USA > New Jersey > Genealogical and memorial history of the state of New Jersey, Volume III > Part 76
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(V) Aaron, son of Isaac Williams, was born on the homestead property in the vicinity of Day and Washington streets, Orange, Feb- ruary 5, 1759, baptized March 18, 1759, died there February 3, 1830. He was reared on the home of his father, and in his early manhood years was a shoemaker and farmer and did his own blacksmithing. His farm was of consid- erable area, and was in the vicinity of Wash- ington street, between Park and North Centre streets. He built his homestead in Washing- ton street, now the property of William P. Condit, where he lived and died. He was a man of staid qualities, honest, industrious and frugal, a strict Presbyterian, like all his ances- tors, and contributed to the building of the Presbyterian church edifice at Main and Day
streets. He was for a time highway surveyor. He was a private in Captain Henry Squire's company, Second Essex County Regiment, Colonel Philip Van Cortland, and attached to Hurd's Upper Brigade. Why he was not in his Uncle Thomas Williams's company has not been conjectured, except that company had its full quota or were not at hand when young Williams enlisted. Captain Squire's company was mustered in June 14, 1776. He married Mary Dodd, a twin sister to Joseph Dodd, born October 10, 1760, died September 24, 1829, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Lindley ) Dodd. Children : 1. Bethuel, born February 29, 1790, died unmarried, March 27, 1870. 2. Ebenezer. born January 7, 1792, mentioned below. 3. Mary, born July 5, 1794, died unmarried, Au- gust 27, 1861. 4. Aaron, born November 10, 1797 (q. v.). 5. Smith, born September 9, ISoo, died unmarried February 20, 1874.
(VI) Ebenezer Williams, son of Aaron Williams, was born on the old Williams home- stead on Washington street, Orange, New Jer- sey, now occupied by William P. Condit, Jan- uary 7, 1792, and died at 9 Washington street, February 14, 1874. He was brought up on his father's farm, acquiring the usual education of the farmer's sons at that period. When fourteen years of age he was apprenticed to his uncle, Moses Dodd, in New York City, at the trade of carpenter, serving until he became of age. He became journeyman at his trade with Mr. Dodd, who built the present Presbyterian church at Day and Main streets, Orange, then the Third Church, which was erected about 1812. During his occupation there he enlisted in1 an Essex county of militia to serve in the war, and was stationed at Sandy Hook, New York Bay. He later secured a pension from the government. Returning to Orange he again engaged at his trade and helped complete the church edifice. In 1830 he was engaged in the building of the Second Presbyterian "Brick Church" of East Orange. For over sixty years he followed his trade, and became one of the leading contractors of his day. Many of the residences of the Oranges were erected by him. He also conducted his farm lands on Washing- ton and North Park streets, Orange, and with the assistance of his' sons was made to yield handsome yearly incomes. He died in the eighty-second year of his age. He was a staunch Whig, and in later years his political sentiments were with the Republican party. He had a wonderful mechanical gift, was al- ways active and progressive, possessing a quiet, retiring disposition. He kept in touch with the
Edward H. Williams
Aaron C. Williams Horton D. Williams
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affairs of his state and nation through the reading of the daily news, but never accepted office in the gift of his citizens, feeling like many of his townsmen that the first duty as a citizen was with his family. He was a plain matter-of-fact man, deeply religious, and taught his family a strict observance of the Sabbath laws. He married, December 16, 1817, Abigail Crane, born September 17, 1795, died June 21, 1891, daughter of Phinehas and Mary ( Baldwin) Crane, of West Bloomfield, New Jersey, the former of whom was a farmer. Children: I. Alfred Smith, born November 2, 1818, died February 8, 1849; married Maria Baldwin ; child, Alfred Augustus, born Febru- ary 5, 1847, died April 15, 1851. 2. Harriet, born October 1, 1820, died September 30, 1844. 3. Mary Olive, born January 28, 1823, died August 24, 1897. 4. Edward Henry, born September 20, 1825 (q. v.). 5. Sarah Crane, born January 30, 1828, died August 14, 1852. 6. Aaron Crane, born August 13, 1830, men- tioned below. 7. Horton Dodd, born April 6, 1833 (q. v.). 8. George Whitfield, born December 28, 1836, died August 4, 1866. 9. Joseph Ebenezer, born December 22, 1840, died June 10, 1859.
(VII) Aaron Crane, third son of Ebenezer Williams, was born in the Washington street homestead at Orange, New Jersey, August 13, 1830. His early education was under the tuition of Mrs. Simpson, a Scotch woman of staid Presbyterian principles, and her daughters, whose school was on the south side of Main street opposite the present Park Hotel and later near the First Presbyterian Church at Day street. He subsequently attended the old white schoolhouse in the rear of the Brick Church, and later the Franklin school on Dodd street, then kept by Munroe Dodd for a time, later attending the private school of his brother, Alfred S. Williams, then at the corner of Hillyer and Washington streets, going until twelve years of age. After twelve he went to live with his cousin, Joseph Ward, in West Bloomfield, where he worked two years on the Ward farm, and later for a year worked on a farm near the Bloomfield line in Orange own- ed by his father, Ebenezer Williams. At seven- teen he went to Newark to learn the trade of carpenter with Baldwin & Hedden. He also began the study of music with George F. Root, a then celebrated teacher, who had classes at Orange. After two years, owing to impaired health, he was obliged to give up his trade and seek a rest, but later went to New York and filled a position as tenor in the Mercer Street
Church for two years, at the same time con- tinuing his voice culture under Mr. Root. After instruction for a year he settled in New York in 1851, where he commenced to take up his chosen occupation of teaching, and for over a year taught music in the Half Orphan Asylum on Sixth avenue near Eighth street. Later he taught on Staten Island for a time, subsequent- ly teaching in a school on Twenty-second street near Second avenue. Here he had six hundred pupils under his care, and was the first teacher in New York City to teach notation. He later accepted a position in a school on Twenty- fourth street, between Sixth and Seventh ave- nues, where he remained two years, and while engaged in his vocation there he suffered ill health and was obliged to relinquish his duties, eventually going to Jacksonville, Illinois, Octo- ber 2, 1854, gradually taking up his work in the schools there until the winter of 1856-57, when he began to tour the state, giving lessons, engaged in musical association work and teach- ing at Bunker Hill and Hillsboro, Illinois. In 1859 he returned to his native town of Orange, subsequently removing to North Reading, Massachusetts, where Mr. Root was located. Mr. Williams soon came to New York, where he was a pupil of the renowned Bassini, at that time counted one of the world's greatest vocal teachers. After a year under his instruction he removed to St. Louis, Missouri, where he taught a year, going to Warsaw. Illinois, to teach, and later to Jacksonville, Illinois. After two years he went to Hillsboro, Illinois, and while there he purchased a farm twenty miles to the east in Fayette county, then an unsettled district. He taught during this time at Spring- field in the public schools, and while there was united in marriage to Elizabeth Jane Brown, a resident of Hillsboro. With his young wife he settled on the farm, and while there had a call to teach in the St. Louis public schools, where he went in the fall of 1866, remaining two years. Later he taught for two years at Jack- sonville. He previously traded his first farm for one in Hillsboro, and in 1871 removed from Jacksonville and settled there, which was situated two miles east of the center of Hills- boro, comprising two hundred and thirty-five acres. Henceforth he devoted his years to improving his farm, raising large quantities of grain, and maintaining a dairy with fifty pounds of butter a week. He adopted the improved methods of agriculture and kept a herd of the best cattle. Mr. Williams in addition to his Hillsboro property is the owner of a hundred acre farm southeast of Coffeen, a nearby town.
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He has been retired from active engagements for the past ten years and now resides in Hills- boro city, having leased his farm properties. Mr. Williams was counted among the success- ful agriculturists of his community. He stands for all that is best in the affairs of his city, and has never sought office or notoriety. He is ardent in support of Republican principles, and in his earlier days upheld the Whig party. He is deacon of the Hillsboro Presbyterian Church, where for twenty years he has con- ducted the music of the church. For the past six years he has served the church as treas- urer.
He married, November 25, 1864, at Hills- boro, Illinois, Elizabeth Jane Brown, born Feb- ruary 7, 1837, daughter of William and Eliza- beth (Craig) Brown. Children: I. Edward Ebenezer, born February 3, 1866; married, April 5, 1898, Grace Kilpatrick. 2. Margaret Abigail, born May 22, 1869. 3. Mary Gifford, born July 12, 1870; married, November 24, 1897, Charles Emet Swann, born August 14, 1868, son of George Perry and Mary Louise (Villar ) Swann; children: i. Stanley Villar, born September 16, 1898, died January 20, 1899 ; ii. Margaret Annetta, born December 20, 1899 ; iii. Perry Williams, born May 19, 1902; iv. Eleanor Elizabeth, born September 24, 1904; v. Charles Benjamin, born June 23, 1908. 4. Bessie Jannette, born September 10, 1874, died July 20, 1876. 5. Alfred Aaron, born October 14, 1877 ; married, November 30, 1904, Katie Ann Cary ; child, Elizabeth Cary, born October 23, 1906.
(VII) Horton Dodd Will- WILLIAMS iams, son of Ebenezer Will- iams (q. v.), was born in the homestead on Washington street, Orange, New Jersey, April 6, 1833. His elementary educational training was limited to the nearby district school, supplemented by a course in the Lewistown, Pennsylvania, Academy, then taught by his brother, Alfred S. Williams. The younger brother remained under his tuition until the death of Alfred S. in 1849, when he returned to the parental roof and shortly after entered the employ of Osborne & Woodruff, hardware dealers, at Newark, New Jersey, where he remained a year. He subsequently worked on the home farm for two years, when he entered the employ of A. M. Quimby, and during 1854 was engaged for Mr. Quimby in his lightning rod business. He then for two years served an apprenticeship with Lewis A. Ward in the marble cutting trade, after which
time he engaged in the business for himself, 1856, starting on Hillyer street, in the old car- penter shop formerly occupied by his father. Here he prospered for two years, subsequently removing to more commodious quarters at Day and Washington streets in 1858, where he re- mained about four years, when he bought a location at 253 Washington street in 1863. Here he remained in the monumental business until July, 1895, when he removed the busi- ness near the entrance of Rosedale cemetery on Washington street. Mr. Williams was suc- cessfully engaged in the monumental business fifty-one years in his own name up to January I. 1907, when he transferred the business to his son, Albert H. Williams, who now con- tinues under the firm name of H. D. Williams. Mr. Williams Sr. has for the past few years devoted his time and interests to the affairs of the Second National Bank of Orange, of which he is vice-president and director. He is on the bank's managing board of investments. He is a director of the Orange Savings Bank and is identified on the board of investment of that institution. He is on the executive board of managers of the Rosedale Cemetery, and president of the Orange Building and Loan Association for a number of years. He is actively identified with the First Presbyterian Church of Orange, he and his wife being con- sistent members of this society, Mr. Williams having served his church in the office of deacon since 1864. He has been a member of the Temple of Honor since August, 1854, and has held many of that body's leading offices. He has been actively identified in all temperance movements connected with the Temple of Honor, and is known far and near for his upholding of tem- perance. In politics he has always adhered to strict Republican principles. He is a member of Corinthian Lodge, No. 57, A. F. and A. M., at Orange, and was exalted in Orange Chapter, No. 23, R. A. M. He is a member of the New England Society at Orange. He resides on Washington street and Park avenue, having built his residence in August, 1874.
He married, at Orange, New Jersey, June II, 1863, Mary Frances Williams, born at Orange, New Jersey, October 23, 1836, daugh- ter of Albert and Phebe (Frost) Williams, the former of whom was a hatter by trade. Chil- dren: I. Harriet Frost, born March 8, 1864; resides with her parents. 2. Albert Horton, of whom further.
(VIII) Albert Horton, only son of Horton Dodd and Mary Frances ( Williams) Williams, was born in East Orange, February 7, 1871,
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and is now living in East Orange. He attended the public schools of East Orange, and after graduating from there pursued an academic course in a business college. In January, 1889, he entered his father's business of cemetery memorials, and after mastering the same was manager for several years until the retirement of his father from active business in 1907, when he became the owner and proprietor of the business, which he still conducts at Orange, New Jersey. He is a Republican, a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Orange, a member of Hope Lodge, No. 124, F. and A. M., and the Orange Camera Club. He mar- ried, February 7, 1895, in East Orange, Ida Mabel, born in Boston, Massachusetts, Decem- ber 4, 1869, daughter of Hobart and Lucy F. ( Metcalf) Linton, whose children were : I. Ida Mabel, referred to above. 2. Emily F., married Sidney Howard Soverel, and has Marion L. and Sidney Howard Jr. 3. Hobart A. Children of Albert Horton and Ida Mabel (Linton) Williams: I. Emily Mabel, born December 16, 1895. 2. Albert Horton Jr., born March 4, 1904.
WILLIAMS (V) Caleb Williams, son of Isaac Williams (q. v.), was born at Orange, New Jersey, 1763, and died there 1844. He married Phebe Ward, born 1765, died 1849, daughter of Zenas Ward. Children : I. Elizabeth, born 1792, died 1892; married Abiathar Harrison. 2. Mary, born 1795 ; married Caleb, son of Josiah Williams. 3. Albert, born 1797, mentioned below. 4. Susan, born 1800, died 1874; mar- ried Thomas A. Rammage. 5. Adeline, born 1803, died from accident, being burned to death, 1840.
(VI) Albert, son of Caleb Williams, was born at Orange, New Jersey, 1797, and died there November 2, 1869. He married Phebe Frost, born 1798, died May 12, 1876, daughter of Josiah Frost. Children: I. Albert Theo- dore, born January, 1823, died October 3, 1851 ; married Sarah Williams, born 1823; children : Sarah Augusta, born June 8, 1850, died Sep- tember 16, 1851 ; Frances Augusta, born Sep- tember 6, 1851. 2. Josiah B., born September 29, 1824; married, April 1859, Phebe, daugh- ter of Ira and Polly Harrison ; children : Alice May, born April, 1860; Abby Louisa, July, 1862; Frances M., February, 1870. 3. Caleb Augustus, born December 21, 1827, died March 16, 1897; married, December 27, 1859, Sarah J. Campbell ; child: Albert Eugene, born July 23, 1861 ; married, June 14, 1888, Sarah M.
Norris; children : David Campbell, born April 2, 1890, and Helen Elizabeth, born September 2, 1892. 4. Anne Elizabeth, born March I, 1830, died February 13, 1894; married, Janu- ary 13, 1870, Edward Henry Williams, son of Ebenezer and Abigail (Crane) Williams. 5. Mary Frances, born October 20, 1836, men- tioned below. 6. Abigail L., born November 2, 1838, died August 27, 1849.
(VII) Mary Frances Williams, daughter of Albert Williams, is wife of Horton Dodd Will- iams (see Williams VII).
WILLIAMS (VI) Aaron Williams, son of Aaron Williams (V-q. v.), was born at Orange, New Jersey, on the old Williams homestead on Washington street, opposite Park street, No- vember 10, 1797, died there March 14, 1878. He attended the district school, and during his early manhood years learned the trade of shoemaker. About the time of his marriage he bought a small tract of land (three acres) on Park street, where he erected his homestead and where his children were all born. He also erected a shop where he did custom boot mak- ing for the different nearby factories, taking out the stock and returning the finished pro- duct. He also let part of his shop to neighbor- ing boot makers. He was considered the most expert workman in the region. During the summer months he cultivated his farm, his sons assisting him. About 1850 he gave up shoemaking and with his brothers, Bethuel and Smith Williams, cultivated the old farm of their father. He remained active in the affairs of his farm up to his death, dying of heart disease on the night of March 14, 1878. He was a man of deep thought, deeply religious, and a member of the Second Presbyterian "Brick" Church since 1831, when he was ad- mitted by letter from the First Presbyterian Church of Orange. He was strong in his principles of temperance, and the first society formed in Orange was organized at his house. He was honest and industrious, devoted to his home and family, of a somewhat serious nature, and with a keen eye to all that came in touch with him. He was a pronounced Whig in poli- tics, and when the Republican party was launch- ed became an ardent supporter of its principles. He was overseer of the poor and filled this office with honor and a kindly heart to all who came under his care. He was overseer of high- ways in 1844, his district beginning at Barny Day's, from thence to William Norris, on Park street including William street and from the
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locality of Park street to Northfield district. He served in the early Orange military com- pany.
He married at Orange, April 5, 1826, Sarah, born July 18, 1802, died June 2, 1884, daughter of Josiah and Abbie (Jones) Frost, the former of whom had a fulling mill at Orange. Chil- dren : 1. Caroline Matilda, born April 7, 1827, died July 28, 1908; married Moses H. Will- iams ; children: i. Arthur Baldwin, born Sep- tember 2, 1849; married, December 8, 1870, Ida Lydia Harrison; children: Arthur B. Jr., born April 11, 1874, married, June 6, 1900, Emma Hanley ; Helen, born September 4, 1876 ; ii. Matilda; iii. William Frost; iv. Charles Sumner, born April 19, 1859. 2. Henrietta, born February 12, 1829, died September 26, 1857. 3. Bethuel Smith, born June 19, 1831. 4. Ann Maria, born October 27, 1833. 5. Will- iam Lindley, mentioned below. 6. Amzi Frost, born July 12, 1838; married Harriet Baxter ; children: i. Frank Randall, married Louise Green; children : Gertrude and Oscar; ii. Aaron, married Charlotte Poureep; child, Aaron Jr .; iii. Oscar Baxter, married Mary Lever; iv. Edward Stillson, married Clara Hetzman ; children : Dorothy and Eleanor. 7. Euphemia Earle, born August 29, 1841, died unmarried, September 1, 1894. 8. Cyrus, born December 19, 1849, died unmarried June 13, 1874.
(VII) Bethuel Smith Williams, son of Aaron Williams, was born at the corner of Park avenue and Park street, in the old family homestead, June 19, 1831. He attended the district school at Doddtown until ten years of age, later at the old academy, and Alonzo Brackett's private school, and Alfred Wil- liams' private school. During the summer months he assisted his father on the farm. After sixteen years of age he was clerk for a year in the general store of William Littell, at the Summit, subsequently coming to East Orange and serving his time at trade of wheel- wright with George Williams, his apprentice- ship continuing until he became of age. He then worked for Mr. Williams several years, and for a few years worked at his trade with Harrison Mulford. About 1855 he went to Newark, where he ran a scroll saw for Elias Norwood, and later for Wright & Huntington. About 1860 he bought machinery and built a mill at the corner of Washington and Park streets, Orange, where he and his brother, William L. Williams, were associated in mill work for wagon makers, carpenters and con- tractors. He was engaged in this enterprise
for about five years. In 1861 he built his present residence on Park street. After he gave up his mill sawing and planing he returned to Newark with Ward & Huntington, where he worked as a journeyman, selling them part of his mill machinery. A year later he returned to Orange and for a year was engaged in the sawing business for Jabez P. Condit, and later with Thomas Root. About this time, owing to impaired health, he took a west- ern trip and after returning retired from active work for a time. Later he engaged in the milk business, carrying about twenty head of mixed stock. He enjoyed about twenty years of suc- cessful trade, furnishing customers in Orange and East Orange. About 1893 he sold his milk business to Daniel M. Grannis, and has since devoted himself to cultivating his few acres and attending to the management of his property. He and his family are members of the Second Presbyterian ( Brick) Church at East Orange. Mr. Williams was admitted under Dr. Gallagher at the age of twenty years. He is a Republican in politics. He married, at East Orange, New Jersey, April 7, 1858, Sarah Elizabeth Harrison, born November 24. 1835, daughter of Edwin and Catherine ( Baldwin) Harrison, the former named a car- riage maker. Children: I. Edwin Harrison, born January 31, 1859; married, April 12, 1888, Ada Blair Caswell, of Waterbury, Con- necticut ; child, Lucy, born September 5, 1895. 2. Mabel, born November 15, 1864. 3. Luther Smith, born November 29, 1866; married, November 5, 1890, Martha Seip, of Allentown, Pennsylvania ; child, Bernice Seip, born Janu- ary 26, 1903. 4. Mary Howell, born February 18, 1872.
(VII) William Lindley, son of Aaron Will- iams, was born on his father's homestead at the corner of Park avenue and Park street, Orange, New Jersey, April 12, 1836. He at- tended the district and select schools of his native town, assisting his father on the farm. In 1855 he entered the employ of the Newark Gas Company, where he acquired a thorough knowledge of the business. About 1860 he and his brother, Bethuel S. Williams, entered into the mill sawing business, doing sawing and planing for contractors and the getting out of wagon work. In 1868 he resigned from the Newark Gas Company and became superin- tendent of the Paterson Gas Light Company, who had at this time removed from their Jer- sey street plant to more commodious quarters at Riverside (Paterson) and continued in the making of gas from the natural coal product.
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In 1881, through the knowledge of Mr. Will- iams, the Lowe process of water gas was intro- duced and by his ability and skill the venture proved not only a commercial but a financial success, Mr. Lowe himself acknowledged that the practical development of his invention was due to the invaluable aid of Mr. Williams. From the original output of the company under the old coal process, when seventeen million cubic feet was the limit of production, they were enabled under Mr. Lowe's process to produce five hundred and sixty million cubic feet to supply the increasing demand of a city the size of Paterson. Mr. Williams continued at the head of the company's plant until May I, 1907, when he decided to retire from its active management, feeling that he had earned the much needed rest consequent of a long and faithful service which resulted in the many improvements installed during his connection with that company. The esteem and regard of his associates have always been manifest. In 1868, on his retirement from the Newark Company, he was presented with a handsome silver service in token of their esteem and good fellowship. Mr. Williams has shown efficient service in the affairs of his city and his church. He is a ruling elder of the Broadway Reform- ed Church. He is a decidedly public-spirited citizen, having always been in the front rank of every movement for the moral and material welfare of his adopted city. For several years he was a director of the Orphan Asylum and Young Men's Christian Association. He is a member of Benevolent Lodge, No. 2, Odd Fel- lows, of Paterson, and member of American Gas Light Association. He was also one of the managers of the Paterson Savings Institu- tion. He resides at the family homestead, 63 Twelfth avenue. He married, May 14, 1862, Mary Lucinda, born February 13, 1837, daugh- ter of William Brown and Harriet ( Crane) Williams, of Orange, New Jersey. William B. Williams was a miller and farmer. Chil- dren : I. Thomas Lindley, mentioned below. 2. Henrietta Frost, born May 30, 1871; mar- ried, June 8, 1904, Charles Lee Raper ; child, Mary Lee, born February 11, 1908. 3. Kate Sanford, September 17, 1872, died April II, 1886.
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