USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 1 > Part 32
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Politically Mr. Plum is a Republican of the most pronounced type in national and state matters, but in local affairs he main- tains an independent attitude, preferring to lend his support to the man whom he re- gards as the most fitting for municipal offices, thus ramifying outside of absolute ticket limitations. In his religious adheren- cy Mr. Plum has taken an active and prom- inent part in furthering the work and in- terests of the Baptist denomination, hav- ing, in 1858, become a member of the First Baptist Peddie Memorial church, of which he was for nineteen years the treasurer. He was also for several years president of the board of trustees, is active in the fur- therance of missionary work, and is one of the trustees of the Baptist Missionary Union. As a teacher he maintains an abid- ing interest in the Sunday school, and he has induced many youths to attend his class, inspiring them by precept and exam- ple, and in this manner he has been instru- mental in developing honorable men who have attained success in life and have be- come the heads of prosperous, Christian families.
On the 25th of October, 1865, was sol- emnized the marriage of Mr. Plum to Miss Mary Runyon, a daughter of David C. and Lydia (Dodd) Runyon, of Newark, and this union has been blessed with three children, namely: Margaret Monteith, wife of Henry G. Atha, treasurer of the Cast Steel Works of New Jersey; Martha J., at home; and Stephen Haines, Jr., who is now a student at Princeton College. The family home is one distinctively worthy of the name, and there a gracious hospitality is ever in evidence,-a hospitality which is duly appreciated by the many friends of Mr. Plum and his family.
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LOUIS REHMANN,
who represents the industrial interests of Newark as a manufacturer of ornamental cornices and sheet-iron work, was born in the city which he yet makes his home, September 22, 1854, and is a son of John George and Lena (Ill) Rehmann, both of whom are of German descent. The latter is a sister of Dr. Fredolin Ill, of Newark. The former is a native of the ortschaft of Kessel Brun, Baden, Germany, at which place he acquired his education. At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to learn the jeweler's trade in the town of Pforz- heim, and after his term was ended he worked as a journeyman until 1848, when he decided to come to America to seek a broader field for his labors. Accordingly he made his preparations and crossed the Atlantic to New York, where he arrived after a long voyage of twelve weeks, hav- ing been greatly delayed by reason of a fire which occurred on board ship. After following various pursuits in New York city Mr. Rehmann came to Newark, where he found employment at his trade, follow- ing the same until 1886.
It was in Newark, in 1851, that John George Rehmann married Miss Lena Ill, and here the following children were born to them: Lena, who died in early childhood; Louis and Louisa, twins, the latter having died at the age of five years; Julius, who died at the age of seven years; George, who learned the jeweler's trade with his father; Mary, wife of Oscar Lurich, of Newark, by whom she has three children; William, who died at the age of two years; Gustave, who also learned the jeweler's trade, and afterward entered busi- ness in company with his brother Louis in
the manufacture of aluminum goods, in 1891, being the first to manufacture alumi- num apparatus for the use of surgeons and druggists; Charles, of Newark, who mar- ried Henritte Werner and has one son; Edward, who died April 21, 1896, at the age of twenty-six years; and twins who died in infancy. The parents are people of the highest respectability and have many friends in Newark.
Louis Rehmann acquired his early edu- cation under private instructors in both German and English, and also attended the common schools until fourteen years of age, when he began to learn the plumb- er's trade of Groel & Krueger, at Newark. On the completion of his term of appren- ticeship he worked as a journeyman for some time, and in 1871 began business on his own account, on Springfield avenue, his store and stock being small. However, as time passed and his trade increased he enlarged his facilities and soon built up an excellent and profitable trade. He has always had a remarkable aptitude for draw- ing and designing, and this has placed him in the front ranks among those who en- gage in the same line of business. He designed and executed the image that sur- mounts the dome of the Peddie Memorial church at Newark, and his services as a designer have been sought by many New York firms and by many parties through- out New Jersey. In 1887 he opened his present establishment on South Orange avenue, where he is extensively and suc- cessfully engaged in the manufacture of ornamental cornices and sheet-iron work and in sanitary plumbing.
Mr. Rehmann was married in Newark, September 21, 1881, to Miss Lena Lud- wig, a daughter of Jacob and Lena (Rice)
Nansen S Baldhow
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Ludwig. Unto them have been born the following children: Louis, who was born June 8, 1882, and was graduated in the Newark schools in 1897; Edward, born March 2, 1884; Arthur, who was born in 1884 and died in 1891; Herbert, born July 14, 1886; Norman, August 14, 1888; Viola, born January 26, 1892; Florence, April 26, 1894; and Robert, born February 5, 1896.
The family attend the High Street Pres- byterian church, of Newark. In his po- litical associations Mr. Rehmann is a Re- publican, and keeps well informed on the issues of the day, but has never sought or desired office. He is a member of the Newark German Hospital Association and of the Turn Verein.
WARREN S. BALDWIN,
whose efforts in behalf of the educational. moral, social and commercial interests of Bloomfield make his life-record an indis- pensable part of the history of Essex county, was born in the town whose inter- ests he advanced so largely, June 7, 1812. His ancestral history was one of close con- nection with the progress of the county from its earliest epoch. In 1674 the town meeting "agreed that the weavers, Thomas Pierson and Benjamin Baldwin shall be considered by the surveyors to make their out-lots on the hill shorter." The family is descended from this Benjamin Baldwin who was "chosen to collect the money that is gathered by the subscription in Newark for the maintenance of the ministry in the year 1692." It will thus be seen that from the earliest connection of the Baldwins with the history of this county they have been prominent in church work and in sustain- ing all interests tending toward the public good. Benjamin Baldwin made his will in
1726, and probably died soon afterward in the Newark settlement. Benjamin Bald- win, Jr., his son, died before any division of his father's property had taken place, and his brother Joseph, in 1732, became owner of "the plantation at Watsesson, where he now lives," on the south side of the Sec- ond river, as far as the Old road and Harri- son street. David, the son of Benjamin, Jr., married Eunice, daughter of Daniel Dodd, settled on the one hundred acres of land on the west side of Third river, and be- came the founder of a numerous family. Shortly after the Revolution the Baldwin family became the most numerous of the early families in this part of the Newark colony. Jesse, the son of David, and grand- father of Warren S. Baldwin, was a well known soldier and officer in the army, held the rank of first ensign, then lieutenant, was quartermaster, and later was trans- ferred as quartermaster to the regular army.
The father of our subject was Samuel Baldwin, a man of sterling worth, whose career was cut short by death at the early age of thirty-five years. The only brother of Warren died a year later, in 1818, and thus at the age of six years, he was the only member of the family left to the mother. She was in limited circumstances, and as the years passed he contributed to her sup- port from his earnings as a boy and man. At the age of twenty he embarked in mer- chandising, and his excellent business hab- its and honorable, straightforward methods were soon recognized by the public, who accordingly gave him a liberal patronage. In later years he associated with him his sons, under the firm name of Warren S. Baldwin & Sons, and their establishment was one of the most popular in the town.
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By close attention to business, energy, per- severance and sound judgment he won a handsome competence and ranked among the substantial citizens of the community.
Mr. Baldwin took a deep interest in pub- lic matters as affecting the weal or woe of his county, and his support was generously given to all measures calculated to prove of public benefit. The cause of education found in him a zealous and faithful friend. He aided in procuring the school law of 1849, was treasurer of the school district for the long period of twenty-four years and had the satisfaction of seeing the school system and the school buildings make a de- cided advance. He was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian church, was made a member of its session, for thirty-five years was a member of its board of trustees, and discharged the duties of secretary, treas- urer or president of that body for a long period. At his death he left a bequest of one thousand dollars to the church which he had served with such fidelity and affec- tion. Mr. Baldwin was also called to a number of civic positions of honor and trust. He was repeatedly a member of the township committee, and between the years 1851 and 1871 was nine times an incum- bent of the office of commissioner of ap- peals. He was a member of the board of chosen freeholders of the county and in 1856 was elected to represent his district in the state legislature.
The home life of Mr. Baldwin was most pleasant. He was happily married Decem- ber 16, 1841, to Miss Elizabeth Wilde, daughter of James Wilde, of Bloomfield, and their family numbered four sons and three daughters. Mrs. Baldwin also was a member of the Presbyterian church, shared with her husband in all his church and be-
nevolent work and was to him indeed a helpmeet and companion. On the 30th of August, 1873, Mr. Baldwin closed his eyes in death, and the entire community mourned the loss of a valued citizen and faithful friend, while his family mourned for a loving and tender husband and father. His life was noble, honorable, kindly and just, and his reputation was unassailable, so that he left to his sons and daughters not only the accumulations of a successful business career, but the priceless heritage of a good name, which is rather to be chosen than great riches.
WILLIAM A. BALDWIN.
The department of biography is crowded with the lives of men distinguished in war, politics, science, literature and the profes- sions. All the embellishments of rhetoric and the imagination have been employed to captivate, stimulate and direct in these "upper walks of life" the youthful mind and ambition of the country. The result of this system is manifest, and by no means for- tunate. The ranks of the professions are filled to overflowing. To instill into the minds and hearts of the young respect for great attainments, reverence for great vir- tues, and to excite to generous emulation by holding up, as examples for admiration and imitation, the lives of the wise, the great and good, is commendable and right. But the field of example should be ex- tended : the lessons of industry, energy, use- fulness, virtue, honor, the true aims of life and the true sources of happiness, should be gathered and enforced from all the various provinces of labor. The path of labor and usefulness should be indicated as the highway of honor.
One who has walked in this path and has
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achieved distinction in the world of com- merce and gained the highest regard of his fellow men is Mr. Baldwin, whose name introduces this review. He was born in Bloomfield, New Jersey, February 16, 1851, and is a son of Warren S. and Eliza- beth (Wilde) Baldwin. He was reared in his native town and attended the public schools, pursuing his studies in the school conducted by Professor Charles M. Davis, a noted educator. On leaving that institu- tion he entered Princeton College, of New Jersey, as a member of the sophomore class, and was graduated in 1872. Immediately afterward he entered upon his business career, embarking in merchandising in con- nection with his two brothers, James W. and Edward W., under the firm name of J. W. Baldwin & Brothers, dealers in gen- eral merchandise. This partnership has since been maintained, and the store, lo- cated at No. 438 Broad street, is stocked with a large line of goods, which indicates the extensive trade which they have built up. Their business methods commend them to the public patronage, and their earnest desire to please their customers, combined with their honorable dealings, has brought them a large and profitable business.
Our subject has not confined his atten- tion alone to merchandising, and his abil- ity is such as to enable him to conduct suc- cessfully more than one enterprise. In 1889 he was instrumental in establishing the First National Bank of Bloomfield. of which he is now vice-president, while Thomas Oakes is filling the office of presi- dent. This bank is considered one of the reliable financial concerns of Essex county, and has been of material benefit to the com- munity as well as to the stockholders.
In his political views Mr. Baldwin is a Republican, and has been a member of the board of education since 1880, filling the office of district clerk, and taking great in- terest in the cause of the schools, laboring earnestly for their advancement. He also served for three years as chairman of the township committee. He holds a member- ship in the First Presbyterian church and for a number of years has served as trustee and ruling elder. His life is one of unques- tioned integrity, of fidelity to duty and of sterling worth, and he has a host of warm friends throughout the community.
C. A. HARRISON,
a milk dealer of Franklin, and one of Essex county's native sons, belongs to a family whose ancestral connection with Caldwell township covers a period of two and a half centuries. The first of the name to locate here was David Harrison, who removed from Orange in 1740. His father, Joseph Harrison, was a native of England, and, emigrating to America, took up his resi- dence in Connecticut about 1660. Jabez Harrison, a son of David, was born in Cald- well, as was his son, Caleb D., the grand- father of our subject. Jabez M. Harrison, the father of our subject, also claimed Cald- well township as the place of his nativity. At an early age he went to California, where he died in 1851. He was married in 1844 to Harriet Courter, a daughter of Elias S. Courter, and she long survived her husband, passing away in 1897. She had four children: Justina, who became the wife of Henry F. Packers, of Caldwell, New Jersey; C. A., of this review; Phoebe M. and Harriet H.
Mr. Harrison, whose name begins this
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ESSEX COUNTY.
sketch, has spent his entire life in Essex county, and is regarded as one of its relia- ble, trustworthy business men. He ac- quired his education in the schools of West Caldwell, and at an early age entered upon his business career as a farmer, following agricultural pursuits until he embarked in the dairy business. He has met with flat - tering success in this undertaking and now enjoys a large and profitable business. He is an excellent judge of cattle and keeps a fine grade for dairy purposes. To their care he gives his personal supervision. and his capable management and excellent business ability have brought him good financial re- turns.
Mr. Harrison was married in December, 1866, to Miss Eliza Van Ness, a daughter of Cornelius Van Ness, and they have one child, J. Monroe.
WALTER A. HUSTON
was born in New London township, Ches- ter county, Pennsylvania, December 22, 1852, a son of John and Martha (Arm- strong) Huston. On both the paternal and maternal sides he is of Scotch-Irish lineage. The great-grandfather, John Huston, was the founder of the family in America, and on coming to the New World located on a farm in Chester county, Pennsylvania, which is now occupied by the father of our subject. He followed agricultural pursuits throughout his life and continued his residence on the old fam- ily homestead until called to his final rest. The grandfather of our subject, also named John Huston, was born on the homestead farm in New London township, Chester county and spent his entire, life in that neighborhood, where he was accounted a progressive and prosperous farmer. He
had six children, only two of whom, John and Phoebe, widow of William Rankin, are living. A son, James, was killed by being thrown from a wagon, and another son, William, died in 1877.
John Huston, father of him whose name begins this review, was born on the home farm in Chester county, April 28, 1816, spent the days of his boyhood and youth there and makes it his place of residence in his old age. He engaged in the tilling of the soil for many years and was an en- terprising, wide-awake farmer, but is now living retired, enjoying the rest which he has richly earned. He married Martha Armstrong, a representative of one of the early families of Cecil county, Maryland, where some of the name still reside. She was born in that county in 1818, was reared to womanhood there, and in the home of her parents, in February, 1841, gave her hand in marriage to John Hus- ton. After spending a few months in Bal- timore county, Maryland, they removed to Chester county; Pennsylvania. They be- came the parents of eleven children : John N., who resides in Westchester, Pennsyl- vania; William, who died at the age of four years; William S., who is living near Gib- son city, Illinois; James L. M., who is en- gaged in the operation of the homestead farm; Walter A .; Marshall, of Philadelphia; Emma, wife of Thomas Smedley, of Phila- delphia; Eliza, wife of J. S. Moore, of the same city; Amanda, wife of George Magee, of Philadelphia; Phoebe R., at home; and Amelia, a teacher in the public schools of Philadelphia. The mother of our subject died on the 29th of July, 1893, and was laid to rest in the Presbyterian cemetery in New London, Chester county, where sleep so many of the Huston dead.
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Walter A. Huston spent his boyhood days in the ancestral home, attending the common schools in the winter season, while through the remainder of the year he assisted in the labors incident to the cul- tivation of the farm. At the age of six- teen he left the parental roof and went to Cecil county, Maryland, where he learned the miller's trade, following that occupa- tion for twelve years in Maryland and Pennsylvania. On the expiration of that period he entered the car-shops in Phila- delphia, where he was employed for one year, and in 1882 began work as an elec- trician in the Brush electric-light station of Philadelphia, where he continued for two years. During 1884 and 1885 he traveled for the McTighe Electric Company, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and through the three successive years was in the employ of the Thompson-Houston Electric Com- pany. Since August, 1888, he has efficient- ly filled the position of superintendent of the Essex County Electric Company, at Orange. His thorough, .comprehensive and accurate understanding of the business in all its departments makes him especially capable in this incumbency, and he well merits the confidence and regard which the company entertain for him.
Mr. Huston was married in Westchester, Chester county, Pennsylvania, October 17, 1877, to Elizabeth C. Davis, who was born near Dubuque, Iowa, and is a daughter of Thomas R. and Henrietta Davis. They have four children; Helen D., born Decem- ber 26, 1878; Ethel A., born August 3, 1880; Llewellyn, who died at the age of eight months; and Henrietta L., born in January, 1883. The family attend the Hill- side Presbyterian church, and in his politi- cal views Mr. Huston is a Republican.
JUDSON S. VAN NESS,
freeholder and farmer of Caldwell town- ship, was born on the farm which is now his home, December 20, 1861. The Van Ness family, as the name indicates, had its origin in Holland, but the grandfather, Isaac, and the father, William I. Van Ness, were both born in the locality which is now the place of abode of the subject of this review. The latter was a farmer by occupation and his capable management of his business inter- ests made him very successful in his chosen calling. In 1854 he removed to Ohio, but in 1859 returned to New Jersey, where he continued to reside until his life's labors were ended in death, in 1872. A devoted Christian man, he long held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church and for many years served as steward. Mrs. Van Ness, who is still living at the age of sixty- seven years, bore the maiden name of Maria Stager, and is a daughter of Thomas Sta- ger, of Caldwell township. In the family were five children: Joseph, of Ohio; Jud- son S .; Arminda, wife of M. L. Henyon, of Caldwell; Grace, wife of A. M. Spear; and Clinton.
In the country schools near his home Mr. Van Ness acquired his preliminary educa- tion, and at an early age removed to Ohio, where he engaged in shipping produce and live stock. In 1890 he returned to Essex county, where he has since carried on agri- cultural pursuits. He is the owner of two good farms of one hundred acres each, and his land is under a high state of cultivation, the well tilled fields with their waving grain giving evidence of his careful supervision. He also deals in hay, and adds considerably to his income through that channel. He is a wide-awake and active young business
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man whose labors have resulted in bringing to him a very desirable competence.
On the 5th of June, 1884, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Van Ness and Miss Evelena, daughter of Stephen Lusk. They now have an interesting family of six chil- dren, namely: Celina, Alice, Lowell, Earl, Willie and Ethel. The parents hold mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church, taking a very active part in its work, and Mr. Van Ness is now serving as steward and as superintendent in the Sunday school. In his political views he is a Democrat, and has been honored by election to several local offices. He has served as town com- mitteeman for five years, has been a mem- ber of the school board for three years, and in 1897 was elected to the position of free- holder. He is loyally devoted to the best interests of the county and manifests this by his faithful performance of every duty entrusted to his care.
ELIAS W. DURAND,
artist, inventor and agriculturist, and a member of the noted Durand family, of whom a sketch is included within this com- pilation, was born at the corner of Broad- way and Canal streets, New York, on the 12th of December, 1824, and is a son of Cyrus Durand, the celebrated bank-note engraver of New York city and father of the bank-note engraving art in this coun- try. The mother of our subject was Mrs. Phebe (Wade) Durand, a native of Spring- field, New Jersey.
Mr. Durand received a fair literary edu- cation in the private schools of New York city and at boarding school in Mendham, New Jersey, completing that branch of study at the old academy, which was lo-
cated where the custom-house now stands, in Newark. At the age of fifteen he was taken to New York city to learn the busi- ness of bank-note engraving with his fa- ther, but during a period of depression he was persuaded to try watch-case and jewel- ry engraving, with Taylor, Baldwin & Company, of Newark, then the most prom- inent concern of its kind in the country. Feeling the restraint incident to close appli- cation, and becoming dissatisfied with the conditions imposed, he concluded, being under no obligation to remain, to return to New York city and perfect himself in the art under the preceptorship of John T. White, at that time the most celebrated engraver in his line. Remaining with him about two years, in which time he became a master in the art, Mr. Durand decided to purchase and pursue the business of his employer and former, instructor, continu- ing in the same with a force of several journeymen and apprentices. Finding the spasmodic periods of depression incident to the business so discouraging in their re- sults and, so continually recurring, he con- cluded to try wood engraving, as not only more desirable from a business standpoint, but also affording a higher and more ex- tensive range of art, receiving all necessary instruction under the guidance of J. A. Adams, who was then engaged with Har- per Brothers and about to issue his pic- torial Bible. Aided by his previous ex- perience, Mr. Durand soon became most proficient in this line and continued in it for a time most successfully.
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