Simeon Van Duyne

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Simeon Van Duyne

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

A good and worthy citizen of Boonton and a descendant of an old and prominent family of New Jersey, Simeon VAN DUYNE was born in lower Montville township, February 6, 1847, and is a son of Martin R. and Julia (CRANE) VAN DUYNE. His early boyhood days were spent on the old homestead and his educational training was received in the "red school-house, " in his native township. When a youth still in his teens, he displayed special aptitude in the use of mechanical appliances, and at the age of seventeen he began to learn the machinist's trade in the city of Newark, completing his apprenticeship before attaining his majority. During the first year of his apprenticeship he designed and perfected a complete working model of a steam engine, all the parts of which he made in his own room at his sister's home in Orange. This inventive genius has been noticeable in all his work throughout his entire business career. While learning his trade in Newark he became a very expert workman and upon the completion of his apprenticeship, he began business on his own account in Boonton, where he has since conducted a manufacturing and machine shop, meeting with excellent success in his undertakings. He invented and perfected a complete working model for a turbine water-wheel, which has been put to the practical test in connection with other first-class wheels, and in every instance has shown decided superiority over all others in many important points. He constructed and placed two of his turbine wheels in the works of the Boonton Electric Light Company, and these furnish the motive power for the entire works. These wheels are models of skill, and mechanical ingenuity and indicate Mr. VAN DUYNE's superior ability in the line of mechanical invention.

Mr. VAN DUYNE is a progressive and loyal citizen and gives a public-spirited support to all measures for the general good. He was instrumental in the organization of the South Boonton Volunteer Fire Company, of which he became a charter member, and from the beginning has been the moving spirit in its affairs.

On the 25th of February, 1869, in the city of Newark, was solemnized the marriage of Simeon VAN DUYNE to Miss Anna L. FRAZEE. She was born January 6, 1849, and her death occurred on the 18th of April, 1889. Of this union three children were born:

Bertha F., now Mrs. TAYLOR, of Orange, New Jersey;
Susie H., born August 11, 1873; and
Orlin S., born May 21, 1879.

On October 8, 1890, Mr. VAN DUYNE consummated a second marriage, being then united to Augusta J. ZEEK. He holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church of Boonton and gives his support to all measures for the educational, moral, social or material welfare of the community.

This biography was scanned and contributed by Catherine Smith DeMayo.