Essex County NJ Archives Biographies.....William Halsey GUERIN, 1842 -
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 8, 2008, 9:10 am

Author: Mary Depue Ogden, Editor  (1917)

GUERIN, William Halsey,
Insurance Actuary.

  Newark as a business center takes high rank among the cities of the United
States, and William Halsey Guerin, of this review, was an important factor in
sustaining her reputation in this direction. He stood at the head of one of her
leading enterprises, and was a wideawake, progressive business man, whose well
directed efforts resulted not only in his individual prosperity but also
promoted the welfare of the community. The world is not slow to pass judgment
upon the individual, and when a man has won the high respect of those with whom
business and social relations have brought him in contact, it is by reason of a
well spent and honorable life. Condemnation comes quickly from the public, and
esteem therefore indicates the possession of worthy qualities and
characteristics. He was a son of George Barclay and Maria (Powles) Guerin, the
former a mason and builder, who erected almost all the older public buildings in
the city of Newark.

  William Halsey Guerin was born in Newark, New Jersey, September 4, 1842. He
was the recipient of an excellent education acquired in the following named
institutions: Dr. Rose's school, in Newark; Dr. Pingrey's establishment, in
Elizabeth; and Professor Saunder's School for Young Gentlemen, in Philadelphia.
For a time he was then associated with his father in the building and
contracting business, and later became identified with a number of other
enterprises of importance. He was the senior member of the firm of Guerin &
Williams, insurance contractors, and was the secretary and treasurer of the
Merchants' Insurance Company of Newark. During the Civil War he served as
secretary in the Newark Hospital for Wounded Soldiers. Always an ardent
Republican, he gave his earnest support to the interests of that party, but his
numerous important business responsibilities prevented him from accepting public
office. He was a member of St. John's Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, being one
of the oldest members of the Masonic fraternity at the time of his death, and
was also a member of the Royal Arcanum. He was a devout member of the Clinton
Avenue Dutch Reformed Church, and a generous contributor to its support.

  Mr. Guerin married (first) October 21, 1867, Isabella, daughter of Robert and
Hetty (King) Duncan; (second) February 11, 1874, Sarah L., daughter of William
Henry and Sarah Elizabeth (Deshler) Nelson. Child of first marriage: Hetty
Isabel, born January 24, 1869. Children by second marriage: Gertrude Van Winkle,
born September 25, 1876; Deshler, August 23, 1878; George Barclay, August 26,
1881; Henry Haworth, March 30, 1891.

  In social as in business life, Mr. Guerin possessed a host of friends. Of a
genial and social disposition, he had won friends all along the way of life, who
gave him their high regard by reason of his splendid character, his manly
conduct, his honorable dealing and his fidelity to every duty. He was most
hospitable by nature. delighted in the society of his friends, but was happiest
in the role of host. His home was a center of social enjoyment and there his
genial friendly qualities were seen at their best.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

MEMORIAL CYCLOPEDIA OF NEW JERSEY

UNDER THE EDITORIAL SUPERVISION OF MARY DEPUE OGDEN

VOLUME III
MEMORIAL HISTORY COMPANY NEWARK,  NEW JERSEY
1917

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