Charles Stilwell Jr.

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

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

The late Charles STILWELL Jr. was of Revolutionary stock, eight of his great-great-uncles serving in the colonial ranks from Morris county, New Jersey. We herewith record but five generations beginning with Jasper STILWELL, whose son, Alexander, had a son, Alexander, who was the father of Charles STILWELL, father of Charles STILWELL Jr. Charles STILWELL Sr., of Morristown, was a mechanical engineer and inventor of some considerable note. Among some of his inventions were a mine pump, brick making machine, shaft coupler for carriages, cable grip, air compressor, etc. He, however, turned his attention to the builders trade, was an expert stair builder. Retiring from this he became justice of the peace and police justice, filling these positions for some fifteen years. He had a fine legal mind and had very fine morals; was a Democrat. He married Amanda MAGI. Had five children:

Gertrude M., widow of Richard G. COLLINS;
Hattie A. (STILWELL) CLAUGH, wife of Edward CLAUGH;
Frank, letter carrier in the Morristown post office;
Charles;
Louise M., wife of George LADDET, M. D., an attorney in New York City.

Charles STILWELL Jr. was born in Dover, New Jersey, March 13, 1872, died in 1913. Upon his completion of his studies in the public schools of Morristown, whither his parents removed during his early lifetime, he placed himself under the competent preceptorship of Judge Willard W. CUTLER, of Morristown, with whom he remained for five years. He then accepted a position as clerk in the office of the Morris county surrogate, then under the management of Charles A. GILLEN, and served in that capacity until 1892. Two years later he became a student in the office of Edgar F. RANDOLPH, of Morristown, son of the late Governor Theodore RANDOLPH, and in February, 1896, was admitted to the New Jersey bar as an attorney. He at once engaged in the practice of his profession in Morristown, and it was not long before his ability was recognized and cases of importance were entrusted to his care, which he conducted in a skillful manner. While he engaged in general practice he devoted much of his time to criminal procedure and was recognized as the leading criminal lawyer in Morris county. He was a member of the board of fire wardens of Morristown. He was appointed by the board of alderman to the office of town clerk of Morristown, January 25, 1899, and capably performed the duties until January 1, 1909, acting as clerk of the excise board during the same period. He was a member of Lodge No. 815, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Morristown, and of the Tapkaow Club of Morristown.

Mr. STILWELL married, August 10, 1893, Alberta SPACE, of Lafayette, Sussex county, New Jersey, daughter of Horatio SPACE. Children:

Genevieve Bahr,
Gertrude,
Edgar,
Randolph,
Louise,
Edwina.

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