USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 1 > Part 53
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alfred & Grace
CRANE HOMESTEAD.
WASHINGTON'S HEADQUARTERS AT MONTCLAIR (THEN CALLED CRANETOWN) AND THE BIRTHPLACE OF FOUR GENERATIONS OF CRANES.
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ESSEX COUNTY.
Alfred Jasper Crane, son of Amos and Rhoda L. (Ward) Crane, and the immedi- ate subject of this review, was born on the old homestead in West Bloomfield, now Montclair, on the 18th of January, 1864. He acquired his preliminary educational discipline in the public schools of that place, supplementing the same by a course of study at the Newark Business College. Upon leaving the latter institution he went to New York city and there took up the study of art, which he pursued industri- ously for two years and then, in order to more thoroughly perfect himself, he went abroad, spending one year at Dusseldorf Academy, near Cologne, Germany. Re- turning to his old home he platted a part of the farm into town lots and sold them, and since then has been largely interested in real estate. Besides taking an active in- terest in his various business pursuits, Mr. Crane travels extensively, his last journey being to Japan, where he remained nine months, during which time he visited many of the principal cities and places of interest in the Orient. He is one of the public- spirited citizens of Montclair, where he is identified with numerous enterprises which are instrumental in advancing the welfare of the city and the prosperity of the com- munity.
The father of Mr. Crane is deceased, but his mother is still living, having attained the venerable age of seventy-five years (1898). For a great many years she has been a devout adherent of the First Pres- byterian church, of which her husband was a member, having served at one time as a member of its board of trustees. Their son, the subject of this review, was likewise a member and trustee of the First Presby- terian church, but upon the organization
of Grace Presbyterian church he became a charter member of the same and a trustee of its original board. This office he still retains.
GEORGE W. REEVE,
one of the prosperous and energetic agri- culturists of Millburn township, was born on the farm where he now resides, on the 28th of May, 1855, and is the youngest son of Abner D. Reeve, whose birth occurred in Millburn township in 1815. While yet a youth the father started in on his own responsibility and learned the shoemaker's trade, following the same for many years, and at the same time dealt in lumber, being associated in the latter enterprise with Daniel Baldwin. They conducted a saw- mill,-the old Baldwin mill, which was es- tablished by Ezra Baldwin, the father of Daniel,-nearly all the lumber being bought in this part of the county. In 1850 Mr. Reeve purchased the Baldwin interests and continued to run the mill until his death, which occurred on the 3d of March, 1868. He was a self-made man, in all that the term implies, and by his own industry and acquired ability he accumulated a com- fortable competency and attained an envi- able position as a leading man in the county. He was an affiliate of the Demo- cratic party, was township committeeman for several years, and held nearly all the other local offices. On February 10, 1836, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Caroline Baldwin, daughter of Daniel Baldwin, and they became the parents of the following three children: Catherine B., who died on the 10th of January, 1880, at the age of forty-four years; Harriet, born in 1841, became the wife of Samuel B. Par-
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sil, on December 31, 1868, and her death took place on the 22d of November, 1872; and George W., our subject.
The boyhood of George W. Reeve was passed in Essex county. He assisted his father in the mill and obtained his educa- tion in the district schools, supplementing the same by a course of study at the New- ark Academy, and at the age of eighteen years he began to learn the carpenter's trade, in which he continued as an appren- tice for three years. He then engaged in business for himself and for the following three years had charge of the work at Short Hills, subsequently returning to his home at Millburn. After the death of Abner Reeve, the old Baldwin mill was acquired by E. S. Hidden and utilized as a leather- band factory, but upon the return of our subject, the latter purchased it and con- ducted it as a sawmill until it was de- stroyed by fire, in 1886. Resuming his trade, he has since followed the same with distinct ability and has met with marked success and prosperity. He possesses a farm seventy acres in extent, on which he carries on general farming and dairying.
Mr. Reeve was united in marriage on the 15th of November, 1876, to Miss Laura Brokaw, who was born on the 20th of No- vember, 1855, in Millburn township. a daughter of Leander T. Brokaw, and their children were: Edwin, born February 26, 1879; Abner D., January 19, 1881 ; Harriet, May 26, 1885; George H., May 1, 1889; and Merritt, April 6, 1891.
Politically, Mr. Reeve is a member of the Republican party, and has been town- ship committeeman for several years. He is given credit for working zealously in the interest of good roads in this section, be- ing a strong advocate of improvements in
this important line. The fine roads now found in the county speak well for the ef- forts of those who worked so faithfully to secure them. In his social relations Mr. Reeve is affiliated with the Junior Order of American Workmen, and both he and his wife are worthy adherents of the Chat- ham Presbyterian church.
JOHN JAMES FARLEY,
a retired farmer of Livingston township, Essex county, New Jersey, is a native of England but has spent the greater part of his life in America. His history, in brief, is as follows :
John James Farley was born in Dorset, England, in the year 1829, and is a son of James and Sarah (Stone) Farley, natives of that place, their home being in sight of the English Channel. By occupation they were farmers, and both died in their native land. Their family composed the follow- ing members: Martha, who became the wife of Robert Knight and lived in London, England, died in that city a few years ago; John, who married Fanny Stone, lived in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, where he was en- gaged in dairying, and died there of cholera during the pestilence in this country in 1854; John James, the direct subject of this review; George, living in California, is married and has a large family; and Thomas, who was in California when last heard from. Thomas is a natural genius, a daring soldier, and for years sailed the Pacific ocean, visiting the ports of Austra- lia and the Sandwich islands. He never married.
At his native place in England John James Farley spent the days of his youth and early manhood. He was married there
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in 1853, and the year following his mar- riage came with his wife to this country, making a successful voyage and landing in due time at New York city, whence he came at once to Essex county, New Jersey, and located in South Orange township, where he purchased property on what is now the corner of Stone and First streets, South Orange. Here he was engaged in gardening for about twelve years. At the end of that time he sold out and bought the farm he still owns, fifty acres on North- field avenue, at that time covered with tim- ber and underbrush. Soon his energy and perseverance brought about a marked change. The forest was cleared away and the land was placed under a high state of cultivation; and here for a number of years Mr. Farley carried on fruit-raising and dairying, being thus occupied until re- cently, when he rented his farm and has since lived retired.
As above stated, Mr. Farley's marriage occurred in England in 1853. Mrs. Far- ley, nee Amelia Wellman, is a daughter of William and Martha (Dodge) Wellman, na- tives of England, who passed their lives and died there. Mr. and Mrs. Farley have children, as follows: George, who married Margurette A. Thompson and lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; William, at the home place; Henry, a resident of Orange, New Jersey; Martha, wife of William A. Crosby, Livingston township, Essex coun- ty; James, who died at the age of twenty- one years; and Edward, who died in child- hood.
Mr. Farley is a man of quiet, unassum- ing manner, usually on the right side of whatever question comes up; and such has been his life that he has won and retained the high esteem of his fellow citizens. In
his political views he is independent, always taking a commendable interest in public affairs, and voting for the man he considers best qualified for the position regardless of party lines.
DANIEL N. BAKER,
who for half a century maintained his home on his farm in Livingston township, Essex county, New Jersey, and who recently passed away, was one of the venerable and highly respected citizens of his locality.
Mr. Baker was born in Maplewood, South Orange, in 1823, and was a son of Thomas Baker. The Baker family history is given on another page of this volume. Daniel N. Baker was reared and educated in his native town, remaining there until 1847. In early life he learned the trade of shoemaker. He came in 1847 to Liv- ingston township, Essex county, and pur- chased the farm of ninety acres on Moun- tain avenue, where he established his home and spent the rest of his days. But little of this land had been tilled and much of it was covered with underbrush when he bought it; and it is due to his diligence and perseverance that it is to-day a highly cul- tivated and valuable property. In addition to carrying on general farming, he devoted much attention to fruit-raising. There are now over five hundred bearing peach-trees upon the farm.
In 1846, the year previous to his removal to Livingston township, Mr. Baker wedded Miss Adelia Collins, their marriage being consummated January 14th. Mrs. Baker was born in this township, daughter of William and Amanda (Brundage) Collins, natives of Livingston and West Orange re- spectively. Mr. Collins was by occupation
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a shoemaker and plied his trade in Liv- ingston. He died of consumption in March, 1857. His wife died in 1832. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Baker were Ebenezer and Abbie (Teed) Collins, the latter a daughter of Lord Peel, of England, of which country she, too, was a native. The Collins family date their identification with America at a time previous to the Rev- olution. A brother of William Collins was a brigadier general in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Baker, now advanced in years, is well preserved both mentally and physi- cally, and is still living at the old homestead. Mr. Baker departed this life March 20, 1897.
Of the children born to this worthy couple, we make record as follows : William, born May I, 1847, died in infancy; William (2d), born January 16, 1849; Edmund, de- ceased, was born August 12, 1853; Thorn D., born May 8, 1855, married Louise Can- niff and lives in Orange; Sarah A., born January 24, 1857; Anna M., born April 2, 1858, resides in Orange; Abner Brundage, born April 2, 1860, is a resident of West Orange; Emma Jane, born January 3, 1863, is one of the prominent teachers of Or- ange; Harriet, born September 12, 1865, is the wife of Wilson Guernsey and lives in Orange; Sarah Adelia, born February 28, 1868; and Daniel Crowell, born February 16, 1871, both at the home place with their mother.
WILLIAM H. WOODRUFF,
one of the highly respected citizens of South Orange, New Jersey, is a native of Canada, having been born at St. Catha- rines, Canada, where his parents resided for a short time. When he was two years of
age they removed to Elizabeth city, Union county, New Jersey, where he was reared.
The Woodruffs have lived in Union county (formerly Essex county), New Jer- sey, for many years. Dr. Hatfield's His- tory relates that John Woodruff, the founder of the family in America, together with two brothers, first landed at New Ha- ven, Connecticut. He emigrated from there to Northampton, Long Island, and thence to Elizabeth city, in Essex county, now Union county, New Jersey. Benja- min Woodruff, junior and senior, the fa- ther and grandfather of William H., were born in the above named county, as also was our subject's mother, whose maiden name was Hannah B. Parsell, her native town being Springfield. Her father, Enos B. Parsell, belonged to one of the first fam- ilies to settle in Essex county. The Par- sells are of Holland descent. The younger Benjamin Woodruff was a grocer and was engaged in business at Elizabeth city for many years. He died in October, 1873, and his wife passed away in February, 1882. The children of their union were named as follows: William H., James, Ciphronia, Phoebe C. and Edgar B.
William H. Woodruff grew to manhood in Elizabeth city and was engaged in busi- ness there for several years, from that place going to New York city, where he con- ducted a real-estate and insurance business for a time. On account of failing health he was compelled to leave the city. That was in 1883. He then came to South Or- ange, New Jersey, and opened up a general hardware store, which he conducted suc- cessfully until 1891, when his son took charge of it. This store is now being run under the name of Paul G. Woodruff, is lo- cated in South Orange, and is up to date in
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both the quantity and quality of goods handled. Mr. Paul G. Woodruff, in addi- tion to hardware of every description, car- ries a full stock of paints, wall paper, pic- ture frames, etc.
William H. Woodruff married Miss Mary A. Tillou, a native of New York city and a daughter of William G. Tillou and wife, natives of Connecticut. Of the chil- dren born to Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff, we record that William married Miss Ada Hand. daughter of Moses P. Hand, of Ly- ons Farms, New Jersey; Mary is deceased; Paul G., above referred to, married Miss Amelia Berg, a native of Orange Valley, New Jersey, and a daughter of Frederick Berg; and Lillian, at home.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in his political views he harmonizes with the Republican party. Personally, Mr. Woodruff is a man of frank and genial disposition, has the happy faculty of always looking on the bright side, and naturally his friends are many.
HIRAM FREDERICK DODD,
one of the representative farmers and re- spected citizens of Livingston township, Essex county, New Jersey, is a native of this township and dates his birth February 7, 1850, he being a son of Hiram and Mary W. (Condit) Dodd, and grandson of Sam- uel Dodd. (The history of the Dodd fam- ily is given at length on another page of
this work.) Hiram Dodd, the father of Hiram F., was a prosperous farmer, own- ing seventy-eight acres of land. and was a man of prominence in the vicinity, and took an active interest in politics and pub- lic affairs generally. Both he and his wife
were members of the Christian church at Caldwell. He died April 22, 1889; she, September 21, 1896. Their children, three in number, are as follows: Marvin, East Orange, New Jersey; and Mary Lillis and Hiram F. at the old homestead, the latter having charge of the farm.
In addition to conducting general farm- ing, Mr. Dodd is engaged in dairying, keeping about twenty head of Jersey cows. The farm is well improved and under his supervision makes a good showing.
Mr. Dodd, like his honored father, is Democratic in politics.
EARLY DURANDS.
Among those who contributed in a large measure to the industrial prosperity of the city of Newark, and whose fine abilities were directed to the accomplishment of valuable results, though ever dominated and guided by the most inflexible integrity and honesty of purpose, the late James M. Durand must ever be accorded a distinct prestige and a position of high honor, and it is eminently befitting that representation be accorded him in this compilation.
The name Durand is one of very ancient origin, records extant showing that it oc- curred in ecclesiastical history as early as 1100, A. D., in both France and Italy, the name Dante being a contraction of the Italian form of Durante. This conspicuous and historical family has a numerous repre- sentation in America, and the name has been prominently identified with the annals of our history from a very early epoch. The original American representative of the Durand family came hither from France, about the year 1685, accompanied by a number of his kindred. They were
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Huguenots, and fled from their native land to escape the persecutions there entailed by the memorable revocation of the Edict of Nantes. They made settlement at Der- by, Connecticut, whence the progenitor of the New Jersey branch, by name Samuel Durand, came hither in 1740, taking up his abode at Maplewood, where he became the owner of a large landed estate. He was born in 1717, and his death occurred in
1787. His son John was the grandfather of the Durands of the present active gen- eration, and it was in the sons of that gen- tleman that the genius which has made the family renowned exhibited itself, Asher B. and Cyrus being especially prominent in their line; and it is of the latter and his descendants that we wish particularly to make mention in this memoir.
Cyrus Durand was born in 1787 and de- parted this life in 1869. He obtained, in the public schools of his time, a very lim- ited amount of mental discipline, and it is said that his entire education did not cost fifteen dollars! As a youth he was a lover of books and a seeker after knowledge, and what advanced ideas he possessed were de- veloped from information gleaned from borrowed books and from an encyclopedia that was issued when he was a boy, a copy of which he purchased and read diligently. He gave evidence of a liking for mechanics at an early age, and when fourteen years old he went into his father's shop and soon mastered the principles underlying the jeweler's trade at that time. He made sleeve buttons, finger-rings and other ar- ticles of jewelry, which he sold to his neigh- bors and friends, subsequently taking up the silversmith's trade, and before he was nineteen he had mastered that industry and had taken upclockmaking. Heinventedand
made the machinery for cutting from solid brass all parts of a timepiece constructed from that metal. At the age of nineteen Mr. Durand moved to Newark, which con- tained at that time but two silversmiths, and here he was advised by John Taylor to give his attention to the subject of en- graving and the invention of machinery for the proper handling of brass, iron and jewelry. His efforts in this line of en- deavor resulted in the invention of the lathe and marked the beginning of a new trend of ideas that brought bank-note en- graving to its present high standard of ex- cellence. He was the first director of the United States bureau of engraving, and made machinery for line engraving, pencil and watch-case ornamenting and the geo- metrical lathe for bank-note work.
The marriage of Cyrus Durand was con- summated in 1806, when he was united to Miss Phoebe Wade, a daughter of Elias Wade, the latter being a descendant of one of the early New Jersey families who were prominent in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Durand was born on the 15th of Novem- ber, 1791, and died on the 17th of De- cember, 1891, at the remarkable age of one hundred years.
Cyrus B. Durand, the youngest of the seven children of Cyrus and Phoebe Du- rand, was born in New York on the 27th of July, 1836. After receiving his prelimi- nary mental training in the public schools he attended Rutgers College at New Brunswick, New Jersey, graduating in 1858, and then he entered the theological semi- nary of that place, where he was educated for the ministry, receiving his degree of Doctor of Divinity from that institution in 1861. His first call was to the Dutch Re- formed church at Preakness, of which he
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held the pastorate from 1862 to 1868, in the latter year going to Boonton, New Jer- sey, remaining there until 1871 and then moving to Hackensack, where he was pas- tor of the Second Reformed church for eleven years. He then entered the Prot- estant Episcopal church and was assistant of St. Mark's church, at Orange, from 1882 to 1883, in the latter year being selected as assistant of Calvary parish church, New York city and first rector of the Galilee mission connected with that parish, per- forming the duties of those positions until 1885, when he removed to Peekskill, New York, where he was rector of Christ church until 1888, and then came to St. James church, Newark, with which he has since been associated.
On the 20th of August, 1863, Mr. Du- rand was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Mersereau, daughter of Cornelius Mer- sereau, a descendant of an old French fam- ily, and their children are Jennie and Juliet, the latter being the wife of Frank Dempster Sherman, a professor in the School of Mines, Columbia College.
JAMES McDONOUGH,
superintendent of the Newark & South Or- ange Avenue Street Railway, is a man who has gained success in his line of endeavor and attained to his present position through absolute personal merit, the result of well applied industry, perseverance and honesty of purpose, which qualities of char- acter have carried him along the road to prosperity notwithstanding all obstacles that beset his pathway, from the time he first pulled a bell-cord over a mule down to the last promotion with which he has been honored. Mr. McDonough was in his
boyhood reared to follow the vocation of floriculture, his father being a florist then residing in Kearny, Hudson county, New Jersey, but his natural fondness for horses led him to be a great deal around the cars and barns of the Mulberry street car line, and as the occasion presented itself he was permitted to make trips as driver, to fill va- cancies, and as his efficiency became pro- nounced he was finally given a permanent place on the roster of employees. He was engaged by the Radels on the Newark & South Orange avenue line twelve years ago, and in the course of time his work became so efficient and so won the confi- dence of the company as to warrant it in trusting him with more responsible duties than that of driving a car, and he was given inspection and special work, which eventu- ally resulted in his promotion to foreman, in May, 1892. He continued to perform the labor of that office with intelligence and ability until June, 1896, when he was made superintendent, to succeed Andrew Radel, and as such he has since continued, giving the utmost satisfaction to the company as well as attaining a high degree of popular- ity with the men over whom he is placed.
James McDonough was born in Flush- ing, Long Island, New York, on the 2d of February, 1859, and is a son of Patrick McDonough, a native of Ireland, but of Scotch ancestors. He emigrated to the United States when a boy and located on Long Island, where he married Miss Mary Tierney, and moved to Newark not many years thereafter. Their four children are: William, Mrs. Jeremiah Riordan, Mrs. Francis McCue, and James, all of whom re- side in Newark.
The subject of this review was united in marriage in September, 1881, to Margaret,
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a daughter of John and Mary Collins, and the children born to them were: James, who met his death in a street-car accident at the age of five years; John, Frank, Will- iam, Margie and Joseph. In his political faith Mr. McDonough is allied with the Democratic party, but is not interested in its affairs further than to use his privilege as a voter. Socially, he is a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
LEWIS E. FEINDT,
the leading pharmacist of South Orange, New Jersey, is a son of Henry Feindt, of whom honorable mention is made else- where in this volume.
He was born in New York city, and when eight years of age came with his par- ents to South Orange, New Jersey, where his youthful days were spent until he was fifteen, attending the public schools. Then he returned to New York and was placed under a private instructor, and, after dili- gently pursuing his studies in this way for a time, entered the New York College of Pharmacy, in which he graduated in 1878. After his graduation he engaged with Dr. H. J. Meninger, a member of the board of the New York College of Pharmacy and also of the board of examiners for that in- stitution. The duties of his position under Dr. Meninger, as manager of the store, gave Mr. Feindt a wide and valuable ex- perience. Failing health at this time, how- ever, forced him to resign his position and leave the city. Then he spent some time in recuperating, and after he had recovered he established the drug store on Valley street, West Orange, now conducted by Dr. Tiesler, who was a member of the board of medical examiners of New Jersey. In
1886, seeing a good opening in South Or- ange, he purchased his present store. This is the pioneer drug-store of South Orange and has the following history: It was es- tablished by Dr. Pemperton in 1858 and was subsequently owned and operated suc- cessfully by Doctors Ransom & Lum, Ball & Annable, Crowell & Bond, and Crowell. During Mr. Crowell's business career the store was removed from its original loca- tion on Sloan street to South Orange ave- nue, opposite Vose, and after it passed into the hands of our subject it was moved to its present location on the corner of Vose and South Orange avenue, or next door to the postoffice. Mr. Feindt carries a complete line of drugs, keeps a first-class store in every respect, and devotes his whole time and attention to it.
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