USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 1 > Part 61
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During his journalistic career Mr. Kin- ney maintained a close personal supervision over the fine newspaper property which he controlled for so long a term of years. It has been well said of him, as touching his attitude toward the Advertiser, that "He was not only its proprietor, but its chief editor. scrutinizing everything of impor- tance that appeared in its columns, and by his directions, as well as by his pen, main- taining the high character which it previ- ously possessed while under the control of his distinguished father."
In 1892 he made an extended tour abroad, and in the following year retired from the arduous duties of journalism and has since been able to indulge his procliv-
ities for the liberal arts, literature and sci- ence,-of which last he has ever been a devotee. A man of strong and distinct individuality and broad intellectuality, Mr. Kinney has fully upheld the untarnished escutcheon so honored by his noble father, one of New Jersey's distinguished sons.
JOSEPH B. CARPENTER,
clerk of the village of Irvington, New Jer- sey, dates his birth in the Empire state, December 1I, 1851, the city of Brooklyn being his native place.
The Carpenters for several generations have been New Yorkers. Joseph Carpen- ter and Lewis O. Carpenter, the grand- father and father of Joseph B., were born in New York state, the birthplace of Lewis O. being Marlboro, where he was reared to farm life, his father having been a farmer. Lewis O. Carpenter died in 1873, at an advanced age. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary E. Paine, survived him several years, her death occurring in 1889. Of the children born to them we record that Joseph B., whose name graces this sketch, is the eldest; Oscar is a resi- dent of Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania; Mary A. resides in Pasadena, California; and Ira P. lives in Bridgeton, New Jersey.
Joseph B. Carpenter was reared at New- burg, New York, to which place his parents moved shortly after his birth and where he had the advantage of a public-school edu- cation. At the age of fourteen he began to. learn the trade of slate-roofer. He soon became familiar with every detail of the business, and after he had learned the trade worked at it for three years, at the end of which time a serious accident to himself caused him to abandon slate-roofing and
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turn his attention to something less hazard- ous. The next five years he clerked in his father's grocery store in Newburg, from there went to Long Island City, where the following five years were spent in the same line of work, and after that he was for three years with P. L. Bicker's Sons, National Tea Bank, of New York. At the end of this time he secured the position of govern- ment store runner in New York, which re- sponsible place he filled two years, and succeeding that he came, in 1884, to Ir- vington, New Jersey. Here he was en- gaged in the grocery business, at intervals, until April, 1897, when he was elected to the position he now holds, that of village clerk, succeeding Mr. Terrell. He was elected to this office by the Republican party, the party to which he has always given his support.
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Mr. Carpenter was married April 14, 1881, to Miss Emma Barnett, daughter of Thomas Barnett, of Kingston, New York. They have one child, Josephine.
Socially, Mr. Carpenter is a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics and of the Fraternal Legion.
CHARLES M. ZEH, M. D.,
was born in the town of Knox, Albany county, New York, October 20, 1827, and received his education at the Knoxville Academy, a classical school, which at one time enjoyed considerable distinction.
Having a great inclination for scientific pursuits, he began, soon after leaving school, the study of medicine, and, with a suitable preparation, entered the Albany Medical College, where he attended one course of lectures. Subsequently he en- tered Castleton Medical College, Vermont, and was graduated there in June, 1848.
Having barely reached his majority, and believing that the western country must afford the best field for a young man just entering upon the business of life, whatever might be his profession or occupation, he left his native place, and settling in Port Huron, Michigan, began the work of a prac- titioner of medicine. With little more than the practical experience obtained at the col- lege clinics, he offered his services as a phy- sician, in strict accordance with the severe laws of the code which govern the regular members of the medical profession, and which, too, while they often drive the well educated beginner to some other employ- ment, operate so frequently to the advan. tage of ignorant charlatans. Despite these severe rules, and despite his well known modesty, Dr. Zeh entered quite successfully upon his profession, and before the expira- tion of three years had obtained a practice that exceeded, perhaps, his expectations; but, unfortunately, the climate was poison- ous to him, and after battling unsuccessfully with malarial disorders which rendered him unfit for the discharge of his duties, he final- ly, in 1852, left Port Huron, and in the fall of that year removed to Newark, New Jersey, where he established himself in the practice of medicine, and where he has since re- mained fully occupied with professional work. For about ten years Dr. Zeh was physician to St. Michael's Hospital, and at the present time is physician to the Little Sisters of the Poor, a home for the aged, with a hospital attached thereto. For many years he has been a member of the Essex District Medical Society. During a period of eighteen months he was acting physician to the board of health, and is at present physician to that body.
In 1873 Dr. Zeh visited Europe for pro-
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fessional improvement, and spent much of the time while there in inspecting the med- ical schools and hospitals of England, Scot- land, Ireland and France. He made a sec- ond voyage to England in 1877, but on this occasion, being called there to render his professional services, remained no longer than was absolutely necessary.
Although Dr. Zeh is in politics a pro- nounced Democrat, he has always been averse to holding offices in nowise con- nected with his profession. His great per- sonal popularity has more than once point- ed him out as a desirable leader in a party contest, but as a candidate for mayor and other offices of trust and honor he has steadily declined to serve.
PAUL BUCHANAN.
If the man who makes two blades of grain grow where but one grew before is to be held up as a benefactor of his race, what shall be said of him under whose wise management a mammoth business, giving employment to hundreds of bread winners, is built up? Mr. Buchanan, through his connection with some of the most important industries of Newark, has materially ad- vanced the prosperity of the city, Ener- getic, far-seeing, honest and public-spirited, he operated wisely and continuously, and by the stimulus of his exertions roused the enterprise of others, and through this means added to his own great labors, and fur- nished hundreds of laborers with remunera- tive employment. Few men have met with the phenomenal success which has at- tended his efforts, and none are more de- serving of such prosperity.
Mr. Buchanan was born in the town of Lachute, in the province of Quebec, county
of Argentile, in Canada East, January 24, 1825, and is a son of Thomas and Florinda (Hutchins) Buchanan. The ancestry on the paternal side can be traced back to Thomas Buchanan, who was known as the Laird of Mothside, a large estate in Perthshire, Scotland. His son Thomas was born in Perthshire, and the father of our subject was also a native of the same county, where, in the public schools, he acquired his education. He then learned the stone-cutter's trade, and came to America, locating in Lachute, where he spent his remaining days, following agri- cultural pursuits. He served in the rebel- lion in Canada as a private of a cavalry com- pany, was succeeded in the service by his son Paul. His death occurred after he had passed the fiftieth milestone on life's jour- ney. His wife was born in the Empire state, and was a daughter of Benjamin Hutchins, who came from Scotland prior to the Revolution and served in the Conti- nental army with the rank of quartermas- ter. He lived to a mature age and reared a family whose descendants are now resid- ing in Montreal and vicinity, while one rep- resentative of the name is living on Staten Island. Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan were the parents of the following named chil- dren: Isabella, who was born December 23, 1820, married John McCallum, and their children-Findley, John, Thomas, James, Florinda, wife of Andrew Nicol, and Jessie, wife of Thomas Smith, all reside in Newark. John, born January 26, 1823, became a resident of Beloit, Wisconsin, where he reared his family. Paul was the third of the family. Robert, born October IO, 1828, was for some time a leading busi- ness man of Newark, and here married and reared a family. Lydia Elizabeth, born
Paul D Buchanan
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November 17, 1830, became Mrs. Parker, and with her husband settled near Beloit, Wisconsin. Thomas, born April 5, 1833, married and reared his family in Beloit, Wisconsin. James Simpson, born May 25, 1837, married and located in Oklahoma.
Paul Buchanan was educated in the schools of his native town, and remained on the home farm assisting his father in its cultivation until twenty-five years of age. In 1850 he came to Newark, where he found employment at farming and garden- ing near what is now Springfield avenue, Newark. Here he laid the foundation for his future successes, for by his industry and frugality he at length gained a sufficient capital to enable him to begin contract work on his own account. His first un- dertaking was the laying out and grading of streets in Newark, and soon he became known as a successful contractor of public works. In 1861 he was instrumental in organizing the company which built the Springfield avenue railway; was superin- tendent of construction, and when that work was completed was made president of the company, which office he filled for a number of years. It was due to his efforts that the street cars were run on Sundays, thus furnishing transportation for the many hundreds who must on that day go from place to place. He met with serious oppo- sition when he attempted this movement, and finally secured the introduction of a bill into the legislature whereby the question of the acceptance or rejection of Sunday service on the street railways was to be sub- mitted to a vote of the people. In this Mr. Buchanan met with an overwhelming majority in favor of the plan. His em- ployes then refused to run the cars on Sunday, and on the first Sunday on which
they made the usual trips Mr. Buchanan acted as driver and his assistant superin- tendent as conductor.
Our subject has always shown an enter- prising, progressive spirit, aiding in every- thing tending to promote the progress and development of the city, and has been more or less identified with its financial and other business institutions. For a number of years he was a director of the Dime Sav- ings Institution, the American Trust Com- pany and the People's Fire Insurance Com- pany, of the city of Newark, and in this way has added greatly to the commercial activity and consequent prosperity of the city.
Politically, Mr. Buchanan is a Democrat of the pure Jeffersonian type; he is modest and unassuming, and has never sought po- litical preferment, and has never held office, save at the earnest solicitation of his party, when for three terms he was a member of the board of freeholders. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is very popu- lar in all circles.
Mr. Buchanan has been twice married. His present wife was formerly Miss Jessie Duncan, and their marriage was solemnized May 14, 1889. She is a daughter of Alex- ander and Janet (McGahie) Duncan, both of whom were natives of Scotland. Com- ing to America they settled in Canada, where the father served in the Ninety-third Regiment of Highlanders during the rebel- lion in that country. Mr. and Mrs. Bu- chanan have one child, Jessie, born April 17, 1891. They are both consistent mem- bers of the Memorial Presbyterian church, at Newark, in which Mr. Buchanan has served as trustee for a number of years. His well spent life has won him the highest regard of all, and he occupies a high place
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in political, business and social circles, by reason of his genuine worth and true man- liness.
NICHOLAS PRESTON,
deceased, was one of the first settlers of South Newark. He was born in county Louth, Ireland, in 1818, and was a son of Owen and Ann Preston, who had a large number of sons and daughters. Two of the sons, John and Nicholas, came to America about 1843, taking up their resi- dence in Newark. Four of the sisters also became residents of this city, namely : Bridget, now the wife of Michael Riley; Margaret, wife of John Carroll; Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Blunt; and Ann, wife of Thomas Marion. The last named returned to the land of her nativity, where she and her husband both died.
John and Nicholas Preston, on emigrat- ing to America, engaged in the contracting and trucking business in Newark. Thomas Preston was married in the year 1856 and then took up his residence in the tenth ward, where he purchased a tract of land consisting of about ten acres. There he made his home and greatly improved the place. He was very energetic and perse- vering, and those qualities undoubtedly contributed largely to his success in life. In all matters of business his word was as good as any bond that was ever solem- nized by signature or seal, and in all things he was just and conscientious.
The record of his family is as follows: John F .. the eldest, was born June 22, 1857. Thomas F. is the second. Nicholas W. married Mary McQuillan, a daughter of Patrick and Julia McQuillan, by whom he has two children, Julia Gertrude and
Joseph. Their marriage was celebrated in St. Michael's church, Roman Catholic, in Newark, January 5, 1887, and he and his wife are communicants of St. James' church, Catholic. He was educated in the parochial school connected with the latter church and learned the leather-japanning trade, which he has followed up to the present time, being now superintendent of the establishment of his brother Thomas, who is engaged in the manufacture of patent and enameled leather. The father of this family, Nicholas Preston, Sr., died July 21, 1890. Both he and his wife were zealous members of St. James' church, Catholic, and in his political views he was a Democrat, who stanchly advocated the Jeffersonian principles. He was a man of much force of character and sterling worth, who enjoyed the confidence and regard of all with whom he came in contact.
Thomas Francis Preston, his second son, was born January 21, 1861, in the old . Preston homestead at the junction of Chestnut street and Elm road, Newark. He was educated in St. James' parochial school, and when thirteen years of age en- tered the employ of J. H. and T. W. Daw- son, of Newark, under whose direction he learned the leather-manufacturing busi- ness. After working in the leather manu- facturing establishments of Newark, he formed a partnership with D. H. McCor- mick in 1888 for the manufacture of leather, on Bergen street. This partner- ship continued for a short time and was then dissolved by mutual consent. Mr. Preston then embarked in business alone as a manufacturer of patent and enameled leather at his present location, on the old family homestead. He has met with ex- cellent success in the undertaking and
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now furnishes employment to more than thirty men. His trade has steadily in- creased and his business has now assumed quite large proportions and yields to him a gratifying income. He is a very pro- gressive and energetic young man, and well may be classed among the enterprising manufacturers of the city.
Thomas F. Preston is a valued member of St. James' Council, No. 39, Catholic Benevolent Legion, of Newark, and shares in the political faith of his father, being a Jeffersonian Democrat. He was married in St. James' church, Roman Catholic, January 28, 1882, to Miss Anna Cahill, who was born September 10, 1864, and is a daughter of Lawrence and Elizabeth (Farrell) Cahill. Their union has been blessed with five children: . Elizabeth, born November 23, 1883; Mary, Nicholas, Anna and Thomas. The parents are both com- municants of St. James' church, Catholic. . John F. Preston, the eldest son of him whose name begins this review, was also born at the old homestead, June 22, 1857, and acquired his education in the schools connected with St. James' and St. Patrick's Catholic churches, of Newark. At the age of thirteen he became his father's as- sistant and remained under the parental roof until 1876, when he entered the em- ploy of the Clark thread works, where he remained for twelve years. His industry and economy during that period enabled him to gain the capital with which he em- barked in business on his own account in 1889, in the coal trade. He established an office and yards at No. 71 Ferry street, where he has conducted a profitable busi- ness up to the present time.
On the 17th of January, 1883, John F. Preston led to the marriage altar in St.
James' church, Miss Ellen C. Berry, a daughter of Michael and Johanna Berry. Their union has been blessed with eight children, of whom Ellen, Agnes, John F. and Thomas A. died in early childhood. Those still living are Nicholas L., Michael J. A., Marie L. and Catharine C. Mr. Preston and his family are communicants of St. James' church, and he belongs to St. James' Council, No. 39, Catholic Benevo- lent Legion, of Newark. His political support is given the Democracy. The Preston family has ever been one of prom- inence in Newark, and the three brothers who now bear the name are honored and leading business men of the city.
GEORGE BRUECKNER,
who carried on an undertaking establish- ment at No. 16 Belmont avenue, was born in the same street forty-five years ago, the date of his birth being July 4, 1853. His parents were Andrew and Mary U. (Blei- mann) Brueckner, the latter a daughter of Johannes and Catherine (Saub) Bleimann, who died at the ages of seventy-five and sixty-two years, respectively. Andrew Brueckner, the father of our subject, was born in the old fortress city of Wetzburg, in the state of Bavaria, Germany, near the river Rhine, and his wife was also a native of the same locality. He received such educational privileges as were afforded by the common schools and learned the tailor's trade. On the completion of his apprenticeship he traveled as a journeyman through the central German states, work- ing in the principal cities, and finally re- turned to his native town, where he re- mained until the age of twenty years.
Ambitious and enterprising, as he
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viewed the future and its possibilities, he came to the conclusion that he would have better opportunities in the New World, and accordingly severed the ties that bound him to the fatherland. It was in December, 1838, that he stepped from the sailing vessel upon American soil at New York, after an ocean voyage of seventy- two days, and found himself in the country with whose interests his life was afterward to be identified. After a short time spent in New York city, he came to Newark, where he secured employment at his trade. Having worked as a journeyman for a short time, he decided to begin business on his own account, and opened an establish- ment on Springfield avenue. The new venture proved a successful one and, his financial resources increasing, he was soon enabled to purchase the tract of land whereon he erected the building which is still standing there. He died November 10, 1863, and the community thereby lost one whom it regarded as a worthy and valued citizen. He was a zealous adherent of the Roman Catholic faith and was one of the founders of St. Peter's church, Cath- olic, of which he was a communicant for many years. His wife died March 31, 1882.
This worthy couple were the parents of the following named: John, born January I, 1850, married Mary Stecher, and had two children,-Barbara and Johanna, --- and died February 8, 1880; George is the second of the family; Andrew J., born No- vember 10, 1855, married Magdalena Nei- gel, by whom he had two children,-Albert and Frederick,-and died April 15, 1882; John F., born December 25, 1858, married Annie Denninger, and has one child, Leona : he resides in Chicago, where he is
engaged in the wholesale book business and also handles church goods.
George Brueckner acquired his educa- tion in the parochial school connected with St. Peter's church and the Morton street public school, of Newark, and afterward learned the confectioner's and baker's trades. In 1876 he embarked in the under- taking and embalming business, as the suc- cessor of his uncle, John Junghaus. In this enterprise he formed a partnership with his two brothers, John and Andrew, and in 1882, after the death of his brother, he succeeded to the ownership of the busi- ness, of which he has since been sole pro- prietor. In 1886 he purchased the tract of ground at No. 16 Belmont avenue, and erected there his present commodious wareroom, also his residence. His busi- ness is large and he is regarded as a leader in his line. He is also accounted one of the influential and worthy citizens of New- ark, and has the respect of all who know. him.
Mr. Brueckner is a member of Schiller Camp, No. 71, of the Fraternal Legion, of Newark; Martha Washington Lodge, No. 429, Knights and Ladies of Honor; St. Gottfried Council, No. 128, Catholic Benevolent Legion; and the German American Agricultural Society, all of New- ark. His qualities of friendly comradeship make him a social favorite in these organi- zations.
Mr. Brueckner was married at St. Mary's church, Roman Catholic, in New- ark, July 10, 1873, to Miss Amelia A. Liebhauser, a daughter of Christopher and Margaret Liebhauser, and their union has been blessed with two children: Charles H., born September 24, 1876, who acquired his education in' St. Benedict's College and
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the business college of Newark, and later took up the study of medicine, which he is now pursuing in the College of Physi- cians and Surgeons of Baltimore. Andrew J., the younger brother, was born January 29, 1879, attended St. Benedict's College, also the business college of Newark, and is now a law student.
PETER F. CUNNINGHAM
is a well known funeral director and em- balmer, doing business at No. 313 Warren street, Newark. His parents were Michael and Elizabeth (Farley) Cunningham, the former of Scotch lineage and the latter of Irish descent. The maternal grandparents of our subject were both natives of county Cavan, Ireland, where they spent their en- tire lives. The father of our subject was born in the same county, where he acquired his early education and learned the trade of boiler-making.
Thinking that opportunities in the Old World were too limited he determined to seek a broader field for his labors in the United States and crossed the Atlantic to New York. Taking up his residence in Newark he found employment at his trade in the service of L. J. Lyon & Company, with whom he remained for eighteen years, one of the most trusted and faithful em- ployes of the house. He thoroughly un- derstood his work, was an excellent me- chanic and his labors gave entire satisfac- tion to the company with which he was so long connected. Both he and his wife were consistent and devout members of St. James' church, Catholic, of Newark. They were married in St. Patrick's cathedral in Newark, and became the parents of eight children, only three of whom are now liv-
ing: Mary, who is a graduate of St. James' parochial school; Peter F., and Michael, who is associated with his brother in business.
Peter F. Cunningham obtained his early education in St. James' parochial school and supplemented it by a course in St. Benedict's College, of Newark. When he was fifteen years of age he started out in life for himself, and has truly been the architect of his own fortunes, for all that he is and all that he has acquired results from his own determination, energy and perseverance. He was first employed as a telegraph oper- ator in the service of the Western Union Company, continuing that connection for seven years when, with the capital he had acquired through his industry and econ- omy, he began the undertaking business in company with Peter M. Mullen, this association being continued for eighteen months. He then entered the employ of C. C. Murray, in whose service he contin- ued for five years, during which time he became a thorough master of the business. On the expiration of that period he opened his present establishment at No. 313 War- ren street. He is an energetic and perse- vering man, and as the result of his honest business methods and resolute purpose he has been very successful.
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