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 37
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Hle was a member and one of the Secretaries of the first National Congregational Council held at Boston in 1865, and of subsequent Conneils held at Oberlin in 1871, and at Worcester, Mass., in 1889; and also a member of the International Congregational Council held in London in 1991, where he represented the American Missionary AAssociation as its delegate.
He endowed the Professorship of Hebrew in Yale College in 1868; and, for the benefit and encouragement of the young men of Waterbury and vicinity. to assist them in acquiring a collegiate education he established five scholarships in the academic and scientific departments of Yale, all of which, together with the Hebrew Professorship, were named in his honor.
Soon after his removal to New York City in 1546. Deacon Holmes identified himself with the Broadway Tabernacle Church, and was for many years and until his removal to Montelair a Deacon and Trustee of the Society and Superintendent of the Sunday School. He was also largely engaged in Sunday School mission work. He was one of the founders of the Congregational Church of Montelair in 1870, was one of its first Deacons, and is the only one who has held the office consecutively since its organization. Immediately after the formation of the Society he suggested the name of Mr. Bradford, who was soon after called by the church and became its first pastor.
With a single exception Deacon Hohnes has had a successful business career, and whatever mistakes he has made have been due to his natural kindness of heart and over-confidence in his fellow men. In his endeavor to follow closely the golden rule he expected too much from others. He came out of his difficulties. however, with a reputation untarnished Neither his ability, his judgment, nor his unswery- ing integrity were ever questioned.
His love for his fellow men is unbounded, and he makes no distinction of race or color. His life has exemplified his firm belief in the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man.
" He hath an eye for pity, and hand Open as the day for melting ' charity.'"
So to do good, and to better the condition of his fellow men has been the aim of his life, and he has been identified with almost every benevolent undertaking in the church and out of it since he came to Montelair.
He married, June 3, 1856. Mary HI. Goodale-born November 12, 1829-daughter of Deacon David and Millieent Warren Goodale, of Marlboro', Mass., a descendant of John Goodale, who settled in Salem about 1696 and removed thence to Marlboro", Mass. Issue. Ellen Warren, born November 18, 1857, married June 17, 1851, Rev. Frank A. Beckwith, who died in San Francisco, December 12, 1883; Samuel Judd, born October 15, 1859, married S. Josephine Brautigam March 18, 1986; Arthur, born July 5, 1861. died August 5. 1861 : Mary Goodale, born December 1, 1862 ; Dacid Goodale, born October 18, 1865, married to E. Annie Bate. April 7, 1886: George Day, born June 15, 1867. graduated at Yale College, 1890.
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HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
WILLIAM BUSKIRK HOLMES, youngest son of Samuel and Lneina (Todd) Hohnes, was born at Southington, Conn. (his father having removed thence from Waterbury), July 31, 1831. ITis father returned to Waterbury, where William continued to reside from early childhood. He was educated at private school and the Waterbury Academy. After leaving school he was employed by the Benedict & Burnham Co., of Waterbury, from 1843 to 1850. He then came to New York, and was in the employ of the Scovill Manufacturing Co. for fifteen years. In January, 1865, he started in the business of photographie supplies, in which he is still engaged. He moved to Montelair in 1856, and became the pioneer of the " Waterbury Colony." He induced his brother and many others to purchase property and settle there, and thereby assisted materially in the early development of the township. He was at one time a large owner in real estate, and sold to Mr. Carey the plot of ground on Orange Road occupied by the latter. He was a liberal entertainer, and among his distinguished visitors was Horace Greeley. Ile named some of the prominent streets in the township, among which was Plymouth Street, on the corner of which the Congregational Church edifice now stands. He was one of the founders of the Society, and has served several years as a Deacon of the Church. Ile was instrumental in locating the church edifice on its present site.
Mr. Holmes married Mary 11. Bull, danghter of Frederick Bull, who was for a long time an elder of Dr. Adams' church, of Milford, Conn. Her grandmother was a direct descendant of Governor Trumbull, of Connecticut, known as " Brother Jonathan." Mr. Holmes has four children, viz. : William T., Edward II., Caroline S., and Henry L.
THE PORTER FAMILY.
The Porters were among the early comers of what was known as the " Waterbury Colony," repre- senting the same element-although with far advanced ideas-of the Connectient colonists who, two hundred years previous, planted the standard of civil and religious liberty in Eastern New Jersey, and became the parent stock of what is now comprised in Essex County, New Jersey, and it is a noteworthy fact that the homestead lot of the Porters is a part of the original grant to Deacon Azariah Crane, who married the daughter of Governor Robert Treat, of Connectient, both of whom were leaders in the establishment of Newark, or New Worke, as the new enterprise was then called.
The name of Porter is among the early surnames mentioned in English history, and no less than thirty-six of this name are mentioned by Burke as having been granted arms by their ruling sovereigns. Among the earliest mentioned is that of Endymion Porter, Groom of the Bedchamber to Charles 1., a celebrated courtier of the period, who descended from Robert Porter, brother of Sir William Porter, Knight, living temp Henry V. The motto borne on the shield of the famous knights representing this family- Vigilantia et Virtute-has been a characteristic of the descendants through subsequent generations.
DANIEL PORTER, the founder of the Connecticut branch of this family, was early in the colony, previous to 1644. He was licensed to " practice physic and chirurgery" in 1654 by the General Court. In 1661-2 it was ordered that his yearly salary should be paid out of the public treasury, while his fee- table was established by law. He was required to attend upon the sick in Hartford, Windsor, Wethers- field and Middletown. He was more particularly a bonesetter, as is shown by the following record :
" For the encouragement of Daniel Porter in attending the service of the country in setting bones, etc., the court do hereby angment his sallery from six pounds a year to twelve pounds prannum, and to advise him to instruct some meet person to his art."
Daniel (1) had a son Daniel (2) born February 2, 1652, who followed his father's calling as a " bonesetter." The latter had a son Daniel (3) born March 5. 1699, who married Hannah, danghter of John Hopkins, a descendant-probably-of William Hopkins, of Roxbury, Mass., who married Hannah Goffe, a daughter of Goffe the regicide. The latter was a descendant of Stephen Hopkins, who came over in the Mayflower in 1621. Daniel (3) had a son Timothy (1) born June 19, 1735, who was also a
.. Porter
HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
physician. He had a son Daniel (4) born September 23, 1768, who was the father of Timothy (2) born January 30, 1792. This Timothy married Polly Ann Todd, daughter of a Mr. Todd, a descendant of Christopher, one of the earliest settlers of the New Haven Colony, and owner of the land now known as the " campus " of Yale College.
NATHAN T. PORTER. son of Timothy, was born at Waterbury, Conn., December 10, 1828, and received his education at the schools in that place and at the academy at Easton, Conn. Close attention to his studies, aided by his quick intellect and retentive memory. enabled him rapidly to master whatever he undertook.
It was the practical subjects that especially attracted him, and about his home he took the lead in every enterprise.
Ilis later career was the logical development of these tendencies. The small manufacturing town
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RESIDENCE OF A. T. PORTER, GALES AVENUE.
of those days afforded too small a field for his ambition, and in 1854 he went to New York, entering the employ of A. W. Welton, a dry-goods commission merchant in Liberty Street. After he and his brother Thomas had been in the employ of this house about a year, they were admitted to the firm, which then became A. W. Welton & Porters, a high compliment to those who had been so short a time in the business. A further evidence of Mr. Welton's confidence was that he allowed his name and personal responsibility to remain after he had ceased to participate in the profits of the business. The firm name was later changed to Porter Bros., and finally to Porter Bros, and Company. From the beginning until he retired from active business Nathan was the leading member of the firm and brought the house successfully through such trying periods as the panie of '73. It was also mainly due to his tine business ability that the small business whose management he undertook in 1855 grew to its later magnitude. lle combined in an unusual degree the ability to direct the more important matters and at the same time
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IHISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
keep thoroughly acquainted with all the details of the business. Prominent among Ins business charac- teristies were, energy, care and promptness. It has been well said of him that he could transaet more business in an hour than most men could in a day. In 1881. poor health compelled him to retire from his more active duties in the business. During his long and honorable business career he was identified with many enterprises to which he gave close personal attention. His connection with the National Shoe and Leather Bank. of New York City, first as Director and afterward as Vice-President, brought him into prominence as a financier. He was very influential in its affairs and was held in the highest esteem by his associates on account of his courtesy and strong personality, as well as his ability and good judgment. For many years he was President of the Cheshire Manufacturing Company and Cheshire Brass Company, of West Cheshire, Conn .; Director in the Patent Button Company, of Waterbury, Conn. (all of which were successful under his management), and served in several other companies in an official capacity. On October 16, 1862, Mr. Porter married, at New London, Conn., Miss Mary C. Comstock, a sister of Mrs. Thomas Porter.
Mr. Porter resided in New York and Brooklyn during the earlier years of his business life. In June, 1868, he removed to Montelair, having purchased, in conjunction with his brother, a large tract of land situated on Union Street, Gates Avenne, Harrison Avenne and Clinton Avenne, which had formerly been a part of the old Crane farm. Mr. Porter and his family lived in the Union Street house until the erection of the house on the corner of Gates and Clinton Avenues in 1891. In the quiet of this suburban village he found a much needed rest and recreation, where he could for the time being lay aside the eares of business and enjoy the advantages of country life. He took pleasure in superintending the work on his place, and prided himself on his garden, to which he devoted many of his leisure hours while at home, a diversion which helped materially to relieve the strain resulting from a too close application to business. Hle showed the keenest interest in public affairs of the township. He was for three years a Commissioner of Roads, and for two years a member of the Township Committee. While holding these offices he devoted much time to them, and conscientiously performed their duties. The demands on his time, however, were too great, and after his last year on the Township Committee he declined to be a candidate for re-election.
His father was a Baptist, and in his youth Nathan became a member of that church, but he was too liberal in his religions views to be bound by any merely denominational distinctions, and became one of the original members of the First Congregational Church, in which he always took the greatest interest. As Trustee and Treasurer of this Church he rendered valuable assistance. By his personal efforts and liberal contributions he aided materially in paying off the Church debt, as well as in the enlargement of the building and other improvements. He gave liberally to other benevolent objeets, but always withont ostentation. He continued to take an active interest in all these matters till his failing health necessitated an entire change. Since his retirement from active business he has spent his time partly in Montelair and partly at his old home in Waterbury, among the scenes of his youth.
Mr. Porter has never been fond of society in its formal sense, though he was always known as a most companionable and sociable man. He was popular among his large cirele of friends and acquaintances, and his presence was always welcome. His keen sense of humor made him an appreciative listener, and his vein of wit made him an entertaining talker. On all occasions he was a thorough gentleman. One of Mr. Porter's most prominent traits was his fondness for his home, and there was nothing he enjoyed more than being with his family. With his children he was like one of themselves, entering into all that interested them. lle was an ideal husband and father.
The issue of his marriage to Miss Comstock was three children. James Soutter, born at Jersey City, New Jersey, October 22, 1865; Nathan T., Jr., born at Brooklyn, December 5, 1867, and Hiland, born at Montelair, December 10, 1871.
James Soutter Porter was educated at Montelair public school, and entered the employ of Porter Bros. & Co. ; married Miss Grace Jewett Shively, daughter of Andrew J. Shively. at Brooklyn, N. Y., on April 28. 1892.
Thomas Porter
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HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
Nathan T. Porter. JJr., prepared for college at the Montelair High School and entered Yale in 1586, graduating in 1890. After graduation he entered the employ of Porter Bros. & Co., and became a mem- ber of the firm January. 1892. He married at Troy. N. Y., February 24, 1892. Miss Caroline Chester Knickerbacker, daughter of Thos. A. Knickerbacker, a descendant of the old Dutch family whose head, Johann Van Berger Knickerbacker, settled at Albany in 1652.
Ililand Porter received his education at the public schools in Montelair, and is now in the employ of Porter Bros. & Co.
THOMAS PORTER. third son of Deaeon Timothy and Polly Ann (Todd) Porter, was born in Water- bury, Conn .. Feb. 7. 1831. He was educated in the common schools and academy of Waterbury, and the Staples Academy in Easton. While attending school in the winter he worked on his father's farm and brickyard in the summer.
In the autumn of 1954, he went to New York City in the employ of Arad W. Welton, who in a
m
RESIDENCE OF THOMAS PORTER, UNION STREET.
little store in Liberty Street was selling the goods of the Cheshire Manufacturing Company. He had scarcely mastered the details of the business when. through the defection of other and older employees, a large share of the responsibility devolved upon him, and he called to his assistance N. T. Porter, who was still living in Waterbury. Under the management of the two young men, the business received a large and rapid development, being conducted under the name of A. W. Welton & Porters. After a few years Mr. Welton retired and another brother, Sammel M. Porter, entered the partnership. The firm of Porter Brothers was then assumed, which later, on the admission of some employees as partners, was extended to Porter Brothers and Company. The affairs of the firm were so successfully and efficiently managed, that it soon acquired a high reputation. and has continued in uninterrupted prosperity to the present time. The firm removed to Chambers Street, thence to 443 and 445 Broadway and finally to 78 and 79 Worth Street.
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HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSIIIP.
Thomas Porter was for many years a director in the National Shoe and Leather Bank. He was known and recognized as one of the leading merchants of New York, and during the period of the War was a staunch supporter of the Government. While many New York merchants doubted and shaped their course accordingly, his faith in the ability of the Government to maintain itself in its entirety never for a moment wavered. Ile belonged to that elass of New York merchants who were honest from principle and not from policy, and who believed in applying the golden rule to every day transactions of life.
Owing to the death of one of the three brothers and the failure in health of another, the eares of the extensive business of Porter Brothers & Company, rested mainly upon Mr. Thomas Porter as the leading and most experienced member of the firm, and he was practically the responsible head for the last ten years of his life. At the time of his death he was President of the Cheshire Manufacturing Company, the Cheshire Brass Company, of Barnard, Son & Company, the Patent Button Company and the Vuleanite Manufacturing Company.
As a business man Mr. Porter was prudent, courageous and energetie, and possessed a high sense of mereantile honor. Unswerving integrity, and a determination to fulfill at any cost every honorable obligation, were the ruling principles of his business career.
Mr. Porter resided for a number of years in Brooklyn, where he was prominent in social eireles and an active member of the Washington Avenue Baptist Church. The elimate of Brooklyn seemed ill adapted to the health of his family and he was persuaded by Mr. Samuel Holmes to try the climate of Montelair. In 1868 he purchased, in connection with his brother Nathan, thirty aeres, situated on what is now Union Street and Harrison Avenne, which was originally part of the Jeremiah Crane farm. He moved his family out and occupied for two or three summers the small house which rests on the found- ation of the original homestead of Jeremiah Crane. The health of his family improved to such an extent that he finally decided to settle permanently in Montelair. He fixed up the homestead property which he continued to ocenpy until 1886, when he built the beautiful home on the crest of the hill which he occupied up to the time of his death. The following from the Montelair Times of Nov. 16, 1890, refers to his usefulness as a citizen of Montelair, also to his sudden death :
" Not since the sudden death of Henry A. Dyke has the community been so shocked as at the announcement yester- day of the death of Thomas Porter. He had been at business the day before, and during the evening conversed with his family and with friends who had called concerning business and social matters. He never seemed in better health than when he retired Thursday night. On Friday morning about five o'clock he was taken suddenly ill and in a few minutes passed away.
" Mr. Porter has been a prominent figure in social and business circles both in Montclair and New York. For a long time he has been head of the great firm of Porter Bros. & Co. In our local affairs he has occupied many positions of eminence and usefulness. For a number of terms he was President of the Board of Trustees of our public schools and always used his influence for the maintenance of the high standards which have distinguished the schools. His addresses at the commencements many remember as impressive and appropriate. When the Village Improvement Society was organized, and while it lasted, he was its President. He always took a lively interest in public affairs. Socially he was a most delightful and genial man. His beautiful home has been opened on many occasions, and all who knew him well were glad to be numbered among his friends. He was a member of the Baptist Church in Orange, and was greatly interested in whatever concerned the progress of religion in the community and the world. Montclair owes much to him, and while in the last few years he has not been personally as conspicuous in the life of the community as before, it has been only because other duties compelled him to give his attention elsewhere.
" An honored citizen, an earnest Christian, a business man whose reputation was unstained, he was one who apparently could ill be spared by the community, his family or his church. The sympathies of a host of friends are with those who have been so suddenly called to part with one who was as dear to them as life itself."
Mr. Porter was a member of the Washington Memorial Association, being one of a company of gentlemen who purchased the site of Washington's Headquarters at Morristown, and erected the memorial at that place.
Ile was President of the Village Improvement Society of Montelair, and was for twelve years Chairman of its Board of Education. In this latter capacity, by his successful efforts in stimulating a publie interest in education, by his able addresses on anniversary oceasions, and by his prudent manage-
Panbleck
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HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
ment of the affairs of the office, he did much to establish a school which has fitted scores of young men for college.
When about fourteen years of age he united with the Waterbury Baptist Church and was an active member and Sunday School Superintendent until his removal to New York. In New York he was a prominent member of the Madison Avenue Baptist Church, and on his removal to Montelair united first with the Bloomfield Baptist Church and continued his membership there until Dr. Edward Judson, son of Adoniram Judson. the famous missionary, accepted a call to the Orange Baptist Church. when he took his letter to that church. He became a warm friend of Dr. Judson and a great admirer of hi- preaching. The intimacy that existed between them enabled Dr. Jud-on to form a just opinion of the personal characteristics of Mr. Porter, which he gave expression to after the latter's death as follows :
" I have just returned from the funeral of Mr. Thomas Porter. of Montelair. a warm personal
friend of mine, and an honored member of the Orange Church. He was sixty years old. having just entered the antminn of life-that period when, having ontlived the fever and friction of youth, we come into smooth adaptation of our environments, and we inherit the wealth of varied and numerous relationships. Mr. Porter was a man of peculiar social grace. Ilis commanding and almost regal carriage. his features strong and rugged. yet mobile and transparent, revealing every movement of the noble spirit behind them, his unvarying courtesy. his quiet unselfishness, his considerate treatment. especially to those who occupied humbler social positions, marked him as a gentleman of the old school. His benignant presence will be peculiarly missed in the social circles which he frequented. But besides this he was a man of strong principle. Ilis moral intuitions were aente. His whole nature revolted against whatever was crooked or unclean. He was fearle- in avowing hi- convictions. And yet he was neither morose nor ascetic. He was always kindly in his construction of the conduet and motives of others. The opinions he held a- a Christian and as a Baptist were definite and pronounced. Without prodigality he was large- hearted and benevolent. I found in him a firm helper in my Orange fiekl. and his friendliness has followed me through all iny experience in lower New York."
The characteri-ties of Mr. Porter were clearly hereditary. It will be observed that his ancestors in a direct line for four successive generation- were physician-, and in early life he was strongly inclined to follow that profession. but was dissuaded from doing so by his parents. He seemed to possess remarkable gifts in this direction. and would no doubt have made his mark had he been permitted to follow his own inelinations. He frequently assisted the afflicted when physicians or surgeons were not available.
Mr. Porter married. in 1963. Miss Annie Comstock. Janghter of M. M. Comstock. a direct descendant of William, the ancestor who owned land in Wether-field in 1641, and settled in New London in 1649.
The line of descent i- through John the John (2). Peter (1), Peter (2). Peter (3). The first Peter, who was the great grandfather of Mrs. Porter. wa- Captain of a Company of Lattimer's Regiment in the War of the Revolution, and was stationed at Fort Trumbull when New London was burned.
The issue of the marriage of Thoma- Porter and Annie Comstock was Thomas W .. Howard and Roland. Only the eldest. Thomas W .. is now living, and is at present the head of the firm of Porter Bros. & Co. He married. June 12. 1-94, Miss Lillian Mary Ward, youngest daughter of the late General Rodney C. Ward, of Brooklyn.
JOSEPH VAN VLECK.
Two families of the name of Van Vleck are mentioned in the colonial records of New York. In the Near Netherlands Register, page 100, it is stated that " Van Vleck (Tielman) may justly be regarded as the founder of Bergen (N. J.). He came originally from Bremen, studied under a notary in Amsterdam, came to this country abont 165%, and was admitted to practice the same year. Ile was made the first Schont and President of the Court at Bergen, September 5. 1661. After the capture of the country by the English he returned to New York and resided there in 1671."
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