NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

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

The time has come in the history of the world when the path of labor and usefulness is indicated on the highway to honor. Biography has brought tot he attention of the majority of men the fact that it is the industrial and commercial pursuits of life which furnish us the material which hastens the development and progress of town, county and state. Those distinguished in military service play an important part in public life; but it is now a recognized fact that the stability of a country and its substantial growth are drawn from the citizens who are the workers in business circles. This state of affairs is clearly shown in the career of Henry Paul PIPER, a representative citizen of Morristown, New Jersey.

John PIPER, his great-grandfather, was born at Tuftonborough, New Hampshire, January 17, 1760, and died in his native state, April 20, 1830. He served gallantly as a captain in the Continental army during the War of the Revolution. He married (first) January 12, 1783, Jemimah HERSEY, born January 15, 1762, died February 6, 1803. They had five sons and five daughters. He married (second) January 25, 1804, Anna YOUNG, born August 25, 1777, died January 29, 1842, and by this marriage there were three sons and eight daughters.

Paul Wiggin, second child of John and Anna (YOUNG) PIPER, was born in the State of New Hampshire, September 17, 1805, and died January 26, 1854. 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 a short time he conducted a hotel on the present site of the Mansion House, in 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., son of Paul Wiggin and Eliza (DeHART) PIPER, was born in Morris county, New Jersey, and spent his entire time there, for the greater part 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 still conducted by his sons, altogether a period of about forty-five 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 as an engineer on the railroad. He married Cornelia DOYLE, also deceased, and they had seven sons: Harry Paul, of further mention; Frank C., who married Gertrude MEYER, and resides in Morristown; John R., unmarried, also of Morristown; Frederick, unmarried of Morristown; Bertram F., died in 1912, leaving a widow; two who died in early youth.

Harry Paul, son of John R. and Cornelia (DOYLE) PIPER, was born in Morristown, New Jersey, September 22, 1861. He received an excellent education which was acquired in private and public schools of his native city, and then found employment in the business of his father, with whom he was associated until 1892. In that year he established himself in business independently on Speedwell avenue, where he was located for a period of sixteen years. He then sold this place of business in order to take charge of the wholesale department of the business established by his father, and has thus been occupied since that time. For many years he has taken a deep interest in the fire department of the city, and in 1882 he organized Humane Engine Company, No. 2, of which he has always been a member, has held all the offices in this organization, and has now been president for a number of years. He has served on the board of engineers under two different chiefs. Mr. PIPER married, December 28, 1885, Sadie, died May 3, 1914, a daughter of James and Rosetta (DeDAMARE) TYAN. They have children: Isabella, married Arthur CARRELL, of Morristown, a salesman for a New York wholesale establishment and has: Eugene and Gilbert; and Harry P. Jr.

Harry Paul PIPER Jr., who received his early education in the local high school, from which he was graduated in the class of 1907, then entered Colgate University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1912 with the degree of Bachelor of Sciences, having studied engineering and chemistry. At present Mr. PIPER is located in Amsterdam, New York, where he is representing the Maryland Casualty Company, of Baltimore, Maryland, as resident engineer on their section of the New York State Barge Canal construction. He is also connected with the engineering staff of Clyde POTTS, civil and sanitary engineer, No. 30 Church street, New York City. Mr. PIPER is Republican in his political views, and a member of St. Peter’s Protestant Episcopal church. His association with other organizations is as follows: National Greek letter fraternity of Beta Theta Pi; Hamilton Lodge, No. 10, F. and A. M.; the American Society of Civil Engineers; the American Society of Engineering Contractors; and the American Chemical Society.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)

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