USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > Genealogical and personal memorial of Mercer County, New Jersey > Part 47
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GENERAL RICHARD GRANT AUGUST- US DONNELLY, deceased, was a fine repre- sentative of the citizen soldiery of the nation dur- ing the Civil war, and following the close of the rebellion rendered splendid service in the National Guard of the State of New Jersey, rising to the rank of brevet major-general and quartermaster- general.
General Donnelly was born on Staten Island, New York, March 4, 1841. His parents were Peter and Elizabeth (Grant) Donnelly. His father was a native of County Monaghan, Ireland, born in 1793, the son of a linen bleacher. Peter Donnelly came to America when thirteen years of age, and served in the war with Great Britaint in 1812, enlisting at the age of nineteen. He afterward went to sea, and later became com- mander of a passenger sailing vessel. At the age of sixty he abandoned a seafaring life and opened a ship chandlery in South street, New York City. He married an accomplished woman, a daughter of Richard Grant, a Scotchman and extensive lumber dealer at John street and Broad- way, New York. Mr. Donnelly, some years after- ward removed to Staten Island, where he con-
Da det. Normally.
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ducted a farm. While in New York he was an active member of the Tammany Society.
The mother of General Donnelly passed away one hour after his birth. When the lad was thirteen years old his father took him to New York City with the intention of placing him in a school at West Point preparatory to entering the United States Military Academy at that place. The two stopped at a hotel and the lad went out to spend the evening, finding upon his return that his father had died from heart disease. This untoward event deprived the youth of the pro- fessional education for which he longed, but as was evidenced by his subsequent career, he pre- served his predilection and aptitude for a military career. He had received a substantial education in the district school in Richmond. New York, and at a boarding school near Belleville, Essex county, New Jersey. After the death of his father he entered the office of J. Dunn Littell, in Hoboken, New Jersey, and there read law until the death of his preceptor in 1857. when he entered upon mercantile pursuits in the capacity of clerk.
It is, however, General Donnelly's military career which particularly distinguished him, and which endeared him to the people of New Jer- sey where his manhood was passed. In 1860 he enlisted as a private in Company B, First New Jersey Regiment, Hudson County Brigade. At the outbreak of the Civil war his ardent patriotism impelled him to resign his clerkship and enroll himself among the first for active service, under the call of President Lincoln. He enlisted, May 21, 1861, as a private in Company I, First Regi- ment New Jersey Volunteers, which took the field as a portion of General Phil Kearny's Brigade, Army of the Potomac. He was mus- tered into service with the grade of corporal, and June 4. after passing a most creditable examination. was promoted to the rank of first sergeant. He bore a gallant part in the battle of Gaines' Mills, June 27, where he was twice wounded-slightly in the left arm. early in the engagement, and, toward its close. so severely in one of his knees that he was left upon the field. Falling into the hands of the enemy, he was confined in Libby Prison, at Richmond, Virginia. He was subsequently exchanged and sent to Mc- Kims' Mansion Hospital, at Baltimore, Mary- land, and October 7, 1862, was honorably dis- charged on account of his wounds, which in- capacitated him for further military service. Re-
turning home after a period of four months he was able to resume his position as a salesman in New York City. In 1867 he located in Trenton, New Jersey, and engaged in a hosiery and fur- nishing goods business which he developed to large proportions, and which he conducted with signal success until his deathı.
He re-entered the military service of New Jersey on March 18, 1879, as first lieutenant and paymaster of the Seventh Regiment and was advanced to the rank of major, January 20, 1881; lieutenant-colonel, May 31, 1882; and colonel, September 7, same year. He was ap- pointed by Governor Green, January 13, 1890, to the position of quartermaster-general with the rank of brigadier-general, which appointment was sent to the senate by Governor Abbott, and was unanimously confirmed by that body. March 5. 1800. On February 15, 1899, he was nom- inated by Governor Voorhees for appointment as brevet major-general, for long and meritorious service. as quartermaster-general, and the honor was unanimously conferred by the senate on Feb- ruary 28th. The position of quartermaster- general includes also the responsible duties of commissary-general, paymaster-general, and chief of ordnance. General Donnelly died, February 27. 1905. During all his long military career, in the service of his country and of his state, he displayed all the spirit and abilities of the true soldier and patriot, and passed away without a blemish upon his splendid fame. Aside from his ordinary duties, he was a principal figure in some of the most important events in the military history of his day. He was major of the pro- visional battalion which distinguished itself at the centennial celebration at Yorkstown, Virginia, and was proffered by Governor Green the com- mand of the veteran camp of New Jersey troops at Gettysbug, in 1888, during the ceremonies of unveiling the monuments there, erected to perpetuate the fame of New Jersey soldiers on that historic field. This appointment, however. he was obliged to decline on account of other pressing duties. He was chairman of the board of commissioners to select grounds and erect buildings for the new Soldiers' Home at Kearny, which were completed during his official term ; was for several years one of the managers of the Home for Disabled Soldiers ; was commander in 1892 of the Grand Army of the Republic, Department of New Jersey ; and was a past com- mander of Aaron Wilkes Post, No. 23. Grand
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Army of the Republic. He also occupied various civil positions; was twice elected to the house of Assembly ; served two years as mayor of the city of Trenton; and was treasurer of the Dem- ocratic state committee from September, 1895, to October, 1901. He was affiliated with Tren- ton Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Palestine Commandery, Knights of Templars, and Lulu Temple of the Mystic Shrine, and was first Ex- alted ruler of Trenton Lodge Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was a stockholder and director in numerous corporations, and a member of many beneficial and social societies. In every relation of life he displayed the best qualities of the man of affairs, and his conduct in all was guided by a strict adherence to the loftiest conceptions of personal honor. In two Democratic state conventions he received a large vote for the nomination for governor.
General Donnelly married Sue A. Davidson, daughter of Jesse and Hannah (Burchell) David- son, of Trenton. She died in 1872, leaving four children-Harry Augustus, Frederick William, Annie Elizabeth, now the wife of Henry R. Kamm, of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and Horace Greeley, who died in infancy. General Donnelly married (second), Susie Isabel Gould. a native of Trenton, daughter of Stephen and Mary L. (McKee) Gould. She survived her husband but one year, dying in 1906. To General Donnelly were born of his second marriage, three children: Richard Grant Augustus (2), died in infancy; Susan; and Richard Grant Augustus (3).
HARRY LA RUE CORNELL, whose recent early death at the age of forty-two years was a loss deeply and sincerely deplored throughout the township, was a descendant of a family which had been among the land owners of the state for many years.
Charles Cornell, father of Harry La Rue Cornell, was son of Daniel and Jane (Tomlin- son) Cornell; Jane (Tomlinson) Cornell died February 14. 1892. Daniel Cornell died in May, 1888, and Charles Cornell married Rachel La Rue, January 26, 1859, daughter of William and Sarah (Palmer) La Rue, and had children : I. James, born November 6, 1859, married Kate Jan- ney, had children : Elsie D., Agnes W., Marjorie K., Helen La Rue and Richard J. 2. Harry La Rue, see forward. 3. William D., born July 20, 1868, died January 24, 1871. 4. Jennie Buck-
man, born March 26, 1875, married Fernando Blackwell, had children: S. Cornell, Alvin C., Alice R., Harold F., Marion L., Eleanor La Rue Backwell. Charles Cornell ( father) died February 15, 1894.
Harry La Rue Cornell, second son and child of Charles and Rachel La Rue Cornell, was born in Ewing township, Mercer county, New Jersey, February 26, 1864, and died in the same town- ship, September 8, 1906. His early years were spent on the Cornell homestead, and his education was acquired in the public schools of the town- ship, and completed in Stewart's Business Col- lege, in Trenton, New Jersey. He then took up work on the farm under the able guidance of his father, and his systematic management was a subject of comment. His methods were practical and up to date, and lie made the cultivation of the farm a success in every direction. At the same time he devoted considerable time and at- tention to matters of public importance in the township, and was ever ready to bear at least his share of public responsibility. He was asses- sor of his district for many years ; and was elected collector for the township, a position he filled with honor for a long period of time. He was a member of Monument Council, United Order of American Mechanics; and of Ewing Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. He gave strong sup- port to the principles of the Republican party, and was a consistent and earnest member of the Presbyterian church.
He married, January 30, 1884, Laura Hart, born March 6, 1865, only daughter and second and youngest child of Joseph T., born August 16, 1823, died December 19, 1899, and Mary E. (Phillips) Hart, born March 5, 1830, grand- daughter of Elias and Sarah (Titus) Hart; and great-granddaughter of Enoch and Polly (Howell) Hart. Mary E. (Phillips) Hart was a daughter of Simeon and Lucretia (Williamson) Phillips; and a granddaughter of Ralph and Patience (Howell) Phillips. Joseph and Mary E. (Phillips) Hart had children: Simeon, born March 13, 1852, married Emma Grant; and Laura, mentioned above. Harry La Rue and Laura (Hart) Cornell had children: Spencer Hunt, born July 15, 1885 ; and Charles Hart, born February 13, 1894.
LEWIS EVANS ANDERSON. Among those who are actively interested in the agricult- ural development and political interests of Ewing
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township is Lewis E. Anderson, who is now (1907) acting in the capacity of township col- lector and overseer of the poor, and who has hield the offices of surveyor of highways, town- ship treasurer and member of the township com- mittee.
George Anderson, father of Lewis E. Ander- son, was born in Hamilton township, Mercer county, New Jersey, March 1, 1816. He married Caroline Mershon, born in Trenton, Mercer coun- ty, New Jersey, May 3, 1820, daughter of Joab and Phebe (Appleget) Mershon, who were united in marriage January 31, 1812, and whose chil- dren were as follows: 1. John D., born April 12, 1813. 2. Theodore, born October 27, 1814. 3. Alfred, born March II, 1817. 4. Caroline, born May 3, 1820, above mentioned. 5. Major, born December 14, 1823. 6. William W., born June 23, 1825. 7. George P., born October 8, 1827. 8. James, born March 12, 1830. 9. Morgan R., born March 21, 1833, died April 3, 1833. Io. Ambrose, born June 9, 1834, died February 16, 1842. II. Edward, born March 31, 1837, died February 17, 1842. 12. Phebe Elizabeth, born July 2, 1840. George and Caroline (Mershon) Anderson were the parents of the following children: I. Aaron D., born April 15, 1839. 2. Phebe A., born October 24, 1840, married William Hendrickson, two chil- dren : Carrie, married Walter M. Leigh, one child, Southard; Mary, married James Bergen, one child, Lorraine. 3. George E., born May 15, 1842, unmarried ; he is a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted in Company H, Twenty- first New Jersey Infantry, nine months call. 4. Mary E., born April 15, 1844. 5. William W., born November 9, 1845, enlisted in Company M, Third New Jersey Cavalry, for three years. He married Agnes Closson. 6. Winfield Scott, born March 10, 1848. 7. Maria Q., born March 29, 1851. 8. Ellen E., born February 20, 1854, mar- ried Egbert B. Lane, four children : Maud, mar- ried Robert Lindley, one child, Fred; Harry, Mabel, Egbert. 9. Lewis E., born December 20, 1856, see forward. 10. Kate H., born Octo- ber 12, 1858. II. Edward D., born April 12, 1861, engaged with the Thomas Maddock Sons Pottery Company for many years. 12. Ida M., born February 10, 1865.
Lewis E. Anderson was born in Hamilton town- ship, New Jersey, December 20, 1856. When a child his parents moved to Ewing township, same state, where his father purchased a farm of
one hundred acres, which he cultivated to a high degree of perfection, and whereon Lewis E., was . reared. He attended the public schools of the township, and qualified himself for a commercial career by a course of study at Rider's Business College. Being inured to farm labor he chose agriculture as an employment, assisting his father in the beginning, and as the years rolled on and his father became more feeble assumed the charge of the homestead farm. After the death of his father he purchased the interest of the other heirs in the estate, and is now the owner of one of the finest farms in Ewing township, devoted to a general line of farming and dairying, the dairy products being sold at wholesale. He is progressive and enterprising in his ideas, and the neat and thrifty appearance of his entire place, including residence and outbuildings, indicate the supervision of a master mind. He holds mem- bership in the Presbyterian church, Ewing Grange and Trenton Republican Club.
Mr. Anderson married Minnie Pruden, born June II, 1862, daughter of Thomas and Anna (Moore) Pruden, parents of two other children, namely : Louisa, married John Brinkerhoff, one child, Ethel. Pauline, married John G. Etzel, two children : Vina and Howard. Anna ( Moore) Pruden is a daughter of Samuel and Anna (Bogert) Moore, of Bergen county, New Jersey. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Anderson: Edna E., December 29, 1883; Mil- dred N., November 5, 1886.
ANDREW CLARK TAYLOR, an influential and progressive farmer and dairyman of Ewing township, Mercer county, New Jersey, represents a family which has been well known in the state of New Jersey for some generations.
Samuel Leigh Taylor, son of Benjamin and Mary (Van Kirk) Taylor, and father of Andrew Clark Taylor, was born May 28, 1828, and died in Ewing township, June 29, 1899. He was the owner of a farm of considerable extent, which he sold, and then removed to Virginia to a cotton plantation of one thousand acres, which he cul- tivated on half shares for a period of four years. In 1874 he returned to New Jersey, and in 1877 located on a farm of one hundred and ten acres, between Lawrenceville and Ewingville. He mar- ried Catherine Vroome Lommasson, daughter of Andrew and Jane (Vroome) Lommasson, and they had children: I. Sylvester, married Ida Sprague, had children : Elizabeth Irene, Wilbur,
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and Albert Walter, M. D. 2. Andrew Clark, see forward. 3. Mary Jane, married Rev. Tillman S. Rush, has children : Chauncey and Earl. 4. Laura Bell, married Guild Hunt. 5. George, married Lavinia Holcombe, and had children : Catherine, Andrew L. and George Marshall.
Andrew Clark Taylor, second son and child of Samuel Leigh and Catherine Vroome (Lom- masson) Taylor, was born in Warren county, New Jersey, February 18, 1854. He was the recipient of an excellent education, attending first the public schools of his home district then the Trenton Academy, which at that time was under the direction of George S. Grover, and finally the State Normal school at Trenton. Upon the completion of his education he assisted his father in the management and cultivation of the home farm until 1870, when his father went to Virginia, and he thus obtained a practical and thorough knowledge of all that farm labor and management require. When his father returned from Virginia they had a farm of about eighty acres at Pond Run, which they managed for about three years, and then removed to the location between Law- renceville and Ewingville, where the death of his father occurred. He then removed to Pros- pect Heights, and they are at present living near the city line. He has established a successful milk trade and has a very profitable and flourish- ing business. He is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, and has served as commissioner of appeals of Lawrence town- ship. He is a consistent and worthy member of the Presbyterian church of Lawrenceville. Mr. Taylor married, December 27, 1888, Cynthia Baldwin Vernam, born July 25, 1854, eldest child of John and Mary (Baldwin) Vernam, who were the parents of three other children. I. William B., married Ella Draper, had children : Harold, Marjorie and Gilbert. 2. John Wesley, married Lillie Cabeen Crozer, and had children : Clifford Crozer, Arthur Baldwin, Agnes Hoffman, Katherine Cabeen, John Wesley, Jr., and Mary Headley. 3. Sanford J., married Ida Maguire Vernam, had children: Alida, Edith, Harry, Hazel, and Warren. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have no issue.
KIMBALL H. STILES, one of the success- ful farmers and fruit growers of Mercer county, residing in Ewing township, and a veteran of the Civil war, enlisting as captain of Company F, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regiment, Penn-
sylvania Volunteer Infantry, is a native of Stone- ham, Maine, born April 6, 1830. He is a son of Jacob Stiles, who was a son of Noah, son of Ephraim, son of Timothy, son of Robert Stiles.
Jacob Stiles (father) was a resident of Stone- ham, Maine, for many years, removing from thence in 1854, accompanied by his two sons- Kimball H. and Luther-to Cambria county, Pennsylvania. Jacob Stiles married (second) Olive Briant, and their children were: I. Eliz- abeth, married Franklin Hosmer, two children: Ada and Fred. 2. Eliza, married Franklin Hosmer, three children Franklin, Cyrus and Georgianna. 3. Stephen, married Mary Ann McKean, one child, Minerva. 4. Catherine, mar- ried Caleb Eastman. 5. Kimball H., see forward. 6. Calvin, married Lucia Clyde, five children : Francis A., William D., Rendall C., George W., Edwin S. 7. Luther, married Maria Jane Crum, four children: Laura E., Edwin R., Charles W., Floy Elva. 8. Nancy. 9. Henrietta.
Kimball H. Stiles was educated in the schools of his native city, and after his removal with his father to Cambria county, Pennsylvania, en- gaged in the shook business and established quite a trade in coopers' stock, and also, in company with a Mr. Ellis, conducted a general store in Warren county under the firm name of Stiles & Ellis. This he followed until 1862. Mr. Ellis continued the business, and Mr. Stiles offered his services to aid in the defense of the Union. He assisted in raising Company F, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Regiment, to the full quota of one hundred, was appointed captain of the same, and immediately started for the front. He was at- tached to the Fourth Brigade, Second Division, Second Corps, under General W. S. Hancock. They arrived at Antietam in time to take part in that famous battle, and for two days after- wards his command was engaged in burying the dead, so great was the slaughter of that day. They then went into camp for two months, and later moved on to Fredericksburg, where Captain Stiles had a close call from death, having two rifle balls shot through his clothes by sharp- shooters. They then went to Chancellorsville under the command of General Hooker, and were in the front at that fight. From there they went to Gettysburg, and his regiment called in their last picket line and followed the cavalry for that famous battle. They marched thirty- two miles in one day. Captain Stiles was honor-
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ably discharged from the service of the United States government, June 16, 1864.
After his discharge he came north and again took up the mercantile business in Warren, Penn- sylvania. He also bought lumber and cut it into staves, and followed logging for a period of six years. He then went to Boston, Massa- chusetts, where he sold cooperage stock, in which enterprise he was extremely successful. His next business venture was in the stave industry, which he conducts as a side line in New York, and he then took up the produce business, buying and selling. In 1902 he came to Ewing town- ship, Mercer county, New Jersey, and purchased a farm of one hundred and thirty acres, bounded by four main roads, three of which are of stone. He immediately prepared for a large peach orchard, and has now ( 1907) five thousand peach trees, four thousand chestnut trees, fifteen hun- dred pear trees and two hundred apple, plum and cherry trees, and when these trees are in blossom the sight is beautiful beyond descrip- tion, making it one of the show places of the county. Mr. Stiles spends his entire time in his orchards, giving them his personal attention, and he predicts that the product for this year will be about twelve thousand baskets. During his residence in Pennsylvania Mr. Stiles was a mem- ber of Lodge No. 312, Free and Accepted Ma- sons, but since his residence in New Jersey has not affiliated with any lodge. He is a member of General Hancock Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of New York City. He is a Methodist in religion, and a Republican in politics.
Mr. Stiles married (first), at Binghampton, New York, August 13. 1851, Amelia T. Harris, and they had one child, Albert M., born May 5, 1852, married Emma Grinton, of Lapeer. Michigan, two children: Grace, Edith, died in infancy. Albert M. Stiles for a time resided in Lapeer, Michigan, and then moved to Indian- apolis, Indiana, where he now resides. Mrs. Kimball H. Stiles was killed soon after the birth of her child by a runaway horse, September 12, 1852. Mr. Stiles married (second), March 17, 1854, Ann Maria Hamlin, born December 23. 1833; no children.
RICHARD MONTGOMERY JONES, re- cently deceased, was for many years a success- ful farmer and dairyman of Ewing township, Mercer county, New Jersey, and a resident re-
spected by all who knew him for his quiet, help- ful, yet unassuming character.
Enoch Green Jones, father of Richard Mont- gomery Jones, and son of John and Mary (Green) Jones, was born March 12, 1811, died May 4, 1882. His birthplace was the farm now occupied by J. F. Herbert on the old Ferry road. Mr. Jones was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and devoted but little time to affairs which had no personal interest for him. He was a loving, home-keeping man, whose spare time was spent in the family circle. He married Margaretta Hay, daughter of James L. and Margaretta ( Montgomery) Hay, and had children : I. James Lamar, born June 4, 1834, married Mary Will- iamson, of New York City. 2. Richard Mont- gomery, see forward. 3. Cornelia, born July II, 1838, married Alfred M. Reeder, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work.
Richard Montgomery Jones, second son and child of Enoch Green and Margaretta (Hay) Jones, was born in Hopewell township, Mercer county, New Jersey, February 8, 1836, and died in Ewing township, in the same county, January 3, 1907. He was educated in the public schools of the township, and at a suitable age com- menced to assist his father in the cultivation of the farm of the latter, an occupation in which he was engaged until he had attained the age of thirty years, when he married. After this event he purchased a farm of one hundred acres near Titusville, cultivating this for general market gardening purposes, and also as a dairy farm. He removed to Ewing township in 1885, purchasing the Henry Kusen farm of one hundred and fifty acres, cultivating this for similar purposes, and resided upon it until his death. He was very successful in his farming operations and his dairy. Like his father, he was a man devoted to his fam- ily and his home life, and spent practically no time in public matters. He was, however, a stanch Democrat in national politics, and an attendant of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Jones married, June 27, 1806, Mary E. Green, born January 17, 1848, daughter of Will- iam A. and Eliza (Roberts) Green ; granddaugh- ter of James B. and Catherine ( Anthony) Green ; and great-granddaughter of James Green. Will- iam Green, ancestor of the families of that name in Ewing. dissatisfied with some new relation in his father's family, left his native land, England, at the early age of twenty, and landed at the port in Philadelphia. Soon after, desirous of
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returning, and finding no vessel about to sail from that port he went to New York, but not meeting with an opportunity immediately, visited Long Island. He then became acquainted with the family of John Reeder, recently arrived from England, whose sister or daughter Ivama, in process of time he married, and removed to Ewing township about 1700. He purchased three hundred and forty-five acres of Colonel Daniel Coxe, the deed bearing date 1712, and on it erected the first brick house in the township, which is still standing, having on the west end the date 1717. His qualities were such as to give him distinction, for he was appointed one of the first judges of Hunterdon county, and from the frequent mention of his name in public affairs and important business transactions he was evi- dently a prominent and useful citizen. He died as is indicated by his antique tombstone in the Ewing churchyard, 1722. His eldest son Richard died in 1741 ; he married Mary Ely, daughter of George Ely of Trenton.
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