USA > New Jersey > Passaic County > Passaic > The Passaic valley, New Jersey, in three centuries.. Vol. 2 > Part 17
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He is a member of the Union League Club, the University Club, JACOB E. WARD. and the Sons of the Revolution of New York, and of the Essex Club and University Club of Newark.
Mr. Ward was married on the 27th of December, 1893, to Maria Ely Kitchell. They have one child, Carnot Meeker Ward.
HENRY YOUNG, attorney and counsellor-at-law, was born in Newark, N. J., October 24, 1844, the son of Charles Edgerton and Charlotte Denman (Wilbur) Young. He is of Scotch descent on the paternal side and on his mother's of English ancestry. The ancestors of both families settled
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in New Jersey more than one hundred and fifty years ago, where most of the descendants have continued to live. Rep- resentatives of both families served in the War of the Revolution.
Mr. Young received his preliminary educa- tion in a private school in Newark. He entered Princeton in 1859, in the sophomore class, and was graduated in 1862, ranking third in a class distinguished for high average schol- arship. Immediately after leaving college he entered the law office of Ilon. Frederick T. Fre- linghuysen, at Newark, reading law there for a year, and pursuing his HENRY YOUNG. law studies in the Ilar- vard Law School during 1863 and 1864. In June, 1865, he was admitted to practice as an attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey, and three years later became a coun- sellor.
Since his admission to the bar he has been engaged in active practice, and employed in important cases. He has devoted himself especially to questions of constitutional law and the law of public and private corporations. Mr. Young is a member of the Republican party. He was ap- pointed Assistant United States District Attorney for New Jersey in 1867, and served in that capacity for six years, and from 1876 to 1884 he was Corporation Counsel of the City of Newark. He is a member of the Princeton Club of New York. a member of the Essex County Country Club, and a charter member of the Essex Club of Newark.
Ile was married, in 1872, to Miss Margaret Anna Ilitch-
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cock, of New York. They have three children: Henry, a Princeton gradnate of 1893; Stuart Adams, a student at Princeton, class of 1902; and Roger.
JOSEPH M. SMITH, of Newark, N. J., was born in that city on the 220 of November, 1836, his parents being Henry and Sarah ( Marsland) Smith. He was educated in the pub- lie schools, and is a builder by occupation, and an honored and respected citizen of Newark.
On the 31st of January, 1862, he enlisted as a private in the Second Regimeni, D. C. Volunteers, and was promoted succes- sively to the grades of Sergeant, Second Lieu- tenant, First Lieuten- ant, Captain, and Bre- vet Major. He was hon- orably discharged from the service on the 12th of September, 1865.
From 1885 to 1890 Ma- jor Smith was Treas- urer of Essex County, filling the office with great ability and satis- faction. He is a mem- ber of the Masonie fra- ternity, the Royal Ar- JOSEPH M. SMITH. canum, the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Reformed Church. As a citizen he is public spirited, progressive, and enterprising.
Major Smith married Mary A. Thompson. Their children are Alfred P., Joseph M., Jennie S., and Helen I.
HENRY MILLS, of East Orange, N. J., merchant, was born in Kent, England, September 22, 1845. He came to
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this country with his mother when a child, and spent his early years on Staten Island, where he was educated. Ile has been a resident of East Orange since 1869. Upon mov- ing to that place he he- gan work as a journey- man plumber, and a year later succeeded to the business of which he is now the head. The style of his business tirm is Cahill & Mills, and it conducts a sue- cessful general plumb- ing, tinning, and steam heating business.
Mr. Mills is a public spirited citizen of East Orange. Ile organized the Fire Department of that place, and was its Chief for a number of years. He is a member of the Firemen's Relier HENRY MILLS. Association. In politics he is a Democrat, and is prominent in his party. He was a. candidate for the Assembly in 1896. He is a member of the Lady of Help Catholic Church.
lle married Mary Cahill, of Staten Island, and has had eight children, all still living, as follows: John F. (engaged in business in South Orange), Anna R., Henry C., Caroline 1., Cornelius, George, Walter, and Mary.
ANDREW REASONER, of East Orange. for thirty years superintendent of the Morris and Essex Division of the Dela- ware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, sprang from sturdy old New England stock. He was born in 1823, of poor but industrions parents, in the little village of South Egre- mont, Berkshire County, Mass. It was in this historic and
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beautiful section of the Berkshire Hills that he received the training and education which enabled him to battle with the world. He attended the public schools and academy of his native town, and before attain- ing his majority taught school in Hillsdale, in New York State. After- ward he moved to New York City, where he be- came interested in a stage line running on Broadway. He was sub- sequently purser on a steamer running be- tween New York and South Norwalk, where he first met his future wife, Miss Abbie Eu- phemia Byxbce. Their ANDREW REASONER. married life, which ex- tended over a period of fifty years, was a remarkably happy one. Their only child, a girl, died at an early age.
Mr. Reasoner eventually entered the employ of the Hud- son River Railroad, when that line was completed, and when he resigned to accept the superintendency of the Long Island Railroad he occupied the position of general agent in New York City. He remained with the Long Island road about two years, when he was appointed superintendent of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, having charge of the construction of that line between Portage and Watertown.
Returning East in 1869, Mr. Reasoner met Samuel Sloan, who had just been elected President of the Lackawanna Railroad, and who was President of the Hudson River line when Mr. Reasoner was agent in New York. Mr. Sloan ap- pointed Mr. Reasoner superintendent of track and construc- tion, which position he held until 1871, when he was ap-
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pointed general superintendent of the Lackawanna's New Jersey lines. He held this position until April 1, 1899, when he retired from active service. He died at his home in East Orange, N. J., February 9, 1900.
During the thirty years since Mr. Reasoner assumed charge of the Morris and Essex Division of the Lackawanna Railroad as superintendent the growth of this great prop- erty under his wise and conservative management became an enduring monument to his ability, and places him in the leading ranks of railroad officials of America. It was by the employees, the rank and file of the working forces of the company, that he was held in the highest esteem. They penetrated the rough and offtimes gruff exterior, and know that beneath was a kind and generous heart that beat in sympathy with the misfortunes of others and went out to them in time of trouble and afffiction.
EDWARD LIVINGSTON PRICE, of Newark, one of the leading municipal lawyers in New Jersey, was born in New York City on Christmas Day, December 25, 1844. He is the son of Francis Price, a JJudge of the Court of Errors and Appeals, and Maria L. Hart ; a grandson of Zachariah Price, a scout and private throughout the Revolutionary War; and a lineal descendant of a Welsh immigrant to Connecticut, whose son, Samuel Price, settled in Sussex County, N. J., about 1700. Rodman M. Price, a brother of Edward L., was born in that county November 5, 1816, became a purser in the navy in 1840, and is said to have been the first person to exercise judicial functions under the American tag on the Pacific Coast, where he was made naval agent in 1848. He was a member of Congress from New Jersey from 1851 to 1853, Governor of the State from 1854 to 1857, a delegate to the Peace Congress in 1861, and the founder in New Jersey of the normal school.
Edward L. Price received a private school education at Princeton, Trenton, Frechold, and Newark. In April, 1861, at the age of sixteen, he joined the United States Army as Second Lieutenant of Company E, Seventy-fourth New York Volunteers. Ile was promoted to the rank of First Lieu-
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tenant, and for gallant conduct at the siege of Yorktown was appointed by Major-General Joseph Hooker to a posi- tion on his staff as ordnance officer (1862) of the division of the Third Army Corps. He served as such all through the Peninsular campaign, at the termination of which he was promoted Major (July 1, 1862) of his old regiment, which he commanded through the subsequent battles of Bristow, Second Bull Run, and Chantilly. His valor and meritorious conduct won him the Coloneley of the One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regiment New York Volunteers, his commission bearing date December 18, 1862, although he was not yet eighteen years of age.
When hostilities ceased Colonel Price returned to his home and began preparations for his life work. He studied law under the late Joseph P. Bradley, later Associate Jus- tice of the United States Supreme Court. In June, 1866, he was admitted to the bar as attorney and began practice in Newark, and for over thirty years has maintained high rank among the ablest representatives of the profession in the State. He was admitted as a counsellor in February, 1879, and is also an attorney and counsellor in the United States District, Circuit, and Supreme Courts.
In 1865 Colonel Price was elected to the lower branch of the State Legislature, and in 1867 was re-elected. For many years he has been an active worker and effective speaker in behalf of the Democratic party. He was a mem- ber of the Essex County Democratic Committee for many years. and served as its Chairman most of the time. He is now Chairman of the Democratic State Committee, and as such commands the confidence and respect of his opponents as well as his associates. In 1896 he took a very active part in securing the election of Hon. James M. Seymour as Mayor of Newark, and was appointed Corporation Counsel of Newark, May 26, 1896, was re-appointed to the same posi- tion by Mayor Seymour after his re-election in April, 1898, and was again re-appointed to that position by Mayor Sey- mour after his third election as Mayor. Since his first ap- pointment Colonel Price has served in that capacity. He is a member of the New Jersey Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and of numerous other organizations.
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Colonel Price has made a special study of municipal law, and has been counsel for the municipalities of Harrison, West Orange, South Orange, and Millburn, for the old New- ark Aqueduct Board, and for three years for the first Board of Street and Water Commissioners, drawing the law creat- ing the latter body.
EUGENE WARD, of Newark, N. J., was born in that city January 1. 1836, being the son of Joseph (. and Sarah R. (Munm) Ward and a grandson of Jacob Ward. He was educated in the public schools of Newark, and at an early age was employed by H. B. Dunham, who was then engaged in the rubber manufacturing business. About the age of seventeen he learned the irade of machinist, at which he continued to work for some fifteen Years. In 1868 he en- gaged in the saddlery hardware business un- der the firm name of Butler & Ward. This establishment has en- joyed a prosperous ca- reer, and is the oldest one of its kind in New- ark. Mr. Ward is Presi- dent of the company.
He is a member of the Newark Board of Trade, of St. John's Lodge, No. 1, F. and A. M., and of the High EUGENE WARD. Street Presbyterian Church. Mr. Ward was married, April 27, 1876, to Kate A. Boylan, and has two children : Mary E. and Eugene Graham.
ELIAS GEORGE HELLER, one of Newark's most sue- cessful manufacturers as well as one of her most enterpris-
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ing and patriotic sons, was born in that city April 27, 1837. His ancestors were of German and French origin, and for many generations well known Huguenots in their native lands. His parents, who were highly intelligent and well instructed persons, gave to him, as well as to his younger brothers, such an education in the public schools of New York and their native city as would fit them to carry on successfully whatever business they might choose to follow as they grew older.
Mr. Heller gave early promise of more than ordinary ability as a man of business and a thorough mechanic. Adopting the employ- ment of his father, that of a manufacturer of files and rasps, he car- ried on business with him for some years, and eventually, before the age of thirty, became ELIAS G. HELLER. the head of an estab- lishment founded by himself, with two younger brothers as partners. This was in 1866, in the very center of the City of Newark. So great was the success of this establishment that it became neces- sary to obtain more extensive grounds, and to erect larger buildings. Accordingly, in 1874, a large plot of land was purchased at the corner of Mount Prospect Avenue and the Greenwood Lake division of the Erie Railroad, in that suburb of Newark now known as Forest Hill, which was named by Mr. Heller. Here the greatly enlarged works have ever since been carried on, and from time to time very considerably extended, embracing, in addition to the original objects of industry, the manufacture of steel and a complete line of farrier's tools. In 1896 he started
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the manufacture of wall paper and erected the Essex Wall Paper Mill, which adjoins the steel plant. Around this pros- perous establishment, which its sagacious founder knew so well where to locate, has grown up an extensive settle- ment numbering some of the most desirable residences in the City of Newark. All parts of that city have been ren- dered easy of access to it by means of electric cars, and, in- deed, the citizens of Forest Hill have facilities at their very doors for traveling to New York and in every other direc-
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THE ESSEX WALL PAPER MILL, NEWARK.
tion. It is to the enterprise of Mr. Heller that Newark is mainly indebted for this beautiful and thriving addition to its territory. Of course the selection of this locality for the establishment of his factory was a matter of business. In the development, however, of the natural resources of the place, and in giving to it every advantage and rendering it as desirable as possible for residences, Mr. Heller ex- hibited a commendable spirit. In recognition of his im- portant services in this regard he was honored on various occasions with important public offices. In 1880 and 1881 he represented the people of his ward in the Board of Edu-
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cation, and in 1889, 1890, 1891, and 1892 he was a member of the Common Council. In both of these positions he ren- dered important services to the district which he repre- sented as well as to the entire city. The File Manufactur- ers' Association of the United States expressed their respect for and confidence in him by making him President of their association in 1886, which office he has held ever since. He has also been the presiding officer of the Woodside Build- ing and Loan Association, of the Forest Hill Association, and of the Forest Hill Land Company. Mr. Heller has been
THE HELLER BROTHERS COMPANY'S FACTORY, NEWARK.
for many years a member of the Board of Trade of the City of Newark. In politics he is an enthusiastic Republican, and has done good service to his party as an active mem- ber of the Newark, North End, and Northern Republican Clubs.
In 1867 Mr. Heller married Sophia C. Geoffrey, of French descent, by whom he has three sons: Paul E., Arnaud G., and R. Arthur, of whom the first two are in business with their father. The last named is an attorney-at-law.
JAMES S. HEDDEN, of Newark, is the son of Caleb Hed- den and Matilda Baldwin and a grandson of Abial Hedden, and was born in East Orange, N. J., on the 28th of March,
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1836. He was educated in the schools of his native town, learned the masou's trade, and in 1859, at the age of twenty- three, engaged in business for himself, continuing in that line until 1895. During that period he was interested in much of the finest masoury work in Essex County and vi- einity.
After retiring from his trade Mr. Heddon he- came interested in the plate glass insurance business, and for abont five years has been See- retary and Treasurer of the New Jersey Plate Glass Insurance Com- pany, which has become one of the foremost cor- porations in its line in the country. Much of its growth and success are due to Mr. Heddon's rer- ognized business abil- ity, sound judgment, and enterprise. He has also taken an active JAMES S. HFDDEN. part in public affairs, serving one year as a member of the Newark Board of Edu- cation and in other minor capacities.
Mr. Hedden married Elma R., daughter of Daniel Camp, and has had four children: Harry C., William E., Marvin (deceased), and Jesse L.
THE CONDIT FAMILY .- The Condits or Condiets have been resident in the Passaic Valley for more than two hun- dred years, and have always been closely identitied with business and public affairs, Their name is an honored and respected one. Beginning with John Cunditt, the progeni- tor of the family in America, the several generations have held a high place in the history of the country, and through
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their integrity of character, unfailing patriotism, and great energy have wielded an important influence in shaping the development of their respective communities.
Of John Cunditt's ancestry nothing definite is known. Tradition says he came from England or Wales. In the " Life of Sir Isaac Newton," by David Brewster, it is stated that John Conduit, Knight, married, in England, a widow, Catharine Barton, who was a niece of Sir Isaac, with whom they resided during her life and inherited his estate. Burke's " General Armory," referring to the Condnitt fam- ily, gives : " Arms .- Gules on a fesse wavy argent between three pitchers, double eared or, as many bees volant ppr. Crest .- Two Caducean rods with wings, lying fesseways or, thereon a peacock's head erased ppr."
The earliest reference made to John Cunditt, the Ameri- can ancestor, is in 1678. He married, first, in Great Britain, where his wife died. As his name indicates, he was of Nor- man descent. He came to America in 1678 with his son Peter, and settled at Newark, N. J., where he married, sec- ond, Deborah -, by whom he had a son John, who died a minor. He was the purchaser of lands, " in the bounds of the town of Newark," in 1689 and 1691. The first deed describes the boundaries as " on the east by the river, on the south by said Condit, on the west by a highway." This description indicates a previous deed. The second deed is from Richard Lawrence, March 24, 1691, and conveys to John Condit, weaver, nineteen acres of upland for a lawful sum of money. This lot is described as on the plain com- monly called the " Mill Brook Plain." John Cunditt died in 1713, leaving one son, Peter.
Peter Condit (2) was born in England and came to this country with his father. He married, in 1695, Mary, dangh- ter of Samuel and Mary ( Ward) Harrison and granddaugh- ter of Sergeant Richard Harrison. He had issue Samuel, Peter, John, Nathaniel, Mary, Philip, and Isaac. Three of the sons, John, Nathaniel, and Isaac, settled at the foot of the Orange Mountain on the east, in New Jersey.
Samuel Condit (3), eldest son of Peter (2), was born in Newark, N. J., December 6, 1696, and died July 18, 1777. He married, first, in 1722, Mary Dodd, born November 8,
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1698, who died May 25, 1755, and, second, in 1756, Mrs. Mary ( Nutman) Williams ( widow of Amos Williams), born in 1700, who died February 18, 1777. He was buried in the Orange burying ground, his simple slab bearing the inscrip- tion : " Samuel Conduit, Sr., died July 18, 1777." His third son, Samuel, is also buried there as well as many other members of the Coudit family. Abont 1720 Samuel Condit, Sr., purchased from the Indians land lying between the Orange Mountains in what was afterward called Pleasant Valley. According to tradition, this land was purchased of the Indians; its first private ownership, as the records show, was vested in Samuel Condit, and its extent was such that during his lifetime he gave to each of his five sons fifty acres, and on each lot thus donated he erected a house and also gave to each son a family Bible. He reserved to him- self about seventy acres of land. Three of the farms have ever since remained in the family line of descent. Like his grandfather, John, his first care was that each son should possess a copy of the holy scriptures, an act which, combined with the meagre items of his history, still preserved, indi- cate the sturdy Christian citizen. His selection of a farm was a fortunate one. Taking the Livingston road west from Orange by way of Eagle Rock, and by a long ascent reaching the top of the mountain, the valley beyond stretches out in a panorama of neat and productive farms with comfortable and tastefully built farm houses. His children were Daniel, Jotham, Samuel, Jr., Martha, David, and Jonathan.
Daniel Condit ( 4), eldest son of Samnel (3), was born De- cember 22, 1723, on the homestead situated between Orange and Swinefield roads, now Eagle Rock Avenne. He occu- pied the farm given him by his father. He was an earnest patriot and served throughout the War of the Revolution. He was a member of Captain Williams's company, Second Regiment. Essex, of the State troops, and of the Continental Army. His brother, David, was Major of the same regi- ment, and for gallantry was made Lientenant-Colonel. Daniel was an exemplary Christian and a Deacon in the Presbyterian Church. He married Ruth, daughter of Sam- nel Harrison, son of Samuel, son of Sergeant Richard, son of Richard Harrison, the ancestor of the Harrison family,
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who died at Branford, Conn., October 25, 1653. The issne of the marriage was Adonija, Ennice, Martha, Joel, Amos, Samuel, Ira, and Jemima.
Sammel Condit (5), seventh child of Daniel (4), was born on the family homestead Angust 16, 1761. He was but fif- teen years of age at the breaking out of the War of the Revolution, yet he served as a private in the Essex County militia. After his marriage he removed to the east side of Orange Mountain and resided at what was known as Tory Corners. He was a devont Christian, a kind parent, and a sincere friend. He was a member of the State Legislature early in the last century. He married Hannah, daughter of Ichabod Harrison, son of Nathaniel, son of Joseph, son of Richard Harrison, the ancestor. His children were Jemima, Jemima (2), Sarah, Eunice, Harriet, Samuel, Mary, Abby, Clara, Ira Harrison, and Ichabod. Samuel, the father, died August 31, 1822.
Ira Harrison Condit (6), son of Samuel (5), was born in Orange, on what has long been known as the Samuel Con- dit homestead, May 16, 1808. His sisters were born in the old homestead -- the stone house on the mountain side. His only education was that afforded by the little village school, vet he made the most of his limited opportunities, and what he lacked in book learning he made up in good judgment and hard common sense. He was a live business man in his day, speculated extensively in real estate, and was in his early days a well known contractor in Essex County. He always took an active part in politics, which was character- istic of the family, and was one of the county's leading men. IIe was an old time Whig until the organization of the Ro- publican party, with which he united and whose principles he heartily indorsed. He never desired office, but served in the Board of Chosen Freeholders from 1871 to 1874. At one time he owned a large part of what is now Llewellyn Park, and used it for farming purposes, which occupation he carried on in addition to his general business. In 1875 he sold one hundred acres to Llewellyn S. Haskell. He moved to Roseland in 1858. Mr. Condit became a large landowner, his property in West Orange, in Livingston Township, and in Morris County amounting to nearly six hundred acres.
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Among other tracts, he owned the original farm of Aaron Kitchell, his wife's grandfather. He married Phebe Far- rand Mulford, danghter of Timothy, who was the son of Timothy Mulford; the former married Susan Kitehell, daughter of Aaron Kitchell, one of the patriot leaders of New Jersey. In the opening scenes of the Revolution Mr. Kitchell was foremost in the great debate, and a zealous and sagacious champion of freedom. At the close of the war he was for some years in the State Legislature. In 1799 he was elected Representative in Congress and held that posi- tion by successive re-elections till 1807. He was then chosen United States Senator and served four years in that capac- ity. The issue of Mr. Condit's marriage with Phobe Mulford was Samuel, born July 9. 1832; Clara, born January 27, 1834: Hannah, born October 9, 1839; Elias Mulford, born May 21, 1841; Susan, born July 2, 1843; Sarah, born Decem- ber 18, 1818; Mary and Harriet, twins, born October 9, 1850: and ira, born February 5, 1855, died March 24, 1859.
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