Union County NJ Archives Biographies.....William TREWIN, 1845 - 1916
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/nj/njfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 November 11, 2008, 6:25 am

Author: Mary Depue Ogden, Editor  (1917)

TREWIN, William,
Honored Citizen.

  There is no richer blood than is found in the sturdy English yeomanry. There
is no better earthly heritage than an honorable and saintly ancestry. William
Trewin was born heir to these treasures, in Woolwich, County of Kent. England,
on March 21, 1845. He was the son of Thomas J. and Mary Anne Phillips Trewin, of
the best and purest English descent. Thomas J. Trewin was a pillar in the local
church, having been converted to the British Wesleyan faith, a man of strong
religious principle and deep spiritual conviction, the builder and founder of
one of the first Wesleyan Methodist chapels erected in London.

  In 1857 he brought his family to Canada, residing for a time in Toronto. Later
they moved to the United States, and settled in New Jersey in 1859. From
childhood William Trewin seemed by nature destined for a career of usefulness.
His education was now continued in the schools of Hackensack. In the second year
of the Civil War, being too young to enter the army but desirous of serving his
country, he applied and was accepted in the Commissary Department, serving until
the close of the war. He had the privilege of meeting President Lincoln, a
memory which he greatly cherished. At the close of the war he entered the Bryant
and Stratton Commercial College of New York City, from which he was graduated in
1867. He accepted a position with the "New York Scientific American Magazine."
retaining that position until 1868, when he was united in marriage with Miss
Edith H. Fry, daughter of Judge Asa Fry, of Jersey City, New Jersey. Of this
marriage there were two children. William Clarence and Albert Phillips Trewin.

  Although of English birth, his residence here and his love for American
institutions prompted him in 1868 to apply for citizenship in this country, to
which he gave a most loyal and devoted allegiance, firmly believing in the
eternal principles of liberty, equality and justice upon which this government
is founded. In politics Mr. Trewin was a Republican. and cast his first vote for
President Grant.

  People prosper and nations advance according to the wisdom of the policies and
measures which govern them. A civilization must stand or fall according to the
basic truths of the religious and moral life which enters it. It was in these
fields of Christian endeavor that Mr. Trewin did his most wise and beneficent work.

  In 1869 Mr. Trewin settled in Elizabeth and started a business career which
continued and prospered for half a century. For over twenty years he was
connected with the Tide Water Oil Company, and was a recognized authority in his
chosen line. In 1896 he established the Trewin Supply Company. In 1914 he sold
the business to the firm of L. F. Hersh & Brother, but continued as manager of
this department until the time of his death. Mr. Trewin was one of the charter
members of Court Elizabeth, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but later became
affiliated with Court Washington. He was also connected with Resolute Council,
No. 808, Royal Arcanum.

  In 1879 Mr. Trewin was called upon to mourn the loss of his faithful wife, and
some years later was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Sargent, of Jersey
City, New Jersey. By this marriage he had one daughter, Zillah  May.

  As from England the winds of emigration had blown sparks of Methodism over to
this country to found the first Methodist church in New York City, so the same
influence sweeping over the life of this man sent out a stream of glowing embers
wherever he went, and caused him to take an active part in the religious life of
the community of which he was an honored and respected townsman. Mr. Trewin is
believed to have been the last member of the original official board of the old
Elizabeth Avenue Methodist Church. He was one of the founders of St. James
Methodist Episcopal Church, Elizabeth, and remained a member of its official
board from its inception until his death. For fifty years he was a teacher in
the Sunday school, and one of the organizers and promoters of a strong Men's
Bible class.

  A consistent Christian gentleman, always possessed of a clear sense of duty,
he truly lived for others. Whatever he may have wrought by ready mind and strong
hand, he wrought more by the gentle force of his character. He won and held his
place of high esteem by ceaseless industry and the graces which commanded loyal
respect and love.

His life grew fragrant with the inner soul; 
And weary folk who passed him in the street 
Saw Christ's love beam from out the wistful eyes, 
And had new confidence in God and man. 
And so he worked, and lived, and longed, and loved, 
Did noble deeds, not knowing what he did, 
Thought noble thoughts, unconscious of their worth, 
And lived that greatness he desired in vain.

  His greatest monument is set up in the hearts and memories of those who knew
and loved him.

  Mr. Trewin died suddenly in the Elizabeth General Hospital, on December 4,
1916, following a stroke of apoplexy. He is survived by his widow, Elizabeth
Trewin; two sons, William Clarence and Albert Phillips Trewin; and one daughter,
Zillah May Trewin. A sister, Mrs. F. C. Ludey, of Bayonne, also survives him.


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


This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/njfiles/

File size: 5.9 Kb

This file is located at:
http://files.usgwarchives.net/nj/union/bios/trewin-w.txt