USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume III > Part 13
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Patrick Nagle Kennedy was born July 18, 1852, in Kilmalloch county, Limerick, Ireland, the son of John and Ellen (Nagle) Kennedy. His education was received in the national and private schools which were located in and near his native town. At the age of fifteen he took part in a revolutionary insurrection in Ireland, and after hiding for nine months he was obliged to seek refuge under the Stars and Stripes, and although this uprising failed, its moral effect had great influence in stimulating the future ambition of the people. Upon landing in the United States in the latter part of this same year, 1867, he became employed in railroad construction work, and continued in this particular line of business until about ten years ago when he became engaged in highway con- struction, which is still occupying his attention at the present time. In politics Mr. Kennedy is a Jeffersonian Democrat, and has always taken a keen interest in local public affairs, but the only office which he has been persuaded to accept was that of member of the Board of Health, which he held for a period of four years. In religion Mr. Kennedy is a Catholic, a member of St. Mary's Church, and his clubs are the Geraldine and the Washington. He is a member of an Irish political revolutionary society in which he has held the offices of secretary, vice-president and president, the object of the society being to make Ireland an independent republic.
Mr. Kennedy married (first) in New York City, 1871, Alice O'Cal- laghan, and they were the parents of three children: John J., Edward C., James N. Mr. Kennedy married (second) Margaret A. White, a native of Syracuse, New York, and the daughter of Thomas and Cath- arine (Buckley ) White. They have no issue.
ALBERT LEON .- This name needs no introduction to a work of this sort, for as owner and proprietor of the largest store in Perth Amboy he is recognized as one of the leading citizens of the community, and takes an active interest in everything pertaining to municipal progress.
Albert Leon was born in Germany, November 6, 1870, the son of Marcus and Minnie Leon, both natives of Germany. Marcus Leon came to this country many years ago with his family, residing in Newark, New Jersey, in which place his death occurred in 1887. Mrs. Leon is still living and resides in Newark.
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Albert Leon attended the schools of his native place until he was fifteen years of age, when he became eager to seek his fortune in this country and consequently sailed for America in 1885. Upon landing in New York City he secured employment in a chair factory, where he remained for a period of two years. He then worked his way up from porter to domestic and foreign buyer for a large Philadelphia concern, in the meantime attending a night school. In 1905 he came to Perth Amboy and established himself in the furniture business, locating in a small store at No. 134 Smith street, remaining there for eight years, at the end of which time he removed to his present location at the corner of State and Smith streets, where today he has the largest store in Perth Amboy.
In addition to the above business, Mr. Leon is officially connected with various other large enterprises, being president of the Standard Foundry Company, Bound Brook, New Jersey; vice-president of the Fords Nation: 1 Bank, Perth Amboy ; treasurer of the Green Furniture Company, Elizabeth, New Jersey; director of the People's National Bank of Elizabeth, New Jersey; director in the New York Furniture Realty Company, New York City ; president of the Perth Amboy Build- ing and Loan Association; director of the Perth Amboy Chamber of Commerce ; director in the Amalgamated Building and Loan Association of Newark, New Jersey ; and president of the National Association of Retail Furniture Dealers. In fraternal circles he also takes a prominent part, being a thirty-second degree Mason, grand high priest of Royal Arch Masons of the State of New Jersey, and a member of Salaam Tem- ple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Mystic Shrine ; a member of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His clubs are the Progress and the Newark Athletic. He was one of the presidential electors from New Jersey on the Republican ticket.
On September 25, 1895, Mr. Leon was united in marriage with Regina Meyer, a native of Newark, New Jersey, and they are the parents of two children : Sylvia Estelle, wife of Dr. Harry S. Jacoby, of Newark ; Marcus L., now a student at Columbia College.
Mr. Leon has brought to the shaping of his career a very happy and unusual combination of characteristics which have won for him his success as a business man. His philanthropy is great and springs from the sincere kindness of his heart, which embraces all men in its regard. He has many friends and among them, as in the community-at-large, he exerts a powerful influence which is always wielded on the side of justice. It would be difficult to overestimate the value of such a man to a community or the presence in it of a man like Albert Leon. There is scarcely a department in its affairs, an aspect of its life, in which his influence is not most potently felt, and felt invariably on the side of the public good. He is a practical man of affairs, a man of the world, yet never in seeking his own business advantage does he lose sight of that of the community of which he is a member. Such a man is cer- tainly worthy of emulation.
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LAWRENCE E. RICE, a prominent figure in the business life of New Brunswick, New Jersey, since 1916, is a man of a naturally retiring disposition, publicity of any sort being very distasteful to him, but he has, nevertheless, had the welfare and advancement of the community always uppermost in his mind, and since coming here has espoused and given his earnest support to all movements calculated to advance business development.
Lawrence E. Rice was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. On January 1, 1916, he came to New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he established himself in the business of household furnishings at his present location, Nos. 201-205 Neilson street. Coming here with a vast experience which he had already gained in this particular line both in Grand Rapids, Michi- gan, and in Cincinnati, Ohio, his enterprise rapidly and consistently developed until it is now one of the largest of its kind in this vicinity. Although Mr. Rice has been located here but a comparatively short time, by his unswerving honesty and fair dealing he has won for him- self not only the respect but also the admiration of his competitors.
JOSEPH BURGER .- There is very properly full praise in this country for the man who has started at the bottom of the ladder and by means of his own effort is steadily making his way towards the top. Among this number is Joseph Burger, owner and manager of a garage at No. 6 Liberty street, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Joseph Burger was born August 22, 1887, in Germany, the son of Gustave and Mary (Rhode) Burger. Gustave Burger was a native of Germany, and died there at the age of sixty-seven, having followed the trade of carpenter throughout his entire lifetime. Mr. and Mrs. Burger were the parents of ten children: Julius, Ida, Anna, Rose, Adolph, Elizabeth, Minnie, Mary ; Joseph, of further mention; and Frank, all of whom reside in this country with the exception of Mary, who has recently returned to her native Germany.
Joseph Burger attended the public schools of his native place until he was fifteen years of age, when he apprenticed himself to the machin- ist's trade, in which he continued until 1907, when he joined the navy. Three years later he set sail for this country, and upon landing in New York City remained there, engaging in the machinist's trade until 1912, at which time he came to New Brunswick, securing employment with the Simplex Company, with whom he remained until 1919, when he resigned to establish himself in his present business, erecting his garage in 1919. The close attention he has given to the development of his enterprise, together with his mechanical knowledge and reliability, have given him the opportunity which would bring him in contact with the worth while things of life, and in consequence he is found among the loyal supporters of all progressive movements for the community's welfare. From unfavorable circumstances he has won success and standing, and is one of the most respected business men of New Bruns- wick, a product of democratic institutions. Mr. Burger is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men.
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On October 24, 1912, Joseph Burger was united in marriage with Stephana Rohrich, a native of Austria, and the daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth Rohrich, the latter natives of Austria, but now residents of New Brunswick. Mr. and Mrs. Burger are the parents of two children : Matthew Joseph, born October 19, 1913, and Mary, died at the age of three years.
ARTHUR LEVY .- "Young's Jewelry Store," New Brunswick, is a corporation founded in October, 1920, by Arthur Levy, and Jack Steinfeld, both young men of Newark, New Jersey, but both experienced jewelers. Jack Steinfeld was born in Newark, September 1I, 1896, son of Benjamin and Lottie (Hamburger) Steinfeld, he the eldest of their six children, Jack, Esther, Rosella, Irving, Sydney and Mamie, all un- married and living in Newark. Arthur Levy was born in Newark, New Jersey, November 4, 1896, son of Max and Fannie (Berger) Levy, his parents residing in Newark. Mr. and Mrs. Levy are the parents of six children, all living in Newark: Jack, a jeweler ; Elizabeth, wife of Mur- ray Swartz; Ike K .; Arthur, of further mention ; Anna, and Louise.
Arthur Levy attended Newark public schools until fourteen years of age, and then became a clerk in a jewelry store, so continuing until arriving at legal age in 1917. He then formed a partnership with his brother, I. K. Levy, and opened a jewelry store in Newark, conducting it under the firm name, I. K. Levy, Incorporated. In October, 1920, Arthur Levy opened Young's Jewelry Store in New Brunswick, and there is becoming well established, the store and stock being beautiful and well displayed in a good location, No. 135 Albany street. Both partners are young men of experience in their business and are rapidly winning friends and patronage. They are both members of the Ortho- dox Jewish faith and both unmarried. They carry the best wishes of a wide circle of friends for the success of their business venture.
THEODORE HERMAN MERCKENS .- Everyone in and about New Brunswick has been for many years familiar with Schussler's con- fectionery and bakery, located at No. 378 George street. On September 4, 1920, Mr. F. M. Schussler sold out his entire establishment to Merckens, Incorporated, and these new owners are now conducting the old, well established business under a different management. The store has been remodelled and is now one of the most attractive of its kind in the country. The president of the company is August Merckens, who for most of the years of his business life was associated with Stollwerck Brothers, manufacturers of high grade cocoa and chocolate. He is also interested in the Norma Chocolate Company of Brooklyn, New York. The experience gained by long connection with this line fits Mr. Merckens for the work in which he has become engaged. The vice- president of the company is William Merckens, a son of the foregoing; another son, Theodore H. Merckens, is also a member of the company, and is in actual charge of the business conducted at the George street
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store. Mr. and Mrs. Merckens reside on their estate at Rivervale, Bergen county, New Jersey.
Theodore H. Merckens was born August 4, 1894, in New York City. In his boyhood and youth he attended the public schools of Brooklyn and East Orange, and for several years after leaving school was engaged in the service of the United States Army. In 1914 he joined the National Guard, and in 1916, during the trouble on the Mexican border, he was sent with the 23rd New York Infantry to the scene of disturbance, re- maining on duty there for seven months. In our war with Germany, Theodore H. Merckens was stationed at Camp Grant in Illinois with the Black Hawk Division for six months, and was sent with the 344th Infantry to France, sailing on September 8, 1918. He was in the service there for ten months and was mustered out July 15, 1919, at Camp Grant. He is a member of Charles Henry Post of the American Legion.
MAX GIBIAN .- In 1905 the business which was incorporated in 1909 as the Perth Amboy Garage Company, was started by Max Gibian, who has been its guiding head from its inception until the present ( 1920). His was the first garage in Perth Amboy to open its doors to the public, and the present business of the company, at No. 283 Madison avenue, is the result of his long experience as a caterer to the needs of the auto- mobile public. Max Gibian is a son of Solomon Gibian, who was born in Bohemia, and with his mother came to the United States and located in Newark, New Jersey. He became head of a meat and grocery business in Newark, which he conducted many years. He died in Newark, Janu- ary 2, 1910, aged sixty-three years. He married Carrie Schwartz, also born in Bohemia, who died in Newark, February 8, 1912, aged sixty- seven years. They were the parents of nine children, five of whom are living : Rose, married Abraham Alter, of Newark; Minnie, a resident of Pittsburgh; Dora, married Gustav Wallach, of Newark; Joseph, a confectioner ; and Max, of further mention.
Max Gibian was born in Newark, New Jersey, April 28, 1881. and was there educated, completing high school study with graduation, class of 1898. He then spent three years in a Newark grocery store, going thence to Potts & Kaufmann of Perth Amboy, that city having ever since been his home and place of business. He entered the anto- mobile business in 1905, establishing the first public garage in Perth Amboy ; and so satisfactory were the results of his venture that in 1909 he incorported as the Perth Amboy Garage Company, with Max Gibian president, and H. Brower, secretary. The garage, located at No. 283 Madison avenue, possesses excellent facilities for the storage and care of automobiles, while in addition to a full line of tires and acces- sories, automobiles are bought, sold and exchanged. The company is a well-managed, prosperous one, reflecting credit upon its management. Mr. Gibian is president of New Brunswick Motor Car Company, sub- sidiary of Perth Amboy Garage Company; also vice-president of the Maple Realty Company, and of the Gibian Realty Company, his real estate interests being large and important.
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A Democrat in politics, Mr. Gibian has served his city as assessor of taxes, and when the office of State license agent for motor vehicles was created. he was the first appointee, and is still serving. He is a member of the Masonic order, affiliated with lodge, chapter, commandery, shrine and consistory, also a member of the Tall Cedars of Lebanon, the Woodmen of the World, Young Men's Christian Association, and Young Men's Hebrew Association. In religion he is of Beth Mordecai congre- gation.
Mr. Gibian married, in 1906, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Anna Wolff, who was born in that city, a daughter of William and Fannie Wolff, her father a retired cattle dealer of Perth Amboy, her mother deceased.
WALTER BARGER .- The grandparents of Walter Barger, of New Brunswick, and New York, were residents of Vermilion, Illinois, his grandmother born in Switzerland, Europe. They were the parents of Martin J. Barger, born in Vermilion county, Illinois, died July 17, 1917, at Danville, Illinois, being at the time governor of the Soldiers' Home, and prominent in local politics. He was himself a veteran of the Civil War. serving with Company B, 125th Regiment. Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He suffered three wounds at Shiloh and Chickamauga, but not so serious as to shorten his life. He married Mary A. Steward, who died soon after their only child, Walter, was born.
Walter Barger was born in Danville, Illinois, February 25, 1870, there was educated and spent thirty years of his life, ten years of which he was employed in the County Court House. He established a produce jobbing business in Danville, and later was in the same business on South Water street. Chicago. Later he established in business in New York City, as a bond and investment broker, with offices at Columbus Circle. In 1920 he came to New Brunswick to develop the hot house project, which has been set in motion and for which a company has been incorporated, Mr. Barger being secretary. Mr. Barger is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, and of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Barger married, in Washington, D. C., June 21, 1905, Florence Lee Osborne, born in Bluemont, Virginia, daughter of Walter Clark and Martha Carter (Taghliaferro) Osborne, her father, deceased, her mother yet living in Bluemont, Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Barger are the parents of a daughter, Jane Reynolds, born June 12, 1917. The family home is "Ross Hall." River road, New Brunswick, a delightful old Colonial residence of the pre-Revolutionary period, which is noted as the scene of much of the action in the historical romance, "Janice Meredith."
HARRY TONER BICKFORD .- About the year 1830, Samuel Mor- rill Bickford came from Portland, Maine, to Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, via canal boat, and there established in the lumber business. He was the grandfather of Harry Toner Bickford, and father of William Morrill
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Bickford, who was born in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, where he spent his short life of twenty-eight years, engaged as a lumber merchant. He married Alma S. Toner, of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, who survives him and resides in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Bickford had three children: Mabel, wife of Walter Laubach, of Altoona, Pennsyl- vania; Harry Toner, of further mention; William Morrill, of Lock Haven, now engaged in the lumber business.
Harry T. Bickford was born in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, Novem- ber 25, 1884, and there attended public schools until seventeen years of age. He then was employed by Kistler, Lesh & Company, tanners, of Mount Jewett, Pennsylvania, remaining with that company four years, then going with the Beechnut Packing Company, of Canajoharie, New York, a company with which he remained three years. For the next five and one-half years, Mr. Bickford was engaged in business for him- self in New York City, gaining considerable reputation as a production engineer. In 1914, he located in New Brunswick, New Jersey, going with the Nixon Nitration Works and remaining eighteen months. He then spent three years with the Home Realty Company, establishing his present business, real estate and insurance, in May, 1920. His great- est present interest is in the new hot houses to be erected on River road, on the site of the old golf links, the plans calling for the largest hot house plant in the United States. The company, which has been formed and incorporated, propose to utilize the great plant they will erect, in the growing of early small vegetables for the New York market. The president of the company is Jeremiah H. Nixon ; secretary, Walter Barger ; treasurer, Harry D. MacMillian. Mr. Bickford is an enthusiast over baseball, football, basketball, in fact all healthful sports appeal to him. He is a member of the Masonic order, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Lutheran church.
Mr. Bickford married, in New Brunswick, December 18, 1915. Caro- line Heinz, born December 15, 1890, daughter of Valentine and Louisa Heinz, her father, deceased, long with the United States Rubber Com- pany, her mother living in New Brunswick. Mr. Bickford is a young man of energy and ability, progressive, and has a host of friends.
ALBERT HARVEY TERHUNE .- With the extensive mercantile interests centered in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, the men in whose hands they lie form a significant factor in the prosperity of the city. Albert Harvey Terhune, prosperous and progressive himself, and the son of a merchant also invariably in step with the times, is such a man as well represents the general body of business men of Perth Amboy. Mr. Terhune is a son of Albert Terhune, who was born in New York City, and died there, at the age of seventy-two years.
Albert Harvey Terhune was born in New York City, June 18, 1862. He was educated in the public schools of that city. At the age of thirteen years he went to work in his father's store on the corner of Eighth avenue and Fifty-second street. He remained with his father until he came to the age of maturity, then for some years was his father's partner.
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Later on he established a store of his own at the corner of Eighth avenue and One Hundred and Twenty-sixth street; also another on the corner of Amsterdam avenue and One Hundred and Forty-eighth street. In 1915 Mr. Terhune came to Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and on April IO, of that year, established the store in this city which has proved so marked a success. Both Mr. Terhune and his father have always been in the same line of business.
Mr. Terhune is a man of varied activities outside his business. He is a member of the Masonic order and a member of the Veteran Asso- ciation of the Seventy-first Regiment, National Guard, of New York. He finds his favorite relaxation in boating and fishing, and owned a forty-two-foot yawl which he sailed on Long Island Sound when a resident of New York City. He is a member of the Simpson Methodist Episcopal Church, of Perth Amboy, and for several years has served on the official board of the church. He is very active in all the work of the church organization.
FRANK ALOYSIUS CONNOLLY .- Many years have passed since the founder of this family of Connolly came to the United States. He was Andrew Connolly, the grandfather of Frank Aloysius Connolly, and he emigrated from Ireland when quite young, coming directly to New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he made his home.
His son, Michael Henry Connolly, was born in New Brunswick and has lived here all his life : he was formerly engaged in business, but now has retired from active work at the age of seventy-two years. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, having enlisted in the Civil War when only fourteen years old. The wife of Michael Henry Con- nolly was before her marriage Mary Veronica McDonald, a native of New Brunswick, where she died, aged forty-four years. She was the mother of eight children, four of whom are now living: 1. Katherine Calista, wife of William A. McConlogue. 2. Clara Veronica, who married James H. Meagher. 3. Mae V., unmarried and living at home; she is engaged in the millinery business on George street. 4. Frank Aloysius.
Frank Aloysius Connolly was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, April 21, 1883. He attended the high school, then the parochial school, from which he graduated in 1900, and then entered upon a business career by becoming a clerk in the dry goods store of Henry Landsberg, where he remained for a few years, then accepted a position in the dry goods establishment of the P. J. Young Company on George street, where he is still engaged. Having been an active worker in the Demo- cratic party, Mr. Connolly was appointed in 1918 to fill the unexpired term of Mayor Farrington, of New Brunswick, as city commissioner, and in May, 1919, was elected to the same position, his term of office to con- tinue for four years, he being the present incumbent. In addition to his business affairs and political and public work, Mr. Connolly is quite active in club life ; he is a member of the Knights of Columbus and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, also of the Young Men's Christian Association. His membership in these organizations gives
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him plenty of opportunity to indulge in his favorite amusement, a good game of billiards, and sometimes, in the season, he enjoys seeing a baseball game.
In New Brunswick, April 27, 1907, Frank Aloysius Connolly mar- ried Anna Wilhelmina Farrington, a native of New Brunswick, the daughter of Patrick and Mary Farrington, the former being deceased, the latter living in New Brunswick. Mr. and Mrs. Connolly have two children : 1. Francis Aloysins, Jr., born October 29, 1908. 2. Edward Farrington, born May 11, 1916. The family home is at No. 55 Remsen avenue. They are all members of the Roman Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart.
WILLIAM DAVID HOY .- There are very few figures among the younger business men of Middlesex county, New Jersey, who have risen more rapidly to a position of influence in the community than that of William David Hoy, of Fords, who for several years has been in the front rank of those who have developed the material interests of the town and whose work for the general welfare thereof has been of extreme value. He is a native of Fords, where his birth occurred July 14, 1883, and a son of William and Elizabeth (Smith) Hoy, old and highly es- teemed residents of the town, to which place they had come just prior to their son's birth, from Ireland and where their deaths occurred, October 12, 1919, and April 16, 1917, respectively.
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