USA > New Jersey > Memorial cyclopedia of New Jersey, Volume III > Part 5
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Philadelphia claimed but his business interests, for in all things else he was closely identified with New Jersey and Camden. He served the First Presby- terian Church of Camden as a loyal and devoted member, participating in many branches of its work, and belonged to the Republican Club, of Camden. In this city, where his relations were other than those of business, he is remembered for a sincere and cordial manner, a warm and hearty friendliness, and earnest cooper- ation with all forces working for good, whether in church, in civil or in political life.
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ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
i Edward Stockton Woodward married Elvira Moore, daughter of Isaac Van Horne and Mary Ann (Fitch) Moore, and had children: Edward Stockton Jr., and Ada Moore, deceased, married Arthur M. Wood.
GUÉRIN, William Halsey, Insurance Actuary.
Newark as a business center takes high rank among the cities of the United States, and William Halsey Guérin, of this review, was an important factor in sustaining her reputation in this direc- tion. He stood at the head of one of her leading enterprises, and was a wide- awake, progressive business man, whose well directed efforts resulted not only in his individual prosperity but also pro- moted the welfare of the community. The world is not slow to pass judgment upon the individual, and when a man has won the high respect of those with whom busi- ness and social relations have brought him in contact, it is by reason of a well spent and honorable life. Condemnation comes quickly from the public, and es- teem therefore indicates the possession of worthy qualities and characteristics. He was a son of George Barclay and Maria (Powles) Guérin, the former a mason and builder, who erected almost all the older public buildings in the city of New- ark.
William Halsey Guérin was born in Newark, New Jersey, September 4, 1842. He was the recipient of an excellent education acquired in the following named institutions: Dr. Rose's school, in New- ark; Dr. Pingrey's establishment, in Elizabeth; and Professor Saunder's School for Young Gentlemen, in Philadel- phia. For a time he was then associated with his father in the building and con- tracting business, and later became iden-
tified with a number of other enterprises of importance. He was the senior member of the firm of Guerin & Williams, insur- ance contractors, and was the secretary and treasurer of the Merchants' Insurance Company of Newark. During the Civil War he served as secretary in the New- ark Hospital for Wounded Soldiers. Always an ardent Republican, he gave his earnest support to the interests of that party, but his numerous important busi- ness responsibilities prevented him from accepting public office. He was a mem- ber of St. John's Lodge, Free and Accept- ed Masons, being one of the oldest mem- bers of the Masonic fraternity at the time of his death, and was also a member of the Royal Arcanum. He was a devout member of the Clinton Avenue Dutch Reformed Church, and a generous con- tributor to its support.
Mr. Guérin married (first) October 21, 1867, Isabella, daughter of Robert and Hetty (King) Duncan; (second) Febru- ary II, 1874, Sarah L., daughter of Wil- liam Henry and Sarah Elizabeth (Desh- ler) Nelson. Child of first marriage: Hetty Isabel, born January 24, 1869. Children by second marriage: Gertrude Van Winkle, born September 25, 1876; Deshler, August 23, 1878; George Bar- clay, August 26, 1881 ; Henry Haworth, March 30, 1891.
In social as in business life, Mr. Guérin possessed a host of friends. Of a genial and social disposition, he had won friends all along the way of life, who gave him their high regard by reason of his splen- did character, his manly conduct. his honorable dealing and his fidelity to every duty. He was most hospitable by nature, delighted in the society of his friends, but was happiest in the role of host. His home was a center of social enjoyment and there his genial friendly qualities were seen at their best.
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BUTTERWORTH, Theron Hervey, Enterprising Citizen.
The era of large enterprises is upon us and the day of small undertakings has passed away. Men of master minds have control of large concerns, and they display sound judgment and keen dis- crimination. They have gone into newer and broader fields than did their prede- cessors, and their leadership has taken special lines. The men who have been at the head of important commercial en- terprises are the men who command the respect not alone of the business world, but of the entire community. Among these captains of industry the late Theron Hervey Butterworth, of Morristown, New Jersey, commanded a leading posi- tion. He was of English descent, his father, Henry Butterworth, having been a native of that country, coming to the United States in childhood, and in early manhood settling in Newburg, New York, where he owned large farms, and, from being connected with the freighting busi- ness on the Hudson river, came to be known as Captain Butterworth. He mar- ried Charlotte Fowler, a sister of Dr. Samuel Fowler, of Sussex county, New Jersey.
Theron Hervey Butterworth, the youngest of a large family, was born in Newburg, New York, August 17, 1820, and died in New York City, April 2, 1891. His earlier educational advantages were obtained in the Montgomery and New- burg academies, of which the Rev. Samuel Irenaeus Prime was principal and he then took up the study of law with Judge Brown, in Newburg, but never followed the legal profession, as commer- cial pursuits had a superior attraction for him. He soon made his mark in the business world, and became associated with the New York Floating Derrick Company, of which he was elected presi-
dent, and finally became the sole owner. He was closely identified with this cor- poration until the year 1867, when he re- tired from all business occupations, and retired to his country estate, three miles out from Morristown. This beautiful estate is called "Ventosa," and is located in one of the most delightful portions of Morris county, on the Mount Freedom road ; it consists of one hundred and three acres, a part of it near the house being laid out in beautiful lawns and flower gardens, while other portions form excel- lent pasturage, and still others are left with all their native beauty of forest growth. While Mr. Butterworth was still engaged in business life, he owned a large quantity of valuable real estate in the heart of New York City. He was a gentle- man of the old school, his fine, courteous manner and dignified demeanor, never varying whether addressing "prince or pauper." In political opinion he gave his support to the Democratic party, but neither desired, nor could he be induced to accept public office. He was, however, public spirited to a degree, and all projects which had for their object the welfare or improvement of the community, were assured of his hearty and generous sup- port. In especial he was a liberal donor to the church and hospitals and institu- tions of a kindred nature.
Early in life Mr. Butterworth married a daughter of Dr. A. T. Hunter, a promi- nent physician of New York, and from this marriage there were four children, three sons and one daughter. In 1867 he married Selina Shirley, a daughter of the Rev. Samuel T. Gibbs, granddaughter of the Rev. John Gibbs, of the Congre- gational church. From this marriage there were four children-three daughters and a son. Mr. Butterworth died in New York City, April 2, 1891, and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery.
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i CHAMPION, Joseph Steelman, Useful Citizen.
Descendant of one of the old and promi- · nent families of the colonial period in New Jersey, Joseph S. Champion won for himself an honored name in the county of his birth, where for nearly half a cen- . tury he was engaged in business as cab- inet maker and funeral director. In 1881 he moved from Mays Landing to Atlantic City, there founding the business now conducted by his sons. At that time he was the only funeral director in Atlantic City, and there had been but little done to improve that section lying inland from Baltic avenue. He became prominent in · business, prospered abundantly, and won the esteem of all. He early saw the pos- sibility of making Atlantic City a great resort and invested heavily in real estate. He was among the pioneers in apartment house building, and the present Champion Building is one of the many buildings he erected. He conducted real estate opera- tions in various sections of the city and aided materially in the development of Atlantic City, particularly that section lying north of Baltic avenue.
Joseph Steelman Champion was born on the family homestead near Mays Land- ing, Atlantic county, New Jersey, Au- gust 3,'1847, and died in Atlantic City, June 2, 1915. When he was but a boy his parents left the farm, locating in Mays Landing, where he obtained a good educa- tion in the public schools. He was bless- ed with mechanical genius, was fond as a boy of working with tools, and on arriv- ing at suitable age began serving an ap- prenticeship with his father, a carpenter and cabinet maker. He became an expert workman, and, choosing the finer branch of his trade, confined himself to cabinet making and other woodwork requiring Aaron S., and a daughter, Marjorie B.
delicate skill. About 1870 he opened his own shop in Mays Landing and to fine, fancy, and artistic woodwork, furniture and cabinets, he added an undertaking department. With the introduction of factory made furniture his trade languish- ed, and undertaking became his principal business. In 1881 he moved to Atlantic City, locating at No. 1026 Atlantic ave- nue. For ten years thereafter there were but two funeral directors in Atlantic City, and of these Mr. Champion was the leader, a position he always maintained even when numerous followers of his calling made Atlantic City their places of business. He moved his establishment to the present location in the Pennsyl- vania avenue building, continuing until his death, his two sons coming with him and in his later years assuming the heav- ier burdens. He operated successfully in real estate and profited greatly through the growth of Atlantic City, a growth in which he was an active agent. He was popular in many fraternities, was highly esteemed by his brethren and by the public at large. Mr. Champion was a pio- neer in his business and his services were in demand in both city and surrounding country. His life was a useful one, and when old age overtook him he laid aside his work without regret, for he had borne well his part and was ready to render an account of his stewardship. He was ill for but six weeks at his home, No. 27 North Pennsylvania avenue, and then peacefully passed to his long rest. He is remembered as one of Atlantic City's foremost citizens, as a man of enterprise and integrity, worthy of any trust.
Mr. Champion married, in 1876, Racliel A. Bartlett, daughter of David G. and Sarahı (Chamberlain) Bartlett, who sur- vives him with two sons, Otto M. and
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George. A. Beardsley
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
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BEARDSLEY, George Austin,
Civil War Veteran, Master Merchant.
It is ever a great pleasure to record the lives and achievements of those who have been ready to sacrifice, not alone their worldly wealth, but their very lives for their country. Such a man was George Austin Beardsley, late a resident of New- ark, New Jersey, whose intrepid conduct exerted a beneficial influence in a wide- spread circle during the troublous times of the Civil War. . But it was not only as a soldier that Mr. Beardsley earned merit. In business circles his keen mind, great foresight and sound judgment were of in- estimable value. He was a son of Jus- tice W. and Samantha (Riggs) Beards- ley. of Sussex county, New Jersey, the former having been president of the J. W. Beardsley Sons' Company, wholesale gro- cers.
Captain George Austin Beardsley was born in Hamburg, Sussex county, New Jersey, June 27, 1836. His education was acquired in the schools of Paterson, New Jersey, and he then learned the jewelry trade with the firm of Allen Brothers, of Newark. He abandoned this occupa- tion, however, in order to go to Utah as assistant to Hiram Morrell, who had been appointed postmaster of Utah City. About this time there was a supposed up- rising of Indians who were afterward proved to be Mormons attacking some of their own people who, tired of the life, were attempting to go back East. Albert Sydney Johnson (who as a Confederate army general fell in the battle of Shiloh, in the Civil War), was sent to quell this insurrection. Mr. Beardsley enlisted and served three months, during which time the troops cleared their way into Utah. He assumed the duties of assistant post- master, and in this capacity had charge of the first stagecoach which took the mail to San Francisco, California. This
was in 1857, and they were in constant danger of Indian attacks while en route. One method of escaping these was to make apparent preparations for camping at night, light a large camp fire, and under cover of this ruse leave it burning while they made their way to another section farther on, while the Indians in all probability attacked their abandoned camp when they supposed the white men were sleeping soundly. When they ar- rived at San Francisco they received an ovation as bringing the first mails to that city. Mr. Beardsley remained there some months, and then took charge of a train of wagons loaded with dry goods for Salt Lake City. They encountered a number of dangers on the way, but so eagerly were their wares looked for that they readily sold all from the rear ends of the wagons. He then returned to his original home, his companion on this trip being a reporter of the New York "Tribune" staff. On his arrival in Newark he be- came associated with his father in the wholesale grocery business, which was carried on under the firm name of J. W. Beardsley Sons of New York, of which he later became president, an office of which he was the incumbent at the time of his death.
The connection of Mr. Beardsley with the Civil War dated from 1862. The sec- ond commission issued in the Thirteenth Regiment, New Jersey Infantry, was that to Second Lieutenant George A. Beards- ley, who at once proceeded to organize a company-Company D-July 17, 1862. This was filled by August 15, 1862, and on August 22 of that year he was ap- pointed captain. He was an active par- ticipant in many engagements, the most important being those of Antietam, Chan- cellorsville and Gettysburg. During the evening of May 2, 1863, at Chancellors- ville, being in the confusion separated from his regiment, he led a line of skirm-
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ishers composed of men from General Knipe's brigade, into breastworks con- structed the day before but then occupied by the enemy, and barely escaped cap- ture. The following day he had com- mand of the regiment, all of his superior officers having become incapacitated foi active duty, and with words of encour- agement made the men under him fight with redoubled ardor and bravery. While the regiment was encamped at Duck River bridge, Tennessee, Captain Beards- ley was detailed to take command of six companies `of the Thirteenth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, and One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, to collect an assessment of $30,000 in Lincoln county, Tennessee, which had been levied by General George H. Thomas for the fam- ilies of the soldiers who had been killed in that county by bushwhackers. Upon his return to his regiment he was ad- vanced to the rank of major January 8, 1864, but his impaired health would not permit active service in this capacity for any great length of time, and he resigned his commission in April, 1864, and re- turned to his home. He was a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of New Jersey, and of the Newark Board of Trade. His religious affiliation was with the Clinton Avenue Baptist Church, in which he was president of the board of trustees.
Mr. Beardsley married, in IS59, Henri- etta C. Burnett, and they had children : George A., now president of the firm of J. W. Beardsley Sons; Susan B., married Joseph A. Whittaker; Henrietta B., mar- ried Augustus de Peyster Harlow.
OGDEN, Syndey Norris, Accomplished Actuary.
Sydney Norris Ogden was born All- gust 7, 1853, in East Twenty-third street,
New York, then almost the outskirts of the city.
His father, Morgan Lewis Ogden, had been engaged in the cotton shipping busi- ness in Mobile, Alabama, with his brother, Charles Ogden ; later he removed to New York with his wife and four children, to study law. In 1855 the family settled in Washington, D. C., where Mr. Ogden Sr. practiced law until 1863, when business in New York recalled him. While in Washington, Sydney Norris Ogden was a member of the famous Lincoln Zouaves, and a friend and playmate of "Willie" and "Tad" Lincoln. In 1865 the Ogden family came to Newark, and occupied the old Kearny house, then surrounded by twenty-five acres, where Mr. Ogden lived until 1900.
Mr. Ogden was a lineal descendant of oid John Ogden, who settled in Stamford, Connecticut, in 1641, and later founded the city of Elizabethtown, New Jersey. His son David moved to Newark, and married Elizabeth Swaine, widow of Josiah Ward, who had the distinction of being the first to land on the banks of the Passaic when the first settlers arrived. The Rev. Uzal Ogden, great-grand- father of Sydney Norris Ogden, was the first rector of Trinity Church, Newark, and was elected first Bishop of New Jer- sey. Samuel Gouveneur Ogden, Mr. Ogden's grandfather, was one of the famous old merchants of New York City, for many years a prominent figure in financial circles. He financed the his- torical "Miranda" expedition, for which he was never reimbursed, but received a vote of thanks from the first Congress which assembled after Colombia had thrown off Spanish rule. Samuel Gouve- neur Ogden married Eliza Lewis, grand- daughter of Francis Lewis, signer of the Declaration of Independence. Eliza Glendie McLaughlin, the mother of
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Sydney Se Ogdens
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
1744317
Sydney Norris Ogden, was born Sep- tember 28, 1817, in Baltimore, Maryland, and died December 23, 1862, in Wash- ington, D. C. She was the daughter of General Matthew McLaughlin, who served with distinction all through the War of 1812, and Sydney Ravely Norris, of Baltimore, Maryland, a descendant of Benjamin Norris, who was prominent in the early history of Maryland.
Sydney Norris Ogden was educated first in the public school, and afterwards at the Newark Academy, where he gradu- ated in 1869. He entered the United States Coast Survey, where he served until 1876, when he resigned to accept a position as assistant in the mathematical department of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company of Newark, and later became its actuary, death only ter- minating his connection with the com- pany. Mr. Ogden 'served two terms in the common council of Newark, where he was leader of the Republican members on the floor and chairman of the finance committee. He was one of the incor- porators of the Protestant Episcopal Church of St. James, a member of the vestry from its inception, and for eight years its treasurer. He was a member of Northern Lodge, No. 25, Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. In 1867 he was the organizer of the Triton Boat Club, and was for over twenty years an active member. He was president of the Newark Tennis Club, a member of the Actuarial Society of America, the Wednesday Club, and the North End Club, of which he was vice- president and served on the board of governors.
Mr. Ogden married, October 26, ISS7, Mary Stuart Depue, daughter of Chief- Justice David Ayres Depue and Delia Ann Slocum. Their children were Mrs. Howard B. Norton, of Fast Orange ; Mrs.
Robert Needham Ball, Mrs. Joseph T. Shaw, both of Montclair; David Ayres Depue Ogden ; and Sydney Norris Ogden Jr.
No better idea of Mr. Ogden's per- sonaiity can be given than the following tribute published by the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company at the time of his death :
The death of Mr. Sydney N. Ogden, actuary of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company, has occasioned profound sorrow amongst his office friends and associates, and we who knew him so well desire to pay loving tribute to his memory.
Mr. Ogden's connection with the company covered more than thirty years, and during that long period he won for himself an exceptionally high place in the confidence and esteem of those with whom his relations were so close and inti- mate. Men who for many years are related to one another in business life have unusual oppor- tunities to weigh and measure character-they learn to know one another, and to arrive at accurate personal values. It counts, therefore, for much more than fulsome eulogy when those who knew Mr. Ogden longest and most intimately can speak so highly of his worth.
He was a man with a high sense of honor; he was true and manly-generous and considerate, and withal gifted with a personality so genial and winning that men counted it as a privilege to be numbered amongst his friends. No one can measure the influence of such a man; the record of his life amongst us is a rich legacy, and will long abide in our memories.
KIMBALL, Myron J.,
Financier, Enterprising Citizen.
In all of the relations that made up the many phases of the busy and useful life of Myron J. Kimball, he was connected with New Jersey, since 1866 a resident and business nian of Vineland, but through birth and the ties of ancestry he was a son of New England. His grand- father, William Kimball, changed his residence from Massachusetts to Ver- mont, and there Charles A. Kimball, father of Myron J. Kimball, was born.
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1
Charles A. Kimball was a contractor and builder of Wallingford, Vermont, during the greater part of his life, and was there accidentally killed while razing a building, April 13, 1865. His wife, Caro- line C., who died in 1857, was a daughter of William Kent, an early settler of Wall- ingford, Vermont, member of the ancient Kent family of Leicester, Worcester county, Massachusetts. The many ties that Myron J. Kimball sundered when he chose a New Jersey home were likewise those of his wife, Clara A. (Prince) Kim- ball, whose family was of Maine resi- dence. The position Mr. Kimball gained in the Vineland community, where nearly all of his interests centered, was one of prominence and influence, and the fol- lowing record of his life activity, told in part in the words of his associates, is one that, omitting nothing, speaks only of merit and honor.
Myron J. Kimball was born in Walling- ford, Vermont, December 17, 1846, and died in Vineland, New Jersey, July 24, 1915. His education was obtained in the public schools of his birthplace, which he attended until his fifteenth year, and the high school at Winchendon, Massachu- setts, the latter place being the home of his sister. He was nineteen years of age when in January, 1866, he came to Vine- land, New Jersey, and there began the connection with the lumber business that endured until his death. His first em- ployment was in the planing mill of Earle & Butterick, where he rose through various grades of service to a managerial capacity, with active charge of the busi- ness. When the firm of Earle & Butter- ick disposed of their property and interests to D. A. Newton & Company, Mr. Kim- ball was offered and accepted the position of manager, which he had held under the foriner control. This place he held until 1871, when he and W. V. and John Prince purchased the business with which he had
so long and so honorably been identified. As Kimball, Prince & Company, this com- bination continued until 1876, when John Prince retired from the firm, selling his interest to his partners. Under the lead- ership of Mr. Kimball its operations were widely extended, branches were estab- lished at Millville and Avalon, and a high jevel of prosperity in the affairs of the company was reached. Throughout the lumber trade Mr. Kimball was known as a progressive, able, and upright business man, conducting his operations along lines of fairness and absolute integrity. He had few other business interests, but as president of the Vineland National Bank was in close touch with all business and commercial enterprises of the locality. He was one of the organizers of this institution, which opened business under its Federal charter in May, 1883, with a capitalization of $50,000, and at the first meeting of the stockholders was chosen a director and vice-president. In the fall of the same year the president, who had been chosen at the election that placed Mr. Kimball in the vice-president's chair, resigned, and from that time until his death Mr. Kimball was at the head of the affairs of the bank as president, an office he graced with commanding ability. He was a member of the auditing committee of the Pennsylvania Lumbermen's Mutual Fire Insurance Company, being one of the original auditors, and was also presi- dent of the Siloam Cemetery Association, of which he was for a number of years director. He fraternized with the Ma- sonic order, belonging to Vineland Lodge, No. 69, Free and Accepted Masons. His interest in the welfare and advancement of his community did not take the forni of political activity, but in every project aiming at the benefit of Vineland he was an important factor, one of his latest acts of public spirited generosity being a liberal subscription to a fund for the pur-
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