USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 2 > Part 45
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acterized by sleepless vigilance and cheer- ful alacrity.
In 1870 Mr. Hill was married to Miss Barbara Baier, daughter of John Baier, and of their union have been born nine chil- dren, seven of whom are now living, as fol- lows: Louisa, wife of Dr. Haux, of New- ark; Jacobina, Augusta, Emma, Amelia, Edward and Richard. Mr. Hill is a Demo- crat in his political predilections, and in 1883 was elected to represent the eighth district of New Jersey in the state legisla- ture. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity and has taken the degrees in Diog- enes Lodge, No. 22, of Newark.
SAMUEL C. G. WATKINS, D. D. S.
This is an age of progress, and America is the exponent of the spirit of the age. In the beginning of the present century our country was in its infancy, and history shows no parallel of its growth and achieve- ments. No other country has made as great advancement in the lines of science and mechanical invention, and the superior- ity of her inventions has been widely recog- nized, awakening the admiration of the world. In this steady growth and develop- ment which have characterized the age, the science of dentistry has kept pace with the general progress, and in that direction Dr. Watkins stands among the foremost. He has been a leader in thought and action in the world of dentistry, and his investiga- tion, experiments and comprehensive un- derstanding have enabled him to bring be- fore the scientific world many valuable truths in relation to the profession, and suc- cessfully put them to the practical test in the operating room. The old lines of usage he has broken down, and in broader fields
Mars Trully a
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of usefulness and practice he has led a large following.
Dr. Samuel Charles Goldsmith Watkins is a native of Ontario, Canada, his birth having occurred in Ashgrove, Halton county, on the 27th of March, 1853. He is a son of Dr. Charles W. and Harriet (Beckwith) Watkins. The ancestral history of the family shows that the Watkins lived first in Wales, afterward in England, and subsequently founded the Irish branch of the family. They were people of prom- inence and left the impress of their indi- viduality upon every age. The family rep- resents in the female line the ancient and distinguished house of Vaughan, of Golden Grove, the ancestor being Hugh Vaughan, Esquire, Kidwelly, gentleman usher to King Henry VII., in 1497.
A descendant of the English branch of the Watkins family accompanied Crom- well to Ireland as a member of his military staff, and for military services rendered was assigned lands in county Monahan, where Humphrey Watkins, the great-great-grand- father of Dr. Watkins, was born and where he lived to attain the remarkable age of one hundred and four years. From the county mentioned, Samuel Watkins, the great-grandfather of the Doctor, removed to county Kings, where he died, at the age of ninety-six years. His son, Samuel Wat- kins, who died at the age of eighty-nine years and six months, was likewise a native of the Emerald Isle, whence in 1819 he emi- grated to America to accept a government position. He had indorsements and letters of introduction from the Earl of Ross to the Duke of Richmond, who was at that time stationed at Quebec. Soon after his ar- rival, through the influence of the Duke of Richmond, he received a grant of the larg-
est tract of land ever given to one man, on condition of his settling at Little York, now Toronto, Ontario. He thus became the founder of the Canadian branch of the Watkins family.
The Samuel Watkins above referred to distinguished himself as a colonel in the Irish rebellion of 1790, and also in the sup- pression of what is known as the Mckenzie rebellion of 1835, in Canada. For his ser- vices he was awarded a colonelcy in the Canadian forces. His son, Charles W. Wat- kins, father of the Doctor, took a prom- inent part in resisting the Fenian raid into Canada in 1866. He married Harriet, daughter of George Beckwith, who was a lieutenant in King George's private regi- ment and body guard, being a resident of Yorkshire, England, and living to the ven- erable age of ninety-eight years and six months. He was a grandson of Lord George Beckwith, a colonel in the British army. This very ancient family originally bore the name of Malbie or Malbysse, be- ing lineally descended from the marriage "temp," Henry III, of Hercules de Malbie, grandson of Sir Sinion (Simon?) de Mal- bie, lord of Cawton, in Craven, with Beck- with, one of the daughters of Sir William Brice, lord of Skilton castle in Cleveland, a noble Norman knight, ancestor of the Bruces of Scotland.
A family legend dating from the time of Cromwell (1649) states that during the vigorous fight between the Protestants and Catholics, in which the former were vic- torious, a Catholic priest was sheltered and secreted by one of the ladies of the family in this line of Watkins descent. On the day following, the Catholics routed the Protestants and drove them over the banks of the river Ban. The plucky woman re-
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ferred to drew near to the priest, and, ex- tending her hand in token of salutation, im- mediately grasped the hand of the priest and dragged him into the river, both per- ishing together.
Dr. Samuel C. G. Watkins spent his early life amid the surroundings of the farm, and acquired his elementary education in the common schools of the neighborhood. When fourteen years of age he accom- panied his parents on their removal to De- troit, Michigan, and two years later he went to Boston, where, having determined to make the practice of dentistry his life work. he entered the office of a well known prac- titioner, who carefully directed his studies. He obtained a fair start in life, but suf- fered an almost irreparable loss by being burned out in the great fire in Boston in 1872. All his material possessions were gone, but there still remained to him a reso- lute spirit and unlimited perseverance, and he at once set to work to retrieve his lost possessions. He began life anew, spending all his spare time in attending lectures in the Boston Dental College, wherein he was graduated with honor in the class of 1875.
The following year Dr. Watkins estab- lished an office in Montclair and soon ac- quired an extensive practice among the best class of residents. He has a finely ap- pointed office, fitted up with the most modern appliances known to the science, and in every way he has kept progress with the improvement that is continually being made in the methods of dentistry. He has ever been a close student of the profession, and is an original thinker whose investiga- tions have resulted in practical benefit. He has made contributions to the dental liter- ature of the country which are valuable, especially concerning the treatment of chil-
dren's teeth and the use of amalgam in fill- ing. He is the inventor of a sectional head- rest for dental chairs, which bears his name, and is so much appreciated by the profes- sion that it has caused a complete revolu- tion in head-rests, and he has also made other valuable contributions for facilitating the work of his profession. His inventions include trimming, finishing and amalgam instruments, which likewise bear his name; also a machine for making tapering screws, while the Watkins tooth-brush is recog- nized for its absolute superiority. He has also devised a dental record-book, whose system of entries is simple and effective, which is well thought of by the profession.
He has received many honors from his professional associates and is accorded the position of one of the foremost representa- tives of the science of dentistry in the east. In 1886 he was unanimously elected presi- dent of the alumni association of the Bos- ton Dental College. The same year he was elected president of the Central Dental As- sociation of Northern New Jersey, of which he was one of the founders in 1880, and has been chairman of the executive committee for many years. In 1889 he was made president of the New Jersey State Dental Society, and has also been a member of the executive committee for a number of years. He is a member of the First District Dental Society of New York and of the Odonto- logical Society of New York. In 1879 he became a member of the American Dental Association. In 1891 he was made second vice-president of that society, and was re- elected in 1892 and 1893. The following year, at old Point Comfort, he was elected first vice-president, and in 1895 was acting president. He was a member of the clinic committee of the World's Columbian Den-
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tal Congress; also chairman of the state committee of New Jersey, and it was in his office that the first steps toward the Colum- bian congress were taken, and he presided at the first meeting held in New York city, in April, 1890. He is a member of the Na- tional Dental Association, also an honorary member of the New England Dental As- sociation and the Southern Dental Asso- ciation. He has filled the chair of lecturer on operative dentistry in the New York Dental School of the University of the State of New York.
Wholly absorbed in the duties of his pro- fession, Dr. Watkins has had but little time to devote to local affairs. However, he took an active interest in the organization of the fire department; was a charter mem- ber of Hook and Ladder Company No. I, and is now on the list of exempt firemen, having served for nine years in that ca- pacity. He is a director in the Montclair Savings Bank, and a member of the execu- tive committee of the Love Memorial Library Association, but outside of these business connections his time has been mostly devoted to his chosen vocation.
In May, 1878, the Doctor married Miss Mary Yarrington Doremus, daughter of Philip Doremus, one of the most promi- nent citizens of Montclair. By this mar- riage there are three children, namely : Philip Doremus, Anne Yarrington and Lawrence Beckwith. In 1879 the Doctor erected a residence on Fullerton avenue, which was destroyed in 1885. Soon after- ward, however, he rebuilt on the same loca- tion. His office is in the lower story of his residence, and is adorned with a large collection of curios, in which he takes great pride and delight.
Socially he was one of the charter mem-
bers of the Montclair Club and one of the early members of the Athletic Club, and for several years a director in the Montclair Glee Club; also a member of the board of trustees of the Trinity Presbyterian church. A gentleman of intellectual endowments, of culture and high personal worth, he has gained distinction in professional circles and won the high esteem of all with whom he has been brought in contact.
LOUIS V. PFEIFFER.
Among the native citizens of Newark is Mr. Pfeiffer, whose name heads this review. He was born July 10, 1858, and is a son of Louis and Mary (Becker) Pfeiffer, natives of Germany. His father was educated in that land and learned the trade of a potter there. In accordance with the laws of the country he was connected with the army for some time, after which he came to America, in 1848. His first location was at Pine Brook, Essex county, but after a short resi- dence there he came to Newark, his home being in New street. He followed various occupations during the first years of his resi- dence here until his industry and economy enabled him to engage in the dairy business in Roseville. He purchased a tract of land of four acres on Warren street, lying be- tween Fifth, Sixth and Seventh streets, and made many excellent improvements there- on in order to facilitate his business. His efforts were there crowned with success, and he acquired a comfortable competence. He was born in 1819 and died February 26, 1873, while his wife, who was born in 1821. passed away August 20, 1893. She was a communicant of St. Peter's church, Roman Catholic, on Belmont avenue, and Mr. Pfeiffer belonged to the Episcopal church.
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They had seven children: Louisa, who was born in 1849 and died in 1865; John Leo, born July 5, 1851; Lena, wife of John J. Heller; Emma, wife of George E. Heller; Louis V .; Ida, wife of John Millward; and George.
The eldest son of the family, John Leo Pfeiffer, was born in Newark, was educated in the public schools, and at the age of fif- teen began learning the butcher's trade. He was energetic and persevering, and as the result of his well directed efforts was enabled to begin business on his own ac- count. In 1873 he established his present store at the corner of Warren street and Morris avenue, where he has since enjoyed a liberal patronage. He is a Republican in politics, and with his family holds a mem- bership in St. Joseph's church, Roman Catholic. He was married in Newark, No- vember 19, 1874, to Miss Catherine A. Ritt, a daughter of Patrick Ritt, and their chil- dren are John L., Clarence, Louis, who died at the age of four and a half years, and Al- bert, who also died in early life.
Louis V. Pfeiffer, whose name introduces this article, acquired his education in the public schools of his native city, and on lay- ing aside his text-books became his father's assistant in business. Upon his father's death he assumed the management of the same, and at the age of twenty-three years he began business on his own account in Orange street. His business career has been marked by integrity and honorable methods, and his efforts have been
crowned by a merited success. Louis Pfeiffer is a member of the Improved Order of Heptasophs. He was married in the Episcopal church in Newark, to Miss Flora Younger, and they have two children; Mad- eline and Margaret. They also lost one in
infancy. The parents are consistent Chris- tian people and have many warm friends in the community.
John Millward, brother-in-law of Mr. Pfeiffer, was born in New York city and was a son of John and Sarah (Devitt) Mill- ward, both of English descent. When about eight years of age he came with his parents to Newark, where he attended the public schools until he graduated in the grammar department. His education was then completed under the preceptorship of his father, who was a graduate of one of the colleges of England. Subsequently he en- gaged in the manufacture of art novelties, in which he was eminently successful. He was an ingenious and energetic worker in that line, and was the inventor of numerous novelties, being the first to place artificial porcelain Easter eggs on the market.
He was married August 25, 1883, to Ida M. Pfeiffer, and their union was blessed with five. children: Walter, who was born June 21, 1884, Elsie L., born February 1, 1886; Edith, who was born September 19, 1887, and died June 26, 1888; Roscoe, who was born November 26, 1888; and Ida Marian, born June 23, 1895. Mr. Millward attended the Episcopal church, and his family still worship there. He died April 18, 1897.
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JOHN SOMMER,
of Newark, was born July 13, 1829, in the district of the Rhine-Pfaltz, in the town of Wachenheim and stateof Bavaria, Germany. The town is noted for its production of the famous Rhine wines. Mr. Sommer is a lineal descendant of a celebrated Swedish "graf" or count, who was an eminent gen- eral in the army of Sweden about the year
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1700. The grandfather of our subject, George Sommer, was an experienced gar- dener; and the father, Oswald Sommer, learned the trade of locksmith and machin- ist. In his early manhood the latter wedded Mary Horn, who was a Hessian by birth, a descendant of the celebrated Swedish gen- eral, Horn, who took an active part during the wars of northern Europe, and an ac- count of whom can be found in German history. Oswald Sommer's children were: George, who was born in 1821, came to the United States in 1841 and spent the re- mainder of his life in Newark, where he en- gaged in the manufacture of locks; Henry, who also was a resident of Newark, served his adopted country as a captain in the Union army during the civil war; Philip is also a resident of Newark; Anna Maria became the wife of George Vogel, of Liv- ingston, New Jersey; Elizabeth is the wife of Henry Lingenfelzer, of Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania; Barbara is the wife of Rudolph Schaaf, of Newark; and Mrs. Fannie Zahn and Mrs. Mary Rheinhart, both of Newark, complete the family. Their father was called to the home beyond this life in 1862, passing away at the age of sixty-eight years. The faithful wife and mother died Septem- ber 17, 1883, at the age of eighty-five years. They were both sincere Christian people.
John Sommer, whose name heads this biographical record, was educated in the public schools of his native land, and from his father learned the trade of lock- smith and machinist. In 1848, during the revolution in Germany, the family emi- grated to America, landing at New York, July 7, and thence made their way to New- ark, where seven years previously the eldest son had located. Here our subject worked with his brother as a locksmith and general
machinist, and for ten years made his home in Newark. He then removed to Cleve- land, Ohio, where he followed the same pur- suit for eight years, returning then to his old home in this city, where in 1863 he em- barked in business for himself as a manu- facturer of faucets and wooden-wares of that class, his factory being located near the present site of the Newark & New York de- pot. He afterward removed to Pearl street, where he erected a large factory, and in 1890 purchased the block of ground be- tween Central and Dickinson and Morris avenues, and here erected his present spa- cious factory buildings. Here he is now extensively and successfully engaged in the manufacture of faucets and other special- ties. His. establishment is splendidly equipped for the conduct of this enterprise, employing about seventy-five men; and the excellent products which he turns out se- cure to him a liberal patronage.
On the 9th of January, 1854, Mr. Som- mer was united in marriage to Miss Eliza- beth Metzner, daughter of Michael and Barbara (Schwinn) Metzner, of the town of Wachenheim, Germany. Her father was a vineyard farmer in his native country, and he died at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1893, aged ninety years; his wife passed away twenty- three years before. Both parents are buried at Cleveland, Ohio. They had two daugh- ters, one being Mrs. Barbara Radway, who resides near Cleveland. To Mr. and Mrs. Sommer have been born the following children : Barbara, born January 10, 1855, is the wife of Henry Schwinn, a successful tailor, of Newark. Their two eldest sons, Carl and John, are with their father in busi- ness. John, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, January 13, 1857, and is engaged in business with his father, married Miss Ver-
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pillier and resides in Newark; Alfred, who was born June 15, 1862, married Bertha Warner and they have two children, Alfred and Bertha. Henry, who was born De- cember 19, 1864, married Miss Maria Wirtz, and their children are Margaret, Dorothy and Theodore; Louise, who is a twin sister of Henry, is at her parental home; Michael, who was born January 20, 1867, is associated with his father in busi- ness; Emil, who was born May 5, 1870, died at the age of six years.
Mr. Sommer is a Republican in his po- litical views, and by his ballot always gives expression to his party preferences. In his religion he shows his sympathies by attend- ing the Lutheran church. He is a genial, courteous gentleman who wins regard wherever he goes. His business career is indeed a commendable one. By ceaseless toil and endeavor he has attained a marked success in business affairs, has gained the respect and confidence of men, and is rec- ognized as one of the distinctively represen- tative citizens of Newark.
JOHN BAIER,
during a long residence in Essex county, has ever been numbered among the leading and representative citizens. He is a native of the fatherland, a country that has fur- nished a large and valued population to Newark, the city owing much of its prog- ress, advancement and prosperity to the sons of Germany. Mr. Baier was born in the ortschaft of Pliezhausen, oberamdt of Tübingen, in Wurtemberg, a son of John Baier, Sr., a successful baker and hotel- keeper of that village.
The subject of this review was educated
in the common schools and entered upon his business career as an apprentice to a brewer. When he had mastered the busi- ness he traveled for two years in the central German states, working as a journeyman, thus adding to his store of knowledge the experience which in after years proved so valuable. In 1850 he determined to seek a home in America. He had one brother and three sisters who also came to the United States. The brother, Jacob, crossed the Atlantic when a young man and spent the remainder of his life in Newark; Cath- erine married and removed to California; Anna married Mr. Spingler, of Newark; and Justina became the wife of Mr. Zille, of Newark. John Baier arrived in this coun- try on the 24th of December, 1850, land- ing at New York, and soon found work at his trade, as he was a very skillful brewer. The business at that time was only in its infancy in America, and as he was a skilled workman he was enabled to command good positions. He worked as a journey- man for about eight years, principally in Newark, and in 1859 embarked in business on his own account at No. 103 Springfield avenue, Newark. From the beginning the new enterprise proved a success, and his business increased to such an extent that in 1862 it became necessary to enlarge his facilities in order to meet the demands of his trade. In that year he removed to the corner of Morris and Springfield avenues, and in 1864 he made extensive improve- ments on his property there. At that time he was among the prominent brewers in the state of New Jersey. In addition to an ex- tensive trade in Newark and adjacent towns, he also had a patronage of consider- able magnitude in New York city and vi- cinity. In the year 1891 his entire estab-
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lishment was sold to an English syndicate, and Mr. Baier retired from business with a handsome competence that he had acquired entirely from his own efforts. His energy, industry, keen foresight and capable man- agement enabled him to so direct his af- fairs as to win a very comfortable fortune.
Mr. Baier was married May 22, 1845, to Miss Jacobina Neuschler, who was born July 26, 1822, in Germany, a daughter of John Martin Neuschler, and to them have been born the following named: Jacobina, who was born December 28, 1845, and be- came the wife of Joseph Neu, a contractor of Newark; Barbara, who was born August 26, 1846, and married William Hill, who for many years was associated in business with Mr. Baier and is now an extensive real-estate owner of Newark; Louis (2d), who was born October 15, 1860, and mar- ried a Miss Roberts, of Newark; John (Ist), who was born in 1859, and died in early life, and two children who died in infancy. The mother of this family was called to her final home March 8, 1894. She was a faithful member of the Lutheran church and was well known for her charitable deeds and her devotion to her home, her family and her friends.
Mr. Baier gives his political support to the Republican party, with which he has been identified since being an American citizen. He was for three years a member of the board of freeholders, and capably filled that office. He belongs to Diogenes Lodge, F. & A. M., of Newark. He has always been a practical and fair-minded business man, whose ventures have been characterized by good judgment and un- usual caution, and he enjoys the confidence and esteem of a large number of the leading business men of his adopted city.
WILLIAM P. CONDIT.
William P. Condit, a real-estate dealer of Orange, belongs to a prominent old fam- ily of Essex county. His father, Samuel Condit, was born in Orange, March 22, 1798, and was a son of Samuel and Hannah (Harrison) Condit. He made the occupa- tion of farming his life work and was also largely interested in stock-raising. A pro- gressive and enterprising citizen, he took an active interestin everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and was a lib- eral contributor to church and charitable work. He assisted in the organization of the Second Presbyterian church of Orange, and was one of its consistent members and active workers. He died October 27, 1864. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Phobe Peck, and was an only daughter, was born June 17, 1801, and died March 29, 1848. The parents of our subject had twelve children, of whom he is the fifth in order of birth.
William P. Condit, of this review, was educated in the public schools of his town- ship and remained in his parents' home un- til early manhood. He then learned wagon- building under the direction of Timothy W. Mullford, of Orange, but followed it only a short time, turning his attention to mer- chandizing. Shortly afterward, however, he engaged in the dairy business, which he conducted with good success for twelve years. He is now engaged in the real-estate and building business, and has been a prom- inent factor in the improvement and devel- opment of East Orange.
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