USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 1 > Part 73
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Hendrick Suydam, the only son of Lam- bert who reached years of maturity, was born March 13, 1767. His second wife was Margaret Rapelye, widow of Abram
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Snediker. He died subsequent to 1855. His sons were Abram, Hendrick and Daniel.
Hendrick Suydam, better known as Henry Suydam, Jr., the second son in the family just mentioned, was born August 29, 1806, and died April 26, 1858, at the age of fifty-two years. He married Almira Van Nostrand, daughter of John and Abigail Van Nostrand, of New York city. Mr. Suydam lived in Brooklyn and New York city and afterward took up his resi- dence in Newark, New Jersey, but spent the greater part of his life in New York. He engaged in merchandizing and was at the head of the well known firm of Suy- dam, Read & Company, wholesale grocers and dealers in flour. He was one of twen- ty-four prominent merchants who finally completed the New York & Erie Railroad, and was also interested in many corpora- tions and extensive business interests. He was one of the early trustees of the New York Life Insurance Company; one of the incorporators of the Metropolitan Bank; also prominently connected with the North River and the Merchants' Exchange Banks, the Atlantic and Commercial Fire Insurance Companies, and the Produce Exchange. One of the leaders in the financial world, he was a man who won the highest confidence and was respected and beloved by all who knew him. His sons were John Henry, Charles Crook, George H., James Van Nostrand and Stuart Marsh.
The second son of this family, now a prominent attorney of New York, was one of the valiant defenders of the starry ban- ner during the civil war. He was born June 15, 1835, and married Elizabeth Hal- sey, a granddaughter of Charles King,
president of Columbia College, New York. He was practicing law in the metropolis when the war broke out and in the early part of the struggle he assisted in raising the Ira Harris Light Cavalry, in which body he served as first lieutenant. The command was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and he was made assistant adju- tant general to General E. D. Keyes, com- mander of the Fourth Corps. He was also assistant adjutant general to General Alfred Pleasanton when he organized the cavalry corps. In 1863 Mr. Suydam re- turned home and was active in raising the Third New Jersey Cavalry, in which he served as lieutenant colonel until after the battle of Cedar creek. His regiment was attached to McIntosh's brigade, Wilson's division, under Sheridan in the Valley cam- paign. The Third New Jersey, under Col- onel Suydam, was especially active in the capture of the Eighth South Carolina In- fantry Regiment, securing one hundred and thirty-six men, ten officers and the battle flag. Colonel Suydam resigned after leading his regiment at Cedar creek, on ac- count of the great injustice done him in the appointment of Captain Pennington, of the United States artillery service, to the va- cant colonelcy by Governor Parker, of New Jersey. Returning to New York, Colonel Suydam resumed the practice of law in connection with General Henry E. Davies, who commanded a brigade in the cavalry corps of the Army of the Potomac, and Irvin Whitehead, who was associated with him as a member of General Pleasan- ton's staff. He now resides in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Other members of the two families from which our subject is descended were also loyal defenders of their country on the
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field of battle. Abram Suydam, a cousin of George H. and a son of Abram Suydam, the eldest brother of Hendrick Suydam, Jr., joined a New York volunteer regiment in 1861 and was with McClellan's army at Yorktown, Virginia. He was wounded at the battle of Williamsburg, Virginia, and returned home, but after his recovery re- joined his regiment and was with the Army of the Potomac under General Burnside. He was killed at the battle of Fredericks- burg.
John James Van Nostrand, a second cousin of George H. Suydam, and a son of James Van Nostrand, of Brooklyn, a prominent New York merchant, joined the Long Island volunteers in 1861, served un- der McClellan in the peninsular campaign and was promoted to a lieutenancy for bravery at the battle of Fair Oaks, Vir- ginia. After resigning from this regiment he enlisted in the Third New Jersey Cav- alry, became a sergeant and was wounded on the 17th of August, 1863, at Winches- ter, Virginia. McIntosh's brigade covered the rear of the army when it retired through Winchester and the engagement was fought after dark. Mr. Van Nostrand was left on the ground in the confusion of battle, was taken prisoner and was sent to Lynchburg and died in prison. He was a gallant soldier, and Colonel Suydam had recommended him for promotion as a re- ward for his bravery in many actions.
George Henry Suydam, whose name in- troduces this review, was also numbered among those who valiantly fought for the Union. He was born on the 14th of No- vember, 1842, in New York city, and has been a resident of New Jersey almost con- tinuously since 1857. He first lived on his father's place on the Bloomfield turnpike,
and when his mother purchased a home in Roseville he removed to Brooklyn, Long Island .. During the civil war he responded to his country's call for troops, donned the blue and went forth in defense of the Union as second lieutenant of Company C of the One Hundred and Seventy-fourth New York Volunteers. He served under Gen- eral N. P. Banks in the Department of the Gulf, in the First Division, Nineteenth Army Corps. His regiment reached New Orleans, in December, 1862, and at once proceeded up the Mississippi to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where the winter and spring were passed in drilling and prepar- ing for the campaign of 1863. In May of that year General Banks concentrated the troops of his department for the advance on Port Hudson. His regiment served at the siege and capture of the stronghold, which surrendered July 8. While on duty before Port Hudson, July 14, he received his com- mission as first lieutenant. He was with the expedition sent to the relief of Fort Butler at Donaldsonville, Louisiana, and took part in the battle at Cox' plantation, where his regiment lost about fifty men and officers. He served through the Red river campaign, where his regiment, the One Hundred and Sixty-second New York (consolidated with the One Hundred and Seventy-fourth), lost three hundred men out of a total of six hundred and six at the commencement of the campaign. They marched from Algiers, opposite New Or- leans, to Sabine Cross Roads, where Banks' cavalry advance met their final repulse. The rout was stopped and the victorious enemy defeated by the First Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, under General Emory. The next day, April 9, 1864, Banks' army concentrated at Pleasant Hill,
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having fallen back about ten miles. There a terrific battle was fought, the Nineteenth and the Seventeenth Army Corps dividing the honors of the day. The One Hundred and Sixty-second New York regiment in the engagement lost one hundred and fifty- eight men, including nine of their fourteen officers. Several officers were promoted af- ter this battle, and Mr. Suydam received his commission as captain of Company H. The whole army was withdrawn to the Mississippi, the One Hundred and Sixty- second taking part in several engagements on the way down the Red river.
Once more at Algiers the Nineteenth Army Corps embarked for the north. Mr. Suydam's brigade joined Grant at Peters- burg and was stationed on the extreme right of the line across the James river at Deep Bottom, where they did picket duty in the woods bordering the Newmarket road and Strawberry Plains. They par- ticipated in the action that occurred in the latter part of July, when, late in the even- ing, the brigade was attacked by the Con- federates under General Kershaw, the One Hundred and Sixty-second losing fifty men and one officer, in killed, wounded and pris- oners. The next day General Hancock crossed the river with the Second and Third Corps under cover of a heavy can- nonade of about twenty-five or thirty pieces of artillery, which shelled the woods for an hour or more. Hancock pressed through the woods, pushing the enemy before him while the cavalry under Sheridan pro- ceeded to Strawberry Plains and completed the defeat of the Confederate commander. Later in August the brigade to which Mr. Suydam's regiment was attached joined the Nineteenth Army Corps which was with General Sheridan at Monocacy Junction
preparing for the valley campaign and served under him until the early part of 1865.
Mr. Suydam was present at the grand review of the western and eastern armies in Washington, and in July, 1865, his brigade was transferred to the command of General Brannan, at Savannah, Georgia, and sta- tioned at Hawkinsville, Georgia. On the 12th of October he was mustered out of service and with the regiment sent to New York by steamer, receiving his final pay there on the 23d of October. Mr. Suydam served continuously for more than three years and was off duty for only thirty days, nineteen of which was on a leave of ab- sence. He was a loyal, devoted soldier, and his army record is one of which he may be justly proud.
For a period following the war Mr. Suy- dam was engaged in business in Salisbury, North Carolina, but in 1868 returned to Newark, New Jersey, where he still main- tains his residence, having a very pleasant and commodious home on Roseville ave- nue. He was employed by the New York Life Insurance Company, in New York city, and on the 17th of February, 1892, was appointed by John A. McCall, the president, to the position of assistant . comptroller, in which capacity he served until the spring of 1894, when he resigned in order to engage in the real-estate busi- ness. He established himself first in New York city and removed to East Orange in the spring of 1896. He is a man of ex- cellent business capacity, superior manage- ment, keen foresight and great energy, and the combination of these qualities has made him very successful.
Mr. Suydam was married in Salisbury, North Carolina, October 29, 1866, to Miss
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White, daughter of John and Margaret (McRorie) White, of that city, descendants of Scotch ancestors. Their children are Maria McRorie; Margaret S .; John Mc- Rorie, deceased; Almira V. N .; George Henry, deceased; Henry; Frank Wilmarth; George Herbert and Stephen Granberry. The family attend St. Thomas' church, Protestant Episcopal, in Roseville, of which Mr. Suydam has served as vestry- man from its organization, while others of his family were with him among its charter members.
Our subject cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 1864, when a soldier in the field, by means of a soldier's vote, enclosed in a sealed envelope, and de- posited in a ballot box in Brooklyn by his cousin, John Van Nostrand : this vote was challenged by a "copper head." Since that time he has been unwavering in sup- port of Republican principles.
Mr. Suydam is prominent in Masonic circles and first became a member of the order in 1866, being raised to the degree of Master Mason in Fulton Lodge, No. 99, of Salisbury, North Carolina, on the 18th of March. For one year he served as senior deacon. He joined the Royal Arch Chapter at Salisbury, October 17, 1866, and became a member of Adoniram Council, of Salisbury, the same year. He became a charter member of Hope Lodge, No. 124, which was organized at East Orange, in 1872, with T. D. Topham as the first wor- shipful master, and became a charter mem- ber of Roseville Lodge, No. 143, which was organized at Roseville, February 26. 1875, the first master being Charles B. Day. He joined the Grand Army of the Republic, May 14, 1868, and was mustered in at Salisbury, North Carolina, under au-
thority from headquarters, North Carolina. On the 7th of November, 1890, he joined Lafayette Post, No. 140, of New York city, Colonel Mills, commander. Mr. Suy- dam became a member of the Holland So- ciety of New York, December 29, 1892, joined the Roseville Athletic Club, August 16, 1886, and was made a member of the Lincoln Club, of Roseville, April 2, 1891. He ranks among the foremost business men in this part of the state, and in social circles his pleasing personality, culture and geniality have won him many friends.
TIMOTHY H. BAKER,
who has throughout the greater part of his life been connected with the business and social interests of Orange, was born in that part of the city now called Maplewood, on the 12th of November, 1824, and is a son of Thomas and Susan (Hadley) Baker. The family has for many years been iden- tified with the history of Essex county. The grandfather, Norris Baker, removed from Philadelphia to New Jersey when twenty years of age and located at what was at that time called Jefferson Village, but is now Maplewood. There he spent the remainder of his life, and for many years engaged in teaching school.
Thomas Baker, the father of our sub- ject, was born in Maplewood, which con- tinued to be his place of residence through- out his life; he was a farmer by occupation. He died in the home in which he was born, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. He had eight children: Mary Ann, de- ceased wife of Caleb Smith; Donald N., deceased; Timothy; Martha, deceased wife of Stephen Stiles; Jane E .; Phoebe, de- ceased wife of Edward Collins; Susan, wife
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of Warren A. Vandevere; Thomas C., who is now assessor of South Orange.
Timothy H. Baker remained in Maple- wood until twenty-seven years of age, and in his youth devoted his time to the pleas- ures of the playground and the studies of the schoolroom. When he had laid aside his text-books to learn the more difficult lessons of experience, his attention was next directed toward the shoemaker's trade, which he followed until leaving Maplewood, at the age of twenty-seven years. In 1851 he removed to Rhinebeck, Dutchess county, New York, where he learned the trade of paper-making and also mastered the duties of engineer. Remain- ing in the Empire state until 1876, he re- moved to Newark, where he was employed for six years as engineer in the establish- ment of Thomas Kinney, tobacconist. In 1882 he returned to Maplewood and worked at his trade of paper-making for five years, and since 1887 he has been engi- neer in the hat factory of Austin Drew & Company, his long continued service indi- cating his fidelity to duty and the confi- dence reposed in him by his employers.
Mr. Baker was united in marriage, in Connecticut Farms, New Jersey, to Miss Phoebe Sylands, who was born in Spring- field, Essex county, a daughter of Richard R. and Esther (Parcel) Sylands. Their union has been blessed with the following named children: Anna, wife of Archibald Ostrum, of Rhinebeck, New York; Flor- ence, wife of Augustus Vancuren, of Rhinebeck; Sarah; Jane, widow of William Ferren; Carrie, wife of Walter Laidlaw, of West Orange; Mary, wife of Arthur Rob- inson, of Orange; Susan, wife of Milton S. Dare, of Maplewood; and Florence, who died in Maplewood, at the age of seven
years. In his political views Mr. Baker is a Democrat, but has never been an aspirant for political honors. His wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and both are highly esteemed by a large circle of friends.
PHILIPPE RICORD, M. D.,
was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, July 5, 1843. Being of delicate constitu- tion as a child and youth, his education was mainly conducted in private, and almost exclusively under the direction of his father. At a suitable age he entered, as a student, the office of Drs. Abraham Coles and Beth- uel L. Dodd, Newark, New Jersey, and soon after the establishment of the United States Ward Military Hospital, became a medical cadet in that institution, and served in that capacity until the close of the war. In 1868 he was graduated with honors from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York, and soon afterward began the practice of medicine in Newark, New Jer- sey, where he is still located. He is a mem- ber of the Essex District Medical Society.
CHARLES BERG.
One of the most important industries of Essex county is that of hat-manufacturing. Its products from the hat factories are shipped to all parts of the country and the extensive trade thereby built up adds not a little to the commercial activity and ma- terial prosperity of this section of the state. As a member of the firm of F. Berg & Company, our subject is a representative of this enterprise and is numbered among the wide-awake, progressive young business men of the locality.
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Born in Orange, on the 12th of Febru- ary, 1867, he is a son of Frederick and Anna Berg. He acquired his literary edu- cation in the public schools of his native city, and afterward pursued a business course in the New Jersey Commercial Col- lege, of Newark. He put his knowledge to the practical test in his father's hat fac- tory, where he learned the business in every department, and on the 21st of Oc- tober, 1888, he was admitted to a partner- ship in the firm of F. Berg & Company. He devotes his time and attention assidu- ously to his business, neglects no detail, however unimportant it may seem, and by his careful management has contributed not a little to the success which has at- tended his undertakings.
In Orange, New Jersey, in February, 1888, was celebrated the marriage which united the destinies of Charles Berg and Miss Lucy May Miller, a native of Nor- walk, Ohio, and a daughter of Wickliffe and Jennie (Burnett) Miller. They have two children,-Charles F. and Anna Jean- ette. Mr. Berg is a member of Union Lodge, No. II, A. F. &. A. M., of Orange, and in his political views is a Republican.
J. EDGAR WILLIAMS,
of Verona, whose business activity has made him an important factor in the world of affairs in his section of Essex county, was born in Verona township, October 27, 1836, and is a son of Jonathan S. Williams, of West Orange. He is indebted to the public-school system for his educational privileges, which ably fitted him for life's practical duties. On laying aside his text- books he entered the employ of Durand & Company, of Newark, where he learned the trade of watch-case finishing. He was re-
tired from this work by the reduction of the force, resulting from the panic of 1857, after a two-years service, and then turned his attention to the manufacture of shoes, which he continued until 1861, when he entered the employ of Benedict, Hall & Company, of New York, following this with a term of years in the house of Andrew Britton, and ending his three years with Joseph A. Condit, of West Orange.
On the expiration of that period Mr. Williams removed to Verona and in part- nership with his father-in-law, Charles Smith, engaged in handling paper and pa- per stock. By mutual consent this con- nection was discontinued after three years, and Mr. Williams, assuming charge of one branch of the business, conducted it until his embarkation in the sale of remnants in 1878,-an enterprise which he has since followed with marked success. He pos- sesses great energy, keen discrimination and sound judgment in matters of busi- ness, and his careful conduct of this indus- try has made it very profitable and satis- factory. He is also a director in the Mont- clair Bank and one of the managers of the Montclair Savings Bank, and is a man of broad capability whose connection with any enterprise contributes materially to its success.
On the 4th of October, 1860, Mr. Will- iams led to the marriage altar Miss Martha Ellen Smith, a daughter of Charles and Martha (Hardham) Smith. The only sur- viving child of this union is Anna V., wife of Anson A. B. Vorhees, a member of the firm of J. E. Williams & Company. A son, J. Edgar Williams, Jr., died May 9, 1881, at the age of two years. There are now two grandchildren,-J. Edgar and Anson W. Vorhees.
J. Edgar Willump
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Mr. Williams is a public-spirited and pro- gressive citizen who manifests his interest in the general welfare by faithfully perform- ing his duties of citizenship and supporting all measures for the public good. His fel- low citizens, appreciating his worth and ability, have frequently called him to pub- lic office, he having served for two years as committeeman of Caldwell township, as a member of the board of freeholders for four years; and when Verona township was set off, he was made chairman of the first town committee. He is president of the Verona Club and is one of the trustees of the Verona Congregational church. His many excellencies of character and pleasing personality make him a popular citizen and well worthy of representation in the history of his native county.
ELMER E. HORTON,
senior member of the firm of Horton & Richardson, manufacturers of mineral and soda waters at the corner of New York . avenue and McWhorter street, Newark, was born in Fairmont, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, on the 24th of October, 1863. His parents were Milton G. and Martha (Sutton) Horton. The father was born in Morris county, New Jersey, in 1819, and. comes of a family connected with that county from pioneer days, the town of Hortonstown being named in their honor. The father was a tanner by trade and for more than forty years was in the employ of one firm,-a fact which well indicates his efficient service, his fidelity to duty and the confidence reposed in him by his employ- ers. He served throughout the late war as a member of the Thirty-eighth Regiment of New Jersey Volunteers and was a loyal
defender of the Union. His wife died when our subject was only about a year old.
Elmer E. Horton was educated in the common schools and in September, 1880, came to Newark, entering the employ of the Celluloid Novelty Company, with which he continued as one of the expert workmen and trusted employes of the house until 1888, when he formed his pres- ent partnership with William Richardson, under the firm name of Horton & Richard- son, for the manufacture of mineral and soda waters. Their office and factory are located at the corner of New York avenue and McWhorter street, and the plant is equipped with the latest improved and best facilities for the production of high-grade goods in their line. The business is con- ducted on sound principles and the energy and enterprise of the owners have brought a well deserved success.
In his political views Mr. Horton is a stalwart Republican, who warmly advo- cates the principles of the party, and in local politics he takes considerable interest. In the spring of 1896 he was elected a member of the board of education from the tenth ward, and upon the organization of the board in 1897 he was chosen chair- man of the sanitary committee, thus having in charge a very important part of the work devolving upon that body. Socially, Mr. Horton is connected with Lucern Lodge, No. 181, I. O. O. F .; America Lodge, No. 143, K. P .; Newark Lodge, No. 143, A. O. U. W., and General Put- nam Council, No. 137, J. O. U. A. M.
On the 19th of March, 1884, Mr. Hor- ton was united in marriage to Miss Ella Clauson, of Newark, daughter of Elias and Mary Clauson. Of this union have been
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born two children,-Edith M. and Ada Belle. The parents are members of the New York Avenue Reformed church and are prominent people of the community, having a large circle of warm friends in Newark.
G. A. LE BOEUF,
one of the prominent and well known busi- ness men of East Orange, was born in Littry les Mines, Calvados, France, on the 25th of April, 1851, and is a son of Ger- main and Victorine (De Melum) Le Boeuf. His education was acquired in the public schools of his native city, and after finish- ing there he went to Paris, where he was engaged as a salesman in a wholesale wine establishment, retaining that position for several years ..
At the breaking out of the Franco-Prus- sian war Mr. Le Boeuf valiantly responded to the call of his country for volunteers, and served in the French army throughout the entire conflict. At the battle of Bu- zenval, on the 19th of January, 1871, he was wounded in the right breast, which caused his confinement in the hospital for several weeks; and upon his recovery, learning that the war had ended, he went to the south of France to recuperate his health. At Villa Franca he set sail in the war ship Plymouth, for a cruise, and at the expiration of the same he was landed at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in the fall of 1871, whence he at once proceeded to Boston, and there remained four years, subsequently traveling extensively in all parts of the United States until 1886, since which time he has been a continuous resi- dent of East Orange. Here he engaged in his present business,-that of dyeing,
cleaning and finishing,-and by diligence, strict integrity of character and a careful personal attention to the desires of his pa- trons he has built up a large and lucrative business, his success being the result of his individual efforts and honesty of purpose.
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