USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 15
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"Elmer could scarce have been an over inviting field from a journalistic standpoint, judging from the description given of it in the following para- graph printed in a neighboring newspaper about thirteen years ago:
" 'It is reported that the Elmer Gazette, which was started a few months ago, has 'gone dead.' This might have been expected, for with the ex- ception of a half-dozen persons there is about as little enterprise among the so-called leading citizens of Elmer as there is in a country graveyard. It is about as difficult to publish a newspaper in such a town as it is to grow kan- garoos on strawberry vines. It is evident that Elmer don't want a paper and don't deserve one.'
"In 1887 Mr. Foster took a hand in the management,-first with a couple of associates and later in 1888 buying them out and taking the management of the plant entire. Since then everybody knows what they
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know that for a clean, readable and up-to-date newspaper the Elmer Times has no superior in all south Jersey."
ISAAC DERRICKSON.
Upon a farm in Logan township, Gloucester county, Isaac Derrickson is successfully carrying on agricultural pursuits. He was born in Repaupo, August 13, 1836, and is a son of Thomas and Louisa (McIlvain) Derrickson, the former a native of Logan township, and the latter of Harrison town- ship, Gloucester county. Isaac and Mary (Holden) Derrickson, the paternal grandparents of our subject, were both of Swedish lineage, the latter being a daughter of a Swedish minister. The grandparents had a family of eight children, namely: Andrew, who went to Indiana when twenty-four years of age, and had a son, James M., who is now in Wyoming, while his daughter Hannah is the wife of James Fisher and lives in Minnesota; Thomas, the father of our subject; Ann, the wife of Job Key, of Logan township; Mary, the wife of James Lodge, of Paulsboro, New Jersey; Sarah, the wife of Joseph Eldridge, of Deptford, New Jersey; Samuel, who was a leading citizen and public speaker of note, residing near Paulsboro, New Jersey, where he died at the age of thirty-eight years, while his wife, who was formerly Miss Miller, with their family resides in Paulsboro; Martha. de- ceased; and John, who was formerly a practicing physician of Warren, Con- necticut, but is now deceased.
Thomas Derrickson, the father of our subject, died in 1877, at the age of sixty-eight years, and his wife passed away in 1843, at the age of thirty years. Their children were Issac; Anna, the deceased wife of Alfred Locke, who is living at Port Richmond, Staten Island, New York, and has two children, Harry and Georgiana; Parker, who died in Camden, New Jersey; Arthur, who is living with his brother Isaac and married Elizabeth Locke, by whom he has four children: Fanny, who died in childhood; Kate, the wife of Harry Locke, of Staten Island; Thomas, who has charge of a grocery store in Camden, New Jersey; Ida May, living on Staten Island; Louisa, who became the wife of Andrew Cook, of Pennsville, New Jersey, and died at the age of twenty-five years.
Isaac Derrickson was educated in the public schools of his native town, also at a select school in Swedesboro, and at Pennington Seminary. He assisted his father on the farm until he was twenty-one years of age, when he began teaching school. He had charge of the Repaupo school for eighteen years and also taught in the schools of Red Bank, Center Square
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and Union, and for one year in Pleasantville, Cumberland county. Alto- gether he devoted about twenty-five years to educational work, his labors in that line ending in 1889. During that time he also engaged to some extent in farming, fishing and marketing. He purchased his present farm in 1880 and has since greatly improved its buildings and its general con- dition.
On the 4th of July, 1857, Mr. Derrickson was united in marriage to Miss Ann Elizabeth Homan, daughter of William Homan, of Logan township. and to them have been born four children: Ella, the wife of Andrew Parker, a blacksmith of Pedricktown, New Jersey, by whom she has four children: Isaac Herbert: Ralph; Verna, deceased; and Orville. Mary Louisa; Anna L., the wife of Henry H. Shoemaker, an insurance agent of Philadelphia, by whom she has had four children: Bertha; Ethel, deceased, Laura and Flora, who completes his family.
Mr. Derrickson and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Repaupo, with which he has been identified since 1848. He has held all the church offices, is now trustee and steward and was also a local preacher of more than ordinary ability. He is a past grand of Greenwich Lodge, No. 5, I. O. O. F., of Paulsboro, and a past master of Swedesboro Lodge, P. of H., of which his family are all members. In politics he is a Democrat and has served as a member of the school board of Logan town- ship twenty years, and has held other minor offices. He is now a member of the township committee and is one of the prominent and highly esteemed citizens of the community, enjoying the warm regard of all who know him, for his life has been an honorable and upright one.
RICHARD KELTY.
Richard Kelty was born in Mannington township, Salem county, New Jersey, September 12, 1841, to Jonathan and Angeline (Robinson) Kelty. Jonathan Kelty was a farmer of this township, where he died. He was a Whig and a member of the Hicksite Society of Friends. By his first wife, who in her maidenhood was Miss Davenport, he had one child, who died in infancy. His second wife, Angeline (Robinson) Kelty, bore him six chil- dren,-Richard, Benjamin, Clement, William, Albert and Jonathan. The father died at the age of sixty-one years and left a wide circle of friends to mourn for him.
Richard Kelty received his education from the district schools of his native township and Salem and followed the pursuits of husbandry until he
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was sixteen, when he left the farm and learned the trade of a carriage painter. Being offered a position as clerk in a store at a good salary, he accepted it and for several years was thus engaged in various mercantile houses of Salem until he received the appointment as a clerk in the office of the county clerk, in which he has been employed for a number of years. He is a Republican and a man of good standing in the community. He early re- ceived religious convictions and united with the Presbyterian church, at which he is a regular attendant. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Brotherhood of Union and Improved Order of Red Men.
Mr. Kelty and Miss Louisa G. Sharp were joined in the holy bonds of matrimony and have been blessed by the birth of two children,-Clinton S. and Catherine Elizabeth, the latter living at home.
Clinton S. Kelty is a young man of great promise and now holds a very responsible position as foreign buyer for Hood, Foulkrood & Company, of Philadelphia, one of the largest importers of the United States. He shows a decided talent for the work he has chosen and bids fair to rise to eminence in the mercantile field. He is connected with the Masonic fraternity and is a member of the Garfield Club, giving his hearty support to the Republican party.
JOSEPH FISLER.
Joseph Fisler was born on a farm near Aura, in Elk township, Gloucester county, July 15, 1827, and there spent a long and busy life, his death taking place December 1I, 1893. His grandfather, Samuel Fisler, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and was for many years a resident of Mullica Hill. From that place he removed to Aura, where he purchased a large amount of land and became a leading citizen. He held many local offices and was highly respected. Benjamin H. Fisler, the father of our subject, was born near Aura. He was a large land-holder, very successful in his business, and held many positions of trust and honor.
Joseph Fisler attended the country schools until old enough to assist in the farm work. He was active and industrious and in the course of his life amassed a comfortable fortune and left a large estate. In 1873 he as- sumed the management of the home farm. He held many of the town offices and was a leading member of the Methodist church. He was mar- ried October 23, 1851, to Henrietta, a daughter of Charles Davis, who was born near Hardingville, New Jersey, and six children were born to them, five of whom are living: Lonzene; Ada Rose, widow of Henry Pudy Hud- son, living at the old home; Oramel W., who has charge of the farm; Mattie,
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the wife of W. F. Hudson, of Philadelphia; and Meda, living at home. Charles Davis Fisler, a brother of these, was a promising young man who graduated with high honors at Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia. After practicing in Clayton and Philadelphia for a time he had permanently located at Lebanon, Pennsylvania, and his prospects in his chosen profession were most promising. He was, however, taken ill with a most distressing malady and for nine long years was a sufferer, until death ended his earthly career, July 23, 1898. His loss was a grievous one to his family, whose hopes and affections were centered in him and who predicted for him a bril- liant future.
WILLIAM H. ELDRIDGE.
Mr. Eldridge, the superintendent of public instruction of Gloucester county, New Jersey, was born on October 28, 1850, on the farm near Williamstown, upon a portion of which he now resides. He is a son of Job and Elizabeth (Shone) Eldridge, and a grandson of Joshua Eldridge, who was born in Burlington county and came to this neighborhood about the year 1800. He owned a large tract of land and was a prosperous farmer, descended from one Jonathan Eldridge, who came from England in 1678 and located in the Fenwick colony along the Delaware. Job Eldridge, the father, was also born in Williamstown, where he became a leading agriculturist and acquired a good farm. He was an earnest, upright Christian and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he held many offices. He married Elizabeth, the daughter of John Shone of Blackwood, by whom he had eight children, seven of whom were reared to adult years and six are now living. They are Catherine (Mrs. Clayton B. Tice); Peter K., of Camden; Rachel (Mrs. Charles F. Tice); J. J., who resides on a part of the farm; William H .; and Elizabeth (Mrs. William M. Tomlinson). Mr. Eldridge reached his seventy-sixth year and died in 1888, his wife dying in 1885, in her sixty-fifth year.
W. H. Eldridge attended public school, graduating at the state normal school in 1877, and at once entered upon his career as a teacher. For eighteen years he taught at Swedesboro, Penn's Grove, May's Landing, Williamstown and Mantua, and in March, 1892, received appointment as superintendent of public instruction pro tem., of this county. The follow- ing July he received the appointment for the next term and has held the office continuously since. The schools have advanced appreciably under his supervision, both in quality and quantity of work accomplished. Mr. Eldridge is also an agriculturist of merit and keeps the small farm which
77.H. Eldredge.
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he occupies in the best possible state of cultivation. He finds this a pleasant means of relaxation from the close confinement of official life and at the same time a source of profit.
He was married December 24, 1884, to Miss Mary T., a daughter of Charles P. Shivers, of Swedesboro, and their union has resulted in the birth of two children,-Charles Job and William Henry.
CHARLES LINDZEY.
Charles Lindzey is a retired farmer of Salem, Salem county, New Jersey, and one of the leading business men in the county. He was born in Lower Penn's Neck township, this county, December 31, 1838, and is a son of John and Hannah (Butcher) Lindzey. The family are of English extrac- tion, but many generations of the name have made their homes in Salem county and become closely associated with its growth and prosperity. Jonathan Lindzey, the grandfather, was a farmer in Lower Alloway Creek township, residing near the creek where he died. He was married January 29, 1803, to Miss Sarah Johnson, who was born January II, 1783, and was a daughter of James Johnson. Their children consisted of three sons and two daughters,-John, James, and William. William went west at the age of eighteen years and has not been heard from since. The daughters are Mary, who married Lawrence Hoover Boon, a resident of Salem; and Ruth, who married Isaiah Wood.
John Lindzey was born in Lower Alloway Creek township and grew up with a natural talent for the arts of husbandry. He cultivated land in Lower Penn's Neck township, but died in the neighborhood of Salem. February 27, 1872. He owned two farms and was a man of considerable means. He was a member of the First Baptist church at Salem and an honest, Christian man. He was married April 7, 1831, to Miss Hannah Butcher, who was born May 27, 1813, and bore him the following children: Eliza, born January 25, 1832, died August 31, of that year; Sallie, born June 28, 1834, married James Johnson, a farmer of Lower Penn's Neck township, where he died, leaving three children,-J. Lindzey, William and Charles; James, who was born November 10, 1836, and is a farmer and carries on an implement business in Salem, where he lives, married Rebecca Grier, who bore him three children,-Hanna, Anna and Jonathan; and his second wife was Han- nah Casper. Charles, our subject, is the next of the family; and John, the youngest, was born September 2, 1840, and is unmarried. The mother died July 22, 1891.
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Charles Lindzey was educated in the pay schools of Salem, entered Chester Academy, of Pennsylvania, and later took a course in Crittenden Commercial College. He then returned home and remained with his father until his death, when he assumed control of the estate consisting of two farms of two hundred and seventy acres. He subsequently purchased the homestead farm, which comprised one hundred and eighty acres of land improved by a brick residence, in which he made his home until 1896, when he retired to Salem.
Mr. Lindzey was married March 19, 1864, to Miss Achsah Wallace, daughter of Allen Wallace, a farmer of Piles Grove township. They have one child, Sarah L., who married Morris G. Acton, a farmer. Charles Lindzey is a Democrat, but quite liberal in his views, regarding the opinions of others as being as sacred to them as his are to him. He was the township committeeman in Lower Penn's Neck for seven years, is the present treas- urer of the Salem county almshouse and makes an able and efficient official. He takes an active interest in the Baptist church, of which he has been a member for upward of twenty years, has held the office of treasurer for three years and is a deacon. He has the good will of the entire populace and his every day life is above reproach.
CHARLES B. GUEST.
Charles Bilderback Guest has been closely identified with the business interests of Salem for several years past, and is one of her most substantial and progressive citizens. Born in Penn's Grove, Salem county, January 7, 1857, he is a son of William and Caroline (Bilderback) Guest, and is widely and favorably known, as were his parents.
William Guest was the captain of a vessel plying between Salem and Philadelphia and resided in the former city at the time of his death, although his home had been formerly at Penn's Grove. He was a Democrat, but took little part in political discussions. His marriage to Caroline Bilderback was honored by the birth of six children,-Charles B., William, Robert, Eliza- beth. Frank, and Edward,-all dead but our subject and Elizabeth. The latter married Joseph Harris, a clerk in Philadelphia, by whom she has seven children. William Guest died in 1861, in his forty-ninth year. His wife reached her sixty-sixth year.
Charles B. Guest attended the public. schools of Salem until his twelfth year, when he went upon a farm and became familiar with the work con- nected therewith. He remained thus engaged five years, until he was seven-
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teen, when he was apprenticed for a term of four years to learn the trade of tinsmith. Then he did journeyman work until 1883, when he opened a store in the Ramsey building, where he has since conducted his business. He carries a complete line of tinware, gas fixtures, plumbing fixtures, etc., occupies a room one hundred and forty by twenty feet, and does a large business, employing five men to keep up the work. He attends closely to business and is doing well.
He chose as his bride Miss Louisa Brown, and they have seven inter- esting children: Bertha Henrietta, the wife of John E. Davis, a drug clerk; William, who is in business with his father; Charles Bilderback; Mary E., Harry J., Louisa and Roy. Mr. Guest supports the Democratic party and believes the best interests of the people will be secured through its success. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Hepta- sophs. He is a man of sound judgment and liberal views and believes in according to others the same freedom of opinion that he enjoys. He is upright and honorable in his dealings and is popular to a degree.
F. A. STANGER, D. D. S.
One of the successful practitioners in the field of dentistry is Dr. Stanger, of Glassboro. 'He is one of the native sons of the city, his birth having occurred here on the 6th of April, 1864. His father, Dr. John Z. Stanger, was a brother of Senator Stanger, and for forty years was a successful and prominent dentist of Glassboro. He enjoyed a liberal and lucrative patron- age and was one of the leading representatives of the profession in this section of the state. He was prominent in public affairs, many positions of trust and responsibility were given to him, and his duties were ever dis- charged with marked fidelity and ability. For twenty years he served as a member of the board of education and did much effective service in the interest of schools. He was also a township assessor for a number of years. A leading member of the Methodist Protestant church, he acted as a class- leader, as a trustee and a steward, and in all possible ways promoted the upbuilding of his church and its cause. Socially he was connected with the Masonic fraternity, the Senior Order of American Mechanics, the Junior Order of American Mechanics and the Improved Order of Red Men. In all life's relations he commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he came in contact, and at his death, which occurred February 11, 1895. the community lost one of its most valued citizens.
His wife was in her maidenhood Miss Louisa D. Campbell, a daughter
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of Francis A. Campbell, of Richwood, New Jersey. He was one of the first settlers there and owned extensive tracts of land in that locality. Mrs. Stanger is still living, at the age of sixty-five years, and of her five children four yet survive: Julia, wife of James McFadden, of Glassboro; F. A .; Hannie, wife of Harry B. Wright, of Glassboro; and Lelia A.
Dr. F. A. Stanger attended the common schools of Glassboro and for three years occupied a clerical position in the office of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Philadelphia. He was afterward a bookkeeper for the Whitney Glass Company for three years, when, resolving to devote his energies to the dental profession, he pursued a two-years course in the Penn- sylvania College of Dental Surgery, and subsequently spent one year in the Jefferson Medical College. He then joined his father in business, a relation- ship that was maintained for eight years and was dissolved by the death of the senior partner. Dr. Stanger has since been alone in business. He has a well appointed office, equipped with the best appliances for conducting his work, and from the public he receives a liberal patronge, which is an in- dication of his skill and ability.
The Doctor married Miss Josephine Ellis, a daughter of Joseph H. Ellis, and they have two sons,-Joseph E. and Francis A. Of several civic societies Dr. Stanger is a representative. He belongs to Glassboro Lodge, No. 85, F. & A. M., of which he is a past master, holds membership with the Junior Order of American Mechanics, and was made state councilor, but on account of illness was forced to resign; is a past patriarch of the Odd Fellows society, and is a member of the Methodist Protestant church. Dur- ing the greater part of his life he has resided in Glassboro, where he is both widely and favorably known. His professional success is the result of merit and has gained him a position of distinction in the ranks of the dental fra- ternity.
CHARLES S. HERITAGE, M. D.
Gloucester county numbers among its inhabitants many physicians of high standing, and among the younger members of the profession none rank better than Dr. Charles S. Heritage, who is engaged in practice at Glass- boro. He is a native of this place, his birth having occurred here August 9, 1871, and from his early years he has enjoyed the instruction and training of his father, Dr. J. D. Heritage, whose history appears upon another page of this work.
In his youth Dr. C. S. Heritage pursued his elementary studies in the common schools of this place and in Pennington Seminary. Then he
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devoted his time and attention to a mastery of the subjects which were to engross his mind in later years, and after due preparation he entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania. After a thorough . course, comprising four years of work, he was graduated, in 1893, with the degree of doctor of medicine, and at once returned to Glassboro, where he established himself in practice. Within the few years which have elapsed since that time he has succeeded in building up a large and lucrative prac- tice, numbering among his patients many of the leading people of the town and vicinity.
The ability of Dr. Heritage is recognized far beyond his home place, and an unusual honor for a young physician was bestowed upon him recently when he was chosen to be the president of the Gloucester County Medical Society. He is also a director of the Associated Health Authorities of this county, belongs to the local town board of health, and is the chairman of township committee, in all of which organizations he has given abundant evidence of his zeal and efficiency.
No less in society than in professional circles does the Doctor fill a place of honor and esteem. He is a vestryman in St. Thomas' Protestant Epis- copal church, of which the Rev. C. W. Boyd is the present rector. Frater- nally he is the present worshipful master of the Masonic lodge, belongs to the Odd Fellows and is affiliated with the Junior Order of American Mechanics.
RICHARD O'BRIEN.
Richard O'Brien, the proprietor of the beer and bottling works of Salem, is one of the best known and popular citizens of this thriving little city. He is a son of Walter and Catherine (Fitzgerald) O'Brien, and was born in Man- nington township, on July 21, 1859. His ancestors were natives of the beautiful Emerald isle, the grandfather, Patrick O'Brien, having been born in the county of Wexford, Ireland, whence he came to America and located in Salem, where he died. He was the father of four children,-Patrick, Michael, Ella and Walter. He died at the age of sixty-five years, and his wife at the age of fifty-two. Walter O'Brien also was born in the old country and grew up in the Roman Catholic faith. He was a husbandman and held many local offices. His union with Miss Catherine Fitzgerald resulted in the birth of two children,-Michael and Richard.
Richard O'Brien obtained his education in the schools of Salem and engaged on a farm as a laborer. At the age of twenty-five he came to Man- nington township and began farming for himself, later pursuing the same
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occupation in Cumberland county at Bacon's Neck. This line of work, however, was not congenial to his tastes and he embarked in the bottling business and manufacture of root beer as more likely to suit him and at the same time afford a handsome remuneration. He puts up a good article, which is in great demand and undoubtedly does much the largest business in this line in Salem.
He was married in April, 1883, to Miss Mary Elk, by whom he has had three children,-Catherine, Walter, deceased, and Winchall. His family have been reared in the tenets of the Catholic church, of which he is a devout member. In political views he is in accord with the great Democratic prin- ciples promulgated by Thomas Jefferson and gives his support to that party.
CHARLES H. RICHMAN.
This gentleman, the present postmaster of Woodstown, Salem county, is one of her best and most influential citizens, for years having been con- nected with public affairs here. He has discharged the duties of his several positions with fidelity and in a manner which redounds greatly to his credit. so that it is safe to say that he has made friends and no enemies during his career as a servant of the people.
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