Jacob J Vreeland

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Jacob J Vreeland

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

Prominently identified with the building interests of Morris county is Jacob J. Vreeland, who stands to-day among those whose well-directed efforts have brought to them success. Prosperity comes not to the man who idly waits, but to the faithful toiler whose work is characterized by sleepless vigilance and cheerful alacrity; and such a man is the subject of this review. He is also a leading representative of a family that has been connected with the history of the state throughout the nineteenth century. The Vreeland family originated in Holland, and was founded in America by three brothers, one of whom located at Pompton Plains, one at Newark, and the third, Michael, on Staten Island. The grandfather of our subject, who also bore the name of Jacob Vreeland, was one of the early settlers of the state, but the place of his residence is not definitely known. His son, Richard Vreeland, was born in Stonybrook, Morris county, on the 15th of June, 1810, and followed the shoemaker's trade in Amboy. He participated in the Civil war as a private of Company E, Fifteenth New Jersey Infantry, and his death occurred in Dover in 1894. He married Miss Catherine Dey, who was born at Green Pond, Morris county, in December, 1812, and died at Newfoundland, Passaic county, New Jersey, in 1881. She was the daughter of John Dey, who was born in Scotland and was brought to this country in early childhood.

Jacob J. Vreeland was born at Stonybrook, Morris county. New Jersey, November 2, 1839, and in his infancy was taken by his parents to Newfoundland, where he passed the first ten years of his life, attending the subscription schools of that place and continuing his education in a private school in Clinton until thirteen years of age. In 1852 he accompanied his parents on their removal to Sparta, and from 1860 until 1862 was associated in business with his brother, who was engaged in the manufacture of ship anchors for river and ocean service. In the latter year he began to learn the carpenter's trade under the direction of E. Sanford, and in 1866 he came to Dover, where he secured employment with the firm of Searing Brothers, carpenters and builders, with whom he remained for four years. (He was for ten years surveyor of highways in his township.) In 1870 he began contracting and building on his own account in Dover, where he has since carried on business with gratifying success. He has built many of the residences and business houses that adorn the city, and in addition took the the contract for the erection of the opera house, naval magazine and guardhouse at Denmark, New Jersey, a large hotel at Lake View, and numerous cottages and summer homes, which were built at a cost of from one to forty thousand dollars. Mr. Vreeland has secured a very extensive patronage, his thorough reliability and integrity of character, combined with his business capacity, inspiring the greatest confidence in all with whom he has dealings.

In 1860 Mr. Vreeland married Miss Martha Cooper, of Sparta, a daughter of William Cooper, one of the early settlers of that town. They had one daughter and four sons, the former being Frances M., wife of John B. Pellett. The eldest son, Charles E., is associated with his father in business. He married Louise Gregory, daughter of Rev. William Gregory, of Newark, and they have two children, Millie and. William. John Edward, the second son, is also engaged in contracting and building with his father. He wedded Miss Maude Marcy, daughter of John Marcy, of Greene, New York, and they have one son, Edward. Dr. Robert C. Vreeland, the third son, is a prominent dentist of Dover, who, after pursuing a full course in the New York College of Dental Surgery, has now engaged in practice in Dover, making a specialty of the higher branches of the profession. He married Emma E. Burchel, daughter of Jonas H. Burchel, of Dover, and they have two children, Robert and Leila. The Doctor is a pronounced Republican, active in party work, has served on the town committee and for two years was a member of the city council. He is also prominent in fire department matters and was formerly foreman of the Protection Hook & Ladder Company, of Dover. He is also a member of the board of trade. Jacob J. Vreeland, Jr., the youngest son of the family, pursued a special course in the architectural department of the University of Pennsylvania, completing his studies in 1896. The following year he began business in Dover, where he is meeting with good success. He married Miss Ella Abbie Tucker, daughter of Matthew Tucker, of Dover. She is a great-grandniece of the noted statesman, Daniel Webster.

In his political faith the subject of this sketch is a stanch Republican, and for six years served as a member of the common council. In the spring of 1 896 he was appointed by that body to the office of freeholder, and in 1897 he was elected for a two-years term, so that he is now the incumbent. He was largely instrumental in organizing the fire department, has served in all its offices and for years was its chief. He is a recognized leader in the ranks of his party, usually serves as delegate to the county and other conventions and has been a member of the Republican town committee. He has served as vice-president of the Dover board of trade and is a leader in thought and action, recognized as one of the most prominent and highly respected citizens of Dover.

Transcribed by Brianne Kelly-Bly