USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Montclair > History of Montclair township state of New Jersey; including the history of the families who have been identified with its growth and prosperity > Part 35
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people, he being elected a deacon of the church. He married Sarah, daughter of Robert Jones of Chester, England, by whom he had four sons and seven danghters.
SAMUEL WILDE, the second son, the subject of this sketch, removed with his parents in early childhood to New York, and later to Williamsburgh, where he received the best educational advantages, and studied for a time with his unele, Rev. Jolm Wilde. In 1848, he entered his father's counting-room, and some years later became a partner in the house under the firm name of Samuel Wilde & Sons, consisting of himself and his brother Joseph. After the death of the father it became Samuel Wilde's Sons. Another change took place after the death of his brother Joseph, in 1878, Samnel Wilde succeeding him as the head of the firm, continuing in this capacity for twelve years, and during this period, under his able management the business largely increased and became one of the leading houses in this line in the country, and attained a reputation for the purity of its goods and honesty in its dealings, second to no other house. The business was continued at the same location where it was first established in 1814. Mr. Wilde conducted his business on Christian principles and applied the " golden rule" to all his busi- ness transactions ; and it is said that he never sold a bill of goods that he would not willingly take back, and return the money if a customer was dissatisfied. " Honesty " was not a matter of " policy" with him, but a well-grounded principle. He was not only lenient, but liberal towards his unfortunate debtors, preferring to suffer loss rather than cause suffering to another. Mr. Wilde was a director in the Chatham Bank, the Meriden Cutlery Company, and other institutions.
Like his father, he early esponsed the cause of the weak and down-trodden, and became an ardent abolitionist at a time when it required courage of the highest order to be identified with the abolition party. He was an earnest worker with his father in the colored church and Sunday School of Williams- burgh. lle married, in 1853, Mary E., daughter of Joshua Lunt, of West Falmouth, Maine, a descendant of Henry Lunt, who came from England on the ship " Mary and John," in 1634, and settled first in Ipswich, and afterwards in Newbury, Mass.
Mr. Wilde removed with his family to Montelair in 1860, and purchased a house partly finished on Eagle Rock Way, now Llewellyn Road. He completed and finished the house, and greatly improved and beautified the grounds. Three years later he sold the property and purchased a plot on Union Street, on which he erected a fine house and laid out the grounds in a tasteful manner. This he subse- quently sold and the property is now owned by Mr. Russell. He had great faith in the future of Mont- clair as a suburban town and continued to invest in real estate. About 1864 he bought a plot on what was then High Street-now Fullerton Avenue. On that he commenced the erection in 1870 of one of the finest residences in the town, built of brown stone, in the most substantial manner, requiring three years to complete. He planned all the interior arrangements, the especial feature of which was his library-extending from the second floor to the peak of the Gothic roof, 27 feet in height, closely resem- bling the interior of a beautiful Gothic church. The decorations and furnishings were all made to harmonize with the general design. Mounted on a loft in the same style of church architecture he erected an organ, and arranged everything in a manner suitable for the entertainment of his numerous friends. His extensive library covers the entire space of two sides of the room, and is well stocked with the best works of standard anthors.
Mr. Wilde was a strong advocate of the present school system, which has done so much for the advancement of Montelair. He was one of the Trustees, and established a system of prizes known as the " Wilde Prizes " to encourage greater proficiency in the scholars in the various branches of study.
He was a member of the Town Committee in 1871, and advocated the adoption of numerous public improvements. He represented the Assembly District in the State Legislature in 1872-73, and made for himself an honorable record.
When he first removed to Montelair Mr. Wilde united with the First Presbyterian Church. but withdrew with others in 1870 and became one of the founders of the First Congregational Church of Christ. He was one of its first Trustees, and continued in office for about eighteen years, and its first Treasurer-was a member of the Building Committee, and during the whole period of his life in Mont-
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elair. up to the day of his death, was one of the most faithful workers in the church and Sabbath School. having tanght a class until his failing health compelled him to relinquish those duties, and almost the last act of his life was to provide a most delightful and attractive stereopticon entertainment for the children of the Sabbath School.
The " Words of Remembrance " uttered by his Pastor, Rev. Dr. Bradford, voiced the sentiments of all who knew him. He says :
" It is a great thing to have lived as many years as our friend in the midst of suffering and pain, and to have kept his faith : to have been associated in the affairs of business so long, and to have preserved a spotless reputation : to have engaged in politics and never to have had a suspicion of dishonor attached to his name : to have lived all these years and be able to say at the last : . I have fought a good fight. I have kept the faith. I have finished my course." And so it is that we are gathered here in celebration of victory. We mingle our tears with those who weep, but we feel that the canses of sorrow are fewer than the reasons for rejoicing.
" It is fitting that we should recount to one another some of those traits of character and of life which have made the name of our friend a dear and honored name among us.
" Of his beautiful fidelity in his home we may not speak, and yet there is no need, so evident was it and so constant. We might speak of his honorable reputation in business circle- where never a shadow of suspicion crossed the minds of any concerning hi- integrity and manliness. We might speak of his brief career in politics, where he was always known as a man absolutely incorruptible, one whose very look was a reproof to any who should dare approach him with the suggestion of a bribe. * * * In a thousand quiet ways he was always helping those who were oppressed.
" He was publie spirited. For the last twenty-five years no good work has been started in this community which has not had his active and hearty sympathy. In the library of this house meetings have been held for many of the most prominent movement- for the improvement of the town, and no man among us was more earnest than he in advocacy of wise plans for advancing the public interest.
" Ile was the constant friend of our educational institutions, not only here but in the country at large. Only a few months ago the President of one of our Western colleges came East in an emergency, and met a quick re-ponse from the generosity of Mr. Wilde. Many other institutions both North and South have been liberally aided by him. For many years Mr. and Mrs. Wilde have given the prizes in our public schools, and it is peculiarly fitting that the school sesion- should have been adjourned this after- noon in memory of their friend.
" From the organization of the church until his strength had failed. so that it was impossible for him to continue the work, he and his wife provided the flowers for the Sunday services, and for the anniver- sary occasions of both church and Sunday School. Often I have found him and his wife at work with the flowers on Sunday morning, when a large part of the congregation were enjoying their rest."
Dr. Bradford alluded to the building which he planned, and to other work he did, familiar to those who knew him in his daily walk. Mr. Wilde was long an invalid, but his choice and well-stocked library afforded him ample opportunity to gratify Ins literary taste. He was a collector of old and rare books and prints : and a bound volume of Shakespeare, made up of a collection of rare old prints, some of them over a hundred years old, was a work on which he spent much time and showed excellent judgment. Astronomy was a favorite study of his, and he created an observatory in the rear of his house, where he placed a telescope of great power, said to have been the largest at the time of any in the State, and by means of which he made many important observations. He also made experiments in photography which afforded him an interesting pastime, and his work compared favorably with the best amateurs.
Mr. Wilde was a man of fine personal appearance: in his manner he was modest and unassuming : and while a member of the Legislature he requested those who addressed him not to use the prefix of " Honorable," as was the eu-tom : he disliked anything that had even the appearance of vain glory or egotism.
He was naturally retiring and shrunk from observation. He gave liberally to objects of charity and
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benevolence, but only the recipients were aware of the extent of his gifts, as he invariably followed the rule : " Let not thy right hand know what the left hand doeth."
CHIARLES KNIGHT WILLMER.
Although an Englishman by birth, Mr. Willmer has been a resident of this country for half a century, and has become as thoroughly identified with its institutions as though to the manor born. Ilis ancestors for several generations were hard working people, who "earned their bread by the sweat of their brow." and have made their influence felt for good wherever their lot has been cast.
Mr. Willmer was born in Liverpool, Eng., October 6, 1826. His father was a prosperous news agent in Liverpool, who had built up a large and extensive business, and was thoroughly familiar with all the periodical literature of the day. Charles K., the son, was sent to school at the Mechanies' Institute in Liverpool, where he acquired a suthicient knowledge of the rudimentary branches to fit him for an active business life. At the age of fourteen he entered his father's employ, and after serving an apprenticeship of four years, having reached the age of eighteen, he came to this country and established business for himself (although representing his father) as an importer and dealer in foreign periodicals. Hle eom- meneed business in 1844, and carried it on by himself for the first year; he then associated with him Mr. L. M. Rogers, his brother-in-law, and together they built up an extensive trade in foreign periodicals. Mr. Rogers, the partner of Mr. Willmer, returned to England in 1858 to assume the charge of the foreign office, and the entire management of the business in this country was left to Mr. Willmer. In 1868 the firm became an integral part of The American News Company, under the name of " The Willmer & Rogers News Company," which in February, 1879, was changed to the " International News Company," still holding the same relations to The American News Company, the former having charge of all imported periodicals : also of German periodicals published in this country. In 1879, when the name was changed, Mr. Willmer was elected to the Secretaryship of The American News Company, and has since continued in that position. This is the largest News Company in the world, and one of the largest business corporations in this country, controlling, as it does, the sale of newspapers and periodicals in almost every town and village throughont the United States.
Mr. Willmer resided for a number of years in Brooklyn. In April, 1863, he removed to Montelair and purchased from Sidney B. Day about thirteen aeres of ground on the Orange Road, lying between the farms of Zenas Baldwin and Gideon Wheeler, and extending thenee toward the mountain about 1,100 feet to Harrison Avenne, known as the Stiles homestead property. A part of the homestead, which is still standing, is said to be upward of one hundred years old. It was enlarged, and additions made to it in 1862 by Sidney B. Day, who purchased it from the Stiles estate. The present dining room and library form a part of the original homestead. A narrow road formerly ran along the line of Mr. Will- mer's property in a westerly direction to the mountain, which was made use of to cart wood from the mountain. This was closed in 1865, when Mr. Henry Nason, in connection with Mr. Willner, opened what is now known as Gates Avenue.
In making Montelair his residence, Mr. Willmer appreciated the importance of improved educational facilities, and gave freely of his time and money to further this end. He was in hearty accord with Dr. Love and others in their efforts to change the old district school system to the present system which is far in advance of most suburban towns. Ile was made a Trustee in 1873, and for a period of eighteen years he labored faithfully and earnestly to promote the educational interests of Montelair. For nine years- 1883-1891-he was President of the Board, and in that position exercised a potent influence in advane- ing the cause. His views were always in harmony with the majority of his colleagues, and when he retired, in 1891, he was the oldest member of the Board, except Dr. Love. He earned the gratitude of his fellow citizens by his faithful and persistent efforts in carrying forward the system of higher education.
Charles K. Willmer.
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Being a Democrat in polities he has always worked with the minority, but at the same time has worked hopefully and has lived to see his party firmly established with brighter prospects for the future. During the war he gave substantial evidence of his patriotism by his generous contributions in aid of enlistments, and of the many benevolent undertakings in aid of the Union soldiers. As a public-spirited man he is held in high esteem by his fellow citizens.
Mr. Williner married, in 1852, Harriette Wheeler, daughter of Dr. John Wheeler, of New York ('ity, an oculist of repute, born in Birmingham, England. Eight children are the issue of this marriage, only three of whom are now living, viz .: Edward C., deceased; Florence, who married Frederick M. Wheeler, now living in Montelair; Alfred L., deceased : Philip, deceased : Amy, married Charles K. Rogers, the son of her father's former partner ; Ethel, deceased : Charles, dercased, and Jennie.
THE ADAMS FAMILY.
LINE OF DESCENT FROM HENRY ADAMS, OF BRAINTREE. MASS. 1690.
The earliest record of the English branch of the Adams family is that of John Ap Adam, who was summoned to parliament as Baron of the Realm, 1296 to 1807. It is said that AAp Adam (i) " came out of the Marches of Wales." (" Marches" refers to border-, particularly the confines of England on the borders of Scotland of Wales ; the Lords of the Marches were noblemen, who in the early days inhabited and secured the Matches of Wales and Scotland, ruling as if they were petty kings with their private laws. | In the upper part of a Gothic JOHES ABADAM window on the south-east side of Tidenham Church, near Chopstow, England, the name of John Ap Adam. 1310, and " .Frms, argent on a cross gules, five mullets or," of Lord Ap Adam are still to be found (1993), beautifully executed in stained glass of great thickness, and in perfect preservation. Inscribed on the arms is the motto, sub
Lord John Ap Adam married Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of John, Lord Gourney, of Beviston and Tidentrum, County of Gloucester. In the eighth genera- tion Sir John Ap Adam changed the name to " Adams."
Henry Adams, of Braintree, Mass., 16th in line of descent from Lord John Ap Adam. emigrated to New England in 1690, in the ship " Fortune." and in February. 1641, was granted to acres of land by Boston, of which Braintree was a part. He brought with him eight sons, and was the great-grandfather of John Adams, second President of the United States, who erected a granite column to his memory in the churchyard at Braintree, with the following in-cription :
" In memory of Henry Adams, who took his flight from the dragon of persecution in Devonshire, England, and alighted with eight sons near Mount Wallaston. One of the sons returned to England, and, after taking time to explore the country, four removed to Medford and the neighbouring towns, two to Chelmsford. One only, Joseph, who lies here at his left hand, remained here. He was an original proprietor in the township of Braintree, 1639."
The descendants of Henry Adams, of Braintree, have filled the highest positions in the various departments of the Government, and many of the most noted clergymen, authors, and other professional men, trace their line of descent from this branch of the Adams family. Samuel Adams, the patriot : Hannah Adams, the first authoress of this country ; Adams, the inventor of the steam press ; Adams, the founder of Adams Express Co., are all descendants of Henry of Braintree.
WASHINGTON IRVING ADAMS, who has been for twenty-five years a resident of Montelair, and has been identified with the various public and private enterprises connected with the history of the township is, from the best evidence that can be obtained, a descendant of Henry Adams of Braintree. John Adams, second President of the United States, in passing to and from Washington and his home
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in Braintree, Mass., stopped frequently at the house of Jesse Adams, at White Plains, N. Y., and always addressed him as cousin.
Jesse Adams married Mary Sycard, daughter of Jonathan Sycard (now Secor), and Sarah Flandreau, descendants of the French Protestant Huguenot families of Sycard and Flandrean, who fled from Rochelle, France, in 1681, and settled in New Rochelle. Westchester Co., New York.
Mr. Adams has in his possession the large iron-bound chest in which Ambroise Sycard and his wife, Jennie Serrot, packed their little all, on the night of their embarkment from Rochelle, France.
Washington Irving Adams was born in New York City, March 25, 1832. His father was Barnabas Senreman Adams, who married Elizabeth Carhart, June 12, 1831, born February 7, 1803, daughter of Hackaliah Carhart, born at Rve, N. Y., Jan. 30, 1755, and married April 2d, 1785, Margaret Anderson, daughter of Isaac Anderson, of Rye.
HIackaliah Carhart was the son of Thomas (2), born about 1718, and Elizabeth (Purdy) Carhart.
"IRVINGCROFT," RESIDENCE OF W. IRVING ADAMS, LLEWELLYN ROAD.
granddaughter of Hackaliah Brown, of Rye, who was the son of Thomas Brown, of Rye, Sussex Co., England.
The family of Brown, of Rye, Westchester Co., N. Y., was descended from the Browns of Beach- worth, in the County of Kent, England, founded by Sir Anthony Brown, who was created Knight of the Bath, at the coronation of Richard Il.
His son, Sir Stephen Brown, was Lord Mayor of London in 1439.
Sir Thomas Brown, living in the time of Henry V., was the father of Sir Thomas Brown, treasurer of the household of Henry VI., from 1444 to 1460.
Thomas Brown, Esq., of Rye, Sussex Co., England. emigrated to Concord, Mass., in 1632.
His sons were Thomas, and Hackaliah, of Westchester Co., N. Y.
The name of Rye, Westchester Co., New York, was given in honor of the Brown family, of Rye, Snssex Co., England.
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The first American ancestor of the Carhart family was Thomas Carhart, born in Cornwall, Eng- land, about 1650. Ile arrived in New York, August 25, 1653, holding the appointment of Private Secretary to Col. Thomas Dongan, English Colonial Governor of the Colonies at that date.
Thomas Carhart married, in 1691, Mary Lord, daughter of Robert Lord, of Cambridge, and Rebecca Phillips, of Boston, Mass., and granddaughter of Major Win. Phillips, Major Commandant of the military forces of the Province of Maine in 1665.
The name of Carhart is apparently of Saxon and Danish origin, from :
Cur. Anglo-Saxon, a rock, or eder, a town or city. Heurte, Anglo-Saxon, and Herte. Old Saxon, from which is derived the word, heart. Hlvort. Anglo-Saxon, and Hlert. Danish, from which is derived the word hurt, a stag. Shield, ar. two bars sa. in chief, a demi Griffin, issnant of the last.
Arms of 1420.
Crest, a demi man, naked, ar. a wreath about his head, sa. in right hand an oaken branch, vt. Acorus, or.
('rest of 16th Cent. Crest, a stag. ermined, attired. Elmondstou's Heraldry.
These arms were achieved and granted in the reign of Richard H., or soon after.
The issue of Barnabas Senreman and Elizabeth (Carhart) Adams, was Washington Irving, Elizabeth Armenia, Margaret Emily. Mary Louise and Ehna Maria. Washington Irving, the eldest, was educated at the public schools of New York. He entered the service of the Scovill Manufacturing Company in is5>, and rapidly rose, through successive grades of responsibilities, until he was appointed in is78 agent of the company, with entire charge of the business in New York. In the same year he was elected director of the company. In 1975 he became president of S. Peek & Co., manufacturers of photographie apparatus in New Haven. Conn., who had previously come under the control of the Seavill Manufacturing Company. In 1559, when the Scovill & Adams Company succeeded to the photographic department of the Scovill Manufacturing Company, Mr. Adams was made president and treasurer of the new corporation. Under his able management the business of the company has grown, until the Seavill and Adams Company has become the largest and most influ- ential manufacturing firm of photographie apparatus in the world. During the 1876 centennial in Philadelphia, Mr. Adams was identified with Dr. Edward L. Wilson, of that city, and others, as first vice- president of the Centennial Photographic Company. He was for many years chairman of the executive committee of the National Photographic Association of America. When only twenty-one years of age he was elected school trustee in the Ninth Ward, New York City, but since then has persistently refused to accept any proffered public office under the Municipal or State government. He was for many years a vestryman of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Since young manhood he has been prominently identified with the Masonic fraternity, having served twenty-one years as secretary of Lafayette Lodge. No. 64. of New York City, and two years as master. On February 9, 1593, he was presented by the lodge with an elegant past master's jewel, set with diamonds, in recognition of his long and faithful service. In Capitular Masonry he was advanced and exalted in Corinthian Chapter to R. A.M. In the Chivalrie Order, he was created and dubbed a knight templar in Morton Commandery. No. 4, all of New York City. Ile is also a member of the Society of Colonial Wars, by virtue of descent from three ancestors entitling him to membership.
Mr. Adams removed with his family to Montelair in Ists, and purchased property on Llewellyn Road, then known as Park Avenue, which was within the original boundaries of Llewellyn Park. The homestead connected with the property was of the then prevailing style of architecture of unpretentious country homes. He utilized as far as possible the buildings, together with their surroundings, adding to and enlarging the homestead with interior and exterior modern improvements. The landscape features were also improved by the addition of shade and ornamental trees, until the place presented a decided and most picturesque appearance, forming one of the most attractive and delightful homes in the township. The accompanying illustrations give a better idea of the picturesqueness of the place than could any written
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description. Mr. Adams subsequently purchased considerable unimproved real estate, and with charac- teristic enterprise has erected several attractive dwellings.
Mr. Adams married Marion Lydia, daughter of Hon. George Briggs, of New York City; issue, Briggs Booth, born September 5, 1861, died December 24, 1873; Charlotte Elizabeth, born November 24, 1862, died February 24, 1864; W. I. Lincoln and Mary Wilson.
WASHINGTON IRVING LINCOLN ADAMS, third child of Washington Irving and Marion Lydia (Briggs) Adams, was born in New York City, February 22. 1865. He was educated at the Montelair High School, graduating in 1883. In the same year he became associated with his father in business in New York. Naturally of a literary turn of mind, he early assumed editorial charge of The Photographic Times, an illustrated weekly magazine, and the leading organ of photography in this country. He is a writer of ability, and is the author of a number of books on photographie subjects. He is also editor of " The
RESIDENCE OF W. I. LINCOLN ADAMS, ORANGE ROAD.
American Annual of Photography," an illustrated record of photographie progress, which has attained a yearly circulation exceeding twenty thousand copies. He has artistically photographed all the picturesque and historical portions of Montelair and its surroundings, and in 1889 made a most attractive collection of his photographs, and published them in photogravure, entitled " Montelair : a Series of Photogravures from Nature." It was of these photographs that Mr. George Inness. Sr., said: " They are very charming, and should prove extremely useful in the development of the landscape art of our country." Some of these photographs are reproduced in this work, and Mr. Adams has assisted the author also in other important ways, including the contribution of some valuable historical material which he had collected. Mr. Adams is a charter member of THE OurLook and MONTCLAIR CLUBS, and an active member of The Congregational Club of New York and Vicinity, and of The Quill Club. He is a member, also, of the American Institute
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