John C. McGrath

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

John C. McGrath

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

John C. McGRATH of Rockaway, Morris county, New Jersey, is a man whom to know is an honor, for his well spent life has gained him the confidence and respect of all with whom he has come in contact. Advancement has been his watchward, and the years have marked a steady progress along business and educational lines. He is a man of liberal ideas in business, and the cultivation of his mental powers has made him a leader in thought and action in his section of Morris county. His family has been a resident in Rockaway for three generations.

Isaiah Collins McGRATH, grandfather of John C. McGRATH, was born in 1805. He married, in 1876, Jeanne CRAIG, born in Paisley, Scotland, in 1803, and she married (second) Hubbard STICKLE, of Rockaway. Mr. and Mrs. McGRATH had children: Isaac Rowen, born in New York City; John P., and Isaiah W., also born in New York City; Thomas B., of further mention; Agnes Craig, married John NORRIS, of Rockaway; Jeannette B., married Isaac N. BEACH, of Rockaway, and now resides in Newark, New Jersey.

Thomas B., son of Isaiah Collins and Jeanne (CRAIG) McGRATH, was born in the city of New York in 1830, is now a resident of Rockaway, Morris county, and is one of the oldest funeral directors in the State of New Jersey. He came to Rockaway in early manhood, and there purchased the McGRATH homestead, which had been owned by his mother. This property was later purchased by his son, John C. For many years he was a funeral director in Rockaway, but for ten or twelve years prior to retiring, he practiced his calling in Newark. He is a member of the Senior order of United American Mechanics, and of the Presbyterian church. Mr. McGRATH married (first), May 19, 1858, Anna, born in New Jersey, a daughter of John and Sarah CLARK; he married (second) Ella COOPER. Children all by the first marriage: Agnes, died young; Jean, died in infancy; John C., of further mention; Agnes Jeannette, married S. E. YOUNG, of Rockaway; Florence E., married Frederick SCHOOT, agent for the Pilsbury Flour Company, at Rockaway.

John C., son of Thomas B. and Anna (CLARK) McGRATH, was born at his present place of residence in Rockaway, April 22, 1861. He attended the local schools, and was graduated from the Dr. RANKIN Institute at Mendham. He then went west, spending two years in Illinois, Iowa and the upper peninsula of Michigan, and was for a number of years employed at the HOAGLAND machine shops. He served his apprenticeship to his trade, and, having been graduated from the Massachusetts School of Embalming, commenced his career as a funeral director in Rockaway about 1897. I this he has been eminently successful, his methods being progressive, yet sufficiently conservative to gain the approval of all. He is Republican in his political views and served as the first borough clerk, after Rockaway had been incorporated as a borough. He was then elected collector of the borough, and a custodian of the school funds, filled this office six years, after which he refused to serve again, although requested to do so. He is the owner of a comfortable and beautiful home, and his business offices are on Church street. His religious affiliation is with the Presbyterian church, and he is a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Mr. McGRATH married, in 1886, Emma E, a daughter of John and Caroline BENJAMIN, of Morristown, both natives of New York City, and they have had children: Edith, employed in New York City; Frederick Malcolm, who is a member of a church choir in Morristown, is also employed in New York City; Walter Benjamin, at home. All of these children received their elementary and high school education in Rockaway.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)