Morris County NJ Archives Biographies.....Edward Alexander MUIR, 1849 - 1912
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Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 8, 2008, 7:11 pm

Author: Mary Depue Ogden, Editor  (1917)

MUIR, Edward Alexander,
Merchant, Moral Uplifter.

  In the death of Edward Alexander Muir, which occurred November 1, 1912, Newton
and New Jersey lost a most exemplary citizen, one of the greatest promoters of
moral ethics and of strong business policies in the State. Mr. Muir was born May
3, 1849, in Parsonstown, Kings county, Ireland, a son of Alexander and Mary
Faith (Stothard) Muir, the former of Scotch and the latter of English lineage.
Alexander Muir was a merchant in Parsonstown, an exemplary citizen, and reared
his son to move in the way he should go.

  Edward A. Muir was educated in a private school in his native land, and was a
studious youth, active in both sport and study, and ambitious to advance himself
in life. Before the completion of his twentieth year he started for America.
passing his birthday anniversary on the ocean enroute. He at once entered
business life in New York City and became one of the responsible heads in the
establishment of Alexander Lyle, a dry goods dealer of New York City, where he
continued several years. He was later with Arnold, Constable & Company,
continuing some ten years in this association. He had had some experience in
mercantile life in his uncle's establishment, in youth, then in Dublin in a like
capacity, and made most excellent use of his opportunities in this country, so
that his promotion was rapid and steady. In 1888 he went to Morristown, New
Jersey, where he opened and took charge of a store for his brother-in-law,
Charles Durgan, and conducted it successfully for two years. Following this he
established himself in business at Newton, New Jersey, where he opened a
department store, which was a success from the beginning, and is still in
operation, under the control of his widow. It is the largest establishment of
the kind in the section, and is modern in equipment and method, being easily the
leading mercantile establishment of the county. While Mr. Muir was an active and
busy merchant, he always had time for the promotion of any undertaking
calculated to enhance the prosperity and moral condition of the community in
which he lived. He was a remarkably fine mathematician, a good calculator, and
his success in business was due to his own intelligence and industrious effort.
He arrived in America without capital, but diligence and close application and a
keen sense of adaptability made him a master in his chosen field. Mr. Muir was a
man of modest and retiring nature, deeply religious, and devoted to his church
and its auxiliary forces. While in no sense a politician, he was a firm advocate
and supporter of his principles in either religion or public life, unselfish,
generous and philanthropic. Strictly honest himself, no deviation from upright
standards was permitted in the conduct of his business. For many years he was a
member of the Baptist church of Newton, a most devoted Christian, and filled the
office of deacon at the time of his death. He was long superintendent of the
Sunday school, and active in everything undertaken to promote the cause of
Christianity. The only other associations with which he affiliated were the
Royal Arcanum and the Newton Board of Trade. His example will long live as an
inspiration to others.

  Mr. Muir was married, August 18, 1885, in East Orange, New Jersey, to A.
Louise Condit, daughter of Cyrus Parkhurst and Sarah Jane (Champlin) Condit.
They were the parents of three sons: Alexander Wyckliff, Harold Edward, and
Cyrus Henry. These sons have been well reared and will ever honor the memory of
their noble father.


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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