USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Jersey City > History of Jersey City, N.J. : a record of its early settlement and corporate progress, sketches of the towns and cities that were absorbed in the growth of the present municipality, its business, finance, manufactures and form of government, with some notice of the men who built the city > Part 56
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EDWIN VAN HOUTEN.
In 1879 Mr. Van Houten married Miss Post, a daughter of the late Capt. John A. Post, of Jersey City. One child, a daughter, has been born to the union.
C. HOWARD SLATER was born in Jersey City, July 6, 1864. He is the son of Howard Slater, Esq., who was for many years in the custom house in New York City. Justice Slater, his grandfather, was one of the pioneers of Hudson County.
Mr. Slater received his education in the public schools of Jersey City. At the age of fifteen he began life as an office boy in the law offices of Messrs. Wallis, Edwards & Bumsted, where he remained one year. He then accepted a position in the offices of Messrs. Blumenthal & Blanchard, of New York City, and after one year of service with these gentlemen he returned to Jersey City. In 1881 he entered the employ of the Joseph Dixon Crucible Company as an errand boy, and was later promoted to the position of entry clerk. He re- mained with that establishment until 1886, when he decided to embark in business on his own ac- count. In that year he engaged in the real estate and insurance business at his present location, 215 Pacific Avenue.
In January of 1889 Mr. Slater married Miss Irene Searles, of Rome, N. Y. They reside at 283 Communipaw Avenne.
Mr. Slater is a member of the Lafayette Re- C. HOWARD SLATER. formed Church, Amity Lodge, No. 103, F. and .1. M. ; he is also a member of I. O. O. F., Legion of Honor, Royal Arcanum, and the Royal Society of Good Fellows. He is a director of the Lafayette Mutual Building and Loan Association, and for four years has been superintendent of Lafayette station of the Jersey City post-office.
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
JAMES F. GANNON was born in Ireland, September 25, 1848. He came to the United States in 1866, and settled in New York City, and in 1868 located in Jersey City, where he has resided ever since. In this city he engaged at his trade, that of mason, in the employ of the late Thomas Kelly, who was a builder and contractor. It was not long before he was promoted to the position of foreman of MIr. Kelly's employees. In 1875 he resigned his position with Mr. Kelly, and during the same year he was elected to the office of coroner. He served three years in that capacity.
In 1879 he was elected a member of the board of freeholders, and in 1881 was elected a member of the board of aldermen. He was afterwards appointed a member of the board of assessors from the first aldermanic district. In the spring of 1888 he was elected a member of the board of public works, and later was elected county super- intendent of public buildings. In 1888 he asso- ciated himself with the late William J. Rouget in the real estate and insurance business at 345 Grove Street, his present location. In 1889, when the death of his partner occurred, he succeeded to the business of the firm, which he has conducted alone ever since.
Mr. Gannon is a member of Ever Faithful Council, American Legion of Honor, and is Past Commander of the same ; he is also a member of the Irish National League of America. In October of 1880 he married Miss Ada C. Rouget, of Jersey City, who at that time was an efficient teacher in the Jersey City High School. Six children have been born to the marriage, five of whom are living.
WILLIAM V. GARRISON is a son of the late Samuel W. Garrison, for many years a well-known importer and jobber in glass, china and earthenware goods in New York. He was born in Clinton, Hunterdon County, N. J., July 1, 1850. He was educated at the Dutchess County Institute at Poughkeepsie and the Bergen Institute. For three years he was a shipping clerk in his father's employ. In 1868 he bought a farm near Suffolk, Va., and for two years lived on and operated it. He then removed to Buskill, Pike County, Pa., where he remained eleven years. He removed thence to Weatherby, Carbon County, Pa., where he was employed in the Lehigh Valley Railroad machine shops for three years. Subsequently he returned to Jersey City, and was four years in the employ of the Jersey City & Bergen Railroad Company. In 1877 his father engaged in the real estate business, associated with William B. Shrope. The latter retired from the firm, and was succeeded by W. V. Garrison. The death of his father in the spring of 1888 left him in charge of the business. He is a member of Zeradetha Lodge, No. 131, F. and A. M., and Jersey City Consistory, No. 51, P. R. S. He was a charter member of the Consistory, and its secretary several years. He is WILLIAM V. GARRISON. a Thirty-third Degree Mason. On July 7, 1870, he married Miss Annie E. Neighbor, of Hunterdon County, N. J. Eight children, four of whom are living, were the issue of the marriage.
JAMES F. GANNON.
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
THOMAS JAMES STEWART Was born in New York City, November 23, 1856. He comes of Scotch ancestry, and is a son of Robert S. Stewart, who is a well-known and highly esteemed citizen of Jersey City.
Mr. Stewart received his education in the public schools of West Hoboken. After leaving school he accepted a position with his uncle, Thomas M. Stewart, in the carpet-cleaning business in New York City. After being in his employ for six years he purchased an interest in the business. The copartnership was continued until 1879, when he decided to engage in business on his own ac- count, opening an establishment at the corner of Fifth and Eric Streets, where his present mag- nificent structure now stands.
In February, 1885, Mr. Stewart married Miss Cornelia Banta, of West Hoboken. Four children have been born to the union, three of whom are living, two sons and a daughter. Mr. Stewart is a member of the First United Presbyterian Church. and is president of the Thomas J. Stewart Co. He is not a member of any social clubs or other organ- izations. He has traveled extensively through- out the United States, and is a man who is well informed on all subjects of the day.
THOMAS JAMES STEWART.
JOHN J. M. LANEY was born in Bristol, England, December 8, 1835. He removed to Du- buque, Ia., in 1853. In 1860 he located in Jersey City on the heights, and has lived there ever since. He was cashier and assistant manager of an English publishing house eighteen years. In 1878 he associated himself with a manufacturing firm in New York. In 1887 he established himself in the fire insurance business in Jersey City as agent for the London & Lancashire Com- pany of England. In 1891 he associated himself with Stephen R. Halscy in the real estate business, under the firm name of Halsey & Laney. They are agents for several insurance com- panies and steamship lines.
JOHN P. LANDRINE was born in Jersey City, April 9, 1855. He is a son of Lawrence D. and Mary E. Landrine, both natives of New York City. He started in life at the age of fifteen as a clerk in the hardware business in his father's store, on Grove Street, where he remained for seven years. After filling several minor positions from 1877 to 1879, in the latter year he engaged in the hard- ware business on his own account, starting with- out a dollar of capital. He opened a store on Bergen Avenue, near Storm Avenue. During the lifetime of the late Isaac I. Van Der Beek that gentleman took a strong liking to Mr. Landrine, and gave him the necessary financial backing required to push his business.
In 1885 Mr. Landrine became connected with the building and loan system, and was elected the first secretary of the Home Mutual Building and Loan Association. In 1887 he was elected the first secretary of the Fairmount Building and Loan JOHN J. M. LANEY. Association, and in 1889 and 1890 was made secre- tary of the Montgomery and Highland Building and Loan Associations, respectively. In 1891 he refused the secretaryship of the Crescent Building and Loan Association, but was made a director of that organization. In 1893 he was
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
elected secretary of the Commercial Investment Mutual Building and Loan Association. The success of all these organizations is largely due to the efforts of Mr. Landrine. During his connection with affairs of that kind he has handled more than three millions of dollars, and has assisted more than 250 people in procuring homes, besides building up and otherwise improving Jersey City Heights.
Politically, Mr. Landrine has always been an ardent republican, consistent with good gov- ernment. He has repeatedly been requested to allow the use of his name for office, but has always gracefully declined on account of his pressing private affairs. In 1887 he was one of the prime movers in the erection of the republican wigwam at the corner of Bergen and Fair- mount avenues. He was for eight years a member of the celebrated Orion Battery. He has been a member of the Hudson County republican committee; was chairman of the organi- zation for the city committee in 1892 ; was chairman of the financial committee of the county committee in the fall of 1893, and during the noted campaign of Col. John J. Toffey.
Mr. Landrine is a member of the Federal and Wanser clubs, taking an active part in league and club work. In 1891 he was elected executive member for Hudson County to the State League. In the early fall of the same year he organized the Hudson County League, and was made chairman of that organization. He was also largely interested in organizing clubs throughout the county. In the spring of 1892 he was elected a member of the executive com- mittee from New Jersey to the National League and a representative to the Na- tional Republican League Convention held at Buffalo, N. Y., in September, 1892, at which convention he took an active part, and was recognized by the national leaders as a valuable member and worker. He was especially commended by Gen. Clarkson, president of the National Republican League, and by the Hon. J. C. Carter, chairman of that organization, for his energy and ability.
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MARKHAM E. STAPLES.
On December 7, 1881, Mr. Landrine married Miss Florence M. Smith, of New York. Two sons and a daughter have been born to the marriage.
In social matters Mr. Landrine is a inember of the Union League and Car- teret clubs, and was for a number of years
a member of the " Old Uptowns." He is also a member of Monticello Lodge, No. 140, I. O. O. F. (having passed through all the chairs); Bergen Lodge, No. 47, F. and A. M., and Highland Council, No. 298, A. L. of H. He is a member of the Bergen Reformed Church, and for a number of years was librarian of the Sabbath-school.
MARKHAM E. STAPLES was born in New York City on December 10, 1850. He was edu- cated in the Poughkeepsie Military Institute. He began his business career as a draughtsman in 1868, and gave it up for the railroad business. He became a brakeman on the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad in 1870, and two years later went on the Erie Railway as conductor. He rose gradually in the service, having been successively yard-master, station-master, superintendent of floating equipment, and general agent, the position he now fills. He was ap- pointed a State Prison inspector by Gov. Abbett, and became president of the board. He is a member of the Carteret and Jersey City elubs, and of the American Legion of Honor. He was married in June, 1881, to Miss Mary Willis, and they have two children, a boy and a girl.
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
DR. WILLIAM II. ARROWSMITH was born in Jersey City, March 22, 1860. His father, John L. Arrowsmith, is a prominent builder and contractor, and has been a resident of this city for more than forty-five years.
Dr. Arrowsmith received his early education in the public schools of Jersey City, and later was graduated from the old Hasbrouck Institute on Grand Street in 1876. He then entered the Uni- versity of the City of New York, from whenee he was graduated with the degree of B. A. After spending one year in the study of pharmacy and chemistry he entered the American Veterinary College of New York City, and in 1883 received his degree. He immediately began the practice of his profession in Jersey City, where he has established a large and lucrative business. He is now veterinary surgeon to the S. P. C. A., the Jer- sey City fire department and Jersey City and Bergen Railroad Company ; is also veterinary surgeon for the renowned Arden farms, Orange County, N. Y., the home of "Stamboul" and "Nutpan," son of "Nutwood," and some of the most famous trotting and running horses in the world ; and the P. Lorillard Tobacco Company WILLIAM H. ARROWSMITH. stables, and the Tuxedo Park Association, Tuxedo, N. Y. Dr. Arrowsmith is a member of the Carteret and Palma clubs, and was one of the organizers of the Hudson Democratic Society.
On November 15, 1883, he married Miss Mary V. Egbert, of Newark, N. J. Three children have been born to the union, all being sons. Dr. and Mrs. Arrowsmith worship at the First Presbyterian Church. They reside at 374 Bergen Avenue.
MICHAEL J. HENNESSEY was born in Jersey City, June 30, 1860. He received his rudiment- ary education at St. Peter's parochial school, after which he attended Public School No. 1, from which he was graduated when he was eighteen years of age. After completing his education he engaged as a clerk in the grocery store of his father, Michael Hennessey, where he remained until 1887, when he engaged in business for him- self at 145 Wayne Street, his present location.
Mr. Hennessey was elected for four successive terms to the office of freeholder. He is a member of the Robert Davis, Dennis McLanghlin, and the Philip Tumulty associations ; also a prominent member of the Young Men's Roman Catholic Lyceum Association, Jersey City Council, No. 52, Royal Arcanum and several other organizations.
On September 14, 1891, Mr. Hennessey married Miss Mary E. Doyle (now deceased), of Jersey City. One child, a son, has been born to the mar- riage. He resides at 145 Wayne Street.
GEORGE C. FOUNTAIN was born in New Jersey, July 14, 1847. He is a son of Henry S. and Mar- gret R. Fountain, both of whom were natives of New Jersey.
In 1872 he entered the College of Pharmacy in MICHAEL J. HENNESSEY. New York City, and was graduated therefrom in 1874. After serving six years as a clerk in the drug store of William I. Roe & Co., of Branchville, N. J., he located in Jersey City, and engaged in that business on his own
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account, at the corner of Communipaw and Pacific avenues, which he has conducted contin- nously ever since.
Mr. Fountain is a member of the Board of Trade of Jersey City, and is identified with the Lafayette Building and Loan Association, and is at present treasurer of that corporation. He is also a member of Amity Lodge, No. 103, F. and A. M .: the John P. Entwisle Lodge, No. 204, I. O. O. F. ; Compass Lodge, No. 35. A. O. C. W. ; Communipaw Council, No. 1.317, R. A .; Lafayette Council, No. 413, A. L. of H. : a member of the Alumni Association ; a life member of the New York College of Pharmacy, and is hospital steward of the Fourth Regiment of New Jersey. He is prominently identified with the Lafayette Reformed Church.
In 1874 Mr. Fountain married Miss Charlotte A. Phillips, of Branchville, N. J. The mar- riage has been blessed with the birth of one child, a daughter. He resides at 219 Pacific Avenne.
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JOHN J. ERWIN.
JOHN J. ERWIN was born in Jer- sey City, December 20, 1859. He received his early education at Public School No. 1, after which he entered Hasbrouck Institute.
He began his business career in 1875 as a clerk in the employ of H. & G. B. Farrington & Co., of New York City. After being in their employ for two years, he met with a serious accident which compelled him to remain idle for two years. In 1884 he became chief clerk in the office of the chief supervisor of elections. He was afterwards made assistant chief clerk in the office of United States bureau of statis- tics for animal industries. He re- mained there until April, 1893, at which time the office was abolished.
In 1893 Mr. Erwin was made secretary of the county republican committee, and was also appointed clerk to the county board of regis- tration, and was also appointed clerk of the board of tax appeals. which latter position he held un- til November 15, 1893, at which time he was made chief clerk to Sheriff John J. Toffey; on February 5, 1894, he was appointed under- sheriff.
In 1893 Mr. Erwin married Miss Josephene Sonneborn. The mat- riage has been blessed with the birth of one child, a son. Mr. Erwin is a member of the Union League Club, the Young Men's Republican Association and the Federal Club. He is also a member of Claremont Lodge, Royal Society of Good Fellows, and is identified with Trinity M. E. Church of Jersey City. He resides at 220 York Street, where he has a com- fortable home.
JOHN A. WALKER was born in New York City, September 22, 1837. His father, Andrew B. Walker, was a well-known sea-captain. He received his early education in the public schools of Brooklyn, and prepared for college in a private school. In 1857 he engaged in mercantile pursuits as a clerk in the employ of Carter Brothers & Co., of New York City, with whom he
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
remained eight years. He resigned his position to accept a more lucrative one with the firm of Camp & Philips, with whom he remained nntil 1867, when he was tendered a position by Joseph Dixon & Co., of Jersey City. Mr. Walker began work in this establishment as a bookkeeper and accountant. In 1868, when the concern was merged into a stock company, called The Joseph Dixon Crucible Company, he became its first se- cretary, and continued in that position until 1881, when he was made general manager of the com- pany. In 1890 he was elected secretary and general manager, and in 1892 became vice-president and treasurer, positions he is at present holding.
In 1885 he was appointed a member of the board of education for the third aldermanic district by Mayor Collins. He served as president of that body for two consecutive terms. Mr. Walker is a prominent member of the Palma, Union League, Cosinos and Carteret clubs of Jersey City, and Twilight Club of New York City; also of the Lincoln Association, of which organization he was president in IS91. He is also president of the Children's Friend Society, a position he has held for six years.
VIRGIL D. THOMPSON.
In June, 1863, Mr. Walker married Miss Sarah E. Strong, of Brooklyn, N. Y. In June of 1890 he was deprived of his wife's companionship by death. Mr. Walker has been a resident of Jersey City since 1867.
VIRGIL D. THOMPSON was born at Blooming Green, Orange County, N. Y., June 23, 1839, where he received his education. After practising dentistry for fifteen years at Newburgh, N. Y., he removed to Jersey City in 1876, where he has since resided. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Royal Arcanum. He is also a member of the Reformed church.
MICHAEL SCHULTZ, JR., was born in New York City, Angust 22, 1859. He has been a resi- dent of Jersey City since he was five years of age. He learned the trade of a goldbeater in the estab- . lishment of his father at 152 East Houston Street, New York City. In 1882 he was admitted as a partner, and in 1888 his father retired, when Mr. Schultz, with his brother Edward, succeeded to the business. Mr. Schultz represented the sixth aldermanic district during the years of 1886 and 1887. He served as tax assessor in 1888 and 1889 from the same district, and was afterwards ap- pointed commissioner of assessment by Mayor Wanser. In 1893 he was appointed a member of the county board of registration by Gov. Werts. He has served as treasurer of the Hudson County republican committee since 1892. On September 26, 1882, Mr. Schultz married Miss Emilie M. Scott. Three children have been born to the marriage. Mr. Schultz is a member of the Union League and Minkakwa clubs ; Bay View Lodge, No. 146, F. and A. M., being a trustee of the latter.
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MICHAEL SCHULTZ, JR.
LEWIS FISCHER Was born in Appleton, Wis., May 18, 1859. He received a careful education in the public schools of that place, after which he attended a high-class German institution. In
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
1876 Mr. Fischer located in New York City, where he remained until 1884, when he removed to Jersey City, and engaged in the wholesale liquor business at 109 Newark Avenue, his present location. Mr. Fischer has erected one of the handsomest business blocks in Jersey City, at the corner of Erie Street and Newark Avenue.
Mr. Fischer is a member of the Masonic frater- nity, and is also a member of Court Columbus, Order of Foresters, and of I. O. B. B., a prominent Jewish organization.
In February of 1889 Mr. Fischer married Miss Jessie Miller, of New York City. Two children have been born to the union, both being sons. He resides at 135 Mercer Street.
ANTHONY J. VOLK was born in Hoboken, N. J., November 21, 1865. His parents were well-known residents of that city, his father being one of the oldest undertakers in Hudson County. Mr. Volk received his education in the public schools and at Hoboken Academy. On leaving school, at the age of fourteen, he entered the employ of the National and American Express Companies, remaining in their employ three years. His father's demise oc- curring in 1874, his mother continued the business, and when Mr. Volk was seventeen years of age
LEWIS FISCHER.
he entered her employ. On reaching his majority in 1886, and his business qualifications meriting her confidence. she turned the business of undertaking, embalming and livery stable over to his care, and under his management it has constantly increased.
He is a member of Hudson Lodge, No. 71, F. and A. M., of which he is Junior Warden; Guiding Star Lodge, No. 189, I. O. O. F. ; Hoboken Council, No. 99, R. A .; Protection Lodge, No. 634, K. of H .; Industrial Council, No. 1,168, A. L. of H .; Lady Washington Lodge, No. 414, K. and L. of H .; Monroe Company, No. 43; Germania Schuetzen Bund of New Jersey, Hoboken Schuetzen Corps, Hoboken Quartette Club, Mannergesang Verein Lyra, Hoboken
Independent Schuetzen Corps, the Undertakers' Association of Hudson County, the North Hudson County Liverymen's Association and a number of other organizations.
In the fall of 1893 Mr. Volk received the re- publican nomination for coroner. He was elected by over 4,400 plurality in a county having a demo- cratie majority of about 6,000.
DR. O. F. COE was born at Yonkers, N. Y .. January 29, 1857. He has been a resident of Jersey City since 1885. When a boy he received a thorough education in the public schools of his native place. In 1876 he decided to follow the profession of dental surgery. From 1876 to 1878 he was under the preceptorship of Dr. George W. Perry, one of the ablest and best-known dental practitioners in the country. In 18;8 Dr. Coc entered the Baltimore, Md .. College of Surgery. and in ISSo he received his degree. He afterwards became associated with the late Dr Cosad, of Jer- sey City, with whom he remained until the death ANTHONY J. VOLK. of that gentleman, succeeding to his large and lucrative practice. In 1889 Dr. Coe removed to 405 Bergen Avenue, where he now retains his office.
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
Dr. Coe is a member of the Carteret Club and Jersey City Yacht Club, and of Bergen Lodge, F. and A. M. He was formerly a member of the Palma Club.
In 1882 Dr. Coe married Miss Ida C. Pockman, of Rochester, N. Y. Two children have been born to the marriage, both being sons.
O. F. COE.
NORMAN W. LEARD.
NORMAN W. LEARD was born in Canada in 1863. He received his rudimentary education in the schools of his native place. In 1879 he entered Prince of Wales College of Charlottown, Canada, and was graduated therefrom in 1882. After completing his college course, he en- gaged in teaching school in the public schools of Prince Edward Island. He filled that posi- tion for six years, and in 1888 located in Philadelphia, Pa., where he began the study of dental
F. H. WEBB.
ASHER BEATTY.
surgery. In 1890 he was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, receiving the highest honors in his class. He immediately located in Jersey City after his graduation, and has been very successful as a practitioner of dentistry. Dr. Leard resides at 508 Communipaw Avenue.
E. H. WEBE was born in Charleston, S. C., in 1868. He studied dentistry for two years under the preceptorship of Dr. R. A. Smith, of Charleston, and took a full course in the Balti-
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more College of Dental Surgery, graduating in 1890. He accepted a position as operator in Waterbury, Conn., after graduating, remaining in it until he located in Jersey City, where he has built up a good practice. He is a member of the Palma and Hudson County Wheelmen clubs.
DR. ASHER BEATTY was born in Morrisville, Pa., August 26, 1862. He attended the State Normal School at Trenton, N. J. After completing his education he began the study of dentistry, and was graduated in 1881, after which he located at Rock Island, Illinois. After remaining there for several years he removed to Newark, N. J., where he became associated with the Boston Dental As- sociation. He remained there six years, after which he established a branch at the corner of Montgomery and Washington streets, in Jersey City.
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