USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 60
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On the 15th of October, 1873, was celebrated the marriage of our sub- ject to Mary A., a daughter of Gershon Fielder, of Port Republic, New Jersey. Her paternal grandfather, Robert Fielder, resided at Manahawkin, Ocean county, and was both a farmer and seaman. He married Hannah Brown, and they became the parents of five children: Gershon, Lydia, Mary, Benjamin and Dan,-the last named now deceased. Gershon Fielder was born at Manahawkin and devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. He is deceased : his wife passed away at the age of seventy-nine. In their family were four sons and a daughter: Daniel, Robert, Mary, Joseph and Gershon. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hand have been born six chil- dren : Cora A., Bertha, Bella, Harold, Gussie Edward and Hazel.
Mr. Hand is a member of the Independent Order of Red Men and the Junior Order of American Mechanics. His life exemplifies the fraternal spirit and benevolent principles of these organizations. He serves his city as a member of the fire department and contributes to the cause of Chris- tianity by his labors in behalf of the Methodist Episcopal church. His life has been an active, busy and useful one, and his fidelity to duty is well worthy of emulation.
LORENZO A. DOWNS.
Everywhere in our land are found men who have worked their own way from humble and lowly beginnings to places of leadership in the commerce, the great productive industries, and the management of the veins and
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arteries of the traffic and exchanges of the country. Difficulties and obsta- cles in their path seem but to serve as an impetus for renewed and more persistent effort, and thus they have steadily worked their way upward. Of such a class Mr. Downs is a representative, and to-day he occupies a prominent position in the financial circles of Atlantic City, being the cashier of the Second National Bank, and secretary and treasurer of the Atlantic Safety Deposit and Trust Company.
A native of New Jersey, he was born in Downsville, Gloucester county, October 9, 1839, and is a representative of an old family of German origin. His grandfather, Aquilla Downs, was a man of prominence who served as a local preacher and exerted a strong influence for good in the community in which he lived. He was an extensive land-owner and the town of Downs- ville was named in his honor. Jesse Downs, the father of our subject, was born at that place and became a farmer and lumber merchant, conducting a profitable business. He held a number of township offices and was a leading worker and officer in the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he was a member until his death in 1882. He married Miss Katherine Kandle, a daughter of John Kandle, of Salem county, and her death occurred in 1884. They were the parents of six children, three of whom are living, namely: Lorenzo A .; Christian S., a merchant of Newfield, Gloucester county; and Precilla B., the widow of Charles H. Chew, of Downsville.
Lorenzo A. Downs attended the local schools, but at an early age put aside his text-books and entered a store at Forest Grove near his home, where he was employed for five years. On the expiration of that period he established a store and sawmill at Downsville, and after that was elected to a number of local offices, which claimed the greater part of his time and attention for some years. In 1870 he was chosen as the town clerk of Buena Vista township, Atlantic county, for one year's service, and on his retirement from that office he was elected and served for four years as a collector. He was next elected the clerk of Atlantic county, receiving every vote in his township with the exception of three,-a fact which well indicates his popularity in the community in which he is best known. He continued to hold that office by successive re-elections for five years, a longer term than has been accorded any other incumbent.
In 1877 Mr. Downs went to Atlantic City and accepted the position as the bookkeeper in the Second National Bank, serving in that capacity for six months. When the Atlantic City Deposit & Trust Company was organized he was at once made its secretary and treasurer, and has ever since filled those positions. On the Ist of May, 1889, he was elected the
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cashier of the Second National Bank, and is now discharging the duties of both offices. He is also a director in the State Building & Loan Associa- tion, of Camden, and in the Atlantic Coast Building & Loan Association.
In 1861 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Downs and Miss Fanny Henny, a daughter of Samuel Henny, of Salem county. They have two children,-Laura and Mary,-the latter now the wife of Harry Woodruff. In his political views Mr. Downs is a Republican, and exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of that party. Socially he is a Mason and belongs to the Central Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is holding the office of trustee. He is a public-spirited citizen and takes a deep interest in all matters pertaining to the social, intellectual and moral improvement of the community. He possesses marked executive ability and keen discernment, qualities which have brought him very enviable success, while his commendable methods have secured him the confidence and regard of all. Although he started out in life empty-handed he now occupies a leading position in financial circles in Atlantic City and is well deserving of representation in this volume.
DANIEL KLOS.
Daniel Klos, one of the most progressive farmers of southern New Jersey, furnishes an excellent illustration of what can be accomplished by a young man of pluck and energy coming to this country without means and without even a knowledge of the English language. The record of his life, in brief, is as follows:
Daniel Klos was born in Zweibrücken, Rhinefels, Bavaria, Germany, May 21, 1860, a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Schmitt) Klos, and is the eldest of five children, namely: Daniel; Eva, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Lena, of Swedesboro, New Jersey; and Lewis and Ernest, who are on the farm with their brother Daniel. Mr. Klos passed his boyhood days on a farm in his native land, receiving a public-school education, and in 1880 said good-by to home and friends and came to America, believing that the opportunities for advancement were better here than in the old country. In the spring of 1883 he sent for his brothers and sisters, and the following year for his parents. His father died here September 25, 1898, at the age of eighty-one years; and his mother, aged seventy-three at this writing, is living with him.
On his arrival in this country, Mr. Klos came direct to Swedesboro and his first three years here were spent as a farm hand, working by the month.
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Then he rented the farm he now owns, and cultivated it on shares for ten years, until 1893, when he purchased it. This farm comprises one hundred and forty-one acres of excellent land, well improved, ranking with the finest farm properties in Gloucester county. Its sightly and substantial buildings, excepting the residence, were erected by him. Strong and will- ing to work and with an indomitable ambition to get on in the world, Mr. Klos was unceasing in his efforts to get a start, and when he engaged in farming on his own responsibility he knew by experience how to conduct the same successfully; and, unlike many men of fortune, Mr. Klos has not accumulated his means through practices of penury or penny-grasping. He is rather of a generous, open-handed nature and has made his money by good management and doing things on a large scale. He is to-day ranked with the substantial and highly respected citizens of his community.
Mr. Klos is an active member of the Swedesboro Grange, and takes a lively interest in everything that will promote the welfare of the agri- culturist.
P. J. JORDAN.
It is not an unusual thing to find that the men who are now leaders in business circles have arisen to their present positions of prominence through their own unaided efforts. Of this class Mr. Jordan is a repre- sentative, and though he started out in life hampered by poverty and fet- tered by the lack of educational privileges, he is to-day one of the most successful dry-goods merchants of Camden.
A native of the Emerald Isle, he was born in county Mayo, in April. 1856. His father, Michael Jordan, was a native of the same locality and a farmer by occupation, but he died when his son was only three years of age, and leaving the family in limited circumstances, Mr. Jordan was forced to earn his own living during his early youth. He worked as a farm laborer, but in 1871 he determined to try his fortune in America, believing that better opportunities were furnished young men in this land than in the older countries of Europe. Crossing the Atlantic to New York, he made his way to New Jersey and for four years worked on a farm near New Brunswick, during which time he sent all of his wages to his widowed mother. He then went to Philadelphia, where he was employed in an installment house as salesman and collector until 1882.
That year witnessed the arrival of Mr. Jordan in Camden, since which time he has been identified with the mercantile interests of this city. He opened a very small store at No. 546 Federal street and equipped it with
II-JJ
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a stock of dry goods. His capital consisted of about one thousand dollars, which he had saved from his wages in former years. He remained at his first location for two years, when, finding his quarters too small, he re- moved to a building on the site of his present store and there he carried on trade for two years, at the end of which time he tore down the building and erected his present large business block, which is one hundred feet deep, of twenty-two feet front and four stories high. He carries a large and complete line of dry goods, clothing for men, women and children, and furniture. Employment is furnished to fifteen people, and the sales have now reached large proportions, bringing to him an excellent income. Year by year his business has increased till he is now one of the leading mer- chants of this section of the state. His own well-directed efforts have brought to him a handsome capital, which numbers him among the wealthy men of Camden. He has made judicious investments in other lines, and his keen discernment has enabled him to put his money where it has brought a good rate of interest.
Mr. Jordan was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Enright, of Philadelphia, who died February 4, 1897, leaving two sons,-Joseph and Philip. Frequently Mr. Jordan has been solicited to accept office, but has always refused. He is a Catholic in his religious belief and contributes liberally to the support of his church. His example illustrates most forcibly the opportunities which America affords to young men of intelligence, industry and ambition. His hope of meeting with success in the New World has been more than realized, and he has not only gained a hand- some competence. but has won many warm friends in the city of his adoption.
JOHN GREEN.
John Green is a resident of Clarksboro, his native town, his birth having occurred July 13, 1832, and he is of German lineage. His paternal grandfather, David Green, was born in Germany and became the founder of the family in America, where he acquired extensive landed interests, owning one thousand acres near Swedesboro. Joseph D. Green, the father of our subject, was born near Swedesboro in 1793 and died in 1887. In early life he learned the butcher's trade, which he followed for many years, and later he engaged in farming. He wedded Miss Mary Morris, a daugh- ter of Gilbert Morris, and they became the parents of eight children. six of whom are yet living. The mother, however, has passed away.
Mr. Green, of this review, attended the common schools and in early
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manhood engaged in teaching for four years, following that profession in Mantua and other places. In 1857 he purchased the old family homestead and has since carried on farming. He was also the proprietor of a store in Clarksboro for five years, but now devotes his energies exclusively to agricultural pursuits. He owns one hundred and forty acres in the home place and has other land elsewhere. His farming methods are practical and progressive, and by the careful cultivation of his fields he secures good crops, which bring him a desirable income.
Mr. Green was united in marriage to Miss Mary B. Hughes, who died in 1888. Of their eight children seven are yet living, namely: Samuel; William; Scott, the proprietor of a hotel in Clarksboro; Rebecca, the wife of Dan Sweaton, who is living near Clarksboro; Isabella, Harry and Mary V. In 1891 Mr. Green was again married, his second union being with Miss Catharine Kealey, a school-teacher.
ELLIS C. ELDREDGE.
This gentleman is a representative of one of the oldest families of New Jersey, and on the pages of the history of the state the family name figures conspicuously. Jeremy Eldredge was sent by the king of England to America to adjust the land titles in southern New Jersey. His son, Aaron, was born June 13, 1771, married Hannah Langdon on the 17th of June, 1792. He was the surrogate of Cape May county in 1801, and the follow- ing year served as the coroner. His death occurred August 21, 1819, and his wife, who was born in 1774, died in 1836. She was a lady of many graces and of great kindliness. She was graduated in the Moravian schools at Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the oldest school for young ladies in America, and was said to have been the first lady to own a carriage in Lower town- ship. Cape May county. Her children were Jeremiah L., Aaron, Eliza, Joseph, William, Stillwell, George and Ephraim.
Jeremiah Leaming Eldredge, the grandfather of our subject, was born July 14, 1793, and married Harriet Tomlin on the 16th of August, 1821, in Goshen, Cape May county. He died of Asiatic cholera at Cold Spring, July 10, 1849. His wife, who was a daughter of William and Sarah Tomlin, was born in Cumberland county, New Jersey, December 3, 1805, and died October 23, 1863. They were the parents of twelve children, the eldest being William Tomlin, the father of our subject. Samuel, born March 30, 1824, died April 26, 1824. Eliza Ellen was born June 25, 1825. Eliza, the second of the name, was born August 7, 1826, and became the wife of
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Humphrey Hughes, a Delaware pilot, by whom she had two children,- Adrian and Harriet Eldredge. Charles was born February 18, 1830, and became a farmer and carpenter at Shiloh, New Jersey. He married Elizabeth Tomlin, and their children were Mrs. Jennie Craig, Judith T .. Mrs. Abbie Harris, Harriet and Paul. Jeremiah L., born November 2, 1831, became a pilot. He wedded Mary Marshall, and their children were Alonzo, who was born in 1856, and is now deceased; Ida May, born in 1858; John M., born in 1860; Frank H., who was born in 1862, and is also deceased; and George H., born in 1872. Nelson T., born October 13, 1833, died June 16, 1886. He was a farmer, and for three years served as the sheriff of Cape May county. His wife bore the maiden name of Deborah V. B. Hand, and their children were Marietta, now deceased; Southard, Eliza, Jacob S. and Wood- ruff G. Francis S., born April 22, 1836, became a pilot, and married Eliza- beth Edwards Johnson, by whom he had three children,-Loring B., Joseph J. and Francis G. James S., born September 28, 1839, was a mail agent and farmer in early life, but afterward became a coal dealer at Cape May. He served in Company F of the Twenty-fifth New Jersey Infantry for nine months during the war of the rebellion, enlisting in September, 1862. He now resides in Springfield, Illinois. He married Charlotte P. Stimpson, and their children are Charles S., Augustus and Clara. Harriet, born December 20, 1841, became the wife of John Parsons, and they have five children, -- Mrs. Elizabeth Ritter, Mrs. Maggie Taylor, Emma, Robert P. and Augustus S. George E., born September 23, 1845, is a farmer by occupation. He married a daughter of William C. Town and their children are Mrs. Harriet Cresse, Lizzie C., Charles and Ada.
William Tomlin Eldredge, the father of our subject, was born at Cape May. October 19, 1822, and died December 4, 1888. Throughout his life he was a Delaware pilot, and during his service he encountered a severe storm which prevented him from effecting a landing, and he was carried across the ocean to Europe. In politics he was a Republican, and in religious belief was a Presbyterian. He married Isabelle Corson, of Petersburg, New Jer- sey, and they had six children, as follows: Stillwell, who is in the govern- ment employ at the life-saving station at Cape May Point, married Anna Hand; Ellis Corson is the next younger; Walter, who married Mrs. Kate (Worth) Cresse and has one child, is engaged in the grocery and fruit busi- ness at Haddonfield, New Jersey; Lewis, who is an assistant at the Cape May light-house, wedded Mary Harris, by whom he had two children, -- Harold and Ida May,- and after the death of his first wife married Miss Weeks; Livingston, a carpenter, married Judith Hoffman, and with their daughter. Florence, they reside at Cape May; and Elizabeth, the youngest
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of the family, is the wife of William Hensley, a millwright and painter, their children being May, Raleigh, Joseph, Harriet and William H.
Ellis C. Eldredge, whose name introduces the initial paragraph of this review, was born at Cold Spring, May 6, 1851, and attended the public schools in his native town until fifteen years of age, when he became appren- ticed as a pilot, serving a six-year term. His life has been devoted to the work of safely conducting vessels through the channel of the bay and river into a safe harbor. It is often an arduous task, and one requiring great courage, and on many occasions he has displayed great bravery as well as marked skill and ability. He is a member of the Pennsylvania & Delaware Pilots' Association and of the Pilots' Society. He also belongs to the Ancient Order of Red Men, the Improved Order of Heptasophs, and the Cape May Relief Association. For three years he was a member of Com- pany H, Sixth Regiment New Jersey National Guards, during its existence at Cape May. His political support is given the Democracy, and he is a member of the Cape May Building & Loan Association.
On the 20th of August, 1876, Mr. Eldredge was united in marriage to Emma Robison, a daughter of John Robison, who was killed during the civil war. Two children grace their union,-Flora and Elsie D., both at home. Mr. and Mrs. Eldredge have many friends in this community and are both widely and favorably known.
ELLWOOD K. FORTINER.
The veil was lifted to gain the new glory of a true and beautiful life when death set the seal upon the mortal lips of Ellwood K. Fortiner. Noble prin- ciples actuated his entire career, and any monument erected to his memory to commemorate his virtues would have become dim and tarnished by time ere the example of his upright life shall cease to exercise an influence upon the community in which he lived and labored to such goodly intent. He passed away August 23, 1899, at which time he was one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of Camden.
Mr. Fortiner was born in Haddonfield, New Jersey, August 12. 1820. No event of special importance occurred to vary the common interest of boyhood, and after attaining his majority he engaged in the business of the general wood-worker, at the corner of Berkley and Williams streets, in Camden. On his retirement from that industry he opened a general hard- ware store at No. 122 Federal street and successfully carried on business there until his death. He had already established a reputation for reliability,
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and from the beginning of his connection with the hardware trade his pat- ronage constantly and steadily increased. Till within a few days of his death he was found at his store actively managing its affairs. Mr. Fortiner pos- sessed social principles of a practical order; he did not believe in the theory of dividing capital, but possessed a benevolent spirit which caused him to desire to aid those who were willing to help themselves. Knowing that the home is the foundation upon which rests our social life and from which emanates those principles that produce stability in business and fidelity in governmental affairs, he took a deep interest in the work of the Building & Loan Association and was the father of this form of savings institution. At the time of his death he was the treasurer of the People's Building & Loan Association and secretary of the City and Franklin Associations, hold- ing those positions almost from the time of the organization of the enter- prises, his long connection therewith making him a valued member of the board of directors.
In 1841 Mr. Fortiner married Elizabeth G. Roseman, who still survives him, and to them were born two children,-George a physician, now de- ceased, and Harry. Mr. Fortiner and his family attended the Baptist church, of which he was one of the oldest and most zealous members. For nearly sixty years he served as a deacon in the First church of Camden, and for more than a half century he was the superintendent of the Sunday-school, holding the latter office at the time of his demise. The fiftieth anniversary of his connection with the Sunday-school was made the occasion of a beau- tiful and impressive public celebration, which was held in the church and which was participated in by a large gathering. He was a man of broad sympathies and genial disposition and earnestly co-operated with all move- ments tending to benefit his fellow men. His name was synonymous with all that was honorable in both public and private life, and his example was well worthy of emulation. Though he is no more seen in the circle of his acquaintance, his memory remains as an unalloyed benediction to all who knew him, and the story of his life deserves a place upon the pages of the history of his adopted city.
W. SCOTT SMITH, M. D.
Dr. W. Scott Smith, of Salem, Salem county, New Jersey, is one of the most widely known physicians in this community, where he has an extended practice among the most desirable people, many of whom have known him since childhood. He was born August 5, 1852, at Hancock's Bridge, his parents being John and Ann (Turner) Smith.
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Edward Smith, the great-grandfather of our subject, was a wealthy sub- ject of the English crown and very prominent in his native country. He came to America with Lord Baltimore and settled in Maryland. One of his sons, Edward Smith, settled in Delaware and reared five children,-John, Charles William, Edward, George and Lydia Ann. He was the captain of a vessel and most of his time was spent at sea. Later he moved to Hancock's Bridge, this county, where he died in 1875, in his seventy-third year. His wife was in her eighty-fifth year at the time of her death. They were devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
John Smith was born in November, 1826, and had his home at Hancock's Bridge, although his business, which was that of a sailor, called him away from his family the greater part of the time. He was a merchant seaman and carried on his trade along the Atlantic coast and the West Indies for many years. . He was the coroner of Sale county at one time. He was an honored member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his death occurred April 19, 1899, when he had arrived at the age of seventy-three years. His mar- riage to Ann Turner was honored in the birth of one child, our subject. The mother entered her last sleep on May 27, 1893, when in her sixty-third year.
Dr. Smith attended the district schools of Hancock's Bridge in his earlier years and there received the foundation of an education which places him among the best physicians of the county. He then entered a private estab- lishment presided over by Professor John Bechtel. Still later he pursued his studies under the instruction of Dr. Braden, D. D., who taught a private school at Salem and was formerly one of the professors of Princeton. He was a student in Bellevue College in 1872- the Long Island College Hos- pital-and was graduated in Cincinnati, in 1873. He began the practice of medicine in Brooklyn, where he remained until 1884, and in the meantime he resumed his studies in the Long Island Hospital, in which he was gradu- ated in 1878. In 1884 he came to this county and purchased the old Han- cock homestead, but Salem is now his place of residence. He has been a most successful practitioner and deserves the high eulogy which is heartily given him.
On 'May 19, 1891, he was united in marriage with Dr. Ellen Bradway Harris, a daughter of Quinton P. Harris, of this city. She is a woman of superior accomplishments, charming personality and equaled by few of either sex in her chosen profession. She has made a specialty of obstetrics and the diseases of women and devotes considerable time to that practice in Brook- lyn. Dr. W. Scott Smith is a member of the medical societies of both King's and Salem counties, and in social relations is a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Ancient Order of Foresters.
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