USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > Genealogical and personal memorial of Mercer County, New Jersey > Part 22
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Mr. Parent married, December 25, 1857, Lucretia W. Applegate, and has one child, Louisa, married William H. Mount, and has two children : Fairy and George R. Fairy, married Clarence B. Mount, and has two children : Erva and Carl. Erva and Carl are of the fifth genera- tion in descent from Mr. Parent, and of the eighth of the Parent family in this country.
AMOS HUTCHINSON COLE, one of the leading citizens of Yardville, Mercer county, New Jersey, who was engaged in the coal, wood, lime, cement, and farming tool business until March 24, 1906, is a man of much energy and determination, and owes the greater part of the success which came to him to his own unaided efforts.
George A. Cole, father of Amos Hutchinson Cole, was a man of high standing in Mercer county. He married (first) Mary Hutchinson, a widow, with three children : Pierson, Eliza- beth and Nancy. They had children : I. Charles Fenton, married Ann Elizabeth Rogers, and has children : Alice, Nora and Wallace. 2. Amos Hutchinson, see forward. 3. Naomi, married Jerome Brown, and has children: Eze- kiel and James. George A. Cole married (sec- ond) Amy Rogers Hammill, widow of John Hammill, by whom she had Mercy, Ezekiel and William. The children of this second marriage were : I. John Hammill, married Elizabeth Rogers, and had children: Margaret, William, Edward and John. 2. Enoch, married Hannah Baldwin, had one child, Elmer. 3. George, married Adelaide Cook, had children: William, Charles, John and Clinton. 4. James, married
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Emma Coleman, had children: Mary, Charles, William and George.
Amos Hutchinson Cole, second child of George A. and Mary (Hutchinson) Cole, was born in North Jersey, November 22, 1834. He was educated in the public schools of his native town, and remained under the parental roof until he had attained the age of eighteen years. He then went to Windsor township, and later ac- cepted a position as clerk with R. C. Hutchinson, in a general store at Yardville, New Jersey. At the expiration of two years he associated himself with John and Jacob Harned, in the same line of business, remained in their employ for a per- jod of three years, and then established himself in business. This he conducted with a fair amount of success for two years, when he aban- doned it and returned to the employ of Harned Brothers for another four years. In 1873 he established a coal business, and continued in bus- iness in this town until he disposed of his inter- ests in March, 1906, and since then has lived a retired life. He undertook large contracts for lime, cement, and farming tools as well as coal and wood, and his business was upon a most satisfactory basis. His methods were progres- sive, enterprising and systematic, and he en- joyed a most desirable reputation for reliability in all his business dealings. His political affili- ations are with the Republican party, and he is a member of the Methodist church, of which institution lie is also a trustee. He is a mem- her of Crosswicks Lodge, No. 128, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Cole married December 27, 1855, Sarah E. Middleton, daughter of George W. and Sarah (Lanning) Middleton, the latter a daughter of Jesse and Lucretia (Worthington ) .Lanning. George W. Middleton, son of Thomas and De- borah (Woodward) Middleton, had children as follows : I. Deborah, married Ambrose Asay, had children : Ella, unmarried ; Mary, married Ambrose Madden, had children: Clarence, Thurman, Ella and Lou; Julia, married Harry Reynolds, has one child, Mabel; Addie, mar- ried Horace Lex. 2. Sarah E., married Mr. Cole, as above stated. 3. Adeline, married (first) Joseph Hill; married (second) William Tantum, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. 4. Elmira, married George Vanars- dale, had children: Harry, married Emma- -; Augusta, married Daniel Anthony, had children : Mildred, Edna, Clyde and Robeling.
5. Samuel, married Sarah Higgins, had chil- dren: Clarence and Hannah. 6. Robert, un- married. 7. Emily, married George Housman, had children : Frederick, Allan, Bertha and Ethel. 8. Clara, married Andrew Van Blar- com, had children : Amos and Irma. 9. Allan, married Catherine Butterfield, had one child, Carl. Mr. and Mrs. Cole have had children : I. Howard, unmarried. 2. Joseph Hutchinson, married Mary Howard. 3. Carrie, married Joseph Clyber, had children: Howard, married Gertrude Kimball, has one child, Charles; Alvin, married Belva Lyon, has one child, Maxine; Elma. 4. Catherine, married Henry Nutt, has one child, Thomas Irving. 5. Mamie, married Joseph P. Johnson, Mas children : Miriam and Francis. 6. Charles, married Margaret Swan, sketches of whose father and brother appear else- where in this work.
WILLIAM B. WIDMANN, proprietor of the Yardville Hotel, and actively identified with the social and political organizations of the com- munity, is a son of John Widmann, and a grand- son of Gottfried Widmann, who was born and passed his life in Aalem, Wurtemburg, Germany, where he reared a large family.
John Widmann, son of Gottfried Widmann, came to the United States, and married Cathar- ine Betzler, who bore him the following chil- dren: John, born in Trenton, died in infancy. Louis. Sophie, wife of Philip Fruedenmacher, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work. Catharine, wife of George Antrim, children, William, Jennie and Nellie. Charles, died in infancy. William B., of whom later. George.
William B. Widmann, son of John and Cathar- ine ( Betzler ) Widmann, was born in New Egypt, New Jersey, obtaining his education in the public schools at Stewart's Academy. After completing his course of study he learned the trade of car- riage-trimming, which he followed six years. He was then employed for three years by the firm of Bergman & Engle, brewers, and in 1892 be- came connected with the Trenton Brewing Con- panv, which was then composed of A. R. and J. L. Kuses, (a sketch of the latter appearing elsewhere in this work) Peter Dolger, Anthony R. and J. L. Kuser, W. M. Ebling and Mayor F. A. McGowan. Mr. Widmann's position in this company was that of head of the collection de- partment. In 1900 he resigned and purchased
James D Sakau
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the Yardville Hotel, of which he has since been the popular and successful proprietor. The estab- lishment is thoroughly equipped with all the modern improvements, and furnished with every facility for the comfort and entertainment of guests. Mr. Widmann belongs to the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, No. 211, Knights of Pythias, Spartacus, No. 10, the In and Out Social Club, the Social Turnverein, the Eagle Fire Company and the Exempt Fire Company. His political principles are Republican, and he is identified with the National Protective As- sociation and the Young Men's Republican Club. He is a member of the German Lutheran church.
Mr. Widmann married Nellie L. Howell, and they are the parents of two children : Margaret, and William B.
Ezekiel Howell, great-grandfather of Mrs. Widmann, was born June 29, 1770. He married Charity -, who was born March 20, 1780. They were married May 5, 1799, in Tren- ton, New Jersey. They were the parents of the following children: Susan, born January 26, 1800; Han An, born March 2, 1802; Joseph, born November 6, 1804; Isaac, born September 10, 1806; Joseph Brittain, born January 18, 1808; Charles Brittain, born June 3, 1811 ; Sally Ann, born January 3, 1814: William Brittain, born March 26, 1816; Andrew Murry Hollingshead, born January 16, 1819. Joseph Brittain Howell, (grandfather) married Sarah Packer Garretson, a daughter of John and Hannah Garretson; she was born March 16, 1815, and was married July 14. 1833, in New Brunswick. They had the following children : Charles B. Mary Jane, mar- ried Matthew Gray and had six children. Lewis Emmor, married Anna Bell, and had two chil- dren ; married (second) Jennie -, wid- ow of Matthew Hill, and had one child. Joseph Summerfield, married Hattie - -, and had three children. Ezekiah, not married. John Garretson, married Susie Wright, and had two children. Sarah (Packer) Howell died June 5. 1848; Joseph Howell died September 5, 1893.
Charles B. Howell (father) was married in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, by Rev. Mr. Bigler, May 28, 1863, to Emma Heck, and they had seven children : William, deceased ; Charles, deceased ; Sarah E., Etta, deceased : Albert G., Nellie L., wife of William B. Widmann; and Carrie R. Mr. and Mrs. Howell reside in Trenton, New Jersey.
JAMES WHITE LA BAW, a prosperous farmer of Hamilton township, Mercer county, New Jersey, who had taken an active and in- telligent interest in the public affairs of his township, is a member of a family which has been resident in the state of New Jersey for a number of generations.
Francis La Baw, great-grandfather of James White La Baw, was a prominent and influential resident of Mercer county for many years. He filled the office of warden of the state prison of New Jersey very efficiently for the period of seventeen years, and was highly respected in the community. He married Anice Hutchinson. and among his children was a son, David.
David La Baw, son of Francis and Anice ( Hutchinson) La Baw, followed the occupation of farming. He married Eliza Grover, and among his children was a son, John G.
John G. La Baw, son of David and Eliza (Grover) La Baw, was born at Everetts Corners, Hamilton township, March 3, 1819, died May 10, 1897. He was a carpenter by occupation, and in addition to following this calling cultivated a farm of seventeen acres, which he owned. He was a capable man of business and was suc- cessful in what he undertook. He married Louisa Hughes, daughter of Samuel and Margaret (Cub- berly) Hughes, and granddaughter of Richard and Margaret (Mount) Hughes, and they had children : 1. Samuel H., married Ellen Fagan, had children: John, William and Louisa. 2. James W., see forward. 3. Theodore H., un- married. 4. David, died at the age of nineteen years.
James White La Baw, second son and child of John G. and Louisa (Hughes) La Baw, was born in Lawrenceville, Mercer county, New Jer- sey, June 7, 1848. He received his education in the public schools of his native town, and was then called upon by his father to assist in the cultivation of the farm of the latter. He has continued on this farm, which consisted of one hundred and fifty acres, and devotes his time and attention to the raising of grain and general garden truck for the market. He is a man of practical, up-to-date ideas upon all subjects, and ready to adopt new methods, if he considers them of practical utility after careful and thor- ough investigation. He takes an active and beneficial interest in all matters of public moment and importance, and has held several township offices-was a member of the township committee,
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and a member of the school board for four years. His political affiliations are with the Republican party, and he is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is also a member of Hamilton Grange, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Hamilton Square, Junior Order United Amer- ican Mechanics ; and Mercer Encampment, Tren- ton, New Jersey.
Mr. La Baw married, January 7, 1874, Sarah Wilkinson, daughter of Lewis and Elizabeth (Lippincott) Wilkinson, and granddaughter of William and Jamima (Vanderbeck) Wilkinson. Elizabeth (Lippincott) Wilkinson was the daugh- ter of George and Margaret ( Morris)· Lippin- cott. Lewis and Elizabeth (Lippincott) Wilkin- son had children : 1. Mary J., married William Herbert, and had children: Annie, Elizabeth, Mae, married Harvey Carter ; Kathryn and Alice. 2. William M., married Nellie Berger. 3. Sarah, married James White La Baw, as previously stated. 4. Alice, married Dr. Joseph Hancock, has two children : Judson and Byron. 5. Jessie, married William Sykes, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work, has one child, Florence. 6. Emily, unmarried. 7. Maurice, unmarried. Children of James White and Sarah (Wilkinson ) La Baw are: I. Lulu, married Samuel Grove, has one child, Marvin James. 2. Anne B., mar- ried Harry Groves, has one child, Judson Han- cock. 3. Marvin H., unmarried.
BENJAMIN C. WHITE, of Lawrenceville, was born in Lawrence township, October 27, 1827, son of Job White, and grandson of James White, who was a prominent man in his day, and in 1841 was a member of the legislature. He married Martha Hendrickson, and they were the parents of five sons : I. Job, of whom later. 2. William, married Hannah L. Haines, by whom he had three children: George H. Haines, chief engineer in United States navy, died 1894. Anna, wife of William Doughten, one child, William M. Maria, wife of W. M. Johnson, assistant postmaster of Hackensack, two chil- dren: George W. and Kempton. 3. George, married Mary C. Schenck, three children ; George S., Louisa and Katherine. 4. Robert, deceased, survived by second wife, Ruth Hunt Welling. and one child, James. 5. John, died at an early age.
Job White, son of James and Martha ( Hend- rickson) White, lived as a farmer on the home- stead in Lawrenceville. He was a member of
no secret societies, and in politics favored the Republican cause, but never took an active part in public affairs, and neither sought nor accepted office. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. He married Mary Howell, and three children were born to them: Benjamin C., of whom later. Martha, died unmarried at the age of twenty-one. Elizabeth, wife of Charles H. Skirm, four children : Robert, William, deceased, Benjamin, and Ferdinand, deceased.
Benjamin C. White, son of Job and Mary (Howell) White, received his primary education in the public school, whence he passed to a school presided over by Dr. Hammit. He was instructed in agriculture by his father, and now has one of the best farms in Mercer county, consisting of one hundred and forty-five acres, which he cultivates with a view to general farming, having a fine dairy attached. He is a Republican.
Mr. White married Mary A. Rouse, daughter of William C. and Elizabeth (Fowler) Rouse, of Burlington county, New Jersey and two daugh- ters were born to them: Elizabeth and Martha. Elizabeth is the wife of Alonzo Howell, and the mother of two children: Mary, wife of James Hallfish, one child, Benjamin Edward; and Eliz- abeth. Martha is the wife of F. H. Hillyer, and has two children : Grace and Carrie Hillyer. Mrs. White was a member of the Presbyterian church. She died June 28, 1907. The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. Samuel McLanahan, pastor of the Lawrenceville Pres- byterian Church, who paid a beautiful tribute to the life work of the deceased woman.
SYNCELLUS L. MOUNT, postmaster of Etra, was born January 29, 1862, in East Wind- sor township, son of Charles W. Mount, and grandson of Ezekiel Mount, who married Ann Wright and had two children born to him: Morgan, married Jane Allen ; and Charles W., of whom later.
Charles W. Mount, of 827 South Clinton avenue, Trenton, New Jersey, son of Ezekiel and Ann (Wright) Mount, was born in Millstone township, Monmouth county, New Jersey, and in early life moved to Hightstown, where for many years he was engaged in mercantile pur- suits. He subsequently, removed to Trenton where he now resides. Mr. Mount married Anna Williamson, and they became the parents of the following children: Florina, wife of J. B. Rue. Nola, wife of John Hutchinson, one child, Nola.
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Nettie, wife of John Blackwood. Syncellus L., of whom later. Cleonia, wife of John H. Reed, one child, Ethel.
Syncellus L. Mount, son of Charles W. and Anna ( Williamson) Mount, received his primary education in the public schools of Hightstown, afterward attending the Pettie Institute for two terms. On completing his education he became an apprentice to the carriage-painting trade, and after serving his time worked about three years as a journeyman. Since March, 1894, he has been engaged in mercantile pursuits on his present site. In March, 1894, he was appointed post- master of Etra, an office which he has filled con- tinuously and efficiently to the present time. He has also served three terms as township assessor and for several years was a member of the township committee. He belongs to the United Order of American Mechanics, Windsor Lodge, No. 59, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a charter member of Pawnee Tribe, No. 70, Improved Order of Red Men, also affiliating with Hightstown Council, No. 70. He is a Repub- lican, and attends the Universalist church.
Mr. Mount married, March 25, 1894, in New York City, Jennie, born in that city, March I, 1866, daughter of Robert and Jane (Bucham) Christie. Of this marriage there has been no issue.
EDWARD R. PICKERING, a prominent farmer and dairyman of East Windsor township, was born September 6, 1842, in Springfield, Bur- lington county, New Jersey, son of Job S. Picker- ing, and grandson of Solomon Pickering.
Job S. Pickering, son of Solomon Pickering, was a resident of Burlington county, and married Hannah Croshaw, who bore him the following children : Edward R., of whom later; Sarah, de- ceased ; and Ridgeway.
Edward R. Pickering, son of Job S. and Han- nah (Croshaw) Pickering, received his education in the public schools of Burlington county, and spent his early life on the home farm. In 1863 he moved to Middlesex county, where for about nine years he was engaged in farming. He then removed to East Windsor township and cultivated a farm on shares until 1882. In that year he purchased his present farm, comprising one hun- dred and four and a half acres, all under cultiva- tion. In connection with his other interests, Mr. Pickering has for thirty-five years conducted a dairy business. For seven years he has served
on the township committee. He was one of the founders of Hightstown Grange, No. 96, Patrons of Husbandry, and ever since its organization has served as treasurer of that body. He is a member of the Society of Friends.
Mr. Pickering married, January 11, 1865, in East Windsor township, Elizabeth, daughter of Schuyler and Hannah Richardson, and they are the parents of the following children : Anna Belle, died in infancy. Howard, married Clara Curr. Jennie, wife of George Schwinger. Sallie, wife of Charles Croshaw. Hannah May, wife of George Croshaw. Elwood, married Eva Hulick. Edward B., married Ada Rogers Harrison.
JOHN MELLICK HART, of Yardville, for many years actively engaged in business in that place, where he is now living in the enjoyment of well-earned leisure, was born in Cranbury, New Jersey, son of Joseph Hart, and grandson of Nathaniel Hart. Joseph Hart married Rachel Cook, who bore him the following children: 1. William, married Lucy Norcross, one child, Jen- nie, wife of Francis Sweeney, children: Ray- mond, Flora, Leon and Walter. 2. Noah, mar- ried Julia Brown, four children: George, mar- ried Ella Walton; Lida, wife of William Stew- ard, children: Edward, Elmer, Mary and Paul; Lydia, wife of Charles Danser, children : Frank- lin and Helen : and James, married Gertrude Stewart, and among their children was Hannah. 3. Charles, married Mary Ann Silver, two chil- dren : Elmer and Harvey. 4. George, married Jennie Culbert. 5. Samuel, died of injuries re- ceived while serving in the army during the Civil war. 6. Wesley, married Phoebe Southard. 7. Sarah, wife of Cornelius Van Blunt, two chil- dren : Charles and Rachel. 8. John Mellick, of whom later. There were twelve children in all, four having died young. Of the sons mentioned above, William Noalı, Charles and George, as well as Samuel, served in the Civil war.
John Mellick Hart, son of Joseph and Rachel (Cook) Hart, received his education in the public schools, and until the age of fourteen assisted his father in the labors of the homestead farm. He then went to learn the blacksmith's trade under the instruction of Samuel Morton, and after serving his time and a few months over went to Brooklyn, New York, where he followed his trade for one year. At the end of that time he moved to Yardville and rented, of Hartshorn Tantum, the beautiful home which he now oc-
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cupies, with shops adjoining. There he entered upon a prosperous business career, and in 1881 purchased the property. In 1885 he enlarged the scope of his operations by adding the wheel- wright's trade to that of the blacksmith. In the course of time he acquired a competency and retired, disposing of the business and renting the shops. He has recently bought fifty acres of land for purposes of market gardening. He has served as overseer of the poor, school trustee and a member of the board of election. He be- longs to Crosswicks Grange, Yardville Lodge, No. 248, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, No. 47, and the Order of United Americans, No. 4, all of Yardville. His political affiliations are with the Democrats, and he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Hart has been twice married. His first wife was Clara, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth ( Hopkins) Horner. By this marriage he became the father of one daughter, Ethel. After the death of his wife he married MaryAnna ( Kline) Cubberly, widow of William C. Cubberly, and mother of two children: Edith, wife of Law- rence Escott; and Leon H. Mr. Hart has no children by his second marriage.
JOSEPH VAN DOREN DAVISON, a re- tired merchant of Hightstown, Mercer county, New Jersey, who has been closely identified with the financial circles of the town, and actively and beneficially interested in its religious ad- vancement, is a representative of a well-known family of the state of New Jersey, the various members of which have done their full share toward the best development of the communities in which they have dwelt.
William I. Davison, father of Joseph Van Doren Davison, and son of James Davison, married Ann Maria Herbert, daughter of Will- iam Herbert, and has children as follows : I. Isaac Buckalew. who is now (1907) a member of the assembly. At the time of the Civil war he had made all preparations to enter active service, but was not called. He resides in a house in Monmouth county, New Jersey, at which some of the soldiers of the Revolutionary army stopped after the battle of Princeton, on their way toward Monmouth. This house has been in the possession of the family for very many years. Isaac B., married Almira Jamison, and has children : Archibald Cobb and Abbie, both unmarried. 2.
John W., married Gertrude Jernee. 3. Mary Ann, married James Dey, and has one child, Hattie Luella, who married Raymond Griggs. 4. James Manning, married Kate Hara, and had children : Laura, deceased, married Charles J. Oliphant, and had one child, Wilhelmina; J. Manning, Jr .; Grace E .; Forst, married Fannie Pierson, has one child, Beatrice ; Ada ; Raymond ; Ethel ; Russell ; and Kenneth, deceased. 5. Joseph Van Doren, see forward. 6. Rebecca, married Edward Mount, has children: William and Edna. 7. Lydia M., married William Rob- bins, has one child, Milton.
Joseph Van Doren Davison, fourth son and fifth child of William I. and Ann Maria (Her- bert) Davison, was born near Englishtown. Monmouth county, New Jersey, December 20, 1850. He was educated in the public schools in the vicinity of his home, and until he had at- tained the age of fourteen years assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm. His first step in active business life was taken in Spots- wood, where he served as clerk in a general store for a period of one year, and from whence he went to Englishtown, where he acted in the capacity of clerk in the general store of Jolin H. Laird for seven years. He next went to Trenton, New Jersey, where he entered the employ of H. G. Scudder, and was put in charge of the muslin department. Subsequently he became the clerk in the silk and carpet departments in the same store, but resigned this position at the end of one year in order to accept one with S. R. Van Duzen, in Barclay street, New York city. He traveled from Maine to Florida, and as far west as the Mississippi river, and held this position for seven years. He removed with his family to Hightstown, New Jersey, in 1885, and there purchased the general store of C. W. McMurran, which, by enterprise and progressive methods, combined with rare patience and executive ability, he developed to a modern, up-to-date department store, which stands in the front rank of those in the county. Mr. Davison retired from active business labors in April, 1906, leaving the busi- ness in the charge of his three sons: Joseph B., Charles Herbert and Howard Crosby. The firm now transacts business under the style of J. V. Davison's Sons, and is noted for its reliability and the excellent quality of all its goods. Mr. Davison has never taken a prominent part in the political affairs of the county, but for several years he was president of the board of health.
I. V. Davis
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He has been actively identified with the church and church work, and for the past twelve years has been president of the board of trustees of the Presbyterian church, also has occupied the position of ruling elder for several years. He is also superintendent of the Sunday school con- nected with that institution. He is a member of the police committee, and of the fraternal orders: Free and Accepted Masons of Hights- town, and Knights of Pythias of Englishtown. During the course of his long and active life he has amassed a considerable fortune, and is the owner of twenty-one houses, which he rents, and various other pieces of landed property. During 1906 he passed several months in travel abroad.
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