Frank C. Piper

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Frank C. Piper

Frank C. PIPER, whose business and private career well entitle him to representation among the foremost business men of the city of Morristown, New Jersey, is descended from a family which has been identified with the business and interests of the county for some generations.

The PIPER coat-of-arms, borne by an ancestor, John PIPER, of Cornord Magna, Suffolk, England, and later used by many generations of descendents of Nathaniel PIPER, of Boston, 1630, whose forebears migrated from Suffolk to Essex county, England. They were men of strong democratic tendencies. The family spread from Boston to diverse parts of Maine and New Hampshire during the days of the colonies. Coat-of-arms: "A shield of an embattled chevron between two falcons and a gauntlet holding a sword. A crest of the demi-griffin supporting an antique shield, charged with the sword and gauntlet."

John R. PIPER, his great-grandfather, was of New Hampshire, and served gallantly in the Continental army during the War of the Revolution. He died in his native State.

Paul W. PIPER, son of John R. PIPER, was born in the State of New Hampshire, and was one of a large family of children. He left his home while he was a very young lad and went to sea. Later he drifted into New Jersey, and for a time acted in the capacity of a driver of a stage coach. For some time he conducted a hotel on the present site of the Mansion House of Morristown, then worked on the railroad. He married Eliza DeHART, a member of one of the oldest families of the State of New Jersey.

John R. (2) PIPER, son of Paul W. and Eliza (DeHART) PIPER, was born in Morris county, New Jersey, and spent his entire life there, for the greater part of the time being located in Morristown. About the year 1859 or 1860 he established himself in business in Morristown, at first in the produce business and later in wines and liquors. In this latter line of business he commenced with a retail trade which he gradually abandoned, confining himself to wholesale trade exclusively. Almost from the outset he was located on the site of the present business, which is still conducted by his sons, altogether a period of almost fifty years. For a large part of this time he conducted a hotel in connection with his other business. He was an active man of business until his death in 1905, when he had attained the age of seventy years. Before he entered upon his commercial career he had worked for a time on the railroad as an engineer. He married Cornelia DOYLE, also deceased, and they had children:

Harry Paul, who married Sadie TYNAN, and resides in Morristown;
Frank C., see forward;
John R., unmarried, also of Morristown;
Frederick, unmarried, of Morristown;
Bertram F., who died in 1912, leaving a widow;
two who died at an early age.

Frank C. PIPER, son of John R. (2) and Cornelia (DOYLE) PIPER, was born in Morristown, Morris county, New Jersey, September 25, 1863, and was reared in that town. He was educated in the public schools of his native town and in Freehold, New Jersey, and when his education had been completed he became associated with his father in business. This association continued in the greatest harmony until it was cut short by the death of the elder Mr. PIPER. In January, 1908, Frank C. PIPER located at his present place of business, Nos. 13-15 Speedwell avenue, and is held in high esteem in the business world. He has also established a bottling plant, which he superintends himself. Mr. PIPER is one of the charter members of Camp No. 603, F. O. E., of Hoboken, and was a member of the Humane Fire Company of Morristown for a period of twelve years, and is now a member of the Exempt Firemen. He is very generally liked in both business and social circles in Morristown, and his sympathetic heart and open hand have often relieved the sick and suffering.

Mr. PIPER married, October, 1901, Gretchen of John and Charlotte (TOBECK) MEYER. They were natives of Germany, and came to this country with their children, all of whom were born in Germany. At the time of the death of Mr. MEYER, the family was living in Hoboken, New Jersey.

This biography was transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003).