Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914
John B. VREELAND, a man of excellent judgement, great integrity and rare executive ability, who also possesses legal attainments of a high order, fully meriting the high esteem in which he is held by all who have the honor of his acquaintance, is a lincal descendent of a Holland family, members of which emigrated to this country in the early part of its history. The name was formally spelled VREELANDT, but the last letter has been eliminated for many years.
George Washington VREELAND, father of John B. VREELAND, was a native of Passaic county, born February 22, 1820. During his early life he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, later engaged in the soda-water bottling business in Newark, continuing successfully until May, 1868, when he located in Morristown and there continued the same line of work until his retirement from business. His career was characterized by the utmost integrity and fidelity to business principles, and he held high rank among his business associates and friends. Mr. VREELAND married (first) Sarah M. SMITH, a native of Passaic county, New Jersey, whose death occurred in Newark, at the age of thirty-three, leaving three children:
- Mary E., who became the wife of James O. HALSEY;
- Isaac S.;
- John B.
Mr. Vreeland married (second) Harriet N. FAITOUTE.
John B. Vreeland was born in Newark, New Jersey, December 30, 1852. He attended the public schools of that city, completing his studies in the high school at the age of fifteen. He then accompanied his parents to Morristown, where he has since made his home. For the following four years he was associated with his father in business. Then having decided to follow the profession of law, he entered the office of Frederick G. BURNHAM and later that of Colonel Frederick A. DE MOTT, and so closely did he apply himself that he was admitted to the bar as an attorney and solicitor in chancery at the November term, 1875, and as a counsellor at the June term, 1879. He at once engaged in active practice in Morristown, and in due course of time attained distinct prestige as a member of the legal fraternity. From 1876 to 1879 he was in partnership with Edward A. QUAYLE, then practiced alone for almost a quarter of a century, and on April 1, 1903, became the senior member of the firm Vreeland, King, Wilson & Lindabury. This firm dissolved April 7, 1912, Mr. VREELAND forming a partnership with C. Franklin WILSON, firm name, Vreeland & Wilson, offices at No. 21 South street. His present prominence in his chosen profession is due solely to his thorough preparation for his work, the fidelity he has always displayed to the interests of his clients, and the zeal and enthusiasm he has brought to bear upon each and every case entrusted to his care.
Mr. VREELAND has always been prominently identified with the best interests of his city, county, and State, and to the best of his ability has performed the duties of the various offices conferred upon him. In 1892 Chancellor McGILL appointed him a special master in chancery. He has served as deputy county clerk and acting prosecutor of pleas of the county of Morris, and as city counsel of Morristown. In 1895 the Republican party nominated him for the office of State senator, to which he was elected by a plurality of over 1,500, a most conclusive evidence of his popularity and efficiency. During his membership in that body he introduced a bill known as "The School Teachers’ Retirement Fund Bill," which became law in 1896, also a number of other bills of less importance, and served on several committees, the most important being that on the revision of laws, and he was also chairman of the joint committee on State hospitals for the insane. He was appointed by the acting governor of the State, Hon. Foster M. VORHEES, to the office of judge of the several courts of Morris county, for a term of five years, dating from April 1, 1898, a position for which he had many qualifications. On October 20, 1903, he was appointed United States attorney for the district of New Jersey, ad interim; was appointed to the same position December 16, 1903, for a full term of four years, and was reappointed December 9, 1907, for another four year term, all these appointments having been made by the late President ROOSEVELT. Mr. VREELAND is an active member of the South Street Presbyterian Church of Morristown, to the support of which he contributes most liberally. He is a member of F. and A. M., Cincinnati Lodge; from May 1, 1912 to May 7, 1913 he served as president of County Bar Association of Morris county, New Jersey.
Mr. VREELAND married (first) December 18, 1878, Ida A. PIOTROWSKI who died in 1896, leaving two daughters,
- Eda A. and
- Vera E.
Mr. VREELAND married (second) June 2, 1897, Ida King SMITH.
This biography was transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003).