USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume III > Part 7
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In politics Mr. Fox is a Democrat, and is a member of the Perth Amboy Democratic Club. He is also a member of the United Business Men's Association, the Chamber of Commerce and the Perth Amboy
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Automobile Dealers' Association; associate member of the American Society of Civil Engineers; and is treasurer of the County Engineers' Association of the State of New Jersey, His clubs are the East Jersey, and the Raritan Yacht. In religion, Mr. Fox is a Baptist.
Mr. Fox married, in Matawan, New Jersey, July 15. 1912, Marjorie M. Brown, daughter of Harry A. Brown, a shoe manufacturer of New Oxford, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Fox are the parents of three children : Frederick F., born July 3, 1916; Jean M., born March 1, 1918; Ruth E., born November 5, 1919.
Alvin Bartholdi Fox is one of those substantial and aggressive busi- ness men who constitute the bulwark of a city's development, and he stands as an able exponent of the spirit of the age in his efforts to advance progress and improvement. His business transactions are conducted in accordance with the highest principles, and he fulfills to the letter every trust committed to him.
ARTHUR HOWARD DUNHAM is among the successful men of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where he conducts a large business in real estate, and occupies a prominent place. Mr. Dunham is a native of Woodbridge township, and a member of an ancient New Jersey family which was founded here in early Colonial days and has ever since maintained a high place in the esteem of their fellow-citizens.
Hezekiah Dunham, father of Arthur Howard Dunham, was born in Woodbridge, New Jersey, April 10, 1843, and died there October 8, 1908. He followed the trade of mason for a number of years. He married Louisa Murdock, who was born in New York City, and died in Perth Amboy, October 11, 1910, at the age of seventy-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Dunham were the parents of seven children: Charles; Mulford, deceased; William; Harriett, wife of Bruce L. Drummond ; Della, wife of Theodore Aschenberg; George; and Arthur Howard, of further mention.
Arthur Howard Dunham was born in Woodbridge, New Jersey, March 28, 1879, and attended the grammar schools of his native place, after which he took a course with the Scranton Correspondence School. He then served an apprenticeship to the mason's trade, and subsequently became foreman for the National Fireproofing Company at Woodbridge, with whom he remained five years. In 1905 he established himself in the contracting business in Woodbridge, and four years later moved to Perth Amboy, where he has since been engaged in the real estate business. He has been highly successful in this venture, and within a short period of eleven years has risen to a place of prominence in business circles. In 1920-21, he erected seventy-five houses in Wood- bridge, New Jersey, representing a sum of over $395,000. Unswerving honesty and fairness has won for him his success, which is in every sense of the word self-made-the result of his own indefatigable effort and his own unfailing belief in his ability to succeed. In politics, Mr. Dun- ham is a Republican and takes a keen interest in the activities of the
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organization. He is a member of the Bricklayers' and Plasterers' Union. No. 27. In religion he is a Methodist.
On March 5, 1902, Mr. Dunham was united in marriage with Mar- garet Sofield, of Perth Amboy. Her father was a native of Perth Amboy. and died there, February 11, 1916, at the age of sixty-eight. He was a ticket agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad for many years previous to his death. Mr. and Mrs. Dunham are the parents of three children : Byron, born June 10, 1904; A. Gordon, born March 6, 1906; Malcomb, born June 27, 1909.
PERCY LYLE VAN NUIS was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, March 17, 1882, the son of Lyle and Emma (Snedeker) Van Nuis. Lyle Van Nuis was at the time of his death in 1914, cashier of the National Bank of New Jersey, at New Brunswick. Percy Lyle Van Nuis, since reaching young manhood, has identified himself with every movement pertaining to the welfare and advancement of the com- munity.
Percy L. Van Nuis obtained his preliminary education in private and public schools of his native place, and upon graduating from the New Brunswick High School in 1899, matriculated at Rutgers College, from which he was graduated in 1903, after having completed a four years' course of thorough training. That same year he entered the employ of the Western Electric Company and remained for five years, and in 1908 he entered the Neverslip Manufacturing Company. Ten years later he resigned and became identified with the Cronk Manufacturing Company, the Highland Park Building Company, and the Highland Park Lumber Company, in whose employ he has since continued, proving himself to be most efficient, and holding the office of treasurer and director in same.
In politics, Mr. Van Nuis is a Republican, and although he has not sought public office he nevertheless always interests himself in public affairs, and holds decided views upon all questions which come before the public for discussion. He is affiliated with the Delta Upsilon fra- ternity of Rutgers College, and was treasurer of the Rutgers Chapter from 1911 until 1918. While in college, he was active in all athletics and for four years was a member of the track and relay teams, captain of both teams in the senior year. He attends the First Dutch Reformed Church of New Brunswick, and also holds membership in the Rutgers and Country clubs of New Brunswick, and is a member and director of the Young Men's Christian Association. Mr. Van Nuis is unmarried.
JOHN BANKER .- As a business man, owner of a line of busses operating in New Brunswick and vicinity, John Banker and his son, William J. Banker, Jr., are well known in this section of the State of New Jersey. In social life and fraternity affairs Mr. Banker takes an active part and lends his influence to all movements that tend to uplift and advance the standard of right living.
John Banker was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, May 2, 1869,
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a son of Frederick William and Elizabeth Clara (Lewis) Banker, natives of Germany. Frederick W. Banker was reared and educated in his native land. coming to the United States at the age of twenty. He located in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and later engaged in the grocery business, success attending his efforts. He died in New Brunswick, in 1892, aged fifty-four years, survived by his wife, whose death occurred in New Brunswick, August 5, 1916, aged seventy-six years. They were the parents of seven children, John Banker, of this review, being the only one now living.
John Banker attended the school in the vicinity of his home in New Brunswick, completing his studies at the age of fifteen years. He then entered his father's grocery store, located at No. 143 Throop avenue, known as F. W. Banker, grocer, and remained as his assistant for several years. His father's health then began to fail, and for a period of six years the son conducted the grocery business at the same address on his own account. He then entered the employ of Mr. Fleischmann, of compressed yeast fame, with whom he remained three years, and for the following eight years served in the capacity of assistant superin- tendent of the New Jersey State Reformatory. This brought him up to March. 1919, when he established the business he is now engaged in, transportation, the running of busses being a large feature of the work, the plant located at Nos. 3-5 Schuyler street, New Brunswick, his son, William James Banker, known as William J. Banker, Jr., who is asso- ciated with him, serving as president of the Gray Bus Line, Inc. During the years 1895-96-97-98. Mr. Banker represented the Second Ward of New Brunswick as alderman, and in 1898 was chief of the Volunteer Fire Department, reelected in 1899. He is a member of the German Lutheran church : the Free and Accepted Masons, in which he attained the thirty- second degree ; the Improved Order of Red Men; the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks ; the Junior Order of United American Mechan- ics; the Senior Order of United American Mechanics: and the Red Cross.
Mr. Banker married, in New Brunswick, March 9, 1888, Lizzie C. Colton, born in New Brunswick, daughter of Thomas and Mary (Van de Water) Colton, the former named deceased, the latter named a resident of New Brunswick. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Banker, namely: I. William James, above referred to, born December 4, ISSS: married Laura Hunter, a native of Canada: no children. 2. Sophia Florence, who became the wife of Fred Hamer, of New Bruns- wick.
DAVID J. WILLIAMS, owner and manager of the monumental works at No. 311 New Brunswick avenue, Perth Amboy, has been iden- tified with the business life of this community since coming here in 1900, and in all that makes for the betterment of the city he is an earnest worker.
John R. Williams, father of David J. Williams, is a native of Lemont, Pennsylvania, and now lives there retired, having been a shoe manu-
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Edward W. Space.
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facturer for many years. He married Sarah Z. Young, now deceased, and to them have been born ten children : George, a teacher of Lemont, Pennsylvania ; Edward, a farmer of Lemont : David J., mentioned below ; Frank S., a stone cutter in Perth Amboy; Nelson W., a resident of Lemont : Zepora M., deceased ; Martin W., a resident of Lemont : Moses, deceased; Isadora, wife of George Fike, of Lemont, Pennsylvania ; Sarah E., deceased.
David J. Williams was born in Lemont, Pennsylvania, December 25, 1872, the son of John R. and Sarah Z. (Young) Williams. He obtained his education in the public schools of his native place, and then learned the trade of marble cutting. In 1900 he came to Perth Amboy and established monumental works on South Second street, where he remained for eight years, at the end of which time he moved to his present location, No. 311 New Brunswick avenue. The enterprise which he started in a small way has consistently grown and developed until it is now one of the largest and most successful of its kind in the county, and is the result of determination, perseverance and strict atten- tion to business duties. Mr. Williams is prominent in the fraternal life of the city and affiliates with Huguenot Lodge, No. 381, Free and Accepted Masons, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, the Woodmen of the World, Camp 31, and the American Order of United Workmen, Great Kills. His hobby is hunting and he devotes a portion of what little time he can take from his ever increasing business duties to this particular pastime.
On June 28, 1896, Mr. Williams married (first) Alene M. Petersen, daughter of Frederick and Emma Petersen, of Tottenville, Staten Island, New York. To Mr. and Mrs. Williams were born three children : Helen E., June 4, 1899; Kenneth D., April 24, 1905 ; D. Leonard, July 23, 1906. Mrs. Williams passed away in 1900. Mr. Williams married (second) June 2, 1912, Marie A. Neilsen : they have no issue.
EDWARD WELLS SPACE .- In the early part of the nineteenth century, about 1816, the Space family emigrated from Germany to the United States and located upon a farm in Tompkins county, New York. One of the descendants of this original settler, George A. Space, came to New Jersey in 1850 and located in New Brunswick, where one of his children, George Noble Space, was born, July 17, 1852, and lived there all his life. He learned the machinist trade, which he followed for many years. He married Elizabeth Bell, also a native of New Bruns- wick, where she still lives. They had six children: 1. George A., a machinist, who died in New Brunswick, June 14, 1894. 2. Edward Wells, of whom further. 3. William Arthur, deceased. 4. Charles A., garage keeper. 5. Jennie May, wife of Albert Sevenair, a resident of Teaneck, New Jersey. 6. Ruth Evelyn, who married Walter E. Pierson, and resides in New Brunswick.
The second son of this family, Edward Wells Space, was born in New Brunswick, October 11, 1877. His birthplace has always been his home, and here he attended the public schools until, at the age of thirteen,
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he left to become an apprentice in the machinist's trade. For the next eighteen years, Mr. Space was in the employ of the John Waldron Company, machinists, and following this he worked for one year with the Simplex Auto Company. On April 1, 1913, Mr. Space bought out the business and so successful has this investment proved to be that on September 1, 1920, he purchased the property upon which his garage is located, at No. 256 George street.
While Mr. Space has been employed almost all his life, he has devoted some of his time to travel, this being his special form of relax- ation. His wanderings have taken him over the entire United States, and in the spring of 1920 he had just finished a tour through a large portion of South America.
That Mr. Space is interested in fraternal matters is evidenced by his membership in the Junior Order of United American Mechanics ; in the Young Men's Christian Association; and in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, he being a past exalted ruler of New Bruns- wick Lodge, No. 324. Mr. Space and his family all attend the Methodist church there.
On February 16, 1920, in New Brunswick, Edward Wells Space married Jane M. Edmonds, born in that city, the daughter of William E. and Elizabeth L. (Smith) Edmonds. Mr. Edmonds died in New Brunswick, May 5. 1920. Mrs. Edmonds is still living in New Brunswick.
JAMES ALFRED COMPTON .- Upon leaving educational halls in 1910, Mr. Compton entered the insurance business. being employed first by the firm of Frasers Brothers, then entered the insurance business for himself, representing the Travelers' Insurance Company of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and has since continued in that line most successfully, his line of life and accident insurance being supplemented by all kinds of casualty and surety insurance written by responsible companies. He is a son of James Lewis Compton, also born in Perth Amboy, former mayor of the city, and a lifelong resident, his death occurring in 1903, his business, real estate dealing. James L. Compton married Emma De Bow, born in South River, Middlesex county. New Jersey, who survives, a resident of Perth Amboy. They were the parents of five children : Sophia Brown, married, September 12, 1900, Francis Luis Mora, now a well known artist of New York City, former resident of Perth Amboy; Lola, residing in Perth Amboy, New Jersey : James A., of further mention ; Lewis ; and William Arnold ; the two last named are naval veterans of the great World War and now proprietors of the Ford Agency at Summit, New Jersey.
James A. Compton was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, February 3. 1889, and there attended the public schools. He completed his studies in Phillips Academy, Exeter. New Hampshire, and immediately after graduation, class of 1910, he returned to Perth Amboy and has for the past decade been interested in the insurance business. He represents the Travelers' Life Insurance Company of Hartford as his principal company, specializing in life insurance, but also writing accident, fire
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casualty and surety insurance. Mr. Compton is a Democrat in politics, a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Raritan Yacht Club, and of the Presbyterian church. In recreation his hobby is yacht- ing and his craft. the "Natirar," is well known on Raritan bay. He is a successful young business man, managing a constantly growing business.
THOMAS FRANCIS DUNIGAN .- In the business and banking circles of Woodbridge, New Jersey, the name of Dunigan is a prominent one.
Thomas Francis Dunigan was born in Woodbridge, New Jersey, May 1, 1847, and is a son of Bernard and Julia (Ryan) Dunigan, both parents having been born in Ireland. They became acquainted in Woodbridge, and were married there.
As a boy, Thomas F. Dunigan attended the public and parochial schools of this town, then completed his education at St. John's Academy, at Fordham, New York. He started in business with his father, who was a prosperous contractor, having interests also in clay. Later the young man became associated with the Ostrander Fire Brick Company, at Fords, New Jersey, where he remained for some years. Thereafter, Mr. Dunigan was with Henry A. Maurer, at Maurer, New Jersey, interested along similar lines. He is now in business for himself in Woodbridge, retailing coal and wood, and doing an extensive business throughout this section in builders' supplies. He has become a power in the construction world of Middlesex county.
Mr. Dunigan is also influential in other interests. He is a director and vice-president of the First National Bank of Woodbridge, and was at one time town committeeman and freeholder. In political affiliation he is a Democrat. Mr. Dunigan is a member of the New Brunswick Lodge, No. 324, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Dunigan married, in Woodbridge, Jane M. Finn, of that place, and they have four children : Florence, now the wife of James J. Dunn, of Brooklyn, New York ; George F .: Jane M., now the wife of Edmund A. Hays, a prominent attorney of Highland Park, New Jersey ; and Anna B., who resides at home.
WALTER B. FLAVELL .- The Flavell family is an English one, the father and grandfather of Walter B. Flavell having come to this country a short time before his birth. The grandfather, Thomas Flavell, left England in 1870, and located in New Brunswick, where he became a farmer. continuing as such until his death in 1911, at the age of eighty- eight years. His son, Walter Flavell, was born in London, England, in 1853. After arriving in the United States, he entered the employ of Janeway & Carpender, manufacturers of wall paper, as clerk in their shipping department. He died in New Brunswick, June 10, 1907. His wife, Mary Jane (Bloomer) Flavell, was a native of Scotland, born in Glasgow, in 1858. Her death occurred in New Brunswick in 1884. They had six children: Walter B., of whom further ; Lucy E., Harry N., Charles W., Mary J., and Thomas P.
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Walter B. Flavell, eldest child of Walter and Mary J. (Bloomer ) Flavell, was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, September 5, 1877. He acquired an education in the public schools of that city and later attended Wilson's Business College, following this by a course of train- ing in accounting at the New York School of Accounting. Some years ago, Mr. Flavell became connected with the Janeway & Carpender Wall Paper Manufacturing Company, first as a traveling salesman and later was added the duties of manager of their advertising department, which is his business at the present time (1921).
Mr. Flavell is exceedingly fond of outdoor exercise, particularly motoring and boating. the latter being a favorite pastime of the residents of the city on the banks of the Raritan. He is also devoted to music, it being a hobby with him. During his service in the Spanish-American War, Mr. Flavell was in the department of field music. He served with the Third Regiment, New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, during the period of that conflict. In Freemasonry, Mr. Flavell is very active ; he is a member of Palestine Lodge, No. 111 ; Scott Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons : is a Knight Templar, connected with Commandery No. II : and also is a member of Salaam Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Newark, New Jersey. Mr. Flavell is greatly interested in the work of the Young Men's Christian Association, of which he is a member; and also of the Craftsmen's Club, of New Brunswick, and the New Brunswick Rotary Club.
On July 16, 1902, Walter B. Flavell was united in marriage with Grace M. Van Liew, born in New Brunswick, the daughter of Henry and Ellen Van Liew, residents of that city. Mr. and Mrs. Flavell reside at No. 207 Lawrence avenue, in the Highland Park section of New Brunswick. They are members of Christ Protestant Episcopal Church.
CHRISTIAN JOHNSON is among the younger men who have established themselves as significant factors in the business life of Perth Amboy.
His father, Benjamin Johnson, was born in Sweden, and came to this country, bringing all the sturdy traditions of his race and a great ambition for the future. He began his life in the new country at Oxford Furnace, New Jersey, securing employment in the mills there. He was a faithful worker, honest and industrious, but his high hopes of the life that was to be so bright were brought to naught by his untimely death when his youngest child was a year and a half old. His wife, Annie Mary (Madson) Johnson, was born in Denmark. They were the parents of six children, four of whom are living: James, Charles F., Alfred B., and Christian, whose name heads this review.
Christian Johnson, familiarly known by his business associates as "Chris," was born in Oxford Furnace, Warren county, New Jersey. Here he lived until he was ten years of age, receiving his early education in the public schools. He then removed with his mother to Perth Amboy, where he continued his school attendance up to the seventh grade. At the age of fourteen years he left school and went out into
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the world to take care of himself. He became connected with a sewing machine store, and began life as salesman and collector. This was a position of considerable responsibility for his years, but he proved him- self worthy of his trust, and made the experience his preparation for the time when he should strike out in business for himself. He remained in this store for six or seven years, and by thrift and economy managed to lay up a little capital. In February, 1912, he started in business for himself. choosing the line of taxi service. Time proved the young man well justified in his choice. The rapid development of the automobile from a plaything to an eminently practical servant had opened an avenue of business which demanded men of sound common sense and solid busi- ness ability. Mr. Johnson was not slow in perceiving the possibilities in connection with his start. From time to time, as he saw opportunity, he branched out into various lines of automobile accessories and supplies and now conducts one of the most complete establishments of its kind, where the motorist can have practically every need supplied.
Mr. Johnson spent nine months in the service of the government during the late World War, acting in the capacity of foreman in the repair shops on the proving grounds at Aberdeen, Maryland. Later, and also at Aberdeen, he was inspector of cars, and in full charge of motorcycles there. He has made a place for himself in the city of Perth Amboy that many young men might envy. He is a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and of the American Legion. He is an attendant of the Presbyterian church.
Mr. Johnson married, September 14, 1920, Anna A. Bachman, of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, daughter of Daniel and Anna A. Bachman, of Perth Amboy.
ALFRED THOMPSON KERR .- For more than a decade Alfred Thompson Kerr has been prominently before the public in various ways, holding several different offices in South Amboy. In 1908 he was elected tax collector, and in 1909 to the Board of Frecholders of the county, serving in this capacity for eight years. In 1916 Mr. Kerr was chosen to fill the chair of chief executive of the city at a time when the office of mayor was an unusually trying one, it being during the period of the World War and also when the terrible explosion at the Morgan Works occurred, at which so many families were made homeless. The present water works system and the new high school were both started during Mr. Kerr's administration.
Though of Scotch ancestry, Alfred Thompson Kerr was born in the United States, at Bordentown, New Jersey, June 24, 1864, the son of Thomas Kerr, a native of Edinburgh, Scotland. Thomas Kerr came to this country when fourteen years old and landed at Newburyport, Mas- sachusetts, then came to New York City, later removing to Bordentown. In 1873 he came to South Amboy and lived there for more than forty years, his death occurring in that city, in September, 1906, at the age of eighty-nine years. His occupation was that of master mechanic for the Pennsylvania Railroad, he being the oldest on the system at the time
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when he was retired from active service on a pension. He married Mary McLeay, also a native of Edinburgh, Scotland. She died in South Am- boy, August 16, 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Kerr had a family of thirteen children, but of this number only four are now living, as follows : I. Mary J., living in Trenton, New Jersey. 2. Emma, wife of Peter A. Stults, of No. 212 Second street, South Amboy. 3. Robert, residing in South Amboy. 4. Alfred Thompson, of whom further.
During his early childhood, Alfred Thompson Kerr lived in the city of his birth, attending the public school in Bordentown, but when eight years old his parents came to South Amboy and he entered the public school here, continuing until eighteen years old, then, going to Trenton, he attended "The Model School" for three years, graduating from it in 1887.
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