USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 1 > Part 72
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It was on the Ist of October, 1861, that Mr. Sandford enrolled his name among the boys in blue of Company K, Second New Jersey Volunteer Infantry. With his com- mand he went to the front and partici- pated in a number of engagements, serving under General Sheridan for a part of the time. At the battle of Gainesville, in 1862, he was wounded and on the Ist of October, 1864, at the expiration of his term of ser- vice, he was honorably discharged.
Mr. Sandford then returned to his home and embarked in the meat-market business, which he has followed continuously since, covering a third of a century. He has a neat store, carries a good line of goods, and by his honorable business methods, his
enterprise, and his courtesy to his custo- mers has built up a large trade which in- sures to him a good income. The success that he has achieved has resulted entirely from his own efforts and has come through the legitimate channels of trade.
On the 22d of December, 1869, Mr. Sandford was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Biela, and to them have been born three children, all of whom are yet living, namely: Jeanne, Sarah M. and John D. In his social relations Mr. Sandford is con- nected with the Masonic fraternity, as a member of Belleville Lodge, No. 108. He exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party and in religious faith is an Episco- palian.
THOMAS ANDREW CHALMERS,
one of the old established plumbers of Or- ange and a well known citizen of that city, is a native of Scotland, his birth having occurred at Linwood, near the celebrated manufacturing town of Paisley, Renfrew- shire, on the 3d of November, 1828, a son of Andrew and Ann (Andrews) Chalmers. His literary education was obtained in the public schools of Linwood and he re- mained at his parental home until attain- ing the age of twenty years, when he be- gan to learn the trade of tinsmith. After reaching his twenty-fourth year he decided to seek his fortunes in the New World, and with this aim in view he set sail August 6, 1852, landing at New York on the 16th of September following. Here he engaged in his trade, subsequently moving to Or- ange, New Jersey, and there found employ- ment with John Banta, remaining with him as a journeyman for a number of years.
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ESSEX COUNTY.
In 1864 Mr. Chalmers became associated with his brother Matthew, in the plumbing, gas and steam-fitting business, under the firm name of M. & T. A. Chalmers, and continued successfully in that line of enter- prise until the death of Matthew, in 1893, after which our subject carried on the business alone. He is progressive, ener- getic and ambitious, and these elements, combined with a strict integrity of charac- ter and industry, have contributed to his present prosperity and gained for him a comfortable competence. In his social connections he is a member in good stand- ing of Union Lodge, No. 11, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, of Orange, and in his po- litical faith he is a stanch Republican.
The marriage of Mr. Chalmers was con- summated in 1854, when he was united to Miss Jeanette Fife, born at Johnston, Scot- land, June 20, 1837, a daughter of John and Mary (King) Fife, and seven children were born to them, of whom the following record is given: Alexander, born March 19, 1855, married Miss Ann McCullum, and died January 12, 1889: of their chil- dren three survive,-Junius, Annie and Archibald; Andrew; Mary, born October 16, 1859, married Frederick Hooley, and died October 21, 1884, leaving one child, Jennie; Annie resides at home; Jennie became the wife of Abraham Mos- ler, and three children were born to them,-Douglas, Margaret and Thomas; Margaret is at home; and Matthew, who is associated with his father. Mrs. Chal- mers departed this life March 17, 1885. Mr. Chalmers and his children are adher- ents of the Baptist church.
Matthew Chalmers, grandfather of our subject, married Miss Margaret Brydon, and they became the parents of five chil-
dren, namely: Andrew, the father of our subject; Agnes, who married James Mal- colm and resides in Scotland, three chil- dren being born to them, James and Kath- arine, who grew to maturity, and married, and Mary, who died in early womanhood; Ann married William Robinson and re- mained in Scotland, where she became the mother of these children: William, Archi- bald, Margaret, Ann, Miriam and Eliza- beth; Elizabeth lived to a mature age, un- married; and a daughter who came to America, settled in Canada and married a Mr. McGee, by whom she had several chil- dren.
Andrew Chalmers married Miss Ann Andrews and they reared the following children: Matthew, who married Miss Ellen King, and of their children four sur- vive; Margaret became the wife of Charles Jordan; Ellen married Frank Pierce; Cath- erine married Charles Cross; Sarah resides with her mother in Orange; Annie came to America and died here in 1854, aged thirty- two years; Margaret married John Ed- wards at Paterson, New Jersey, and settled in Chicago, where they became the parents of several children; Thomas Andrews, the subject of this sketch; Andrew enlisted in the Union army, participated in numerous engagements, was wounded and at the close of the war was honorably discharged and subsequently married a native of Ten- nessee, by whom he had one son, Andrew; Hugh married Miss Martha Lee, of Or- ange, and the issue was one daughter, Eliza. Hugh enlisted in the Union army under Captain (later General) Kilpatrick, and was killed in the battle of the Wilder- ness.
Andrew Chalmers departed this life in 1846, at the age of fifty-four, his death be-
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ing due to a complaint contracted while serving in the British army during the peninsular war between France and Eng- land. His wife was called to her eternal rest in November, 1845, in her forty-ninth year. They were devout Christians and were communicants of the Presbyterian church.
JAMES B. BURNET, M. D.,
was born at Newark, New Jersey, Decem- ber 2, 1842. He is an alumnus of New York University, from which institution he received his degrees of A. B. and A. M. After a suitable preparation he entered the medical department of the same, and hav- ing been graduated in 1866, he settled in his native city, where he has continued to practice during the last sixteen years, mak- ing a specialty of diseases of the nasal pas- sages, throat and lungs. Dr. Burnet is a member of the Essex District Medical So- ciety.
ISAAC V. SKINNER,
a cigar manufacturer who ranks among the leading and honored residents of East Orange, was born August 2, 1828, on the family homestead, which is situated at the corner of Harrison and Main streets.
The ancestry of the family can be traced back to Benjamin Skinner, who resided in Springfield, Long Island. Those of the name before him came from the north German provinces and established a home in Connecticut in early colonial days. Tra- dition says that one of the name enlisted in the Continental army and was promoted to a captaincy for gallant service, but while seeking shelter in an old building used for
a school-house near Rahway, New Jersey, he was shot and captured by the British. Benjamin Skinner learned the blacksmith's trade in Connecticut prior to his removal to Long Island, and followed that occupa- tion throughout the greater part of his life. During the war of the Revolution his shop was taken possession of by the British and he was forced into the English service dur- ing their stay on the island. He married a Miss Ammerman, by whom he had two children: John and Sarah. The mother died when her son was only two years of age and Benjamin Skinner afterward wedded Mrs. Mott, a widow, by whom he had two children, Amy and William, whose descendants now reside at Lafayette, Long Island.
John Skinner, the father of our subject, when nine years of age went to Newark to live with his aunt, Mrs. Ann Elizabeth Nutman. Two years later his aunt died and he was apprenticed to Stephen Tiche- nor and Matthias Pierson to learn the trade of a tobacconist and cigar-maker, which he followed until failing health compelled him to abandon that business. He then began to learn the shoemaker's trade, which he followed until 1841, when he again turned his attention to the tobacco business, which he followed on his own account on Gross street, East Orange, near where our sub- ject is now carrying on operations. He was very successful, conducting a large and profitable business up to the time of his death, which occurred September 24, 1862, at the age of seventy-one years, his birth having occurred August 2, 1792. He mar- ried Julia Rowe and they became the par- ents of seven children: John R., who was born August 11, 1820, and died December 6, 1836; Ann Eliza, who was born Febru-
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ary 22, 1822, and is the wife of Joseph Kirly, of Brooklyn, New York; Ira, a re- tired tobacconist of East Orange; Sarah Amanda, who was born September 13, 1826, and became the wife of William Hop- kins, of Brooklyn, New York, but is now deceased; Isaac Vanarsdale; Harriet, who became the wife of William Hopkins, by whom she had a son and daughter, and after his death became the wife of Samuel Green, who died, leaving her a widow : and for her third husband she married Joseph Hopkins, a brother of her first husband; Horace F., who was born February 27, 1834, and died at the age of six years. The parents were both consistent members of the Brick Presbyterian church, of Orange, and throughout the community in which they lived had many warm friends.
Isaac V. Skinner, whose name intro- duces this article, acquired his education in the district schools near his home and in early life learned the cigar-maker's trade in his father's factory. He has since been engaged in that industry, and since his father's death, in 1861, he has conducted the business on his own account. He has a very liberal patronage and enjoys a large and profitable trade. The excellent qual- ity of the goods which he places on the market insures a continuance of the public support, while his straightforward dealing commends him to the confidence of all.
Mr. Skinner was married in Newark, May 22, 1862, the lady of his choice being Miss Henrietta Moore, who was born near Lafayette, Sussex county, and is a daugh- ter of Noah Moore. Their union has been blessed with six children: Edgar, now de- ceased; Wilbur, who resides in East Or- ange; Mary Moore; Lilian; Frank H .; and one who died in infancy.
Mr. Skinner is a charter member of Hope Lodge, No. 124, A. F. & A. M., and in his political views is very liberal, voting for the interest of the people rather than the candidate. He was reared in the Presbyterian faith, but the family now at- tend the Congregational church.
WILLIAM J. ANDREWS, M. D.,
was born at Bellefontaine, Ohio, March 21, 1844, and was educated at Cincinnati. He was for some time a medical cadet in a military hospital of his native state, and in 1865 was graduated at the Medical College of Ohio. Soon afterward he was appointed assistant surgeon in the Thirty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In 1860 he removed to Newark, New Jersey, where he is now prac- ticing his profession.
The position of Dr. Andrews in his pro- fession is one of prominence; he has held many important positions in the city and has served upon the medical staff of several prominent institutions.
HENRY A. ACKERMAN,
a highly respected and well known citizen of Nutley, is a son of Gorlind D. and So- phia (Paulison) Ackerman, and was born in Bloomfield, Essex county, New Jersey, on the 17th of June, 1835. His education was received in the public schools of his native town, after leaving which he en- gaged in the mason's trade at Newark, and in October, 1866, removed to Nutley, where he has since continued, attaining a high degree of success in his chosen calling. His father was born in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and was married in and was town committeeman for several years and school
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trustee of that place. His father, Henry Ackerman, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and the father of the last mentioned par- ticipated in the Revolutionary war.
On the 25th of October, 1866, Mr. Ack- erman, our subject, was married to Miss Ellen J. Vreeland, and their two children are named Henrietta and Mortimer D. Henrietta married F. W. Baldwin and they have two children,-Ida B. and Edna F. Mrs. Ackerman's parents, John R. and Ann (Stoger) Vreeland, were natives of Essex county. Mrs. Ackerman died Janu- ary 16, 1892. Mr. Ackerman and family attend the Dutch Reformed church, and in politics he is a Republican.
JOHN M. FORREST,
one of the well known and representative carpenters and stair-builders of Orange, is a native of Ireland, his birth having taken place in the county of Tyrone, on the 16th of July, 1850, and is the youngest of ten children born to Henry and Jane (McKay) Forrest. The parental ancestry was origi- nally English-Scotch, but members of both families settled in the northern part of the Emerald Isle at a very early period, the paternal progenitor locating in the village of Tullyhogue about the year 1688, from which time until about 1880 the family were continuous residents of that section of the county.
The paternal great-grandfather, David Forrest, and the grandfather, also named David, were tailors and farmers, and were worthy and exemplary citizens of the county in which they lived and where they passed their entire existence, each of them dying at a venerable age. David (the sec- ond) reared a family of six children, one of
whom died in infancy, the others being : David; Ellen, who married James Haw- thorne; Margaret, who became the wife of John Barker; Ann, who married Thomas Barker; and Henry, the father of our sub- ject. All of them are now deceased.
Henry Forrest was born in the village of Tullyhogue, county Tyrone, Ireland, on the 2d of February, 1800, and continued to reside there until his death. He was the owner of extensive lands, was also engaged in contracting and building, and took an active part in public matters, filling at one time the position of clerk to the high sheriff of the county, and occupying other offices of importance. His death occurred on the Ioth of April, 1894, he having at- tained the advanced age of ninety-four years. His wife, Jane (McKay) Forrest, was born in the county of Fermanagh, Ireland, in 1815, and there departed this life in 1876. Of the ten children born to Mr. and Mrs. Forrest, David died at the age of forty- four years; Jane married Robert J. Smith, and died when thirty-six years old; Mar- garet married Alexander Montgomery and resides in Salem, Massachusetts; Ann is the wife of John Shaw, and is living in her na- tive land: Ellen is the wife of Hugh Johns- ton, and lives in Ohio; Eliza married John Steenson, and is a resident of Ireland; Miss Mary Jane, also living in Ireland.
The early life of John M. Forrest was passed on the Emerald Isle, his literary education being acquired in pay schools and in an academy, after completing which he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, and a year or two later he became a partner with his father in business, this association continuing until August, 1885, when, de- siring to seek broader fields of endeavor, he embarked for America, arriving at New
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York about the 8th of September. After a residence of a few months in the eastern metropolis, he moved to New Jersey, locat- ing in Orange, where for the past twelve years he has been a resident, five years of which he has been engaged in business for himself, and has achieved a widespread reputation for honorable methods, ability and the execution of high-class work.
The marriage of Mr. Forrest was cele- brated in Cooktown, county of Tyrone, on Tuesday, July 4, 1871, when he was united to Miss Martha Burnett, a daughter of James and Ann (Burnett) Burnett, and the following seven children have been born to them: Annie Jane, who died at the age of twenty years; John, James, David, William Mckay, Edward and Jennie.
In his social relations Mr. Forrest is a member of Lodge No. 171, Orange Insti- tution of the United States of America, and politically he is an affiliate of the Re- publican party. He and his family attend the Protestant Episcopal church and ren- der it a liberal support.
JAMES VAN HORN,
president of the Van Horn Furniture Con- pany, of Newark, was born in Danville, Warren county, New Jersey, on the 26th of April, 1844. He began his education in the public schools there and later contin- ued his studies in the schools of Newark. When he was sixteen years of age he began to learn the printer's trade in the office of the Daily Advertiser, of Newark, where he remained until August 9, 1862, when, prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he of- fered his services to the government and as one of the "boys in blue" went to the front in defense of his country.
Mr. Van Horn was assigned to Company
A, Thirteenth New Jersey Infantry, was mustered in August 25, 1862, and was hon- orably discharged at Trenton, New Jersey, on the 20th of June, 1865. His regiment was organized at Camp Frelinghuysen, Newark, during the months of July and August, its officers being Ezra A. Carman, colonel; Robert S. Swords, lieutenant col- onel; and Samuel Chadwick, major. He left the state August 31, 1862, served in Gordon's Third Brigade, Second Division, Banks' army corps, until September 6, 1862, when the brigade was made a part of Williams' division, Second Army Corps, of the Army of Virginia. On the 12th of September, 1862, Mr. Van Horn with his command was attached to the Third Bri- gade, First Division, Twelfth Army Corps; from January 1, 1863, to February 5, 1863, was a member of the Reserve Division, Army of the Potomac; then a member of the Third Brigade, First Division, Twelfth Army Corps, Department of the Cumber- land, from October, 1863; next a member of the Second Brigade, First Division, Twentieth Army Corps, military Division of the Mississippi, from April, 1864; and the left wing, Army of Georgia, from Jan- uary, 1865.
Mr. Van Horn participated in the Mary- land campaign from September 6 to 20, 1862, and on the 14th of September marched to the support of the troops at South Mountain. He participated in the battle of Antietam on the 17th of Septem- ber, was on duty at Maryland Heights from September 23 to September 30, was near Shepardstown and Sharpsburg from Octo- ber 30 to December 10, and at Fairfax Station, Virginia, until December 26, op- erating near Wold river shoals and the Occoquan river until January 20, 1863.
Canal Van Horul
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He was on duty at Stafford Court House January 26 to April 27, 1863; participated in the skirmishes at Germania Ford, April 30, and United States Ford, May I, the battle of Chancellorsville from May I to May 3; and with his command held the in- trenchments at Scott's Dam from the 3d to the 5th of May. The regiment then marched from Stafford Court House to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, starting on the 13th of June, and reaching their destina- tion on the Ist of July in time to participate in that ever memorable battle which raged through the first four days of that month. The Thirteenth New Jersey then followed in pursuit of the enemy from the 7th to the 3Ist of July and participated in the skirmish at Falling Waters, July 14. He was on duty at Kelly's Ford, Virginia, un- til September 17, and at Raccoon Ford until September 24; moved to Stevenson, Alabama, where they remained from Sep- tember 27 to October 3; was on duty at Tullahoma and Elk river, and on the Nash- ville & Chattanooga Railroad until April 26, 1864. This was followed by the expe- dition to Mulberry, Tennessee, and from January 30 to February II, 1864, Mr. Van Horn served on detached duty. He then joined his regiment, which participated in the operations at Rocky Face Ridge, Georgia, from the 8th to the IIth of May, including the battles of Buzzard's Roost and Snake creek; took part in the battle of Resaca from the 13th to the 15th of May, the skirmish at Cassville on the 16th of May, the skirmish near Calhoun May 17, the battle of Dallas May 25, and the skirmish near Pickett Mills on the 2d and 3d of June. Then came the hard-fought battle of Kenesaw mountain, continuing much of the time from June II to July 2,
1864; the action at Pine Knot on the 16th of June; Muddy creek and Marietta, June 17; Noyes creek, June 18; and supported the artillery at Kenesaw June 27. From the 4th to the 17th of July the Thirteenth New Jersey, with Mr. Van Horn as one of its loyal members, were at Nickajack creek and Chattahoochee river; at Nancy's creek July 18, and participated in the battle of Peach Tree creek, July 20, followed by the siege of Atlanta from the 22d of July to the 2d of September; the demonstration on Marietta road July 27; advance to Burnt House and skirmish, July 30; the occupa- tion of Atlanta, September 2. Then came the expeditions to Flat Shoals, the first from the IIth to the 14th of October, the second from the 22d to the 24th of the same month; after which the engagement of Turner's Ferry was fought November 9, and on the 15th of November the memor- able march to the sea was begun, Atlanta being reached on the 26th of that month. There was a skirmish near Savannah on the 6th of December, at Monteith Swamp, December 9 and 10, and the siege of Sa- vannah the Ioth of December to the 21st; the occupation of Argyle island and skir- mish at Izzard's Mill, December 19; the skirmish at Chesterfield Court House, North Carolina, March 2, 1865; the occu- pation of Fayetteville and destruction of the United States arsenal, March 13; bat- tle of Averysboro, March 16; Bentonville, March 19 and 20; skirmish at Moccasin creek, April 10; surrender of Johnston's army, April 26; started for Washington, April 30, reaching the capital city May 19; participated in the grand review, May 24; and on the 8th of June, 1865, after this hon- orable war record, Mr. Van Horn was mus- tered out.
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Returning to his home he took up the pursuits of civil life, turning his attention to the furniture business, which he has since followed. He was the founder of the Van Horn Furniture Company, which was organized in 1891, and from the beginning he has served as its president. Its success is due to his able management, keen fore- sight, splendid executive ability, earnest purpose and fidelity to the most honorable business principles; and the house is now enjoying an era of prosperity which is well merited by the members of the company.
Mr. Van Horn has been twice married. His first union was with Miss Annie M. Waterhouse, a daughter of George and Elizabeth Waterhouse, and to them were born three children: William, who died at the age of three years and three months; George, who died at the age of eleven months; and Charles W., who was born in 1866, and died October 15, 1892, in Little- ton, Colorado. He was for several years the vice-president of the Van Horn Furni- ture Company. The faithful wife and mo- ther of these children died in 1873, she and her two youngest sons all dying within nine months. Mr. Van Horn was again married, at Newark, January 18, 1875, to Emma Douglas Cox, widow of Thomas M. Cox.
Mr. and Mrs. Van Horn are consistent members of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church, and in his political belief he is a stanch Republican. He belongs to the Newark Republican Club, and to the Thir- teenth Regiment Veteran Association of Newark, and thus renews the associations formed with the old comrades of the tented field in the days when he followed the starry banner until the glorious ensign was planted in the capital of the Confederacy.
GEORGE H. SUYDAM.
The ancestry of the Suydam family can be traced back to Holland, whence, in 1658, came Hendrick Rycken, who made the voyage across the Atlantic in a sailing vessel of which he was the owner. He lo- cated in New Amsterdam, at what was known as the Smith's Fly, in 1678, and af- terward removed to Flatbush, Long Island, where his death occurred in 1701. About 1710 his sons, Jacob, Hendrick and Ryck, adopted the name of Suydam, a cor- ruption of the name Scheidam or Saardam, in Holland, which had been the old home of their father. From these three brothers all of the Suydams in the United States are descended.
Hendrick Suydam, the second son of Hendrick Rycken, became a farmer and settled at Bedford, near Brooklyn, Long Island, in 1698: he died subsequently, in 1743. He had two sons, Lambert and Hendrick. In 1749 the former was com- missioned captain of the Kings county troop of horse. The latter was born De- cember 2, 1706, carried on agricultural pur- suits at Bedford, and died there July 16, 1768. His sons were Henry, Jacob and Lambert.
Lambert Suydam, the third son, was born August 30, 1743, and made his home in Bedford. He was captain of the Kings county troop of horse and at the opening of the Revolution, being a Whig, entered the Colonial army and did good service for his native land. He died April 1, 1833, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years.
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