Robert F Oram Jr

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Robert F Oram Jr

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

One of the ablest and best known business men of Morris county is Robert F. Oram, Jr., of Port Oram, who was born at the old family homestead at the foot of the mountain between Dover and Rockaway. The day of his birth was December 12, 1861, and his parents were Robert F. and Hannah (Williams) Oram, the former a native of Cornwall, England, the latter of Wales. His early boyhood days were passed on the old homestead, and in the district schools of the neighborhood he acquired his elementary education, which was supplemented by study in Providence, Rhode Island, and in the Flushing Institute, Long Island, New York, where his school days were ended.

Putting aside his text-books to learn the more difficult lessons in the practical school of experience, he found that his first task was the mastery of the duties of a clerkship in the store of Oram, Hance & Company, at Port Oram, a large department store in which an extensive business was carried on. With great thoroughness and perseverance he determined to become familiar with every detail of the business, and his close application and energy at that time was the elemental strength of his character, shadowing forth a successful future. In 1892 the firm of Oram, Hance & Company was dissolved, Mr. Oram purchasing the interests of former partners. The business is now conducted under the firm name of Robert F. Oram & Company, our subject being the active member of the firm. The firm operates a large dry-goods and grocery store, drug store, hardware, plumbing and tin store, and extensive lumber and coal yards, which are located near the canal and the two railroads, the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western and the Jersey Central, and thus the best shipping facilities are afforded.

From this it will be seen that the attention of Mr. Oram has by no means been limited to one line of enterprise, for he is a man of broad capabilities. He to-day enjoys the reward of his painstaking and conscientious work. By his energy, perseverance and fine business ability he has been enabled to secure an ample fortune. Systematic and methodical, his sagacity, keen discrimination and sound judgment have made him one of the prosperous merchants of the city.

In December, 1885, Mr. Oram was united in marriage to Miss Lidie Neighbour, daughter of Hon. James H. Neighbour, a prominent lawyer of Dover, New Jersey, where Mrs. Oram was born and spent her early girlhood days. They now have two children, Helen and Robert Maxwell. Theirs is a delightful home constructed according to the most modern architectural designs, while the interior furnishings indicate the refined and cultured taste of the inmates. In his political faith Mr. Oram is a stanch Republican, and on the 1st of January, 1897, was appointed postmaster of Port Oram. The progressive and beneficial interests of the city find in him a warm friend, and he withholds his support from no movement or measure tending to promote the public welfare. In manner he is pleasant and genial, in disposition is kindly, and the high regard in which he is uniformly held is well merited.

Transcribed by Brianne Kelly-Bly