Essex County NJ Archives Biographies.....Viner Jones HEDDEN, 1827 - 1914
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 8, 2008, 8:45 pm

Author: Mary Depue Ogden, Editor  (1917)

HEDDEN, Viner Jones,
Contracting Builder, Public Official.

  The name of Hedden, Hodden and Hoddon is of ancient origin and has many
corruptions such as: Headen, Hedde, Hedin, Headden, and Heady. The name is
distinctly English although we find it in Scotland, Ireland and Wales. That they
fought in the crusades is evidenced by the crescent on the armorial bearings.
The coat-of-arms is described as follows: Quarterly first and fourth, argent
asaltire engraved sable. Second, argent a saltire engraved between four roses,
gules. Third, or, a bend chequy argent and sable. In the center over the
quarterings is a crescent argent. Crest: An eagle erased or. Motto: "Suffer." An
engraving in colors of these arms is now in possession of Mrs. Julia (Hedden)
Worthington, of New York City.

  (I) Jared (or Gerard) Hadden was born in England about 1608, and probably came
in the fleet with Winthrop, as he is mentioned among the first hundred men of
the Boston church admitted prior to any second arrival of freemen, May 14, 1634.
His first settlement was at Cambridge in 1632, where he was made a freeman; he
owned a house and three acres; was a tailor and planter; was a proprietor of
Salisbury, Massachusetts, in 1640, receiving land in the first division, and was
among those who moved to the west side of the Powow in 1644; was a commoner and
taxed in 1650; one of the first settlers in Amesbury, 1654-55, receiving land
there, 1654-64; received a-seat in the meeting house, 1667, a member of the
Salisbury church, 1677-87; received "children's land" in Amesbury for a
daughter, 1659, and a "township" for a daughter, 1660; was a selectman in 1680;
died at Amesbury, 1689, leaving several children.

  (II) Edward Hedden, possibly a son of Jared or Gerard Hadden, was born in
1660. He married Jane Jones, a Welsh girl, and they settled at the "Mountain,"
South Orange, New Jersey, where they received grants of land. Jane Hedden, born
1668, was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, at Newark, prior to the
formation of the "Mountain Society," and is interred in the burial ground of the
church on Broad street, having died February 23, 1773. Children: John, Joseph,
of further mention; Eleazer; Oliver; Diana; Rebecca. The Heddens owned much
land, the sons being the possessors of tracts later known as the Hedden tracts
at South Orange, at the "Mountain," near Luddington brook and Rahway river,
where Edward and Jane Hedden lived and died.

  (III) Joseph Hedden, son of Edward and Jane (Jones) Hedden, was born at
Newark, New Jersey, 1702, and died in that part of the town, now Orange,
November 3, 1798. In association with his brother John he owned lands at the
"Mountain," where he settled. At various times he sold portions of this land. On
the death of Joseph Hedden the "Centennial of Freedom," of Newark, said: "This
venerable citizen has from his youth sustained the character of an honest and
upright man and was much lamented by those who were acquainted with him. He had
thirteen children, one hundred and seventy-six grandchildren, and three
great-grandchildren." He was wont to speak with pride of the fact that he had
eight sons who served their country during the Revolution. ("Shaw's History,"
page 38.) He is buried beside his wife, Rebecca, both having been members in
full communion of the "Mountain Society," prior to 1756. He married (first)
Rebecca Dod, born 1703, died May 14, 1745, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth
(Riggs) Dod, and granddaughter of Stephen Dod, of Guilford, Connecticut. He
married (second) Rebecca, daughter of Matthew and Ruth (Wheeler) Williams.
Children: Ebenezer, David, Elijah, Job, Simon, Martha, Phebe, Rebecca,
Elizabeth, Joseph, Jr., Jonathan, of further mention; Sarah, Joanna.

  (IV) Jonathan Hedden, son of Joseph and Rebecca (Dod) Hedden, was born in that
part of Newark, now South Orange, New Jersey, 1733, died near the present Burnet
street, East Orange, December 25, 1795. He was a young lad when he learned the
tailor's trade, which he followed many years. He prospered in his calling,
amassed a competence, and purchased the property through which Burnet street now
runs. He and his brothers all served through the Revolutionary War. After the
Revolution he was one of the incorporators of the Second Presbyterian Church of
Newark (Brick Church of Orange); he became one of the seven trustees and was
duly qualified before Judge Peck at the parsonage house, September 22, 1776,
each trustee taking the Oath of Allegiance to his country. He was elected
president of this body in the fall of the year, and filled this office many
years. He married Phebe, daughter of Joseph and Phebe (Freeman) Canfield, and
had: Caleb, Daniel, Abial, of further mention; Jotham, Mary, Rebecca, Deborah.

  (V) Abial Hedden, son of Jonathan and Phebe (Canfield) Hedden, was born in
what is now East Orange, New Jersey, July 11, 1767, and died at Orange, New
Jersey, later East Orange, September 24, 1841. In early life he learned the
trade of stone cutting, which he followed in connection with farming, all his
life. Some of his work was done in the construction of the forts of Castle
Garden and Lafayette, at New York harbor. He was also the village undertaker. He
was one of the prosperous farmers of the section, owning about twenty-five acres
in East Orange, from Main street almost to Central avenue; when Burnet street
was cut through this property, his homestead was moved back so that it faces
Burnet street now, near the railroad. He was a member of the First Presbyterian
Church, and was a Whig. He married, September 23, 1790, a first cousin, Mrs.
Betsey (Hedden) Sayre, whose first husband, Samuel Sayre, a soldier of the
Revolution, had left her a widow at the age of twenty years with three children:
John Low and Catherine, twins; and Margaret. Children: Phebe, Margaret, Uzal W.,
Caleb, Sarah Low, Elijah, Samuel Sayre, of further mention; Betsy Joanna, died
in infancy; Abial, Jr.; Betsey Joanna.

  (VI) Samuel Sayre Hedden, son of Abial and Betsey (Hedden-Sayre) Hedden, was
born on the Hedden homestead in East Orange, New Jersey, August 24, 1803, died
September 20, 1876, on Hedden place. He was reared on the homestead farm,
attending the district school during the winter months. In early manhood he was
apprenticed to Cyrus Jones to learn the hatter's trade. Not long after his
marriage he purchased a farm of ten acres, which he cultivated with the
assistance of his sons. His homestead was the first beyond the "Meadow Brook," a
good stream then with fine fish. He also followed the trade of hatter, working
for Cyrus Jones, whose shop was near Munn avenue. He also worked for the Stetson
Hat Company and other factories at Orange and East Orange. After 1858 he
abandoned the hat trade and devoted himself to the cultivation of his farm. This
was cultivated along the most advanced and scientific ideas, and netted a
satisfactory income. He was fond of his gun and his dog, and an excellent shot;
he hunted for the New York market, and during the season supplied the most
famous New York hotels with game. His farm, which he deeded to his children in
equal portions before his death, has now been largely cut up and sold. He was
retiring in his habits, an avid reader of the daily papers, and devoted to his
home and children. For a time he attended the Baptist church of East Orange,
then the Roseville Presbyterian Church. He was a staunch Democrat, and served in
the Orange militia. He married Mary Ann Cochran, born at East Orange, December
6, 1806, died February 26, 1877, daughter of James and Sarah (Wright) Cochran,
and granddaughter of John and Elizabeth (Peck) Cochran, who came from Scotland,
the former being a weaver by trade. Children: Viner Jones, died young; Sarah
Elizabeth; Viner Jones, subject of this sketch; Harriet Marvin; Mary Olivia;
George Washington; Albert Emmet, whose sketch follows; Alonzo S.; Samuel Clinton.

  (VII) Viner Jones Hedden, son of Samuel Sayre and Mary Ann (Cochran) Hedden,
was born at East Orange, New Jersey, on the homestead of his father and
grandfather, July 29, 1827, and died September 11, 1914. He acquired his
elementary education at the district school on the Orange road, now Main street,
between Munn and Maple avenues, and then studied at the private school conducted
by Dr. Wicks at Newark, attending there four terms. At the age of eighteen years
he was apprenticed to William Whittemore, to remain with him until he had
attained his majority, in order to learn the trade of carpenter, and later
worked as a journeyman for Baldwin & Hedden, Mr. Hedden of that firm being a
cousin, Minard Hedden, a son of Uzal W. Hedden. About 1850 Mr. Hedden, with
Joseph J. Meeker, formed a partnership under the firm name of Meeker & Hedden,
with quarters where V. J. Hedden & Sons Company was later located, at the time
it was dissolved. The firm was later changed to V. J. Hedden & Sons, Mr. Hedden
being in business at the above location for more than sixty years. Among the
many notable buildings they erected were the Trader's Bank, Toronto, Canada; the
New Jersey State Asylum, at Morris Plains; the New York Produce Exchange; the
Metropolitan Building, New York City; Taft Hotel, New Haven, Connecticut; all
the Prudential buildings in Newark, New Jersey; the new Court House, Newark;
American Insurance Building, Newark; Young Women's Christian Association
Building, Newark; and numerous important buildings in many other cities. In
earlier years they erected many fine private residences on Fifth avenue, New
York City, but in later years the business was more occupied with large
contracts for office buildings. When Mr. Meeker died in 1884, Mr. Hedden
admitted his three sons—Charles R., Samuel S. and Louis O.—as equal partners,
continuing as V. J. Hedden & Sons. They manufactured every variety of interior
finish and later became general contractors. June i, 1896. the business was
incorporated under New Jersey laws, as V. J. Hedden & Sons Company, the officers
being: Viner J. Hedden, president and treasurer; Charles R. Hedden, first
vice-president; Louis O. Hedden, second vice-president; Samuel S. Hedden,
secretary. Charles R. Hedden withdrew in 1907, and Louis O. Hedden became first
vice-president. They became general contractors and builders in 1890, and in
addition to the buildings above mentioned they erected the Mutual Benefit Life
Insurance Company's building, Newark; Howard Savings Bank; American Insurance
Company's building; many of the station buildings on the Morris & Essex Division
of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad; and did much of the work in this
line for the Central Railroad of New Jersey. The firm had one of the most finely
equipped plants in the country and made a specialty of interior finish from the
most costly woods.

  In his political views Mr. Hedden was an Independent on general principles,
and served his city as a member of the Common Council although he had never
sought political preferment. He was a member of the East Orange Baptist Church,
and one of its most liberal supporters. He was a member of the Newark Board of
Trade. His fraternal affiliations were as follows: One of the four oldest
members of Northern Lodge, No. 25, Free and Accepted Masons; Harmony Chapter,
Royal Arch Masons; Cain Council, Royal and Select Masters; Damascus Commandery,
Knights Templar, Newark.

  Mr. Hedden married at Newark, May 21, 1851, Elvira Vader Meeker, born June 8,
1832, died April 26,1907, daughter of Caleb Halsey and Hannah Meeker. Children:
1. Charles Rohrbach, born March 25, 1852; married, June 17, 1874, Martha Havell,
born July 9, 1853, daughter of Henry and Mary Etta (Devoe) Havell; children:
Etta and Lillian. 2. Samuel Sayre, born September 1, 1854; married, September
13, 1876, Emma Jane Coles, born April 4, 1856, daughter of Jacob Lorenzo and
Sarah (Morningstern) Coles; children: i. Viner Jacob, born June 2, 1878;
married, October 3, 1906, Florence McMullen, daughter of Henry A. and Ella
Matilda (Mertz) McMullen, and has children: Jane Matilda, Viner Jacob, Eugenia,
ii. Edith Carrie, born August 29, 1882. Hi. Daisy Madeline, born August 30,
1888. 3. Abbie Ward, born July 4,-1857; married, May 21, 1879, Edwin James
Meeker, born June 11, 1853, son of Edwin L. and Pamelia (James) Meeker;
children: i. Herbert James, born February 21, 1879; married, December 2, 1905,
Pearl Brewster; child: Doris, born February 13, 1908. ii. Evelyn Eugenia, born
August 1, 1881, died September 24, 1884. iii. Harold Ernest, born March 31,
1883. iv. Edwin William, born November 20, 1885. v. Norman Hedden, born May 10,
1888. vi. Dorothy, born September 22, 1895. 4. Louis Oscar, born July 19, 1859;
married, July 2, 1884, Mabel Campbell Stevenson, born July 6, 1852, daughter of
George Washington and Susan Emeline (Tompkins) Stevenson; children: i. Myra
McKay, born May 3, 1886; married Lewis Ferry, ii. Donald Stevenson, born June 4,
1895. 5. Eugene Bleything, born May II, 1862; married Harriet S. Harrison; three
children. 6. Emma Louise, born April 8, 1865; married, June 18, 1890, Louis
Edwin McCoy, born January 22, 1861, son of Nathaniel Drake and Jane (White)
McCoy; children: i. Louis Eugene, born April 30, 1893, died May 9, 1893. ii.
Ralph Hedden, born August 26, 1895, died August 26, 1895. iii. Robert Graves,
born April 26, 1899. iv. Donald Edwin, born August 20, 1902. 7. Minnie E., born
October 15, 1867, died January 22, 1870. 8. Alonzo Brown, born September 13,
1869; married, February 24, 1897, Sadie Elizabeth Van Houten, daughter of Edgar
W. and Emma (Bales) Van Houghton; child, Doris, born April 2, 1905, died April
10, 1905. 9. Minnie Elmira, born September 15. 1871; married, April 12, 1893,
Claude E. Lanter-man, born May 11, 1869, son of William G. and Jane Hall (Adams)
Lanterman; children: i. Helen Blanche, born September 21, 1895. ii. and iii.
William Gerald and Geraldine Hedden, twins, born May 31, 1905. 10. Alice, born
April 11, 1879, died April 3, 1908.


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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