USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 2 > Part 55
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63
York city, and had ten children, the eldest of whom was Giles Henry, who is the father of Dr. Henry A. Mandeville, whose name initiates this review.
Rev. Giles Henry Mandeville, D. D., the distinguished clergyman and educator, was a man of the most scholarly attainments as well as pronounced business and executive ability. He was born on the 12th of De- cember, 1825, in New York city, whence he accompanied his parents, while in his early childhood, to the ancestral home and the place of his father's birth, in New Jer- sey. After attending a preparatory school at Hackensack, New Jersey, he matricu- lated in Rutgers College, New Brunswick, where he graduated in 1848, after which he entered the divinity department of the col- lege, or theological seminary of the Re- formed church in America, and there com- pleted the prescribed three-years course. In 1851 he was licensed to preach and was ordained to the ministry. Thus reinforced for the work of his noble calling, he ac- cepted, within the same year, a call to the pastorate of the Reformed church of Flush- ing, Long Island. His zealous and de- voted labors were attended with goodly re- sults, and within the time of his incumbency of this pastorate he compiled a history of Flushing, the same being recognized as a standard work and as a valuable contribu- tion to the history of Long Island. In 1859 he accepted pastoral charge of the Re- formed church at Newburg, New York, where his labors continued for a full dec- ade, after which he assumed the charge at Harlem. After eleven years of faithful and fruitful service in this important field he re- signed his pastorate to devote his atten- tion to educational work, in which he had long maintained a lively interest, having
408
ESSEX COUNTY.
been for many years a member of the board of education of the Reformed church. He was elected provisional president of Hope College, located at Holland, Michigan, and established in 1866. The institution's affairs had become seriously involved, but after two years of exacting and unremitting la- bor Dr. Mandeville succeeded in placing it upon a firm foundation. After being re- lieved of the provisional presidency he re- sumed his former position and devoted his exclusive attention to the interests of the board of education, becoming correspond- ing secretary of the same, with the direc- tion of its affairs in his charge. To him is committed, by virtue of his position, the task of vitalizing the interests of the denom- ination in its various struggling institutions in the west, as well as to hold them to the duty of providing for the support of young men studying for the ministry.
On the 29th of July, 1854, was solemn- ized the marriage of Rev. Giles H. Mande- ville, D. D., to Rachel Jacobus, daughter of Nicholas Jacobus, a descendant of James, of Pacquenac, a grandson of Roloff Jaco- bus, who came from Holland and settled in Essex county, New Jersey, his descendants being numerous in Essex and Morris coun- ties. Dr. and Mrs. Mandeville became the parents of four children, namely: Emma M., the wife of R. A. Hevnor, of New York city; Mary H., the wife of W. P. Selleck, of New York city; Lilian C., the wife of Dr. G. DeW. Hallett, of New York city; and Henry A., the immediate subject of this re- view.
Henry Addison Mandeville, M. D., the only son of Rev. Giles H. and Rachel (Ja- cobus) Mandeville, was born in the parson- age at Newburg, New York, on the 16th of December, 1858, accompanying his parents
upon their removal to New York city, at which time he was nine years of age. His preliminary discipline in an educational way was principally received under the so- licitous and effective tutorage of his father. He was a close student and early showed rare powers of acquiring and assimilating knowledge, his precocity being excep- tional. While still young in years he ma- triculated in the New York University, be- ing one of the youngest who ever entered that institution. He completed the pre- scribed course-two years of regular and two years of eclectic studies-at the age of seventeen years, having in the meantime determined to adopt the profession of medi- cine as his vocation in life and having car- ried on a line of special technical study in connection with his regular university course. In 1878 he entered the College of Physicians & Surgeons, of New York city, graduating immediately upon attaining his legal majority. After a brief interval of rest he became identified with the medical staff of the Presbyterian hospital in New York, where he remained two years, gain- ing a varied and valuable experience in the practical work of his profession. Subse- quently he was for two years associated in practice with Dr. Thomas H. Burchard, and his professional ability and his person- ality soon gained him a distinctive prestige as a physician and surgeon.
Dr. Mandeville's identification with South Orange dates from September 17, 1877, when he was here united in marriage to Mrs. Jennie J. Morgan, née Rice, and since that time he has devoted the full force of his individuality and fine attainments to the moral, intellectual and physical develop- ment of the locality. He has maintained the most constant and lively interest in all
409
ESSEX COUNTY.
that conserves the upbuilding and specific attractiveness of this beautiful suburban section, and his zeal and public spirit have been shown in countless directions. In 1893 he was elected a member of the village board of trustees. In 1891 he was elected a member of the board of trus- tees of the public schools, and after an effective service of three years was chosen as his own successor. He has been an indefatigable worker in the interests of education, and is broad-minded and gener- ous in his attitude, being ever ready to do all in his power to alleviate distress and ad- vance the welfare of all conditions and classes of citizens. When the board of edu- cation of South Orange township was or- ganized, by legislative enactment, in 1894, the Doctor was elected the first president of the same, a fact indicative of the respect and esteem in which he is held in the com- munity. He is a member of the board of trustees of the First Presbyterian church, in whose work in all departments he shows his interest by timely aid and encouragement.
The Doctor enjoys a distinctive popular- ity in social circles, being a member of the Orange Club, Essex County Country Club, and has been one of the governors of the South Orange Field Club and secretary of the Orange Riding Club. He still keeps thoroughly in touch with the advances made in the line of his profession, being studious in his tastes and constantly seek- ing to widen his range of knowledge. He retains his New York city associations in a professional way, being a member of the New York Pathological Society, New York Academy of Medicine, Hospital Graduate Society, Manhattan Surgical So- ciety, and is an attending surgeon to the Colored Hospital.
The Doctor is also indentified with the following named clubs of New York: The Psi Upsilon, New York Athletic Club, Ural Club, Drug Club, etc. He enjoys all kinds of outdoor sports and is a member of a number of sporting clubs, such as the Belle- port Glen Club, Mulberry Point Shooting Club, Curmen's River Fishing Club, etc.
GEORGE F. BROWN.
The ancestors of Mr. Brown were of old Holland stock who came to America at an early day and here engaged in various pur- suits, subsequently becoming substantial citizens and loyal supporters of the govern- ment. The grandfather was a carpenter by occupation and served this country as a major in the Revolutionary war, therein performing brave and efficient service. He was born November 28, 1791, and his wife, Julia, May 3, 1794. Anthony S. Brown, the father of our subject, was born in Essex county, April 18, 1822. He was engaged here in the lumber and coal business, in which he made a comfortable fortune and conducted his large enterprises until his death, which occurred May II, 1896. On February 24, 1824, he married Miss Marga- ret Garrison, also of Essex county : she died on Christmas day, 1886. They reared eight children, namely: George F., our subject, Almira, Sarah, John, Albert, Ada- line, Monroe, and one who died in infancy.
George F. Brown, who was born on the 18th of February, 1845, in Franklin, Essex county, New Jersey, received his school education there and afterward embarked in the painter's trade and continued to follow the same, with marked success. He has been living at Nutley for many years; is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
410
ESSEX COUNTY.
church, for which he was the organist for over thirty years; and this position his daughter has now filled for more than a year. She is a fine musician, in both the vocal and instrumental lines, and is a paid soloist in the churches.
The marriage of Mr. Brown was con- summated February 18, 1873, when he was united to Miss Lucy A. Jenkins, a daughter of Frederick Jenkins and Ellen (Moore) Jenkins, both natives of Essex county. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are the parents of one child, Nellie V. R., who was born on the Ist of April, 1878.
JOHN J. HELLER.
A resident of Forest Hill and a native of West Orange, John J. Heller was born on the 20th of May, 1850, and is a son of Elias and Mary (Leak) Heller. He is of German and French descent, his ancestors being Huguenot emigrants who sought homes in America at an early day. In the public schools of his native county our subject acquired his education, and remained at his parental home until twenty years of age, when he came to Forest Hill and entered the employ of his brother, Elias G. Heller, manufacturer of files and rasps. He mas- tered the business in every detail, and in 1873 a partnership was formed between the three brothers, Elias G., John J., and George E., for the manufacture of files, rasps and farrier's tools. They now have a very extensive plant in Forest Hill, employ a large force of workmen and are enjoying an excellent patronage, which comes to them from all sections of the country. The superior workmanship manifest in their products, together with the well known re- liability of the house, has secured to them a
business which is indeed gratifying and in- dicates the enterprising spirit, the energy and the splendid executive ability of the owners.
Mr. Heller has become an important fac- tor in the development and progress of the community in which he resides, giving an active support to all measures for the pub- lic good. He manifests a public-spirited loyalty to county, state and nation and is accounted one of the leading residents of Forest Hill. In politics he is an ardent Re- publican, well informed on the issues of the day and giving to his party an intelligent support.
Mr. Heller was married April 7, 1874, in Newark, to Miss Lena Pfeiffer, the parents of whom were of German ancestry. Six children have been born of this marriage: Ida; Walter, who was graduated in the Newark high school in 1897, and is now a student in Cornell University; Florence; Benjamin; Russell and Norma. The family attend the Presbyterian church, and enjoy the hospitality of the best homes in the city of their residence. The business record of Mr. Heller is one above reproach and demonstrates the possibilities which are open to the ambitious, energetic young man, enabling him to rise to a position of affluence. He stands to-day as one of the representative leaders of industrial interests in the county, and is well deserving of men- tion in this volume.
GEORGE B. TURRELL.
The true grandeur of nations lies in those qualities which constitute the true great- ness of the individual. In view of this fact there is discerned a peculiar consistency in Carlyle's statement, that "Biography is by
·
John & Heller
4II
ESSEX COUNTY.
nature the most universally profitable, uni- versally pleasant of all things." The final causes which shape the courses of individ- ual men and the destinies of states are often the same. They are usually remote and ob- scure, the influence wholly unexpected un- til declared by results. When they inspire men to the exercise of courage, self-denial, enterprise, industry, and call into play the higher moral elements, lead men to a risk of all upon conviction, faith,-such causes lead to the planting of great states, great nations, great peoples. That nation is greatest which produces the greatest and most manly men, as these must constitute the essentially greatest nation. Such a re- sult may not consciously be contemplated by the individuals instrumental in their pro- duction. Pursuing each his personal good by exalted means, they worked this out as a logical conclusion. They wrought on the lines of the greatest good.
There are many salient points which lend peculiar interest to a consideration of the genealogy of that honored and representa- tive citizen of South Orange whose name initiates this review. He has been a resi- dent of this locality for more than a quarter of a century, has done much to promote the progress and material interests of this fa- vored portion of Essex county and is es- teemed as a valuable and public-spirited citizen.
Records extant show that representatives of the Turrell family settled in Litchfield and Fairfield counties, Connecticut, in the early part of the seventeenth century. At that time the name was variously spelled Terril and Terrill, but some years later the present orthography was apparently adopt- ed by the various collateral branches. In this connection it is worthy of note that a
descendant of the same family was num- bered among the early settlers of Connecti- cut Farms, New Jersey, and that he later became a resident of what is now South Orange is to be inferred from an instrument in writing. It was the will of Daniel Riggs, bearing date of October 1, 1786. By this instrument he conveys the farm known as "Bower's Place" to one of his sons, "ex- cepting five acres on the southeasterly cor- ner thereof, which he gave to his daughter, Phebe Terril."
The subject of this review traces his line- age directly to Jonathan Turrell, who was settled in the town of Monroe, Connecticut, about nine miles north of Bridgeport. He enlisted in the French and Indian war, 1754-62, and died in the service about 1757. He sent home his powder horn, with his name engraved on it, and made the request that this relic should descend through his line to those bearing the name of Jonathan. He left two sons, the elder of whom, Oliver, was about nine years of age at the time of his father's death.
Oliver Turrell was born at Monroe, Con- necticut, about the year 1748. He subse- quently removed to New Milford, Connect- icut, and was among the first to enlist for service in the War of the Revolution and went with the Connecticut troops to "the relief of Boston in the Lexington alarm," in April, 1775, being afterward regularly enlisted in the "Connecticut Line." He participated in the battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill and, a few months later, in the desperate conflicts of Long Island and White Plains, New York. On the 26th of May, 1777, he re-enlisted in the regular ser- vice, was honorably discharged January 9, 1778, and was probably after this identified with the Connecticut militia, as it is practi-
412
ESSEX COUNTY.
cally well authenticated that he served dur- ing the entire period of the war. He mar- ried Huldah, daughter of Abel Barnum, a descendant in the fourth generation of Thomas Barnum, who was one of the first eight settlers of Danbury, 1684-5, removing later to Fairfield, Connecticut. Among his children was William J., the father of the immediate subject of this sketch.
William J. Turrell was born at New Mil- ford, Connecticut, in 1791, and became a man of much prominence in the commu- nity. He was a successful farmer, was a man of sterling characteristics and marked ability, and was called upon to serve in nu- merous positions of public trust and re- sponsibility. He was a devoted member of the Baptist church and ordered his life on an exalted plane. He married Polly Bearss, daughter of Benjamin and Ruth (Benedict) Bearss, the latter of whom was a descend- ant of Thomas Benedict, who was born in Nottinghamshire, England, and who died in Norwalk, Connecticut, in 1690. William J. and Polly (Bearss) Turrell became the parents of three sons and four daughters, their names, in order of birth, being as fol- lows: Laura, Lucy, Benjamin, Caroline, George Benedict, William, Polly Ann.
George Benedict Turrell, the fifth child of William J. and Polly (Bearss) Turrell, is a native of New Fairfield, where he was born on the 26th of March, 1825. His pre- liminary educational discipline was secured in the public schools of his native place, and this training was supplemented by a course of study in Prof. Irwin's academy, at Dan- bury. At the age of seventeen years he secured employment as a clerk in a village store at South Farms, and soon after at- taining his legal majority was admitted into partnership by his employer, the enterprise
being continued under the firm name of Pickett & Turrell. About six years later he removed to Waterbury, Connecticut, where he purchased the general merchandise es- tablishment of the Waterville Manufactur- ing Company. He retained his interest in this enterprise, but soon withdrew from its active management, in order to accept the position as secretary of the Tuttle Manufac- turing Company of Naugatuck, Connecti- cut, this being one of the most extensive manufactories of minor agricultural imple- ments in the entire Union. In 1854 he came to New York city to assume charge of the company's metropolitan headquarters. He withdrew from active duty in this line at the expiration of about one year and thereupon entered into a partnership association with his brother-in-law, under the firm name of Migeon & Turrell. They engaged in the cloth-finishing business and the enterprise was carried forward to marked success and wide scope of operation, our subject having been identified with the same for several years. In the year 1860 Mr. Turrell be- came interested with others in the organi- zation of the Union Hardware Company, of Torrington, Connecticut, which eventu- ally became one of the largest manufac- turers of skates and other hardware special- ties that the country could claim. In 1874, he was prevailed upon to accept the presi- dency of the company, and he continued to act in this capacity until 1889, when he re- tired from the executive corps, though he is still a member of the directorate of the company and in a large measure influences its policy.
Our subject's financial and other inter- ests have ramified in divers directions and it is but consistent that we here revert to a unique enterprise which demanded much
413
ESSEX COUNTY.
of his attention for a number of years. We cannot do better than to quote from a re- cently published sketch which touches this matter: "About 1888 Mr. Turrell bought what was known as the 'Red Gate Farm,' located at Newton, Sussex county, N. J., consisting of 324 acres, which had been brought to the highest state of cultivation, and it was known as the 'model farm of New Jersey.' He grew the first crop of tobacco ever raised in Sussex county. He stocked the farm with a herd of seventy of the best Jersey cows, many of which were imported direct from the island of Jersey. He introduced a system of cooling and aerating milk by which it would be safely bottled and ready for shipment within twenty minutes after it came from the cow, instead of waiting ten or twelve hours, as was the case under the old process. His process was by trickling the milk over a series of horizontal copper pipes, through which cold water was kept constantly run- ning, each layer of pipe (which was nearly flat oval instead of round), being cooler than the one above it. By this method of treatment, all the animal heat, offensive odors and gases, were thrown off, which permitted the milk to take up a sufficient quantity of oxygen to preserve it for sev- eral hours and rendered the milk absolutely pure. This process has since been adopted by most of the leading milk producers. The milk was shipped to Brooklyn and yielded the producer double the price of that re- ceived by others treated under the old proc- ess, which required twelve hours to cool. In addition to his Jersey cows Mr. Tur- rell stocked his farm with 125 black-faced Southdown sheep. The management of this farm, while it afforded great pleasure and recreation to Mr. Turrell, he found that
it absorbed too much of his time, and after bringing it up to a high state of cultivation he sold it, and has since given his attention to his other business affairs."
While remarkable success has attended Mr. Turrell in his various business under- takings, this condition has not come by ac- cident, but is the diametrical and logical re- sult of the application of certain forces,- definite purpose, concentrated determina- tion of available means to the accomplish- ment of the desired end, a clear discern- ment and judgment, and the whole domi- nated by the most unswerving integrity and all other attributes which go to make up a strong and noble manhood. His person- ality is of that gracious and distinctive or- der which implies kindliness and courtesy in all the relations of life and whose invari- able concomitant is individual popularity. Mr. Turrell has been most intimately iden- tified with the growth and prosperity of South Orange, taking up his residence here in 1864, when the place had but a meager population and could be counted as but little more than a primitive hamlet, giving slight indications of becoming the populous and beautiful suburban district which it now is. With every phase of its develop- ment he has been conspicuously concerned and he holds prestige as one of the most public-spirited citizens of the village. Soon after coming here he purchased what was known as the Sprague property, on Scot- land street, the same comprising a tract of eleven acres. He enlarged the old home- stead, equipped it with all modern improve- ments and made it one of the most idyllic homes in this portion of the Oranges. In 1891 he opened a street through his prop- erty, from Scotland street to Grove road, and this, in compliance with the wishes of
414
ESSEX COUNTY.
his neighbors, was named Turrell avenue. The property has been platted into village lots and Mr. Turrell has here erected two attractive modern cottages,-one for his son, the other for his daughter. He was one of those chiefly instrumental in securing to South Orange a village charter, in 1869; was one of the original village trustees and was elected president of South Orange in the year succeeding its incorporation. In the following autumn, by reason of im- paired health, he was obliged to resign his executive position and made a tour abroad, in order to recuperate his physical energies. Upon his return he was again elected presi- dent. During his travels on the European continent he made a thorough investigation of the various systems of road-making, and became convinced of the practical value of that system which he describes as "con- struction by repairs," but which has since become known as the Turrell pavement. Notwithstanding the economy conserved in the use of this pavement, its introduc- tion in South Orange was attended with strong opposition on the start, but after being subjected to the most rigorous tests the authorities finally adopted the system in improving the streets of the village, and it has proved the most economical and ef- fective system in use in any section of the country.
In many ways has Mr. Turrell been per- sistent and indefatigable in his efforts to promote public improvements, and in con- nection with the important question of drainage, touching so closely the sanitary conditions of the locality, too high praise cannot be accorded him for his earnest and timely labors. In 1881 the court of com- mon pleas appointed him one of three com- missioners of drainage, to act under a law
passed by the legislature of New Jersey, in March of that year, making it the duty of such commissioners to first determine whether or not drainage was necessary for public health and then giving them ample authority to carry out such work as was demanded. A thorough system for drain- ing the east branch of the Rahway river in South Orange was inaugurated by the commissioners in 1882 and was completed in about two years. This valuable work has materially enhanced the healthfulness of the village, and is one for which the pub- lic should be perpetually grateful. Mr. Turrell was one of the promoters of the Meadow Land Society, and as has been most truly said of him, "During his resi- dence of more than thirty years he has been identified with every movement tend- ing to the advancement of the moral, phys- ical and social condition of the people of this locality." He has contributed most liberally to the support of the Presbyterian church, being a trustee of the local body of the same and one of its most zealous adherents.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.