Robert Van Doren Totten

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

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

Robert Van Doren TOTTEN, D. D. S., of Morristown, New Jersey, a prominent member of the dental fraternity of the State of New Jersey and the United States, is one of the earnest men who contributes his quota toward making Morristown the pride of its citizens, and of the State. Like so many of the inhabitants of New Jersey he can trace his lineage back to England and Holland and down to Colonial and Revolutionary days of the United States, when the Indians, French, and English disputed with the white men and Colonials. The history of the family reads like a romance, and is filled with gallant deeds bravely done by the men and self abnegation of the women. The paternal grandfather was a farmer, of that sturdy variety that delights in overcoming obstacles.

Benjamin S. TOTTEN, father of Robert Van Doren TOTTEN, was born in Middlebush, New Jersey, 1835, died July 5, 1900. At the bugle call, at the outbreak of hostilities between the North and the South in 1861, he enlisted for service, and was appointed captain of Company K, Thirty-first New Jersey Regiment. He served with signal bravery throughout the four years and was mustered out in 1865. He returned to his native State, located again in Somerset county and took up again the vocations of peace. He was elected sheriff of Somerset county, serving two terms in that capacity. He was a Republican, supporting the ticket, State, and national. He was a director and officer of the Hoffman Rosedale Cement Company, of New York. He married Mary Louisa VAN DOREN, born in Middlebush, 1844, died 1910, daughter of Joseph Addison VAN DOREN, of English and Dutch extraction, and both sides connected with the nobility of those countries. She was, also, a relative of John and Abraham VAN DOREN, who carried on a manufactory of threshing machines and in 1857 introduced into the township the first steam engine. They had eight children, of whom two are dead,

William and
Charles;

living are:

George D., of Somerville;
Mary Louise, married H. C. RULE, of New Brunswick;
Arthur B., of Middlebush;
A. Willard;
Robert Van Doren;
Frank C., practicing dentistry in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Robert Van Doren TOTTEN, D. D. S., was born in Middlebush, Somerset county, New Jersey, December 21, 1873. He received his education in the schools of Middlebush, in the Rutgers Preparatory School in New Brunswick and at Rutgers College. Leaving college he selected dentistry as his life profession, and at once applied himself to mastering that branch of surgery in all of its minutest and intricate detail. In 1895 he graduated from the New York Dental College, standing high in his class, and went to Somerville, New Jersey, where he established himself. In 1899 he went to Washington, D. C., where he pursued his studies for two years, finishing in 1901. In that year he located in Morristown and in a comparatively short time has succeeded in building up a large and remunerative business. He has established the enviable reputation of being one of the most scientific, as well as conscientious, members of the profession, and stands remarkably high with his confreres. He is president of the Mutual Benefit Association, of Newark, New Jersey; and is also president of the Seneca Trust & Holding Company, of Newark. Like his father he is a Republican, and is now, for the second term, chairman of the township committee. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity; and with his wife is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Morristown.

He married September 28, 1898, at Somerville, Lillian M. KLOTZ, niece of the famous Major KLOTZ, of Newark, and daughter of ex-Assemblyman Jacob KLOTZ and Mary (HORTON) KLOTZ, of Somerville. Mrs. KLOTZ descends from the English family of HORTON, prominently identified with American independence. The children of Dr. TOTTEN are:

Robert Klotz, born May 12, 1900;
Mary Louise, April 2, 1907.

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