USA > New Jersey > Biographical, genealogical and descriptive history of the first congressional district of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 63
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64
Mr. Cunningham is a member of Westville Lodge, No. 8, Shield of Honor. In political views he is a Republican, and in respect to religion he attends Christ Protestant Episcopal church, of Woodbury.
C. C. SOUDER.
C. C. Souder, of Richwood, is a retired farmer and local minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was born at the ancestral home of the family, in Lake, Franklin township, Gloucester county, June 18, 1827. Of German lineage, the family was one of the first established in this locality, and since that time its representatives have been connected with the affairs which go to shape the history of the county. The great-grand- father of our subject was Charles Souder, and the grandfather, who also bore the name of Charles, was born in Lake, where also occurred the birth of Lawrence Souder, the father of him whose name heads this re- view. He devoted his entire life to farming and at his death the com- munity lost one of its most respected and worthy citizens. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Chew, was also a native of the locality in
588
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
which her husband was born, and by their marriage they became the parents of six children, five of whom are still living: C. C., of this review; Richard C., a merchant of Philadelphia; Thomas, a resident of Millville; Jane Abbot; and Brazilla, of Glassboro.
In the common schools C. C. Souder acquired his literary education, and on putting aside his text-books went into the root business, shipping his goods to the West Indies for twenty years. In 1884 he purchased a farm in Harrison township and retired from commercial pursuits. In addition to the management of his property he directs his energies to the advancement of the Methodist church, in which he has served as a local preacher for fifty-five years. He is the only one living of thirty-seven who joined the West Jersey Local Preachers' Association, and was president of that association for twenty years, his efforts largely advancing its inter- ests and work. He has held all the offices in the church and has been superintendent of the Sunday-school. His life, consecrated to noble living, has exerted a strong influence for good throughout the community in which he makes his home, and when his earthly pilgrimage shall have ended his memory will remain as an unalloyed benediction to all who knew him.
In 1851 Mr. Souder was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Sarah Skinner, of Gloucester county, and to them were born five children, of whom four are living: Frank M., a resident of Millville; Martha, the wife of Benjamin Black, of Swedesboro; Richard D., at home; and Dr. Charles F., a physician of Philadelphia.
CHARLES PEARSON.
Charles Pearson, of Blackwood, Gloucester township, Camden county. was born near Cleveland, Ohio, February 1, 1833, the son of Sampson Pearson and Judith, nee Engermost. For three generations from his great- grandfather in Lincolnshire, England, the given name of Sampson con- tinued in the family. His grandfather, Sampson Pearson (2d) emigrated from Lincolnshire, England, at an early date to America, located in Ohio, and there engaged in farming. He later removed to Philadelphia, subse- quently to New Jersey, settling in Creasville, at that time included in Cam- den county, where he died about the year 1847. His father, Samuel Pear- son (3d), the only child of his parents, was born in Lincolnshire, England, came to America with his father, locating with him first in Ohio, then in Philadelphia and afterward in Creasville. Here he engaged in mercantile pursuits; was also a dealer in horses and engaged in the hotel business.
589
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
For several years he was the proprietor of the well known hostelry called the "Green Tree." By his marriage just previous to his removal to New Jersey he had nine children : Mary Ann; Isaac; Emma; Charles; Harriet, who married Mr. John Evans and is now deceased; Jeremiah; Eliza, now the wife of Isaac Peacock; Evan D .; and Rhode, the wife of Matlock Turner.
Charles Pearson was but a year old when his parents removed to New Jersey and has ever since continued a resident of the state. He was educated in the common schools, and, seeking an independent vocation, learned the trade of a blacksmith at Hurffville. Having mastered his trade, in 1856, he engaged in business for himself in Fairview, Gloucester county. He later sold out his business and purchased a stage line, which he con- ducted for several years. He afterward built a hotel and continued as its proprietor for two years. In 1862 he removed to Mantua, New Jersey, and resumed his former trade. He has been a resident of Blackwood since 1870.
In 1843 Mr. Pearson was married, in Blackwood, to Rosanna, a daugh- ter of Samuel Park and Ann Turner. Mrs. Pearson died in 1879, since which Mr. Pearson has remained unmarried. They had five children : Kate, now Mrs. Smith; Mary, deceased, who married William Redfield; Ida, the wife of William Pearson; Nellie, the wife of Edgar Nevinger; and Maud, a teacher in the public schools of Wenonah.
Mr. Pearson is a Republican and an attendant of the Methodist Epis- copal church.
ROBERT E. McFARLAND.
Robert Eugene McFarland, a farmer of Deptford township, Gloucester county, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, November 25, 1856, the son of Benjamin McFarland and Hannah, nee McCombs, both of Scotch-Irish ancestry. His grandfather Robert McFarland, a native of Maryland, was a carpenter by trade and spent his entire life in his native state. By marriage to Zepora [or Zipporah] Hudson he had children : Richard, James, Benjamin, and a fourth child whose name is not recorded. Benjamin, the only surviving member of this family, and father of Robert Eugene McFarland, was born in Bohemia Manor on the eastern shore of Maryland, in 1830.
Educated in the public schools of Elkton, Maryland, he spent his early life in his native state, subsequently removing to Lancaster county, Pa., and engaging in mercantile pursuits at Bethesda in that county, and for
590
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
a considerable period taught school. From Pennsylvania he removed to the west, residing for short periods in Illinois, Iowa and Ohio. He sub- sequently returned to Philadelphia, where he still resides and where he has been engaged in the post-office department for a number of years. Of his two children,-Robert E. and James E.,-the latter died at the age of twenty-six years. Mrs. McFarland, the mother of our subject, died in 1863.
Robert Eugene McFarland was educated in the public schools of Mary- land and Philadelphia. Completing a good primary education, he removed to the west and for two years resided in Kansas. Returning then to Phil- adelphia, he was engaged there in a shoe factory until 1896, when he removed to New Jersey, locating in Westville, and in March, 1898, pur- chased the farm on which he now resides.
In August, 1885, Mr. McFarland was married to Annie, a daughter of Martin Brown and Sarah Murphy. They have three children: Harry H., born in 1886; Hannah, in 1889; and Sarah, in 1896.
Mr. McFarland's political views are Republican. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal church.
ABEL B. CLEMENT.
Abel B. Clement, a prosperous farmer of Deptford township, Glouces- ter county, New Jersey, was born upon the homestead where he now resides, December 17, 1849, and is the son of Aaron Clement and Jane P., nee Bacon. The paternal homestead is a part of an original tract of seven hundred acres, subsequently divided into farms. The Clement family were original settlers of this tract, and the homestead which has been in possession of the family since 1682 has been handed down from father to son to this date. The ancestors of the family came originally from England and settled in Rhode Island. His great-grandfather, Abel Clem- ent, was born and spent his entire life on the homestead, and in his day was a member of the state legislature. He was twice married and among his children were Abel, Benjamin, James and Joseph. His grandfather, Abel Clement, was born and spent his early life on the homestead as a farmer and conducted also the Gloucester fishery. Later in life he retired and resided in Haddonfield, Camden county, where he died March 17, 1861. By marriage to Kezia Mickle he had as children: Mickle; Rebecca, who married Joseph Brick; Mary, who married Samuel Albertson; Ellis, who was twice married; Elizabeth, who married David Burr; Aaron;
591
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
Sarah, who married Aaron Burr; and Anna, who died in childhood: all are now deceased. His father, Aaron Clement, was born at Mount Eph- raim, Camden county, June 24, 1816, was educated at common school, was engaged in farming his entire life in Gloucester county, and died January 22, 1894, leaving as issue Maria M .; William B., who resides in West Philadelphia; and Abel B. The remains of himself and his wife, who died July 6, 1899, are interred in the Baptist burying-ground at Roadstown, Cumberland county, New Jersey.
Abel B. Clement was educated at district and select schools and has since devoted himself exclusively to farming life. In 1875 he removed to his present farm, then owned by his father and which he has since in- herited. This farm contains one hundred and fifty-five acres of arable land admirably adapted to market gardening, a feature of farming which Mr. Clement has brought to a high degree of perfection.
In February, 1875, Mr. Clement was married, at the residence of his wife's father in Deptford township, to Mary, a daughter of Robert and Rebecca Ann Brewer. They have had twelve children: Gertrude M .; Herbert I .; A. Clinton; Jennie B .; Samuel Water; Robert B., who died in childhood; Mary Frances; Emma M .; Florence; Helen, who died in infancy; Elizabeth Mont- gomery and William B.
Mr. Clement in his political views is independent. He attends the Epis- copalian church, of which several of his family are members.
JERE H. NIXON.
Jere H. Nixon, the cashier of the Mechanics' National Bank of Millville, was born near Cedarville, Cumberland county, New Jersey, May 28, 1864. The family has long been one of prominence and wealth in New Jersey. The first representative of the name in this state purchased large tracts of land, including the greater portion of Cumberland, Salem and Cape May coun- ties. They were of English lineage and were among the earliest settlers of southern New Jersey. The great-grandfather of our subject was born in Cedarville, where three generations of the family had previously lived. That was also the birthplace of George W. Nixon, the grandfather, and probably in the same house William B. Nixon, the father, was born. George W. Nixon married Miss Martha Harris, a relative of the president of the Bridgeton National Bank. By their marriage they became the parents of six children, five of whom are still living. Both Mr. and Mrs. Nixon held membership in the Presbyterian church and the former was one of its active workers, thus
592
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
following in the footsteps of his ancestors. His last years were spent in Cedarville, where he died at the age of eighty-four. His wife also attained the age of four-score years.
William B. Nixon, the father of him whose name introduces this record, resided upon the home farm until he was nineteen years of age, after which he went to sea. At the time he attained his majority he was in charge of a vessel and was employed in the oyster trade in Delaware Bay. A very brave and courageous nature was shown by his rescuing several vessels and a number of sailors who otherwise would have lost their lives at sea. Mr. Nixon is now the owner of a number of vessels and is extensively interested in shipping along the shores of the Delaware. He married Miss Ella Louise Bateman, a native of Cedarville and a daughter of James Bateman, a con- tractor, builder, undertaker and furniture dealer in that place. Her father, a man of sterling worth and universally respected in his locality, died at the age of forty years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rebecca Powell, belonged to a prominent family living in the vicinity of Cedar- ville. Both Mr. and Mrs. Nixon hold membership in the Presbyterian church, in which the former served as secretary. He is also in charge of several estates connected with the church. At the age of sixty-one years he is still actively connected with the oyster trade, being in charge of a boat used in the shipping interests of this section of the country. Mr. and Mrs. Nixon became the parents of six children, four of whom are living, namely : James B .; Alice R., wife of E. L. Bateman; Jere H. and Luella.
.
The common schools afforded Jere H. Nixon his educational privileges and early in life he familiarized himself with every detail of the oyster-ship- ping business. Most of his vacations were spent on his father's vessels and he soon acquired a practical education of nautical life. When not with the shippers he was engaged in clerking in a country store. His youth was therefore one of unusual activity, but he thereby gained experience with business methods that well fitted him for more responsible duties in later life. At the age of eighteen he accepted a clerkship in the Merchants' Bank of At- lantic City and applied himself diligently to the mastery of the intricacies of the banking business. Two and a half years later he resigned his position there and became one of the organizers of the Egg Harbor Bank.
While residing in Atlantic City he had improved his leisure time by pur- suing a special course in bookkeeping, and by close and earnest study had acquired a very thorough knowledge of the various banking methods then in vogue. His advancement was continuous and rapid, his ability winning him promotion from time to time. He served successively as bookkeeper, general bookkeeper, assistant paying teller and teller in the Merchants'
593
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
Bank, resigning the last named in order to become one of the organizers of the Egg Harbor Bank. His connection with the last named institution covers a considerable period, and he then severed his connection with that to enter the Second National Bank of Atlantic City, in which he remained until 1891, when he went to Haddonfield and accepted the position of cash- ier in the Haddonfield National Bank. At that time the institution was in rather a precarious condition, but his business methods and energy in- fused new vitality into the organization and within six months after the date of his arrival the foundations for a new bank building were being laid. As a result of his energetic efforts Haddonfield now possesses the finest bank structure for a town of its size in the state. The heavy three-ton door which closes the vault would prove very formidable to the assaults of can- non or battering-ram, while the solid steel of its panels is fastened in the ponderous wall by one of the newest and most cunningly devised complex locks invented in recent years. A second steel door, fitted with combination locks, renders this vault entirely burglar-proof, while the whole building is impervious to fire. These improved conditions, together with Mr. Nix- on's ready business tact and courteous manner, had the effect of establish- ing the institution on a firm financial basis. An absolutely honest stand- ard of dealing with the patrons of the bank, and at the same time a saga- cious and careful adjustment of monetary obligations, secured the confi- dence of the public, brought a large increase of deposits and put the bank stock at a premium.
Mr. Nixon severed his connection with the Haddonfield Bank and was one of the leading organizers of the Mechanics' National Bank of Mill- ville. The organization was effected on the Ist of April, 1899, and the bank was opened for business on the Ist of August. The volume of busi- ness done during the first six months of its existence exceeded that which the stockholders thought would be transacted in a year. Mr. Nixon is not only one of the leading organizers, but was also a member of the build- ing committee and is the popular cashier of the institution, and its success is largely due to his efforts. The stock of the bank now sells at a dollar and ten cents. Its vault is one of the finest in the state and its equipments would prove creditable to any state bank. Mr. Nixon has been a leading spirit in conducting the enterprise, and his broad knowledge of banking methods, combined with his marked executive ability, has brought to the institution very gratifying success.
In 1887 was celebrated the marriage of Jere H. Nixon and Miss Aurelia Parsels, one of the eight children of Charles Parsels, a prominent grocer of Atlantic City. They have two children,-Mervella P. and Alice B. Mr.
II-LL
594
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
and Mrs. Nixon are members of the Methodist church. He is a Republican in politics, and is connected with the Masonic order, belonging to Haddon- field Lodge, No. 130, of Haddonfield, and to Millville Lodge, B. P. O. Elks, No. 580, of which he is the exalted ruler. In the various official positions he holds he has fulfilled his obligations honorably and well, and is a living illustration of the fact that it is possible to be a highly successful business man and at the same time a Christian gentleman.
HARRY B. PAUL.
Harry B. Paul, ex-postmaster of Camden, New Jersey, who has been successful in business, in politics, and in the establishment of a strong news- paper, and who is, withal, the center of a large circle of friends, was born June II, 1855, in the part of Philadelphia then known as the district of Southwark. His parents, David S. and Rebecca (Hillman) Paul, natives of the old south Jersey county of Gloucester, were descendants of fighting Quakers, who took part in the war of independence. After residing for a number of years in Philadelphia, where the father served the district of Southwark several times as commissioner, they came to Camden, in 1869.
Harry B. Paul received the greater part of his early education in the Beck School on Catherine street, above Sixth street, in his native city. He left school at the age of fourteen, to take a position in the office of General Louis Wagner, now the president of the board of directors of City Trusts of Philadelphia. Subsequently in Camden he became an ap- prentice of Charles S. Caffrey, the celebrated builder of light carriages. The young man quickly mastered all the intricacies of the business; and in 1879, when the style of the firm was changed to that of the Charles S. Caffrey Company, he was made the secretary of the corporation. The re- sponsible duties of this position he performed efficiently until 1892, when he entered on a different field of labor, being appointed by Governor Leon Abbett police justice.
A local sheet gives the following authentic sketch of his political career: "Mr. Paul has always taken an active part in public affairs, and made him- self an essential member of the party of his choice. His enthusiasm is of that kind that communicates itself to others, and which is always prepared for every emergency. When anything was to be done that was proper and honorable, no matter what it was, how difficult, or how forlorn the hope of success, Mr. Paul could always be depended upon. In counsel he was clear-headed, wise, and accustomed from his long business training to be
595
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
eminently practical. Living in a county that gives a majority to the op- posing party all the way from two to four thousand, in a brilliantly con- ducted canvass for the shrievalty he reduced the opposition to a plurality of two hundred and eighty. All this was remembered by his grateful polit- ical confreres; and in 1892, when a police justice was wanted, he was ap- pointed. As the representative of the first congressional district on the state committee, Mr. Paul was convinced that, to secure a fair showing for the efforts and labor expended in the presidential campaign of 1892, it was absolutely necessary to the party to have an organ in Camden. With a faith that evinced itself in its results, he established the Review and en- listed the services of a competent staff. The paper now has a large circula- tion, and is moving onward toward more commanding influence and the goal of pecuniary profit for its projectors."
On July 1, 1894, when Mr. Paul, under appointment of President Cleve- land, entered upon the duties of postmaster of Camden, which office came to him unsought, he was greeted with the general approval of the business men of the city; and he has since justified their good opinion. When he took charge, the office opened at 7 A. M. and closed at 8 P. M. It now opens at 6:30 A. M. and closes at 9 P. M .; and, the corridor being open all night, box-holders can get their mail at any time. Mr. Paul also ex- tended the time of collection, introducing, after the last general collec- tion at 4:30, an additional one at 6 P. M. extending to Kaighn's avenue, the six o'clock collection having previously included a part of the city only, on Federal and Market streets from Seventh street to the river. He has also introduced another collection,-on Kaighn's avenue, Broadway, Fed- eral and Market streets from Fifth street to the river, the letters for Phil- adelphia embraced in this collection being delivered in that city in the last street delivery the same day; another, later, on Kaighn's avenue from Broadway to the river, Broadway, north of Kaighn's avenue, and on Mar- ket and Federal streets from Tenth street to the river; and another and last collection at II P. M., the letters in which leave the post-office at 2 A. M. and are delivered in all cities within one hundred miles in the early morning delivery, and, in cities beyond that limit and within three hundred miles, before noon. Mr. Paul has also introduced a Sunday collection at 5 P. M., a welcome innovation over previous usage, considering the large number of letters written on Sunday, which thus reached their respective destinations earlier than before. To the business portion of the community he has given a noon delivery, embracing Kaighn's avenue from Broadway to the river, and also Federal and Market streets.
Mr. Paul has brought the service of his office up to a high degree of
596
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST
efficiency. He has retained the most capable employees, regardless of their political opinions, making the accommodation of the public his first con- sideration. Each department is filled with men of long experience, whose services under his direction have produced such happy results that a well founded complaint in connection with any branch of the service is never heard. The practical wisdom of his administration is shown by the fact that the receipts of the office during the past two years, ending March 13, 1897, exceeded by several thousand dollars the receipts of any previous two years in its history.
On December 19, 1889, Mr. Paul was united in marriage with Miss Bertha Riegel, of Philadelphia. One daughter, Marguerite, has blessed the union. Mr. Paul is a member of all the Masonic bodies of Camden, the Philadelphia Consistory (thirty-second degree), and Lulu Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is also a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks.
HON. ROBERT MORE.
Hon. Robert More, the first member of the Republican party sent from Cumberland county, New Jersey, to the state legislature, was born May 17, 1819, on a farm in Hopewell, this state, a son of Azariah and Lydia (Dare) More. He comes of an ancient family, the name More, it is said, having originated as a surname among the Scottish Highland clans eight centuries ago, and having lived through the days of the Covenanters. In the time of James II representatives of the family were found in the north of Ireland.
Mr. More's great-grandfather, Jacob More, who was a New Jersey man, was born August 17, 1710. His wife, Abigail Peck, an English lady of rare beauty of character and highly educated, was born February 7, 17II. She exercised a wonderful influence over her children, whom she trained by example as well as by precept. After the death of her husband, having no way of conveyance, she walked from above Shiloh to Greenwich to all church services, both week days and Sabbaths. She died July 23, 1794. The children of Jacob and Abigail (Peck) More were: John, the grand- father of our subject, born March 3, 1738; A. Azariah, born July 23, 1739; Joseph, April 12, 1742; Ruth, July 1, 1744; Mary, March 2, 1746; Martha, December 13, 1747; and Bashaba, March 1, 1750.
John More, the eldest son of Jacob More, was a native of Hopewell, New Jersey, and by occupation a farmer and weaver. In the Revolutionary war he and Azariah had some trying experiences. The officer of the day
597
CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF NEW JERSEY.
having called for three volunteers to go as spies among the enemy, en- camped on the Delaware, the Mores, with a Mr. Mulford and a Mr. Fisher, undertook the hazardous venture and captured the guns and other arms of a small band of men who came out to cut wood. The men escaped through the proximity of the army to which they were attached; but Mr. More re- tained the captured arms, and one gun was in the possession of the family up to 1860. While on this expedition the three spies were so pressed for food that Mulford killed and skinned a black snake, which he concealed and ate little by little, fearing that his companions would take it from him ! More and Mulford got to their boat, and reached camp safely; but Fisher did not return to New Jersey. After his term of military service was com- plete, Mr. More returned to his farm and spent the rest of his days in the peaceful pursuit of agriculture. He married Rachel Moore, of another family, born August 25, 1745, and they reared a large number of children, namely : Eunice, born February 24, 1766; Azariah, February 13, 1768; Abigail, March 28, 1770; Lois, June 8, 1772; Ruth, November 22, 1773; Hannah, April 14, 1776; Lewis, February 13, 1779; John, February 8, 1781; Sarah, May 23, 1783; and Jacob and Rachel, twins, in June, 1784. (For other interesting facts concerning the family see Shroud's "History of the Fenwick Colony; Bridgeton, 1876.") Azariah More also was a sol- dier in the Revolutionary war.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.