USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume II > Part 68
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Samuel G., son of Abraham Van Gilder, was born in Dover, New Jersey, and there received his education in the public schools. For many years he was engaged in the lumber business, and lived in Williamsport, Penn- sylvania, and in Morristown, his death occurring in the latter city. In politics he was a staunch Republican, and he was a member of the Methodist
Dary Y. Lawieder
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Episcopal church. He married (first) Mary A., born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Allen Harvey, a farmer in that county ; he married (second) Harriet Pruden, of Dover, New Jersey. Children, all living in Morristown: Charles G., married Phoebe W. Tucker, and has one child; Harry P .; Minnie C., unmarried ; Harry A.
Harry A. Van Gilder was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, August 30, 1865, and there attended the public schools, later becoming a student in the Dickinson Seminary in that town. His business occupations were varied. Eight years were spent in the city of New York, engaged in the manufacture of fireworks. Three years were spent as business manager fo a private sanitarium in Easton, Pennsylvania. Removing to Morristown, New Jersey, he became identified with financial interests. In 1897 he be- came a general clerk with the Morristown Trust Company, was made as- sistant 'secretary and assistant treasurer in 1900, and elected treasurer in 1906. He has other important business enterprises under consideration, and is director and vice-president of the Common Sense Suspender Company, of Morristown, New Jersey. He is a staunch supporter of Republican principles, but has never held public office. His religious affiliation is with the Morristown Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been a mem- ber of the board of trustees for a considerable length of time. His con- nection with various social organizations, etc .. is as follows: Morristown Lodge, No. 188, F. and A. M .; Madison Chapter, No. 27, R. A. M .; Ode de St. Amand Commandery, No. 12, K. T .; Mecca Temple, No. I, A. A. O. N. M. S .; Morristown Lodge, No. 185, B. P. O. E .; Loantaka Council, No. 938, R. A. ; Watnong Council, No. 18, Loyal Association ; Grant Con- clave, No. 123, Improved Order of Heptasophs ; Maxim Park Yacht Club, Lake Hopatcong ; Morristown Young Men's Christian Association; Morris County Forest, No. 2, Tall Cedars of Lebanon. Mr. Van Gilder married Carrie A., born in Washington, D. C., a daughter of John F. Meginness. Children : Charles P. and Martha J. Mr. Meginness was an editor and publisher.
CHARLES MANDRED LUM
Charles Mandred Lum, a lawyer of recognized ability, of Newark, was born in Chatham, Morris county, New Jersey, March 9, 1860. After a suitable preparatory education he entered Columbia College, from which he was graduated, in 1881, with honors, and is president of his class. His interest in his alma mater has not abated in the course of years, and he is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa fraternity. He commenced reading law in the office of Guild & Lum, in Newark, New Jersey, being admitted to the bar as an attorney in 1884, and as a counsellor five years later. At this time, February, 1889, he was also admitted to a partnership in the firm under whose auspices he had pursued his studies, which is known as Lum, Tamblyn & Colyer, their offices being in the Firemen's Building, Newark. Many of the most important cases in the Essex county courts have been argued under the conduct of this firm, Mr. Lum making a specialty of of- fice work, and acting for the most part as counsellor.
He has the innate faculty of presenting facts in a logical, convincing manner, which rarely fails of producing the effect he has in view, and he is retained as counsel by many estates and corporations. He makes his home in Chatham, where he was born, and his efforts for the improvement of the town have greatly advanced it in every direction. The field of educa- tion has attracted his especial interest, and as president of the Chatham
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Free Public Library from its inception, his services have been invaluable. His other interests are numerous and varied. He has been president of the Chatham Fish and Game Protection Association, and of the Chatham Board of Trade. He is vice-president of the Canoe Brook Country Club; trustee and vice-president of the New Jersey Historical Society ; and a member of the Washington Society. He is noted for his patriotism, and as chairman of the Chatham Republican Committee, and a member of the Republican County Committee, he has frequently proved that he has the best interests of the community deeply at heart.
Mr. Lum married, October 4, 1894, Elizabeth S., daughter of Jacob H. and Sarah H. (Swinnerton) Kirkpatrick, of Chatham, and they have one child, Elizabeth Kirkpatrick.
EUEY GRUPELLI
Euey Grupelli, one of the progressive and substantial business men of Morristown, organizer, promoter and joint owner of the Morris County Realty Construction Company, which has been largely instrumental in the development of that section of the state, is a native of Milano, Italy, born July 20, 1864, son of Joseph and Rosa Dacco (Spondrini) Grupelli, natives of Italy, prominent in the community in which they resided for their many excellent characteristics, which they transmitted in large degree to their son, whose name heads this sketch.
Euey Grupelli was brought up in the place of his birth, educated in its high and normal schools, later pursued a course in civil engineering, and subsequently engaged in the real estate business in his native place on his own account, this proving a remunerative enterprise. When about thirty years of age he emigrated to this country, locating in New York City, where he secured employment in a sporting goods store, continuing for two years, at the expiration of which time he removed to New Vernon and there pur- chased a farm, consisting of upwards of 200 acres, and there engaged in dairy farming, which he followed for about two years, and in the manage- ment of which he achieved a fair degree of success. He then removed to Morristown and engaged in the real estate and contracting business, his present line of work. He has developed considerable property and has erected upwards of thirty buildings, aside from those constructed on his own account, some twenty-five, which he built for rental and sale. In ad- dition to this he has constructed many roads on private property, laid out a number of landscape gardens, and in various other ways has been the means of improving and beautifying the section to a considerable extent, at the same time gaining a reputation for skill and ability in his particular field and a name for himself in the business circles of Morristown and vi- cinity. He assisted in the construction of the Morris County Traction Line in order to save the franchise, contributed freely toward the necessary im- provements to preserve Pocahontas lake, thus further enhancing the beauty and picturesqueness of the locality, and served as director of the Civil Asso- ciation for one year, giving it the advantage of his valuable advice and serv- ices. He was one of the organizers of the Morris County Realty Construc- tion Company, forming the joint estates of Nicholas Marinaro and Euey Grupelli, each holding equal amounts of shares of stock, one share being owned by Charles A. Rathbun, he serving in the capacity of vice-president and legal adviser, the other members of the company being Nicholas Ma- rinaro, president, and Euey Grupelli, treasurer and secretary. The cor- poration was formed in 1912 with a capital of $100,000, the assets compris-
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ing realty in Newark, Morristown and Whippany. The company is now engaged in the construction of a fine garage at the intersection of Speedwell and Sussex avenues, Morristown, which will be an excellent piece of work, firm and substantial, yet attractive to the eye. Mr. Grupelli is a man of strong mentality, keen discernment, resolute will and perseverance, and is therefore entitled to the prosperity which has attended his businss efforts, and also to the distinction of being classed among the public-spirited citizens of Morristown, ready and willing to promote its interests in any way pos- sible.
Mr. Grupelli married, February 25, 1892, Nina Pozzi, and they are the parents of one child, Logan Joseph Ernest, born in Logansville, Morris county, New Jersey, August 15, 1900. They are members of the Church of the Assumption ( Roman Catholic), their membership dating from June 15, 1902.
NICHOLAS MARINARO
Nicholas Marinaro, one of the enterprising and successful citizens of Morristown, well known for his progressive methods of conducting his business, and an active factor in many of the improvements in his section of the city, is a native born son of Italy, his birth occurring in Bounalbergo, Province of Beneventi, October 3, 1866, son of Ralph and Maria (Footta) Marinaro, also natives of Italy, where they spent their entire lives, re- spected and esteemed by all their friends and neighbors.
Nicholas Marinaro was reared to manhood in his native land, attend- ing the common schools until twelve years of age, when he left his home with the object of earning his own livelihood, going at once to Rome when he served an apprenticeship at the trade of mason, the line of work fol- lowed by his father, his remuneration being twenty cents per day. and after thus serving for four years he engaged in business on his own account, at the early age of sixteen years, as contractor in the mason trade. Upon attaining his majority he left Rome, and after spending one month at the home of his parents, left his native land for the United States, with the small capital of $2.00 in his pockets after purchasing his ticket, and upon his arrival settled in New York City and there spent two years working at his trade. He then removed to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he re- mained three years, also working at his trade, and then returned to New York City. Shortly afterward he secured employment on the new part of the New Jersey State Asylum located at Morris Plains, his work on this covering a period of four months, and subsequently he took up his residence in Morristown, having by this time accumulated $300.00 by dint of hard work, perseverance and thrift, the latter named traits being char- acteristic of the race from which he sprung. With his savings he purchased a lot at No. 4 Anderson street, whereon he erected a dwelling house in which he has since resided, making this a comfortable home for his family, to whom he is devoted, doing all in his power to contribute to their welfare and to give them some of the pleasures of life. From time to time he purchased more land, which he developed and erected houses on, disposing of the same at advantageous prices, and at the present time ( 1913) is the owner of large amounts of real estate in Morristown, the same being estimated at upwards of $300,000. He has erected about 150 houses, a number of schools and the Palace Theatre, all of which are noted for their architectural beauty and their stability. He was the organizer of the Italian settlement in Morristown, erecting the first building in that section, and
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was the pioneer in laying concrete sidewalks in Morristown, and he was awarded the contract for the work on Pocahontas Lake, this having added greatly to the appearance of that famous resort. He was the organizer and is serving in the capacity of president of the Morris County Realty & Construction Company, and also organized a company in Newark, New Jersey, serving as one of the official board. He is a member of the First Presbyterian church of Morristown, and is ever ready and willing to con- tribute of his time and funds for the improvement of the community in which he resides and its inmates.
Mr. Marinaro married, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Anna Firina, a native of Italy. They were the parents of several children, all of whom are deceased.
JOSEPH CHARLES LAYER
Joseph Charles Layer, of Morris Plains, Morris county, New Jersey, who is one of the representative citizens of the county, has labored inde- fatigably for the promotion of its best interests, and has been a potent in- fluence in its progress in many directions.
Engelbach Layer, born in Germany, and grandfather of Joseph C. Layer, emigrated to the United States, and died here at an advanced age. He was a farmer by occupation. He married , also of German birth.
William P. Layer, son of Engelbach Layer, was born on Long Island, New York, in 1833, was a farmer all his life, and died in 1889. He married Louisa Mary Fisher, born in 1842, a daughter of Charles Fisher, who was born in Germany, and came to Morris county when the canal ran to Broadway. He was in active service during both the Mexican and Civil Wars. He was one of the first to respond to President Lincoln's call for three months' men, and upon the expiration of this period of time at once re-enlisted and served to the close of the war. He died at the advanced age of ninety-two years in the city of New York. All his life after the Civil War he suffered from a sword wound, a ball which was lodged in the top of his head, another which was later cut from his leg, but he bore these sufferings with the bravery which had characterized him on the battle field. He had children : Joseph Charles, whose name is at the head of this sketch ; Elizabeth, married William Thaw, of Scranton; Lena M., married John Gates, of New York.
Joseph Charles Layer was born at Jamaica, Long Island, New York, September 19, 1866. Being the oldest child of the family, his opportunities for attending the public schools were but limited ones, as he was soon obliged to give the greater part of his time to assisting his father in the management of the home farm. He was but fourteen years of age when his entire time was devoted to working and he was thus occupied until he was twenty-three years of age. In the year 1890 he removed to Boonton, Morris county, New Jersey, where he established himself in the meat busi- ness which he carried on there for a period of four years. He spent one year in Camp Tabor, and then came to Morris Plains, where he opened a small shop on Speedwell avenue, where his business became very flourish- ing. For the past five years he has been at his present location. When Mr. Layer established his business there was but one other store of the kind in the town. He has amassed a considerable fortune, and is the owner of much real estate. He has always taken an active interest in the cause of education, has been a member of the board of education of Hanover town-
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ship for the past twelve years, and is at present president of that honorable body. He is Republican in his political views, and a member of the Royal Arcanum, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and the Morris Plains fire department.
Mr. Layer married (first) in 1889, Annie E., a daughter of William P. Little, and they had children: William P., deceased; Mabel C .; Laura Mary ; Grace Tabor ; Joseph C. Jr. He married (second) in July, 1912, Ella E., daughter of William Champion, of Wharton.
FREDERICK MANCER DURYEA
With qualifications such as insure success in business, Frederick Mancer Duryea, proprietor of the Forest House, at Budd Lake, Morris county, New Jersey, holds to-day a place among the representative men of the state. Broadminded, and of a kindly nature, his interest in those less for- tunate than himself is deep and sincere. By the sterling worth of char- acter which he has invariably displayed Mr. Duryea has won the respect, confidence and esteem of the public, and their patronage in large measure. He is a descendant of two old New York families, who have aided ma- terially in assuring the prosperity of the communities in which they have been resident.
Levi Duryea, his father, was born at Glen Cove, Long Island, and died in New York City at the age of eighty-seven years, in 1889. He was a prominent butcher in the city of New York, having his place of business in Essex Market, which was considered one of the most important ones at that time. He married Sarah O'Dell, who died in 1890 at the age of seventy- four years, a daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth O'Dell. They had chil- dren : I. Levi Jr., lives in Vermont, on a farm. 2. Walter, now retired from business, lives at Mount Vernon. New York. 3. Sarah Amelia, now deceased, married Charles Price. 4. Oscar, owns large railroad and real estate interests in and around Passaic, New Jersey, and is a large stock- holder in the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company ; mar- ried a niece of Commodore Vanderbilt, and lives in Madison, Morris county, New Jersey. 5. W. Brooks, of Oyster Bay, Long Island, was formerly engaged in the market business, and is now retired. 6. George S., now deceased, was in the market business in New York City. 7. Frederick Mancer, of this sketch.
Frederick Mancer Duryea was born at New Rochelle, Westchester county, New York, June 30, 1850. He was educated in the public schools of New York City, and later engaged in business in the Central Market, at Forty-seventh street and Broadway, remaining in business there for a period of twenty years. His life was a very strenuous one in those days, as he would rise at two o'clock in the morning, and drive from the market to One Hundred and Eleventh street, on the old Bloomingdale road, during the Civil War. About 1882 he commenced to establish himself in the hotel business, this beginning being made at Rockland Lake, New York. Two years later he removed to Lake Ronkonkoma, where he conducted the Towers Hotel, solely for summer guests. The next scene of his activity was at Griffin Corners, now Fleischmann's, where he was the proprietor of the Crosby House for one year, then returned to Lake Ronkonkoma, and in 1892 came to Budd Lake where for more than twenty years he has con- ducted the Forest House. This has 150 rooms and accommodations for more than 200 guests. He has a large patronage during the summer months, his hotel being constantly filled to its utmost capacity. It was erected by
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Jesse M. Sharp, the first portion being now fifty-five years old, and has had two additions since that time. It is surrounded by a beautiful forest. Mr. Duryea contemplates adding fifty rooms, and has an annex accommo- dating thirty people. He also owns two houses nearby, one being called the Green Inn and the other the Lake View House. A third is known as Sun- set Lodge. Mr. Duryea is thoroughly posted in all the ways and means of running a first class hotel, and for more than twenty years has made his home at Budd Lake. He is a Republican in politics, but his numerous and responsible duties have never left him time for public office, although his justly deserved popularity would make its acquisition a matter of little dif- ficulty. It is largely owing to the vigorous efforts of Mr. Duryea that the fine road between Budd Lake and Netcong was constructed.
Mr. Duryea married, December 25, 1876, Eva, a daughter of Matthew and Delia Ann Remington, of Bay Shore, Long Island. Children: Fred- erick H., associated with his father in the hotel business, married Cath- erine Griffith, a native of Wales; Mildred, married D. Price, employed in the post office in New York City, and has one daughter, Mamie; Alva, mar- ried W. E. Webb, who is in the insurance business in New York.
FRED L. ARMSTRONG
The Armstrong family is among the honored pioneer families of Morris county, its representatives in the various generations being numbered among the prominent business men and successful agriculturists of Morris county, whose labors have done much in the development and improvement of the communities in which they have resided.
Silas Armstrong, the earliest known ancestor of the family, was a native of Morris county, New Jersey, was a farmer by occupation, married , and among their children was Silas, of whom further.
Silas (2) Armstrong, son of Silas (1) Armstrong, was a native of Mor- ris county, New Jersey, was reared and educated there, and there spent his active years, passing away at the age of seventy-seven years. He married Betsey Norris, also a native of Morris county, and died there at the age of seventy-six ; her father was a chairmaker of Morristown. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong were the parents of eleven children, among whom were: Silas L., of whom further; Harriet; Miles, who served for three years as a Union solider in the Civil War.
Silas L. Armstrong, son of Silas (2) Armstrong, was born near Mor- ristown, Morris county, New Jersey, March 26, 1829. He was reared on the old family homestead, which later came into his possession, and he at- tended the common schools of the neighborhood. In early life he learned the trade of carriage-maker, and forming a partnership with a brother, under the style of Armstrong Brothers, conducted a prosperous business on the farm for a period of eight years. In 1857 Silas L. Armstrong be- gan the manufacture of brick, on a small scale, and as his trade increased he enlarged his facilities, increasing his output considerably in order to meet the growing demand. The plant was splendidly equipped with the latest improved machinery, the quality of the product was the best, there- fore his enterprise became one of the most extensive and important in- dustries in the county. Mr. Armstrong is also the owner of a valuable farm, devoted to the raising of general farm products, from which he de- rived a comfortable income. In early life he gave his political support to the Democratic party, but on the outbreak of the Civil War he supported
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President Lincoln, and from that time on cast his vote for the candidates of the Republican party.
Mr. Armstrong married, in 1859, Susan Overton, a native of Morris county, New Jersey, who bore him four children: Addie, Eda, Elver, Fred L. The Armstrong family is noted for its hospitality, and the friends of the family are many. They are members of the Methodist church. Mr. Arm- strong is a man of firm convictions and ever true to his belief, and has won and retained the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens.
ROBERT FEAGLES SANDS
Robert Feagles Sands, a well-known figure in the building trade of Morristown and its vicinity, was born in Sparta, Sussex county, New Jersey, December 18, 1870, son of Hiram M. Sands. The latter was born in Stan- hope, now known as Netcong, Morris county, New Jersey. During the war between the states he enlisted and served with gallantry in the Union army for three years. Captured at the second battle of Fredericksburg, he was held for a long time in Libby Prison, in Richmond. The regiment in which he was enlisted was the Fifteenth of New Jersey.
Robert Feagles Sands was given his Christian name in honor of a Robert Feagles, a greatly beloved and pioneer minister of Sussex county. The Sands family moved first from Sparta, where Robert F. Sands was born, to Boonton, Morris county, when he was still a young child, then tu Hackettstown, and still later to Wharton. After remaining there for a time they moved again, this time to Mt. Pleasant and Lake Hopatcong, and here in 1880 the boy began to go regularly to school. He acquired what there was to be gained from the public schools of the region, and in 1888 came to Morristown having decided to take up the carpenter's trade. He went to this work with great energy and made a success of all that he un- dertook, so that in 1895 he felt justified in going into the building business on his own account as a contractor. The good fortune that has followed his ventures has been the result of good judgment coupled with the highest integrity, and that combination of good common sense and ability that is often known as a "long head." He has had the handling of some im- portant contracts, and has been put in charge of the construction of a large number of handsome private residences. It was he that had the contract for the remodeling of the Banner Building. In his political sympathies Mr. Sands subscribes himself with the Republican party. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and belongs to the First Presbyterian Church of Morristown.
Mr. Sands married, November 14, 1895, in Morristown, Susan E., daughter of E. O. and Rebecca Samantha (Hendershot) Foster, the former of whom is a member of the firm of Sands & Company. Mr. Foster is a native of Morris county while Mrs. Foster came from Sussex county. There is one son of this marriage: Everts Foster, born November 13, 1898, and having graduated from the grammar school in 1911, is now a student in the high school.
JOHN C. F. RANDOLPH
John C. F. Randolph was born in Trenton, New Jersey, December 20, 1846, and died in Morristown, February 3, 1911. He was the son of Judge Joseph F. Randolph, of New Jersey, and the grandson of Dr. John Cooper, of Easton, Pennsylvania. His Randolph forefathers had lived in New
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