USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > Jersey City > History of Jersey City, N.J. : a record of its early settlement and corporate progress, sketches of the towns and cities that were absorbed in the growth of the present municipality, its business, finance, manufactures and form of government, with some notice of the men who built the city > Part 59
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GEORGE W. LE BAW was born near Trenton, N. J., in 1821. His ancestry on the paternal side was of French Huguenot extraction, whilst that on the maternal side was of Revolutionary stock. When he was sixteen years of age he became an appren- HENRY L. KELLERS. in business on his own account. tiee to the earpenter trade. In 1840 he embarked In 1850 he removed from his native place to Harsimus, now a part of Jersey City. He continued in the building business until 1863, at which time he engaged in his present business, that of an architect. Mr. Le Baw is a republican, but has never taken an active part in politics. He served four years as architect to the old board of publie works. He has offiees in the Weldon building, and is well and favorably known throughout Hudson County.
WILLIAM H. HOOKER was born of American parents at Clinrehville, Ontario, September 27, 1834. His family removed to New York City in 1840, and he was sent to Public School No. 35. At ten years of age he enlisted as a musician, and he served through the Mexican war. On leaving the army he learned the machinist trade, and rose as engineer, pilot and eaptain to superin- tendent. He began steamboating in 1852, and served during the War of the Rebellion as chief engineer of an armed transport. He was with the Burnside expedition, and took part in engage- ments at Roanoke Island, Newbern and other points. He continued in the steamboat business as a master and pilot until 1871, when he became superintendent of the John H. Starin fleet. In 1883 he became superintendent of the New En- gland Transportation Company, and continued until that company consolidated with the Empire Transportation Company, when he became super- intendent of both. He resigned in the fall of 1894. In April, 1894, he was appointed by Mayor Wanser as a member of the Jersey City street and water board. He is a member of the Union League, New Jersey, Palma, Catholic and Young Men's Republican elubs ; of the American Legion WI1.1.1AM E. HOOKER. of Honor, Royal Areanum, National Provident Union ; American Model Yacht Club of Brooklyn, and Jersey City Yacht Club, and a member of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church.
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
He was married January 15, 1854, to Miss Katharine Elizabeth Coyne, and fifteen children have been born to the union, eleven boys and four girls, of whom two girls and four boys are living.
JOHN J. CONE was born in New York City on May 31, 1857. His parents were born in Ireland, and removed to New York in 1855. He was educated in the public and Christian Brothers' schools of New York, and at the St. Laurent Col- lege in Montreal, Canada. He subsequently took a course at Stevens Institute in Hoboken. He has lived in Jersey City since 1868. He is a mechan- ical engineer. He was appointed a member of the Jersey City street and water board by Mayor Wanser in 1894. He is a member of the Berkeley and Carteret clubs, and of St. Josephi's Lyceum and St. Joseph's R. C. Church. He married Miss Agnes Kelly, of Jersey City, and they have five children.
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JOHN H. WARD was born in Jersey City, Sep- tember 18, 1863. His father was a leading grocery merchant of this city for more than thirty years. Mr. Ward received his early education in the Public School No. 1 of Jersey City, after which he attended Brown's Business College, where he JOHN J. CONE. spent four years, and from which he graduated. He then accepted a position in the office of H. J. Callo, at 21 Montgomery Street, with whom he remained for some time in the capacity
of a clerk, after which he became a partner in the concern in 1888, with Mr. Callo and Wm. G. Nelson. Mr. Callo died in 1891, Messrs. Nelson & Ward succeeding to the business.
On June 14, 1888, he married Miss Jennie E. Bloom, of Jersey City. Two children have been born to the mar- riage, two daughters. They reside in a comfortable home at No. 292 Fifth Street.
Mr. Ward is a member of Temple Lodge, No. 110, F. and A. M., holding Senior Deacon's chair. He is also a member of Garfield Lodge, No. 65, I. O. O. F., and is secretary of the board of trustees of the Centenary M. E. Church.
EDWARD A. DUGAN was born in Jersey City in 1857. After completing his edu- cation he entered into partnership with his father in the hay and grain business. They have built up an extensive business, and it has been very profitable. In 1887 he was appointed a member of the Jersey City board of education, and served two EDWARD A. DUGAN. years, giving much time and labor to the public schools. In 1889 Mayor Cleveland appointed him a member of the street and water commission, and he served until 1894, when a legislative change in the city charter removed all the members of the board.
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
CHARLES J. SOMERS was born in Jersey City, June 9, 1855. He was edueated in St. Peter's parochial school and St. Francis Xavier College. When sixteen years of age he accepted a position in a large steel manufactory, and retained it twelve years. In 1886 he was elected a member of the board of public works in Jersey City, and served two years. He resigned to aeeept a position under the federal government. 1n 1889 he was appointed a member of the street and water commission, and served until 1894. He married Miss Mary A. Jordon. He is a member of the wholesale grocery firm of D. E. Cleary & Co., and is a member of the Hudson County Demoeratie Associa- tion and the Robert Davis Association, and of the Catholic church.
CHARLES J. SOMERS.
WILLIAM H. NEILL was born in New York City, April 6, 1856. He removed to Jersey City in 1864, where he attended the publie schools. After leaving school he became an apprentice to the mason trade. In May, 1894, he was appointed inspector of buildings by the Jersey City board of aldermen, a position he has acceptably filled ever since. He is a member and treasurer of the James G. Blaine Repub- liean Club. He is the senior partner of the firm of Neill & Co.
STEPHEN P. YOE was born in New York City, August 21, 1838. He attended the public sehools of that eity, and later on completed his education at a private school in Weston, Conn. After leaving school he learned the trade of a shipsmith, which he followed for a number of years.
In 1879 Mr. Yoe was elected to the old board of public works. For six years he was assistant water register. Prior to his holding that position he was employed in the county register's office under Jeremiah Cleveland. He has always proved his efficieney in the various publie offices he has held.
In 1854 Mr. Yoe married Miss Cornelia Fellows. Two children have been born, a son and daughter, both now deceased. He is a member of the Robert Davis and Dennis MeLaughlin assoeia- tions.
JOHN E. HEWITT was born in New York City in 1842. In 1854 he located in Jersey City, where he has resided ever sinee. At the age of thirteen he began to learn the butcher trade, at which he con- tinued until 1862, when he enlisted in the war with Company G, Twenty-first N. J. Volunteers. In 1875 he was appointed to his present position, overseer of the poor. ever since, with the exception of about five years.
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STEPHEN P. YOE.
He has held the position
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
WILLIAM R. Cook carried on an extensive grocery business at Eighth and Grove streets for a number of years and achieved a competence. In 1889 he was appointed a member of the street and water board by Mayor Cleveland, 1 and served until 1894, when, by legislative enactment, the board gave way to new commissioners appointed by Mayor Wan- ser. Since that tinie Mr. Cook has lived most of the time at his summer home near Morristown, N. J. He still retains an in- terest in the grocery business of W. R. Cook & Bro., but is not often in Jersey City. He was a prominent figure in poli- tics for a number of years.
JOHN C. KAISER was born in New York City in 1858. His parents were Charles and Elizabeth Kaiser, natives of Germany, who removed to Jersey City in 1864. He was educated in private and German schools in Jersey City, and from the age of six- teen was employed as a clerk by Cornell & Amarman, in Leonard Street, New York. After being in their employ nine years he opened a hotel in 1883, in partnership withi his brother, at Whiton Street and Johnston Avenue, Jersey City, and still carries on the business. In 1890 he was elected a men- ber of the Jersey City board of aldermen, and was re-elected in 1892. He married Miss Kreiger, of New York, in 1889. They WILLIAM R. COOK. have no children. He is a member of the Wanser Club, Lafayette Battery and the Hudson County republican committee.
FRANK P. WOODCOCK was born in Orange County, New York, March 4, 1824. When he was two years of age his parents died. He was reared to manhood by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. F. Pandmier, who removed to Jersey City in 1828.
Mr. Woodcock was educated in a private school and the old Bergen Academy ; the latter he at- tended until he was seventeen years of age. He then entered the employ of Smith, Wright & Co., wholesale manufacturers of saddles and harness in New York City. During a number of changes that occurred in that firm Mr. Woodcock still retained his position with them until their retiring from business in 1847. He then decided to engage in the same business on his own account. He opened an establishment in Chambers Street, New York City, but, owing to a stringency in financial affairs, he closed out his business in a short time, and accepted a position in the regis- ter's office of Hudson County under J. B. Cleve- FRANK P. WOODCOCK. land, Esq. After holding that position for a short time he was made permit clerk in the office of the Jersey City board of public works. In 1850 Mr. Woodcock married Miss Jennie H. Weir. Eight children were the issue, three of whom are dead.
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
ROBERT B. COAR was born in Jersey City in 1833. He received his education in the private school of Nolan & Smith. When he was fifteen years of age he began an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade. In 1863 Mr. Coar was ap- pointed water purveyor of Jersey City, a position he still retains, and which he has filled contin- uously, excepting an interval of four years between 1871 and 1874. inclusive.
Mr. Coar is a prominent member of the Robert Davis Association and several other organizations. In 1857 he married Miss Catherine Hickey, to whom seven children have been born.
DANIEL W. BENJAMIN was born in Coxsackie. N. Y., in 1840. In 1871 he located in Jersey City. and has been a resident ever since. He has filled a number of important public positions, he having been a member of the board of free- holders, a justice of the peace, and is now filling the position of health inspector. He has always been an efficient officer.
WINTHROP W. RUGGLES was born in Vermont, August 5, 1832. When he was eleven years of age ROBERT B. COAR. his parents removed to Western New York, where he obtained his education. After leaving school .he adopted the profession of civil engineer. After being in the employ of the Williams- port & Elmira Railroad for some time, he went West and located in Missouri, where he followed his profession in the service of railway companies. In 1854 he located at Brock- port, N. Y., and was engaged as surveyor on the Erie Canal and other large corporations. After filling various positions in his profession in the South and far West, in 1871 he located in Jersey City, where he became associated with the board of public works as a surveyor. After remaining in that capacity for ten years, he resigned in 1881 to accept a position in the em- ploy of the West Shore Railroad. In 1884 he again became connected with the Jersey City
board of public works, and was made chief en- gineer, a position he has held ever since. He is a member of the Carteret Club and several other social and benevolent organizations. He is a trus- tee of the Simpson M. E. Church. In 1868 Mr. Ruggles married Miss Margaret Allen, danghter of the late John Allen, of Jersey City. Five chil- dren have been born to the union, four sons and a daughter.
HENRY F. ELss was born in Prussia about fifty years ago. He received a careful education in the schools of his native place, after which he took up the study of music, and for several years taught the art with much success. When he was twenty- one years of age he came to America and located in Jersey City, where he spent eighteen years as a musical instructor. In 1875 Mr. Elss established his present business, that of a dealer in pianos and other musical instruments, which he has conducted ever since. His is one of the oldest establish- ments of its kind in Jersey City, and Mr. Elss has WINTHROP W. RUGGLES. been highly successful in his business from the start. He resides with his family in a comfortable home at Englewood, N. J.
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
GEORGE T. BOUTON, clerk to the board of street and water commissioners, comes from Revolutionary stock, many of his paternal ancestors having been numbered with those patriots who comprised the continental forees stationed on Long Island, and who fought in the battle of that name.
He was born in Jersey City (Bergen) in 1854. He received his early education in the public schools, finally entering Hasbrouck Institute, and graduating from that institution in 1869. After leaving school he learned the trade of engraving on wood, at which he worked for a term of six years. At the age of twenty-one years he was united in marriage to Miss Mary P. Van Horn. The union has been blessed by the birth of two bright and interesting children, both being sons. Mr. Bouton engaged in commercial life for a short time for himself ; but not finding that to his tastes, he accepted a position in the board of publie works of Jersey City in 1879 as assistant clerk, which position he filled so acceptably that upon the death of his superior officer he was made clerk pro ten", in which he continued for three years, until 1885. when he voluntarily retired to accept a position GEORGE T. BOUTON. tendered him by the State board of assessors, who were at that time engaged in preparing the first plan for the railroad assessments. On the com- pletion of that work Mr. Bonton entered the office of Surrogate O'Neil as chief clerk, and so remained until 1889, when he was tendered his present position. He is a great student, and his knowledge of municipal law and custom is probably not exceeded by any other individual in the city.
He is a member of the Masonie Order, the Order of Chosen Friends and several other charitable and benevolent organizations.
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THOMAS D. MILLS was born in Lancashire, En- gland, November 4, 1839. He is the son of Joseph and Mather Mills, natives of England, who came to this country in 1846 and located in Newport, R. I.
Mr. Mills received a common school education. When he was sixteen years of age he began to learn the printer's trade. He came to Jersey City in 1858, and served his time until 1859, when he engaged in business for himself, and which he continued until 1872, at which time he engaged in real estate transactions. In 1876 he opened the Gap ferry, at the foot of Washington Street, and is at present engaged in that enterprise.
Mr. Mills is a member of the Bergen No. 2, the Home, Fairmount, Montgomery, Crescent, High- land and Commercial Building and Loan Associa- tions of Jersey City. He is also a director in all the above-named corporations. He is a member of Enterprise Lodge, No. 48, F. and A. M., and Con- sistory, No. 51; Monticello Lodge, No. 140, and THOMAS D. MILL.S. Palisade Lodge, No. 4, Encampment, I. O.O. F. He is vice-president of the Odd Fellows' Home. He is one of the oldest and most prominent members of the Federal and Wanser clubs, and of the Hudson County republican committee ; was one of the original organizers of Engine Company No. 9, and was foreman of that body for twelve years. He was elected fire commissioner in 1887,
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
and served two years in that capacity, when he was re-elected by an increased majority. Owing to a change in the charter of Jersey City he was legislated out of office during his second term. Mr. Mills served as a justice of the peace from 1872 to 1877. He was married to Miss Sarah Walker of Rhode Island, in April, 1860. They have two sons and three daughters living. In 1894 he was appointed a member of the board of fire commis- sioners for a term of three years.
JOHN BRENNAN was born in Ireland, November 12, 1850. His parents removed to Jersey City during his childhood, and he was educated at - Public School No. 1, under Principal Lindsley. He has been in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company for many years, and has charge of the fire apparatus in their depots, piers and yards in Jersey City and New York. He was elected a member of the fire commission for six years, and was president of the board in 1885. He was appointed a member of the board in April, 1894, and was chosen president. He is a member of the Crescent and Young Men's Republican JOHN BRENNAN. clubs, a Knight of Pythias, and an enthusiastic republican. He has merited the good opinion entertained of him by his constituents, and proved an efficient public officer.
JOHN CONWAY was born in Jersey City, January 6, 1856. He obtained his education in the local parochial schools. When he was eleven years of age he was compelled to begin the struggle of life. He worked for a number of years in the oakum factory of William O Davy In 1881 Mr. Conway was elected to the office of constable, and held that office for three years He afterwards engaged in the liquor business. In 1882 he was a candidate for the office at fire commissioner, but was defeated by a small majority. In 1884 and 1886 he was again a can- didate for that position, and was successful in being elected in the latter-named year. He held the office from 1886 to 1889, and at the expiration of his term was appointed chief engineer of the city fire department. During his term as a mem- ber of the board he was president of that body.
He is a member of the K. and L. of H., the Royal Society of Good Fellows, the Lincoln League and the Dennis MeLaughlin Association, and a number of other organizations.
Mr. Conway married Miss Mary J. Sullivan, of Pennsylvania. Four children were the issue of the marriage, one of whom is dead.
CHARLES ESTERBROOK was born at Tompkins- ville, Staten Island, N. Y., in 1855. He is the son of James J. and Mary J. Esterbrook. The former is well known in Jersey City as a veteran of the Mexican War.
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Mr. Esterbrook attended school until he was fifteen years of age, after which he went to work with a shipping and commission house in New York City, where he remained until 1886, at which JOHN CONWAY. time he accepted a position as deputy collector of internal revenue in Jersey City. In 1889 he resigned that office to accept his present position. that of clerk to the board of fire commissioners.
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
Mr. Esterbrook is a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters and the Berkeley Club. In 1885 he was secretary of the Hudson County democratic committee, and at the expiration of the Hon. William D. Edwards' term as chair- man of that body, Mr. Esterbrook succeeded him to that position.
Mr. Esterbrook resided in Jersey City for more than eighteen years.
JOHN F. BOYD was born in Dublin, Ireland, June 9, 1849. He received a careful education at school in Crumlin County, Dublin, also at Cloudalkin College of that city, where he won the Hatchell medal for mathematics; he passed examination for a position in the custom house at Dublin, be- ing then only sixteen years old ; he could not get the position until he attained the age of eighteen years, in consequence of which he left his native land, and in 1868 came to America, locating in Jersey City. Since his coming to Jersey City he has held a number of prominent positions of trust and honor. He served five years as a mem- ber of the board of education. He was for two years chairman of the judiciary of the democratic county committec. For the past eight years he has been clerk of the board of freeholders.
CHARLES ESTERRROOK.
Mr. Boyd is married, and has two children, a son and daughter. He is a member of the New Jersey Club and the Jersey City Bowling Club. He is also a member of a number of charitable and benevolent organizations.
WILLIAM S. MILLER was born in New York, February 27, 1860, and was educated in the public schools and Cooper Union. He served his apprenticeship as machinist and draughtsman with the Delamater Iron Works, and after that was foreman of their pumping works. In 1890 he took a position as draughtsman, in erecting outside work for Brown & Miller, of Jersey City, and remained with them until June 16, 1894, when he was appointed engineer in charge of the pumping station of the Jersey City water-works at Belleville. He is a member of the Young Men's Republican Club.
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JOHN F. BOYD.
JOHN SPEICHER was born in Berlin, Somerset County, Pa., in 1846. He was educated in the pub- lie schools, and served his time as a cooper. In 1865 he engaged in the telegraph business with the Atlantic and Pacific Telegraph Company. He removed to Jersey City, and was employed by the city as a lineman, and continued until 1880, when he accepted a position at Newark with the District Telegraph Company. In 1884 he returned to Jersey City, and was appointed superintendent of the city fire alarm telegraph. He served as a volunteer during the War of the Rebellion; is a member of the Brotherhood of Electric Workers of America, and an expert in his business. He married Miss Amelia A. Perricke, of New York City, and they have five children.
CHARLES S. WESTERVELT was born in Passaic County, N. J., January 18, 1856. He received his early education in the public schools, and later at Hasbrouck Institute. For some years he
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
was engaged in the coal business, and at Washington Market, New York City. He located in Jersey City in 1861, and was appointed clerk to the board of finance and taxation, a position he has creditably filled.
JOHN E. SCOTT, son of the late Charles Scott, was born in Jersey City, May 6, 1842. He had but a limited education, obtained in Public School No. 1, which he attended. When a boy he
WILLIAM S. MIL.I.E.R.
CHARLES S. WESTERVEI.T.
was employed in the law offices of the late Peter Bentley, of Jersey City. In 1856 he entered the office of the city clerk as an assistant. In 1865, owing to efficient services rendered, he was appointed city clerk of old Jersey City, and in 1870 was made clerk of the new consolidated city, a position he still retains.
JOHN F. SCOTT.
JOHN SPEICHER.
In 1866 Mr. Scott married Miss Hattie A. MeWilliams, of Jersey City. Five children have been born to the union ; two sons and two daughters are now living.
Mr. Scott is a member of the Palma Club of Jersey City, Hiram Lodge, No. 17, F. and A. M., and also the Consistory. He is a trustee of the New York Bay Cemetery.
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HISTORY OF JERSEY CITY.
PATRICK H. O'NEILL was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1845. His parents removed to Jersey City in 1846, and he has been a resident ever since. He was educated in St. Peter's parochial, and Public School No. 3. At the age of fifteen years, at the outbreak of the rebellion, he ran away and enlisted at Trenton in the Sixth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers. He had two brothers in that regiment. His father eaused his discharge on account of his youth, but he did not remain long at home. On October 4, 1861, he en- listed in the Sixty-sixth New York Volunteers. He served with his regiment through all the battles of the Potomac. At the siege of Fred- ericksburg he was promoted to first-sergeant. He was twice captured by the enemy, and endured the horrors of Southern prison pens at Libby, Belle Isle, Salisbury and Andersonville. He was ex- changed in April, 1865, and was mustered out in New York City, May 5, 1865. He served his time at the blacksmith trade after his return. He was fifteen years a night-watchman in the employ of the American Bank Note Company. He has held a number of public positions of profit and trust. He was messenger in the city col- PATRICK H. O'NEILL. lector's office, harbor master of Jersey City, alder- man from the first district three consecutive terms, and served one of the six years as president of the board. He was assessor for the first district three years, and was a member of assembly in 1889 and 1892. In 1889 he was appointed city collector of Jersey City, and held the office until the spring of 1894. He has been an active democratic politician for twenty-five years, and for many years was a member of the county committee and chairman of the city committee. The O'Neill Association, organized by him, was one of the strongest political organizations of its kind in the State for a number of years. He is a member of Van Honten Post, G. A. R., and of a number of social and political organizations.
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