USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > Trenton > History of Trenton, New Jersey : the record of its early settlement and corporate progress. > Part 57
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SAMUEL FREDERICK.
SAMUEL FREDERICK was born in the town of Suffern, Rock- land county, New York, March 26th, 1856. He was educated in the public schools, and followed the life of a farmer until he was twenty-five years of age, when he began to learn the trade of a carpenter. In September of 1886 he removed to Paterson, New Jersey, and worked at his chosen calling of carpenter and builder. In the following spring he purchased his employer's residence and the good will and interest of the business, and has since conducted it most successfully. While taking more than a passing interest in the political situations of his city and county, he has never aspired to public office, but, at the request of his many friends and admirers, and influenced by a desire to have the old Mechanics' Lien law repealed, which he subse- quently accomplished, and, in conjunction with Assemblyman Skinner, of Essex county, framed and had passed the present law, he accepted the Republican nomination for the Assembly, and, in the fall of 1894, was elected by a plurality of 3,743 votes over Thomas Flynn, the highest candidate on the Demo-
cratic ticket. He served on the Committees on Bill Revision and Towns and Townships. A number of bills introduced by him became laws, the principal among which was the codification of the ordinances of cities of this State. Mr. Frederick was formerly a Township Committeeman of Hohokus, Bergen county, for a three years' term, during which he served as Treasurer of that body. In the spring of 1894 he received the nomination for freeholder, in the Third ward of Paterson, in anticipation of a change being made in the law governing the election of members of that body.
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JOHN KING was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland, February 10th, 1850, and was educated at the schools of that celebrated seat of learning. He has engaged in many business ventures more or less profitable, has been in the grocery business, and at one time followed the arduous life of a gold ininer. He has long made the city of Passaic, New Jersey, his home, where he very successfully conducts a hotel, identifying himself with its public movements and a potent factor in its Republi- can politics. His interest in and his love for his native country has never flagged. In 1876 he assisted the late John J. Breslin in rescuing six political prisoners from West Australia, who were sentenced by the British government for treason-felony to imprisonment for life. Mr. King was a member of the Assembly from the old Fourth district of Passaic county in 1890 and 1891, and from the county at large in 1895 and 1896. He was re-elected to the Assembly of 1897 by a plurality of 5,093 votes over Dunn, the highest candidate on the Democratic ticket. During his long legislative career he has been actively identified with the most important measures, and has served as member and chairman of the most prominent committees. Mr. King was the choice of his townsmen for renomination in 1897 to the New Jersey Assembly, but in spite of the fact that the delega- tion that represented him was stronger than any that had ever before appeared for him at a convention, he was forced to suc- cumb to party manipulations and accept defeat, owing to dissen- tions that made the campaign of Passaic county that year a memorable one.
RICHARD CARROLL was born in Pike of Rust Hall, Queens county, Ireland, May 6th, 1851. He received his education in JOHN KING. the National School of Castletown, in his native county. At the age of seventeen he came to this country and learned the tailor- ing and cutting trade in the city of Paterson, New Jersey, subsequently establishing himself in that business, at which he was employed for a period of about six years, when he engaged in the wine and liquor business, which he still conducts. Mr. Carroll has ever taken an active interest in Democratic politics, always attending primaries and often serving on committees. His name was frequently mentioned, and he was often solicited by his party to accept the nomination for office. This he steadfastly refused to do until the fall of 1891, when he ran for the Assembly in the Third Assembly district, which is composed of the Fifth and Sixth wards of the city of Paterson, having a population of about 20,000, and was elected over the opposing candidate, McCran, the representative of the previous year. During the legislative session he introduced the bill known as the Fifty-five Hour bill, which passed the House only to be defeated in the Senate, but was ultimately passed during the following session. He also introduced a bill drawn in the interest of equal taxation, similar in character to the one which has recently become a law. Mr. Carroll was a prominent member of the Land League which espoused the Parnell move- ment. He was the prime mover in the formation of the Catholic Literary Society, is a member of a number of social and political clubs, and is the standard-bearer of the Carroll Guards of Paterson.
THOMAS McCRAN was born in Ireland, in the year 1848, and removed to America when he was twenty years of age, settling RICHARD CARROLL. temporarily in Newark, New Jersey. He shortly afterwards went West and worked for a time in St. Louis, and ultimately engaged as a laborer in the employ of the Iron Mountain railroad. Abandoning this arduous toil, he went South and followed cotton-picking with such good success that he attracted the attention of a great planter in Louisiana, who engaged him to superintend the ditching of his plantation. The scourge of the South, yellow fever, caused him to abandon the project and return to Newark, where he found employment in the hide factory
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of James N. Arbuckle. After a year's experience he had mastered the details of that business, and, about 1872, he opened up in the same line for himself at Jersey City, where he erected a large hide and tallow factory. He shortly afterwards added another in Paterson, both houses doing a business exceeded by few in this part of the country. In 1888 he was elected a member of the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Passaic county by an overwhelming majority. In 1889 he was success- fully elected to the New Jersey House of Assembly. His popu- larity was attested by the fact that he received 420 votes plural- ity from a district that had been considered safe to poll heavily for the Democratic candidate. During his term of office he acquitted himself with much credit. He is a fluent and witty speaker, and ably represented his constituents. He served dur- ing the session on the Committees on Banks and Insurance and State Prison.
ROBERT A. CARROLL was born in Baltimore, Maryland, Feb- ruary 19th, 1860. He attended the public schools of his native city until he was ten years old, when he entered a grocery store, remaining there five years.
He then became a messenger boy, and afterwards was em- ployed as errand boy by a THOMAS MCCRAN. large dressmaking establish- ment. Wishing to learn a trade, he engaged with the firm of Henry McShane & Co., a brass finishing concern of Baltimore, and in four years became master of that important art. In 1880 he left Baltimore and found employment with the firm of McNab & Harlin Manufacturing Company in Paterson, with whom he has since continued. In the fall of 1886 he received the nomi- nation of the regular Democratic party and of the Labor party for the Assembly, and was successfully elected to represent the Third Legislative district, which at that time comprised the Fourth and Fifth wards of Paterson, the township of Acquackanonk and the city of Passaic, having a united popu- lation of over 26,000. At the regular session Mr. Carroll sup- ported and helped pass the ROBERT A. CARROLL. Equal Taxation bill, and was also instrumental in com- pelling the Morris and Essex railroad to pay their fair share of taxes. He has always been a Democrat in principle and an active worker in the political movements of that party. Mr. Carroll is a prominent member of the Knights of Pythias.
WILSON M. LAWSON was born in Richfield, Passaic county, New Jersey, February 13th, 1857, and may truthfully be called a self-made man. Gaining what education the schools of his native county afforded, he entered the employ of J. R. Freeland, who kept a feed store. Opportunity affording, he learned the trade of horseshoeing and then took up the business of general blacksmith. After working four years at that line he embarked in the same business for himself (1885) at Richfield, and has since successfully conducted it. His sound business ability at- WILSON M. LAWSON. tracted the attention of his fellow-townsmen, who elected him to the Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1895 and returned him in 1897. He is now filling his second term in that office. Mr. Lawson is an ardent and outspoken Republican. He is the Treasurer of the Republican Club of Acquackanonk, the strongest club of its kind in the county. He took a very active interest in the election of Governor Griggs and Vice President Hobart, and was a member of
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the Republican County Committee. He is a member, also, of the Independent Order of Hepta- sophs, an insurance and benevolent association, and belongs to Falls City Lodge, F. and A. M., of Paterson. In 1879 Mr. Lawson married Elizabeth Van Riper, a member of one of the oldest fami- lies of l'aterson. He has two children, both boys.
EDWARD N. KEVITT, member of the Passaic County Board of Freeholders, was born March 16th, 1854, in Singac, New Jersey. When he was one year of age, his parents removed to Passaic, and to the public schools of that city he owes his education. He learned the carpenter trade under the late ex-Freeholder G. W. Conkling, and in 1882 established himself in business at No. 30 Bloomfield avenue, where he remained until 1895, when he removed to his present location, No. 15 Garden street. He is essentially practical in all that he undertakes and possesses great architectural skill. To his ability in the latter respect he owes much of his success as a carpenter, and a number of fine residences testify to his genius as an architect and his thorough- ness as a builder. Among them is the residence of C. J. Cadmus, that of A. Yearance, the Passaic post-office building, and a large number of other residences and public buildings which he has designed and built. Mr. Kevitt has been an active member of the Passaic Fire Department since 1885, holding the position of Second Assistant, First Assistant and Foreman of Passaic Engine Company, No. 1, being elected EDWARD N. KEVITT. Chief of the entire department in 1892. He is an active worker in all political movements, and has been a member of the Board of Freeholders since 1894, where his practical knowledge has been of much advantage to his coadjutors. Mr. Kevitt is a member of Passaic City Gun Club, and belongs to the Exempt Fire- men's Relief Association and to the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
WILLIAM MALCOLM was born in the city of Manchester, England, February 16th, 1846, of Scotch parentage. Completing liis education, he was apprenticed to the large manufacturing stationery concern of Bruton & Sons, of his native city, with whom he remained seven or eight years. Subsequently, and for a period of ten years, he was engaged in the dry goods business. Closing out his interest, he came to America and settled in Passaic, New Jersey, where he has since made his home, embarking in the book and stationery business, which has since grown to be one of the largest establishments of its kind in the State, and known as William Malcolm & Son, his only son, John, being his partner in the concern. Mr. Malcolm has been a public-spirited citizen in every sense of the word, ever taking an active interest in everything pertaining to public affairs. He now holds the office of City Treasurer. He has been a member of the Board of Assessors and is a justice of the peace. He is Secretary and Treasurer of the Hobart Club, Secretary and Treasurer of the National Brick and Terra Cotta Company, and was one of the founders of, and has been for fifteen years the Secretary of, the Mutual Loan and Building Association of Passaic. He is a member of Passaic Lodge, WILLIAM MALCOLM. No. 67 ; Centennial Chapter, No. 34, F. and A. M .; Milita Commandery, No. 13, K. T .; New York Consistory Scottish Rite, and Mecca Temple, Mystic Shrine. He is P. G. Councilor O. U. F .; Chief of Clan McLean, O. S. C .; P. C. Knights Pythias, and a member of the Ancient Order United Workmen. He is also a member of the Orean Park Club and President of the Exempt Firemen's Association.
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ROBERT ATHERTON, the well-known machinist and inventor, of Paterson, New Jersey, was born in Westchester county, New York, August 28th, 1832, and received his education in the county schools. In 1848 he removed to Paterson, and there began the trade of machinist in the shops of Benjamin Buckley. He next entered the Danforth Locomotive Works for the purpose of perfecting his knowledge of the trade, and after remaining two years he returned to his former employer. From the year 1857 to 1861 he was employed by the firm of John E. Van Winkle. In the latter year he started in business for himself, subsequently associating with Samuel Watson, under the firm name of Atherton & Watson. This partnership was dis- solved in two years, at the end of which time the Franklin Mill was established. Mr. Atherton next connected himself with the firm of Mr. George P. Van Riper, and, for the succeeding twelve years, was Superintendent of the factory of that firm. In 1878 he again established himself as a general machinist at the Franklin Mill, where, with his three sons, he still con- ducts one of the largest and most flourishing plants of its kind in this country, the property having an area of over twenty thousand square feet, employing one hundred skilled workmen. - The firm constructs hard and soft silk machinery and general and special machinery for all purposes connected with textile manufacture. Mr. Atherton's inventions have gained for him an envied reputation in his chosen calling. He yearly expends ROBERT ATHERTON. large sums in patents, and all his spare time is devoted to fur- ther improvements of his many and valuable inventions. Mr. Atherton was elected to the Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1895. He is a member of Falls City Lodge, No. 82, F. and A. M., and of Paterson Lodge, No. 60, B. and P. O. E.
JACOB J. VAN NOORDT was born in Walington, Bergen county, New Jersey, March 22d, 1865. Upon completing his education at the public schools of Passaic, he engaged as a clerk in the grocery store of Edmond Speer, of that city, now long since out of business, and afterwards filled the same position with the firm of Hardifer & Co. For two years he was engaged by Reid & Barry, printers of calico, in their finishing-room, leaving that firm to learn the trade of mason and builder, and since 1887 he has followed that trade, conducting it from his office in the " Passaic News" building. He early in life began to take an interest in politics, and has been a hard worker in the Repub- lican party since he was eighteen years of age, figuring promi- nently in every campaign. He was first elected to the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Passaic county in 1892, and has been a member of that board continuously ever since, acting as its Director for the past four years. He is the organizer of the Netherland Association of Passaic, the only organization of its kind in the State. This association is intended to perpetuate the memory of the part the Hollanders took in the early his- JACOB J. VAN NOORDT. tory of the world-a prominent part, indeed, as the Declaration of Independence and that wonderful Constitution of ours are modeled in a great measure after those of brave little Holland, made about two hundred years earlier. Mr. Van Noordt married Flora A. Drukker, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, in February, 1889. She is the daughter of Rev. R. Drukker, pastor of the Holland Church, Paterson, New Jersey, the result of the union being one child, a son, now six years old.
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ALBERT T. ZABRISKIE, the present Collector of Taxes and Assessments of the city of Passaic, New Jersey, was born in Manchester township, Passaic county, New Jersey, March 10th, 1860. He was educated in the public schools of Hawthorne and private schools of Paterson, finishing under the private tuition of Prof. W. J. Slattery, the present Principal of Paterson Normal School. Upon leaving school he began the study of telegraphy. His first position was with the Greenwood Lake railway, leaving that road in 1879 to take a similar position with the New Jersey Midland railroad. At this time he occupied the dual position of agent for the New Jersey Midland and the Jersey City and Albany railroad, at Ridgefield Park Junction. In the following year he entered the employ of the Erie rail- road, and finally located at Passaic, in 1881, where he took the position of night operator and ticket clerk. He was rapidly advanced through the various grades, until he was appointed agent in 1884, assuming entire charge of the company's busi- ness in Passaic. He held this position until 1895, when he was elected to his present office. In 1889 Mr. Zabriskie was appointed Superintendent of Fire-Alarm Telegraph of Passaic. He also held this position until elected Collector. He has always been active in public affairs and conspicuous in political campaigns. Has been elected a delegate to many county and State conventions. He is a member of the Passaic County Republican Executive Committee, and at one time was its Vice President. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1894, and, by appointment, frequently sits as Police Judge, in the ALBERT T. ZABRISKIE, absence of the regular justice. He is a member of the Passaic City Gun Club, the Tourist Club of Paterson, the Passaic Board of Trade, and is one of the Board of Managers of the Acquackanonk Club, Treasurer of the Young Men's Republican Club, Auditor of the Holland Society of Passaic, Auditor of the Mutual Building and Loan Association, Auditor of the Engine Company, No. 1, Passaic Fire Department ; Treas- urer and a Director of the Bogart Heights Land Company. He also belongs to the order of United Friends, the National Union and the Exempt Firemen's Association. Among the members of the League of American Wheelmen there is no more ardent devotee than Mr. Zabriskie.
CHRISTIAN HUBER was born in Baden, Germany, on that day patriotically looked forward to by every ambitious youth of his adopted country, March 4th, 1847. His education was that afforded by the public schools of his native place, after which he learned the trade of carpenter. When his trade was finished he put into execution the plans he had long held of coming to America, emigrating in 1866. He lingered in New York City a year and in Jersey City a year, when he came to Passaic, where he has since made his home, working at his trade until 1874. He entered the mechanical department of the Dundee Woolen Company, at Passaic, where his skill was recognized, and he is still there employed. Mr. Huber has always been an ardent Republican, and it came natural for him to take an active part in politics and everything of a public CHRISTIAN HUBER. character around him. He was elected a member of the Passaic City Council in 1888, and has served there continuously until the present year (1897), and was President of the board during the year 1892. He was elected to the Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1897. In 1892 he failed of nomination for the Assembly by only two votes. He has been Chief of the Passaic Fire Department for three years, and is President of the German Republican Club of Passaic. He is a member of the Exempt Firemen's Association, a member of the National Stationary Engineers' Association, a member of Passaic Steam Fire Engine Company, No. 1, with which he has been associated for the last twenty-eight years, and is one of three original organizers of the Passaic Fire Department in active service.
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WINFIELD SCOTT Cox was born in Pompton, Passaic county, New Jersey, October 6th, 1848. He received his education at the public school of Pompton and the boarding school of Blairstown, New Jersey, which then occupied the site of the present academy. He began his business career in the Rockaway, New Jersey, rolling mills of James Horner & Co., now known as the Pompton Steel and Iron Company. Here, under the direction of his father, he learned the trade, but his health failing he opened a hotel at Bloomingdale, New Jersey, which he ran successfully for the ensuing two years. In the year 1878 he ran for Freeholder of Passaic county against Samuel Van Ness, and was elected by a majority of 105. The following election he defeated Philip R. George, of Ringwood, for the same office, by a majority of 89. In 1881 he was elected Sheriff of Passaic county, and the four years he held that office he gave one of the cleanest and most efficient administrations in the history of that important office. For four years he held the office of Deputy Revenue Collector, having charge of the stamp division of the Internal Revenue Department. In 1895 he ran for the Assembly, against his wishes, but was defeated by very few . votes. At present Mr. Cox is successfully conducting a wood- working business, under the firm name of Butler Wood Work- ing Company, which was established by him in 1894. Mr. WINFIELD SCOTT COX. Cox is a member of numerous societies and is noted for his social qualities. He is a member of Ivanhoe Lodge, No. 88, F. and A. M .; of Lodge No. 200, I. O. O. F., of Bloomingdale, of which he is Past Grand ; of Jr. O. U. A. M., of Midvale, New Jersey, and a member of the Executive Committee of the Passaic County Republican Committee for the past twenty years.
JOHN JOSEPH WELSH was born in Lodi, New Jersey, March 14th, 1864. He received his education at the public schools of Passaic and began his business career as a cigarmaker, in the employ of Walters' Manufactory, and continued thus employed for a period of about six years. He first became engaged in the liquor business in 1885, and has ever since followed that line of trade. He began to interest himself in politics long before he had a vote, and he early manifested that he possessed more than the usual run of ability. He has been a Councilman of Passaic since 1892, and is a member of the Board of Freeholders. His political career has been one of marked brilliancy, and it is a recognized fact that he is the most powerful and prominent Democrat in Passaic. He is familiarly called the "Lawyer," a term applied to him in recognition of his ability to master adverse conditions and grasp victory out of a possible defeat. His name was promi- nently brought forward as a candidate for Sheriff of Passaic county, but Mr. Hopper receiving the nomination, upon his election to that office in the fall of 1897, recognized the worth and abilities of Mr. Welsh by appointing him Under Sheriff. JOHN J. WELSH. Mr. Welsh is a member of the Foresters, Red Men, St. Pat- rick's Alliance, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Sarsfield Asso- ciation, Democratic Association of Passaic, and is the standard-bearer of the John J. Welsh Associa- tion, an organization of over two hundred members. He is an honorary member of the Dundee Engine Company and of the Active Athletic Club, of Paterson, and a director in the Home Building and Loan Association, of Passaic
JOIN KEAN.
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JOHN KEAN was born in Ursino, Union county, New Jersey, December 4th, 1852. He is a grandson of Potter Kean, who married a daughter of Lewis Morris, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and a son of John Kean, Sr., who was born at Ursino, New Jersey, March 27th, 1814. His father graduated from Princeton College, read law with Governor Pennington, but never entered upon the active practice of his profession. He was a member of Governor Pennington's staff, with rank of Colonel ; was one of the founders and first President of the Central Railroad Company of New Jersey, and was President of the National State Bank and prominently connected with many other institutions of Elizabethtown. He married a daughter of Caleb O. Halsted. The subject of this sketch studied law and is a graduate of the Columbia Law School. He was admitted to the bar of New Jersey in November, 1877, but has largely devoted his attention to extensive business affairs, succeeding his distinguished father in many important positions. He is President of the Elizabethtown Gas Company, Vice President of the National State Bank, of Elizabeth ; Secretary of the West End Iron Company and director of several large institutions of Elizabeth. He is also Vice President of the Manhattan Trust Company, of New York. His political career began with his election to the Secretaryship of the Union County Republican Committee, of which he was subsequently made President. In 1882 he was elected to Congress, in a strongly Democratic district, by a plurality of 2,295 votes over the popular Democratic leader, Miles Ross. He was returned to Congress in 1886, defeating McMahon, the Democratic candidate. In 1892 he was nominated for Governor against George T. Werts. Mr. Kean is still active in Republican politics, and is recognized as one of the able and influential leaders of the State.
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