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 43
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50
He is the inventor of the Wheeler Patent Surface Condenser, which is largely in use throughout this country and abroad, and universally recog- nized as the standard surface condenser in modern engine practice. It has been adopted by the U. S. Navy, and used for testing and laboratory work in nearly all the mechanical institutes and schools of technology throughout F. M. WHEELER. the country. Mr. Wheeler is also the patentee of a number of pumping machines, and other inventions in this line. In 1890 he organized the Wheeler Condenser and Engineering Co., of which he is a Director and Vice-President. The extensive works of this company are located at Carteret, N. J. Mr. Wheeler is also a Director and Secretary of the Ludlow Valve Manufacturing Co. Hle is one of the charter members of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. He is also a member of the American Society of Naval Engineers and the Engineers' Club. He served as a member of the Advisory Council of the Engineering Congress at the Columbian Exhibition.
After leaving Brooklyn, his native city, Mr. Wheeler resided for some time at Staten Island. He married, in 1876, Florence, eldest daughter of Charles K. Willner of Montelair, and after a short residence in New York City decided to make Montelair bis home.
In 1893 he purchased for a residence the old Nason place on Gates Avenue. now known as Braebank, which he has greatly improved and beautified.
Both Mr. Wheeler and his wife have been prominent in social circles in Montelair for many years. Mr. Wheeler was the founder of the Montelair Equestrian Club, which subsequently became the Mont- clair and Essex County Hunt. and now the Essex County Country Club. He has been one of the Governors of the Country Club since its organization. He was one of the founders of the Outlook ('lub, and one of the early members of the Montelair Club, and at one time on its Board of Directors.
While assisting in the various publie improvements from time to time, the subject which has interested Mr. Wheeler most is that of a publie park for Montelair, which he has been agitating for years. offering to contribute liberally toward the enterprise. Others, however, to whom he applied failed to sufficiently appreciate its importance to unite with him in his landable efforts in this direction. In other publie matters he has always been heartily enthusiastic. Mr. Wheeler has no particular taste for politics. but has always worked in the interests of good government. In church matters he has served on the vestry of St. Luke's Parish for many years, and was a member of the Building Committee of the new church edifice.
The issue of the marriage of Mr. Wheeler with Miss Willmer is Beatrice Molineux, Knight Willner, Cottrell Corbett and Gladys Willmer.
Chapter XVI.
LEGAL PROFESSION-PAUL WILCOX, E. B. GOODELL, STARR J. MURPHY, G. W. MURRAY .- THE DENTAL PROFESSION-DR. S. C. G. WATKINS, DR. ALBERT J. WRIGHT .- ART AND ARTISTS-HARRY FENN, LAWRENCE C. EARLE, J. S. HARTLEY, GEORGE INNESS, SR., GEORGE INNESS, JR .- ROSWELL SMITH, FOUNDER OF THE CENTURY MAGAZINE ; A. II. SIEGFRIED .- TWO HEROES OF THE WAR- ABRAM P. IFARING, HARRY LITTLEJOHN.
申代
PAUL WILCOX.
NIE Wileox family of Tennessee, from whom the above named is descended, undoubtedly had a common origin with those of the same name in New England. Burke's " Landed (entry " states that " the English branch, settled at County Essex and County Middlesex, bore Arms: Argent a lion rampant between three crescents sable ; a chief vair. Crest : Out of a mural coronet or, a demi lion rampant, sable collared vair." The aneestor of the Tennessee branch came from England in the early part of the last century. John, the great grandfather of Paul Wilcox, married the daughter of " Squire Boone," brother of the famous Daniel Boone. Dr. George Boone Wilcox, son of John, was a noted physician, who practiced for forty years in Boone County, Mo. Dr. John Wilcox, his son, the father of Paul, was one of the most prominent physicians and surgeons in
Missouri, and afterward in Indiana. Owing to his Southern sympathies in the early part of the war, he was driven from his native State and settled in Indiana, where he made many warm friends and acquired a large practice. He was considered the best surgical expert in the Middle Western States. Among his most intimate friends and associates were : President Harrison, Vice-President Hendricks, United States Senator Joseph E. McDonald and other distinguished Western men. IIe married a Margaret H. Griffin, of Culpepper Court House, Va., a descendant of an old and well-known family of Virginia. Her grandfather on her father's side was a Zachariah Griffin, who served with the Continental Army throughont the Revolutionary War.
Paul Wilcox, son of Dr. John and Margaret H. (Griffin) Wilcox, was born in Boone County, Mo., Oct. 3, 1858. Hle was prepared for and graduated at De Paw College, Indiana, with the highest honors, being chosen valedictorian. Hle afterward studied in Berlin and Leipsie, Germany, and was graduated at Columbia College Law School in 1884. He read law in the office of Mitchell & Mitehell (one of whom is the present District Attorney) New York City, and was admitted to the Bar in 1SS5. He began practice on his own account in 1886, continuing for four years, until 1890, when he formed the present copartnership of Wilcox & Barkley. Although one of the younger members of the Bar of New York, his success as a corporation lawyer has been marked. In many of his most important eauses he has been arrayed against some of the oldlest and ablest lawyers in the city. He spares neither time nor labor in his legal investigations. He discusses legal questions with a clearness of illustration, a strength of argument, a fullness and variety of learning rarely equaled by one of his age and experience. He represents many of the largest corporations in the city. Among these may be mentioned the American Press Association, the largest newspaper corporation in the world, comprising ten thousand newspapers and having its various sub-companies in fifteen different States. He is also a Director in this Association.
He secured the adoption of favorable laws for American corporations in Canada and argned snceessfully important eases in England connected with the Thorne Type-Setting Machine Company.
Gave triceox.
273
HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
Mr. Wilcox has been but a few years a resident of Montelair, but during this period he has exerted an important influence in the community. He purchased in Isss the Bayles homestead on Upper Montelair Avenue, which is one of the most beautiful sites in the township, affording as it docs one of the most extended views to be had from any point on the mountain. The main house, as it stood originally, is of brown stone, of the early English style of architecture. To this Mr. Wilcox has added a large extension, which is in rough east, or cement, to correspond somewhat with the original design. The interior of dining room, 20 by 30 feet. is made to correspond with the exterior, but is far more elaborate. It is of
RESIDENCE OF MR. PAUL WILCOX, UPPER MONTCLAIR AVENUE.
the early English style, finished in antique oak, with high wainscot in square panels and heavy beam ceiling.
Mr. Wilcox has taken a leading part in the social affairs which are among the most attractive features of this beautiful suburban township. He was one of the organizers and most active promoters of the Outlook Club : has been a member of the committee since its organization and was elected its President in 1593. He is Vice-President of the Montelair Club, and has been equally active in advaneing its interests. Probably the most important service he has rendered to the people of Montelair was the conspienous part he took, and the material aid given by him in the organization of the Montelair Bank. The first meeting of its projectors was held at his New York office in Temple Court, where the prelim-
274
HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
inary steps were taken to insure its success. For his aetive efforts in its establishment, as well as those of his associates, the citizens of Montelair are indebted for one of the best and most successfully managed banking institutions to be found in any suburban village or township in this part of the country. Mr. Wilcox was a subscriber to the original stock and has been a director since its organization.
Mr. Wileox married, in 1884, Miss Mary Maul, daughter of William G. Maul, of Omaha, Nebraska, whose ancestors were among the early settlers of New Jersey. Uriah Maul, her great-grandfather, served throughout the War of the Revolution, in Capt. Bloomfield's Company, Third Battalion, First Establishment ; Capt. Mott's Company. Third Battalion, Second Establishment ; Third Regiment ; also, First Regiment.
Mrs. Wilcox has been equally prominent with her husband as a leader in social affairs, and has taken an active part in the musical and literary life of Montelair. She is a woman of rare intellectual and musical gifts. She is a member of the Sorosis, before which she has often sung, and an active participant in its deliberations. Before coming East she sang in the Presbyterian Church at Omaha.
The issue of the marriage of Mr. Wilcox with Miss Maul is Harold, born 1885, and Gladys. born 1890.
EDWIN BURPEE GOODELL.
EDWIN BURPEE GOODELL is eighth in descent from Robert Goodell. the ancestor, one of the early settlers of Massachusetts Bay. Titus Goodell. a native of New Hampshire, the great-grandfather of Edwin B., was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and was killed at the battle of Stillwater.
Edwin B. Goodell was born at Rockville, Con., May 7, 1851, was prepared for college at the High School, he and his brother being the first to enter college from this school. Ile was graduated at Yale in 1877. and taught in the publie school at Montelair from 1877 to 1879. He returned to Yale in the autumn of '79, and was graduated at the Law School, with the degree of LL.B., in 1880. He was awarded by the Yale Faculty the Deforest Prize Medal, for the best written and delivered English oration, in 1877. and the John A. Porter Prize of $250, for the best essay on an assigned subject. in 1890. After leaving the Law School he returned to Montelair and taught for another year until 1881, and was admitted to the Bar of Connecticut in IS80, that of New York in 1882, and of New Jersey in 1883. With a branch office in New York City, his practice is principally in New Jersey, his main office being located at Montelair, which has been practically his residence since 1877. Mr. Goodell was one of the original promoters and most active members of the Tariff Reform Club. Ile was a member of the original committee appointed to organize the Montelair Club. one of the Board of Governors, and succeeded Mr. Topliff as Secretary and Treasurer. Ile was one of the original Trustees of the Trinity Presbyterian Church, and is still connected with it in that capacity, and was for two or three years Secretary of the Sabbath school. He married Annette C., daughter of Philip Dorenms; issue four children, three sons and one daughter.
STARR JOCELYN MURPHY.
The above names represent three distinct families who became united by marriage. Mr. Murphy. who represents the present generation of his family, was born at Avon, Conn., June 17, 1860; son of Rev. Elijah Douglass Murphy, D.D., of New York City, born at Potsdam, St. Lawrence County, N. Y .. grandson of James, of Williamstown, Mass., and great-grandson of James, who was born in Ireland and emigrated to this country in the latter part of the last century. James, the son of the ancestor, served in the War of 1812.
Mr. Murphy's mother was the daughter of Rev. Simeon Smith Jocelyn, of New Haven, Conn., born 1799, son of Simeon, of North Guilford, Conn., born Oet. 22, 1746, son of Nathaniel. Jr., born Dec. 19, 1721, son of Nathaniel (1), born about 1699.
Rev. Simeon Smith Jocelyn, referred to above, married Harriette Starr, daughter of Daniel Starr,
275
HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
a Revolutionary soldier who served as a fiter in Capt. Return Jonathan Maggs' Company (Fourth Connectient, enlisted April, 1775, served under Gen. Wooster, marched to the Northern Department, Gen. Schulyer's, and took part in the operations along Lakes George and Champlain, assisted in the reduction of St. Johns in October, and was afterward stationed at Montreal. This Daniel Starr was the son of Joseph, Jr., son of Joseph, who was the son of Comfort, son of Dr. Thomas, who was the son of Dr. Comfort Starr, the emigrant, who settled in Cambridge, Mass .. in 1634.
S. J. Murphy, the subject of this sketch, was prepared for college at Adelphi Academy. Brook- lyn, N. Y . graduated at Amherst College with the degree of A. B., in 1ss1, and at Columbia College Law School, in 1\\3. with the degree of LL. B .. and the additional degree of LL.B. cum laude, and was admitted to the bar of the State of New York in May of that year. While attending the Law School he also studied in the office of Bangs & Stetson, and immediately after admission to the bar entered the office of Carter & Hornblower. From 1956 to 1>>9 he practiced independently, and in the latter year organized the firm of Murphy. Lloyd & Boyd.
A- a resident of Montelair, Mr. Murphy is comparatively a newcomer, having settled here in Iss7. He has taken an active interest in publie and political affairs, though outside of party lines. He was one of the founders of the Tariff Reform Club, and in the last Presidential campaign advocated its principles from the platform. He is the Secretary of the local Good Government Club. He was a charter member of the Montclair Club, and served for three years on the Board of Directors. He was also much interested in the Dramatic ('lub, and has frequently appeared upon its stage, generally in comedy roles.
Mr. Murphy was induced to settle in Montelair mainly because of his marriage, in 1887. to Miss Inlia Brush Doubleday, daughter of John Mason Doubleday. Esq., one of the oldest and most respected citizens of Montelair, who was an important factor in the carly development of the township. Hle was a direct descendant of the famous Capt. John Mason, who led the expedition against the l'equots, which resulted in their extermination. He was also a descendant of Jonathan Edwards, James Pierre- pont. John Ogden, and, through the marriage of his male and female ancestors, his line of descent comes through the Stoddards of Boston. Gov. Bradford, of the Mayflower, Rev. Thomas Hooker, the founder of Hartford, Conn .. and other well-known New England families. The line of descent from the Double- days is through Elisha. who settled in Yarmouth, Mass .. in 1676, thence through Elisha, Elisha. Ammi and John Tilden, who was the father of John Mason Doubleday.
The issue of the marriage of Mr. Murphy to JJulia Brush Doubleday is three children.
GEORGE WELWOOD MURRAY.
GEORGE WELWOOD MURRAY was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, March 8, 1856, the son of Welwood and Lily (Gourlay) Murray. He came to this country an infant and settled in New York City, where he attended public and private schools, and was graduated at Columbia College Law School in 1876. He also studied law with Edgar Ketchu and with Sanford & Robinson, later Robinson & Scribner. He was admitted to the Bar of New York in March, 1577. and at the beginning of the same year became associated with AAnderson & Young. now Anderson. Howland & Murray-at first having charge of their real estate law department-and has since continued his connection with this firm, later as a partner, his specialty being corporation law.
During his residence in New York Mr. Murray was connected with the Judson Memorial Church as a Deacon and a Trustee. He removed to Montelair in the spring of 1591. and purchased a plot of ground on Mountain Avenue on the side of the mountain, a part of the old Joseph Baldwin farm, and has there erected a dwelling. Although retaining his membership and interest in the Memorial Churel in New York. he has largely identified himself with the Baptist Church and Sunday School of Montelair. He is a member of the Montelair and the Ontlook Clubs. a Director of the Young Men's Christian Association, and a member of the New York Bar Association. He married, in 1878. Caroline, daughter of William and Sarah (Sylvester) Church. He has one child, Lily Sylvester Murray.
276
HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
THE DENTAL PROFESSION.
Dentistry as a profession was comparatively unknown to the early settlers of Cranetown and West Bloomfield, and the country doctor, whose practice extended over half the county, was expected to be fully equipped for all " dental operations." His "equipment " consisted of two or three pairs of forceps, or turn-keys, and in the operation it was often a question of strength and endurance between the doctor and his patient, the latter being compelled to endure the pain until the strength of the doctor was exhausted, or something " gave way," frequently a part of the tooth or jaw, and it became necessary to resort to heroic treatment. Under this, however, "endurance ceased to be a virtue," and the patient himself resorted to extreme measures. When the doctor succeeded in extracting the molar he had nothing to replace it with, and after a few operations the patient was left to regret the lack of develop- ment in the dental art.
Such was the condition of affairs a quarter of a century ago. Later one or two dentists came and settled here for a time, but met with indifferent success, and soon retired. Three members of the profession have, within the past few years, established a successful practice, viz .: Dr. S. C. G. Watkins, Dr. A. J. Wright and Dr. Frederick S. Crane.
SAMUEL CHARLES GOLDSMITHI WATKINS, D.D.S.
The failure of his predecessors did not deter Dr. S. C. G. Watkins from locating in Montelair as a professional dentist. He made a casual survey of the field, and satisfied himself that there was a good opening for a skillful practitioner, and his success was assured from the beginning, his clientèle at the present time far exceeding that of most suburban dentists.
Dr. Watkins began the study of his profession early in life with a natural aptitude for it, being possessed of considerable mechanical ingennity as well. Ile owes his success, perhaps, as much to heredity as to his early training. Ilis paternal ancestors, who were first of Wales, then of England, and finally were the founders of the Irish branch, left their impress on every age. This family represents in the female line the ancient and distinguished house of Vanghan, of Golden Grove, which derived from Hugh Vaughan, Esq., of Kidwelly, gentleman usher to King Henry VIL .. 1497. One branch of this family bore Arms : Or on a chevron gules, three horse-shoes of the field ; on a chief of the second three fleur-de-lis of the first. Crest : A lion rampant gules holding in his dexter paw a fleur de-lis or. Motto : "Virtuti avorum." Descendants of the English branch of the Watkins family accompanied Cromwell to Ireland, and for military services rendered were assigned lands in County Monahan. One branch removed thence to County Kings, where the great-grandfather of Dr. Watkins was born, whose son, Samuel Watkins. emigrated from Ireland to America in 1819, to accept a government position. Ile had endorse- ments and recommendations from the Earl of Ross to the Duke of Richmond, who was stationed at Quebec at that time. Soon after his arrival he received a grant of the largest tract of land ever given to one man, on condition of his settling at Little York (now Toronto), Ontario. He thus became the founder of the Canadian branch of the Watkins family.
A family legend dating from the time of Cromwell (1649-50) states that during a vigorous fight between the Protestants and Catholics-the former being vietorous-a Catholic priest was sheltered and scereted by one of the family-a female- in this line of Watkins descent. On the day following the Catholics routed the Protestants and drove them over the banks of the river Ban. The plueky woman referred to drew near to the priest whom she had saved and, extending her hand in token of salutation, immediately grasped the hand of the priest, dragging him into the river, and both perished together.
Sammel Watkins, above referred to, distinguished himself in the suppression of what is known as the MeKenzie Rebellion of 1835, and for his services was rewarded with a coloneley in the Canadian forces. Ilis son, Charles W., father of the subject of this sketehi, took a prominent part in resisting the Fenian raid into Canada in 1866. Ile married Harriet, daughter of George Beekwith, of Yorkshire, England, a grandson of Lord George Beckwith, a Colonel in the British Army. This very aneient family bore
277
HISTORY OF MONTCLAIR TOWNSHIP.
originally the name of Malbie, or Malbysse, being lineally descended from the marriage temp Henry III., of Hercules de Malbie, grandson of Sir Sinion de Malbie. Lord of Cawton, in Craven, with Beckwith, one of the daughters of Sir William Bruce. Lord of Uglebarby, derived from Sir Robert Brus, Lord of Skilton Castle, in Cleveland, a noble Norman knight, ancestor of the Bruces of Scotland.
Dr. Samuel C. G. Watkins, son of Dr. Charles W. and Harriet ( Beekwith) Watkins, was born at Ashgrove, Halton County, Ontario, March 27. 1853.
Ilis early life was spent on his father's farms. and his knowledge of the rudimentary branches was obtained at the county school. At the age of fourteen he removed with his parents to Detroit, Mich .. and two years later he went to Boston and studied with a well-known dentist: he obtained a fair start in life, but met with an almost irreparable loss, by being burned out in the great Boston fire of 1872. Ile lost everything except his pluck and perseverance. He began life anew, spending all his spare time in attending lectures at the Boston Dental College, from which he graduated with honor in 1875.
Ile came to Montelair in 1876, where he soon acquired an extensive practice among the best class of residents.
Ile has made numerous contributions to dental literature, notably upon the treatment of children's teeth. and the use of amalgam in tilling. Ile is the inventor of amalgam instruments which bear his name. a dental record book, a machine for making tapering screws and the Watkins toothbrush ; also a sectional head-rest for dental chairs, which bear his name. He has received many honors from his pro- fessional associates: in Isst he was unanimously elected President of the Alumni Association of the Boston Dental College. The same year he was elected President of the Central Dental Association of Northern New Jersey, of which he was one of the founders in Isso, and has been Chairman of the Executive Committee for the past eight years. In Issp he was made President of the New Jersey State Dental Society, and has also been a member of the Executive Committee for a number of years. He is a member of the First District Dental Society of New York, and of the Odontological Society of New York, and in 1879 became a member of the American Dental Association. In 1891 he was made Second Vice-President of this society, and was re-elected in 1892-93. Ile is a member of the Clinic Committee of the World's Columbian Dental Congress, also Chairman of the State Committee of New Jersey, and it was in his office that the first steps toward the Columbian Congress were taken, and presided at the first meeting held at the Hoffman House in New York, in April, 1890. He now occupies the chair of Lecturer on Operative Dentistry in the New York Dental School of the University of the State of New York.
Wholly absorbed in the duties of his profession, Dr. Watkins has had but little time to devote to local affairs. He took an active interest, however, in the organization of the fire department ; was a charter member of Hook and Ladder Company No. 1. and is now on the list of exempt firemen, having rendered nine years in this capacity. He was one of the charter members of the Montclair Club, also an early member of the Athletic Club. He is a Director of the Montclair Savings Bank, and mem- ber of the Board of Trustees of the Trinity Presbyterian Church.
He built for himself, in 1879, a residence on Fullerton Avenue, which was destroyed by fire in 1SS5. He rebuilt soon after on the same location. His office is in the lower story of his residence, a part of which is adorned with a large collection of curios, of which he is exceedingly fond.
Dr. Watkins married. first, Miss Margaret A. Thompson, of Boston, deceased, and secondlly Miss Mary Yarrington Doremus, daughter of Philip Doremus of Montelair. The issue of this last marriage is three children, viz. : Philip Doremus, Anne Yarrington. Lawrence Beckwith.
DR. ALBERT J. WRIGHT.
DR. WRIGHT has carried on the practice of his profession in Montelair for the past twelve years. and has achieved deserved success as a skillful practitioner. His experience as a dentist covers a period of nearly a quarter of a century. He was born at Fort Edward. N. Y., March 16, 1848. Twelve years
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.