USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 13
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George W. Richman attended the common schools in his youth and worked on a farm during the summer. In 1875 William Richman, Sr., pur- chased the farm of one hundred and five acres, upon which George W. Richman has since resided, devoting his attention to general farming and truck gardening. He was the township collector for six years and for several years has been a member of the board of education. He was married Feb- ruary 25, 1891, to Miss Kate Van Meter, a daughter of Isaac B. Van Meter, of a prominent family of this section; and the marriage was without issue.
William Richman, Jr., had but little opportunity to attend school, but studied diligently at night and secured an extensive knowledge, adding to it much information gained from observation, and is to-day one of the shrewd- est business men of Salem county. When he reached his majority his father started him in business in Whig Lane in a general store, which he conducted for five years, when he came to Daretown and entered into partnership with Mr. Johnson, who had been his clerk at Whig Lane. They remained to- gether until 1887, when Mr. Richman sold out his interest and started a canning factory, erecting suitable buildings for that purpose and putting in machinery that would turn out five hundred thousand cans per year. The "Jersey Blue" is his brand, and his product meets with a ready sale, being one of the most popular brands on the market to-day.
Mr. Richman was married to Miss Lizzie Rammel, who died August 6, 1890, and on March 2, 1892, he was united to Miss Laura Keely, a daughter of Edward Keely, of Alloway. He has been well known in local Democratic circles and in 1899 was nominated for the assembly, but declined the honor. He was postmaster seven years, three at Whig Lane and four years after coming to Daretown. He is a trustee of the almshouse of Salem county. He is no less popular with the general public than with the one hun- dred and twenty employes of his factory, who esteem him as kind hearted and generous. He has always taken a great interest in matters pertaining to the turf and is the president of the Woodstown Driving Club, also of the alms- house board this year, 1900.
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GEORGE E. PIERSON.
Prominent in political circles and one of the leading citizens of Wood- bury, George E. Pierson was born in Swedesboro, Gloucester county, New Jersey, in 1837, his parents being Joseph Z. and Mary (Gibson) Pierson. The father was born in Swedesboro, in April, 1807. The family was of English and Irish descent, but was founded in this country at an early day. The great-grandfather was probably a native of Swedesboro,-the birth- place of John Pierson, the grandfather. The mother belonged to one of the old Friends' families of southern New Jersey, founded in Woodbury at an early period in the development of the town. Her father was Gideon Gib- son. Joseph Z. Pierson, the father of our subject, was a blacksmith, con- veyancer and surveyor, and in later life became a farmer. He continued his residence in Swedesboro until 1841, when he removed to a farm between that place and Mullica Hill, where he lived for six years. He then took up his abode on a farm near the battle-ground at Red Bank, in Gloucester county, where he remained for four years, removing thence to Mount Ephraim, Camden county, in 1851. Subsequently he resided on a farm near Wood- bury and eventually took up his residence in that city in the spring of 1854, there making his home until his death, which occurred in May, 1857. He was a Whig in early life and later became a Republican. In 1841 he was elected to the state legislature by Gloucester county, which then included Camden county. He also filled the office of justice of the peace and took an active and commendable interest in everything pertaining to the public wel- fare and progress. He kept well informed on the issues of the day and on all matters of current interest and was a leading and influential citizen of his community, who left the impress of his individuality for good upon the policy and advancement of his county. In business he was strictly reliable and very methodical, and in his early life he was known as one of the lead- ing surveyors of Gloucester county. In his family were eight children: Charles L., who is living on a farm near Woodbury; Edward, a civil engi- neer, who died at the age of twenty-four years; James H., of Woodbury, who has been very prominent in Democratic circles and has served as deputy sheriff; George E., of this review; Joseph, a farmer, who became a second lieutenant of Company F, Twelfth New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, and was killed in the battle of Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863; Sarah G., deceased; Lydia G., who has been a teacher in the Woodbury school for thirty-four years; and Mary, who died in childhood. The mother of these children lived to be eighty-three years of age, her birth having occurred in March, 1810, her death on the 10th of May, 1893.
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George E. Pierson, whose name introduces this review, spent his early boyhood days upon farms near Clarksboro, Red Bank, Mount Ephraim and Woodbury, and attended the district schools near his home. In 1854 he entered the Constitution printing office, where he worked as an apprentice and journeyman for a period of twenty-three years, or until 1877. In the latter year he entered the employ of G. G. Green, in the advertisement de- partment of his extensive patent-medicine business, continuing in that posi- 'tion until 1889. He has since been chiefly employed as the secretary of the Woodbury Real Estate and Mutual Loan Association, one of the largest building and loan associations in the state. He was elected to this position in 1871, and during his twenty-nine years of service has seen the receipts of the association grow from four hundred to eight thousand dollars per month.
In 1874 Mr. Pierson was united in marriage to Miss Abigail R. Murphy, a daughter of William and Sarah C. Murphy, of Gloucester county, and they have two children: George E., who is now twenty-six years of age, and is employed as bookkeeper by the A. P. Swoyer Company, of Philadelphia; and Augustus B., who is a clerk in the Farmers' & Mechanics' National Bank, of Woodbury. The family attend the Episcopal church and are highly respected in social circles.
Mr. Pierson is an active Republican and has always taken an earnest and intelligent interest in the affairs of his town and county. He began his public service in 1864 as the town clerk of old Deptford township, when it included the present city of Woodbury and the township of West Deptford. He served in that capacity until the city of Woodbury was incorporated, in 1871, when he was elected city clerk, in which position he served eight years, with distinguished success. He had also served six years as borough clerk of the old borough of Woodbury. In 1881 he was elected a member of the council from the second ward of the city of Woodbury, and served one term of three years. In 1895 he was unanimously elected a member of the board of chosen freeholders from the second ward of the city of Woodbury, after the ward had been represented by a Democrat for two previous terms. He was then re-elected, without opposition, in 1898. He has always served on the com- mittee on appropriations and other important committees of the board, and has repeatedly declined the director's chair. preferring to use his influence and activity on the floor of that body. He was the author of the resolution of petition to the legislature which resulted in the enactment of a supple- ment to the state aid road law giving enlarged scope to the powers of boards of freeholders. In 1890 Mr. Pierson was appointed the private secretary of Henry M. Nevius, the president of the senate, and the same year was made a member of the Gloucester county board of elections, of which he has been
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president continuously since. In 1898 and 1899 he served with conspicuous success as private secretary to the speaker in the house of assembly, Hon. David O. Watkins, now United States district attorney for the state of New Jersey. In 1882, though strongly urged, he refused to have his name pre- sented for nomination for the office of county clerk, and again in' 1892 re- fused to enter the list for nomination before the central committee as a candidate for the assembly. He consented to be a candidate for the nomina- tion for senator in 1899, but failed to receive the nomination, after a close contest. He has since been elected county collector and treasurer, by a unanimous vote of the board of freeholders.
George E. Pierson has a membership connection with the leading fra- ternal orders of the county. He has been a member of Florence Lodge, No. 87, F. & A. M., for more than thirty years, served for three years as worshipful master, seven years as secretary and is now serving his twelfth year as treasurer. He has been a member of Mariola Lodge, No. 9, K. P., for more than thirty-one years and has served continuously as the keeper of records and seal of the lodge during the entire time, and was the grand keeper of records and seal of the grand domain of New Jersey from February, 1891, until the 22d of February, 1900. He has been a member of Woodbury Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. F., for over thirty-two years, and is the past grand and past deputy grand master in that order. He has been a member of Provident Conclave, No. 47, Improved Order of Heptasophs and Guarantee Lodge, No. 17, Ancient Order of United Workmen, for over seventeen years, in each of which he has served as the secretary since its organiza- tion.
REUBEN T. JOHNSON.
Reuben Townsend Johnson was born at Town Bank, Cape May county, January 16, 1862, and is a son of Jeremiah S. and Melissa (Garettson) John- son. The family is of German origin. Our subject was educated in the pub- lic schools of Erma and in Eastman's Business College, being graduated in the latter institution with the class of 1879. He then spent a year clerking in a drug store in Philadelphia, after which he occupied a position as book- keeper in that city and then became timekeeper and foreman of the Rio Grande Sugar Company, in which capacity he served for three years, the diffusion process being used during the last year of his connection with that house. On leaving that position he came to Erma, where he embarked in general merchandising. He now carries a large stock of goods and has built up an excellent trade, which is constantly growing both in volume and
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CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
importance. He is also interested in oyster-planting and pound fishery, and the two departments of his business are yielding to him good financial re- turns.
On the 20th of November, 1882, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Johnson and Mary H. Whilldin, and there have been born two children,- Martha H. and Reuben T. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Junior Order of American Mechanics and is a very im- portant factor in political and church circles of the city as well. He is a valued member of the Tabernacle Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as trustee, steward, and Sunday-school superintendent,-the lat- ter for eleven years. He is the vice-president of the Cape May County Sunday-school Association, while in 1898 he served as its corresponding secretary. In politics he is a stalwart Republican and since the Harrison administration has served as the postmaster of Erma, while for ten years he filled the position of commissioner of deeds. In March, 1900, he was elected a justice of the peace, for the term of five years. It will thus be seen that he has been actively associated with the business, social, political and moral interests of the community in which he resided and his labors have been most effective in promoting their welfare.
RAYMOND W. BATTEN.
Raymond W. Batten is a son of Lucius S. and Margaret (Tash) Batten, and was born in Deerfield township, Cumberland county, New Jersey, No- vember 8, 1861. His grandfather, Samuel Batten, was a farmer in that township and a pronounced Republican. While not a member of any church, he was a constant attendant at the Presbyterian church and was a con- scientious, upright man. He married a Miss Shull and among the children born to them was Lucius S., the father of our subject.
Raymond W. Batten was educated in the private schools of Alloway and at an early age engaged in the manufacture of cans, being associated in this work with John Davis. He has continued to follow this business since, put- ting in the work energy and industry and making of it a successful venture. In 1897 he was appointed postmaster of Alloway, and is so courteons and obliging that he has won friends among all classes and is universally liked. He was married in 1888, to Miss Winifred Dorrell, a daughter of Daniel Dorrell, a prominent citizen of this county, whose sketch appears on another page. One child, Jessie T., has blessed their home. Mr. Batten is a member of the State Mutual Building & Loan Association and is the secretary and
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treasurer of the Alloway branch. He is also a prominent Knight of Pythias and stands high in social circles where his genial and hearty good nature make him a general favorite.
ELLIS H. MARSHALL.
Among the public officers of New Jersey is numbered this gentleman. who is now representing his district in the state legislature. His political career is an irreproachable one, marked by loyalty to his duties of citizenship and by earnest effort in behalf of the interests which he believes will prove the greatest good to the greatest number. He has never been an office- seeker, and the position has come to him as a merited tribute in recognition of his worth and ability.
Mr. Marshall is a son of Randolph and Sarah (Hughes) Marshall, and was born September 18, 1845, in the town of Marshallville, Cape May county. He obtained his education in the public schools of Tuckahoe, and further continued his studies in the Quaker City Business College, of Philadelphia. In 1866 he entered upon his business career, by learning the harnessmaker's trade in Tuckahoe, and two years later, in 1868, he came to Seaville, where he began business on his own account as a general merchant, successor to Thomas R. Gandy. He has since carried on operations along that line and is now, in connection with his brother, James L., under the firm name of James L. & Ellis H. Marshall, the owner of three stores. They have a general store, thirty-five by eighty-five feet, a harness store and manufactory and a hardware and farming implement store. They also own the hall of the town. They carry the largest general stock in southern New Jersey, valued at eight thousand dollars, and from the public receive a very liberal patronage, which is constantly increasing. They handle coal, wood and carriages, do blacksmithing and in fact deal in everything that is demanded by the country trade. Mr. Marshall and his brother James L. are also the owners of seven farms in Cape May county, and are extensively interested in real estate, having one hundred and seventy lots at Ocean City, besides several lots at Sea Isle City. In the control of his extensive business affairs he displays excellent executive ability. Ambition is the keynote to success, and when guided by sound judgment and honest purpose it not only brings prosperity, but also gains an honorable name. It is such qualities that have given Mr. Marshall his high standing in business circles and won him the respect of all with whom he has come in contact.
A stanch Republican in politics, he has served for twenty-seven years
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Ellis Ne Marshal
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as the postmaster of Seaville, and has administered the affairs of the office in a manner that has won him highest commendation. In 1898 he was elected to the general assembly, and again in 1899 was chosen for that office. He has studied and carefully considered the questions that have come up for decision in the law-making body of the state, and has supported all meas- ures which he believes would prove of public benefit to his county and state. He is also a member of the board of education of Upper township, having filled that position for many years, and religiously he is connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. His work in the church has been effective and continuous. He is the president of the board of trustees, the recording steward of the church in Seaville, and is a director of the Seaville camp- meeting. No cause intended to uplift humanity seeks his aid in vain. His son Thomas is now attending Temple College, in Philadelphia, where he is preparing for Yale College. In Media Academy he won the honors of the class of 1898.
DR. JOHN. H. ASHCRAFT.
For forty-five years this gentleman was connected with the medical pro- fession in Gloucester county, and his skill and ability gained him distinctive precedence in the ranks of the medical fraternity. He is now practically liv- ing retired, having through his well directed efforts acquired the competence that supplies him with all the comforts of life. He was born on the IIth of September, 1833, near Barnsboro, New Jersey, and is a representative of an old New England family that was founded in America during the colonial epoch of our country's history. The grandfather, Samuel Ashcraft, was a native of the Nutmeg state, but became a resident of New Jersey, and his son John, the father of the Doctor, was born in the city of Gloucester. Arriving at years of maturity he married Rhoda Fisler, an aunt of Samuel Fisler, M. D., of Clayton, and a cousin of Jacob Fisler, of Clayton, one of the old-time physicians of this section of the state. He became a resident of Mullica Hill in 1800, at which time his father with his family took up his abode there upon a farm which is still in possession of his descendants. John Ashcraft was a very prominent and successful business man. He engaged in mer- chandising and in the lumber business in Atlantic county and at one time was a leading wholesale grocer of Philadelphia. On the eastern shore of Maryland he built a number of vessels and became largely interested in the shipping trade, and also carried on an extensive lumber business in that state, making money rapidly. He then invested his capital in land in Dela- ware and became the proprietor of valuable peach orchards. He possessed
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marked executive ability and keen discernment and carried forward to suc- cessful completion whatever he undertook. A valued member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church, he served for forty-three years as a local preacher of that denomination and held many offices in the organization. He labored untiringly for the upbuilding and advancement of the cause and his life was an upright and noble one. In his family were nine children, of whom three are living: Elizabeth A., widow of Benjamin Heritage, of Philadelphia; William, a practicing physician of Smyrna, Delaware; and John H. of this review. The father died in 1868 and the mother passed away in 1881, leav- ing their family the priceless inheritance of an untarnished name.
Dr. Ashcraft attended the public schools of Philadelphia and also pursued his studies in the academical department of the University of Pennsylvania. Determining to make the practice of medicine his life work he then matricu- lated in the Jefferson Medical College wherein he was graduated in 1855. He entered upon his professional career in Abingdon, Pennsylvania, and the following year came to Mullica Hill. His professional career was at- tended with excellent success and he enjoys a liberal and lucrative patronage. His knowledge of the science of medicine is extensive and exact and his perusal of medical journals keeps him thoroughly in touch with the progress which is being made in the profession.
Dr. Ashcraft was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Turner, a daughter of William Turner, of Gloucester county, the wedding being cele- brated January II, 1865. They have two children: Samuel F., a practicing physician of Mullica Hill, and Rhoda. The family is one of prominence in the community, enjoying the friendship of many of the best people in this section of the state. They occupy an elegant home which is celebrated for its charming and gracious hospitality. The Doctor is a very pleasant gentle- man of courteous manners, possessing those sterling traits of character which ever indicate the true gentleman.
C. FLETCHER MYERS.
In 1892 Clement Fletcher Myers purchased the old Myers homestead, comprising ninety-four acres of land, and has since devoted his time and energies to its operation and improvement. He was born here on the 15th of November, 1863, and the place is therefore endeared to him from the associations of his boyhood. His parents were Frederick C. and Sarah (Pidgeon) Myers, the former a son of Frederick Myers and the latter a daughter of Nicholas Pidgeon. The father of our subject died in 1891, at
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the age of seventy-five years, and the mother passed away in 1880, at the age of fifty-four years. In their family were five children: Charles F., who re- sides in New York city; Josephine, who is living at Center Square; Isabella, the wife of Jacob Zane, of Center Square; Jennie, who is also living at that place; and C. Fletcher.
The last named was educated in the public schools of his native town and through private study. He has been an extensive reader, and this, sup- plemented by a retentive memory and keen powers of observation, has made him one of the best informed men in Logan township. During his youth he became familiar with the work of the farm, and assisted his father until the latter's death. The year following he purchased the old family home- stead at Center Square and has since tilled the fields and carried on the work of improvement, his labors being rewarded by good harvests.
On the 7th of May, 1889, Mr. Myers was united in marriage to Miss Anna H. Gill, a daughter of Stineman and Elizabeth (Woodruff) Gill, of Logan township. They have a wide acquaintance in the community and are favorably known. They attend the Center Square Methodist Episcopal church, of which Mrs. Myers is a member. In social affiliations Mr. Myers is connected with Swedesboro Lodge, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master, and with Bridgeport Grange. He is recognized as one of the lead- ing representatives of the Democratic party in Gloucester county, has for several years been a member of the township committee, and in 1896 was the candidate of his party for state senator. His career has been upright and honorable, and his friendship is prized most by those who know him best.
WILLIAM CARNEY.
The subject of this sketch is one of the leading politicians of Salem county, and has exercised considerable influence in Republican circles dur- ing the past quarter of a century. As constable for the East ward of Salem he has become well known to a large class of people who have found him to be valorous and fearless in the discharge of the duties of his office. He first opened his eyes to the light of day in the neighboring county of Glouces- ter in the village of Glassboro, on October 6, 1844, and is a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Fennimore) Carney, highly respected residents of Salem for many years. The great-grandfather came to the United States from Germany and worked in the first glass factory erected in this country. This was built by Mr. Wistar near Alloway, and Mr. Carney was one of the most skillful glass- workers employed there. His son David lived near Glassboro and followed
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the vocation of a farmer. He was constable for fifteen years, being elected on the Republican ticket. Among his children were Isaac, John, David, William, Emma, Margaret, Mary, Reuben, Elizabeth and Thomas.
Isaac Carney was the eldest of the family and was born in Gloucester county in 1819. He was a glass-blower there for thirty-five years and in 1863 took charge of the factory of Hall, Pancoast & Craven as the manager and remained with them in that capacity until his death twenty-six years later, January 27, 1899. He was formerly a Whig, but later joined forces with the Republican party. He was temperate in all his habits and was never known to drink, smoke or swear. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and stood high in the community. His marriage to Miss Elizabeth Fennimore was honored by the birth of ten children,-David, John, William, Sarah, Joseph, Anna, Edward, Catherine, Mary and Hen- rietta. Their father died at the age of eighty years, and is survived by his venerable wife, who died in August, 1899, in her eighty-second year.
William Carney was educated in the public schools of Glassboro and left at the age of eighteen to take up arms for his country, enlisting in Company D, Twenty-fourth New Jersey Volunteers. He was sent to the seat of war and was with the Army of the Potomac, fighting at Fredericksburg, Chan- cellorsville and other engagements until the expiration of his nine-months enlistment. At Fredericksburg he was color guard of the regiment, but was fortunate enough to escape with slight injuries from the concussion and bursting of a shell. He is now an honored member of Johnson Post, No. 69, at Salem and has served as commander of the post. Returning home he learned the trade of glass-blower and worked at it for nine years, when ill health obliged him to seek some other employment, and he opened a cigar and tobacco store. This he conducted a short time until 1878, when he was elected the constable of Salem and has held the post ever since. During the twenty years of his office he has served every grand jury three times a year, does all the court business and has made thirty-five hundred arrests. Three times has it been necessary to shoot his man in order to bring him in and five others it was necessary to shoot at. He has arrested a great many notorious characters in different parts of the county and has never been lacking in courage and bravery. For eighteen years past he has been court detective, and has been coroner of the county since 1896. He was a candi- date for sheriff in 1884, but was defeated by a small vote. He has been in- spector for the board of health eight years and has been so vigilant in the discharge of his duties that a perceptible improvement is noticed in the health of the city in general.
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