USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume III > Part 15
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38
He affiliates with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 784. He is also a member of the Building Trades Association, which grew to be one of the foremost of its kind in the State of New Jersey, and held the office of president of the organization from 1915 to 1920. In religion he is a Presbyterian. In 1920 Mr. Wester became affiliated with the Boy Scouts of Perth Amboy, as financial director and member of its executive committee, taking the place of the late John Penbroke, former mayor of Perth Amboy. Up to 1920 he took no active part in local politics, but in that year was prevailed to run for alderman-at-large, which he did more as a civic duty than a desire to hold office. He ran against former acting Mayor William Voorhees, and was elected, taking office January 1, 1920, as president of the Board of Aldermen.
On November 16, 1900, Mr. Wester was united in marriage (first) with Magdalena Neilsen, who passed away in 1902. To them were born one child, Ethel, March 6, 1902. Mr. Wester married (second) August 1, 1909, Mathilda Neilsen, a native of Perth Amboy. They are the parents of two children: Clifford Christian, born August 1, 1912; James Neilsen, born May 8, 1914. The family resides at No. 221 Brighton avenue, Perth Amboy.
326
MIDDLESEX
WILLIAM A. ALLGAIR, of South River, New Jersey, holds execu - tive positions of large responsibility. He was born in New Brunswick. New Jersey, April 17, 1887, and is a son of George and Mary Allgair. The elder Mr. Allgair is in the hotel business, and has been borough collector for South River for a period of fifteen years.
Educated in the local schools, and being graduated from the South River High School in the class of 1903, Mr. Allgair took a course at the Rutgers Preparatory School, and was graduated in 1905. Since that time he has been connected with the business life of South River, begin- ning in the office of the South River Brick Company, where he remained until the year 1908. He then entered the office of the clerk of Middlesex county, where he was employed until 1915. With this experience behind him, and his natural adaptability for an executive position, Mr. Allgair was offered a more responsible office, entering upon his new duties in 1915. This was the treasurer-secretaryship of the South River Trust Company, of which company he is also a director.
Mr. Allgair is widely connected fraternally, being a member of Palestine Lodge, No. 111, Free and Accepted Masons; the Knights of Pythias ; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.
On June 24, 1914, in Holy Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church, Mr. Allgair married Ethel Durham, daughter of Charles and Mary Durham, of South River .? Mr. and Mrs. Allgair have one daughter, born March 6, 1916. The family are members of Holy Trinity Church.
FRANCIS HENRY GORDON .- The firm of Howell & Gordon, of South Amboy, was composed of Benjamin F. Howell, later Congress- man, and James Henry Gordon, who entered the business a boy of fifteen and later became a partner. Howell & Gordon dealt in groceries and drygoods and had practically a department store; in connection with this they conducted a coal yard. In 1912 the business became a Gordon property, under the name of James Henry Gordon, but upon the death of James H., his son, Francis Henry Gordon, came into control, and for eight years has successfully carried it on.
James Henry Gordon was born in South Amboy, August 12, 1855, died December 26. 1912, his years, fifty-seven, having all been spent in South Amboy. He entered the employ of Benjamin F. Howell, a merchant of South Amboy, and so won his employer's confidence that in time he was admitted to a partnership, under the firm name, Howell & Gordon. When Mr. Howell was elected surrogate of Middlesex county, he moved his residence to New Brunswick, the burden of management of Howell & Gordon falling upon the junior partner. He became sole owner of the business in 1912, and reorganized it under his own name. He died the same year, leaving behind him an honored name and the record of a life worthily spent. He served South Amboy as township collector and as councilman after South Amboy became an incorporated borough. The business of James H. Gordon passed to his eldest son, Francis H. Gordon, then a young man of twenty-five,
327
BIOGRAPHICAL
but familiar with the business. Mr. Gordon was a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, and a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He married Catherine Bowe, who died in March, 1908. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Francis Henry, of further mention; James E .; Julia, who married Thomas Pettit; Teresa ; Zita ; Angela, and Catherine.
Francis Henry Gordon was born in South Amboy, New Jersey, May 6, 1888, and obtained his early education in St. Mary's Parochial School, attending that school until thirteen years of age, when he entered the preparatory department of Fordham University, finishing in 1908. He then entered the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, but his health failed and he returned to South Amboy. He was taken into the Howell & Gordon business, and under the direction of his excel- lent father, became familiar with the different departments and their management. Four years later, James H. Gordon succeeded Howell & Gordon, and the young man was given further responsible duties. In the closing days of the year 1912, he was suddenly called upon to assume full control, his father passing away with little warning.
Mr. Gordon is a young man of ability and energy, his standing in his community being very high. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church ; and is an ex-chief of the Volunteer Fire Department of his city. In politics he is a Democrat, and served his city as councilman-at-large in 1917-18, and in 1918 was elected mayor, an office he held until January, 1921.
Mr. Gordon married, April 25, 1916, at Caldwell, New Jersey, Caroline Hazel Smith, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, daughter of William B. and Margaret (Dolan) Smith, her father a real estate dealer of Cald- well. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon are the parents of three children, their eldest dying in infancy ; the second, Margaret, was born July 21, 1918; and their son, James Henry (2), was born December 2, 1920.
Mr. Gordon is a popular executive and holds to the best traditions of government. He is a hard worker, but knows how to play, and spends many a day in the woods with his gun or rifle. His years, thirty-two, have been full of honorable effort, and his success has been fairly won.
CLARK ANDERSON BUTTERWORTH, the New Brunswick distributor of the Chandler car, was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, September 14, 1890, son of Thomas and Mary (Anderson ) Butter- worth, his father a grocer of New Brunswick until his death in 1892.
Clark A. Butterworth was educated in the public schools, finishing high school in the year 1907. The same year he entered the employ of the New Brunswick Fire Insurance Company as junior clerk, and in 1913 became office manager for the New Jersey Fire Insurance Company of Newark, New Jersey. He remained in that position until 1916, then for about three years was connected with the county clerk's office of Middlesex county. On April 1, 1919, he entered the automobile business, in which he yet continues, handling the Chandler automobile and the Mack truck.
328
MIDDLESEX
Mr. Butterworth was one of the gallant lads who sailed away to maintain American honor on foreign fields during those dark days of 1917-18, and was wounded in battle. He enlisted, April 6, 1917, in Company F, 7th Regiment, New Jersey National Guard, a company and regiment which became Company F, 107th Regiment, United States Army. He was sent overseas, saw service in the front line trenches, and at the crossing of La Selle river, east of St. Souplet, in the advance on Canal de la Sombre, France, he was wounded, October 12, 1918, and sent to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, England. After recovering sufficiently from his wounds, he was returned to the United States and in due time honorably discharged. Mr. Butterworth is a member of New Brunswick Lodge, No. 324, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Goodwill Lodge, Junior Order of United American Mechanics ; and the Improved Order of Red Men.
EUGENE SCHENCK GRIGGS, D. D. S., a man who is closely identified with every field of activity in New Brunswick, whether it is in the line of business or social life, has a large patronage, with offices in the National Bank building, suite 311, at No. 390 George street.
The parents of Eugene Schenck Griggs were Benjamin Schenck and Sarah A. (Suydam) Griggs. Benjamin S. Griggs was born in Dayton, New Jersey, in 1854, and was a man of many business interests, being a farmer, a miller and a large produce dealer, with headquarters at Deans, New Jersey, and at Franklin Park. He died in New Brunswick, in November, 1908, at the age of fifty-four. Mrs. Sarah A. (Suydam) Griggs still survives him, having her home at Franklin Park. She and her husband were the parents of six children: 1. Bessie R., the widow of John A. Bodine; she resides at Franklin Park. 2. Sarah Jeanette, wife of Isaac V. Williamson, their home being at Livingston Park, New Brunswick. 3. Eugene Schenck, of further mention. 4. John E., living in New Brunswick, an adjuster with the Michelin Tire Company. 5. Benjamin, died in infancy. 6. Agnes Suydam, unmarried, living in New Brunswick.
Dr. Griggs was born in Franklin Park, Somerset county, New Jersey, September 2, 1883, spending his early life there and receiving his pre- liminary education at the public schools of that town: following which he attended the New Brunswick Business College, graduating in 1900. He then took a four years' course at the Brown Preparatory School of Philadelphia, graduating in 1904. At this time he determined to make dentistry his life work and, after a three years' course, graduated from the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery in 1907. Deciding that there was a large field for his work in New Brunswick, Dr. Griggs began practicing there, locating at once in his present offices.
During the late World War, Dr. Griggs was a member of the local board of examiners, giving a year and a half to this work, being appointed April 16, 1918, by the adjutant-general of New Jersey. He is very fond of natural history and spends much time in the study of this subject. He is also interested in the breeding and raising of thoroughbred dogs.
329
BIOGRAPHICAL
Among his many other interests may be mentioned his enjoyment of out-of-door sports, being especially fond of fishing and hunting, and he is a member of several organizations having sporting life as their object. Some of them are: The Interwoven Rifle Club of New Brunswick; the New Brunswick Sportsmen's Association ; and the Stillwater Hunt Club, of Canton, New York. Dr. Griggs is also a member of various associa- tions connected with his profession, among them being: The Middlesex County Dental Society, of which he is an ex-president; the State Dental Society ; the National Dental Association; and he is also a member of the medical staff of the Middlesex General Hospital. He is also connected with the Dutch Reformed Church of Franklin Park.
Mr. Griggs married, June 3, 1916, Gertrude V. Kee. She was born in New York City, the daughter of Frank T. and Sarah (Rowan) Kee. Mr. Kee is a retired contractor and builder, making his home on Hamil- ton road, New Brunswick. Dr. and Mrs. Griggs have no children.
The first known ancestor of the Griggs family came from Holland many years ago and located near what is now Flatbush, Long Island. One branch of the family, who were millwrights, settled in the Somerset county district and became the founders of Griggstown, New Jersey. The Suydam family is also of Holland Dutch ancestry and were among those who settled Flatbush. The grandfathers on both paternal and maternal sides of Dr. Griggs were fighting patriots in the Revolutionary War.
JOE AKEN SEXTON .- As manager of the South Amboy Lumber and Supply Company, and owner of a garage and automobile accessories' business, Joe A. Sexton does not find time hanging heavily on his hands, neither is he a slave to his business, but by an energetic, systematic arrangement finds time to meet every business engagement and to give the duties of friendship and citizenship their proper place in life. Although born in New York City, his parents moved to South Amboy when he was but two years of age, and with the exception of a few years spent in St. Louis, Missouri, he has known no other home. He was one of the old Camden & Amboy men of that period which antedated the Pennsylvania Railroad in New Jersey, that company only being able to enter the State by buying a controling interest in Camden & Amboy stock and then leasing the road.
Joe A. Sexton is a son of William Sexton, the latter born in Mon- mouth county, New Jersey, in 1818, died in South Amboy in 1895, a contractor and builder for many years, but at the time of his death engaged in the furniture business. William Sexton married Elizabeth Aken, born in New York City, died in South Amboy, aged seventy- seven. They were the parents of three children. Joe Aken Sexton of this review the only one to reach mature years, the others dying young. He is a descendant of the Freehold, New Jersey, branch of the Sexton family founded by John and William Sexton, who came to what is now Freehold in 1646.
Joe Aken Sexton was born in New York City, May 9, 1852, but in
330
MIDDLESEX
1854 his parents moved to South Amboy, New Jersey, which has since been his home, excepting the comparatively short time his parents resided in St. Louis, Missouri. There the lad began his education, finishing his studies in the public schools of South Amboy. He left school when fourteen years of age and secured a place with the Camden & Amboy Railroad Company. Later he learned the carpenter's trade with his father, and, in course of time, from a capable journeyman car- penter he advanced to a building contractor, and when but eighteen years of age had executed four contracts for buildings. He advanced rapidly in favor as a contractor and builder, and among the many con- tracts which he fulfilled was one for the erection of the South Amboy City Hall, and another for the building of an addition to Christ Episcopal Church in South Amboy. With the years he took on new responsibili- ties ; in 1891 he became associated with Miller & Donnell, and the firm was known as Sexton. Miller & Donnell, dealers in building ma- terials of all kinds. Mr. Miller retired about two years later and the firm name was changed to Sexton & Donnell. While this firm was doing business, they established a branch in Perth Amboy under the personal supervision of Mr. Sexton; this business is now the Donnell Lumber Company, and the leading lumber yard of Perth Amboy. About two years after the establishment of the Perth Amboy plant they dissolved partnership, Mr. Sexton taking the South Amboy yards, and Mr. Don- nell the Perth Amboy yards. About 1905 Mr. Sexton sold out his business to A. J. Miller, Mr. Sexton deciding to retire. In 1907 he was the prime mover in the establishing of the South Amboy Lumber and Supply Company, in which he has since continued as manager, making a wonderful success of the enterprise, and in 1910 the garage and auto- mobile supply business. The South Amboy Lumber and Supply Com- pany is a corporation, with D. C. Chase, president : Henry Wolff, vice- president ; R. C. Stephenson, secretary-treasurer, and Joe A. Sexton, manager. It is a solid, substantial, prosperous concern, well-managed. and has been an important factor in the development of South Amboy. The J. A. Sexton Garage is located at Broadway and Main street, South Amboy, and there motorists can have their troubles ironed out and be sent on their way rejoicing.
In his younger years Mr. Sexton was an enthusiastic yachtsman, both owning and sailing yachts, and never declining to race them. The bay and river yet have charms for him, fishing a sport he frequently indulges in. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is past grand master ; a member of the Knights of Pythias; Knights of the Golden Eagle; Independent Order of Red Men; a charter member of the South Amboy Yacht Club and for two years its commodore ; a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal church; and for four years served his city as a member of the Board of Health. He was president for two years of the Star Building and Loan Association.
Mr. Sexton married, at South Amboy, December 22, 1872, Lucretia Herring. born in New York City. February 2, 1855, died in South Amboy, June 30, 1920, after a happy married life covering a period of forty-eight years. She was brought to South Amboy by her parents,
33I
BIOGRAPHICAL
James and Kate Ellen (Schenck) Herring, when a girl of twelve years, and there lived until her passing away, at the age of sixty-five. The children of Joe A. and Lucretia (Herring) Sexton, four in number, are all living; Mary Elizabeth, wife of Walter Compton, of South Amboy ; Josephine, widow of Willis Fisher; James Andrew, of South Amboy ; and William, a resident of Keyport, New Jersey.
WILLIAM ORR WHITNEY was born in North Adams, Massachu- setts, July 1, 1889. He is the son of Charles Edward and Mary (Orr) Whitney. Charles Edward Whitney is an overseer in the Windsor Print Works in North Adams, and has always been active in the political life of that community, having formerly been a member and also president of the City Council. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney are the parents of three children : Arthur C .; Anna E .; William Orr, of further mention.
The preliminary portion of William Orr Whitney's education was obtained in the public schools of his native place, and after graduating from the Drury High School, North Adams, in 1907, he matriculated in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, Massachusetts, where he remained for two years, coming to New Brunswick, New Jersey, in the fall of that same year and entering the employ of the Brunswick Refrigerating Company. Here he started in to gain a thorough knowledge of the different branches of the business, and being an apt student he quickly rose to positions of responsibility, his early training standing him in good stead in his business career. In 1917 he was promoted to his present position of manager of the marine depart- ment, and continues in the management of this department, exercising the same tireless industry which has characterized his career from its beginning. Mr. Whitney is affiliated with Union Lodge, No. 19, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Scott Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons ; and Temple Commandery, No. 18, Knights Templar. He is also a mem- ber of the local Young Men's Christian Association, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Society of Refrigerating Engi- neers, the American Society of Naval Draftsmen, and the American Society of Naval Engineers.
On October 21, 1914, William Orr Whitney was united in marriage with Ruth Jenkinson Lessig, daughter of Hilary and Tamar Lessig, of Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney are the parents of one child, Ruth Easton, born January 30, 1918.
WILLIAM H. BROOKS .- The family of which William H. Brooks is a descendant is of good old Jersey stock, every generation in turn showing the same substantial characteristics which are the foundation of every community worth while.
This present representative of the name, William H. Brooks, is the son of Henry and Emma B. (Courter) Brooks, the former for many years employed in the ticket department of the old Camden & Amboy Railroad. Their son, William H., was born in Camden, New Jersey, December 25, 1869. After exhausting the educational opportunities of
332
MIDDLESEX
his home town, he entered Rider College of Trenton, New Jersey, of which he is now an alumnus. After his graduation, Mr. Brooks was for a time connected with Downs & Finch, shirt manufacturers, leaving it to accept a position in the George W. Helme Company. Remaining there for sixteen years he relinquished that to become, in 1905, the assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Jamesburg, New Jersey, on Buckelew avenue, where he is engaged at the present time. In the political affairs of Jamesburg, Mr. Brooks has not confined himself to either of the leading parties, being what is regarded as a "liberal" in his views. He is popular among his townspeople, which is attested by the fact that he has been retained as the town clerk for the past twenty years, holding that office at the present time. Among the many fraternal orders existing in Jamesburg, Mr. Brooks is connected with but three: The Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Appollo Lodge, No. 156, Free and Accepted Masons, Cranbury, New Jersey, and Junior Order of United American Mechanics. He is also interested in the Presbyterian church, where he and his wife attend service.
In Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, William H. Brooks and Lulu Pauline Marquis were united in marriage, September 21, 1904. Mrs. Brooks is the daughter of James T. and Mary C. (Bucher) Marquis. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Brooks, William H. Courter, built in 1853 a very beautiful house which has always been in the possession of some member of the family. It is at the present time occupied by this grandson, William H. Brooks, and his wife. They have given it the name of "Brooks Crest" and are exceedingly proud of their ancestral acres, the homestead being well worthy of their natural appreciation of it. It is situated on Railroad avenue, Jamesburg, Monroe township.
SPENCER PERRY .- The Perrys are an old Middlesex county family long located in the South River district of the county. Spencer Perry, of Milltown, engineer at the plant of the Russell Playing Card Company, is a son of John and Patience (Bloodgood) Perry, of South River, his father a carpenter by trade.
Spencer Perry was born in South River, New Jersey, September II, 1871, and there was educated in the public schools. He was variously employed until finally deciding to fit himself for an engineer's position, and steadily pursued his ambition until in possession of an engineer's license or certificate. For twenty-one years he has been engineer with the Russell Playing Card Company of Milltown ; organizer and director of the Milltown Coal and Lumber Company, a $50,000 corporation ; one of the original organizers of the First National Bank of Milltown, of which he is a director ; served twenty-one years on the Board of Educa- tion of the town of Milltown; one term of three years as councilman of Milltown ; and an unexpired term of two years as mayor. Mr. Perry is a Democrat in politics, a member of the Order of United American Mechanics (both senior and junior), of the National Association of Stationary Engineers, and the Travel Club of America.
Mr. Perry married, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, August 14, 1893,
X
THE NEW YORK PUSHIT LIBRARY
-
333
BIOGRAPHICAL
Minnie Knox, born November 25, 1869, in Trenton, New Jersey, daughter of Peter B. and Henrietta (Moore) Knox, her father born in Scotland but brought to the United States at the age of eight years. Mr. and Mrs. Perry are the parents of eight children : 1. Spencer B., born Febru- ary 27, 1894 ; was sergeant in Company G, 311th Infantry, 78th Division, serving from October 17, 1916, until he was killed, November 1, 1917, in the Argonne Forest. 2. Jesse L., born July 20, 1895; served one year with the 203rd Regiment Ambulance Company, 78th Division, mustered out in June, 1918. 3. Malita, born January 20, 1897. 4. Richard J., born February 5, 1900. 5. Arminta K., born February 9, 1902. 6. Leslie E., born March 19, 1904. 7. Patience E., born November 20, 1905. 8. Arthur K., born July 30, 1907. The family home is at No. 18 Riva street, Milltown, New Jersey.
THOMAS SWALES .- In 1912 the city of New Brunswick, New Jersey, held what was called a "Boost Week," one of the principal fea- tures being extensive advertising of the merits and advantages of the city. One of these advertisements, catching the eye of Thomas Swales in Toronto, Canada, he determined to make that city his home and is now a loyal citizen of the United States.
Thomas Swales was born in Stockport, England, November 18, 1884, the son of James and Elizabeth (Crowder) Swales. James Swales was a native of England, a printer's engineer by trade ; he died in Eng- land. Elizabeth (Crowder) Swales was also born in England and died there. They had a large family of children, eight of whom are now liv- ing : Mary Ellen, residing in England ; Polly, also in England ; Ernest, living in Canada; Daniel, also in England; James, in Toronto, Canada ; Cissie and Lillie, both of these living in England ; Thomas, now residing in America. The eldest son, Charles, was killed during the World War, two of his sons meeting death in the same struggle ; one of these, Arthur Swales, was the champion welter-weight of the British Army during his service in it.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.