USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 1 > Part 28
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Dr. Iliff began the practical study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. Charles Bartolette, of Milford, New Jer- sey, but just at that time the internecine struggle between the north and south was inaugurated, and this for a time changed the course of the Doctor's career. He de- sired to participate in the defence of the Union, but twice was refused enlistment on account of not being considered strong enough to endure the hardships of army life in active service; but finally, however, he was accepted in the navy, and spent the last year of the war in the South Atlantic squadron performing blockade service. Returning to New Jersey after the close of hostilities, Dr. Iliff anxiously pushed ahead with his studies and was obliged to labor hard in order to obtain money to defray his expenses at the medical school. After se- curing a good start, an unfortunate busi- ness investment deprived him of every dol- lar he possessed and left him in debt, but notwithstanding this he was not disheart- ened, nor did he change his purpose, stead- ily persevering until at last he received his degree from the Long Island College Hos- pital, in Brooklyn, New York, in 1877.
Coming to Newark in 1882, Dr. Iliff con- tinued in the active practice of his profes- sion, his worth and ability quickly securing to him a large and lucrative patronage.
He is a hard worker in his calling, is earnest, conscientious and painstaking, and for the last few years he has given much attention and study to the subject of pulmonary tu- berculosis, believing that a remedy could be compounded that would destroy the germ of the disease or neutralize in the blood the toxine already formed. A num- ber of well authenticated cases already at- test the efficiency of this method of treat- ment.
Touching upon the political faith of Dr. Iliff we may state that he is a stanch ad- herent of the Republican party, but has never held official preferment other than serving for one term on the board of edu- cation of Newark.
In 1866 the Doctor was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary M. Drake, a daughter of Amos H. Drake, of Warren county. Two children have been born of this union, one of whom survives and is now a teacher in one of the grammar schools of Newark.
The Doctor is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is Past Master of Newark Lodge, No. 7; he is also a member of the Essex County Medical Society. He is a registered physician in the states of New Jersey and New York, where he is highly regarded in medical as well as in social cir- cles.
DR. JOHN C. HANKS
is a member of the firm of Hanks Brothers, which stands at the head of the dental pro- fession in the city of Newark, its members possessing a skill and ability that have ad- vanced them steadily to a leading place in their chosen calling. Advancement in any of the learned professions is the result not of fortuitous circumstances or of influence,
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but depends upon individual merit and skill. By close study and application John C. Hanks has qualified himself for the at- tainment of the success which is now his.
Born in Plymouth, North Carolina, on the 4th of May, 1847, he is a son of Edgar and Sophia (Cornell) Hanks, the former a native of Auburn, New York, and the latter of Plymouth, North Carolina. His father went to the south about 1830, was married there and located permanently in the birth place of his wife and son. He was for many years engaged in the mill- wright business. His death occurred in 1861, and his wife, surviving him two years, passed away in 1863. They had ten chil- dren, of whom the following are still living: Edmund F., a dentist of New York city; John C., Mrs. Leonora White, of Newbern, North Carolina, and Mrs. Catherine E. Bickford, of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Dr. Hanks, of this review, was reared in Plymouth, North Carolina, and acquired his education in an academy there. He was in the south during the war, but did not enter the army, having to remain at home and care for his widowed mother. After the war he came to the north, spend- ing some time in New York city, whence he removed to Elizabethport, New Jersey. In 1869 he began studying dentistry there, and when he had mastered both the theory and practice of the art, he located in Rah- way, New Jersey. Since that time he has practiced in South Norwalk, Connecticut, New York city, Goshen, New York, and Jersey City, and in July, 1873, he came to Newark, forming a partnership with his brother, Dr. Edmund F. Hanks, under the firm name of Hanks Brothers. Theirs is one of the most extensive dental establish- ments in the country. They have very
large dental parlors in Newark, New York and Jersey City. Their Newark office is situated at the northwest corner of Broad and Market streets, and the members of the firm have availed themselves of all the mod- ern improvements which have been made in mechanical and operative dentistry, keep- ing fully in touch with the progressive spirit of the age. They are both experienced in all the different branches and phases of the profession and enjoy a splendid practice and well deserved popularity. Their thor- ough understanding of the science and practice of dentistry, enabling them to do first-class work, has secured them a very liberal patronage, which is constantly in- creasing.
Dr. John C. Hanks is a member of the Royal Arcanum, W. Master of Roseville Lodge, No. 143, A. F. & A. M., is an hon- orary member of the Jefferson Club, is vice- president and a director of the Schubert Vocal Society. In May, 1881, was cele- brated his marriage to Miss Jennie I. Shaw, of Roseville, a daughter of Robert and Ann Elizabeth Shaw. They have one daughter, Georgiana M. The family are members of the Trinity Episcopal church, and the Doc- tor is deeply interested in all that pertains to the moral, mental and aesthetic culture of Essex county's people.
JOHN FORD HAGAR.
For nearly a quarter of a century this gentleman has given to the professional du- ties that fall to the lot of the medical prac- titioner a close and undivided attention. He became identified with this calling in Newark in 1874, at which time the medical science was to him an almost untried field. Success and prominence in almost any call-
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ing lie along the line of patient, persevering and faithful work. This he realized, and resolved that if earnest labor could secure success it would be his. His career has therefore been characterized by this factor of prosperity, and supplementing this are sound judgment, natural ability and thor- ough preparation for his work. There are no other qualities absolutely essential to advancement, and upon the ladder of his own building he has climbed to eminence.
The Doctor was born in Liberty street in Newark, New Jersey, on the 29th of November, 1851, a son of John H. Hagar, who was also a native of Newark. He was born in 1808 and died in the year of his son's birth. He was a son of Jesse Hagar. one of the early settlers of Essex county. John Hagar was a cutter by trade and fol- lowed that pursuit for many years. His wife was Elizabeth Shippen, who is still living, her home being in New York city.
The Doctor acquired his primary educa- tion in the public schools of Newark and New York, and in 1865 was graduated in the Thirty-seventh street grammar school of New York. He then entered the Col- lege of the City of New York, where he pursued his studies for three years, after which he entered the Colored Home Hos- pital, where he was graduated in 1874, dur- ing which time he served as an apothecary. He was graduated in the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons of New York in 1893 and then served one year as house physi- cian for the Colored Home Hospital. He located in Ferry street, Newark, in the spring of 1874, and has since continuously engaged in the general practice of medi- cine, securing a liberal and profitable pat- ronage. He is visiting physician on the staff of St. Barnabas Hospital, is a member
of the Essex County Medical Society, and of the Medical and Surgical Club.
On the 18th of April, 1877, the Doctor was united in marriage to Sarah A. Cham- bers, of Newark, a daughter of David L. Chambers. In his political views he has been a stalwart Republican since 1861, and socially he is connected with the Knights of Pythias fraternity, the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, American Mechanics
and Ancient Order of United Workmen. He was regimental surgeon of the First New Jersey Regiment, Uniformed Knights of Pythias, for seven years, and on the for- mation of the brigade was chosen brigade surgeon for a term of four years.
WILLIAM F. SEIDLER, M. D.
Among those who have attained distinct prestige in the practice of medicine and surgery in the city of Newark, and whose success has come as the logical sequel of thorough technical information, as enforced by natural predilection and that sympathy and tact which are the inevitable concomi- tants of precedence in the profession, is Dr. Seidler. He is a native of Newark, having been born in the tenth ward of this city on the 16th of September, 1860, the son of William F. and Amelia (Deisler) Seidler, the former of whom was born in Ziegen- heim. Germany, and the latter in Baden, in the same great empire. William F. Seidler, Sr., was an architect and builder in the fatherland, and upon attaining his majority he determined to seek his fortune in America, emigrating and arriving in New York in the year 1850. In the na- tional metropolis was celebrated his mar- riage to Miss Deisler, in 1856, and soon afterward he removed with his wife to New-
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ark, New Jersey, where he engaged in the marble business upon his ownresponsibility. continuing in this line of enterprise, with due measure of success, until the time of his death, which occurred about the year 1883.
William Fred Seidler, the immediate sub- ject of this review, secured his preliminary educational discipline in the public schools of Newark, and after leaving school be- came interested in his father's business, to which he devoted his attention for a short time. His natural tastes and inclinations, however, led him aside from the circum- scribed province of this line of enterprise, and he secured a position in a drug store, where he remained until 1878, devoting himself assiduously to a study of the tech- nicalities of the science of pharmacy and becoming so proficient that he was enabled to pass a successful examination before the state board of pharmacy in 1879. He graduated thereafter at the College of Phar- macy in 1884, and he continued to be identified with pharmaceutical work, as a registered clerk, until about 1887, when he engaged in business for himself, by effect- ing the purchase of his present drug store. at No. 21 Ferry street, which was the first drug store on the east side of the railroad, established in 1862.
Identified with an enterprise intimately allied to the medical profession, it was but in natural sequence that Mr. Seidler should eventually turn his attention to the latter. He matriculated as a student in Bellevue Hospital Medical College in 1889, complet- ing a two-years course, and graduating as a member of the class of 1891. Immedi- ately after his graduation he returned to Newark and entered upon the active prac- tice of his profession, while still continuing in the drug business. Dr. Seidler has made
a specialty of surgical work and has attained distinguished precedence in this branch of his profession, as well as in general prac- tice. He keeps thoroughly in touch with all advances made in the sciences of medi- cine and surgery, and, indeed, it may be justly said that he is a leader of the forward movements, being closely analytical in his methods, discriminating and painstaking in his investigation, and ever signally alive to the welfare of his patients, which character- istics should govern this most important of professions.
From 1891 to 1895 the Doctor was dis- trict physician, and for six years he has served as house surgeon of St. Michael's Hospital. He is also visiting physician of the German Hospital, chief of the genito- urinary clinic in the city dispensary, and is a member of the State Medical Society, the Essex County Medical Society, the American Medical Association, and of the Aesculapian Society, of which he was the first incumbent as president. Socially he is identified with the Essex County Coun- try Club, and his interest in military affairs is indicated by his retaining membership in the Essex Troop, National Guard, New Jersey Militia.
WILLIAM H. SMITH.
The subject of this review stands as a representative of stanch old families of this section of the state of New Jersey, and he himself is honored as a worthy citizen of Maplewood, South Orange township, where he was born and where he has main- tained his home consecutively to the pres- ent day. The year of his nativity was 1851, the place having already been designated. His father, Henry Squier Smith, was born
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in what was then Jefferson Village, in this county. The latter was a son of William Smith, who came from Pennsylvania when a young man and engaged in agricultural operations in Jefferson, where he passed the residue of his days. He married Mrs. Lyon, formerly Elizabeth Allen, a daugh- ter of Captain Allen, who was a prominent resident of Elizabeth, Union county, and they became the parents of two children, Henry and Harvey. Henry, the father of our subject, learned the trade of shoemak- ing and to this line of industry he devoted his attention during his entire active life, eventually conducting operations upon quite an extensive scale, and for a number of years supplying a very considerable trade in the south. He was a man of unflinch- ing rectitude of character and became influ- ential in local affairs through the sterling integrity which gained and retained to him public confidence and respect.
Henry Smith married Miss Lucy Ho- gan, a daughter of Captain Ira Hogan, who came to South Orange from Troy, New York, and here engaged in the manu- facture of standard measures for mer- chants and farmers, in which line of oper- ations he so manifested his intrinsic in- tegrity of character that he gained the sobriquet of "the honest half-bushel meas- ure maker." In connection with this enter- prise he operated a finely cultivated truck farm, the products of which he placed on the Newark market. He traced his lineage to stanch old Irish stock, the name having been spelled Hoagland by his ancestors of the Emerald Isle. He married Miss Abby Baker, a descendant of Tuscan Ball, of the famous colonial family of that name, her mother having been married in the old Tuscan Hall, which was erected prior to the
Revolution and which is still standing in a fine state of preservation, being located in Hilton, South Orange township, Essex county, this state. Captain Hogan lived to attain a venerable age, and his memory is revered even as in life he was esteemed and honored.
Henry and Lucy (Hogan) Smith be- came the parents of five children, of whom we make brief record, as follows: Willian1 H. is the immediate subject of this review; Anna is the wife of John Wellington Ball, of Newark; Ira Hogan Smith was a lieu- tenant in the late war of the Rebellion, hav- ing enlisted in a regiment formed at New- burg, New York, and having done valiant service in the ranks: he died in 1895, and his remains rest in the soldiers' plat in Fair- mount cemetery; Fanny became the wife of Ira Freeman, of South Orange, and her death occurred in January, 1889; Emma departed this life at the age of seventeen years. The father died in 1854, his widow surviving him until 1887. He was a mem- ber of the Universalist church at Irving- ton, with which his wife was also identi- fied, later becoming a member of the Pres- byterian church and eventually of the Methodist Episcopal, in which faith she died.
William H. Smith, the immediate sub- ject of this sketch, passed his youth in the town of his nativity, acquiring his educa- tional discipline in the public schools, after which he turned his attention to the prac- tical affairs of life by identifying himself with the stock-brokers' business, in which line he has ever since continued, being at the present time the confidential man of a large and influential firm operating on the stock exchange in New York city.
In his social relations Mr. Smith is a
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member of the South Orange Field Club, the Forest Lake Association, of Pennsyl- vania, and the Torrey Botanical Club, of New York, in which last he maintains a particularly lively interest. In his politi- cal adherency he is stanchly arrayed in the support of the Republican party and its principles. His religious tenets are those of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the local body of which he is a trustee and treasurer. He has been the superintend- ent of the Sunday school for years, always active in the fostering of the church work in its direct lines and collateral avenues. Mr. Smith is recognized as one of the rep- resentative citizens of the community in which he has ever maintained his home, and his efforts, which are ever directed to worthy ends, do not fall short of popular appreciation.
ADELBERT H. OLMSTED,
one of the efficient town officers, was born in Delaware county, New York, in the town of Masonville, March 7, 1846. His parents, John and Delilah (Tallman) Olm- sted, were also natives of the Empire state. There the father was reared and educated and followed the occupation of a farmer as a life work. He belonged to one of the old families of the state, his fa- ther, Moses Olmsted, having there been born. The latter married Miss Boggart.
Adelbert H. Olmsted was reared prin- cipally in the state of his nativity and after acquiring a good English education in the common schools, as a foundation for more advanced knowledge, he entered the Dela- ware Literary Institute, at Franklin, New York, where he pursued his studies for four years. He then engaged in teaching
school for one term, at the close of which he turned his attention to civil engineering and was employed in that capacity on the New York & Oswego Railroad. Later he did civil engineering for the Ontario & Western Railroad, remaining with the lat- ter for three years. On the expiration of that period he came to New Jersey, having accepted a position with the Greenwood Lake Railway Company, and subsequently he engaged with the Long Island Railroad Company. He has also been employed in the capacity of engineer for the East Jer- sey Water Works and in other public ser- vice.
In 1871 Mr. Olmsted came to Bloom- field, New Jersey, and for a time was em- ployed in the city, obtaining the appoint- ment of civil engineer, which office he has acceptably filled for more than five years, during which time many valuable improve- ments have been made both in the city and township of Bloomfield. His thorough understanding of the business, of the re- quirements and the best way to secure the most desirable results have made him a very valuable official. He has under his ยท supervision a number of men and his fair- ness to them and his evident desire to re- ward them by promotion as opportunity offers, secures from them their best service and is thus of practical benefit to the city.
In 1871 Mr. Olmsted was united in mar- riage to Miss Louisa Kerr, of Middletown, New York, where the greater part of her girlhood was passed, although she was born in Sullivan county, New York. They have three children: Mabel L., who is now the wife of Charles Conoley; Gertrude and Clara L., both at home.
Mr. Olmsted and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in
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politics he is a stalwart Republican. He has taken a very active part in promoting the business interests of Bloomfield and was connected with the Bloomfield Savings Bank, having been a director of same for three years, and with the Bloomfield Building & Loan Association. He is the owner of considerable valuable property in the city, including a number of dwell- ings which he rents, and thus by careful management, judicious investment and un- tiring energy he has acquired a handsome competence. He is a man of broad busi- ness ability, of untiring energy and sound judgment and has gained a prestige in business circles which is only accorded the man who is honorably successful.
JAMES W. McGUIRK,
a member of the firm of Commings, Mat- thews & Company, proprietors of an ex- tensive and well established hat manufac- tory of Orange Valley, was born in what is now West Orange, January 27, 1848, and is a son of John and Margaret (Hayes) Mc- Guirk. The father was born in county Monahan, Ireland, and on coming to America located in New York city, but after a short time removed to Orange. He was a frugal, industrious man and an en- terprising and worthy citizen. Both he and his wife were good Christian people and had the respect of all who knew them. The latter was a daughter of Nathan and Margaret Hayes, residents of Maine. Mr. and Mrs. McGuirk became the parents of eight children. He died in 1856, at the age of forty-nine years, and she passed away in 1890, at the age of fifty-nine years.
James Warren McGuirk is indebted to the public-school system of Orange for the educational privileges which he received.
When he had reached his early 'teens he began to learn the hatter's trade, under the direction of David and James Wilson, of Orange, and had almost completed his term of apprenticeship when, in response to the call of his country, he donned the blue as a member of the United States Navy, enlist- ing on the 15th of August, 1864. He then served until the close of hostilities and par- ticipated in the bombardment of Fort Fisher and in a number of other important engagements. When the war was ended he was honorably discharged and returned home. Resuming his trade in Orange, Mr. McGuirk was employed as a journeyman until 1886, when he became identified with the firm of Commings, Matthews & Com- pany, of Orange Valley, in the hat-manu- facturing business. The firm has become widely and favorably known, and, as the result of the wise and prudent management and thorough reliability of the partners, has been eminently successful.
In 1873 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. McGuirk and Miss Barbara Green, a daughter of Francis and Katharine Green. They had one son, Edward. Mrs. Mc- Guirk died in 1874, and our subject was again married about 1883, this second union being with Margaret Curry, a daugh- ter of Bernhard and Rose Ann Curry. They have one son, Charles. The parents are communicants of the Roman Catholic church. Mr. McGuirk is a Republican in political sentiment and socially is con- nected with Hillside Council of the Royal Arcanum. He takes an intelligent, active and commendable interest in all enterprises calculated to promote the general welfare, and is a valued citizen and leading business man who receives and merits the high re- gard of his fellow townsmen.
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HON. JOHN GILL.
A work of this nature exercises its high- est function when it takes into considera- tion the career and genealogical record of a man who has himself stood representative of the best citizenship and maximum use- fulness in the practical activities of life and whose lineage has been of that distin- guished order which can not but be a source of pride and satisfaction to every worthy scion. The past bears its record and its lesson, and none can afford to hold in light estimation the deeds and works of those ancestors who have wrought to good- ly ends and have won positions of honor and esteem among men. The ancestors of the subject of this review figured con- spicuously among the stalwart founders of the great American republic, and, as has been aptly and truly said, "were noted for their strong sense of justice, their loyalty to the mother government during the colonial period, and their intense patriotism during the war of the Revolution." Strong, noble men, and women of gentle refinement and fine sensibilities are numbered among those through whom Mr. Gill traces his descent.
The Gill family is one of very ancient lineage, its history being readily traced back to the tenth century. In various ages and under different conditions there has been a certain fluctuation in the orthog- raphy of the name, which has been indiffer- ently spelled at various times. The name of Gill or Gyll signifies valley, and that standard compilation, the Domesday Book, bears record that a family of this name was seized of lands in Yorkshire, England, prior to the Norman invasion. Antecedent to the invasion of England by William the Conqueror the barony and property of
Gillesland, in Cumberland, were held by Bueth Gillie and were confiscated by the Norman victor mentioned and were grant- ed to Hubert, one of his followers. Hubert assumed the name of the original proprie- tor, adopting the French form, De Vaux, which is synonymous. The motto borne on the arms of this proud and distinguished family was "Virtutis gloria merces."
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