USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume II > Part 32
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On September 18, 1902, Mr. Clark was united in marriage with Matilda Christine Brown, daughter of Rasmus and Christine (Freder- icks) Brown, of Perth Amboy. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are .the parents of one child, Howard Eugene, born May 25, 191I.
DAVID JOHN KAUFMANN, widely known among Perth Amboy business men, who for the past eighteen years has been actively identi- fied with the business life of the city, as president and treasurer of the firm of Potts & Kaufmann, Incorporated, wholesale grocers and flour merchants, stands today prominently linked with the city's business interests.
Israel Kaufmann, father of David John Kaufmann, was born in Ger- many, in 1836, and emigrated to America in 1848, locating in New York, where he later became engaged in the wool business on West Forty- seventh street, and where he died in 1902 at the age of sixty-six years. He married Lena Kaufmann, a native of New York City, and they were the parents of four children : David John, of further mention; Abraham, engaged in the grocery business in Prenso, California, married, and has one child, Isabella; Isabella, widow of Henry Litchenstein, who has a daughter, Lena; Aaron, died at birth. Mrs. Kaufmann died in 1869, at the age of twenty-one years, when her fourth child was born.
David John Kaufmann, son of Israel and Lena (Kaufmann) Kauf- mann, was born July 21, 1865, in New York City. He was educated in the public schools of New York City, and New York College, from which he was graduated in 1883. He was first employed by Bissell & Haydock, hardware dealers, accepting the position of cashier, and after a year and a half became a grocery salesman, travelling from Omaha to San Fran- cisco, subsequently accepting the position of salesman for L. F. Hersh Brothers, wholesale grocers, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, remaining with this latter concern for fifteen years. In 1902, desiring to establish him- self in business, he opened a small establishment on the corner of State and Fayette streets, Perth Amboy, and the firm of Potts & Kauf- mann, Incorporated, wholesale grocers and flour merchants, at Nos. 224-226 Washington street, Perth Amboy, employing fifty-five people and doing an annual business of $2,500,000, is the outgrowth of that little enterprise, Mr. Kaufmann being president and treasurer of this extensive business. More than to any other one man this enterprise owes its magnitude and prestige to its president, whose foresight, breadth of
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view and capacity for prompt decision may be termed the cornerstone of this flourishing business.
Mr. Kaufmann carries with him the suggestion of intense vitality and alertness, and the briefest talk with him reveals his ability and his rare gift for managing a large enterprise. He is a man who while great in action is no less so in thought. His magnitude in execution is equalled by his breadth of outlook. He sees on the horizon the possibilities of the future and with all his strength he labors for their realization. In politics he is a Republican, but while never consenting to hold office he always gives his loyal support to measures calculated to benefit the community and promote its rapid and substantial development. Mr. Kaufmann's hobby is reading, he being particularly interested in ancient history. We have not said that Mr. Kaufmann is a good citizen for that fact is self-evident. as he is steadily and efficiently ministering to the advancement of his community.
EDWIN IRVING CRONK, M. D., began the practice of medicine in New Brunswick, New Jersey, a city in which he was born and where his forty-five years have been spent. He is a son of Lyman and Anna Cronk, his father a veteran of the Civil War, 1861-65, and a veteran New Brunswick manufacturer of sash, blinds. and doors, now retired.
Edwin Irving Cronk was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey. No- vember 30, 1876. He passed through all grades of the public schools, finishing with high school graduation, class of 1895. He prepared for the practice of medicine in Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital, Phil- adelphia, Pennsylvania, and was graduated M. D., class of 1900, and in the same year began the practice of his profession in New Brunswick. From 1900 to 1910 he was city physician, 1910 to 1921 health officer, and during the same period medical inspector of public schools. During the selective draft period, 1917-18, he was medical director of Draft Board No. I for Middlesex county. Dr. Cronk is a member of Union Lodge, No. 19. Free and Accepted Masons; the Fraternal Order of Eagles; Loyal Order of Moose; and the Royal Arcanum. His clubs are the New Brunswick, City and Lion's, all of New Brunswick. In politics he is a Republican; in religious faith affiliated with Pitman Methodist Church.
Dr. Cronk married, in Cincinnati, Ohio, June 7, 1905, Mary L. Ellis. Dr. and Mrs. Cronk are the parents of two children: Madeline Clayton, born December 15, 1906; Ellis Irving, born February 9, 1910.
DAVID THEODORE WILENTZ, one of the large group of pro- fessional men in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, is a prominent figure. Still a young man, and only recently established in his profession as attorney- at-law, he is commanding the attention of the general public as well as his colleagues of the bar.
Mr. Wilentz is a son of Nathan and Bertha (Crane) Wilentz, who were both born in Russia. Nathan Wilentz is a well known man in the business world of Perth Amboy, having been in the wholesale tobacco business here for about thirty-five years. Nathan and Bertha (Crane)
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Wilentz are the parents of seven children: Jennie, now Mrs. Snaper, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey ; Fannie, now Mrs. Miller, of Cleveland, Ohio; Frank, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey ; Kate B., now Mrs. Kanter, of New- ark, New Jersey; William, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, a student in Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia; Ada, a student in Montclair. New Jersey, lives at home; and David Theodore, of further mention.
David Theodore Wilentz was born in Russia, December 21, 1894. He came with his family to America while yet a child, and received his early education in the public and high schools of Perth Amboy, being gradu- ated from the latter in 1912. Choosing a legal career, he entered the New York Law School and was graduated in 1917. For two periods of one year and a half each, Mr. Wilentz was in newspaper work as reporter, first on the Perth Amboy "Evening News," then later on the Plainfield, New Jersey, "Courier-News."
During the recent World War, Mr. Wilentz bore his share in the service of the United States Army. From October, 1917, to October, 1918, he served in the Quartermaster's Corps, at Fort DuPont, Delaware, and from October, 1918, to December, 1918, in the Officers' Training School at Camp Joseph E. Johnston. Since his discharge he has followed the practice of law, which was interrupted so soon after his graduation. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Wilentz married, February 22, 1920, in Perth Amboy, Lena Gold- man, daughter of Barnett and Sarah (Diamond) Goldman. Mr. and Mrs. Wilentz are members of the Jewish church.
HERBERT JAMES LONG .- Progressive in business, and with a thorough understanding of his particular line of work, Herbert James Long has made the name of the "Kompak Water Heater" well known throughout the United States and, because of a large export trade, almost equally so in other countries.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, September 21, 1878, Herbert James Long was the son of Albert and Etta (Wilbur) Long, lifelong residents of Cleveland, both having been born there. Albert Long, who was an accountant in the city, died in 1879, and his wife, surviving him for many years, died at her home in Cleveland, at the age of fifty-two. They were the parents of four children: I. Myron, deceased. 2. William J., who resides in New York City. 3. Mabel, the wife of C. S. Beardslee, of Cleveland. 4. Herbert James, of whom further.
The Long family is of English ancestry, the grandfather of Herbert James Long coming to the United States from England many years ago and going at once to Cleveland, establishing his home there. On the maternal side, Mr. Long is a descendant of the well known Wilbur family, one of the oldest in Cleveland, the Wilbur homestead being one of the show places in the city.
Having attended the grammer school and graduated from the Cen- tral High School in 1896, Herbert James Long took a course in civil engi- neering at the Case School of Applied Science. He then received the appointment of civil engineer for the city of Cleveland, a position he held
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for four years. Following this he went into the plumbing business, and later became secretary and treasurer of the Monarch Water Heater Company of Pittsburgh, remaining with this concern for four years. In 1907 Mr. Long came to New Brunswick to accept the position of secre- tary and treasurer of the Empire Foundry Company, and at the end of two years he left this company to enter into business for himself, start- ing in 1909 in the manufacture of water heaters, under the name of H. J. Long. Later it became known as the Long, Landreth & Schneider Com- pany, manufacturers of water heaters, the factory being located at No. 226 Cleveland avenue, Highland Park. Eleven years after its founding, on January 1, 1920, the concern became incorporated under the laws of New Jersey, the corporation name being the Kompak Company, this being the trade mark of their chief product, the "Kompak Water Heater." The business has prospered to an unusual extent, the last year (1920) it having tripled the amount of the previous year, in 1919 the business amounting to $200,000, and in 1920, $600,000.
Mr. Long is connected with several of the local organizations, among them being: The Rotary Club, the Young Men's Christian Association, and the American Gas Association. He and his family are members of the Livingston Avenue Baptist Church of New Brunswick. Mr. Long is greatly interested in automobiling, that being his favorite form of amuse- ment.
In Cleveland, Ohio, September 1, 1904, Herbert James Long was mar- ried to Emilie S. Hessenmueller, a native of Cleveland. She was the daughter of Otto Hessenmueller, who is deputy county treasurer, his home being in Cleveland. Mr. and Mrs. Long have three children, all living: Gertrude E., born August 15, 1905: Karl H., born October 6, 1907; and John W., born October 6, 1909. Their home is at No. 235 Har- rison avenue, Highland Park, New Brunswick.
GEORGE R. MORRISON-Although young in years, George R. Morrison, a well known attorney of New Brunswick, New Jersey, has already earned a distinction in his professional work, for his efforts have been so discerningly directed along well-defined lines that his life already may be called a successful one.
James A. Morrison, father of George R. Morrison, was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and for a number of years was connected with the Morrison & Blue Printing Company, but of late years has given his attention to promoting business enterprises. A Republican in politics, he has always taken an active interest in the affairs of the organization having been city clerk and State committeeman for the party during 1918. He has also served as president of the New Brunswick Board of Education and the Board of Health. Mr. Morrison married Rebecca H. J. McCowan, a native of Scotland. To Mr. and Mrs. Morrison have been born four children: Lillian L., wife of Raymond P. Wilson, of New Brunswick; Helen J., a school teacher ; Jessie L., a school teacher ; and George R., of further mention.
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George R. Morrison was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, June 27, 1893, and received his elementary education in the public schools of his native place, after which he entered Rutgers Preparatory School, from which he was graduated in 1910, and then matriculated at Rutgers Col- lege, where he spent two years. For the next six months he became associated with the New Brunswick Fire Insurance Company and then, having decided to enter the legal profession, he studied in the office of Judge Woodbridge and subsequently entered the New Jersey Law School, graduating from this institution in 1917, and being admitted to the bar the following year, he has since been engaged in the active prac- tice of his profession in his native city.
Mr. Morrison is a Republican in politics. He affiliates with the Chi Phi fraternity of Rutgers College; the Delta Theta Phi law fraternity ; Palestine Lodge, No. III, Free and Accepted Masons ; and New Bruns- wick Lodge, No. 324, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
DONALD WELLS REED .- From Ashtabula, Ohio, came Donald W. Reed, in January, 1910, and, as superintendent of the Eastern Coal Dock Company at South Amboy, he has taken a leading place among the men of his city. To him is due in large degree the founding and suc- cessful reception of the newest of the financial institutions of the county, the South Amboy Trust Company. In Ashtabula, Ohio, his birthplace, the family is well known through the connection of James Reed, Sr., and James Reed, Jr., with the Ashtabula "Telegraph," the elder Reed its founder, and the younger Reed its editor and owner all his mature years.
James (2) Reed was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, in 1852, died in Ashtabula, Ohio, in July, 1912. He was of ancient Colonial family, the Reeds having settled in and around Norwalk upon the coming of the founder from Scotland, in 1626. James (2) Reed married Harriet Cor- delia Wells, of distinguished Connecticut family, who survives him, a resident of Ashtabula. Five children were born to them: Emma Louise, James, Donald Wells, of further mention ; Catherine Elizabeth, and Fran- ces Margaret.
Donald Wells Reed was born in Ashtabula, Ohio, April 23, 1882, and until the age of seventeen attended public schools. He began his busi- ness career with M. A. Hanna & Company, iron ore and coal shippers, and for ten years was in the employ of that company, rising to responsi- ble position. In January, 1910, he entered upon the duties of a new office, superintendent of the Eastern Coal Dock Company, of South Amboy, and there he has spent the past ten years. He ably fills the duties of his office and has won the abundant goodwill of those associated with him of either higher, lower or equal rank. When the South Amboy Trust Company was organized, and on July 1, 1919, opened for business, Donald W. Reed was made its first president and a director of same. The com- pany has had a prosperous first year and shows wise, conservative man- agement.
Mr. Reed is a Republican in politics; a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, and a member of the Masonic order, affiliating with
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St. Stephen's Lodge, No. 63, of South Amboy, and Amboy Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons. His clubs are: The South Amboy Yacht, Mid- dlesex Country, and the East Jersey. In 1918 he was enrolled with the local military company of reserves and took an active part in the various forms of war work during the World War. He is an enthusiastic motor- ist and makes that his principal form of recreation.
Mr. Reed married in Ashtabula, Ohio, September 6, 1905, Helen Marie Kelley, born in that city, daughter of Dr. David Edward and "ellie (Moore) Kelley, the latter deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Reed are the Parents of two children: Donald Wells (2), born February 21, 1907; and Claire Louise, born November 21, 1910.
BENJAMIN GUTMANN, M. D .- Any history of the medical pro- fession of Middlesex county would be incomplete without the name of Dr. Benjamin Gutmann, whose career as a physician has been consist- ently devoted to the welfare of his fellow-citizens of New Brunswick, New Jersey, with a success achieved by but few.
Jacob Gutmann, father of Dr. Gutmann, was born in Baden, Ger- many. In 1855 he set out from Germany in a small sailing vessel, and upon his arrival in this country settled in South Amboy, New Jersey, where he established himself in the dry goods business, being a pioneer in that particular line of trade. He married Sophia Edwards Thompson, a native of Prospect Plains, New Jersey, and to them were born three children, Benjamin Gutmann being their only surviving child. Mr. and Mrs. Gutmann are both deceased, the former having passed away in 1881, the latter in 1902.
Dr. Benjamin Gutmann was born in South Amboy, New Jersey, De- cember 29, 1877, and received the preliminary portion of his education in the schools of his native place. He then entered Glenwood Collegiate Institute, Matawan, New Jersey, from which he was graduated in 1893. In the meantime, however, his attention was turned forcibly to the pro- fession of medicine and he decided to make it his life career. With this end in view, he matriculated at Jefferson Medical College, from which he received the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1897, during which time he devoted two years to the out-patient surgical service. Immediately after graduation, he came to New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he began practice and here continued uninterruptedly for thirteen years, when, in 1913, he took post-graduate study in medicine at Vienna and Berlin, Ger- many, later resuming his practice at New Brunswick. In 1919 Dr. Gut- mann received a certificate from Harvard Graduate School of Medicine. By reason of taste and natural aptitude, he directs his entire attention to internal diseases, and is in possession of a large and increasing clientele.
Dr. Gutmann is a member of the American Medical Association, New Jersey State Medical Society, Middlesex County Medical Society, medi- cal section of the Rutgers Club, Society of Surgeons of New Jersey, Anglo-American Society of Berlin, American Association of Vienna, and the Academy of Medicine of Northern New Jersey. He is a member of the Dutch Reformed Church of New Brunswick.
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On November 15, 1904, Dr. Gutmann was united in marriage with Marie Louise Fisher, daughter of Charles and Ella (De Hart) Fisher. Dr. and Mrs. Gutmann are the parents of four children: Margaret, Eliz- abeth, Anna, and Jane. Dr. Gutmann combines with his professional activities those of a public-spirited citizen, associating himself intimately with the leading interests of the community which he has chosen for his home.
DAVID SERVISS .- The name of Serviss has long been an honored one in Middlesex county, and is one well known far beyond the home township, for a sheriff of the county bore the name, and his son, David Serviss, has held county office. South River is the home district in this branch, and there David Serviss, president of the First National Bank of the borough, has spent his life and there is most highly regarded.
David Serviss was born in South River, Middlesex county, New Jer- sey, June 2, 1851, son of Richard and Esther (Messler) Serviss. Richard Serviss was also born in Middlesex county, was a prosperous farmer, and gave much time to the public service. He was sheriff of the county, also county collector, and held other offices conferred upon him by his towns- men.
David Serviss was educated in the public school of Dunham's Corner, a private school in Old Bridge, New Jersey, and in Claverack College, Claverack, New York. After completing his own studies he began teaching, filling positions in the schools in Millbridge, Rahway Neck and Deans, Middlesex county, New Jersey. Later he studied surveying, mastered conveyancing and the detail of the fire insurance, and was quite successful. In 1902 he, with others, organized the First National Bank of South River, and has been president of that bank until the present (1921). Mr. Serviss is a Democrat in politics, and for twenty-five years was clerk of East Brunswick township. For ten years he was county collector, member of Board of Sinking Fund Commissioners of the bor- ough of South River for several years, and is the present treasurer of the commission. He is a member of Union Lodge, No. 19, Free and Accepted Masons, New Brunswick; and attends South River Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mr. Serviss married, in Brooklyn, New York, October 6, 1886, Mary Throckmorton, who died October, 1917, daughter of Charles and Rebecca (Martin) Throckmorton. To Mr. and Mrs. Serviss were born two chil- dren : Charles, deceased ; Esther Rebecca, residing at home.
HAROLD GILES HOFFMAN .- To be the grandson of an artist, and the great-grandson of a sculptor, is a distinction given to very few in this world, yet such is the good fortune of Harold Giles Hoffman. His maternal grandfather, James Crawford Thom, was a noted American artist and a pupil of Edouard Frère. He exhibited his paintings in Lon- don at the National Academy of Design and at the International Ex- hibit in Paris, at this latter being the winner of the gold medal. His mother's grandfather was James Thom, a Scotchman by birth, and a noted sandstone sculptor, two of his studies, "Souter Johnny," and "Tam
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O'Shanter," in Edinburgh, being considered the world's best work in sandstone sculpture.
The parents of Harold Giles Hoffman are Frank and Ada Crawford (Thom) Hoffman, the latter being the daughter of James Crawford Thom, the artist referred to in the foregoing paragraph. Frank Hoff- man is a resident of South Amboy, and was formerly superintendent of the Raritan River Railroad, and for some years chief of the county detec- tive system. Frank Hoffman is greatly interested in political matters and is actively identified with the Republican party in Middlesex county, being well known as a successful organizer.
Harold Giles Hoffman was born in South Amboy, New Jersey, Feb- ruary 7, 1896. His education was acquired in the public schools there, graduating from the high school in the class of 1913. He also took a special course at the University of Dijon, France. Mr. Hoffman's first business engagement was with the Perth Amboy "Evening News," he being a reporter for it and also the sporting editor. He is now the treas- urer of the South Amboy Trust Company, a position he has held since its organization on July 1, 1919. He is also the secretary of and one of the board of directors of this banking institution. It is interesting to note that he is one of the youngest cashiers in the State, if not the youngest.
When the United States entered the World War, Harold Giles Hoff- man enlisted in the National Guard of the State of New Jersey as a pri- vate in Company H. On May 12, 1917, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and in October of the same year he was transferred to Com- pany E, One Hundred and Fourteenth Infantry. On April 19, 1918, Mr. Hoffman received the commission of second lieutenant, and on June 12, 1918, sailed overseas with Headquarters Company, One Hundred and Fourteenth Infantry, serving in center sector, Alsace, from July 25, 1918, to September 23, 1918. Lieutenant Hoffman qualified as 37 mm. and trench mortar expert at Fort Plenoy, Langre, France. On September 28, 1918, he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant, and while in action north of Verdun was raised to the rank of captain, October 28, 1918, his regiment being cited for its part in this same engagement. Cap- tain Hoffman was engaged in a succession of prominent battles ; on Octo- ber 8, 1918, at Malbrouck Hill; on October 11th, in an attack on Bois d'Ormont; October 16th, at the capture of Etraye Ridge; October 18th, at the battle of Molleville Farm; October 26th, Grand Montagne; and Belleau Woods, October 28, 1918. Captain Hoffman was in com- mand of Headquarters Company, One Hundred and Fourteenth Infan- try, up to the time of their discharge at Camp Dix, New Jersey, June 4, 1919.
A member of the American Legion, Harold Giles Hoffman is past commander of Luke A. Lovely Post, No. 62. He is also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of South Amboy. On January 1, 1921, he took office as city treasurer of South Amboy.
At Long Branch, New Jersey, September 20, 1919, Harold Giles Hoff- man was married to Lillie M. Moss, the daughter of Dr. William P. and Ada G. Moss. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman are the parents of a daughter, Ada, born January 24, 1921.
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JOSEPH BROGNARD WRIGHT .- For a period of two hundred years and more the record of the Wright family has been a part of the history of New Jersey. The first record of the progenitor of the family in America, Robert Wright, occurs in Wrightstown, which was named after the family at the time of William Penn's landing in this country, Robert Wright having come over with him.
Samuel Gardner Wright, son of Samuel G. Wright, and father of the subject of this review, was born on the old farm in Monmouth county, October 15, 1815. Samuel G. Wright, Sr., was elected to Congress in 1843 from Burlington and Monmouth counties, and was a Whig. The son, Samuel Gardner Wright, graduated from Princeton College, and was a farmer all his life. He served his country in the navy for nine years during the Mexican War, and was a master-at-arms. He married Margaret Brognard, granddaughter of Dr. Brognard, who came to this country with Lafayette. Mrs. Wright was born in Watertown, New York, October 12, 1815, and died in Monmouth county at the age of fifty- two years. Mr. and Mrs. Wright were the parents of five children: Ed- ward, deceased ; Joseph Brognard, of further mention ; Samuel, deceased ; Eugene, a resident of Florida ; Ida, wife of Frederick Kervan, of Bayside, Long Island, and a large dealer in tropical plants in New York City.
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