USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 1 > Part 18
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
I20
ESSEX COUNTY.
he opened in 1875. This untimely accident was remarkable, for during his entire ad- ministration none of the employees were ever seriously injured, which record he was proud of; and a further peculiar coincidence with his death was that it occurred on the day his resignation took effect. He was a plain man, conservative and with much force of character, and one in whom em- ployers and employees had much confi- dence, as was shown by the erection of a handsome monument as one of the expres- sions of esteem shown by the company. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church at Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania, for a number of years, and one of its earnest workers. His wife's maiden name was Miss Elizabeth Eilenberger, and of their five children three were boys.
Henry Clay, eldest son, was born July 4, 1845, at Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylva- nia, and at the age of sixteen years enlisted voluntarily in Company K, Nintieth Regi- ment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, at Easton, Pennsylvania. Although young he was a stalwart man and over six feet tall. He was promoted from the rank of a private through the grades to that of lieutenant, and was killed by a sharpshooter at the battle of the Weldon Railroad, in North Carolina, August 18, 1864. He was in eighteen battles, among which were Bull Run, South Mountain, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. Had he lived three weeks longer his three years' enlistment would have been completed with an honorable record.
Joseph Samuel Snyder, second son, fa- ther of the subject of our sketch, was born at Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania, July 16, 1847. He entered the machine
shops of the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company at Scranton, Pennsylvania, to learn the machinists' trade. He then was appointed assistant superintendent to his father at the Delaware Water Gap quarries; about 1879 he took charge of the extensive lumber business of Rhodes & Bauman at Gouldsboro, Pennsylvania, and remained there over four years, when he succeeded his father as superintendent of the Lacka- wanna Iron & Coal Company's Voss Gap Quarry at Bridgeville, New Jersey, which position he held at the time of his death, August 18, 1888. He was, like his father, of a retiring disposition and conservative in his expressions; was a member of the Pres- byterian church, affiliated with the Masonic and other orders, and a member of the town council at Belvidere, New Jersey, where he resided. July 4, 1867, he mar- ried Martha, daughter of Thomas W. Rhodes, a prominent farmer and man of affairs living near Stroudsburg, Pennsylva- nia. Their children were Henry Clay, An- na Elizabeth, Leonora Broadhead and Thomas Lester.
Henry Clay Snyder, subject of our sketch, was born at Delaware Water Gap, July 14, 1868. His early education was re- ceived at public and private schools and at Belvidere Seminary, Belvidere, New Jer- sey, where he completed the regular course and then engaged in railroading with the Pennsylvania Railroad, in the telegraph department at Belvidere, New Jersey, and following his service there was in the em- ploy of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railway and West Shore Railway as telegraph operator. In 1886 he en- gaged with the Lehigh & Hudson River Railroad as agent at McAfee, New Jersey, which position he resigned the following
I21
ESSEX COUNTY.
year, in February, 1887, to enter their train department as conductor, the object of which was to have practical experience in handling trains, in order eventually to be- come a train despatcher. He engaged with the New York, Lake Erie & Western Railway as agent at Ramapo, New York, October 1, 1887. February, 1892, he was promoted to the agency at Middletown, New York. July 1, 1893, he was again promoted, to the agency at Newark, New Jersey. September 1, 1896, the position of general agent, Erie Railroad, was created, with headquarters at Newark, New Jersey, and Mr. Snyder was again advanced. He is a member of the Newark General Agents' Association, the Railway Tele- graphic Association, and for several years the presiding officer of the New York Di- vision, No. 129, as well as their delegate to the annual conventions of the order held in St. Louis, 1891, Toronto, 1893, and Denver, 1894, holding important chair- manships at each convention; also a mem- ber of the New York Railroad Club, New- ark Board of Trade, and affiliated with the Masonic fraternity. In his religious faith he is an elder in the Park Presbyterian church, Newark, New Jersey, and superin- tendent of the Sunday school.
The marriage of Mr. Synder was cele- brated on the 17th of October, 1888, when he was united to Sarah, daughter of Stott and Melvina (Jackson) Mills, the former being superintendent of motive power of the Lehigh & Hudson River Railroad at Warwick, New York. Mrs. Snyder is the eldest of three daughters and two sons. They have two boys: Joseph Samuel, who was born at Ramapo, New York, Decem- ber 9, 1890; and Stott Mills, born at New- ark, New Jersey, October 23, 1896.
WILLIAM N. WILLIAMS
was born in September, 1829, on the old family homestead in West Orange, where he now resides. His father was Jonathan S. Williams, a well known agriculturist of the community. On the farm our sub- ject was reared, and the labors of field and meadow early became familiar to him. He attended the common schools, pursued his studies under the direction of his uncle, the Rev. A. Williams, at Clinton, for one term, and also attended Albert Pearson's school in Orange, thus being fitted by liberal edu- cational privileges for the practical duties of life.
In the spring of 1846 Mr. Williams went to New York to learn the cabinet-maker's trade and entered the employ of H. V. Sigler, who was engaged in the manufac- ture of picture and mirror frames. For three years he followed that vocation and then returned to the home farm, where he has since remained, devoting his time and energies to agricultural pursuits. He has a well improved farm, the well tilled field surrounding substantial buildings, and the whole characterized by an air of thrift that well indicates one of the predominant traits' of the owner.
In 1854 Mr. Williams was united in mar- riage to Miss Phoebe Ann Underhill, a daughter of Gilbert and Sarah Underhill, of Westchester county, New York. They have a son and daughter, John F. and Lil- ian, the latter being now the wife of Harry C. Hedden.
Mr. Williams has taken quite an active part in public affairs and has filled a num- ber of local positions of honor and trust. He has served on the board of freeholders for twenty-one years, retiring from that of-
I22
ESSEX COUNTY.
fice in 1887 in order to accept the position of tax collector, in which capacity he is still the incumbent. He discharged his duties in perfect harmony with good citi- zenship, is prompt, faithful and reliable and has won the unqualified confidence of the people of his township. Socially he is con- nected with the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in Union Lodge, No. II, A. F. & A. M., and in Orange Chapter, No. 23, R. A. M. He is a member of the St. Cloud Presbyterian church and is clerk of the session. Politically he is a Democrat, . and in all the affairs of life he is an upright, honorable man, whose many excellencies of character command the highest esteem of friends and neighbors.
ABIJAH F. TILLOU
has long since rounded the psalmist's span of three score years and ten. It has already been given to him to pass the eighty-sev- enth milestone on the journey of life and to write upon the pages of time a record of usefulness and worth that is well worthy of emulation and commands the highest re- spect. He has seen the progress of the re- public through the greater part of the cen- tury and has kept in touch with the onward march, rejoicing in the advancement of his nation, delighting in its splendid achieve- ments, the fulfillment of its possibilities and in its glorious opportunities. He is a typi- cal American citizen, thoroughly in har- mony with the spirit of the republic, making the most of his own opportunities and steadily working his way upward to suc- cess, and to all that is desirable and en- nobling in life.
Born on what is now Ridgewood road, South Orange, October 3, 1810, Mr. Tillou
is a son of Joseph B. Tillou, whose birth oc- curred in New York city, but who was reared in New Jersey. The grandfather, Peter Tillou, was one of the French Hugue- nots who settled in the Empire state at an early day. The mother of our sub- ject bore the maiden name of Mary Free- man. She was also born on the Ridge- wood road and was a daughter of Amos Freeman, one of the pioneers of Essex county. Peter Tillou died when his son Joseph was a small boy. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Brown, was also born on the Ridgewood road, and it was her ancestors who secured from the gov- ernment, in 1677, the land upon which our subject now resides, the property remaining continually in possession of the family. After her husband's death, Mrs. Peter Til- lou became the wife of a Mr. Coffin, and removed to the neighborhood of Pough- keepsie, New York, where her second hus- band died, after which she returned to New- ark, where her death occurred in 1841, when she had reached the age of ninety-sev- en years.
Joseph B. Tillou, the father of our sub- ject, spent his youth upon the farm and throughout his entire life followed agricul- tural pursuits. He attained the ripe old age of nearly eighty-seven years and was long a leading resident of the community in which he made his home. His family num- bered eight children, all of whom attained years of maturity, while three are still living.
Abijah F. Tillou was reared on the home farm, and during the winter seasons attend- ed the subscription schools for a short time. He resided with his parents until he had reached manhood, after which he prepared for a home of his own by his marriage, in 1840, to Miss Pamily Brown, a daughter of
A. F. TILLOU
123
ESSEX COUNTY.
Samuel Brown. Since 1836 he has man- aged the old Brown farm and for many years was its owner. A portion of the farm, however, has since been sold, divided into town lots and is now adorned with many beautiful homes, which stand upon the fields that he once tilled and which yielded to him their golden grain in return for his care and labor. By the sale of his property and the careful management of his other business interests, Mr. Tillou accumulated a handsome competence, which in his declining years has surrounded him with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He has served as execu- tor of nineteen different estates, and his in- tegrity and honor in all business relations are above question. He has probably fur- nished the money to build more homes in South Orange than any other one man and has thus not only proved a benefactor to his neighbors and fellow townsmen, but has materially contributed to the substantial development of the city. He is also a di- rector in the Orange National Bank and was a stockholder in the first public library in Orange, also of South Orange.
Mr. and Mrs. Tillou became the parents of four children, three of whom are still living: Mary Ellen, Samuel B. and Daniel W. Mrs. Tillou died in 1879, at the age of sixty-nine years. She was a member of the Presbyterian church and a most estima- ble lady, whose many excellencies of char- acter won her the love and regard of many friends. Mr. Tillou also belongs to the Presbyterian church and by his fellow townsmen has been called to serve in many local offices of trust and responsibility. In politics he was originally an old-line Whig, but on the organization of the Republican party he joined its ranks. He has voted at
sixteen presidential elections and has lived. through all but three administrations. Still hale and vigorous, at the age of eighty-sev- en years, he superintends his extensive busi- ness interests, and his life of activity will probably continue until he passes to eter- nity.
WILLIAM A. BREWER, JR.
We of this end-of-the-century period, representing the most electrical progress. in all lines of material activity, are too prone not to give due heed to those ele- mental valuations which touch upon the deeper essence of being. We cannot af- ford to hold in light esteem those who have wrought nobly in the past, nor fail to ac- cord honor to those who have given an heritage of worthy thoughts and worthy deeds and have aided in laying fast the foundations of the greatest republic the world has ever known.
The Brewer family is one which has been long and prominently identified with the history of our national commonwealth. The original American ancestor was Dan- iel Brewer, who emigrated from England to the American colonies in 1632 and took up his abode in Boston. From him the line of descent is directly traced through Nathaniel (1), son of Daniel, Nathaniel (2), Nathaniel (3), Nathaniel (4), Samuel and William Augustus, the last named being the father of the immediate subject of this review.
William Augustus Brewer, son of Sam- uel and Sally (Norton) Brewer, was a na- tive of Boston, Massachusetts, where lie was born on the 21st of March, 1807. He was a man of signal business ability, of profound individuality, and ordered his life
124
ESSEX COUNTY.
upon the highest plane of integrity. By profession he was a druggist, and to this line of enterprise he for many years de- voted his attention in the city of Boston, but during the declining years of his life he maintained his home with his son in South Orange, where his death occurred on the IIth of April, 1890, at the venerable age of eighty-three years. In early man- hood he was united in marriage to Marcy Sawin Hunting, daughter of Bela Hunt- ing, a direct descendant of John Hunting, who was a resident of Dedham, Massachu- setts, as early as 1638. Of this marriage four children were born, the eldest of whom was William Augustus, Jr., who con- sequently represents in New Jersey the New England branch of the family.
William A. Brewer, Jr., to whose career we now direct attention, was born in Bos- ton, Massachusetts, on the 9th of October, 1835. He secured his preliminary educa- tional discipline in the public schools, graduating from the public Latin school in 1851, after which he entered the Lawrence scientific department of Harvard Univer- sity, where he graduated as a member of the class of 1854. He forthwith put his re- quirements to a practical test in a technical way by engaging in civil-engineering work for a period of about two years, after which he received an appointment in the actuary's department of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, with which he re- mained for a period of three years, becom- ing thoroughly familiar with the details and intricacies of this important line of enter- prise and thus preparing himself to assume increased responsibilities.
Upon the organization of the Washing- ton Life Insurance Company, of New York, in 1860, Mr. Brewer was chosen its
secretary and actuary, and at the expira- tion of nine years was made vice-president of the important corporation, while in 1879 distinctive recognition of his powers and executive ability was accorded in his being elected president of the company, of which office he has ever since been the incum- bent.
Mr. Brewer's residence in South Orange dates from the year 1867, when he came hither and effected the purchase of that old local landmark known as the "Stone House by the Stone House Brook." With a view to retaining as far as possible the integrity of the original and historic build- ing, he erected at the front elevation an ad- dition of modern design and architecture, also throwing out additions at the rear and still leaving the old house practically in its original condition. To the place, now claiming the charms of modern art and historic interest, he gave the appropri- ate name of Aldworth, signifying "old mansion."
Mr. Brewer has maintained a constant and lively interest in all that touches the upbuilding and beautifying of South Orange, and his public-spirited attitude has naturally brought about the result of his being called upon to serve in numerous positions of public or semi-public order. For a number of years he did effective ser- vice as commissioner of assessments, was president of the village from 1875 to 1877, inclusive, and for a long term of years was president and secretary of the South Or- ange Library Association. In 1881 he was appointed by the court of common pleas one of the commissioners of drainage, whose function it was to provide means for draining the east branch of the Rahway river.
125
ESSEX COUNTY.
In political matters Mr. Brewer exer- cises his franchise independently, while in religious matters he is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, being a com- municant of the Church of the Holy Com- munion, of South Orange. He was one of the original members of the New Eng- land Society of Orange and for twelve years served as treasurer of the same, and for two years each in the offices of vice- president and president.
In the year 1863 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Brewer to Miss Bella Cal- vert Fisher, daughter of Charles Willis Fisher, of Medway, Massachusetts. They are the parents of four children, namely : May, the wife of Eugene V. Connett, Jr., of South Orange; Graham H .; Calvert; and Clara, the wife of William A. Minott, of South Orange.
GEORGE B. SANFORD,
of Newark, occupies a most enviable posi- tion in business circles in the metropolis of the country, due to his excellent powers of management, his keen discrimination, his thorough reliability and his indefatigable energy, resulting from a laudable ambition. He is general purchasing agent for the United States Express Company. He en- tered the service of that corporation as a wagon-boy and has gradually and steadily worked his way upward, demonstrating that the road to wealth and prominence is open to all, and that the obstacles which are there encountered may be overcome by persistence, enterprise and undaunted pur- pose.
Mr. Sanford is one of New Jersey's na- tive sons, his birth having occurred in Do- ver on the 19th of August, 1839. For more than a century the family has been
connected with this state, his ancestors re- moving from Bridgeport, Connecticut, to New Jersey. His father, John Sanford, who was born in West Milford, New Jer- sey, in 1816, and died in 1867, was a part- ner of Peter Sanford in dock and bridge building in this state many years ago. He was a son of Gamaliel Sanford, who was born in 1753, and is the father of the prominent contractor, Joseph B. Sanford, of Newark, who is recognized throughout the country as the most expert dredger, dock builder and harbor improver in the United States. He filled in the Potomac flats in Washington, dug the famous Kear- ney cut on the Montclair & Midland Rail- road, unloaded and placed in position the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor, and is now rebuilding the Dismal Swamp canal in Virginia and a large pier and warehouses for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad at Newport News, Virginia. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Harriet A. Wilson, and was a daughter of Samuel A. Wilson, a Scotch- man, of Parsippany, New Jersey. Her two children are James V. Sanford, of Or- ange, and the subject of this article.
Mr. Sanford was educated in the E. A. Stiles Seminary in Deckerstown, Sussex county, and at the very early age of four- teen began teaching school, his first posi- tion being in St. John's Seminary in Dover, New Jersey. Following this he accepted a position as bookkeeper with N. and C. Lindsley, of Orange, New Jersey. He went next to the Morris Canal & Banking Company, as stock clerk. Since 1855 he has been connected continuously with the United States Express Company and his advancement has been continuous. His first duties were those of wagon-boy, but
I26
ESSEX COUNTY.
soon demonstrating his thorough reliabil- ity and his fitness for more responsible du- ties, he was made collector, later became receipting clerk, after which he was in the president's office; was next promoted to a place in the accounting department; spent a season in the money department as cash- ier, after which he was promoted to the po- sition of general cashier of the company, in which capacity he served for eighteen years. In 1891 he was promoted to his present position of general purchasing agent. This position requires a supervis- ion of much of the business of the com- pany in all its intricate and complex work- ings, and demands on the part of the in- cumbent a managerial ability scarcely sur- passed in any line of trade. Forty-two years' connection with the company well indicates his trustworthiness, fidelity to duty and the unqualified confidence of the officers of the company whose regard for him personally and professionally is very high.
Turning from the public to the private life of Mr. Sanford we find that in Bergen, New Jersey, the Rev. B. C. Taylor, on the 24th of December, 1861, performed the marriage ceremony which united the des- tinies of our subject and Miss Sophia Speer. Her father, Colonel Abraham Speer, commanded the Second Regiment of New Jersey Volunteers during the civil war, and in private life was an undertaker in Bergen. To Mr. and Mrs. Sanford have been born the following children: Harry P., born in 1862, now in the tracing depart- ment of the United States Express Com- pany, in New York; Edwin M., born in 1870, employed in the cashier's depart- ment of the same company; and Miss Ade- laide, born in 1872.
Mr. Sanford is a member of Eureka, Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and of Union Chap- ter, No. 7, R. A. M. He located in New- ark in 1863 and has been prominently con- nected with public matters in the city. As a Republican he has been connected with some of the political campaigns here, served as alderman from the old ninth ward for four years and was chairman of the po- lice committee. He introduced an ordi- nance increasing the pay of the police offi- cers and introduced and inaugurated the practice of giving medals to officers for meritorious service, providing out of his private funds the medals distributed in the first and second precincts, the first medal being won by officer Van Ness. Honored in business, respected by those with whom city affairs have brought him in contact and esteemed by neighbors and friends, he is well deserving of mention among the prominent and representative citizens of Essex county.
HUBERT M. BENHAM,
of the firm of J. M. Mead & Company, of Caldwell, is one of the leading merchants of that city, and has been continuously con- nected with the house in which he is now partner for twenty-nine years. He ranks among the most reliable, energetic and pro- gressive business men of his part of the county, and his well directed efforts in the affairs of trade have brought him a hand- some financial return for his labors.
Mr. Benham is a native of Connecticut, his birth having occurred in Colebrook township, Litchfield county, on the 12th of August, 1847. The family had for some generations been connected with that state. His grandfather, Lent Benham, was acci-
I.27
ESSEX COUNTY.
dentally killed at Riverton, and the father of our subject, Leonard D. Benham, resided on the old homestead in Colebrook township until his death, February 22, 1898. He was born at Riverton, in Con- necticut, in April, 1814, and passed the greater part of his life upon a farm in the state of his nativity. In 1853, however, he located in Caldwell, New Jersey, but after a few years returned to Connecticut, where he remained. He was very prominent and influential in the community where he made his home, and twice represented his district in the state legislature. He mar- ried Laura Deming, daughter of Allen Deming, a representative of one of the old families of Colebrook, Connecticut. The children are: Ellen G., wife of Edwin Barnes, of Robertsville, Connecticut; Hu- bert M .; F. W., of Derby, Connecticut; and Edward N., of Montclair, New Jersey.
Mr. Benham, whose name forms the cap- tion of this article, was educated in Cald- well, Essex county, and soon after his fa- ther's return to the Nutmeg state began clerking in West Granville, Massachusetts. The following year, 1867, he was employed in the same capacity in Riverton, Connec- ticut, and then returned to Essex county, entering the employ of J. M. Mead. After serving in the capacity of salesman for four years he was admitted to a partnership in the business, and the firm of J. M. Mead & Company have since been recognized as leaders in commercial interests, receiving a liberal patronage and enjoying a trade which has been secured by reason of their honorable business methods, their courte- ous treatment and their reasonable prices.
In April, 1876, was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Benham and Miss Emma Can- field, a daughter of George Canfield, of
Caldwell, New Jersey. She died the fol- lowing year, and in 1880 he married Miss Louisa E. Canfield, a sister of his first wife. He has been a member of the Caldwell Athletic Club for years, and is an active member of the Caldwell Presbyterian church. He takes a deep interest in every- thing pertaining to the social, moral or ma- terial welfare of the community and lends an active support-to all measures for the public good.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.