USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 1 > Part 38
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Boe, is still a resident of South Orange. Mr. and Mrs. Melville have two children: Alexander Duncan, who is engaged with the Lehigh Coal Company, of Newark, and Elizabeth, at home.
Mr. Melville has been prominent in mu- nicipal affairs, and has filled a number of offices in a most creditable manner. For nine years he was town councilman, and for seven years acted as chairman of the council. He votes with the Democracy, and is a stanch advocate of Jeffersonian principles. He and his wife are members of the First Presbyterian church of South Orange, and are prominent in the social circles of the city, occupying an enviable position where true worth and intelligence are received as the passports into good so- ciety.
FRANK JOSEPH GERHARD,
proprietor of the Belmont Avenue Pottery, of Newark, and a leading business man, was born in Roemershag, in the kreis of Unterfranken, Bavaria, June 27, 1842. His parents were John Baptist and Katherine Schaetzlein Gerhard, and his paternal grandparents were Daniel and Eve Gerhard. The grandfather was a potter by trade, and a very successful business man. His father was a native of Baumbach, near Coblentz, in the province of Nassau, Prussia, and by trade also a potter. He engaged in the manufacture of jugs, used in transporting mineral waters from the celebrated springs of Bad-Brueckenau and Kissingen, Bavaria, at the instance of King Maximilian I., of Bavaria, who was the owner of the springs. Accordingly, Mr. Gerhard removed his family to Roemershag, where he estab- lished his pottery and carried on a very
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profitable business, which was handed down to his son, Daniel Gerhard.
The latter, having learned his trade un- der the directions of his father, became his successor at the father's death by right of entailment, and also enjoyed the same roy- alty and other government privileges which had been granted to his father. He mar- ried and had a family of five children, as follows: George Joseph, Theresa, John Baptist, Margarey and Josephine. Both the sons learned the potter's trade in their father's establishment and succeeded to the business and royalties which had been granted by the crown. In 1842 they re- ceived the contract for jugs for the trans- portation of the celebrated Friedrichshaller Bitterwasser at Friedrichshall, Saxony, and a few years later built a factory there, be- cause the consumption of the Bitterwasser had so increased that the capacity of the Roemershag factory was inadequate to sup- ply the demand. This contract lasted until 1868, when the owners of the well (Oppel & Company) commenced to use glass bot- tles in place of stone jugs. The father of our subject reached the age of sixty- seven years, while his wife passed away at the age of forty-seven. They had a family of nine children: August, who died at the age of five years; Frank Joseph of this re- view is the oldest living; Bertha became the wife of Joseph Dorn, and they had sev- en children, one of whom, Rudolph, was a graduate of Munich University, came to America in 1893 to visit the World's Fair at Chicago, but afterward returned to his native land. Edward, who lives on the old homestead, has served as mayor of Roem- ershag (which is merely an honorary posi- tion) for several terms, and so had his father and also his grandfather held the same of-
fice in the same old homestead. He is married and has three children: Emil, who married and had three children, died at the age of forty-five years; Henry, of Roemer- shag, is married and has nine children; Louis is married and has a large family; Lothar died at the age of twenty-five, and Leonora died at the age of three years.
Mr. Gerhard, whose name introduces this review, obtained his education in the schools of his native town, in Saxony, in France, in the evening school under the former Principal and late Mayor Haynes, and in Bryant & Stratton's Business College, of Newark. He learned the trade which had for more than a century been the occu- pation of the family, and became an expert potter. He assisted his father in his pot- teries until 1870, when glass bottles took the place of stone jugs; then he bade adieu to his friends and home and crossed the At- lantic, landing in New York, October 31, 1870. Settling in Newark, he here secured employment at his trade. In 1873 he be- gan business on his own account, but the enterprise was not successful, and in conse- quence he again took up his trade as a jour- neyman. In 1877 he once more estab- lished a pottery of his own, the location chosen being Belmont avenue, where he has since been established. Prosperity at- tended his undertaking, and he has built up a business which returns to him a good in- come.
Mr. Gerhard was married in New York city in St. Nicholas' Roman Catholic church, January 17, 1875, to Miss The- resa Roser, a daughter of John Joseph and Margaret Josephine (Straub) Roser, both natives of Brueckenau, Bavaria. Mr, and Mrs. Gerhard had two children: Catherine B. H., born January 15, 1878, now a stu-
18
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dent in the Normal School of Newark; and John Francis Joseph, who was born on March 19, 1880, and died February 27, 1885. The family are members of St. Peter's Catholic church, of Newark, and in politics Mr. Gerhard is a Republican. He was appointed to fill out an unexpired term as alderman, and discharged his duties with marked fidelity.
WILLIAM C. WALLACE.
During a residence of four score years in Essex county the subject of this biogra- phy has gained distinctive recognition as one of the leading men of this section of the state. His life has been quiet, modest and unassuming. His prominence is due to the possession of those sterling quali- ties which everywhere command respect, --- honesty in business, justice in public life, an unfailing courtesy in social circles, and a record that must ever be a source of satis- faction and pride to his descendants.
He bears the name of one of Scotland's most renowned heroes, and his father, also bearing that name, was born in the land of hills and heather. His native city was Glas- gow and his natal day, October 29, 1757. In 1775, when eighteen years of age, he bade adieu to the home and friends of his youth and sailed for the new world, taking up his residence in Savannah, Georgia, where an enterprise he had contemplated promised to meet with splendid success. Before he had completed his business plans, however, he joined the colonial forces and battled for the freedom of the colonies. Joining a Georgia regiment of cavalry, he took an active and gallant part in the con- test, until, in the midst of battle, he was cap- tured and imprisoned in a British ship on
the Savannah river. He did not regain his freedom until the war was ended, and the independence of the nation was proclaimed by the force of arms. Thus set at liberty, he returned to his home and business and within a few years he was established in a large and constantly growing mercantile trade.
Near the close of the century William Wallace, Sr., was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Clay, a daughter of Joseph Clay, an officer in the commissary depart- ment of the Continental army, who from 1778 to 1780 was a member of the conti- nental congress. Not long after his mar- riage Mr. Wallace determined to carry into effect a resolution, formed many years be- fore, of retiring from business when he had secured a competency. Accordingly, in 1805, having brought to a close his exten- sive business interests in the south, he left Georgia with his family and visited most of the towns of New England, as well as many settlements along the Hudson river and throughout New Jersey, in search of a home in which to spend the residue of his life. Noting the advantages and disad- vantages of the various places visited, he finally determined upon Newark on account of the beauty of its situation as well as of the superiority of its schools and the char- acter of its people. He purchased property on Broad street and erected the beautiful home now owned and occupied by Hon. Cortlandt Parker. He also erected the resi- dence on Park Place in which Hon. Fred- erick T. Frelinghuysen spent the last years of his life. In addition to this he owned other property of great value in Newark and vicinity. It was not long after he be- came a resident of Newark that he was made a director in the Newark Banking &
Mmc Palace
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Insurance Company, a great honor in those days.
His life was formulated according to the plan laid down by the Great Teacher,- charity, benevolence, justice, kindliness and honor forming the basis of his character. He died December 20, 1842, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-five years.
William C. Wallace, whose name intro- duces this review, has now passed the age at which his father's pilgrimage of life end- ed, but his strong mental powers are unim- paired and he yet enjoys good health. He was born in Savannah, Georgia, on the 4th of July, 1804, and accompanied his parents on their removal to Newark. His prepara- tory education was conducted with great care in the best schools of the day, and at the age of sixteen he entered the College of New Jersey, at Princeton, being gradu- ated in that institution with the class of 1823. He is now the oldest living gradu- ate of that university.
In early manhood he engaged in mercan- tile pursuits in the city of New York, with the well known firm of Leroy Bayard & Company, but ill health compelled him to retire, and during the latter years of his father's life he devoted himself to the en- tire management of the estate which his father had acquired. Like that honored gentleman he has always preferred to live quietly and without display. He has al- ways avoided public positions and it was with difficulty that he was persuaded to be- come a director in the National Newark Banking Company, of which institution his father was one of the earliest officers.
On the 29th day of April, 1833, Mr. Wal- lace was united in marriage to Miss Hen- rietta Riggs, a daughter of Caleb Riggs. Their family consisted of four children, as
follows: William, Sarah, Mary Collins, and Willie.
Mr. Wallace spends the summer months in Chatham, where he has a beautiful sum- mer home, and for many years he was an elder of the Presbyterian church there. The New Jersey Historical Society num- bers him among its members and to its support he has contributed regularly and liberally. He has been the benefactor of many other institutions, but his giving is known only to himself. Entirely free from ostentation, without self-seeking, he is a true American citizen, loyal to his country, his church and his friends.
JAMES MOFFET.
Gifts of money to a city may be used in its adornment and add to its beauty and attractiveness; but the man who founds and keeps in successful operation extensive business interests, wherein are employed many workmen, does much more for the substantial and permanent development of the city than he whose generosity is mani- fest in the other way. Commercial activity is the life of a community, and it is the wheels of trade which continue over the road to success. Mr. Moffet, in his indus- trial interests, was for some years numbered among the leading citizens of Bloomfield, and by the management of his industry not only added to his individual possessions but also materially increased the prosperity of the city. His life was one of great activity, energy and perseverance, and these quali- ties have gained him prestige in business circles.
Mr. Moffet was born in the city of New York, on the 22d of August. 1836. His father. James Gardner Moffet, also a native
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of that place, born August 4, 1801, married Miss Maria Benson, a native of New Jersey and a daughter of William Benson. He established a factory for the manufacture of whalebone, slat ribs and fastenings for umbrellas, and successfully continued its operation for several years, but in 1830 be- gan the manufacture of sheet brass and German silver and all kinds of metal plat- ing. For some time the rolling mill was' operated by water power, and the first roller was only twelve by twenty-four inch- es; but as the business grew and the trade increased, the primitive machinery was re- placed by the most modern equipments. Heavy rollers were put in, boilers were pur- chased, and from a water-power the plant was transformed into a steam-power mill. The trade steadily increased until the prod- ucts were shipped to all the principal mar- kets of the United States and Europe, and the income from the enterprise was very large. Mr. Moffet carried on the business ยท until within a short time of his death, and left to his family a valuable estate. He passed away January 13, 1887. His father was a ship-builder, who was accidentally killed in South Carolina. At an early age he learned the trade of cabinet-maker and undertaker, and for several years followed the furniture and undertaking business. The beginnings of his commercial interests were small, but he possessed great discre- tion, keen foresight, untiring energy and strong determination, and by the exercise of these qualities steadily worked his way upward to a commanding position in the world of trade, and demonstrated that suc- cess is not the result of genius, as some would believe, but the legitimate result of honorable, persistent and earnest effort.
James Moffet, whose name begins this
article, acquired his early education in the schools of his native city, and afterward attended a select school taught by Rev. David A. Frame, a noted educator, in what was then West Bloomfield, but is now Montclair. On leaving school he learned the trade of plumbing and gas-fitting, thor- oughly mastering that business in all its de- tails, and following the trade until the death of his father, when he took charge of the Bloomfield Rolling Mills, establishing his office at No. 157 Wooster street, New York. where the greater part of the business was, and is even yet, transacted. Shipments are made to various parts of the United States and also to European countries. Sheet, rolled and platers' brass and German silver are manufactured on an extensive scale, and the business has now assumed mammoth proportions, being one of the leading indus- trial concerns of the city. The enterprise has a most enviable reputation for reliabil- ity in all trade transactions, and Mr. Moffet not only regarded the ethics of commerce in his relations to his patrons, but was also extremely fair and just in his treatment of his employees, who recognized the fact that faithful service on their part would not go unnoticed, but would receive proper recognition as opportunity arrived.
For many years Mr. Moffet was con- nected with the New York fire department, belonging to the hook and ladder company from 1857 to 1876. He was a Republican in politics, and accorded to others the right he reserved for himself of settling all such questions according to his own opinions. There was nothing narrow or contracted in his nature, being a broad-minded, practical and progressive business man, true to life's duties, meeting fully its responsibilities, and thus winning the esteem of all with whom
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he came in contact. His death occurred September 15, 1897.
DANIEL MORRISON
is now living a retired life in South Orange. His career has been one of usefulness, characterized by the strictest honesty in business relations, and therefore he has won for himself an honored name and re- ceives the respect of the entire commu- nity. Born in Whippany, Morris county, New Jersey, he entered on the stage of life's activities September 27, 1832. His father, William Morrison, was a native of Cham- bersburg, Pennsylvania, and was by occu- pation a paper manufacturer. He carried on business in Feltville, afterward removed to Paterson, then lived in Whippany and in other places in Pennsylvania, and finally went to the west, locating in St. Paul in 1861. His last days, however, were passed in Minneapolis, where he died in 1881. He was united in marriage to Miss Ester Colie, a native of Millburn township and a daugh- ter of Jacob Colie, who was born in Spring- field township, Essex county. Her father, in early manhood, married Betsey Smith, daughter of William Smith, a representa- tive of one of the old and prominent fami- lies of New Jersey, living in Millburn town- ship, Essex county. Mr. and Mrs. Colie were the parents of the following named children : Katie, William S., Israel, Ester, Aaron, Noah, Daniel, Charles and Moses. Noah, who died March 20, 1898, was born in Springfield township, on the 7th of Au- gust, 1805, lived in South Orange town- ship, and was next to the oldest man in South Orange, attaining the age of ninety- three years. He still retained his faculties unimpaired and was well preserved for one
of his years. In his youth he learned the trade of cooper and measure-maker, which pursuit he followed through most of his life. He was industrious and energetic and won the regard of all with whom he came in contact. He cast his first presi- dential vote for Andrew Jackson, but of late years was independent in politics. He witnessed the development of the country from the early part of the century and saw the wonderful changes which have given the nation rank among the powers of the world and awakened the admiration and respect of all foreign countries. This ven- erable man was esteemed by young and old, rich and poor, and the county honored him not alone on account of his years but also by reason of his well spent life.
Mr. Morrison, the subject of this sketch, devoted the greater part of his active busi- ness life to the shoemaker's trade. He learned this in his youth and made it a means of providing a livelihood for himself and family. Now, after many years of con- tinued activity along that line, he has laid aside business cares and is resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.
In June, 1854, was celebrated the mar- riage of Mr. Morrison and Miss Phebe R. Hogan, a daughter of Ira Hogan, who was a native of South Orange township, Essex county, and one of the organizers of the county. Five children were born to our subject and his wife, of whom three are now living, namely: Carrie L., Marion E. and Jessie W. Those who have passed away are Fred W. and William.
Mr. Morrison has long given his politi- cal support to the Democracy and is a stanch advocate of its principles. Socially, he is a valued member of the Masonic fra- ternity, belonging to Century Lodge, No.
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100, A. F. & A. M., of South Orange, in which he has been honored with all the official preferments within the gift of his brethren of the mystic tie. He is a man of broad general information, of uniform courtesy and kindly disposition, and the strong elements of his character are those which universally win regard.
ALBERT ANTHONY MANDA
takes rank as one of the leading florists of New Jersey. He resides in South Orange, where his gardens and hothouses, supplied with all modern accessories and conven- iences known to floriculture and containing almost every variety of plant cultivated for beauty, form a picture that delights the most artistic eye. Symmetry in design, harmony in color, and the art that has reached such perfection that it seems na- ture's counterfeit, all lend their charm to his place, and make his conservatories and grounds renowned far and wide.
Mr. Manda is a native of Prague, Bo- hemia, born on the IIth of November, 1862. His father, Joseph Manda, is now living in South Orange. Our subject ac- quired his education in his native land, where he made a special study of botany, spending six years in Vienna, London and Paris in mastering that science. On the expiration of that period he came to Amer- ica and accepted a position as curator in the botanical gardens at Harvard University, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he con- tinued for five years. On the expiration of that period he resigned that position and removed to Short Hills, New Jersey, where he began business on his own account as a member of the firm of Pitcher & Manda. In 1894 this partnership was formed into a
stock company, and Mr. Manda then with- drew, coming to South Orange, where he purchased four acres of land adjoining the town. This he at once began improving, laid out a portion of it in beds, built hot- houses, and in a short time had an extensive business established, having now one of the largest distributing depots in the country, and keeping on hand the largest variety of plants in the United States. He handles all kinds of plants, bulbs, fruit trees, seeds, and in fact everything grown in greenhouse or garden. He imports plants from every part of the world, and also ships to many of the civilized ports. He takes contracts for landscape gardening and employs from twenty-five to fifty men in that work and in the care of grounds and plants. His is one of the most perfectly equipped establish- ments of the kind in the country. The de- pot has a cold-storage shed seventy-five by thirty feet, while the hothouses, covered with twelve thousand feet of glass, are well heated and piped for water. He makes a specialty of producing new plants and new varieties by crossing, and has placed upon the market some fine specimens which have excited the wonder and admiration of the botanical world. He now has in his hot- house a "palm" of the species Cycas revolu- ta which came from the Tilden estate, and was formerly owned by George Washing- ton, being now three hundred years old! Mr. Manda does both a wholesale and re- tail business and a most enviable success has attended his efforts. His comprehen- sive knowledge of botany, his love of flow- ers and of all plant life, combined with ener- gy and enterprise, have enabled him to gain prosperity where others have been over- taken by failure.
He has made a study of floriculture, and
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will some day probably have the largest botanical garden in America. His beauti- ful home in Valley street, South Orange, is situated in the midst of an acre of ground, and the best efforts of the landscape gard- ener have been exercised thereon. Beauti- ful evergreens and many kinds of flowering and ornamental plants adorn the place and indicate the owner's love for the most beau- tiful handiwork of nature.
EDWARD REEVE
is the present representative in Orange of a family whose ancestral history is con- nected with that of eastern New Jersey from early colonial days. In the affairs which have promoted the welfare and upbuilding of the state they have borne an important and honorable part, and the untarnished name is worthily worn by the gentleman whose name introduces this review.
Tradition says that the Reeve family originated in France, and authentic history gives the settlement of its representatives in New Jersey at a very early day, William Reeve removing from Long Island to this state in the early colonial era. His son, also named William, was born in what is now Union county, and was a large land- owner there. The latter was the father of Walter S. Reeve, the grandfather of our subject, who was a native of Morris county, New Jersey, born on the 10th of January, 1787. He learned the carpenter's trade, but followed farming the greater part of his life, and was the owner of extensive landed interests in Essex county. In politics he was a Whig, and in religious belief a Pres- byterian. He took an active part in mat- ters pertaining to the public welfare and was a very prominent citizen. On the 2d
of December, 1809, he married Sarah Gard- ner, who died October 25, 1848. Their children were as follows: Abigail M., who was born October 6, 1813, and died Sep- tember 10, 1846, was married January 28, 1837, to John S. Brown; Isaac Oliver died in childhood; Sarah Ann, born May 24, 1821, was married April 7, 1841, to Orin Pierson, and died December 22, 1844; and Thomas Allen was the other member of the family.
Thomas Allen Reeve was born in Mill- burn township, Essex county, September I, 1810, and was married February 1, 1832, to Mrs. Maria Parker Ball. His death oc- curred August 14, 1875, and his wife passed away on the 9th of February, 1895. Their family numbered the following named: Ed- ward; Mary, wife of Samuel A. Gardner; George, who owns the ancestral home of the family; and Sarah, wife of K. Mor, a resident of South Orange.
The members of the Reeve family have long been prominent in the social and busi- ness circles of Essex county, and two of the number rendered their country distin- guished service in the war of the Revolution, Isaac serving as captain in the war for inde- pendence, while John also joined the Amer- ican army and sustained a wound while fighting for his country, being at the time engaged in the battle near Elizabeth, only a short distance from the Reeve homestead, which place was afterward called Vox Hall, the headquarters of the militia post, while the country immediately surrounding it is yet called Vox Hall. Another member of the family who attained distinction is Watt Reeve, the musician and composer, many of whose hymns are still sung.
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