John R. Pugsley

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

John R. Pugsley

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

Classed with the representative business men of Dover, Morris county, New Jersey, is John R. PUGSLEY, mason contractor and general house mover. No man in Morris county has been more prominently identified with her progressive advancement along the lines of business with which he is connected. His loyalty towards all interests which further the public welfare and his practical ideas and untiring labors have left their impress on many of the most beneficial improvements of the county.

Joseph PUGSLEY, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in England in 1845, died in Randolph township, Morris County, New Jersey, in December, 1910. He was a stone mason and contractor, and was engaged in this line of business until his death. He came to America about 1871, and at once made his home in Randolph township. He married Elizabeth CANTON, also a native of England, and now living in Morris county, New Jersey. They had children:

Joseph, a mason and contractor, of Morristown, New Jersey;
David, resides on Morris street, Dover, New Jersey;
Albert, also lives on Morris street, Dover;
Roy, a stone mason;
Edith;
Rose, died unmarried;
Louise, married William WHITE, of Randolph township, Morris county.

John R. PUGSLEY, son of Joseph and Elizabeth PUGSLEY, was born in Millbrook, Randolph township, Morris county, new Jersey, March 10, 1875. He attended the public schools of his native town and there made the best use of his opportunities, but not satisfied with this, he continued his reading outside of the school room and by this means and the practical experiences of life has gained a broad general knowledge. His first business experience was gained in the employ of his father, under whose supervision he ha gained a thorough and practical knowledge of the business with which he has since been associated. Twelve years ago Mr. PUGSLEY and his brother, David, purchased the business which had been founded by their father, have conducted it since that time, and have greatly broadened its scope. They have handled many of the largest contracts of this kind in the county, and have added another branch to it, that of house moving. They always employ from twenty to thirty men, and at times this number is largely increased. Mr. PUGSLEY lives in a fine home near Dover, which he erected in 1898, and this is noted for its open-handed hospitality.

Mr. PUGSLEY married, October, 1896, Elizabeth, daughter of Edward PRUDEN, of Randolph township. They have one daughter:

Frances Mildred, now almost six years of age.

He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and give substantial support to the at institution. He is a member of Acacia Lodge, F. and A. M., of Dover; K. of M.; J. O. A. M.; and the R. A. From his boyhood Mr. PUGSLEY has been a stanch supporter of Republican principles, and has been honored by his party with various positions of public trust. He is a committeeman from Randolph township, is a member of the township school board and is a president of the board of health. In all of these positions he has shown that he is possessed of executive ability of an unusually high order. He has studied the lessons of actual life and arrives at his conclusions after mature deliberation. Such men, whether in office or out, are the natural leaders of the party with which they are identified, especially in that movement toward higher politics which is common to all public parties, and which constitutes the most hopeful political sign of the period.

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