NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

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

For a number of years Samuel G. WILLITS has been the popular and efficient incumbent of the office of borough clerk of Madison, New Jersey. He was born in Manchester, Ocean county. New Jersey, July 17, 1865, son of Hiram and Mary J. (REED) WILLITS, the former a native of northern New York and the latter of Green Village, New Jersey. Both parents are deceased. The father was a school teacher for many years during the early period of his life and subsequently became a bookkeeper. He was a staunch Methodist in his religious faith. He and his wife are both buried in the Madison Cemetery.

An only child, Samuel G. WILLITS grew up in Madison and there received a thorough public school education, which he later supplemented with a course of study in Coleman’s Business College, at Newark. He initiated his active career as a clerk in a general store at Madison, and later went to New York City and for the ensuing three years was in the employ of the Layers’ Title Insurance Company. Returning to Madison in 1892, he became bookkeeper for the firm of Green & Pierson, coal and lumber dealers, and remained with them for fourteen years. In 1906 he was honored by Mayor Calvin ANDERSON with appointment to the office of clerk of the borough of Madison, and he has since served in that capacity with honor and distinction. Diligence and thoroughness characterize his work and makes him an ideal clerk. He is a stalwart Republican in his political affiliations, and is a member of the local lodge of the I.O.O.F. His religious faith is in harmony with the tenets of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is a steward.

The year 1891 marks the marriage of Mr. WILLITS to Fannie H. SEARING, born and reared in Madison, daughter of Alfred W. and Mary Elizabeth (BAIRD) SEARING, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. SEARING was a carpenter and builder by occupation, and he and his wife were devout Methodist. They had four children:

• Fannie H.;
• Laura F., wife of Samuel A. COREY;
• George A. and
• Arthur D.

Mr. and Mrs. WILLITS have three children:

• Seymour R.,
• Gladys M.,
• Ethel D.,

all at home with their parents.

This biography was transcribed by Marlene Laing.

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