John Morris McCarty

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

John Morris McCarty

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

John M. McCARTY died May 1, 1865. At the time when he was called from the scene of his mortal endeavors he was in his sixty-fifth year and it may be said concerning him that "his strength was as the number of his days". The prestige which he gained as a fair and honorable man was the result of his own well directed endeavors and his success in life was on a parity with his ability and well applied energy. During the latter years of his life Mr. McCARTY, whose name forms the caption for this review, lived in retirement in the village of Rockaway and although it is a good many years since his demise his memory his memory is still green in the hearts of his friends who survive him.

A native of New Jersey, John Morris McCARTY was born in July, 1800. He was a son of Francis and Ann (VANDERVOORT) McCARTY, both representatives of pioneer families in Morris county. The father was a farmer by occupation, and in religious faith he and his wife were devout Presbyterians. They reared to maturity a family of several children of whom John M. was the first in order of birth of Mr. McCARTY’s third marriage. He passed his boyhood and youth on the paternal farm, in the work and management of which he early began to assist his father. He availed himself of the advantages afforded in the common schools of his pioneer day and as he was naturally a great reader and observer, he gradually broadened and developed his intellect until he was well informed. As a young man he became interested in the working of the iron mines and for many years he was superintendent of forges at Hibernia and Powerville, New Jersey. He established his home in Rockaway in 1825 and there continued to reside until his death.

In 1825 was solemnized his marriage to Sally Ann HOAGLAND, a native of Dover, New Jersey, daughter of Peter G. and Elizabeth HOAGLAND, members of old New Jersey families. To Mr. and Mrs. John M. McCARTY were born five children as follows: Charles Augustus; Ann Elizabeth, wife of George RICHARDS, who was a resident of Dover; William; Frances, wife of Dr. John W. JACKSON, of Rockaway; Mary Emma, single; maintains her home at Rockaway, only one of the children living in 1913.

In his political convictions Mr. McCARTY was a staunch Democrat. His co-operation in public interests and his zealous support of all objects that he believed would contribute to the material, social and moral improvement of the community in which he made his home kept him in the foremost rank of loyal and public-spirited citizens. He was a charter member of the Dover Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons. He dearly loved home life and the company of his immediate family and many intimate friends. His hospitality was extended to everyone, regardless of class or creed, and his philanthropy was only bounded by the limits of his purse. His entire life was characterized by upright principles and it also exemplified the truth of the Emersonian philosophy that "the way to win a friend is to be one". His genial, kindly manner won him the high regard and good will of all with whom he came in contact and thus his death was uniformly mourned throughout Rockaway and the surrounding district.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)