NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Gilbert Hoffman Lunger
Morris Co. Up

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

Individual merit may claim a recognition in America that is accorded it in no other country on the face of the globe. The power of personality to conquer fate, to utilize opportunities and to take advantage of possibilities to rise to higher planes is acknowledged here, and the man who depends upon his own ability, enterprise and honesty, and not upon the reputation of his ancestors, is the man who wins public honor and fame. Such an example is furnished by the life record of Gilbert Hoffman LUNGER, of Netcong, Morris county, New Jersey, who has for many years been identified with the business interests of that town, and who has served it capably in the highest official positions.

Morris LUNGER, his father, was born in Morris county, and was of Irish descent. He died in Netcong, in 1902, at the age of eighty-two years. He married Effie HOFFMAN, of German descent, born in Warren county, New Jersey, in 1827, died in 1875. They had children:

  • Abraham, of Caldwell, New Jersey, is with the Lane Lockwood Tobacco Company, and married Ruth FARROW;
  • Mary A., married William HOPLER, of Newark, New Jersey, who is in the employ of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company;
  • Jacob, of Hackettstown, New Jersey, married Laura CURL;
  • Gilbert Hoffman, whose name is at the head of this sketch;
  • John, of Washington, New Jersey, is an engineer in the Cement Works of the Edison Company, and married Elizabeth GIPSON;
  • William H., who resides in Hackettstown, is secretary and treasurer of the grain and feed company in Netcong, and married Eva M. JOHNSON;
  • Theodore, a manufacturer of mesh bags in Newark, New Jersey, married Lillian McDOUGAL.

Gilbert Hoffman LUNGER was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, at the dividing line between that county and Morris county, August 21, 1854. His opportunities for obtaining a school education were very limited as he was obliged to begin the active work of life at an early age. At the age of fourteen years he left home, and he provided a comfortable home for his father for a period of seventeen years. He obtained a position in the store of Joseph HEATH on Schooleys Mountain, and Mr. HEATH, who was a teacher by profession, gave him some instruction at night. Later, for a short time, he was a student at the academy under the charge of the Rev. L. I. STOUTENBERG. The next scene of his labors was with the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad Company, in the position of telegraph operator, and in 1874, in association with Hugh and Thomas J. ALLEN, he engaged in mercantile business. In 1879 he came to Netcong and, for a period of eleven years, conducted a general store on the premises now occupied by the Drake-Bostedo Company. In 1891 he established himself in the grain and feed business in Netcong, and in 1907 organized the LUNGER Grain and Elevator Company. In political matters Mr. LUNGER is now a Progressive, and was formerly a Republican. He served as a member of the school board twenty-eight years, and was twice elected mayor of Netcong, 1904 and 1908. He was one of the first merchants in Netcong, as there were but a few residents in the town when he located there. He was one of the organizers of the Citizens’ National Bank of Netcong. His fraternal affiliations are with Musconetcong Lodge F. and A. M., and the J. O. A. M. His religious connection is with the Methodist church. He has been prominent in the development and improvement of the town and is the owner of a considerable quantity of real estate.

Mr. LUNGER married Elma, a daughter of John and Emeline (DERENBERGER) HANN, the marriage taking place in 1876. They have had children:

  • 1. Blanche D., who married Louis G. BOWDEN, ex-assemblyman of Essex county, New Jersey, and whose home is in Cedar Grove.
  • 2. Eva, married George T. JURGENS, of Brooklyn, New York, who is with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. They have two children: 
    • Elma and 
    • Dorothy.
  • 3. Leroy, of New York City, a salesman married Euphemia LLOYD.

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

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