USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume III > Part 29
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During the World War period he enlisted in the Medical Reserve Corps, and met every demand of citizenship. He is a member of and for two terms was president of the Cosmos Club of New York City, and is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
MILTON ALBERT EDGAR, son of Albert and Susan (Tappen) Edgar, was born in Bonhampton, Middlesex county, New Jersey, Novem- ber 17, 1850. He acquired a sound education through his own efforts and application, availing himself of every opportunity for mental train- ing and regularly walking five miles to school. He overcame the dis- advantages encountered in those days by youth's ambition for education, and in the public schools near New Brunswick, and Rutgers Preparatory Academy, of the same place, he cultivated tastes that were naturally scholarly, devoting himself with especial interest to classical languages and science. At the age of sixteen years he passed the examination for teachers and for two years taught in the schools of New Durham and Bonhampton. His inclinations were toward the world of practical affairs, and with his brother, Charles Smith Edgar, he engaged in clay mining near Metuchen, meeting with excellent success. This partner- ship covered a period of two years, and his savings at the end of this time purchased an interest in a well known mercantile establishment in Perth Amboy, with which he was connected for two years, during this same period conducting an independent clay mining business in Perth Amboy and Woodbridge. In 1877 he again joined his brother and they purchased a clay mining property near Fords, New Jersey, which they operated until disposing of it by sale in 1885.
Since that time Mr. Edgar has been generally engaged, independently and in association with others, in clay mining, clay washing, and manu- facturing, his activity in all these lines attended by a generous degree of success. He is an expert on geological phases of clay formation, and his counsel has guided his associates in clay mining in Middlesex county and other places. Mr. Edgar is one of the most prominent figures in the ceramic trade, known locally and nationally, and is president of the American Clay Producers' Association. He is president of the Edgar
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Brothers Company of New Jersey and Georgia; vice-president of the Edgar Plastic Kaolin Company, of Edgar, Florida, and Metuchen, New Jersey ; president of the Lake Park Improvement Company, of Metuchen and Red Bank, New Jersey, and has numerous other business interests.
For many years Mr. Edgar was chairman of the Middlesex County Republican Committee, and for forty years he was a delegate to every State convention of his party. In 1883 he was appointed by President Arthur collector of customs for the port of Amboy, holding that office until the close of the Arthur administration. He was a member of the old Perth Amboy Board of Aldermen at the time that the city was divided into wards. When the trolley roads were first projected through Middlesex county, he was a member of the Board of Freeholders, and as chairman of the committee on street railroads and public roads did much to establish these lines upon a firin, equitable, and permanent basis. Mr. Edgar has been a keen observer and student of life's prob- lems, has read much of the best literature of all time, and has travelled extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and the Southern republics. After many years of extremely useful service he continues active in the management of his diverse business interests. He is well known socially and fraternally, holding membership in various Masonic bodies and other orders and clubs.
Mr. Edgar married (first) in February, 1873, Frances E. Thomas, daughter of William and Phoebe (Moore) Thomas, a member of an old New Jersey family long resident in Perth Amboy. She died in July, 1907. She was the mother of Eva W., who married F. W. Johnson, of New York City ; Albert J., Frederick W., and Charles S., the last three deceased. Mr. F.dgar married (second) in September, 1908, Nellie G. Rock. daughter of William G. and Emma Rock, also old residents of Perth Amboy. Children of this marriage : Milton A., Jr., and Jeannette E.
LAURITZ WILLIAM SMITH .- The province of Schleswig-Hol- stein was taken from Denmark by Prussia. The province is formed of Schleswig in the north, Holstein and Lauenburg in the south. The province is traversed by the Kiel Canal, built by the deposed Kaiser Wilhelm, which connects the Baltic and North seas. The people of North Schleswig, at a plebiscite taken under the terms of the treaty of Versailles, negotiated after the disastrous defeat of the Germans at every point of contact with the allies, voted to return to the govern- ment of Denmark, from whom Prussia and Austria wrested Schleswig- Holstein at the close of the War of 1864. When Germany and Austria fought in 1866, Germany took the province from Austria and held it until compelled to return the northern part of it to its own people, and they are now safely attached to their ancient mother Denmark, into whose possession the province had passed in the eleventh century.
In the city of Christiansfeld, North Schleswig, now Denmark, Lauritz William Smith, now owner of the firm, Smith & Ostergaard, Fords, Middlesex county, New Jersey, was born December 5, 1876, son of Peter and Maren (Zeuthen) Smith. He was educated in the public
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schools of his home town, and after completing school years, in 1892, he came to the United States and settled in Middlesex county, New Jersey, finding his first employment at the plant of the National Fire Proofing Company at Keasbey (the plant formerly operated by the Isaacs Company). For one year he continued with that company, then became an employee of the Pardee Works, manufacturers of fire brick, at Perth Amboy. Four months later he left the works and began learning the carpenter's trade, becoming in time an expert workman. In 1909 the firm of Smith & Ostergaard, contractors and builders, was organized at Fords, and there has since conducted a prosperous business. Mr. Smith as the managing head has proven both a reliable, skillful builder and a business man of high type. He is a director of the Fords National Bank, and interested in all that pertains to the welfare of his village.
Mr. Smith is a member of the Masonic order, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Master Builders' Association, the Singing Society "Frem," of Perth Amboy, the Raritan Yacht Club, and the Lutheran church of Perth Amboy. In politics, he is a Republican. He is a man of high reputation as a citizen and business man, and is highly esteemed in his community.
CALVIN CUNNIUS .- Two men of the name Calvin Cunnius, father and son, are engaged in the automobile business in New Bruns- wick, New Jersey, and whether one or the other is patronized, good service and courteous treatment attend the transaction, and the needs of the car are fully met. Calvin Cunnius, Sr., came to New Jersey from Pennsylvania, his father being a native of that State, and there the son spent his youth and earliest years of manhood, and there mar- ried.
John M. Cunnius, father of Calvin Cunnius, Sr., was a contractor and builder of Freeland, Luzern county, Pennsylvania, now (1921 ) retired. He married Laura Santee, and they were residing in Freeland, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, at the time of the birth of their son, Calvin, Sr., now of New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Calvin Cunnius, Sr., son of John M. and Laura (Santee) Cunnius, was born in Freeland, Pennsylvania, December 18, 1873, and was edu- cated in the public schools. After leaving school he learned the car- penter's trade, became an expert wood-worker, and there continued until after the birth of his son, Calvin, Jr., when the family moved to Long Branch, New Jersey, where he engaged in the automobile business. In I9II he located in Brooklyn, New York, continuing there in the same business until 1914, when he moved to New Brunswick, New Jersey, and opened an auto service station, namely, Depot Garage, located on Albany street. After that he was located for three years on Dennis street, but is now (1921) located at the corner of George and Oliver streets. Mr. Cunnius is a Republican in politics, and a member of High- land Park Reformed Church.
Mr. Cunnius married, at Freeland, Pennsylvania, August 11, 1894,
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Mary D. Nagle, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Nagle. Mr. and Mrs. Cunnius are the parents of five children : Percy, Calvin, Jr., of previous mention in this work; Laura, Ruth, and Naomi, the daughters residing with their parents.
JEAN DuBOIS, business manager of the Roessler & Hasslacher Chemical Company of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and a well known figure in the business and industrial life of that city, is a native of Swit- zerland, his birth having occurred at Le Locle, in that country, Novem- ber 24, 1869. He is a son of Philippe Henri and Louise (Andreae) DuBois, the former born at Le Locle and the latter at Frankfort-on- the-Main, Germany. The elder Mr. DuBois now lives retired with his family at Neufchatel, Switzerland, and has attained the venerable age of eighty-four years, his wife being three years younger. To Mr. and Mrs. DuBois eight children have been born, as follows: I. Cecile, now the wife of Dr. Henri Steinhauslin, of Le Locle, Switzerland. 2. Phil- ippe, now a resident of Rhodesia, South Africa. 3. Louise, deceased. 4. Alice, now the wife of the Rev. Herman de Montmollin, of Courcelles, Switzerland. 5. Jean, of whom further. 6. Albert, who resides at Neufchatel, Switzerland. 7. Georges, who resides at Frankfort, Ger- many. 8. Hugo, deceased.
The childhood of Jean DuBois was passed in his native town of Le Locle. Switzerland, and there as a lad he attended the local public schools, passing through grammar and high school grades, and in the latter being prepared for college. He then entered the University of Neufchatel, in the city of the same name in Switzerland, and took a course in law, graduating with the class of 1890. After completing his studies at the latter institution, he removed to South Africa and remained in that country for eight years, being interested in mining operations on an extensive scale. While there he at one time lodged a complaint against the natives of the Blauberg region on account of their depre- dations, and afterwards joined the Boer army and was with their forces in the field during the South African campaign. In the year 1900 he came to the United States, and located in Florida, where for four years he was engaged in the phosphate business in association with a French company. Returning to Europe for three years, he was occupied with the building of a large chemical plant in France, but in 1911 came once more to the United States. Here he became associated with the Roes- sler & Hasslacher Chemical Company of Perth Amboy, his wide knowl- edge of industrial chemistry making him a most valuable member of the staff of the great concern. He was appointed to the responsible position of factory business manager, and continues to hold that office at the present time, making his home at No. 105 High street, Perth Amboy. Mr. DuBois has always been actively interested in the general business development of the community in which he has elected to reside, and since coming to Perth Amboy has been a prominent member of the local Chamber of Commerce, and for six years its vice-president. He is also a member of the Drug and Chemical Club of New York City,
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and the East Jersey Club. In his religious belief, Mr. DuBois is a Presbyterian, and attends the church of that denomination at Perth Amboy.
Mr. DuBois married, in 1895, Mattie Schreiber, a native of New. York City, and a daughter of Dr. Henry and Cora (Gulick) Schreiber, also natives of that place. Dr. Schreiber is a physician who has retired from the active practice of his profession, and now makes his home at Hopewell, New Jersey. Mrs. Schreiber died in New York City. Mr. and Mrs. DuBois are the parents of two children, as follows: Jean Claude, born March 30, 1898, served in the World War with the United States Naval Reserves, in which he now holds the rank of second officer ; Cora Alice, born October 26, 1903.
COLBY DILL, one of the most successful of the younger business men of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where he is associated with the great organization of the Roessler & Hasslacher Chemical Company, was born December 29. 1882, at Boston, Massachusetts, and is a son of Joshua Martin and Catherine (Bassett) Dill of that city. Both the Dill and Bassett families are old ones in New England, Mr. Dill's father being a native of Wellfleet, Massachusetts, where he was born January 31, 1850, and his mother of Bridgewater, in the same State. The elder Mr. Dill has been an educator for many years. He now lives retired from active life with his wife at Newton, Massachusetts. They were the parents of four children, as follows: Martin Bassett, M. D., now a practicing physician at Newton Center, Massachusetts; Colby, with whom we are here especially concerned ; Helen Baker, who became the wife of Walter A. Forbush, of Brockton, Massachusetts; and Nathan- iel Lothrop, who died May 8, 1903, at the age of sixteen years.
Colby Dill passed his childhood and early youth in his native city of Boston, and there attended as a lad the Boston Latin School, from which he was graduated in 1900. Having completed his preparation for college at that institution, he entered Harvard University, taking the usual academic course, and was graduated with the class of 1904 with the degree of A. B. He had early taken a strong interest in scien- tific and technical subjects, and desiring a career of this kind, entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Boston, from which he was graduated in 1906 with the degree of B. S. Another year of post- graduate work brought him the degree of M. S. from the same institu- tion, and he thereupon secured a position with the United States Geological Survey as chemist. He was employed in this capacity at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, for six months, and then resigned his govern- ment post to accept an offer of the position of works manager with the Perth Amboy Chemical Works. This was in 1908, and the efficiency with which he discharged his responsible duties soon brought him to the attention of the owners of the Roessler & Hasslacher Chemical Com- pany, also of Perth Amboy. He did not sever his connection with the smaller concern, however, until January, 1917, when he accepted the post of assistant to the second vice-president of the Roessler & Hass-
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lacher Chemical Company, which he holds at the present time. Mr. Dill has always interested himself actively in the general life of his adopted community, and is affiliated with many important orders and clubs, both here and in New York City, especially those of a professional character. He is a member of the Masonic order, and the East Jersey Club, of New Jersey; the Chemists' Club, and the Harvard Club of New York City; the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the Society of Chemical Industry, the American Chemical Society, the Association of Harvard Chemists, and the New England Society. In his religious belief Mr. Dill is a Congregationalist and attends the church of that denomination at Perth Amboy. He has always been very fond of outdoor sports and pastimes of all kinds, and takes especial pleasure in hunting and fishing, spending most of his leisure time in this manner.
Colby Dill was united in marriage, July 30, 1911, at Greenville, Michigan, with Elsie DeLamarter, a native of Kalamazoo, in that State, and a daughter of Dr. Louis and Mary (Baker) DeLamarter. Dr. DeLamarter now makes his home at Lansing, Michigan, where he is engaged in active practice as a physician. Mr. and Mrs. Dill are the parents of four children, as follows : Donald Lothrop, born May 28, 1912; John Harding, born in 1913; Catherine Elizabeth, born in 1915; and Eleanor, born in 1917.
ROBERT A. HARKINS .- The father of our subject, Hugh Harkins, a veteran of the Civil War and a farmer, was a resident of Weston Mills, New Jersey. He married Jane McCune, and they were the parents of a son, Robert A. Harkins, now a contractor and builder of Milltown, New Jersey.
Robert A. Harkins was born at Weston Mills, New Jersey, December 13. 1858, and educated in the district schools. Upon arriving at a suit- able age he learned the carpenter's trade and later located permanently in Milltown, where he has engaged as a carpenter and builder until the present (1921). He is a skilled mechanic and has proved his ability and reliability to the abundant satisfaction of hundreds of patrons. In poli- tics he is a Republican, and for twenty-one years has been borough clerk. He is a member of the Order of United American Mechanics, the Improved Order of Red Men, and of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is still actively engaged in business, and is highly regarded in his community.
Mr. Harkins married, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, May 24, 1879, Anna Reed, born September 22, 1858, daughter of Randolph and Harriet (Black) Reed, her father born in Hightstown, New Jersey, a rubber mill worker. Mr. and Mrs. Harkins are the parents of five children: I. Hannah Wilhelmina, born February 27, 1882, married Charles C. Lins, and has three children : Percy, Robert, and Dorothy. 2. Dorothy L., born November 22, 1883. 3. Oscar B., born October 13, 1885. 4. Harriet A., born March 31, 1889, married Clarence H. Hill, and has a son, Clarence H. (2). 5. Claude W., born September 7, 1899.
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JOHN VANDURSEN OUTCALT .- A "son of the soil" indeed is John Vandursen Outcalt, for he was born and raised in the county and State in which he has always lived, on the farm where he remained until he reached manhood.
On August 20, 1869, John Vandursen Outcalt was born in Milltown, New Jersey, his parents being Frederick Richard and Mary (Vandur- sen) Outcalt. The elder Mr. Outcalt was at that time a farmer, but some years later he went into the butcher's business, which he carried on for a time, eventually retiring from active occupation in the latter years of his life.
The education of John Vandursen Outcalt was acquired in the public schools at Carharts Corner. He learned to be a farmer with his father, continuing this work until 1890, when he went to live in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Having a brother there, James V. Outcalt, who was a carpenter, Mr. Outcalt entered his shop, learned the trade, and served as an apprentice for three years, after which he continued to work at it for the next fourteen years. In 1907 Mr. Outcalt started in business for himself as a contracting carpenter and builder and is continuing it at the present time.
Having spent his early life in the country, Mr. Outcalt is especially fond of animals, their care having been a part of his daily home life. He is also devoted to music, claiming that his particular enjoyment is to listen to good banjo playing, minstrels, or to be with a gathering of entertaining company of musical ability.
Of a social temperament, Mr. Outcalt has become a member of several of the fraternal organizations of New Brunswick, among them being: Goodwill Council, No. 32, Junior Order United American Mechanics ; Relief Council, No. 40, Order United American Mechanics ; Knights of the Golden Eagle; and in connection with his business, the Master Builders' Association. Mr. Outcalt and his family are members of the Livingston Avenue Baptist Church.
In New Brunswick, New Jersey, on June 15, 1898, John Vandursen Outcalt was married to Leila May Leonard, the ceremony being per- formed by the Rev. C. A. Jenkins. Mrs. Outcalt is the daughter of William Milton and Katharine (Cornell) Leonard, of New Brunswick. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Outcalt : Willard Milton, deceased; Everett Stanley, and Rutherford Clifton. The family home is at No. 144 Jones avenue.
GEORGE ANTHONY VIEHMANN, for many years one of the best known and most influential citizens of New Brunswick, New Jer- sey, and a leader of the bar in that State, whose death occurred at Briar- cliff Lodge, New York, October 12, 1918, was a son of Anthony and Louisa (Litterest) Viehmann. Anthony Viehmann was born in Ger- many, but came to the United States in early youth, and settled in New York City. He was an expert wood carver, and produced fine furniture which he sold in the local market. He married Louisa Litterest, a native of New York City. Later Mr. Viehmann, Sr. removed to New
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Brunswick, New Jersey, and it was at that place that his son, George Anthony Viehmann, was born, November 29, 1868.
The education of George Anthony Viehmann was begun at the local public schools, and he then became a student at Rutgers Preparatory School, from which he graduated in 1882, and was prepared for college. Mr. Viehmann then matriculated at Rutgers College, New Brunswick, where he took the usual classical course, graduating with the class of 1886, and gaining his Bachelor's degree. In the meantime the young man had determined to adopt law as his profession in life, and accord- ingly entered the law school in connection with Columbia University, in New York City, from which he was graduated. Immediately after, he was admitted to the practice of law in New York and New Jersey, and also to practice before the United States Court. Mr. Viehmann then began the active practice of his profession, and maintained offices both in New York City and New Brunswick, carrying on a very large legal business in both of these places. He was recognized by his colleagues as an attorney of profound learning and unusual natural acquirements, and possessed of an unusual brilliant delivery, which made him an effective trial lawyer. But Mr. Viehmann never depended upon these qualities in the prosecution of a case, but gave to it in each case a most careful study and examination, and possessed himself beforehand care- fully of every point in its favor. This is a combination difficult to over- come. and it is no wonder that such important litigation was entrusted to him in both the New York and New Jersey courts. He was a man of distinctly judicial temperament, and was noted as an expert interpreter of the law. The fact that Mr. Viehmann was also actively engaged in a large number of successful business enterprises gave him much exper- ience and a keen insight into litigation involving business elements.
It has already been mentioned that Mr. Viehmann was connected prominently with the business world, and was an officer in a number of important concerns in the region of New Brunswick and Newark, New Jersey. He was a director and officer in the Perth Amboy Trust Company, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey; vice-president of the Middle- sex Title Guarantee Company, of New Brunswick; director of the Fed- eral Trust Company of Newark, New Jersey; and in addition was the owner of the following industrial concerns: The Cronk Manufacturing Company of New Brunswick, and the Highland Park Building Company. He was also the owner of the New Brunswick Opera House, and all of these enterprises met with a substantial success. He was also president of the New Brunswick Fire Insurance Company, the New Jersey Fire Insurance Company, of Newark, New Jersey, and several other import- ant concerns. He always maintained a keen interest in the business welfare of the community-at-large, and was one of the organizers and for many years served as president of the New Jersey Chamber of Com- merce, in which capacity he was very active in promoting enterprises of all kinds in this State. Mr. Viehmann was also a conspicuous figure in the social and club life of New Brunswick and the surrounding district. and was a member of the New Brunswick Country Club, the Union Club
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of New Brunswick, and the local lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, serving as first exalted ruler of the latter.
It is probable, however, that Mr. Viehmann was even better known in connection with public life and politics in this region than he was as an attorney or business man, and for many years he was one of the leaders of the Democratic party. He was possessed of a large personal follow- ing in New Brunswick, and in 1900 was elected mayor of this city on the Democratic ticket. He served in that capacity for two years and was one of the most capable and efficient executives that this city has ever had. He continually interested himself in carrying out measures calculated to improve the general welfare of the community, and one of his acts was the compelling of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company to elevate its tracks through New Brunswick, as a measure of safeguard to the inhabitants. It was Mr. Viehmann also who arranged for the foundation of a handsome Carnegie Library, which this city now pos- sesses, and during his administration many of the streets were ade- quately paved. He was regarded as a very progressive man, and his fellow-citizens universally regarded him as their friend. Mr. Viehmann was also nominated on a number of occasions as governor of the State by the Democratic party. In his religious belief, Mr. Viehmann was a member of the First Reformed Church of New Brunswick, and was very active in his support of the work of this congregation.
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