USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 2 > Part 6
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
placed under the care of Rev. Mr. Burr, who, like Mr. Dickinson, had established a classical school in connection with his pas- torate. As a matter of fact, the College of New Jersey ceased to exist. No president was chosen to succeed Mr. Dickinson. Happily the project was not abandoned. About the time of Mr. Dickinson's decease there arrived from England a true friend of religion and learning, Governor Jonathan Belcher. He early took a deep interest in the suspended college. The old charter had never been filed. A new one was draft- ed by Burr and was granted in September, 1748. Two months later a majority of the trustees met at New Brunswick, and on Wednesday, November 9, 1748, Aaron Burr was unanimously chosen president of the rehabilitated college. He accepted the office and took the oath required by the charter. By express request, Governor Belcher received the degree of A. M., the first one of the kind conferred by President Burr. In Newark the college remained eight years, flourishing marvelously under the care of President Burr.
"The talk of the town" in June, 1752, was the marriage, on the 29th of that month, of President Burr. He was then in his thirty- seventh year. His bride was a New Eng- land beauty, one who appears to have been as lovely in her life and disposition as she was winning and attractive in manner and beautiful in face and form. This was Miss Esther Edwards, third daughter of the dis- tinguished Rev. Jonathan Edwards, of Stockbridge, Massachusetts, who subse- quently became president of the College of New Jersey.
The ministry of Mr. Burr continued until 1755. Finding the labor of managing the affairs of the rapidly growing college, and
37
ESSEX COUNTY.
the demands of pastoral work also, too bur- densome, he applied to the church for dis- mission. With great reluctance it was granted. A year later, in the autumn of 1756, the college was removed and per- manently located at Princeton. President Burr and his family moved with it. The college was scarcely established in its new quarters before a general calamity befell it, the death of President Burr. This oc- curred September 24, 1757, shortly after the death of Governor Belcher, and about one year after the removal from Newark. In accordance with his death-bed wishes, Mr. Burr's remains were interred with as little parade as possible, and no expense beyond that necessary to decent burial, the place of interment being Princeton. On his tomb- stone was chiseled a glowing tribute to the great man's worth. He was an excellent preacher, a great scholar and a very great man.
Within less than a year after his death President Burr was followed to the grave by his beloved Esther. Mrs. Burr died April 7, 1758, leaving two children, Sarah and Aaron, both born in Newark. Sarah mar- ried Hon. Tappan Reeve, who had been tutor to her and her brother, but who after- ward became judge of the supreme court of Connecticut. Aaron it was who shot and killed Hamilton in a duel. That Burr had faults, grievous faults, is not to be doubted. That he had his virtues is not to be denied. He was a man of exalted genius, large cul- ture, and decidedly statesmanlike abilities. In battle he was as brave as a lion, as wit- ness his gallantry at Quebec; but he com- mitted that deed, which for more than half a century has held the name of Burr up before the world as something to regard forever with horror. If he had had the
sweet and loving rule of father and mother, with their affectionate counsel to guide his budding manhood, his passions, it may reasonably be presumed, would have been "properly regulated," and not been "let loose" to become "the tempests which tear everything before them."
EDWIN DEMAS HARRISON,
who has been closely identified with the in- dustrial interests of Irvington for the past twenty years, was born in this city on the 30th of December, 1850, and was educated in the Irvington public schools and the Newark Academy, completing his studies at the latter institution in 1867. Before he arrived at his majority he became associated with a party of surveyors who laid out the boulevards of the county, and in 1876 he entered the employ of the celluloid works at Newark, where he has since given unin- terrupted service, at the present time being in charge of one of the departments. His long connection with this enterprise vouches for the fidelity and executive abil- ity with which he discharges the duties en- trusted to his care, and his present responsi- ble position is indicative of the confidence with which he is regarded by the officials of the corporation.
A Republican in his political affiliations, Mr. Harrison has been in close touch with the leaders of his party regarding public matters, and has rendered valuable services as village treasurer for eight years, as a member of the school board for the same length of time, and as a member of the county Republican committee from the township of Clinton. He is one of the vice- presidents of the Irvington Improvement Association, for the past ten years he has
38
ESSEX COUNTY.
been a director of the Irvington Building and Loan association, and in several other enterprises has he demonstrated his public- spirited nature.
The marriage of Mr. Harrison was con- summated on the 6th of May, 1874, when he was united to Miss Emma E. Ash, a daughter of Henry and Catherine (Mat- thews) Ash, and a granddaughter of Jon- athan Ash, who emigrated to New Jersey from Germany in 1799. Mr. and Mrs. Har- rison became the parents of two children, namely: Charles H., born February 8, 1875; and Mary L., born January 30, 1879.
WASHINGTON IRVING.
Washington Irving, America's distin- guished author, was at one time a resident of Essex county, and a brief review of his life is appropriate here. He was born in the city of New York, April 3, 1783, and died at Tarrytown, New York, November 28, 1859. His father's family were Scotch, and claimed descent from William de Irwyn, secretary and armor-bearer of Rob- ert Bruce; his mother was English, attached to the Episcopal church, and of a loving, sunny temper. His education was scanty and desultory. His brothers were sent to college, but he showed no inclination to study, being "a dreamer and a saunterer." This rose in part from his tendency to pul- monary disease. He began to read law at the age of nineteen, but after two years his health became precarious and his brother sent him to Europe.
His first writing was in the Salmagundi, a semi-monthly sheet in imitation of the Spectator, conducted jointly by himself, his brother William, and J. K. Paulding. It ran for twenty numbers and then, without
explanation, stopped in the fullness of suc- cess.
His first characteristic work, and the one by which he will be best known to pos- terity, was A History of New York, by Diedrich Knickerbocker, published in 1809. All readers of English know the little man in knee breeches and cocked hat as one of the permanent figures in the gallery of lit- erary portraits. The history has some grains of truth, but is openly a good-na- tured burlesque upon the old Dutch settlers of Manhattan island. The humor and the gravity which mask it are alike irresistible. It may be doubted if there is in the lan- guage a more delightful or more perfectly sustained piece of drollery. Readers of Scott will remember his warm praise of the book, written while "his sides were sore with laughing!" In the United States it was universally read. It is to the Amer- ican people as real in its way as Pilgrim's Progress.
All the writings of Irving have a certain charm, if for nothing more, for their felicit- ous touch and purity of style. The chief interest, however, centers in Rip Van Win- kle, the Legends of Sleepy Hollow and Westminster Abbey. The last is one of the most finished and descriptive essays of our century, though perhaps a little lacking in sympathy. After a few years passed on the continent, he published "Tales of a Traveller," a work which he thought his best in regard to style, but which some con- sider to be over-refined.
Irving was never married. In his youth he was betrothed to Miss Hoffman, a lovely young lady of eighteen, daughter of a lawyer with whom he pursued his studies. Separated from her by her un- timely death, he remained all his life faithful
39
ESSEX COUNTY.
to her memory. He was fond of children, and always beloved by them. His was a fortunate and honorable life. On the whole, though inferior to one or two noted writers, he must be pronounced thus far the most successful of the writers in the New World.
MOSES STRAUS.
In a city like Newark, lying so near the chief port of the nation, the emigrants from the old world find refuge, and the majority of the inhabitants are therefore of foreign birth. Those who, attracted by finer insti- tutions, larger educational facilities and the superior advantages of making a living, have come here to find a new home in a new country-these valuable additions to the native population have, by their indus- try, economy and honest methods, become essential factors in the growth of the coun- try. They furnish not only needed work- men, skilled and unskilled, but enterpris- ing merchants, manufacturers and apt deal- ers in our marts of trade. Prominent among those who have come from the fath- erland to identify their interests with those of the American republic, and in the adapta- tion of their lives to the new conditions of life and trade have won success, is Mr. Straus of this review.
Born in Baden, Germany, November I, 1831, he remained in his native land until 1849, when with a brother and sister he sailed for New York. It was in July that he took his farewell of his native land, pre- paratory to making his home in a coun- try whose people, customs and manners were unfamiliar to him. On arriving at New York he at once proceeded on his way to Keokuk, Iowa, to join a brother,
and in that city he attended an English school for some time. In a few months the brother determined to remove to Florida, and our subject formed one of the little overland party, which spent forty days in making the trip. They made a location in Quincy, but Moses Straus was not very favorably impressed with the locality and almost immediately started for the north. He went to New York and thence to New- ark, when he entered upon an apprentice- ship to "Deacon" Daugherty, a well known tanner of that day. He served his full term of three years and was afterward employed by the firm of Trier & Newman and by Crocket & Company, two other leading leather firms. He continued his labors along that line until 1855, when, attracted by the discovery of gold in California, he made his way to the Pacific slope in the hope of more rapidly acquiring wealth than through the channels of trade, but he was not very successful in his mining venture, and after a year's absence returned to New- ark. In 1856 he embarked in business for himself in Bristol, Florida, and remained in the south throughout the war, being un- able to return to the north during the fratricidal conflict. Business was at a standstill in that part of the country, and in consequence his financial ventures were a failure.
On again coming to Newark, Mr. Straus opened a small tannery on Vesey street, employing only three men in the beginning, but he conducted his business in a conser- vative, systematic, honorable and progres- sive manner that brought to him a steady increase in trade, and from time to time he has been forced to enlarge his facilities to meet the growing business. In 1873 he began the improvement of his plant by the
40
ESSEX COUNTY.
erection of new buildings which constitute a part of his now immense factory. The construction of these buildings caused Mr. Straus no little uneasiness for the reason that the sudden business depression of the time cut short collections, lessened greatly his orders for goods and in other ways in- terfered with the smooth and successful op- eration of his factory. But he outrode the stormy sea of financial disturbance and glided out upon the first wave of prosperity into the harbor of calm and settled indus- trial conditions. In 1895 he added the last of the substantial structures comprising his plant, the large four-story building on Johnson street. With his force of one hun- dred men his weekly output is one thousand pieces of leather. His constant attention to every detail of his factory has placed him in the splendid financial position in which we to-day find him. To conduct a business of this magnitude requires exceptional busi- ness acumen, in order that the credit and the honor of its proprietor be maintained. This result has been attained in the manage- ment of the establishment, and Mr. Straus stands to-day as one of the leading repre- sentatives of the industrial interests of New- ark, a man honored no less for his unques- tioned business integrity than for his ster- ling worth in other relations of life.
Mr. Straus has not infrequently been called upon to lend his advice and counsel in the management of matters affecting the public welfare, and he has responded as freely as his private business interests would permit. He is a member of the board of health, was for eleven years president of the Benevolent Hebrew Orphan Asylum, and has served in the same city for the Jewish Temple. He is a trustee of both of those societies.
In New York, on the 5th of July, 1860, Mr. Straus was united in marriage to Miss Eliza May, a daughter of Louis May. The children of this marriage are: Carrie, wife of Charles K. Stern, of Philadelphia; Louis, Isaac P. and Burnett W. Straus, who are associated in business with their father; and Francis. The life of Mr. Straus has been pre-eminently a busy and useful one, de- voted to the accumulation of a fortune by honorable methods, to the betterment of his fellowmen, to the happiness of his fam- ily and to advancement along many lines of progress. He has won and merited the highest esteem of all with whom he has been brought in contact, and his high repu- tation in business and social circles is well deserved.
GEORGE H. BURT,
a manufacturer of Millburn, is at the head of one of the leading industries in this sec- tion of the county, having built up a busi- ness of extensive proportions that yields a handsome income to the owner and is also of benefit to the community by reason of the employment which it furnishes to a large force of workmen. Keen discrimina- tion, careful oversight, energy and progres- siveness,-these are his chief characteris- tics, and are the qualities which have brought to him success and insure him a continuance of the prosperity which is now attending his efforts.
Mr. Burt is a native of Boston, born on the 9th of November, 1864, and is a son of George L. and Mary E. Burt, also na- tives of the same city. The father is a woodturner by occupation and is still con- ducting business in his native city. The son was educated in the public schools
GEORGE H. BURT
41
ESSEX COUNTY.
there, and when twenty-three years of age removed to New York, where he began the manufacture of billiard and pool balls on Ann street. In 1888 he opened a sim- ilar establishment in Newark, carrying on that enterprise until 1890, when the plant was destroyed by fire.
Mr. Burt then leased two acres of ground near Millburn and erected thereon the substantial and commodious buildings which now constitute his plant. The scar- city of ivory for his manufacturing pur- poses led to the discovery of a composition of celluloid which could be substituted for ivory. It is called the Standard, and is used by Mr. Burt in the manufacture of various articles, including billiard and pool balls, bicycle handles, check rings, etc., and has not an equal on the market for dura- bility, finish and wear. The buildings which constitute the factory, including large store rooms, manufacturing rooms, a boiler room and offices, are fitted up in the most convenient and perfect way for the manufacture of everything found in his line, having all modern appliances and ac- cessories. Seventy-five workmen are em- ployed in the factory and a number of ex- perienced traveling salesmen are kept upon the road, and thus the house, through its representatives, is in constant touch with its patrons. A business of about seventy- five thousand dollars annually is transacted and the enterprise therefore yields a good profit to the owner, who is a most pro- gressive, energetic man. He ships goods all over the United States, Canada and even Europe. Although yet a young man he has eighteen years' experience in busi- ness life and is considered authority on all matters pertaining to the business.
On the 15th of September, 1888, Mr.
Burt was united in marriage to Miss Ella M. Vose, a native of Boston. He affiliates with the Republican party, but the duties of his business and the pleasures of the home and social circles leave him with no time for political office even were he so inclined.
ROBERT MCDERMOTT,
a highly respected and well known citizen of East Orange, New Jersey, is a native of this state, born in Manalapan township, Monmouth county, November 14, 1841. He is a son of Miles and Rachael (Coombs) McDermott, the former of Scotch and the latter of New Jersey Dutch descent. Grand -. father William McDermott came to Amer- ica previously to the Revolutionary war, was a participant in that war, and at its close settled in Monmouth county, New Jersey, where he spent the rest of his life. He was one of the pioneers in the art of raising and weaving flax in his vicinity, and followed agricultural pursuits for a livelihood. His good wife was before her marriage a Miss Yetman and they had thirteen children, all now deceased. Their son Miles, the father of our subject, was born in Monmouth county and passed his entire life there. By occupation he was a carpenter. He and his wife had twelve children, seven of whom died in infancy, those who reached mature years being as follows: William, who mar- ried Lydia Thompson; Mary, wife of J. B. Emmons; Eliza, wife of John G. Breeze: Gilbert C., who married Mary E. Stillwell; and Robert, the subject of this sketch.
Robert McDermott was reared to man- hood in his native county, received a fair education in the district schools, and worked on his father's farm in early life and
42
ESSEX COUNTY.
subsequently turned his attention to work at the carpenter's trade. The latter has been his life occupation. He located in Orange on the 14th of September, 1867, and for the past eighteen years has maintained his home in East Orange, where he has ranked as one of the substantial business men of the town.
Mr. McDermott is a man of family. He was married in Monmouth county, New Jersey, October 25, 1865, to Miss Margaret A. Van Cleaff, daughter of John Q. and Margaret Van Cleaff of that county, and their happy union has been blessed in the birth of two children, a son and daughter. The son, Lorton C., married Miss Mary Pennington and they have three children,- Robert, Eleanor and Margaret.
In his political views Mr. McDermott ac- cords with the Republican party, and so- cially he is identified with the Chosen Friends.
CHARLES T. HORNECKER,
one of the most extensive nurserymen and best known landscape gardeners of Essex county, New Jersey, has greenhouses and offices located in Newark, East Orange and Union, where his name is familiar not only to lovers of the beautiful in the floral line but also to business men in general.
Mr. Hornecker is a German. His ances- tors as far back as their history can be traced lived and died in Germany. He was born in Hamburg, August 30, 1851, being a son of Henry and Amelia Hornecker, the former of whom died some years ago in Hamburg, the latter still being a resident of her native land and having attained the advanced age of eighty years. In their fam- ily were eight children, of whom two died
in infancy and two after reaching adult age. Four are still living, namely: Mary; Fer- dinand, a retired merchant; Bertha, a resi- dent of Hamburg; and Charles T., whose name appears at the head of this sketch.
Charles T. Hornecker was educated in the public and private schools of his na- tive place. At the age of thirteen he began working at the landscape-gardening busi- ness, and has devoted his time and atten- tion to this occupation ever since, with the result that to-day he stands first among the nurserymen and landscape gardeners of Es- sex county. At sixteen, believing that he could better his station in life by emigration to this country, he bade adieu to home and friends and native land and took passage for America, embarking in a sailing vessel in June, 1867, and, after a voyage that cov- ered ninety-two days, landing in New York city August 30th. He remained in New York city for several years, or until 1870, when he came to Essex county, New Jersey. He worked for wages till 1874, that year he launched out in business for himself, and has from time to time increased his facilities and extended his business until it has reached its present proportions.
Mr. Hornecker was married in Newark, New Jersey, July 22, 1873, to Paulina Meckeler, a daughter of Michael and Maria Meckeler, of that place; and to them have been born fourteen children. Two died in infancy; one daughter, Augusta, died at the age of seventeen, and the following named survive: Julia, wife of Charles H. Thorne; Frances, wife of David Solkend; and Henry, Bertha, Bernhard, Edward, Halmouth, Caroline, Minnie, Helen and Charles.
While not active in political matters, Mr. Hornecker takes a commendable interest
43
ESSEX COUNTY.
in public affairs, and casts his vote with the Republican party. Fraternally, he is iden- tified with a number of organizations. He is a member of Newark Lodge, No. 85, Knights of Honor; Philip Morse Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Orange, and also the en- campment of this order; and Germania Shutzenbery Lewellyn Company, No. 18, of Orange. His family are attendants upon worship at the German Lutheran church.
JOHN CORB,
one of the substantial citizens of Nutley, was born in Newark, New Jersey, on the 20th of August, 1839, and is a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Smith) Corb. The family name was originally spelled Korb. The father was born in Germany, near the river Rhine, in 1794, and won distinction as a soldier, serving as aide-de-camp on the staff of Napoleon Bonaparte. He was wounded at the memorable battle of Waterloo. His wife also was a native of Germany, and by their marriage they had five children, but the first two, sons, died in infancy, and the third, a daughter, died at the age of eight years. John Corb, of this review, is the next younger. His brother Andrew, who completed the family, was born in Newark in the year 1842, attained his majority and enlisted in the United States Navy. He died at Key West, Florida, about 1869.
John Corb is therefore the only survivor of the family. He was educated in the com- mon schools of his native city, and later learned the trade of wheelwright, in 1860 and 1861, following that pursuit in Frank- lin township under the direction of Thomas Vreeland. He afterward went to Paterson, New Jersey, where he followed the same pursuit until his enlistment in the army.
For the past twenty-nine years he has been associated with the Kingsland Paper Com- pany, of Franklin township, and his long service well indicates his absolute fidelity to duty and his perseverance and thorough- ness in his work. No representative of the house enjoys or deserves the confidence of the company in a higher degree.
Loyalty is among Mr. Corb's chief char- acteristics, not alone in business but also in every interest with which he becomes connected. During the civil war he gave strong evidence of this element in his nature by responding to his country's call for troops, and joining the boys in blue of Company K. Twenty-fifth New Jersey Vol- unteers. in September, 1862. He enlisted for nine months' service and participated in the battles of Fredericksburg and Suffolk during that time. On the expiration of his term he returned to New Jersey and worked on a farm for a monthor two. In September, 1864, however, he re-enlisted for one year, as a member of Company H. Thirty-ninth Regiment of New Jersey Volunteers, and with that command valiantly defended the Union cause. He participated in the battle of Weldon Road and at Petersburg, and when hostilities had ceased once more re- turned home.
Soon after his return from the war Mr. Corb was married and for a year was en- gaged in teaming for Mr. Kerstead, after which he entered the employ of the Kings- land Manufacturing Company. It was on the 4th of July, 1865, that he was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Kingsland, a daugh- ter of Joseph P. and Catherine (Garra- brant) Kingsland, of Franklin township. Her maternal grandfather, John Garra- brant, was a shoemaker by trade and was born at what was then known as Stone
44
ESSEX COUNTY.
House Plains. He married Sarah Brown, whose sisters were Katie, Annie and Jane, while her brothers were John, Abraham and Peter Garrabrant. Joseph P. Kingsland, the father of Mrs. Corb, was probably a na- tive of Passaic county, New Jersey, and was of English descent. He had two brothers, Harry and George, and two sisters, Mary and Sarah. He married Catherine Garra- brant, and they had nine children, Sarah, George, Lucinda, Isaac, Mary, John, Jane, Manda and Richard, all of whom were mar- ried with the exception of one who died in early life.
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.