James Wright Brewen

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

James Wright Brewen

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

In the demise of James Wright BREWEN, which occurred in Rockaway, New Jersey, February 28, 1899, after a life-long residence there, the city lost one of its representative citizens, a man of uncompromising integrity, keen perception and unassailable character, an active and potent factor in the mercantile affairs of his native city.

James Harvey BREWEN, father of James Wright BREWEN, was a native of Madison, Morris county, New Jersey, died in 1885, aged sixty-seven years, after a life of usefulness and activity. He was reared and educated in his native town, learned the trade of plumber, and in young manhood removed to Rockaway, where he spent the remainder of his days, following his trade with a large degree of success. He was a Presbyterian in religion, and a Republican in politics. He married Emily KELSEY, daughter of John B. and Delia B. (CONGER) KELSEY, the former named a shoemaker by trade, who removed from Rockaway, New Jersey, to Tennessee, later returning to Rockaway, where they spent their declining years. Mr. and Mrs. KELSEY were the parents of fifteen children. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. BREWEN, as follows: 1. Arthur M., resides in Jasper, New York; a minister by profession; married Carrie METCALF, of Jasper. 2. Delia K., died age fourteen years. 3. James Wright, of whom further. The mother of these children died in 1899, in the seventy-fourth year of her age.

James Wright BREWEN was born in Rockaway, Morris county, New Jersey, March 13, 1849. He attended the public schools of his native place, and the knowledge thus obtained was supplemented by attendance at the Morristown Academy, where he completed his studies. He began his business career in the employ of his father, who was a member of the firm of BREWEN & BUNNEL, and later engaged in the hardware business, continuing along that line up to the time of decease, being well known in mercantile circles, and winning and retaining the respect and confidence of all with whom he had business relations. He was a Presbyterian in religion, a Republican in politics, and a member of the Royal Arcanum. Mr. BREWEN resided in Rockaway, where he was well known and highly esteemed.

Mr. BREWEN married, April 17, 1872, Emma A. DeHART, born March 13, 1850, daughter of Charles C. and Harriette Louise (PIERSON) DeHART, and granddaughter of Moses DeHART, who was a descendant of a French Huguenot ancestry. Charles C. DeHART, was born in Madison, Morris county, New Jersey, in 1825, died in 1902. His parents died when he was quite young, and thus he was early thrown upon his own resources. He learned the trade of butcher, and about the year 1848, entered into partnership with Alexander ROBERTSON, of Morristown, continuing along the same line up to a few years prior to his death, achieving a large degree of success, becoming the owner of considerable land, and residing at Edgewood, near Rockaway, New Jersey. He was a Presbyterian in religion, and a Democrat in politics. In 1849 he married Harriette Louise PIERSON, of Newark, New Jersey, daughter of Elihu PIERSON, and the following named children were born to them: Emma A., aforementioned as the wife of Mr. BREWEN; Robert, married Catherine Jean HUME, of Brooklyn, New York; they reside near Rockaway, New Jersey; he died in March, 1913, and she died in November, 1913. Children of Mr. and Mrs. BREWEN: 1. Delia K., became the wife of Edward T. DAVEY, of Rockaway, foreman of a foundry; one son, Everette K. DAVEY. 2-3. Children died in infancy. 4. Harriette DeHart, unmarried, resided in Newark, New Jersey. 5. Sarah B., resides at home. 6. Francis B., resides at home. 7. James Harvey, employed in the Union National Bank of Dover. 8. Emily Louise, became the wife of Nelson Leroy ROOT, of New Haven, Connecticut; two children: Harriette Louise and Bruen DeHart; Mr. ROOT conducts a bakery. 9. Harold Robert, was a student at Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, afterwards went to New Brunswick; resides at home.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)