USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > Trenton > History of Trenton, New Jersey : the record of its early settlement and corporate progress. > Part 44
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JOHN S. CHAMBERS.
307
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
July 14th, 1865, to the office of Commissioner of the Sinking Fund of the city of Trenton, and still fills the office. February 5th, 1883, saw him connected with the Merchants Transportation Com- pany as Director. The office of President was given him December 10th, 1884. Both offices are at the present time held by Mr. Chambers. Early joining the First Presbyterian Church, he was actively engaged in the religious work of that venerable organization in 1856, when he was a teacher in the mission school connected therewith, which school was situated on Princeton avenue. He was a teacher for thirteen years. In 1857 he was elected Clerk of the Board of Trustees of the church, holding the position until 1874. He was a Trustee from January, 1865, to 1874, and an Elder from 1866 to 1874. Upon resigning all the offices he became interested in the movement to organize the Fifth Presbyterian Church, on Princeton avenue, in which he took a prominent part. The first meeting of the Trustees was held at the home of Mr. Chambers. Four years later he withdrew from the Fifth Church, and afterward rejoined the First, of which church he is now a communieant. Surely such a career is one to be proud of, and one upon which any man may look over with a large degree of satisfaction. Few men have devoted their time and talents to the upbuilding of the city in so many ways as has Mr. Chambers, and his name will be handed down to future generations as being among the most patriotic men of the early days of Trenton's prosperity. In 1846 Mr. Chambers married Emma M. Fish, daughter of the late Benjamin Fish. Four children resulted from the union, two of whom are still living. They are John S., Jr., a civil engineer, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Thomas Stryker, who is the Seeretary of the Trenton Gas Light Company. Mr. Chambers resides at No. 193 Brunswiek avenue, upon ground owned by his family for more than one hundred years.
FREDERICK F. C. WOODWARD, D. D.S., was born in Monmouth county, New Jersey, in 1866, where he received his early education. He attended the Bordentown Military Institute to pre- pare for West Point. He finished his preparation at a military school at Croton-on-the-Hudson. In 1881 he entered Wilson's drug store. Passing the State Board examination, he matriculated at the Philadelphia Dental Col- lege and the Medieo-Chirurgical College. At these institutions he took a complete course in dentistry and a partial course in medicine and surgery. Dr. Woodward as a Repub- lican has always taken an active interest in politics. He has several times been a delegate to Congressional conventions and is now a member of Trenton Common Couneil, having been eleeted in the spring of 1894. He is Chairman of the Committees on Board of Trade and Shows and Exhibitions. Among other organizations of a secret and social character he was one of the originators of the Park Island Canoeing Association, and is now serving as Bugler and one of the Trustees. On Septem- ber 1st, 1883, Dr. Woodward enlisted as pri- vate in Company B, Seventh Regiment, N. G. N. J., and June 1st, 1886, he was appointed Sergeant and Bugler on General Donnelly's staff. He was in continual service in the National Guard from the time of his enlist- ment until transferred to the Naval Reserve. On account of his military education Dr. Woodward was a prime mover in the Naval FREDERICK F. C. WOODWARD. Reserve Corps. Upon May 21st, 1895, he was commissioned Senior Lieutenant of the First Division, Battalion of the West. On August 16th, 1893, he married Lilian Bloodgood, of New Brunswick, New Jersey. They reside at No. 234 East State strect, where he has his dental offices.
30S
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
EDMUND C. HILL was born May 11th, 1855 ; he is a son of the late Thomas C. Hill. For a hundred years his paternal ancestors have been Trentonians ; he is descended on his mother's side from the Dutch and Huguenot settlers of East New Jersey. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Trenton, supplemented by attendance at the State Model School, and later at the Trenton Academy, where he prepared for college, and was graduated, with high honors, in 1873. On account of poor eyesight Mr. Hill thought it inexpedient to continue his studies, and temporarily engaged in his father's bakery. He has, however, remained in that occupation for twenty-two years. The bakery business was instituted in the year 1860 by Thomas (. Hill, who, from its inception, endeavored to place his establishment among the foremost in the State. Edmund C. Hill remained in the employ of his father for a decade, applying himself to the details of his occupation. In 1883 he became a partner with his father, and in 1891, upon the death of Thomas C. Hill, the entire business came into the hands of Edmund C. In 1895 a stock association, known as "The Thomas C. Hill & Son Company," was incorporated. In this Mr. Hill owns a majority of the stock. The establishment is thoroughly equipped with all modern machinery and appliances, and the work produced is of a high grade. On the 10th of September, 1884, he was married to Jenie C., daughter of Captain Richard J. Richards, Company II, Twenty-first New Jersey Volunteers, of Lawrenceville, New Jersey. From 1887 to 1890 Mr. Hill represented the First ward in the Trenton Common Couneil. During those years he was Chairman of the Ordinance Committee, and to his credit it may be said that none of the ordinances which passed through his hands were ever reversed by the Supreme Court. This was a critical period in the history of Trenton, the three years being devoted to municipal con- solidation and the absorption of suburbs, adoption of the sewerage system, development of the park idea, the codification of city ordinances and the general remodeling of municipal departments. He was also Vice Chairman of the Sanitary Committee, and prominent in all legislation bearing on the sewerage of Trenton. Mr. Hill was largely instrumental in securing for Trenton the sewerage system, the ground for the first sewer being broken by Dr. W. W. L. Phillips (now of Fortress Monroe) and Mr. Hill. The latter now has in his possession the identical shovel used. The Trenton park system had its origin in Mr. Hill's efforts. Upon entering Common Council he mapped out the plan as now adopted. He selected the site of Cadwalader Park, which, now so successful, met at the time with the opposition of press and public. After a tedious contest he succeeded in passing the ordinance providing for the purchase of Cadwalader Park and a large tract of land to be used in the future as a river drive. Mr. Hill was first Chairman of the Park Commission and practically organized the park department. The organization of this department was a work of no small moment, and the lines laid down regard- ing policing and general management have been practically followed ever since. During 1893 and 1894 Mr. Hill was President of the Board of Trade. He is deeply interested in the contemplated ship canal, an inland coastwise waterway, which it is proposed to extend from Boston to New Orleans. In this connection he represents New Jersey in the Philadelphia Canal Commission. He has three times been a delegate from Trenton to the National Board of Trade at Washington, D. C. In his capacity as President of the Board of Trade he was largely instrumental in settling the disastrous strike in the Trenton potteries in 1894, both manufacturers and employes agreeing in advance to accept his mediation. In 1893 he was a delegate to the International Con- gress held at Chicago. While Chairman of the Park Committee of Council Mr. Hill suggested to the executors of the Cadwalader estate that they specially improve their tract of land adjacent to the park. He was at once offered the agency thereof, if he would accept it, with carte blanche to spend any amount of money he thought best. He accepted the position, and $80,000 was spent in improvements. In consequence, "Cadwalader Place " has become one of the best suburbs in the State, and it has acted as a stimulus to town-growth in many ways. In politics, Mr. Hill is a Republican, being a prominent member of the Young Men's Republican Club of Trenton. He has been Treasurer of the State Republican League since its organization in 1887. He is President of the Republic Building and Loan Association, President of the Children's Home Society, a Director in the Trenton Safe Deposit and Trust Company and is Vice President of the State Mutual Building and Loan Association. He is connected with nearly all of the benevolent and fraternal organizations of Trenton, particularly with the Masonic order. Among other organizations, Mr. Hill is a member of the Trenton Natural History Society, the New Jersey Historical Society, the
EDMUND C. HILL.
309
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
Manufacturers' Club of Philadelphia, and the Twilight Club of New York. He is a member and Trustee of the Clinton Avenue Baptist Church. Some years ago Mr. Hill offered a silver cup for competition among the canoeists on the Delaware, which was the origin of the annual canoe regattas that take place each September, and are held above the "Falls." During his administration as President of the Park Island Canoeing Association the club-house on Park Island was built. The Algonquin Canoe Club was started by Mr. Hill, who was the first Commodore and drew the plans for the club-house.
BARKER GUMMERE, JR., was born in Trenton, New Jersey, June 5th, 1856. In the fall of 1876 he accepted a position as corresponding clerk for the Trenton Banking Company. He tendered his resignation to this company in 1878, to accept a more lucrative position with the Central Railroad of New Jersey, where he had charge of the freight accounts on the Long Branch Division for six months. He was then made Private Secretary to Judge Lathrop, President of the company. In 1884 he purchased an interest in the firm of Hopkins, Rossell & Company, extensive oil dealers of New York City, but at the expiration of one year he sold out and returned to Trenton, where he has remained ever since. In 1885 he bought an interest - in his father's law firm, and as he was not a member of the bar he attended to the office business of the concern. In 1888 he was elected to the Common Council, and while a member of that body he served one year as Chairman of the Ordinance Com- mittee, and two years as Chairman of the Finance Committee. In 1892 he was elected Clerk of Mercer county, for a term of five years. He is a member of the Governing Board of the Mercer County Republican Club and a member of the Mercer County Republican Executive Committee. He is a Director and Treasu- rer of the Trenton Trust and Safe Deposit Company. BARKER GUMMERE, JR.
CHARLES H. BAKER was born in Trenton in August, 1862, and received his early education at the State Model School and the Trenton Academy. In 1879, he entered the employ of Randall Rickey, at the same time attending lectures at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, whence he was graduated in 1882. For six years he held a position at the head of his profession. For two years he con- ducted a local express business. With Claude E. Fell, under the firm name of Fell & Baker, he engaged in the manufacture of bricks. This firm has, for seven years, been in existence, and gives employment to seventy men. Mr. Baker has been President of the Egyptian Pottery Company since its organization. This corporation was organized in 1891, for the manufacture of sanitary ware, and has been successfully conducted since that time. He is also connected with the Crescent Brass Company, being its Treasurer. In political life, he is a Republican, and has been prominent as a candi- date for elective honors. He was appointed by Mayor Joseph B. Shaw, a Democrat, as one of the Republican members of the Fire Commission in charge of the paid fire department. He showed a marked interest while CHARLES H. BAKER. connected with that important branch of municipal affairs. April 9th, 1895, he was elected Receiver of Taxes by a majority of 2,380, in which position he is at present serving the city in a most praise- worthy manner. For several years Mr. Baker was a member of the old Trenton Hose Company, and served with honor as its President.
310
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
HUTCHINSON LEIGH was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1840, and moved to Ewing township, New Jersey, when he was about thirteen years of age. He was a farmer's boy, receiving only a limited education. After serving for nine months in Company H, Twenty-first Regi- ment, New Jersey Volunteers, he came to Trenton in 1865 and opened a grocery store at the corner of Broad and Hanover streets. Israel Hendrickson was associated with Mr. Leigh in this business. This firm was continued until 1872, when the business was sold to the Stapler Brothers. The firm of Hendrickson & Leigh next turned their attention to the match in- dustry, which was then almost wholly unknown in Trenton. They built a factory on South Stockton street and commeneed the manufae- ture of matches. Two years thereafter this firm was dissolved and Mr. Leigh carried on the enterprise by himself until 1886, when he quit the business. About 1880 Mr. Leigh in- augurated another industry in Trenton, the making of paper boxes. This was a new busi- ness in Trenton and it soon became most profit- able. He is also the proprietor of one of the largest private boarding stables in Trenton, situated on South Stoekton street, about a square above the box factory. Mr. Leigh was married in 1866 to Sarah M. Hart, of Ewing township.
HUTCHINSON LEIGH.
MOSES GOLDING was born in England, on July 14th, 1819. He came to America on October 2d, 1850, and located in Trenton. He received in England a thorough common-school education, supplemented by an extensive course in mechanical drawing. His first position in this country was with the Fairmount Rolling Mill, in Pennsylvania. He next went to Cincinnati, but returned and secured a position with the Camden and Amboy Railroad Company, which he left to accept a position with the Trenton Iron Company. In 1855 he eommeneed for himself the running of a general machine business, in which he continued until the close of the late war. Mr. Golding was married on December 24th, 1839, to Elizabeth Cook, of England. He was a member of the Common Couneil of Chambersburg. In 1865 he opened the first flint and spar works of Trenton, and has since conducted his business with suceess. He first conducted it entirely after English methods. Later he conceived ideas of improve- ments on the Alsing cylinder grinding machine. His ideas were transformed into models and are now valuable patents. Another of Mr. Golding's patents is a shaft for elay beds, which, like the cylinder improvements, is in practical use, and a source of large ineome to the patentee. In 1884, his sons associating themselves with him, a company was formed under the name of The Golding & Sons Company. The company runs three mills. One is in Trenton, another in East Liverpool, Ohio, and the third in Hockessin, Delaware. The Hockessin mills prepare only china clay, which, together with the Goldings' flint and spar, is shipped to all pottery points. The company is by far the largest of its kind in the United States. The Trenton and East Liverpool mills alone prepare flint and spar, grinding the quarried rocks into a very fine powder. The material is obtained chiefly from France, England, Pennsylvania, New York and Maine. The Trenton mill is a large brick structure, with extensive grounds for storage of immense piles of the raw material, located between the Water Power and the Delaware river, in the rear of Thompson's flour mills. Mr. Golding's sons associated with him are William, who is the Superintendent of the Trenton mills ; Edwin, of the Hockessin mills, and Moses, Jr., of the East Liverpool mills.
MOSES GOLDING.
311
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
CHETWOOD BIRD .- The late Chetwood Bird was born in Union county, New Jersey, in Novem- ber, 1839. His education was acquired at the district school at Woodbridge, where he learned the carpenter trade. He later conducted the lumber business at Elizabeth. Coming to Trenton about thirteen years ago, he projected a carpet-cleaning establishment, using for this purpose a building on Factory street. As a novel venture, the success of the enterprise, with its carefully-designed machinery, was assured. Mr. Bird died February 22d, 1893, since which time Mrs. Bird has car- ried on the business with the assistance of Mr. E. C. Hancock, the manager. Mr. Bird served and fought in Company B, Thirtieth New Jersey Volunteers, seeing service for one year. He attended the First Presbyterian Church. He married, June 28th, 1865, Rachel S. Luster, of Elizabeth, New Jersey.
THOMAS M. TERRADELL was born in Yardleyville, Pennsylvania, in the year 1852. Residing there for four years, he came to Trenton. His life is checkered and interesting, starting as a boot- black and newsboy. During the early part of the late war his face was familiar to the soldiers of Camp Perrine, where he spent much of his time as a Jack-of-all-trades. He then entered a pottery. During the earlier portion of his career he formed a strong attachment for Dan Rice, the veteran clown, and many a "turn" the two men did at the circus. Returning to the more serious walks of life he moved to Lambertville and entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company as fireman, in which capacity he served on the celebrated locomotive "Belmont," one of the first in America, and the mate to the "Johnny Bull." He afterward became the engineer of the same engine. Altogether he was an engineer seven- teen years, during which period he handled coal, freight and passenger trains. When he left the railroad he embarked in the wood-sell- ing trade. In those days the potteries burned wood, which they procured from the wagons of the farmers in the vicinity. Mr. Terradell con- ceived the idea of serving the various potteries with this product, and his venture was a com- plete success. Later he built the Terradell Temperance House, at Hopewell, refuting the idea that such a house would not pay. He THOMAS M. TERRADELL. also owns the Terradell Flats and the Terradell Storage Warehouse, grain elevator and wood mill, and was President of the Pennsylvania Relief Department for two terms at the time of its organization, and has just been elected again to that office for the third time. He married Emma Loretta Leigh, of Hopewell, New Jersey.
EDWIN H. GINNELLEY was born in Trenton in 1864. He was educated in Virginia and was graduated from the Dental Department of the National University of Washington, D. C., in 1886. The following year he came to Trenton and associated himself with Dr. Hellyer, with whom he continued until December 1st, 1892. At that time he opened an office for himself at No. 23 East State street, second floor, where he has a very large, comfortable waiting-room and a thoroughly- equipped operating-room. During the two years that he has been alone he has built up a very large and lucrative practice, and has great reason to congratulate himself upon his success. On the twenty-eighth of August, 1894, he was married to Mabella L. Painter, of this city. Dr. Ginnelley is a young man of a great deal of promise. He is genial and pleasant in his manner, always gentle- manly and considerate in his treatment, thoroughly skilled in all branches of his profession, and very popular among the best class of people in the city. He is rapidly achieving the success which all who know him felt sure would be his.
312
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
WILLIAM W. STELLE was born in Philadelphia upon the 18th of October, 1836. His early education was obtained in the public schools of that city. When a very young man he removed to Princeton, New Jersey, where he was a clerk in a stationery store. Soon thereafter Baltimore became his residence, where he acted in the same capacity, returning to Princeton after having been away two years. In the year 1865 he entered Princeton Bank, hokling a position as Teller. In 1869 Trenton saw him a resident, and here he secured a situation in the Mechanics National Bank. His devotion to the interests of the bank brought him the good will of its officials, who steadily promoted him. The positions of Receiving Teller, Paying Teller and Assistant Cashier have all been filled by Mr. Stelle, and culminated in his appointment to the responsible office of Cashier, which position he has held since 1883 with great credit to himself and profit to the bank. In this respect, Mr. Stelle has been connected with the bank for more than a quarter of a century. No sooner was Mr. Stelle a resident of Trenton than he took an active interest in its welfare. He joined the Board of Trade and worked for the city's growth and prosperity with commendable zeal and earnest purpose. For over twenty years he has been the Secretary of the board, which fact alone proves the esteem with which his services and personality are held by his fellow-members. Ile is a thorough Jerseyman, and his line of ancestors on the paternal side dates back to 1682, when Pontius Stelle came to this country from France, securing lands in what is now Piscataway town- ship, in Middlesex county, New Jersey. A large part of these lands is still in possession of the Stelle family. Mr. Stelle married in 1859, and had three children-two daughters and a son, Fred- erick-all of whom are living. The latter recently passed a successful course of study at Princeton College, studied law in New York and lately has been admitted to the bar in that city.
C. EDWARD MURRAY was born in Lambertville, New Jersey, July 17th, 1863, but came to Trenton before he was two years old. He was educated in the New Jersey State Model School and the Trenton Business College, and early in life engaged in manu- facturing. In 1882 his father, J. Howard Murray, started a rubber mill in this city. In 1884 C. Edward Murray was admitted to the firm, under the name of J. Howard Murray & Son, remaining until 1887, when, by the admission of Mr. Richard R. Whitehead, the name of the firm was changed to Murray, Whitehead & Murray. For six years it was so continued. In 1893 Charles E. Murray bought the interests of the other members of the firm, and has since conducted the establishment under the old name, but is himself the sole proprietor. The business is confined chiefly to the reclaiming of old rubber. Mr. Murray is also inter- ested in the Crescent Insulated Wire and Cable Com- C. EDWARD MURRAY. pany, which was organized in 1891, and of which he is one of the heaviest stockholders. As a young man, he is extremely active and progressive. Mr. Murray has served on the School Board, filling the unexpired term of Horace Biddle. Last spring he was appointed City Clerk by the Republican Council. He has always taken an active interest in politics. In 1888 he was married to Floy, daughter of Surrogate John W. Cornell.
THE TAYLOR PROVISION COMPANY, which is regarded as one of the most important of Trenton's commercial interests, was organized in 1888, with ex-Senator John Taylor, one of the best-known citizens of the State, as President, and his son, William T. Taylor, as Secretary. The company makes a specialty of provisions, fertilizer and live stock. In the manufacture of fertilizer, the company buys the raw material and prepares it for the market. The trade of the company extends throughout New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The business increases yearly ; last year the sales aggregating 8200,000. Their plant is located on Perrine avenue, and is connected with the Pennsylvania railroad by a private siding. The two main departments are the fertilizer and the provision buildings, the dimensions of the former being thirty-four by one hundred and twenty-five feet, and of the latter, thirty-five by one hundred and ten feet.
313
THE CITY OF TRENTON.
JACOB L. KAFES was born in Trenton in the year 1871. After graduating from the publie sehools, he entered the Trenton High School, where his English edueation was ereditably eom- pleted. He took a course of instruction in Stewart & Hammond's Business College, and upon leaving the latter, he entered the employ of his father, who was engaged in a large wholesale and retail trade in prepared ham, sausage, de., on Prineeton avenue, corner of Rose street. Here the knowledge he had obtained was put to a very praetieal test, to the end that October 1st, 1894, his father retired from active work and left the young man, not yet more than twenty-three years old, the entire business. Mr. Kafes has an extensive trade in salt and fresh meats, poultry and kindred edibles. His father, Jacob Kafes, eame to Trenton from Germany in 1846. He learned the buteher business, and in 1864 opened a store on the site now oeeupied by his son. He is now engaged in raising thoroughbred horses, having purehased a stock farm of one hundred and twenty aeres in Hamilton township for that purpose. He was a member of Common Council for seven years and has served ten years on the Board of Chosen Freeholders.
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