USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume I > Part 14
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He is a stanch Democrat and has held several offices in the gift of the people. In 1858 he was elected the town clerk, holding the office three years, was the assessor three years, a committeeman twenty-five years and a justice of the peace thirty years. In this office he has endeavored to temper justice with mercy, especially in the case of youthful offenders, that they might be rescued from their erring ways and become good and useful citizens; and many a young man has reason to bless the kindly heart that prompted the words of fatherly advice. He was the judge of the common-pleas from 1884 to 1894 and has also been a notary public for many years. For over twenty- five years he has been the president of the Elmer Mutual Building & Loan Association. He is one of the directors of the Cumberland Mutual Fire In- surance Company, of Bridgeton, New Jersey, and director of the Bridgeton National Bank since its organization fifteen years ago. He was the mayor of the town for one year to fill a vacancy and has often been solicited to run for the office, but has invariably refused. He was in the city council three years, and in his younger days was an active worker in the cause of temper- ance. In 1872 he allowed the use of his name for the legislature, but as he made but little effort to secure the election for himself he was defeated.
About December 27, 1850, occurred the marriage of Judge R. M. Hitch- ner and Miss Elizabeth A. Garrison. She was a daughter of Samuel Garrison, an old settler and prominent Methodist of Pittsgrove township, who was a member of the legislature several times. Almost fifty years of happy married life had been granted this worthy couple, and on June 9, 1897, just as they were approaching the golden mile-stone, in the midst of family and friends, death snapped the silver cord that bound them and the beloved wife entered into her eternal rest. The children who are left to solace the father's de- clining years are: Joseph, educated in the South Jersey Institute of Bridge- ton and has been the telegraph operator and agent of the West Jersey Rail- way at Elmer since 1873; John F., a farmer resident of this vicinity; Phoebe C., who married Omer H. Newkirk and is a resident of Friendship, this county; Anna M., at home; and Harriet I., who married Charles H. Gibson.
Judge Hitchner is a remarkably well preserved man and still takes pleas- ure in contributing to the advancement of the business interests of Elmer, and any worthy object is certain of meeting his ready sympathy and aid. The
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building fund of the new Presbyterian church was increased to a large extent through his generosity, although he is an attendant of the Methodist Epis- copal church and was the president of the board of trustees when that organi- zation erected their new house of worship. He has spent a good deal of money in his efforts to bring various enterprises to this place, and with a few others offered a large bonus to prospective manufacturers in order to induce them to start in business here. He has the entire confidence of the public and his services have been in demand in settling up estates. His business life has been crowned with success and he to-day owns more land than any man in the county.
J. P. CHEESMAN, M. D.
Dr. Cheesman, a prominent homeopathic physician of Elmer, Salem county, was born August 10, 1851; in Bridgeport, Gloucester county, New Jersey, where he grew to manhood. He is a son of Nehemiah and Rachel (Atkinson) Cheesman and a grandson of Ephraim Cheesman, of English descent. Nehemiah was born in Swedesboro, Gloucester county, and be- came a prominent farmer of that community. He was a zealous worker in the Methodist church, acting as a class-leader and steward for over forty years. He was a firm believer in the doctrine promulgated by the old church and regulated his life in accordance with the strict laws of that organization, was one of the pillars of the church, and was always found at the head of the meetings. He died in 1881, leaving six children, namely: Rev. H. N. Chees- man, who died January 9, 1894; Eli; Dr. John P., our subject; Drusilla R .. Anna H. and George M.,-the three last being occupants of the old home- stead.
Dr. J. P. Cheesman attended the public schools of Bridgeport in his youth and later took private instructions. Having decided to make the study of medicine his profession, he entered the Hahnemann Medical Col- lege, of Philadelphia, graduating in 1879, and at once came to Elmer, where he began the practice of his chosen profession. He at once took a great interest in all public affairs and made many friends on account of his public spirit and friendly disposition, at the same time displaying a knowledge and skill in his practice that showed the finished student and called forth the wonder of those who were new to that school of medicine. His success was assured from the start, and his practice now includes the best and most lucrative in the village, many of those who held aloof at first being now among its strongest advocates. He keeps himself posted up to date on med-
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ical questions and is skilled in his practice, the most gratifying results attend- ing his ministrations.
Dr. Cheesman was first married, March 6, 1875, to Miss Clementine F. Young, a daughter of M. P. Young, of Swedesboro, New Jersey. After their marriage they moved to Camden, this state, where she died, in August, 1876. At the latter place a son was born, May 10, 1876, and named Walter C., who on growing up became a post-graduate of the Elmer (New Jersey) public school, after which he graduated with honors at the South Jersey In- stitute, of Bridgeton, this state. After four years of study at the Hahnemann Medical College, of Philadelphia, he obtained the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine at that institution. Since then he has taken two post-graduate courses in Philadelphia hospitals, is now located on Havreford avenue, and gives promise of becoming a skillful practitioner.
The subject of this sketch, Dr. J. P. Cheesman, was again united in mar- riage, April 10, 1879, with Miss Sue B. Hannold, a daughter of William H. Hannold, a leading citizen of Swedesboro. By this marriage there are two children: William Hannold, born November 16, 1881, who was the valedic- terian of his graduating class at the Elmer high school and was a graduate in the class of 1900 in the preparatory department of the Temple College, of Philadelphia, where his name has been placed on the roll of those who have the highest averages; and Clementine Frances, born May 7, 1883, who was the salutatorian of the 1900 graduating class at the high school of her paternal home.
Dr. Cheesman is one of the most energetic citizens of Elmer; is a great friend of education, and consequently has been chosen to serve on the board of education, where he proved very efficient. He has always taken an active part in church work, being now the treasurer of the Methodist Episcopal church, which office he has held for the past twelve years. For several years he was the leader of the church choir and superintendent of the Sunday- school, and he considers nothing a sacrifice that will further the cause of religion.
WILBERT B. HITCHNER.
One of the best known citizens of Salem county is the gentleman of whom this sketch is penned; but in this particular, his father, Elam Hitchner, probably surpasses him. The latter, who is yet living, his home being in Woodstown, is one of the veteran stage-drivers of this region, who for years conveyed travelers to Penn Grove, Yorktown, Woodbury, Red Bank and other points, to various towns along the route he followed. Thus he became
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known to the people, far and near, and his sterling integrity, kindly, cheerful manner, and accommodating disposition rendered him a general favorite and a welcome visitor wherever he went. Born on the 21st of December, 1821, in Greenville, New Jersey, he is now approaching four-score years, but his mind and memory of past events and experiences are clear; and he is an en- tertaining converser, relating numerous stories of men who have passed from this earthly stage, but who often traveled with him to and fro on errands of business or pleasure. In his early manhood he learned the trade of a wheelwright and pursued that occupation during a part of the '40s, nor did it come amiss to him after he started his stage line.
Elam Hitchner is the only surviving son of John and Barbara (Martin) Hitchner, the former born at Greenville, New Jersey. His only living sisters are Eliza, the wife of James Reed, of Elmer, and Salome Sithens, of Philadel- phia. Those who have passed to their reward are Harriet, formerly the wife of James Avis, of Deerfield, New Jersey; Margaret, the wife of Preston Lip- pincott, and Henry and Jacob. Martha Hitchner, the mother of our subject, was the daughter of Jacob and Rachel (Dilks) Park.
W. B. Hitchner was born in Woodstown, Salem county, July 5, 1851, and when he arrived at a suitable age he was sent to the public schools of that town, there acquiring an excellent education. He made the most of his opportunities, and was only seventeen years old when he obtained a certifi- cate to teach. After teaching for a period he took up the business of grocer in Woodstown, and continued in that line for nearly six years. During the Centennial year he bought the Yorktown stage line of Wm. Richmond and ran stages until February, 1883, when the first passenger train went over the Woodstown & Swedesboro branch of the West Jersey & Seashore Rail- road, then newly completed. In 1884 he acted as the head clerk in the general store of Joseph Reading for a few months, at the expiration of which time he purchased a coal business in Woodstown, and since has added a full line of lime, cement, fertilizers and similar necessaries. He has built up an excellent business and enjoys not only the patronage but also the confi- dence of the public to an enviable degree. He is a director and treasurer of the local building association. In the Baptist church, of which he is an earnest member, he is a deacon and serves as the president of the board of trustees.
On the 29th of January, 1879, Mr. Hitchner married Mary E. McAl- tioner, daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann McAltioner, but their life to- gether was of brief duration, as she was summoned to the silent land March 24, 1880, when but twenty-two years of age. The second marriage of Mr. Hitchner took place January 27. 1889, Miss Hannah S. Reeve, daughter of
Gta Thethincotto
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Elmer and Mary Ann Reeve, of Woodstown, being the lady of his choice. They have become the parents of four sons, namely: Howard Cleveland, Elmer Reeve, George McAltioner and Elam Martin.
CHARLES D. LIPPINCOTT.
This gentleman, who is the senior member of the firm of Lippincott & Gaskill, merchants of Swedesboro, was born in Harrison township, Glouces- ter county, New Jersey, September 18, 1841, and is a son of Chalkley and Phoebe (Deull) Lippincott, also natives of Harrison township, who died in 1880, the former of whom was aged seventy-six years. He is a great-grand- son of Aaron Lippincott and great-great-grandson of Benjamin Lippincott, who with his brother Caleb were sons of Jacob Lippincott. The latter came from Burlington county, New Jersey, at an early day and took up a large tract of land in what is now Gloucester and Salem counties, New Jersey, upon which his descendants located and became extensive farmers. All of these children were the posterity of Richard Lippincott, an English Puritan who came to Boston in colonial days and who, during some religious contro- versy, was driven from that place and returned to England. Later he re- turned to this country and settled in Burlington county, New Jersey. He had ten sons and his descendants are numerous.
The father of our subject was born in what is now Harrison township, Gloucester county, in 1802; he died in Mullica Hill, November 5, 1880. They had eight children, as follows: Ann, who married Thomas L. Borden, now deceased, of Mickleton, New Jersey; Beulah, who was the wife of Asa Engle, of Harrison township; Asa, a farmer in Harrison township; Hope, the widow of Benjamin L. Moore, of Harrison township; Adon, a builder and contractor living at Asbury Park; Charles D .; Henry, a carpenter residing at Mullica Hill, and Amos, a merchant tailor of Asbury Park.
Charles D. Lippincott obtained his education in the public schools of his native township, and as a boy did much hard work on the farm. With many of his associates he responded to the call for volunteers when the civil war broke out, and on July 29, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Twelfth New Jersey Volunteers. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and from the battle of Fredericksburg, December 16, 1862, to the close of the war he saw active service. He was several times slightly wounded, and although young in years so proved his courage and ability that he rapidly rose from the ranks until in 1864 he was made captain. When "the cruel war was over" he was honorably discharged July 25, 1865.
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On his return from the army Mr. Lippincott purchased the old home- stead on which he continued farming until 1869, when he removed to Swedes- boro and engaged in merchandising. In 1893 he admitted his son-in-law, S. W. Gaskill, as a partner. They do a general merchandising business and have the largest and best appointed store in Swedesboro, their success being due not only to the excellence of the stock they carry but also to the repu- tation they have earned as upright and trustworthy men. Mr. Lippincott is the president of the Heat, Light & Power Company, the Swedesboro Water Company and the Lake Park Cemetery Company, and also is the secretary of the Lakeside Land Company, all institutions of Swedesboro. The fact that his associates have chosen him for these responsible positions is sufficient evidence of his ability as a business man, and of his high standing in the community. He takes much interest in the science of botany and has found time, in spite of his multitudinous cares, to make a thorough study and an almost complete collection of the flora of Gloucester county.
Mr. Lippincott was married February 9, 1866, to Henrietta, a daughter of Samuel H. Weatherby, of Harrison township, and they have three chil- dren: Luella, wife of S. W. Gaskill, who has one child, Samuel B .; Clarence is a salesman in the employ of a mining supply house in Denver, Colorado; Martha W. married C. W. Justice and lives in Philadelphia. Fraternally our subject is a member of the Osceola Lodge, No. 75, I. O. O. F., of Swedes- boro, and politically he advocates the principles of the Republican party. He is a loyal citizen, interested in everything that pertains to the welfare of his community and is always ready to assist in philanthropic enterprises.
JUDGE HARRY S. DOUGLASS.
One of the most prominent members of the bar of southern New Jersey is Judge Douglass, whose analytical mind, keen perception, sound judgment and comprehensive knowledge of the science of jurisprudence have made him one of the distinguished representatives of the legal profession in this part of the state. He resides in Cape May Court House and is now serving as the judge of the common-pleas court.
He was born in Cape May county, September 24, 1858, and is a son of Joseph and May Wood (Garrison) Douglass. His paternal great-grand- father, Thomas Douglass, was a native of Scotland, and with his father, Alex- ander Douglass, came to the United States, locating at Trenton, New Jer- sey, where he spent his remaining days. He owned a large amount of prop- erty there, and during the war of 1812 he manifested his loyalty to his adopted
Harry S. Dangling
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CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
land by driving a team in the American army. His son, William Douglass, the grandfather of the Judge, was a native of Trenton, and by trade was a boss ship-carpenter. He built a number of ships at Goshen, but after some years abandoned that pursuit and turned his attention to farming, purchasing land on Dias creek, in Cape May county. In his political views he was a Whig in early life, but on the dissolution of the party he joined the ranks of the new Republican party. He was three times married. By his first wife, Mary, he had five children,-Thomas, William, Judy, Marsey and Mary. By his sec- ond wife, Deborah, there were no children. For his third wife he chose Achsah Hand, a daughter of Recompense Hand, one of the heroes of the Revolutionary war. They had four children: Deborah, wife of Thomas Sayres; Rebecca, who became the wife of Frank Ludham and afterward mar- ried Theodore Corson; Ann, wife of George Benezet; and Joseph. The grand- father of the Judge died at the age of eighty-six years, and his wife passed away at the age of seventy-five.
The maternal grandfather. Nelson Garrison, was born in Cape May county, New Jersey, and in his business career followed farming and also engaged in business at Cape May Court House as a dealer in boots and shoes. He was an enterprising merchant, and his able conduct of his business interests brought to him gratifying success. His political support was given the Re- publican party, and in his religious belief he was a Methodist. He married Eliza L. Leaming, and they became the parents of seven children: Mary Wood, mother of our subject; Nelson, a farmer of Erma, Cape May county, who married Rhoda Cresse and after her death wedded again; Julia, who married James Fowler and after his death became the wife of Isaac P. John- ston, a hotel steward in Cape May city; William L., who wedded Mary Sayre and follows farming at Erma; Charles F., who married Phoebe Husted. and is a carpenter and undertaker at Cape May Court House; J. Leaming, a farmer of Erma, who married Hattie Cobb; and Eliza, deceased. The father of these children died at the advanced age of eighty-five years, and the mother is still living, at the age of eighty-four.
Joseph Douglass, the father of our subject, was born in Cape May county, on Dias creek, May 4, 1837, and in the common schools acquired his educa- tion. He has devoted his time and attention to farming and has also been a sea captain. For some time the family resided on Dias creek, but for fif- teen years their home has been in Cape May Court House. Mr. Douglass is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is a leading citizen and a man of sterling worth, who enjoys the confidence and esteem of his many friends. He married Miss Garrison, and the record of their children is as fol- lows: Judge Harry S. is the eldest. Theresa is the second of the family.
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Nelson G., who is connected with general mining interests in New York city, married Adela ;Mason, and has three children, Granville B., Gideon and Theresa. Joseph, Jr., who studied law with Judge Douglass for his preceptor and is now practicing at Cape May Court House, was formerly a teacher. He married Hannah Stiles, and they have two sons,-Charles and Herbert. Eliza G., deceased, was the wife of Captain Robert B. Thompson, a sea cap- tain, residing in Cape May Court House. Gideon H. is also deceased; and . Achsah, the youngest of the family, died in infancy.
Judge Douglass acquired his elementary education in the public schools and later attended the Salem Collegiate Institute and Pennington Seminary. He studied law with John B. Hoffman as his tutor at Cape May Court House, and in February, 1886, was admitted to the bar as an attorney, and in 1892 as a counselor. He at once began practice and gradually built up a large business, which connected him with much of the important litigation tried in the courts of his district. In 1896 he was appointed by Governor Griggs judge of the court of common pleas and is now serving on the bench. He is most fair and impartial in his decisions, which show a thorough understand- ing of the case and a comprehensive knowledge of the law applicable to the points in litigation. He practices in the chancery and supreme courts, and is an able lawyer, his keen analytical mind enabling him to determine with accuracy the strong facts in his suit, while his power of logic and of argument enables him to present these to court or jury in a way that never fails to carry weight and seldom fails to gain the verdict desired.
The Judge also has other business interests. He is a director and stock- holder in the Mechanics' & Laborers' Building & Loan Association of Cape May Court House, the State Mutual Building & Loan Association, and is the secretary and treasurer of the branch, and a general director of the main association. He is also a director of the Building & Loan Mutual Life In- surance Company of Camden, New Jersey.
On the 25th of December, 1884, Mr. Douglass was united in marriage to Miss Eleuthera Smith, a daughter of James Smith, who was a sea cap- tain, but is now deceased. His first wife died in January, 1886, and on the Ist of January, 1890, the Judge was again married, his sec- ond union being with Marian S., a daughter of Elija B. Wheaton, a retired sea captain. They have two children: E. B. and John Branin.
In his political views the Judge is a stalwart Republican and keeps well informed on the issues of the day. He served as postmaster of Cape May Court House during the administration of President Harrison, but has never been a politician in the commonly accepted sense of the term. Socially he is connected with Hereford Lodge, No. 108, I. O. O. F .; with Arbutus
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CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
Lodge. No. 170, F. & A. M., and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is a consistent and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is now serving as steward and trustee. For thirteen years a dis- tinguished member of the legal profession, honored and respected in every class of society, Judge Douglass has long been a leader in thought and move- ment in the public life of southern New Jersey. He inspires personal friendship of unusual strength, and all who know him have the highest ad- miration for his good qualities of heart and mind.
CHARLES F. HITCHNER, M. D.
The gentleman whose sketch it is our privilege to present to our readers on this page has been inseparably connected with the prosperity and up- building of the thriving little village of Elmer for many years, and has done more than any other citizen to give it a standing in the commercial world. He was born March 14, 1844, on the old homestead which later became the town site and has always retained an affection and interest in the prosperity of the place that has led him to put forth every effort for its development and success. His father was David Hitchner, who was born in Greenville, this county, and was a son of Jacob, a native of Germany. David Hitchner was reared to a farmer's life and followed it to the end of his days, dying on his farm in 1875. He was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Sithens, by whom he had five children: Robert; Hiram, a farmer of this vicinity whose sketch follows this; Elizabeth, wife of E. S. Eastlake, of Deerfield: Mary, wife of William C. McKean, of Camden; and our subject, Dr. C. F.
Dr. Hitchner spent his early life on his father's farm and was inured to hard work. At the age of eighteen years he entered Hudson River Institute, as it was his desire to become something more than a mere tiller of the soil. Five years at this institution but whetted his longing for a more complete education, and he decided to enter the medical profession. He engaged in teaching through one winter at Somers Point, near Atlantic City, and then went to Philadelphia, where he entered Jefferson Medical College, gradu- ating with a class of one hundred and fifty in 1867. He at once returned to the home of his boyhood and began the practice of his chosen profession. He was efficient and skillful and soon won the confidence of the community in his practice, so that he had all the business he could attend to. In 1880, after fourteen years of active work, he retired from the professional practice, much to the regret of those who had come to depend on his skill and judg- ment in all questions of bodily ill. He belonged to all the various medical
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
societies and that profession met with great loss when he abandoned his practice. He inherited one hundred acres of fine land in the town of Elmer, near the depot, which is laid out in town lots; and it has been the especial care of the Doctor to improve these lots and make them desirable property. The streets of the village have been improved by thousands of shade-trees set out by his bountiful hand, while the number of manufacturing plants which he has induced to locate here is almost beyond belief. The first to come was the Cotting Spindle Company, which employs about twenty-three men and which located here in 1881, after Dr. Hitchner gave them a bonus to do so. Then in the following year. 1882, the McAllister Foundry, employ- ing eight hands, was given a bonus and came to this village. Next he do- nated the ground and erected a building for the canning factory and induced a carpet manufacturing house to decide this was the best field for their plant. The hosiery factory came here at a cost to Dr. Hitchner of five thousand dollars, while the Elmer Gazette owes its start to his generous nature, as he erected the building and purchased the machinery to put the infant industry on its feet. In 1885 he gave the ground and three thousand dollars against five hundred by the citizens, for the Elmer Glass Works, which give employ- ment to seventy-five men and are a credit to the community. The Brooks Shoe Manufacturing Company also came under his notice and he furnished the ground and put up a building for them. The Farmers' Exchange build- ing was erected by him and many other enterprises received their primary impetus from him and their financial backing as well. Thinking a band would be a pleasure and add to the attractions of the village, the Elmer band was organized and the instruments purchased for them by our subject. A shirt factory was among the industries induced by him to locate here, but they were a short-lived concern. He built a hot-house and put in a boiler as an inducement for a florist to engage in business here and has been a ready friend of the community in all cases. Thus it is seen that the Doctor has done an immense amount for the village of his home.
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