USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume III > Part 16
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During his infancy, the parents of Thomas Swales moved from Stock- port to Manchester, England, where he attended school in his boyhood, leaving it at the age of fourteen to learn the carpenter's trade. When nineteen years old the young man came to America, and upon reaching Canada located in Toronto, where he worked as a carpenter during his residence there. After coming to New Brunswick in 1912 he for a time continued in that line of work, then went into the building business in his own name. His offices are at No. 507 National Bank building, at No. 390 George street. Mr. Swales' ambition is to build houses in the way Henry Ford builds automobiles. Having taken an active interest in the politics of his adopted home, Mr. Swales was nominated for the office of township committeeman in 1920. He is also affiliated with several of the fraternal orders of the city; is a member of Mt. Zion Lodge, No. 135, Free and Accepted Masons; New Bruns vick Forest. Tall Cedars of Lebanon, and of the volunteer fire department.
At Tarrytown, New York, March 10, 1905, Thomas Swales married
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Ruth Perry, a native of North Carolina. She was the daughter of Isaac and Mary Ann (Missimore) Perry, farmers of Yadkin county, North Carolina. The former is now deceased, but the latter is still living in her Southern home. Mr. and Mrs. Swales have five children, all living : Helen, Cora, Thomas, Jr., James, Ruth. Their home is in the Lindeneau section of New Brunswick. They are members of the Protestant Epis- copal church.
HOWARD DAYTON LITTELL .- After an experience as a sales- man of coal, which gave him the information he needed to successfully conduct a business of his own, Howard D. Littell established a coal business in South Amboy which he very successfully managed for twelve years, beginning a young man of twenty-three. A little arithmetic proves him yet to be a young man, although a veteran in business and one of the progesssive, substantial business men of his city. He is a son of Frederick Meeker Littell, born in Newark, but now with the General Motors Company, and long a resident of South Amboy. Frederick M. Littell married Mary Dayton, born in South Amboy, of Revolutionary family. one of her ancestors a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The Littells originally came to New Jersey from France several genera- tions ago.
Howard Dayton Littell, only child of Frederick M. and Mary (Day- ton) Littell, was born in South Amboy, October 31. 1885, and there attended public schools until thirteen years of age. He completed his studies in State educational institutions, and was quite a noted school- boy athlete, captain of his school football team. He left school in 1904 and entered the employ of the Mohawk Coal Company of New York City, continuing with them as traveling salesman in New York State and Pennsylvania territory. In 1908 he established the coal business which he has since conducted in South Amboy, dealing in both anthra- cite and bituminous coal under the firm name, Howard D. Littell. He is also a director of the Owners' and Investors' Building and Loan Association, and a member of the South Amboy Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Littell is a member of the Masonic order and affiliates with St. Ste- phen's Lodge, No. 63, Free and Accepted Masons, and Amboy Chapter, No. 41, Royal Arch Masons. His club is the South Amboy Yacht. He attends the Protestant Episcopal church.
Mr. Littell married, in Keyport, New Jersey, November 2, 1914, Florence M. Armstrong, born there, daughter of Frederick and Mary (Sillik) Armstrong, her father deceased, her mother yet (1920) a resi- dent of Keyport. Mr. and Mrs. Littell are the parents of two children : Howard Dayton (2), born June 24, 1917; Helen Armstrong, born June 26, 1920. The family home is in South Amboy, the city in which Mr. Littell was born and which has always been his home.
EDWARD JOSEPH HOUGHTON .- Three generations of Hough- tons in this branch have resided in New Brunswick, New Jersey ; Dennis Houghton, who came from Ireland where he grew to manhood upon his father's farm ; his son, James Houghton, born in New Brunswick, where
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he yet resides, aged seventy-seven ; Edward J. Houghton, now a mer- chant of the city, senior member of the haberdashery firm, Houghton & Strauss. The first of the family to come to the United States was the great-grandfather of Edward J. Houghton, but the records do not show that he lived in New Brunswick, neither is his name known to the writer.
Dennis Houghton was a brakeman in the employ of the Central Railroad of New Jersey until about 1860, when he went to New Orleans, where he died leaving sons, James and Michael, and a daughter Catherine.
James Houghton, son of Dennis and Margaret Houghton, was born in New Brunswick, in 1843, and there has spent his years, seventy- seven. He attended the public schools until thirteen years of age, then spent four years as a grocery clerk, followed by four years as a tinsmith. In 1872 he opened a grocery store on Neilson street, which he conducted for many years, finally retired to a well earned competence. He was an ardent Democrat and served his ward as alderman in 1884-1888 and faithfully represented his district. He was long a member of the volun- teer fire department, and as foreman was very efficient in fighting fires or any turbulent spirit who might run counter to the desires of the company. He married, in 1871, Mary A. Whealon, who died in Febru- ary, 1902. Twelve children were born to James and Mary A. Houghton, three of whom are living : Margaret E., wife of William T. Mclaughlin ; Edward Joseph, of further mention; and Sarah A. (Sadie), a resident of New Brunswick.
Edward Joseph Houghton was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, January 21, 1876, and there has passed his years, forty-five. He attended both parochial and public schools, finishing his education with a com- mercial course in the New Jersey Business College in Newark, graduat- ing with the class of 1893. He then entered his father's employ and for ten years was associated with him in the grocery business. He was then with A. Wilson & Sons, engaged in the mercantile business for twelve years, and in 1916 established the haberdashery business of Houghton & Strauss, No. 342 George street, which he yet successfully conducts. Mr. Houghton was elected city recorder in 1908 and was twice reelected to that office. In March, 1915, he was elected commis- sioner for a four-year term, and in May, 1919, was reelected for a similar term. He has served his city well and has won public confidence to a surprising degree. He is a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Columbus, and Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Houghton married (first) in New Brunswick, April 28, 1898, Katherine Donahue, who died in August, 1900, leaving a daughter Katherine, who married Francis R. Hays, of New Brunswick. He mar- ried (second) August 17, 1908, Mary A. Donahue, and they have a daughter Margaret, born December 4, 1909.
ANTONIO FREDERICK MUNOZ .- The Munoz family is of Spanish origin, this branch finally settling in Berlin, Germany, where Antonio Frederick Munoz, Sr., was born, but of Spanish parents. Later
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in life he came to the United States, and located in Brooklyn, New York, where he died August 28, 1887, aged forty years. He was a man of education and ability, serving at one time as vice-consul to Venezuela, South America. He married Edwina Wiggins, born in Parkville, Long Island, died in Brooklyn, December 21, 1886, her death preceding that of her husband by less than a year. They were the parents of two chil- dren: Antonio F., of further mention; and Grace Edwina, wife of Dr. Frederick Koehler, of Philadelphia. She died in Philadelphia, aged twenty-four. She was a descendant of Whitehead Howard, a colonel in the Revolutionary army, a landowner of Long Island, and one of the pioneer stage coach drivers between New York and Philadelphia.
Antonio Frederick (2) Munoz, son of Antonio Frederick (1) and Ed- wina (Wiggins) Munoz, was born in Brooklyn, New York, November 28, 1877. When nine years of age he lost both parents, their deaths occurring in Brooklyn. He pursued his studies in St. Joseph's College in Canada, and in 1888 came to Perth Amboy, making his home temporarily with an uncle, Dr. H. W. Phillips. After finishing his school years, he learned the plumber's trade with Kelly & McAlinden, of Perth Amboy, and remained with that firm for seven years, becoming a skilled workman in his line. His next position was in the laboratory of the Roessler & Hasslacher Chemical Company, of Perth Amboy, but a year later he abandoned his trade to engage in stock dealing, principally horses. He so continued until January 1, 1917, when he was appointed by Common Council to his present position, street commissioner of Perth Amboy.
Mr. Munoz is a Republican in politics, and has been active in the politics of his city. For three years he was president of the Third Ward Republican Club, and is county committeeman from the First District of the Third Ward of Perth Amboy, an office he has held since 1912. In addition to his public business, he is president and treasurer of the Munoz Warehouse Company, Nos. 236-238 Sheridan street, a business established in 1898, and incorporated in 1917. His hours of recreation are usually spent in his power boat on the water of Ambov and New York bays, fishing also being one of his favorite sports. He is a mem- ber of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Foresters of America; Algonquin Lodge, No. 44, Knights of Pythias; Dramatic Order Knights Khorrasan; Exempt Firemen's Association of Perth Amboy ; Sons of Veterans; Lincoln Engine Company, No. I ; and the Episcopal church.
Mr. Munoz married, in Perth Amboy, April 28, 1898, Anna D. Bur- chell. born in Bordentown, New Jersey, October 30, 1876, daughter of William and Emily (Thorn) Burchell. Mrs. Burchell died August 6. 1906, in Perth Amboy, Mr. Burchell surviving her, and residing ir Perth Amboy with his daughter Anna D. Mr. and Mrs. Munoz had a son, Antonio Frederick (3), born December 5, 1906, deceased.
JAMES LOUIS FAGAN, M. D .- With a broadly comprehensive hospital experience, and a record of usefulness overseas, Dr. James Louis Fagan. M. D., has established himself in the practice of medicine in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
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About the middle of the nineteenth century Dr. Fagan's grandfather, John Fagan, came from Ireland to America, and settled in Ash Brook, Union county, New Jersey.
James Fagan, his son, was born in that vicinity, July 27, 1857. He is now living in Huntington, West Virginia, and holds the position of mechanical and electrical engineer for the American Railways Company. He married Helen Barry, who died July 12, 1920; they were the parents of eleven children, all of whom are now living.
Dr. James Louis Fagan, M. D., son of James and Helen (Barry) Fagan, was born in Brooklyn, New York, September 14, 1891. His par- ents removed to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and his education was begun in the primary schools of that city, continuing there up to the fourth grade. Another change took the family to Huntington, West Virginia, where the boy's common school course was completed. In this city also his higher education was begun, at Marshall College, Hunting- ton, from which he was graduated 1910. He then entered the University of Louisville, in the medical department, from which institution he was graduated in 1914. Then began Dr. Fagan's hospital practice, comprising a rarely extensive and varied experience. In 1914 and 1915, he was interne at St Joseph's Infirmary, Louisville, Kentucky ; and in 1916 and 1917 in the New York Post-Graduate Hospital. In the latter part of 1917 he became resident physician and surgeon in St. Luke's Hospital, New York City ; shortly thereafter he went to St. Mary's Hospital for Children, in the same capacity ; then in February, 1918, he entered the medical department of the United States army. In the course of his official duties he was detailed to the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research ; then to the Walter Reed Hospital, Washington, D. C., where he remained until August 1, 1918. He sailed for France, August 31, 1918, with Base Hospital No. 62. This hospital was located at Mars- sur-Allier, France. He was thereafter given temporary duty with Camp Hospital, No. 28, at Nevers, France; then later transferred to Base Hospital, No. 91, at Commercy, France. He sailed for the United States, July 22, 1919, and was discharged from the service in August, 1919.
On December 22, 1919, Dr. Fagan opened an office in New Bruns- wick for the general practice of medicine, at No. 243 George street. Although this is a comparatively recent date, Dr. Fagan is rapidly placing his name among those of the successful physicians of Middlesex county. Outside his profession Dr. Fagan has few interests. He is a member of Middlesex County Medical Association, New Jersey State Medical Association, fellow of the American Medical Association, a member of Rutgers Medical Club, and of the Phi Chi, a medical fraternity. His favorite relaxation is hunting and fishing.
Dr. Fagan married, in Washington, District of Columbia, May 1, 1918, Lillian Wickenhaver, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, a daughter of John and Nettie (Wright) Wickenhaver ; her father is now deceased, and her mother resides in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The family has always been connected with the Roman Catholic church.
Mid-22
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JOHN PAXTON KIRKPATRICK, one of the successful attorneys of New Brunswick, New Jersey, and a man who has already made a name for himself and by his personal worth commands a high place in this community, was born in Jamesburg, New Jersey, January 11, 1881, the son of David and Mary (Paxton) Kirkpatrick. David Kirkpatrick was the son of John Kirkpatrick, who emigrated to this country from Ballyshannon, Ireland, in 1822, and settled in St. John's Newfoundland, the former owning a large farm in Jamesburg, where he resided. To Mr. and Mrs. David Kirkpatrick have been born two children: David, deceased ; and John Paxton, of further mention.
John Paxton Kirkpatrick completed the elementary portion of his education in the schools of Spotswood, New Jersey, and at the model school of Trenton, New Jersey, after which he prepared himself for college at Princeton Preparatory School, subsequently matriculating at Princeton College, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1904. Having determined in the meantime to adopt the law as a profession, he accordingly studied in the office of Aaron E. Johnston, and was admitted to the bar in February, 1908. Throughout his school and college years he had proved himself an intel- ligent and painstaking student, and at the close came to the opening of his career unusually well-equipped both with natural gifts and a training that was the result of long and conscientious effort. Immediately after passing his bar examinations, he first established himself in the practice of his chosen profession in Newark, later in Elizabeth, and in 1912 came to New Brunswick, New Jersey, and opened an office at No. 46 Paterson street, which has remained his headquarters ever since. He has built up an excellent practice and has handled many important cases up to the present, proving himself to be a most capable and conscientious attorney.
Besides his legal activity, Mr. Kirkpatrick has interested himself in the conduct of public affairs in the community and has come to be regarded as a leader of the local organization of the Democratic party. He was a member of the General Assembly for three years, 1912-13-14. He affiliates with Cranbury Lodge, No. 196, Free and Accepted Masons, and is an Episcopalian in religion. He holds membership in the Union Club of New Brunswick, and also in the New Brunswick Country Club.
On November 27. 1907, Mr. Kirkpatrick was united in marriage with Ethel B. Davison, of Jamesburg, New Jersey, the daughter of Isaac S. and Louise (Marsh) Davison. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkpatrick are the parents of five children : John P., born November 8, 1908, died August 29, 1909; Roger B., born June 8, 1910; Robert S., born May 3, 1914, died December 15, 1915 ; David E., born November 12, 1916; Malcolm S., born February 1, 1919.
EDWIN VOORHEES KENT .- Among the older families in this section of the country, very few can trace a straighter line to a Colonial ancestor than Edwin Voorhees Kent, of New Brunswick, New Jersey. He is the eighth in descent from the original emigrant, Stephen Kent,
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who landed in Massachusetts in 1638, from England. Some records give this as 1635, but he was known to have sailed from Southhampton, England, in the ship "Confidence," in 1638, and to have brought with him his wife, Margery, and four servants. Settling in Newbury, Mas- sachusetts, he was sworn a freeman May 22, 1639. For several years Stephen Kent was a man of considerable prominence in his vicinity, and remained there until he and his family removed to Woodbridge, New Jersey, in 1665, so founding the family of Kent in Middlesex county.
Edwin Voorhees Kent, born in New Brunswick, August 1, 1865, is the son of John Voorhees and Ann Elizabeth (Van Derhoef) Kent. John Voorhees Kent, born September 12, 1840, son of Clayton and Catherine Ann (Voorhees) Kent. Clayton Kent, born August 5, 1794, son of Phineas and Sarah (Brown) Kent. Phineas Kent, born September II, 1756, son of William and Charity (Freeman) Kent. William Kent, born in 1713, son of David Kent and unknown wife. David Kent, born June 30, 1686, son of Stephen and first wife, Jane Scott Kent. Stephen Kent, born March 6, 1648, son of Stephen and first wife, Margery. Stephen (1) Kent, born in England, in 1607.
John V. Kent, father of Edwin Voorhees Kent, was a native of New Brunswick and lived there all his life, his death occurring July 30, 1910, at the age of seventy years. For many years he had been in the employ of the Raritan & Delaware Canal Company as assistant superintendent. He married Ann Elizabeth Van Derhoef, born in New Brunswick in 1841, who still survives him, her home being in New Brunswick. They had seven children, four of whom are now living: Edwin Voorhees, of whom further; Mabel, wife of Milton C. Mook, residing at No. 48 Rector street, Metuchen ; Clayton, a coal merchant living in Uniontown, Pennsylvania; Elmer W., who resides in Passaic, New Jersey, and is assistant division superintendent of public service with an office in Passaic.
Edwin Voorhees Kent was educated in the public schools of New Brunswick and at the age of fifteen years left school to take a position as clerk in a drug store, remaining so employed for six months, when he left to become a salesman in the L. B. Tarbox jewelry store on Church street, where he remained for two years. Following this, the young man entered the real estate office of J. Bayard Kirkpatrick, contin- uing this for two more years and then accepting an opening in the National Bank of New Jersey as messenger. From this small beginning. Mr. Kent has progressed from time to time as opportunity offered, as debit clerk, bookkeeper, receiving teller, paying teller and finally, in 1915, as assistant cashier, a position he now holds.
Mr. Kent enjoys the society of his fellow-men as is evidenced by his membership in various clubs and societies. He is quite active in Young Men's Christian Association work, and is much interested in the local lodges of the Free Masons, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Since May, 1920, Mr. Kent has been president of the New Brunswick Boat Club, an organization with which he has been
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connected for several years. He has a particular fondness for all kinds of outdoor sports, chief among them being fishing, automobiling and hiking. Though occupied with sports and pleasures, Mr. Kent is a regular attendant at the Baptist church of New Brunswick. He resides at No. 275 George street.
DR. MORTIMER HAROLD LINDEN .- Among the younger physicians of New Brunswick, New Jersey, who are going forward to ever increasing success, is Dr. Mortimer Harold Linden.
Dr. Linden was born in New York City, March II, 1887, a son of Jacob and Frances Linden, of that city. Jacob Linden was for many years a prominent clothier of Brooklyn, New York, but now is retired from active business. Of the five children of Jacob and Frances Linden Dr. Linden is the eldest. The others are as follows: Irving B., a suc- cessful attorney located at No. 299 Broadway, New York City ; Bernard A., a chemist, connected with the United States Department of Agricul- ture at Washington, District of Columbia ; Arthur C., a physician located at No. 5 East Eighty-fourth street, New York City ; and Jeannette F .. , of Brooklyn, New York.
Gaining his early education at Public School No. 147, of New York City, Mortimer Harold Linden continued at the De Witt Clinton High School, then attended the College of the City of New York for one year. He then entered Long Island College Hospital, remaining until June, 1910. From September to December, 1910, he was assistant house surgeon at the New York Lying-In Hospital ; then was house physician at Randall's Island, New York City, continuing there until April, 1911. He then went to England and practiced in London until November, 1915 : and following this experience returned to this country and estab- lished himself in private practice in Brooklyn, New York. Here he remained until the interruption of the World War. He began practice in New Brunswick, New Jersey, December 4, 1919, and is rapidly becoming one of the leading physicians of the city. Dr. Linden is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Improved Order of Red Men, the Order of B'rith Abraham, and of the Association of Military Surgeons of America. He is a member of the Craftsmen's Club, and of the Middlesex County Medical Society.
When United States intervention became a fact, Dr. Linden was one of the first to offer his services to the Government for duty over- seas. He was commissioned first lieutenant in June, 1917, and called to active service, August 11, 1917, and detailed to Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indiana ; then to Camp Grant, Rockford, Illinois. Promoted to captain. he was appointed commanding officer of Ambulance Company No. 341. and arrived overseas in France, August 13, 1918. Remaining with the Ambulance Company until after the armistice, he was ordered to duty at Camp Hospital No. I. at Gondrecourt (Meuse), France. Returning home, he arrived in the United States, July 24, 1919. and received an honorable discharge at Camp Dix, on that date.
Charles My Peter of
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CHARLEY MARTIN PETERSON, head of the firm of C. M. Peterson & Company, dealers in coal and wood, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and prominent in the business and commercial affairs of the city, was born in Perth Amboy, October 15, 1879, a son of Martin and Christine (Madison) Peterson, old and highly respected residents there. The elder Mr. Peterson was a native of Nakshov, Denmark, and spent the first sixteen years of his life in that country. He then came to the United States and settled at once in Perth Amboy, where he engaged in business as a cobbler, a trade that he followed for some thirty-eight years. He later became interested in the coal business and continued therein until his death, April 6, 1914, at the age of sixty-two years. He is survived by his wife, who continues to make her home in Perth Amboy. Five children were born to them, as follows : Frank, who died in infancy ; John, who died in infancy; Charley Martin, whose career forms the subject of this sketch; Matilda, who became the wife of John W. Olson, of Perth Amboy ; and Cornelia, who became the wife of Albert Hanson, of Perth Amboy.
The childhood of Mr. Peterson was passed in his native city, and it was there that he received his education, attending for this purpose Public School No. I and continuing until he had taken one year in the local high school. He then gave up his studies and took a clerical posi- tion in a shoe establishment and remained there for three or four years, gaining in the meantime a wide knowledge of business methods. Mr. Peterson was then the victim of a breakdown in his health and was recommended by his physician to seek some employment that would keep him constantly out-of-doors, so he purchased the ice business from J. Neilson, which he conducted with a high degree of success for about three years. In 1902, in association with his father, who had given up the shoe business, he bought the coal business of Neer & Eggert, and has continued the same ever since. His father's death occurred in 1914 and since that time Mr. Peterson has been in complete control of the enterprise which, under his very capable management, has grown to be the largest of its kind in the city. Outside of his private coal business, Mr. Peterson has taken an active part in the commercial enterprises of the community and is now interested in and a director of the Trojan Coal Mining Company, the Boardman Coal Mining Company, the City National Bank, the Citizens' Building and Loan and the Perth Amboy Building and Loan associations. He is also prominent in social and fraternal circles in Perth Amboy, and is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons ; Royal Arch Masons; Royal and Select Masters ; Knights Templar; and Salaam Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Besides these Masonic bodies he is a member of the Danish Brotherhood, the Danish Relief Society, the Raritan Yacht Club, and the Young Men's Christian Association, being also a director of the last named organization and chairman of the Boys' Department. Mr. Peterson is an Episcopalian and attends St. Peter's Church in Perth Amboy.
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