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 32
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Enoch Cordery, of Absecon, was the oldest son of the seven children of the late Absa- lom Cordery, and was born November 11, 1816, where he always lived and where he died on April 10, 1891. For several generations, the Cordery family have held an honorable place in the history of Atlantic County. Absalom Cordery had three brothers living along the shore, Parker, Edmund and Daniel, and their descendants are numerous.
Absalom Cordery was a blacksmith and wheelwright, and a man of acknowledged worth. He represented his county in the State Senate two terms in the carly forties, and when he left home. his son Enoch was left in charge of the business and conducted it creditably. The children of Absalom Cordery and Elizabeth Chamberlain were:
Enoch, William C., Daniel Edwards, Sarah, who married Thomas Clark; Annie E., who married Job G. Babcock; Caddie, wife of James Ryon, and Maria, wife of John R. Steelman.
Enoch, b. November 11, 1816, m., first, Sarah, only daughter of Capt. Edmund Somers, by whom he had one child, Sarah B .; m. second, Lucy Ann Evans, daughter of Hon. John Willits, of West Creek, Ocean County. They were married November 5. 1846, and had five children: E. Alonzo Cordery, of Fort Meade, Florida; Mrs. Reuben Babcock, of Absecon;
MARY CLARK CORDERY.
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DAILY UNION HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY.
Mrs. John R. Fleming, of Atlantic City; Mrs. William Dickey, of Pittsburg, and John Wil- lits Cordery, of Absecon.
Judge Cordery was a man of strict integrity and more than ordinary intellectual attain- ments. He was all his life a very industrious and exemplary citizen. He conducted at the old homestead the business which his father left him. He was an active and consistent member of the M. E. Church. He was a charter member and one of the active workers of the Aurora Lodge of Odd Fellows, the first to be instituted in this county. His influence and worth was recognized by all who knew him. Like his father, he represented his county in the State Senate, serving from 1857 to 1859. It was a period of legislative corruption, but the member from Atlantic preserved his reputation unsullied.
In 1877 Governor Bedle appointed him one of the Lay Judges of this county. He was twice reappointed, serving five year terms and having one year to serve of his unexpired term at the time of his death.
He was one of the first stockholders and directors of the Second National Bank, and was the possessor of a considerable fortune.
RODMAN CORSON.
Rodman Corson, who comes from one of the old-time families of Cape May County, was born near Beesley's Point, in what is now Marmora, on June 15, 1866. For some years he has made Atlantic City his home. His educational advantages were only those of the ordinary country district school, after leaving which he spent eleven years teaching school in the various counties of Southern New Jersey. By close application he won the degree of A. M. in the American University. He studied law with Messrs. Godfrey & Godfrey of this city, was admitted to practice in the June term of 1899.
He has for several years helped to collect the taxes of this city, and is well known to many of our business people through his connection with one of the busiest law offices in Atlantic County. He is a Director and Secretary of the Real Estate and Investment Com- pany of Atlantic City, and enjoys the entire confidence of those with whom he comes in contact.
In 1893 he married Miss Genevra Corson, of Philadelphia, and now resides on Georgia avenue. He is a member of a number of fraternal societies and has passed all the chairs in our local Castle of Knights of Golden Eagles.
WALTER A. CORSON.
Dr. Walter A. Corson was born at Vine Valley, N. Y., December 9, 1872; moved, with his parents, to Cape May County in 1876, and from there to Atlantic City in 1881. Was graduated at the public schools of Atlantic City in 1890. The following year he spent at school at Pennington Seminary. Began the study of medicine with Dr. G. W. Crosby the following year, and was graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia in 1894. He then joined the medical staff of the Metropolitan Hospital on Blackwell's Island, New York, where he was soon promoted to assistant superintendent of the hospital. He returned to Atlantic City after spending 18 months at the hospital, and began the prac- tice of Medicine with Dr. G. W. Crosby, under the firm name of Drs. Crosby & Corson.
He was married on November 16, 1898, to Miss Amelia Sanders Adams, of Linwood, N. J. His health becoming impaired, he decided to spend the winter of 1898 and 1899 in Texas, expecting to return to Atlantic City again the following June. He is a member of the Atlantic City Medical Club and now lives in Denver, Colorado.
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BIOGRAPHY.
LEWIS MITCHELL CRESSE
When the shores of New Jersey were almost untrodden save by the foot of the Red man, and the ascending smoke from the camp fires of the tribes of Lenni-Lenapes was the only sign of its inhabitants to the passing mariners; when the sea was most bountiful in spoils for the whaler, the name of Cresse appears prominently in a company of men who, attracted by the wealth of these waters, came from Long Island and settled in its southern section in 1692.
When Cape May County came into existence the same year. by proprietary law. with limits but vaguely defined. this name appears on the county records as a public official, and down to the present time it has retained its honorable position.
In 1692. Arthur. patriarch of the Cresse family in this State, purchased 350 acres of land from the West Jersey Society, and the same year he and John Townsend became jointly the first Collectors of the County, which position they held until 1700, when they were succeeded by John Cresse and Jacob Spicer.
The early settlers raised cattle extensively. The herds roamed together and each man's property was distinguished by a brand on the ears. This law was made by an Act of Assembly at Burlington. February 7. 1692. The legal form of recording the "ear marks" was the sketch of a cow's head with the peculiar mark of the owner on the ears accompa- nied hy a written description. The first "ear mark" in the archives of the Cape May County courts was recorded by a Cresse on July 13, 1692.
A deep religious sentiment has dominated the family and in church as well as State they have been leaders. When the first Baptist services, in 1675. resulted in a permanent organization with a church structure in 1712, at Cape May, the name of Arthur Cresse was first on the list of its members, as was that of Nathan Cresse first on the list of members of the first Methodist Church in the County founded at Dennisville.
The early records of the first Presbyterian Church established in the county are lost but tradition claims that the Cresse family was also largely interested in its organization.
The name of Lewis Cresse continnes in almost unbroken succession down the ancestral line, appearing officially as early as 1712. When the fiery spirit of patriotism burst forth in a document of May 27. 1778. in which 87 Cape May countians renounced their allegi- ance to King George and swore to "bear true faith" to the government of New Jersey, the nanies of Arthur, Lewis, Daniel, David and Zebulon Cresse appeared on the list of -signers.
Lewis was a notorious wag and a verse maker. Daniel. a brother of Lewis and the great-grandfather of our subject, was a large land owner, the proprietor of the Dias Creek tavern, and a sea captain. His son Daniel married Hannah Hand, and settled at Gravelly Run, where he operated one of the largest farms in that region. Six children were born to this couple: Philip, Rhoda. Ellen, Huldah. Daniel and Lewis. The only survivor of the six children is the youngest. Lewis Cresse. Sr., father of Lewis Mitchell Cresse. The father was born at Gravelly Run in 1824. and was educated in the pay schools of the county. When a young man he spent three years in California, attracted by the discovery of gold. Upon his return he married Mary Ann Hoffman. a teacher in the village school of Gravelly Run. Mr. Cresse first engaged in the milling business at that place. but later purchased a farm of 100 acres at Townsend Inlet (now Swainton) where he has since resided. Four children have been born to him: Huldah. wife of Coleman F. Leaming. Jr .: Mary Hoffman, wife of W. Scott Hand: Lewis Mitchell and George Hoffman, prin- cipal of the public schools of Dennisville.
Lewis Mitchell Cresse was born at Townsend Inlet. September 12, 1867. He acquired his education in the public schools of his native village. graduating at the High School of Cape May Court House. in 1886; the Quaker School of Woodstown. and the National College of Commerce, Philadelphia, graduating from the latter institution in 1887. Sub-
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DAILY UNION HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY.
sequently he engaged in teaching bookkeeping and accounting in that College. He after- wards became principal of the public schools of Almonesson, Gloucester County, but abandoned the work of an educator to become identified with the financial interest of Cape May County: first as Cashier of the People's Bank of Sea Isle City, where he re- mained nearly three years, when he accepted a position with the Union National Bank of Atlantic City. Three years later, in 1896, Mr. Cresse became the executive head of the Ocean City office of the Central Trust Company of Camden. This Bank was opened for business May 13, 1896. A general banking business is conducted and success has attended the enterprise from the beginning. a fact which is largely attributable to the efforts and management of Mr. Cresse. In his work he is assisted by W. Scott Hand, who occupies the position of teller, and B. C. Marshall, who is bookkeeper.
Mr. Cresse is also extensively interested in the business of paper manufacturing at Pleasant Hills, N. J. The office of The Pleasant Mills Paper Co., of which he is Presi- dent, is at No. 608 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, and to the management of this important enterprise he has devoted much attention.
He is now serving as a member of the Board of Education for the second term and is President of the Board of Trade of Ocean City.
On the 12th of September. 1896, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Cresse and Cecilia, daughter of Alexander and Marion Hislop, of Troy, N. Y. They occupy an enviable position in social circles and enjoy the highest esteem of many friends. Mr. Cresse is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is popular in fraternal as well as social and business circles. His success in all he has undertaken has been marked.
LYDIA HERTS CROMWELL.
Dr. Lydia Herts Cromwell was born in Bedford, Pennsylvania, July 28, 1874. She graduated from the Bedford High School with high honors, May 5, 1893, and immediately determined upon the study and practice of medicine, notwithstanding the objections and earnest opposition of her family. Her determined purpose prevailed and she began the study of medicine with Dr. Amos A. Taylor as her preceptor. In October, 1893, she en- tered the Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, and was graduated as Medical Doctor in the regular course, March 26, 1896.
Immediately upon graduating Dr. Cromwell was engaged as assistant physician with Dr. Nelson A. Pennoyer at the Pennoyer Sanatorium, Kenosha, Wisconsin. At this insti- tution, in addition to the Sanatorium practice, Drs. Pennoyer and Cromwell had the care of an active practice in the town of Kenosha.
At the beginning of the spring season of 1897, Dr. Cromwell accepted the position as Resident Physician at Galen Hall Sanatorium, Atlantic City, where she has since remained in the practice of her chosen profession.
GEORGE W. CROSBY.
Dr. George W. Crosby was born at Middletown, N. Y., September 1, 1851. Was edu- cated at the Delaware Literary Institute at Franklin, N. Y., and at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Began the study of medicine with his brother, Dr. O. H. Crosby, in the spring of 1875, and graduated from the New York Homoeopathic College February 28, 1878. Located at Walton, N. Y., the following April. Was the first to introduce homoeopathy in that city.
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BIOGRAPHY.
and soon built up a large practice. By the urgent request of his brother, he moved to Atlantic City in the spring of 1883, and began work in his new field of labor with Dr. O. H. Crosby, under the firin name of Drs. O. H. & G. W. Crosby, which was continued up to the time of his brother's death.
Was married February 16, 1892, to Miss M. A. Rathburn, of Franklin, N. Y. Joined the American Institute of Homoeopathy in 1885, and shortly thereafter became a member of the New Jersey State Homoeopathic Medical Society, also the West Jersey Homoeopathic Medical Society, and last, but not least, the Atlantic City Homoeopathic Medical Club.
O. H. CROSBY.
Doctor O. H. Crosby was born at Middletown, New York, September 25, 1849. IIe was educated at Del. Lit. Inst., Franklin, N. Y., and in 1869 began the study of medicine at Rochester, N. Y., afterward coming to Camden, N. J., with Dr. H. H. Cater. He graduated at the New York Homeo. Med. College in March, 1874, and immediately thereafter located at Atlantic City, where he began the practice of his profession, being the first and for some time the only homoeopathic physician in the city. Here he soon built up a large practice and gained many friends. He was married in the autumn of 1874, to Miss Hattie Shepard. of Franklin, N. Y., who died September, 1882.
Dr. Crosby was for some years Superintendent of Public Schools in Atlantic City, in whose welfare and development he was much interested. He took an active interest in several organizations in which he was identified, and was for many years a member of the American Institute of Homoeopathy. He died of Bright's disease, at Franklin, N. Y .. January 6, 1885.
GEORGE F. CURRIE.
George F. Currie was born March 11, 1835, in Dubs, France, and received a common school education at that place. In 1851 he came to the United States, locating temporarily at New York, and later at Philadelphia; he then resided in Delaware for a time, and during the panic of 1857, located at Millville, N. J., where he opened a stove and hardware store. At the end of five years he sold this businessand came to Absecon and engaged in the same business. At the outbreak of the War of the Rebellion he answered to his country's call and enlisted in the Federal Army, serving until honorably discharged, in 1865. Realizing the business possibilities of Atlantic City, Mr. Currie built, in 1868, at 1216-18 Atlantic avenue, and there engaged in the stove and hardware business. In 1881 a meeting was held in Mr. Currie's store to organize a bank, resulting in the organization of the Atlantic City National Bank. The business progress of the city after a few years warranted another bank, and in December, 1886, the Second National Bank was organized. This institution was largely the result of Mr. Currie's efforts, in recognition of which he was elected its first president. and has been re-elected to that office at each succeeding election, and at present holds that position. Later the Trust Company connected with the bank was started, and in 1894 he was made president of that institution.
In politics Mr. Currie is a Republican. He has been a member of Council several times, and was a member of the Board of Chosen Freeholders for seventeen years.
Mr. Currie was married to Miss Mathilda D. Haley, of Haleyville. Cumberland County, in 1859. Mr. Currie has four children, two boys and two girls.
He is also prominent in Masonic circles, and helped to organize the first lodge at Absecon, and was its first Junior Warden. He is also a member of American Star Lodge, No. 148. 1. O. O. F., and was its first Noble Grand.
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DAILY UNION HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY.
WILLIAM EDGAR DARNALL. A. B. M. D.
Born in Pearisburg, Virginia, William Edgar Darnall, A. B., M. D., obtained an academic education in the city of Durham, North Carolina, where he remained until 1888, during which year he entered the Washington and Lee University, Lexington, Virginia. In 1892 he graduated from this institution, having filled the position of private secretary to General Lee, president of the University, for two years prior to this auspicious event. The degree of M. D. was conferred upon him by the University of Virginia, in 1895, and after a year's practice in his native State, he came to Atlantic City.
Since locating here, Dr. Darnall has been honored by appointments as physician to the Atlantic City Hospital, physician to St. Michael's Baby Hospital, and is also Fellow of the American Academy of Medicine, member of the Medical Society of New Jersey, secretary and treasurer to the Atlantic County Medical Society, vice-president of the At- lantic City Academy of Medicine, cx-section chief of the Phi Gamma Delta Greek Letter Fraternity and president of Fortnightly Club of Atlantic City.
Dr. Darnall, who is the son of Henry Thomas and Margaret Pogue Johnston Darnall. is a descendent of an influential family of Virginia.
HANNAH SOMERS DAVIS.
Mrs. Hannah Somers Davis, as she preferred to be known, was born at Somers Point, New Jersey, October 1, 1795.
Her great-grandfather, John Somers, came to America from Worcester, England (his place of birth), in 1681 or 1682, when about twenty years of age, and settled in Pennsyl- vania, at what is now called Somerton, Pa., but which was then called Upper Dublin. After living there a few years he came to South Jersey, and in 1695 bought of Thomas Budd a tract of 3,000 acres for the sum of 240 pounds sterling.
Because of this the place received the name of Somers Point, and here some of his de- scendants live to this day.
James Somers, son of John Somers, grandson of Richard Somers, and great-grandson of the original John Somers, when a young man, very likely about the time of his marriage, built a house about one mile west of Somers Point, on what is at present called Hickory Point, being a part of the original tract purchased by John Somers. The timbers and boards for this house, which was destroyed by fire February 7, 1900, and which had been for many years an object of interest, were sawed from the trees of the forest by the young builder himself.
The house, when completed, was occupied by him and his wife, and here the subject of this sketch was born.
Hannah was the third of a family of six children born to John Somers and Lettice Finley. After the death of his first wife, her father married Aner Blackman, by whom he had four children, and after her death he was married a third time, this time to Martha Wiley, by whom he had one child, Harriet, widow of Simon Lake, who is now living at Ocean City, at the age of seventy-five years.
Living, as she did, more than thirty years past the allotted three-score years and ten, and doubtless reaching a greater age than any other member of the Somers family, it seems as if this long life is at least partly due to the natural longevity of the family to which Mrs. Davis belonged.
Her great-great-grandfather died at the age of eighty-three. Her great-grandfather lived sixty-eight years. Her grandfather died in his seventy-third year, and her father in his ninetieth, while the ages of her nine brothers and sisters who have died average nearly eighty years. When Miss Somers was only eight years of age she was taken by an aunt and uncle to Salem, Ohio, which was then in the far west. She remained there until 1813,
BIOGRAPHY.
when she returned east and took up her residence in Philadelphia, where, in 1818, she jumed the Methodist Episcopal Church, although her earlier training had been that of a Friend. both of her grandmothers having been Quaker preachers, connected with the Meeting Houses, which stood opposite the present Dolphin House, at Somers Point, and near where the Central Church now stands at Linwood.
On September 26, 1834. she was married to Elijah Davis, a merchant of Philadelphia, by the Rev. Thos. M. Carroll, a minister of the M. E. Church.
Mr. Davis was very successful in business and accumulated a fortune of moderate size before he retired to private life. He died in 1873. a few years after his retirement, leaving the most of this estate to his widow.
Having joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mrs. Davis took an active interest in its affairs and gave liberally toward its support. In 1878 she furnished the means for a church to be erected at Clarks, Nebraska, to be known as the Somers Chapel, and became so much interested in the undertaking that in 1884, when eighty-nine years of age, she went to Nebraska for the purpose of visiting it.
While there she gave evidence of her vigorous constitution and indomitable will, by taking a ride on horseback.
The last quarter century or more of Mrs. Davis' life was passed very quietly in her home at No. 448 North Fourth street. Philadelphia, where for twenty years she had the companionship of her faithful and loving niece, Miss Hannah Spain, who cared for her every want.
Although confined to her house of recent years, because of rheumatism, her mind was clear and active to the last.
The last time the writer had the pleasure of seeing her was just before the Spanish- American War, at which time she was found sitting by the window reading the daily paper.
She took an active interest in the topics of the day, and was well informed on the events preceding the war. Having seen and distinctly remembering the war with England in 1812. the war with Mexico in 1848, and then the awful conflict between the North and South in 1861-65, she expressed an earnest wish that we might not again be compelled to take up arms, but said if it became necessary, our President, Wm. MeKinley, would guide this country safely through it, as Abraham Lincoln had done through the Civil War.
On the occasion of the visit referred to, she showed me with a great deal of pride her certificate of membership in General Lafayette Chapter, Daughters of the Revolution of Atlantic City, together with the gold spoon which had been given to her as an original Daughter of the Revolution, her father having served during that war.
On October 1, 1895. Mrs. Davis celebrated her one hundredth birthday at her home in a very quiet manner, surrounded by a few of her nearest relatives and dearest friends.
After this three more birthdays were passed, and the fourth almost reached before death overtook her, on August 22, 1899.
On August 25th, she was buried at Woodland Cemetery, Philadelphia, the funeral -er- vices being conducted by the Rev. John Wood, pastor of St. George's M. E. Church. Philadelphia.
Truly do the Proverbs of Solomon say: "Forget not my law for length of days and long life and peace shall they add to thee."
HARRY H. DEAKYNE.
Harry H. Deakyne, the well-known druggist. was born in New Castle County. Dela- ware. August 20, 1858. After graduating from the public schools he took a course in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. He next spent five years in the drug store of J. W. Denney, of Smyrna, Delaware. In 1883 he graduated from the store of llenry C. Blair's Sons, in Philadelphia, and came to this city in March of that year. Ile continued in the
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DAILY UNION HISTORY OF ATLANTIC COUNTY.
employ of the late T. M. Galbreath for six years, till his death, in 1889, when as manager, he continued the business for the estate six years longer.
On January 1, 1895, he opened the handsome brick store where he now successfully presides.
He is a Past Master of Trinity Lodge, a Chapter member, and one of the Board of Governors of the new City Hospital.
MICHAEL A. DIVINE.
Michael A. Divine, our well-known and popular Postmaster, was born in Philadelphia. His parents moved to this city when he was a child. He received his education in the public schools and filled various clerical positions with credit and success. For eight years, up to 1891, he was in the employ of the West Jersey Railroad Company, first in the express office and at the consolidation of the West Jersey with the Camden & Atlantic Companies he remained with them as chief clerk in the passenger, freight and express departments. In 1891 he was elected Tax Collector and re-elected the following year. In 1894 he organ- ized the real estate insurance and law firm of Divine & Wootton, in which he takes an active interest. In July, 1896, he was appointed Postmaster by President Cleveland, and the appointment was confirmed by the United States Senate in February, 1897. He is largely interested in the development of real estate. As Postmaster he has persistently and suc- cessfully directed his efforts to the improvement of the service. Few people appreciate the vast amount of transient mail that is received and handled at a resort like this, and the fluctuating quantity and the difficulties in its dispatch and distribution. The new post office building, stamping machines and enlarged carrier service and improved facilities have re- sulted from his intelligent direction. He occupies a handsome home in Chelsea, and is one of our most enterprising and public spirited citizens.
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