USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 2 > Part 48
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Andrew J. Van Ness.
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for the purchase of books and various equipments, and the Hilton library may properly be regarded as a monument to his public-spirited interest in the welfare of the community.
JOHN C. AHRENS.
Enterprise and industry, if carefully di- rected by sound judgment, never fail to win success; and these elements in the character of Mr. Ahrens have made him one of the prosperous contractors and builders of Newark, his native city. He was born March 20, 1857, and is a son of Frederick and Anna (Dammann) Ahrens, both of whom were natives of Germany. His ma- ternal grandparents were John Christian and Anna M. (Mangels) Dammann, and his mother was born in the ortschaft of Beder- kase, near the city of Bremen, Germany, July 18, 1826. At the age of eighteen she came to the United States and took up her residence in the home of relatives in New York city. Frederick Ahrens, the father of our subject, was born September 1, 1824, also in Bederkase, and acquired his educa- tion in the common schools. In 1836 he came to America and taking up his resi- dence in New York he secured a situation in a baking establishment. He afteward en- gaged in the general grocery business until 1856, when he came to Newark and for a time was identified with the manufacturing interests of the city. He was also recog- nized as a leader in local political affairs, and was elected to the board of freeholders, a position which he filled with absolute fidelity and satisfaction to his constituents. Subsequently he gave his attention to con- tracting and building, in which he met with marked success. He was a just and con-
scientious man in all his transactions in life, and by his perseverance and well di- rected efforts acquired a competence which supplied himand his family with all the nec- essaries and many of the luxuries of life. In politics he was an ardent Republican, and in religious belief he was a consistent Lutheran. He died July 14, 1889. In New York city, on the 18th of August, 1847, he was married to Anna Dammann, and they became the parents of five children, as fol- lows: Maria, born February 26, 1849, is the wife of Isaac Ward, of Newark, and has one son, Frederick; John C. is the second of the family; Bertha, born July 19, 1860, is the wife of William Dresler, of Newark, and has two sons, William and Edward; William, born February 22, 1867, married Katie Hose, and has one daughter, Elsie; Kather- ine, born May II, 1869, is the wife of Ed- ward Berger, and has one daughter, Elsie Anna.
John C. Ahrens spent his childhood quiet- ly at his parents' home until attaining his majority, and in his youth was a student in the public schools, after which he worked at the carpenter's trade and thoroughly mas- tered the business. His efficiency in this line enabled him to begin contracting on his own account in 1888, and he has been re- warded with a liberal share of the public patronage. His work is always well done and therefore gives general satisfaction, and his reputation in business circles is above question.
Mr. Ahrens was married in Newark, Sep- tember 1, 1881, to Miss Elizabeth Ost, who was born February II, 1857, and is a daughter of Louis and Catherine (Schroe- der) Ost. Their home is blessed by the pres- ence of three children: Lillie, who was born September 22, 1881, and is a student in the
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high school of Newark; John F., born No- vember 17, 1884; and Frederick H., born January 17, 1887. The parents are both members of the Presbyterian church, and their large circle of friends indicates the es- teem in which they are universally held. In politics Mr. Ahrens is a Republican, but is not an aspirant for office, preferring to de- vote his energies to his business interests in which he is meeting with signal success.
CHARLES G. WOLFF,
a grocer of Newark, was born in the town of Enders, Delaware county, New York, on the 7th of November, 1858, and is a son of Julius and Naphalia (Grosch) Wolff, both of whom were natives of Germany. They were reared and married in their native land and came to America, landing in New York. Mr. Wolff had learned the baker's trade in his native land, but not being suc- cessful in obtaining employment in that line in the city he finally located in Enders, Del- aware county, where he turned his attention to farming. He has since been steadily en- gaged in that occupation and now resides in Morris county, where he is regarded as one of the worthy and valued citizens of the community by all with whom he comes in contact. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wolff are consistent Christian people, possessing many excellencies of character.
Their family numbers seven children, as follows: Mary, wife of Abram Beam, a resi- dent of Orange; Charles G., of this review; Nettie, wife of Samuel S. D. Atkins, of Montclair, Essex county, by whom she has one son, Charles G .; Julius L., who married Grace Brown and makes his home in East Orange; William D., of Newark, who mar- ried Emma Conklin, by whom he has a
daughter, Charlotte, and is engaged in the hardware, steam-fitting and plumbing busi- ness; Jennie H., wife of William Terhune, of Orange, by whom she had two children, William and Nathalie; and Elmer H., who married Beulah Nickerson and conducts the homestead farm in Hanover for his father.
Charles G. Wolff attended the common schools in his native county and remained at his parental home until twenty-six years of age, assisting in the cultivation and im- provement of the farm. He then started out for himself as a wholesale dealer in milk at No. 550 Orange street in Newark, and soon built up a good trade. He successfully car- ried on that enterprise until the Ist of Oc- tober, 1888, when he purchased a tract of ground at the corner of Orange and Gray streets, upon which he erected his present commodious and substantial store building and warehouse. He also erected store rooms at Nos. 548, 550 and 552 Orange street, and occupies the last with a large and carefully selected grocery stock. The ex- cellent line of goods which he carries, his moderate prices, his promptness and his straightforward dealing have all combined to make him one of the prosperous grocery merchants in this section of the state.
Mr. Wolff was married in New York city, February 16, 1891, the lady of his choice being Miss Catherine Locherty, a daughter of William C. and Sarah Ann (Yearsley) Locherty. To this union have been born two children: Charles G., born October 9, 1893; and Lillian Sarah, born October 30, 1895. The parents are both faithful mem- bers in the interest of Christianity, Mr. Wolff being a member of the Presbyterian church, his wife of the Baptist church. He also belongs to Kane Lodge, No. 55, F. &
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A. M., of Newark, and conducts his life in harmony with the benevolent principles of that order. The world would style him a self-made man, and he certainly deserves all the credit which that term implies, for he has depended solely on his own efforts and has won prosperity by industry long con- tinued, and by honorable business methods which may well serve as an example to others.
AUGUST STEDENFELD.
The history of a self-made man is always of interest, for it contains an account of victory-a triumph over obstacles and dif- ficulties and continued progress in the field of activity which ultimately yields a good harvest. Mr. Stedenfeld is a type of that class of citizens. He was born November 15, 1849, in Saxe-Weimar, Plankemheim, Saxony, Germany, and is a son of Gustav and Amelia (Letz) Stedenfeld. The mem- bers of the Stedenfeld family in Germany followed the locksmith's trade. The father of our subject was a son of Melchor and Fredrica (Marden) Stedenfeld, of Saxony, and in the land of his nativity learned the locksmith's trade. In 1852 he crossed the ocean to the New World, landing at New York on the Ist of May, and in 1860 he embarked in business for himself in New- ark, where he carried on operations for many years. In 1869 he removed to No. 25 Springfield avenue and in the line of his trade has done a good business there.
He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Ger- mania Lodge, No. 121, of Newark. He also has a membership connection with Schiller Lodge, No. 1468, Knights of Hon- or; Amelia Lodge, No. 428, Knights and
Ladies of Honor; and the Improved Order of Red Men. In politics he is independent. He was married in February, 1852, to Miss Amelia Letz, a daughter of Henry and Caroline (Schiller) Letz.
There were ten children of this marriage: August, of this review; Albert, who died at the age of nine years; Charles, who died in 1894, at the age of thirty-eight years; Louis, who died at the age of three and a half years; Leonora, who died at the age of four years; Bertha, who departed this life in 1868; Caroline, wife of Adolph Bauer, of Newark; Gustav, who resides in Newark; Frederick, who makes his home in the same city; and Henry, who died in Newark, at the age of twenty-five years. The mother of this family was called to her final rest January 1, 1887, and on the 26th of May, 1889, the father married Louise Frey, daughter of George Frey, by whom he has one son, Julius. They belong to the Ger- man Protestant church and are people of the highest respectability. The life record of the father also embraces a period of mili- tary service, he having for two years par- ticipated in the campaign between Den- mark and the German confederate states.
August Stedenfeld of this review was a youth of fifteen years when he emigrated to America and joined his father in business in Newark. In 1870 he embarked in busi- ness on his own account, engaging in gen- eral blacksmithing and wagon-making. He was first located at Nos. 257 and 259 South Orange avenue, whence he removed to his present location at 210 Camden street, in 1894. He purchased a lot thirty-one by one hundred and thirty-five feet, with an L shape in the rear, thirty-five by twenty-five feet. Upon this he erected a three-story structure, splendidly equipped for the con-
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duct of his business, and his extensive trade enables him to furnish employment to from twelve to twenty workmen. He formerly had warerooms at No. 60 Market street, also in New York city for several years. His trade has grown to large proportions and the wagons and carriages which he manufactures find a ready sale on the mar- ket, owing to their excellent workmanship, durability and pleasing appearance. He thoroughly understands his business, is himself an expert workman and is there- fore capable of directing the efforts of his employes to the best advantage.
In 1870 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Stedenfeld and Miss Mary Quigley, . daughter of Daniel Quigley, a native of Ire- land. Three children have been born to them: Daniel, who was born July 6, 1871, and is in business with his father, married Lena Rensler, and they have three chil- dren-Anna, Almeda and Daniel; August married Carrie Adie and has a son bearing the same name; and William died in early life. The mother, who was a member of the Free Methodist church, died in 1887, and Mr. Stedenfeld was again married, being united to Miss Almeda Green, a daughter of Daniel and Deborah (Brown) Green. They have one son, William, who is em- ployed in his father's shop.
Our subject and his wife hold a member- ship in the Free Methodist church, and their upright lives exemplify their Christian faith. Mr. Stedenfeld was formerly a Republican in politics, and now votes with the Democ- racy. He is a self-made man, and having been the architect of his own fortunes has builded wisely and well. His sterling worth commends him to the confidence and good will of all, and he stands high in the public regard.
DAVID SMITH CROWELL.
The name borne by the subject of this sketch figures among the oldest of the founders not only of Essex county but also throughout the state of New Jersey, with which the members have been identified for several generations past, a number of whom took an active part in the Revolutionary struggle for independence. Of the second generation of their ancestry in New Jersey was Samuel Crowell (said to be the son of Edward Crowell or Cromwell, born in 1680) born 1711, who settled upon land that he purchased about 1728 in South Orange, New Jersey, part of which property is now held by one branch of the family.
Samuel's eldest son, Joseph, was the father of John, the great-grandfather of David S. John Crowell was born in Essex county, November 16, 1762. His son, Jo- seph Freeman Crowell, was a native of Caldwell, Essex county, and there married Rosalinda Grover, daughter of Rev. Ste- phen Grover.
Their son, Stephen Grover, was the father of our subject, and was a man of upright character, very agreeable presence and courteous manner, possessing a broad intelligence and excellent ability, and very liberal in thought and action. He was born in Caldwell, and later became a prominent business man of Newark, to which city he subsequently moved and engaged in mer- cantile pursuits, commencing his business relations with the firm of Heath & Crowell. He died in Newark on the 20th of May, 1854, at the untimely age of thirty-seven years, and at that time was a director of the American Insurance Company. He married Miss Sarah W. Smith, a daughter of David Smith, who removed from Provi-
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ESTrol
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dence, Rhode Island, and settled in Newark about 1818, and was a well known merchant here, conducting a large business enterprise in the line of dry and straw goods and coach trimmings, under the name of D. Smith & Son. He was a wide reader and a close stu- dent and had a varied range of knowledge, making him an agreeable and interesting companion among his social acquaintances. He was of the old school in etiquette and manners, his business ability was exception- al and made him one of the most successful and prominent men of his day in this city. He was a director in several financial insti- tutions and was a man much respected by all who knew him. Stephen Grover Crowell established his residence at No. 16 Cedar street, where his aged widow still survives, and here David S. was born, on the 10th of April, 1847.
Mr. Crowell left four sons: Joseph Grover, the founder of the firm of Crowell & Coe, iron and steel merchants and im- porters; David Smith; Stephen Grover, also a member of the house of Crowell & Coe; and Henry Morris, who is connected with the Mutual Life Insurance Company of. New York.
David S. Crowell began his business career very early in life, becoming in 1861 connected with the American Insurance Company, which association has continued to the present time. After thirteen years of faithful service, during which time he advanced along the various grades of pro- motion, he was, in 1874, appointed assistant treasurer of the company, and in 1883 ad- vanced to the responsible duties of treas- urer. In every position he has proved him- self able, conscientious and satisfactory, gaining the confidence and respect of his business associates. Various changes have
been made in the company during the many years of his service and Mr. Crowell is the only one remaining of those who were con- nected with it at the time he first entered its employ. This experience has given him a comprehensive knowledge of the business, and he has always been regarded as a com- petent officer, possessing the highest integ- rity and good judgment, and these admir- able qualities have gained for him the es- teem and warm regard of his fellow citizens.
In 1888 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Crowell to Miss Sarah E. Stewart, daughter of David Stewart, of Walden, New York, and their winters are spent in the old homestead, the scene of his birth, where they extend a cordial hospitality to their numerous friends. Mr. Crowell is a consistent adherent of the First Presbyte- rian church.
JACOB KRATT,
proprietor of a grocery and meat market at No. 276 Main street, Orange, is a pro- gressive business man whose well merited success is the result of his own labors. He was born in Prossingen, in the county of Tuellingen, Wurtemberg, Germany, Sep- tember 23, 1854. His parents were Michael and Anna (Vosseler) Kratt. The grand- father, who also bore the name of Michael, had six sons, named as follows: Johannis, who married and lived in Wurtemberg, Germany; Michael; Paul, who came to America and made his home here until his death, which occurred about 1886, leaving two children, Mathew and Eva; Christian, who married and reared a family in Wurt- emberg, where he spent his entire life; Mathew, who learned the tanner's trade, and after coming to America enlisted in the
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Union army, serving until the expiration of his term, when he was honorably discharged and returned to New York city, where he resided until 1875, since which time no news has been received from him; and Elias, who came to America and located in Cana- da, where he reared a family.
Michael Kratt, the father of our subject, acquired his early education in the district schools of his native town, after which he attended a veterinary college in Stuttgart, Wurtemberg, in which institution he was graduated. He followed that profession through his life and died about 1877, while his wife passed away in 1864, at the age of thirty-five. They had the following named children: Rosa, who is now the wife of Henry Kreiger, of Orange, and they have seven children; Michael, who came to America in 1868, married Mary Birk and has six children; Brigitta is the wife of Otto Kazenmayer of Orange, and has one son, Henry; and Jacob, the subject proper of the following paragraphs.
Jacob Kratt, the fourth of the family, ac- quired his education in the schools of his native land and in his early 'teens began learning the butcher's trade, serving a full apprenticeship. He then worked as a jour- neyman in the fatherland for a short time, but believing that better opportunities for ambitious young men were afforded in the New World he came to the United States. He bade adieu to friends and family Janu- ary 29, 1873, and on the 14th of February, following, landed in New York, where he secured work at his trade. The following year he came to Orange and entered the employ of Eigner and Hendel, working for that firm for three years, and in 1878 he be- gan business on his own account. For nine- teen years he has remained at his present
location and has built up an excellent trade by reason of his honorable business meth- ods, his courteous treatment and his earnest desire to please his patrons.
One of the strongest German character- istics is certainly the love for and apprecia- tion of music, and this Mr. Kratt shares in a great degree. He does all in his power to promote a taste for the art in the commu- nity where he resides and is a member of the Maennerchor. He also belongs to the Be- nevolent Protective Order of Elks in Orange, and is popular among both busi- ness and social acquaintances.
Mr. Kratt was married in Orange, May 12, 1880, to Francis Kopp, and their union has been blessed with three children: Emma Francis, who is now a student in the high school of Orange; Laura and Walter J. The family attend Grace church, Methodist Episcopal, in Orange.
JOHN P. DETTIG.
Pre-eminence in any calling is the result of individual merit. It comes not in conse- quence of exceptional powers not possessed by the majority of mankind, but by the use of those abilities which are common to us all, the result being determined by the de- gree to which these powers are exercised. The fact that Mr. Dettig is recognized as the leading merchant of Nutley is due to closer application, more careful oversight and to greater energy than are displayed by many others, and therefore his success is the just reward of his labors.
Mr. Dettig was born in Speertown, New Jersey, and is a son of Frederick and Eliza- beth (Wolf) Dettig. His parents were na- tives of Saxony, Germany, and immediate- ly after their marriage came to America, in
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1851, accompanied by his father, George Dettig. They located in Speertown, Essex county, and securing a farm Frederick Dettig carried on agricultural pursuits. The grandfather was a young man at the time of the French revolution, during which he was captured by the French and almost lost his life through exposure to cold. He spent his last years in the home of his son. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Dettig reared a large number of children, namely: George, Bertha, Henry, Mary, Albert, Elizabeth, Carrie, John, William, Frederick, Amelia and Edward.
Reared at his parental home, John P. Det- tig acquired his education in the school of Montclair, and on laying aside his text- books secured a position as watchman. He was afterward employed as fireman for a short time and then entered a retail grocery store in Nutley. Subsequently he spent three and a half years as a clerk in a grocery store in Montclair, and next entered the employ of J. H. Muchmore & Sons, with whom he remained until 1891, when he came to Nutley and engaged in business on his own account as a member of the firm of Dettig & Vreeland. That partnership was continued until 1893, when our subject formed a partnership with his brother, W. F. Dettig. They carry a large and com- plete line of staple and fancy groceries, and also deal in hay and grain. Their grocery is the most extensive establishment in that line in the town and their trade has reached such large and gratifying proportions that four wagons are used in the delivery of their orders. The brothers are thoroughgoing business men, enterprising, energetic and sagacious, and their capable management has brought to them a very desirable suc- cess.
On the 28th of November, 1889, Mr. John P. Dettig married Miss Barbara Rein- hardt, a native of Livingston township, and a daughter of George and Catherine Rein- hardt. They have two children-Rodger G. and Percy. The junior member of the firm was married June 23, 1894, to Miss Frances Brooks, a native of Verona, and they have two children-Sarah Elizabeth and Olga.
In his political views John P. Dettig is a stanch Republican, takes an active part in public affairs and is now serving as town committeeman. Socially he is a member of Nutley Lodge of the Royal Arcanum, and of the Knights of Pythias fraternity of Nutley. He and his brother are not only leading business men of the town, but are also regarded as important factors in the public life of the city and lend an active in- fluence to every measure for the public good.
ALVIN CASE.
One of the influential and prominent citi- zens of Belleville, Mr. Case is now serving as justice of the peace and is a recognized leader in the ranks of the Democratic party in this locality. He was born in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, on the 3Ist of March, 1866, and is a representative of one of the old families of that state. His grandfather, James Cowen, was one of the leading coal men of Pennsylvania, and one of the first to discover coal in the Lehigh district. The parents of our subject were Jacob W. and Isabelle (Cowen) Case, and the former was a prominent Republican and a loyal Union soldier who served his country throughout the war of the Rebellion, holding the rank of first lieutenant in a Philadelphia regi-
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ment. He was killed in Denver, Colorado, in 1886, but his wife is still a resident of Philadelphia. They were the parents of four sons, namely: Alvin; Harry M., who is first lieutenant of the company of Na- tional Guards of Philadelphia; James and Robert.
Mr. Case, whose name introduces this record, came to Belleville in 1890, and a year afterward entered the service of Hendricks Brothers & Company, pro- prietors of the rolling mills here, and has since been with that industry, one of the most faithful and trusted em- ployes of the firm. For the past three years he has taken a very active part in local politics and his influence is widely felt in Democratic circles and among the laboring classes of Belleville township. He is unfaltering in his support of Democratic principles, and in 1897 was elected on his party's ticket to the office of justice of the peace, in which capacity he is now credit- ably serving.
Mr. Case was united in marriage to Miss Julia Hyle, a daughter of George Hyle, of Newark, and they have one child, named Alvin. Our subject is a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle and the Im- proved Order of Red Men.
ELIAS GEORGE HELLER.
Deeds are thoughts crystallized, and ac- cording to their brilliancy do we judge the worth of a man to the country which pro- duced him, and in his works we expect to find the true index to his character. By this criterion we judge that the subject of this review is a worthy representative of the best type of American character and of that progressive spirit which promotes the
public good. He has been prominently connected with the substantial improve- ment of Newark and with one of its leading manufacturing industries, and in this way has engraved his name indelibly on the rec- ords of the city.
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