USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 1 > Part 19
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PHILIP H. HARRISON,
of Newark, whose extensive business inter- ests place him among the leaders in indus- trial circles, has achieved that success which is the logical result of enterprise, sys- tematic effort, resolute purpose and straightforward dealing. There are no other qualities absolutely essential to de- velopment, and upon the ladder of his own building he has climbed to prominence and prosperity. His reputation as an expert in his line of business extends far beyond the community in which he makes his home, and has brought to him a patronage from many points throughout the New England and eastern states.
Mr. Harrison was born in Roseland, Es- sex county, in 1831, and is a son of Jared F. Harrison. His mother, whose maiden name was Eliza Duryee, was a daughter of Rev. John Duryee, who was pastor of the Dutch Reformed church" at Somer- ville, New Jersey. Mr. Harrison is also a descendant of Sergeant Rich- ard' Harrison, one of the honored pioneers of Essex county. His boy- hood days were spent on the home farm and he assisted in the duties of field and meadow until he had attained his majority,
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when he joined R. F. Harrison in the lum- ber and sawmill business at Roseland. There he carried on operations until 1861, when he established a line of stages be- tween Caldwell and Montclair, with a mail route from the latter place to Parsippany. That enterprise claimed his attention for seven years, but about 1868 he disposed of his business and mail contract and engaged in bridge and sewer building. He has since increased his field of labor by taking contracts for the erection of waterworks and for road grading and excavating, and is doing a very extensive and profitable business. He has admitted his sons to a partnership under the firm name of P. H. Harrison & Sons, and the firm has taken contracts for some very extensive and im- portant work. They erected the water- works in East Syracuse, New York; Oak- mount and Verona, Pennsylvania, and at Granville, in the Keystone state. Their large contracts for the placing of sewers include work in Newark, East Orange, Bloomfield, Rutherford, Kearney, Belmar and Irvington, New York, Mechanicsville, New York; Kittanning, Pennsylvania, and an immense contract now being executed in Hartford, Connecticut.
Mr. Harrison was married in Montclair to Hester A. Crane, a daughter of Josiah W. Crane and a descendant of Deacon Aza- riah Crane, who came to Newark with the first settlers and whose wife was a daugh- ter of Governor Treat of Connecticut. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison are : Carrie L., wife of Benjamin Parkhurst; Fannie C., wife of Oscar H. Condit; Kath- arine S .; Harry L., who married May Cresse; Louis B., who married Mabelle H. Walker, of Yonkers, New York; and Edith L.
While residing in his native township, Mr. Harrison served as freeholder for three years, town clerk and a member of the town committee, discharging his duties with marked promptness and fidelity. In his political views he is a Republican, but ow- ing to the increased volume of his business he has now no time for public office, de- voting his energies almost exclusively to his industrial affairs. He employs a large force of men and his fair treatment has won their confidence and respect. He has excellent executive ability, keen discrimi- nation and power of control, and his able management has resulted in bringing to him the patronage wherefrom he derives splendid financial returns. His wealth has been worthily achieved, and not only in business circles but also in all the relations of life he commands the esteem of those with whom he is brought in contact.
JOHN W. SLAYBACK,
of Verona, is a most enterprising and ener- getic business man, who by his own efforts has arisen from a humble position to one of prominence in trade circles. His suc- cess has been achieved through resolute purpose, keen discrimination and unflag- ging industry, and the firm of Slayback Brothers are now at the head of extensive and profitable business interests in Verona, Caldwell and Little Falls.
The subject of this review was born in Raritan, New Jersey, on the Ist of No- vember, 1863, and is a son of William Slay- back, who was born June 20, 1838. He is a miller by trade and for the past twenty- five years has resided in Verona. He mar- ried Adaline, daughter of Samuel War-
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man, of Hunterdon county, New Jersey, and they became the parents of two sons, -David H. and John W. The latter re- ceived but limited school privileges, but added largely to his fund of knowledge by working in a printing-office. At the age of sixteen he entered upon his business ca- reer as an apprentice to the printer's trade in the office of the Montclair Times, and on the expiration of that period opened an of- fice with Lane & Lockward at Caldwell, where he did the printing for that firm for six years. In 1888 he accepted a position with H. C. Dabney, of Montclair, as book- keeper, in his coal-yard, where he remained two years.
The firm of Slayback Brothers was or- ganized in 1885 and has since continued business, and from the beginning has met with gratifying success. They commenced operations in Montclair in 1885, and in 1891, when their earning from the ice busi- ness had become sufficient to enable them to branch out in other lines, they began dealing in coal. In September, 1892, they added lumber and builders' supplies, estab- lishing a lumber-yard in connection with their coal office on Bloomfield avenue, near the junction of the Erie Railroad. They are now carrying on a profitable business in Verona, Caldwell and Little Falls, and the volume of their trade has become quite extensive.
In November, 1892, John W. Slayback was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Husk, daughter of James H. Husk. He is a prominent and valued citizen and was chosen the first clerk of Verona township rather for his fitness for the position than on account of political affiliations, for he is independent in politics. He is a stock- holder and director in the Verona Club, is
a member of Montclair Council, Royal Ar- canum, and also belongs to the Junior Or- der American Mechanics.
DAVID H. SLAYBACK
is enrolled among the progressive, prac- tical business men who have been the archi- tects of their own fortunes. He was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, August 27, 1861, and is a son of William Slayback. He spent the days of his boyhood and youth in Verona and acquainted himself with the English branches of learning taught in the public schools. At the age of seventeen he began earning his own liv- ing by working at the painter's trade, and later he commenced to learn the business of type-metal engraving at No. 104 Fulton street, New York city. He followed that vocation for five years, concluding his ser- vice in that line as an employee of the Sam- uel Crump Label Company, of Montclair. He was industrious, energetic and ambi- tious, and his faithful and able service brought him good wages. From this he managed to save a small amount, and join- ing his brother, they embarked in the ice business in Montclair. During the first few seasons they obtained their ice from Vero- na lake, and as a direct result of their man- ner of conducting the industry it became very popular, and their trade increased rap- idly. As their financial resources increased they extended their field of operations into the coal trade, subsequently added a lum- ber yard and also began dealing in build- ers' supplies. They are now dealing in these various commodities and are enjoy- ing a large and lucrative business. Their business methods commend them to the confidence of all and they have worked up
9
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an excellent trade, which yields them a good income. Three beautiful homes have been erected in Verona as an evidence of the success that has attended the efforts of the well known firm of Slayback Brothers, and in commercial circles these gentlemen hold a very enviable position.
David H. Slayback is a member of and stockholder in the Verona Club, and is a member of Montclair Council of the Royal Arcanum. He was married in March, 1893, to Miss Henrietta Grosch, daughter of the late William Grosch, the first manu- facturer of bronze in the United States. They have three children,-Gertrude, Hen- rietta and Linda. Mr. and Mrs. Slayback are widely and favorably known in Verona and have the warm regard of many friends, who esteem them highly for their sterling worth.
ALFRED S. BADGLEY,
counselor at law and master in chancery of Montclair, is one of New Jersey's native sons, his birth having occurred on a farm in Somerset county, in 1849. The ances- tral history is one of close connection with the development of this state. In colonial days the great-grandfather, George Badg- ley, came to America with Lord Ireland and fought against the British in the war of the Revolution. During that sangui- nary struggle he was taken prisoner and held in captivity until peace was declared and American independence was estab- lished. The grandfather, Stephen Badg- ley, was a native of New Jersey, born in Elizabethport, and married Catharine Den- man, who was a lineal descendant of Sir Richard Townley. The father, Alfred Badgley, Sr., was born in this state and
became one of the well-to-do farmers of Somerset county. He married Sarah Moore, who was born in New Jersey, as was her father, James Moore. Her grand- father was also one of the heroes of the war of the Revolution, and the first Amer- ican ancestor was Joseph Moore, who be- longed to the valiant band of pilgrims who came to the shores of New England in the Mayflower.
Alfred S. Badgley thus has back of him an ancestry honorable and distinguished, and the lines of his own life have been cast in harmony therewith. He spent the great part of his youth in Somerset and Morris counties, where he attended the common schools, while later he pursued his studies in Pennington Seminary, where he was graduated in 1869. He then went to Tennessee, where he read law and was admitted to the bar in 1873. After en- gaging in practice for a time he entered the National University in the District of Co- lumbia, where he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, in 1884. Re- turning then to Tennessee, he was ap- pointed special examiner of the United States pension bureau, with headquarters at Bakersville, North Carolina. For two years he held that office and upon his re- tirement again went to Tennessee, where he continued in the practice of law until 1887, when he was admitted to the New Jersey bar as an attorney, and in 1890, at the November term of court, in Trenton, he was licensed to practice as a counselor.
Locating in Montclair Mr. Badgley soon took rank among the ablest representatives of the profession there, and his ability is at- tested by his large clientele and the sub- stantial returns which he receives for his legal services. For the past six years he
Alfi S. Badgley
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has served as adviser and town attorney for the town of Montclair.
In 1860 Mr. Badgley married Miss Mary J. E. Simerley, a daughter of Elijah Simer- ley, of Hampton, Tennessee, and they now have three sons: Alfred C .; Theodore J., who is now with his father in the law of- fice; and Oliver K., a student at Princeton University. They also lost one daughter, Mary C., who died on the 24th of April, 1897.
In his political views our subject is a stal- wart Republican, deeply interested in the growth and success of his party. He is a member of Montclair Lodge, No. 144, A. F. & A. M., in which he is past master, and he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as a member of the official board. He is president of the local board of the National Building, Loan & Provident As- sociation, and a member of the supreme committee of laws and appeals of the Im- proved Order Heptasophs. In his profes- sion he has attained an eminent position and is distinguished among his brethren at the bar for the provident care which he shows in the preparation of his cases. His devotion to his client's interests is prover- bial and his ability is marked.
ROCHUS HEINISCH.
Newark as a manufacturing center takes high rank among the cities of America, and the subject of this review has been an im- portant factor in sustaining her reputation in this direction. He stands at the head of one of her leading enterprises, and is a wide-awake, progressive business man, whose well directed efforts result not only in his individual prosperity but also pro-
mote the material welfare of the commun- ity
Mr. Heinisch has always made his home in Newark, where his birth occurred, De- cember 2, 1836. He is the eldest son of the late Rochus Heinisch, Sr., whose repu- tation as a manufacturer of shears and scissors was world-wide. R. Heinisch, Sr., was born in Bohemia, Austria, on the 14th of February, 1801, acquired an excellent education and then began learning the trade of manufacturing sur- gical instruments, which he completed in Paris, France. His ability soon won him promotion to the position of foreman in the factory in which he was employed and he there remained until in the early '20s, when he made arrangements to seek a home in America. He had heard much of the splendid opportunities here afforded young men, poor but indus- trious, and resolved to take advantage of these. Crossing the Atlantic, he located in Brooklyn, and soon conceived the idea of manufacturing shears of malleable iron faced with steel. He was the first paten- tee of the tailor shears, and the first to weld steel to iron. He began the manufacture of his invention in Elizabeth, but in 1829 came to Newark, where he established the business with which he was connected throughout his life and which grew to be the most extensive and important of its kind in the world. His chief work was the manufacture of tailors' shears, and his in- vention and manufactures proved of im- mense value to that class of men. Those previously used were of English manufac- ture, and the handles were most ill-shaped, so that the tailors called them "instruments of direst torture." Afterward improve- ments were made in the English article.
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but the Heinisch invention continued to maintain its place in the front ranks of all manufactures, and to be the most extensive- ly used. In fact it supplanted nearly all of foreign manufacture, not only on this con- tinent but abroad, so that the business of manufacturing tailors' shears was largely suspended in England. Many new inven- tions have been placed on the market by the English manufacturers of cutlery, but the American product has continued in the lead, although hundreds of pounds were expended in perfecting and making an English shear. . So marked was the su- periority of Mr. Heinisch's article that the English newspapers took up the subject and questioned why Sheffield-called the "edged-tool city"-could not produce something as good. This high reputation which the house gained has never been lost, and the enterprise still continues in the lead of shear and scissors manufacturing con- cerns in the world.
Rochus Heinisch, whose name intro- duces this review, spent his youth in the public schools of Newark until fifteen years of age, when he was placed by his father in the latter's New York store, where he spent six years in gaining experience in handling the goods made in his father's shear fac- tory. He entered the factory when twen- ty-one years of age in order to learn the business in its every department, and soon became an expert workman, capable of performing every detail in connection with the enterprise. He has since been con- nected with the company and upon his fa- ther's death he was elected to the presi- dency of the R. Heinisch's Sons Company, in which incumbency he has since been re- tained. Not only has he a practical knowl- edge of the business, but in addition he is
a man of keen discrimination, foresight and sound judgment in business matters, cap- able of planning, devising and executing the right thing at the right time. He is progressive, enterprising and energetic, and carries forward to successful comple- tion whatever he undertakes, if honorable, persistent and patient effort can accom- plish it.
During the civil war Mr. Heinisch mani- fested his loyalty to the country by enlist- ing, in 1862, in the nine-months service, becoming a private of the Twenty-sixth New Jersey Infantry. He was promoted to the rank of second lieutenant and later was commissioned first lieutenant of his company. His regiment was assigned to the army of the Potomac and saw much of the hard service incident to the campaigns in and around Fredericksburg. He votes with the Republican party, and at one time took quite an active part in political work. He was elected from the thirteenth ward of Newark to the general assembly in 1871 and in 1872, and had the honor and su- preme satisfaction of voting for the late Hon. F. T. Frelinghuysen for United States senator.
Mr. Heinisch was married in Newark, June 29, 1868, to Miss Alice J., daughter of Isaac Robbins, and to them have been born the following children: Rush E., who is now secretary of the R. Heinisch's Sons Company; Florence, who completed her education and is an accomplished musician and expert pianist; and Edward A., who is now a junior in the military academy in Mount Pleasant, New York. This family enjoys the hospitality of the best homes in Newark, and their own beautiful residence is the center of a cultured society circle. Mr. Heinisch is a Knight Templar Mason,
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belonging to Damascus Commandery. A leader in the world of commerce, an inte- gral factor in the business life of Newark, of pleasant, courteous manner, easily ap- proachable, and of unquestioned honor, he stands to-day among the most prominent citizens of Newark, commanding the re- spect of young and old, rich and poor.
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JAMES H. HUSK,
one of the successful business men and honored citizens of Caldwell, is a prominent representative of a pioneer family of Essex county. One hundred years have joined the march of the centuries to eternity since John Husk, of a respected and leading Dutch family, settled in this locality. The work of development seemed scarcely be- gun. The settlers, in the dress of colonial days, carried on their labors, and laid the foundation for the present prosperity and advancement of the county. John Husk took up his residence upon the farm now occupied by Mr. Moose, and continued the development of his land through his re- maining days. He there reared his family of seven children, namely: Abraham; Ellen, who became the wife of John M. Van Duyne, of Morris county; Sarah, who be- came the wife of Henry Francisco and passed her life on the Newton Canfield farm; Rachel, who married Lewis Estler and died at Boonton; Richard, who died at Boonton; Eliza, who married Henry Stager and died on the North Caldwell road; and John, who also died in the same neighbor- hood.
agricultural pursuits and lived quietly, win- ning the respect of all by his sterling worth. He married Ester, daughter of Abijah Crane, and to them were born the following children: Maria, wife of R. S. Francisco; James H .; Stephen; Eliza, who married Gil- bert A. Jacobus; Lucetta, who married Isaac Gillen, of Morris county; Richard; William, deceased; John, of Boonton; Al- fred, of Newark; Abbie, deceased wife of J. W. Van Duyne, of Morris county; and Marcus E., of Newark. The father of this family passed away March 4, 1858, and the mother departed this life February 14, 1869.
James H. Husk was born on the old fam- ily homestead, October 13, 1829, and re- mained on the farm until he had attained his majority, but the work of the farm was distasteful to him and on reaching man's estate he left home, empty-handed, going to Boonton, where he drove a team for a time. For two or three years he served as a nail-cutter with the Boonton Iron Com- pany and was then promoted as general superintendent of their outdoor work. In 1869 he entered the employ of Campbell Lane & Company, at eleven dollars per week and expenses, driving a wagon and selling their goods through the country. So efficient were his services that his wages were increased from time to time until he was enabled to command a salary of twen- ty-five dollars per week and expenses. Dur- ing this time he saved a considerable sum, which he invested in land, and on leaving the road he turned his attention to farm- ing, but his boyhood's distaste for the work was still with him and he soon sold out. His next enterprise was the purchase of the Caldwell and Montclair stage line, which he
Abraham Husk, the father of our sub- ject, was born in 1807, and the farm where his birth occurred continued his place of abode throughout his life. He carried on operated from the spring of 1883 until June
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30, 1897. That proved to be a very profit- able investment and the returns therefrom placed him in a position of financial inde- pendence; and while he is yet in business, it is only as a means to avoid complete re- tirement. Indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to his nature and it is this feature of his character that prompts him to retain some business interests.
Mr. Husk was married in Morris county. January 19, 1850. to Adaline, daughter of Nicholas Stites, and to them have been born the following children : Wilson; Maria L., wife of Marcus Bush; Jessie, de- ceased wife of E. M. Canfield, by whom she had two children, Bessie and John H .; Sarah Anna, deceased: Thomas S., who married Emma M. Stillwell; Nellie H., wife of John Slayback; and Adaline, wife of H. A. Mills, of Newark.
Mr. Husk is a self-made man, whose en- terprise, industry and resolute purpose have been the stepping-stones on which he has risen from an humble position to one of affluence. His labors have been reward- ed by a very desirable capital, which has been so worthily won that it places him above envy. Few men in the county are more widely known than Mr. Husk and none more favorably so, for he is uniformly esteemed.
SAMUEL DEY.
The ancestry of the gentleman whose name initiates this paragraph is traced back to the old Dutch emigrants who took up their abode on Manhattan Island at an early day, and who is a blood relative of Anneke Jans, whose name has attained consider- able note in connection with the suit in- stituted by her heirs to recover property
owned by Trinity church in New York city.
Mr. Dey was born in Caldwell township, New Jersey, on the 3Ist of July, 1842, and is a son of Henry and Susan (Berry) Dey, the latter being a daughter of Martin Berry. Henry Dey was born in 1819, and followed farming as his vocation in life, his father, Cornelius Dey, being the keeper of Dey's Hotel, which is now the residence of our subject. Cornelius was born near "the two bridges" in Morris county, and was a son of Colonel Richard Dey, an officer in the colonial army during the Revolutionary war. Cornelius died about the year 1873, at the advanced age of seventy-eight, and Henry departed this life in 1882.
Samuel Dey attained to years of maturity on the old homestead, where he resided until his marriage, when he settled at the junction of the Pine Brook and Paterson roads. He learned the hatter's trade in Orange, New Jersey, with Charles Hedden, and followed the same for a period of five years and then returned to the farm, where he has since remained. He owns fifty-five acres of fertile land and has devoted his entire time and attention to its skillful and successful management, and is recognized throughout the county as one of the pro- gressive and prosperous agriculturists of the state. He has acquired some reputation as a worker in the interests of the Demo- cratic party, having served on the town committee, besides which he has been a freeholder for Caldwell. The postoffice of Fairfield is located in his residence.
The marriage of Mr. Dey was solemnized in 1865. when he became united to Miss Ellen Bush. a daughter of Nicholas Bush, and the children of this union are: Leslie, of Newark, and Cornelius.
The other children born to Henry and
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Susan Dey were: John B., of Newark; Cornelius; and Mary, who is the widow of George W. Winans.
CORNELIUS DEY,
a prominent and influential citizen of Essex county, was born in the township of Cald- well on the 21st of August, 1840, and with the exception of a temporary absence in the early '6os he has resided continuously on the old homestead, which he now owns. He is a son of Henry Dey and a great- grandson of Colonel Richard Dey, a gallant soldier in the American Revolution.
True to the spirit that infused the breasts of his ancestors, Mr. Dey enlisted, during the second year of the civil war, in Com- pany D, Twenty-second New Jersey Vol- unteer Infantry, for nine months, and was under the immediate command of Captain Bush, with DeCamp as colonel of the regi- ment, which was sent into the very heart of the Confederacy, where it participated in severe, active service during the limited time it was out in the field. Among the engagements in which it took part were the Rappahannock campaign and the bat- tles of Seven Pines and Fredericksburg, and the work performed therein by the "boys of the Twenty-second" gave to them an experience never to be forgotten. After a year's faithful, efficient service in defend- ing the Union, Mr. Dey was honorably dis- charged and soon thereafter he went to Nashville, where he engaged in the carpen- ter's trade, returning to his home in 1865.
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