Charles Wesley Ennis

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

Upon looking closely into the material and commercial prosperity of any city or community we find, in each generation, that by far the greater proportion of this has been achieved by the efforts and energies of a selected few who have acted as leaders in various directions, and have been followed in lesser degree by others. Prominent among men of the first mentioned caliber is Charles W. ENNIS, head of the firm of C. W. Ennis & Company, of Morristown, New Jersey, who has taken high rank in every field of endeavor with which he has been connected.

Sylvanus ENNIS, grandfather of the above mentioned, was born in the State of New York from which he entered as a soldier in the War of 1812. He served as a clerk in the quartermaster’s department until his death, which occurred at Sackett’s harbor, as a direct result of exposure. He married Mary DOBBS, a representative of the old and honored DOBBS family of New York in whose honor DOBBS Ferry was named.

Sylvanus E. ENNIS, son of Sylvanus and Mary (DOBBS) ENNIS, was born in the city of New York. He was engaged in business in that city for many years, removing from there to Penn Yan, New York, where he spent the remainder of his days. He married Caroline BROWN, born in Yates county, New York.

Charles Wesley ENNIS, son of Sylvanus S. and Caroline (BROWN) ENNIS, was born at Penn Yan, Yates county, New York, January 7, 1848. His early education was obtained in the district schools of his native place, and this was supplemented by attendance at Morris Academy, Morristown, New Jersey. He commenced his business career as a clerk in a mercantile establishment in Morristown, a position he filled for a period of six years. He next engaged in business on his own account in Somerville, New Jersey, becoming the head of the firm of C. W. Ennis & Company, dealers in men’s furnishing goods, and continued in this business for thirteen years, during a portion of this time being also engaged in the manufacture of shirts and building up the most extensive line of business in the State. Mr. ENNIS disposed of his interest in this business in 1885 and returned to Morristown where he has resided continuously up to the present time (1913). He purchased the interest of the junior partner in the lumber firm of Day & Muchmore, the style of the firm being changed to Day & Ennis, the senior partner being the father in law of Mr. ENNIS. Subsequently Mr. ENNIS purchased the interest of his senior partner, changing the name of the firm to its present form, C. W. Ennis & Company. The office and lumber yard are on Morris street, opposite the depot of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company, thus insuring excellent shipping facilities, which adds considerably to their promptness in filling their numerous orders. They deal in pine and hardwood lumber, sash, blinds, doors, moldings, trimmings and all kinds of masons’ materials. The wise judgment displayed in the management of his own business led to his being chosen as a member of the board of directors of the First National Bank of Morristown. Mr. ENNIS is also secretary and treasurer of the Hanover Brick Company, located at Whippany, New Jersey, of which he was one of the original stockholders and promoters, and which is the second largest brick manufacturing plant in the State of New Jersey.

Mr. ENNIS has always taken a deep interest in the welfare, development and advancement of his adopted city, forwarding all movements calculated to promote its growth and prosperity, his own enterprise giving employment to a number of skilled men whom he treats with the utmost consideration. He and his family are members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Morristown, in which he has acted in the capacity of trustee, and has held official position in the board. In political matters he formerly affiliated with the Republican party, and for two terms served as a member of the city council. In 1912 he allied himself with the Progressive party, and was the candidate from the fifth congressional district for Congress. Mr. ENNIS has been more than ordinarily active in the interest of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, of which he was one of the charter members. For many years he has been a member of the board of managers of the Memorial Hospital at Morristown, and he was one of the founders of the Masons’ Material Dealers of New Jersey. His fraternal affiliations are with Morristown Lodge, No. 188, F. and A. M. and Washington Association.

Mr. ENNIS married, September 10, 1872, Emma F., daughter of Francis A. and Hannah D. DAY, the former being one of the enterprising and successful business men of Morristown. The daughters are all members of the Morristown Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, through the maternal great great grandfather, Daniel Smith WOOD, who served in the War of the Revolution as captain of Essex county militia, and was in action near Elizabethtown Point, June 8, 1780. He married Sarah JOHNSON, and their daughter, Elizabeth C. WOOD, married Captain Stephen DAY, whose son, Francis Asbury DAY, married Hannah HICK, and their daughter became the wife of Charles Wesley ENNIS of Morristown, whose name appears at the head of this sketch. The names of his children are:

Mabel, married Frank R. MORSE, secretary of C. W. Ennis & Company;
Bertha;
Mildred.

Transcribed by E.J.Carlson.