NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

James Garfield Estler
Morris Co. Up

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

A substantial and energetic business man, James Garfield ESTLER is a member of the ESTLER, COLE Hardware Company, prominent hardware merchants at Boonton, New Jersey. A native of Morris county, Mr. ESTLER was born at Powerville, New Jersey, October 19, 1880, son of James A. and Augusta (COOK) ESTLER, the latter of whom died in 1896 and the former of whom is now living at Powerville, New Jersey. The father was born and raised in this State and he was engaged in agricultural pursuits during the entire period of his active career. Ten children were born to Mr. and Mrs. James A. ESTLER as follows:

  • John,
  • George,
  • Elmer,
  • Frank,
  • Edward,
  • Lottie,
  • Arthur,
  • Mabel,
  • James G.,
  • Lena.

Of the foregoing Mabel is deceased and Lottie is the wife of Edward P. LOOKER.

Mr. ESTLER, of this notice, passed his boyhood and youth on his father’s farm near Powersville, and availed himself of the advantages offered in the neighboring district schools. He completed a commercial course in the Dover Business College and then entered upon an apprenticeship to learn the trade of plumber. He was engaged in the plumbing business for a period of nine years, most of his work in that connection having been done at Boonton. In 1906 he established his home at Boonton. Shortly after his arrival in this city Mr. ESTLER formed a partnership alliance with Mr. Edward COLE, a brother-in-law, and they opened a hardware store under the name of ESTLER, COLE Hardware Company. With the passage of time the stock of this establishment has been increased and now everything in the nature of hardware is carried. A large patronage is controlled in Boonton and in the territory normally adjacent to this city. While Mr. ESTLER is not an active participant in public affairs in his home community he gives a staunch support to the principles and policies promulgated by the Republican party and is an enthusiastic supporter of every measure introduced for the good of the public welfare. He is a member of the Maxfield Hook & Ladder Company, and he is affiliated with the R. A. and with the G. F.

November 6, 1905, Mr. ESTLER married Sarah Margaret COLE, whose birth occurred in Morris county, New Jersey, daughter of George COLE, a prominent citizen of Parsippany. Mr. and Mrs. ESTLER have two children:

  • Margaret and
  • James.

In their religious faith the ESTLERS are devout Presbyterians. Mr. ESTLER is known to be strictly reliable in all his business dealings and in every connection he is upright and sincere. His genial disposition makes him a good companion and his friends are numbered by the score.

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

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