USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > Trenton > History of Trenton, New Jersey : the record of its early settlement and corporate progress. > Part 46
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JONATHAN CoxON, son of Charles and Mary Coxon, was born at Longton, Staffordshire, Eng- land, July 5th, 1843. He came with his parents to America in 1849, and located at Baltimore, Maryland. Graduating from the grammar school at the age of thirteen, he entered Bennett's queensware manufactory, at Baltimore. In 1858 Charles Coxon manufactured Rockingham and yellow-ware at South Amboy but soon returned to Baltimore. In 1863 the family came to Trenton and the elder Coxon, under a firm name of Coxon & Thompson, manufactured C. C. and white granite. On the death of Charles Coxon, in 1868, the management of the business fell to Jonathan Coxon. The Mercer pottery at that time being in course of erection, Mr. Thompson sold his interest in the Coxon & Thompson pottery to Bateman & Darrah, and with Jonathan Coxon entered the new concern. Mr. Coxon became the first Manager employed at the Mercer pottery and manufactured the first bodies and glazes. While employed here he returned to Coxon & Company's pottery to act as attorney for his mother's half interest. This position was held until the pottery was sold to Alpaugh & Magowan. At that time the name was changed to the "Empire." Mr. Coxon was JONATHAN COXON. instructor of fine arts in the Faience Art Company, of Brooklyn. Later at the Glasgow pottery he was Gen- cral Superintendent. In a few years he had formed a partnership with John Leuckel and Andrew Cochran to manufacture sanitary and plumbing supplies. The name "Equitable" was given this plant. Mr. Coxon had full management of the body and glaze departments. At the end of five
THOMAS S. STEVENS.
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years of successful business they sold their interest to the Trenton Pottery Syndicate. He is now retired. In 1865 he married Emma, daughter of the late Elias D. Warner. Four children have been born to them-Harry E., Walter F., Cora A. and Charlotte M. Harry E. is interested in the Brian-Coxon pottery. The plant is devoted to the manufacture of porcelain bath and laundry tubs, sinks, &e., and is known as the Hamilton Porcelain Works.
JOHN HART BREWER was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, March 29th, 1844. His early education was received at the Trenton Academy and the Lawrenceville Classical and Commercial High School. In 1862 he was graduated from the Delaware Literary Institute, at Franklin, New York. The following year he entered upon his business career in Delhi, New York. In 1865 he came to Trenton and engaged in the pottery business. The name of the firm was Bloor, Ott & Brewer, and their plant was just beyond the Stone Bridge, in that part of the city known as Millham. He continued to be a member of the firm operating what is known as the Ott & Brewer pottery until August, 1893. In 1894 he organized the Hart Brewer Pottery Company and became its President, acting in that capacity one year, when he withdrew. He is now connected with the Equitable Life Insurance Company of New York. In 1875 he was elected to the New Jersey Legislature. While there he introdued the Delaware Dam bill and succeeded in having it passed. He was a member of the Forty-seventh and Forty- eighth Congresses, from 1880 to 1884, and served on the Committees on Accounts, Rail- ways and Canals, and Manufactures. His principal work in Congress was upon the sub- jects of the tariff, the Life Saving Service and the protection of commercial travelers. One of his speeches on the tariff was praised by party leaders and was extensively used as a campaign document. Mr. Brewer's sole aim has been to make Trenton truly the "Stafford- shire of America." He has also sought to affiliate the pottery interests all over the coun- JOHN HART BREWER. try. In order to do this he helped to organize the United States Potters' Association, of which he has been one of the leading members, having served as Secretary, President, and Chairman of the Executive Committee. He has also been Secretary and President of the Trenton Potters' Association. He was one of the organizers of the Trenton Watch Company, and succeeded in having it located here. He superintended the building of the factory, and was President of the company for three years. He is a lineal descendant of John Hart, one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence.
EDWARD CARROLL CONDICT, D. D.S., was born at Dover, Morris county, in 1858. He was educated in the common schools of his native place, and was afterward sent to the New Jersey State Normal School. His professional education was received at the Michigan University, Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he graduated and received his degree in 1882. For a few years he practiced suc- cessfully at Adrian, Michigan, then at Scranton, Pennsylvania, and in 1888 he came to Trenton, where he has remained until the present time. His offices and waiting-rooms are on the second floor of the building on the northeast corner of State and Warren, and front on both streets. Dr. Condict does a general dental practice, extracting, operating and manufacturing, and has built up quite a business here. He belongs to the Mercer County Wheelmen and is an enthusiastic rider of the wheel. He was married in 1882 to Bessie Parsons, of Binghamton, N. Y. Four children have been born to them, three boys and a girl. Dr. Condict has a pleasant country residence at Hillcrest.
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JOHN T. MOORE was born in Canada in 1857. He received a liberal education in the pay- schools of his home and then learned the potting trade. He came to this city in 1878 and secured a position with Thomas Maddock & Sons as foreman of all the clay shops. He then accepted a position with the Empire Pottery Company. Since 1892 Mr. Moore has been Superintendent of the Enterprise Pottery. He has taken a deep interest in poli- tics and was elected to the Excise Board as one of its Republican members. Mr. Moore has been active in the organizations of his trade, the Knights of Labor and the Sanitary Ware Pressers' Association. He served for three years as Treasurer for the local sanitary association and in the same capacity for the district association, which comprised all potters in the United States, and of both of these organizations he was one of the organizers.
J. HENRY KLEIN was born in New York State, February 2d, 1857. He came to Trenton when four years of age, and received his education in the city's public schools. In 1870, he started his busi- ness career with the New Jersey Steel and Iron Com- pany. He has since continued with the company. For the past twenty years he has been Paymaster for the great establishment. Mr. Klein is a Democrat. Before the annexation of the borough of Chambers- J. HENRY KLEIN. burg, he was Tax Collector for the borough, holding this office for two years. When consolidation was effected, Mr. Klein was the Mayor of Chambersburg. In 1894, Mayor Shaw appointed him as a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners, and he is now acting as President of that Board. He is the Secretary of the Iron Workers' Beneficial Society. Mr. Klein was married in 1877, and has three children.
BIRD W. SPENCER was born in the city of New York in 1845. He is the son of Rev. Jesse A. Spencer, D. D., now a retired minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church. At the time of his birth, his father was Professor of Dead Languages at Burlington College, Burlington, New Jersey. Bird W. Spencer was educated at Quackenboss' Collegiate Institute and at Columbia College, both in New York. At the completion of his education, he entered the employ of the Erie Railroad Company. His faithful service soon brought him promotion, and he has filled the positions of Division Super- intendent, Paymaster, Cashier, Assistant Treasurer and Treasurer. After twenty-five years' service with that company, he became a member of the firm of Campbell, Morrell & Co., of Passaic, New Jersey. Mr. Spencer was elected to the office of President of the People's Bank and Trust Com- pany, of Passaic, and still holds that position. In 1874, he was chosen to represent his district in the Common Council of Passaic, and held office until 1879, when he was further honored by being elected Mayor. This honor he was given three terms, of two years cach, after which he was again elected to Common Council, in 1885, and he is now the presiding officer of that body. In May, 1889, Governor Green appointed him a State Assessor, and he was re-appointed in 1893. For two years he was President of the Board of Assessors, and is now the Vice President thereof. During the late war, he enlisted in the Seventh Regiment of the State of New York, and through the thick of the fights that followed the outbreak of the bloody War of the Rebellion, he carried himself like a true man and soldier. His courage and foresight brought with them promotion, and he speedily rose in the estimation of his fellow-soldiers in arms, and, later, in the regard of his fellow-officers. In 1876, Governor Bedle appointed him Colonel and an Aide-de-Camp on his staff ; 1878, he was appointed Major and Deputy Quartermaster, and in 1881 he was made Brigadier-General and Inspector-General of Rifle Practice. General Spencer has four children-one son, Bird F., who is in the Twenty-first United States Infantry, and three daughters. These latter are accomplished and charming women.
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JOHN D. MARGERUM was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1851, where he attended the public schools. Several years before reaching his majority he went to Lambertville, where he learned house-painting and decorating. In 1873, after he had become a journeyman, he started a business of his own in Lambertville, New Jersey, and remained there until 1886, when he came to Trenton and opened a store and office No. 336 South Broad street. Mr. Margerum thoroughly mastered the trade of paper-hanging and house-painting and then essayed the more artistic branch of the busi- ness. Possessing natural gifts as an artist, which by study and practice have been greatly developed, he has beautified many of the principal buildings of Trenton. As a few of the many samples of his skill in artistic house decoration there may be mentioned the Y. M. C. A. building, the Pennsylvania railroad depot at Clinton street, the Forst-Richey building, the Trenton Trust and Safe Deposit Company, the State House and the gilding of the dome, the Broad Street M. E. Church, the First Baptist Church (addition). In 1872, Mr. Margerum was married to Miss Miller, of Lambertville.
JEREMIAH D. GRAY was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, September 24th, 1848. His father, Peter E. Gray, a lineal descendant JOHN D. MARGERUM. of Galfridus Gray, an early settler in New Jersey, was born near Flemington, New Jersey. Since 1869 he has been a resident of New Jersey. His present home is Trenton. As a teacher he has had twenty-eight years' experience ; has served as Principal of the Clinton Academy, Girard Avenue Grammar School, Trenton, and now is at the head of the public school at Penn- ington, New Jersey. In 1890 and 1891 he was teacher of higher mathematics and physics in Amherst College Summer School, Massachusetts, now known as the Sauveur College of Languages. Mr. Gray received his education in the public schools and at the Carversville Normal College, Pennsylvania. In 1881 Union Chris- tian College, and in 1885 Lafayette College, conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. He is also quite well known as an author, having written a his- tory of the Christian Church and a serial history enti- tled "New Jersey Governors : Who They Are and What They Did." The latter appeared in the "Daily True American," December, 1889. In these articles he was associated with Francis B. Lee. He is also author of "Wentworth's Teachers' Edition of Naviga- tion," 1891. His leading work is his "Differential and Integral Calculus." At present this is in manu- JEREMIAH D. GRAY. script. He has made a key to this work, containing solutions to the higher curves for more than one thousand problems. He has done considerable work in assisting authors in writing text-books ; notably among these may be mentioned Mr. Wentworth. He also furnished considerable matter
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for the three supplementary volumes of Dr. De Puy's additions to "Encyclopedia Britannica." In 1891 he originated the "Capital City News," which he continued to publish for nearly a year. He has held several local offices, and in November, 1887, was appointed to a clerkship in the Custom House, New York City. This he declined to accept. For many years he has been County Examiner of Teachers. He has three children. His son Nomer was graduated from Dickinson College last June, and is now Principal of the Hopewell Public School.
GEORGE W. PRICE is a native of Brooklyn, New York, where he was born in 1852. Since 1860 he has resided in Trenton. He was educated at the city public schools, and when a boy associated himself with S. S. Hill to learn the butcher's trade. In 1888 Mr. Hill, after sixty-five years' exper- ience, retired from the business, and Mr. Price at once made arrangements to purchase the estab- lishment. Since then he has continued the business. He still occupies the old stalls, Nos. 43 and 44, in the City Market, but has built a new sausage factory, an illustration of which appears on the opposite page. He has so far enlarged the capacity of the works that now he is able to turn out 300,000 pounds of sausage during the season, and uses altogether about 900,000 pounds of pork per voar. Mr. Price is one of the best-known residents of Wilbur. For several years he was one of the Borough Commissioners, and was Chairman of the Committee on Street Railways and Lamps. He is now a member of the School Board of the borough, and is serving as Chairman of the Com- mittec on Buildings and Grounds. Mr. Price's political affiliations are with the Democratic party. In 1876 he married Jennie Longstreet, of Trenton, New Jersey. They reside in the handsome residence at the corner of State and Chambers streets which Mr. Price recently erected.
EDWIN GREEN was born in Yorkshire, England, October 5th, 1822. He learned the trade of wire-drawer in his native country and worked at it there for some years. In March, 1848, he came to America, and for one year and nine months he worked at his trade in New York City. On the second of January, 1850, he moved to Trenton, and immediately entered the employ of the Trenton Iron Company. For over thirty years he worked for that company, and for more than twenty years of that time he was Superintendent of their wire mills. In 1880, Mr. Green retired from active service in the mills. Several years before that time, he had been carrying on the music business, hay- ing bought out Mr. Fletcher in 1863. Mr. Green dealt in pianos and organs and all kinds of musical instruments. He continued the business until 1884, when he sold out to Peter Kendrick & Son. Mr. Green has always been very much interested in music. He sang in the Fourth Presbyterian Church for eleven years and also sang in the choirs of other city churches. Forty years ago, he was a member of the choir of the old Greene Street M. E. Church. Mr. Green was one of the organizers of the first musical society in this city. This was known as the Trenton Musical Society, and was composed of the best citizens of the town. In connection with Mr. Fletcher, Mr. EDWIN GREEN. Baldwin and Mrs. Dr. Warner, he formed the Trenton Quartette in 1853. The members of this quartette are still living. Mr. Green played the violin in the Langlotz Orchestra here a number of years ago. In July, 1850, he joined South Trenton Lodge, No. 36, I. O. O. F. He also belongs to Mercer Lodge, No. 50, F. and A. M .; Palestine Commandery, No. 4, Knights
Manfr. Celebrated TRENTON SAUSAGE
FACTORY OF GEORGE W. PRICE, NO. 26 CHAMBERS STREET, NEAR STATE STREET.
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Templar, and Threc-Times-Three Chapter. He is also a member of the Sons of St. George. Mr. Green was brought up an Episcopalian. On July 23d, 1843, he married Miss Amelia Birtwhistle. They have five children-Sarah N., Mary, Lewis E., employed with Albert Green, successor to Green & Blackwell, New York and Brooklyn ; Olive Amelia, now Mrs. W. Bradford Parker, of this city ; Walter A., wire-drawer in Georgetown, Connecticut. Mr. Green is now living a quiet, retired life at No. 329 Elmer street.
WILLIAM T. ExTON was born in Trenton, New Jersey, August 19th, 1855. Upon the comple- tion of his education he entered the Exton bakery and was employed there over twenty years. In January, 1888 he started in business for him- self. Mr. Exton gives his personal attention to the management of his business, being often on the wagon all day long. This spirit of hard work, together with his thorough knowledge of the business assures him continued success. He is now located at 325 South Broad street, where he has a large, pleasant store and in the rear a fully-equipped bakery. In January, 1882, Mr. Exton married Matilda, daughter of George S. Smith, of Trenton, New Jersey. In the fall of 1893 he accepted the nomination for Assembly from the Third district, and although this district generally gives about seven hun- dred Democratic majority he succeeded in turning it to one thousand six hundred Repub- lican. In 1894 he was unanimously renomi- nated. There were many candidates prior to the primaries ; Mr. Exton, however, had the solid support of the business men of his dis- trict, and secured every delegate in every ward. His was the only name mentioned in the con- vention. He defeated the highest man on the Democratic ticket by four thousand three hun- dred and forty-two, the largest majority ever given a legislative candidate in Mercer county. Mr. Exton secured the repeal of the bill pro- WILLIAM T. EXTON. viding for a Board of Public Works. This repeal was carried over the Governor's veto. He was also active in the passage of the bill abolishing county courts as at present constituted, and making the judiciary elective.
THE HEADLEY-LEAVITT COMPANY was formed in March, 1890, with Charles M. Headley, President and Treasurer, and William H. Leavitt, Secretary. They occupy a whole building, at 12 South Warren street, where they carry a large and complete stock of mantels, gas-fixtures, heaters, ranges and all the numerous accessories to that line of business. They have executed many large contracts and have always given satisfaction. The hot-water plant in the City Alms- house, which is the largest in the city, is the work of this company, who have also fitted up numer- ous other places in the city with plumbing, gas-fixtures, mantels, &c. The greatest care is mani- fested in all that is done, and nothing is spared that will tend to the successful finishing of any work undertaken. They give employment to a large corps of competent workmen, and all work is guaranteed to be first-class. The business has been a successful one from the beginning, and is constantly increasing. Mr. Headley is a thorough business man, and was employed with Burroughs & Mountford many years. Mr. Leavitt is a son of Dr. Lyman Leavitt, and was connected with the Dunn Hardware and Paint Company for ten years, where he acquired a mastery of the details of the business. He resides at 505 South Warren street, in the house so long occupied by his honored father. Mr. Headley resides at Fallsington, Pennsylvania.
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CHARLES DIPPOLT, D. D.S .- For over forty years Dr. Dippolt has been one of the prominent dentists of Trenton. He is a native of this city, having been born here June 3d, 1833. His early education was obtained in the public and private schools of the city, and in 1851 he commenced the study of dentistry here. He completed his studies with Dr. William R. Hall, one of the leading dentists of Philadelphia, in 1853, and immediately located in Trenton, where he practiced his pro- fession continuously until 1893. Many have been the changes and improvements in dentistry sinee he began to practice. When he commenced he was obliged to make from the crude material all of the teeth which he used, and in addition to that he refined and alloyed gold and silver for metal plates in his own laboratory. He is indeed a mechanic and a thorough master of his profession in all of its details. His success has been phenomenal. His practice was so great for many years that he was compelled to have an assistant in order to attend to his many patients. Dr. Dippolt was one of the founders of the New Jersey State Dental Society and has served as a member of the Examining Board for two years, a member of the Executive Committee for two years and Vice President for one year. He was also a member of the committee appointed to obtain a law regu- lating the study and practice of dentistry in the State. Dr. Dippolt has been twice married ; first to Henrietta Post, who died about one year after their marriage, and later to Mary B., daughter of Benjamin M. Clark, of Cranbury, New Jersey. They have one daughter, Mrs. Edward B. Parsons, whose husband is engaged in the wholesale seed business. Dr. Dippolt owns a great deal of real estate in different parts of the city. Much of his property is located near the corner of State and Broad streets, and consists of prominent business houses. The care of all of his property he assumes personally, and this has been sufficient to occupy his time and attention since he gave up the active practice of his profession. He has a handsome residence at No. 203 East State street, opposite the post-office.
WILLIAM H. CAULDWELL was born in London, England. Emigrating to this country when a child, his parents settled in New York City, where they remained for about eighteen years. His father, Rev. Alfred Cauldwell, is a Baptist clergyman, now residing in ÆEtna, Pennsylvania. Mr. Cauldwell's education was procured in the public schools and at Duff's Business College, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He began life as errand boy, and apprenticed himself to the trade of tailoring in Pittsburgh, finishing with W. J. Owens, of Trenton, New Jersey. For ten years he worked for Sinclair, Vannest & Company, but in Janu- ary, 1889, established a place of business at No. 17 - North Broad street. He was elected Councilman in the borough of Chambersburg, holding that office thrce years and until the borough was consolidated with Trenton. He is a Republican. On May 13th, 1874, he married Katie W. Owens, a nieee of William J. Owens, of this city.
LOUIS DIEHL, JR., was born in Trenton, New Jersey, March 6th, 1862. He attended the public schools, and, after completing the course, he learned the trade of potter, which he worked at in various WILLIAM H. CAULDWELL. potteries until November, 1894, during which time he was President of the Sanitary Local Union. Soon after his father's death he assumed full charge of his father's estate. Mr. Diehl has always manifested great interest in the operations of the fire department. He was presiding officer of the Liberty Fire Company (Volunteer), and is at present serving on the Board of Fire Commissioners, appointed by Mayor Shaw. Mr. Dichl is connected with the Democratic League, and also takes an active part in several social organizations, where he is well liked by his fellow- members. On December 30th, 1886, Mr. Dichl was married to Katherine Ostermeyer, of this city.
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CHARLES DIPPOLT, D.D.S.
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FREDERICK A. KEMLER was born in Germany in 1848. He was educated in his native land, and learned his father's trade, that of tailoring. He also served three years in the Prussian army. In 1873 Mr. Kemler settled in Trenton. For a num- ber of years he worked at his trade, his first employer being James Owens, then a prominent merchant tailor. In 1882 Mr. Kemler started a tailor shop of his own at Centre and Bridge streets. Soon he moved to his present location, corner Centre and Ferry streets, where he has his shop and residence. By patient in- dustry and strict attention to business, he is known all through South Trenton as a reliable custom tailor. Mr. Kemler is a Democrat. In 1892 he was eleeted a member of the County Board of Freeholders, a posi- tion which he still holds. In October, 1876, he mar- ried Josephina Ermeling, of this city.
PHILIP FREUDENMACHER was born in Trenton, November 13th, 1856. His earlier education was gained in the local public schools, and later he was a pupil of the Trenton Business College. He acted as clerk in a grocery store about three years, after which he engaged in the trade of cigarmaking. Completing his trade, he FREDERICK A, KEMLER. went into the manufacture of cigars for himself, and con- tinued in that business about two years. Mr. Freudenmacher was the Trenton representative of the Bergner & Engel Brewing Company from 1882 until 1892, when he accepted an offer from the Trenton Brewing Company to act in the capacity of Managing Salesman of their output. His familiarity with the trade qualifies him to an unusual degree for the performance of his duties, which are chiefly the inspection of the branch houses of the brewery and the extension of the boundary lines of the territory which the company practically controls. He was Chief of the Trenton Volunteer Fire Department from 1888 until 1892, when the volunteer system was abolished. He was a member of the Eagle Company, and held the offices of Foreman, Treasurer and Vice President. When the paid department was inaugurated, he was its Chief for the first twenty-four hours, surrendering the office to the present Chief, William McGill, at the stroke of the gong at 12 o'clock midnight of the first day. He is a member of the Republican Club of Trenton, and is also enrolled in the Knights of Pythias, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, Masons and several other organizations. He was married in 1877 to Sophie M. Widmann, of New Egypt. He has one son, George D.
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