Horace Wilson Zeliff

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

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

The name of ZELIFF has been a familiar one in Morris county, New Jersey, for many years, and the present representative of the family, Horace Wilson ZELIFF, of Lincoln Park, has the respect of business and social acquaintances for his many admirable qualities.

Daniel ZELIFF, his father, was born in Long Hill, Morris county, and conducted the Farmers’ Hotel for almost half a century, in a house which was erected 100 years ago. This hotel was never without a license with the exception of a period of one and a quarter years. Daniel ZELIFF was one of the most extensive land owners of the section, and died at the age of seventy-four years. He married Maria VAN HODEN, a native of Holland, and had thirteen children.

Horace Wilson ZELIFF was born in the Farmers’ Hotel, Morris county, New Jersey, in 1847, and was educated in the district schools of that section Upon the completion of his education he went to Montclair, New Jersey, where he remained for thirteen years, then purchased the farm on which he was located until his death. The house in which he was living is more than 100 years old, and still in an excellent state of preservation, needed repairs and improvements having been made from time to time. The land is a part of the old ZELIFF homestead, and Mr. ZELIFF kept it in a fine state of cultivation. He was engaged in general truck farming, but made a specialty of raising asparagus, and was very successful in this undertaking. Politically he was a Republican, and served as supervisor of roads. Mr. ZELIFF married Henrietta DeHART, a descendent of one of the old families of the State, and they have had children: Warren; James, married Sadie M. BLACKMAN, and has Raymond and Leon; Lowell, married Emma WILSON, deceased, and has Horace and Isabella; Harry, married May BURNETTE and has Marguerite and Roland; Seymour. Mr. ZELIFF’s first wife died in 1904, and he married (second) in 1907, Miss Isabella WILSON, who survives him, he having died suddenly, May 13, 1914. The career of Mr. ZELIFF was one of industry, usefulness and uprightness, and he used his influence for good in the community.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)