USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 59
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It has been said of him: "The main characteristic of his professional eminence was his thorough knowledge of the law. Profoundly versed in its principles and practice, his mind was a storehouse of information upon its most complicated and abstruse questions. The diligence with which he mastered every point in a litigated case was assisted to success by a
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wonderfully retentive memory and a remarkable power of application. He was an authority upon the difficult and doubtful intricacies of land titles, and some of his most creditable victories before the courts were won in such cases."
In addition to his law business Mr. Voorhees served as the president of the Camden Safe Deposit & Trust Company, a director of the West Jersey Ferry Company and manager of the Cooper Hospital.
Mr. Voorhees was married October 16, 1855, to Miss Anna Finley Dayton, a sister of the Hon. William L. Dayton, who was a United States senator, United States minister to France, and the nominee for vice presi- dent on the national Republican ticket in 1856. Mrs. Voorhees died in 1880, leaving one child, Jennie Dayton, and our subject departed this life November 28, 1895.
Politically Mr. Voorhees was a conservative Republican but was never a politician in the sense of office seeking, though he served as city solicitor of Camden one year, being elected by the Republicans and Democrats ill opposition to the "Native American" party. In his private life he was dis- tinguished for his Christian piety. He was reared in the Dutch Reformed church, but in 1853 he united with the Presbyterian church, and from that time until his death he took an active and prominent part in the work of the First church of Camden, being especially active as a teacher in the Sunday-school, and untiring in his efforts to interest those under his charge and insure their regular attendance. His life was exemplary in all respects and well worthy of emulation.
WESTLEY R. WALES, M. D.
Westley R. Wales, M. D., is one of the young practicing physicians of Cape May county, but his ability is not limited by his years for he has al- ready gained a prestige that might well be envied by many an older practi- tioner. He resides in Cape May, which is the city of his birth, his natal day being October 21, 1869. He traces his ancestry back to Timothy Wales, one of the twenty children of Ebenezer Wales. The former was said to be a man of excellent common sense and sound judgment and jovial and genial in disposition. He was born October 9, 1737, and at various times resided in Union, Hebron and Bolton, Connecticut. He married Sarah Loomis and their children were Elizabeth, Timothy, Roger, Sarah and Roxanna. Elizabeth became the wife of Jabez L. White, of Bolton, Connecticut, and to them were born eleven children: Anna L. Bailey:
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Elizabeth, the wife of Anderson Cook; Sarah, the wife of Samuel Williams; Roxanna; Clarissa, the wife of Hon. Benjamin Ruggles, United States senator from Clarksville, Ohio; Jabez, an eminent physician who married Emily Hammund; George Clinton White, who was the president of White's Bank at Buffalo, New York; Sophronia, the wife of Chester Strickland; Joel, Royal and Thomas Jefferson.
Eli Bentley Wales was born July 10, 1798, and was a man of great energy who met with creditable success in his business. He served as judge and was a man of prominence in his community. He was married in 1818 to Sarah H. Hughes, a daughter of Thomas Hughes, of Cape May, and they became the parents of nine children: Sallie, who was born in 1819, married Downs Edmunds, and their children were Sarah, the wife of Edgar P. Stiles; Tryphonia B., the wife of Samuel W. Reeves, a lawyer of Phila- delphia; Eli, who is holding a governmental position; and N., who married Lydia Crowell, of Norfolk, Virginia, and they had two daughters, Lillie and Emma. Belinda J., the second of the family, was born in 1822; Har- riet B., born in 1825, became the wife of Joseph Young and had six chil- dren,-Sallie B., Edmund W., Joseph, Brisley, Mary E. and Howard; Eleanor B., born in 1827, became the third wife of Downs Edmunds; Thomas R., born in 1830, married Martha C., and their children are Sallie, Edward W., James, C. Wesley, of this review, and Allan; Lydia H., born in 1832, became the wife of Alvin P. Hildreth, and their children are Frank H. and Jane M. E .; Edward, born in 1834, and died in 1835; Mary H., born in 1836, married Walter A. Barrows, a lawyer and at one time the county superintendent of the public schools at Mount Holly, New Jersey, and their children were Walter A., Jr., and Helen W., and Eli B., the youngest, is a practicing physician. Judge Eli B. Wales, the father of the children just named, after the death of his first wife, married Harriet Edmonds, a widow of James Edmonds. Her maiden name was Whittimore and her native state was Connecticut. By her marriage they had one son, George H., who was born in 1841 and died in 1871. For his third wife Judge Wales married Mrs. James Schellinger, of Cape May.
Under the paternal roof Dr. Wales spent the days of his boyhood, ac- quiring his preliminary education in the common schools. He was grad- uated in the high school in the class of 1886 and then entered Blairstown Academy, where he was graduated in 1888. Determining to devote his time and energies to the practice of medicine, he then matriculated in the Jefferson Medical College, completing the course in 1891. Thus well equipped for his chosen calling, he opened an office at May's Landing, New Jersey, where he remained for eight years, enjoying a good business. Dur-
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ing that time he served as the physician of Atlantic county for three years.
Finally Dr. Wales came to Cape May and purchased his present place of business at the corner of Washington and Decatur streets, from the Dr. Kennedy estate, succeeding Dr. Kennedy in the drug business and in the practice of medicine. He conducts a well equipped store and enjoys a lib- eral patronage in the drug trade. His offices in the rear are tastefully furnished and supplied with all the appliances that aid the physician in his practice. He is widely known as one of the most successful and able young physicians of southern New Jersey. He is a diligent student and his knowl- edge of medicine and its uses is comprehensive and accurate. The excellent results which have attended his efforts demonstrate his skill and ability and make him a leading member of the profession. He belongs to the county medical societies of both Atlantic and Cape May counties.
The Doctor is a valued representative of several civic societies and is the past master of Unity Lodge, F. & A. M., at May's Landing. He has also served as junior and senior deacon and junior and senior warden of his lodge. For six years he was a member of Company H, Sixth Regiment of New Jersey National Guards, and in his political affiliations he has been a Republican since attaining his majority. His marriage to Miss Orilla Edmunds was celebrated April 14, 1891, and their union has been blest with one daughter, Martha T. They have a pleasant home in Cape May and enjoy the warm regard of a large circle of friends.
ISAAC B. LAWRENCE.
Isaac Biddle Lawrence is a hustling, wide-awake business man of Salem, where he has been engaged for more than a quarter of a century, in his present quarters, in the mercantile trade. He was born August 8, 1848. in Mannington township, this county, and was a son of George and Hannah (Jenkins) Lawrence. George was one of five children: William, a farmer who married a Miss Seagraves and died in Salem; Thomas, who married Ann Barnes and was a farmer near Bridgeport, where he died; George; Catherine, who married Adam Stanger and lived in Philadelphia; she had two daughters and lived to be seventy years of age; and Mary Ann, who married Anthony Elton, a farmer. George Lawrence was born in Salem county and became an extensive farmer in Mannington township. He took an intelligent interest in local politics and was an adherent of the Democratic party. He chose as his bride Miss Hannah Jenkins, who bore him ten children, viz .: George, a farmer in Salem county but a resident
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of Woodstown at the time of his death; James, a farmer in this county; Thomas; Abraham; Isaac B .; Rebecca Whitsell, deceased; Mary Harris, deceased; Ellen, unmarried; Catherine Smith; and Elizabeth (Mrs. George Winfield), deceased. His death occurred when he had arrived at the age of sixty-three years, and his wife departed this life at the age of seventy.
Isaac B. Lawrence attended the district schools of Mannington and Elsinboro townships and then became a clerk in the store of R. P. Hite for four years. He purchased the property of Major Lawson's estate and has conducted a general store there ever since. His sales-rooms are thirty by thirty-five feet and are neatly and tastefully arranged to show the goods to the best advantage. They are fitted with electric lights, and a base- ment of the same dimensions furnishes a desirable store-room. His stock comprises a large and complete line of dry goods, furnishing goods, staple and fancy groceries, provisions, tin, crockery, and glassware, and a mis- cellaneous assortment of merchandise from which his customers are sure to find just what they want. He has worked up a large and lucrative patron- age and has devoted all his energies to suiting the various tastes of his customers. He has made several judicious investments in real estate and owns sixteen residences, which he keeps in good repair, some of which are among the finest dwellings in the city. He is undoubtedly the largest real- estate owner in Salem and one of the wealthiest citizens.
He was married in 1871 to Miss Mary A. Kirby, a daughter of John Kirby. They have one child, Ida, who is at her parental home. Mr. Law- rence is a Democrat in political faith and was formerly a freeholder. He was the city treasurer two terms-in 1874-5 and in 1884-5. In religion he is a member of the Friends' church. He has been a member of Forest Lodge, Knights of Pythias, since its organization in 1869, and Brown Lodge, No. 249; Fenwick Lodge, I. O. O. F., and Salem Encampment. He has also been a member of the Red Men several years. He is a director of the Salem Mutual Fire Insurance Company, a successor to Judge Albert Slape, deceased. He is one of the substantial, enterprising citizens, whose energy and forethought mean so much to any city or village and bring prosperity in their wake.
WILLIAM H. COZENS.
Among the leading citizens of Swedesboro is the gentleman whose name heads this sketch, and who, until 1893, was actively engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. He was born in Deptford township, Gloucester county, September 6, 1852. His parents were Richard and Elizabeth (Hayes)
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Cozens, natives of New Jersey. His father was a farmer by occupation. The parents were married on the 18th of January, 1850, and had four chil- dren : Mary P., who was born July 19. 1851, married William Titus, of Paulsboro, and has four children; Ellen, born April 14, 1854, is the wife of Samuel Hannold, of Philadelphia, and has three children; William H., is the next of the family; and Charles, who was born May 6, 1856, died August 12, 1858: The father died about 1857, when thirty-five years of age, and the mother passed away in July, 1881, at the age of fifty-one.
After the death of the father the family removed to Greenwich town- ship, and it was in the schools of that locality that the subject of this sketch obtained his education. 1 His entire life has been devoted to farming. In 1880 he purchased a fine farm of fifty-six acres, one mile from Swedesboro, and resided there for thirteen years. It was located on the turnpike be- tween Woodbury and Swedesboro adjoining the Salsbury farm. He still retains the ownership of this, and has another farm in South Harrison town- ship, between Swedesboro and Harrisonville. In 1893, however, he decided to retire from active work and removed to this city, where he has a com- fortable home, which was rebuilt and modernized in 1898. He is a stock- holder in the Swedesboro Heat, Light & Power Company, and his wife is a stockholder in the Swedesboro National Bank.
Mr. Cozens was married December 13, 1876, to Kate A. Allen, a daugh- ter of Henry Allen, of Gibbstown, New Jersey. They have two daughters, -Marie A. and Lizzie H. The family are members of the Protestant Episco- pal church, to the work of which they are always ready to give liberal as- sistance. Mr. Cozens belongs to the Swedesboro Grange and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
EDWARD L. STRATTON.
This old-time and honored citizen of Mullica Hill, of which place he is a native, is of good old English stock and bears an enviable record both as a business man of integrity and a brave soldier during the civil war. The heroes of that unique and hotly-contested struggle for the maintenance of the Union are yearly falling by the wayside from old age and its accompany- ing infirmities, and it is fitting that we who reaped the reward of their cour- ageous deeds should gather and preserve in some permanent form every- thing we can find regarding their histories.
The grandfather of Colonel Stratton, Jacob Stratton, was the son of Samuel, one of three brothers, the sons of William Stratton, of Stratford,
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England. Nathan T., the son of Jacob and father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Piles Grove, Salem county, New Jersey, and in 1827 went to Philadelphia, where he spent one year in a store. On January 9, 1829. he removed to Mullica Hill where he engaged in the mercantile busi- ness with Jonathan Colson. In 1833 he returned to Philadelphia, but the following year again began business in Mullica Hill, forming a partnership in 1835 with a son of his former employer, the firm being known as Colson & Stratton. This connection lasted until 1841, when Mr. Stratton went into business for himself. He was a member of the state legislature in 1844, and in 1850 was elected on the Democratic ticket as a representative of his district to the United States congress, his opponent in the campaign being Thomas H. Whiting. He was re-elected in 1852, and, with the exception of Hon. Thomas M. Ferrell, no Democrat has since been elected to congress from that district.
Nathan T. Stratton married Sarah M., a daughter of Isaac Sherwin. Mrs. Stratton was a woman of fine character, quiet and retiring in her dis- position, devoted to her home and family, a mother whose children "rise up and call her blessed." She died September 30, 1860, leaving behind her the memory of a well spent life. The father passed away March 9, 1887, at the rip'e age of seventy-four years. He was a man of strong per- sonality, active in many lines, and held a prominent place in his commu- nity. He settled up many estates and paid out the large amount of seventeen thousand dollars as security money. Four of the children of this worthy couple are living: Isaac S., a justice of the peace at Swedes- boro, New Jersey; Edward L .; Mary L., now Mrs. Moore; and Jacob J., residing in Mullica Hill. James Stratton enlisted when a school boy of sixteen in his brother Edward's company, in the Twelfth New Jersey Vol- unteers, was killed in battle August 25, 1864, and his remains were brought home and buried.
Colonel Edward L. Stratton was born at Mullica Hill, March 14, 1839. As a boy he studied in the schools at home, and later at Wilmington, Delaware, and for one term in West Jersey College, at Bridgeton. He began his business career as a partner with his father in the firm of N. T. Stratton & Son, they owning a large store in Mullica Hill and also one in Swedesboro. After the war the firm became Stratton & Brother. The call for volunteers which resounded through the land when war was com- menced between the north and the south, met with a ready response from thousands of the loyal young men who without hesitation left their schools, their stores, their farms and their homes to serve their country. Among these was Edward L. Stratton, who in June, 1862, enlisted as a recruiting
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officer for Company F, Twelfth New Jersey Volunteers. His company was the first in the regiment to make up its complement of men, and he was appointed captain on August 15, 1862, being mustered in September 4. His regiment was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and in the battle of Chancellorsville it lost two hundred and fifty men. Captain Stratton was in the front rank at this bloody engagement and was severely wounded, losing his right leg in consequence. He was brevetted lieutenant-colonel for gallant conduct in battle, and was made colonel for similar reasons. At length he resigned his commission and was appointed captain in the Invalid Corps. He held various positions in the hospitals at Philadelphia and Fortress Monroe, and in the barracks at Washington, and was assist- ant inspector general under General Wilcox in the Department of the Ohio. He was mustered out of the service July 20, 1866.
Colonel Stratton continued in the mercantile business until 1886, and for ten years-from 1885 to 1895-was a lay member of the Gloucester court. He was the postmaster at Mullica Hill during both of Cleveland's administrations and has since been engaged in the real-estate and insur- ance business. He has for many years been a member and trustee of the Baptist church and has been the secretary of the Building & Loan Asso- ciation of Mullica Hill ever since its organization in 1886. He is also the financier of the conclave of the order of Heptasophs. He is a Democrat in politics, and in 1883 ran for the office of surrogate, but was beaten by a small majority. At another time he ran for the legislature on the same ticket with Governor Parker, and in 1898 was again a candidate, his opponent being Governor Walters.
Colonel Stratton was married December 25, 1886, to Emma, a daughter of Joseph Harker, of Swedesboro, and four children have been born to them: Sarah, Emma H., Deborah and Edward L., Jr. The latter was in the employ of the United States at Fort Delaware.
ANDERSON BOURGEOIS.
Anderson Bourgeois is a well-known capitalist who controls extensive real-estate interests in Cape May county, maintaining his residence in Estelville. He was born in Morristown, New Jersey, November 15, 1859, and is a son of George and Mary (Broadwater) Bourgeois. The family name is of French origin, and the grandfather, Edward A. Bourgeois, was the first of the name to seek a home in America, crossing the Atlantic about 1823. He located in Philadelphia, where he followed the trade of dyeing, which he had learned in his native land. There he resided until
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his marriage to Miss Sallie Scattergood, after which he removed to New Orleans, Louisiana, where he remained for ten years, when he returned to Philadelphia. During the succeeding two decades he was connected with the business interests of the latter city, after which he spent his re- maining days in traveling, visiting France and other European countries. He also went to Panama and Central America, his death occurring on the isthmus. He was a representative of one of the distinguished families of our sister Republic, being a relative of Minister M. Bourgeois. His chil- dren were Edward, a bricklayer now residing in St. Louis; George; and Sallie, who died in Philadelphia.
George Bourgeois was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, February 14, 1833, and became a contractor and builder. He resided in Philadelphia until eighteen years of age, when he removed to Morristown, where he made his home until 1889, since which time he has been a resident of Ocean City, Cape May county. His ability in the line of his chosen voca- tion is indicated by the extensive patronage which he receives. He has erected here the Atlantic Hotel and the merry-go-rounds, and took the contract for building a board walk fifty-eight hundred feet long with twenty-nine hundred feet of approaches. This work he completed in 1897-8. His political support is given the Democracy, and socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In his family are six children : Edward, a contractor and builder, who married Anna Stites; Anderson; Helen, the wife of James Morts, a contractor, by whom she has two sons, Bertie and John; George Edward, an attorney-at-law in Atlantic City, who married Emma Boggs, and has one daughter, Ellen; Sallie; and Anna, wife of Harry G. Steadman.
In the public schools of Morristown Mr. Bourgeois, of this review, pur- sued his education, and was graduated in the class of 1877. He subse- quently attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he completed the law course, being graduated in 1888 and the same year he was admitted to the bar in Philadelphia. He then married Miss Anna Estell, and located in Estelville, to look after the Estell estate which comprises twenty thou- sand acres of land, six farms, two thousand acres of meadow land and some timber tracts, a gristmill and a sawmill. He is also interested in real estate in Ocean City, having there some valuable property. He owns the Hotel Ætna, together with fourteen residences, three stores and office buildings at No. 9 Asbury avenue, and about one hundred building lots. The control of these extensive property interests demands great care and business ability. It requires marked executive force and keen discernment to make real estate investments profitable so that they yield a good in-
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terest upon the capital. This Mr. Bourgeois is doing, however, and is accounted one of the most enterprising and reliable business men in his adopted county.
On the 15th of June, 1887, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bour- geois and Miss Anna Estell, and they now have an interesting little daugh- ter, Rebecca. Their beautiful home is celebrated for its charming and gracious hospitality, and they enjoy the friendship of many of the best people throughout this section of the state. In his political views Mr. Bourgeois is a Democrat, and has held the office of freeholder, but has never sought or desired political preferment, as his time and attention is fully occupied with his business interests, in which he is meeting with signal success.
JOSEPH F. HAND.
The volume of business and the importance of the work entrusted to Joseph Fifield Hand is an indication that he is classed among the leading contractors and builders at Ocean City; nor have his efforts been con- fined to this place, as he has erected in other sections of the country sub- stantial structures, whose architectural beauty and fine workmanship have elicited wide praise. As the history of a community is best told by the lives of its representative men, we take great pleasure in presenting to our readers the record of this well-known resident of Ocean City.
Mr. Hand was born in Tuckerton, New Jersey, May 7, 1852, his parents being Jeremiah Leaming and Susan (Downs) Hand. His paternal grand- father, Aaron Hand, resided at Townsend's Inlet, Cape May county, where he owned and managed a large farm. He exercised his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party. His son, Jere- miah Leaming Hand, was born at Townsend's Inlet, and was educated in the medical profession. For many years he practiced at Tuckerton. In early life he was a sea captain, but his vessel was lost in a storm and he afterward engaged in the practice of medicine; but he is now living retired and enjoying the rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. In politics he votes the Republican ticket, and his religious belief is in har- mony with the teachings of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he has held various offices in the organizations in which he holds membership. He married Miss Susan Downs, who died in 1879, and in their family were two sons and two daughters. Mr. Hand, of this review, is the only sur- viving child. The Doctor, however, is still living and has reached the Psalmist's span of three-score years and ten. His wife was a daughter of
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Isaac Downs, an oyster-planter who resided in Tuckerton, New Jersey. His wife was Mrs. Ann Downs, and their children were Samuel, Charles, Mary, Susan, Hulda and Jackson.
Mr. Hand, of this sketch, obtained his education in Pennington Sem- inary, but his mother died before the time of his graduation arrived and accordingly he returned home, where he remained for three years. He afterward learned the carpenter's trade and for a short time worked as a journeyman; after which he began contracting and building on his own account. He built the life-saving stations at Long Beach and at Anglesea, and the first work he undertook in Ocean City was the erection of the artistic little cottage Holiday. Since that time, under his supervision, have been put up many of the best cottages and hotels here, including the hand- some residence of Rev. B. H. Sanderlin and the Methodist Episcopal church. He furnishes employment for fourteen men. Mr. Hand is also interested in real estate and owns two excellent buildings, including stores and living rooms.
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