Frank M. Groendyke

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Frank M. Groendyke

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

In 1902 Frank M. GROENDYKE opened an up-to-date plumbing establishment in Mendham and in recent years he has so enlarged his place of business that now, in addition to all kinds of appliances for steam-fitting and heating, he carries a complete line of metal work, hardware, ranges and house furnishings. He is a shrewd and alert business man and a citizen whose attitude in public affairs has always been deep and sincere. Mr. GROENDYKE was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, October 15, 1877, son of Daniel and Rachel (SEAL) GROENDYKE, both natives of New Jersey. The father was a railroad man by occupation and he died in 1888, when the subject of this review was a lad of but nine years of age. The mother survives her honored husband and now maintains her home at Washington, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. GROENDYKE had seven children as follows: Alice; Johanna, wife of Edward VAN ATTA; Carrie, married (first) George KLINE, (second) E. R. ARMSTRONG; Cynthia, wife of George F. GASTON; Lettie, married Daniel HORNBAKER; Elizabeth, wife of E. E. Pierson; Frank M., is he whose name initiates this review. Daniel GROENDYKE was a veteran of the Civil War.

To the common and high schools of Glen Gardner Mr. GROENDYKE is indebted for his preliminary educational training, which was supplemented with a commercial course in a business college at Easton, Pennsylvania. On leaving school he arranged to learn the plumbing business and entered upon an apprenticeship for that purpose at Morristown, New Jersey. He was in the employ of the same man for several years, and in 1902 located at Mendham and opened a plumbing and steam-fitting plant of his own. Although small in the beginning his business has now increased so that he requires the assistance of eight men. He handles all kinds of hardware, ranges and house furnishings. Mr. GROENDYKE is an independent voter but he favors the Democratic party in his political faith. He is a clerk of the Mendham school board and is foreman of the local fire department. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with the junior Order of United American Mechanics, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Royal Arcanum, the Daughters of Liberty and the Modern Woodmen of America. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and are active factors in the social life of Mendham.

In 1903 Mr. GROENDYKE married Geneva M. PRIDEN, born in Morristown, this state, daughter of Amsey and Myrtle (PHELPS) PRUDEN. Mr. PRUDEN gave gallant service as a soldier in the Civil War, being a member of a New Jersey company, and during his active career he was station agent for a railroad company at Morristown. Mr. and Mrs. PRUDEN had two children: Geneva M., wife of Mr. GROENDYKE; Albert. Mr. and Mrs. GROENDYKE have no children.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)