USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 2 > Part 46
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Mr. Condit is also a recognized leader in local political affairs in the Oranges. In 1873 and 1874 he served as a member of the township committee, discharging his duties
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with marked promptness and fidelity. He has at various times filled the office of sur- veyor of highways, and in 1866 was elected justice of the peace. He votes for the men and measures of the Republican party. In 1897 and 1898 he was appointed by the courts of Essex county a member of the commission to assess and condemn lands for the Essex County Park Association, and was alsoappointed on the commission to as- sess and condemn lands for the construc- tion of a railway line in Caldwell township. He has frequently served as a special com- missioner in laying out public lands, and at various times has been appointed by the court of Essex county to act as commis- sioner in the division of estates.
Mr. Condit is a member of Union Lodge, No. II, F. & A. M., of Orange; Union Chapter, No. 7, R. A. M., of Newark; and Kane Council, No. 2, R. & S. M., of New- ark. He was married in Newark, June 24, 1862, to Mrs. Emily A. Olds, widow of James Olds, and a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Hubbard) Mead. Four children have been born to them: Bertha C., who died at the age of three years; Emily; Mary M., a graduate of the East Orange high school; and Watson S., who was also a student in the East Orange high school, and is at present engaged in mercantile bus- iness.
TIMOTHY EUGENE HOLEY,
a member of the firm of Berg & Holey, dealers in coal and wood in Orange, was born in the city which is still his home, June 30, 1856, and is a son of Timothy S. and Margaret (Donegan) Holey. The latter was a daughter of Thomas Donegan, of Irish lineage. She was married twice, her
first union being with James Horrigan, by whom she had the following children: El- len, who became the wife of John Carley; Abbey; Jeremiah, who enlisted in the Union army and was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks, was honorably discharged and mus- tered out as a corporal: he served in Sick- les' brigade, under Captain Murphy, and died in 1868, from the effects of his wounds; Thomas, the fourth child, married Annie Danahy, and had four children, viz., James and May, twins, and David and Ella. The mother of these children died in 1875, and the father afterward married Minnie Con- way, by whom he had one daughter, Mar- garet.
Timothy S. Holey, the father of the sub- ject of this sketch, was born in the parish of Castlemartyr, in the county of Cork, Ire- land, about the year 1820, and educated there. On reaching early manhood he was apprenticed to the baker's trade, which he followed on the Emerald Isle until twenty- eight years of age, when he decided to make his home in the United States. His prep- aration completed for the voyage, he sailed to New York, where he remained for a short time and then came to Orange, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away on the 26th of April, 1892. He was a good and worthy citizen, an energetic, persevering and economical man, and was much attached to his family and devoted to their interests and happiness.
His wife departed this life November 8, 1890, at the age of seventy-two years. Both the parents were consistent members of the Catholic church, and the children are all communicants therein. In the family were five children, namely: George, who learned the hatter's trade and has followed that oc- cupation for a number of years, was mar-
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ried in Philadelphia, but now resides in New York city; Mary resides with her brother Timothy E .; John A .; Timothy Eugene and Margaret are the younger members of the family.
Mr. Holey, our subject, acquired his early education in St. John's parochial school and completed it in the public schools of West Orange. He remained at his parental home until seventeen years of age, at which time he started out in life on his own account, as an employe of the Del- aware, Lackawanna & Western Express Company. He mastered the duties of that position and served that company for four- teen years, as one of its most capable and trusted employes. In 1889 he entered into partnership with Frederick Berg, Sr., and began a profitable business in the coal and wood trade. Their operations are now ex- tensive and their business is constantly in- creasing.
Mr. Holey is identified with a number of fraternal organizations of the Catholic faith, including St. Patrick's Alliance, of Orange. He also belongs to Union Lodge, No. II, F. & A. M., and in his political be- lief is a stanch Democrat of the Jeffersonian type.
THOMAS HARROP, SR.,
a member of the firm of Harrop, Gist & Company, hat manufacturers of Orange, may properly claim recognition among those who by their individual efforts have won favor and fortune. In this enlightened age it is the men of industry, energy and merit who are rapidly pushing their way to the front, and it is these qualities which have gained Mr. Harrop prestige in manufactur- ing circles.
He was born in Newark, New Jersey, on
the 12th of September, 1832, and is a son of William and Margaret (Williams) Harrop, the latter a daughter of Alexander Will- iams, of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. The father of our subject was a native of England and in that country learned the hatter's trade, which he followed both be- fore and after coming to America. He car- ried on business in that line for a number of years in Newark. His death occurred in 1852, but his faithful wife survived him un- til 1883. They had seven children : Thomas; William; Alexander; John, who died in early life; Jane; John, the second of the name, who also died in early life; and Charles.
Mr. Harrop, of this review, acquired his education in the public schools of Orange, and when in his 'teens started out in life for himself by learning the hatter's trade. He followed that pursuit in the employ of others until 1872, when he formed a part- nership with Robert Gist and began opera- tions on his own account under the firm name of Harrop & Company. Later Robert Gist, Jr., was admitted to a partnership in the business, and the style was changed to Harrop, Gist & Company. The business was established on Essex avenue in Orange, but in 1884 was removed to their present commodious and substantial quarters on Thomas street. The plant is very extensive and is equipped with the latest machinery and every accessory for turning out the most perfect work in the shortest time. The firm have met with more than an ordinary degree of success. Their sales are large and profitable, yet their prices are reasonable. They have won the public confidence by their upright dealing and have established for the house a reputation which is indeed enviable.
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In May, 1888, Mr. Harrop was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Wilcox, and they have two children-Alexander and Grace. They attend the Baptist church, of which Mr. Harrop is a member. His politi- cal support is given the Democracy, but he has neither time nor inclination for public office, preferring to give his attention to his business, in which he is meeting with good success.
JOHN REILLY,
in his life work, has exemplified the phrase the "dignity of labor." Honorable pur- pose, indefatigable effort and successful ac- complishment have enabled him to com- mand the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been brought in contact, and though he entered upon his business career in the humble capacity of errand boy he is now at the head of one of the exten- sive manufacturing industries of Newark, which not only contributes to his individual prosperity but also adds to the general wel- fare by furnishing employment to a large force of operatives.
A native of the Emerald Isle, Mr. Reilly was born in county Meath, in 1834, and is a son of Brian and Rose (Daley) Reilly, both of whom were also natives of the same county. His grandfather, who also bore the name of Brian Reilly, was engaged in the preparation of flax for the looms as a life-work. With the spirit of liberty strong within him, he took part in the Fenian movement in his native land and with a number of his comrades was transported to Van Dieman's Land, where he died.
Brian Reilly, the father of our subject, ac- quired a common-school education and un- der his father's direction learned the trade
of preparing flax. In 1837 he bade adieu to home and friends, crossed the Atlantic to America, and took up his residence in Newark, where for some years he followed various employments, scorning not the work that would yield him an honest living. By his frugality and the improvement of his opportunities he won financial advance- ment and his success determined him to make America his permanent home. Ac- cordingly, in 1844, he sent for his family to join him, and his wife, accompanied by their three children, took passage on the vessel Perseverance, which sailed from the port of Dublin, and after a voyage of sixty- seven days brought them safely to New York city, where they were gladly wel- comed by the husband and father. They established a home in Newark, where the parents spent their remaining days, the father reaching the age of fourscore years, while the mother passed away at the ad- vanced age of ninety. They were Roman Catholics in religious belief. Their family numbered the following named: Cather- ine, wife of Owen Smith, of Newark, by whom she has four daughters, all now mar- ried; Mary, wife of Patrick Tigh, by whom she has three sons and two daughters; and John, of this review.
The last named was educated in the first parochial school of Newark, the same be- ing conducted by Father Moran, in con- nection with St. John's Catholic church on Mulberry street. When his school days were ended he secured a situation as office boy, and later was employed by C. H. and J. D. Harrison and James Duncan, who were associated in business in Newark. While with them Mr. Reilly gained a prac- tical knowledge of the methods and proc- esses of making leather, and for several
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JOHN REILLY.
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years he was employed in a similar estab- lishment owned by David Crockett. He worked as a journeyman for Richard Ward for several years and then went to Bloom- field, where he became superintendent of the works of the Newark Patent Leather Company, and on severing his connection with that firm he accepted the superin- tendency of the works of F. W. Dawson & Company on Ferry street, where he re- mained until 1865. He then formed a part- nership with Frank McCormick, under the firm name of McCormick & Reilly, for the manufacture; but the connection was only of short duration and was dissolved by mutual consent. Mr. Reilly then began business alone at his present location, carrying on operations on a small scale with the aid of two apprentices. He stead- ily worked up a good business, however, and from time to time was obliged to in- crease his facilities and the number of workmen. His plant now covers an entire block, and employment is furnished to seventy-five men. Such is the success which Mr. Reilly has achieved entirely through his own efforts. He has advanced from a humble position to a leading place among the manufacturers of the city, and is cer- tainly deserving of great credit therefor.
Mr. Reilly is also a progressive and pub- lic-spirited citizen, and withholds his co- operation and support from no enterprise that is calculated to benefit the community or promote the general welfare. He is also charitable and benevolent and contributes liberally to benevolent and church work. In his political affiliations he is an ardent Democrat, and has been honored with local office, to which he has been called by the vote of the people. In 1880 he was elected a member of the board of freeholders and
served one term with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents.
In St. James church, Roman Catholic, Father Callen, in 1856, solemnized the marriage which united the destinies of Mr. Reilly and Miss Mary A. Cogan, a daughter of Peter and Bridget (McAnany) Cogan, both of whom were of Irish descent. Both Mr. and Mrs. Reilly are communicants of the St. Columbus church, Catholic, of New- ark, and have reared their children in that faith. Their union has been blessed with the following children, viz .: B. J., who married Mary A. Hickey; Elizabeth, who died at the age of two years; Rose A., who died in 1883; Mamie, who died when about two years of age; Elizabeth R., wife of Theodore S. Miller, of Newark, by whom she has four children,-Ann Elizabeth, Rose Mary, Theodore E. and Brian S.
JOHN FRANCIS PASCOE,
a progressive and enterprising business man of Orange, and proprietor of the Or- ange Steam Laundry, located at Nos. 18 and 20 North Center street, was born at West Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and is a son of John and Hannah Pascoe, the lat- ter of whom was a daughter of Daniel and Mary Calahan.
John Pascoe, the father of our subject, was born in the town of Helston, Cornwall, England, and by occupation was a practical miner, following that vocation during his lifetime. He came to America when he was sixteen years of age, in 1863, and after land- ing at New York he made his way to Lake Superior and there found employment in the mines, continuing in the same for some time and then returned east, settling at West Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Here he
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soon became engaged in his vocation, and, being of an energetic and ambitious dispo- sition, he shortly after secured the position of foreman in an iron mine and quickly es- tablished himself as a practical miner, since which time he has been more or less identi- fied in managing and operating mines in Massachusetts and New York. At present he resides at Highland Falls, Orange county, New York, where he is highly re- spected as a man of integrity and ability and a worthy citizen. To Mr. and Mrs. Pascoe were born thirteen children, as follows: George, who married Miss Ida Clark, and with his wife and one child, Delaphine, re- sides at Hopewell Junction, Dutchess county, New York; John Francis, our sub- ject, Alfred, Annie, Frank, Henry, Thomas, Alice, Robert and four others who died in infancy.
John Francis Pascoe acquired his men- tal discipline in the district schools of his native city and remained at his parental home until fifteen years old, when he started out in life on his own responsibility, his first position being a clerkship in a mer- cantile establishment at Fort Montgomery, Orange county, New York. In 1886 Mr. Pascoe came to Newfoundland, New Jer- sey, and there filled a similar position until 1892, when he engaged in business on his own account at Avondale, Essex county, continuing in the mercantile line, and there he met with large financial losses from fire, his stock being but partially insured. Un- daunted, however, by the adversity that had overtaken him, which only brought into requisition that indomitable pluck and per- severance which have ever marked his ca- reer, Mr. Pascoe made another start, this time his venture being the purchase of the Orange Steam Laundry from Dean & Per-
rine, and in this enterprise he has reaped more than ordinary success, which is ever the logical result of true merit and intelli- gently applied industry. Only the most competent and skillful operatives are em- ployed in the establishment of Mr. Pascoe, and in consequence of this fact he receives the patronage of many of the best families of the Oranges. The plant is thoroughly equipped with all the latest and highly im- proved appliances and machinery and has a capacity of three thousand pieces a day.
Mr. Pascoe may safely be quoted as be- ing a self-made man in the strongest sense of the term, the success he has achieved being the outcome of his individual indus- try, perseverance and the employment of honest business methods. He has many friends in the Oranges, who hold for him- the warmest regard.
TIMOTHY CRUDEN,
deceased, was one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of East Orange. He was born in county Cork, Ireland, in the year 1829, and acquired a limited education in the district schools of his native land, where he remained until about twenty years of age. Hearing of the advantages af- forded young men in America and the pos- sibilities for advancement, he resolved totry his fortune this side the Atlantic and made preparation for the voyage. Bidding adieu to home and friends, he sailed for New York, where he landed in 1849.
He was energetic, ambitious and willing to work, and soon found employment in Brooklyn, where he engaged as a stone ma- son, having learned that trade in the old country. This occupation he followed for about eight years, after which he removed
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to East Orange, and again carried on busi- ness as a stone mason for à number of years. On the expiration of that period he abandoned that vocation and began deal- ing in milk. In the new enterprise he was very successful and continued operations in that line until 1886. He had a liberal pat- ronage, and in consequence gained a good income. As his financial resources in- creased, he invested in realty from time to time and became the owner of some valu- able property. His judicious investments, the rise in land and his careful management of his business affairs brought to him a cap- ital which enabled him to leave his family in very comfortable circumstances. He be- came widely and favorably known through- out this locality and his name was a syn- onym for honorable business dealing. In the early part of his business career he was frugal, industrious, economical and perse- vering, and this enabled him to gain a start which made the latter part of his life much easier, on account of the comforts which he was enabled to secure as the result of his former toil.
Mr. Cruden was united in marriage in 1849 to Miss Elizabeth O'Leary, a daugh- ter of Patrick and Margaret O'Leary, who proved to him a faithful helpmeet and com- panion on life's journey, her labors in the home ably supplementing those of her hus- band in the more active walks of life. They became the parents of seven children: Jere- miah, who died in early life; William, John, Margaret, Elizabeth and Patrick, all of whom died in childhood; and Dennis J., the only surviving member of the family. The mother of this family died January 13, 1890, at the age of sixty-seven years, and Mr. Cru- den passed away October 1I, 1895. They were both earnest members of the Roman
Catholic church of East Orange, and were people of the highest respectability.
Dennis J. Cruden, their only surviving child, acquired a good education in the schools of East Orange, and on reaching early manhood became his father's assist- ant in business. He soon made himself master of all the details in connection there- with, and his services are very efficient and valuable. In 1891 he entered the employ of the Newark Passenger Railway Company as night dispatcher, and filled that position until November, 1896, when he resigned to take charge of his father's estate and has since given his attention to the supervision of his property interests.
On the 7th of January, 1884, was cele- brated the marriage of Dennis J. Cruden and Miss Margaret Dolan, a daughter of Lawrence and Nora (Neering) Dolan, of Ireland. Mr. and Mrs. Cruden became the parents of the following children : Timothy, who is a student in St. Benedict's College, in Newark; Dennis; William, who died in early childhood; Lillie, who died at the age of five years; and Florence. Mr. Cruden is a member in good standing of the Knights of Columbus, and he and his family are communicants in the Roman Catholic church in East Orange.
ADOLPH HENSLER,
deceased, was born in the ortschaft of Gut- enstein, in the oberamdt Moeskirch, Ba- den, Germany, and was a son of Bona- fatz and Theresa (Knittel) Hensler. He ac- quired his education in the schools of his native town, and after coming to America pursued a course of study in the night school of Newark, under the instruction of ex-Mayor Hahne. He then learned the har-
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ness-maker's trade, which he followed for a number of years, with good success. He was industrious and energetic and was ever straightforward and honorable in all busi- ness transactions.
Mr. Hensler was also an important factor in the improvement of the locality with which he was connected. He built and owned the well known Harburger's hall at No. 80 Hamburg Place, and took an active interest in all measures calculated to ad- vance the general welfare. He was gener- ous and charitable, and contributed liber- ally to many benevolences. In politics he was an ardent Democrat, warmly attached to the principles of his party, and on its ticket he was elected to the position of school commissioner, in which capacity he served to the entire satisfaction of his con- stituents.
Mr. Hensler was married in Newark, in St. Peter's church, Roman Catholic, No- vember 10, 1864, and has had seven chil- dren, five of whom died in early life. The surviving members of the family are: Rob- ert, who was born January 2, 1867, and married Amelia Vegelius, a daughter of George and Caroline Vegelius; and Eliza- beth, who was born January 3, 1870, and is the wife of Robert F. Schuller, by whom she has one daughter, Helen Gertrude. The family are of the Roman Catholic faith, and are well known people of the community. By Mr. Hensler's death the community lost one of its most valued and worthy citizens.
ZEBULON MORRIS KEEN
is a representative of one of the old fam- ilies of Essex county and a son of John and Penninnah (Sandford) Keen. His great- grandfather, a native of England, founded
the family in America, and his son, the grandfather, was Joseph Lake Keen, a na- tive of Essex county. John Morris Keen was born in Essex county, December 25, 1797, and died July 22, 1871. His wife, who passed away in 1885, was a descendant of Captain William Sandford, who came here from the isle of Barbadoes. Mr. and Mrs. Keen were the parents of eight chil- dren, all of whom have departed this life excepting the subject of this sketch.
Mr. Keen, whose name begins this re- view, was born September 13, 1828, and spent his boyhood on the home farm. He was educated in the common schools and learned the brick-mason's trade, which he followed for a period of ten years. He then turned his attention to farming and finally embarked in the dairy business, which he still carries on. He has twenty- five head of milch cows, a well equipped dairy, and delivers milk in the eighth ward of Newark, his younger son managing this department of the business.
On the 26th of October, 1863, Mr. Keen married Miss Hannah M. Garrabrant, a daughter of Peter P. Garrabrant, a men- ber of an old and distinguished family of Holland descent that was early established in New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Keen became the parents of two sons. John M., who was born August 28, 1866, and was educated in Newark, being graduated in the high school, is now in the employ of the New York Life Insurance Company. Horton C., who was born June 28, 1868, and was also educated in the public schools of this city, is now engaged in business with his father. The mother was called to her final rest, July 25, 1896. She was a consistent member of the Second Presbyterian church, charitable and kind, and was highly es-
Zebulon Morris Keen.
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teemed by many friends. Mr. Keen also in his youth joined the Second Presbyterian church. He is a Republican in politics, but has never been an aspirant for official hon- ors. He is a modest and unassuming man, honorable in business, straightforward in all the walks of life, and wears his three- score and ten years lightly. It is probable that he will yet be spared for many more years of usefulness.
THOMAS H. CULLEN,
manager of the store of the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, at No. 285 Main street, Orange, and a man whose business ability has won continued advancement in positions of responsibility, was born in East Newark, now Harrison, in Hudson county, on the 28th of November, 1857. He is a son of Michael and Mary (Coleman) Cullen. The father was a native of the city of Dub- lin, Ireland, where he spent the days of his boyhood and youth and learned the trade of tanner. He worked as a journeyman for a number of years before coming to Amer- ica, and then crossed the Atlantic to the New World, taking up his residence in Newark, where he engaged in the tanning business for a number of years. He then turned his attention to the grocery trade, which he followed up to the time of his death. He was twice married and the sur- viving children of the first union are Pat- rick and Michael. The former enlisted in the Union army as a drummer boy when fourteen years of age, and when his term had expired, re-enlisted, serving through- out the whole campaign and participating in many of the principal engagements of the struggle. He married Alice Barry, of Newark, and now resides in Bridge-
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