Genealogical and memorial history of the state of New Jersey, Volume I, Part 76

Author: Lee, Francis Bazley, 1869- ed
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: New York, N.Y. : Lewis Historical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 590

USA > New Jersey > Genealogical and memorial history of the state of New Jersey, Volume I > Part 76

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).

(VII) Daniel Woodruff,

WOODRUFF son of John (q. v.) and Mary (Ogden) Woodruff, was born about 1678, died at Elizabethtown, New Jersey, 1741. He was a cordwainer by trade, and followed farming in connection therewith. He received by quitclaim deed from his brother, John Woodruff, of Eliza- bethtown, for good cause and consideration on account of their late father's desire-"Given granted conveyed and confirmed unto my lov- ing brother Daniel Woodruff of Elizabethtown all tracts and parcells of land and meadow known as the 'Woodruff Farms' that were be- quested to him by my deceased father John Woodruff, bounded northerly by highway-

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easterly by my brother Joseph's land- south- westerly by the John Parker land-also all that tract of meadow in south of that creek- easterly by Great creek the line of meadow formerly belonging to my deceased father &c &c together with all manner of houses edifices erections or buildings thereon &c &c. In wit- ness whereoff I said John Woodruff have herennto set my hand and seal this 10th day of December 1713, and in the 12th year of ye reign of our Soverign Lady Anne by Grace of God Great Brittan France & Ireland.

John Woodruff."

Daniel Woodruff married Anne, daughter of John and granddaughter of Benjamin and Mary ( Sayre) Price, who was born between 1680 and 1690. Children : I. Daniel. 2. Abraham, died 1750; married Christian De Camp. 3. Josiah, born about 1724, died 1790; married Patience Wade. 4. Stephen, referred to below. 5. Jemima.

(VIII) Stephen, son of Daniel and Anne ( Price ) Woodruff, was born about 1731, died in 1789. He removed from Elizabethtown to Springfield, settling in that part of the town- ship where his descendants have since lived. Here he brought his young wife, who later died, and he married ( second ) Hannah Pang- born. He, like his father, took up farming and shoemaking, as was the custom in those (lays, and which was considered honorable callings. The making of the shoes for the family required the cordwainer or shoemaker oft times to remain in the family many weeks, according to the number to be made, and the tradition is that on one of these visits Stephen Woodruff became acquainted with his second wife and married her at the home of her par- ents. He and his brothers all served in the revolution and were at the battle of Spring- field. Stephen Woodruff was a private in Cap- tain Jacob Crane's company, Colonel Elias Dayton's First Essex County Militia, also state troops and in Continental army. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Springfield, and was interred in the burial- ground of this church, although no stone marks his resting place. He married (first) Married (second), in 1769, Hannah Pangborn. Children : I. Joel, died before 1786: married Elizabeth Cauldwell. 2. Rhoda. 3. Stephen, born 1758, died 1806. 4. Gabriel, referred to below. 5. Asher, referred to below. 6. Aaron.

(IX) Gabriel, son of Stephen Woodruff, was a revolutionary soldier and participated in the battle of Springfield. He married Kath-

erine - who died December 10, 1824. Children : 1. Stephen M., born April 17, 1790, died April 12, 1857; married, February 29, 1816, Sarah H. Thompson ; children: i. Will- iam T., born March 15, 1817 ; ii. Caleb, Sep- tember 12, 1819; iii. Davis S., July 9, 1820; iv. Aaron, November 8, 1821 ; v. John, Octo- ber 25, 1823; vi. Asa, March 19, 1829. 2. Aaron, died unmarried. 3. Electa, married Joseph Pierson. 4. Charlotte, died unmarried. Perhaps other children.

(IX) Asher, son of Stephen Woodruff, died at Springfield, New Jersey, 1829. He was a farmer, owning a farm of some twenty odd acres on the old road from Springfield to Scotch Plains, and was considered prosperous and well-to-do for those times. His home- stead was two stories high with a kitchen ell on the end, a barn and outbuildings. In his earlier days he followed the shoemaking trade. It is more than probable that Asher Woodruff was a soldier in the revolution as were his brothers, Gabriel and Stephen. He was a very religious man, and with his wife was a member of the old First Presbyterian Church of Springfield. He married, about 1795, Jemima Roll, or Rawle, who was affectionately known throughout the neighborhood as "Aunt Jemima." She was a very motherly, charit- able woman, and is remembered for her clever- ness and general capability. She outlived her husband many years, and died at an advanced age, nearly one hundred years. October 6, 1820, administration of all and singular the goods and chattels right and credit which were of Asher Woodruff, late of Springfield, coun- ty of Essex, who died intestate, was granted to Jemima Woodruff, of said county, who is duly authorized to administer the same accord- ing to law. Among their children were: I. David Crane, referred to below; he was the only child of a family of eleven who attained to mature years. 2. Joel. 3. Betsy. 4. Rhoda. 5. Phebe. 6. Mary Ann. 7. Name unknown, born 1810, died November 11, 1820.

(X) David Crane, son of Asher and Jemima (Roll or Rawle) Woodruff, was born at Springfield, New Jersey, October 31, 1796, died in February, 1869. He was brought up on his father's farm, acquiring the usual com- mon school education of a farmer's son at that period. He early learned the trade of black- smith, which with farming was his chosen occupation throughout his life. His farm of forty odd acres was situated on the Westfield and Turkey roads and Halsey corner in Springfield. His homestead was built of con-

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crete, and his blacksmith shop stood on the road nearby. He was a very industrious man, doing much work for the people of the neigh- boring towns as well as of Springfield. In later years he retired, abandoning his shop. He was of medium build, stout, a great story teller, and of a jovial disposition. He was de- voted to his family and was an excellent hus- band and father. Although brought up in the Presbyterian faith, he with his family in his later years joined the Methodist church. Both Mr. Woodruff and his wife are interred in the old Methodist burying-ground at Springfield, New Jersey. He married, February 9, 1818, Sally, daughter of Joseph Marsh, who was born at Mendham, New Jersey, March 24, 1748, died at Springfield, New Jersey, in Janu- ary, 1873. She was a very intelligent and cap- able woman, and was known as an old-time housekeeper. For several years before her death she was a great sufferer from paral- ysis. Children: I. Aaron, born June 21, 1818, died October 16, 1895; married (first) Mary Rawle ; children : Aaron, Noah, David, Catherine; married (second) Sarah Sayre ; married (third), December 8, 1859, Margaret Smith ; children: Philip Marsh, born Janu- ary 1, 1863; resides at Summit ; married, May 7, 1891, Josephine S. Sharp; children : Edith May, born August 21, 1893; Lester Marsh, born February 24, 1895, died May 17, 1896; Blanche Maud, born May 22, 1897; Viola Ruth, born October 24, 1899; Martha Eliza, born May 14, 1866, died February 24, 1887. 2. George Marsh, born August 14, 1820, died June 28, 1823. 3. Phebe, born April 5, 1823, died April 7, 1824. 4. Clark S., born April 17, 1825, died October 8, 1827. 5. Job Squire, born April 2, 1827, died March 31, 1898; mar- ried Phebe Elizabeth Hitchcock, born 1826; children : i. George Crane, born May 27, 1846, died August 4, 1846; ii. Emily Ann, born May 2, 1847; iii. David Crane, born January 4, 1849 ; iv. Sarah E., born July 17, 1850; v. George Marsh, born November 28, 1852 ; vi. James Harvey, born September 27, 1854; vii. Charles Henry, born June 5, 1856. 6. Joseph M., born September 20, 1829, died March 21, 1831. 7. Benjamin Marsh, born February 29, 1832, died April 26, 1906; married, November 8. 1857, Henrietta Dayton Woodruff ; children: i. Laura Fran- ces, born May 2, 1860, died November 13, 1903; married, June 2, 1881, Charles Emery Walkins; children: Elmer, born September 15, 1882, died July 7, 1883 ; Ada Maudell, born April 4, 1886; married, June 29, 1909, Jerome Lewis Boehmer; ii. Albert Benjamin, born

May 8, 1867, died July 8, 1867 ; iii. Ada Lu- ella, born June 15, 1873. 8. Mary Ann M., born June 22, 1834, died May 6, 1839. 9. James Marsh, referred to below. 10. John Stiles. II. Mary Ann Eliza, born April 5, 1842; married Albert Wade; children: i. Ida, married William Woodruff; ii. Matilda, born October, 1872.

(XI) James Marsh, son of David Crane and Sally (Marsh) Woodruff, was born at Springfield, New Jersey, September 16, 1837, died at Summit, New Jersey, March 7, 1909. He was educated at the district school at Branch Mills, and was apprenticed at an early age to John Silvers, a carpenter at Scotch Plains. After working at this trade until he became of age, and afterwards as journeyman, he removed to White Oak Ridge, remaining for a time, and subsequently removed to New- ark, where he was a journeyman carpenter for Meeker & Hedden. He resided at Westfield for a time and then removed his family to Springfield, where he leased the farm of his brother, Aaron Woodruff, and devoted several years to farming and working at his trade. He purchasd fourteen acres of his father's farm and erected a homestead, barn, carpen- ter's shop and other buildings. He conducted a general carpentering business, and five years later took several large contracts for buildings at Summit, New Jersey, which necessitated bis removal to that town. He erected resi- dences for Dr. Rose, William H. De Forest and others, and built the old First Presby- terian and Baptist churches, also the first Lack- awanna railroad depot at Summit. During his residence in Summit he suffered reverses in his business. Later he was appointed super- intendent under W. Z. Larned, receiver of the New Jersey West Line railroad from Summit to Bernardsville, a corporation since acquired by the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad, and now known as the Pas- saic and Delaware branch of this company. Mr. Woodruff remained in this position three years. In the early eighties he purchased the provision market of John Eckel, which he con- ducted for five years, at the expiration of which time he disposed of it and leased a farm of W. Z. Larned situated on Springfield ave- nue, on the road to New Providence. Two years later he purchased a fifty-two acre farm on Stony Hill, near Mountain avenue, Sum- mit. Here, with the assistance of his son, Allen G. Woodruff, he engaged in the dairy business, enjoying a large patronage which yielded a handsome yearly income. Leaving

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his son to manage the Summit farm, Mr. Woodruff removed to Newark, where he open- ed a branch dairy on Clinton avenue. Later his farm property was destroyed by fire. He then traded part of his land for a farm of six hundred and eighty acres in Amelia county, Virginia, where he built a homestead and en- gaged in farming and tobacco growing. This enterprise did not prove successful. He re- turned to Summit, New Jersey, and entered the office of the Summit Express Company, where he remained until a short time before his death. Mr. Woodruff was one of the best known citizens of Summit, and had a remark- able career both in business and social life. His entire life was marked by the most indomitable pluck and perseverance even in the face of re- verses that would have easily discouraged the ordinary man. He possessed an individuality that won him many lifelong friends. In poli- tics he was closely allied with the old Demo- cratic party, and in latter life was a strong Prohibitionist. He served his town (Summit) as assessor, town committeeman, collector of taxes and on the board of education. He never at any time used tobacco or liquor in any form. Both he and his wife were mem- bers of the Baptist church, Mr. Woodruff hav- ing served as a deacon at Milburn and later at Summit, up to the time of his death.

He married, at Scotch Plains, New Jersey, June 7, 1857, Margaret Cleaver, born at Scotch Plains, January 3, 1837, died at Sum- mit, New Jersey, December 25, 1885, daugh- ter of Captain John and Hannah (Hand) Darby. Captain John Darby was a farmer, a veteran of the Mexican war, and a captain of militia. Children of James Marsh and Mar- garet (Darby) Woodruff : I. Newton, re- ferred to below. 2. Serena, born September 5, 1868; married, January, 1889, William Ales- bury, born London, England ; children : i. Alfred William, born March 5, 1890; ii. James Marsh Woodruff, born June 12, 1895; iii. Cora Belle, born April 15, 1909. 3. Alice, born December 19, 1873; married, October 12, 1897, Norman Milo Hotchkiss, born March 23, 1877, son of Edwin Barrett and Anna Eliza (Gibbs) Hotchkiss ; children : i. Edward Milo, born January 14, 1899; died October 6, 1899 ; ii. Mabel, born February 12, 1902, died March 19, 1902. 4. Allen Gurney, referred to below. (XII) Newton, son of James Marsh and Margaret Cleaver (Darby) Woodruff, was born at Westfield, New Jersey, August 15, 1858. When he was an infant his parents re- moved to the adjoining town of Springfield,

where he received his early education, first at a private and then at a public school. After the family removed to Summit he attended Dr. Rose's private school for two years, next tak- ing a two years course of study at the Peddie institute at Hightstown, New Jersey. At the age of eighteen he entered in a small way into journalism, editing and printing a clever little paper called The Trumpet, which had a con- siderable local circulation. He subsequently started the Summit Record, a six column folio paper, which he edited and published for two years. After disposing of his interest and good will to William H. De Forest, who in turn sold out to Thomas Lane, Mr. Woodruff removed to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he devoted two years to the life insurance busi- ness, after which time he removed to Chicago to assume the position of editor of the Humane Journal. Two years later he accepted a posi- tion as proof reader on the Chicago Globe, a leading paper of that city, and later still occu- pied a similar position with the Chicago Inter- Ocean, where he remained two years. He then removed to Evanston, Illinois, where he start- ed and published The Epitome. Owing to im- paired health he relinquished this business and returned to his native state where after recu- perating he became editorial writer for the Summit Herald, then under the ownership of D. M. Smythe, a former editor of the Summit Record. He remained with Mr. Smythe about three years and while associated with him published for a year a social monthly maga- zine called Whims. Mr. Woodruff next turn- ed his attention to the handling of real estate, soon acquiring an extensive general business. Mr. Woodruff was elected justice of the peace at Summit, and served five years in the faith- ful performance of this duty. During the latter part of his term of office he acted as police justice under the new city charter of Summit. Later he removed his real estate business to Newark, and in 1903 took up his residence in Nutley, New Jersey, where in 1906 he was elected justice of the peace. He also filled with credit and ability the office of acting recorder of the town of Nutley, and was appointed clerk of the water department, which office he now occupies. In politics Mr. Woodruff is an ardent supporter of Repub- lican principles. In religion he has been an active member of the Baptist denomination since he was admitted by profession of faith in his thirteenth year to the Baptist church at Millburn. Later, with his parents, he became a charter member of the First Baptist Church

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at Summit. On his removal to Nutley in 1903 he took his letter to the Franklin Reformed Church of Nutley, where he now serves as deacon.

Mr. Woodruff married, at Summit, May 27, 1883, Lyda May, born at Newark, New Jer- sey, August 2, 1860, daughter of Thaddeus C. and Elizabeth ( McKirgan) Smith. Thaddeus C. Smith was a civil war veteran, and a maker of uniforms during the civil war; he was at one time on the Consolidated Stock Exchange of New York City, and in later years was en- gaged in the real estate and insurance busi- ness in Newark, New Jersey. Children of Newton and Lyda May (Smith) Woodruff : I. Ilka Eloise, born March 27, 1885; a grad- uate of Summit high school. 2. Ralph De Witt, born February 26, 1892: in junior year of Nutley high school.

(XII) Allen Gurney, son of James Marsh and Margaret Cleaver (Darby) Woodruff, was born at Summit, New Jersey, January 21, 1878. He attended the public schools of Sum- mit until his seventeenth year, when owing to adverse circumstances he was obliged to fore- go his natural desire for a college education and legal studies and to enter the employ of his father on his dairy farm. At the age of nineteen he purchased his father's interests and continued with considerable success in the dairy business until in 1898 his homestead and effects were destroyed by fire. In the same year he sold his interests to B. M. Dickerson, and went to school in New York City, spend- ing a year in the study of law at the New York Law School. Subsequently he took con- trol of the Commonwealth Quarry Company on a percentage basis, which arrangement con- tinued until December, 1899. In the summer of 1898 Mr. Woodruff purchased a thirty-two acre farm of the old Martin estate, situated on Mountain avenue, and as soon as his engage- ment with the Commonwealth Quarry Com- pany was ended, he took up his residence there and engaged in market gardening. Mr. Wood- ruff's thorough knowledge of farming, and active, energetic disposition made this busi- ness a considerable success. He continued in it until March 1, 1902, when he formed a part- nership with his brother-in-law, Norman M. Hotchkiss under the firm name of the Sum- mit Express Company. Mr. Woodruff, as sole manager, conducted the business with credit and success during the two years which Mr. Hotchkiss spent in the United States postal service. The partners now conduct a general express, storage and trucking business,

maintaining a daily express to Newark and New York City and return, and controlling the local branch of the Sheppard Transfer Company, having connection with the Dela- ware, Lackawanna & Western railroad. The growth of Mr. Woodruff's business is the high- est testimonial that could be given to his excel- lent business capability. From a comparatively small concern in 1902, the business has now increased to a thriving company, controlling all the storage business in and adjacent to Summit, and enjoying the highest class of patronage. The first storage and office build- ing was erected in 1906. In 1908 a large three- story warehouse was added, which owing to the rapid growth of the business necessitated the erection of a four-story warehouse, just completed. Mr. Woodruff is as active and prominent in private as in public life. He is a member of Crystal Lodge, No. 250, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, of Summit, and is also a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics, and Summit Board of Trade. In politics he is an Independent, with a strong leaning toward Democracy. He and his family attend the Baptist church at Mill- burn, Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff being members in full communion of that society.

Mr. Woodruff married at Chatham, New Jersey, February 10, 1897, Antoinette Prince, born in Brooklyn, New York, February 20, 1877, daughter of Stephen and Ruth ( Prince) Shepherd. Her father was a prominent physi- cian of Brooklyn. Children : I. Marjorie Antoinette, born December 6, 1898. 2. Allen Gurney Jr., September 12, 1901. 3. Alice Prince, May 16, 1903. 4. Serena Margaret, May 6, 1904. 5. Reginald Addison, April 15, 1906. 6. Virginia Catherine, October 20, 1908.

(XI) John Stiles Wood-

WOODRUFF ruff, son of David Crane (q. v.) and Sally ( Marsh)

Woodruff, was born at Springfield, New Jer- sey, March 23, 1840, on the homestead of his ancestors. He was educated in the nearby district school up to seventeen years of age. From a lad he assisted his father at farming. and until twenty-six years of age remained at home, engaged in the duties of farming and teaming. He subsequently went to Newark, remaining for two years, where he learned the trade of mason with his brother, Benjamin M. Woodruff. He then returned to the parental roof and remained with his parents until their deaths, when he purchased of the heirs his father's property. Here he conducted farming

a S

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and followed his trade of mason. He finally sold his farm to Samuel Blodgett and leased the Munker place where for five years he de- voted his time to teaming and farming. He teamed paper from Springfield to New York City and brought back stock for the mills. Later he removed to Seven Bridge road, to the James Roll place, which he later purchased, and engaged in the dairy business, having a herd of twenty to thirty head; he also con- ducted teaming. At the expiration of eight years he sold the property to South Orange township for sewerage purposes, retaining nine acres on which he erected a homestead, where he remained six years, during which time he engaged in grading and cellar excava- ting : later he sold the farm to his son, Benja- min M. Woodruff. He then removed to the South neighborhood, where after three years he disposed of this property to John C. Wood- ruff, a son, and settled at Milburn, where he purchased his present homestead. Mr. Wood- ruff has retired from active business. He is a Methodist in religion, which church his fam- ily attends. In politics he was formerly identi- fied with the old Democratic party. At the age of twenty-one he served his town as road overseer. In later years, from principle, he became affiliated with the Prohibition party. He also believes that the franchise of the ballot should not be granted to the alien until a citizen- ship of twenty-one years has been established, thus making him equal to the native-born citi- zen, who is not allowed a vote of franchise until of age. This he believes would do away with the present bossism existing in large cities, a detriment to either parties.

Mr. Woodruff married, September 14, 1862, Phebe Day, born April 17, 1839, daughter of Daniel and Mary ( Brown) Compton. Chil- dren : I. Ira Ellsworth, born May 23, 1863; married, February 23, 1888, Martha Wash- ington, born February 22. 1877, daughter of Charles Bonnell and Sarah (Feiry) Parcell; children : i. Lois Elizabeth, born June 2, 1892; ii. Hilda Compton, born September 3, 1894; iii. Darwin Ellsworth, born September 21, 1896; iv. Martha Olive, born October 22, 1902, died January 19, 1906. 2. Frank Wesley, born April 23, 1865 ; married, June 29, 1897, Anna Augusta, born May 1, 1874, daughter of John Daniel and Elizabeth ( Haslem) Gentzel; child, Phebe Elizabeth, born September 19, 1903. 3. Mary Etta, born January II, 1868; married, June 5, 1887, William John Marshall; chil- dren : i. Raymond Ellsworth, born May 13. · 1888; ii. Phebe Comfort, born December 30.

1889; iii. Marian Ethel, born December 4, 1890; iv. Irma Beatrice, born September 8, 1893, died July 8, 1898; v. Elsie Madeline, born December 1, 1894; vi. William Elwood, born August 20, 1896; vii. Robert Everett, born July 29, 1898; viii. John Chester, born September 22, 1899, died January 24, 1904; ix. Alma Helen, born July 24, 1903, died Feb- ruary 8, 1907 ; x. Florence Edna, born May 15, 1906; xi. Clifford Edward, born Decem- ber 17, 1907, died June 29, 1908. 4. Benja- min Morris, born April 15, 1872; mar- ried, September 2, 1900, Esther Tuthill Wardsworth; children: i. Gertrude Wards- worth, born October 1, 1901; ii. Kathleen Foort, born September 18, 1903. 5. Lillian Jane, born October 30, 1874. 6. Florence Edna, born November 25, 1881 ; married, 1906, Walter Tipping, born January 20, 1885, son of Gains and Mary Evans Tipping; child, Verna Adelle, born October 14, 1906. 7. John Clifford, born March 4, 1883; married, June 24, 1905, Lillie Emma, born March 31, 1885, daughter of William Frederick and Anna M. D. (Steurnagel) Pulzier; children: i. Doro- thy May, born May 6, 1906; ii. Hazel Irene, born March 8, 1908.

SUMMERILL The Summerills are a large and ancient family of Upper Penn's Neck, although not among the earliest of the old Colonial families of that portion of West New Jersey. They have not only by their inter- marriages with the old families of that region, but also by the influence which they have them- selves exerted upon the community in which their lives were cast, made for themselves a place in the foremost rank of the representa- tive persons of Salem county.

(I) William Summerill, founder of the New Jersey family, emigrated from Ireland about 1725. He was one of about four thousand five hundred persons chiefly from that country who between 1720 and 1730 emigrated to Phil- adelphia and the Quaker Colonies around that city who came to this country for industrial and sociological rather than religious reasons. Summerill was a young man at the time, and it is not known whether he came over single or married. At any rate it is known that he was married shortly after his arrival here, if he did not bring his wife with him, as in the following year he and his wife Mary were living on a large tract of land near the old brick mill at the head of Game creek and ex- tending over to Salem creek, in Penn's Neck.

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Genealogical and memorial history of the state of New Jersey, Volume I, Part 76

Author: Lee, Francis Bazley, 1869- ed Publication date: 1910 Publisher: New York, N.Y. : Lewis Historical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 590

Author: Lee, Francis Bazley, 1869- ed
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: New York, N.Y. : Lewis Historical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 590