USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 1 > Part 37
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votes. Like his father, he is a Democrat of the true Jeffersonian type.
J. H. VAN CLEVE,
a leading and public-spirited citizen of Irvington, is descended from one of the early Holland families of New York, and is a son of the late John Van Cleve, who was for many years a prominent factor in the commercial and political affairs of Irving- ton. The latter was born in New York city in 1820, but at an early age he was deprived of his father by death, and in his boyhood was brought to New Jersey, and was here reared to manhood by his grand- father, Garret Van Cleve. His literary education was obtained in the night schools, and at rather a youthful age he went to Newark and learned the shoemaker's trade. About the year 1840 he moved to Camp- town, which is now the town of Irvington, and here opened a general store, but later changed the character of his stock and en- gaged in the shoe business. As he pros- pered he became interested in other enter- prises, as he thought he saw opportunities of adding to his income, and grading and excavating and the ice business were made a part of his regular work. In 1878 he embarked in the coal business, and was successfully conducting the same until in- terrupted by death, on the IIth of Febru- ary, 1881.
In politics John Van Cleve was an ener- getic member of the Democratic party and a leader in his township and village. He was one of a committee appointed to make a map of Clinton township; he participated in the framing of the village charter; he was a member of the board of village trus- tees and the school board, and was one of
the early members of the board of mana- gers of the Clinton county cemetery. So- cially, he was prominent in Masonic circles.
He married Miss Elizabeth C. Looker, a daughter of William and Mary Looker, of Essex county, and she was called to her eternal rest in 1876. The following is a record of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Van Cleve: Harriet L., deceased, married Charles Winans, of New York, and left three children,-Harry, Arthur and Edna; Abram married Mary W. Sheridan, and they have one child, Robert; Mary E. be- came the wife of Daniel Heddon, and they have six children-Fannie, Laura, Charles, Leitha, Frank and Maud; Calvin D., who died in 1895, was a leader of the Democratic party in Clinton township, and was a promi- nent contractor: he married Miss Mary A. Farrow, and their children were Irene, Allie, Eugene and Walter; Fannie D. married Augustus Fuller, of New York, and has one child, Ethel; J. H. was born in Camptown on May 18, 1854, and mar- ried Hannah A., daughter of Sidney Meek- er and granddaughter of Zadoc Meeker, one of the old landmarks of Essex county; Florence A. became the wife of Winfield Scott, of Newark, and their children are Norma, Harry, Dorothy and Vancleve; Laura E. is the wife of Frank Jagger, of Newark; Ida is the wife of Theodore Mel- ius, and their child is Eslie; Edgar E. mar- ried Maggie Ray, and their children are William, Essie, Edgar and Russell; J. Amanda is the wife of Joseph Thompson, of Paterson, and they are the parents of one child, Mildred; the youngest child, William S., is unmarried.
J. H. Van Cleve, the immediate subject of this review, received his educational training in the public schools of Irvington,
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and at the age of seventeen entered upon his business career as a clerk in a grocery store, retaining that position for four years, when, his father having engaged in the coal business, our subject was taken into part- nership, which association continued until the father's death, after which J. H. suc- ceeded to the business. The latter in- herited something of his father's interest in public matters and much of his talent for executive affairs, demonstrating his ability by serving two terms as president of the village of Irvington and one term as trustee of the same, and as postmaster during Cleveland's first administration. He is manager and treasurer of the Clinton Cemetery Association, and in his religious belief he has been an adherent of the Chris- tian church since he was thirteen years old; has served as president of the official board, has been for eight years superintendent of the Sunday school, and is at present one of the trustees. Mr. Van Cleve is well and favorably known in his home city, and stands high in the estimation and regard of his many friends.
DR. C. H. HUNTER,
late of Caldwell, was, for nearly a score of years, one of the conspicuous characters of this locality, where he had built up a large practice and enjoyed the reputation of be- ing a signally successful physician, and his death, which occurred on the 11th of Au- gust, 1887, was mourned as a public calam- ity by the residents of the community. The Doctor was born on December 8, 1827, the son of William and Elizabeth T. (Halsey) Hunter, his grandfather being a Scotch- man. Four other sons of William Hunter left families distributed throughout south- ern New York and New Jersey.
Dr. C. H. Hunter was educated for the medical profession in the old Medical Uni- versity of New York, in New York city, previous to which he had spent some years as a pharmacist and in the drug business. He came to Caldwell about thirty years ago and here engaged in the practice of medicine, gaining a strong foothold on the people of the county by reason of his strict integrity as well as of his high standing in the profession. He was never identified with any of the political struggles in the county, as it is now remembered, but was a quiet, modest citizen and an enthusiastic member of the Caldwell Presbyterian church. The first few years of Dr. Hunter's residence in Caldwell were spent in the home of R. C. Camp- bell and at the Caldwell Hotel, but after his marriage, May 24, 1866, to Annie O., the daughter of William H. and Maria Halsey, of Hanover, New Jersey, he moved to the house now occupied by his son, Charles Wilfred Hunter, which has recently become known as Laurel Hurst. It overlooks a large portion of Caldwell and the surrounding country and its new owner has laid out the grounds with beau- tiful drives, retreats and terraces, and it is one of the many objects of attraction in the town.
Charles Wilfred Hunter, the only surviv- ing child of Dr. and Mrs. Hunter, and the present owner of Laurel Hurst, was born on the 3Ist of January, 1872, and was edu- cated at the Peekskill Military Academy. He was married on the 2d of July, 1892, to Miss Mabel L. Ward, a daughter of Frank F. Ward, and their issue is one daughter, Celeste.
Mr. Hunter occupies his time in the management of the large interests inherited
C. H. HUNTER
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from his parents and is one of Caldwell's most loyal and public-spirited citizens.
CHARLES ZULAUF,
who is now living retired in East Orange, was born in Alsfeld, province of Hessen, Germany, on the 18th of August, 1828, and is a son of John and Anna Cath- arine (Schaaf) Zulauf. He acquired his education in the district schools of his native town and remained a member of his parental household until seven- teen years of age, when he began to learn the carpenter's trade, which he fol- lowed for a number of years. Not finding employment at home profitable he began to look about for a way in which he might improve his financial condition, and in so doing learned of the opportunities and privileges afforded in the New World. Accordingly, in the autumn of 1850, he sailed for America, landing on the 29th of October in the city of New York. There he found employment at the carpenter's trade, at which he continued to work for a number of years, after which he removed to Newark, New Jersey, where he was various- ly employed. He next spent three years in Pennsylvania, after which he returned to this state, taking up his residence in Or- ange, where he entered the employ of Dr. Pierson, with whom he remained for five years. He subsequently engaged in black- smithing, which he followed for thirty-four years, when, with the capital that he had acquired through his own honorable and well directed labors, he retired to private life, and is now resting in the enjoyment of the fruit of his former toil.
In 1858 Mr. Zulauf purchased the lot on Mulberry street, now North Clinton street,
where he has since made his home, and in 1888 erected his present residence. He was married April 2, 1861, to Miss Anna Catherine Ermel, who likewise is a native of Germany, and a daughter of Lucas and Anna C. Ermel. Their children are Charles, who married Anna Stenhof, of Newark, by whom he has two children, Charles and Annie; Annie, wife of Freder- ick Stenhof, of Newark, by whom she has one child, Elizabeth; Elizabeth, who mar- ried Christian Berge and has one child, Catharine Sophia; Henry, Lewis and George,-all now deceased.
Politically, Mr. Zulauf is a Republican, unfaltering in his support of the principles of the party. He and his wife hold mem- bership in the Evangelical Lutheran church. His career has been one of indus- try, usefulness and uprightness, and he has the respect of business and social acquaint- ances who esteem him highly for his many admirable qualities. He well deserves the rest that is now crowning his labors as the . fitting reward of his many years of faithful toil.
ROBERT KIERSTED,
chief engineer of the Newark fire depart- ment, has been connected with this depart- ment of the city service for twenty-seven years, and his record is an untarnished one. For fourteen years he has occupied the position of chief, and his services in this direction are inestimable. A well organ- ized fire department is one of the greatest safeguards and most indispensable depart- ments of a city. The constant watchful- ness, the readiness to face any emergency, the alertness in times of danger, are a bul- wark of safety whose worth is incalculable; and yet the majority of citizens never stop
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to consider how much is due to the well organized department and to the brave men who risk life in defense of the homes and property of others. Standing at the head of the system in Newark is Robert Kier- sted, a man of strong individuality, force of character and sound judgment, brave, calm and collected in the greatest excitement or in face of the greatest danger, capable of directing the movements of the men and rendering the most effective service.
Mr. Kiersted was born in the city which is still his home, May 9, 1846. His father, Aaron Kiersted, was born in Hanover, New Jersey, but spent much of his life in New- ark, where he died at the age of sixty-four years, passing away in 1890. He was of Holland Dutch descent, and married Han- nah Von Wagoner. Robert Kiersted, the eldest of their six children, acquired his education in the public schools of Newark. and during the civil war enlisted for nine months' service as a member of Company . B, Twenty-sixth New Jersey Infantry. On the expiration of that term he reenlisted for three years' service as a member of Company F, Third New Jersey Cavalry, and with the army of the Potomac partici- pated in all the engagements from the bat- tle of Fredericksburg until the close of the war. He was a brave and gallant soldier, and returned home with an honorable mili- tary record.
Soon after his arrival in Newark, in Aug- ust, 1865, Mr. Kiersted began learning the trade of carpenter and followed that pursuit until 1870, when he became a member of Truck No. I, of the Newark fire depart- ment. He remained with that truck until his promotion to the responsible position of chief engineer, on the Ioth of January, 1885. Important improvements have been
made in the fire department since he be- came chief: the call system has been abol- ished, and the Gamewell Fire Alarm Sys- tem adopted; an electrical plant. second to none in the United States, has been pro- vided at a cost of twenty thousand dollars, and a permanent department has been es- tablished for organizing and drilling forces, the training school at the Turnverein on William street being used for this purpose. The city of Newark has demonstrated its pride in the superior service of Chief Kier- sted, and he is recognized as one being in all things the peer of any chief in the coun- try. He is constantly studying how to im- prove the system, and his thought and judgment have brought forth many excel- lent ideas whose practical utility have been put to the test.
Fraternally, Mr. Kiersted is connected with Kearny Post, No. I. G. A. R., and of Eureka Lodge, No. 29; A. F. & A. M. He was married May 3, 1869, to Miss Henri- etta, daughter of George Wilson, of Pomp- ton, New Jersey. They now have two sons: George, agent for the Prudential In- surance Company, and Harry, telegraph operator on the fire-department force.
JOHN H. ELY,
one of the leading architects of Newark, was born in New Hope, Pennsylvania, on the 13th of June, 1851. The Elys in this country are descendants of three ancestors: Nathaniel Ely, who settled in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1628 or 1630; Richard, who located at Lynn, Connecticut, in 1660; and Joshua, who established a home in Trenton, New Jersey, in 1685. The last named is the ancestor of the Elys in Essex county, New Jersey. The fact that three
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of the name came to this country in early colonial days has given rise to the tradi- tional theory of three brothers; but investi- gation does not warrant this conclusion; for Richard came from the extreme south of England, Joshua from a district north of the center, and fifty-five years elapsed be- tween their respective emigrations.
Joshua Ely came from Dunham, Not- tinghamshire, England, in 1685, and pur- chased four hundred acres of land in what was then called Burlington county, New Jersey. The lot on which the state house in Trenton now stands adjoins his tract on the south. He arrived in this country with his wife and three sons, Joshua, George and John, the last named being born on the voyage. Three other children were born in this country: Hugh, Elizabeth and Sarah. The mother died in 1698 and the father af- terward married Rachel Lee, by whom he had two children, Benjamin and Ruth, twins. Joshua Ely died in 1702. No ac- count of the descendants of his eldest son, Joshua, is obtainable. George is the an- cestor of the subject of this review. John, the third son, has numerous descendants now living in southern New Jersey; and some of the descendants of Hugh, the fourth son, are living in this section of the state, and some in Maryland.
Joshua Ely, the eldest son of George and Jane (Pebbit) Ely, was born March 16, 1704, and married Elizabeth Bell. Both were members of the Society of Friends, to which Mrs. Jane Ely also belonged; and Joshua became an approved minister of that society. He took up his residence in Salisbury township, Bucks county, Penit- sylvania, in 1737, reared seven children, and died in 1783. His son Joshua, who was born May 28, 1738, married Sarah Sim-
cock, and after her death wedded Margaret Richards. By the first union there were five children, the second of whom, Asher Ely, was born July II, 1768, and married Eleanor Holcombe, by whom he had nine children. The eldest child of that family was John H. Ely, who was born March 6, 1792, married Elizabeth Pownall, and after her death wedded Elizabeth Kipel.
Five children were born of the second marriage, the second of whom was Matthias Cowell Ely, the father of the subject of this review. He was engaged in the lumber business in Pennsylvania from 1852 until 1860, when he turned his attention to farm- ing, which he followed in different places in New Jersey. The last twenty years of his life were spent as superintendent of con- struction of the Morris Plains Asylum, and he died in 1895. while filling that position. He married Kizziah Stackhouse, and to them were born the following named: John H., Amy A., Lewis C., Kizziah, wife of ex- Senator Ashley, of Wakefield, Massachu- setts; Matthias C., secretary to Mayor Sey- mour, of Newark; Rebecca C., wife of Jos- eph R. Harring, of Morris Plains, New Jer- sey; and Sadie G.
John H. Ely was liberally educated in the schools of New Jersey, and when he at- tained his majority he left home and fitted himself for his life work by learning the car- penter's trade, which he followed for some years, and in his leisure hours engaged in the study of architecture. He came to Newark fifteen years ago and since has de- voted his attention to architectural design- ing and contracting. He and his son Wil- son C., designed the Newark City Hospital, the Hebrew Orphan Asylum and the Peo- ple's Bank, of Brooklyn, and other build- ings of importance, and is an expert in his
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line, commanding a liberal patronage and winning high commendation by his skill and proficiency.
Mr. Ely has been very prominent in the municipal affairs of Newark, and has been a leader in thought and action, earnestly laboring for all interests that will advance the welfare and prosperity of the locality. In 1891 he was elected on the Democratic ticket a member of the city council, and in 1894 was reëlected. On the organization of that body in 1895 he was unanimously elected president, and as such used his of- ficial power to promote many causes of ma- terial benefit to the city. He served on all the important committees of the council and lent his influence to the work of prog- ress, improvement and reform. He also served for two years as trustee of the City Home. He is noted for his activity in ad- vocating and promoting the building of the city hospital, in passing an ordinance regu- lating the construction of buildings, fought the redistricting of the city in the courts, but was defeated, and tested in the courts the law empowering the mayor to appoint councilmen to fill vacancies and won his point.
Mr. Ely was married in Cranberry Neck, Mercer county, New Jersey, in 1871, to Miss Lydia Helen, daughter of Dr. Ezekiel Wilson, whose father, the Rev. Peter Wil- son, was on the circuit embracing Hights- town, Hamilton Square and Trenton early in this century. The Doctor's second wife was Hannah Bergen, a sister of Judge Ber- gen, of Dutch Neck, Mercer county, Penn- sylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Ely have been born a son and daughter, Wilson C., his father's partner in business, and Ida May. Mr. Ely is a member of the Masonic, Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias fraternities.
In social and business circles he is highly esteemed for that sterling worth which everywhere commands respect, and his pub- lic and private life are alike above reproach.
FRED W. SHRUMP
is one of the successful business men of Essex county, yet his prosperity is not the result of fortunate circumstances. It has come to him through energy and persever- ance directed by an evenly balanced mind, and by honorable business principles. He has made the most of his opportunities, and has steadily worked his way upward until he has left the ranks of the many to stand among the successful few.
Born in New York city, on the 17th of January, 1847, Mr. Shrump is a son of Louis and Christina Shrump, who were na- tives of Germany and came to America in 1845, taking up their residence in the me- tropolis of the east. The father was a skilled stone-cutter and followed contract- ing in that line in New York. He died in 1873, but his widow is still living. The son, Fred W. Shrump, was reared and edu- cated in Montclair, and on attaining his majority became a contractor and builder, having learned the stone-cutter's trade un- der the direction of his father.
In 1872 Mr. Shrump purchased a large stone quarry in West Orange township, Es- sex county, where he owns thirty-six acres of land. The quarry produces a high grade of brown-stone, which finds a ready market in the cities in this section of the country. It has been used in the construction of many of the prominent buildings of New York and Brooklyn, including Grace church at Montclair, Grace church at Orange, Father McCarty's church in Brooklyn, the first
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church in Caldwell, built in 1871, A. T. Stewart's church and school at Garden City, Long Island, and many other build- ings. The quarry is seemingly inexhausti- ble, running about two hundred feet deep, with about twenty feet of dirt and shale 01: top. The plant is supplied with all modern appliances, and from thirty to sixty men are employed at the quarry in getting out the stone and doing all the other work in dress- ing and preparing it for the building. The building is fifty by one hundred and ten feet, and the engine room, with fifty-five horse-power engine, is twenty-five by thirty feet. The quarry produces some very large stones, some having been taken out which weigh twenty-five tons. The industry has become a very important one in Essex county, and in its operation Mr. Shrump has attained a well merited success. His business methods are straightforward and honorable and ever above question, and thus has he won the public confidence, and in consequence the public support.
In 1869 Mr. Shrump was united in mar- riage to Miss Amanda J. Wakeman, a na- tive of Bloomfield, and a daughter of Rich- ard B. Wakeman, a native of Ulster county, New York. The following children have come to bless their union: Charley, Frank, Frederick, Henry, Christina and Lillie. Widely known in Essex county, the family. have many friends, and their home is the center of a cultured society circle.
Mr. Shrump is also a prominent factor in political circles, a stanch advocate of Re- publican principles, and has served as a member of the county committee. He was for three years a member of the township committee, and was the means of securing the good roads they now have here, and which he secured after fighting much op-
position. He is the inventor of the Knox system of blasting, which enables anyone to blast rock in any shape or size without breaking it all up. He has also contracted for and built all of the large stone bridges of the county.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE.
There are no rules for building charac- ters; there is no rule for achieving success. The man who can rise from the ranks to a leading position in any line is he who can see and utilize the opportunities that sur- round his path. The essential conditions of human life are ever the same, the sur- roundings of individuals differ but slightly; and when one man passes another on the highway to reach the goal of prosperity be- fore others who perhaps started out before him, it is because he has the power to use advantages which probably encompass the whole human race. It is this power which has made Mr. Melville one of the leading contractors and builders of South Orange, and enabled him to maintain a place in the foremost rank among the business men of this section of the state.
He is a native of Scotland, born July 13, 1822, and is a son of Alexander Melville and Agnes (Robertson) Melville. His par- ents were also natives of the same country, and came to America in 1838, landing, on the 2d of January, in New York city, where they spent their remaining days. The fath- er was a stone-cutter by trade and became one of the extensive contractors in New York city, being an expert in the line of his chosen work.
The subject of this review obtained his education both in Scotland and in New York city. After attaining his majority he
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learned the carpenter's trade, which he fol- lowed in New York until the war, when he responded to the call of his adopted coun- try, joining the Union army. His service was in the line of his trade, and he went to Charleston, South Carolina, where he was engaged in the erection of a prison on Mor- ris island, in which southern prisoners were to be placed. This was never used, how- ever, as an exchange of prisoners between the two armies was effected. Mr. Melville then went to Augusta, Georgia, and on to Florida, continuing in the south until the close of the war. He was also governor of the guards in New York city for ten years.
When the war was over Mr. Melville re- turned to the north, and in July, 1867. came to South Orange, where he worked as a journeyman for a time. For twenty years, however, he has carried on business as a general contractor, and has succeeded in securing a liberal patronage. He has been prominently connected with the upbuilding of South Orange, where many monuments in the shape of fine public buildings and private residences, stand as monuments to his thrift and enterprise. He took the contract for the erection of the First Pres- byterian church, the town hall, the Decker building, the new postoffice building, and high school building, together with many others of more or less note in the town. His business principles commend him to the confidence of all, and his excellent workmanship has secured to him a liberal patronage.
In 1870 Mr. Melville was united in mar- riage to Miss Margaret Boe, a native of Scotland, who came to this country with her parents when a child of two years. Her father, David Boe, died some years since, but her mother, Mrs. Elizabeth (Anderson)
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