USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 52
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CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY. 483
and in 1854 was again elected to that office for a similar period. In 1860 he was chosen to represent his district in the state senate, and in 1872 was once more elected freeholder, in which capacity he served for thirty-five years, discharging his duties with marked promptness and fidelity. In poli- tics he has been a Republican since the organization of the party, and has labored earnestly and effectively in the interests of the party.
In 1828 Mr. Pierson was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca H. Leap, a daughter of Thomas Leap. Three daughters were born to them,-Fran- cis, Sarah and Margaret. The last named became the wife of John Taggart and had three children, of whom but one is living,-Ella,-who acts as the housekeeper for her grandfather. Mrs. Pierson died in 1834 and Mr. Pierson has never married again. He has always resided in Swedesboro and by an upright life has commanded the respect and confidence of all. He became a charter member of Osceola Lodge, I. O. O. F., also belongs to Siloam Lodge, No. 67, K. P., and is a consistent member of the Episcopal church. His has been a long, useful and honorable career, and the respect and vener- ation accorded him are justly merited.
D. HARRIS SMITH.
Mr. Smith is a representative of two of the old and prominent families of eastern New Jersey. His father, Simon B. Smith, was born July 31, 1828, and was a son of Henry Ogden Smith. The latter was a son of James Smith, who was of English descent and married Deborah Ogden on the 30th of April, 1799. They both resided in Cumberland county, New Jersey, prior to their marriage. The lady was a direct descendant of John Ogden, the founder of the Ogden family in America. James Smith died February I, 1810. By his marriage to Deborah Ogden he had four children: Sally Stratton, who was born March 22, 1800, and died on the IIth of August of the same year; Henry O., who was born September 20, 1802, and died in 1843; Josiah, who was born April 6, 1807, and died on the 6th of October of the same year; and Sally Stratton, who was the second of the name was born September 23, 1808, her death occurring April 8, 1813. The mother of these children, after the death of her first husband, became the wife of Reuben Cheesman, on the 8th of May, 1811. They had one daughter, Deborah Ogden, who was born January 31, 1812, and died on the 17th of October following.
Henry O. Smith, the grandfather of our subject, married Rebecca Ben- ner, who was of German lineage. The wedding was celebrated March 4,
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1826, and they became the parents of two children: James B., born De- cember 8, 1826; and Simon B. After the death of his first wife Henry Smith wedded Jane Jones, on the 8th of December, 1831, and they had one son and one daughter, namely: Georgianna A., who was born October 10, 1836; and Robert P., born July 21, 1838.
Simon B. Smith, our subject's father, spent his entire life in New Jersey. February 7, 1856, he married Esther A. Harris, a daughter of David Harris, of Salem county. Her grandfather also bore the name of David Harris and was descended from English ancestors who came to the New World at a very early period in its development. David Harris, the father of Mrs. Smith, married Mary Ann Ernest, a daughter of John Ernest, who was of German lineage. Their marriage occurred October 1, 1829. The following are their issue: John E., born July 10, 1830; Mary Ann, February 22, 1832; David, February 2, 1834; Hester Ann, May 22, 1836; Josiah Smith, March 20, 1838; Abel, October 28, 1839; Edward Keasbey, November 28, 1844; Smith Bacon, March 7, 1847; and George Henry, February 24, 1849.
LATIMER R. BAKER.
More enduring than any monument of brass or stone is a beautiful city that through many centuries may extend its influence over the social, com- mercial, and moral life of a community, and the man who founds such a city may well be termed one of the benefactors of the place. Along the entire Atlantic coast there is perhaps no more beautiful spot than Wildwood by the Sea, of which the subject of this review was one of the founders. Nature has here offered every attraction, and, improved by the artistic taste of Mr. Baker, its beauties far exceed those of many of the older summer resorts. Towering trees, little inland lakes, flowers of every hue and variety, magnifi- cent beach and the grand old ocean add to the charm and attractiveness of the scene.
In developing Wildwood, Mr. Baker has performed in a very short time what seems almost an incredible task, but his great energy, resolute purpose and undaunted perseverance have enabled him there to build a town that is indeed a monument to him. He is a son of Jacob and Catharine (Pontius) Baker, and was educated in the New Berlin Seminary, of Union county, Pennsylvania. After leaving school he engaged in teaching and subsequently carried on mercantile business, and with his brother Phillip established a store in Vineland, New Jersey, where he remained for fifteen years as a
Latimer R, Baker
1
Bird's-Eye View of Wildwood, new Jersey.
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CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
member of the firm of Baker Brothers, a connection that continued until 1884, when they purchased an interest in a tract of land,-the present site of Holly Beach. Until 1888 he devoted his energies to the development of that place, and then withdrew and associated himself with the Wildwood Beach Company, of which he was elected the treasurer. Two hundred acres of land were purchased, then a tract of woods and sand hills. Beautiful homes of all styles of architecture have been erected in various parts of this resort, and the landscape gardener has supplemented nature in its efforts to make this one of the most delightful resorts on the Atlantic. The woods present many remarkable curiosities in the shape of the trees, many of which have taken upon themselves extremely unique and weird forms, as though their growth was guided by some fanciful and grotesque mind. Flowers grow here in the greatest profusion, and it is claimed by many of the visitors that their variety and fragrance excel those to be found in any other place in this country. Many botanists come here to study plant life, and artists transfer the beautiful tints to canvas. A splendid beach furnishes every at- traction to the lover of surf bathing, the long stretch of hard sand gradually sloping outward, thus providing a place of absolute safety for those who enjoy aquatic sports. There are also beautiful inland lakes and wooded drives and the place is indeed ideal. The attractions and amusements which are the inventions of man are not wanting, there being a fine pier, merry-go- rounds, dancing halls, shuffle-boards, shooting galleries and a fine casino hall. An auditorium is also provided for the accommodation of religious bodies who visit Wildwood by the Sea. There is a perfect system of water-works erected at a cost of forty thousand dollars, the water being supplied by two artesian wells. There is also a perfect sewerage system, a well equipped fire department, and electric-light system, and since 1894 there has been a com- plete and smoothly conducted borough organized.
To. Mr. Baker is largely due the growth and development of this place, as he has served as the mayor for the past five years and recently has been re-elected, he has put forth every effort to promote the interests and add to the attractiveness of the town. In his political affiliations he is a Demo- crat, and religiously he is connected with the Swedenborgian church. In 1878 he was united in marriage to Miss Eloise Johnson, of Brooklyn, New York, and to them was born a son, Lester Everett, who is now deceased. Mr. Baker is a man of marked enterprise and executive ability, who carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. Wildwood by the Sea has already become a beautiful town of several hundred homes, and under his guidance it is destined to take rank with the best known and most popular sea-side resorts.
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WILBER H. WASHBURN.
The town of Wildwood largely stands as a monument to the skill and enterprise of this gentleman, a leading contractor who in the active affairs of life has steadily worked his way upward until he occupies a position of affluence,-the result of his own well directed efforts. Of one of the old and honored New England families he is a representative, his ancestors having come to the shores of the New World on the Mayflower. Joseph Washburn, the grandfather of our subject, was a resident of Minot, Maine, where he learned the carpenter's trade and followed contracting and build- ing. He was very successful in that line of work and also in farming, which he followed to some extent. During the war of 1812 he served his country by building fortifications and block-houses. His political support was given the Democratic party. He married Miss Mary N. Noyes, and to them were born three children, Daniel, Mary and James. Both he and his wife died when eighty-four years of age.
Daniel Washburn, the father of our subject, was born in Minot, Maine, in 1815, learned the carpenter's trade, and took many contracts for the erec- tion of buildings. He also engaged in merchandising in Vineland, New Jersey, where he resided for thirty years. He held a number of local offices, including that of township committeeman, and gave his political support to the Democracy. He married Miss Louisa Francis, and they became the parents of two sons and three daughters: Joseph Henry, who served in the civil war and died of disease contracted in the army. Mary Frances, the wife of Hon. F. Burgoyne, a druggist, by whom she has three children,- Ella, Eva L. and Genie; Helen, who died at the age of sixteen years; Imo- gene, who married a man named Osgood, a salesman; and the youngest is Wilber H. After the death of his first wife the father married Jane Harris, and when she, too, had passed away, he wedded Hannah Beam.
Wilber H. Washburn is a native of Maine, his birth having occurred in Bradford, in the Pine Tree state, November 15, 1858. During his early boyhood he accompanied his parents on their removal to Vineland, New Jersey, where he pursued the studies embraced in a common English course. He then learned the carpenter's trade of his father, and worked with him until twenty-two years of age, when he entered a shoe factory, where he remained four years. He was afterward engaged in contracting on his own account at Vineland, where he remained until his removal to Wildwood in 1889. The growth of this beautiful place has been very rapid, and to Mr. Washburn has been apportioned a large part of the building business. He took the contract for the erection of Marine Hall, for many of the cottages
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY. . 487
and hotels and for the Baptist church. He furnishes employment to thirty men, and receives a very liberal patronage, for he faithfully fulfills his part of a contract, is prompt and reliable, and in all his dealings is strictly honorable.
On the 23d of March, 1878, Wilber H. Washburn was united in marriage to Miss Rosanna Mole, a daughter of Thomas Mole, who was born in Aspen, Berkshire, England. Coming to the United States, he is now a resident of Vineland, New Jersey, where he follows carpentering. Mrs. Washburn is one of a family of four children, and by her marriage she has become the mother of five children: Elizabeth Frances, Anna, Eva Louise, Lena May and Rosalie.
Mr. Washburn votes for the measures of the Democracy, has served as assessor of Wildwood, and has been a member of the common council for two years. He was also a member of the New Jersey state militia for five years and at all times is a loyal and public-spirited citizen who does all in his power to promote the interest of the community along the lines of progress and substantial advancement.
CHARLES P. ELDREDGE.
Charles P. Eldredge, who for many years has been a pilot on the Dela- ware river, was born in Cape May, on the 24th of May, 1857, and is a son of William C. and Abigail (Schillinger) Eldredge. His paternal grandfather, Enoch Eldredge, served as a soldier in the war of 1812 and for many years resided in what is now West Cape May, where his death occurred. The maternal grandfather, Charles Schillinger, was born September 24, 1792, was reared on Cape Island, became a pilot on the Delaware river and resided in the city of Cape May, where he died of yellow fever, his death occurring July 9, 1823. He had three children,-Elizabeth, the wife of Albert Hughes; Enos, and Abigail, the mother of our subject.
William C. Eldredge, the father, was born in Cape May August 16, 1820, obtained his education in the common schools and resided in the place of his nativity until 1897, when he went to Philadelphia, where he is now living retired. His wife, who was born September 5, 1820, passed away on the 26th of March, 1872. They were the parents of five children, among them Henry H., Enoch and Charles. The father was a pilot on the Dela- ware river for many years and belonged to the Pilots' Society. He also held a membership in the Presbyterian church, and in his political faith was a Democrat.
To the public schools of his native town Charles P. Eldredge is indebted
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for the educational privileges which he received. At the age of sixteen, however, he put aside his text-books and became an apprentice on a pilot boat, his term of service covering a period of six years. It requires great care, closer application and longer time to master the duties of the pilot than to learn any of the mechanical trades to which men devote their ener- gies, for not only must the pilot know how to manage the vessels but also must be so familiar with the river that he can tell the exact situation by the objects along the shore and by the river bed, whose winding course he can easily follow, knowing its depths and its shallows, its treacherous places and its course of safety. Such a knowledge has Mr. Bennett. He received the second-class license, together with eighteen men who passed the examination for full pilots, and since that time he has been guiding the mighty vessels engaged in the traffic of this section of the country.
On the 17th of May, 1881, Mr. Eldredge was married to Miss Julia Cresse, a daughter of Joseph L. and Elizabeth (Gregory) Cresse. They now have three children: Lorena C., Winfield Scott and Elizabeth C. David Cresse, the grandfather of Mrs. Eldredge, was born at Cape May, December 19, 1799, and died October 18, 1849, at the age of fifty years. He was a farmer and miller and resided at Cold Spring. In his business dealings he was quite successful, acquiring a valuable property. In his political affilia- tions he was a Republican, and in his religious belief was a Methodist. He was married to Miss Maria Leaming, who was born August 4, 1806, and died February 28, 1875, at the age of fifty-nine years. Their children were Joseph L., the father of Mrs. Eldredge; William, who was three times married; Jane, the wife of James Crowell; Hannah, the widow of Clement Reeves; Anthony, a farmer who served for nine months in a New Jersey regiment in the civil war and married Elizabeth M. Reeves; Ella, the wife of Clinton Hand; and Julia, deceased. Joseph L. Cresse was born June 18, 1831, was educated in the district schools and became a farmer of Cold Spring. He carried on agricultural pursuits throughout his entire life and also was con- nected with the fishing interests of this section of the state. By his ballot he advocated the principles of the Republican party. He married Elizabeth Gregory, a daughter of William Gregory, who was born in New York city, January 17, 1803. He removed to Cape May, where he died April 20, 1883, at the advanced age of eighty years. He was a tailor by trade, but conducted a hotel at Cold Spring and also engaged in farming, owning a rich tract of land near that place. His political support was given the Democracy, and in his social relations he was an Odd Fellow. He married Miss Van Kirk, who was born July 24, 1804, and died July 28, 1884, at the age of eighty years. His children were William, Silas, Elizabeth, Douglas, Sallie,
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CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
Josephine, Mary Jane and Kate. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Cresse are Milton and Julia. The daughter is the estimable wife of our subject, and the son, who was born November 10, 1853, is a farmer of Cold Spring, Cape May county. He married Hannah Leaming.
Mr. Eldredge is a valued representative of several civic societies. He holds membership in Cape Island Lodge, No. 30, F. & A. M., the Order of Red Men, the Pilots' Society, the Improved Order of Heptasophs and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He also belongs to the Presbyterian church, and his has been an active, useful and honorable life, marked by devotion to every duty.
WILLIAM A. CARPENTER.
William A. Carpenter, of Pennsville, Salem county, New Jersey, is a son of William J. and Amanda (Zane) Carpenter and was born in this village May 8, 1857. His grandfather was William Carpenter, of Finn's Point, now Fort Mott, where he was one of the most prominent residents and where he died. He had three children, John, William F. and Mary, who married a Mr. Davis.
William F. Carpenter, the father of our subject, was born about the year 1826 at Finn's Point, this county, and was a fisherman at Pennsville, where he resided at the time of his death. He was a Democrat but took little active part in politics. He was married to Miss Amanda Zane, who died in 1869, after presenting him with four children,-William A., Eliza, Emma and Fur- man L.
William A. Carpenter attended the public schools and then entered the stores of Samuel Lecroy and Jones W. Powers as a clerk. In 1887 he em- barked in the general mercantile business on his own account and has built up a nice patronage of most desirable customers. He is also engaged in the fish business and manages his affairs in such a business-like manner that it brings him a neat income and places him on a sound financial basis. He is a stanch Democrat and served as collector of Lower Penn's Neck township several terms, leaving the books and accounts in a shape that reflected credit to him and to the township. He is interested in the State Mutual Building and Loan Association, and is a member of the Junior Order of United Ameri- can Mechanics. He was married December 8, 1879, to Miss Sarah New- comb, a daughter of Daniel Newcomb, a carpenter of Church Landing. The name is an old and honored one in the state, and none who bore it occupied a more exalted place in the estimation of their fellow men than does the gentleman whose sketch appears above.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
HON. DAVID O. WATKINS.
While the disposition to do honor to those who have served well their race or their nation is prevalent among all enlightened people and is of great value everywhere and under all forms of government, it is particularly appropriate to, and to be fostered in, this country, where no man is born to public office or to public honor, or comes to either by inheritance, but where all men are equal before the law, where the race for distinction is over the road of public usefulness and is open to every one who chooses to enter, however humble and obscure he may be, and where the advantageous cir- cumstances of family and wealth count, in the vast majority of cases, for but little or nothing. According to the true democratic doctrine they should never count for anything at all. Under our system, whose very existence depends upon the virtue of the people themselves, who are not only the source of all political power but on whom also depends the very existence of our free institutions, those who have distinguished themselves in the public service, whether in statesmanship or in arms or in whatever sphere of useful- ness, should not fail of recognition; and this is not only in justice to the people, who should not seem unmindful of great sacrifices or of great efforts in their behalf or of notable exhibitions of public spirit, but also in the interests if our institutions themselves. In honoring those who have de- served well of the republic the people do credit to themselves and also thus supply a powerful stimulus to honorable ambition to incite to like services or achievements or sacrifices for the public good.
Hon. David Ogden Watkins is one of the most prominent and distin- guished members of the New Jersey bar, and is now serving as United States district attorney of this state. While political honors have been conferred upon him in recognition of his marked ability, he is recognized by all parties as a leader whose prominence has been worthily won. He was born at Woodbury, June 8, 1862, and is of English lineage. He attended the public schools of his native town, and after mastering the common English branches of learning devoted his attention to farm work during the summer months. Wishing to enter the legal profession, he studied law at night when the day's labor was ended, and in this way prepared for the bar, to which he was ad- mitted in November, 1893, by the supreme court. He was licensed as a counselor in February, 1897, and his comprehensive knowledge of the prin- ciples of jurisprudence has enabled him to handle with comparative ease the intricate problems of law which are brought up for settlement in the courts of the state.
His fitness for leadership has led to his selection again and again for
David Couture
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CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
public office. He has served for four terms of one year each as mayor of Woodbury, filling the office from 1886 until 1891. After this he served as a councilman from the third ward of Woodbury from 1892 until 1895, and being re-elected filled that position until 1898. In March, 1895, he was chosen the president of the city council, and was elected to that position through two succeeding years. In 1899 and 1900 he has filled the office of city solicitor and has been counselor to the board of freeholders of Glouces- ter county. In 1896 he was elected to the general assembly by a plurality of one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, the largest ever given a candi- date in the county. In 1897 he was re-elected by a plurality of one thousand four hundred and eight, and in 1898 he was again chosen for the important office, running ahead of the other candidates by a plurality vote of eleven hundred and eighty-four. During the session of 1898 he was elected the speaker of the house, the first person from Gloucester county ever honored with that position. In 1899 he was again chosen the speaker, presiding with marked ability over the deliberations in the lower branch of the assembly. His excellent knowledge of parliamentary law made him very competent, and his fair and impartial rulings awakened the respect of his political op- ponents, as well as the admiration of his political friends. He became the acting governor of the state of New Jersey on the 18th of October, 1899, that office having been held by the president of the senate, Mr. Voorhees, from the 31st of January until the date upon which Mr. Watkins assumed the charge, the vacancy being caused by the resignation of Mr. Voorhees. In accordance with the regulations made by the state constitution Mr. Wat- kins became the acting governor, and in the position he has ably met every requirement, making for himself a most commendable record. He was appointed the United States attorney for the state of New Jersey by Presi- dent McKinley, in February, 1900, and the appointment was immediately confirmed, which office Mr. Watkins now fills.
A valued member of social organizations, Mr. Watkins now belongs to Woodbury Lodge, No. 54, I. O. O. F .; Mariala Lodge, No. 9, K. of P., in which he has filled all of the chairs; Florence Lodge, A. F. & A. M .; and the Improved Order of Red Men. He is also a member of the Camden Re- publican Club and the Young Men's Republican Club of Woodbury. By his irreproachable record he has been an honor to the state which has honored him. While undoubtedly he has not been without the laudable ambition which is so powerful and useful as an incentive to activity in public affairs, he has subordinated personal ambition to public good and has sought rather the benefit of his state and his fellow men than aggrandizement of self.
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HENRY ALLEN.
For more than thirty-five years Henry Allen was numbered among the leading representatives of the agricultural interests of Gloucester county, and by the exercise of his business ability, by unflagging industry and careful management, he secured a handsome competence which classed him among the wealthy citizens of this community. His many excellencies of character also gained for him the high regard of his friends and all who knew him mourned his death.
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