USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 30
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The marriage of the Doctor and Amy Elizabeth Lair, of Frenchtown, was solemnized December 22, 1888. She is a daughter of Peter W. and Margaret (Bird) Lair, and by her marriage has become the mother of one child, Howard Lair, who was born December 12, 1889. The Doctor and his wife attend the Baptist church and take an active interest in all things which make for the uplifting of mankind and society.
IRA COLES.
Ira Coles, a retired farmer residing at Mullica Hill, was born near Woods- town, Salem county, February 25, 1831. His father, Bartholomew Coles, was born at Coles' Mill, Camden county, and was a son of Thomas Coles, a farmer and lumber manufacturer. The family had its origin in England and was early established in the New World. The grandfather of our sub- ject operated a planing-mill and was an enterprising man. He married Ann Whisler, a daughter of Thomas Whisler. His death occurred January 28. 1886, and his wife passed away April 2, 1870. Bartholomew Coles spent his boyhood days in the county of his nativity and on attaining his majority
Via Cooler
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came to Gloucester county, locating at Harrisonville, where he conducted a sawmill and also engaged in farming. Success attended his business career, his well directed efforts bringing him a handsome competence. He was born in 1785 and reached the very advanced age of one hundred years. He was a very devout man, firm in his convictions and true to his principles, and his upright life commanded the respect of all. In his family were ten children, four of whom are now living, namely: Uz, a resident of Pittsgrove township, Salem county; Chalkly, of Woodstown; Joseph, a resident of Mul- lica Hill; and Ira.
The last named pursued his education in the common schools through the winter season and in the summer months aided in the labors of the farm. Thus his childhood and youth were passed and in 1864 he began farming on his own account. Upon his father's death he inherited the old homestead which he successfully operated for some years, but in 1888 he put aside business cares and is now living retired enjoying the rest which he has so truly earned and richly deserves. His business ability and perse- verance enabled him to so conduct his affairs as to win a very gratifying com- petence, which now supplies him with all the comforts of life.
Mr. Coles has been twice married. He first married Martha Ann Adcock, who died in 1889, and on the 3d of January, 1895, Susan P. Horner, a daughter of Mark Horner, became his wife. They are now living in Mullica Hill and they have a very pleasant home, where they enjoy the warm regard of many friends. Mr. Coles has served as a member of the township com- mittee and has ever taken a commendable interest in those movements which have tended to promote the public welfare. His life has been well spent and those who know him entertain for him a high regard."
GEORGE L. PARSONS.
George Lambert Parsons is the proprietor of the oldest store in Tuck- ahoe, its establishment dating back seventy years. For seventeen years he was connected with the enterprise in a clerical capacity and in 1895 became the proprietor. He manages his business affairs with ability, is energetic and progressive, and his earnest efforts to please his patrons have secured to him a large trade.
Mr. Parsons was born in Tuckahoe, on the 16th of May, 1865, and is a son of Elmer and Ellen (Somers) Parsons. The name is of English origin, and on the maternal side Mr. Parsons is descended from the Somers family to which belonged the celebrated Richard Somers, who distinguished himself
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in the battle of Tripoli in the wars with the Barbary states. Stephen Parsons, the paternal grandfather of our subject, resided on the Tuckahoe river, in Atlantic county, New Jersey, and was a farmer and extensive land-owner. He gave his political support first to the Whig party and afterward to the Republican party and held a number of offices. In religious faith he was a Methodist. His children were Stephen, Joseph, John, Hannah, Emeline and Elmer.
The last named, the father of our subject, spent the greater part of his life in Tuckahoe, New Jersey, and by trade was a tinsmith. For many years he followed that occupation, supporting his family thereby. He, too, was a Republican and exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of that party. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He married Miss Ellen Somers and to them were born the following children: Stephen, a painter by trade, who wedded Sarah Devaul, by whom he had a daughter, Mary; Sylvester, who wedded Theodosia Sutton and had three children: William, Annie and Emeline; Somers, now deceased; John Lewis, Prudence and George Lambert.
The last named obtained his education in the public schools of Tuckahoe and entered upon his business career as a salesman in the employ of Anthony Steelman of that town. After seventeen years' connection with the store he bought out his employer and has since conducted the enterprise with signal success. He is also connected with the Building & Loan Association, and in his political views he is a Republican, but has never sought office, preferring to give his time and attention to his business. He started out upon his business career empty-handed and by earnest purpose and diligence he has steadily worked his way upward to a position of affluence.
Mr. Parsons was married on the 25th of November, 1894, to Miss Lida M. Abbott, a daughter of Dr. B. T. Abbott, a prominent physician of Ocean City, New Jersey. They now have one child, Hettie A. Mr. and Mrs. Par- sons hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is a mem- ber of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.
EDWARD L. RICE.
On the roster of the officials of Cape May county appears the name of Edward Ludlam Rice, who is one of the most popular and efficient officers that have filled the position of county clerk. A gentleman of scholarly at- tainments, of marked individuality and strong force of character, he is well fitted for the place of leadership accorded him in Democratic circles, for his
Quantitée
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personal worth and recognized ability secure to him the confidence and re- spect of the public. The true measure of individual success is determined by what one has accomplished, and, as taken in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is not without honor save in his own country, there is a particular interest attaching to the career of the subject of this review, since he is a native son of the county in which he has passed his entire life and has so directed his ability and efforts as to gain recognition as one of the repre- sentative citizens of Cape May county.
His birth occurred in Dennisville, January 25. 1864, his parents being Leaming M. and Maria (Ludlam) Rice. The Rice family is of English origin and at an early day the progenitors of the family in America took up their abode in New England. For some time the Rices resided in Boston, whence Edward Rice, the great-grandfather of our subject, removed to Philadelphia. He was the captain of a merchant vessel sailing between Philadelphia and European ports and engaged in the East India trade. He died and was buried at sea while making the return voyage from Liverpool to his home. He married Hannah Leaming, and our subject now has in his possession two fine paintings of them, the work having been executed in 1791. Hannah Leaming was a daughter of Christopher Leaming and a granddaughter of Aaron Leaming. After the death of her first husband she married Aaron C. Moore. Edward Rice, Jr., the grandfather of our subject, was born in Phila- delphia, and came to Cape May county, where he engaged in teaching school. His last days, however, were spent in his native city. He held local offices and was a gentleman of considerable prominence. His last days were spent in the city of his birth, where he died in 1853, at the age of sixty years. His wife passed away at the age of eighty years. She bore the maiden name of Jane Diverty, and was a daughter of a Scotchman. Unto Edward and Jane Rice were born the following named: James D., who married Rebecca John- son, became a miner in California at the time of the gold excitement and served his country during the civil war; and Leaming M., the father of our subject.
William Diverty, the great-great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, March 15, 1754, and was married February 1I, 1780, to Jane Smith, whose birth occurred March 28, 1757. He was connected with the Bruces, one of the oldest and most prominent families of Scotland that furnished to that land one of its most distinguished heroes. William Diverty died in 1811, and his wife passed away in 1832. James Diverty, their son, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, November 25. 1783, and when seventeen years of age came to the United States to complete his education. He afterward learned the cooper's trade, and when on a trip to Cape May county, where he
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intended to purchase hoop-poles, he met Miss Deborah Hand, whom he afterward married. She was born in 1787 and was a daughter of Jesse and Sarah (Leaming) Hand, the latter a daughter of the celebrated Aaron Leam- ing. After his marriage Mr. Diverty located in South Dennis, where he engaged in merchandising and ship-building, and also dealt in cord-wood. He died May II, 1858, at the age of eighty years, and his wife passed away in 1830. They became the parents of James, Jesse, Jane, Mary and William.
Leaming M. Rice, of Dennisville, attended the old South Jersey Academy, at Bridgeton, and at the age of twenty years went to the west on government business. For many years he was engaged in surveying and in later years has devoted his time more exclusively to the real-estate business. He is well informed concerning realty values in this section of the state, and has handled much property. He has been the secretary of the Dennisville Building & Loan Association since its organization and for twenty or thirty years he held the office of freeholder. In 1867 he was elected to the state senate, the first Democrat ever sent by Cape May'county to the upper house of the legislature. He has always taken an active interest in the success and welfare of his party and is a recognized leader of Democracy in his township. At one time he was a member of the Masonic fraternity, but is not now con- nected with that organization. He still resides in Dennisville, at the age of seventy years,-a respected and honored citizen. His wife passed away in 1882. They were the parents of six children: James Diverty, the eldest, is now deceased; Mary is the wife of Uriah Gandy, the proprietor of the Gatzmer House, at Dennisville; Hannah is the wife of Louis B. Lloyd, a painter at Dennisville; Jane is the wife of Vincent O. Miller, of South Den- nis, who for fifteen years served as the county superintendent of schools, and in 1898 was a candidate for the legislature; Edward is the fifth in order of birth; and Leaming completes the family.
Edward L. Rice acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of Dennisville and then entered Rutgers College, where he pursued his studies until eighteen years of age. He subsequently engaged in teaching in Gloucester county and then became a teacher in South Dennis, Cape May county. For three years he was the principal of the schools in Tuckahoe and was then elected principal of the Cape May schools, but in the fall of 1889 he resigned the latter position to accept the office of county clerk, to which he was elected, defeating Jonathan Hand, who had filled that position for a half century. He was not then twenty-five years of age and was the young- est county clerk in the state. In his own township he received over three hundred votes out of four hundred cast. After entering the office he dis- charged his duties so ably and promptly that in 1894 he was re-elected, by
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a majority of one hundred. All of the Republican county representatives were elected by a majority of from seven to eight hundred, and Mr. Rice was the only Democrat elected in the state with the exception of two or three assemblymen in Hudson county. This fact certainly indicates his personal popularity and the confidence reposed in him by the people of his native county. Mr. Rice has studied closely the political situation of the country and the questions which are now before the people, and is an ardent advocate of Democratic principles. He has done some campaign work and is a very pleasing and effective speaker.
Socially Mr. Rice is connected with the Tuckahoe Lodge, I. O. O. F., the Knights of Pythias in Dennisville, and is a director in the State Mutual Building & Loan Association. He was married in 1891 to Miss Phoebe, a daughter of Samuel and Eliza J. Steelman, her father a merchant of Tucka- hoe. They now have three interesting children,-Dorothy, Edward and Martha. They have a beautiful residence in Cape May Court House, which was erected by Mr. Rice. It is built in a modern style of architecture, hand- somely finished in hard wood, and its beautiful furnishings indicate the refined tastes of the inmates. Mr. Rice is endowed by nature with strong mental power, but this counts for naught without the individual efforts which cultivate it and applies it to the practical affairs of life. His marked energy and laudable ambition, however, have enabled him to work his way steadily upward, and to-day he occupies an honored position in political and social circles.
GEORGE M. HALL.
George M. Hall is a wide-awake and enterprising farmer of Woolwich township, Gloucester county. He was born near Paulsboro, New Jersey. on the 17th of August, 1852, and is a son of Charles and Sarah (Middleton) Hall. His mother died and his father afterward married a Miss Hiles, and after her death he married Abigail (Miller) Derrickson, widow of John Derrickson. The children of the first union were Edward, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits, near Paulsboro; Rebecca, the wife of Joseph Hiles, of Morristown, New Jersey, by whom she has several children; Elizabeth, the wife of Henry Miller Thompson, a farmer residing near Mullica Hill; and George M.
The last named is indebted to the public-school system for his educational privileges. He pursued his studies in Greenwich and Woolwich townships and on putting aside his text-books took up the work of farming, which he followed with great success throughout his business career. In 1885 he pur- chased his present farm, which he has since greatly improved, making it one
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of the most desirable and attractive country homes in this section of the county.
In February, 1882, Mr. Hall was united in marriage to Miss Laura Sithens, daughter of Daniel Sithens, of Woolwich township, Gloucester county. They have two children, Gertie and Walter. Mr. Hall and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church of Swedesboro, and he is a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Patrons of Husbandry. He prosecutes his labors with energy and is most honorable in all his dealings. These quali- ties have brought to him signal success, and he is thereby classed among the substantial farmers of his township.
DANIEL F. HENDRICKSON.
Daniel F. Hendrickson, ex-mayor of Woodbury, is one of her most en- terprising and public-spirited citizens .. Born at the close of the civil war, he is now in the prime and vigor of manhood; is thoroughly in sympathy with the progressive spirit of the age, and is deeply conscientious in dis- charging his duties toward his fellow-men.
His father, Henry J. Hendrickson, was born in Swedesboro, Gloucester county, New Jersey, April 15, 1829. In his early life he was engaged in the dry-goods trade in Philadelphia, and later he carried on a flourishing express business between that city and Woodbury. Disposing of this in 1886 to his son Jacob, he turned his attention to the manufacture of what is known as Hendrickson's Gilt Edge Liniment, an article of acknowledged merit. In March, 1888, he was elected to the Gloucester board of free- holders and served in that office for a period of three years, during which time he was a member of several very important committees. He had been honored with re-election and at the time of his death, December 24, 1897, he was serving his third term. Both as a public man and as a private citizen he was held in the highest esteem and his death has been sincerely mourned by his large circle of friends. In his political creed he was a Republican. For forty years he was a deacon in the Baptist church, his life fully exemplify- ing the noble Christian precepts which he professed. His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Clare, survives him, her home being in Wood- bury, as for years past.
To their union seven children were born, namely: Mary, the wife of Samuel C. Brick, of Philadelphia; Henry J., Jr., who married Lillian Paris, since deceased, and resides in Woodbury; Ella A., the wife of L. C. Fowler, a Philadelphia photographer; Joseph Clare, who wedded Louisa Flenard and
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is a resident of Camden, New Jersey; Daniel F .; and Andrew and Jacob, twins. Andrew chose Ida Megary for a wife and Jacob married Minnie P. Locke.
Daniel F. Hendrickson was born April 15, 1863, in Woodbury, and received his education in the excellent schools of this place. When a mere youth he engaged in the express business, in partnership with his father. and subsequently went to the Quaker city, where he found employment in the wholesale grocery establishment of Githens & Rexsamer, on Front street. At the end of two years he became an employee of the Adams Express Company, of the same city, remaining with them for about two years. Returning then to this, his native town, he bought out the business stand of ex-Sheriff Daniel I. Packer, late United States senator, and has since continued in this line of enterprise. He has met with the prosperity which he richly deserves, and by strict attention to the needs and wishes of the public has won the favorable opinion of all with whom he has dealings. He not only deals in flour, feed, seeds, salt, fertilizers, cement, coal and wood, but also runs a steam gristmill, keeps a full line of farm machinery and a good stock of paints and oils. He also is interested in real estate at Bel- mont, adjoining the national park on the Delaware river, and has other financial investments, which he manages with marked ability.
Honored by election to the mayoralty of Woodbury, Mr. Hendrickson proved to be a very efficient officer, but, though a third term was tendered to him, he saw fit to decline additional service. He also was a member of the city council at one time, and in various ways has earnestly sought to promote the welfare of his native place. He uses his franchise on behalf of the Republican party, and fraternally is identified with the Heptasophs. the Knights of the Golden Eagle and the Red Cross Society. Religiously he is a member of the Episcopal church.
The marriage of Daniel F. Hendrickson and Miss Emma R. Megary was celebrated in Philadelphia, March 25, 1885. Mrs. Hendrickson is a daughter of James and Julia Megary, of that city. Our subject and wife have a very pleasant home, which is brightened by the presence of three children: Marion, born March 10. 1886; Daniel J. P., born October 8, 1889; and Robert C., October 9, 1898.
A. A. SMITH, M. D.
For sixty-five years the family of which Dr. A. A. Smith is a worthy representative has been closely identified with the growth and progress of the town of Malaga, Gloucester county. His great-grandfather. John Smith,
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a native of Lancashire, England, was of a wealthy family, and was in the direct line of descent from Sir Sidney Smith, noted in the history of that country. In 1742 John Smith emigrated to America, as he had come into the possession of a valuable grant of land, a gift of the crown, and desired to look after his new estate. This property, situated near May's Landing, in what was known as Scotland Neck, and some located in Camden county, produced large revenues for the owners and their posterity, and thus, when the war of the Revolution was in progress, they were enabled to be of inval- uable service to the colonists, fitting out privateersmen at their own expense and aiding the army of patriots in many ways. Indeed, they took so very active a part that they became a special mark for the hate of the Tories, who burned and destroyed their property on more than one occasion. In addi- tion to the New Jersey estates mentioned, the Smiths owned a large portion of Staten Island at one time.
The paternal grandfather of the Doctor was the Rev. Asa Smith, a native of May's Landing, and one of the early preachers in the local Methodist Episcopal church. His son, Dr. Charles W. Smith, the father of A. A. Smith, was born in Wilmington, Delaware, was graduated in the medical department of Jefferson College, where Dr. J. P. McClellan, father of General George B. McClellan, was his preceptor. Coming to Malaga in 1834, he was actively engaged in practice until shortly before his death in 1872. He was a very successful physician and enjoyed the friendship of many noted persons far and near. Dr. Smith was an ardent Democrat in his political sympathies.
In his early manhood, Dr. C. W. Smith and Sarah Clark, the daughter of Isaac Clark, of Salem county, were joined in wedlock. The devoted wife and mother, now in her eighty-eighth year, is yet active in mind and body, and is beloved by all who have the pleasure of her acquaintance. Of her nine children, Melissa is the wife of George Ackley, of Malaga; Matilda is the wife of Benjamin Gleisner, of Newcastle, Pennsylvania; Isaac resides in Malaga; Charles is living at May's Landing; Jennie is the wife of Professor E. D. Riley, of May's Landing; Texana and Addie are at home; and Thomas Jefferson is at Newcastle, Pennsylvania.
The birth of Dr. A. A. Smith took place March 20, 1838, in Malaga, and after he had completed his common-school education he concluded to devote his life to medical work, as had his father before him. During the Civil war he found that his medical knowledge and patriotic devotion could be of service to his country, and he accordingly accepted a position as an active assistant surgeon at the Sattelee (United States General Hospital at West Philadelphia, where he rendered invaluable aid to the sick and wounded sol-
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diers. Resuming his interrupted studies, he was graduated in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, in 1864, and soon afterward re- ceived a commission as acting assistant surgeon in the regular army. When he was no longer needed, he returned home and engaged in practice. He has been very successful in general family practice and has made a specialty of obstetrics and surgery, in both of which branches he is considered an au- thority. In 1897, feeling the need of rest from the arduous labors of more than three decades, he retired from active practice. He owns a fine farm of one hundred and ten acres, and reaps a good income from its products, not the least important of which is a large cranberry crop each year.
The wife of the Doctor's youth, formerly Mary P. Howland, of Massa- chusetts, died in 1885, and his second wife, whose maiden name was Maggie Sloan, and who was from Pennsylvania, departed this life in 1896, leaving one son, Asa. The Doctor later married Mary Keen, a daughter of William Keen, of Camden, New Jersey. He is a stalwart believer in the platform of the Democratic party, but has never been prevailed upon to accept public office.
THE WILLIAMSTOWN BODINES.
One of the saddest pages in French history is the persecution of the Protestant Huguenots. Brainy and brilliant, they were lovers of education and religious freedom, and constituted one of the finest elements of the civil- ization of France. After the massacre of St. Bartholomew, many Huguenots expatriated themselves to England and from there to America, where their descendants hold high positions. Among this number was Jean Bodin, born in 1645 at the village of Medio on the Gironde river, in the province of Saintonge, lying on the bay of Biscay. He was naturalized in London in 1681 and with his wife, Esther Bridon, came to America, locating first near New Rochelle, Westchester county, New York, but in 1682 they were resi- dents of Staten Island. That the family had long been distinguished in France is evidenced by the fact that Jean Bodin was called the ablest political thinker and philosophic reasoner in that country. About 1695 Jean Bodin, the emigrant, died on Staten Island, leaving the following children: Jean (John), Mariana, Eleazer, Francis, Esther and Mary. His descendants later crossed to Perth Amboy, and some of them made their way by the road up the Raritan from its mouth to its source. The posterity of this Jean Bodin are scattered far and wide in the United States and are people of character and substance. They have borne their part well in peace and war as law- abiding citizens and patriots, and are eligible to membership in the American
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