lumbering lines. He is a member of the Free Methodist church, and in politics a Prohibitionist, although formerly affiliating with the Democratic party. He married Emma A., born in 1840, a daughter of Isaac Line, a Quaker, of New Market, New Jersey. Children: Tilden, a farmer, mar- ried Ella Weed, of Wisconsin; Augustus, an attorney-at-law, of Glad- stone, Michigan, married Minnie Alcott, of Wisconsin; Isaac L., a lumber- man, of Glenwilie, New York, married Kate Taylor; Edwin S., a lumber dealer of Milford, Pennsylvania, married Luella Davenport; Sarah N., married Charles Davenport, a farmer of Saranac, Michigan ; Clara S., un- married ; George, a lumberman, of Uniondale, Pennsylvania, married Emma Aiken ; William, deceased; Bathsheba, deceased; Charles, the subject of this sketch; J. Glenn, unmarried, a lumberman, of Uniondale.
Charles D. Wolfe was born in Netcong, Morris county, New Jersey, January 5, 1880. He was the recipient of a liberal education, the elementary courses being acquired in the public school, and he was graduated from the high school of Gladstone, Michigan, and Rochester University, New York, at which time he was twenty-one years of age. For about two years he was engaged in teaching school in the State of Pennsylvania, then he en- gaged in the lumber business at Uniondale, Pennsylvania, and finally, in February, 1910, removed to Netcong, and gave his undivided attention to the lumber business in that town. In this line he has been very successful, and
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he is now at the head of a very substantial concern. He is a Democrat in his political adherence, and in his religious affiliation a member of the Pres- byterian church. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic order. Mr. Wolfe married, December 28, 1904, Blanche, a daughter of George and Lucy Walker, of Hamlin, Pennsylvania. Children: Lucile, Paul D. and Elizabeth.
Mrs. Wolfe prepared for teaching in her home state. This calling she pursued after completing her studies in the normal schools at Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. While thus engaged she met the subject of this sketch, likewise a teacher, and a happy marriage resulted. Mrs. Wolfe springs from sub- stantial Pennsylvania families-the Walkers, on her father's side, and the Abbeys on her mother's side-both families being well and widely known in Eastern Pennsylvania. Her father, George Walker, was a soldier of the Civil War, seeing three years' constant service. He returned home broken in health, but to the time of his death steadfastly refused a pension, assert- ing that he was already well paid in seeing his country saved. Following his soldier life, he was enimently successful as a merchant.
EDWARD C. HARVEY
Americans are beginning to realize the moral as well as the historical significance of genealogical foundations. A nation which relies upon the record of its homes for its national character cannot afford to ignore the value of genealogical investigation as one of the truest sources of patriot- ism. The love of home inspires the love of country. There is a whole- some influence in genealogical research which cannot be over-estimated. Moreover, there is a deep human interest to it. The Harvey family, both on the paternal and maternal sides, is one of very old standing in New Jersey and in Morris county, and members of both branches have figured prominently as pioneers and as soldiers in early wars of this country.
Levi Harvey, paternal grandfather of him whose name forms the caption for this review, was born at Lake Hopatcong, Morris county, New Jersey, January 6, 1799, died December 9, 1882, at the venerable age of eighty-three years. In Jefferson township of this county was solemnized his marriage to Sarah Southard, one of whose brothers was a commissioned officer in the War of 1812, he having enlisted for service in that conflict while on a visit to the Atlantic coast. To Levi and Sarah (Southard) Harvey were born five children, concerning whom the following brief data are here in- corporated : I. Joseph P., mentioned in the following paragraph. 2. Silas was a pioneer settler in the vicinity of Helena, Montana, where his demise occurred in 1873 ; he took the first gold-stamp mill into the Helena valley in the early '6os, carrying the same from Salt Lake City by team, a distance of 500 miles. 3. Sarah, married George Luff, a New York grain merchant, who retired from business in the early '7os; they resided on the estate known as Walnut Ridge, near Garrison, New York, at the time of their respective deaths. 4. Mary C., became the wife of William E. Collis. a ship chandler of New York City ; they both died at Chester, New Jersey, where they established their home in 1862. 5. Harriet N., married Charles E. Gildersleve, who was a high official in various patriotic orders.
Joseph P. Harvey, first in order of birth of the five children born to Levi and Sarah (Southard) Harvey, was a native of Succasunna, Morris county, New Jersey, where he was born in 1831. He died in 1894. aged sixty-three years. He married Elizabeth Corwin, born February 13, 1834, died July 2, 1895. At the time of their marriage they were given a half of
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the old Corwin homestead in Morris county and on that estate they passed their entire lives, as did also Mrs. Harvey's parents and grandpar - ents. The original Corwin estate comprised 1,000 acres of land and ex- tended from Holmes Hollow to Black river. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Harvey had four children: I. Sylvester G., a prosperous farmer in the vicinity of Ironia; he married a widow whose maiden name was Elizabeth Meslar. 2. Sarah L., married Henry B. Halsey, who is now deceased ; she resides at No. IOI Fairview avenue, Orange, New Jersey. 3. Edward C., the immediate subject of this review. 4. William Collis, a farmer by oc- cupation, occupies the old parental homestead. Joseph P. Harvey was a progressive and intelligent citizen and he figured prominently in many pro- jects forwarded for the good of the general welfare in his home community.
The maternal great-grandparents of Edward C. Harvey were John and Elizabeth (Bryan) Corwin, the former of whom was born in Chester town- ship, near the Pleasant Hill school-house, in Morris county, New Jersey, and the latter of whom was a native of the vicinity of Mount Freedom, this county. A brother of Mrs. Corwin erected the Mount Freedom Pres- byterian Church, in which the Corwins were enrolled as first members. John and Elizabeth (Bryan) Corwin had a son Isaac B., born April 15, 1806, died May 6, 1888. He married Maria Hilliard, a daughter of Thurston and Eunice (Jackson) Hilliard. Thurston Hilliard was a son of Isaac Hilliard, of Dutchess county, New York. He came to Morris county, New Jersey, in the latter part of the eighteenth century and died on a farm in this section in 1810. His wife, whose maiden name was Eunice Jackson, was a member of the old Jackson family, of Revolutionary fame, of the vicinity of Morristown. To Thurston Hilliard and wife were born the following children : Charles, Henry, Amina, David Jackson, Maria, wife of Isaac B. Corwin, as noted above. The mother of the foregoing children died November 9, 1830. Maria (Hilliard) Corwin died May 8, 1849, in the forty-fifth year of her life. Her only child to mature was Elizabeth (Corwin) Harvey.
The maternal great-great-grandmother of Edward C. Harvey was an Indian of the Bohea tribe of Delaware. This tribe of Indians was located on Lake Hopatcong and members of the same were friendly to the Con- tinental army, helping and fighting with the militia in the war of the Revolu- tion. Mr. Harvey has in his possession a bowie knife handed down to him from his ancestor, Thurston Hilliard. This knife has inscribed on it: "The land of the free and the home of the brave. Americans ask for nothing but what is right and submit to nothing that is wrong."
Edward C. Harvey, son of Joseph P. and Elizabeth (Corwin) Harvey, was born at Ironia, Morris county, New Jersey, November 10, 1863. After completing the curriculum of the public schools of Ironia, he was matriculated as a student in a collegiate institute at Newton, Sussex county, this state, there remaining until he had reached his nineteenth year. In 1883, at the age of twenty years, he accepted a position in the land depart- ment of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, with headquarters at Mandan, North Dakota. He immediately began to familiarize himself with land grants from Bismarck to the Montana State line and part of his work was to look after surveys and to help colonize new towns in that region. At this time he also shipped horses, saddles and supplies to the end of the railroad line and rode over the prospective extensions of the road. Sub- sequently he made observations in western Washington and reported to the land department of the railroad company in selecting springs and town sites. In 1888 he succeeded Mr. M. B. Richards as chief clerk in the land depart-
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ment at St. Paul, Minnesota, where he supervised the general advertising and immigration work of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company for the ensuing three years. About that time there was a drouth in the west of two years' duration and the railroad company contributed $100,000 to the western farmers for the purpose of buying seeds for crops. Mr. Harvey had charge of distributing that money.
In 1891 he went to Salt Lake City as a representative of a syndicate of real estate dealers, remaining in that city for three years and there plotting and selling a large tract of land held by easterners. In 1893 he returned to Morris county, New Jersey, and located for a time at Ironia, where he looked after the old homestead farm and where he served as a member of the board of freeholders for one term, during which time he took an active part in the building of the Roxbury High School. He established his per- manent home in Succasunna in 1896 and here erected a beautiful house in 1900. He has been most profitably engaged in real estate operations at Lake Hopatcong and in other cities of Morris county in recent years and he still holds extensive land interests in the west.
In 1889 Mr. Harvey was united in marriage to Jennie Patridge, a daugh- ter of Thomas J. Patridge, a prominent soldier in the Civil War who was killed at the battle of Gettysburg. Mr. Patridge married Emma Cottrell, whose ancestors were pioneer settlers in the vicinity of Stockbridge, Massa- chusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey have two daughters: Helen Hunt Jackson, who was born in Salt Lake City ; and Florence Shearman, a native of Mor- ris county, and a graduate of the Roxbury High School in the class of 1913. Both daughters are at the parental home.
Mr. Harvey is a progressive and enterprising business man. His pioneer western experiences have broadened his mind and developed in him that innate human sympathy which begets comradeship and which cements to him the friendship of all with whom he comes in contact. He thoroughly enjoys home life and takes great pleasure in the society of his family and friends. While he does not participate actively in public affairs, he is ever on the qui vive to do all in his power to promote the general good. Upright and honorable methods have characterized all his business dealings and he is everywhere looked upon as a sterling and representative citizen of Succa- sunna and Morris county.
STEWART NEIGHBOR
The family of which Stewart Neighbor, of German Valley, Morris county, New Jersey, is a representative has been resident in this country since the first half of the eighteenth century. Leonhard Neighbour, a native of Holland, was the emigrant ancestor, and he settled in New Jersey, at German Valley, in 1740. His son, also Leonhard Neighbour, located in 1750, on land which is still in the possession of his descendants. Leonhard Neighbour, the third of the name, was born in 1762 and died in 1853. David Neighbour, son of the third Leonhard Neighbour, was born in German Valley, November 25, 1797, and died near Califon, Hunterdon county, April 21, 1892. In connection with his farming operations he carried on business as a merchant. He removed to Hunterdon county in 1825. He was a strong Democrat, and had filled many public offices. He was a member of the State legislature, 1842-44, and a member of the constitutional convention of 1844 which framed the present constitution of the state. In 1831 he became an elder of the Presbyterian church at German Valley, and was a frequent delegate to the presbyteries and general assemblies. It was largely
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owing to his personal efforts that the church at Lower Valley was organized and he was the treasurer of this from its inception until his resignation in May, 1891. He married Ann, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Hance, also of Holland descent. They had children: Mrs. Elizabeth Miller, of Germantown ; Silas, of further mention ; Calvin, of Plainfield; James H., of Dover ; Leonard and Nicholas, of Hunterdon county, and Manchis, of Hunterdon county.
Silas Neighbor was born at Schooleys Mountain, Morris county, and died at the age of ninety-one years, having been a farmer all his life. He married Lydia Ann Apgar, and had children: Mrs. Jessie Wise, Louise and Stewart.
Stewart Neighbor was born on the farm on which he is living at the present time, in Washington township, Morris county, New Jersey, in 1865. He acquired his educational advantages in the district schools in the vicinity of his home, and led the usual life of a country boy of that period. For a number of years he worked on the homestead farm as assistant to his father, subsequently carrying on his operations of this nature independently. He is not alone engaged in general farming, but devotes a considerable por- tion of his time to stock breeding and dairy farming, in all of which he has been very successful. He has 150 acres of land, and manages this along the most progressive and up-to-date methods. He is a Democrat in political matters, has served as clerk of the township, and as justice of the peace for a considerable length of time. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, and a trustee of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Neighbor married Kate, a daughter of Alfred Hann, a farmer of Warren county, and they have had children: Olive H., who was gradu- ated from the State Normal School, and is now engaged in teaching ; Leon- ard S .; Fred C.
S. NEIGHBOR DILTS
The prosperity of a country depends in a large measure upon her agricul- tural interests, and when these are properly cared for a land is in fit condi- tion to weather any storm. Among those who have been prominently identified with this source of prosperity in the United States. as a farmer and dairyman, is S. Neighbor Dilts, of German Valley, Morris county, New Jersey. The Dilts family is one of the old ones of the state, and have ever borne their full share of the burdens which have come to the country, and have proved themselves honorable and valuable citizens. Abner N., father of S. Neighbor Dilts, was born in 1828, and died in 1908, at the age of eighty years. He died on the farm on which he was born, this having been in the possession of his family for the greater part of a century. He mar- ried Ann Elizabeth Neighbor, a descendant of another old family of the state, and they had children: Annie D., now the widow of I. W. Fisher, late of German Valley : Ella, who lives in New York ; Julia, deceased ; and S. Neighbor Dilts, who was born in 1868. He was four years of age when he came to German Valley, and was educated in the public schools in the vicinity of his home. Even as a boy his spare time was utilized to assist his father in the farming operations of the latter, and when he arrived at man's estate, he was well equipped to manage a farm independently. He pur- chased his present farm of 137 acres in Washington township, Morris county, and raises general products, and in addition makes a specialty of dairy farming. The buildings on this farm were erected by his father in 1857, but Mr. Dilts has made many improvements on the place, and has also,
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when necessary, remodeled the buildings. He is independent in his political opinions, and casts his vote for that candidate who, in his opinion, is best suited to fill the office for which he has been nominated. He has been in office as president of the board of education, has served as clerk of session, and is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Dilts married Bertha Lance, of Hackettstown, New Jersey, and has had children: Howard, Ella and Edith, all attending school.
FRANK DUFFORD
One of the most enterprising and ambitious young men of Middle Valley, Morris county, New Jersey, is Frank Dufford, proprietor of the only store in the town. This has been in the possession of the Dufford family since 1864, as has also the grist mill. Henry P., father of Frank Dufford, was born in Morris county, where he was in business as a mer- chant and miller. He died at the age of sixty-six years. He married (first) Sarah E. Wise, deceased, and (second) Laura Linnell. Children by the first marriage: Lewis, Charles, Lydia A. and Frank. Children by the second marriage : Henry and Marian.
Frank Dufford was born in Washington township, Morris county, New Jersey, in 1873, and received his education in the public schools near his home. Upon leaving these he at once took his position as assistant to his father, and upon the death of the latter, assumed sole charge of the con- duct of the business. He has also undertaken the operation of the grist mill, and is very successful in both enterprises. He carries a very full line of groceries, and also general wares of every description. Politically he is a Republican, and has served as collector for Washington township, and is assistant postmaster of the town. He is a member of the Lutheran church of German Valley. Mr. Dufford married Lillie Apgar, and has one child : Harold Apgar.
OAKLEY B. PHILHOWER
Oakley B. Philhower, a well known and progressive farmer of German Valley, Morris county, New Jersey, is descended from an honorable family of Germany which has been resident in this country for some generations. Three brothers by the name of Philhower came from Germany to this country at an early date, and soon after landing here, separated. One settled in New Jersey, another at Philadelphia, and the third at Reading, Pennsylvania. It is from the first of these that Mr. Philhower is descended.
Elias, father of Oakley B. Philhower, was born in New Jersey, and re- moved to the State of Ohio, where he lived for eight years. He then re- turned to his native state, lived in various towns, and died in German Valley at the age of seventy-one years. He married (first) Mary E., a daughter of Daniel Pace ; he married (second) Hannah E. Moore; married (third) Amanda Crater. Children by first marriage: Lydia H., Victoria, Henri- etta, Isabelle, Rosanna, and a son. Children by second marriage: Chester, Leonard F., Oakley B., of further mention. There were no children by the third marriage. Politically Mr. Philhower was a member of the Republi- can party, and socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, of German Valley.
Oakley B. Philhower was born in Seneca county, Ohio, in 1873, and was a very young lad when his parents returned to New Jersey. He at- tended the public schools in the vicinity of his home, and then commenced
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to assist his father in the farming operations of the latter. He lived at Parker, Morris county, New Jersey, for a period of seven years, then, dur- ing the next one year, traveled in the south. Upon his return he pur- chased his present farm of 200 acres in Washington township, the cultiva- tion of which has fully occupied his time. He is engaged in general farm- ing, and finds a ready market for his products, which their quality and high standard justify. He gives his political support to the Republican party, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias of German Valley. Mr. Philhower married Annetta W. Salter, of Fairmont, Hunterdon county, and they have had children : Clell F., Angie S., and Ellis O.
JACOB W. WELSH
Jacob W. Welsh, who has figured conspicuously and with marked credit in the mercantile life of the section of New Jersey wherein he has resided for many years, also an active and prominent leader in political life, having served in the capacity of senator, is a man whom to know is to respect. His character has always been one of great firmness and sincerity, his integrity has become proverbial, and his sterling worth commends him to public confidence.
John C. Welsh, father of Jacob W. Welsh, was born in Morris county, New Jersey, son of Jacob Welsh. He devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, in which he was highly successful, owing to his progressive ideas and methods, and he was also prominent in banking circles, serving for more than forty years as a member of the directorate of the Hackettstown Bank and as president of the same for fifteen years, having the confidence and esteem of all with whom he had business relations. He became the owner of considerable property in Middle Valley, which greatly appreciated in value and from which he derived large profits. He was firm in his advocacy of the principles of the Republican party, and was chosen from their ranks to fill the offices of town assessor and collector, in which ca- pacities he served faithfully and efficiently. He married Elizabeth A. Trimmer, born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, daughter of Matthias Trimmer, who bore him two sons: Matthias Trimmer, one of the leading business men of German Valley, and Jacob W., of whom further. Mr. Welsh died November 9, 1890, and his wife died November 9, 1893.
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