USA > New Jersey > Memorial cyclopedia of New Jersey, Volume III > Part 33
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to erect another memorial at Kurnool, dear Dr. Coles? The reference committee have already passed on the question and recommended to our board that we have a new church building, on condition that we can get the money for it: in view of the present financial situation, there is no hope of our board giving the money. Our hope then is that our good friend, Dr. Coles, who had done so much for us in the past, who so often has stooped to meet our needs, shower- ing us with his bounty and far exceeding our demands, will see in this need also, another
opportunity of love and service. You have given us a magnincent sione school building, which is the pride of the town and the model for the presidency. You have given us two fine stone and brick hosteis for our boys, far surpassing anything to be found in all these parts. You have founded a Christian village, and estab- lished new enterprises, making a Christian com- munity self-supporting and independent. There is just one thing more that we need here in Kur- nool, dear Dr. Coles, and that is a beautiful church, where our people may gather to worship God, and about which may centre all the activities of Christian effort in the field.
Of course- you understand, if you make this gift, it will be carried out under the supervision of our property committee, after receiving the sanction of the board, and I will superintend it myself. We have a fine site for the building, on one of the main thoroughfares of the town, where it will be accessible to all classes and most convenient for all phases of our work.
Upon his receipt of the above Dr. Coles wrote to Dr. Stanton and to the Board of Foreign Missions at Boston that he would pay for the ground. the building and its furnishings, and would like the work com- nienced and finished without any unnec- essary delay-which the board gratefully agreed to have done under the directing care of the Rev. Dr. W. A. Stanton.
The church is given as a memorial to Dr. and Mrs. Abraham Coles, father and mother of the donor, and those of early and later days who, like them, have con- tributed to the success of the great mis- sionary enterprises at home and in foreign lands.
The beautiful parable of "The Good Shepherd seeking his lost sheep," and the song of the Shepherd King; "The Lord Is My Shepherd, I Shall Not Want," suggested the following inter- esting story of a lost deer, written at Deerhurst some years ago by Miss Coles for children, which was published in the children's column of one of our reli- gious journals. It was copied into "The New Jersey Scrap Book of Women
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CENTENNIAL CHURCH, KURNOOL. SOUTH INDIA.
THE GIFT CF J. ACKERMAN COLES. M. D., LLD., IN RECOGNITION OF DIVINE POWER REVEALED IN THE BEGINN:'IG AND GROWTH OF AMERICAN FOREIGN MISSIONS . 1813 - 1913. ALSO IN REMEMBRANCE OF HIS FATHER, ABRAHAM COLES. MO PHD. LLD. AND OF HIS MOTHER, MRS CAROLINE E ACKERMAN COLES. ABDOF ALL WHO LIKE THEM, HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED THEREWITH
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Writers," compiled by Mrs. Margaret Y. Yardley, chairman of the committee on literature, and editor of the scrap book, for the World's Columbian Exhibition. From a volume of this work, presented to the New Jersey Historical Society Li- brary, the story is taken, entitled "The Deer and the Dog:"
Last Sunday morning the deer keeper went to the deer park with food for a buck and a doe with their beautiful fawn. As he reached the gate an ugly looking dog lying near sprang up and leaped over the fence into the park. The poor frightened buck ran from the dog in great distress; but instead of running to his kind keeper for protection he thought he would save himself, so giving a desperate leap through the wire fence he escaped all torn and bruised and bleeding to the woods. Our gentle doe and her fawn were unharmed, for her keeper was close by to deliver "her and her darling from the power of the dog" and she trusted in him that he would deliver her. Mr. Alexander Ritchie, that dear old gentleman who so beautifully paints pictures and engraves them, gave my father the other day an original lovely picture representing "Mercy"-as allegorically represented in "The Pilgrims' Progress," by John Bunyan. She stands knocking at a high gate over which are the words: "Knock and it shall be opened unto you." Mercy is represented as knocking very loudly while the tears are running down her cheeks. No wonder! Outside the gate, while she is standing there, she hears a great ugly dog barking fiercely, and as he is very close by she fears he will tear her to pieces. She knows she will be safe inside the gate; so she keeps on knocking, knocking, knocking! When the gate is opened and the kind gate keeper hears why she was so frightened, he lovingly says to her: "I will deliver my darling from the power of the dog." That is what our Lord Jesus Christ will say to you if you ask Him to save you from "the dog." Satan is so called because he is like a furi- ous and cruel dog. He is also compared in the Bible to "a roaring lion going about seeking whom he may devour." Only our Lord Jesus Christ can save you from his power; but you are safe if you can say "The Lord is my keeper,"- trusting yourself entirely to His care.
I have read that the Romans used to chain dogs to their house doors over which they wrote: "Beware of dogs." The Apostle Paul
in his epistle or letter to the Phillipians wrote the same words. The dogs he meant, I believe, were such cruel wicked men as caused the death of our dear Saviour: "Dogs have compassed me; the assembly of the wicked have enclosed me; they pierced my hands and my feet;" and such men also as King Solomon warns us to shun: "Enter not into the path of the wicked, go not in the way of evil men, avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it and pass away." The prophet Isai- ah also tells us of other wicked men; and per- haps the Apostle Paul was meaning these also: "They are all dumb dogs. They cannot bark, sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea! They are greedy -dogs which can never have enough. These watchmen should have been like faithful shepherds who protect the sheep and give alarm when danger is near, but instead they were like worthless curs, caring only for their own comfort instead of being vigilant, trustworthy watch dogs." I am so glad that none of these dogs can ever enter in through the gates into the City where reigns our Great King-The King of Kings, The Lord of Lords-the Heavenly Jerusalem, "for without are dogs," and here in this world they are all about us; and they will trouble us greatly and destroy us if we are not under the constant protection of our Keeper- our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
The deer keeper has gone in search of the lost deer. To-day is Wednesday, and until this morning he had not found out where the deer had strayed. I am told that the poor creature was hunted by dogs the whole of last night and that he will surely be killed to-night if not rescued, for he is now looking so worn out and so bruised, and is so lame, that it would grieve us to see the beautiful creature. While I write- lo! I hear the voice of the keeper. He is re- turning home; he is calling to me to come and rejoice with him for he has found his deer which was lost. Oh! how bright and happy is this deer keeper; how tenderly, how lovingly he looks upon this wounded deer, rejoicing more over him than over all the other deer in the deer park who went not astray. So does the Good Shepherd go in search of His lost sheep in the wilderness of this world. He will not suffer it to perish; and when he finds it "all weary and worn and ready to die," He will tenderly bring it back to the green pastures and beside the still waters, saying "Rejoice with me for I have found my sheep which was lost."
In the "New Jersey Scrap Book" the following hymn written by Miss Coles is taken from the
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Presbyterian Hymnal, "Hymns of the Ages," in use among the Presbyterian churches of the South and therein set to the tune of Eventide and Troyte's Chant No. 1 :
Now lift we hymns of heartfelt praise to Thee Our King, Redeemer, Saviour, Brother, Friend; And when Thy face, we in Thy likeness see,
Our Adoration Song shall never cease.
Then shall we sing when with our God we reign, Seeing Thee always in most holy ways, Worthy the Lamb who once for us was slain, That Song, forever new, of ceaseless praise.
While here we tarry in this world of need, Seeking Thy lost ones who in darkness roam, Thy little flock, Good Shepherd, gently lead
And bear Thy lambs in safety to Thy Home.
We copy from the Newark (New jer- sey) "Sunday Call," Thanksgiving num- ber, February, 1916, the following inter- esting statement :
The bronze historical group at the northern end of Lincoln Park, Newark, was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day twenty-one years ago. A complete list of the names of all the children in the city's public schools was placed in one of the metal boxes in the marble pedestal. There were thirty thousand names. If a list were attempted to-day it would include over sixty thousand names. The bronze was presented to the city by Dr. Jonathan Ackerman Coles as a tribute to the memory of his father, Dr. Abraham Coles.
It depicts a white mother winning back the love of her daughter who was made a captive by the Indians when a child. The child, grown to womanhood, had wed a chief, and when recog- nized by her mother, was indifferent to her until the latter sang a song the younger woman had not heard since childhood. The old song in- stantly brought back the long distant past and thus the young woman united to her love for her Indian husband that of love for her mother. The bronze has a special appeal to school chil- dren and the story behind the group has often been told them during the twenty-one years it has been in Lincoln Park.
Twelve beautiful stained glass windows illustrating the life and teachings of our Lord, designated as "The Ackerman Me- morial Windows" in The First Reformed Dutch Church, New Brunswick, New Jer- sey, and many valuable memorial gifts
elsewhere, bear witness to the affectionate regard entertained for and manifested by Dr. and Miss Coles for their maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Combs Ackerman and their family-with whom the early days of happy childhood were passed in the Ackerman Homestead, still standing on the corner of George and Bayard streets, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
One of these windows marks the site of the large square Ackerman pew; and was given by Dr. Coles in memory of his grandparents, Jonathan Combs Acker- man and his wife, Maria (Smith) Acker- man. The first of the series was given by Miss Coles in remembrance of the founder of the Ackerman family in America, Davit Ackerman and his wife, Lisbet (de Villiers) Ackerman, both of North Brabrant, Holland, from which place they sailed with their six children in 1662. They landed in New Amster- dam, where they settled, and where they united, in the following year, with the Reformed Dutch Church in America.
In memory of his grandfather, after whom he was named, Dr. Coles has given to the West China Union University at Chengtu, China, a most attractive build- ing. The materials used are brick and tiles. It is of Chinese architecture and was erected by an experienced architect, under the plans designed by the Presi- dent of the University, the Rev. Joseph Beech, D. D. The interior is complete in its requirements as a Christian home and has a chapel for religious services. The building accommodates seventy-five students.
Yuan Shih-Kai, the President of China, when the story of the West China Union University was told to him, said, "I wish to help." The next day he sent to the President of the University, Joseph Beech, D. D., a letter in which he wrote, "I
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THE ACKERMAN MEMORIAL HOME FOR STUDENTS. CHENGTU . CHINA.
A GIFT FROM JONATHAN ACKERMAN COLES, M. D., LL.D. IN MEMORY OF HIS GRANDFATHER. JONATHAN COMBS ACKERMAN. ( 1793 1852)
A CHRISTIAN MERCHANT. STATESMAN AND PHILANTHROPIST
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John Evans.
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$4,000.00, which be gracious enough to re- enclose my endorsement and check for ceive. The whole world is now being unified. In learning and thought we are daily hastening toward perfect agree- ment. The establishment now of the University is only the creating of a first channel of communication. (Signed) Yuan Shih-Kai."
The official endorsement of the Univer- sity by Hu-Ching I, the Governor-General of Szechuan, of which province Chengtu is the capital city, was also received by Dr. Beech. The Governor-General en- closed his check for $3,000, stating that "Education is of fundamental importance . to the Nation."
EVANS, John, Manufacturer, Inventor.
The men of deeds are the men who ex- cite the admiration of the world, and when a man rises to a position of prominence, whether it be in the business world or in private life, he merits and receives the esteem and respect of all by reason of the sterling qualities he must undoubt- edly possess. It is of such a man that this review treats in the person of the late John Evans, of Paterson, New Jer- sey. While he was just at the commence- ment of the prime of life, he had attained a position of eminence in his industry, and his reputation as a locomotive builder was constantly growing. Favored by nature with innate ability for this line of work, his talent in this direction was fostered and expanded by constant asso- ciation with kindred minds, and his in- ventive genius increased. His father, John Evans, was a Scotchman, who came to this country in 1868, and followed his calling as a boot maker in Paterson, New Jersey. He married Ann Crombie, also a native of Scotland, where they were married.
John Evans, subject of this sketch, son of John and Ann (Crombie) Evans, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, January 3, 1866, and died at his home in Paterson, New Jersey, December 6, 1911. He ac- quired his education in the public schools of Paterson, which he attended until he was sixteen years of age, at which time he entered upon his apprenticeship with the Cooke Locomotive Company to learn the machinist's trade. Upon the expira- tion of his apprenticeship he remained with this company, and rapidly rose from one position of responsibility to another, by reason of his intelligent, careful and faithful discharge of the duties entrusted to him. At the unusually early age of twenty-five years he had risen to the im- portant position of superintendent of the entire plant. He was in every sense of the words the right man in the right place. He made himself master of every detail of his industry, and being of an inventive turn of mind, he made many valuable improvements upon various parts of the locomotives which he assisted in building, and many of these are still in use at the present day. So expert was he considered in all branches of the busi- ness with which he was associated, that he was sent by the company to superin- tend the erection of locomotives in vari- ous parts of the world, and in this con- nection visited Japan, England and sev- eral other countries. He had a natural aptitude for the successful handling of large bodies of men, and being imbued with a strict sense of justice, a quality he displayed greatly to the benefit of the men under him, they were devoted to him, and he was thus enabled to accomplish a vast amount of work without unnecessary fric- tion. Indeed, it is not too much to say that as a practical builder of locomotives he was one of the skillful men in the world. At the time of his death he had been in the employ of the Cooke Locomo-
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tive Company for the long period of twen- ty-seven years, and had gained the good will and esteem of all with whom he had been associated.
In political matters he gave his con- sistent support to the Republican party, but was never an aspirant to public office. He was a member of the Market Street Methodist Episcopal Church, a member of the board of trustees of that institu- tion, and was secretary of the Sunday school at a time when there was an at- tendance of five hundred pupils. He was of a quiet and retiring disposition, kindly and thoughful, and devoted to his home and church. His last pastor says of him :
Mr. Evans was one of the most loyal and faithful church members I have ever known. Though a very busy man, carrying heavy respon- sibilities, he was never too busy nor too tired to undertake work for the church. He did not neglect his business, but cheerfully drew upon his own time and strength for God's work. After an arduous day he would often meet in church boards or committees till the middle of the night, but I never once heard him complain of fatigue. The call of the church seemed to nerve him with new strength and put him at his best. Yet he never was an ambitious man. He sought no position, and aspired to no place but loyally and modestly responded to every demand which the church made upon him. Such sweet and glorious spirits are all too rare, and always have been. He was a man of a thousand-nay, of ten thousand.
Mr. Evans married Mary Elizabeth Beaumont, a daughter of John and Mary (Parker) Beaumont, of Paterson, New Jersey, who were of Huguenot extraction, and came to this country from England; both are now deceased. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Evans: Russell Beau- mont, John Clifford and Marian Eliza- beth. Mrs. Evans is still living at No. 478 Park avenue, Paterson, and she and her family attend the Wesley Methodist Episcopal Church.
JACKSON, James,
Financier, Man of Affairs.
The family of James Jackson, the sub- ject of this narrative, came originally from Ireland, in the early part of the nineteenth century, but has become thor- oughly incorporated in the civic life of this country, giving substantial aid to the State and city in which they settled. James Jackson, the American progenitor of the family, was born in Sligo, Ireland, came to America, and married Mary Caro- line Burnett, of Springfield, New Jersey. He was a prominent and influential citi- zen of Paterson, New Jersey, for many years, being thoroughly interested in the industrial and financial prosperity of that city, and assisting much in its growth in the position of president of the New Jer- sey Locomotive and Machine Company, and as the controlling power and presi- dent of the Passaic County Bank, now styled Second National Bank of Paterson.
James Jackson, son of James and Mary Caroline (Burnett) Jackson, was born in 1841, at Paterson, New Jersey, and died March 14, 1903, in the same city. After attending the public schools of his native city he spent two years in the State Law School, at Poughkeepsie, New York. Finding, however, that his natural bent was toward business rather than the law, he returned to Paterson and assisted his father in his business affairs until the company, of which his father was presi- dent, changed hands. After the sale of that industry he was employed for sev- eral years in various manufacturing es- tablishments, among them the Passaic Rolling Mill Company and the Idaho Iron Company of Paterson, in the last named holding the position of treasurer. Leav- ing that company, he found employment in the Passaic County Bank, an institu- tion which was practically owned by his
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father, and in that place filled the posi- tions of bookkeeper, teller and cashier. The bank was first organized under State laws in 1852; in 1865 it passed into the hands of Mr. Jackson's father, who be- came its president and owned most of its stock until his death. After his death the capital of the bank was increased, and by special act of Congress in 1874 the name of the institution was changed to the Sec- ond National Bank of Paterson, with Ben- jamin Buckley as president, and James Jackson as first cashier. Mr. Buckley re- signed in 1881, and Mr. Jackson succeeded him and held the office until his death. Beside his financial interests, Mr. Jack- son was president of the Gould-Mersereau Company of New York, one of the lead- ing upholstery and hardware houses of the country, and was prominently identi- fied with manufacturing and other enter- prises in Paterson. Through his wide and varied experiences in financial and commercial affairs, he was eminently fitted for the responsible position he held so long and ably, and it was a fact to be long remembered and commented on that while Mr. Jackson was at the helm, the business public felt itself in perfect safety because of his untarnished integrity and fine, discerning judgment in all financial matters.
In politics Mr. Jackson was a lifelong Republican. On several occasions he was selected by the courts to take charge of estates, and his careful and discriminat- ing judgment proved in every instance that he was a successful administrator. He was a member of the Hamilton Club of Paterson, the Lawyers' Club of New York, and in his younger days belonged to the H. M. A. Association, an athletic and boat club composed of the young men of Paterson. While it was well known that Mr. Jackson was of a retiring and domestic temperament, few knew what
pleasure he had in the home studies which he pursued. He was particularly fond of the sciences. devoting much attention to mathematics and astronomy. He was well versed in literature, being thoroughly acquainted with the works of the best authors, but his greatest delight was the Bible, and to its study he gave much time, and was generally recognized as a Bibli- cal student excelled by few theologians. Mr. Jackson was averse to any display of his attainments, but the friends who were able to draw from him his knowledge, were astonished and well repaid by the intellectual feast he could spread to those who could appreciate his learning.
On April 25, 1883, in New York City, Mr. Jackson married Amelia, daughter of Edwin Haight and Maria Louise (Hart) Mabbett, of Dutchess county, New York. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. James Jackson is Gerald Breck.
WISTAR, Caspar,
Pioneer Glass Manufacturer.
The first glass works to be established in New Jersey were the plant erected about 1739 near Allowaystown, Salem county, by Caspar Wistar. A. deed of agreement dated December 7, 1738, said to be still in existence, shows that Wis- tar brought these four glassmakers from Rotterdam: Simon Kreismeir, Caspar Halter, John Martin Halter and Johan William Wenrzell.
The following letter, printed in the New Jersey Archives, volume vi., was sent, July 31. 1740, by Charles Carkesse, secretary at London of the Commission- ers of the Customs, to Thomas Hill, Esq., of London, secretary to the Lords Com- missioners for Trade and Plantations :
Sir, Mr. William Frazor, Collector of the Cus- toms at Salem in West Jersey having informed the Commissioners, that there has been lately
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effected a Glass work within Eight miles of that Port by one Casper Wester a Palatine, and is brought to perfection so as to make Glass: I am directed to give you an account thereof for the information of the Lords of Trade.
Caspar Wistar died at his home in Philadelphia in 1752, but his son Richard continued to make glass at Alloways- town until the Revolutionary War. Rich- ard died in 1781.
A letter from Governor Jonathan Bel- cher, written at Elizabeth Town, August 24, 1752, to Colonel Alford, of Boston, contains some interesting information about Wistar and the manufacture of glass in New Jersey. He wrote :
I have begun to make Inquiry about the Glass Works in this Province which are 130 miles from: this Town & as I know no proper person near them capable of getting the Information you desire I have hardly a lean hope of rendering you any Service is that matter in which the Un- dertakers are very close & Secret.
I was Acquainted with one Caspar a German who lived at Phila and was the first and principal Undertaker of the Glass Works in this Province, and with whom I discours'd particularly about them (5 years ago) and he complain'd also that they cou'd not make their glass so Clear and strong for want of Help, their Works being near two hundred miles from any Quantity of it.
This Caspar is lately dead and fromn a very poor man rais'd and left a Fortune of 20. or 30.000£ Str. I have had from others Engag'd in the Works the saine Complaint of want of proper Materials for the Mettle and for the Fur- nace.
In 1768 Governor William Franklin re- fers to. Wistar's works as having been established some twenty years and as making "Bottles and a very coarse Green Glass for Windows, used only in some of the Houses of the poorer sort of People."
The second glass works to be estab- lished in New Jersey were located at the present Glassboro. Cushing and Shep- pard in their "History of Gloucester County" make the following reference to that plant :
The pioneer glass works at what is now Glass- boro were erected in 1775 by Jacob, Solomon. John., Christian, Adam, Francis and Philip Stan- gor, seven brothers, who had been working at Wistar's glass works on Alloways Creek, in Salem county. They brought with them an only sister, Sophia.
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