USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume II > Part 33
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Joseph Brognard Wright was born on the old farm in Monmouth county, which has been in the family for over two hundred years, Janu- ary 25, 1852, and attended the public schools of his native place until he was eighteen years of age, when he went to work on his father's farm and there continued for five years or until he went to Philadelphia, where he became a salesman for six years, subsequently coming to New Bruns- wick, where in 1900 he established himself in business, first, for three years, in insurance only, then added real estate, in which latter he has been very active. It was through his efforts that George street was widened and he also started the business trend to that thoroughfare, which is now the main business artery.
In politics he is a Republican and has been very active in that party. In 1914 he was a candidate for mayor on the Progressive ticket. He is president of the Middlesex Auto Club of New Brunswick, and president of the Real Estate Board of the city. In religion he is a Baptist and attends the church of that denomination in New Brunswick.
Mr. Wright has always been one of the active factors in the promo- tion of anything to advance the best interests of his home city. He is regarded as one of the best judges of property, and is often called upon to serve as an appraiser for large corporations as well as individuals and estates.
Mr. Wright married (first) Anna M. Duncan, of Hightstown, New Jersey, who died in New Brunswick, in 1908. To Mr. and Mrs. Wright were born six children: Eliza A., wife of Harry F. Soden, of Freehold, New Jersey ; Emma J., a resident of Trenton ; Lester C., an engineer on the Pennsylvania Railroad, married Anna Collins; Elizabeth D., wife of Irving L. Owen, of New Brunswick, New Jersey; Isabella S., wife of George S. Gowen, of East Orange, New Jersey; Oneita M., wife of
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR LENOX TILDAN FOUNDATIONS
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David Succop, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Mr. Wright married (sec- ond) December 5, 1912, Sarah Goodenaugh, daughter of William Good- enangh, of Farmingdale, Monmouth county, New Jersey, a granddaugh- ter of Judge Goodenaugh, of Monmouth county, New Jersey. The fam- ily home is located at Livingston Manor, New Brunswick.
FREDERICK F. ANNESS .- In July, 1900, at Woodbridge, New Jersey, Frederick F. Anness, a prominent manufacturer and clay miner, organized the Anness & Potter Fire Clay Company, taking over the clay mining business of Lewis C. Potter. In 1902, in addition to clay mining, they built a large plant for the manufacture of hollow tile, and since that time the firm of Anness & Potter has enjoyed a large and growing busi- ness and now stands in the group of prominent clay miners and manu- facturers of Middlesex county.
Frederick F. Anness was born January 12, 1860, at Woodbridge, New Jersey, son of Charles and Adaline (Stagg) Anness. Charles Anness first became a resident of Woodbridge about 1855, coming here from New England. He conducted a clay mining business for a time at Woodbridge, and about 1864 became a manufacturer of fire brick at Spa Spring, part of Perth Amboy, under the firm name of Charles Anness & Sons, the sons, Charles W. and Samuel I. Anness. About 1888 the firm name changed and it became known as the Anness & Lyle Manufactur- ing Company, with the following officers: Charles Anness, president; Robert W. Lyle, vice-president and secretary, and Frederick F. Anness, treasurer and general manager. A large business was built up, and their line of fire brick, sewer pipe, and other clay products, became well known to the trade. In 1892 they sold out to the Staten Island Clay Company.
Frederick F. Anness was educated in private schools at Woodbridge and Perth Amboy, and Pennington Seminary, at Pennington, New Jer- sey. At the age of eighteen years, he started in the clay manufacturing business under his father and soon became thoroughly experienced in this industry, later becoming superintendent of the plant. At the organi- zation of the Anness & Lyle Manufacturing Company, he took active part in its inception and continued as its treasurer and general manager until the disposal of the business to the Staten Island Clay Company. He then retired from the clay business until 1900, when the organiza- tion of the Anness & Potter Fire Clay Company took place. The first officers of this new company were: L. C. Potter, president ; Frederick F. Anness, vice-president, treasurer and general manager, and Louis E. Potter, secretary. Later the Potter interests were purchased by Mr. Anness, and the present officers are: Frederick F. Anness, president and treasurer, and James J. Livingood, Jr., secretary. Mr. Livingood has been in the employ of the company since 1909, and is now a stock- holder and takes an active part in the management of the manufacturing end of the business. Mr. Anness has given his undivided time to his business and has not indulged to any extent in fraternal or club circles. He is interested in the welfare of the community life of Woodbridge and ever ready to further any good movement for public benefit. He is a
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staunch Republican and abides by the best interests of his part. During the World War he was active in the various war work campaigns in which Woodbridge showed itself so well.
Mr. Anness married, in 1887, Mina D. Potter, daughter of Louis C. Potter, of Woodbridge. Mrs. Anness died August 12, 1919.
FREDERICK LANE BROWN, M. D .- Since 1912 Dr. Brown has practiced medicine in New Brunswick, New Jersey, his success being most gratifying to his professional ambition and to his many friends. He is a son of James (2) Brown, grandson of James (1), and great-grandson of Samuel Brown, of Scotch ancestry, all of whom were of Irish birth of County Armagh. Samuel Brown was a farmer, and resided about forty miles from Belfast, his death occurring in 1862, aged seventy.
James (1) Brown was born at the homestead in Ireland, August 5, 1816, died at Pluckemin, Somerset county, New Jersey, February 20, 1800. He disliked farm labor and engaged in milling and merchandising. He married in Ireland, and in June, 1851, he came to the United States, settling at Pluckemin, New Jersey, where he died thirty-nine years later. His wife, Margaret Stewart, died at Pluckemin, April 5, 1896, in her eighty-fourth year; she was a daughter of Hugh Stewart, of County Armagh, Ireland. James and Margaret (Stewart) Brown were the par- ents of seven children: Stewart; Isabella, married James Chambers ; Margaret ; Samuel, died in infancy; James (2), of further mention ; Anna; and Josiah, who died at the age of thirteen years.
James (2) Brown, son of James (1) and Margaret (Stewart) Brown, was born in the County Armagh, in the North of Ireland, November 28, 1849, and in 1851 was brought to the United States by his parents. He was educated in the school of Pluckemin, Somerset county, New Jersey, where the family settled, and in April, 1869, began business life in a Pluckemin store. In November, 1870, he began business for himself in Pluckemin. He also engaged in the manufacture of clothing there until 1881, when he moved to Somerville, New Jersey, and in a small way manufactured clothing. He prospered from the first, and the plant he built at the corner of Main street and Doughty avenue, three stories in height, soon required an addition almost as large as the original build- ing. Steady progress was made and about 1894 the business was incor- porated under the name of the Somerville Woolen Mills, of which he was made treasurer and general manager. Mr. Brown, during his active years, in addition to the upbuilding of such an industry, took deep inter- est in political affairs, and was an active member of the Second Re- formed Church, an elder and assistant Sunday school superintendent. Politically he was a Republican.
Mr. Brown married (first) May 16, 1878, Gertrude Potter Lane, who died March 19, 1890, leaving three children : Nellie Louisa, born July 9, 1880; Frederick Lane, of further mention ; Jennie C., born August 9, 1886. Mr. Brown married (second) in June, 1892, Ella Lane, sister of his first wife, and they were the parents of three children: Gertrude, born June 19, 1893; Hugh Stewart, born November 1, 1896; and James Douglas.
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Frederick Lane Brown, son of James (2) and Gertrude Potter ( Lane) Brown, was born in Somerville, New Jersey, January 13, 1883, and until 1898 attended public school there. He then spent two years at Leal's Preparatory School in Plainfield, New Jersey, and in 1901 he attended Princeton University, whence he was graduated A. B., class of 1905. He spent the years 1905-1906 in the employ of the American Locomotive Company, then decided upon the medical profession. He entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons (Columbia University) of New York City, receiving his M. D. with the graduating class of 1910. He was interne at Bellevue Hospital (New York City) until 1912, and then began the private practice of his profession in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where the eight years which have since intervened have brought him professional honor and ample reward. He is a member of the county and State medical societies, and holds the esteem of his brethren of the profession. He is a member of both St. Peter's and the Middlesex hos- pitals. He is also a member of the Young Men's Christian Association, and of the First Reformed Church, and his favorite recreation is golf.
Dr. Brown married, June 15, 1912, in New Brunswick, Esther May Suydam, daughter of Peter Hoagland and Phoebe Ann (Coombs) Suy- dam, and they are the parents of two children: Phoebe Esther, born June 27, 1914; and Frederick Lane (2), born June 7, 1916. The doctor resides at No. 67 Livingston avenue.
LEONARD MORTON RATLIFF .- The Ratliff family, of which Leonard Morton Ratliff is a member, is a very old one in America, the first of the name coming to this country as early as 1775. They were originally Manxmen, having their homes on the Isle of Man, that self- governed island in the Irish Sea, just off the coast of Great Britain, a sturdy race with strong characteristics.
Mr. Ratliff's father, John Ratliff, is a retired farmer and now lives at Marion, Indiana. He was born in 1848, in Henry county, Indiana, and married Isabelle Larison, who was born in 1858, at Amboy, Indiana, and died in 1887, at the age of twenty-nine. Their children were: I. Leon- ard Morton, of whom further. 2. Ruah May, the wife of William Adams, a farmer living near Springfield, Illinois. 3. Myrle, married John McCart- ney, a garage owner of Bunkerhill, Indiana. 4. Eurah, wife of Elmer Ridenour, a farmer of Lagro, Indiana. 5. Alvah, who died in infancy.
Leonard Morton Ratliff, son of John and Isabelle (Larison) Ratliff, was born February 7, 1880, at Fairmount, Indiana, but when he was two years old his family moved to Amboy, Indiana, remaining there until he reached the age of seven years when they again changed their place of residence, going to Converse, Indiana. Here the boy was educated, pass- ing through the various grades of study until he graduated from the Con- verse High School at the age of sixteen (1896). The young man then obtained a position as clerk in a drug store at Francesville, Indiana, where he remained for five years. At this time he determined to take up the study of opthalmology and became enrolled as a student at the Illi- nois College of Opthalmology, completing a two years' course in that
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branch of treatment in 1902. For the next few years Mr. Ratliff prac- ticed in Francesville, Indiana, then, deciding to come East, he located in New Brunswick, in 1908. On July 1, 1917, he established an office at No. 361 George street, where he remained until May, 1920, since which time he has been located at No. 336 George street, his present address.
While devoted to his business, Mr. Ratliff finds time to spend in rec- reation and to take an active part in the affairs of his city. He is inter- ested in all matters pertaining to the schools and is a member of the Board of Education of Highland Park, holding office since April 1, 1920. He is interested in Masonic affairs, being a member of the Metuchen Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Scott Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; also of the Craftsmen's Club of New Brunswick, and the New Jersey State Optometrical Society.
On June 17, 1900, the marriage of Leonard Morton Ratliff and Lulu Severns was solemnized in Francesville, Indiana. Miss Severns was born in Columbus, Ohio, the daughter of Orin Severns, of Francesville, a retired farmer, and his wife, Dorothy (Mahoney) Severns. Three chil- dren were born of this union: Eva Ruth, born July 17, 1901, died at the age of four and a half years; the next two were twin boys, Herbert Mor- ton and Harold Leonard, born May 11, 1907. Mr. and Mrs. Ratliff have a very pleasant home on Grant avenue, Highland Park.
CHARLES DIPPOLT SNEDEKER .- The records of the Holland Society of New York, of which Charles D. Snedeker, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, is a member, show that he is a direct descendant in male line from Jan Snedeker, who came from Holland to New Amsterdam in 1642, was a patentee of land in Flatbush, and one of the founders of the Flatbush Dutch Church. Cornelius Snedeker, of this branch of the fam- ily, was a merchant of New Brunswick, New Jersey, a member of the Board of Aldermen of that city, and a man of influence in public, busi- ness and private life. He married Mary Stonaker and among their chil- dren was a son Charles Dippolt Snedeker, who for more than a quarter of a century has been secretary and treasurer of Perth Amboy Dry Dock Company.
Charles Dippolt Snedeker is a native son of Middlesex and, with the exception of his early business training in New York City, has devoted all his business life to the affairs of the company named. He is a world traveler, his journeys having taken him to all parts of his own country, to most of the countries of Europe, to Egypt and the Holy land. Public- spirited and progressive, he has given time to the public service, and during the war period, 1917-18, was a patriotic supporter of all war measures and, through his corporation, the Perth Amboy Dry Dock Company, did his utmost in keeping ships afloat. He was born July 17, 1861, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and there completed public school courses with high school graduation, finishing with a course at New Jersey Business College, in Newark. He began his business career as a clerk in a wholesale house in New York City, there becoming well grounded in business principles and in metropolitan methods of manage-
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ment and operation. After a few years in business in New Brunswick, completing his New York training, he formed an association with the Perth Amboy Dry Dock Company of Perth Amboy, and upon the re- organization of that company in 1894, he was elected to the position he has ever since held, secretary-treasurer. This company has had a very successful and prosperous life, and during the war period was one of the active agencies in building, repairing and outfitting American and allied vessels. Mr. Snedeker has other business interests of importance, par- ticularly in financial institutions, he now being vice-president and direc- tor of the First National Bank of Perth Amboy, and director of the First National Bank of Roosevelt, New Jersey.
In political faith Mr. Snedeker is a Democrat, and for two terms served the city of Perth Amboy as president of the Board of Water Commis- sioners, as member of the Board of Health, and a trustee of the City Library. He is a member of the Holland Society of New York, a fellow of the American Geographical Society, member of the New Jersey His- torical Society, and of the First Presbyterian Church of Perth Amboy. During the period devoted to the erection of the present church edifice, Mr. Snedeker served as chairman of the building committee. His clubs are: The East Jersey, of Perth Amboy ; Union, of New Brunswick ; and Golf, of Colonia, New Jersey. His favorite recreation or relaxation is travel, and he has catered abundantly to that particular form of personal enjoyment. During the period of war with Germany, he took a particu- larly deep interest in the sale of war savings stamps, and was chairman of the $1,000 Club, composed of men who subscribed for the full limit allowed by the government in one year. He was engaged with the cor- poration he represents in war work in their particular line, and aided in the various drives for funds and members.
Mr. Snedeker married, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, June 23, 1894, Mary Davison, daughter of John J. Johnson and Sarah (Schenck) Davison. Their only child, Charles Dippolt Snedeker, Jr., died in infancy in 1896.
CHARLES VOORHEES HULTS, M. D .- As one of the rising phy- sicians of New Brunswick, perhaps none stands higher in the public esti- mation than Dr. Charles Voorhees Hults, who though not thirty years of age has made for himself a name in this section of the community that might well be the envy of many a longer established practitioner.
Dr. Eugene A. Hults, father of Dr. Charles Voorhees Hults, was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, August 26, 1861. Deciding to adopt medi- cine as his profession, he matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania, medical department, and later at Hahnemann Medical College of Phila- delphia, from which he was graduated in 1886. He then immediately returned to Perth Amboy and established himself in the practice of his profession, where he continued until his death, which occurred in 1911. He was health officer for the city and port of Perth Amboy for five years. He married Lucy Voorhees, who was born near Newton, New Jersey, the daughter of Charles Voorhees, who also was born near Newton, in
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1813, and whose father in turn fought in the Revolutionary War. Lucy Voorhees was the mother of the following children: Eugene Arthur, Jr., formerly president of a manufacturing concern in Trenton for drying machines for pottery, now general manager for a concern at Saltville, Virginia ; Sydney E., public accountant in Detroit, Michigan ; Willard, associated with Merck & Company, chemists at Rahway, New Jersey, and Charles Voorhees, of further mention.
Dr. Charles Voorhees Hults, son of Dr. Eugene A. and Lucy ( Voor- hees) Hults, was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, March 14, 1892. After receiving his preliminary education in the public schools of his native place, he entered the local high school, from which he was gradu- ated in 1910, and then matriculated at the New York Homoeopathic Medi- cal College, New York City, receiving from that institution the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1914, the last two years devoting his time to ob- stetrics. After graduation, he served two years as interne in the Metro- politan Hospital, and for nineteen months was surgeon at the Reception Hospital, New York City. At the expiration of this time he came to New Brunswick and at once entered upon the general practice of his pro- fession, with offices at No. 94 Schureman street. He has continued here ever since, building up an extensive and lucrative practice, and steadily becoming one of the best known and most highly-respected physicians in this locality.
During the World War, Dr. Hults was a member of the voluntary Medical Service Corporation. He is a member of Phi Alpha Gamma col- lege fraternity. In religion he is a Presbyterian, being a member and trustee of the First Presbyterian Church of New Brunswick.
On January 5, 1916, Dr. Hults was united in marriage with Marion Louise Potter, daughter of Charles H. and Mary (Wells) Potter. Charles H. Potter is president of the Potter Steamship Company of New York City. In all out-of-door exercises, Dr. Hults is keenly interested, and during his school and college days he played on the football teams. It is hard to predict the future of an already successful young physician who has not yet reached the age of thirty, but his present record gives promise of even a more brilliant future. Dr. Hults resides at No. 1 Stratford place, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
JOHN WALTERMAR OLSEN, one of the most progressive and prosperous business men of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where he is presi- dent of the John W. Olsen Company, Incorporated, is well known in this section of the State. The enterprise was founded by Mr. Olsen in 1914, and its success is due to his untiring effort and executive ability.
Lauritz Christian Olsen, father of John Waltermar Olsen, was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, December 23, 1857. Later in life he came to this country and is now custodian of the Middlesex County Vocational School in Perth Amboy. He married Anna Peterson, a native of Copen- hagen. To Mr. and Mrs. Olsen have been born five children: Peter C., treasurer and manager of the South Amboy Terra Cotta Manufacturing Company, and president of the Terra Cotta Society of the United States ;
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Fred L., steamfitter in Easton, Pennsylvania; John W., mentioned be- low; Otto, a mason of Perth Amboy ; William, owner and manager of an. electrical supply store in Perth Amboy.
John Waltermar Olsen was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, June 17, 1884, the son of Lauritz C. and Anna (Peterson) Olsen. When five years of age he was brought by his mother to this country. Upon land- ing in this country they came immediately to Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where his father had arrived seven months previously and was then employed by the old Perth Amboy Terra Cotta Company. John W. Olsen attended the public schools of Perth Amboy until he was fourteen years of age, when he entered upon his business career. His first em- ployment was with a brick company in Keasbey, where he remained for two years, subsequently becoming employed by the C. Pardee Brick Works. Two years later he became identified with the Raritan Hollow Tile Company, and was with this concern for fourteen years, the last seven of which he occupied the position of general superintendent. In 1914 he established his present coal business which is incorporated under the name of the John W. Olsen Company; Mr. Olsen holding the office of president of the organization, which is located at No. 282 Bertram ave- nue, Perth Amboy. Not alone is Mr. Olsen identified with this enter- prise, for on April 1, 1920, he was made a director of the New Jersey Coal Dealers' Association.
In everything pertaining to the welfare and advancement of his adopted city, Mr. Olsen takes a prominent part. He is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 784; the Woodmen of the World ; the Royal Arcanum, and the Improved Order of Red Men. He also holds membership in the Bohemian Club, the Frem Singing Society, the Concordia Singing Society, the Raritan Yacht Club, and the Woodcock Association.
On December 16, 1912, Mr. Olsen was united in marriage with Ma- thilda J. Peterson, daughter of John and Johanna (Madsen) Peterson. Mr. Peterson was a prominent citizen of Perth Amboy and died here in April, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Olsen are the parents of two children: John Martin, born November 8, 1913; Cornelia Marie, born February 6, 1917.
EGBERT S. PECK .- Son of Silliman and Louisa (Adams) Peck, and a descendant of the ancient and honorable Peck family of Connecticut, Egbert S. Peck came rightfully by his business sagacity, his ancestors being successful business men.
Egbert S. Peck was born near Bethel, Connecticut, May 9, 1840, and died at Saratoga Springs, New York, August 3, 1890, after a very suc- cessful business career. He received his education in the district schools of Connecticut, and when a young man, less than twenty years of age, became a carpenter's apprentice and learned the trade. However, he did not remain long at this occupation, for having a business trend of mind, he came to New Brunswick, New Jersey, about 1868, where he clerked for a time in one of the local shoe stores. He managed to accumulate
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a little capital and then embarked in business for himself, opening a retail shoe store on Church street, New Brunswick. This enterprise was very successful, as is evidenced by the fact that after a few years he was able to organize a company for the purpose of selling boots and shoes at wholesale under the firm name of E. S. Peck & Company, their place of business being on Duane street, New York City. He continued his retail establishment in New Brunswick, dividing his time between the two cities. As time went by his business in New York City increased to such large proportions that he decided to dispose of his retail store in order to devote all of his time to his New York interests; this was about 1879. He remained on Duane street until 1887, then having acquired much knowledge of the shoe trade both in a retail and wholesale way, he re- turned to New Brunswick and with Fletcher and William S. Felter organ- ized the Middlesex Shoe Company, manufacturers of shoes. In 1889 he purchased the Felter interests in the firm and ran the business independ- ently until the time of his death.
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