USA > New Jersey > Morris County > A history of Morris County, New Jersey : embracing upwards of two centuries, 1710-1913, Volume II > Part 9
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Millie t. Howde
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James W., Martha, wife of John Spargo; William, Frederick, John G., Hattie, wife of Oscar Peer.
John G. Taylor attended only the schools of Dover, and most of his education was of a very practical nature. After leaving school he found a job as traveling salesman, and sold goods on the road for three years. He next became one of the firm of Taylor Brothers, conducting a high class clothing store at Dover. On selling out his interest in that firm he took the position of health officer in June, 1899, and has since devoted all his time to those duties. In politics Mr. Taylor is a Republican. He and his wife and family attend the First Methodist Episcopal Church.
He married, May 11, 1893, Retta Smith, a native of Newton, New Jersey, daughter of Barton and Caroline (Van Orden) Smith. Her father was for some years a hotel man and later did a large business as a dealer in horses. The children in the Smith family were: Stella, wife of Edwin Bell; Charles, who met his death by a train accident; and Mrs. John G. Taylor. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are the parents of two sons, William E. and Charles B.
WILLIS K. HOWELL
Willis K. Howell, a well-known business man of Morristown, is a native of the place, having been born there October 30, 1860. The Howell family, of which Willis K. Howell is a descendant, came from Southampton colony prior to 1749 and settled at Troy, Hanover township, Morris county, New Jersey, Benjamin Howell being the head of the family at that time, he being the founder of the family in New Jersey. He was or eventually became a large land holder and one of the substantial men in his community, and filled a number of offices during the Revolutionary War. John Howell, great-grandfather of Willis K. Howell. attended Princeton College, but did not graduate as his services were needed on the home farm, and he followed the occupation of farming throughout the active years of his life. His son, Benjamin Howeli, grandfather of Willis K. Howell, was born on the old homestead at Troy, New Jersey, and was for many years a surveyor, also a merchant, later becoming a large land holder. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Lemuel C. Cobb, of Hanover township. Their children were: Monroe, Benjamin Franklin, Elizabeth, Phebe, Lemuel, all now deceased. Benjamin Franklin Howell, father of Willis K. Howell, was born in Troy, New Jersey, October 9, 1822, died in 1908. He came to Morristown, New Jersey, in 1858, the year of his marriage to Frances H. Willis, born November II, 1825, died March 5, 1912. Three children one of whom died in infancy, the surviving members being Willis K. and Lillian Helen, the latter named unmarried, resides at the old home- stead. Mrs. Howell was a daughter of Thomas C. and Deborah (Farrand) Willis, the former named an iron manufacturer, fought in the War of 1812, died in August, 1864.
Willis K. Howell was sent as a young boy to the Morristown Academy, and to other private schools of the place. Anxious to begin a man's work he left school at the age of nineteen years and entered into association with his father in the lumber and real estate business, a partnership which con- tinued until the death of the latter. Besides real estate he has always been interested in lumber and is at present associated in a number of enterprises involving the timber and lumber manufacturing business in the south. For the past fifteen years Mr. Howell has been extensively interested in the ice business, operating in the wholesale trade. Mr. Howell is a Republican in
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his political sympathies, and a member of the Washington Association, also Grand Army of the Republic. His family are members of the Second Presbyterian Church of Morristown.
He married, October 24, 1893, in Boston, Massachusetts, Hester, daugh- ter of Charles E. and Sallie C. Washburn, of the distinguished Washburn family of Maine. Her father, now deceased, was born at North Livermore, Maine, and was a man well-known in many lines of literary activity. He was a minister to Paragua under Grant's administration, an editor, and an inventor, as well as a public man of great force and influence. Mrs. Charles E. Washburn is still living in New York City. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Howell, all of whom are living: Willis Washburn, born March 7, 1895; Lawrence Benjamin, December 27, 1897; Catherine Frances, April 6, 1899; Thurlow Washburn, April 10, 1900; Sidney Kirk- patrick, February 8, 1907.
ALBERT SEDGMAN
Albert Sedgman, president and treasurer of the S. H. Berry Hardware Company, of Dover, was born at Ford, New Jersey, August 29, 1876. He is a son of William and Elizabeth (Rule) Sedgman, both natives of England, where they grew to maturity and were educated and whence they immigrated to America prior to their marriage, which occurred in Dover, New Jersey. The father was interested in mining operations in Morris county and was mine superintendent for the Pardee Company for many years. He died in 1909 and his remains are interred at Stanhope, New Jersey. Mrs. Sedgman survives her honored husband and is now living in Stanhope. The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Sedgman : William J., Thomas H., Jane, wife of John H. Slaght; Catherine, wife of Harry Knight ; Charlotte, widow of Frank Hurd; Albert, Joseph R., Louise, wife of Her- bert Raynor ; Grace, wife of Edward Wills ; Martha, wife of Edward Knap- penberger.
Up to the age of sixteen years Albert Sedgman was a student in the public schools of Morris county. He then entered the employ of the William H. Baker Store Company, of Dover, and worked for that concern from 1892 until 1898. When he left that business he was manager of the grocery department. In 1898 he located in New York City and worked for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, in traffic, until April, 1912. He then returned to Dover and since that time has been presi- dent and treasurer of the S. H. Berry Hardware Company, which was founded by Stephen H. Berry, Mr. Sedgman's father-in-law, in 1874. This concern was incorporated under the laws of New Jersey with a capital stock of $30,000. Mr. Sedgman is now president and treasurer and Harry A. Armitage is secretary. The company controls an immense business, being one of the largest hardware concerns in Morris county.
December 4, 1902, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Sedgman to Nellie Louise Berry. She was born at Dover, daughter of Stephen H. and Alice L. (Hoyt) Berry, the former of whom passed from this life in January, 1911. Mrs. Berry is now living at Dover. There were three children in the Berry family, two of whom died in infancy, the only one to grow to maturity being Nellie Louise, now Mrs. Sedgman. Mr. and Mrs. Sedgman are the parents of one son, Albert Berry, whose birth occurred January 18, 1906, in Boonton, New Jersey.
While not a seeker after public honors of any description, Mr. Sedgman is an unswerving Republican in his political convictions. In a fraternal
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way he is a valued and appreciative member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and in religious matters he and his wife are devout Presbyterians, he being a trustee in the church of that denomination in Dover. In com- munity affairs Mr. Sedgman is active and influential and his support is readily and generously given to many measures projected for the good of the general welfare. In private life he is genial, kind and thoughtful, and in business affairs his conduct has ever been honorable and straightforward.
ANDREW RODERER
Another enterprising business man and representative citizen of Dover, Morris county, New Jersey, who was born in Germany, is Andrew Roderer. He is here most successfully engaged in business as general contractor. His birth occurred in March, 1849, and he came to America with his parents, Andrew and Margaret Roderer, in 1851, at which time he was but two years old. The family located in Morris county and for several years the father was employed in the mines here. Eventually he turned his attention to the work of stone mason and gained a reputation as one of the most skilled workmen in that line of enterprise in the county. His wife passed away in 1907. To them were born three sons: Andrew, the immediate subject of this sketch; John, a resident of Dover; Joseph, who died in his eighth year.
Andrew Roderer attended the common schools of Morris county until he had reached his sixteenth year, when he began to learn the trade of stone mason under his father. Subsequently he studied stone, brick and cornice work-all the departments of masonry-and also learned the trade of plasterer. Thus he became excellently equipped to carry on the work begun by his father and he now has a big and thriving establishment in Dover, employing a force of twenty-five to forty men. He is the owner of four fine residences in this city, besides the home in which he himself resides, and he has a tract of twenty acres of land adjoining the city limits, which he has cleared and laid out in building lots, located on the south side of Dover. He is a Democrat in politics affecting the nation at large but in local affairs he votes for the man meeting with the approval of his judgment. For the past two years he has been president of the Dover board of sewage commissioners. He and his family are devout communicants of the Catholic church.
In 1872 Mr. Roderer married Rosana Canfield, a native of Ireland, daughter of Patrick and Rosana Canfield. There were six children in the Canfield family : Thomas, Eliza, Anna, Kate, Rosana, Nellie. Mr. and Mrs. Roderer have had three sons, and one daughter: Joseph and William, both of whom are working for their father in Dover ; John, deceased ; Mary, deceased. Mr. Roderer is sixty-four years of age but is so active and cheerful that he doesn't seem more than fifty. As a business man he exer- cises good judgment, is perfectly reliable in all his work and rarely fails to finish a job on time. He is known as one of the foremost citizens of Dover and as such commands the unalloyed confidence and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact. He served for some years as director of the People's Bank of Dover until the reorganization of the Trust Company when he withdrew.
MARTIN C. HAVENS
Due entirely to his own well directed efforts is the splendid success achieved by Martin C. Havens, who ranks as one of the foremost business
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men at Dover, New Jersey. Here he is proprietor of a first-class stationery and book-store, one of the finest of its kind in the county, and in addition to the same he is the owner of considerable property in Dover and he also owns the old Havens homestead in Sussex county. A son of John O. and Emma (Cox) Havens, he was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, August 4, 1869. Both parents are likewise natives of Sussex county, where the father is engaged in farming operations, his beautiful estate of 134 acres being eligibly located two and three-fourth miles distant from the town of Sussex. To Mr. and Mrs. John O. Havens were born five children : Martin C., Edgar B., Wilbur J., all of whom are living, in 1913; two dead, Clarence and Frederick. The paternal grandfather of the subject of this review was Barret D. Havens, born and reared in New Jersey, died in 1890, aged eighty-seven years.
To the sturdy discipline of the old homestead farm in Sussex county Martin C. Havens is indebted for his robust constitution. He attended the district schools of his native place and for one year was a student in the Sussex High School. At the age of sixteen years he began to work as a clerk in a dry goods store at Sussex, following that line of work for three years. In 1889 he came to Dover and entered the employ of the George Richards Company as clerk, remaining with that concern for two years and nine months, at the expiration of which time, in 1892, he purchased a small stationery store that occupied one store room on Sussex street. He remained in the above location for the ensuing thirteen years and with the passage of time gradually increased his stock of goods and built up a fine patronage. Since 1905 he has been located at No. 8 East Blackwell street and in 1910 he bought this property. He is improving this property and will have a floor space of 25x85 and will have one of the finest and most completely equipped stores in the State. Mr. Havens owes his splendid success entirely to his own keen sense of business values and to his innate ability to hustle. He is constantly on the job and his genial good nature and smiling counten- ance bring him a large amount of trade. In addition to his place of bust- ness he is the owner of a beautiful residence in Dover and he likewise owns a finely improved farm in Sussex county, the same comprising 134 acres. The latter place is run by his father.
October 15, 1891, Mr. Havens was united in marriage to Lillian E. Stickle, a native of Dover, New Jersey, daughter of Ellery and Sarah L. (Minton) Stickle, prominent residents of Dover. Mrs. Havens died Sep- tember 30, 1909, and her remains are interred in Orchard street cemetery. She was a woman of sweet disposition and was beloved by all who knew her personally. There were four children in the Stickle family: Harry M., William Minton, Royal Minton, Lillian E., all deceased. Guy Minton, first child born to Mr. and Mrs. Havens, died April 30, 1895, aged two and a half years; John Martin, whose birth occurred in 1895, is engaged in business with his father.
Mr. Havens votes the Republican ticket at national elections, but in local affairs he supports the man best fitted for the place regardless of party creed. He is affiliated with the R. A., L. A., the I. O. O. F., and the J. O. U. A. M. He and his son both attend the Presbyterian church at Dover.
JOHN MOLLER
The United States ranks to-day as the foremost nation of the modern civilized world. It has served as the melting pot of the best characteristics
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of all other nations and the outcome is a fine sterling American citizenship consisting of strong and able-bodied men, loyal and public-spirited in civic life, honorable in business and alert and enthusiastically in sympathy with every measure tending to further the material welfare of the entire country. The great empire of Germany has contributed its fair quota to the upbuild- ing of this great nation and among its representatives in this country are to be found successful men in every walk of life, from the professions to the prosperous farmer. John Moller, who has been a resident of New Jersey since 1882, is most successfully engaged in the real estate business at Dover, where he is now serving that community as city treasurer.
A native of Germany, John Moller was born at Unterbreitzbach, that country, February 14, 1865. He is a son of Valentine and Barbara (Ort) Moller, both natives of Germany, where they passed their entire lives. Valentine Moller was engaged as a laborer during his active career and he and his wife became the parents of the following children: John, of this sketch; Conrad, Barbara, wife of Henry Amendt; Mary, wife of John Schmeltz ; Daniel.
John Moller lived in his native place and at Vacka until he reached his seventeenth year, at which time, in 1882, he bade farewell to home and relatives and set sail for America. Prior to his arrival in this country he had learned the trade of stone mason. After one year in Dover he took up a commercial course in Coleman's Business College, at Newark, and on completing the same became bookkeeper for the firm of Knouse & Molle1, bottlers, at Dover. He remained with the above concern for twelve years, at the expiration of which time he entered into the liquor business at Dover, following that line of enterprise for a period of five years. In January, 1909, he opened up a real estate office at Dover and since that time has won considerable success in real estate operations throughout Morris county, being the owner of considerable property in this section. In politics he is aligned as a stalwart in the ranks of the Republican party, in the local councils of which he is an active factor. For two terms, 1904-08, he was a member of the Dover board of freeholders, of which he was also clerk for a time; and he has likewise served on the common council of Dover. He is now incumbent of the office of city treasurer and is most efficiently proving his worth as manager of the fiscal affairs of this community. He is notary public and commissioner of deeds.
Mr. Moller has been twice married, his first union having been with Mary Moller, widow of Daniel Moller, of Dover. She died September 15, 1906, and in October, 1909, he married Paula E. Thriemer, a native of Morris county. By his second wife he has one daughter, Margaret J., born August 15, 191I.
In a fraternal way Mr. Moller is connected with the local lodges of the following organizations: I. O. R. M., F. O. E., and the B. P. O. E., I. O. O. F., of which latter order he is likewise a valued and appreciative inember of the State encampment. He and his wife are zealous members of the Presbyterian church, to whose charities and good works they are most liberal contributors. The Moller family occupy a beautiful home in Dover and the same is the scene of many attractive social gatherings.
THOMAS BAKER
Thomas Baker, one of the best known and most respected citizen of Morris county, New Jersey, is a member of a family, which for many gen- erations has held an honored place, both on Long Island, the scene of its first
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residence in America, and subsequently in New Jersey, which for over a century has been its home.
The first of the name to tread American soil was Thomas Baker, who sometime in the first half of the seventeenth century migrated to this country from England, and made his home on Long Island in the early settlement of East Hampton. He became at once prominent in the affairs of the little community, where his name is found on a record dated 1649. His reputation soon extended beyond the confines of his home place and he became one of the first of Long Island's magistrates. In 1657 he was still more highly honored by being elected, with Lieutenant Lyon Gardiner and John Hand, to represent the Long Island colony, at Hartford, in its negotiations looking to the formation of an alliance with the Connecticut colony.
For several generations after this Thomas, the Baker family continued to reside on Long Island, the first to settle in New Jersey being Henry Baker, the great-grandfather of Thomas Baker, who lived in Union county in that State, about a mile and a half from Westfield Church on the road to Springfield. He was married to Mary Hedges, of Long Island, who bore him six children.
Jeremiah Baker, son of Henry Baker, removed to Morris county, where he engaged in the trade of currier and tanner, the tools and implements of his occupation being preserved to this day in the family of Thomas Baker, his descendant, whose name heads this sketch. Besides his trade, Jeremiah Baker, who was one of the most forthputting and energetic of men, became interested in the industry which the bounty of nature had supplied this part of New Jersey with the basis of, and was soon engaged in the mining and founding of iron, and on the road to becoming, as he eventually did become, the largest owner of real estate in the region. Upon his arrival in the new and then sparsely inhabited part of the State, his whole belongings were contained in the knapsack which he carried, and his wealth was just sufficient to compass the purchase of a yoke of oxen, but before a great while he numbered among his possessions iron mines and foundries, and was reputed among the wealthiest men in the rapidly developing region. Jeremiah Baker married Mary King, daughter of Andrew King. Among their several children were the two brothers, Henry and William Hedges, who in partnership completed much of the work their father had begun, developing the Dover iron industries, and acquiring property in that vicinity. At one time there was in the possession of the Baker family as much as 1,500 acres of the most valuable land in the district, in which was included most of the present site of Dover, and the choicest timber land thereabouts.
William Hedges Baker, son of Jeremiah Baker, was born January 3, 1806, died June 27, 1876. He was one of the prominent men in his com- munity, and besides his wealth was actively engaged in the affairs of Dover and its environs. He married Clarissa Dell, daughter of Thomas and Maria (Francisco) Dell, natives of Dover, who survived him until November 18, 1910, when she died at the advanced age of eighty-five years. To them were born ten children, as follows: Jeremiah, died in early youth ; William H., a resident of Dover ; Mary K., wife of Dr. Johnston, a dentist ; Annie M. Dunham; Andrew K .; David, deceased; Phoebe H., deceased ; Thomas, of whom further; Henrietta, now Mrs. Francis H. Tip- pett ; Lydia, now Mrs. W. E. Jacobus, of Philadelphia.
Thomas Baker, son of William Hedges Baker, who has fully carried on the family name for industry, foresight and probity, was born February 21, 1365, on the old Baker homestead, about a mile and a half north of Dover.
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He obtained his education, first at the public school at Mount Pleasant, and later at the Mount Morris Academy, Morristown, New Jersey. Upon the completion of his studies, he accepted a clerkship in the store of his brother, William H. Baker, and here he remained for three years, and then returned to the old home farm, of which he took charge, operating it successfully until the year 1894. In that year he removed to Dover, which he has since made his home, and there bought out the real estate business of H. L. Dun- ham, which he has since conducted in partnership with his brother-in-law, Francis H. Tippett. In this Mr. Baker has been actuated by public spirit as well as personal motives, and his business has tended materially to the development of Dover, some of his own property having been cut up into plots to serve the needs of Dover's growing population. In 1896 Mr. Baker built for himself a splendid house on West Clinton street. The house stands upon a hilltop and commands a magnificent prospect of the surround- ing country, which is hilly and beautiful with all the enchanting and romantic beauty of northern New Jersey. Mr. Baker is not one of those who play the aristocrat in the community, a part which his wealth might tempt a less level head to play, but on the contrary takes an active and personal part in civic affairs. He has served for twelve years on the Dover fire de- partment, and as alderman for seven years, and on May 1, 1913, he was chosen by Governor Fielder, of New Jersey, one of the board of taxation for Morris county. This appointment is the more remarkable in coming from a Democratic governor to Mr. Baker, who is a member of the Republi- can party. Besides his public duties and his business interests, Mr. Baker is associated with two fraternal orders in the neighborhood, and is a member of Accasia Lodge, F. and A. M., and of the R. A.
Mr. Baker married, April 19, 1893, Hester Ann Hilferty, daughter of Josiah and Jane Hilferty, of Port Jervis, New York. To Mr. and Mrs. Baker have been born two children, a son and a daughter as follows : William Hedges, a graduate of the high school, and Florence J., now a student there.
FREDERICK ORVIN HOPKINS
Frederick Orvin Hopkins, proprietor and working head of the Dover Business College, of Dover, Morris county, New Jersey, ranks among the most reliable, energetic and progressive business men of his section of the county, and his well-directed efforts in the cause of education have not alone aided many young men and young women to achieve success in the battle of life, but they have brought him a handsome financial return for his labors.
His father, Alfred Hopkins, was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, and later became a resident of Butler, Morris county, New Jersey, where he is still living, retired from business cares, at the age of sixty-six years. He was formerly engaged in the provision trade for a period of about twenty years, in and near Dover. He married Sarah E. Swarts, born in Sussex county, now deceased.
Frederick Orvin Hopkins was born at Hopkins Corners, Sussex county, New Jersey, March 7, 1871. For his preparatory education he became a student at the public schools of Lafayette, New Jersey, later matriculating at the Maryland ( Military) College, of Virginia. He then entered Woods' Business College, Washington, District of Columbia, and was graduated from this institution in 1893. The profession of teaching, especially con- nected with a business course, had always had an especial fascination for him and, soon after his graduation, he took charge of the business college at Newton, New Jersey, and conducted this from 1897 to 1910. From
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Newton he came to Dover, where he opened a night school for the study of shorthand and typewriting in the Baker Building, on Blackwell and Warren streets. In September, 1911, he opened the Dover Business College, which met with a warm reception and has been an unqualified success from its inception. It is located in the new Livingston Building, No. 24 East Blackwell street, and is equipped with every appliance that will facilitate the study of the numerous pupils or in any manner increase their comfort. Since the opening day the school has been liberally patronized, and its roll of students is growing larger and larger as the years go by. It now ranks among the foremost business colleges of the northern part of the State of New Jersey. We cannot do better in this short sketch than quote a few remarks that have been made concerning this institution : "The school stands upon its own merits. Efficient, experienced teachers are employed in all departments. It is the people's school ; the young man or woman from the mill, the shop and the farm, finds a hearty welcome. The management of the school has never restorted to exaggerated statements in order to attract students. In every particular it is what it claims to be-a progressive, well- equipped, thoroughly efficient training school. The instruction meets the demands of the times, as has been proven by the students who have gone from it into the business world. It spends no time in instructing its students in any subject that is not in touch with the requirements of an up to date office. It makes a point of showing no favors to students because of rank, position or wealth." The best proof of the fine and thorough tuition im- parted in this institution is the fact that its students are in constant demand by business and professional men. The school is open during eleven months of the year for daily and evening sessions, and the advantages offered speak for themselves. During President Harrison's administration Mr. Hopkins was employed in Washington, D. C., as stenographer by such men as Colonel S. A. Whitfield, formerly first assistant postmaster general; Governor Blanchard, of Louisiana; L. Q. C. Lamar Jr., of the interior department ; and others of prominence.
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