USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 2 > Part 35
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In 1880 Mr. Harrison was appointed to the superintendency of the Newark City Home, a reformatory institution located at Verona, and has given the last eighteen years of his life to its successful manage- ment. He has made this school a very effi- cient institution in the city life, and his ef- forts in this direction are appreciated by all.
He is deeply interested in all movements tending to the betterment of mankind and lends his hearty co-operation to every en- terprise whose object is the advancement of the public good. Mr. Harrison still re- tains the ownership of the old family home- stead, which is now rented to his nephew, Caleb A. Harrison, who is engaged in the milk business and who utilizes the land solely in the interests of that industry.
In his political preferences Mr. Harrison is a Democrat, and in religious belief he and his family are Presbyterians. He is one of the best known educators in New Jersey, and his life has been a very useful one, thus devoted to the advancement of his fellow- men. His influence, which is far-reaching in its scope, is ever exerted for good, and upon the characters as well as the minds of his pupils has he left a deep impress.
Mr. Harrison of this review was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth H. Fallons- bee, who was one of the leading teachers of Plainfield, and they now have five children : Wilford F., Charles W., John W., Raymond F. and Albert D.
JOSEPH ENGLISH,
a representative of the marble trade in Orange, is a native of Ireland, where he was born in Dundale, county Louth, and is a son of James and Mary (Rarin) English, who were also born in county Louth, Ire- land, both of them being now deceased. They became the parents of eight children, two of the latter dying in childhood, the surviving six being: John, a resident of East Orange; Mary, the wife of William Karr, living in East Boston; Margaret, who is married and is now living in Boston; Thomas, who makes his home in Newark; Joseph and Annie.
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Joseph English received his education in the public schools of his native land, but, his parents dying while he was yet young, he was thrown on his own responsibility and obliged to secure employment in order to obtain the necessities of life. In 1883, learning of the greater advantages offered to young men in America, he emigrated to this country and located in Boston, where he learned the trade of marble worker, and in November, 1894, he came to Orange and established his present business, in which he has met with signal success.
In his social affiliations Mr. English is a member of St. Patrick's Alliance, of Orange, and in his religious adherency he is a regular attendant of St. John's Roman Catholic church.
JOHN H. LONG.
Essex county is the center of hat manu- facturing in America, and its many exten- sive interests in this line form one of its greatest sources of material welfare. With this industry Mr. Long is connected, being proprietor of a hat manufactory in Orange, where he is accounted one of the leading representatives of her industrial interests. His enviable reputation for honorable busi- ness dealing has secured to him a liberal patronage, and his success is certainly well merited.
A native of New York city, he was born July 2, 1855, and is a son of John R. and Catherine A. (Taylor) Long. The early an- cestors of the Long family were natives of the north of Ireland, and at the time of the religious trouble between the Protestants and the Catholics, representatives of the name founded the family in America. The great-grandfather of our subject was the first to cross the Atlantic, and with his fam-
ily he located in Philadelphia, where he spent his remaining days. His son, the grandfather, was born during the voyage to America, and was named Samuel Neptune Long.
When a child of two years John H. Long was brought by his parents to Orange, where he acquired his primary education, which was supplemented by a two-years course of study in an academy at Schoharie, New York. He then entered Bryant & Stratton's Business College, finishing his education by a commercial course of study. He afterward spent four years as a civil en- gineer, and in 1876 he became associated with his father in the manufacture of hats, under the firm name of John R. Long & Son. Since that time he has been contin- uously engaged in his present enterprise, and his well directed efforts have brought him a gratifying prosperity.
Mr. Long was married June 14, 1882, to Miss Ida Virginia Hatfield, who was born in Newark, and is a daughter of Henry and Jane Hatfield. They now have two daugh- ters-Florence and Margery.
In his political predilections Mr. Long is a Republican, and with his family he at- tends the Episcopal church. Their house- hold is one of the hospitable homes of Orange, and their large circle of warm friends is an index to the upright lives and admirable characters of the members of that home.
JOHN BENNETT.
The leaders of the world in any line of business are few, the followers many. It requires great sagacity, splendid business and executive ability, unflagging energy and unabating zeal in the pursuit of one's
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purpose to gain leadership, and the man who does so is certainly deserving of great credit. In one of the lines of artistic work -china decoration-Mr. Bennett attained marked prestige and for many years was prominently connected with that enterprise, but is now living retired.
A native of Burslem, England, Mr. Ben- nett was born in 1843, and is a son of John and Mary (Vernon) Bennett, who were also natives of the same town. At his parental home the subject was reared to manhood and acquired his education in the public schools, supplemented by a course in the Art Training School, established by Prince Albert. Later he was apprenticed to learn the art of china decorating and served for a term of seven years. When he became suffi- ciently proficient to do salable work he was given a salary of two shillings per week. After the first year he was given a half crown per week through the second year, and for four years was engaged on piece work, receiving half the salary given a jour- neyman. Subsequently he was employed as a journeyman in the Hilltop pottery for a time, and then worked as a decorator for a short time, after which he engaged in busi- ness on his own account. Going to London, he located near the Dalton potteries, where he followed his art, attaining great profi- ciency therein. His skill was the means of procuring for him a number of excellent business offers, but he declined these in order to establish a home in America.
Mr. Bennett came to this country in 1876, being sent to take charge of a china display in the English exhibit at the Centennial Ex- position in Philadelphia. In 1877 he made a permanent location in the New World, going to New York. He it was who intro- duced the Farance pottery into America.
He established a large plant on Lexington avenue and Twenty-seventh street, and afterward removed to Twenty-fourth street, where he carried on business on an exten- sive scale. His beautifully decorated work soon became renowned throughout the country, and many came to him from all parts of the United States and Canada to learn his art methods. In 1883 he removed to West Orange and locating on the banks of the Orange reservoir he erected his pres- ent fine residence and built his potteries. He still carries on business to a limited ex- tent, but is practically retired, having ac- quired a handsome competence as the result of his labors. His exquisite workmanship, wrought after the most artistic and ap- proved methods, won the highest praise of the connoisseurs, and he justly won a lead- ing place among the china decorators of this country.
Mr. Bennett was married in 1862 to Miss Mary Hall, a daughter of Reuben Hall, a well-known decorator whose reputation ex- tended throughout Europe. By this union ten children were born: John R., of New York; Charlie T., Mary, Frank, Sarah, Harry, William, Carrie W., Florence L. and Hettie L. The first two sons are members of the Masonic fraternity. The family is well known in Essex county, and its history deserves a place in this volume.
JAMES C. CRANE,
one of the honored and respected citizens of Montclair, comes of a family of long identification with the history of Essex county. In colonial days the first of the name took up their residence in this part of New Jersey, and down through the years to the present the Cranes have been substan-
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tial, valuable citizens of the community, bearing their part in all matters of public moment and supporting all measures for the general good. Their prominence is indi- cated by the fact that Cranetown was named in their honor, and it was in that place, now Montclair, that James C. Crane was born, on the 13th of October, 1822.
His father, Timothy A. Crane, a son of Aaron Crane, was born June 20, 1786, and after attaining to years of maturity, married Miss Matilda Camp, a daughter of James and Mary Camp, born November 22, 1784. The father of our subject died in the ninety- third year of his age, and the mother was called to her final rest in her ninety-first year. The worthy couple had seven chil- dren, the record of whom is as follows: Sarah Anna, born on the 5th of February, 1809, became the wife of Stephen G. Gould; Aaron, born March 29, 1812, married Eliza Scott; Mary Camp, born June 30, 1815, was joined in wedlock to Samuel D. Mead; Isaac, born July 4, 1820, married Emeline Brower; Nancy, was a twin sister of Isaac; James Camp, whose name heads this article, married Matilda S. Corby, and Horace, born January 4, 1826, completes the fam- ily. All were natives of Essex county.
GEORGE LE GLISE,
a member of the city council of Newark, representing the tenth ward, was born at Cypress Hill, Long Island, on the 22d of February, 1865, a son of Joseph and Annie (Gammas) LeGlise, both of whom were na- tives of Paris, France. The father followed the sea for forty-two years and first came to the United States in 1826. He died in 1888, having survived his wife several years.
Mr. LeGlise, whose name introduces this
review, received a common-school educa- tion in the public schools of his native town, and in 1879 came to Newark, since which time he has been a resident of the tenth ward, his home being now at 197 Thomas street, He began life for himself as an apprentice at the trade of edge-tool-making, but later decided to learn the trade of manufacturing saddlery hardware, and for a number of years followed that pursuit in connection with Anderson Albright, but for the past seven years he has been engaged in busi- ness on his own account. He has built up an excellent trade, for his superior work- manship and honorable dealing commend him to the confidence of the public and he has thereby won a liberal and lucrative pat- ronage.
Mr. LeGlise is a member of St. Colum- bia's Y. M. C. A. and of the Catholic Benev- olent Legion, and is serving as trustee of the latter organization. He has for some years been a prominent and active member of the Democratic party in Newark, but has steadily declined all offers of political preferment until the spring of 1897, when he decided to accept the nomination for al- derman in his ward. He polled eleven hun- dred and sixty votes, his Republican oppo- nent nine hundred and thirty-nine, thus re- ceiving a majority of two hundred and twenty-one. He is now serving as a mem- ber of the committees on police, elections, City Home and weights and measures, and is a public-spirited, progressive citizen, who supports all measures which he believes are well planned for the public good. He is a member of the Tenth Ward Democratic Club, and works earnestly with his party. He is a man of many sterling qualities and is very popular in business, political and social circles.
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Mr. LeGlise was married November 27, 1887, to Miss Margaret Leonard, a daugh- ter of Thomas Leonard, of Newark. Five children have been born to them, one of whom is deceased. The living are: Thomas, Rose Adell, George and Grace Eleanor.
NATHANIEL DRAKE,
a prosperous citizen of Irvington, and a member of the firm of Drake & Company, is the youngest son of Elias W. Drake, and a brother of M. S. Drake, whose sketch will also be found in this work, and was born in Irvington, Essex county, New Jersey, on the 2d of November, 1856. His literary educational discipline was received in the public schools of his native city, which he attended until embarking in his business ca- reer. In 1878 he engaged in retailing feed and grain, succeeding his brother in that calling at Irvington and continuing in the same up to 1884, when he disposed of his interests and moved to Newark, there join- ing G. D. Drake in the milling business on Halsey street. This partnership was suc- cessfully conducted until 1892, when our subject, as a member of the firm of Drake & Company, established their large feed and grain house of Poinier street, and there they carry on one of the most important con- cerns of its kind in the city. Mr. Drake is a man of extensive experience and execu- tive ability, with which are combined those qualities that make the successful business man, and in consequence he is one of the prosperous and progressive residents of his home city, where he stands high in the re- gard and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact.
On October 1, 1879, Mr. Drake was
united in marriage to Miss Marian Wade, daughter of Isaac O. Wade, a carpenter and builder of Irvington, and a descendant of one of the old families of that locality, and they are the parents of these children: Edna A., Imogene, Elias Arthur, Nathaniel, Jr., and Jannett.
In his political affiliations our subject is a stanch Democrat, but has not the inclina- tion of becoming an active worker in the field, either local or state, being content to cast his free ballot, thereupon considering his political duty ended. In his social relations he is a popular member of the Royal Arcanum.
P. M. MEGARO, M. D.
Under the blue skies of Italy, in the lit- tle village of Calabritto, near the city of Naples, Dr. Megaro was born, on the 15th of April, 1866. To-day he is numbered among the most able physicians and sur- geons of Newark, where he has a very ex- tensive practice among his countrymen. He is a son of Gottano Megaro, a real-es- tate dealer, who is still living in his native Italy. In the town of his birth the Doctor was reared, and his early education, ac- quired in the common school, was supple- mented by a five-years course in the gym- nasium college. Later he continued his edu- cation in the lyceum, and while still very young he entered the Royal University of Naples, where he pursued a six-years course in medicine and surgery, and was graduated in the class of 1893. Immediately thereafter he was appointed to a position in the military hospital at Florence, where he held the rank of lieutenant, but discharged the duties of surgeon.
In January, 1894, Dr. Megaro came to
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the United States and opened an office at No. 152 Central avenue, Newark, where he remained for a period of three years, com- ing to his present location at No. 320 High street, in 1896. Upon coming to this coun- try he creditably passed the examination before the board of medical examiners of New York state. He speaks the French, Italian and English languages and is a gen- tleman of broad general culture and schol- arly attainments. He now holds a mem- bership in the Essex District Medical So- ciety and the American Medical Associa- tion, and is an expert surgeon, possessing superior skill in that department of the pro- fession. His practice is extensive and his comprehensive and thorough understand- ing of the science of medicine and surgery makes him one of the most competent members of the profession in the city. His fellow practitioners freely accord him a leading place in their ranks, and his pleas- ant, courteous manner has gained him many friends among them. In politics he is a Republican.
WILLIAM B. GARRABRANTS,
one of the leading manufacturers of New- ark, and a member of the board of alder- men in that city, was born at Washington Heights, New York city, on the 2d of April, 1854, the son of William B. and Harriet (Laves) Garrabrants. At the age of two years he was brought to Newark by his par- ents and here received his literary education in the public schools. Before he was twen- ty-one years old, such was his ambition to become independent, he engaged in busi- ness for himself in the butter trade, and six years later he embarked in the grocery busi- ness, continuing in the same for a period
of fifteen years. Following this he became associated, as manager, with the Standard Brick Company, the factories of which are located at Mountain View, New Jersey, and in this line of endeavor he has since con- tinued, meeting with merited success, his industry, high integrity of character and honesty of purpose inspiring the greatest confidence in all those with whom he has dealings of a business nature.
Politically considered Mr. Garrabrants has been a strong advocate of Republican principles from the time he was first per- mitted to cast a ballot, and he has given his unflagging support to the policies adopted by that party. In the spring of 1897 he was elected to the board of aldermen from the second ward and was appointed a member of the committees on hospitals and the New- ark City Home. In his social relations Mr. Garrabrants is a member of St. Alban's Lodge, F. & A. M., in which he is actively interested. He is an adherent of the Halsey Street Methodist church and is a faithful worker in all matters pertaining thereto.
In 1877, on the 25th of January, was con- summated the marriage of Mr. Garra- brants to Miss Lizzie Ida Gardner, a daugh- ter of Elijah R. Gardner, of Newark, and of the five children born to them the follow- ing three are living: Elizabeth, William and May.
William B. Garrabrants, the father of our subject, was born in New York city, and came to Newark to reside in 1856. He was a builder and contractor on a large scale while living in New York, but upon moving to this city he gave up active business and partially retired. He was a stanch Union man during the war of the Rebellion, but was refused enlistment on account of his age. He departed this life in 1870. Mrs.
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Garrabrants was born in Somersetshire, England, and came to this country when twenty years old. She was a devout mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in that faith she was called to her eternal rest in 1872. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Garrabrants, only two of whom survive-our subject, and a daugh- ter, who is now Mrs. George E. Webber. Her husband is a prominent elevator manu- facturer.
WILLIAM H. DE WITT
is now living retired in Montclair, enjoy- ing the rest which is the fitting crown of many years of useful labor. His life, though unpretentious and quiet, is an object lesson of real value to the observing and thought- ful. It brings out prominently the charac- teristics that win, offers encouragement to young men who are willing to work with their minds and hands, and affords another proof of the familiar adage that there is no royal road to wealth or distinction in this republic. The achievement depends upon the man. Earnest, persistent labor, unflag- ging perseverance and honorable dealing have brought to him a comfortable compe- tence and numbered him among the sub- stantial citizens of Montclair.
Mr. DeWitt was born in Orange county, New York, near Port Jervis, December 24, 1849, and is a son of James and Mary (Carr) DeWitt. His parents were natives of Deckertown, Sussex county, New Jer- sey, in which locality the ancestors of the DeWitt family, emigrating from Holland, located at a very early day. The grand- father, Peter DeWitt, was numbered among the first settlers of the county, and took an active part in its development. The ma-
ternal grandfather of our subject was Rob- ert Carr. Both Mr. and Mrs. James De- Witt, now deceased, passed their lives upon a farm, and by their upright lives won the respect of all who knew them.
William H. DeWitt acquired the greater part of his education in Deckertown, New Jersey, but afterward attended school at Port Jervis, New York. His mother died when he was about twelve years of age and he was early thrown upon his own resources, so that he has become a self-made man, his success being. the outcome of his own ef- forts. At the age of sixteen he entered upon an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade under Darius Rhodes, of Port Jervis, and after completing his term worked with that man until twenty years of age, when he began business on his own account, as a contractor and builder. He followed that vocation for a quarter of a century, during which time he never took a vacation, but with unremitting zeal and energy applied himself to his work and made steady ad- vancement. He erected many of the finest residences in Montclair, together with many substantial business blocks, churches, school-houses and club-houses, which stand as monuments to his handiwork and his bus- iness ability. His fidelity to the terms of a contract, his promptness and honorable dealing, secured to him a very liberal pa- tronage and brought to him good, substan- tial returns. For the past ten years he has dealt considerably in real estate, building houses, both for sale and rent, and still has considerable desirable realty. The rental from his houses yields to him a good income and enables him to lay aside the more ardu- ous duties of business life.
In 1870 Mr. DeWitt was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary Hornbeck, of Port Jer-
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vis, New York, a daughter of Lewis and Lydia (Stanton) Hornbeck. She was born in the city where her marriage was cele- brated, but was principally reared and edu- cated in Orange, New York. Her mother was a native of Sullivan county, of the Em- pire state. Three children grace the union of our subject and his wife: Sarah A., Charles I., who is now a student in Amherst College, and William H., Jr.
Mr. DeWitt votes the Republican ticket on state and national questions, but at local elections where no national issue is in- volved, takes into consideration the quali- fications of the candidates and casts his bal- lot accordingly. Pinehurst, his fine home, is a beautiful and commodious modern res- idence, standing in the midst of a beautiful lawn, ornamented with native forest trees and pines. Their warm-hearted hospitality places the many guests at their ease and has made Pinehurst the center of a cul- tured society circle.
WILLIAM A. GAY.
A leading representative of industrial circles in Newark, Mr. Gay is also prom- inently connected with the social, moral and æsthetic development of the city,-in- terests which tend to produce well rounded characters and make of a locality not mere- ly a business center but also the abode of those things which cultivate man's better and higher nature. A large circle of friends hold him in the highest esteem, and he well deserves mention in the history of Essex county.
Mr. Gay was born in Rondout, New York, January 4, 1841, and is a son of Thomas and Salome (Johnson) Gay. In 1845 the father removed with his family to
Newark, where he continued to make his home until his death, which occurred in 1890. His wife passed away the same year. In England, the country of his nativity, he learned the ship-carpenter's trade, and in that capacity he followed the sea for sev- eral years. After locating in Newark he en- gaged in the roofing business for an ex- tended period and was accounted one of the progressive, enterprising men of the city. His political support was given the Whig party until its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the new Republican party. He was elected and served for two terms as a member of the county board of freeholders, discharging his duties with marked fidelity. One of the founders of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal church, he served as a member of the board of trustees until his death and took a very active part in its work. Of quiet and unas- suming manner, he never sought public honors, but his sterling worth won him recognition wherever he went. While re- siding in New York he was one of the pioneers in the cement business, supplying cement for the Croton aqueduct, which was built in 1842. The English home of the Gay family was in Devonshire, where those of the name have resided through a very long period. They were millers, and the old mill which has been in the family for several generations, is still standing. The maternal grandfather of our subject, An- thony Johnson, was the owner of extensive stone quarries in Derbyshire, England, and on coming to this country he located in Brooklyn, where he carried on the stone business that since his death has been con- ducted by his sons Anthony and Matthew. Mr. and Mrs. Gay were the parents of the following named children: Mrs. Judith A.
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