USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume I > Part 59
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64
FORD'S HOTEL.
Ford's Hotel, of Swedesboro, is now owned by Harry T. Ford, and under his management it has maintained its place among the leading hotels in southern New Jersey. The house was built more than a hundred years ago by John Gill, and since that time has been owned and managed by many well known and prominent men. It was at one time the property of Joseph Hillman and was afterward owned by the Har- ker estate, by which it was sold in 1868 to George T. Ford, the father of the present proprietor. In 1875 George T. Ford im- proved the place by building a large addition to it, making it a very complete and comfortable FORD'S HOTEL. hotel. It is built of stone and has a very substantial appearance, and Is to-day one of the best hotels standing in Gloucester county. It was owned and managed by George T. Ford from 1868 until his death, which occurred in 1893, when Harry T. Ford took charge and has since been the proprietor. He is a popular host, giving close attention to his business and by his straightforward methods winning the public confidence and therefore the public support.
J. FRANK WILSON.
Well known in journalistic circles as one of the proprietors and editors of the Woodbury Daily Times, Mr. Wilson is accounted one of the leading and influential citizens of southern New Jersey. He is numbered among the native sons of the state, his birth having occurred in Franklinville, Glou- cester county, on the 2d of November, 1856. For many years his ancestors had lived in that section of the state, the family having originally been
545
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
founded in America by German emigrants who sought homes in the New World. The parents of our subject were Eli and Sarah (Andrews) Wilson. The paternal grandfather, Eli Wilson, resided in Franklinville, and was a manufacturer of brick. He died about 1868. In his family were six chil- dren, namely: Joseph, Eli, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Martha and Rachel. Most of his family reside in Philadelphia, but Rachel and Elizabeth are now deceased. The grandmother, Rachel (Clare) Andrews was of English de- scent and died in 1894. Her ancestors came to the New World from England, and her father, Robert Clare, fought with the American army in the war of the Revolution, valiantly aiding in the struggle for independ- ence. He was one of the earliest settlers in Franklin township, Gloucester county.
Eli Wilson, the father of our subject, made farming his life work, and was actively identified with agricultural pursuits for many years, but is now living retired in Woodbury, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. At the time of the civil war he loyally responded to the call for troops and joined Company I, Twenty-fourth Regiment of New Jersey Volunteers, serving for nine months. He was wounded in the battle of Fredericksburg.
He married Sarah Andrews, and they became the parents of nine children, namely: Lewis, who died in childhood; Thomas H., who is living at Mill Hall, Pennsylvania; Elmer E., who died at the age of eighteen years; J. Frank; Perry B., who is married and follows farming at Elmer, New Jersey; Emma R., wife of David Hewes, of Woodbury, New Jersey; Mattie E., wife of C. Walter Hawn, of Woodbury; Albert S., who is engaged in the bicycle business in Woodbury, and Howell A., a window-glass worker of Millville, New Jersey.
J. Frank Wilson pursued his education in the public schools of Franklin- ville, and entered upon his business career as an employe in the printing department of the patent-medicine works of G. G. Green, at Woodbury. He remained for some time in that employ, and afterward assisted in the establishment of the Daily Times, a paper with which he has since been connected and now recognized as one of the leading journals in southern New Jersey.
Mr. Wilson wedded Miss Mary E. Dail, of Woodbury, a daughter of Jeremiah Dale, and they have five children: Ethel M., now the wife of W. E. Keat, of Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania; Harry E., J. Frank, Robert H. and Howard W. With the exception of the daughter, the children are all yet at their parental home. Mr. Wilson and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a member and has been a trustee for
546
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
fifteen years. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, taking a deep and earnest interest in the work of the party locally. His advancement in the business world is due entirely to his own efforts, his close application, his sturdy perseverance and his sound judgment. He is recognized as one of the most energetic and most enterprising men of Woodbury, and is in every way a splendid type of our best American citizenship.
HENRY ALLEN.
For more than thirty-five years Henry Allen was numbered among the leading representatives of the agricultural interests of Gloucester county, and by the exercise of his business ability, by unflagging industry and care- ful management he secured a handsome competence which classed him among the wealthy citizens of this community. His many excellencies of character also gained for him the high regard of his friends and all who knew him mourned his death.
Henry Allen was born in Salem county, New Jersey, on the IIth of August, 1820, and was a son of Henry and Ann (Rogers) Allen. The former was born July 19, 1789, and died December 27, 1870, while the latter was born August 24, 1790, and died February 21, 1868. They were married on the 21st of January, 1813, and became the parents of six chil- dren: Michael, the eldest, was born November 12, 1813, and resided in Lexington, Missouri, but died February 6, 1873, while on a business trip in the east; Margaret, born February 25, 1816, became the wife of Charles Engle, of Camden, New Jersey, and died December 5, 1868; Maria, born May 27, 1818, became the wife of James Thompson, their home being between Auburn and Sharptown, and her death occurred March 14, 1884; Henry was the next of the family; Joseph R., born October 29, 1822, died near Woodstown, New Jersey, and Jehu, born April 18, 1825, died in Woodstown.
Henry Allen, whose name introduces this record, remained in Salem county until about 1840, when he removed to Gibbstown, Gloucester county. He was married on the 24th of February, 1842, to Miss Catherine Fish, a daughter of Isaac Fish, of Repaupo, New Jersey. Her death occurred February 8, 1869, at the age of forty-four years. Eight children were born of their union, namely: Ann, deceased wife of Edward G. Green, of Gibbstown, New Jersey; Maria F., the wife of Samuel Salisbury, of Swedesboro; Isaac, a farmer of Paulsboro; Joseph, who died at the age
547
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
of three years; Eli, who died in Gibbstown, at the age of forty-five years; Margaret, the wife of Amos G. Hurf, of Swedesboro; Veronica, the wife of Benjamin Weatherby, of Millville, New Jersey, and Kate, the wife of William H. Cozens, of Swedesboro.
Throughout his residence in Gloucester county Mr. Allen followed the occupation of farming and a glance indicated to the passersby the careful supervision which he bestowed upon his place. He followed practical and progressive methods, understood the rotation of crops, knew what kind of soil was needed for the different cereals, and so conducted his farming interests that he secured therefrom a handsome financial return that made him one of the wealthy men of Gloucester county. He was at all times honorable and upright in his dealings and just in his relations with his fellow men, very loyal to his friends and such qualities gained for him the warm regard of all who knew him, and in his death the community mourned the loss of one of its most valued citizens.
EDMUND S. HILDRETH.
The name of Hildreth figures conspicuously on the pages of New Jersey's history. From an early period in the development of the state its representa- tives have been prominent in public affairs, and have been active in advanc- ing the commercial and industrial interests which have led to the substantial upbuilding and progress of the localities with which they have been con- nected. Two centuries have probably passed since three brothers of the name of Hildreth, leaving the little rock-ribbed country of Wales, crossed the broad Atlantic to the New World and located on Long Island. One remained there, but the other two afterward came to this state. One of these brothers was David Hildreth, who took up his abode at Rio Grande. He and his wife, Sarah Hildreth, were the parents of Joshua Hildreth, the great-grandfather of our subject. Joshua was the first judge of Cape May county, and wielded a strong influence on the public life of this section of the state.
Ephraim Hildreth, the grandfather, was born at Rio Grande, and engaged in merchandising at that place for many years. He helped to build a vessel for service in the war of 1812, a brig for the privateer service; but when it was almost ready for use it was burned by the British. His death occurred when he was about forty-five years of age. In his family were two daughters and three sons. Edmund went to sea when twenty-two
548
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
years of age, with about eighteen others from Rio Grande, bound for Charleston, South Carolina, and in a storm at sea all were lost. Swain was killed by a stroke of lightning while on a vessel off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia. Jane H. married David T. Smith, now a retired sea captain at Cape May Court House. Lydia married Captain Morris Cresse, who com- manded a vessel, and they had two children, Addie and Jeremiah. The grandfather died about 1842, at the age of forty-five years, and the grand- mother passed away in 1884, at the advanced age of eighty-six years.
George Hildreth, the father of our subject, was born at Rio Grande, in 1822, at one time made his home at Cold Spring, and for forty years prior to his death was a resident of Cape May. He became a sea captain and owned a vessel before he was twenty-five years of age. He built the Columbia Hotel, the largest hotel in Cape May at that time, the building and grounds occupying four squares. He was not then twenty-two years of age-a fact which indicates how early he became prominently connected with the business interests of his native country. He was entirely a self- made man, and though he acquired a handsome capital he often remarked that he never felt so rich in his life as when he possessed twelve pennies, which he had secured by selling rabbits. For three years Mr. Hildreth conducted his hotel, and then sold it to John C. Bullitt for twenty-two thousand dollars. Subsequently he built the first factory for the manu- facture of oil secured from the menhaden fish, caught in Delaware Bay, and had a number of sloops for carrying the fish to the factory. The oil sold for a dollar and a half per gallon, and the investment proved a profitable one. After conducting the enterprise for a time he sold out for twelve thousand dollars in gold. He then, in 1865, established the flour and feed business now carried on by our subject, and successfully conducted the store until his death. He built the West End Hotel and many cottages, including Carroll Villa, the Wyoming, Columbia House and many smaller ones. Through his varied and extensive business interests he acquired a handsome competence, and was not only prominent in business affairs, but was also a leader in public thought and movement. He was one of the first commissioners of Cape May, being associated on the board with W. J. Sewell, John C. Bullitt, and J. Q. Williams. He was the agent for the New York Board of Underwriters for southern New Jersey, was the keeper of the life-saving station for nineteen years, and organized the first wrecking crew at Cape May. He always owned a number of boats, and his splendid executive ability and indefatigable energy enabled him to suc- cessfully control his many interests. At the same time he took an active part in whatever tended to prove of public benefit, and his labors largely
549
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
promoted the welfare of the town. His political support was given the Republican party.
George Hildreth was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Worrell, and to them were born two sons and four daughters: Millicent, the wife of J. L. Richardson, the postmaster of Cape May; Georgie, the widow of I. A. Garrison, who was engaged in the insurance business in Cape May and died in 1897; Lydia, the wife of Milton Marcy, of Illinois; Edmund, of this review; Lewis, who married Maud Schillinger and is engaged in farming, and Susie M., who completes the family. The father died November 25, 1897, and the mother passed away in 1880, when fifty-two years of age.
Edmund Swain Hildreth, a worthy representative of this prominent family, was born in the city of Cape May, July 24, 1859, and in the public schools of the county pursued his preliminary education, which was sup- plemented by study in the South Jersey Institute at Bridgeton, and a two- years' course in the State Normal School at Trenton, where he was gradu- ated in 1878. He subsequently took a commercial course in Pierce's Busi- ness College, where he was graduated in 1879, and, thus well equipped for the practical duties of life, he entered his father's store, where he occupied a clerical position until 1881. He then took a trip through the west, return- ing after three years. From 1884 until 1898 he was engaged in the oyster planting business at Cape May, and enjoyed an extensive trade, his sales exceeding those of all the other oyster merchants in the town. He raised from ten to twenty bushels of plants annually, and his large shipments brought him excellent financial returns. Since November, 1897, he has devoted his attention to the flour and feed business, and now controls the most extensive enterprise in that line in the county, the store being eighty by two hundred feet and extending from Chestnut to Jackson streets. He employs eight men through the summer, and his patronage is steadily increasing, for his business methods are most honorable, and he carries a high grade of flour and feed.
On the 3d of August, 1887, Mr. Hildreth was united in marriage to Miss Kate Willig, a daughter of Edward Willig, of Philadelphia, and to them have been born two children-Edna and Norma. They make their home in Cape May, and occupy an enviable position in the circles of society where intelligence and culture are the characteristics of the members. Mr. Hildreth is a man of sterling worth, of pleasant manner, of social qualities and genial disposition. His friends are many and maintain for him a high regard. His business methods are practical and progressive, safe and hon- orable, and his capable management is annually augmenting his capital.
550
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
SAMUEL E. EWING.
In the battle of the Boyne-one of the most famous military engage- ments known to history-Finley Ewing, of Londonderry, Ireland, fought with such gallantry and bravery that he was publicly complimented by King William III, who also presented him with a sword. From that gallant warrior Samuel Eldredge Ewing is descended, being of Scotch-Irish lineage. In the years which have since passed, the name has figured conspicuously in connection with many important events; and since Thomas Ewing, a son of the hero of Boyne. came to America in 1718 its representatives here have left the impress of their individuality upon the public life of the state and nation. Thomas Ewing took up his abode in Cumberland county, New Jersey, where he died, leaving a numerous progeny. Among his descendants are numbered General Thomas Ewing, at one time a United States senator from Ohio and at another the secretary of the treasury, and his sister, who became the wife of General William T. Sherman.
Jeremiah Ewing, the grandfather of Samuel Ewing resided at Cold Spring, Cape May county, and was one of the most extensive farmers in this section of the state, his farm being two miles square. He was regarded as one of the wealthy men of that time, and was also prominent as a leader of public opinion in his community. He loyally served his country in the navy during the war of the Revolution, and was active in promoting the cause of independence. His political support was afterward given the Dem- ocracy. and in his religious faith he was a Presbyterian. He was twice married and his children were: Leaming, the father of our subject; Jere- miah, who died in early manhood; Christopher, who died in childhood; David, a prominent educator and county superintendent of the schools of Cape May county. who died at the age of seventy-two years; Rev. Robert, who engaged in teaching school in Indiana, and afterward became a Presby- terian clergyman: he was married in Indiana, and died in early manhood, leaving two children-Livingstone and Mrs. E. Barnett; Sarah became the wife of William Cummings, a carriage-builder living at Fishing Creek. Cape May county, by whom she had three children,-Samuel, Mary Louise and William; and Lydia became the wife of Seth Miller, a farmer at Green Creek, Cape May county, and their children are James, Seth, Obed (deceased) and Mary C., the wife of W. B. Miller, ex-senator from Cape May county, one of the most prominent men of this section of the state. The paternal grand- father of our subject died at the age of seventy-four years.
Leaming Ewing was born at Cold Spring, Cape May county, New Jersey, in 1794, acquired a good education and engaged in teaching school. Later
Samuel &. Ewing. 1
55I
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
he devoted his energies to the cultivation of the old homestead farm upon which he spent his remaining days. He took part in the coast defense in the war of 1812, and was ever a loyal and public-spirited citizen. With the Presbyterian church he held membership, and in his political faith he was a Democrat. He was twice married, his first union being with Joanna Woolson. Their eldest child, Eliza Ann, died in early girlhood. Jeremiah died in childhood. Mary became the wife of Elijah Hand, now deceased, by whom she had six children: Mary, Leaming E., Charles E., Emma, Elijah and Isabel; but the last two are now deceased. Lydia is the wife of John Nobb and has two daughters,-Mary E. and Kate. Eliza became the wife of Samuel Bornell. William married Isabel Robinson at Carlisle, Penn- sylvania, and has three children,-Alexander, William and Nettie. Robert served as a soldier in the civil war and died from the effects of the service; and James married Emma Stratton, by whom he had five children: George, Leaming, Bellford, Myra and Ella. He served throughout the civil war under three enlistments. He was first a member of Company F, New Jersey Volunteers, later joined the marine service and lastly was a member of the heavy artillery. After the death of his first wife, Leaming Ewing married Mary Inmans, the widow of his half-brother Robert, and by this second union was born a son, Samuel Eldredge, whose name heads this sketch. The father died at the age of seventy-four years, and the mother passed away in 1843.
Mr. Ewing. who is now one of the most prominent and influential citi- zens of Cape May county, was born at the old family homestead in Cold Spring, October 21, 1845, and in the common schools acquired his education; but at the age of sixteen put aside his books and worked at farming for two years. At the age of eighteen he went to sea, sailing on merchant vessels engaged in the coasting trade and in trade with the West Indies. Steadily he worked his way upward, his diligence and faithfulness winning hini pro- motion until he was made captain. At different times he commanded the William A. Steelman, the Florence, the Mary S. Ewing, which he built and owned, and a number of other vessels. He sailed for other people and con- tinued his seafaring life until 1881, when he returned to Cape May county and became engaged in general contracting, building sea walls, bridges, moving houses and doing other contract work. In this line he employs as many as sixty men.
His business interests, however, are extensive and of varied character. He has been the proprietor of the Shoreham Hotel for two years, the largest hotel on Cape May Point, having accommodations for two hundred and
552
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
fifty people. Most of the rooms command a splendid view of the ocean, and the hotel is equal in appointments and accommodations to the best in the state. There are broad verandahs, spacious halls, cool parlors, a fine dining- room and offices equipped in the most modern style. Mr. Ewing was also engaged in merchandising at Schellinger Landing, and has devoted his ener- gies in a measure to the fire insurance business, and is quite extensively en- gaged in the real-estate business, buying and selling property. He was also a member of the board of trade and was director in the Cape May Saving Fund Building & Loan Association for twelve years. These many business in- terests, so varied in character, plainly indicate the superior ability and enter- prise of Mr. Ewing. His judgment is rarely at fault, and, as he is quick to plan and determined in the execution of his plans, he has won prosperity and gained a place among the capitalists of southern New Jersey. He has followed a safe, conservative policy, yet is progressive and energetic, and whatever he has undertaken he has carried forward to successful completion.
In the public affairs of the county he has ever taken a deep interest and has loyally served his fellow citizens in a number of important positions. He has been three times the mayor of West Cape May, and for two terms has been a member of the board of chosen freeholders. He has also served on the board of education and as collector and treasurer of West Cape May, and ever exercises his official prerogatives to advance the substantial up- building and progress of the community. He was a member of the Pres- byterian church at Cold Spring and is a member and trustee of the Cape Presbyterian chapel in West Cape May. Socially he is connected with Cape Island Lodge, No. 30, F. & A. M., with the Ancient Order of United Work- men and the Independent Order of Heptasophs.
In 1871 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Ewing and Miss Mary S., a daughter of Abijah D. Reeves, a farmer of Cape May county, New Jersey. Mrs. Ewing died April 28, 1897, at the age of forty-four years, leaving four children : Amanda is the wife of Southard Eldredge, of West Cape May, and they had two children, Southard, who died at the age of six months, and Mary E .; and Samuel, Allen and Leslie are at home.
While his ancestors won prominence in political and military life Mr. Ewing has become no less distinguished in commercial circles, and it is to commercial activity that the prosperity and development of a county, state and nation are due. As a business man he has been enterprising, energetic and always abreast of the times, and has been rewarded by an ample fortune. He commands respect wherever he is known and no history of southern New Jersey would be complete without the record of his career.
1
553
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
ALFRED A. BRADSHAW.
Alfred Archer Bradshaw, who is a well-to-do agriculturalist residing in Woolwich township, Gloucester county, is descended from one of the oldest and best families of southern New Jersey. They are of Irish extraction and were among the earliest settlers of Burlington county. The first record we have of the family is that of Paul and Mary Bradshaw, whose son Henry, born December 17, 1784, died August 1, 1825. He was married, Novem- ber 25, 1776, to Sarah Coxe, a daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Coxe, born March 25, 1743. Their son Moses, who was born September 10, 1777, and died December 25, 1825, was married January 6. 1803, to Abigail Wells, who was born November 4, 1784. The children of this couple were as follows: Henry, born April 6, 1804, married Charlotte Paul, and had nine children, three of whom are living; Daniel, born. May 15, 1805, was never married; Ira, born October 2, 1807, married Rebecca Clark, had six children, and was a farmer in Camden county, New Jersey; Sarah, born February 22, 1810, married Thomas Wolf, had three children, and lived in Woolwich township, Gloucester county; Amy, born March 3, 1812, died in childhood; Moses, born May 14, 1814, died January 18, 1878; Meriba C., born April 3, 1816, married William Stewart, had five children, and lived in Greenwich township, Gloucester county; Edward, born September 10. 1817, died in childhood; Joseph, born April 3, 1819, also died in childhood; Charles, born December 16, 1820, was killed by the kick of a horse, Sep- tember 6, 1833; and Abigail, born November 5, 1824, married Eli Roberts, had two children, and is still living in Greenwich township, Gloucester county.
Of this large family Moses, who was born in Greenwich township. Glou- cester county, New Jersey, married Ann Rulon, daughter of Jonathan Rulon. They had the following children: Louisa, who died in childhood; Mary Ellen, widow of the late Henry B. Hendrickson, of Woolwich town- ship; Caroline, who died when four years old; Alfred A., the subject of this sketch; Elmer, who is proprietor of a store in Mickleton, East Green- wich township, and married Anna Cooper, of Mickleton, New Jersey, by whom he has one child, Lillie C .; Laban L., who married Margaret Robert- son, and has two children, William M. and Jessie Lee, and is a physician, located at No. 55 East 72nd street, New York City; and Annie R., who mar- ried James B. Cooper, a storekeeper of Mickleton, New Jersey.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.