NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

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

Samuel KARN, senior partner of the well known and substantial firm of KARN & EICKLIN, of Morristown, New Jersey, represents to a marked degree American progress, clean commercial methods and unquestionable business ability.

Mr. KARN descends directly from the sturdy and upright German emigrants who located in German Valley, New Jersey, in 1724, who contended with the Indians for every acre of the ground that they reclaimed from the wilderness and put under cultivation, who engaged with the English against the French and later allied themselves with the triumphant Revolutionary cause. He is the grandson of David KARN, born in Morris county, where he lived and died a wealthy farmer. David KARN was a lineal descendent of Christopher KARN, of German Valley, whose name appears in the articles of incorporation, drawn February 4, 1784, when a new congregation composed of Lutherans, Presbyterians and the Reformed sect erected a church in German Valley for a place of worship. The KARN family has always been prominent in the social, religious and political life of German Valley, where it was for a long time concentrated, and the members who have left their ancestral homes in the Valley have established themselves with little trouble among the people with whom they have cast their lot. David KARN, the grandfather, was twice married. A son by his first marriage was Philip KARN.

Philip KARN was born in German Valley, and was for years one of the live merchants of that place. Later he retired and is now living in Newark, New Jersey, at the age of seventy-three. During his business life he was known far and wide for his honesty and scrupulous attention to his customers. He married Ellen DUFFORD, a daughter of Philip DUFFORD, who was born and reared in German Valley, whose family for over a hundred and fifty years has been connected with that portion of New Jersey and its best interests. He was the father of six children, and died at the age of fifty. Ellen (DUFFORD) KARN died in 1902. To Philip KARN and his wife were born nine children. One died in infancy; seven are still living, five of which make their homes in Morris county, and continue the work of up-building the State that was begun by their forefathers. They are:

• George D.,
• John R.,
• Mrs. William PIERCE,
• Mrs. W. H. KLINEDIST,
• Samuel KARN.

Samuel KARN was born April 25, 1862, at German Valley, Morris county, New Jersey. He received his education in the public schools of that county, and was more noticeably diligent to his studies than most lads of his age. When he was ten years old his parents moved to Orange county, New York, and there remained for four years, thus giving him an entirely new environment and a broader outlook on life than had he remained in his birthplace. In 1876 they returned to Morris county, selecting Morristown as their place of residence, which was a fortunate move for Samuel, as it afforded him still another outlook on life. In 1880, Mr. KARN entered commercial life, and engaged as a clerk in the grocery business with a prominent Morristown firm. Here he remained until 1894, when, with a laudable ambition to reach the topmost rung of the ladder in the commercial world, he organized the firm of KARN & EICKLIN. From a somewhat small beginning the company has enlarged and extended its business, and has met with notable and quick success owing to superior, up-to-date business methods. It is a large and ever growing concern, and under its present management will continue to increase in wealth and maintain its hold on the public. Mr. KARN is a Democrat, voting the straight ticket. He has been honored several times, politically, by his city. He was elected alderman, and so great was his popularity that he was re-elected two more times. He is at the present time tax collector for Morristown, having been elected January 1, 1913. He is an enthusiastic member of the order of I.O.O.F., standing high in its councils. He and his family are members of St. Peter’s Protestant Episcopal Church of Morristown.

He married, in Morristown, October 2, 1889, Emma L. CORBETT, daughter of Edward CORBETT, now retired from business, who is a veteran of the Civil War, having seen much active service as a member of the first New York Engineering Corps. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. KARN. One died in infancy, the eldest is married and the other eight are at home with their parents. This interesting family consists of:

• Albert E., married Hazel HANFIELD in 1913;
• Elizabeth C.,
• Raymond D.,
• Norman K.,
• Samuel G.,
• Emily M.,
• Harold G.,
• Dorothy N.,
• Ernest H.

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

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