USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume I > Part 32
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The latter, Jonathan Leaming (2d), the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Cape May county, in July, 1770, and lived in Middle township, near Cape May Court House, following farming throughout his business career. He held several local offices, including that of county sheriff. He was a member of a training company of the old days and was a member of the Baptist church. He was twice married, his first wife bearing the maiden name of Elizabeth Yates. Their children were William, Judith, Jonathan, Priscilla and Aaron, but William was the only one who left a fam- ily. He was the grandfather of our subject and was born October 7, 1796, in Middle township, Cape May county. He acquired an excellent education
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in the schools of Philadelphia and in early life engaged in teaching. He be- came a gentleman farmer of Middle township, where he owned an extensive tract of land, which he cultivated with the aid of his negro slaves, but before his death he set all of his bondsmen free. In politics he was a Whig and served as justice of the peace. In his religious faith he was a Baptist. He was twice married, his first union being with Catherine Wood, of Philadelphia, by whom he had two children: Eliza, who married Nelson Garrison, had a large family and died in the spring of 1899, at the age of eighty-five years; and William S., who married Eliza Douglas and had a large number of children. The grand- father, William Leaming, was a second time married July 6, 1820, the lady of his choice being Sarah Sophia Somers, a daughter of Constance Somers, of Atlantic county. Their children were: Catherine, who was born May 19, 1821, and died in October of the same year; Jonathan Furman; and Julia, the wife of Reuben Townsend, a farmer, by whom she had a daughter .- Florence, the wife of Rev. Charles Warwick, of Philadelphia. Mr. Leaming. the grandfather, died January 25, 1827. His second wife was born October II, 1795, and died July 28, 1866. After the death of her first husband she mar- ried Nicholas Corson, and had a daughter, Priscilla. the deceased wife of Captain Henry T. Corson, of South Seaville.
Hon. Jonathan Furman Leaming fully sustains the high reputation which the family has always borne, in fact has gained new laurels, and has left the impress of his strong individuality upon the public interests of the state. He was born in Cape May county, September 7, 1822, and was provided with excellent educational advantages. Having attended Colgate University, in New York, he later matriculated in Brown University, where he completed his literary course. Subsequently he was graduated in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia in the class of 1846, and at once entered upon the prosecution of his chosen profession. He was married February 22, 1847, to Eliza H. Bennett, of Cape May Court House, and located at Seaville, this county. and continued the practice of medicine for fourteen years, when his health failed him and he was forced to put aside his professional cares.
Dr. Leaming then pursued a course in the Pennsylvania Dental College in Philadelphia, and after his graduation opened an office in Cape May Court House, where he soon won prestige as a representative of the latter profes- sion. His marked skill and ability secured to him a liberal patronage. and he continued his active connection with the science of dentistry for many years, when in 1898 his health again failed him and he retired permanently to private life. In 1858 the degree of A. M. was conferred upon him by the University at Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, and in 1860 the degree of Doctor of
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Dental Surgery was conferred upon him by the Pennsylvania College of Den- tal Surgery.
The Doctor has been honored with various positions of trust and respon- sibility and over his public career there falls no shadow of wrong. In 1861 he was elected to the New Jersey assembly, and the following year was elected to the senate for a three-years term. During that time he was the chairman of the committee on education and a member of several other very important committees. His course as a legislator fully justified the expecta- tion of his friends, placing him among the most useful, enlightened and judicious members of the senate. In 1868 he was elected the surrogate of the county for five years, and on the expiration of that term was again elected for five years, but resigned on the Ist of January, 1877, in order to accept the position of senator, to which he was again elected in 1876. Once more tak- ing his seat in the upper house, he was made a member of the committee on commerce, navigation, miscellaneous business and of other important com- mittees. He has ever been a stanch Republican and has labored earnestly for the welfare of the party which advocates progress, protection and expan- sion. He has always favored the movements and organizations which have upheld true Americanism and in early life supported the Whig party and the American or Know-nothing party.
On the 22d of February, 1847, Dr. Leaming was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Bennett, a daughter of Aaron and Mary (Hildreth) Bennett. To them were born four children. Walter S., born November 4, 1854, is now engaged in the practice of dentistry. Edmund Bennett, born May 24, 1857, studied law, with Judge James Buchanan of Trenton, New Jersey, for a pre- ceptor, was admitted to the bar in 1880, practiced for a time in Camden, and is now a legal practitioner in San Francisco, California. Helen is the wife of J. Spicer Leaming. Herbert, born August 24, 1867, died at the age of twelve years. For his second wife Dr. Leaming chose Mrs. Josephine Young, a sister of his first wife, their marriage being celebrated October 24, 1888.
The Doctor is a valued member of various civic societies: belongs to the lodge and encampment in the Odd Fellows' fraternity and has filled the local offices; was a member of Cape Island Lodge, F. & A. M., of Cape May, and in his life exemplifies the ennobling principles of these organizations. He is also a member of the Baptist church, with which he has been identified for sixty years.
For an account of the historical "Washington ring" in the possession of the Leaming family, see sketch of J. Spicer Leaming in this work.
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BOARDMAN REED, M. D.
Dr. Boardman Reed is a son of William N. and Hylinda L. (Harmon) Reed and a grandson of William Reed; and he was born April 30, 1842, at Scottsville, New York. He was a student at Beaver Dam College in 1859 and at Beloit College, 1866-7, both in Wisconsin, and completed the studies of the junior year in the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. He re- ceived two prizes while in college,-one in his freshman year for making the greatest advancement of all the students in the college during. the year, and the other for the best essay on a subject in metaphysics during his junior year. He began to read medicine in 1869, but did not enter a medical college until 1876; he attended two courses of lectures in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, with Dr. Matthew J. Grier, of Philadelphia, as his preceptor, and received the degree of M. D. at the close of the second session, March 8, 1878.
He commenced the practice of medicine in West Philadelphia immedi- ately, and, while waiting for patients, took a course at the Philadelphia Lying-in Charity Hospital, and assisted Dr. R. G. Curtin at the medical dis- pensary of the University Hospital, besides assisting for a while the late Dr. Charles T. Hunter in the surgical out-ward of the Pennsylvania Hospital in the same city. Early in the following summer, 1878, Dr. Reed opened an office at Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he practiced during the largest part of every year until the autumn of 1896. The winter of 1892-3 he spent in Thomasville, Georgia, in the practice of his profession. The winter of 1885-6 he devoted to study abroad in the hospitals of London, Vienna, and Paris. While in Vienna he studied under Oser the diseases of the stomach and intestines, at the Polyklinic; and under Rosenthal at the Allgemeine Krankenhaus, diseases of the nervous system. He also pursued post-gradu- ate studies in various branches at the New York Polyclinic and the Post- Graduate Medical School in 1888-90 and 1893. During the latter part of 1894 Dr. Reed took a course on diseases of the stomach and intestines under Professor F. B. Turck, at the Post-Graduate Medical School in Chicago. He was attending physician to the Seashore House for Invalid Women, At- lantic City, New Jersey, 1882-5, and was consulting physician at the Jewish Seaside Home, Atlantic City, from 1894 until he removed from that place. In 1895 spent part of the winter in Berlin, Germany, studying diseases of the digestive system, under Professor Ewald and Dr. Boas. For the past six years he has been devoting special attention to diseases of the digestive sys- tem, with an office in Philadelphia during the past four years, though residing in Hammonton, New Jersey, of late. For the past two years he has been
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the editor of the International Medical Magazine. He has written largely for that journal besides many papers for other medical journals on subjects connected with his specialty.
Dr. Reed was a prominent factor in the building up of Atlantic City, hav- ing taken an active part in establishing the sanitary improvements of the city, particularly during the three years he was a member and president of the board of health. In 1880 he began writing up the place as a winter health resort, distributing his articles throughout the country in pamphlet form and through the medical journals. Results secured largely through his untiring efforts were a complete system of underground sewerage, and an efficient inspection at frequent intervals of the sanitary conditions of the city.
Dr. Reed was among the first volunteers to enlist as a private early in the civil war. He was twice wounded in the Virginia campaign. In 1865 he was elected captain of Company I, Fiftieth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry; and in June, 1866, was mustered out of service.
Dr. Reed is a member of the Philadelphia County Medical Society, of the Philadelphia Pathological Society; an associate member of the Philadelphia Obstetrical Society; an honorary member of the Atlantic City Academy of Medicine and member of the American Medical Association. He was re- cently elected foreign member of the French Society of Electro-Therapy. He is the author of numerous medical papers published in this country and in Europe. He also belongs to the Penn Club and to the Union League of Philadelphia.
In 1871 he married Miss Gertrude R. Phelps, of Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, and they have two children,-Harmon Phelps, and Helen F. K. Reed.
JAMES E. DUNHAM.
In reviewing the history of James Everett Dunham, one is reminded of the words of a great New York financier: "If you're not a success don't blame the times you live in, don't blame the place you occupy, don't blame the circumstances you're surrounded with; lay the blame where is belongs- to yourself. Not in time, place or circumstance, but in the man lies success. If you want success you must pay the price." Realizing the truth of this, Mr. Dunham has paid the price of concentrated effort, of indefatigable en- ergy, or perseverance and well applied business principles, and has won the victory which he started out to win years ago.
The Dunham family is one of the honored ones of Salem county. Joseph Dunham, the father of James E., was a lifelong resident of Lower Penn's
1
James E. Hankam. Tame
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Neck township. He was an exceptionally fine mechanic and made a good livelihood for himself and family. For a wife he chose Naomi Madden, and to them eight children were born, namely: Jeremiah; David; Joseph; Sarah, wife of William Zane; James E .; Mary Ellen, who married Thomas Counsel- lor; Anna, wife of Isaac Horner, a farmer near Greenwich; and Lizzie, who died in childhood. All of these children have passed to the silent land with the exception of our subject, and their parents departed this life many years ago.
James E. Dunham was born in Lower Penn's Neck township, February 4, 1833. His education was obtained in the schools of that locality and in Salem during the winter terms, the rest of the year being devoted to farm work. His father dying when the lad was about ten years of age, he started forth to earn his own living, and from that time forward was dependent upon his native resources. Until he was sixteen years of age, he was employed on the farm of Mark Stretch, and then entered upon a regular five-years appren- ticeship to Richard C. Ballinger, a bricklayer and contractor. Having thor- oughly mastered the trade, he embarked in business, and since 1860 has commanded a large share of the building and contracting of Salem and vicinity. Many of the finest business blocks, public structures and private residences of the place stand as monuments to his skill, and, with notably few exceptions, all of the brick and better class of buildings of Salem were erected under his supervision. For about forty years he has had the reputa- tion of being the most extensive contractor in his line in the county, and he often has given employment to as many as thirty-five men. Among the substantial buildings which he has constructed a few may be mentioned: the Salem National Bank, the Salem Opera House, Dr. Patterson's block, Grant and Walnut street school-houses, the Baptist Memorial church and several fine residences. Besides, many of the brick buildings and attractive residences of Millville and other towns were erected by Mr. Dunham, whose reputation as a contractor and builder is widespread and greatly to be envied. His own beautiful brick and brown-stone residence, built by him in 1891, is a fine example of modern architecture and style, and is conceded to be one of the finest homes in Salem and Salem county.
He has also been interested in various local enterprises, and in opening Wesley street he made a new and convenient means of communication with the business center, for the residents of that portion of the town. At one time he was financially concerned in an ice business, giving employment to about seventy-five men every season for a number of years. Prosperity at- tended his industrious and well directed efforts, and he is now in the pos- session of a comfortable competency. He owns some fine town property, and
1
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one of the finest, best improved farms in the county, comprising one hundred and fourteen acres and situated in Mannington township.
In his political preferences Mr. Dunham favors the Republican party. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a charter member of Fenwick Lodge, No. 164. In the Methodist Episcopal church he has long been looked upon as one of the leading mem- bers and has served as trustee, steward and in various other official positions in the congregation.
The marriage of Mr. Dunham and Melissa Husted was solemnized No- vember 11, 1855. She was a daughter of John C. and Emeline (Smith) Hus- ted, the former of whom died in Salem, after which the mother became the wife of Charles Baker, and had two children by that union, namely: Charles and David. Mrs. Dunham was the second of the ten children born to her parents, the others being William, Alonzo, Emeline, Smith, Clement, Dayton and three who died in early childhood. The marriage of our subject and wife was blessed with ten children. The eldest born, Eloise Amanda Villis, married Charles Brandiff, a bricklayer by trade and a resident of Salem, and their three children are Wilbur, Anna and David. Emma is the second child in order of birth. Wilbur, the third, married Sallie Harris and they have had three children,-James, Grace and Bessie, of whom the two eldest have died. Fannie is the fourth child of our subject. Lydia, the next, is the wife of Richard Ernest. a blacksmith and carriage manufacturer, of Clayville, this county, and their children are George. Frank, Robert, Richard, Merrill, Win- field and Naona. Fenwick Archer Dunham married Sallie Headly and their children are named Melissa, Fenwick A. and Katie Margaret. Albert Sher- ron married Agnolia Payne and has three children,-James E., Harriet and Albert. Harry Sickler Dunham was married January 24, 1896, to Eva. a daughter of James H. Darlington, of Alloway, Salem county. Frank, who lives in Atlantic City, is, like his elder brothers, a bricklayer by trade. Lizzie V., the youngest of this large and promising family, is the wife of David M. Ayres, a machinist of Salem, and their little sons are named Robert D. and Harry. Our subject and wife have reason to be proud of their children, all of whom are industrious, patriotic citizens, a credit to the several communi- ties in which they dwell.
DUNCAN CAMPBELL, M. D.
Duncan Campbell, M. D., though but recently become a member of the Gloucester county medical profession, has already won a high place in the regard of the public, and his prospects for the future are most flattering. He
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is a worthy scion of a sterling old Scotch family, having inherited many of the best characteristics of that hardy, upright race.
In tracing his history the following interesting facts have been gleaned: In 1798, his ancestor, Peter Campbell, and the latter's wife, Catherine, and infant daughter, Jennette. left Breadalbane, Perthshire, Scotland, in com- pany with about twenty persons, married and single, seeking a home in America, the "land of the free." Sailing from Greenock, they arrived in New York city after a tediously long voyage, and at once proceeded to Johnstown, in the same state, where they remained for some time. Colonel Williamson, agent of the Pultney estate, near the Big Springs, himself a Scotchman, learn- ing of the arrival of his countrymen, went to interview the party, and tried to induce them to locate upon land owned by the company he represented. His offers were generous in the extreme, and the result was that he was taken at his word. He agreed to sell the property at three dollars an acre, payable in wheat at six shillings a bushel, and, moreover, provided necessary provis- ions and farming implements while a crop was being raised, thus assisting his friends in every practical manner possible. Peter Campbell selected a heavily timbered tract of land, one hundred and seventy-five acres in extent, and situated just north of the springs mentioned. The rude log cabin which he built at first was soon supplanted by a substantial frame dwelling, which, with some alterations and improvements, stands on the homestead to-day, in a fine state of preservation.
True to the old Covenanter spirit, one of the first matters which engaged the attention of these early settlers at Caledonia, as the place was called, was that of holding religious services. A meeting was held at the house of Peter Campbell, November 10, 1802, for the purpose of organizing a congregation. and several important steps toward this end were taken. Five trustees were elected, Mr. Campbell being one of the number, and a name was decided upon-the "Presbyterian Religious Society of Caledonia." In 1808 the office of ruling elder was conferred upon Mr. Campbell, who for twenty-eight years administered its duties with fidelity. His certificate of citizenship, bearing date of 1810, gives Killin, Perthshire, Scotland, 1769, as the place and date of his birth, and it was upon the 9th of November, 1836, that he passed to his reward. His wife, who was a native of the same town, born in 1767, died November 20, 1831. They were buried at Mumford, New York, and five of their eight children repose in the same peaceful God's acre. Jen- nette, who, as already mentioned, was their eldest-born, Scotland being the place of her nativity, is sleeping her last sleep at the Esquesing (Ontario) cemetery; Christiana, the second daughter, lies buried at Kenosha. Wiscon-
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sin, and John P. was interred at Nelson, Nebraska. The other children were named respectively: Duncan, Daniel, Peter P., Alexander and Ann.
On the 19th of August, 1898, the one hundredth anniversary of the com- ing of Peter Campbell and family to America was celebrated in a pleasant and fitting manner by a number of his direct descendants who assembled at the old Caledonia homestead. Among those present were some of the grand- children and great-grandchildren of the pioneer Peter Campbell, and of those who came from a distance were Dr. Duncan Campbell, of Woodbury, Miss Christabel Campbell, of Denver, Colorado, Miss Florence Campbell, of Brooklyn, New York, and Rev. John P. Campbell, of Baltimore, Maryland. A short and very enjoyable program was carried out, it being as follows: Singing of America; prayer by Rev. J. A. Sherrard; remarks by Rev. J. P. Campbell; reminiscences of Peter Campbell by Mrs. Charles Clark, Mrs. F. C. Wells, and Mr. James DeNoon; remarks by A. F. McPherson and singing of "Home, Sweet Home." Many of the facts gleaned from those who had known Peter Campbell were gratefully received by those present and will be treasured by them. Mrs. Clark told the company that the first Sunday-school at Caledonia was organized by Mr. Campbell and Dr. Peter McPherson, and that she was one of the pupils in this school, as were Mrs. Wells and Mrs. Lydia Cameron. They met in a school-house which stood for many years upon a lot now owned by John Connor, on North street, just south of the railroad tracks. Mr. DeNoon related numerous interesting things in regard to the character, habits and personal appearance of Mr. Campbell, the pioneer, and Rev. J. P. Campbell spoke feelingly of the old home belonging to that worthy man, his grandfather-the house which was the birthplace of his (the minister's) father and himself. He spoke of the elevating atmos- phere of this pioneer home, of the good influences which emanated from its sacred walls, and of the days when the neighbors were wont to assemble there on the Sabbath, to worship God. The hardships which were bravely and cheerfully endured by the early settlers of Caledonia were mentioned at some length, as well as the success, the comfortable homes and fortunes which they made for themselves and children, in time, and the indelible impress of their noble Christian lives upon their own and succeeding generations. Amidst all of the changes which the century has brought, it was pointed out that the boundaries of the old homestead are almost identical to-day with those of 1799, when the land was laid out.
Peter P. Campbell, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born and reared upon this historical old farm, and from youth until old age he followed agriculture as a means of livelihood. He remained upon the old homestead. making numerous valuable improvements thereon and buying additional
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property from time to time. He was a public-spirited citizen, a faithful mem- ber of the Presbyterian church and for a quarter of a century a ruling elder, his influence always being used in the furtherance of uprightness and prog- ress. He was twice married, by his first union having five children, namely: Catherine; Peter P., who wedded Elizabeth McPherson; Jane, the wife of Robert Ritchie; Daniel P., deceased; and James P. The second wife of Peter P. Campbell, Sr., Margaret Mckenzie, was likewise of Scotch extraction, and their children were: Margaret A .; Rev. John P., now a resident of Bal- timore, Maryland; Elizabeth; Jennette; Alexander P .; Ellen Mary, the wife of Hugh Campbell; Christabel, of Denver, Colorado; Florence A., of Brooklyn, New York; Eva J., and Duncan.
The last named, the youngest of the family, was born in Caledonia, New York, and there mastered the rudiments of knowledge in the public schools. Then he engaged in teaching school for a few terms, after which he entered the Geneseo Normal school of Geneseo, New York, and for two years studi- ously applied his attention to the higher branches of science and literature. Next we find him in a school in Baltimore, where scholars are specially pre- pared for future work in the Johns Hopkins University, but at the close of a year in that institution he was enrolled at Princeton College, where he was duly graduated in 1892.
It was in the autumn of that year that the Doctor entered upon his life work by becoming a student in Hahnemann Medical College, at Philadel- phia, and after taking a thorough course of instruction he was honored by having the degree of Doctor of Medicine bestowed upon him, in 1895, with the additional reward, for his conscientious and meritorious course, of being chosen to act as the resident physician of Hahnemann Hospital. He re- mained there for one year, with such success attending his labors as a physi- cian that he was then elected to the chair of medical terminology in the col- lege. a position he still retains.
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