USA > New Jersey > Memorial cyclopedia of New Jersey, Volume III > Part 18
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During this time the son, the Edward Balbach of this sketch, was growing up
cation, especially in the subject of chem- istry, for which he had an unusual natural talent. His practical knowledge was gained in working in his father's plant, where he came in contact with all the details of the manufacturing process, and was soon an experienced worker in the craft. In the year 1864, when he was twenty-five years of age, Mr. Balbach, who had already given a great deal of theoretical study to the subject, devised a new means of separating the precious metals, silver and gold, from what are known as silver-lead ores, such large quantities of which are found in Nevada. The treatment of these ores up to that time had been an extremely costly one, and not at all adequate in the removal of the metals, so that Mr. Balbach's new process was a great boom to the smelter and refiner, and has practically revolu- tionized the trade both in the United States and in Europe, where it has uni- versally been adopted. It is thus de- scribed in "The Engineering Mining Jour- nal," a scientific journal devoted to min- ing interests which, although somewhat technical, is not too much so to prevent the average reader from gaining a clear idea of it. Says "The Journal :"
The practice was to soften the lead first in a reverberatory furnace, followed by a liquating furnace, then desilverized by the addition of zinc in a kettle; separate the gold-silver-zinc-lead alloy by liquation in a special furnace; refine the desilverized lead by heating in a reverberatory furnace, drawing it off into a market kettle and moulding in one hundred pound pigs; distilling the gold-silver-zinc-lead alloy in a tilting retort, invented by A. Faber du Faur, condensing about fifty per cent. of the zinc for further use, and obtaining from the retort a rich gold-silver-lead bullion, which was cupelled. The important modification was the distilling of the zinc crust.
This has become generally known as the Balbach resilvering delivering process
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and, as has been said, has modified the trade throughout the world. In the same year, 1864, the elder Mr. Balbach took his son into partnership with him, the firm becoming known from that time forward as Edward Balbach & Son. The great shipments of silver-lead products from Nevada were at that time almost exclu- sively divided between the Balbach works in Newark and the Selby plant in San Francisco, and for many years these two concerns did practically the whole work of this kind in the country, so that large amounts of the refined metals were im- ported from Europe. This condition, of course, was favorable to the growth of the domestic business, and under the capable direction of the two Messrs. Bal- bach, the concern grew rapidly in size until at the present time it employs be- tween seven and eight hundred men in its plants. The main plant at Doremis avenue and Newark Bay, Newark, known as the Newark Bay plant. covers about four acres of ground. and it is here that the great gold and silver refining opera- tions are carried on. The Balbach re- silvering process is not by any means the extent of Mr. Balbach's contribution to the art of refining metals. He was the inventor of many devices now generally used in smelting, such as retorting and tilting furnaces, and the employment of water jackets, and many others equally important. In 1881 Mr. Balbach erected the first commercial plant in the United States for the refining of copper by elec- trolysis, and thus laid the foundation of one of the gigantic industries of the coun- try, one in which it outranks any other in the world. This plant is situated at Pas- saic and Ferguson streets.
The old home of the Balbach family was at No. III Passaic avenue, then a de- lightful neighborhood, which has, how- ever, been spoiled since that time for resi- dential purposes by the gradual contami-
nation of the Passaic river from the mul- titude of mills upon its banks, extending all the way from Newark itself up to Pat- erson, and even beyond. In the year 1884 this old home was the scene of a note- worthy reception given to Grover Cleve- land, who had just at that time received the Democratic nomination for President. Mr. Balbach, who was always a strong supporter of Mr. Cleveland, was also his personal friend, and this friendship grew and ripened after this event, and was only brought to an end by Mr. Cleve- land's death in 1908. Mr. Balbach, Sr., died in 1889, and sometime afterwards the younger man turned the old home into offices for the company, and purchased a beautiful property near Bernardsville, New Jersey, which has since been de- veloped into a splendid estate. It was here that he lived during the summer months for many years, spending the win- ters partly in New York City and partly in Florida.
Apropos of Mr. Balbach's relations to the general smelting and refining indus- tries in the United States, the paper al- ready quoted from remarks that: "He may be considered as a born chemist and metallurgist, and was never slow to profit by new inventions, adapting and apply- ing them with success to the needs of the works in connection with the improve- ments already noted as the results of his own studies and genius. At the same time he always remained the practical smelting man, who had studied and learned the business from the bottom up, with a tire- less energy and zeal, setting a constant and good example to the younger genera- tion by presence at his post both early and late."
Mr. Balbach was active in the commu- nity outside of his purely private business interests, and always took a keen interest in its public affairs. His political affilia- tions have already been commented upon.
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but there is much more to be said con- cerning his relations with the Democratic party-that his allegiance was in no other way a prejudiced one, and that he was per- fectly capable of exercising an absolutely independent judgment in every question that arose. The truth of this is admirably illustrated by his action in 1896, when the Democratic party was split over the ques- tion of free silver. Mr. Baibach refused to support Mr. Bryan, and it is claimed that he voted for Mckinley upon that occa- sion. He afterwards returned to the Dem- ocratic ranks, however, when the money issue had been dropped. He rather shrank from public office than courted it, and was only once persuaded to accept any impor- tant nomination, and that was in 1894, when George C. Ludlow ran for the Gov- ernorship of New Jersey. Mr. Balbach was the candidate for Congressman from his Congressional district, but was de- feated with the rest of the ticket in a strongly Republican year. He was ap- pointed to a constitutional commission in New Jersey, and aided in making some much needed changes and reforms in the existing state of the law. He served twice as a Presidential elector. He was a member of the Newark Board of Trade and of the Newark Automobile Club. In his religious belief he was an Episcopa- lian, and for many years attended Trinity Church in Newark.
The position occupied in the life of Newark by Mr. Balbach is not to be con- veyed by a mere categorical description of his achievements. His personality, his charities, his general attitude in life, all contributed to it, and the great number of devoted friends that he possessed bears witness to its character. His philanthro- pies were large but very quietly carried on, and few indeed were they who knew of them other than the two parties to them-he who gave, and he who received. In no other way was this more creditably
known than in his dealings with the great number of employees who worked in his mills, a relation which resulted in a very rare feeling of friendship and confidence between them. He kept a personal super- vision over the men, and if one was in- jured or became ill, he saw that he was well cared for until able to be about once more. On this point the "Journal," which we have already quoted remarks: "What endeared him to his business associates and friends was his kind and cheerful dis- position, combined with a straightforward character marked by a modest and un- assuming manner, notwithstanding that he possessed force and the faculty to carry through his ideas to a successful end. He recognized in those around him évery worthy effort in the direction of self-im- provement, and strove to assist every hon- est endeavor."
Mr. Balbach was united in marriage with Miss Julia Anna Nenninger, of New- ark, a daughter of Peter Franz Nenninger. a native of Germany, who came to New- ark about 1848. For many years Mrs. Balbach was a conspicuous figure in the Newark social world, and was well known as one of the most charming of hostesses. She was, however, a victim of ill health, and for some time lived in seclusion. It was in. some measure due to this fact that the family eventually made their home at Bernardsville, where Mrs. Balbach antici- pated living much in the open air. Indeed it was she who laid out and superintended the arrangement of the grounds of the estate, without the assistance of a land- scape gardener, with what succes is well known in the community. A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Balbach, who : is now the wife of Edward Randolph. of New York, the president and treasurer of the great smelting company. Mrs. Bal- bach and her danghter both survive Mr. Balbach.
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NENNINGER, Peter Franz,
Business Man, Enterprising Citizen.
Inventive genius and great constructive imagination have been freely given to the American people, and have been respon- sible for the phenomenal progress which has made the United States the leader of the world in the fields of industry. But conspicuously absent in this breathless rush onward is the stability and reliabil- ity of the mature civilization of the Old World. It would seem, that the power to deliberate has been withheld from the American in payment for his other great gifts, much as one finds a man who is a genius in one line to be a dullard in an- other. The willingness in America to adopt anything new for the reason that it is new has been a factor of prime impor- tance in the industrial world. But the value of this has been grossly exagger- ated ; it has also been responsible for much time wasted over things that are useless. The ideal condition will be the outcome of this progressive American spirit tem- pered by its contact with the conserva- tism and deliberate thoughtfulness of the Old World peoples. Right within her own borders, and coming to her in con- stant streams, America has this element. And among the hundreds of different peo- ples that come to our shore, the Germans will beyond a doubt have the greatest in- fluence toward this end. They have fur- nished us with a most valuable type of citizenship, loyal, successful, progressive, thoughtful men. An example of this type of citizen, to which America owes much, was the late Peter Franz Nenninger.
The Nenninger arms are: Arms-Per pale argent and or. Dexter side, a lion rampant gules. Sinister side, a demi- vol conjoined to an eagle's claw azure. Crest-A vase argent circled by two bar- rulets gules, with leaves vert sprouting therefrom.
Peter Franz Nenninger was born at Neckers Ulm, Wuertemberg, Germany, on June 28, 1818, the son of Franz and Macia (Masthof) Nenninger, prosperous landowners of that place. During the political troubles into which Germany was plunged in the middle of the nine- teenth century, he emigrated to America, with his wife and infant son. His wife was Anna Babbette Miltz, daughter of Florent and Anna (Roederer) Miltz, of Strassburg, Elsass. They resided in New York for two years after their arrival there in 1848, and in 1850 removed to Newark, New Jersey. According to the standards of the times they were compara- tively wealthy, and Peter F. Nenninger established himself in the oil-cloth busi- ness on Market street, on the lower Pas- saic. This was a new industry in Amer- ica, oil-cloth and like products having been theretofore imported from Europe. Mr. Nenninger was very successful in this enterprise, and for many years his business had a reputation throughout the country. The business was first established with Peter F. Nenninger and Charles Hoh, his brother-in-law, as partners. This partner- ship was soon dissolved, however, and Ferdinand Sautermaster became a part- ner in the firm, and remained such until his death in 1864. After this time Mr. Nenninger managed the business himself. He was extremely successful and became substantially wealthy.
Mr. Nenninger was a Republican, and a great admirer of American institutions and standards. At the time of the Civil War there was in existence a battalion named the Steuben Battalion, of which Mr. Nenninger was a member. At the outbreak of the war, however, he was compelled to send a substitute in his place, on account of the constant demands of his business.
The children of Peter Franz and Anna Babbette (Miltz ) Nenninger were : I. Rob-
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ert Franz, married Matilda Dieffenback. 2. Alfred Albert, died in infancy. 3. Julia Anna, married Edward Balbach, Jr. 4. Florentine Eugenia, married Henry M. Dieffenbach, Jr. 5. Oscar Alfred. 6. Gus- tave Alfred, died in infancy.
Mr. Nenninger was generous to a fault, and open-handed to all who needed assist- ance. He was intensely fond of fine horses. This love of animals. unfortunately, was his undoing, for, while being run away with by one of his beautiful crea- tures called "Swanneck," he was thrown from the carriage, sustaining severe in- juries about the head, from which he suf- fered greatly long after the fall. From that time he suffered business reverses, being no longer as keen in judgment as he had been prior to his fall. The splen- did business which he had built up gradu- ally dwindled and slipped from him, and he died a complete wreck on January 25, 1872.
A grand, generous character. a loving father, a true friend, a sincere patriot, he is still remembered at this date by those who knew him best. His bravery was at one time shown in a return voyage from . Europe. He was crossing the Atlantic on the steamship "Hammonia," with Captain Zucker ; the powder magazine of the ship exploded, and he alone had the pres- ence of mind, courage and great physical strength to put out the fire which ensued. A cup and a saucer with the picture of the "Hammonia" painted upon it was pre- sented to him in memory of this incident, and it is still extant in the family and greatly prized. As a sharpshooter he was unexcelled, and had won many trophies.
CHADWICK, Francis, Man of Enterprise.
Second to none in his public-spirited loyalty to Red Bank, Francis Chadwick, for years one of the leading business men
and citizens of that town, deserves par- ticular mention among the founders and builders of that prosperous municipality.
The Chadwicks came to New England in 1630, and it is to the founder of the family there that Governor Winthrop alluded when he wrote of "My friend, John Chadwick, son of him who was Gov- ernor of Bermuda, a godly gentleman." By the marriage of Francis Chadwick, of the third American generation, to Hul- dah Taber, descent is traced from Fran- cis Cooke, of the "Mayflower," and through the marriage of Taber Chadwick, of the fifth American generation, to Deb- orah Longstreet, descent is traced from the ancient Dutch family of Van Lang- straaten (Longstreet), founded by "Dirck Stoffels." the immigrant to America in 1657. Through the marriage of Francis Chadwick, of Red Bank, to Margaret Ann Parker, his children trace to George Parker, who came to New England in 1635. These families-Chadwick, Taber and Parker-were all of distinguished and ancient lineage, all bore arms, and were early in New England, later in Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, where they have numerous descendants. The Chad- wicks fought in the Revolution with the New Jersey troops of the Continental Line, and held rank grading from captain to lieutenant-colonel. Some of them were killed in battle, but all fought valiantly, and. when peace came, aided in establish- ing the strong civil government that fol- lowed independence. The various lines of ancestry of Francis Chadwick will be outlined in this review, with the Parker line of his children.
Chadwick Arms : Gules, charged with a small shield argent, between eight mart- lets of the same. Crest: A lily, stalked and leaved vert. Motto: In Candore Decus.
The name Chadwick points to Saxon origin, and is both ancient and honorable,
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numerous in certain parts of England, Rochdale Parish, Lancastershire, the early seat. The most remote ancestor of Fran- cis Chadwick of whom authentic records are found and from whom descent can be traced, is Nicholas de Chadwick, who died in 1445. From him sprang John Chad- wick, one time Governor of Bermuda, whose son, John Chadwick, was the founder of the American family.
John Chadwick, born in England, in 1670, came to New England in 1692. He married Joanna Reynolds, of Bermuda, settled in Monmouth county, New Jersey, and there died June 20, 1739. His wife died September 20, 1739. only surviving him three months.
John, son of John and Joanna (Rey- nolds) Chadwick, was born March 12, 1713, and died April 18, 1785, killed in battle by the enemies of his country. Al- though an old man, he fought in Cap- tain John Holmes' company, First New Jersey Regiment of the Continental Line, his sons all taking a soldier's part in the struggle for independence. John Chad- wick was killed by a band of refugees under the notorious Captain James Moody, whom a company of Americans met at Tinton Falls, and after a brief skirmish retired before the superior num- bers of the refugees, leaving some of their number prisoners, including John Chad- wick. His captors marched him to Black Point (Sea Bright), but before the band crossed the river the Americans, having been reinforced by ten men, attempted rescue. Moody so disposed his prisoners that the Americans could not fire upon him without killing their brethren, and succeeded in holding them off. Finally John Chadwick and Lieutenant Aukey Hendrickson broke away, succeeding in joining their friends, and charged with them in another attack. But he had
hardly fired his first shot when he fell pierced by a bullet, and almost instantly expired. A truce was allowed between the parties, and the American dead were removed from the field. John Chadwick lived on his own land, near Red Bank. Both he and his wife were members of Christ Protestant Episcopal Church at Shrewsbury, and both are buried in the graveyard of that church.
He married Martha Ann Jackson, born December 29, 1713, died October 22, 1799. Children: Elizabeth, born in 1736, died in 1738; William, born in 1738, died in 1815, served throughout the entire period of the Revolution with New Jersey troops ; John, born in 1739, died in 1803, also a Revolutionary soldier; Francis, of fur- ther mention; Samuel, born in 1743, lost at sea in 1768; Elizabeth, born in 1741, died in 1751 ; Sarah, born in 1748, died in 1828: Thomas, born in 1750, died in 1781, commissioned captain of Monmouth county militia in 1777, and in 1778 was made a captain of New Jersey State troops; Mary; Jeremiah, born in 1755, first lieutenant of Captain Thomas Chad- wick's (his brother) company, was killed in battle in 1779; Elihu, enlisted as a pri- vate in the Third Regiment, New Jersey State Troops, served until June 10, 1782, rising for bravery through all ranks to that of lieutenant-colonel. He, his father, and three of his brothers, fought at the battles of Trenton, Princeton, German- town, Monmouth and Tinton Fails, the last named fought June 11, 1779, and all survived until the close of the war. The skirmish in which John Chadwick lost his life was fought seven days after the war was over.
Francis, son of John and Martha Ann (Jackson) Chadwick, was born July 18, 1741, died June 13, 1809. He married, November 5, 1764, Huldah Taber, a de-
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scendant of Philip and Lydia (Masters) Taber (see Taber line). Francis Chad- wick served with his father and brothers in the Revolutionary War, and was one of the prominent men of his day. Among his children was a son, Taber.
Taber Chadwick, son of Francis and Huldah (Taber) Chadwick, was born March 7, 1773, died in Red Bank, October 7, 1843. He was a learned member of the Monmouth county bar, conducted a large practice, and was a devout pious man, a pillar of the Methodist Episcopal church. He maintained offices in Red Bank, and from there conducted his legal business. He was a local preacher, taught in the Sunday school, was a class leader and official member of the Red Bank Metho- dist Episcopal Church, founded several churches. and was known all over the country as well for his deeply religious life as for his legal attainments.
He married, November 13, 1804, Deb- orah Longstreet, born July 25, 1787, died September 14, 1833, descendant of one of the early Dutch families of Flatlands, Long Island. Children: Francis, died young ; Richard; Jeremiah, died young : Lydia, married William Parker ; Francis, of further mention; Sarah Ann, married Henry B. Parker, long time captain of the steamboat "Sea Bird;" Catherine, married William Taylor ; Jeremiah ; Deb- orah, married E. Pintard; Lucinda; and Angeline, married Roger Lewis.
The gravestones of Taber and Deborah Chadwick which mark their burial place in Tower Hill Cemetery, Red Bank, are thus inscribed :
In Memory of Taber Chadwick who died Oct. 7 1843 aged 70 years 7 months.
Blessed in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints. In Memory of Deborah
Second wife of Taber Chadwick who died Sept. 14 1833 aged 46 years 1 month and 20 days Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
Francis Chadwick, son of Taber and Deborah (Longstreet) Chadwick, was born in Red Bank, March 18, 1813, and there died May 31, 1882. He obtained a good education in the common schools, by self-study and reading, but had no inclination for his father's profession, the law. He followed the river and bay for a short time, becoming captain of a schooner conveying freight of various kinds between Red Bank and New York. After his marriage in 1835 he abandoned the river, and from that date until the destruction of his business property by fire, many years later, he was engaged in mercantile life. He was a member of the firm of Parker & Chadwick, conducting a general store, Mr. Chadwick later con- ducting extensive coal and lumber opera- tions. He also owned a great deal of ves- sel property, one of his investments being a line running regularly between Red Bank and New York. He prospered abundantly, his various enterprises all proving profitable and ranking among the most important in Red Bank. Later in life he sold his commercial interests and ended his days retired from business cares. He was one of the most progres- sive and public-spirited men of his day, and aided in every enterprise that prom- ised to advance the interests of his city. His business ability was acknowledged,
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Harry Good
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his uprightness in all things known to all, and the value of his citizenship was ever apparent in the respect and honor in which he was held by those among whom his entire life was spent.
He was a Republican in politics, and a strong partisan, aiding to the utmost to advance party interests, but never seeking nor accepting public office for himself. Francis Chadwick and his wife were at first members of the Presbyterian church of Shrewsbury. Later Mr. Chadwick and other members of that church obtained au- thority to organize the first Presbyterian church in Red Bank, of which he was the leading spirit, both he and his wife being charter members. The little congregation worshipped first in a small hall, but a church edifice was soon begun. As the work progressed and money was needed faster than subscriptions to the building fund were being paid in, Mr. Chadwick advanced the funds to continue the work, never allowing lack of funds to delay the completion of the building, so deep was his interest. As subscriptions were paid, he was reimbursed, but he was a large donor, and to him the founding and up- building of the First Presbyterian Church of Red Bank was largely due. He was a member of the board of trustees, and for many years its treasurer, and in addition to his church work was for several years active in the Sunday school.
Francis Chadwick married, September 9, 1835, Margaret Ann, daughter of Cap- tain Joseph Parker, of Red Bank, also a .. descendant of an old English family set- tled in New Jersey by George Parker, who came to New England in the ship "Elizabeth and Ann," in 1635, later mov- ing to Rumson, Monmouth county, New Jersey, founding there one of the coun- try's most honored families. Children : Richard L., deceased; Captain Joseph P., died in 1914, for many years captain of
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