Frederick Mancer Duryea

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

With qualifications such as insure success in business, Frederick Mancer DURYEA, proprietor of the Forest Home, at Budd Lake, Morris county, New Jersey, holds to-day a place among the representative men of the state. Broadminded, and of a kindly nature, his interest in those less fortunate than himself is deep, and sincere. By the sterling worth of character which he has invariably displayed, Mr. DURYEA has won the respect, confidence, and esteem of the public, and their patronage in large measure. He is a descendant of two old New York families, who have aided materially in assuring the prosperity of the communities in which they have been resident.

Levi DURYEA, his father, was born at Glen Cove, Long Island, and died in New York City at the age of eighty-seven years, in 1889. He was a prominent butcher in the city of New York, having his place of business in Essex Market, which was considered one of the most important ones at that time. He married Sarah O’DELL, who died in 1890 at the age of seventy-four years, a daughter of Frederick and Elizabeth O’DELL. They had children: 1. Levi Jr., lives in Vermont, on a farm. 2. Walter, now retired from business, lives at Mount Vernon, New York. 3. Sarah Amelia, now deceased, married Charles PRICE. 4. Oscar, owns large railroad and real estate interests in and around Passaic, New Jersey, and a large stockholder in the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company; married a niece of Commodore VANDERBILT, and lives in Madison, Morris county, New Jersey. 5. W. Brooks, of Oyster Bay, Long Island, was formerly engaged in the market business, and is now retired. 6. George S., now deceased, was in the market business in New York City. 7. Frederick Mancer, of this sketch.

Frederick Mancer DURYEA, was born at New Rochelle, Westchester county, New York, June 30, 1850. He was educated in the public schools of New York City, and later engaged in business in the Central Market, at Forty-seventh street and Broadway, remaining in business there for a period of twenty years. His life was a very strenuous one in those days, as he would rise at two o’clock in the morning, and drive from the market to one Hundred and Eleventh street, on the old Bloomingdale roar, during the Civil War. About 1882 he commenced to establish himself in the hotel business, this beginning being made at Rockland Lake, New York. Two years later he removed to Lake Ronkonkoma, where he conducted the Towers Hotel, solely for summer guests. The next scene of his activity was at Griffin Corners, now Fleischmann’s, where he was the proprietor of the Crosby Hotel for one year, then returned to Lake Ronkonkoma, and in 1892 came to Budd Lake where for more than twenty years he has conducted the Forest House. This has 150 rooms and accommodations for more than 200 guests. He has a large patronage during the summer months, his hotel being constantly filled to its utmost capacity. It was erected by Jesse M. SHARP, the first portion being now fifty-five years old, and has had two additions since that time. It is surrounded by a beautiful forest. Mr. DURYEA contemplates adding fifty rooms, and has an annex accommodating thirty people. He also owns two houses nearby, one being called the Green Inn and the other the Lake View House. A third is known as Sunset Lodge. Mr. DURYEA is thoroughly posted in all the ways and means of running a first class hotel, and for more than twenty years has made home at Budd Lake. His is a Republican in politics, but his numerous and responsible duties have never left him time for public office, although his justly deserved popularity would make its acquisition a matter of little difficulty. It is largely owing to vigorous efforts of Mr. DURYEA that the fine road between Budd Lake and Netcong was constructed.

Mr. DURYEA married, December 25, 1876, Eva, a daughter of Matthew and Delia Ann REMINGTON, of Bay Shore, Long Island. Children: Frederick H., associated with his father in the hotel business, married Catherine GRIFFITH, a native of Wales; Mildred, married D. PRICE, employed in the post office in New York City, and has one daughter, Mamie; Alva, married W. E. WEBB, who is in the insurance business in New York.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)