Harry W. Cyphers

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Harry W. Cyphers

A lifelong resident of Chester, where he has been station agent for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company since December 1, 1882, Harry W. CYPHERS was born in Chester, Morris county, New Jersey, the date of his nativity being September 23, 1864.

The paternal grandfather was Peter CYPHERS, of German parentage, and he is supposed to have been born on Schooleys Mountain, June 20, 1797, died August 16, 1888, was engaged for many years as a merchant. He was the son of Philip, who was the son of Philip, who was the son of Michel SEIFERS who settled on West Jersey lands in Alexandria, Hunterdon county, October 1756-66. The maternal grandfather was the son of Elisha ROBESON, who was a Scotchman who came from Scotland and settled at Wiretown, Warren county, New Jersey, and operated a mill for the production of wire and castings, was evidently a man of means, his son Elisha was maternal grandfather of Mr. CYPHERS.

Harry W. CYPHERS is a son of James and Nancy P. (ROBESON) CYPHERS, both of whom are now deceased, their remains being interred in the Pleasant Hill cemetery in Chester. James CYPHERS was a native of Schooleys Mountain, New Jersey, born April 7, 1833, and he was reared a farmer, an occupation he followed during the major portion of his active career. He was also interested in the breeding and selling of high-grade cattle and for many years was a wool buyer. He was a stalwart Democrat in his political convictions and in religious matters was a member of the Presbyterian church, in whose faith he reared his children. His demise occurred October 23, 1868. Mrs. CYPHERS, only daughter of Elisha and Mary (PERRY) ROBESON, was born at Penwell, in Warren county, New Jersey, and for her second husband married Marshall A. SAYRE, conductor and superintendent of the Chester branch of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company for many years. Mr. Sayre was conductor on the first train of the Chester division that started to run January 2, 1869, and that was known as a free train. Mr. and Mrs. CYPHERS had two children: Harry W., of this notice; and Alice, who died at the age of eleven years. To Mr. and Mrs. SAYRE were born three children: Lillian R., deceased, wife of Douglass BROADWELL, her death occurred June, 1912; Jennie H., resides at Chester; Emily S., died at two and one half years.

Harry W. CYPHERS was a child of but four years of age at the time of his father’s death. After completing the prescribed course in the common schools of Chester he attended the Chester Institute for several years and then went to Morristown public school, and later he was a student in the Chapel School at Chester conducted by Rev. James F. Brewster, for a period of one year. He early became interested in the art of telegraphy and learned the rudiments thereof on an instrument that he constructed out of an old cigar box. Mr. CYPHERS still has the above box in his possession and regards it as quite a curio. He was installed a station agent at Chester for the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company on 1^st of December, 1882, and has held that position during the long intervening years to the present time, in 1913. In addition to caring for his duties as station agent he has been engaged in the fruit commission business and has also dealt extensively in coal and lumber. He is the owner of a great deal of valuable real estate in Chester and here is looked upon as a representative and enterprising citizen.

October 13, 1886, Mr. CYPHERS was united in marriage to Miss Susie Q. STAATS, a native of Hampton Junction, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, and a daughter of James P. and Ann (PETERSON) STAATS. Mr. STAATS was for many years locomotive engineer of the Central Railroad of New Jersey. He and his wife were devout members of the Presbyterian church and they were the parents of two daughters, namely: Susie Q., now Mrs. CYPHERS; and Minnie V., a trained nurse in Boston, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. CYPHERS have two children: James Marshall, who is now a student in the University of Pennsylvania, where he is preparing for the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Surgery; and Marion Lula, who was graduated in the Dover High School and who is now attending the Centenary Collegiate Institute at Hackettstown, New Jersey.

Mr. CYPHERS supports Republican principles and for three years he was a member of the Chester school board. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Prospect Lodge, No. 24, F. and A. M.; Chester Lodge, No. 209, I. O. O. F.; and Washington Camp, No. 8, P. O. S. A. The family are members of the Presbyterian church and Mr. CYPHERS was for several years trustee of that church in Chester. He is now serving as trustee and treasurer of the Pleasant Hill Cemetery Association.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)