USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume II > Part 39
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Chauncey Clark Baldwin married (first) February 1, 1906, at Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, Caroline Stephen, whose death occurred August 23, 1918. He married (second) September 18, 1919, Matilde W. Hiester, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
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FREDERICK WILLIAMS De VOE, prominent in legal circles, and in the general life of Middlesex county and the city of New Brunswick, whose career as an attorney and as the holder of important public offices has already won for him the respect and esteem of the community, and made him an influential man in local affairs, is a native of New Jersey.
George W. De Voe, father of Frederick W. De Voe, and son of the late George W. De Voe, founder and president until his death of the People's National Bank, New Brunswick, was a former borough clerk and postmaster at Spotswood, New Jersey, and is now in the real estate and insurance business there. He married Alice Appleby, daughter of Herbert Appleby, former postmaster of Old Bridge. To Mr. and Mrs. George W. Devoe was born a son, Frederick Williams, mentioned below.
Frederick Williams De Voe was born in Old Bridge, New Jersey, November 15, 1889, and secured the elementary portion of his education in the public school at Spotswood. He afterwards attended Peddie In- stitute, at Hightstown, and upon completing a business course at this institution he secured a position as reporter on the "Home News" at New Brunswick and later on the "Evening News" at Perth Amboy. In 1912, having chosen the profession of law for his life work, he matricu- lated in the New York Law School, and was admitted to practice law in New Jersey in 1915. He then opened an office at No. 40 Paterson street, and commenced the practice of his profession, attaining a most remark- able and gratifying success. He is already recognized as a successful member of the bar of Middlesex county, although having been practicing but a comparatively short time, and enjoys a large popular reputation. In his political life he is a Democrat, and was elected to the General Assembly for the year 1919 and reelected for the year 1920. During the year 1919 he served as chairman of the towns and townships committee, and as a member of the Board of Education, also served as a member of the latter for the year 1920, in addition to being a member of the Board of Public Health. He was the father of the bill of minimum wages of $700 for school teachers, in 1919, and in the following year was sponsor for the $1,000 wage. He fraternizes with the following organizations: Mid- dlesex County Bar Association; New Jersey State Bar Association ; Palestine Lodge, No. 111, Free and Accepted Masons ; Scott Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; Charles L. Walters Council, No. 178, Junior Order of United American Mechanics; New Brunswick Lodge, No. 324, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Wickatunk Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men; Forest No. 13, Tall Cedars of Lebanon. He serves as attorney for the Milltown Building and Loan Association, of Mill- town ; Middlesex County Building and Loan Association, of New Bruns- wick ; and of the First National Bank, of Milltown, New Jersey.
Mr. De Voe married, July 14, 1915, Marion Behringer, daughter of the late Michael and Lydia (Jones) Behringer. Mr. and Mrs. De Voe are the parents of two children : Dorothy Frances, born July 12, 1916; Betty Appleby, born July 13, 1919.
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JAMES ALEXANDER MORRISON, numbered among the pro -. gressive and prosperous business men of New Brunswick, New Jersey, is a man whose years, sixty-one, have been years of fruitful endeavor and high attainment. Mr. Morrison is one of those successful men from whose biography the young man may learn how to best direct his efforts in order to attain the worthwhile things of life.
Daniel Morrison, father of James Alexander Morrison, was born in County Armagh, Ireland, and when but a lad emigrated by himself to this country. Upon landing in New York City he remained there for a while, but later removed to New Brunswick, New Jersey, where in 1869 he established himself in the grocery business at the corner of French and James streets and here continued successfully until his death, which occurred in December, 1874. He married Anna Miller Dale, a native of Ireland, her birth having occurred there in 1832. Mrs. Morrison now resides in New Brunswick. To Mr. and Mrs. Morrison were born five children : James Alexander, of further mention; Mary E., deceased ; John J., William D., and Daniel L.
James Alexander Morrison was born February 6, 1860, in New Bruns- wick, New Jersey, and attended the local public schools until he had reached the age of seventeen years. He then entered his father's grocery store, which he continued to manage for many years, after which his brother became proprietor of the store, and he has since given consider- able attention to the publishing business. In October, 1886, he became associated with the H. L. Fairchild medical business, manufacturers of proprietary medicines, having full control as superintendent of same. Mr. Morrison is also a director of the Homestead Building and Loan Association and the Second People's Building and Loan Association.
But it has not been only in the business world that Mr. Morrison's time and energies have been expended. On the contrary there has been no one more interested than he in community affairs, and as a staunch Republican he has taken an active part in politics. From 1906 until 1910 he was city clerk. For ten years he has been a member of the Board of Education and its president two years ; a member of the local Board of Health for five years and its president two years; a member of the New Brunswick Public Library Board one year; in 1920 clerk of the Excise Commissioners and a member of the Public Market Committee, and on May 10, 1921, was appointed acting postmaster of the post office in New Brunswick. Besides these business and political activities, Mr. Morrison is affiliated with Palestine Lodge, No. III, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. He also holds membership in the Craftsmen's Club of New Brunswick, and the local Young Men's Christian Association. In his religious belief he is a Presbyterian and attends the local First Church of that denomination.
On April 19, 1883, James Alexander Morrison was united in marriage with Rebecca H. J. MacCowan, daughter of William and Gene (Tate) MacCowan, of New Brunswick, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Morrison are the parents of four children: Lillian M., Helen J., Jessie L. and George R.
PURLN HISTORY
AST MILD
Howard C Vous.
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The career of Mr. Morrison from its beginning is characterized by much hard and persistent expenditure of energy, and the substantial posi- tion that he has come to occupy in the life of the community is the obvi- ous and appropriate reward of application and mental qualifications of a high order.
WILLIAM VAN SICLEN .- The Van Siclens of Middlesex county, New Jersey, are of Revolutionary ancestry, and long seated in the county. This review deals with William Van Siclen, of this ancient family, who was born in Metuchen, August 7, 1839, and there died, March 7, 1907.
William Van Siclen was educated in the public schools, and upon arriving at suitable age became a carpenter's apprentice, learning the trade thoroughly and becoming an expert workman. Later he became a contractor, and during his active life built many residences and other structures in Metuchen and vicinity. He was a man of strong character, and always careful in his business dealings to make no promises which he felt he could not keep. His reputation for upright, honorable dealing was very high, and he never betrayed the confidence his neighbors re- posed in him. He was a Democrat in politics, and held many town offices, including that of assessor of taxes. He was an honored member of the Masonic order, and an earnest attendant of the Methodist Epis- copal church.
Mr. Van Siclen married, in Bonhampton, New Jersey, January 4, 1865, Phoebe Elizabeth Acken, born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, July 17, 1845, daughter of Jonathan Hatfield and Elizabeth B. (Noe) Acken. The Ackens came to the United States in the ship "Caledonia," which sank later in the harbor at Amboy, the wreck being yet visible. Jonathan Hatfield Acken was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and was a farmer and mason ; his wife, Elizabeth B. (Noe) Acken, was born at Oak Tree, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Acken were the parents of two sons and two daughters: Alonzo, Hannah, Thomas, and Phoebe Elizabeth, the last- named the widow of William Van Siclen, who resides in Metuchen and is now (1921) in her seventy-sixth year, having been a widow for twelve years after a happy married life of forty-two years spent in Metuchen, her husband's birthplace.
ROBERT J. SOLMSON .- The Janeway Button Company of New Brunswick, of which Robert J. Solmson is vice-president, was organized July 10, 1900, and is the development of a business founded by William R. Janeway and conducted under his own name for three years before the organization of the present concern. The officers are: William R. Janeway, president ; Robert J. Solmson, vice-president ; and John L. Dur- yee, treasurer. Their specialty is the making of vegetable ivory buttons, beans, etc., and the company occupies a strong position in the trade.
HOWARD CROSBY VOORHEES, M. D .- As a result of a number of years of successful and devoted practice, Dr. Voorhees is too firmly intrenched in the confidence and friendship of his fellow-citizens of New
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Brunswick to require any introduction at the hands of his biographer. He is quietly but helpfully identified with the most essential interests of his home city and is ever ready to use his influence in behalf of all that he deems conducive to the public progress and welfare.
Howard Crosby Voorhees was born January 4, 1879, in New Bruns- wick, and is a son of the late Abraham and Martha J. (Van Nostrand) Voorhees, and a brother of Judge Willard P. Voorhees and Clifford Irving Voorhees, both of whom are represented in this work by biogra- phies, that of the latter including a full ancestral record.
The early education of Howard Crosby Voorhees was received at Rutgers Preparatory School, from which he graduated in 1898. In 1902 he received from Princeton University the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and in 1906 the College of Physicians and Surgeons conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Medicine. His medical preceptor was Dr. Frank M. Donohue, deceased, he being associated with him in practice for five years.
After one year as interne in Bellevue Hospital, Dr. Voorhees, in 1907, opened an office in New Brunswick and has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in that city, building up, at the same time, a lucrative and constantly increasing practice and an assured and well deserved reputation for skill, knowledge and devotion to duty.
The principles upheld by the Republican party are those to which Dr. Voorhees gives his political allegiance. During the recent World War, he served on the examining board, and was also a member of the Volun- teer Medical Service Board. He belongs to the Middlesex County and New Jersey State Medical societies, and the American Medical Asso- ciation. He is a member of the Rutgers Medical Club, and Princeton Campus Club. He and his family are members of the Presbyterian church. Dr. Voorhees is also a member of the medical staff of St. Peter's General Hospital, and the Parker Memorial Home.
One of Dr. Voorhees's dominant characteristics is an enthusiastic devotion to music. He is a pianist of some local note and finds in his art refreshment and relaxation from the cares and responsibilities of an exacting profession.
Dr. Voorhees married, January 19, 1918, at Princeton, New Jersey, Florence M. Ward, born in England, daughter of Thomas and Annie (Cook) Ward, of Newark, Mr. Ward having retired from business. The marriage ceremony was performed by President John G. Hibben, of Princeton University. Dr. and Mrs. Voorhees are the parents of one child : Florence Adelaide, born January 9, 1920, in New York City.
The professional career of Dr. Voorhees has been filled with activities, but he is in the prime of life and his record gives assurance that the com- ing years will be still richer in accomplishment.
ROSCOE GLENN DAVISON .- The Davison name has long been associated with the business interests of Middlesex county, particularly in Jamesburg, where Benjamin D. Davison in 1892 established a build- ing materials business which in later years became the corporation the
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B. D. Davison Lumber Company, of which R. Glenn Davison is vice- president and treasurer.
R. Glenn Davison was born in Jamesburg, Middlesex county, New Jersey, September 9, 1889, son of Benjamin D. and Eudora (Worts) Davison, his father a merchant. After courses of study in Jamesburg public schools, grade and high, were completed, the young man pursued a business course at the Rider, Moore and Stewart School, and then in May, 1905, entered his father's employ, the latter then operating a gen- eral supply store in Jamesburg, dealing in building materials, coal and hardware, furniture, paints, etc. For eleven years he continued in the business as an employee, which was a prosperous one. In April, 1916, it was incorporated as the B. D. Davison Lumber Company, R. Glenn Davison becoming vice-president and treasurer, a position he yet ably fills. He is also secretary-treasurer of Davison Estates, a position he has filled since August, 1912.
Mr. Davison is an elder of the First Presbyterian Church of James- burg, and superintendent of the Sunday school of that church. He is affiliated with the local lodge of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics ; in political faith he is a Democrat.
Mr. Davison married, in Jamesburg, October 15, 1913, Cora May Kirkpatrick, daughter of David L. and Mary (Bowne) Kirkpatrick. Their daughter, Jeanette, born October 27, 1915, died January 24, 1917. The family home is in Jamesburg.
WILLIAM E. MOUNT is recognized as one of the foremost business men in Middlesex county, being the oldest and largest authorized Ford automobile dealer in the State of New Jersey. In everything pertaining to the welfare and advancement of the community he takes an active part, and has already done much to promote the prosperity of New Brunswick.
Mr. Mount was born June 24, 1863, the son of Joseph B. and Mar- garet Mount. He obtained his education in the public schools. In 1884 Mr. Mount moved to the little village of Englishtown, where he pur- chased a store, which in a year's time he had turned into a department store. In 1889 the store was totally destroyed by fire, but this did not discourage Mr. Mount, for a year later he had erected a new store, modern in every way, and built of brick and terra cotta tile. In time the people found it to their advantage to live in Englishtown, and a gen- eral rebuilding of the town took place. By 1895 many of the old build- ings were supplanted by modern dwellings, the streets were paved and good roads made leading to New Brunswick and other towns near at hand. Nine years later, when Henry Ford offered the agency to any person willing to sell his motor cars, Mr. Mount took it and received one of the first Ford cars that was seen in the southern part of New Jersey. Mr. Ford soon noticed that Mr. Mount thought well of his product and so decided to appoint him distributor for four counties, in which he finally appointed twenty sub-dealers. Mr. Mount's first contract called for twenty-five cars; to-day his contracts covering the four branches he owns amount to eleven hundred cars, which only covers the minimum
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sales he makes. A total number of six thousand cars have been deliv- ered by him in the fifteen years that he has been handling them. To-day finds Mr. Mount the owner of four modern Ford service stations, which are equipped with all modern Ford repairing tools and machinery. Next to Englishtown, William E. Mount takes a keen interest in the affairs of New Brunswick, and in consequence built the first modern fireproof building on Albany street, foresight again telling him that this street would be the real business center.
Mr. Mount has served two years as Assemblyman, is a director of the First National Bank of Englishtown, and belongs to several of the local fraternal organizations.
JOSHUA LIDDLE, now a retired farmer and business man, comes from English family, his parents, Joshua and Anna (Buck) Liddle, both born in England, where they were married. Joshua (I) Liddle was an English farmer, and in 1825 came to the United States, settling in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where his son, Joshua (2) Liddle, was born, Octo- ber 30, 1840.
Joshua (2) Liddle grew to manhood at Perth Amboy, obtaining a good public school education. For many years he was engaged in the retail ice business, but finally retired to a good Middlesex county farm, not far from Woodbridge, which he purchased. There he lived contented and prosperous for a number of years. Later, in 1909, he sold this farm and purchased a smaller property near Metuchen, which he occupied until the death of his wife, in 1920, then removed to Perth Amboy, where he lives retired with his son, Clarence M. Liddle. Mr. Liddle is now an octoge- narian, and is remarkably preserved for his years, his faculties being especially keen for his years. He is a Republican in politics ; a member of the Woodbridge Methodist Episcopal Church; and Woodbridge Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Being a good business man, Mr. Liddle has gained a competence through his energy and ability, and has spent a life of honorable effort and right living. He is highly re- spected by all who know him, and his friends are many.
Joshua Liddle married, October 23, 1866, in Woodbridge, New Jer- sey, Anna L. Mellick, born February II, 1848, died October 27, 1920, daughter of Melancthon F. and Elizabeth (Randolph) Mellick, her father born at Short Hills, New Jersey. Two sons were born to Joshua and Anna L. (Mellick) Liddle: 1. Arthur M., born September 8, 1867; married Fanny Tyler, and they have a daughter, Florence. 2. Clarence M., born November 29, 1871 ; married Clara Pfeiffer, and they have three children : Clarence K., William P., and Jean R. This family resides in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, at No. 178 Rector street.
J. MILTON BRINDLE, acting postmaster of Milltown, New Jersey, since the resignation of Postmaster Booream, was born November 25, 1873, in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, son of John L. and Anna (Staub) Brindle, his father now a retired farmer. John L. Brindle was born in
I. F. Simment.
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Virginia, but as a young man located in Pennsylvania where he married Mary Staub, born in Mechanicsburg, where they yet reside.
J. Milton Brindle was educated in the public schools, and grew up on the home farm. Later he left his Pennsylvania home, and has since served in different capacities in different towns. In 1910 he was ap- pointed assistant postmaster in Milltown, New Jersey, and has since held that office continuously. When postmaster Booream resigned the office of postmaster in 1920, Mr. Brindle was appointed acting postmaster and yet serves (April, 1921) no successor yet having been appointed. In politics he is a Republican, and in religion, a Lutheran. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men and the Order of United American Mechanics.
Mr. Brindle married, March 15, 1904, Margaret Schlosser, born May 15, 1878, died April 8, 1916, daughter of Henry and Catherine (Kuhlthau) Schlosser, her father born in Germany, came to the United States in 1870. Mr. and Mrs. Brindle are the parents of four children : Milton, born June 4, 1905 ; Landis, born January 7, 1907 ; Warner, born June 12, 1909; Doris, born February 29, 19II.
JULIUS THEODORE SIMMEN, wholesale baker and a successful business man of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, was born in Cassel, Ger- many, February 28, 1873, son of Theodore and Marie (Leckert) Sim- men, his father a potter. When eight years of age he was brought to the United States by his parents, they settling first in Hoboken, later in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.
Julius T. Simmen attended public schools until thirteen years of age, then began his business career by entering the employ of his father, who was engaged in the manufacture of pottery. He began at the bottom, learning the business and working his way up to a partnership in the concern. As the business increased in volume, they added the manu- facture of crucibles, fire bricks, slabs, bake ovens and all clay material products. He continued in this line of business until he was twenty- eight years old, when he gave up the manufacture of pottery and entered the wholesale baking business, and now is the head of the largest baking establishment in the county of Middlesex, and one of the most success- ful business men of Perth Amboy. At the time he gave up the manu- facture of pottery he had a number of bake ovens on hand, and conceived the idea of using them in his new undertaking. They proved very satis- factory from the first and reduced greatly the initial cost of the new busi- ness which proved a success from the start. Beginning with one barrel of flour per day, he is now consuming seventy-five barrels of flour in twenty-four hours, and turning out four hundred thousand loaves of bread a month. He is a director of the City National Bank of Perth Amboy, and has other business interests of importance.
Mr. Simmen is a member of Perth Amboy Lodge, No. 784, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Foresters of America, No. 58; the Raritan Yacht Club; Good Fellowship Club of New York ; several Auto- mobile clubs; the Bakers' Club of New Jersey; the National Bakers'
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Association of America ; is a Republican in politics, and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Perth Amboy.
Mr. Simmen married, August 4, 1906, in Metuchen, New Jersey, Jennie W. Wittnebert, daughter of the late Henry and Anna M. Wittne- bert. Mr. and Mrs. Simmen are the parents of four children: Julius Theodore (2), born June 14, 1907; Jeannette Marie, born October 26, 1908; Robert Henry, born April 15, 1910; William Charles, born March 7, 1912.
JOSEPH MAGEE PERRINE .- The Perrine family of New Jersey is of French Huguenot blood and trace their lineage to Henri Perrine, who was one of that group of French refugees who fled to escape religious persecution and were brought over to East Jersey by Sir Philip Carteret in 1665, when he came to assume the government of that province. From Henri Perrine, the Huguenot, sprang a large and influential family, the line to Joseph Magee Perrine, of Jamesburg, New Jersey, being traced from Henri Perrine and his wife, Marie Thorel, through their third child, Henry Perrine ; his son, John Perrine; his son, John (2) Perrine, and his wife, Mary Rue; their son, John (3) Perrine, and his first wife, Ann Stout; their son, Enoch Perrine, and his wife, Mary Ely; their son, Thomas Ely Perrine, and his wife, Harriet C. Magee; their son, Joseph Magee Perrine, and his wife, Edna Marie Dixon, and their children, of the ninth American generation-Marjory Dixon ; Phyllis Magee, and Virginia Roberts Perrine.
(I) Henri Perrine, the ancestor, arrived in New York, on the ship "Philip," July 29, 1665. It is said that he was a descendant of Count Pierre Perrine, of La Rochelle, Lower Charente, France, who had fled from the persecution which followed the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes, in 1685. Count Pierre Perrine and his family, carrying all the wealth they could secrete on their persons, embarked at La Rochelle, and by way of the Netherlands found their way into England. Henri Perrine, the year after his arrival in East Jersey, married Marie Thorel, Governor Carteret issuing the license, February 12, 1666. Marie Thorel was a French girl, who came over on the ship with Henri Perrine. Their marriage is said to have been the first celebrated on the Elizabeth plan- tation. After their marriage, they removed to Staten Island.
(II) Henry Perrine, son of Henri and Marie (Thorel) Perrine, was born on Staten Island. On November 1, 1711, he bought land on Matcha- ponix creek, then in Middlesex county, New Jersey. He married, and had a son, John, of whom further.
(III) John Perrine, son of Henry Perrine, owned land at English- town, where he is buried with his wife.
(IV) John (2) Perrine, son of John (1) Perrine, married Mary Rue, who died April 18, 1824, and is buried in Old Tennent Churchyard. He died April 26, 1804, and is buried at Hills.
(V) John (3) Perrine, a major in Middlesex county, New Jersey Militia, during the Revolution, was born March 30, 1762, died November 17, 1848, and was buried at the Old Tennent Churchyard. He was a
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large landowner, his farm later the residence of Louis Ryno. He mar- ried (first) August 5, 1785, Ann Stout, born August 12, 1761, died December 28, 1822, daughter of David and Catherine (Barclay) Stout. She was buried in Old Tennent Churchyard, where later her husband was laid beside her. They were the parents of nine children, of whom Enoch Perrine was the sixth child. John (3) Perrine married (second) Catherine Perrine, who bore him six children.
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