USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > Genealogical and personal memorial of Mercer County, New Jersey > Part 64
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into a business connection with the Mercer Pot- tery Company as a printer, and subsequently con- ducted a hotel successfully. He died in 1899, and his remains were interred in Greenwood cemetery. He married, in England, Mercy - -
-, who bore him several children.
Richard Newton, son of James and Mercy Newton, was born in Hanley, England, April 8, 1866. He was sixteen years of age when he came to the United States with his parents, and as he had learned the trade of pottery printing in Eng- land, he found no difficulty in obtaining a posi- tion in this branch of work with the Mercer Pot- tery Company. After some time he was in the employ of the Eagle Pottery Company, and later became connected with the Dean Decorating Store of Trenton. He held the position of inspector of streets for some years, and in 1898 was ap- pointed by Mr. Ginder as assistant street com- missioner, serving until 1906. He had engaged in the contracting business, of which he made a decided success, and is still actively engaged in this line of business. He is widely known, and universally respected and esteemed for his many sterling qualities, and has a host of friends. He is connected with the following organizations : Republican Club, Order of the Golden Eagles, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and National Union.
Mr. Newton married Ellen Walker, a native of Hanley, England, daughter of William and Martha ( Talbot ) Walker. William Walker was a potter by trade; he came to America in 1874, and followed his trade in Trenton until his death in 1888. He is buried in Greenwood cemetery. Martha (Talbot ) Walker was born in Southamp- ton, England. Mr. and Mrs. Newton have one child, Bertha.
HENRY VAN DYKE, D. D., LL. D., since 1900 professor of English Literature at Prince- ton University, was born November 10, 1852, in Germantown, Pennsylvania, son of Henry Jack- son and Henrietta (Ashmead) van Dyke.
He graduated from the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute, 1869; Princeton College, 1873; Prince- ton Theological Seminary, 1877 ; and Berlin Uni- versity, 1878. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Princeton in 1884, from Har- vard in 1893 and from Yale in 1896. The de- gree of Doctor of Laws was conferred upon him by Union in 1898, by Washington and Jefferson in 1902, by Wesleyan in 1903, by Pennsylvania
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in 1906. In 1878 he was pastor of the United Congregational Church, Newport, Rhode Island, and from 1883 to 1900, and in 1902, pastor of the Brick Presbyterian Church, New York. He has been trustee of Princeton, preacher to Har- vard, and Lyman Beecher lecturer at Yale. He delivered the memorial ode at the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Princeton Universi- ty, and in 1902-'03 was moderator of the general assembly of the Presbyterian church in the United States of America. He is president of the Hol- land Society.
Dr. van Dyke is the author of the following works: "The Reality of Religion," 1884, S. 3; "The Story of the Psalms," 1887, S. 3; "The National Sin of Literary Piracy," 1888, S. 3; "The Poetry of Tennyson," 1889, S. 3; "Ser- mons to Young Men," 1893, S. 3; "The Christ Child in Art," 1894, H. 1 ; "Little Rivers," 1895, S. 3; "The Other Wise Man," 1896, H. 1; "The Gospel for an Age of Doubt," 1896, M. I; "The First Christmas Tree," 1897, S. 3; "The Builders and Other Poems," 1897, S. 3; "Ships and Hav- ens," 1897, C. 7; "The Lost Word," 1898, S. 3; "The Gospel for a World of Sin," 1899, M. I ; "Fisherman's Luck," 1899, S. 3; "The Toiling of Felix and Other Poems," 1900 S. 3; "The Poetry of the Psalms," 1900, C. 7; "The Friend- ly Year," 1900, S. 3; Preface to "Counsel on Books and Reading." 1900, H. 5; "The Ruling Passion," 1901, S. 3; "The Blue Flower," 1902, S. 3; "The Open Door," 1903, P. 6; "Music and Other Poems," 1904, S. 3; "The School of Life," 1905, S. 3; "Essays in Application," 1905, S. 3; "The Spirit of Christmas," 1905, S. 3; "The Americanism of Washington," 1906, Harpers ; "Days Off," 1907, Scribners; and editor of the following: "The Gateway Series of English Text," A. 1; "Select Poems of Tennyson," G. I ; "Little Masterpieces of English Poetry," (6 vol- umes) D. 5.
Dr. van Dyke married, December 13, 1881, Ellen Reid, of Baltimore, Maryland. They have six children living.
PAUL VAN DYKE, D. D., since 1898 pro- fessor of Modern European History at Prince- ton University, was born March 28, 1859, in Brooklyn, New York, son of Henry Jackson and Henrietta (Aslımead) van Dyke.
In 1881 he graduated from Princeton with the degree of Master of Arts, and subsequently re- ceived from Williams the degree of Doctor of
Divinity. From 1886 to 1889 he was pastor of the North Presbyterian Church, Geneva, New York, and from 1889 to 1892 was professor of Ecclesiastical History in Princeton Theological Seminary. From 1892 to 1898 he was pastor of the Edwards Congregational Church, Northamp- ton, Massachusetts. Dr. van Dyke is the author of "The Age of the Renaissance," 1897. S. 3 ; and "Renaissance Portraits," 1905, S. 3. He is un- married.
BLACKWELL FAMILY. Stephen Black- well, the pioneer ancestor of the Blackwell family, resident for many years in the state of New Jer- sey, married and became the father of three chil- dren.
Francis Blackwell, a lineal descendant of Ste- phen Blackwell, settled in Hopewell township, New Jersey, married and became the father of sixteen children.
David B. Blackwell, son of Francis Blackwell, married Jane Burroughs, seven children : Stephen, Rachel, Elizabeth, Hannah, George, William B., Daniel Jackson Blackwell.
William B. Blackwell, son of David B. Black- well, married Sarah Jewell, three children : I. Frances J., married Daniel Atchley, two children : Mary B., married Azariah P. Hunt, one child, Alfred, married Hattie Hart, and they were the parents of twins, Reba and Meta Hunt; Charles J., married Nettie Skinner, three children, Will- iam D., Sadie and Russell Atchley. 2. Ira J., see forward. 3. Charles Ely, see forward.
Ira J. Blackwell, son of William B. and Sarah ( Jewell) Blackwell, was born in Hopewell town- ship, New Jersey, September 4, 1837. He re- ceived his education in the public schools and Pennington Seminary, and thereafter devoted his attention to the occupation of farming. Later he purchased the Tomlinson farm, consisting of two hundred and thirty acres, at Maconky's ferry, this being the place where Washington made his memorable crossing of the Delaware river. He subsequently disposed of a portion of the farm. and his present estate consists of one hundred and eleven acres, located on the banks of the Dela- ware river, and devoted to a general line of farm produce. In 1867 he formed a partnership with his brother, Charles Ely, in the nursery business, their goods being shipped to all parts of the world, but this connection was dissolved in the year 1889. Mr. Blackwell served as school di- rector for twenty-two years, road inspector many
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years, and was appointed town commissioner in 1878, serving for nine years. He is a Presby- terian in religion, and an Independent in politics.
Ira J. Blackwell married Ann Elizabeth Search, daughter of Samuel Burrell and Sarah Knowles (Chidester) Search, the former of whom was a son of Thomas and Sarah (Burrell) Search, and the latter a daughter of Elijah and Rhoda (Far- ley) Chidester. Samuel B. Search, born June 22, 1819, learned the trade of wheelwright, and came to what is now Search Corner, on the road from Trenton to Pennington. He and his wife were the parents of four children: Ann Eliza- beth, aforementioned as the wife of Ira J. Black- well. Emma, died at the age of two years. Ger- trude, died at the age of ten years. Ida Farley, married E. H. Skillman, one child, Anna B., mar- ried Wilson D. Hunt. Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell are the parents of three children: I. Laura S. 2. Alstyn D., married Elenora Mackey, three children : Gladwyn M., Vivian M. and Beatrice. 3. Elwyn W., married Mary Ellen Servis, two children, Marjorie and Drayton Jewell.
Charles Ely Blackwell, son of William B. and Sarah (Jewell) Blackwell, was born in Hopewell township, New Jersey, February 27, 1841. His education was acquired in the public schools and Pennington Seminary, completing his studies in the latter institution at the age of nineteen years. The following two years he assisted his father in the labors of the farm, and in the spring of 1862 assumed charge of a saw mill for his father, at Cordova, Illinois, he having extensive lum- ber interests in the west at that time. In 1863 he entered into a partnership with his brother, Ira J .. and brother-in-law Daniel Atchley, under the name of Blackwell, Atchley & Company, carrying on fruit growing and a general line of nursery stock. In 1867 he formed a partnership with his brother, Ira J., in the same line of business, (having dissolved his connection with Mr. Atchley), under the name of Blackwell Brothers, and this connection continued until 1889. In that year Charles E. Blackwell moved to the Titus farm, which had been owned by the firm for a number of years, consisting of fifty acres and known as the Lowlands, still con- tinuing his interest in fruit growing, as his large orchards of apples and pears bear testimony. He is a member of the State Horticultural Society, in the affairs of which he takes an active interest.
On October 7, 1871, Mr. Blackwell married Sarah Elizabeth Hartwell, daughter of Rev. Phil-
ander Hartwell, and sister of Abel W. Hartwell, former superintendent of public schools. One child was the issue of this marriage, William H., who married Bertha Allen, in 1905, since which date he has assumed the proprietorship of "Low- land Lodge," (as the home of Mr. Blackwell is familiarly known) and still carries out the old adage "Like father, like son," in that he con- tinues to make fruit growing an eminent success.
ARCHIBALD EVAN BOICE, D. D. S., a well-known practicing dentist of Trenton, was born March 6, 1877, at Griggstown, Somerset county, New Jersey, son of John DeWitt Boice, and grandson of Nelson Runyon Boice, who was also born in Griggstown, and was a farmer. The family is of French origin.
John De Witt Boice, son of Nelson Runyon Boice, was born in 1832, at Bound Brook, New Jersey, and followed the calling of a farmer. He married Sarah, born in April, 1835, at Griggs- town, daughter of Abraham and
(Nevins) Veghte, the former a native of Griggs- town, and the latter of Somerset county. Mr. Boice died in 1878, and is buried in the family plot at Griggstown, where his widow is still liv- ing on the homestead.
Archibald Evan Boice, son of John De Witt and Sarah (Veghte) Boice, received his pri- mary education in the Griggstown country school, from which he passed to the State Model School, Trenton, and thence to the Grand-Coleman Busi- ness College, Newark, New Jersey, graduating from the last-named institution in 1895. In 1900 he graduated from the department of dentistry of the University of Pennsylvania, and settled in Trenton, associating himself with Dr. E. H. Grinnelley, with whom since 1904 he has been practicing in partnership. He is a member of the Mercer County Wheelmen, the Scottish Rite bodies, Trenton Lodge, No. 5, Crescent Temple, Mystic Shrine, and the Young Men's Christian Association. His political affiliations are with the Democratic party, his vote and influence be- ing given in aid of the men and measures en- dorsed by the organization. He attends the Dutch Reformed church. He is unmarried.
GEORGE FRANK HARKER, of Trenton, New Jersey, is a native of that state, born in Wrightstown, Burlington county, July 25, 1865, son of Hon. George H. and Althea (Remine) Harker, and grandson of Benjamin and Catherine
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Harker and Benjamin and Sarah Remine. Hon. George H. and Althea (Remine) Harker were the parents of three children: George Frank, see forward, Stephen D., deceased; he married Ella Johnson, two children : Mary E. and Stan- ley. Kate, died in childhood.
George Frank Harker attended the public schools of his native county, Mount Holly Semi- nary and an academy at Chester, Pennsylvania. Upon the completion of his studies he entered his father's store in order to acquire a practical knowledge of mercantile life, but this not suiting his inclinations, he having always displayed a fancy for horses and cattle, and being at a very early age a good judge of the different qualities of stock, he abandoned the same and in 1886 en- tered the veterinary department of the University of Pennsylvania, graduating therefrom with hon- ors in 1889. He then took up his residence in the city of Trenton, where for eighteen years he has followed his profession, and is now one of the leaders in his line in the state. In connection with his professional work he conducts a livery stable, veterinary hospital and dog infirmary, and served as meat inspector of the city of Tren- ton. He is a Methodist in religion, a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Free and Ac- cepted Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and Royal Arcanum.
Mr. Harker married Lilla E. Thompson, daughter of John L. and Elizabeth (Cummings) Thompson, whose family consisted of three other children, namely: John L., Jr., married Emma Lanning, one child, Mabel. Mary E., married Harry Condit, one child, Norman. Amy, mar- ried Walter Hays. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Harker: Althea E., Earl T. and Frank B. Harker.
CHARLES CLARK SKIRM, one of the lead- ing merchants in his line of business in the town of Princeton, Mercer county, New Jersey, is a representative of a family which has been identi- fied with the interests of the county for some generations.
Charles C. Skirm, grandfather of Charles Clark Skirm, was born on the old Skirm home- stead, which is still in the possession of the Skirm family of Trenton, New Jersey. He mar- ried and among his children was a son, Joseph Gaskill.
Joseph Gaskill Skirm, son of Charles C. Skirm,
was born in Trenton, Mercer county, New Jer- sey, August 20, 1832. He was a successful mer- chant in that city, and is now ( 1907) living re- tired from active participation in business life. He married Abigail King, daughter of William King, and had several children.
Charles Clark Skirm, son of Joseph Gaskill and Abigail (King) Skirm, was born in White Horse, Mercer county, New Jersey, December 28, 1861. He was educated in the schools of Princeton and Trenton, being graduated from the Rider Business College of the latter city in 1882. His first venture in the field of business was to establish himself in the cigar and tobacco line, with which he has since that time been promi- nently associated, and is the foremost dealer in Princeton. His place of business has always been located in Nassau street, and he enjoys the con- fidence and esteem of his fellow citizens in no small degree. His business methods are reliable, and he has gained a reputation for the excellence of the stock he handles. He is one of the found- ers of the Commercial Club of Princeton, and is president of that body at the present time , ( 1907). He is a consistent member of the Episcopal church, and takes great interest in the welfare of that institution.
Mr. Skirm married Elizabeth Logan, of Wind- sor township, Mercer county, New Jersey, and has children : Joseph G., at present a student at the Dextor Preparatory Academy. Helen.
JOHN THOMAS WAYMAN, JR., one of the best known and most reliable produce and commission merchants in Mercer county, New Jersey, with a place of business located at No. I12 Anderson street, Trenton, is a member of a family which has been highly respected in the state of New Jersey for a number of generations.
John Thomas Wayman, Sr., married Natalie Eisenbrey, and they were the parents of children : I. Sophia, married Isaac Suydam and had chil- dren : John Wayman, Natalie and Bertha. 2. Edwin, died in infancy. 3. Natalie, married E. E. Willey and had children: Albert, Elmer, Jeannette and George. 4. Harry P., married Mary Worth and has one child, Cooper. 5. John Thomas, see forward. 6. Bernard R., mar- ried Sadie Yetter and had children: Muriel and Bernard. 7. Edgar H., married Bertha Love- joy. 8. Elma, married Clarence Carson and has one child : John. 9. Susie.
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John Thomas Wayman, Jr., third son and fifth child of John Thomas and Natalie (Eisenbrey) Wayman, was born in Trenton, New Jersey. There he was educated in the public schools, and then for two years was a student at Stewart's Business College, where he obtained an excellent foundation for the success he has obtained in business life. He then entered the employ of H. P. Wayman in order to gain a thorough and practical working knowledge of the many details connected with the produce and commission busi- ness. Subsequently he established himself in this line, with which he has now been connected for about twenty years, and in which he is con- sidered an expert. For several years the firni also dealt in dairy products, but not finding this as profitable as general produce, they now make more of a specialty of fruits and vegetables. They do the largest business of the kind in the city, and have a reputation which is second to none in the state. Their business methods are enterprising and progressive, and they take ad- vantage of every improvement which is made in this field of industry. Mr. Wayman is a man of strong public spirit and his influence has been felt in many directions. He is a member of the Democratic party, and served on the Board of Election for a period of five years. He was elected councilman for his ward in 1906. His religious affiliations are with the Methodist church, and he is connected with the following fraternal and other organizations: Past Sachem and present keeper of wampum of Uncas Tribe, No. 108, Improved Order of Red Men; Meni Lodge, No. 217, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows; Spartacus Lodge, No. 10, Knights of Pythias ; Century Council, No. 100, Junior Order of United American Mechanics; Trenton Con- clave, Order of Heptasophs. Mr. Wayman mar- ried Anna Holmes Wharton, only child of Ed- ward F. and Elizabeth F. (Bersch) Wharton, and granddaughter of Jonas Wharton. Elizabeth F. (Bersch) Wharton was the daughter of Peter and Mary (Young) Bersch, the former of whom was a potter by trade, and a resident of Mercer- ville. In politics he was a Democrat, and his religious views were those of the Baptist church. He was a member of the Patriotic Order Sons of America, and the A. P. A. John Thomas and Anna Holmes (Wharton) Wayman have had children : Helen M., Charles E., Anna W. and Natalie E.
THE MACKENZIE FAMILY, several mem- bers of which have for many years been identified with the business and manufacturing interests of the city of Trenton, is descended from Thomas Mackenzie, who emigrated from Scotland early in the last century, and settled in or near Glas- gow, Nova Scotia. His son Duncan lived and died in Nova Scotia, and was the father of four- teen children, as follows: Alexander, Margaret, James, Mary Ann, John, Christine, Duncan, Elizabeth, Kenneth, Annie, Donald, Jessie, Thomas H. and Jane. Two of this large family becanie later prominent citizens of Trenton, Dun- can the seventh child, and Thomas H., the young- est son, the latter becoming a distinguished phy- sician.
Duncan Mackenzie spent his boyhood days on a farm, and at the age of sixteen years went to Boston, Massachusetts, where he was employed for some time at the trade of a blacksmith. He later removed to the west, where he took up and followed the trade of a machinist. In 1856 he came to Trenton, New Jersey, and found em- ployment in the gun shop of John E. Thropp, with whom he later became connected by mar- riage. At the outbreak of the civil war he re- sponded to the first call for men for three months' service, but was not called out. On August 9, 1861, however, he enlisted in Company B, Fourth New Jersey Regiment, for three years, and suf- fered untold hardships in the defense of his country during his term of service, having been twice taken prisoner, and confined first at Belle Isle, and second at the loathsome den known as Libby prison at Richmond, Virginia. Though suffering great hardship while a prisoner, his strong constitution carried him through and his chief care was for those weaker than himself. He was also wounded severely in the neck and narrowly escaped death. As soon as able to travel he was sent home to his family, on a fur- lough, but was almost immediately recalled to join his regiment. During his term of service he served some time as corporal sergeant, and later as commissary sergeant, which latter position he held for a long time, though offered promotion, preferring to look after the rations of his fel- low soldiers to taking a higher position.
At the expiration of his term of service, in the fall of 1864, Mr. Mackenzie returned to Tren- ton, and in the winter of 1865, in connection with his brothers-in-law, John E. Thropp and Peter Wilkes, started a machine shop under the firm
Duncan Mackenzie
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name of Thropp, Mackenzie & Wilkes. They later added a foundry, and built up a fine busi- ness, that being the inception of the now well- known establishment of Duncan Mackenzie Sous' Company, machinists and iron founders. After a few years Mr. Thropp retired from the firm and the name became Mackenzie & Wilkes, which continued until the death of Mr. Wilkes. after which Mr. Mackenzie continued the busi- ness in his own name, being assisted by his sons until 1902, when the present firm nanie was adopt- ed, and his sons and sons-in-law given an interest in the business. Mr. Mackenzie was a stanch Republican in politics, and always took an active interest in local politics. He served as a mem- ber of the city council for three years, and also filled minor official positions. He was for many years a class leader of the Methodist Episcopal church on State street, of which he and his fam- ily were active members. He was also a mem- ber of a number of benevolent and charitable or- ganizations, and his many acts of charity and beneficence are kindly remembered. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, the Indepen- dent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Improved Order of Red Men.
Duncan Mackenzie married, in 1858, Mary Wilkes, daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Gold- ing) Wilkes, who survives him.
Joseph Wilkes, father of Mrs. Mackenzie, was a native of Staffordshire, England, married there and had three children, John, Sarah and Joseph. His wife dving, he married as his second wife, Sarah Golding. a widow of Essington Wood, Staffordshire, England, who had two children bv a former marriage, and they became the parents of five children, an account of whom is given below. Joseph Wilkes was a locksmith by trade, and believing that America offered better oppor- tunities to men of his craft, he crossed the At- lantic about 1845, landing at Philadelphia, where he found profitable employment, and sent for his family, which he had left in England until he had provided a home for them in the new world. They resided in Philadelphia for a short time and then removed to Manayunk, a suburb of Philadelphia, and after a short residence there came to Trenton, New Jersey, and made that city their permanent residence. Mr. Wilkes fol- lowed his trade for some years after his arrival at Trenton, but his health failing, he sought out- door employment, and was for some time em- ployed in driving a team for a spice factory. He
later accepted the position of night watchman at Cooper & Hewett's wire mill in Trenton, and met a tragic death while performing the duties of this position. He left his home one Saturday night to make his usual rounds of the large es- tablishment, and was never seen alive after- wards. His faithful dog, who had always ac- companied him in his tour of duty, returned without him. It was not until some time later that the cause of his death was explained. A thorough search, at once instituted, including the dragging of the creeks and river, failed to re- veal any trace of him. Sometime later the com- pany discovered that something was wrong with their chimney, and on making an opening at the base discovered a human skeleton, which was identified as that of Joseph Wilkes. Though the discovery failed to solve the mystery of his death, later developments showed that the superintend- ent of the works, Daniel Bland, and a confed- erate by the name of Bardon, had been system- atically robbing their employers by concealing large quantities of wire and later marketing it on their own account. They were later detected, tried, convicted and sent to prison. Mrs. Wilkes, who was a devout Christian woman, was in the habit of visiting penal and charitable institutions and talking to the inmates on religious and moral topics, with the hope of alleviating their condi- tion and effecting their reformation. On the oc- casion of one of her visits to the state prison, she visited the cell of the convict Bardon, who evi- dently thinking she had come to upbraid him with the consequences of a crime of which he was never convicted, and struck with remorse at sight of her, threw up his hands and exclaimed, "I did not kill your husband! Indeed I did not!" The natural conclusion was that the rascals de- tected in their nefarious work by the watchman, and failing to buy his silence, made way with him and secreted his body in the chimney.
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