Benjamin Muirhead VanCleve

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

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

Benjamin Muirheid VAN CLEVE, an esteemed citizen of Morristown ,New Jersey, ranks with the leading representative men instrumental in her industrial growth, and as such merits consideration. His name indicates that he is of Scotch, English and Dutch ancestry, a combination that invariably produces admirable results of which he is a shining example. He was born in Pennington, New Jersey, March 30, 1865. His father was Augustus VAN CLEVE, also born in Pennington, where the family made its home for generations. Mr. VAN CLEVE Sr. died in Pennington, aged forty-seven years. He was a carriage trimmer and founded a harness making shop, which he conducted with great success until his death. He became noted for the perfection of his work, and through it was known over the State. He married Caroline B. POTTS, born in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, of an old family of that section. He was the parent of two children,

one of whom died in infancy, and
Mr. VAN CLEVE, of Morristown.

The grandfather was John S. VAN CLEVE, a man famous in his day.

Mr. VAN CLEVE was educated at the Pennington Seminary, and on leaving school went direct to Morristown, where he was employed, a lad of sixteen, by John Edward PARKER, founder of the business that Mr. VAN CLEVE manages with signal ability. At the death of Mr. PARKER in 1902, Mr. VAN CLEVE entered the firm, and since that time has devoted his time, energies, and brain to making it one of the prosperous and ever growing commercial concerns of Morristown. In his business dealings he is scrupulously exact and always fair, and through these admirable qualities has won a name and success that are not only highly flattering but greatly merited. It is conceded by all who know him that success has come to him as the result of shrewed foresight, splendid executive ability and discrimination, and a strict honesty in all his dealings with his fellowmen. He is public spirited and is invariably to the fore when the interests of his city, county, and State are under consideration. He votes and works indefatigably for the Republican ticket in national politics, but reserves the right to vote in an independent manner in local matters, selecting the man he thinks best suited for a given place irrespective of his political affiliations. He is a bright member of the R.A., and of the Independent Hose Company, and has been actively interested in the hose company for twenty-one years. It is perhaps his one hobby, and the hose company has profited materially by his interest in it. He is a Presbyterian in belief, and attends that church with his family.

In Morristown, on April 8, 1889, he married Phoebe Elizabeth ADAMS, born in New Jersey, daughter of Mr. ADAMS, a retired groceryman of Morristown. Since his marriage he has made a comfortable home in the residence portion of the city. Children:

Benjamin Muirheid Jr., born January 19, 1896;
Dorothy Adams, March 1, 1905;
Elizabeth Parker, July 26, 1907.

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