Joseph H. Mott

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Joseph H. Mott

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

One of Kenvil’s successful and highly esteemed citizens and businessmen, Joseph H. MOTT has been a resident of Morris county from the day of his birth, and is a fine example of the self-made man who attains an enviable position by means of his unaided ability. He is one of the most enterprising merchants it has ever been the good fortune of Kenvil to claim as her citizen, and in addition to his business ability he is one of that kind of merchants who believe that the best method and policy is to give value for value. He has therefore won the trust and friendship of every one with whom he has come in contact, and for this reason has triumphed over competitors who started on their careers under far more favorable circumstances than he. Mr. MOTT is superintendent of the Kenvil Store & Lumber Company, having active management of one yard and the stock of merchandise, and is one of the stockholders in that important enterprise.

Joseph H. MOTT was born in Dover, New Jersey, February 9, 1869, a son of Alexander and Frances (MORRISON) MOTT. Both parents were natives of New Jersey, his father a machinist, and they now live in Rockaway in this State. Their children were: Susan, wife of Percy HOUGH; Joseph H., Benjamin.

The first event worthy of note in the career of Joseph H. MOTT was his attendance at common schools. When he had got as far as was considered necessary in the local schools, he started to work, about 1887 or 1888, for the old firm of JENKINS, BUCK & Company, the predecessors of the present Kenvil Store & Lumber Company. After a time at that employment, he discovered that his educational equipment was not yet complete, and that greater opportunity would come with greater learning. He therefore took a commercial course at Coleman’s Business College, and then returned to his former employers. From that time his has been a record of steady progress, until he is now one of the interested principals in a business of large proportions and volume of annual revenue.

Mr. MOTT was married in December, 1899, to Annie J. BUTTERWORTH. Mrs. MOTT is a native of Morris county, daughter of Hudson and Evelyn (IKE) BUTTERWORTH, her father well known as a carpenter in Morris county. The children in the BUTTERWORTH family were: William, Mrs. MOTT, John, Ida, wife of John LYONS. Three children: Ralph V., Evelyn, Robert S., were born to the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. MOTT. In politics he is an independent voter, is affiliated with the Royal Arcanum at Netcong, and he and his family attend the Presbyterian church.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)