Willis H. Dutton

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Willis H. Dutton

Willis H. DUTTON, a pioneer in the automobile and machine business in Morristown, is an instance of a man who has inherited from his father a decided mechanical bent, and has succeeded through the fortunate circumstances that permitted him to follow his natural aptitudes, and also through the native force and ability of his character. He is the son of James Wood and Havilah (WHITNEY) DUTTON. His father was born in New Sharon, Maine, and at the age of twenty-one went to Lowell, Massachusetts, and there learned the machine business. In 1850 he came to Newark and there opened a machine shop, eventually buying a farm and settling near Morristown. He died November 15, 1891, at the age of seventy years. Havilah (WHITNEY) DUTTON, the mother of Willis H. DUTTON, was born in Augusta, Maine, died December 19, 1894, having attained the age of seventy years and two months. They had six children, one of whom died in infancy. They are

James Edwin, of Roseville, New Jersey;
Willis H., with whom the present biographical sketch is concerned;
Sarah H., wife of William M. QUIMBY, of Morristown;
Hetty E., wife of Harry M. DAY, of Jersey City;
Mary T., wife of Fred YAWGER, of Newark, New Jersey.

James Wood DUTTON was under contract with the United States government during the Civil War to build gun machinery. He was the son of Mason W. DUTTON, a farmer of New Sharon, Maine.

Willis H. DUTTON was born in Newark, New Jersey, September 29, 1858, and came at the age of nine years with his parents to Morristown in the schools of which place and those of New Vernon he received his education. His first position after leaving school and entering the business world was with Frank CROWELL, the jeweler, with whom he remained for two years. He then went to Maine and for five years was connected with the work of a copper mine. In 1884 he went into the business which has since that time occupied his attention. He owns a garage and a machine and automobile shop which probably handles the most important of the work of that character in the whole region. He was the first to open a place of that character, and success has attended the venture from the outset. Mr. DUTTON is a Republican in his political sympathies and a strong TAFT man. He is a member of the First Baptist Church. He belongs to the Masonic order, and is a member as well of the I.O.O.F., of the R.A., of the Elks, and of the M.W.A.

He married, December 14, 1878, at Blue Hill, Maine, Hattie S. WARDWELL, a native of that place and now living. Her parents are both deceased. Three children have been born to them but one,

Havilah, died in infancy. The two living are:
Bertha, born October 19, 1880, wife of Fred M. PIERSON, who is now the manager of the business for his father-in-law;
Willis H. Jr., born August 6, 1885, a graduate of Stevens Institute, Hoboken, a mechanical engineer in the employ of the Levering & Garigus Construction Company, of New York.

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