USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 1 > Part 35
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Roman Catholic, and he is a liberal contrib- utor to church and charitable enterprises. He belongs to the Catholic Benevolent Legion, of Newark, is also a member of the Builders' Association of this city, and of the U. G. Schuetzenbund, of New Jersey. His political support is given the Republican party and he is well informed on the issues of the day, but has never aspired to office, preferring that his energies shall be directed in the channel of his business enterprise.
JOHN HARRISON.
The Harrison family has been conspicu- ously identified with the public and agri- cultural affairs of Essex county for several generations, besides demonstrating its loyalty to the country in both the Revolu- tionary and Civil wars. Matthew Harri- son, the great-grandfather of our subject, was the seventh child of Samuel (2d) and Jemima (Williams) Harrison, and was born on the old homestead at Orange in 1726. During the war of the Revolution he served as a member of the New Jersey militia. He married Miss Martha Dod, and the following children were born of this union: Abijah, Aaron, Amos, Adon- ijah and Mary.
Aaron, son of Matthew and Martha (Dod) Harrison, was born in 1753 at the old homestead on the Swinefield road. He also served with the New Jersey militia in the Revolutionary war, and, the martial spirit continuing long after that memor- able struggle, he was elected major of a battalion of light horse composed of seven companies, every member of which fur- nished his own uniform and equipments, at a cost of one hundred dollars. It is said that the first farm wagon ever used in this
locality was brought here by Major Harri- son. He was a man of excellent judg- ment and sound common sense, .and pos- . sessed the confidence and respect of all his neighbors. He married, first, Jemima, the third child of Daniel and Ruth (Harrison) Condit, Ruth being a daughter of Samuel Harrison (2d). One child was born to Major Harrison and his wife, but it died early in life. After the death of Mrs. Har- rison the Major married. Phebe, a daugh- ter of Lewis Crane, son of Elihu, son of Jasper (3d), son of Jasper (2d), son of Jasper (Ist), one of the original settlers of Newark. Mrs. Lewis Crane was a cousin of Rev. Aaron Burr. The children born to Aaron and Phebe Harrison were: Sam- uel, who died when about sixty-five years old; Charles, who married Miss Mary Williams; Matilda; Phebe; Jemima became the wife of Caleb W. Baldwin; Ira, the father of our subject; Aaron Burr, Abigail and Mary.
Ira Harrison, son of Aaron and Phebe (Crane) Harrison, was born on his father's homestead, near that of his grandfather, January 4, 1795, and died on the 5th of March, 1890. He was one of the impor- tant connecting links between the past and the present centuries and lived to see the marvelous changes that have been wrought in his native town. He lived a useful, honored life and died in the full enjoyment of a bright Christian faith. One of the enterprising, progressive farmers in this vicinity, he was attached to the good old customs, but was not, however, averse to innovations, and was quick to adopt any improvements brought to his notice. He kept well abreast of the times, and while the old ox team might satisfy his neigh- bors he preferred a horse and wagon and
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JOHN HARRISON
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was the first to introduce that method of conveyance in the Oranges. He lived to witness the advent of the steam locomotive and all the other improved modes of travel. As a Christian and a gentleman he wielded an extensive influence, was for many years an elder and a conspicuous member of the First Presbyterian church, and his was a thorough and practical Christianity, his purse always being open whenever and wherever it was needed, and he could always be relied upon to bear his full share of life's burdens. As a father and husband he was tender and affection- ate, and was loved, honored and respected by all who knew him. Although well ad- vanced in years he demonstrated his loy- alty and patriotism during the Civil war by attending the public meetings and en- couraging enlistments. He married Miss Mary Jones, a daughter of Ichabod Jones, born December 27, 1798, a son of Joseph (2d), born in 1737, a son of Joseph (Ist), born in 1681, son of John, the last named being the progenitor of the family in East Orange. The children born to Ira and Mary (Jones) Harrison were ten in num- ber and the following record of them is given: Aaron died at the age of forty years; Rhoda A. resides in the Orange Valley; Samuel went to California in 1850 and met his death while prospecting in the winter of 1855; Matilda lives with her sister Rhoda in the Orange Valley; John is the subject of this review; Phoebe C. married Josiah B. Williams and they reside in Or- ange with their three children,-Alice Mary, Abigail Louise and Francis Marcita; Dr. Alfred J., mention of whom is given hereafter; William L. died September 20, 1889; Mary E. became the wife of Captain A. M. Matthews, whose biography is given
elsewhere in this work; and Frederick Irving, who enlisted in the Thirteenth New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, with which he served three years, participating in numer- ous engagements and was honorably dis- charged after serving as a gallant and faithful soldier: he married Julia Jacobus and two children were born to them, namely: Genevieve and Mary E. Mr. Harrison died on the 3d of February, 1873.
William L. Harrison also enlisted in the Union army, as a member of the Seventy- second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served three years, taking part in several battles, and was honorably dis- charged. Ira Harrison departed this life on the 4th of March, 1890, at the venerable age of ninety-six years, his wife being sum- moned to her eternal rest in 1877 or '78.
Dr. Alfred J. Harrison, brother of our subject, was born on the old homestead in West Orange, September 9, 1833, and acquired his preliminary education in the district schools of his native township. At the age of fourteen years he entered the boarding school and academy of David H. Pierson, remaining there for three years, and then attended Princeton College, at which he was graduated in 1855 with a fair degree of merit. Having decided to de- vote his life to the art of healing he en- tered the office of Dr. William Pierson, of Orange, with whom he read medicine for some time and then attended the medical department of the University of New York city in the class of 1857. being graduated at that institution a year later. He at once entered upon the practice of his profession in New York city, and so well equipped was he for the duties of his chosen calling that he met with immediate success and continued for many years as one of the
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prominent and prosperous physicians of the metropolis, a part of his time being occupied as attending physician in some of the principal hospitals of the city. In 1883, owing to the impaired condition of his health, Dr. Harrison was compelled to relinquish his practice and returned to his native township in West Orange, where, in 1885, he erected his present beautiful home on Hillside avenue. He is a popular mem- ber of the New England Medical Society.
The marriage of Dr. Harrison was cele- brated at Orange on the Ist of May, 1862, when he was united to Miss Sarah E. Matthews, a daughter of John H. and Elima (Meeker) Matthews. Both Dr. and Mrs. Harrison are communicants of All Saints church, Episcopal, of Orange, and are identified with the work thereof.
John Harrison, the immediate subject of this review, is one of the worthy and highly respected citizens of West Orange, where he resides, on the old Harrison homestead. He was born on the 25th of November, 1829, his mental discipline being received in the district schools of his native town- ship, and he remained under the parental roof until attaining the age of twenty-five years, when he began life as a farmer on his own responsibility. In 1861 he moved to Illinois, where he engaged in agricul- tural pursuits for about a year and then returned to New Jersey and located on the old homestead in West Orange, associating himself with his brother, William L., in the management and operation of the farm. He again embarked in the dairy business, meeting with pronounced success in that line of enterprise and continuing the same for a period of thirty years. He has al- ways been an enterprising, progressive man and was instrumental in bringing about
many improvements on the home place after it had passed into his hands.
Politically, Mr. Harrison is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, having formerly been a Whig and casting his first vote for Winfield Scott for president. He has been active in local affairs, has served on the township committee at various times during nine years, and he is an ardent ad- vocate of all enterprises that will benefit and advance the community. Socially he is an affiliate of Union Lodge, No. 11, Free and Accepted Masons, of Orange, and is a faithful adherent of the precepts and tenets of that fraternity.
Mr. Harrison consummated his mar- riage on November 21, 1854, when he be- came united to Miss Amanda Simmons, a daughter of George and Ruth (Palmateer) Simmons, and of this union six children have been born, namely : Ellen J .; Elizabeth M .; Ruth H .; Samuel D., who was born October 20, 1864, and died November 29, 1885; Mary and Julia L .: none of these children is married. Mr. Harrison and his family are faithful attendants of the First Presbyterian church.
KARL VOIGT,
one of the pioneer florists and horticul- turists, of Newark, whose thorough under- standing of the business and capable man- agement have brought him success in his undertakings, was born in the town of Stadt-Ilm, in the province of Schwartzburg, Rudelstadt, in Dueringen, Germany, April 5, 1839. His parents were Karl and Chris- tiana (Grotz) Voigt, the father a successful and enterprising business man, prominently known in his native town. He espoused the cause of the revolutionists in the war of
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1848-9 and in consequence was compelled to leave his native country. Accordingly he came to America with his wife and four children, landing in New York city, on the 23d of April, 1850. After remaining there for a short time, he finally took up his resi- dence in Newark, where he spent his re- maining days, his death occurring at the age of sixty-seven years. His wife is also deceased. They were the parents of six children, of whom the following survive: Karl, our subject; Beda; Agnes, wife of Hugo Florstedt, of Newark, by whom she has six children; and Luzia, who is the wife of Frederick Grub, of Newark, by whom she has three children living: two died in early life.
Karl Voigt acquired his education in his native town and when thirteen years of age became his father's assistant at the shoemaker's trade. He accompanied his parents on their emigration to America, and in 1856 began business on his own account at Nos. 424 to 436 Morris avenue, Newark, his attention being devoted to the horticul- tural and rose-growing business. The new enterprise proved a profitable one, and in 1883 he purchased the premises at No. 389 Eighteenth avenue, where he has since en- gaged in the cultivation of all kinds of flow- ers. He has studied their needs and re- quirements and his knowledge of plants is most comprehensive and accurate. The soil, the temperature and the moisture that the different varieties demand are well known to him, and he exercises the greatest care in their cultivation, so that he is en- abled to place upon the market as fine spe- cimens as can be found anywhere.
On the 28th of February, 1894, Mr. Voigt was united in marriage to Miss Maria Manthey, who was born May 2, 1872, a
daughter of Anton and Wilhelmina (Kordi- not) Manthey, the former of French an- cestry. Mr. and Mrs. Voigt are of the Prot- estant faith. He has taken an active in- terest in the movements tending to the de- velopment and progress of this locality and has been instrumental in promoting its im -- provement. He has never sought or de- sired public office, but has been unwavering in support of the principles of the Republi- can party. Energy is numbered among his chief characteristics and has been one of the most important elements in his success. He is now enjoying a liberal patronage in the line of his trade, and his success is the merited reward of a well spent life.
JOHN ENGELHORN, 1
deceased, was born in the celebrated uni- versity town of Heidelberg, in Baden, Ger- many, in 1832, and was educated in the pub- lic schools. On attaining the age of twen- ty-four he left the land of his birth, and crossing the Atlantic to the New World took up his residence in Newark, where he secured a situation with the firm of Hulfish & Crans, with whom he learned the under- taking business, and subsequently entered business on his own account on William street, Newark. In 1878 he began business as undertaker and embalmer, opening his store at No. 16 Hamburg place. From the beginning the enterprise proved a success- ful one. His known reliability in all trade transactions won him the patronage of the public, and he soon had a large clientele. He was a self-made man, for he started out in life empty-handed, depending entirely upon his own resources. With persistent effort he overcame the difficulties and ob- stacles in his path, and as the result of his
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energy and commendable business methods won a handsome competence.
Mr. Engelhorn was married in Germany and by that union had two children; Bar- bara, who became the wife of Louis Mc- Kay, and Louisa, wife of John Saxer, who died in Newark. The mother of these chil- dren was called to the home beyond this life, and Mr. Engelhorn afterward married Miss Valentine. She, too. passed away, and for his third wife he chose Mrs. Fredericka Fischer, widow of Charles Christian Fisch- er. Her first husband was a native of the city of Hanover, Germany, where he ac- quired his education and made his home until the age of twenty-four years, when, at- tracted by the opportunities America af- fords her citizens, he crossed the Atlantic to New York city, where he followed the tan- ner's trade for some time. In 1865 he re- moved to Newark, where he worked as a journeyman tanner. He was a very quiet, unassuming man and worthy citizen, and commanded the respect of all good people. On one occasion he was summoned as a witness in court and testified against Thil- horn brothers, whose enmity he thus roused. In an altercation he was shot and killed by them, and in the encounter a po- lice officer was also killed and another officer and a private citizen, John Albus, were wounded. To avoid capture the Thil- horn brothers committed suicide by jump- ing into the Passaic river.
Mr. Fischer was married March 18, 1856, to Miss Fredericka Schoedele, and to them were born four children : Henrietta, wife of Henry Schmidt; Johanna, wife of William Durie, of Kearny, New Jersey ; Matilda, wife of Jacob Garber, of Newark, by whom she has one child; and Otto C., who was born January 6, 1867, and was educated in the
district schools of Newark. When twenty- four years of age he became associated in business with his stepfather, Mr. Engelhorn, and upon the latter's death became his mother's assistant in the management of the estate. They have since carried on the bus- iness with excellent success, and the estab- lishment is one of the best of the kind in the city. The house has enjoyed an undimin- ished trade, and its present prosperity is due in a very large measure to Mr. Fischer, who is a young man of progressive ideas and marked ability. He holds a membership in Germania Lodge, No. 12, A. F. & A. M., of Newark, and in Council Progressive of the Independent Order of Foresters, of the city. He also is a great lover of the art of music and belongs to the Concordia and the Or- pheus Singing Societies. Mrs. Engelhorn is a member of St. Stephen's Lutheran church, of Newark, and is a lady whose many excellencies of character have en- deared her to a large circle of friends.
JOHN GEORGE MULLER,
a florist of Newark, was born in the ort- schaft of Gochsheim, district of Bretten, in Baden, Germany, near the old arsenal where the revolutionists of 1849 were de- feated. The date of his birth was August 26, 1832, and his parents were George and Margaret (Benkert) Muller, both of whom were also natives of Baden. The former was a son of George Frederick and Cath- erine (Koch) Muller, and for his life work he followed agricultural pursuits. Both he and his wife were faithful Christian people of the Protestant faith and both died when about sixty-six years of age. Their children were as follows: John George, of this sketch, who is the eldest; Catherine, who
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died at the age of forty-five years; Ernes- tina, who came to America in 1853 and married Christopher Sonn, and has the fol- lowing children: Professor George Sonn, of the high school of Newark; William, Charles, Annie, Lydia (a school teacher); Edwin, Albert, Emma and Herbert; and Frederick, who resides at the old homestead in Gochsheim, Baden, is married and has four sons and two daughters.
Mr. Muller, who is now prominently identified with the business interests of Newark, attended the schools of his native town until fourteen years of age and then assisted his father in the various depart- ments of his work until he had become thor- oughly familiar with the processes of culti- vating flowers. In 1849 he crossed the At- lantic to seek his fortune in the New World, sailing from Havre, France, on the 19th of August as a passenger on the vessel Bava- ria. After a voyage of twenty-four days he landed in New York and then took up his residence in Philadelphia, where he found employment with his uncle, Casper Benkert, in the shoe business, with which he was connected for four years. During the succeeding four years, owing to failing health, he sought out-door work and fol- lowed the trade which he had learned in his youth.
In 1857 Mr. Muller returned to the land of his birth, spending six months among family and old-time friends, after which he returned to America and again entered the employ of his uncle in Philadelphia, where he remained until April 1, 1865. He then came to Newark and took up his residence on the site of his present home. He made a number of improvements, erected a dwell- ing and greenhouses and began the cultiva- tion of roses and plants. He began business
on a small scale, but his trade has constant- ly increased, and from time to time he has been forced to enlarge his facilities in order to meet the demands of his steadily increas- ing patronage. He now has twenty-eight thousand square feet under glass, and while he cultivates all kinds of choice flowers he makes a specialty of the raising of carna- tions of the finest varieties. He also con- ducts a store at No. 195 Ferry street. In 1886 he replaced the old dwelling with a fine modern residence and thus is situated conveniently near his business, so that he is always ready to give to it his personal supervision.
Mr. Muller was married in Philadelphia, June 3, 1858, to Mary Sophia Muller, who was not a relative although of the same name. She was born September 22, 1832, and her father was a native of the old fort- ress town of Forchtenberg, in Wurtemberg, Germany. Nine children have been born in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Muller, as follows: George Frederick, who died in Philadelphia, at the age of six months; Catherine Eliza, who became the wife of Monroe Shallcross, a resident of Asheville, North Carolina, by whom she has two chil- dren,-Walter and Mary (Mr. Shallcross died January 5, 1898); Annie, wife of Eben- ezer Morris, of Newark; Elizabeth, who re- sides at home; William, of Newark, who married Louisa Sessing and has two chil- dren,-Florence and Olive Louisa; Louis Henry, who married Addie Russel and re- sides in Newark: she had one son, Nelson Leroy, who died, aged sixteen months; Emma, wife of George Hamilton, of New- ark, by whom she has two children,-Ruth and Gertrude; Edwin, of Newark, who mar- ried Emma Heck and has one son,-John George: and John Christian, who married
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Pauline Zorn, and is living in Matamoras, Pennsylvania. The sons, William, Louis and Edwin, are all associated with their father in business and are successful, enter- prising men. Mr. and Mrs. Muller are members of the German Methodist Episco- pal church and the family attend services there.
William, the eldest son, has begun business on his own account on Lyons ave- nue and Clinton place, where he has estab- lished a large and commodious plant for rose-growing, etc.
JOHN J. GAFFNEY,
superintendent of the Newark Electric Light and Power Company, and one of its stockholders, was born in this city, April 4, 1859, his parents being Patrick and Bridget (Powell) Gaffney, who were married in St. Patrick's Cathedral, May 7, 1853. The father was a native of county Cavan, Ire- land, and the mother of Roscommon coun- ty. The father came to America when sev- enteen years of age, landing in New York city. He, however, took up his residence in Newark, and found employment in the service of Charles Bishop and his successor, manufacturers of metal goods, with whom he remained until his death, which occurred in November, 1895. He was an industrious and persevering man, just and conscientious in all business affairs and won the confi- dence of all with whom he had trade rela- tions. At the beginning of the civil war he enlisted in the United States navy on board the North Carolina and participated in a number of engagements. He served for two years and was honorably discharged at Washington, D. C., after which he returned home and resumed his old position with his
former employer. He was for many years the foreman of the establishment and very capably directed its affairs.
The parents of our subject had a family of ten children. Mary Regina, who was ed- ucated in the parochial school connected with St. Patrick's cathedral, in which in- stitution she was graduated, became a sister of charity of the Dominican order, and died at Mount Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, in 1887. Susan is an invalid and resides with her sisters on the old homestead. Bernard and Nicholas, twins, died in early childhood. John J. was the next of the family. Francis Augustine, who attended the parochial school and completed his education in St. Joseph's College, of Somerset, Ohio, was ordained as a priest, April 15, 1889, and is now pastor of St. Patrick's Roman Cath- olic church in Columbus, Ohio. Catherine, who received a parochial-school education, resides on the old homestead. Elizabeth was similarly educated and lives at the old home. Patrick died in early childhood. Agnes was educated in the parochial schools and lives with her sisters. The mother of this family passed away in 1890.
During his early youth John J. Gaffney attended St. Patrick's parochial school in Newark, and when eleven years of age se- cured work in the same shop in which his father was employed. In 1876 he took up the study of electricity and electrical ma- chinery under the direction of Prof. Ed- ward Weston, of Newark, who had just be- gun the manufacture of electrical machin- ery in Newark. Mr. Gaffney remained with Professor Weston for over ten years, and while thus engaged visited many states of the Union, erecting electric plants. In 1887 he became identified with the Newark Electric Light and Power Company, in
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which he is one of the stockholders, and is now efficiently and acceptably filling the office of superintendent. He is an expert electrician and has frequently been called upon to give expert testimony in important litigations concerning electrical work or machinery. He is also a stockholder in the Essex Land Company, of Essex county, and is interested in other local enterprises, and one may feel assured that if he is con- nected with the direction of any interest, it will be carried forward to successful com- pletion, for he possesses unbounded inge- nuity, perseverance and sound judgment, and has achieved success in many instances where others, even competent men, would have failed.
Newark recognized Mr. Gaffney as one of her leading and influential citizens. and he is now serving as a member of the New- ark Council of the Knights of Columbus. He is also a member of the Catholic Benev- olent Legion, of the Father Dalton Coun- cil, No. 62, of Newark. He belongs to the Cecelia Social Club and is an honorary member of the Harmonie Singing Society. He has taken a more or less active part in politics for some years, and in 1893 was elected to represent the seventh ward in the city council, running ahead of his party ticket. He has always been a stanch Demo- crat, having followed in his father's foot- steps in this particular. Like his parents, he also is a communicant of St. Antoninus Catholic church.
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