Hudson County NJ Archives Biographies.....John NEWMAN, 1831 - 1901
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 10, 2008, 12:38 am

Author: Mary Depue Ogden, Editor  (1917)

NEWMAN, John,
Man of Affairs.

  John Newman, former mayor of the city of Bayonne, New Jersey, and late
president of the Mechanics' Trust Company, the leading financial institution of
that city, was born in England, February 12, 1831, died at his residence on
Avenue C, Bayonne, November 2, 1901. He was the son of George and Elizabeth
Newman, and grandson of George Newman.

  John Newman was reared under Christian influence, and his education somewhat
limited, was acquired in the parish schools of his native town. At the age of
seventeen years, impelled by a strong desire to seek his fortune, he, with the
consent of his father, emigrated to the United States and after a long sailing
voyage arrived in New York in the early part of 1848, with no other friends than
those gained during the voyage. On his arrival in New York he sought out an
old-time friend of his father's family, Henry Robinson, who at that time was a
prosperous merchant at No. 70 William street, and a member of the wholesale dry
goods firm of Robinson & Parsons. Here the young man began life in the
commercial world, like many others at the beginning with a determination to
succeed. He soon found favor with his employers, and by his strict attention to
the business in all its details and his probity rose to positions of greater
responsibility and remuneration, his employers realizing that in their young
employee was the making of a thorough, reliable factor in their business. He
remained with the firm until the civil war when, like many other firms, they
became embarrassed owing to the closing of the southern markets. With the
careful savings acquired by much self-denial, Mr. Newman began to look about in
other fields of enterprise and shortly afterward engaged in the lighterage and
packet trade with John S. Conklin, a fellow clerk in the house of Robinson &
Parsons, with headquarters at No. 87 Broad street; the firm operated three
transportation freight boats from the New York docks to various destinations in
and about New York. After a partnership of seven years, Mr. Newman sold his
interests and entered into the fire and marine insurance business with A. G.
Brown under the firm name of Newman & Brown, at No. 105 Broad street, which in
later years was transferred to No. 35 South William street. During the period of
the firm's success Mr. Brown was removed by death, Mr. Newman continuing the
business up to his death in his own name. Henry Byron Newman, a nephew, was
admitted to partnership, the business being continued under his very able
management.

  During Mr. Newman's career in the insurance world he became associated with
his brother David in the wholesale and retail dry goods business at Beaver Dam,
Wisconsin, where the brother took up a residence. The undertaking was eminently
successful from the start, David taking the management of the business in the
far west while John assumed the buying in New York, with regular yearly trips to
the western house. With an already large demand for their products and the
reputation of the Newman house, the enterprise speedily developed into one of
the large firms in that line in Wisconsin, where the brothers continued for a
period of over fifteen years, subsequently removing to Lincoln, Nebraska, where
they erected a handsome business block in the heart of the business district of
that city. Since the death of the brothers, which occurred within two months of
each other in 1901, the business has been leased, the heirs of each holding
their respective shares of the profits. The success that marked Mr. Newman's
management of the two vast concerns naturally attracted the attention of men
connected with private and municipal affairs and he was eagerly sought for
influential places in the administration. Upon the organization of the
Mechanics' Trust Company of Bayonne, he was elected the first president, March
1, 1886, in which office he presided until his death. Under his careful and
discreet management the business foundation of this institution was established,
upon which the present magnificent superstructure has been built, a monument to
his name and executive ability.

  The broader field of his activity did not preclude his interest in and
sympathy with the municipal and business affairs of his city. His opinions were
models in their way and his name was looked upon as the most favorable and
prominent in party affairs. He served for over fourteen years as a member of the
city council and was president of the board; he was elected mayor of Bayonne in
1887 and presided in this honorable position five successive terms, up to 1891,
gaining great credit for his party, his Republican principles being fully
administered during that period. He served as president of the Bayonne Building
and Loan Association. He was popular in social life and a leading member of the
New Jersey Athletic Club, the outgrowth of the old Argonata Rowing Association,
which had a remarkable history of winning events. He became its president and a
director. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and was made a member of
Bayonne Lodge, No. 99, Free and Accepted Masons, July 1, 1869. He served that
body as its worshipful master during 1874-75-78, and was treasurer from 1880
until his death in 1901, filling these offices of trust with great credit to his
lodge and himself. He was formerly a member of Company No. 1, Bayonne Fire
Department, and was formerly regimental paymaster of the old New York Second
Regiment Volunteer Militia previous to the Civil War.

  As in public life so in private life Mr. Newman was a model man. In his home,
which he loved so devotedly, he was all that a loving husband could be. In the
church, which was his supreme delight, he was a pillar. Reared in the Episcopal
faith, he soon after coming to his adopted land became a communicant of the Jane
Street Methodist Church, New York City, where he was united in marriage to Mary
Frances La Force, daughter of David and Abbie (Burnet) La Force, July 28, 1852,
the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Mr. Longsberry. She later, by
profession of faith, became a member of the Metropolitan Methodist Church, where
he was leader of the choir and basso for a number of years. He also was
secretary and librarian of the Sunday school. In September, 1865, he removed to
Bayonne, New Jersey, and purchased his attractive residence on Avenue C. Mr. and
Mrs. Newman became members at this time of the Dutch Reformed church, where they
worshipped about twelve years. Later both became interested in the organization
and building of the First Presbyterian Church, the faith under which Mrs. Newman
was reared. Mr. Newman took a keen interest in the affairs of this church and
became its choir leader and trustee, also serving on other executive boards. The
religious element in his character was positive and of a high type. He was a
close student of religious subjects, free from cant and narrowness, and
preserved throughout his public, as in his private career, the preeminent
Christian character. He was a man of the people, plain and simple, possessed of
a strong personality that greatly endeared him to all who knew him and came in
contact with him. He was a man whose strong and honest convictions could not be
swerved under the most trying circumstances. The following resolutions were
passed at the time of Mr. Newman's death:

  At the meeting of the Board of Directors of Mechanics' Trust Company of the
City of Bayonne, New Jersey, held November 6, 1901, the following Preamble and
Resolutions were unanimously adopted: God in his wisdom has again removed from
our councils one of our most active and valued members. John Newman has been the
executive head of this company since its organization for business in 1886, and
has served in that capacity with great fidelity. Our exceptional success has
been due in a large measure to his ceaseless activity and constant interest in
promoting the growth of this Institution. His intimate knowledge of the
municipal affairs of this city gained by having held for a number of years
various positions as member of the Board of Education, member of the Common
Council and Mayor of this city, gave him that broad experience with men and
affairs which increased wonderfully his usefulness as the head of this company.
Through its infancy and during the formative period of this company his ripe
experience, sound judgment and conservative methods have inspired that
confidence in this institution and its management that has led to its attaining
the strong financial standing in the community which it now has. He was a
positive quantity and a born leader of men. Mr. Newman is the fourth member of
our first board whose death we have had to mourn since the organization of the
company. He will be greatly missed by us as well as by his large circle of
associates in other lines of activity. In order that we may give appropriate
expression to these our sentiments be it resolved that these words of
respect and appreciation be recorded on our minutes.

                        DE WITT VAN BUSKIRK, V. P.,
                        CHAS. D. NOE, Sec.

  The following resolutions on Mr. Newman's death from the Bayonne Building
Association, No. 2:

  At an adjourned regular meeting of the Bayonne Building Association, No. 2,
held November 26, 1901, the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:
Whereas through the death of our late President, John Newman, we have suffered
the loss of one whose interest in the welfare of this association has been
evinced by earnestness, perseverance and zeal in his efforts to sustain its
character and better its condition. Therefore be it resolved that we place upon
record fitting evidence of our sorrow, at being deprived of all wise council and
cheerful cooperation, that we cherish the recollection of his labors and
profoundly acknowledge his many noble and generous qualities. Resolved that with
this tribute of our esteem and respect we extend our heart felt sympathy to his
family in their affliction and be it further resolved that these resolutions be
spread in full upon the minutes and that a copy of the same be sent to the
family of our deceased associate.
                     R. H. TEN BROOCH, V. P.,
                     SCHUYLER L. MACKIE, Sec.


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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