Morris County, New Jersey Biographies
The substantial and thorough-going farmer is the one who has the confidence and respect of all men. Not only with those of his own community, who know him well, but also with all with whom he meets, whether at home or abroad, is his honest, earnest, open, sincere life a sure passport. Among this class of worthy citizens in the vicinity of Middle Valley, New Jersey, is found the subject of this sketch, Nathan Anthony.
Mr. Anthony dates his birth in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, May 27, 1821. His boyhood days were not unlike those of other farmer boys, and his educational advantages were those afforded in the country schools. About the time of his marriage, which event occurred in the year 1844, he purchased the old Dufford homestead, his present farm, and here for more than half a century he has lived and prospered. His farm comprises one hundred and twenty-one acres and is well improved and under a high state of cultivation.
Mr. Anthony's forefathers were likewise farmers. Jacob Anthony, his father, was born on Schooley s mountain, New Jersey, a son of Philip Anthony and his wife, whose maiden name was Moore. Philip Anthony and wife had a family of six children, two sons and four daughters.
Nathan Anthony was married, as above recorded in 1844, the lady of his choice being Miss Annie F. Swackhamer, daughter of Jacob Swackhamer. For nearly half a century their lives were happily blended together, until December 24, 1891, when death called her to her last home. She was a woman of beautiful Christian character, greatly beloved by all who knew her. Of their family we record that George W., the eldest is deceased; James is married to Fannie Huffman and has one son, James, Jr., and Mary L., wife of John J. Swazey, resides at the Anthony homestead.
Mr. Anthony is a consistent member of the Lutheran church, as was also Mrs. Anthony. Politically, he is a Democrat. In early life he took an active interest in political matters and was one of the local lights of his party. (Biographical & Genealogical History, Morris County, New Jersey, Volume II, Pages 431. published 1899 Submitted by Peggy Luce)
Among the representative citizens of Naughright, New Jersey, we direct attention to Andrew W. Axford, who has long been identified with the interests of this place first as a blacksmith and later as a veterinary surgeon and who now holds the office of freeholder of Washington township.
Mr. Axford is of English descent. His ancestors were among the primitive settlers of Oxford, Warren county, New Jersey. Robert Axford, his father, was for many years a merchant of Hackettstown, Warren County, New Jersey, and late in life retired to a farm in that county, where he spent his closing years and there died. He was born in 1800, the son of John M. Axford and his death occurred in 1873, and his wife, whose maiden name was Jane Wilson, and who was a daughter of Andrew Wilson, of New Stone, Hunterdon county, was born in 1809 and died in 1879. They were the parents of six children, three of whom survive, namely: Jacob, Robert and Andrew W.
Andrew W. Axford was born in Hackettstown, New Jersey, October 28, 1845, and grew to manhood near that village, having limited educational advantages. He learned the trade of blacksmith in his native town and continued to reside there until 1868, when he came to Morris county. This place has been his home for thirty years. He followed the trade of blacksmith until fifteen years ago, when he turned his attention to veterinary practice, and has since devoted his time to it, enjoying a successful and increasing practice. He is a member of the Veterinary Medical Association, of New Jersey, being one of the trustees of the same.
Some five years ago, Mr. Axford became interested and active in political matters, and was about that time honored with a place on the board of election. In the spring of 1896 he was elected freeholder of his township, the duties of which office he has performed with fidelity and efficiency. He is a Democrat, and is a partisan believer in the efficacy of the doctrines of modern Democracy. Other positions of preference occupied by Mr. Axford are those of chairman of the Washington township bridge committee and member of the lunacy committee of the board of freeholders in 1897 and in 1898 of the macadam-road committee.
Mr. Axford was married in Morris county, New Jersey, August 27, 1870, to Catherine Slater, daughter of John Slater, of Naughright, and their only child is William Homer, a junior in the University of Pennsylvania, preparing for the medical profession.
Fraternally, Mr. Axford is a Mason and a Knight of Pythias. In the local lodge of the latter he is a master of finance. (Biographical & Genealogical History, Morris County, New Jersey, Volume II, Pages 431-432. published 1899 Submitted by Peggy Luce)
Among the prominent and extensive agriculturists of Morris county is John H. Milledge, who was born in Montville township on the 30th of May 1838, his parents being Abraham and Hannah (Van Ness) Milledge. He obtained such an education as was afforded by the district schools of his day, and for four years subsequent to leaving the same he worked at the saddler s trade in Newark, eventually turning his attention to farming, in which line of industry he has since continued, meeting with that success which invariably accompanies intelligent application, perseverance and earnest endeavor.
Politically considered Mr. Milledge is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and he served for seventeen years as collector of Montville township, was a member of the town committee, for several years was commissioner of appeals and for twenty years was school trustee. In 1893 he was elected a county freeholder, and is now serving his third term, being at the present time (1897) chairman of the finance committee. In his religious faith he is an adherent of the Dutch Reformed church at Pompton Plains.
In 1859 Mr. Milledge married Ruth Matilda Peer, who was a daughter of Thomas and Esther (Fredericks) Peer, of Morris county. She died on April 22, 1878, leaving three children: Fred W., who married Cora Vreeland, died at the age of twenty-seven years; Alice died at the age of twenty-three years; and Jesse B., was born February 11, 1871, resides with his father. On September 27, 1880, Mr. Milledge contracted a second marriage, on this occasion being united to Rachel Stager, a daughter of Thomas and Rachel (Van Ness) Stager, of Essex county.
Abraham Milledge, the father of John H., was born in Montville township, on the 29th of December, 1806, and was a wheelwright and saddler by trade, but gave most of his time to farming. On September 29, 1831, he married Miss Hannah Van Ness, who was born August 11, 1807. He died January 1, 1888, in the faith of the Dutch Reformed church, and is survived by his wife, who is also an adherent of that church.
John Milledge, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Newfoundland, New Jersey, and came to Morris county when a young man, locating in what was then Pequannock township; here he married Miss Elizabeth Van Duyne. He was a tanner and currier, owned a tannery and manufactured shoes, besides which he carried on farming to a considerable extent. He was a member of the Dutch Reformed church, and died in 1854, his wife having passed to her eternal rest in 1852. Five children were born to this couple, as follows: Thomas; Abraham; Sarah, who married George Cook; Nicholas; and Rachel, who became the wife of Isaac Van Duyne. None of the children survive.
Henry R. Van Ness, the maternal grandfather, was born on the 14th of August, 1768, and married Miss Mary Wandle, who was born September 6, 1781. He died June 27, 1833, survived by his wife until February 27, 1848, when she also passed away. Their children were as follows: Hester, Catherine, Mary, Ralph H., Hannah, Sarah, Jane, Elizabeth, Rachel, Daniel H. Borgeio and John H., all of whom are deceased, with the exception of Hannah, the mother of our subject, and Elizabeth, who married Martin L. Cook of Boonton, who was born December 30, 1813. (Biographical & Genealogical History, Morris County, New Jersey, Volume II, Pages 426-428. published 1899 Submitted by Peggy Luce)
MILLS, GEORGE AUGUSTUS
The American progenitor of the Mills family was George Mills, who came from England in 1656 and settled on Long Island. His children were: Samuel, Zachariah, Nathaniel, Isaac, Jonathan and Samuel. Samuel married and had two sons, namely: Captain Timothy Mills of Revolutionary fame and Samuel Mills, both of whom eventually came to Morris county. Captain Timothy Mills was born in Suffolk county, Long Island, in 1718, and died at Morristown in 1803, aged eighty-five years. He was an official member of the First Presbyterian church of Morristown and was highly esteemed for his many excellent qualities. Nehemiah Mills, a son of Captain Timothy, was born in 1749 and died in 1812. He married Amy Hedges and they had the following children: Nathan, Mahlon, William, Stephen, Deborah and Hulda. Mahlon was born in Morris county in 1797, married Harriet Loree, and these children were born to them: Amy Hedges, Sarah Jane, Sarah Loraee, Harriet Maria and Nehemiah Mahlon.
Nehemiah Mahlon Mills, the father of our subject, was born in New York City on the 18th of April 1829 and in 1854 was united in marriage to Miss Susan Slack, a native of Stanhope, New Jersey, where her birth occurred on the 28th of June, 1833. The issue of this union comprised the following: George Augustus, Frank Eugene, Fanny Jane, Mary Azubah, Harriet Eliza, Harvey Loraee, Anna Elizabeth, Jane Louisa, Julia Amelia, John Mahlon and Clifford. Mr. and Mrs. Mills are faithful members of the Methodist church of Morristown and are among the oldest and most highly respected residents of the county.
George Augustus Mills was born in Morris county, New Jersey, on the 23d of January, 1856, and there acquired his literary education in the public schools, after leaving which he learned the trade of carpenter and builder and has since continued in that line of enterprise. As a contractor and builder he has erected many of the handsome and artistically constructed houses for which Morristown is justly noted. In 1893 he built a well arranged and completely equipped steam planning-mill on Pine street, and has conducted the same with a high degree of success, manufacturing all kinds of cabinet work, sash, blinds, doors and moldings. As a business man Mr. Mills is energetic, enterprising and ambitious and richly merits the prosperity that has attended his efforts in the securing of a comfortable competency.
Politically Mr. Mills is an earnest advocate of Republican principles and for the past twenty-five years he has been an active member and an ardent supporter of the fire department of Morristown, and for his valuable services rendered therein he has received the highest meed of praise from his fellow citizens.
In 1878 Mr. Mills was united in marriage to Miss Mary Emma Pierson, a native of Morris county, and the following children were born to them: Arthur Pierson, Freddie T., Susie, Ethel, Louisa, Raymond and Celestine. Mr. and Mrs. Mills are adherents of the Methodist Episcopal church and enjoy most pleasant social relations in their home city. (Biographical & Genealogical History, Morris County, New Jersey, Volume II, Pages 427-428. published 1899 Submitted by Peggy Luce)
SHEPPARD, THOMAS
The proprietor of the leading harness shop in Chatham is Thomas Sheppard, who is a native of New York City, where he was born on the 26th of April, 1845, a son of John and Margaret (Wagner) Sheppard, both of whom were born in Bavaria, Germany, whence they came to the United States when young, becoming representatives of that sturdy and progressive type of German-Americans which has had so potent an influence upon the material prosperity of the republic. The father landed in New York in 1839, and shortly afterward was married to Miss Wagner. He was an engineer by occupation and for a number of years ran the engine in the old Newark tannery. John Sheppard died in 1886, after a long and useful life, and he is survived by his wife and two sons, Valentine and Thomas. The grandfather of our subject was Nicholas Sheppard, who retained his residence in the Fatherland until his death.
Thomas Sheppard was less than one year of age when his parents removed to Newark, New Jersey, in the public schools of which city he received his educational discipline. He was eventually bound out to learn the harness-maker s trade, but before the completion of his term of service a higher duty devolved upon him and he enlisted for service in the war of the Rebellion, becoming a member of Company I, Thirty-third New Jersey Infantry, which at once went forward to Virginia, being assigned to the Eleventh Army Corps, under General Howard. Later, by consolidation, the regiment became a part of the Twentieth Army Corps, serving under General Hooker and finally being sent west with General Sherman. Mr. Sheppard participated with his regiment in the battles of Knoxville and Atlanta, besides doing skirmish duty. After serving for more than two years Mr. Sheppard was mustered out, in 1865, at Newark, and thereafter went to Connecticut, where he engaged in business for a brief interval and then returned to Newark. In this city he worked as a journeyman harness-maker until 1873, when he removed to Spread Eagle, Chester county, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1876, when he went to Philadelphia and took charge of the harness department of the stables of the Centennial hotel. He eventually returned to Newark, whence he came to Chatham, where he opened a shop and where he has built up a large and lucrative business. He carries a complete line of horse-furnishing goods and also has a general repair department. His success is the logical result of his energy, industry, integrity and honorable business methods.
Mr. Sheppard is of an inventive turn of mind, and he has devised a chest-protector for men, the same being in the form of a shirt-front, to which is attached collar, necktie and cuffs. He is now introducing this article on the market and these is every indication that it will meet with a ready demand.
Socially Mr. Sheppard is a member of U. S. Grant Post, No. 117, Grand Army of Republic. He is a genial gentleman and enjoys a distinctive popularity in the community. (Biographical & Genealogical History, Morris County, New Jersey, Volume II, Pages 428-429. published 1899 Submitted by Peggy Luce)
There is perhaps no one in Jefferson township more prominent in local political affairs than this gentleman, whose influence has been a leading factor in a number of campaigns. His well-known devotion to the welfare of the county has won him many supports, and he has been honored with public office, wherein he has won the approval and commendation of both the Democratic and Republican Parties. He is accounted one of the valued citizens of the community, and with pleasure we present the record of his life to our readers.
His grandfather, David Smith was born in Rockaway township in 1791, was a forge workman, and died in 1888. He married a Miss Shawger, by whom he had the following children: David, Stephen, Joseph, Levi, William and Mary, who became the wife of Abram Kerns. Joseph Smith was the father of our subject, and his birth occurred in Jefferson township in 1820. He was a well known forgeman, and for many years was in the employ of Pardee & Company at Nolan s Point. He led a quiet and unassuming, but useful and honorable life, and died in 1871. His wife bore the maiden name of Sallie Serch, and their children were Ellen, wife of Peter O Brien; Susan, Hester, Theodore, and David, all deceased: Laura, wife of Aaron Mabey; Lizzie, wife of Arthur Mitchell; John D., and Ruth, wife of Joseph Parliament.
John D. Smith was born at Milton, Jefferson township, Morris county, April 15, 1859, and upon entering his
teens he quit the irksome task of trying to acquire an education in the district school, as it was then conducted at that place, and became a miner. He worked in the mines, mostly at Chester, until the gradual decrease in the price of ore rendered the further operation of the mines at that point unprofitable. Therefore he turned his attention to farming, which he has since followed, being one of the leading farmers of this part of the state. He gives great attention to the rearing of Chester White and other fine breeds of hogs. He was married in November, 1880, to Maggie, daughter of Charles Berry, and three children Joseph, John D. and Eva now brighten the home with their presence.
As an advocate of the Democracy Mr. Smith first entered the political field, and his influence since that time has grown with each succeeding election, as he has shown his peculiar fitness for leadership in the affairs which concern the general welfare. In 1892 he was elected a member of the board of freeholders on the Democratic ticket and in 1894 was re-elected by a good majority in a Republican township. While serving his second term he saw fit to differ with some of his Democratic brethren on a matter of considerable moment, and at the next election he accepted the Republican nomination for the office of freeholder, and was elected by a majority of a hundred more than was given him as a Democratic candidate, a fact which shows that his personal popularity was increasing together wit the confidence reposed in him by his fellow-townsmen. On the board he served with efficiency on the road committee, and his support of the McAdam road work of the county and his interests in behalf of the employment of home labor have made him hosts of friends and have caused him to be regarded as the proper person to aid in the management of the county s affairs at this time. On the reorganization of the board in 1897 he was delegated by the Republican members to take the initiative in arranging the best possible terms with the Democrats, and did his work in a manner perfectly satisfactorily to his party, at the same time preserving harmony in the board. He is now the oldest member of the board. For eight months, in 1896, he was a member of the board of state fish wardens, and thus became well known throughout the state. For the present two-years term he is a member of the Republican county executive committee. His loyalty to the county s welfare is most marked, and his devotion to what he believes to be right is most commendable. (Biographical & Genealogical History, Morris County, New Jersey, Volume II, Pages 429-431. published 1899 Submitted by Peggy Luce)
