USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume II > Part 43
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Tesscier Walker, father of Joseph F. Walker, was born in Madison township, in 1841, and died there, in 1874, at the age of thirty-three years. He engaged in farming during his lifetime. He married Jane A. Warne, who still resides in Perth Amboy. To Mr. and Mrs. Walker were born four children: Ellsworth B., collector of revenue of Perth Amboy, who died December 2, 1920; Katie, deceased; Edwin; and Joseph Frederick, mentioned below.
Joseph Frederick Walker was born in Cliffwood, Monmouth county, New Jersey, February 5, 1869, and was taken to Madison township by his parents when a baby. He obtained his elementary education in the local schools, and then entered Keyport Academy, from which he was graduated in 1887, and immediately commenced teaching. His first position was in the public schools of Morristown, New Jersey, after which he went to Freneau, New Jersey, where he taught school for four years, and subsequently was made assistant principal of the Mata- wan school, which he graded and reorganized. Desiring to acquaint himself more thoroughly with certain subjects he entered the State Normal School, at Trenton, New Jersey, and graduated from that insti- tution in 1898. This same year he was elected to the position of science teacher in the Perth Amboy High School, and after three years was made principal of schools No. I and No. 7, at Perth Amboy. He is director and recording secretary of the local Young Men's Christian Association, is president of the Middlesex Teachers' Association, presi- dent of the Perth Amboy Teachers' Association, president of the Perth Amboy Civic League Association, and is a member of the legislative
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committee of the Third Congressional District of State teachers. Mr. Walker is also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Raritan Lodge, No. 61, Free and Accepted Masons; and is a charter member of Columbia Council, No. 77, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, of Matawan, New Jersey. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Perth Amboy, and has held the offices of trustee and treasurer for many years.
Mr. Walker's main work in the Civic League has been the enforce- ment of the Sunday laws, resulting in the closing of the Sunday movies and keeping them closed in spite of official opposition. He represented Middlesex county in the teachers' campaign which resulted in substan- tial increases in the salaries of every teacher in the State, over $6,000,000 being added in one year. In his work on the legislative committee he helped to repeal the unsound teachers' pension law and helped frame and secure the passage of the new teachers' pension and annuity fund, which is recognized as one of the soundest and best pension laws in the country.
On March 31, 1902, Mr. Walker was united in marriage with Mary Hart Hall, of Woodbridge, New Jersey. Mrs. Walker was the first teacher in Keasbey, and started. the Keasbey Sunday School. She is the daughter of the late Ferdinand and Amanda (Hart) Hall. Mr. Hall was for many years superintendent of the Raritan River Clay Company. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are the parents of one child, J. Frederic Walker, born December 7, 1903.
HERBERT WILLIAM NAFEY, M. D .- Since 1650 the name of Nafey has been identified with the life of what was formerly New Amsterdam, now Greater New York, and also with New Jersey. De- scendants of the founder, Johanus Nevius, or rather this branch with which we are especially interested, changed the name to Nafey, and Garrett Nafey, a direct descendant and a veteran of the Revolutionary War, lies buried in the cemetery of the First Dutch Church in New Brunswick.
Herbert William Nafey was born April 25, 1887, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, the son of Charles and Catherine A. (Ther) Nafey. His preliminary education was obtained in the public schools of his native city, after which he entered Rutgers College, from which he was gradu- ated with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Having decided in the meantime to adopt the medical profession, he accordingly matriculated in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, and in 1914 received from this institution the degree of Doctor of Medicine, serving his interneship the following year at the Presbyterian Hospital, after which he immediately returned to New Brunswick and established himself in the practice of his profession. He is now, 1921, acting assist- ant surgeon of the United States Public Health Service for the New Brunswick area, and is held in the highest professional esteem.
During the World War, Dr. Nafey entered active service, July, 1917, as first lieutenant, Medical Corps, United States Army, arriving overseas,
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August, 1917. He became immediately attached to the British forces in France, serving with the 55th Field Ambulance in the battle of Pachendahle Ridges, November, 1917, and served during the following engagements : The second battle and retreat from Somme river, March, 1918; allied advance from Albert, July, 1918, to the fall of Cambrai, September, 1918, and the capture of Valenciennes. He was promoted to the rank of captain, Medical Corps, United States Army. He returned to the United States, April, 1919, and received his honorable discharge, April 25, 1919, reënlisting in the Reserve Medical Corps of the United States Army the following month with the rank of captain. He is a member of the State, county and local medical societies, the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity of Rutgers College, and the Rutgers Alumni Club. Dr. Nafey is also affiliated with the First Dutch Reformed Church of High- land Park, where he resides.
On June 6, 1917, Herbert William Nafey was united in marriage with Mary Beatrice Woodcock, daughter of the late John and Katherine Woodcock.
ISAAC NEWTON BLUE, JR .- Carrying the New Brunswick "Times" at the age of eight years, a "printer's devil" in the offices of the same paper at thirteen years, Isaac N. Blue may be described as having "grown up in the business," a literal fact, and there is perhaps no name so well known in New Brunswick as "Blue, the printer" now of the Morrison & Blue Printing Company, Incorporated. Blue is a Middlesex county family, long seated in New Brunswick, where Isaac Newton Blue, Sr., was born August 21, 1842, and yet resides there, in his seventy-ninth year. He is a carpenter by trade, though long retired, butt for many years was connected with the building operations of his city. For twenty-three years he was a member of the New Jersey State Militia and has the medal awarded by the State for service rendered. He married Ellen Ryan, born in New Brunswick, July 4, 1843, now living in New Brunswick in her seventy-eighth year. Mr. and Mrs. Blue were the parents of eight children : John Henry, an expert accountant of New York City; Margaret, married Anthony Silzer, of New Brunswick; Isaac Newton, Jr., of further mention; Albert L., of New Brunswick; Charles E., of New Brunswick ; David S., deceased ; Mary L., deceased ; Frank W., deceased.
Isaac Newton Blue, Jr., was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, February 1, 1870, and attended the public schools until thirteen years of age. At the age of eight years he became a newspaper carrier, em- ployed by A. E. Gordon, then owner of the New Brunswick "Times," and from that time forward the lad earned his own living. At the age of thirteen he left school and became a "printer's devil" in the "Times" office, then on Commerce square. He continued in the printing trade with the "Times" and other concerns until 1888, when he opened a printing office of his own, doing business as "Blue, the Printer." His first office was on Commerce square, next on Dennis street, where he remained until 1905, when the Morrison & Blue Printing Company was
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incorporated and their plant located at Nos. 7-13 Bethany street. The company is a well known one, printing of every description being turned out by the plant in as large or as small quantities as desired. In August, 1920, Mr. Blue purchased the interest of Mr. Morrison, and is continuing the business alone.
From 1904 until 1908, Mr. Blue was alderman from the Fifth Ward of New Brunswick, chairman of the poor committee and commissioner of police. Since 1895 he has been a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics; is a member of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, and exalted ruler in 1915; member of the Young Men's Christian Association ; the Board of Trade, and since 1916, has been president of the Brunswick Club. In religious faith he is an Episcopalian.
Mr. Blue married, in New Brunswick, June 16, 1896, Mary E. Macom. born in New Brunswick, daughter of James and Margaret Macom. Mr. and Mrs. Blue are the parents of a daughter, Mildred Marie, born July 24, 1898, wife of Ralph Rocca, of Brooklyn, New York.
JOHN L. SUYDAM, M. D .- To John L. Suydam belongs the unusual record of having ministered to the physical welfare of the resi- dents of Jamesburg and vicinity for thirty-eight years. He has attended three generations in some families, ushering them into the world and in many instances soothing their passing out of it.
John L. Suydam was born in Somerset county, New Jersey, on the farm of his parents, Abram and Letticia Suydam, October 13, 1859. He was reared, as all farmer's sons are, to assist in the farm work and to attend the town school where his early education was acquired. After finishing the course of this local institution he entered Rutgers Pre- paratory School, from which he graduated, then became a student at Rutgers College, New Brunswick. Following these years of prepara- tion, John L. Suydam took up the study of medicine, enrolling in the medical department of the University of New York in New York City, from which he was graduated in 1882. He located then in Jamesburg, his office being at present on Church street.
For many years past Dr. Suydam has taken an active part in the politics of Jamesburg, being one of the standard bearers of the Repub- lican party. He has held several public offices, serving on the Middlesex County Board of Elections for eighteen years, and being county physi- cian for seven years. In addition to these Dr. Suydam finds time to participate in matters fraternal, holding membership in the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
The marriage of John L. Suydam and Mary E. Park took place in Jamesburg in January, 1884, Mrs. Suydam being the daughter of Thomas and Jane Park. There are no children of this union. Dr. and Mrs. Suydam are members of the Presbyterian church in Jamesburg.
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JOHN JOSEPH BUCKLEY, Ph. G .- Pharmacy has been Mr. Buck- ley's life work, the ambition of his boyhood being realized in 1910, when he became proprietor of his own drug store, although as a partner only, the full realization of his hopes and plans not coming until five years later, when he moved to his present location, No. 219 New Brunswick avenue, Perth Amboy, and began business under his own name. He has won high standing in his profession, and as a business man his success is most marked. Hardly more than over the threshold of life, he has fully proved his quality and the future holds for him bright promise. He is a native son of Perth Amboy, his parents both born in Ireland, marrying in Orange, New Jersey, and later moving to Perth Amboy.
Michael Buckley, father of John J. Buckley, was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland, but when a boy came to the United States, and at South Amboy, New Jersey, found a home and employment. He was a coal trimmer at Amboy, and there died in 1899, aged forty-eight years. He married, in Orange, New Jersey, Bridget Loretta Burns, also born in County Kilkenny, who survives, residing in Perth Amboy. Their children are: Mary, married Charles Keane, and died in South Amboy ; James, died in Perth Amboy; William, a motorman of Perth Amboy ; John J., of further mention ; Margaret, married William Grace, of Wood- bridge, New Jersey, and has two children: Arthur and Joseph; George Joseph, note teller with the First National Bank of Perth Amboy.
John J. Buckley was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, November 27, 1881, and there completed courses of public school study until reaching high school. He then left school to become a druggist's appren- tice under the instruction of F. A. Seaman, a Perth Amboy pharmacist. Later he attended the New York College of Pharmacy, whence in 1903 he was graduated Ph. G. He continued in Mr. Seaman's employ as prescription clerk until 1910, when he bought an interest in the business. The State street store of Seaman & Buckley was continued for five years, Mr. Buckley retiring in 1915 to open his present place of business on New Brunswick avenue. The business is conducted under the firm name, J. J. Buckley, and since June, 1919, Mr. Buckley has owned the building in which his store is located. A graduate in pharmacy, he is a thorough master of the professional side of the drug business, while as a practical merchant his continued success indicates ability of a high order. He is a member of the Perth Amboy Board of Health, and at the completion of his term, December 31, 1919, was reappointed for a second term of three years. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus, New Jersey Phar- maceutical Association, and St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat. His favored recreation is automobiling.
Mr. Buckley married, in South Amboy, New Jersey, November 26, 1917, Nellie Cecelia Carroll, born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Sep- tember 14, 1888, daughter of Richard Francis and Catherine Theresa (Meagher) Carroll, both of New Brunswick, and now residing in South Amboy.
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JOHN JOSEPH PETERS, who for some years has been one of the chief figures in the industrial activities of the flourishing city of Perth Amboy, Middlesex county, New Jersey, and the present head of the concern known as the John J. Peters Machine Works, Incorporated, is a native of Madison county, Ohio, born August 17, 1867, on his father's farm. He is a son of John and Magdalena (Schmidt) Peters, both of Luxemburg, where the former was born in 1836 and the latter in 1833. The elder Mr. Peters came to the United States when twenty-two years of age and located for a time in Middletown, New York. Later he went west to Ohio and there became the owner of a fine farm in Madison county, which he operated until about 1881, after which he returned to the East. For a time he resided in Brooklyn, New York, and from there removed to Long Island City, where his death occurred in 1888, at the age of fifty-two years. His wife survived him and for twenty-six years lived with her son, the Mr. Peters of this sketch, her death occur- ring in the town of Fords, New Jersey, March 17, 1917. They were the parents of nine children, as follows: Matthias, who resides in Brooklyn, New York, and follows the profession of engineer; John J., who died in childhood; Rosa, who died in childhood; Mary, who died at the age of twenty-six; John Joseph, whose career forms the subject of this sketch ; Clara, who became the wife of Bertram Davids, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey; Eugene, who died at the age of thirty-two; Ida, who died at the age of sixteen; and Emily, who died at the age of thirteen.
The childhood of Mr. Peters was passed upon his father's farm in Madison county, Ohio, where, when he came of an age to make it possible, he assisted the elder man in the work upon the place. He was fourteen years old when his parents removed to Brooklyn, New York, where, having received his education at the schools of his native place, he applied himself to the learning of the trade of machinist. He fol- lowed this craft in Brooklyn for about seven years, and then went with his parents to Long Island City. There he secured a position with the Standard Oil Company in charge of the concern's repair shop, and worked in that capacity for seven years longer. The death of his father having occurred in the meantime, Mr. Peters came to New Jersey and located in Perth Amboy in 1904, being placed in charge of the marine machine shop of the Raritan Dry Dock Company. He continued with that concern for some six years, and then resigned to become master mechanic for the Didier March Company of Keasbey, New Jersey. Seven years were spent by him in the service of this concern, after which he resigned to take up work of his own. Mr. Peters had always been possessed of an unusual inventive faculty, and during the years of his employment by the Didier March Company had elaborated several inventions of his own, especially a post digging and setting machine and a clay digging machine which he afterwards patented. It was in order to further work out these devices and bring them to practical usefulness that he left that company, having laid by sufficient capital to enable him to devote his entire time to them. In June, 1919, he founded his present
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company, the John J. Peters Machine Works, Incorporated, with him- self as president ; Louis P. Booz, Jr., as secretary, and Thomas L. Hanson as treasurer, an enterprise which has met with notable success, and the business of which is still developing rapidly. They are the owners and designers of pole hole digging and pole setting machinery and do general engineering, designing, estimating, constructing and repairing work. They also do overhauling and repairing of automobiles, auto- trucks, and gas and steam engines, and advertise their readiness to undertake jobs of especial difficulty. The establishment is located at Nos. 51 and 53 Fayette street, Perth Amboy, and is rapidly growing to be the largest of its kind in the neighborhood.
Mr. Peters is well known in the general life of the community, and has established a well earned reputation for public spirit and intelligence in the interest he takes in public affairs. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of several fraternal organizations and clubs, among which should be mentioned Island City Lodge, No. 586, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Long Island City, of which he is past master ; Lodge No. 784, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Perth Amboy, and the Craftsmen Club. He makes his home in Fords, New Jerey, within easy reach of his place of business.
John Joseph Peters was united in marriage, April 30, 1889, in Long Island City, with Rachel Friederich, who was born in the Greenwich Village section of New York City, 1867, a daughter of Victor and Marie Fredricka (Sperry) Friederich, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Peters have an adopted son, Carl Joseph Peters, twenty-three years of age (1921), who served with the United States Navy during the World War, and is now following the trade of mechanic in New York City.
JOHN H. LEISEN .- Many years ago the ancestors of John H. Leisen, of Woodbridge, New Jersey, were living in a small Rhyeland town along the banks of the Rhine of Germany, and there a son, Frank J. Leisen, was born. He spent his youth in his native land, married Mary Weaver, and together they came to the United States, locating in Bal- timore, Maryland. There he became interested in the manufacture of cloth, continuing in that business until his death, about 1835. His widow, Mary (Weaver) Leisen, then moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she educated her children and watched them develop into men and women of good character and ability.
Frank J. (2) Leisen, son of Frank J. (I) and Mary (Weaver) Leisen, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and died in Woodbridge, Middlesex county, New Jersey, in 1917. He spent his youth in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, there was educated and learned the trade of pattern maker. In 1868 he removed to Woodbridge, New Jersey, where his after years were spent as a merchant. He married Margaret Powers, daughter of John and Justina (Brownell) Powers, her father one of the early clay miners of the Woodbridge section and a man highly esteemed. Mr. and Mrs. Leisen were the parents of ten children: Mary, died in childhood ; John H., of further mention; Margaret, married M. E. Turner ; Frank ;
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Charles; Elizabeth, married Christian Christianson; Maurice, died in childhood ; James; Charlotte, married Ellis F. Chapman ; and Harry K.
John H. Leisen, son of Frank J. (2) and Margaret (Powers) Leisen, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 28, 1863, but was brought in 1868 to Woodbridge, New Jersey, which town has ever since been his home. After completing his public school studies he became a machinist's apprentice in Philadelphia, serving four years, 1881-1885. He was employed as a journeyman machinist in various New Jersey towns until 1887, when he decided upon a change of occupation, and soon after began his long career with that great Middlesex county indus- try, the mining and shipping of clay, and has been very successful. He began his operations on the farm of his grandfather, John Powers, who had been one of the pioneers in the clay business in Woodbridge, and has continued in the business in its varied forms until the present, 1921.
In 1921 Mr. Leisen, with Charles Graham, was a prime mover in the organization of the Charles Graham Pottery Chemical Works of Brooklyn, New York, a corporation very prominent in the pottery field. Mr. Leisen was chosen first vice-president and treasurer of the works, also a member of the board of directors, an office he yet fills. In addition to his clay mining operation, and his pottery connections, Mr. Leisen has other business interests of importance. He is a member of the New Jersey Manufacturers' Association, a man of influence and acknowledged ability, highly regarded in business circles.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Leisen has long been connected with local public affairs, having served his town as assessor, president of the Board of Health, registrar of vital statistics, light commissioner, school director and supervisor of Middlesex county. He is a past master of American Lodge, No. 83, Free and Accepted Masons, and in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite has attained the thirty-second degree. He is also a noble of Salaam Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Newark, New Jersey ; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Woodbridge, serving as its treasurer for six years; Perth Amboy Lodge, No. 784, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and in former years was greatly interested in the Woodbridge Athletic Association and the Driving Club.
Mr. Leisen married (first) in Jersey City, New Jersey, April 22, 1891, Margaret E. Falconer, who died September 27, 1904, daughter of David and Winifred (Bryan) Falconer, of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Leisen were the parents of four children : John P., who died in childhood ; Margaret W .; Helen R .; and Ruth E. Mr. Leisen married (second) January 4, 1909, Winifred Falconer, sister of his first wife, and they are the parents of three children : Frank J., Jeannette V., and Robert T.
LESLIE TOWNSEND WOOD, formerly physical instructor in the Young Men's Christian Association in New Brunswick, New Jersey, comes from a family who has resided in this country for many years, his ancestors having fought in the American Revolution. Joseph Wood,
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great-grandfather of Leslie Townsend Wood, drove the first steam engine which ran in America, the line terminating at Albany, New York, and this same engine was dismantled in the back yard of the elder man's home in Red Bank, New Jersey.
Leslie Townsend Wood was born in Newark, New Jersey, October 15, 1891, the son of the Rev. W. A. and Ida B. (Bosworth) Wood. After completing his studies in the grammar and high schools of his native place, he matriculated in Colgate University, where he remained until 1911, subsequently matriculating in Springfield College, where he spent another three years and graduated therefrom in 1915. He was connected with hat manufacturing for three years, and was also interested in the laundry business for one year. During the years 1918, 1919, and a part of 1920 he took special courses in medicine in Columbia and Rutgers colleges, respectively, and in 1920 became physical instructor in the New Brunswick Young Men's Christian Association. In October, 1920, he embarked in his present line of business, that of electrical supplies and appliances under the name of the Victory Lamp Company.
During the World War, in August, 1918, he enlisted and was assigned to Camp Upton, subsequently being connected with the Officers' Training School, where on September 15, 1918, he received the com- mission of second lieutenant and became instructor of boxing and bayo- net practice in companies 23 and 25 at Camp Gordon, Georgia. He was honorably discharged from the service, January 15, 1919. He affiliates with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and with the fraternal organization, Phi Delta Sigma, of Colgate College. In religion he is a Presbyterian and attends the First Presbyterian Church in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
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