USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume III > Part 18
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Born in Russia, but coming to America when a very small child with his parents, Dr. Karshmer has grown up to manhood in the atmos- phere and with the many advantages of the United States. His early boyhood was spent in New York City, where he attended the public schools, but when he was nine years old his family removed to New Brunswick and he was sent to the public schools of that city. He became a pupil in the grammar school, from which he graduated in 1910, then entered the high school, taking a four years' course and graduating in 1914. For a year after this he was a student at Rutgers College, New Brunswick, taking a preparatory course for entrance in the New York College of Dentistry. After a three years' course at that college he graduated, in 1918, and at once began the practice of his profession, with offices at No. 360 George street, New Brunswick.
Dr. Karshmer has one great hobby and that is athletics in every form. While a pupil in the New Brunswick High School he played on the baseball team and is equally agile in basketball or on a football team. Swimming is another one of his accomplishments, and he makes it a point to keep up his practice in all these lines. He is a member of the Young Men's Christian Association and of the Young Men's Hebrew Association, greatly enjoying the opportunities for athletic exercises in both organizations. He and all the members of his family are members of the Synagogue.
In New Brunswick, on February 22, 1919, Dr. Louis P. Karshmer and Rose Sheinaus were united in marriage. They have one child, Robert Eugene, born February 1I, 1920. Mrs. Karshmer was born in New York City, and is the daughter of Abraham and Fannie (Orell) Sheinaus. Mr. Sheinaus is an electrical engineer in Brooklyn, in the employ of the Edison Company. Dr. Karshmer and his wife reside in the Highland Park section of New Brunswick, at Abbott and Eighth avenues.
FRANK RUDOLPH NEWMAN was born in Liverpool, England, June 5, 1856. He attended the public schools there until he was seven- teen years of age, when he set sail for America and upon landing in New York City went immediately to Newark, New Jersey, where he became a reporter, later an editor. In 1885 he came to Perth Amboy,
Thomas M. Riddle
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New Jersey, where he has been engaged in the printing business ever since and is the pioneer here in his particular line of occupation. He is a member of the International Typographical Union, No. 657, and affiliates with PoAmbo Tribe, No. 65, Improved Order of Red Men. In politics Mr. Newman was a staunch Republican until about 1902, when he opposed party machinery and affiliated himself with the "New Idea" movement. A few years later, as a member of the executive com- mittee of both the Mckinley Club and later on, the Roosevelt Progres- sive Club, he was actively engaged in the support of his party's candi- dates. He never aspired to office himself, but was always in the front ranks in the securing of the best timber for offices of any importance. He takes particular pride in the possession of an autograph letter from the late President Roosevelt, sent to him in appreciation of work done in his behalf. His hobby is fishing, and he also takes a keen delight in gardening, and is a great reader.
Mr. Newman married, September 27, 1884, Anna Louise Van Pelt, daughter of the late Joseph and Jane (Ling) Van Pelt, formerly of Rahway, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Newman are the parents of nine children : Frank E. J. ; Jennie A. B., wife of J. H. Arrowsmith, of Albany, New York; Raymond LeRoy ; Joseph J .; William McKinley ; George- anna ; Frances Ling ; and a pair of twins, Harry S. A. and Emeline H. E.
Since 1919 Mr. and Mrs. Newman have resided in Tottenville, Staten Island, New York.
The position which Mr. Newman occupies in the business develop- ment of Perth Amboy represents the reward of unremitting labor and a fixed determination to achieve a responsible place, while in his advance- ment he has known no deviation from the strictest probity and the most upright methods.
THOMAS HENRY RIDDLE, an Englishman by birth, and a resi- dent of his native home for the early years of his life, has been a resident of New Brunswick for the past thirty years. His parents were born in England and spent all their lives there, his mother, Elizabeth (Cowling) Riddle, dying at Plymouth, England, in 1883; his father, Jacob Riddle, still living in Plymouth at the age of ninety-six years. He was a con- tractor, in business there for many years, but has lived, for a long time back, in retirement. Jacob and Elizabeth (Cowling) Riddle had fourteen children, but of this large family only six are now living, five of them residing in England. They are Elizabeth ; Thomas Henry, the only one in America ; George, John, Carrie and William.
Thomas Henry Riddle was born in Plymouth, England, May 12, 1860. He attended the common schools in that city until thirteen years of age, leaving them to become an apprentice in the brick laying, stone cutting and stone mason trade. When the young man reached the age of twenty, he came to the United States, landing in New York City in 1880. Remaining there for the next few years, Mr. Riddle worked at his trade in various states, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and New York, but in 1891, locating permanently in New Brunswick, he entered into the
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contracting business ; frequently his work has taken him temporarily into various sections of the country, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, West Vir- ginia, and Ohio, he having done quantities of railroad bridge and railroad construction work in all these States. He also built the locks for the government at Ford, Kentucky, across the Kentucky river, and the power house at Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, for the Michigan & Lake Superior Power Company.
About 1912 Mr. Riddle opened offices in the New Brunswick Savings Institution building, at No. 102 Church street, and in the years that he has located there he has done contract work in the county of Mid- dlesex, city of New Brunswick, and also in Essex and Monmouth coun- ties. He built the Albany street bridge, now in use, and is the contractor for the improvements going on at the present time (1920) in George street, New Brunswick. Mr. Riddle has erected many railroad bridges and other large works, among them being the Walnut Lane bridge, in Philadelphia, the largest span concrete bridge in the world at that time, 1906-08.
While his ever-increasing business occupies most of Mr. Riddle's time and attention, he always greatly enjoys a gunning trip in the way of recreation, or a good game of baseball. In all matters pertaining to the work of the Free Masons, he has been particularly active, having taken all steps up to the thirty-second degree. He is a member of Ham- ilton Lodge, No. 274, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Scott Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; Scott Council. No. I, Royal and Select Masters : Temple Commandery, No. 18, Knights Templar, State of New Jersey : Lulu Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Philadelphia ; Philadelphia Consistory, Scottish Rite, Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, and is now (1921) grand commander of the Knights Templar of New Jersey. He is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Knights of Pythias, also the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Royal Arcanum. Mr. Riddle has been active in the work of the Young Men's Christian Association, and is a prominent member of the Board of Trade. He is a director of the Masonic Temple Association, also the Elks Building Corporation. His clubs are the Craftsmen's and New Brunswick. Mr. Riddle and his family attend the First Reformed Church of New Brunswick.
In Rochester, New York, on December 15, 1884. Thomas Henry Riddle was married to Matilda Christ, a native of Pennsylvania. Three children were born of this marriage, but the last two died in infancy, the only surviving one being a daughter, Caroline Elizabeth, born De- cember 29. 1886, now the wife of Alexander W. Quackenboss, living on Adelaide avenue, Highland Park. Mr. and Mrs. Riddle reside at No. 269 Seaman street, New Brunswick.
JABEZ HOLLAND HELM .- The fact that Mr. Helm has been but a few years numbered among the practising lawyers of New Brunswick does not exclude him from a place on the list of the city's known and respected members of the bar. In fraternal circles Mr. Helm is a figure
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of prominence, and as a citizen can always be relied upon to do his utmost in the promotion of any plan having for its object the betterment of community conditions.
Jabez Holland Helm was born March 7, 1882, in New Brunswick, and is a son of John A. and Alice (Cronk) Helm. John A. Helm was a well-known carpenter and stair-builder. The education of Jabez Holland Helm was received at the New Brunswick High School, and after com- pleting his course of study he became a law student in the office of Alfred S. March and Freeman Woodbridge. In 1916, at the June term of the Supreme Court, he was admitted to the New Jersey bar as attorney, being admitted as counsellor at the June term of 1919. On March 19, 1917, Mr. Helm opened an office of his own in New Brunswick, in the National Bank building, and has since, by his own unaided efforts, won marked recognition both from the legal fraternity and the general public. In politics Mr. Helm is a Republican and has actively identified himself with the work of the organization. He affiliates with New Brunswick Lodge, No. 6, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Mid- dlesex Encampment, No. 43, Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; Pales- tine Lodge, No. 111, Free and Accepted Masons; Scott Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; Scott Council, No. 1, Royal and Select Masters; New Brunswick Forest, No. 12, Tall Cedars of Lebanon. In both the Independent Order of Odd Fellows lodges he is a past officer. His clubs are the Craftsmen's and the New Brunswick Boat. He is a member of Livingston Avenue Baptist Church.
Mr. Helm married, December 10, 1910, in New Brunswick, Florence May Smith, daughter of Benjamin I. and Mary (Dunn) Smith, and they are the parents of three children : Augusta, born March 2, 1912; Benja- min Holland, born September 2, 1914; and Jane, born September 10, 1916. The family home is at No. 14 Stratford place.
Mr. Helm's career has opened auspiciously, and inasmuch as he is at the same time acquiring a lucrative practice and a well-founded reputation for ability and integrity, a bright future seems opening before him.
CHARLES M. SCHAEFER, manager of the New Brunswick branch of the Beith & Reilly Company, was born in New York City, September 18, 1880, the son of the late Henry C. and Elizabeth (Over- land) Schaefer. Henry C. Schaefer was born in New York City, and died here, in 1890, at the age of fifty-seven years. For many years he was engaged in the real estate business in his native place.
The education of Charles M. Schaefer was obtained in the public schools of his native place, after which he became identified with the concern with which he is still connected, first being employed with the main business, which was established in New York City in 1906, and later, in February, 1919, when this branch was established in New Brunswick, becoming its manager. There never was a supply house to take care of the wants of the many factories in this community and when this one was established it proved to be of great benefit to the
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several manufacturing concerns of this vicinity. Henry F. Teall is the assistant manager of this branch ; he was born in England but came to this country when a young man and lived in Jersey City until 1919, when he accepted his present position.
Mr. Schaefer takes no active part in the affairs of the community, devoting his entire time to his ever-increasing business cares. He affili- ates with Lodge No. 278. Free and Accepted Masons, but his home is his club.
ANTHONY J. GEBHARDT, a lifelong resident of Middlesex county, New Jersey, now located in the thriving borough of Highland Park, represents the progressive spirit of his community, and is one of the substantial, successful business men of his town.
Anthony J. Gebhardt was born in Milltown, Middlesex county, New Jersey. in 1864, and there resided until 1884, when he located in the city of New Brunswick and engaged in the grocery business. In 1889 he moved to Highland Park, Raritan township, where he opened a grocery store. He has continued in business there until the present (1921) and has in addition dealt extensively in Highland Park real estate. He is a director and treasurer of the Highland Park Building and Loan Association. He is a careful, energetic, capable business man, public-spirited in his citizen- ship and keeps abreast of the times. In 1891 he was elected township committeeman of Raritan township and served three years-one term. In 1903 he was the candidate of his party for collector of taxes for Raritan township, the township at that time being strongly Republican, and he carried the township by thirty-four votes. He secured the division of the township into three lighting districts; was one of the men instrumental in securing signatures to the petition which brought the present water supply to Highland Park from New Brunswick; and was one of the organizers and a charter member of the fire department. In 1905 High- land Park was created a borough, and for six years Mr. Gebhardt served as borough collector of taxes. From 1909 to 1917 he was a director of the Board of Freeholders from Middlesex county. He has been one of the men responsible for the development of the thriving borough of Highland Park, and through his influence he had the sidewalks widened on the Albany street bridge, had Raritan avenue paved by the county, and was responsible for many other improvements. He was also a member of the board that drew the plans for the present draw-bridge between New Brunswick and Highland Park. He has also made an enduring name for himself as a successful business man and public- spirited citizen.
Mr. Gebhardt married, May 9, 1887, Susie A. Fleming, and they are the parents of four children: Mrs. James L. Rogers; Raymond A., at home ; Mrs. Joseph Ballon, and Mrs. Richard Whitaker.
JOHN HENRY INTEMANN, D. D. S., numbered among the younger generation of professional men of New Brunswick, New Jersey. has been for the past five years engaged in dentistry at No. 336 George street.
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John C. Intemann, father of John Henry Intemann, was born in Germany, August 6, 1851, and died in New Brunswick, New Jersey, January 30, 1918, at the age of sixty-seven years. When sixteen years of age, he set sail for the United States and upon landing in New York City remained there until 1886, when he removed to New Brunswick and established himself in the confectionery business, in which he con- tinued until his death. He married Bertha Elizabeth Hauck, a native of the province of Posen, Germany. Mrs. Intemann is now residing in New Brunswick. Mr. and Mrs. Intemann were the parents of six children : Edward A., a confectioner at New Brunswick; Arthur H., a confectioner ; Marie, deceased ; John Henry, of further mention ; Wil- liam F., an electrical engineer of New Brunswick; Bertha, deceased.
John Henry Intemann was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, November 8, 1894, and it was here that the preparatory portion of his education was received. After graduating from the local high school, in 1912, he immediately entered New York College of Dentistry, where he remained for two years, subsequently matriculating at Philadelphia Dental College, from which he was graduated in 1915 with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. Dr. Intemann then returned to New Brunswick, where he has since been actively engaged in the practice of his chosen profession, having developed a large and high class prac- tice, so that he is now regarded among the leaders here in his particular field of labor.
He is affiliated with Palestine Lodge, No. 111, Free and Accepted Masons, and is a member of the various professional organizations, in- cluding the National Dental Association, the New Jersey Dental Society, and the Middlesex County Dental Society, of which he is president, having been appointed in 1919. In religion he is a Baptist and attends the Livingston Avenue Baptist Church at New Brunswick. During the World War, Dr. Intemann served on the Middlesex County Board, No. 2, as dental examiner.
Dr. Intemann married, April 29, 1918, Margaret Ella Bartels, daugh- ter of the late Frank and Gertrude Bartels. Mrs. Bartels married (sec- ond) J. L. McAuliffe, a resident of East Orange, New Jersey. Dr. and Mrs. Intemann have no children. Dr. Intemann greatly enjoys hunting and fishing and spends much of his spare time thus employed.
ARTHUR A. DETER .- The mercantile and industrial activities of the town of Woodbridge, New Jersey, call for many kinds of skill in the men who are carrying the burdens of the hour. Arthur A. Deter is an authority along chemical lines. Mr. Deter was born in Woodbridge, September 30, 1878, and is a son of Anthony and Helen (Gillis) Deter, both long residents of Woodbridge.
As a boy Mr. Deter gained a practical and thorough foundation for future success in the excellent public schools of the town ; later entered upon special courses of study along his chosen line of effort. He took up chemistry and ore and copper sampling. The need of this knowledge applies to many of the industries located in this part of New Jersey,
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and Mr. Deter's work is not limited to local demands. He has won his way to a high position, and is widely sought for work demanding special knowledge of this nature. His success has been gained by steady application and patient endeavor.
Mr. Deter, for the past ten years, has borne a share in the public life of Woodbridge. His standing among the people of the town is clearly evinced by the fact that, while himself affiliated with the Repub- lican party, he was elected to the Town Council from a Democratic ward. He was elected for a term of two years, in 1911, and the call of the people has held him continuously in the same position up to the present time. Mr. Deter is a member of Perth Amboy Lodge, No. 784, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and of the Royal Arcanum, of Woodbridge. He is also a member of the Perth Amboy and Wood- bridge Gun clubs.
On January 26, 1906, Mr. Deter married Anna Emhorn, and they have five children : George, Horace. Evelyne, Irma, and Arthur Robert.
GEORGE ENGLAND BROWN was born in Worthington, Massa- chusetts, October 7, 1841, and died in Highland Park, Illinois, April 19, 1895. He was a son of Timothy Harrington and Ermina (Drury ) Brown. He was educated in the public schools of Worthington and in the acad- emy in Sherburne Falls, Massachusetts, and at a business college in the State of Wisconsin. Early in his career he taught school for two years, then entered the office employ of the New York Central Railroad Com- pany, and later transferred his services to the Pennsylvania Railroad and to other railroads of the East. He next spent two years in the lumber business in New Brunswick, New Jersey, going thence to Leadville. Colorado, where he was engaged in silver mining. After returning East he located in South River, New Jersey, where he engaged in the real estate business until his passing. Mr. Brown was a Democrat in politics and served in several offices, including a term in the State Leg- islature. He was also called for service in several town offices, including the school board. He was a member of the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias, his religious affiliation being with the Protestant Episcopal church.
Mr. Brown married, in South River, New Jersey, November 9. 1865, Mary Elizabeth Martin, daughter of Daniel B. and Sarah T. Martin, her father a chief engineer and engineer-in-chief in the United States Navy, and was stationed for four years in Washington, D. C. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. George E. Brown : Daniel B. Martin, Sarah T. Martin, and Ermina Drury, who married William H. Kline. Mrs. Brown survives her husband and continues her residence in South River.
HENRY FRANK ZERFING, D. D. S., numbered among the pro- fessional men of New Brunswick, New Jersey, admittedly occupies a leading position, gained through natural ability, combined with close application and perseverance. factors that have contributed the most in this country toward making our successful men. Dr. Zerfing, who has
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been so intimately associated with the welfare of this community since taking up his residence here in 1897, and who is as well known in social circles as he is among the dental fraternity, is a native of Ashland, Pennsylvania, where he was born, May 10. 1871, the son of Aaron and Catherine (Smith) Zerfing.
Aaron Zerfing, father of Henry F. Zerfing, was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, October 20, 1836, and died at Scranton, Penn- sylvania, in 1908, at the age of seventy-two years. He was a carpenter by trade. During the Civil War he enlisted in the Union army. His wife, Catherine Smith, was born in Schuylkill county, in 1842, and died there. in 1876, at the age of thirty-four years. To Mr. and Mrs. Zerfing were born five children : Wilson, a dentist at Philadelphia, and director of the dental clinic in the dental department of the University of Penn- sylvania ; Ida, wife of Dr. R. J. Ritz, of Scranton, Pennsylvania ; Henry Frank, of further mention; Charles E., a physician at Los Angeles, California ; Laura, deceased.
Henry Frank Zerfing, son of Aaron and Catherine (Smith) Zerfing, is a direct descendant of the Zerfing family who came to this country from Germany in the middle of the eighteenth century, the records show- ing that the Zerfings paid taxes at Valley Forge in 1789. The prelimi- nary education of Dr. Zerfing was obtained in the public schools of his native place. After graduating from the Ashland High School in 1888, he secured a position in the Engineers' Corps with the Reading Rail- road, where he remained for two years. In the meantime, however, he had decided to adopt the profession of dentistry as his career, so with this end in view, matriculated in the dental department of the University of Pennsylvania and was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1897. Having decided to establish himself in the practice of his profession at New Brunswick, New Jersey, he came here imme- diately and opened an office and in 1911 moved to the National Bank building, which has been his headquarters ever since. His practice is a large and widely extended one, and he has the affection as well as the confidence of his patients.
Dr. Zerfing affiliates with Union Lodge, No. 19, Free and Accepted Masons; Scott Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; and being of a social nature, holds membership in the Union and Country clubs of New Brunswick. In religion he is a Baptist, and attends the First Church of that denomination.
On September 2, 1897, Dr. Zerfing was united in marriage with Sallie A. Wylie, daughter of Robert J. and Elizabeth (Dally) Wylie, both deceased, but formerly residents of Woodbridge. Dr. and Mrs. Zerfing are the parents of one child, Ruth, born March 7, 1901. The family home is at No. 240 Lincoln avenue, Highland Park, New Jersey. Dr. Zerfing's hobby is golf and much of his spare time he devotes to this particular recreation.
JOSEPH MARK .- The office of mayor which Joseph Mark held for thirteen years was tendered him each recurring term by his townsmen with the feeling that the proper thing to do is to continue a faithful offi-
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cial in office. He was a native son, born in South River, Middlesex county. New Jersey, December 6. 1865, died October 9, 1920, son of Bernard and Theresa Mark, his father a shoemaker.
Joseph Mark was educated in private schools. He spent his life in South River and was one of the best known business men of the borough. In 19ophe was elected mayor of South River and served thirteen years; 101 413 he was successively reelected at the expiration of each term. He was postmaster of the borough for six years, and highly esteemed for his manly, upright life. He was a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics ; Patriotic Order Sons of America; Knights of Pythias ; Im- proved Order of Red Men: Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Nonpareil Club ; and the Methodist Episcopal church.
Joseph Mark married, in South River, September 7, 1904, Clara Kessler, daughter of George and Marie Kessler. Mr. and Mrs. Mark were the parents of four children: Joseph George, born May 23, 1905; Bernard Francis, born October 27, 1906; Emnia Theresa, born February 3. 1908; Marie, born March 12, 1909.
MICHAEL CARL SPINELLI .- The Spinelli family of New Brunswick was founded in that city by Michael Spinelli, born in Italy, who at the age of twenty-one, in 1871, came to the United States, finding a home in Brooklyn, New York. For twenty years he conducted a fruit business in Brooklyn, and in 1893 moved to New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he established a junk business, which he conducted for ten years. He died August 14, 1910. Mr. Spinelli married Marie Rose Zita, born in Italy, who came to the United States at the age of fourteen. They were the parents of fourteen children, four of whom are here named : Peter D., a member of Spinelli Brothers Garage and automobile accessories, married and has a son, Michael; Rose C., married Frank Piazzo, and has three children, Antoinetta, Salvator, and Michael; Michael Carl, of further mention ; Dominick, a high school student.
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