USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > Genealogical and personal memorial of Mercer County, New Jersey > Part 23
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While residing in New York city Mr. Davi- son married Louise Henrietta Braunfels, daugh- ter of Alphonse and Louise (Seaman) Braun- fels, who had two children: Louisa Henrietta, mentioned above; and Charles. Otto Braunfels, an uncle of Mrs. Davison, is at present consul from Germany to Spain, and is one of the wealth- iest bankers and most highly respected citizens of Frankfort, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Davison have had children : 1. Joseph B., born August 18, 1881, in New York city, was educated in the public schools and Rider's Academy, and then entered upon a mercantile career. He is assistant superintendent of the Sunday school. He mar- ried Etta M. Lott, daughter of ex-mayor Lott, and they have one child, Josephine Louise. 2. Charles Herbert, born December 6, 1882, in New York city, was educated in the public schools and Rider's Academy. He married Maud G. Outcault. 3. Walter Seaman, born January 10, 1885, in New York city, was graduated from Princeton University, and is now an instructor in English in the Syrian Protestant College, in Beirut, Syria. The college has a membership of eight hundred and fifty, and Mr. Davison's class numbers ninety-eight. 4. Howard Crosby, born August 27, 1886, in Hightstown, was edu- cated in the public schools and in the Peddie In- stitute. 5. Charlotta Louisa, born February 3, 1888, in Hightstown. 6. Kathryn Seaman, born November 23, 1889, in Hightstown. 7. Florence Isabella, born March 6, 1893, in Hightstown.
JOHN MOTT ANDERSON, for many years postmaster of Mercerville, Mercer county, New Jersey, and who is one of the leading spirits in any movement which tends to the welfare or advancement of the community in any direction,
is a representative of a family which has been domiciled in this county for a number of years.
David H. Anderson, father of John Mott An- derson, was a son of John and Margaret ( Hawk) Anderson, the latter the daughter of Jacob Hawk. David H. came to Mercerville more than fifty years ago. At that time the town was known as Sandtown. He established a shop for wheel- wrighting and carriage painting, and this has become the leading establishment of its kind in this section of the county. It is now ( 1907) considered one of the old landmarks of Mercer- ville. He married, July, 1862, Mary L. Howell, daughter of Arthur R. and Ann Eliza (Hill) Howell, and granddaughter of Richard and Martha (Van Der Beck) Howell. They had children : Mattie, died at the age of twenty- three years. John Mott, see forward. Infant, de- ceased.
John Mott Anderson, eldest and only son and only surviving child of David H. and Mary L. (Howell) Anderson, was born in Mercerville, Mercer county, New Jersey, March 2, 1867. He was educated in the public schools of his native township, where he had the reputation of being a very apt pupil. Upon the completion of his education he commenced learning the trade of his father under the able tuition of the latter, and was associated in this manner with his father until 1891, when they formed a business partnership which is in existence at the present time. The business is in a most satisfactory and flourish- ing condition, having a reputation for reliability and high-class workmanship which is second to none in the county. Their methods are pro- gressive and up-to-date, and they adopt any new inventions which may further the quality of their work. The establishment is located on one of the most valuable pieces of property in the town. Mr. Anderson has had the dwellings remodeled and a general grocery store added to the other business, which serves also as the general post- office. He is a public-spirited man, and has taken an active part in the counsels of the Republican party, with which he affiliates. He has served as a member of the board of elections and of the board of education. He was appointed post- master by President Cleveland in 1893, and has held that position to the universal satisfaction since that time. He is associated with the fol- lowing organizations: Eureka Council, No. 54. Junior Order of United American Mechanics : Hamilton Lodge, No. 97, Independent Order of
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Odd Fellows: Capital City Council, No. 392, Royal Arcanum; Capital City Lodge, No. 7, Loyal Association ; and Trenton Lodge, No. I, Order of Caliphs.
Mr. Anderson married, November 11, 1891, Cora West, only child of Randolph F. and Mary Lavinia (Dilatush) West, and they have children : Helen Louise, born August 21, 1896. Mattie Howell, born September 22, 1898.
HENRY D. BENDER, of Lawrenceville, New Jersey, was born in Clarksville, Lawrence township, Mercer county, New Jersey, Decem- ber 29, 1853, a son of Peter and Martha (Cook) Bender. The mother is living at the present time (1907) at the advanced age of ninety years.
Jacob Bender, grandfather of Henry D. Bender, was of German birth, and the first of his family to come to the United States. His wife, who sailed later with their four sons and a daugh- ter, died at sea, and her body was committed to the deep. Their children were: John, de- ceased; Nicholas, resides in Mercer county ; Peter, deceased, see forward; Jacob, resides in Brooklyn, New York ; and Matilda, deceased.
Peter Bender, third of the four sons of Jacob Bender, on coming to this country settled at Clarksville, New Jersey, and he and his wife, ( Martha Cook Bender) reared a family of four children: Henry D., of whom further; Cath- erine, died aged seventeen years; Sarah, died aged twelve years; Phoebe A., married Robert E. Smith, and their children are: Martha, mar- ried Fred A. Hoff, and Raymond.
Henry D. Bender, eldest child of Peter and Martha (Cook) Bender, learned- the trades of carriagemaker, wheelwright and blacksmith with his father, and worked with him until reaching the age of twenty-five years, when he came to Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and engaged in busi- ness for himself, in which he has continued to the present time, his output being principally made-to-order work. Coupled with this busi- ness is that of a livery stable. During his entire business career Mr. Bender has been recognized as just and conscientious in all his transactions, and the competence he has acquired has been the just reward of industry and thrift. He has no taste for public office. He votes the Republican ticket on national issues. He married, Miriam Paul, born July 25, 1857, died January 14, 1902, daughter of Joseph C. and Elizabeth Paul. She was a consistent Christian woman, a loving and
dutiful wife, and an affectionate mother, and she rendered to her husband most efficient practical aid in his life work. She bore to her husband two sons: Albert D., of whom further; and Arthur Paul, born November 15, 1882, died in Denver, Colorado, February 20, 1906.
Albert D. Bender, eldest son of Henry D. and Miriam (Paul) Bender, was born April 4, 1880, in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and died in Mercer Hospital, November 16, 1906, aged twenty-seven years, of typhoid fever, after a lengthy illness, and the interment was in Law- renceville cemetery. His death was particularly sad, occurring in the same year with that of his only brother, and practically on the eve of his own marriage to Loretta Armstrong, daughter of George H. Armstrong, of Lawrenceville. At the time of his death he was the owner of the Bender Express, operating between Trenton and Lawrenceville. He entered upon the express business before trolley communication was estab- lished between those points, and until his last illness made the trip daily. He was active in the affairs of Lawrenceville and Lawrence township, and was a member of the Lawrence township committee. He was affiliated with Princeton Lodge, No. 38, Free and Accepted Masons.
DISBROW C. WILSON, of Hightstown, now serving his second term as freeholder of East Windsor township, was born in that township, November 28, 1866, son of Peter E. Wilson, and grandson of Dr. Ezekiel and Rachel (Car- son) Wilson. The death of Mrs. Wilson oc- curred May 23, 1841.
Peter E. Wilson, son of Ezekiel and Rachel (Carson) Wilson, was born December 8, 1824, at Middletown, Monmouth county, and was from a very early period of life actively engaged in agricultural pursuits until a few years ago, when he retired. He has been a director in the Hights- town Bank since its incorporation, and was for several years freeholder of East Windsor town- ship, where he has lived from childhood and of which he is now the oldest living resident. Mr. Wilson married, February 11, 1847, in Hights- town, Helen Maria, daughter of Gabriel Allen, who died August 1, 1848, and his wife, Ann (English) Allen. Mrs. Wilson was born January 16, 1825, in Allentown, New Jersey. The fam- ily of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson consisted of the fol- lowing children : Allen, born December 24, 1847. Charles H., born September 13, 1849, resides in
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Newark. Adeline, born January 14, 1851. An- thony A., born February 10, 1853. Rachel A., born May 12, 1856, died December 22, 1861. Gertrude A. M., born May 25, 1861, died in childhood. Disbrow C., of whom later.
Disbrow C. Wilson, son of Peter E, and Helen Maria ( Allen) Wilson, received his education in the public schools and at Pettie Institute, Hights- town. After completing his course of study he was for ten years engaged in business as a butcher in Hightstown. For the last four years he has devoted his attention to the lumber business. In 1905 he was elected freeholder of East Windsor township, and is now serving his second term. He is a member of Hightstown Grange, No. 96, Patrons of Husbandry, and affiliates with Hights- town Lodge, No. 59. Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Wilson married, September 16, 1903, in East Windsor township, Martha, daughter of Daniel W. and Mary Hoagland, and they are the parents of one daughter, Genevieve O., born August 30, 1905.
BARZILLIA G. SHINN, for many years en- gaged in the hotel business in Etra, Mercer coun- ty, New Jersey, and also identified with other business interests, is one of the representative men of that town, and is a descendant of an honored family of the state.
Charles L. Shinn, son of Joseph Shinn, was born in Burlington county, and died in Lumberton, Burlington county, New Jersey, October 24, 1889. In his early life he followed the trade of wheel- wrighting for some years, and then established himself in the hotel business, in which line of in- dustry he was eminently successful. He was at various times the proprietor of the following hotels : One at Florence, New Jersey ; The Lum- berton House, at Lumberton, New Jersey ; one at White Hill, New Jersey, ; one in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; The Smith House on Mill street, Mount Holly, New Jersey ; The Marlboro House at Marlboro, Monmouth county; and the Hotel Etra. He married (first) Fannie Hedley, a native of Burlington county, New Jersey, and they had children: Barzillia G., see forward ; Joseph, drowned in childhood ; Elwood, deceased. Mrs. Shinn died in Florence, New Jersey, in 1865. Mr. Shinn married ( second) Mary O'Brien, by whom he had one child, Mamie.
Barzillia G. Shinn, eldest child of Charles L. and Fannie (Hedley) Shinn, was born in
Wrightstown, Burlington county, New Jersey, April 6, 1856. His education was acquired in the public schools of his native township, and at a suitable age he learned the trade of wheel- wrighting under the able supervision of his father. Later he abandoned this, obtaining em- ployment in a shoe factory, where he remained for a number of years. He resigned this employ- ment in order to engage in the hotel business, with which he has now been successfully con- nected for upward of twenty-five years. The Etra Hotel, which is under his personal manage- ment, is one of the most finely equipped of its size in the state, and is conducted in a most modern and methodical manner. The cuisine is excellent, and the rooms models of neatness and solid comfort. Mr. Shinn enjoys great popularity, and is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men.
Mr. Shinn married, at Mount Holly, New Jer- sey, April 28, 1874, Rev. G. K. Morris officiating, Sarah D. Camac, born in Philadelphia, January 9, 1858, daughter of James and Margaret (Nay- lor) Camac, who had children : Jesse S .; Alice, married Edward McAdams; Theodore; Lavinia, married Thomas Fisher; Mary E., married Stephen Reiss; James Henry; and Sarah D., mentioned above. Mr. Camac married (second) Anna E. McCormick, and had children : Emma, deceased, married Jacob Mayer; Anna, married Martin Bogardis; Frank; John; Susan, married Jacob Daisey ; and Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. Shinn have had one child. Clarence W., born July 17, 1875, married, April 4, 1894, Georgianna Ander- son, of Hightstown, New Jersey ; had three chil- dren : Joseph, aged ten years, died April 26, 1907 ; Bertha, aged eleven ; Franklin, aged two.
STACY T. VANDARSDALE, one of the successful agriculturists of Hamilton township, Mercer county, was born at Wallingford, Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, son of John and Rhoda Vanarsdale. The paternal grandparents were Garrett and Annie ( Taylor) Vanarsdale, who were the parents of six children. John and Rhoda Vanarsdale were the parents of the fol- lowing children: I. Emily, married Nathan Martin, and had four children. 2. Elizabeth. married Alfred Jones, and they were the parents of Sidney W. Jones. 3. Caroline, married Ben- jamin Callender, whose two children are: Eliz- abeth. married Robert Stelle; and Hannah. 4. Louise, married George Dennis, and they have
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children : Garrett. Mary, George, Annie, Joseph, Alfred and Charles. 5. Stacy T., see forward. 6. Alfred, married Mary Gibson. 7. Garrett, died in 1866. 8. A child who died in child- hood.
Stacy T. Vanarsdale attended the private and free schools after which he was "bound out" at three dollars a month for the first year, and the second year on the farm he received four and a half dollars a month. From the time he was thirteen years until he was thirty-three years of age, he taught school. These schools were taught as follows: At Cream Ridge, seven years ; at Arnetown, eight years; at Ellisdale, two years; at Exton Mills, two years ; at Pleasant Ridge, one year. In 1894 he purchased his pres- ent place, which he uses for general farming and truck garden purposes and also pays much at- tention to fruits. Politically Mr. Vanarsdale is a stanch Republican and had the honor of cast- ing his first vote for President Abraham Lincoln, in 1860. He held the office of justice of the peace at Upper Freehold for nine years : was a member of the court of appeals for eleven years ; and served on the election board for four years. He is one of the trustees of the Grange. He united with the Methodist Episcopal church in 1873, and has been a steward and trustee of this church many years.
Mr. Vanarsdale was married to Elizabeth Mc- Daniel, by whom there is no issue.
JACOB CORNELIUS VREELAND, a well known farmer of Princeton township, Mercer county, New Jersey, and one of the oldest resi- dents of that section of the state, is a descendant of an old Dutch family which settled there in the early days of the colony. Garrett Vreeland, with his brothers-Richard and Jacob V .- came from Holland to America. They received a grant of six hundred acres of land in what is now (1906) known as Greenville, New Jersey. and a portion of this is still in the possession of the family.
Jacob Vreeland, grandfather of Jacob Cornelius Vreeland, was a direct descendant of Garrett Vreeland, mentioned above, and married Cath- erine Vreeland, also of Greenville, New Jersey.
Cornelius J. Vreeland, son of Jacob and Cathi- erine (Vreeland) Vreeland, was born in Green- ville. Hudson county, New Jersey. August 26, 1812. He followed the occupation of farming, and in addition to this was engaged in trucking
to a great extent. He was one of the trustees of the Dutch Reformed church of Greenville, and was a man of high standing in the community. He married Catharine Van Horn, born in Bergen Point, Hudson county, New Jersey, August 21, 1816, daughter of Henry and Maria (Vreeland) Van Horn, the former engaged in the oyster trade. Children of Cornelius J. and Catharine (Van Horn) Vreeland were as follows: 1. Jacob C., see forward. 2. Cathalina, born March 8, 1837, married James Robert Stringham. 3. Henry Van Horn, born January 1, 1840, mar- ried Hetta Garretson, and resides in Brooklyn, New York, they have no issue. Cornelius J. Vreeland died August 4, 1848, and Catharine (Van Horn) Vreeland, died March 12, 1842: both were consistent christian people of the Dutch Reformed church.
Jacob Cornelius Vreeland, son of Cornelius J. and Catharine (Van Horn) Vreeland, was born in Greenville. Hudson county, New Jersey, No- vember 7, 1835. His education was acquired in a private academy, and at the age of fourteen vears he went to Rocky Hill, Mercer county, New Jersey. He removed to Virginia in 1865, and about thirty-three years ago came to Penns Neck, West Windsor township, where he pur- chased the farm of James Gulick, which he is at present cultivating. This consists of ninety acres, all in fine state of productiveness, owing to the careful and progressive management of Mr. Vreeland. He takes a strong interest in church matters, and is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Princeton. His political support is given to the Republican party.
Mr. Vreeland married, December 28, 1858, Mary J. Voorhees, horn September 3, 1833, daughter of John I. and Agnes (Van Nostrand) Voorhees, of Blomberg, Somerset county, New Jersey, and they have children: I. Cornelius Henry, born October 9, 1859, married Carrie Wood, daughter of John Wood, and has chil- dren : Jenny May, born July 23, 1880; Harry Abbott, born December 2, 1897. 2. Charles El- liott born December 18. 1866, married Monica McNeil, of New York city.
JOHN PUMYEA. The late John Pumyea, despite the fact that at the time of his death he had been but a few years a resident of Hights- town, left upon the place the impress of his strong personality both as a business man and a citizen. He was a son of Peter J. and Ann
Ellwood Partout
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( Berrian) Pumyea, and was born in Somerset county, New Jersey.
He received as good an education as the schools of his district afforded, and his early years were spent upon the homestead, where he was thoroughly trained in all that pertains to the life of a successful farmer. The instruc- tion in agriculture which he thus received he turned to good account, becoming in the course of time one of the leading farmers of his native county, where the greater part of his life was passed. Being desirous, however, of exercising his abilities in another sphere of endeavor, he moved, in 1889, to Hightstown, where he erected the imposing residence now occupied by his widow. Before taking up his abode in Hights- town he engaged in the manufacture of lime at Rocky Hill, New Jersey, and subsequently, in connection with John B. D. Beekman, went into the hay-pressing business in Hightstown. Sev- eral years later he disposed of this business to Mr. Beekman, and associated himself with Wil- liam Dillon in the manufacture of brick, the firm being known as Pumyea & Dillon. He continued in this business to the close of his life.
Mr. Pumyea married, January 9. 1877, at Franklin Park, near New Brunswick, New Jer- sey, Margaret C., daughter of John and Sarah (Van Dyke) Beekman, and three children were born to them: Peter B., died in infancy ; Eliz- abeth, died in childhood; and Florence May. In the death of Mr. Pumyea, which occurred March 13, 1892, his family and friends sustained a severe bereavement, and it was felt throughout the community that Hightstown had lost one of her best citizens, one whose place, in the vari- ous spheres of usefulness in which his life was passed, it would be extremely difficult to fill.
ELLWOOD PARSONS. Isaac Parsons was born in Pennsylvania, November 12, 1748. He settled in Falls township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, prior to the revolution. He was a member of St. James Episcopal Church, Bris- tol, Pennsylvania, and he and his second wife are buried under the present church building, in the graveyard connected with that church. His gravestone, which is under the eaves of the pres- ent building, records that he was born Novem- ber 12, 1748, and died September 26, 1818. His second wife, Elizabeth Brodnax, was born May 20. 1755, and died June 15, 1827.
Isaac Parsons, son of Isaac and Elizabeth
(Brodnax) Parsons, was born July 3, 1794, in Falls township, Bucks county, on his father's homestead, which he inherited, and upon which he lived until his death, which occurred August 21, 1857. He married, April 5, 1821, Lydia Ann Anderson, born July 18, 1801, died July 19. 1901, being one day over a hundred years old. She was descended on both her grand- father's and grandmother's sides from Enoch Anderson and his wife, Tryntie Op Dyck, both of these families being among the earliest set- tlers of Hunterdon county, New Jersey, in 1697, and among the founders of the first Presbyterian church of Ewing, Lawrenceville and Trenton, the latter being for a long time called the Ander- son meeting house.
Ellwood Parsons, son of Isaac and Lydia Ann ( Anderson) Parsons, was born on the family homestead of his father, April 5, 1822. Al- though the family were Episcopalians, Ellwood Parsons, being much associated with Friends, became interested in their faith, though he never joined their societv. He attended the Friends' private school at Fallsington, Pennsylvania, and completed his education at a boarding school in Poughkeepsie, New York. For a time he was in the lumber business with his brothers-in-law, David and Joseph C. Taylor, in Morrisville, Pennsylvania, his residence being in Morrisville borough. He was elected director of the First National Bank of Trenton in January, 1868, and rendered most faithful and untiring service there until his death. He was elected president of this bank, June 3, 1891. He served many years as a director of the Trenton City Bridge Com- pany, until the time of his death, October 13, 1891. He was also a director of the "Bucks County Contributionship for Insuring Homes and Other Buildings from Loss by Fire," serv- ing from 1876 until his death. He married, March 26, 1851, Mercy Ann Taylor, born July 14, 1824, died October 4, 1890, daughter of Wil- liam and Mary (Crozer) Taylor, of Morrisville, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. Their children were: I. William T., born April 1, 1852, died June 24. 1875. 2. Annie C., born September 18, 1853, died February 9, 1895. She married, September 3, 1891, Edward C. Williamson, son of Jesse and Elizabeth Williamson, of Falls township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania. 3. Mary T. 4. Lydia A., married, February 17, 1891, Henry W. Comfort, son of George M. and Ann Elizabeth Comfort, of Falls township,
.
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Bucks county, Pennsylvania. 5. George T., who was drowned December 13, 1869. 6. Rose, who died in infancy, September 20, 1864. 7. Ella.
AARON ELY, a retired farmer and honored citizen of East Windsor township, was born March 16, 1833, in Millstone township, Mon- mouth county, son of Richard A. Ely, and grand- son of Aaron Ely. Both the paternal and ma- ternal ancestors of the present Aaron Ely were old residents of Monmouth county, whence their descendants transplanted the race to Mercer county.
Aaron Ely, the grandfather, was a farmer in Monmouth county, where his entire life was passed. He married Phoebe Holman, and the following were their children, all of whom are now deceased: Joseph, Richard A., of whom later ; Mary, Maria, Caroline, and Jemima.
Richard A. Ely, son of Aaron and Phoebe (Holman) Ely, was born about 1811, in Mill- stone township, Monmouth county, and re- mained all his life a resident of his native coun- ty. Like his father he made agriculture his life- work, becoming one of the most successful farmers of his township. He was progressive 'in his methods, and his inany sterling traits of character caused him to be regarded with sin- cere respect by his neighbors and by all to whom he was in any way known. Richard A. Ely mar- ried Elizabeth L. Mount, a member of an old Monmouth county family, and their children were : William M., deceased: Aaron, of whom later : Rebecca, widow of Alexander Barcalow ; Phoebe, widow of Thaddeus Walling; Richard ; Edward H., deceased; and one who died in childhood.
Aaron Ely, son of Richard A. and Elizabeth A. (Mount) Ely, received his education in the common schools of his native township and from boyhood was trained to assist his father in the labors of the homestead. The duties to which he was thus early accustomed he has made his own through life, having always de- voted himself to agricultural pursuits. His in- dustry, enlightened methods and sound judg- ment have placed him in the front rank of the farmers of his township, and have caused his labors to return him a substantial profit which enables him to spend the evening of his life in ease and retirement. Since 1866 he has been a resident of East Windsor township, where his
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