USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 53
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Henry Allen was born in Salem county, New Jersey, on the IIth of August. 1820, and was a son of Henry and Ann (Rogers) Allen. The former was born July 19, 1789, and died December 27, 1870, while the latter was born August 24, 1790, and died February 21, 1868. They were married on the 21st of January, 1813, and became the parents of six children: Michael, the eldest, was born November 12, 1813, and resided in Lexington, Missouri, but February 6, 1873, died while on a business trip in the east; Margaret, born February 25, 1816, became the wife of Charles Engle, of Camden, New Jersey, and died December 5, 1868; Maria, born May 27, 1818, became the wife of James Thompson, their home being between Auburn and Sharp- town, and her death occurred March 14, 1884; Henry was the next of the family; Joseph R., born October 29, 1822, died near Woodstown, New Jer- sey; and Jehu, born April 18, 1825, died in Woodstown.
Henry Allen, whose name introduces this record, remained in Salem county until about 1840, when he removed to Gibbstown, Gloucester county. He was married on the 24th of February, 1842, to Miss Catherine Fish, a daughter of Isaac Fish, of Repaupo, New Jersey. Her death occurred Feb- ruary 8, 1869, when she had arrived at the age of forty-four years. Eight children were born of their union, namely: Ann, the deceased wife of Ed- ward G. Green, of Gibbstown, New Jersey; Maria F., the wife of Samuel Salisbury, of Swedesboro; Isaac, a farmer of Paulsboro; Joseph, who died at the age of three years; Eli, who died in Gibbstown, at the age of forty-five years; Margaret, the wife of Amos G. Hurf, of Swedesboro; Veronica, wife of Benjamin Weatherby, of Millville, New Jersey; and Kate, the wife of William H. Cozens, of Swedesboro.
Throughout his residence in Gloucester county Mr. Allen followed the occupation of farming and a glance indicated to the passers by the careful supervision which he bestowed upon his place. He followed practical and progressive methods, understood the rotation of crops, knew what kind of soil was needed for the different cereals and so conducted his farming interests that he secured therefrom a handsome financial return that made him one of
Helian Rumores
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the wealthy men of Gloucester county. He was at all times honorable and upright in his dealings and just in his relations with his fellow men, very loyal to his friends, and such qualities gained for him the warm regard of all who knew him, and in his death the community mourned the loss of one of its most valued citizens.
WILLIAM PLUMMER.
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William Plummer, ex-surrogate and ex-judge of the court of common pleas of Salem county and a prominent business man of the city of Salem, is a son of William and Elizabeth (Keasbey) Plummer, his birth having oc- curred in Lower Alloway's Creek township, Salem county, on the 17th of January, 1818. He is remarkably well preserved, and the ability displayed by him in managing his varied business interests shows him to be the peer of any of the younger generation, although he has passed the eightieth mile- stone of life's journey.
His father, William Plummer, Sr., was a farmer in Lower Alloway's Creek township and also conducted a general country store in Canton. In his political views he was a Democrat and held various local offices. He was the captain of a military company and served in the war of 1812. His services as an auctioneer were also in considerable demand, for he was regarded as one of the best auctioneers of his time in this section of the state. Twice married, his first union was with Elizabeth Keasbey, by whom he had the following children: William, whose name introduces this review; Edward, who followed farming in Salem county and who married Sarah Fogg and is now deceased; Jeanette, who died at the age of twelve years; Elizabeth, the widow of Isaac Allen, who followed farming near Salem, and by whom she had four children, two sons and two daughters-David, a farmer who mar- ried Mary Robinson; Thompson, who resides in Quinton; Sarah, who lives with her mother in Salem; and Charlesanna, the wife of Samuel Hancock, of Dover, Delaware; Craig, who died in childhood; Charles, who married Ann Eliza Miller and is now deceased; and Sarah, who died in childhood. After the death of his first wife the father of these children married Mrs. Rachel McWilliams. They had three children: Emily, who died in childhood; Jeanetta, who married Belford Elwell; and Amy, who also died in childhood.
William Plummer, of this review, acquired his education in the district schools of his native township, and during the periods of vacation engaged in clerking in his father's store in Canton. On arriving at man's estate he was married, and about the same time entered into partnership with Joseph
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A. Hancock in the conduct of a mercantile establishment in Canton. After two years spent at that place Mr. Plummer removed to Hancock's Bridge, where he engaged in merchandising for four years in connection with Josiah Thompson and afterward with William Morrison. Later he returned to Canton, where he carried on a general store for about seven or eight years, and during the same period devoted a portion of his time to farming.
In the year 1857 he was elected the surrogate on the Democratic ticket and the following year removed to Salem, where he has since resided. He served for five years in the office of surrogate, and on his retirement from that position purchased the property along the wharf, and, in connection with William A. Casper and Charles S. Lawson, conducted an extensive busi- . ness in buying and selling hay, grain and seeds. After three years Mr. Law- son withdrew from the firm, but the firm of Plummer & Casper continued operations for a short time thereafter. Another change then occurred, Mr. Casper retiring, while John S. Newell and Richard Grier became members of the firm. That connection was maintained for several years, since which time Mr. Plummer has been alone. He has carried on a profitable business and is widely known for his reliability and straightforward methods, his dili- gence and energy.
In 1839 Mr. Plummer was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Carll, the eldest daughter of ex-Judge Ephraim Carll. Five children were born to them, namely: Elizabeth K., the deceased wife of George Hires; Sarah, the wife of George R. Morrison, who was the surrogate of the county for more than twenty years; Rebecca, the wife of Benjamin Patterson, the editor of the Woodstown Monitor-Register; William and Loren Pease. For several years William has been a member of the firm of Hires & Company, glass manufacturers at Quinton, while Loren is the present surrogate of the county, having been elected to that office in 1897 by a large popular majority. Mrs. Plummer died in December, 1881, at the age of sixty-three years, and was mourned by a large circle of warm friends who esteemed her highly on account of her many excellencies of character.
Mr. Plummer has been identified with a number of local enterprises which have been of substantial benefit to the city and is one of Salem's most popu- lar residents. He is the president of the Salem County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of which he has also long been a director, and was a member of the school board of Salem, acting as its treasurer for many years. He also held different township offices and was a freeholder when the present clerk's and surrogate's offices were erected. He was also the judge on the common- pleas bench of the county court for eighteen years. A loyal adherent of Masonry, he is a member of Excelsior Lodge, of Salem. He is probably
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best known, however, in connection with the politics of Salem county, where he has long been regarded as one of the active workers and most astute leaders of the Democracy of the county. His opinions have long carried great weight in the councils of his party and led to its success in many a doubtful campaign. Still active in business, his record should put to shame many a man of much younger years who, grown weary of the toils and strug- gles of life, would relegate to others the burdens which he should bear.
WILLIAM PLUMMER, JR.
William Plummer, Jr., is a native of Canton, Salem county, and a son of William and Rebecca (Carll) Plummer. He has been a resident of Quinton for the past quarter of a century and by his industry and good common sense has risen to an enviable place in the business world, while his future career is bright with promise. His father, whose sketch appears above, was a man of more than ordinary business ability and has been closely identified with the various business and political interests of Salem and Salem county, so that the name is a familiar one to the citizens who hold it in high esteem.
William Plummer, Jr., was educated in the common schools of Salem and at the age of eighteen went to Quinton as a clerk in the office of Hires & Brother, glass-manufacturers of that place. He was industrious and faith- ful to the interests of his employers and soon worked his way up to the position of shipping clerk and later as a member of the firm, taking an active part in the management of the business. The glass factory of Hires & Com- pany is among the largest in the state of New Jersey and employs a large number of people, making a specialty of window glass and in connection conducting a store which employs about ten clerks, in which they sell coal, grain, fertilizers, etc. Mr. Plummer is also a member of the firm of the Hires- Turner Glass Company, located at 626 Arch street, Philadelphia, opened in 1877. The factory was established in 1863 and does a large business. Mr. Plummer is a director and assistant secretary and treasurer of the Philadel- phia branch, and the firm is composed of good business men, consisting as it does of our subject and George and Charles Hires and John Turner. The record is one of which any man might well be proud, and Mr. Plummer is to be congratulated on achieving such a marked success.
He was married in 1881, to Miss Rebecca Robinson, a daughter of Benja- min O. Robinson, a farmer of Quinton township. Their union has been blessed by the birth of four children: Jerome H .; Loren P .; Hannah R., and William, Jr.,-all attending school. Mr. Plummer is a Republican and is the
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present postmaster of Quinton, having served since 1896 and before that from 1880 to 1884. He is a member of the Fenwick Club, of Salem, and the president of the Quinton Building & Loan Association; and any movement that has only the good of the community as its object is sure of his ready sympathy and assistance.
SAMUEL W. DUNN.
Samuel W. Dunn, a son of John C. and Sarah J. Dunn, has for many years been known as one of the leading and prominent business men of Salem, having throughout a long period been closely identified with the commercial and manufacturing interests of the city and the surrounding country. He is a native son of Salem county, his birth having occurred on the 23d of July, 1845, in the city which is still his home. His boyhood days were passed in this locality and his education was completed by graduation in Pennington Seminary in 1862. Immediately afterward he entered upon his business career as a dry goods merchant. In 1868 he became associated with the firm of Hall, Dunn & Hunt, in the manufacture of floor oil-cloth in Salem. From the beginning their enterprise proved successful, their trade constantly and steadily increasing until they were in command of a very large and profitable business. The product of their factory was of a superior grade, both in quality and patterns, and therefore found a ready sale on the market. For twenty-seven years Mr. Dunn was one of the largest manufac- turers of the county, but at the end of that period practically retired to pri- vate life, in September, 1895. He has, however, extensive real-estate inter- ests, and to his investments he gives his personal supervision.
On the 10th of November, 1870, Mr. Dunn was united in marriage to Miss Mary Hill Pennell, a daughter of William H. Pennell, a prominent dry-goods merchant of Philadelphia. Their union has been blessed with four bright and interesting children whose future seems to be very promising. Nellie Pennell, the eldest, was born in 1871 and is a graduate of Brook Hall, in Media, Pennsylvania; Samuel Herbert was called home to the higher life at the age of eight years, on the 5th of January, 1884; William Pennell, born October 6, 1877, is a graduate of the West Jersey Academy at Bridge- ton, completing the course there in June, 1896; Norman Cattell, born May 5, 1879, is a graduate of the Fort Wayne Military Institute of the class of 1899. During the summer season the family occupy a beautiful summer home in Salem, at northwest corner of Fourth and Broadway, but in the winter they spend their time at their Philadelphia residence. They are among
Samuel W Duas
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the most prominent and highly cultured people of the community and enjoy the warm regard and high esteem of a very large circle of friends.
Mr. Dunn is a member of Excelsior Lodge, No. 54, F. & A. M., of Salem, and was one of the charter members of Fenwick Lodge, No. 164, I. O. O. F., which was instituted in 1871. He is also a member of the Manufacturers' Club, of Philadelphia, and for several years was a trustee of the Salem school board, as also a trustee of the First Presbyterian church of this city. His success has been the result of honest, just and persistent effort in the line of honorable and manly dealing.
His reputation for integrity and able achievements is the best evi- dence of the high regard in which he is held by his associates and fellow citizens. His aims have always been to attain to the best, and he has carried forward to successful completion whatever he has under- taken. His life has marked a steady growth, and now he is in the possession of an ample competence, and more than all has that contentment that comes from the consciousness of having done his part toward improving the condi- tions and advancing the prosperity and welfare of his native city.
JOHN C. DUNN.
Through many generations John C. Dunn can trace the ancestry of his family in America. They were an old family of Penn's Neck township. Soon after the revocation of the edict of Nantes by order of Louis XIV in 1664, many Huguenots emigrated to this country to avoid persecution. Among them were two brothers, Zaccheus and Thomas Dunn. They were probably natives of Alsace or Lorraine, and the former located at Piles Grove, while the latter took up his abode at Penn's Neck, where he had numerous descendants. In 1689 Thomas purchased a farm from William Penn, the same being surveyed by Richard Tindall. It joined lands owned by Hans Cornelius and the widow Hendricks near Finn's Point. Thomas Dunn was a Calvinist and some of his descendants, with other settlers of the neighborhood, organized the old Presbyterian church at Pennsville. In the old family Bible is given the following record: Ebenezer Dunn, a son of John and Catherine Dunn, was born on Wednesday, April 24, 1753. He married Abigail Copner, on the IIth of June, 1772, and after her death, which occurred March 5, 1780, he was married, on the 26th of July, 1781, to Mary Pedrick. His death occurred July 12, 1812. Thomas Dunn, the second son of John and Catherine Dunn, was born on Friday, January 12, 1755. The other members of the family were: Jean, who was born on II-FF
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Monday, December 20. 1756; Sarah, who was born March 2, 1759: and John, who was born January 12, 1761, and died June 15, 1777.
Samuel Dunn, a son of Ebenezer and Abigail (Copner) Dunn, was born May 4, 1775. and died July 5, 1782. He was the eldest of their children, the others being: Catherine, who was born October 8, 1777, and died April 6, 1780; and Thomas, born December 14, 1779, and died November 27, 1780. By his second marriage, to Mary Pedrick, Ebenezer Dunn had five children : Thackery, who was born April 23, 1782, and died December 16, 1792; Sarah, who was born June 23. 1784; Samuel, who was born December 17, 1786; Elijah, who was born July 3, 1789, and died February 20, 1829; and Mary, who was born February 23, 1792, and died November 15, 1814.
Of this family Samuel Dunn was the father of our subject. He was married December 26, 1807, to Gulielme Jeffries, who died April 18, 1823. Their children were: Sarah, who was born March 21, 1809, became the wife of Alpheus Bilderbeck in March, 1833; Eliza, born December 30, 1810, was married March 4, 1830, to George Snitcher; Mary, born January 29, 1813, died on the 2d of March of the same year; Rebekah, born March 27, 1815, was married February 7, 1833, to Michael Powers; Ebenezer, born February 26, 1817, married Lydia Ann Tindall; Mary, born August 7, 1818, was married March 28, 1838, to Samuel C. Gilmore; John C., the next of the family, was born October 17, 1819: Elijah W., born September 14, 1821, married Sarah Eliza Newell, a daughter of Judge James Newell; Ann, born February 16, 1822, married Charles S. Gibbon. The mother of these chil- dren died April 18, 1823, and on the 18th of January, 1826, Samuel Dunn wedded Sarah Casperson. His death occurred February 6, 1837. The children by his second marriage were as follows: Nehemiah, born November 4, 1827, died in January, 1872. He was married December 31, 1849, to Abigail G. Thompson, who died October 13, 1896. They had a son. Albert Rodger, who was born October 21, 1850, and was married March 26, 1873, to Emily Miller, of Easton, Pennsylvania. Thomas, born October 13, 1829, was married May 31, 1870, to Mary Amelia Chew, and they have two chil- dren, Sara Maria and William Bruna. The former was born March 7, 1871, and was married November 1, 1898, to First Lieutenant Frank B. Watson, of the Nineteenth Infantry, United States Army. William B. was born August 16, 1875. Caroline, the third child of Samuel and Sarah (Casperson) Dunn, was born August 27. 1834, and died December 8, 1836. Thackery, the youngest, was born April 28, 1836, and married Anna Scattergood.
John C. Dunn, whose name introduces this record, was born at Finn's Point, now Fort Mott, October 17, 1819. He came to Salem in early life to engage in the dry-goods business as a member of the firm of J. C. & E. W.
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Dunn. Later he became interested in the oilcloth business and opened a wholesale store in Philadelphia where he carried on operations until his death, doing a large and very profitable business. His marked energy, unflagging industry and strong resolution enabled him to work his way steadily upward and to acquire, through well directed efforts, a handsome competence. In business circles he enjoyed an unassailable reputation, and wherever he was known his word was as good as his bond.
Mr. Dunn was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Jane Bilderback, a daughter of Captain Charles Bilderback, who was born January 23, 1823. Six children were born of their union. Samuel W., who was born July 23, 1845, wedded Mary Hill Pennell, November 10, 1870. Lydia Bilderback, who was born September 23, 1847, became the wife of Alexander G. Cattell on the Ioth of November, 1873. Charles Gilmore, who was born June 23, 1851, married Ourilla Cressy for his first wife, while for his second wife he chose Miss Abbie Sheppard, whom he wedded February 4. 1897, and by whom he has one son. He was formerly engaged in the oilcloth business, but is now living retired. John C., born March 17, 1854, was married May 15, 1880, to Ella D. Duncan. He resides in Philadelphia and is the pro- prietor of the Camden Floor Oilcloth Works. Lizzie was born October 18, 1855. Ella, the youngest of the family, was born February 6, 1860, and died August 30, 1876.
In his political views in early life Mr. Dunn was a Whig but transferred his support to the Republican party when it was organized and continued one of its stalwart advocates until his death. He belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church of Salem and contributed to its support with a lavish hand, giving freely of his time and means when workers were most needed. He was an officer of the church during the greater part of his life, and the beau- tiful memorial window which was placed in the building in which he so loved to worship is a fitting tribute to the memory of a grand, good man. He lived to the age of three-score years and ten, and in the evening of life had no occasion to look over the past with regret or forward to the future with fear. His career was ever an honorable and upright one, worthy of the con- fidence and respect so freely given him, and his memory remains as a grateful benediction to all who knew him.
JOHN C. DUNN, JR.
In political and military life the opportunities for advancement are lim- ited. There is but one chief political ruler, one chief commanding officer in any army, but in the field of commerce the possibilities are almost limit-
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less, owing to the great variety of enterprises to which man may turn his energies. It is the person of resolute purpose, keen sagacity and unfaltering determination that steadily advances, leaving the ranks of the many to stand among the successful few. This Mr. Dunn has accomplished and as a lead- ing manufacturer of southern New Jersey he is well known in business circles.
He was born on Broadway, in Salem, on the 17th of March, 1854, and attended the schools of his native town until about eighteen years of age, when he entered a school in Norristown, Pennsylvania. He early entered 11pon his business career as a clerk in the retail dry-goods store of Pennell & Brother, of Philadelphia, and later went upon the road as a salesman for John B. Ellison & Sons, with whom he was connected for five years. He was afterward with L. D. Farr for six years as bookkeeper and confidential clerk, but later embarked in business on his own account, establishing an oil- cloth manufactory, in 1882, at the corner of Seventh and Jefferson avenues in Camden. There he is still doing business. The enterprise was put in active operation under the firm name of J. C. Dunn, Jr., & Company. On the death of his father in 1892 our subject assumed full charge and the firm title of the J. C. Dunn Manufacturing Company was assumed. Fine floor oilcloth is manufactured and the entire product is sold by W. & J. Sloane, of New York city, and by them is sent to all the markets of the country. The plant has a capacity of one million yards annually, and in the manufacture of the oilcloth about one hundred men are continually employed. This is one of the leading industries of Camden, and the business is constantly increasing. Mr. Dunn is the sole owner of the plant, which is an extensive one, well equipped with all the latest improved machinery. The buildings stand on a large tract of land and there is about fifty thousand square feet of floor space. The site adjoins the West Jersey Railroad and thus excellent shipping facilities are secured. The machinery is operated by steam power, and everything is most complete in its appointments for turning out high- grade work.
Mr. Dunn married Miss Ella D. Duncan, a daughter of David Duncan, and their union has been blessed with four children: Bessie Mabel; Walter Duncan, who is now associated with his father in business; Helen Cattell and Elsie Dewees. In his political affiliations Mr. Dunn is a stalwart Re- publican. He belongs to the Manufacturers' Club of Philadelphia and is well known in social. and business circles, enjoying an enviable reputation by reason of his straightforward methods and his many agreeable social qualities.
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C. GILMORE DUNN.
The name of Dunn has long figured conspicuously in connection with the manufacturing interests of southern New Jersey, and the business ability of its representatives has brought to them rich and well merited success. He whose name introduces this review is one whose carefully directed efforts have enabled him to put aside the more arduous cares of commercial life and live retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former labor. His home is in Philadelphia, but he has a beautiful summer residence at Cape May, and on the Atlantic shore spends the hot months of summer.
Mr. Dunn is numbered among New Jersey's native sons, his birth having occurred in Salem, on the 23d of June, 1851, his parents being Mr. and Mrs. John C. Dunn. He acquired his education in Salem Academy and became interested in the floor oilcloth business in Philadelphia. His father was one of the pioneers of the country in the manufacture of oilcloth, and when twenty years of age Gilmore Dunn became actively identified with the enter- prise, the management of which he made his life work during his active business career. The industry carefully directed brought to the owners a handsome competence and the business steadily increased in volume and importance until the sales were very extensive and their goods were found in all the leading markets of the country. Mr. Dunn continued his associa- tion with the business until 1896, when he retired to private life.
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