History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 204

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 204
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 204

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

PETER WYCKOFF.

The late Peter Wyckoff was a descendant of Peter Claes Wyckoff, who emigrated to this country in 1636, and who was the progenitor of the family of that name in Somerset County. His dircet ancestor was Cornelius, one of the six sons of Cornelius Peterse Wyckoff. He was baptized in New York, Dee. 19, 1694, married Sarah Duryea, and settled in Mill- stone.

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SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

William Wyckoff, grandfather of Peter, early re- sided near Millstone, N. J., where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. His sons, John and Cornelius, also passed their lives near Millstone as farmers.

PETER WYCKOFF.

John occupied the homestead of his father, and Cor- nelius settled on the farm lately occupied by his son, Peter. Cornelius married Catharine, daughter of Peter Wyckoff, and his children were Catharine, Mary, Cornelia, Peter, and William. The first be- came the wife of William Van Vliet, and Mary, of William Van Dorn.

Peter Wyckoff, son of Cornelius, was born in 1802, and grew up on his father's farm. He enjoyed a common-school education. In 1842 he was united in marriage to Phebe V., daughter of Dennis and Ger- trude Van Duyn, lately residing near Bound Brook. He succeeded his father on the home farm, compris- ing one hundred acres, where he passed his days quietly as a farmer. He took no active part in poli- tics, though affiliating with the Republican party. He was of large, powerful person, generous impulses, and was a liberal supporter of church and kindred institutions. He died on May 23, 1880, aged seventy- eight years and five months, his aged wife surviving him. No children were born to this couple.

JOSIAHI SCHANCK.

Josiah Schanck is a grandson of William Schanck, who came from Monmouth Co., N. J., long prior to the Revolutionary war, and settled near Ringos, in Hunterdon County. His wife was Mary Winters, and among his children were Ralph, John, Josiah,

William, Abraham, Ann, Polly, and another who married a Probasco.

Josiah Schanck, the father of the subject of this memoir, was born in Hunterdon County. In 1798

Josiah Ochanche

he removed to Weston, Somerset Co., where he pur- chased three hundred acres of Gen. Frelinghuysen, and where he lived and died. His wife was Alche Wyckoff, who bore him fourteen children,-namely, Elizabeth, who married Hendrick Staats; William; Gertrude, who married Abraham Davis; Mary, who married Henry Sallaman ; Ann, who married Corne- lius Conover; Josiah, Jacob W., Simon W., and Le- titia, who married Maj. Isaac Brokaw. Of this large family of children all are dead save Josiah and Simon. Josiah Schanck served three years in the army during the Revolutionary war, crossed the Delaware with Washington when he surprised the Hessians, and nearly lost his life by the upsetting of a wagon on that occasion. He was a member of the Reformed Church of West Millstone, where he filled the office of deacon. He died in 1824 or 1825, and his wife a few years later.

Josiah Schanck, the subject of this sketch, was born at Weston, N. J., on April 6, 1799, and is now a well-preserved old gentleman of eighty-one years. He remained on his father's farm until he reached the age of fourteen, when he went to New Brunswick to learn the trade of a carpenter. There he remained six years, when he commenced work at his trade, and continued until 1828. In 1822 or 1823 he purchased

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FRANKLIN.

a farm of one hundred acres, in Franklin township, of Aaron Prall, where he erected the farm-buildings, built a fish-pond, and made other improvements, He resided on this place sixteen and a half years, and in 1840 bought forty-one acres of land adjoining the old homestead, at Weston, for which he paid one hundred dollars an acre, and on which he erected a new house. HIe remained there thirteen years, and then removed to West Millstone, and after a year and a half to East Millstone, where he has since resided.

Mr. Schanck has passed a busy, active, and indus- trious life, and found little time for matters outside of his regular avocation. He is a Republican in poli- tics, and has twice filled the office of frecholder of Franklin township, He was formerly a member of the West Millstone Reformed Church, where he offi- ciated as deacon and elder, and which he helped to build in 1825. He is now a member of the Reformed Church of East Millstone. In the year 1820 he was united in marriage to Sarah, daughter of Tunis and Rebecca (Probaseo) Van Middlesworth, who was born May 23, 1803, and who still survives. No children have been born to the union.

PETER A. VOORILEES.

Steven Courte, or Courten, the common ancestor of the Voorhees, or Van Voorhies, family of Long Island and New Jersey, emigrated with his family from Reinen, Dreuthe, in the Netherlands, in April, 1660. This family by old letters can be traced back one generation in the Fatherland, and, like most of the carly settlers, had no proper surname, adopting as such the name of the village or locality from whence they emigrated.

The father of Steven Courten, or Koers, as he wrote it, was Court Alberts, who resided in front of Hies, Hees, or " Voorhies," iu Holland. In process of time the surname Van Voorhees, or Voorhees, has been adopted by general consent of those who bear the name. It was also the custom among the carly set- tlers to adopt the Christian name of the father as the surname of the child, which makes it difficult often to trace the different members of the family.

Albert Courten, son of Court Stevense, and grand- son of Steven Courten, the emigrant, died about 1748. llis son, Kourt Van Voorhees, the elder, of New Utrecht, L. I., bought of Jacob Van Dyke, in 1726, lands in Sourland (now Harlingen), in Somerset Co., N. J., on which his son, Albert Van Voorhees, settled about 1740. This was the homestead on which the late Albert P'. Voorhees died, and where John Everett, who married his daughter Margaret, now re- sides. When his father died is uncertain ; his mother, Annetje, died July 25, 1776.

Ann, born Dec. 19, 1746; Koert, born March 15, 1749; Albert, born April 9, 1753; and l'eter, born Feb. 12, 1756. The first child died in infancy. Katrina, wife of Albert, died April 1, 1775, and the latter married for his second wife Nelly Van Nostrand, and died Sept. 26, 1784. Annetje married Isaac Van Brunt, of New Utrecht, L. I., and died Feb. 15, 1820. Isane died June 30, 1814, in Roycefield, N. J., on the farm now owned by his grandson of the same name. Albert died Oct. 4, 1795, near New Utrecht, L. I. Ann married Peter Vredenburg, of New Brunswick, and died there Sept. 24, 1816. l'eter inherited the old homestead mentioned above, and was generally known as "Peter at the brook." His farm by several additions comprised about three hundred acres of land. He married Maria, a daughter of Rem Dit- mars, of Millstone, N. J., on Feb. 12, 1779, and had children,-Albert P., born June 30, 1780 ; Lena, who married Samuel Garretson, of Middlebush, born Feb. 18, 1788, died March 8, 1849; Catharine, who married Rynier Staats, and died March 4, 1866; and Maria, born Aug. 25, 1794, who married Capt. John M. Wyckoff, and died Jan. 17, 1860. Peter Voorhees died June 21, 1842, and his wife, Maria, on Jan. 22, 1831.

Albert P. Voorhees, father of the subject of this sketch, married Helena Longstreet, born Oct. 11, 1785, and had fourteen children, -namely, Peter A .; James L., deceased; Maria, widow of Abraham Stryker, of Franklin Park ; Eliza Ann, who married John N. Guliek, removed to Illinois, and died there ; John V. P. Voorhees, residing near Hightstown, N. J .; Catharine, who married Lorenzo S. P. Vaughn, of Kentucky, who is dead ; Martha, widow of Martin N. Gulick, of Hillsborough; Adeline, who married Garret J. Quick, and who lives in Illinois; Sarah Jane, wife of Jacob Wyckoff, of Middlebush; Helen, who married Peter V. Hageman, of Illinois, both de- ceased; Margaret, who married John Everitt and lives on the old homestead, in Hillsborough; Rynier S., residing in Illinois; Aaron Longstreet, who died in Kentucky; and Matilda B., who married John Van Nuys and died in Illinois. Albert P. Voorhees passed his life as a farmer in Hillsborough township, and died March 12, 1861. His wife died May 2, 1849. He was not in any sense a public man, although he held minor offices. He was a member of the IIar- lingen Reformed Church, of which he was for many years ekler.

" Sheriff" Peter A. Voorhees, as he is familiarly known, was born on his father's homestead, in Hills- borough, on Nov. 6, 1802. His father's family being a large one, and the farm affording them but a pre- carious support, Mr. Voorhees' boyhood was one of incessant toil and drudgery, and his educational advantages were very meagre. With what scraps of knowledge he had gained young Voorhees became the teacher of the district school of his neighbor-

Albert was born Ang. 1, 1716, and his wife, Katrina Deremer, on August 28th of the same year. They were married Nov. 22, 1737, and their children were An- netje, born Sept. 4, 17.41; Isaac, born July 20, 1744; ' hood at the age of nineteen, and in teaching he was

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SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

largely taught. In 1824, as a member of the Somer- set County Cavalry Brigade, he assisted in escorting Gen. La Fayette from Rahway to New Brunswick, while that illustrious soldier was making his triumphal tour through the country to which he had contributed his patriotic services. On Jan. 18, 1825, he entered into matrimonial relations with Maria, only child of John and Charity Suydam, of Six-Mile Run. Her grandfather was Jacobus, and her great-grandfather Ryke, who was the pioneer of the Suydam family in Somerset County, and who came from Long Island at an early day.

Soon after his marriage Sheriff Voorhees purchased the Suydam farm, at Six-Mile Run, comprising one hundred and fifty acres. Here he has since resided, engaged in farming, his present tract being one hun- dred and eighty acres. While the sheriff has con- fined his energies largely to the cultivation and improvement of his farm, and to the care of his pleasant home, he has been led by his natural energy of character, his interest in his native county, and his zeal in the promotion of all good works, to engage largely in public affairs.

Politically, Mr. Voorhees was formerly a member of the Old-Line Whig party, and is now identified with the Republican party. He was town clerk of Franklin township from 1831 to 1833, and assessor from 1833 to 1838. From 1838 to 1841 he held the office of sheriff of Somerset County; from 1857 to 1862 he was collector of the county, and in 1867 he represented Somerset County in the State Legislature. He was an active supporter of the war, and rendered important service in that hour of need, advancing money from his own purse to aid in raising the neces- sary quota of men from his township. He has also lent liberal encouragement to the cause of education, and has donated considerable sums of money to Rutgers College, N. J., and assisted several young men in their preparation for the ministerial office. He is a member of the board of superintendents of the theological seminary at New Brunswick. He is purely a self-made man, and has, by integrity, energy, and uprightness, in spite of inferior educational op- portunities, attained a prominent place among the liberal and progressive men of the county. Mr. Voorhees has been a member of the Reformed Church of Six-Mile Run since 1826, been officially connected with that body as elder and deacon, and has been a representative to Classis and to the Particular and General Synods of his denomination. In the Sab- hath-school and Bible cause he has been particularly prominent. He organized, in 1827, the first Sabbath- school at Pleasant Plains, and was its superintendent for nearly thirty years. He also organized a neigh- borhood prayer-meeting at the same time, which still continues. He has assisted largely in the organiza- tion of Sabbath-schools throughout the State, has filled the office of president of both the County and State Sabbath-School Associations, of the County

Bible Society, and, for twenty years, of the Young Men's Bible Society of Six-Mile Run, and was presi- dent of the New Jersey State Agricultural Society for 1863 and 1864. He has been for many years a director of the New Brunswick National Bank. His wife is still the honored helpmeet of his home. But two children have been born to this venerable couple, -Garretta, wife of J. Boyd Van Dorn, residing near Princeton, N. J., and Mary H., wife of J. Calvin Hoagland, of Henry, III.

WILLIAM H. GULICK.

Joachim Gulick, the ancestor of the Gulick fam- ily in this county, came from Holland in 1653, and settled at Gravesend, L. I., where he took the oath of allegiance in 1687. In 1717 he lived at Six-Mile

Run, Franklin township. He had four sons and two daughters. The sons were Benjamin, Henry, John, and William. Of these, John served as a major in the Revolutionary war. Henry, William, and John lived in Franklin township near the close of last cen- tury, and were early proprietors of the stage-line be- tween Trenton and New Brunswick.

Henry Gulick married Margaret Skillman, and had children,-Rebecca, Sarah, Joachim, Mary, Ann (who died young), and Margaret. Rebecca became the wife of John Van Tilberg, Sarah of Phineas With- ington, and Mary of Jacob Van Dyke. The home- stead of Henry Gulick stood where Wm. H. Gulick

NIC.

CORNELIUS BARCALOW.

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FRANKLIN.

now resides. Here he passed his life, engaged largely in agricultural pursuits, until his demise, in 1834, aged sixty-eight years. His wife died the same year, aged sixty-five.

Joachim, only son of Henry Gulick, was born on his father's farm, in Franklin township, where his early years were passed. On April 20, 1825, he mar- ried Mary, daughter of Frederick and Catharine (Van Dyke) Cruser, born Jan. 1, 1805. Her father was a prominent man in the county, was a justice of the peace for many years, and one of the lay judges of Somerset County. The children of Joachim and Mary (Cruser) Gulick were Margaret, who married John McPherson ; William Henry, the subject of this sketch ; Catharine, who died in infancy ; Frederick, who also died in infancy; and George, who died at the age of five years. Joachim Guliek died in 1867, aged seventy-one years. His farm of two hundred and forty aeres was equally divided at his death be- tween Wm. IF. Gulick and his sisters. Mrs. Guliek is living (1880), and occupies a residence near her sons, built by her husband in 1827.

Wm. H. Guliek was born in Franklin township on March 19, 1831, near his present residence. He grew up on his father's farm, and enjoyed the advantages of only a common-school education. On Oct. 27, 1853, he married Theodosia, daughter of Garret Schenck, and about that time he took up his residence on his grandfather's homestead, where he still resides, having erected his present dwelling in 1879. This structure took the place of the old home residence which had withstood the changes of a century of time.

Mr. Guliek is a Republican in politics, and has served on the township committee and filled other local otlices. His principal attention has been given to the cultivation of his farm. He is also largely in- terested in the sale of milk. His children have been Anna Mary, who died in infancy, and Willard S. and Joachim, who live at home.

CORNELIUS BARCALOW.

Cornelius Barcalow is a grandson of William Bar- calow, who was one of the pioneer settlers at Six- Mile Run, in Franklin township. His wife was named Jachaminah, and his children were Farring- ton, Cornelius, and Polly, who married Isane Fisher, of Bound Brook.

Farrington, eldest son of William Barcalow, was born in Franklin township, on Oct. 4, 1771. He married Hannah, daughter of James Bennett, one of the earliest merchants of New Brunswick and once mayor of the city, and his children were William, born Sept. 10, 1794; Jachaminah and Ellen, born Aug. 27, 1796; James B., born Oct. 6, 1798; George W., born Oct. 1, 1800; Henry and Cornelius, born Dec. 30, 1803; John, born tan. 24, 1806; Hannah, born June 6, 1810 ; and Maria, born Nov. 9, 1812. Of these children, Jachaminah married John King, of

Three-Mile Run ; Ellen married Aaron Shaw, of Monmonth County ; Hannah married John Tunison, of Somerville; and Maria married John P. Staats.

Farrington Barcalow resided at Middlebush through- out his life, where he occupied one hundred and sixty acres of land and engaged in agricultural pursuits. Ile was a man of influenee and prominence in the town and county, and held positions of importance. Ile was colonel of a militia regiment in Somerset County, and went, with his staff, to Trenton in 1824, to assist in escorting Gen. La Fayette, then on a visit to this country, through New Jersey. In politics he was a Democrat, was assessor and collector of Frank- lin township, a justice of the peace, and lay judge ot Somerset County for twenty years. He was also a candidate for sheriff of the county, and was defeated by only a small number of votes. He was active in all good works, a zealous promoter of school and church interests, and was one who enjoyed the confi- dence of all. He was a great bass singer and pro- ficient in instrumental music, and an exemplary member of the Reformed Church of Millstone, and was officially connected with that body as deacon and elder for many years. He died on March 2, 1854, and his wife, who was born Feb. 27, 1775, on July 23d of the same year.

The life of Cornelius Barcalow, whose portrait appears in this work, is a singular illustration of what industry, energy, and correct business and per- sonal habits will accomplish, in spite of adverse con- ditions of life. Born at Middlebush, N. J., on Dec. 30, 1803, he remained upon his father's farm until he attained the age of sixteen, when he started forth in life for himself, having enjoyed simply a common- school education, but fortified with a purpose to do and to succeed. He first went to learn the trade of a blacksmith with Bergen Huff, of Somerville, where he remained five years, completing his apprentice- ship. He then repaired to New Brunswick, and en- tered into the trade of coach-making with Richard Laportis, and after a service of three months he started for New York City with a capital of five dol- lars in pocket. Four dollars and seventy-five cents of this sum he paid for one week's board in advance, and with the remaining twenty-five cents he began active business lifc.

As a journeyman carriage-maker he commeneed work with Andrew Curtis, whose shop stood on Grand Street, between Elizabeth and the Bowery, with whom he remained about three months. He then worked, in turn, for Richard Emery about six months, one Quick about a year, and Arthur Reynolds for the same length of time, and finally went into business for himself, with James Brady as a partner, on Nas- sau Street, where the Bible Society building now stands. This venture lasted two and a half years, at the end of which time the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Barcalow resumed work as a journeyman. He shortly after resumed business alone on Broome

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SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Street, near Elizabeth, and after a few years removed to Cherry Street for two years, and finally to his old site near the Bowery. In each of these places he carried on the business of carriage-making with suc- cess. Iu 1832 he purchased his father's farm at Mid- dlebush, and erected a carriage-manufacturing estab- lishment at that place, working his farm at the same time that he carried on his manufacturing business. Here he remained five years, at the expiration of which time he exchanged his farm for property in Fourth Street, New York, with one John Laforge, where he pursued the business of carriage-making for eight years. He then purchased a portion of the old farm at Middlebush, changed his factory in New York into tenement-houses, and after eight years ex- changed his farm, with a further money considera- tion, for property in New York, which he still owns, and which has proved a profitable investment. In 1861 he removed to East Millstone, erected his pres- ent attractive residence, and has since lived at that place, taking an active part in local affairs and filling an important place in the community. He is a Dem- ocrat in politics, but has always persistently refused office. Mr. Barcalow was first a member of the Re- formed Dutch Church of Somerville, and finally of the Berean Baptist Church of New York City; then of the East Millstone Methodist Episcopal Church, where he held the position of class-leader and was a member of the board of stewards, and is now a mem- ber of the Reformed Church of Millstone. The first Methodist prayer-meeting at Middlebush was held under his charge and in his own house. He has taken an active interest in educational matters, and is the present trustee of District No. 73, the new school-house having been erected under his supervis- ion. He enjoys the confidence of many friends, and by industry, economy, and thrift has acquired a hand- some competency. He is one of the best-preserved men of his age in the county.

Mr. Barcalow has been twice married. His first wife was Catharine, daughter of Dr. Willard, of New York City, to whom he was united on Sept. 13, 1827, and who died Oct. 6, 1876, aged eighty years and twenty-eight days. Of this marriage were born Arabella W. Barcalow, his only surviving child, Jan. 16, 1848; Hannah Maria, born Dec. 5, 1829, died Feb. 1, 1832; and Cornelius W., born Feb. 7, 1841, died March 26, 1841. Alfred H. Maryott, a grandson whom he educated, is a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. His second and present wife was Elizabeth Mayer, whom he married Nov. 7, 1877.

The Barcalow family were among the early settlers of New Utrecht, L. I. Daniel Barcalow resided, in 1766, on the farm near Ten-Mile Run, in Middle- sex County, owned by Columbus Beekman. He was the father of Capt. Stoffel Barcalow, who purchased and died upon the "Sterling farm," ncar Basking Ridge, and whose son, Christopher Barcalow, mar-

ried Mary, a daughter of Brogun B. Huff, formerly of Somerville. The family are descendants of William Janse Borkelo, who emigrated at an early period from Zutphen, in Guilderland, and who located in Flat Lands. Coenrad Barkelo, his son, was a settler on the Raritan in 1714, and Dirk, another son, in 1717.

ABRAHAM J. SUYDAM.

Hendrick Rycken Suydam, the ancestor of the family in this country, with his wife, Ida Jacobs, emi- grated from south of the dam (" Zuidam"), in Holland, in 1663. Hence the name of the family. Ryck Suy-

dam, who settled in Monmouth County at an early date, was born in 1697 and died in 1750. He was a son of Ryck, of Flatbush, and a grandson of the first- named Hendrick. Cornelius Suydam settled on the Raritan as early as 1717. He was a son of Hendrick and a grandson of Ryck, of Flat Lands. He died in 1771.

Abraham J. Suydam, the subject of this sketch, is a grandson of Abraham and a great-grandson of Ryck Suydam. The latter was the owner of the old Suy- dam homestead, in Franklin township, now occupied by Sheriff Peter A. Voorhees. Here also dwelt his son Abraham, who married Jane Voorhees, and who died quite young. Their children were Maria, who married Jacob Wyckoff; Joseph A., Peter, and Ann,

FREDERICK V. L. NEVIUS

is a grandson of Peter D. Nev- ius, whose ancestry is more particularly referred to in the biographical sketch of John S. Nevius, in this work. His father, Albert, born April 16, 1787. purchased fifty acres of the farm now occupied by our subject, in 1813, of Joseph Brokaw. Subsequent additions have made the tract one hun- dred and twenty-five acres. The first family residence was built by Albert Nevius in 1820, and was replaced in 1860-61 by the present attractive residence of Frederick V. L. Nevius, who also erected the barns and out- houses the same year. The trees that adorn and beautify the place were set out by father and son.

Albert Nevius married, for his first wife, Williampe Gulick (born Aug. 20, 1789), on Nov. 6, 1808, and by this marriage had one child, Sarah Ann Nevius, born May 18, I811, died June 22, 1866. Mrs. Nevius died Dec. 7, 1811, and on April 6, 1813, Mr. Nevius was united in marriage to his second wife, Sarah Van Liew. She was born April 5, 1783. Of this union were born Peter A. Nevius, Sept.

Frederick UL Heving.

25, 1816; Frederick Van Liew, horn July 2, 1819; Elizabeth Jane, born Sept. 27, 1825; and James Romeyn, born Oct. 10, 1827, died Feb. 14, 1842. Albert Nevius died Jan. 31, 1852, and his wife on Aug. 6, 1854.

Upon the death of his father, Frederick V. L. Nevius came into possession of the home- farm, where he has since resi- ded, engaged in agricultural pursuits. Though identified with the Republican party, he has abstained from political strife, and been no seeker after position. He is a liberal sup- porter of all worthy enterprises, and bears the reputation of an industrious and successful farm- er, and of a man of integrity and moral worth. llis labors arc confined to his farm. He is essentially a home-man, and feels a just pride in bis beautiful home-surroundings. He united with the Reformed Church at Franklin Park in 1854, and has twice filled the office of deacon.

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History of Hunterdon and Somerset counties, New Jersey : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 204

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