History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 83

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 83
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 83

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WILLIAM CLARK, JR.

The Clark family are of English ancestry, and, as has been stated elsewhere in this volume, intimately associated with the struggle for American independ- ence.

William Clark, the father of the subject of this

Joseph Gory

The Scudder family are of Revolutionary antecedents, John Scudder having been a captain during the war of the Revolution. His son, Captain John, married Miss Nancy Woodruff, and had children,-Susan, William, Sarah Ann, and two who died in infancy. Mr. Scudder spent his life on the farm which is now the property of his grandson. His son William was born during the year 1799, in Westfield town- ship, where his life was spent until his recent removal to the home of his son in Fanwood.

. Ile married Miss Mary, daughter of Zopher Hetfield, and had children,-Isaac F., Daniel S., and one whose death took place in infancy. The death of Mrs. Scudder occurred in the year 1874, in her seventieth year. Their son Isaac F. was born Dec. 27, 1822, in Westfield. His early years were spent with his parents, during which time he attended school. He later as- Westfield Presbyterian Church.

sisted his father upon the farm, and in 1819 was married to Miss Margaret P., daughter of John and Mary Enders Ludlow, of the town- ship now known as Fanwood, born Dec. 15, 1828. The Enders family were of Holland descent, and the Ludlows of English ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Seudder have had three children, -John Ludlow (deceased), Isaac Ludlow, and John William. Mr. Scudder has during his active life been a thrifty and successful farmer. He is a Democrat in politics, as were his an- eestors before him.

He has held the offices of overseer of the poor of his township, collector, and member of the township committee, of which he was chairman during the late civil war, and rendered valuable aid in filling the quota of Westfield township. Both Mr. and Mrs. Scudder are members of the

Robert French

The French family are of English deseent, the great-grandfather of the subject of this biographieal sketch, whose name was Richard, having been the father of a son Robert, who served in the war of the Revolution, where he endured much suffering. He married and had children, six in number,-Isaac, Abby, Char- lotte, Abram, Jacob, and Mary. Robert French resided in Springfield township, as did also his ancestors. Here his death occurred on the 28th of February, 1830. His son Isaac was born in 1787, and spent his early life in Springfield and Westfield townships. He acquired the trade of a carpenter, and also followed farming oeen- pations. He was married to Mary L., daughter of Jacob Davis, the latter having been for a period of fifty-one years an elder in the Presby- terian Church at Westfield. They had children, -Robert, Catherine D., Jacob D., and Mary D. Mr. French died in 1872, in his eighty-fifth year, and his wife survived until March 26, 1879. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church at Westfield, and much respected. Their

son Robert, the subject of this sketch, was born Sept. 24, 1814, in Westfield, where the years of his boyhood were spent. He attended the village school, and at a later period began the labors incident to a farmer's life. After assisting his father for several years, lie purchased the prop- erty which is his present home, and ultimately acquired possession of the homestead. He was, Nov. 2, 1836, united in marriage to Miss Phebe, daughter of James Mooney, of Westfield, to whom children were born,-Mary E. (Mrs. Joseph H. Clark), Isaac H., Richard N., James M., Josephine (deceased), and Robert M.

Mr. French was formerly a Demoerat in politics, but was indneed to change his views and become a Republican. He is not a seeker after office, and cares little for the honors of public life. He is a stanch Presbyterian, and has been for fifty years a member of the church at Westfield, of which he was for thirty-three successive years a trustee. Mrs. French's membership extends over the same period of time.

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TOWNSHIP OF WESTFIELD.

biographical sketch, was born in 1756, and married to Miss Sarah Hatfield, who became the mother of eight children, among whom was William, whose birth oc- curred Jan. 31, 1789, on the homestead in Westfield. Here his early life was spent, which was principally devoted to attendance at the district school of the neighborhood, or the more superior advantages of instruction offered at Westfield village. He deter- mined later to follow the healthful pursuit of an agricultorist, and eventually succeeded the man- agement of the farm. He was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Fitz Randolph, of New York City, and became the parent of children,-Stewart F., Hanson Cox, Sarah H., Kate B. (Mrs. High), and Emily S. Mrs. Clark having died, Mr. Clark was again married to Miss Mary, daughter of William Lewis, of Morristown, N. J., and had children,- Louisa C. (Mrs. George L. Richards) and Alfred V. William Clark, Jr., inherited the patriotic impulses of his father, and organized a company for the war of 1812. He was in politics a Republican, though in early life the platform of the Democratic party obtained his loyal support. Though averse to the re- sponsibilities of office, he was for years justice of the peace of Westfield township. He was a Presbyterian in his religious convictions, for ten years a deacon, and for thirty years an elder, of the Presbyterian Church of Westfield. Mr. Clark was a man whose influence for good was very apparent in the commu- nity. All religious interests found in him a cordial sympathizer, and the cause of education a firm and active friend. He was conciliatory in temper, gentle in his nature, and possessed broad and charitable views on all matters of general import. The death of Mr. Clark occurred June 9, 1869, his wife having died previously. His daughters, Mrs. High and Mrs. Richards, are the only surviving children.

OLIVER M. PIERSON.

Three brothers named respectively David, William, and Sylvanus Pierson settled in Westfield township. The former, who was the grandfather of Oliver M., was by trade a tailor. He married and had children,- Theophilus, John, and a danghter who became Mrs. Wade. Mr. Pierson died and was buried in the town- ship. His son John served with credit in the war of 1812, where he held a captain's commission. The- ophilus was born Aug. 9, 1791, in Westfield, where his early life was passed. He decided upon the ac- quirement of a trade, and on removing to New York chose that of a mason, which he followed, after he had decided npon Savannah, Ga., as a place of residence. He married Nancy Mooney, of Cranford, and had one son, Oliver M.

Mrs. Pierson died April 1, 1821, and Mr. Pierson married Fanny Clark, of Westfield, whose children were Hattie C., Jonas, Edwin H., Eliza, John, Homer C., George H., and Theophilus S. Mrs. Pier-

son having died April 23, 1841, he was again mar- ried to Miss Abigail Connet, since deceased. Mr. Pierson located in Westfield, where his death occurred May 2, 1853.

Oliver M. was born Dec. 20, 1820, in New York, and has spent his life in Westfield. He at first at- tended school at Westfield village, and afterwards assisted his father on the farm, upon whose death he came into possession of the property. He was mar- ried Nov. 16, 1853, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Wil- liam Cory. Their children have been Mary, David T., Mary C., George O., William R., deceased, Edwin, also deceased. and Hettie M.

Mr. Pierson is a Republican in politics, and al- though not an office-seeker, has been a member of the Township Committee of Westfield. He devotes his time and energies principally to farm labor.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Pierson are members of the Presbyterian Church at Westfield, as is also their daughter Mary.

ANDREW H. CLARK.

The progenitor of the branch of the Clark family represented by this biographical sketch was Samuel Clark, who emigrated from Herefordshire, England, to America about the year 1680, and settled on Long Island. After a brief period spent at the latter loca- tion he removed to Westfield, N. J., where his re- maining years were passed. With him came two sons, one of whom was Thomas, whose son William was the father of Charles Clark. Among the chil- dren of the latter was William, a Revolutionary sol- dier, who was confined in the Old Sugar-House bastile in New York City, and was the last surviving pris- oner of that memorable band. A more detailed sketch of William Clark will be found elsewhere in this volume. He had children, seven in number, of whom Andrew H., the eldest, was born July 12, 1786, at Westfield, where his early and later years were spent. He was married to Miss Rebecca, danghter of Enoch Miller, of Westfield, to whom were born chil- dren,-Sarah H. (Mrs. Squire Pierson), Mary (Mrs. Elias Mooney), Henrietta (Mrs. Samuel Gray), Caro- line, who died in infancy ; Richard Augustus, of Ohio; J. Lawrence, of Westfield ; William A., of Trenton, N. J .; and Jabez, deceased.

Mr. Clark's early political associations were Demo- cratic. These views were greatly modified during the late Rebellion, and the principles of the Republican party cordially indorsed by him.

He was actively identified with the public interests of Westfield, and filled at various times the offices of justice of the peace, commissioner of deeds, etc. He was also elected alderman for the borough of Eliza- beth. Mr. Clark was an earnest Presbyterian in his religious views, a member of the church of that de- nomination in Westfield, and for forty years one of its ruling elders. He was a man of devout nature,

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HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

zealous in all good works, and liberal to the extent of his opportunities.

The religious sentiment grew and strengthened with advancing years, and his seventy-seventh year found him actively engaged in Sunday-school work and the instruction of a large Bible class.

Mr. Clark was endowed with strong force of char- acter, and this quality, associated with much native refinement and a high sense of honor, enabled him to exercise a salutary influence in the community. Added to this was a commanding presence, which won deference alike from friend and stranger.

The death of Andrew H. Clark occurred Oct. 19, 1862, in the fullness of years, after a life of great purity and signal usefulness.

LEVI CORY.

Joseph Cory, the grandfather of Levi, whose life is here briefly reviewed, was of Scotch ancestry, and resided upon the land now owned by his grandson. He married Margaret Darby, of Scotch Plains, and- had children,-James, Jonathan, Levi, Joseph, Patty (Mrs. Dunham), Sarah (Mrs. Stites). Mr. Cory fol- lowed the pursuits of a farmer during his lifetime, and died on the homestead. He was a member as well as an elder in the Presbyterian Church at West- field. William Cory, his son, was born in the town- ship of Westfield. He learned the trade of a carpen- ter, but afterwards became a farmer, and died during the year 1866, aged eighty-two years. He married Charity, daughter of Jonathan I. Baker, of Westfield, and had children,-Keziah B., Margaret D. (Mrs. Ephraim Clark), Jonathan, Levi, Mary, Sarah (Mrs. O. M. Pearson), and Joseph. His son Levi was born July 2, 1819, on the ancestral property, where the years of his boyhood were spent. Westfield village at that time afforded opportunities for acquiring such an education as was usually given the children of the vicinity, after which he for a period of seven years assisted his grandfather upon the farm. He then re- turned to the land which is his present home, of which he became owner in 1867. He was, Feb. 12, 1851, married to Miss Harriet B., danghter of Job Clark, of Rahway. Mr. Cory has always devoted himself to the labors of an agriculturist, and has rarely engaged in business of an official or public character. He is a Republican in politics, and has served as member of the township committee of Westfield. He affiliates in religion with the Presby- terians, and is an elder of the church of that denomi- nation in Westfield.

JOSEPII CORY.

The Cory family are of Scotch descent, four brothers having before the period of the Revolu- tionary war settled in New Jersey. One of these

brothers served in the Canadian war, during which he contracted an illness that proved fatal.

Among them was John, the great-grandfather of the subject of this biographical sketch, who settled in Elizabeth, and whose son Jonathan located in Westfield township, on land now occupied by Joseph Cory. He married and had children,-Benjamin, Samnel, Joseph, Andrew, and three daughters. Samuel and Joseph served during the war of the Revolution, and were received with great demonstra- tions of joy on their return. The death of Jonathan Cory occurred on the farm which had been his lifetime residence. His son Benjamin was born Sept. 4, 1769, on the homestead, and married Miss Susanna, daugh- ter of Christopher Denman, who had children,- Samuel, James M., a physician, Christopher, a cler- gyman, Benjamin, Joseph, Jonathan, Polly (Mrs. Freeland), Abby (Mrs. Brunner), and Susanna, who died in childhood. The death of Benjamin took place at his home on the 11th of April, 1851. The birth of his son Joseph, whose life is here briefly reviewed, occurred Sept. 2, 1809, and the years of his boyhood were spent under the ancestral roof. At the age of nineteen he repaired to New York and acquired the trade of a stone-cutter; but the advancing years of his parents soon after influenced his return, when he devoted his energies to the cultivation of the farm. He was in 1852 united in marriage to Miss Margaret, daughter of James Mooney, of Westfield, to whom was born one son, Joseph W., who resides at home. Mr. Cory is in politics a stanch Republican, having formerly fraternized with the Whig party. Mr. and Mrs. Cory and their son are members of the Presby- terian Church of Westfield, and actively devoted to its interests. The former was elected an elder in 1854, and still serves in that capacity.

SQUIRE PIERSON.

The Pierson family are of English extraction, and for successive generations have resided in Westfield township. The grandfather of Squire Pierson was Moses, who had among his children a son Squire, whose early life was spent in Westfield. Having de- termined in 1816 to explore the boundless resources of the great West, he ultimately located in Butler County, Ohio, then regarded, with a few exceptions, as the extreme point of Western civilization. He married a Miss De Camp, of French descent, and had children,-Moses, Squire, David, Stephen, Hiram, Mary, Sally, and Rebecca.

His son Squire, the subject of this sketch, was born in Westfield township, Oct. 1, 1796, where his early life was passed. At the period of his father's emigra- tion to Ohio, and when nineteen years of age, he was apprenticed to Squire Marsh as a tailor. Previons to this he had acquired the rudiments of an education at the familiarly-known " Red School-House" in Cran. ford township, and at the houses of his patrons. He

Henry Baker

Henry Baker, the grandfather of the subject of this biographical sketch, was of Welsh de- scent, and an early resident of Westfield town- ship. He married and had children,-Daniel, Jonathan I., William, Henry, Jeremiah, and Phebe, who became Mrs. Ludlow.

Daniel Baker was born June 3, 1753, in Westfield, where his life was spent. He served with credit during the whole period of the Revo- lutionary conflict, and was in 1775 honored with a corporal's position in his company. He was married to Margaret, daughter of Daniel Osborn, of Connecticut Farms, whose birth oc- curred July 14, 1760. They had children,- David O., born in 1785; Daniel, whose birth took place in 1790; Hedges, in 1792; Cyrus, born in 1795; Henry, in 1797; Elihu, in 1802; Mary, in 1780; Margaret, in 1784; Elizabeth, in 1789; Prudence, in 1794; Hannah, in 1800, and Electa, in 1804. Of this number, Daniel and Henry are living.

The birth of the latter occurred on the 18th of September, 1797, in Westfield township, where his growing years were spent. He was at the age of eighteen apprenticed to Dennis D. Tunison, of Rahway, as a wheelwright; but on concluding his period of service he returned

to his early home and engaged in farming pur- suits. He was married on the 27th of Decem- ber, 1820, to Miss Mary Ann S., daughter of John and Phebe Radley, of Westfield. They have had seven children, as follows : Courtland R., born in 1821; David O., in 1823; Elihu, in 1825; Ann Martin, in 1827; Henry and James (twins), in 1834; and Jacob, in 1842. Of this number there are living Elihu, Henry R., and Ann M. (Mrs. Miller).

Mr. Baker has devoted his life to farming employments, and cared little for the excitements attending a more public career, though he has served as a member of the township committee of his township. In politics he was formerly a Democrat, but was induced to change his views, and later became a Republican.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Baker are Presbyterians in their religious belief, and have been since 1819 members of the Presbyterian Church of Westfield, in which the former was ordained an elder in 1832, and is now serving both as elder and deacon.

This venerable couple have entered upon the sixty-second year of their married life, and are now enjoying in their comfortable home a peace- ful and happy old age.

The grandfather of Mr. Parkhurst was Abram his boyhood to study, after which he became J. Parkhurst, who resided in Milburn, Essex Co., where he was both a farmer and a manu- facturer of pasteboard. He was married to Miss Whitehead, of Essex County, and had children,-Jonathan, Ezra, Charles, David, and Abby (Mrs. James White). Mrs. Parkhurst having died, he married Miss Phebe Traphagen, and had children,-Abram J. and Sarah (Mrs. J. A. R. Simpson).

His son Ezra was born Feb. 22, 1799, at Milburn, where his life was chiefly spent.

He was united in marriage to Miss Mary E., daughter of Michel Meeker, of Connecticut Farms, and had children,-Charles T., born in 1830; Aaron M., in 1832; Almira, in 1823; Harriet, in 1824; Mary, in 1826; and Susan C., in 1828. Mr. Parkhurst succeeded to the business of his father, and established mills upon the Passaic River. In 1854 he re- moved to the Branch Mills, in Union town- ship, where he eondneted a paper manufacturing business until his death, which occurred Sept. 25, 1872. His son Aaron M. was born July 8, 1832, at Milburn, Essex Co., and devoted

familiar with the business of paper-making, and assisted his father in the mills. He was married to Miss Emma, daughter of Samuel C. Smith, of Essex County, whose death occurred within a year of her marriage. Mr. Parkhurst was a second time married, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Jacob French, of Springfield, Union Co., to whom were born children,- Anna H., Sarah K., and Mabel B. Mrs. Parkhurst died March 23, 1880, and Mr. Parkhurst was, on the 28th of November, 1881, united to Miss Helen Louisa, daughter of Rev. Rodney Winans, of Westfield.

Both Aaron M. and Charles T. Parkhurst are engaged in the manufacture of pasteboard, and in a general milling business in West- field township. In politics the subject of this biography is a Republican, but the cares of an increasing business prevent active partici- pation in the excitements of political life. In religion Mr. Parkhurst espouses the tenets of the Presbyterian Church, being both elder and trustee of the church of that denomination in Springfield.

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TOWNSHIP OF WESTFIELD.

later purchased the house of Mr. Marsh, and having added more land made it his home during his life- time.

He married March 30, 1817, Miss Abby, daughter of Charles Marsh, of Westfield, and had children,- Orren, Evert M., James T., Lyman H., Sarah Ann (Mrs. Muchmore), Mary Eliza (Mrs. Smith), Eveline (Mrs. Miller), and Harriet, who is deceased.

Mr. Pierson was in his political views an old-line Whig, and naturally espoused the principles of the Republican party on its organization. He served on the Township Committee of Westfield, but cared little for the distinctions of office, and seldom permitted his name to be used as a candidate.

The family have ever been largely identified with church interests, Moses Pierson having been a deacon of the Baptist Church of Scotch Plains, Union Co. Both Squire Pierson and his wife were members of the First Presbyterian Church of Westfield, in which the former had officiated as deacon and elder for a period of forty-six years.

Mr. Pierson filled a position of much influence in the community. In his business relations he was honor- able, and governed by integrity in all his dealings. His judgment was unerring, and this fact in many in- stances caused his appointment as commissioner in the settlement of estates. In these matters his wisdom and integrity were conspicuous. He was largely in- strumental in the improvement and adornment of Fairview Cemetery, and devoted much of his leisure to this object.

The death of Mr. Pierson occurred Dec. 23, 1878, and his portrait is contributed as a tribute of filial regard from his sons.

WILLIAM CLARK.

The ancestors of Mr. Clark were of English lineage, but the exact period of their emigration and the set- tlement of the family in New Jersey cannot be re- His son, Gideon Tucker, was born on the home- stead, where his childhood was spent. At the age of fifteen he made New York his home, and having re- solved upon a self supporting and independent career learned the mason's craft, which he followed success- fully for a series of years. He married Miss Sarah, daughter of Charles Clark, of Westfield, and had two children, Moses and John. Miss Jemina Bre- voort, of New York, became his second wife, to whom called. William Clark, the subject of this biographi- cal sketch, was born in Westfield on the 17th of June, 1756. He at the age of seventeen entered the Revo- lutionary service, having been at his home weaving when the sound of British guns inspired his heart with patriotic impulses and impelled him to enroll his name as a defender of his country. Soon after the Hessians invaded the house, and ruin and devas- tation followed in their wake, the family residence , were born children,-Henry, George, Mary, William, having been speedily appropriated as the headquarters of Gen. Howe. Mr. Clark served until the declaration of peace, and, together with his brother Azariah, was confined a prisoner in the Old Sugar-House prison in New York City.

Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Hatfield on the 8th of May, 1783, to whom were born children,-Andrew, whose birth occurred in 1786; William, born in 1789; Abigail, in 1790; Israel, in 1793; Job (1st), in 1796; Job (2d), in 1798; Betsey,

in 1800; and Jabez, in 1802. The only survivor of this number is Betsey, who is still a resident of West. field. Mr. Clark pursued the labors of an agricul- turist during his lifetime, and displayed a praise- worthy ambition in the improvement and cultivation of his land. In his political predilections he was a Democrat of the Jeffersonian type, and ever eager for the advancement of the principles of his party. He was a stanch Presbyterian in his religious views, and one of the founders of the Presbyterian Church of Westfield, of which he was an early trustee, and both Mrs. Clark and himself members. He was averse to official honors, and declined many distinctions offered by his constituents. He, however, filled for years the office of justice of the peace with ability and dis- cretion.

Mr. Clark was a gentleman of commanding pres- ence, courtly and dignified in his demeanor, and affable in his manner. He possessed superior execu- tive ability, was a marked exemplar of probity and honor, and in all business transactions manifested a soundness of judgment which made his opinions re- spected. His death occurred in the township of his residence Sept. 28, 1853, in his ninety-eighth year, and that of his wife Dec. 7, 1841, aged seventy-nine years.

MOSES TUCKER.

Three brothers of the Tucker family emigrated from England, the land of their birth, and settled re- spectively in Connecticut, on Long Island, and in New Jersey. Moses, who chose the latter location, was the grandfather of the subject of this biograph- ical sketch, the spot he selected being in Union County, near the present city of Plainfield. He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Ludlow, and had children,-Gideon, John, Moses, Cornelius, Henry, Susan, Phœbe, and Mary. Mr. Tucker was accident- ally drowned in the vicinity of Elizabeth.

Sarah, and Charles. The birth of Moses Tucker occurred in the city of New York Nov. 6, 1799, where his whole life was spent. After enjoying during his youth the advantages of the city schools, he on at- taining his majority embarked in the hardware busi- ness, in which he was successfully engaged for a period of twenty years. Five years later he was elected president of the Jefferson Insurance Company, No. 50 Wall Street, which honorable and responsible position he filled until his death.

344

HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

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History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 83

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