Hon. Harry W. Mutchler

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

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

Among the prominent and public-spirited citizens of Rockaway, Harry W. MUTCHLER holds prestige as one who has ever been on the qui vive to promote progress and improvement. He is connected with a number of important business enterprises in this city and for two terms gave a splendid administration as mayor of Rockaway. A native of Warren county, New Jersey, he was born at Asbury, October 8, 1862. His parents, Andrew J. and Margaret (WILSON) MUTCHLER, were born and reared in New Jersey and they are now deceased. The father was a mason by trade and was a prominent railroad contractor for many years. He was a Republican in his political proclivities, and in religious faith he and his wife were devout Methodists. To them were born two children that grew to maturity: Harry W., of this sketch; Ella, wife of Stephen Arnott STRAIT, a resident of Montclair, New Jersey.

To the common schools of Phillipsburg, New Jersey, Harry W. MUTCHLER is indebted for his preliminary educational training. He initiated his active career as a clerk for John P. BROWN & Son, which concern was engaged in the mercantile business at Newfoundland, New Jersey. Mr. MUTCHLER remained with the above company for seven years and at the end of that time he accepted a position with LAWRENCE & KING, at Stanhope, this State. One year later he went to Hibernia, New Jersey, and there acted as bookkeeper for the Richard BEACH Company for seven years. In 1892 he was installed as traveling salesman for Edward D. DePew & Company, a wholesale grocery concern with headquarters in New York City. He has remained in the employ of the above concern during the intervening years to the present time and is now one of its oldest and most capable representatives. He has considerable money invested in the First National Bank of Rockaway, of which substantial institution he is one of the directors, and he is likewise a director in the Rockaway Building and Loan Association.

In his political convictions Mr. MUTCHLER is aligned as a stalwart supporter of Republican principles. He served as councilman of Rockaway for four years and in 1908 was elected mayor of this city, serving with the utmost efficiency in that capacity for two successive terms. At the November election of 1913 he was elected to the New Jersey assembly. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with Acacia Lodge, No. 20, F. and A. M., of Dover; the Rockaway Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, also the Dover State Encampment; the Royal Arcanum; and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. Religiously, he and his wife are connected with the Rockaway Presbyterian Church.

In March, 1883, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. MUTCHLER to Margaretta HOWELL, a native of New Jersey, daughter of Isaac B. and Henrietta (ROBERTS) HOWELL, both of whom are now deceased, their remains being interred at Hackettstown, New Jersey. Mr. HOWELL was a carpenter and contractor during his lifetime, and he was a member of the Methodist church, as was also his wife. To the HOWELLs were born: Robert o.; Thomas; Matilda, widow of John HESS; Charles; Margaretta, wife of Mr. MUTCHLER, as already noted; Gustavus; Julia, wife of William McCRACKEN; Emma, wife of John B. ROE.

Mr. and Mrs. MUTCHLER have one son, Dr. Harry Raymond MUTCHLER, who was graduated in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Baltimore, Maryland, as a member of the class of 1911, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. For one year following his graduation Dr. MUTCHLER was assistant to Dr. SMITH in Washington, New Jersey, and for six months following that period he was interne in the Volunteer Hospital of New York City. For the past year he has been a member of the General Hospital corps at Passaic, New Jersey. He is a young man of marked ability and his splendid equipment for his professional work, as combined with his energy and endurance, are bound to win him unusual success in the field of his chosen labor. June 25, 1913, he married Helen VAN CLEAF, of Asbury Park, New Jersey. Mrs. MUTCHLER is a zealous church worker and she is a member of the Kings Daughters and the Foreign Home Missionary Societies.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)