USA > New Jersey > Genealogical and memorial history of the state of New Jersey, Volume I > Part 44
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During Mr. Newman's career in the insur- ance world he became associated with his brother David in the wholesale and retail dry goods business at Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, where the brother took up a residence. The undertaking was eminently successful from the start, David taking the management of the business in the far west while John assumed
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the buying in New York, with regular yearly trips to the western house. With an already large demand for their products and the repu- tation of the Newman house, the enterprise speedily developed into one of the large firms in that line in Wisconsin, where the brothers continued for a period of over fifteen years, subsequently removing to Lincoln, Nebraska, where they erected a handsome business block in the heart of the business district of that city. Since the death of the brothers, which occurred within two months of each other in 1901, the business has been leased, the heirs of each holding their respective shares of the profits. The success that marked Mr. Newman's man- agement of the two vast concerns naturally attracted the attention of men connected with private and municipal affairs and he was eagerly sought for influential places in the ad- ministration. Upon the organization of the Mechanics' Trust Company of Bayonne, he was elected the first president, March 1, 1886, in which office he presided until his death. Under his careful and discreet management the business foundation of this institution was established, upon which the present magnificent superstructure has been built, a monument to his name and executive ability.
The broader field of his activity did not pre- clude his interest in and sympathy with the municipal and business affairs of his city. His opinions were models in their way and his name was looked upon as the most favorable and prominent in party affairs. He served for over fourteen years as member of the city coun- cil and was president of the board; he was elected mayor of Bayonne in 1887 and presided in this honorable position five successive terms, up to 1891, gaining great credit for his party, his Republican principles being fully admin- istered during that period. He served as presi- dent of the Bayonne Building and Loan Asso- ciation. He was popular in social life and a leading member of the New Jersey Athletic Club, the outgrowth of the old Argonata Row- ing Association, which had a remarkable his- tory of winning events. He became its presi- dent and a director. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and was made a member of Bayonne Lodge, No. 99, Free and Accepted Masons, July 1, 1869. He served that body as its worshipful master during 1874-75-78, and was treasurer from 1880 until his death in 1901, filling these offices of trust with great credit to his lodge and himself. He was for- merly a member of Company No. I, Bayonne Fire Department, and was formerly regimental
paymaster of the old New York Second Regi- inent Volunteer Militia previous to the civil war.
As in public life so in private life Mr. New- man was a model man. In his home, which he loved so devotedly, he was all that a loving husband could be. In the church, which was his supreme delight, he was a pillar. Reared in the Episcopal faith, he soon after coming to his adopted land became a communicant of the Jane Street Methodist Church, New York City, where he was united in marriage to Mary Frances La Force, daughter of David and Abbie ( Burnet) La Force, July 28, 1852, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Mr. Longsberry. She later, by profession of faith, became a member of the Metropolitan Meth- odist Church, where he was leader of the choir and basso for a number of years. He also was secretary and librarian of the Sunday school. In September, 1865, he removed to Bayonne, New Jersey, and purchased his at- tractive residence on Avenue C. Mr. and Mrs. Newman became members at this time of the Dutch Reformed church, where they wor- shiped about twelve years. Later both became interested in the organization and building of the First Presbyterian Church, the faith under which Mrs. Newman was reared. Mr. New- man took a keen interest in the affairs of this church and became its choir leader and trustee, also serving on other executive boards. The religious element in his character was positive and of a high type. He was a close student of religious subjects, free from cant and nar- rowness, and preserved throughout his public, as in his private career, the pre-eminent chris- tian character. He was a man of the people, plain and simple, possessed of a strong per- sonality that greatly endeared him to all who knew him and came in contact with him. He was a man whose strong and honest convic- tions could not be swerved under the most try- ing circumstances. The following resolutions were passed at the time of Mr. Newman's death :
"At the meeting of the Board of Directors of Mechanics' Trust Company of the City of Bayonne, New Jersey, held November 6, 1901, the following Preamble and Resolutions were unanimously adopted : God in his wisdom has again removed from our councils one of our most active and valued members. John New- man has been the executive head of this com- pany since its organization for business in 1886, and has served in that capacity with great fidelity. Our exceptional success has been due
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in a large measure to his ceaseless activity and constant interest in promoting the growth of this Institution. His intimate knowledge of the municipal affairs of this city gained by hav- ing held for a number of years various posi- tions as member of the Board of Education, member of the Common Council and Mayor of this city, gave him that broad experience with men and affairs which increase wonderfully his usefulness as the head of this company. Through its infancy and during the formative period of this company his ripe experience, sound judgment and conservative methods have inspired that confidence in this institution and its management that has led to its attaining the strong financial standing in the community which it now has. He was a positive quantity and a born leader of men. Mr. Newman is the fourth member of our first board whose death we have had to mourn since the organi- zation of the company. He will be greatly missed by us as well as by his large circle of associates in other lines of activity. In order that we may give appropriate expression to these our sentiments be it resolved that these words of respect and appreciation be recorded on our minutes.
De Witt Van Buskirk, V. P., Chas. D. Noe, Sec."
The following resolutions on Mr. Newman's death from the Bayonne Building Association, No. 2:
"At an adjourned regular meeting of the Bayonne Building Association, No. 2, held No- vember 26, 1901, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted: Whereas through the death of our late President, John Newman, we have suffered the loss of one whose inter- est in the welfare of this association has been evinced by earnestness, perseverance and zeal in his efforts to sustain its character and better its condition. Therefore be it resolved that we place upon record fitting evidence of our sorrow, at being deprived of all wise council and cheerful co-operation, that we cherish the recollection of his labors and profoundly ac- knowledge his many noble and generous quali- ties. Resolved that with this tribute of our esteem and respect we extend our heartfelt. sympathy to his family in their affliction and be it further resolved that these resolution's be spread in full upon the minutes and that a copy of the same be sent to the family of our deceased associate.
R. H. Ten Brooch, V. P. Schuyler L. Mackie, Sec."
This name originated in Italy in PHELPS the form of "Welf," was changed in Germany to "Guelphs" or "Gulphs," and in the sixteenth century the family emigrated to England, where the name was transposed to Phelps, spelled in various ways. The first of the name to be of import- ance in English history was John Phelps, with Andrew Broughton joint clerk of the court which tried and condemned Charles the First, and two of his descendants, Hon. William Walter Phelps, of New Jersey, and Hon. Charles A. Phelps, of Massachusetts, caused to be erected at Vevey, Switzerland, in 1882, a black marble monument, stating that it was erected to the memory of John Phelps, who was so willing to accept the responsibility of his part in the trial as to sign his full name to each record, came to Vevey and died like his associates, whose memorials are near, an exile in the cause of human freedom. The branch of the family to come to America lived in Tewksbury, Gloucester, England, where their family was found on record for several gen- erations.
(I) The first of whom authentic record ap- pears was James Phelps, born about 1520, at Tewksbury, Gloucestershire, England. On May IO, 1588, commission was issued to his relict, Joan Phelps, to administer his goods and chat- tels. His children were baptized in Tewksbury Abbey Church, as follows: William, August, 1560; Thomas, August 10, 1563 ; George, Sep- tember 5, 1566; Alice, December 24, 1572; Edward, May 10, 1578; Kenelm, October 16, 1580; Richard, October 16, 1583 ; Robert, July 18, 1584.
(II) William, first child of James and Joan Phelps, born at Tewksbury, lived and died there. September 28, 1611, Dorothy Phelps, his widow, was commissioned to administer his estate. He probably died in that year, and his widow passed away in 1613. Their children were baptized in Tewksbury Abbey Church as follows: Mary, September 4, 1587; Mary (2), April 23, 1588; Thomas, June 24, 1590; Dorothy, February 29, 1595 ; William, August 19, 1599; James, July 14, 1601; Elizabeth, May 9, 1603 ; George, 1606.
(III) William (2), son of William (I) and Dorothy Phelps, was baptized at Tewksbury. England, August 19, 1599, and lived in that town until the birth of his first child, and soon after this, at the death of his father, he re- moved to one of the southern counties, either Somerset or Dorsetshire, no record having
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been found of the birth of his other five chil- dren. With his wife and six children, in com- pany with his brother George, he embarked for New England in the "Mary and John," commanded by Captain Squeb; this company had organized into a church and selected their pastors the day before sailing. They started from Plymouth, England, March 20, 1630, and arrived at Hull, Massachusetts, May 30, 1630; settled at Dorchester, being the first settlers and founders of that place. He took an active part in town affairs, his name in the records being spelled Felps, Phelips and Phelps, and became a freeman very soon. During the first year he was one of a jury of twelve who tried Walter Palmer, in connection with the death of Austin Brotcher, and he was found not guilty of manslaughter ; this was the first trial in the colony. In 1631 Mr. Phelps was chosen constable of Dorchester, in 1634 was one of a committee of three to determine the boundary between Boston and Roxbury, also between Boston and Dorchester, the same year delegate to the general court, and in 1635 a member of the general court from Dorchester. His wife died in 1635, and the following year he removed to Windsor, Connecticut, supposed to be under the control of the Massachusetts colony, and William Phelps was one of the seven men who were to govern the new colony, the name at first being Dorchester, but the next year changed to Windsor. In 1638 they found them- selves to be out of the jurisdiction of Massa- chusetts ; a constitution was adopted for the colony of Connecticut ; Mr. Phelps was given the office of magistrate from 1639 to 1643, 1656 to 1662, and deputy in 1651 ; he was one of the makers of the famous "Blue Laws," of Connecticut, many of which are still in force there. He was given the title of "Mister," only accorded to those who were venerable or distinguished ; was one of the most highly re- spected men in the colony, of recognized hon- esty and uprightness both in private and public life, and supported the authority both of church and of state. His second wife was Mary Dover, who was an English woman, one of the passengers of the "Mary and John," and by her he had two children. After having spent forty-two years in New England, thirty-six in Windsor, he died July 14, was buried July 15, 1672, and his wife died November 27, 1675. His children were : Richard, baptized in Tewks- bury, England, December 26, 1619; William. born in England, in 1620; Sarah, about 1623; Samuel, about 1625; Nathaniel, about 1627 ; Joseph; Timothy, born September 1, 1637, in
Windsor, Connecticut; Mary, born March 2, 1644, in Windsor, Connecticut.
(IV) Joseph, fifth son of William (2) Phelps, by his first wife, was born in England about 1629. He emigrated to America settling in Dorchester, and a few years later removed to Windsor, and died in 1684. He became a freeman in 1664, and in 1667 was one of thirty to receive grants of land in Simsbury, Con- necticut, where they settled; they suffered much from the Indians, and March 13, 1676, the general court ordered that the people of Simsbury remove to neighboring settlements or plantations, with cattle and other property, and soon after this date, March 26, the Indians burned the entire settlement, making a com- plete devastation of the property. From a neighboring mountain, called Phelps Mountain, it is thought King Philip watched the conflagra- tion and gloried in the destruction instigated by himself. During the same year most of the members of the settlement returned to Sims- bury, and May 4, 1677, the name of Joseph Phelps, with nine others, is signed to a peti- tion that the general assembly assist them in taxing on account of the loss sustained through the Indians, and this petition was partially granted. He married (first), September 20. 1660, Hannah, daughter of Roger Newton, who died in 1675, at Simsbury ; and he mar- ried (second), January 9, 1676, Mary, widow of Thomas Salmon, having no children by his second wife. By his first marriage he had children as follows: Joseph; Hannah, born February 2, 1668, died young ; Timothy, May 18, 1671; Sarah, May, 1672; William, May, 1674, died unmarried.
(V) Joseph (2), eldest son of Joseph (1) and Hannah (Newton) Phelps, was born Au- gust 20, 1667, at Windsor, Connecticut. He settled in Simsbury, where he became a leading citizen. He held the office of justice of the peace for many years, and was elected to the general assembly from 1709 to 1727, twenty- eight times, during which time the legislature held sessions twice a year. He married (first) Mary, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (San- ford) Collier, born in Hartford, died March 13, 1697, at Simsbury ; ( second), November 9, 1699, Sarah, daughter of John and Sarah (Spencer) Case, born August 14, 1676, at Sims- bury, where she died May 2, 1704; (third) Mary, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Case, born in 1669 in Simsbury, died there Septem- ber 10, 1757. His children by his first wife were: Joseph, born October 9, 1689 ; Hannah, October 25. 1693; Mary, October 17, 1696;
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by his second wife: Sarah, August II, 1700; Damaris, November 5, 1703 ; by his third wife : John, February 14, 1707; Amos, 1708; Eliza- beth, April 7, 1709; David.
(VI) Lieutenant David, fourth and young- est son of Joseph (2) Phelps, by his wife, Mary (Case) Phelps, was born in 1710, in Simsbury, Connecticut, where he died Decem- ber 9, 1760, after an illness of nineteen days, with small-pox. He became a freeman in 1734, represented his town in the general assembly several times, was lieutenant in the militia, and served in the French war. He married, April 25, 1731, Abigail Pettibone, born in Canton, died in 1907, at Simsbury ; after his death she married Deacon David Strong, of Bolton, Con- necticut, by whom she had no children. His children were: David, born May 7, 1732, died July 19, 1732; David; Abigail, November 5, 1735; Elisha, October 17, 1737; Noah, Janu- ary 22, 1740; Rachel, December 10, 1741 ; Ruth, September 15, 1743; Sarah, October 15, 1745 ; Susannah, January 4, 1748 ; Louis, March 4, 1750.
(VII) Captain David (2), second son of Lieutenant David (I) and Abigail ( Pettibone ) Phelps, was born March 26, 1733-34, at Sims- bury, Connecticut, died April 17, 18II. He settled in Turkey Hills, Simsbury. He served in the revolution, his name being found many times in the state archives; in 1776 he was in Woodward's brigade as lieutenant in the Sec- ond Company, also as lieutenant on the pay- roll in the Danbury alarm, also in the New Haven alarm, in Captain Noah Phelp's com- pany in 1779; one of his descendants has his original appointment in the revolutionary army as captain. He married (first), April 7, 1753, Abigail, daughter of Edward and Abigail (Gay- lord) Griswold, born May 5, 1732, at Windsor, Connecticut, died May 6, 1795, at Simsbury ; (second) Hannah Humphrey, by whom he had no issue. After his death his widow lived with her son (by a former marriage) in Albany, New York, where she died. His children were : Abigail, born November 16, 1754; Ozias, May 1, 1756; David and Elizabeth, twins, Novem- ber 13, 1759; Rhoda, September 22, 1765; Roswell, October 31, 1767; Alexander.
(VIII) Alexander, youngest son of Captain David (2) and Abigail (Griswold) Phelps, was born February 26, 1769, at Simsbury, Con- necticut, and died in that place February 25, 1852. He married, December 12, 1793, Eliza - beth, daughter of Captain Jonathan and Mary Eno, born August 9, 1773, died in 1865 at Sims-
bury, and they had children as follows: Alex- ander C., born October 25, 1794; Horace G., February 2, 1797; Jarman Hart, August 7, 1799; Edward, February 25, 1802; Elizabeth, January 30, 1804; Norman, November 10, 1806; Mary Ann, December 30, 1808; John Jay ; Sherman David, July 20, 1814.
(IX) Hon. John Jay, sixth son of Alex- ander and Elizabeth (Eno) Phelps, was born October 25, 1810, at Simsbury, Connecticut, died May 12, 1869, being buried at his birth- place. He was the first of his family to seek a fortune in New York, leaving home when but thirteen years of age, and before he came of age owned and edited, in partnership with George D. Prentice (afterward of the Louis- ville Courier), the New England Weekly Re- view, published at Hartford, Connecticut. He began the manufacture of glass at Dundaff, Pennsylvania, in 1827, and began to be inter- ested in the coal fields of Lackawanna Valley, later becoming much interested in them. With Amos R. Eno, his cousin, he carried on a large wholesale mercantile house in New York City, the firm name being Eno & Phelps, doing busi- ness for ten years, when his partner withdrew and he continued in the mercantile business alone, at the same time dealing largely in real estate. Before he was forty years old he had built a handsome block on the site of the old Grace Church and another on the site of the Park Theatre, doing this in partnership with Mr. Eno, who built the Fifth Avenue Hotel. He was the organizer and for several years president of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad ; resigned this office in 1853, but for ten years thereafter remained on the board of directors. As director of the Erie railroad, he was voted thanks by both branches of the New York city council; he was also director of Mercantile, Second National and State banks, Camden & Amesbury railroad, Manhattan Gas Light Company, Bleecker Street Savings Institute, also many other trusts, both public and private, being highly esteemed and trusted by his fellow-townsmen, as well as all who knew him. He was one of the first in the city of New York to use freestone in architecture. His will made bequests to sev- eral educational and charitable institutions, and the bulk of his property to his only living son, William Walter. He married, January 29, 1835, at Dundaff, Pennsylvania, Rachel Badge- ley, daughter of Colonel G. Phinney, born De- cember 12, 1812, died in New York City. Their children were: Ella Ada, born March
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28, 1838; married Rev. David Stuart Dodge ; William Walter; Francis Alexander, born April 1, 1841, died April 5, 1848.
(X) Hon. William Walter, eldest son of Hon. John Jay and Rachel B. (Phinney) Phelps, was born August 24, 1839, in New York City. He graduated from Yale College in the class of 1860, and married on the day of his graduation. In 1863 he graduated from the Columbia College of Law, and in a few years had built up a large and lucrative prac- tice, being employed by several railroads and other large corporations, in some of which he later became interested. At the death of his father in 1869, he relinquished his practice so as to be able to give his attention to the man- agement of the large estate entrusted to him, and soon removed to Hackensack, New Jer- sey, where he became greatly interested in political affairs. In 1872 he was elected to congress by a large majority, and soon estab- lished his reputation for independent thought and action, and that he had the courage of his convictions was shown by his attitude on the "Salary Grab," "Franking Privilege," "Bank- ing Bill," and other bills of like nature, in some cases speaking and voting against his party precepts, and making some very pertinent and eloquent speeches. Regarding the "Civil Rights Bill," he gave his opinion that it would never be enforced, and later events proved the sound- ness of his judgment in this matter. His ser- vices on a special congressional committee ap- pointed to investigate the "White League," 'KuKlux," and other societies of this kind, were so well appreciated by the city of New Orleans that he was given a public dinner and shown the greatest honor. President Grant offered him the post of assistant secretary of the treasury, which was declined by him; in 1881 President Garfield appointed him minister to Austria, where he showed his diplomacy in a way to bring him commendation, but when President Arthur held the reins of government he resigned his position. He was elected to congress a second time, and served several times until he declined renomination. At this time he was one of the regents of the Smith- sonian Institute, and was for a long time a trustee of Yale College. He was a leader in what was termed the "Young Yale" movement, which gave the alumni a share in governing that institution. In 1889 President Harrison appointed Mr. Phelps on the Samoan com- mission, and his brilliant achievements in the terms of the treaty with the English and Ger- man commissioners were duly appreciated, as
shown when the President personally handed him an appointment as minister to Berlin, Ger- many, where he lived up to his reputation as a diplomat. Mr. Phelps was a man of large nature, and one to inspire confidence in his fellows, being a fluent and convincing speaker. He was the counsel who won the suit of his sister's father-in-law, William E. Dodge, in his contest for a seat in the house of representa- tives, in 1872. His fine education was supple- mented by travel, and he took great interest in current events, and kept abreast of the times. While in Germany he caused the monument to be erected in Vevey, Switzerland, as men- tioned before in this article, showing that he appreciated the valiant deed of his ancestor. His estate in New Jersey is known as Teaneck, and contains over a thousand acres, lying be- tween the Hackensack and Hudson rivers ; the house, with many valuable pictures and other works of art, was destroyed by fire in 1888. and since then has not been rebuilt. The home- stead of the family in Simsbury, Connecticut, is now owned by Rev. D. Stuart Dodge, the husband of his sister.
He married, January 26, 1860, Ellen, daugh- ter of Joseph Sheffield, founder of the Shef- field Scientific School of Yale College, born August 4, 1838, in New York City, and they had three children, as follows: I. John Jay. 2. Sheffield, born July 24, 1854; married Claudia Lea; he is editor of the Jersey City Journal. 3. Marion, born August 10, 1868; married Dr. Franz von Rottenburg, of Bonn, Germany, a very learned scholar, and he holds a good position under the German government.
(XI) Captain John Jay, elder son of Hon .. William Walter and Ellen (Sheffield) Phelps,. was born September 27, 1861, in Paris, France. He graduated from Yale College in 1883, after having attended the public schools of Teaneck, New Jersey, and Newburg, New York. He spent about two years in New York City, being connected with the Farmers' Loan & Trust Company, of that city, and then prepared for a pleasure trip around the world in a sailing yacht, a unique trip, as he is the only American who has undertaken such a voyage. As he commanded the yacht himself, he applied to the United States government for a master's commission, and received the necessary docu- ments. Upon his return in 1887 he settled at Teaneck, Bergen county, New Jersey, on part of the estate of his father, and near his resi- dence, laying out the grounds in beautiful and artistic style, and erecting a commodious con- servatory, after which he turned his energies
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