S. Neighbor Dilts

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

S. Neighbor Dilts

The prosperity of a country depends in a large measure upon her agricultural interests, and when these are properly cared for a land is in fit condition to weather any storm. Among those who have been prominently identified with this source of prosperity in the United States, as a farmer and dairyman, is S. Neighbor DILTS, of German Valley, Morris county, New Jersey. The DILTS family is one of the old ones of the state, and have ever borne their full share of the burdens which have come to the country, and have proved themselves honorable and valuable citizens. Abner N., father of S. Neighbor DILTS, was born in 1828, and died in 1908, at the age of eighty years. He died on the farm on which he was born, this having been in possession of his family for the greater part of a century. He married Ann Elizabeth NEIGHBOR, a descendent of another old family of the state, and they had children: Annie D., now the widow of I. W. FISHER, late of German Valley; Ella, who lives in New York; Julia, deceased; and S. Neighbor DILTS, who was born in 1868. He was four years of age when he came to German Valley, and was educated in the public schools in the vicinity of his home. Even as a boy his spare time was utilized to assist his father in the farming operations of the latter, and when he arrived at man’s estate, he was well equipped to manage a farm independently. He purchased his present farm of 137 acres in Washington township, Morris county, and raises general products, and in addition makes a specialty of dairy farming. The buildings on this farm were erected by his father in 1857, but Mr. DILTS has made many improvements on the place, and has also, when necessary, remodeled the buildings. He is independent in his political opinions, and casts his vote for that candidate who, in his opinion, is best suited to fill the office for which he has been nominated. He has been in office as president of the board of education, has served as clerk of session, and is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. DILTS married Bertha LANCE, of Hackettstown, New Jersey, and has had children: Howard, Ella, and Edith, all attending school.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)