John H. Milledge

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

John H. Milledge

Biographical and Genealogical History of Morris County New Jersey. Illustrated. Vol. II., Lewis Publishing Company, New York and Chicago, 1899.

Among the prominent and extensive agriculturists of Morris county is John H. MILLEDGE, who was born in Montville township on the 30th of May, 1838, his parents being Abraham and Hannah (VAN NESS) MILLEDGE. He obtained such an education as was afforded by the district schools of his day, and for four years subsequent to leaving the same he worked at the saddler's trade in Newark, eventually turning his attention to farming, in which line of industry he has since continued, meeting with that success which invariably accompanies intelligent application, perseverance and earnest endeavor.

Politically considered Mr. MILLEDGE is a stanch supporter of the Republican party, and he served for seventeen years as collector of Montville township, was a member of the town committee, for several years was commissioner of appeals, and for twenty years was school trustee. In 1893 he was elected a county freeholder, and is now serving his third term, being at the present time (1897) chairman of the finance committee. In his religious faith he is an adherent of the Dutch Reformed church at Pompton Plains.

In 1859 Mr. MILLEDGE married Ruth Matilda PEER who was a daughter of Thomas and Esther (FREDERICKS) PEER, of Morris county. She died on April 22, 1878, leaving three children:

Fred W., who married Cora VREELAND, died at the age of twenty-seven years;
Alice died at the age of twenty-three years; and
Jesse B., who was, born February 11, 1871, resides with his father.

On September 27, 1880, Mr. MILLEDGE contracted a second marriage, on this occasion being united to Rachel STAGER, a daughter of Thomas and Rachel (VAN NESS) STAGER, of Essex county.

Abraham MILLEDGE, the father of John H., was born in Montville township, on the 29th of December, 1806, and was a wheelwright and saddler by trade but gave most of his time to farming. On September 29, 1831, he married Miss Hannah VAN NESS, who was born August 11, 1807. He died January 1, 1888, in the faith of the Dutch Reformed church, and is survived by his wife, who is also an adherent of that church.

John MILLEDGE, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Newfoundland, New Jersey, and came to Morris county when a young man, locating in what was then Pequannock township; here he married Miss Elizabeth VAN DUYNE. He was a tanner and currier, owned a tannery and manufactured shoes, besides which he carried on farming to a considerable extent. He was a member of the Dutch Reformed church, and died in 1854, his wife having passed to her eternal rest in 1852. Five children were born to this couple , as follows:

Thomas;
Abraham;
Sarah, who married George COOK;
Nicholas; and
Rachel, who became the wife of Isaac VAN DUYNE.

None of the children survive.

Henry R. VAN NESS, the maternal grandfather, was born on the 14th of August, 1768, and married Miss Mary WANDLE, who was born September 6, 1781. He died June 27, 1833, survived by his wife until February 27, 1848, hen she also passed away. Their children were as follows:

Hester,
Catherine,
Mary,
Ralph H.,
Hannah,
Sarah,
Jane,
Elizabeth,
Rachel,
Daniel H.,
Borgeio and
John H.,

all of whom are deceased, with the exception of Hannah, the mother of our subject, and Elizabeth, who married Martin I. COOK, of Boonton, who was born December 30, 1813.

This biography was scanned and contributed by Catherine Smith DeMayo.