John A. Bermingham

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

John A. Bermingham

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

This family was founded in America by Andrew BERMINGHAM, a native of Kings county, Ireland, who as a mere child accompanied his parents to the United States. The family located in Morris county, New Jersey, where the parents of the boy died very soon after their arrival. Andrew BERMINGHAM was reared in Morris county, and after receiving his education in the local schools, became a soldier in the Civil War which broke out between the states. He enlisted in Company A, of the Sixty-ninth New York Volunteer Infantry, and following his regiment, took part in some of the most severe battles of the war. He participated at the engagement of Coal Harbor, the Wilderness, Spottylvania Court House, and many other famous battles, having been wounded at Coal Harbor. His death occurred March 5, 1906, after having lived a long and useful life. He married a widow, Mrs. CONLEY, whose maiden name was Mary JOHNSTON. She also was Irish by birth, having been born in county Leitrim, Ireland; she accompanied her parents to America while yet a child, and after reaching maturity married a Mr. CONLEY, by whom she had four children as follows:

Mary CONLEY, who became the wife of Joseph DEAN, of Newark, New Jersey;
Rachel CONLEY, married James SENIOR and is now deceased;
William CONLEY,
Daniel CONLEY.

After the death of her first husband, Mrs. CONLEY was married to Andrew BERMINGHAM, by whom she had two children:

Eleanor, who became the wife of John TULLY;
John A., of further mention.

Mrs. BERMINGHAM died March 11, 1910, at the age of sixty-six years.

John A. BERMINGHAM, son of Andrew and Mary (JOHNSTON) BERMINGHAM, was born at Mine Hill, Morris county, New Jersey, November 13, 1875. He is now one of the leading undertakers and funeral directors of Morris county, with a finely equipped establishment at Wharton. Mr. BERMINGHAM received his education in the public schools of Mine Hill, having been also for a period of six months a student of St. Mary’s Parochial School. At the conclusion of his studies he entered business life as a barber, following this trade for a period of three years. For the following five years he was in the saloon business at Wharton, after which he attended the Renouard School for embalming, in New York City; and becoming thoroughly conversant with that art, received his certificate or diploma in July, 1905. He has followed this business ever since, and has been very successful, standing well in the community and commanding the respect of all those with whom he is associated. Mr. BERMINGHAM resides in Wharton, where in 1908 and 1909 he erected a beautiful house and offices. He is now secretary of the Morris and Sussex County Funeral Directors’ Association, and represents the board of freeholders of Morris county, having been elected November, 1911. He is a member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Knights of Columbus, and the Catholic Benevolent Legion; and is a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat; he is a freeholder, and is secretary of the board of health. He has served as assessor for a period of three years, and has been very active in the public welfare.

On February 26, 1908, Mr. BERMINGHAM was married to Anna HESLIN, daughter of Cornelius and Mary (MULVEY) HESLIN; she is also of Irish extraction. Mr. and Mrs. BERMINGHAM are very happy in their married life and in the regard of the citizens among whom they reside.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)