USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 2 > Part 2
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Mr. Grimm is a valued member of vari- ous societies, including Hillside Council, No. 1329, Royal Arcanum, of Orange, in which he was treasurer for some time; John F. Morse Lodge, No. 183, I. O. O. F., of Orange, of which he has been financial sec- retary for six years; and of Essex Encamp- ment, No. 59, of Orange. In politics he is independent, supporting the men whom he thinks best qualified for office. His time has been too largely taken up with busi-
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ness cares to allow him to enter actively in the field of politics, were he so inclined. His energy has enabled him to triumph over many obstacles in the path to pros- perity, and by determined purpose he has steadily wrested from fate the much-desired success.
Mr. Grimm was married in Orange, April 3, 1878, to Emma Nickle, a daughter of Christian Nickle, and they have three sons: Christian August, born November 29, 1885, now a student in music; George Henry, born October 19, 1887; and Will- iam Diedrich, born September 9, 1889. The parents are leading members of the First German Presbyterian church of Orange, of which Mr. Grimm is now serving as trustee.
RT. REV. W. M. WIGGER, D. D., the beloved bishop of Newark, was born December 9, 1841, and his preparatory studies were pursued at St. Francis Xav- ier's College, New York. He studied the- ology in the College Brignole-Sale, Genoa, Italy, and was ordained a priest in 1865. On the 17th of August of the same year he left Genoa for America, and while cross- ing the ocean on his way home chol- era broke out among the passengers on the steamship Atlanta, on which he had em- barked, and there it was that the young priest first publicly exercised the functions of the sacred ministry with which he had so recently been invested. His attentions to the sick and dying were unceasing, and on his arrival at New York he volunteered, with remarkable heroism, to remain in the pest ship until every vestige of the dreaded disease had disappeared. For two weeks he faithfully kept his post, consoling the dying and closing the eyes of the dead until the self-imposed task was fully performed.
On arriving at Newark Bishop Bayley attached him to the cathedral, where for four years he gave edification as a pious, zealous and faithful priest. His zeal never flagged, and his devotion to the sick and afflicted never wearied, for the lesson he learned in the plague ship was never after- ward forgotten. In 1869 Father Wigger was appointed to the church in Madison, whose pastorate had been left vacant by the death of the talented and popular Father D'Arcy. At the time when St. John's church in Orange was in its worst phase of financial embarrassment, Bishop Corri- gan looked about him for a priest who, by prudence, piety, zeal and administrative ability, might be in every way fitted to in- spire confidence in the people and retrieve the fortunes of the overburdened church. Dr. Wigger was his choice, and without hesitation the present bishop of Newark obeyed the voice of his superior and gave up his comparatively easy mission for the discouraging and almost despaired-of charge of St. John's. In less than six months he paid off eleven thousand dollars of the debt, but believing the task to be a hopeless one he asked to be relieved. and was made pastor of Summit, in February, 1874.
In June, 1876, Dr. Wigger was again transferred to Madison, where he remained in the quiet discharge of his duties, respect- ed and loved by all, until called to the holy office which he now fills. He was conse- crated by his predecessor, Archbishop Cor- rigan, assisted by Bishop Loughlin and Bishop McQuaid, in the cathedral of New- ark, October 18, 1881. For a short time thereafter he remained in his beloved old Madison, but he soon became convinced of the necessity of making his abode where
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his priests could have more easy access to him, and in consequence moved to New- ark. In April, 1883, he took up his resi- dence at Seton Hall, in order to be better able to give his immediate supervision to the college and ecclesiastical seminary.
Since his elevation to the episcopacy Dr. Wigger has been an indefatigable worker. Pastoral visitations, administering confir- mation, assisting in the neighboring dio- ceses and dispensing charity,-these are the daily occupations of the Bishop of New- ark; and it is chiefly in this last, his great sympathy for the suffering portion of hu- manity, that the key to the true character of the man can be found. While he is frugal in the extreme in whatever concerns himself, he is lavish beyond measure wher- ever charity stretches out her appealing hand. The orphanages and hospitals of the diocese have in him a kind father and a gen- erous patron, and every work of charity or- ganized for the good of the poor, the neg- lected and the afflicted has his unqualified approval and support. One of his latest works is the establishment of an industrial school for boys, at Arlington. Here neg- lected and wayward boys are received, ed- ucated and taught trades, so that in after life they may be able to earn for them- selves an honest livelihood. The chief pas- tor of the diocese of Newark is indeed a father to his people.
GEORGE W. WIEDENMAYER
was born in Newark, April 28, 1848, and is descended from German and French ances- try. His parents were Christopher and Caroline Wiedenmayer. His mother bore the maiden name of Caroline Mayer, and was first married to Peter Schickhaus, by
whom she had two sons and one daughter. Her sons were Charles and Edward and the latter was a representative business man of Newark, who for a number of years was president of the State Banking Com- pany, of this city. He died July 7, 1897, leaving a widow and two sons and two daughters.
Christopher Wiedenmayer, the father of our subject, was born in Meiningen, Ba- varia, Germany, in 1812, acquired a com- mon-school education and learned the trade of cloth-weaving. In 1835 he came to America, having landed in New York city. Finally he located in Newark, where he had landed interests, and where he engaged in the trucking business, which he conducted with more than ordinary success until 1858, when he purchased the Schalk Brothers' brewery at the corner of Hamburg place and Napoleon street. There he engaged in the brewing business until 1876, when hav- ing accumulated a handsome fortune he re- tired from active life. He spent his re- maining days in the enjoyment of a well earned rest and died September 8, 1879. He had married in New York city, and by this union were born two sons and one daughter: Gustav A., who died at the age of fifty-five years; Amelia, wife of Jacob Smith; and George W.
Having completed the prescribed courses of the grammar and high schools of New- ark, George W. Wiedenmayer of this re- view entered Eastman's Business College, at Poughkeepsie, New York. When his edu- cation was completed, he joined his father in business and under his direction mas- tered the same, learning the trade in all its departments. In 1870 he was admitted to partnership, a relation that was maintained until the father's retirement from business.
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In 1879 our subject established the New- ark City Brewery, on East Market street, and has there built up an enterprise which has attained considerable magnitude, being one of the largest breweries in the county. Its products meet with a ready market throughout the state and the large sales of the brewery yield to the proprietor a handsome income. In addition to his other interests Mr. Wiedenmayer is a member of the directorate of the German Savings Bank of Newark and of the Newark Tele- phone Company. He is a man of great en- ergy, strong determination and unfaltering purpose, and carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
In Trenton, New Jersey, Mr. Wieden- mayer was united in marriage to Miss Mara M. Becker, the wedding being celebrated June 8, 1870. The lady is a daughter of Joseph B. and Helena (Flesch) Becker, , county and who represented a family long and by her marriage has become the moth- connected with the settlement of this state. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Sarah Ball and was a daughter of Phineas K. Ball, of Morris county. Lind- sey and Sarah Beach became the parents of eleven children, ten of whom reached years of maturity. er of four children : George C., a graduate of the high school of Newark, is now with his father in business; Gustav A., a mem- ber of the graduating class of 1898 in La- fayette College, of Easton, Pennsylvania; Joseph E., a member of the graduating class of the Newark high school; and Helen C., a student in Newark Seminary. The family attend the German Reformed church.
Politically Mr. Wiedenmayer is a Demo- crat, and on that ticket was twice elected alderman. At the beginning of his second term he was chosen president of the city council, and in 1889 was elected by a splen- did majority to represent his district in the state legislature, where he carried consid- erable influence, leaving the impress of his individuality upon the legislation of the state. He takes considerable interest in
civic societies, is a valued member of St. John's Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of which he is past master; is a member of Harmony Chapter, R. A. M., of Kane Council, R. & S. M., and of Atlas Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Newark, and by his genial manner and cor- dial disposition has won many friends in these organizations. It is a creditable fact that his business success is the result of his own judicious management and that his own strength of character served as the foundation for his prosperity.
WILLIAM L. BEACH,
of Roseland, was born in Hanover, Morris county, New Jersey, on the 13th of April, 1834. His father, Lindsey J. Beach, also a native of Hanover, was a son of Noah Beach, whose birth also occurred in Morris
William L. Beach, the third in order of birth, was reared in Hanover to the age of seventeen years, when he left the parental roof an entered upon an apprenticeship to a blacksmith. His term covered four years, after which he worked as a journeyman for ten years, and then came to Roseland, where he established a smithy of his own and has been since engaged in business for himself. He has built up a good trade and is a popular workman, whose enterprise and industry have enabled him to secure a liberal patronage.
In 1861, in Hanover, was celebrated the
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marriage which united the destinies of Mr. Beach and Miss Susan A. Winnans, a daughter of Joseph B. Winnans, of Han- over. Her death occurred on the IIth of July, 1889, at the age of fifty-three years, and Mr. Beach was again married, in Feb- ruary, 1890, his second union being with Miss Jessie Howell, of Newark, a daughter of Ambrose Howell, who died in Newark in 1897. Mr. Beach is a member of the Presbyterian church of Roseland, and has served as one of its elders from its organi- zation. He exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the principles of the Re- publican party and is deeply interested in its success. A self-made man, he has been dependent upon his own efforts since early life and has steadily worked his way up- ward from humble surroundings to a plane of success and competency.
LOUIS BECKER,
a farmer and horticulturist of South Orange township, Essex county, New Jersey, is a native of this county, born in Newark, Jan- uary 29, 1862.
Mr. Becker comes of German parents and in him are found many of the charac- teristics which distinguish the thrifty Ger- man farmers. His father, William F. Beck- er, was born in Hanau, Germany, in 1832, and about 1848 emigrated to this country, landing in New York city and shortly after- ward settling in Newark. Here he married Miss Christian Turck, who came from Ger- many to this country when a girl. Al- though only sixteen years of age when he landed in America, William F. Becker had previous to that time learned the trade of jeweler, and this business he followed here
successfully for many years. For about forty years he was a resident of Hilton. He died in 1894, at the age of sixty-two years. He took a commendable interest in the af- fairs of his adopted country, and affiliated with the Republican party, but never sought or filled public office. Such was his life that he won and retained the respect of all those with whom he was associated.
Louis Becker received his schooling chiefly at Hilton. At the age of fifteen he entered upon an-apprenticeship to the art of engraving, with the firm of Carter, Sloan & Company, of Newark, became pro- ficient in the same and subsequently en- gaged in business for himself. However, his tastes were in another direction and he soon turned from engraving to farming and horticulture. In this he has been very suc- cessful. He is the owner of some valuable . realty, including his beautiful country place and property on Burnet avenue, South Orange.
December 24, 1884, Mr. Becker married Miss Emma Gant, a native of Bergen coun- ty, New Jersey, and a daughter of James Gant, who came to this country from Eng- land in the early part of the present cen- tury. They have two children, Emma Cora and George Norman, aged respectively eight and ten years.
Mr. Becker is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Foresters and the Ma- sonic order, his membership in the latter being in Irvington Lodge, No. 10, F. & A. M., where he has passed all the chairs and now fills the office of worshipful master. Unlike his father, he is identified with the Democratic party. He is public-spirited and progressive, actively interested in local affairs, and has filled some important posi- tions. For two years he was a township
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committeeman and for a number of years he has been a member of the board of edu- cation.
EMIL ZEHMISCH.
The German type is one that has found many representatives in the New World, and is one that has ever been found fore- most in giving impetus to the march of progress, in retaining a clear mental grasp, and in directing affairs along safe and con- servative lines. America owes much to the Teutonic race, and among its worthy rep- resentatives in New Jersey is the subject of this review, a young man who ranks first among the grocers of the Orange valley. His life has been one of well directed indus- try and has therefore been crowned by a merited success.
ยท Mr. Zehmisch was born in the old town of Zeitz, in Saxony, Germany, January 7, 1859, and is a son of Frederick and Chris- tiana (Schuman) Zehmisch, also natives of Saxony. The father, also born in Zeitz, ac- quired his education in its public schools, after which he learned the stone-cutter's trade, which became his life's occupation. He was a just man in all his business tran- sactions, conscientious and honorable, and all who knew him esteemed him highly for his genuine worth. He departed this life in 1884, but his widow is still living and resides with her daughter Mary in the city of Hamburg, Germany. They were the parents of five children: Bertha, wife of John Kresse, a resident of Leipsic, Ger- many; Mary, wife of Amandus Metzler, who is living in Hamburg; Emil; Pauline, a widow, now residing in Hamburg, Ger- many; and Emma, now Mrs. Hemmerden, also of Hamburg.
Reared at his parental home, Emil Zeh- misch acquired his education in the schools of his native town, and like his father learned the stone-cutter's trade, after which he worked as a journeyman in Hamburg for several years. In 1881 he decided to come to America, believing that better business opportunities were here afforded to the ambitious young man; nor was he disappointed in this hope. Accordingly he made arrangements for leaving the father- land, and on the 21st of July, 1881, landed at New York, after a voyage of thirteen days. In that city he secured employment at his trade, which he followed in the east- ern metropolis for about eight years. In 1890 he removed to Hoboken, New Jersey, where he opened a grocery store, carrying on a successful trade at that point until October, 1894, when he came to Orange and purchased the premises he now oc- cupies. He has here a large and commo- dious store room and is conducting the leading grocery of the place. His store is well arranged and supplied with a large and carefully selected stock of staple and fancy groceries; his earnest desire to please his customers and his fair dealing has se- cured to him a liberal patronage, and he is meeting with a success that is well deserved.
Mr. Zehmisch began life in this country empty-handed but has steadily worked his way upward. Industry wisely and vigor- ously applied never fails of success; it car- ries a man onward and upward, brings out his individual character, and acts as a pow- erful stimulus to the efforts of others. The greatest results in life are usually attained by simple means and the exercise of the ordinary qualities of common sense and perseverance. The every-day life, with its cares, necessities and duties, affords ample
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opportunities for acquiring experience of the best kind, and its most beaten paths provide a true worker with abundant scope for effort and for self-improvement. Mr. Zehmisch has ever made the most of his opportunities, and in the every-day walks of life has so ruled his actions as to gain a foremost place in business circles and also in the esteem of his fellow townsmen. He is a valued member of Union Lodge, No. II, F. & A. M., of Orange, and of Friedens Lodge, No. 330, I. O. O. F., of New York.
In the city of Hamburg, Germany, August 5, 1879, Mr. Zehmisch was united in mar- riage to Miss Amelia Theede, who was born May 27, 1858, in the old city of Altona, near the city of Hamburg, Germany, and is a daughter of Otto and Louisa (Barth) Theede, natives of Schleswig-Holstein. They have two children: Reinhold, born June 5, 1880; and Alma, born June 2, 1881. After two years' residence in New York, Mr. Zehmisch was there joined by his little family. They attend the Lutheran church in Orange and in social circles they oc- cupy an enviable position.
JOHN VOSS,
a member of the well known firm of Lord & Company, who are extensively engaged in the house-painting and decorating busi- ness at No. 19 Center street, Orange, is a native of Germany, his birth having oc- curred on the 28th of June, 1856, in the town of Suederhastadt, province of Schles- wig-Holstein. His parents, Henry and Antje (Schmidt) Voss, were also of German stock. Henry Voss passed his entire life in agricultural pursuits and was regarded as a worthy, industrious citizen by his neigh-
bors and attained some local distinction as a musician of merit. He died at the town of Quickbon, on the 6th of March, 1866. His wife still survives, at present living in her native country.
John Voss received a common-school education in the public institutions of Ger- many, attending the same until sixteen years old, when, in accordance with the custom of the land, he was apprenticed to a trade, choosing that of painting and deco- rating. After completing his apprentice- ship he worked as a journeyman until 1876, when he was drafted into the military ser- vice for a term of three years, and on the expiration of that period he returned home and resumed his chosen trade.
In 1880 he decided to seek broader fields for his labors, and, his attention being di- rected to the New World, he left home on the 10th of November, 1880, crossed the Atlantic and landed at New York on the 29th of the same month. Here Mr. Voss pursued various occupations, also in Con- necticut and New Jersey, and in 1884 came to Orange, where he once more took up his trade and followed it on his own re- sponsibility until 1890, when he entered into partnership with William Lord and Richard Grimm, under the firm name of Lord & Company, and has since that time met with signal success in that line of en- terprise. The firm has become well and favorably known in this part of the state and has executed the decorating and finish- ing of some of the finest of the modern resi- dences throughout Essex and adjacent counties.
As to social relations, we may state that Mr. Voss is a member of John F. Morse Lodge, No. 83, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Orange; and he has also been
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more or less identified with a number of singing societies in this city. Regarding political matters, Mr. Voss prefers to re- main neutral, supporting those candidates whom he considers personally to be the most worthy of official preferment.
The marriage of Mr. Voss was consum- mated on the 19th of October, 1887, when he was united to Miss Mary Louise Kazen- mayer, a daughter of Otto and Mary Louisa (Volk) Kazenmayer. Mr. and Mrs. Voss are the parents of three children, namely: Bertha Louisa, born March 7, 1888; Albert Frederick W., born Decem- ber 20, 1889; and Antje Augusta Marie, born July 23, 1894. Mr. Voss and family are consistent adherents of the German Presbyterian church.
JAMES W. C. GARDNER,
now deceased, for many years a leading representative of the business interests of Essex county, was born January 18, 1832, and was a son of Charles E. and Catherine (Crozier) Gardner, whose children were as follows: James W. C .; Sarah J .; Frances, wife of Joseph Wightman; Charles N., and William C. The grandfather, James Gard- ner, wedded Mary Earl and made his home in Weehawken, where he followed the oc- cupation of farming.
The ancestry of the family can be traced back to the time of Cromwell, at which time a member of the family owned a large es- tate in England. He was assassinated for political reasons, and the estate which he owned was recently advertised by the gov- ernment of that country, but the heirs were unable to secure possession of it on account of some little technicality and it reverted to
the state. A son, Thomas Gardner, emi- grated to America and settled in Winches- ter, New York, where he married a widow whose name was Mary Ann Smith. Their son Elijah, who married Sarah Force, lo- cated at Union Hill, New Jersey, and was the owner of all of the land on which the town is now built, and much besides. He died in 1809, a member of the Presbyterian church, and his remains were deposited in the Springfield cemetery. After his death his widow and son John removed to New York, where the latter was reared and edu- cated. He married Miss Phoebe Ann Bruen and lived in Newark, New Jersey. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812 and was the first coach-builder at Newark, doing an extensive business and employing a force of more than one hundred workmen. His coaches were shipped largely to the south and Mexico; and he conducted the old manufactory on Montgomery and Me- chanic streets. He died May 24, 1860, and his wife died December 31, 1859. Their children were Sarah, Ann, William Bruen, Maria Louisa (Ist), Maria Louisa (2d), Frances Henrietta.
James W. C. Gardner, whose name intro- duces this review, was reared on the farm, but after entering upon his business career established a coal yard in Newark, where he carried on operations for some time, en- joying a large trade and deriving therefrom a lucrative patronage. He also conducted a coal yard in South Orange, and his enter- prise, capable management and honorable dealing brought to him success of which he was well deserving. At length he dis- posed of his coal interests and removed to Delaware, where he engaged in fruit-farm- ing. He owned a valuable place, set out with fine varieties of the fruit best adapted
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to the climate, and again his sound judg- ment in business affairs and his well direct- ed efforts brought him prosperity. He car- ried on that enterprise until his death, which occurred on the 19th of June, 1883. He had the respect of all who knew him and his loss was mourned by many friends.
Mr. Gardner was united in marriage to Miss Frances Henrietta, daughter of John and Phoebe Ann (Bruen) Gardner, John being a son of Elijah and Sarah (Force) Gardner. Mrs. Gardner is now living in Newark, surrounded by her many friends. Her excellence of character and her sterling worth have endeared her to those whom she has met, and by all she is highly es- teemed.
EDWIN J. VAN REYPER,
a florist of Belleville, was born June 18, 1859, in Jersey City, New Jersey, and is a son of John Van Horn and Mar- garet A. (Van Riper) Van Reyper. The father also was a native of Jersey City, and was a successful florist. Ed- win J. Van Reyper attended the common schools in his early youth, and later pur- sued a course of study in Hasbrook Insti- tute, of Jersey City. He learned the flor- ist's business with his father, continuing to act as his assistant until 1882, when he em- barked in business on his own account in Jersey City. In 1886 he removed to his present location in Belleville, where he has built up an excellent trade, doing both a wholesale and retail business, dealing in all kinds of flowers. He has an extensive pat- ronage in New York city, Jersey City, Newark, and other places, and no finer specimens of floriculture can be found upon the market than those which come from his
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