USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 10
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
Mr. Lambert was a large, portly man with pleasing personality and genial manners. He was fond of young people, dearly loved a good joke and often perpetrated them on his unsuspecting companions. He was a prominent citizen of Alloway and a favorite in social and business circles, where he was loved by his friends and respected by all. For years he was a leader of the U. A. C. Democracy. He was very decided in his views and gave free expression to his convictions, yet when convinced that he was in the wrong admitted the fact readily. He stood for election to office against Joseph Lockwood in 1847 and defeated him. He also filled about every office in the township, besides being a member of the board of freeholders and associate judge. He was a member of the legislature in 1844, then called the constitutional caucus convention, and also represented his dis- trict as senator. In 1837 he suffered a defeat for councilman by thirteen votes, and was again defeated in 1838, but in 1839 was elected to the office. His death occurred suddenly from apoplexy near Quinton, in 1868, as he was driving along the road; and his demise was considered a calamity. His wife reached the age of seventy-four years and had five children: John, the father of our subject; Elizabeth, who married James J. Tyler, a resident of Quinton township; Charles, who married Mary Heritage and was a farmer and merchant in Salem until his death; Harriet, deceased, who mar- ried M. Smith Davidson, a farmer of Quinton township; and Anna B., who married Dr. George Paullin, a practicing physician at Shiloh, Cumberland county, this state.
John Lambert, the father of our subject, was born in or near Quinton township, November 16, 1832, and received his education in the schools of Alloway, Salem and Pennington. He afterward taught school in Quinton and Sharptown until his marriage, when he engaged in general merchandis- ing business on Broadway for one year. He then purchased a farm of one hundred acres in Quinton township, where he resided six years, when he moved to Quinton and assisted in starting the Quinton Glass Works, oper- ated by Hires, Lambert & Company. For six years he continued in this business and then embarked in the coal, grain and hay business at Salem for several years. Then with his son he built a canning factory at Salem,
86
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
which was conducted for five years, employing about one hundred and twenty-five men and women. This firm was continued as John Lambert & Son up to the death of the former. He was a deacon of the First Baptist church and an active worker in all departments; and he was a Democrat, a member of the board of trade, a Mason and an Odd Fellow. He owned a farm also, which had belonged to his father. He was united in mar- riage with Miss Rachel Tyler, by whom he had two children, Harry and Elizabeth Tyler, the wife of William Carpenter, Jr., who resides in this city. The mother died November 8, 1882, aged forty-seven years and nine months.
Harry Lambert was educated in the Salem Collegiate Institute, under H. P. Davidson, and then became associated with his father, in 1882, in the canning of tomatoes. He had previously acted in the capacity of clerk in the office of his father. He is now an extensive packer of tomatoes. In 1892 he purchased the Chew & Bilderback factory at Salem, which he operates under the name of Lambert & Company.
Mr. Lambert and Miss Marion Booth Smith were joined in wedlock December 18, 1895. She is a daughter of J. J. G. Smith. formerly a mer- chant of Charleston, South Carolina, but more recently of Philadelphia. He left the south and came to Philadelphia at the breaking out of the rebellion and died in September, 1882, aged sixty-five years. To Mr. and Mrs. Lambert has been born one child, John Holmes. Mr. Lambert is a Demo- crat, a trustee and director of the Young Men's Christian Association, and one of the vestrymen of the Episcopal church. He is also a prominent Mason, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a mem- ber of the board of trade. As a straightforward, conscientious man of business he has few equals, and his honesty has won for him the confidence and respect of all with whom he has had dealings.
LANGDON W. HARRIS.
Langdon W. Harris, of Newfield, Gloucester county, New Jersey, was born February 17, 1857, in Burlington county, this state, and is a son of Thomas W. and Caroline M. (Williams) Harris. His grandfather, Francis A. Harris, was a son of Nathaniel Harris, who was a native of Virginia and fouglit with Washington in the Revolution, and was an able instructor, em- ployed in college work. Francis A. was one of Cincinnati's pioneer settlers, moving there from the state of Kentucky, where he married Flavia Lang- don. a New England school-teacher. His son, Thomas W. Harris, drifted
87
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
to Alabama and enlisted in the Mexican war from Montgomery, that state. Returning after the war to Montgomery, he remained there for several years, engaged in contracting and building. He also did considerable work in Pennsylvania. He served in the war to suppress the great rebellion, be- ing the captain of Company F, One Hundred and Seventy-fourth Regiment, from Bucks county, Pennsylvania. In March, 1868, he located in Forest Grove, New Jersey. He was a justice of the peace and was the nominee of the Prohibition party in 1880 for state senator. He was a local minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, his church home being in the Vineland organization, in which he was a leading member. He was also an honored member of the Masonic body. His marriage to Miss Caroline M. Williams was honored by the birth of three children: Annie E., deceased; Langdon W .; and Ella M., who is unmarried and resides in Vineland. The father died in 1885 and the mother in 1895. Mrs. Harris was a daughter of John Williams and a descendant of that beautiful character, Roger Williams, of early colonial fame.
Langdon W. Harris attended the Vineland Academy and later was under a private instructor who had graduated in Cambridge University, England. Leaving school, he learned the trade of wagon and carriage builder and continued in that business for over twenty years, permanently locating at Newfield in 1879. He then opened a real-estate and insurance office, which he has since conducted in a highly satisfactory manner. In connection with this business he also holds the offices of notary public and commissioner of deeds. Mr. Harris has been a member of the National Guards of New Jersey since 1879, and has served in all the grades from private to captain in the Vineland company, being a commissioned officer since March, 1889. On June 15, 1900, he forwarded his resignation to the adjutant general of the state, in order to give his undivided attention to the duties of postmaster. He takes a prominent part in politics and was nominated on the Republican ticket for the assembly in 1890, but was defeated by forty-two votes out of nearly eight thousand that were cast in his district.
He is a member of Vineland Lodge, No. 69, A. F. & A. M. He is one of the most enterprising citizens of Newfield and has contributed largely to the growth and prosperity of the town. It was through his influence that the rug factory was located here. This has meant a good deal to many of the inhabitants of the town, furnishing, as it does, employment to over one hundred hands. He was appointed postmaster under the Mckinley admin- istration, and the postoffice here is fitted out and conducted in an up-to-date manner.
He was married to Miss Mary E. Wilkins, a daughter of George W.
88
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
Wilkins, of Camden county, on July 15, 1886. Four children have blessed this marriage,-Hilda M., Ada F., Mary E. and Langdon W., Jr.
WILLIAM HALL ACTON.
In analyzing the life record of this gentleman we find that the two chief elements in his success have been perseverance and keen discrimination. These have made him one of the prosperous citizens of Salem, and to-day he is the owner of much valuable property, which has been partly acquired through his own efforts.
He was born in Salem, April 20, 1832, a son of Isaac and Lucy Ann (Bilderback) Acton. His grandfather, Samuel Acton, was likewise a native of Salem, and the family have long been prominently and honorably con- nected with the history of this section of the state. Isaac Acton, the father, was born in Haddonfield, New Jersey, and with his parents moved to Salem in early life. In his youth he learned the blacksmith's trade, and afterward conducted a factory and machine shop and manufactured agricultural imple- ments on Grant street, near the corner at Fifth street. Subsequently he removed his factory to Broadway and abandoned blacksmithing, but con- ducted the other lines of his business in connection with milling. He be- came a member of the firm of Bennett & Acton, and they built up a very extensive trade, thus controlling one of the leading industries of the town. Mr. Acton died in 1895, in the ninety-sixth year of his age, his birth having occurred in 1800. His wife passed away at the age of seventy years. In his political views he was a stalwart Republican, and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, frequently called him to public office. He acceptably served as the county clerk, was a member of the board of free- holders, one of the incorporators of Salem, and a member of its first council. At all times he gave his influence in support of the measures which he be- lieved would prove a public benefit. He belonged to the Hicksite Society of Friends, and his life was honorable and upright, commanding the esteem of all with whom he came in contact.
William H. Acton, of this review, was reared under the parental roof and learned the blacksmith's trade in his father's shop. Subsequently he engaged in farming in Mannington township, and was connected with the agricultural interests of the county until 1894, when he came to Salem, where he has since made his home. He has judiciously invested his capital and is to-day the owner of a valuable farm in the county, in addition to desirable property in Salem. He is also interested as a partner in the owner- ship of another farm, in Mannington township.
your H. acton
89
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
In 1853 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Acton and Mary H. Andrews, the ceremony being performed in Philadelphia, by Mayor Gilpin. They have the following children and grandchildren: Lucy Ann, wife of Berkley Law- rence, a resident of Camden, by whom she has three children,-Ella Virginia, Ann B. and Mary Acton; Elizabeth F., who is living with her parents; Emma, the wife of C. Hildreth, by whom she has three children,-Lillian A., Alice and C. Hildreth; Martha P., the wife of Wallace Ayers, a merchant, by whom she has two children,-Helen Platt and James Wallace.
In his political affiliations Mr. Acton is a Republican, unswerving in his support of the principles of the party. He does all in his power to promote its growth and insure its success, and on its ticket he was elected the assessor of Mannington township, serving in the office for seven years. He was also a commissioner. He attends the services of the Society of Friends in Salem, and is a man whom to know is to respect and honor, for his life has ever been upright, displaying those principles of true manliness which everywhere awaken admiration and esteem.
EDWARD E. SMITH.
The paternal grandparents of Edward E. Smith of Penn Grove, Salem county, were Asa and Catherine Smith, natives of Philadelphia, the former a descendant of one of the early Dutch settlers of the Keystone State. Asa Smith was twice married and had one son, Elmer, by the first union, and James B., Asa and John M. were children of his second marriage. John M. Smith, the father of our subject, was born in Salem county in 1803 and died on his homestead near Penn Grove when he was in his seventy-sixth year. In his youth his educational advantages were limited, yet by observation and reading he became well informed. Financially, also, he may justly be termed self-made, as he was the architect of his own fortunes. At one time he owned the land where the Emanuel Methodist Episcopal church and the adjoining cemetery now are located, and from the time that this congregation was organized he was identified with it as one of its most ac- tive, liberal members. Prior to his death he bequeathed five hundred dollars to the church as a permanent fund, the interest, only, of the amount to be used, as required. In his political opinion he was an uncompromising Dem- ocrat. He wedded Beulah Locke, and of their four sons, James E., John M .. Edward and Edward E., only the last mentioned survives. Charles Locke, the father of Mrs. Smith, was a farmer in the vicinity of Swedesboro, Salem
90
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
county. He held membership in the Episcopal church and was a valued citizen. Mrs. Beulah Smith lived to reach the ripe age of eighty-six years.
The birth of Edward E. Smith took place in Penn Grove, February 21, 1835. and his entire life has been quietly passed in this immediate locality. With the exception of a short period each spring, spent in fishing on the Delaware river, he has devoted his time exclusively to agriculture, until of late years. In 1889, assisted by his sons, he started a greenhouse, upon an extensive scale, upon his farm, and has made a grand success of the enter- prise. The greenhouses and nurseries are the largest of the kind in this part of the county, and are managed with well directed wisdom. All kinds of evergreen plants and a great variety of flowers and plants are grown here, and forty-five hundred square feet is covered with glass. Since 1896 Mr. Smith has had charge of both the old and the new cemeteries, and has won the commendation of all concerned by his painstaking care and fidelity to the trust imposed in him.
In 1857 the marriage of Edward E. Smith and Mary F. Harris was solemnized in Swedesboro, Salem county. She is the youngest child of Josiah and Sarah A. Harris, natives of this county. Her brothers and sisters are named respectively: James, Edward, Catherine, and Anna. Catherine is the wife of George C. Sparks and Anna is the wife of George Stanton. The following named children were born to our subject and wife: John, who married Fannie Lummis: Charles, whose wife formerly was Georgiana Mattison; Josiah, who wedded Lurilla Armstrong; William, who married Addie Bailey; and Anna, the wife of Robert Walker. Following in the foot- steps of his father, Mr. Smith belongs to Emanuel Methodist Episcopal church, and is highly esteemed for the valuable aid which he gives to the cause of righteousness.
EDWARD L. FARR.
Edward L. Farr is a resident of Wenonah, New Jersey, and is the vice president and treasurer of the Farr & Bailey Manufacturing Company, of Camden, this state. He is a son of Lincoln D. and Hannah Bailey Farr, and was born in the year 1861 in the town of Manchester, Maine. His ances- tors on both sides of the house are of old New England stock, dating back to the early colonial times. His father, Lincoln D. Farr, was engaged in various positions connected with the manufacture of floor oil-cloth in the state of Maine and in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and in 1875 took charge of the plant now owned by the Farr & Bailey Manufacturing Company. After his death, in 1883, the business of the concern was managed by Samuel
9I
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
T. Bailey and Edward L. Farr, and in 1889 the Farr & Bailey Manufactur- ing Company was incorporated. The business has been from its inception a growing and successful one, and a share of its success has been due to the enterprise and efforts of Mr. Farr.
Mr. Farr was married in 1885 to Miss Mabel R. Greene, who died in 1899. He has five children.
Mr. Farr was educated at the Friends' School in Providence, Rhode Island, and for many years was a member of the Society of Friends. He is now, however, connected with the First Presbyterian church of Wenonah, New Jersey, and is a trustee of that organization. The only political office he has ever held has been that of clerk of the board of education of Wenonah, which position he has occupied for fifteen years. He has also been for many years a trustee of the West Jersey Orphanage for Destitute Colored Children in Camden, New Jersey.
HUGH CUNNINGHAM, JR.
Hugh Cunningham, Jr., a farmer of Deptford township, was born in Deptford township, May 19, 1865, and is a son of Hugh Cunningham and Margaret nee Jamieson. He was educated in the public schools of Wood- bury, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his entire life.
He was married in Woodbury, New Jersey, February 25, 1891, to Eliza- beth Mills, a daughter of George Mills and Hannah Adams. They have had one child, Howard, who died at the age of five months. Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham attend Christ Protestant Episcopal church.
FURMAN L. LUDLAM.
Upon a valuable farm of two hundred acres in Cape May county Fur- man Leaming Ludlam makes his home and devotes his energies to agri- cultural pursuits. For many years he followed the sea, but now gives his time to the quieter pursuits of the farm and is one of the substantial and respected citizens of the community. He belongs to one of the old and honored families, a record of which is given on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Judge Jesse D. Ludlam. His great-grand- father, Reuben Ludlam, was a son of Anthony Ludlam and was married to
92
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
Hannah Spicer, a daughter of Walter Spicer, one of the prominent residents of Cape May county. Their children were Christopher, Priscilla and Deborah. Christopher Ludlam, the grandfather of our subject, was born March 7, 1756, in Dennis township, Cape May county, and was married March 26, 1776, to Amelia, a daughter of Cornelius Hand. They became the parents of five children: Cornelius, who was born January 7, 1781; Reuben, born September 16, 1783: Norton, born June 15, 1788; Jeremiah, born February 14, 1792; and Francis, who was born May 7, 1790, and died in October of the same year. The mother of these children died and the father afterward married Mrs. Elizabeth Holmes. Their wedding was cele- brated June 9, 1795. and they had two children: Charles, the father of our subject; and Elizabeth, who was born in 1800 and died in 1811. Christopher Ludlam, the grandfather, followed farming throughout his entire life, and during the war of 1812 he loyally aided in the defense of his country. He held a number of local offices, gave his political support to the Whig party. and died at the advanced age of eighty or eighty-five years, respected by all who knew him.
Charles Ludlam, the father of him whose name introduces this review. was born May 25, 1797, and died in 1883, at the venerable age of eighty-six years. He pursued his education in the common schools, and this, com- bined with his strong mentality and the knowledge gained through reading and in the practical affairs of life, made him an exceptionally well informed man. As a means of livelihood he followed the occupation of farming, and so directed his energies that he acquired a good property, becoming the owner of two hundred acres of arable land, which yielded to him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestowed upon it. In early life his views on political questions harmonized with the principles of the Whig party, to which organization he accordingly gave his support, but when the Republican party was formed he joined its ranks and followed its leadership throughout the remainder of his life. He married Sophia Stites. Mr. and Mrs. Ludlam became the parents of twelve children: William Ewen, who was born March 18, 1823, died unmarried; Clinton H., who was born Au- gust 28, 1824, and was a farmer by occupation, married Eliza Bishop, had three children,-Arabella, Samuel and Alice,-and died October II, 1891 ; Hannah Eliza, born October 1, 1826, died in July, 1828; Louisa, who was born August 14, 1828, and lived in Vicksburg, Mississippi, married Jarard Stites and reared a family; Richard, born August 27, 1830, married Ade- laide Stoey, and is a sea captain residing in Camden; Furman is the next of the family; Charles, born January 14, 1835, was engaged in mining in Ari- zona, and died June 13, 1882; Elizabeth, who was born August 10, 1837,
1
93
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
became the wife of Garrett Berry, a lawyer of Rahway, New Jersey, and their children are Harold, Sophie, Waldo, Bertram and Elizabeth; Julia, who was born April 14, 1840, died July 25, 1845: Adelaide, who was born March I, 1842, became the wife of John Watters, and had two children, Ralph and Maud; Coleman F., born February 22, 1844, died in 1885; and Julia L., born February 7, 1846, is the widow of Walter Bartlett, of Trenton.
Furman L. Ludlam, whose name heads this sketch, was born in Dennis township, on the farm which is now his home, November 25, 1832, and in the common schools of the neighborhood acquired his education, pursuing his studies until eighteen years of age. He then went to sea and ultimately became the captain of a vessel. For twenty years he sailed on the Atlantic, commanding the Robert W. Dillon, which was engaged in the coasting trade, and also acting as captain of the William L. Abbott. He built several vessels for other people and was actively identified with marine interests through two decades, but after his father's death he abandoned the sea and purchased the old homestead farm of two hundred acres, which he now owns and operates. He devotes his energies to general farming, and his highly improved place is one of the model farms of the county, being supplied with all modern accessories and conveniences for the successful prosecution of his labors.
Mr. Ludlam was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Van Gilder, a daughter of Warren Van Gilder, of Goshen. They have three children: Malcolm C., who was born January 9, 1868, and is a graduate of the electrical department in Rutgers College, is now engaged in the electrical business in Newark, New Jersey, and is the superintendent of several electric roads; Howard W., born June 21, 1870, was educated in the public schools and in Rutgers College and is now engaged in the wholesale harness business in Philadelphia. He married Florence Shourds. Sophie G., born February 12, 1877. is still with her parents. The family is one of prominence in the com- munity and their friends are numbered among the best people of the com- munity.
In his political views Mr. Ludlam is a stanch Republican, his study of political questions convincing him that the best plans of government are embodied in the principles of that party. He has twice been elected to rep- resent his district in the state legislature,-in 1895 and 1896,-and. there labored earnestly and effectively to advance the welfare of the state. For fifteen years he has been a member of the board of education of Dennis town- ship and the schools have found in him a true friend. He is at all times a public-spirited citizen and withholds his support from no movement which he believes will enhance the welfare of the community.
94
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
-
GEORGE W. CARR.
One of the most straightforward, energetic and successful business men of Gloucester county is George W. Carr, who resides at Pitman Grove. He entered upon his business career without capital, save strong hands and a determination to succeed. His prosperity, therefore, came not as the result of a combination of lucky circumstances, but has risen from energy, enter- prise, integrity and intellectual efforts well directed. His business has ever been conducted on the strictest principles of honesty and to-day he is num- bered among the substantial citizens of his native county.
Mr. Carr was born in Richwood, Harrison township, Gloucester county. April 6, 1856, and is a son of Joseph D. Carr, whose father was Robert Carr. Joseph D. Carr also was born in Richwood, was a carpenter by trade and fol- lowed farming to some extent. He took a very prominent part in the Metho- dist church, in which he held membership, serving as its steward and trustee. He married Miss Jane A. Rulon, a daughter of John Rulon, of French line- age. This worthy couple are still living, the father at the age of seventy-two. the mother at the age of sixty-nine. They have three children: George W .. of this sketch; Dr. H. R., a physician of Mullica Hill; and Florence, the wife of Charles Dilks, of Barnsboro, Gloucester county.
George W. Carr pursued his education in the common schools, was reared on the farm and in his youth learned the carpenter's trade. After thoroughly mastering the business he began contracting on his own account, following that pursuit until 1888, when he came to Pitman Grove, where he purchased one hundred and ninety-two acres of land. This included a pond and mill, and since that time he has engaged in the manufacture of lumber, operating a saw and planing mill and manufacturing sash, doors and blinds. He has one lumber-yard at the park and one at Pitman Grove. He has found this a profitable source of income.
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.