NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

One of the thoroughgoing business men of Morristown, who has climbed the ladder of success solely by his unaided efforts, is Frank L. DeNOBRIGA, whose name is prominently connected with the commercial interests of the town. The salient points in his business career are resolute purpose, unflagging industry and unabating zeal, and to these are attributable the prosperity which crowns his work.

Louis DeNOBRIGA, father of Frank L. DeNOBRIGA, was a native of the Madeira Islands, which are located in the North Atlantic Ocean, off the northwest coast of Africa, and from a province of Portugal, and here the famous "Madeira" wine is produced. He remained there until he attained young manhood, when he came to the United States, locating in New York City, where he spent the remainder of his days. He was a cabinet maker by trade, and being a first-class mechanic secured employment in piano factories as finisher, this being an important part of the work, much of the beauty of the instrument depending upon this branch of the work. He was a communicant of the Roman Catholic church, as was also his wife, Henrietta (LANDGREBE) DeNOBRIGA, who bore him five children, two of whom are living at the present time (1913), namely:

• Carrie Louise, unmarried, and
• Frank L., of whom further.

Frank L. DeNOBRIGA was born in New York City, January 31, 1871. He was educated in the public schools in the neighborhood of his home, and in New York College, which he attended one year. Possessing the taste and inclination for commercial life, he secured employment in a tea store, giving his services without remuneration, so anxious was he to gain an insight into business methods, especially along that line, and he remained with that employer for about three months. He then entered the employ of Mr. W. W. EDWARDS, who conducted a store at the corner of One Hundred and Forty-third street and Third Avenue, New York City, and remained with him for fourteen years, the greater part of the time being spent in opening up new stores in different sections of the city and placing them on a paying basis, a task for which he was particularly qualified, he being considered a thorough master in that line of business. His next employment was as manager of a grocery department in a large department store in Danbury, Connecticut, in which capacity he served for one year, and he then connected himself with the Union Pacific Tea Company, well known throughout the entire country, assuming the managership of their store at Morristown, New Jersey, and remained as such for ten years, during which time the business of the store increased greatly in volume and importance. He then engaged in business on his own account, succeeding George C. SMITH in the grocery business at No. 33 Washington street, Morristown, which is now known as "The Quality Tea Store," and carries a full line of fine fancy and staple groceries, making a specialty of teas and coffees, which he is fully capable of doing, owing to his long and varied experience in those indispensable commodities. During the passing years he has succeeded in obtaining a liberal patronage, and the business is bringing to him excellent financial returns. His store is equipped with all modern appliances for the transaction of business, goods are delivered promptly, care being taken to insure his patrons against inferior goods of any kind, and courteous treatment is extended to all who enter the store, these being the causes which have made of his enterprise a success from the beginning.

Mr. DeNOBRIGA married, in June, 1901, Mary Ella RICHARDS, born October, 1870, daughter of Samuel and Mary RICHARDS, of Danbury, Connecticut. They have two living children:

• Loraine and
• Amelia.

Mr. and Mrs. DeNOBRIGA are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are active in the social life of the community.

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

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