USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 1 > Part 47
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the people and the profession, even as in private life he has retained uniform re- spect and honor.
On the 9th of February, 1897. Judge McCarter was united in marriage to Miss. Madeline G. Barker, of Baltimore, Mary- land, and they occupy an enviable position in the social circles of the New Jersey me- tropolis. In his political adherency the Judge is stanchly arrayed in the support of the Republican party and its principles.
JOHN G. KEYLER,
of the firm of John G. Keyler & Son, un- dertakers and furniture dealers, No. 550 to No. 558, Bloomfield avenue, Bloomfield, New Jersey, has been in business at this place for many years and enjoys high standing in the estimation of the people of the town and surrounding country. Re- viewing his life briefly, we find the follow- ing facts :
John G. Keyler was born in Wittenberg, Germany, in 1832, and in his native land spent the first twenty-one years of his life, receiving his early education in the com- mon schools and then taking a course in one of the academies of Germany. Accord- ing to the German custom, he was put to a trade in his youth. He served an ap- prenticeship of four years to the trade of cabinetmaker, in that time becoming thor- oughly familiar with every department of the business. He continued work at his. trade in Wittenberg until 1853. when, thinking to find a better field for advance- ment in the new world, he took passage for America, and in June landed in New York city. Soon thereafter he located in New- ark and for two years was employed in a furniture manufactory.
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In 1856 Mr. Keyler established his pres- ent business at Bloomfield. For some years he made to order all of his coffins and most of his furniture. As his business enlarged he from time to time increased his facilities until his establishment reached its present large proportions. For years he has manufactured and kept in stock a large variety of both furniture and under- taker's supplies. His outfit, complete in every way, includes three fine funeral cars. He has during his experience here, as his books will show, officiated as undertaker at no less than five thousand three hundred funerals, and ranks to-day as one of the oldest undertakers in Essex county.
In 1886 Mr. Keyler, with others, organ- ized the Bloomfield Building & Loan As- sociation, and at the organization he was made president of the concern, which re- sponsible position he still holds, Charles W. Martin being treasurer and Henry Lawrence secretary.
During the whole of his residence in Bloomfield Mr. Keyler has shown a public spirit, always interested in whatever he considered for the good of the town. He at one time served on the Town Commit- tee. Politically he is a Republican.
Mr. Keyler was married in 1855 to Miss Margaret Schneider, of Bloomfield, New Jersey, and to them have been given seven children, four sons and three daughters, namely: John D., an undertaker of Mont- clair, New Jersey; Charles H., engaged in business with his father; William W., a merchant in Arlington, New Jersey; Fred, at home; Eliza M., wife of Frank Pescey, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Anna, wife of the Rev. F. O. Cesch, D. D., of Cincin- nati, Ohio; and Margaret B., wife of Rev. A. K. Slaiger, of Atlantic City.
JOSEPH LEWIS MUNN.
No state in proportion to its size can boast a more brilliant bar than New Jersey, and the city of Newark has contributed its full quota to the distinguished jurists, who by their ability and learning have added dignity and honor to the fair fame of the commonwealth. Among those whose tal- ents, legal acumen and sterling purpose have gained them distinction in the field of jurisprudence is the gentleman whose name introduces this memoir.
In the early days of American history there came to the shores of the New World the founders of the family. Benjamin Mun, for so the name was originally spelled, served in the Pequod war in 1637 and made his home in Hartford, Connecti- cut, where his death occurred about 1675. He married Abigail Burt, daughter of Henry Burt, and their children were Abi- gail, John, Benjamin, James and Nathan- iel. Of this family John was a participant in the great fight at Turner's. He left one son, John, who was born March 16, 1682, and located in Orange about 1700 or 1705.
About 1750 Joseph and Benjamin Munn, sons of John, settled in what is now East Orange, and their brother Samuel took up his residence in Morristown, New Jersey. Benjamin Munn died in 1818 at the age of eighty-seven years. He was a farmer and his land was located on what is now Munn avenue, East Orange. He was one of the members in commission with the Mountain Society prior to 1756. He mar- ried Jemima Pierson, who was born Au- gust 28, 1734, a daughter of Joseph Pier- son, whose father, Daniel, was a son of Thomas Pierson. Unto Benjamin and Je- mima Munn, on the 16th of December,
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1761, was born a son, to whom they gave the name of David. His birth occurred at the family homestead, at the corner of Main street and Arlington avenue, East Orange, and he served in the New Jersey militia during the war of the Revolution. He married Abigail, daughter of Moses Baldwin, and their second child was Lewis Munn, who was born March 25, 1784, and married Phebe Jones, daughter of Joseph Jones, of an old and prominent New Jersey family. His son, Asa Berton Munn, the father of our subject, was born in East Or- ange, June 28, 1809, and was a thrifty and successful farmer. He married Mary Par- sell, daughter of Joseph S. Hand, a de- scendant of Colonel Aaron Hand, of Springfield, New Jersey, who served in the war of the Revolution.
Joseph Lewis Munn, whose name forms the caption of this article, therefore comes of a family of long identification with the history of Essex county. He was born in East Orange, December 5, 1840, and was prepared for college in the local schools and in Newark Academy. He then en- tered Princeton University, where he was graduated with the class of 1862. His professional studies were begun in the of- fice and under the direction of Hon. Amzi Dodd, and in 1865 he was admitted to the bar, beginning the active practice of his
afterward. For over profession soon
thirty years he has maintained a place among the distinguished lawyers in this section of the state. His practice is ex- tensive and of an important character. He is remarkable among lawyers for the wide research and provident care with which he prepares his cases. At no time has his reading been confined to the limitations of the questions at issue; it has gone beyond
and provided not alone for the expected but also for the unexpected, which happens in the courts quite as frequently as out of them. His logical grasp of facts and prin- ciples and of the law applicable to them has been another potent element in his success, and a remarkable clearness of expression, an adequate and precise diction, which en- ables him to make others understand not only the salient points of his argument or decision but also his every fine gradation of meaning, may be accounted one of his most conspicuous gifts and accomplish- ments.
At various times Mr. Munn has served as counsel for East Orange and other town- ships in the county. He was surrogate of Essex county from 1884 until 1889, has been counsel for the county since Decem- ber 1, 1894, and was made counsel for the Essex county park commission in May, 1895. He began his political career when only seventeen years of age and has since been one of the effective speakers and ac- tive workers for the Republican party. He has been a member of the Republican state executive committee and chairman of the Republican county committee. He was a member of the general assembly in 1881 and during the sessions of that term served on some important committees. He was chairman of the committee on revision of laws, a member of the judiciary committee and chairman of a special committee ap- pointed to investigate riparian rights and the records of the proprietors at Amboy. His careful work in drafting laws has led to his frequent employment for that pur- pose. He is thoroughly versed in every- thing pertaining to such work, and his service in that direction has been very val- uable.
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ESSEX COUNTY.
With many of the county enterprises and interests Mr. Munn has been identi- fied and gives his support to all objects cal- culated to prove of public benefit. He was one of the organizers of the Orange Water Company, in 1880, and has since served as its counsel. The cause of education has found in him a warm friend, and his labors in behalf of the public schools have been most effective and beneficial. For thirty- two years he served as trustee of the schools of East Orange, and when the East Orange Board of Education was estab- lished in 1890 he became its first president. He was made county superintendent of schools under the new law, but owing to the pressure of other duties he resigned.
In 1867 Mr. Munn was united in mar- riage to Miss Elizabeth Randall, daughter of John M. Randall, of East Orange. Their children are Mary R., Huldah, Ed- ward, John R. and Margaret. Edward was graduated at Princeton in 1895. Mr. Munn is a man of strong intellectuality, of scholarly attainments and broad mental culture. He is a forcible speaker and an accurate writer, with a style peculiarly his own, which makes his compositions easily recognizable.
ELIHU BOND,
of South Orange township, was born June 20, 1818, at Lyons Farm, now Waverly, and his ancestral history is one of close con- nection with the colonization of the new world. Robert Bond, the first of the name to seek a home in America, left Kent coun- ty, England, in 1639 and braving the dan- gers incident to an ocean voyage in those days, became a resident of Southampton, Long Island. He afterward spent a short
time in Lynn, Massachusetts, removed thence to East Hampton in 1649, and in 1664 went to Elizabethtown, Union county, New Jersey. Tradition says that he mar- ried Jane Ogden, a sister of John Ogden, who also located in Elizabeth in 1664. Rob- ert Bond came to Elizabeth highly recom- mended by Governor Winthrop, of Con- necticut, and by Governor Carteret was ap- pointed assistant to the justices. On the 13th of March, 1675, he was appointed a justice of the peace and was one of the most prominent and influential citizens of the community. After the death of his first wife he removed to Newark, where he wed- ded Mary Roberts, widow of Hugh Rob- erts, in 1672. She was a daughter of Hugh Calkins, who emigrated from Wales in 1640. Robert Bond then became interest- ed in Newark and was elected to represent the colony in the colonial congress. He continued his residence in Newark until his death, which occurred in April, 1677.
Joseph Bond, his son, and the next in line of direct descent, settled in Elizabeth and died in 1709. His son Robert located on a farm near the place of the late Gov- ernor Williamson. He was very well edu- cated for those days and held the distin- guished position as member of Governor Carteret's privy council. Elihu Bond, his son, and the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Elizabeth, born May 20, 1756, was educated in the common schools, and followed the occupation of farming as a life work. He was one of the heroes who fought for the independence of the nation and was afterward given a pension in recog- nition of his services. He would often re- late to his children many incidents of the alarm, anxiety and danger of that seven years' struggle. His house was a guard-
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house and when a sentinel was stationed on duty, as there were no time-pieces in the house, a pin would be placed in the candle an inch or two down, and when it had burned down to the pin the sentry was re- lieved. He was married March 22, 1778, to Phoebe Price, daughter of Jonathan Price, and their children were as follows: Robert, born in January, 1779, died at the age of sixteen years; Elizabeth, born Octo- ber 10, 1781, married Lewis Ogden and died July 23, 1870; Mary, born January 12, 1784, became the wife of Benjamin Lyons and died February 2, 1852; Phoebe, born February 8, 1786, married Philip Earl and died November 6, 1864; Elihu is the fath- er of our subject; Sarah, born July 4, 1790, died in infancy; David, born December II, 1791, married Rebecca Osborn and after her death wedded Mary Spence; Abby, born in March, 1794, married Levi Long; Rev. Lewis, born October 9, 1795, married Catherine Vanderveer; and Jonathan died in infancy. The father of this family was a prominent citizen, an upright man and a devoted Christian. He died in 1839 and his wife passed away September 17, 1829.
Elihu Bond, father of our subject, was a native of Lyons Farm, now Waverly, born March 22, 1788, and was educated in the common schools. He made farming his chief occupation through life and took much interest in public affairs. He was a firm friend of his country and did all in his power to promote the welfare of the community with which he was connected. He held a number of township offices, dis- charging his duties with marked prompt- ness and fidelity. He was drafted for ser- vice in the war of 1812, but other duties more pressing forced him to remain at home and he hired a substitute to go in
his place. He was a man of sound judg- ment and had the highest respect of all, but was of retiring habits. Like his father he was a devoted Christian, becoming a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church in 1817. He married Sarah Earl, daughter of Ed- ward Earl, who represented one of the early families of New Jersey and was one of the first settlers of Hilton. To Mr. and Mrs. Bond, whose marriage was celebrated April 2, 1809, were born the following children: Phoebe, born March 17, 1814; Aaron, born September 8, 1815, died in childhood; Elihu; Sarah, born August 22, 1820; Aaron, born May 7, 1822; Elizabeth, who was born July 15, 1824, died in infancy; Elizabeth, born August 19, 1827; Harriet, born Sep- tember 7, 1828; and one other who died in infancy. Of this family Aaron married Phoebe Ann Woodruff; Sarah became the wife of William Lyons, Elizabeth married John Roll and after his death became the wife of Jacob Thompson, and Harriet is the wife of John W. Ross. The mother of this family died August 26, 1857, and the fath- er's death occurred November 28, 1870.
Elihu Bond, whose name introduces this sketch, pursued his studies in the public schools and was thus fitted for the practical and responsible duties of life. Devoting his time and energies to agricultural pur- suits he accumulated a comfortable com- petence and is now living a retired life. He owns a valuable property, which yields to him good returns, and his business interests were well managed and directed in con- formity with the strictest rules of commer- cial life.
Mr. Bond was united in marriage May 19, 1842, by the Rev. Lewis Bond, to the lady of his choice, Miss Margaret Freeman. a native of South Orange, and a daughter
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of Amos Freeman. Her death occurred August 22, 1894, and she was deeply mourned by many friends, for her many ex- cellent qualities had endeared her to all with whom she came in contact. In the family were two children: Emma, who is now the wife of Alvin Terrey; and Charles, who married Jessie Hull. The Bond family have for many generations been connected with the Presbyterian church. Rev. Lewis Bond was the organizer of the church of that denomination in Plainfield, and served as its pastor for forty years. Elihu Bond, of this review is also a member of the church to which his ancestors belonged. His political support is given the Republi- can party, and while he is deeply interested in its success he has never sought or de- sired the honors or emoluments of public office. His private life and his business ca- reer are alike above reproach, and he is not only esteemed as a representative of an hon- ored family, but is held in the highest re- gard by reason of his many admirable traits and true manly principles.
THOMAS DENMAN.
The Denman family is of English origin, being connected with the distinguished family of which Lord Thomas, the first Lord Denman (1779-1854) was an eminent representative. The American branch first settled, shortly after the Revolutionary war, in what was at that time called the province of Newark, New Jersey, where Thomas Denman, the grandfather of our subject, located in what is now White Oak Ridge, where he followed the vocation of a farmer, and also dealt extensively in lumber. He married Miss Johanna Chetwood, who was born near Elizabeth, New Jersey, and they
reared seven children,-five daughters and two sons,-John, the father of our subject, being the eldest of the latter, and he also was engaged in farming and in the lumber business, being associated with his father. He married Miss Deidamia Dean, daugh- ter of Jacob Dean, the latter a native of the county and a Revolutionary soldier, being regularly enlisted and serving as a minute man. He possessed considerable property, upon which he built, and there John was reared and educated. Mr. and Mrs. Denman became the parents of ten children, eight of whom lived to be over sixty years old, and four of whom still sur- vive. The following record of the ten is presented herewith: Edwin died when twenty years of age; Aaron B. lives on Oak Ridge; Isaac L. died at the age of seventy- four years; Lewis A. died when sixty-two years old; Bethuel D. attained a similar age; Electa A. married Daniel Dean, of Summit, and lived to be over sixty years of age; John resides at Summit; Thomas, the im- mediate subject of this review; Henrietta became the wife of George B. Littell, of this township; Edward O. died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Denman were devout mem- bers of the Springfield Presbyterian church. He departed this life in 1875 and his wife in 1878. They were a worthy couple and were honored and respected by their many friends.
Thomas Denman, the immediate subject of this review, was born in Millburn town- ship on the 7th of August, 1829, and there his youth was passed. He received his liter- ary education in the public schools of the vicinity and assisted his parents until at- taining his eighteenth year, when he started out for himself, engaging in several pur- suits, until he accepted a position as clerk
Thomas Deman
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in a general store at Springfield, retaining the same for a period of three years. He then went to Newark, remaining there for a while, subsequently going to New York, where he secured employment in a whole- sale dry-goods house, with which he re- mained until some time in the '6os, when his health became so impaired that he was obliged to return home. He resided on the old Denman homestead, which was situated at old Short Hills, and remained with his parents until their death. For nine years he has been a representative and public- spirited citizen of Livingston township and has in various ways demonstrated his loyal- ty to the community in which he resides. He was a Whig when that party was in ex- istence, later becoming a Republican, and he has been a school trustee, a member of the committee of appeal and of the town- ship committee of Millburn township. In his religious affiliations he is a consistent ad- herent of the Evangelical church.
From his childhood Mr. Denman has had an exceptional appreciation of literature, and not only has he read extensively and familiarized himself with the works of stand- ard authors, but has written many excel- lent productions in both prose and verse. He began to write verses at an early age, and from time to time his literary produc- tions have appeared in newspapers and magazines. His literary style is admirable, and that he possesses the true sentiment and instinct of poetry, implying lively imag- inative powers and keen observative facul- ties, is shown in many of his published verses. His love of nature has been ever of the most vital order, and that he has not failed to hold "communion with her visible forms" is evidenced in many of his pro- ductions. It is certainly consistent to in-
corporate at this point the following poem, written by Mr. Denman and published in the Sentinel of Freedom, June 7, 1887:
THE BRIGHT SIDE.
" 'Tis a dull old place, this world of ours-
Our pleasures fade as the wayside flowers." Come lean, fair lassie, upon my knee, While I recite how it seems to me-
The violets' bloom, and the wild field flowers
Make a cheerful place of this world of ours. I love to hear in the wooded dell,
The lowing kine and the tinkling bell;
And down, 'way down in the grassy dingle,
To hear the sheep-bell's merry jingle; And at dusky eve I linger iong, To list the milk-maid's cheery song;
And the yeoman's son, we hear him now,
Whistling merrily behind his plow; And the cat-bird sits in yonder tree,
Making the weirdest melody; And yonder, list, by the sparkling spring,
"Tis there the redbreast robins sing;
And at Autumn time, 'neath that copse of fir-
One may catch the sound of the cricket's churr; And when the moon rises o'er the hill.
You'll hear the pipe of the Whip-poor-will;
And just thro' yon tangle, you now may view The wild-duck hunter in his bark canoe-
"And-the fish-hawk swooping upon its prey,
A bloody deed for your beautiful day!" True, hunger, insatiate hunger, the bore, Knocks not alone at the sportsman's door, His insatiate maw cries, "give, aye, give!" And the victim dies that the hawk may live.
"So all the beauty that surrounds us here,
Is drawn from the ashes of the dead old year!" Aye; life with time seems running a race, And things of to-day take yesterday's place. Still, the cat-bird's note, and the cricket's churr, The robin's plumes and the songs of her, The violets' bloom, and the woodland flowers Make a beautiful place of this world of ours.
"But, what of the dead in the churchyard mold?" Child, 'tis a beautiful creed that I've been told- That all the beauty which surrounds us here Is risen from the ashes of the dead old year; And the churchyard sleepers won't sleep for aye, They, too, shall rise some beautiful day. Yes, yes, the cat-bird's song and the cricket's churr The robin's plumes and the songs of her, The violets' bloom and the wayside flowers
Make a beautiful place of this world of ours. May 27, 1887. -D.
JOHN D. KEYLER,
a leading undertaker and dealer in furni- ture, who resides in Montclair, was born in Bloomfield, New Jersey, in 1856, the eld- est son of John G. and Margaret Keyler,
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the former being a native of Germany who the Royal Arcanum, while both he and his- family possess the high esteem of their many friends. came to America and located in Bloom- field over forty years ago and has since been a prominent undertaker and furniture dealer of that city. A sketch of John G. THOMAS B. PARSIL Keyler is incorporated within this work. Our subject passed his early life in Bloom- owns and operates a farm of ninety acres- in Millburn township and is one of the lead- field, his preliminary education being ac- quired in the public schools of that place, . ing agriculturists of the community. He and the same being supplemented by a course of study at the Newark Academy. After leaving the latter institution he as- sisted his father for the ensuing five years. In 1878 he and his father formed a part- nership and engaged in business in Mont- clair under the firm name of John G. Key- ler & Son, this association continuing until 1880, when our subject purchased the en- tire interest of the concern, changed the title to John D. Keyler, and has since con- ducted the business upon his own responsi- bility. He keeps a high-class stock of ma- terial always on hand, including all the necessary equipments and furniture; he has an excellent place of business, centrally lo- cated, and he richly merits the success he is now enjoying and which is ever due in- trinsic worth and intelligently applied in- dustry. was born in South Broad street, Newark, on the 16th of August, 1848, and is a son of William H. Parsil, a representative of one of the oldest families of the county. When he was about a year old his parents. removed to the homestead in Millburn township, and he remained on the farm until sixteen years of age, acquiring his ed- ucation in the district schools of the neigh- borhood. He then went to South Orange, where he began learning the hatter's trade, mastering the business in all its branches. He followed that pursuit for three years and then went to Roselle and learned the car- penter's trade, serving a three-years ap- prenticeship. He afterward followed that pursuit for twelve years, and his efficiency and thorough understanding of the busi- ness brought to him a liberal patronage, which returned him a handsome compe- On the 25th of January, 1880, Mr. Key- ler was united in marriage to Miss Julia A. Corby, daughter of the late William and Jane (Ward) Corby, the latter being a daughter of Caleb Ward, who died in his ninety-fourth year. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Keyler, as fol- lows: Norma A., who is at present pur- suing her studies at the Montclair high school; Mildred, and Girard S. tency. In 1892, however, he abandoned the trade, and in April took up his residence on the Hill farm in Millburn township, where he has since carried on general farm- ing, having ninety acres of land, much of which is under a high state of cultivation. In connection he also operates an extensive dairy, keeping from forty to fifty head of cows for that purpose. His income is there- by materially increased, for the products of his dairy, being of superior quality, al- ways find a ready sale on the market.
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