Genealogical and personal memorial of Mercer County, New Jersey, Part 54

Author: Lee, Francis Bazley, 1869-1914
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: New York : Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 698

USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > Genealogical and personal memorial of Mercer County, New Jersey > Part 54

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3. John L. Kuser, born in Newark, New Jer- sev, May 12, 1862, was educated in the paroch :- 1 schools, and St. Benedict's College of Newark.

being graduated from the latter institution in 1878. His first step in his business life was as a worker on the New Jersey Freie Zeitung, where he engaged in type-setting and reportorial work, and later, by his own ambitious efforts, rose to the position of general manager. He was ac- tively identified with this paper from 1883 until 1894, when he resigned his position and asso- ciated himself with the Trenton Hygeia Ice Com- pany, the Trenton Brewing Company, and the Trenton Street Railroad Company, becoming secretary and treasurer of these companies. He is also secretary and treasurer of the People's Brewing Company, which was organized by him and his brother, Anthony R. Kuser, in 1891. He was secretary and treasurer of the Trenton Street Railroad Company, which positions he held from 1894 to 1904. He is now secretary and treas- urer of the Walter Automobile Company, a plant for manufacturing automobiles, which was brought to Trenton through the Kusers and Roeblings. He is a director in the South Jersey Gas and Electric Lighting Company, and is a member of the Lotus, Country, and Blooming Grove Hunting and Fishing Clubs. He married Mary Dunn, born in Newark, New Jersey, daughter of Walter P. Dunn, and they have three sons. Their residence is about four miles east of Bordentown, New Jersey.

4. Rudolph Victor Kuser, born in Newark, New Jersey, June 3, 1865, was educated in the public and parochial schools of his native city and then studied engineering. He became asso- ciated with the firm of Gould & Eberhardt, of Newark, and later came to Trenton, New Jer- sey. There he accepted the position of vice- president of the People's Brewing Company, and a similar position in the Trenton Hygeia Ice Com- pany. He is also assistant secretary and treas- urer of the Walter Automobile Company. He is treasurer of the Lotus Club and of the Inter- state Fair Association, and a member of the Country Club. He married Johanna Feigen- span, born in Newark, daughter of Christian and Rachael (Laible) Feigenspan, the former the founder of the well known brewery that bears that name, the latter a member of a prominent German-American family of Newark. Mr. and Mrs. Kuser have one son and one daughter.

5. Benedict Charles Kuser, born in Trenton, New Jersey, February, 1870, was educated in the parochial schools of Newark, and in Rider's Business College, of Trenton, New Jersey. He

Jaupdike

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commenced his business career by establishing himself in the coal and ice business, and is now (1906) the proprietor of the B. C. Kuser Coal and Ice business in Greenwood avenue, one of the largest establishments of its kind in Trenton. He is a member of the Lotus, Country, and Blooming Grove Hunting and Fishing Clubs. He married Anna Conover, born in Trenton, daughter of Baxter Conover, and they have no children.

6. Louise Kuser, born in Trenton, New Jer- sey, married Joseph Ribsam, who is associated with his father, C. Ribsam, in the seed business in Trenton. They reside in Hamilton avenue and have one child.

FORMAN A. UPDIKE, known as one of the leading and progressive farmers and public- spirited citizens of East Windsor township, is a lineal descendant of the Op Dyck family of Holland, whose history is closely interwoven with that of their native country.

Louris Jansen Op Dyck, the pioneer ancestor of the family, was a native of Holland, emigrated to America in the year 1659, locating first in Al- bany, New York, from whence he removed to Gravesend, Long Island.

Johannes Opdyck, son of Louris Jansen Op Dyck, born 1651, died 1729. He accompanied his father upon his emigration to the new world, and subsequently was a planter at Dutch Kills, Long Island, and in Maidenhead and Hopewell, New Jersey, deriving therefrom a lucrative live- lihood. He removed to New Jersey in 1697, becoming the owner of two hundred and fifty acres of land above the falls of the Delaware. In May or June of that year he moved his family in carts and wagons, and settled in Lawrence township, near Lawrenceville, and July 12 pur- chased thirteen hundred acres, extending one and three-eights miles north and south and two miles east and west, including the present site of the borough of Pennington, New Jersey. While re- siding in Hopewell he, with others, founded the Baptist church. His wife, Catherine Opdyck, bore him the following children: Tayntie, mar- ried Enoch Andrus, a landowner in Trenton, New Jersey, who gave one hundred and fifty square feet of land for the First Presbyterian church of Trenton, long called Anderson Meet- ing House, April 10, 1727; she died 1741. En- geltie, married Joshua Anderson, of Maiden- head; she died 1741. Annettie, married Corne-

lius Anderson, of Maidenhead; she died 1746. Lawrence, see forward. Albert, born 1685, died 1752; he married Elizabeth and re- sided in Hopewell and Maidenhead, New Jer- sey. -, died 1730. Bartholomew, a resident of Maidenhead, New Jersey.

Lawrence Updick, eldest son of Johannes and Catherine Opdyck, born 1675, died 1748. He resided in Maidenhead, New Jersey. His wife, Agnes Updick, bore him the following children : William, see forward. John, born 1708, died 1790; he was a resident of Somerset, New Jer- sey. He was the father of nine sons: Lawrence, Isaac, Burgoon, William, Roliph, Abraham, Ja- cob, Peter, John. Tunis, a resident of Somerset, New Jersey.

William Updike, eldest son of Lawrence and Agnes Updick, born 1704, died 1783. He was a resident of Dutch Neck, New Jersey. He mar- ried, and among his children was a son, Levi.

Levi Updike, son of William Updike, was a leading farmer of Dutch Neck, New Jersey, was an active member and worker in the Presbyterian church, and a Democrat in politics. He married, and among their children was a son, William.

William Updike, son of Levi Updike, was born September 22, 1811, died February 14, 1882. He was a successful agriculturist, progressive in his methods, and a man of influence in the com- munity. He adhered to the principles of Democ- racy, and he and his wife were members of the Dutch Neck Presbyterian church, he serving in the capacity of trustee. He married, November 25, 1830, Sarah Hunt, born October 16, 1813, in Cranbury township, Middlesex county, New Jer- sey, and died October 18, 1851, at the age of thirty-eight. Their children were: I. Garrick, born January 15, 1832; married Anna McGal- liard, and died November 15, 1865. 2. Sarah Ann, born January 19, 1834; died unmarried January 3, 1846. 3. Levi, born February 6, 1837, was a farmer at Dutch Neck up to fifteen years ago, when he moved to Trenton, where he and his son, Levi, Jr., are engaged in the shoe business. He married Mary A. Hoope, and had four children : William, died young; Nettie, died young; Sarah A., wife of William H. Field, of Trenton, two children: Lillian and William; Levi, Jr., married Sarah E. Spracklin, one child, Adaline. 4. Amanda, born November 5, 1840, married Frederick Shangles. 5. Joseph Hunt, see forward. 6. William A., born June 12, 1848, died young.

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Joseph Hunt Updike, third son of William and Sarah (Hunt) Updike, was born near Dutch Neck, West Windsor township, New Jersey, July 6, 1845. He spent his entire life in his native township, where he was a prosperous farmer and respected citizen. He and his wife were consistent members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Updike married, January 16, 1867, Annie L. Forman, born September 18, 1847, in East Windsor township, and they became the parents of one child, Forman A., of whom later. Joseph H. Updike died September 23, 1870, and his widow passed away September 28, 1870.

Forman A. Updike, only child of Joseph H. and Annie L. (Forman) Updike, was born No- vember 6, 1868, at Dutch Neck, West Windsor township. He attended the district school of Hickory Corner, and afterward supplemented the instruction there received by a two years' course at Peddie Institute. His whole life thus far has been spent on a farm and in devotion to agricultural pursuits, in which he was trained from boyhood. In 1895 he purchased the farm of sixty acres which has since been his home, and in 1898 erected his attractive and commodious dwelling. The name of the estate is Fairview Farm, and in each of its departments it gives evidence of the energetic and enlightened meth- ods of the owner. He is a member of the town- ship committee and also serves on the board of education, not allowing his devotion to his chosen calling to render him indifferent to his duties as a citizen. He is a Republican in his political views. He belongs to Hightstown Grange, No. 96, Patrons of Husbandry. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church, in which he holds the office of trustee.

Mr. Updike married, November 7, 1894, in Middlesex county, Bertha C., daughter of Thomas M. and Catharine Amanda (Cubberly) Dey. Mrs. Updike was born October 13, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Updike are the parents of three daughters: Anna Lamata, born March 23, 1897. Catharine Amanda, born July 17, 1899. Flor- ence Alta, born July 25. 1902.

EMLEN S. TILTON, owner of one of the finest farms along the Delaware river, at Wil- burtha, Mercer county, New Jersey, has had a varied and interesting experience in business life, and is now one of the most enterprising dairy farmers of this county. He is a descendant of one of the old families of the state.

(I) Abraham Tilton, great-grandfather of Emlen S. Tilton, emigrated to America in 1716, and purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres at Crosswicks. This he cleared, selling the lumber at a considerable profit, and erected a house which is still standing, and which is one of the oldest landmarks remaining in Monmouth county. He married Betsey Mayers, who bore him a number of children.

(II) Abraham Tilton, probably the eldest son of Abraham and Betsey (Mayers) Tilton, owned a farm of two hundred acres in Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, and was a man of great influence and prominence in the commu- nity. He was a freeholder of the township, member of the board of education, and member of the township committee. He was of immense stature, standing six feet and eleven inches in his . stocking feet. He married Rebecca Mayers, and they were the parents of children as follows: Lawrence, see forward; Abraham, married Eliza- beth -; Apollo; George, married Annie Sex- ton ; William, married Ruth Bruere; John, mar- ried Lydia Norbet; Elizabeth, married Charles Ellis: Sarah Ann, married Asher Borden ; Caro- line, married Gilbert H. Warden ; Martha, mar- ried Emlen Latham; Mary, married Joseph Wright ; and Unity, married Nicholas Wall.

(III) Lawrence Tilton, eldest child of Abra- ham and Rebecca (Mavers) Tilton, was the owner of a farm of one hundred and forty acres, which he cultivated very successfully. He mar- ried Rebecca -, and they had eight children, only two of whom lived to attain maturity : Em- len S., see forward ; and Laura E., married Theo- dore Cubberly, of Hamilton Square, and they had a number of children.

(IV) Emlen S. Tilton, only surviving son of Lawrence and Rebecca Tilton, was born in Mill- stone township. Mercer county, New Jersey. He was educated in the public schools of his native township, and then finished his education in the Peddie Institute at Hightstown, from which he was graduated. He then took up work on the paternal farm, acting as assistant to his father until he was twenty-two years of age, when he rented the adjoining farm and farmed it on shares for a period of three years. He then went to the farm of J. B. Lippincott, where he remained for seven years, at the end of that time abandoning farming and removing with his fam- ily to Washington, District of Columbia, where he worked for a time as carpenter, but later

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found employment in the navy yard for a period of nine years, as a stair builder, and becoming an expert in his particular line of work. During this time he was also employed on work in the Congressional Library building. He then re- moved to Philadelphia, holding the position of foreman in the Cramp shipbuilding yard for two years, going next to Monmouth county, New Jersey, and taking the Bishop farm of one hun- dred and thirty acres. He took up the dairy business again and had forty-eight head of cat- tle which were among the finest in the state. He disposed of all his dairy products at wholesale, and at the end of five years went to Ewing town- ship, Mercer county, where he purchased the Scudder farm, near Scudder's Falls, which had been in that family for two hundred and three years, and consisted of one hundred and fifty acres. This he devotes entirely to the produç- tion of grass and grain, and finds a ready market for all he can supply. The house is fitted with all modern conveniences, and has a beautiful outlook over the Delaware river. Mr. Tilton is a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and a consistent worker and member of the Pres- byterian church. He is also a member of the P. H. and K. P.

Mr. Tilton married Catherine W. Barcalow, and they have had children: I. Albert A., mar- ried Hettie Semples, has children ; Mary, Hettie. Stanley and Raymond. 2. Clifford, married Sarah Cadwalader, one child, Norman. 3 Grover, married Louise Emley, one child, Lester. 4. Lillian, unmarried. 5. Carl, unmarried.

ABEL T. BRUERE, M. D., a representative and widely known medical practitioner of Tren- ton, New Jersey, whose skill has done much to relieve the ills of suffering humanity in the com- munities in which he has lived, and who has won for himself an enviable reputation in his chosen profession, was born in Cream Ridge, New Jer- sey, June 27, 1857.

His early education was mainly obtained at the Freehold Institute, and later he attended the Johns Hopkins University. Subsequently he en- tered the Jefferson Medical College at Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, from which he was gradu- ated in the class of 1886. He was an earnest, indefatigable student, and this earnestness did not desert him when he entered upon the practical duties of his profession. He was wrapped in his work, heart and soul, and in consequence met

with almost immediate success. He practiced for two years in Jacobstown, New Jersey, then removed to Trenton in 1888, where he located at No. 106 Spring street. His practice has grown constantly and consistently, and is now large and lucrative. He has made a name for himself in his profession, and his counsel is frequently sought by his fellow practitioners. He keeps well abreast of the times in every respect, devot- ing much time to reading and medical research in spite of the manifold demands made upon his time by his practice. He now resides at No. 203 Spring street, Trenton, and is the center of a large circle of friends.

Mr. Bruere married, in 1889, Julia M. Light- bourne, of Maryland, and they have one child, Eleanor Louise.

JOHN ISRAEL HENDRICKSON, one of the enterprising and progressive farmers of Mer- cer county, New Jersey, whose farm is located near Penns Neck, West Windsor township, traces his paternal ancestry to a family which was among the early settlers of the state of New Jersey, and his maternal to Ireland.

Israel Hendrickson, great-grandfather of John Israel Hendrickson, was a prominent farmer in Monmouth county, New Jersey.

Israel Hendrickson, son of Israel Hendrick- son, was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, and there spent his life engaged in farming pur- suits.

Jacob L. Hendrickson, son of Israel Hendrick- son, the second, was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey. He also engaged in farming and resided at Princeton Junction, New Jersey. He was a man of considerable prominence and in- fluence in his day, was overseer of roads, and constable of West Windsor township. He mar- ried Ann McHall, born in Morristown, New Jersey, daughter of Jacob McHall, a native of Ireland, who came to American while still young, and followed the occupation of mining in Morris- town.

John Israel Hendrickson, son of Jacob L. and Ann (McHall) Hendrickson, was born in West Windsor township, Mercer county. New Jersey, November 19, 1861. He was educated in the West Windsor Parsonage School, and his first serious work in life was to assist his father in the cultivation of the farm of the latter. Later he purchased the Lytle farm, consisting of one hundred and sixty-four acres, at Penns Neck,

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which he cultivates for market purposes. In this enterprise he is very successful, his prin- cipal products being : potatoes, corn, wheat and hay. In addition to this he manages an exten- sive dairy farm, and raises considerable live stock for the market. In his political affiliations he is a Republican, and an active worker in the ranks of that party. He is a member of the board of school trustees, and of the Penns Neck Baptist Church, and is one of the trustees of the latter institution.

Mr. Hendrickson married Sarah J. Grove, daughter of William and Sarah (Loates) Grove, of West Windsor, and they have children: Es- telle and John.

JOHN CONSTADINE, for many years a resident of Hamilton township, who has been actively identified with the political affairs of the township. is well known in insurance circles, in which he has been extensively engaged since 1893. He traces his ancestry to Germany.

William Constadine, father of John Consta- dine, was born in Germany, and after his mar- riage emigrated to this country. He followed the carpenter's trade in the city of New York until his death, which was caused by a fall from a scaffold. He married Abbie Atboat, born in Berlin, Germany.

John Constadine, only son of William and Abbie (Atboat) Constadine, was born in New York City, June 1857. He was but six years of age when he came to Dutch Neck, New Jer- sey, and was soon engaged in farm labor. He was very desirous of obtaining a good educa- tion, and was an earnest and diligent scholar at the public schools of the district in which he re- sided, and made the most of the few opportuni- ties which came in his way. He started out in life for himself as a clerk in 1874, filling a posi- tion in the general store of Jolin R. Slayback. and at the expiration of one year went to Prince- ton, New Jersey, with Henry R. Bailies, and later to Trenton with Henry R. Hawk. The grocery business, however, not being greatly to his liking, he learned upholstering, which he fol- lowed until 1893, when he engaged in the insur- ance business, with which he has been identified since that time. He has taken an active and beneficial interest in public matters, was ap- pointed justice of the peace in 1901, and is now serving his second term in that office. His politi- cal affiliations are with the Republican party, and

he is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church. He is also a member of the W. W. and the P. O. S. A.

Mr. Constadine married, Margaret Jane Wat- son, born May 18, 1864, and they have one child, Portia H., born August 19, 1891. Mrs. Constadine is the daughter of John and Sarah (Mount) Watson, and the granddaughter of Hugh and Margaret (Harris) Watson, the children of the latter being: James, William, John, Samuel, Jane, Kate, Eliza, Hugh and Frank. John and Sarah (Mount) Watson were the parents of children as follows: W. Noble, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this work, with a detailed account of the Watson an- cestry ; Samuel Ellsworth; Margaret Jane, men- tioned above; Catherine, who died in infancy ; May; Flora Wilkinson, married Lieutenant William T. Butler, United States army; John, died in infancy.

IRVING BOWEN was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, 1837, died 1889, aged fifty-two years.

He was a Methodist in religion, and a Re- publican in politics. He married Caroline Hein- bach, daughter of George and Christina Hein- bach, who were the parents of seven children, two of whom are living at the present time (1907), including Mrs. Bowen.

EDWARD S. VAN CLEVE, of Lawrence- ville, New Jersey, who is now leading a retired life, enjoying to the full the consciousness of duties faithfully performed, is a grandson of Philip Van Cleve, and son of Samuel H. and Eleanor A. (Hutchinson) Van Cleve, whose family consisted of four children, as follows: I. Edward S., see forward. 2. Elijah Hutchinson, married Grace Shreve, no children. 3. Eliza- beth, married Dr. Edmund De Witt, two chil- dren; Eleanor, married Charles Morrison, one child, Carl Morrison, now in the Philippine Isl- ands, and Donald, unmarried, resides on a ranch in Texas. 4. Anna M., married Dr. Edmund McKinney, three children: Edward, Raymond and Anna Mckinney.

Edward S. Van Cleve was born in Mercer county, New Jersey, 1838. He attended public schools and then Dr. Hammill's school, receiving a thorough training for an active life. In 1860 he went to Texas and engaged in sheep raising. He began in a small way, but in due course of

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time, by the exercise of diligence and persever- ance, became the possessor of a ranch of two hundred and fifty acres and some twelve hun- dred head of stock. At the outbreak of the civil war, in order to protect his property in the south, he remained there, but was later con- scripted and forced into the Rebel army in Com- pany E, Riley's regiment, Sibley's brigade, from which he later deserted, being true to his north- ern home, and made his way to Mexico, to the mouth of the Rio Grande, from there he went to Cuba and from Cuba to New York, whence he returned to his native place. He then located on the old homestead, which is a beautiful place and which has been in the possession of the fam- ily for three generations, nearly one hundred years. He devoted his attention to farming and operating a small dairy, and later to the cultiva- tion of fruits, producing many remarkable varie- ties and some new kinds in his experiments. Owing to the number of raspberries he raised, he was at one time known as the "Raspberry Man," and his fruit orchard was considered one of the best in that section of the county. Mr. Van Cleve sold his farm to R. D. Cook, who will conduct thereon a general line of farming, and Mr. Van Cleve will enjoy a well-earned rest. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, a Republican in politics, and has served as sur- veyor of highways for upwards of twelve years.

Mr. Van Cleve married Gay Rockhill, and they were the parents of twins, Nellie and Bes- sie, who died in childhood.

CHARLES HENRY YOUNG, a well-known and public-spirited citizen of Trenton, who has been engaged in the drug business at No. 600 Perry street for many years, is a representative of the third generation of the Young family in the United States.

· William Young, grandfather of Charles Henry Young, was born at Longnor, county of Stafford- shire, England, December 5, 1801. During his early youth he was engaged in farming, and at the age of twenty-one years was apprenticed to a potter's printer. He applied himself steadily to mastering this trade and became foreman of the printing department in the Staffordshire pot- teries of John Ridgeway, in Cauldonplace, Shel- ton, a position he held until 1842, when on ac- count of impaired health he undertook a voyage to America. He remained in this country until the fall of the year, returning to England with

the firm intention of returning to the United States and making this his permanent home. His wife, however, was strongly opposed to the proposed change and he consented to pursue his business in. England until such time as his plans could be realized. He began the manufacture of yellow ware, and being successful in this en- tered upon the manufacture of white earthen and queensware. So encouraging was his suc- cess in this undertaking that he was induced to form a partnership for the further extension of the work, this being known as the firm of Clem- entson, Young & Jemison. This new enterprise proving unprofitable, Mr. Young withdrew after an experience of four years. Thinking he would be able to retrieve his losses in this country, he sailed for America and landed in Philadelphia in the spring of 1848. There he spent some time in experimenting, and then removed to Fish House, four miles from Camden, New Jersey, on the Camden & Amboy Railroad, and in that unsettled district dug clay, made the brick, and built a kiln, with the intention of making yellow and Rockingham ware. Lack of funds, unhealth- fulness of location, and a number of other in- surmountable difficulties necessitated the aban- donment of this undertaking. In the meantime Mr. Young had been solicited by Mr. Charles Fish, of South Amboy, to build a potter's kiln for Parkes & Moore, which being constructed to the entire satisfaction of the firm they offered work to the whole family, who therefore re- moved to South Amboy. There Mr. Young con- tinued his experiments on the production of white ware from American material exclusively. Somewhat later a far better position was of- fered for his acceptance, as manager for Mr. Charles Cartilage, a manufacturer of door por- celain, etc., and the family removed to Green- point, Long Island. Mr. Young then desired to enter into business for himself, and purchased property at Astoria, Long Island, for this pur- pose. Meanwhile Mr. Charles Hattersley had built a small pottery on the present site of the City Pottery, at the corner of Perry and Carroll streets, Trenton, New Jersey, and at his solicita- tion Mr. Young, in October, 1853, took a lease on the same for a period of five years and formed a copartnership consisting of: William Young, Sr., Richard Millington, Edward Young, John Astbury, John Young and William Young, Jr. This firm was prosperous in business from the outset, but as they preferred to spend their money

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Genealogical and personal memorial of Mercer County, New Jersey, Part 54

Author: Lee, Francis Bazley, 1869-1914 Publication date: 1907 Publisher: New York : Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 698

Author: Lee, Francis Bazley, 1869-1914
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: New York : Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 698