USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 1 > Part 16
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Mr. Harvey maintained a lively interest in all that touched the welfare and advance- ment of the city of his home, where he was so honored by all classes. He served from 1873 to 1879 as a member of the common council, was a member of the board of commissioners which devised the present water system and also of the advisory board of citizens which was the predecessor of the sewerage advisory committee. He was vice-president of the American Washer & Manufacturing Company, of Newark, being essentially a man of affairs. In politics he gave his allegiance to the Republican party, while in religious adherency he was orig-
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inally a member of the Brick Presbyterian church of East Orange, from which he eventually transferred his membership .to Trinity Congregational church, in which he held the office of precentor for many years. He was one of the founders of the New England Society of Orange, was identified with the ancient-craft body of Freemason- ry and had attained all the degrees in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In both social and business life he held the unreserved confidence and esteem of all who came within the circle of his influence.
In the year 1850 was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Harvey to Miss Matilda Win- ant, of New York, who died in 1856, leav- ing one son, Dr. Thomas W. Harvey, a prominent physician and surgeon o Orange. In 1865 he consummated his sec- ond marriage, being then united to Miss Emily A. Halsey, of Bridgehampton, Long Island, and they became the parents of one son, Hayward . A. Harvey, Jr., who has been in charge of the works of the Harvey Steel Company, in Newark. Mrs. Harvey still resides in the beautiful homestead in Orange.
On the 28th of August, 1893, after a weary and painful illness of several months, death released the golden cord which held the mortal life of this distinguished and honored citizen of New Jersey, and full of years and goodly deeds he passed into eter- nal rest, while a community mourned the loss of a good man and true. His works live after him to perpetuate his name and to hold it up for the respect and high esti- mation of succeeding generations-a name typical of exalted ideals and of worthy ac- complishment.
Dr. Thomas W. Harvey was born on the Ioth of September, 1853, and after graduat-
ing at Princeton College, in 1875, he deter- mined to devote his career to the medical profession, and with this end in view he be- gan to study that science under the able preceptorage of Dr. William Pierson, of Orange,subsequently attending the College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he ob- tained the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1878. He forthwith entered upon the ac- tive practice of his profession, continuing the same in an individual way until 1890, when he entered into a professional part- nership with Dr. Pierson, his former pre- ceptor, which alliance has since obtained, the firm having a practice of most gratify- ing order and having attained that suc- cess which is the natural sequelae of well directed effort, ability and earnest purpose. The Doctor is a member of the American Medical Association, the New York Acad- emy of Medicine, the Essex District Med- ical Society, the Orange Mountain Medical Society, has served for four years as sec- retary of the Orange board of health, is attending surgeon of the Orange Medical Hospital, is physician and lecturer on ob- stetrics to the Orange Training School for Nurses, and physician to the Orange Or- phans' Home, and is known as a talented physician,-one who is precise and reliable in his methods and who stands high in the estimation of the medical world and of those with whom he comes in contact in the various relations of life. He is vice-presi- dent of the Harvey Steel Company, and in a more purely social way is identified with the Orange Camera Club and the Prince- ton Club, of New York.
The marriage of Dr. Harvey was cele- brated on the 3d of October, 1882, when he was united to Miss Catherine Green, daughter of Edward Green. Dr. and Mrs.
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Harvey are the parents of three children,- Thomas W., Jr., Spencer Green and Alice.
AMZI DODD.
For half a century identified with the public life of his native state. distinguished as a jurist and as one of the most promi- nent representatives of life-insurance inter- ests in the nation, Amzi Dodd is one of the most unassuming of men and wears without ostentation the honors which have been conferred upon him.
Born in Bloomfield, New Jersey, on the 2d of March, 1823, he is a lineal descend- ant of Daniel Dodd, an English Puritan who emigrated to America about 1646 and took up his residence in Sagus, now Lynn, Massachusetts. In 1665 he died in Bran- ford, Connecticut. He left six children, all minors at the time of his death. Four of these came to New Jersey in 1666 with the Rev. Abraham Pierson, the founder of Newark, and since that time the family have been prominent in the history of the city, and have furnished to its public life several men of distinction.
Daniel Dodd, Jr., the eldest son of the founder of the family on American soil, was a good mathematician and a surveyor by profession, and in fitting recognition of his intelligence and honesty was elected, in 1692, a member of the colonial house of assembly. Joseph Smith Dodd, a lineal descendant of Daniel Dodd, was a gradu- ate of the College of New Jersey and a prominent physician of Bloomfield, this state, his native town. In 1817 he married Miss Maria Grover, daughter of Rev. Ste- phen Grover, who for a half century was pastor of the Presbyterian church in Cald- well, New Jersey.
Amzi, the second son of Joseph and
Maria Dodd, received his early scholastic training in the Bloomfield Academy and after thorough preparation entered the sophomore class of the College of New Jersey, in the spring of 1839, and at that institution was graduated in September, 1841, with the highest honors of his class. Through the succeeding four years he was engaged in teaching school in Virginia, and in 1845 returned to his native state, where he took up the study of law in the city of Newark. In 1848 he was admitted to the bar and soon afterward became asso- ciated with Hon. Frederick T. Frelinghuy- sen, then a distinguished jurist enjoying an extensive practice, and later secretary of state in the cabinet of President Arthur. This association continued until 1850, when Mr. Dodd was elected clerk of the common council of Newark, at which time he opened an office and began practicing alone. His clientage so rapidly increased that in 1853 he was, constrained to resign his clerkship that he might give his entire. attention to his profession.
His reputation as an earnest, faithful and able attorney and counselor steadily grew, leading to his employment in the legal affairs of important corporations. Pos- sessed of remarkable judicial powers, rein- forced by strong forensic ability, Mr. Dodd became one of the ablest lawyers of the state. He had the full confidence of the bench and bar of New Jersey, was careful and painstaking in the preparation of his cases, conservative and cautious in their management and pre-eminently a wise and safe counselor. In 1871 the business of the court of chancery of the state of New Jersey had become so pressing that Chan- cellor Zabriskie, then at the head of the court, was obliged to ask for the appoint-
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ment of a vice-chancellor, and Mr. Dodd was selected for that position, this choice giving entire satisfaction throughout the state. He remained engaged in the ardu- ous labors of the position until 1875, when he resigned. Six years later he was again called to the same office, but before the close of a year's service he was tendered the presidency of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company, of Newark, one of the wealthiest, oldest and most reliable institu- tions of the kind in the land. Since 1863 he had served as its mathematician and was thoroughly acquainted with the vast and complicated business of the institution, and perhaps for this reason he was more will- ing to accept the position which was unan- imously and urgently pressed upon him. Yielding to this urgent solicitation, and retiring a second time from the office of vice-chancellor, he became president of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company, a position he has since filled with universal satisfaction. By his rare business and ex- ecutive ability he has rendered most valu- able service in directing the large affairs of this institution.
From the beginning of his professional career Mr. Dodd won the confidence and esteem of all with whom he came in con- tact. In his early days political honors were constantly within his grasp; still he never sought prominence in that direction. His devotion to professional duties, how- ever, did not lessen his interest in public affairs, and accordingly, when the opposi- tion to slavery led to the fomation of the Republican party, he became one of its active and prominent leaders. His zeal in the cause and his reputation as an orator prompted his nomination as the Republi- can candidate for congress in the district
composed of Essex and Hudson counties, in 1856. Called to lead a forlorn hope, he suffered the inevitable defeat, with undi- minished ardor in the cause, his name and influence contributing to the ultimate suc- cess of this great national party.
In 1863 Mr. Dodd accepted the nomina- tion of his party for the state legislature and was elected by a handsome majority. He declined the nomination for a second legislative term. Though a stanch Repub- lican, it is a remarkable and very compli- mentary fact that the public offices held by him after his service in the legislature were all by appointment in Democratic admin- istrations and entirely unsolicited on his part. Governor Randolph appointed him to the office of vice-chancellor in 1871, and the following year Governor Parker ap- pointed him one of the special judges of the court of errors and appeals, and the appointment was confirmed by the senate. To this same position he was again ap- pointed by Governor Mcclellan in 1875, serving in that capacity until 1882, when he resigned. Governor Bedle appointed him a member of the Riparian Commission and this position he held until 1887. In 1876 the supreme court appointed him as one of the managers of the New Jersey Soldiers' Home, a gratuitous office, in which he has since acceptably and faithfully served.
His career has been long. active and use- ful, but quiet and unostentatious. No man is more favorably known or popular in the state, and this high regard has been gained by no artifice, but is the spontaneous trib- ute to real worth. His popularity and splendid reputation have been won by be- ginning life as an upright man with no false pretenses, and continuing in that path through all the years of his long career.
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JOSEPH C. PIERSON
is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Essex county, long identified with the progress and development of this region. His father, Samuel Pierson, was born on the old family homestead in Ma- plewood, in 1794, and acquired his educa- tion in the common schools of that day. He afterward taught school for a time and at the age of twenty-one entered the employ of Mr. Hayes, of Newark, in whose ser- vice he remained until going to New York. He was there engaged in the dry-goods business in the employ of Mr. Underhill, a Quaker, and later established a dry-goods store of his own in Chatham street. This was the first dry-goods store not on the main floor, but the new enterprise proved a success and he carried on a profitable busi- ness there until May, 1832, when he re- moved to Newark and purchased of Samuel Perry the property, on Clinton avenue, where our subject now lives. The follow- ing year he built a store, stocked it with general merchandise and carried on opera- tions along that line until 1852, when he retired from active business.
November 21, 1820, Samuel Pierson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Clark Townley, who was born on Morris avenue, two miles from Elizabeth, the old home- stead being still in possession of the family. Her father, Captain Jonathan Townley, was the son of Richard Townley, who was born in 1736, and who emigrated from England to America in colonial days. He command- ed a company during the war of the Revo- lution and valiantly aided in winning free- dom from English tyranny. Mr. and Mrs. Pierson became the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters, of whom
four died in infancy, while Mary Emma died in December, 1849, leaving our sub- ject the only survivor. The parents were members of the Third Presbyterian church. of Newark. The father was converted under the preaching of Rev. Joseph Christ- mas, pastor of the old Bowery Presbyterian church, of New York. He served as trus- tee of the old White school, on Clinton ave- nue, Newark, and took an active interest in every movement calculated to promote the general good. His business career was a very successful one, owing to his well di- rected efforts, his enterprise, resolute pur- pose and sound judgment, and he accumu- lated a large property. His death occurred in July, 1873, and his wife passed away in 1863.
Joseph C. Pierson was born in New York city in 1831, and was reared in his parents' home, at Newark, acquiring his education in the neighborhood. He continued his studies until eighteen years of age and then entered his father's store. In 1856 he erected a store building on Clinton avenue, Newark, and embarked in the dry-goods business on his own account, successfully conducting that enterprise until 1875. Three years later he went to New York city, where he engaged in the wholesale underwear and hosiery business, which he continued until June, 1890, when on ac- count of ill health he closed out his estab- lishment. He had a very extensive trade, coming from a wide territory, and his house represented one of the leading wholesale in- terests of New York. In May, 1890, he erected five brick residences on Clinton ave- nue, Newark, and has since devoted his en- ergies to the management of his property interests.
In November, 1853, Mr. Pierson was
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married to Miss Sarah A., daughter of Abraham Bluvelt, one of the old residents of Newark, who came from Newfoundland to Essex county. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Pierson: John T., now a member of the firm of Lappan & Pierson, of New York; J. C .; and Mary Emma, wife of G. W. Mccutcheon. In social circles the family hold a very prom- inent position and their household is justly noted for its culture and hospitality. Mr. Pierson is a member of the Clinton Re- formed church, in which he has held office for four years. He is identified with the Republican Club of Newark, and is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party. He is a broad-minded man, of strong character, pleasing personality and kindly disposition, highly esteemed by all.
JAMES F. WOODHOUSE.
A man who is the possessor of a home of almost idyllic character, whose social po- sition is assured not less by an honored an- cestry than by personal worth, and who stands sponsor for the deepest American- ism, may be considered to be favored of for- tune. All these elements may be appro- priately touched upon in according a brief review of the life of one of the represent- ative citizens of South Orange-he whose name initiates this paragraph.
It is a recognized fact that in that beauti- ful section of Essex county designated as the Oranges are to be found some of the most attractive suburban homes in the world. A section favored by nature and with such attractions doubly enhanced through the effective work of man, here the man of manifold business cares may find rest and solace and may quicken anew his
appreciation of the higher values of life, -the idealities which ever touch nature,- and yet find his the privilege to be num- bered with the busy throngs of the national metropolis but a few moments after leaving the sequestered beauties of his home. The magnificent demesne of Mr. Woodhouse is situated on the Ridgewood road, in South Orange, the tract comprising twenty-three acres of land, which slopes gently from the beautiful Orange mountains toward the vil- lage of South Orange. The place is con- sidered to be one of the most attractive of the many magnificent homes of the locality. The residence grounds have a frontage of three hundred feet on Ridgewood road and extend back to the summit of the mountain. The residence proper is situated on the tableland of the first rise of the hill, being a large and commodious villa of modern architectural design and built with a view to convenience as well as picturesque effect. Mr. Woodhouse took up his abode in South Orange in 1886, and here he passes the major portion of his time, finding release from the burdens and perplexities which compass every man whose manipulations touch the great world of finance and trade. It is but natural that he should take great pride in the home where his dominating interests center, and in every particular the evidence of such appreciation is shown. The stables are of modern design, and architecturally in harmony with the resi- dence building. An idea of the commodi- ous character of the stables may be gained from the statement that the dimensions of the main floor are such as to permit the complete turning about of a family car- riage and team without difficulty. On the place are fine gardens and conservatories. whose products satisfy not only the æsthe-
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tic but gastronomical tastes of the house- hold. The great lawns are attractively laid out and receive careful attention, being arranged in accord with the most approved ideas of landscape gardening,-parterres of flowers, beautiful trees, decorative shrub- bery and winding driveways. Pure water is supplied from a mountain spring which is on the place, and recourse is also had to the city water system if found necessary.
James F. Woodhouse is a native son of New York city, and his is the distinction of being descended, in both the paternal and maternal lines, from stanch old colonial stock,-both families having been repre- sented in the war of the Revolution, where they rendered the valiant and loyal service of true patriots. Captain Philip Wood- house, the father of our subject, was also a native of the national metropolis, and was for many years most prominently con- cerned in the maritime service,-being con- nected with the merchant-marine as well as the passenger and government service in this line. He first sailed his vessel in the interest of the firm of Woodhull & Minturn, and he also had an interest in vessels oper- ated by Grinnell, Minturn & Company, which was at that time the largest concern of the sort in the Union, their fleet of ves- sels being numerous and touching the prin- cipal seaports of the world,-this being be- fore the introduction of steam into marine operations. The firm held contracts for a term of years for the carrying of the United States mails to foreign ports. Captain Woodhouse lived to attain the age of sev- enty-five years, his wife having passed away at the age of sixty-five.
James F. Woodhouse, the immediate subject of this review, became identified at .an early age with the line of business in
which his father had achieved so notable a success, but he did not long continue his ac- tive association with this line of enterprise, and for many years past his time and atten- tion have been to a very great extent given to the management of the large estate left by his father, who was a man of strong men- tality, stern integrity and great capacity for affairs of breadth and importance.
The subject of this sketch is a member of the Church of the Holy Communion, Protestant Episcopal, of South Orange, and is a member of its vestry, being prac- tical in his religious life, as in temporal af- fairs, and showing a helpful charity of judgment and action, which touches "all sorts and conditions of men." He is ever ready to lend his influence and support to any cause operating for the good of so- ciety.
PHILIP DOREMUS,
sixth child of Peter and Rhoda (Crane) Doremus, was born in the old homestead which stood near his present residence on Bloomfield avenue, October 29, 1825. He was ambitious to acquire a good education and was sent to the boarding school of Warren S. Holt. He decided to adopt his father's occupation, but realized the neces- sity of a more thorough knowledge of the details of the business than could be ac- quired in a country town, and in 1841 he went to New York city and engaged first with a retail and afterward with a wholesale and retail grocery firm, spending altogether about seven years with both firms. He re- turned to his native town in 1848 and as- sumed charge of his father's business. He continued it as a general country store for a number of years in the same location.
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In 1853 he built a two-story frame build- ing on the original site. As the population increased and railroad facilities brought the residents within easy access of the city, he found it necessary to change his stock of goods to suit the wants of the new com- munity, and he gradually "weeded out" his stock of general merchandise and limited his trade to groceries and crockery, of the finest class of goods, especially adapted to the wants of the wealthy classes, who for many years past have been his largest pat- rons. In 1890 he erected the building he now occupies, which is one of the finest and most attractive buildings for business pur- poses in this part of the country. As a merchant he has met with deserved success, and has kept pace with the growth of the township.
He is a man of advanced and liberal ideas, and was for many years associated with Dr. Love and others in the school board, and always took an advanced position for the cause of higher education. He was for six years a member of the county board of freeholders, and a part of the time was chairman of the committee that had charge of the county penitentiary. He also served for several years as a member of the town committee. He was one of the founders and is still a director of the Montclair Bank. He was also one of the founders of the Montclair Savings Bank and was elected its first president, still holding that position.
Probably no man in Montclair has been more prominently identified with the cause of religion than Philip Doremus. Self- sacrificing, earnest, conscientious, he has taken a leading position in every movement tending to the advancement of religion and the improvement of the moral and social condition of the community. His religious
experience began early in life as a member of the Seventh Presbyterian church, corner of Broome and Sheriff streets, New York. When he finally decided to settle in West Bloomfield, the home of his youth, he brought with him his letter to the First Presbyterian church, in which he subse- quently served as an elder for about thirty years, and was for fifteen years superintend- ent of the Sabbath school. Mr. Doremus has always been an earnest advocate of church extension. He assisted in the early movement to found a church at Upper Montclair, and in 1886, believing that cir- cumstances favored the organization of a new church, he with others withdrew from the First Presbyterian church and organ- ized the Trinity Presbyterian church, which has since more than doubled its member- ship. Mr. Doremus was elected one of the two first elders of the new organization, and still holds that position.
During a European tour which he made in 1883 his letters to the Montclair Times showed him to be a writer of no mean abili- ty and a keen observer of men and things. His descriptions of the places he visited were read with great interest by the patrons of that paper. Mr. Doremus combines all the qualities of the Christian gentleman, quiet and unostentatious in his manner, strong in his convictions of right, yet ten- der, affectionate and kind to all. While in no way lacking the courage of his convic- tions he would sacrifice his own interests rather than wound the feelings of another.
Mr. Doremus was married November 20. 1851, to Hester Ann Yarrington, daughter of B. C. Yarrington, in old St. Bartholo- mew's church, by Rev. B. M. Yarrington, who is a cousin of Mrs. Doremus, and who has since officiated at the marriage of each
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of their daughters. The children are: Mary Yarrington, married to Dr. S. C. G. Wat- kins; Caroline S., married to W. Low Do- remus; Annette C., married to E. B. Good- ell, a practicing lawyer in Montclair; Adah N., married to Joseph B. Renwich, of Mont- clair.
JULIUS A. LEBKUECHER.
Among those of foreign birth who have become prominent in business circles in Newark is Mr. Lebkuecher, the well known jeweler. His success in all his un- dertakings has been so marked that his methods are of interest to the commercial world. He has based his business princi- ples and actions upon strict adherence to the rules which govern industry, economy and strict, unswerving integrity. His en- terprise and progressive spirit have made him a typical American in every sense of the word, and he well deserves mention in a volume treating of the business life and substantial development of Newark. What he is to-day he has made himself, for he began in the world with nothing but his own energy and willing hands to aid him. By constant exertion, associated with good judgment, he has raised himself to the prominent position which he now holds, having the friendship of many and the respect of all who know him. As mayor of the city he promoted its interest, and with a steady hand and wise judgment guided its im- provement. His official service was of marked benefit to the city, and his name is among the foremost of the public-spirited and progressive residents of Newark.
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