USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Middlesex County, New Jersey, 1664-1920, Volume III > Part 8
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The first position young Mr. Kerr held was in the freight office of the Pennsylvania Railroad in South Amboy and in a short time he was promoted to the position of assistant shop clerk on the Amboy division. His next position was as assistant coal premium clerk of the United Railroads of New Jersey. His health failing, Mr. Kerr was compelled to give up his occupation to seek one in the open air and he became a fireman on a locomotive on the Pennsylvania Railroad, continuing it for nine years. In 1899 Mr. Kerr went into his present business, a dealer in paints, oils, glass, etc., his store located at the corner of First and Stockton streets, South Amboy. It is a well-established business, and for the past twenty-two years Mr. Kerr has been located at the original stand. In addition to this he is secretary and treasurer of the R. U. Rue Company, Inc., dealers in clay and sand, their headquarters being on Main street, South Amboy.
Alfred Thompson Kerr is a most enthusiastic musician, that being his particular form of recreation, he having been president of the Musi- cians' Union of Perth Amboy at three different times. He is also a prominent figure in fraternal circles, being a member of the local lodge of Free and Accepted Masons ; the Tall Cedars of Lebanon ; the Knights of Pythias ; the Loyal Order of Moose; and the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks. Mr. Kerr is also affiliated with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engineers, and was the first master of Lodge No. 484 of that association. Mr. Kerr is active in the work of the South Amboy Memorial Hospital, being president of the board of managers of that institution. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church.
On July 21, 1890, in South Amboy, Alfred Thompson Kerr was united in marriage with Carrie Straub, born in South Amboy, the daughter of Gottlieb Straub, the dean of the butcher's business in South Amboy. where he is still actively engaged at the age of seventy-seven years. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Thompson Kerr have one child, Antoinette S., now the wife of James Gordon, of South Amboy.
ASHER K. FLEMING .- The Fleming family has figured promi- nently in the life and affairs of Middlesex county for two centuries. The family traces its origin to several immigrant ancestors who originally
a. K. Fleming
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settled in Delaware, later pushing West into Ohio, where all were killed by the Indians with the exception of Jordan Fleming, then an infant. He was later found and raised by a family in Delaware, but at the age of fifteen ran away from his benefactors, boarded a canal boat and landed at New Brunswick, thus establishing the Fleming family in this county.
Asher K. Fleming was born at New Brunswick, New Jersey, July 9, 1890, the son of John Kesby Fleming, an electrician of New Bruns- wick, and his wife, Mary Emma (De Hart) Fleming. He received his education in the public schools of his native place and at the American Technical Society schools, where he took a course in electrical engineer- ing. After graduating, his first position was with the Bosch-Rushmore Company as experimental engineer, later becoming chief automotive electrical engineer for the Simplex Automobile Company, and the Wright-Martin Aircraft Corporation. In 1914 he established himself in business as an automotive electrical engineer, with offices on Jersey avenne, which he conducted in connection with his other duties, and in 1918 he established laboratories at No. 41 Albany street, New Bruns- wick. He has been highly successful in this venture and within a short period has risen to a place of prominence in business circles. His success is in every sense of the word selfmade, the result of his own indefatigable effort. He was one of the pioneers in the perfecting of electric lighting of automobiles.
Mr. Fleming is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, New Brunswick Lodge, No. 354; the Junior Order of United American Mechanics; and also holds membership in the Society of Automotive Engineers, and the American Institute of Electrical Engi- neers. During the World War, Mr. Fleming perfected and installed the high tension electrical ignition system as used on the famous Hispano- Suiza airplane motors, which motors propelled the fastest planes on the battle fields of France.
Mr. Fleming is a lover of all outdoor sports, especially fishing and hunting, and is a member of the New Brunswick Sportsmen's Associa- tion. In religion he is a Methodist and attends the First Church of that denomination.
On February 4, 1914, Asher K. Fleming was united in marriage with Nellie L. Creager. Mr. Fleming has made his own way and has attained to his present position in the business world by force of his ability, which has fitted him to hold it. Such a man is destined as a matter of course to still further advancement. His residence is at No. 291 Powers street.
HENRY SYLVESTER HULSE, JR .- The excellent school system of Perth Amboy is the pride of the city. In this organized preparation of the children and youth of the city for their future usefulness, Henry Sylvester Hulse, Jr., bears a significant part.
The founder of the Hulse family in America was one of the early settlers of Long Island, and came from Holland, where the name is a well known and honored one. Mr. Hulse's grandfather, Sylvester Hulse, is still living, at the age of ninety years, in Port Jefferson, Long Island.
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Henry Sylvester Hulse, Sr., is a dairy farmer in that vicinity. He married Melissa Barton.
Henry Sylvester Hulse, Jr., was born in Astoria, New York, May 28, 1880. He received his early education in the Port Jefferson Union School, where he completed the course in 1897. He then attended the Jamaica State Normal School, from which he was graduated in 1904. He then entered New York University and was graduated in 1909. Mr. Hulse came to Perth Amboy, New Jersey, in 1906, as principal of School No. 2. Since 1909 he has filled a more important position, that of principal of the Grammar and Manual Training schools of the city. He is very enthusiastic about his work, and believes deeply in the importance of manual training to the thousands of children who can never expect to receive higher education.
Outside his strictly professional work, Mr. Hulse is interested in other activities for the young people of the city. He is director of the Junior Red Cross, chairman of the Troop Organization Committee of the Boy Scouts of America, and chairman of the Fourth Red Cross Roll Call. He is a private in the State Militia Reserve, and did active service at the time of the Morgan explosion and also during the influenza epidemic. He is a member of Suffolk Lodge, No. 60, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Port Jefferson, New York ; and of Lodge No. 785, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Phillipstown, New York. Mr. Hulse finds his tastes leading him into the great out-of-door world whenever opportunity offers. He is very fond of all out-door sports, and takes particular delight in gardening.
Mr. Hulse married, December 24, 1908, in the Church of St. Mary's in the Highlands, Cold Spring, New York, Marie Edna Haight, daughter of Cyrus J. and Elizabeth (Traver) Haight. She was born in Phillips- town, Putnam county, New York. Her parents are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hulse have two children : Barton Traver, born August 21, 1910; and Irene Elizabeth, born September 8, 1911. The family are attendants upon the services of the Episcopal church, and active in all its work.
INGVARD GREISEN .- Behind the work of the laborer's hand is the creation of the designer's mind. Thus the completed structure which stands the pride of any city means far more than the laying of one stone upon another. In Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Ingvard Greisen is one of the men whose work lives in the form which he designs.
Mr. Greisen's father, Hans Greisen, has for many years been engaged in construction work in Perth Amboy. He came from Denmark about thirty-six years ago, located in Perth Amboy and has been a building contractor ever since. His wife Marie was also born in Denmark, and they are the parents of two sons, Ingvard and Sophus.
Ingvard Greisen was born in Perth Amboy, February 15. 1889. He received his early education in the public schools of this city, being grad- uated from the high school in 1907. The same year he entered the Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York, from which he was graduated in
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1910. He is rapidly winning his way to success as an architect. He has worked at the building game since childhood, having always followed his father's work with the keenest interest. Spending the greater part of his leisure time throughout his boyhood about whatever piece of construction his father had in hand, the older man taught his son all the ins and outs of the contracting business. This was a wonderfully practical foundation for his training along the special line chosen. Now for the past eight years Mr. Greisen has been actively practicing his profession, first under the firm name of Goldberger & Greisen, and now under his own name. His present office is conveniently located at No. 320 Raritan building. Mr. Greisen is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Dana Relief Associa- tion. He is greatly interested in water sports, and a member of the Raritan Yacht Club. He finds his most enjoyable recreation in volley ball at the Young Men's Christian Association.
Mr. Greisen married April 13, 1914, Signa Nelson, and they have two children : Agneta, born May 13, 1916, and Kenneth, born January 20, 1918. The family are members of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church.
WILLIAM EDMUND WOODRUFF .- Born in New Brunswick, February 8, 1884, William Edmund Woodruff is the son of Hiram Wilson Woodruff, of Stelton, New Jersey, and his wife, Mary E. (Gilliand) Woodruff, now deceased. William Edmund Woodruff has two sisters and one brother : Addie, the wife of Weldon Weidner, of Boston, Mas- sachusetts; Hiram Wilson, Jr., who resides at East Millstone, New Jersey ; and Margaret A., the wife of William MacMillan, of Easton, Pennsylvania.
William Edmund Woodruff attended the village school at Middle- bush for some time, and later at Three Mile Run. This was followed by a course in business training at Wilson's Commercial School, at No. 380 George street, New Brunswick.
On February 15, 1905, Mr. Woodruff entered the employ of the National Bank of New Jersey, his first position being that of check clerk. After two and a half years at this work, he was promoted to the desk of passbook clerk, later was advanced to bookkeeper, and then to teller of the bank. In 1918 he became chief clerk, a position he holds at the present time.
To be in the open and to be engaged in out-of-doors sports is Mr. Woodruff's favorite pastime. He is a member of the Sportsmen's Asso- ciation of New Brunswick, the New Brunswick Country Club, the Young Men's Christian Association, and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. Automobiling is his hobby and almost daily he may be seen enjoying this form of exercise. He attends the Livingston Avenue Bap- tist Church.
William Edmund Woodruff was married to Helen M. Whitfield, November 3, 1909, her death occurring November 8, 1918. She was the daughter of Jacob H. and Julia A. Whitfield, both now living in New Brunswick. Mr. and Mrs. Woodruff had no children.
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CHARLES WESTON BARNEKOW .- When a young man of twenty-one, Baron Kiell Volmer Barnekow left his native Sweden and found a new home in Boston, Massachusetts. He was an educated young man of artistic talent, and later became professor of music and painting in the famous Emma Willard School in Troy, New York. Dur- ing his stay in that city, his home was at Watervliet, nearby, he later residing in Albany, then in Newburgh, New York. He died in New- burgh, at the age of seventy-nine years, and is buried in Albany. Pro- fessor Barnekow married Sarah Jane Bunker, who died in Albany at the early age of twenty-seven, leaving two children : Charles Westch, of further mention ; and a daughter, who died in childhood. Professor Barnekow was a man of culture, ranking high as an artist, and was widely known when in his prime.
Charles Weston Barnekow was born in Watervliet. New York, November 2, 1855, but soon afterward the family moved to Albany, going thence to Newburgh, New York, in 1861, where the lad was educated and grew to manhood. He was employed in a drug store during his youth, but at the age of twenty-two he started in business for himself as a retail hatter and shoe dealer. Later he returned to the drug busi- ness, entering the employ of Dr. Wiggins, in Newburgh, there remaining until 1892, when he located in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. There he engaged in the drug business, first as Keasbey & Company, later as Keasbey & Barnekow, so continuing until September, 1904, when the present firm, Barnekow & Petz, was formed. Their store is located at No. 335 State street, a location that has long been occupied by a drug store, in fact the pioneer drug store of the city was located there. Mr. Barnekow is a Republican in politics, and has represented his ward as alderman. He is a member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias. the Young Men's Christian Association, Chamber of Commerce, Raritan Yacht Club, and is devoted to all out-of-door athletic sports. In religious faith he is a Presbyterian, belonging to the First Church of Perth Amboy.
Mr. Barnekow married, at Cobleskill, New York, April 30, 1878. Emma Vansteenburgh, born in Hudson, New York, daughter of Matthew and Harriet (Smith) Vansteenburgh. Mr. and Mrs. Barnekow are the parents of a son, Charles Weston, Jr., born September 20, 1885, now in charge of the polychrome department of the Atlantic Terra Cotta Com- pany.
HOWARD WARREN KINSEY .- One of the oldest established business houses of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, dealing in coal, and known under the title of Kinsey Brothers, was founded in the early nineties by Henry Warren Kinsey, father of Howard Warren Kinsey. The latter succeeded his father in the management of this business and continued to conduct it until it was sold to the Lake Coal Company.
Henry Warren Kinsey, the founder of this business, was born it Woodbridge, New Jersey. He retired from active business, and now lives at No. 367 New Brunswick avenue, Perth Amboy. He married Ettie Hope, who was born in this county, and died in Perth Amboy,
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New Jersey, in 1905. They were the parents of six children, of whom three are still living : Howard Warren, whose name heads this review; Edward H., who is engaged as clerk in the postal service ; and Fanni-, wife of George Therkelson, a piano dealer. All are residents of Perth Amboy.
Howard Warren Kinsey was born in Woodbridge, October 1, 1889. He received his education in the public schools of Perth Amboy ; leav . ing school at the age of fourteen, he took charge of a team and drove one of his father's coal wagons. This he continued to do for eight years, then entered the office as bookkeeper. The firm was then known as Kinsey Brothers, and was located at No. 367 New Brunswick avenue. The business constantly grew and developed, and on September 17, 1917, was sold to the Lake Coal Company. He then became manager for the Convery Coal Company, which position he has continued to fill ever since, and is demonstrating his executive ability in this business, which at the present time is a difficult one to handle. The firm does considerable wholesale business, and handles wood in large quantities as well as coal. Mr. Kinsey is a Republican by political affiliation, and his tastes are those of the out-door man-hunting, fishing, gardening, automobiling-all these, in turn, claim him when the arduous duties of the office leave him free.
Mr. Kinsey married, June 18, 1902, in Perth Amboy, Bertha May Wolney, who was born in Woodbridge. Both her parents died when she was a child. Mr. and Mrs. Kinsey have two children : Evelyn May, born November 2, 1905; and Arthur Warren, born June 18, 1906. These are the only grandchildren in the Kinsey family.
Mr. Kinsey and his wife are both members of the Baptist church.
RAYMOND PERCY WILSON .- Among the men rapidly coming to the front as civil engineers is the one whose name stands at the head of this article. Mr. Wilson, who is a resident of New Brunswick, is not only an active business man, but an energetic citizen, keenly inter- ested in everything pertaining to the welfare and progress of his home community.
Charles Edgar Wilson, father of Raymond Percy Wilson, was born April 29, 1854, in East Millstone, New Jersey, where he has for many years conducted a general grocery business. He married Sarah Eliza- beth Palmer, daughter of B. D. and Margaret (White) Palmer, the former a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Raymond Percy Wilson, son of Charles Edgar and Sarah Elizabeth (Palmer) Wilson, was born September 29, 1886, in East Millstone, New Jersey, where he received his early education in local schools. Later he entered the New Brunswick High School, graduating in 1903, and then matriculated in Rutgers College, where he graduated in 1907 with the degree of Civil Engineer. In association with the late Josiah Tice, Mr. Wilson entered upon the practice of his profession in New Brunswick, meeting almost from the outset with merited recognition. In 1917 he went into business for himself, and is now in possession of a
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lucrative practice, his office being situated at No. 46 Paterson street. The professional standing already attained by Mr. Wilson gives abun- dant assurance that he has a future before him. Politically Mr. Wilson is a Republican, but his devotion to his profession precludes active par- ticipation in public affairs. In his few hours of leisure he engages in various forms of outside work, which with characteristic energy he regards as recreation. During the World War he served in the militia reserve and played an active part in a number of war activities. The fraternal associations of Mr. Wilson include membership in the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, the Improved Order of Red Men, and the Chi Phi college fraternity. He and his family are members of the First Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Wilson married, October 9, 1912, in New Brunswick, Lillian M. Morrison, born in that city, daughter of James A. and Rebecca (Mac- Cowan) Morrison, who still reside there. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wilson: Jean M., born May 25, 1914, died March 3, 1915; Janice Elizabeth, born January 6, 1916; and Raymond Merrill, born December 23, 1919.
MAXWELL LOGAN .- As owner of the Middlesex Press and the "Woodbridge Independent." a newspaper of the township of Wood- bridge, Maxwell Logan has during his long residence in this community been closely identified with her leading interests and is always numbered among her foremost citizens.
Maxwell Logan was born in Brooklyn, New York, June 13, 1894, the son of Percival Willoughby and Matilda Catherine (Platt) Logan. When but a small boy he was brought by his parents to Woodbridge, New Jersey, and there attended the grammar and high schools from which latter institution he was graduated, in June, 1913. In 1912, one year before finishing his high school course, he became interested in printing and, in consequence, set up a small printing press, doing church printing and also printing the high school publication, "The Dial." Immediately following his school career, he went to Brackenridge, Pennsylvania, to work for the Allegheny Steel Company, but returned to Woodbridge after a few months and resumed printing, removing to No. 7 Green street, which is a Revolutionary landmark of the town. January 1, 1918, Mr. Logan bought out the equipment of the Wood- bridge Printery and together with his own business moved to his present location, No. 23 Green street, and until April, 1919, printed the "Wood- bridge Leader." In March, 1919, he began the publication of the "Woodbridge Independent." Three months later he purchased "The Mosquito," a weekly newspaper, which was published by H. E. Pickers- gill, in Perth Amboy, and on August I he moved the paper to Wood- bridge and it became incorporated with the "Woodbridge Independent" into the "Woodbridge Independent and the Mosquito." Now he ably conducts this business, maintaining it on a firm basis, enlarging its facilities and extending its scope, and has conclusively proven his pos- session of a marked executive ability.
Luare E. Leeso
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In all matters relative to the welfare of the community, Mr. Logan ever manifests a deep and sincere interest, aiding to the utmost of his power any movements which tend to further public progress and good government. He adheres to the Republican party, but office seeking is foreign to his nature and he prefers, moreover, to concentrate his energies on the faithful discharge of his various trusts and responsibilities. In religion he is a Presbyterian, and attends the Presbyterian church at Woodbridge. Mr. Logan is unmarried.
EDWARD E. CLARK .- The name of Mr. Clark can properly be mentioned among those whose energy, business tact and public enter- prise have made them important factors in the development and im- provement of Sayreville, New Jersey, located on the Raritan river, noted for its manufactures of brick, soda water and cigars. His effort has not been in the field of finance, nor in the promotion of great schemes employing vast capital, but it has been in the walks of ordinary business, and by faithfully performing the duties of every-day life he has won for himself the respect and esteem of those with whom he is brought in contact.
Edward E. Clark was born in Englishtown, New Jersey, December 16, 1882, son of Owen and Catherine (Kelly) Clark. He acquired a practical education by attendance at St. Mary's School, Sayreville, and he began his active career in the grocery business, continuing along that line until January 1, 1917, meeting with the success which attends well directed effort. He erected the Union Hotel at Sayreville, in the year 1917, of which he is still the proprietor, being well qualified for that line of work, possessing the power to correctly judge human nature, a social, genial disposition, and a sincere desire to please. Everything possible is done for the comfort and convenience as well as the pleasure of his guests, and in consequence the house is receiving a very liberal patronage. In 1913 Mr. Clark added to his business pursuits that of real estate, in which he is engaged at the present time (1920) and from the conduct of which he derives a profitable income, real estate during the past few years changing hands constantly owing to the scarcity of houses for the accommodation of the people in the great cities and their environs. Mr. Clark gives his political allegiance to the Democratic party, and was elected on that ticket to serve in public office, having been township committeeman from 1913 to 1920, treasurer of the township and school funds from 1913 to 1915, and was chairman of the township committee for three years. On May 21, 1918, he was compelled to close his business on account of the Raritan Arsenal being within the three-mile limit. He then went to work for the Morgan plant, remain- ing six months. He then returned to the real estate business, in which he still continues. He was one of the committee who erected the monu- ment in memory of the boys who went over seas. This was done without any cost to the borough, through the kindness of the Sayre & Fisher Company, who donated the land and the material, and the mechanics gave their services free of charge. In 1919 he was the one
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who was instrumental in having a bill passed through the Legislature making Sayreville a borough. He is a member of New Brunswick Lodge, No. 324, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Foresters of America : Improved Order of Red Men, and the Arion Singing Club.
Mr. Clark married, September 26, 1917, the ceremony taking place in the Church of Our Lady of Victories at Sayreville, New Jersey, Florence Meyer, born in Sayreville, May 14, 1890, daughter of Ignatz and Augusta (Gunkel) Meyer. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Clark, namely, La Vern Marie, born July 12, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are attendants of the Church of Our Lady of Victories.
RAYMOND PIUS WHITE .- Though not a native of New Bruns- wick, Raymond Pius White has been a resident of that city all his life, having been brought there by his parents while still a very young child, and has always been closely identified with many of the activities of the city. At the present time (1921), he is in the employ of W. E. Mount as an automobile salesman.
John J. White, father of Raymond Pius White, is a railroad detec- tive, residing in New Brunswick, where he was born and where he has lived for the greater part of his life. He married Mary Magdalena Phillips, who was born in Newark, New Jersey, but died in New Bruns- wick. John J. White and his wife were the parents of two children : Raymond Pius, of whom further ; and John Edward, also living in the city on the Raritan.
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