Newspaper Articles:

September 9, 1906 - Mortuarian Brierley Denies Tragic Rumor

Joshua Brierley became an undertaker in 1882, beginning as an assistant to E. E. Starrs.

He opened his own business in July 1884.

From: Newark Handsomely Illustrated 1894
The Consolidated Illustrating Co.

A notable establishment which is admirably conducted, and receives a very large share of the patronage of the public of Newark, is that of Mr. Joshua Brierley, the well-known and popular funeral director and embalmer and livery-stable keeper at No. 374 Broad Street. Mr. Brierley was born in England, and took up his residence in this city in 1882. Two years later he founded this business, from the start securing a firm hold on public favor and patronage, which time has since greatly strengthened. He is a graduate of Clark's School of Embalming, and his services are much in request in this branch of the business. He executes embalming according to the latest scientific methods, and his operations never fail to prove entirely satisfactory. Mr Brierley's office and warerooms are on Broad Street. They are appropriately fitted up, and contain an extensive assortment of funeral requisites, coffins, caskets, shrouds, etc., in great variety and to suit any case. He is prepared to take charge of remains at any hour of the day or night (telephone call No. 166), and to procure interment in any desired cemetery. All details are looked after by him, such as providing hearse, carriages, flower, etc.; and he gives his personal attention to all matters intrusted to him, while his charges are always equitable. Mr. Brierley's livery stables are located on Clay Street. They are of spacious dimensions, and afford first class stall accommodation for a large number of animals. Twenty horses and numerous carriages, buggies, etc., are kept for purposes of hire, competent liveried drivers being also furnished when desired. Some of the finest turnouts to be seen on the streets of Newark come from this establishment. Mr. Brierley is a much esteemed and popular citizen. He is an active member of the Masonic Order, is a K. of P., and a member of the I. O. O. F.

From: Essex County, NJ Illustrated 1897

Joshua Brierley

There is an old saying that "a new broom sweeps clean." The assertion does not always hold good unless it penetrates into the glades of life far enough to ascertain of what kind of stuff the broom is made up with, and only after frequent trials can we find out whether or not its qualities are durable. It is with feelings of this kind that we take under consideration the gentleman who is the subject of this sketch, Mr. Joshua Brierley, one of the most reliable and courteous funeral directors in Essex County. Mr. Brierley was born in England, coming to this country in 1882, and has successfully conducted the undertaking business in this city and its suburbs for the past fifteen years, during which time he has won great favor from the public by his courteous and sterling business qualities, and established one of the finest and most complete undertaking establishments to be found in the City of Newark or State of New Jersey.

He thoroughly understands his profession, having graduated from Clark's School of Embalming and is a practical expert in this particular branch of the business. He makes a specialty of embalming in accordance with the latest and most approved scientific methods, and his services are in constant demand on account of his skill and ability in satisfactorily performing these operations. Mr. Brierley's office and warerooms are located at No. 374 Broad Street and are admirably fitted up and well equipped with everything appertaining to a first-class funeral furnishing undertaking establishment. He is prepared to take full charge of remains, procure burial plots or graves in any cemetery, furnish hearses and coaches, flowers, etc., at all hours of the day or night, and on the most liberal terms. All details receive his personal attention and everything intrusted to him is attended to with promptness. His dignified and sympathetic bearing in bereaved homes have modified and alleviated the sorrowful situation attendant upon the burial of their dead.

In connection with his undertaking business, Mr. Brierley conducts a large and commodious livery and boarding stable, located on the corner of High and Clay Streets. A large number of fine horses, and a great variety of coaches, carriages, light wagons, sleighs, etc., are constantly on hand for the use of the public, on the most reasonable terms. Safe and courteous drivers are furnished whenever desired. Some of the finest turnouts to be seen on the streets and avenues of this city and its suburbs come from this neatly arranged and orderly establishment. His reputation has steadily grown upon the rules of professional integrity laid down when commencing his business career in 1882, when he first began to carve his way through business rivalry, and his reward lies in a bright past record and hopeful future.

From: Historical Sketch of the City of Newark 1902

Probably the best known funeral director in this vicinity is Joshua Brierly, "mortician," the subject of this sketch. He became the assistant of Mr. E. E. Starrs, whose office was located where Peddie Church now stands, about twenty years ago.

Three years later this connection was dissolved and Mr. Brierly opened an office at 364 Broad Street. He attended strictly to business and in three years time the business had increased to such an extent that he was forced to move into larger quarters at 374 Broad Street. There he had an office and a large room which would accommodate about 25 people, where they might hold funeral services over the remains of their friends. He had often felt that, in a growing city like Newark, it was necessary to provide a place where services could be held for those who could not accommodate a large number of persons in their own homes, and as there has never been a week in which he has had no funeral on the premises, and often could not accommodate the number who came he again moved, on May 1 1901, to still larger quarters at 406 Broad Street, corner of Grant Street. Here, at great expense, he provided the best place of the kind in the State.

Fronting Broad Street is a large reception room, handsomely furnished, and which gives no hint of the business conducted, besides which there is a general business office and a private office. Behind the general office is the mortuary chapel, carpeted and fitted with mahogany seats for one hundred people. The platform, which is enclosed by a brass rail, contains a reading desk and two chairs. The whole is lighted by both electricity and gas. There is also a private entrance on Grant Street. Two hundred people can be accommodated if necessary by throwing open the reception room and offices.

Mr. Brierly is abreast of the times in all other matters appertaining to the business and is deserving of great credit for his enterprise. Mr. Brierly is also noted for his vocal abilities, and he is a member of most of the prominent orders in the city.

From: The Truth About Newark Illustrated 1909 - 1910
Frank A. Libby, Publisher

The Joshua Brierly Funeral Parlour was founded in 1882 and has always been conducted in an honorable and successful way, and Mr. Brierly has obtained an extensive and influential patronage from all classes of citizens. Mr. Brierly has the finest private chapels in the state and his facilities for the care of the dead excel all others