Martin C. Havens

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Martin C. Havens

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

Due entirely to his own well directed efforts is the splendid success achieved by Marten C. HAVENS, who ranks as one of the foremost businessmen at Dover, New Jersey. Here he is proprietor of a first-class stationery and book-store, one of the finest of its kind in the county, and in addition to the same he is owner of considerable property in Dover and he also owns the old HAVENS homestead in Sussex county, New Jersey. A son of John O. and Emma (COX) HAVENS, he was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, August 4, 1869. Both parents are likewise natives of Sussex county, where the father is engaged in farming operations, his beautiful estate of 134 acres being eligibly located two and three-fourth miles distant from the town of Sussex. To Mr. and Mrs. John O. HAVENS were born five children:

Martin C.,
Edgar B.,
Wilbur J.,

all of whom are living in 1913; two dead,

Clarence and
Frederick.

The paternal grandfather of the subject of this review was Barret D. HAVENS, born and reared in New Jersey, died in 1890, aged eighty-seven years.

To the sturdy discipline of the old homestead farm in Sussex county Martin C. HAVENS is indebted for his robust constitution. He attended the district schools of his native place and for one year was a student in the Sussex High School. At the age of sixteen years he began to work as a clerk in a dry goods store at Sussex, following that line of work for three years. In 1889 he came to Dover and entered the employ of the George Richards Company as clerk, remaining with that concern for two years and nine months, at the expiration of which time, in 1892, he purchased a small stationery store that occupied one store room on Sussex street. He remained in the above location for the ensuing thirteen years and with the passage of time gradually increased his stock of goods and built up a fine patronage. Since 1905 he has been located at No. 8 East Blackwell street and in 1910 he bought this property. He is improving this property and will have floor space of 25 x 85 and will have one of the finest and most completely equipped stores in the State. Mr. HAVENS owes his splendid success entirely to his own keen sense of business values and to his innate ability to hustle. He is constantly on the job and his genial good nature and smiling countenance bring him a large amount of trade. In addition to his place of business he is the owner of a beautiful residence in Dover and he likewise owns a finely improved farm in Sussex county, the same comprising 134 acres. The latter place is run by his father.

October 15, 1891, Mr. HAVENS was united in marriage to Lillian E. STICKLE, a native of Dover, New Jersey, daughter of Ellery and Sarah L. (MINTON) STICKLE, prominent residents of Dover. Mrs. HAVENS died September 30, 1909, and her remains are interred in Orchard street cemetery. She was a woman of sweet disposition and was beloved by all who knew her personally. There were four children in the STICKLE family:

Harry M.,
William Minton,
Royal Minton,
Lillian E.,

all deceased.

Guy Minton, first child born to Mr. and Mrs. HAVENS, died April 30, 1895 aged two and a half years;
John Martin, whose birth occurred in 1895, is engaged in business with his father.

Mr. HAVENS votes the Republican ticket at national Elections, but in local affairs he supports the man best fitted for the place regardless of party creed. He is affiliated with R. A., L. A., the I. O. O. F., and the J. O. U. A. M. He and his son both attend the Presbyterian church at Dover.

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