USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume II > Part 70
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standard, and the tact and executive ability of Mr. Barber himself, have al- most become proverbial. While the responsible nature of the business car- ried on by Mr. Barber makes it impossible for him to take any active part in the public affairs of the town, he takes a lively interest in whatever con- cerns the welfare of the community, and gives his political support to the Progressive Republican party. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, but holds no office in it. His social membership is with the Masonic Club of New York, and the Sea Girt Polo Country Club of New Jersey. He is a member of the English Catholic Church.
Mr. Barber was married, at St. Ignatius Church, New York City, in 1887, to Marie Elizabeth Frost, born in Northamptonshire, England, November 9, 1862, only child of Henry and Elizabeth (Sapcoat) Frost, the former a nurseryman. Children : Adelaide Mary Virginia, born August 17, 1892, was educated at the School of St. John the Baptist, and the Dana School, Morristown ; Phyllis, born March 17, 1894, had the same education as her sister ; James Herbert Cecil, born May 5, 1889, was educated in Trinity School, New York, and Morris Academy, Morristown, is steward at Rector's, married Teresa Wildey, and has one child: Mary Virginia.
JAMES HENRY COLEMAN
A progressive business man, and one who earnestly desires the growth and development of his country, but is equally anxious that every improve- ment shall be reared on firm foundations, is James Henry Coleman, of Chatham, Morris county, New Jersey, who has long been regarded as a most energetic and enterprising citizen. He possesses the complement to industry, a laudable ambition, which prompts him to reach out into various fields, and grasp the opportunities which are presented. His father, also James Henry Coleman, was born in Albany, New York, in 1838, and was a lawyer of note in the city of New York. He married, in New York City, in 1864, Margaret Alicia Walsh, born in that city in 1837, and they had children: John, deceased; James Henry, of this sketch; Bella, deceased ; Daniel E. Sickles.
James Henry Coleman, whose name heads this sketch, was born in the city of New York, in 1866, and received his elementary education in the city of his birth. He then attended private schools in Paris, France, and upon his return to this country, matriculated at Yale University, from which in- stitution he was graduated in the class of 1888 (the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy being conferred upon him). Subsequently he became a student at the Harvard Law School in the class of 1895. During these years of study he had also been engaged in perfecting a process for the annealing of metals, which he patented and which proved of great commercial value. He finally sold all the rights to this to Roebling & Sons, of Trenton, New Jersey. Since that time Mr. Coleman has found his business occupation in real estate operations in New York and New Jersey, in both of which states he has conducted extensive operations in this field. He is a staunch supporter of Republican principles, but has never cared to hold public office. He is a member of the Episcopal church ; and has an office at No. 35 Nassau street, New York City.
Mr. Coleman married in New York City, in 1896, Anne Rowan Judge, born in West Virginia, in 1871, a daughter of the late John Dunbar and Margaret (Rowan) Judge, whose other children were: John, Ellen Claire and Margaret Elizabeth. Mr. Judge was engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. and Mrs. Coleman have had children: Marion Clarke Weston, born in
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1897, deceased ; James Dunbar and George Kimball, born in 1898 and 1901 respectively, are at Nazareth Hall Military Academy ; Geoffrey Weston, born in 1904, attends the Chatham public schools; Anne Rowan, born in 1906, is under private instruction. Socially, Mr. Coleman is a member of the follow- ing organizations : American Fine Arts Society, of New York; Yale Club, New York ; Canoe Brook Club, Summit, New Jersey ; Chatham Fish and Game Club, Chatham, New Jersey. Mr. Coleman is a direct, outspoken man, who carefully examines any proposition before adopting it, but when once assured of its advisability, he goes ahead without flinching. He inspires among those with whom he has dealings a strong confidence in his judg- ment and ability, and his success has justified his keen business methods and unvaried attention to his large affairs.
WILLIAM M. COLEMAN
The substantial and thoroughgoing farmer is the one who has the conti- dence and respect of all men. Not only with those of his community, who know him well, but also with all whom he meets, whether at home or abroad, is his honest, earnest, sincere life a sure passport. Among this class of worthy citizens in German Valley, Morris county, New Jersey, is William M. Coleman. Theodore Coleman, his father, was born at Chester, Morris county, New Jersey, where he was a farmer, and removed to German Valley in 1864, where he continued his farming operations. He is now living with his son, William M., at the advanced age of eighty-four years. He married Eleanor Todd, a native of Somerset county, New Jersey, and they had children : John, William M., Jennie, Stephen.
William M. Coleman was born at Ironia, Morris county, New Jersey, in 1858, and received a practical education in the public school of his native county. He has made farming the principal occupation of his life, and sends general produce to market, where he finds ready sale for it, as his products are of the highest standard. The farm on which he is located is 185 acres in extent, and is owned by his father. He is progressive in his methods of cultivation, and keeps well abreast of the times in every respect. A barn was erected by his father and they have made numerous improvements upon this land. Mr. Coleman is a staunch Democrat, and has been a freeholder for the past eleven years. His fraternal association is with the Free and Ac- cepted Masons. He married Catherine Vliet, of Somerset county, and they had one child : Nellie, who died at the age of five years.
JOSEPH BENJAMIN DICKSON
As one of the foremost men in the coal industry, that business which supplies the sinews to the whole manufacturing interests of the country, Joseph Benjamin Dickson occupies a position of influence and responsibility. A man who has given evidence of his sterling integrity and an unusual force of character he commands the respect not only of his associates but of the entire public. So entire is the confidence of a large section of that part of the state that his influence is a potent factor in any movement to which he subscribes his name.
Joseph B. Dickson was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, March 15, 1861, and from his earliest years was brought into contact with that industry to which he has devoted his life. Scranton is in the heart of the anthracite coal mining region of Pennsylvania, and the products of its mines are ship- ped to all parts of the civilized world. Here in his home town he received
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his early education, attending at first a private school of the place, and after- ward going to a boarding school at Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York. For about three years after this he attended Lafayette College, at Easton, Pemi - sylvania.
The details of the business career of Mr. Dickson show him to be a man who has given himself up to business with an enthusiastic devotion His first experience was gained in the employ of A. S. Swords, which position he entered upon in 1881. In 1883 he became a partner in this firm, and after three years of this arrangement a reorganization was effected, the firm be- coming known from 1886 as Swords & Dickson. He is now a partner in the firm of Dickson & Eddy. All of these companies were in the coal business, dealing with the wholesale article. From 1900 to 1903 he was president of the Scranton Coal Company, having been during the years 1889 to 1901 president of the Johnson Coal Company. Since 1900 to the present time he has given his energies to the duties of president of the Price Pancoast Coal Company. As an organizer he has few equals in the coal industry. and his executive abilities are no less marked than his infinite patience in matters of detail. Immersed in these large interests he has little time for outside business, but he is a director of the First National Bank of Morristown, New Jersey, having held this office for ten or twelve years. In his political preferences Mr. Dickson is an adherent of the Republican party, but he has never cared to hold office. He is a member of the Lafayette Chapter of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He belongs also to the Union League Club of New York, to the Morristown Club, to the Morris County Golf Club, to the Scranton Club, to the Whitehall Club, and to the Automobile Club of America. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church.
Mr. Dickson married at Honesdale, Pennsylvania, September 9, 1884, Mary Augusta, born in Honesdale, November 28, 1862, daughter of Coe F. and Mary Augusta (Cornell) Young, her father being general manager of the Delaware & Hudson Canal Company, distinguished as a business man of high ability and character. Their children are: Horace G. Young, Alice, Edwin, Mary and Augusta.
MELIN D. VAN DUYNE
With qualifications such as ensure success in business, Melin D. Van Duyne, of Lincoln Park, Morris county, New Jersey, to-day holds a place among the representative men of the county. He is a man of many sided ability, and his connections have been and are with various enterprises of importance. George H. Van Duyne, his father, was born in Morris county, and owned a farm at Pine Brook, on which he lived until his early death at the age of forty-six years. He married Ellen, a daughter of John Sisco, and had eight children.
Melin D. Van Duyne was born on the farm in Pine Brook, in 1867. He attended the public schools of that township, then found employment with an engraving house, that of Comly, of Lincoln Park, and remained there five years. Seven years were spent in the same line of business with Capstick, of Towaco. He then accepted a position with the American Locomotive Works in Paterson, New Jersey, remaining there eleven years, then lived retired for a time. Three months ago he opened a pool room and barber shop, and is conducting this along the most modern lines and very success- fully. He is also the owner of two automobiles, which he hires out, and is engaged in the real estate business to a certain extent. Mr. Van Duyne mar- ried Lilly, a daughter of Nicholas Mandeville, one of the oldest farmers in
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the county, and has two children: Herbert and William. He is an in- tensely public-spirited man, taking the deepest interest in whatever concerns the welfare of the community, and casts his vote for the candidates of the Republican party.
W. K. KINCAID
All the members of the Kincaid family in this country trace their an- cestry to the best stock in Scotland, and hence their helpfulness to the vari- ous communities in which they reside. They are widely scattered over the United State at the present, and when they meet with conditions which are not exactly encouraging, they "make the best of them, with genuine Scotch grit." W. K. Kincaid, a farmer of Boonton, Morris county, New Jersey, is no exception to this rule. His father, Charles A. Kincaid, although not born in Morris county, spent the larger part of his life there, and died when he was considerably over seventy years of age. His active years were spent in farming. He married Catherine Decker, a descendant of an old family of the county, and they had seven children.
W. K. Kincaid was born near Boonton, Morris county, New Jersey, in 185I, and received his educational advantages in the public schools of his native county. At an early age he commenced the active work of a farmer's son, then for several years was employed in a variety of other occupations. Later he returned to his agricultural pursuits, cultivating a farm below Boon- ton for a period of twenty-one years, and four years ago purchased his pres- ent farm of twenty-five acres at Boonton. He cultivates this for general produce, and finds a ready market for his output by reason of its excellent quality. In political matters he has the courage of his convictions, and casts his votes independently. His fraternal membership is with the order of Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Kincaid married Jane Bott, also born in this county, and they have had children : Frank, Meta, Dora and William.
HARRY W. LANDFEAR
The educational fraternity of Morristown has many representatives, yet none who are more devoted to their profession or are more earnest in the discharge of professional duties than Harry W. Landfear, principal of Morris Academy, located at Morristown, New Jersey, noted among the edu- cational institutions of that state.
Harry W. Landfear was born in Manchester, Hartford county, Connecti- cut, August 1, 1863, son of James Edward and Harriet Emeline Landfear, natives of Manchester, Connecticut, and Vernon, Connecticut, respectively. He was prepared for college at Williston Academy, Easthampton, Massa- chusetts, from which institution he was graduated in 1886, then entered Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts, from which he was graduated in 1890, and subsequently matriculated at Yale Divinity School, New Haven, Connecticut, completing his course of studies there in 1894. During the years 1890-91 he served in the capacity of teacher in a school in Brooklyn, New York, served in a similar position at Morris Academy from 1894 to 1897, at Cedarhurst, Long Island, from 1897 to 1899, and in the latter named year was appointed principal of Morris Academy, which position he has satisfactorily filled ever since, clearly demonstrating his ability as an educa- tor and disciplinarian. Mr. Landfear keeps abreast of the times in all matters pertaining to his calling, and while devoting his best energies to the work of instruction he is still a student, and is well versed in topics of gen-
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eral interest, but especially in the line which will aid him most in his chosen field of labor. He is progressive without being radical, yet his keen judg- ment, fine sense of practicability and skill in adaptation have made his school noted, and the imprint of his personality is upon his work. He possesses the faculty of securing and maintaining harmony between principal, teachers, pupils and patrons which is such a potent factor in the success of any educa- tional institution.
At the time of the appointment of Mr. Landfear to the headship of Morris Academy, it was reorganized ; unusual growth and development have followed, and the school is now enjoying its earlier prestige and prosperity. The New Jersey State Board of Education has examined the methods and work of Morris Academy and placed the institution on the list of approved schools of the state. Independent of the credentials of a registered school, the certificate privilege has been granted by all colleges and universities ad- mitting candidates by that method. A narrative of the academy appears in the historical volume of this work.
HAROLD HORTON VAN NATTA
Harold Horton Van Natta, a representative resident of Chester, New Jersey, serving at the present time in the capacity of secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Morris Plains Lumber and Coal Company at Morris Plains, New Jersey, is a native of Chester, Morris county, New Jersey, born June 7, 1887, son of Nelson C. and Julia (Horton) Van Natta.
Nelson C. Van Natta was born in Washington, Warren county, New Jersey, in 1849, died in 1908 in Chester, New Jersey. He was a manu- facturer and dealer in saddlery hardware, harness, etc., achieving a large degree of success which was the result of his progressive and honorable methods of conducting business. He was one of the founders of the People's National Bank of Dover, New Jersey, now known as Dover Trust Company, and was always active in all local affairs for the betterment of town, county or state. His wife, Julia (Horton) Van Natta, was born in Chester, Morris county, New Jersey, and is living at the present time (1914) in said village.
Harold Horton Van Natta attended the Chester public school and the Rider-Moore and Stewart Business College at Trenton, New Jersey, thus acquiring a practical education. His first employment was with the National Biscuit Company of New York, serving as special accountant for four years, then for a similar period served as manager of the Arrowsmith Manu- facturing Company of Morristown, New Jersey, and now with the Morris Plains Lumber and Coal Company of Morris Plains, as noted above. He is a Democrat in politics, and served as a member of the board of chosen free- holders of Morris county. He is secretary and treasurer of the Chester Free Public Library, of which he was one of the organizers, and is a member of Prospect Lodge, No. 24, F. and A. M., of Chester, New Jersey ; Madison Chapter, No. 27, R. A. M., of Morristown, New Jersey ; Morris County Forest, No. 2, Tall Cedars of Lebanon ; and the Tapkaow Club, of Morris- town. He was reared in the Presbyterian church, in which his family hold membership.
W. S. SWACKHAMER
The rich, agricultural district lying in Morris county, New Jersey, is under the care of a number of very prominent and worthy citizens, whose farming operations have added largely to the prosperity and material de-
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velopment of the region. Among those whose energies are devoted to the improvement of the land is W. S. Swackhamer, of German Valley, who has earned the esteem of all who know him. Jacob Swackhamer, his father, was born in Morris county, and is a descendant of one of the oldest families in the section. He was a drover by occupation, and died in 1869. He married Alice, who is now living at Lower Valley, a daughter of William Sharp, and they had children: W. S. and John C., of New York.
W. S. Swackhamer was born in Morris county, New Jersey, in 1864, and attended the public schools of his native town, where he acquired a practical education. For a number of years he held clerical positions in the department of house construction and water works, and in 1912 purchased his present farm of 167 acres, which he has cultivated since that time for general pro- duce and for dairy purposes. He has been very successful in his conduct of this enterprise, and is progressive in his methods. He is a Democrat in po- litical opinion, and a member of the Presbyterian church. Fraternally he is affiliated with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and the Improved Order of Red Men. Mr. Swackhamer married Minerva Schuyler, also born in Morris county, and they have had children : Charles, a farmer, married Emma Wilson, and has four children; Roy and Bert, bakers.
WILLIAM J. McKEE
Among the substantial and highly respected citizens of Morristown, New Jersey, none are more deserving of mention in a work of this character than William J. McKee, proprietor of the Arnold Market. He is a son of James McKee, and a grandson of Robert McKee, who was a native of Scotland, and came here many years ago. James McKee and his family were mem- bers of the Episcopal church.
William J. McKee was born in Morristown, New Jersey, November 19, 1860. His education was acquired in public and private schools of his native town, and when he had completed his studies, he became associated with his father in the market business. This continued until 1886, when William J. McKee opened a meat market in association with Mr. Arm- strong, the firm being known as McKee & Armstrong. This partnership was dissolved in 1889, and Mr. McKee then formed another with Mr. Douglass, under the firm name of McKee & Douglass, which was continued until they sold out to Rotan Brothers. In 1911 Mr. McKee formed a partnership with Mr. Clark, to whom he sold his share of the business, May 12, 1914, and opened the Arnold Market, on Market street. This is equipped in the most up-to-date manner, and he employs six men constantly. Mr. McKee is very progressive in his business methods, and everything is done in a most methodical manner. He takes an active interest in whatever concerns the welfare of the Republican party, and has served as a member of the board of elections. He is a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church. Mr. McKee married, April 16, 1902, Helen, born in Morristown, a daughter of Luther Baird, and they have children: Arnold B., born August 25, 1903 ; Margery S., born January 6, 1909.
ARTHUR MCEWAN
Arthur McEwan, a prominent manufacturer of paper box board at Whip- pany, Morris county, New Jersey, and a leading spirit in a number of other important business enterprises, is of Scotch descent. His grandfather, Anthony McEwan, was a paper maker by trade, in Scotland, and married Mary Coomb.
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Robert, son of Anthony and Mary (Coomb) McEwan, was born near the city of Glasgow, Scotland, September 8, 1828, and died in New Jersey, in 1909. He came to America in early manhood, and at first settled at Bloom- field, New Jersey, where he was associated for several years with L. A. Brown in the manufacture of air-dried straw board. From Bloomfield he removed to Easton, Connecticut, where he was engaged in the manu- facture of paper some years. In 1884 he removed with his family to Cald- well, New Jersey, and there commenced the manufacture of paper under the firm name of Robert McEwan & Sons. Four years later he removed to Whippany, Morris county, and the firm was incorporated under the name of the McEwan Brothers Company. In 1902 this corporation was sold to the United Box Board and Paper Company, and incorporated, in 1904, under the name of McEwan Brothers. The concern converts old newspapers, etc., into paper box board, the idea for this manufacture having originated with Robert McEwan. The president of this corporation is Robert Bruce Mc- Ewan, and Arthur McEwan is the treasurer and general manager. Robert McEwan married Sarah Ann Walsh, born in England in 1842, died in New- ark, New Jersey, in 1900. They had children : William Wallace, a paper man- ufacturer, who died in 1905 at the age of forty-nine years; Andrew Wilson, died at the age of twenty years; Edith, married George W. Phillips, of Newark, New Jersey; Jesse L., paper manufacturer of Whippany; Mary, married William L. Wilson, of Whippany; Richard W., president of the Morristown & Erie Railroad Company, and also a paper manufacturer ; Robert Bruce, president of the McEwan Brothers corporation; Arthur, the subject of this sketch ; Frank, a paper manufacturer in Newark, New Jersey, resides in Madison, Morris county ; Frederick, a paper manufacturer of Newark, also resides in Madison.
Arthur McEwan was born in Easton, Connecticut, May 28, 1872. He acquired his education in the public schools and at a business college, then entered upon his business career at the age of twenty-one years. He be- came associated with his father in the paper manufacturing industry, and has been closely identified with it until the present time, when he is the treasurer and general manager of the McEwan Brothers corporation at Whippany. He is also president of the Stony Brook Paper Company. He is a stockholder of the Morris County Brick Company of Whippany, and general manager of the Morristown & Erie Railroad Company. He is a member of Morristown Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Mecca Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and has attained the thirty-second degree in this order. Mr. McEwan married, in 1895, Ella U. Anderson, of Washington, New Jersey, and has had one son: R. E. Mc- Ewan.
FREDERICK W. SCHMIDT
Frederick Wilhelm Schmidt, a resident of Morristown, New Jersey, was born in Millington, New Jersey, August 27, 1865. His ancestry is German, John and Martha (Fiemonn) Schmidt, his grandparents, having been life- long residents of Germany. John Henry Schmidt, one of their sons, came to America in 1850, and ten years later married Margaret Ann Nishwitz, the daughter of Peter Nishwitz, also from Germany. Frederick W. was the first son of this union.
He received his early education in the public schools of Madison, New Jersey, where his parents had removed during his infancy. At sixteen years of age he returned to Millington, his birthplace, and was employed in the
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harrow factory of his uncle, Frederick Nishwitz, where he remained until 1888. At his father's request he moved to Morristown to assist in his car- riage business, which had grown to large proportions. He organized in 1893 the John H. Schmidt Company, and managed its affairs for a score of years.
In 1895, the good roads movement was agitated in Morris county, and Mr. Schmidt bought a tract of fifty acres of land at Millington, New Jersey, underlaid with trap rock. He then organized the Morris County Crushed Stone Company, for the purpose of quarrying this trap rock for road build- ing purposes. He built and equipped an extensive plant, which is now one of the best quarries in the country. At various points in northern New Jersey and New York, Mr. Schmidt acquired interests in other quarries, and from stockholder and director in same, he rapidly arose to a position of controlling power. The extensive operations of these several industries being all under his direction, he organized the North Jersey Quarry Com- pany to continue same. Of this, Mr. Schmidt is the president and con- trolling owner. The main offices of his business interests are located in the Schmidt Building, Nos. 15-17 South street, Morristown.
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