USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume II > Part 7
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CHARLES A. PHILHOWER
The career of Charles A. Philhower, of the town of Chatham, New Jersey, illustrates most forcibly what may be accomplished in a compar- atively few years by systematic work combined with energy and deter- mination. He is the son of Peter W. and Fanny M. (Schuyler ) Philhower, his father having been a painter by trade.
Charles A. Philhower was born in Mountainville, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, July 2, 1878. His elementary education was received in the graded school of his native town, where he was also under private instruc- tion. At the unusually early age of sixteen years he passed successfully the county teachers' examination at Flemington, New Jersey, which entitled him to teach in the State. Three years were spent in this occupation in Hunter- don county, two years at Bissell, and one year at Centre. He then became
Chas Q. Philhours
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a student at the State Normal School at Trenton, New Jersey, completing the three years' course in two and one-half years. The half year which he was thus enabled to cut out was spent in again teaching at Bissell. After the completion of his course at the Normal School of Trenton, he was engaged two years in teaching at Hopewell, New Jersey, at the same time filling the responsible office of principal of this school. While there he refused an offer to become the educational director of the work done at the Young Men's Christian Association at Trenton, accepting instead the prin- cipalship at Belvidere, New Jersey, and remained there for a period of two years. At the close of this engagement he entered Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where he completed a four years' course in the space of three years, and during two years of this period was assistant to the pro- fessor in charge of the biological laboratory. In the year 1912 Mr. Phil- hower received his Master of Arts degree from his alma mater. He also, during his stay at this institution, conducted the College Commons, was a member of the College Senate, which was a self-governing body, and was captain of the tennis and gymnasium teams for two years. He was also associate editor on the Microcosm, the History of his class, and was elected a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.
Upon the completion of his course at Dickinson College, Mr. Philhower was elected supervising principal of Chatham, in which capacity he has now been serving four years (1913), greatly to the benefit of the educational system of the town. He has introduced a number of new ideas which have found great favor, not alone with those directly connected with educational matters in Chatham, but some of them have been adopted in other com- munities. At the present time Mr. Philhower is doing post-graduate work in education and English at the University of Columbia, which will lead to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Mr. Philhower married, October 9, 1909, Alice Edna, daughter of Wil- liam Henry and Delia (McPherson) Haynes. She was a graduate of the State Normal School and taught in Hopewell, New Jersey, and her father was a commission merchant in the city of New York. Mr. Philhower is a member of Hopewell Lodge, No. 155, F. and A. M .; Chatham Fish and Game Protective Association; was president of the Morris County Teach- ers' Association; held a similar position in the Warren County Teachers' Association; and has served as a member of the Teachers' Examining Board of Warren county. When the syllabus for the teaching of ele- mentary composition and grammar was to be made for the schools of New Jersey, Mr. Philhower was asked to act as one of the committee. Not only in this particular, but as a member of the council of education of New Jersey is he directly in touch with the education of the State. So much has already been accomplished by Mr. Philhower, that in the many years of life presumably yet before him, still greater things may confidently be expected.
BERT ASHMAN PRAGER, M.D.
Among the younger generation of physicians and surgeons in the State of New Jersey, who are rapidly forging their way to the front rank and making names for themselves, is Bert Ashman Prager, M.D., a physician who, although in practice but a few years, has already gained the confidence of a very reasonable number of patients. He was born in the city of New York, February 21, 1884, the son of Charles Prager, a customs house brokerage clerk in that city. The public schools of his native city furnished
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his education until his entrance, in 1904, to the Long Island Hospital College, Brooklyn, from which he was graduated in 1908, the degree of Doctor of Medicine being conferred upon him. For one year he served as an interne in the Long Island Hospital, then opened an office for private practice in Chatham, New Jersey. His practice at present is a general one, but it is possible that he may at some future time devote himself to some especial branch of surgery or medicine. He is held in high esteem in the town, and is filling the office of surgeon to the Chatham police depart- ment, and is also president of the Chatham board of health. He is indepen- dent in his political opinions, having the courage of his convictions, but he prefers the Republican party, rather than the Democratic. He is an attendant at the Methodist Episcopal church of Chatham.
He holds membership in a number of organizations, among them being: Alumni Association of Long Island Hospital College; Chapter Nu Sigma Nu fraternity ; Morris County, State and American Medical societies ; has held all chairs of Chatham Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; is also a member of the Grand Lodge of this order; member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics. Dr. Prager is unmarried. His mind is clear and acute, and his tenacity of purpose is truly remarkable. He con- siders well what he is about to do, but when he has once decided he is firm and unyielding. He is well qualified by nature and education for the pro- fession he has chosen, and there is every reason to believe that there is a brilliant future before him. His professional associates, as well as his pa- tients, have the utmost esteem for him, and his career hitherto has proved that one's personal efforts are far better in the struggle of life than the assistance of wealthy and influential friends.
AUGUSTUS HUGH BARTLEY
Augustus H. Bartley, a resident of Bartley, born at Pottersville, Hunter- don county, New Jersey, September 1, 1858, is the representative of a dis- tinguished New Jersey family.
Hugh Bartley, grandfather of Augustus H. Bartley, who born in Somer- set county, New Jersey, died in 1864, at the age of seventy-nine years. He served as colonel of militia. He was a man of mark in the community, was active in the politics of his region, and of great influence in many other ways. He possessed an exceedingly fine voice and in his early years con- ducted singing schools in Morris, Somerset and Hunterdon counties. He married and among his children was William, of whom further.
William Bartley, father of Augustus H. Bartley, was born in Bartley, New Jersey, which was named in honor of the family, March 4, 1825, died March 13, 1901. He was engaged in the manufacturing business through- out the active years of his life. For twenty-eight years he served as post- master at Bartley and for two years was freeholder. He married, February 22, 1850, Almira Wolfe, a native of Mt. Olive, New Jersey, who died February 14, 1901, at the age of seventy-six years, daughter of Augustus Wolfe, a farmer of Mt. Olive township, who died in 1868 at the age of seventy-five years. Children : I. Samuel, died February 23, 1908, at the age of fifty-one years; he was associated in business with his brother until his death ; married Mary L. Slater ; children: Edith; Eva, became the wife of Dr. Clarence Plume, of Succasunna ; William A., an associate of the firm of William Bartley & Sons; Helen G., became the wife of Howard Goas of West Orange, New Jersey ; Mabel, Anna, and Grace, all of whom reside at home. 2. Augustus Hugh, of whom further. 3. William
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B., died in infancy. 4. Irenaeus P., died November 30, 1888, aged twenty- seven years ; was a graduate of Lafayette College, receiving his degree in 1884, and became a civil engineer.
Augustus H. Bartley received his early education at the public schools, later attending the Magie Institute, at Chester, New Jersey. Upon leaving school he went into business in the firm of William Bartley & Sons, of Bartley, New Jersey, being made the junior member of the firm. This company was engaged in the manufacture of saw mills, water wheels and heating apparatus of various kinds, doing a general machine business. It was established by his father in 1845. In addition to this business, which he entered as a youth, he is also interested in lumber. manufacturing, near Morristown, New Jersey, doing business under the firm name of the Bartley Lumber Company, and in tropical fruit growing, being president of the Tropical Fruit Growers Association, a New Jersey corporation, doing business in Porto Rico, established about the year 1906, making a specialty of grape fruit, oranges and mangoes.
In his political affiliations Mr. Bartley is a Democrat and is active in the affairs of his party. When thirty-four years of age he was elected assessor of Mt. Olive township; from 1898 to 1903 served as freeholder ; on Novem- ber 5, 1912, was elected surrogate for a term of five years, and has also been the choice of his party on several occasions for the assembly. He is a member of the Presbyterian church at Flanders, the Free and Accepted Masons and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He continues to make his residence at Bartley, the place identified so long with his family.
Mr. Bartley married, at Bartley, December 24, 1884, Elizabeth Sharp, daughter of David and Mary (Neighbor) Sharp, the former deceased, the latter living at the old homestead in Bartley. Children: Meta S., born October 29, 1885 ; Mary A., April 4, 1889; Irenaeus P., February 18, 1895.
WHITFIELD BRITTIN GILLEN
Whitfield B. Gillen, the senior member of the undertaking firm of Gil- len, Hance Company, of Dover, New Jersey, and prominent in the politics of the region, was born at Dover, New Jersey, December 10, 1859.
His father, Charles A. Gillen, was son of Thomas Gillen, a native of Morris county, New Jersey, died at Dover. Charles A. Gillen was a prom- inent man in Morris county, having served as assessor and as income tax collector appointed under President Cleveland. He had also been surro- gate of the county for ten years, and was elected sheriff on the Democratic ticket twenty-six years ago, and served in this capacity for three years, but was again elected surrogate before his term as sheriff was completed. He was by occupation an undertaker, having an establishment in Dover prior to the birth of his son, Whitfield B. Gillen. He married Caroline D. Coe, born in Millbrook, Morris county, and now living at Dover at the age of seventy-seven years. She is a daughter of Thomas and Caroline Coe, who lived and died at Millbrook, their native village. They had nine children, of whom five are now living: Estelle, married J. P. Woodhul, of Dover ; Whitfield B., with whom the present biographical sketch is concerned ; Frank I., of Dover, employed in the business; Flora, married Harry G. Wolfe, treasurer of the Morris County Savings Bank, of Morristown ; Edith, unmarried and living with her mother.
Whitfield B. Gillen was educated in the district schools of his native county, and when a mere youth was taken into the undertaking establish- ment of his father at Dover. He continued to be his father's partner nip
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to the time of the latter's death in March, 1901, when Mr. Gillen became sole owner. He served as town clerk for a year and then became free- holder from Dover, serving in this capacity for several terms. In 19II he was elected sheriff on the Democratic ticket. During his father's term of office as surrogate Mr. Gillen was employed as the latter's assistant. Mr. Gillen is a member of the Masonic order, and also of the Elks. He belongs to the Royal Arcanum and to the Red Men. He is a Presbyterian in his religious beliefs.
He married, in Dover, New Jersey, Clara B. Wolfe, born in Ledgwood, Morris county, New Jersey. Her father, Ferdinand V. Wolfe, and her mother, Elizabeth (Force) Wolfe, were both natives of Morris county, the former dying in 1910. He had been a lieutenant in the Twenty-seventh Regiment, National Guard of New Jersey, and had held the office of mayor of Dover. Her mother has been dead for many years. They had three children but one, Beatrice, died in childhood. The two living are: Eliza- beth W., married John W. Smith, and lives in the home of Whitfield B. Gillen ; Grace Elinor, who lives with her father.
ELIAS BERTRAM MOTT
The legal profession numbers among its members men of high distinc- tion, scholarly attainments and wide experience, and prominent among these is Elias Bertram Mott, now serving in the capacity of county clerk of Morris county, who was born at Rockaway, Morris county, New Jer- sey, March II, 1879, son of Elias Briant and Lauretta W. Mott, grandson of Samuel and Phoebe A. (Nicholas) Mott, and a descendant of a French ancestry, the name in their native land having been spelled De La Motte.
Elias Briant Mott (father ) was born in Mott's Hollow, now known as Mill Brook, near Dover, New Jersey, March 12, 1843. He was a teacher in Essex county, New Jersey, for three years; served for two years as clerk for R. D. Chase, a merchant in Dover; was for three years book- keeper and clerk for B. K. Stickle, of Rockaway; then resumed teaching, continuing until 1888. He served in various public offices, giving entire satisfaction to all concerned, and his entire active career has been character- ized by the strictest integrity. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Red Men. He married, in December, 1869, Lauretta W. Mott, who bore him four children, three sons and one daughter.
Elias Bertram Mott received his early education in the public schools of Rockaway, and this was supplemented by attendance at Wyoming Sem-
- inary, Kingston, Pennsylvania. Having chosen law as his profession, he devoted his attention to study along that line, and in February, 1901, was admitted to the New Jersey bar as an attorney. While occupying a fore- most place in his profession, which he attained by perseverance and ability, and busied with the legal concerns of an extensive and important clientele, Mr. Mott has rendered useful service to the community in various public positions. From 1898 to 1908, inclusive, he held the office of assistant county clerk, and since November 15, 1908, to the present time (1913) has served as county clerk of Morris county. From 1903 to 1909, inclu- sive, he was collector of taxes and treasurer of Rockaway borough. He is a director in the First National Bank of Rockaway, and a director and counsel in the Rockaway Building and Loan Association.
Mr. Mott is an attendant of the Rockaway Presbyterian Church, and in politics adheres to the Republican party. He is a member of the Mor-
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ris county Republican committee; Acacia Lodge, No. 20, F. and A. M., of Dover, New Jersey; Lodge No. 782, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Dover, New Jersey; Arcanum Lodge, Royal Arcanum, of Rocka- way, New Jersey, of which he is past regent; Lodge No. 195, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, of Rockaway, New Jersey; Morris County Bar Association ; Topkaow Club, of Morristown, New Jersey, and of the Rockaway Social Club, Rockaway Gun Club, Rockaway Field Club, Rock- away Fishing Club and Rockaway Fire Department.
DEWITT R. HUMMER
Ideas backed with indefatigable energy, the desire and power to accom- plish big things, these qualities make of success not an accident but a logical result. The man of initiative is he who combines with a capacity for hard work an indomitable will. This type of man recognizes no such thing as failure and his final success is on a parity with his well directed efforts. DeWitt R. Hummer, who is practically self educated and who is strictly a self-made man, has been a resident of Dover since the year 1889. Here he is most profitably engaged in the real estate and insurance business, being secretary of the George Richards Company, and he is a director in the National Union Bank of Dover. He has served his home community in various official capacities of trust and responsibility and is ever ready to do what he can to advance the general welfare of Morris county and of the State at large.
A son of John Wall and Mary Ann (Eveland) Hummer, DeWitt R. Hummer was born in the State of New Jersey, village of California, May 20, 1863. The father was for many years engaged in the milling business at California, New Jersey, and he is now deceased. They were the parents of seven children: George F., a resident of High Bridge; DeWitt R., the immediate subject of this review ; Esther, wife of Samuel Lance, of High Bridge; Catherine, died as the wife of Aaron Pence, of Port Calden; Elizabeth, married John B. Coursen and maintains her home at High Bridge, a widow ; Susan E., wife of Isaac Crager, of High Bridge; Minerva, married George Latimer, of High Bridge.
The education of DeWitt R. Hummer was confined to a course of study in the common schools of his native place. He lived in California until he had reached the age of four years. In 1878 he entered the employ of the Taylor Iron Company, at High Bridge, New Jersey, remaining with that concern for a number of years, at the expiration of which he became sta- tion agent and operator for the New Jersey Central Railroad Company, at different points along the line. After his marriage, which occurred in 1888, he came to Dover and here worked for the George Richards Company as bookkeeper six months, then private secretary for Mr. George Richards, and day boss for the mines, and a few years later launched into business as a real estate and insurance operator. He is now secretary of the George Richards Company, an incorporated mercantile business, and is a member of the board of directors of the National Union Bank of Dover, in which substantial financial institution he has considerable money invested. He is executor and trustee of the late George Richards estate, also director in Hibernia Mine Railroad. He is also transfer agent for the Hibernia Mine Railroad Company ; also the George Richards Company, and one of the shade tree commissioners of the town of Dover.
Mr. Hummer is a Republican in his political convictions and for six years he served as clerk of the Dover water commission. For two years,
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from 1899 to 1901, he was clerk of the town of Dover, and from 1909 to 1913 he was town recorder. He fraternizes with Acacia Lodge, No. 20, Free and Accepted Masons ; Madison Chapter, No. 27, Royal Arch Masons ; Randolph Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, likewise the State encampment of this organization ; and is a charter member of Dover Lodge, No. 182, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Religiously he and his family are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
September 12, 1888, Mr. Hummer was united in marriage to Josephine E. Tonking, a native of Cold Spring, New Jersey, daughter of William H. and Elizabeth (Moyse) Tonking, both of whom were born and reared in England, whence they immigrated to the United States as young people. Mr. and Mrs. Hummer have three children: John W., Josephine T., James B., all of whom are at the parental home.
RICHARD W. WHITHAM
Richard W. Whitham is a man of unusual enterprise and initiative and has met with such marvelous good fortune in his various business projects that it would verily seem as though he possessed an "open sesame" to unlock the doors to success. Self-made and self-educated in the most significant sense of the words, he has progressed steadily toward the goal of success until he is recognized as one of the foremost business men and citi- zens of Dover, in Morris county, New Jersey, where he has resided since he was fourteen years of age. He is president of the R. W. Whitham Com- pany, masons, a corporation that owns about $14,000 worth of property in this section of the State.
July 29, 1875, occurred the birth of Richard W. Whitham, the place of his nativity being Franklin Furnace, Sussex county, New Jersey. He is a son of Robert W. and Catherine C. (Haycook) Whitham and a grandson of Robert Whitham, the latter of whom was born and reared in England, where he spent the entire period of his life. The father was born in England and immigrated to America in the year 1857; he was a machinist and worked at that trade at Franklin Furnace until twenty-three years prior to his death in December, 1908. The mother is a native of this State and she is now living at Mount Hope, New Jersey. To Mr. and Mrs. Robert W. Whitham were born the following children: Laura C., wife of Philip Andrews; Hester H., wife of F. A. Rhinehart; William H .; Richard W., of this sketch ; George B .; Mary C., wife of F. S. McFerren.
Richard W. Whitham early availed himself of the advantages afforded in the public schools of his native place, and at the age of fourteen years came to Dover. Here he entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the trade of mason, working for the firm of Smith & Fanning for a period of twenty- one years. In 1910 he purchased the business of his employers and he is rapidly building up one of the finest enterprises of its kind in this section of New Jersey. The R. W. Whitham Company was formed as a partnership in 1910. This concern employs an average of forty to sixty men during the entire round of the year and needless to say an immense amount of business is taken care of annually. The company owns property to the amount of $14,000.
In 1898 Mr. Whitham married Laura C. Ike, born in Dover, daughter of Isaac C. and Elsie A. (Kissaubh) Ike. Mrs. Whitham has two brothers and three sisters, as follows: Harry, Lilly, Irene, Scott, Elsie. Mr. and Mrs. Whitham have one daughter, Elsie C., a student in the public schools of Dover.
HA6, Joha ryan,
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Mr. Whitham fraternizes with the local lodge and State encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and he is likewise connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Royal Arcanum, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Free 'and Accepted Masons.' The family attends the Methodist Episcopal church. In politics he is unswerving in his allegiance to the principles of the Republican party. He has confined his public service to membership on the city council of Dover, although he is deeply and sincerely interested in all matters affecting the good of the general welfare, not only of his home community but of New Jersey and the nation at large.
HAYOZOUN HOHANNES TOPAKYAN
The incident of birth and family is one for which least of all attend- ing man's life he can take credit ; yet, when an ancestry of honorable record may be claimed, it is certainly a matter for honest, though unspoken pride. Hayozoun Hohannes Topakyan, who resides at Morristown, New Jersey, and has his place of business at No. 225 Fifth avenue, New York City, is a man whose prominence in business circles and other fields of activity de- mands distinct recognition, and who is a descendant of one of the oldest families of the Armenian aristocracy.
Hayozoun Hohannes Topakyan was born at Sazaria, Turkey, November 5, 1864, a son of Hohannes and Diroauhi Topakyan. The public schools of Sazaria furnished his early education, and he was then sent to the 5 American College at Bardizak to learn English and become versed in English and American methods of transacting business. At the age of eighteen years he became associated with his father in the dry goods business, which he abandoned at the end of a few years in order to establish himself in" business independently in Constantinople. He opened a business as a dry goods commission merchant, the bulk of his transactions being with the interior of Turkey. Three years were devoted to this line of business, at the termination of which Mr. Topakyan made a business trip to the United States and, so favorably was he impressed with conditions in this country, , that he determined to make it his permanent place of abode. He disposed , of his business in Constantinople, and having selected New York for his business operations, commenced the importation of Turkish, Persian and Indian rugs in 1887. While Mr. Topakyan is recognized at the present time as being at the head of the importation of high grade Oriental rugs in this country, he commenced on a comparatively small scale, and it was his capable management which brought about the development of the busi- ness house of which he is the leading spirit.
The Persian government in 1892 appointed Mr. Topakyan Imperial Com- missioner and Director-General of their exhibits, at the World's Fair at Chicago. He built the Persian and Ottoman pavilion at his own expense, and so magnificent and interesting were the exhibits he gathered from both countries, that he was awarded forty-eight diplomas and forty-eight medals, this including the personal thanks and a diploma from President Cleveland in recognition of the exceptionally fine work he had done in the interests of the fair. The services of Mr. Topakyan were also recognized in 1896, when the Venezuelan, Persian and Turkish governments decorated him, the last two mentioned with the most distinguished honors. The Imperial Order of the "Lion and the Rising Sun" was bestowed by the Persian government, the "Magidiya" by the Turkish government, and the "Buste del Lisuetor" by the Venezuelan government. In 1909 he was appointed Consul-General 4
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