William Titus, one of Newark's best-known bakers of the late 19th century, was born and raised here in Warren. His biography and picture will be found in Shaw's History of Essex and Hudson Counties (Vol. 1, pp. 610-11), where the author writes: "Of the 143 bakeries in Newark, that of William Titus...is entitled to a place in the forefront of them all, for long standing and amount of business. Mr. Titus is a veteran cracker-baker, whose goods are sold not only in Newark, but in all the surrounding towns and cities. "William Titus, the father of the subject of this biographical sketch, was in early life a resident of Newburgh, NY, and later removed to Somerset County, NJ, where he followed for a brief period the trade of a weaver. He also purchased a farm in this county and for 35 successive years resided upon the same land. He married Jane, daughter of Thomas Squier, of Essex County, NJ, and had (10) children, of whom seven survive. "The birth of William Titus occurred in Warren township, on the 23d of February, 1823. He received such advantages of education as the country schools afforded, meanwhile assisting in the labor of the farm, and at the age of sixteen was apprenticed to the trade of a baker, serving his time in Madison and Plainfield. When nearly 21 he engaged for a while as a journeyman at the same location he has since occupied for a period of 47 years, a portion of this time filling the position of superintendent of the bakery. The business then, in connection with a partner, passed into his hands, under the firm name of Miller & Titus, which was subsequently changed to Titus & Pound, and later to Titus & Brother. By the decease of his brother, Mr. Titus became sole prorietor, and has since conducted the establishment alone. From small beginnings it has become the most extensive bakery in the city of Newark, its steady development being alone the result of the energy, industry and vigilence of its proprietor. Much modern machinery and many new aplliances have been introduced, and the force of from five to ten workmen originally employed, increased to from 100 to 115 in its various departments. Mr. Titus was, on the 23d of January 1849, married to Miss Mary H., daughter of Squier Runyon of Plainfield.... Mr. Titus is in politics a Republican, and was in l876 elected a member of the Newark City Council, to which office he was re-elected in 1878. The arduous duties of his extensive business, however, leave little time for participation in municipal affairs. He is a director and was one of the organizers of the North Ward National Bank. In religion he is a supporter of the First Baptist Church of Newark, of which Mrs. Titus is a member. According to both the l830 and 1840 census, William Titus (the father) and his family lived in Union Village. The 1850 census lists William's widow, Jane, and other family members. An 1817 deed refers to "William Titus' line." Littell's 1845 map depicts the sizeable Titus farm on Mountain Ave. [Additional information about the Titus family of Warren will be found in Littell's First Settlers of Passaic Valley. We thank Jan Jacot of Oakland, CA., for the above.] |