USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume II > Part 27
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RUSSELL ELLSWORTH WATSON .- The name we have just written will receive, as that of one of the well known members of the New Brunswick bar, instant recognition from a majority of his fellow- citizens. During the recent conflict of nations, Mr. Watson was at the front in war activities, and in the club circles of his home city he is a prominent figure.
Frank Ellsworth Watson, father of Russell Ellsworth Watson, was born in Detroit, Michigan, and is now a resident of New Brunswick, and a manufacturer of wallpaper colors and oil paints. He married Sarah Elizabeth Painter, born at Glen Gardner, New Jersey, and they are the parents of the following children : Russell Ellsworth, mentioned below; Parker L .; Franklin Lamar, whose biography follows in this work; and A. Dudley, also represented in this work by a biography following. All these, with the exception of Parker L., are residents of New Brunswick.
Russell Ellsworth Watson, son of Frank Ellsworth and Sarah Eliza- beth (Painter) Watson, was born October 8, 1885, in New Brunswick, and in 1902 graduated from the New Brunswick High School. The same year he entered Rutgers College, remaining until 1905. He was fitted
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for his profession at the New York Law School, receiving, in 1907, the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In February, 1909, he was admitted to the New Jersey bar as attorney, and in 1912 was admitted as counsellor.
In entering upon the practice of his profession, Mr. Watson was associated with Theodore B. Booraem, the connection remaining un- broken until 1912, when it was dissolved by Mr. Booraem's death. Mr. Watson then practiced alone, having his offices at Nos. 41-43 Paterson street, until September, 1920, when R. E. and A. D. Watson formed a partnership, practicing under that heading. Mr. Watson has proved himself possessed of the qualifications requisite for success at the bar, his record showing, with the lapse of every year, additional evidence of this incontrovertible fact.
In the political life of his community Mr. Watson has, for many years, borne an active part. From 1908 to 1911 he served as probation officer of Middlesex county, and from 1911 to 1912 he was assistant prosecutor for the county. In 1916 his fellow-citizens of Highland Park summoned him to serve them in the highest municipal office in their gift, retaining him in it, by reelection, until 1920. During the recent World War Mr. Watson was patriotically active, serving as fuel admin- istrator for both Middlesex and Somerset counties. He is a director of the Building and Loan Association.
The fraternal connections of Mr. Watson include affiliation with the Masonic order, being a member of Palestine Lodge, No. III, Free and Accepted Masons; Scott Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; and Salaam Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and the Chi Psi fraternity. He belongs to the Union Club, the East Jersey Club of Perth Amboy, and the New Brunswick Country Club. He and his family are members of the First Reformed Church.
Mr. Watson married, March 24, 1909, in Newark, New Jersey, Beulah Fraleigh Fingarr, daughter of Montgomery and Helena (Fraleigh) Fingarr. Mr. Fingarr served in the Civil War, and his death, which occurred in 1883, was the result of injuries received while in service. His widow now resides with her daughter and son-in-law. Mr. and Mrs. Watson are the parents of the following children: Russell Ells- worth, Jr., born September 2, 1911; Malcolm D., born September II, 1913; Jean, born August 9, 1916; and Sarah Elizabeth, born December 28, 1917.
By his own unaided efforts, Mr. Watson has achieved marked pro- fessional success, and his fellow-citizens have paid him the tribute of calling him to serve them in offices of exceptional responsibility. Every- thing indicates that the future holds for him greater advancement in his work and a summons to larger and more complicated trusts.
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FRANKLIN LAMAR WATSON .- Among the younger business men of New Brunswick, always remarkable for enterprise and aggres- siveness, no one could fail to number Mr. Watson, who is now associated with the Packard Motor Car Company, one of the best known concerns
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of its kind to be found in the United States. Mr. Watson has an hon- orable record of military service in the recent World War, and is well known in the social circles of New Brunswick no less than in the sphere of her business activities.
Franklin Lamar Watson was born November 22, 1891, in New Brunswick, and is a son of Frank Ellsworth and Sarah Elizabeth (Painter) Watson (q. v.), and a brother of Russell Ellsworth and A. Dudley Watson (q. v.). The early education of Franklin Lamar Wat- son was received in the public schools of his native city, whence he passed to the New Brunswick High School, graduating from that insti- tution with the class of 1909.
Becoming one of the official stenographers of the Essex county courts, Mr. Watson held that position until June, 1917, when he resigned, having been among the first to respond to the call for volunteers issued upon the entrance of the United States into the greatest war in history. In May, 1917, Mr. Watson enlisted as sergeant, first-class, in the Quar- termasters' Reserve Corps of the army, and in December, 1917, was transferred to the air service. After graduating from the School of Military Aeronautics at Texas University, he took training in flying at Park Field, Tennessee. He was afterward commissioned second lieutenant and appointed assistant post adjutant and assistant judge advocate. In March, 1919, he was discharged. On returning to New Brunswick, Mr. Watson associated himself with the Packard Motor Car Company, securing a position in the passenger transportation depart- ment.
The clubs in which Mr. Watson holds membership are the Union Club of New Brunswick, the Aero Club of America, and the Air Service Clubs Association. He affiliates with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Franklin Lamar Watson has proved his metal, both as soldier and business man, for in both capacities he has rendered faithful and valuable service.
ASHER DUDLEY WATSON .- Despite the fact that less than four years have elapsed since his admission to the bar, Mr. Watson's name, as a member of the profession, has already become favorably famil- iar to a large number of his fellow-citizens of New Brunswick. It is also familiar as that of one of those who during the late war rendered military service in France.
Asher Dudley Watson was born December 6, 1893, in New Bruns- wick, and is a son of Frank Ellsworth and Sarah Elizabeth (Painter) Watson (q. v.), and a brother of Russell Ellsworth and Franklin Lamar Watson (q. v.). In 1911 Asher Dudley Watson graduated from the New Brunswick High School, and in 1915 he received his degree from Rutgers College. His legal studies were pursued under the guidance of his brother, Russell Ellsworth Watson, and he also attended the New York Law School. In January, 1917, he was admitted to the bar.
Entering upon the practice of his profession in association with his brother, Russell Ellsworth Watson, the young lawyer began his career
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under the most favorable auspices, but, almost at its inception, it suf- fered an interruption. The United States, taking her place among the contending nations, called her loyal sons to take up arms in her behalf, and among the first to respond was Asher Dudley Watson. Entering the service in September, 1917, as a member of Headquarters Company, 311th Infantry, 78th Division, he arrived in France, June 1, 1918. On May 10, 1919, he left, having participated in the battles of St. Mihiel offensive and the Meuse-Argonne offensive. On May 30, 1919, he was honorably discharged.
In politics Mr. Watson is a Republican, and he is a member of the County Bar Association, and Rutgers Alumni Association. His religious membership is in the First Reformed Church.
Since his return from overseas, Mr. Watson has resumed the prac- tice of his profession and is now steadily engaged in building up a repu- tation on the sure foundation of ability, knowledge and devotion to duty. In June, 1920, he was made a counsellor, and in the fall of 1926. he and his brother, Russell Ellsworth, formed the legal partnership of R. E. & A. D. Watson, counsellors at law, with offices at Nos. 41-43 Paterson street.
HENRY WILLIAM SCHRIMPF .- This is the name of a man who is not only one of the best known citizens of Perth Amboy, but who has built up for himself a reputation far exceeding the limits of his own community. It is needless to say that Mr. Schrimpf is the founder of the firm of H. W. Schrimpf & Company, engineers, or that he is one of the most respected and popular men within the boundaries of the community.
Adam Schrimpf, father of Henry W. Schrimpf, was born in Germany, came to this country when a lad, and located in Newark, New Jersey. He was a farmer and later became a wine merchant, and died at the age of fifty-nine years. He married Mary Bensman, and they were the parents of six children: Carrie, wife of Fred Buclhart, of Newark; Henry William, mentioned below; Adam, of Perth Amboy, a foreman for his brother Henry W .; Emma, died in infancy ; Emma, wife of Fred Geisicker, of Newark, New Jersey ; John, died at the age of five years.
Henry William Schrimpf was born in Newark, New Jersey, February 3. 1876. His education was begun in the primary department of the school adjacent to his home, whence he passed successively to the grammar and high schools, terminating his studies at the age of sixteen, when he began an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade, subsequently becoming foreman of a building concern there, and later accepting the position of foreman of Goller Iron Works, and then being made super- intendent of iron construction. In 1909 he came to Perth Amboy and established himself in his present business with office and works on Lewis street and Second street. Mr. Schrimpf gives the works and workmen his personal supervision, and in addition is gifted with extraordinary business ability and skill in the management of affairs. Among the many contracts for the erection of structural steel work may
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be mentioned : The entire steel construction of Greek Catholic church ; several large factory buildings for Raritan Copper Works; Standard Underground Cable Works; Cheeseborough Manufacturing Company ; R. & H. Chemical Company ; also erected the Convery Place Bridge and also several bridges for the State, the last being one of the most important contracts taken by him.
An independent in politics, Mr. Schrimpf votes for the man, regard- less of party label. He affiliates with Americus Lodge, No. 83, Free and Accepted Masons ; Royal Arch Masons, Chapter No. 41 ; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 784; and with the Woodmen of the World. He is also a member of H. J. Michaels' Pleasure Club, Raritan Yacht Club, and the Young Men's Christian Association. In religion he is a Presbyterian.
On May 14, 1899, Henry William Schrimpf was united in marriage with Josephine Miller, a daughter of the late Charles and Josephine Miller, old residents of Newark. Mr. and Mrs. Schrimpf are the parents of four children : Herbert Charles, associated with his father in business ; Charles Adam, deceased ; Elsie; Henry William, Jr.
The business life of Mr. Schrimpf is one of rugged honesty, and intol- erance of shams and makeshifts are among his marked characteristics. His innate love of justice and fair dealing have won for him the con- fidence and esteem of his associates, and of all with whom he has business relations, while by those under his charge he is regarded not only as a just and honorable man, but as a personal friend and counsellor.
ARMAND PIERE DAIRE, at seventy-three years of age, senior member of the firm of Daire & Son, No. 20 Bayard street, New Bruns- wick, continues active in carriage building, a business with which he has been identified in various capacities for the greater part of his life. Mr. Daire's life history from boyhood reads like a romance, and from an interesting autobiography prepared by him at the urgent requests of his family the following facts are taken, though in the transposition the intimate personal touch which gives it much of its charm is of necessity lost. Beginning with his boyhood in the old New Orleans of before the war, carrying through his runaway enlistment in the Union army during the Civil War and his army campaigning, depicting his connection with the stage and the French theatre in the United States and the provinces, outlining his business vicissitudes and successes, and concluding with a tribute of appreciation to a dutiful and loving family, it is an absorbing narrative, a document which his family will treasure beyond price as the years pass.
Mr. Daire's father, a young lawyer at the time of his marriage, was of Spanish-French descent, his parents small plantation owners of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He went to California two years after the birth of his son, joining the gold rush of 1849, accumulated a competence in his profession and in buying and selling of claims, and met his death in the loss of the vessel in which he was making the homeward voyage, the "Belle Assise."
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His mother, a native of France, Alexandrine Rose Maison, was the daughter of a Napoleonic soldier who was later given the position of customs' collector at the Octroi gate of Paris. She was reared by her grandparents, gardeners in the nursery of the king during the reign of Louis Philip, and was educated in a Sisters' school, graduating when fifteen or sixteen years of age, and then completing a two years' course in the Conservatory of Music of Paris, where her contralto voice of magnificent strength and tone was trained. She entered an opera troupe, playing in the provinces of France, and soon afterward was married to an actor named Eshevelle, to whom she bore a daughter, Mary. The husband and father died in about a year, and the mother continued her musical career in France and the United States. Her second mar- riage was her last. Armand Piere Daire was born of this marriage, and after Mr. Daire's death in shipwreck Mrs. Daire remained on the stage until the strain of her profession became too great for her advanc- ing years, when she retired, teaching French during her last years.
Armand Piere Daire was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, April 17, 1847. His mother's musical engagements made a permanent home an impossibility, and he was placed in the care of a Madam Petite, he and his sister later entering the home of his godmother, Madame Alfred, four or five years being spent between the two places. The mother accepting an engagement with the Italian Opera Company of New York, the little family made the journey up the Mississippi river, the children being left with a family named Sage, old friends, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Sage took Armand P. and his sister Mary on the road in an unsuc- cessful juvenile dramatic company, after which they joined their mother in New York. Subsequently, Armand P. Daire was apprenticed to learn to make samples for wallpaper and carpets in New York, then to a hatter in Philadelphia, later entering the Five Points House of Industry. After a trip to Cuba with his mother's opera company, he was for a time a student in a school maintained by a French couple, Mr. and Mrs. Racheski, and then became indentured to Walter Piotrowski, who had recently married his sister Mary, in the carriage painting trade. His brother-in-law and his sister were always his true and loyal friends, never failing to offer assistance when needed, ever quick with sympathy and understanding. Work in the printing office of a French newspaper, a tour with an opera company in which he played small parts through the French West Indies, and another period in the employ of Walter Piotrowski followed. The Civil War had been in progress a year and Mr. Daire had made two unsuccessful efforts to enlist, when, without informing his sister and her husband of his intention, he presented himself as of the required age and enlisted under the name of Eugene Dupont, August 11, 1862, as a private in Company H, 145th Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry. An act of Congress legalizing this action, which was resorted to by so many patriotic youths unable to obtain parental consent to enlistment, causes him to be entered in the records of the War Department as "Armand P. Daire, alias Eugene Dupont, 145th and 123rd United States Volunteers." The 145th was sent to Washington, then crossed to Virginia, where it was attached to the
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Ist Brigade, Ist Division, 12th Army Corps, commanded by General Slocum. He was in much of the important action of the war, partici- pating in the battles of Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Dallas' Gap, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, the siege of Atlanta, afterward marching with Sherman to the sea, in the siege of Savannah. After the three days' fighting at Gettys- burg the 145th Regiment was so decimated that General Slocum ordered its consolidation with the other New York regiments. Mr. Daire's com- pany was joined with Company H, 123rd Regiment, and he was honor- ably discharged from the service as a member of that unit in June, 1865.
After leaving the army he made his home for a time with his sister Mary, and, realizing his lack of English education, although he was better versed in French, he took a short course in Payne's Writing Academy on the Bowery, studying penmanship, spelling, and arithmetic. He afterward returned to the stage for a time, playing in eastern cities and in Canada, working between theatrical seasons with his brother- in-law at the painting trade and always finding work and welcome there when a theatrical venture had failed. Finally he decided to give up his histrionic ambitions and to sever his connections with the theatre, and made arrangements with his brother-in-law to learn every depart- ment of the carriage painting trade, a course to which he adhered so closely that he became a finished and expert mechanic. He gained addi- tional experience in several other New York shops and then purchased a carriage painting business in Newton, Sussex county, New Jersey. He married while living in Newton. The panic of 1873 wrecked his business and brought him into financial difficulties, from which, in the course of time, he extricated himself. He followed his trade in New York City, Newark, New Jersey, New Haven, Connecticut, Trenton, New Jersey, St. Louis, Missouri, finally locating in New Brunswick, New Jersey, his present home.
For several years Mr. Daire had contributed articles on technical subjects to "The Hub," a trade journal devoted to the interests of the carriage building business, and had been well paid for his writings. He had gained a wide reputation and acquaintance in the trade through this work, and the many offers of positions tendered, combined with his own independence and strong sense of right, explain his numerous busi- ness changes. He traveled for a time through New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, as the representative of "The Hub," and then for five or six years was on the road for the Valentine Varnish Company and other leading varnish manufacturing concerns.
In 1896 Mr. Daire opened a small carriage repair shop on Somerset street, New Brunswick, where he was joined by his son, Charles M., upon the completion of the younger Daire's schooling. Afterward, for a year, both were employed by Mr. Weeks, of Freehold, New Jersey, then with A. L. Mundy, of New Brunswick, Mr. Daire serving as manager. When Mr. Mundy sold his enterprise to Geer & Demott, Mr. Daire and his son undertook the management of the painting department under the firm name of Daire & Son, and when, about a year later Geer & Demott went into bankruptcy, Mr. Daire, as trustee, settled the affairs of the
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firm. Following this he and his son broadened their operations to include all departments of carriage repairing and building, as well as auto repairing, and they pursue these lines at the present time, a well- known, dependable firm of established reputation.
Mr. Daire is a Roman Catholic in religious faith, although his religi- ous views are broad and tolerant. In politics he is a Democrat in national affairs, and in local matters is independent, his judgments based on the merits of men rather than of party. In New Brunswick he has been justice of the peace, and in the borough of Highland Park councilman, member of the Board of Education, and member of the Board of Health, of which he has been twice elected president. He holds membership in the Grand Army of the Republic.
Armand Piere Daire married Almira Haffner, and to them six chil- dren were born. Two, Raphael and Gertrude, died in infancy, and those surviving are: Francis, a graduate of Princeton College, a journalist of Newark, New Jersey ; Charles M., his father's business partner ; Mary, married George Tailby ; and Eleanor, who married Walter B. Archibald.
HAROLD S. FLANAGAN, D. D. S .- As a practicing dentist, Dr. Flanagan has located among the friends of a life time, for New Bruns- wick is the city of his birth and there his home has always been. He is a son of a long time merchant and a well known citizen of New Bruns- wick, whose store is a New Brunswick landmark.
John P. Flanagan was born in Ireland, in 1845, and died December 24, 1916, son of Martin and Mary (Kavanaugh) Flanagan. He was edu- cated in his native Parish of Dover, and at the age of eleven years, in 1856, came to the United States, finding a home in New York City, where he became a bookkeeper. He resided there until July, 1861, when he enlisted in the Union army and served throughout the war. After receiving an honorable discharge from the army, he located in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he opened a grocery store and continued in successful business at the same location for thirty-four years. He took a prominent part in public affairs, was a member of the State Board of Prisons, 1889-1894, and a member of the Middlesex County Board of Excise. He married, in 1873, Mary Coine, who died December 10, 1914, and they were the parents of eight children: John, Anna, James, Mary, deceased ; William, Edward, Loretta, and Harold S., of further men- tion. The family were members of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Harold S. Flanagan, son of John P. and Mary (Coine) Flanagan, was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, February 7, 1892, and in 1909 was graduated from the New Brunswick High School. He later entered the New York College of Dentistry, whence, in 1915, he was graduated D. D. S. He has since been engaged in the practice of his profession in New Brunswick, at No. 335 George street, where he is building up a good practice.
During the World War Mr. Flanagan saw service with the 58th Infantry, 4th Division, and was commissioned first lieutenant in the
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Dental Corps, in June, 1917. On May 5, 1918, he sailed for the other side, and on May 18th his ship was torpedoed and destroyers were com- pelled to come to the rescue, landing the troops at Dover, England, the same day. Mr. Flanagan was in active service at the Aisne-Marne battle from July 16 to August 1, in which action he was wounded, July 19, 1918; he was at St. Mihiel from September 12 to September 16, and Meuse-Argonne from September 26 to October 27. He received one citation. He was promoted to captain March 15, 1919, and was honorably discharged August 23, 1919.
FREDERICK F. RICHARDSON, one of the younger generation of attorneys of Middlesex county, holds a prominent place. He was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, August 28, 1893, the son of William and Mary (Flowers) Richardson. William Richardson is assistant postmaster at New Brunswick. To Mr. and Mrs. Richardson have been born five children : Warren, deceased; Edith; Frederick F., the subject of this review ; Harry ; and Elizabeth.
Frederick F. Richardson completed the grammar school courses in New Brunswick, then entered high school, finishing with graduation in 1911. During the four years at this institution, he was prominent in the athletic life, being manager of the football team for two years, manager of the baseball team, also holding other offices, as follows: Editor-in-chief of the "Advocate;" president of his class during his sophomore year; and president of the debating society. In September, 1911, he entered the New Jersey Law School and was graduated in 1915, admitted to the bar that same year, and then immediately com- menced the practice of his chosen profession in his native place, where he still continues.
Mr. Richardson is a staunch Republican in politics, has given much time to the public affairs of this region, holding the position of county counsel for the Middlesex County Board of Freeholders, and also presi- dent of the New Brunswick Republican Club. He affiliates with the Knights of Columbus, and is a member of the New Brunswick Boat Club. In religion he is a Roman Catholic and attends the Sacred Heart Church of New Brunswick, New Jersey.
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