Robert F Oram

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Robert F Oram

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

This resident of Dover is a self-made man who, without any extraordinary family or pecuniary advantages at the commencement of life, has battled earnestly and energetically, and by indomitable courage and integrity has achieved both character and fortune and won the highest respect. By sheer force of will and untiring effort he has worked his way upward and is to-day one of the wealthiest men of Morris county; but so honorably has his success been achieved and so worthily has it been used that he is thus placed above the envy of those who through some lack of business ability or perhaps of industry have not risen to the heights that he has gained.

Mr. Oram was born in the mining districts of Cornwall, England, in October, 1825, and was the youngest son of Thomas and Lovedy (Ford) Oram. His father also was a native of Cornwall, and from his early boyhood was connected with the copper, tin and lead mines of that locality. The father of the last mentioned, Thomas Oram, was born in Wolverhampton, England. The mother of our subject, also a native of Cornwall, was a daughter of Francis Ford, a native of that county.

During the first sixteen years of his life, Robert F. Oram remained in the place of his nativity and attended private school until thirteen years of age. He then entered upon his business career, and the following year he was placed in charge of an engine to assist his father, who was an assayer of tin, being employed in that capacity till his death. In 1845 the son bade adieu to friends and native land and took passage on the sailing vessel Roger Sherman, commanded by Captain Nicholson, and after a voyage of forty-six days anchor was dropped in the harbor of New York. From the metropolis Mr. Oram went at once to Pottsville, Pennsylvania, on the Schuylkill river, where, in connection with his brother Thomas, he engaged in mining and shipping coal to Philadelphia. The industry was then in its infancy, the first coal-breaker ever erected in this country having been put up at Minersville, not far from that place.

In 1848 Mr. Oram engaged to go to Dover, New Jersey, and in connection with his brother took charge of the Swedes' mine, which was owned by John Stanton, William Green, Jr., and Lyman Dennison. It was originally the property of Colonel Jackson, of Rockaway, and was sold to the parties named above in 1847. In the early part of 1848 the Mount Pleasant mine was purchased and placed in charge of Mr. Oram, who began operating the same on the 16th of August. In 1849 the company purchased the Burrell farm, on which was located the Orchard mine, the works of the Port Oram Furnace Company and the village of Port Oram. The following year the Mellon mine and the Beach Glen property were purchased. All of these properties were sold to Dudley B. Fuller and James Brown, of New York, in 1852, and soon afterward Messrs. Fuller and Lord became the owners and the firm name was changed to Fuller, Lord & Company, so continuing until 1875.

In 1858 Mr. Oram purchased of Fuller & Lord the property on which the village of Port Oram now stands, and the following year began to improve the same. In 1859 he erected four dwelling-houses, and in connection with John Hance built the Port Oram store, where they opened a general stock of merchandise, in 1860, associated with John Hill and William G. Lathrop, of Boonton. A year later Mr. Hill retired and the firm of Oram, Hance & Company commenced business. Mr. Oram was the manager of the entire business interests of the firm, at the same time had in charge the mining interests of Fuller, Lord & Company until February, 1881. In 1892 the firm of Oram, Hance & Company was dissolved, since which time the business has been conducted under the name of R. F. Oram & Company and managed by his son, Robert F., Jr. Their business has grown until to-day they operate a general store, drug store, hardware, plumbing and tin store and extensive lumber and coal yards.

In addition to his other business interests Mr. Oram is a stockholder in the National Union Bank of Dover, is a stockholder in the Newark Bank and in the First National Bank of Morristown, and is connected with the Traders' National Bank, of Scranton, Pennsylvania. He owns a good farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres, with a fine house, surrounded with natural scenery—no landscape gardening—and a system of water works, a reservoir in the mountain above being supplied by a hydraulic ram from a brook of pure water which runs through his park and grounds. The lawns are beautifully kept, and on the whole the spot is one of the finest building sites in the county. Besides all the properties mentioned, Mr. Oram also owns about seventy-five houses in Dover, Rockaway and Port Oram. To enjoy life he has traveled to a considerable extent, making frequent trips to Europe and to his native country.

He and his family attend the Presbyterian church. In politics he is independent, voting for the men whom he considers the most honest.

Remembering his own struggle to secure a start in youth, he is ever ready to help young men who are willing to help themselves, and the business interests he has established have contributed not only to his individual prosperity but have also added to the material welfare of the community. When he came to this county there were no railroads, and he walked from Morristown to Dover. The iron industry was carried on with small forges, the material being hammered by hand into wagon tires, chains, anchors, etc., and they were carted to New York city, and goods were brought back in the same carts, such as pork, fish, groceries, dry goods, etc. There was very little money.

As we think of the heights to which he has arisen, Mr. Oram's success seems most marvelous; yet it is but the legitimate outcome of well-directed, persevering and honorable efforts, of capable management and unflagging enterprise, qualities which may be cultivated by all and which are never without their fruits.

Transcribed by Brianne Kelly-Bly