USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > Biographical and genealogical history of the city of Newark and Essex County, New Jersey, V. 2 > Part 31
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J. M. SHEPARDSON.
Classed with the representative business men of South Orange, New Jersey, is found the gentleman whose name forms the head- ing of this sketch-J. M. Shepardson.
Mr. Shepardson is of Scotch descent, and comes of a family long resident in New Eng- land. He was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, October 26, 1836. His father and grandfather, both named John Shepardson, were natives of Massachusetts and both fol-
lowed the quiet pursuits of the farm. The younger John Shepardson was born in 1807 and died in 1878, at the age of seventy-one years. His wife, whose maiden name was Mary Pratt, also was a native of Massachu- setts. Of the other children born to them besides the subject of this sketch we record that Catherine is a native of Massachusetts; Mary Jane, wife of George Putman, is a res- ident of Greenfield, South Carolina; and Ruth, wife of Cyrus White, lives in Massa- chusetts.
J. M. Shepardson was reared to farm life. When he was four years of age the family home was changed from Rhode Island to Massachusetts, and there he grew to manhood. In his youth he learned the jewelry business, followed the same for some time, and from that drifted into the machinist's trade. When the war of the Re- bellion broke out he was for a time engaged in the manufacture of guns at Providence, Rhode Island, and after the war he went to Boston and engaged in business there. In 1882 he and his son, Everett B., established the business in which they are now occupied at South Orange, New Jersey, that of agri- cultural implements and bicycles. Besides carrying a large stock of both they also manufacture all kinds of tools and do bi- cycle repairing. In connection with this implement business, Mr. Shepardson is interested in insurance, being the agent at South Orange for the Prudential Insurance Company.
Mr. Shepardson married Miss Amanda Fuller, a native of Massachusetts and a daughter of Wilder and Patience (Briggs) . Fuller, the Fullers belonging to one of the primitive families of the Old Bay state. To this worthy couple two children were born, namely, Everett B. and Frederick. Everett
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B. married Miss Laura Courter, daughter of Theodore Courter, a native of Morris county, New Jersey, and a member of one of the first New Jersey families. Two chil- dren, Raymond and Harold, have been born to them. Frederick Shepardson wedded Miss Mary Doremus, a native of Morris county, New Jersey, daughter of John Do- remus, who likewise was a representative of one of the first families that settled in New Jersey.
Socially, Mr. Shepardson is an Odd Fel- low. His membership in this organization is with Lodge No. 4, Providence, Rhode Island, and he is also identified with the en- campment. Politically, he is a Republican.
CHARLES F. UNDERHILL,
warden of the Essex county prison, was born in Concord, New Hampshire, on the 12th of June, 1842, and is a son of Charles W. and Susan Eastman (Kimball) Under- hill, both of whom were natives of New Hampshire. In 1847 the parents removed to Woonsocket Falls, Rhode Island, in which place they resided for about five years, the father carrying on the harness- making and carriage-trimming business. While there he took an active part in the "Dorr war," being an ardent follower of the leader of the movement, and as the result of his active interests in this struggle his business was broken up and he was forced to leave the state. He then removed to Millville, Massachusetts, just over the Rhode Island line, but subsequently re- turned to the latter state. However, he again went to Millville and two years later again took up his residence in Concord. Although his age exempted him from ser- vice in the civil war, he enlisted in the
Union army and was with Grant at the siege of Vicksburg, and subsequently par- ticipated in the battle of the Wilderness, in which he was seriously wounded. He was carried from the field and sent to Norfolk, Virginia, and thence to New York city, where he remained in the hospital for some time. After the war he returned to Con- cord, where his death occurred, at an ad- vanced age. His wife also spent her last days in that city.
Charles F. Underhill spent the days of his boyhood and youth in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, and hav- ing acquired a good common-school educa- tion he learned the business of manufactur- ing woolen goods, and in 1866 came to Franklin, New Jersey, to take charge of the woolen mills of B. Underhill & Company. A year later he assumed the management of the Yantico Woolen Mills, owned by the firm of Stitt & Underhill, with which house he was connected until 1882, when the own- ership was changed, the factory becoming the property of A. T. Stewart & Company, and Mr. Underhill continued in charge until Mr. Stewart's death. In 1883 he leased the Harrison Woolen Mills, which he oper- ated until 1885, manufacturing fancy cash- mere for a time and then engaging in the manufacture of men's woolen underwear under the name of the Underhill Manufac- turing Company, of which he was president and manager. In 1888 he withdrew from that company and formed a connection with the Star Hosiery Mills, owned by Has- kell Palling, with which house he remained until 1890. In August of that year he went to the west, locating in Provo City, Utah, where he operated an eight-set woolen mill until 1893. Returning then to New- ark he has since made this city his home.
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In March, 1895, Mr. Underhill accepted the position of keeper in the Essex prison, and on the 8th of July, 1897, was appointed warden of the institution, in which capacity he is now acceptably serving. He is just, careful and discriminating in the discharge of his duties, and his efforts have won the commendation of those who have the su- pervision of the institution. He has filled one other public position of trust and re- sponsibility, having in 1886-7 been a mem- ber of the New Jersey legislature as the representative from the first district.
In 1861, following the firing upon the Sixth Massachusetts Regiment on its way through Baltimore, he manifested his loy- alty to the government by offering his services. He joined a regiment that was made up of volunteers, and although ready for duty this regiment could not be mus- tered into service because of the lack of equipments. Owing to this fact Governor Andrews was compelled to refuse the ser- vices of the regiment. Later, however, he enlisted in Company C, Forty-eighth Mas- sachusetts, and served for about a year in General Meade's division, doing duty most of the time at Port Hudson.
Mr. Underhill was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Darling, of Millville, Massa- chusetts, and nine children have been born to them, but the eldest son and the fourth daughter are now deceased. Socially Mr. Underhill is connected with the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the United Friends and the Order of Red Men. He has always taken a deep interest in the welfare of his adopted city, has served for eight years as a member of the board of freeholders and was chairman of the town committee during the first five years after the organization of Franklin
township. He supports all measures cal- culated for the public good, and lends his co-operation to all enterprises tending to advance the general welfare. His sterling worth has won him many friends, and he well deserves representation in this volume.
PATRICK BOYLE,
a florist at South Orange, was born in the Bluefield region, county Roscommon, Ire- land, March 14, 1857, and is a son of John and Hannoria (Kennedy) Boyle. The father, a son of Patrick Boyle, received a common-school education and followed the useful occupation of farming throughout his life. He died October 24, 1885, at the age of seventy-five years, but his wife is still living, her home being in county Ros- common, Ireland. The family numbers thirteen children, all of whom are yet living with the exception of Mary Ann, who be- came the wife of David McNulty and died about 1887, leaving three children, namely, Aggie, John and Joseph. John is now a resident of San Francisco, California ;. Michael wedded Mary Kane and resides in Orange, Essex county; Peter and Ellen make their home in New York city; Theresa is a resident of East Orange; Thomas is living in Dublin, Ireland; Jo- seph is living on the old homestead in Ros- common county, Ireland; Hanorea, Sabina, Katie and Eliza are all with their mother.
Patrick Boyle is indebted to the public schools of his native land for the education he acquired. He remained in his parents' home until seventeen years of age, at which time he went to Birmingham, Warwick- shire, England, where he was employed by James Timkins, a rose grower and horti- culturist, remaining in his service for nine
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years, during which time he completely mastered the business. On the expiration of that period he made up his mind to come to America and carried out this resolution by his embarkation on a westward bound steamer, March 25, 1881. On the 4th of April he landed at New York, and thence came to East Orange, where he entered the employ of Richard Purdue. He was afterward employed by Thomas Lyons, with whom he remained one year, and for nine years was in the service of Henry Graves. That ended his labors for others, for on the expiration of that period he em- barked in business on his own account. He purchased land at the corner of Moun- tain House road and Clark street, South Orange, made extensive improvements upon the place, erected a commodious and handsome residence, and built large green- houses on the latest improved plan. He is extensively engaged in the cultivation of all kinds of flowers, but makes a specialty of roses, and his rose gardens are the won- der and admiration of all lovers of this "queen of the garden." His thorough understanding of the business and his love for the calling have made him very success- ful in the cultivation of flowers, and his good management and honorable dealing have secured him excellent financial returns for his labors.
Mr. Boyle was married in Orange at the church of Our Lady of the Valley, October 29, 1884, to Bridget Fox, a daughter of Martin and Helen (Nertug) Fox, both na- tives of county Roscommon, Ireland. Five children have been born of this union: Theresa, born October 17, 1886; Peter, born September 18, 1888; Mary, May 26, 1889; Patrick, who was born March 9, 1891, and died January 14, 1895; and
Anna, born November 29, 1896. The fam- ily are communicants of the church of Our Lady of the Valley. Mr. Boyle is a worthy and highly respected citizen and a leading business man. The elements of honorable success have characterized his business ca- reer, and energy and perseverance and am- bition have enabled him to triumph over all obstacles in his path and work his way steadily upward.
NELSON SMITH,
who was born in Livingston township, Es- sex county, New Jersey, on the 9th of April, 1820, is a son of Allen Smith, a na- tive of the same place, whose birth took place some time in the latter part of the eighteenth century, his death occurring at the venerable age of eighty-four years. His father, Uriah Smith, was probably also a native of this county.
Allen Smith, the father of our subject, was a carpenter by trade, and he married Miss Susan Beach, a daughter of Aaron Beach, a representative of one of the old families of the county. The maiden name of Mrs. Beach was Burnett, and she was likewise a native of this county. To Allen Smith and his wife were born the following children: Mary, who died when sixteen years old; Betsy became the wife of William B. Winans, of Livingston township; Nelson, our subject; Charlotte, who married Benjamin Whitney and died at about forty years of age; Catherine; Susan, who married Luis Rathburn; Phebe Ann became the wife of Amos Rathburn, of Madison; and Mar- garet. Mrs. Smith died a short time prior to her husband, aged about sixty-five years. Nelson Smith spent his early years on
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the farm, assisting in the work thereof and later learning the carpenter's trade from his father, following that vocation for over half a century. When he first entered upon this line of enterprise he secured his timber from the forests, hewed the logs and built a house, manufacturing his own sash, doors and blinds, and since then he has continued with merited success, confining his labors to his resident county, where he has acquired an enviable reputation as a man of enter- prise and ability.
On the 22d of December, 1842, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Ma- linda Courter, a native of Livingston and a daughter of Joseph and Sally (Johnson) Courter, both of whom were also born in this county. By this union the following named children were born: Laura, the wife of Bern Dickinson; Joseph, of Elizabeth; Lambert; Emma became the wife of M. A. Budd, of Morris county; and William, at home.
In politics Mr. Smith was formerly an old-line Whig, later becoming a Repub- lican, and for several years he served as township committeeman. He is an ad- herent of the Hanover Presbyterian church, in which he is a trustee. Mrs. Smith de- parted this life on the 10th of February, 1897, at the venerable age of seventy-four years.
JOSIAH FLETCHER,
deceased, who made his home in Orange, was one of the distinguished lawyers at the bar of New York. Naturally the brightest minds in the profession assembled in the metropolis of the nation. To gain a posi- tion of eminence among such indicated the possession of strong mentality, marked in-
dividuality and superior legal powers on the part of Mr. Fletcher.
He was born in Cambridge, Massachu- setts, in 1839, and his death occurred on the 8th of January, 1887. His father, Richard Frederick Fletcher, was a great- grandson of one of the name who founded Ludlow, Vermont, in early colonial days and was a direct descendant of Josiah Fletcher, who came from England on the second trip of the Mayflower and was among the first settlers of Plymouth, Mas- sachusetts. Josiah Fletcher, whose name forms the caption of this memoir, acquired his early education in Phillips Academy, in Andover, Massachusetts, afterward attend- ed a Jesuit college in Canada, and was a graduate of Dartmouth College. Having determined to engage in the practice of law as a life work, he entered the law depart- ment of Harvard University and became a graduate of that institution. He first prac- ticed in the office of Judge Richard Fletch- er, his uncle, who was judge of the supreme court of Massachusetts, and later went to Europe on account of his health. While abroad he was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Charles, a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a daughter of John Charles and a granddaughter of Captain John Cav- anaugh, of the British army. Her early life was largely passed in Europe, where she was educated.
On returning to his native land Mr. Fletcher resumed the practice of law in New York in the office of Edwin James, a re- nowned criminal lawyer of that city, who previous to leaving England was queen's counsel, and on coming to Newark chose criminal law as his specialty. He subse- quently practiced alone, having his office in the Tribune building. He was remark-
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able among lawyers for his wide research and the provident care that he gave to the preparation of his cases. He attained high distinction in civil law, which embraces the most difficult and involved problems of jurisprudence, and was engaged by a syndi- cate of mine-owners to go to Mexico as their counsel. In that capacity he re- mained in the land of Montezuma for two years, and in 1883 returned to his home. He had a distinctively representative clientele, and the volume of his business as- sumed extensive proportions. His wide legal learning, his logical arguments, his thorough mastery of the principles of the law and the cause in litigation gained him a prestige which was indeed enviable.
In 1876 Mr. Fletcher removed to Orange and three years later purchased the property which is now occupied by Mrs. Fletcher. He greatly improved and beautified this, making it one of the most attractive and valuable residences in this local- ity. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher was blessed with two chil- dren. Lilian Maud is the wife of George B. Wason, of Boston, Massachusetts. She is a Daughter of the Revolution and served as secretary of the society. Ethel Bertha is the wife of Winthrop Lincoln Mead, of South Orange. Mr. Fletcher was a mem- ber of the New England Society of Orange and attended the services of the Episcopal church. A man of marked courtesy, of pleasing personality and attractive manner, he had many friends in the business and social world. Mrs. Fletcher still makes her home in Orange. She is a lady of culture and refinement and a leader in so- ciety circles there.
Josiah Fletcher, an ancestor of the sub- ject of this memoir, was among the first
who took up arms against the British in the war of the Revolution. He remained in active service to the end of that struggle, and was adjutant general on General Wash- ington's staff during the Rhode Island cam- paign. Mr. Fletcher's aunt, Grace Fletch- er, was Daniel Webster's first wife, and her son, Fletcher Webster, was a colonel in the civil war.
ABRAM LUTHER JACOBUS,
one of the prosperous farmers of Essex county, was born in New York city on the IIth of September, 1829, and is a son of Adrian and Nancy (Mead) Jacobus, natives of New Jersey, the former of whom was born in Whitehall, Morris county. His first American ancestors were natives of Holland, who came to America, probably two hundred years ago, and settled in this state. Adrian Jacobus, father of our sub- ject, was reared on a farm, subsequently going to New York, where he learned the carpenter's trade, following the same dur- ing the remainder of his life, his death oc- curring in 1832. Both he and his wife were members of the Dutch Reformed church. They reared three children, namely: Ame- lia, who married a Mr. Hopper; Abram L .; and Elizabeth, who became the wife of John Berdan, of Paterson, New Jersey. Mrs. Jacobus eventually married William S. Hogancamp, and of the six children born to them five survive: William, Jane, Fan- nie, Mary and Helen. Mrs. Hogancamp departed this life in 1879, aged seventy-one years.
Abram L. Jacobus passed his youth upon the old homestead, acquiring his education in New York city and in the district schools, and upon attaining his majority he went to
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New York and engaged as a clerk in a in England about 1630 and became a resi- store for three years. In 1853 he went to California by way of the isthmus of Panama, the journey occupying thirty-one days, and there embarked in the dairy business, con- tinuing in the same for two years, when he returned to New Jersey and took up his residence on his present farm, which com- prises one hundred and sixty acres of highly cultivated land.
Politically Mr. Jacobus is a stanch Dem- ocrat, rendering a loyal support to that party, and he has served as judge of elec- tion for several years. In their religious faith he and his wife and children are con- sistent adherents of the Methodist Episco- pal church.
In November, 1856, Mr. Jacobus was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Van Blar- com, a daughter of Jacob and Hulda Van Blarcom, of. New York city. Eight chil- dren have been born to them, four of whom survive, as follows: Amelia; Mary, who is the wife of Harvey H. Naylor, of Chatham; Ella and Frederick. Mr. Jacobus is an in- dustrious, progressive agriculturist, and he and his family are among the most respect- ed and influential residents of the commu- nity.
PHILEMON LYMAN HOADLEY,
secretary of the agency department of the American Insurance Company, of Newark, was born in Collinsville, New York, De- cember 6, 1845, and is a representative of a distinguished old American family that has furnished a number of prominent char- acters to the history of the nation. Gov- ernor George Hoadley, of Ohio, belongs to this family. The original American ances- tor was William Hoadley, who was born
dent of Saybrook, Connecticut, about 1663. Three years later he removed to Branford and purchased the homestead of Rev. Abraham Pierson, who afterward became the first Presbyterian minister of Newark. His son, Samuel Hoadley, was the father of a second Samuel, whose son, Jacob Hoadley, was the great-grandfather of our subject. The grandfather, Philemon Hoad- ley, was born in Branford, Connecticut, in 1755, served as one of the heroes of the Colonial army in the war of the Revolu- tion, and died in Collinsville, New York, in 18II. His son, Lyman Hoadley, the father of our subject, was born in Westfield, Massachusetts, in 1781, and died in Collins- ville, New York, in 1861. He manifested his loyalty to his country by service in the war of 1812. He married Charlotte Eliza Cowles, who was born in Durham, Green county, New York, in 1812, and died in Newark, in 1893. They had two sons, Philemon L., of this review; and Rev. James H. Hoadley, D. D., a prominent Presbyterian divine of New York city.
Philemon L. Hoadley acquired an academic education and was graduated in 1862 in the Whitestown Seminary, of Whitestown, New York. He entered upon his business career as a clerk in a bank in Camden, New York, and in 1868 conduct- ed a local insurance agency there. In 1869 he removed to New Jersey, having accept- ed a position as special agent of the Han- over Fire Insurance Company, of New York, for New Jersey and eastern New York, acceptably filling that and other po- sitions with the Hanover until Decem- ber, 1874, when he assumed his present po- sition as secretary of the agency depart- ment of the American Insurance Company
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of Newark. Mr. Hoadley is a man of keen sagacity and discrimination, of excellent executive and business ability, and is there- fore peculiarly well qualified for the duties of his office. Not a little of the success of the American has resulted from his able management and his fidelity to all the in- terests committed to his care.
In 1870 Mr. Hoadley took up his resi- dence in Roseville avenue, Newark, and the following year erected his pretty and com- fortable residence. He married Mary Olm- stead, of Camden, New York, and to them were born four children. Mrs. Hoadley has made her home noteworthy for its gener- ous hospitality and the family have a large circle of friends. Mr. Hoadley takes a deep interest in everything pertaining to the up- building and advancement of the city and lends a hearty support to all movements calculated to promote its welfare. He is a prominent member of the Presbyterian church, a member of the Sons of the Amer- ican Revolution and of the New Jersey Historical Society. A man of broad gen- eral culture, interested in everything that tends to promote the literary taste of the community, genial and pleasant in manner, he is popular with all classes.
JOHN C. LA FAUCHERIE,
a prosperous and well known builder and contractor of Belleville, Essex county, was born in Trenton, New Jersey, on the 27th of May, 1847, his parents being John B. and Cornelia (Costner) La Faucherie.
John B. La Faucherie was a native of France, his birth taking place in Bordeaux on the 9th of June, 1784, and when about nineteen years old he left France in com- pany with his mother and went to the West
Indies, where they engaged in the importa- tion of sugar and molasses, Mrs. La Fauch- erie continuing her residence in that coun- try until her death. The son came to the United States and first located at Borden- town, where he established a stage line be- tween that city and Burlington, but subse- quently moved to Trenton and purchased a tract of land which now forms a part of the city, and thereon built extensive stables and formed what was known as the Union Line, its route being from New Brunswick to Trenton and thence across the Delaware to Bristol, conducting the same until the introduction of steam power.
In politics Mr. La Faucherie was an en- thusiastic Democrat, and socially he was a member of Trenton Lodge, No. 5, Free and Accepted Masons. Upon the celebra- tion of LaFayette day in New Jersey he was appointed marshal of the day, and, as he was about five feet ten and a half inches in height, weighing one hundred and seventy- five pounds, and erect in carriage, he made a very gallant appearance in his uniform.
By his first marriage he became the father of two children: Rostein F., a hard- ware merchant of Trenton, now deceased; and Annie, also deceased, who became the wife of James L.' Robinson, of Trenton. Upon the occasion of his second marriage Mr. La Faucherie was united with Miss Cornelia Costner, of Trenton, a daughter of William Costner, and they reared three children, all of whom survive, namely: Fannie, the wife of John Zenker, of Tren- ton; Rostein F., in the employ of the Roeb- ling & Son Manufacturing Company; and John C., the subject of this review.
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