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GO 974.9 B52 v.2 1162726
M.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02247 6599
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BIOGRAPHICAL, GENEALOGICAL
AND
DESCRIPTIVE HISTORY
OF THE
FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
OF -
NEW JERSEY
Gc 974.9 B52 V.2
ILLUSTRATED
V. 2
VOLUME II
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY NEW YORK AND CHICAGO 1900
1162726
Southern Book Co_ 22.60 (2vols)
HG Fonduelenger
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
OF THE
First Congressional District of New Jersey.
HENRY CLAY LOUDENSLAGER.
The attainment of pre-eminent success by a man, either in business or in a profession, must in a measure be the result of personal merit, together with the ability to apply in a practical way those qualifications necessary to important achievements. As an exemplification of what may be accom- plished by a man who is possessed of a laudable ambition to achieve a high degree of success, we present herewith a brief resume of the career of Hon. H. C. Loudenslager, of Gloucester county.
He was born in Mauricetown, Cumberland county, New Jersey, on May 22, 1852, his parents being S. Paul and Sara A. (Haley) Loudenslager. His paternal grandparents were Jacob and Elizabeth Loudenslager. Jacob was a farmer in his early life, but later devoted many years to the ministry in the Methodist Episcopal church, his field of religious work covering a large part of southern New Jersey. After retiring from active service in church work, he made his home at Paulsboro.
His maternal grandparents were David and Rachael Haley, the former being a sea captain, but later on became a farmer near Mauricetown, Cum- berland county.
In 1856 Mr. Loudenslager's parents moved from Cumberland county to Paulsboro, the father being variously engaged in the pursuits of farmer. mer- chant, school-teacher, and later was the county clerk of Gloucester county. Upon the removal of the family to Paulsboro, Harry was only four years of age. The period of his boyhood and early manhood was spent upon the farm, where he labored in the fields during the season of farm work and at- tended the public schools in the winter. Early in the '7os he was engaged as a clerk in the produce commission business in Philadelphia, and during the summer months of each year from 1872 to 1882 he conducted on his own account the business of produce commission merchant.
On the 7th of December, 1872, in Philadelphia, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Kate L. Salisbury, a daughter of Samuel and Hannah Salis-
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
bury, and the children born to them are Elizabeth S. Loudenslager, now Mrs. A. Sheldon Clark, and Harry Howard Loudenslager.
Socially Mr. Loudenslager is connected with the various societies, and in Masonry has attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish rite.
In 1872 his father was elected county clerk of Gloucester county, and continued by re-election to fill that position for ten years, and during a por- tion of each year of that period Harry served in the capacity of deputy clerk, and in 1882 was himself elected, as a Republican, to succeed his father as county clerk. Under his administration, the duties of that office were per- formed with such a degree of ability and courtesy as to call forth the praise of judges, lawyers, business men and other patrons of the office irrespective of their political affiliations, the result being that the competent and popular official was heartily indorsed for re-election and received a largely increased majority over that of his first election. Mr. Loudenslager has ever been an enthusiastic and loyal supporter of the Republican party and strong in his . advocacy and dissemination of its principles, believing that they embody the best elements of good government. In 1892 he was chosen to represent the first congressional district of New Jersey in the national house of repre- sentatives, and was re-elected in 1894, 1896, 1898, and 1900. He is the first member of congress from his district to serve in the house of repre- sentatives for more than two terms, and is the only man of this state upon whom has been conferred the honor of being nominated for five consecutive terms of congress, and the only representative in congress from the first dis- trict of New Jersey who has been appointed chairman of a committee of the house of representatives. During his first term of congress (the fifty-third) his party was in the minority in the house, but since that term the Republican party has maintained a majority in the lower house. By indomitable indus- try and a concentration of energy and attention to the prompt and efficient performance of official and political duties, he has steadily advanced on the road to prominence until he has reached a high position in the councils of his party. Since he entered congress he has been a member of the national Republican congressional committee, and also a member of its executive committee, and has been assigned to some of the most important duties in that capacity. Early in his congressional career he displayed, in the prep- aration and consideration of legislative matters, a clear discernment and a keen judgment which attracted the attention of the leaders of the Repub- lican party in the house, and which has led to his assignment to very im- portant positions on committees. As chairman of one of the most important committees of the house, he has rendered valuable service; but it is as a member of the committee on naval affairs, during the period previous to and during the war with Spain, that his most conspicuous work has been per-
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CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
formed in framing legislation for strengthening and equipping our fleets for the conflict which covered our navy with glory. During the months im- mediately preceding the war, the committee on naval affairs were in almost constant session considering ways and means of placing upon a war footing our navy, which was totally unprepared for hostile engagement. Our war vessels were without many necessary features of equipment, and the stock of ammunition was not sufficient for even one round of shot from our fleets. In this emergency the responsibility fell upon the congressional committees to furnish means of promptly supplying the navy with what was essential to go forth in the defense of our nation's honor, and in this work Mr. Loudenslager's shrewd ability, accurate foresight and correct judgment were called upon to aid in directing the action of congress in the exigency, and the record of the committee on naval affairs will be an important part of the history of that war wherein victory came to us in every engagement, and the United States navy eclipsed all examples of history in its marvelous achieve- ments.
In this brief biography is shown what may be accomplished by a young man possessing ambition, determination and industry, if these laudable char- acteristics are, as in the subject of these lines, combined with those admirable elements of personal disposition,-loyal friendship and a frank, straightfor- ward method of dealing with his fellow men. He has never been known to desert an old friend for a new one and thus his circle of warm friends and admirers is constantly growing and the honor and respect which is accorded him on all sides is constantly augmented.
JOHN WILKINS.
John Wilkins, of Grenloch, Camden county, was born February 20, 1842, and is a son of Hiram Wilkins, whose birth occurred in the same locality. The grandfather was John Wilkins, and the family in immigration settled in Camden county, where the representatives of the name have since followed the occupation of farming. Hiram Wilkins was a freeholder in Camden and was a member of the Presbyterian church in Blackwood. He owned one of the best farms in the country and successfully cultivated his land until his death, which occurred in 1880. He married Caroline Murden, a daughter of Randall Murden, and her death occurred in 1870. They be- came the parents of four children, as follows : John; Sarah, the wife of Henry Bateman, of Williamstown, New Jersey; Emily, the wife of Burris Turner, of Wenonah; and Thomas J., of Colorado.
John Wilkins came to the place of his present residence when twenty-
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
one years of age and took charge of the farm which he managed for six years. He was the owner of two hundred and twenty-five acres of rich land, but has since disposed of a portion of it and now rents the remainder. He has been actively identified with the affairs of the township, having served as a collector for three years, while for a number of terms he has been a member of the town committee. He married Annie, a daughter of Joseph Turner, and to them were born two children, but only one is now living, Louella.
HISTORICAL AND MISCELLANEOUS SKETCHES.
THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.
The inauguration of not only political but also religious freedom in America made the land a Mecca for people of every state of religious con- nections. The Quakers, among others, were early established here, under the protection and security of religious tolerance. The pioneers of the Friends' Society in Salem county were John Fenwick, Robert Zane, Samuel Nicholson, Edward Wade, Samuel Hedge, John Thompson, John Smith and Richard Guy.
John Fenwick, the leader of these original "associators" in Salem county, arrived from England in December, 1675, and soon after the settlement of his family and of the families of those who came with him of the Friends' or Quaker denomination, he organized a meeting to be held in the town of Salem twice in each week for divine worship. For the first five years re- ligious meetings were held in private houses. In 1680 they purchased a house residence of Samuel Nicholson in which these meetings were held. In 1700 they erected a brick meeting-house on the lot which they subse- quently used for a burying-ground, erected at a cost of £415, 135s 23d. Five years later, more ample accommodations being required, they purchased a lot on the present East Broadway and Walnut streets, upon which they erected their present commodious and extensive brick structure.
Another center of worship in the county was in Lower Alloway's Creek township, where a meeting-house was built in 1684, the leading Friends asso- ciated being Richard Hancock, John Dunn, Jeremiah Powell and Nathaniel Chammeys. In 1726 David Davis, with others of the Society of Friends, organized a meeting at Woodstown, and in 1780 a meeting was organized by Samuel Pedrick and John Summers at Upper Penn's Neck.
It is worthy of notice that the Society of Friends, after they had organ- ized their meetings, turned their attention to the education of the children and youth of the early settlers and were really the pioneers of the primitive schools of the colonies, which, after the first impress of sectarianism exclu-
Library Building, Salem.
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CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
siveness had worn off, were opened to the general diffusion of knowledge to all religious classes.
THE SALEM LIBRARY.
The Salem library was founded in 1804, its constitution was drafted and · adopted on the 24th of March of that year, and at the first regular meeting in June the following officers were elected: William Parret, president; Thomas Jones, Jr., secretary; and Abner Beesley, treasurer. On the 7th of April a committee was appointed to request permission for the freeholders to use the small east room upstairs for a court-house for a limited term. At the first annual meeting eighty-seven names appeared on the roll as mem- bers, "having either paid their subscriptions in cash or delivered books." As directed by the constitution, each member paid four dollars into the treasury, but on the Ist of July, 1809, the rate was increased to five dollars.
At times the library was in splendid condition, at other times interest therein abated and it seemed probable that it could not enjoy an extended existence. "The Library Company of Salem, New Jersey," was incorporated under the general act of 1799, on the Ist of July, 1809. It was conducted in the usual manner of such institutions, its purpose being to furnish ma- terial to the reading public. By the year 1815 there had been a marked decline in interest, as is shown by the fact that rules had been adopted allow- ing a redemption of the forfeited shares.
The free-school system established in Salem county in 1816and the growth of private educational institutions from an earlier date, found a helpful ad- junct in the Salem Library, which was organized in 1802. Among those who first saw the reciprocal influence between a public library and the school system in the dissemination of general information were John Wistar, Jervis Hall, Samuel Stuart, Clement Hull, Morris Hall and Edmund Burroughs. Altogether the career of the library has been one of growth and progress, the special efforts at different times contributing to its growth and influence. The plan of its organization has kept the fund of its board raised by the sell- ing of shares and an annual tax of two dollars intact for the purchase of books. The duties of the library-registration and general supervision- are performed gratuitously, the library being kept open for the use of student patrons on certain days of each week by gentlemen and ladies who volunteer their services. Many have devoted much time and attention, thought and effort to carry on this most necessary and beneficial institution, but prob- ably no greater debt of gratitude is due to any one connected with it than to John Tyler, who in 1830 became a member of the organization. The
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
following year he was elected a director and in 1834 was chosen its president. He never ceased his labors toward promoting its welfare, and to him is due the fact that it now has a beautiful home, pleasantly situated in one of the most attractive quarters of Salem. Speaking of this, the National Standard, of Salem, published in July, 1885, said:
"After eighty-one years of vicissitudes and at times slender fortunes, the Salem Library has at last found a permanent home, and with a rare oppor- tunity of a liberal endowment it enters upon a prosperous future and a broader field of usefulness than it has ever occupied before. This most de- sirable consummation has been attained through the wise provision and careful forethought of one who was deeply interested in its success and the objects of its mission, and probably more familiar with its early struggles and solicitous for its welfare than any other. And what a father planned, though leaving no specific charges or definite instruction beyond a simple unsigned memorandum, the filial affection and munificence of the son has executed, with careful detail, and today there stands in our midst the John Tyler Library Building, an enduring monument to the man whose name it bears, and no less to the liberality and public spirit of its generous donor, W. Graham Tyler."
The handsome structure stands on West Broadway. The building, at- tractive in its oddness of architecture as compared with other structures of the city, is of Queen Anne style and is built in the shape of an L. It is of one story and the ceiling is sixteen feet. The lower part of the building is of Chester grey-stone, finished with red brick and roofed with slate. It has a frontage of twenty-eight feet and is seventy-one feet in depth, the offset at the rear adding fifteen feet additional to its width. There is a large hand- some library room with accommodations for twenty-five thousand volumes. It is finished in light or oiled wood with a beautiful paneled ceiling. In the rear of this room is another apartment equally large, used as a public read- ing-room. The building sets somewhat back from the street and overlooks the Friends' cemetery.
The ground for this building was given by W. Graham Tyler in accord- ance with the wishes of his father expressed in an unsigned memorandum which was found among his papers. In speaking of his work on the occasion of the dedication of the new building, Graham Tyler said in referring to his father, "Dearer to him than I ever knew was the prosperity of this institu- tion." In the memorandum appeared the words, "When opened to the pub- lic it is my wish that minors and young men shall be made active participants in the treasures of knowledge and of free access there for their special bene-
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CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
fit and behoof." The grounds were given and the library built after the manner suggested by John Tyler and through the benevolence and public spirit of his son. It is called the John Tyler Library Building and the library now contains ten thousand volumes of well selected and useful books, taken from all departments of literature. The influence of this institution cannot be measured, but all recognize that it is a great benefit to the town, and the public feels that it owes a debt of gratitude to it now, to those who in former years carried on the work and to those who are now interested in its per- petuation, its purposes and its accomplishments.
THE ELMER METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Elmer Methodist Episcopal church had its beginning in 1868, when the residents of Pittstown-for so the place was called at that time-assisted by members of the Friendship Methodist church and the Olivet Meth- odist church, resolved to erect a house of worship for the people of the de- nomination in what is now known as the town of Elmer. The corner-stone was laid in June of that year, and cut on its side were the words, "Pittstown Methodist Episcopal Church. 1868." The following year, when the church was completed, the name of the town had been changed to Elmer, and there- fore the shield on the front bore the inscription "Elmer M. E. Church. 1868." Three thousand and eight hundred dollars were first subscribed for the build- ing, and with that amount the work was begun and carried forward by effi- cient committees. At length a frame house of worship, forty by sixty feet, was completed and the Methodists of Elmer were soon installed in their new home. The basement of the church was dedicated February 10, 1869, and at the dedicatory services, conducted by Bishop Scott, five hundred dollars more were raised. On the 21st of March, 1870, it was decided to dedicate the completed building and Dr. Bartine was secured to preach. Several hun- dred dollars were then raised, leaving an indebtedness upon the church of fifteen hundred dollars, which was paid off during the pastorate of Rev. M. C. Stokes. The work of the church prospered and as the population of the town grew and the congregation proportionately increased in numbers, it was seen that accommodations were not adequate for those who wished to attend services with the Methodists. Accordingly the matter of erecting a new house of worship was discussed and resulted in the building of a fine church, the corner-stone of which was laid October 14, 1893. The church now has a membership of more than four hundred, and is doing a good work, its influence being widely felt.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF WOODSTOWN.
The First National Bank of Woodstown, New Jersey, was organized thirty-five years ago, by Edward B. Humphreys, one of the most successful and enterprising business men of Salem county, then as at the present time. with Samuel H. Weatherby and others. The original board of directors, of which only two members, Mr. Humphreys and Mr. Dickinson survive, com- prised the following: William J. Shinn, Edward B. Humphreys, John H. Lippincott, Elijah B. Hosmer, John W. Dickinson, Samuel Borton, Samuel H. Weatherby, Samuel Black and James Benezet. William J. Shinn was elected the first president, and C. Carroll Lippincott the first cashier of the bank, which gained the confidence of the public and rapidly won favor among the business men of this vicinity, and it was soon upon a paying basis. Since its founding there have been four successors of Mr. Shinn as presi- dent, namely: Edward R. Bullock, Samuel H. Weatherby, James Benezet and Isaac K. Lippincott.
Soon after this enterprise was started, Mr. Humphreys withdrew from the board of directors, on account of the fact that the majority were in favor of locating the bank outside the business center of the town. For many years it was situated in a brick building now used by the Piles Grove Library Association. In 1891 the business foresight of Mr. Humphreys was acknowl- edged, and a handsome red-stone building, of modern architecture and de- sign, was erected in the business center of Woodstown. The cost of the new structure, including the office furniture and fixtures, amounted to about twenty-seven thousand dollars.
When the First National Bank of Woodstown was incorporated, in 1864, its cash capital was fifty thousand dollars, but this amount was soon increased to seventy-five thousand dollars. At the time that Mr. Flitcraft became cashier of the bank the surplus was six thousand, five hundred and thirty- six dollars, and the undivided profits, nineteen thousand, nine hundred and ninety-eight dollars, while today the cash capital is seventy-five thousand dollars, the surplus one hundred and fifty thousand, and the undivided profits and twenty-five thousand dollars. The last figures do not accurately cover the undivided profits, as no premium accounts are carried by the bank.
The present directors of the bank are: Isaac K. Lippincott, William M. Weatherby, Charles E. Allen, E. Smith Bassett, Abram Cochran, Ebenezer Sparks, Rudolph Benezet, N. H. Bomart and William Z. Flitcraft. The present officers are: Isaac K. Lippincott, president; William Z. Flitcraft,
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CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
cashier; and Isaiah C. Shinn, teller. In 1871 the last mentioned gentleman was elected cashier of the bank, and to his wisdom, during the long years intervening, much of its success may justly be attributed. Mr. Lippincott. the president, and the other officials, have taken an active part in promoting the standing of this popular institution of finance, and, with possibly two or three exceptions, it stands at the head of New Jersey state banks. It has kept abreast of the times, adapting its policy to changing conditions and modern methods of transacting business, and during every one of the great panics, which have crippled many of the leading banks of the country, it has bravely ridden through the storm, supplying loans to its patrons to any extent required.
BRIDGETON.
The old colonial characteristics of the people of Bridgeton are still vis- ible, among the most prominent of which are a well ordered life and a happy home; and in the moral feature of their life, of course the religious cult de- rived from English Christianity has been very marked. In their character Christianity and morality have been inseparably interwoven, and the tem- perance and industry which they have so scrupulously practiced have ever resulted in material prosperity.
Also they have so completely occupied their ground that but few immi- grants have succeeded in establishing themselves among them.
The residences are not palatial, but comfortable, in keeping with the religious or Quaker-like character of the inhabitants. They have not "made haste to be rich," ever keeping themselves within the due bounds of hon- esty, modesty and an unpretending and quiet mode of life. The thrift, tidi- ness, comfort and pride in pleasant surroundings, as well as the pretty resi- dences, are conspicuous along Commerce street, east and west, North Pearl street, East avenue, Atlantic avenue, Bank street, Broad street and other avenues. Connected with nearly every residence is a well kept yard, while all outbuildings and other appurtenances are snug and tidy. Shade-trees and fancy shrubbery adorn the premises, as well as neat fences. The streets exhibiting poverty are few. There are no licensed drinking houses or other degrading establishments, while the agencies for both temporal and intel- lectual advancement are numerous and strong.
As samples of ornate and commodious residences we may mention those of Mrs. R. C. Nichols, Dr. M. K. Elmer, Robert J. Buck, Obelin Smith. Mrs. B. T. Bright, Edward E. Grosscup, Francis B. Minch, ex-Assemblyman Bloomfield H. Minch, Frank M. Riley, Walter H. Bacon, Dr. J. G. Streets. Robert and Richard Moore, P. H. Goldsmith, Chester J. Buck, William A.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
Logue, George H. Whipple, William and Samuel Allen, P. Kennedy Reeves, J. Boyd Nixon, William C. Garrison and Miss Sarah Buck.
WEST JERSEY ACADEMY.
The highest ground within the limits of Bridgeton is ornamented, upon its summit, with an institution of learning having the above name and title. The building and grounds occupy a whole square. This structure was one of the first of its kind in the state, as at the time of its erection there was no academy of a high order, either classical or scientific, anywhere in the six southern counties.
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