NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

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

Isaac Daniel LYON, a man well known in the jewelry trade in Morristown, New Jersey, respected and honored for his upright character and unimpeachable business methods, is a representative on both the paternal and maternal sides of old families, of Morris county, members in each generation aiding to the best of their ability in the development and improvement of the communities in which they resided.

Daniel LYON, the earliest known ancestor on the paternal side, removed to Parsippany, Morris county, New Jersey, from Newark, Essex county, New Jersey, and there spent the remainder of his days. Among his children was Stephen Smith LYON, who followed the occupation of farming in Parsippany, New Jersey, and in addition to this had teams carting iron ore from mines above Rockaway, New Jersey, to Newark, where it was disposed of to good advantage. He lived to the venerable age of eighty-six years, and was esteemed in the community for his excellent characteristics. He was the father of three children: Mrs. SITZ, of Newark, New Jersey; Charles Lyon, of Roseville, New Jersey; and Isaac Daniel, of further mention.

Isaac Daniel LYON was born at Parsippany, New Jersey, in 1840, and died in April, 1866. He was a farmer of Parsippany, a veterinary surgeon, and was also in partnership with one of the superintendents of the Newark Horse Car Line, he furnishing the horses for the road. He married, March 8, 1864, Harriet Eliza DICKERSON, born at Denville, Morris county, New Jersey, March 9, 1843, living at the present time (1913) in Morristown, New Jersey, at the age of seventy years. She is a daughter of Stephen and Nancy (SMITH) DICKERSON, of whom further, and the mother of two children: Cora Anna, now the wife of J. E. WALCH, of Morristown; and Isaac Daniel, of further mention. After the death of her husband, accompanied by her daughter, she moved to the residence of her father, Stephen DICKERSON, of Taber, New Jersey, where her son was born. Mrs. LYON married (second) February 4, 1875, Rev. Benjamin N. REED.

Isaac Daniel LYON Jr., was born in Taber, New Jersey, October 11, 1866. The early years of his life were spent in Denville, the family removing from that place to Morristown, New Jersey, when he was twelve years of age. His education was obtained in the country schools adjacent to the old homestead at Denville and in the schools of Morristown. Upon the completion his studies, in 1883, he was apprenticed to Alonzo GRAVES to learn the jewelry trade, and he has been engaged in that business in Morristown ever since. In 1896 he commenced business on his own account, opening his present store, which was successful from the beginning, and which has grown in volume and importance with each succeeding year. In March, 1914, he was elected a director of the American Trust Company of Morristown, which fact is a testimonial to his high character, executive ability and honorable business methods. He is a Progressive in politics and served for a number of years as treasurer of the Progressive League. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, the Masonic Order, the Royal Arcanum, Improved Order of Heptasophs, the Independent Hose Company, and a number of local clubs.

Mr. LYON married, in Morristown, Ida May CARRELL, daughter of the late Eugene and Ida Fletcher (SEARING) CARRELL, and a descendent of one of the old pioneer families of Morristown, one of her ancestors having been one of the founders of the Methodist Episcopal church in Morristown. Children of Mr. and Mrs. LYON: Harold C., born in 1901; Kenneth R., born in 1905; Margaret E., born in 1908; Stuart Searing, born September 26, 1913.

Eugene CARRELL, father of Mrs. LYON, was born at Philipsburg, New Jersey, September 1, 1850, and died in Morristown, January 21, 1914. He came to Morristown at the age of fourteen years with his parents, his father, Uriah CARRELL, being well known in educational circles in Philipsburg and Easton, and being recommended to the public school service in Morristown, he taught there for several years. Uriah CARRELL enlisted in the Union army in the Civil War as a private and rose to the rank of major, but was discharged on account of ill health, contracted while in the service. Early in life Eugene CARRELL became a clerk in the furnishing goods store of the late George LAWRENCE, in Morristown, and later he and J. Walter SEARING purchased the business from Mr. LAWRENCE, and two years later Mr. CARRELL purchased his partner’s interest and conducted the business alone up to the time of his death. When the American Trust Company was organized he was elected a member of the board of directors, and served in that capacity for a number of years. In 1894 he was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Abraham C. GARDINIER, deceased, in the board of aldermen, and the following year he was elected an alderman for a two year term. He was a member of the Morristown Fire Department for about forty-five years, and was the second oldest member of the Independent Hose Company, which company was organized in 1867, and Mr. CARRELL became a member, June 14, 1869. He was for several years a commissioner of the Board of Excise; was the efficient treasurer of the Firemen’s Relief Fund; for many years was a member of the Morristown Fife and Drum Corps; was from his youth a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for many years taught in the Sunday School. He was a member of the Cincinnati Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Ode de St. Amand Commandery, Knights Templar; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Loantaka Chapter, Royal Arcanum; Tapkaow Club, and other organizations. He married Ida Fletcher SEARING and had two daughters: Ida May, who married Mr. LYON, as above stated; Grace R., a resident of Morristown.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)

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