Edwin A. Fisher

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Edwin A. Fisher

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

In the anxious and laborious struggle for an honorable competence and solid career on the part of the average business men fighting the everyday battle of life, there is but little to attract the reader in search of a sensational chapter; but for a mind thoroughly awake to the reality and meaning of human existence, there are noble and immortal lessons in the life of the man who, without other means than a clear head, a strong arm and a true heart, conquers fortune and gains, not only the temporal rewards for his toil, but also that which is greater and higher, the respect and esteem of those with whom his years of active life have placed him in contact. America is distinctively a cosmopolitan nation; from the four quarters of the globe she has drawn rapidly assimilated heterogeneous elements. To no country, however, does she owe more than to Germany; from her provinces have come men of sturdy integrity, determined purpose and marked mental vigor – men who are both builders and conservators. They become thoroughly imbued with the spirit of our national institutions and perpetuate and advance the higher interests of the republic. It is of a man of this caliber that this sketch is written – Edwin A. FISHER, cashier of the Boonton National Bank of Morris county, New Jersey.

His father, John Adam FISHER, was born in Germany and came to this country at the age of nineteen years. During his earlier years in this country he was engaged in the business of shipping nails from the Boonton Iron Works to the city of New York. Later he established himself in a general trucking business, and is now living retired from business responsibilities at his home at 220 Division street, Boonton, New Jersey. He married Mary Eisele, born in Germany, and who came to this country with her parents at the age of three years; they are both members of the German Reformed Church, and have had children:

George E., secretary of the E. B. Dawson Company and assistant secretary of the Boonton Building and Loan Association;
Sadie M., who is a stenographer in Glen Ridge, New Jersey; and
Edwin A.

Edwin A. FISHER was born in Boonton, Morris county, New Jersey, March 13, 1865. His only school education was acquired in the public schools of his native town, which he attended until the age of twelve years. He supplemented this, however, by carefully selected reading in all of his spare moments, and by study in later life. From the time he left school he had a varied experience. His first employment was on the Morris Canal in the capacity of team driver along the tow path, serving thus for four years, this being the period of his life when he should have been surrounded with more wholesome influences, but some characters are difficult to contaminate, this proving so in this particular case. He next sought and found employment in the silk mills of Pilgram & Meyer at Boonton, where he was employed for almost four years, becoming an expert weaver. Being careful and economical he saved a sufficient amount of money to enable him to take a commercial course in Coleman’s Business College in Newark, New Jersey. Upon the completion of this course he taught in this school for a short time, then accepted a position in the Greenwich Bank of New York City. In 1898 he was appointed assistant cashier of the Boonton National Bank, and in 1903 he was advanced to the position of cashier, which he has filled since that time to the great satisfaction of all concerned. Since his association with the bank its business has increased from $208,000 to $1,100,000. In 1889 Mr. FISHER was one of the organizers of the Boonton Building and Load Association and was appointed secretary of this corporation; he has been a director of this company for almost a quarter of a century. He was one of the organizers and first president of the Boonton Business Men’s Association and is a member of its executive committee. In political matters, Mr. FISHER is an ardent supporter of Republican principles; he has served as school commissioner for a period of eight years and is one of the fire wardens of Boonton. He and his wife attend the First Presbyterian Church and he has served as trustee for the past twelve years.

Mr. FISHER married, 1892, Lena Rebecca HOPKINS, born March 18, 1872, whose ancestral history is to be found in the sketch of her father, Charles Fern HOPKINS, postmaster of Boonton. They have had children:

Lucile, a student at Simmons College, Boston, Massachusetts;
George Eisele, a student at the Boonton High School, is the fifth of this name;
Charles Fern Hopkins FISHER.

Mr. FISHER is treasurer and one of the governors of the Boonton Club; Vice President of the Dixon Pond Association; member of the local lodge of F. and A. M. of Boonton; I. O. O. F.; and the R. A. In July, 1913, there was conferred upon him what is known as the "veterans’ jewel," denoting twenty-five years of membership in the I. O. O. F.

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