USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 1 > Part 70
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The Doctor was born in the country of Servia, on the 24th of April, 1865. His parents were natives of Germany. His father, Frederick Adolph Thum, a mining engineer, went with his wife to Servia on professional business, and it was during their temporary sojourn there that the birth of the Doctor occurred. The father came to the United States in 1880, and located in Newark, where he has since re- sided.
The Doctor was educated in a gym- nasium in the duchy of Hessen, and in 1882 took up the study of pharmacy. In 1884 he was graduated at the New York Phar- maceutical College, and then established himself in the drug business in Elizabeth, New Jersey. While conducting his store at that point, he also took up the study of medicine and in 1891 was graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York city. The same year he began the practice of medicine in Newark, open- ing an office in Norfolk street and Central avenue. Two years later he removed to his present location. From the beginning his practice has steadily and constantly in- creased and success has attended his efforts. His fellow members of the profession ac- knowledge his skill and ability, and the . public testify their appreciation of his ser- vices by the patronage which they give him.
Dr. Thum is now acting as visiting phy- sician to the German Hospital and is chief of the surgical clinics at St. Michael's Hos- pital, of Newark. He is a member of the Essex County Medical Society, the Practi- tioners' Club, the Physicians' Club and the Esculapian Society, and is a close student of the science and art of healing. In his intercourse with his fellow practitioners, through these different societies and by
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means of the medical journals, he keeps constantly abreast of the times.
The Doctor was married on the 23d of November, 1896, the lady of his choice being Miss Pauline Lorenz, of Newark. Socially he has many characteristics which endear him to his friends, and outside of professional circles he is also very popular.
JOSEPH SEARLE,
a capitalist and real-estate dealer of Nutley, was born in Devonshire, England, on the 4th of December, 1854, and with his par- ents, John P. and Jane T. Searle, came to America, the family settling in Vorick street, New York city. A year later they removed to Belleville, where the father en- gaged in the butchering business. The children of this family are Jane, wife of Walter Scott; Kate; Minnie; Jane, of New York city, and Charles, who is engaged in the butchering business in Franklin.
Mr. Searle, whose name introduces this review, was reared under the parental roof and acquired his education in the schools of Newark. He learned the butcher's trade in his early life and followed that business until he had acquired a handsome capital. He is now engaged in the purchase and sale of horses in the city of Paterson, under the firm name of Earle & Searle, handling about twenty head of horses per month and deriving from the business a good income. In addition, Mr. Searle is the owner of city and farm property in Nutley and vicinity to the value of sixty thousand dollars. As the years have passed and his financial re- sources have increased, he has made judi- cious investments of his capital and has thereby acquired a handsome fortune.
Mr. Searle was united in marriage to
Phœbe Vreeland, and to them were born three children, but only one is now living, Lottie, at home with her father. For his second wife Mr. Searle chose Miss Lottie Smith, who died leaving a daughter, Ellen Elizabeth. His present wife bore the maid- en name of Ellen Elizabeth Paxton, and three children grace their union,-William D., Elsie and Edith.
In his political views Mr. Searle is a stalwart Republican, whose firm conviction that its principles are best adapted to the public good, has led him to labor earnestly for its success. He has served as freeholder of Franklin township for four or five years, and for ten years was committeeman, his long continued service well indicating his ability and fidelity in the discharge of his public duties. He is a member of the fire department, is a supporter of the church and school interests, and his family attend the Dutch Reformed church. Mr. Searle has been the architect of his own fortunes and has builded wisely and well. He start- ed out in life for himself with no capital, but possessed a determined, resolute na- ture that brooks no obstacles that can be overcome by honest perseverance. Thus he has worked his way steadily upward, and his enterprise and good management have brought to him a handsome financial re- turn. He has a wide acquaintance in busi- ness circles and commands the confidence and good will of all, while his friends in social life entertain for him high regard.
JAMES WILSON BATTY,
one of the substantial and representative citizens of Essex county, was born at Pat- erson, Passaic county, New Jersey, on the 17th of August, 1855, and is a son of
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Thomas and Ann (Wilson) Batty, the for- mer of whom was a native of England and a millwright by occupation. At a youthful age our subject went to Franklin, Essex county, New Jersey, and there received his literary education in the public schools, after leaving which he embarked in various occupations.
In 1883 Mr. Batty was united in mar- riage to Miss Hannah J. Webbley, a daugh- ter of William and Eliza (Jackson) Webb- ley, and three children were born to them, none of whom survive. In his political af- filiations Mr. Batty is a stanch Republican and a strong advocate of the principles and policies of that party, including a protect- ive tariff, reciprocity and sound money. In his religious belief he is a member of the Episcopal church. Mr. Batty possesses many excellent qualities of character and disposition, which have gained for him a large number of friends, who hold him in high esteem.
LABAN DENNIS, M. D.,
was born in England, February 4. 1840, and came to the United States at a very early age. Having passed the required examination, he entered the State Normal School, at Trenton, New Jersey, and was graduated in 1858, at the age of eighteen years. He was immediately appointed a teacher in that institution, where he re- mained one year and a half, when he re- ceived the appointment of vice-principal of the Newark Academy. This position he held for three years, devoting his leisure time to the study of medicine. In 1866 he was graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York, and soon thereafter began the practice of his profes-
sion in Newark, New Jersey, in partnership with Dr. Thomas Lafon, his former pre- ceptor. Dr. Dennis is a member of the state board of health, and in the labors of this body has taken a very active and prom- inent part. He is also a trustee of the Newark Academy and president of the Board of Associated Charities of that city.
GEORGE F. SANDFORD,
one of the successful and prosperous citi- zens of Belleville, Essex county, was born on the old homestead in this city, Decem- ber 4, 1840, a son of James Moore and Lottie (Morgan) Sandford. His father was a carpenter and joiner by occupation, an old-line Whig and later a Republican in politics, and in his religious faith he was a member of the Methodist church. He was a son of Abram P. and Sarah Sandford, the former being a native of Hudson county, New Jersey.
George F. Sandford passed his youth in Belleville, acquiring his education in the public schools of that place, and then learned the carpenter's trade under the guidance of his father. On the 25th of Sep- tember, 1861, he offered his services in de- fense of the Union and enlisted in Com- pany D, Eighth New Jersey Volunteer Regiment, was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks, and a year later, on account of disability resulting therefrom, he was hon- orably discharged and returned home, where he once more began working at his trade. In 1874 he opened a shop on his own responsibility and has since conducted the same, meeting with the success conse- quent upon industry, ability and strict in- tegrity of character, combined with a large share of business acumen, which has en-
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abled him to gain and retain a liberal pat- ronage throughout the community.
Mr. Sandford is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, in the principles of which he has always been a firm believer, and he is a member of the Phil Kearny Post, No. I, of Newark, in which he is pop- ular to a high degree. In his religious ad- herency he is a consistent member of the Methodist church.
JOHN SPEAR
is now living a retired life at his pleasant home on the banks of the Passaic river, at Belleville, and in that home his birth occurred September 20, 1823. His parents were James T. and Eliza (Wade) Spear. His father was born October 1, 1795, in what was then the township of Newark, afterward called the village of Second River, and now Belleville. He was a black- smith by trade, a highly respected man, and a Whig in politics. His death occurred on the 13th of July, 1867, and his wife passed away July 16, 1878. This worthy couple were the parents of the following named : John; Abby W., who was born April 8, 1827, and died at the age of seven years; Alfred, who was born September 9, 1828, and married a Miss Story, making their home in New York, where he followed car- pentering and reared their family of four children,-Alfred, Oscar, Agnes and Flor- ence, the third, Alfred, having died in Jan- uary, 1897; Mary Ann, who was born June 19, 1835, and is the wife of John J. Tucker, by whom she has two children,-Edwin and Walter.
John Spear was educated in the common schools of his native village and followed the occupation of farming until his well
directed efforts had brought to him the handsome competence which now enables him to live a retired life. He married Eliza S. Houseman, October 22, 1879, a daugh- ter of Abraham Houseman, of Passaic, New Jersey, and she has been to him a faithful companion and helpmeet on life's journey, presiding with grace over their hospitable home.
Mr. Spear has served for four years as a member of the board of freeholders, filled the office of township committeeman and was at one time surveyor of the public highways. In all his official duties he was found prompt and reliable, winning the commendation of all concerned. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, warmly inter- ested in the success of his party. His life has been well spent and has gained him the confidence and regard of all. In business matters he was always just and honorable and in every relation of life has followed a rule of conduct such as commands respect throughout the world.
PETER V. P. HEWLETT, M. D.,
was born in Newark, New Jersey, Decem- ber 3, 1846. He was graduated at the Uni- versity of the City of New York in 1868, and immediately began the practice of his profession in Newark, New Jersey. On several occasions he had been a delegate to the New Jersey Medical Society, and in 1879 read a paper before that body on the "Criminal Use of Chloroform."
He is a member of the Essex District Medical Society, of the Newark Medical Association (of which he was secretary in 1869-70 and president 1871-72), and of the Newark Pathological Society. Of the New Jersey Academy of Medicine he has been
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secretary and curator for several years. From 1868 to 1874 he was attending physi- cian of the Newark City Dispensary. In 1873 and for some years following he was attending physician of St. Michael's Hospi- tal, and curator of that institution. From 1876 to the present time he has been a member of the board of education of the city of Newark, and since 1879 county phy- sician.
HUGH CAMPBELL HENDRY
was born in Scotland, November 12, 1849, and was educated at the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. In 1872 he was graduated at the Bellevue Hospital Med- ical College, and soon after commenced the practice of his profession in Newark, New Jersey. For seven years he was at- tending physician for the Sisters of St. Francis and St. Michael's Hospital in that city. In 1875 he was police surgeon. He has been a member of the board of education of the city of Newark, and in April, 1884, was appointed by the Govern- or one of the commissioners of the State Insane Asylum, at Morris Plains, New Jersey.
AARON F. BURTT,
undertaker and embalmer of Orange, who has thus been connected with the business interests of the city for a number of years, was born in his parents' home on Halsey street, Newark, New Jersey, March 6, 1854, and is a son of Aaron W. and Mary (Smith) Burtt. The latter is a descendant of Irish ancestry. The father was born on the old Lyons farm in Essex county. His educa- tion was limited to the advantages afforded
by the district schools in those days, and after completing his school course, he be- gan learning the trade of manufacturing carriage bodies, serving a regular appren- ticeship. He did not follow that pursuit very long, however, before he decided to brave the perils and dangers of a seafaring life, and accordingly embarked on a whal- ing vessel at New Bedford, Massachusetts, as ship carpenter. He followed that pursuit for about four and a half years, during which time he endured many hardships, having gone out as a ship carpenter and arose 'to the position of first mate. He then took up his residence in Newark, and carried on his trade until 1861, when he entered the employ of the government at Alexandria, Virginia, where he was em- ployed in the ambulance corps in the ca- pacity of superintendent. Having partici- pated in the general military drill with his corps, he was made the captain of the com- pany, which position he held up to the time of his discharge at the close of the war.
When hostilities had ceased Mr. Burtt returned to Newark, where he entered the employ of the Morris & Essex Railroad Company, in their shops at Newark, and continued there until within a few years of his death, which occurred when he had reached the age of seventy-eight years. He was a frugal, industrious man, a worthy citizen and a faithful husband and father. His estimable wife still survives him and is living with her daughters Susan and Helen. In their family are the following children : Aaron Francis; Carrie, who married James Maguire, of New York city, and has five children; Sylvester, who died at the age of seventeen years; Susan, who is living with her mother; Margaret, wife of E. D. Har-
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rington, who is engaged in the brokerage and commission business in the Drexel building, Philadelphia; Robert, who mar- ried Kittie Hickey, and has one child; and Helen, who resides with her mother.
Aaron F. Burtt obtained his early educa- tion in St. Patrick's parochial school, of Newark, and at the early age of twelve years started out in life for himself. He is what the world terms a "self-made man," for all that he has is the result of his own efforts. He began serving an apprentice- ship at the carpenter's trade with William H. Kirk & Company, of Newark, ending his term when eighteen years of age, after which he worked as a journeyman until 1873. He then embarked in business on his own account, manufacturing picture frames on Broad street, Newark, and in that undertaking was very successful. In 1877 he added an undertaking establishment to his art store and conducted both enter- prises with profit. In 1879 he established a branch undertaking store in Orange, which also proved a remunerative invest- ment, and carried on his interest both in Orange and Newark until 1884, when he sold his store in the latter place and en- gaged in the livery business in Orange, in connection with the direction of funerals, having invested about fifty thousand dol- lars in the two concerns. His facilities and appointments are of the most improved style and his business in the funeral-direct- ing and embalming business is so large that he is required to keep three hearses and a very large number of carriages.
Mr. Burtt is prominently connected with a number of benevolent and fraternal or- ganizations in the Oranges. He belongs to the City of Orange Council, No. 235, Knights of Columbus; St. John's Council,
of the Catholic Benevolent Legion, of Orange; is a life member of the Young Men's Literary Union, of Orange, and a member of the Catholic Club, of East Orange. Politically he is a Democrat of the true Jeffersonian type.
Mr. Burtt was married in St. Patrick's cathedral in Newark, to Miss Susan E. Mar- ley, a daughter of Daniel and Julia Marley, born September 26, 1861, and to them were born nine children: Cecelia F., Aaron F., Susie, Gertrude, Florence, Agnes, Robert S., Paul Joseph, deceased, and Florence May. The family are all communicants of St. John's church, Roman Catholic, of Orange.
SAMUEL H. BURNET.
About the -year 1643 Thomas Burnet emigrated from Yorkshire, England, to Lynn, Massachusetts, and thence to South- ampton, Long Island, where, on the 13th of October, 1643, he was granted a tract of land on condition that he resided on it for a period of three years. From the Southampton records we copy the follow- ing: "Oct. 13, 1643, Thomas Burnet hath a lott graunted unto him on the south east side upon condicon that hee staye three yeares in the Towne to ymprove yt." He accepted the condition, improved the land, married Mary Pierson, and reared the fol- lowing children: John, Joel, Lot, Hester, Miriam, Priscilla, Aaron, Mordecai and Dan. Of the sons, Mordecai moved to Elizabethtown, New Jersey, about 1683, and was admitted one of the associates un- der the Indian title. Matthias settled in Easthampton, Long Island, where he was a justice of the peace, a captain, and there his will was recorded, in July, 1745, and
SAMUEL H. BURNET
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proved April 8, 1746; Aaron settled in Madison, New Jersey, where he died at the age of one hundred years; Lot married Phoebe Mills on the 20th of October, 1675, and these sons were born to them: Joseph, David, Nathan, Jonathan, Samuel, Ephraim and Isaac. Samuel married Ma- rischa Roll, of New York, and their son, Samuel, became united to Lucy Chase, who bore him three sons and four daugh- ters, of whom Joseph and David served in the Revolutionary war, the death of the former occurring while in service. Sam- uel, the grandfather of our subject, also served in the war of the Revolution, and married Ruth Hedges, a daughter of Lem- uel Hedges, of Long Island. In 1799 Samuel Burnet moved to Livingston township and purchased the house in which the subject of this review was born. For a while he conducted a tavern, where the Newark stages stopped, and later moved to Chat- ham, where he died on the 4th of June, 1819, his widow surviving until June 7, 1824. They were both members of the Pres- byterian church and they reared the follow- ing children: Joseph, born September 12, 1799, died June 3, 1818; John Wycliffe, born July 31, 1781, died March 8, 1851; Samuel, born April 21, 1783, died Septem- ber 3, 1865; David, born December 2, 1784, died May 11, 1875; Sarah, born March 23, 1787, died February 23, 1831; Phebe Chatfield, born May 10, 1790, died in October, 1869; Betsy, born August 14, 1792, died May 15, 1839; Sophia, born March 3, 1895, died November 24, 1864; Mary, born April 26, 1798, died November 24, 1864; and Lewis Woodruff, born June 25, 1801, died June 16, 1881.
Samuel Burnet was married to Betsey Clark Ball, second cousin to Abraham
Clark, the signer of the Declaration of In- dependence, and daughter of Abner and Rachel Robertson Ball, January 2, 1803. They had eleven children,-three sons and eight daughters. Samuel Horace, the sub- ject of this sketch, their seventh child, was born March II, 1815, was reared on the old homestead, and received a limited edu- cation in the district schools. On the 29th of December, 1839, he was united in mar- riage to Hannah Maria Edwards, who died on the 22d of December, 1866; was married a second time, namely, to Louisa J. Collins, on the 2d of July, 1887. Six children were born to the first wife, namely: Betsy, the wife of George Em- mons, of this county; Samuel, residing in Livingston township, who was twice mar- ried and had two sons, Wallace W. and Samuel, Jr .; Hannah, who married Peter Meeker, of Roseland; Enoch E., of Liv- ingston; Sarah Frances, the wife of Thomas G. McQuade; and Moses, who died when eighteen months old. Mr. Burnet's mater- nal grandfather, Abner Ball, and great- grandfather, Thomas Ball, served during the whole of the Revolutionary war. Thomas Ball was sergeant in Captain Isaac Gillam's company.
In his political faith Mr. Burnet is a Republican. He first served as a constable of Livingston and was town committee- man for many years. While constable he secured the passage of the law through the legislature, exempting two hundred dollars' worth of property from execution. This was a great boon to the poor of cities. In 1861 he was elected chosen freeholder; and, the quota of Livingston township be- ing but twenty, he introduced a bill pro- viding for the paying of a bounty of five hundred dollars for every volunteer in the
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county. He was chosen to pay bounties, his services being accepted without bonds, and he handled the money most judicious- ly, Mr. Burnet going to Morristown and there taking charge of the matter without asking any compensation from the county. This project succeeded in securing a large number of men from Bloomfield and thir- ty-one from Irvington, all of whom were placed in the navy. Mr. Burnet has served in nearly all the township offices, he was instrumental in obtaining the erection of a new school-house in his district by a special act of legislation, and in securing the passage of the skim-milk law, and owing to his efforts a law was passed pro- viding for voting by ballot at town meet- ings. He owns two hundred and fifty acres of land in Livingston township, and in connection with his agricultural pursuits he was formerly engaged in the shoe busi- ness. Mrs. Burnet is a member of the Baptist church.
PIERRE BLACK
was born in Bergen county, New Jersey, on the IIth of December, 1867, and is a son of James Valentine and Elizabeth (Vreeland) Black, the former of whom was a machinist by occupation. Our subject acquired his educational discipline in the public schools of Belleville, where he re- mained until fourteen years old, when he was apprenticed to the trade of mason, which he subsequently adopted as a voca- tion, and at present he is associated with J. J. Tucker, an extensive contractor.
In his political affiliations Mr. Black is a stanch Republican, giving his energetic support to that party, and he has been a member of the town committee. He was
re-elected on the township committee in 1898, by a larger majority than that received by any other candidate in the town. In his religious belief he is an adherent of the Dutch Reformed church, and socially he is a popular member of the Junior Order of Ameri- can Mechanics. On the 17th of April, 1889, Mr. Black was united in marriage to Miss Ida J. Kent, a daughter of William and Jemima (Zendall) Kent, and they are the parents of one child, Chauncy Black.
WALTER R. BRUYERE, M. D.,
was born in Princeton, New Jersey, July 3, 1852. He was educated in the schools of his native city, and in 1874 the College of New Jersey conferred upon him the degree of A. M. In 1878 he was graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of New York, and soon after became a medical practitioner in Newark, New Jersey, where he still resides and pursues the work of his profession.
ROBERT P. SCHLEGEL.
The early progenitors of the Schlegel family have been at various times promi- nently identified with the educational and political interests of the central German states. To this family belonged the emi- nent German philosopher Schlegel, who is frequently mentioned in the history of the fatherland in connection with the import- ance of his researches as given to the world in his writings. Among his lineal descend- ants was Phillip Schlegel, a worthy and re- spected citizen of the ortschaft of Papanau, a small town near the line of Baden and Wurtemberg. He was a miller by trade
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and became the owner of a considerable estate. With a strong belief in Democratic principles he advocated a free and indepen- dent government for the people and taught such views to his two sons, Michael and Phillip, the former of whom was among the revolutionists of 1848. As history relates, these brave men failed in winning their cause, owing to the largely superior num- bers of the army of Prussia, and in conse- quence were termed "rebels" by the gov- ernment. Their property was also confis- cated, and several members of the Schlegel family then fled to France, locating in Strasburg, their descendants being now among the successful residents of that his- toric city.
Michael Schlegel, who was among the revolutionists, came to America and spent his remaining days in the New World. His brother Phillip, who learned the miller's trade, and after his father's death inherited a portion of the old homestead, located in the village of Dietlingen in the district of Pfortsheim, Baden, and purchased the old mill property of that village carrying on business there for a number of years. Al- though not a college graduate he was a man of excellent common sense and sound judgment, and his name was synonymous with honorable dealing, while among all who knew him his word was as good as his bond. He was born in 1798 and died in 1862. His wife bore the maiden name of Wilhelmina Bürgle, and her father was for many years a school-teacher in the village of Dietlingen, Baden.
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