Steward Neighbor

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Steward Neighbor

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

The family of which Stewart NEIGHBOR, of German Valley, Morris county, New Jersey, is a representative has been a resident in this country since the first half of the eighteenth century. Leonhard NEIGHBOR, a native of Holland, was the emigrant ancestor, and he settled in New Jersey, at German Valley, in 1740. His son, also Leonhard NEIGHBOR, located in 1750, on land which is still in possession of his descendents. Leonhard NEIGHBOR, the third of the name, was born in 1762 and died in 1853. David NEIGHBOR, son of the third Leonhard NEIGHBOR, was born in German Valley, November 25, 1797, and died near Califon, Hunterdon county, April 21, 1892. In connection with his farming operations he carried on business as a merchant. He removed to Hunterdon county in 1825. He was a strong Democrat, and has filled many public offices. He was a member of the State Legislature, 1842-44, and a member of the constitutional convention of 1844 which framed the present constitution of the state. In 1831 he became an elder of the Presbyterian church at German Valley, and was a frequent delegate to the Presbyterians and general assemblies. It was largely owing to his personal efforts that the church at Lower Valley was organized and he was the treasurer of this from its conception until his resignation in May, 1891. He married Ann, a daughter of James and Elizabeth HANCE, also of Holland descent. They had children: Mrs. Elizabeth MILLER, of Germantown; Silas, of further mention; Calvin, of Plainfield; James H., of Dover; Leonard and Nicholas, of Hunterdon county, and Manchis, of Hunterdon county.

Silas NEIGHBOR was born at Schooleys Mountain, Morris county, and died at the age of ninety-one years, having been a farmer all his life. He married Lydia Ann APGAR, and had children: Mrs. Jessie WISE, Louis and Stewart.

Stewart NEIGHBOR was born on the farm on which he is living at the present time, in Washington township, Morris county, New Jersey, in 1865. He acquired his educational advantages in the district schools in the vicinity of his home, and led the usual life of a country boy of that period. For a number of years he worked on the homestead farm as assistant to his father, subsequently carrying on his operations of this nature independently. He is not alone engaged in general farming, but devotes a considerable portion of his time to stock breeding and dairy farming, in all of which he has been very successful. He has 150 acres of land, and manages this along the most progressive and up-to-date methods. He is a Democrat in political matters, has served as clerk of the township, and as justice of the peace for a considerable length of time. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, and a trustee of the Presbyterian church. Mr. NEIGHBOR married Kate, a daughter of Alfred HANN, a farmer of Warren county, and they have had children: Olive H., who was graduated from the State Normal School, and is now engaged in teaching; Leonard S., Fred C.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)