USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume I > Part 60
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
Alfred A. Bradshaw was born in Woolwich township, November 2, 1847, and was educated in the public schools of that locality. He has always followed farming, and is now occupying the old homestead, which he has
554
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
brought to an excellent state of cultivation and has fitted up with modern improvements. He is progressive in his ideas, and adopts new methods whenever he finds them satisfactory, and in this way keeps abreast of the times.
Mr. Bradshaw was married December 2, 1879, to Mary L. Hendrickson, daughter of Jacob J. and Ann (Paul) Hendrickson, of Woolwich township. Our subject and his wife have two children-Isaac H. and Lizzie G. Mr. Bradshaw is a member of the Swedesboro Grange, and of the Ancient Order of the United Workmen. He is a loyal citizen and interested in everything that pertains to the welfare and progress of his community. He has served his township for six years as a member of the township committee.
WILLIAM CLARK HUNTER.
In fraternal circles Mr. Hunter is widely known throughout the country as a promoter of the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and in Swedesboro he is accounted a leading business man, having for a number of years occupied the position of traveling representative for the house of John Lucas & Company, the well-known paint manufacturer. He was born in Chatham, Chester county, Pennsylvania, on the 30th of May, 1854, and is a son of William C. and Isabella W. (Wiley) Hunter, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His parents were of Scotch- Irish origin, and the father belonged to the famous Bucktail Regiment dur- ing the civil war. He served as its quartermaster and remained at the front until the cessation of hostilities, but died in 1865. His wife, long surviving him, passed away in 1894, at the age of sixty-eight years. In their family were six children, namely: Christiana W., wife of Oscar S. Sellers, of Ches- ter county, Pennsylvania; John M., a carpenter and contractor living in Swedesboro; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Burke, of Philadelphia; William C .; Isabella W., who died at the age of fourteen years; and Walter, who occupies the position of shipping clerk for the firm of John Lucas & Company.
Mr. Hunter of this review obtained his preliminary education in the public schools of Chester county, Pennsylvania, afterward was a student in Professor Huggins' school in Mt. Joy, Pennsylvania, and completed his edu- cation in the Soldiers' Orphan School of Mt. Joy, Pennsylvania, in which he was graduated with the class of 1871. In the meantime his mother and eldest brother had removed to Swedesboro, and when he had left the schoolroom he accepted a position as bookkeeper in the office of John Moore, of that town, with whom he remained for a year. After a short
555
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
time spent as clerk in the store of Ephraim Waters, he entered upon an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade, and was thus engaged for two years. On the expiration of that period he secured a situation in the store of Charles D. Lippencott, where he continued for three years, and then spent three years in the employ of A. W. Wright & Company, of Philadelphia, acting as salesman in the store a part of the time and as traveling representative on the road. In 1879 he entered the employ of John Lucas & Company, and after six months spent in the office was placed upon the road, and has since continued to sell goods for that house to the trade. At first his terri- tory included New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Vir- ginia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, and in those states he laid the foundation for such an extensive patronage that ten men are now required to control the trade. Mr. Hunter is recognized as one of the most able traveling salesmen representing the paint business in the United States, and therefore commands a very excellent salary. His twenty-one years' connection with the firm of John Lucas & Company plainly indicates his fidelity to the house and his marked ability in the line of his chosen vocation. His manner is always genial, courteous and obliging, and as his business methods are strictly reliable he has won the confidence of the trade in an unusual degree.
Mr. Hunter was married on the 28th of January, 1886, to Miss Johanna B. Fox, a daughter of George Fox, of Harrisonville, New Jersey, and to them have been born two children-Herbert F. and Irene B. In 1891 he erected a beautiful residence on Railroad avenue, in Swedesboro, and this attractive home is noted for its gracious hospitality, while in social circles Mr. and Mrs. Hunter occupy a very prominent position.
Mr. Hunter has a wide acquaintance in fraternal circles, and enjoys the warm regard of all with whom he has thus been brought in contact .. He is past master of Swedesboro Lodge, No. 157, F. & A. M., also belongs to Osceola Lodge, No. 75. I. O. O. F. and Diamond Council, Junior Order of United American Mechanics He is a member of the Sons of Veterans, and was formerly captain of Philadelphia Camp, No. 16. While he has been active in all these orders his chief interest is centered in the Knights of the Golden Eagle and in Coeur de Lion Castle, No. 36, in which he has filled all the offices, and was chosen grand chief of New Jersey in 1896. He was appointed supreme chief of the United States, in June, 1898, and to that office was elected on the 10th of October, of the same year. He was a most efficient and capable supreme chief, and during his incumbency he visited many states in his official capacity. His keen discrimination, his unfailing courtesy and his deep interest in the order made him particularly well
556
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
qualified to advance its interests, and he is therefore widely and favorably known throughout the organization. In politics Mr. Hunter is a stanch Republican, and represented his township on the executive board of the county. He has frequently declined political honors, preferring to devote his energies to other duties. In Swedesboro, where he has so long made his home, he is very popular and his circle of friends throughout the country is almost co-equal with his circle of acquaintances.
CHARLES M. WILKINS.
The growth and upbuilding of the community depends upon the efforts of its enterprising citizens, for prosperity is due to commercial activity. Mr. Wilkins is to-day a well-known representative of the industrial affairs of Philadelphia, but maintains his residence at Wenonah. He was born in the former place, September 11, 1853, and is a representative of a prominent old family of the Keystone state.
His parents were Joseph L. and Mardie V. (Mansure) ,Wilkins. On the paternal side he is descended from English Quaker stock, his ancestors hav- ing located in Pennsylvania and New Jersey in the early part of the eight- eenth century. On the maternal side he is of French-Huguenot ancestry, but he takes greater pride in the fact that he is an American rather than in any knowledge of his ancestors, of whom his information is limited. The paternal grandfather, Charles Wilkins, was a native of Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. Joseph L. Wilkins. the father of our subject, was born in Philadelphia and engaged in coal-mining and shipping. He was a very prominent Mason and a well-known and highly respected citizen. He mar- ried . Mardie Mansure, a daughter of Robert Mansure, and they became the parents of eleven children,-five sons and six daughters,-of whom seven are yet living.
Charles M. Wilkins spent his boyhood days in Brooklyn, New York, to which place he removed with his father's family in 1860. He attended the public and private schools of New York and Brooklyn. His father was engaged in the wholesale coal trade in the former city, but met with business reverses and with his family returned to Philadelphia in 1870. His illness and death threw the burden of the family support on the older children and thus they were compelled to seek employment. Charles M. Wilkins secured a situation in a wholesale drug house in Philadelphia, where he remained for several years, and in 1875 he entered the employ of the well-known firm of Partrick & Carter, manufacturers of electrical supplies, as bookkeeper,
Gm Wilkins
557
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
his younger brother, E. Ward Wilkins, being an employe of the firm at that time. In 1884 the Wilkins brothers were admitted to a partnership in the business, and when within a year James Partrick, the founder of the house, died, his interest was purchased by the Messrs. Wilkins. The business is now carried on under the firm name of Partrick, Carter & Wilkins, our subject and his brother owning two-thirds of the enterprise, of which they are the managers.
The business career of C. M. Wilkins has been a very prosperous one. He is a man of excellent business and executive ability and his efforts have been by no means confined to one line. He is now the president of the Na- tional Electrical Trades' Association, an influential organization composed of the leading firms in this line in the United States, with headquarters in Chicago. He is also a prominent member of the National Association of Manufacturers and is connected with other business and trade associations throughout the country. His long identification with the electrical trade has made him well known in such circles throughout the United States and Canada.
In the fall of 1885 Mr. Wilkins took up his residence in Wenonah and has since been prominently identified with every movement for the advancement of the public welfare, giving freely of his time and money in support of all measures calculated to prove of general good. In politics he is a stalwart Republican, taking an active interest in the politics of the county and state and keeping well informed on the issues of the day. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend, and during his incumbency as president of the school board the beautiful school-house, which is the pride of Wenonah, was erected largely through his influence and efforts. He has served for many years as a member of the borough council, and at the election held in the spring of 1889 was chosen as mayor. Mr. Wilkins is the president of the Wenonah Library Association, of which he was one of the organizers. He has done effective service for his party as a member of the Republican county executive committee for Gloucester county, has been chosen as a delegate to state and congressional conventions and was a member of the St. Louis con- vention of 1896, which nominated Mckinley for the first time.
On the 21st of November, 1878, Mr. Wilkins was united in marriage to Harriet C. Little, of Hudson, New York, a daughter of George L. Little, who came from a representative old New England family that was estab- lished on the banks of the Hudson river at the close of the Revolutionary war. The home life of Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins has been an exceptionally happy one, and their beautiful residence is noted for its gracious and cordial hospitality, for its good cheer and good fellowship. They have two daugh-
558
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
ters : Julia Rose, a student in Bordentown College; and Edna Browning, a pupil in the school in Wenonah.
A man of scholarly attainments and tastes, Mr. Wilkins has one of the finest private libraries to be found in south Jersey. He has always been an extensive reader and is an enthusiastic lover and collector of books. His library contains several thousand volumes, with the contents of which he is perfectly familiar, and his knowledge of books and his good judgment have enabled him to place upon his shelves many rare and elegant examples of the bookmakers' art, some of which can be duplicated only at great cost. His library covers every branch of literature and represents a collection made during more than twenty years, embracing a wide range of subjects. His comprehensive familiarity with books has enabled him to select them with definite purpose and to classify them so that one seeking information along certain lines may easily find the necessary volumes.
Mr. Wilkins is connected with the Presbyterian church and is active in the various departments of church work, serving as an elder of the church and the superintendent of the Sunday-school. Dr. T. L. Cuyler has said : "Character is not determined by a single act, but by habitual conduct;" and an evidence of Mr. Wilkins' honorable and well spent life is found in the high regard in which he is uniformly held by those among whom he has lived for many years. He has been an important factor in business circles, and his popularity is well deserved, as in him are embraced the characteristics of an unbending integrity, unabating energy and industry that never flags.
E. WARD WILKINS.
The unostentatious routine of private life, although of vast importance to the welfare of the majority, has not figured to any great extent in the pages of history; but the names of men who have distinguished themselves by the possession of those qualities of character which mainly contribute to the success of private life and to the public stability, and who have en- joyed the respect and confidence of those around them should not be per- mitted to perish. Their example is more valuable to the majority of readers than that of heroes, warriors, statesmen and diplomats, as they indicate paths of usefulness which lead to gaining the livelihood for which the greater number of humanity must strive. Mr. Wilkins is one who in the busy affairs of life has gained advancement, and by reason of his marked ability in his chosen calling has become known throughout the country in electrical circles. He is now a partner in the firm of Partrick,
559
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
Carter & Wilkins, manufacturers of and dealers in electrical supplies in Philadelphia.
Mr. Wilkins was born in that city, March 21, 1859. His family history is given in the preceding sketch. In 1873 he became a clerk in the house where he is now a partner. His close application to business, the ability with which he mastered electrical work in all its departments and his marked fidel- ity led to his promotion from time to time. His brother, Charles M. Wilkins, had become an employe of the firm in the capacity of bookkeeper, and in 1884 both were admitted to a partnership and the firm has since been known as Partrick, Carter & Wilkins. The business was originally established in 1867, by James Partrick, who died in 1884. The present partners con- ducting trade under the above firm name are Franklin S. Carter, Charles M. Wilkins and E. Ward Wilkins, all of whom have been connected with the house from its early days. This is one of the oldest and largest houses in the United States manufacturing electrical supplies.
E. Ward Wilkins is a practical electrician, thoroughly familiar with all branches of the business, and has traveled all over the country in the interest of his firm. He has the distinction of being the first man who ever traveled for the express purpose of selling electrical supplies. He is a charter member of the Electric Light Association of the United States and was the prime mover and active spirit in the organization of the National Electrical Supply Dealers' Association. The firm manufactures and deals in electrical supplies and their business has now assumed ex- tensive proportions, their output being very large. They have an exhibit of goods in Paris, Cuba, Venezuela and China, and the house sustains an unassailable reputation for reliability. Mr. Wilkins has entire charge of the manufacturing and sales departments of the firm.
In October, 1883, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Wilkins and Miss Anna M. Winship, a daughter of E. R. Winship, of Philadelphia, and they now have three children: Lena W., a student in Bordentown Col- lege; Myra D. and Warren W., who attend the Wenonah school. The family are members of the Presbyterian church of Wenonah, in which Mr. Wilkins is serving as a trustee. Socially he is connected with the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Junior Order of American Mechanics. He is also a member of the Franklin Institute. He has a beautiful home in Wenonah, and its gracious hos- pitality has made it a favorite resort with the many friends of the family. Mr. Wilkins is a Republican in politics, and while not taking an active part in political work has always been zealous for the success of his party. He has twice been elected on the Republican ticket as commissioner of
560
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
appeals. He is an ardent sportsman with gun and rod and every season goes in pursuit wherever game can be found. He is also an enthusiastic lover of field sports and athletics.
ROBERT A. BRANDIFF.
Robert A. Brandiff is a contractor and builder residing in Salem, Salem county, New Jersey, who has won an enviable reputation in his line of work as a skilled mechanic who puts his best efforts in the work before him. He is a son of John and Ann (Atkinson) Brandiff and was born December 2. 1862, in Elsinboro township, this county.
John Brandiff was a native of Lower Penn's Neck, and lost his father when he was a small lad. He worked on a farm for many years, but later moved to this city, where he is at present engaged in conducting a grocery. He is a Democrat, and has held a number of local offices. He is a free- holder and is enthusiastic in upholding his views. He is also a member of the Improved Order of Red Men. As his life companion he chose Miss Ann Atkinson, and to them were born five sons and three daughters, viz .: Charles, who married Miss Ella Dunham and follows the trade of a mason; Caroline, who married John Pedrick, a salesman and farmer; John H., a can-maker, who married Miss Maggie Franklin; Robert A., our subject; Elizabeth, who married William Townsend, a glass-blower; Frank, a can- maker, who married Marie Slape; Lucy, who married Norman Woodside, a glass-blower; and Raymond, who married Miss Emma Bacon. The mother died at the age of sixty-five years, and the father at the age of sixty-seven.
Robert A. Brandiff spent his boyhood upon the farm, and became familiar with every detail of the work there. After following this occupa- tion for a few years he learned the trade of mason, and for eight years worked at his trade as a journeyman. He then engaged for himself as a contractor and builder, and obtained all the work he could do. He formed a partnership with Joseph H. Boon, and they now do a great deal of both city and country work, employing twenty men and being busy all the time. They were the first contractors engaged in the construction of Fort Mott, and were also employed in building Fort Delaware, at Delaware City, and several of the best bridges of this country are the work of his skill-among them Hancock's bridge, Hook and Lower Canawa bridges, and a number of others. His work is always satisfactory to his employers, and a standing recommendation of his ability. He is at present engaged in the erection of the Shaffer House.
561
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
January 15, 1888, were celebrated the nuptials of Mr. Brandiff and Miss Ann Parker, a daughter of Wesley Parker. Five children have blessed their home and added their bright presence to the cheerful fireside, two of whom have preceded their parents to their heavenly home, there to await a joyful reunion. They are Laura, deceased; Carrie, Rebecca, Jennie, de- ceased, and Wesley. Mr. Brandiff is connected with a number of fraternal orders, being a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle and Washington Lodge, I. O. O. F., and is interested in the Franklin Building and Loan Association. He lends a ready assistance to any movement for the advance- ment of public prosperity, and is the kind of citizen that is of material help to any community.
WILLIAM J. FREAS.
The records of the lives of our forefathers are of interest to the modern citizen, not alone for their historical value but also for the inspiration and example they afford; yet we need not look exclusively to the past. Al- though surroundings may differ, the essential conditions of human life are ever the same, and a man can learn from the success of those around him if he will heed the obvious lessons contained in their history. Turn to the life record of William Johnson Freas, study carefully the plans and methods he has followed and you will learn of superior powers of management, and that keen perception, untiring energy, unbounded enterprise and great sagacity have been the important factors in his success. He is now a mem- ber of the firm of Stiles & Freas, proprietors of the leading dry-goods house of Salem, and is accorded by his fellow townsmen a foremost place in the ranks of the representative business men of the city.
Mr. Freas was born in Elsinboro township, Salem county, July 9, 1859. and is a son of Johnson and Elizabeth O. (Hewitt) Freas. The family is of German origin and was founded in America by Henry Freas, the great- grandfather of our subject, who crossed the Atlantic to the New World. The grandfather, Judge Henry Freas, resided in Lower Neck and Salem townships, this county, but died in the village of Salem. He was a farmer by occupation, owned some valuable farming property, was an extensive real-estate dealer and a man of considerable means. His political support was given the Democracy, and he took an active interest in promoting the growth and success of the party. He was also honored with political office and served as sheriff as well as judge of Salem county. His decisions on the bench were marked by impartiality and few appeals were ever taken there- from. In business matters as well he was known for his thorough relia-
ยท
562
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
bility and good judgment. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religious belief was a Baptist. His children, ten in number, were Henry, James, Reuben, Johnson, William, Daniel, Samuel, Elizabeth Bacon, Ann Shep- pard and Lucy Fox.
Johnson Freas, the father of our subject, was born in Lower Penn's Neck township, and afterward followed farming in that township and in Manning- ton, Penn's Neck and Elsinboro townships. He spent his last days in Salem and was engaged in the manufacture of brick for a time, but after- ward lived retired. In politics he was a Democrat, and was at one time a candidate for the general assembly. In his religious faith he was a Baptist. His family numbered four children. One of the sons, Henry Freas, married Elizabeth Hand and had four children. He was a dry-goods merchant and is now deceased.
William J. Freas attended the public schools of Salem until twelve years of age, and soon afterward started out to earn his own livelihood and aid in the support of his widowed mother. He was first employed in the Craven Glass Works, at Salem, where he remained three years, and then accepted a clerkship in the employ of his brother in the dry-goods business, and there remained for fifteen years, during which time he mastered the business in every detail. In 1889 he became associated with Mr. Stiles, and the firm of Stiles & Freas has from the beginning maintained a place in the foremost ranks of the mercantile interests of the city. They are now conducting the most extensive dry-goods business in Salem, and one of the largest in southern New Jersey, and employ a large corps of clerks. Their sales-room, which is twenty-five by one hundred feet in dimensions, is fitted up in modern metropolitan style with all the latest improvements and conveni- ences. Their stock embraces everything found in a first-class dry-goods establishment, and their trade has grown to mammoth proportions for a city the size of Salem. They have recently extended the field of their labors by adding a new and important department to their business, the manufac- ture of ladies' wrappers. This furnishes employment to thirty people, and is adding materially to the income of the firm.
In his political views Mr. Freas is a stalwart Democrat and is now serv- ing as a member of the board of chosen free-holders from the west ward of Salem. He also held that office in 1887, and at different times has been a delegate to the various conventions of his party. He is a member of the Hook and Ladder Company and is the secretary of the board of trade. Socially he is connected with Ivanhoe Council, No. 5, K. G. E .; Fenwick Lodge, I. O. O. F., and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
On the 12th of May, 1890, Mr Freas was united in marriage to Miss
563
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
Dora B. Leigh, a daughter of Joseph Leigh, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and they have three children,-Maud L., Russel Conwell and Norman S. The last named died in infancy. The family occupy a prominent position in social circles and the Freas household is noted for its hospitality. Such in brief is the life history of one of the most successful and enterprising mer- chants of Salem. He enjoys the well earned distinction of being what the public calls "a self-made man." His career has been remarkably successful, chiefly by reason of his natural ability and his thorough insight into the business in which as a young salesman he embarked. His strict integrity, financial conservatism and business judgment have always been so univer- sally recognized that Mr. Freas has enjoyed the public confidence to an enviable degree, and naturally this has brought him such a lucrative patron- age that through times of general prosperity and general adversity alike he has witnessed a steady increase in his business, until to-day it is one of the most flourishing in its line in southern 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.