USA > New Jersey > Salem County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 1 > Part 35
USA > New Jersey > Gloucester County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 1 > Part 35
USA > New Jersey > Cumberland County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 1 > Part 35
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Among all the notiees that appeared none summed up his life and character more truthfully than that by Bishop Searborough in the Convention address :
" Judge Thomas P. Carpenter, of Camden, after a life of singular purity and gentleness, was taken, not many weeks ago, from his labor to his reward. He held many important trusts in the diocese, and always won the respect and confidenee of those who came in contaet with him. While he was an impartial judge, an able lawyer, aud a man of generous culture in other branebes of learning, he was a very Nathaniel in guilelessness. The family, the parish, the diocese, and the whole church militant are, humanly speak- ing, the poorer for the death of such a man, but the store of Paradise is enlarged, which is far better."
Swedesboro, Gloucester Co., N. J., whither he re- moved in August, 1842. He could not, however. at once restime the practice of his profession, the rules of the Supreme Court of New Jersey requiring a longer course of study and residence in the State as a condition precedent to admission to its bar. In the mean time, therefore, having had the advantages of a thorough classical education, and appreciating the dignity and value of an educator, he, at the earnest solieitation of the leading men of the town, engaged in teaching in the academy at that place, and con- tinued so occupied for two years, or until his aduris- sion to the bar, in September, 1844. This experience naturally aroused a lasting interest in educational matters in the community, and the manifestation of this interest has led to the reposing in him of various educational trusts by the community. Thus, about 1848, he was appointed by the board of chosen free- holders of the county as examiner of public-school teachers, and this position, which he was so admira-
HON. JOSHUA S. THOMPSON, A.M., lawyer of | bly fitted to fill, he occupied with great acceptability Swedesboro, was born in Somerset County, Me., Oct. for about eight years. He was also for several years connected with the board of education of the county. He headed the first teachers institute ever held in the county of Gloucester, at the ancient town of Swedesboro. 11, 1815. His parents, James and Susan ( Patterson ) Thompson, were both natives of that State, where his father followed agricultural pur-uits, but his grand- father, John Thompson, belonged to Londonderry. N. H., coming from a long line of ancestors in that During this period an agitation was commenced having for its object the passage by the Legislature of a new school law, and the movement was entirely successful. A board of commissioners was appointed to report a new school law with other revisions. Among other changes introduced by the new meas- are was the extension of the school-going age. Under section. After a thorough preparatory course in the publie schools and academies in his native State, the subject of this sketch entered Waterville College, in the town of Waterville, Me., an institution of high standing in New England, now known as Colby University. From this college he was graduated in
FAUT
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GENERAL HISTORY.
the provisions of the old statute the limit was from five to sixteen years. Mr. Thompson entertained the opinion that instruction should be continued to children until they were eighteen years old, and that the school-going age should be extended to that time, believing that during the additional two years the scholars would be so much more alive to the ad- vantages of education, and so much more capable of comprehending their studies, their minds being more expanded and matured, as to make far greater progress than during their earlier life. He would prefer and recommend, in the case of males especially, an extension to the age of twenty-one rather than to make eighteen the limit. He pressed his convictions on this subject so strongly upon the commissioners appointed by the Legislature to revise the school laws, that his recommendation was adopted and the limit extended to eighteen years.
He was married, on Dee. 24, 1844, to Frances Strat- ton Garrison, daughter of Dr. Charles Garrison, late of Swedesboro. They had five children. The eldest daughter, Hannah, was married, Oct. 20, 1869, to George B. Boggs, civil engineer, and resident super- intendent of the Delaware and Bound Brook Rail- road. Mr. Thompson acquired an excellent position in his profession, which from the date of his admis- sion, 1844, he had earnestly prosecuted; so high a rank he had secured by 1847, and so favorably was he regarded by the community generally, that his name was prominently mentioned by the press for a position on the Supreme bench of the State: but re- garding himself as too young in the profession for so exalted a station, he declined judicial honors and re- fused to take any steps to accomplish the fulfillment of the wishes of his friends. In September, 1848, he was licensed as counselor-at-law, and on February 22d of the following year he was appointed prose- cutor of the pleas for Gloucester County by Governor Daniel Haines. Five years later, on the expiration of his term, he was reappointed by Governor R. M. Price ; again, on March 1, 1864, by Governor Joel l'arker ; again, on March 1, 1869, by Governor Ran- dolph ; again, on March 2, 1874, by Governor Joel Parker. At the expiration of that term he had filled this important position for twenty-five years, the ser- vice being continuous except for one interval, oc- curring between 1859 and 1864. This is, in all prob- ability, the longest service ever rendered by any one in the State as prosecutor of the pleas; and that the office should have been so continuously held nnder successive administrations is sufficient testimony to the zeal, ability, and fidelity with which Mr. Thomp- son discharged his functions. The Governor makes the nomination to the Senate, and they have the power to confirm or reject, as they may plea-e. So popular and favorably known had he hecome that at his last nomination they confirmed it by acclamation, without even referring his name to a committee, as was usual.
On July 6, 1848, at the time of his admission as counselor, he was made master in chancery, and on Nov. 17, 1874, he was appointed a commissioner of the Supreme Court. He ever identified himself with the interests of Swedesboro and his adopted State, and in all movements tending to their advancement, material and moral. he took an active part, in many being the prime mover and leader. In 1854, at the instance of the agents of the Camden and Amboy Railroad Company, he drew up a charter for a railroad from Woodbury to Swedesboro, called the Woodbury and Swedesboro Railroad Company, and procured its passage through the Legislature; but the railroad under the charter was never constructed by them, its necessity being removed. In 1866 he ste- ceeded in obtaining from the Legislature a charter for a railroad from Swedesboro to Woodbury, called the Swedesboro Railroad, a distance of eleven miles, thus opening railroad communication, the first-men- tioned place previously being quite isolated from the rest of the world. This project had been broached by him several years previously, as appears above, but this time he was bound to succeed. Ile encoun- tered not only opposition and discouragement from all quarters, but in some cases ridicule from those who would neither help build it nor let others do it. He, however, was well satisfied of its nece-sity, and of the great advantage to the country through which it would run, and undauntedly pushed the matter, step by step and year by year, until complete success in its accomplishment crowned his public-spirited ef- forts. Upon the organization of the commissioners and of the board of directors he was very fittingly chosen president of both, and he filled that position till his death. The road was opened for travel in September. 1869. The friends of Mr. Thompson, and those who recognized the benefits conferred by the railroad on the country through which it runs, cheer- fully acknowledged that, owing its existence to his untiring efforts and unbounded energy, it constitutes the chef-d'o urre of his life. Mr. Thompson was suc- cessively elected a vestryman in Trinity Church, Swedesboro, for thirty years, holding that position for a longer period than any member of the board. To the rising generation especially his life and char- acter present a notable example of energy of purpose and perseverance in doing good to his fellow-men, against any and all obstacles. He was attacked with paralysis October 21, and died Nov. 1, 1881, leaving a wife and five children.
RICHARD MOORE WARE, who is now in full practice at Mullica Hill, in this county, was born at Roads- town, Cumberland Co., N. J., on the 27th day of December, A.D. 1816. He is a son of the late Maskell Ware, who was also a native of Cumberland County, N. J., where the subject of this sketch received his early education at the public schools. His legal studies were carried on in the offices of James B. Dayton and ex-Governor Vroom, at Trenton, N. J ..
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HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
his name being actually entered as a student in the office of Mr. Dayton, but his actual preceptor was Governor Vroom, from whom he received pri- vate examinations. Ilis license as an attorney-at- law bears date Nov. 3, 1864, and he was admitted as a counselor-at-law on Nov. 13, A.D. 1867, and he was also admitted to practice before the United States Court at Trenton on April 4, 1871, and he is also a Supreme Court commissioner. Mr. Ware is a Re- publican in politics, but has never held any elective office, though often urged to accept nominations from his party. His practice has been quite extensive, and he is a careful counselor and good advocate. His fine residence in the northern part of Mulliea Hill adjoins the Episcopal Church, where he is a regular worshiper and one of the managing vestrymen. As a private citizen he is highly esteemed and respected for his kindness of heart and sterling qualities.
being admitted to the bar in 1845. Ile was a fine talker and gave every promise of becoming an orna- ment to the bar and a leading and influential citizen. but in a year or two after his admission to the bar he was threatened with consumption, which disease finally (March 31, 1849) carried him off at the early age of twenty-five years. Ile was buried in the Reeves family burying-ground near Woodbury. He was unmarried.
JAMES MOORE. - One of the leading members of the Gloucester County bar for many years was James Moore; indeed, at the time of his death he stood at its head. He was an excellent cross-examiner and had a ready flow of language, which he was able to use to the best advantage, as was particularly dis- played in his defense of Michael Tighe, who was tried for murder in this county in 1879.
Mr. Moore was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on the 16th day of December, 1832, and died Sept. 17, 1880, in the forty-seventh year of his age. His father, Wil- liam Moore, was a Baptist clergyman. James Moore moved to Woodbury in 1859, and for a time conducted a grocery, then entered the clerk's office as scribe, and afterwards read law with the late Robert K. Matlock, Esq., and was admitted to the bar as an attorney-at- law at the June term. A.D. 1869, and as a counselor at the June term, A.D. 1871. Ile was engrossing clerk of the New Jersey State Senate during the years 1869, . at Mantua, his native town, and he has also engaged
WILLIAM CARROLL FISHER .- Among the young attorneys of this county none ranked higher in his day than William C. Fisher, whose early demise, after : receiving his commission as an attorney, was greatly regretted. He was a native of Woodbury, N. J., having been born there on Dec. 31. A.D. 1824, his father, Michael C. Fisher, being of Scotch-Irish de- scent, and his mother, Mary Reeves Fisher, being from English and Welsh stock. William attended the public schools of Woodbury and finished his edu- cation at the Westtown Boarding School, and after- wards was enrolled as a student in the office of Robert K. Matlock, E-q., where he remained for four years, [ cation at Burlington, N. J., and subsequently entered the law-office of John B. Harrison, Esq., of Wood- bury, N. J., and was admitted as an attorney-at-law on June 8, 1854, by the New Jersey Supreme Court, at Trenton, N. J. Five years afterwards he was elected, as a Republican, to the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature, where he served from 1859 until 1862. He died at Woodbury, N. J., on the 29th day of December, A.D. 1869, of typhoid fever, and was buried in the Woodbury Cemetery. Mr. Starr was a man of good education, a close reasoner, and of good judgment, and had he been spared to a longer life of usefulness would undoubtedly have taken a high rank. Ile was numarried.
1871, and 1872, but held no other office except that of clerk of the board of frecholders, counsel for the same, and city attorney of Woodbury. Politically he was a Republican, but never held an elective office. llis widow and three children (Fannie Moore, William Moore, and Helen Moore) are still living in Wood- bnry.
Hle was very active in the Presbyterian Church, of which he was a member, and held many responsible positions. In literary circles he was a good debater and elocutionist, and as a citizen he ranked very high. being an upright. conscientious gentleman, and the friend of every enterprise that looked to the welfare . of the place.
WILLIAM MOORE .- Hle is the only son of the late James Moore, Esq., and was born in Woodbury, Oct. 4, 1861. He read law with his father until the latter's decease, after which he entered the office of John S. Jessup, Esq., where be finished his studies, and was admitted to the bar as an attorney-at-law June term, 1883. He is now practicing at Woodbury, and has already established some business. He bids fair to become an attorney of ability.
JOHN STARR .- Mr. Starr was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on Nov. 23, A.D. 1832. Both his father, Joseph Starr, and his mother, Rachel L. (Thomas) Starr, were natives of Philadelphia, but the family subsequently removed to Gloucester County, N. J., where most of the children still reside.
The subject of this sketch received most of his edn-
JOSEPH T. SICKLER .- The subject of this sketeh is a son of Dr. John R. Sickler, of Mantua (late Car- penter's Landing), N. J., who was for about twenty years a judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Gloucester County, and a member of the New Jersey State Constitutional Convention of 1840. Joseph T. was born at Mantna, in this county, and is now about thirty years of age. He received his education at the publie schools of his native town, and afterwards en- tered the law-office of R. M. Ware, E-q., of Mullica ITill, to learn the practice of law, and in 1874 was ad- mitted to the bar as an attorney-at-law and solicitor in chancery, and four years later was admitted as a counselor-at-law. IFis office has always been located
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GENERAL HISTORY.
in business outside of his profession and met with much success therein. In polities he is quite active, being a leader among the Democrats in his native township of Mantua, and an active and leading mem- Fur of society. He is unmarried.
EDWARD S. STRATTON was born in Gloucester County about the year 1838, and educated at the pub- lie schools therein. Somewhat late in life he enrolled himself as a student-at-law in the office of Richard M. Ware, Esq., of Mullica Hill, N. J., and after re- maining there for a period of four years, was admitted to the bar, and began practice at Mullica Hill. He was a fluent talker, and might have made a strong advocate. Ite died in 1878, after practicing only a few years, and was buried at Mullica Hill.
CHARLES BODINE CARMAN .- He was born June 19, 1840, at Bordentown, Burlington Co., N. J. His parents' names were Alexander D. and Martha W. Carman. His ancestors were natives of England, and came to this country in 1631, on the ship " Lion." Mr. Carman was educated in Bordentown, and his law preceptor was Garrit S. Cannon, of the same . place. He was admitted to the bar June 5, 1862, and made counselor June 8, 1865, and practiced in Wood- bury. He was an able lawyer, and ranked high in his profession, and until his health failed had about the best practice in the county. In the few short years of his practice he bad attained an enviable place, and had his life continued, he would have been . ously for it, but not actively enough to be termed a an ornament to the bar in its higher branches. He . politician.
was married Jan. 29, 1867, to Miss Maria E. Franklin, an estimable lady, then residing in Woodbury, and had two daughters, Mary Franklin and Loui-e Ham- ilton, all of whom survive him, and now reside in Philadelphia. Although never a politician, he was always deeply interested in politics, and was a stanch Republican, stumping the northern portion of the State for Lincoln in 1864. He died Feb. 25, 1873, of rheumatic neuralgia, and was buried at Bordentown.
As a man he was respected and loved, as a Chris- tian he was a bright example, living up to those great truths and privileges which fit men for life. A Methodist in religion, he was active in working for his church, and as superintendent of the Sunday- school, he drew around him those who cherish his memory and value the purity and sincerity of his nims.
JOHN SAMUEL JESSUP was born on a farm near the village of Stringtown, in the township of Harri- -on, Gloucester Co. His parents, Joseph and Mary Jessup, his grandfather, James Jessup, and great- grandfather, John Jessup, all lived in Gloucester County, N. J. The subject of this sketch received his first general education at the public schools near his native place and Mullica Hill, near to which : of his fellow. citizens generally.
town his father afterwards moved.
In September, 1857, he attended the West Jersey Academy, at Burlington, N. J., where he prepared for
college, and entered the sophomore class in Princeton College, New Jersey, September, 1862, graduating with the degree of A. B. June, 1865. The same month he entered the law-office of the Hon. Frederick T. Frelinghuysen, present Secretary of State, at New- ark, N. J .. and pursued his studies there for one year, and after attending law lectures at Harvard Univer- sity, Cambridge, Mass., for a year, he returned to the office of Mr. Frelinghuysen, and completed his studies, and was admitted to practice as an attorney June 1, 1868 ; as counselor June 8, 1871.
On Nov. 2, 1871, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary M. Howell, daughter of the late Benjamin P. Howell, M.D., and has four children.
Mr. Jessup held the office of city solicitor of Wood- bury, where he has always practiced, from March, 1876, to March, 1879, and has been a member of the City Council from March, 1879, to the present time. He has also been clerk of the board of freeholders from Sept. 23, 1880, to the present time. He is a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church in Woodbury, and has acted as trustee and ruling elder for some time, and is counsel for the West Jersey Presbytery. He is the oldest member of the bar in Woodbury, and stands at its head as an office-coun- selor, and is an able lawyer and an upright Christian gentleman. Politically he is a Republican, and is always true to the interest of his party, working zeal-
GEORGE HENRY HEWITT .- This gentleman is now in full practice at Clayton, and also has a branch office at Williamstown in this county. He was born at Glassboro, about three miles from his present resi- dence, on the 28th day of October. A.D. 1853. His parents, Hon. George C. and Abigail A. Hewitt. were both born in this county, and his father for a time represented a portion of the county in the lower branch of the State Legislature, where he distin- guished himself as a painstaking. careful, industrious, and conscientious legislator. George Henry was ed- neated at the public schools in Clayton, where the family has resided for over twenty-five year-, and at Pennington Seminary, a Methodist institution, in the upper part of the State, after which he entered the law-office of Hon. Samuel H. Grey, of Camden, where he remained for four years, being admitted to the bar in 1876. In politics Mr. Hewitt is a Republican, and in 1882 was a candidate for the Republican nomina-
tion for county clerk. In the township where he lives he has been township clerk, and is at the present time town-hip collector. He takes an active part in the affairs of the Methodi-t Episcopal Church at Clayton, and i- the leader of the church choir, and is an upright, affable gentleman, having the respect
BELMONT PERRY .- The present prosecutor of the pleas of this county is the second son of the late Hon. Edmund Perry (a descendant of Commodore Perry.
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HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
of Lake Erie fame), who for a number of years was a judge on the bench of Hunterdon County, at one time a State senator from the same, and in 180! president of the New Jersey State Senate. His mother, Eliza- beth A. White Perry, was a native of Hartford, Com.
Mr. Perry was born on the 14th day of March, 1854, at Flemington, N. J., where his father was at that time
BELMONT PERRY.
terest in political matters, but never held any politi- cal office other than prosecutor, and for a year the office of city solicitor of Woodbury. He is a mem- ber of the Episcopal Church in his adopted city, and also a member of the vestry, a member of the execu- tive committee of the Gloucester County Bible So- ciety, and at one time was secretary of the Glouces- ter County Sunday-School Association. Outside of his profession he has been somewhat active, and a few years ago established and edited the Glourester County Democrat, a flourishing newspaper, devoted to the interests of the Democratic party. He is also in- terested as director in the Woodbury Glass-Works, a business enterprise that has met with much success, and materially added to the city's prosperity.
ROBERT SCHENCK CLYMER .- He was born in the city of Philadelphia, Pa., on the 23d day of August, 1855, and is now twenty-eight years of age. His father, David M. Clymer, is a native of Philadel- phia, and his mother, whose maiden name was Abi- gail A. Ashcraft, is a native of Carpenter's Landing, now called Mantua, Gloucester Co., N. J. He. at- tended the public schools in Philadelphia, and went from the George W. Nebinger Grammar School to the Boys' Central High School, where he completed a two-and-a-half-years' course. After leaving school he was a book-keeper until commencing study of the law with Belmont Perry, Esq., prosecutor of the pleas of Gloucester County, having resided in Wood- bury since May, 1872. He was admitted to the bar
practicing law and editing the Hunterdon County Democrat. The public schools of his native town at the June term, 1882, of the Supreme Court, and has since practiced in Woodbury. In politics he is a Republican, and held for some time the position of city clerk, and is now the city solicitor. He is also a prominent member of the Methodist Church, and for a while was superintendent of the Sunday-school. He is a young man of ability, and deserves credit for the perseverance and energy with which he has risen to his present position. Already he bas con-ider- able practice, and with his popularity among the people gives promise of a successful future. afforded the subject of this sketch his early educa- tion, and he was for a time a student of Col. Hyatt's Military Academy at Chester, Pa., finishing his edu- cation at St. Stephen's College, Annandale, N. Y. His law studies were commeneed in the office of his father in the spring of 1871. and in 1873 he entered the office of Hon. R. S. Kuhl. where he remained until admitted to the bar at June term of the Su- preme Court in 1875. For a year thereafter he was a teacher in the classical department of the pre- paratory school at Burlington College, New Jersey. EDMUND B. LEAMING, of the firm of Leaming de Black, was born at Seaville, Cape May Co., N. J., May 24, 1857. Ile is a member of the family of Leaming- that are so closely identified with the his- tory of Cape May County, his father being Dr. J. F. Leaming, of Cape May Court-House, and is a lineal descendant of Aaron Leaming, of Cape May, one of the compilers of Leaming & Spicer's "Grants and Concessions." He was educated at his home under a private tutor. In 1877 he commenced the study of law under Judge Buchanan, of Trenton, and in Feb- ruary, 1861, was admitted to the bar of New Jersey. In the fall of the same year he formed a partnership with Alford L. Black, and at once commenced the practice of his profession in Camden, N. J., c=tab- lishing a branch office at Woodbury. In the practice well-known ability and integrity merit. In September, 1877, he was married to Lida, eldest daughter of Rev. Daniel Thackara, of the city of Woodbury, N. J., and in the November following he located in that city for the practice of his profession. At the June term of the Supreme Court, 1878, MIr. Perry was made a counselor-at-law, and sub-equently received from the same court the appointment of Su- preme Court commissioner, and in 1878, from Chan- cellor Theodore Runyon, an appointment a- a special master in the Court of Chancery: In 1577, Governor Bedle made him a notary public, and in 1879 he re- ceived from Governor George B. Mcclellan the ap- pointment of prosecutor of the pleas of the county, succeeding in that office Hon. Joshua S. Thompson, of Swedesboro, who had creditably and faithfully filled the position for the previons twenty-five years. . of law he has met with the rare success which his In politics Mr. Perry is a Democrat, and takes an in-
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