William Wack

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

William Wack

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

There is no more honorable nor highly esteemed representative of the business and agricultural interests of Morris county, New Jersey, than William WACK, of Netcong, whose entire life has been spent in that section of the State. For many years he has been valued for his sterling qualities, his fearless loyalty to his convictions, and his clear-headedness, discretion and tact in commercial circles. His family has been resident in Morris county for a number of generations, and has been distinguished in various walks of life.

Jacob WACK, paternal grandfather of William WACK, married (first) ______, and had children: Casper; Jacob, of further mention; William; a daughter, married a Mr. ULRICH; Kate, who married William GRANDON; Barbara, married John LINDABURY. Jacob WACK married (second) _______ HOPLER, and had children: George, Sarah, John.

Jacob (2) WACK, son of Jacob (1) WACK, was of Mount Olive township, formerly Roxbury township, Morris county, New Jersey. For about fourteen years he rented land, then removed to Flanders, Mount Olive township, where he purchased a farm and there raised his family. He married Clarissa, daughter of Jacob and Ester (YAUGER) WOLFE, and a niece of Samuel YAUGER, who lived for a time in Ohio, but returned to Mount Olive township, where his death occurred. Jacob and Clarissa (WOLFE) WACK had children: Eliza, who never married; William, of further mention; Minerva, married William McPEAK, and lives at Hackettstown, New Jersey; Nancy A., married Elias ANGLEMAN, and lives in Viola, Delaware; Lydia Ann, married (first) William RARICK, (second) Robert WALLACE, both deceased; George, an extensive real estate owner in Flanders, Mount Olive township, married Lettie, daughter of Charles and Nancy SKELLINGER, and has daughters, Emma and Annie; Jacob, who died at Ledgewood, married (first) Catherine CASE, (second) Elizabeth WILEY, (third) Mittie WILKERSON; Gideon, residing at Ironia, Morris county, married and has four children.

William WACK, son of Jacob (2) and Clarissa (WOLFE) WACK, was born in Mount Olive township, Morris county, New Jersey, May 3, 1839. He acquired his education in the public schools of Mount Olive township, and learned all the details concerning the management and practical cultivation of a farm under the supervision of his father. Later he followed agricultural work independently, and was very successful as a farmer, residing at Draketown for thirty-six years. He removed to Netcong, Morris county, New Jersey, in April, 1904, and has made that his place of residence since that time. In addition to his farming interests he was extensively engaged in the lumber and timber field, wand was equally successful in this line of endeavor. He sold this farm of one hundred and ten acres, but still owns one hundred and thirty acres of fine timber land in Mount Olive township. He is also the owner of ten houses in Netcong, which he has rented very advantageously, this being another of his prosperous business ventures. In spite of his manifold business activities, Mr. WACK find time to devote to the public interests of the community, and as a staunch supporter of the Democratic party, he has been of great benefit to the township. He has now for some years filled the office of street commissioner, and the present fine condition of the streets in his charge testifies in the best possible manner to his executive ability in this direction. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a liberal supporter of that institution.

Mr. WACK married (first) November 10, 1869, Maria, daughter of Isaac SWACKHAMMER, of Chester township, Morris county, New Jersey. He married (second) April 11, 1883, Amanda WRIGHT, who died July 3, 1906. By the first marriage there were children: Alice, married Joseph VINNIETTA, of Flanders, New Jersey; Eliza, married Hyram STONE, of Roseville, New Jersey; Hattie, married Harris VAN HORN, of South Orange, New Jersey; Minerva, never married. Children of second marriage: William, died at the age of twenty-one years; Edna, married Reeder HERRICK, of Jersey City.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)