William H. Tonking

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

William H. Tonking

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

Prominent among the representative business men of Dover is William H. TONKING, a man of unquestioned business ability, of integrity of character, and possessing in large degree the characteristics so essential to success in life, namely, perseverance, industry and enterprise. He is now serving as superintendent of the Lime Stone Quarries of B. NICOL & Company, real estate agent of the New Jersey Zinc Company at Franklin, New Jersey, vice president and secretary of the James Couper LORD Estate Company of Morris county, and supervisor of the real estate in New Jersey of the Lackawanna Steel Company of Buffalo, New York, and the Chester Securities Company of New Jersey.

He was born in Cornwell, England, January 12, 1861, son of William and Elizabeth (MOYSE) TONKING, who emigrated to the United States about the year 1864, locating in the town of Cold Spring, on the Hudson river, where he served as mine superintendent; in 1875 they removed to Port Oram, New Jersey, and in that town his death occurred. They were Methodists in religion. They were the parents of six children: James B; William H., of whom further ; Nellie, wife of Walter HENRY; John; Josephine, wife of D. R. HUMMER; Charles.

William H. TONKING attended the public schools of Cold Spring, New York, and Port Oram and Hackettstown, New Jersey, obtaining a practical education. In 1876 he entered the employ of the Thomas Iron Company at Port Oram, New Jersey, continuing with them until 1881, when he was employed by the estate of James Couper LORD in the capacity of bookkeeper in the office, continuing until August, 1895, when he was appointed assistant general manager and later superintendent of all their mines, with headquarters at Port Oram, a position requiring the utmost skill and rare judgement, both of which were in evidence in his conduct of affairs. In addition to the important positions named above, Mr. TONKING is secretary of the board of health of Dover, superintendent of Memorial Presbyterian Sunday school; a member of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, in which connection he is brought prominently into public notice; and a member of Acacia Lodge, No. 20, A. F. and A. M., of Dover. He is a Republican in politics, but has never sought or held public office, and he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, serving in the pulpit in the absence of the regular pastor, and for fourteen years served as superintendent of the Sunday school connected therewith, this having been the second largest in the county.

Mr. TONKING married, July, 1881, Clara A. HULSHIZER, a native of Warren county, New Jersey, daughter of Dr. Henry and Adelaide (WILDRICK) HULSHIZER, natives of New Jersey, the former named deceased, the latter named a resident of Sussex county, New Jersey, and who were the parents of four children: Alfred M., Clara A., Lena, wife of J. L. KICE, and Wildrick. Children of Mr. and Mrs. TONKING: William W., graduate of Columbia University, a mining engineer; Leonora B., Henry H., Russell.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)