History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 209

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts
Number of Pages: 1224

USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 209
USA > New Jersey > Union County > History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 209

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The names below are of those who pledged money for the purpose of building the first church. The subscription was begun in 1785, and its object was attained in 1788: Charles Barclay, Matthew Griggs, Samuel Kerr, James Gaston, Henry Wagner, Jacob G. Bergen, William Covenhoven, Cornelius Arvin, Josiah Skelton, William Smith, John Mount, Reuben Davison, David Chambers, Humphrey Mount, John Duncan, Renben Morris, Peter Covenhoven, John Erwin, John Perrine, Peter Gulick, William Sloan, Elias Lovberry, Richard Handley, Anna Chambers, Andrew Rowan, Nathaniel Hunt, John Wyckoff, William Dey, George McAvoy, Jacob Wyckoff, John

Gulick, Peter Bergen, Thomas Mershon, Benjamin Vanderbeek, Dr. Stites, Robert Mershon, Andrew Applegate, Jr., Samuel Bayles, William Perrine, Elijah Perrine, William J. Davison, Thomas Mc- Dowell, Henry Stults, Paul Miller, Jr., Andrew Mc- Dowell, Ruliff Cortelyou, Stephen Voorhees, Jemima Griggs, Henry Cortelyou, Else Schenck, Anthony Danton, Abraham Van Hise, John Stults, Jonathan Combs, Sr., Mary Egborts, Matthias Mount, Jr., Daniel Sparling, Joshua Ely, Daniel Lott, John Davison, Jr., William Davison, Isaac Snediker, Charles Roberson, John Slaback, Cornelius Messler, Sr., George Thompson, David Stout, David William- son, William Jewell, Peter Cammer, Jonathan Combs, Jr., John Jourdan, James Jernee, James Hulick, Cornelius Hnlick, Joseph Mount, Matthias Gilli- land, John Snediker, John Davison, Sr., David Gil- liland, John Reed, Joseph Riggs, Daniel Stover, Hezekiah Mount, Peter Perrine, Peter Hulfish, Vin- son Carterline, Samnel Longstreet, Samuel Bayles, Jr., Luke Smock, Samuel Applegate, Cornelius John- ston, Zebulon Morford, Garrett Voorhees, Widow Wyckoff, Garrett J. Snediker, James Dey, John Wetherell, Hendrick Barkalow, Peter Barclay, John Sutphen, John Sutphen, John Davison, Sr., Aaron Van Pelt, Benjamin Ashley, John Storey, John Car- man, Peter C. Covenhoven, Lewis Barclay, Nathan Davis, Matthias Johnson, Farrington Barkalow, Jo- seph Dey, William Johnson, John Van Dyke, John Dey, Koert Voorhees, Henry Applegate, William D. Perrine, Jacob Deremer, William Palmer, Israel Baldwin, Peter Deremer, Elnathan Baldwin, Jane Bordine, William Gordon, Oke Hendrickson, James Barclay, Anna Deremer, Elisha Jewell, James Moore, Garrett Snediker, George Davison, Bernard Moore, Hendrick Lott, Lippincott South, John Davis, Thomas Applegate, Cornelius Hendrickson, Isaac Davis, Abraham Lott, John Sutphen, James Free- man, John Stonaker, John Sutten, John Fisher, Widow Wetherell, Robert Wiley, Daniel Ashley, Rochard Slover, David Brotherton, Jacobus Hager- man, Peter Stults, Isaac Perrine, Francis Vaune, Abraham Slover, Orre Bennett, John Marlen, Joel Jobs, Isaac Van Hise, Nicholas Britton, Isaac Van Pelt, Joseph Applegate, Isaac Britton, Isaac Debow, Joseph Jernee, Robert McGee, Thomas Nixon, Jo- seph Perrine, William McGee, John Van Kirk, Tin- othy Horner, William Britton, James Perrine, Ben- jamin Luker, Thomas Slack, Benjamin Griggs, David Luker, William Covenhoven, Hendrick Hoagland, Samuel Van Kirk, Anthony Applegate, Joachim Van Arsdale, Benjamin Luker, Jr., Enos Baldwin, Corne- lius Van Arsdale, William Jordan, Woolsay Baldwin, David Wortman, Nehemiah Sutton, Richard Jobs, Cornelius Cruser, Henry Disbrow, Daniel Bayles, Samuel Disbrow, Andrew Morehead, Peter Arven, James Myrick, Thomas Allen, Thomas Soden, James Reed, Peter Jobs, John Storey.

Organization .- The township of Cranbury was

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HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

erected by an act of the Senate and General Assembly of New Jersey, approved March 7, 1872.

The act constituted the inhabitants of the new township a body politic and corporate, to be known as the "inhabitants of the township of Cranbury, in the county of Middlesex;" directed that they hold their first town-meeting at the inn of William Stults, in Cranbury village, on the day set apart by law for holding the annual town-meetings of the other town- ships of Middlesex County ; appointed Ezekiel Silvers, Matthew A. Rue, and D. Chambers Lewis judges of election, to hold and preside over the first town-meet- ing, and Edwin A. Brown town clerk of Cranbury, all to hold their offices until their successors should be elected and qualified ; appointed Messrs. Silvers, Rue, and Chambers, above mentioned, commissioners to divide the township into convenient road districts ; and provided that the town committees of the several townships of Cranbury, South Brunswick, and Mon- roe should meet at 10 A.M. on the second Tuesday of April, 1872, at Stults' inn in Cranbury village, and allot and divide between the said townships all their paupers which were chargeable to that township within the bounds of which they had acquired their settlements respectively, and to arrange an equitable division of the assets and liabilities of the three town- ships on the basis of the amount of their taxable property and the number of their taxable inhabitants respectively.

Civil List.

CHOSEN FREEHOLDERS.

Ezekiel Silvers, 1872. Matthew A. Rue, 1872-74, 1876.

Peter R. Bergen, 1877-78.

D. O. Lewis, 1877.

H. C. Scudder, 1873-75.

George Thompson, 1878.

Abijah Applegate, 1875.

G. M. Tenbroeck, 1879.

J. J. Buckley, 1876.

James H. Goodwin, 1880-81.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

William H. Bergen, 1875-80. | Robert P. Mason, 1875-80.

TOWNSHIP CLERKS.

Edward A. Brown, 1872.

James Walker, 1873.

James H. Goodwin, 1874-76. John Davis, 1877-8I.

ASSESSORS.

Ezekiel Silvers, 1876. Elias D. Snediker, 1875-76.

COLLECTORS.

David P. Messeroll, 1872.

William Duncan, 1873-74.

Ezekiel Silvers, 1875, 1878-81. E. D. Snediker, 1876.

COMMISSIONERS OF APPEAL.

Henry H. Stults, 1872.

Charles H. Herbert, 1874-81.

James H. Conover, 1872.

J. I. Bulkeley, 1875.

William R. Johnson, 1872-74.

Garret I. Stults, 1876-78.

Alfred M. Perrine, 1873, 1879, 1880.

John M. Chamberlain, 1879-81.

John D. Grover, 1873.

I. D. Barclay, 1881.

Elijah Perrine, 1874-78.

Villages and Hamlets .- CRANBURY .- Much of interest relative to Cranbury village is to be found in other portions of the history of Cranbury township. The builders of the mill and church were the earliest residents of the locality of which any record or tra- dition is extant, and the mill and the church then-

selves the earliest monuments erected to progress and civilization in the township. As the mill was the nucleus of the substantial growth of the settlement and later village, so the church gathered around it the best elements of enlightenment and advancement, and as surely led the way to the prosperity of the present as its older co-laborer the mill. This village has an added claim to historical interest from the fact that the American army passed through the place just previons to the battle of Monmouth.

The early growth of the village is supposed to have been slow, and in 1810 it contained only fifteen houses, eight north and seven south of Cranbury Brook. At what date it began to be regarded as of sufficient importance to contain a store is not known. There may have been a store-keeper in the settlement prior to David Chambers, who was trading there in 1800 near the mill, but if so no tradition of him has been handed down, nor is it known how long he bad been in business there at that date, but he was there years afterward. As early as 1807, and for a few years later, a man named Halsey was keeping a store near the United States Hotel. Near this hotel also Mershon & Hawley had a store in 1812 and later, and Charles Carson from 1815 or 1816 until his death about eight years later. The next merchants are thought to have been Reuben Morris and Benjamin M. Clarke. The latter is said to have begun business (later than Morris, the pioneer at the J. H. Goodwin stand) where J. D. Chamberlin is now trading, about 1825 or 1830. It is possible that up to this time, and perhaps later, there were others who embarked in trade in the village previous to the beginning of those mentioned below, but the most persistent inquiry has failed to elicit their names.

A tavern which stood on the north side of Maiu Street, about six hundred feet east from the mill-pond, was built in the last century, and in 1805 was kept by Timothy Horner. About 1807, Samuel Disbrow took charge and kept it until he died, after which his widow, Sarah Disbrow, kept it many years, until it was torn down. Probably the oldest hotel now stand- ing in the village is the American House, which was kept by Henry Wagoner at an early date. It has had many occupants, and about fourteen years ago passed into the possession of Mrs. Maria Bowne. The United States Hotel was built in 1790 by Peter Per- rine as a dwelling. In 1808, Timothy Horner con- verted it into a hotel. Its occupants have been many. The present one, John G. Grover, assumed control in 1872.

The earliest resident physician was undoubtedly Dr. Titus, who came prior to 1800. Dr. Ralph Lott and Dr. Van Dyke came about that year. Dr. Ho- ratio Sandsbury came about 1816; Dr. John Lott about 1825; Dr. Garret Voorhees about 1830 ; Dr. Selah Gulick about 1834.

The Village in 1840 .- In 1840 there were in the vil- lage the stores of Garret G. Voorhees, Benjamin M.

Abijah Applegate, 1872-74, 1877-81.

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CRANBURY.

Clarke, and John Dey. The first was the Goodwin store. The second was kept in the brick house now occupied by Joseph Chamberlain, and the proprietor lived in another part of the same building. The third was the store now occupied by John W. Dun- can. The grist-mill and saw-mill were then owned by John I. Duncan. Drs. Gulick, Voorhees, and Lott were the resident physicians. Jacob Hagerman and Matthew A. Rue were wheelwrights. William New- ton had a blacksmith's shop. The village Crispins were Isaac Brokaw, Jacob Snediker, and Harmon Conover. Two tanneries were owned by James Clark and Aaron Lane respectively. Isaac Van Arsdale had a hatter's shop, and Jefferson Halsted a cabinet- shop. A man named Page was the Cranbury tailor.

The National Hotel was kept by John Laning, and the United States Hotel by Abraham Voorhees.

From 1840 to 1882 .- The store now managed by Mr. J. H. Goodwin is the oldest in the place, and was started by Mr. Reuben Morris many years ago. After passing through the hands of ex-Sheriff Voorhees, Mr. John S. Davison, Stults & Bro., Van Horn & Bergen, and afterwards Mr. Vincent D. Bergen, who still owns the property, it was rented by Mr. Goodwin abont 1862.

Mr. J. D. Chamberlin, general merchant, started business with his brother, Mr. S. J. Chamberlin, about 1861, and rented the stand which he now occupies. In 1877 he purchased the property of Mr. William Warwick. The store, which is one of the oldest in the place, was established by Mr. Benjamin M. Clarke over fifty years ago. After purchasing the property the Messrs. Chamberlin Brothers remodeled and im- proved the same by putting in a large glass front, and also by building over the store a large public hall, the erection of which has been greatly appreciated by the people of our town. In connection with the store is an office of the American Union Telegraph Com- pany, Frank Davis operator.

The store kept in 1840 by John. Dey had formerly been kept by David Clark. From Dey it passed to Dey Conover, who rebuilt the building and in time transferred the business to James Conover, who was succeeded by his brother, who gave way to the present proprietor, John W. Duncan. The drug-store now owned by S. A. French and managed by Addison Stillwell was established several years ago by a man named Walker, from whom Mr. French purchased it in 1880.

In the building for the past few years occupied by the boot and shoe store and shop of D. W. Hoagland, Isaac Van Arsdale opened a store about 1844. Nelson Petty was a successor. Benjamin Sutton had a gro- cery-store where Cole's furniture and undertaking establishment now is. The latter establishment was purchased in 1833 hy Ezekiel Silvers of his employer, who was a prior owner. Up to the year 1857 Mr. Silvers conducted the business alone. Associating with him Mr. Cole, the business continued until 1870

under the firm-name of Silvers & Cole, when Mr. Sil- vers retired, and Mr. Cole became sole proprietor. The store of John G. Grover was established in 1879.

The following were merchants in Cranbury in Jan- uary, 1882: J. D. Chamberlin, James H. Goodwin, John W. Duncan, and John G. Grover. S. A. French was a druggist ; D. W. Hoagland had a boot and shoe store.

Drs. Gulick, Lott, and Voorhees have been men- tioned as physicians in the village in 1840. The first died a few years ago, the second prior to 1845, and the third about that date. Dr. Holmes, a later comer, died a little earlier than Dr. Gulick ; and Dr. H. S. Clow, who came in 1849, beginning his professional career in Cranbury, died in January, 1882. Dr. Green, who had been in the place some years, went away about 1859, and Dr. Clark, a later comer, about two years ago. The present resident medical practitioners are Dr. John C. Holmes and Dr. Henry C. Symmes.

In January, 1882, Alexander S. Cole, undertaker, R. L. McDowell, coal dealer, William Steel, tobacco- nist, Jacob Price and John Davis, tailors, E. V. Wakeley, insurance agent, Charles Ehrlich, harness- maker, Jacob Snediker, shoemaker, Mrs. M. K. Chris- topher, confectioner, Mrs. L. Wakeley, proprietor of a confectionery, toy, and notion store, and Mrs. R. M. Vanderveer, Mrs. Emily Mouret, and Miss J. Flem- ing, milliners, were doing business at Cranbury. Mrs. W. A. Wakeley was postmistress.

A Mutual Fire Insurance Company was organized May 31, 1879, with Ezekiel Silvers as president, Richard C. Dey as vice-president, D. C. Lewis as treasurer, John G. Groves as secretary, and Alfred Davison, Isaac Covert, William S. Dey, Jobn R. Hunt, Martin Cruser, Arnold F. Stout, Ezekiel Sil- vers, A. J. Duncan, and John Wyckoff as directors.

The initial number of the Cranbury News, R. M. Stults, editor and publisher, appeared Jan. 5, 1882. This is the first journalistic venture in the village.

CRANBURY STATION is a hamlet on the eastern border of the township, on the Camden and Amboy Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, lying partially in Monroe, and containing a store, a blacksmith-shop, a depot, several dwellings, and an establishment for pressing hay. The first merchant there was Abijah Applegate, who has been succeeded by Gibson & Voorhees, Voorhees & Stevens, and E. Stevens, the present merchant. A former blacksmith was W. W. Reed, deceased ; the present one is John Wolfe. The hay-press is the property of William Perrine. A hotel was formerly kept by James Applegate, Nelson Petty, and Isaac Petty successively.

PLAINSBORO', partially the northwestern part of the township and partially in South Brunswick, contains the stores of Jolin D. Van Doren and William Schooley, the hotel of Arthur Rnding, built about 1800, a Methodist Church, built in 1812, and an old1

1 See the history of South Brunswick.

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HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

church, a blacksmith-shop, a wheelwright's shop, and several dwellings.

Society History .- MIDDLESEX LODGE, No. 90, I. O. O. F., was instituted Feb. 1, 1849, and meets in the second story of the school-house near the First Presbyterian Church.

The first officers were F. H. Holmes, N. G. ; Selah Gulick, V. G .; G. M. Burgess, Sec .; J. H. MeChes- ney, Asst. Sec .; John R. Holmes, Treas. The lodge was officered as follows in January, 1882: Peter Rathgeber, N. G .; L. A. Rue, V. G .; John Davis, Sec .; Alfred Chamberlin, Treas .; W. S. McEwen, Chap.

Educational .- The first schools in the township were at Cranbury village. The early schools of Cran- bury were supported by the payment of a stated tui- tion per scholar, and kept in small school-houses built by subscription, or by the combined efforts of the heads of families who clubbed together and erected them. The early teachers boarded around, staying with each family a week, more or less, or as long as he was welcome and liked the fare. The earliest re- membered teacher at Cranbury was John Campbell, who was teaching in 1805, but doubtless there were schools there much earlier. John Van Kirk was teaching in 1808, and a man named Lowry in 1809.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS .- The township is divided into five school districts under the operation of the com- mon school law of the State. In the enumeration and nomenclature of the school districts of Middle- sex County they are known as Plainsboro' District, No. 61; Cranbury Neck District, No. 52; North Cranbury District, No. 53; South Cranbury District, No. 54; and Wyckoff's Mills District, No. 61.

The number of school children in Cranbury town- ship according to the census of 1880 was 342, residing in the several districts as follows : 61 in District No. 49, 35 in District No. 52, 123 in District No. 53, 73 in District No. 54, and 50 in District No. 61. The num- ber in the township who attended private schools was estimated at 24, the number not attending school at 87. The total number of teachers employed was seven, all of whom were females, at an average salary of $36.50 per month. There were five school-houses in the town- ship, all in good condition. Schools were kept open an average of nearly ten months during the year. The total amount received from all sources for public school purposes was $1959.43. Of this sum, $759.43 was devoted to District No. 53, and $300 each to Dis- tricts Nos. 49, 52, 54, and 61. Of this amount $1774.43 was the apportionment to the districts of the township from State appropriations, and $185 was raised by tax- ation in the township. The value of school property in the township was $6250, of which $1200 belonged to District No. 52, 8550 to District No. 61, and $1500 to each of Districts Nos. 49, 53, and 54.

led the faculty and managers to the discussion of some means of affording such persons opportunities for preparation in the vicinity. This agitation resulted in a determination to encourage the establishment of a suitable preparatory institution either at Hights- town or Cranbury. The latter place was selected after some deliberation, and, with the above-men- tioned object in view, a stock company was formed in 1865, with Elias Dey as president ; William Snediker, as treasurer ; Ezekiel Silvers, as secretary ; and Elias Dey, George Farr, Derrick Perrine, William L. Schenck, Isaac Brokaw, Garret A. Snediker, and Ezekiel Silvers as trustees.

A building committee was appointed consisting of Derrick Perrine, Garret A. Snediker, and George Farr, and a four-story brick building was erected on spacious grounds which had been purchased north of Main Street, at its intersection with the Cranbury and Princeton turnpike. The school opened with Rev. S. E. Schenck as principal, Rev. T. D. Hoover having been first appointed to the position and refusing to serve. In September, 1870, Rev. Mr. Schenck was succeeded by William S. McNair, and the latter, in 1873, by Rev. Frederick Knighton, D.D. Since Dr. Knighton there have been several in charge. Rev. Joseph S. Van Dyke was. appointed in 1879, and is yet in charge, with William E. Marshall as assistant and teacher.

Backward scholars and young pupils receive especial attention. The course of instruction is comprehen- sive and practical, and the drill most thorough. Pu- pils are prepared for business, for college, or for any scientific school. The latest, most approved methods of teaching are employed, and scholars are received at any time. Lessons are given on piano and organ, and opportunity is allowed for practice. The insti- tute is well adapted for its purpose, and boarding pupils from abroad enjoy all the care and comfort of a home.

The association is at this time under the following management : Ezekiel Silvers, president ; D. C. Lewis, treasurer and secretary ; Ezekiel Silvers, D. C. Lewis, Dr. J. C. Holmes, P. R. Bergen, Derrick G. Perrine, William Hughes, and Isaiah D. Barclay.

Industrial Pursuits. - Although Cranbury has never been noted for the number of its manufactures, it was to its manufacturing facilities that it owed its early settlement, the water-power afforded by Cran- bury Brook having been first utilized for manufactur- ing purposes one hundred and forty-four or one hun- dred and forty-five years ago.

The ancient grist-mill erected by Thomas Grubbs, as is reasonably supposed about 1737 or 1738, stood with frequent change of ownership and occasional repairs until destroyed by fire in 1860. It was soon rebuilt, and is grinding away as busily to-day as when patronized by the pioneers in Cranbury and adjoining townships. Prominent among its numerous owners

THE BRAINERD INSTITUTE .- The frequency of ap- plications for admission to the college at Princeton by persons not fitted to enter that institution as students ? since Grubbs and his successor (in 1741), John Collins,

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have been Nathaniel Hunt (as early as 1776), Randall Hunt, son of Nathaniel Hunt, William Schenck, Hamilton Jones, James Prall, Samuel Nutt, Alex- ander Snediker, Gabriel Ten Broeck, and M. K. Wil- son. In April, 1881, it was leased by the present operator, John P. Wyckoff. For many years, until its destruction, there was a saw-mill in connection with it, which played its part in aiding the settlers and later residents to render their homes comfortable and erect buildings upon their farms and for various business purposes.

The Wyckoff mills at the extreme southeastern corner of the township, on the Millstone, were built at an early date by Peter Wyckoff,1 who was succeeded in their ownership by David B. Wyckoff, who in 187I was succeeded by John P. Wyckoff, his son, who in 1881 gave place to Frank Wescott.

Two other grist-mills in the township are Grover's mills, located on Cranbury Brook, about midway be- tween Cranbury village and Plainsboro', and owned by Joseph H. Grover, and the Plainsboro' Mills, near Plainsboro', owned by George W. Thompson. To both of these Cranbury Brook supplies the motive- power.

Isaac Debow was a blacksmith at Cranbury as early as 1750, and for many years afterward. If he had any predecessors their names are unknown. There have been many disciples of Vulcan since his time. William Newton was the village blacksmith at Cran- bury in 1840. The present representatives of the craft there are M. G. Rue and F. T. Labow. Prom- inent among former wheelwrights were Matthew A. Rue and John Hagerman. W. W. Rnd was a black- smith at Cranbury Station. At Cranbury two tan- neries were formerly in existence; one of them was probably established by William Conover, and by him was sold, about 1820, to Aaron Lane, and was later owned by Henry Van Deventer. David Chambers had a tannery as early as 1806, which after some years passed to John Clark. The latter was succeeded by James Clark, and later again owned the tannery. Both tanneries were located on the brook near the old Cranbury mill, and both went ont of use about twenty or twenty-five years ago. Isaac Van Arsdale manufactured hats for a few years in Cranbury about forty years ago.

In the early days there were many small distilleries in the township at different times and places. Mat- thew A. Rne erected a cider-mill at Cranbury in 1852, and has been more or less extensively engaged in cider manufacture since. When his factory is run to its full capacity three hundred bushels of apples are con- snmed daily. Nathaniel Britton has a distillery near Plainsboro'.

In the spring of 1861, Mr. P. R. Bergen leased the lower room of a wheelwright-shop then occupied by

Joseph McChesney at Cranbury, on the corner of Monroe and Dey Streets. In 1865, business having increased largely, Mr. Bergen purchased the entire establishment. Since that time additional ground has been purchased and more buildings erected. At the present time he has over eight times the shop- room that he had in 1861, and has increased the working force from one man and a boy to nine men during the busy season, and six men during the bal- ance of the year, in the manufacture of carriages and light wagons of every description.

The well-known American Steam Coffee and Spice Mills of Davison & Silvers was established by Mr. John S. Davison, the senior member of the firm, in October, 1865, who while engaged in the mercantile business in the village felt the necessity of supplying his customers with pure spices. Selling out his store goods to his brother, S. W. Davison (now of the firm of Lee, Davison & Dye, of Trenton), he commenced the manufacture of ground coffee and pure spice in a frame building formerly used as a bakery. Instead of steam he used a one-horse tread-power, which failed before the first roast was half done, and it had to be finished by hand. Coffee then was worth sixty cents per pound. Upon the failure of the horse- power a second-hand boiler and engine were pro- enred. After getting the steam-power in operation, Mr. Davison found that he needed a partner, and se- lected Mr. John S. Silvers, then about twenty-four years of age, and the firm of Davison & Silvers was formed. Shortly after the new firm was established the building and contents were completely destroyed by fire. Immediately afterwards Davison & Silvers purchased the lot on which the factory now stands. Many friends volunteered to contribute all the cart- ing necessary if the firm would erect a fire-proof stone building, which they were enabled to do at a small cost. Business having largely increased, in 1875 they enlarged their establishment by a two-story frame addition, about doubling their storage-room. At the present time the establishment is in a most thrifty condition. By manufacturing none but strictly reliable goods Messrs. Davison & Silvers have gained a wide reputation, and their goods are to be found in every State. Their trade has so largely increased within the past few years that they have deemed it wise to enlarge their factory some time during the present year.

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History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 209

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed. Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts Number of Pages: 1224

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts
Number of Pages: 1224