USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 1 > Part 75
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Job Crowell married Miss Caroline Beach and their children were: Abby, born November 26, 1812, died in her in- fancy; Aaron B., February 9, 1814; Caro- line Jane, November 7, 1815; Catherine M., April, 1817, married Aaron Brown; Isaac Newton, November 15, 1818, died March 22, 1895; Martha, June 10, 1820, died young; Charles Ross, July 24, 1822; Abby M., January 6, 1828.
Isaac Newton Crowell, father of the im- mediate subject of this sketch, was born on the old homestead and spent his. boyhood in attending the public schools and per- forming such duties as were required of him on the home place, occupying his spare time in learning the carpenter's trade under the tuition of Allen Mckinney. On the 20th of May, 1846, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Louise Freeman, a native of South Orange and a daughter of Amos Freeman, who was born on Ridgewood
Road, South Orange. The issue of this union consists of the following children : Edward L .; Anna E .; Myron, who married J. L. Ketchel, of Whippany, Morris county; and Florence H. Crowell, now living in California. The father's death occurred on the 22d of March, 1895 ..
Edward L. Crowell was born in South Orange, New Jersey, on the 20th of May, 1847,-the anniversary of his parents' mar- riage,-and was educated in the public schools of his native city, subsequently taking possession of the old homestead on which five generations of his family had lived, where he ever afterward followed the vocation of farming and the manufacture of cider.
On the 5th of October, 1870, he was married to Miss Carrie Dodd, of Bloom- field, a daughter of Horace Dodd, who was of English origin and whose death took place on the 15th of November, 1896. The following children resulted from this union: Frederick N., Bertie, Louis D., Edith L., Grace, who died at the age of twelve years, and Burton, who died in in- fancy. Mr. Crowell died November 16, I896.
B. FRANKLIN YOUMANS.
In the early settlement of New York there crossed the Atlantic from Holland the founders of the Youmans family in America, and throughout the colonial pe- riod, as well as in our later civilization, representatives of the name have been prominently connected with the events which form the history of the country. The original American ancestors resided in the Knickerbocker city, but later members of the family located on the Mohawk river
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above Albany. The great-great-grand- father lost his life in that river while trying to save a lady from drowning. The great- grandfather, Isaac Youmans, was born on the banks of the Mohawk, in 1747, and served for eight years in the Revolutionary war, valiantly aiding the colonies in their struggle for independence. After the es- tablishment of the republic, he came to New Jersey in company with Joseph Lyons and Squire Cocker, locating in Or- ange, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. Subsequently he returned to Al- bany, New York, where he remained for about six years, when he again removed to Orange, where he spent the remainder of his days, his death occurring in May, 1833. His remains are interred in the old Pres- byterian cemetery in Orange. He married Nancy Cocker, in 1788, a daughter of John Cocker. Six children were born of this union : Squire, who married Phoebe Earl; Ira, who married Dorcas Corby; Samuel, who married a Miss Holland; Isaac, who married Margaret Mesler; Nancy, who be- came the wife of Nicholas Cookerro; and Hannah. All the members of this family are now deceased.
Isaac Youmans, Jr., the grandfather of our subject, was born in Orange, New Jersey, June 2, 1802, and was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads of that period. He received the limited educational ad- vantages of that time, attending school through the winter months, and afterward learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed throughout the greater part of his life. He spent his last years, however, in retirement from labor. His wife bore the maiden name of Margaret Mesler and was a daughter of John and Amelia (Miller) Mesler, who resided at Stone House Plains.
Mrs. Youmans was born there in May, 1806. By her marriage she became the mother of three children: Charles L .; William Marcus, and Harriet, wife of Henry Baxter. Only the first named is now living. The father of this family died August 13, 1872, and his wife departed this life March 17, 1880. They were laid to rest in the family lot in the churchyard in Orange.
Charles L. Youmans, the father of our subject, was born in Orange, October 2, 1828, and spent his boyhood days on the homestead farm. His educational privi- leges were meager. He attended the dis- trict schools in the winter for a few months, but his training, was mostly received in the country night schools. When he had at- tained the age of eighteen he began an apprenticeship at the hat-maker's trade and has made that business his vocation through life. He has now attained the age of three-score and ten years, but is still well preserved and yet follows the pursuit which he learned in his youth, being now in his son's factory. He was married in Orange, July 3, 1853, to Miss Catherine Little, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Charles Little. She was born near Lib- erty Corner, in May, 1833, and is a daugh- ter of Benjamin and Mary (Compton) Little. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Youmans are Mary, wife of John Stacey; Benjamin Franklin; Edward, who died at the age of seventeen years; Charles L. and Warren, who died in childhood; William, who is living in Orange; and Walter, who died in childhood. The fam- ily was formerly connected with the Pres- byterian church. Mr. Youmans was a Whig in his political belief in early life, and after the dissolution of that party he joined
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the ranks of the new Republican party, which he still supports.
B. Franklin Youmans, whose name in- troduces this review, was born in Orange, May 10, 1856, and has spent his entire life in his native city. To the public schools he is indebted for the educational privileges he enjoyed. His business training began at the age of fourteen years, at which time he began learning the hat-maker's trade, which he has followed continuously since. For the past sixteen years he has engaged in business on his own account and is now numbered among the leading hat-manu- facturers of eastern New Jersey. He be- gan operations on a small scale, but has increased his facilities to meet the growing demands of his trade and now has a large factory, well equipped with the latest im- proved machinery for turning out high- grade work. He has gained an enviable reputation for reliability and excellent workmanship, and in consequence has se- cured a liberal patronage, which brings to him good financial returns. He is a very enterprising, progressive business man who carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes, and his prosperity is well merited.
On the 5th of December, 1879, Mr. You- mans was united in marriage to Miss Mary Morrow, who was born in Orange, Febru- ary 14, 1856, and is a daughter of Richard and Mary (Allen) Morrow, now deceased. They have two children : Franklin E., born November 17, 1883; and Ethel, born Janu- ary 15, 1887. They lost their eldest child, Grace, who died at the age of eight years and twelve days. The family is one of prominence in the community, and Mr. and Mrs. Youmans have a large circle of friends in Orange. They attend the Con-
gregational church. His political support is given the Republican party, but he has neither sought nor desired office, prefer- ring to devote his energies to his business interests.
William Youmans, a younger brother of our subject, was born in West Orange, April 1, 1866, and was educated in the com- mon schools, after which he was appren- ticed to the hat-maker's trade at the age of sixteen years. Like others of the family, he makes this his life work and is a skilled workman, with a thorough understanding of the business. He is a fine vocalist, which makes his services much in demand in musical circles, and he is now a member of the choir of Grace Episcopal church. He belongs, however, to the Presbyterian church, and in his political belief he is a Republican. He is very prominent and popular in social circles and is a worthy representative of an honored family.
DAVID F. HILL,
of the firm of Van Orden & Hill, carriage and wagon manufacturers of East Orange, was born in Edinburg, Mercer county, New Jersey, on the 17th of October, 1853, and is a son of David B. and Margaret (Conover) Hill, the former of Irish and the latter of German descent. The father was born December 30, 1805, resided in Mercer county throughout the greater part of his life, and died in 1888. The mother is still living in that county, at the advanced age of ninety years, her birth having occurred in Middlesex county, New Jersey, on the 4th of December, 1807. Their family numbered eleven children, namely: Julia, widow of Joseph Applegate and a resident of Lawrenceville, Mercer county; James, who makes his home in Edinburg, Mercer
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county; Catherine, wife of Jacob Snedeker, of Hamilton Square, Mercer county; Will- iam Henry, who makes his home in Prince- ton, New Jersey; Emily B., wife of William Clarke, a resident of New Brunswick, New Jersey; Ellen, widow of Dr. Lewis P. Grover, of Plainsboro, New Jersey; Sarah, deceased wife of William T. Grover; George, deceased; Andrew J., a resident of Asbury Park, New Jersey; Adelaide E., wife of Jasper Cubberley, of Hamilton Square, Mercer county; and David F.
Mr. Hill, whose name forms the caption of this article, spent his early life in the place of his nativity and acquired his edu- cation in its public schools. When about seventeen years of age he entered upon an apprenticeship to the carriage-maker's trade and has followed that pursuit as a life work. In March, 1889, he located in East Orange, and in May, 1895, formed a partnership with Frank Van Orden for the purpose of manufacturing carriages and buggies. In the two years and a half which have since passed, they have built up an excellent trade, the volume of their busi- ness steadily increasing. The excellent quality of their workmanship, their evident desire to please their patrons and their hon- orable dealings have been the principal factors in their success and have caused them to be numbered among the leading business men of the city.
Mr. Hill was married October 17, 1875, to Miss Mary M. Burns, and their union has been blessed with six children, namely: Harvey G., now deceased; William Q., born March 29, 1878; Elsie May, who was born May 21, 1880, and died January 12, 1889; George E., born March 13, 1885; Lewis D., born June 15, 1890; and James M., born November 7, 1893.
Mr. Hill is a valued member of Hamil- ton Lodge, No. 97, I. O. O. F., of Hamil- ton Square, New Jersey; and of Good Samaritan Lodge, No. 52, K. of P., of South Amboy; also. East Orange Conclave, No. 274, Independent Order of Hepta- sophs. In his political affiliations he is a Republican. His family attend the Bap- tist church, but he holds membership in the Presbyterian church of East Orange. His time is largely devoted to his business interests, in which he is now meeting with signal success, but in social circles he is known as a genial, pleasant gentleman, having a host of friends.
ROBERT F. BIRDSALL.
The statement of Carlyle that "biog- raphy is the most interesting and the most profitable of all studies" is borne out by the fact that through all ages the lives of the great, the good and the heroic have been held up in history as an example and . inspiration to the younger generations, that they might follow in the footsteps of those thus honored. It is the lives of the practical business men, however, that to- day contain the most valuable lessons. This is the age of commercial activity, and the qualities which are most needed are conscientious purpose, persistent effort, unflagging industry and honorable dealing. It is these qualities which have made Mr. Birdsall one of the most respected and leading citizens of Essex county, and make it fitting that mention should be made of him in the annals of the state.
Born in Westchester county, New York, he entered upon the scene of earth's activi- ties, October 25, 1825. The paternal an- cestry was English, and tradition says that
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the family was founded in America by three brothers who left their native land to seek a home beyond the water and that one of them entered the Colonial army when the attempt was made to throw off the yoke of British tyranny, fighting valiantly for in- dependence. One brother lost his life in battle. William Birdsall, the father of our subject, was probably a native of Dutchess county, New York. He served in the war of 1812, and after the cessation of hostili- ties took up his residence in Westchester county, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days. His death, however, occurred in Newark, New Jersey, about 1837. He wedded May King, who was of Holland descent. Her father at one time resided on the Passaic river near the Gully road, but little is known concerning the early history of the family. To William and Mary Birdsall were born six children, namely: Catherine, deceased, who was the wife of Jeremiah Van Iderstine; Robert F .; George M., who is probably a resident of Chicago; Phoebe A., who became the wife of John K. Simon and died in April, 1897; William, deceased; and Lydia, deceased wife of James A. Ban- nister, a boot and shoe merchant of New- ark.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the monotony of the farm life dur- ing the boyhood of our subject. He worked in the fields and meadows, assisting in the cultivation of the land as soon as he was old enough to handle the plow. When crops were harvested in the autumn, he at- tended the district schools of the neigh- borhood, walking four miles to and from school, and there pursued his studies until, with the opening of spring, work began on the farm again. When about thirteen
years of age he removed to Newark with his parents and was there apprenticed to William King, a painter, under whose di- rection he learned the business. He after- ward worked at his trade as a journeyman for some years and later bought out his former employer. For the past twenty- seven years he has engaged in business in Orange, taking contracts for painting work and being employed on many of the most important buildings of the town. The work done under his supervision is always satisfactory and insures a continuance of a liberal patronage.
Mr. Birdsall was married in Newark, April 9, 1848, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary E. Speer. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. William Corbett, at that time pastor of the Halsted Street church. Her parents were John and Rachel Speer, who were natives of Pine Brook, New Jersey, but spent the autumn of their lives in Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Birdsall were born these children: Mary, wife of James A. Clark, died October 22, 1894. Those still living are George M., William T., Kate H., Anna S., Julia A., Grace C. (wife of George Brokaw), and Ida F. (wife of Frank Keach).
Mr. Birdsall was for many years a worthy member of Northern Lodge, F. & A. M., of Newark, and was also at one time connected with the Order of Red Men, but is not now actively associated with any civic societies. He served for nine years as a member of the school board of Orange and for seven years was connected with the Orange Fire Department, efficiently serving as its chief for two years. He cast his first presidential vote for Taylor and on the or- ganization of the Republican party joined its ranks and has since been one of its stal-
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wart supporters. He and his family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Orange, and Mr. Birdsall is serv- ing as a member of the board of trustees. He assisted in building the first church of that denomination in Roseville and also the first Methodist church in East Newark. He has always been a quiet, unassuming man, not demonstrative, but in the enjoy- ment of the highest esteem and the utmost trust and respect of all who know him.
JOTHAM H. CONDIT,
the subject of this sketch, was born in Orange (now East Orange), Jan- uary 19, 1822, the youngest of the eight children of Jotham Condit' and Hephzibah, daughter of Benjamin Munn, the Orange ancestor. She was the young- est of a family of eleven children. Mr. Con- dit is the sixth in descent from John Con- dit, known first as a resident of Newark, New Jersey, in 1678, and who was the an- cestor of all of the name of Condit, or Con- dict, in this country.
Mr. Condit received his education in the public school of his town and subsequently learned the carpenter's trade. In 1847 he began business for himself and continued in the building trade until 1873, when he re- linquished it to his eldest son, Edward I.
In 1847 Mr. Condit married Abbv A., daughter of Cheveral Condit and Lydia, nee Dodd. By this union there were six children,-four sons and two daughters. The youngest son and oldest daughter died in infancy and childhood. Mrs. Condit died in 1882. In politics Mr. Condit was a Whig, and on the disruption of that party identified himself with the Republican party. While ever ardent in love of coun- try and party he never sought preferment.
With the exception of one year in the board of county freeholders his official public life is embraced in six years,-three as town- ship collector and three as a member of the town committee.
In early married life Mr. Condit and his wife joined on confession the Second Pres- byterian (Brick) church, in which in 1864 he was elected an elder. . On the formation, in 1875, of the Reformed (Dutch) church he and his family identified themselves with that body. Elected at its first offi- cial meeting one of its elders, he has en- deavored in his humble way to promote at all times the spiritual and temporal af- fairs of that religious organization.
In 1880 Mr. Condit, associated with his nephew, Eben Condit, commenced the compilation of a Condit genealogy, which was published in 1885, after five years of unwearied research. The family history discloses the fact that loyalty to church and state is a predominant character of the family. Many, past and present, are pas- tors and elders, while others are found in state government and in both branches of the United States congress. In the roll of officers and privates in the war of the Revolution is the record of twenty-four names.
FREDERICK HEMMER,
the second son of William Hemmer (whose sketch is given elsewhere in this work), was born August 2, 1838, and February 14, 1863, married Phillopina Buschle, a daugh- ter of Solomon and Justina (Schwartz) Buschle. She was born November II, 1841, in the ortschaft of Stettin, an old vil- lage situated on the river Danube in the district of the Black Forest, of Wurtem- berg.
Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Hemmer had
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nine children, as follows: Peter, of New- ark, born February 14, 1864, married Paulina Weichert, and they have three sur- viving children,-Lena, Rose and Peter, Jr .; Rose, born February 4, 1866, is the wife of Frederick Schall, of Newark, and their children are Frederick, Edgar, Ray- mond, Peter and Lawrence; Frederick, Jr., born August 10, 1870, and living in New- ark, married Katie Lott and has one son, Albert Frederick; Lena, born December 25, 1872, is the wife of Augustus Harther, of Newark, and has one daughter, Verina; Anna, born May 29, 1876; Maximillian, February 28, 1878; August, April 7, 1880; Dorothea, September 23, 1882; and Ed- ward, December 9, 1884.
JOHN RASSBACH,
a florist of Bloomfield, was born in Ger- many, July 26, 1829, a son of Ernest and Elizabeth (Grabner) Rassbach. He at- tended the common schools until eleven years of age and then entered an academy of his native town, after which he continued his education in the National College. When his school life was ended he spent four years as florist in the service of a gen- tleman of rank, and during this time began his preparation for the business in which he is now engaged. He was apprenticed to a florist in this employ for a four-years term, and in that time mastered the busi- ness with a thoroughness seldom seen ex- cept in the fatherland. He also studied landscape gardening and gained a high de- gree of proficiency in one of the most en- nobling and interesting occupations to which man can give his energies.
May I, 1853, Mr. Rassbach, hearing of the opportunities afforded young men in the New World and the possibilities for
advancement, crossed the briny deep to the New World, landing in New York city after a voyage of thirty-five days. He came direct to Essex county, and soon se- cured employment on the farm of David Cairns, who resided on the Orange road. He continued in his service for five years, and afterward spent five years on the farm of John Gould, who had bought the place from Mr. Cairns. On the expiration of that period he began business on his own account, with the capital that he acquired during his years of labor on the farm. Re- turning to the profession which he had mastered in his native land, he purchased suitable grounds, which he transformed in- to fine flower beds. He also erected com- modious greenhouses, supplied with steam pipes and hot-water heating apparatus and fitted out with every facility and accessory for the conduct of a successful business. His proximity to the city supplies a market for the beautiful products of his land, and he ranks among the leading florists in this section of the country. The choicest and rarest as well as the most beautiful varieties of flowers are found upon his place, and his cultured taste enables him to arrange and group these in a most artistic and pleasing manner. He is now enjoying a liberal patronage, which he well deserves. A few years ago Mr. Rassbach took his son John A. into partnership, the firm name now being John Rassbach & Son. In addition to this they have opened a plant and flor- ist's store in the center of the village of Bloomfield.
Mr. Rassbach was married in Germany to Miss Augusta Schorch, who died in Bloomfield in 1874, leaving five children : Emma; Henry S., who is now with the Booth Furniture Company, of Cripple
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John Gefleart
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Creek, Colorado; Annie, Lizzie and John A. The father of this family was again married in 1882, in Bloomfield, his second union being with Miss Mary Beck. He is a member of the First Baptist church of Bloomfield, in which he is serving as deacon and trustee. Socially he is connected with Olive Branch Lodge, No. 51, I. O. O. F., also Excelsior Lodge, No. 2342, Knights of Honor, which was organized in 1881. In his political views he is a stalwart Re- publican, his first vote being cast for Abra- ham Lincoln, his last for Major Mckinley.
In the land of the free he has found ample opportunity to exercise his business talents, and by taking advantage of the possibilities with which all are surrounded, as well as by enterprise, perseverance and honorable dealing, he has won a comfort- able competence.
WILLIAM S. WILLIAMS,
stair-builder of East Orange, New Jersey, and well known as an expert in his line of business, is a native of this state and be- longs to a family long resident here. He was born in West Orange, November 16, 1834, and is a son of Henry and Mary Jane (Smith) Williams.
Henry Williams, also a native of West Orange, was born on the old Williams homestead now occupied by Theodore Williams. He was a hatter by trade. When well along in years he removed to what is now called the Orange Valley, and there he spent the rest of his life and died. His wife also is deceased. They were the par- ents of thirteen children, of whom the fol- lowing eight are still living: William S., whose name forms the heading of this
sketch; Mary Ann, wife of Stephen Slack; Winfield S .; Nancy M., wife of a Mr. Pru- den; Isaac M., Lydia. C., Margaret S. and Virginia L.
The early life of William Smith Williams was spent at the old homestead, his educa- tion being received during the winter months in a private school. At the age of sixteen he became an apprentice to the carpenter's trade at Newark, and com- pleted his trade in Orange. Then he worked at his trade as a journeyman until 1862, and since that date has devoted his attention to stair-building.
Mr. Williams was married in East Or- ange, May 14, 1857, to Miss Ann Eliza Gruett, a daughter of Peter and Mary J. (Harrison) Gruett; and to them have been born four children, viz .: Mary J., wife of William C. Durand; Anna E., Walter S. and Eugene G. (deceased). The family are attendants upon divine worship at the Reformed church of East Orange.
Politically, Mr. Williams is a Democrat.
REV. ABRAHAM PIERSON
appears to have been a man of God, in the truest sense of the term. He was a native of Yorkshire, England, was a graduate of Cambridge (in 1632), was "ordained epis- copally," as it is said, and preached in the town of Newark, England, some years be- fore he left the old for the new world. He arrived in Boston in the year 1639, and joined the church there. A year later he was ordained pastor of the Congregational church at Lynn. Four years afterward he removed to Branford, Connecticut, where was organized the church of which he was pastor twenty-three years, until his re-
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