USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume III > Part 27
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Mr. Gross married, July 7, 1895, at Brooklyn, New York, Bertha Goldberger, a native of Austria, the daughter of Samuel and Sara (Good- man) Goldberger, who came to the United States when their daughter was a child, and eventually made their home at Perth Amboy, New Jer- sey. Mr. and Mrs. Gross are the parents of four children : Mollie, born March 27, 1896; Irene, born March 5, 1899; Nathan, born April 1, 1902; and Joseph, born May 31, 1907.
MATTHEW A. HERMANN .- When a man passes practically his entire life in one community and gives freely of his time, his energy, and his talents to the upbuilding of the interests of the group with which he lives, he makes for himself a large place in the life of the community and in the hearts of his fellow-citizens, a place which, when vacated, cannot well be filled by another. When he passes from among his life- long associates, his friends and fellow-citizens suffer deep loss. Such
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loss has been experienced by the citizens of the borough of Roosevelt, New Jersey, in the death of Matthew A. Hermann.
Mr. Hermann was born in Carteret, now the borough of Roosevelt, New Jersey, and received the fortunate heritage which often results from the union of two nationalities. From his father, Matthias Her- mann, born in Baden, Germany, he received the German thoroughness, steadiness, and earnestness of purpose ; from his mother, Bridget (Kelly ) Hermann, born in County West Meath, Ireland, the quickness of sym- pathy, the wit, and the genial warinth of the sons of Erin. These char- acteristics of two nations blended in one personality, staunchly and intensely American, produced a fine type of American manhood and a life that was exceptionally valuable to friends and community.
Matthew A. Hermann attended the schools of his district and then went to Miss Arrowsmith's Private School at Blazing Star Landing. As a boy, he worked on the farm with his father, where, undaunted by the long hours of hard work, he developed strength and determination, and nourished his ambition for larger things. His parents encouraged his aspirations, and when he decided to study telegraphy, helped in every way they could. The lack of means of transportation in those days, however, made impossible the fulfillment of many a young dream, and the vigorous, ambitious, clear-seeing boy soon realized that his plan was impracticable. He kept at his studies, watched for his opportunity, and filled his days with earnest work at whatever his hand could find to do until the general contracting business offered the chance for which he had been waiting. He formed a partnership with his brother, Joseph A. Hermann, and for many years the firm of Hermann Brothers has carried on a large and successful business as dealers in builders' mate- rials. In recent years he also individually conducted a large construction business, and never failed to complete a contract satisfactorily and on time. Many big improvements, public and private, in the Roosevelt section of the county have been the result of his work.
Politically, Mr. Hermann was a loyal Democrat, actively interested and influential in the councils of the party. Always devoted to the best interests of his community, he served on the Middlesex county grand jury, and was a member of the local Board of Education since the incor- poration of the borough in 1906. He was also an active and faithful member of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, a member of the Holy Name Society, and of the Knights of Columbus. The Fire Department found him an efficient, faithful member of its corps of defenders of the homes of the borough, and his fellow members of the Order of Red Men loved him for his wit and for his genial friendliness. Earnest, honest, unassuming, a constructive worker for the improvement of social and economic conditions in his home town, and in the surrounding district, Mr. Hermann will long be missed and his influence will long be felt.
Mr. Hermann is survived by his mother, Bridget (Kelly) Hermann ; his brother, Mayor Joseph A. Hermann ; and his sisters, Elizabeth, Bar- bara, Margaret, and Catherine. Matthew A. Hermann died May 3, 1921.
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HON. JOSEPH ANDREW HERMANN .- Long one of the forceful, outstanding figures in the business and public life of the county of Mid- dlesex is the Hon. Joseph Andrew Hermann, mayor of the borough of Roosevelt, New Jersey.
Born in the borough, in the section then known as Carteret, son of Matthias Hermann and Bridget (Kelly) Hermann, pioneers in the devel- opment of this section of the county, he first attended the local public school and later Miss Arrowsmith's Private School. Reared on a farm until his early youth, he left to assist in the management of his uncle's mercantile business in New York City for about five years, returning to engage with his brother in the masons' materials business, which he has conducted ever since, developing it into one of the largest of its kind in the county. He has reached the position of one of the leading business men of the county, recognized throughout for his probity, energy and high abilities. He was one of the first directors of the First National Bank of Roosevelt, and is the vice-president of the Carteret Building Loan Association. In the direct personal making of the great growth in the business, industry and realty improvement of this section of the county, Mr. Hermann stands second to none.
Mr. Hermann served as township committeeman of the township of Woodbridge, New Jersey, from 1901 to 1906. Following a long con- tinued desire and some spasmodic efforts, a definite movement was organized in the last-named year by Mr. Hermann to effect the incorpora- tion as a distinct municipality of all that portion of Woodbridge town- ship extending along Staten Island Sound from Port Reading to the Rahway river, a distance of about three miles, and running back from the Sound about one and one-half miles. This territory included the settlements known as Carteret and Chrome, and embraced many large manufacturing enterprises along the water front. A committee of twenty-five of the leading men of the community was formed, repre- sentative of all parties and elements that went to make up its civic, business and industrial life, for the purpose of incorporating it by legis- lative enactment as the borough of Roosevelt. Mr. Hermann was made its head, and he gave all that was in his heart and mind to the work and success of the movement. Active, persistent and formidable opposition from outside the proposed new municipality had to be met, but the movement did succeed and the borough was incorporated by the act of the Legislature, approved April II. 1906. And, admitted by all, the success was largely due to the brain, the leadership, the work and the organizing genius of Joseph A. Hermann, so much so that he is called the father of the borough.
Mr. Hermann was elected the first mayor in 1906 and has continu- ously held the office ever since, having been elected eight times in succession. This is an unprecedented record in this respect, and shows the measure of the man and what the people think of him. During his time as the executive of the municipality (fifteen years), the population has increased from 1.500 to 11,049: the tax values from $1,000,000 to $10,196,000 ; miles of roads, sewers, sidewalks and curbing have been
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laid, and the borough today has not over $25,000 municipal bonded indebtedness, an indebtedness based on tax values incomparably lower than any like municipality in the State of New Jersey. This indicates the kind of a man and official and the quality of the service he has rendered.
In 1920, Mayor Hermann was appointed by Governor Edwards a member of the Middlesex County Board of Taxation and this year, 1921, he was elected its president. In this important office he has demonstrated his special fitness for the work and the soundness and impartiality of his decisions.
Mr. Hermann is a member of Carey Council, Knights of Columbus, was its grand knight for six years, and has been a district deputy of the order ; Court Carteret, Foresters of America ; Division No. 7, Ancient Order of Hibernians; Holy Name Society of St. Joseph's Church, its vice-president ; Quinnipiac Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, past sachem; Rahway Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Friends of Irish Freedom ; Middlesex Grove, Ancient United Order of Druids ; St. Vincent De Paul Society, its president ; and the Roosevelt Fire Company, No. 2. He is also director of St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Elizabeth, and the City of Rahway Hospital.
During the World War Mayor Hermann was the recognized leader of the borough in the work of all the agencies and drives recognized and approved by the United States Government, and to his masterful efforts, militant Americanism, and able executive direction, was largely due the fact that no similar community surpassed the borough of Roosevelt in the intensity and success of all the movements organized to help win the war.
PATRICK L. RYAN .- Among the well known clay miners and man- ufacturers of Middlesex county, and a man highly regarded and esteemed for his sterling character and uprightness, was the late Patrick L. Ryan, of Woodbridge, New Jersey.
Patrick L. Ryan was a native of Ireland, born December 31, 1838, the son of good parentage. He received a good education in the home schools of that country. When he was about twenty years of age he came to the United States with members of his family, and shortly afterwards located at Kreischerville, Staten Island, New York, where he began his long and honored career in the clay business. For a time he was employed at the old Kreischer Brick Works there, and in 1860 removed to Woodbridge, New Jersey. Here he followed the occupation of clay mining, being variously engaged for many years by some of the well known clay operators of the region, among them being Frederick W. Meeker, of New York City, with whom he remained several years. By strict application, thrift, and the savings of his labors, he was able to purchase Mr. Meeker's clay mining interests in 1890, which consisted of about ten acres. This venture proved so successful that as time went on he added to his original holdings until he had about six hundred acres of the finest fire-clay producing mines in the State of New Jersey.
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In 1900, with his sons, Patrick J. and John F., he helped organize The Mutton Hollow Fire Brick Company of Woodbridge, of which he was president until the time of his death.
Mr. Ryan was a broad-gauged man, and had a wide view on business and other conditions which he came in contact with. As one of Wood- bridge's most influential citizens, he did his best to further any cause that would be of benefit to the community in which he lived. Aside from his clay mines, he was the holder of valuable real estate in and about Woodbridge.
While he did not take an active part in political life, he was a staunch Democrat, and abreast with the political affairs of his day. A loyal churchman, he was one of the original supporters of St. James' Roman Catholic Church of Woodbridge.
Mr. Ryan married, about 1867, in Rahway, New Jersey, Catherine Doyle, like himself a native of Ireland, born April 10, 1845, coming to the United States in 1867. To Mr. and Mrs. Patrick L. Ryan the following children were born, all in Woodbridge: 1. Margaret, born August 3, 1870, married Eugene L. Romond, of Woodbridge, who is now con- nected with The Mutton Hollow Fire Brick Company. 2. Mary, born September 28, 1871, married James L. Dalton, of Metuchen, also con- nected with the above company ; they are the parents of five children : Catherine, deceased ; Margaret, Helen, Anna, and James. 3. Patrick J., of further mention. 4. John F., of further mention. 5. Rev. Richard T., of further mention. 6. Julia J., born March 6, 1879, married Richard P. Grace, of Woodbridge, now a superintendent with The Mutton Hol- low Fire Brick Company; they are the parents of three children: Cath- erine, Julia, and Anna. 7. William A., of further mention. 8. Lawrence C., of further mention. 9. Catherine, born December 28, 1885, married P. H. Gallagher, of Allentown, Pennsylvania, now well known in business circles in New York City. Patrick L. Ryan died April 28, 1912, and his wife, Catherine (Doyle ) Ryan, June 20, 1913, at Woodbridge, New Jersey. The passing away of these two people was a sad bereavement to the community.
Patrick J. Ryan, first son and third child of Patrick L. and Catherine (Doyle) Ryan, was born March 10, 1874. He was educated in the public schools of Woodbridge and the Coleman Business College at Newark, New Jersey. At the age of thirteen years he began to learn the clay mining business under the direction of his able father, and has continued in this line of activity to the present date with much success. In 1900, with his father and brother, he helped organize The Mutton Hollow Fire Brick Company, and became its treasurer. He was instrumental in going before the officials of the Philadelphia & Reading railroad and convincing them of the logic of extending a branch freight line about two miles long into the clay mining district of Woodbridge. This line was officially opened September 6, 1901, to the miners and manufacturers in the district, and since that time traffic has greatly increased in volume and it has proven to be one of the profitable branches of the railroad company. During the World War Mr. Ryan was selected one of the eight members
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to serve on the War Service Committee of the National Clay Miners' and Producers' Association.
Politically a Democrat, Mr. Ryan is one of the leaders at the execu- tive councils of the party in Middlesex county. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, Middlesex Council, No. 857, of Woodbridge ; and an attendant of St. James' Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Rvan married, in Woodbridge, December 3. 1913, Helen Golden, daughter of William and Margaret (Hackett) Golden. To them two children have been born : Catherine, and Patrick J., Jr.
John F. Ryan, second son and fourth child of Patrick L. and Cath- erine (Doyle) Ryan, was born November 1, 1875. He was educated in the public and St. James' Parochial schools of Woodbridge, and the Coleman Business College of Newark, New Jersey. He first began work with the Standard Fire Proofing Company in their Perth Amboy offices, where he remained five years, becoming a chief clerk and auditor. In 1900, with his father and brother, he helped in the organization of The Mutton Hollow Fire Brick Company, of which he became secretary and general manager, a post he has held with credit to the present time. In addition to his manufacturing interests, John F. Ryan is president of the newly organized Woodbridge National Bank, vice-president of the Woodbridge Building and Loan Association, and secretary and treasurer of the Woodbridge Realty Company.
In politics a Democrat, Mr. Ryan was appointed postmaster of Wood- bridge by President Wilson, serving from 1913 to 1917, and during his administration the new post office was erected here. During the World War he was active in various Liberty Loan and other war work activities. He is a member of St. James' Roman Catholic Church ; past grand knight of the local council, Knights of Columbus, and secretary and treasurer of their Building Association.
Mr. Ryan married, in Woodbridge, October 21, 1908, Alice E. Mara, daughter of John I. and Ellen (Paterson) Mara. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan are the parents of eight children : John P., Helen M., Richard T., Robert V., deceased ; Patrick L., deceased : Catherine F., Alice, and Mary D.
Rev. Richard T. Ryan, third son and fifth child of Patrick L. and Catherine (Doyle) Ryan, was born August 29, 1877. He received his education in the public and St. James' Parochial schools of Woodbridge, Seton Hall College, South Orange, New Jersey, and St. Mary's Seminary, Baltimore, Maryland. He was ordained to the priesthood at Trenton, New Jersey, June 1, 1901, subsequently becoming a curate at various Roman Catholic churches. He was appointed to Long Branch, New Jersey, June 6, 1901 : transferred to Phillipsburg, October 5, 1901 ; ap- pointed to Sandy Hook, February 21, 1905, and August 1, 1910, was made pastor of the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Somerville, New Jersey. He is well known in Somerville, and beloved by friends in and outside of the church. He is chaplain of Somerville Council, Knights of Columbus; member of the Somerville Gun Club, and the Somerset Golf Club.
William A. Ryan, fourth son and seventh child of Patrick L. and
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Catherine (Doyle) Ryan, was born March 12, 1881. He was educated at the public and St. James' Parochial schools of Woodbridge, and the Coleman Business College at Newark, New Jersey. Like his father and brothers, he started in the clay mining and manufacturing business and has followed it ever since, and is now superintendent of mines of the Ryan estate at Woodbridge. Aside from the clay business, he is in the general contracting business and has built up a large and growing enter- prise. He is general contractor on road work, excavations, and building construction, being well known in the trade. Mr. Ryan is a Democrat in politics, member of the local lodge, Knights of Columbus, and St. James' Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Ryan married, in Woodbridge, November 25, 1907, Elizabeth Jelicks, daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Dunn) Jelicks. They are the parents of four children : Elizabeth, Patrick L., Catherine and Margaret.
Lawrence C. Ryan, fifth son and eighth child of Patrick L. and Catherine (Doyle) Ryan, was born April 8, 1883. He received his edu- cation in the public and St. James' Parochial schools of Woodbridge, and the Coleman Business College of Newark, New Jersey. Since leav- ing school he has been identified in the clay mining and manufacturing business. He is now assistant secretary of The Mutton Hollow Fire Brick Company, and takes a leading part in the management of this large and successful firm.
Mr. Ryan is a Democrat in politics. During the World War he was actively engaged on the Registration Board in Woodbridge. He is a member of the local council, Knights of Columbus, the Foresters of America, and St. James' Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Ryan married, in Woodbridge, May 2, 1909, Mary Geis, daughter of Henry and Anna (Soder) Geis. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan are the parents of the following children : Lawrence C., Patrick J., Anna M. and James H.
This historical record of the family of Patrick L. and Catherine (Doyle) Ryan shows the strong character and family stapleness of all its members. They began in a modest way and have built up large business interests, and a sound social standing, which reflects much credit upon them individually and as a whole throughout the region.
THE WOODBRIDGE LEADER .- One of the foremost institu- tions of Woodbridge is the "Woodbridge Leader," a weekly paper devoted to the encouragement of all movements, having for their object the advancement of the best interests of the town. "The Leader" came into being on March 1, 1910, succeeding "The Register," which was at that time edited by R. Uhler and Harry B. Rollinson. The necessity for a paper of the type of "The Leader" was pressing at the time, because of the rapid growth of the community and the absolute need of an organ that would at all times speak for and defend the best interests of the people. Such a purpose could not fail of success, and from the start "The Leader" was accepted as the reliable and fearless mouth- piece of the citizenry of Woodbridge.
The first editor was Mark J. Boyle, newspaper man of many years'
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experience. At present, the paper is ably edited by John A. Flood ; business manager, L. A. McLeod. "The Leader" is owned and con- trolled by a corporation known as the Woodbridge Printery, Inc., com- posed of the following men : P. J. Ryan, J. E. Harned, L. M. Campbell, J. F. Ryan, C. A. Campbell, J. S. Dooley.
"The Leader" is at present recognized as the official news medium of the town, having expanded from a circulation of three hundred to more than a thousand copies weekly.
FRANCIS A. MONAGHAN .- Among the sons of men prominent in the life of South Amboy, New Jersey, who are beginning careers of usefulness and promise, is Francis A. Monaghan, son of James and Catherine (Carson) Monaghan. James Monaghan, the father, has for many years been prominent in the mercantile life of South Amboy, where he and his family have lived practically all their lives. Francis A. Mon- aghan, the son, has given evidence of ability and steadiness of purpose which will carry him far in his chosen profession, and which has caused him already to be numbered among the able and prominent young lawyers of his section.
Francis A. Monaghan was born July 23, 1893, at South Amboy, New Jersey. He attended the grammar and high schools of that place, and then went to Villanova College, at Villanova, Pennsylvania, where he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1915, and Master of Arts in 1917. He then began his law studies at the New York Law School of Columbia University, serving from 1915 to 1916 as clerk in the law offices of Senator Thomas Brown, of Perth Amboy. He was admitted to the New Jersey bar, April 8, 1920, and is now engaged in active service, having his offices at Roosevelt, New Jersey, but residing with his par- ents in his home town, South Amboy. In both towns he is well known as one of the promising young men of his profession.
During the World War, Mr. Monaghan enlisted as a private, and received his training at Camp Syracuse, Syracuse, New York, where he became first sergeant of his company. He was transferred to the Air Service, Aircraft Production, and sent to Elizabeth, New Jersey, from which service he was honorably discharged, March 17, 1919. Mr. Mon- aghan is a member of the Luke A. Lovely Post of the American Legion, South Amboy, and of St. Mary's Catholic Church, also located at South Amboy, New Jersey.
SAMUEL LEDERER, a native of Bohemia, Austria, was one of the first of his nationality to settle in Englishtown, Monmouth county, New Jersey. Later he went to New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he became an influential citizen. He was born October 1, 1824, of good parentage, received his education in the gymnasium schools in his home town, and there learned the trade of tanner of leathers, after which he traveled through various European countries, working at his trade until about 1850, when he came to America, locating in New York. He resumed his trade, working on Jacob street, where he remained a few
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years. He built up a substantial leather business in New York, which he disposed of about 1855, going to Englishtown, New Jersey, where he conducted a tannery until about 1864. He next removed to New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he likewise conducted a tannery for a number of years, subsequently becoming a dealer in hides and skins and a manufacturer of fertilizer. He was known all over the country for the excellence of his work and made the first lamb skin apron used by a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the United States. As a business man he was highly regarded both at Englishtown and at New Brunswick, and socially he was esteemed by his many friends. He continued business through his long life, and was "in the harness" until the time of his death, June 16, 1916. He built up an immense business for those early days, and during the Civil War devoted much of his time to the preparation of leather for the government. He was a well informed man, a great reader, and a linguist of note, speaking eight languages. Few citizens of New Brunswick were better known than Samuel Lederer, and he was one of the "grand old gentlemen" of the town. He had various fraternal and social connections, being one of the oldest Masons in the State of New Jersey at the time of his death. He was a firm believer in religious life and principles, and was one of the original supporters of the Anshe Emeth Temple, of New Brunswick, being vice- president of that temple for years.
Mr. Lederer married, in New York City, October 10, 1852, Marie Abels, a native of his own country, born December 19, 1833. It is of interest to note that this grand old couple celebrated their golden wed- ding anniversary, October 10, 1902, at New Brunswick. To the mar- riage were born eleven children: I. Samuel M., now a prosperous contractor in St. Louis, Missouri; married Augusta Bodenheimer, of New York City, and became the father of four children: Jeannette, Lucille, Marie, and James. 2. Rose, married Edmund Bayer, of New York City, prominent in the insurance business ; they have four children : Clarence, Jessie, Alice, and Grace. 3. Josephine, married Simon Bar- doch, a tobacconist of New York City, and has two children : Charlotte and Monroe. 4. Julius, now a real estate dealer in New Haven, Con- necticut ; married Martha Posner, of New Brunswick, and they have four children : David, Milton, Harold, and Charles. 5. Max M., a sketch of whose life follows. 6. Clara, married Morris Baumann, of New Haven, Connecticut, a rubber manufacturer ; they have three children : Irving, Gertrude, and Robert. 7. Louise, deceased ; married Morris Somerfeld, a business man of New York. 8. Flora, deceased ; married Ignatz Fox, a merchant of New York City, and left three children : Theresa, Arthur, and Flora. 9. David J., associated with the American Tobacco Company, of Yonkers, New York; married Hattie Zabinsky, of Yonkers, and has two children : Marie and Cora. 10. Henry A., a traveling salesman, of New York City ; married Deborah Levy, of New York City. 11. George W., a traveling salesman, of New York City; married Nettie Grodell, and they have one child, Samuel. Mrs. Lederer, the mother of all these children, died at a venerable old age at her home in New Brunswick, June 24, 1909.
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