USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume II > Part 42
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WILLIAM HENRY BLACK .- The charm of the sea reaches into every little inlet that feels the sweep of the tide, and throws a spell of interest over the life history of every one whose work is connected with it. William Henry Black, superintendent of the Perth Amboy Dry Dock Company, spent the greater part of his life in the ship building centers of the Maine coast, actively engaged in the construction of sailing vessels.
Thomas Black, father of William H. Black, was born in the North of Ireland, and came to Phippsburg Center, Maine, ninety years ago. He was a farmer, an upright, hard working man. He died in the same seaside village, in 1884, at the age of eighty years and six months. He married Sarah Black, who was also born in Ireland, and she died in 1892, three months past the eighty-year mark. They had a good old- fashioned family of ten children, of whom two are still living : Mrs. Mary Bowker, of Bath, Maine; and William Henry, who was the youngest of the family.
William Henry Black was born in Phippsburg Center, Maine, March 31, 1858. He attended the public school of the village, and until twenty years of age helped his father on the farm. But the ship building opera- tions constantly going on in the village were a source of great interest to the young man, and when twenty years old he left the farm to learn the ship carpenter's trade. He remained at Phippsburg Center following this trade for ten years. When he was thirty years old he took his savings and went to Bath, Maine. There he bought a house, and entered the employ of William M. Rogers, as master shipbuilder, later on going to the firm of Arthur Sewell & Company in the same capacity. While he was with the latter firm he built the ship, "William P. Fry," which was torpedoed by the Germans during the World War. Also at the Sewell yards he built four steel vessels. He was later connected with the ship yards at Waldoboro, Maine. During his stay there he built four schooners known as the "White Fleet." Still later, in Brewer, Maine, he built two schooners for the I. K. Stedman Company. With
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all this valuable experience in ship construction, he was peculiarly fitted for the position which he now fills as superintendent of the Perth Amboy Dry Dock Company. He came to this city in 1905, and has been con- tinuously in the employ of this concern ever since, holding the position of superintendent since 1911. Mr. Black's time is largely absorbed by his work, but his interests are broad. His personal tastes lead him out- of-doors for recreation and relaxation, and he takes great delight in fine horses, having always owned a fast horse in Maine.
Mr. Black married, October 8, 1881, in Bath, Maine, Jennie P. Morse, daughter of Scott and Pauline (Shay) Morse. She was born in Bath, and both her parents died there. Mr. and Mrs. Black are the parents of two children, both living: 1. Roberta, born February 8, 1886, the wife of Fred Whitney, of Perth Amboy ; she conducts a corset store, known as the Gossard Corset Shop, on Smith street. 2. C. Howard, born October 17, 1889, manager of the Woolworth Five and Ten Cent Store in Perth Amboy ; he is single ; he served in the United States army for nine months of the recent World War. The family have always attended the Methodist Episcopal church.
WILLIAM JOHN RANKIN .- The story of the career of William John Rankin is the story of obstacles overcome and fine ambitions achieved through sheer dint of perseverance. That he has won his way to the front ranks of Perth Amboy is due to the innate force of character of the man who took the difficulties with a certain zest in the effort and that this confidence was not misplaced is shown by the records of things done.
Alexander M. Rankin, father of William John Rankin, was born in Scotland, and came to Prince Edward Island with his parents when he was very young. He was a ship builder by trade. He died in Perth Amboy, in 1904, at the age of eighty-four years. He married Lydia Louise Harding, a native of Prince Edward Island. Mrs. Rankin died in Perth Amboy, in 1910, at the age of eighty-four years. To Mr. and Mrs. Rankin were born ten children, eight of whom are still alive: Eliza- beth, Katherine, James, Jessie, Mary, William John, of this review; Collin, and Gilman.
William John Rankin was born in Alberton, Prince Edward Island, November 12, 1862. He obtained his education in the local public schools. At the age of eighteen he went to Bath, Maine, and from there followed the sea for seven years, filling practically every position on a sailing vessel to that of captain, in which capacity he was serving at the time he took his position of carpenter and rigger with the Perth Amboy Dry Dock Company in 1890. In 1907 he established himself in business, and while thus engaged built two dry docks, but in 1919 he again returned to the Perth Amboy Dry Dock Company in the position of superintendent, which office he holds at the present time, 1921.
In politics Mr. Rankin is a Republican, and at one time served as
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alderman from the old Third Ward. He is prominent in Masonic circles, and is a member of Raritan Lodge, No. 60, Free and Accepted Masons ; Perth Amboy Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Empire Commandery, No. 66, Knights Templar; Jerusalem Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and Louisiana Consistory, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. He is also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
On November 1I, 1887, Mr. Rankin was united in marriage with Christian McKay, and they are the parents of five children : Collin D., born February 13. 1889: Ella and Joseph, twins, both deceased ; James, deceased ; Martha L., wife of Samuel G. Fugua.
CHARLES H. HINGHER, as secretary-treasurer of the Edward Hingher Company, Nos. 116-122 Neilson street, New Brunswick, occu- pies an influential place in a business founded by his honored father, Edward Hingher, in 1872. Edward Hingher was born in Rittenberg, Germany, in 1832, but when young went to France, where he became an expert cabinetmaker. In 1854 he came to the United States, worked in New York, and in Savannah, Georgia, and in 1861, located in New Brunswick, New Jersey, where in 1872 he became a manufacturer of furniture as a member of the firm, Deisenreider & Hingher. They started business in a small plant at No. 47 Albany street, but two years later a fire swept away the plant; Mr. Deisenreider did not continue, leaving Mr. Hingher to resume or not as he pleased. He decided to resume and as a beginning bought the lot on Neilson street and erected a building too large for his then business, but which later filled its every story and room. As his sons, Charles H. and Edward, came to suitable years, they were admitted to the business, eventually succeeding their father, who continued head of the business until the years grew too heavy and he retired.
Charles H. Hingher, son of Edward Hingher, was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, May 16, 1877, consequently he is five years younger than the business with which he has been connected since 1897. He was educated in New Brunswick public schools and Wilson's Busi- ness College, and at the age of twenty became associated with his father in the furniture business at the same location which the Edward Hingher Company now occupies. The business was incorporated, April 21, 1916, and is one of the leading furniture houses of New Brunswick, Charles H. Hingher, secretary and treasurer. The company is a prosperous one and fills an important place in New Brunswick mercantile life. Mr. Hingher is a member of the Loyal Order of Moose, Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Exempt Fireman's Association, New Brunswick Board of Trade, the Young Men's Christian Association, and the Livingston Avenue Reformed Church.
Mr. Hingher married, in New Brunswick, Edna C. Johnson, and they are the parents of two daughters: Nellie Alberta and Myrtle Elizabeth.
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MILLARD FILMORE ROSS, JR .- The Ross name has long been a familiar one in Middlesex county and one associated with the develop- ment of the New Jersey coast district since the days of Congressman Miles Ross, a native son of Middlesex county.
Miles Ross was born in Raritan township, April 30, 1828, and became the most popular Democrat in his district, so popular that he held all worth while local offices, then was sent to the New Jersey Legislature, and later to the National House of Representatives. He sat in the Forty- fourth Congress, which convened December 6, 1875, and was thrice reëlected, serving in all four times, covering a period of eight years. He did a great deal of his district; particularly, the shore and summer vis- itors to the bay district may thank him for the present boating, bathing and fishing facilities at Cheesequake creek, improvements begun and carried on for years through government appropriations secured through his influence. The family came to the United States from Scotland.
Millard Filmore Ross, son of Congressman Miles Ross, was also a prominent Democrat of New Brunswick, his native city, and was a well known wholesale dealer in coal. He married Mary M. Dixon, born in Jersey City, New Jersey, daughter of the eminent Jonathan Dixon, judge of the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Millard Filmore Ross, Jr., son of Millard Filmore and Mary M. (Dixon) Ross, was born at the family home, No. 77 Livingston avenue, New Brunswick, New Jersey, March 15, 1898. He was educated in Rutgers Elementary School, Rutgers Preparatory School, class of 1916, and Rutgers College, leaving college in 1917, when he tried to enter the United States army for service in the war against Germany. He was rejected for military service and for the succeeding eleven weeks he "did his bit" with other men by driving a farm tractor. He then made another attempt to enlist, but was again rejected. He did war work as under-foreman at the Johnson & Johnson plant. He joined the New Brunswick Cavalry Home Guard, and after fourteen unsuccessful attempts received appointment to a machine gun unit and was ordered to report at Officers' Training Camp, Camp Hancock, Georgia. Before reaching Camp Hancock, the signing of the armistice ended the war and his efforts were all in vain, except to show the depth of his patriot- ism and the sincerity of his intention. After the war, Mr. Ross was employed for a time as an automobile salesman in New York City and New Brunswick, and on August 4, 1919, incorporated the M. F. Ross, Jr., Inc., insurance brokers, their operations extending throughout New Jersey and New York City. The officers of this corporation are: M. F. Ross, Jr., president ; V. C. Ross, vice-president ; George R. Morrison, treasurer; Miles Ross, secretary. The offices are located at Nos. 201- 203 Montalvo building, No. 101 Albany street, New Brunswick, and the New York City offices are at No. 80 Maiden Lane.
Mr. Ross is a member of Rutgers Chapter, Delta Kappa Epsilon ; New Brunswick Lodge, No. 324, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Young Men's Christian Association; the New Brunswick Boat and the New Brunswick Country clubs. His favorite sports are swimming, hunting and boxing. In religious faith he is a Presbyterian.
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ASTOR IFMIX MILDENFUT UNA
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Mr. Ross married, in Newark, New Jersey, March 8, 1918, Laura Wesley Early, of New York City, born in Hightstown, New Jersey, daughter of Robert and Grace (Davison) Early. Mr. and Mrs. Ross are the parents of a son, Miles Ross (2), born March 28, 1919. The family home is at No. 100 Livingston avenue.
GEORGE A. CLINTON .- The Middlesex Granite and Marble Works of New Brunswick, New Jersey, was established more than a quarter of a century ago by the present owner, George A. Clinton, a practical stone cutter, whose vision and ambition led him to make the venture which his ability and energy has developed so successfully. He is a son of William and Lydia Clinton, who at the time of the birth of their son were residing in Brooklyn, New York. Later, Mr. Clinton moved with his family to a farm at Franklin Park, New Jersey.
George A. Clinton was born in Brooklyn, New York, October 9, 1858, but soon afterward the family moved to the farm at Franklin Park, where the lad George spent the years of his early life. He attended the public schools of the district and until reaching the age of nineteen was his father's farm assistant. But the life of a farm held no appeal for him, and opportunity offering, he left home and became a stone cutter's apprentice in the city of New Brunswick; that was in 1877, and for forty- three years he has made that city his home and business headquarters. For sixteen years he followed his trade as apprentice and journeyman, becoming an expert marble and granite cutter. He had during these years accumulated capital sufficient to warrant starting in business for himself, and in 1893 made the venture under the firm name, The Middle- sex Granite and Marble Works, located in New Brunswick. He has been very successful, and his monumental works are the largest in the city. Mr. Clinton is still the active head of the business he founded and is held in high regard, both as a business man and citizen. He is well known in fraternal life, is an active church worker and deeply interested in all that concerns the public good. He has served as elder in his church, also as delegate to classes.
Mr. Clinton is a Republican in politics, a member of the First Re- formed Church of New Brunswick, and affiliates with New Brunswick Lodge, No. 6, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Palestine Lodge, No. III, Free and Accepted Masons; Good Intent Council, No. 234, Junior Order of United American Mechanics.
Mr. Clinton married, November 1, 1881, Mary Voorhees, daughter of Jacob Voorhees, of New Brunswick, and they are the parents of two sons : Elmer V., who married Osie Hardy, and they have one son, Elmer V., Jr., who is associated in business with his father ; and George De Witt, also a member of his father's firm, who on February 25, 1918, entered the World War, serving with the 354th Bakery Company, was overseas, stationed at Saint Aignan, France, for some ten months, and was mustered out July 12, 1919, as corporal.
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ROBERT ALLEN LUFBURROW, one of the active young business men of New Brunswick, is one of the organizers of the Highland Park Building Company, at No. 238 Cleveland avenue. Having been trained for the profession of a civil engineer, he is particularly adapted for the work in which he is now engaged.
Born in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, December 3, 1886, Robert Allen Lufburrow is the son of Egbert Frederick and Mary H. Lufburrow. In his boyhood he attended the public school in Atlantic Highlands and later the high school, graduating in 1904. Entering Rutgers College, in the scientific course, the youth spent the next four years there and graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1908. Some time later he reentered college in the engineering course and obtained the degree of Civil Engineer at his graduation in the class of 1913. Mr. Lufburrow's first engagement in his new profession was in the office of C. C. Vermeule, a prominent engineer of New York City, where he held the position of assistant engineer ; he afterward became an assistant in the office of Clyde Potts, also in New York City, in the work of designing and construction of water works, sewers and sewage disposal plants. At this time the Highland Park Building Company was in process of organization, and Mr. Lufburrow came to New Brunswick, September 15, 1914, as secretary and treasurer of the new concern. For a year and a half Mr. Lufburrow was absent from his post, being engaged in the United States Army during the late war, but upon his return to New Brunswick in January, 1919, he was advanced to the office of vice-president of the company, that being his position at the present time (1921). Mr. Lufburrow is also connected with the Cronk Manufacturing Company of New Brunswick, holding the office of vice- president.
When this country entered the World War, Robert Allen Lufbur- row volunteered and was assigned to Fort Myer, Virginia, August 23, 1917, in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps. He was commissioned first lieutenant, October 23, 1917 ; while stationed at Washington, D. C., he was promoted to the rank of captain, and on January 8, 1919, was honorably discharged. During his college days Mr. Lufburrow was elected a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity, and while living in Atlantic Highlands he was a member of the Board of Education of that city. Mr. Lufburrow is also affiliated with Monmouth Lodge, No. 172, Free and Accepted Masons, of Atlantic Highlands; Hiram Chapter, No. I, Royal Arch Masons, of Red Bank, New Jersey; and is active in the work of the Young Men's Christian Association, with which he is con- nected.
At Asbury Park, New Jersey, Robert Allen Lufburrow married, May 5, 1920, Olive Blanche Hendrickson, a native of Englishtown, New Jersey, the daughter of Harry and Neva Janet Hendrickson. Mr. and Mrs. Lufburrow attend the Livingston Avenue Baptist Church of New Brunswick.
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PETER MICHAEL CLAUSEN .- Advancement in any of the learned professions is not so much the result of fortuitous circumstances or of influence, as it is the result of individual merit, application and skill. When these are combined with ambition and a fixed determination to achieve success, the desired result is inevitable. Peter Michael Clau- sen, although young to have achieved a reputation in this difficult pro- fession, is fairly on the way to acquiring fame among his legal brethren.
Michael Clausen, father of Peter Michael Clausen, was born in Den- mark in 1847. He came to the United States in 1881 with his wife, Elsie (Lund) Clausen, a native of Denmark, and they immediately located in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where they have ever since resided. Mr. Clausen has retired from active business life, having formerly been an inspector for the Lehigh Valley Railroad and was also a merchant. Mr. and Mrs. Clausen are the parents of seven children : Meta, wife of Soren Johnson, of Perth Amboy, and the mother of four children ; Peter, de- ceased ; Mary, wife of Thorvald Peterson, of California, and the mother of three children; Emma N., single, a teacher in the public schools of Perth Amboy ; Peter Michael, of further mention ; Arthur A., in business in Perth Amboy, is married and has one child, Elsie; Andrew A., enlisted in the United States army in the recent World War, was over- seas with Division No. 34, and would have been in active conflict within three days' time, for the order had been given, but the armistice was signed at that time.
Peter Michael Clausen, son of Michael and Elsie (Lund) Clausen, was born November 18, 1889, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. After graduating from the local grammar schools, he attended the Perth Amboy High School for one year, and then became messenger for the Western Union Telegraph and Telephone Company, serving in this capacity for a year, at the end of which time he entered the office of Judge Hommann, and under the latter's preceptorship studied law to such good purpose that in February, 1919, he was admitted to practice at the bar of Middlesex county and immediately began the practice of his profession in the office where he had been so effectually trained, and where he is located at the present time. It is interesting to note here that Mr. Clausen is the only man to pass the Middlesex county bar without either a high school or a college education, and holds a Regent's certificate.
In his political life Mr. Clausen is a Republican and he has actively identified himself with the local organization of that party, being now a participant in city and county politics, and it is probable that we may see him serving his community in many posts of responsibility and trust. Mr. Clausen is a member of the Foresters of America and the Young Men's Christian Association, and affiliates with the local Lutheran church.
Mr. Clausen married, June II, 1914, Bertha Bosie, daughter of the late John and Barbara Bosie, both of Perth Amboy. Mr. and Mrs. Clausen are the parents of two children : Peter Michael, Jr., born May 30, 1915; Emma, born February 12, 1918.
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Aside from his professional life, Mr. Clausen takes an active interest in outdoor sports and devotes much of his spare time to recreation of this sort. It is difficult to predict the future of a successful lawyer who is very young in years, but his ability and exceptional attainments seem to promise for him a brilliant future.
MRS. HELEN (GLIDDEN) TOMBS, a resident of Sewaren, New Jersey, traces descent from the early English family long seated at town of Glidden, Hampshire county, England, on the coast of Devonshire, a family of French and Norman descent, who came into England with the Norman Conqueror. Her home, Strathspey Hall, is the abode of hospitality and culture, her friends being many. On the maternal side, Mrs. Tombs descends from the Fisher family of England.
Helen Glidden was born in New York City, daughter of Captain Samuel G. and Martha A. H. (Fisher) Glidden, both of distinguished ancestry, traced to the early days in New England and to a remote period in English history. The Gliddens came from Glidden, Hampshire county, England, and the early settlers are said to be responsible for the name New Hampshire, given to the territory now embraced in the State of that name, and of settling the part of Massachusetts in 1820, called Maine. Although the name Glidden was among those early settlers transported to New England, it is now numerous in New Hamp- shire, Maine and Ohio. These first Gliddens came from the estate of Glidden, which comprises three thousand acres, the family descending from Osbert de Gladisfen, Guruvn, etc., and first came into England in 1066, with William the Conqueror. Glidden town is situated about seven miles south of Petersfield, and about twelve miles north of Portsmouth, England. Shipbuilding has been a favored business in the family, and many Gliddens have been mariners. Samuel G. Glidden was of that class, he being a master mariner. When he retired from the sea he opened an office in lower New York and became a very successful com- mission shipping merchant, and was a man of importance in his business until his death, in Brooklyn, at the age of fifty-three years. He was a man of culture, a college graduate, and possessed an unusually fine memory. He was a member of the New York City Chamber of Com- merce, and bore a part in city affairs. In appearance he was dignified and commanding, and in manner most genial and attractive. His wife, Martha A. H. Fisher, was the daughter of Julius and Mary Wheeler (Horton) Fisher, a descendant of Sir Daniel Fisher.
Captain Samuel G. Glidden was a son of Col. John Glidden of New Castle, Maine, a soldier of the War of 1812, who was in command of the old fort at Pemaquid, Maine, a village near the sea, about eighteen miles from the coast. The Gliddens were patriots of the Revolution and served in the earlier Colonial wars with the French and Indians.
Mrs. Helen (Glidden) Tombs was educated in Brooklyn, New York, and there resided until a few years ago. Her husband, William Henry Tombs (now deceased), was born at Rahway, New Jersey, son of William H. and Margaret (Ayres) Tombs; on the maternal side, the
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family is related to the Coreys and Halseys of Newark, and to the Davis's of Elizabeth, New Jersey. Mr. Tombs was an inventor and devoted his life to mechanics. Mrs. Helen (Glidden) Tombs resides at Strathspey Hall, now on the Cliff road, Sewaren, New Jersey, and she is one of the social leaders of her community. She organized the History Club of Sewaren, also the Civic Club, two organizations that have been of great value to the town. It was through the efforts put forth by Mrs. Tombs that a stone was placed at Valley Forge in "The Belfry tower" of the Memorial Cathedral there, to George Washington's memory-in the name of the History Club of Sewaren. She was an active Red Cross worker during the war period and is a generous supporter of all move- ments to relieve suffering or affliction. She is a member of Fort Greene Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, Brooklyn, and an honorary member of Camp Middlebrook Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, of Bound Brook, New Jersey. Her societies also include membership in the New England Woman's Society, the New Jersey Historical Society, the New York Historical Society; she is a member of St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church of Sewaren.
JOSEPH FREDERICK WALKER .- Among the representative citizens of Perth Amboy is Joseph Frederick Walker, principal of schools No. I and No. 7. At the age of eighteen years Mr. Walker commenced teaching and has followed this profession ever since.
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