USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 1 > Part 62
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Mr. Cunningham is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Benev- olent Legion, St. Patrick's Alliance of America and the Ancient Order of Hiber- nians. In his political preferences he is a Democrat, belongs to the Jeffersonian Club of Newark and represents his district in the county committee. He is deeply interested in the cause of his party and does all in his power to insure its success. On the 24th of April, 1875, Mr. Cun-
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ningham was united in marriage to Miss Annie L. Noon, a daughter of John and Rosanna Noon. He and his wife are com- municants of the St. Joseph's church, Catholic, and in the locality where they reside they have a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
AMZI THOMAS DODD
was born at the old family homestead on Dodd street, East Orange, May 30, 1868, and is a son of Amzi Smith and Hannah L. (Kilburn) Dodd. The ancestral home in which he first opened his eyes to the light of day formerly belonged to Linus Dodd, who was born in the same locality, June 18, 1765. The family history can be traced back of him for four generations, repre- sented by two Johns and two Daniels. His parents were John and Jane (Smith) Dodd, and he was their youngest child. He be- came very prominent in the community in which he made his home, and was one of those who signed the call issued in 1801 to Rev. Asa Hillyer to become pastor of the church in Orange. He was a man of high standing in the community, a leader in public life, and died August 3, 1825. He married Elizabeth Pierson, daughter of Caleb Pierson, whose father and grand- father were both named Samuel Pierson, while her great-grandfather was Thomas Pierson. Linus and Elizabeth (Pierson) Dodd had two children, Achsah and Cal- vin; and afterward, February II, 1802, Mr. Dodd married Mary Baldwin, but there were no children by this union.
Calvin Dodd was born in Doddtown, No- vember 13, 1792, and educated in a neigh- boring country school and by private study, observation and investigation. He
had a very retentive memory and ex- pressed his views in a clear, decided and forcible way. He had a strong fund of common sense and made good use of his powers of observation. He was the coun- selor of his neighbors on many matters of importance, and those who followed his advice seldom had occasion to regret it. He opposed with strong will what he be- lieved to be wrong and strenuously urged the adoption of any cause or measure that seemed to him right. His likes and dis- likes were marked, but he was always a just and generous opponent. For some years, it is said, he opposed the building of a bridge across Parrow creek on Central avenue, but when at last it was proposed to erect a cheap structure, he insisted on building it of the very best material and in the best manner. After a heated discus- sion he carried his point, but in such an honorable and straightforward manner that an opponent was heard to exclaim, referring to him: "He was the noblest Roman of them all." During the greater part of his life he served as a member of the board of chosen freeholders, and his efficiency and fidelity were well indicated by his frequent re-election. For many years he was a director of the Orange Bank. He served as an elder and leading member in the Second Presbyterian or "Brick" church, and was instrumental in establishing a church in his immediate neighborhood, working faithfully to ac- complish this object. His death occurred February 15, 1875. He was married Jan- uary 13, 1820, to Miss Elizabeth Harrison, daughter of Ichabod Harrison, and to them were born three children: Phoebe Jane. Elizabeth Caroline and Amzi Smith.
The father of our subject, Amzi Smith
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Dodd, was born November 1, 1826, and after attending the village school for a time continued his studies in the Bloomfield Academy. He inherited many of those strong traits of character which distin- guished his father and ancestors, was a man of sterling virtues and highly es- teemed in the community. He was never a politician in the sense of office-seeker, and never accepted office except on the urgent solicitation of his friends. He served on the township committee and as a member of the board of chosen free- holders, becoming his father's successor in these positions of public trust. In his early manhood he united with the Second Presbyterian church and continued his labors with that congregation until his father succeeded in establishing the church in Doddtown, after which he became iden- tified with the new organization. Socially, he was connected with Lafayette Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Orange, and on the Ist of March, 1872, he departed this life, re- spected by all who knew him. His wife, who had borne the maiden name of Han- nah L. Kilburn, was born December 3, 1828, and was a daughter of Thomas D. Kilburn, of South Orange. He was a son of Jabez Kilburn, whose father, Ebenezer Kilburn, of Morris county, New Jersey, was born in Glastonbury, Connecticut, March 10, 1679. He was a son of John Kilburn, who was born in Wethersfield, Connecticut, in 1651, and became a promi- nent and leading citizen of his community, serving as selectman in 1693, as grand juror of Hartford the same year and as constable in 1697, 1702 and 1705. His father, Sergeant John Kilburn, came to America with his father, Francis Kilburn, in the ship Increase, in 1635. Mrs. Dodd
was a member of the Bethel Presbyterian church.
The children of Amzi Smith and Hannah (Kilburn) Dodd were: Linus Calvin, who was born November 27, 1850, and died August 31, 1851; Frederick Milton, who was born January II, 1853, and died Sep- tember 25, 1855; Abby Elizabeth, who was born January 14, 1856, and died December 24, 1859; Caroline, who was born July II, 1859. and died in infancy; and Amzi Thomas.
The last mentioned, whose name forms the caption of this article, was reared on the old Dodd homestead in East Orange and obtained his early educational training in the district schools. At the age of sixteen he entered Phillips Academy, of Andover, Massachusetts, and after his graduation in that institution returned home. He was first employed by the Prudential Insurance Company, of Newark, with which he was connected for four years, when he became connected with the south division of the New Jersey Central Railroad as district passenger agent with headquarters at Long Branch, where he remained until 1896. Upon the death of his mother, which oc- curred June 20, 1896, he returned home to take charge of his father's estate.
Mr. Dodd was united in marriage in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, June 12, 1895, to Miss Alice Williams Short. a daughter of Valentine and Grace (Yourn) Short. Her grandfather, Martin Short, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and after the cessation of hostilities established the first stage line between Philadelphia and Pitts- burg, settling in the latter place, of which he was one of the founders. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Dodd were John and Grace (Penrose) Yourn, who were of Eng-
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lish ancestry. To our subject and his wife was born one daughter, Louise, who died in infancy.
Mr. Dodd is a member of the lodge of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks in Newark. He is an enthusiastic wheelman and in 1887 and 1888 was one of the five state representatives who appeared before the common council of Elizabeth, New Jersey, to obtain an appropriation for the improvement of the roads in that locality. He was one of the representatives to the convention of the League of American Wheelmen which met in Washington, D. C., in 1891. He is very popular among the lovers of the wheel and finds great de- light in taking a long ride across the coun- try. He is a progressive, straightforward business man and a worthy representative of two of the oldest and most honorable families of America.
HERMAN SCHALK,
judge of the criminal court of Newark, is now well advanced in years, and a long life in which he has viewed broadly the questions which concern mankind well fits him for the responsible duties which de- volve upon him. For many years he was prominently connected with the business interests of the city, and an honorable ca- reer has demonstrated his worthiness to sit in judgment upon those who transgress upon the rights and liberties of others.
Judge Schalk was born in Baden, Ger- many, and for a half century has been a resident of Newark. In connection with his father and brothers he established a brewery at the corner of Hamburg place and Napoleon street, afterward became sen- ior member of the firm, whose business
steadily increased until it had assumed mammoth proportions, becoming the larg- est lager-beer brewery in the city. Their product, of a superior quality, commanded a ready sale on the market, and the de- mand steadily increased until the sales reached a very large figure. The Judge, however, did not confine his attention alone to this enterprise, but directed his great energy to the advancement of many of the leading industries of the city, giving them the benefit of his experience, sound judg- ment and wise counsel in the days when such support was greatly needed. He was one of the incorporators and directors of the Newark & New York Railroad Com- pany, and in this connection might be re- ferred to as the pioneer in the construction of elevated roads.
In the affairs of the city he has long been a most prominent factor, and has given his support to all measures calculated to prove of public benefit or to promote the mate- rial welfare. He purchased the city-hall site and built the first precinct station house in William street. Matters pertaining to the safety of the city and to the proper pun- ishment of those who brought injury upon it or its people have always interested him, and he was instrumental in passing the first police-commissioner bill by which the com- missioners were elected for a term of four years, only one retiring from office and one being elected each year, thus leaving three experienced members on the board. From 1862 until 1865 Mr. Schalk was a member of the city council, and in 1865 was chair- man of the finance committee. At that time-when there was a financial panic- he attained considerable prominence by advancing money to meet the current ex- penses of the city when the local banks re-
Sti ziman Photo Gravure 32
26. Schalk
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fused to do it on temporary-loan bonds. He was a heavy depositor in several banks at the time, and by threatening to close his accounts induced the banks to give the city the credit it desired until good times came with the close of the war. He was also a member of the board of excise commission- ers for a number of years, and in every pub- lic position which he has been called upon to fill he has discharged his duties with a promptness and fidelity meriting the high- est commendation.
Major Schalk has twice been selected for judicial service. On the 26th of April, 1894, he was appointed a judge of the Es- sex court of common pleas, to succeed Judge Carl Buttner; but the legislature abolished the office in 1896. In 1897 he was appointed by Mayor Seymour to the office of judge of the criminal court of New- ark, for a term of three years, and entered upon the duties of the office in a manner that showed that he had a clear conception of the important duties and that he meant to dispose of his cases with fairness and despatch. His appointment to this office was a popular one, and especially was it pleasing to his fellow countrymen, who en- tertain for him a strong affection.
Major Schalk was united in marriage in 1854 to Miss Caroline Gerst, who was born in Newark. They have four children, Her- man, Rudolph, Oscar and Otto B. Mr. Schalk won the title by which he is usually known while serving in the capacity of major for the Steuben battalion. At the prize drilling in Elizabeth, when Mr. New- ell was governor, he received first prize for light infantry, and has always taken a deep interest in military tactics. He is respected by all who know him for his many excellent qualities, his business honor, his fidelity to
duty, and his devotion to any cause which he champions.
ABRAM VOORHEES,
of Irvington, was born in New York city, July 19, 1819, and is a son of Peter Voor- hees, a native of Long Island, descended from one of the early Dutch families of colonial times. His wife bore the maiden name of Kate Livingston, and was a native of Hudson, New York. The father was lost at sea during the early boyhood of our subject, who in consequence was thrown upon his own resources and forced to earn his own livelihood from the age of ten years. The first fifteen years of his life were passed in Orange county, New York. His educational privileges were very meager, but observation and experience in the practical affairs of life have made him a well informed man. He served in the United States Navy for two years, and afterward learned the trade of steamboat joining, which he followed until about fif- teen years ago, when he turned his atten- tion to contracting and building, a pursuit which he has since successfully followed in Irvington. He has a good patronage and is doing a profitable business. His enter- prise, good management and systematic methods commend him to the public con- fidence and support, and he has won suc- cess in his undertakings.
In 1845 Mr. Voorhees was united in marriage to Miss Jane A. Elliott, daughter of Dr. Elliott, a prominent oculist of New York, who was born in Scotland and came to the United States about 1832, when twenty-six years of age. He was born in Inverness, Scotland, was married in that country to Diana Taylor, and before their
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emigration to the New World the birth of their daughter Jane A. occurred, her natal year being 1829. Mr. and Mrs. Voorhees are the parents of eight children: Sarah, wife of John McClellan; Kate, wife of M. Stockman, clerk of Clinton township; Samuel, who is living in South Dakota; Frank I .; Grant, who also makes his home in South Dakota; Genevieve, wife of Will- iam B. Laird; Minnie O., wife of Charles Selby, of Newark; and Eva, wife of Frank Rood, of South Dakota.
Mr. Voorhees has taken quite an active part in public affairs in his section of the county and for eighteen years served most efficiently as tax assessor, voluntarily re- tiring from the office in 1895. His fre- quent re-elections form the best testimonial of his ability, integrity and faithfulness, and he retired from office as he had entered it, with the good will and confidence of the entire public.
JOHN G. HARRISON
has for thirty-five years been an important factor in the business life of Newark, and possesses that enterprising, progressive spirit which produces the substantial growth and improvement of a city. His business principles commend him to the confidence and good will of all and his well directed efforts have brought to him a merited success.
Mr. Harrison is a representative of one of the oldest families of New Jersey, whose ancestral history is closely connected with the important events which are recorded in the annals of the state. He is a grand- son of Joseph Harrison, and the second child of Jared F. Harrison, who spent his entire life in Roseland, where in connec- tion with his brothers, Rufus and Samuel,
he was for many years an elder of the First Presbyterian church.
John G. Harrison left his native town of Roseland when fifteen years of age and began learning the tanner's trade in West Bloomfield under the direction of Matthias Smith. Having mastered the business he continued to follow that vocation for eight years, after which he removed to Char- lottesburg, New Jersey, and accepted a position in the iron plant of Edward De Camp; but he left the quieter pursuits of the east in 1852 in order to join in the search for gold on the Pacific slope. With a party from his native state, he made the trip around Cape Horn to California, being more than five months on the water. For two years he remained in the west, en- gaged in digging gold, prospecting and sight-seeing. Many were the interesting experiences which served to add a charm and zest to that wild western life, and his remembrance of his days among the Cali- fornia argonauts is fraught with many pleasant recollections.
Upon his return to New Jersey Mr. Harrison re-entered the employ of Mr. De Camp in Charlottesburg, and while there became acquainted with and married Miss Frances, daughter of Peter Freeman, of Oak Ridge. In 1862 he removed to New- ark and joined his brother Joseph, who, in 1859, had established himself in the feed and grain business. To that industry our subject has since devoted his time and at- tention and is recognized as one of the leading grain merchants of the city, his sales and shipments being extensive. He is a man to whom success means the re- ward of earnest labor, perseverance and careful management, and his possessions are well deserved.
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In his political views Mr. Harrison, like those of his name who have won distin- guished honors in the political arena, is a Republican, and as a compliment to his integrity and ability, his party nominated and elected him, in 1872, school commis- sioner, in which capacity he served for four years. From 1876 until 1880 he repre- sented the fifteenth ward in the city coun- cil and used his official power for the ad- vancement and improvement of the city, in whose welfare he is deeply and actively interested.
IRA BUDD,
who is engaged in business as a plumber and steam fitter at No. 297 South Orange avenue, Newark, was born in the city which is still his home, on the 3d of De- cember, 1863. His father, Ira Budd, was one of a family of four sons and four daughters, and was born in the old Red Tavern on the Turnpike Road, East New- ark, of which his father, Joseph Budd, was proprietor for many years. He was widely and favorably known among the cattle dealers of that day and to the traveling public, for his hostelry was a favorite re- sort. His family included the following named : Hannah, wife of Jasper Van Winkle; Phoebe, wife of Walter Deering, a resident of Brooklyn: Emeline, wife of Frederick Rummel, who makes his home in Pittston, Pennsylvania; Matilda, now Mrs. Bray, who resides near Belleville, Essex county; Luther, who for a number of years was proprietor of the old Irvington Hotel; Ira, the father of our subject; Joseph and John, both of whom died in early man- hood. Both the parents of this family lived to an advanced age and were devout
members of the old Blue Presbyterian church, at the corner of Washington and James streets, Newark.
Ira Budd, father of our subject, attended the common schools of the neighborhood in which he lived and remained at his pa- rental home until twenty-two years of age, when he came to Newark and established the Budd express line, running between Newark and New York city. This enter- prise proved a successful one, and Mr. Budd admitted two gentlemen to a part- nership under the firm name of the Budd, Buck & Pomeroy Express Company, which was finally incorporated under the name of the Traders' Express Company, Mr. Budd filling the office of president up to the time of his death. He also con- ducted an express line between Orange and Newark and was very successful in his busi- ness enterprises, owing to his capable management and untiring energy. In poli- tics he was a stanch Republican and took quite an active part in local political affairs. For several consecutive terms he was a member of the city council of Newark, serving as alderman from the fifth ward.
In 1847 Ira Budd married Miss Sarah Riker, a lady of German descent, and to them were born nine children, as follows : Hattie, wife of William Ogden, by whom she has nine children; Lydia, who married Dr. H. C. Bleyle, of Newark, and has one daughter: Josephine, who is the wife of William Russell and has three children ; Mattie, who is the wife of Frank Quinby and has three children; Sarah, who died at the age of five years; Joseph, who married Nellie Ahern and has two children; Ira, of this review: William, who died at the age of twenty-one years; and Luther M., who married Alice Hatfield and has three chil-
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dren. The father of this family was driv- ing in Newark on his forty-seventh birth- day, when his horse ran away and threw him from the buggy, by which accident he sustained injuries causing his death four days later,-August 20, 1873. His wife, a most estimable lady, died March 9, 1897, at the age of sixty-seven years. They held the religious faith of the Presbyterian church and were people of the highest re- spectability and worth.
Ira Budd, whose name introduces this biographical record, spent his childhood in the usual manner of boys of the neighbor- hood, save perhaps that more than an ordi- nary degree of work fell to him in his early youth. He attended the public schools of Newark, but when ten years of age he started out in life for himself and for a year was in the employ of J. M. Bonnell. He then secured a clerkship in the store of Butler & Ward, of Newark, and when he was fourteen years of age he entered the service of the National Bell Telephone Company. Subsequently, he was em- ployed by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as a locomotive fireman for sev- eral years, and in 1881 he secured a situa- tion in the plumbing establishment of Howarth Brothers, of Newark, and was during this time a member of the salvage corps of the fire department.
When he had attained his majority Mr. Budd began business on his own account, in partnership with his brother Joseph, under the firm name of J. Budd & Brother, -a connection that was continued for four years with good success. Our subject was. next associated with the fire department of Newark for seven months, and then began business again for himself, August 1, 1889, at No. 183 South Seventh street, and in
1894 erected his present business block at No. 297 South Orange avenue. He is an indefatigable worker, straightforward in all his dealings, and as the result of his perse- verance and industry he has accumulated a comfortable competence.
On the 17th of December, 1884, in New- ark, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Budd and Miss Dora E. Kirk, a daughter of James S. and Elizabeth (McNamarra) Kirk. They had three children, but have lost two, Edna I. and Lydia K., both hav- ing died in early childhood. The surviv- ing son, Ira, was born June 10, 1895. The parents are members of the Memorial Pres- byterian church of Newark, and in his po- litical views Mr. Budd is a Republican.
FRANK WILLIAM HELBIG,
the popular and highly esteemed proprietor of the Roseville Hotel, which is located on the corner of Railroad and Roseville ave- nues, was born in the ortschaft of Flomers- heim, near Frankendahl, in the province of Bavaria, Germany, on the 16th of July, 1838, and is a son of Philip and Charlotte (Gehring) Helbig. The mother was a daughter of Caspar and Charlotte (Grube) Gehring, both natives of Bavaria. Philip Helbig was the son of Conrad and Anna Maria (De Walt) Helbig, the latter being of French Huguenot ancestry. Both the maternal and the paternal grandfathers of Frank W. were teachers by vocation, and Conrad Helbig lived to be an octogenarian. The father of our subject received a com- mon-school education, after which he learned the baker's trade and continued to follow the same during his lifetime with unqualified success. To Mr. and Mrs. Helbig were born the following children :
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Frank W., our subject; Philip, Jr., who died in early life; Charlotte, who came to Amer- ica and married William Maurer, two chil- dren being born to them, William and Charlotte; Carl came to America, married Miss Jessie Taylor and now resides in In- dianapolis, Indiana; John died early in life; Louis married Miss Elizabeth Tressler and with his wife and three children occupies the old homestead in Flomersheim; Sophia became the wife of Henry Ebrecht and lives in the town of her birth, having be- come the mother of six children; John (2d) came to America, settled in Jersey City and married Miss Louisa Jaeger, the chil- dren of this union being Louisa, George and Charles; Philipena died at the age of thirty years; Margaretta married Emil Sendler and with her husband and three children makes her home in the city of her birth. Philip Helbig, father of the fore- going, died in 1873, at the age of sixty- three years, the mother surviving until 1877, when she passed away, aged sixty- five years. They were both Christian peo- ple, and were respected and esteemed by all who knew them.
Frank William Helbig received his liter- ary education in the public schools and then learned the baking trade with his father, later working as a journeyman un- til 1860, when he was drafted into the mili- tary service for one year. He left the fatherland on the 5th of February, 1861, and took passage on a sailing vessel for the United States, arriving in New York on April 2d, the voyage occupying nearly two months. He found employment at his trade and continued to be thus engaged until 1864, when, on the 22d of September, he enlisted in Company E, Seventh New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, and served to
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