USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 23
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Mr. Bugbee is of English lineage and belongs to a family that has long been prominently connected with the history of New England at an early period in our colonial history. The first of the name of whom we have record was Stephen Bugbee, who resided at Whitechapel, East Division, London, England, which place was originally called Bugbee's Marshes. His son, Edward Bugbee, came to the United States in 1634 and made his residence in Roxbury, Massachusetts. His son, Joseph Bugbee, together with thirty- seven others of Roxbury people, obtained from town officials a grant of land westward,-a place then called Wabbaquassett country, subsequently and still called Woodstock, Connecticut. This wilderness locality had been one of the missionary fields of John Eliot, the Indian apostle, who was the min- ister of the first church of Roxbury, and it was undoubtedly from him that the new and fair country was made known to the Roxbury people, and a desire created by Joseph and his friends to possess it, which they did in 1686, their object being, as stated in their petition, "to improve the condition and usefulness of the colony and to increase the pasturage for their cattle." The choice was a wise one; for Woodstock is one of the best and finest of all the agricultural towns in Connecticut.
Of Joseph Bugbee's family, his son Samuel was the next in the line of direct descent to our subject, and he was the father of James Bugbee, who was the father of Hezekiah Bugbee, who held the rank of captain of trans- portation in the Revolutionary war. He married a daughter of Dr. David Holmes, who served as a surgeon in the French and Indian war, also during
Ho te Burgluce.
Sana. Y. Bug bee,
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the Revolutionary war. Captain Hezekiah Bugbee was the father of Heze- kiah Bugbee, Jr., who was the father of our subject, and was the fifth in the line of direct descent. All were Woodstock farmers, and all Congregational- ists of the old Puritan order. The five generations of the Woodstock family lie buried in the old town cemetery. Hezekiah Bugbee, Jr., married a daughter of Eleazer Keith, a descendant of Rev. James Keith, who was a graduate of Aberdeen and came to America in 1662. Mrs. Eleazer Keith was a descendant of the noted missionary family of Judson.
Henry K. Bugbee, whose name heads this sketch, acquired his prelimin- ary education in the common schools and later pursued a course in the Woodstock Academy, where he was graduated. In 1847 he came to Bruns- wick, New Jersey, where he engaged in teaching for six years. Subsequently he went to Blackwood, where he taught for three years, in the Blackwood Academy, after which he was employed as an instructor in a private school in Elizabeth, New Jersey. In 1865 he came to Williamstown and for twenty years was the principal of the public schools, demonstrating himself to be an able educator. In his methods of teaching he was progressive, and he had the faculty of imparting readily to others the knowledge that he had ac- quired. His health failing him, he purchased considerable land, and, aban- doning the school-room, turned his attention to the real-estate business. He has erected many houses here and has thereby contributed largely to the improvement and prosperity of the town. He is now a surveyor, convey- ancer and commissioner of deeds, and owns and handles valuable property interests. For twenty years he served as a member of the county board of examiners of teachers, and through the care he exercised in this matter he was instrumental in advancing the educational interests of the county. He has held a number of township offices and in such positions has discharged the duties with marked promptness and fidelity.
On the 3d of July, 1858, Mr. Bugbee was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Patch, a daughter of Charles Patch, who was a native of England, and they have had three children: Ella, the wife of Ernest C. Bodine, of Wil- liamstown; Rilla and Alice, who are teachers. The family hold a high posi- tion in social circles where culture, intelligence and true worth are received as the passports into good society. For thirty-one years Mrs. Bugbee was a successful teacher in Williamstown, where she held the position of vice principal; and when she resigned her position the teachers and school board presented her with a finely engrossed memorial and testimonial in token of their esteem and of their appreciation of her able work.
Mr. Bugbee is a member of the Presbyterian church, is now serving as its treasurer, and in its work takes a deep and active interest. He is the
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friend of all measures that tend to benefit and uplift mankind, and in many ways he has left the impress of his individuality for good upon the social, intellectual and moral life of the community. He is now seventy-four years of age, his birth having occurred February 5, 1826; yet his advanced years indicate neither physical nor mental infirmities. He keeps himself well in- formed on the issues of the day, is still actively associated with the business affairs of his adopted county, and is a public-spirited and progressive citizen who well merits the high regard in which he is held.
J. HILDRETH DICKESON.
Great has been the progress of all the material interests of our country to the present time, still greater progress is confidently predicted for the early part of the new century. Great as is the honor due the progressive citizen of a generation just passing away, the efforts of the representative young men of today are so promising that the results of their combined labors are awaited with keen interest by every thoughtful citizen. Among the younger men of Woodstown, New Jersey, whose efforts promise much for the public good, J. Hildreth Dickeson is conspicuous.
Mr. Dickeson was born September 14, 1872, in Mannington, Salem county, New Jersey, and is a son of Hon. A. M. P. V. H. Dickeson and his wife, Mary J., nee Springer, a daughter of James and Lydia Springer, of Upper Penn's Neck township, this county.
The name of Dickenson and Dickeson are the same, with the slight dif- ference in orthography which will be apparent even to a reader who notices them only in passing. According to the most reliable information, the first Dickeson who settled in Salem county, New Jersey, was John Dickeson, who came from England and is believed to have located in Upper Alloway's township, at a time when that township was a part of the extensive western division of the province of New Jersey. By his will, dated August 13, 1768, "in the eighth year of the reign of King George III of England," bequests were made to the following descendants: William, Thomas, David, John and Mary. His son Thomas had five children, named Samuel, William, Jona- than, Mary and Jedediah. Samuel, the first mentioned of these, the great- grandfather of J. Hildreth Dickeson, married Sarah Pancoast in 1812 and had six children,-Thomas P., Samuel, Sarah, Mary, William and another who died in infancy.
Samuel Dickeson was born in 1783. and died in 1849. His wife, Sarah Pancoast, a daughter of William and Sarah Pancoast, was born in 1786,
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and died in 1834. Samuel Dickeson, Jr., died October 20, 1843. aged twenty-nine years. William died October 7, 1829. Thomas P. was born February 20, 1813, and married Joanna Hildreth, of Lower Alloway's Creek township, Salem county, New Jersey. He became a popular and suc- cessful physician and was an influential citizen. A. M. P. V. H. Dickeson, the father of J. Hildreth Dickeson, Thomas P. Dickeson, Jr., and J. Hildreth Dickeson, were his sons.
William Dickeson, grandson of John Dickeson, the original settler of the name, married Mary Hall, a daughter of William Hall, of Mannington township, Salem county, and had children named Charles, Hannah and Achsah. Charles, aged ninety years, is living at Shiloh, Cumberland county, New Jersey. Achsah Dickeson married Allen Wallace, who became a prom- inent social leader and Democratic politician and was elected to the New Jersey assembly of 1843-4 and to the New Jersey state senate in 1861, and was appointed associate judge by Governor McClellan, and in that high judicial office so acquitted himself as to gain a lasting reputation for probity and sound judgment. Following are some interesting facts relative to the children of Allen and Achsah (Dickeson) Wallace: Edward Wallace was born November 22, 1833, and married Abigail Turner. Achsah H. was born January 12, 1839, and married Charles Lindzey. Sarah A., born Septem- ber 20, 1842, and married George B. Grier. Rachel C., who was born October 20, 1845, married George Lippincott, and their second daughter, Aldona W., born November 27, 1869, became the wife of J. Hildreth Dickeson. Allan Wallace, Jr., was born October 21, 1846, and married Keziah Ashcraft. Hannah D., born October 1, 1848, became the wife of Richard Crispin. John, born June 22, 1850, married Clara Lippincott and after her death Anna Barnes. Franklin, born June 15, 1854, married Deborah Lippincott. Mary Emma, born August 8, 1857, married Joel Barton, of Piles Grove township.
Hon. A. M. P. V. H. Dickeson was born September 29, 1842, and died June 15, 1879, in his thirty-seventh year. He early learned farming. He was prepared for college at Salem Academy and was graduated in Princeton Uuniversity in the class of 1864. He then returned home and for six years was an active and successful farmer. Meanwhile he developed an interest in legal matters and took a course in law at the University of Pennsylvania. He was duly admitted to the bar and practiced his profession at Woods- town, 1876-1879, until his death in the last named year cut short a career which was marked by success and brilliant with promise. He was for two years, 1866-1867, a member of the New Jersey legislature. He married Mary J., a daughter of James and Lydia Springer, of Upper Penn's Neck township, Salem county, in 1870. She survives him and is a resident of
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Salem. Their first son was born May 17, 1871, and died on the 12th of September of that year. J. Hildreth was born September 14, 1872; Wilbur was born January 20, 1875; Anne was born January 30, 1877; and Cornelia, who was born November 2, 1878, died of typhoid malaria on the 5th of August, 1884.
J. Hildreth Dickeson received a public school, commercial and sub- sequently a mechanical education, which was completed in 1896. In 1897 he removed to Woodstown, where he assumed charge of extensive farm- ing interests. His abilities are of a high order and his business education and experience are thorough and comprehensive, and those who know him best predict for him an honorable and successful career. He is identified with the Patrons of Husbandry, Junior Order of United American Mechanics and is conspicuously public-spirited and progressive. He married Aldona W., a daughter of George and Rachel (Wallace) Lippincott, of Woodstown, June 23, 1897, and they have a daughter, born June 9, 1898, and named Hilda.
NELSON STEWARD HAYS.
The present efficient and popular superintendent of the water-works at Wildwood is Nelson S. Hays, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, October 22, 1865, a son of Nelson S. and Emma (Clift) Hays. The family was founded in America in the early colonial days, and the grandfather, James Hays, was born in Philadelphia, where he spent his entire life with the exception of a short period passed in New Jersey. He was a carpenter by trade and followed contracting and building. Socially he was con- nected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and gave his political support to the Republican party. He married Martha Nelson, and they became the parents of four children: Morris, who wedded Elizabeth Bowers and followed the carpenter's trade; Nelson S .; Martha; and James, Jr., who died in infancy. The father of these children passed away at the age of sixty-eight years, and his wife was called to her final home at the age of seventy-one.
Nelson S. Hays, Sr., was born in Philadelphia, April 12, 1843, and, like his father, learned the carpenter's trade, which he mastered in all its details, becoming an expert workman. He then engaged in contracting on his own account and erected a number of excellent buildings in his native city. On the 14th of November, 1864, he married Emma Clift, and to them were born two children: Nelson S., and Emma, who died at the age of twenty-four years. The father's death occurred January 4, 1883, in the forty-first year of his age.
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He was a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics, Independ- ent Order of Red Men, and of the Methodist Episcopal church. He exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party.
Nelson Steward Hays, Jr., resided in Philadelphia and attended the pub- lic schools until fifteen years of age, when he secured a position in a notion house in that city, where he remained for five years, one of its most trusted employes. On the expiration of that period he entered the service of the American Pipe Manufacturing Company, of Philadelphia, as inspector, and was thus employed three years. after which he spent one year in Iowa. He then returned to the Keystone state and resumed his connection with his former employer, being stationed at Springfield, Pennsylvania, in charge of the pipe-fitting of their water-works. The task was completed nine months later. He then went to Berkeley, Virginia, where he was in charge of the water-works for two and one-half years. In 1896 he came to Wildwood to accept the superintendency of the water-works at this place, which had been begun in 1895 and completed the following year.
There are two artesian wells here, nine hundred feet deep, supplied with two pumps. The smaller well has a capacity of ninety-three gallons of water per minute and the larger one of two hundred and fifty-seven and one-third gallons of water per minute. There is a stand-pipe with a capacity of sixty thousand gallons, with an elevation of one hundred and nineteen feet, it being one hundred and four feet to the surface of the water. The water tower is the highest of all of the buildings in Wildwood and the works altogether are one of the most complete plants in the state. There is a pressure of forty-five pounds to the square inch when the tank is full. The plant is operated by a Buckeye engine of thirty-horse power, and was erected at a cost of forty thousand dollars. Both Wildwood and Holly Beach are supplied with water and Anglesea will soon receive its water supply from the same source. Mr. Hays has entire charge of the water-works, the placing of meters, the collections and the operation of the plant and is most faithful to the interests of the company, whose confidence he enjoys in an unlimited degree.
Mr. Hays has been twice married. He first wedded Claire Pawling, their wedding being celebrated January 22, 1886. They had two children, Hazel B. and Frank, but the latter is deceased. For his second wife Mr. Hays chose Lizzie D. Marts, the marriage ceremony being performed April 12, 1898.
Mr. Hays takes a deep and active interest in everything for the benefit of the town, is a member of the fire department and is the secretary of the
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board of health. He aiso belongs to the Junior Order of American Mechan- ics and to the United States Beneficial Association, and in politics is a stanch Republican. He is especially efficient in the position which he now occupies and is well fitted for the responsibility that devolves upon him.
ROBERT N. VANNEMAN.
Robert Newell Vanneman is now serving as the sheriff of Salem county, to which position he was elected in the fall of 1899 by a majority of forty, being the only Democrat on the ticket elected at that time. He was born in Up- per Penn's Neck township, Salem county, July 29, 1864. The family is of Swedish lineage and at an early day was established in New Jersey and in Philadelphia. The grandparents of our subject were Dr. William S. and Caroline (Cavender) Vanneman, who resided in Philadelphia in early life, but afterward removed to New Jersey. The Doctor became one of the well known physicians of Salem county and died about the time of the civil war. He had two children, Edwin A. and Mary C., the latter now a resident of Penn's Grove; the former was the father of our subject. He was born in Philadelphia in 1836, and after arriving at years of maturity married Josephine Newell, whose birth occurred near Salem. He was a farmer by occupation and owned a valuable tract of land in Upper Penn's Neck town- ship. He served as the collector of his township for many years, was one of the directors of the first railroad built to -Penn's Grove, and for some years prior to his death was a director of the Salem National Bank. He took an active part in all public affairs and in politics was a stalwart Democrat. In the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he held membership, he was often called to serve in office. His death occurred in 1874, and the community thereby lost one of its valuable and respected citizens. Unto Edwin A. and Josephine (Newell) Vanneman were born four children: William S., the eldest, is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and is now a medical missionary to Persia, having been sent to that country by the Presbyterian mission of New York city; and married Marguerite A. Fox, of Philadelphia ; they have three children,-Aimee, Dorothy and Irene; Robert N. is the next of the family; Edwin, a resident of Salem, married Isabella Zane and they have three children; and Joseph, the youngest of the family, died in child- hood.
Mr. Vanneman, whose name introduces this review, acquired his educa- tion in Upper Penn's Neck and Penn's Grove, and later continued his studies in the Salem Collegiate Institute, but left that school shortly before the time
Robert N. lammeman
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of graduation in order to assist in the work of the farm. He was connected with agricultural pursuits until elected to the office of sheriff in 1899, but his attention was not confined entirely to the work of the farm. For two years he was the treasurer of the Abbott Banking Company, of Manning- ton township, and then became its manager. He was also for some time one of the trustees of the almshouse of Mannington township. He has al- ready proved a capable and efficient officer, his duties being discharged in a most competent manner. In politics he has always been a Democrat and has taken an active interest in the work of the party. He has served as a mem- ber of the county central committee and has often attended the county and state conventions.
Mr. Vanneman was united in marriage to Mary L. Harris, a daughter of Amos Harris, of Salem, and they have three children,-Marian J., Margaret H. and William B. Both Mr. and Mrs. Vanneman are highly respected in the community and enjoy the warm regard of many friends. Socially he is connected with Washington Lodge, No. 21, I. O. O. F., and the order of Heptasophs, of Salem, and is highly regarded by his brethren of both fra- ternities.
ISAAC S. STRATTON.
The name of Stratton is one which has been long and conspicuously identified with the history of Gloucester county, and is one in which each successive generation has produced men of honor and sterling worth,- men who have honored and been honored by the state which gave them birth, and which has figured as the field of their respective endeavors in con- nection with the material activities which have ever conserved the progress and prosperity of the commonwealth. Through many years the name of Stratton has been interwoven with the history of New Jersey, and is found upon the roll of those who have occupied the chair of the chief executive of the state. The grandparents of our subject were Jacob and Mary (Riley) Stratton, and the maternal grandfather was Isaac Sherwin, one of the early settlers of Mullica Hill. Nathan T. and Sarah M. (Sherwin) Stratton were the parents of him whose name introduces this review, and the former was regarded as one of the most prominent men of his day in southern New Jersey. He was called upon to fill many positions of public trust, and in addition to minor offices represented Gloucester county in the state legisla- ture and also in congress in the sessions of 1850 and 1852. His opponent for the last named position was Thomas H. Whitney, whom he defeated in a vigorous campaign. Mr. Stratton died in 1886, at the age of seventy-four
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years, and his wife passed away about 1860. Their children were: Isaac S .; Col. Edward L. Stratton, a resident of Mullica Hill; Mary Lucretia, the wife of Jacob J. Moore, of Mullica Hill, and James S., who was killed when twenty-one years of age, in the battle of Petersburg, while serving as a lieu- tenant in Company F, Twelfth New Jersey Infantry.
Isaac S. Stratton pursued his elementary education in the public schools of Harrison township, and subsequently attended a boarding school in Wil- mington, Delaware. Upon returning home he assisted his father, who for many years was the proprietor of a store at Mullica Hill, and in 1859 he came to Swedesboro, where, in company with Henry C. Garrison, he en- gaged in merchandising. They conducted a general store, and also dealt in coal, lumber and builders' materials. Five years later our subject was joined by his father and brother, and the business was then conducted under the firm name of Stratton Brothers until 1886, when Isaac Stratton ac- cepted a position as bookkeeper in Camden, New Jersey, there remaining for a year. On the expiration of that period he returned to Swedesboro, and for six years was sole proprietor of a general mercantile establishment. In 1894 he was elected justice of the peace and still occupies that position, dis- charging his duties with marked fairness and impartiality. He is also a commissioner of deeds, and in addition to the duties of those positions he carries on the business of surveying, conveyancing and insurance.
On the third of August, 1858, Mr. Stratton was united in marriage to Miss Kate L. Wright, a daughter of Calvin Wright, formerly of Franklin county, New Jersey, afterward a resident of Atlantic county, New Jersey, and at the time of Mrs. Stratton's marriage was acting as principal of the Mullica Hill school, in which his daughter held the position of assistant teacher. Their children are: Horatio M., a lumber merchant of New York, who married Ridie Miller, and has three children,-Walter, Rose and Leon, their home being in Paulsboro, New Jersey; Laura, who is the wife of How- ard W. Miller, of Paulsboro, and has five children,-Earl, Beatrice, Zeural, Howard and William; Irene H., who is the wife of George W. Hannold, of Swedesboro; Katie L., who is the wife of Rev. George W. Barker, an itiner- ant minister, and has two children,-G. Roland and Marjorie; and Isaac S., who is engaged in the insurance business in Des Moines, Iowa. Mr. Strat- ton and his family are members of the Baptist church, and are prominent and highly esteemed people of the community, having a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in Swedesboro. His business career is characterized by absolute honesty, and his well directed efforts have brought to him signal success. As a citizen he is loyal and true, and no trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed.
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JOSEPH B. COBB.
In this period of the world's history the skilled mechanic occupies a prominent and a most useful place in the economy of every-day life and public progress. The blacksmith was one of the original mechanics and since the iron age was ushered in has been an important factor in mechan- ical development. Through all the years that have elapsed since his advent in the world, he has kept pace with the march of mechanical improvement and has been a useful citizen, honored for his good works, wherever his lot has been cast. As a pioneer he was an indispensable factor in our early de- velopment, and from the days of small things to those of the present he has wielded a powerful influence in almost every community in the Union. Woodstown has had its historic blacksmiths and it has its skilled and influen- tial artisans of to-day. One of the best known of these is the gentleman whose name constitutes the title of this sketch.
Joseph Butcher Cobb was born in Sharpstown, Salem county, New Jersey, August 4, 1839, a son of Paul and Eliza (Garretson) Cobb, and his father, who was a blacksmith, was his instructor in all the details of his labor- ious but increasing trade. Paul Cobb's life spanned the period from October 4, 1812, to February 2, 1880, and was passed primarily in Cape May county, New Jersey, and partially in Salem and Gloucester counties, its closing years having been spent in Woodstown. His father was Paul Cobb, who was born in Cape May county, New Jersey, October 4, 1762, and died March 28, 1818. Paul Cobb, Jr., had one brother, John, and five sisters, named Rhoda, Elizabeth, Jane, Rebecca and Priscilla. He married Eliza Garretson, a daughter Daniel and Sarah Garretson, of Cape May county, New Jersey, whose brothers and sisters were named Jane R., Hannah, Jon- athan and Jacob. The children of Paul Cobb, Jr., and his wife, Eliza Garret- son, were Amanda, who married Charles S. Shull; Daniel G., a resident of Philadelphia; Joseph B., of Woodstown; John W., of Philadelphia; Sarah, wife of William Richman, of Philadelphia; Eva B., who married Amos Webster; and Anna B.
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