USA > New Jersey > Atlantic County > Atlantic City > The Daily union history of Atlantic City and County, New Jersey : containing sketches of the past and present of Atlantic City and County > Part 30
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At the age of twenty he engaged in the bathing business on his own account. invested in beach front real estate, and has owned valuable property in various parts of the city. While a Republican in politics. he has no ambition for official honors, but makes business his pastime and enjoys the friendship of all who know him. On December 26, 1883, he mar- ried Miss May Lindley, and has a beautiful home on Virginia avenue.
CLEMENT J. ADAMS.
Clement J. Adams, the well known real estate dealer and insurance agent is a son of the late Enoch Adams and was born at Bakersville, N. J., in 1845. He finished his acedemic education at Pennington Seminary and thereafter graduated from a business college at Poughkeepsie. New York. He saw service in the war of the Rebellion, rank- ing as a corporal. He enlisted in Co. B. 25th New Jersey Volunteers. September 1, 1862, and was mustered in September 26th, of the same year. He was mustered out June 20. 1863. For thirteen years he taught school at English Creek, May's Landing, and else- where in the county, with great acceptability.
In 18So he came to this city and formed a partnership in the real estate and insurance business with his cousin, Israel G. Adams, having their first office for some years on Atlantic Avenue, near Arkansas. Since the completion of the Real Estate and Law Build- ing in 1888 their office has occupied the best half of the first floor.
In 1882 he was married to Phoebe A. Tilton, of Bakersville, and has two very promis-
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ing children, Miss Mae N. and Master Carleton. Mr. Adams served this city several years as Superintendent of Public Schools, and for a number of years as President of the Board of Education. He is one of the Trustees of St. Paul M. E. Church, has been very suc- cessful in business and has been largely identified with improvements.
HAROLD F. ADAMS.
Many beautiful and artistic buildings, including churches and cottages throughout At- lantic County, stand as monuments to the skill of Harold F. Adams as an architect. Mr. Adams who has an office in the Real Estate and Law Building, is a son of Charles E. Adams, and was born in Camden County, August 3, 1868. He was a student at the Wil- liamstown public schools till he moved with his parents to this city, in 1876. He continued his studies here, and after graduating from a business college he became an electrician, which occupation he followed for several years. In 1892 he entered the office of the late William G. Hoopes as a draughtsman and architect, becoming, after a few years, a silent partner. In 1897 he graduated as an architect from the University of Pennsylvania, and immediately afterward opened an office for himself in this city. Besides numerous cottages, Mr. Adams prepared the plans for the Arnold apartment house on Pacific avenue, the Young amuse- ment building on the beach, St. Peter's R. C. Church at Pleasantville, and Harry Wootton's fine cottage at Longport, and the remodeling of the Seaside.
ISRAEL GUTHRIE ADAMS.
Israel Guthrie Adams, the head of the real estate and insurance firm of I. G. Adams & Company, comes from good old Quaker stock, for several generations resident of Atlantic County. His father, the late Israel Scull Adams, was the youngest of four brothers in a family of seven children. Their father was the late Jesse Adams, of Bakersville. The seven children were:
I. Clement, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel Baker. 2. Enoch, who married Naomi Townsend. 3. Constant, who married Sophia Morris. 4. Israel Scull, who married Louisa C., daughter of the late Dr. Guthrie, Connecticut born, who lived and died in the South, being buried at St. Augustine, Fla. 5. Abigail, who married Charles Lake. 6. Eliz- abeth, who married Pardon Ryon, Sr. 7. Margaret, who married, first, John Baker, and second, Andrew Frambes.
The subject of this sketch was born in 1843, at Bakersville. He finished his education at Pennington Seminary, and before he was twenty-one years of age was master of a vessel. He followed the sea for a number of years, engaged in trade chiefly at West Indian and Mexican ports. In February, 1865, he was shipwrecked off Cape Lookout in a severe storm and nearly lost his life. His vessel, the schooner "Spray," struck the shoals eleven miles from shore, where no help could reach them in the high sea. From Monday till Thursday afternoon, Capt. Adams and his five men were lashed to the rigging in great peril, nearly frozen and starved, the waves breaking over them. A boat's crew from the warship of Admiral Porter finally took them off as the Admiral was proceeding to Washington to witness President Lincoln's second inauguration.
Capt. Adams was in command of the I. S. & L. C. Adams, crossing the ocean in 1867, when a hurricane was encountered, nearly sinking the ship.
He quit the sea in 1883 and opened a real estate and insurance office in this city, at Arkansas and Atlantic avenues. His usual enterprise built up a profitable business, which has been steadily advancing ever since. His cousin, Clement J. Adams, is associated with him in the firm. The foresight of his father in purchasing large tracts of sandhills and meadow lands down the beach has been of vast benefit to the two sons.
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BIOGRAPHY.
John Baker Adams, of Camden, is the only brother of Israel G. Israel G. married, first. Phoebe A. Sanders, and had five children, Florence, Amelia S., who married Dr. Walter A. Corson; Charles R., who graduated from Chester Military Academy, a civil engineer, and is engaged in the real estate business in this city; Mabel E., and Israel Morton, who is a law student in the University of Pennsylvania.
For his second wife Mr. Adams married Anna M., the youngest daughter of Peter Boice. He has a fine home at Linwood, while his business office is in Atlantic City. Be- sides his extensive real estate interests, Mr. Adams is a stockholder and director in several financial institutions. He is a director in the Second National Bank and the Safe Deposit and Trust Company, President of the Atlantic City Cooling Company, Director in the State Mutual Building Association, also in the West Jersey Guarantee and Title Company, also in the Chelsea Investment and Development Company, and the Chelsea Hotel and Improve- ment Company; Director of the Security Trust and Safe Deposit Company, of Camden. One of I. G. Adams' late deals was the selling of the West Jersey Excursion Ilouse, at Chelsea, to a syndicate of Philadelphia millionaires for $360.000, from which now springs the grandest hotel on the Atlantic coast.
ISRAEL SCULL ADAMS.
Israel Scull Adams was the son of the late Jesse Adams, one of the early settlers of Bakersville, and a member of the Society of Friends. He was born in 1819, and died in 1870, in the locality where he had always lived. In his early life he followed the sea and was always more or less interested in vessel property. He married Louise C. Guthrie, of Wil- mington, N. C., and had two children, Israel G. and John B. For many years Israel S. Adams was the Republican leader of Atlantic County. He was appointed Collector of Customs at Somers Point by Abraham Lincoln, in 1861; reappointed by him in 1865; again reappointed by Presidents Johnson, Grant. Hayes, Garfield and Arthur, dying December 4. 1884, before his term expired, and his successor was appointed by President Cleveland.
At the time of his death he was a member of the Republican State Executive Com- mittee and was a candidate for the nomination for Governor. He was also named by the Republicans as a Presidential elector from New Jersey, but resigned shortly before the election on account of failing health. Mr. Adams was one of the wealthiest men in South Jersey. At one time he was a large vessel owner, but disposed of his interests in that line at the time of his appointment as collector. He was a stockholder and director in the West Jersey and Atlantic railroad, the Trade Insurance Company, of Camden, the Atlantic City Water Works Company, the Chelsea Beach Land Company, the South Atlantic City Land and Improvement Company, the Atlantic Lumber Company, and President of the Morris Fish, Oil and Guano Company, of Great Egg Harbor.
JAMES B. ADAMS, ESQ.
James B. Adams, Esq., is one of the younger members of the Atlantic County Bar who has established himself in one of the learned professions. He was born in this city, October 28, 1869, and is the only son of James C. Adams. He was educated in the public schools and studied law with Samuel E. Perry, Esq., being admitted to the bar in June, 1807. He had been actively identified with the Sons of Veterans, and has the esteem and confidence of all who know him.
JOHN BAKER ADAMS.
John Baker Adams was born at Bakersville, August 7, 1846. He is the younger son of the late Israel S. Adams. He finished his education at Pennington Seminary, in 1865 and 1866. after attending the West Jersey Academy at Bridgeton, two years. He then went with
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DAILY UNION HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY.
his brother one year on board a vessel prior to taking command of a vessel himself. His first voyage was to Trinidad, W. I., and was successful. He followed the sea for a number of years and has always been interested in vessel property. He married Phoebe D. Baker, of Camden, and has two children: Clarence F. and Carrie J., all living in Camden. It was John B. Adams who negotiated the sale of Chelsea Heights to a syndicate comprising Ken- nedy Crossan, ex-Senator Charles A. Porter, Dr. Jos. J. Filbert, A. Louden Snowden, Gen. Wm. J. Latta, and others. The tract comprises 460 acres of meadow land adjacent to Chelsea, which the late Israel S. Adams purchased during his lifetime for $3,000. The price paid by this syndicate was $315,000. By dredging the surrounding bays and raising the grade of this land above the highest storm tide a large and beautiful town site will soon be established and millions of dollars of property created.
LEWIS R. ADAMS.
Lewis R. Adams is a son of Alfred Adams, Sr., one of the old-time residents of this city. He is a grandson of John Bryant, who was one of the first settlers of Atlantic City. It was his grandfather who operated the famous salt works that flourished here early in the century, and although the subject of this sketch was born as late as Jannary 10, 1860, he has seen many changes in his native city, and no one is more competent to detail the amazing progress that has been made here during his life than he. He received a common school education, and at the age of fourteen apprenticed himself to the bricklaying trade under his father. He served the allotted time, and at the age of nineteen, he became a con- tractor, entering boldly into competition with men who were twice his years. But pluck
and ability, traits which run in his family (he being a cousin of John L. Young), aided him splendidly, and among his first undertakings was that of building the old Ocean House at Connecticut and Pacific avenues. He constructed the brick work for the Pennsylvania avenue school house, the hotel Luray, Osborne and Leland. He did the mason work on the Real Estate and Law Building, and on Myers' Union Market.
He was the first Building Inspector of Atlantic City, being appointed in 1887. Two years later he opened bath houses on the Boardwalk at the foot of New York avenue, and has been engaged in this business ever since, and is the owner of a valuable beach front property.
JAMES M. AIKMAN.
James M. Aikman, cashier of the Union National Bank, the youngest son of the Rev William Aikman, D. D., was born in Wilmington, Delaware, March 13, 1866. He was edu- cated in the public schools of Detroit, Mich., and in the private academy of Prof. West, of Morristown, N. J.
In 1884 he began his banking experience as runner for the Atlantic City National Bank, under Robert D. Kent, cashier. He continued there until the Union National Bank was organized, October 11, 1890. He began in the new bank as teller, and on the retirement of Mr. Hammer as cashier he was promoted and has filled the position with great credit to himself ever since.
LEVI C. ALBERTSON.
Prominent among our citizens who have been identified with the growth and develop- ment of Atlantic City, is Levi Collins Albertson, for many years postmaster.
He was born at Smith's Landing, this county, December 6, 1844, the eldest of five children of Jonathan Albertson and Asenath Collins, who was the granddaughter of Dr. Richard Collins, the first resident physician of Atlantic County.
His youth was passed on the Albertson farm on the shore road. at Smith's Landing,
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BIOGRAPHIY.
where he attended the public schools. He was a student at Pennington Semmary, 1803-04. After leaving the Seminary he volunteered in the United States Navy and served until the end of the Civil War. He saw service on the U. S. Gunboat "Kansas," which was attached to the North Atlantic blockading squadron under Admiral David D. Porter, participating in the blockade of the port of Wilmington, N. C., and the attacks upon and final capture of Fort Fisher.
After leaving the service he engaged in mercantile business, principally in the oyster trade between Virginia and New York, until 1872. He married October 1. 1868. Elizabeth Leeds, great-granddaughter of Jeremiah Leeds, the original proprietor of Absecon beach. They had three children, viz .: Gertrude, Casper and Myra.
Mr. Albertson served as Deputy Revenue Collector of Atlantic County for two years, School Trustee six years, and as City School Superintendent five years.
In February. 1872, he was appointed Postmaster and served continuously until May, 1886, when he resigned the office and entered the real estate firm of Gardner, Shinn & Co. He was again appointed Postmaster in 1890, and served four years and two months. He is now County Collector of Atlantic County, and has always been identified with the Repub- lican party.
Mr. Albertson is a prominent member of the Central Methodist Episcopal Church. having been a trustee since its inception.
GEORGE ALLEN.
George Allen, the well-known merchant, was born near Belfast, in County Antrim, in the north of Ireland, December 11, 1846. He came to this country in 1864 and started in business with his uncle, the late George Allen, Sr., at 930 Chestnut street, Philadelphia. In 1878 he succeeded his uncle, who retired from business, and in 1891 moved to a larger store fitted up especially for the millinery trade at 1214 Chestnut street. He has a purchasing office at No. 3 Rue Bleue, Paris, where the greater portion of the goods are procured which he makes up for the American trade. At the corner of Pacific and Maryland avenues Mr. Allen has a handsome summer residence, and besides has other large property interests in this city. He is the largest individual stockholder in the Atlantic City National Bank, and a director of that institution. Since he first came to Philadelphia Mr. Allen has been a member of the Chambers Presbyterian Church, and for twenty years one of the trustees, being president of the Board. He negotiated the recent sale of the old church property at Broad and Sansom streets, lot 74x104. for $412,500. He is a member of the Board of Trade and also of the Trades' League, of Philadelphia, and a member of the Presbyterian Social Union. Mr. Allen occupies a fine residence at 1725 Spring Garden street. He has a wife and four children: Isabella, Esther, Kathleen, and George, Jr.
CHARLES A. BAAKE.
Lawyer Charles A. Baake, who is prominent legally, fraternally and financially in Atlan- tic City, was born in New York City, October 31, 1863, his parents being John C. and Anna E. Baake, of Cassel, Germany, who removed to Egg Harbor City when the subject of this sketch was an infant, and where they have since resided. He attended the public schools of Egg Harbor City until fourteen years of age, when he entered the law office of August Stephany, since deceased. He remained with his preceptor until May 1, 1883. when he entered the law office of the late William Moore, at Mays Landing.
He was admitted to the New Jersey Bar during the June term, 1885, and immediately began the practice of law at Egg Harbor City. He has always been an earnest Republican,
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DAILY UNION HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY.
and during '86 and '87 he was Assessor of Egg Harbor City. He has also been Solicitor of Egg Harbor City, and of the Board of Health of that town, and is Solicitor of the Egg Harbor Commercial Bank, in which institution he has quite an interest. In 1888 he moved to Atlantic City, and while he followed his profession, he also devoted considerable of his time to financial matters, being at different times an extensive owner in Chelsea, the excur- sion house tract and other lands.
On the 17th of October, 1889, he was married to Emilie, daughter of Peter and Rosinea F. Schemm. A son and two daughters constitute his family, which is a very in- teresting one. His home is a domestic paradise, at 1419 Pacific avenue.
He was elected a member of the Assembly from this county for the session of 1893, and looked after the interests of his constituents with ability and candor.
He is a well-known Odd Fellow, having been District Deputy Grand Master of At- lantic County at one time. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the Chapter and Knights Templar. He is also a Red Man, and may always be found in the midst of those interested in the development of the city and county.
CHARLES C. BABCOCK.
Charles C. Babcock, Esq., is the son of Capt. Theodore Babcock and Miss Caroline Barrett, representatives of two of the best families of Atlantic County. He was born at Mays Landing, July 26, 1873, and was educated in the public schools there and by private tui- tion. At the age of fifteen he came to this city and found employment in the office of the Wilson Ice & Coal Company for a time, and held other clerical positions till September, 1889, when he registered as a student of law in the office of Hon. S. D. Hoffman.
He was admitted to the Bar as an attorney-at-law in February, 1895, and as a counsellor in 1898. He rapidly built up a general practice in the criminal and equity courts. He was appointed clerk of the new District Court when Judge Robert H. Ingersoll took the Bench under the new law, but the volume of his practice soon became so large that he had to resign this position. Mr. Babcock possesses decided talent as a public speaker. He is a ready writer as well as an after dinner orator and an able pleader before a jury. He is a member of the Bar Association and has a bright and useful career before him. In politics he is a Republican.
HARRY BACHARACH.
Harry Bacharach, the present Alderman of Atlantic City, was born in Philadelphia in 1873. He is the youngest of a family of five children of Jacob Bacharach, who for several seasons had a clothing store in this city previous to locating here permanently in 1880, at 931 Atlantic avenue. The son was educated in our public schools, making rapid advance- ment in his studies and embarking early in business enterprises. On March 1, 1892, he was admitted as a member of the firm of Bacharach & Sons. In March of the following year a larger store was opened in Tower Hall at Pennsylvania avenue. The firm prospered, and in November, 1895, a still larger store was secured adjoining the post office, at 1416 Atlantic avenue, and on March 14. 1899, a still larger store was secured at the corner of New York avenue. This and the Tower Hall store are conducted by the firm with up-to-date enter- prise and success. Alderman Bacharach has been quite successful in various real estate transactions aside from his mercantile interests. He is Vice-President of the Seashore Hotel Company, controlling the Hotel Islesworth, of which his brother, Isaac Bacharach, is Treasurer, and Wm. B. Loudenslager, President. For years he has been an active and popular member of the Morris Guards, and has an enviable reputation for being a liberal, public spirited citizen.
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BIOGRAPHY.
JOSEPH BALL.
Joseph Ball, the wealthy Quaker merchant of Philadelphia, who owned the Batsto estate in 1784, when William Richards, his uncle, went there as manager, was a nephew of or a cousin of the mother of Washington.
Ball owned large tracts of lands in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, and Washing ton, D. C. Dying intestate, in 1820, at the age of 73. his large interests were inherited by six uncles and six aunts, one of whom was William Richards, the manager of Batsto, who bought out the other heirs and became the sole owner of that large property.
In 1842, when Samuel Richards, who succeeded his father as administrator of the estate, made his last accounting of the trust imposed upon him, there were seven hundred heirs. Owing to the absence of any law by Congress to enable an administrator to sell lands in the District of Columbia, nothing was ever realized from the property which Ball owned there. The estate has long since been settled, though occasional attempts have been made to revive an interest in it by some very distant relatives.
L. DOW BALLIET.
L. Dow Balliet, M. D., was born at Milton, Northumberland County. Pennsylvania. He received his early education in the public schools and in a private academy at that place. On March 10, 1880, he graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia. His initial year of practice was spent at Gloucester, N. J., and from there he located at DuBois, Pa., where thirteen years were given to an active and successful practice. In June. 1894. he located and is now following his chosen profession in Atlantic City. He is a member of the Atlantic City Homoeopathic Medical Club, also a member of the American Institute of Homoeopathy.
JOSEPH A. BARSTOW.
Joseph A. Barstow was born on the 9th day of April, 1827, in the village of Damaris- cotta, on the Damariscotta river, Lincoln County, Maine.
He was a direct lineal descendant of Benjamin Barstow, one of four brothers who came from England, all of whom were shipbuilders. He was brought into immediate and close contact with the business of his forefathers, and hence followed in their foot-steps.
He lived with his father, Joseph Barstow, at the homestead which now stands and is known as Belvedere Place, until he was nineteen years of age, when he started out in the world for himself in company with his school friend. John Avery. They reached Boston and remained there some time and helped to rebuild one of Boston's old churches.
In 1852 they arrived in Philadelphia and there learned of the seaside resort Cape May. to which place they went, and were engaged in building and contract work there.
The following year, while the railroad to Atlantic City was being built, Mr. Barstow made his first visit to Atlantic City. He traveled by stage, via May's Landing and Abse- con, and thence by boat and landed where the Clam Creek boat houses now stand. Ile remained a week, long enough to realize that the completion of the railroad would make plenty of building for himself and others. He found plenty of work as a contractor and builder, erecting many houses and hotels, viz., the Seaside House, Chalfonte, Shelburne and the Mansion House.
He was elected to Council in the years 1857, '61, '62, '63, and for ten or a dozen terms thereafter. In the year 1865 he was elected Treasurer of Atlantic City. He helped to organize the first Building Association, and served as president of the same for many years. He was also at one time director and president of the Atlantic Lumber Company: he served
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DAILY UNION HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY.
several terms as a school trustee. He was an incorporator and a director of the Consumers Water Company, and when that company and the Atlantic City Water Company (more familiarly known as the Wood Company) were consolidated, he was the president of the new company under the title of the "Atlantic Water Company."
He was vice-president of the Atlantic City National Bank, and was identified with that institution until his death.
He was also at the time of his death, and had been for many years prior thereto, president and general superintendent of the Atlantic City Gas and Water Company, a cor- poration to which he gave much of his individual and personal attention, and because of the excellent standing attained by that company was to Mr. Barstow a theme of particular pride.
On February 29, 1861 at Absecon, he married Elizabeth Ann Turner, daughter of John Turner, of Smithville, Atlantic County, N. J. His widow and six children, Georgianna, wife of William Wright; Charles W., Estelle H., Nettie M., Joseph R., and Henry M. Barstow survive him.
Mr. Barstow died after a short illness on Monday, August 15, 1898.
WILLIAM A. BELL.
William A. Bell is a son of E. S. Bell, and was born in Philadelphia, December 3, 1859. His mind was well-drilled when he entered the employ of a prominent carpet firm in the Quaker City. For seven years he labored diligently to acquire a thorough knowledge of the business and succeeded. In 1885 he came to Atlantic City, and being fully equipped to follow the career marked out by him, his father gave him an interest in his carpet business and henceforward the firm was known as E: S. Bell & Son. The house prospered beyond the most sanguine expectations of its founders, and in 1890 the senior Bell, satisfied with what he had accomplished. retired, Mr. Wm. A. Bell purchasing his interest, and the butsi- ness was continued under the name of Bell & Scott. In 1896 the firm was dissolved by mutual consent, and was revived under the present name of Bell & Gorman. Being a public- spirited citizen, Mr. Bell. in 1896, was appointed by Council a member of the Board of Education. He is married and is an original member of the Board of Directors of the Real Estate and Investment Company. As a large real estate owner he is identified with the most progressive interests of the town, and the promotors of enterprises having for their object the expansion of the city are always eager to enlist the good offices of the man whose business is the best testimonial of his thrift and integrity.
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