USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume I > Part 19
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kindly deeds and beautiful thoughts. Three years later, on April 23, 1803, in the neighboring town of Nagatuck, Connecticut, Maria Benham first opened her eyes to the light of day. These two grew to youthful years, met and loved each other with an ardor that culminated in their betrothal, and on September 20, 1826, they were duly joined in the silken cords of matrimony. Ten children were added as a blessing to their home, and their descendants are now to be found in almost every quarter of our broad land. Harriet Goodyear, their eldest child, was born November 23, 1827, and married Jo- seph Morgan Coles, January 29, 1851; Esther, born August 8, 1829, married James Eli Wilson and is the mother of our subject; Cynthia Goodyear, born August 6, 1831, married Robert Johnson Burt, May 4, 1853; Augusta Hoad- ley, born March 1, 1834, married William W. Heritage, November 7, 1859; Helen Caroline, born August 20, 1836, married Benjamin Smith Everett, June 9, 1864; Edward S., born September 29, 1838, married Sallie W. Wood. November 21, 1871; Henry Clay, born June, 1840, married Sallie A. Wilkins, April 2, 1868; Frank, born February 12, 1842, married Alice Rebecca Mar- shall, September 9, 1865; Harrison, born September 14. 1845, died August 13, 1847; and Charles Lewis, born September 3, 1847, died January 21, 1857.
Stephen Bateman died July 28, 1886, aged eighty-seven years, three months and twelve days. Spared beyond the ordinary allotment of life, his mental powers were unimpaired and his old age was one of comparative activity and comfort; although sight and hearing had, in a measure, failed him, yet he was able to enjoy the companionship of his family and friends and to the last took a lively interest in all their affairs. Possessed of a generous nature, he was a source of constant blessing to others, but too free to favor the personal accumulation of wealth. He was a blacksmith by trade, and one of the best in that section. Always ready and willing to oblige and befriend his neighbors, he bestowed upon his labors for their convenience the greatest care, yet often did they tax both patience and skill, even after his retirement from active life. Wherever he was he always found some deed of usefulness and unselfishness to perform and the accomplishment of it afforded him the keenest pleasure. He was of a cheerful, social disposition and ever ready with joke or song to beguile a tedious hour or give amuse- ment to those around him. He was of a deeply religious nature, although he was undemonstrative and his innate diffidence kept him from publicly affirm- ing it, yet his faith was observable in his every-day life and bound him to the strict performance of his Christian duties. In his chamber were his Bible and books of spiritual texts, and often was his voice heard in private devotion and supplication. He ripened spiritually as physical strength de- clined, and though his death was sudden it did not find him unprepared.
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and was but the fitting climax to a beautifully rounded Christian life. His wife had preceded him across the silent river on November 3, 1873, and there awaited a blissful reunion. The descendants of this worthy couple hold a family reunion each year at the residence of some of the members and the minutes of each meeting are regularly printed in pamphlet form for souvenirs of the occasion.
Howard A. Wilson was a student in the public schools of Burlington, New Jersey, and there acquired the greater part of his primary education. Later he attended the South Jersey Institute at Bridgeton and subsequently entered the Polytechnic College at Providence, Rhode Island. He then took a medical course in the Jefferson Medical College, in Philadelphia, graduating in that institution March 29, 1884. He read medicine under the guidance of Dr. Elisha Munger, of Niantic, Connecticut, and opened an office for the practice of his profession in Deerfield, Cumberland county, New Jersey, in 1884. After remaining there two years he located in Woodbury. where he enjoys a continuous and extended patronage from the best class of patients, although his services are willingly bestowed on rich and poor alike. and many an unfortunate sufferer has had cause to bless the kind heart and ministering hand of Dr. Wilson.
He was married near Woodstown, this state, to Mary E. Morgan, daugh- ter of the late Israel L. and Talitha (Conover) Morgan, the ceremony being performed September 4, 1889. They have three children: Howard A., born December 8, 1890; Mary Esther, who was born July 12, 1893, and died on the 27th of the following June, and Alice Morgan, born October 2, 1899. The Doctor is a member of the New Jersey State Medical Society and the Gloucester County Medical Society, is an honorary member of the Salem County Medical Society, and a member of the Woodbury Board of Educa- tion. He is a Republican in his political views and a member of the Baptist church. of which he is a deacon and president of the board of trustees.
JONATHAN C. JAMES.
Jonathan C. James, who is engaged in farming and in the manufacture of lumber near Sea Isle Junction, was born in Dennisville, New Jersey. April 26, 1829, his parents being Enoch and Nancy (Hitchner) James. His father was a native of South Dennis, this state, and was a wheelwright, mill- wright and farmer. For many years he was a resident of Dennisville, and there his death occurred. During the war of 1812 he joined the army and served as a fifer. His political support was given the men and measures of
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the Democracy. In his family were six children,-four sons and two daughters: Maria, the wife of Abraham Reeves; Thomas, a carpenter, who married Susan Ross, by whom he had two daughters,-Anna Eliza and Mary Jane; Enoch, a farmer, carpenter and contractor, who married Maria Townsend and had four children,-Enoch, Fannie, Maria and Fred; Hannah, wife of James Ludlow, a farmer and sea captain, by whom she had three chil- dren,-John, Anna and Frank; John, a carpenter, who wedded Mary Carroll, their children being Bell, Harry and Bertha; and Jonathan C., of this review. The father of these children died at the age of seventy-five years, and the mother passed away at the age of eighty-four years.
Jonathan C. James pursued his education in the Ludlam school, in Den- nisville, and afterward learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed for twenty-five years. On the expiration of that period he turned his attention to farming and to the lumber business, getting out timber and cord-wood and operating a steam sawmill near Seal Isle Junction. In this undertaking he has met with creditable success, and in addition to the conduct of the mill he owns and cultivates a farm of one hundred and sixty-five acres. which is highly improved and yields a good return for the labor and attention which Mr. James bestows upon it. He employs eight men in the sawmill, and the output of the mill finds a ready sale upon the local market.
On the 21st of June, 1852, Mr. James was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Carroll, a daughter of Henry Carroll, and to them have been born four children, the eldest being Clara. Mary is the wife of Rev. Charles Law- rence, of Haddonfield, by whom she has two children, Edson and Mary. Charles, the third child of subject, married Lydia Robinson and has nine children; Milton, deceased; Sarah, Cora, Fannie, Jonathan, Alice, George and Harriet (twins), and Carroll. Anna, the youngest child of our subject. is the wife of Professor David Davis, of Haddonfield, New Jersey.
Mr. James holds a membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and in his political faith is a Democrat, but has never sought or desired office. preferring to devote his time and energies to his business interests, in which he is meeting with signal success.
WILLIAM S. RICHMAN.
William S. Richman, of Malaga, Gloucester county, New Jersey, is the popular assessor of Franklin township, and resides on a farm near the vil- lage. He was born in this neighborhood, as was his father, Joshua Rich- man. His grandfather, Gideon, was of English parentage. Joshua Rich-
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man was a man who had made his own way in the world and had every rea- son to be proud of the progress he had made. He was a great reader and possessed a keen intelligence that made him a man among men. He was a freeholder and held a number of other offices. He was a farmer and lumber- man, a shrewd business man and accumulated considerable property, which was divided among his children at his death in March, 1882. He was united in marriage with Miss Mary Kandle, a daughter of Adam Kandle, who bore him nine children, five of whom survive her. They are Adam K., a miller of this place; A. B., also a miller of this vicinity; Daniel, of New York; William S., our subject; and Gideon, who resides in the state of Pennsylvania.
William S. Richman attended the common schools of his district in early life and soon began clerking in a store. In 1892 he was appointed the post- master of Malaga for four years, and his accommodating manners and cour- teous treatment would have won even any who were not already listed as his friends. He is well known in political circles and has held a number of township offices. In 1896 he was elected assessor and has discharged his duties in an able and conscientious manner.
The lady whom he chose as his wife was formerly Miss Jennie Small- wood, the daughter of Samuel P. Smallwood, a resident of this section. They had three children, two of whom only are living,-Helen and Rachel. Mr. Richman has always affiliated with the Democratic party, but is a man who has warm friends in the ranks of both parties and is deserving of the esteem in which he is held.
JOHN GAYNER. -
New Jersey is pre-eminently a manufacturing state and ships her products to all parts of the world, and probably no town within her borders adds more to the shipping list than Salem. This thriving little city is situated in the county of that name, on the Salem river, and is directly connected, by the Delaware river, as well as by rail, with Philadelphia, which is the prin- cipal shipping point in this part of the county. Among the leading indus- tries which have contributed largely to the growth and prosperity of Salem is that owned and controlled by the Gayner Glass Company, which company is incorporated with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, with John Gay- ner as president; Edward Gayner, treasurer; and John W. Gayner, secretary. In the factory employment is furnished to a large force of operatives, and the mammoth business is the outgrowth of the personal efforts and industry
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of John Gayner, whose name introduces this review, one of the most promi- nent business men in his section of the state.
He was born December 5, 1831, and is a native of England as were his father and grandfather. The latter, John Gayner, Sr., was a resident of Bristol, England, where Edward Gayner, the father, was born and spent his entire life. There he was married, on the 7th of June, 1829, to Elizabeth Parker. He was celebrated in his native town for his ability as a manager, having charge of a glass factory into which he took his sons, teaching them the business. Three of them have made it their life occupation. The father died at the age of sixty-eight years and the mother passed away at the age of seventy-four. In their family were thirteen children, namely: Eliza, who was born July 5, 1830, died September 9, 1831 ; John was born December 5, 1831; Edward, born January 23, 1833, was in early life a glass-blower of Bristol, England, but afterward became a resident of Norristown, Pennsyl- vania; James, who was born October 3, 1834, located in Australia, where he engaged in the grocery business; Eliza, born February 15, 1836, died when about twenty-five years of age; Robert, born September 4, 1837, is a resident of Bristol, England; Richard, who is also living in Bristol, was born February 14, 1839; Frank, born November 2, 1840, located in San Francisco, California; Mary, born April 17, 1843, is still living in England; Mathew, who was born in January, 1843, came to this country with his brother John, but soon returned to England, and his present place of resi- dence is not known to his family; Ann, born December 23, 1847, is still living in England; George, who learned the trade of shoemaking, is following that pursuit in the land of his nativity; and Hannah, born July 23, 1837, is married and resides in England.
John Gayner is largely a self-educated as well as self-made man. Having little opportunity to attend the day schools, he pursued his studies in evening classes, and by reading and observation has added largely to his knowledge. At the age of twelve years he entered the glass works of which his father was manager, and after two years he was apprenticed to the firm of Coath- upes & Company, of Bristol, and Nailsea, England, for a seven-year term, to learn the art of window glass and shade blowing. He was to be paid seven shillings or about a dollar and seventy-five cents a week for the first year and to receive a shilling additional each week through each succeeding year until his wages had become twelve shillings or three dollars per week for the sixth and seventh years. The firm was so well pleased with the manner in which he served his apprenticeship that he was presented with the follow- ing letter:
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SHEET & CROWN GLASS WORKS.
February 1, 1853.
To all whom it may concern: The bearer, John Gayner, has served his time with us as a sheet-glass blower for seven years, and I have much pleasure in stating that throughout the whole of his time he conducted himself with strict propriety,-so much so as to induce us to enter upon an immediate en- gagement with him as a journeyman. He is a very good workman, and of sober, steady and industrious habits, superior to most of a similar class. I am further,
Yours very truly,
Oliver Coathupes.
The company offered him five pounds-twenty-five dollars-if he would enter into another agreement for another year as a journeyman and at the end of that time renewed their contract, and thus kept him in their service until their retirement from business about four years later. He was with that company and its successors for twelve years and then withdrew with the in- tention of engaging in business on his own account, having acquired quite a little capital as the result of his industry and economy. Accordingly he began operations in Bristol in an old deserted flint factory, manufacturing glass shades, but he found that he had very strong competition and that the enterprise would not prove a profitable one. For this reason he closed out the business, and, severing his home ties, started for the New World, taking passage on the Nova Scotia. He was accompanied by his wife and six children, and after about fourteen days spent on the water landed in Port- land, Maine, with twenty-five dollars in his pocket. The same day he took the train for Boston, where he secured a position in the Crystal Glass Works, being there employed until the last of July, when the factory closed down, never to resume business again. Finding himself out of work with a large family dependent upon him, and funds getting low, he started out again and obtained a position at Bergen Point, New Jersey. He entered upon the duties of his new position in August, and the following September that busi- ness also was closed down and did not resume operations until some time afterward, and never again at that place.
Mr. Gayner then went to Syracuse, New York, but after four months passed there he was called home on account of the illness of his wife. He had entered the service of the Syracuse company with the understanding that he might return to Caven Point when the old Bergen Point Company, which was to be reorganized, should need him. As that company was almost ready to resume business he did not return to Syracuse, but removed his family to Caven Point, the place where John William Gayner, the present
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secretary of the Gayner Glass Company, was born, May 27, 1867. But the new place of residence afforded no school or church privileges and Mr. Gay- ner, with a desire to give his children good educational advantages, went to Norristown, Pennsylvania, where a new glass factory was being opened under the management of Jacob Green. He accepted a position as window glass and shade blower and for two or three years was fortunate in having continuous work, during which period, through the assistance of his estim- able wife, he was enabled to save some money. On the 27th of April, 1869, they made their first payment-nine hundred dollars-on their first little home, which they purchased of William Vaughan. Not long after this Mr. Gayner was offered the position of manager of a window glass works at Wheeling, West Virginia, and removed to that place, where he remained until offered the position of superintendent of the factory at Norristown, in which he had formerly been employed. He then returned to the Keystone, and on leaving Wheeling he was given the following letter:
To whom it may concern: The bearer, Mr. John Gayner, has been in my employ as manager in the Window Glass House, and I hereby recommend him as a sober and capable man and competent superintendent.
George W. Robinson.
Wheeling, West Virginia, December 29, 1869.
After taking charge of the Norristown plant Mr. Gayner found it in a bad financial condition. He hoped to straighten out its affairs, however, and when asked to go on a note to pay the workmen he consented. He found, though, that the business was too much involved and the demands of the creditors could not be put off, so that he lost all of his savings by this act of kindness. At the sheriff's sale a banker purchased the factory, but before doing so asked Mr. Gayner if he thought he could make a success of the business if money was furnished him. Mr. Gayner replied he thought he could, and accordingly was hired to superintend the works. After three very successful years, during which the enterprise proved a very profitableone for its owner, and when he had just completed the furnaces for a fourth year's work, he was asked to resign. Wishing to know the reason for this he was told that the other workmen were dissatisfied (which was caused by a jealous spirit as they noted his advancement) and they persuaded the banker that it was useless to pay Mr. Gayner so much for managing when his own son could do just as well. The banker, desirous of saving the salary paid Mr. Gayner, fell in with the plan of the workmen and not only asked for Mr. Gayner's resignation but also collected the note which Mr. Gayner had signed for the bankrupt company, amounting to about two thousand dollars.
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The year following Mr. Gayner's retirement affairs moved with some degree of success in the factory, but with less the next year, and the third year he was asked to return and assume the management again. This he refused to do, and things kept going from bad to worse. Six times was he solicited to return, but each time he refused, and the factory was at length closed down and is now falling into decay.
In the meantime Mr. Gayner, with the few hundred dollars which re- mained to him of his earnings, had removed his family to Waterford, New Jersey, in 1874, and there went into business with Maurice Raleigh. After two years Mr. Raleigh withdrew, and through the following year the business was conducted by the firm of Gayner & McDevitte. On the expiration of that period Mr. Gayner started a very small furnace for making glass shades and entered into partnership with S. J. Pardessus, of New York city. In July, 1879, they removed their business to Salem, New Jersey, where they employed six or seven men. The firm of Gayner & Pardessus was dissolved in the year 1885, the senior partner wishing to admit his sons to a partner- ship in the business. He considers that the substantial foundation of his present prosperity was laid during the years of his partnership with Mr. Par- dessus, for he found in him a true friend, to whom he feels most grateful. He is now conducting the largest fruit-jar manufactory in the east, his sales amounting to over one hundred thousand dollars annually. Year by year his business has increased until it has assumed extensive proportions, and at the same time he has seen those who used him unfairly gradually lose their business until it was involved in utter failure.
Mr. Gayner has been twice married. He first wedded Frances Atkin, and to them were born six children, four of whom reached years of maturity .- Francis, Margaret, Edward J. and Frederick Charles. The mother of these children died at the age of twenty-eight years, and Mr. Gayner was married October 1, 1861, to Miss Elizabeth Wilkins, by whom he had several chil- dren, all of whom died in infancy, with the exception of J. William and Eliza Florence, the latter the wife of Frank Morrison, a clerk in the office of Mr. Gayner. The mother was called to her final rest September 3, 1899.
Since locating in Salem Mr. Gayner has made many friends by his honor- able dealing, and is now one of the most popular and esteemed citizens of the county. He is a valued member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows and of the Methodist church, and is a public-spirited citizen who takes a commendable interest in everything pertaining to the welfare and progress of the community along educational, social, material and moral lines. His success is most creditable, being the result of his own well directed efforts. His close application to business, his perseverance and capable management
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have brought to him a degree of prosperity which numbers him among the wealthier men of his adopted county. His life is an exemplification of what may be accomplished through determined purpose and laudable ambition in a land where merit and talent are not hampered by caste or class, and where opportunity is open to all who care to advance.
EDWARD J. GAYNER.
Edward J. Gayner occupies the prominent and responsible position of treasurer of the Gayner Glass Company, and possesses undoubted business ability. He stands high in the esteem of his fellow citizens and is considered a man of most exemplary character.
He is a son of John and Frances Gayner and came to America with his parents and four brothers and sisters when he was but a lad. He was born near Bristol, England, as were his father and grandfather, Edward Gayner. His grandfather was a prominent glass-worker in his native city and had the management of the factory situated in Bristol for many years. He married Eliza Parker and had twelve children, who are now widely scattered in dif- ferent parts of the world. James went to Australia, where he is a glass- blower, and several of the sons sought homes in America, among them Frank, a resident of San Francisco, California: Edward, a glass-blower of Norristown, Pennsylvania; and John, the father of our subject.
John Gayner had unusual advantages for becoming familiar with the work of glass-making, as he entered the factory as soon as his school days were ended, and remained there until he was proficient in the work. He married and had five children, when he decided to locate in America. which he did in 1866. After visiting several places, among them Boston, Massa- chusetts, Jersey. City, New Jersey, Norristown, Pennsylvania, Wheeling, West Virginia, and Waterford, this state, he settled in Salem and started a glass factory here in 1872. This was necessarily begun on a small scale and employed but six or seven men. The business increased steadily, but he con- tinued at the same place until 1884, when the buildings were destroyed by fire, and then he rebuilt, on a more extensive scale. The factory now occu- pies four acres of land and is supplied with all modern machinery to facilitate the work, enabling them to turn out sixteen tons of goods per day. He first married Frances Atkin, by whom he had six children, four of whom grew to manhood and womanhood,-Francis, Margaret, Edward J., our subject, and Frederick C. His second wife was Miss Elizabeth Wilkins, who with her two children, William and Eliza Florence, are still living, the latter the wife of Frank Morrison, who is employed in the office of the glass company.
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Edward J. Gayner received his earlier education in England and was a student in the schools of this country for six years,-at Boston, Massachu- setts, Bergen, New Jersey, and Norristown, Pennsylvania. After the glass- works were established he entered the factory and learned the trade of win- dow-glass cutting at Norristown, following his father to Waterford and Salem, there learning the business and rising at length to the position of treasurer and being actively identified with the actual management of the plant. He is a shrewd business man, whose common sense and sound judg- ment make him prominent in business circles. He has rendered his father invaluable assistance in running the factory, and aims to make only the best goods. They employ one hundred and seventy-five hands,-men, women and girls,-and use only modern methods, having two machines for the construction of boxes and a Seaman gas-melting tank furnace. They ship largely to jobbers, but also supply retailers, sending their goods to all parts of the country. They manufacture large quantities of fruit-jars and also make battery jars, and have taken out a patent on the mold for a storage battery jar.
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