USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume I > Part 36
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tional Bank, a director in the West Jersey & Seashore Railroad Company, and is the owner of one thousand acres of valuable land which is devoted to general farming and to the raising of vegetables.
June 4, 1863, was celebrated the marriage of John M. Moore and Ellen R. Morgan, a daughter of Samuel Morgan, of Salem county. They became the parents of eight children, of whom six are living: Cornelia F., Anna E., Lydia M., Laura D., Edwin K., and Florence. The son has studied medi- cine and is now resident physician in the German hospital in Philadelphia.
Mr. Moore takes quite an active interest in town matters and has been judge of the court for five years. He is also a trustee of the Presbyterian church and gives his aid and active co-operation to all movements calculated to prove of public benefit. He is a very prominent Mason, belonging to For- est Grove Lodge, No. 91, of Clayton; Siloam Chapter, R. A. M., of Camden; and to the Scottish Rite, in which he has attained the Thirty-second degree.
His life stands in evidence of the possibilities that are open to young men in America. The qualities which here secure advancement may be cultivated by all, for success depends upon close application, careful management and sound judgment. These have been the salient points in the character of Mr. Moore and have won him most signal success.
BENJAMIN WELLMAN.
Benjamin Wellman, who is engaged in the grocery business in West Cape May, is a son of David and Amanda (Fox) Wellman, and was born in Wood- bury, Litchfield county, Connecticut, October 8, 1842. The Wellman family is of Welsh origin and was founded in America by three brothers of the name who crossed the Atlantic, taking up their abode in New England. To the common-school system of this land Benjamin Wellman is indebted for the educational privileges he received. His boyhood days were spent on the home farm, where he early became familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. When the tocsin of war was sounded, however, he left his plow and responded to the country's call for troops, en- listing in the Nineteenth Regiment of Connecticut Volunteers known as the Second Heavy Artillery. He participated in many hotly contested engage- ments, including the battles of North Anna River and Cold Harbor. He en- tered the army as a private and was promoted to the rank of quartermaster and afterward to commissary-sergeant. While taking part in the operations before Petersburg he was wounded and confined in the hospital from June
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until December. At the battle of Cold Harbor a musket ball passed through his cheek and came out back of his ear. While thus lying on the ground, wounded, another ball struck him in the dorsal vertebrae, and while he was still upon the field two rebels came up to him, asked him what regiment he belonged to and offered him some water, but soon afterward two hundred of the Confederate troops came that way and stepped over him as he lay on the ground, wounded and suffering! For about fifteen hours he thus remained upon the battle-field, and was then taken to the hospital, where he remained for six months., On the expiration of that period he rejoined his old com- mand in front of Petersburg, started with it in pursuit of Lee, and was pres- ent at the surrender at Appomattox on the 12th of April, 1865. His com- mand then marched to Bunkerville, and with the First Division of the Sixth Army Corps went to Danville. After two weeks they returned to Richmond and were encamped at Manchester, opposite Richmond, for a time, but sub- sequently moved northward to Washington, D. C., a march of one hundred and forty miles. His regiment was discharged at Woodbury, New Haven. about the close of the war, and from the state service at Fair Haven, Connec- ticut. Of the forty-five men who joined the army from his town at the time of his enlistment only thirteen returned, and seventy-five per cent of the men of the regiment were either killed or wounded in battle. At the battle of Cold Harbor the regiment numbered eighteen hundred, and at its close there were between three and four hundred men who had laid down their lives on the altar of their country. They also sustained very heavy losses in the Shenandoah valley, but Mr. Wellman was among those fortunate enough to escape, and with an honorable war record he returned to the north, receiving his discharge on July 7, 1865.
When hostilities had ceased Mr. Wellman became a resident of Vineland, New Jersey, and for a time was connected with business interests there. He is now engaged in the grocery business in West Cape May, where he has a well appointed store, carrying a large and complete line of staple and fancy groceries. In his dealing he is honorable and straightforward, and his known reliability, combined with his uniform courtesy to his patrons, has secured him a large trade. His political support is given to the Prohibition party, of which he is an inflexible adherent, being very zealous and active in its interests. He has served as school trustee, but has never been an office- seeker, preferring to devote his time and attention to his business interests. He is a valued member of the John Mecray Post, No. 40, G. A. R., with which he has been connected for fifteen years, during which time he has filled all of its offices.
On the 26th of December, 1870, Mr. Wellman was united in marriage to
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Mrs. Achsah (Grant) Dunakin, of Hadley, Massachusetts. Three children were born to them. Two of them were Charles Tracy, who married Ada Grace and is an engineer; and Joseph H., a merchant, who married Lilla Hayes, of Millville, and they have three children,-Rosa, Edith and Earnest. During his residence in West Cape May Mr. Wellman has attained to the leading position in commercial circles and has gained the confidence and good will of all.
JOSHUA WADDINGTON.
For many years this gentleman was connected with the agricultural inter- ests of Salem county, and is now living retired in the city of Salem, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. His life is an exemplifi- cation of what may be accomplished through determined purpose and unabat- ing industry.
Mr. Waddington is a native of Salem county, his birth having occurred in Elsinboro township, March 13, 1820. He is a son of Aaron and Sarah (Keasby) Waddington and a grandson of Jonathan Waddington. The latter was born in Lower Alloway Creek township, and there spent the days of his childhood and youth. He acquired considerable property, and at the time of his death was the owner of two valuable farms,-one in his native town- ship, the other in Elsinboro township, where he made his home. He married Sarah Bradway and they became the parents of six children, namely: Wil- liam, who married Martha Carle and was a prominent farmer of Lower Alloway Creek township. He was a very prudent and influential citizen of the community in which he resided, enjoyed the public confidence in a re- markable degree and was frequently called upon to settle estates and transact business for the county. He had five children,-William, Jesse, Anna. Martha and Hannah. . Robert Waddington, the second son of Jonathan Wadding- ton, married a Miss Tomlinson, of Camden, New Jersey, and died in early manhood, leaving three children,-Aaron, Samuel and James, who were reared by their uncle Aaron. The father of our subject was the third in order of birth in this family. Thomas, the fourth, was a resident farmer of Elsin- boro township and married Mary Smith, by whom he had the following chil- dren: John, Elizabeth, Robert, Catherine, Mary, Sarah, Jonathan and Thomas. Jonathan, the next of the family, was a seafaring man and made his home in Bristol, Pennsylvania. He married a Miss Johnson and to them was born one child, Edward, who was a farmer by occupation, and married Prudence Keasby, by whom he had eight children: Richard, Sarah, Pru- dence, Elizabeth, Joseph, Lydia Ann, Rebecca, and Edward, who died in
Joshua Waddington
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youth. The father of these children. Jonathan Waddington, died in his six- tieth year.
Aaron Waddington, the father of our subject, was born in the village of Salem, in November, 1780. After arriving at years of maturity he ran the old homestead farm and was the owner of a valuable tract of land at the time of his death. In his political affiliations he was a Whig. He attended the meetings of the Hicksite Friends, being a firm believer in the faith of that society, and he contributed liberally to its support and did all in his power to promote its growth and progress. He married Sarah Keasby, and by their union were born five children, namely: Sarah Ann, the eldest, who was born in 1816 and became the wife of John Vining Hill, a carriage-maker of Salem, by whom she had three children,-Sarah Ellen, Anna and John Vining, the latter a resident of Philadelphia. Mrs. Hill died in 1889. Lydia Keasby, who was born in October, 1818, married Jonathan S. White, a son of Samuel White, near Woodstown, by whom she had one child, Gertrude Yarrow, now the wife of Joseph K. Lippincott, of Haddonfield. Joshua, whose name heads this sketch, is the next of the family. Aaron Bradway, born in November, 1822, was a farmer and later a miller, wedded Mary White, by whom he had two children: Ada, wife of Bowman Renwick, of Belfast, New York: Frank; and Jane, the youngest of the family, born in 1824, died in 1872. She was the wife of James L. Fonda and had one daughter, Adele Marie, who mar- ried John Woodley, of Denver, Colorado, by whom she has three children,- Earl, Alice and Gertrude Lippincott. Aaron Waddington, the father of these children whose history we have thus briefly given, died April 7, 1842, at the age of sixty-two years. The mother passed away in September, 1828, in her thirty-fifth year.
Joshua Waddington spent his boyhood days in the township of his na- tivity and obtained his education in a private school conducted by the Society of Friends. He put aside his text-books at the age of twenty and returned to the work of the farm, with which he had become familiar through practical experience in his early youth. He assisted his father in the operation of the old homestead until his death and then succeeded to its ownership, operating it successfully until 1879, when he returned to private life. He followed most progressive methods in his agricultural pursuits, and neatness and thrift characterized all departments of the farm labor. His well tilled fields yielded to him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestowed upon them, and when the capital he had acquired made it possible for him to put aside the more arduous duties of business life he came to Salem, where he has since rested in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. In 1883 he erected a beautiful brick residence which stands on a lawn of about three-
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fourths of an acre in extent. He is also the owner of the old farmstead of one hundred and forty acres in Elsinboro township, and has five hundred acres of land in Richmond county, Virginia, which property is beautifully lo- cated on the Rappahannock river.
On the 3Ist of December, 1847, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Waddington and Miss Ann Vanneman, a daughter of Andrew Vanneman. who was a farmer of Mannington township, Salem county. They became the parents of seven children. Pauline, who was born in 1848, married Richard Henry Holme, an extensive milk and butter dealer of Baltimore, Maryland. where they make their home. He is also engaged in operating a canning factory in Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Holme have three children: Anne Wad- dington, Henry Dennis and Hilda Pauline. Louella, the second of the fam- ily, was born in 1850. Ernst Antone, who was born in 1851, married Mary Ella Heishon, by whom he has six children: Anna Frances, Ernst Antone, Ada Renwick, Helen, Henry Norman and Donald Heishon. He makes his home in Baltimore and is associated in business with Mr. Holme. Sarah Ann. born in 1853, married Paris Horney Minhenhall, a farmer of Vermilion Grove, Vermilion county, Illinois, by whom she has two children: Kenneth Monroe and Georgia. Florence was born in 1854. Jennie Fonda was born in 1865. Laura Frances, born in 1858, is the wife of W. Henry Dunn, a druggist of Salem, by whom she has three children: Henry Waddington. Albert Lawrence and Ralph Gable. Our subject and wife have been married fifty-two years and have seven children and fourteen grandchildren, all living.
In his early life Mr. Waddington gave his political support to the Whig party and on its dissolution joined the ranks of the Republican party. He is now, however, a strong advocate of the Prohibition party, and by his ballot supports its men and measures. He is a man of firm convictions, unfaltering in their support, and is at all times true and loyal to a cause in which he believes. He has been honored with a number of local offices, the duties of which he has discharged with marked fidelity and ability. His entire life has been passed in Salem county, and his career has been a most honorable and upright one, which is indicated by the fact that many who have known him from boyhood are now numbered among his warmest friends.
CAPTAIN ELI BARNETT.
Among the old residents of Holly Beach is Captain Barnett, who for thirty-five years has been engaged in the oyster trade of this place. He is a son of Elihu and Hettie (Newton) Barnett, and was born at Fishing Creek, Cape May county, October 4, 1827. He was reared at the place of his
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nativity, and during his boyhood went to sea, spending twenty-two years of his life as a sailor. For a long time he served as mate and afterward was made captain of the Cicero, a coasting vessel. At different times he was in command of other vessels and followed the sea until 1862, when he became engaged in the oyster business at the inlet at Holly Beach, where he has remained for thirty-five years. He plants oysters every year and sells be- tween three and four hundred bushels in the Holly Beach trade. He is the pioneer in this enterprise at the inlet and for a time did a shipping business. but the local trade is so great as to cut off all shipments now. Captain Bar- nett also has a boat livery, renting boats to summer visitors. He was cap- tain of the Holly Beach life-saving station in 1872 and held that position for five years thereafter, receiving a salary of one thousand dollars. He formerly resided at Erma, where he owns a farm and a house and lot. He also has a farm at Fishing Creek and owns property at the Turtle Girl inlet.
On the 16th of December, 1846, Captain Barnett married Miss Caroline Snyder, who was born August 14, 1829. They became the parents of eleven children: Mary E., born November 3, 1847, is now deceased. Hannah M., born October 2, 1849, is the wife of James Thomas, a farmer and vegetable gardener, by whom she has two children,-Harry and Theresa. Somers, born October 18, 1851, has been connected with the life-saving station for twenty-four years and is now engaged in the oyster business. He married Sarah J. Cobb, and after her death wedded Mary Mickel, by whom he has a daughter, Edna. Jacob, born August 21, 1853, is a farmer and is also en- gaged in the oyster business. He married Sarah Crandall, and they have one daughter, Mary Elizabeth. His second wife was Emma Montgomery, and they have one child, Mary. Theresa, born January 14, 1856, is the wife of Charles Shemelin, and has one child, Carrie. Hettie, born June 9, 1858, is the wife of George Dickerson, a farmer and oyster commission merchant of New Jersey, by whom she has two children,-Frank and Georgia. Bar- bara, born August 14, 1860, died in 1862. Caroline, born February 13, 1862, died March 12, 1885. She was the wife of Durman Ingersoll, and her chil- dren were Luther, Jacob, and Lizzie. Her eldest son was on the battleship Massachusetts in the Spanish-American war, serving his time as gunner's mate. Eli, born July 26, 1865, and now in the oyster business, married Isa- bella Hand, and after her death married Lizzie Montgomery, by whom he has two children,-Flora and Charles. Ulysses S. Grant, who was born on the night General Grant took Richmond, March 3, 1865, died May 3. 1885. Anna, born April 30, 1869, married James Long, who sails a yacht. They reside at Erma. New Jersey, and have a son, Victor.
During the Mexican war Captain Barnett served on a vessel engaged in
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the defense of the American ports. He is a Republican in his political affilia- tions, but has never sought or desired office, preferring to devote his energies and time to his business interests. He has so conducted his affairs as to win a very creditable degree of success and is now the possessor of a comfortable competence. He started out in life for himself at a very early age and has met difficulties and obstacles, but has overcome these by determined purpose. and his career is an exemplification of the opportunity that America offers to her ambitious sons.
J. T. OGDEN.
No life record proves more conclusively that success is not a matter of genius, but is the result of indefatigable and sustained effort, and that it may be acquired by any one who cares to exercise diligence and perseverance, than does the history of Mr. Ogden, of Barnsboro. He was born at Willow Grove, Salem county, April 2, 1840, and is a son of John Ogden, who was a native of the same place and died in 1856. Having been left motherless during his earliest infancy, J. T. Ogden, when only four months old, was adopted by Samuel P. Tice, a resident of Williamstown, and when twelve years of age accompanied his foster father to Barnsboro. He was educated in the common schools, acquiring a good practical knowledge of the English branches of learning, but in his youth his time was largely devoted to farm work. When only fifteen years of age he was employed on the turnpike, and sometimes acted as toll-gate keeper. From 1856 to 1861 he was assist- ant supervisor of the toll road, and in 1865 he was again appointed super- visor. In 1877 he was made superintendent of the road between Glassboro and Mantua. No resident of the community has done more toward securing good roads than he, and good roads are a most important factor in all public inter- ests, for both commercial and industrial activities depend largely upon them. Mr. Ogden is now the owner of the farm of sixty-five acres and his property is a monument to his industry and enterprise.
The subject of this review has been twice married, his first union being with Anna Hulings, who died in 1884, leaving a daughter, Emma L. In 1887 Mr. Ogden was again married, his second union being with Charlotta Locke, of Bridgeport, New Jersey. They also have one daughter, Flor- ence A.
Mr. Ogden has always been a loyal citizen and hardly had the guns of Fort Sumter been fired when he offered his services to the government as a defender of the Union. He was the first volunteer from this locality, going to Camden on the 20th of April and there joining the Washington Greys, which
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became Company F, Fourth New Jersey Infantry. The regiment was com- manded by Colonel Rich Miller, and Mr. Ogden continued at the front during his three months' term of service. At about the completion of that period his father died and he was obliged to return home. In 1863 he was made deputy marshal of the district and also served as the recruiting officer for his township until the close of the war. In politics he has always espoused the cause of the Republican party, which stood so loyally by the nation dur- ing the dark days of the civil war, and which has ever advocated the most progressive measures. He has served as notary public since 1886, for three terms, from 1866 until 1881 was justice of the peace, in 1887 was elected freeholder, was for twenty-one years a member of the school board, during the old law, and for seven terms has been a trustee. His public duties have ever been discharged with marked promptness and ability, thus gaining him the confidence and esteem of all concerned. Socially he is connected with the Odd Fellows Society and the Improved Order of Red Men. Of the former he is a charter member and has filled all of the lodge offices. Through- out his career he has manifested the same loyal spirit which prompted him to enlist under the stars and stripes in defense of the Union.
AMARIAH F. CLIVER.
A. F. Cliver, of Williamstown, was born in Wrightstown, New Jersey. September 18, 1856. His father, Joseph K. Cliver, was also a native of that locality, as was the grandfather, Joseph Cliver, Sr. The family originated in Germany and at an early day was established on American soil. Joseph K. Cliver is a farmer by occupation and during the civil war loyally served his country as a defender of the Union. He still resides in Wrightstown, at the age of eighty-one years, and personally superintends the management of the farm. He married Hannah Asay, a daughter of Samuel Asay, of Ger- man extraction, and she is still living, at the age of seventy-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Cliver became the parents of nine children, of whom five survive: Samuel, a resident of Asbury Park, New Jersey; David, who is living in Camden; Joseph, also a resident of Asbury Park; George, who makes his home in South Amboy, New Jersey; and A. F.
The subject of this review attended the common schools until the age of seventeen years, and then learned the blacksmith's trade, which he has since followed as a source of livelihood. In 1880 he came to Williamstown and established a blacksmith and wagon shop, manufacturing wagons in addi- tion to his work at the blacksmith trade. He is very energetic and his able
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workmanship and honorable dealing have secured to him a liberal patronage.
On the 29th of December, 1884. Mr. Cliver was united in marriage to Miss Laura Husted, the daughter of Charles W. Husted, a prominent citizen of Williamstown, who for twenty years served as justice of the peace. One child has been born of their union, R. Clifford. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Cliver is trustee. He is con- nected with a number of civic societies, belonging to the Masonic fraternity, of which he is now serving as treasurer; the Knights of Pythias, the Junior Order of American Mechanics, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Ancient Order of Knights of the Mystic Chain, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen; and in a number of these has held various offices. He was a char- ter member of Williamstown Lodge, of F. & A. M., and its present master. Mr. Cliver is a direct descendant of Robert Elwell, who came to New Eng- land in Winthrop's company of early Massachusetts settlers. In politics Mr. Cliver is a Republican, and in 1897 was elected tax collector, which position he is now filling. In all the relations of life he has been true to his duties as a man and a citizen and has won the good will of all with whom he has come in contact.
HENRY COOMBS.
Henry Coombs, a farmer of Elmer, Salem county, and ex-member of the legislature of this district, was born May 25, 1842, within a stone's throw of the house in which he now resides. His father was James and his grandfather George Coombs, both of whom were natives of his city and are buried in the Presbyterian churchyard at Daretown, as have been past generations of the Coombs family for more than a century.
They were of Irish descent, and the father, James, was considered one of the best men of the township and took a leading part in all local affairs, settled many estates and held a number of offices within the gift of the peo- ple. He was the township superintendent of schools several years, doing all in his power to advance educational interests, and at the earnest entreaty of his friends allowed his name to be used as a candidate for assemblyman, but was defeated. He was public-spirited and always found in the lead of each and every movement looking to the advancement of local matters. It was largely through his influence and enterprise that the West Jersey Railroad was put through here with its attendant facilities for travel and markets. He was a strong temperance advocate and one of the leaders of the movement. Formerly a Whig, he later became identified with the Republican party and cast his vote with that organization. He was not a member of any religious
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denomination, yet he was a regular attendant at the Presbyterian church, and his life was simple and honest. In this world's goods he possessed a com- fortable portion and was a large land-owner. The lady to whom he was united in marriage was Miss Henrietta DuBois, who died in 1862. She was the mother of his nine children, four of whom are still living. He passed to the better land in 1886. One son, Albert, entered the civil war as a member of the Twelfth New Jersey Volunteers in 1862, and died in the hospital soon afterward. The surviving members of the family are: Mary, who married Henry Applegate, a sea captain, who makes his home on the old homestead; Edwin, who is a justice of the peace of Elmer: Henry, our subject ; and Oliver, who is a storekeeper on the Pennsylvania Railroad in Jersey City.
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