USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume I > Part 44
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
JAMES M. E. HILDRETH.
In both political and business circles Mr. Hildreth is known throughout New Jersey. His has been a career commendable for its fidelity to duty in all life's relations, and while he has been honored by his fellow men with public office he has also honored the state and district which he represented. In business he is the soul of honor and integrity, in social circles he is affable and courteous, and his whole career has been permeated by a kindliness and sympathy that have arisen from a personal interest in his fellow men.
Mr. Hildreth was born in Cape May, December 9, 1859, and was a son of Alvin P. and Lydia (Wales) Hildreth. The paternal grandfather, George Hildreth, resided at Cold Spring, New Jersey, and was a pilot on the Dela- ware river. His political support was given to the Democracy and he served his township in various local offices. In religious belief he was a Presby- terian, was very active in the work of the church and did all in his power to uplift humanity and better the conditions of human life. He had four chil- dren .- Alvin P., Eliza E., Daniel and Jane. The daughter, Eliza E., became the wife of Lafayette Miller.
Hon. Alvin P. Hildreth, the father of our subject, was born at Cold Spring, and in early life engaged in teaching school. He completed his edu- cation within the classic walls of Yale College and was a man of strong in- dividuality and marked intellectuality, who in public life was frequently called to positions of prominence and trust. For some time he engaged in the hotel business in Cape May, was afterward proprietor of the Metropolitan Hotel in Washington, D. C., and subsequently returned to Cape May, where he con- ducted one of the leading hotels in this section of the state. Prompt, ener- getic and thoroughly reliable, his reputation in business circles is indeed enviable, and he had the happy faculty of winning warm friendships. A recognized leader in Democratic circles, he was at one time a member of the riparian commission of New Jersey and was twice elected to represent his district in the general assembly of the state. In local affairs he exercised marked influence, and his co-operation was always given to movements and measures calculated to advance the progress and welfare of the community. His Masonic relations were with Cape Island Lodge, of which he was a valued member. He married Lydia Wales, a representative of one of the . distinguished families of New Jersey. Her uncle, Hon. E. L. B. Wales, was at one time a judge of the New Jersey court of errors and appeals, the highest tribunal in the state, and others of the family occupied eminent posi- tions in public life. Mr. and Mrs. Hildreth became the parents of four chil- dren,-Howard, Frank H., James M. E. and Alvin. The father died in Au-
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gust, 1898, at the age of fifty-six years, and the mother passed away in Janu- ary, 1862, at the early age of twenty-eight years.
James M. E. Hildreth spent the first twelve years of his life in his native city and was then taken to Mount Holly, where he completed his education in the Mount Holly Academy, an excellent institution. Determining to enter the legal profession he became a student in the law office of Hon. Walter A. Barrows, his uncle, and also studied under the direction of Hon. Joseph H. Gaskell, now the president judge of Burlington county. He diligently ap- plied himself to the task of mastering the principles of jurisprudence and after careful preparation was admitted to practice in the courts of New Jersey in 1881. He then returned to his native city, where his law business has steadily increased, and he now has an extensive and distinctly representative clientage. His devotion to his clients is proverbial, yet it is said that he never advised any one to enter into litigation except to right a wrong. He is an indefati- gable and earnest worker, and the litigation with which he has been con- nected has been of a very important character. His practice has been general and he is proficient in every department of the law; and, with his keenly analytical mind, his broad knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence has enabled him to apply to the point in controversy the law which bears most closely upon it, citing authority and precedent until the strength of his case is clearly seen by judge and jury. His deductions are logical and the force of his arguments is shown in the many verdicts favorable to his clients which he has won. He is also interested in real estate in Cape May, where he owns valuable property. He was instrumental in organizing the Franklin Electric Light Company of this city in 1886 and has since been its general manager. He is a director of the New Jersey Trust and Safe Deposit Company: also a director in the South Jersey Railway Company, which opened a competing line to Cape May in 1894. All enterprising movements receive his encour- agement, and his substantial aid is given to matters and measures for the public good. As to the fraternal orders, he is a Mason, Heptasoph. Work- man and Redman.
His political prominence is the result of eminent fitness for leadership and the ability which he has shown in the discharge of the duties entrusted to him. In 1883 he was chosen by the city council for the office of solicitor and won the highest commendation of all by the manner in which he per- formed the duties that devolved upon him. In March, 1893, he was chosen as the chief executive of the city and in that year he was instrumental in hold- ing a Fourth-of-July celebration which will ever be memorable in the history of the city. Benjamin Harrison, ex-president of the United States, was the distinguished guest and principal speaker on that occasion, and Mr. Hildreth
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introduced Mr. Harrison and presided over the ceremonies in a manner that elicited the warmest praise of his fellow townsmen. Marked improvement was made in the city in many lines during the mayoralty of Mr. Hildreth, and yet so economical was the management of the business affairs of Cape May that each taxpayer was saved fourteen per cent of the usual net amount of his tax. In 1895 the city council again elected Mr. Hildreth to the office of city solicitor and in 1897 he was elected the mayor. To those who are ac- quainted with the man it is needless to say that his administration was pro- gressive and beneficial. In 1898 he was a prominent candidate for congres- sional honors in the first district, and though he did not seek the nomination he received the most flattering vote of eighty-one ballots. He is now promi- nently spoken of by his friends as a candidate for congress in 1900. He is an earnest champion of the principles of the Republican party, and though he has held local positions he is by no means a politician in the commonly accepted sense of an office-seeker. He has been a close student of govern- mental problems and he ever places the welfare of the state and nation be- fore personal aggrandizement. Mr. Hildreth is an active member of the Cape May City Athletic Club, which was organized August 15, 1887, and as a member of its directorate he was associated with some of the most eminent and distinguished citizens of Philadelphia and Cape May. He was elected to the office of secretary and attorney and has been a prominent fac- tor in the successful conduct of the affairs of the club. This club organized and fostered the once famous Cape May Base Ball Club, which brought such prominence to this city.
On the 12th of November, 1884, Mr. Hildreth was united in marriage to Miss Mattie O. Mecray, a daughter of Jeremiah Mecray, and they now have one daughter, Mary M. The parents are members of the Presbyterian church and since January, 1885, Mr. Hildreth has served as trustee and treas- urer of the church. He is a representative American citizen, energetic in business, courteous in social life and loyal to his duties of citizenship and to his native land. Though one of the busiest of men he always has a smile of welcome for all, graciously giving his time to those who ask it and thereby constantly adding to his long list of friends.
WALTER S. LEAMING, M. D., D. D. S.
Among the prominent men of the state of New Jersey, none occupy a position of relatively greater importance in the community in which they reside than Dr. W. S. Leaming, who was formerly state senator from his
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY. 407
district and is now serving as the city treasurer of Cape May. The common opinion has for some time been that American politics were probably never so corrupt as at the present day, that the affairs of the country are in the hands of professional politicians who are working for their own interests and not for the good of the majority; and it is such men as the one whose name heads this record that restores the public confidence and renews the faith that we shall have wise legislation and just laws brought about by honorable men with pure political records and devoted to their country's interests and not to their own aggrandizement.
The Doctor was born in Cape May county, March 4, 1854, his parents being Jonathan F. and Eliza H. (Bennett) Leaming. He pursued his educa- tion in the Mayville Academy and in the high school of New York city, and on the completion of his literary course began preparation for a professional career as a student in the Pennsylvania Dental College, in which he was graduated in the class of 1876. He is also a graduate of the Jefferson Medi- cal College, in Philadelphia, of the class of 1882. In the Centennial year he opened an office in Cape May Court House, where he still maintains his den- tal parlors, although he has made his home in the city of Cape May since 1889. He enjoys a liberal patronage, by reason of his superior skill and ability, and has a fine office, equipped with the latest improved instruments and equipments for the successful conduct of a dental practice.
While Dr. Leaming has gained prestige in his chosen calling, however, he is probably more widely known in connection with his public service. He has always been a close student of the political questions and issues of the day, and before he had attained legal age the nomination for state senator was tendered him. He was a member of the lower house of the assembly in 1877, and from 1888 until 1890 served in the senate and in the latter year re- ceived the vote of his party for president of the senate, and lacked only one vote of being elected. He was a recognized leader in Republican ranks and his influence was very marked. He has served for three years as the presi- dent of the city council of Cape May, and in 1899 was elected the treasurer of the city, which position he is now acceptably filling. He has long been recognized as an important factor in political circles, and his patriotic spirit has been manifest in his loyal support of many measures for the general good.
With various business, social and moral interests, Dr. Leaming has also been identified. He was at one time a member of the board of trade and is a member and director of the Mechanics & Laborers' Building & Loan Asso- ciation, at Cape May Court House. He holds membership in the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Improved Order of Heptasophs, and is
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an active and zealous member of the Baptist church, in which he is now serv- ing as a deacon. The school system finds in him a stanch advocate, and he did effective service in its interest while serving as a member of the board of education of Cape May Court House.
The Doctor has been twice married. He first wedded Mary H. Holmes, a daughter of Judge Richard Holmes, the judge of the court of common pleas of Cape May county. On the 30th of November, 1878, Mrs. Leaming died, at the age of twenty-four years, leaving a daughter, named Nellie. For his second wife the Doctor chose Miss Rebecca H., a daughter of William J. Bennett, a pilot of Cape May. Their wedding was celebrated December 22, 1889, and has been blessed with two children, Rebecca and Henrietta. To the Doctor and his wife is extended the hospitality of the best homes in Cape May, and they occupy an enviable position in social circles. He in- spires strong personal friendships and has the happy faculty of drawing his friends closer to him as the years pass by.
JAMES M. ROE.
A retired farmer residing in Paulsboro, J. M. Roe was born in Wood- bury, Gloucester county, March 14, 1821, and is descended from good old Revolutionary stock. The family is of Scotch lineage and was founded in the New World in colonial days. Henry Roe, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born in Gloucester county, and when the oppression of England brought on the war of the Revolution he loyally aided in the struggle for independence. His son Robert, the father of our subject, was born in Wood- bury and became a hat manufacturer of his native town, where he carried on business for a number of years. His last days, however, were passed in Mount Ephraim, where his death occurred. He married Ann Hurley, a daughter of James Hurley, of Camden county, and she has also passed away. In their family were five children, but only two are now living,-Miriam and J. M.
The latter pursued his education in the public schools of Woodbury and subsequently engaged in teaching. In March, 1845, he removed to Green- wich township and for many years devoted his energies to farming, his well directed efforts bringing to him a comfortable competence. He yet owns seventy-five acres of land. which he rents. His business affairs have ever claimed his close attention and his diligence and capable management brought him a well deserved success. He was the soul of honor in all trade transactions and demanded that others should treat him as fairly as he treated them.
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CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
For many years Mr. Roe has been prominently connected with the public interests, having for fifteen years served as justice of the peace, while for some time he was the collector of his township and settled many estates. In 1856 he was chosen freeholder, filling that position for three years.
On the 30th of December, 1846, Mr. Roe married Miss Lydia A. Miller, of Greenwich township. They have four children: Anna, the wife of I. G. Cox, a resident of Paulsboro; Elizabeth, the wife of George C. Laws, also of Paulsboro; Emily; and Susan M., the wife of J. A. Reinhart, of Paterson, New Jersey. The father of these children was a member of the Odd Fellows' society. He has now passed the Psalmist's span of three-score years and ten and has put aside the more arduous duties and cares of life, resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. His life has been well spent and all who know him admire and respect him for his genuine worth.
GEORGE R. RICHARDSON.
On a farm in Logan township, Gloucester county, resides George R. Richardson, who is accounted one of the leading agriculturists of this com- munity. He was born in New Castle county, Delaware, on the 21st of Feb- ruary, 1832, and is a son of Carmen and Maria (Riday) Richardson, the for- mer a native of New Jersey and the latter of Pennsylvania. They were of English and German descent respectively, and in 1834 the father removed with his family to Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, where he died in 1863, at the age of fifty-six years. His wife, long surviving him, passed away in 1882, at the age of eighty-five years. Their children were Mary Ann, wife of Albert Sutton, of Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania; George R .; Carmen, who died in Virginia, when about sixty years of age; John, who died at Marcus Hook, when fifty-eight years of age; and one or two children who died in infancy.
The educational privileges which were afforded to Mr. Richardson were quite limited. During his early youth he attended school for about three months in the year, but when very young became connected with the oyster fisheries and was thus engaged for fifteen years. Since 1856 he has occupied his present farm, which is a portion of the John D. Norton estate and is lo- cated in the section of the township known as Nortonville. He prosecutes his labors with diligence and his efforts bring to him a good financial return.
On the 29th of September, 1853. Mr. Richardson was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Jane Norton, a daughter of John D. Norton, of Logan town- ship. She died June 15, 1898, at the age of sixty-five years, and many friends throughout the community mourned her loss. In their family were
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five children: George Henry, who died at the age of eight years; Carmen H., a street-car conductor of Philadelphia, who married Emma Crispen and had a daughter, Viola, and after the death of his first wife, wedded Effie Kelley; Emma L., the wife of John D. Garrison, of Bridgeton, New Jersey, by whom she has a daughter, Bertha; Ida J., the wife of Stokes Hunt, a far- mer of Logan township, by whom she has five children: Harold, Ethel, Grace, Clifford and Foster; and William C., who is farming with his father and who married Lidia McCullough, a daughter of William McCullough, of Swedesboro, by whom he has two children,-Howard H. and Sarah M.
Mr. Richardson exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and he and his family are members of Center Square Methodist Episcopal church. His life has been an honorable and upright one, characterized by earnest devotion to all the duties of citizen- ship, and wherever he is known he has won the confidence and good will of those whom he has met.
ARTHUR H. TOWNSEND.
Arthur Harrison Townsend, a respected resident of Millville, wears worth- ily the honored family name of his ancestors, who for many generations have resided in this country, the family having been founded here in colonial days. The Townsend motto is "Haec generi inceremento fides,"-Ennobled for their fidelity. A coat of arms that was brought to this country about 1700 is now in possession of Miss R. P. Townsend. The Townshends and Townsends are all descended from the same original stock. Thomas Town- send, the original American emigrant, sailed from London to Boston and took up his residence in Lynn county, Massachusetts, in 1635. He was a son of Henry Townsend and the grandson of Sir Robert Townsend, the second son of another Sir Robert. The Townsends are of mixed Saxon and Norman lineage, and the family is one of great antiquity in the county of Norfolk, England. Jonathan Townsend, one of the ancestors of our subject in the direct line, married Huldah Newton, and they had seven children,-Jona- than, Martin, Sallie, Benjamin, Nancy, Polly and Elizabeth, all of whom were born in New Salem, Massachusetts. After the death of the father the mother married Daniel Curtis, and had a daughter by her second marriage. Jonathan Townsend, the son of Jonathan and Huldah, wedded Mary Haskell, and they had two children. For his second wife he wedded Olive Phinney, who was born September 20. 1769. Their children were: Sallie; Jonathan, who was born May 15, 1787, and died in 1858; Uzial, Sewell, Olive, Huldah, Unah, Elvira, Hosea W., Diadania and Adin.
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CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
Jonathan Townsend, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Broom county, Canada, on the 14th of August, 1820, and was a son of Eliphalet Townsend, who was a shoemaker by trade, and is now living retired in Hyde Park. Vermont. His life has been a quiet and unassuming one, and though he has sought not notoriety he has won the respect of his fellow men. A zealous member of the Seventh-Day Adventists' church, he is a great Bible student and a conscientious Christian man. He married Elizabeth French, and they had seven children: George R .; Anna T., who was born March 20, 1843, and died May 3, 1843; Mary A., who was born March 19, 1844; Elmira, who was born March 24, 1846, and died January 28, 1847; Arthur H., born November 20, 1847; Isadora M., born June 1, 1849; and Cecelia A., born August 28, 1851. During the civil war Arthur H. Townsend, of this family, enlisted in the Union army, in 1863, was captured by the rebels in September, 1864, and died in the prison at Salisbury, North Carolina, on the 22d of No- vember of the same year.
George Riley Townsend, the father of our subject, was born in Broom county, Canada, August 17, 1841, and when twenty years of age responded to his country's call for troops, enlisting, in 1861, in the Seventh Regiment of Vermont Volunteers, which was assigned to the Department of the Gulf and operated in Florida and Louisiana. He became a private detective and spy in the service of General Asbeth, and was severely wounded in a skirmish by a bayonet which was thrown at him and pierced his hand. Drawing the weapon he threw it at the owner, killing him. On numerous occasions he distinguished himself by coolness and daring, and at all times his service was most commendable. At one time a certain captain was wont to ignore the regulation of giving the countersign, and Mr. Townsend warned him that he would shoot his mule from under him if he again disobeyed the re- quirement. Not long afterward the demand was again violated by the cap- tain, who attempted to dash by Mr. Townsend, but the latter shot and killed his mule. It is probable that after that he had no more trouble with the officer. After the war he was married to Francelia D. Ober, and to them were born five children, namely: Arthur H., who is the eldest of the family; Grace R., who was born November 28, 1868, and married Bertram S. Ward, by whom she had three children,-Frank E., born October 1, 1887; Minnie E., born July 2, 1889; and Arthur W., born January 26, 1891, and died young; Nettie, born October 9, 1869, was married November 4, 1893, to William Emerson; Myrtle I., born December 20, 1874, was married November 30, 1893, to Olin V. Baily; and Maud E., born May 6, 1877, was married July 9, 1893, to William F. Schofield.
Arthur Harrison Townsend, whose name introduces this review, was born
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February 24, 1867, in Johnson, Lamoille county, Vermont. In early life he left home to make his own way in the world, and whatever success he has achieved is the result of his own efforts. When twenty-six years of age he established the Mountain Mirror, at Lake Placid, New York, continuing its publication for some time. Subsequently he was connected with the Bridge- ton Pioneer for two or three years, and afterward became a reporter on the Millville Republican, as well as the advertising manager. A year later he was made the general manager and editor of the Millville Republican and Daily Reporter. The paper known as the Millville Republican was established in 1864, and the Daily Reporter, in 1897; and in 1899 these were consolidated under the name of the Millville Republican & Daily Reporter, as an inde- pendent Republican journal. Under the capable management of Mr. Town- send this paper has proved a profitable investment. When he assumed charge its business was being carried on at a loss of seventy-five dollars per week, but he soon placed it upon a paying basis and the business is now profitable and is constantly increasing. The daily paper has a circulation of one thou- sand copies; and the weekly, which is issued every Friday, has a circulation of seventeen hundred copies. A large job printing business is also carried on. The paper is a neat and well edited journal, devoted largely to local in- terests and to the promotion of the various enterprises and movements which contribute to the progress of the city along material, social, educational and moral lines.
Mr. Townsend is also the president of the Millville Board of Trade, and was largely instrumental in its organization, issuing the announcement which called the meeting for this purpose in March. 1899. The board has been very successful in its work, owing largely to the efforts of Mr. Townsend. It has been effective in securing the continuation of important industries in Mill- ville and of establishing others at this point. Mr. Townsend is also the local secretary and treasurer of the Mutual Building Loan Bank, of Camden. He is the president of the Cumberland County Wheelmen and labored earnestly and with result in securing the new bicycle path, which was built from Cum- berland to Hunter's Mill, thus shortening the route from Philadelphia to the sea by twenty miles.
Socially Mr. Townsend is connected with the Improved Order of Red Men, of whom he was chief of the records three years; with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of the Mystic Chain. For several years he has taken an active interest in musical matters in the city, being quite proficient in both instrumental and vocal music. He has been a mem- ber of the choir of the First Presbyterian church.
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