USA > New Jersey > Passaic County > Passaic > The Passaic valley, New Jersey, in three centuries.. Vol. 2 > Part 8
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His last public service was a position on the Constitu-
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tional Commission, which concluded its labors a few weeks before his death, which occurred October 21, 1894.
He was Ruling Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Jersey City at the time of his death, a position which he had held for a number of years. He was elected delegate to the Presbyterian General Assembly at Washington at the time of the famous heresy trial of Dr. Briggs, but press- ing engagements prevented his attendance. He was a mem- ber of the directories of many large corporations, and in the business world attained a prominence secondary only to that achieved in his professional career. Affable and kind in manners, Judge Bedle was yet a man of strong de- cision of character and unflagging business energy. He drew about him a wide circle of friends, and in his life, char- acter, and work has given a vital impetus to the factors that are to-day moulding the history of the community : the bar, the bench, and the government of his native State.
lIe was survived by his accomplished wife, Althea F. (Randolph) Bedle, daughter of the late Judge Bennington F. Randolph, and five children : Bennington R. Bedle, who was Consul at Sheffield, England; Joseph D. Bedle and Thomas F. Bedle, who, with Flaval MeGee, Esq., were his law partners; Althea R. Rusch, wife of Adolph Rusch, of New York City; and Randolph Bedle.
JOSEPH D. BEDLE, JR., son of Governor Joseph D. Bedle and Althea F. Randolph, was born in Freehold, Mon- month County, N. J., February 18, 1864. He was graduated from Hasbrouck Institute, Jersey City, in 1881, and the same year entered Princeton College, from which he received the degree of A.B. in 1888 and three years later the degree of A.M. While there he was editor of the Princetonian, the college paper. Immediately after graduating he entered, as a student, the law office of Bedle, Muirhead & McGee, of Jersey City. Hle subsequently attended Columbia College Law School, and was admitted to the bar of New Jersey as an attorney in June, 1888, and as a counsellor in November, 1891. In 1888 he was admitted as a partner of his legal preceptors, the firm name adopted by the new partnership
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being Bedle, Muirhead, McGee & Bedle, Jr., which style con- tinued until the death of Mr. Muirhead in 1892, when it be- came Bedle, MeGee & Bedle. On the death of ex-Governor Bedle in October, 1894, the name was changed to McGee, Bedle & Bedle.
fudge Bedle, though a young man, has won high rank at the bar. He is a stanch Democrat, has for several years been active in politics, and was Chairman of the Hudson County delegation to the State convention that nominated Hon. George T. Werts for Governor. He was Aide-de-Camp with the rank of Colonel on the staff of Governor Werts, who also appointed him, in 1894, one of three commissioners for New Jersey for the promotion of uniformity of legislation in the United States. In January, 1895, he was appointed by Governor Griggs Judge of the District Court of Jersey City for a term of five years. In 1893 Chancellor MeGill ap- pointed him a Special Master in Chancery.
After the death of his father Judge Bedle succeeded to several positions of honor and trust. He is a Director and counsel of the United New Jersey Railroad and Canal Com- pany and of the First National Bank of Jersey City, the largest banking institution in the State, and counsel for the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company, the Joseph Dixon Crucible Company, and many other large cor- porations. He is also a Director of the People's Light and Power Company of New Jersey and the Westside Land and Building Company, a Trustee of the Children's Friends So- viety or Children's Home of Jersey City, and a Ruling Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Jersey City. Besides these he is an officer in several large corporations operating in this State, among them the Cleveland Seed Company. He is a member and formerly a Trustee of the Pahna Club, a member and Trustee of the Carteret Club, and a member of the Jersey City Bar Association, all of Jersey City; a member of the Manhattan Club, the Princeton Club, and the American Museum of Natural History of New York ; a mem- ber of the Washington Association of Morristown and of the Revolutionary Memorial Society; and a member and Governor of the Lake Hopatcong Club of New Jersey.
June 21, 1888, Judge Bedle was married to Miss Fanny
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Reed Ege, daughter of Horatio N. Ege, of Jersey City, the head of the commission house of Ege & Otis, of New York. They have one daughter, Josephine D. Bedle.
WILLIAM WALLACE MORRIS, of Newark, was born in the City of New York, February 18, 1830. His early an- cestors were of the old French Huguenots, English, and Hollanders. He comes from patriotic families. On the paternal side he is a great-grandson of James Herbert, who fought under Washington in the War for Independence. On the maternal side he is a great-grandson of Henry Brinkerhoff, also a soldier of the American Revolution, and a grandson of Joseph Mor- ris and William Wallace, both soldiers in the War of 1812. He is a great-grand- nephew of Job Compton, who distinguished himself in Monmouth County as a valorous soldier and sailor in fighting for the liberties of his country. Joseph Mor- ris married Patience Her- bert, daughter of the Revo- lutionary patriot, James Herbert. William Wallace married Margaret Brinker- hoff. Benjamin Morris, great-grandfather of Major William W. Morris, married Mrs. Compton, nec Crawford, and had a grandson, Joseph Morris, who married Jane Ann Wallace, and they were the parents of the subject of MAJOR WILLIAM W. MORRIS. this article. Major Morris is also a grandnephew on his father's side of James Ilerbert, who served in the War of 1812, and a nephew on his mother's side of William Henry
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Wallace, a soldier in the Florida Indian War. His brother, Joseph M. Morris, served in the Union Army in 1861-65.
Major Morris was educated in both private and public schools. After leaving school he was sent to learn the coach and saddlery hardware business, and subsequently became general superintendent. in later years he engaged in the manufacture of saddlery and hardware, after which he turned his attention to the construction of public works for the county authorities and City of Newark.
His military record is a most honorable one. When a youth he joined the Lafayette Guards as a private and sub- sequently became a commissioned officer of the New Jersey Militia under the late General Theodore Runyou. He was also a member of the Newark City Battalion under the late Major James A. Carter. When the Union was threatened he responded to President Lincoln's call for three hundred thousand troops by raising a company of volunteers, of which he became commander. This company was mus- tered into the United States service as Company A of the Twenty-sixth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers. He was promoted to Major of the regiment in the field, and was honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of ser- vice. Major Morris took part in the campaign of Fred- ericksburg. Va., December 11 to 15, 1862, under General Burnside, in the Army of the Potomac. He also fought in the campaign of Chancellorsville, Va., in capturing Maryes Heights at Fredericksburg while in the Sixth Army Corps under General John Sedgwick, May 3. 1863. He was at the battle of Salem Church, Va., and Salen Heights, May 3 and 4, under General Joseph Hooker, and was at the open- ing of the campaign of Gettysburg. Pa., at Franklin Cross- ing. near Fredericksburg. Va., in taking the earthworks and ritle pits on the south bank of the Rappahannock River, June 5, 1863, under General Sedgwick. Major Morris was under General Mcclellan in the latter part of the campaign of Maryland. He served in the Second Brigade ( Vermont), Second Division, Sixth Army Corps, Army of the Potomac.
During the draft riots in the Cities of New York and New- ark Major Morris was commissioned by the late Captain E. N. Miller, Provost-Marshal, to raise a battalion of returned
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veterans to put down the rioters in the City of Newark. In the latter part of 1864 President Lincoln issued his procla- mation for ten thousand troops from the State of New Jer- sey, and in case the quota was not filled the government would resort to the draft. Major Morris was persuaded to leave his business temporarily and become the recruiting officer for the county authorities. Through his efforts the quota was filled before the time allotted by the government had expired.
In politics Major Morris is a stanch Republican, having been one of those who organized that band of young pa- triots known as " Wide-awakes," who contributed largely to the election of Abraham Lincoln and volunteered and served in the Union Army during the war. He also was a member of the Union League. He voted for General John C. Fremont, Abraham Lincoln, and all the other Republican candidates for President. He was one of those appointed to escort Mr. Lincoln through the City of Newark at the time his life was threatened by the enemies of the Union when on his way to be inaugurated at Washington, D. C., in February, 1861. He was elected by the people a member of the Board of Excise from the Fourth Ward, Newark, and in 1868 was appointed Street Commissioner by the Com- mon Council. In 1876 he was appointed to the latter office for a second term. Subsequently he was a clerk in the City Clerk's department, after which he became custodian of documents. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, the I. O. O. F., and other beneficial organizations. He was brought up in the Baptist faith, and in after years joined the Methodist Church. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, in which he has held the positions of Junior Vice Commander and Commander of James A. Garfield Post, No. 4, Department of New Jersey. He also served on General Alger's National staff while the latter was Com- mander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, and on the Department staff of New Jersey in several capacities. IIe is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Historical Society of New Jersey, and the Society of the Army of the Potomac. After two years of labor, through his efforts, he secured the likenesses of the ex-Mayors of the
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City of Newark from 1836, which now adorn the walls of one of the large rooms in the City Hall.
During the great railroad riot in 1877, which threatened the destruction of public and private property and the loss of life, Mayor Yates, then Mayor of the City of Newark, realizing that the small police force would not be able to cope with the rioters, commissioned Major Morris to organ- ize a number of veterans, secure all arms, cannon, and am- munition, and put the public buildings in a condition to pro- tect them from destruction by the mob. The Mayor's orders were strictly carried out by Major Morris.
Major Morris has been married three times: first, to Miss Sarah Bartow, a native of Rahway, N. J., who died leaving no children; second, to Miss Mary E. Bines, of Newark, N. J., by whom he had children Mary Jane, Elizabeth ( who died in infancy), AAlbert G. W., and Elizabeth B .; and third, to Miss Sarah A. Baldwin, a descendant of John Baldwin, Sr., one of the first settlers of Newark in 1666. She has borne him four children : William W. and Herbert P., both of whom died in childhood, and Helen L. and Winthrop B.
SAMUEL DOD (1), youngest child of Daniel and Mary Dod, was born May 2, 1657, in Branford, England. He rame with his brothers and sisters to Newark, N. L., his father having died in Branford. Ile was admitted a planter February 13, 1678-9, and received his division of home lots adjoining that of his brother Daniel. He received a grant of twenty-five acres the same year, " laid out already on Watsesson ( Bloomfield) and that part of swamp laid out to him by the surveyor, containing about twenty acres," etc. His lands were subsequently confirmed to him by pat- ent from the Proprietors. He was chosen Constable in 1701-2. He died about 1714. By his wife, Martha, he had issne Samuel (2), Jonathan, and five daughters,
Samuel Dod (2), eldest child of Samuel (1) and Martha Dod, born about 1695, died April 16, 1773, was buried in the old Orange cemetery. He was Lieutenant of militia, and was Assessor of the town in 1740. He married Mary, daugh- ter of Samnel Pierson, son of Thomas Pierson, the Newark
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ancestor (brother of Rev. Abraham Pierson). They had eight children, of whom Samuel (3) was the fourth.
Samuel Dod (3), son of Samuel (2) and Mary ( Pierson)
CHARLES E. DODD.
Dod, was born January 11, 1736, and died in 1795. He mar- ried, first, Elizabeth, daughter of Jonas luiman, and had three children. IIe married, second, Sarah Baldwin, and had seven children, of whom Abner (4) was the fourth.
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Abner Dodd (4), son of Samuel (3) and Sarah ( Baldwin) Dod, was born in Watsesson (now Bloomfield), N. J., in 1779, and died in Bloomfield, January 17. 1833. He mar- ried Betsey Canfield, a descendant of Ebenezer Canfield. who, with the other Branford settlers at Newark, in 1666. signed the "Fundamental Agreement." The children of AAbner and Betsey (Canfickl) Dod were Eliza, Abner (5), John M., and on. The second wife of Abner Dod was Charlotte Walter, by whom he had three children.
Abner Dodd (5), son of Abner and Betsey (Canfield) Dodd, was born in Blooinfield, October 30, 1803. Hle re- moved to Newark and for some years was engaged in the manufacture of saddles, trunks, etc. He was obliged to suspend during the great panic of 1837. from which he never recovered. He was afterward in the employ of H. N. Peters in the trunk manufacturing business. He was for some years connected with the okl Third Presbyterian Church of Newark. and left that to join the South Baptist Church. Hle married Ann Lindsley Harrison, daughter of Isaac Har- rison, a descendant of Sergeant Richard Harrison, one of the original settlers of Newark. Their daughters were Hen- rietta C., married Captain R. V. Harford; Mary C., married John P. Tracy: Abbey E., married John Stryker; and Anna C., married John Brown, of Elizabeth, N. J.
Charles Edgar Dodd (6), fifth child of Abner (5) and An Lindsley (Harrison) Dodd, was born in Newark. N. J., No- vember 6, 1838, and was educated at the best private schools of Newark. He moved to Orange in 1858, soon after he completed his apprenticeship at the mason's trade, and at once staried in business on his own account. In 1859 he signed a contract with James Bogardus to go to Cuba, where he assisted in creating a sugar storehouse opposite ITavana. He was engaged for eight months in this enter- prise. On his return he remained in New York until the breaking ont of the Civil War. He enlisted in the autumn of 1861, was assigned to a position in the Quartermaster's Department, and accompanied the expedition to Port Royal under Dupont and Sherman. He remained ai Hilton Head until the following year, and soon after his return he en- listed as a private in Company D, Twenty-second Regiment,
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N. Y. S. M. During Early's invasion of Pennsylvania in 1863 he went with his regiment to the front and was sta- tioned at Carlisle. His regiment participated in the actions at Sporting Hill and Carlisle, and before the expiration of its term of service was ordered back to New York to assist in quelling the draft riots. Mr. Dodd remained in active service with the regiment until 1865. He went that year to Charleston, Ill., with the intention of settling there, but after a year he returned home by way of Atlanta and Savannah. He spent a few months in New York, working at his trade, and in 1867 he moved to Orange, N. J., and established him- self in business as a mason and builder. From that time until the present Mr. Dodd has continued to carry on busi- ness in his own name, and has achieved a reputation as a builder second to none in all the Oranges. The large con- tracts which have been awarded to him from time to time of some of the largest and finest buildings in that vicinity remain as lasting monuments of his skill as a master builder and of the confidence reposed in him by his patrons. One of the finest as well as one of the most expensive houses built by him is what was formerly known as the Pedder (now the Edison) residence in Llewellyn Park. The David E. Green residence in the park, the Dr. Seward house on Main Street, the Cushing place on Munn Avenue, East Orange, and, recently, the Orange Free Library are fair samples of his work.
As a citizen it is only necessary to say that, as a repre- sentative of two of the oldest families in Essex County, he has maintained the reputation for probity and honor which for more than two hundred years has characterized these families. He has been for many years a member of the New England Society of Orange, all his ancestors being originally of New England stock. He is a member of Union Lodge, F. and A. M., in which he has filled prominent posi- tions. He was also for a time a member of Orange Chapter, R. A. M. He retains pleasant recollections of his old army associations and has long been connected with Uzal Dodd Post, G. A. R.
In 1872 Mr. Dodd was elected to the Common Council of Orange and for three years served as Chairman of the Fire
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Department Committee. He advocated and brought about the re-organization of the department from a volunteer to a paid system. While a member of the Common Council he was also Chairman of a committee appointed to devise and promote the adoption of a public water supply, and when the present system was completed he was appointed Super- intendent and organized the department as it now exists. lle is conducting a large business in the building trade and is also manager of Music Hall, Orange.
Mr. Dodd, in 1864, married, first, Josephine Irwin, of New York. He had iwo children, both deceased. He married, second, Helen, daughter of David Sturtevant, formerly of Brooklyn, a descendant of one of the old Plymouth ( Mass.) families, but long and prominently identified with New York City and State.
JOHN CHARLES GROEL, of Newark, N. J., a popular business man, was born in thai city on the Eth of March, 1868, being the son of Francis X. and Katie ( Haffner) Groel. Ilis ancestors were natives of the Franco-German provinces, coming to New York City in 1843 and moving from there to Newark in 1815. Ile was educated at the Morton Street Public School ( which at the time was under the principal- ship of Joseph E. Haynes ( subsequently several times Mayor of the city), the German-English School, and the Newark High School.
In 1883 he obtained employment with an Italian import- ing house in New York City, where he remained six years in the capacity of office and Custom House clerk. From 1889 to 1891 he peformed clerical work for Ballantine & Co .. of Newark, and from 1891 to 1894 was connected with the G. Krueger Brewing Company, having charge of the private books of that firm. In the latter position he obtained a knowledge of real estate values and a decided taste for real estate transactions. He terminated his connection with the Krueger establishment to embrace an opportunity for priv- ate real estate enterprise, which proved very successful; and this led him into the general real estate and insurance busi- ness, which he has since prosecuted. He enjoys a select
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clientage, making real estate appraisals for important in- terests and prominent corporations, and is recognized as one of the most progressive and trustworthy men in his de- partment of business in Newark. His offices are at 788 Broad Street, on the southeast corner of Market Street.
Mr. Groel is a man of genial character, strong home at- tachments, and refined tastes. He is a lover of music, takes much interest in gardening, entomology, pomology, and like pursnits, and is an ex- cellent amateur photog- rapher. He owns a beautiful home in Vails- burgh. He is a mem- ber of the Gottfried Krueger Association of Newark, of the Arion Singing Society, of Kane Lodge, No. 55, F. and A. M., of Union Chapter, No. 7, Royal Arch Masons, of Kane Council, No. 2, Royal and Select Masons, and of Damaseus Command- ery No. 5, Knights Templar (and a drill member of the same), JOHN C. GROEL. and a Noble of Mecca Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine, New York. He is also a prom- inent member and Secretary of the Vailsburgh Social Club. In politics he is a Democrat.
He was married, May 4, 1892, to Augusta Reitz, daughter of the late John Reitz, who for twelve years was Treasurer of the German Hospital. His children are Mildred L., Adelia K., and John Francis.
PHILEMON LYMAN HOADLEY, Vice-President of the American Insurance Company of Newark, was born in Col-
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linsville, Lewis County, N. Y., December 6, 1845. The original American ancestor of this family was William Hoadley, who came to Saybrook, Conn., from England, in 1663, and later seitled in Branford, Conn., where, in 1666, he bought the home lot of Rev. Abraham Pierson when the latter removed to New Jersey and became the first Presby- terian minister in New- ark.
Philemon Hoadley, the grandfather of Mr. Hoadley, was born in Branford, Conn .. in 1755, served at Ticon- deroga as a soldier of the American Revolu- tion, and died in Collins- ville, N. Y., in 1811. Ilis son, Lyman, the father of P. L. Hoadley, was born in Westfield, Mass., in 1781, served in the War of 1812, and died in Collinsville, N. Y., in 1861. He married Charlotte Eliza Cowles, who was born in Dur- ham, Greene County, N. PHILEMON L. HOADLEY. Y., in 1812, and died in Newark, N. J., in 1893. They had two sons, Philemon L. and Rey. James Il. Hoadley, D. D., the latter a prominent Presbyterian clergyman of New York City.
Philemon L. Hoadley acquired an academic education at Whitestown Seminary and Rome Academy in Oneida Coun- ty, N. Y., and after serving as a bank clerk for two or three years engaged in the business of fire insurance, first as local agent at Camden, N. Y., then as special agent for a larger field, and in 1874 as an officer of the American Insurance Company of Newark, of which company he is now a Vice- President and Director. Not a little of the success of this company-which is recognized as one of the strongest fire
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insurance companies in America-has resulted from Mr. Hoadley's fidelity to its interests and intelligent conduct of its underwriting.
Mr. Hoadley was married to Miss Mary Olmstead, of Can- den, N. Y., in 1869, and the following year they took up their residence in Newark, where they still reside. Four children were born to them-two sons and two daughters- all of whom are living.
Mr. Hoadley is of a quiet, retiring disposition, manifest- ing but little interest in politics, clubs, or social diversions, his whole life having been absorbed in his chosen business occupation. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, a member of the New Jersey Society Sons of the American Revolution, a life member of the New Jersey Historical So- ciety, and a member of the Newark Board of Trade. Al- though deeply interested in all matters pertaining to the moral welfare and advancement of the city in which he re- sides, devotion to family and business have ever been his marked characteristics.
THEODORE SANFORD, one of the oldest residents of Belleville, Essex County, N. J., was born in that place on the 26th of August, 1819. He is the son of William M. and Mary (Dow) Sanford aud a grandson of Michael Sanford and John Dow.
Mr. Sanford received his education in the public schools of Belleville, where he has always resided. For fifty years he has ably filled the office of Justice of the Peace, and in this capacity has probably served longer than any other man in New Jersey. He is a public spirited citizen, thor- oughly and actively identified with the development of his native town, and respected by a large acquaintance.
He married Margaret, daughter of Abraham Van Riper and a descendant of one of the oldest families in the State.
THE BALDWIN FAMILY in the Oranges trace their an- cestry back to Joseph Baldwin, one of the first settlers of Mil- ford, Conn., in 1639, who was probably a brother of Timothy
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and Nathaniel, sons of Richard Baldwin, of Cholesbury, County Bucks, England, whose will was proved in 1633. .Joseph moved to Hadley, Mass, where his wife Hannah joined the church June 23, 1614. His children were Joseph, born in 1640; Benjamin, born in 1642; Hannah, born in 1644; Mary, born in 1645; Elizabeth, born in 1646; Martha, born in 1647; Jonathan, born in 1649; David, bornin 1651; and Sarah, born in 1653. Of these Benjamin and Jona- than as well as Joseph are named among the early Newark settlers.
The name Baldwin is said to be derived from the words bald, quick or speedy, and win, an old word signifying vie- tor or conqueror-the true signification being " the speedy conqueror or victor." The first Count of Flanders was FRANK W. BALDWIN. named Baldwin and sur- named Bras de Fer, Iron Arm. He married JJudith, widow of Ethelwulf, King of England, and daughter of Charles the Bald, King of France. Matilda, who married William the Conqueror, was the daughter of Baldwin V, Count of Flan- ders and a successor of the first Count of Flanders. Bald- win, Archbishop of Canterbury, with a train of two hundred horses and three hundred foot, his banner inscribed with the name of Thomas à Becket, went on a crusade with Richard Cœur de Lion in 1120.
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