History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 128

Author: Snell, James P; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1170

USA > New Jersey > Somerset County > History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 128
USA > New Jersey > Hunterdon County > History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 128

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

FREDERIC A. POTTS.

Frederic A. Potts was born at Pottsville, Pa., in April, 1836, during the temporary residence of his parents in that city. Soon after his birth his father returned to his former home at Pittston, Hunterdon Co., and there the subject of this sketch grew to man- hood, and there he still resides. His ancestry was Rev- olutionary, and his Quaker great-grandfather served with distinction in the Continental Congress, after- wards devoting himself to the improvement of a vast tract of land in New Jersey, on part of which the residence of Frederic A. Potts now stands. A son of his aneestor served in the war of 1812, and the father of Mr. Potts is still living and in active business life as president of the Park National Bank of New York City.

Frederic A. Potts entered business life at an early age as a elerk with Audenreid & Co., wholesale eoal merchants in New York. With a cool head, remark- able business energy, executivo ability, and honesty, he soon occupied a prominent position, and in time succeeded his employers in the business. His manage- ment has been so successful that he is known as being one of the largest individual dealers in the trade.

In 1874 Mr. Potts was pressed to accept the nomi- nation for State senator in the county of Hunterdon, and, acquiescing to the wishes of his friends, was «leeted against heavy Democratie odds by a majority of two hundred and eighty-six. During his term of

* An account of the Carhart family In Hunterdon County, and partic- ularly in Unlon township, will be found In a well-written and very in- goulously arranged "Genealogienl Record of the Descendants of Thomas Carhart, of Cornwall, England, compiled from official records and private manuscripts, with an appendix of notes. By Mary E. (Corhart) Dusen- bury," und likowiso of the Dunham family, so far ns any of thelr descen- dante aro at this time living In the township.

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HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

service he was chairman of the committee on finance, sinking fund, and revision of the constitution, and a number of other important committees. He intro- duced the bill on the equalization of taxes, which would have much relieved certain sections of the un- just taxes now imposed on them, and especially dis- tinguished himself for his independence of action, freedom from cliques, devotion to the benevolent in- stitutions of the State, and active participation in all measures for bettering and reforming State affairs.

In 1878 Mr. Potts accepted the Republican nomi- tion for Congress in the Fourth New Jersey District, and was defeated by fifteen hundred votes, a gain of four thousand five hundred over the Republican vote of 1876, when Mr. Tilden had over six thousand major- ity in the district. For several years the Republican party made use of his distinguished executive ability as chairman of the State executive committee. On Aug. 18, 1880, Mr. Potts received the Republican nom- ination for Governor by acclamation, at one of the largest and most enthusiastic Republican conventions ever held. The nomination was as spontaneous as it was unsought, and was as popular with Republicans as disheartening to Democrats. After a most excited campaign Mr. Potts was defeated only by the exer- tions of a powerful corporation which, on the Satur- day before the election, instructed their employees to vote for the Democratic nominee. . His defeat, how- ever, was tantamount to a victory, as he was beaten by about six hundred votes only, and this in a Dem- ocratic State in a presidential year, when party lines are most strictly drawn. Mr. Potts as candidate for Governor, it is universally conceded, was the cause of great help to the electoral ticket in New Jersey, and by his personal popularity he reduced the Democratic majority from thirteen thousand given to Gen. Mc- Clellan to six hundred for Mr. Ludlow.

Mr. Potts' great business capacity, intelligence, and foresight cause him to be most eagerly sought for to fill positions of trust and responsibility. He is pres- ident of the West End Iron Company, director in the Central and Midland Railroad Companies of New Jersey, the Jersey City and Albany Railway Com- pany, the Lehigh and Hudson River Railroad Com- pany, the Lehigh and Wilkesbarre Coal Company, the Connellsville Coke and Iron Company, the Carbon and Iron Pipe Company, the Tide-Water Pipe Com- pany, the National Park Bank of New York, and the Clinton Bank in New Jersey, and prominently iden- tified with many charitable and religious institutions.

Personally Mr. Potts is a man of magnificent physique and splendid presence, and his manner is most courteous and pleasing. In short, none of Hun- terdon's sons docs greater honor to the State of his ancestry and adoption than the Hon. Frederic A. Potts.

WILLIAM EGBERT.

The original ancestor of the Egbert family in this country was Govert Egbert, who came over in the ship "Spotted Cow," in the year 1660. His descend- ants mostly settled on Staten Island, N. Y.

Abraham Egbert, a descendant, married Elizabeth Garison, and had children, among whom was Benja- min, the father of our subject, born Aug. 25, 1768. He lived with his parents, assisting on the farm, until he had attained the age of ahout fifteen, when he left Staten Island and went to Readington, Hunter- don Co., N. J., and was bound an apprentice to his uncle, Nicholas Egbert, to learn the different trades

Egbert

of tanning, currying, and shoemaking. After serving his term of apprenticeship, he married Rebecca Cark- huff, and settled in Bethlehem township, Hunterdon Co., N. J., where he pursued the different branches of his trade, together with farming, until the weight of years warned him that it was time to lay aside the active duties of a busy life. He died March 28, 1848. IIis widow survived him, and died Oct. 14, 1860, aged eighty-eight years, four months, and one day.

Benjamin Egbert was truly a representative man. Embracing Democratic principles, he advocated them to the best of his abilities, and held various offices and positions of trust. In religious faith he was an Episcopalian.

521

UNION.

William Egbert, the subject of this brief notice, was born in the township of Bethlehem (now Union ), county of Hunterdon, N. J., May 5, 1802. He re- ceived a good common-school education, in addition to which he had the benefit of one term at writing- school. Being studious, fond of reading, and of rather a literary turn, he added much to his original stock of learning. He has held various positions of trust, both military and civil. At the age of eighteen he was appointed paymaster of the First Battalion, Second Regiment of the Hunterdon Brigade. In 1836 he was appointed major in the same battalion. He was appointed justice of the peace, and served five different terms, thus holding the office twenty-five years. Ile was a judge in the Court of Common Pleas two terms under the old and one under the new con- stitution, discharging in connection with the office, and that of justice of the peace, a large amount of careful and well-executed work. He was also efficient in many other ways: in settling estates, serving on arbitrations, grand juries, delegations, guardianships, ete .; was township clerk many years; was elected to a seat in the first board of directors of the Clinton Bank (now National Bank), organized in the year 1856, which place he still retains. He has ever been active in behalf of the interests of education, discharging the duties of trustee of common schools, and Sabbath- school work, as town secretary ; and in the writing of wills, deeds, agreements, and other documents, was widely useful to his neighbors and follow-citizens. He has ever been an active and cheerful helper, and a wise and reliable counselor.

Judge Egbert succeeded his father in the tanning and currying and farming business, carrying on all these branches till the year 1876, when he abandoned the two former, and has since continued farming on the old homestead occupied by his father, near Pat- tenburg, formerly "Calvin's Mills," Union town- ship, Hunterdon Co., N. J. He has resided on the same premises all his life (seventy-eight years), with the exception of eight years' residence at Little York, N. J., where he added to his other occupations those of store- and hotel-keeping.

He was brought up in the Democratie faith, and has seen no good reason to change his political opinions.

IIe has been twice married : first, in the year 1829, to Eliza Baily Kitchen, daughter of Thomas and Jane Baily Kitchen. She died in 1834, leaving two chil- dren,-Thomas K. and Isabella. The latter died in 1847, nged fifteen years. Thomas K. Egbert still survives, is a merchant in the city of New York, and resides in Jersey City. He married, May 22, 1855, Sarah J. Shimer, but has had no children. The second wife of Judge Egbert was Elizabeth Calvin Van Syekel, daughter of John and Mary (Calvin) Van Syckel, whom he married June 2, 1836. This union has been blessed with the following-named children : Samuel V., who died in Flemington in 3.4

1863; Lizzie S., wife of Wilson Thomas, merchant, miller, and lumber- and coal-dealer at Milford, N. J., married Oct. 11, 1860, and have one son ; Mary V., wife of John B. Emery, residing at Metuchen, N. J., and doing business in New York, married May 30, 1865, and have three children; Julia E., wife of Sigler Hoffman, merchant at Bayonne, N. J., married Oct. 15, 1868, and have one child, a son ; Emily 31., wife of Rienzi Cadugan, merchant at Bayonne, mar- ried June 10, 1869; Alice V. and Laura E., single, and residing at home.

The parents united with the Presbyterian Church about the year 1842.

EDWARD A. ROCKHILL.

Edward A. Rockhill, son of John C. and Gaynor ( Potts) Rockhill, was born June 4, 1804, in Pittstown, N. J., on the place now owned by Hon. Frederic A. Potts. Robert Rockhill, to whom he was able to trace his ancestry, lived in Lincolnshire, England, in the year 1600. In 1640, during the civil war, Edward Rockhill, probably a son of Robert, was imprisoned for his religious sentiments, being a Friend or Quaker,

EDWARD A. ROCKHILL.

of which persuasion were all the descendants in this country. Edward Rockhill, a son of the first-men- tioned Edward, came from England and settled in Burlington, N. J., in the year 1680, or near that date. His son Edward removed from there and bought the estate at Pittstown above referred to, including the adjoining farm on which Capt. William P. Rockhill now lives, in the year 17.40. It was then in a wilder- ness, with few settlers in the immediate vicinity.

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HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

John Rockhill, the grandfather of the subject of our sketeh, was a son of the last-mentioned Edward, and married Mary Cook. He was a deputy-surveyor for the Western division of New Jersey, was also a prominent physician, and had an extensive practice, having studied medicine under Dr. Cadwalader, after whom he named his son, John C., the father of Ed- ward A. Rockhill. The children of John C. Rockhill and Gaynor Potts were Thomas C. Rockhill, a mer- chant in Philadelphia ; Robeson Rockhill, a farmer and justice of the peace, who resided on that part of the Rockhill estate now the home of Hon. F. A. Potts, and died in 1867; Edward A., born June +, 1804, and died March .17, 1872; John and Lukens, who died young; William, a merchant with his brother in Philadelphia, married Miss Shivers, and bad one son, William; died in 1864.

Edward A. Rockhill married, in 1829, Eliza, daughter of Hugh Potts, of Carlisle, Pa., an officer in the regular army in the war of 1812-14. They had four children,-two sons and two daughters,-all deceased except one son, William P. Rockhill. Ed- ward A. Rockhill, as we have said, died March 17, 1872; his wife Eliza died in June, 1864. He was a man of upright and exemplary character, modest and retiring, yet of firm and resolute convictions. He never desired nor accepted places of public trust or emolument, but was content to follow his favorite occupation, that of husbandry, which he pursued through life.

William P. Roekhill, his son and successor on the estate, was born Aug. 31, 1836, married, Oet. 10, 1866, Harriet Potts, of Philadelphia, and has two children, -a son and a daughter,-Edward P. and Anna.

In February, 1858, he went as assistant in his unele William's wholesale store in Philadelphia, where he remained till shortly before the breaking out of the Rebellion. When the war began he enlisted as a pri- vate in the Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and was in the service about two years. He went through every grade of promotion from corporal to captain, was shot through the thigh by a musket-ball at the battle of Stone River, Dec. 29, 1863, resigned in cou- sequence of siekness in July, 1864, and returned home, changing the sword for the implements of hus- bandry. Since the war he has devoted himself ex- clusively to agricultural pursuits.

CHARLES CARHART.

Charles Carhart was born in Bethlehem (now Union) township, Hunterdon Co., N. J., April 22, 1813. He is a son of John and Mary (Beavers) Carhart, both of Revolutionary stock.

Cornelius Carhart, grandfather of John, was a captain in the Third Regiment Hunterdon militia, and second major in the Second Regiment of the same county, in the Revolutionary war. Joseph

Beavers, grandfather of Mary, was a colonel in the Second Regiment of Hunterdon militia during the same memorable struggle for independence.

The subject of this sketch, being a bright, intelli- gent boy, and manifesting a business and trustworthy disposition, was designed by his parents for the mer- cantile business, to which end he had received as good an education as the schools in the vicinity afforded, and was preparing to enter as an assistant a firm in which his brother was engaged when a sad affliction befell him in the loss of his hearing, from the effects of scarlet fever,-probably paralysis of the nerve of hearing. This turned the course of all his parents' expectations : he had to stay at home, and a younger brother subsequently took his place.

The means of acquiring instruction and knowledge were searce at that time, and he appeared to be cut off from their acquisition; but his inquisitive mind soon found books to suit his taste, and he soon be- came a great reader, and was assisted by friends in the selection of books suitable for his purpose and situation, while at the same time he industriously worked on his father's farm ; he became a good ob- server of men and business, kept himself well posted in most of the affairs of life, and was better caleu- lated to transact his business profitably than most young men of his age.

On the 4th of May, 1843, he married Miss Matilda Stiger, daughter of Adam Stiger, Esq. She died July 22, 1864. They had several children, but one of whom survived her,-viz., Mary E., wife of Randolph Ken- yon, a practical machinist and manufacturer at Rari- tan, Somerset Co., N. J. On the 22d of November, 1866, he married Emily Bunting Matison, granddaugh- ter of Col. John Coursen, of the war of 1812, who owned a fine estate in Sussex Co., N. J. There are no children by this marriage.

Mr. Carhart's life, so far, has been that of a good eitizen and a practical farmer. He has eminently sustained the character of a reading, reflecting, observ- ing farmer, comparing effects with causes and acting accordingly ; and has brought his farm from a condi- tion of comparative poverty to a high state of eulti- vation, so that it is, in fact, the "model farm of the township." His stock, of which he is a good judge, is always early in market and brings the highest priee. An appreciative neighbor of his remarks, "Men whose opportunities have been much greater than his might be profited by examining and study- ing his methods and praetieing them. He is not only the model farmer of our township,-and I might safely say, I believe, of our county,-but is a substantial and useful citizen, ever ready to contribute to all objects of an elevating and Christianizing character, and highly respected for his integrity and uprightness. Ile is a consistent Christian, a member and supporter of the Presbyterian Church."

CHARLES CARHART.

523

UNION.

JOSEPHI KING.

Joseph. King, of Union township, traces his anees- try back to Harmanns King, who came, with a colony of Friends, from Holland to Burlington, West Jersey, in or near the year 1676. The family name comes from England, and has been represented in that

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country by men of considerable prominence. Several branches of the original English family have at dif- ferent times emigrated to this country and settled.

Harmanus King was undoubtedly a native of Eng- land, and went, with many others of his religious sect, to Holland to escape from the tyrannical bigotry and perseentions which followed the period of the Resto- ration. At what place in Burlington County he lived the family record does not inform us. He had two sons,-Joseph and John.

Joseph King, son of Harmanus and Marcia his wife, enme to Hunterdon County. We learn from old deeds that in 1729 he bought nine hundred and fifty-four acres of land of Mary Tomkins, of Chester Co., Pa., lying in Franklin, at that time a part of Amwell, town- ship. This tract was situated on the west side of the South Branch of the Raritan, between that stream and Cherryville, and included the present site of Sunny- side. Mary Tomkins had purchased this land of Abraham Godown, "of Spittsfield, in the Parish of Stepney," and it was his share of a dividend " of one

full, equal, and undivided Propriety," sold by Edward Billings and trustees, in 1678, to a land company of seven persons, including Godown. Joseph King built a grist-mill on this property, at the same place the. present one occupies at Sunnyside. In Burlington County he had been a farmer. In 1733, and for sev- eral years thereafter, he was a trustee of the Friends' meeting-house at Quakertown. In this office he was associated with Edward Rockhill, John Stevenson, Samuel Wilson, and Samuel Large. In 1738 we find his name recorded in a manuscript poll-list as a voter for members of the Colonial Assembly. He and his wife Marcia had two sons-Joseph, who was born March 9, 1712, and William, born April 1, 1714- and one daughter, Hannah, born Nov. 7, 1717. Jo- seph married and lived for some time in Bucks Co., I'a., then returned to this State and settled at Piscat- away, in Middlesex County.

William King, son of Joseph, married Abigail, daughter of Jacob and Amy Doughty, who was born Oct. 3, 1716. They had three daughters and one son, ; - Marcia, who was born June 4, 1738; Amy, born Oct. 12, 1739; Anne, born Feb. 29, 1740; and Joseph, born April 20, 1746, O. S. These were all members of the Society of Friends.

Joseph King, son of William and Abigail, married three times, His first wife was a daughter of Dr. James Willson, a practicing physician and member of the Society of Friends. He lived at the Willson homestead, near Quakertown. His second wife was Anne, daughter of Jacob Large, and, at the time of her marriage to King, the widow of Isaac Lundy. ITis third wife was Sarah Scott, widow of Doughty Stockton. He had one son, William L., by his second wife. ITe was a chosen frecholder from Kingwood township from 1790 to 1797.

William Large King, son of Joseph and Anne, was born Feb. 12, 1789. His father purchased the present King homestead and mill-property, one mile east of Pittstown, of Thomas Twining in 1811, and he and his son removed there the same year. The following year, 1812, William L. erected an oil-mill on this property, and commeneed the manufacture of flax- seed oil. He built another oil-mill in 1827, and con- ducted both, doing a heavy and profitable business in that branch of industry. He retired from it in 1846. Ile died in May, 1869. He was a man of very active life, strict integrity, and excellent business qualifica- tions, and enjoyed the confidence and respect of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

William L. King was married Dee. 2, 1810, to Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Large, who was born July 28, 1789, and died Det. 2, 1862. She was kind, affectionate, generous, and amiable; and their house was the ever-welcome resort of many friends and rela- tives.

William L. and Elizabeth King had five children, -Anne King; Mary L., widow of Maj .- Gen. George W. Taylor; Joseph King; Sarah Schenck King, wife

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HUNTERDON COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

of Barzillai Williams; and Eliza P. King, wife of Judge James P. Hoffman. They are all living but Sarah, who died Jan. 26, 1856, much lamented by very many friends.

Joseph King succeeded his father in the manufac- turing business in 1846, in which he is still engaged. He is noted for integrity, affability, and generous kind- ness.

In 1850 he was elected a ruling elder in Bethlehem Presbyterian Church.

He and his sister Anne reside at the King home- stead, near Pittstown.

JOSEPH B. PROBASCO.

Joseph B. Probasco was born at Quakertown, Hun- terdon Co., N. J., Aug. 1, 1819. He is a son of William and Rachel (Scott) Probasco. His ancestors

J. B. PROBASCO.

came from Holland, and settled near Pluckamin, Somerset Co., N. J. The family is now numerous and widely scattered.

His father was born in Warren County, and came to Pittstown, where he was a miller several years ; he then bought property in Quakertown, upon which he settled and spent the remainder of his life, pursuing the occupation of a cabinet-maker. He married Rachel, daughter of Israel Scott, of Mercer County, near Trenton, where she was born and reared. IIe was the father of twelve children ; two died in in- fancy ; the others were Theodore, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah Ann, Joseph B., William, John, Rynear, Elisha, and Sylvester. The only survivors are, at this writing, Theodore, who resides at Quakertown ;

Sarah Ann, wife of Theodore Holcombe, of the same place; and the subject of this sketch, who lives in Union township, on the road leading from Pittstown to Clinton.

He served an apprenticeship at cabinet-making with his brother in Quakertown, and worked at the trade about eight years, until his marriage to Eliza- beth Teeple, which occurred March 20, 1844. He then went to farming near Little's Mills, where he remained nineteen years, when he bought the old homestead in Quakertown, built a residence upon it, and lived there, retired, till he came to his present place, in 1873. He has here a fine farm of 140 acres, well improved, and still owns the old place in Quaker- town.

By the first marriage, above referred to, he had two children ; one died in infancy, the other at Quaker- town, Oct. 21, 1872, where also her mother died, Jan. 29, 1871. He married for his second wife Selinda H. Hice, June 11, 1872. Three children are the fruit of this union, one son and two daughters.

In political affiliations Mr. Probasco is a Democrat. He has held several township offices. He is a self- made man, having obtained all he has, and all he is, in a certain sense, by his own exertions. Besides the knowledge and experience he has attained, he has gained a competence of worldly goods from a very humble and unpromising beginning. He is a mem- ber of the Bethlehem Presbyterian Church of his neighborhood.

NATHANIEL BRITTON BOILEAU.

Nathaniel Britton Boileau was born in Tinicum township, Bucks Co., Pa., 26th June, A.D. 1833. He is the son of Daniel Boileau and his wife, Jane Ruck- man, who was the daughter of James Ruckman, Esq.

His father was a farmer, and at different times held the offices of justice of the peace, member of the Legislature, county treasurer, colonel of the militia, and notary public.

James R. Boileau, his brother, represented Bucks County in the Legislature, and was county treasurer of Bucks County.

At a later period Samuel Boileau, his brother, was a member of the Legislature for Northampton Co., Pa.

Ile was named for his great-uncle, Nathaniel B. Boileau, who was secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from Dec. 20, 1808, until Dec. 16, 1817. Simon Snyder was Governor during these nine years.

He received his preliminary education in the schools of his neighborhood and Doylestown and Franklin In- stitute, Franklin, Delaware Co., N. Y.

He then, in 1855, became the student of Dr. Charles C. Jennings, of Easton, Pa., and attended the lectures of the medical department of the University of Penn- sylvania, 1856-57 and 1857-58, and graduated there, the subject of his thesis being cholera infantum.

525

HIGH BRIDGE.

Dr. Henry Holcombe, of Everittstown, Hunterdon Co., N. J., having died April 7, 1858, he immediately settled there in a large and good field for practice, where he remained until April, 1868, when he removed to Perryville, where he has resided ever since.

During his residence in Everittstown he was four years superintendent of public schools of Alexandria township, Hunterdon Co.

Ile became a member of the District Medical So-

ciety of the county of Hunterdon, May 10, 1859, and was its president in 1866. April 13, 1871, he reported as chairman of the section on obstetrics (which was printed), of which he continues at the head to the present time. In 1864 he was a delegate to the Amer- ican Medical Association. March 17, 1863, he mar- ried Miss Nancy Smith Blane, daughter of Dr. John Blane. They have three children,-Mary B., Caro- line T., Eleanor.

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History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 128

Author: Snell, James P; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1170

Author: Snell, James P; Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1170