USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume II > Part 41
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M. Burr Mann was born in Fulton, New York, April 1, 1880, the son of Almerien and Hannah (Chapman) Mann. He received the ele- mentary portion of his education in the public schools of his native place, and after graduating from the high school there, he prepared himself for college, and in 1899 matriculated at Cornell University, from which institution he was graduated in 1903. Upon completing a course there, he showed himself to be a student of more than ordinary ability, and he had no difficulty in securing a position as a teacher. His ability in handling the pupils of a school soon brought him to the notice of edu- cational authorities, and he came to have a reputation of being well qualified in the teaching profession. In 1917 he received the offer of a position as superintendent of the Dunellen public school, which afforded him greater opportunities for advancement, and he accepted it, remain- ing in that position ever since. Under his direction, the schools have been brought to a much higher standard of efficiency.
In addition to his interests in the world of education and literature, Mr. Mann is prominent in the local fraternal organizations, among them being the Free and Accepted Masons, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he also holds membership in the local Republican Club. His religious affiliations are with the Presbyterian church, and both he and Mrs. Mann attend the First Presbyterian Church of Dunellen.
On October 18, 1904, M. Burr Mann was united in marriage with Anna Lee Pitcher, daughter of the Rev. Charles W. and Anna (Amer- man) Pitcher. Mr. and Mrs. Mann are the parents of one child, Gwen- dolin, born December 31, 1906.
PAUL REUSCH .- A resident of Dunellen, president of the First National Bank of Dunellen, Mr. Reusch is properly to be named among the representative citizens of his section of the State, his life, upright and honorable, industrious and energetic, commanding for him the con- fidence and respect of his fellowmen in an unusual degree.
Paul Reusch is a native of New York City, his birth occurring Feb- ruary 16, 1855, a son of Conrad and Mary Anna (Trust) Reusch, natives of Germany, from which country they emigrated to the New World in early life, about 1845. Conrad Reusch became a well-to-do baker in New York City before it became the city of the present day, with its millions of inhabitants, the greater part of them having to depend upon
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men of his line of work for their daily sustenance. The son, Paul Reusch, was a student in a pay school during his boyhood, there gaining a thor- ough knowledge of the English and German languages, this knowledge proving of value to him in his active career. For a number of years he gave his attention to the trade and business his father followed, that of a baker, in which he became an expert, and subsequently, desiring a wider and broader field for his talents and abilities, became interested in bank- ing, in 1907, his scene of labor being the First National Bank of Dunellen, in which he advanced in rank from time to time, first as a director and finally being chosen to serve in the capacity of president, the duties of which he faithfully performed, his service being of inestimable value to the men connected with him in the enterprise. Mr. Reusch follows the tenets of the Presbyterian church, gives his allegiance to the candi- dates of the Republican party, and is affiliated, fraternally with the Order of Foresters and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.
Mr. Reusch married, November 18, 1883, in Warrenville, Somerset county, New Jersey, Catherine Williams, born in Warrenville, March 7, 1864, a daughter of Peter and Catherine (Friday) Williams, the former named having been born in Germany, from whence he came to the United States at the age of sixteen, here following the occupation of farming throughout the active years of his life, and the latter named a native of New York City. Mr. and Mrs. Reusch are the parents of two children : Anna Elizabeth, born February 25, 1891, and Paul Edward, born August 29, 1898. The family residence, a fine house containing twelve rooms, modern in its appointments, equipped with everything necessary for the comfort of its inmates, and surrounded by well kept lawns and fruit trees of every description, was purchased by Mr. Reusch in 1911 ; it is located at No. 611 Washington avenue, Dunellen.
ALBERT H. BOWERS .- Early developing mechanical tastes and talent, Mr. Bowers, through apprenticeship and experience, became a skilled worker in metal. In the capacity of toolmaker, he first came to Woodbridge in 1910, later advancing to superintendent of the Mcclellan Lines Company, and subsequently becoming owner of his own business, under the name of A. H. Bowers.
Mr. Bowers is a son of Charles and Elizabeth (Clark) Bowers, and grandson of Thomas Bowers, born in England, an artist, who came to the United States and settled in Syracuse, New York, subsequently going to Trenton, New Jersey, where he died. It is said that Thomas Bowers painted the scenery for the first presentation of the play "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Charles Bowers was born during residence of the family in Syracuse, New York. He was educated in Trenton, New Jersey, but afterwards settled permanently in Rahway, New Jersey, where his son, Albert H., was born. Elizabeth (Clark) Bowers was a daughter of Jesse and Rebecca (Leob) Clark, and a lineal descendant of Abraham Clark, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Albert H. Bowers was born in Rahway, New Jersey, February 19, 1885. and there attended the public schools. At an early age he began
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learning the machinist's trade, at the same time attending the evening sessions of Trainer's Business College, Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He was graduated from business college in 1906, and having completed his years of apprenticeship at the trade, he left Perth Amboy and during the next four years was employed in different machine shops in New Jersey towns. In 1910 he entered the employ of the Mcclellan Lines Company, of Woodbridge, as a toolmaker, soon advancing to the position of shop foreman. He was later made plant superintendent, and in 1915 suc- ceeded to the ownership of the business, and the name was then changed to A. H. Bowers. He manufactures locomotive and automobile acces- sories, hoists, cranes and other machinery. During the World's War period the plant was engaged exclusively in the manufacture of tools and machinery for the loading of shells and other ammunition. The plant is located at Freeman street and the Pennsylvania Railroad, twenty-five men being continuously employed. The products have become well known to the trade, and the business is a prosperous one.
Mr. Bowers is a Republican in politics, and takes a deep interest in the affairs of the community in which he is highly esteemed. He is a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics; with his family he attends the services of the Woodbridge Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Bowers married, in Rahway, New Jersey, June 27, 1907, Amelia Schaefer, daughter of Michael and Amelia '(West) Schaefer, her father engaged in mercantile life in Rahway. The West family is of Colonial ancestry, seated since early days in South Jersey and Delaware. Mr. and Mrs. Bowers are the parents of two children : Albert, born May 30, 1909 ; Mildred, born December 19, 1915.
WILLIAM CARMAN .- Now living retired at his home in Menlo Park, New Jersey, enjoying to the full the fruits of his long years of honest and honorable endeavor, this being a natural sequence, William Carman can review the past with satisfaction and enjoyment, realizing that the part he took in the affairs of his adopted town were for its betterment and uplift along many lines. He is also well known through- out Middlesex county, and is one of her foremost citizens.
William Carman was born in Metuchen, New Jersey, August 31, 1849, a son of Melancthon and Ann Maria (Ayres) Carman, the former named having been a prosperous lumber dealer and the operator of a saw mill located in Newark, New Jersey, which enterprises he conducted in a thoroughly reliable manner for many years. In 1860 Melancthon Carman erected a house for the use of himself and family in Menlo Park, and this has been the family homestead to the present time (1920), a period of sixty years.
William Carman was a student in the public schools of Newark, completing his course in the high school of that city. For many years after engaging in his business career he was identified with the drug trade in Newark and Jersey city, later entering the employ of Thomas Edison, the noted inventor, serving as clerk in his office for a period of six years, at Menlo Park, after which he was elected to the office of
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sheriff for Middlesex county, in which capacity he served for three years, and the following four and a half years he filled the office of under sheriff. Subsequently he was a member of the County Tax Board for three years. The duties pertaining to these various positions he performed in a capable manner, winning the commendation of all con- cerned.
Mr. Carman is a Presbyterian in religion, and interested in the work of the church of that denomination in Metuchen ; a Republican in politics, and a thirty-second degree Mason, serving as past grand commander of New Jersey.
Mr. Carman married, April II, 1872, Mary E. Bryson, a native of Newark, New Jersey, born November 10, 1850, daughter of James and Jane E. Bryson, of Newark, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Carman are the parents of five children: 1. George E., married Josephine Flannigan, of Metuchen, New Jersey. 2. Caroline A., married Ambrose Mundy, of Metuchen, and they have five children: Caroline C., Marion, Stanley, Mildred, and Carman. 3. William, Jr., now at home with his parents. 4. Albert S., married Margaret Edson, of Ramsey, New Jersey. 5. May, a twin of Albert S., now (1921) at home with her parents.
HAROLD E. PICKERSGILL, printer, publisher and public official, of Perth Amboy, is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Gilberton, Schuyl- kill county, August 8, 1872, son of the Reverend Eli and Phoebe (Mc- Cracken) Pickersgill, both of whom are yet living, at Port Carbon, Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. The father is a native of England, and the mother of Mount Bethel, Northampton county, Pennsylvania. The Rev. Eli Pickersgill is a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, and his ministerial life has been passed in Eastern Pennsylvania, cov- ering the long period of fifty-eight years. He has but recently retired from pastoral work, but on occasion continues to preach in neighborhood churches.
Harold E. Pickersgill, after passing through graded and high public schools, entered the employ of the Lehigh Valley and Philadelphia & Reading railroads, in a clerical capacity. While so occupied, and pre- vious to that time, he gave his night hours to work in a printing office, taking on all the duties of compositor and pressman, and also performing reportorial work, acquiring an experience which was soon to bring him into an independent active career. At the age of nineteen he had become a well equipped general printer, and he relinquished his railroad position and took employment in the printing office of Wilbur La Roe, in Perth Amboy. After a year he purchased his employer's interest in his weekly paper, the "Perth Amboy Chronicle," which he conducted for a year, then reselling to Mr. La Roe, and reëntering his employ, an association which was maintained for several years. In 1910 Mr. Pickersgill estab- lished a printing business of his own, in which he still continues.
In connection with his printing business he issues a unique weekly newspaper, "The Jersey Mosquito," which enjoys much more than a local fame. Associated with him in this business is an only son, Richard
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H. Pickersgill. Mr. Pickersgill is recognized as an unusually faithful authority not only on local history, but on that of the State; in the former respect, the publishers of this "History of Middlesex County" gratefully acknowledge his valuable aid. He has a penchant for ancient works of historical and literary worth, and upon his shelves are many rare volumes acquired in the closing up of old family estates, and from metropolitan book sales. In these lines he is well known throughout the State.
Mr. Pickersgill has rendered efficient public service as recorder of Perth Amboy, in which position he is now serving his ninth term, and his sixth term as justice of the peace. In politics he is a Republican, and he is an active member of various clubs and lodges in which he has held official position.
Mr. Pickersgill married, in Perth Amboy, in 1894, Margaret J. Bolmer, daughter of William S. and Josephine (Bloodgood) Bolmer, of Rahway, New Jersey.
CHARLES KUNTZ .- About the year 1890, Isaac and Edith Kuntz came from their home in Russia to the United States, locating in New York City. They were the parents of three sons: Abraham M., a busi- ness man of New York City; Charles, of further mention ; and Henry, a lawyer and member of the New York bar.
Charles Kuntz, seeking a residence in harmony with his scientific pursuits, chose Iselin, in Middlesex county, New Jersey, and there acquired a country residence and land suitable for farm and experimental purposes. There he has made his home, amid pleasant surroundings, his brother Henry also residing there. His time is given to scientific study and research and to the management of the farm. There is a practical side to his scientific study ; indeed, the results he has attained in poultry raising and egg production have thoroughly established the fact that science and the farm are intimately related and should be the closest allies. But Mr. Kuntz is essentially the student, and should be regarded as an educator, for his studies in sociology and philosophy are of a serious nature. Notwithstanding his reserved and retiring nature, he is well known and highly regarded.
Near Kiev, a fortified city of European Russia, the capital of the gov- ernment of Kiev, on the Dnieper river, a city of venerable churches and monasteries called the "mother of Russian cities," Charles Kuntz was born, January 16, 1870. He attended gymnasium and university at Kiev, his term at the university covering a year's study. After Kiev, he entered upon a course of philosophical study at the University of Vienna, which covered a period of three years. In 1892 he entered the University of Switzerland at Zurich for courses in chemistry and science, and in 1894 came to the United States and here chose Columbia University in which to pursue study in political science, philosophy and sociology. In 1899 he devoted much time to the study of anthropology at the British Museum in London, returning to the United States in 1901, locating
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again in New York City. Since 1904 his home has been at his farm in Iselin, where he combines his study with practical experiment, his poultry farm, devoted to pure-bred white leghorns, being known among poultry fanciers. The farm is the joint property and home of Charles and Henry Kuntz.
CHARLES A. CAMPBELL .- This name has long been a prominent and honored one in Woodbridge, New Jersey, and its perpetuation is provided for in a third Charles A. Campbell, son of Charles A. (2), and grandson of Charles A. (1) Campbell, all born in Woodbridge. Charles A. (1) Campbell was a very successful business man, public-spirited, progressive and useful. He was succeeded by his son, Charles A. (2) Campbell, also a business man of prominence in both New York and Woodbridge, whose public spirit and progressiveness rivals that of his father. Charles A. (3), one of the town's younger set, proved his mettle by military service with the American Expeditionary Force in France, ranking as captain of infantry.
Charles A. (1) Campbell, son of John H. Campbell, was born in Woodbridge township, Middlesex county, New Jersey, June 2, 1836, died in Woodbridge, New Jersey, July 2, 1881. He was educated in the public schools, and through wide courses of reading attained a remarkable degree of learning. John H. Campbell, his father, was a farmer of Woodbridge township, and at the age of fourteen the boy, Charles A., began working on his father's farm and continued his assistant in farm work until eighteen years of age. He then spent ten years in business in Metuchen, New Jersey, then, in 1864, he engaged in the clay business in Woodbridge, but a year later sold out to engage in other matters. In 1867 he returned to the business of clay mining and other activities under the firm name of C. A. Campbell & Company, and also was interested financially in the Staten Island Kaolin Company, an extensive clay mining and manufacturing company. Mr. Campbell became one of the prominent successful business men of his town, having many and varied interests. He was one of the founders of the Middlesex County Bank of Perth Amboy and a member of its first board of direc- tors, and a director of the Amboy Savings Institution. Men recognized his strong business ability, and his opinions were deferred to.
A Democrat in politics, he held many positions of public trust. He was a judge of elections, member of the township committee, a free- holder, commissioner of appeals, school trustee, and in 1875 he was elected by his party to represent his district in the New Jersey Assem- bly. He served with honor in that body, then returned again to private life and was ever one of the most eminent and representative citizens of Woodbridge. At one time he was president of the Masonic Hall Asso- ciation of Woodbridge, president of the board of trustees of the Congre- gational church, and during his residence in Woodbridge built many fine residences and other structures within town limits.
Charles A. Campbell married, in Woodbridge, in 1855, Susan L.
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Clarkson, daughter of Noel Clarkson, of Woodbridge. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell were the parents of three children: Lizzie, who died young; Susan, now residing at the old family home, unmarried ; and Charles A. (2), of further mention.
Charles A. (2) Campbell was born August 24, 1865, and is now con- nected with the Ostermoor Mattress Company of New York. He is a director of the First National Bank of Woodbridge; president of the Woodbridge Masonic Hall Association; at one time was a member of the Woodbridge Board of Education; is president of the board of trustees of the Woodbridge Congregational Church; ex-president of the Woodbridge Athletic Association; a Democrat in politics and a former freeholder, representing Woodbridge township, and otherwise prominent in local affairs. Mr. Campbell married Bertha M. Connors, of Woodbridge, and they are the parents of two children: 1. Charles A. (3), who as a captain in the 5th Regiment of Infantry, IIth Division, American Expeditionary Force, served in France during the World War, 1917-1918; he married Marion Segoine, of Point Pleasant, New Jersey. 2. Mary M., married Francis A. Chidsey, of Easton, Pennsyl- vania, a graduate of Lafayette College. Mr. Chidsey also served with the American Expeditionary Force in France, holding a lieutenant's commission. Mr. and Mrs. Chidsey are the parents of a son, Francis A. (2).
AXEL SOPHUS OLSEN .- There is something in the spirit of the American Government and of the American Nation which wins the loyal support of all its adopted sons. Its freedom from monarchical rule, its advantages for progress and improvement, unhampered by caste, seems to call forth the best efforts of those who come here to seek homes, and many rise to positions of importance in the business world and other fields of industry. This has been eminently the case with Axel Sophus Olsen, office manager and purchasing agent of the Perth Amboy Dry Dock Company.
Thomas Ferdinand Olsen, father of Axel Sophus Olsen, was born in Denmark, December 27, 1838, and died in England in 1892. He had been a sailor from boyhood, and during the latter years of his life was a captain of an English steamer. He married Anna Maria Fallam, a native of Throndhjem, Norway, and they were the parents of an only child, Axel Sophus Olsen. Mrs. Olsen died in England when the boy Axel S. was very young.
Axel Sophus Olsen, son of Thomas Ferdinand and Anna Maria (Fallam) Olsen, was born in Thorndhjem, Norway, June 30, 1871. He was educated in the schools of Denmark, and at the age of twenty-two came to the United States and immediately settled in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where he soon found employment as a clerk in a general store. On January 24, 1899, he first associated himself with the Perth Amboy Dry Dock Company, securing the position of timekeeper. It was through a quick ability to take advantage of opportunities that Mr.
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Olsen made himself of great value to his employers and rapidly made his way up through the positions of chief clerk, purchasing agent, and office manager to the place of prominence which he holds at the present time, that of office manager and purchasing agent of the Perth Amboy Dry Dock Company. His success has been due to his tireless energy and industry, together with the training which qualified him for fulfilling the duties of his present office. Politically Mr. Olsen is an Independent, voting for the candidate he believes best fitted for the office regardless of party label. He affiliates with the Lutheran church in Perth Amboy, and his club is the Raritan Yacht. His best efforts are always given to the advancement of whatever in his judgment tends to the furtherance of the welfare of the city. He is treasurer of the Danish Children's Home, and has been on its board of managers since 1912.
Mr. Olsen married, September 20, 1899, Ellen la Cour, a native of Denmark, but of French descent, a daughter of Niels and Anina (Jacob- sen ) la Cour, both of Denmark. Mrs. Olsen came to the United States with her father and mother in 1892, they locating at once in Perth Amboy, where with the exception of five years spent in Brooklyn they have always resided. Mr. and Mrs. Olsen are the parents of three chil- dren : Olaf la Cour, born June 26, 1900, now attending Syracuse Univer- sity, a member of the class of 1923; Norman la Cour, born October 20, 1903, also a student in Syracuse University, class of 1924; Gertrude Anina la Cour, born December 12, 1910. During the few hours that Mr. Olsen can spare from his ever increasing business duties he takes great delight in long walks and in boating.
DAVID CAMPBELL PREACHER, now master mechanic and chief engineer of the Perth Amboy Dry Dock Company, was born at Colmo- nell, Scotland, June 7, 1870, son of David Campbell and Elizabeth (Craig) Preacher, his father a forester. He secured a good public school educa- tion in the local schools and a mechanical education in the night schools. At the age of sixteen, he began an apprenticeship with the Dalmelling- ton Iron Company, in Ayr, Scotland, and became well advanced as a machinist and engineer before sailing for the United States, October 16, 1889. Twelve days later, he arrived in New York, going thence to Perth Amboy, where he engaged as a machinist with the firm of Schann & Eckert. In January, 1899, he was appointed superintendent of the Lea Machine Works, of New Brunswick, New Jersey, and in 1901 accepted the position of superintending engineer with the Blue Moun- tain & Raquette Lake Steamboat Company, of Raquette Lake, New York. In 1905 he came to his present position with the Perth Amboy Dry Dock Company, Perth Amboy, New Jersey.
Mr. Preacher became a citizen of the United States at New Bruns- wick, New Jersey, August 16, 1898. He is a member of the Universal Craftsmen's Council of Engineers of Trenton, New Jersey; Lawrence Lodge, No. 62, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Perth Amboy ; and is a thirty-second degree Mason, being a member of the Ancient
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Accepted Scottish Rite, New Jersey Consistory. His club is the Perth Amboy Caledonian, his religious faith, Presbyterian.
At Perth Amboy, December 31, 1896, Mr. Preacher married Janet Yule Donaldson Grieve, daughter of John and Agnes Grieve. Mr. and Mrs. Preacher are the parents of four sons: I. David Campbell, born at New Brunswick, New Jersey, November 12, 1899; he served during the World War as a second-class machinist on the battleship "Montana." He was honorably discharged when the armistice was signed, and is now employed by the Perth Amboy Dry Dock Company. 2. George, born at Perth Amboy, New Jersey, September 28, 1903. 3. John, born at Perth Amboy, January 13, 1907. 4. Hugh James, born in Perth Amboy, November 23, 1916. Mr. Preacher is a mechanic of skill and ability, a man of forceful character, a good manager, and loyal to his obligations as employee and citizen. He is highly esteemed in his community.
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