USA > New Jersey > Passaic County > Passaic > The Passaic valley, New Jersey, in three centuries.. Vol. 2 > Part 33
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a very choice one, selected with the greatest care, not for show, but for the excellence of the volumes.
J. G. TRUSDELL MOORE was born October 30, 1867, in East Orange, Essex County, N. J., where he still resides. He is the son of Charles F. R. Moore and Ann Elizabeth Maloy, daughter of Peter and Johanna (Garrison) Maloy; a grandson of Joseph H. Moore and JJulia Elma Williams; a great-grandson of John Moore and Hannah Copeland; and a great-great-grandson of Joseph Moore and Christianna Bishop. On the paternal side he traces his ancestry back to Samuel Moore, who, in 1664, emigrated to this country and settled in what is now Wood- bridge, N. J. This Sam- nel seems to have taken a very active part in the settlement of the prov- ince and held a number of responsible offices un- der the government, serving as a member of the second General As- sembly and as provin- cial Treasurer. John Moore, the great-grand- father of the subject of this article, was one of the commissioners sent by the United States government, shortly aft- J. G. TRUSDELL. MOORE. or the Revolutionary War, to negotiate a treaty of peace with the Five Nations of Indians, or Iroquois League. Charles F. R. Moore, the father of JJ. G. Trusdell Moore, was well known throughout the State, especially in Masonic circles, serving at one time as Grand Seribe of the Grand Lodge of Masons of New Jersey. His mother's father, Peter Maloy, was the son of Sir Patrick Maloy, and was
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born in Ireland, where he was educated for the priesthood. Not believing in the confessional, he ran away, came to America, and was disowned by the family.
J. G. Trusdell Moore was educated in the East Orange public schools and at the New Jersey Business College in Newark. At the age of eighteen he began active life in the real estate and insurance business at Brick Church station, East Orange, entering the office of Robert Appleton, Jr., who at that time had a very extensive business, not only in the Oranges, but throughout Essex County. Mr. Moore remained with him, a part of the time as his partner, until 1894, when he associated himself with S. D. Condit, of Brick Church, in the same line. After about four years he dis- solved this connection and in the spring of 1898 opened an office at No. 6 Railroad Place, opposite Brick Church sta- tion, where he has since conducted a large and successful real estate and insurance business. He also has an office at No. 203 Broadway, New York City. His activity and ex- cellent judgment in general real estate operations has re- sulted in placing him among the leading real estate men in this section. He has been influential in inducing a large number of prominent business men of Newark and New York to locate their homes in the Oranges, thus contribut- ing materially to their growth and prosperity.
He is a Democrat, and has always taken an interest in politics. In 1898 he was a candidate for member of the General Assembly on the National Gold Democratic ticket. He is now (1901) a member of the Board of Education of Orange, a Notary Public, and a Commissioner of Deeds. He is a Presbyterian in religion, and was a charter member of Hillside Council, No. 1329, Royal Arcanum.
Mr. Moore was married, October 1, 1890, to Fanny Hol- lister, daughter of Captain U. S. Hollister, formerly of East Orange, but now a resident of Denver, Col. They have one daughter, Mabel Elizabeth Moore, born September 23, 1897.
FRANCIS SPEIR, JR., of South Orange, lawyer, was born in New York City, November 11, 1856. He is the son of Francis and Cecilia Maben (Patterson) Speir. On both
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sides his ancestry is of Scotch origin, his mother having been born in Edinburgh, Scotland. Mr. Speir was prepared for college in the school of Dr. F. A. Adams, of Orange, N. J., and was graduated from Princeton University with the class of 1877, receiving thereafter (1880) his Master of Arts degree. During the year following his gradua- tion he was engaged in post-gradnate study at Princeton, organizing with Professors Scott and Osborn the West- ern Scientific Expedi- tions, two of which he conducted through Wy- oming and Utah in 1884 and 1886. After two years of study in the Columbia Law School he was grad- uated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1880, and was at once admitted to the bar in New York City, where FRANCIS SPEIR, JR. lie has continued to practice ever since with great success. He formed his pres- ent partnership with Frederick P. Forster, under the firm name of Forster & Speir, in 1889; the firm's offices are in Wall Street.
Mr. Speir is a member of the St. Nicholas Society, the Century and Down Town Associations, and the Princeton ('lub. He is a Trustee of the village of South Orange, and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the joint sewerage body composed of the Cities of Newark and Summit, the village of South Orange, the town of Irvington, the bor- ough of Vailsburg, and the Townships of Milburn and West Orange for the construction of a trunk sewer io tidewater.
Mr. Speir was married, May 17, 1888, to Agnes Edwards Forbes, of Brooklyn, N. Y. Their children are Francis Ce-
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cil, Sarah Edwards Schuyler, Robert Forbes, and Henry Fairfield Osborn. They reside at No. 276 Ridgewood Road.
WILLIAM LANE, son of Henry Lane, was a member of one of the old representative families of Caldwell, Essex
WILLIAM LANE.
County, where he was born on the 10th of September, 1804. He was a lifelong honored resident of that town and a car-
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penter by trade and occupation until his death, which oc- enered in Caldwell on the 19th of February, 1890.
In his business and social relations Mr. Lane was an ex-
ISAAC LANE,
emplary citizen, a man of unswerving integrity, and highly respected and esteemed. He lived to the venerable age of eighty-six, and during his entire career maintained an hon- orable reputation. He was a Deacon, an Elder, and a recog- nized leader of the Presbyterian Church of Caldwell.
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He married Jane Pier, who was born January 20, 1807, and who died in 1890. Their children were George Lane, of Newark; Maria, widow of W. R. Congar; Isaac Lane, of Caldwell; and three, Esther, Sarah, and Caroline, deceased.
ISAAC LANE, son of William and Jane (Pier) Lane, was born in Caldwell, Essex County, on the 5th of March, 1830, and for more than half a century has been conspicuously identified with that part of the Passaic Valley.
He obtained but little literary education, his parents be- ing in meager circumstances,-a fact that compelled him early in life to seek employment, thereby gaining that self- reliance and business acumen which have characterized his subsequent career. His first situation was with the firm of Bush & Campbell, a predecessor of Lane & Lockward, and here he worked as a stripper, earning twenty-five cents per one hundred pounds. He continued with this firm and its successors, becoming thoroughly acquainted with the tobacco business in all its departments, and eventually, in 1866, acquiring an interest as a partner. This tobacco fac- tory has been in operation ever since 1806. His devotion to this one line of industry has not permitted him to share his time with other enterprises, which fact is sufficient to account for the sure, gradual growth and financial prosper- ity of the present establishment of Lane & Lockward.
Mr. Lane was married, Jannary 28, 1851, to Emma, dangh- ter of Cornelius Gould. Her death occurred in 1869, and in 1871 he married Susan, daughter of Moses Kinsey. No children were born by either marriage. In fraternal re- lations Mr. Lane is a Master Mason.
FREDERICK C. BLANCHARD, of Convent Station, Mor- ris County, was born in Newark on the 13th of September, 1856. His father, Noah F. Blanchard, was a prominent manufacturer, and in 1879 was elected President of the Prudential Insurance Company of America, which position he held until his death in 1SS1. He was also connected
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with other important companies and industries in Newark. His wife was Emeline C. Wood.
Mr. Blanchard was educated in the Newark public schools, and subsequently learned the leather trade in the establish- ment of Blanchard, Brother & Lane, of which his father was the head. Later he be- came Superintendent of the factory and was made a member of the Board of Directors, and contributed materially to the growth and pros- perity of the concern, which is now one of the leading industries of Newark. For more than ten years Mr. Blanchard has been a member of the Board of Directors FREDERICK C. BLANCHARD. of the Prudential Insur- ance Company and now holds the office of Supervisor of the loan department of that great corporation. He is Treasurer of the Blue Ridge Enameled Brick Company, manufactur- ers of enameled brick, with large works at Saylorsburg, Pa.
In politics he is a stanch Republican. He was a mem- ber of the Board of Education of the City of Newark for two terms from 1884, and in other capacities has aided in advancing the best interests of the community. He is a member of the Newark Athletic Club, of the Chatham Fish and Game Club of Chatham, N. J., of the Tapkaow Club of Morristown, of St. John's Lodge. F. and A. M., of Newark, of which he is a Past Master, of Union Chapter, R. A. M., of Damascus Commandery, No. 5, K. T., and of the Scottish Rite bodies to and including the thirty-second degree. He is also a member of Mecca Temple, N. O. M. S., of New York City. Mr. Blanchard is a progressive, public spirited
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citizen, a man of acknowledged ability and integrity, and honored and respected by all who know him.
He was married, June 7, 1882, to Mamie E. Dickinson, eldest daughter of the Rev. George F. Dickinson, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Newark Conference. They have one son and three daughters.
JEREMIAH BAKER is one of the oldest citizens of Madi- son, N. J. Born in Westfield, Essex County, on the 9th of October, 1823, he is the son of William and Jane R. (Thomp- son) Baker and a grandson of William Baker, Sr., who was born August 5, 1759, made his home in Westfield, and died December 30, 1833. The latter's father, Henry Baker, of Easthampton, Long Island, was the son of Thomas Baker, the progenitor of the Baker family in America. William Baker, Jr., was born in Westfield, February 20, 1788, and married Jane R. Thomp- son, who was born May 3, 1790, daughter of Moses and Esther A. (Bonnell) Thompson, the former being a son of Hezekiah Thompson, who is mentioned in his- tory on account of his valiant service in the War of the Revolution. William Baker devoted his energies to agricul- tural pursuits, and was a well known and influ- ential farmer in the JEREMIAH BAKER. community where he re- sided. Both he and his wife held membership in the Presbyterian Church. He died November 25, 1831, and his wife April 5, 1867. They had six sons and four daughters.
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Jeremiah Baker received his preliminary education in the common schools. In 1838 he entered upon an active busi- ness life in New York City, continuing until 1812, when, feeling the need of more advanced educational training, he entered the University of New York. There he completed his studies. After pursuing the university course he re- sumed his business operations in association with his brother-in-law, James A. Webb. They continued in trade in New York City until 1869, when Mr. Baker retired. Since then he has been connected with the American Insurance Company, of which he has been a Director for many years. He was also one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Madison and has served as one of the Directors from the beginning. His executive ability, keen discrimina- tion, sound judgment, and untiring energy have been im- portant factors in his success, and have brought him a com- fortable competence.
Mr. Baker was married to Miss Elizabeth C. Webb, a native of New York City and daughter of A. V. Il. and (Phebe Baker) Webb. Her father was a native of the Em- pire State and a son of Orange Webb, born December 8, 1763, died November 26, 1817, who was one of the largest ship owners of his day and one of the first ellers in what was known as the old Brick Church in New York City, serv- ing in that capacity abont 1812, when Rey. Dr. Gardner Spring was its pastor. Mrs. Phebe (Baker) Webb was the daughter of William Baker, Sr., of Westtiell, N. JJ. Jere- miah and Elizabeth C. (Webb) Baker have had seven chil- dren, all of whom are deceased.
Mr. Baker's family belonged to the Whig party during the first half of the nineteenth century, and he cast his first presidential vote for Henry Clay. Since the formation of the Republican party he has been one of its loyal supporters, and on that ticket he was elected a member of the first City Council of Madison, serving most acceptably in that office and laboring earnestly for the substantial improvement of the city. He was Chairman of the Finance and Water Com- mittees, and managed the affairs of those departments with great discretion and ability. He is an Elder in the Presby- terian Church in Madison, a man of wide acquaintance in
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business circles, both in the metropolis and New Jersey, and possessed of broad intelligence and great public spirit.
ELIAS W. DURAND, artist, inventor, and agriculturist, and a member of the noted Durand family, was born at the corner of Broadway and Canal Streets, New York, on the 12th of December, 1824, and is a son of Cyrus Durand, the celebrated bank-note engraver of New York City and father of the bank-note engraving art in this country. The mother of Mr. Durand was Mrs. Phebe ( Wade) Durand, a native of Springfield, N. J.
Mr. Durand received a fair literary education in the private schools of New York City and at a boarding school in Mendham, N. J., com- pleting that branch of study at the old acad- emy located where the custom-house now stands in Newark. At the age of fifteen he was taken to New York City to learn the business of bank-note engraving with his father, but dur- ing a period of depres- sion he was persuaded to try watch-case and jewelry engraving with Taylor, Baldwin & Co., ELIAS W. DURAND. of Newark, then the most prominent con- cern of its kind in the country. Feeling the restraint inci- dent to close application, and becoming dissatisfied with the conditions imposed, he concluded, being under no obli- gation to remain, to return to New York City and perfect himself in the art under the preceptorship of John T. White, at that time the most celebrated engraver in his line. Re-
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maining with him about two years, in which time he be- came a master in the art, Mr. Durand decided to purchase and pursue the business of his employer and former in- structor, continuing in the same with a force of several journeymen and apprentices. Finding the spasmodic pe- riods of depression incident to the business so discouraging in their results, and so continually recurring, he concluded to try wood-engraving as not only more desirable from a business standpoint, but also affording a higher and more extensive range of art, receiving all necessary instruction under the guidance of J. A. Adams, who was then engaged with Harper Brothers and about to issue his pictorial Bible. Aided by his previous experience, Mr. Durand soon became proficient in this line and continued in it for a time most successfully.
When about twenty-two years old Mr. Durand moved to Irvington and there resided while engaged in business in New York, where, assisted by his father, he invented and perfected a machine for the purpose of engraving the skies and tints upon wood. This proved a great success, and he patented and disposed of the same to considerable monetary advantage. At the age of twenty-five he decided to turn his attention to a higher branch of art,-that of portrait and landscape painting, but, finding the study of landscapes the more attractive, he soon after abandoned portraits, and in company with his uncle, the world renowned A. B. Du- rand, proceeded at once to study from nature. Being al- ready well fortitied by an extensive and varied experience in industrial art, he made rapid progress, but the necessary continement and close application imposed upon him caused a complete prostration of the nerve forces and he was sub- sequently obliged to relinquish for a time his arduous la- bors in that direction.
Upon taking up the life of a landscape painter Mr. Du- rand removed to Newark, Essex County, but later changed his residence to Greenville, on Bergen Neck, whence he journeyed daily to his studio in New York. Finding it impossible to continue, he again returned to Irvington, his present residence, where, with opportunity for more vigor- ous exercise in the way of gunning and fishing, which af-
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forded partial relief from dyspeptic troubles, he pursued his art until a recurrence of ill health warned him that en- tire life out of doors was a positive necessity. Reluctantly the brush and palette were laid aside, awaiting renewed and established health or their abandonment forever.
Finding that outdoor existence was imperative, Mr. Du- rand began the erection of ice houses upon his place, and then, having more leisure time than he desired, and being of an inventive and experimental turn of mind and also a fair mechanic, he called to his aid the tools and machinery of his father, and proceeded to make guns and pistols for his own use, meeting with a high order of success in that pastime. He still retains some of the products of his la- bors. His love for landscape painting would force him to the easel, but every effort in that direction insured a re- turn of his old troubles, and he decided upon a more active life. In 1857 he became acquainted with Seth Boyden, who at the time was experimenting successfully with the straw- berry, and, becoming interested, he also began a series of experiments to satisfy himself as to the peculiar effects in the way of originating, soon becoming involved in all the perplexities that thorough investigation must invariably provoke. At times he would determine to abandon the whole work, but, hesitating to lose the results of so many years of intense labor, he has continued in a more moder- ate way, the whole matter becoming clearer and plainer by the establishment of certain principles which an ex- tensive experimental course only can confirm. In the pro- duction of the strawberry Mr. Durand has excited the wonder and admiration of the whole country, and, as be- ing deeply interested in agricultural pursuits and especial- ly in the improvement of all fruits, the public must now, as well as in the future, be greatly indebted to him for his ef- forts in that direction.
For a period of twenty years the brush and pencil, the colors and palette, had been laid aside, to be again taken up, in 1882, with the same old love renewed with returning health, coupled with caution and care for its continuance. Being spare and light in build and active in habit, he still
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retains the vigor of boyhood, and as an ardent student of nature he is already as well known in art as in agriculture.
The marriage of Mr. Durand was solemnized in 1846, when he became united to Miss Emma Averill, daughter of Lyman S. Averill, a merchant of Irvington, and the follow- ing named children were born to them: Elena A., deceased, who became the wife of George Cross; Louise, who died in infancy; Wilson W., who is connected with a banking estab- lishment in New York; Frank, who died at the age of twen- ty-four years; and Harry, who died in infancy. Mrs. Du- rand departed this life in February, 1897, about two months after the fiftieth anniversary of her marriage, which of- eurred on the 12th of December.
In his political affiliations Mr. Durand has been an ad- herent of the Republican party, and for nine years held the offices of President and Trustee of Irvington and for sey- eral years was a member of the Board of Chosen Freehold- ers from Irvington.
GEORGE R. GRAY is a prominent citizen of Newark, where he has resided for the last forty years. Ile was born April 25, 1842, at Newton, Sussex County, N. J., his father being Thomas Gray. His grandfather, a native of Ireland, but of Scotch descent, emigrated to America and settled in Sussex County, where he became a pioneer in the iron in- dustry, in which business he was interested for many years.
George R. Grav spent the first seventeen years of his life in his native town, availing himself there of the advantages of an education in the Newion Collegiate Institute and Presbyterian Academy. When he had acquired a good Eng- lish education, and it became necessary that he should be- gin his life work, with the quiet but determined persistency which has so marked his whole life he went to New York City and became a clerk in the hardware store of John C. Tucker, corner of Dey and Greenwich Streets. At that time the whole republic was convulsed by the commotions which finally led to the Civil War. That deadly contest prostrated many prosperons establishments and enriched great numbers of adventurers. The firm by which he was
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employed could not withstand the pressure of the ruinous conditions which early in the war visited trade of various kinds, and young Gray was without occupation. But, nothing daunted, he came to Newark and entered the estab- lishment of Wright & Co., manufacturers of carriage
GEORGE R. GRAY.
springs. He continued with this firm until 1863, when it was re-organized as the Passaic Spring Works. In 1869 the new company, recognizing the ability of Mr. Gray and fully confiding in his integrity, invited him to become a partner, which he accepted.
In 1875 the political party with which Mr. Gray affiliated
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gained ascendancy in Newark. The financial ability of Mr. Gray, although up to that time limited to the business with which he was individually connected, had become known and was appreciated, and he was elected to office, the duties of which required the care of millions of dollars and the proper adjustment of the various departments of a great city, as Newark had then become. He held the office one year, as in the succeeding election the Republicans returned to power and Mr. Gray was superseded by a member of that political organization. But his administration of the finances of the city had been so able and marked with so much satisfaction that his services were again demanded by the municipality and he was appointed Secretary of the Board of Assessments and Revision of Taxes. In 1881 he was made Superintendent of the Aqueduct Board, which appointment he held for ten years. In 1891 he was elected Treasurer of the State for a term of three years, and in 1892 Governor Leon Abbett added him to the State Board of Electrical Subways. At the expiration of his term of office as State Treasurer the Republican party had a majority in the Legislature and Mr. Gray was displaced and a member of the successful party appointed. But the Legislature, opposed as it was to Mr. Gray in politics, unanimously passed a resolution commending him for the able and effi- cient manner in which he had performed the duties of his of- fice and especially complimented him upon his courtesy to all who came within the range of his official duties. No high- er tribute could have been paid by a political party to an opponent than was done by this action of the New Jersey Legislature. It was no perfunctory performance, but the honest, spontaneous expression of respect entertained for the ability, integrity. and high character of Mr. Gray, lle then retired to private life, but since then his financial ability has been so well established that his services have been in demand by the courts and individuals. When the United States Credit System of Newark failed with claims against it of a million of dollars the late Chancellor of the State, Alexander T. McGill, appointed him its temporary receiver. To this action of the Chancellor no objection was made. His administration of the affairs of the insolvent
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corporation was so excellent that when it became necessary to appoint a permanent receiver with the consent of all parties Mr. Gray was continued in the position. The Financial Review of September 18, 1894, spoke of this ap- pointment in the highest commendatory terms. On De- cember 23, 1897, Mr. Gray was appointed by the courts of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Missouri, and California one of the two receivers of the Herring-Hall-Mar- vin Safe Company, one of the largest if not the very largest establishments of the kind in the world. On December 20, 1900, he and his co-receiver had the great pleasure of pre- senting this great corporation, with its affairs all settled and arranged on a firm, substantial basis, to the original corporators, who have recognized his merits and made him one of the Directors of the new organization. He is also the receiver of the Granite State Provident Association of Manchester, N. H. He is now Vice-President of the Essex and Hudson Gas Company (a corporation with a capital of seventeen million dollars), President of the T. B. Peddie Trunk Company of Newark, and a Director of the Second National Bank of Newark and the Firemen's Insurance Company.
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