Mahlon Smith

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Mahlon Smith

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

In that beautiful section of the New Jersey highlands which are included in the western part of Morris county and in the center of which lies the picturesque body of water known as Lake Hopatcong, there has taken place a development not surpassed in its rapidity by any in the eastern states. But a scant hundred years ago, the whole region was known as a part of the great unknown wilderness stretching away to the northwest indefinitely with only an occasional trapper’s rendezvous or military outpost. The lake itself was spoken of as the great lake in the wilderness and the vaguest notions of its magnitude and location prevailed. About all that was known of it was that it formed a meeting place for the many tribes of Indians, both Lenni-Lenape and Iroquois, which traversed the trails east and west and north and south which ran throughout the region. In the short period between than and now, the most amazing changes have occurred, changes, however, characteristic of the American enterprise and industry of which they are a result., changes which have made this country what it is to-day. In that short time, the region has grown up from a wilderness to a thriving industrial community, dotted here and there with flourishing cities and towns, and the lake, from a vague, Indian-haunted body of water to one of the most popular summer resorts in that part of the country. Where then an occasional canoe fitted furtively across the silent surface, there are now a hundred pleasure craft, from the light canoe to steamers, which ply the length of the lake carrying passengers back and forth. It has been due to the enterprise of the hardy pioneers in the region so gifted by nature, who have won the chief rewards of the development. Of these Mr. Mahlon SMITH is representative, having passed his whole life in that neighborhood, and coming of a family closely associated with the earliest opening up of the country thereabouts.

His father was Joseph SMITH, who for many years prior to his residence in Hopatcong, New Jersey, lived in the town of Hopewell, Sussex county, that State. He was one of the pioneers in that part of the county and had much to do with the opening up thereof. He was a forgeman, and worked in the old fashioned forges which sprang up throughout the region in connection with the finding of iron and the development of iron mining. Hopewell was one of the centers, of this industry and the incidental industries growing up about it and induced thereby, and it was in the forges of this place that Mr. SMITH Sr. was employed. He moved after a time to Hopatcong, New Jersey, and there died in 1874. He married Sarah SEARCH. Mrs SMITH survived her husband a number of years. To them were born seven children as follows: Ellen, deceased; Elizabeth, who became Mrs. Arthur MITCHELL, and is now a resident of Jersey City, New Jersey; Laura, married (first) Arthur MABIE and (second) Abram MABIE, of Hopatcong, New Jersey; Susan, deceased; Ruth, who became Mrs. Joseph PARLIMAN, of Mount Pleasant; John, who became a prominent figure in the life of Morris county, a successful man of business and affairs, dying finally in Dover, New Jersey; Mahlon, of whom further.

Mahlon SMITH, the seventh and youngest child of Joseph and Sarah (SEARCH) SMITH, was born February 1, 1852, at Hopewell, Sussex county, New Jersey. Here he also spent the years of his childhood, attending the local schools, and upon completing his education he started in to work in the forges at that place, in which his father had for so long been engaged. He continued this work for a period of thirteen years, and then secured a better position on the Ogden Mine Railroad, a road leased by the Central Railroad of New Jersey. It was in connection with this work that he first gained a knowledge of Hopatcong, then in the very beginning of its development, which was to remain his home for many years. This was about forty odd years ago, at which time Mr. SMITH had been given the position of engineer on the Ogden Mine Railroad. In this capacity he had the distinction of running the engine which pulled the first freight and the first passenger train out of Hopatcong. He worked for many years on the Ogden Mine Railroad, but did not lose sight of the growth of the little community in which he dwelt, or the opportunities it offered to the farseeing man. After a short time he began his operations by running a boarding house on the lake at what is known as Nolan’s Point, which quickly met with such success that he was enabled to give up his position on the railroad, and devote himself exclusively to this enterprise. On Lake Hopatcong, Mr. SMITH has spent the major portion of his life, and for twenty-five years has conducted the house popularly known as the Sunny Side, which enjoys the reputation of being one of the best houses on the lake, especially for those who which to spend real vacations in the country, with opportunities to enjoy the rural beauties and pastimes together with a quiet rest. The house itself is large and attractive, charmingly situated in such a manner as to afford a beautiful view of the lake and so as to be immediately accessible to the water. Mr. SMITH has been eminently successful in his business, and has acquired a considerable fortune, and is the owner of much valuable property about the lake, including some within the town of Hopatcong, and a farm of seventy-three acres of valuable land. Mr. SMITH is a man of much public spirit, and does not selfishly confine his attention to his personal interests, taking rather a keen interest in the affairs of the community of which he is a prominent member. Especially is this true in the realm of politics, wherein he takes an active part. He is a member of the Republican party, and is an intelligent observer of all the great questions and issues which confront the nation, as well of those matters which hold the stage in local politics. Besides these many admirable traits of character, Mr. SMITH possess a most a most attractive personality and the basic virtues of integrity and unimpeachable habits, industry and simple manners, which have won for him, not only a host of faithful and warm-hearted friends, but the universal respect and regard of his fellow citizens. Mr. SMITH married (first) Julia SCHAFFER, a native of the Hopatcong region, where she was born, daughter of Stephen SCHAFFER, who was one of the earliest pioneers of the country around the lake, having come there at so early a date that he grew to be on friendly terms with the Indians who at that time inhabited the shores of the lovely water, which they had for so long regarded as their own. To Mr. SMITH four children were born by this marriage, all of whom are now deceased. Mr. SMITH married (second) Mrs. Charlotte (FELMLY) LAKE, a widow, and daughter of Moses FELMLY, a prominent citizen of Hunterdon county, New Jersey.

Mr. SMITH’s position in the community is an enviable one. He is very widely known and enjoys an equally wide popularity. He takes an active part in the social life of the neighborhood, and is prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Improved Order of the Red Men of Dover.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)