USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 31
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societies of Sons and Daughters of the Revolution. For the purpose of this sketch we touch only the line of the Williamstown Bodines.
Francis Bodine, a son of Jean Bodin, born about 1690, married Maria Dey. Of all their children none but Francis is clearly traced, and nothing further is known of their lives. This son, Francis, lived in Cranberry, New Jersey, in 1745. He was the founder of the Bodins of Philadelphia and southern New Jersey, and the great-grandfather of John F., William H. and J. Alfred Bodine, of Williamstown. This Francis had three sons,-Joel, Vin- cent and John. John Bodine, fourth generation from the emigrant, the youngest of the family of Francis, as above stated, born at Cranberry in 1745, in early youth made his home at Wading River, Burlington county, ยท
near the present Harrisville, and kept a tavern there for many years. He served seven years in the Continental army of the Revolution, advancing from private to captain. He was twice married, the first wife being a Round- tree. Their children, Charles, Francis, Stacy, John and Susan, all attained advanced ages. His second wife, Ann Taylor, whom he married in 1790, had the following children: Joel, Budd, Wilson, Jesse, Daniel, Sarah, Abigail, Lucy Ann, Mary and Samuel Tucker. Mrs. Bodine died at an old age, sur- viving her husband.
Joel Bodine, born in 1794, at Wading River, commenced housekeeping at Bridgeport as a New Jersey tavern-keeper on his marriage to Sarah Gale, of Bridgeport. She bore him one son, Samuel, and soon died. Mr. Bodine later moved to Tuckerton, where he married his second wife, and in a few years moved to Philadelphia and entered the employ of Dr. Burgin, a dealer in oils. Dr. Burgin later acquired an interest in the glass-works at Millville, New Jersey, and Joel Bodine moved thither to superintend the mercantile department and afterward had an interest in the plant for a time. He then became a stage-driver on the line between Philadelphia and Cape May, and made his home at Port Elizabeth for some years. Returning to Millville, he traveled through the south and west, successfully dealing in patent rights. Then, with another, he established a blacksmith shop and manufactory of steelyards at Millville. In 1835 he moved to Winslow to be a clerk for William Coffin, Jr., in the glass-works store. Two years later he passed one year at Malaga as assistant manager of the glass-works. In June, 1839, he removed to Williamstown and purchased a part of the glass-works, and for two years, first with Gabriel Iszard and then with Mr. Black, ran these works. Then, by the failure of their agent, he became financially embarrassed. His old employer, William Coffin, came to his aid and the firm of Coffin & Bodin conducted a factory two years, after which Mr. Bodine became sole owner, and later extended the business, built another factory and employed
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a large corps of workmen. In 1853 he removed to Camden and in Novem- ber, 1855, sold the plant to his sons. He was a thorough business man, giv- ing all of his time and energy to his business, and was generally successful. His second wife was Phebe A. Forman, a daughter of John Forman, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, who had become a resident of Tuckerton. They were married in 1821 and had seven children, all sons: John F .; William H .; Isaac; Joel A .; and Charles S., living, and Charles F. and Henry are deceased. Their mother died in 1854 and Mr. Bodine married for his third wife Leah Mathis, who died May 5, 1879, and her husband lived only till May 22, 1879. Originally a Jacksonian Democrat, Mr. Bodine was later a Whig and a Republican and held the commission of justice of the peace. He was an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a trustee. He was a tall, muscular man of dark complexion and had many friends. He will be remembered as one who put the Williamstown glass industry on a high standing.
John Forman Bodine, a son of Joel and Phebe A. (Forman) Bodine, was born at Tuckerton, New Jersey, in 1821, and died in 1883. He had but a common-school education, but was of a studious mind, and by well selected reading became well educated. He was a surveyor and a member of the Surveyors' Association and a contributor to its productions. He learned window-glass blowing at Millville before he came to the Williamstown fac- tory in 1840. He was a natural financier, a man of mental ability, and as a Republican was elected to the assembly from Camden county in 1864, and was a state senator from Gloucester county in 1874. Later he was the county judge for five years. A man of fine appearance, pleasant, genial and affable, he won and retained friends. He was a valued member of the Free- masons and of the Odd Fellows. He was also long a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal church. By his first marriage, to Martha Swope, two children were born: Emma A., who became Mrs. H. Atkins; and Phebe A., who became Mrs. Dr. Charles L. Duffall. His second wife was Gertrude Boucher, of Claverack, New York. Their children now living are Joanna B., who became Mrs. Samuel Garwood, and Alice L., who married Dr. L. M. Halsey, both residents of Williamstown.
William H. Bodine, the sole surviving child of Joel Bodine, was born January 9, 1824, at Tuckerton, New Jersey. He was educated at the com- mon schools and at Pennington Seminary, the latter after he had learned the trade of hollow-ware and glass-blowing. After one year at the seminary, he resumed glass-blowing and worked at it until 1846, making seven years that he passed at this labor. In 1846 he went to Bridgeton and managed the affairs of the glass factory there for nine years, then returned to Williams-
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town and with his brothers, John F. and J. Alfred, formed the firm of Bodine Brothers, and purchased the glass factory there. They were all practical men,-workers, not drones. John F. was placed in the department of sales, buying and finance, William H. was given the management of the work of the shops, and J. Alfred took the outside business and management of farms. Diligent, temperate and industrious, they were prospered and the firm con- tinued in successful operation for many years. In 1866 J. Alfred sold his interests to his brother John, who sold a large part of his interest in the busi- ness to Charles and Walter Thomas, and the firm became Bodine, Thomas & Company. In 1868 W. H. Bodine sold his interest to Isaac Sharpless, of Philadelphia. Sharpless later sold his interest to Colonel Wrotnosski, a brother-in-law of the Thomases, and after this the present corporation, "The Bodine Glass Works," was incorporated. Since his retirement from this busi- ness Mr. Bodine has merely attended to his personal affairs, which are ex- tensive enough to keep him from feeling that he is an idle man.
A member of the Republican party since its organization, he has been active in its interests, but avoided public life and office. He has, however, been a justice of the peace for twenty years. He has a broad acquaintance in the religious circles of New Jersey. He has belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church since 1850 and always been active in its work and bene- factions. He had the honor of being a Sunday-school superintendent for twenty-five years, and for many years he was a vice president of the State Sunday-school Association, often its presiding officer. He was long the vice president for New Jersey in the International Sunday-school Union, and is the present president of the Gloucester County Sunday-school Asso- ciation. He was one of the old-time Sons of Temperance, and has been an Odd Fellow since 1848, passing the chairs in his local lodge. In 1852 he was made a Mason in Brearley Lodge, No. 2, of Bridgeton, and has been the worshipful master of the Williamstown lodge.
In March, 1846, Mr. Bodine married Eliza E., a daughter of William and Ellen (Thompson) Corkery, of Chester county, Pennsylvania. She died in July, 1856, and their children were Joel Francis; Mary Ellen, who married Dr. McCombs, of Philadelphia; William C., who died in childhood; Henry V., and Phebe E., deceased. In January, 1857, Mr. Bodine was united in marriage with Mary Virginia Slacum, a daughter of William and Sarah (Kinoin) Slacum, formerly of Eastern Shore, Maryland. Their children are William A .; Clara, deceased; Carrie M., deceased; S. Ida; Charles H. N .; and Cornelia W. and Annie H., twins. Mr. Bodine inherited the physical characteristics of the Bodins,-a large and massive frame, great vitality, a broad and philosophic grasp of affairs, and is passing his closing years of
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life with a serene content and in the enjoyment of the pleasing offices of his numerous posterity and large circle of friends.
J. Alfred Bodine, born in 1831 at Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, in addition to a common-school education finished the course of Pennington Seminary, then, as he was active and loved an outdoor life, he came to Williamstown and followed farming and its kindred employments until he became a mem- ber of the firm of Bodine Brothers, as previously told. He was an energetic man of great practical acquaintance with the affairs he conducted, and, while he was a strong Republican, he left to others the filling of official stations, contenting himself with those of tax collector and freeholder. He, like his brothers, was one of the early Sons of Temperance and the principles of that society actuated him through life. He was a consistent member and trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years and prominent in the ranks of the Knights of Pythias, having passed through the chairs of the local lodge. He married Phebe J. French, a daughter of Francis French, of Bass River, New Jersey. Their children now living are Ernest C .; Louis F., of Camden, New Jersey; Annabel; Jennie; Fannie, now Mrs. George Johnson, of Camden: and Vincent, of Camden. In 1879 Mr. Bodine moved to Camden, where, after an active and a successful life, he ended his days on January 23, 1899.
Ernest C. Bodine, the eldest child of J. Alfred and Phebe J. (French) Bodine, was born in Williamstown, New Jersey, on January 3, 1858. He had an excellent common-school education, is a graduate of the C. C. Institute, Hackettstown, New Jersey, served in the United States Marine Corps for a time and then engaged in farming. He became connected with the Bodine Glass Works in December, 1898, and since February, 1899, has been the treasurer of the corporation. Republican in his political faith, he was a tax collector for ten years and served as the treasurer of the Building & Loan Association for nine years. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men and of the Jr. O. U. A. M., and is the present recorder of the Williamstown Lodge, A. O. U. W. On the 25th of December, 1882, Mr. Bodine married Miss Anna E. Bugbee, a daughter of H. K. Bugbee, of Williamstown, New Jersey. Their children are: J. Alfred; H. Keith; Ced- ric A .; Phoebe; E. Kent; Margaret H .; John F .; and Francis F.
FRANKLIN B. BRENNEIS.
Of the farming interests of Logan township, Gloucester county, this gentleman is a representative, and the place upon which he now resides was also the place of his birth. The date of that event was August 23. 1866. His
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parents, Nicholas and Elizabeth (Hovermale) Brenneis, were natives of Wachenheim, Rheinfels, Germany. In 1850 the father came to America and soon afterward located in Logan township, where he owned two farms. These he cultivated for a number of years, but at length retired to private life, taking up his residence in Swedesboro in 1892. He was married in 1852, and on the Ist of February, 1897, was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. In their family were seven children: Mary, the wife of Andrew C. Rode; Henry, who is operating one of his father's farms; Anne, wife of John Macon, of Bridgeport; Sarah, the wife of Edward Verrick, of Swedesboro: Lizzie, who became the wife of Phillip Whitte, and died at the age of twenty- eight years; Louisa, the wife of Louis Fulger, of Bridgeport; and Franklin.
Mr. Brenneis, of this review, is indebted to the public-school system of his native town for the educational privileges that fitted him for the respon- sible duties of life. He has followed farming throughout his business career, and in February, 1899, purchased his present home, comprising forty-eight acres of rich land. Its cultivation results in bringing to him a good income, and he is accounted one of the practical and progressive agriculturists of his community.
On the 9th of March, 1892, Mr. Brenncis was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Butcher, a daughter of Iredel Butcher, of Richmantown, New Jersey. They now have an interesting little daughter, Viola. He is a member of the Independent Order of Red Men, the Bridgeport Grange, and the Knights of the Golden Eagle. In politics he is a Democrat, and has been a member of the board of registry of Logan township. Having always lived in that township, he has a wide acquaintance and enjoys the high regard of the best people of the locality.
WILLIAM G. NIXON.
William G. Nixon, prominent in banking circles, in Cumberland county, New Jersey, was born in Fairfield township, Cumberland county, December 6, 1818, the son of Jeremiah and Mary (Thompson) Nixon.
The Nixon ancestral line probably goes back to 1685, when two English ancestors, brothers, came over with the Penn colony to Philadelphia. One of these brothers settled in what is now Cumberland county, New Jersey, and is probably the progenitor of the Nixons in this region. The line of record is Jeremiah (Ist), born February 1, 1716; Jeremiah (2d), born April 6, 1739; Jeremiah (3d), born April 23, 1770; Jeremiah (4th), born September 20, 1794, the father of William G., born December 6, 1818, the first son and second child of a family of six children. They were in order of birth,
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Isabel, William G., John Thompson, James O., Rhoda and Anna. Many of the children of the various members of this family have held important busi- ness, financial and official positions in this and other states; and have been and are consequential factors in church, state and the business world. They include presidents of banks, members and officers of large corpora- tions, and directors and trustees of prominent institutions of learning.
William G. Nixon was educated in the common schools of Delaware and of Cumberland county, New Jersey. Refusing to go to college and having a strong liking for finance, he left school in his seventeenth year and took a position in a banking house in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He remained with the house for three ycars, when he received an offer from the Cumberland Bank, Cumberland county, New Jersey, which he accepted. In 1844 he was elevated to the position of cashier in this bank, a position which he held until his resignation in 1885, when he was made the president of the bank.
In November, 1843, he was married to Sarah B., a daughter of James B. Potter, the president of the First Cumberland Bank. They have had two children: James Boyd, born August 1, 1847, was graduated at Princeton College, was a trusted and successful lawyer, married Eleanore M. Scull, a granddaughter of David Reeves, the founder of the Cumberland nail and iron works at Bridgeton (1816) and had six children: Mary, who married a lawyer of Council Bluffs, Iowa; Mabel, Norma, Elanore, Boyd and Barron. The second son, William Barron, now deceased, born July 19, 1855, married Mary Alice, a daughter of Rev. Dr. Lincoln, by whom he had one son, William G. The deceased lost his life by the accident of a collision of carriages in Philadelphia, September 3, 1893.
GEORGE J. KINKLE, JR.
As the proprietor of a good market in Bridgeton George A. Kinklc is connected with the business interests of Cumberland county. He was born September 3, 1861, in Jackson, Atlantic county, his parents being Georgc and Mary (Rick) Kinkle. The family name is of German origin. . The paternal grandfather was Joseph Kinkle, who resided in Wittenberg, Ger- many, where he carried on business as a wine merchant. He had three sons and two daughters, all of whom came to this country. George Kinkle, Sr., the father of our subject, crossed the Atlantic to America in early manhood and took up his abode in Jackson, Cumberland county, where he afterward married Miss May Rick. Subsequently he removed to Bridgeton, where he
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became the proprietor of a hotel. He is now living retired in this city. His political support is given to the Democratic party and he is a well known and highly esteemed resident of Cumberland county. His wife is also living, and they are members of the Lutheran church. In their family are three sons and four daughters: George, Jacob, John, Mary, William, Carrie and Birdie.
George A. Kinkle, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the public schools of Bridgeton, completing the regular course. He after- ward learned the butcher's trade, which he has since followed. In 1883 he began conducting a market on his own account at No. 40 South Pearl street, and has since secured a liberal patronage, meeting with creditable success in his business affairs. He is energetic and earnest in his desire to please his patrons, and has built up an excellent trade.
On the 8th of July, 1883, Mr. Kinkle was married to Miss Sarah Green, and to them have been born two daughters,-Emma and Clara. Mr. Kinkle belongs to the Improved Order of Heptasophs, and is a member of the Ger- man Lutheran church. He possesses considerable musical talent and at one time was a member of the City Cornet Band of Bridgeton, of eighteen pieces. He is also a member of Bridgeton Castle, Knights of the Golden Eagle; Cohanzey Tribe, I. O. R. M., and Cumberland Lodge, K. P. He takes an active interest in politics, supporting the Republican party, and always keeps well informed on the issues of the day. In 1881 he became connected with the Cohanzey (No. 1) Engine & Hose Company, now the Bridgeton Fire Department, and has since labored effectively to promote its interests. Since April, 1899, he has served as the chief of the department, which is a paid department of twenty-seven members. Well equipped, its work has been most useful and its apparatus includes two engines, one hook and ladder wagon, one hose cart and two three-wheeled trucks. He was elected by the city council, December 25, 1899, to the position of electrician of the Bridge- ton fire department.
Mr. Kinkle is a progressive and public-spirited citizen who gives a loyal support to all measures which he believes to be for the public benefit, and his labors have resulted in the upbuilding and advancement of the city in which he has so long made his home.
FRANK S. FITHIAN.
Frank S. Fithian is a financier of 'marked ability who is now occupying the responsible position of chief clerk in the water department of the city of Camden. His ability in controlling extensive business interests well fits
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him for the duties that now devolve upon him, and in a most efficient manner he has fulfilled the work of his office.
Mr. Fithian was born in Bridgeton, New Jersey, December 15, 1864, and is a son of Charles B. Fithian, a native of Cumberland county. The grandfather also was born in Cumberland county, and the great-grandfather was a native of Scotland. Charles B. Fithian has made farming his life work and is now residing in Pennsylvania, at the age of sixty-eight years. He married Emma Sheppard, also a native of Cumberland county, and to them were born seven children, of whom six are living. Frank S. Fithian obtained his education in the public schools of Bridgeton, but put aside his text- books at the age of thirteen years and entered upon his business career in the capacity of errand boy with John J. Bailey & Company, proprietors of a large dry-goods and notion house in Philadelphia. Gradually he worked his way upward, his close application, his fidelity and ability winning him promotion from time to time, until he became the head of one of the depart- ments of the store. In 1891 he came to Camden and in June of that year was appointed by the city council to the office of chief clerk in the water department, a position which he has since acceptably filled. There annually passes through his hands in this department one hundred and sixty thousand dollars, handling in the month of June, 1899, one hundred and ten thousand dollars. To those who know Mr. Fithian and are familiar with his character- istics, it is needless to say that he has been most faithful to his trust, account- ing for every cent that has passed over his counter. He has ever merited the confidence reposed in him and is not only honorable but possesses business qualifications that enable him to administer the affairs of his office in a most efficient manner.
On the 30th of November, 1883, Mr. Fithian was happily married to Miss Emma Wrifford, the daughter of Charles Wrifford, a contractor of Camden, and they now have one child, Leslie, and their pleasant home is the center of the cultured society circle. Since attaining his majority Mr. Fithian has been a stalwart advocate of the Republican party and is a recognized leader in its ranks, from the third ward of Camden. He keeps well informed on the issues of the day and does all in his power to secure the adoption of Republican principles. He has served as a member of the board of education and was the chairman of the committee that started the Camden Manual Training School. Socially he is connected with the Masonic fraternity, with the Red Men, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, and the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks, having served for eight years as financial secretary of the Golden Eagle Lodge. While holding political office he manifests the same fidelity in his work as if it was a private business interest. In political
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circles he is very prominent, and in all classes of society he is popular, for in manner he is genial and courteous and has the ability to tactfully recognize good points in every individual.
WILLIAM E. MASSEY.
The history of this gentleman seems almost phenomenal, for he has attained a degree of success that is remarkable., He is the youngest but the most prominent real-estate dealer in Ocean City, and his business has reached extensive proportions, thus bringing to him a comfortable income. He was born in Englishtown, Monmouth county, New Jersey, October 17, 1875, and is a son of William A. and Mary Jane (Coolbaugh) Massey. His father is a well-known minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was born in Kent county, Delaware. He was educated in Fort Edward Insti- tute, New York, and at Dickinson College, where he completed a classical course and was graduated in the year of 1873. He then entered the ministry and became a member of the New Jersey conference. He served a full term of three years at Little Silver, Bordentown and Swedesboro by appointment, and in the spring of 1890 was assigned to work at Ocean City, where he remained for four years. During his pastorate at this place a house of worship and a commodious parsonage were erected, and the membership of the organization was greatly augmented. On removing from Ocean City he went to South River, thence to Camden, and at the present time he is the pastor of the Methodist church in Goshen. His life is marked by earnest devotion to the cause which he has espoused and his influence is widely felt in church circles. He has been twice married, the children of the first union being William Everett; Sarah Jane, the wife of Robert Barber, who is engaged in mining, lumbering and hardware business in Hazelton, Pennsylvania; and Everett C., who died at the age of four years. The mother of these children died in November, 1892, at the age of forty-two, and Rev. Massey has since married Miss Roxanna G. Corson, by whom he has three children: Gershom, Reynolds and Anna E.
William E. Massey, of this review, having attended the public schools, entered Pennington Seminary in 1892 and would have graduated the follow- ing year but for the death of his mother, which occasioned a change in his plans. It was at first his intention to prepare for entrance in the Columbia Law School, but putting aside this view he turned his attention to the real- estate and insurance business in 1893, when eighteen years of age. Open- ing an office in Ocean City he has prospered from the beginning, and his
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business has constantly grown in volume and importance. He was asso- ciated with Charles A. Campbell under the partnership name of W. E. Massey & Company for two years, and after that connection was dissolved he formed a partnership with Reuben W. Edwards, under the firm style of Massey & Edwards, doing a real-estate, insurance and conveyancing busi- ness, with their office at No. 811 Asbury avenue. Mr. Massey is also financially interested in the insurance firm of E. C. Leeds & Company, one of the oldest in their line in Camden. He is interested in several beach front operations.
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