USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume I > Part 8
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In his political adherency Mr. Craven is arrayed in support of the Demo- cratic party and its principles, but is not an active partisan worker. He is an ardent sportsman and takes great pleasure in the attractions afield and afloat. with gun and rod. He is a member of the society, Sons of Colonial Wars. also of the Salem Country Club; and his popularity in social circles is equal to that which is accorded in connection with business affairs. He is public-spirited in his disposition, and has an abiding interest in all that con-
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serves the progress and prosperity of the city of Salem. His residence is one of the most attractive in this city of beautiful homes, and here a gracious hos- pitality is dispensed to a representative circle of friends.
THOMAS B. TURNER, A. M., M. D.
The subject of this sketch is one of the leading citizens of Swedesboro, New Jersey, and owns and occupies one of the handsomest residences in the southern part of the state. He was born on a farm in Woolwich town- ship, Gloucester county, New Jersey, February 8, 1848, and is a son.of Isaac H. and Keziah (Black) Turner. The history of the Turner family in America dates back to a period previous to the Revolutionary war, when three broth- ers, John, Michael and Restore Turner, came from England and located in New Jersey. Michael subsequently entered the English army and was never afterward heard from. John settled where Turnersville, New Jersey, is now located, and Restore established his home about midway between Swedes- boro and Auburn, New Jersey. Restore Turner became the father of the following named children: Restore, who lived to the age of seventy years and died in Swedesboro; John, who died at the same place, at the age of fifty-six years; Samuel, who died at the age of seventy years, in Indiana, where he had a family and owned a large tract of land; Isaac H., who died in 1889, at the age of seventy-eight years, on the old homestead; Gideon, who died at the age of sixty-nine years, near the old homestead; Jonathan, who died at the age of twenty-two years; Martha, who married John Avis, of Woolwich township, Gloucester county; Rebecca, who married Moses Ale, of Salem, New Jersey; Sarah, who married George Shoemaker, of Woolwich township, and Rachel, who died in early life. Isaac H. Turner had three children: Rachel, who died at the age of eleven years; Thomas B., whose name introduces this sketch, and Virginia, the wife of Charles Fritz, of Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Turner received his early education in Union School, Logan town- ship, and prepared for college in Fort Edward on the Hudson. He entered Princeton College in 1869 and four years later was graduated thirty-fifth in a class of eighty-seven. He then matriculated at the University of Pennsyl- vania, where he pursued a medical course, and graduated March 12, 1875. Immediately after his graduation he entered upon his professional career in Mount Holly, New Jersey, where he remained six months, removing thence to Harrisonville, where he practiced two and a half years. Circumstances at this time seemed to favor a return to the homestead farm, which he did,
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and until 1889 he was here engaged in seed-growing. He still owns the homestead and an adjoining farm, on which he does a general truck-farming business. He removed to Swedesboro in 1889, and has since resided at his present location. His home is a large, three-story frame residence, fitted and furnished with all the modern luxuries, and surrounded by a beautiful lawn comprising eleven and a half acres, the whole making one of the finest residences in southern New Jersey.
Dr. Turner was married April 22, 1875, to Miss Sarah S. Plummer, a daughter of James L. and Elizabeth (Witham) Plummer, of Swedesboro. They have four children, as follows: Elizabeth P., who is the wife of Edgar Hurff, a farmer of Swedesboro; Cordelia P., the wife of Wilbert Ashcraft, and with their daughter, Cordelia E., they reside on one of the Doctor's farms; and Plummer L. J. and Pressie Tommazetta, who are at home.
The Doctor and his family attend worship at the Methodist Episcopal church. He is a member and examining surgeon of the local A. O. U. W., and is also the examining surgeon of the Heptasophs. His political views are those of the Republican party. In all matters of public issue he takes a com- mendable interest, and especially has he shown an interest in educational affairs. He has been a member of the board of trustees of Woolwich town- ship and has served as clerk of the board.
EDWARD L. ALLEN, D. D.
One of the most eminent divines in the Methodist Episcopal church, a celebrated lecturer and a hero of the civil war, is Edward Livingston Allen, who has been the pastor at Centerton for the past three years. He is a rep- resentative of two of the most prominent families of the state, the Allens and the Livingstons. He was born in Paterson, New Jersey, July 16, 1846, and his father, Henry R. Allen, was a native of Blauveltville, New York, and was a son of Robert Allen, whose birth occurred in England and who came to the United States about the year 1800. The paternal great-grandfather was a member of the house of commons in the mother country. Robert Allen manifested his loyalty to his adopted land by serving in the navy in the war of 1812. He afterward married Polly Sears, a daughter of the owner of the farm upon which Andre, the English spy of the Revolution, was hung, this property being located at Tappan, New York.
Henry R. Allen was a distinguished inventor and expert draftsman and his work won him a reputation which extended over a wide section of the country. He made the draft for the Harlem bridge at New York for the New York Central Railroad Company, and also drew the plans of many other
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noted bridges, and for the first turbine water-wheel for the Watson Manufac- turing Company, of Paterson, New Jersey. In the line of mechanical draw- ing he had few equals and his inventive genius in this regard won him marked distinction in industrial circles. He was one of the charter members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Paterson and served on its board of trustees. When about sixty years of age he was made a Royal Arch Mason, one of the few who have been admitted to the order so late in life. He married Eleanor Livingston, a daughter of Artemus Livingston, who was of Huguenot de- scent and a representative of one of the wealthiest families in Passaic county. Three children were born of this union: Edward L., Amanda, the wife of John G. Belding, of Paterson, New Jersey, and Etta, the wife of John I. Holt, of Paterson, who was the speaker of the New Jersey legislature in 1894. The father of these children was called to his final rest on Christmas day of 1883, and the mother passed away July 1, 1898, at the advanced age of eighty-six years.
Rev. E. L. Allen was fortunate in having good home surroundings and in being provided with excellent educational privileges. He attended the public elementary and high schools of Paterson and afterward pursued his studies in Rutgers College and in the Drew Theological Seminary, but before he had completed his course the civil war was inaugurated, and feeling that his duty was at the front he put aside his text-books and offered his services to his country.
Dr. Allen was only fifteen years of age when, on the 14th of August, 1862, he enlisted in the Thirteenth New Jersey Infantry for three years' service, being discharged as a sergeant June 8, 1865. His regiment was at first con- nected with the Twelfth and afterward with the Twentieth Corps, which was formed by the consolidation of the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps. With his command Dr. Allen took part in some of the most important engagements of the war, including the battles of South Mountain, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Cassville, Dallas, Pine Knob, Culp's Farm, Kenesaw Mountain, Nancy Creek, Peach-tree Creek, siege of Atlanta, Sandersville, Savannah, Averysboro and Bentonville. He was wounded three times by rebel bullets, but was never absent from his command save thirty-six hours and that time under pass when out for special duty. He was on the color guard for two years, when he frequently passed through thrilling danger. He was always loyally found at his post and made for himself a mili- tary record of which he may truly be proud.
At the close of the war Dr. Allen returned to New York city and com- pleted his preparation for the ministry, since which time he has preached the gospel in different churches in New York, New Jersey and Colorado. He is
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an earnest and fluent speaker, his discourses being at once instructive and entertaining, appealing both to the hearts and the heads of his auditors. His influence for good has been most marked and he is recognized as one of the leading ministers of his denomination in New Jersey. On account of his scholarly attainments and literary merit the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him by Taylor University, and that of Doctor of Divinity by Franklin College. He has carried his labors into many fields connected with human reform, progress and improvement. The cause of temperance has found in him a zealous advocate and he has served as Grand Worthy Chief Templar of the Independent Order of Good Templars. That ancient and benevolent fraternity, the Masonic order, numbers him among its valued followers, and for two terms he served as Right Worthy Grand Chaplain. He was also the chaplain of the New York State Department of the Grand Army of the Republic in 1885, and in 1886 and 1887 was chaplain of the New York state senate.
The Doctor is a man of very broad culture, has studied both law and medicine, and in literary circles has gained distinction as the author of a popu- lar work on the civil war. He is also a favorite on the lecture platform and in various sections of the country has addressed large audiences on the sub- jects: "Both Sides of Army Life;" "The Grave and the Gay," and "How We Fought, Foraged and Frolicked on Sherman's Campaigns." He is an elo- quent speaker, possessing marked oratorical ability, and the pathos and hu- mor of his lectures often move to tears and laughter. He wields a facile pen and is master of the art of rhetoric, while 'neath the flowers of speech is a substratum of thought and feeling that never fails to command the attention and commendation of his hearers.
The home life of Dr. Allen has been very happy. He was married on the IIth of August, 1866, to Maggie E. Post, a daughter of Richard Post, and their union has been blest with four children: T. May, wife of H. C. Till- son, of Highland, New York; Edward G., of West Elizabeth, Pennsylvania; Livingston C., who is a student in Pennington Seminary, New Jersey, and Grace, at home.
At this point it would be almost redundant to enter into any series of statements as showing our subject to be a man of broad intelligence and genuine public spirit, for those have been shadowed forth between the lines of this review. Strong in his individuality, he never lacks the courage of his convictions, but there are, as dominating elements in this individuality, a lively human sympathy and an abiding charity, which, as taken in connection with the sterling integrity and honor of his character, have naturally gained to Dr. Allen the respect and confidence of men.
Gubelman Photo Gravure Co.
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CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
JUDGE C. H. SINNICKSON.
An enumeration of those men of the present generation who have won honor and public recognition for themselves, and at the same time have hon- ored the state to which they belong, would be incomplete were there failure to make prominent reference to the one whose name initiates this paragraph. He holds distinct precedence as an eminent lawyer and statesman, and as a judge has won the commendation of the legal profession and the discrim- inating public.
A resident of Salem, Judge Clement Hall Sinnickson is also a native of that city, his birth having occurred there September 16, 1834. His parents were John and Rebecca (Hall) Sinnickson, and the ancestry of the family can be traced back through many generations. In colonial days the family was founded in America, and when the original settlement was made a tract of two thousand acres of land was purchased from the Indians. Most of this is still in the possession of representatives of the name, and the old homestead, which was built in 1638, is still owned by the family. When the yoke of British oppression became too heavy to be longer borne, the Swed- ish and German people were among the first to declare loyalty to the repub- lic, and the Sinnicksons were of the number. Andrew Sinnickson, the great-great-grandfather of our subject, was a member of the first council of the province of New Jersey, and was a member of both provincial con- gresses, held in 1775 and 1776, serving in that capacity at the time New Jersey was declared a state. He was a prominent and influential citizen, served as a member of the first state legislature from the southern district, and was one of the nine men who pledged themselves to furnish money to settle the military troubles in New Jersey at the time of the Revolutionary war. A man of considerable wealth, he contributed generously in response to the calls that were made for money needed in prosecuting the war and in establishing a permanent form of government in the state. He had three sons and two sons-in-law who participated in the struggle for inde- pendence and rendered efficient aid to the colonists. When the representa- tives of the British government offered to sign a peace treaty in southern New Jersey, almost every one in that section of the state was included within the amnesty proclamation, but among the few excluded were the Sinnick- sons, on account of the active part which they had taken in provoking re- sistance to the British oppressions. Thomas Sinnickson, a great uncle of our subject, served as the first congressman from his district in New Jersey, and throughout the intervening years representatives of the name have been
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prominent factors in the public affairs which go to shape the history of the commonwealth.
Through marriage the family became connected with several other influ- ential families of the state. Colonel Andrew Sinnickson, the grandfather of the Judge, married Margaret Johnson, a daughter of Judge Robert and Mar- garet (Morgan) Johnson. Her mother was a daughter of - - and Mary (Moulder) Morgan, of Mercy Hook, Pennsylvania. Her father, Judge Johnson, was born in 1727, and served as judge and justice of the peace from 1761 to 1780. His father, also named Robert, was born in 1694, and married Mrs. Margaret Sayres, widow of Joseph Sayres. He was a son of Richard and Mary (Grover) Johnson. The former, born in Guilford, Surry, England, in 1649, became a resident of Salem county, New Jersey, in 1675. He served as a member of the house of burgesses in 1707 and was judge from 1710 up to the time of his death in 1719. Colonel Andrew Sinnickson, the Judge's grandfather, had two sons, Thomas and John. The latter married Rebecca K. Hall, whose ancestry can be traced back to William Hall, who came from Dublin, Ireland, to America and took up his residence in Elsin- boro township, Salem county, New Jersey. December 22, 1677. In 1709 he became judge and filled the position up to the time of his death in 1718. During the latter part of his life be was also engaged in merchandising in Salem. He married Sarah Clement, of Gloucester county, and they had a son, William Hall, Jr., who was born August 22, 1801, and married Eliza- beth Smith, a daughter of David Smith, whose father, John Smith, a resident of Amblebury, Salem county, was born in Norfolkshire, England. in 1623. With his family he sailed in the ship Griffith to the New World, in 1675. He was a son of John Smith, of Norfolk, England, and was married in 1658 to Martha Craftos, a daughter of Christopher Craftos, of Nottingham, England. William Hall, Jr., and Elizabeth Smith had a son, Clement, who was born in 1724 and married Margaret Morris, a daughter of Joseph Morris, in 1748. They had a son, Clement, Jr., who was born in 1753 and died in 1809. He married Rebecca Kay, daughter of Joseph and Ann (Thompson) Kay, of Gloucester county, New Jersey, and their daughter, Rebecca K., who was born in 1798, was married in 1826 to John Sinnickson, who was born in 1789 and died in 1862. This worthy couple were the parents of our subject.
Judge Clement Hall Sinnickson has throughout his life resided in the county which was the ancestral home of the Sinnicksons, the Johnsons and the Halls. Having acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of Salem, he attended the Polytechnic Institute, of Troy, New York, and in 1855 was graduated at Union College, with the degrees of Bachelor of Arts
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and Civil Engineer. On the completion of his literary course he began the study of law, with Andrew Sinnickson, of Salem, for his preceptor, and was afterward a student in the office of William L. Dayton, of Trenton. In 1858 he was admitted to the bar as an attorney, and in 1864 as a counselor. He located in practice in Salem, and soon gained a large and distinctively repre- sentative clientage. His arguments were logical, forceful and convincing, his preparation of cases exact, and his knowledge of the law is comprehensive and accurate. These qualities insure success to the practitioner at the bar and soon won for Mr. Sinnickson a leading position among his professional brethren. In 1896 he was appointed by Governor Griggs to the position of judge of the common-pleas court of Salem county and has since acceptably served in that capacity. He has also been connected with business interests outside of his professional duties and is now a director of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Salem county, and a member of the Geological Board of New Jersey. He is also the owner of a part of the original tract of land purchased by the family.
In June, 1862, Judge Sinnickson was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Smith, a daughter of Lewis P. and Henrietta (Hancock) Smith. They had two children, but both died in infancy. The Judge is a member and sec- retary of the vestry of the Episcopal church, and belongs to the Theta Delta Psi, a college fraternity. He also holds membership in Johnson Post, No. 69, G. A. R., at Salem, being entitled to a place therein by reason of his three months' service in the civil war. He was commissioned first lieutenant and promoted to the captaincy of Company I of the Fourth Regiment of New Jersey Volunteers, and was sent to Fort Runyon, Washington, D. C., where he was on picket duty. He is also the vice president of the Sons of the Revolution of New Jersey. In politics he has always been a stanch Republi- can and has taken a very active part in the work of advancing its interests, being recognized as one of the party leaders. He represented his district in congress for two terms, from 1875 until 1879,-two of the most important sessions in its history. He was also a member of the Republican state com- mittee in 1880. Upon the bench he has discharged his duties with marked promptness and ability and his decisions have been models of perspicuity and justice. His logical grasp of facts and principles and the law applicable to them has been another element in his success, and a remarkable clearness of expression, an adequate and precise diction which enables him to make others understand not only the salient points of his argument, but also his every fine gradation of meaning, may be accounted among his most conspicu- ous gifts and accomplishments.
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THOMAS SINNICKSON.
Thomas Sinnickson, Jr., of Salem, New Jersey, is one of the most exten- sive land-owners and progressive farmers in Salem county, and he is a repre- sentative of one of the oldest and wealthiest families of this state. His an- cestors came here some two centuries ago and their descendants have been prominent in this part of the state ever since, although Thomas Sinnickson was born in Philadelphia. The date of his birth is January 21, 1847. His parents, Charles and Caroline Elizabeth (Perry) Sinnichsen (as the name was then spelled), had removed to that city some time previously, where the father was engaged in business for many years.
In 1550 Sinnich Sinnichsen was ennobled by King Frederick II, of Den- mark, and given possession of Hestrip in Angeln, Denmark. In 1600 his son, Carlen Sinnichsen, came into the possession of this property through his father's death, and it was his son Anders that founded the family in America. The frequency with which the name Anders or Andrew is found in both the Danish and American branches, together with the similarity of spelling and pronunciation of the surname Sinnickson, or Sinnichsen, are strong evi- dence that both are from the same origin. Victor J. N. Sinnichsen, of Den- mark, believes the name to have had its origin in Germany, during the middle ages, and that the family were in possession of noble estates ini that country. The family coat of arms, still retained by many Danish members of the family, consisted of a saddled horse tied to a bush or low tree in a valley. Andrew Sennickson, or Senecason, as it is found in Companion Hahn's History of Sweden, it is believed, came to America about the year 1627, with the earliest Swedish emigrants who landed at Cape Hinlopen (now Henlopen) and worked their way up the Delaware river and settled in what is now Lower Penn's Neck township, about the year 1645. He purchased a large tract of land in that section, which was then called Obisquahassit; and upon the ar- rival of John Fenwick in 1675 to take possession of his tenth of west Jersey, Sinnick Sinnickson secured from the new proprietor a quit-claim deed to the tract in consideration of a yearly stipend of three shillings. Many gen- erations of the family have made their home upon this land, a large portion of it still being owned by his descendants. Accompanying him to America were two sons,-Anders and Broor, or Brewer. The latter located in Dela- ware and his descendants are found widely diffused over Delaware and Penn- sylvania and spell the name Sinnexson. Andrew, the fourth, was born in 1718, in Lower Penn's Neck, and was one of the most prominent men of his time. He was the judge of the court of common pleas at Salem under
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George III, from 1762 to 1790, and was deputy to the provincial congress of New Jersey May 23, 1775. He was also a deputy in the state convention the year following, and a member of the first legislative council of the state which formed the state government of New Jersey in 1776. So ardent was he in his advocacy of American independence that Colonel Mawhood, of the English regulars, made a proclamation March 21, 1778, naming him, his sons Thomas and Andrew, with some fifteen other citizens of Salem, as "the first objects to feel the vengeance of the British nation." . To such men is largely due the successful outcome of the war of the Revolution. He was married to Miss Sarah Gil-jeansen, who was born in 1756. He died August 20, 1790, when about seventy-one years of age and left a large property to be distributed among his numerous children.
Thomas Sinnickson, one of his sons, the eldest of the family, was the commander of the Second Battalion of Salem militia in the Continental army, and was elected a naval officer of the western district of New Jersey in 1778. He was present at the battles of Trenton and Princeton and took part in the engagements around Gloucester. Because of his bitter opposition to the British yoke and his plain writings on the question, Lord Howe of- fered a reward of one hundred pounds, sterling, for him either dead or alive. He continued, however, to serve his country to the best of his ability and was a member of both provincial and state legislatures and a member of the first United States congress after the adoption of the constitution, March 4, 1789, in New York city. He also served as a congressman 1797-9. He was a warm supporter of Alexander Hamilton and a leader of the Federal party in his section of the country during the administration of Washington and the elder Adams. He was the treasurer of Salem county for many years and also filled the offices of justice and judge. He resided at Salem, where he had large mercantile and real-estate interests, and married Sarah Hancock, dying without issue.
Andrew Sinnickson (4th) was born in Lower Penn's Neck township in 1749, on the old Obisquahassit estate. He moved to Salem in late life and died July 20, 1819. He was the captain of the First Battalion, Salem militia, and paymaster for Salem, Cumberland and Cape May. He was brave and fearless and made a daring and successful repulse of an attack by a foraging party on his premises by the British March 20, 1778. He was united in matrimony four times, his wives being Margaret Bilderback, Mar- garet Johnson (born August 2, 1756, and died November 4, 1792), Sarah Copner (widow of Andrew Sinnickson, a distant cousin), and Sarah Norris.
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