USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume I > Part 37
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Henry Coombs attended school one-half mile from the farm he now occupies, and when his schooling was finished he took up farm work as the most agreeable and independent life that seemed to be offered to him. In 1867 he rented the farm upon which he now lives and continued to be a ten- ant on that property until the death of his father, when he bought the land, two hundred acres, and carried on general farming. He has one of the finest dairies in the state, composed of fifty high-grade Jersey cows, and it is a matter of extreme satisfaction to Mr. Coombs that his cattle are the equal of any high-grade Jerseys. He was one of the first men to see the advantage offered by this line of business and take advantage of it, giving his patrons a pure, wholesome article, and in return realizing a handsome income for the time and labor expended. He is justly proud of the milk he places on the market, aiming for the best and keeping only animals that have a good butter record. He has become a veteran in this line and has supplied one man who lives in Camden with milk for upward of twenty years. It is a pleasure to visit his dairy and stables and note the system and cleanliness with which the work is carried on, the greatest care being exercised at every point from the time the milk is taken from the cow, when it is strained and cooled, until it is ready for the wagon to be taken to town. Every precaution is used to keep it in first-class condition for consumption.
January 26, 1870, occurred the marriage of Henry Coombs and Miss Lizzie Hitchner, a daughter of Daniel Hitchner, of Pittsgrove township. Three children have been the honor of this union: Henrietta, who died at the age of six months; Albert, an inmate of his parental household: and J. Howard, now a pupil at Pierce's College in Philadelphia. Mr. Coombs is a stanch Republican and has been one of the leaders in the local organization, serving on the township committee since 1867. He was elected to the assembly in 1881-2-3, and was the first to represent the county alone. there having been two assemblymen prior to his term of office. He received a
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flattering majority, running far ahead of his ticket. As a member of that body he served as a member of the committee on agriculture. In 1897 he was appointed by the governor to fill an unexpired term as the surrogate, but was defeated for that office at the following election. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of this village, having served as a steward for years. He is also the superintendent of the Jefferson Sunday-school and has been the means of increasing not only the attendance but also the interest in the school until it is now one of the most flourishing here. He is a pros- perous, progressive citizen who occupies an enviable place in the esteem of his fellow citizens.
MARCELLUS L. JACKSON.
Marcellus L. Jackson, a representative business man of Hammonton, New Jersey, was born in Hartland, Maine, September 25, 1846. His parents, George P. and Elizabeth (Welch) Jackson, were both natives of Maine, the former of English and the latter of Irish ancestry.
Mr. Jackson received a common-school and academic education in Hart- land, Maine, and for a year subsequent followed the vocation of teacher in his native state. Removing then to Burlington county, New Jersey, he con- tinued teaching there some three years longer, making in the meantime a brief tour through the west. In the spring of 1871, removing to Hammon- ton, he engaged in business as a butcher. in company with Benjamin H. Bowles. This partnership continued for nearly three years, when Mr. Jack- son bought out the entire enterprise and has since continued business at the old location established in 1872. In 1895 he erected the present commodi- ous block, fifty by sixty-six feet, and two stories in height, in which he gives his entire attention to his market. In this building is also located the post- office, in apartments especially fitted up for the purpose by Mr. Jackson.
Business success and prominence in the affairs of the town soon gave Mr. Jackson wide financial and civic influence. He was an original member and organizer of the Mechanics' Building & Loan Association and one of its di- rectors. He was also prominent in the organization of the Workingmen's Building & Loan Association, and was for some years its president and al- ways a director. One of the promoters of the Hammonton Bank, he was made its first vice-president, a position he still retains.
An active Republican, he held the office of town clerk in 1879 and 1880. In 1885 he was elected a freeholder, and still holds the office, without opposi- tion from either party, and for two years has been a director of the board. In 1895 Mr. Jackson was elected to the state legislature, by the largest vote
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ever cast for the office by his party, and in 1896 increased his former majority by about one thousand votes. In the legislature he has served on the com- mittee on agriculture and agricultural colleges; as the chairman of the build- ing committee; on the committee on corporations and also as a member of the joint committee on the sinking fund.
In 1899 Mr. Jackson was appointed the postmaster of Hammonton. He is a member of Winslow Lodge, No. 40, I. O. O. F .. and the treasurer of same; a member also of M. B. Taylor Lodge, No. 141, F. & A. M., and a member of J. O. A. M.
Mr. Jackson has been twice married. By his first wife, Adelaide, nee Burges, he had two sons,-Fred L., deceased, and Albert L. By his second wife, Maggie, nee King, to whom he was married in May, 1882, he has also two children: Ernest M. and Edwin Leroy. His wife and eldest son are both earnest workers in the Methodist Episcopal church.
C. HOWARD WARD.
C. Howard Ward, of Palatine, New Jersey, one of the industrious farmers of Salem county, was born on the farm where he now lives, January 24, 1861. He was educated at the common district schools, and early in life took up agriculture and stock-raising for a livelihood. He now has a large herd of registered cattle,-Jersey and Guernsey stock. He operates at the old family homestead, tending one hundred and fifty acres of land. Carrie Johnson, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Johnson, of Upper Pittsgrove, became our subject's wife August 17, 1882. One son has blessed this home circle .- William H.
In political matters Mr. Ward is ever an active, aggressive man, attending all the conventions. He is a Republican, and was for six years one of the trustees of Salem county almshouse and acted as secretary of the board. He is a member of the Olivet Methodist church, belongs to the Order of Red Men and is the chief of records in his lodge, having held such position ever since the lodge was organized. He is also an honored member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows.
Concerning his parentage and ancestral connections, we may refer the reader to the biography of his brother, John C. Ward, in this volume. It should be stated, however, that his father was William H. Ward, a native of Woodbury, New Jersey. Our subject's mother was, before her marriage, Miss Mary Ann Cook, of Monmouth county. In our subject's immediate family there were the following children: Joseph T., John C., James C., Mary E., C. Howard, Frank G. and one deceased.
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Much interesting history connected with this family may be found, as above mentioned, in the sketch of John C. Ward. It may be also appropri- ately mentioned that 'Mr. Ward built a handsome house in 1899.
McKENDREE LANGLEY.
McKendree Langley, a resident farmer residing in Glassboro township, was born August 16, 1853, in this locality, and traces his ancestry back to Reuben Langley, whose birth occurred in England, and who is the founder of the family in the New World. His son John was the grandfather of our subject, and the father was Samuel Langley, who was born in Willow Grove, New Jersey, and removed to the farm, upon which his son McKendree now resides, in 1845. He built the house in 1851 and with characteristic energy began clearing and developing his land, placing five hundred acres under cul- tivation. He also did an extensive business in lumber and charcoal, and by his own efforts arose from a humble position to one of affluence. At the time of his death he was the owner of several hundred acres of valuable land in connection with other property and his possessions were a monument to his thrift and enterprise. He was not only a leading business man, but was rec- ognized as one of the valued citizens of this community and served as the collector of his township when Clayton, Elk and Gloucester townships were one. A faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, he held all of its offices, labored earnestly for its upbuilding and died in its faith February 4, 1890. His wife, who had the maiden name of Sophia Campbell, was a daughter of David Campbell, of Cumberland county, New Jersey, a very prominent and influential citizen, who served as the judge of the county court. Mrs. Langley is still living, at the age of seventy-four years. By her marriage she became the mother of sixteen children, eight of whom are living. namely: Margaret, the wife of John Shaw, of Glassboro; David, who is living near the old homestead; Ray, the wife of Henry Jenkins, who also resides in this locality; McKendree; Hannah, the wife of George Cornell, of Glassboro township; Millard F., who is living in the same township; Calvin; and Lena, the wife of Rev. Daniel Johnson, a Methodist minister located at Port Republic, New Jersey.
McKendree Langley pursued his education in the common schools, which he attended through the winter season, while in the summer months he worked upon the home farm. He early began to follow the plow and to aid in harvesting the crops, and thus gained a practical knowledge of the business to which he now devotes his energies. He owns seventy-five acres of rich
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and arable land and is engaged in general farming, his well tilled fields yield- ing him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor bestowed upon them.
On the 16th of August, 1881, Mr. Langley was united in marriage to Miss Ida, a daughter of Uriah Turpin, of Williamstown, New Jersey. Seven children have been born of their union, as follows: Samuel, Warren, Laura, Oscar, Charles P., Lafayette and Sophia. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and the family is one widely and favorably known in the community.
ASA GARDINER.
Asa Gardiner is living a retired life at his pleasant home near Pitman Grove. For many years he carried on agricultural pursuits in Gloucester county, and having acquired a comfortable competency he was at length en- abled to lay aside the more arduous cares of business life, his former talents having provided him with the means that supplies him with all the necessi- ties, and many of the luxuries, that go to make existence pleasurable.
Mr. Gardiner was born December 28, 1823, on a farm two miles from Mullica Hill. His grandfather was James Gardiner and his father was Amos Gardiner. The latter was born near the Black Horse Tavern in the vicinity of Mullica Hill, and became a successful farmer of that section of the county. He also engaged in school-teaching and served his township as a school trustee, taking an active interest in the cause of education, largely pro- moting the interests of the schools in his neighborhood. He held member- ship in the Society of Friends and lived an upright and honorable life worthy of the confidence and esteem of all. His death occurred about 1884, and his wife passed away in 1867. She bore the maiden name of Anna Daniels, and was a daughter of John Daniels. By her marriage she became the mother of nine children, four of whom are living, as follows: Maria, the wife of Gideon Turner, of Swedesboro, Gloucester county; Asa; Amos, who is living in Mullica Hill; and George, a resident of Westville, New Jersey.
Asa Gardiner pursued his education in the common schools and at an early age began to assist in the development and cultivation of the home farm. In 1844 he began farming on his own account near Jeffersonville, where he remained one year, after which he removed to a place between Barnsboro and Pitman Grove, where he carried on agricultural pursuits through the long period of forty years. His practical and progressive meth- ods were attended with a gratifying degree of success and he gained a hand- some competence which now enables him to live retired. He at one time
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owned the land which is now included within Alcyon park, a pleasure resort - near Pitman Grove. He is still the owner of a valuable tract of one hundred and forty acres, which yields to him a good income.
Mr. Gardiner has been twice married. First he wedded Louisa, the daughter of Ely Heritage, who died in 1859. Their only child is also de- ceased. For his second wife he chose Keziah Eastlock, a daughter of James Eastlock, of Mantua. She is still living and has three children: Sarah. the wife of Edward Justice, of Penn Grove; Anna, the wife of Samuel L. Justice, also of Penn Grove; and Kate, the wife of Josiah Shute, of Pitman Grove.
Mr. Gardiner takes a deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community and has efficiently served as a school trustee. His life has been an active and useful one, devoted to honorable business pursuits and to the faithful performance of his duties of citizenship. This has made his record a commendable one, worthy of a place in the history of his native county.
WILLIAM K. WILLIAMSON.
Ocean City has no more active champion than this gentleman, whose deep interest in its welfare is manifested in his well directed efforts for its improve- ment and upbuilding. He was born in Bloomfield, Essex county, New Jersey, September 4, 1848, and is a son of William J. and Amies (Keene) William- son. The name is of Scotch origin and the first progenitor of the family in America was William Williamson, who left the land of his nativity to seek a home beyond the broad Atlantic. The grandfather of our subject also bore the name of William, and was born in what was then Belleville, New Jersey, a little town which now forms a part of the city of Newark. He engaged in quarrying sandstone for building purposes, was also one of the extensive farmers in Bloomfield; and the family homestead which he occupied had been in possession of his ancestors for nearly two hundred years, and is yet owned by his descendants. He was an honored country gentleman who con- trolled extensive property interests and by his upright life commanded the respect of his fellow men. He served his country in the war of 1812. His wife bore the maiden name of Margaret Bowman, and their children were Margaret; Eliza; Adeline; Mrs. Maria Bowman; William J .; and Jane, wife of Thomas Munn, of Orange, New Jersey. All died within six years, the youngest one being seventy-nine years of age at the time of his death, while the eldest was eighty-eight. The family has ever been noted for longevity, although the grandfather died at the age of forty-four years; his wife, how- ever, reached the advanced age of eighty-nine years.
Williamk. Williamson
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William J. Williamson was born in Bloomfield, New Jersey, in 1812, and was educated in the public schools of Newark and in Seymour Academy. He was a country gentleman whose real-estate interests were extensive and who added to his property by fortunate speculations. Through his efforts the agricultural interests of this community were largely promoted. He owned a large farm near Newark and did much to improve the grade of stock raised in that section of the state. He served as a member of the city council and of the school board, and was a very active member and worker in the First Presbyterian church, in which he served as a deacon and a trustee. In his family were two sons and two daughters: William K., Margaret, Lilly and Ellis N. The last named is connected with the Evening Post of New York city and resides in Bloomfield, New Jersey. The father of this family was called to his final rest in June, 1896, at the age of seventy-nine years, and the mother passed away in February, 1898, at the age of seventy-eight years.
William K. Williamson, having acquired his education in the common schools, became a student in Bloomfield Academy and later matriculated in Columbia College, where on the completion of the classical course he was graduated in 1871. Two years later he was graduated in the Columbia Law School, previous to which time he had read law under the direction of Court- land Parker, a distinguished legist of Newark, New Jersey. From his office he was admitted to practice in May, 1873, and for two years was a member of the bar of Newark. During that time he acted as the counsel of Bloom- field township, and served as a member of the city board of aldermen. Later he became connected with journalistic interests in Wilmington, Delaware, as the city editor of the Morning News, in which capacity he served for five years. He then became connected with the theatrical business, as the man- ager of theaters in Wilmington, Delaware; Lancaster, Pennsylvania; Albany, New York; and in Trenton, New Jersey. He had several companies upon the road and traveled through every state and territory in the Union. On severing his connection with the stage in 1896 he came to Ocean City, where he had previously made extensive investments in real estate and where he had spent his summers for some years previously. He has taken an active and important part in the upbuilding of the town and has valuable property interests here and in Bloomfield, New Jersey. He does all in his power to promote the improvement of Ocean City and withholds his support from no movement or measure which he believes will be a public benefit.
On the 12th of March, 1881, Mr. Williamson was united in marriage to Miss Roberta M. Stanley, of South Carolina, and they now have one of the most beautiful and attractive homes in Ocean City, occupying one of the fine building sites here. Mr. Williamson is a member of the Masonic fraternity,
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and in politics he is a stalwart Republican, being recognized as a leader in the ranks of his party in Cape May county. He has served as a member and the president of the city council, and his efforts to promote the welfare of the community have been very effective.
GAINER P. MOORE.
The history of the community is best told in the lives of its representative citizens, for it is to the business and executive ability of the prominent men of the town to which is attributed its progress along all lines of intel- lectual, moral and material advancement. No city, no matter how great her natural resources, ever rose to any degree of prosperity that did not owe credit of her possessions to the men within her limits and their ability to de- velop these resources and create new enterprises. To those who have faith in her future and contribute toward her prosperity by investing capital and identifying themselves in every possible manner with her interests, the ques- tion of failure is not only improbable but impossible. That Mr. Moore has ever believed in the future of Ocean City is demonstrated by the fact that he has been the promoter of many of its leading interests, and its growth is largely due to the wise effort which he put forth during his service of twelve years in the mayoralty.
He claims Pennsylvania as the state of his nativity, his birth having oc- curred in Chester county, on the 13th of June, 1836. He is a representative of two old families connected with the Society of Friends, and is a son of William and Lydia (Moore) Moore. His father was born July 12, 1779, in Chester county. He was a carpenter and cooper by trade, and spent his en- tire life in the counties of Chester and Lancaster. During the war of 1812 he was drafted for service, but paid the redemption fee and remained with his family. His religious belief was in harmony with the doctrines of the Society of Friends, and his political faith was with the Whig party. He married Lydia Moore, and to them were born eight children, namely: George, James. Samuel, William, Wilson, Cassandra, Jane and Mary. The father of these children died in 1853, at the age of seventy-four years, and the mother, who was born in 1800, died in 1876, at the age of seventy-six years.
Mr. Moore, of this review, acquired his education in the public schools of Chester county, and worked with his father until nineteen years of age. He learned the carpenter's trade at Atglen, and also followed it to some extent in Calhoun county, Michigan. During the civil war he offered his services to the government, but failed to pass the physical examination, being re-
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jected on account of a slight lameness. When Lee's army invaded Pennsyl- vania he offered his services a second time, was accepted, and went with four companies of the state militia to guard the fort at Peach Bottom on the Sus- quehanna river. In 1866 he embarked in merchandising at Atglen, Chester county, where he remained for seven years and later resumed work at the carpenter's trade, and on the 14th of April, 1881, came to Ocean City, where he has since engaged in business as an architect, contractor and builder. He erected a number of the first houses in the place, and has since put up many cottages and fine residences. He is not only an expert builder, but is an architect as well, and therefore many of the homes in this place stand as monuments to his skill and enterprise. He furnishes employment to a large force of workmen. sometimes as many as twenty-five, and has received a lib- eral patronage. He is also engaged in the real-estate business, handling some valuable property, and is the proprietor of greenhouses at this place.
Mr. Moore was elected the first mayor of Ocean City, and seven times has been chosen to that position. During his services many important municipal improvements have been made, and at all times he has exercised his official prerogative to advance the welfare of the city. Upon him and the council fell the arduous labor of creating and establishing a borough gov- ernment on the foundation of temperance, and he has always added his co- operation to such projects as have given promise of success and which con- tribute to the advancement of the interests of Ocean City in point of wealth, population and intelligence. During his service as mayor the first railroad was completed to Ocean City. It was a spur of the West Jersey & Sea- shore line, extending from Sea Isle Junction to this place, a distance of seven- teen miles. He granted the franchise for the erection of the first trolley rail- road, and while he occupied the office of mayor he gave his aid and influence for the establishment of the water-works, the electric-light plant and the sewer system. Under his administration much street grading was done. and two board walks were built along the ocean shore. He also established the fire department, and at the present time he is serving as a member of the board of education, having for nine years been the district clerk of the board. The public schools find in him a warm friend, whose interests are largely advanced through his efforts. He is now a justice of the peace, notary pub- lic and commissioner of deeds.
On the 3d of February, 1863, Mr. Moore was united in marriage to Har- riet E. Buffington, and four children have been born to them,-Eva, a teacher in the kindergarten school in New York city; Ellis H., a painter of Ocean City; Morris H., an electrician, who married Lizzie Kates, and has two daughters, Etta and Ruth; and Mary, who has successfully engaged in teach-
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ing for eight years and is now taking a special course of study in the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mr. Moore is a faithful member and officer, serving on the official board at the present time. Socially he is connected with the Junior Order of American Mechanics and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. A con- temporary biographer has said of him: "Adhering tenaciously to his con- victions of what is just and right, his popularity has been honorably achieved. and is but the logical outcome of conscientious direction of unborn capabili- ties to wise results."
RICHARD T. SMITH.
Richard Thompson Smith, of Salem, is one of the enterprising and sub- stantial farmers who have done much to promote the welfare of the county. He is a son of Powell and Sarah Elizabeth (Elpinton) Smith and was born in Mannington township, this county, November 26, 1850. His grandfather. Isaac Smith, and great-grandfather, Powell Smith, were also residents of this township and carried on farming, the latter owning one hundred and seventy acres of land, which he cultivated. He was a Democrat and a member of the Society of Friends. Two children were born to him: Sallie, Mrs. Wood- side; and Isaac Smith. The latter continued to conduct farming operations in his native township and laid up a neat competency, which enabled him to retire from the arduous duties of farm life some fifteen years prior to his death and take up his residence in Salem. Like his father, he was a Demo- crat and belonged to the Society of Friends of the Salem meeting. He was married to Margaret Earnest, who bore him seven children, viz .: Powell. the father of our subject; Mary; Sarah Ann, who married Thomas Peterson, a farmer, by whom she has two children,-Henry and Margaret Breece: Isaac, a farmer in Mannington township, who married Ruth Ann Taylor and has seven children, Jonathan, Emma, Annie, Curriden, Isaac, Jr., Beulah. Ella; Ann, who married Henry Fox, a salesman of Philadelphia, and has two children,-Lucy Powers and Minnie Stockwell; Tillie, who married Henry Collier, an insurance man of Philadelphia; and Josiah, who is a poultry dealer of Salem and who married Catherine Lawrence and has three children, -- Hannah, Sallie, and Arthur. The grandfather died in 1869, at the age of sixty-nine years, while the grandmother reached the age of seventy-six or seventy-seven.
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