USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume II > Part 29
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C. RAYMOND LYONS, one of the successful young attorneys of New Brunswick, New Jersey, and a man who has already made a name for himself in the public life of this region, is a native of this com- munity, born December 25, 1894. His entire career has been interwoven
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with the interests of his birthplace, and to the advancement and mainte- nance of those interests he is ever steadfastly loyal ..
James Joseph Lyons, father of C. Raymond Lyons, was born in Ireland, near the city of Dublin, and lived there until he was six years of age, when he was brought by his parents to this country. Upon landing in New York City, they came direct to New Brunswick, where James Joseph Lyons has since resided, and it is here that he has carried on a successful contracting business for many years. He married Catherine Feeney, who died in New Brunswick, in 1916, at the age of sixty-one years. To Mr. and Mrs. Lyons have been born eleven children, of whom six are still living : Luke J., a member of the New Brunswick police force ; James A., a contractor of New Brunswick; Mary C., wife of John A. Price, of South Amboy ; Ellen M .; C. Raymond, of further mention ; and Monica.
The elementary education of C. Raymond Lyons was obtained in the private and parochial schools of his native place. He graduated from St. Peter's High School in 1913, and the same year attended summer courses at Rutgers College, then entered Fordham University, New York City, from which he was graduated June 14, 1916, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. The following November, he was admitted to practice law at the bar of Middlesex county. During the time Mr. Lyons was at law school, he studied with Edmund A. Hayes and Chester R. Holman of New Brunswick, and could not have chosen a better environment, both men being noted for their maintenance of the pro- fession's highest ideals and traditions. Upon being admitted to practice, Mr. Lyons formed a partnership with Frederick F. Richardson, men- tioned elsewhere in this work, under the firm name of Richardson & Lyons, and since beginning practice has built up for himself an enviable reputation.
In 1918 Mr. Lyons enlisted in the United States Marines, and after completing the necessary course of training at Paris Island, South Carolina, was assigned to the Marine barracks at Dover, New Jersey, where he was awaiting overseas orders when the armistice was signed. A Republican in politics, he takes a keen interest in the activities of his party, and in 1919 was elected to the General Assembly to represent Middlesex county, and again in 1920. In 1919 his majority was forty, and in 1920 he carried by close to 13,000. He is a member of several fraternal organizations, among them being: The Loyal Order of Moose, of which he is the New Jersey State secretary; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Improved Order of Red Men : the Knights of Columbus ; the Ancient Order of Hibernians; the New Brunswick Sportsmen's Club; and the American Legion. His law fraternity in Delta Theta Phi. Mr. Lyons is a member of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church. He is unmarried.
DAVID COMBS ENGLISH, M. D .- Among the veteran physicians of Middlesex county none stands higher than the one whose name we have just written and who can now look back upon more than half a
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century of successful practice in New Brunswick. In addition to his professional activities, Dr. English has always borne a leading part in church work and in educational and philanthropic enterprises.
David Combs (1) English, father of David Combs (2) English, of New Brunswick, was a physician at Middletown Point, New Jersey, and later practiced in New Brunswick. The family settled in Monmouth county about two hundred years ago, Englishtown having been named from the family, and one of the founders of the old Tennent Church. He married Henrietta Green. In the latter years of his life, Dr. English was the proprietor of a drug store in New Brunswick, relinquishing, to a great extent, his practice as a physician.
Dr. David Combs (2) English, son of David Combs (1) and Henri- etta (Green) English, was born March 2, 1842, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and received his education in public schools and in Mack's and Hamilton's private schools. After taking a preparatory course at Rut- ger's College, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, graduating in 1868 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine.
In association with Dr. Clifford Morrogh, Dr. English began prac- tice in New Brunswick, but at the end of two or three years opened an office for himself in the same place, advancing, as time went on, to the position of acknowledged leadership which he has so long occupied.
Since 1868 Dr. English has been a member of the Medical Society of New Jersey and for several years served as chairman of its standing committee ; in 1895 he was elected vice-president, and in 1898 became president ; for the last fourteen years he has been editor of its Monthly Journal. Since 1868 he has been a member of the Middlesex County Medical Society, having served for forty-five years as its treasurer and having at one time held the office of president. Dr. English was elected the first honorary member of the Academy of Medicine of Northern New Jersey. He represented the State Society twice at the Pan-Amer- ican Medical Congress; also at the meeting of the American Medical Association frequently. He is president of the Medical Section of the Rutgers Club, and a member of the Medical Service Corps, United States Army.
In 1867 and 1868 Dr. English occupied a seat on the Board of Alder- men, and for several years he was director or manager of the Union Building Loan Association. He was one of the founders of the Young Men's Christian Association of New Brunswick and for ten years served as its president. He was also the original mover in the organ- ization of the executive committee of the State Young Men's Christian Association and for twenty years served as one of its members. He and his family are members of the First Presbyterian Church of New Brunswick, in which, from 1871 to 1873, he served as deacon. Since 1873 he has held the office of elder, and since 1884 has been clerk of ses- sion. He has represented his church often at meetings of the Presbytery and three times represented his Presbytery at the General Assembly. He is one of the originators of the State Sanitary Association, was
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president of it, and for many years ex-president and honorary member of its executive council.
Dr. English married, September 14, 1870, in New Brunswick, Susan Cary Blake, daughter of the Hon. Harrison and Susan Brett (Cary) Blake, who were double second cousins and descendants of John and Priscilla Alden in four direct lines. Dr. and Mrs. English are the parents of one son : Grenfell Harrison Blake English, born December 31, 1872; he has been supervisor of the Pennsylvania Railroad, fifteen years, at present of the Lancaster (Pennsylvania) division.
The career of Dr. English as a physician has been rich in results, which were the fruit of his long and ripe experience. Over and above this he has aided greatly in the advancement and maintenance of the literary and scientific interests of the profession to which he has given his lifelong devotion. His name will be inscribed with honor in the medical annals of Middlesex county. He has contributed to this History the admirable chapter on "The Medical Fraternity."
HARRY EVERETT COMINGS, secretary and treasurer of the Raritan Trust Company, holds a prominent place in the younger circles of business men of Perth Amboy. He owes his success wholly to his own efforts and may thus be considered justified in a certain pride in his achievements.
George Taylor Comings, father of Harry Everett Comings, was born in Petersburg, New Jersey, May 23, 1841, and died in Perth Amboy, February 12, 1901. He was a farmer for many years, and later estab- lished himself in the livery business. He served on the Board of Free- holders of Middlesex county for several terms, and always took a keen interest in politics. He married Sarah Cory, and to them were born eight children: Virgil, deceased; Ella C .; Worthington G., assistant collector of revenue at Perth Amboy; Robert M., a resident of East Orange, New Jersey ; Frank C., letter carrier of Perth Amboy ; George R., clerk with the B. A. Paving Company of Perth Amboy ; Walter W., broker in Washington, D. C .; Harry Everett, of further mention.
Harry Everett Comings was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He received his elementary education in the public schools of his native place, later completing a course in Trainer's Business College. His first employment was with the Lehigh Valley Railroad as freight clerk, where he remained four years, and then was promoted to ticket agent of the passenger department. Three years later he became teller of the Rari- tan Trust Company, in which capacity he served for two years, when he was promoted to the position of assistant treasurer, and on January I, 1920, was appointed secretary and treasurer of the company, which offices he still holds at the present time. Mr. Comings is also secretary and director of the Perth Amboy Building and Loan Association.
During the World War, he took an active part in the Liberty Loan drives, and served as auditor for the United War Work Campaign. He affiliates with Prudence Lodge, No. 204, Free and Accepted Masons; Amboy Chapter, No. 41, Royal Arch Masons ; and Valley of Jersey City Lodge, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Free Masonry. He is
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also a director of the Young Men's Christian Association, of Perth Amboy. He is particularly interested in boys and spends a large por- tion of his spare time during the summer at the Young Men's Christian Association Jersey Boys' Camp in Wawayanda. In religion he is a Presbyterian, and has ever taken an active part in the affairs of the First Presbyterian Church, of which he is a member, having been librarian and secretary of the Sunday school for many years, and president of the Christian Endeavor Society for several terms. He is now a deacon in the church. Mr. Comings is unmarried.
CHARLES EDWARD TINDELL .- Since his admission to the New Jersey bar in 1897, Mr. Tindell has been active in both professional and public life, his achievement in both having been most satisfactory. He has many outside interests, but is first and last the lawyer and advocate, a profession to which he gave careful preparation. He is the son of Edward and Annie (Dunn) Tindell. Edward Tindell was a prominent coal dealer for thirty-six years in New Brunswick and now lives there retired. He has always been very active in the affairs of the community, having served in the following positions: Secretary of the Second People's Building Loan Association ; clerk of the Mid- dlesex County Board of Freeholders; member of the New Brunswick Board of Education ; and member of the Board of Health. To Mr. and Mrs. Tindell were born four children: Charles Edward, of further men- tion ; Minnie A .; George R., an accountant in Chicago, Illinois ; Alfred S., an accountant at Highland Park, New Jersey.
Charles Edward Tindell was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, December 2, 1872, and completed grammar and high school education there, after which he matriculated at Rutgers College, from which he was graduated in 1893 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Four years later, in 1897, he was admitted to the New Jersey State bar as attorney, and three years later was made counsellor. He is a member of the Mid- dlesex County Bar Association.
For many years Mr. Tindell has been prominent in the political life of the community, having held the following offices : Clerk of Middlesex County Grand Jury; alderman; member of the Board of Education ; city attorney ; and is now, 1920, serving as city recorder. He affiliates with Union Lodge, No. 19, Free and Accepted Masons; Scott Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons ; and with Delta chapter of Chi Phi fraternity. His club is the Brunswick. In religion he is a Methodist and attends St. James' Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Tindell is unmarried.
Charles Edward Tindell has been connected with many important cases in his profession, and is both learned in the law and skillful in its application to the cause at hand, and is held in the highest regard by the brethren of his profession.
AUGUSTE JACQUES ROSSI, numbered among the practical men of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, men who have achieved noteworthy results along constructive lines, is the son of James Camille and Caroline A.
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(Frame) Rossi, the former a native of Paris, France, and the latter of New York City. James C. Rossi came to the United States in 1859, when but sixteen years of age, and located in Kansas where he carried on his profession of mining and civil engineer for a number of years. In 1881 he came to Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and there made his home until his death, January 21, 1914, when about seventy-one years of age. He is survived by his wife, who continues to reside in Perth Amboy. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Auguste Jacques, of further mention ; Louis Mansfield, a sketch of whom follows; Charles, of Perth Amboy ; Mabelle, the wife of William S. Higgins, of Chatham, New Jersey ; and three children who died in youth.
Auguste Jacques Rossi was born in Flushing, Long Island, July 26, 1875. He lived there until he attained the age of six years, when his parents came to Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He received his early edu- cation at Miss Gertrude Smith's private school, then later attended the Dr. Pingry school in Elizabeth, New Jersey. His education was completed by a thorough technical course in the Columbia College School of Mines, from which he was graduated in 1896. He then entered upon the work of civil engineering in Perth Amboy. Following a period of work in the immediate vicinity, Mr. Rossi did construction work all over the East, handling many important projects at different points. Later he became associated with the Raritan Hollow and Porus Brick Company. Then his work broadened, and he was called to many different sections throughout Canada and the Middle West, where large construction operations were in progress. On January 1, 1920, he formed his present business connection with the Chesebrough Manu- facturing Company. During the recent World War, Mr. Rossi had charge of much special experimental work in connection with the use of high explosives and the loading of shells. He has served the city as alderman from the First Ward.
Mr. Rossi married, in Perth Amboy, Mildred L. Allen, daughter of Charles L. Allen. She was born in Trenton, New Jersey. Mr. Allen died there, and Mrs. S. J. Allen, Mrs. Rossi's mother, now makes her home with her daughter's family. Mr. and Mrs. Rossi are the parents of six children, four of whom are living. Their children are: Phyllis, Fred, Helene, deceased ; Auguste Jacques, deceased ; Inez and Mildred.
Personally, Mr. Rossi is preeminently an outdoor man, fond of sports and all open air pursuits. He has a keen eye for good sailing craft, and takes the greatest delight in an occasional fishing trip.
LOUIS MANSFIELD ROSSI, one of the successful citizens of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where he is manager of the General Bakelite Company, and has long been prominent in business circles as an indus- trial chemist, was born August 3, 1877, in Flushing, Long Island. He is a son of James Camille and Caroline A. (Frame) Rossi (q. v.).
Louis Mansfield Rossi passed the greater part of his childhood in Perth Amboy, to which place his parents removed when he was but four years of age, and as a little boy attended the private school of
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Miss Gertrude Smith, where he gained his elementary education. Later he became a pupil at the Pingry School of Elizabeth, New Jersey, and there was prepared for college. In early youth he had taken a keen interest in chemistry and other scientific studies, and after graduation from the latter institution in 1895 entered the School of Mines of Colum- bia University and was graduated from there with the class of 1899 as a mining engineer. Even before completing his education he had earned his first money during vacations acting as a surveyor for C. C. Hom- mann, at that time city surveyor of Perth Amboy. After his graduation, however, he secured a permanent position with the Perth Amboy Terra Cotta Company and remained with that concern one year. His next connection was with the National Fireproofing Company, which con- tinued for a similar period, when he undertook the task of building the plant of the Perth Amboy Chemical Works. Upon the completion of the plant he remained with the same concern as manager, his connection with it continuing from 1903 to 1908. In the latter year he was employed by the Roessler & Hanslacher Chemical Company in research work, and continued to be thus occupied for about two years. It was in the year 1910 that the General Bakelite Company was incorporated in Perth Amboy, and Mr. Rossi was asked to become its general manager, a posi- tion which he accepted and which he has continuously. held ever since. This concern has flourished greatly up to the present time, and its growth has been due in no small measure to the capable conduct of its affairs by Mr. Rossi, who has displayed a remarkable talent for organ- ization and executive work and an unusual degree of good business judgment. Mr. Rossi has also taken an active part in the development of the Raritan Trust Company of Perth Amboy, and is a director of that flourishing financial institution. He is a conspicuous figure in the general life of the community, and is a member of a large number of organizations of both a public and private character. During the five years between 1910 and 1915 he was a member of the local Board of Education, and is now affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus, the American Society for Testing Materials, the American Chemical Society, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the American Electro Chemical Society, the Society of Chemical Industry, the East Jersey Club, the Colonia Country Club, and the Perth Amboy Chamber of Commerce, of which he has been a director. In his religious belief he is a Roman Catholic and attends St. Mary's Church of that denomination in Perth Amboy. Mr. Rossi has always been fond of out-door athletic sports, and during his youth took particular pleasure in boating. Of recent years this has been to a large extent superseded by golf, of which he is at present an enthusiastic devotee.
Louis Mansfield Rossi was united in marriage, June 8, 1907, at Perth Amboy, with Agnes Geraldine Langan, a native of that place, born April 2. 1879, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Archer) Lan- gan, both of whom are now deceased. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Rossi, as follows: Margaret Archer, born May 13, 1908, and Thomas Langan, born December 11, 1910.
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PETER CHRISTIAN OLSEN, numbered among the citizens of Perth Amboy who have reached a position of influence in the business life of the community, was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, February 17, 1881, the son of Lauritz and Ane Marie Olsen. In 1891 he came to this country with his parents and three brothers, the family settling in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where he received a public school educa- tion. He has always manifested a keen practical interest in everything tending to the civic development and progress of the city of his adop- tion. Mr. Olsen is treasurer and general manager of the South Amboy Terra Cotta Company since 1904. From the time of his connection with this corporation he has been a potent factor in its development into a national factor in the terra cotta industry. He is a director and vice- president of the Perth Amboy Trust Company, treasurer of the Mathol Investment Company, and president of the National Terra Cotta Society. Mr. Olsen has served as chairman of the Perth Amboy Harbor Com- mission two terms. During the World War he was attached to the toluol division, high explosives section, ordnance department, of the United States army. At the conclusion of the war he was commissioned captain in the United States Army Reserve Corps. Mr. Olsen is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, American Ceramic Society, and the Raritan Yacht Club of Perth Amboy, which organization he has served as commodore for two terms.
On November 3, 1911, Mr. Olsen was united in marriage with Frances Laura Burke, daughter of Charles and Harriet (Reed) Burke, of Naples, New York. They have no children. Mr. and Mrs. Olsen reside at No. 69 Water street, Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Business address is No. 150 Nassau street, New York.
BERTRAM B. SMITH, numbered among the best known dentists of New Brunswick, New Jersey, has made for himself a position of prominence in his chosen profession. Though not a native of New Brunswick, Dr. Smith has resided here since 1906, and has become thor- oughly identified with her leading interests.
John Christian Smith, father of Bertram B. Smith, was born in Lan- caster, Pennsylvania, March 25, 1851, on the old homestead which was originally purchased by his grandfather. He spent his entire life on the farm, and died there, September 9, 1917. He married Linda M. Mellinger, whose Grandfather Galloway served as a colonel in the Revolutionary War. Her father, Dr. David Mellinger, was one of the most prominent physicians in Columbia, Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania, where he had practiced many years, and died at the age of ninety- seven years. He was a Republican in politics, and was active in public life. Dr. Mellinger was a friend of Abraham Lincoln, and was invited by Mr. Lincoln to accompany him on one of his speaking campaigns. Linda M. (Mellinger) Smith died January 27, 1917.
To John C. and Linda M. (Mellinger) Smith seven children were born : Elsie M., wife of Dr. G. C. McBrude, of Newark, New Jersey ; Bessie C., wife of W. H. Kelly, of East Orange, New Jersey ; Lucy, a
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resident of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Arthur D., a dentist in East Orange, New Jersey ; Bertram B., of further mention ; Jennie M., wife of Harrison Nolt, a farmer of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania ; Phoebe M., wife of Harry Metcalf, of Newark, New Jersey.
John Christian Smith's grandfather, also John Christian Smith by name, and a German by birth, came to this country and settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, while five of his brothers settled in Virginia. He was one of the founders of the United Brethren church of Eastern Pennsylvania.
Bertram B. Smith, son of John Christian and Linda M. (Mellinger) Smith, was born on the old homestead in Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania, March 6, 1884. He attended the public schools of his native place, after which he worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-two years of age, when, having decided to adopt the profession of dentistry for his life's career, he studied in Newark, New Jersey, later coming to New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he began to practice his profession, October 3, 1906. In 1915, having previously matriculated at Maryland University, he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery.
On August 15, 1917, Dr. Smith was commissioned first lieutenant in the United States army and spent eleven months in France. He was honorably discharged from the service, July 29, 1919. In politics Dr. Smith is a Republican, giving to the affairs of this organization the interest demanded of every good citizen. He affiliates with the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Junior Order of United Amer- ican Mechanics. In his religious belief he is an Episcopalian.
Dr. Smith married, September 2, 1911, Edythe A. Sevenair, daughter of the late Charles and Sarah (Outcault) Sevenair, of Milltown, New Jersey. Dr. and Mrs. Smith have no children. They reside at No. 41 Lincoln avenue, Highland Park. Dr. Smith's offices are located at No. 115 Albany street, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
SAMUEL EAKIN SHULL .- Among the representative citizens of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, there is none better known than Samuel Eakin Shull, the distinguished scholar and educator, who has for a quarter of a century served as the efficient superintendent of the schools of that city. Mr. Shull comes of a good old Pennsylvania family and was born in that State, January 26, 1859, in the town of Martins Creek. He is a son of Elias and Margaret (Eakin) Shull, the former a prosper- ous farmer of Martins Creek, where he came to be a prominent figure in the local public life and at one time represented his district in the State Legislature.
The childhood of Mr. Shull was spent at his native place, where as a lad he attended the local public schools and received his elementary education. He later became a student of the State Normal School at Kutztown, Pennsylvania, and still later studied in the Blairstown Acad- emy, Blairstown, New Jersey. After completing his preparation for college at the last named institution, he marticulated at Lafayette Col-
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