USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 6
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CHARLES F. PANCOAST.
Charles F. Pancoast, the son of David C. and Ann H. Pancoast, was born near Woodstown, in Piles Grove township, Salem county, March 8, 1844. His grandfather on his mother's side, Joseph L. Davis, was one of the early settlers of Piles Grove township. David C. Pancoast, the father of our sub- ject, was a farmer by occupation, but also took much interest in local public affairs, and for a number of years sat at the head of the Friends' meeting at Woodstown.
Charles F. Pancoast, since he became twenty years of age, has been en-
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gaged in mercantile business almost continuously, retiring in 1898 from the firm of Pancoast & Lippincott, after eighteen years of partnership with John W. Lippincott in the hardware and store business in Woodstown. Of late years he has taken quite an interest in the Society of Friends, of which he is a member, the Piles Grove Library Association, and the affairs of the bor- ough of Woodstown, of which he was elected a councilman in the spring of 1899. In 1882 he married Annie E. Borton, a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Edwards) Borton, and they have two sons-Joseph L. Davis Pan- coast and Charles Fithian Pancoast, Jr.
HENRY C. BENDLER.
One of the enterprising business men of Mantua, Gloucester county, Henry C. Bendler is a citizen of public spirit, wide awake and filled with en- thusiasm and desire to have his home town stand in the front ranks with those of its size in the state. He has been called upon to officiate in numer- ous local positions of trust and honor, as his fellow citizens appreciate his ability and integrity, and recognize the fact that he has the welfare of this community deeply at heart.
Jacob S., a son of Adam and the father of Henry C. Bendler, was of Ger- man descent. He was born in Magnolia (then known as Greenland), New Jersey, and about 1844 went to Glassboro, where he conducted a store. In 1847 he removed to Chew's Landing, Camden county, where he found em- ployment as a ship carpenter, and during his residence at that place and in Mantua he assisted in the building of a number of vessels. For thirty years he served as a justice of the peace in this township, whither he came in 1857, and for several years he was the assessor here. His life was above reproach, as he was honest and temperate, industrious and loyal to his God and coun- try. In the Odd Fellows and Masonic orders he occupied an honored posi- tion and held about all of the offices in the local lodges at various times. Though he was eighty-four years old when the summons came to him to lay down his earthly burdens, he was then in the possession of all of his senses and was greatly esteemed by every one. He married Susan Wollohon, daughter of Joseph Wollohon, and two children were born to them. She departed this life in 1846.
Henry C. Bendler, whose birth occurred at Chew's Landing, Camden county, September 25, 1842, was thus left motherless when he was only four years old. He received a common school education, and after completing his studies he learned the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked for several
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years. In time he acquired a little property at Sewell, and this he exchanged for a farm between Mantua and Barnsboro, in 1885. Since then he has lived in this locality and has been the proprietor of a general store at Mantua. Active in politics, he gives his allegiance to the Democratic party. In 1893 he was appointed a freeholder, to serve out a term; again in 1897 he was chosen for this important office; and in March, 1900, elected again, for three years more.
In 1861 Mr. Bendler was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Kitchen, a daughter of John M. Kitchen, of Mantua, and the only child born to this union has passed to the better land. Mr. and Mrs. Bendler are loved and re- spected by every one who knows them, and their pleasant home frequently is the scene of happy gatherings of friends and neighbors.
JOHN WALLACE.
An errand boy in a glass factory, a capitalist and progressive merchant- in these few words are summed up the life history of John Wallace, who has risen from a very humble position in life to a place of prominence and afflu- ence. The opportunities of the present are the only ones which we can grasp and utilize, the promises of the future are illusive and not to be de- pended upon, but the improvement of the advantages of the moment brings sure and certain results. It was the ability of Mr. Wallace to understand what the present offered and to make the best possible use of his opportuni- ties that has made him one of the substantial citizens.
He was born at Port Elizabeth, New Jersey, May 1, 1828, and is the son of John and Jane (McKeag) Wallace. His father was a native of Dub- lin, Ireland, born in 1729, and at the age of twenty years he came to America. He was a weaver by trade and ultimately took up his residence in Marshall- ville, New Jersey, where he engaged in weaving carpets and linsey-woolsey. He also owned a small farm there. In politics he was a Republican and in religious belief was a Methodist, holding membership in the church of this denomination. His children were as follows: William, born at Port Eliza- beth in December, 1823, was a glass-blower by trade, following that pursuit in Millville. He married Miss Emeline Steelman, and their children were: William, who married Lena Crowley; Harry, John, William, Harvey, Mabel. Emeline and Bessie. Edward, who married Mary Abel, was engaged in the express business, and their children were Walter, Eddie. Chrissy and Ed- ward. Mary Jane became the wife of Charles Meyers, a glass-worker and local Methodist preacher, by whom she had seven children-Emma, Kate. Ann, Bertha, Charles, William and Jennie. Emma became the wife of II-D
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Charles Simmons, an undertaker of Millville, and their children were Will- iam, Myrtle, Harrison and Clara. Anna married Thomas Mattox, a mer- chant, by whom she had eight children: Emma, Jessie, Charles, Lizzie, Ed- ward, Mary, Alida and Helen. John was the next of the family. Thomas, born in July, 1826, at Port Elizabeth, became a glass-blower and resided at Marshallville, but died at West Creek, New Jersey. He married Sarah Jane McKeag, and their children were James, Eddie, John, Flora and George. John Wallace, the father of our subject, died at the age of seventy-five years, and his wife passed away at the advanced age of eighty-eight years.
Mr. Wallace, of this review, had no educational advantages, for at the age of eight years he became an employe in the Marshall Glass Factory, where his close application to business and his faithfulness in the duties en- trusted to him won him promotion from time to time until he became a glass-blower and eventually a glass-cutter. For two years he served in that capacity at Hamilton, New Jersey, after which he went to Ottawa, Canada, and a year later he accepted a position as glass-blower in Columbia, New Jersey. Subsequently he was at Hamilton and in 1852 he became connected with the Union Window-glass Company, at Marshallville, being a partner in that concern. For a period of four years he acted as foreman for the firm of Richard & Brothers. Subsequently he embarked in the charcoal and lumber business, which he continued for twenty years, being associated with John R. Belbe for fifteen years. They carried on an extensive and profit- able business, furnishing employment for thirty men. Since that time Mr. Wallace has engaged in the lumber business and in merchandising. He successfully operates a number of sawmills and in his store receives a liberal . and well merited patronage from the public. He deals extensively in real estate and is the owner of two thousand acres of cedar-swamp timber and farm lands. He has three valuable farms and is also the owner of fifteen acres of cranberry marshes. He owns lots at Atlantic City, Ocean City, Holly Beach, and Cape May Point, and his investments have been so judiciously made that he has secured from them handsome financial returns.
On the 30th of March, 1850, Mr. Wallace was united in marriage to Sarah Jane Getsinger, a daughter of Christopher Getsinger, the proprietor of the Port Elizabeth Glass Works. In his political views Mr. Wallace is a stanch Republican and has capably and efficiently served as assessor, col- lector and freeholder. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church and as a citizen is deeply interested in everything pertaining to the welfare and progress of the community. He certainly deserves great credit for his suc- cess in life, and his record stands in exemplification of the fact that pros- perity is the outcome of honest and continued labor.
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CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
LAWRENCE W. SICKLER.
Practical industry wisely and vigorously applied never fails of success; it carries a man onward and upward, bringing out his individual character and acts as a powerful stimulant to the efforts of others. The greatest re- sults in life are usually attained by simple means and the exercise of the ordinary qualities of common sense and perseverance. The every-day life, with its cares, necessities and duties, affords ample opportunities for acquir- ing experience of the best kind, and its most beaten paths provide abundant scope for effort and self-improvement. Along the legitimate channels of trade and in the ordinary walks of business Lawrence W. Sickler has attained success, prominence and the high regard of his fellow men. He is now serv- ing as the postmaster of Glassboro and is actively identified with some of the leading business interests of the town.
A native of Williamsboro, Gloucester county, his birth occurred Decem- ber 23, 1860. His father, Paul H. Sickler, and his grandfather, William Sickler, were also natives of that place, and were of Dutch lineage. They were engaged in the coal business and manufactured and dealt in charcoal. Paul H. Sickler was also a farmer, later became a glass-blower and was after- ward proprietor of a store in Sicklerville, where he also served as postmaster for many years. He thus led a very active and useful life ; nor were his efforts confined alone to interests that resulted in his own benefit. He was a justice of the peace for a number of years and was a most fair and impartial officer. A prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, he served as a local preacher and exerted a strong influence for good in the community in which he resided. He reached the advanced age of eighty-two years, and after a long and honorable life was called to his reward in 1895. His wife bore the maiden name of Hannah Eldredge and is a representative of one of the old families of Gloucester county. She is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-five years, and she has a brother who has passed the ninetieth milestone in life's journey. Mr. and Mrs. Sickler were the parents of seven children, five of whom are living: Patience, wife of John T. Sickler, of Glassboro; Amy, wife of Henry D. Harf, of Sicklerville; Parnell, wife of S. P. De Hart, of Williamstown; Paul S., postmaster and merchant at Sickler- ville; and Lawrence W.
The last named attended the common schools of Sicklerville and at the age of eighteen he left home to learn the blacksmith's trade, serving a five- years apprenticeship. In 1883 he came to Glassboro, where he opened a smithy of his own, successfully conducting the same until 1894, since which time he has also engaged in the flour and feed business. At that time he
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purchased a mill, which he operated in the manufacture of flour and feed. In addition to his sales in those commodities he deals in farming implements and fertilizers, and recently he has embarked in the coal and ice business. On May 1, 1900, Mr. Sickler took the general management of the yards of the Whitney Glass Works. These varied interests claim his attention, and are conducted with marked ability, bringing him a very desirable experience.
Mr. Sickler has also been in the public service and has been a most loyal and efficient officer. In 1896 he was appointed collector of Glassboro town- ship and in 1897 was elected to that office for a three-years term. On the Ist of April, 1899, he was appointed the postmaster of Glassboro by Presi- dent Mckinley, and his administration of the office has won him high com- mendation. In his political views he has always been a stanch Republican and has labored earnestly for the advancement of his party. In 1896 he was appointed a member of the Republican executive committee of Glou- cester county.
His home life has been very pleasant. He was married on the 4th of August, 1889, to Miss Francena, a daughter of Andrew J. Proud, of Aldine, Salem county, New Jersey. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sickler are widely known in this locality and their circle of friends is almost coextensive with the circle of their acquaintances. His life proves that activity, when directed by sound judgment, is the key which unlocks the portals of success and his pros- perity is the fitting result of his labors.
W. K. ROBERSON.
In this enlightened age when men of energy, industry and merit are rapidly pushing their way to the front, those who by their own individual efforts have won favor and fortune may properly claim recognition. Such a one is Mr. Roberson, who is an active factor in the commercial life of Philadelphia. He is numbered among the wholesale merchants of that city and occupies a prominent place as an energetic, progressive, capable and thoroughly reliable business man. Mr. Roberson, now a resident of Wood- bury, was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, January 21, 1851. His grandfather was William Roberson, but little is known concerning the early history of the family. The father of our subject, Samuel Roberson, was a farmer by occupation and throughout his active business career carried on agricultural pursuits. He married Miss Sarah A. King, the daughter of William N. King and a representative of an old family of Hunterdon county. They became the parents of six children, five of whom are living,
HKRoberson
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namely: Delia, the wife of George B. Dalyrimple, who resides on the old homestead; A. E., of Pittstown, New Jersey; W. K., of this review; Horace. a lawyer of Bayonne, New Jersey; and S. A., who is a leading educator in Bayonne. The father gave his political support to the Whig party in early life, and on its dissolution joined the ranks of the Republican party. He held membership in the Baptist church and died in that faith in 1897. His wife passed away in the same year.
During the winter months W. K. Roberson attended the public schools through the period of his youth and in the summer season assisted in the labors of field and meadow. At the age of eighteen he left home to enter upon a mercantile career, securing a position in a store in Little York, Hunterdon county. Subsequently he was employed as a salesman in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and in 1872, when twenty-one years of age, came to Philadelphia, where he secured a position as a traveling salesman in a house on Market street. He remained with that firm for three years, and with other firms in same line till 1884, and in that year began business on his own account, in a small way, occupying a portion of a friend's store with a line of notions which he sold to the wholesale trade. Steadily his business increased, demanding larger facilities, and in 1894 he removed to his present commodious quarters at No. 313 Market street. where he has a large store, occupying four floors and basement, with an extensive and well selected stock of notions, hosiery and underwear. In 1896 he admitted William C. Gallagher to a partnership in the business, under the firm name of Roberson & Company, and the connection is still continued. Their output is large and is shipped to various sections of the country. The house enjoys a most creditable reputation for reliability and is now one of the successful mercantile concerns in the city.
Mr. Roberson is very prominent in social circles, especially in the Masonic fraternity. He belongs to Florence Lodge, No. 87. F. & A. M., of Woodbury; Mount Moriah Chapter, No. 20, R. A. M .; Ivanhoe Com- mandery, No. 1I, K. T., of Bordentown; Excelsior Consistory, of Camden; and Lulu Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He has been honored with a number of offices in the order, has been the master of the lodge, high priest of the chapter, and eminent commander in the K. T. organization. His political support has been given to the Republican party, and he is an active representative of the organization which stands for the protection of Ameican industries and which has ever been the loyal supporter of the flag. He served as a member of the Bordentown city council and has been prominently mentioned in connection with legislative nominations.
Mr. Roberson was married in 1875. Miss Susie Molyneaux becoming
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his wife. She is a native of Bordentown, New Jersey, and a daughter of James Molyneaux, a well known engineer of that place. Seven children were born of their union, of whom six are living, namely: Harold M., Sanford, Helen, James, Horace and Beatrice. The family have a beautiful home at Woodbury and the members of the household occupy very, prom- inent positions in social circles.
There is ever a degree of satisfaction and profit in scanning the life history of one who has attained to an eminent degree of success as the diametrical result of his own efforts, who has had the mentality to direct his endeavors toward the desired ends, and the singleness and steadfastness of purpose which have given due value to each consecutive detail of effort. As a distinctive type of the self-made man we mention the honored subject of this review, whose connection with the commercial interests of Phila- delphia has won him prominence among the leading men of the city. He possesses marked social qualities and in private life is a genial, cordial gen- tleman who has won hosts of warm friends.
CHARLES H. REED.
The old, historic Reed farm, a portion of which I. S. Reed owns and which adjoins the farm of our subject, has been in the possession of the family for several generations, and the various proprietors have been noted for all of the qualities which go to the making of thoroughly worthy, patriotic citizens. The old homestead, on which the lives of numerous members of the Reed family have been passed, is situated near the Salem road, in Piles Grove township, Salem county, and the venerable farm-house, whose walls have sheltered hundreds, perhaps, of persons who long ago fin- ished their earthly careers, was erected in 1746; and now, though more than a century and a half has passed since its completion, it is well preserved, and speaks eloquently of the thoroughness and painstaking care which its builder exercised. The paternal grandfather of our subject, William Hunt, was liv- ing on a large farm, a half-mile away, on the new Salem road, when the house was ransacked by the British in their eagerness to find jewels or money which might have been secreted, even requiring Mrs. Hunt to loosen her hair, letting it hang unrestricted!
The parents of our subject were Israel S. and Mary (Miller) Reed, both respected citizens of Piles Grove township. Besides conducting the home- stead farm, the father was engaged in general merchandising in Alloways- town and Woodstown, for several years, and met with success in his en-
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deavors to provide well for his family. He had married Miss Sally Hunt in his early manhood and by that union two children were born: Mary, now of Philadelphia, and William, who is deceased. His second marriage was blessed with four children, of whom the eldest, Sarah, is the wife of the Rev. Chester Bridgman; Thomas, a physician, died in 1866; Charles H. is the third, and Israel S. is living on part of the old Reed estate, adjoining our subject's farm.
Charles H. Reed was born on this homestead, and as child, youth and man has loved, and been closely associated with, its cultivation and improve- ment. He received good educational advantages, was a student in the pri- vate schools of Woodstown, and in 1858 pursued a course at Bridgeton Academy. He has been a great reader, aiming to keep thoroughly posted on the current events and important issues of the day. Since he completed his education he has been quietly occupied in carrying on his farm, and has won an enviable reputation for business integrity and fairness in all of his transactions.
GEORGE ESSLER.
George Essler, the manager of Moore Brothers' glass-works at Clayton, New Jersey, is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father, also named George Essler, was a native of Wittenberg, Germany, and his father's name was John. George came to this country in 1847, settling in Philadelphia. By trade he was a baker and crimp boot maker. He died in Philadelphia, in 1882. He was an excellent man and highly moral. He married Margaret Kohn, the daughter of Frank Kohn, of Germany. She departed this life in 1880. Of their six children two are living: Mary, Mrs. Frank Hoke; and our subject.
Up to the time our subject was twelve years of age, he had the advan- tage of the common schools of Philadelphia, and at that time he went into the hotel, working for his father for five years. In 1873 he went to Williams- town, New Jersey, near which place he worked on a farm, but later we find him in a glass factory, where he was one of the packers. In 1876 he came to Clayton, his present home, and here he began as a packer for Moore Brothers, but was made inspector of glass, afterward assistant manager, and in 1887 he was promoted to the position of general manager, which place he ably fills.
Socially our subject is an excellent man. He belongs to the Junior Order of American Mechanics, of which lodge he is the present treasurer. He also belongs to the Masonic fraternity. For the past three years he has
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served as city councilman and has been on the school board for the same time. Morally there is no better man. August 9, 1873, he was married to Elizabeth, a daughter of John N. Lutz, of Williamstown. Their five living children are Harry, John, Elwood, Charles and Nellie May,-all at home.
Step by step has this industrious artisan pushed his way to the front rank of workers in his line. A man of good habits, one who loves his family, and is not ashamed to labor, he has won the esteem of the firms for which he has worked, as well as the community in which he has lived an upright, honor- able citizen.
GEORGE S. HULICK.
Among the respected farmers of Pittsgrove township, Salem county, New Jersey, is the subject of this sketch, G. S. Hulick, who was born on the farm on which he now lives, December 20, 1819. He is the son of Captain . Cornelius Hulick, a native of Mount Holly, New Jersey, and a grandson of John Hulick. John Hulick with his wife Mary came from England to New Jersey about the middle of the eighteenth century, locating on the present site of the town of Mount Holly. John Hulick served throughout the Revo- lution under Washington and was a pensioner of that war until 1830, when he died, in Batavia, Ohio, at an advanced age.
John and Mary Hulick were the parents of eleven children. In 1814 their son James emigrated to the southwestern part of Ohio, going in com- pany with "Dad" Tice, a journeyman blacksmith, traveling the distance of nearly eight hundred miles in a wagon ironed by Tice. James Hulick pur- chased hundreds of acres of land in that locality, helping to found, lay out and build up the town of Batavia. Shortly afterward the entire family, ex- cept Cornelius, who was the youngest son and who was then an apprentice, removed to Ohio, where they are reckoned among the most influential citi- zens of that state. George W. Hulick was for many years judge of the su- preme court of the state of Ohio, leaving the bench to serve two terms in the senate halls at Washington. Cornelius had intended to follow the family to Ohio, but afterward decided to remain in New Jersey, finally locating in Pittsgrove township. He was the captain of the Pittsgrove militia for many years. Captain Hulick was a millwright by trade and first came to Pitts- grove to build a cloth mill for Joseph Nelson. The old stone gristmill at or near Bridgeton, which was the first mill built in south Jersey, was said to be the only mill in the three lower counties than Captain Cornelius Hulick had not built or rebuilt; consequently he was widely known and greatly respected.
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CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
He married Ann Straughen, of Auburn, formerly Sculltown. She was of Dutch-Irish parentage and was a direct lineal descendant of the Luther family of Saxony. Cornelius Hulick died August 5, 1876, aged eighty-four years, and his wife, Ann, died in 1880, aged eighty-five years. They were the parents of eight children, six of whom are living, namely: Mary, who mar- ried James Sayre, of Greenwich, Cumberland county, and becoming a widow married Chalkly Kille and is again a widow; Ann, who married Aaron Shoul- ders and both died leaving five children, three sons and two daughters; George S., whose name introduces this sketch and who married Elizabeth Morgan, the wife dying in 1888 and leaving no children; Margaret L., the widow of George Martin; Jacob, who died in infancy; Mahalath is unmarried; Abigail, the widow of Captain David Young, of the Clyde steamship line and has one son and two daughters; and Hannah, who is the wife of Stacy P. Moore. All are residents of Pittsgrove, Salem county, New Jersey.
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