USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 1 > Part 59
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WILL C. HEADLEY.
No state in the Union can boast of a more distinguished bar than New Jersey. There is hardly a town or village within its borders that cannot boast of at least one representative of the legal profession who is able to cope with the distinguished leaders in the field of jurisprudence and win notable forensic battles. Newark has her full quota of such men, and among these is numbered the subject of this review, W. C. Headley.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, June 25, 1853, he is a son of John Stiles and Sarah A. (Courter) Headley, natives of Essex county. The Headley family is of English origin and was probably founded by Leon- ard Headley, who located in Connecticut, whence he came to New Jersey in 1665 and settled "Connecticut Farms." In the di- rect line of his descendants came Cary Headley, a Revolutionary soldier, who served as a member of Washington's body guard. He was also the founder and
keeper of Vaux Hall, near Millburn, New Jersey. His death occurred in 1823. He had a son, William Stites Headley, who occupied a part of the old homestead near Maplewood, New Jersey, and who had two sons,-John Stiles and Wickliff. The for- mer married Sarah A. Courter, whose fam- ily is one of prominence and long identifi- cation with the history of New Jersey and was of French origin.
Will C. Headley, whose name introduces this review, was reared on a farm near Mill- burn, New Jersey, and attended the schools of Springfield and Unionville, after which he completed his education in St. Stephen's church, near Millburn. He began the study of law in the office of Whitehead & Morrow, of Newark, and after close and earnest application in which he largely mastered the science of jurisprudence, he was admitted to the bar as an attorney in 1876 and as a counselor in 1879. He has been a successful lawyer for nearly twenty years, practicing at the bar of Newark, where he has met in forensic combat many of the strongest members of the bar, and in these encounters has gained a number of notable victories.
In 1878 Mr. Headley was united in mar- riage to Miss Rosetta Ayres, a daughter of Dr. D. Cooper Ayres, of Green Bay, Wis- consin. They now have an interesting family of three children: Elroy, William Francis and Harold Wade. Their home is in East Orange and the Headley household is noted for its generous hospitality, which is enjoyed by a large circle of friends. In his political views Mr. Headley is a Demo- crat, and he takes quite an active and prom- inent part in local affairs. He served as chairman of the South Orange school com- mittee in 1883 and as president of the vil-
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lage of Irvington from 1886 to 1889, inclu- sive. He belongs to the Methodist church and in all life relations is true and faithful to the trust reposed in him and to the duties devolving upon him.
JAMES THOMAS WRIGHTSON, M.D.,
distinguished as a political leader and medi- cal practitioner, now serving as the efficient and popular clerk of Essex county, was born near Easton, Maryland, on the 14th of March, 1853, and is a son of William L. and Mary E. (German) Wrightson. The family was founded in Maryland at an early day in its history, and the names of its mem- bers are to be found on the legal papers and documents in the archives of that state.
The Doctor obtained his primary educa- tion in the public schools, and later pur- sued his studies for several years in Calvert College, a Catholic institution. Entering the University of Maryland, he was grad- uated in that institution in 1878, with the degree of M. D., and almost immediately took rank among the successful practition- ers, rapidly building up a large practice in Newark, where he located in 1878. From the faithful performance of each day's duty he received strength and inspiration for the work of the next. He has ever continued a close student of the principles of medical science, and his knowledge is broad and accurate. His skill and ability soon won him a liberal patronage, and the profession accorded him a foremost place in its ranks. From 1889 until 1892 he held the position of county physician, as well as consulting physician for the Essex County Insane Asylum, the penitentiary and the jail. He is a member of the American Medical As- sociation and the Essex County Medical
Society, and is also a member of the Prac- titioners' Club, of Newark. He is the author of the present state medical law of New Jersey, and it was largely through his personal efforts that it was passed through the legislature.
The Doctor was married on the 29th of March, 1881, to Miss Minnie C. Lydecker, of Newark, a daughter of George E. and Ollie (Merritt) Lydecker, of Albany, New York. The Doctor and his wife have one son. William George, born March 23, 1882.
In his political affiliations Dr. Wrightson is a Democrat, and has always taken an ac- tive part in the work of the party. When in 1892 a bitter contest was waged in his party over the nomination for county clerk, he was selected as a compromise candidate upon whom the warring factions could unite, and one who could harmonize the differences and bring victory out of threat- ened party division and sure defeat. The wisdom of this selection was demonstrated in his election by a handsome majority, while his able and conscientious adminis- tration of the affairs of the office has left nothing to be desired by his friends, party or the public at large. He gave evidence of his fine ability as an organizer while serving as president of the Jefferson Club, the membership of which was increased from one hundred to five hundred during his incumbency, and it became one of the leading social-political clubs in the state. It was through his efforts, to a great ex- tent, that the National Association of Democratic Clubs was organized.
The Doctor is a member of numerous social and benevolent organizations, among which may be mentioned the Essex Club, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Gottfried Krueger Association, Knights
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of Honor, Knights and Ladies of Honor and the Chosen Friends. As a citizen Dr. Wrightson is progressive and enterprising; as a practitioner he ranks high in medical circles, and as a public official he is thor- ough, honest, conscientious and generally popular among all classes.
JOHN GEORGE TRAUTWEIN,
of Newark, who is engaged in contracting and building, was born in the ortschaft (district) of Bernhausen in the oberamt of Stuttgart, Wurtemberg, March 21, 1836, and is a son of Michael and Elizabeth (Kurtz) Trautwein. The common schools of his native town afforded him his educa- tional privileges, and at the age of fourteen he was confirmed. He then learned the car- penter's trade with his father and worked as a journeyman through the principal cities of the various German states until 1867.
In that year he bade adieu to home and native land and sought across the Atlantic a fortune, which he feared he could not find in the country of his birth. When his ar- rangements for the removal were com- pleted he sailed for the New World, and after an uneventful voyage landed at New York on the 27th of June, 1867. Taking up his residence in Newark, he worked at his trade as a journeyman for a time, but in 1871 began business on his own account, forming a partnership with his brother Gottlob, under the firm name of J. George Trautwein & Brother. This connection was continued and a successful business carried on until 1883, when by mutual con- sent the partnership was dissolved.
In 1871 Mr. Trautwein located at No. 294 West Kinney street, where he pur-
chased a tract of ground and made exten- sive improvements thereon. In 1889 he bought the lot adjoining and erected a large and pleasant residence, in which he now makes his home. He has accumu- lated considerable property and has been the architect not only of many of the ex- cellent buildings of this city, but also of his own fortunes. In this respect also he has builded wisely and well. In all busi- ness life there is much competition and many difficulties to be met, but he has shown that his ability equals that of his competitors and that he can conquer diffi- culties by his honorable purpose and un- conquerable will power. It is these quali- ties which have brought him success and numbered him among the substantial citi- zens of the community.
Mr. Trautwein has been twice married. In 1861 he led to the marriage altar Miss Louisa Schumacher, and their union has been blessed with the following children : Annie, now the wife of Albert Fisher, of Newark, by whom she has six children; Louisa, wife of Richard Seidler, of Newark, by whom she has two children; Frederick, of Newark, who married Louisa Seidler and has two children, Florence and Fred- erick; William G., who married Cartie Fisher and is a bank clerk at No. 758 Broad street; and George. The mother of this family died on the Ist of May, 1879, at the age of forty-seven years, and left many friends to mourn her loss. She was a daughter of Michael and Christina Schu- macher. Mr. Trautwein was again mar- ried November 16, 1882, his second union being with Wilhelmina Kurtz, widow of Gottlieb Teufel. She was born in the ort- schaft of Almersbach, in Wurtemberg, Ger- many, and is a daughter of Jacob and Cath-
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arine (Sauter) Kurtz. Her first husband died October 26, 1878, at the age of forty- one years, his birth having occurred De- cember 7, 1837. He was a son of Fred- erick and Anna Teufel, and by his marriage to Wilhelmina Kurtz had three children, namely: Annie; Minnie, wife of Joseph Schwartz, of Newark; and Frederick, who married Carrie Yeager.
Mr. Trautwein is a member of Herman Lodge, No. 142, I. O. O. F., of Newark; Goethe Lodge, No. 1828, Knights of Honor; and the Gustav Adolph Temple of Newark. Politically, he is an ardent Re- publican, and he and his family attend the German Lutheran church.
CHRISTOPHER F. HILLER,
a confectioner and baker of East Orange, was born at Beach Lake, Wayne county, Pennsylvania, on the Ist of March, 1854, his parents being Christian and Mary Ann (Jay) Hiller. His father was a native of Germany, and the grandfather, who also bore the name of Christian, sprang from an old family of that land. The former was educated in the district schools of his na- tive country, and after laying aside his text- books, at the age of fourteen, learned the trade of shoemaking, which he followed until coming to America.
Attracted by the opportunities here af- forded young men, he crossed the Atlantic and after a short time spent in New York city went to Wayne county, Pennsylvania, where he engaged as a farm hand until 1861. In that year he put aside all per- sonal considerations to enter the military service of his adopted country and went to the front as a loyal defender of the Union. For three years he faithfully defended the
starry banner and the cause it represented and was then honorably discharged.
Returning to Wayne county, Pennsyl- vania, he has since made his home there and is now living retired from the active cares of business life. His wife died about 1867. They had nine children, as follows : Annie, wife of Robert Walker, a resident of Bloomfield, Essex county; Christopher F .; Martha, wife of James Donahue, of Mon- treal, Canada; Isaac, who died at the age of seven years; Ellen, wife of Joseph Swan, of Wayne county, Pennsylvania : he met his death by accident October 14, 1897; Katie, who died at the age of nineteen years; Ja- cob, who married and resides in Lacka- wanna county, Pennsylvania; Sarah, wife of Frank Lane, of German, Pennsylvania; and one who died in infancy.
Christopher F. Hiller acquired his edu- cation in the district schools of his native county and remained at his parents' home until nineteen years of age, when he started out in life to make his own way in the world. Having followed various occu- pations in Pennsylvania until 1879, he then removed to Bloomfield, New Jersey, where he worked in a number of different places prior to 1886. In that year he embarked in the bakery and confectionery business in East Orange, and in 1889 purchased the store. He has since remodeled both the house and store and has equipped the latter with the most complete facilities for carry- ing on a successful trade. His business has steadily increased and has now assumed very extensive proportions. His patrons are numbered among the best fami- lies of the Oranges and outlying townships. Mr. Hiller has now a very profitable trade and his success is richly deserved, for he started out in life empty-handed and all
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that he possesses he has acquired through his own efforts; and it may be well said that his dutiful wife contributed no small share to his early success.
On the 25th of October, 1882, Mr. Hiller was united in marriage to May J. Kentz, a daughter of Walter and Eletia (Fen) Kentz, the former of German lineage and the latter of English ancestry. To Mr. and Mrs. Hiller were born four children : Charles Walter, who was born September 22, 1883, and died August 12, 1884; Sarah, who was born April 28, 1885, and died May 9, 1886; Hazel Kentz, born October 19, 1893; and_Ethel May, born November 5, 1895. The family attend the Prospect Street Baptist church, in which Mrs. Hiller holds membership. In his political faith Mr. Hiller is a Republican, but has never aspired to office, preferring to devote his energies to his business interests.
EDWIN H. STONAKER,
of Newark, was born in Princeton, New . Jersey, on the 14th of September, 1854, and is a son of Eli R. and Francis (Staas) Stonaker, natives of New Jersey. The father was born at Dutch Neck, on the 14th of September, 1828, and was a son of Ru- dolph Stonaker, a native of Germany. He acquired a common-school education and after arriving at years of maturity he en- gaged in merchandizing in Princeton, con- tinuing that enterprise until 1868. His death occurred in 1872. He was very prominent in the ranks of the Democracy, a recognized leader of his party, and for several years served as mayor of Prince- ton, his administration being a very able one and of much benefit to the city. His wife, a daughter of Joseph Staas, was born
near Princeton, New Jersey, and is still living. Their children are Edwin H., Cor- nelius and Annie, wife of Royal Rose.
Edwin H. Stonaker was reared in Princeton, and educated at Edge Hill school, preparatory for Princeton Univer- sity. He remained in that city until twenty-seven years of age, when he came to Newark and learned the undertaker's trade under the direction of William Hul- fish. In 1881 he embarked in business for himself and has since continued in this line, having one of the best appointed establish- ments in the city.
In 1883 Mr. Stonaker was united in mar- riage to Miss Esther Hedden, a daughter of Thomas and Ruth (Randolph) Hedden, the former a native of New York, the latter of Connecticut. They now have a family of five children: Joseph, Edwin H., Will- iam, Ruth and Francis, twins. Mr. Ston- aker and his wife are members of Grace Episcopal church, and their many excel- lencies of character have attracted to them a large circle of friends. Mr. Stonaker is a Republican in his political faith and is a valued member of Eureka Lodge, F. & A. M., Apollo Lodge, I. O. O. F., and the Royal Arcanum.
CHARLES MARSH.
Enterprise, energy and honesty in busi- ness, patriotic devotion to country and fidelity to every duty of public and private life,-these are the distinguishing charac- teristics of Mr. Marsh, of Newark, that have guided and controlled his destiny and given him rank among the substantial and valued citizens of Essex county.
Born in Steuben, Oneida county, New York, July 28, 1830, he is a son of William
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Marsh, a native of Massachusetts, who re- sponded to his country's call for aid at the time of the second war with Great Britain. In his youth he removed to the Empire state, where he learned the mason's trade. He married Lydia M. Hurlburt and died in 1862. His son Charles was the third child of this marriage, and one of the five sur- viving members of the family. Reared under the parental roof, he pursued his studies in the public schools near his home and also profited much by the instruction of his father, who was a graduate of the Boston Academy and a very scholarly gen- tleman. At the age of sixteen Charles Marsh learned the mason's trade and served a five years' term, completing his apprenticeship on attaining his majority. During this time he had thoroughly mas- tered the business in all its details and had become an expert workman. In 1850 he went to New York city, where he followed his trade until, attracted by the discovery of gold in California, he went to the Pacific slope, in February, 1852, and spent the suc- ceeding two years in prospecting and at mason work.
In 1853 Mr. Marsh returned to New Jersey and in the late autumn of that year located in Newark, where he commenced work at his trade as a journeyman and jobber, thus continuing until the inaugura- tion of the civil war, when he went to Brazil, South America. He was absent for a year, and upon his return responded to his country's call for aid, joining the boys in blue of the Thirty-ninth New Jersey Volunteers. He was commissioned second lieutenant of Company G and was made acting quartermaster, in which capacity he served with the army of the Potomac until the close of the war. He was loyally de-
voted to the interests of the Union and was ever faithful to his duty. Upon his return to Newark, in June, 1865, Mr. Marsh be- gan contracting on his own account and has since been prominently identified with the building interests of the city. On many sides stand monuments to his skill and ability, and the liberal patronage which has been accorded him has not only made him a conspicuous representative of the builder's art, but has also brought to him handsome financial returns. His business connections have not been confined alone to his trade, and he is now secretary, treas- urer and a member of the board of direc- tors of the Beam Mining & Manufacturing Company.
In 1854 Mr. Marsh was united in mar- riage to Miss Jane Crawford, a native of Fordham, New York, and to them have been born the following children: Kate, wife of John P. Grover, of Newark; and Frank, who is now manager of the busi- ness.
Mr. Marsh has been prominently con- nected with the public life of Newark and has been an important factor in promoting those interests which have led to the sub- stantial development and improvement of the city. Numerous public trusts have been given into his keeping and have been discharged with a fidelity to duty that is above question. On the Democratic ticket he was elected and served as alder- man for the eighth ward for two years, has for two years been trustee of the city home, was street commissioner one year, police commissioner three and a half years, and for a similar period was general superin- tendent of the board of public works, which position he resigned in June, 1894.
He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, is
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a member of Phil. Kearny Post, G. A. R., and was elected president of the Thirty- ninth New Jersey Volunteer Association, serving throughout the year 1896.
GEORGE WEYRAUCH,
a member of the well known firm of Con- roy & Weyrauch, leather manufacturers of Newark, was born in New York city, De- cember 14, 1855, and is a son of George and Mary Louisa (Heitcomb) Weyrauch. His father was born in the province of Hes- sen, Germany, acquired his education in the schools of his native town and on completing his literary studies began learn- ing the locksmith's and machinist's trades. After completing his apprenticeship he worked as a journeyman in the principal cities of the German empire, and about 1839 he determined to come to America, believing that better opportunities were afforded here where competition was not so great and every man had the privilege of working his way upward, unhampered by caste or class. Accordingly he sailed across the ocean and landed in New York, where he soon found employment at his trade. He was a skillful and ingenious mechanic, able to command good wages, and in a short time he had saved enough capital to begin business on his own ac- count. He invented and manufactured. the first fluting shears used in New York city and for some time carried on a very profitable business. He continued to make his home in New York until his death, which occurred at the age of sixty-five years. His wife survived him for some time and passed away April 25, 1890, at the age of sixty-seven years. Both were members of the Lutheran church and their
many excellencies of character won them the regard and friendship of all with whom they came in contact.
This worthy couple were the parents of seven children, two of whom died in early life. The others are: Henry, who was born in New York city and now resides in New Jersey, married a Miss Lutz, and they have eleven children; Martha is the wife of Jacob Staher, a resident of New York city and has one daughter, Mary; George is the next younger; Matilda is the wife of Will- iam Stockhoff, of New Jersey, and they have three children, Mary, William and Herbert; and Theodore resides with his brother George.
Mr. Weyrauch, whose name introduces the initial paragraph of this review, at- tended the public schools of New York city in his early youth, and at the age of fourteen began earning his own livelihood. He has since depended entirely upon his own exertions and therefore is deserving of much credit for the success he has achieved in life. He commenced to learn the differ- ent methods of dyeing and finishing leather, and after serving an apprenticeship of four years he worked as a journeyman for a period of thirteen years. He thor- oughly mastered his trade, and his skill enabled him to command good wages, from which by economy and frugality he man- aged to save enough capital to embark in business on his own account in 1884. He formed a partnership with John F. Conroy, and under the firm style of Conroy & Wey- ranch they began the manufacture of book- binding and pocket-book leather, estab- lishing a factory in Newark. As a result of their prudent management, keen dis- crimination and well directed efforts their business prospered, and they were forced
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to seek more commodious quarters, ac- cordingly removing in 1886 to their pres- ent factory at Nos. 45 to 51 Morris avenue. Their trade is large, and the excellent quality of their workmanship insures them a continued liberal patronage.
Mr. Weyrauch was married April 7, 1880, the lady of his choice being Miss Emma Launhardt, a daughter of Henry Launhardt. They now have two children : George Edwin and Martha Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Weyrauch attend the Presby- terian church, and in social . circles they occupy an enviable position, while their home is noted for its hospitality. Such is the life record of one of Newark's worthy citizens who has won a high place in business ranks, and not only gained a handsome competence but also secured the confidence and respect of the business world by his honorable methods.
RICHARD S. FRANCISCO,
of Franklin, was born on the Clinton road, November 2, 1827, a son of Andrew Fran- cisco and a grandson of John Francisco. His father was born in Essex county about the year 1807, and married Maria Speer, daughter of Richard Speer. Four children graced their union: Richard S., George W., Josiah and William, the latter now a resident of Morris county. The Fran- ciscos were one of the earliest and most popular families of the county and were prominently identified with its agricultural interests and upbuilding.
The boyhood days of our subject were passed on the farm of W. H. and R. S. Francisco, Jr., and his school privileges were those which the neighborhood af- forded. In 1848 he was united in marriage
to Miss Maria Husk, daughter of Abram Husk, and to them have been born the following children: John H., who mar- ried Caroline Canfield; Caroline, wife of Jacob Green, of Hanover, New Jersey; and Ella, wife of Edwin Smith, a resident of Newark.
Upon his marriage Mr. Francisco began life in earnest, and in 1852 purchased a small farm near the Pine Brook Hotel, on which he resided until the spring of 1860, when he purchased a small tract of land, constituting the nucleus of his present farm, which now comprises eighty acres of rich and arable land. This he has placed under a high state of cultivation and the well tilled fields yield- to him a golden tribute in return for his labor. He prac- ticed the strictest economy in his early years and thus laid the foundation for his present prosperity, which has been achieved by honorable and straightforward methods.
In public matters Mr. Francisco has taken a deep and abiding interest, doing all in his power to promote the welfare and advance the upbuilding of the community. He has served with credit as a member of the town council and as overseer of the poor, discharging his duties with a fidelity that is unwavering. He cast his first presi- dential vote for General Taylor and since that time has voted for all Whig and Re- publican candidates.
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