USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 1 > Part 27
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valor which distinguished his forefathers in the wars with England. He was honor- ably discharged and mustered out of the service just before the battle of Gettysburg. His rank was that of sergeant, and for a time he was a member of the ambulance corps.
Fraternally, Mr. Odell is identified with the Masonic Order, having his membership in Century Lodge, No. 100, F. and A. M., South Orange. Both he and his wife are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church at this place, he being a steward and trustee of the same. His political affilia- tions are with the Republican party; he takes a lively interest in local affairs, and has served as trustee of the village of South Orange.
THEODORE VAN IDERSTINE,
for over forty years a boot and shoe mer- chant of South Orange, New Jersey, was born in Morris county, this state, Septem- ber 13, 1828, son of Theodore Van Ider- stine, who was probably a native of New York city. Of the ancestry of the family very little is known. It is believed, how- ever, that the great-grandfather came from Holland, landing here early in the eigh- teenth century.
The senior Mr. Theodore Van Iderstine was by occupation a shoemaker, which vo- cation he followed in the early part of his life, later settling on a farm and devoting his attention to agriculture. He married Miss Susan Van Norton, a native of Morris county, New Jersey, and a daughter of An- drew Van Norton, probably a native of that county, their ancestors having come to this country from Holland. The children of this worthy couple numbered thirteen, all
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of whom Grandmother Van Iderstine lived to see married and settled in life, her age at death being ninety-five years. Grand- father Van Iderstine was seventy-eight when he died. At this writing the grand- children number about one hundred and fifty. Throughout its history the family has been noted for its patriotism. The father of our subject served in the war of 1812, and three of his sons were partici- pants in the late Rebellion. Theodore en- listed at Newark, New Jersey, in 1862, in the Twenty-sixth New Jersey Regiment, and immediately went to the front, serving as color guard and corporal. Among the engagements in which he took part were those of Rappahannock and Fredericks- burg, he being in two battles at the latter place. He was honorably discharged at Camp Frelinghuysen in 1863, on the eve of the battle of Gettysburg.
Mr. Iderstine in early life took ap his father's trade, that of shoemaker, and is still engaged in the shoe business. At one time he manufactured shoes for the leading houses in New York, conducting a business which required the labor of about eighteen men. Now he has a shoe store and general repair shop on Second street, South Or- ange, and is doing a successful business.
Mr. Van Iderstine married Miss Mary Jane Van Winkle, a native of Morris county, New Jersey, whose ancestors were proba- bly of Holland origin. Their children are as follows: Daniel Wesley, who married Miss Mary Staley; Theodore, who married Miss Josephine Vanderhof; William, who married Miss Mary Vanderhof; Susan, wife of George Barnard; and Etta, wife of Frank Bailey.
Politically, Mr. Van Iderstine affiliates with the Democratic party, and has always
taken a commendable interest in public af- fairs, but has never sought nor filled public office. He is a member of the Order of American Volunteers and of the Masonic fraternity, his membership in the latter be- ing with Century Lodge, No. 100, South Orange.
Mrs. Van Iderstine is a devoted and con- sistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
LEVI VAN BUSKIRK,
funeral director and undertaker of West Orange, was born in this city, November 2, 1844, a son of David and Charlotte. (Wil- liams) Van Buskirk. The former was born in Paterson, New Jersey, and was a son of Cornelius Van Buskirk, who was of Hol- land Dutch extraction. Having acquired a district-school education, he learned the trade of shoemaking, which occupation he followed in his early manhood. Later he followed various pursuits. He died in his native city at the age of sixty-seven years. His wife was a daughter of Joseph and Mary Williams, and died at the age of fifty- six years. David Van Buskirk was a loyal and devoted citizen, whose well spent life commanded the regard of all with whom the duties or pleasures of life brought him in contact. He was true to his friends, de- voted and loving to his family, and was a consistent Christian, both he and his wife holding membership in the Methodist Epis- copal church. Their family numbered the following: Aaron, of Morrisville, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, who married Sarah M. Kanouse and has four children living; Levi; Ira, of Plainfield, who wedded El- mira Vermule and has three children living; and Sarah J., wife of John E. Brundage, of
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West Orange, by whom she has five chil- dren.
Levi Van Buskirk acquired his education in the Oranges. He remained under the parental roof until he had attained his ma- jority, and then started out in life on his own account. He first engaged in the shoe business for a number of years in Freeman street, Orange, and in the enterprise met with very satisfactory success. In 1878 he also opened his undertaking establishment, which he conducted in connection with the other until 1881, when he disposed of his shoe store. In 1883 he opened his present office and warerooms on Freeman street.
On the Ioth of April, 1865, was cele- brated the marriage of our subject and Miss Mary E. Smith, a daughter of Edward G. and Katharine (Wilcox) Smith, who were of Scotch ancestry. The wedding took place in Springfield, Union county, and to them have been born four children: Hattie Amelia, who was graduated at the high school in Orange and is now the widow of Elmor Gordon, by whom she has two chil- dren-Mabel and Ernest; Charles G., who married Carrie Coursen, and is engaged in the business of staining glass, with offices in Newark; Ernest L., a graduate of the West Orange school, now with his father; and Lottie G., now a student in the West Orange high school.
Mr. and Mrs. Van Buskirk are both faith- ful members of the First Presbyterian church of Orange. The former takes quite an active interest in public affairs and lends a hearty cooperation to all movements cal- culated to prove of public benefit. In 1887 he was elected to the office of assessor of West Orange, was twice reelected and served three terms, retiring from office as he had entered it-with the confidence and
good will of the public. In 1895 he was elected a member of the town committee, and in 1896 was reelected, serving as treas- urer of the board during his incumbency. He discharges his public duties with marked fidelity and promptness, winning the commendation of all concerned. He is a leading member of Union Lodge, No. II, A. F. & A. M., of Orange; Lafayette Lodge, No. 12, I. O. O. F., and is also an associate member of the Walt Whitman Lodge (of Orange) of the National Union.
JOHN CUMMINGS HOUSTON, M. D.,
is one of the younger physicians residing at Newark who has already achieved marked success in his chosen profession, and is recognized as an able, progressive and enthusiastic practitioner of his home city. He was born in Windham, Connecti- cut. on the 5th of March, 1867, and is the son of Gavin and Martha (Cummings) Houston, the former of whom was a native of Scotland who came to the United States when about nineteen years old, and was here for a number of years engaged in the book business, later embarking in the in- . surance line in New York city. The mother was born in Connecticut, where her family was an old one, dating back to the pioneer settlers of that state. Mrs. Hous- ton was called to her eternal rest in 1885. Our subject's father has for the past twen- ty-eight years resided in East Orange, while attending to his business in New York.
The boyhood of Dr. Houston was spent in the Oranges, receiving his primary edu- cational discipline in the public schools, later attending boarding school for several years, and finally completing liis studies in the Newark Academy at Newark. After
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leaving school he entered the employ of a firm of contractors in a clerical capacity, remaining thus engaged for a time, and then decided to take up the science of medi- cine, pursuing his studies under the efficient preceptorage of Dr. William B. Graves, of East Orange, and supplementing the same by a course at the University of New York, and finally graduating at that institution in 1894. After obtaining his degree of Doctor of Medicine he took up his abode in New- ark and engaged in the general practice of medicine at the corner of Bloomfield and Mount Prospect avenues, where he has since continued, attaining that success con- comitant with and a result of a high or- der of mentality, perseverance, ability and a complete knowledge of the various branches of the profession he follows. In 1895 Dr. Houston was appointed assistant bacteriologist of the city bacteriological laboratory, a position he retains at this writing (1897). He is a member of the Essex County Medical Society, is secretary of the Aesculapian Society, and is a past chancellor of Covenant Lodge, No. 35. Knights of Pythias.
The marriage of Dr. Houston was sol- emnized on the 26th of January, 1889. when he was united to Miss Phoebe Edith Cooke, a daughter of George Cooke, Esq., a well known citizen of the Oranges.
ALBERT FREY, M. D.,
was born in Newark, New Jersey, on the 24th of June, 1863, and is a son of Albert and Josephine (Kipp) Frey, the former of whom was a native of Carlsruhe, Baden, Germany, where he was born in 1818. He was a merchant in the old country, and was one of the loyal citizens during the Revolu-
tion in 1848. The family is of royal birth, the great grandfather being one of the founders of Carlsruhe. The father of our subject came to the United States in 1849, locating in New York, where he accepted a position with the well known firm of Lord & Taylor, with which he remained until 1851, when he moved to Newark and be- came associated with Edward Balbach & Son in their gold and silver smelting and refining works (now the Balbach Smelting and Refining Company) and there contin- ued until his death, in 1873. The success of the above firm was largely due to the energy and ability of Mr. Frey. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity in New- ark Lodge, No. 7, and a devout adherent of the Lutheran church. His wife was also a native of Carlsruhe and survived him until September 4, 1890. They were the parents of the following five children: Josephine, now the wife of Francis B. Chedsey, of New York city; Louise, who married Martin Rilke, of Germany; Ida, the widow of C. IV. Sundmacher, of Germany; Katie, the widow of W. H. Erb, of Newark; and our subject.
Dr. Frey received his early education in a private German school on Green street, at which he was graduated in 1873, and then went to Germany and attended the real gymnasium of Carlsruhe, a scientific college, where he pursued his studies for the following three years, at the end of which time he went to Muenchen-Gladbach, and there entered the gymnasium, graduat- ing at the same in 1880. Returning to America he entered Phillips Academy, at Andover, Massachusetts, at which he was graduated in 1881, and in that year entered Yale College, but finished only the course of the freshman class. In 1882 he attended
ALBERT FREY.
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both the College of Pharmacy and the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city, pursuing his studies at the latter institution until 1884, when he once more visited Germany and entered the University of Bonn, remaining there about a year. Upon his return to this country in 1885, he became associated with Professor Willianı H. Porter, of the Post-Graduate Medical School in New York city, taking charge of the pathological laboratory and assisting the professor in conducting post-mortem examinations in the city department of Bellevue Hospital, and at the same time he attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at which he was graduated in 1888. He remained a year longer with Professor Porter, adding to his technical knowledge by assuming charge of one of the first bacteriological laboratories in New York.
In 1889 Dr. Frey located in Newark, New Jersey, and there entered upon the active practice of his profession, gaining the distinction of being the first physician in New Jersey to use anti-toxin for the cure of diphtheria, and he has given much of his attention to the diseases of children. He is also greatly interested in surgery and de- votes a large portion of his time to develop- ing his knowledge in that important branch of medicine. The Doctor is a mem- ber of the National, State and Essex Dis- trict Medical Societies, and was secretary of the defunct Newark Medical Associa- tion. He is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, his membership being in New- ark Lodge, No. 7. A. F. & A. M., Union Chapter, No. 7. R. A. M., and Kane Coun- cil No. 3, R. & S. M. In his religious faith he is a Lutheran and a member of the So- ciety of Chosen Friends, and he is a mem-
ber of the German Liederkranz of Newark, the Arion and German singing societies of Newark, the Order of the Red Cross and the Knights and Ladies of the Golden Star. He also holds the responsible position of medical examiner for the Washington Life Insurance Company of New Jersey.
The marriage of Dr. Frey was solemnized on the Ioth of December, 1884, when he was united to Miss Louise Jung, a native of Germany, and the following three children were born to them: Irmengard Elfriede Josephine, who died of scarlet fever at the age of three years and seven months: Ott- mar Wedekind Rudolph, aged six years; and Millie. The Doctor's domestic asso- ciations are of the most pleasant nature, and he and his good wife enjoy the esteem and warm regard of a large circle of friends.
BEN M. SKINNER.
The progenitors of the Skinner family were born in Scotland, three brothers of which came to America in 1621, the year following the arrival of the Mayflower, and one of them settled in Connecticut, one in Massachusetts, and the other in Vermont. The father of our subject, Justin P. Skin- ner, was a descendant of the latter branch, his birth taking place in the Green Moun- tain state. His wife was Miss Marian Moulton, a native of Connecticut, whose grandfather was killed by Indians on the forks of the Delaware river, the grand- mother taking refuge at the time with some friendly Indians. The maternal grand- parents' name was Loundsbury, which at- tained considerable fame during the Revo- lutionary war. Both parents of our subject are now living in Connecticut.
Ben M. Skinner, the subject of this re-
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view, was born in Plymouth, Litchfield county, Connecticut, on the 17th of Febru- ary, 1859, and passed his youth in the city of his nativity. His education was ob- tained in the public and high schools of Plymouth, which he attended until sixteen years of age, and was then apprenticed to the blacksmithing trade, following the same for twelve years. Upon attaining his twenty-eighth year Mr. Skinner embarked in the undertaking business in Newark, and in March, 1895, he opened an establishment of his own, continuing to successfully pur- sue his vocation until the fall of 1896, when he was elected on the Republican ticket as one of the coroners of Essex county. The high degree of popularity attained by Mr. Skinner may be appreciated when it is stated that he made no effort to secure the office of which he is the present incumbent, and the first knowledge he had of the mat- ter was when he was informed of his nomi- nation, which was followed as a matter of course by his election for a term of three years. He is a capable, energetic gentle- man, and is fulfilling the duties of his posi- tion with an intelligence and ability that highly commends the excellent judgment of his many friends.
In his social relations Mr. Skinner is a member of Newark Lodge, No. 7, Free and Accepted Masons; is district deputy of District No. 6, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having become affiliated with that society in New Haven, Connecticut, where he held the office of Past Grand of Lucern Lodge, No. 181, and Past Chief Patriarch of Mount Ararat Encampment; and he is associated with Anthony Wayne Council, No. 159, Junior Order of United American Mechanics.
Mr. Skinner was united in marriage in
1884 to Miss Mary L. Miller, who was born in Newark, and is a daughter of Valentine Miller.
ELIAS OSBORN DOREMUS.
The first ancestor of this family in Amer- ica was Cornelius Doremus, who came from Holland about the year 1686, and settled at or near Acquackanonck (now Passaic), New Jersey, where he owned a large amount of land. An Indian deed of the Duck Pyrchase, dated May 16, 1703, de- scribing a large tract of land lying along the Passaic river, has his name attached as a witness, the conveyance being made by twelve Indians, probably of the Hacken- sack tribe of Lenni-Lenapes. The name of Cornelius' wife is not known, but his chil- dren were: Johannes, Holland, Thomas, Cornelius, Hendrick and Joris. Thomas was born at Acquackanonck and took up his residence at Wesel, New Jersey, where he was married to Annekes Abrahmse Ack- erman, who was born at Hackensack, and the following six children were born to them : Cornelius, Goline, Abraham, Peter, Johannes and Anneke.
Cornelius lived at Doremustown, New Jersey, and there married Antje Young, this union resulting in ten children, as fol- lows: Hendricus, Thomas, Peter, Maritji, Johannes, Jannetji, Susannah, Alitta, and two others whose names are not given.
Peter, the son of Cornelius and Antje A. (Ackerman) Doremus, was born at Slotter- dam, New Jersey, in 1744, and married Polly Dey, the following being the issue : Jacob, Richard, Cornelius, Peter, and two daughters, one of whom married Henry Perry, the other becoming the wife of J. Speer.
E.O. Jaunus
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Cornelius, son of Peter and Polly (Dey) Doremus, was born near Beavertown, New Jersey, in 1787, subsequently marrying Jane DeHart, their children were: Peter Cornelius, John Cornelius, Sarah, Mary and Lydia. Sarah married John R. Vanduyne, of Montville, Morris county, New Jersey. Their only surviving child is Harrison Van Duyne, now one of the leading citizens of Newark. Mary married Cornelius Cook, both now deceased. Lydia married Peter Van Houten, and after his death she mar- ried, secondly, Elias Littell, of Montclair, New Jersey, both now deceased.
Peter Cornelius Doremus, son of Cor- nelius and Jane (DeHart) Doremus, was born April 9, 1807, and died on the 30th of June, 1869. He married Julia A. Os- born, daughter of John H. Osborn, whose birth occurred in Bloomfield, New Jersey, in 1770. Her mother, Rhoda Baldwin, was a daughter of Zophar Baldwin, who served with the Essex county militia in the war of the Revolution. He was the son of David Baldwin, son of Benjamin, son of Joseph, son of John Baldwin, senior, the New Jer- sey ancestor who signed the Fundamental Agreement. Peter C. Doremus came to Orange in 1829 and here reared these chil- dren: Mary Cook, who married Charles Clark; Julia A., who became the wife of David J. Rogers; and Elias Osborn, the eldest child and the immediate subject of this review.
Elias Osborn Doremus, son of Peter C. and Julia (Osborn) Doremus, was born in what is now East Orange, New Jersey, on the 17th of January, 1831. His father was a builder and contractor, and our subject succeeded him in that line of enterprise at the age of twenty-one years, continuing the business until 1874. He has been vice-
president of the American Insurance Com- pany since 1881, and for many years he has occupied a position of influence among the leading citizens of Essex county. In 1868 he was elected a member of the board of freeholders and by annual election retained that incumbency for a period of seventeen years, serving as president of the board during the last seven years of that time. He declined further election in 1883. In his political affiliations Mr. Doremus is a stanch Republican, and in 1873-4 he was a member of the New Jersey general assem- bly. He was for a long time a director of the Orange National Bank, and is now act- ing in a similar capacity in the Newark City National Bank and the United States Industrial Insurance Company. He is a member of the New Jersey Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and one of the board of managers of that body, also a member of the Board of Trade of the city of Newark, the New England Society of the Oranges, the New Jersey Historical Society, etc.
The marriage of Mr. Doremus was sol- emnized in 1855, when he was united to Miss Harriet Peck, daughter of William Peck, and four children were born to him and his wife, namely: Emily, who died at the age of eight years; Edwin P., who, after a brilliant and successful but brief business career, died in 1895, aged twenty-seven years; Frederick Halsey is a partner of the George F. Bassett Company; and Fannie, whose husband, George F. Bassett, died May 24, 1891.
HARVEY E. SMITH,
of Millburn, was born in Essex county in 1816, and was a son of William W. Smith, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to this
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county when a young man. In his early life he learned the cabinet-maker's trade, and for a time was engaged in the manufac- ture of woolen goods. He also conducted a grocery store in Maplewood, and during his later years carried on agricultural pur- suits. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Allen, was a daughter of Sam- uel Allen, a Revolutionary hero, who at the attempt to throw off the yoke of British tyranny joined the colonial army and val- iantly aided in the struggle for independ- ence. For his meritorious conduct he was promoted to the rank of ensign. William W. Smith gave his political support to the Democracy. His death occurred on the 19th of December, 1854, and his wife passed away on the 17th of November, 1849.
Harvey E. Smith, their youngest child, was reared upon the home farm and at- tended the common schools of the neigh- borhood, but desiring to follow some other pursuit than that of agriculture he learned the shoemaker's trade, to which he devoted his energies until after the war, manufactur- ing shoes for the southern trade. He after- ward turned his attention to agriculture and gave his time and energies to the culti- vation and improvement of his farm until his retirement from business life. He is now living quietly at his home on Spring- field avenue, Millburn.
Mr. Smith was married on the 3Ist of December, 1839, the lady of his choice be- ing Miss Phebe D. Edwards, a daughter of John and Phebe (Baker) Edwards, who were natives of Millburn township, Essex county. The grandfather Edwards was a captain in the Revolutionary war, and died in the early part of the nineteenth century. Mr. and Mrs. Edwards were of Welsh de- scent and were the parents of a large family.
To Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born the following named: Amanda Elizabeth, wife of Edward Reeve; and Julia H., who became the wife of Charles G. Weaver, and after his death married John Towle. They now make their home in Boston.
In his political affiliations Mr. Smith was formerly a Democrat, but now votes inde- pendent of party ties, casting his ballot for the candidate whom he regards as best qualified for office. He has witnessed the growth and development of Essex county for four-score years, has ever taken his part in the work of advancement, and has given his support to all measures calculated to promote the material, social or moral wel- fare. He is a man whose well spent life makes his old age crowned with the venera- tion and respect due to advanced years, and this volume would seem incomplete with- out the record of his career.
ELIAS PATTERSON ILIFF, M. D.,
one of the well known and progressive physicians of Newark, was born in Hunter- don county, New Jersey, on the 29th of September, 1841, and is of English ances- try. Up to the age of fifteen years he suf- fered from ill health, which seriously inter- fered with his literary studies, of which he was exceedingly fond, but gradually health returned, and, having left home, he was fairly adrift in the world, without means other than those acquired by his own labor, without influence, and without advice. He had early in life decided to make the study of medicine his life work, but a great bar- rier was in the way: he must obtain a pre- liminary education, and he was unable to go to school, as he must work to live. Only one avenue of advancement seemed open
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to him, and that was, to work during the day and study at night, and thus the mid- night lamp witnessed his single-handed struggle with what were to him knotty and difficult problems, but, endowed with great will power and untiring energy, by dint of personal effort he finally acquired a very fair English education and a sufficient knowledge of Latin to very materially aid him in his professional studies.
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