USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 2 > Part 29
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The draws in the bridges, which had al- ways been a nuisance, and by which much damage was occasioned, have been torn out and new ones placed therein, giving free navigation to the largest vessels that may want to sail on our river, and, most im- portant of all, our river, which was before only two feet in depth, has been so deep- ened as to make it equal to Newark in this respect, for any vessel that can get over the Newark bar, can reach the docks at Belle- ville. All the steamboats before the reefs were cleaned out and deepened had to be run according to the tides, and, indeed,
every sailing vessel and canal boat that came in the river had to wait for the tide. Some- times there would be half a dozen, above and below the reef, waiting to get over, and it was also a dangerous place for all vessels, -full of rocks, any one of which if a boat got fast, was sure to go through and fill the vessel with water, and if a perishable cargo, it was destroyed. Many and many a thou- sand of dollars have been the losses sus- tained thereby. Its reputation was as a bad and dangerous one throughout the com- mercial world. There was always from ten to twenty-five cents per ton more charged for freight, as lumber, brick, coal, etc., that had to cross the reef; in fact such was its reputation abroad that some captains could not be induced to bring a cargo over it at any price, and some who did load for Belle- ville would not start until a written indem- nity was given securing them from all loss. There are thousands of dollars annually saved to parties receiving freight on this river, from the fact of these great im- provements.
Mr. Holmes was prevailed upon, by a large and enthusiastic meeting of citizens, to place steamboats on the river, with a positive promise of one hundred com- muters, at thirty-five dollars each. He built a large boat adapted to the river, and bought another, his investment represent- ing thirty thousand dollars. He ran the boats for two years, but from the non- fulfillment of the promises his loss was nearly six thousand dollars, besides a great loss on the boats. To Mr. Holmes is also due the credit of having been the first per- son to propose the operation of horse cars on Broad street, in the city of Newark.
On the 13th of September, 1842, Mr. Holmes was united in marriage to Miss Ann Dow Williams, a daughter of John and Rachel (Van Riper) Williams, who was born September 27, 1817. Their home life has been ideal, and their pleasant residence
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has ever been noted for its hospitality. They possess many social qualities which have brought them warm friendship, and they are favorites with the young as well as with those of more mature years.
JOSEPH H. HAYDON, M. D.
One of the busiest men of Newark is Dr. Haydon, whose extensive practice indicates his standing in the profession. Recondite genius often exists in specific instances, but is seldom brought into the clear light of utilitarian and practical life. Hope is of the valley, while effort is climbing the mountain side, so that personal advancement comes only to those whose hope and faith are those of action. Thus is determined the full measure of success to one who has strug- gled under disadvantageous circumstances, and the prostrate mediocrity to another whose ability has been as great and oppor- tunities wider. Then we may well hold in high regard the result of individual effort and personal accomplishment, for cause and effect here maintain their functions in full force. That Dr. Haydon has attained to an eminent position in the medical profession is due to his careful and systematic prepara- tion for the work, his fidelity, his deep inter- est in the science of medicine and his de- termination to succeed.
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, April 12, 1851, he is the only son of William B. and Mary E. W. (Jewett) Haydon. His father was a native of Hopkinsville, Ken- tucky, and for some years resided in the south. He made his home in New Orleans and also lived in Mobile, Alabama, where he served as mayor of the city and also as a member of the board of city aldermen. He was a Mason of high standing and a promi-
nent and influential factor in the public life of the cities in which he at various times made his home. The Haydon family is well known throughout Kentucky and other southern states. The Doctor's mother was a daughter of General Jewett, a soldier of the Mexican war. She was a lady of natural culture and refinement and like her hus- band spent her last days in Newark. Her birth occurred in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
Dr. Haydon spent his early days in the south, and at the age of sixteen entered the University of Virginia, where he remained as a student for four years. He then en- tered the medical department of the Uni- versity of New York, where he was grad- uated with high honors in the class of 1872. Among his classmates were such eminent physicians as Dr. E. C. Spitzka, of New York city; Dr. Weeks, of Trenton, New Jersey, and Dr. J. E. Winter, of the New York University. Dr. Haydon is now a member of the Alumni Association of that institution. For the first six months after leaving college he was associated with the charity hospital on Blackwell's island, and for three months was in the Epileptic and Paralytic Hospital on that island. Subse- quently he spent six months in the New York City Asylum for the Insane, on Ward's island, and for one year was in the Colored Home Hospital of Sixty-fifth street and First avenue, New York. His varied and extensive experience in these various hospi- tals gave him splendid equipment for the private practice of his profession, and in his chosen calling he has won a reputation among the ablest physicians of Newark.
Dr. Haydon came to this city in Decem- ber, 1874, and opened an office at the corner of Bank and Washington streets, where he entered upon a general practice. He de-
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votes his energies to all lines of medical and surgical work, but perhaps making special- ties of surgery and nervous and obstetrical diseases. His ability is of a very high order, and, added to a profound knowledge of the science of medicine and surgery, he has that accuracy and calm judgment which are in- dispensable to the successful physician. His practice is now very large, and he is there- by winning a success which he justly merits. He is a member of the ÆEsculapian Society, the Essex District Medical Society, the New Jersey State Medical Association and the American Medical Association.
The Doctor is also a member of many so- cial fraternities, but finds little time to de- vote to them on account of the pressing de- mands of his practice. He was for fifteen years medical examiner for the Prudential Insurance Company, of Newark, and for some time held a similar position in con- nection with the United States Life Insur- ance Company. In politics he is an inde- pendent Democrat, but has little time to give to political affairs.
Dr. Haydon married Miss Sarah C. Green, a daughter of Amos A. Green, and theirs is one of the charming homes of the city, its hospitality being proverbial. So- cially, the Doctor's cordiality is well known, and his unfailing courtesy and gen- uine worth render him a favorite with all classes.
MICHAEL BARRY,
funeral director and undertaker, No. 18 Val- ley street, West Orange, was born in Ross- common county, Ireland, February 22, 1845, and is the son of Dennis and Bridget (O'Berine) Barry. His mother was a daugh- ter of Michael O'Berine, who came to
America in the latter part of the eighteenth century and located in Brooklyn, New York, where he successfully engaged in the manu- facture of leather for a number of years. He afterward returned to the land of his na- tivity, where he died in 1852. Mrs. Bridget Barry was a cousin of General James O'Ber- ine, a distinguished officer of the civil war.
Dennis Barry, the father of our subject, was a son of Michael Barry, who had a large family of sons and daughters, most of whom came to America and settled in New Or- leans, Louisiana. Dennis Barry and his wife are now residents of Mount Vernon, New York, and both are communicants of the Catholic church, in which faith they reared their family of thirteen children, four of whom are still living. Michael; Bernard, who resides in Mount Vernon, New York; Mary, who also lives in that place, and John, who makes his home in Orange, New Jer- sey.
Michael Barry attended a public school in his native country until eleven years of age, when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to America, and completed his education in the schools of Mount Vernon. When his school days were over, he be- gan to learn the hatter's trade, in the fac- tory of Edwin Tichenor, and was thus en- gaged until after the breaking out of the civil war, when, feeling that it was his duty to aid his adopted country, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served under Commodore Farragut until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged in New York, April 19, 1865.
Returning to his home Mr. Barry worked at the hatter's trade as a journeyman for one year, and then became manager of Wil- liam Henderson's hat factory, in which ca- pacity he served for about a year. He then
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became one of the organizers of the firm of Cummings, Matthews & Barry, hat man- ufacturers, and entered upon a prosperous epoch in his business career. Under the wise and prudent management of the part- ners, all well known business men of thor- ough reliability, the business steadily and constantly increased, and brought to the owners a handsome income. Mr. Barry continued a member of this firm until 1887, when he sold out. He then spent some time traveling in Europe, and on his return to America, located in Orange Valley, estab- lishing his present successful undertaking and funeral-directing business. In 1894 he removed to his present location, where he has extensive warerooms and a large stock of everything needed in his line.
On the 6th of October, 1872, Mr. Barry was united in marriage to Miss Mary Mc- Hugh, a daughter of Peter and Ann (Fitz- gerald) McHugh. To this union have been born five children: Mary Francis, who is a graduate of the Seton Hall Academy, of South Orange; Walter Francis Leo, who is assisting his father in business; Genevieve, who is at present a student in the parochial school of the Church of Our Lady of the Valley, and is also the organist in the church; Annie Christiana and Aloysius.
Mr. Barry and his family are all com- municants of the Roman Catholic church, and he is a member in good standing of a number of fraternal organizations, name- ly: The Knights of Columbus, The Catho- lic Benevolent Legion, the St. Patrick's Al- liance of America, and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Mr. Barry has always taken an active interest in local and political af- fairs, and has been more or less identified with the various offices in the township. He has served for two terms as a member of
the board of education, was for a number of years a member of the fire department of Orange, and served for one term in the health department, during which time he was president of the board. He is recog- nized as one of the successful and enter- prising business men of Orange Valley, and has won a handsome competence, due to his untiring energy and perseverance.
MATTHIAS S. CRANE, M. D.,
one of the prominent and popular physi- cians of Newark, was born in Fulton street, that city, on the 25th of December, 1844, and is a son of Matthias and Elizabeth (Morgan) Crane. His father was born at Paulins Hook, now Jersey City, being a de- scendant of north-of-Ireland and Scotch stock, and for many years he was a citizen of Newark, where he was an expert in the line of veneering, varnishing and gold-leaf painting. He was at one time general man- ager of Sigler's Cabinet Works, one of the old town industries, the manufactory stand- ing formerly on the site of the present Pennsylvania Railroad depot, in Market street. For several years Mr. Crane lived at Irvington with his family, which he left in Newark in 1854-5, and went to New Or- leans, with the intention of locating there and engaging in the sugar business. The war cloud, however, which was at that time gathering, convinced him that he would be better off in the north, and thither he re- turned, remaining in Newark until his death, which occurred in 1893, at No. 199 Garside street. Mrs. Crane was born on Manhattan Island, and is now living in Newark, at the venerable age of eighty-six years.
The primary education of Matthias S.
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Crane was acquired in the public schools of Camptown, now Irvington, and a pri- vate select school there, taught by Miss Peck. On the 30th of August, 1861, at the age of fifteen years and eight months, he answered the call of duty and enlisted in the defense of the Union, in Company E, Eighth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, serving in the Third Brigade, Second Division, under General Joe Hook- er, Third Army Corps, Army. of the Poto- mac. He participated in the battles of York- town, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Vir- ginia, being under fire for a month; Malvern Hill twice, Bristow Station, Fredericksburg, second Bull Run and Chancellorsville, having his left shoul- der shot away at the latter en- gagement while carrying the regimental colors to the front. The regimental loss in that battle was one hundred and twenty- five out of a total of two hundred and sixty- eight engaged. Mr. Crane, with his regi- ment, participated in fourteen battles, ex- clusive of skirmishes; and while lying at the United States Army General Hospital on Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, he was mus- tered out of service, on the 17th of June, 1864, being incapacitated for further duty on account of the injury received. While an inmate of the army hospital Mr. Crane was detailed as a clerk to the board of sur- gery, and under its preceptorage he began the study of medicine. When able to do so he left the hospital and returned to his home, where, notwithstanding his still open wound, he was drafted for service, but was, of course, excused when the circumstances became known. In consequence of his in- jury he was an invalid for four or five years following the war, and in order to recuper- ate his health he went to the mountains of
Pennsylvania, where he lived in a tent dur- ing one summer, which proved of great benefit to him and effected a complete change in his condition.
Subsequently Dr. Crane located in Cosh- octon, Ohio, and there read medicine under the tuition of Dr. J. B. Ingram, later at- tending two courses of lectures at Starling Medical College, and at the Columbus Medical College, graduating at the latter in 1878. Upon obtaining his diploma he went to Newton county, Indiana, and there engaged in the practice of his profession for about two years, when a disastrous fire destroyed everything he possessed, and he moved to the southwestern part of Benton county, in the same state, where he con- tinued in practice alone for two years, and then formed a professional partnership with Dr. J. Y. Campbell, at Paxton, Ford coun- ty, Illinois. While in the latter place the Doctor was severely afflicted with rheuma- tism and returned to Newark, and here, since November, 1882, he has followed his profession with the distinguished success that is well merited by his extensive knowl- edge of his calling in all its branches. He holds diplomas from the Starling Medical College, the Columbus Medical College, is a licentiate of the Illinois State Medical Board (1879), a post-graduate of the Chi- cago Medical College in 1882, and is an alumnus of the Starling Medical College, 1895, and of the Columbus Medical Col- lege, 1878. For five years the Doctor has served as secretary of the Newark Board of United States Pension Examiners; he is a member of the Union Veteran Legion, in which he held the office of colonel of En- campment No. 100 during the year 1895. and was its surgeon general in 1895-6. with the rank of brigadier general. He is the
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present commander of Marcus L. Ward Post, No. 88, Department of New Jersey, Grand Army of the Republic, and was med- ical director of that department in 1894-5.
Dr. Crane celebrated his marriage on the 2Ist of January, 1873, at Coshocton, Ohio, where he was united to Miss Carrie C. Wil- son, daughter of William and Virginia Wil- son, of Coshocton county. The following four children have been born to the Doctor and his wife: Frank Pierce, deceased; Fred M., David H. and Kathie M.
HENRY E. BAILEY,
a well known resident of Millburn, was born in Millburn township, Essex county, New Jersey, on the 16th of June, 1848. The ancestry of Mr. Bailey can be traced in a direct line back to Thomas Bailey, who was born November 25, 1717, his wife's birth having taken place on September 22, 1722. He died August 5, 1768. Samuel Bailey, son of Thomas, was born April 24, 1756, and married Phoebe Beach on September 15, 1779. She was born November 15, 1752. Their deaths occurred April 28, 1815, and October 18, 1793, respectively. Six children were born to them, namely : Samuel, John, David, Abraham R., Thomas Wade and Phoebe.
Samuel (2d) was born in Millburn town- ship on January 8, 1781, and engaged in the meat business and in farming during his life. On the 4th of March, 1801, he mar- ried Miss Polly Edwards, and their chil- dren were: Phoebe, Aaron, Edward, John, Maria, Abraham Edwards, Harriet Ed- wards, Phoebe D., Samuel M., Oliver E., and Charles M. Mr. Bailey was prominent in public affairs and held several local of- fices. He died September 19, 1867, his wife
having departed this life August 19, 1851. He was twice married, his second wife be- ing Mrs. Abigail Crowel, a sister of his first wife. Samuel M. Bailey was born in Millburn on the 25th of February, 1818, and early in life learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for several years, subsequently succeeding his father in the meat business and engaging in the same at Short Hills for a long period. On No- vember 23, 1842, he was married to Miss Lydia Baldwin, a daughter of Ezra Bald- win. Six children were born to them, four daughters and two sons.
Mr. Bailey was an active Republican, and was township assessor, township commit- teeman and held numerous other local of- fices. Mrs. Bailey died on the 9th of De- cember, 1889, and was survived by her hus- band until February 15, 1897.
Henry E. Bailey, the eldest of the two sons and the immediate subject of this mention, has passed nearly all his life on and near the old homestead. On the 25th of February, 1873, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Odessa Reeves, a daughter of Abner and Elizabeth (Baldwin) Reeves, and they have two daughters.
In his political adherency Mr. Bailey is a supporter of the Republican party and re- ligiously he and his family attend the Pres- byterian church of Springfield.
EDMUND WILLIAMS.
Advancement has been the watchword of the world through the present century. In every line of endeavor great progress has been made, but in no field of human effort has it been more marked than in hor- ticulture. Experiment, scientific research, chemical analysis, the conditions and effect of climate,-all have been taken into consid-
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H. E. BAILEY
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eration in the production of fruits, vegeta- bles and flowers, and varieties have been so multiplied and qualities improved that the products of nursery, garden and greenhouse are almost beyond comparison with those of a century ago. In New Jersey there was no one who did more to improve this line of business than Edmund Williams, who ranked first among the horticulturists of the state.
He was born in Montclair (then West Bloomfield), May 14, 1831. Early in life he became deeply interested in the produc- tion of flowers and fruit, and studied closely the best methods of caring for and cultivat- ing trees, shrubs and plants. He carried his investigation and researches far beyond the average horticulturist, and his discov- eries and comprehensive knowledge of the subject gained him marked prestige in this department. He became known through- out the country as a prominent horticultur- ist, and was instrumental in introducing the Kittatinny blackberry; also was the first planter of the noted Japan or Oriental plum in this locality. His forte was fruit culture, particularly the cultivation of grapes and strawberries, and he was also the originator of the Montclair raspberry. His intimate knowledge of pomological matters was stamped with practical truth and absolute honesty.
Being a ready and lucid writer, Mr. Wil- liams contributed freely to the horticultural press of the country, and what he wrote had sterling practical value as the expression of a wide experience and a singularly clear insight. He took deep interest in the arts and sciences allied to his profession, and was one of the founders of the New Jersey State Horticultural Society, serving as sec- retary the first fifteen years of its existence,
and afterward as president for two years. He died July 12, 1894, and at the twentieth annual session of the New Jersey State Horticultural Society, held at Trenton, Jan- uary 2 and 3. 1895, the following memorial was read:
"Nineteen years ago, on the 17th of Aug- ust, 1875. a few men, earnest and enthu- siastic horticulturists of this state, met and organized the New Jersey State Horticul- tural Society, numbering among them men from all sections of the state, noted for their love and interest in horticulture, the ob- ject being mutual intercourse and promot- ing the interest of this science so intimately interwoven with our daily life, many of whom have gone to join the silent hosts, and conspicuous among whom was our for- mer secretary and for the last two years president of this society.
"Edmund Williams, chosen to occupy the position of secretary of the society at its organization, ably discharged-and how ably we all know-the duties devolving upon him for a number of years, until incapaci- tated by bodily disease and intense suffer- ing, when he was obliged to relinquish the active duties pertaining to the office, but still retained his interest in the affairs and prosperity of the society Two years ago he was chosen to preside over the society as its president, and retained his interest in it to the last.
"Edmund Williams was in many respects a unique man. Starting in life in an entirely different calling, his tastes and inclinations led him to adopt the profession of horticul- ture, and in this he was certainly the right man in the right place. Combined with his ardent love for his chosen profession, he was in all respects 'the noblest work of God -an honest man.'
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"In his investigation of all things he was thorough, active, conscientious and true, and gave to the public his honest convic- tions, but not without thorough investiga- tion and careful study. He was a large and popular contributor to the horticultural journals of the day, and his opinions regard- ing the merits of the new fruits and the modes of cultivating generally, as well as older varieties, were sound and reliable, and anything over the signature of 'E. W.' se- cured careful attention.
"We recognize, in addition to his serv- ices to the cause of horticulture, the bene- fit he conferred upon the general public by his timely and unsparing criticisms and ex- posure of many of the horticultural hum- bugs of the day.
"Mr. Williams-after a long and painful illness, and how painful none knew save those in daily intercourse with him-was finally called to his rest on July 12, 1894. His end came peacefully and he passed away as one going to sleep. He died as he had lived-in the hope of a glorious immortal- ity. Truly the Lord giveth his beloved sleep.
"We desire to record our testimony to his worth as a man, as a friend, as a coun- selor and as a Christian. May his death serve to incite us all to increased exertions in the interest of the cause he loved so well, and be prepared to do our duty, one and all, and when the final summons comes, be as well prepared as he!"
J. C. WILLIAMS.
The proprietor of the Chestnut Hill Nur- series, whose name forms the caption of this article, was born on the old family home- stead in West Bloomfield township, now
Montclair, Essex county, February 1, 1846, and is the third son of John and Martha H. (Carter) Williams. The family was founded in this county at the time the New England .colony made a settlement in this locality. The grandfather, Zenas Williams, was born in Essex county, and the father was a native of West Orange, born Decen- ber 3, 1798. Throughout his life he fol- lowed the occupation of farming, and was one of the well known and highly respected citizens of the community. He is now de- ceased, but the mother of our subject is still living on the old homestead, in the ninety- third year of her age, her birth having oc- curred in 1805. Her father, Philander Car- ter, was a native of Morris county, New Jer- sey.
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