USA > New Jersey > Genealogical and memorial history of the state of New Jersey, Volume I > Part 54
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In 1860 the growing political influence of Marcus L. Ward began to be felt and acknowl-
edged, and he was chosen unanimously a dele- gate to the Republican national convention the proceedings of which culminated in the nomi- nation of Abraham Lincoln for the presidency. In the contest which ensued he bore his full part, and when the result he so ardently desired was reached, he felt amply repaid for all of his strenuous exertions. He neither challenged nor sought to avoid the consequences of that success. When the signal was giyen for the secession which had been so long and inevitably preparing in the southern states, it found him ready for any services or sacrifices which might be necessary to defend what he thought was right. He was neither discouraged by defeats nor unduly elated with transient successes, but his efforts were devoted to the suppression of civil war, and the preservation of the Union. At the outbreak of hostilities he led in a call for a public meeting to sustain the government. As the struggle increased in importance and drew into the ranks of the Union army regi- ment after regiment of New Jersey troops, Governor Ward saw the necessity of sustain- ing the families of the volunteers during their absence. Alone and unaided he devised and carried out that system of relief the advantages of which were felt in every county of the state. The pay of the volunteer was collected at the camp and passed over to the wife and children at home; if the soldier was killed or wounded the pension was secured; and this continued until after the close of the war, without there being a charge of any nature upon these funds. Hundreds and thousands of families were in consequence preserved from want and suffer- ing by this wise and considerate scheme, and of all the means devised to sustain the state in its patriotic afforts none were more potent than this. But his active efforts did not termi- nate here. It was through his efforts and influence with the general government that a hospital for sick and wounded soldiers was established in Newark, and in commemoration of his action his name was bestowed upon it, and Ward's Hospital became known as one of the best managed institution of its kind in the country, while its sanitary arrangements were even then fully appreciated by those most com- petent to judge of them.
These constant and indefatigable services brought Governor Ward into immediate con- tact with President Lincoln and his cabinet, by whom he was ever regarded as justly entitled to the highest consideration. In 1862, so strongly did his services impress the Repub- licans of his state that he was unanimously
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nominated for governor, but in the absence of so many Union soldiers of the state in the field and in the deep depression of that memorable year, he was defeated. This did not change his unswerving loyalty to his cause or affect in the slightest degree his persistent and continuous labors for his ideals. In 1864 he was a dele- gate-at-large to the Republican national con- vention at Baltimore, which renominated Abra- ham Lincoln, and in the ensuing election he was placed on the Republican ticket as a presi- dential elector.
The close of the war and the defeat of the southern cause was to him a source of unmixed gratification, and it brought to him a strong personal popularity evinced upon every public occasion. As regiment after regiment of soldiers returned to their native state, they manifested their appreciation of the "Soldier's Friend," and his political opponents admitted his sincerity and patriotism. This was the hap- piest period of his life. In 1865 he again re- ceived the Republican nomination for governor, and after an unusually exciting contest he was elected by a large majority. His administra- tion was in all respects one of the best which New Jersey has known. His executive ability was fully demonstrated, and his honesty and fidelity were unquestioned. Every department of the public service, so far as his influence could reach it, was economically and faithfully administered. The laws passed by the legis- lature were carefully scanned, and pardons for criminal offenses were granted only when mercy could be safely united with justice. His appointments to office were widely approved, because he showed by them that he regarded capability, honesty and worth as the basis for them. To his administration New Jersey was deeply indebted for many important measures affecting the interests of the state. The pres- ent public school act was passed upon his strong and urgent representations, and its ad- vantages have been felt in the increased edu- cational facilities of the state, and in the more thorough character of its schools. The ripa- rian rights of the state were by him called to the attention of the legislature, and a com- mission secured through which the state's large and valuable interests therein have been pro- tected. His constant and persistent representa- tions to the legislature, in his various messages, of the mismanagement of the state prison under both political parties, contributed largely to the passage of an act removing it as far as possible from partisan government, and the result has been large savings to the state.
Various other public acts and measures having an important bearing upon the growth and well-being of the state were urged and sustain- ed by him, and whenever adopted, they were found to have increased the state's prosperity and development. The close of his administra- tion found him stronger in the esteem of the people of the state he had so worthily served.
In 1864 Governor Ward was placed upon the Republican national committee, and in 1866 he was chosen chairman. In this capacity he made the preliminary arrangements for the national convention which nominated Ulysses S. Grant for the presidency. He took a de- cided part in the campaign which followed, and his services and efforts were fully acknowl- edged. During the next few years Marcus L. Ward lived in comparative retirement, but was frequently called upon to perform duties of a public character. He was the first president of the Newark Industrial Exposition, and by his efforts contributed very largely to its suc- cess. The Soldiers' Home of Newark was originally established through his exertions, and as one of its managers and its treasurer he gave it constant service. It seemed natural and proper that the man who during the war had protected the interests and families of the soldier, who had provided him with the care and attendance of a hospital when sick and wounded, should; when the war was over, still secure him, crippled and maimed, the com- forts of a soldiers' home.
During the presidential campaign of 1872 Mr. Ward was nominated for congress by the Republicans of the sixth district of New Jer- sey, and was elected by over five thousand majority. Upon taking his seat in the house of representative he was recognized as one of its most valuable members. He was placed on the committee of foreign relations, where he made his influence felt, always in the direc- tion of the public welfare. He made no pre- tentions to the role of a speaker, but on the few occasions when he addressed the house, he commanded its attention by his clearly ex- pressed views and by the thorough honesty of his convictions. In 1874 he was renominated unanimously for congress, but the condition of the country was unfavorable for the success of his party. Financial disaster disturbed all the marts of trade, and the large manufactur- ing district he represented was most severely affected. Thousands of laborers were unem- ployed, and the hope that a political change would return prosperity influenced their action. The tidal wave which swept over the strong-
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est Republican states submerged his district also, although, as he always did, he stood the highest on the Republican ticket. The confi- dence and attachment of the people were never more clearly shown than in the regret and dis- appointment which this defeat occasioned. After the expiration of his congressional term he was tendered by the president the important post of commissioner of Indian affairs, which however, while fully appreciating the compli- ment thereby conveyed, he declined.
The following ten years of Marcus L. Ward's life were spent in attention to his own private affairs, and in two voyages to Europe, which gave him great and unalloyed pleasure. In the beginning of the year 1884 he appeared to be in excellent health, and in March he determined on a trip to Florida with a portion of his family. While there he became subject to malarial influences which developed in his system during his return and detained him sick in Washington for a few days. He was brought back to Newark, where he had the advantage of the very best of care and the highest medical skill, all of which, however, proved in vain, and he expired after a short illness. The knowledge of his death was received by the community in which he lived with universal sorrow. The minutes of the institutions with which he was connected show their apprecia- tion of him, and that of the managers of the Soldiers' Home, was a most eloquent tribute to the man. His funeral was also another testi- monial to the estimation in which he was held. The attendance was unprecedented, and for more than one hour the line of mourners pass- ed through the parlors of his residence to take their last look at the features of him they mourned. They were the friends of a long life, the veteran of the war, the artisan, the laborer, the people, without regard to color or to race, showing to the last their appreciation of his patriotism and virtue. The life thus suddenly . closed was a singularly well-rounded one in every respect. For forty-four years he and his wife had lived together in mutual love and respect. They had mourned the loss of chil- dren, but two of his sons had remained and around them had centred the hopes and affec- tions of the couple. His life, too, was very free from personal difficulties and anxieties. Accumulating by care and prudence a large fortune, his life was full of deeds of consider- able charity which were as numerous as they were blessed. Many a struggling artist re- ceived from him the generous order which did not degrade the spirit while relieving the neces-
sity. His charities were frequently pursued for years unknown to the world, the result of the native kindness of heart which character- ized him. Few men ever brought to public duties a greater amount of conscientious prin- ciple. Every public act was governed by that law of justice and of right which would stand the test of the closest scrutiny. Popular in the highest and purest sense of that term, he would not sacrifice his judgment or his convictions to the caprices of the multitude. His manners were unassuming and popular, but he reached position because he possessed the qualities which should command it. He "preferred the true to the false, the substantial to the pre- tentious, and his life was one which may be studied by all who seek distinction and success in public life."
June 30, 1840, Marcus Lawrence Ward mar- ried Susan Longworth, born November 15, 1815, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Longworth) Morris, a descendant of John (Thomas) Morris, of the Milford colonists. Children : 1. Joseph Morris, referred to below. 2. Elizabeth Morris, born February 3, 1843; died December 27, 1843. 3. Frances Lavinia, born December 23, 1844; died August 2, 1846. 4. Marcus Lawrence Jr., referred to below. 5. Catharine Almira Morris, born October 28, 1849; died June 17, 1860. 6. Nicholas Long- worth, born January 15, 1852; died July 28, 1857. 7. John Longworth Morris, born Feb- ruary 24, 1854; died October 14, 1855. 8. Francis Brown, born January 17, 1856; died January 13, 1864.
(IX) Joseph Morris, eldest child of Gov- ernor Marcus Lawrence and Susan Longworth (Morris) Ward, was born in Newark, New Jersey, August 2, 1841, and is now living in the house built on the land once owned by his distinguished ancestor, Sergeant John Ward, at 49 Washington street. He is unmarried.
(IX) Marcus Lawrence Jr., fourth child and second son (the only one besides his elder brother to reach maturity) of Governor Mar- cus Lawrence and Elizabeth Longworth ( Morris) Ward, was born in Newark, New Jersey, September 13, 1847, and is now living in that city with his brother.
(VII) Samuel Nesbit, third child and sec- ond son of James and Lydia (Nesbit) Ward, was born in Newark, New Jersey, January 6, 1797, and died there March 26, 1838. He mar- ried Ann Gardiner, died February 17, 1848, aged fifty-three. Both she and her husband are buried in the graveyard of the Second Presbyterian Church, Newark. Children : Eliza
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Brown, born May 8, 1831, married Colonel Abijah Seaman Pell ; James and David Brown, both referred to below.
(VIII) James, second child and eldest son of Samuel Nesbit and Ann (Gardiner ) Ward, was born in Newark, New Jersey, January 29, 1821, and died there in February, 1895. Octo- ber 31, 1843, he married Henrietta Ann Ford- ham, born March 3, 1822, died April 24, 1893. Children: I. George Fordham, born August 6, 1844; died June 4, 1852. 2. James Samuel, born August 5, 1846; died August 25, 1847. 3. Anna Gardiner, referred to below. 4. Jo- seph Judson, born June 20, 1850; died Sep- tember 21, 1851. 5. Jeannette Gertrude, born May 3, 1852 ; died May 12, 1857. 6. Frank Fordham, born November 14, 1853; married Mina Mains. 7-8. James and James Nesbit, twins, born January 20, 1856; James died July 21, 1856, and James Nesbit died July 25, 1856. 9. Charles Woodruff, born March 28, 1857; still living. 10. Mary Augusta, born Novem- ber 23, 1859; still living. 11-12. William Paul and Nettie Virginia, twins, born August 23, 1862; William Paul died September 17, 1862; Nettie Virginia is still living.
(IX) Anna Gardiner, third child and eldest daughter of James and Henrietta Ann (Ford- ham) Ward, was born in Newark, New Jersey, June 14, 1848, and died there November 9, 1889. November 28, 1871, she married Lyman Edward, seventh child and fourth son of Will- iam Kane. His father had children: Mary, married John Dean; Minerva, Jesse, Francis, Susan, William, Lyman Edward, Rachel Au- relia (married David Brown Ward, referred to above), and David.
Lyman Edward Kane, born November 22, 1847, was educated in the public schools of Newark, and then entered a machine shop. After spending some time here he set up in the butchering business for himself in partnership with his brother Jesse, the name of the firm being Kane Brothers. Mr. Kane is a Demo- crat, was police commissioner for one term in 1895, alderman for two terms, and police commissioner again in 1905. During the civil war he served as a drummer boy. He is a member of the F. and A. M., and also of the Mystic Shrine. He and his family attend the Peddie Memorial Church. By his wife, Anna Gardiner Ward, referred to above, he has had children : I. Grace Gardiner, referred to below. 2. Walter Ward, born July 6, 1875; now employed in engineer's department of Newark City Hall. 3. Alice Oakley, born May 13, 1877. 4. Lyman Edward Jr., born
October 1, 1879; now living at Phoenix, Ari- zona. 5. Helen Anna, born May 28, 1887. 6. Anna Dorothy, born November 1I, 1890.
(X) Grace Gardiner, eldest child of Lyman Edward and Anna Gardiner (Ward) Kane, was born in Newark, New Jersey, September 19, 1872, and is now living with her husband and family in that city. April 21, 1897, she was married in Newark, to William Crue Nicoll, a descendant of John Nicoll, of Islip, England, in 1467. His father was Charles Henry Nicoll, and his mother was Catharine Crue, and their children were: I. Charles. Henry Jr., died at twenty-one years of age. 2. Florence, now dead; married Jacob Gulick ; children, Charles and William. 3. Richard Floyd, married Bertha Steffel; children, Flor- ence and Charles. 4. George, died aged twen- ty-seven years. 5. William Crue, is referred to below. 6. Daisy. 7. Ida, died at age of twenty-seven years. 8. Elmer. 9. Chester. The last two live at 38 Tracy avenue.
William Crue Nicoll, fifth child and fourth son of Charles Henry and Catharine (Crue) Nicoll, was born in Newark, New Jersey, Jan- uary 25, 1871, and is now living in that city. After going to the public and high schools of Newark he entered Columbia University and graduated from the law school there in 1893. He then read law in Newark and later in New York, and is now a practicing lawyer in both cities. From 1902 to 1905 he held the position of sheriff of Essex county. He is a Democrat. and in 1896 was nominated for the state legis- lature, and though defeated, received the high- est number of votes cast for any candidate on the ticket. He is member of Kane Lodge, F. and A. M., and also of the Mystic Shrine. His clubs are the Union Club, the Lawyers' Club, and the Essex Club. He attends the North Reformed Church. By his wife, Grace Gardiner Kane, referred to above, he has had children : Anna Ward, born February 2, 1899; Catharine Crue, January 4, 1904; Alice Olivia, August 17, 1907.
(VIII) David Brown, third child and sec- ond and youngest son of Samuel Nesbit and Ann (Gardiner ) Ward, was born in Newark, New Jersey, May 8, 1831, and died there, April 5, 1903. March 14, 1855, he married Rachel Aurelia, eighth child and fourth daughter of William Kane, and sister to Lyman Edward Kane, who married Anna Gardiner Ward, niece of David Brown Ward, here referred to. (For ancestry see above). Children of David Brown and Rachel Aurelia (Kane) Ward: Eva De Vor, is referred to below; Marcus Lincoln.
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born July 21, 1865 ; David Reynolds, born De- cember 27, 1867 ; Jessie Earl, born March 17, 1871.
(IX) Eva De Vor, eldest child of David Brown and Rachel Aurelia (Kane) Ward, was born in Newark, New Jersey, October 23, 1856, and is now living in that city with her husband and children. May 26, 1881, she married Abram (q. v.), son of Michael and Elizabeth Wood ( Baylie ) Davis.
DAVIS Abraham Davis, grandfather of Abram Davis, was born January 24, 1798, in Swedesboro, New Jersey. He is probably a descendant of the Long Island family which in the early period of the history of the colony removed to and settled in Salem county and from there spread out over the whole of South Jersey, but the records and documents which have up to the present time come to light afford no clue to his immediate descent. He died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 28, 1867. Removing from Swedesboro, Abraham Davis at first settled near what is now Second and Green streets, Philadelphia, and later on removed to what is now Second and Washington streets. Some time after his coming to the city, he married Christiana Rivel, born January 13, 1795, died November 7, 1832, who lived in what was then called the "Neck." Children: I. Michael, re- ferred to below. 2. Mary Anna, born June 4, 1820; married Francis Hougit. 3. Marcus Al- phonsus, January 3, 1823 ; died November 15, 1894; married Elizabeth Burling Ruddiman. 4. Joseph, January 29, 1825; died November 21, 1888; married Margaret 5. Hannah, February 28, 1827 ; died when about eighteen months old. 6. John Filmore, January 25, 1829; died October 11, 1886. 7. Sarah Jane, February, 16, 1831 ; died October 18, 1899; married Val- entine Rodemisch.
(II) Michael, eldest child of Abraham and Christiana (Rivel) Davis, was born in Phila- delphia, April 21, 1818; died in Beverly, Bur- lington county, New Jersey, January 24, 1880. He was by trade a cabinet-maker, in which business he was associated with his father for many years. At first he made his home in Philadelphia, but disliking the city he removed to Beverly and made his home there, coming into the city to his work every morning and returning every evening. Michael Davis was a Republican, a Knight of Pythias and a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He atended the old St. George's Church. By his wife Elizabeth Wood, daughter of George
Baylie, of Philadelphia, he had nine children, in addition to John, an adopted child, who married Abigail Lippincott, and has one child, Edward Ronaldson, now deceased. Children of Michael and Elizabeth Wood ( Baylie) Davis were: I. Eliza Jane, who now lives, her husband being dead, at Absecon, New Jersey ; having borne her husband three children, the two youngest of whom are dead and the eldest living with her mother, namely: Ella Mary, William Edward and Ida. 2. Christiana, de- ceased. 3. Josephine, who is now living at Beverly, New Jersey. 4. George Washington, married Florence Bucher, and has five chil- dren : Mary, married Frederick Stinson, and has two children ; Emma ; George Washington ; Anna, married Frank Jones, of Beverly, and has one child; and Edna. 5. Emily Matilda, married Charles H. Rosseter, of Absecon. 6. Abram, referred to below. 7. Michael Rivel, married Catharine Poole. 8. Edward Burd Grubb, died at the age of four years; was named after General Grubb. 10. Mary Ella; died at the age of three years.
(III) Abram, sixth child and second son of Michael and Elizabeth Wood (Baylie) Davis, was born in Beverly, Burlington county, New Jersey, July 25, 1859, and is now living in Newark, New Jersey. For his early education he was sent to the public schools and after- wards, in 1877, to Coleman's Business College in Newark. He then became an accountant for the commission firm of A. W. Austin. Afterwards he was in business with his brother- in-law for twelve years, and then for two years more with C. E. Barker, and then he accepted a position with Quinn & Company which he held for eighteen years longer. He is now engaged in the business of expert accounting. Mr. Davis is a Republican. He is a Knight of Pythias and a member of St. Paul's Lodge, No. 29. He is also a member of the Marcus L. Ward Camp, Sons of Veterans, which he help- ed to organize twenty-five years ago. He and his family attend the Peddie Memorial Church in Newark. His wife, Eva De Vor (Ward) Davis (see Ward IX above), has borne him two children : I. Eugene Bailey, born March 3, 1882. 2. Mabel Ward, September 19, 1884.
Major Carnahan, the first CARNAHAN member of the family of whom we have definite in- formation, died May 31, 1788. His grand- parents on both sides came from the north of Ireland and settled in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, about 1720. Major Carnahan
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owned a valuable farm and was a man of influ- ence in the county. In the revolutionary war he held the rank of major in the Pennsylvania militia, and took part in several important en- gagements. Becoming dissatisfied with the conduct of his men, he resigned his office and early in 1780 removed his family to Sewickley settlement, Westmoreland county, about twenty miles from Pittsburg. Here he purchased a farm on which he resided until his death, which occurred in an attempt to cross the Alleghany river a few miles above Pittsburg. He mar- ried, and had four children: James, referred to below ; Hannah ; Archibald, and John.
(II) James, son of Major Carnahan, was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, No- vember 15, 1775, and died in Newark, New Jersey, March 3, 1859. He obtained his early education at the Sewickley settlement school and in 1793, when eighteen years of age, went to Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania, to study at the academy, which afterward became Jefferson College. Here he acquired a thirst for knowl- edge, and prepared the way for all his classical attainments and for all the good accomplished in a long and useful life. In the summer of 1797, Dr. Carnahan, with a fellow" student, Joseph Stockton, had charge of the classical department in the academy. Dr. Carnahan was one of the founders of the Franklin Lit- erary Society. His classical studies were di- rected by Rev. John Watson and Mr. James Mountain, under whose instruction he ulti- mately became an excellent Greek and Latin scholar. For some time Dr. Carnahan suffered financial embarrassment from the fact that Major Carnahan had become surety for the treasurer of the county in which he resided, who was also deputy treasurer for the state. This officer having defaulted, his sureties be- came responsible. Dr. Carnahan at one time felt that he would have to give up college and his preparation for the ministry and take up the study of medicine. Funds were obtained, however, through Dr. S. S. Smith, president of the College of New Jersey, to meet his col- lege expenses, and provision was also made for his needs through his pastor, Rev. Dr. John McMillan, with whose church at Chartiers, Dr. Carnahan had united in 1795.
With a fellow student, Rev. Jacob Lindly, afterwards first president of the University of Ohio, Dr. Carnahan crossed the Alleghany river and made his way to Princeton. Mr. Lindly, who owned a horse, shared it with his comrade, and the two progressed about thirty- five or forty miles each day. Dr. Carnahan
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