USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 16
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The ancestors of our subject were early settlers in New Jersey. He is a son of Ewalt and grandson of Moses Richman, both natives of Piles- grove township, this state. Ewalt was born in 1813, and lived to attain a ripe age, his death occurring in August, 1898. During the half century of his active business life he was noted for his enterprise and progressive spirit no less than for his uprightness and integrity in all transactions. In early manhood he gave his attention to agriculture, and followed that occupation until about a quarter of a century ago, when he became a resi- dent of Woodstown. The Presbyterian church, with which he was closely identified, lost one of its most liberal, conscientious members when he was called to his reward, and the entire community share the sorrow and sense of deprivation which his family feel so keenly. His widow, whose name was Emma A. Johnson in her girlhood, was born in Pittsgrove town- ship, Salem county, a daughter of Isaac and Mary Johnson, prominent citizens of this locality. The father, who at one time was the sheriff and was in high standing in Masonic circles, was the owner of one thousand acres of valuable land, situated in the vicinity of Daretown, Salem county. besides property in other sections, and at the time of his death was the proprietor of two flour-mills.
6. 76 Rahman.
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The name of Johnson has been celebrated in the annals of the state since its early settlement by Europeans. A Swedish family called Johanson located on the eastern shore of the Delaware, in what is now known as Penn's Neck, in 1640, and their name was soon changed to the present form, Johnson. The first English emigrants bearing the name who came to this state were Richard and Thomas Johnson, cousins, who took up their abode in Fenwick a few months before the arrival of the proprietor, John Johnson, who was not in any way connected by ties of relationship, as far as can be ascertained, with the Johnsons before mentioned. This John Johnson, accompanied by his wife, Jane Snayberry Johnson, came to this state from their old home in Ireland, about 1756. Having considerable wealth, they became the owners of a large tract of land situated in Piles Grove, now Pittsgrove township, and there they reared their eight children. From this branch of the family Mrs. Richman is descended.
Charles H. Richman was born in 1838, in Piles Grove township, and quietly passed his boyhood on the family homestead, which was not far from the town of Richmanville. He was educated in a private school at Chester, in Casville Seminary and at Pennington, New Jersey. He then commenced teaching in the district schools of his home neighborhood, but at the end of two years he resumed agricultural pursuits, for the sake of his health. He continued on the farm, of which he became the purchaser, and it was not until 1886 that he gave up his country life, in order to become a resident of Woodstown. Here he has been engaged in the real-estate and insurance business ever since, for six years being associated with E. S. Fogg, but for the most part being alone. Since 1892 he has been the secretary and treasurer of the Woodstown branch of the State Mutual Building & Loan Association, and since 1895 he has also been the secretary and treasurer of the Woodstown branch of the New Jersey Building, Loan & Investment Company. In 1895 he was made a justice of the peace and has acted in that capacity until the present time, and from 1893 to the present time he has held the office of commissioner of deeds. Politically he is a stanch Republican, taking an active part in campaigns, local and general, and in March, 1897, he became a member of the county board of elections, holding that office until his appointment as postmaster, March 16, 1898. He was elected the mayor of Woodstown in 1887, and every other year, for a two years' term, until 1898, when he was appointed post- master by President Mckinley. From 1878 until 1897 he served as the assessor of his township, and continued to fill the duties of the office in this borough until 1898. Since 1878 he has been a member of the Masonic order, being connected with Woodstown Lodge, No. 138, F. & A. M.,
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from its inception. In the Methodist Episcopal church he is an active and valued member, at present serving as a trustee and steward. His kindly, courteous manner, his generous, frank disposition, and his power of looking upon the bright side of things, render him a general favorite with all classes.
He was married in 1867 to Caroline R., a daughter of Thomas and Lydia (Butcher) Lippincott. The father was a native of Gloucester county, New Jersey, but for two-score years was numbered among the progressive, well-to-do farmers of this county. The eldest child of our subject and wife, Walter J., died at the age of thirty-one years, leaving a widow, formerly Bertha Garrison. He was a young man of great promise, a valued employe of the firm of John H. Long & Company, of Philadelphia. Jennie L., the elder daughter of our subject, is the wife of Dr. George W. Horton Fitch, of Washington, D. C .; and Nellie H., the younger daughter, is an assistant in the Woodstown postoffice. Henry C. is a member of the firm of Rich- man & Foley, manufacturers at No. 235 Front street, Philadelphia.
ALBERT STEINER.
Within the past fifteen years Albert Steiner, of Salem, has advanced to the extremely influential position which he now occupies among the mer- chants and citizens of this flourishing town, that period being the length of time that he has been engaged in independent business. He possesses the confidence and high regard of the public, whose interests he always con- sults, even though it be to the detriment of his own, and thus he is in the best sense a true patriot.
He is a native of Switzerland, his birth having taken place in the town of Underenfeldt, canton Argau, April 11, 1846. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Zimmerley) Steiner, the former of whom was born in 1810 and departed this life in 1857, and the latter is still living, now in her eighty- fifth year. Jacob Steiner, the grandfather of Albert, was born at Underen- feldt and was a blacksmith by trade. His wife was named Catherine. He died in 1852, at the age of seventy years, a member of the Reformed church. The father followed his trade of blacksmithing in the town where our subject was born, until 1853, when he came to the United States to found a new home, and here he worked at the same calling for a year or more in New York city. He then met with an accident which prevented his continuing at his trade, and he came to Salem and found employment upon the con- struction of Fort Delaware. In 1855 he sent for his wife and five children, and during the rest of his life he made his home in Salem. His wife was a
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member of the German Baptist church, and he was honored by every one with whom he had dealings. His eldest daughter, Mary, born in 1838, became the wife of Paul Erhardt, a Salem gun and lock smith; Samuel, born in 1840, is a farmer of Montgomery county, Iowa; Jacob, born in 1844, is a blacksmith of Greenwood, Nebraska; Albert, born in 1846. is the next in order of birth; and Lizzie, born in 1851, is the wife of C. Miller Clark, a printer, who is now foreman in the composing department of the New York Sun.
After his arrival in America, Albert Steiner attended the Salem school for about a year, and was but twelve when he became an errand boy for Brown & Taylor, of this place. Later he clerked for Samuel Dilmore, Andrew Thompson and Andrew Taylor, continuing with the last named merchant until March 1, 1884, when he embarked in business on his own account. He chose as his partner William Breece, the firm name being Steiner & Breece, and together they conducted a general grocery, crockery and glassware business, at 154 West Broadway street. On the 29th of May, 1889, Mr. Breece died and our subject then purchased his interest, and car- ried on the business at the same place. At the end of five years he bought his fine property, 142 and 144 Broadway, where the various departments of his store occupy three floors, thirty-five by ninety feet, of the brick structure. He gives employment to six clerks, and, besides, runs delivery wagons, transacting by far the largest business in his line in the town.
Mr. Steiner has always taken a loyal interest in the welfare of this place, is a member of the Board of Trade, and is the present efficient and popular city treasurer, having been elected to this responsible office on the Demo- cratic ticket. He has also been for four years the treasurer of the Franklin Building & Loan Association, which was organizd prior to the opening of the civil war, and thus is the oldest company of the kind in the county, and one of the oldest in the state. Ever since the Liberty Hook & Ladder Com- pany was organized, in 1866, he has been identified with it, and has held the office of treasurer during this long period. He served as assessor of the East ward of Salem in 1883 and 1884, then declining re-election; has been the treasurer of the Firemen's Relief Fund, and has been a member of the Salem Relief Association and its treasurer for twenty-six years. Fraternally he is a member of Excelsior Lodge, No. 54. F. & A. M .: Washington Lodge, No. 21, I. O. O. F., and Forest Lodge, No. 7, Knights of Pythias. In the last named he has been the master of finance for twenty-nine years. Surely few men have been called upon to occupy so many and varied positions, where the matters of finance are concerned, and it speaks well not only for his recognized ability but also for the confidence which his fellows place in
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him. Lastly it may be mentioned that he is the treasurer and a trustee of the Memorial Baptist church, of which he is an active and valued member.
The marriage of Mr. Steiner and Mary F. Counsellor, a daughter of Stephen Counsellor, was celebrated September 14, 1870. They have a pleasant home at No. 79 West Broadway, Mr. Steiner having purchased a lot there and built thereon an attractive brick residence. They have three children, namely: Nellie C., Kate B. and Edna A. Nellie C. is the wife of William R. Franklin, a bookkeeper and clerk in our subject's store. He is very proficient in music and has a number of pupils in the study of that fine art. Mr. and Mrs. Franklin have one child, a little daughter, to whom the name of Vera has been given.
THOMAS ELWOOD PARKER, M. D.
In professional, public and private life, Thomas Elwood Parker, M. D .. of Woodbury, New Jersey, commands the fullest respect and confidence of all who know him. He possesses in unstinted measure the qualities which mark the successful physician and make him a power for good in a com- munity, and few, if any, of the inhabitants of this section of the state are more actively interested in the promotion of the public welfare.
The Doctor is a descendant of an honored English family, his great- great-great-grandfather, John Parker, having been born in Bingley, York- shire. He came to America about 1686, settling first at Philadelphia and later removing to Wilmington, Delaware, where it is believed that his death occurred. Of his children, it is known that there was a son, Abraham, and two daughters, Sarah and Elizabeth. The son was born October 9, 1705, married Eleanor Richardson, and became the father of the following named children: Mary, born September 23, 1736; Elizabeth, April 13, 1738; Lydia, January 22, 1740; Hannah, August 7, 1742; Ruth, November 19, 1744; Sarah, September 4, 1746; John, August 22, 1748; and Keziah, August 5, 1750. Eleanor, his widow, married Peter Wickersham for her second hus- band and dwelt at the Parker homestead in Parkersville, Pennsylvania.
John Parker, who was born in 1748, married Hannah Millhouse, May 17, 1774, and thirteen children blessed their union, namely: Abraham, born March 12, 1775; Isaac, July 11, 1776; Elizabeth (Mrs. Jacob Bailey), March 13, 1778; Thomas, December 11, 1779; Joseph, April 8, 1781; Benjamin, July 21, 1783; Richardson, February 22, 1785; John, September 20, 1786; Hannah, March 30, 1788; Susan, August 2, 1790; Wister, July 28, 1792; Caleb, September 22, 1795; and Mary, September 8, 1796. The father, who
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was a prominent minister of the Society of Friends, died at the old Parker homestead above mentioned, on the 12th of July. 1829, and was buried at Old Kennett, Pennsylvania. His devoted wife, who was born February 19, 1754, departed this life October 17, 1823.
The eighth child of this worthy couple, John, Jr., was born in the autumn of 1786, and on the 20th of March, 1828, married Rebecca, the daughter of William and Jane Webb. Their eldest child, William W., the father of the subject of this sketch, was born May 22, 1830, and their younger children were: Hannah Jane, who was born October 4, 1832, married John G. Taylor, and died in 1866; Rebecca, born November 22, 1835, and died in the following year; Edward S., born April 12, 1840, died on the 17th of the ensuing July. The father of these children was called to the home beyond April 12, 1857, having survived the wife and mother sixteen years.
William W. Parker was the owner of large and valuable tracts of farm land, and was engaged in agriculture during his active life. For a number of years he held the office of school director and at the time of his death, which event occurred October 17, 1890, he was serving in the responsible position of president of the County Directors' Association. In his political views he was a stanch Republican, active in the interests of his party. For a wife he chose Anna Mary, a daughter of Thomas and Edith Darlington, their marriage being celebrated March 16, 1854. Joseph Walter, the second son of W. W. and Anna Parker, was born October 26, 1856, and is residing on the old Parkersville (Pennsylvania) homestead. Rebecca, the eldest daughter, is managing the Ravenroyd Hotel at Atlantic City, New Jersey; Edith, born February 15, 1861, died in 1864; Mary, the wife of Emlen Darlington, was born November 27, 1865. John, born January 16. 1868, married Hattie, a daughter of Caleb Brinton, and has one son, William B., born April 11, 1898. William D., born October 2, 1872, died April 26, 1895.
Dr. Thomas E. Parker was born at Ravenroyd. Parkersville, Pennsyl- vania, December 16, 1854, and in the schools of his native place he acquired his primary education. Later he was a student at Westtown boarding school and West Chester Normal, at West Chester, Pennsylvania. In the last named town he commenced the study of medicine under the guidance of Dr. J. B. Wood, and in 1880 he was graduated in Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia. Going to Claremont, New Hampshire, he opened an office and for six years devoted himself to practice in that vicinity, meet- ing with gratifying success. In 1889 he came to Woodbury, where for a decade he has commanded a remunerative and constantly growing practice. He ranks high among his professional brethren and is an honored member of the American Institute of Homeopathy, the New Jersey Homeopathic
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Society and the West Jersey Homeopathic Society. Moreover, he is now serving efficiently as a member of the local board of health, is the secretary of the Associated Health Society of Gloucester County and has acted in the capacity of coroner for one term.
The marriage of the Doctor and Miss Edith M. Hawes, a daughter of George F. and Emma (Lyford) Hawes, was solemnized in Augusta, Maine, December 2, 1885. They have a charming home and delight in extending its hospitality to their numerous friends and acquaintances. In social cir- cles they are both very popular, and the Doctor is a leading member of Mariola Lodge, No. 9, Knights of Pythias, in which he is a past chancellor. In his political views he is a stanch Republican. Religiously he is a Pres- byterian, his membership being with the local church, of which he is one of the trustees.
S. LUTHER RICHMOND.
S. Luther Richmond is one of the most prominent and influential citi- zens of Salem, where he has grown up from infancy into a noble manhood, his development and progress being watched by numberless friends who are not disappointed by seeing him become one of the most successful and popular men of the county. He was born July 7, 1858, in this city, and is a son of Samuel and Rachel (Graham) Richmond. The family originated in England, but the grandfather, Isaac Richmond, was a farmer in Piles Grove township, where he lived all his life. His wife was Miss Sybilla Cheesman, who lived to celebrate her eighty-sixth year. They had five children: Harriet, who married Enoch Boone, of this county; William, John, Jonathan and Samuel.
Samuel Richmond first saw the light of day at Woodstown, this county, November 16, 1816. He was a shoemaker by trade and for many years kept a shoe store in Salem, doing a profitable business. He was a Repub- lican, but took little part in politics. He was one of the pillars of the Methodist Episcopal church, having been a member of that organization for a period extending upward of sixty-three years, in which time he was an active worker for the cause of religion. He was a trustee of the church, a well known class-leader and superintendent of the Sunday-school. He was most consistent in his religion, taking it into his every-day life and being known as a conscientious, God-fearing man. His union with Rachel Graham was honored in the birth of seven children, namely: Elizabeth, the widow of Morris J. Robinson, of Salem; Lucia Rowe, wife of Newton Elmer, of Bridgeton; Emily, who died in childhood; Isaac, who is sleeping
I Lunchen Richnous
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in the Salem church-yard; Eli M., a harness-maker; S. Luther, our subject; and John G., a printer by trade and now deputy county clerk. He is also a notary public. The father of the family was spared until January 13, 1899, having passed his eighty-second year. The mother died January 14, 1872, at the age of fifty-one years.
S. Luther Richmond graduated at the public schools of Salem in 1877 and spent the following three years as an instructor in the schools of this county, teaching at Penn's Grove and Salem. He then accepted a position as a bookkeeper in the employ of John P. Bruna, the veteran ice-cream man, remaining with him in that capacity for twelve years. He afterward went to the Ayers Machine Works as a bookkeeper for a year, when he was elected to the office of county clerk, resigning to take up the duties of that office, which he has since filled. He has been prominent in local politics since early manhood, having been city recorder for a period of seven years, extending from 1882 to 1889, and the following six years was the treasurer of the city. He is a Republican and has served as a delegate to various conventions, but his friends are by no means confined to the ranks of that party, as some of his strongest supporters are from the oppos- ing party. He is equally a favorite in the social organizations of the city and is a member of Forrest Lodge, No. 7, Knights of Pythias; Ivanhoe Castle, No. 5, Knights of the Golden Eagle; Salem Council, No. 203, Junior Order of American Mechanics; and Richmond Lodge, Independent Order of Mechanics, which was organized in 1896 and named in com- pliment to Mr. Richmond. He is a member of the Garfield Republican Club and has a membership in the Broadway Methodist Episcopal church, where he is a steward. He takes a great interest in the Bethany Sunday- school, of which he is the assistant superintendent, and is the recording secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association, of which he was one of the organizers in 1888.
C. FLEMING STANGER.
C. Fleming Stanger, an enterprising and energetic business man of Glass- boro, New Jersey, is a son of Senator S. H. Stanger and was born on the old homestead farm near this village on February 15, 1861. The first of the name to locate in America were a family of seven brothers and one sister, who came from Holland and made their home in Alloway Creek township, Salem county. They were Jacob, the great-grandfather of our subject; Christian, Adam, Francis, Solomon, John and Philip. The sister was Sophia Stanger. They were a family of glass-workers and followed that business
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in this country, establishing extensive glass-works in this village in 1775. One of the children of Jacob Stanger was Solomon H., the grandfather of the gentleman whose sketch is here given. He learned the trade of glass- making, but afterward engaged in agricultural pursuits and was one of the most prominent and substantial farmers of this county, noted for the great interest he took in all affairs of import to the community and his zeal in religion. He was a member of the Methodist Protestant church and held all the different offices of that organization. He was also a prominent Odd Fellow and took a leading part in the meetings of that order. His wife was Hannah, a daughter of John Simmerman, who died in 1883, leaving him with a family of four children: Emma, the wife of Rev. C. K. Fleming; John Z .; Eliza, the wife of Dr. Jacob Iszard; and Solomon H. His death occurred on April 6, 1887.
Hon. Solomon H. Stanger is too well known to the citizens of this part of New Jersey to need an introduction to them, yet a brief glance must be taken of his life, which is more fully portrayed on another page of this work. His earlier years were passed in the school-room, and he then en- gaged in farming. Later he became associated with his sons in the mer- cantile business, in which he is still interested. He has always taken a deep interest in all agricultural affairs and misses no opportunity of advocating their interests. He is a man who exercises sound, common sense in all the affairs of life and has won the good will and confidence of the public in a remarkable degree, which has caused him to be chosen to various posts of trust and honor in the gift of the people; he was a freeholder for ten years, an assemblyman four years and was then complimented by a seat in the state senate, where his earnest efforts have been for the bettering of the laws governing the laboring man. His record both public and private has been singularly pure and above reproach and will bear the closest inspection. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and also of the several orders of Odd Fellows and Masons, belonging to the encampment in the former and commandery and consistory in the latter. He is also a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, affiliated with Lulu Temple, and the Junior Order of American Mechanics claims him as one of themselves. In 1860 he was united in marriage with Miss Lydia B., a daughter of Isaac and Rebecca (Locke) Shute, and two children were born to them, C. Fleming, our subject, and Frank R., who is associated with him in the store.
C. Fleming Stanger attended the Glassboro public schools and was trained to industrious habits on his father's farm. Not caring to follow agricultural life, in March, 1880, he embarked in the mercantile business, at
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the age of nineteen, with his cousin, Howard Iszard, as Stanger & Iszard, and opened a general store, he representing his father's capital. They dis- played shrewdness and ability in their transactions, which was most unex- pected in boys of their age, and elicited much favorable comment from older business men. In 1881 Howard Iszard became the sole proprietor of this business. S. H. Stanger then closed out his agricultural interests and removed to the old "Temperance House," opposite the Methodist Episcopal church in Glassboro village, and, with his two sons, C. Fleming Stanger and Frank R. Stanger, there opened a general mercantile establishment. They have increased the stock until they now have one of the most complete lines to be found in Southern Jersey, with a correspondingly large patronage. The business has thrived under the judicious management of the brothers to such a degree that they are numbered among the leading business men in this part of the state.
On May 9, 1883, C. Fleming Stanger was made an Odd Fellow in Glass- boro Lodge, No. 58. He was then but twenty-two years of age, and he has been an active member of that order ever since. In 1890 his first visit was paid to the grand lodge and it then became his ambition to rise to the chair of grand master. In 1893 he was appointed grand marshal, and the next year served as the chairman of the committee on credentials in the grand lodge and took a prominent part in the deliberations of that body. In 1895 a spirited contest took place for the position of grand warden, several can- didates appearing for the office, which was finally given to Mr. Stanger by a handsome majority. In 1897 he was elected the grand master. He has traveled extensively over New Jersey in the interest of the order and has been especially active in the higher degrees and in the benevolent work of the order. Mr. Stanger has been the captain and chaplain of the First Regiment, Department of New Jersey, of the Patriarchs Militant, since 1895. He is a member of Fraternal Encampment, No. 23, of Woodbury; of Crescent Lodge, No. 16, of the Daughters of Rebekah, of Linwood, New Jersey, and also of Pocahontas Council, No. 48, Junior Order of American Mechanics, at Glassboro. Early impressed with religious convictions, he united with the Methodist Episcopal church of Glassboro in early life and has taken an active part in church and Sunday-school work. He has been a steward and class-leader in the church and a teacher in the Sunday-school for a number of years. He was united in matrimony on April 3. 1884, with Miss Louisa M. Beckett, a daughter of Gabriel and Elizabeth (Moffett) Beckett, of Glassboro. One child, Jessie M., has blessed their union. Mr. Stanger is a gentleman of pleasing address and genial disposition and is universally popular.
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