Harold Horton VanNatta

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

Harold Horton VAN NATTA, a representative resident of Chester, New Jersey, serving at the present time in the capacity of secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Morris Plains Lumber and Coal Company at Morris Plains, New Jersey, is a native of Chester, Morris county, New Jersey, born June 7, 1887, son of Nelson C. and Julia (HORTON) VAN NATTA.

Nelson C. VAN NATTA was born in Washington, Warren county, New Jersey, in 1849, died in 1908 in Chester, New Jersey. He was a manufacturer and dealer in saddlery hardware, harness, etc., achieving a large degree of success which was the result of his progressive and honorable methods of conducting business. He was one of the founders of the People's’ National Bank of Dover, New Jersey, now known as Dover Trust Company, and was always active in all local affairs for the betterment of town, county or state. His wife, Julia (HORTON) VAN NATTA, was born in Chester, Morris county, New Jersey, and is living at the present time (1914) in said village.

Harold Horton VAN NATTA attended the Chester public school and the Rider-Moore and Stewart Business College at Trenton, New Jersey, thus acquiring a practical education. His first employment was with the National Biscuit Company of New York, serving as special accountant for four years, then for a similar period served as manager of the Arrowsmith Manufacturing Company of Morristown, New Jersey, and now with the Morris Plains Lumber and Coal Company of Morris Plains, as noted above. He is a Democrat in politics and served as a member of the board of chosen freeholders of Morris county. He is secretary and treasurer of the Chester Free Public Library, of which he was one of the organizers, and is a member of Prospect Lodge, No. 27, R. A. M., of Morristown, New Jersey; Morris County Forest, No. 2, Tall Cedars of Lebanon; and the Tapkaow Club, of Morristown. He was reared in the Presbyterian church, in which his family hold membership.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)