USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume I > Part 47
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Mr. Hand, whose name forms the caption of this article, obtained his edu- cation in the public schools of Emma, where he pursued his studies for about three months each year, spending the remainder of the year upon the farm, his time being devoted to the work of field and meadow. At the age of eighteen he left school, but remained with his father until he had attained his majority, when he went to sea as second mate. For five years his expe- riences were those of a "life on the ocean wave," and then he resumed farm- ing and also became connected with other industries. He does an extensive business as an oyster gardener and also gets out timber, which he sells under contract. He owns about fifteen hundred acres of farm and wooded lands, and the income derived from the fields and woodlands have made him one of the wealthy residents of the community. He also does general contract work and is financially interested in the Summit Hotel, where he has thirty acres of bay front land. He is the controlling stockholder in the Star of the Cape, of Cape May city, the only straight Republican paper in the county, and in the management of these various business enterprises displays excel- lent executive ability and sound judgment.
Mr. Hand is a stalwart Republican in his political views, and has held a number of public positions of honor and trust. For fifteen years he has
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served as school trustee of Lower township and is the present incumbent. For three terms he filled the office of freeholder and then resigned in order to accept the position of sheriff of Cape May county, to which he was elected in 1889, for a three-years term. In 1896 he was elected to the general as- sembly, and in 1897 was elected to the state senate, where he is now serving. He has studied closely and conscientiously the questions affecting the welfare of the state and has given his support where he believed results beneficial to the entire commonwealth would result. He was a delegate to the National Republican convention which nominated William McKinley for the presi- dency, and has frequently been sent as an official representative to local, state and national Republican gatherings.
On the Ist of December, 1878, Mr. Hand married Miss Lizzie Hoffman, a daughter of William S. Hoffman, deceased, who was a sea captain and resided at Cold Spring. Socially Mr. Hand is connected with the Masonic fraternity, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Improved Order of Red Men. He is noted among his acquaintances for his shrewd business judgment, strong common sense, sterling integrity, unyielding perseverance in pursuance of a plan or purpose, and genial, bonhomie and warm-hearted- ness which wins and retains friendship.
ROBERT F. BOON.
Robert F. Boon, for many years the most able and efficient instructor of music in Salem county but now engaged in agricultural pursuits, has been a lifelong resident of this state, his birth having occurred in Salem, on the 6th of September, 1846. His parents were George and Hannah S. (Cooper) Boon, and the mother was a daughter of John Pryor and Sarah (Heard) Cooper, who were natives of England, born in 1776 and 1773 respectively. In early life they came to this country. For more than a century the Boon family has been represented in New Jersey. Enoch Boon, the great-grand- father of our subject, was a resident of Cumberland county and owned large tracts of land in and about the city of Bridgeton. Captain Enoch Boon, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Cumberland county, New Jersey, January 8, 1784, and in his early life resided in Bridgeton, where he assisted his father in land, wood and lumber business. On the 16th of February, 1805, he married Martha Fithian, a native of that county. In the year 1818 he removed with his family to Philadelphia. About the year 1821 he came to Salem and engaged in sailing the packet sloop New Construction between that place and Philadelphia, carrying both passengers and freight. His eldest
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son, George, had charge of the packet sloop Marianna on the same route. About the year 1827 he took charge and was in command of the steamer Essex, which also plied between Salem and Philadelphia. A man just and honorable in his dealings, exemplary and upright in his character, he died September 28, 1828, at the age of forty-four years, respected by all who knew him. His wife was born December 28, 1782, and died in 1859, and to them were born the following children: George T., born December 14, 1805; Lawrence H., who was born December 16, 1807, and married Sarah Blackwood, who died September 2, 1835, after which he wedded Mary Lindsay, his death occurring January 1, 1887; Robert M., who was born November 21, 1809, and died May 4, 1891; Joseph, who was born March 26, 1813, and died October 26, 1819; John, who was born May 9, 1815, and died October 24, 1838; Thomas H., who was born October 4, 1817, and died October 19, 1819; Phoebe A., who was born January 8, 1820, and died September 11, 1834; and Joseph S., who was born November 29, 1824, and died February 17, 1880.
George T. Boon was a native of Bridgeton, New Jersey, and his early education and training were well calculated to make him what he afterward became, -- one of the most reliable and skillful men who followed steamboat- ing. He worked with his father and became his successor in business at his death. He was so thoroughly acquainted with everything pertaining to river life that his opinions were considered undisputable authority on all ques- tions in that line. When a lad he came to Salem with his father and after the latter's death, in connection with his brothers, Lawrence Hoover and Robert McClure, continued operating the steamers. On abandoning the Essex he took charge of the steamer Flushing, and finally commanded the steamer Clifton, which he purchased of Commodore Vanderbilt. He died June 2, 1849, after a very short illness, and the flag's on the steamers iu the port of Philadelphia were displayed at half mast as a tribute of respect. In his political views he was a Whig and in respect to religion he was an attendant at the services of the Episcopal church. He married Miss Hannah S. Cooper, who was born in 1812 and is now living, a remarkably well preserved woman for one of her years, she having attained the age of eighty-eight years. They had four children, but the first two sons, both of whom were named Robert, died in infancy. The next son was Robert Fulton, the subject of this review. Georgiana, the third child, was born in 1840, and is the wife of John C. Mulford, who was a druggist at Salem. They had one child, Harry B.
Robert F. Boon acquired his early education in the subscription schools conducted by the Friends and later attended Salem Academy. As he was unable to bear the confinement of the school-room he was taken from school
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at that time and was instructed under private tuition in music, making a specialty of piano study and voice culture. He afterward engaged in teach- ing music, and for twenty years was considered the best instructor of vocal and instrumental music in this section. Since the age of eighteen he has given much of his attention to the art and has had charge of the music of the First Baptist church and Sunday-school for thirty years. He taught large classes in voice culture, but several years ago he decided to give up teaching for the freer and more healthful life of the country, since which time he has engaged in agricultural pursuits.
Mr. Boon was married September 25, 1872, to Ruth B. Grier, a daughter of Robert Grier, a farmer of Lower Alloway Creek township. They have three children: Georgian G., a graduate of the Salem high school and of Kee Mar College at Hagerstown, Maryland; George Horace, who was born in June, 1878, and died August 31, following; and Raymond M., who was born February 8, 1888, and died in June of that year. Mr. Boon has been a trustee of the First Baptist church of Salem for a period of twenty-five years and is one of the prominent members of the organization. In politics he is a Republican and a firm believer in the principles of prohibition.
LAWRENCE H. BOON.
Lawrence H. Boon, the second son of Enoch Boon, was born December 16, 1807, and after arriving at years of maturity wedded Sarah Blackwood, by whom he had one child, Martha V., who died at the age of four years. The mother died September 2, 1835, and Mr. Boon afterward wedded Mary Lindsay, a daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Lindsay. Two children were born of this marriage, Sarah and Maria Josephine, the latter now the widow of A. H. Slape. Mr. and Mrs. Boon resided in Salem during the greater part of their lives. He was born in Bridgeton, New Jersey, and she in Salem county. Her father was a farmer of Lower Alloway Creek township and Lawrence Hoover Boon engaged in steamboating between Salem and Phila- delphia. In connection with his brothers, he began this business in early life, and the firm was commonly known as the Boon Brothers. Their long con- nection with that business made them well known at all the ports on the river and they formed a very wide acquaintance, winning the respect and confi- dence of all with whom they were brought in contact. Through his well directed business efforts, his enterprise, capable management and industry, Mr. Boon of this review acquired a handsome competence and at his death left a large estate. The later years of his life were spent in retirement, and he well merited the rest which follows years of active labor.
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY. 435
In early life he gave his political support to the Whig party and was one of the stanch abolitionists of the day, being strongly opposed to the institution of slavery. He was a man of unusually bright mind, who kept well informed on the issues of the day, and was always ready to support his views by intelligent argument. Later, when the Republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery, he joined its ranks and continued as one of its earnest advocates until his death. He attended the Baptist church, of which his wife was a very active and consistent member, and gave generously to the support of church and charitable work, also lend- ing his aid and co-operation to many other movements calculated to secure advancement along material, social and intellectual lines. He died January I, 1887, at the age of seventy-nine years and fifteen days, having survived his wife for more than ten years, her death having occurred September 20, 1877. They left a large circle of friends to mourn their loss, for during a long residence in Salem county they had won the affectionate regard of many acquaintances.
JOSEPH S. AND WILLIAM GLEESON.
The members of the above named firm are descendants of one of the oldest and best-known families in Gloucester county. About 1773 John Gleeson, whose father had emigrated from Ireland, and for a time had taught school in Newfoundland, came to Woolwich township, where he married Mary Scott. She was a daughter of John Scott and a granddaughter of Henry Scott, an Englishman then living in Burlington county, New Jer- sey. John Scott had inherited one hundred and five acres of land in Wool- wich township, and had removed here and occupied it, probably some time before the Revolutionary war. The children of John and Mary (Scott) Gleeson were as follows: Margaret, born in 1780, died in 1876; Ann Scott, born October 15, 1787, married William Jones, of Swedesboro; John, born June 26, 1790, died at sea; James, born April 30, 1794, followed the sea and lived and died in Woolwich township; William, born January 25, 1797, also spent his entire life in that township, and there died in April, 1870; Thomas and Joseph, twins, born December 7, 1799, died in Woolwich township in July, 1869, and October 10, 1870, respectively.
Joseph Gleeson, the father of our subject, was married in January, 1844, to Hannah A. Jones, a daughter of William Jones, of Swedesboro. They had four children, of whom two, James and Charles, died in childhood. The mother died September 15, 1882, and the father October 10, 1870, as already
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stated. Joseph S. and William Gleeson assisted their father upon the farm until his death, when they inherited the estate. A portion of the original homestead had been sold, but they have repurchased the greater part of it and added other land until now they have about two hundred acres under fine cultivation, with good buildings, and which constitutes one of the best properties in Gloucester county. They do a general truck-farming and grain- growing business, under the firm name of J. S. & W. Gleeson, and have been very successful in their enterprises. They are both members of the Patrons of Husbandry, and, like their father, are firm believers in the principles of the Republican party. As business men they stand high for integrity and fair dealing.
BENJAMIN HANCOCK.
Various indeed are the interests which have occupied the attention of Benjamin Hancock, and his efforts have been so discerningly directed along many lines that it would be difficult to determine the power of his greatest usefulness. This is an age of utilitarianism, and the claim has been made that the extent and magnitude of commercial affairs are crowding out all oppor- tunity for advancement along other lines; but an investigation of the condi- tions of our country will show the marked progress which has been made in esthetic, educational and moral development, and the political position of the nation is commanding respect and attention never before accorded to it. These conditions are not due to the favored few who occupy places of leader- ship before the world, but result from the aggregate effort of patriotic, pub- lic-spirited and honorable men throughout the nation.
Each community furnishes a number of these, and such an one in Bridge- ton is Benjamin Hancock. His life history began April 2, 1838, his birth hav- ing occurred in Canton, Salem county, New Jersey. His parents were Daniel P. and Jane Hancock. His paternal grandfather, Benjamin Hancock, resided at Canton, spending his entire life there, while as a means of livelihood he carried on farming and followed the sea, becoming the captain of a vessel. He gave his political support first to the Whig party and afterward to the Republican party. Daniel P. Hancock was born on a farm near Canton, in August, 1810, received a limited education and in early life worked at hard labor. Going to sea he ultimately became the captain of a vessel, and, like his father, devoted some time to agricultural pursuits. By his ballot he sup- ported the men and measures of the Whig party until its dissolution, when he joined the ranks of the Republican party. His religious belief was in harmony with the doctrines of the Baptist church, and he died in that faith at
Bay Hancock
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his home in Canton, in September, 1890, at the age of eighty years. His wife passed away in 1885, at the age of seventy-four years. In their family were eight children. Susan died in infancy. Daniel F., a blacksmith at Canton, who served in the Twenty-fourth New Jersey Infantry for nine months and participated in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellors- ville, married Sarah Hancock and had two sons,-William T. and James. Benjamin is the third of the family. William married Lydia Simpkins and had a son, Willard. Joanna became the wife of George Thomas and their children were Orestes and Mary. Elizabeth married Samuel Shimp and their children were Benjamin, who died at the age of three years, and Frank. Phoebe, who became the wife of Samuel Newkirk, a resident of Canton, New Jersey, and they have two children,-Edward and Jennie.
Benjamin Hancock, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the common schools of Canton until ten years of age, when he removed to Hopewell township, Cumberland county. He afterward lived in Dutch Neck and afterward at Bridgeton, New Jersey. In these places he pursued his studies until twenty-one years of age, after which he engaged in teaching singing school in Cumberland and Salem counties, for seven terms, devoting his energies to that profession through the winter season and in the summer engaging in agricultural pursuits.
In 1869 Mr. Hancock became a resident of Bridgeton and was made sec- retary of the Cumberland Lumber Company. In March, 1870, he went west to Bloomington, Illinois, where he spent ten months, and on his return, in 1871, he purchased the interest of Martin G. Carsten in the firm of Carsten & Smith, dealers in stoves, tinware, shelf-ware, etc., under the firm name of Smith & Hancock. They carried on business until November of that year, when the senior partner sold his interest to Elmer E. Johnson, and the firm of Johnson & Hancock was formed and carried on business until 1889, when Mr. Hancock became the sole proprietor. He has a large stock of parlor, office and cook-stoves, ranges, heaters and furnaces, plain and japanned tin- ware, glass and agate ware and a general assortment of house-furnishing goods. His store building on East Commerce street is commodious and well adapted to the purpose used. Mr. Hancock, however, has not confined his efforts to this line for, being a man of resourceful business ability, his labors have encompassed other business interests, and to-day he is connected with various concerns which not only promote his individual welfare, but add to the general prosperity. He was a director of the Bridgeton National Bank and is also a director and president of the Bridgeton Savings Fund & Build- ing Association. He is now the president of the Cumberland Trust Com, pany, which does a general banking business, including a savings and trust.
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This corporation was organized in July, 1896, and occupies a large brick block, twenty-two by eighty feet, and handsomely finished in mahogany trim- mings. It is well-equipped for the purpose indicated and the business of the company has been constantly growing in volume and importance. Its direc- torate comprises the names of some of the best men of the county, and the fact that Mr. Hancock is at its head is an assurance of its reliability and trust- worthiness.
At all times Mr. Hancock has been loyal to his duties of citizenship, and in September, 1862, he gave evidence of his patriotic spirit by joining Com- pany F, Twenty-fourth Regiment of New Jersey Volunteers, which served in Virginia and participated in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellors- ville. He was always faithful in his duty to the cause represented by the old flag, and in a more quiet way he has ever labored for the welfare of the com- munity with which he is connected. He is a trustee of the South Jersey In- stitute and the president of the board; and the cause of education has ever found in him a warm friend. For nine years he has been a member of the school board of Bridgeton and is now its president, and the high standard maintained in the schools is due in no small degree to his efforts in behalf of educational interests of the town. In politics he is a Republican, and for five years was a member of the board of chosen freeholders, serving for three years as its president. He was for nine years a member of the city council as a representative of the third ward, being elected as a temperance issue on the Republican ticket for two terms and for one term as an independent candidate.
On the 24th of September, 1873, Mr. Hancock was married to Miss Laura I. Major, a daughter of C. Major, a retired farmer of Bloomington, Illinois.
They have one child, Mabel Claire, at home. The family hold member- ship in the Berean Baptist church in Bridgeton, and Mr. Hancock is serving as one of its deacons. For forty years he has been a choir-leader and for several years has been the superintendent of the Sunday-school. His kindly face and helpful manner at once give evidence of his character. He is ever ready to assist those who are anxious to help themselves, and his words of encouragement and counsel as well as material aid have enabled many a young man to pass over the rough places in the journey of life. He has realized the importance of development along physical, mental and moral lines, that man's nature is in this respect a trinity and that the greatest good can be realized by the proper improvement of the three forces of his nature. While active and energetic in business he is always straightforward and re- liable, and though his interests are extensive he has ever found time to devote to the affairs which lead to intellectual and moral improvement.
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CHARLES C. FORD.
This gentleman is the well known and popular proprietor of the Ford Hotel, of Salem, one of the leading hotels in this section of the state. By well directed effort he has attained an enviable position in business circles, and is a popular and respected citizen whose circle of friends is almost co- extensive with the circle of his acquaintances.
A native of Gloucester county, New Jersey, he was born on the 28th of March, 1827, his parents being Thomas and Rebecca (Paul) Ford. The family is of English origin and has long been identified with the history of New Jersey, the first of the name having located in the state during the colo- nial epoch of the country's annals. William Ford, grandfather of our subject, was a well known agriculturist who settled near Paulsboro, Glou- cester county, becoming one of the leading citizens of that community. In 1779 he was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Thompson, and to them were born the following named children: William; Margaret, wife of Joshua Pine; Lydia, wife of Noah Gibson; John; Maria, wife of Adrian Paul; Abbie, wife of John Mulford; Anna, wife of Thomas Wilson; and Thomas. The last named was born November 10, 1798, and on the 10th of February, 1825, married Miss Rebecca Paul, who was born November 13, 1802. Their union was blessed with the following children: George T., who was born November 22, 1825, and died October 29, 1893; Charles C .: Lydia, who was born Octo- ber 29, 1828, and became the wife of Absalom R. Leal and died August 29, 1881; William, born December 29, 1832; Mary C., who was born December 2, 1834, and is the wife of William C. Kirby; Anna, who was born October 29, 1836, became the wife of William C. Kirby and died August 31, 1862; and Rebecca H., who was born April 1, 1844. Thomas Ford, the father of these children, was an enterprising farmer, upright and honorable in all things, and was widely and favorably known in the community in which he made his home. He was a Whig in his political affiliations in early life, but on the organization of the Republican party joined its ranks and was one of its loyal advocates until his death, which occurred July 11, 1868.
Charles C. Ford, Salem's well known representative of this old and hon- ored family, spent his boyhood days upon the farm. It is remarkable what a great proportion of our leading men in business and public life have come from the farm. Reared amid the strengthening and ennobling influences of nature, they are well fitted to cope with the questions which are daily coming up for settlement in commercial circles, and with unbiased judgment they pass upon the questions of state and national importance. Amid the scenes of rural life Mr. Ford was reared, and as soon as old enough to handle the
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plow he performed his share of the labor connected with the development and cultivation of the fields. After attaining his majority he began farming on his own account, and was identified with the agricultural interests of the county until forty years of age, when he entered the hotel business at Woods- town, Salem county. He became proprietor of the Washington Hotel, which he conducted until 1881, when he took charge of the Nelson Hotel, in Salem, managing the same until 1891. In that year he erected the Ford Hotel, which was opened in September of the same year. It is the leading hotel in the county and one of the best in southern New Jersey, being equipped with all the necessary modern conveniences, including good ventilation and taste- ful furniture. The cuisine offers many attractions and the excellent enter- tainment afforded the guests secures a liberal patronage. The hotel has in- deed found favor with the traveling public, and the proprietor is also very popular.
In 1849 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ford and Miss Hannah F. Moore, a daughter of Joseph H. Moore, of Greenwich, Gloucester county, New Jersey. They have four children: John J., now a practicing attorney of Salem; Florence V., who is the widow of Alfred T. Burr and has a daughter, Ethel M. Burr; Mary B. and Charles C. The family is one of prominence in the community, its members holding an enviable position in social circles. Mr. Ford is a Republican in his political affiliations and a leader in all public enterprises and movements which tend to advance the welfare and upbuilding of the city. His social qualities and genial dispo- sition render him a favorite with his patrons, and his earnest desire to please them makes him well deserving of the success which is attending his labors.
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