DeWitt R. Hummer

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

DeWitt R. Hummer

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

Ideas backed with indefatigable energy, the desire and power to accomplish big things, these qualities make of success not an accident but a logical result. The man of initiative is he who combines with a capacity for hard work and an indomitable will. This type of man recognizes no such thing as failure and his final success is on a parity with his well directed efforts. DeWitt R. HUMMER, who is practically self-educated and who is strictly a self-made man, has been a resident of Dover since the year 1889. Here he is most profitably engaged in the real estate and insurance business, being secretary of the George Richards company, and he is a director in the National Union Bank of Dover. He has served his home community in various official capacities of trust and responsibility and is ever ready to do what he can to advance the general welfare of Morris county and of the State at large.

A son of John Wall and Mary Ann (EVELAND) HUMMER, DeWitt R. HUMMER was born in the State of New Jersey, village of California, May 20, 1863. The father was for many years engaged in the milling business at California, New Jersey, and he is now deceased. They were the parents of seven children:

George F., a resident of High Bridge;
DeWitt R., the immediate subject of this review;
Ester, wife of Samuel LANCE, of High Bridge;
Catherine, died as the wife of Aaron PENCE, of Port Calden;
Elizabeth, married John B. COURSEN and maintains her home at High Bridge, a widow;
Susan E., wife of Isaac CRAGER, of High Bridge;
Minerva, married George LATIMER, of High Bridge.

The education of DeWitt R. HUMMER was confined to a course of study in the common schools of his native place. He lived in California until he reached the age of four years. In 1878 he entered the employ of the Taylor Iron Company, at High Bridge, New Jersey, remaining with that concern for a number of years, at the expiration of which he became a station agent and operator for the New Jersey Central Railroad Company, at different points along the line. After his marriage, which occurred in 1888, he came to Dover and here worked for the George Richards Company as bookkeeper six months, then private secretary for Mr. George RICHARDS, and day boss for the mines, and a few years later launched into business as a real estate and insurance operator. He is now secretary of the George Richards Company, an incorporated mercantile business, and is a member of the board of directors of the National Union Bank of Dover, in which substantial financial institution he has considerable money invested. He is executor and trustee of the late George RICHARDS estate, also director in Hibernia Mine Railroad. He is also transfer agent for the Hibernia Mine Railroad; also the George Richards Company, and one of the shade tree commissioners of the town of Dover.

Mr. HUMMER is a Republican in his political convictions and for six years he served as clerk of the Dover water commission. For two years, from 1899 to 1901, he was clerk of the town of Dover, and from 1909 to 1913, he was town recorder. He fraternizes with Acacia Lodge No. 20, Free and Accepted Masons; Madison Chapter No. 27, Royal Arch Masons; Randolph Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, likewise the State encampment of this organization; and is a charter member of Dover Lodge, No. 182, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Religiously he and his family are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

September 12, 1888, Mr. HUMMER was united in marriage to Josephine E. TONKING, a native of Cold Spring, New Jersey, daughter of William H. and Elizabeth (MOYSE) TONKING, both of whom were born and reared in England, whence they immigrated to the United States as young people. Mr. and Mrs. HUMMER have three children:

John W.,
Josephine T.,
James B., all of whom are at the paternal home.

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