USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 1 > Part 23
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For many years Mr. Tompkins has de- voted his life to the cause of Christianity
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as a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has long been a local preacher, for forty-three years holding a license as a minister of that denomination. He has preached in all the churches of this locality -- in Newark and in Morris county, and has given his services freely, without compen- sation, prompted solely by a love of the Master. Now almost ninety-two years of age, his life span almost finished, he is joyously looking forward to the hour when the happiness of eternity shall compensate for the woes and trials of time.
WILLIAM TOMPKINS.
, The world is not slow to pass judgment upon the individual, and when a man has won the high respect of those with whom business and social relations have brought him in contact it is by reason of a well spent and honorable life. Condemnation comes quickly from the public and esteem there- fore indicates the possession of worthy qualities and characteristics. When we say that Mr. Tompkins is one of the most high- ly respected citizens of Essex county, it is an indication that his life is one well worthy of emulation. Born in Livingston town- ship, on the 18th of July, 1838, he is a son of John Tompkins, one of the early settlers of the community.
Until nineteen years of age our subject remained amid the surroundings of the home farm and then started out in the business world, learning the mason's trade as an apprentice with Simpson Van Ness, on Elm street, Newark. He served for four years and then located in Livingston, where for thirty-eight years he has engaged in business along that line. He is one of the best known mason contractors in this
section of the county, and many of the best buildings stand in evidence of his superior handiwork. He has done the mason work on most of the principal buildings within a radius of eight miles, and erected the Pres- byterian church in Roseland. His business methods are most commendable and his thorough reliability and honesty have se- cured to him a very liberal patronage.
Mr. Tompkins was married November 25, 1869, to Miss Emma, daughter of Alex- ander and Jane (Stevens) Parmly, natives of New York. Four children were born of this union: Orrin P., who died at the age of sixteen months; Ernest Judson, born April 23, 1873; Lillian H., born Sep- tember 19, 1887; and Burd P., born Au- gust 17, 1891. Mr. Tompkins gives his political support to the Republican party and has filled the office of school trustee. He is a member of Golden Star Lodge, No. 25, of Mt. Pleasant, and he and his wife hold membership in the Methodist Epis- copal church of West Livingston.
WILLIAM W. WATSON.
a retired business man of Livingston, has been closely identified with the mercantile interests of Essex county. He was born in Middlesex, now Union county, New Jersey, in 1822, and is of English ancestry, both his father and grandfather being natives of Great Britain, the latter's birth occurring at Nottingham. At the age of seventeen, John Watson, our subject's father, emi- grated to the United States and located in New York, later moving to New Jersey, where he entered the employ of a shoe dealer, with whom he learned the trade and followed the same for a short time. In the meanwhile he had been preparing himself for the ministry, and on attaining his twen-
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tieth year he began preaching in the Baptist church. About 1811 he came to Living- ston and occupied the pulpit of the North- field Baptist church, in which he was or- dained, and was one of the early members of the First Baptist church at New York. In 1819 he went to Mt. Bethel, Middlesex county, remaining there until 1827, then removing to Piscataway, New Jersey, and there identified himself with the Seventh day Baptist church for a period of four years. About this time his health began to fail him and he resigned his charge and returned to Livingston. taking up his abode on the old Watson homestead. His first marriage was to Miss Phebe Smith, by whom he had one child, John, who died in 1872. For his second wife he was united to Miss Elizabeth Ely, a native of Living- ston and a daughter of Morris Ely, who came to this township from Connecticut in 1754. By this union the following three children were born: Benjamin E., who died in 1893; William W., our subject; and Sarah Maria, whose demise took place in 1896. Mr. Watson departed this life in 1840; his wife died in 1842.
William W. Watson acquired his early education in the place of his nativity and at the age of sixteen years he went to New York, where he learned the chair-making trade, serving an apprenticeship of five years. He then worked as a journeyman for a short time, when he was appointed foreman in the establishment of Ingersoll, Jewett & Company, and such was his indus- try, ability and application that he was sub- sequently admitted as a partner in the con- cern, and continued as such for over thirty years, when he retired from active life and has since devoted himself to his personal interests.
In 1846 Mr. Watson was united in mar- riage to Miss Nancy B. Teed, a daughter of Parker Teed. To Mr. and Mrs. Watson four children have been born, namely : John P., William E., Maria Louise, who is the wife of Moses C. Ingersoll; and Sarah E., who married Charles W. Blodgett. In poli- tics Mr. Watson votes independently, and both he and his wife are devout adherents of the Baptist church.
JAMES M. BROWN,
deceased, was born, reared and passed his life in South Orange township, Essex county, New Jersey, and such was his use- fulness and prominence in the community that his life record is well worthy of a place in the present work.
James M. Brown was born in the year 1824 on his father's farm in South Orange township, New Jersey, son of Nathaniel Brown, of whom honorable mention is made elsewhere in this volume. At his father's death James M. came into posses- sion of the old homestead, comprising thir- ty-six acres situated on Valley street in the town of South Orange. The development of the town and the building of the trolley line in this direction combined to enhance the value of this property. Here Mr. Brown was reared, his boyhood days being spent in such work as usually falls to the lot of a farmer's boy, and when he grew up he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed the rest of his life. He died March 4, 1892. His life, which covered nearly three-score years and ten, was one of earn- est, honest endeavor, and he left to his fam- ily a heritage far better than gold,-a good name.
Mr. Brown was married in 1850 to Miss
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Sarah Pimley, a native of Hudson, New York, and a daughter of Edward Pimley, an Englishman, who came to America and settled in New York state in 1827. Mr. Pimley's occupation was that of handker- chief printer, which he followed at Franklin, New York, for a number of years. He died in 1841, and his wife passed away two years later. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown the following named children were born: Ed- ward, deceased; Mary E., wife of Allen Martin, a plumber of South Orange, New Jersey; William, deceased; Alice O., de- ceased; Clement L., residing with his moth- er, is a carpenter by trade; Everett C., a civil engineer of Morristown, Tennessee: Edward P., at the home place, engaged in farming; and Ida M., wife of Alfred Brow- er, a plumber of Maplewood, New Jersey.
Mrs. Brown is a consistent Christian and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
WILLIAM C. GARDNER,
a coal dealer of South Orange, was born in the village which is still his home, Septem- ber 23, 1845, and is a son of Charles Gard- ner, who was born in New York city in 1808 and died in 1885. He was for many years a prominent dealer in coal and lum- ber in this city, and in Newark, and his well directed business interests brought to him success. His counsel was sought in the ranks of the Democratic party, and he was one of the leaders in local political circles, holding the office of chosen freeholder for a number of years. He took a very active and influential part in public affairs, and left the impress of his strong individuality upon the municipal life.
William C. Gardner spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his parents' home,
his time being devoted to study in the school-room or to the pleasures of the play- ground. He entered upon his business career in his father's establishment, and ul- timately became proprietor thereof. He now has a very extensive coal and lumber yard, and is enjoying a large and lucrative patronage. His honorable business meth- ods, enterprise and energy commend him to the confidence and support of the public, and his high position in trade circles is as- sured.
In December, 1871, occurred an impor- tant event in the life of Mr. Gardner-his marriage to Miss Emma C. Rodgers, a na- tive of Newark, and a daughter of J. A. Rodgers, who was born in Morristown and belongs to an old and honored family of New Jersey. Four children grace this union, namely: Emma J., Frances C., Mary E. and William C., Jr. Mrs. Gardner is a member of St. John's church, of Newark, and is a lady of culture, who presides with gracious hospitality over their pleasant home. Mr. Gardner belongs to St. Alban's Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Newark, also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was formerly a member of the Second Regiment of state militia, but is now re- tired. His political support is given the Democracy, and he is now acceptably serv- ing in the office of justice of the peace.
DANIEL HOOGLAND CARPENTER, the subject of this sketch, was born at what is now Glenwood, Queens county, Long Island, on April 14, 1828. His parents were Benjamin Carpenter and Sarah Ann Hoogland. The paternal ancestor was William Carpenter, of Providence, Rhode Island, a co-settler there withi Roger Will- iams, 1637, while the maternal line reaches
11
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back to Dirck Jansen Hoogland, of New Amsterdam, 1657.
Having finished his education at the "Flower Hill" district school, at twelve years of age, and removing then with his parents to New York, he soon became a clerk in a grocery store and continued in that busi- ness until his marriage, in 1853, to Hester L., daughter of Granden and Cathalena (Vreeland) Van Zile. He then engaged in the lumber trade, having a steam mill and factory in Bethune street, near Wash- ington street, where for nearly thirty-five years he remained in business, furnishing material for many of the finest dwellings, stores and public buildings in New York and vicinity,-notably the residences of William B. Astor, Alexander T. Stewart and A. A. Low; the Fifth Avenue hotel, the Brick church, etc., etc.
In 1889 Mr. Carpenter sold his mill and factory in New York and removed to Ma- plewood, New Jersey, where he purchased a tract of land and erected thereon a num- ber of beautiful dwellings, changing the whole character of the section from a for- lorn and unsightly aspect to a delightful and attractive neighborhood.
Whatever leisure hours Mr. Carpenter has had have been spent in historical and genealogical research. He has furnished much valuable data regarding the early Long Island and New Jersey families, es- pecially those of Dutch origin. Many arti- cles from his pen on these and kindred sub- jects are to be found in the periodicals de- voted to such matters.
In politics Mr. Carpenter is a Republican, but has never held any office except that of school trustee. He belongs to no club or secret society. In religion he is a Metho- dist, and in his church and home finds the
very acme of all this world can give of true happiness. His wife, one son, four daugh- ters and five grandchildren constitute the family as numbered at this date.
The son is Dr. Marvin H. Carpenter, dentist, of South Orange. One daughter, Jessie, is the wife of Clarence B. Riker. Miss Idelette is teacher of botany in the high school, New York; Miss Alice is teacher of sewing and Miss Grace of draw- ing in New York city schools, but residing at Maplewood.
JONATHAN W. POTTER.
To have attained to the extreme fulness of years and to have had one's ken broad- ened to a comprehension of all that has been accomplished within the flight of many days, is of itself sufficient to render consonant a detailed consideration of such a life in a work of this order, but in the case at hand there are more pertinent, more distinguishing elements,-those of usefulness, of high honor, of marked in- tellectuality, of broad humanitarian spirit, -which lift high in regard the subjective personality of one who has ever stood four square to every wind that blows. No shadows darken any period of the long and honorable life of him whose name initiates this paragraph, and his has been the heri- tage of an ancestry typical of all that makes for integrity and true worth in the various relations of life.
A resident of Montclair (formerly a por- tion of Bloomfield), New Jersey, and one of the best known and most highly re- spected members of the community where so many years of his life have been passed, the venerable subject of this review is the president of the Bloomfield Savings Insti-
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J. M. Potter.
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tution, at Bloomfield, an institution in whose founding he was prominently con- cerned and with whose affairs he has been intimately identified from the time of its organization. Mr. Potter is a native son of New Jersey, having been born in Hun- terdon county, on the 18th of September, 1813, the son of Jonathan and Hannah (Woolverton) Potter, both of whom were born and reared in New Jersey. In both the paternal and maternal lines the ances- try of Mr. Potter has stood representative of patriotism and sterling worth of charac- ter. His maternal grandfather, Jonathan Woolverton, was a native of New Jersey and held a colonel's commission in the United States army. After many years of service he resigned his commission, retired to private life, taking up his abode on a farm in Hunterdon county, where he passed the residue of his days. Samuel Potter, grandfather of our subject in the agnatic line, was likewise a native of New Jersey, and he served with distinguished valor in the Continental army during the war of the Revolution. He was of Eng- lish extraction, the original American an- cestors of the family having emigrated here in an early epoch of our colonial his- tory and settled in New England, whence representatives eventually made their way to New Jersey, being among the pioneer families of the state. Thus, bearing an honored name, and having granted to it an added dignity by a life of honor and useful- ness, it is clearly incumbent that our sub- ject be accorded distinctive recognition in these pages, which memorialize many of the leading families of Essex county.
Jonathan W. Potter was reared to the sturdy discipline of practical life, though he was accorded such educational advantages
as were available, attending school in Som- erset county, in the immediate vicinity of his home, which was located near the di- viding line between the two counties men- tioned. He left school at the age of four- teen years to become assistant to his father in the gristmill owned and operated by the latter. Thus it may be consistently said that he grew up in the mill and became fa- miliar with the various details of the busi- ness. About the time he attained his eighteenth year his father died and the property was sold. Some time subsequent to this Mr. Potter located in Pottersville, Hunterdon county,-a place whose name was derived from the family of which he is a representative,-and here he opened a general-merchandise store, which he con- ducted for a period of six years, after which he removed to Morristown, Morris coun- ty, where he entered into a partnership as- sociation with Jesse Smith and became once more identified with that line of en- terprise with which he had been concerned +
as a boy,-erecting a gristmill, which was operated under the firm name of Potter & Smith for several years. Finally dispos- ing of his milling interests, Mr. Potter re- moved to Brooklyn, New York, where he engaged in the retail grocery business, at the corner of Fulton and Oxford streets, where he carried on a successful trade for six years, after which he sold out and came to Bloomfield, New Jersey, in which sec- tion of Essex county he has ever since maintained his home.
As has already been stated, Mr. Potter was one of the organizers of the Bloom- field Savings Institution, a concern whose affairs have been conducted upon the con- servative and honorable principles which make for reliability and consecutive expan-
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sion, and the institution has been of great value to the people of the locality. He has been president of the institution for the past five years, and as its executive head has administered its affairs wisely and successfully. His name is a synonym for honor and integrity, and as the days speed on to mark the end of the nineteenth cen- tury, brilliant in its record of progress and accomplishment, his must be the satisfac- tion and the honor which come to those whose years have counted to goodly ends, -those to whom age comes with the gen- tle graciousness of the twilight hour, bear- ing its compensation and its benediction.
In the year 1838 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Potter to Miss Gertrude Craig, a daughter of William Craig, of Hunterdon county. For nearly sixty years, one in hope, in purpose and in mu- tual devotion, they have traveled life's pathway together, and theirs is the solace of knowing that the blessings have tem- pered the sorrows and that, like Philemon and Baucis, there is the love which will en- dure and uphold them until the mortal is merged into immortality. They became the parents of eight children, of whom only two survive,-Elizabeth, the wife of Theodore H. Ward, of Bloomfield; and Anna, who remains at home. Of the other children we make brief record as follows: The firstborn was a son, who died in in- fancy; Samuel J. lived to attain the age of forty years; Robert C. died after at- taining manhood; Gertrude C. died in childhood; as did also another daughter, Laura Clark; and Emmeline B. was drowned in a canal when a child of five years. Mr. Potter has accumulated a val- uable property, including his own delight- ful home, and the evening of his life will be
blessed with the comforts and environ- ments and associations which engender content and happiness.
HUBERT LEWIS PIERSON
was born in South Orange township, on what is now Valley street, Maplewood, July IO, 1847. His father, Lewis Pierson, was born on the old family homestead in 1801, and was a son of Samuel Pierson, who was also a native of Essex county and a de- scendant of one of the prominent colonial families. Lewis Pierson was reared on a farm and when a young man engaged in general merchandizing. In 1831 he built the Valley Mill, which at that time was one of the largest mills in this section of the country. He followed that business with marked success during his life and accu- mulated a good property. He was united in marriage to Miss Abbie Susanna Beach, a native of South Orange, and a daughter of David Beach. They became the parents of five children, three of whom died in in- fancy, while Harriet Beach died in August, 1896, leaving our subject the only surviv- ing member of the family. In early life Mr. and Mrs. Pierson were members of the First Presbyterian church of South Or- ange, and later placed their membership in the Springfield Presbyterian church, of which he was a trustee. Politically he was an old-line Whig until the organization of the Republican party, when he joined its ranks. He departed this life in 1889 and his wife passed away in 1886.
As before stated, our subject is the only survivor of the family. In early youth he attended the district school, later pursued his studies in the Newark Academy, and completed his education in the New York
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University, where he spent three years. After leaving school he went west and be- came familiar with the grain business dur- ing his sojourn in that country. He spent much time at the board of trade in Chi- cago and became thoroughly acquainted with the business in all its details. On re- turning from the west he was for ten years engaged in the wholesale grain business in New York city, after which he went to South Orange and assumed the manage- ment of his father's business, which he con- ducted in that capacity for fifteen years, in the meantime making many modern im- provements in the mill, and establishing a wholesale and retail hay, grain and feed business, which proved a very profitable addition to the other interests. Upon his father's death he succeeded to the business, which he conducts after the most enterpris- ing and progressive methods. In 1879 he shipped the first car-load of baled hay to South Orange. The industry at the time did not appear very feasible, and many predicted failure, but the first year he sold ten car-loads, the second forty-three car- loads, and since that time the volume of his business has steadily and rapidly increased until his sales of hay are very extensive. He is one of the largest dealers in grain, flour, hay and feed in this section of the country. He receives a liberal patronage and is conducting a very profitable busi- ness. In 1884 he met with a serious acci- dent, having his eyesight destroyed in a powder explosion. The best possible med- ical aid was summoned, but all to no avail. He continued his business, however, and there is now no more successful business man in Essex county than Hubert L. Pier- son. He is a director of the Second Na- tional Bank, of Orange, and is a man of
broad capability and resource in business affairs. He possesses keen discrimination. unabating energy and untiring persever- ance, and his reputation for reliability and trustworthiness in all affairs of trade is in- deed enviable.
On the 17th of May, 1871, Mr. Pierson was united in marriage to Miss Emma C. Kays, of Newton, Sussex county, New Jersey, a daughter of Henry B. Kays. Two children were born of this union: Lewis Henry, who is associated in business with his father; and Emma Maud, at home. Lewis H. Pierson married Miss Eva Brown, of Springfield, New Jersey, and they have one child. The family attend the Presby- terian church and are very prominent in the community. Mr. Pierson is a promi- nent member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Century Lodge, No. 100. A. F. & A. M .; Orange Chapter, No. 23, R. A. M., and Kane Council, No. 2, R. & S. M.
THOMAS OGDEN WOODRUFF.
The subject of this memoir attained to a venerable age, and having passed the eighty-fifth milestone came to the end of life's journey. All along the way he had won friends who gave him their high re- gard, by reason of his splendid character, his manly conduct, his honorable dealing and his fidelity to every duty.
He was born in Caldwell in 1804 and was a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Ogden) Woodruff. His father was one of three brothers who came to America from Eng- land prior to the war of the Revolution, and the family settled in Essex county. The mother was a daughter of Thomas Ogden, a representative of one of the early families of the county. Thus reared to manhood
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in this locality, Thomas O. Woodruff ac- quired his education in the common schools and spent his youth in the usual manner of lads of the period.
After attaining his majority he married Miss Hannah Markwith, who was born in Orange, in 1808, a daughter of Richard Markwith, also a native of Orange. He was a son of John Markwith, whose father came from Germany to the United States in colonial days. While on his way to Essex county he was taken prisoner and held by the Indians for some time. Finally he succeeded in killing his guards and was then hid by a squaw in a hollow log, where he remained for the three days, waiting the opportunity to escape. The mother of Mrs. Woodruff bore the maiden name of Ester Ward, and she was born and reared in South Orange.
After his marriage Mr. Woodruff resided in Orange until the 15th of December, 1828, when he removed to the house which is now the home of his widow. He greatly improved the place and there carried on farming to some extent. Eleven children came to bless their home, namely: Alex- ander, who died in childhood; Mary, widow of John Atchison; Ann Eliza, deceased wife of Anthony Kunick; Charles T., who died at the age of eight years; John W., who is living in West Orange township; Lys- ander, who died at the age of eleven years; Ester, who died at the age of fifteen; Her- man, of Orange; Rebecca, who is the wife . of Joseph Tilley and resides on the old homestead; Thomas B., of Orange; and Hannah Maria, who died at the age of four years.
Mr. Woodruff held many local offices of trust and responsibility and discharged his duties with a promptness and fidelity which
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