USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 2 > Part 42
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In March, 1857, in Ulster county, New York, Mr. Woodward led to the marriage altar Miss Frances Ann Brewer, daughter of Abraham Brewer, whose ancestors emi- grated from Rhode Island to the Catskill mountains at an early day and were en- gaged in lumbering there. Mrs. Woodward died in 1882, leaving many warm friends to mourn her loss. She had four children: Albert, deceased; Henry N., who was born May 17, 1862, and married Mary J. Mar- tin, by whom he has five children,-Harry N., Anna J., Alice, Jennie A. and Mary L .; Lewis Woodward, deceased; and Charles B., who was born November 29, 1869, and married Emma Lurch. In March, 1885, our subject was again married, his second union being with Jennie A. Eggleston, a daughter of Lewis Eggleston, whose an- cestors emigrated from Rhode Island with the Brewers.
PURSSELL BROTHERS.
The name of Purssell is prominently con- nected with bakery interests in the east, and, as associated with any enterprise in that line, is a guaranty of the excellence of the articles manufactured by the house. James Purssell, the father of the Purssell Brothers, was born in London, England, and made his home in his native city until 1859, carrying on business as a baker and confectioner at Cornhill for many years. Crossing the Atlantic to the New World, he established himself in the same line of
business in Broadway, New York city, near Twenty-first street, and his superior knowl- edge and understanding of the business soon brought him a constantly increasing trade. His growing patronage from time to time necessitated the enlargement of his facilities in order that he might meet the demands of his patrons, for the excellence of the articles manufactured soon won him a most enviable reputation, and the name of Purssell connected with pastry or confec- tionery was taken as a guaranty of superior quality. Mr. Purssell continued to con- duct a large and profitable business in New York until his death, which occurred March 4, 1887. Previous to that time a stock company was formed, which uses the name of the Purssell Manufacturing Company. After his death, however, the family had no further connection with the corporation, the new company simply securing the right to use his name, which they found gave their business a prestige otherwise unattain- able.
Mrs. Purssell bore the maiden name of Eliza West, and she is still living. Their children, in order of birth are as follows: James, William A., Arthur J .; Eliza C., wife of J. Louis Kight, of London, England; Francis J., Charles, Charlotte J., Mary L. and George.
In 1887, after his father's death, James Purssell, Jr., established a bakery business in East Orange, continuing the same until 1889, when the business was reorganized under the name of Purssell Brothers, the partners being Francis J. and Charles Purs- sell. Their mother still resides in East Orange.
Francis J. Purssell, who is the managing director of the firm, was born in New York city, April 19, 1863, and his brother,
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Charles, who is financial manager of the business, was born in New York, May 31, 1865. Both were educated in the Catholic schools in the city of their nativity, and in early life began working in their father's establishment, so that they are fortified by practical experience and long training for the work they now have in charge. Their business in East Orange has assumed ex- tensive proportions, and they employ a large force of competent men at the head of the various departments. The place is characterized by a neatness that would be difficult to improve upon, and the artistic manner in which they put their products upon the market is one of the attractive features of the enterprise, and combined with their honorable dealing, has brought them a very gratifying success. The broth- ers are both energetic and enterprising busi- ness man, whose careful oversight of their interests has made them prosperous, and Essex county numbers them among her most reliable and highly respected business men.
LUMAN SMITH,
of Irvington, has attained that success which is the natural sequence of honorable, persistent effort, guided by sound judg- ment, and is now doing a good business as a general contractor and dealer in real estate. He was born in Greene county, New York, onthe 13th of September, 1845. His grand- father, Isaac Smith, was a farmer of that lo- cality, and his father, Alanson Smith, also followed agricultural pursuits as a means of livelihood. The latter was for some years a county official, and was a man of considera- able influence and prominence in public af- fairs. He was born in Greene county, New
York, about eighty-seven years ago, and became a prosperous man, owning a large and valuable tract of farming land. He married Rachel A. Deyo, and both are de- ceased. Their children were: Mary, wife of Morris Wright, of Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania; David V., who is living near Elkton, New York; Simeon, of Chicago; Wardell, who makes his home in Ulster county, New York; Luman; Ezra P .; Am- brose, of Coxsackie, New York, who died, leaving one child; and Marcus, of Spring- field, Massachusetts ..
In the district schools near his home Lu- man Smith acquired his education, but his privileges in that direction were abruptly curtailed, as at the age of fourteen years he was forced to lay aside his text-books and assist in the plowing, planting and harvest- ing on the home farm. He continued to give his father the benefit of his services until he was twenty-five years of age, when he engaged in the raising of garden vege- tables in Brooklyn, New York. For five years he continued that pursuit and accu- mulated some money. He was then in- duced to go to Kentucky as the represent- ative of an immigrant association which was settling a colony in and near Hopkins- ville, that state, but after six months spent in the south, he discovered the irresponsi- bility of the company and returned north. Soon thereafter he located in Essex county, New Jersey, where he engaged in contract- ing, excavating and constructing buildings, and at the same time engaged in trading in real estate and personal property. In 1888 he removed to Irvington, where he owns several small tracts of land. He looks after his business with great care, and his super- vision, methodical habits and keen sagacity have enabled him to materially increase his
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financial resources. He is also vice-presi- dent of the Irvington Improvement Asso- ciation.
Mr. Smith was married in West Hurley, Ulster county, New York, to Miss Sarah E. Rowe, a daughter of John M. Rowe, who is prominent in the social and political cir- cles of that county. They have two chil- dren-Franklin and Elnora. Mr. Smith is recognized as a political leader in Essex county, and gives an unwavering support to the measures of the Democracy. He is a member of the executive committee of his party in Clinton township and has served as one of the village trustees.
DAYTON O. MEEKER.
The gentleman to a brief review of whose life we now turn is a descendant of one of the first families that settled in Essex county, New Jersey. Both his father and grandfather, Dayton and Zadoc Meeker, were born in this county, the latter in 1831. Zadoc Meeker married Miss Julia Chapin, and in 1856 he removed to Ohio, where he resided until 1863. Becoming dis- satisfied with his western home, he came back to his native county, and at Irvington passed the rest of his life as a dairy farmer. He died in 1895. His children were: Ester, Mary, Newton, Henry, Irene and Dayton O., and all are still living except Ester and Mary.
Dayton O. spent the last few years of his first fourteen in acquiring the fundamental principles of an education. From the time he was fourteen until he was twenty-one he made a hand on his father's farm, and on reaching his majority he left his parental home and started out on his own account, as a driver for a milkman at Trenton, New
Jersey. A few months of this sufficed, and next we find him in Hunterdon county, this state where he passed the following year in farm work. Returning to Essex county, he was employed by Timothy Burnet and remained with him two years. At the ex- piration of this time he decided to engage in trucking. Although he had not the means with which to fully equip himself, he had credit, and in this way secured the nec- essary outfit and went to work, the result being a success fully equal to what he had anticipated. In a short time he was enabled to pay off his debt, and as soon as he had done this he began laying by money to purchase a home. And in connection with his regu- lar work he took up a line of contracting excavating, grading, etc., which he still con- tinues, and is to-day recognized as an ex- pert in road-making. For the past three years the county has employed him on road repairs.
Mr. Meeker was married March 31, 1885, to Miss Susie Wenz, and they have five children, viz .: Harry, Wheeler, Julia, Stella and Dayton.
Politically, Mr. Meeker's early training was in line with the Democratic party. Of recent years, however, he has affiliated with the Republicans, maintaining all the while a commendable interest in public affairs. Fraternally, he is identified with the great Masonic order and strives to show forth in his life the principles of "brotherly love, relief and truth."
JAMES H. MORTLAND
is one of the well known and much re- spected citizens of Irvington, New Jersey. He dates his nativity in the city of New
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York on the 24th day of January, 1845, and at an early age was left an orphan, both parents dying near the same time. His father, James Mortland, was an Irishman. The same year he was born James H. Mort- land was brought to New Jersey, and on a farm in Morris county was reared by a gen- tleman named A. L. Ogden. At the time the civil war burst upon the country young Mortland was yet in his 'teens. He was patriotic and ambitious, and when the call was made for volunteers his name was among the first to be enrolled. It was as a member of Company H, Seventh Regi- ment, New Jersey Volunteers, that he went to the front, and he remained in the field until the close of the war. His regiment was attached to the Army of the Potomac, and he was a participant in nearly all the heavy engagements in which the Second and Third Corps of that army took part.
In June, 1866, Mr. Mortland came back to his Morris county haunts and again took up farming, to which he gave his attention until 1871. That year he located in New- ark and engaged in the milk business, a business in which he has since continued and in which he has been very successful. He remained in Newark, however, only three years, coming from there to Irving- ton in 1874. Since that date his home has been on Wall street, Irvington.
Mr. Mortland has been twice married. His first wife, nee Ann Bedell, died in 1878, without issue, and in 1880 he wedded Mrs. Phebe Osborne. Her only surviving child, Adelle, is the wife of Frank Hopper, of Irv- ington.
Not unlike most of those who wore the blue during the early '6os, Mr. Mortland is identified with the Grand Army of the Re- public, having his membership in Lincoln
Post at Newark. Politically, he is a Repub- lican. He has been unflinching in his sup- port of this party ever since he became a voter, and in various capacities has been called into public service at Irvington. He was first elected to the town committee, of which for a time he was chairman. He was elected a freeholder, but was legislated out of office by a Democratic legislature before the expiration of his first year. For two years he was president of the village of Irvington, and for the past three years he has been town assessor.
ANDREW L. PARKHURST,
of Verona, has descended from an ancestry, honorable and distinguished, that has left its imprint upon the institutions of the country. Representatives of the name have exerted their influence for good in the busi- ness, the professional and the military life of the country, and their eminence is due to true nobleness of character and the chival- rous defense of whatever was believed to be right, as well as the superiority of mental powers manifested by them in the active af- fairs of life.
Andrew L. Parkhurst was born in Liv- ingston township, Essex county, April 24, 1839. His father, a tanner by trade, was born in the same county in 1812, and died in 1844. His wife, Maria, was a daughter of Jonathan Force. In the family were four children: Ward, who served in Battery D, First New Jersey Light Artillery, and was captured at Mine Run, his death occurring in Andersonville prison; Woodruff, who has not been heard from in forty years; Su- san, deceased wife of John H. Simonson; and Andrew L.
During his childhood days Mr. Park-
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hurst of this review secured a position in a Newark store as errand boy, but when he had formed a definite idea of what he wished to follow as a life work he left the store and began preparation for his chosen calling, that of contracting and building. He learned this trade of E. R. Carbuffe, of Newark, and was thus engaged at the out- break of the civil war. His patriotic nature was so aroused by the rebellious attitude of the south that he could not remain con- tentedly at home, and entered his country's service as a member of Company B, First New Jersey Volunteers, at the first call for troops. After three months' service he re- enlisted, as a member of Battery D, First New Jersey Light Artillery, for three years, and when his second term was ended he joined Hancock's veteran corps and was in that service when hostilities ceased. The first engagement in which he participated was at Williamsburg, Virginia, and later he was in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac, but was never wounded or taken prisoner. Fortunate, too, in keeping up his health, he was always found at his post of duty, faithfully defending the cause which the old flag presented, and his military record is one of which he may be justly proud.
Upon his return home Mr. Parkhurst again took his place at the carpenter's bench and followed his trade until 1870, when he began taking contracts for build- ing and grading roads-his present busi- ness. He has since followed that industry with that success which is the logical result of continued efforts, fidelity to the terms of a contract, and honorable dealing. He pos- sesses good business ability and his efforts have resulted profitably.
In 1866 Mr. Parkhurst removed to
Verona, where he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M., a daughter of Isaac and Ann Simonson. She died in 1890, leaving three children: William A., a grading and excavating contractor, who married Eliza- beth Force; Susan L., who married Frank Sanford, of East Orange; and Harry L. In 1891 Mr. Parkhurst was again married, his second union being with Mary J. Ayers, daughter of Elias Harris. Three children graced this union-Leroy S., Ethel F. and Gertrude. The family is one of prominence in the community, holding a high position in social circles and enjoying the warm re- gard of many friends.
J. J. HENRY MULLER,
a furniture dealer of Newark, was born in the ortschaft of Vurgsen, in Hanover, Ger- many, June 24, 1845, and is a son of John (born in 1821 and died September, 1875) and Mary C. (Gehrke) Müller (born in 1825 and died March, 1858). His mother be- . longed to a family of six children. His father was a son of Christian Müller, and was left an orphan at an early age, being reared to manhood by foster parents. He engaged in the tilling of the soil as a life work, and in all business relations he was a man of the strictest integrity.
He held a membership in the Lutheran church, and he was held in the highest re- gard by all who knew him. He was mar- ried in 1844 to Miss Mary C. Gehrke, and to them were born five children: J. J. Henry; Frederick, who died at the age of seven years; John, who is married, and with his family resides in Brooklyn, New York; Mary, who died at the age of six years; and Mary, the second of the name, who died at the age of two and a half years. The mother
J & Henry Müller
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of these children passed away in March, 1858, at the age of thirty-three years. She, too, held a membership in the Lutheran church, and was beloved by a large circle of friends. After the death of the mother of our subject, John Müller, the father, mar- ried again, and had other children.
J. J. Henry Müller was educated in the pub- lic schools of his native town, and between theages of fourteen and twenty-one years he was engaged at farm work. On attaining his majority he was drafted into the military service of his country and participated in the war between Hanover and Prussia in 1866, taking part in the battle of Langen- salza, in one of the provinces of Saxony. After the close of the campaign he returned home upon furlough, where he remained for a short time; but, tiring of the monot- ony of farm work, he left the parental roof December 7, 1866, and went to Hamburg. The following day he took ship there for London, England, where he remained until the 12th of January, 1867, when, as a pas- senger on the Constantine, he sailed for New York, the vessel dropping anchor in that harbor on the 12th of February, 1867.
For a time Mr. Müller followed carpen- tering in New York city, and then went to Brooklyn, where he was engaged in a saw- mill for several years, when he again took up the carpenter's trade, in Jersey City. He continued his residence there until 1874, when he entered the employ of H. Gaul- lieur, a cigar merchant, remaining with him as a porter for several years, and then for Kimball, Gaullieur & Co., and so faithful was he to his duties that he was promoted to the position of assistant foreman, in which capacity he served until 1877, when he was made foreman. In 1885 he resigned, and in October of that year came to New-
ark, where he engaged in the furniture business at 93 and 95 Springfield avenue, in partnership with Christian Schmidt, un- der the firm name of Müller & Schmidt. Under the wise management and guided by the sound judgment of these men, the busi- ness prospered and brought them a hand- some income. In 1889 they purchased the tract of ground at Nos. 113, 115 and 117 Springfield avenue, and erected thereon their commodious store and warerooms. They conducted a large and profitable busi- ness until 1894, when Mr. Müller bought out his partner's interest, and has since car- ried on operations on his own account. He now has one of the fine stores of the city, carrying a large and complete stock of goods of the latest styles and best work- manship. His prices are moderate and his courteous treatment of his patrons and his straightforward dealing have secured him an extensive business, which is constantly increasing.
Mr. Müller was married in Jersey City Heights, New Jersey, to Miss Mary C. Hof, who was born January 8, 1853. Her father, Frederick Hof, was born October 17, 1824; and her mother, whose maiden name was Mary Heppe, was born April 24, 1827. John Frederick Hof, the grandfather of Mrs. Müller, was born in Germany, April 5, 1797, and died May 17, 1874. His faith- ful wife lived to be seventy years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Müller have had six children, namely: Frederick, born April 21, 1873, graduated at the Newark high school, studied medicine in the medical department of the Flower Hospital in New York for some time, but eventually relinquished his course there and joined his father in the management of the furniture business: he was married April 21, 1897, to Miss Helen
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Buehler, a daughter of William and Chris- tina Buehler; Henry, the second child, was born April 4, 1876, and died March 14, 1883; Joseph, born November 9, 1877, is a graduate of the Newark high school, and is now a student in the medical department of the Flower Hospital, of New York city; Mary, born January 18, 1880, died Decem- ber 6, 1884; Henry, born June 19, 1884; and May, born December 13, 1889, died October 9, 1895.
Mr. and Mrs. Müller are both consistent members of the German Baptist church of Newark, and he is now serving on its board of trustees. He has always taken an active interest in charitable enterprises and in all local matters calculated to benefit the com- munity. His life has been very successful, and as he has climbed higher he has ever had his hand down-stretched in aid of those who are below him in the comforts of life. His political support is given to the Re- publican party, and Newark ranks him among her enterprising, progressive and reliable citizens.
.
JAMES BEST,
a
public-spirited, influential resident of
Caldwell, who has contributed much to the welfare of his home city and the happiness of its inhabitants, is a native of Ireland, where he was born on the Ist of November, 1839, a son of William and 'Agnes (Conway) Best, who were small farmers. Each of them had been married before, but our sub- ject was the only child of this union.
James Best learned the baker's trade in his native country and followed the same until 1861, when, upon the advice of his brother, W. J., he accompanied the latter to the United States, and within three days
had secured work at his trade. W. J. Best, during the panic of 1873, was receiver for many of the prominent financial concerns of New York, and possessed a wide reputa- tion as an expert accountant. James Best, two years subsequent to his arrival in America, had been foreman of nearly all the more important bakeries of New York city, but retired from the business for a time and entered the house of Fowler Brothers, provision merchants, as shipping clerk, and there remained some eighteen months, his next employment being with Roger Bam- ber & Company as receiving clerk. Upon his retirement from this service he jour- neyed west in order to see the country, stopping off at Pittsburg, where he was induced to enter the employ of McGinn Brothers, remaining with the same for six months and then embarking in business on his own responsibility. After an absence of two years he returned to New York, and, with the exception of five years, during which time his ill health compelled him to seek rest at Caldwell, he has been in con- tinuous business in New York city.
Mr. Best has been an active participant in public affairs pertaining to the village interests, and as he is not a partisan his work has in consequence not been in the lines of politics. He has been at the head of the board of health of the village ever since its inception, was instrumental in se- curing the lighting of the town by public subscription, has for four years been a mem- ber of the school board, and he is always in demand when a matter of importance is to be discussed which requires a proper pres- entation to the citizens of Caldwell. In his religious faith he is an adherent of the Presbyterian church, of which he is one of the trustees.
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The marriage of Mr. Best was consum- mated on the 2d of July, 1866, when he was united to Miss Jane Ellison, daughter of James Ellison, a New York merchant, and the children born of this union are as fol- lows: Mary A .; William J .; Edward G., who married Orril Backus; Elizabeth J., who was recently graduated at the State Normal, at Trenton, New Jersey; Robert, Walter N. and Ethel.
DAVID G. KNIGHT,
Irvington, New Jersey, is a well known con- tractor and builder, many evidences of his skill and enterprise in this line being found in Irvington and vicinity.
Mr. Knight is an American only by adoption, but has never known any other home than this, he having been brought to this country in infancy. He was born in Northampton, England, June 22, 1851, son of Edward and Sophia (Groom) Knight, both natives of England. Edward Knight, now one of Irvington's octogenarians, came to the United States in 1851 and was fol- lowed a year later by his family. He lo- cated temporarily in Irvington and soon went from here to East Orange, New Jer- sey, where he was for years engaged in teaming. His wife died in 1867. Their children in order of birth were Stephen R., Isaac E., David G. and Joseph F. All are still living except Isaac E., who was killed at Peach Tree creek during the civil war.
David G. Knight received his early train- ing in a small wooden school-house on the Back Road in East Newark, attending this school until he was fifteen. At that age he began to learn the trade of stone mason, working under the instructions of Elijah Doremus, of East Orange, and serving an
apprenticeship of four years. On complet- ing his trade, he entered the employ of the prominent firm of Crane & Son, of Newark, with whom he remained one year. After this he located in Basking Ridge, New Jer- sey, and engaged in contracting. He spent three years at that place, then two years in Summit, this state, and from Summit started out on a tour of the west, working in all the large cities from Chicago to Den- ver. On his return he stopped one year in Lafayette, Indiana, and thence returned to Irvington, his former home, where he has since remained. All these years his time has been given to work at his trade.
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