USA > New Jersey > Genealogical and memorial history of the state of New Jersey, Volume IV > Part 40
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When Matthias Soverel fell heir to the old homestead and lands in 1840, he made several changes in the home. In 1870 he made fur- ther alterations by adding three towers to the homestead, giving it the name of "Tri-tower." He was looked upon by the boys of several generations as a veritable Monte Cristo, with his large tract of farm land, apple orchards,
ice house, large stables, and two lakes full of fresh spring water, good to drink from, swim or fish in during the summer and to skate on the frozen ice during the winter. He main- tained a skating rink on these ponds for a number of years. The larger pond was situ- ated on the westerly end of the farm, which was increased in 1870 by a purchase of thirty- two acres from Reuben Dodd and David Close. Numerous springs sent water into the artificial reservoir at the average rate of sixty-three gallons a minute for many years. Mr. Soverel reaped great harvests of ice in winter for sev- eral years, but in the last decade gave up the work and drained the reservoir, and the prop- erty has since been cut up into building lots. The second reservoir was on the easterly side of the land, at the corner of Glenwood avenue and Springdale avenue, the water being furnished by a spring on the farm of "Uncle" Sam Condit, a few rods to the south. Many a string of catfish has been taken from the pond and many a bag full of chestnuts from the adjacent woods.
Mr. Soverel married (first) May 23, 1839, Dorliska Scofield, born March 3, 1820, at Paris Hill, New York, died December 28, 1848, daughter of Selleck and Zura (Hotchkiss) Scofield. Children: I. William Irven, born April 29, 1840, mentioned below. 2. Wallace Montgomery, born May 30, 1842 (q. v.). 3. Milton Howard, born February 16, 1844 (q. v.). Married (second) July 2, 1851, Martha Maria Scofield, born December 23, 1829, at Paris Hill, New York, died March 22, 1887, at East Orange, New Jersey, daugh- ter of William and Lucy (Tompkins) Sco- field. She was the cousin of his first wife and an only child. Children: 4. Maydelle Chilton, born October 8, 1852, died October 25, 1907 ; married, September 20, 1883, Charles Mortimer Whitlock; children: i. Florence Soverel, born June 27, 1884; Mildred Elliott, January 20, 1888; Harold Wright, June 27, 1890; Eleanor Scofield, October, 1894, died July, 1895. 5. Florence Dallatte, born May 7, 1855, died July 29, 1867. 6. Herbert Fremont, born August 23, 1860, mentioned below. 7. Lillian Dorliska, born May 10, 1864. 8. Clinton Wright, born March 11, 1867 (q. v.). 9. Jessie Clyde, born May 20, 1870, died Sep- tember 6, 1874. 10. Matthias De Forrest, born June 12, 1874, (q. v.).
(VI) William Irven, eldest son of Mat- thias (3) and Dorliska (Scofield) Soverel, was born in Brooklyn, New York, April 29, 1840. He removed with his parents when an
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infant to East Orange, New Jersey. His elementary educational training was received in the public schools of East Orange, supple- mented by a course in the West Winfield (New York) Academy up to about eighteen years of age. He subsequently engaged in the ice business with his father at the farm, continuing in this position until his father's retirement, when the business was divided between the three eldest sons. Mr. Soverel established himself in the business at Mont- clair, conducting the same since 1887, the year of his father's retirement. At this time he also purchased his homestead on Cedar ave- nue, where he now resides. In religion he was originally a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Orange, but on the organization of the Bethel Presbyterian Church of East Orange became one of its charter members and served as elder. On his removal to Mont- clair he became a charter member of the Cedar Avenue Presbyterian Church and served that body as one of its elders. In politics he is affiliated with the Republican party, and while a resident of East Orange served as township committeeman during 1879-80. He is a mem- ber of the Montclair Gun Club. During the trying times of the civil war Mr. Soverel was a member of the "Home Guards," Company B, Second Regiment, First Brigade, Second Division, New Jersey Rifle Corps, under War- ren McChesney, captain, and Colonel Plume. Mr. Soverel married, May 1, 1866, at Orange, New Jersey, Sarah Louisa Williams, born September 5, 1843, daughter of William Brown and Harriet (Crane) Williams, of Orange, New Jersey. (See Williams and Crane). Children: I. Clara Dallette, born June 12, 1867. 2. Sidney Howard, born De- cember 18, 1869; married, June 20, 1895, Emily Frances Linton; children: i. Marion Linton, born March 12, 1901 ; ii. Sidney How- ard Jr., February 15, 1904. 3. Betsey Wright, born April 24, 1874. 4. Stanley Randolph, born July 23, 1878.
(VI) Herbert Fremont, son of Matthias (3) and Martha Maria (Scofield) Soverel, was born on the old family homestead on Springdale avenue, East Orange, New Jersey, August 23, 1860. He attended the Franklin public school until the age of sixteen, and then entered the Orange high school, remaining two years. He then entered the Stevens Insti- tuite at Hoboken, where he took a three years' course in engineering, at the end of which time he engaged with his father in the ice business in the Oranges. In 1890 he entered into the
blue print business, which he developed at that time and established himself at Newark with plant at Broad and Cedar streets, where he remained two years, subsequently removing to quarters on Broad street, opposite the First Presbyterian Church, where he remained eighteen years. In 1909 he removed to 800 Broad street, his present location. Mr. Soverel makes blue prints for architectural and engineering work, much of his work hav- ing been used in New York City and Newark. His blue prints were used in the construction of the first New York subway and the Syndi- cate Building in New York, as well as the Newark City Hall. In 1905 Mr. Soverel erected his residence at South Orange on Gar- field Place, one of the most artistic homestead sites in that section. In religion Mr. Soverel was formerly a member of the Bethel Presby- terian Church at East Orange for thirty years, having been admitted on profession of faith in 1876, and remained a member until 1906; he was also an elder. He is now (1910) a member of the First Presbyterian Church of South Orange, where he is serving in the capacity of clerk of sessions. He is an active member of Hope Lodge Glee Club, with which organization he sings first bass. He was for- merly a member of the Stevens Institute foot ball and base ball organizations, which took an active part in intercollegiate games. Mr. Soverel married, at Altamont, New York, October 24, 1894, Margaret Becker, of Alta- mont, born June 2, 1867, daughter of David and Emma ( Keenholts) Becker. Children : Barbara Livingston, born August 12, 1896, died August 24, 1899; Agnes Wright, born September 8, 1900.
(VI) Wallace Montgomery Soverel, son of Matthias (3) and Dorliska (Scofield) Soverel, was born in the old John Wright homestead, then on the old road to Cranetown, East Orange, New Jersey, May 30, 1842. He received his education in the Franklin district school, supplemented by a course in the Bloom- field Institute, then under the management of the Rev. Seymour, a noted instructor of that time. After eighteen years of age, when com- pleting his studies, he became associated with his father in the ice business, having since a boy of twelve years assisted him. When twenty-three years of age he took charge of the Newark, New Jersey, branch of the busi- ness, where the senior Soverel maintained an office on Cedar street, near the old canal. Here he remained four years. He subsequently went west and south, remaining three years,
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mainly for pleasure and to see the country. After his return to East Orange he again engaged with his father in the ice business, and on the retirement of his father in 1887 he formed a partnership with his brother, Mil- ton H. Soverel, and they conducted a success- ful business for five years, at the end of which time Wallace M. Soverel purchased his brother's interest and has since conducted the business in his own name. He supplies the best families of Orange, South Orange and Roseville with his product. He resides at 600 Springdale avenue, on the homestead erected by his father, Matthias Soverel, adjacent to the old Wright-Soverel homestead, in which were born four generations of Soverels. Wal- lace M. and his wife, Josephine D. Soverel, have developed the old farm for building pur- poses, Brighton avenue, Everett street, Lin- wood Place and Soverel Terrace, and another street not yet named, being laid out through the estate. The Brighton avenue station of the Erie railroad, the bridge over Brighton avenue, and building several residences, were the result of Mr. and Mrs. Soverel's efforts, making the section very attractive for home sites. In religion Mr. Soverel is a staunch Presbyterian, following in the footsteps of his ancestors. He was formerly a member of the old First Church at Orange, where he united by profession of faith. On the organization of Bethel Presbyterian Church of East Orange he was one of its early members and served that body as trustee. In politics he is a Re- publican, though he has never sought or held public office. He was formerly a member of Washington Temple of Honor and Sons of Temperance. He was a member of New Jer- sey Rifles, a local military organization.
Mr. Soverel married (first) May 1, 1866, Cornelia Hyer Whitney, born February 22, 1844, died January 16, 1867, daughter of . and Elizabeth Whitney. Child, Fred- erick Wallace, born January 13, 1867, died July 8, 1867. He married (second) June 25, 1873, Josephine Dallas, born at Whippany, Morris county, New Jersey, June 18, 1845, daughter of Edmund Romer and Catherine Jane (Tappin) Matthews. Children : I. Elmer Vernon, born May 26, 1876, in the Soverel-Wright homestead; married, Septem- ber 15, 1906, Bertha B., daughter of James A. and Cora Osborne. 2. Floyd Douglas, born May 17, 1879, in the Soverel-Wright home- stead, making four generations of their direct line to have been born there, and which is in their possession at the present time (1910),
and being greatly valued by them as a relic of the revolutionary period of history.
(VI) Milton Howard Soverel, son of Matthias (3) and Dorliska (Scofield) Soverel, was born on the old Soverel homestead now situated on Springdale avenue, formerly the homestead of his maternal great-grandfather, John Wright, February 16, 1844. He received his education in the Franklin district school and later attended the private school of Pro- fessor Hayes at East Orange, subsequently, in 1863, pursuing a course in Professor Foote's select school on Washington street, Orange, situated near the present car barn. From ten years of age he assisted his father in the ice business, continuing in the business with his father and brothers until 1887, when the father retired leaving the three sons the business. Milton H. with his brother, Wallace M., formed the firm of M. Soverel's Sons, and in 1892 dissolved, after a five years' successful business. Milton H. Soverel subsequently en- gaged in the business alone and has continued up to the present time. During the first year after the brothers received the business the ice was cut from the lake on the farm, but after the property was drained their product was obtained from outside parties. Mr. Soverel enjoyed the patronage of the first families of East Orange and attended personally to the delivery of the ice. In religion Mr. Soverel is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Orange, having joined at eighteen years of age, and his wife is also a member of the same body. In political affiliation he is a Republi- can. He was formerly a member of the Old Washington Temple of Honor, and later Fidelity Temple of Honor, and belonged to the Sons of Temperance. He was also a mem- ber of the old Home Guards during the civil war, Company B, Second Regiment, New Jer- sey Rifle Corps, a company for home protec- tion.
Mr. Soverel married, May 28, 1873, Sarah Matilda Armstrong, at Marksboro, New Jer- sey. She was born at Marksboro, September 8, 1847, daughter of David Lewis and Eliza- beth (Roy) Armstrong, the former of whom was a farmer. Children: 1. Grace Armstrong, born February 9, 1874; married, April 18, 1900, Alfred Frederick Irving; children: i. Donald Freeman, born February 3, 1901; ii. Graham Soverel, April 6, 1902; iii. Carolyn, June 25, 1903, died April 20, 1904. 2. Del- mont De Witt, born September 29, 1876 ; mar- ried, June 6, 1906, Cora R. Armstrong. 3. Russell Llewellyn, born July 15, 1878; mar-
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ried, October 1, 1908, Annie Frances Lavar- ack; child, Doris, born August 5, 1909. 4. Kenneth Roy, born July 29, 1880; married, November II, 1909, Mary A. Cowdrey. 5. Florence Hotchkiss, born February 11, 1884; married, June 3, 1907, Frederick Charles Laverack; child, Phyllis, born April 16, 1909. 6. May, born March 27, 1886, died April I, 1886. 7. Clifton Earle, born September 23, 1889. 8. Graham Blair, born February 23, 1891, died December 6, 1895.
(VI) Clinton Wright Soverel, son of Mat- thias (3) and Martha Maria (Scofield) Sov- erel, was born on Springdale avenue, East Orange, New Jersey, in the old Wright home- stead, March 11, 1867. His elementary educational training was received in the Frank- lin and Ashland schools; he then attended Orange high school, and subsequently entered Phillips Academy at Andover, Massachusetts, class of 1888, preparatory to entering Yale College, but after one year was obliged to abandon his studies and subsequently entered the employ of McIntyre & Wardwell, grain and commission merchants in Produce Ex- change, New York City, where he was clerk for five years. In company with William Od- lin, Mr. Soverel formed a partnership known as Soverel & Odlin, April 1, 1890, in the grain and brokerage business, with quarters in the Produce Exchange, Mr. Soverel devoting con- siderable time to the western trade in Chicago and St. Louis. In the fall of that year the firm was dissolved. Mr. Soverel then became engaged with the H. W. Johns Manufacturing Company, at 87 Maiden Lane, New York, devoted to the sale of asbestos and paints, and removing to Wilmington, North Carolina, rep- resented the firm for three years, subsequently being transferred to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he represented them for two years for their paint line. In 1895 he severed his con- nection with the company and entered the employ of the Sherwin Williams Paint Com- pany and remained in their New York terri- tory until 1901, when he took the management of the Boston business of the H. W. Johns Paint Manufacturing Company, including the New England territory. In 1904 this company was merged into the Pittsburg Plate Glass Company, and January 1, 1905, he became associated as salesman with Keasbey & Matti- son Company, 100 John street, New York, asbestos supplies, having the New York City west side territory. Like his brothers he is a member of Bethel Presbyterian Church of East Orange, having been admitted on pro-
fession of faith at fifteen years of age. He is interested in Christian Endeavor work. In politics he is a Republican.
Mr. Soverel married, April 10, 1893, at Wil- mington, North Carolina, Maud Virginia, born near Richmond, Virginia, December 17, 1868, daughter of Nicholas H. and Lucy E. (Waldo) Sebrell. Nicholas H. Sebrell was born in Amherst county, Virginia; he was a captain in the Confederate army, and in later years a contractor and builder. Lucy E. (Waldo) Sebrell was born in Hamilton county, North Carolina, and was a direct . descendant of Peregrine White, of "May- flower" fame. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Sov- erel: Donald Waldo, born April 3, 1894, died October 21, 1896; Ralph Waldo, born April 26, 1896; Virginia Wright, born February IO, 1898.
(VI) Matthias De Forrest, youngest son of Matthias (3) and Martha Maria (Scofield) Soverel, was born June 12, 1874, in the home- stead built by his father in 1873, now occupied by his brother, Wallace M. Soverel, on Spring- dale avenue. He was a pupil of the Franklin school at East Orange, subsequently attending the East Orange high school until the age of eighteen years, when he entered the employ of his brother, Herbert F. Soverel, in the blue print business at Newark, where he remained about eighteen months, having had charge of the office a part of the time. He subsequently entered the employ of James T. Pierson & Company, builders' supplies, Dodd and Pros- pect streets, East Orange, where he served as clerk and subsequently bookkeeper for twelve years. During the past two years he has had the management of the business, the settle- ment of contracts and claims, and general su- pervision of the outside work of the office. Mr. Soverel is interested in the New Jersey Cement Stone Company, their product being used in construction work by contractors and build- ers. The plant of this company is in conjunc- tion with the Pierson Company, with quarters at Glenwood Place and Glenwood Avenue, where machinery is installed for the manufac- ture of cement blocks, the firm keeping in stock from thirty to forty thousand of this product. Mr. Soverel is a member of Bethel Presbyterian Church of East Orange, having joined when twelve years of age; for the past three years he has been a member of the andit- ing committee; teacher in the Sunday school for the past fifteen years; and for five years was associate superintendent of the Sunday school. Mrs. Soverel is a member of the same
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church, having united by letter from the East Liberty Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. She is active in the work of the Sunday school, being secretary of the beginners' department. In political preferment Mr. Soverel is a Republican. He is a member of Council No. 2126, Royal Arcanum, East Orange.
Mr. Soverel married, November 21, 1901, Eleanor Baird Mitchell, born at Alleghany, Pennsylvania, August 21, 1874, daughter of George Baird and Annie (Campbell) Mitchell. Child. Murtagh Salsbury, born October 23, 1902.
(The Williams Line).
(V) Moses Williams, son of Captain Thomas Williams (IV-q. v.), was born on the old Will- iams homestead at Washington and Day streets, Orange, New Jersey, January 10, 1771, died December 24, 1821. He was reared on his father's farm, going to the district school. When a lad he lost his arm by having it drawn into the rolls of a cider mill while assisting his father at cider making. He became very ex- pert with his left hand, could cut wood, raise hay, and became an expert penman. He taught school in the neighborhood, helped his father in the mill, and in later years cultivated the farm where he died. He was an old line Whig and a strict Presbyterian. He married, about 1795, Nancy Jones, born June 27, 1772, died February 24, 1844, daughter of Cornelius Jones. Children: 1. Lewis, born October 23, 1796, died January 23, 1883; married (first) Julia Kilburn ; child, Margaret, married Dr. A. W. Kingsley ; married (second) Sarah Marsh. 2. Lucinda, born January 16, 1798, died unmar- ried. 3. William Brown, mentioned below. 4. Evelina, born May 3, 1802; married
Crowell. 5. Joanna, born September 26, 1806, died November, 1876; married, November 14, 1830, Abraham Ward; children: i. Lewis, born 1832, died 1883; married Mary L. Bald- win ; ii. Mary E., born 1833 ; iii. Mark A., born 1835; married, 1863, Melvina A. Speer ; chil- dren : Mary S., born 1864, and Adeline J., 1871 ; iv. Abraham, born 1837, died 1841.
(VI) William Brown, son of Moses Will- iams, was born on the old Williams home- stead on Washington street, Orange, New Jersey, October 9, 1799, died August I, 1890. He received his schooling in the nearby district school under the then famous teacher "Master Mullen" during the winter terms. He early learned the trade of shoemaker, serving his time with one Porter by name, and follow- ed this for a number of years up to about 1839
when he gave this up and became a miller. In 1839 he received a three-fourth interest in the old grist mill owned by his grandfather, Cap- tain Thomas Williams. His cousin, Jesse Will- iams, having a one-fourth interest, the cousins ran the mill together for ten years, William B. conductng it three weeks according to his share and Jesse one week according to his share, taking one-tenth of the grist as their pay to sell or use. After the partners dissolved their relations, Moses, son of William B., hired the mill and ran it a few years. William B. Will- iams then started at light farming. He was appointed court constable, which office he held for a time, serving warrants and collecting back taxes. He later sold his share in the mill to Jesse Williams, and the land inherited from Captain Thomas Williams he sold to Llewellen Haskell. His later years were spent on the homestead, and he died in the house he erect- ed in 1826. For the last twenty-five years of his life he was retired from active pursuits. He was a quiet, unassuming man, with great regularity in all things, living the simple up- right life, abiding by the right and despising the wrong. He kept in touch with the affairs of the day and the world at large by reading his paper, for years this being the New York Tribune, Greeley being his ideal of a man. Mr. Williams had a seat in the Second Presby- terian "Brick" Church. He was a Whig in politics, and when the Republican party was launched became an ardent supporter of Lin- coln and his opinions. He was a member of Union Lodge, No. 1I, A. F. and A. M., his Masonic brethren conducting the Masonic burial service at his funeral. He served the lodge in 1856 as worshipful master. He was a charter member of Orange Chapter, No. 25, R. A. M., and in 1869 one of its officers. He served in the early militia. He married, Octo- ber 3, 1827, at Cranetown, Harriet Crane, born April 6, 1801, died November 30, 1868, daugh- ter of Phinehas and Abigail ( Baldwin) Crane, the former of whom was a farmer and served in the war of 1812. Children: 1. Moses James, born November 16, 1828, mentioned below. 2. Abby Ann, born September 21, 1830, died January 12, 1899; married, October 1, 1862, David Wilson ; children : i. William Keene, born June 10, 1863; married Minnie A. Brien ; children : David Daniels. William Brien, Frank Henry, Abbie Ann and Stanley; ii. Charles Lincoln, born July 1, 1867 ; married, October II, 1890, Catherine Cunningham ; children : Jane Abbie, born November 15, 1891, and Walter Blain, February 26, 1893; iii. Jesse
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Crane, born August 14, 1869; married Ella Thornell ; children : Frank, Donald, Jesse Gordon, Mary Hammond, Edward, Kenneth, Martha. 3. Julia Johnson, born April 30, 1833; married, October 6, 1852, John Crane Woodruff ; children : i. Charles Hinsdale, born September 22, 1856, died July 5, 1867; ii. Anna Hillyer, born December 31, 1860; married, September 14, 1887, Charles Henry Van Ness, born March 4, 1859, son of Mat- thew and Elizabeth (Hinchman) Van Ness ; children : Hendrich Woodruff, born January 21, 1889; Anneke, August 3, 1892; Helene Geertree, July 16, 1897; Katharine, June I, 1902 ; iii. Julia Toler, born February 24, 1868; iv. Helen Johnson, born November 28, 1872. 4. William Patterson, born December 20, 1834, died December 3, 1871 ; served in civil war; married, December 24, 1856, Martha Everson. 5. Mary Lucinda, born February 13, 1837: married, May 14, 1862, William Lindley Will- iams ; children : i. Thomas Lindley, born May 5, 1863, died November 26, 1885 ; ii. Henrietta Frost, born May 30, 1871 ; married, June 8, 1904, Charles Lee Raper ; child, Mary Lee, born February II, 1908; iii. Kate Sanford, born September 17, 1872, died April 11, 1886. 6. Thomas Henry, born May 19, 1839, died May 16, 1870; served in civil war. 7. Lewis, born February 25, 1842, died aged two weeks. 8. Sarah Louisa, born September 5, 1843 ; mar- ried, May 1, 1866, William Irven Soverel ; chil- dren: i. Clara Dalette, born June 12, 1867; ii Sidney Howard, born December 18, 1869; married, June 12, 1895, Emily Frances Linton ; children : Marion Linton and Sidney How- ard; iii. Betsey Wright, born April 24, 1874; iv. Stanley Randolph, born July 23, 1878. 9. Margaret Amelia, born August 24, 1847 ; mar- ried, January 17, 1883, Charles Philander Har- rison.
(VII) Moses James, son of William Brown Williams, was born on the old homestead of his father on Washington street, Orange, New Jersey, November 16, 1828. His education was limited to the district schools at Doddtown, Tory Corner, Brick Church, Mills Academy on Main street and Albert Pierson's private school, up to sixteen years of age, assisting his father in the grist mill. Subsequently until twenty-onc years old he served as an appren- ticc at the trade of carpenter with Peter C. Doremus. After this he did journeyman work for Mr. Doremus for a year, when he took charge of his father's mill, having leased it in his own behalf. For six years he prospered, taking in the grinding of the nearby farmers.
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