George E. Poole

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

An architect of ability and a well known resident of Chatham. Mr. Poole has been identified with Morris County since 1889. He is a native of Newark, his birth having occurred in that city on the 21st of October, 1869. His parent s were George E. & Caroline F. (Holmes) Poole. The former was a native of Long Branch, Monmouth County, N.J. and a son of Richard S. Poole, who was born in Middletown Point, this state, as was his father, George E. Poole. The last named was a son of George E. Poole Sr., also a native of Middletown Point, where the ancestors of our subject have been located as far back as the history of the family can be traced. His great-grandfather was a veteran of the war of 1812. His father was a merchant and when he was eighteen years of age removed to Newark, where he married Caroline F. Holmes, a daughter of Charles M. Holmes, of New York City. Mr. & Mrs. Poole had two children: Carrie F. H. and our subject. The father was a Republican in politics and supported that party until his death, which occurred in 1889. His widow still survives and makes her home with their son.

Educated in the schools of Newark, George E. Poole on laying aside his text-books, entered the office of Charles A. Gifford, under whose direction he studied architecture for four years, gaining a high degree of perfection in the work. He then began business on his own account, as the junior member of the firm of Swinnerton & Poole, opening an office in Newark. This partnership continued for three years, when the firm of Poole & Sutton was formed, which had a continuous existence until August 1897. Mr. Poole then withdrew and in association with two others established the firm of Karr, Poole & Lum. This firm is now doing an excellent business, having a very liberal patronage and maintaining offices in both Newark and New York City. They have taken contracts for furnishing designs for many of the fine buildings in this part of the country and all are men of tried experience & reliability. The character of their work secures them a large patronage, while their honorable dealing wins them the confidence and respect of all with whom they are brought in contact. Mr. Poole is a progressive business man; one of the most distinctive qualities of his nature is his untiring energy, and his capable management is another important element in his success.

Since his arrival in Morris County he has been called upon to fill public offices, his fellow townsmen recognizing his ability and trustworthiness. He was elected collector of Chatham township in 1894, filling that office until 1897, when he was elected collector of the borough. He was chosen to the board of education in 1895 and is still in that office, and on the 1st of June, 1897, he was elected a member of the county committee of the Republican party, whose principles he so warmly advocates. In the fall of the same year he was elected to the general assembly of the state and is now serving in the law-making body of the commonwealth, where his fidelity to duty and conscientious support of those interests which he believes will promote the welfare of the state show his appreciation of the duties of the office and his loyalty as a citizen.

In June, 1893, Mr. Poole was joined in wedlock to Miss S. Jeanette Talmadge, a native of Chatham, and a daughter of the late Samuel S. Talmadge. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. Their home life is very pleasant and their standing in social circles is high.

Transcribed by Wallace W. Poole

This page was last modified on: 01 January, 2014