NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

David BENJAMIN, who stands among the foremost builders and contractors of Morris county, New Jersey, and who resides in Lincoln Park, where he is an enterprising and progressive citizen, comes from a family which has been identified with building and contract work for a number of generations.

His grandfather, David BENJAMIN, was a builder, and purchased the BENJAMIN homestead about three-quarters of a century ago. He helped construct the Morris canal planes at the reconstruction of the canal.

Thomas W. BENJAMIN, father of David BENJAMIN, was born in the house on the family homestead, 1848, and in addition to assisting his father in his contract work was engaged in the farming many years. Subsequently he engaged in the mourning goods business in Newark, New Jersey, where he conducted a store for a period of between two and three years, since which he spent his life on the homestead. He is a Republican and served as tax collector of Pequannock township for the past twelve years. Has served on the town committee some years. He is a member of the Reformed church of Pompton Plains. He married Leah A., daughter of Garrett B. JACABUS, a wagon builder in Towaco, Morris county, New Jersey. They have had children:

• Herbert,
• David,
• Sidney N.

David BENJAMIN was born on the BENJAMIN homestead, next to his present place, in Morris county, New Jersey, and was educated in the public schools of that section, and in those of Newark. Upon the completion of his education, he learned his trade in a short time, and during this period attended evening school. Later he took an exhaustive course in a correspondence school in contracting and architecture, and was in the employ of others in this line eight years. Deciding that he had gained a sufficient amount of experience by this time, he established himself in business in 1910, as a general contractor, and has built up a flourishing concern. He has a large patronage in Paterson, Pompton, and all nearby towns, and his shop is the only one between Paterson and Dover equipped with machinery of varied character. It is his pride to keep this machinery fully up to date, and he is continually installing more modern appliances and improvements. He has an autocar, and is easily able to undertake work at distances, not so readily reached by his less fully equipped competitors. While Mr. BENJAMIN has never had the time nor inclination to occupy public office, he is a conscientious citizen and takes a deep interest in whatever concerns the welfare of the community. He casts his vote for the candidates of the Republican party. He is a member of the Reformed church, and his fraternal affiliation is with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Mr. BENJAMIN married Ethel N. TILLOTSON, of Boonton, Morris county, New Jersey, and they have children:

• David Jr. and
• Lucy N.

This biography was transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003).

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