AUGUSTUS STELLE
- On the east side of the Raritan river, opposite New Brunswick, and
three miles east, lies the village of Stelton, named for the
Stelle families, who owned large farms in the district, and
there lived most of their lives. They were among the highly
regarded citizens of their times, and among their number were
prominent men and women of agricultural, business, professional,
public and social affairs of life.
August Stelle was a prominent agriculturist and
large land owner. The farm mansion which he built is now
(1921) the home of his daughters, who have never known any other
residence than the old farm. The farm came into possession of
Augustus Stelle in 1840, and the house was built by him the
same year, consequently the associations of a lifetime gather around
the old homestead, and the place is very dear to the Misses
Stelle. They are granddaughters of Isaac and Frances
(Dunn) Stelle, the former born near New Brunswick, Jan. 26,
1789, died June 6, 1872, in Stelton, the latter born Aug. 20, 1790,
near New Brunswick, died Mar. 3, 1876, in Stelton. Isaac
Stelle was a farmer in this region all his life, and was well
known. He and his wife were the parents of eight children:
Samuel, Louis, Augustus of whom further: Eliza, Phoebe,
James, Prudence and Alexander.
Augustus Stelle, son of Isaac and Frances (Dunn)
Stelle, was born Oct. 23, 1815, in Piscataway township,
Middlesex county, New Jersey, died at the homestead, Jan. 14, 1899.
He was educated in the district schools, and during his active years
he was engaged in farming and in farm management, becoming possessed
of many acres on the east side of the Raritan river. He was an
influential Democrat, and a man of substance, highly esteemed as a
man of integrity and honor. He was a member of the Baptist
church, which he liberally supported and regularly attended.
Mr. Stelle married, Feb. 12, 1840, in
Plainfield, New Jersey, Maria Stelle, born in South
Plainfield, Oct. 25, 1817 died Jan. 15, 1899, surviving her husband
but one day, they both being laid at rest in Piscataway Town
Cemetery at the same time. Augustus and Maria (Stelle)
Stelle were the parents of four children: 1. John, born
June 4, 1842, in Stelton, died Sept. 29, 1914, at Hollywood,
California, and is buried in the family plot in Piscataway Town
Cemetery. He was a farmer until his retirement and removal to
California. He married Mary Conaway, of Martin's Dock,
New Jersey. She died Jan. 16, 1920, at Washington, New Jersey,
without issue. 2. Angelina A., born Jan. 20, 1845, in
Stelton. 3. Julia R., born Feb. 20, 1848, in Stelton.
4. Spencer C., born Aug. 10, 1854, in Stelton. HE has
been variously occupied in life, being at one time in the silk
business. He is now living at Dalton, New Jersey. He
married Ellen C. Conaway, a sister of his brother's wife, and
two children have been born to them; Harry N., who died at
the age of nine years; and Russel A., who died at the age of
sixteen.
Source: History of Middlesex Co., N. J. - 1664 - 1920 - Vol. II -
Publ. by Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc. - New York and
Chicago - 1921 - Page 370 |
