USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume II > Part 26
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Charles L. Steuerwald was united in marriage, February 18, 1903, at the Reformed Church Manse (home of Bertha (Booraem) Lockwood, sister of Mrs. Charles L. Steuerwald), East Millstone, New Jersey, with Ethel Jeane Booraem, of South River, New Jersey, a daughter of Jonathan and Margaret Amelia (Barkelew) Booraem, who now reside in South Amboy, the former being at the present time (1921) eighty-four years of age.
REV. WILLIAM FREDERICK BARNY .- In the Province of Alsace, now restored to France, Rev. William Frederick Barny, for fifteen years the beloved pastor of St. Paul's Reformed Church, Mill- town, New Jersey, was born November 15, 1862. He was the son of Jacob F. and Wilhelmina (Tschopp) Barny. He spent the first nineteen years of his life in Alsace, there obtaining a good education. He came to the United States, May 11, 1881, and here completed his education with graduation from the German Theological Seminary in Bloomfield, New Jersey, and on August 16, 1893, was ordained a clergyman of the German Reformed church. His first pastorate was at Naumburg, New York, and there he served most acceptably. He was called to St. Paul's Reformed Church, Milltown, in April, 1905. For almost sixteen years he ministered to the spiritual well being of the Milltown church and drew close to the hearts of his people. He was an eloquent pulpit orator, sound in his theology, and with a heart filled with love for every man. He was greatly beloved by his own church and extremely popular with the people of Milltown, regardless of sect or creed. His heart was in his work and never was there a truer, more loyal soldier of the Cross than Rev. William F. Barny, who died in Milltown, December 27, 1920.
Rev. William F. Barny married, in Ridgefield Park, Bergen county, New Jersey, June 28, 1893, Emelie Rech, born July 6, 1870, daughter
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of John and Caroline (Reinheimer) Rech, her parents coming from Germany to the United States in 1871. One child was born to Rev. and Mrs. Barny, Gertrude, born April 10, 1896, married Walter R. Smith, and resides in Milltown. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of a son, Richard, born in Milltown. Mrs. Barny survives her husband and resides with her sister, Mrs. Tukey, in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey.
IRA CONDIT MOORE .- With a long life of usefulness behind him, and still actively engaged in daily business, Ira Condit Moore is one of the interesting figures in the business life of Perth Amboy, New Jersey.
Edward C. Moore, Mr. Moore's father, was a prominent figure in the political history of Newton, Sussex county, New Jersey. A merchant in Newton, he served as State Senator, and also at different times held such offices as committeeman and freeholder. In early life he was postmaster for a considerable length of time. He married Catherine Price.
Ira Condit Moore was born August 27, 1852, in Newton, New Jersey. He received his early education in the private schools of that town, then took a course in the Newton Collegiate Institute. Planning a business career, he supplemented this training with a complete course at the Eastman Business College, Poughkeepsie, New York. He began his business along the same line that he has always followed, that of boots and shoes. He has been in different branches of this business, first as retail shoe merchant in Newton, later as treasurer of the Sussex Shoe Company, Inc., of the same city, manufacturing largely boys' and girls' shoes. This factory was also in Newton. At present Mr. Moore is president and treasurer of the I. C. Moore Company, Inc. This is one of the principal retail boot and shoe stores in Perth Amboy, and was established in 1903 by Mr. Moore.
Outside of his business interests, Mr. Moore has always actively participated in the public responsibilities of the town in which he was located. He was a member of the Board of Education of Newton for seven years prior to his removal to Perth Amboy. He was president of the Perth Amboy Board of Trade for one year, and on retiring from that office assisted in the organization of the present Chamber of Commerce. He is now an honorary member of that body. He is a member of the Presbyterian church; was a trustee of the Newton Presbyterian Church and treasurer for several years. When business and public responsi- bilities result in the inevitable weariness attendant upon all concentrated effort, Mr. Moore finds delight and recreation in fishing.
Mr. Moore married (first) September 11, 1879, in Newton, New Jersey, Kittie D. Shepherd, daughter of Levi and Nancy (Decker) Shep- herd, who died October 19, 1898. By her he had six children : Helen, Frank Shepherd, Catherine Price, Ethel Winfred, now deceased; Ira Condit, and Florence. Mr. Moore married (second) Alice C. Henderson, daughter of James and Belle (Duryea) Henderson, who died in Febru- ary, 191I.
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HARRY W. WEIDA, vice-president and manager of the India Rub- ber Company of New Brunswick, has since the inception of his business career, been identified with the rubber industry, and since coming to this community in 1914 has become conspicuously identified with the development of the most vital interests of New Brunswick.
Harry W. Weida was born at Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, December 23, 1880, the son of Francis and Marietta (Walb) Weida. After finishing his studies in the grammar school of his native place, he spent two years in a business college and then went to Akron, Ohio, where for three years he was employed by the American Hard Rubber Company, sub- sequently working successively for the next seventeen years for the following concerns: The B. F. Goodrich Company, Akron, Ohio; Amer- ican Hard Rubber Company ; Diamond Rubber Company ; B. F. Good- rich Rubber Company, as manager of the hard rubber department, and at the end of two years he came to New Brunswick, New Jersey, and accepted his present position as vice-president and manager of the India Rubber Company, manufacturers of hard rubber goods, this organization being a subsidiary of the United States Rubber Company. He has bent his energies to administrative direction and executive control, and under his guidance the business has rapidly developed along substantial lines, constituting an important element in the commercial activity of New Brunswick.
Mr. Weida began his public career as a member of the Borough Council of Highland Park, New Jersey, and in 1920 was elected president of this body. He is well known in Masonic circles, and is a member of Palestine Lodge, No. III, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Scott Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; Scott Council, No. 1, Royal and Select Masters; Temple Commandery, No. 18, Knights Templar ; and Salaam Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His clubs are the Old Colony of New York City, and the Union, Country and Craftsmen's of New Brunswick. His religious affiliation was with the Evangelical church of Akron, Ohio, during his residence there, but on his arrival in New Brunswick he became an attendant of the Reformed church of Highland Park.
Harry W. Weida married, December 3, 1903, Lydia Ellen Yockey, daughter of Phillip and Amanda (Bittner) Yockey, of Akron, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Weida are the parents of two children : Francis, born September 17, 1904, deceased ; Elizabeth M., born May 21, 1909.
ADRIAN LYON, of Perth Amboy, lawyer, was born in the village of Pluckemin, Somerset county, New Jersey, July 25, 1869, a son of William L. and Ursula (Sebring) Lyon. The name of Henry Lyon, one of his direct forbears, was the eighth on the agreement of the New Milford settlers of June 16, 1667, on which Robert Treat was the first, and he was the first treasurer of the town of Newark.
Adrian Lyon was educated in the public schools, and qualified for the practice of law in the New York Law School, graduating from there in 1894 with the degree of LL. B. He was admitted to the New Jersey
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bar in 1892, made a counsellor in 1895, and opened an office in Perth Amboy. Mr. Lyon's public activities are almost coincident with his professional work. He was superintendent of the schools in Perth Amboy in 1894-95, and in the latter named year became city attorney. He served in the New Jersey House of Assembly, sessions of 1900-01. In the latter named year Governor Voorhees appointed him judge of the local District Court, and in 1909 he was appointed by Governor Fort law judge of Middlesex county to fill the unexpired term of Theodore B. Booraem. Since January, 1913, he has served as referee in bank- ruptcy for the District of Middlesex county. He has one of the most extensive law and private libraries in the county. Since 1899 he has veen president of the Perth Amboy Savings Institution; since 1893 registrar, and a member of the Board of East Jersey Proprietors.
Mr. Lyon has been closely identified with the Progressive movement of recent years in the National Republican party. The political contro- versies of the day made him a delegate from the Third Congressional District to the National Republican Convention in Chicago that renomi- nated President Taft, and to the National Progressive Convention, held two months later, in Chicago also, that put Theodore Roosevelt in nomination against him. Retaining his alliance with the Progressive party, he was a delegate also to the National Progressive Convention of 1916. He has also been conspicuous in Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation circles ; he served as president of the State Young Men's Christian Association ; he was largely instrumental in the founding, and became the first president of the Perth Amboy Young Men's Christian Associa- tion. Mr. Lyon is a member and vice-president of the New Jersey State Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, admitted because his great-great-grandfather, on his father's mother's side, Captain James Hill, was of the Sussex county militia in that struggle. He was president of the New Jersey Bankers' Association in 1910. He is a member of the Masonic order, affiliating with lodge, chapter, commandery, and Salaam Temple, Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the East Jersey Club and Raritan Yacht Club of Perth Amboy. For over twenty years Judge Lyon has been an elder in the First Presbyterian Church in Perth Amboy.
Judge Lyon married, in Athenia, New Jersey, May 8, 1895, Cornelia Post, daughter of John C. and Catherine E. Post, of Athenia. Child, Howard S., born 1896.
JAY B. FRANKE .- Exacting responsibility requiring the greatest skill is that share in the civic welfare which falls to the lot of Jay B. Franke.
The Franke family is of German origin, but this branch of the family has been in America for a great many years, Mr. Franke's great-grand- father having been born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Mr. Franke's father, Ludlow G. Franke, was born in New York City, and lived there the greater part of his life. He was a boss painter, and followed that trade as long as he lived. He married Adelia G. Ford, who was born in Perth Amboy, and survives him, living now in the city of her birth.
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They were the parents of two children: Jay B., whose name appears at the head of this sketch, and Sue G., who is a teacher in the public schools of Perth Amboy. Mr. Franke died in Perth Amboy in 1900.
Jay B. Franke was born in Perth Amboy, August 21, 1886. There he received his education in the excellent public schools, acquiring a thorough grounding in all the practical branches. At the age of fifteen years he entered the employ of the American Smelting and Refining Company, working in their electrical department. He remained in their employ for four years, during which time he mastered the intricate details of electrical construction. After that he constructed two electric lighting plants in Monmouth county, New Jersey, of which he subse- quently had charge for two years. Returning to Perth Amboy, he was appointed by the Board of Aldermen of that city to his present position in September, 1911. This comprises the work of city electrician and the superintendency of the Municipal Electric Lighting plant.
Mr. Frank has a host of friends in this city, and is connected with various social organizations. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Raritan Yacht Club, the local Fire Depart- ment, a charter member of the Electrical Workers' Union, and is a member of the International Association of Municipal Electricians. He is an active, genial man, and takes his relaxation in motoring.
Mr. Franke married, January 7, 1909, in Englishtown, New Jersey, Essie Hyers Moore, daughter of John C. and Mary (Hankinson) Moore. She was born in Lakewood, New Jersey. Her father died in Freehold, New Jersey, in 1918; and her mother is now a resident of Freehold.
JOHN WYCKOFF METTLER .- Although never a resident of Middlesex county, John Wyckoff Mettler has been associated with New Brunswick through his school and college days and through the position which he now holds as head of the Interwoven Stocking Company.
The Mettler family came to this country with the early settlers from Holland, in 1685, and through marriage the members of this family are allied with the Wyckoff and Howell families, the Wyckoffs coming from Holland in 1632, the same year that the Howells arrived from Wales and settled in Southampton, Long Island. Mr. Mettler is the son of William E. Mettler, lumber merchant of New Brunswick, and grand- son of Enoch Mettler, who was for many years a prominent grain merchant in New York City-an early member of the Produce Exchange of that city. His mother, Gertrude Van Pelt (Howell) Mettler, is a daughter of Lewis T. Howell, who was born in Middlesex county, New Jersey, in 1820, and who died in 1900, and who was for many years one of the leading manufacturers of New Brunswick, and later, for twenty years. president of the National Bank of New Jersey. Lewis T. Howell married Joanna M. Wyckoff, only child of John Van Cleef Wyckoff, a descendant of one of the early Dutch settlers of the Wyckoff family at East Millstone, New Jersey, where the family has resided since 1689 upon the same property which is now the summer home of our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Howell had another daughter, Sarah Tittsworth Howell.
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Mr. Mettler graduated from Rutgers Preparatory School in 1895, from Rutgers College in 1899, and from the New York Law School in 1901, and in the same year he was admitted to the New York bar, where he practiced law for two years. In 1903 he entered the manufacturing business as treasurer of the Kilbourn Knitting Machine Company of New Brunswick, New Jersey, and two years later-in 1905-organized the Interwoven Stocking Company, which has since become an industry of considerable size and international standing as manufacturers of interwoven hosiery. He is a director in the Interwoven Stocking Com- pany, the Interwoven Mills, Inc., the Tubize Artificial Silk Company of America, the National Bank of New Jersey, and other corporations, and is a trustee of Rutgers College. He is a member of the Delta Phi fra- ternity of Rutgers College, the University Club and the Riding Club of New York City, the Union Club and Country Club of New Brunswick, New Jersey ; a member of the Reformed Dutch Church of East Mill- stone, New Jersey. He lives at No. 205 West Fifty-seventh street, New York City, and at East Millstone, New Jersey.
On June 5, 1909, Mr. Mettler was married in New York City to Helen Fleischmann, of that city, and has two children-a daughter, Helen, born September 5, 1910, and a son, John Wyckoff, Jr., born March 20, 1915.
Mr. Mettler is interested in collecting works of art and has a notable collection of early English, Italian and American furniture.
THOMAS HOLCOMBE METTLER, son of William E. and Ger- trude Van Pelt (Howell) Mettler, and brother of John W. Mettler, was born in East Millstone, New Jersey, March 29, 1886. He attended pri- vate schools of Millstone and Rutgers Preparatory School, finishing in 1904. He then entered Princeton University, receiving his A. B., class of 1908. Deciding upon a legal profession, he prepared at the New York Law School, whence he was graduated LL. B., class of 1911. He was admitted to the bar the same year, and at once began the practice of his profession in the city of Newark, New Jersey, continuing for two years. In 1913 he was admitted to the New York State bar, where he practiced until 1917, when he withdrew from law practice and entered the hosiery business, forming a connection with the Interwoven Stocking Company, of New Brunswick, of which he is a director, and is connected with the sales department.
Mr. Mettler, during the period of war between the United States and Germany, 1917-18, was food administrator for Middlesex county, and while his service in that field was particularly valuable, he was helpful in other ways in supporting his country's cause. He is a member of the Reformed church of East Millstone, the New Jersey State Bar Asso- ciation, the New York Bar Association, the Princeton Club of New York City, the Princeton Campus Club, the Holstein-Friesian Association of America, member and treasurer of the Holstein-Friesian Cooperative Association of New Jersey, and president of the New Brunswick branch of the Dairymen's League. Mr. Mettler is unmarried, and resides with
ORY
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I. Van Blancome
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his mother at the East Millstone farm, which he manages. His special farm interest is in the breeding of pure-blood cattle, his choice for the dairy farm the Holstein breed.
MAJOR HAROLD VAN BLARCOM, for so young a man, has lived a most useful life, with enough adventure and change of scene in it to make it far from dull; now he is well established in a congenial profession, that of doctor of dental surgery, with offices at No. 419 George street, New Brunswick, where he has a rapidly growing patronage.
Harold Van Blarcom is the son of Cornelius Henry Van Blarcom, who was born in Paterson, New Jersey, in 1845, his death occurring in Montgomery, New York, in October, 1908, at the age of sixty-three. In his youth, he was a manufacturer in Paterson, New Jersey, and Middle- town, New York, but after he was fifty years of age he studied law and passed the bar in both New Jersey and New York, being licensed to practice in both states, and maintaining an office in Paterson up to the time of his death. His wife was Fanny Josephine Ward, a native of Montgomery and for many years a resident there. She now lives in Paterson. There were five children in the Van Blarcom family: I. Katherine, deceased. 2. Wessels, living in Paterson, and cashier of the Second National Bank there. 3. Frederick W., a prominent lawyer of Paterson and well known as a politician. 4. Mary, the wife of Henry Bonner, of Detroit, Michigan; he is superintendent of the Ford service stations of the United States. 5. Harold, of whom further.
Though born in Montgomery, New York, October 17, 1887, Harold Van Blarcom spent his boyhood in Paterson, New Jersey, his family going there to reside shortly after his birth. He attended the Paterson grammar school and later the high school, graduating from the former in 1903, and, after a four years' course, from the latter school in June, 1907. He immediately became enrolled as a student at the Philadelphia Dental College, from which institution he graduated in 1910. The next two years of his life were spent in Clovis, New Mexico, where he prac- ticed his profession, but he returned East in 1912 and locating in South River, New Jersey, opened an office there. During Dr. Van Blarcom's residence in South River, he took an active part in the affairs of the town, being a member of the Board of Health, and a candidate on the Republican ticket for the office of councilman.
At this time, 1917, the United States became involved in the World War and Dr. Van Blarcom immediately joined the service. His war record is one of which any man may well be proud, for he not only saw active service in France, but carries the marks of shrapnel wounds at the present time. Dr. Van Blarcom received a commission as first lieutenant in June, 1917, during his stay at Camp Mcclellan, Anniston, Alabama, with the 29th Division. Lieutenant Van Blarcom was sent to France, taking part in the first Argonne battle, being gassed at this time. At the second Argonne battle he received two schrapnel wounds, one in the side and another in the leg. After spending six months in France,
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he was returned to the United States in December, 1919, and was sent to the United States General Hospital No. 9, at Lakewood, New Jersey, where he remained for six months longer. In June, 1918, Lieutenant Van Blarcom was promoted to the rank of captain, and in October, 1919, he received his commission as major.
Major Van Blarcom is a member of the Society of American Officers of the Great War, and also of the American Legion. In addition to these he is greatly interested in the work of the Young Men's Christian Association, being a member of and a constant worker in that body, and also is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. He is an attendant of the Second Reformed Church of New Brunswick. In Masonry he is a member of Union Lodge, No. 19, Free and Accepted Masons. He is a member of the National, State and County Dental associations.
At South River, August 18, 1917, Harold Van Blarcom married E. Viola Price, a resident of that place, and she also was born there. Her parents are both dead. There are no children of this marriage. They reside at No. 261 Powers street, New Brunswick.
Several centuries ago the Van Blarcom family had its origin in Holland, the town where they lived being called Blarkom. In 1620 five brothers of that name left the paternal roof and set sail for America. After many months and numerous perils they landed at a spot where now stands the city of Hoboken; so was founded by them and several other Holland emigrants the Dutch settlement that for years existed in that part of New Jersey, and the names of many of the leading citizens are distinctly Dutch to this day, Bergen county being their stronghold. As late as the middle of the last century the quaint Dutch customs were observed by many of the descendants of these settlers.
JOHN STROUD TURNER, having arrived at the age of manhood in his native land, came to the United States in 1881 hoping to find a broader industrial field. Seventeen years later he established the J. S. Turner White Metal Company in New Brunswick, of which he is the head.
Born in Liverpool, England, November 18, 1859, John Stroud Turner was the son of Henry and Ann (Stroud) Turner, both of whom were born and died in Liverpool. Henry Turner was a foundryman there, following that trade until his death which occurred in 1895. He and his wife had seven children, all of whom are now deceased except one son, John Stroud Turner.
Attending the public schools of Liverpool until he was fourteen years old, and Liverpool Institute, John Stroud Turner became an apprentice in the foundry business, continuing as such for seven years, remaining in the same line after he had learned the trade. He then came to this country, arriving here May 24, 1881, locating for a short time in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he worked at his trade. Then Mr. Turner went to Brooklyn, New York, and entered the employ of William Taylor, remaining only a short time, then went to New Bruns-
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wick in April, 1882, to take a position in the Consolidated Fruit Jar Company, where he remained for sixteen years, fourteen of which he served as foreman. At that time Mr. Turner went into the manufacturing business in his own name, founding the J. S. Turner White Metal Company for the manufacture of collapsible tubes and white metal goods. The plant is located at Nos. 220-222 Raritan avenue in the High- land Park section of New Brunswick. In 1916 it became an incorporated concern, and now their products are shipped abroad in addition to finding a market in this country.
Mr. Turner is a member of the Board of Trade of New Brunswick; the New Jersey State Board of Trade; the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation, in which he is greatly interested ; Palestine Lodge, No. III, Free and Accepted Masons; Scott Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; Highland Park Building and Loan Company, of which he is vice-presi- dent; the New Brunswick Boat Club, Craftsmen's Club, Old Colony Club of New York City, and is a communicant and vestryman of Christ Protestant Episcopal Church, New Brunswick.
In October, 1884, John Stroud Turner was united in marriage with Sarah Jane Myers in New Brunswick, that being also her birthplace. She is the daughter of C. P. and Jane (Stewart) Myers, residents of New Brunswick, where they were also born and where they died. Mr. and Mrs. Turner have four children, all living, namely: I. Henry James, residing in Camden, New Jersey ; married Ethel M. Lott, of Philadelphia ; one child, Ethel May. 2. George S., resides at No. 304 South Third avenue, New Brunswick; married Miss S. B. Austin, and they have two children, Ruth and George E. 3. Helen, wife of Henry L. Van Mater ; they reside at No. 216 South Third avenue, New Bruns- wick ; one child, John S. 4. John E. The family residence is at No. 218 Raritan avenue, Highland Park.
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