USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume I > Part 30
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ling. Andrew Sinnickson was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Giljohn- son, who was born in 1756. His large estate was divided after his death, August 20, 1790, among his. large family of children. (The spelling of the name has been changed.)
Andrew Sinnickson (5th) was born on the old homestead in 1749. He was a captain of the Salem militia, First Battalion, and paymaster for Salem. Cumberland and Cape May. He was brave and fearless and the special object against which the hatred of the red-coats was directed. A foraging party of the British made an assault on his property on March 20, 1778, but were repulsed in such a manner they were glad to escape without their booty. He took unto himself four wives in his life-time,-Margaret Bilder- back; Margaret Johnson, born August 2, 1756, and died November 4, 1792; Sarah Capner, widow of Andrew Sinnickson, a distant cousin; and Sarah Norris.
Thomas Sinnickson was born in the same township as were his ancestors, December 13, 1786. He was one of the most prominent Federalists of his age and was afterward a powerful factor in the ranks of the Whig and Re- publican forces. He was the presiding judge of the court of common pleas, judge of the court of errors and appeals of New Jersey, a member of the legis- lature and of the twentieth national congress. He settled many estates and was guardian and administrator of more estates than any man in the county. He was a vestryman and a warden of St. John's Episcopal church and a man who was universally respected and esteemed. October 18, 1810, he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Elizabeth, daughter of John and Mary (Brinton) Jacobs, of Chester county, Pennsylvania. She was born August 3, 1786, and died August 19, 1849. Thomas Sinnickson died Febru- ary 17, 1873. Their children were Dr. John Jacobs, deceased; Margaret Johnson (Mrs. Thomas Jones Yorke), born January 26, 1814; Charles and Andrew.
Andrew Sinnickson was born October 27, 1817, at Salem, where he re- ceived his primary education in the private schools. This was supplemented by a course in the Burlington Boarding School, after which he took up the study of law, with Alphonso L. Aiken, of Salem, for his preceptor, later with ex-Governor Peter D. Vroom, of Trenton, for his tutor, and was admitted to the bar in 1842. He at once opened an office in this city and in a short time had established a large and lucrative clientage. He continued in the practice of his chosen profession until 1879, when he retired from practice. He was the prosecuting attorney for Salem county for ten years and gave his best efforts toward eradicating the evils that existed there.
In 1859 he was united in marriage with Miss Louisa, daughter of
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Ephraim Booth, of Reading, Pennsylvania. They had three children: Louise, the wife of Norman Gray, a lawyer of Camden, this state; Bessie, who died just as she was blossoming into womanhood; and an infant who died unnamed. Mr. Sinnickson is a member of St. John's Episcopal church, in which he is a warden, and is a strong Republican, although he has never cared to enter the political arena. He was a charter member of the Fenwick Club, of this city, and is a member of the Sons of the Revolution. He is largely interested in real estate and owns several farms in Lower Penn's Neck township, besides other farms. He is a business man of ability and has been chosen time and again to administer on estates.
JOHN F. GRAHAM.
One of the most popular young business men of Woodbury, Gloucester county, is John Foster Graham, the genial cashier of the First National Bank. He is a native of the city of "brotherly love," his birth having occurred during the progress of the civil war, on the 10th of March, 1862. He thus is in the prime of manhood and possesses the enthusiasm and progressive spirit which characterizes the American citizen of his generation.
The early education of our subject was such as the excellent public schools of his native city afforded, and after completing his studies he was employed in a law office for three years. In 1878 he entered the Commonwealth Na- tional Bank of Philadelphia, in a clerical capacity, and continued in that well known institution of finance for four years. Having thus become perfectly familiar with the banking business, he accepted a more paying position with the Mechanics' National Bank of Philadelphia, being assistant to the receiv- ing teller for a short time and later being promoted to the position of discount clerk. He remained with this bank until 1892, when he resigned, in order to accept his present place, which he has filled most creditably and to the full satisfaction of its officials, as well as to that of the general public.
The same year that Mr. Graham became connected with the First Na- tional Bank of Woodbury he led to the marriage altar Miss Mary Magill, a daughter of William J. and Elizabeth (Wallace) Magill. The ceremony which united their destinies was performed in Philadelphia, April 9, 1892. Their only child, a little daughter, who was christened Elizabeth Magill, died when but five weeks old.
Socially Mr. Graham stands very high, being a member and master of the exchequer of Mariola Lodge, and identified with the Knights of Pythias
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and the Heptasophs, of Woodbury; and with the order of Sparta, Royal Ar- canum and Bank Clerks' Beneficial Order, of Philadelphia. In his political views he is a Republican, and religiously a Presbyterian.
ISAAC H. VANNEMAN.
Isaac Hendrickson Vanneman, the president of the Swedesboro National Bank, has been one of the most prominent factors in the growth and develop- ment of Swedesboro, in the vicinity of which town his entire life has been passed. He is the grandson of Isaac Vanneman, who was an early settler of Woolwich township, Gloucester county, and had one daughter and five sons. Of the latter, Helms, who was the father of our subject, was married three times. His first wife was Mary Black, and the second Mary Homan, neither of whom had any children. His third wife, Mary Hendrickson, bore him eight children, of whom the following record is given: Hannah, de- ceased, married Daniel Lynch, and became the mother of nine children; John died in 1856, at the age of forty-two years; Ann died at the age of eighty years; Charles and Helms, twins, died when about seventy years old: Isaac H. is the next; Mary, widow of Dr. John F. Musgrave, resides in Swedesboro; and Sarah also lives in that town.
Isaac H. Vanneman was born September 15, 1826, on a farm about two miles from Swedesboro, and followed agricultural pursuits until 1865, when he took up his residence in the town. He has been the owner of several farms, at various times, and at present owns two. After his removal to Swedesboro he was for three years the treasurer of the Woodbury & Swedes- boro Railroad. He was one of the organizers of the branch and one of its directors until it became a part of the Pennsylvania system. He also assisted in the organization of the Building & Loan Association and is its treasurer. In addition to the above he has numerous other interests, and to his energy and progressive spirit the town owes much of its prosperity.
Mr. Vanneman was married March 6, 1862, to Marietta Hewes, a daughter of Thomas and Rebecca (Black) Hewes, of Woolwich township. They have had five children: Sarah Emma, who died in childhood; Revilla, the wife of William R. Poinsett, of Swedesboro; Anna, who died at the age of two years; Mary H., the wife of George B. Mitchell, of Swedesboro, by whom she has two children, Marian and Helen; and Emma, at home.
For twenty years Mr. Vanneman has been one of the vestrymen of the Protestant Episcopal church of Swedesboro, and was chosen warden in 1899. He was one of the organizers of the Swedesboro grange, of which he was the
II. Panneneau
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treasurer for many years, and has also assisted in forming many of the neigh- boring granges. In politics he is a lifelong Republican and has held numerous township offices. He is a man who has always had the welfare of his fellow- men at heart, and he has given willingly of his time and money to promote social intercourse, improve the moral and physical conditions, and enlarge the business facilities of his community.
Trinity Episcopal church, which numbers among its members many of the leading citizens of Swedesboro and vicinity. was at first a Swedish mission of the Wilmington (Delaware) church, and was chartered by King George III. in 1765. Two log buildings near Raccoon creek preceded the present brick structure, which was erected in 1784. At this date the church was under the charge of Dr. Nicholas Collins, who came from Sweden in 1770 and occasionally ministered at Raccoon and Penn's Neck. He began his pastorate in 1778, and continued over the parish until 1786. In one of the old parish records is found a brief statement of his work at the points men- tioned: "At Swedesboro I Perform divine service every third Sunday dur- ing the summer and autumn of 1786." This rectorship is notable as being the last in which the parish had any recognized relation to the church of Sweden, and also for the erection of the building which has been used for one hundred years. From 1778 to 1884 the church had twenty pastors. In 1838 a tower and steeple were built, a bell was purchased, and many improve- ments made in the interior of the building. In 1844 the old parsonage was moved and sold, and a new one was built, which was afterward enlarged and repaired. In 1851 the present slate roof was placed upon the church build- ing. In 1852 a new musical instrument, called the aeolian, was purchased. It is still in use, and in the care of Mr. Henry Shivler, who for thirty years was the secretary of the vestry. In 1854 the present Sunday-school and lecture room was built, and the interior of the church was renovated. In 1859 the old bell was sold and a new one purchased. The church is an historical land- mark, and it history in full is most interesting. At the present time it is in a flourishing condition.
JONAS H. LOUNSBURY.
Jonas H. Lounsbury, a prominent farmer of Elsinboro, Salem county, was born in Upper Penn's Neck, May 19, 1852, and is a son of Walker Louns- bury and Elizabeth, nee Sparks, both of whom were natives of this county. His grandfather, Walker Lounsbury, also a native of Salem county, served five years, lacking three weeks, in the Revolutionary war. Of his four sons John died from the effects of wounds received in the war of 1812. Only one,
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Walker, the father of our subject, was married. The children were: Deb- orah, who married Joseph Plummer, of Quinton, New Jersey; Rebecca, the wife of Jacob Armstrong, of Gloucester county; Mulford, a farmer of Quin- ton, this state: Charles; Jonas H .. a twin of Sarah, who married Thomas Mullica, of Salem; Alexander, employed in an oil-cloth factory in Salem; Arthur, a farmer of Quinton; and Mayhew, of Wilmington, Delaware.
Mr. Lounsbury was educated in the public schools and from early boy- hood has been engaged in farming, occupying his present place, owned by Joshua Waddington, of Salem, for eleven years. He also owns a truck farm of fifty acres near Quinton, in Quinton township. He was married in April, 1881, to Miss Emma Atkinson, a daughter of William Atkinson, of Quinton, and they have six children,-Anna E., Charles, William A., Harry, Emma and Bertha.
Mr. Lounsbury is a Republican in politics and has served his township as a trustee. He is now the treasurer of the school fund and is serving his fourth year as tax collector.
S. P. DE HART.
S. P. De Hart, of Williamstown, was born February 12, 1842, on a farm which is still his home, and is the only living child of Cornelius and Hannah (Prickett) De Hart. His father was born at Evesham, New Jersey, and was a son of Jacob De Hart, who was of French descent. The great-grandfather of our subject was the owner of extensive property interests at Evesham, which were destroyed by the British during the war of the Revolution. He afterward settled at Cross Keys, Gloucester county, where the representa- tives of his family have since remained. Cornelius De Hart was a farmer by occupation and was a leading member and exhorter of the Methodist Epis- copal church. He died in 1869, and his wife, who was a daughter of John Prickett, died in 1882.
S. P. De Hart, their only surviving child, acquired his education in the common schools, his attendance alternating with work on the farm. From his youth he displayed excellent musical ability and his correct ear and love for the art of music led him into the business of tuning pianos and organs. In 1872 he began to sell pianos and organs and now has a trade extending over four counties. He buys from the factory and sells direct to the people. He is now enjoying a liberal patronage, having established a good business. He is also the owner of seventy-five acres of land, which he cultivates.
Mr. De Hart was united in marriage to Miss Parnella Sickler, of this local-
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ity. Her father was of Holland descent, belonging to one of the old families from that country, and was a prominent and influential citizen of Gloucester county. He was a local preacher and also a justice of the peace. The mar- riage of Mr. and Mrs. De Hart was celebrated in 1865, and has been blessed with two children: Allie, the wife of L. Dorst Hurff, of Wenonah; and Mary, the wife of Sumner Crist, at home.
For four terms Mr. De Hart has served as a member of the township committee, has been school trustee for nine years and was the clerk of the town for six years. He votes with the Republican party and takes quite an active interest in politics, doing all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of the organization with which he is connected. He also labors zealously in behalf of his friends on election days. He has used his musical talent for the benefit of the church, having been leader of the choir of the Methodist Episcopal church for twenty years, while for four years he has led the singing in the Sunday-school. Such in brief is the history of one whose entire life has been passed in Gloucester county, and who in its various relations has stood by every measure that he believed was for public benefit. In manner he is cordial and genial, and not only wins friends wherever he goes but also has the happy faculty of drawing them closer to him as the years pass by.
JOSEPH G. CHAMPION.
Joseph G. Champion was born February 24, 1865, in Morristown, New Jersey, and is a son of Lorenzo, Dow and Harriett (Rain) Champion. His great-great-grandfather was Nathaniel Champion, the first of the name to seek a home in Cape May county. He lived and died in Tuckahoe, where he carried on agricultural pursuits. Lorenzo D. Champion, the father of our subject, was born in Tuckahoe and in early life learned the shoemaker's trade. He followed that vocation many years and was long connected with Isaac Smashey, a shoe manufacturer at Salem, New Jersey. He afterward re- moved to Rio Grande, Cape May county, where he engaged in farming, but is now living a retired life in Palermo. He married Miss Rain and the three children born to them are Joseph G .; C. Leslie, who married Lizzie Driver, and is a dealer in bicycles in Cape May Court House; and Quinton E., a painter by trade, who married Eva Ang, of Ocean City.
Joseph Griffing Champion pursued his education in the public schools of Cape May county and at the age of twenty years had acquired a good practi- cal knowledge of those branches of learning which fit one for the responsible
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duties of business life. He afterward learned the trade of milling and also the carpenter's trade, which he followed for five years as a journeyman. In 1892 he began contracting and building at Ocean City and has since been connected with all important industrial interests. He has also studied archi- tecture and his great capability in this line has enabled him to add largely to the attractive appearance of the town in which he resides. He was the archi- tect for the Bourse building, the Sentinel Printing House and a number of hotels, and on all sides stand beautiful residences, representing all kinds of architecture which are the work of this well known contractor. He is con- nected with E. W. Burleigh & Company, dealers in building supplies, and is the head of the firm of Joseph Champion & Company, contractors and build-" ers, who employ more men than any other contracting firm in Ocean City and have erected more buildings than any one connected with this line.
Mr. Champion exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party and has been a candidate for mayor in Ocean City. He is identified with the Improved Order of Red Men in Cam- den; with Iota Council, No. 6, J. O. U. A. M., and the American Order of United Workmen. He is also a member of the Engine Company, No. 2, of the volunteer fire department. He contributes to the support of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, his name being on its membership roll. He was married November 25, 1897, to Gertrude, a daughter of John Carpenter, of Salem county, then residing in Pennsville. They have one child, named Anna B. He has since been located in this section. Mr. Champion is identi- fied with the social, material and moral progress of Ocean City and is a lead- ing and influential man. As an architect and builder he has done much to improve the appearance of this most attractive summer resort and has been an active factor in the work which has assured the successful future of the town1.
JOSEPH RULON BLACK.
The Black family has been for many years one of the leading families of Gloucester county, New Jersey. About 1750 three brothers-Thomas, Samuel and William Black-came from county Antrim, Ireland, and settled in Gloucester county. William afterward returned to Ireland; and Samuel. who made his home with his brother Thomas, was never married; so that all the family are descended from Thomas. During the Revolutionary war he was obliged to pass much of his time concealed in the woods on account of the frequent visits of the British soldiers to the homes of the settlers, whom, when they found, they took prisoners. Upon one of these occasions he was
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at home but took refuge in the loft of his house, which was reached by a lad- der. As the soldiers were about to ascend to his hiding place his wife told them that her husband was not up there, but that her children were, and sleeping, and asked that they be not disturbed. Perhaps it was the tender recollections of his own little ones at home, or it may have been a natural reluctance to disturb the slumbers of babyhood,-at any rate, the command- ing officer did not order his men up the ladder, and the life of one Revolu- tionary patriot, the founder of a family which has produced many good citi- zens, was saved.
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The children of Thomas Black were: Elizabeth, who married Thomas Logan; Frances, who married Thomas Leap; Benjamin, who was for many years a farmer in Gloucester county; Samuel, who married Keziah Vanlear; and it is thought that William and Sarah were by a second wife. The chil- dren of Samuel and Keziah (Vanlear) Black were: Thomas, who was a far- mer near Swedesboro; Elizabeth, who married William Gaskill; George; Samuel; Mary, who never married and is now ninety-three years of age; Alexander, who married Hannah Rulon; Rebecca, who married Thomas B. Hewes; and Beulah, who died young. The children of Alexander and Han- nah (Rulon) Black were: David, who lives in Swedesboro; Joseph R., the direct subject of this sketch; Marianna, who married John C. Rulon; Lucretia, who lives with her brother Joseph R .; Henrietta, Caroline, Beulah and Sum- ner, who died in childhood; and Emma, who married Walter S. Bassett, a farmer near Swedesboro.
Joseph R. Black was born on a farm situated along Raccoon creek, about three miles from Swedesboro, August 24, 1833, and was educated in the public schools of his native township and at Wilmington, Delaware, and Norristown, Pennsylvania. He has followed farming all his life, except 1861 to 1865, when he was engaged in the undertaking business in Philadelphia. In 1884 he purchased his present comfortable residence and removed to Swedesboro, but still owns the old homestead farm and other farm property.
Mr. Black was never married, but in his well appointed and modern home, presided over by his sister, he enjoys the handsome competence which he has accumulated, and besides enjoying the comforts of home life he has taken much pleasure in numerous extended trips throughout the United States and Canada. Mr. Black was made a Mason in Mantua, New Jersey, and is a charter member of Swedesboro Lodge, No. 157, F. & A. M., which was organized in December, 1885. He is also a member of the Swedesboro Grange, which was organized 1873. He is a Republican in politics and has been for thirty years a member of the grand jury of Gloucester county.
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AMNON WRIGHT.
Amnon Wright enjoys the honor of having been the first settler at Cape May Point, New Jersey, and perhaps more than any other citizen here has been instrumental in the upbuilding of this now justly famous seaside resort. To his energy, enthusiasm and foresight many of the most substantial and beneficial improvements of the place are due, and in every possible manner he has repeatedly proved his intense local patriotism.
The ancestors of Mr. Wright were English people who accompanied William Penn to America. At an early day they settled in Salem county, New Jersey, and from that time until the present the family has been num- bered among the reliable, prosperous citizens of this state. The paternal grandfather of our subject, William Wright, whose home was below Quinton and Alloway at Quinton's Bridge, Salem county, was considered a wealthy man in his day, as he owned property of value in that county, as well as in Cumberland county. He enlisted in the colonial army during the war of the Revolution and fought for the land of his birth, which he lived to see under an independent flag for several decades thereafter. By his first wife, Eliza- beth, four children were born, namely: Hezekiah, William, Hope, and James G. His second wife was a Miss Young in her girlhood. Death re- leased him from his earthly labors in 1826, when he had attained the ripe age of four-score years.
James G. Wright, the father of Amnon Wright, was born on the old homestead near Quinton's Bridge, in 1808, and as he grew to manhood he gave his attention to agriculture, also engaging in the lumber business on Alloway's creek. He was the owner of a large, desirable farm, and by dili- gence in business became well-to-do and respected. Politically he was a Democrat, but never accepted an official position. An ardent Baptist, he contributed liberally to the work, and at his death left one thousand dollars to a church. This event occurred in 1880, when he was in his seventy-third year. His first wife, Hannah (Anderson) Wright, departed this life in 1863, when in her forty-ninth year, and left six children, namely: Amnon; Eben- ezer; Ann Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Halliday; Hannah Mary, wife of Joel Wilmuth, of Indiana; William, who wedded Mary Green, of Illinois, and is now living in Salem, Oregon; and Amanda, who never married. For a sec- ond wife James G. Wright chose Ann Banks, and their only child, Lillie, never married.
The birth of Amnon Wright took place on the parental homestead near Quinton's Bridge, March 25, 1835. After he had mastered the common branches taught in the public schools of the neighborhood he engaged in
Annon Might
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teaching for four years, and then carried on a farm near Alloway for three years. He next offered his services to the government, for the civil war was in progress, and for two and a half years, or until the close of the war, he was employed in the construction corps in the railroad department, a part of the time being stationed near Alexandria, Virginia, and the remainder in the vicinity of Nashville, Tennessee.
From 1865 until 1875 Mr. Wright was engaged in the carpenter's trade at Salem, after which he came to Cape May Point, where he was the first to make a permanent location, and here, as previously, he was employed at his trade until about two years ago. A large share of the buildings which have been erected at this flourishing place stand as examples of his handi- work, and for several years he has been interested in the real-estate business here, now being the president of the Cape May Point Building & Loan Association. He owns considerable valuable property here, including the Surf House Hotel, of thirty rooms; Sea Girt Cottage, of fifteen sleeping rooms: Wright Villa and the store adjoining it; two cottages in Salem, New Jersey; and interests in others. He is a man of good business ability, as his success amply attests, and his fellow citizens have frequently called upon him to serve in local official capacities. He has been the mayor of this town, for which he has done so much since its founding, was the first treasurer of this borough, has been postmaster here two terms, and in short has left no stone unturned when he believed that the town of his hope and pride might be the gainer by his devotion.
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