USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 1 > Part 39
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The heirlooms which have come down to the present generation are many. Our
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subject now has in his possession many In- dian relics and relics of the Revolution, which were obtained near Vox Hall Post and the old farm, together with the will of his great-grandfather, which bears date September 20, 1822, and was recorded in Essex county.
A native of Millburn township, Edward Reeve, has spent his entire life in Essex county, remaining on the home farm during his youth, and his time being divided be- tween play and work, and attendance at the public school. After attaining his major- ity he married Miss Amanda Elizabeth Smith, a native of Essex county, and a daughter of Harvey E. Smith.
Mr. Reeve is regarded as one of the most progressive and enterprising business men of Orange, and has been connected with many of its leading commercial pursuits. For a time he was proprietor of a meat mar- ket, and at various periods has engaged in the hotel business. He is now the owner of the Central Hotel, of Orange, and has made it one of the best hotels in the eastern part of the state, supplied with all modern conveniences and accessories for the com- fort of the traveling public : this he owned and operated until 1884, since which time the property has been leased. In business affairs he is energetic, persevering and pro- gressive, and carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
In the discharge of all the duties of citi- zenship Mr. Reeve is as true and faithful as when he followed the old flag on southern battle-fields. During the civil war he manifested his loyalty to the Union cause by enlisting in the Twenty-sixth New Jer- sey Infantry, and for nine months remained in the service, participating in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and a
number of skirmishes. His political sup- port has ever been given to the Republican party, and in his social relations he is a Mason. His pleasant, genial manner makes him a favorite in all circles, and his sterling worth commands the confidence and regard of all with whom he is brought in contact.
JOHN GALBRAITH.
There is no more honorable or highly esteemed representative of the business in- terests of Essex county in South Orange than this gentleman, who has spent almost his entire life here. For many years he has been known for his sterling qualities, his fearless loyalty to his honest convictions and his clear-headedness, discretion and tact in commercial circles, and South Orange well numbers him among her lead- ing and representative men.
Mr. Galbraith was born on the 16th of January, 1834, in England, and is a son of James Galbraith, a native of Scotland, who emigrated with his family to America in 1837, and took up his residence in Penn- sylvania, where he remained for two years. He then removed to Newark, New Jersey, and established himself in business as a flor- ist and gardener at the corner of what is now High and Warren streets. He was a leader in his line, and his thorough mas- tery of the business and untiring industry brought to him a good patronage. He was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Hill, and they became the parents of five children, namely: Margaret, Benjamin, William, Jane and John. The father died at the age of eighty years and the mother passed away at the advanced age of eighty-nine. Their three sons all learned the jeweler's trade.
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Coming to New Jersey in his early boy- hood, John Galbraith, of this review, has spent almost his entire life within the bor- ders of this state, and the commonwealth can find no more loyal son. He was reared in Newark, and as his father's assistant be- came familiar with floriculture and garden- ing in early life. Upon attaining his ma- jority, however, he learned the jeweler's trade, and for a considerable period en- gaged in business in that line; but the close confinement of the store at length forced him to close out his interests, and he once more turned his attention to the pursuits which occupied his time in his youth. Re- moving to South Orange, he purchased three acres of land, known as the old Beach homestead, and is now extensively engaged in raising flowers and ornamental plants. He has commodious and well appointed greenhouses, supplied with all modern con- veniences for the most successful conduct of the business, and his capable manage- ment of his work, combined with honor- able dealing, has won for him a liberal pat- ronage, of which he is well deserving.
Mr. Galbraith led to the marriage altar Miss Catherine Howell, a native of New- ark, and a daughter of Stephen Howell, who was also born in the same city. He belonged to one of the old families of Essex county and lived to see the greater part of the development of Newark. His family was represented in the colonial army by several of the name, who served with dis- tinction in the cause for independence. On the maternal side Mrs. Galbraith is con- nected with the Drakes, also one of the old and prominent families of Essex county. By her marriage she has become the mother of four children, namely: Mary E., at home; Charles H., who is living in South
Orange; Harvey G., who makes his home in the same city; and Frederick S., who is still with his parents.
ALBERT KAUFMANN,
of the firm of Fowler & Kaufmann, East Orange, New Jersey, is what may truly be styled a self-made man. As such, it is but fitting that personal mention be made of him in this work, devoted as it is to a re- view of the lives of the representative men and women of Essex county.
Albert Kaufmann is a German, born in Carlsruhe, Baden, July 16, 1858, son of Carl and .Louisa (Rau) Kaufmann, the for- mer of German descent and the latter of French. The history of the Kaufmann family shows many men of note,-men who held responsible positions in the govern- ment. Henry Lang, an uncle of our sub- ject, was at one time mayor of Carlsruhe. The younger Carl Kaufmann, the father of our subject, was a hotelkeeper and brewer. He and his wife both died in early life, leav- ing two little children, Albert and Carl, the former then only two years old. At this tender age, deprived of both father and mother's love and protection, the little or- phans were placed in an orphans' home, where they remained until they were four- teen, during that time, when of proper age, attending the public schools. After leav- ing this institution. Albert Kaufmann learned the art of fresco-painting and dec- orating, and while thus occupied spent his evenings in attending a commercial school. At seventeen he left Carlsruhe and trav- eled through Berlin, Hamburg, and many other of the principal cities of Germany, as well as those of Switzerland and France, perfecting himself in his art by study and
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work in these cities. In 1881 he sailed from Hamburg for New York, whither he arrived in due time and where he spent eight months. Then he traveled exten- sively through the large cities of the west. Finally he returned east and established himself in business at Jersey City Heights, where he continued until 1888, when he came to East Orange. Here he has since conducted a successful business. The pres- ent firm of Fowler & Kaufmann was estab- lished January 1. 1897.
Mr. Kaufmann is unmarried. He is an attendant at the German Lutheran church.
ISAAC LANE,
who has been conspicuously identified with the business interests of Franklin, as both boy and man, for over half a century, was born in his home city on the 5th of March, 1830, and is a son of William and Jane (Pier) Lane. His mother was born January 20, 1807. William Lane was also born in Caldwell township, September 10, 1804, and was a son of Henry Lane. He fol- lowed the occupation of carpenter until his death, which occurred February 19, 1890, at the venerable age of eighty-six years. His wife died in the same year, when eighty- three years old. The children born to this worthy couple were: George Lane, of Newark; Maria, widow of W. R. Congar; Isaac, our subject; Esther, Sarah and Caro- line. the three latter being deceased.
Isaac Lane obtained but little literary ed- ucation, his parents being in meager cir- cumstances,-a fact that compelled him early in life to seek employment, thereby gaining that self-reliance and business acu- men that characterized his subsequent ca- reer. His first situation was with the firm
of Bush & Campbell, a predecessor of Lane & Lockward, and here he worked as a stripper, earning twenty-five cents a hun- dred pounds. He continued with this firm and its successors, becoming thoroughly acquainted with the tobacco business in all its departments, and eventually, in 1866, acquiring an interest as a partner. (This tobacco factory has been in operation ever since 1806.) His devotion to this one line of industry has not permitted him to share his time with other enterprises, which fact is sufficient to account for the sure, grad- ual growth and financial prosperity of the present establishment of Lane & Lock- ward.
Mr. Lane was married on January 28, 1851, to Emma, daughter of Cornelius Gould. Her death occurred in 1869, and in 1871 our subject married Susan, daugh- ter of Moses Kinsey. No children were born by either marriage. In fraternal rela- tions Mr. Lane is a Master Mason.
GEORGE N. WILLIAMS,
whose pleasant home is located on Pros- pect street, South Orange, New Jersey, is one of the retired citizens of this place. A resume of his life is as follows :
George N. Williams was born in West Orange, New Jersey, June 22, 1829, son of Nathaniel and Ruth (Ludlow) Williams, both natives of New Jersey, the former born in West Orange and the latter in Morris county. The family on the pater- nal side is of Welsh origin. Grandfather Ludlow was a resident of Poughkeepsie, New York, where he had a tract of land granted to him by King George. During the Revolutionary war his grandfather
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WILLIAM LANE
ISAAC LANE
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Williams was a soldier in the British army, and while on Long Island contracted small- pox from the British soldiers and died of that disease. Nathaniel Williams was a tailor by trade, and, as was the custom in those days, went from house to house to make clothes for the family. His religious faith was that of the Episcopal church, and in politics he was an old-line Whig.
In his native place George N. Williams spent the first fourteen years of his life. When a boy he worked in a tannery and learned the trade of harnessmaker, which, however, he never followed. Most of his active life was passed as a carpenter and builder. Many of the buildings in the Or- anges show his handiwork. In 1857, thinking to better his condition by going west, he went to Indiana and located at Elkhart, where he was residing at the time the civil war came on. He enlisted in the Twenty-sixth New Jersey Volunteer Infan- try, in 1862, and immediately went to the front. Among the engagements in which he participated were those of Fredericks- burg and Rappahannock. He was honor- ably discharged and was mustcred out of the service at Camp Frelinghuysen just be- fore the battle of Gettysburg. Returning to
1 Indiana at the close of his army service, he spent three years more in that state and at the end of that time went out to California, where he remained two years, during that period visiting all the places of interest on the Pacific coast. Coming back from Cal- ifornia, he stopped at North Judson, In- diana, which continued to be his abiding place until 1889, and since that time he has resided at South Orange, now retired.
Politically Mr. Williams is in accord with the Republican party and the prin- ciples advocated by it. He was married in
1854 to Louisa A. Baldwin, the youngest daughter of John S. Baldwin, of East Or- ange, and they have one son, Charles S., of East Orange.
GEORGE F. COPE,
of Hilton, belongs to that class of Amer- ica's adopted citizens, who, seeking a home in the New World, have adapted them- selves to the changed conditions and sur- roundings, and by the exercise of native ability, untiring energy and sound judg- ment have worked their way steadily up- ward. It is in this way that Mr. Cope has gained a place among the foremost busi- ness men of Hilton and won for himself a handsome competence, which is entirely the outcome of his own efforts.
A native of Warwickshire, England, he was born in 1832. His father and his grandfather both bore the name of John Cope and were engaged as shepherds in their native England. The former died at the age of eighty-three years. In his fam- ily were four sons and three daughters, all of whom, excepting our subject, remained in England.
George F. Cope began his education in the public schools of his native land and afterward attended night schools, prac- tically educating himself. He learned the trade of blacksmithing and followed that pursuit until thirty-five years of age, when seeking to better his financial condition he crossed the Atlantic to America, landing in New York city. Not long afterward he took up his residence in Newark, and at once began work at his trade as manager of the business of William M. Pier. He re- mained in the employ of that gentleman for some time and in 1874 began business on
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his own account in Hilton. He was alone at first, but his trade steadily increased as his skill and ability became known, and he was obliged to secure an assistant. He now has seven employes and is proprietor of one of the most extensive blacksmithing establishments in Essex county. He has facilities for manufacturing buggies and wagons and many of the materials used in the construction of the same, and is now making a specialty of the manufacture of milk wagons on which he uses a patent door, of which he is the sole owner. He received the first premium on this milk wagon at the last three state fairs. He has also invented and patented a bolt for fastening the shafts on buggies, which is a very important contrivance and will un- doubtedly come into general use, as its excellence is brought to the public atten- tion. Mr. Cope possesses much inventive genius, and his practical knowledge of mechanics enables him to embody in sub- stantial form the ideas that his fertile brain originates.
In 1854 Mr. Cope was united in mar- riage to Miss Anna Potter, a native of England and a daughter of William Potter, who also was born in that country. Eight children have been born of their union: William, Allen, Frederick, Catherine, John, Mary, Charles, and Harriett, the second child, who died in infancy. The four eld- est were born in England.
Religiously, Mr. Cope and his wife are connected with the Presbyterian church as faithful members. He also belongs to the Horse Shoeing Society, whose lodge room is on Market street, of Newark, New Jer- sey. He is very active in the work of this organization and does all in his power to promote its welfare.
In politics he is independent, voting for the man whom he thinks best qualified to discharge the duties of the office, regard- less of party affiliations. He is a pro- gressive, public-spirited citizen, doing all in his power to benefit the city of his adop- tion, and is a very enterprising, honorable business man, whose success is the just re- ward of his own labors.
JOSEPH STRETCH,
of the firm of Stretch & Doyle, plumbers and gas fitters, East Orange, New Jersey, is a native of this state and a representative of a family whose identification with New Jersey covers a long period, extending back to 1680, in which year the progenitor of the American branch of the Stretch family emi- grated from England, his native land, to this country and settled in Cape May county, New Jersey. .
William B. Stretch, the grandfather of Joseph Stretch, was born near Salem, New Jersey. He was a merchant tailor, and did business in Salem the greater part of his life. He was twice married and had a numerous progeny. Of the six children by his first wife only one survives, William G., a resident of Jersey City Heights. By his second wife, whose maiden name was Hannah G. Smith, he had the following named children: Eliakim S., the father of our subject; Elisha, deceased; Elizabeth, a resident of East Orange, New Jersey; George W., deceased; Job, deceased; and Mary, who died in infancy. The parents died in Hudson county. Eliakim S. Stretch was born, and spent the first four- teen years of his life at Salem. He then went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he lived for three years, thence removed to
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Jersey City, and several years later took up his abode in Hoboken. He has been a resident of East Orange for twenty-seven years. When a boy he started out to make his own way in the world as a clerk in a dry-goods store. Subsequently he learned the carpenter's trade, later in life was en- gaged in the manufacture of vinegar, and since he has resided in East Orange he has been in the real-estate business. He was married, in Albany, New York, September 2, 1858, to Miss Margaret E. O'Hague, and they have seven children, namely: Joseph, Elisha, Isabella, Mary, Albert, Clinton and Eliakim.
Joseph Stretch, the immediate subject of this review, was born in Hoboken, New Jersey, November 9, 1859. When he was twelve years of age he removed with his parents to East Orange. His education, begun in the public schools of his native town, was continued in the public schools of East Orange, and completed in the Bry- ant & Stratton Business College at New- ark, where he graduated at nineteen. After completing his commercial course he engaged in the vinegar business with his father, the two continuing together for about nine years, when his father retired. Our subject then turned his attention to pattern and model making, in which he was engaged two years. Since 1890 he has been conducting his present business. The firm of Stretch & Doyle are practical plumbers and gas fitters, deal in heating apparatus, and are agents for United States roof paint. Mr. Stretch is the in- ventor and patentee of several very impor- tant devices which are now being put on the market, and he is a stockholder in the United Fuel Gas Generator Company, of New York.
He has been twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Miss Agnes F. Hammacher, died without issue. His second marriage took place in Newark, New Jersey, July 29, 1887, when he was united to Miss Carrie L. Hewson, a daugh- ter of H. A. and Elizabeth Hewson of that place; and their union has been blessed in the birth of four children, namely : Harry A., George W., Elizabeth, and Olive May. The family attend worship at the Reformed church of East Orange.
JOHN W. RANSLEY,
of the firm of Ransley & Son, the well known and popular mineral-water manu- facturers at East Orange, New Jersey, is a son of William and Maria (Wandel) Rans- ley, and was born in Piermont, New Jersey, April 3, 1847.
Grandfather Ransley came to America from England when but a youth and lo- cated in Newark, New Jersey, where he spent the rest of his life. The maternal an- cestors of our subject were Holland Dutch. They came to this country at an early day and located in New Jersey, which was the home of the younger generations. Will- iam Ransley was born in Newark, acquired a fair education in the public schools of that city, and in early life learned the trade of butcher. He did not, however, work at this trade long. The greater part of his life was spent in the hotel business. He died in April. 1893. but his widow still sur- vives. Of their children, we record that one died in infancy and a daughter, Cor- nelia, died after reaching womanhood. Those living are Mary, wife of Jacob Daw- son, of Newark, New Jersey; John W., whose name forms the heading of this
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sketch; Thomas, a resident of New York city; and Elizabeth, a resident of Newark.
John W. Ransley spent his early life in Newark and acquired his education in the public schools of that city. After leaving school, he was employed in his father's hotel for a few years, subsequently engaged in the grocery business, and later went to Paterson, New Jersey, and turned his at- tention to the bottling business. In 1883 he established the manufactory which he has since conducted and which is the most extensive of the kind in the state of New Jersey.
Mr. Ransley was married in Paterson, New Jersey, in May, 1870, to Sophia M. Wortendyke, daughter of Ryan M. Wor- tendyke, and they have the following named children : William, who is a partner in his father's business; Carrie, wife of Ren- sel Ryman, Newark, New Jersey; Helen, Frederick, David, and James, all living, ex- cept the last named, who died in childhood.
Mr. Ransley is a member of Orange Lodge, No. 135, Order of Elks. Politi- cally he affiliates with the Democratic party, and in social and political as well as business circles is active and influential. His family attend worship at the Metho- dist Episcopal church.
HARRY W. SMITH,
of the firm of Smith & Frint, East Orange, New Jersey, is ranked with the representa- tive business men of his town. Mr. Smith belongs to a family which for many years has been identified with Essex county. Ezekiel Smith, his grandfather, was born in Orange, this county, at which place he spent his entire life. By trade he was a blacksmith. For many years his forge and his friendly face were familiar to all the
people of Orange and vicinity, and none knew him but to respect and esteem him. He and his wife, whose maiden name was Sharp, were the parents of four sons, namely: Walter, who was for years prom- inent in Masonic circles, is deceased; Mel- zer, also deceased; Alexander, the father of our subject; and Joseph, a resident of Montclair, New Jersey. Alexander Smith, like his father, was born and reared in Or- ange. His education, which was begun in the public schools of his native town, was completed in the Polytechnical Institute at Troy, New York. In early life he learned the butcher's trade, but subsequently he engaged in the livery business at Orange, which he conducted successfully for many years. He is now a resident of East Or- ange. He and his wife, nee Frances An- geline Ball, have had three children,- Harry W., A. Cornelia and Marcus. The last named died in childhood.
Harry W. Smith first saw the light of day in the same town in which his father and grandfather had been born, the date of his birth being April 20, 1865, and in his native town he received his education, completing with a high-school course. After leaving school he went to New York, where he was for some years engaged as a clerk in a retail hat establishment. Re- turning to Essex county, he located at East Orange and accepted a position as clerk in the establishment with which he has since been connected. It was then con- ducted by Edward Meeker. Mr. Smith soon obtained an interest in the business, and in 1891, in connection with Mr. Charles H. Frint, he purchased the entire interest of Mr. Meeker, the business hav- ing since been carried on under the firm name of Smith & Frint.
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Mr. Smith was married, in Jersey City, September 20, 1884, to Miss Annie W. Taylor, daughter of Samuel W. and Cath- erine Woolfall (Blakeloch) Taylor. Mr. Taylor was at one time private secretary of Captain Erickson. To Mr. and Mrs. Harry W. Smith three children have been given, namely: Marcus W., born August 2, 1885; Angie C., May 29, 1889; and Bes- sie Louise, January II, 1893.
Unlike his father, who is Democratic in his political views, Mr. Harry W. Smith is a supporter of the Republican party, and while his father's family attend the Presby- terian church, he and his family worship at the Protestant Episcopal church.
ELIAS W. DRAKE.
In reverting to the life history of the subject of this review we find many ele- ments of peculiar interest as touching the annals of the state of New Jersey. He stands as a representative of one of the oldest pioneer families of the common- wealth, the same having been established here in the early colonial days. The origi- nal American ancestor of the Drake family was an Englishman, as is indicated by the name, and it is presumed that he emi- grated to the New World as early as the year 1700. He settled in Middlesex coun- ty, where he reared his family. It is a matter of authentic record that the family was thoroughly in touch with the spirit of independence and that it contributed its quota toward supporting the colonies in the war of the Revolution. It is known that General Washington was entertained at the home of one of the Drakes while he was passing through their section of the state. This fact alone is sufficient to estab-
lish the loyalty of the family to American institutions,-a loyalty which has been cumulative in character through the suc- ceeding generations and which has ever aimed to conserve those sterling principles for which the patriot colonists fought with such devoted zeal. The subject of this sketch has been prominently identified with the industrial life of Essex county for many years and has held prestige as an able and honored business man,-one who is pecu- liarly worthy of representation in this com- pilation.
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