"Portrait and Biographical Record of Hunterdon and Warren counties, New Jersey"
Chapman Publishing Company, New York and Chicago, 1898
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JOSEPH H. FIRTH, one of the most prominent and enterprising men of business in
Phillipsburg, Warren County, has been the
proprietor of the Madison Square Hotel here since
the 6th of August, 1895. This popular and
commodious hotel is conveniently located, is well
equipped and managed and is a favorite stopping-place for the commercial traveler and all others
who may be passing through this busy railroad
city. The hotel is noted for its excellent cuisine,
the brightness and cheerfulness of each and every
apartment, and the general air of comfort and
homelikeness that pervades the place.
Born February 22, 1859, Joseph H. Firth is a
native of Phillipsburg, and with the exception of
a few mouths spent elsewhere he has been identified with the upbuilding and development of this
place during his whole life. The interest which
he has always taken in all things having for their
object the improvement of the town makes him
considered one of our best and most valued citizens. In 1884 his ability and influence were fitly
recognized by bis being elected to the position of
freeholder, and four years later he was chosen to
serve as a member of the city council, with which
honorable body he has officiated ever since.
Four years of this period he acted as president of
the council, and succeeded in forwarding numerous measures that have accrued to the benefit of
our townspeople. He was formerly chief of the
fire department here and secured the adoption of
the Gamewell Fire Alarm system. Thus, in
various ways, he has been an earnest worker and
an interested supporter of local enterprises and
improvements.
The education of Mr. Firth was wholly obtained
in the public schools of Phillipsburg. At the age
of eighteen he began learning the trade of a machinist, and after a time he concluded to try his
fortunes in the west. Going to Omaha, Neb., he
remained there for ten months, but, not feeling
that he desired to make his permanent home in
the west, he finally returned home, believing that
there could be found no better state than that in
which he had grown to maturity. Here he was employed at his trade five years, then being promoted
to be foreman of the Warren Foundry. This responsible position he occupied until August,
1895, or for over two decades. He is now the
agent for the firm of Firth & Ingham, and is settling up their estate. He is possessed of good
financial ability and wise judgment in the management of business affairs, and merits the high place
which he is given by his associates. In political
matters he is a Democrat. In the fraternities
he belongs to Delaware Dodge No. 52, F. & A.
M., being past master of the same; is past high
priest of Eagle Chapter No. 30, R. A. M., and
is connected also with the Order of Red Men and
with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
On the 26th of July, 1880, Mr. Firth was united
in marriage with Miss Margaret A. Lewis, of
Portsmouth, Ohio. They have one child, Elizabeth A.
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