USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 1 > Part 26
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Michael McCarthy, the father of our sub- ject, was born on the Emerald Isle about the year 1832, remaining on his native heath until 1851 or 1852, when he emigrated to the United States, first locating in New York city, residing there for about ten years, and then coming to Newark, whichi
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he made his home until his death, which oc- curred in May, 1897. For many years he was engaged in the wholesale liquor busi- ness in Newark, later entering the services of the old Newark aqueduct board as super- visor of all water ways,-a position he held for sixteen or eighteen years, finally retir- ing from the board on account of ill health. He was well and favorably known in this city and took an active part in politics, but neither sought nor desired office, preferring to assist his friends to political preferments. He was a member of St. James' church, Catholic, and of the Catholic Benevolent Legion.
Mr. McCarthy was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Cleary, in New York, and four children were born to them, two of whom survive, Mary E., now Mrs. M. F. Murphy, and the subject of this sketch.
WILLIAM DIMOND,
a member of the Newark board of alder- men, representing the seventh ward, was born in New York city on the 14th of Sep- tember, 1859, his parents being William and Catherine (Smith) Dimond. His father was born in Dublin, Ireland, and emigrated to the United States when about thirteen years of age, and here engaged subse- quently in the architectural iron business in New York city, continuing in the same until his death, which occurred in 1872. The mother of our subject was born in New York state and is still living on her farm in the Highlands on the Hudson river.
William Dimond, the subject of this re- view, was reared in the metropolis, receiv- ing his education in the public schools, sup- plementing the same with a course of study in the New York City College. Upon
leaving the latter he learned the typesetting trade, which he followed for some time, working at Troy, New York, and on dif- ferent newspapers throughout the state, spending altogether about five years in va- rious printing offices. In 1878 he quit the printing business and went to Montana, where he engaged in stock-raising in the Yellowstone Valley country, remaining thus employed for a period of two years, and upon his return east he entered the American Veterinary College, at which he was graduated with the class of 1883, attain- ing the honor of valedictorian, and as the result of a competitive examination he was appointed house surgeon of the hospital under Professor Liautard, with whom he remained about one year. He then opened an office in New York city, but shortly afterward accepted a position in the United States Bureau of Animal Industry in the department of agriculture, and was sta- tioned at Baltimore, Maryland, and in the District of Columbia and Virginia, for two years, at the end of which time he was or- dered to Trenton, New Jersey, to take charge of the work in the state, making Trenton his headquarters, and after investi- gating matters he moved to Jersey City, where he had charge of a corps of about seventy-five or eighty assistants. In the pursuit of his duties Mr. Dimond expended in the neighborhood of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, principally in Hud- son county. He continued in the govern- ment service until the election of President Harrison, at which time, thanks to the arduous labors of our subject, pleuro-pneu- monia was about eradicated from New Jer- sey. He subsequently gave up his profes- sion and accepted a position with a large fish house in New York, going to the Pa-
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cific coast, where for two years he was en- gaged in shipping fish to New York, travel- ing up and down the coast from California to Alaska.
Returning east, Mr. Dimond located in Newark and became associated with Dr. Lawrenz, continuing this partnership for about four years, when he took charge of the Essex stables, located in Summit street. In the spring of 1897 he was elected a mem- ber of the board of aldermen as a Denio- crat. His father and uncle were both af- filiated with that party, and were promi- nent in Tammany circles, having held va- rious offices in that organization. Mr. Dimond is a member of the committees on the poor and alms and printing and sta- tionery, and is chairman of the committee on railroads and franchises. He is a di- rector in several building and loan associa- tions, and is connected with numerous other enterprises of a public nature. Socially he is a member of New York City Lodge, No. 624, Free and Accepted Masons, the Jeffersonian Club, and the Joel Parker As- sociation.
Mr. Dimond was married June 23, 1891, to Miss Emeline Smith, of the Hudson Highlands, and they had four children, of whom the following three survive: Helen, Thomas and Catherine.
WILLIAM EDWARD AUSTIN,
a member of the firm of Austin, Drew & Company, the well known hat manufactur- ers of Orange, was born in West Orange, New Jersey, on the Ist of March, 1859, and is a son of Edward and Mary Jane (Allen) Austin. His early education was received in the public schools of Orange, added to which was a course of study in the Bryant
& Stratton Business College, of Newark, and then he entered his father's hat manu- factory, where he continued until he had acquired a thorough and practical knowl- edge of the business in all its details, when, in 1884, he was admitted to partnership and since that time he has been closely identi- fied with the interests of the firm. He is a man of energy and enterprise, and by his thrift, industry and evident business quali- fications, he has been instrumental in largely advancing the prosperity of the con- cern with which he is associated.
An ardent supporter of the Republican party Mr. Austin has had a prominent part in local political matters, and is at present treasurer of the Fourth Ward Republican Club and a member of the city central Re- publican committee. In his social rela- tions he is affiliated with Corinthian Lodge, No. 159, Free and Accepted Ma- sons, and is a charter member of Hillside Council, No. 29, Royal Arcanum, of Or- ange.
Mr. Austin has been twice married, his first union being in 1884, taking as his wife Miss Florence H. Hiller, a daughter of Alexander and Mary Hiller, and they be- came the parents of one son, Edward Hil- ler, who was born on the 18th of Decem- ber, 1885. Mrs. Austin was summoned to her eternal rest in 1890. The second mar- riage of our subject was solemnized at Or- ange in 1892, when he was united to Miss Saralı Redington, a daughter of William and Mary Redington, and to Mr. and Mrs. Austin have been born two children,- William Redington and Elizabeth. Mr. Austin is a member of the Congregational church, while his wife is an adherent of Grace Episcopal church, both of which are located at Orange. Mr. Austin has, by
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virtue of his many admirable qualities, won the high esteem and personal regard of a large number of friends.
ROBERT McARTHUR,
a florist and horticulturist of West Orange, also having offices at 186 Main street and No. 30 Bell street, Orange, was born in the village of Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland, on the 14th of June, 1842, and is a son of John and Mary (McNabb) McArthur, also na- tives of Scotland. The father, a son of Peter McArthur, had received a common- school education in his native land and as a life work he chose the occupation of farming, which he carried on until called to his final rest at the age of seventy-three years. He was a sober, industrious, just and conscientious man who won the re- spect and esteem of all who knew him. His widow still survives and is living with her niece, Mary McPherson. They were both consistent Christian people, being sin- cere members of the Presbyterian church. Their family numbered four children, as follows: Robert, of this sketch; Mary, wife of Thomas Matthews, of Perthshire, Scotland; Janett, wife of Mr. McPherson, a resident of Northumberlandshire, Eng- land; and William, who married a lady of his own nativity and resides in Perthshire, Scotland.
In the common schools of his native land Robert McArthur acquired his education, and when he had reached his early 'teens was employed at gardening and rose-grow- ing. He also acquired a good knowledge of horticulture, and followed those lines of business in his native land until 1866, when he determined to come to America, hoping thereby to find a broader field for his labor
and better financial conditions. Accord- ingly he made arrangements to cross the Atlantic and left home March 25, 1866, landing in New York on the 13th of April. He was first employed by James Lennox, of New York city, remaining with that gentleman for two years, after which he spent three years in the employ of D. H. Height, of Orange county, New York, as a practical gardener. He afterward had charge of the grounds of H. H. Farnim at Port Jefferson, New York, for two years, and in 1873 came to Orange, where he en- tered the employ of Dr. E. E. Marcy, having entire charge of his greenhouse and lawns. For nearly nineteen years he continued in that position and adding to his experience and knowledge of the business until, well qualified for his work and with a capital acquired from his own labors, he embarked in his present business. In 1890 he estab- lished his greenhouses and office on Bell street, Orange, where he began the rose- growing and horticultural business on his own account. He subsequently estab- lished his large and commodious sales- rooms and office at No. 186 Main street, Orange, and in 1896 he also began busi- ness at West Orange, in Gaston street, where he has made excellent improvements and has extensive greenhouses. He has, by thrift, energy and perseverance, suc- ceeded in establishing a large and profit- able business, and demonstrated the fact that the road to prosperity is open to all who have the energy and ambition to con- quer the difficulties that block the way.
Mr. McArthur was married in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, in 1873, to Jessie Mc- Pherson, a daughter of Donald and Ann (McDougal) McPherson. To the union have been born three children: Annie,
.
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George and William, the first two being graduates of the Orange high school. The mother of this family died in 1883, at the age of thirty-eight years. In 1885 Mr. McArthur was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary Adeline Crane, a daughter of George R. and Ann (Ward) Crane. They now have one son, Ralph C. Mr. and Mrs. McArthur and two children are leading members of the First Presbyterian church of Orange. He cast his first presidential vote for R. B. Hayes, and usually supports the Republi- can presidential nominees, but at local elections, where no national issue is in- volved, votes independently of party ties.
HENRY KRAHN,
who is engaged in the manufacture of soda and mineral waters in Orange, was born on the old family homestead in the town of Neuhof, near the city of Lubeck, in the province of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, October 23, 1866, and is a son of Henry and Clara (Stuben) Krahn. His maternal grandfather was Andrew Stuben. The fa- ther of our subject was a farmer by occu- pation and was extensively engaged in rais- ing the famous breed of Holstein cattle. He was a man of much energy and of sound judgment in business affairs, and of thoughtful, earnest purpose. He died some years ago, but his widow still survives him and now resides with her daughter Mary. To Mr. and Mrs. Krahn were born the following children: Clara, wife of Ar-
thur Voss, postmaster of the village of Pansdorf, Germany, by whom she has one daughter; Mary, who is living with her mo- ther; Emil, who died at the age of one year; Elizabeth, who resides in one of the suburban towns adjoining London, Eng-
land; Helena, wife of John Schwerin, of Holstein, Germany; and William, who also resides in Holstein.
Henry Krahn, whose name introduces this review, acquired his education in the district schools of his native town and re- mained under the parental roof until 1886, when he decided to come to America. On the 12th of January, of that year, he sailed from the fatherland, and on the 23d reached the harbor of New York. He did not tarry long in the metropolis, however, but made his way to Hackensack, New Jersey, where he met with an accident that brought on a long illness. He returned to his native country for medical treatment and after remaining for a short time in Ger- many again started for America, June 10, 1887. The vessel in which he sailed dropped anchor in the harbor of New York on the 22d and once more he found him- self in the United States.
After a time Mr. Krahn took up his resi- dence in Orange, where he secured a situ- ation with Laurence Harrison. He fol- lowed various occupations until December, 1891, when, forming a partnership with Louis Muhly, he engaged in the manufac- ture of soda and mineral waters. In 1893 he sold his interest in the business to John J. Barry, and being desirous of again seeing the land of his birth he crossed the Atlantic, remaining abroad until October, 1893. After his return to Orange, he purchased the interest of his former partner and under the firm name of Barry & Krahn conducted a successful business in the manufacture of soda and mineral waters. In 1894 he bought out his partner's interest and has since carried on the enterprise alone. He has a very large patronage and derives therefrom a good income.
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Mr. Krahn was married in Orange, No- vember 18, 1890, to Mary Riegraf, who was born August 14, 1872, and is a daughter of Frederick and Philomena Riegraf. They now have three interesting children : Henry, Mary and Clara; and they lost their first born, Agnes, who died at the age of eight months. Mr. and Mrs. Krahn attend the German Presbyterian church of Or- ange. Socially he is connected with John F. Morse Lodge, No. 183, I. O. O. F., of Orange, and in his political predilections is a Democrat.
JOHN F. MAXFIELD.
Among those whose activity in mercan- tile circles keeps in motion the busy wheels of trade in the metropolis of the country is this gentleman, who for. many years has been one of the leading dealers in and ex- porters of fruit in New York city. He has attained a prominence in business that is due entirely to honorable and systematic methods, to indefatigable energy and reso- lute purpose, and his success has been worthily won.
A native of Westchester county, New York, Mr. Maxfield was born on the Ist of September, 1840, being a son of John G. and Mary E. (Guion) Maxfield, the former a native of Brighton, England, the latter of the Empire state. The maternal grand- father, Hoagland Guion, located in the vi- cinity of New Rochelle, New York. He was a son of Charles Guion, who served in the war of the Revolution and held a cap- tain's commission. The paternal grand- father of our subject was William M. Max- field, a native of Brighton, England. The father, John G. Maxfield, was a carpenter and builder in Westchester county for a
number of years, was later engaged in the same line of business in Brooklyn, New York, and eventually removed to New Jer- sey, where he passed the remainder of his life. He died in his eighty-first year, his wife having passed away in her sixty- fourth year. They were the parents of the following named children: Charles W .; John F .; Henry Guion; Juliett G., wife of Thomas Oakes, a prom- inent woolen manufacturer of Bloom- field, New Jersey; Joseph B., whole- sale jobber and importer of fruit, Park Place, New York; Eliza W., wife of Joseph Hayne, of Bloomfield; Jennie M., wife of John Lawrence, a leading representative of mercantile interests in Newark; and Adam T., deceased.
John F. Maxfield spent his boyhood days in Brooklyn, New York, where his parents moved when he was a child, and where he received the educational advantages af- forded by the common schools. He be- gan his business career as a clerk in a fruit store in New York city, remaining in the same house for several years. From 1856 until 1859 he lived on his father's farm in Morris county, New Jersey, and in 1860 he returned to New York city, where he secured a clerkship. Not long afterward, however, with capital he had acquired through his industry, economy and perse- verance, he embarked in business on his own account.
Forming a partnership with his brother, Charles W. Maxfield, and James A. Gren- zebach, he began operation as a whole- sale fruit dealer, at the corner of Washing- ton and Fulton streets and has since built up an extensive and profitable business, Mr. Grenzebach eventually withdrawing from the firm. The firm handle all kinds
J. F. MAXFIELD
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of tropical fruits, and in 1867 began doing a large business in the packing and ship- ping of oranges, bananas and lemons, mak- ing extensive importations from the West Indies. The new tariff bill of 1897, how- ever, has materially affected their trade in this line. They have one of the finest wholesale fruit houses in the city, carrying the fruits produced in all parts of the world, and using the latest improved facilities for the care and shipment of their goods. Be- ginning operations on a small scale, Mr. Maxfield has steadily worked his way up- ward, until he now occupies a leading place in trade circles in his line, and as the result of his well directed efforts has accumu- lated a handsome capital.
In September, 1875, Mr. Maxfield was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Todd, of New York city, a daughter of Theodore W. Todd. They have a family of nine children, six sons and three daughters. In 1862 Mr. Maxfield removed his family to Bloomfield, New Jersey, and they have since resided at No. 261 Franklin street, where they have a pleasant home whose generous hospitality is proverbial. In his political views Mr. Maxfield is independ- ent, allying himself with no party, but he is a progressive, loyal American, support- ing the men and measures which he be- lieves will best promote the public good.
HENRY LEBER COIT, M. D.
A comparison of the relative value to mankind of the various professions places medicine among the first, and many give to it the most important position. Man's most prized possession is life, and he who alleviates pain and suffering and restores health and strength well deserves to be
numbered among the benefactors of the race.
Dr. Coit was born in Peapack, New Jer- sey, on the 16th of March, 1854, a son of the late Rev. John Summerfield Coit, who was born in Bloomfield, New Jersey, on the 18th of September, 1828. The grand- father, Nathaniel Coit, was one of the pio- neers of Bloomfield. His parents were Samuel and Sylvia (Lewis) Coit. He was born in New London, Connecticut, and when a youth of fourteen summers went to live with his uncle, David Coit, in New York city. He served in the militia there in 1813, in defense of the city.
Rev. John Summerfield Coit was edu- cated in Pennington Seminary, in which institution he was prepared for the ministry and was graduated with high honors. He joined the New Jersey conference in 1853 and continued in active work as a minister of the gospel until his death, which oc- curred in Des Moines, Iowa, on the 7th of January, 1868, he having been transferred to the Iowa conference. He was a most conscientious and devoted minister, was instrumental in the building of a number of houses of worship and in leading many hundreds of people into the church of Christ. His memory remains as a blessed benediction to all who knew him, and is enshrined in the hearts of all who had the honor of his friendship. Upon his death his remains were brought back to Newark and interred in Bloomfield, whither they were followed by about thirty of his fellow ministers. In his early manhood he was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Neafie Herriman, who was born at Honeoye Falls, New York, and died in 1894. The follow- ing children were born to this worthy couple : Henry Leber, Catherine Miriam,
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Carrie Ella, Emma Lavinia, May Frances and John Lamont, of whom the first three are living, the others having died in child- hood.
Dr. Henry L. Coit, who acquired his lit- erary education in the public schools of Newark, afterward attended the College of Pharmacy, in New York city, where he was graduated in 1876 with the valedictorian honors of his class. He followed the phar- maceutical profession as a chemist for four- teen years. After his graduation in phar- macy, he was elected a tutor in the college of pharmacy, which position he filled until 1880, when he entered the College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons, of New York city, as a student of medicine. He was graduated at that institution in the class of 1883, and at once entered upon the practice of medi- cine in Newark, where he has since con- tinued. He is a member of the local, state and national medical societies and was for one term president of the Practitioners' Club, of Newark. In 1896 he promulgated the movement which resulted in the found- ing of the Babies' Hospital, of which insti- tution he is the attending physician. He is a member of the pediatric section of the New York Academy of Medicine and or- ganized the Essex County Medical Milk Commission, which has so largely influ- enced the general improvement in the qual- ity of milk offered for sale throughout the country.
The Doctor was married in 1886, the lady of his choice being Miss Emma, daugh- ter of John M. Gwinnell, of Newark. Three daughters and a son have been born to them: John Summerfield, deceased; Jessie Barker, Eleanor G. and Edith Neafie.
The Doctor is a member of St. John's Lodge, A. F. & A. M .. and is a consistent
member of the Halsey Street Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has held of- ficial preferment since the age of twenty- one years. He is a man of kindly nature and benevolent impulses, and his good works have won him the gratitude of many.
JOHN T. ODELL,
of the firm of Van Iderstine & Odell, con- tractors and builders, South Orange, New Jersey, is a veteran of the Civil war and belongs to a family noted for patriotism and sterling worth, his father and grandfather having served in the war of 1812 and the Revolution, respectively.
Tradition says that Grandfather John Odell was a Scotchman by birth. This, however, is not certain. Little is known of his history, as after his service in the Revolutionary war he went to New York state to find employment, and was never afterward heard from. It is supposed that he was killed. John Odell, the father of our subject, was probably born in New Jersey. He was a wheelwright by trade, and in politics he was first a Whig and later a Republican. He died in 1892, at the ripe old age of ninety-six years. His wife, the mother of our subject, died in 1843. Her maiden name was Sarah Pruden. She was a native of Hanover, Morris county, New Jersey, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elisha Pruden, natives of that county. Of the children born to John Odell and wife, we record that Charles died when young; Martha also died in early life; Phoebe Maria is the wife of Joseph Kitchell; Wil- liam Henry married Elizabeth O'Dell, of Morris county. They are now living in Laporte, Indiana. ` Eliza Phoebe, de- ceased, married Moses H. Camfield; Eme-
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line, now deceased, was the wife of Jacob A. Skinner, of Warren county, New Jer- sey; George P. Odell; next came John T .: and Susan M. is the youngest. John T. Odell was born in Columbia, Morris coun- ty, New Jersey, July 29, 1835; was reared at the parental home and enjoyed the ad- vantage of a good common-school educa- tion. On reaching manhood he turned his attention to the carpenter's trade, which he then followed for some years. Then for fourteen years he was engaged in fruit ranching in Delaware. In 1892 he came to South Orange, resumed work at his old trade, and formed a partnership with Mr. Van Iderstine, which association has proved a profitable one, the firm of Van Iderstine & Odell now taking first rank among the contractors and builders of South Orange.
Mr. Odell was married in 1857 to Miss Fannie Ball, a native of Jefferson Village, now known as Maplewood, New Jersey. She is a daughter of Charles M. and grand- daughter of Noah Ball, the former also a native of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Odell have five children, namely: Minnie E., widow of Walter Reynolds, has three chil- dren, Bessie, Helen and Grace: Clarence M., who married Sadie Garris, daughter of Hamilton Garris; and Fannie, Edith and Robert J., at home.
As already stated, Mr. Odell was in the late war of the Rebellion. He enlisted at Newark in 1862, in the Twenty-sixth New Jersey Volunteers, immediately went to the front, and saw much hard fighting, being a participant in the battles of Rappahannock and Fredericksburg, and being with Burn- side on his "mud march" in 1863. During all his service he showed himself to be a brave, true soldier, possessing the same
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