USA > New Jersey > Memorial cyclopedia of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 54
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(II) Peter Condit, only child of John Cunditt to reach maturity and marry, came to America with his father. He died in 1714, leaving a widow and seven children. From the frequent mention in the Newark record of the "two widows Cunditts," it seems probable that Peter's widow lived
with her mother-in-law at least for some time after her husband's death. Peter Con- dit married, in 1695, Mary, a daughter of Samuel Harrison; granddaughter of Ser- geant Richard Harrison; and great-grand- daughter of Richard Harrison, of Cheshire. England, and of Branford, Connecticut. Children: Samuel, of further mention ; Peter, born 1698 or 1699, died July 11, 1768, married Phebe Dodd; John, born about 1701, died about 1783, married Jo- anna, daughter of Matthew Williams, of Newark; Nathaniel, born about 1703, died June 23, 1746, married Elizabeth, daughter of Swain and Susan (Ackerman) Ogden, of Orange; Mary, born in 1705 or 1706; Philip, born in April, 1709, died December 23, 1801, married Mary Day; Isaac, born 17II or 1712, was living in 1764, and mar- ried, but wife's name not known.
(III) Samuel Condit, eldest child of Peter and Mary (Harrison) Condit, was born in Newark, New Jersey, December 6. 1696, and died July 18, 1777. About 1720 he purchased land lying between the Orange Mountains, afterwards called Pleasant Val- ley. Subtracting from this land five planta- tions of fifty acres each, he built on each plantation a house which he donated to each of his five sons, giving at the same time a family Bible apiece. He reserved for him- self a homestead plot of seventy acres. Three of these farms have ever since re- mained in the family line of descent, and it is a remarkable fact that his descendants have a continuous representation in an of- ficial capacity in the churches of Orange for more than one hundred and fifty years. He is buried in the Orange burying ground. having survived his first wife more than twenty years, and his second wife exactly five months. Their graves are near their husband, while in close proximity is the resting place of his third son, Samuel Jr.
Samuel Condit married (first) in 1722. Mary Dodd, born November 8, 1698, died May 25, 1755, who became the mother of all his children. He married (second) in
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1756, Mary (Nutman) Williams, born in 1700, died February 18, 1777; she was at the time of this marriage the widow of Amos Williams. Children of Samuel and Mary (Dodd) Condit: 1. Daniel, of· fur- ther mention. 2. Jotham, born January 29, 1727, died July 9, 1752; married Rebecca Pierson. 3. Samuel, born January 13, 1729, died November 18, 1776; married (first) Mary, daughter of Joseph Smith, of Orange; (second) Martha (Carter) Wil- cox, widow of Stephen Wilcox, of Eliza- bethtown, who after his death married (third) Deacon Paul Day, of Bottle or Long Hill, Morris county, New Jersey. 4. Martha, born October 17, 1731, died Janu- ary 6, 1831 ; married ( first) Gershom Wil- liams, (second ) Jededialı Freeman. 5. David, born March 17, 1734, died April 24. 1777 ; married Joanna Williams : enlisted in Second Regiment, New Jersey militia. dur- ing the Revolutionary War; promoted to major, 1776, and for gallantry brevetted lieutenant-colonel. 6. Jonathan. born (c- tober 18, 1736, died August 29, 1823 ; mar- ried his cousin Jemima, daughter of John Condit; was captain of militia. Second New Jersey Regiment, during the Revolution.
(IV) Daniel Condit, eldest child of Samuel and Mary (Dodd ) Condit. was born in Orange, New Jersey, December 27. 1723, and died November 11. 1785. lle was a farmer and occupied the land given him by his father. He was also a soldier in the Revolutionary army, having enlisted as a private in the First Battalion, Second Establishment of the New Jersey militia. He married Ruth, born December 20, 1723. died November 23, 1807. a daughter of Samuel and Jemima ( Williams) Harrison. granddaughter of Samuel and Mary ( Ward) Harrison, and great-granddaughter of Sergeant Richard Harrison. Daniel Con- dit was a deacon in the Presbyterian church. and an exemplary Christian man. ( hil- dren: I. Adonijah, born in 17 90. dial Sep- tember 13, 1770. 2. Eunice, married Na- thaniel Ogden. 3. Jemima, married Majer
Aaron Harrison. 4. Mary, born January 18, 1756; married her cousin Philip, son of Philip Condit, of Morristown. 5. Joel, married Sarah Wheeler. 6. Amos, born January 2, 1759, died March 12, 1802; mar- ried Dorcas Harrison. 7. Samuel, of fur- ther mention. 8. Ira, born February 21, 1764, died June 1, 1811, he was graduated from Princeton College, and later became a trustee thereof ; vice-president and Profes- sor of Moral Philosophy in Queen's (now Rutgers ) College ; became a minister in the Dutch Reformed Church; married Sarah, daughter of Henry Perine, of Freehold, New Jersey.
(V) Samuel Condit, seventh child and fourth son of Daniel and Ruth (Harrison ) Condit, was born August 16, 1761, and died August 31, 1822. After his marriage he removed to the eastern side of the Orange Mountains, and resided at what was long known as "Tory Corner." He was a farmer. a devout Christian man. a kind parent. a sincere friend, and a private in the Revolutionary War. He married, in 1785. Hannah Harrison, born October 29, 1764. died January 31, 1855, a daughter of Ichabod and Sarah (Williams) Harrison ; granddaughter of Nathaniel Harrison ; great-granddaughter of Joseph and Dorcas ( Ward ) Harrison ; and great-great-grand- daughter of Sergeant John Ward. Chil- dren: 1. Jemima, born October 7, 1786, died December 16, 1788. 2. Sarah, born July 30. 1788, died August 24, 1841 ; mar- ried Ichabod Losey. 3. Jemima, born April 20. 1791. died March 28, 1882; married Samuel Morris Dodd, whom she survived fifty-one years. 4. Eunice, born July 2, 1703. died November 22. 1882; married Jolin Min. 5. Harriet, born November 22. 1705. died January 4. ISSO; married (first! Viner Van Zandt Jones, (second) Deacon Henry Pierson. 6. Samuel, of further mention. 7. Mary, born Noventber 5. 1802, died December 30, 1881 ; married Stolen Dodd. 8. Abigail, born March 20. 11. died April 26. 1880; married
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Thomas D. Kilburn. 9. Clara, born Feb- ruary 28, 1806, died March 23, 1842; be- came the first wife of Thomas W. Munn. IO. Ira H., born May 16, 1808, died Janu- ary 7, 1906; married Phebe Farrand Mul- ford, daughter of Timothy and Susan (Kitchell) Mulford, and granddaughter of Aaron and Phebe ( Farrand) Kitchell. II. Ichabod, born December 6, 1810, died in 18II.
(VI) Samuel Condit, son of Samuel and Hannah ( Harrison) Condit, was born in Orange, March 22, 1798, and died Octo- ber 22, 1864. The occupation of farming was his life work, and he also devoted a large amount of time to stock raising. He was a progressive and enterprising citizen, took an active interest in everything per- taining to the welfare of the community, and was a liberal contributor to church and charitable work. He assisted in the organ- ization of the Second Presbyterian Church of Orange, and was one of its most con- sistent members and active workers. He married Phebe Peck, an only daughter, born June 17, 1801, died March 29, 1848, and they had twelve children.
(VII) William Peck Condit, fifth child of Samuel and Phebe ( Peck) Condit, was born March 30, 1829, in the Condit farm house which then stood at what is now the northeast corner of Washington and East Park streets, East Orange; he died, August 27, 1915, at his home, No. 139 Washington street, East Orange, New Jersey, after an illness of but two days' duration. Mr. Con- dit inherited the farmhouse and the farm from his father, whom he had assisted in cultivating it. Realizing the increased value of the property as the town grew in extent. he gradually had this property divided into building plots and sold these to great ad- vantage. In the course of time a number of new streets were cut through this sec- tion under his direction, and he amassed a very comfortable fortune, a part of which, however, was swept away in the panic of 1873. Among the thorough fares he opened
were : Glenwood avenue, East Park street, Springdale avenue, all these being in East Orange ; and Park Place and Duane street in Orange. In his earlier years, after he had ceased attending the public schools, he learned the trade of carriage building with Timothy W. Mulford, but he never follow- ed this calling in later life, his business mostly in real estate, especially in Orange and East Orange. By means of his real estate operations, Mr. Condit played an im- portant part in the growth and development of Orange and of East Orange. In public affairs his activity was also of a nature to greatly benefit the community, and although he never particularly sought public office, it was tendered him at various times, and he held it the part of a conscientious citizen to accept these offers and do his share in upbuilding the interests of the community. For many years he had been considered as one of the leaders of the political affairs of the Oranges. About 1855 Mr. Condit served as quartermaster under General Jo- seph A. Condit : during the Civil War he was provost marshal for the Eleventh Dis- trict of New Jersey ; in 1873 he was elected a member of the East Orange township committee, and served one term : he served as tax assessor and as a member of the school board of trustees ; in 1897 and 1898 was appraisement commissioner for the Essex County Park Commission, which at the time was acquiring large tracts of land ; some years ago was one of the commission- ers who condemned land in Caldwell for a projected railroad; in his earlier years he was a justice of the peace. The fraternal affiliations of Mr. Condit were with Union Lodge, No. 11, Free and Accepted Masons, of Orange, of which he had been past mas- ter ; Union Chapter, No. 7. Royal Arch Masons, of Newark; Kane Council, No. 2. Royal and Select Masters ; and the Thirteen Club of New York City. .
Mr. Condit married, in Newark, June 24, 1862, Emily A. ( Mead) Olds, daughter of William and Elizabeth ( Hubbard) Mead,
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and widow of James Olds ; she died Febru- ary 1, 1915. They became the parents of children as follows: Bertha C., who died at the age of three years; Emily, of East Orange ; Mary M., who was graduated from the East Orange high school and who after- wards taught for several years in the public schools of that city, and later in New York City ; and Watson S., engaged in the mer- cantile business in Newark : married Jose- phine Sweney; has children: Josephine, Euphenie, Richard Edison and Robert Ogden. He lives at 8 Oakwood avenue, corner of Main, Orange.
COOKE, John,
Prominent Locomotive Builder.
John Cooke, the president of the Dan- forth Locomotive and Machine Company, was born in Montreal, Canada. August 8, 1824. His parents were Watts and Lavinia (Donaldson) Cooke, natives of County Armagh, Ireland. His ancestors on his father's side were English, on his mother's side Scotch, having emigrated to Ireland during the persecution.
Watts Cooke was a carpenter by trade, and emigrated to this country about 1822, with his wife and one son. He landed at Quebec and proceeded at once to Montreal, where an older brother worked at his trade on the famous Notre Dame Cathedral at that place. The climate and society of Montreal being uncongenial, in 1827 he re- moved to the city of Albany, New York, where he worked in Townsend's furnace until 1832, acquiring meanwhile the trade of pattern-maker. He then entered the employ of the Matteawan Machine Company, Dutchess county, New York, where he en- gaged in pattern-making. He was an ex- cellent mechanic, and possessed superior ability in the manufacture of mill-gearing. In the summer of 1839 he removed to Pat- erson, New Jersey, and entered the works of Rogers, Ketchum & Grosvenor, where he worked at pattern-making. He subse-
quently worked for Danforth, Cooke & Co. as pattern-maker until 1859, when lie re- tired from active life. He died in 1876, and his wife in 1869. He was an industrious and able mechanic, and performed the duties of life in a modest and faithful manner. In politics he was not conspicuous, but al- ways an anti-slavery man and a staunch Republican, and never missed depositing his ballot. He was one of the founders of the Presbyterian church at Matteawan, in which he held the office of deacon, and during his residence at Paterson was a member and supporter of the Second Presbyterian Church. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Cooke, of whom nine are living, five daughters and four sons, viz .: John, the subject of our sketch; William, who engaged in the machinery supply business in New York; Watts. president of the Pas- saic Rolling Mills, Paterson; and James, who has been superintendent of the Dan- fortli Locomotive and Machine Company.
The earlier life of John Cooke was in- timately identified with that of his father, and his opportunities for obtaining an educa- tion were very limited. In the district school, the cotton factory, and the machine shop he acquired a fair English education, and obtained such knowledge of machinery and active manufacture as was of great benefit to him in after life. In 1839 he came to Paterson with his father. After ar- riving in that city he enjoyed three months schooling under John D. Kiley. a teacher of great ability and culture, and possessed of fine oratorical powers. In August, 1839, at the age of fifteen, he entered the employ of Rogers, Ketchum & Grosvenor, who were at that time engaged in the manufacturing of locomotives and machinery. He learned the trade of pattern-making, and remained an apprentice until he attained his majority. During which time he spent many of his leisure hours in the study of mechanics and mechanical drawing. William Swinburne, the superintendent, withdrew from the con- cern in 1844 in order to establish the firm of
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Swinburne, Smith & Co., machine makers, and was succeeded for a time by Stephen Thurston, formerly from Matteawan, who resigned the position after nine months ser- vice.
Mr. Cooke, who was then twenty-one years of age and had already attracted the attention of Mr. Rogers, was appointed the successor of Mr. Thurston, and installed in the office of draughtsman and superintend- ent of the locomotive-shop, which carried with it at that time the general superin- tendency of the business. Thus early in life had his close application to business, his skill and ability as a mechanic, and his fidelity in the performance of his duties re- ceived the recognition of the leading locomo- tive-maker of the United States. He re- mained as superintendent of the Rogers Works, during which time many valuable improvements and changes in the business of locomotive manufacture were made, until August 1, 1852, when, although offered an interest with Rogers. Ketchum & Grosvenor if he would remain, he resigned the position to join Charles Danforth, Major John Ed- wards and Edwin T. Prall in the manufac- ture of cotton machines, cotton yarns, and locomotives. The firm name was Danforth Cooke & Co. Previous to that time Messrs. Danforth & Edwards had engaged simply in the manufacture of machinery and cot- ton yarn, and Mr. Prall had been their book- keeper and general business manager. Mr. Cooke was brought into the concern as one thoroughly versed in the manufacture of locomotive engines, and was given a prom- inent place in the firm and the superin- tendency of the locomotive department, the making of which was entered upon simul- taneously with his connection with the firm. Suitable shops for that purpose were soon erected, many of the special tools needed for the purpose of manufacture were made in the shop under Mr. Cooke's superintend- ence, and the first engine. the "Vincennes," was built for use on the Ohio & Mississippi railroad in the winter of 1852. Some delay
occurred in the construction of the road, so that the first engine actually delivered by the concern was in March, 1853. It was named the "Sandusky," the same as that first produced by the Rogers Works in 1836. One hundred and two engines were made in 1881, although the works had not got quite into full operation at the beginning of the year owing to their destruction by fire the preceding year. In 1865 the firm of Dan- forth, Cooke & Co. assumed the corporate name of the Danforth Locomotive and Ma- chine Co., with Mr. Danforth as president, and Mr. Cooke as superintendent of the locomotive department and as a member of the executive committee, which carries with it the office of president pro tempore, or vice-president. In 1866 the latter resigned this office to visit Europe as a means of improving his health, which had become im- paired by years of labor and toil, and was succeeded by Major John Edwards in the position of member of the executive com- mittee, and his brother James as superin- tendent of the locomotive department. Mr. Cooke returned in 1869, and was elected director and treasurer of the company in 1870. He held this position until 1872, when. upon the resignation of Mr. Dan- forth, he became president of the company. a position that he filled in an acceptable and successful manner until his death, Feb- ruary 20, 1882. The works of the company were among the largest and most successful in the United States.
The abilities of Mr. Cooke as a mechanic and as an executive officer have long been recognized by those familiar with the busi- ness of locomotive building. He made a number of important contributions to the science of locomotive construction, for which he neither asked nor received special credit. He had taken out but few patents, and did not claim to be an inven- tor, considering that a locomotive builder who watches carefully the construction of his work and looks after a large force of men has no time to spend on patent im-
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provements. During the thirteen years that he was employed at the Rogers Works a number of radical and progressive changes were made in the building of locomotive engines, with most of which he was identi- fied, being in the closest sympathy with Mr. Rogers in the adoption of all improvement. Among the most important of these were four and six drivers, instead of one pair, and the improved valve motion, which re- sulted in great economy in fuel and in increased speed. The greatest improvement in the locomotive since the building of the "Rocket" by Stephenson, and one which was never patented, the link motion, was also applied during the time that Mr. Cooke was connected with the Rogers Works; and the first model, from a drawing sent over from England, and showing the action of the valve affected by the invention was made by him about 1864. Soon after the prin- ciple was applied by Mr. Rogers to a loco- motive, and has since come into general use.
Mr. Cooke confined himself very closely through life to mechanical and constructive pursuits, although feeling an active interest in events transpiring around him, and being identified with many local movements of importance. In politics he was known as an extreme anti-slavery man, and voted for John C. Fremont in 1865. He was one of the organizers of the Republican party in Paterson, was treasurer of the central com- mittee, and active in the establishment of the "Paterson Republican." afterward absorbed by the "Guardian." He was also one of the seven trustees appointed by the subscribers to establish the "Paterson Press." He rep- resented the South Ward in the board of aldermen of Paterson in 1858 and subse- quently filled the position of president of the Board of Education of that city, which he resigned because of ill health. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Paterson, and was vice-president. He was also vice-president of the Paterson Savings Institution, and the Paterson Board of Trade ; a director of the Passaic Rolling
Mills, and also of the Paterson Gaslight Company. He was a member and regular attendant of the Second Presbyterian Church of Paterson, and for many years was the superintendent of the Sabbath school connected with that church.
He married, in 1850, Sarah A., daugh- ter of William Swinburne, of Paterson, who had six children, of whom four are living : Carrie S., wife of John R. Beam; John Swinburne, a graduate of Stevens' In- stitute, Hoboken; Frederick William, and Charles D.
MARGARUM, Theodore Frelinghuysen, Financier, Public Official.
In modern ages and to a large extent in the past, banks have constituted a vital part of organized society, and governments, both monarchial and popular, have depended upon them for material aid in times of de- pression and trouble. Their influence has extended over the entire world, and their prosperity has been the barometer which has unfalteringly indicated the financial status of all nations. Of this important branch of business Mr. Theodore Freling- huysen Margarum, late of Sussex, New Jer- sey, was a worthy representative. For more than a quarter of a century he held the re- sponsible position of cashier of the Farmers' National Bank of Deckertown, and later was its honored and efficient president. His conservative and safe policy, supplemented by modern progressiveness, was an import- ant factor in insuring the success of the in- stitution and made it one of the most reliable financial concerns in the county.
Mr. Margarum was a native of Stock- holm, New Jersey, born June 7, 1840. a son of Stephen F. and Lucy ( Hammond ) Mar- garum, and died November 18, 1905. His ancestral history was one of long and close identification with this section of the State. His father was one of the leading business men of Sussex county, where in addition to farming he operated a forge and a saw and grist mill. He carried on his business af-
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fairs on an extensive scale for those days, and in matters of public concern he exerted considerable influence. Born June 3, 1793, he died in 1852, and his wife, who was born in 1799, passed away in 1884. Their family numbered seven children: Cath- erine, wife of S. T. Lazer, of Warwick, New York; Lucy, who died in childhood ; David F .; Mary, wife of Rev. D. E. Fram- bes, of Cape May, New Jersey ; N. H., who is living on the old family homestead in Sussex county ; Edward S., who died at the age of twenty-four years.
Theodore Frelinghuysen Margarum was educated in the seminary at Pennington, New Jersey, and in Wyoming Seminary, at Kingston, Pennsylvania. Upon the com- pletion of his education he entered upon his business career in Newton as clerk in a mercantile establishment. In 1865 he went to Norfolk, Virginia, with a view of enter- ing business there, but after a year re- turned to Newton, and for fifteen years was connected with its business interests as clerk and principal in a mercantile establishment. For some time he was connected with the house of Stoll, Dunn & Company, and then embarked in business independently. He was successful in his undertakings, and his well directed efforts brought to him a com- fortable competence. In 1874 he came to Deckertown to accept the position of cashier in the Farmers' National Bank. The de- posits in the institution at the time ranged from $35,000 to $50,000, but were increased" to $250,000-a fact which plainly indicated the healthy growth of the bank and its thor- ough reliability. Not a little of its success was due to the careful management and progressive spirit of Mr. Margarum, who was the popular and efficient cashier, and later the president. He was chosen to the latter office in May, 1894, upon the death of his predecessor, John A. Whitaker. He was regarded as one of the safe and substantial business men of Sussex county, and in addi- tion to his banking interests lie oversaw a large amount of property, and had in trust
a number of extensive estates, among them those of General Hugh Kilpatrick and the Hon. John Loomas.
Mr. Margarum was united in marriage to Miss Isabel Whitaker, a daughter of John A. Whitaker, for many years one of the most honored residents of Sussex coun- ty. Their beautiful home on Bank street was one of the fine residences of the town, and its hospitable doors were ever open for the reception of their many friends. They had children : Mary, Mattie and Ford W.
In his political connections Mr. Mar- garum was a stalwart Republican, giving an unwavering support to the men and meas- ures of the party from the time he cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. Well informed on the issues of the day and deeply interested in the welfare of the community, he was called to public office and therein discharged his duties with marked fidelity. After the incorporation of Deckertown as a borough he was elected its first mayor and filled that office for three consecutive terms, from 1892 to 1895, in- clusive. His administration was an able one, in which the best interests of the town were greatly advanced. Every effort put forth to promote the welfare of the town received his support and co-operation, and he was regarded as one of the most valued residents of Deckertown. He was a man of high intellectuality, broad human sympathies and tolerance, and imbued with fine sensi- bilities and clearly defined principles. Honor and integrity were synonymous with his name, and he enjoyed the respect, con- fidence and high regard of the entire com- munity, as the appended eulogy and resolu- tions show. The "Sussex Independent" of November 24, 1905, said of him :
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