USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 34
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Three years later, in 1896, Mr. Cresse became the executive head of the Ocean City office of the Central Trust Company, of Camden. This bank was established and opened for business on the 13th of May, 1896. The business here is conducted in a handsome building, a brick structure which was erected in the spring of 1897 and is equipped with a fire and burglar-proof vault. A general banking business is conducted and success has attended the enterprise from the beginning, a fact which is largely attributable to the efforts and management of Mr. Cresse. In this work he is assisted by W. Scott Hand, who occupies the position of teller, and B. C. Marshall, who is the bookkeeper. Mr. Cresse is also extensively interested in the business of paper-manufacturing at Pleasant Mills, New Jersey. The office of the Pleas- ant Mills Paper Company, of which Mr. Cresse is president, is at No. 608 Chestnut street, Philadelphia, and to the management of this important enterprise he has devoted much attention. The Citizens' Water Company, of Ocean City, in which Mr. Cresse is largely interested, claims his attention as an official in the capacity of treasurer. His fine executive ability in busi- ness and corporative enterprises has been so well recognized that he has had many calls to public office. He is now serving as a member of the board of education for the second term and is the president of the Board of Trade of Ocean City.
On the 12th of September, 1896, he was united in marriage with Cecilia, a daughter of Alexander and Marion Hislop, of Troy, New York. They occupy an enviable position in social circles and enjoy the highest esteem of many friends. Mr. Cresse is a member of the Ancient Order of United
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Workmen and is popular in social as well as business circles. His success in all that he has undertaken has been marked and his methods are of interest to the commercial world. He has based his business principles and actions upon strict adherence to the rules which govern industry, economy and strict unswerving integrity. This enterprising and progressive spirit has made him a typical American in every sense of the word and he well de- serves mention in the history of his native country. Scarcely beyond the heyday of his youth, but with the experience of mature years, the past career of Mr. Cresse presages a future that will honor his ancient lineage and brighten the pages of history of his country whose confines shall extend far beyond the limits of his county and state.
JOSEPH A. CLARK.
Joseph Archibald Clark, founder of the Clark Glass Works, one of the most important manufacturing industries in the city of Bridgeton, New Jer- sey, was born at Centerton, Salem county, this state, on July 12, 1822, a son of Isaac and Rebecca (Newkirk) Clark.
Isaac Clark, who also was a native of Centerton, spent the greater part of his life in tilling the soil and in other agricultural pursuits, and was con- sidered one of the most practical and enterprising farmers of Centerton. For a number of years he served as the overseer of roads in that town, a position in which he proved himself efficient and trustworthy. Of the children born of his union with Miss Rebecca Newkirk two are living: Sarah, the wife of Charles Smith; and Joseph A. Isaac Clark and his wife were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Centerton, in which he held various offices, among them that of class-leader.
Their son, Joseph Archibald, received a good, practical education; and when his school-days were ended, as his father had then retired from active labor, he carried on the homestead farm until he was twenty-two years of age. He then purchased a farm of seventy-five acres in Salem county, and there his father's declining years were passed. In addition to that place Mr. Clark owned a large amount of other land, and was long engaged in get- ting out hoop-poles for the city market, having probably manufactured as many as any man in this state.
After having successfully engaged in farming for twenty-one years, in 1867 Mr. Clark sold his farm and came to Bridgeton to reside. During the first seven years he continued in the hoop-pole business, to which he added that of lumber, his office being on Laurel street; but in 1874 he sold out his
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interests, and in company with Mr. Basset and Mr. Shoemaker started in the manufacture of glass. For two years they were on Water street; but at the end of that time their business had increased so that larger quarters were necessary, and they removed to their present stand, where they have con- tinued to do a very successful business under the style of the Cumberland Glass Manufacturing Company, making a specialty of bottles of various kinds. The Window Glass Company has since been formed, of which Mr. Clark is also a partner; and although it is the latest company of this descrip- tion that has been organized in Bridgeton, it gives employment to a larger number of people than any other here.
In March, 1848, Mr. Clark was joined in marriage with Miss Mary Loper, of Cumberland county. Two of their children are living, namely: Rebecca, the wife of C. W. Shoemaker; and Josephine R., who is at the parental home. Their son, Isaac L., who lived to be but thirty-four years of age, was associated with his father in the hoop-pole and lumber business, and was afterward one of the leaders in the organization and establishment of the glass business. He was a young man of promising business ability and an exemplary member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. and Mrs. Clark and their daughter are influential members of the Methodist Episcopal church. On coming to Bridgeton, Mr. Clark pur- chased a house at 236 North Laurel street, where he and his family still reside, he having rebuilt the house and made various other substantial im- provements. He also owns several other dwelling-houses in this city.
DR. T. J. SMITH.
T. J. Smith, A.M., M.D., Sc.D., a prominent physician of Bridgeton, New Jersey, was born in Mannington township, Salem county, this state, April 21, 1841, the son of Peter and Elizabeth A. Smith. His ancestor, in the fifth generation, Peter Smith, came from England, one of whose sons, Captain William Smith, born December 10, 1742, fought in the Revolu- tionary war. His grandfather, Washington Smith, born in Salem county, June 22, 1780, was a farmer in Lower Alloway township, a Whig and later a Republican, and died of typhoid fever at the age of forty-five years. His father, Peter Smith, was born in Lower Alloway township, January 6, 1805, became a large and successful farmer in Mannington township, and at his death in 1879 owned several farms. He was a Republican, a man of large intelligence and wide influence, and held prominent township offices. His
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children were James W., Jesse P., Samuel P., Ephraim C., Dr. T. J. and Peter E., of whom the first two and Ephraim are deceased.
Dr. T. J. Smith attended the Salem Academy, where he prepared for Williams College, at which he was graduated in 1862. Taking up the study of medicine, he was graduated at the University of Pennsylvania, in 1866, and in 1869 located in general practice at Bridgeton, New Jersey. Rising rapidly in his profession, he soon acquired a large practice and a wide influence in medical circles. He is the medical director of the Cumberland County Insane Hospital, a member of the Cumberland County Medical Society, the State Medical Society, of which he was president in 1897, and is a fellow of the American Academy of Medicine. In 1893 he was a member of the Pan-American Medical Congress, and was a delegate from the State Medical Society to the American Medical Association at New York city, in 1885. He was also largely instrumental in securing the holding of the American Medical Society Convention at Atlantic City, January 5-8, 1900. He is a frequent contributor to various medical journals, attending physician at the Bridgeton Hospital, is high up in Masonry, a member of I. O. O. F., K. of P., K. of the G. E., a member of the board of education, and was the president of the South Jersey Institute for fifteen years. He is a Repub- lican in politics, a deacon in the First Baptist church and a member of the board of managers of the New Jersey State Village for Epileptics.
In March, 1871, he was married to Mary G., a daughter of Elisha G. Glenn, of Philadelphia.
BENJAMINE S. AYARS.
Benjamine Shepard Ayars, the owner of a large canning factory at Bridgeton, New Jersey, was born in Greenwich, New Jersey, December 8, 1840, the son of Robert and Lydia (Wood) Ayars. He was educated in the public schools of Greenwich, and at Shiloh, often walking four miles to school. Leaving school at sixteen years of age, he learned the blacksmith trade, following it as an occupation until 1879, and still does his own black- smithing connected with his business. From 1873 to 1880 he commenced the canning business in a small way at Greenwich, a business which amounted in 1899 to sales of over one hundred thousand dollars, employing some three hundred and fifty hands, in the two factories. In 1880 he removed to Bridgeton, where he established his present factory on Water street, enlarging the plant at that time purchased, from one hundred and thirty-three feet by one hundred and fifty-five feet to one hundred and thirty- three feet front by three hundred and fifty feet deep. In this establishment,
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in 1899, he put up over a million of cans, including peas, currants, straw- berries, huckleberries, apples, pears, pumpkin, etc.,-the factory employing upward of one hundred and fifty operatives. In 1893 Mr. Ayars purchased the factory of the Cumberland County Packing & Canning Company in Bridgeton, where were packed 1,100,000 cans in 1899. The business, although the largest in Cumberland county, is still growing, and facilities for output are constantly being enlarged. Sales are largely conducted through commission merchants and large contracts are made in advance of the season.
Mr. Ayars is a Republican and was the assessor of Greenwich for three years. He is a member of the Baptist church at Bridgeton, of which he has been a trustee for the last sixteen years. In 1862 he enlisted in the Twenty- fourth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, Company F, for nine months, and took part in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and served for the full time of enlistment, when he returned to Greenwich and resumed his trade of blacksmithing.
In February, 1866, he was married to Nancy L., a daughter of David Minch. They had one child, who died in infancy, his wife also dying, at the age of twenty-five years. By a second marriage to Martha, a daughter of Thomas Ramell, seven children were born to him, of whom the first four were Howard, Robert E., Clinton B. and Arthur D.
GEORGE H. CRESSE.
George Hoffman Cresse is the youngest son of Lewis and Mary Ann (Hoffman) Cresse, and was born in Swainton, Cape May county, December 21, 1871. His ancestral history appears in connection with the life record of his brother, L. M. Cresse. He obtained his education in the public schools of his native town and in the Trenton State Normal school, where he was honored by being made the president of his class and class poet. He was graduated in 1890, and since that time has been a student in the University of Pennsylvania and in Harvard College, where he has taken special courses in French, Latin and trigonometry. Since that time his life has been devoted to educational work, and he has demonstrated his ability as an educator in Port Elizabeth, Ocean City and Dennisville.
He is a man of scholarly attainments and of studious habits. He has a special fondness for the study of philosophy, and in the field of literature he has carried his researches far beyond those of the average graduate. At this writing he is a member of the board of examiners of teachers for Cape May
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county. A facile writer of poetical temperament, he has contributed many short poems of worth to the local press. He is deeply interested in the edu- cational and literary development of his native county and has greatly ad- vanced the standard of intellectuality.
JOHN S. WARE.
John Smith Ware was born in Bridgeton, New Jersey, in 1857, a son of Smith Mills and Ann Eliza (Gerhardt) Ware. His paternal grandfather, John S. Ware, was a native of Roadstown, Cumberland county, a chair- maker by trade, and lived in Bridgeton at his death. He was a Democrat, associate judge at one time, and a man of much prominence, and both him- self and wife died at the age of seventy-five years.
Smith Mills Ware, a son of the preceding and the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Bridgeton, New Jersey, in 1828, was educated in the public schools of that place, and early in life removed to Mauricetown. He is a Democrat, a member of the I. O. O. F., and holds a prominent posi- tion in church circles, being a member of the Mauricetown Methodist Episcopal church. His children are Lizzie, Ida, John S., Emma, and Edith. The mother died in September, 1898, aged sixty-nine years.
John Smith Ware was educated in the public schools of Mauricetown, graduating and leaving school at eighteen. Thereafter he engaged in the oyster business in Port Norris, buying and selling, for a period of three years. Later, in 1887, he became associated with a bank as bookkeeper, remaining nine years, up to 1896, when, upon the organization of the Cum- berland Trust Company, he became its secretary and treasurer. Mr. Ware is still engaged in the oyster business, and is largely interested in planting and growing oyster beds in Maurice River Cove. He is a Democrat, a member of the I. O. O. F., of the F. & A. M. and of the Methodist Episcopal church. He is also a member of the Board of Trade at Bridgeton.
In January, 1882, he was married to Lorella H., a daughter of Charles Sharp, a sea captain, of Mauricetown. They have two children,-Charles and John.
J. LENHART RICE.
J. Lenhart Rice, of Bridgeton, New Jersey, is a partner and son of Wallace C. Rice, in the Acme Gas Fixture Company, owned and run by himself. He was born in Bridgeton, August 29, 1841, a son of William and
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Nancy Snelling (Jacobs) Rice. His grandfather, Philip Rice. who was a native of Sweden, emigrated to this country and settled in Dorchester, New Jersey, where he kept a hotel for a considerable time.
William Rice, from whom the son undoubtedly inherited his business aptitude, was also a successful man. His birth occurred March 15. 1796, in Dorchester, where also he received a common-school education. His school days ended, he engaged in the calling of a sailor, and is alleged to have commanded a vessel at the age of sixteen years. Having spent eight years in seafaring life, he established himself in Bridgeton and Millville as a ship-builder, taking up his residence in the former place. He carried on his business for thirty-five years, during which he built many large vessels and made a fortune. He then retired from active occupation, and died June 29, 1871, at the age of seventy-five years. A company of infantry, in which he had enlisted, was called out during the war of 1812. One of several ex- pressions of public esteem for him was his election to the office of freeholder of Bridgeton. Both he and his family were members of the Trinity Meth- odist Episcopal church, of which he was one of the founders. He was also an active worker in the organization called the Sons of Temperance. His wife was a daughter of Charles Jacobs, of Boston, Massachusetts. Death having rendered her fatherless at the age of nine years, she was brought up in Dorchester, New Jersey, by a family whose members belonged to the benevolent Society of Friends. She bore her husband ten children, namely: Charles J., Thomas, Philip, Harriet, William, Elizabeth, Anna J., Roger, Matilda and J. Lenhart. Harriet became the wife of E. P. Wilson; Eliza- beth, the wife of Enoch Brooks; Anna J., the wife of Wallace C. Rodgers; Matilda, the wife of Joseph M. Elwell and subsequently of John M. Frazeur; and William resides in Bridgeton.
J. Lenhart Rice was educated in the public schools of Bridgeton. On leaving school he was trained in the ship carpenter's trade of his father. When twenty-one years old he enlisted in Company H, Twenty-Fourth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, for service in the civil war. He went to the front with his regiment, which joined the army of the Potomac, took part in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, and was honorably discharged in 1862. The next year he established himself in busi- ness. In 1877, in company with David O. Frazeur, he purchased the lime business of John Rogers, which they succesfully carried on, under the firm name of Frazeur & Rice, up to June 1, 1897. In 1894 he sold out to his brother the business started by him in 1863, and, together with his son, formed the Acme Gas Fixture Company. Owing to good management this
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firm has been most prosperous, and is now doing a business that gives reg- ular employment to over forty men.
On September 13, 1865, Mr. Rice was united in matrimony with Maria A., a daughter of Samuel D. Frazeur. Of this marriage there were born three children, of whom one is deceased. Those living are: Wallace C. and Jessie A. Both parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. During Mr. Rice's connection with the society, a period of forty-two years, he has served in all the offices, from the lowest capacity to that of local preacher.
Mr. Rice, who has always taken an active interest in local affairs, was the town clerk of Bridgeton for a number of years, before it was chartered as a city. In 1891 he was elected to the common council by ward No. 3, on the Republican ticket, and served in that body until 1894. At one time he was a member of the Sons of Temperance. He has affiliation with Brearly Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Bridgeton; with Cumberland Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Bridgeton; and with the A. L. Robeson Post, Grand Army of the Republic. The family occupy the tasteful residence, 162 Broad street, built by Mr. Rice in 1871. He settled in Bridgeton in 1865; and his record as a citizen, a man of business, and a Christian has been such as to win the respect of all his neighbors.
JOHN Q. DAVIS.
A leading representative of the industrial interests of Salem is John Q. Davis, whose capable management of his business has made him one of the prosperous citizens of the community. He was born in Lower Alloway Creek township, Salem county, July 28 1833, and is a son of John W. and Elizabeth (Tracy) Davis. His grandfather, John Davis, was a native of Salem county, and throughout his active business career carried on agricul- tural pursuits here. He married Margaret Daniels, who died at the age of seventy-seven years. Their children were: John W .; Nathan; Job; Eliza- beth, the wife of Oliver Hall; Hannah, the wife of Abel Homan; and Mary, the wife of David Perkins. The maternal grandfather of our subject was Daniel Tracy, who resided in Lower Alloway Creek township, where he followed farming throughout his life. He was a man of good business ability and unquestioned integrity, and these qualities caused him to be selected for settling up many estates. He was chosen to represent his dis- trict in the state legislature, and rode on horseback from Camden to Trenton in order to attend the sessions of the general assembly. He left the impress
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of his individuality upon the public life of Salem county, and was highly esteemed by the generation in which he lived. He married Sarah Evans, and they reared a large number of children. His death occurred when he had attained the age of seventy-seven years. John W. Davis, the father of our subject, was born in Salem county, and was a leading agriculturist of Lower Alloway Creek township, where he spent his entire life. He took part in the training of the troops after the manner of the olden times, and gave his political support to the Whig party. His death occurred July 18, 1843, at the age of forty-four years, and his wife, long surviving him, passed away February 18, 1874, at the age of seventy-seven years. They were the parents of five children: Daniel, the eldest, married Ruth Garrison, and after her death wedded Ruth Ayers; Elizabeth became the wife of John Pierpont, a . carriage-maker; Sarah married Andrew Mills, a farmer, and to them were born four children,-Isabelle, William, Walter and Winfield; John Q. was the next younger; and Richard completes the family.
John Q. Davis enjoyed such educational advantages as were afforded by the district schools near his home, but put aside his text-books when ten years of age in order to go to work on a farm. He devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits until eighteen years of age and then came to Salem, where he learned the carriage-maker's trade. He followed that business for ten years, after which he began dealing in milk and manufacturing ice cream. He began business in 1866, on a small scale, his factory being located on east Broadway. It was operated by hand power, but after a time horse power was introduced, and subsequently the plant was equipped with steam power. He purchased his present property in 1880, built the factory which he now occupies, and equipped it with the latest improved machinery for the successful conduct of his business. He now manufactures ice cream on a very extensive scale, shipping to many of the seaside resorts. He employs fifteen people in the business at this place, and also has a station at Harmers- ville. He deals extensively in ice, having two wagons in use in delivering that product, and his ice-houses are fitted up with steam power for filling. He has bored three artesian wells, and has a pond of five acres supplied with pure artesian well water, which, freezing over in the winter season, enables him to fill his ice-houses with a high quality of the cool product. In connec- tion with his ice cream factory he operates a creamery and thus furnishes an excellent market for the dairy farmers in this locality. His business has grown to large proportions and brings him a good income.
In January, 1859, Mr. Davis was united in marriage to Miss Jerusha Foster, a daughter of Jamima Foster. They now have three children,- Elizabeth, who died at the age of thirty years; H. Winters and Jeanette H.
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The family attend the Baptist church, of which Mr. Davis has been a member for forty-eight years, and for a long period he has served in official positions in the church, being now a member of the board of deacons. He has served as a judge of elections, but has never sought political preferment, desiring rather to give his time and attention to his business interests. He votes with the Republican party at national elections, but at local elections, where no national issue is involved, he casts his ballot independent of party ties. He may justly be called a self-made man, for he has worked his way upward unaided, overcoming difficulties and obstacles by determined purpose and resolute will. His life demonstrates that diligence is the keynote to success, and should serve to encourage others who, like himself, have to start out empty handed.
E. MILFORD APPLEGATE.
Hon. E. Milford Applegate, the present mayor of Bridgeton, was born here, December 22, 1857, being a son of Maskel W. and Sarah S. (Souder) Appleton. He represents an old and respected family of South Jersey. His grandfather, Minor Applegate, a native of Alloway, Salem county, followed the trade of blacksmith in that place, and died comparatively early in life.
Maskel W. Applegate, also a native of Alloway, born April 10, 1834, was very young when he lost his father. Soon afterward his mother re- moved with him to Roadstown, Cumberland county, and lived there until he was in his tenth or eleventh year. He then came alone to Bridgeton, and set out in life for himself by learning the trade of painter. This calling he subsequently followed until 1866, when he abandoned it on account of serious injuries received by him. Since then he has been engaged in the marble business. He is also interested in several real-estate companies. On November 21, 1856, he was joined in matrimony with Miss Souder, a daughter of Phillip Souder, an old and esteemed resident of Bridgeton. He is now the father of three children-E. Milford, Jennie and Harriet. The latter is now the wife of Reuben C. Hunt, a member of the firm of Hunt Brothers, dry-goods dealers of Bridgeton. Maskel W. Applegate is an A. F. & A. M., having his membership in Evening Star Lodge, of Bridgeton; Brearly Chapter, of Bridgeton, and Olivet Commandery, of Millville, New Jersey. Both he and his wife are members of the Central Methodist Epis- copal church, in which he has officiated as a steward since its organization.
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