Stephen J. Palmer

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Stephen J. Palmer

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

After a long and successful business career at Dover, where for almost half a century he was well known as an architect and contractor, Mr. PALMER now lives in the city of Dover, retired from active affairs, although still the owner of considerable valuable real estate. Mr. PALMER is a life-long resident of Morris county, and on many occasions has associated himself with movements for the betterment and advancement of his community in its social and civic welfare.

Stephen J. PALMER was born in Morris county, New Jersey, in 1843, a son of Charles and Julia Ann (KING) PALMER. Both parents were likewise natives of the county, and of families long identified with this part of the State. They are now deceased and rest in a cemetery at Dover. The father was a carpenter, a very successful man in his trade and held in high esteem by all his associates. The children were: Adelia, now deceased, wife of William H. McDAVITT; Stephen J.; Oscar.

After an education in the common schools, completed when he was eighteen years of age, Stephen J. PALMER went to Newark and learned the carpenter trade. A three years’ apprenticeship fitted him for his life’s work, and he then returned to Dover and for about thirty years was closely associated with his father in business, during which time they conducted a large contracting business. After the death of his father, Stephen J. PALMER continued on his own account, both as an architect and contractor, and altogether devoted about forty-five years to his trade and profession. He is an independent in politics. When he was twenty-six years of age occurred his first marriage. He married Henrietta FLEMING, who died and is buried at Dover. Her parents were James and Seresta (FORD) FLEMING. Henrietta FLEMING had one sister, Elizabeth, wife of Aaron ANDERSON. To the first marriage of Mr. PALMER were born the following children: Anna, wife of Edmund H. MOYER, the mother of Henrietta and Elbert; George, who died at the age of six years; Addie; Oscar; Ethel, who died at the age of three years. Mr. PALMER’s second wife was Caroline BENTLEY, a native of Morris county, New Jersey, and a daughter of John BENTLEY, who was the father of seven children as follows: Elvian, John T., James, Emeline, wife of a Mr. MAJOR; Fllint Elwin, Roseline, Mary, wife of James BRANT. Mr. PALMER married for his third and present wife, Elizabeth (THORNE) ROMAINE, widow of George E. ROMAINE. She was born in New York City, daughter of Richard and Jane (TAYLOR) THORNE, her father having been a merchant on Sixth avenue, New York City. In the THORNE family were but two children: Mrs. PALMER, and one that died in infancy. Mrs. PALMER by her first marriage had the following children: Edgar W. Montague, C. Arthur, Charles, Harry. Mr. PALMER and his wife attend the Methodist church, and she is one of the vice presidents of the Missionary Society. Mrs. PALMER is at present (1914) the second president of the Woman’s Club of Dover, which club was organized in 1912.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)