USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 45
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On Christmas day of 1883 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Rebecca J. Scull, a daughter of David L. Scull. Their eldest child died in infancy, but three are still living: Harry I., Allen H. and Frambes G. In his political views Mr. Smith is a Republican, unswerving in the support of
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the principles of the party, and belongs to the Masonic fraternity, the Im- proved Order of Red Men, the Knights of Pythias and the Union Beneficial Society. His close application to business and his diligence and honorable dealings having been the ruling factor in his success, but man's position in the business and social world is determined by his character; and it is this which has won Mr. Smith his high standing.
THE MECUM FAMILY.
Among the prominent families of New Jersey whose history has become an integral part of the annals of the state, none is more worthy of mention in this volume than the one whose name heads this article. Its representa- tives have always been men of determined loyalty and of uprightness in business affairs, while its women have displayed those traits of character which everywhere win for a woman the respect of all with whom she comes in contact. The original American emigrant, Edward Mecum, came from England to the New World in the latter part of the seventeenth century. As early as 1706 his name appears in the court records as a juror in Salem county, New Jersey. One of his sons, William Mecum, purchased a large tract of land of two hundred acres in Penn's Neck township, Salem county, and built a residence thereon prior to 1737. In that year he rebuilt and the house is still standing, one of the landmarks which indicate the progress of the country. In 1728 he married Margaret Vickery, and they had one son, Major William Mecum, who was twice married. He first wedded Dorcas Gibson, and they had one child, Joseph, who died in infancy. For his second wife he chose Eleanor Sinnickson, and they became the parents of six children: Sarah, Margaret, William, Rebecca, George and Andrew.
Of the family of Major William Mecum and Eleanor Sinnickson, Sarah, the first named, married Robert Clark, by whom she had one child, Robert, who died in infancy. After the death of her first husband she married William Stedhan, of Delaware, and her third husband was James Selby. Margaret Mecum, the second child of Major Mecum, became the wife of Antrim Conarroe. William, the next younger, died in 1806. Major William Mecum was a valiant soldier of the Revolutionary war, and served as major of the First battalion of the Salem militia, with which command he was sent to New York in company with the "Flying Brigade," under General Newcomb. The sword which he carried through the struggle that brought to the nation her independence is now in the possession of the Mecum family of Salem, New Jersey. (Major Mecum had his shoe and knee buckles
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melted up to make the hilt, and is a most cherished heirloom.) The major was also prominent in civic affairs, serving as a justice of the peace from 1774 until 1776, and as the Judge of Salem county during the early days of the republic,-from 1777 until 1782, and in 1786 and 1787.
Rebecca Mecum, the fourth child of William and Eleanor (Sinnickson) Mecum, became the wife of Samuel Higgins, of Delaware. George Wash- ington Mecum was engaged in merchandising in Philadelphia at the time of the yellow fever epidemic there and lost his life while acting as nurse to some of the sufferers from that dread disease. Andrew Mecum, the young- est of the family, was born in Lower Penn's Neck township, February 23, 1780, and died on the 4th of October, 1814. He was one of the most promi- nent and wealthy men of Salem county, and owned several valuable farms. He was married in 1808 to Miss Nancy Wright, who died August 6, 1852.
Their son, James Wright Mecum, was born in Lower Penn's Neck town- ship, Salem county, December 9, 1809, and was educated in private schools and in the academy in Salem, New Jersey. When a young man he spent several years in the county clerk's office, but devoted the greater part of his life to agricultural pursuits and was the owner of several valuable tracts of land in the township of his nativity. He was progressive in his methods, and his close application to business, his enterprise and careful management brought to him a handsome competence. The manual labor on the farms, however, was left to others, his income enabling him to hire a sufficient force to cultivate the land. At the time of his death he was a resident of Salem. A very prominent citizen, he exerted a strong influence in the community and enjoyed the respect and confidence of all. His political support was given the Whig party in early life, but later he joined the ranks of the Democracy. Of the Episcopal church he was a very active and zealous member. For many generations his family were connected with that church, and in the congregation in which his membership was placed he served as vestryman and warden and was also superintendent of the Sunday-school. He was also lay reader for many years, and did all in his power to promote the growth and advance the cause of the church. In business he has had other interests aside from farming, having been one of the founders and for many years treasurer of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Company. He was also for many years a trustee of Rutgers College and of St. Mary's Hall, Burlington, New Jersey.
On the 24th of May, 1841, Mr. Mecum was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Ann Harrison, the wedding ceremony being performed by the Rev. E. G. Prescott. The lady was a daughter of Josiah and Isabella (Dick) Harrison. Her father was a son of Josham Harrison, who owned a large
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farm that now forms the central portion of the city of Orange, New Jersey. He married Lydia James. Their son Josiah was a captain of the militia from Salem county, New Jersey, in the war of 1812. By profession he was a lawyer, with offices in Salem and Camden. He was graduated at Prince- ton College in 1790, being a member of one of its first classes, and his thorough knowledge well qualified him for the practice of his chosen pro- fession, in which he attained considerable prominence. He figured promi- nently in the affairs of the colony and in the events which form the history of New Jersey after the establishment of the new Republic, and was present at the inauguration of George Washington as the first President of the United States, in New York City, in 1789. A man of broad general culture, he had a rare and valuable collection of old books, some of which are now in possession of his grandchildren, the Mecum family. He was for many years a warden and lay reader in St. John's church (Episcopal) at Salem, and like others of the family took a very active interest in church work. He married Isabella Dick, and their children were: Maria, who was born in 1806 and who died in 1895; Henrietta, born in 1809 and died in 1883; and Lydia Ann, who was born January 26, 1812, and died in 1887. The last named became the wife of James Wright Mecum and the mother of the following children: Isabella, born in 1842, and died in 1845; George, who was born in 1844 and died in 1889; Ellen, who was born July 1, 1846; James Harrison, who was born April 12, 1849, and died July 20, 1863; Maria, born January 6, 1852; and Charles, born January 15, 1855. Charles Mecum, the youngest son of the family, married Margaret Howard Sinnick- son, a daughter of J. Howard and Elizabeth (Forman) Sinnickson. Their marriage was celebrated May 29, 1890, and their children are Frances Margaret, who was born April 9, 1891; Charles Harrison, who was born July 24, 1892; and James Howard, who was born March 14, 1894.
SMITH B. SICKLER.
Smith Bowen Sickler is a son of Henry and Hannah (Dickison) Sickler and was born in Woodstown, Salem county, New Jersey, March 14, 1835. He is now a prominent citizen of Salem and a contractor and builder of unquestioned ability. He is of German descent, the family having been founded in America by three brothers who came over from the fatherland, one settling in Camden, one in Friesburg, and one in Gloucester. The one who settled in Friesburg is the ancestor to whom our subject traces his origin, and they have continued to live in that vicinity and have fol-
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lowed agriculture for several generations. John Sickler, the grandfather, was born there and owned a farm of five hundred acres in Pittsgrove township. He was a Democrat. He married Hannah Freas and reared the following children, whose progeny are widely scattered: William, Samuel, Henry, the father, John, Elizabeth, Hannah and Sarah. The grandfather died at the age of sixty years and the grandmother at the age of eighty.
Henry Sickler was born in Pittsgrove township and learned the trade of blacksmith and wheelwright. This work he carried on most successfully for several years, living part of the time in Woodstown, where he owned a farm. He possessed great business ability and acquired considerable prop- erty. He was a Republican and took considerable interest in local politics. His wife was Hannah Dickison, a daughter of a prominent farmer of the same locality, Mat and Mary (Hall) Dickison. The children born to this union were three, of whom Smith, our subject, was the eldest. Henry Freas, whose sketch is given on another page, was the second; and Mary, now Mrs. Josiah Medeira, was the youngest. The father died in 1838, while yet a young man, leaving the care of his young family to his widow, and nobly did she take up the burden of rearing them to noble manhood and womanhood. She went to her reward April 12, 1881, after seventy-three years of useful life
Smith B. Sickler attended private schools at Salem until he was eighteen ·years of age, when he began to learn the trade of bricklayer. He was fortunate in getting in with Richard C. Ballinger, one of the best workmen in the state and more recently a leading contractor of Philadelphia, who taught him to be accurate and careful in all work under his care and enabled him to become a skillful workman second to none. He has followed contracting and build- ing for a period upward of thirty-five years, part of the time with different partners and at other times alone. The buildings erected by him are but so many lasting monuments to his handiwork and are scattered over a wide ter- ritory, speaking eloquently of his ability. Some of the jobs done by him are the Salem county jail, the county buildings, Salem City Bank, Gloucester county almshouse, Alloway town Baptist church, the college at Bridgeton, the residence of Dr. Brester, of that city, and several smaller jobs there. He put up many of the factory residences, and rebuilt many of those destroyed by fire, among them the post-office, the residences of William Holtz and Judge Plummer, and the E building. He received all the best contracts and often employed as many as fourteen men. For two years he was super- intendent of the Fairview brick works, which he established in 1889, together with Frank and Larra Lewis, Lucius Landrich, Charles Adrisson, a lawyer of Philadelphia, and Richard C. Ballinger. The yard was afterward disposed
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of to Hiles & Hilliard, when Mr. Sickler purchased a farm. He formed a partnership with Johnson Freas and continued contracting and building, at the same time manufacturing their brick at Pentonville, as their brick-yards were called. This comprised fifty acres of land with five dwellings, one store, two large barns, one ice house, two large brick kilns, brick building, frame office and six sheds, each one hundred yards long, used for storing brick. A switch has been put in connecting it with Penton station, and twelve men are constantly employed there. The capacity of the kilns is four hundred thousand brick per year, and only the best quality of any grade is put on the market. Besides common brick they make the kaolin white brick, a superior building material, and a fine grade of fire brick. They manufacture for local trade and enjoy the reputation of turning out only first-class work. He fur- nished the brick for the Salem filter, and in that, as in all other contracts, takes great pride in supplying only the best article. The partnership with Mr. Freas terminated at the expiration of four years, when Mr. Freas was succeeded by Zaccheus Sickler. He was also connected with Johnson Freas for a short time. After Zaccheus Sickler retired our subject carried on the business alone.
Mr. Sickler was married March 4, 1857, to Mary Freas, a daughter of Samuel Freas, a farmer. Ten children have been born to them: Edward, who was born February 13, 1858, and died of lockjaw in his thirty-seventh year, was a merchant at Frogtown and married Miss Lizzie Ridgeway, by whom he had three children,-one that died in infancy, Joseph, deceased, and Robert. Lavina, who was born in 1860, married William Dunn, a farmer of Penn's Neck township, and has two daughters,-Nellie and Emma. Emma, who was born in 1862, married John Taylor, a bricklayer, and they died, leaving one child, Elsie, since deceased. Charles, deceased, who was born in 1863, and a farmer; he married Georgia Sheppard and had two children,-Smith B. and Artie. Harry, who was born in 1865, and is a bricklayer and contractor at Salem; he married Miss Carrie Flanagan and has four children,-Morgan, Mary, Mabel and Lourene. Belle, who was born in 1867 and was the wife of Joshua Wheaton, died but a few years after the marriage. Susie, who was born in 1869, married Aaron Harris, and has since died. She had one child, Wilbur, now deceased. Hannah, Howard and Walter are at home.
Mr. Sickler is independent in his politics, believing in giving his support to the best man rather than sticking too closely to party lines without due regard to the qualifications of the candidate. He has been a freeholder at Salem two years and served as constable for the same length of time. He has been a member of the Red Men and the Knights of Pythias. During the
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civil war he belonged to the home guards of Salem, and for three years was a member of the No. I Band of this city, in which he took an active part. He is a member of the Baptist church of this city, in which he is a willing worker and liberal contributor.
FREDERICK C. GAYNER.
Frederick C. Gayner was born December 8, 1858, in Bristol, England, and is a son of John and Francis (Atkin) Gayner. John Gayner was the founder of the Gayner Glass Company, of Salem, and was also a native of Bristol, England, as was his father, Edward Gayner, who was the superin- tendent of the glass factory there. John Gayner, whose biography is given at length on another page, learned the trade of glass-blower and in 1866 brought his family to America, where after many changes he settled down at Salem, New Jersey, and started a glass factory, which is now one of the principal industries in this part of the state, employing about two hundred men, women and girls to carry on the work. Owing to his industry and persever- ance the plant is run on a paying basis, bringing a neat income not only to the owners, but also to many others who derive their support from its oper- ation. John Gayner is a man of extraordinary business ability, as has been demonstrated in his management of the factory, and possesses the con- fidence and esteem of the entire community for his upright, honorable deal- ings and the kindly, genial bearing of his every-day life. He was married to Francis Atkin, the mother of our subject, and six children were born to them, four reaching mature years: Edward J., who is secretary and treasurer of the Gayner Glass Company; Frederick C., our subject; Francis and Mar- garet. His wife died in January, 1861, and the following October he was united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Elizabeth Wilkins, by whom he has two children: William, and Eliza Florence, who married Frank Morri- son, an employe in the office of the Gayner Glass Company.
Frederick Gayner was a lad of some eight years when his parents brought him to this country. Here his education was mostly obtained and he entered his father's factory, learning the trade of glass-blower. This work, however, he at length abandoned and in 1897 he opened a general merchandise estab- lishment in Salem, which he has conducted since January 10 of that year. He carries a general stock and has built up a large trade, having customers from many miles through the surrounding country. He is always affable and courteous in his treatment of his patrons and endeavors to cater to their taste.
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On May 10, 1882, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Bessie W. Howard, a daughter of Asbury Howard, a retired capitalist of Philadelphia. They had one child, Frederick W., whose little life was lent them but for a short season when he was taken to blossom in the garden of their Heavenly Father, who said, "Of such is the kingdom of Heaven." They are members of the Broadway Methodist Episcopal church, and Mr. Gayner is also connected with Fenwick Lodge, No. 126, I. O. O. F., and Friends' Lodge, No. 7, Knights of Pythias. He is a man of sterling worth and is considered one of Salem's representative business men.
CHARLES MECUM.
The subject of this sketch was born in the city of Salem, New Jersey, January 15, 1855, his parents being James W. and Lydia Ann (Harrison) Mecum. His preliminary education, obtained in the Salem academy, was supplemented by a course in Burlington College, and in 1881 he was graduated in the law department of the University of Pennsylvania. The same year he was admitted to the bar of New Jersey, and began practice in Salem. He has been licensed to practice in all the state courts and in the United States district courts. He has the reputation of being a careful lawyer and safe counselor.
Mr. Mecum has long taken an active and zealous interest in the cause of education and for seventeen years has been a member of the board of edu- cation of the city of Salem. Other business interests claim his attention. He is a director in the Salem County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and in 1898 he built the Mecum block, at the corner of Broadway and Walnut streets, which is the finest office building in the city and one of the most substantial structures of Salem. It is built on the site of the old home which belonged to his grandfather, Dr. Dick, and is fitted up for stores, lodges and offices.
In his political affiliations Mr. Mecum is a Democrat, but has never aspired to office, preferring to devote his time to his profession and personal interests. He is a member and vestryman of the Episcopal church, and belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the New Jersey Bar Asso- ciation, in all of which organizations-religious, social and professional-he takes a deep interest.
On the 29th of May, 1890, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Mecum and Miss Margaret Howard Sinnickson, a daughter of J. Howard and Eliza-
Charles Hecum
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beth Sinnickson. They now have three children: Frances Margaret, born in 1891; Charles Harrison, July 24, 1892; and James H., March 14, 1894.
JOSEPH N. MAYHEW.
Among the families that have long been resident of Pittsgrove, Salem county, perhaps none is better known than the Mayhews. They are of English origin. Several generations ago three brothers of the name of May- hew came to this country from England, and from one of them is descended Joseph N. Mayhew, the subject of this sketch.
Eleazer Mayhew, the great-grandfather of Joseph N., owned and occupied what is now known as the Samuel Johnson farm near Pittsgrove, and it was he who built the old red brick house in which Mr. Johnson now lives. His son Stanford, grandfather of our subject, was born on this farm, and the latter's son Enoch was born on an adjoining farm, the one now occupied by Joseph N. The Mayhews for the most part have been farmers. Enoch Mayhew was a farmer all his life. He was an elder in the Presbyterian church at Daretown, and was noted for his deep piety. At different times in life he held township office, but he never sought official honors nor was he a poli- tician in any sense of the word. He died in 1888. He was twice married. His first wife, nee Mary P. Severtman, died childless; his second wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca Hurst, and who was a daughter of Michael Hurst, died February 1, 1896. By the latter marriage there were two children, of whom only Joseph N. is living.
Joseph N. Mayhew received his early training in the common school and later was a student in the South Jersey Institute, at Bridgeton, and also at Daretown. Reared on a farm, he naturally engaged in farming when he started out in life for himself. After his father's death he came into pos- session of the home farm, one hundred and ten acres, where he has since lived and carried on general farming, giving special attention to the dairy business.
Mr. Mayhew is a Republican. He was elected a freeholder in 1887, for a period of three years, and was again elected in 1895 and 1898, and is now serving in that capacity. He takes an active interest in political matters, serving as a delegate to conventions, etc., and always has at heart the best interests of the locality in which he lives. Religiously, like his father, he is a Presbyterian, and has been a trustee of the church at Daretown. Fra- ternally he is a Mason, identified with the lodge at Elmer.
December 15, 1883, Mr. Mayhew married Miss Ella Burough, a daughter of William Burough, of Mickleton, Gloucester county, New Jersey; and they
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have one daughter, Elizabeth. Mrs. Mayhew was before her marriage a school teacher.
WILLIAM W. GOLDER.
William W. Golder, a justice of the peace and well known farmer, living at Centerton, Salem county, New Jersey, forms the subject of this biograph- ical notice. He was born at Centerton, February 25, 1838, the son of Samuel Golder, who was born at Parker's Corner. His father was Joseph Golder, a native of Tuckahoe. Much concerning the Golder family will be found in connection with the sketch of James W. Golder, who is our subject's brother.
William W. Golder spent his boyhood days, as most of the youth of his days did, in trying to gain a fair education and then becoming master of some good and useful trade. He chose that of blacksmith, which trade he works at some, even to this time in his life. January 4, 1861, he was married to Drucilla Nicholson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Nicholson, of Cross Keys, Gloucester county, New Jersey. By this marriage union three chil- dren were born, two of whom are still living. Samuel, of Mount Holly, and William, who is still at home and works in his father's shop.
Every true American citizen is allied with some political party. Mr. Golder affiliates with the Democratic party and has held numerous local offices, including that of township committeeman, school trustee, etc. He has been the justice of the peace of the town of Centralia, Pitt's Grove town- ship, for twenty-two years. In civic society matters he is an honored member of the Odd Fellows order, and has been the president of the corporate board of that lodge for fifteen years. He has held all the various offices of his local lodge, and stands well as an Odd Fellow. At the present time he is acting as warden of his lodge.
Besides his blacksmithing operations, Mr. Golder carries on farming, on a beautiful eleven-acre tract, from which he produces much. Altogether, Mr. Golder is a busy man. Between his farm, his large blacksmithing business and the faithful discharge of his official duties as a justice of the peace, he finds but few idle hours in the months as they come and go.
ALBERT W. LAWRENCE.
Albert W. Lawrence, of Elmer, Salem county, New Jersey, one of the highly respected farmers of Lower Pittsgrove town, was born at Waterloo, Canada East, October 16, 1855. His grandfather, Hezekiah Lawrence, was
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a soldier in the Revolutionary conflict and the family emigrated from Mas- sachusetts to Canada. His son Mark L., was our subject's father, also a native of Canada, where he followed farming and also manufactured furniture, doing a large, paying business, for many years. In 1865 he came to this county, settling on a farm where he hoped to regain his failing health; he survived until 1887. He was a member of the Second Advent Association, an upright citizen and an excellent business man. He married Sarah V. Bowker, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cushing Bowker, of Massachusetts; she died in 1894. Their children were: Lizzie, wife of Caleb Luther, of Lawrence, Kansas; Alice, widow of Henry Cutting, of Vineland, New Jersey; and A. W. Lawrence, our subject.
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