USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > Trenton > History of Trenton, New Jersey : the record of its early settlement and corporate progress. > Part 62
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FRANK MCNALLY was born at Lambertville, New Jersey, in the year 1850, and when a small boy his parents started with him for Augusta, Georgia, but stopped at New York City, at which place they lived for eighteen months ; at the expiration of this time they moved to South Amboy, New Jersey, where he attended school until the age of seventeen years. In 1867 he started upon his career of railroading as water boy for the Camden and Amboy railroad. He, later on, was promoted to a position as extra brakeman at Mantua, Philadelphia. At this time there were three trains from Jersey City to Philadelphia and return. When he first came to Jersey City he was employed as a brakeman in the Jersey City freight yard, and at that time what is now the Pennsyl-
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vania railroad was then the New Jersey Transportation Company. After serving four years he was advanced to a conductorship. About 1873 the freight yard known as Harsimus Cove was opened and Frank was transferred to this yard as conductor and yardmaster. There were only two engines in this yard at the time of his promotion, and now there are twenty-three. He has five assistants and controls over five hundred men. At a fair of the Catholic Club Mr. McNally was awarded a handsome diamond pin as being the most popular railroad man in Hudson county. He was elected to the Board of Freeholders in 1893 for a term of three years. After serving eighteen months he was legislated out of office. In 1894 he was again elected to the office of freeholder for the two-year term, and was made Director of that board upon the resignation of William (now Sheriff) Heller. Mr. McNally is a member of the Robert Davis Association, D. Mclaughlin Association, Third Ward Democratic Club, Knights of Columbus, Royal Arcanum and is the standard-bearer of the Frank McNally Association.
JAMES PARKER was born in Wallingford, Vermont, September 28th, 1856. He has resided in Paterson, New Jersey, since his infancy, and was educated at the public schools of that city. His father's death, occurring when James was quite young, obliged him to leave school and seek employ- ment. He began his business career in the wholesale grocery house of R. T. Westervelt & Son. Remaining with them for a period of ten years, he formed a. co-partnership and succeeded to the business of that firm. This partnership was dissolved at the end of two years, when he accepted the position of salesman for Ackerman & Van Gieson, in the same line of business. In 1887 he received the unani- mous nomination of the Republican party for Tax Commis- sioner, and was elected by one of the largest majorities ever given a candidate for that office. In May, 1889, he was re- appointed, under the law, by Mayor Barnert. He was nomi- nated in 1891, from the First district of Passaic county, for the New Jersey Assembly, and was elected by a plurality of 803 votes over Mr. Buschmann, Democrat. He served on the Com- mittees on Militia and Incidental Expenses. At the organiza- tion of the 1896 Assembly he was elected Clerk of the House. His efficiency was recognized the following session by his re- election to the same office. Mr. Parker is one of the oldest members of the Paterson Light Guards, or, as it is now known, the First Battalion, and is First Lieutenant of Company C. He JAMES PARKER. belongs to the I. O. O. F., and is a member of the Grand Council Royal Arcanum of New Jersey, and one of the organizers of the Phelps Guard. While Mr. Parker is an ardent Republican, he has hosts of friends among those who differ with him in political faith. He is possessed of an unusual genial temperament and singularly free from that affectation which is so apt to characterize public inen. This and the ability shown in his management of the offices intrusted to him, has enabled him to receive the large majorities impossible under any other condi- tions. Mr. Parker holds the office of City Comptroller of Paterson, New Jersey.
JOHN JACOBUS was born in Little Falls, New Jersey, October 31st, 1854, and resides in the same house in which he was born. There he attended the public schools and finished his education at Water's Seminary, at Paterson. In 1874 he went to California to regain his health, roaming all over that State. He engaged there in mining and stock enterprises, finally settling down in San Francisco as salesman for the Pacific Oil and Lead Works. He remained with that firm nearly eight years, completely recovering his health. Returning East to visit his family, he was induced to remain, and in 1883 went into the plumbing-supply and contracting business, carrying a general stock of hardware, tin, stoves, &c., in which line he is still engaged. Mr. Jacobus is a Republican, and an enthusiastic one. He held the office of constable for about two years, and was formerly Township Collector. In 1897 he was elected to the office of Chosen Freeholder from the township of Little Falls. While in San Francisco he joined the Western Addition, No. 285, I. O. O. F., also the Odd Fellows' Library, of San Francisco, in which he has maintained his mem-
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bership. He belongs to Ivanhoe Lodge, No. 88, F. and A. M., of which he was one of the organizers, and has been Treasurer of Eagle Council, No. 190, American Mechanics, since its organization. Mr. Jacobus is the son of Barney S. Jacobus, who, before his death in 1885, was the foremost boot and shoe dealer of Little Falls.
JOSEPH L. CUNNINGHAM was born in the city of New York in the year 1848. He began his education at the public schools of that city, and subsequently graduated from the law department of the University of Albany, New York. He was for many years connected with the extensive iron works of Messrs. Cooper, Hewitt & Company, but has for some years been engaged in the brokerage business. Mr. Cunningham was nominated in 1875 for member of the Assembly, on the Repub- lican ticket, to represent the Third Legislative district, which at that time comprised the First and Third wards of the city of Paterson, and Wayne, Manchester, Pompton and West Milford town- ships. He was elected by a majority of 150, the total vote that year being 2,682, of which Mr. Cunningham received 1,416. He ably represented his constituents, and was re-elected the following year. Mr. Cunningham was formerly one of the Commis- sioners of Appeal for Pompton township and was Post- master at Ringwood. He is at the present time much engrossed in business affairs, and his transactions are very extensive and cover a wide territory. Mr. Cun- ningham is still a resident of Paterson, New Jersey, and actively interested in its public affairs.
CHARLES A. SCHOBER was born in Baden, Germany, January 20th, 1862. He is the son of Charles Schober, 1 who came to America in 1864. Charles attended a German private school for a period of four years, when he entered a public school, subsequently graduating from the Newark High School. Manifesting a decided leaning toward the mechanical branches, he was ap- prenticed to R. Heinisch & Son, the world-renowned shear manufacturers. He became a thorough master JOSEPH L. CUNNINGHAM. of that important industry, at which he has steadily engaged for more than fifteen years. While thus em- ployed, he married the daughter of Mr. Selemeyer, foreman of the factory. His wife died in 1892, leaving three children. In 1885 he again married, taking to wife Miss Elizabeth Kaiser, daughter of the late B. Kaiser, the well-known bottler of Newark, New Jersey, and whose large business is still carried on by Mr. Schober. He has been twice a member of the Assembly for Essex county. Elected in 1895, he was returned in 1896 by a majority of 2,629 over the highest candi- date on the Democratic ticket. He was the father of the Poll Tax bill of 1895, which was intended to abolish that tax, but subsequent amendment changed its workings and removed most of its force. Mr. Schober is Past Chancellor of Granite Lodge, No. 20, K. of P., a member of the I. O. O. F., A. O. U. W. and Fraternal Legion. He was one of the organizers of the U. S. Grant Republican Club, one of the most prominent political bodies in Newark.
JULIUS BONNET, a member of the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, was born in the city of Newark, New Jersey, December 7th, 1860. He received such education as was afforded by the German and English private schools, and completed his studies at the Morton Street Public School. By occupation Mr. Bonnet is a diamond setter, and is a thorough master of that important branch of trade. He has been for years engaged with the large firm of Halsey & Marshall, Newark. He has always taken a deep interest in the Republican politics of Newark, and has been an active an intelligent, member of its prominent political clubs. He is a member of the U. S. Grant and West End Republican ('lubs, of the former of which he is Governor. He was elected to the Board of Freeholders in 1896, and is now filling that important office. Mr. Bonnet is a member of the Newark American Singing Society and belongs to a number of other minor organizations.
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JOHN PEARSON was born at Castle Eden, Durham county, England, April 14th, 1843. When eight years of age he came to Jersey City, where he has since resided. He is a florist, and has been in his present place of business for the past thirty years. He was elected a member of the Assembly in 1886, and was the first Democrat elected from the Fifth district of Hudson county. He served two terms. He served in the war of the Rebellion, and is a member of Van Houten Post, G. A. R. He was President of the Commission that built the new City Hall for Jersey City. He is Treasurer of the Carteret and Bergen No. 3 Building Loan Associations. He was married in 1880 to Miss Jane Elliott, and they have two children, a boy and a girl.
CHARLES JACOBI, member of the Board of Aldermen of Newark, New Jersey, was born in that city, November 20th, 1852. After completing his education at the public and private schools of his native city, he entered the employ of James M. Durand & Company, manufacturing jewelers, located on Frank- lin street. Remaining with them for over six years, he took a position with Enos Richardson & Company, in the same line of business. Here he stayed for the ensuing seven years. He is now connected with the manufacturing concern of Long & Koch, JOHN PEARSON. No. 14 Oliver street, with whom he has been for the past three years. Mr. Jacobi is now serving his first term in the Board of Aldermen. He has always taken a very active interest in Republican politics, and has served in the sewerage and drainage depart- ment of the city of Newark. Hc belongs to the John C. Fremont Association and is a member of several benevolent associations. In 1875, Mr. Jacobi married Teresa Bopp, daughter of one of Newark's leading builders, by whom he has three children, Louisa, Bertha and Charlotte.
CORNELIUS S. HOFFMAN was born in Lebanon, Hun- terdon county, February 5th, 1852. He began his busi- ness career by entering the employ of his father-in-law, Mr. John R. Emery, who received the appointment of Line Agent for the New Jersey Central railroad and branches, in 1873, to sell coal for the Lehigh and Wilkes- barre Coal Company and the Lehigh Coal and Naviga- tion Company. Upon the death of Mr. Emery, Mr. Hoffman succeeded him in business and continued said agency. Mr. Hoffman was nominated for member of Assembly in 1882, and was successfully elected, receiv- ing 2,721 votes. He was re-elected in the year follow- CORNELIUS S. HOFFMAN. ing, receiving 2,574 votes. He served as member of the Committees on Printing and Education, and was a member of the special committee to investigate the charges of bribery. Mr. Hoffman has long been actively identified with the public improvements and developments of the town of Somer- ville. His transactions have been large, and to him are owing niany of the public improvements which have been a feature of the rapid transactions in this town during the past few years.
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Joux I. HOLT was born at Hawthorne, a suburb of Paterson, New Jersey, December 4th, 1851. He received a liberal education, and learned the trade of watchmaker. For nearly a quarter of a century he has carried on the business of jeweler and dealer in watches and clocks. Mr. Holt ever took an active interest in the public affairs of Paterson. He first entered public life in 1879, in which year he was elected a member of the Board of Education from the First ward. He served in that body for six years, and was its President during the last two years of his term. He was elected a member of the Board of Aldermen in 1885, and re-elected to the same office in 1887, presiding over that body from the year following until the end of the term. He was for a number of years a prominent member of the Republican County Executive Com- mittee of Passaic county. In 1888 he was successfully elected to the House of Assembly by a plurality of 2,282 votes. His ability as a public speaker and his thorough knowledge of parliamentary law led to his being the choice of his party for the Speakership in the organization of the House of 1893, to which body he had been re-elected the previous fall. He
served throughout that session, until May 26th, at which time the House took a recess until October 2d. Mr. Holt resigning, JOHN I. HOLT. Mr. Cross was elected to fill his place, but no business was transacted upon the re-assembling of the Legislature, and the House adjourned sine die upon that day.
JAMES F. NORTON was born in Brooklyn, New York, about thirty-six years ago. His parents moved to Jersey City when he was only two years old, and when but four his father died. At the age of thirteen he left St. Peter's Parochial School and went to work as a messenger boy in the office of the Jersey City "Argus." There he learned the art of typesetting, and at the end of three years he left the " case" to accept a position as reporter on the "Argus." For several years he assisted Mr. W. E. Sackett, who represented several New York papers in New Jersey. Later Mr. Norton became the Hudson county representative of the New York "Sun" and the Newark "Evening News." In 1884 he was elected to the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders, having received a unani- mous nomination, and was re-elected in 1885 without opposi- tion. He was elected to the House of Assembly in 1887 by a plurality of 752 over Michael F. Feeley, an Independent Demo- cratic candidate, who had the Republican indorsement, and Patrick O'Hagan, a Labor candidate. Mr. Norton is a bright journalist, and well known and esteemed by the neighbors and friends among whom he has lived for thirty-three years. At JAMES F. NORTON. the close of his legislative career he accepted the position as Jersey City representative on the New York "World," and has continued in the service of that paper ever since. About the same time he was appointed clerk at the First Police Court, a position he still retains.
PATRICK H. O'NEILL was born in Ireland fifty-one years ago, and at the age of two years (the youngest of five children) arrived in Jersey City, where the family has resided ever since. He was educated in parochial, private and public schools, and at the breaking out of the late war ran away from Public School No. 3 of Jersey City, enlisted in Company H, Sixty-sixth New York Volunteers, and served under the following commanders : Generals Mcclellan, Burnside, Hooker, Sumner, Hancock, Meade and Grant. He was captured twice, once at Chancellorsville and again at Reems Station, and was imprisoned at times in Libby Prison, Castle Thunder, Belle Isle and at Salisbury,
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North Carolina. The horrors which he experienced at these places will never be told and could hardly be realized. Having served during the entire war he was discharged May 5th, 1865, in New York City. Mr. O'Neill then took a trip through many of the Western States, and on his return was offered and accepted a responsible position with the New York Bank Note Company, with whom he remained fifteen years, and on resigning received a recommendation, the only one, so far as known, ever given by that company. Mr. O'Neill was then appointed Assessor, and subsequently elected to the Board of Aldermen of Jersey City for three successive terms (six years), one of which he served as President. In 1888, the First district being overwhelmingly Republican, it was a for- lorn hope for any Democrat to take an Assembly nomination, but Mr. O'Neill was prevailed upon to make a contest, and, nothing daunted, he immediately began a canvass such as had never been known in the district, and won by 500 majority, beating his own ticket 480 votes, which was also elected. Mr. O'Neill's career as a legislator in 1889 is well known. The party lines were then closely drawn, the Democrats having only two majority. Mr. O' Neill's aptitude as a ready debater on the floor of the House and his hustling off of it were important factors, as the results have shown, in the election of John R. McPherson as United States Senator, and the enactment of a new charter for Jersey City, and the difficulties overcome in the memorable trip to Harvey Cedars, in connection with the charter, when Mr. O'Neill was accompanied by John McCormack, of Camden ; John P. Feeny, Senator Smith and Captain Isaiah Rynders (the latter's name should be remembered by every Democrat in New Jersey), and had it not been for the Captain their mission would not have succeeded and the hand-car ride never have taken place. On the party returning to Trenton the Jersey City charter was passed and signed by the Governor. Mr. O'Neill then hastened to Jersey City, and by virtue of his office as President of the Board of Aldermen, and in the ab- sence of the Mayor, he issued a proclamation, submitting the charter to the people, which received a large majority, thus showing that a Democratic city should be run by Democrats. Mr. O'Neill declined a renomination for the Assembly, but was subsequently appointed City Collector. Mr. O'Neill was again elected to the Legislature of 1892, defeating his opponent, Mr. Medole, who was considered invincible. He served as Chair- man of the Committee on Municipal Corporations. Mr. O' Neill has been for years a Deputy Collector in the office of the United States Internal Revenue, Jersey City.
CHARLES KLEIN was born in Colon, Germany, October 12th, 1847. He removed with his parents to America in 1851, his father, Arnold Klein, settling at Homestead, New Jersey, and choosing the town of Guttenberg as the site of his shop, where CHARLES KLEIN. he carried on the business of blacksmith and wagonmaker. Charles entered the employ of his father upon leaving school, and remained thus employed until the death of the latter in 1859, when, with his brother, Herman, he continued the business under the firm name of H. & C. Klein. Mr. Klein is and always has been an active worker in Democratic politics and wields a strong influence in his district. For many years he has been a Councilman in the town of Guttenberg, and for the past three years has been President of that board. In 1894 he was elected to the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Hudson county, and in 1896 was re-elected to the same office. In 1871 Mr. Klein was married to Louisa Josephine McDonald, daughter of the late Mathias McDonald, of North Bergen.
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It would be impossible to do justice, within the limits of the space here allowed, to the life and works of the subject of this sketch. Joel Parker was, beyond dispute, the foremost man of his generation in his town and county, and in his State in all those qualities that go to make a man useful to and beloved by his fellow-men. He was a great man-broad, liberal, conscientious, faith- ful and true, and so will be rated on the pages of history in the generations to come. Ex-Governor Joel Parker was born in Freehold township, in the county of Monmouth, on the 24th day of November, 1816 ; he was the son of Charles Parker, who was also a son of Monmouth, and who served his county as Sheriff, was a member of the House of Assembly, and for thirteen years was State Treasurer, at the same time holding the position of State Librarian. Joel Parker received his early education at the old Trenton Academy ; was graduated at Princeton College in 1839, and was admitted to the bar as practicing attorney in 1842. His first entrance into the political arena was in 1847, when he was elected by the suffrage of the people of his district to the House of Assembly. He was soon regarded by the members of the House as a young man of rare attainments. He was possessed of a mind of keen perception, was gifted with ready speech-these qualities combined with a well-trained legal mind placed him as one of the fore- most men in the House of '47. It was Governor Parker who introduced and fathered the bill to equalize taxa- tion, and insisted that personal as well as real property should be assessed and taxed. The passage of this act soon gave him State prominence, which he so well merited. In the year succeeding his election to the Assembly he was tendered a renomination, which he declined, as he also did the nomination of State Senator, giving as his valid reason, that he desired to give his entire time and attention to his adopted profession, which he so much admired-the law. In the year 1875 he was nominated by Governor Bedle as Attorney- General of the State, and the Senate, well knowing his fitness and adaptability for the office, did him honor in confirming him without reference. In 1880 he was JOEL PARKER. nominated by Governor Mcclellan and confirmed by the Senate as Justice of the Supreme Court of the State, and at the expiration of his term was re-appointed by Governor Green. declined the honor in a public letter. In 1854 he was prominently mentioned for Congress, but In 1858 he was again named, and again he declined. In the fall of 1862 he was nominated by the Democratic State Convention as Governor, and again renomi- nated in 1871, being elected both times by large majorities. Joel Parker's record as Governor was above reproach. His official acts were always consistent with law and justice. Governor Parker's name will go down in history as New Jersey's loyal War Governor, and his name will be handed to future generations as the name of one who was the soldiers' friend. In the dark days of the Rebel- lion, when the fate of our country depended greatly upon the loyalty of the people of the North, Governor Parker was not found wanting. He had his own positive convictions as to the future of our country and was fearless in expressing them. He insisted that the restoration and maintenance of the Union was the first and chief duty of a citizen. When he died, on January 2d, 1888, his fellow-citizens throughout the State-all ranks and conditions of men alike-pressed forward to lay their tribute of affection and regard upon his bier. The Governor issued a proclamation reciting the eminent services he had rendered the State, and caused public honors to be paid to his memory.
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FREDERICK PARKER, son of ex-Governor Joel Parker, was formerly the President of the Board of Trade of the town of Freehold, New Jersey, and is the present Chief Commissioner of said town. He was born in Freehold, New Jersey, January 14th, 1856. He received his elementary education at the Freehold Institute and graduated from Princeton College with the Class of 1876. He was admitted to the bar of New Jersey by the Supreme Court in 1879 as an attorney, and as a counselor three years later. In 1880 he formed a partnership with William H. Vredenburgh, under the firm name of Vredenburgh & Parker, which continued until January, 1889. Since that time Mr. Parker has continued practice alone, con- fining himself to civil business. He has been prominent as a speaker on the stump in advocacy of Democratic principles and candidates in every national campaign since 1880, except that of 1896, when he earnestly opposed the candidacy of William J. Bryan. He has also been on several occasions a delegate to the county, Congressional and State Conventions of his party, but has thrice refused to be a candidate for the Assembly. He is a member of the New Jersey Society of Sons of the American Revolution, and was for several years its Vice Presi- dent. He is also a member of the New Jersey Historical Society. He is a director and legal adviser of the Central FREDERICK PARKER. National Bank of Freehold. He is a prominent member of the Masonic Fraternity, and is a member of the Lawyers' Club of New York City. Mr. Parker was united in marriage April 30th, 1890, to Miss Mary H. Bedle, daughter of Elihu B. Bedle, cashier of the Central National Bank of Freehold. They have one son, Robert.
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