Essex County NJ Archives Biographies.....Eugene VANDERPOEL, 1844 - 1903
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 10, 2008, 3:25 am

Author: Mary Depue Ogden, Editor  (1917)

VANDERPOEL, Eugene,
Man of Affairs.

  Eugene Vanderpoel, fourth of the sons of Beach Vanderpoel, was born in Newark,
New Jersey, in 1844, and there after a life of great usefulness he died, July
12, 1903, at his residence, Washington Place, near Halsey street.

  He prepared in the public schools and then entered Princeton College whence he
was graduated. He chose engineering as his profession, preparing therefor at
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York. After leaving college he
entered the active fields of labor, giving especial attention to gas manufacture
and distribution. In this field he became preeminent, and was a consulting
authority much sought after. He became president of the Newark Gas Company, and
was its active, efficient executive until 1895, when the company became the
Newark Consolidated Gas Company. He was an expert authority on all matters
associated with the manufacture of gas, and as a trained engineer was of the
greatest service to the company in planning and installing the lines of the
distribution service. He was president of the International Gas Light
Association, and a consulting authority on all subjects pertaining to the use of
gas as an illuminant.

  In the world of Newark finance he occupied a similar leading position. He was
a director of the Newark Banking Company, and from February 17, 1902, until his
death he was president of the Howard Savings Institution, succeeding Frederick
Frelinghuysen when the latter became president of the Mutual Benefit Life
Insurance Company, of which Mr. Vanderpoel was adjustor. He was a member of the
Board of Trade, and for the four years preceding his death was treasurer of the
Essex County Board of Park Commissioners. This was the only public official
position he would accept, although his friend, Governor Murphy, offered him an
important appointment on the Court of Errors and Appeals. He was a member of the
Democratic party until alienated by the Free Silver doctrines that prevailed for
a time in that party, thereafter acting with the Republican party, but
steadfastly declining all offers of a political nature. He was a member of the
Essex Club, Essex County Country Club, the University of New York, the
Engineers' Club of New York and the Princeton Club. He had many friends in these
organizations, as he had elsewhere, his sterling qualities winning and holding
the regard of his fellowmen.

  Death came in the dread form of appendicitis, his daughters both being absent,
one in Europe and the other on a sick bed at Short Hills. The various bodies
with which he was affiliated and the institutions with which he was connected
all passed resolutions of respect, and his funeral was attended by a large
number of friends and acquaintances, the list of honorary pall bearers
containing the names of men distinguished in city, State and Nation. The Board
of Trade of the city of Newark passed resolutions that admirably expressed the
regard in which Mr. Vanderpoel was held. The resolutions were as follows:
"Prominently identified with the business interests of the city during all the
years of his life, he attained a prominence in manufacturing which placed him at
the head of his chosen profession, earning by his talent the reputation of an
expert without a superior. Prominently identified with the leading financial
institutions of Newark. his advice, judgment and mental balance were considered
by his associates of a high order. His opinions were prized because of his
ripened judgment and acute intelligence. While refusing to take any active part
in political affairs his advice upon questions of public policy was often
sought." Mr. Vanderpoel was all his life a member of Trinity Protestant
Episcopal Church.

  Mr. Vanderpoel married, in 1868, Eleanor E. Tiffany, whom he survived four
years. A daughter married (first) Howard W. Hayes, (second) Mr. Pennington.
Another daughter married Sheppard Homans.


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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