History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 179

Author: Snell, James P; Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1140

USA > New Jersey > Sussex County > History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers > Part 179
USA > New Jersey > Warren County > History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers > Part 179

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Formerly a brewery was in operation near Oxford Furnace by W. & A. Kimple, but it has not been running for three or four years. The distillery at Port Colden has been for many years carried on by John Opdyke.

Canal-boat building was formerly quite an industry in Port Colden and Washington village. In 1872 from sixty to seventy hands were employed at the latter place, and about thirty boats built during the spring of that year. This industry is now obsolete in this section.

Van Doren's grist-mill, northwest of the borough, on the Pohatcong, was built by Peter T. B. Van Doren, in the year 1838. The charter to use the water of the Morris Canal for this mill was obtained March 7, 1865. The mill was burned March 22, 1871, but was rebuilt in 1879 by Mrs. W. F. B. Gurnee, its pres- ent owner. Another mill, on the Pohateong Creek, about one and a half miles southwest of the borough, was known early as Sherrerd's, next as Warne's (he was Sherrerd's son-in-law), and later as Mattison's, but now owned by the New York Life Insurance Company. This must have been built as early as 1800, for it was an old mill as far back as the earliest recollections of the oldest living citizen.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

HON. PETER CRAMER.

His grandfather Cramer, a resident of Hunterdon County, died in middle life, leaving two sons, Noah and Peter, and two daughters, Mary and Elizabeth.

Noalı Cramer, father of our subject, born in 1801, on account of the death of his father, was in early life thrown upon his own resources, but, possessed of a naturally self-reliant disposition and a will to do, he met the obstacles incident to boyhood and a struggle for place with that resolution and manly

spirit that so characterized him in after-life. He married, in 1821, Ann, daughter of Peter Huffman, of Lebanon. Her father was the possessor of several farms and three mills, and was an enterprising busi- ness man of that township. He was a large contrib- utor in the building of the Dutel Reformed church edifice of Lebanon, and one of the founders of the church there. She was born on June 3, 1794, and survives in 1880, well preserved in both body and mind, and able to dietate many facts for this sketch.

Noah Cramer, while a young man, engaged in mill- ing, and carried on that industry for several years at Asbury, New Hampton, and Imlaydale. He pur- chased the mill property at the latter place, and the farm connected therewith, in 1848, both of which he carried on until 1857, when he sold the mill property to his son, Peter Cramer, and afterwards only carried on his farm. His life was wholly devoted to business pursuits, and by industry and judicious management he secured a good competency. He died March 11, 1875, leaving a widow and four children,-viz., Mary, Peter, John, and Elizabeth.

Peter Cramer was born near Germantown, in Hun- terdon County, Feb. 10, 1824. Ilis boyhood was spent at home and attending the district school. At the early age of fourteen he went to work in the mill of his father, and continued at this business during the remainder of his minority, during which time he by experience had really become a practical miller. In 1845 he married Miss Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Naney (Large) Skinner, of Bethlehem, of which nnion have been born three children,-Anna (wife of Rev. J. B. Kugler, a Presbyterian clergyman), Margaret (wife of H. D. Underwood), and Samuel S. Cramer.

Mr. Cramer continued his business as a miller in various places until the purchase of his father's grist- mill at Imlaydale, on the Musconetcong. The same year of his purchase he built the mill now standing on the old site, where he has since continued to do business, and where he has continuously resided. He was one of the founders of the Clinton Bank (now .

Clinton National Bank), and remained a director of it for eighteen years. He was one of the organizers of the First National Bank of Clinton, Hunterdon Co., and has remained a director since.

While a young man Mr. Cramer took an active interest in local politics, and as a member of the old Whig party cast his first vote. He was among the foremost in the organization of the Republican party in Warren County in 1855-56, and has since re- mained firm in support of the principles of that party. He has been frequently honored as a delegate to county and State conventions, and in the memorable National Republican Convention held at Chicago in 1880 he was selected as alternate delegate. In the fall of 1878, Mr. Cramer was elected to the State Senate from Warren County, by a majority of two hundred and thirty-nine, although the county is

8 Gramer

JOHN GIBSON.

James Gibson emigrated from County Derry, Ireland, just after the close of the Revolutionary war, accompanied by his two sons, John and James, and his two daughters, Jane and Elizabeth. Very little is known of his whereabouts after ur- riving in this country, further than the fact that he was en- gaged at work at Union Faroace, Hunterdon Co., where he was killed at about the age of seventy years.

His son James, father of our subject, soon after arriving here purchased and settled on the farm owned and occupied by his eldest son, John, in 1880, then containing one hundred and twenty aeres. Subsequent additions by the son have made the farm to contain about one hundred und forty-three acres. James Gibson found only a few ueres cleared on his new home- stead and a log house; but he was able to pay for his property, which cost about four dollars per acre. His life was cut short at the age of about forty-two, in the year 1807, leaving to mourn his loss a widow (formerly Sarah Parkhurst) and five children, -viz., John, Benjamin, James, Jane (who became the wife of Rynier Van Siekel), and Margaret (who became the wife of John Foss). After her husband's death the mother, with the help of her eldest son, then thirteen years of age, began the struggle for the support of the family and to keep the home- stend unencumbered; and hero she taught them those lessons of economy and self-reliance which proved so useful to them in after-years. After living to see all her children grow up to manhood and womanhood, and become useful members of so- ciety, in the year 1855, at the ripe age of eighty-eight years five months and twenty-nine days, this venerable, devoted woman and mother died.

John Gibson, eldest son of James and Sarab Gibson, was born on the farm where he now resides, Jan. 28, 1791. On ac- coant of the death of his father so early in life his oducational opportunities were very limited, as his time was almost altogether required in assisting his mother in working the farm. On this

farm he has resided all his life. The axe, the plow, and the hoe have heen familiar to him in every-day life. Many years ago he erected a commodious farmhouse, barns, and other buildings necessary for the accommodation of his family and the pro- duets of his productive fields.

Everything about his place bespeaks the industry, thrift, und prosperity of its owner, who for eighty-six years has lived, und for seventy years of which time has been constant in his watchfulness of everything pertaining to the best cultivation of his farm.

Mr. Gibson is a man of good practical judgment, and es- teemed for his honesty of purpose in all his dealings.

Ile has always been interested in the affairs of his township, and during sixty-five years has been a member of the Demo- eratie party. For some twenty years he held tho office of over- seer of the poor, was collector of taxes for eight years, and officiated somo twelve years as constable in his township. In the performance of all the duties incumbent upon him in these several ofhees his integrity was never questioned, or his good character and correct habits impaired. It is a matter of fact worthy of note here that during his entire life he has never drank to exceed a half dozen glasses of liquor.

He married Sarah, daughter of John and Elizabeth Mowder, who died Oct. 30, 1877, aged seventy-seven years and five months. Their children are Mary, wife of Abram S. Cougle ; Elizabeth, wife of Henry Cole; Charles; Sarah, wife of Robert Pierson ; John ; Susan, wife of James Bigler; Johnson ; Jane, wife of James Emmans ; James; Emma; and Henry.

Mr. Gibson has lived to see the labor-saving machines in every branch of industry take the place of manual Inbor. Ilis boyhood dates back to the infancy of our republic, and in his ripe old age, well preserved in body and mind, he recoants with much interest matters that transpired three-quarters of a century ago.

A. M.chrnn

ANDREW M. NUNN, eldest son of Jacob and Mary (Miller) Nuun, was born Jan. 18, 1819. Ilis great-grandfather, Benjamin Nuna, enme from England prior to the Revolutionary war and probably during the early part of the eighteenth century, and settled on land near Pleasant Grove, in Morris County, and at his death left his property entailed. Ilis son Joha succeeded to the estate of his father, upon which he resided during his life, and died about 1829 at the age of sixty-five. llis wife was Katherine Slyker, who died in 1846. Their children were Jacob, Isane, William, Alfred, John, Betsey, Sally, Polly, Peggy, Eme- line, and Aon.

Jacob, oldest son of John Nunn and father of our subject, born abont 1793, married, in 1818, Mary, a daughter of Andrew Miller, one of the carly settlers of Mansfield township, and who kept an ina and owned a large traet of land near Penawell, where his grandsons, Jacob II. and John C. Miller. now reside. She was born in 1794, and died April 2, 1858. Their children were Andrew M., Catherine (wife of Ilenry C. Davis, of Stephensburg, N. J.), Elijah W., George T., and Jacob S. (died young).

Jacob Nuan was a farmer through life, a part of which time he occupied the old Miller homestead, and for some time the property subsequently owned by Chambers Davis, where he kept an inn in connection with farming. During the latter part of his life he disposed of the property settled by his grand- father near Pleasant Grove. He died Oct. 18, 1842. Ilis wife was a devoted woman, and gave much attention to the proper training of her children in all that pertains to true manhood and womanhood.

Andrew M. Nunn resided at home during his minority, where he was employed on the farm, and where he learned the inesti- mnablo lessons thnt industry, economy, and self-reliance are the foundation principles upon which a successful career is based. Unassisted pecuniarily upon reaching his majority, but with a resolution to do something, ho started to carve out a home and property for himself. For several years following 1839 he was a clerk in a general store at Port Murray, and near where Madison's Mill now stands in Washington township, and for some time had charge of a store for William M. Warne, in Mon-

roe Co., P'a., who was the successor of Moore Furman, near Madison's Mill. In 1845 he was book-keeper for fi. W. and S. T. Seranton & Co., at Oxford Furnace, and the following year went West on a prospecting tour with a view of settlement, returning the same year. In December, 1846, he married Nancy, a daughter of Jacob Wyckoff, whose father, Simon, was the first settler of the family in Jackson Valley, and lo- ented there in 1771. She was born June 8, 1824, was a de- voted Christian woman, and a member of the Presbyterian Church at Washington. She died May 24, 1875. The children horn of this union were Miller R., David P. S., Simon W., Mary (lied young ), Andrew M., and Lizzie (died in 1880).

By pradence Mr. Nann had saved enough to start business for himself, and April 1, 1847, in connection with Jacob Il. Miller, he opened a general store at Pennwell. After six months Mr. Miller sold his interest in the business to John C. Miller, his brother, and the new firm carried on trade for some five years, when Mr. Nunn bought his partner's interest and con- tinned the business antil 1854. For seven years following ho carried on mercantile business at New Hampton, and in March, 1862, established himself in trade at Port Colden, on the Morris Canal, where he has continued to do a successful business since in general merchandising and canal supplies.

Mr. Nunn's business life has been one of constant netivity, and his judicious management such as to sceure a fair com- petency. Following in the line of his father, he east bis first vote for Gen. Harrison in the old Whig party, and upon the organization of the Republican party became a supporter of its principles. For three years he served as collector of the town- ship of Washington. Although he bad limited opportunities for book knowledge while a boy, his clerkship secured bim a practical business education, and he inny safely be numbered among the intelligent and solid business men of Warren County.

lle has always been interested in local enterprises trading to tho prosperity of the place where he has resided, and has been treasurer of the Port Colden Building and Loan Association since its organization, in 1870. He has been a member of tho Presbyterian Church at Washington for many years, and offi- cially connected as elder of the church.

JACOB WYCKOFF.

Jacob Wyckoff, eldest son of John K. Wyckoff, was born on the old homestead, Aug. 24, 1832. He early in life learned the use of the implements necessary to carry on the farm. His education from books was such as the school in the vicinity of home afforded ; but he received practical lessons in agricul- tural pursuits and in business that, while in boyhood, impressed him with the idea that self-reliance, indus- try, and economy were the foundation principles of success. He married, May 9, 1868, Margaret, young- est child and daughter of George and Mary Ann (McDonald) Vusler, of Clarksville, Hunterdon Co. Her father is now a resident of Washington town- ship, Warren Co., and has reached the ripe age of over fourscore years. Her mother died at the age of sixty-five. Mrs. Wyckoff was born Jan. 19, 1845, and by her marriage has had three children,-William R., Sarah Ann (died in infancy), and Elmer Ells- worth.

Mr. Wyckoff was a man of untiring ambition and energy. Upon the decease of his father he succeeded in the possession of the old homestead, which he had carried on for many years before. This he kept in the highest state of cultivation, and its prodnets gave it rank among the best farms in the county.

He may be classed as an intelligent farmer, as well as an industrious and thoroughgoing business man. He was a man of correct habits, kind hearted, a good husband and father, and a useful member of society. When necessity required he was always ready to help by liberal contributions all worthy local objects. As a member of the. Presbyterian congregation at Washı- ington he was a promoter of church and like interests. He always sought the happiness of others while trying to benefit himself, and his sociability, frankness of manner, and sterling integrity made him many friends. In his business relations he avoided everything that would lead to litigation, and was often lenient in his demands when justice to himself required it otherwise. In 1879 his health, which had never been very good; began to give way. Of rather a slender frame, and never having had a very robust constitution, nature seemed to gradually relax. He tried traveling, and spent some time at the sea-shore, but only to find his system still reduced. Shortly after his return home the fell destroyer completed his work, and the honor- able man, the useful citizen, the kind and obliging neighbor, the worthy husband and father bid adieu to all things in this world. His death occurred Sept. 23, 1880.

George 80 allyjekoff.

GEORGE P. WYCKOFF is fifth in regular line of do- scent from John Wyckoff, of the township of Reading- ton, Hunterdon Co., N. J., who purchased, May 1, 1771, two hundred neres of land of Jerome Van Neste, of Raritan, situated in Jackson Valley, in the township of Washington, Warren Co. Simon, son of John Wyckoff, married Mary Farley, and soon after their marriage settled on this property, where they resided the remainder of their lives. For a time they lived in a dug-out, but soon erected a log house upon this wilder- ness tract of land, and began clearing it and preparing to raiso enough for a subsistence.

Their children were John, born Jun. 20, 1771 ; Caleb, born Oct. 25, 1774; Phæbe, born Nov. 4, 1776; Jacob, horn Oct. 3, 1784; and Charity, born Jan. 8, 1788. Jacob was grandfather of our subject, and succeeded his father on the homestead. Ile married Mary Kitchen. who bore him eight children, four of whom reached manhood and womanhood,-viz., Jolin K., born Oct. 8, 1809; Simon, born Jan. 17, 1817; Hester, born March 25, 1822, who became the wife of John C. Miller ; and Nancy, born June 8, 1824, who became the wife of Andrew M Nunn.

Jacob Wyckoff led a quiet life as n farmer, and pur- chased somo sixty-five acres of land, and added to the old homestead, upon which he resided during his life.

John K. Wyckoff, son of Incob, succeeded to the homestead-farm. He married Sarah, daughter of George Perry, of Mansfield township, near Fort Murray, where she was born Feb. 1, 1809. She died March 16, 1871. The children of this union were .Jacob, who succeeded his father in the ownership of the old homestend; George P .; and Anna Marin, who died nt the age of nineteen unmarried. John K. Wyckoff was a represent- ntive farmer in every sense of the term. He built n fine farm residence on the homestead, and commodious barus and other buildings, which may ho seen at this time (1880), and put the whole place under a better state of cultivation than it had previously been, By

his industry and judicious management be acquired n fino property outside of his farm. He was known as a man of strict integrity in all of his business relations. Although he had limited opportunities for an education while young, he had naturally n good business talent, and was far-seeing in his culculations for the future. lle neither sought office nor its emoluments, but was satisfied with agricultural pursuits and the quiet of the farm. lle was firmly fixed in his own opinion in what he conceived to be right, but was always ready to receive counsel from his friends. In all his business he never was in any litigation, and he was known as lenient and kind to those who were his debtors and in more humble circumstances than himself. lle was a member of the Presbyterinn Church nt Washington. He died Dec. 18, 1877.

George P. Wyckoff, son of John K., was born on the old homestead, Sept. 21, 1833. llis minority was spent at home, and his education obtained from books confined to the schools of his nativo place. For several years after reaching his majority be remained at home working for his father. On Dec. 1, 1859, he married Miss Tamzen, daughter of Cornelius and Margaret ( Lomerson ) Car- hart, of Washington township. Of this union have been born three children,-Jacob K., Mary, and Edith.

In 1861, Mr. Wyckoff settled on the farm where he now resides, near Port Colden, consisting of one hun- dred and thirty-three aeres, which he has improved, and upon which he has resided since. Like his ancestors of four generations, Mr. Wyckoff is nn unswerving member of the Democratic party, and, although not an office-seeker, he does not shrink from a share of public burden. Ile has officiated ns one of the township com- mittee for some six years, and was elected treasurer of the township in 1879, and re-elected to the same office in 1880.

Mr. Wyckoff is one of the substantial business men and farmers of Warren County. He is a supporter of church and kindred interests, and a member of the Presbyterian congregation nt Washington.

MICHAEL B. BOWERS.

The grandfather of Michael B., Jacob Bowers, was born in Germany and settled in Green wich township, Warren Co., N. J., prior to the Revolutionary war, where he engaged in farming and resided during the remainder of his life. His children were two sons, Jacob and Christopher, and several daughters. Jacob, father of our subject, born Feb. 4, 1770, married Margaret, a daughter of Michael Banghart, and half-sister of Rev. George Banghart, a well-known and prominent clergy- man of the Methodist Episcopal Church for nearly a half century. The children born of this union were Andrew (deceased), Jacob (deceased), Garner (deceased), Michael B., John C., Catherine (deceased), and Sarah. Jacob Bowers was a farmer. He settled near Bridge- ville, in Oxford township, where he died April 19, 1818. He was a worthy and esteemed citizen, and known for his candid manner and for his integrity in all his deal- ings. For many years he was an elder in the Oxford Presbyterian Church, and his counsels there were wise and judicious. His wife, a devoted Christian woman and member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was born June 27, 1772, and died Jan. 10, 1843.

Michael B. Bowers was born Oct. 25, 1808. On ac- count of his father's death he was in early life thrown upon his own resources. Ilis education was limited to that of the district school. At the age of eighteen, with the consent of his guardian, he was apprenticed to learn the iron foundry business at Sarepta, Warren Co., where ho served three years, and for three years following worked as a journeyman in the same place for Mr. P. P. Campbell. On Nov. 5, 1830, he married Hannah, daughter of Robert Quick, of Sarepta, who bore him two sons, Robert and John. She was born April 18, 1810, and died Jan. 6, 1838. For his second wife he married, March 26, 1840, Catherine, daughter of Peter and Mary (Cruser) Hornbaker, of Jackson Valley. She was born Nov. 20, 1818, and had seven brothors and

six sisters, twelve of whom grew to womanhood and manhood, and eleven reared families. The children of this union are Sering, Mary Elizabeth, who died Sept. 25, 1875, aged thirty-one years, and George.

In 1832, Mr. Bowers established himself in the iron foundry and plow-manufacturing business at Potters- ville, on Black River, in Hunterdon County, where he remained until 1843, when he purchased the foundry property and thirty acres of land at Fairmount, in Washington township, Warren Co.

The foundry here was started by Mr. Bowers in 1829, just after learning his trade, for Jesse Vannatte. Sold by Mr. Vannatte to Mr. Hutchison, and by the latter gentleman to Abram Morgan, of whom Mr. Bowers made his purchase. Mr. Bowers carried on the foundry, blacksmithing, plow-manufacturing, and wheelwright- ing, together with his farm, to which he has added sixty acres, until 1865, when he took in his son Sering as a partner, and this new firm run the same business until 1869, when Mr. Bowers retired from the firm and his youngest son, George, became associated with his brother in this manufacturing interest. In 1875, George with- drew from the firm, and is now carrying on milling in Belvidere. Unassisted pecuniarily in early life, Mr. Bowers has by energy and careful management sccured a fine proporty. Although his life has been one of activity in business, he has not neglected the duties of mankind to each other, and has been interested in the various local objects demanding his attention. For nearly forty years he has been a member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church at Washington, and officially con- nected with church work there for many years. Both of his wives have been members of the same church. Held in high esteem by his townsmen, he has been often solected to places of trust and responsibility in township matters, and has held the offices of committee- man, treasurer, and freeholder.

721

WASHINGTON.

usually Democratie by about two thousand votes. During his term as senator he has served on the com- mittees of finance, agriculture, state prisons, lunatic asylums, and reform school for boys, and, as chair- man of the first, his familiarity with business and sound finaneial ability gave him rank among the first who have held similar places in the past.

Senator Cramer has always been interested in church and kindred interests in the vicinity where he resides, and a promoter of the best interests of soci- ety. He is a man of sound practical ideas, of dis- eretion, and in an unostentatious way fulfills the full duty of the citizen. Although limited in his educa- tional opportunities while young, and unassisted pecu- niarily in starting out in life, he is well read in and conversant with the leading topics of local and State legislation, and by judicious management and an act- ive business life he is the possessor of a good property.

JOHN VANNATTA.

His grandfather, John Vannatta, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and received his pay in Con- tinental money at its close, which, however, proved worthless. He resided in Harmony township, and during the early part of this century removed to Ohio, where he died.

His father, Samuel Vannatta, born about 1785, mar- ried Polly Snyder, who lived to the ripe age of eighty- nine years. He resided on Scott's Mountain, near Springtown, for a while, and about 1803 purchased a farm of one hundred and sixty acres in Harmony township, on the Delaware River, and there carried on farming during the remainder of his life. He also purchased the Snyder ferry, which he ran. This farm and ferry are now owned and carried on by his son Silas, who succeeded his father on the farm and in the transportation business of the ferry. Samuel Vannatta died in 1855, leaving twelve children,-viz., John, Henry, Nancy, Emily, Aaron, Moses, Sally, Elizabeth, Samuel, Silas, Mary, and Lucinda.

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History of Sussex and Warren counties, New Jersey, with Illustration and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 179

Author: Snell, James P; Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford) Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1140

Author: Snell, James P; Clayton, W. W. (W. Woodford)
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1140