USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume I > Part 28
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Mr. Schurch, of this review, acquired his education in the grammar schools of Philadelphia, but put aside his text-books at the age of sixteen years in order to enter his country's service. He was one of the boy soldiers of the war of the Rebellion, becoming a drummer of Company C, Fortieth Infantry. He was sent to the frontier at Williamsport, Maryland, remaining there for the term of his enlistment,-nine months. Subsequently he en- gaged in the manufacture of drums for the government, in Philadelphia, and later he devoted his energies to the photographic business for four years, being connected with his brother in that enterprise at Scranton, Pennsyl-
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vania. Subsequently he was associated with his father in the manufacture of quills and ink. They also dealt in stationery, and later he handled butchers' supplies, carrying on operations in that line from 1869 until 1875, when he bought out his father's business and admitted his brother William to the partnership. They conducted the enterprise until 1879, when Mr. Samuel Schurch sold out to his brother and removed to Butler county, Nebraska, where he engaged in stock farming until 1888. In that year he returned to the east, locating at Ocean City, where he followed carpentering and also conducted the Bellevue bath houses, the largest bath houses on the beach, situated between Seventh and Eighth streets. In 1894 he was elected tax collector and treasurer, filling that office until 1897, when he was again chosen tax collector, since which time he has been the incumbent of that position. In addition to his official duties he also conducts a summer board- ing-house. He is the owner of a number of lots at Ocean City.
On the 29th of December, 1868, Mr. Schurch wedded Marie Emilie Heine, a daughter of Louis Heine. They have had seven children: George, deceased; Bertha, wife of Frederick S. Carter, a bricklayer, by whom she has one child, Ethel; Sarah, deceased; Helen Louisa, Charles Edward, Har- riet Mattie and Edna Augusta. Mr. Schurch belongs to the Masonic fra- ternity, holding membership in St. Paul Lodge, No. 481, in Philadelphia; also in Palestine Chapter, No. 240, R. A. M. He belongs to the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, at Ocean City, and formerly was con- nected with that organization in the state of his birth. His political support is given the Republican party, and he labors earnestly to promote its growth and insure its success. At all times he has manifested the same loyalty to his duties of citizenship as when he followed the old flag to the south in the civil war.
DR. M. J. PALDING.
The name of Dr. Palding was for many years a household one in Dare- town and surrounding country, and none knew him but to love and honor him.
He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 16, 1843, a son of Theopolis Palding, who was a native of Daretown, New Jersey. The his- tory of the Paldings in this country goes back to colonial days. The fam- ily now have in their possession parchment deeds for large tracts of land in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and Salem county, New Jersey, and also for lots in Philadelphia, dating as far back as 1648. Isaac Palding, an uncle of the subject of this sketch, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Theopolis Pald-
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ยท ing was a self-made man. He went to Philadelphia early in life and as a boy entered the employ of the firm of Taylor & Johnson, of that city, which was afterward changed to Taylor & Palding, when he was taken in as a partner.
In Philadelphia M. J. Palding passed his boyhood days, attending the common schools until he was twelve years old. He then went to Mount Aaron Seminary, at Norristown, Pennsylvania, and later to the popular school at Mount Holly. Taking up the study of medicine, he entered the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1865. After his graduation Dr. Palding came down to Daretown to the old homestead, which had been bought by the family for a country place, and here opened an office and entered upon his professional career,-a career which was attended with marked success and the untimely ending of which brought sorrow to all the people of the town and adjacent country. Decem- ber 26, 1893, while crossing the railroad tracks at Woodstown, five miles from his home, he was struck by a passing train, his horse being killed and he being thrown some distance and injured to such an extent that he died soon afterward!
Dr. Palding was not only a skilled physician and surgeon, but also was an all-round gentleman in every sense of the word. His fine personal appearance, together with his scholarly attainments, his very large-hearted nature and his charm of manner made him a favorite with all, old and young alike. While he was devoted to his profession, and was a member of various medical organizations, he found time for other matters and was always ready to give his support to any worthy public enterprise. He was for a time the president of the Agricultural Association, which held its meetings at Woods- town. For years he was interested in farming operations, making a specialty of the stock business, keeping the choicest of fine cattle and horses, and perhaps did more than any other man to give the county the reputation it has for fine stock. In both educational and church matters he was active and influential, being a member of the congregation of the Presbyterian church and one of its liberal supporters. For years he was a member of the Daretown school board. His large practice took him for miles into the coun- try, through sunshine and rain; and he never stopped to ask whether it was to the bedside of the rich or the poor he was called, ever giving to both his best efforts. Many there are among his patients who can testify to his gen- erosity and his untiring energy.
The terms "devoted husband" and "loving father" truly applied to him. He was married February 25, 1868, to. Miss Helen Gerrish, a daughter of John C. Gerrish, of Philadelphia. Mrs. Palding, like the Doctor, belongs to a family long resident in this country. She traces her ancestry to Revolu-
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tionary stock. To Dr. and Mrs. Palding were born eight children, namely: . John G. and Theodore, twins, Walter E., Moses J., Henry S .. George U., Josephine and Margaretta.
SMITH BILDERBACK.
Smith Bilderback is a well known and highly respected citizen of Salem, Salem county, New Jersey, and descended from a long line of ancestors who made their home in Salem county, the first one having come from Sweden. He is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Dubois) Bilderback and was born in the village of Alloway, this county, September 10, 1819. His grandfather was a life-long resident of Pittsgrove township, where he died before the birth of our subject. His children were Richard, Samuel, Martha and Thomas, the father of our subject. Samuel's daughter Hannah married Adam Smith, a morocco dresser of Philadelphia.
Thomas Bilderback was born September 3, 1797, in Pittsgrove township and learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed throughout his active business career. The greater part of his life was passed in Alloway, but sev- eral years before his death he suffered a stroke of paralysis which left him so disabled that he was forced to retire from active labor and moved with his family to Salem, where his last ten years were spent, passing away in 1858, in his sixty-second year. He was a Democrat and took an intelligent interest in the success of his party, to which he contributed in no uncertain manner. He held a number of local offices, including that of freeholder, also having a seat in the legislative halls of New Jersey in 1847. He was an ardent advo- cate of the Democracy as expounded by Jackson. He united with the Bap- tist church of Alloway and later was associated with the First Baptist church of Salem, and was a man of lofty principles and high ideals. He first wedded Miss Sarah Dubois, who became the mother of our subject. Four children were born to them. Henrietta, the eldest, born in 1817, married Frederick Knaufft, a morocco merchant of New York city. Smith Bilderback was the second child. John, the third, was born in 1823 and married Elizabeth Sick- ler. He was a veteran of the war of the Rebellion and a carpenter of Salem, where he died. Amanda died in infancy. The mother died in her thirty-sixth year and the father placed at the head of his motherless household Mrs. Phoebe (Walker) Peck. By this union there were five children: Sarah, who married Richard Waddington, of Elsinboro; Hannah and Thomas, both of whom died in infancy; Phoebe Ann, who married William Wilkinson, of Connecticut; Ellen Augusta, who married James S. Gibbon, of Philadel-
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Smith Biliestech.
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phia. The third wife, nee Eunice Lawrence, also had five children: Hannah, who married Thomas McCrea, of Delaware; Emma, who died in childhood; Thomas, who fought in the civil war, but died in early life; George, who married Miss Tamar Lewis, of Delaware; and Mary, who died in infancy.
Smith Bilderback was educated in the pay schools of Alloway under the tutorship of W. W. Wood, a well known and popular instructor of that day. Later he was under the instruction of Jonathan L. Brown, of the same place. He left school when he was nineteen to learn the trade of carpenter, serving a regular apprenticeship to his father, and another to Empson .Haines, who had a splendid reputation as a skillful mechanic. While working with him they completed the Methodist Episcopal church edifice at Sharptown. Soon afterward he entered into partnership with his father, the firm being known as Thomas Bilderback & Son, and continued to do contracting and building until the breaking out of the civil war. They were master workmen and their services were in demand all through that section of the country.
On October 8, 1861, he enlisted for three years' service in the Ninth New Jersey Regiment, Company I, under Captain Henry Chew. The company was in camp at Olden, Trenton, and Mr. Bilderback was detailed at once as the regimental commissary sergeant, having charge of the supplies of the regiment. This was a non-commissioned office superior in rank to lieutenant, and he served in that capacity for two years, until he contracted a fever and was obliged to return home on furlough to recuperate his strength. He again enlisted in Company F, Thirty-fourth Regiment, under Captain Henry Reed, and was appointed as second lieutenant. Under the first enlistment he was in the Burnside expedition and for three weeks lay off Cape Hatteras in a terrible storm in which many vessels were sunk and great loss of life was suffered. They also lost much of their supplies, causing great deprivation. He had many narrow escapes, was at the battle of Roanoke Island, at White Hall and numerous other engagements. The regiment was first sent to camp on Bladenburg Pike, near Washington, D. C., where they remained until January, 1862. They were then assigned to the Seventh Brigade, in General Burnside's corps, and went to Annapolis, Maryland, where, on January 9, they embarked for North Carolina, their operations being confined to the states of North and South Carolina and Georgia. They were then assigned to the Second Brigade, Casey's division and later to the First Brigade, Sec- ond Division, Eighteenth Army Corps, serving in many different brigades and several corps. He was discharged at Columbus, Kentucky, April 26, 1864, on account of physical ability, and returned home to take up the duties of private life, which had been temporarily abandoned for those of patriotism.
Smith Bilderback and Martha R. Stretch were united in the holy bonds
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of matrimony on March 5, 1842. She was a daughter of Isaac Stretch, a blacksmith of Alloway Creek, who died at the age of thirty-six years. They had three children: Mortimer, who was born April 23, 1844, and died July 3. 1848; Edmund Smith, who was born September 1, 1853, and was drowned in Salem creek August 4, 1862; and Martha Virginia, who was born January 12, 1861, and who married the Rev. Edwin H. Bronson, the pastor of Block- ley Baptist church in Philadelphia. Their children are William Paul, de- ceased, Katharine Virginia, Vera Millicent and Phillip Elliot. The Rev. Bronson passed to his reward July 9, 1889, since which time his widow has made her home with her father and been employed as a teacher in the public schools. After returning from the war he engaged in the whiting and pressing business at Salem. He is not now in active business. His honesty and in- tegrity are beyond question. He was a Democrat before the war, but has since found the Republican principles to conform more nearly to his views of right. He has served in a number of local offices: was the clerk of the town- ship of Alloway Creek, three years, the constable for that township, tax collec- tor, member of the board of freeholders three years, and in 1850 was elected to the state legislature. In August, 1856, he came to Salem and served as freeholder four years. He was also a trustee of the county almshouse and represented Salem on the board in 1888-9 and from 1891 to 1899. He is also a zealous member of the Baptist church, in which he has been both deacon and trustee. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He is also a member of Johnson Post, G. A. R., No. 69, with which he united fifteen years ago, and has filled all the offices in the gift of the organization. He takes the greatest interest in all the affairs of the Grand Army of the Republic, attending the state meetings, depart- ments, encampments, etc. He is a genial, pleasant gentleman whose life has been filled with interesting data, and it is a privilege as well as pleasure to hear him recount some of the interesting features as he recalls them.
JAMES MONROE CHESTER.
The ancestors of this gentleman came to Cape May county during colon- ial days and the name has since figured prominently in connection with the annals of this section of the state. It is easy to picture the paternal great- grandfather, Joseph Chester, in the colonial dress of the period, superintend- ing his farm of three hundred acres, the place being operated with the primi- tive implements in use at the time. He was born in Eldora, Cape May county, and throughout his life was a gentleman farmer, winning through
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the cultivation of the fields a comfortable competence. He gave his political support to the Democracy, and was an adherent of the Methodist Episcopal church. Both he and his wife died when eighty years of age. The grand- father of our subject was born in Dennis township. Cape May county. and for several years was a sea captain, commanding vessels engaged in the coast- ing trade. At the time of his death he resided in Goshen, Indiana, and during the war of 1812 he served as a member of the home guard. In early man- hood he gave his support to the old-time Republican party, in which Jefferson and others were leaders. Later he supported the principles of the then newly organized Democratic party, and in religious belief he was a Methodist, con- tinuing his allegiance to the faith in which he had been reared. He was twice married and by the first union had three children,-John, Mary A. and Richard, the last named becoming the husband of Eliza Conover. The mother of these children died and the father afterward married Mary Rig- gins. The children of the second union were William, a sea captain who married Jane Thompson and had four children,-Melvin, Adeline, Julia and Euphrates; James, the second of the family: Eleanor, who became the wife of Rural Feister, a farmer, and their children were John, Mary J., Elizabeth and Kate; Charles, who married Sallie Hawkins and made farming his life work: Reuben, Jeremiah and Samuel, who never married; and Mary, who became the wife of Thomas H. Swain, a sea captain residing at Goshen, and their children were Florence, Lizzie, Sallie, Hattie, Edward and Lilly. The paternal grandfather of our subject died at the age of seventy-four years.
James Chester, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born De- cember 23, 1825, obtaining his education in the common schools of Cape May county and for thirty-five years followed the sea, being engaged in the coasting trade. He owned three vessels, including the George F. Brown. He also engaged in cutting and shipping cord-wood and cedar and plain lumber. A zealous Republican in politics, he has ever taken a deep interest in the growth and success of his party. Long a member of the Masonic fraternity, he formerly affiliated with Cannon Lodge, at Seaville, and after- ward became connected with Arbutus Lodge at Cape May Court House. He is also an honorary member of the Order of Mechanics. During the civil war he served for nine months in the Union army, enlisting in Company I, Twenty-fifth New Jersey Infantry, in 1862. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac and participated in the battle of Gettysburg. Later it was sent to Suffolk, Virginia, where it remained on patrol duty and also built bridges and performed other necessary service. At the close of the war Mr. Chester was mustered out, at Beverley, New Jersey, and is now a member of the John Mecray Post, No. 40, G. A. R., of Cape May City. He
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married Mary Jones and six children have been born to them. Eva D., born November 18, 1854, married L. J. McCauley, of the firm of McCauley Broth- ers, coal dealers, of Philadelphia, and their children are Samuel and Eva. Alfretta, born March 6, 1864, is the wife of Dr. Jerome Messenger, a practic- ing physician of Philadelphia. They have two children,-Chester and Charles,-and make their home in Collingwood, Pennsylvania. Eugene Benton, born May 3. 1857, resides in Seattle, Washington. James Monroe is the next in the order of age. Lewis S., born November 22, 1861, is a grocer and postmaster at Sea Isle City. Henry Ellwood, the youngest, died in infancy. The father of this family is living, at the age of seventy-five years, while the mother has attained the age of sixty-five.
The maternal ancestry of Mr. Chester is equally ancient and honorable. His great-grandfather on his mother's side was an Englishman, who on leaving the "merrie isle" located at Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he was connected with the trading interests as a sea captain. He had two children, -Samuel and Loretta, the latter the wife of Thomas Ferguson, a retired farmer, who served in the war of 1812. Samuel Jones, the grandfather of Mr. Chester, resided in Cumberland county, New Jersey, where he followed the occupation of farming. His political ballot was cast in support of the Republican party. He married Martha Hewett and their children were Wal- ter, Mary, Sallie, Loretta, Alfred, Hezekiah, Lorenzo, Bella, Hattie and Genevra. The grandfather died at the age of fifty-nine years, but the grand- mother survived some time and passed away at the age of seventy-two.
James Monroe Chester was born in Goshen, Cape May county, August 18, 1859. There he acquired his education and afterward shipped before the mast, being the captain of the Enos Mayhew for nine years. Later he en- gaged in the milk business for four years, and for five years efficiently served as postmaster at Sea Isle City. At the expiration of that period he came to Ocean City and engaged in the real-estate business, and he has been con- nected with some of the most important realty transfers that have been made here. He buys, sells and improves property and has erected a number of residences. He has purchased as many as one hundred and eighty lots, and in connection with Joseph I. Scull he purchased four hundred and eighty-six acres of land lying between Carson's Inlet, the Atlantic ocean and Carson's bay. This was purchased of the Charles Gandy estate and was the largest tract transferred in recent times. Mr. Chester handles a large amount of property and is the owner of two stores and dwellings, and has erected four residences. He is also a member of the Ocean City Building & Loan Asso- ciation. His great activity in business has brought to him handsome finan-
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cial returns, and he is deeply interested in everything pertaining to the up- building of his adopted county.
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On the 4th of September, 1881, occurred the marriage of Mr. Chester and Miss Julia H. Duvall, a daughter of Edward Duvall, of Ocean View, a well known oyster planter, and their union has been blest with three chil- dren: Arthur B., Ralph L. and Genevra Julia. Mr. Chester is a member of Ocean City Lodge, No. 171, F. & A. M., and of the Odd Fellows' society. He votes with the Republican party, and the confidence reposed in him by his fellow townsmen is indicated by the fact that he served as a member of the city council of Sea Isle City and has been the president of the council at Ocean City. The volume and importance of the business is an indication of his high standing in commercial circles and tells of his useful and active life. All that he has he has acquired through his own efforts, making the most of his possibilities and utilizing the opportunities which surround his path.
LEWIS S. 'CHESTER.
Lewis Samuel Chester was born November 22, 1863, at Goshen, Cape May county, is a son of James and Mary A. (Jones) Chester and a brother of James Monroe Chester, in connection with whose history on other pages of this work is given the lineage of our subject. Mr. Chester acquired his lit- erary education in the public schools of his native town, also attended Hart's grammar school in Philadelphia, and prepared for his business career in Bryant & Stratton's Business College. On putting aside his text-books in 1882 he came to Sea Isle City, at which time the place contained only fifty houses. Here he opened a grocery store and has since engaged in business along that line. He has also devoted his energies to the management of real-estate transfers and owned considerable property. He is a member of the Sea Isle Building & Loan Association and is accounted one of the leading factors in commercial circles. He has been called to public office by the vote of the people and has rendered most effective service in the position of collector and treasurer, where he served for nine years. On the Ist of Oc- tober, 1898, he was appointed postmaster of Sea Isle City, in which position he is administering the business with promptness and ability. He has ever been an adherent of the Republican principles, and his belief in the party prompts his active and energetic effort in its behalf. He has been a delegate to the various county and congressional conventions and is a recognized leader in Republican ranks.
On the 31st of October, 1887, Mr. Chester led to the marriage altar Miss
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Virginia B. Smith, a daughter of Captain Henry L. Smith, who is now con- nected with the life-saving station at Sea Isle City, and they have two chil- dren: Caroline and Lewis S., Jr.
EDWARD HICKS PHILLIPS, M. D.
For almost a third of a century Dr. Phillips has engaged in the practice of medicine in Cape May,-a period in which there has been ample time and opportunity to test his ability in various departments of the profession, and that he holds rank among the leading practitioners of the county stands in evidence of his skill. From the beginning his patronage has steadily in- creased until he is now the attending physician in many of the best house- holds of Cape May and the surrounding country, and from his large practice he has derived a good income.
The Doctor was born in Middletown township, at Neshaminy Falls, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, April 7, 1832, and is a son of Robert and Naomi (Gar- rison) Phillips. He is descended from English ancestry, who were connected with the Society of Friends, the family having been founded in America by two brothers, Thomas and John Phillips, who crossed the Atlantic, the former taking up his abode in Salisbury township, Bucks county, while the latter became a resident of Mercer county, New Jersey. The Doctor is of the fifth generation from Thomas Phillips. His grandfather, Thomas Phillips, was born in Salisbury township, Bucks county, and there operated a gristmill for many years. He was a member of the Hicksite Society of Friends, attending the Salisbury meeting. He wedded Mary Eastburn, and to them were born the following children: Moses, Aaron, Thomas, David, Robert, Rachel, Mary, Mercia and one son who died in early manhood, being frozen to death while going to his business one morning. The father of these children died in February, 1840, at the age of seventy years, and his wife passed away in 1836, at the age of seventy.
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